PJatO || Jercy || PJatO || Jercy || Sugar Flowers and Summer Love || Jercy || PJatO || Jercy || PJatO
Title: Sugar Flowers and Summer Love – The Cute Boy in the Flower Shop and the Baker's Son
Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus
Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan. Aside from the Gods, they belong to the old Greeks. This fanfiction and its OCs on the other hand are entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: m/m, mutual pining, fluff, flower shop AU, m/f
Main Pairing: Jason/Percy
Side Pairings: Grover/Juniper, Charles/Silena, Paul/Sally
Percy Jackson Characters: Perseus Jackson, Jason Grace, Leo Valdez, Grover Underwood, Juniper, Tyson, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Charles Beckendorf, Silena Beauregard, Sally Jackson, Paul Blofis
Summary: Jason needs a summer job. He gets one in the flower shop of his friend Nico's mom. What he didn't anticipate is the cute son of the bakery owner across the street.
Sugar Flowers and Summer Love
The Cute Boy in the Flower Shop and the Baker's Son
Jason Grace had big plans. He wanted to move out at home as soon as he could, because him and his stepmother Hera didn't entirely see eye to eye and his father barely had time for him. For that purpose, he'd been waiting tables since he was sixteen. The summers though, those were what was going to really help him out, because he had more time to work. All he needed to do know was find a job. That... sounded easier than it actually was, until one of his best friends helped out.
Jason's dad, Zeus Grace, had some fraternity brothers from the old days, among them Hades di Angelo. That was how Jason had met one of his best friends, Nico di Angelo. And Nico's own stepmom Persephone, she owned a flower shop. Apparently, this year, the di Angelos were going on a vacation together, spending the summer at her mother's. Which meant they needed extra help at the shop, with Persephone out of town too. Nico told him not to worry, that the other employees had been with them long enough they knew how the shop ran, but they needed extra hands.
So Jason Grace was going to spend his summer working at the Spring Flower Garden.
/break\
"Hi, I'm Grover, Grover Underwood, this is Juniper. You must be Nico's friend, Jason, right?"
Jason offered a smile and his hand to the guy. Grover seemed a bit older than Jason at least, he already had a goatee, but he seemed friendly, far as first impressions went. Next to him stood a girl with caramel hair and pale green eyes that matched her dress.
"Yeah, I'm Jason. Looking forward to working with you guys."
New people and situations always did make Jason slightly nervous. He liked knowing what was happening, knowing who it was exactly that he was working with. Still, the job paid decent – because the di Angelos were really rich and Persephone only ran the shop more as a hobby than an important source of income, so the pay was above average. Jason could get used to this.
"You familiar with the neighborhood?" asked Grover curiously.
Jason frowned and turned toward the large window front. "Not really. I know a car shop a bit down the street, my best friend's mom owns it."
"Oh, you know Leo Valdez?" Juniper smiled. "He's a bit... energetic, but adorable. Regularly comes in to buy flowers for his mom, which I find very sweet."
That made Jason smile too, happy. Because yes, Leo was adorable. It was just him and his mom, but Esperanza was a very loving mother. She always made Jason feel at home too.
"Okay, let me show you a bit around, mh?"
Jason shrugged, not seeing how that would be important but also not about to argue with his new colleague. Grover led the way outside and Jason had to shield his eyes. The summer sun was burning bright and hot today, not a cloud in the sky and not even the gentle relief of a breeze. Suddenly, Jason was overcome with relief that he got a job in a very well acclimated flower shop instead of working in construction like he'd done last year, out in the open heat.
"Okay, you know Esperanza's," Grover pointed down the street. "There's Khione's Kones, which... the ice-cream is delicious, the owner is... an ice queen. So brace yourself. Boutiques and clothes shops, the usual, not really interesting right now, bu—ut... there it is! The Blue Pearl Bakery. Our number one source of lunch, highly recommended."
Oh. Okay, then being shown around was useful indeed. He'd packed a sandwich today.
"The Jacksons have the best pastries in the entire city," declared Juniper.
"Though I have to admit, I have personal bias," Grover grinned. "Percy, the owner's son, is my best friend. Spent practically my entire childhood in the shop with Percy. It's how I first noticed the 'help wanted' sign in the flower shop and ultimately met the love of my life."
There seemed to be hearts and stars in his eyes as he looked at Juniper. Ah, so Jason was going to third-wheel in the shop then, working together with a couple. Grover clapped him on the shoulder and steered him back into the shop. It was a spacious front with so many flowers, it nearly looked like a piece of the forest cut out and placed in here. So many he had never seen before.
"Okay, today we're mostly just going to show you the ropes, no pressure," offered Grover.
/break\
Jason got to run errands, mostly. Or so Grover said, at least. Picking up things, taking care of the deliveries – it was usually Grover's job, but with Persephone away, he would take care of things inside the job together with his girlfriend, since they were familiar with the job. This was, quite honestly, very alright with Jason. He had been a bit nervous about having to learn a lot of new things around here. How could he help someone pick out flowers, after all, if he didn't know a thing about flowers? But delivering flowers, now that was something Jason could do.
"Jason, can you bring these potted plants over to the Blue Pearl?"
Jason turned to check what Juniper was pointing at, just to see about two dozen tiny, tiny pots with small blue flowers that Jason couldn't name. The pots were blue too, he noted. Apparently, that bakery stayed true to its name. He could respect the commitment to a bit.
"Sure thing," Jason smiled at her before picking up the two boxes of potted plants.
Juniper returned his smile as she opened the door for Jason. The bakery looked cute from the outside, blue swirly letters on the large window-front claiming its name. Now all he had to do was to somehow get inside. He'd rather not put the box down.
Someone opened the door from the inside. "He—ey there, let me help you, hold on a second."
"Thanks, mighty appreciated," Jason forced a smile as it got more heavy to hold.
Only then did he look up at the one who had opened the door – and he nearly dropped the box. Wow. So pretty. Black hair, fluffy and shiny on the top but with an undercut, some strands falling into his face. The face. No, the eyes in particular. They were so gorgeous, like green and blue but also both at the same time. There were dimples as he smiled at Jason. Pretty dimples. And pink lips pulled into a charming smile that slowly faltered, the longer Jason stared at him.
"Uh... you... wanna come inside?" asked the beautiful stranger confused.
Oh. That was why he was staring at Jason. Because Jason was... just standing there, stupidly, staring at him. Closing his eyes for a moment, Jason took a deep breath .Okay, get your shit together, Jason Grace, this was ridiculous and embarrassing. When he opened his eyes again, he smiled at the other and quickly stepped past him into the little bakery. No more embarrassment.
"Sorry, spaced out there for a second."
"No problem," the other chuckled amused. "Just put them right there on the empty table, yeah?"
"Uh. I think I'm supposed to deliver them to the owner of the establishment, but thanks for your help," Jason turned toward to look around. "Just, uh, gotta find them."
"Yeah, uh," the other motioned at himself. "Owner's son. I'm Percy. I'm guessing Grover sent you here? I ordered some fresh flowers for the place. Just put them right there, okay?"
Would the Earth just kindly open up and swallow him right now? Jason quickly did as he was told.
"Right. Grover mentioned something like that. I'm sorry, I'm, uh... new."
"I figured, because it seems unlikely Nico bleached his hair and spent that much time in the sun."
"I'm Jason. I'm Nico's best friend, he got me the job for the summer."
"I'm happy to meet you, Jason," Percy's smile was so soft as he offered his hand.
Not as happy as Jason was, that much was for sure. "Likewise. Can I, uh... help you?"
"Help me?" Percy frowned confused, even as he started taking two pots. "No. No, I'm good. But while you're here, you could pick up the coffee order for Grover and Juniper. Just go ahead to Silena – and tell her what you want too, we only have Grover and Juniper's orders."
Percy motioned with a potted plant toward the counter. Oh no, he was cute. Like, really cute. Jason wasn't good with cute people. His bi brain canceled out his logical brain and just turned to much.
Jason gave it a little wave when he reached the counter. "Hi, Silena. Percy said I should come to you to get Grover and Juniper's orders? I'm working over in the Spring Flower Garden."
"Oh," the young woman behind the counter perked up. "Sure thing, sugar. Anything for you?"
She turned her back on him as she got a bag already put aside and then went ahead to prepare the hot drinks. Jason frowned and let his eyes drift over the display in front of him. Wow, there were so many delicious looking things here? Most of the sweet treats he knew, but some he had never seen before. His mouth watered as he considered what to get.
"Uhm, one of these, they look good. And one of those, because they also look good and..."
"Slow down," Silena interrupted him amused. "You'll have plenty of time to try them all. Unless you really have that much of an appetite."
Jason's cheeks tinted red as he reached up to ruffle the hair in the back of his neck. "No. I'm just not the best at making decisions, if I'm being honest. And they all look great."
Suddenly, Percy popped up right next to him. "Thanks for the compliment."
"Huh...?" Jason furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Oh, Percy baked most of these," explained Silena. "He's a very active part of the bakery."
Oh no, the cute boy could also bake. Jason stared at him in mild awe, watching how pretty Percy was when he was blushing in modesty. Was it too late to quit and get a different job...? How was he supposed to work if Percy was just opposite the street like that, making yummy treats? Treats that Jason was most likely supposed to pick up on a regular base, he'd guess.
"Okay, then just... the first one. And I'll come back for the other one tomorrow."
"Looking forward to it," Percy grinned and winked. "Say hi to Grover from me."
/break\
"Hey there," Percy smiled brightly as he looked up at Jason from behind the counter. "Here's your order. And tell Grover I'll be dropping by later today, please?"
Jason only had time to gape as he was handed a cup-holder with three cups in it and a bag, looking at it in confusion. "Wait but I didn't even..."
"You gave your order yesterday," replied Percy with a frown. "Said you'd come back for the other one today, so I put one aside for you already. And Silena made a note of your drink order too."
Huh. Jason opened the bag and checked inside. This one was even bigger than the ones yesterday. But this was a disappointment. When he'd seen Percy through the window, he had gotten excited and hoped to be able to exchange some words with the pretty boy while his order was prepared.
"Ah, uhm. Thank you," Jason forced a smile. "I guess I'll see you later then?"
Percy offered a carefree grin and nodded. Oh, Jason was so absolutely doomed.
/break\
It was later that same afternoon that Percy did indeed enter Spring Flower Garden. Jason wished he'd gotten a bit of a heads up, because he was a complete mess. He was sweating, having been lifting the heavy stuff in the back to stock up on the new pots that had been delivered this morning. Juniper was quite grateful to him for doing it. Still, Jason was sweating and covered in dirt – because somehow, there was just dirt everywhere in the backroom. But then Juniper was in the middle of replanting some of the potted plants.
"Hey," Jason said, a bit too hastily. "I mean, hi, Percy."
Percy stared at him for a long moment, blinking. "I... Yes. Hi."
Grover cleared his throat to gain both their attention. "Here's the flowers for your ma. And tell Sally we're looking forward to dinner on Saturday and we'll bring a salad, okay?"
"Mom's just gonna say you don't have to," Percy huffed and shook his head.
All Jason could do was watch like an outsider. The two knew each other, were best friends. Part of Jason felt warm because it reminded him of himself and Nico. Another part of him was slightly jealous because he wanted to get to know Percy. How, if he was being so awkward...?
Percy turned toward him to wave before leaving. "See you around, Jason."
Jason mustered a small noise that resembled a 'ya', but not entirely. Nico would make all of the fun of him right now if he could see him. So, small mercies that the di Angelos were gone, huh?
"So... You and Percy... know each other well, huh?"
Trying to sound casual and failing miserably considering the look Grover gave him. "Been best friends since middle school, yeah. His ma, Sally – the owner of the shop – is very... She likes mothering, so she invites us over to family dinner every first Saturday."
"That's... That's nice..." Jason trailed off and tried to hide his wince.
Parents who willingly invited their son's friends? Insisted, because they wanted to be a part of their kid's life? That sounded really nice. Jason would like that too. A sigh escaped him.
/break\
Percy loved the Blue Pearl Bakery. It was a second home to him. The one good thing that had come forth from Sally's first marriage. Gabe's life-insurance paid for the shop and Percy and Sally had worked hard to turn it into what it was now. A beautiful place for the community to gather.
"I've heard that you are making the new flower boy's life hell."
Percy huffed offended as he put down the ice chocolate. "I resent the implication, Rachel."
Rachel looked up from her sketchbook to smirk at him and take her chocolate. "Oh, please. You like turning a pretty boy's head. Admit it. Silena has been a bad influence on you."
"Well now that is an implication I resent," Silena gasped. "I'm a good influence on him."
Rachel was one of Percy's best friends. She was also very merciless, but then that was actually what had made them best friends in the first place. Percy's eyes wandered away from Rachel, to look out the window. The Spring Flower Garden shop was right across the street, so from his standpoint he could see into the flower shop. There he was, the cute blonde new guy, carrying something into the main room. There was a certain innocent nerd charm to Jason, with the fluffed but well-kept blonde hair, the cute glasses. But here he was, with his sleeves rolled up and oh damn, that was a very nice view indeed. Not all innocent nerd, mh?
"I think I have to go and buy flowers," declared Percy.
Silena clapped delighted and Rachel huffed annoyed. Percy opted to ignore them both and instead made his way out of the bakery, after grabbing a blue cupcake. He smiled as he entered the flower shop. Grover barely looked up from his spot behind the counter, smirking knowingly at him.
"He—ey, Ja—ason," Percy offered his most flirtatious smile to the blonde.
Jason looked up at him in surprise. "Oh. Percy. Hello."
"I have a cupcake for you today, to check off your list. Here."
He held the cupcake out for Jason, who seemed a bit flustered at that. Okay, so just perhaps did Percy enjoy turning a cute guy's head. Not that he was playing with Jason, he didn't do that. But he would like for Jason to take the next step. Percy felt like he'd done enough set-up. The ball really was in Jason's court. Or was Percy misreading the signs and Jason didn't... play ball?
"That's... That's very nice of you. Thanks. I was getting a bit hungry actually."
Percy waited for something. Anything. Why wouldn't Jason say more?
/break\
"I'm dying," Jason groaned as he collapsed into the chair. "I'm gonna die, Leo. For sure."
"You actually can't die of embarrassment. Believe me, otherwise I'd be long dead, Jay."
Jason groaned again and gave it a spin on his chair. His life was so sad and tragic.
"Ah, Jason. You look... miserable."
One more spin so he was facing Leo's boss. Charles Beckendorf. Big guy with an even bigger heart. Leo had been helping out here since he was twelve, sneaking into the garage to work on things in secret before being found out. Jason waved at Beckendorf, looking as miserable as described.
"Dramatic love drama," offered Leo. "He has... a crush."
"Mh. I remember how the last one went," Beckendorf sighed. "Couldn't get you out of my garage for days. So many empty ice-cream containers."
Flushing, Jason gave it another twirl to face away from the two of them. "I just... He's so... Urgh."
Beckendorf hummed in understanding. "Silena will have advise."
"Silena," Jason huffed. "Should have visited your wife at work before."
That caused the man to draw his eyebrows together. "What does that mean?"
"Jay's new crush is Percy," offered Leo, with zero consideration to Jason.
"Traitor," muttered Jason beneath his breath, his cheeks dark.
"Ah," Beckendorf walked past Jason toward the car he'd last worked on. "Good luck, kid."
A distressed noise escaped Jason. What was that supposed to mean...?
/break\
The next time Percy came to the Spring Flower Garden, he wasn't alone. With him were a middle-aged couple and a little boy, all three of them brunette. The boy sat on Percy's shoulders, laughing.
"Hey, Jacksons," Grover greeted them with a grin and a wave.
"Not a Jackson," pointed the man out amused. "But hello, Grover."
"You married one Jackson, you adopted the other Jackson, you're a Jackson."
"Hello, Jason," Percy nearly immediately found Jason, turning toward him with a smile.
"O—Oh," the woman – Percy's mother? – approached them. "So you're Jason?"
"I... Uh..." Jason didn't really know what to say. "Yes, I am, ma'am?"
"Don't call me ma'am, it makes me feel old. Please, I'm Sally. Sally Jackson-Blofis. And this is my husband, Paul, and our youngest, Tyson. My oldest you already know, mh?"
There was mischief in her eyes, the same mischief Jason always saw in Percy's eyes. Percy's cheeks dusted pink and it was cute. Very cute. Though Jason wasn't entirely sure why Percy was blushing. Was he hot? Did he have a heat-thing? Like, a heat-stroke, or just a sun-burn, or...?
"I want sun-flowers," declared Tyson. "Lots of sun-flowers."
"Of course you do, sweetie," Sally smiled and patted his cheek.
"Anything else?" asked Grover while he went to pick out the sun-flowers.
"We're visiting grandma and grandpa," Tyson grinned broadly. "We wanna bring flowers."
"Ah, how wonderful," Juniper smiled at Sally and Paul. "I'll put something together, mh?"
Sally returned the smile gratefully. "Thank you, you're a dear, Juni."
When Juniper passed her boyfriend, she ran a gentle hand down Grover's arm. It was one of the things Jason had noticed. The casual little signs of affection. Jason hadn't had much experience with relationships. He'd dated his childhood best friend Reyna for a few months in middle school and he'd dated Piper for a hot minute that fell apart quicker than it had come together. The one thing that had worked out both times was staying friends after the break-ups though. But the relationship part? The gentle little things, he didn't have a lot of experience with that.
Juniper returned to them with a bouquet. "What do you think about these?"
"Oh, those are lovely," Sally smiled. "What do you think, Jason?"
Jason startled at the sound of his own name. Why did Mrs. Jackson-Blofis want his input...?
"I... think they're... pretty?" Jason flushed. "I don't know a lot about flowers, sorry."
"Well, are they something you would bring your in-laws?" asked Sally.
"I don't know a lot about in-laws either," was all Jason mustered.
Paul laughed at that and patted his back. "I like this one. Much funnier than the little gremlin."
"Da—ad," Percy huffed and elbowed the man. "His name is Nico and we like him."
"He's a scary little gremlin," argued Paul amused. "Gave me half a heart-attack the first time I walked into this store to buy flowers for my wife and he just... I swear he just appeared out of nowhere like he stepped out of the shadows, all dark and gloom and glare."
"That's my Nico," declared Jason proudly. "And don't worry, the little gremlin is friendly if you appease him with Happy Meals. Works every time."
"That is true! I can vouch for that," confirmed Percy with a grin.
Paul cleared his throat and turned to face Grover. "We'll take those then."
"Have fun at your vacation," said Grover as he handed the flowers over.
"If you need anything, Silena is going to man the bakery. You'll have to do without Percy's amazing baking, I'm afraid, and from what I've heard, that's all you have been living off of, Jason."
Sally Jackson-Blofis was kind of scary and also very confusing. "I'm... sure I'll be fine."
"Sure you will," Percy smiled at him as he stepped closer to place a plastic box in front of him. "Here. I made chocolate chip cookies for our trip and I made some extra for you. To tide you over."
"...Oh," Jason blinked repeatedly, looking down at the box. "Thank you."
Percy looked at him like he was waiting for something else, but what was Jason supposed to say? Especially with Percy's entire family hovering about. This was like the absolutely worst time to say anything about his crush, not that he was sure about saying anything at all.
"Have... Have fun on your vacation," Jason tagged on after a moment.
Percy smiled at him and together, the Jackson-Blofises left the shop. Leaving Jason with a box of cookies from the boy he had a crush on. With a miserable little noise did Jason lean forward to rest his forehead against the box. Grover chuckled and patted him on the back.
"Can I give you a little bit of advise?" Grover offered. "Perce and his folks are gonna be in Montauk with the grandparents for a week, they do this every summer. When he comes back, you'll give him flowers that Juni is gonna put together and that stupid seashell-shaped chocolate that makes him grin like a dope and then you're gonna tell him that you really like him."
"What. No. Why would I do that. No. That's awful."
"Sweetie," Juniper sighed and cupped his face. "For the sanity of everyone working in any of the shops in this street, you two have to actually talk about things, one of you has to speak up."
Jason flushed brighter than ever in his entire life. "Thank you for your advise, I think?"
/break\
Sally and Paul exchanged a curious look that turned into mutual smiles. They were at the beach together and Percy was on his phone, smiling like a smitten teen. They'd heard so much about Jason Grace in the past three weeks. It was all Jason this and Jason that and 'oh let me go and deliver the baked goods to the flower shop' and 'ah I could pick up the flowers from the shop!'.
"What are you looking at there on your phone?" Sally asked innocently.
"Oh, Jay does that thing where he takes pictures of every flower in the shop he has never seen before in his life and he sends it to me," Percy looked up at his parents. "He's super hopeless and I can't believe that he got hired to work at a flower shop."
"Are you..." Paul trailed off for a moment. "Are you and Jason an... item?"
That put an amused grin on Percy's lips. He loved Paul, he really loved him a lot. His stepfather was such an upgrade from the first one, Paul loved Sally the way she deserved and he also loved Percy as though Percy was his own flesh. Also he'd given Percy his beloved little half-brother, Tyson. And he was trying really hard. After Percy came out as pan to his parents, Paul had actually done a lot of reading and educating himself because he'd never heard of that before and he tried to be extra supportive whenever Percy showed interest in someone. Which tended to be a bit awkward but cute.
"No, we're not. I mean, I've been putting up all the signals, but so far..." Percy sighed. "I think he's interested, but maybe he's not out of the closet yet or something...?"
"Okay, I know the kids these days do things differently, but have you actually... told him that you like him and want to go out with him? Because in my experience, that helps," offered Paul.
"No—o," Percy groaned and buried his face in his arms. "I can't just. No."
"You have, so far, been very lucky. That Rachel and Malcolm actually took the initiative and asked you out," Sally pointed out with a small smile. "At one point, you're going to have to take the first vocal step, Percy. Man up, son."
Percy grumbled to himself, just burying himself deeper in his arms. Stupid advise all around.
/break\
Jason didn't really know if this was a good idea at all, but Juniper was very convincing and Grover supported his girlfriend one hundred percent, so he had been outvoted by them, essentially. He'd bought the seashell chocolates that Grover had mentioned and he left Juniper to take care of the flowers. Only that she didn't just put together a pretty bouquet, she also explained the meaning of each flower to him so he could use that to woo Percy.
"He looks so nervous I think he might combust on the spot," whispered Leo amused.
"Oh yeah, this is sure going to be a show. Either a beautiful love story to be told to their grandchildren one day, or an absolute disaster he'll never live down," agreed Rachel. "Popcorn?"
"Why are they even here?" asked Jason frustrated.
"I accidentally mentioned it to Rachel so she invited herself and you're at fault for Leo," replied Grover dryly. "You've been whining to him so much, why would he not be here?"
Grover grinned and high-fived with Leo at that. Jason glared at them for a moment before he returned to straightening out the flowers. Again. He'd done that like five times already. But Grover had gotten a text from Percy saying they were back home and that he'd be by in a few minutes. Since then, Jason had been fidgeting with the flowers in his hands and running through the meaning behind the flowers, to make sure he knew what to say.
"Gu—uys. I bring souvenirs! Also, I missed you so much."
"Perce, you were gone for a week," Grover chuckled as he got pulled into a hug.
"...Don't even pretend you weren't moping the entire time he was gone, love."
"Juni," Grover hissed, his cheeks flushing. "He doesn't have to know!"
"Bro," Percy put some distance between them. "I know. Of course I know."
And another hug. What dorks. Both Rachel and Juniper rolled their eyes at them. Jason wanted a hug too. Instead, he stood there with a box of chocolates and a bouquet of flowers. Mh, Percy looked even prettier than he had before he had left? All tanned and relaxed.
"So—o. Grover, Rachel, Leo. Can you come to the backroom and help me with something?"
"What? No, Juniper, it's about to get interesting!" Leo complained.
"Yes," Juniper smiled impatiently as she grabbed him and Rachel by the shoulders. "Exactly."
A confused frown stretched over Percy's face as he watched his friends leave. Once the back-door closed behind them, Percy turned to look at Jason, only now noticing the flowers and chocolates.
"Here," Jason thrust both out at Percy. "For... For you. I'm glad you're back home."
"Mh, cho—ocolates," Percy licked his lips as he opened the box to take one piece out. "And... mh. Oh. Those are very pretty flowers, Jay. Thank you."
"I. Uhm," Jason cleared his throat. "They have a meaning."
Percy raised his eyebrows, his fingers tracing the star-shape of the white flowers. "I see."
"Yeah," Jason blushed even though he wanted to appear cool and suave. "The pink one is a camellia and it means... uhm... longing. Longing for you. And the white one is a... damn it... I knew it ten minutes ago, it's some Disney princess. Aurora?"
"Jasmine," corrected Percy amused. "Sweet love and amiability."
Now Jason looked a bit embarrassed. "Oh. You know... flower meanings. And names."
"I live opposite a flower shop. I've been coming here to hang out for years, yeah," Percy chuckled. "I'm friends with Nico's sister Bianca, you know. On top of the whole best friend florist."
"Oh," Jason blinked a couple of times. "Okay can you tell me what the red one means? Juniper didn't tell me, she just smiled and said it was a surprise."
A teasing, playful smile spread over Percy's lips and he slowly leaned closer. "Red carnation means that your heart aches for me. And it also means deep love."
A small noise escaped Jason, but that was all that could, because the next second, he had Percy's lips gently press against his and oh. Nice. Carefully did Jason wrap his arms around Percy's waist to pull him closer. Percy hummed into their kiss and laid his own arms around Jason's neck.
"So G and Juni helped you figure things out, mh?"
"They made... useful suggestions, yeah," Jason huffed out a laugh. "So does this mean that you... Do you... want to be boyfriends then? Because I've basically not been able to think about anything else ever since I first looked at you, I mean seriously, you are..."
"Very lovable?" offered Percy with a cheeky grin, drawing a heart against Jason's chest.
"Very," confirmed Jason honestly, capturing Percy's fingers and leaning in for another kiss.
/break\
Percy had always loved spending time at the Spring Flower Garden. Ever since him and Sally had first looked at their own shop before buying it, because the nice lady from the flower shop had gone out to welcome them and after they bought the place, Persephone continued being a supportive friend. She'd helped Sally find her footing as a small business owner and she'd often come over for lunch, occasionally with her husband or one of her children. Over the years, Percy had befriended the eldest di Angelo child and back when Nico used to be an adorable kid, he used to trail Percy and Bianca like a puppy (alas, tragically that cute kid was lost to a broody goth phase). And then Percy's best friend started working at the flower shop and Percy had even more reason to go there.
With a smile on his lips did he enter the shop. "I bring cupcakes for everyone."
"No—o," Grover groaned annoyed. "Stop it. You need to stop coming in to distract Jason."
"Wha—at," Percy looked as offended as he could. "Me? I would never! Never!"
Grover rolled his eyes in the most pointed manner he could. Okay, so Percy had always loved the Spring Flower Garden, but these days, he enjoyed it even more. Because he now had a boyfriend right next door. When he heard Percy's voice, Jason quickly stuck his head out of the door, looking eager. He immediately smiled at Percy and walked over, putting whatever he was carrying down on the counter so he had his hands free to cup Percy's face.
"Hello," whispered Jason, looking incredibly happy as he laid eyes on Percy. "I missed you."
"You literally saw him this morning when you picked up our coffee. That was five hours ago," complained Grover with a groan. "If I had known this, I wouldn't have encouraged it. You are genuinely worse now that you're dating than the mutual pining was."
"Hello," replied Percy with a smile, totally ignoring Grover.
They kissed, sweet and soft and Percy could feel his heart fluttering. There was something incredibly gentle and devoted to Jason that Percy hadn't entirely expected. On first glance, he looked like a nerd, on second glance, he looked like a jock. But in reality, he was actually totally both of that and on top of that like a human Golden Retriever. Seriously, Percy could swear he could see the happy tail wag whenever he approached Jason. The blonde was so loyal and devoted, Percy felt really loved and downright worshiped now that the two of them were dating.
"I brought cupcakes," offered Percy when their kiss broke.
"Thank you," Jason smiled at him. "I was getting kinda hungry."
"Enough with the lovey-dovey chit chat," called Grover out. "Back to work, Jason! Now! Shoo!"
"He's cruel," Jason pouted cutely, fingers linking with Percy's. "I wanna kiss you more."
"Aw," Percy smiled pleased and stole another, quick kiss, leaning into Jason. "Tonight? You could come over when the shop closes, okay? Until then, be good and hard working."
Jason smiled at that, appeased. Percy waved at him as he walked out of the shop again. Now, he of course had to check out the cupcakes his boyfriend had made. Honestly, whatever Percy made always tasted incredibly delicious, but Jason loved the cupcakes in particular. Even though cupcakes in general were probably pretty basic, as far as baked goods went. His face brightened even more when he saw the beautiful cupcakes. Blue topping – because of course it was blue, Percy had made them – but with little sugar flowers on top. Percy made those himself too and they were so cute. Grinning pleased to himself, Jason picked a blue flower off one cupcake and popped it into his mouth, before Grover ushered him back into the backroom to work.
/break\
"Percy," Sally called out from the main room. "Your boyfriend is here."
Percy perked up and yelled back. "I'll be there in a second! Just cleaning up!"
Damn it, he wanted to be done when Jason would be by. Ever since they had gotten together, they'd pretty much met up every single day after work. Even if it was just for a quick goodbye kiss before Jason had to return home. Once the table and counter were cleaned and he had put everything away again, he grabbed the basket he'd packed beforehand and skipped out of the kitchen.
"Hey, Jay," Percy grinned broadly as he walked over to meet Jason half-way. "Bye, mom."
Sally huffed amused. "Have fun, boys. But get your boyfriend home on time, Percy."
Percy pulled Jason along upstairs. The Jackson-Blofis apartment was upstairs, but they were going one higher. Up onto the roof. Jason gasped softly as he took it all in. So far, Percy had told him about the place but hadn't had the chance to show him. Tonight however, the night-sky was clear and beautiful so it was the perfect opportunity. The roof was filled with potted plants, all thanks to the Spring Flower Garden – Sally and Persephone had decorated the roof together and Percy knew his parents and the di Angelo parents often met up there for a double date. Colorful lights were wrapped around the safety rail. Percy had already beforehand set out a blanket and pillows in the center of the roof, after pushing the table and couches aside.
"I prepared us a picnic," declared Percy as he put the basket down.
"This is so sweet, how are you this good at dates?" asked Jason in awe. "I suck at it."
Part of Percy wanted to cheer Jason up and tell him that wasn't true, but Jason's idea of a date had been taking Percy to a super expensive restaurant that had just made Percy feel out of place and the stark contrast of taking Percy out hiking, where the two had gotten completely lost without cell-service and thought they would never find home. So, as much as Percy loved his boyfriend, Jason was really not good at planning dates. Which was why Percy had taken over that part.
"Silena is my mentor and she's like some agent of love or something, so I learned from the best."
Percy grinned at him and sat down on the blanket, patting the pillow next to him to urge Jason into sitting down next to him. For a bit, the two of them just ate the sandwiches and snacks Percy had prepared for them and afterward, they got more comfortable. Jason was laying on the pillows, facing up at the sky, with Percy resting his head on Jason's chest. Both of them were watching the stars. It was cute, how Jason knew all the stories behind constellations and could talk about them all so animatedly. Passionate Jason was so adorable, Percy could listen to him all day.
"I'm really glad you started working at the flower shop, you know," whispered Percy once Jason was done with his story and the two had been laying in silence for a while, enjoying the night sky.
"Ye—eah, me too," Jason grinned, gently rubbing his thumb over Percy's upper arm. "I thought this was just a good and easy opportunity to make money. I didn't expect you."
"Nobody expects me. It's my special talent," Percy grinned like a dork at that. "But yeah. You were a surprise too. I thought summer would be pretty boring. But also, if I had known Nico has cute friends like you, I might have accepted his invitation to his Mythomagic game night to meet you."
"Why do you assume I play Mythomagic?" Jason frowned confused. "I'm a jock."
"You're a nock. A nerd jock. Also, you're Nico's best friend so like there is just no way that you aren't playing Mythomagic. That kid used to explain how this game works to anybody who would pay more than two seconds of attention to him," Percy snorted softly, elbowing Jason.
"I do not like the term 'nock', but you are right... I admit, I have partaken in his little Mythomagic sessions. It's weirdly addictive, actually. I didn't expect that. Don't look at me like that."
"Can't help it, you're cute when you're being a nerd," Percy smiled softly and kissed Jason's cheek.
Silence fell between them for a few minutes again, just the stars above them and the sounds of the busy street around them. When the other shops closed, Dionysus' Bar opened.
"I'm... I think I'll ask Persephone if she may need another employee part-time after the summer. I've learned a lot about flowers, you know. Maybe I could do more. Learn more."
"Sure. Put together a bouquet of Auroras and Belles, mh?" Percy looked at him in a teasing manner before kissing him to appease him. "I'm sorry. I'd genuinely love that. But we can also see each other when summer ends even if you don't work next door, okay?"
Jason seemed genuinely relieved at that and stole another kiss of his own. Part of him had feared they may just be a summer romance. He had never expected all of this, never expected Percy.
~*~ The End ~*~
Author's note: This one's for The God of Animals! Happy birthday, I do hope you liked it! Well, and that everyone else reading it also enjoyed it ;)