The Winds Against the Ocean (Percabeth)(Jiper)

--> Chapter 6

Jason jogged up to the girl staring over the rail, her choppy hair flying against the afternoon breeze. He leaned against the railing next to her.

"How's the loading going?" Piper said nonchalantly.

"Good. We might be separating from Percy's ship and go to some ports."

Piper whipped her head to look at him, bewilderment shining in her eyes. "What?! Why?"

Why she was so troubled by this, he didn't know.

"That idiot accidentally flooded those ports and got banned from there. They have some good stuff that I need."

"Wait, but....can't I stay on Percy's ship?"

His eyes narrowed. "Why would you want to stay on his ship?"

"My-my friend. She's the only friend I have left."

"That blondie? Anniebeth?"

"Annabeth."

"You're not leaving this ship."

"Can she come on ours?"

"I'm fine with that, you can go ask Percy." But he wasn't sure if he wanted Annabeth on his ship.

"How do I get on his ship?"

"You swing over there."

"What?"

Jason pointed to a rope attached to the top of a mast. "You grab it and swing over there. You up for the job?"

They did actually have a ramp where they could connect the two or they could have signaled Percy to come nearer to their ship, but he wanted to scare her a bit so that she wouldn't go. If she fell in, he'd be glad to dive in a get her again.

Piper looked at the ropes. She looked like she was pondering whether to do it or not. Then her eyes transfixed with determination.

"No problem."

Jason almost choked on his own saliva. He stared at her and she rolled her eyes.

"I'm being serious." She walked to the mast and grabbed a rope, twisting it around her wrist.

Jason quickly grabbed the rope from her. "Ok, ok, I'm kidding."

He held his arm into the air, holding up three fingers. Across the waves, someone put a green piece of cloth up, signaling that they understood.

The boat neared gradually as Piper climbed onto the railing herself, ignoring Jason's hand which he only shook off.

He watched as she jumped off and onto his best friend's boat. Percy waved at them with a grin, but Jason could see the exhaustion in the bags under his eyes.

Piper walked to him and there was an earnest conversation with a lot of hand movements. Percy's face darkened and his arms crossed.

Jason watched as the two argued for a minute. He did give Piper some credit in arguing with the Sea Prince. Percy tended to scare people, except for Jason, when he was angry.

Piper stormed off, no doubt to find Annabeth and she disappeared.

Then Percy looked at Jason as if to say, seriously? Jason shrugged. Two minutes passes and Piper came back out, tears in her eyes.

She climbed back onto his ship, her foot slipped on the railing.

"Woah!" Jason grabbed her arms before she fell into the valley between the boats.

He helped her climb back in and then she silently nodded her thanks, slipping away.
•••

She went into the Jason's room. She wouldn't have if she knew Hazel's room. Or if she had her own room, which she didn't.