Found Family (HoO, Mortal AU)

JASON GRACE

He was sitting with Drew in her bedroom, completely panicking. He had to do it now. It wasn't fair on her.
"So," Drew took her math book out. "Do you know how to do question six?"

Jason showed her how to do it, trying to think. He'd planned on what to say, now his mind was completely muddled.
"Thanks," Drew kissed his cheek then started writing.

They sat in silence, Drew doing her homework that Jason had finished in class. Then she put it away and Jason knew it was time for him to do something.
"Uhm, Drew?"
"Mmhm?"
"I've- uhm- been meaning to talk to you."

Drew straightened. It was too late to turn back.
"Okay?" she said.
"I'm really sorry for what I'm about to say," Jason was shaking. He'd only been dating Drew for about a month, but it felt like so much longer. Drew looked down like she knew what was coming.
"Okay," she repeated, quieter this time.

"I think we should- uh- stop seeing each other,"
Drew still wouldn't look at him. "What you're trying to say is you're breaking up with me?"
Jason stayed quiet.
"So, what, are you going to hit me with that 'it's not you, it's me' bullshit?" Drew asked.
"That'd be the truth," Jason took both of Drew's hands. She pulled them away.

She wasn't crying. Jason was certain about that. She also wasn't hitting him or yelling at him. Jason would've preferred that over the complete silence.

Jason didn't know whether he should tell Drew part of the truth, the whole truth or continue lying, just like he always did.
"There's no one else, right?" Drew finally looked at him. "Please tell me you're not breaking up with me for someone better."

"Drew," he tried to think of what to say. "I don't believe there is any girl out there better than you."
"Hah," Drew muttered. "Sure."
"It's true. You're- perfect. It's just-" Jason sighed. He didn't know if he could actually say it aloud.
"Just?"
"Drew, I'm gay."

It took her a moment to process.
"You're gay?"
Jason hated hearing it. It was the truth, but he still didn't want to believe that.
He reluctantly nodded.
"How long have you known for?" She asked.
"Uhm- a while."
"Before or after we got together?"

Jason pressed his lips together. "Before, I guess. Well, I was in denial. Once we got together I was- I was sure."
"So you continued using me anyway?"
The weirdest part was that Drew still didn't sound mad.
"Yes. And I'm so sorry for it. I should've told you ages ago."

Drew shook her head. "You still never answered my question. Is there someone else?"
He'd already hurt her enough. She still deserved to know. "I think so. It's complicated."
"It's complicated?! What does that mean?"

"I kissed Leo Valdez. He kissed me back. Hazel saw. Then I left. I felt so so guilty."
"You kissed him?!" For once, Drew's eyes filled with anger.
"Yes. I'm so sorry-"
"No! I don't care that you're gay. I don't care that you like Leo. They're things you can't control. You didn't have to kiss him."

"I'm sorry,"
"Sorry doesn't fix it."
"I know."

[DREW TANAKA]

Sorry. Like that helped.
In the beginning, Drew was relieved he was ending it. Part of her was relieved he was using her, just like she was using him. Then she found out he kissed Leo.

She wished she and Jason could've been in love, but that was impossible on both ends. He was the first boy Drew was in a relationship with who didn't want her for her body. The first one who complimented her, not her figure. He'd tell her what colour to paint her nails instead of things other boys would say. Now Drew understood why.

But cheating on her hurt.
"Can you please leave?" Drew asked.
"I don't want to leave you alone," Jason said.
"You've already done that."
Jason was Drew's last friend. The only friend she had left. Now she had no one.

"I'm sorry, Drew," Jason said, for the thousandth time.
"Just go."
Jason looked like he was about to say more, but must've decided against it. "Okay, if you ever need anything just- call me. Or text me. Or- I don't know. I'm sorry."
Drew nodded towards the door and Jason finally left.

[JASON GRACE]

He hated himself. He wanted to turn back and apologize to Drew another million times, but he knew he went too far. He knew she needed to be alone.

He took out his phone while walking and wiped his tears. He had unread messages from Leo from days ago.
Leo: are you just going to pretend nothing happened?!
Leo: just answer

He still didn't answer. He didn't want to talk to anyone. He didn't know how to tell his friends either, they'd ask why. He couldn't tell them.
He was home before he knew it. He entered through the front door, throwing his things down. There was a smell of burning coming from the kitchen. Jason panicked, rushing into the room.

Beryl was sitting at the table in one of the dresses she wore to a red carpet even many years ago. There was food on the table. Burnt toast, eggs, bacon.
Beryl smiled, seeing Jason. He hadn't seen her smile in a long time.
"Jason, you're home! I made you dinner."

Jason was already about to break down. Now he felt even more on the edge.
"Thanks, Mom," he sat at the table, across from her.
"It's late. I thought you weren't coming back."
"Of course I came back," Jason tried to find the least burnt food, which wasn't that easy.

"Thalia didn't," Beryl said, staring at Jason.
"Thalia- she has her own house now. She'll come to visit, I'm sure." That wasn't fully true. Thalia ran away first when she was only twelve. Which reminded Jason that Annabeth knew her.
"Well, your father left. He cheated on me then kicked me out."
Jason's mouth felt dry. The reason Beryl was like this was because of Jason's father cheating.

He couldn't bring himself to answer Beryl, so he ate in silence, trying to be grateful. It had also been a long time since Beryl made him food.
"You won't leave, right Jason?"
"Of course not." Jason hoped his voice wasn't as shaky as he thought it was.
"That's why you've always been my favourite. I love you so so much, Jason."

Jason blinked, tears completely blurring his vision.
"I love you too, Mom."

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Word Count: 1095

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A/N: idk what to say but like I'm super tired while writing this. I have a maths test tomorrow so, that's not good! Also wooo 30 chapters! Wow.