Bruce is going to be pissed.

I knew that long before I stumbled off of Blackjack's back. The anticipation of the yelling, screaming, throwing me out for being ungrateful, pressed heavy on my shoulders. It made me sick. And after the third time I threw up, Blackjack forced me to set up camp, leaving me to pray that no one would find me.

I'd had half a thought, as I lay on the dirt, to call out to Dad. How nice would it be to curl in his arms and let him take care of me when I had a stress-fever and couldn't keep food down? To feel his warm hand card through my hair or rub my back? His name was on my tongue so many times, but I couldn't do it.

I should've. Should've called him or found a spot with a creek or river I could have slipped into. The hard, dry ground was uncomfortable, and Blackjack's outstretched wing didn't retain much heat. Besides, water made everything better.

All in all, I was miserable long before Bruce rushed me out the door within ten minutes of getting back. I blinked blearily at him in the car. He sat between me and Dick; I couldn't figure out why. Did I do something wrong? Wouldn't put it past myself, but there wasn't anything I could think of that would make Bruce put himself between us like I was a threat.

"What are we doing?" I mumbled. Didn't ask why he was between us. That'd be rude. 

He frowned and reached over. I flinched. Was that rude? Did he not want me to ask? His cold hand pressed against my forehead, pushing sweaty hair aside and shutting up my thoughts. My eyes fluttered. I leaned into it. How much. . . would I have to sacrifice to be allowed to stay like that?

"You're burning up," he said. He shifted. "Did you sleep outside last night?"

"Got lost."

"That's why you keep your phone on you."

I laughed, a harsh bark of a sound. Funny. Very funny. I'd be dead if I had it. Bruce ignored me: Dick stared. My seatbelt rasped as it retracted, and I blinked. I didn't--

"Where did you end up?" Bruce asked, pulling me to rest against him.

"Dunno."

His hand pressed harder against my head. "Fugue?"

I squinted up at him. Fugue? Like a fugitive? Why did he want to know about criminals?

"Dissociative state. Where everything's kinda foggy and you don't remember much," Dick said. More helpful than Bruce, but louder. I shoved my face into Bruce's chest. It was hard and unfamiliar. Not the right smell. Not the right arm over me.

"Percy--"

"I want Mom." This wasn't right. It just. . . wasn't. Mom would let me cuddle with her in her bed. She'd stroke my hair and kiss my forehead and give me a blue Jolly-Rancher to suck on. And a light blue Gatorade. Not a dark blue one. She would've noticed I wasn't feeling good.

Muttering a curse, Bruce pulled me tight to him. "I know. I know you do. Alfred, do you think she could stay in the car?"

No. I couldn't, and I hated it as Bruce pulled away from me and Dick, leaving us standing in the large lobby of the school. Trophies filled the cases along the far wall. Some looked cool, others didn't, and Dick pointed at one with pride.

I'd have to check what that trophy was for once the room stopped spinning.

Everything was loud. Overwhelming. Too bright. Too many voices. Bile scorched the back of my throat. Fuck, how was I supposed to do this? Was it just from being sick? The itch in my brain, that crawling on my skin, that didn't feel like it was from a fever. I leaned against the wall to support myself. 

Even when footsteps came closer, my hand barely twitched for Riptide. I was too afraid I would break apart if I moved.

"Dude, we only get to wear comfy stuff on open house, why are you dressed up?" Dick snatched Kaldur's schedule and squinted at it.

"You sound like Wally, my friend." Kaldur smiled. It fell when he looked at me, smoothed into something neutral. "Dinah became worried about my lack of schooling, and that my first response to her bringing up her concerns was a joke about me being part fish." His brow furrowed. "Are you ill? Or are you worried as Dinah was? Because I assure you Orin's been quite good about keeping me on track with my studies."

I hummed. "First one." Gods, the wall was nice and cold against my cheek. Were the bathrooms this cold?

"Does Bruce know? Or are you keeping this from him as well?"

"Once we get back to the Manor, he's going to lecture me about not telling him. I-- I was hoping I'd be fine today. Dinah came to talk to me. . . and there are things in my past I'd rather not dig into. And I had to leave, and I knew Bruce would be upset---"

"So you made yourself sick with worry." He sighed. He fidgeted with his shirt collar. "I was worried I made you upset."

"Doesn't that hurt your gills?" I asked quietly. His jacket chafed the delicate skin, and that was a soft material. If I remembered, maybe I could ask Dad for a jacket that won't hurt him, and then I could steal his current one.

"It is not comfortable by any means, but I have done similar for longer. You really should be resting."

"I'll be fine. Better than being poisoned." Dick whipped his head up to stare at me. Kaldur shifted closer, guiding our conversation into Atlantean.

"You know why I worry as I do. And there are other reasons of course." He pressed his fingers against my forearm. The touch was gentle and sweet, and it stayed that way even when he clasped my hands and pulled me towards him.

"I really don't deserve you."  Nor did I deserve what he offered.

"She's sick." Dick said to any adult that opened their mouth. It--whether being the reason or that Bruce funds a lot of the school--meant I got to lean against Kaldur for a few minutes. They chatted over my head about their schedules. Kaldur had gym with Dick. Dick would probably be in math class with Artemis again this year, he said, and he was still waiting for when Artemis figured out things.

"Are you sure you will be okay when the others show up?" Kaldur asked.

"Eh." Dick waved his hand. "Electives and math are the only ones we have to worry about. I know you don't want them knowing we're friends, but since you're dating my cousin. . . Actually, how have you avoided the paparazzi this long?"

Thankfully, we didn't have to answer that---though I had a feeling it was something to do with the gods.

"Hello, Percy," Orin said. Unlike Kaldur, he was dressed casually, drawing dirty glares from the richer parents. It was almost enough to make me giggle. What would they do if they knew they were glaring at a king for being under-dressed?  "Are you ready to go, Kaldur?"

"Can he come visit later?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"I do not have a good immune system when it comes to things like this." Kaldur squeezed my shoulder. "As soon as you feel better, I will. Make sure to get in touch with me, and I will come over when there's a moment of peace." For some reason, I felt like there was an apology in there. No idea for what. It wasn't needed regardless.

"Got your schedule." Bruce strode over and handed it off. "Stay with Dick."

"Where are you--" And he was gone, leaving Dick to lead me around the school. The English teacher was a brunette with soft eyes. My math teacher seemed like he'd make kids cry, though Dick's seemed nicer. After we crossed off a couple more teachers, Dick froze in the stairway.

"What?" I asked.

"You're in Classical Mythology and Literature with me. Bruce told them to put you in Art One, and trust me, that class is never full." Our footsteps echoed through the near empty hall. This side of the school seemed older, felt older in the way things did when they'd seen many people pass through. 

"We can get it changed right after school starts. I don't think you want to talk to the counselor today," Dick said as we stepped into the classroom. "Really, the art teacher isn't that bad, she's just--"

"Hello, Percy."

I tore my attention away from Dick. A smile tried to rise onto my face, but I forced it down because I knew it would seem weird.

"Hi, Mr. Brunner."

Chapter done! Stomach, hungry!

I'm going to go eat. Leave a comment if you want to, and go check out Under the Water if you want to do that too. That's a finished story I have, so no waiting for. . . four months for an update?

Anyway,

See yah