𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

66

Jason had a hickey.

Jason had a fucking hickey. Hadrian was going to kill himself. If the humiliation from crying in front of him wasn't enough, now he had to deal with the fact that Jason had a god damn hickey. 

Of fucking course Jason was the first one in the mess hall, he gave Hadrian and Percy a tight lipped smile as they walked in.

"Hey" He said in greeting, "Annabeth and Leo were going over the engine, something about uh- well I'm not sure. Hazel went to have a shower and Frank is well... recovering I think"

Hadrian gave a curt nod.

Percy was staring at the hickey.

"Drown me" Hadrian whispered.

"Did you-?" Percy looked between them. The hickey was on the right side of Jason's neck, Hadrian remembered the warm skin against his lips. He remembered wishing it was Percy's skin. "Uh Jason- quick, before anyone else turns up, I should warn you. You have a-uh something on you-"

Percy pointed to his own neck.

Jason shrugged. Hadrian hated how casual he was about this, "I don't mind, I saw it and I freaked out at first. But I think we have bigger problems than..."

Hadrian swallowed.

"Yeah, definitely" He nodded, "I just wanted to say-"

"Hads" Jason held up a hand, "I don't know why you showed up randomly, why you were crying. I just hope you feel better now and maybe... maybe this should stop. It was fun, right? But we both have stuff going on"

"Like the world ending" Percy put in helpfully. He had his arms crossed and he stood just behind Hadrian, neither moving to sit down.

"Right. Yes" Jason snapped his fingers. "But seriously, thanks for helping me figure out I like guys"

"My pleasure" Hadrian tried for a smile but it came out shaky. It would be so easy to just press Jason against the wall again, lips against lips. But Hadrian knew what he was saying was right.

Jason deserved someone who cared about him, who kissed him with meaning, not because they were bored or angry. And besides, they were still friends. Sure they kissed twice, but they were still friends. Then why did it feel like losing him?

Hadrian sat down in his seat. Percy sat opposite Jason like he always did.

Soon the others started trickling in- Hazel first, a small smile directed towards Hadrian and Percy. She looked fresher, happier, like a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She smelled like lavender. Hadrian would have to ask to borrow her perfume later.

Leo and Annabeth came next, both covered in grease smudges and charred clothes. Leo grinned like he always did and winked at Hadrian and Jason knowingly.

Hadrian flushed.

What the fuck was happening to him? He didn't blush or stutter or get awkward about these things. Maybe it was more the knowledge that Leo had seen him so vulnerable.

Frank came last, his right hand was a dolphin flipper until Percy pointed it out.

"You have a hickey" He stumbled over his words, pointing at Jason.

"Astute observation, Sherlock" Hadrian snapped.

Frank remained quiet after that. If the others didn't know it before, they definitely did now.

Hedge was the only one on the deck, which Hadrian felt was a little dangerous, but if worse came to worse, he would blow some things up.

They all looked at him expectedly. Hadrian wanted to ask Hazel to open a chasm at his feet and drop him. But the ship was wooden, not earth. So maybe he could ask Annabeth to drive her dagger through his ribs.