=Chapter Thirty-One=
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It's not that bad...
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Thursday, 26th of September

"Ow, ow, Jason!" He closed the door behind us as he dragged me back into the store. His grip was gentle but firm, but it still made me stumble as he hurried me in. He pushed me against the nearest wall, clear confusion in his expression.

"Percy, what is going on?!" He demanded, finally releasing my arm, only to box me in by setting his hands on either side of my head, leaning towards me while I was trapped against the wall.

"I- why are you here? I thought you were busy!" I tried not to focus on how close we were, how his breath smelled of mint.

"I was until I got your text! Where is your phone!" He explained, his chest heaving as he stared me in the eyes.

"I uh- it's lost! What text?!" Did the gods interfere and send Jason a text because I was in a sticky situation?

"You- well. I hope it wasn't you! You said you hated me!?" His eyes.. his eyes pleaded with me, begging to hear me object.

"What? No! I don't hate you!" I shook my head in confusion. Jason finally took a step back, letting me breathe easier. He crossed his arms, one hand on his face as he calmed down.

Finally, Jason seemed to notice the wonderful stain on my shirt.

"Percy? What happened.." he took me by the shoulders and directed me to a chair, positioning me sideways so he could reach the side of my body with the wound. He knelt before me, and without asking permission first, he lifted my shirt a little to find my awkwardly bandaged wound.

"I broke a few stitches.." I admitted. "But I'm fine, really.." I really need to stop doing that. I need help.

"No.. you're not." He sighed deeply, peeling back the bandage to take a look at the issue, his fingers were warm against my skin, and tingles exploded across the area of contact, my stomach suddenly filling with butterflies. I looked away, feeling almost overwhelmed how his gentle touch affected me.

"..I'm taking you to the doctor." He said firmly, lowering my shirt and sighing, his hands pulling my legs back to sit correctly in the chair, then draping an arm over my knee and leaning his forehead on it.

It seemed like he needed a moment to calm down too. Perhaps the stress of the situation was as overwhelming to him as it was to me.

Maybe he also.. I can't go down that thought.

"..okay." I started to get up, however Jason kept me down with a hand. "Wait." He said, getting to his feet and leaving out of sight going who knows where in the store, before returning a moment later with my jacket.

I raised an eyebrow. "You went in my apartment?"

He rolled his eyes. "You trust me."

Yeah. I do.

"You can't just break in and steal my jacket." I protested.

"It was unlocked, and I wasn't stealing it." He poked my head.

He offered a hand and helped me up out of the chair, then assisted me with putting on my jacket.

"Come on." He took my hand, our fingers intertwining as he gently pulled me along with him.

I blush a little, yes I know, the great and powerful Percy is susceptible to a little touch.

But his hand was warm, and it fit perfectly in mine.

Luckily Jason doesn't seem to notice as we walk out the store and he puts his helmet over my head, making sure the strap was secured under my chin. He flipped the visor down playfully with a grin.

I glare while pushing it back up, but once again, he pushed it down. "Hey!"

He offered to help me get on his motorcycle but lets be honest, after years of riding a horse (Pegasi, Blackjack lol)

I wasn't going to get on a bike awkwardly.

Okay I was a little awkward but I wasn't trying to impress him or anything.............

I struggled only a little. And it only hurt.. a little.

Jason shrugged off my refusal and got on in front of me, reaching back and taking my hands, he put them around his middle.

"Ever been on a motorcycle?" He asked, glancing behind at me.

"No, although I knew a guy who did. Kinda lame guy in my opinion." I commented.

(I'm too lazy to go check but if Jason's already taken her on his motorcycle please lmk lol)

Jason coughed out a laugh. "Well hold on tight. I'll try not to scare you on my lame motorcycle."

"I didn't say your mo-" he revved and the bike shot forward causing me to squeeze my grip tightly to prevent me from falling off. "Jaaasonn!!" I yelped.

"You're fine!" I barely heard him reply.

If I didn't have the helmet on I would've hid my face in his leather jacket, the thrill of riding a motorcycle was almost terrifying in comparison to riding Blackjack.

Don't ask me how I knew, but I could tell he was grinning.

Jason eventually slowed to the speed limit, either to appease me or to make sure I didn't actually die by anything unrelated to the Greek world.

Finally, about ten minutes later we stopped at a small urgent care clinic.

This time I accepted his hand as he offered, secretly enjoying the small touches benefited from the connection.

He unlatched the strap and took off my helmet, setting it on the bike before leading me inside. "When we get back, you need to tell me everything." He said to me as he held the door open.

I shrug, knowing I owed it to him anyways, although I had a feeling Jason wouldn't be happy with my reluctant labor I did today.

"Hello, I can help you here." A nurse waved us over at a desk. She eyed my stained shirt with a critical eye, and I didn't miss the suspicious glance she gave Jason.

I quickly spoke up to clear his name before she could think too hard.

"I broke some of my stitches by carrying boxes. Do you think I could have them looked at to decide if they need re-stitching?"

Jason frowned beside me. "Carrying boxes? What were you doing?" He asked in a hushed tone.

I shook my head. "I'll tell you later." I I mouthed.

The nurse nodded emphatically. "Hmm yes that is unfortunate. While it seems tempting to do normal activities while injured, it's a severe risk, so after your check in, please do not attempt to do any more heavy lifting."

I nod. "Okay.."

She gave me a bit of paperwork to go through while I waited my turn.

There wasn't a crazy line, and my wound wasn't too high risk, so there was no rush.

Jason sat beside me, his arms crossed impatiently. "I should have brought you to my families private doctor." He glared at the front desk.

"It's not that life threatening." I replied, marking down the necessary information on the paper.

"She could've acted a little more worried. Maybe checked the wound. Maybe-" I bumped my leg against his.

Particularly because it was wiggling wildly out of control already, but also because I wanted him to calm down.

"It's fine. Ive had worse."

That might've been the wrong thing to say.

"Worse? What else." He had turned in his small seat to pierce me with his gaze.

"Oh." I laughed nervously, waving it off. "You know. Clumsy me."

Jason raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You being clumsy has lead you into a state worse than being stabbed with a literal piece of wood?"

"...ye....es." I dragged out the 'e' with an awkward grin.

"Per-"

"Perseus Jackson?" A nurse opened a door on the far side of the waiting room, cutting off Jason mid confrontation.

I stand, and Jason sighs, following.

Either he would remember this for later or he would forget it and I would be lucky, but I'd probably find that out some other day.

"Good afternoon, ma'am." The nurse greeted, leading us to a small room.

Once we were all in, she closed the door and instructed me to hop on the examination table, the thin papery thing crinkling under me.

The nurse asked me to lift my shirt, and of course I complied, letting her take a look at my wound.

"Yes you broke a few stitches. I will want to stitch it back up." The nurse concluded.

I sighed dramatically. "Yay."

•*•

Hiiiiiiiiiiii :3

I've been playing so much Minecraft lately. Woot woot 🤣

Anyways I hope you enjoyed, I kinda like this chapter!

Have the most shnazziest *phonetastic* day!

Toodles!
💙🍪