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Gentle hands carding through his hair lulled Percy out of his peaceful dream state. A low hum sounded in his chest at the soothing feeling. He nuzzled further into the warm chest beneath him.
“Good morning, birthday boy,” Jason’s soothing voice quietly sang to him.
Percy’s hum turned into a groan and pressed his face in further against his husband’s chest. “Don’t remind me.”
Jason’s soft laugh rumbled against skin. The hand left his hair and smoothed down his back instead. “It’s my job, baby.” He pressed a kiss to the dark hair in front of him. It was getting to be more gray speckled nowadays. “Gonna spend the day pampering you. Won’t even tell you happy birthday again.”
Percy let himself pull away, his chin resting on Jason’s chest to look up at him. “Promise?”
Jason smiled down at him, still charming after so long together. “Promise.” He leaned down to kiss him gently. “Just once. Happy 32nd birthday, my love.”
Percy relaxed again into the kiss, letting his worries fade. He trusted his husband with his life. He could trust him to not make a big deal out of his birthday. He knew that already. It was mostly other people he had to deal with. “Thank you, Jace.”
As they pulled away, Jason soothed a thumb over his scruffy cheek. “Breakfast first. I already made everything. Wanted to let you sleep in and wake up slowly.”
A deep inhale away from Jason’s chest revealed the delicious smells of a full breakfast.
“What did I ever do to deserve you?”
“All you ever had to do was be yourself.”
Percy was so used to being spoiled by his husband it really wasn't a surprise when he was scooped up with their blanket and all to be carried into the dining room. He still let out a laugh and quickly wrapped his arms around the blonde man's neck to help steady himself.
Jason had made him a wonderful breakfast. Eggs, bacon, and, of course, blue blueberry pancakes. He had really perfected the craft of blue cooking in their decade together as a couple. Even if he didn't understand it at first, it was uniquely Percy and therefore it was beautiful.
They ate in comfortable silence. Not every moment needed to be filled anymore. It was enough to just be together.
Percy stretched his arms out and yawned when he finished. The blanket fell from around him, exposing his bare chest.
“Thank you for breakfast, baby,” Percy murmured. “I think I'm gonna shower before we do whatever for the day.”
Jason let his eyes trail down Percy's bare chest. “How about I join you?”
The shower took a little longer than expected. But it was Percy's birthday and he'd perfected the art of redirecting the water so Jason didn't breathe it in when he was on his knees in front of him with a full mouth. So Jason got to take his time really showing his love and praise for his husband.
When they were finally out, they got dressed with languid movements. There was no rush. No hurry. Just happy to be together. Cargo shorts and T-shirts were still acceptable for two men in their early thirties, right? It wasn't like they were trying to impress anyone.
The car ride was spent in their traditional fashion- loud music and singing along in their terribly off key voices. Percy let his head just lull to the side, watching Jason sing along. They had grown up so much. This wasn't the kid he met 16 years ago. The man in front of him was loose-limbed and happy. His blonde hair was longer and darker than it had been. He was just as strong but there was a comfortable layer of fat covering his muscles since they were no longer fighting for their lives every day. He loved Jason just as much now as he had before. Really, he loved him every day more than the last. He knew Jason felt the same. He knew Jason loved the little bit of love handles he'd developed in the last few years. Jason loved his scruffy facial hair and the salty white peppered into his dark hair. They weren't kids anymore. Thank the gods for that.
“I love you,” Percy breathed out, unable to help the words spilling over.
Jason smiled over at him. He reached over and took Percy's hand from his lap, thumb running over his golden wedding ring. “I love you too, Perse.”
Percy didn't need to say anything else. He just laced their fingers together and held both their hands in his lap.
He wasn't sure how long it was before Jason parked the car in a small secluded lot somewhere along the coast. He was so happy just to be there and too trusting to need to pay attention to where he was going.
He looked out at the ocean in front of him. But it wasn't an area that he was too familiar with. Of course he'd know exactly where they were when he touched the water. But he still just let his gaze turn to Jason is silent questioning.
“Not quite there yet. But you trust me, right?”
Jason looked at him with those darling blue eyes and a small nervous smile that Percy wanted to kiss off. So he did.
“With my life,” he whispered after pulling away ever so slightly, breath soft against his lips.
Jason gave him one more quick peck, gave him a wink, and then got out of the car. Percy just got his door shut then Jason was once again scooping him up in his arms. He did love to show off that he was still strong enough to carry his husband. The birthday made it extra important to not let Percy do anything.
Percy laughed again and clung onto Jason. He hugged a lot closer when he felt Jason's feet leave the ground too. Jason's father knew better than to ever hurt Percy for being in his domain now. Marrying Jason gave him a sort of diplomatic immunity. Even if it didn't, Jason would reign terror if any god touched his husband. The same was true in reverse. They didn't need to fear each other's domain anymore.
Percy was never ready for the flying. He could never fully get used to it. He understood why Thalia was scared of heights. It was a little better from doing it fairly often, but he still refused to look down. He just watched Jason's face as he flew them wherever it was he desired. He'd never get tired of watching him.
When Jason set him down again, they were on a small island Percy had never seen before. Based on how clean the beach was, not many humans had seen it before either. It was a small island- maybe a square mile from what Percy's nautical senses told him.
“I found this place during the spring,” Jason's voice was soft. Percy continued to look around, taking in the clear beach, the tall trees bunched in the center of the island. “I was out running along the beach and decided it had been too long since I last used the winds. Ended up here. Found it so relaxing.” Jason wrapped his arms around Percy's waist from the back, hooking his chin over his shoulder. “It was so peaceful and undisturbed. Made me think of you. Wanted to bring you here one day. But.” Jason pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “I wanted to make it a place for just us. I found some information and bought the island. Had Hazel use a little magic when they visited to make the island deter others from docking here. I've been working on making it extra nice. A temple for you. For us.”
He took Percy's hand and led him just a little bit away.
There was a small one room cottage there. It was painted a soft blue color, above the door there was an image of a Trident and a lightning bolt crossed together. There were plants on either side of the door and small paintings of Percy and Jason's favorite things were evenly spread over the outside walls.
“Jace,” Percy breathed in disbelief. “It's beautiful.”
Jason didn't say anything. He just opened the door to let Percy into the small building. The inside was just as beautiful. Scattered with pictures of the two of them. Honorific trophies from their adventures were on display. There was a full sized bed on the far side of the room. Their preator robes were folded and next to each together on the mantle above the bed. Hanging above each of them were their beaded necklaces from camp.
“I know you've turned down godhood before and you'd do it again. But I think you deserve a place of worship. The life we built together…It deserves that.”
Percy brought Jason into a crushing hug. Tears were already streaming down his cheeks. Emotions came easily these days. He only pulled away from the hug for a moment to press their lips together. He sniffled as he then pressed their forehead together.
“Jason. This is so beautiful. You've outdone yourself again.” He punctuated his sentence with another kiss. “You are so kind and so talented. I'm so lucky you agreed to marry me.”
Jason tucked a hair behind Percy’s ear, leaving his hand on his cheek. “You deserve all the best things this word has to offer. I'll spend my whole life showing you that,” he promised.
They stood in each other's arms for a while, but ultimately ended up laying side by side in the sand, hand in hand.
“This birthday officially means I've known you for as long as I didn't. Every birthday from now on means I have known you for the majority of my life. That feels extra big,” Percy admitted, eyes watching the clouds in the sky. “There will be a day when we've been married for more of our lives than when we weren't married.”
“Does that scare you?”
Percy’s left the sky to find his actual favorite blue color in the world- the one held in Jason's eyes.
“No. It doesn't. Marrying you was the best thing I ever did. I would do it again if I could. I'd marry you over and over and over again. In this life and the next. In every timeline.” Percy brushed his thumb over Jason's bottom lip. “I love you more than life itself.”
Jason puckered his lips to kiss Percy's finger. “We'll renew our vows one day. We can do it as many times as you want. I'll keep declaring my love for you to The Universe.” Jason's scar stretched as he broke into a big smile. “But until then…” he popped up from his spot. “First to the water wins.”
Jason was already pulling his shirt off and running toward the water.
“No fair, bro!” Percy yelled as he scrambled to his feet and chased his husband down.