Her
Everything is blurry when he wakes
but he is not alone
the girl next to him has eyes that glow
they shift from blue, to brown, to green
she is lovely
but she isn't her.
He is a son of Jupiter
and sons of Jupiter must follow orders
especially those of Juno.
When they arrive at an unfamiliar place
atop an old hill
he tells himself this is what Juno wants
because what he wants doesn't matter
it never did.
The girl's name is Piper
he finds out
and she is adventurous and caring.
She calls him "Sparky"
and laughs like the color of the sky
She's great really
but she isn't her.
There's a big problem
he can't remember her much.
So he and Piper begin to date
because that's what everyone wants
the Aphrodite Cabin calls them
"The Most Beautiful Couple since Helen and Paris"
The attention makes Jason uncomfortable
He's a son of Jupiter
he should be used to it everywhere he goes
but he desperately wants to keep his private matters private
but what he wants doesn't matter
it never did.
Bad times are ahead
everyone at camp can tell
Death hangs in the air
but Piper is optimistic
She squeezes his hand "Love defeats all"
She isn't wrong
but Jason wouldn't call what they have love.
How would an orphaned son of Jupiter know what love it?
He doesn't but he knows one thing
but she isn't her.
When their ship lands in New Rome
Jason wants to throw up.
There's a lot riding on his shoulders.
He doesn't want to risk his life
for gods that have neglected him
He wants to run.
To go somewhere where even the gods can't find him
But he smiles and steps out into the cool California breeze
Next to him Piper takes his hand in hers
and it doesn't feel quite right
He appreciates the reassurance
but she isn't her.
He spots her instantly
she looks the same
she's still so beautiful and so powerful
like the sky before a storm
Jason is relieved
so much has changed since he left
but she hasn't.
He wants to run up to her like Percy and Annabeth
he wants to hold her tight and kiss her forehead
just like old times
but he doesn't.
because he wants doesn't matter
it never did.
Jason can tell she's hurt
but she's too strong to show it
He looks down at his hand linked with Piper's
and he feels shame.
She deserves better than this
they both do.
Does nobody realize that he is a pawn
nothing more, nothing less?
He disappoints everyone close to him
that's why Jupiter left
and Beryl too
Thalia made it out alive
because she left.
Piper swears she won't leave him
till death do them part.
Jason should be ecstatic
but she isn't her.
The war ends
too many people die.
Most of them too young to drive
Jason has seen too many horrible things
to be considered a healthy teenager
The gods ask him to build shrines
and he wants to spit in their faces
because they don't give a shit
about their dead kids
they just want to be worshiped more.
but Jason does as they ask
because what he wants doesn't matter
it never did.
He hears her laugh
and he can't help but stare
she looks so young and carefree
with her head thrown back and flushed cheeks
in the middle of the dining pavilion
It's been too long.
He realizes then
that they haven't spoken
in close to a year.
And in that moment he's had enough
he walks up to her
his heart heavy
Her smile disappears
but it's too late to turn back now.
His voice is soft as he asks her to talk.
They walk to his cabin in silence
everyone is staring, Piper included
but Jason doesn't care.
He needs to fix this, if not now then he never will.
She opens her mouth to speak, then closes it
her hands are clenched in fists.
Her eyes blaze with anger as he apologizes
he tells her the truth, all of it
She doesn't react
and for the first time in his life
Jason is truly, unequivocally scared.
He doesn't know who moved first
but his lips meet hers in the sweetest way
he hears angels sing as he grips her hips
and he lets his body do the rest of the talking.
They fit together perfectly, he realizes
as they cuddle in the afterglow.
She looks down at their intertwined fingers
and back up at him
her pouty, pink lips smiling
"You're not off the hook, Grace."
And he laughs
a good, real laugh
for the first time since he went missing
because he found her.