Will You Save Me // Jercy AU

3~ It'll Be OK

Jason's POV

After I closed the door to my room I made my way to my study, my mind determined to find out what was going on with my best friend. I opened Google, knowing the Internet may at least have some answers. I spent hours, looking through articles of depression in teens and the reasons for this. However, despite my continuous efforts, I couldn't find any description fitting Percy. Until I came across an article. This article shook me to the core.

I read through the article reading the checklist provided. Percy fitted every single one. I gave a shudder and left to go wake him up, seeing the time. As I walked off, my laptop screen was left open, the article's title still shining from the screen: How to tell if someone is a victim of domestic abuse.

Percy's POV

I awoke to someone gently shaking me awake. I scooted as far away as I could, I wasn't ready for Gabe at this moment. I hid under my covers, trying to keep my rapid breaths to a minimum. I was too wrapped up in a panic to realise that if it were Gabe waking me up he wouldn't have been so gentle.

'Hey, Perce, it's OK, it's just me'

'J-Jase?' I asked, trying to prevent my tears spilling over

'Yeah, that's right, it's all good why don't you come out of the covers. I really need to speak with you'

'I'm fine' I mumbled, not wanting to face him. I finally got orientated and I remembered how he promised further conversation on the topic of my legs.
I was so not looking forward to it.

'Perce please' he sighed

'Jase I don't need to talk to you I told you I'm fine'

I heard him muttering something under his breath before he proceeded to yank the covers off me. I shivered in the sudden cold, not realising my only form of protection from facing a conversation with Jason was gone.
I finally decided to get it over and done with and faced him.

As I was staring into his eyes I felt something stir in the pit of my stomach, something that had been there since I first met him. I tried to ignore the feeling, trying to convince myself that it wasn't true, that I wasn't in love with my best friend. That I wasn't in love with Jason Grace.

Jason's POV

I watched as my best friend slowly uncurled his body and finally made eye contact with me. I paused, not quite knowing how to go about this conversation.

'Perce?' I said, gently

'Y-yeah?' he responded. Studying him I could see the glimmer of tears in his eyes, it pained me to see him so vulnerable.

'So, I know you don't want to be here but we really need to talk'

He huffed. 'About what? There's nothing to talk about Jase'

I stared at him pointedly, raising my eyebrow to give a more stern effect.

'You know exactly what, how are you gonna stop acting like a toddler voluntarily or do I have to force you?'

His shoulders slumped and he raised his head.
'Alright'

I nodded in approval, still unsure as to how to commence with the conversation, knowing it would not be easy.

'So..' I said delicately, choosing my words carefully to ensure the situation was no harder or awkward for Percy than what couldn't be helped.
'Could I see your leg again please, and the other one too?'

'Why?'

'Percy....' I answered, leaving my tone hanging

'Fine' he responded, clearly pissed
I gently rolled up his trouser legs, wincing seeing the injuries on both. I sucked in my breath.

'Percy, these bruises have definitely not been caused by falling over, if they were there should be grazes where the skin came off too.'

He looked at me fearfully, not saying anything.

'And these scars, trust me, I know they were no accident. You can't "accidentally" get scars all over your body, these have been inflicted by someone'

I heard him gulp and I decided that maybe I should be more emotionally aware of him.

'Hey, it's OK Perce' I said quietly, laying my hand on his shoulder.

'No it's not'

'Sorry?'

'I said it's not Jason'

I was stunned at his sudden burst of energy.
'What are you talking about?' I asked

'It's not OK, that I allow this to happen to myself. It's weak and it's most definitely not OK that you have to deal with me right now'

I bit my lip, unsure how to reply
'Percy?'

'Yeah?' he replied, his voice gone back to the more quiet version I was used to.

'You are NOT weak, and I'm not "dealing" with anything. You're my best friend and you need me so I'm here for you'

'Yeah right' I heard him mutter under his breath, but I elected to ignore it instead, knowing it would just aggravate the situation.

'Percy?' I asked, trying to go about this next bit as gently as possible.
'I, erm, I have reason to believe that-that...' I trailed off, unable to find the words in my rapidly closing throat.
Percy stared at me. His face giving nothing away. I sighed, going against my logical, well-ordered plan. Instead, I decided to simply rip the band-aid off.

'Percy, does your stepdad abuse you?' I asked, my voice revealing none of the pent up emotions I have.

Percy's eyes immediately doubled in size. He looked so shocked he almost fell off the bed.
'Jase-' his breathing was rapidly increasing in speed.
'It's OK, I know and it's gonna be OK'

Percy's POV

'Jase-' I said. I can't believe it. He knows, he knows everything. As I felt my breath increase in speed my carefully constructed facade began to crumble away. The image I had been holding since I was thirteen, slowly vanished and 7 years of sadness and trauma suddenly exploded out of me. How had he found out? How did I let this happen? I could feel my tears start to fall down my cheek and I tried to stop them.

Crying makes you weak you worthless boy.

I recalled the time Gabe said that to me. He had hit me for the first time and I had burst into tears, still unknowing of what was really going on- I was only 10. It was the day after their marriage and my new tears were tracing the paths that would be trodden on by tears every night for the next 7 years.

I felt two strong arms wrap around me and draw me close.

'It's OK to cry Percy, you've been through a lot.'

I could barely hear Jason through the sobs that were wracking my body but it was almost as if he knew what I was thinking. Despite myself, I managed a small smile but it didn't last for long. A new wave of despair coated me and I fell towards Jason and I let out 7 years of pain and misery while he just sat there comforting me.
'It's OK Percy, it's gonna be ok'

Preview

Jason's POV

It's OK Percy, it's gonna be ok'

I don't know how I could utter those words. It wasn't OK, how could I promise him it would be OK?

I ignored these thoughts and focused on the more pressing matters at hand.
I strengthened my hold on Percy, only too aware of how close together with our bodies were. I could feel the blood rushing to my face.

Get it together with Jason, Percy needs you you can gay out over your little crush LATER.

I knew I was correct and so I tried to put our close proximity out of mind and instead focused on comforting him.

I held him close as he wept, I knew he felt weak for showing his emotions. No doubt his fucking stepfather put those thoughts into his mind. I told him it was OK to cry and he just stayed silent, sobs controlling him.