Percy Jackson- Not a typical Betrayal

CHAPTER-10 A SHIP RETURNS

Jason woke up with a smile. He didn't know why but he felt his day would be good today. Scratch that. It would be peaceful. Now, it is near impossible for the day to be good, with the war over the horizon and Annabeth missing, a new prophecy, and his feelings for Piper which are painfully raw. But today, it was one of those days where one would feel that the day would be good.

He did his morning routine. After a jog around the whole camp in ten minutes, a good high-intensity workout in the in-built cabin gym, and a cool ice shower, he wore his dress, and his hood and stepped out for breakfast. He sat at the table with his fellow chaos warriors. It was as normal as the table could get. Percy was joking with Luke. Silena and Charles were in their own lovey-dovey world and Bianca and Zoe were hyper-excited over the prospect of seeing the Hunters of Artemis, who were scheduled to arrive.

"Wait?!", The hunters are coming today?", He asked.

"Yes.", Both Bianca and Zoe said enthusiastically. Percy looked a bit sad yet expectant, a very weird combination of emotions indeed. Jason felt sappy, he missed Thalia.

"Um.... Fulgor. Can I have a word with you?", Piper's voice came from behind. Jason turned to see his ex who looked stunning as ever.

"Oh! Ms. Mclean. How may I help you?", Jason asked barely able to sting a proper sentence. Truth to be told, Jason still found his hands clammy and heart thumping unnaturally in front of Piper. He still loved her.

"Can we have a moment of privacy?", she asked slowly. He saw Percy wriggle his eyebrows and Silena push him forward.

"S-Sure. Lead the way.", He said as Piper led him to the Zeus Cabin. It felt good to be back at home.

"Why are we here?", Jason asked as Piper went inside and sat on what used to be Jason's bed.

"I wanted to tell you something. This is the place where a certain son of Zeus or Jupiter as you may call him stayed. His name was Jason Grace. I- I loved him.", she said as tears started to fall.

"W-What happened to him?", Fulgur asked, his heart thumping wildly.

"He- he was killed by Caligula. He saved me, Apollo, and Meg from that tyrant before getting stabbed at the back.", she cried.

"You loved him?", Fulgur asked in a quivering voice.

"Yes. I loved him. I still love him. But I broke up with him. It was after the Giant War. We were searching for Leo. We thought he died, but Nico confirmed that he was not. We went six months searching for him. We were distraught and I was tired. I don't know what was in my head when I broke up with him. I still don't know. After his death, I found Shel, but, after a year, I realized that the camp was for me. Jason was for me. I had broken his heart, just like Aphrodite's children would do, when I vowed to be different. Now, am heartbroken.", she said and tears flowed.

"Hey! Don't cry. It is not your fault. Whatever happened in the past cannot be changed; Don't kill yourself for how he died. Don't kill yourself for breaking his heart. I am sorry for you.", Jason tried to pacify her, and was failing. He felt tears swell up on seeing his Piper cry and be so vulnerable.

"I am now crying for a different reason.", she snapped and Jason looked at her confused.

"Why?"

"I- It is complicated. I still have feelings for Jason. But..."

"But..?"

"I have a crush on you.", she whispered so quietly, that it was difficult for Jason to hear it even with his enhanced senses.

"What?", he asked. Piper was surprised that he could hear her whisper.

"You have a crush on me?", Fulgur/ Jason asked.