𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

153

Hadrian was having a nightmare. 

Percy could tell because he was shivering. He mumbled something in his sleep, his eyebrows drew together and he grabbed Percy with urgency. 

"Mon amour?" Percy whispered. "Hadrian? Wake up, it's just a nightmare"

Everytime he looked at Hadrian, he was just filled with a feeling in his lungs as if he was breathing correctly for once, as if everything was just right. 

He didn't like seeing Hadrian like this— vulnerable and clearly suffering. But he also didn't want to touch him. Hadrian may sleep hugging Percy, he may not be homeless anymore, but some things never really leave you. 

Percy knew enough to know that. He knew how he grabbed the nearest weapon everytime Paul accidentally raised his voice, how no matter how nice of a guy Paul was, he could never really trust him, always expecting the dark side to show up, always wanting to protect his mom. 

Percy kissed Hadrian's head. 

"Hadrian" He said a bit louder now. 

Just that evening, Annabeth and Hadrian had returned from the temple of fear, though the boy refused to talk about it. If this place made your fears worse, Percy didn't have to think hard about what Hadrian was dreaming of now. 

Hadrian stirred. 

"Wake up, love" Percy wasn't sure when exactly he had started calling him that. Maybe since he started realizing that Hadrian was the essence of love, at least to Percy. Aphrodite would probably not like the comparison. 

Hadrian's fingers brushed Percy's waist. He really seemed to like Percy's waist. 

There was a certain domesticity that came with Hadrian. He claimed he wanted something Shakespearean, and he did get it, technically. But now, he seemed... calmer. Percy remembered one conversation they'd had— before they had kissed in the water. 

"If our places were switched, I'd jump in after you too"

"If we're ever in a position like that— you can't" Percy said quickly, "I don't want anything to happen to you"

"And you expect me to stand around watching?" Percy didn't know what to make of the way Hadrian looked angry. "Percy, you and I— Whatever souls are made of, yours and mine are the same. I can't help loving any more than you can help caring"

Percy had shivered so much he thought the cold was touching his bones-freezing his heart inside his chest. 

Whatever souls are made of, yours and mine are the same.

Gods of Olympus. Percy never really prayed, but he would for Hadrian. 

"I don't think your exes were in their right mind" Percy blurted. He did that a lot around Hadrian, just blurted whatever was on his mind, "You... you're so good with words, I bet you'd be a great boyfriend"

Okay, fine, Percy was really bad at flirting, but Hadrian was oblivious or maybe he was ignoring the implication on purpose. 

"It's... complicated. They liked me, but none of them liked me, you know?" Hadrian sighed, "the liked the idea of me. I was ready to tear apart monsters, I'd be ready to do anything for them, I was in love. And then they just left. Both of them. That's why I stay away from romance now. Making out is fun and all, but..."

Percy's heart sank just by that sentence. 

"Why would you just want to be liked when you can be passionately desired?" He looked into Percy's eyes and he thought if Hadrian kept staring, he would be able to read his mind. So Percy looked away. "Wouldn't you rather be obsessively desired?"