Chapter Text
Percy puts the final bauble on the Christmas tree and stands back to admire his work. The tree glitters brightly, a combination of tinsel and the soft yellow lights wrapping around the branches. The low melody of Christmas music comes from the small radio sitting on the bookshelf and the coco steaming on his coffee table looks more than inviting. He figures if he, and his band of misfit daddy and/or mommy issue group of friends, couldn’t go home for Christmas he would do his best to bring the festivities here. The one person he really wants here is going to California for the holidays, something he hasn’t done in years, and although Percy is disappointed he knows his friends will make the most of the time anyway.
He collapses onto his couch, staring at his hard work and takes a small sip from the steaming mug. His laptop is silently playing some Christmas movie or the other and the mountain of notebooks and pens on the table shake precariously. A small collection of weathered envelopes sits to one side; cards for his friends. They had promised no gifts, as they do every year, and instead sought to make the cheesiest, funniest, most tear worthy cards. There were different categories and if you won you got to pick the holiday games or what happens to the losers.
A single knock at his door pulls a frown onto his face. He considers ignoring it, mostly because he wasn’t expecting anyone, but it starts back up a moment later and he resigns to a baseball bat and a cautious glance. He eases the door open and bursts out laughing as he sees who’s behind it.
“What?” His unexpected guest gives him a wide eyed look, “Did I forget pants or something?”
“I thought you were a really polite murderer.”
“What?” Confusion is etched so perfectly across that beautiful face Percy can’t help but laugh again.
“Come in my love,” He moves out the way and let’s his boyfriend pass.
Just as he closes the door again Jason Grace pulls him by the wrist and crashes their bodies together.
“I missed you,” The blonde breathes, and he has to hide the shiver that races up his spine at those husky words.
“We saw each other two days ago?”
“Maybe I’m an addict.”
“Please kiss me. Right now.”
And those blue eyes glitter with joy as their lips meet. It is soft and patient and full of sweet wonder. Jason threads his hands through those black curls and slants his head slightly, trying to get closer, if that were even possible. Percy swipes his tongue across the blonde’s lip and his mouth parts in a little gasp. Their kiss deepens, turns to languid exploring and content passion.
When they break apart they are out of breath and the smiles taking over their faces make the sun look dim.
“Missed me that much huh?”
“More,” A golden hand strokes his flushed cheek.
“What are you doing here?” He leans into the hand, looks up, into that adoring gaze, “I thought you were going to Cali to be with your father?”
“He has a last minute work trip,” The blonde rolls his eyes, “I’d rather spend the holidays with you anyway.”
“Well the gang is coming over tomorrow but we have tonight and every day after that all to ourselves.”
“Who knew we’d be here?” Jason sighs, laying one of Percy’s hands against his thundering heart.
“Not me,” He giggles, “I thought I’d be spending my Christmas pretending I haven’t been pining over you and maybe drinking unhealthy amounts of coco.”
His boyfriend scrunches his nose, “Why do you even like the stuff? It tastes like bitter bean water.”
“I think you’re talking about coffee,” His green eyes sparkle with amusement.
“Ugh don’t even get me started on that stuff. Tea is the only valid hot beverage.” The blonde huffs as they stow his stuff in the bedroom and flop down on the couch.
“You are such an old man,” He shakes his head, rubbing a thumb over his palm.
“What time is everyone else coming tomorrow? And who is?”
“They’ll be here between eleven and one because I told them ten. And it’s Frank, Haze, Leo, and Reyna. Everyone else is with their families.”
Jason snuggles into him, hair tickling his neck as he rests against his shoulders. A muffled yawn escapes him and Percy’s heart clenches for the gentleness of the situation.
“You want some tea?”
“No,” He yawns again, “I’ll need to pee every five seconds in the night.”
He laughs, and his boyfriend whips his body up, eyes wide with horror, “Sorry that was probably too much information.”
“Are you kidding I’ve seen you throw up your guts because of food poisoning. That was hilarious.”
“Shut up,” Jason mumbles, golden cheeks heating, “We don’t talk about that.”
“I think it’s the only time I’ve ever seen you look disheveled.”
He shudders, laying his head back on Percy’s shoulder, “I never went to feel like that again. I swear I was dying.”
They settle into the quiet, the hum of the radiator and the low music still playing from the radio washing over them. Jason intertwines their fingers, tracing patterns against the back of his boyfriend’s beautiful brown skin. And that’s how they fall asleep, slowly and indulgent. As if they can hang up time on a hook and take it down when they need it next.
When Percy’s alarm starts playing the next morning he groans loudly and stretches out. His boyfriend mumbles something and snuggles further into his side. He strokes a hand through those sunlight strands and drops a kiss on his forehead.
“I have to get everything ready, my love.”
“Don’t leave,” He garbles, “You warm.”
“I promise I’ll be back. Why don’t you go sleep in the room. You’ll be more comfortable there”
“Want you,” His voice is raspy with sleep and Percy has to stop himself from yanking his boyfriend by the hoodie and planting a passion fueled kiss on his lips.
“If I don’t set up we’ll never be ready by the time the gang comes.”
Jason simply holds his arms up, blue eyes unfocused and gives him a lopsided smile. With a sigh that hides his amused affection he loops his arms under the blonde’s, wrapping them around his back, and grabs his legs.
“You ready my love?”
A nod, and fumbling kiss into his neck is the reply. And then Percy is lifting up his boyfriend and carrying him through the apartment and into his room.
“Mhmm,” Jason hums onto his skin, “Smells like you.”
“You like it?”
“Smells good,” He bobs his head as he snuggles into the duvet, “Like ocean and rain.”
Percy just smiles and brushes his lips across the blonde’s gently, “Sleep.”
As he turns to walk away Jason catches his wrist and tugs him back.
“Stay,” His blue eyes are wide with pleading, “Please.”
“But i—” He starts, and then he’s falling onto the bed and wrapping his arm around his boyfriend, “We are going to be so late.”
Jason kisses his cheek, his nose, his other cheek, before finally reaching his lips.
“Iss okay,” He’s already falling back asleep.
Their breathing slows, and they find each other once more, in a land as perfect as this one.
***
“Well good morning lover boys,” A delighted voice squeals.
Percy moans, muttering something unintelligible and buries himself into the sheets.
“I take it nobody has ordered our Christmas feast or started on the Eggnog Nogfest?” Another voice giggles.
“Go, sleep, warm.” He tries to form a coherent thought.
“If y'all don’t get your asses up right now I’m pouring ice water on both of you.” A husky growl comes from right over them.
Ocean eyes blink open as he struggles to bring the room into focus.
A scary, bright-eyed Reyna is glaring at them and Leo is leaning against the door frame, mirth swimming in his expression.
“Finally,” Hazel laughs, “So can we get this party started?”
“Ugh,” Percy groans, “What time is it?”
“Half twelve. We let ourselves in after knocking at your door so long your neighbor came to tell you off for having sex in the kitchen.”
“What?” He isn’t awake enough for Leo’s explanations.
“Cause you know banging against the wall?” His friend prompts but Percy just waves him off and rubs at his eyes, nudging Jason to get up.
“So when’s lunch?”
Frank steps into the room with a reassuring smile, “On the way. I just ordered.”
“Are we having Christmas in here then?” He asks.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Reyna shrugs.
And before Percy can protest Leo is catapulting onto the bed and Hazel is flopping over their legs.
“Wow Jase,” She pokes at the blonde, “You bony shins are really comfortable against my spine.”
“Who asked you to collapse onto my bones?” He grumbles, trying to wake himself up.
“Who asked you to be sleeping on Christmas morning?” She shoots back cheekily.
“Touchè.” He grins, moving over to make her comfortable.
“Well,” Percy looks at his friends, eyes shining, “What are you two waiting for? Get on here!”
Reyna and Frank shake their heads, like the parents they were so rightfully labeled, but happiness sparks in their eyes and they dive under the covers.
“So who wants to play Go Fish or Forfeit?” Leo smiles gleefully.
A shout of excitement goes up and they all shuffle into a circle, the blue-threaded black silk duvet being tucked around them. He grabs the double pack of cards he keeps at his nightstand and distributes seven per person.
“Everyone know the rules?” He asks.
They all nod. So the Christmas festivities begin.
And there in that room, on that bed, Percy and his friends know what warmth feels like, and the glittering in their eyes can only mean love.