=Chapter Thirty-Four=
•*•
Jason's POV
=

NaarinTheWriter

Time to leave your hole :3

=
Friday, 27th of September

"Ugh.. my sleep schedule is going to be wrecked." Percy said, shelving a few books as she sat on a stool.

I nodded in agreement, that was a reasonable response to our early morning awakening.

I dropped off a box by her as I took the last box with me to my own shelf.

"You poor thing." I finally commented.

I, of course, was used to poor sleep schedules. The rigorous life of Red Hood with the added activities of hanging around Percy right after made it hard for me to find a time to sleep, causing me to often go days at a time without sleep.

It was all worth it, Percy was worth it.

At first I was intrigued by her, the mystery of who she was— what she was.

I was fueled by the desire to know. A mystery I couldn't unravel.

I still don't know. She's normal, she's wonderful. But that night I pulled her from the river...

Anyways. Now I'm sure. I don't need to know who she is, because whoever she is, I'll love her anyways. She'd tell me when she trusts me, and now that is my only goal.

It's hard. restraining myself, I mean.
Only recently have I come to my realization. At first it was suspicion, then it was amusement.. then it was friendship. I had no idea mere months around her would turn into this.

Everything about her is perfect.

I can't describe how much I've desired to be by her side.

Reading her a book, letting her curl under my arm while we watch a movie, or her light body resting on mine.

Even picking on her and joking around.

I'd be miserable if she never felt the same. Can she feel this spark? Can she feel my gaze on her whenever she's in the room with me?

If she chooses someone else I'm not sure what I'd do with myself, but I wouldn't stop her.

As far as I know, I have no competition. I just.. need to take it slow. I can't just kiss her and ruin everything.

But.. oh I wanted to.

She doesn't even realize how beautiful she is. Holding her in my arms all night was like holding a piece of heaven itself. I never had a better night. I couldn't resist a few small kisses on her forehead. yes I shouldn't have done that but I couldn't help it. It was Percy.

I smacked a hard cover book against my forehead. I needed to stop.

She's not mine. Not yet. And I cant get ahead of myself.

There was still much of her to know. And there was still much of me she had to know.

What if she hates my life?

What I've done?

And what if she never sees me as anything more than a friend?

I have to control myself. I can't let my heart go until I'm sure.

"You okay?" Percy's voice broke me from my worry.

"Yeah." I responded, halting the book from further smacking.

I put the book away and got out the next one. Percy started chattering away, talking about a book she read.

I knew the book, one I did actually like. I commented here and there letting her talk all she wanted.

Her voice was angelic.

I've only heard her sing once, but I'm pretty sure that's when I fell hard for this girl.

Yeah.

From the start, almost.

She had pain, trauma, but she still glowed. She was someone to cherish.

I don't know what exactly her step-father did to her. But after all that, she still smiled.

That kind of stuff never leaves you. Some people let it control them, but she didn't.

There was something else she had endured, something much more than a drunk walrus could do, that much I could tell. Even though it's still a mystery to me.

And she still smiles. They're genuine, most of them anyways.

I wanted to know her secret. How did she move through the pain of the past?

I let mine control me. My anger towards Bruce made me do stupid things I shouldn't have done.

Bruce and I were still tense, but I had my family back. I just couldn't let them get close anymore.

It was hard to really go back to what used to be before I died.

I couldn't go back, no matter how much they or I wanted to. I was different now.

The only person who's ever treated me like they weren't even slightly afraid of me was Percy.

She didn't even know how scary I could be.

If she knew, she'd.. I don't know.

"I'm done." I said, trying to distract myself.

"..really? Awesome. I got these last books and I'll be done too."

Percy hummed a tune as she popped the last two books into the shelve, pumping her fists in victory.

"We're done!!" She exclaimed, and I smiled at her excitement.

"Finally." I agreed. Standing and walking over to her. I offered a hand, my heart soaring when she took it.

It didn't matter if the touch was simple poke or a full hug, it sent tingles down my spine.

It took all my strength not to pull her into a kiss.

Luckily, she let go after she was standing steady and upright, and I could distance myself from her so I wouldn't do anything stupid.

"Should I order some lunch?" I ask, pulling my phone out of my pocket.

"Yeah. What do you want to eat?" She asked.

I shrugged. "I donno, something good."

"Whatever you want, I don't mind." She smiled.

Please stop. You're making it so hard.

"Hamburgers? I can order some to get delivered." I offered.

She nodded excitedly. "Ooh yes!"

"Alright..." I quickly ordered through a delivery service and clicked confirm.

"Well hopefully it will be here soon. In the meantime..." I passed my phone over to Percy, and like the last time I passed my phone to her, she looked at it in confusion and slight nervousness.

She held it like it would shock her.

"What... do you want me to do with this?" She asked, awkwardly forcing a confused smile.

It was cute, her confused expression. Which is why I often give her things that she doesn't know what to do with just so I could see it.

"Call your mom." I offered. "Who knows what your phone thief has done. Not that she's done anything.. but just in case." I had no doubt Bella was going to play dirty. Cause every physical pain she could inflict on Percy or even the people Percy knew.

What even was her problem? Was she seriously that much of a narcissist that she couldn't handle one beautiful talented woman?

Pathetic. She will regret it if she steps one foot back in this store.

If she does, she better have Percy's phone and an apology— although not even that would spare her from my wrath.

She hurt Percy, taking advantage of her trusting and forgiving nature.

I wouldn't let it go.

Percy nodded in agreement, pressing in her mom's phone number, and waited patiently while it rang.

"Hello.." an older middle aged woman answered the phone, it was quiet from where I stood, but I could tell the woman sounded tired.

"Mom? It's Percy." Percy said softly, as if she was afraid.

I turned to give Percy some space.

"I'm okay mom. No... no that wasn't me... gods mom.. I'm so sorry.. gods.. yes I'm safe. Nothing happened. I'm okay."

Just what did Bella tell her mom?

"I swear on the river Styx, mom. I did not get shot."

The faint sound of thunder rumbling in the distance caught me off guard.

Rain wasn't uncommon for Gotham, in fact that was its favorite thing to do. But thunderstorms were uncommon, and it wasn't even raining at that moment. It was just its dark, normal dreary cloudy skies.

"I love you mom. I'll try to visit sooner than Thanksgiving. Yes I promise. I'm so sorry. Please pass it on."

Percy eventually hung up and i turned back to her.

"..so?" I asked.

Percy sighed. "My mom was made to believe I was shot in some robbery and I was dead."

My eyes widened. Bella. There's no doubt at all in my mind. It was always clear from the beginning that it was her, but now I was positive.

"Bella is.. a monster. For what she's putting you and your family through." I said, barely keeping my voice calm.

I didn't want to scare Percy.

My life might scare her. I didn't want that.

"I know." She said softly. She looked done with it too. Her glare suddenly solidified and it made me step back for a moment.

It was... honestly terrifying. It sent shivers down my spine.

For the first time.. I felt a little scared of her.

"..I need to get my phone back."

I nod. "Yes you do."

She sighed, moving to my favorite arm chair and sitting in it. "First lunch though. I'm starving."

I cracked a grin. That's my girl.

•*•

Hehe.. would I not be me if I wrote a chapter and couldn't hide it from you for a whole week?

Also I'm super mad at tags lol. Why can't I make them workkk

Lol

Hope you enjoy Jason's passionate raving of Percy.

He's completely smitten.

And idk how to write, please help. 🤣

Anyways, hope you had a doubly *phonetastic* day!

Toodles!!

💙🍪