A/N: November fic. Shout out to the anon who left me a wonderful message in my tumblr and kind of pushed me to write this. This one was hard. I knew the ending clearly in my mind. It was getting to it that was a struggle. Hope everyone loves the rollercoaster of feels. Feel free to leave me a message on tumblr or here if you're curious about Jason's or Reyna's thought process. Thank you everyone for following, favorite and reading this story. I'm planning on finishing this before doing a rewrite. If you want to find out what happened with Reyna and Leo earlier, check out With You Always chap 4.

Not a Date

Five of clubs. Ten of hearts. Seven of spades. Playing cards flipped rapidly smacking the oak bar between Jason and a dark haired teenager. Their eyes focused intensely on the growing pile. Jack of hearts. "Yes." The teen exclaimed as he glanced up. His dark brown eyes gleamed eagerly as he smiled smugly at Jason. "Beat that."

Jason murmured unhappily as he rubbed the top of his waning stack. "You celebrate too early, Nico." Nico rolled his eyes but stayed focused on the pile. His fingers twitched in anticipation. Jason took a breath and flipped his card quickly. Jack of spades. Jason and Nico both jumped, slapping their hands over the card pile. Jason's fingers just below Nico's.

"God damn it!" Nico swore as he pounded his fist against the bar. Jason laughed and scooped up the hefty pile. The cafe was starting to slow down as Jason's shift ended. This month, Dakota had the night shift for Olympus University's final week. Only a few students lingered on the ground floor, cramming or praying for their finals. Nico growled as he sat back down with a determined set in his jaw. "Again."

"Nico!" A sharp voice exclaimed. Both boys looked up, Nico a little guilty, as Reyna stood on the at the last step of the stairs. Her left hand rested on her hip as she shook her head at them. "Shouldn't you be working on your college essay?" Nico gave Jason a side glance and rolled his eyes as Reyna approached.

"Yes Mom." Nico murmured as Reyna shoved his head. A fond smile tugged at her lips, smoothing out the tired lines from long hours of studying. Nico is one of the trouble teens Percy was paired with at the Big Brother organization. Percy took the boy to Cafe Jupiter often, thinking the change of atmosphere would help. Reyna has a soft spot for the boy, immediately taking him under her wing. He has a sister who is currently studying abroad, leaving him alone. "Jason already proofread it and offered tips."

"Thank you." Reyna said to Jason. Her braid unraveled, creating little waves in her dark hair. Her purple hoodie and running leggings gave her a casual lazy look, very un-Reyna-like. There were only a few people here to witness her like this. Reyna rested her elbows against the counter, pressing her fingers against her eyes. "Geez, my eyes hurt from staring at the screen all day. I think the words are burnt into my eyelids."

"You work too hard." Nico commented as he took the cards from Jason, shuffling them in his hands. "I guess you're not playing a round with us." Reyna shook her head, massaging her temple. Nico and Jason traded concern looks.

Jason has been at the cafe for half the day since lunch and hasn't seen a peep of the girl. He wasn't even sure she ate since he sent up at treat with Leo when he arrived. Nico and Reyna spoke softly as Jason cleaned up the counters, running dirty mugs in the sink. Nico tried to be animated as he complained about his gym teacher to distract her. Reyna nodded and smiled at the right moments but there's a certain weariness in her posture.

A soft gurgle caused Jason to turn and Nico to stop talking. Reyna sheepishly placed her hand on her stomach. "I haven't ate yet."

"Of course you haven't." Jason whispered as he shook his head, pulling his purple apron over his head. "Wanna grab a bite? My treat?"

"If you're offering me day-old pastries, I'm gonna stab you." Reyna threatened as she fixed him with a glare. Jason sighed and rolled his eyes, looking at the ceiling.

"One time. You can hold a grudge." Jason teased as he grabbed his jacket from the coat rack, pulling Reyna's trench coat as well. Nico watched with a grin as they bantered. "You want to come?" Jason asked as he handed Reyna her coat and scooped her bag up and over his shoulder wordlessly. Reyna was either too tired or surprised by his smooth actions to say anything as she slipped on her coat.

"Nah," Nico replied settling back on the bar stool, still eying them curiously. "My uncle will be here soon. Have a fun date." Jason's heart leapt at the simple comment. His gaze shifted to Reyna, trying to gauge her reaction. Her eyes narrowed at Nico before they flickered to Jason. Unconsciously, Jason looked away feeling the flutter in the pit of his stomach and the heat raise to his cheeks. "Ouch." Nico exclaimed as Reyna walked passed him. "That's mean!"

"P-preference?" Jason asked after the door closed behind them, trying to move past the awkwardness Nico flung them into. Reyna blew against her hands, rubbing them together. The cold Seattle air nipped at their bare face but felt nice after being in the stuffy cafe all day. Trees swayed in the breeze bare of their colorful leaves. A bright moon illuminated the street as gray storm clouds started to roll in.

"Nothing heavy," Reyna said as they walked towards the university. "Finals are killing me mentally. Don't need my arteries clogged by fatty food."

"So I won't get to try Seattle's famous cream cheese hotdog tonight. Darn." Jason teased with a chuckle. He jumped when Reyna grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop. Her dark eyes wide with surprise and shock.

"You haven't had a Seattle Dog yet?" She whispered like it was a crime. Jason shook his head slowly, trying not to smile at her intense expression. Reyna shook her head. "Nope, not good. What is Percy doing? Come on. We are righting this wrong right now." Reyna tugged him down the streets, muttering to herself about various injustices. Jason chuckled, relishing in the warmth of her fingers against his wrist. "What?" She asked, noticing his amusement.

"You're something else, Reyna. People think you're cold and unapproachable but I see you like this…" Jason's sentence trailed off as Reyna released his hand, tugging at her loose strands. He missed her warmth immediately, wishing he hadn't said anything. "It's cute." He finished awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

"Cute is not a word typically associated with me." Reyna started as she looked towards the cafe. They were atop a hill now, a few blocks away, but if Jason looked closely he could make out the large panes of the shop front with Cafe Jupiter trademark gold wreath logo. "Icy. Cold. Driven. Focus. Not cute. Or adorable." She ran her fingers through her hair before looking at Jason. Because of the stairs, she was directly eye-level. He could make out the flecks of gold in her dark eyes.

"I think I'm like this with you because you part of Cafe Jupiter. It's my home, my baby. It's where I allow myself to be me. Not Reyna the Vice President of the student body. Or Reyna the tennis hopeful or debate captain. But just Reyna." Reyna covered her face in embarrassment. "I overreacted when I first met you. You were so sudden, invading my home. God, this is so stupid."

"No, no, no." Jason reassured as he touched her elbow. She looked at him with such an open expression with her dark brown eyes and soft parted lips. Reyna is pretty. Jason has known that for months but right now in the glow of the street lights, something shifted and settled in his chest, warm and fond. "It's not stupid. I wasn't prepared for you either." He whispered and melted when her lips curled into a bright stunning smile. I don't think I'm ever prepared for you.

###

It wasn't a date. It wasn't a date. Jason repeated those words in his head as they walked out of the bar, laughing at the drunk frat boys singing cheesy holiday music. Jason joined in the chorus, getting cheers from the boys as Reyna pulled him away. "Don't encourage them." She laughed as they walked a few blocks.

"What? Are you a holiday grinch?" Jason teased right before the clouds above rumbled. Jason and Reyna both looked up as the first raindrops fell. They ran under cover of a closed shop, squeezed together as the sky open up. "Damn, I blame you and your negativity."

"Yeah, yeah," Reyna murmured as she held her hand out, collecting drops in her outstretched hand. It wasn't a light drizzle either. The rain fell hard, turning the gray pavement into black in seconds. "Come on, if we run we might not be too drench." Reyna said as she hiked her shoulder bag up.

"Ah," Jason grabbed her arm before she could leave the safety of cover. "I have a better idea." He pulled out his folded umbrella, popping it open. Reyna's face twisted into a frown like the umbrella personally insulted her. "What?"

"An umbrella? Jason, how long have you lived here? We don't use umbrellas. They're a hassle." It wasn't a huge umbrella either, barely keeping Jason dry. He lifted it over his head, glancing back at her expectantly. She stood firm with her arms crossed.

"Reyna, you are welcomed to be a soaking mess and probably end up with a miserable cold while taking a rather important final." Jason took a few steps and laughed when Reyna jumped forward, huddling underneath the umbrella. Her arm grabbed his, pulling the umbrella over her head. Jason didn't care if his shoulder got wet. "I knew you would see it my way."

"Shut up. Umbrellas are still a huge pain." Reyna grumbled. "It's a Seattle thing. You wouldn't understand."

"You sure it's not a Reyna thing?" Reyna shoved him, hitting his rib. Jason laughed, holding the umbrella a little higher. "Hey be nice. Who's holding this thing?" Reyna shook her head warmly but pulled back when she realized where her hand was. Jason looked away, focusing on the dark streets towards her apartment, instead of the sudden cold.

"What's your holiday plans?" Reyna asked as they walked up the large hill towards her home. Jason's place was a few blocks back but he insisted on walking her the whole way especially this late at night.

"I get to experience a true Seattle Christmas. It's never a huge thing in my family. My mom has holiday parties with directors and casting agents to network. I hated them as a kid and can't stomach them now. There's always someone trying to scout me or set me up with their daughter." Jason shuddered at the memory. "And I saw her over Thanksgiving. Bobby and Gwen are flying out to see their family so I'll probably work. You?"

"Lupa's been poking me about taking a shift or two since I technically work there." Reyna mentioned. "Hylla and I stay here for the holidays. Cafe Jupiter has a Christmas eve event for anyone who doesn't have a home. Then I spend Christmas day with Hylla watching Christmas movies and making cookies."

"That's a cute image." Jason murmured, imagining Reyna in a warm sweater with a white apron and a bowl of frosting in her hands. "Bring me a batch, please." Reyna smiled at Jason with a soft and tender expression, catching the boy off guard.

"Of course…" She whispered before finding her next words. "You're not spending Christmas with Piper?" Jason lowered his gaze, shaking his head. He hasn't seen his girlfriend much recently. School and work as occupied her time with a huge project and multiple photoshoots.

"She's heading to LA with Leo. They have a tradition to spend it with his family. I wasn't going to make her pick between that and us. We have a date planned for later this week to celebrate the end of finals." It felt so weird talking about Piper to Reyna. The topic is just so taboo especially with this feeling in his chest. "I have to confess. I haven't seen her much. It feels like I'm failing as a boyfriend."

"No you're not. Life just gets in the way sometimes." Reyna lowered her gaze, dragging her feet lightly. "I'm jealous. It must be nice to have someone to spend time with." What are we doing right now? Jason thought as he bumped his shoulder against hers. Reyna bumped back, collecting her words. "I mean, someone you can exclusively monopolized without feeling guilty. Piper can just call you and you would rush to her like a good boyfriend. I… I don't have anyone like that."

You have me. Jason wanted to say but couldn't. Not right now. "I can name a list of people who will drop everything to spend time with you. Gwen. Malcolm. Nico." Jason listed, waiting a bit before adding the last one. "Leo… I saw him today."

"Leo…" Reyna whispered with a half-smile. "Leo and I have a bit of unfinished business. I made a list of things to do before this year ends." They stopped in front of Hedge's gym. The soft patter of the raindrops against the umbrella accompanied Reyna's words. "One was to give Leo a chance, a proper date…" Jason's throat felt dry as he listened to her words. His fingers clenched around the umbrella handle.

"You deserve to be happy, Reyna." Jason whispered back, leaning his head down towards her. Reyna lifted her chin, looking at him with a conflicted look. "And for the record, you're allowed to monopolize me. You're my best friend. There's a special place for you. Always."

Reyna's brow furrowed as she took a breath, processing those words. Her lips pressed together tightly and she clenched the front of her jacket. "Damn it, Jason." She whispered, looking down at her feet. "You can't say stuff like that so easily. My heart is pounding like crazy." Jason paused, hearing his own pounding heart in his ears.

"What do you mean, Reyna?" He whispered, afraid if he raised his voice just slightly, the moment would disappear. Reyna covered her mouth, staring at him openly again.

"I like you." She whispered. If Jason wasn't watching the way her lips shaped the words, the confession would have been lost in the wind and rain. Reyna shook her head as she forced the words out. "More than a friend. More than I should. Ugh, this is so frustrating." Reyna turned away, stepping into the rain. It drenched her form as she spun back, whipping strands of hair into her face.

"The logical part of me said keep it in, lock this fucking feeling away and bury it so it can die quietly but I can't. The more time I spend with you, the more I think about you, the more this stupid confusion wonderful feeling bubbles up in my chest. I know you're with Piper, I know you can't feel the same way but I have to tell you." Reyna wiped her face as she spoke. "I have to tell you if I want to move on." Reyna met Jason's confused gaze with a furious determined one. "I like you, Jason Grace."

"Reyna," Jason stepped forward, trying to cover her with the umbrella, bring her back into his space, but she took a step back, shaking her head.

"Thank you for listening." Reyna said before rushing towards her apartment.

"Reyna!" Jason shouted desperately. Her confession repeated in his mind. She likes him. She likes him like that. Reyna turned. Her hair drenched, falling straight. Her posture straight, like she lifted a weight off her shoulders. Rain drops clung to her cheeks. Or where those tears? Words welled in Jason's chest. I like you. I like you. I like you too. He opened his mouth but Piper's lovely face flashed in Jason's mind. He couldn't. Not now. "I…"

"I know." Reyna whispered sadly before walking away. Jason stood there, looking at the wet pavement with only the sound of his breathing and the rain to keep him company, not sure what to do next.