Take Off Those Glasses! (Jason x Percy = Jercy)

How's Life?

Jason had decided to talk a walk. Sure, his back pained from all the reckless nights on end. Sure, he and Annabeth were going to have a walk later, talk about some things that needed talking about and then part ways. But that also meant that Jason would have to prepare for any questions or rebukes that Annabeth might throw his way.

Both, Jason and Annabeth had known Percy for long. However, the latter had been his girlfriend for years. Doesn't mean that your partner knows you better than your BFF does. Still, there are some matters you prefer to talk with certain people. Then again, it only meant that Jason knew things about Percy that Annabeth didn't. At least, he sure as hell hoped that was the case. Jason prayed to God that Percy had not been such an open book with Annabeth as he was now with Jason. After all, some topics are strictly reserved for bros only.

He couldn't help but wonder what Percy talked about with Annabeth. What was there to talk anyway? Blue food and architecture? Was that all? Or did they talk about deep stuff like life and spirituality and mythology and sex? Jason knew for a fact that his boyfriend had been a virgin before making love to Jason for the first time. Percy had said so himself.

In spite of that, Jason didn't think he was very fond of the image that was creating itself in its brain — Percy and Annabeth kissing on a sunny day at the beach, with Percy in his trunks and Annabeth in a dangerously revealing bikini. Percy's hands would trail down Annabeth's back, untying the knot that held the thin top in place. His fingers would trace the outline of her spine and drift farther down —

Jason dropped the idea. It was useless from the beginning anyway.

He found himself hovering over the edges of the park where they had decided to meet. It was a secluded area, with few kids playing in the sandpit. Even though Jason would have preferred a place that wasn't so empty, he didn't mind. Less people, less attention if he was to get into a fight with Annabeth.

Sometimes, all Jason felt for Annabeth was pity and sorrow. She'd done nothing but to love Percy, only to have him break up with her over his best friend. Jason wondered what he would have done if he were in Annabeth's shoes.

At the end of the day, though, Annabeth had done something similar to Jason when she has told Percy the romantic feelings were mutual. She'd stolen a part of Jason in a way she wasn't even aware of. Jason remembered the loneliness he felt when Percy used to go on dates with Annabeth or they were simply just hanging out. Then, it was almost as if Percy didn't know a Jason in his life. Like he'd never met him, never shared a bed, never eaten off the same plate.

Jason had wanted to break things and kick walls. The only way he could get Percy's attention was through petty arguments, but he couldn't condescend so low.

Jason was desperate, sure, but he wasn't dumb.

He checked his watch. Unexpectedly, he was early. Five minutes to go still. When he looked up, he saw a blonde walking towards him, empty handed, her walk quick and measured. Within no time, those stormy, grey eyes were staring at Jason, ever so creased at the end due to the small, checked smile that tugged at her lips. The smile wasn't cold, per se, but it wasn't welcoming either. There was a touch of practice in it, the way the left and right corners curled up just the same, or the way the dimple on the right cheek was made less prominent to match with the one on the left — Annabeth had given herself this practice, doing it over and over again in front of a mirror.

"Annabeth," Jason nodded and gave a huge smile. There was no reason to hold a grudge against her.

"You smell like him, you know. Seashore and salt."

Or maybe there was a reason after all.

"Percy and I have been hanging out recently," Jason said. He didn't want it to sound curt, but it was as if his impulses had taken over and he wasn't in control of anything. He could feel his throat go dry — not because Annabeth was beautiful, which she was, but because she had decided to go full-on bitch mode that day. It was going to be difficult to come up with convincing arguments.

"Have you slept with him yet?" Annabeth asked, checking out the park. She didn't look at him then, like he wasn't worth her superior, precious sight. The greenery wasn't extraordinary, but it was orderly. The grass was trimmed and the swings were well oiled. The setting sun fell on her face and she was suddenly the gigantic Athena Parthenos – golden and marble in all it's white shine. She towered over Jason, glowering at him with furiously calm eyes.

Jason felt like a damp puppy in the rain.

But he wasn't giving up.

For himself.

For Percy. "That, Annie, I think, is none of your business," Jason said, giving her the same excruciatingly self-composed smile she had been giving him.

The muscles of her face twitched. Jason could swear he had seen a monstruous expression creep on the face of Annabeth, but it disappeared as soon as it had taken form. "I prefer Annabeth," she said.

"And I prefer you not poking around too deeply about my and my boyfriend's life," Jason said with the same beam.

Annabeth started walking with the same pace of an elderly woman – slow and irritating. She pretended she hadn't heard the words Jason had just said then. It was still eccentric listening to someone else call Percy their boyfriend. Especially a boy. She'd thought they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, but couldn't last a few simple years. And she didn't think she could have blamed Jason. She'd seen the way Percy used to look at Jason when all of them used to be really good friends. It was admiring and wanting – the expression on Percy's face. Like Jason was something he could have reached out to and owned, but he simply couldn't do it.

Annabeth used to wonder if that was what real friendship looked like. She hadn't had very good friends ever. Maybe that's how 'homies' are supposed to be, she had thought.

Little did she know it wasn't friendship.

It was the flower of young love blooming to full maturity.

Jason followed with quiet steps, so suddenly that Annabeth was almost surprised when he came near her and spoke, "So... how's life?"

"Better than it was before," Annabeth said with a wry chuckle.