A/N This is a sequel to my other one-shot Together, and I highly recommend that you read that one first if you already haven't.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or HOO.

"Do you ever go anywhere other than the beach?"

Percy whipped his head around to see Jason. He relaxed and turned back around, "I just come here to relax. The sea is calming, you know? Plus, there is the added fact that I'm son of Poseidon and all…"

Jason rolled his eyes as he plopped down next to Percy. He smiled over at Percy just to see that he was not smiling. Jason frowned, "Hey, are you alright?"

Percy put on a smile, "Of course I am."

Jason's frown got deeper, "No, you're not. I can see it in your eyes. I'll admit that you are hiding it well, but I know that there something wrong with you."

Percy's smile dropped and he turned to face the ocean again. "Fine, you caught me. I'm not okay."

Jason nudged his shoulder gently, "Well, are you going to tell me?"

"No?" Percy tried weakly.

"Try again." Jason replied.

Percy slumped his shoulders in defeat. "I feel like I'm living in a trap."

Jason cast him a confused look, "Come again?"

"Well, ever since Annabeth and I fell into Tartarus, everyone has been treating us like china dolls that might break at any moment. And I don't know if you have noticed at all, but no one gives us a moment of piece by ourselves. It's like you are all afraid that the ground is just going to open up and we will be gone again. So ya, I feel like my whole life is trap that I can't get out of." Percy explained with a little bitterness.

There was silence for a long moment before Jason spoke quietly in a soft whisper. "Percy… have you ever thought that maybe… maybe this trap is actually meant to protect you?"

Percy looked over at him, "Care to explain?"

"Traps are usually bad things. They are meant to contain something. To hold it and keep it from going rampage or maybe to keep it from doing something else. Your trap though, I think it's different. It's meant to protect you. I don't think that you could necessarily call it a trap. I think that is more like a safe or vault. A way of keeping Annabeth and you, our treasures, safe." Jason's voice grew little bit louder and stronger as he spoke.

Percy had gained a thoughtful expression while Jason was talking, "I guess that makes sense."

"Good, I didn't want to explain it again." Jason joked.

Percy rolled his eyes, "Whatever, thanks for helping me. You didn't have to… but why did you?"

Jason stood up and smiled, "Because that's what family does."

A/N Review if you liked it!