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“How bad was it?” Jason winces, staring at the mess they’re now standing in. Concrete and small sputtering flames and bits of… clothes? lay in ruins around them. The result of a fight, a battle, gone wrong. He doesn’t have the full details. Not yet anyway. It’s only a matter of time before he’s in the infirmary though, attaching himself to two different hands and waiting anxiously for the owners to rouse.
“It was bad,” Frank winces, “Pretty bad.”
“Well did they manage to defeat the bastards?”
“I don’t know,” His friend shrugs looking around at the ruined buildings. Jason could see the calculations running in the praetor's mind: how long it’d take to fix this, how to prevent it from happening again, what are the consequences for this happening. “I got here after most of the damage was done. Percy was already racing towards the rivers and Leo was so hot none of us could go near him.”
The Son of Jupiter curses, filthy frustrated words spilling over his tongue. He left them alone for one afternoon and suddenly it was invitation for monsters to attack. In the middle of fucking New Rome. Where they’re supposed to be protected, and free to do whatever they want.
“Anyone else get injured?”
Frank shakes his head, “Hazel managed to get everyone out before things got bad.”
Jason feels every bit of anxious pain collapsing his insides. The fact that he wasn't here, the fact that they got injured in the first place. That they weren’t safe.
“You should go to them,” His friend nudges his shoulder, before pulling them together. He is tall but Frank is taller, and larger. He feels encompassed. With a deep breath, dust from the destruction and jasmine from whatever soap Frank uses, he thanks the Son of Mars and takes off for the infirmary.
It’s quiet today, with camp activities being less dangerous than usual due to winter term— less kids to nearly kill, less chance of doing activities that could kill— so he spots them straight away, lying next to each other, chatting quietly. Percy has a small smile on his face, lip tugging up in that way that says he’s just said something cheeky and he’s delighted with himself. Leo’s eyes are bright, struggling to contain the amusement he so clearly wants to burst with.
He takes a second to stare at them. Lets the pacing beast behind his ribcage settle back into slumber. If his happiness is dandelions dancing on ocean breezes, his anger is a feral tiger, injured and willing to strike anything and everything to keep him safe. He’s trying to suck back in the tears of relief that keep threatening to waterfall across his cheeks when they both turn to him.
Simultaneously their expressions brighten, relief and love flooding across their mouths, eyes, in the way their shoulders settle back into the bed.
“Jase!” Leo calls, already waving a hand to hurry him over.
“Hi,” He stumbles towards them in his haste. “How are you guys? Are you okay? Did you get badly hurt? Is there anything i can do to help? Do you need something? I can get more nectar or ambrosia? Percy you want mint tea? Leo apple juice? What about some—”
“JASE!” Percy stops him, laughter bubbling bubbling boiling over. “We’re okay, my beloved.”
They take his hands, squeezing three times. I love you.
“Just a little banged up.” Leo scrunches his nose playfully, “But look—” He pulls Jason’s fingers till they’re settling over his chest. “ —heart still beating—” moves his hand to his ribcage, takes a deep breath in, “ —lungs still working.” Percy is mirroring every movement with his other hand.
And the world sort of stops spinning in that moment. He can’t quite believe just an hour ago they were fighting monsters, and now he’s the one that needs calming down. And they know, gods they know they know they know, just how to reassure him.
“Some tea would be great though,” Percy giggles, eyes wide with feigning innocence.
“Coming right up, troublemaker,” Jason laughs, kissing his forehead, and then Leo’s. “Anything for the heroes.” He winks.