Ships: Persephone and Annabeth, Hazel and Frank, Leo and Leo, Jason and Piper

Disclaimer: I own none of Uncle Rick's work, I could never write that good.

Cafe Half-Laugh

A Fresh Start

Jason fidgeted with the hem of his sweatshirt with one hand, the other on his wheel. Today would be his first day at work, a place named Cafe Half-Laugh. He'd only been there three times, the first to just grab a cup of coffee until he saw the 'Now Hiring!' sign. The second to get his resume, and the third to get interviewed by the manager, Annabeth Chase. She was only one year older than him, 22, which surprised him.

Jason pulled into a parking spot on the street and let out a deep breath. He didn't know why he was so nervous, he didn't need his job. He only wanted to get away from the house for a while since his mother always drank every few days.

Pushing open the car door, Jason stepped outside. He welcomed the warmth, since it was odd and rare in the winter. It looked like the cafe was still closed. He checked his watch and groaned.

6:50.

He would have to wait ten more minutes until somebody got here with the key. He leaned against the glass pane and rubbed his tired eyes. Jason was used to waking up early, but today, his body just refused to. Keeping his eyes closed, he wished he was back in his warm bed. Staying like that for a while, he felt his grasp on reality slip.

He felt a tap on his shoulder. Jason flinched and looked up, to see obsidian eyes staring at him unapologetically.

"Reyna?" he muttered, still half-awake.

Jason was sure his eyes were deceiving him, but before him was a woman with hair as dark as night, in a braid cascading over her shoulder. Glaring at him, for sure.

"You're the new worker? Huh."

"Wait- you work here too?"

Reyna scoffed. "Didn't Annabeth tell you already? We're both the managers."

"Wow, just my luck," Jason grunted. "My childhood friend as my manager."

He could've sworn he saw Reyna roll her eyes, but she unlocked the door and motioned him inside. It was actually pretty big on the inside, with industrial lights hanging from the ceiling. Two of the walls were a brown mix of wood and the other two just painted black. The atmosphere felt homey. Honeycombing the walls were shelves with plants, lights, occasionally he even spotted a few books. The tables all had the chairs flipped on top of them, and there was a large display case over to the side with a door behind. Jason guessed that it led to the kitchen. Reyna brought him to the counter.

"You're working here as..." Reyna scrolled through her phone. "Waiter?"

"And cashier," Jason added.

"And cashier..." Reyna echoed, tapping her nails on the counter. "Alright, let me show you around."

Jason followed Reyna behind the counter and into a separate room behind. "This, is the Break Room."

The room had lockers, a table, and a fridge in the corner. A couple pictures hanging on the walls caught his eye. It was a group of people, all in costumes so Jason assumed the picture was taken on Halloween. The only people that Jason recognized in the first few pictures was Reyna and Annabeth. Then, the group changed drastically. He recognized the last photo to be the one Annabeth showed him before.

Reyna and Annabeth looked like they were wearing Greek dresses, with the jewelry and makeup on as well. There was a Latino guy that was dressed up as a devil, horns, tail and all. A younger girl with golden hair as contrast to her dark skin was dressed as a witch, holding hands with a burly Chinese lad wearing a military outfit, badges looking legitimate. A Native American girl was in the picture as well, dressed up as- well, a Native American. She still looked breathtaking, with the addition of a feather in her hair. There was one last person. A girl, hugging Annabeth tightly, dressed up as Ariel.

Jason didn't know why, but he found that amusing to him. He remembered Annabeth muttering something about "finally getting her to wear something longer on the top". Reyna tapped her finger on the top right locker which jostled him out of his trance.

"This is yours, feel free to bring a lock if you want. No stolen items were reported though, we all trust each other. Except unless you bring anything mechanical-related, Leo may 'borrow' it."

Jason nodded, and opened his locker. He tossed his bag inside and took his sweatshirt off, tossing it in too. He looked back at Reyna to see her holding out a shirt to him.

"If it doesn't fit, just tell me. You can change in the bathroom," she tilted her head, indicating where it was.

"Thanks."

Jason made his way to the bathroom and quickly changed, not wanting Reyna to wait long. Once he emerged, he quickly chucked his old shirt into his locker as well.

"Now you know, occasionally you will be asked to make some orders. I trust you know how to make some basic coffee?" Reyna raised an eyebrow at him.

Honestly? Reyna's look, no matter which one she would be giving you, freaked Jason out.

He nodded and said, "Yep."

"Good. Now here," Reyna moved on to the room behind the display case. "is the kitchen. Only Hazel, Leo, Persephone, and occasionally Frank work here. Hazel is more or less the baker. She is younger than all of us, but her pastries are delicious along with Persephone's.

"Leo's the cook. When all three are put together, nothing could taste better than what they make. Frank works here from time to time, helping out when needed. He is more like the unofficial 'security' of the place. He's also a cashier, so he can work with you and help out."

"Now we have Piper, who makes all of the drinks and is a waiter as well. You two should get along pretty well." Reyna paused for a minute, scrunching her face. "You know what? Persephone just does basically all the jobs. She's been here as long as me and Annabeth, so she knows how everything goes. Without her, we would probably need more than one new employee."

"Persephone?"

"Mhm. Perci, Persephone, whatever. She's Annabeth's girlfriend. More or less the backbone of the group, she acts like she's our mother." Reyna rolled her eyes, but Jason could hear affection in her words.

She started to put the chairs rightside up, and Jason hurried to help. The chairs were heavier than they looked, but Reyna seemed to have no trouble lifting them up and flipping them.

"You normally won't come this early," Reyna started. "Annabeth just asked you to come at this time so one of us could teach you the ropes, or, the gist of things. Could you come later in the day, around afternoon? You should learn how to close, though again, you probably won't be the one closing."

Jason hummed a yes, and wiped his sweaty hands on his shirt. He was always composed, or so he thought. Getting this job wasn't a must in his book, but he sure was nervous in pleasing Reyna. He didn't know if the other employees would be kind either, but he was hoping for the best.

As if on cue, the door chimed and somebody walked in. It was Annabeth. She gave him a warm smile.

"I was hoping Reyna would be here early, I lost my car keys earlier. She tell you everything here?"

Annabeth had gray eyes and locks of golden blonde hair. Today, she had it tied up and some loose strands curled around her face. She had an athletic build like Reyna, Jason wouldn't be surprised if they worked out together.

"Yeah, seems like you and your crew are pretty close," Jason remarked.

"Our crew," Annabeth corrected. "You're part of the team now."

Jason felt a weird feeling, like happiness blooming inside his chest. The door opened again, letting a warm whoosh of air cut through the cold air inside the cafe.

A trio walked into the shop, quietly joking around, but they stopped once they saw Jason. The shortest broke into a smile.

"This is the new employee? Bienvenidos!" The Latino grinned. He had dark curly hair and elfish features. Warm chocolate eyes held happiness and mischief within.

"Hi! I'm Hazel and this is Leo. My boyfriend here is Frank," the girl introduced herself in a soft voice. Golden frizzy hair outlined her face and brought out her bright gold eyes.

Jason felt his nerves strike again, but nevertheless held out his hand, "Jason Grace."

Each of them gave a firm shake, surprising Jason with their strength. They all seemed friendly. The big one gave Jason a large smile and the corners of his eyes crinkled. Immediately, all his doubts about this group vanished into thin air. Though there were more people coming.

Reyna clapped her hands. "C'mon crew, start baking some pastries. We have extra time now since Annabeth asked us to come earlier, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared. I'll ask Perci to help when she comes."

The trio rushed to the kitchen afraid to upset Rena, tripping over each other's feet. Jason smirked and crossed his arms.

"Aw, hey Beth, Reyna!" another girl exclaimed.

She had choppy chocolate brown hair with a feather stuck in. She looked Native American, and she made a beeline to the espresso machine. It was the girl that caught Jason's eye in the Halloween picture.

"Don't worry Rara, I'll make you a drink too," she drawled, when Reyna muttered that employees couldn't make drinks for themselves.

Reyna's face grew red at 'Rara'. She shot the girl a glare.

"New guy? Looking hot," she remarked. "Piper McLean."

A red color dusted Jason's cheek when the beautiful girl- no, Piper said he looked hot.

Jason introduced himself again. Piper gave him a warm smile and Jason thought his legs would turn to jelly.

"Perci late again?" Piper asked Annabeth.

She frowned and nodded. "I asked her to come early to get to know Jason."

Piper said, "If she's going to come late, might as well as her to get something for me."

She disappeared into the Break Room, probably to text Perci. Jason wished he had a group if friends like this, they worked like a well-oiled machine. They probably knew each other for ages. He had just moved here along with his sister because their mother announced one day that she wanted to move. Jason and Thalia didn't want her to be on her own because who knows what she would do when she was drunk?

Leo jumped out of the kitchen with Frank in tow. "Hazel is waiting for the tarts to bake for us," he announced.

He brought out something from a large bag at his side and started tinkering with it, Frank making small talk with Leo. A moment later, Piper left the Break Room to join them. Jason couldn't help but admire how her hair looked so naturally beautiful. Even her eyes looked amazing, it was constantly changing like a kaleidoscope. She caught him staring, and he looked away embarrassed. He felt Reyna watching him, amused.

Annabeth tapped her foot on the ground, impatient. "Ugh, this is the tenth time Perci was late this year!"

"Boss, you did ask us to get here thirty minutes before our usual time," Leo pointed out.

"And you were late too, looking for your car keys," Reyna stated.

"Reyna!" Annabeth complained.

Piper said from behind the counter, "Annabeth is just salty because she dosen't get her morning kisses."

Jason held in his laughter as Annabeth glared at Piper.

"Tarts!" Hazel exclaimed happily, holding a tray out to everybody as she exited the kitchen.

The door shot open suddenly.

"Tarts!" the person who came from the door exclaimed and nearly tripped over herself.

"God Perci, I didn't know you liked tarts that much!" Piper joked.

Perci had messy, inky locks of hair that was flying everywhere. She had green eyes that reminded Jason of a baby seal when she was pleading. Perci snatched a tart from the tray and started speaking rapid-fire, not taking notice of Jason.

"Thanks Hazel! I got the ingredients ya need for your new recipe, want any help baking? Gosh I used to adore baking cookies with my mamá, we used to- and still do- make blue cookies all. The. Time. Pipes, couldn't find any of those vegan cookies you wanted, so I got you these. They're still vegan, tell me if you like 'em! I got-"

"You're late," Annabeth glared and stared Perci down. Annabeth was pretty terrifying when she wanted to be, but Perci seemed unfazed.

"Yo Jefe! Sorry babe, I had to get those ingredients for Hazel, radio parts for Leo- don't you dare ask me how I got them," she shuddered involuntarily. "And then Piper asked me to get her some of those vegan cookies she likes and you know, I had to prepare some kisses for my favorite person in the world!"

Annabeth blushed as Perci gave her a peck on the cheek.

"You're lucky you're my girlfriend," Annabeth muttered.

"Thanks babe, know you love me!" She shot straight into more conversation. "Leo! Mi amigo! How's life, hope you didn't ask me to get those parts for no reason."

They burst into a ten second handshake after Perci handed Leo a plastic bag. Jason watched, amused, as everybody rolled their eyes. Perci danced across the cafe.

"Rara, lookin' good. Been to the gym again? Told you not to go without me! Stayin' hydrated? Won-der-ful. Hazel, Frank, what did I tell you about wearing mitts before taking pastries out of the oven, hmm? There better not be burns when I che-"

Perci halted and stopped speaking as she came face to face with Jason. He gave her a knowing grin.

Annabeth took this pause as an opportunity to introduce Jason.

"Perci, this is Jason Grace, our new employee, so please don't scare him off. Jason, this is Persephone- Perci- Jackson."

Silence. Complete and utter silence reigned in the room. Everybody in the cafe grew scared suddenly, this was rare coming from Perci.

Slap.

"JASON GRACE, YOU SON OF A MOTHERFUCKING BITCH, HOW DARE YOU NOT TELL ME YOU WERE IN THE CITY?!"

Perci took a deep breath and glared at him. Jason winced and rubbed his cheek. He saw how her eyes softened a bit and looked guilty. Everyone gaped at her. As rare as she was ever silent, she was hardly angry. And when she was, you would be considered lucky to not be the person receiving her anger. Once Perci seemed to calm down, she looked Jason square in the eyes.

"...Sorry Primo, hope that didn't hurt," she muttered as she removed his hand from his cheek and inspected it. "Sorry, I got ahead of myself. Is Thalia here too? Wait- what are you wearing? No. You didn't. You're working here now? Ohmygosh I can teach you! But why didn't you tell me you were in the city?"

"That would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?"

"Did you even know I worked here?" she grunted.

He scratched the back of his head. "Maybe?"

Perci shook her head. "I'll take that as a no."

She wrapped Jason in a bone-crushing bear hug. When she pulled away, she looked excitedly at her friends. "Guys! This is Jason! Jason Grace! My Primo! The one that is Thalia's brother? This is him!"

Annabeth got up from sitting on a chair. "Wait, Thalia's brother? That means you're cousins with Thalia?"

"Did I not tell you guys?"

Everybody in the room shook their heads.

Frank and Hazel smiled at him. "You have an amazing cousin, Jason."

God, they both just seemed too sweet. "Don't give Perci a big head," he warned.

Piper looked up and smirked. "Oh, it couldn't get any bigger."

Perci playfully shoved Piper which elicited a yelp from her. Their morning went on like that until Hazel, Perci, Leo, and Frank had to prepare pastries so they left. Soon, the cafe filled with a heavenly aroma. A while later, Perci emerged from the kitchen wearing a singed apron.

"Leo almost set fire to the kitchen, Annabeth. Why did you even hire him?"

"Oh god, he did what?" She jolted up.

"Relax," Perci soothed. "Frank got it covered. Mind if I go on cashier duty for a while? In case my baby cousin needs help? I'll switch back once he's good. Please?"

"That's fine," Reyna called from the Break Room.

"I am not a baby!" Jason complained while Perci ruffled his hair. "I'm only one year younger than you!"

"You're a baby in my eyes, Superman."

Piper's eyes lit up. "You call him Superman? Good one. I'll have to remember that."

Jason groaned, but really, he was enjoying the warm and easy atmosphere in the cafe. Everybody worked well together and conversed naturally, it was hard not to like this group. Honest to truth though? He still felt like an outsider. Not to mention he was nervous about his first order. Perci elbowed him and winked, looking back from him to Piper. He fought the blush that was threatening to make an appearance on his face. Thankfully, she quit.

"You good with money, Jason?" Annabeth asked.

He was thankful for the change of subject. "Yeah, I'm okay with it."

"Alright. Because if you weren't, we would have to switch your role."

Piper let out a sigh. "Ten more minutes until opening. Wonderful."

"Never again am I coming this early. Oh Pipes, did you like the new cookies?"

"They were okay, Leo tried some and he said he liked it."

Perci blinked. "Leo? Like vegan cookies?"

Piper snorted. "I know, right? But I thought you'd be the least surprised, you two are like, best friends."

"No! Well yeah, he's like the little hermano I never had, but Leo and vegan?"

Piper laughed, but then sat up straighter. "Oh god you know Nico? I found the perfect ship with him."

Perci raised an eyebrow. "Pipes, last time you said that you ended up saying that him and I were the perfect match when you didn't even know we were cousins."

"Well- that was in the past. I messed up. But there is this kid, he's been coming here now more often, his name is Will Solace. Don't you just think they'll go perfectly together?"

Scrunching up her nose, Perci thought for a moment. "I don't kno-"

"Open! Now! Flip it!" Reyna snapped her fingers.

Jason jumped, in surprise. He quickly got up and flipped the 'Open' sign on the door. He turned back around and saw Piper and Perci on the ground, clutching their chests.

"Oh my god Reyna, don't do that again!" Perci yelped, breathing heavily.

"Look presentable guys, we're open now," Annabeth chided.

Jason, Perci, and Piper both rushed behind the counter and got to their spots. Piper tapped his back and handed him a name tag.

"So people know who you are," she offered.

He nodded, though his heart was thumping faster when she gave him a lopsided smile. 'Thanks' was what he stuttered out. He quickly wrote his name on it and clipped it on.

"My baby cousin developing a crush?" Perci teased next to him as she swiftly tugged her burned apron off.

Jason hissed, "Shut up!"

She let out a cackle and turned to her register. "You know the works?"

"Reyna taught me earlier today."

"Great! You guys seem close," Perci remarked.

He held back his skittishness as he thought she meant with him and Piper. It quickly melted as he realized she was talking about him and Reyna.

"Childhood friends," he replied.

"Is Thalia going to come by once in a while?"

Jason's eyes lit up. "Yeah, well she better. Her exact words were literally, 'If you even get the job, Sparky.'"

Perci laughed. "God, I love my Pinecone Face."

All too soon the bell chimed and a warm breeze flew into the room.

Just a cafe au that nobody asked for. :-)

I probably will continue this. Review and tell me if you like it!~