Work Text:
Jason sat on the floor of the Poseidon Cabin, feeling warm and relaxed. It was late and the windows were open, sending a cool breeze through the room. Having noticed him shivering, Percy had grabbed his AHS Swim Team hoodie and threw it over him before settling down next to him again. The hoodie was soft, fought off the chill, and smelled like percy. It all added to the feeling; it was such a good feeling, one he hadn't known for long but quickly grew addicted to. He struggled to truly unwind and relax, but it suddenly felt easy when Percy, the guy he was lucky enough to call his boyfriend, had an arm over his shoulders holding him close.
Around him his friends were chatting about anything, everything, and nothing at all. Their voices faded into the background as Jason looked down at the pile in front of him. It was his birthday and he had so many of his friends with him at camp. Percy planned out a whole little party just for him and the thought of it again warmed his heart. It wasn't a surprise because Percy wanted Jason to have input, wanted him to have everything just how he liked it. He also knew Jason hadn't celebrated his birthday since getting to Camp Jupiter and he was worried about overwhelming him, which is exactly what would have happened. It was his third birthday having known Percy, and the second one they've been together for. The first year no one knew, and Jason has gotten a lot of flak for not mentioning it (even though they had been a little busy fighting Gaia, ok!). The second year Percy and Jason had been on a quest. Percy made sure to personally celebrate Jason despite the circumstances, and he would have done something when they got back but Jason had asked if that could be all that year so Percy obliged. Despite being in the public eye for so long, this attention was different and took some getting used to. This year they talked about it a lot, Percy reassuring Jason that his friends wanted to celebrate with him and he wasn't a burden, but that Percy wasn't going to force him into anything he wasn't comfortable with. It still felt like a waste, it made Jason feel like he took up everyone's time and used extra resources for no good reason. Percy joked that it will get easier and, once it does, all bets are off on the surprise party. At least, Jason thought he was joking, it was be hard to tell when he got that endearing, mischievous glint in his eye.
Despite feeling like he was taking up space he shouldn't have, it had been a really amazing party. Jason and Percy spent the day together, sparring, walking through the woods, and hanging out on the beach. Then their friends came in the evening and they all played volleyball (Jason's favorite) and climbed up on the Zeus Cabin's roof to watch the sun go down and stargaze on soft blankets. Percy had even curated a playlist of all Jason's favorite songs from that year, along with a few new ones he thought he'd like (he was mostly right).
After a while, Percy announced it was time for cake and they all hurried to the Poseidon Cabin before curfew. Jason was surprised first of all to see how clean the cabin was. Second, the decorations. There were glowing paper lanterns all around the room so they didn't have to turn on the brighter overhead lights. There was a ‘Happy birthday, Jason!’ banner that Percy had obviously painstakingly made in the arts and craft room. Percy had also filled the room with balloons and streamers in Jason's favorite colors, purple and green. Then there was the cake that Percy, who had learned from the absolute best, made from scratch in the Big House kitchen. It was blue and Jason had to defend his boyfriend, confirming that he did ask for it that way. After celebrating with the Jackson's for Percy's birthday, it did seem like the best color for special desserts. Jason was worried he had overstepped by trying to join a family tradition when he asked, but the huge grin on Percy’s face, all the kisses that followed, and then the IM with his mom excitedly telling her the news told him it was okay. It was also Jason's favorite flavor, despite insisting they should do something plain everyone would enjoy. He was glad Percy didn't listen to him and actually the blueberry lemon cake had been a hit. He was almost disappointed as he looked up on Percy’s nightstand and noticed there was not much leftover for him to eat in the days that followed. But, Annabeth’s gift to him had been a pan of brownies, his favorite, so he had those to look forward to.
And that brought him back to the pile in front of him, all his gifts. His sweet, wonderful friends and boyfriend had all picked out thoughtful gifts for him. Gifts that even two years ago he wouldn't have imagined for himself, had he imagined any gifts at all. Jason had never really gotten gifts, aside from his magic coin if that counted, and back in New Rome if he had wanted for anything it certainly would have been something that would help with his training or Praetor duties, or even more likely something that would have benefited the legion even if not him directly. That was all he had back then. The legion. Training. Duty. Responsibility. Don't get him wrong, he still wanted to protect his friends and help both camps, and he still loved to spar and train. He felt a sense of duty and he enjoyed what he did for the camps, which was blessedly less than he used to. It was just that there was more to him now, and he couldn't help but think he had the boy beside to thank for it.
Jason had never had hobbies, extra curriculars, or anything like that. He had been in New Rome from a young age. So with the Argo quest and everything that followed, all the changes, he was suddenly left with more time and he simply didn't know how to fill it besides working himself to the bone even if no one asked him to. It was Percy that got through to him, started telling him he needed balance in his life and to spend time on other things he enjoys. Jason could almost laugh thinking back to the puzzled expression that must have been on his face, head tilted and brain malfunctioning. Percy had certainly tried his best not to laugh at the time. Instead, with sparkling eyes and a bright smile, he gently took Jason away from the weapons shed where he was polishing everything for the fifth time that week (it was only Tuesday) and they began their official quest to find things Jason liked.
Jason had been a blank canvas and eager to please, especially if it meant it might make him fit in, feel like he belonged, make his friends like him. He probably would have made himself okay with anything anyone pushed on him, so he's incredibly lucky that Percy saw that in him and had no interest in molding Jason a specific way. There must have been something innate in Jason that Percy liked, gods knows how or what, but Percy just wanted to find a good fit for Jason. They tried a lot of things, things Percy liked and things he didn't. Archery, art, Pegasus riding, gardening, reading and writing, swimming, running, listening to lots of different genres of music…the list went on and on. They also tried a lot of food, something Jason had never been adventurous in for some reason. Food was fuel and he kept it simple, enough to keep him going. Now he'd realized, thanks to Percy and his baking, that he had quite a sweet tooth. He could also now name some specific favorite dishes, and his favorite fruits and vegetables. He enjoyed food now, meals weren't something he rushed through to get back to ‘more important things’ and he couldn't be happier about that. He still struggled, sometimes with new tastes or textures, or he got overwhelmed with guilt for spending time leisurely enjoying his dinner, or he gets so invested in a project he'll forget to eat until Percy's beside him with a plate and a kiss, ready to melt everything else away.
Jason liked to joke (not really) that he hadn't had any personality before and his friends liked to shut that down. Percy would tell him that everyone is a work in progress and he just hasn't had the time to explore his interests before, but Jason is who he is and that was always in him. For someone who was so self-deprecating towards himself, Percy always knew what to say to lift someone else up. Jason hoped he had the same effect on the boy, and he hoped he was right because some days Jason woke up and still had no idea who he really was. Still, no one could deny that Jason had changed since the second giant war, and it reflected in his gifts that Jason was lovingly tracing his fingers over again, each one precious and sentimental. Percy had gotten him tickets to see a musical he loved, Something Rotten, Off-Broadway and a sweatshirt from the show. Jason hadn't listened to a musical before Percy had added it to their list of things to try (Percy actually hadn't listened to many either before, but now they both had a number that they enjoyed) and his closet used to only consist of Camp Jupiter shirts, pants, and his Praetor cloak. Leo had made Jason his own camera from scratch because Jason has picked up photography over the last year. It was sort of like Leo's tool belt in ways Jason would never really understand but basically he could somehow always pull the camera out of his pockets. It could even print the photos if you wanted so Jason snapped photos of his friends that night and printed them immediately to put up on his cabin wall. He wouldn't admit it if anyone had asked, but his favorite was actually taken by Percy. The green-eyed boy asked if they could do a picture together and when Jason handed him the camera, Percy pulled him in for a kiss and snapped the picture. The way Percy was holding him so tenderly in the picture, the way he smiled into the kiss, the way Jason instantly melted into him with a blush on his cheeks. Jason could feel the love radiating off of them and would treasure the picture forever.
Annabeth had made him brownies, but she also collected favorite recipes from other campers and made them into a book because Jason had mentioned wanting to give baking a try. He couldn't wait to work through those recipes with Percy, his ever patient teacher when it comes to the kitchen (Jason is still a bit of a disaster, they keep the fire extinguisher close by). Piper got Jason copies of some classic novels he hadn't read yet. Reading had to be one of his favorite new hobbies and he especially enjoyed classics. Piper got them used, which Jason also loved because the books themselves had so much character and he loved when past owners left notes in the margins. He was interested to see what people thought was important and why, or laugh at the odd grocery list scribbled on a page. Nico and Will gave Jason a vinyl from a band he liked, and a new one they (Nico) wanted Jason to try because they (Nico) were convinced Jason would be an MCR superfan yet. Hazel and Frank gave Jason a great collection of paints, which he had been running low on, plus a charcoal drawing kit that he was excited to try. And somehow there was more to come, Thalia had sent a letter telling him to expect a package (and a visit!) very soon.
All these things on the floor were thoughtful pieces of his personality, things that he loved or things he could explore. Things that his friends picked up on because they listened and they cared. He couldn't help but feel like it all came back to one person who unlocked this life for him. He did the exploring himself and made his own decisions, found what worked for him, but he always had Percy to encourage him and hold his hand through it. It didn't seem like something that should be scary, but it was a daunting task to figure out in a world full of too many things, which ones were right for you. Jason was still learning, and still learning to have fun through the process of learning. And maybe he could have gotten there eventually himself, but he was so happy that Percy opened it up to him. He was so happy that he was in that room feeling that love and not feeling entirely guilty about it.
Looking up, his eyes locked on sea-green that seemed like they saw right through him. His boyfriend had been smiling at him fondly, but his eyebrows scrunched in concern after seeing Jason's face. Jason blinked and realized there had been tears filling his eyes. They were good tears, happy tears, but Jason didn't want to cry right now. He blinked and wiped his eyes as subtly as he could and gave Percy a reassuring smile. Percy moved to face him more directly, running a hand through Jason's hair before cupping his chin. Jason sighed happily and leaned into the warm hand on his face.
“Bed?” Percy asked, and Jason suddenly realized how tired he was. He nodded, stifling a yawn. Percy smiled again, and then turned to their friends, “Okay, guys, even on his birthday this one was up at 6 AM so we need to call it a night. Thanks again for coming and don't let the harpies get you on your way back to your cabins!”
The friends all filed out, wishing Jason a happy birthday one last time before sneaking off in the shadows (or simply melting into them, in Nico and Will's case). Then it was just Jason and Percy alone in a comfortable silence. Jason kissed Percy's cheek in thanks and Percy beamed back at him before moving to turn off all the paper lanterns except a couple by his bed. After Tartarus, Percy had trouble being in complete darkness, but the lanterns left a soft glow that helped Percy orient himself, yet wasn't too bright that it would keep them up. The boys stripped down to their boxers and t-shirts and climbed under Percy's covers, perfectly slotting together like they did every night they possibly could. Tonight Jason was tucked into Percy’s arms, head resting on his chest where he propped his chin up to look up at Percy. The slightly older boy was obviously waiting for Jason to say something, knowing he had something he needed to say.
“Perce?” Jason whispered softly, despite it only being the two of them.
Percy hummed in reply, head tilted slightly, attention fully on Jason. And Jason suddenly didn't have the words. How was he supposed to explain how grateful he was to Percy for loving him from the beginning? For keeping him afloat when he felt like he was drowning, lost as sea? For showing him things he'd loved, hated, and everything in between? How could he tell him he was irreplaceable, he was everything, he was loved with every fiber of Jason's being?
“I want you to know…I love you the most.”
Percy eyes softened, filled with what could only be described as adoration. He rolled them over so he was on top of Jason, who wrapped his arms around him, not wanting his personal weighted blanket to go anywhere. Percy leaned down and kissed Jason deeply, the boy below him parting his lips and granting entrance with a gasp. The kiss held all the love they shared and all that was left to come. It was short but powerful, taking Jason's breath away and leaving him panting when Percy pulled back again, resting his forehead against the blonde's.
“I love you the most,” he whispered, almost reverent, breath ghosting over Jason's lips. “Happy birthday, Jason.”