ONE LAST TIME . . . heroes of olympus

55

SINCE FRANK LEFT, Kat couldn't bother him. Unfortunately, she probably had to talk to Piper and Jason anyway. She definitely had to talk to Piper about being jealous of Frank, because what the fuck was all that about.

But Piper was talking to Hazel, so Kat had to settle with Jason cleaning up her messy room as she sat in front of her mirror, popping every goddamned pimple on her face even though that probably wasn't the smartest option. She didn't care. She also was debating on if she should straighten her hair or try a new style, but it's not like she's going anywhere today . . . she hopes.

"You know I can clean my room by myself, right?" she drawled, looking up in the reflection to see him arranging her nightstand, putting the empty glass she'd discarded last night on her bed as he basically rearranged everything on it. Like, okay, she does shove around everything on it to turn off her alarm clock, but it's an organized chaos. More chaos than organized.

"I know you can," he amended, "I don't think you will."

"Don't you have any faith in me?"

"I've never seen your cabin clean," he pointed out. "And I don't think I've ever marked it above a three."

"That's because we're all hoarders, milaya, not just me." She popped the last pimple, deciding not to do her hair. She turned to face him. "You don't have to worry about me all of the time. I can take care of myself," she said softly.

He looked over at her because of the tone of her voice. "I know," he said, a little surprised.

"Yeah, but it's just . . ." she trailed off, shaking her head. She can't find the words now. Oh well, she'll find them later. "I don't know."

If she'd been talking to Piper, she would've been interrogated. But this was Jason. He knew when she couldn't find the words for what she wanted to say, and she'd tell him what's on her mind later. So he didn't ask her any questions. And she really appreciated that.

Kat stood up and walked over to him, poking him in the side. Dutifully, he sat down on her bed and sat there while she raked her nails along his scalp, taking out fluff particles and shit from his hair.

"You and malyshka talked last night?" she asked conversationally.

"Yes," he answered, respectfully not putting his hands on her. "I figured asking you to come up with us, but . . ."

She shook her head. "It's fine, you two really needed to talk anyway."

He looked up at her, and she clicked her tongue and forced him to look straight again. Oh, who were we kidding? Jason Grace is the farthest thing from straight, despite what everyone thinks. He's literally dating two people. No way he's as straight as a ruler. "Is there something I should know about?"

"She was worried about you," she explained. "When you were knocked unconscious. The first time. She was also pretty jealous. Honestly, I didn't want to deal with that. I don't know how to reassure her about that. Especially since it was about you and Reyna."

"Yeah . . ." Jason sighed. "She's a little touchy about that, but I think it's okay now."

Kat hummed in response, finishing with his hair. "That's good," she commented, fluffing up his hair for fun before taking a step back to give him space. "Foo Foo Bear carried me down to the sickbay, 'cause my head was hurting and I couldn't move and stuff so he brought me down and we had a good talk. Ugh, I have to talk to Piper about him. He's literally just my best friend. I probably knew him while in diapers. That's not boyfriend material. For me, personally, but you know, whatever's your kink. I guess."

"Right . . ." he said, but he was frowning, and she could guess why.

She let out a groan. "Dude. I know my limits, and I turned out fine. And if I hadn't stepped in, you and Percy probably wouldn't be here—"