Anyone who knows Arya Jackson for more than five minutes knows her opinion of the world, and demigods not so fair place in it. Unfortunately, since the war Arya isn't that easy to get to know. To most she's little more than a legend.
Arya is fine w...
"Am I supposed to have been grateful that I survived this?"
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11.
Worse than Death
ARYA COULDN'T REMEMBER the last time she felt safe, felt calm. Her whole life seemed to be one problem after the next. Even when something wasn't actively happening in her life, her mind and body seemed to resent the idea that she could have those moments of peace.
When she woke up, the strong and warm arms of Ace were no longer around her. Even though she was sure she had fallen asleep in them. He was still in the bed, right next to her, even breathing, curls in his eyes, back to her. Doing exactly what he was so good at, not pushing her. She might have fallen asleep in his arms but that was as far as he was willing to let it go.
She wasn't sure how she felt about her first sense of comfort in a long time. Especially when it wasn't a place, it was a person. That person being Ace Valenti, Roman, Son of Apollo.
Scratch that. She knew how she felt, at least a little. Her chest had inklings of tightness, and her instincts were clawing at the back of her brain to 'stop it now'.
Stop what, exactly? Arya wasn't sure. Nor was she going to find out, not when so much more was happening that could hold her focus. Suppression was something she was good at, her feelings on the subject of Ace were shoved into the very farthest corners of her mind, hopefully never to be pulled out again.
On the deck of the ship, Frank and Piper were on guard duty. Jason was at the helm, shifting his weight back and forth with anticipation. As far as Arya was aware their shift didn't start for another forty-five minutes.
"Couldn't sleep?" She asked the tall blonde.
He shook his head, "Too much going on. I'm antsy."
"Then let's spar." Arya said as she summed her trident and made her way out onto the wide space of the deck.
Jason's face went through a wide range of emotions before finally settling on an agreement. Best of three, then they would both grab breakfast. Arya made the deal, knowing that both of them had some problems to work out via harmless combat
The fights each lasted about five minutes. Arya took the first one, ending it by faking out a strong blow only to sidestep around him and get her trident right into his back. Round two, he had won, only because Arya had gotten distracted thinking about her lesson plans for Ace. Round three Arya ultimately won by knocking Jason onto his back.
