Állaxe //HOO x m.oc\\ (ON HOLD)

2

author note thingy:
LEO OR JASON PLEASE ANSWER ME OR I WILL COMBUST I CAN'T CHOISE AND I NEED HELP
thanks!

Jace didn't like this kind of attention.

This was the bad kind of attention. The one that is absolutely dog shit. It feels like everyone is judging you all the time. That was the attention they were getting right then.,

A sea of hastily assembled demigods parted for Annabeth and the rest of them as they walked through the forum. Some looked tense, some nervous. Some were bandaged from their recent battle with the giants, but no one was armed. No one attacked. Entire families had gathered to see the newcomers. Jace saw couples with babies, toddlers clinging to their parents' legs, even some elderly folks in a combination of Roman robes and modern clothes.

Why were babies in the camp?

Greek demigods didn't usually survive past 20— much less 16. Jace was shocked he'd actually made it this far. He had fought in a battle against two giants, in a fight against Kronos and all of camp half-blood. He had survived. And now he had to choose what fight he would fight next. Against Gaea or with Gaea.

At the far end of the crowd, Jace spotted Tyson the Cyclops and Percy's hellhound, Mrs. O'Leary—who had been the first scouting party from Camp Half-Blood to reach Camp Jupiter. They looked to be in good spirits. Jace didn't like Mrs O'leary, he had received some life long issues with hellhounds ever since his first encounter with them at eight years old. O'leary was harmless but she still terrified him.

Tyson waved and grinned. He was wearing an SPQR banner like a giant bib. In front of them, the demigods made way for a girl in full Roman armor and a purple cape. Dark hair tumbled across her shoulders. Her eyes were as black as obsidian. Reyna. Jason had described her well. Even without that, Jace would have singled her out as the leader.

Medals decorated her armor. She carried herself with such confidence the other demigods backed away and averted their gaze. She was ready for a fight— even looking for one, she didn't trust them (neither would Jace) and was keeping her guard up. Reyna was forcing a look of courage, while holding back a mixture of hopefulness and worry and fear that she couldn't show in public.

Annabeth and Reyna considered each other. It was not comfortable to stand around and just be judged by everyone else. The Romans murmured Jason's name, staring at him in awe. Then someone else appeared from the crowd, and Jace wanted to die. Percy smiled at Annabeth —that sarcastic, troublemaker smile that she had complained about for years but eventually had become endearing.

The praetor Reyna straightened. With apparent reluctance, she turned toward Jason. "Jason Grace, my former colleague..." She spoke the word colleague like it was a dangerous thing. "I welcome you home. And these, your friends—"

Annabeth and Percy rushed towards each other. Ew. Jace felt like digging a hole in the ground and burying himself alive. Leo would probably help him. So would Wlf, she liked digging holes. Oh yeah! She had come to camp a few times after the fight at the wolf house. But for a while now it had been completely silent on her end. It worried him.

The crowd tensed. Some reached for swords that weren't there. Percy threw his arms around her. They kissed. Gods, Jace felt like puking. EWWWW. Why did he hold her like that? Jace was ready to pull out his fists and soccer punch that boy to the ground. He knew he could do that. Maybe. Once the two of them were alone, Percy better watch out for his life.

Percy pulled away and studied her face. "Gods, I never thought—" Annabeth grabbed his wrist and flipped him over her shoulder. He slammed into the stone pavement.

"Kill him!" The Romans ignored Jace but Piper slapped a hand over his mouth before he could yell anything that the Romans would pay attention to and kill them.