My Boyfriend is a Dead Roman Hero | Jason Grace

I Tell You My Childhood Trauma

"Now it's your turn," He says.

When she doesn't move, he bends down to her level and gives her a gentle smile.

"There's no need to be scared. It'll go quickly. Like a lightning strike. And, once it's over, you'll feel stronger than ever."

Julie is nervous. He seems to find it endearing. Blonde hair swaying in the ocean breeze, scar gleaming pink in the sun, he takes her by the shoulders and steers her in front of him.

"You can do it, Juliette. I believe in you."

Big, innocent eyes watch them as he guides her to approach. There's a hand on her back, another on her upper arm, and breath tickling the shell of her ear as he coos encouragements over her shoulder.

"You're so strong. I know you can do it. Don't you want to make me proud?"

She nods, and his scar brushes against her cheek when he smiles in satisfaction.

"Good. Then, just one clean swipe, and you'll have earned your place here. With me."

He steps away from her, and all Juliette can smell is salt. The knife is heavy in her tiny hands. Her thin arms shake as she fights to keep it extended.

She hears him shuffle impatiently behind her. It makes a flash of fear jolt through her chest.

Please, don't give up on me.

She forgets to close her eyes when she slashes the knife down. The blood of the hippocampus is green on her pale fingers.

Green becomes her least favorite color after that.

--

Juliette wakes up in a cold sweat more often than not these days. So does most of the crew. Like the true band of besties they are, they've gotten pretty good at recognizing each other's rougher mornings.

Which is why no one gives Juliette too much grief when she lumbers into the dining hall half an hour late and still in her Powerpuff Girl pajama shorts. Announcing her presence with an obnoxiously loud yawn, she shoots the already fully assembled group a half-assed little wave and pads over to their usual meeting table, aiming for the empty seat kept strategically between Nico and a very uncomfortable looking Jason.

"G'morning," Julie mumbles.

"Nice of you to join us," snorts Leo. "Nice shirt."

She glances down at her pink and white 'will harm men for chocolate <3' crop top. It stirs conflicting feelings in her chest. She sighs.

"Thanks. Percy has a matching one." She bends down to drop a kiss on Jason's cheek before settling into her seat. "What'd I miss?"

"Nothing yet," answers Jason. "We figured we ought to wait for you."

"Oh, you guys," Julie says wistfully, bringing her hands to her cheeks. "You waited? For me? To talk about all the boring planning? You really know how to make a girl feel special."

"Hey, if we've gotta suffer, so do you. You ain't special," Leo replies, pointing his fork at her for emphasis.

Juliette huffs and turns her attention to Nico, who's staring straight ahead at the projection of Zeus' Fist and pretending the rest of them don't exist. She nudges his arm with her elbow. He doesn't look at her, but his hand does slide over to pass her a full cup of coffee, already made up the way Julie likes it.

She beams at him and starts chugging.

"So," Jason begins, back straight and fingers laced on the table. "Now, that we're all here, some new information has come to light concerning our expedition to the House of Hades," He looks to Julie's other side expectantly and clears his throat. "Nico?"