A/N: April fic of 2018. There was a lot of Bachelor news in my feed for a week or so and got inspired by that. Sort of best-friend/Bachelor AU with Jason and Reyna. I just love the best friends fall in love AU.

Will you take this rose?

Reyna's heels clicked against the marble floor as she walked down the long hallway like all the rose events before. She placed her hand over her heart, feeling it thump rapidly against it. Breathe. Reyna thought as she paused for a moment. Why am I so nervous? She opened her eyes, touching the bracelet on her left wrist before looking ahead at the french doors leading to the garden. A beautiful remains of a sunset greeted her as it dipped underneath the horizon. The soft ocean breeze caressed her face as she stepped out. Faced away from her is a familiar silhouette with his hands tucked into his pockets, mostly fiddling with his good luck charm.

"Is this for dramatic effect, Jason?" Reyna asked, forcing the nerves out of her voice.

"You know me," Jason started as he turned slightly, grinning over his shoulder. "I'm always like to please the producers." Reyna shook her head as she approached, taking in his outfit. The gray suit is flattering, accenting his broad shoulders and long legs. A blue handkerchief poked out of the pocket, matching the shade of Reyna's gown. Either her stylist is very good at guessing or conspiring with Jason's. Beside him sat a small iron wire table with champagne flutes and a tray of roses. Two sat on the silver platter. Reyna pursed her lips. There were only four girls left. Jason followed her gaze before looking up. "Ah, you've noticed."

"I can count." Reyna replied, standing beside him taking in the wonderful view. Five amazing girls remained in the competition if the audience counted Reyna. But she never counted herself. This year's Bachelor came with a twist. The Bachelor had an inside girl who would help him with his decision. Reyna competed like the other girls, living at the mansion, participating on group dates, even having her own one-on-one date with Jason. It felt surreal having every moment of her life televised, lying to the girls she grew close bonds with and dating-not-dating Jason.

"I wanted to do the rose ceremony differently." Jason replied, offering a champagne flute. "We could never talk candidly with everyone around."

"We're never really alone." Reyna replied as she turned. The folds of her gown spun with her movement as she plucked the drink from his fingers. "Who did you give the roses to?" She asked, tracing her finger over the silver platter. Jason caught her hand before she reached one. "No touching?" Jason shook his head, pressing his lips to her fingers. A shiver rippled through her. Sly move. She thought, licking her lips.

"No, not yet." He said, entwining their fingers together as he lead them away from the tray to look at the view. Jason stood behind Reyna, loosely wrapping his arms around her waist and chin resting on her bare shoulder. She relaxed into his hold, placing her hand over his, and leaned into his warmth.

"Piper was one." Jason said after a moment. His breath tickled her ear. "I gave it to her during our date. Annabeth was before you." Reyna nodded her head, agreeing on those two girls. They were her favorites, both kind, generous and good people. Piper makes Jason carefree with her spontaneous personality. Annabeth challenges him with her ideas, makes him think rather than react. Reyna's close to both, knowing they would keep in touch regardless of the outcome of the competition.

"Good choices. I like those two." Reyna said, tracing circles against Jason's skin. He tightened his hug as Reyna looked at him. Jason's gaze was focused on her. "What are you thinking, Grace?"

"Us. What lead us here." Jason replied honestly.

"If I remember correctly, Percy." Reyna said as she smiled at the memory. "He sent your headshot, bio and contact info to the try-outs. You got a callback and then another and then another. It sort of spiraled from there." She turned in his arms. "Do you regret it?"

"Not when I knew you were with me." Jason said. "Do you remember our first date?"

"You mean the one where we lounged around the beach house all day, watching Disney movies and playing truth or dare." Reyna laughed as she stepped out of his arms. Jason grinned as well, laughing at the memory. She was the last one to go on a date with Jason. Weeks of hearing stories of wonderful excursions, candle light dinners or moonlight beach walks, Reyna didn't know what to expect. When her letter came with a box of flip flops and a hoodie, Reyna knew they would mess with the audience. "Goodness, we did nothing that whole day, just talked about anything. Felt like college all over again."

"Yeah…" Jason murmured. "It was my favorite date." Reyna faltered, licking her lips unconsciously as she looked back at Jason. He glanced at the floor before meeting her. "It felt so natural and easy being with you, learning more about you. I can't believe you're afraid of ghost."

"Ah, I said believe in ghost. Not afraid." Reyna corrected, jabbing his chest. Jason chuckled and Reyna felt her heart flutter at the sound. "I had to make up some stupid story to the girls about some amazing dinner to keep them off my trail."

"Dinner was amazing." Jason said, sounding slightly offended.

"It was mac and cheese, Romeo." Reyna reminded as he wrapped his hands around hers.

"Still amazing." He insisted before the smile slipped off of his face. The breeze felt cold now without Jason holding her. The air grew tense as he looked at her like it was the very last time. "Only four girls left…"

"You don't need me anymore?" Reyna asked, feeling a lump in her throat.

"God no." Jason whispered, stepping closer his lips almost brushed her forehead. He looked down at her with those deep blue eyes America fell in love with, that Reyna fell in love with. "I need you, Reyna. I will always need you." Those words were for her. Not for the cameras trained on them or the audience watching on the edge of their seats but for Reyna and Reyna alone.

"I've asked you so much in this competition being my insider, helping me understand the girls. I'm going to ask you one more thing. No more jokes, Reyna." Jason said, eyes focused solely on her. "Do you want to stay? Not as my mole or insider but as one of the girls, as a choice." Reyna's eyes widen, feeling her heartbeat rapidly against her chest she was certain the microphone could pick it up. "Throughout this whole experience, you've been my center, Reyna. You were someone I could turn to and feel like Jason, the awkward corny normal history buff, not Jason, the Bachelor. I've always known that I've had feelings for you but now it's so apparent it hurts. I'm serious. No more games. I want to consider you as a choice, someone I can possibly spend my entire life with."

"Jason…" Reyna whispered.

"I'm not pressuring you into anything but if you feel the same way as I do…" Jason stepped back, reaching for the rose on the tray and held it out to Reyna. "Will you accept this rose, Reyna?"

Reyna heard those words a dozen times in front of many cameras and people but this time is different. When did this stop being a game? Reyna wondered as she stepped towards him, curling one hand around the nape of his neck and tugged him down for a fleet kiss. Jason hummed against her lips, curling his arms around her waist. He tried to follow her as she pulled back, cradling his chin in her hands. "Is that a yes?" Jason asked cheekily as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Yes, Jason. I will accept it."