𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

140

"Hadrian says he's sick"

"Bullshit" Percy tried to walk past Jason, but the blond put a hand on his shoulder pushing him back.

Anger flared and Percy understood exactly why Annabeth had said no to him going with Jason to Nike. If he could feel that angry and jealous even without the goddess' intervention, he wondered how bad it would be if Nike was actively trying to pit them against each other.

"He- he's sleeping"

It was eleven in the morning, Percy knew Hadrian enough to know he was not sleeping.

"Jason, I need to talk to him" Percy buried his face in his hands. First, he'd gotten up late so Frank, Hazel and Leo were already waiting for him. Then he'd tripped going up the stairs and now Hadrian was refusing to see him.

He supposed it was weird to just stand outside Hadrian's door, but he'd do that if that's what it took.

"He's tired"

"No offense, but so am I" Percy snapped, "You're not his body guard, Jason, move"

He saw something flicker in the blond's expression. He'd seen it in everyone's expression. They were scared— of him, of both of them. Surviving Tartarus was no joke. Percy was well aware that ever since coming back, they didn't seem the same.

Percy barely spoke with the others, sometimes he flinched so hard he dropped his plate, he'd have his sword in his hand in a split second if he so much as suspected he heard something wrong. Hadrian wasn't much better. He had nightmares, Percy knew about that. But he also never went anywhere without his bow, his appetite had increased since before Tartarus, but not by much. He trained more as well, he'd just started waking up early to work out with Jason.

It shouldn't have bothered Percy as much as it did.

"Percy—"

"Hey man" Frank came lumbering down the stairs and Percy was grateful because one more moment and he really would have punched Jason— sword wound or not. "Hazel and Leo are waiting for you. What's going on?"

"Nothing" Percy forced out. "I'll be there, give me a second"

"Jason just tell him I need to talk to him. And tell him it's rude to eavesdrop" Percy said it loud enough that Hadrian must have heard it inside. He couldn't help his snappy tone, but he hoped the message would carry.

What was Hadrian's problem? Percy had admitted to liking him (he'd also admitted to liking Annabeth but that was in the past), Percy had admitted to kissing him on purpose and coming out to Annabeth as bi.

If Hadrian refused to speak with him after this, it had to mean he didn't like him. Fine. Fucking fine.

Everything was fine. But it wasn't.

Percy followed Frank but he thought about Hadrian.

Percy sat with Leo at the museum but he thought of Hadrian.

Leo looked angry that day too. Percy didn't have to wonder why. The anger was going around, it was only a matter of time until they all turned on each other.

He blinked.

What was he thinking? Why was he thinking that? Percy never really considered himself an angry person, but it felt good. He also hated that Tartarus had made him that way, hated that Tartarus had managed to fundamentally change him.

How much had Tartarus changed Hadrian?

Frank and Hazel made jokes and Percy laughed but it felt hollow. Hazel's horse cussed and Percy couldn't find it in himself to laugh. Everything just felt wrong, reality felt warped.