A/N: I've posted these on tumblr but since I haven't posted anything recently on here I thought it would be nice to have this gem collected somewhere. Still actively working all most of my WIP. Especially Forged and Cafe Jupiter. I just have too many hobbies.
Fallen Hero
Breathing was hard. Air was always on Jason's side since he was young but now, each breath was a struggle. It felt like glass was lodged in his lungs, cutting with each rise and fall of his chest. The floor pressed against Jason's cheek as it rocked with the water. There was shouting in the distance but the whipping winds muffled everything. He did hear the sharp creak as the wood bend beneath Caligula's step.
"What a brave hero," Jason wheezed as his eyes followed the motion. "You put up quite a fight." Jason coughed, splatting blood in front of him, splashing the side of Caligula's foot. The emperor crouched down and grabbed Jason's hair, forcing the boy to look into his killer's eyes. Cold. Hard. Empty. Caligula looked like a bird of prey, picking at a wounded wolf. "Such a shame I have to kill you." Jason gasped as a sharp stab jabbed through him.
Fucking villains. Always monologuing.
"Well," a casual calm voice greeted Jason. "You're early." Jason sat up, feeling around his chest and shoulders, looking for wounds. His hand came back clean. IVLIVS sat coolly in his hand as a coin. Soft carpet cushioned his body as he ran his fingers through his hair. In front of him, Hades sat at an oak desk. He played with a pomegranate on his desk, rolling the fruit back and forth. "Welcome. How are you feeling?"
"Did they get away?" Jason demanded, standing up and leaning towards Hades. The god is unfazed by his question. "I didn't die for nothing, right?"
"Heroes…" Hades murmured before meeting Jason's gaze. "Yes, my nephew and your friends are alive. You died for something." The tension released from Jason's shoulders as he slumped into the chair across from Hades, pressing his palms together. They escaped. They're alive. Piper is alive. Thank all the gods.
"Why am I not at the River Styx right now?" Jason asked as he gathered his thoughts.
"I have something to give you." Hades replied cryptically. He slid something towards him. A chocolatey scent tickled Jason's nose. Wisps of steam curled in the air. His hand reached out but Jason paused, uncertain. Gifts from gods always had strings attached. "You're already in my domain, boy. Nowhere else to go. I'm not like my siblings. I don't approve of their games." Jason wrapped his hands around the cup, cradling it like something precious. "I called in a favor. You've treated my children well."
Jason smiled at the comment, thinking about Nico and Hazel. His eyes frowned. He'll miss them. He'll miss everyone. Jason lifted the cup and sipped the rich hot chocolate. He felt like he was floating, falling as memories flickered before his eyes. His fingers curled tighter around the cup.
"Hey Airhead?" Jason smirked at the nickname that once annoyed him years ago. Funny how annoyance turned to fondness with time and life threatening experiences. He squeezed her hand as he dragged her down the beach. The famous Golden Gate Bridge stood in front of them in its glory as tourists pose for the perfect picture, unaware of the war between the Titans and Gods with children as their pawns. "Are you sure we should be playing tourists?"
"Now seems like a good enough time as ever." Jason replied, pulling her close so she would invade his bubble. She looked up at him with big dark eyes as her black hair framed her face. They were out of their camp clothes, looking like two normal teenagers on a date. Jason smoothed a curl out of Reyna's face. Her eyes fluttered closed from the touch. "We might die in a few days."
Reyna's eyes shot open and she glared daggers at him. "Mood killer." She murmured, poking his chest. Jason chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist before she stomped off in fury. Reyna curled her hands around the collar of his shirt, keeping him close. "You're not going to die."
You can't promise that. Jason wanted to say but bit down the words. He wanted to enjoy this moment with Reyna, bottle it up and burn it into his memory. "Ok," he pressed his forehead against hers. "I won't."
###
A girl with furious dark eyes glared at him as she limped towards the wall. A loud roar ripped through the air as a monster lunged out of a brush. "Watch out!" Jason shouted. The girl spun around, shoving her curved sword into the creature's chest. Its claws slashed at her back but she kicked it off her blade. It dissolved into ash and she fell to one knee, using her sword to hold herself up.
"Who approaches?" The Centurion shouted from his high perch.
"She's hurt, Octavian! We can do the script later." Jason shouted as he ran towards the ladder.
"Reyna." A tired voice answered. Jason ran up to her, noticing the dark splotch on her shirt grow. Reyna watched him like a wounded animal, tense and wary. She held her sword out, ready to cut him down if he touched her.
"Please, I just want to help." Jason reassured as he held his empty hands out. "You're safe now. This is Camp Jupiter. I won't let anyone hurt you." He held her gaze as he spoke and Reyna nodded her head right before she collapsed into Jason's arms.
###
"You and Reyna, huh?" Dakota mentioned casually as they walked away from the latest war game. Jason arched his eyebrow as he massaged his shoulder, feeling the latest bruise the girl gave him. Reyna was walking ahead with her Centurion, limping slightly from when he nicked her leg.
"What do you mean me and Reyna?" Jason murmured back, observing the girl. He should bring her something for that wound later. He kind of cheated. Maybe a brownie from the bakery would help. And a whole lot of jellybeans.
"You two are together right?" Dakota asked. Jason nearly tripped, staring at his friend with wide eyes. "You clearly have a thing for her."
"I…" Jason stumbled, trying to find the words. He looked towards her, feeling something dark curl within when Marcus stepped closer to her. Reyna instinctively pulled away, surprised by the sudden motion. Her eyes flickered towards Jason but he was too far away to help. Marcus wrapped his arm around Reyna's waist, helping her towards the medic tent. Jason's fingers curled in anger. He wanted to rip Marcus' hands off her. Jason shook his head. Reyna isn't his. He shouldn't be feeling like a jealous boyfriend. Jason's steps slowed.
He wanted to be her boyfriend. He wanted to hold her hand, help her to the medic tents, monopolize all her time. He looked forward to their meetings at the coffee shops, discussing all their Centurion paperwork and troubled cohort members. She could talk about flying horses and Jason would be content. Jason took in a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair at the realization.
"Yeah, I do have a thing for her."
###
"Ugh," Reyna strained as she held Jason's arm. The forest rushed underneath his dangling feet as they rode their stolen pegasus away from the chaos. Jason's head spun as he tried to keep his eyes open. "Were you always this heavy?" Reyna said as she pulled him up.
"Puberty." Jason murmured unable to help with his flight. The fight sapped him of everything. His body felt heavy like lead. "Please don't drop me."
Reyna rolled her eyes as she dragged him onto the pegasus' back. Her eyes roamed over his form. She touched his shoulder and he flinched and groaned from the pain. A black and blue bruise formed against his shoulder. Her eyes widen.
"So," Jason said, pulling her gaze back to his face. "That didn't go as planned." I'm fine. I'm here. Jason reassured mentally as he squeezed her hand. Reyna squeezed back.
"When does it ever?" She whispered back, pressing her face into his chest.
###
"Hey Reyna," Jason called out as the war meeting drew to a close. Senators and Centurions slowly shuffled out of the room, talking to each other in low tones. Reyna met Jason's gaze with curiosity and caution, a tentative smile against her lips. Jason looked around, checking the corners.
"What is it, Ja-" Jason stole the words out of her lips as he pressed a quick kiss. She tried to follow him when he pulled away, eyes half closed. Her hand curled around his forearm to keep him for straying too far. Her lips parted, so inviting, as she looked at him. Jason licked his lips, tasting her chapstick.
"Mmm, never pegged you as a strawberry girl." Jason murmured before turning around. "Good meeting, Praetor."
"Not so fast!" Reyna grabbed his arm, pulling them behind a pillar. Jason's body trapped her between the cool stone. His arm rested over her head as their faces were inches away. "You have some unfinished business, Centurion."
Jason kissed her temple, cheek, trailing up the curve of her jawline. Reyna's fingers dug into his side, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "Are you pulling rank on me?" He murmured, lips grazing her ear.
"You know you like it." She said back, coaxing a dark chuckle from him.
###
"We need to talk." Jason's hand curled around Reyna's forearm as she tried to push past him. Reyna glared at him but didn't pull away, probably to avoid causing a scene. The senate slowly emptied as Centurions and Senators moved to fulfill their orders. War is approaching and there wasn't time to waste. "You've been avoiding me."
"I don't know what you mean, Centurion Grace." Reyna replied coldly, jerking her hand out of his grip.
"Don't." Jason started, hating this ice queen facade she's putting. "Please, Reyna, don't push me away. Let me in. What did that ghost tell you?" Reyna hugged herself, glaring at the distance like she could run. Jason stepped into her view, holding her gaze. "Please."
"I've done things, Jason. Horrible things in my life that I can't be forgiven for. She said," Reyna's words were heavy as she spoke, looking at Jason. "She said I can't be with any demigod."
"I'm not just any demigod." Reyna rolled her eyes at the grandiose statement but Jason caught her gaze. "Listen to me, Reyna. I don't care what higher being says about your future. Only you can choose what your path is." He reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together. "Things are so uncertain right now. I don't want us wasting time. I want to spend as much time together, laughing, smiling, living. I might die."
Reyna shook her head furiously, squeezing Jason's hand. "No, no. Don't you dare say that." Jason stepped forward, cupping her cheek. Her dark eyes bored into his blue ones. "You're going to live, Jason." He lowered his face, invading her space. Her breath fanned his as he spoke, lips inches from hers.
"Then give me something to live for, Reyna."
###
Something heavy pressed against his chest, making each breath just a bit harder. Fingers curled tightly around the front of his shirt like they could hold him here. Another hand clenched his wrist, searching for a pulse. "Not yet." Her soft whispers sound like a pray and order in one breath. "You can't leave me yet." Jason's eyes fluttered open looking at the clear blue sky above. The pressure lightened for his chest and Reyna's tear streaked face looked at him."Jason…"
"Did we win?" Jason coughed, coaxing a shaky smile out of Reyna's lips. She nodded her head as fresh tears fell. "Hey, hey," He reached up, trying to wipe the tears away. Reyna held his hand to her cheek, savoring his touch. "I'm here. I'm here." He reassured, thanking the gods above she wasn't hurt badly. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."
"Good." Reyna replied back, squeezing his hand like she never wanted to let him go.
###
Jason blinked as the last memory fades. That numbness he felt in the back of his mind disappeared replaced with something far worse. Regret. Dread. Immense sadness. He was content with his death, happy but now… "Why?" Jason murmured, looking at Hades. He's not sure if he's angry at Hades for giving them back.
Hades didn't answer Jason immediately. He lifted the pomegranate in his hand, pondering the underworld fruit. "We make mistakes. Gods aren't perfect. This is my attempt to right a wrong. You deserve to know everything. Dead man without regrets is a little boring."
"Fuck you." Jason swore as he sat down, glaring at the innocent cup. His head spun from the new information. His heart ached, weighed down by what if and could have beens. "So what now? Do I sit in Elysium twiddling my thumbs for eternity?"
"Or we see if other pieces will fall into place." Hades replied, setting the fruit down. "I've done my part. A half-Roman is now full. Let's see if Apollo can fulfill his side of the bargain."