Gladiators

Chapter Eleven

"What, are you crazy? Jason will kill me before he let's me leave!" Percy exclaimed, staring at her if she had just grown a second head and was singing opera. "No, I am not crazy. But you need to at least ask Jason if you can visit your family." Reyna insisted.

"And why would I do that?" Percy asked incredulously, obviously thinking the idea was ludicrous. "You can't fully love him if you aren't happy with him. You care for him, yes, but you're so unhappy that love cannot flourish in any relationship you may have with him." Reyna replied firmly.

Just as Reyna finished speaking, a furious Jason burst into the room. "Reyna, what are you doing?" Jason shouted accusingly, standing between her and Percy. Percy stared at him in confusion. Percy thought they were friends? Why was Jason yelling?

"I was simply talking to your boy." Reyna replied, as if trying to calm a raging beast. The analogy was not far off the mark. Jason's nose was flared, his fists were clenched, and his jaw was tight. His whole body was tense. He looked ready to fight someone.

"You know I don't want anyone talking to him when I am not with him." Jason growled, his volume lowering. "Jason, I am your friend, not Octavian or that guard. I have no interest in him." Reyna scowled. Jason sighed, the tension leaving his body slowly. He slouched, as if tired, and Reyna smiled. Her eyes met Percy's, as if conveying a message. Don't forget to ask to leave.

"Sorry, Reyna. I shouldn't have shouted at you." Jason said apologetically. "You're right. You shouldn't have. But I know how you get jealous easily." Reyna said, smirking. Jason glared slightly. Percy hid a smile, happy that Jason was jealous. It meant he cared, which made Percy's heart happy, even in such a depressing time for Percy.

"Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. I'm going to go relax. I've been way too stressed lately." Reyna said, standing up and exiting the room while rolling her shoulders back, her dogs following. Jason turned around to Percy and tugged him into his arms, already kissing him feverishly once Reyna was out the door.

Percy let himself be swept up in the utter bliss for a moment. He pretended they were in love, that they had a future. Jason was always sweet, saying 'I love you' every chance he got and told Percy what he loved most about him. That Percy didn't wear his collar. That he hadn't been kidnapped. That his family wasn't far away, not knowing Percy's fate. For a moment, he was happy.

Reyna's words floated back into Percy's mind, playing on repeat until Percy couldn't take the incessant guilt. Percy used all his willpower and strength to push Jason away, causing Jason to stumble back, confused and unprepared. "We need to talk." Percy said softly, worried he would get hit. Jason could get violent if he wanted.

"We can talk later." Jason said, going back in for a kiss. Percy put up his hands to Jason's chest, keeping him at arm's length. "No, Jason, we can't. Please, we need to talk." Percy repeated, and finally seemed to break through Jason's lust-filled haze. "What do we need to talk about?" Jason asked, confused. Percy took a deep breath.

"I want to visit my family." Percy rushed out.

"Absolutely not!" Jason exclaimed instantly, not giving it even a moment's thought. "Please, Jason! I'll do anything! I just want to see my family again!" Percy begged, staring into Jason's eyes imploringly. Jason stared at him for a while, not saying anything. Then, finally, he sighed. "You may go." Jason said, and Percy grinned excitedly.

"But on one condition." Jason added, causing Percy's smile to drop. "What is your condition?" Percy asked cautiously. Who knew what the blonde would ask- for Percy to help him take down Greece? For them to get back to what they had been doing? For Jason to- gods forbid- meet Percy's mother?

"I must accompany you to Greece." Jason said finally after a moment, ending the suspense for Percy, but made Percy almost regret asking. Percy didn't know for sure why he wanted to go- it could be to keep Percy from not coming back, or to kill all his friends and family so Percy truly only had Jason. But some part of Percy believed that Jason wouldn't hurt Percy like that.

"Do you promise not to hurt them?" Percy asked quietly, head bowed and looking at Jason through his lashes. Jason's heart hurt that Percy thought that he might hurt his family and friends. Jason may be cold, but he wasn't that cruel. He wanted Percy to believe the best of him, not the worst.

"I promise." Jason replied, not being able to hide the flash of hurt in his eyes, but Percy didn't notice anyways. Percy smiled and hugged Jason tightly. Jason's hurt was then buried by his overwhelming feelings for Percy once more. He wasn't sure what the feelings meant, but he did know he wanted to kiss Percy senseless.

Percy leaned up and kissed Jason, taking the lead momentarily with his burst of happiness. Jason quickly took over the kiss, making Percy's head dizzy and befuddled. Percy let the bliss completely take him over this time, and tingles erupted all over Percy's body.

Jason once again spent the night with Percy, acting upon the feelings he didn't understand.