It was an evening of victory, a night of festivity. As soon as Gaea and her giants were defeated, everyone cheered at the Camps' mightiest heroes. Chiron throttled towards Percy, Annabeth, Leo and me and gave us all a huge 'horse' hug.

"No demigods has ever done what you have accomplished." He then gestured towards Jason, Hazel and Frank and gave them an approving nod and a warm smile.

"Congratulations heroes! By fulfilling the prophecy and the Doors of Death closed, each and every demigod can now live a safe and peaceful life. I'm afraid you'll all have to grow old just like me." Chiron flashed us with a grin in his beaded face, which got me thinking... now that I can consider that Jason and me are going to have a future, are we still going to be together until then? Yes, the quest indeed gave way for our relationship to grow, but the mere thought of me being a part of Jason's future, really bothers me.

As Chiron put us down and Roman-handshaked Jason, Frank and Hazel, suddenly Katoptris weighed heavily in my hands. I didn't find this alarming at all, since I'm just probably tired and sort of woozy from all the fight, so I sheathed it and tucked it on my waist. I'm glad that everybody's all happy and Camp Half-Blood is back to its old merriment again, thanks to the Satyrs' and Fauns' cheery music, but I've decided to head straight to the Aphrodite cabin and just take a long well-deserved rest. As I was walking my out the crowd, Jason grabbed my hand.

"Hey Pipes, are you all right? Are you hurt somewhere?" his face now full of concern.

"I'm fine. Just drowsy that's all. You go ahead and celebrate with the others, just save a piece of cake for me in the morning." assuring him that everything about me is indeed all right.

"Okay, but first let me do my boyfriend-duties by bringing you safely to your cabin. Just making sure no monster's left, that's all." As soon as he exaggerated the word "safely", he took it back with that zero-monster double check thing.

"Whatever you say." I let him support me, because I myself feel so heavily weighed down. Maybe it's just because of me being tired, but I'm sure Jason's more tired than I am, I just have to ask him.

"Jason, aren't you a bit sleepy at all?"

"Are you by any chance, putting on a sign or something?" he raised an eyebrow at me and smiled ever so slightly.

"Wha-No! That's not what you think! I mean, aren't you exhausted from all that action? You and Percy did a lot of fighting with not only Gaea, but also with giants at the same time. I couldn't barely handle a stupid giant alone and yet, I feel like I'm about to collapse from exhaustion, even though I ate my share of ambrosia."

I'm not defending myself. I'm just asking out of curiosity, I really am!

"Okaaay, if you put it that way. I guess I am tired too, but as one of the leaders in our group, I feel that I should be there for the other campers plus I need to make a follow-up of the peace procedures that Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood must now face, even though I'm not a praetor anymore. There's a high chance of possibility that we can co-exist and there won't be a division between the two camps. I mean yes, there's the location, but seeing Percy wanting to spend life with Annabeth in New Rome, I think I'd do the same... with you." With that, my question a while ago has just been answered.

I feel myself going flushed and my heart stopped and skipped at the same time. Growing up with him and growing old with Jason is really a beautiful image to picture. Finally! He's going to be with me.

"I see. Do the talks, make it work and rest. That's your plan, am I right?"

"Correct. By the way, are you sure you're feeling alright? You look very red, maybe you have a fever."

"No, I'm fine honest. Sometimes its just the way you talk really, like you're not a person of your age. Like you're 30 or something. Good thing you don't have that British accent, otherwise I'll be a puddle of goo here. Haha." It's a good thing too that we're walking side by side, I honestly can't tell this while facing him. That's the first time I heard him laugh since his 16th birthday.

It felt nice being near him, being close to him, being able to feel his heart beating in the cold night. As we arrive at my cabin, he ushered me to the porch, like the gentleman that he is... and then started speaking with an accent.

"Here you go my lady, arrived safely in the house of Love herself. Won't you be needing a tea before your jolly nap?" I giggled at his gestures and slapped him on his arms.

"Stop that! Or else I'll turn into a pink goo!"

"Haha. Just wanted to see your smile before I join the rest of the crowd." Suddenly he locked his eyes on me, making sure I see that very beautiful pool-blue eyes of his, possibly screaming that he wants me, every bit of me. He cupped my face into his warm hands and then closed his eyes and kissed me on my lips. With all that smoke and grime, he still smelled so good. I hugged him and touched the nape of his neck, slowly brushing his hair upward. He took his lips away gently and kissed me on my forehead, basking in the closeness between us.

"Sleep well my love. I shall try and meet you in your dreams."

"Please do." With that, he smiled genuinely and slowly backed away from the porch to run to the festivity in the dining pavilion.

I felt like a princess that night, he made me feel like a princess. It's as if even though we've just been together for a couple of months, I felt like we belonged together, that we are meant for each other. I can't wait to spend my peaceful days with him.

I opened the door, and seeing no one was there, I unlatched my belt, take off the cornucopia and put it aside my bed-side table. I undressed my dirty clothes leaving them on the floor, grabbed and dressed some clean night gown (well, I don't know who it was but I was eager to sleep so I just grabbed what comfy clothes I can) and slumped at my soft and heavenly bed. Gods! This. Is. Amazing.

Quickly I dosed off like I haven't for a hundred years, only to be transported into another world and another time.

xxx

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