𝐃𝐄𝐉𝐀 𝐕𝐔 • Percy Jackson.

III- 04

            THEY FOUND THEMSELVES outside the infirmary, sitting on the porch steps. Amani had dragged him away. His right hand gripping Percy's arm and pulling so tight Percy wondered if the boy was worried he'd run away. Percy was tasked to bring the oracle back, with the help of Grover, and when they were done and finished talking Amani came.  The said boy was no longer interested in the stupid avoidance he was doing. He ignored Thalia who was on her way over, looking like she had something to say, and Percy didn't object to his dragging. Amani smiled a little when he saw that all the beds of the infirmary were taken up by Ares' kids. The hunters did a number on them, clearly. He took some ointment from one of the drawers, some rubbing alcohol, and a couple of bandages.

On the porch steps, he didn't dawdle. Both boys had taken off their armor long ago, exposing the injuries they had. He took Percy's hand that had a couple of bruises and scratches and started cleaning them in silence. "You shouldn't have done that," Amani spoke first. "Done what? Grab the flag?" Percy said, frustrated. Amani raised his eyebrows, "what? No not that. I mean take the lightning bolt for me." He explained. He felt Percy's arm tense in his hands.

"Oh. I just–um moved on my own." Percy explained, looking away from Amani as he said, "And you shouldn't have tried to involve yourself. I had it handled."  Amani scoffed, "had it handled?" He mocked. Pressing the alcohol infused cotton harder, he muttered "Yeah right. You clearly would've gotten burnt to a crisp by Thalia whether I involved myself or not." Percy hissed. "Well you didn't have to do that," he stated. "Well I did." Amani retorted, placing a bandage.

Percy rolled his eyes. "What's it to you?" Amani glanced up, looking surprised. It made Percy a little brave. "You avoid me every fucking time but then you randomly come by and act like you care." Percy retorted, his eyebrows furrowed. Amani didn't know what to say to that, he felt himself pause, taking in his words.

Percy noticed this and he laughed dryly. "Don't even know it yourself?  You keep giving me mixed signals, Mani." He heard Percy say and he felt his heart speed up. "Don't say it like that," he told Percy. "Like what? I'm saying it the way you're acting with me!" Percy exclaimed. "I don't know what you're talking about. Your injuries should be fine now." Amani said, picking up the supplies. Before he could reach for the pack of cotton balls his wrist was grabbed.

"Hey–"

"What did I do Amani?" Percy asked, "you keep avoiding me and then now you're helping my injuries. What are you trying to do?" He demanded and Amani clicked his tongue. "Nothing, I just felt sorry looking at you." Amani frowned when Percy kept looking at him, "what I'm telling the truth!" He bit his cheek when Percy still kept looking at him.

"Fine! I just felt bad when you got hurt because of me!" He exclaimed, ripping his wrist out of Percy's hand. Percy frowned, "you're avoiding the problem! You left camp this summer without telling me and I had to search for you just to get in contact because you barely talked to me during those iris messages." Percy  with knitted eyebrows.  Amani wished Percy wasn't so stubborn.

"I just realized some things," Amani said.  "Is this what Apollo was talking about? The dreams – his warning, is it about me?" Amani closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened his eyes again, but before he could say anything Thalia had called out to them. She only looked at Amani when she said, "tell Percy to bring his ass to the big house."

"Why?"

"Did he say something?" Thalia asked Amani. He blinked, "yeah um he asked why." He said, "Dionysus is calling a council of cabin leaders to discuss the prophecy," she said. "Unfortunately, that includes Percy." Amani nodded and Thalia walked away.

"I think you should go now, Percy." He said quietly, the supplies cradled in his hands now, as he stood up. "You can't fucking leave now, I can go in late, but you still haven't explained to me–" Amani shook his head. "I was right wasn't I? It's about me–those words Apollo said." Amani swallowed stiffly, his throat had gone dry. "They're not–well not–well–I," it was the first time he stumbled over his words. He didn't like that he was so fucking nervous. Percy stared at him, his eyes drooping, and his face showing disappointment with every word he spoke.