Timeline: Between the last chapter and when Khione attacks the Argo II

Insecurities Revealed

Jason stared up at the ceiling of his room on the Argo II unable to sleep. They haven't even reached Greece yet, but Jason was still nervous about what was to come. Sometimes he thought that if Hera hadn't switched him and Percy everything would have been better. He would still be with the Romans as their Praetor and living his life to the fullest. Although, some part at the back of his brain knows it isn't true. The Prophecy of the Seven been already been given and fate would run it's course no matter if Hera had interfered or not.

Sighing Jason walked out onto the deck of the ship, deciding that he wasn't going to be able to fall asleep with all these thoughts running through his head. Leaning against the railing Jason wondered if he was the only one who has so many problems. Ever since he had arrived at Camp Half-blood his problems seemed to be never-ending. From his memory loss to his confusing feeling for Piper to saving the world, the pressure was starting to take its toll on him.

Chiron seemed to have noticed and suggested that he talk to someone. He knew Chiron was right, but he didn't have anyone he could talk to. His first choice would have been Thalia, but she was always with the hunters. It didn't help that he had not been in her life for so long that sometimes it was difficult to talk to her. He needed familiarity, and while she was his big sister, she just didn't offer that. Leo was always busy, with the pressure to build and man the Argo II, he didn't need Jason's problems to add to that. Usually, he would talk to Reyna or Piper about everything that was bothering him, but Jason wasn't quite sure what to do about his feelings for them yet. While he loved Piper, he couldn't help but think that their relationship only happened because of the fake memories Hera has given them.

"Couldn't sleep?" Someone said from beside him, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Jason whipped his head around to face the source of the voice. It was Annabeth. She was looking out towards the ocean in the distance. The blond had always scared him, to be honest. With her skill with a dagger and the respect she held among the campers, she was a force to be reconded with.

"Yeah. Wasn't expecting anyone else to be awake though." Jason said turning his head back to gaze off into the distance.

"What's keeping you up?" Jason hesitated, not sure if he wanted to answer truthfully. In the end, he decided that was no point in lying.

"Just thinking about all the problems I have."

Jason wasn't exactly expecting a reply, but the grey-eyed girl responded. "Do you want to talk about it? I might just be able to help."

The son of Jupiter paused weighing the pros and cons of telling Annabeth about his problems. In the end, he decided that this might just be what he needed to calm his nerves.

"Alright. It's just that after going to Camp Half-blood I've started questioning my worth. Before that, I never had any problems with popularity. The Romans followed me because I was the son of the King of gods, but the Greeks see it differently. I guess I'm just having a hard time adjusting." Jason admitted not once looking at the daughter of Athena.

Annabeth stayed quiet for a while after Jason was done speaking. She was still staring off into the distance when she spoke. "Greeks and Romans never got along due to their different beliefs. The Romans were always more militarized and saw power as a reason for respect. They worked as a team and kept to the rules. The Greeks were more carefree. They favoured fighting alone and respect was given to those who they think deserved it.

"You were raised Roman, following rules and being serious. I would say you adjusted quite well when you were at camp. It is hard to just forget what you were taught since you were two, but you managed to adapt. That is an admirable trait that you should be proud of."

Jason thought about what she said. Her reasoning was flawless, as expected, but it didn't exactly comfort him. "But compared to Percy, that's nothing."

He didn't mean for it to come out so bitterly, but he couldn't help it. He was always compared to Percy at Camp Half-blood. Even when they got to the Roman camp he was still compared to him.

Annabeth now understood. It wasn't about was being Roman around a bunch of Greeks, nor was it about fitting in. It was that he thought that no matter what he did, he couldn't be better than Percy, and that was hurting his pride.

"You shouldn't compare yourself to Percy, you know. The campers are biased because they have known Percy for longer. Plus it's not like he didn't have struggles when he first came to the Roman camp. Percy was raised very Greek, and it is only made worse by his bloodline to Poseidon. Percy speaks his mind and doesn't like following rules. As Percy would say, 'the sea does not like to be restrained'.

"At Camp Jupiter Percy would have had a very hard time. Having to follow rules without question. Him being a son of Neptune doesn't help either as the Romans fear Neptune. He probably would have has just of a hard time as you to fit in."

Annabeth paused here, giving Jason time to digest the information she gave him before continuing.

"Percy thinks quite little of himself, despite everything that he's done. If he could he would pin all the credit of his achievements on the people around him. Sometimes I wonder if his fatal flaw is loyalty or kindness.

"Despite all this, Percy isn't much different from you."

Jason's head snapped up at that, not quite understanding what the daughter of Athena meant.

"Like you, he has his own problems but chooses to help others. You're both leaders, and you guys think that you have to keep all your problems to yourselves."

Annabeth was looking at the son of Jupiter with a soft gaze. "But you guys are not the same person. You shouldn't be trying to be him, nor should you try to one-up his achievements. You are your own person and anyone who doesn't accept that is not worth your time."

Before Jason could respond Annabeth turned around and walked back to her sleeping quarters, leaving Jason alone with his thoughts.

Jason thought about everything Annabeth had said tonight and considered asking Percy for advice. Percy seemed to know how to adjust quickly, but maybe that came with being Greek. He was always what the Romans expected a son of Jupiter to be like. The son of Poseidon seemed like the perfect example of what being Greek stood for. Percy might be able to give him a different perspective on everything.

Eventually, Jason returned to his room, drifting off to sleep with Annabeth's final words repeating in his head.

'You are your own person and anyone who doesn't accept that is not worth your time.'

And... cut! Here's part two! This one's more Jason centric. I felt that Annabeth would give great advice being both Thalia ans Percy's best friend, helpingthem deal with their problems.

How did I do? Love it? Hate it? Tell me what you think!

This is idea #19 Insecurities Unraveled