Healing

Chapter Thirteen-The Battle

*Percy's POV*

The next week passes by without incident. Shockingly.

Tony comes terribly close to throwing a fit about there being a dog in the facility, but after some sweet words from Pepper, he was later found trying to teach the pup how to bring him tools in his workshop. The dog's name is Cerberus, a not-so-subtle wink to the mythology that Bucky did not appreciate. Still, he hasn't tried to murder Hades yet, so I'd say we're winning. Sam has personally invited Hades to go running with us on the regular and while everyone is cordial, he's the only one trying to establish comradery.

Everyone else has stopped giving him death glares though, so at least we're moving in a positive direction. Still, there's a weird feeling around. I know Hades and I feel it, but no one else seems to. It's worrying.

"-but you're the source. Understand? Percy?" I glance up at my name and realize Hades was explaining something to me and I completely tuned him out. My head shakes as he sits down in the grass next to me.

"Sorry, Hades, got too involved in my own head." He nods slowly as I brush my hand through the grass. We're directly in front of the facility on the lawn and mid-way through talking the floodlights turned on. A not so subtle hint from Bucky that he has to be able to see us at all times. I meet his green eyes worriedly. "There's just...something that I can't put my finger on that's happening. Or that hasn't happened yet." My eyes trail to Cerberus sitting erect next to him, staring at the woods next to the river. As if she's seeing something we're not.

"I feel it too." Our eyes meet again and I can't help but smile a bit at being so easily related to.

"We should head in before Bucky comes and gets us." I hesitate a second before quickly pecking his cheek and standing. "Thanks for explaining stuff to me. Even if I didn't catch all of it." I grimace slightly, but he just smiles and takes my hand as he stands.

"I'll happily explain whatever you like however many times you like." He tells me and brushes a stray curl behind my ear, his thumb gently brushing my cheek in the process. My lips press together to keep my smile under control before we both hear a clearing of someone's throat and spring apart like shrapnel. Bucky stands in the doorway of the facility holding it open for the both of us to head in.

"Curfew." He says simply and not unkindly. I sigh and shake my head, but wave Hades in first.

"Rrrrrr." A soft, uncharacteristic growl emanates from Cerberus' belly and I stop next to her, then follow her gaze to the river.

"Perce," Bucky calls a bit more firmly. He doesn't see what I see just yet. The slight trembling of the grass, the shaking of the tree limbs despite there being no breeze, and the slightest glimmer of gold coming off the water.

"Hades," I call him and he's back at my side in a moment, hand in mine, eyes wide. "Bucky, go inside and stay there," I tell him but when I hear the door shut its followed by footsteps towards us.

"What's going on?" He asks and finally looks to where we are. A burning gold person emerges from the trees, melting the trunks into arches as she simply pushes them aside. "Shit." Hades and I immediately light up in black and blue flames while Bucky pulls a handgun from the waistband of his pants.

"That isn't a good-" Hades starts, but is then cut off by the loud aftershock of gunfire. He empties the whole clip but each bullet just seems to be absorbed into her, then is suddenly shot back. I'm quick to step forward and extend a hand in front of the both of them along with a shield. The bullets smash against it and fall to the grass before I pull the shield back in. Hades glances frustratedly at Bucky. "Not good!"