The Truth Comes Out

"So, I guess I'll see you at practice then," I said as I walked Jase to the door. We had spent the entire day just lying around the flat, talking, playing videogames, and watching Finding Nemo...what? It's my favourite movie. Anyway, here I was, walking the guy I had spent the last twenty-four hours with, to the door, yet again avoiding the 'talk.' You know, the one that defines a relationship.

Don't get me wrong. Jase is a great guy, and I would like him to be my boyfriend, but it's not always that easy. I mean, I wouldn't mind finally coming out. I wouldn't even be surprised if a few people expected it. The problem is, I don't think that's what Jase would want. I at least know that no one expected this from him. He carries himself so well. I guess he doesn't seem gay, or at least not in public. I don't think he's quite ready to come out, though.

"Yeah," he said a little distractedly. "Perce?" he started rubbing the back of his neck, and I instantly knew what was coming. I could try to avoid it, but it was still happening.

"Yeah, Superman?" I asked as we reached the door. I didn't make a move to open it, though. We needed to talk this through first.

"What...exactly...well, what are we now?" he asked in the cutest little voice. There was even a slight blush on his cheeks, which oddly made me want to drag him back to my room and spank his other cheeks. I shook my head to keep my mind on the conversation.

"Whatever you want us to be, Jase," I said, stepping closer and giving him a slight peck. "I'm good with anything you decide." He turned redder, and I focused on fighting my damn primal urges. He looked at me with a kind of 'deer in the headlights' look. He opened his mouth, but then closed it again. I could practically see the wheels in his head-turning. "Look, I know it's not easy. Why don't you go sleep on it and just let me know when you've decided, yeah?"

"Yeah," he said, slowly nodding and turning for the door. I opened it for him, and he just stood there for a moment before he stepped out. "Bye," he said over his shoulder before he walked to his door and disappeared inside. As his door closed, another opened, revealing a smirking Nico di Angelo. He leaned against the wall as he looked me up and down.

"Good evening, Superstar," he greeted, and I scowled at the loathed nickname. I didn't know why he insisted on calling me that, and it can't even be because of the Immortals thing, because that's what he had anointed me in middle school.

"Hey, Nico," I said as I turned back to my flat.

"That's a nice limp you're sporting," I froze. "Funny, I never took you for the bottoming type." I turned towards the black-haired guy. He raised an eyebrow at me in a challenge. That's when I realised he must have seen or at least heard Jase leaving my flat, and I couldn't just tell him Jason bottomed if Superman wasn't ready to come out.

"Don't sound too disappointed now, Neeks." I gave him a wink and slipped into my flat, leaving a stunned Nico in the hall, clearly expecting me to argue. Once inside, I fell back against the door with a sigh. Did I just admit that I was gay to Nico di Angelo? Yes, you did, idiot. Why did I do that? To protect a guy you didn't even like a few weeks ago. I let out another sigh as I slid down to the floor.

"He just wants to be friends or something?" Leo asked as he spotted me on the floor.

"I just admitted I was gay to Nico," I said as I shut my eyes and let my head fall back against the door.

"As in, Nico di Angelo?" he asked with a tight voice.

"Yep," I said, popping the 'p.'

"I would have offered you some coffee, but I think you might need something a bit stronger." I heard him say, and I simply nodded. So yeah, that was my Saturday. I basically slept through all of Sunday, because my Latino roommate made one hell of a margarita.

Now I'm sitting in my Monday morning physics class, glancing at my phone like every two seconds in the hope to find a text or missed call from Jason, only to feel a pang of sadness, disappointment, regret, and I think fear each time a stare at the blank screen. Was he still not sure, or was this his answer?

Was he just going to ignore me and pretend it never happened? If that was the case, that damn Superman had another thing coming. I wasn't just going to run off with my tail between my legs. With that decided, I powered through the rest of my classes.

All I really wanted was to get to football practice. All I really wanted was answers, and if Jason couldn't give me the time of day...well, there are always other guys, right? When I finally made it to the field, I saw Jason talking and smiling with Frank. I made a beeline for them but got pulled back when I was just a few feet away.

"You know, Jackson," Luke said as he spun me around to face him, "I've been talking to my cousin lately. You know, Kronos, linebacker for the Immortals?" he raised an eyebrow at me, and I deadpanned.

"Where you getting at, Luke?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. A few guys started to gather around us. Out the corner of my eye, I even saw Jase inching closer. Nice to know I matter now, Asshole.

"That this whole story about you turning the Immortals down so you can get an education is bullshit," he said, a smirk stretching over his lips. "He told me all about your little 'accident,'" he said, actually inserting air quotes. Seriously, who still does that? I hated it, but I hated even more how I stiffened at the mention of 'accident.' He seemed way too pleased as a full-on grin spread over his features.

"Tell me, did you really cry when you hit the ground? Because that's what he said. He said he tackled you so hard, he fractured your spine, that you started to weep like a baby when you tried to stand up. He also said that one little tackle could paralyse you." I could hear some murmurs from the guys.

"Now, I really hope he's lying because I really don't want to lose a teammate this early in the season," he said with his hand over his heart in mock concern.

"I have a few choice words for that cousin of yours, Luke," I said through a tight jaw. "But please don't you worry, because I'm not going anywhere, big boy," I said with a wink before I turned to walk away.

Apparently, that was a mistake because a second later, I heard a crack as a pain shot up my back. My legs felt numb as I fell to my knees. I saw stars as nausea set in. I toppled forward just to be caught by strong arms.

"I guess a kick will work too, right, Jackson?" I heard Luke call with a cold laugh as my head made contact with a firm chest.

"Perce, are you okay?" I heard the voice I've wanted to hear since Saturday ask. So Jason was the one who caught me, huh? If I weren't this fucked up, you would be on the receiving end a good spanking.

"Oh fuck, Percy. We have to get you to the hospital. I'll call your mom on the way." Well, hello to you too, Leo.

"Alright, cup...what the fuck happened here?" I heard Coach join the party.

"We'll explain later, Coach, but right now, we have to get him to the hospital," Jason said, and I felt myself being lifted. I hated the fact I couldn't really do anything. I was still pretty much blind, and I sure as hell couldn't stand. The rest was a blur.

I remember being placed in a car. I remember bright white lights. I remember a woman asking me questions and me trying to answer her without success. The last thing I remember was what shone a little light in the darkness of unconsciousness, though. The last thing I remember was a sweet voice telling me, 'hang in there, Perce'...