=Chapter Thirty-Two=
•*•
He cleans kitchens
=
Thursday, 26th of September

Jason helped me off of his bike once we arrived back at the shop. Every movement was sore, although much less painful than the first time I got the stitches.

He led me inside and up the stairs to my apartment. I didnt complain since he'd already been up there once today, but the embarrassing part was the mess. I hadn't swept or dusted in a second, and the dishes (what little that came with the place) were piling up due to my inactivity.

Not to mention my plants holding up by sheer willpower and the occasional watering I give them when I remember. I used to be really good with them, but lately life has been more stressful, causing my poor plants to feel the effects.

I sat down on my couch sighing as I sunk into the depths of the comfy cushions.

Jason took a look around my apartment, a grimace on his face.

I take it he's the kind of guy who has a clean apartment, no matter what, and that almost made me feel embarrassed to see him looking at it with such a calculated gaze.

"Do you.. want me to put anything on..?" He asked, finally grabbing my remote and raising it.

"Oh, sure. Something funny-" I started suggesting, however Jason pierced me with a glare.

"No. What if you laugh so hard you break all your stitches again? I can't take you to a hospital if you're unconscious and bleeding to death because you died of laughter!"

i frowned, my mouth agape slightly. he was worried id break my stitches over laughing? come on. i opened my mouth to protest however jason shook his head, holding his hand up. "no, i dont want to hear it." he stated, turning to the tv and scrolling through multiple tv shows and movies.

"you better not pick something sad either." I relented, dragging the nearest blanket (which was draped over the back of the couch) and pulled it over my body, cuddling in the warmth, especially enjoying it because it so happened to be the quilt that May and Liz made for my birthday not long ago.

"I'll try not to." Jason replied, still standing in front of the smallish tv and looking through the choices.

After another minute he settled upon a movie I had never seen before, it was called The Princess bride.

He nodded to himself, turned up the volume and placed the remote back down on the coffee table.

"You'll enjoy this one." He said confidently, and moving away towards my kitchen, his steps quick and purposeful.

"Hey? Where are you going?" I started to move out of my cocoon but Jason interrupted me.

"Stay, don't move. Watch the movie." He continued his trek into the kitchen and doing something although I couldn't really tell what.

Normally when a man orders me around I'd probably get up and do exactly the opposite of what they said, however I did realize in my situation, it was best to let it go and not bother complaining.

Plus, this was Jason. He's not going to order me around purely for a power trip.

I settle back into the couch, my eyes turning to the tv as a couple passionately hugged and said goodbye to each other.

Meanwhile Jason seemed to be cleaning my kitchen.

I tried not to be bothered by it, but I felt terrible. "...Jason?"

"Yes sweet-uh, yes?" He flipped the damp towel he was using to dry dishes over his shoulder.

As he came into view, and I noticed he ditched his Jacket and was wearing a plain T-Shirt underneath.

"What's up, Percy?" He asked nonchalantly, as if he wasn't cleaning my messy kitchen without being asked.

"You.. don't have to clean my kitchen. I'm sorry it's a mess. I can do it later." 

He shook his head, a small smile graced his lips. "You'd forget. Say thank you and let it be."

"..thanks. I appreciate it.. but you really don't-"

His smile turned into a grin as he held up a hand to stop me from speaking further. "I wouldn't leave you to rot with all this mess. You're injured, so let me take care of you."

"Ok, ok.." I relented.

"Watch the movie, it's a classic." He further instructs while walking back into the kitchen to continue the chores I've neglected for the past few days.

I hummed to myself as I watched the movie, my eyes drifting over to the kitchen that was mostly out of sight.

I could hear the water running as he presumably washed dishes, cleaned my counters and stove top.

I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to the film, but when I was, I could see that it was a really great movie. I wished I could pay more attention to it, but I had a lot on my mind.

Where was my phone? Who had it? I suppose it could have been Bella. And if she texted Jason, who else could she have messaged?

I was feeling particularly stupid to not have a password on the phone.

I was planning on putting one on it but time escaped me and I forgot to do it.

Jason appeared in front of my vision and tapped my foot, which I now realize was wiggling around.

I looked up at him in question.

He lowered a bowl of soup into my hands and gave me a spoon.

The tv was now on the menu screen for the streaming platform.

I had accidentally zoned out and missed most of the movie.

"Thanks." I took a look at the soup. It seemed to be a beef stew, something I probably had in a can.

I definitely didn't have the ingredients in my fridge.

He sat down beside me, sighing similarly to how I sighed when I sunk into the couch.

"It's been.. a long day." He stated.

"Sorry. I didn't know I was.. you know. Gonna open these stitches." I ate a spoonful of the soup.

"You're not the tiring part. I just was worried about you..." he placed a hand on my knee.

The placement almost made me jump, but I controlled the fluttering in my chest and answered calmly.
"Still, I'm sorry you had to come all this way on your.. what were you doing?"

"Family game day." He groaned.
"Trust me, I'm.. not mad to be here instead."

I nod, leaving us in a comfortable silence, although he kept his hand on my knee. Which made me struggle to keep a straight face.

"So.. what happened today? You owe me an explanation."

I nod, of course he still would want to know. Apart of me doesn't want Jason's pity or Protection, although the other parts desperately..

What am I saying?

I slowly shift so my head leans onto his shoulder.

He was warm.

Maybe I had just lost enough blood that I felt cold but.. I loved his warmth.

"..Bella has me fed up with her. She's bossy, micromanaging.."

"What did she do?" He asked, his hand on my knee tightening slightly.

"Well at first nothing. However.. when I tried to get her to help me, she decided she knew the best way to load the shelves.. I humored her.. because well.. I was tired of arguing and I just.. I couldn't do it all alone."

"And.." he prodded.

"I carried boxes to her and she would stock. Then asked to switch because she had been too slow at stocking.."

"So she made you do all the work, and put stress on your injury." He said, his tone dark.

I think he was angry. Which I suppose is understandable.

"So when did she steal your phone?"

"Uhm.. I'm not sure. I might have left it in the office. She was in there for a while.."

Jason sighed, but he stayed still.

"And she left for lunch and didn't come back." I finished.

"She needs to get fired." He stated.

"Mhm.." why is he so cozy?

"Do you know mays phone number?" He asked, poking my cheek with a finger.

"No.. I don't remember it."

"Great. I guess we will just have to wait until she comes back.." he sighed again.

"She might not show her face for a few days." I added.

"I'll be here."

"You will?" I ask, turning my head to place my chin on his shoulder.

"Yeah. You need help. And.. I'm not cruel enough to make you do it alone."

"Thanks." I turn my head back to laying on his shoulder.

I closed my eyes.

"You're going to fall asleep.." he whispered.

"Is that okay..?" I whispered back,

"Yeah.. of course." He said so softly, I almost couldn't hear him. Or maybe that was my mind slowly fading to rest.

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

•*•

HI!

Okay I'm busy so I gtg no time to talk!!!

Toodles and have a phonetastic dayyyy
💙🍪