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“Come on boys, your sister’s already in bed.” Percy got up from the couch to pick up the stray toys and blankets still littered around the room.
“Can we get a story tonight Pops?” Charles looked up at him with big brown eyes.
“Sure baby, what about?”
“About,” Lee looked to his twin and then back at his father, “About daddy?”
He released a soft breath, crouching down so he was at eye level with them.
“Of course, I’m always happy to tell you about your dad.”
“Thanks Pops!” They beamed and then raced off to get ready for bed.
Percy stood up to lean against the wall, letting the ache of missing his husband wash over him. It pressed against his ribs, made breathing an impossibility. Blue eyes, bright with laughter flashed through his mind. He blinked the tears away, now was not the time to break down.
“Zoe, you want to come listen to the story?”
“What’s the story?” She scrunched her nose, “I don’t want to hear about the princess and the dragon. Everyone knows she should have made friends with the dragon and gone on amazing adventures.”
He struggled to hold in a laugh as she rolled her pale green eyes, “You don’t have to worry tonight, it’s a story about dad.”
She lit up then, smile as bright as the sun, “You’re gonna tell us about dad? Yes let’s go!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him to her brothers’ room.
He didn’t bother to keep his laugh in this time, letting her drag him through the house.
In a matter of moments the boys were tucked into their beds. Zoe was climbing onto his lap as he tried to get comfy on the bean bag sat in the middle of the room.
“Okay you want to hear about a time we killed a monster or time at camp or something else?”
“Monster!” Zoe and Charles cheered.
“Camp,” Lee said softly.
“Okay you little gremlins how about both? I’ll tell you the story about how your dad accidentally stabbed me.”
They nodded, smuggling deeper into their beds and looked at him expectantly.
“It was around the middle of summer, actually your dad’s birthday. And I had planned to have a picnic in the strawberry fields. We only had the day to be together because it was Capture the Flag that night and you know your Aunt Annabeth was a tyrant when it came to camp games,” He winked, making them giggle.
Lee furrowed his little brow. “Why were you going to the strawberry fields?”
“Yea why not the woods, or the beach?” Charles asked.
“Your dad never really liked the beach. He says there’s too much sand and too much water,” He laughed softly, “And the woods aren’t really that safe. It’s better to stay well within camp boarders.”
“But why—” Charles started up again.
“Charlie,” Zoe scolded, “Let Pops finish the story. You can ask questions later.”
“Nobody asked you Zoe,” He stuck his tongue out.
Lee untucked his arm and held it off the bed expectantly. His twin sighed and clasped their hands together.
“Later Charlie,”
Percy’s heart skipped a beat, as it always did when the twins acted like this. It was Jason’s favourite thing about them—that silent understanding, that unspoken bond.
“Carry on Pops,” Lee nodded solemnly.
“We had a little party for dad in the dining hall with a silly lightning bolt shaped cake and cloud cupcakes.” He didn’t tell them that all the drinks were same shade of green as his eyes because that was his husband’s favourite colour. Or that Jason had pulled him in and kissed him so hard they had almost started a hurricane right there.
“I had asked my friends to help me set up a picnic blanket and a basket in the fields so we could go after breakfast. But when we got there everything had been trampled and broken.”
Zoe gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth.
“Oh no,” Lee’s face pulled in horror.
“Who did it Pops? What happened?” Charles was sitting up now, his hand still firmly holding his twin’s.
He gave them a wide eyed look, struggling to hold back his laugh at their intent expressions.
“Well we were both very confused and quickly took our swords out but then we heard a rustle from behind us. We turned around and sitting on a rock was this huge serpent. It was brown and swampy green with two giant horns on its head. And it was just staring at us.”
“Your dad tried to get closer but before he could strike his sword this thing was moving towards us. It jumped on me and I fell to the ground.”
They all let out a comically loud gasp.
“My sword fell out of my hand. But your dad was there and he sliced his sword down on it. Except he missed the monster because it moves so fast and his sword hit me instead.”
Charles groaned, falling back onto his pillow.
“Come on Pops what happened?” Zoe bounced, looking up at him.
“So I’m injured, the monster is still slithering everywhere and your dad is trying to make sure I’m not gonna die. Before he could get me some ambrosia the serpent is back and striking at him. That’s when I finally grab all the water from the strawberries and throw it at the monster. And then it crumbled to dust. Guess it wasn’t thirsty huh?”
He didn’t tell them he choked that creature till it didn’t know the difference between blood and water, didn’t tell them he nearly died trying to control so much with an injury. Didn’t tell them the fury he felt when it had tried to attack his boyfriend.
“Uncle Grover was not happy with me because all the strawberries died but your dad and i made it back to the infirmary and we got all better. Which was great because Aunt Annabeth and Aunt Clarisse would have killed us if we couldn’t participate in Capture the Flag.” He laughed.
“What was the monster Pops?” Lee asked, earthy eyes wide.
Zoe frowned, “Yea and how did it get in? I thought camp was protected. ”
“And who won capture the flag?” Charles waved his hands impatiently.
“We found out the monster was called Cerastes and it probably dug itself up under the borders. There was a whole maze running under camp, but it collapsed after Aunt Annabeth and I helped the creator out.”
Zoe squealed, “Can we hear that story next?”
“Maybe another night, princess. And to answer your question Charlie,” He smiled at his son, “Clarisse’s team won capture the flag. Your dad and and Aunt Clarisse made us clean toilets for a week because we lost.”
“Aw daddy,” Lee scrunched his nose.
“Yes Annabeth was very unimpressed with them. Alright, time to sleep now.”
“Pops,” Zoe hugged his neck, “I miss dad.”
He wrapped his arms around her little body, “Me too princess. But someday we will all see each other again.”
Lee looked at him curiously, “How do you know?”
“Because your dad is in a very special place and if you guys continue to be brave and kind you will also go to that special place and you will see him again.”
“And will you be there?” Charles tugged at his hand.
“I hope so. I think if you all give me kisses I’ll be able to trade them in when the time comes.”
They pounced on him, dissolving into giggles as he kissed them back and tickled their little feet.
“I love you guys, and your dad loved you more than all the stars in the sky.” He looked at each of them, green eyes bright with love and sorrow.
“We love you too Pops.” Charles let out a yawn.
“Yea, love you Pops.” Lee climbed back into bed, “Are we getting pancakes tomorrow?”
“It is birthday tradition,” He grinned at them, “And especially since you’re becoming old men. Pancakes are soft so you don’t have to chew when your teeth start falling out.”
“Our teeth fall out?” Charles gave him an appalled look.
“Only if you don’t brush your teeth Charlie.” Zoe said matter of factly.
“Thats right,” He held in a laugh at her serious expression.
“Goodnight little ones.” He picked his daughter up, switching off the lights and closing the door halfway.
“You ready for bed princess?”
“Mhm Pops,” She blinked slowly, “Can I help you make pancakes tomorrow?”
“Yes please,” He laid her down gently, “You’re the best sous chef ever.”
Her answering beam made his chest tighten.
“I love you Pops. Thank you for the story.”
“Was it to your satisfaction?” He flicked her nose softly.
“I like when you and dad save each other,” She burrowed into her blankets, “It’s much better when you do things together, instead of those silly princes who want to save the princess but don’t let her help.”
He shook his head in amusement, “When you go on your own adventures remember to do things together.”
“We’re gonna be a team.” She gave him a determined look and then yawned.
He kissed her forehead and pulled up the blankets before leaving the room.
With a sigh he escaped to his own bed, sitting down with the heaviness of longing.
Jason and him weren’t just a team; they were the question and answer, the sun and the moon, the beginning, middle and end.
He picked up the framed picture of them on their wedding day, Jason’s blue eyes bright with happiness, and Percy looking at his husband like he hung the stars in the sky just so their glow could shine onto this love.
“I miss you my Saving Grace,” He whispered.
And then laughed, as he felt the soft caress of wind brushing over his damp cheeks and dancing between his fingers.
“I love you.”