the weight of the world [a pjo fanfic]

chapter one.

Sending love and hugs to each and every one of you <3

Jason stared at his friends surrounded by the younger campers, as he dragged a finger in the dirt, mindlessly drawing circles. The voices faintly wafted in the air as he stared intently at Percy. 

"Percy Jackson! Woah!" A young boy, in cabin 7, tugged on Percy's shorts. He was about 8? 9? Jason felt sorry for the kid. He could see his eyes sparkling from where he was sitting. Percy chuckled endearingly and bent down to face him. 
"Hey bud. How you doing? Are you practicing your moves?" He grinned as he pretended to wave an imaginary sword around. As always, campers surrounded him after the latest quest. Jason rolled his eyes at the children fawning over Riptide and declaring that they wanted to be Percy Jackson when they grew up. 

I was there. I killed the monster. Jason's head was beginning to feel muddy. He stabbed the dirt with a finger and whimpered in pain, cradling it. Percy awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to explain that he wasn't the one who killed the monsters. In any other situation, Jason would've felt grateful that he was giving him credit. But he didn't. 
Because the campers didn't care. The campers didn't really care about the monster at all. Percy Jackson was a legendary figure. That was all that mattered. As more children flocked towards the boy and his girlfriend, Annabeth Chase, Jason got up and started to pace around. From across the camp, Piper caught Jason's agitated pacing out of the corner of her eye. She jogged towards him.

"Hey Sparky." She punched his arm lightly, but Jason didn't respond. "Jason?" He continued to walk. Piper followed him closely. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Then why are you so grumpy?"

"I'm not."
Piper put her hands on her hip and stopped. Jason reluctantly slowed down but wouldn't look at her.

"I wasn't born yesterday. And we didn't start dating yesterday either."

"That's pedophilia." Jason cracked a small grin and Piper rolled her eyes, but smiled as well. "C'mon, Sparks, you can tell me whatever. You know that." She touched his shoulder gently and he turned to face her, sighing.

"I dunno, Pipes. I don't want you to think I'm petty, or unreasonable, o-or-"

"Shh. I promise I would never. No matter what, I'll take your side." Jason tried to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Alright. I, um, I'm just really, I dunno? Upset. At Percy, maybe." He peeked at Piper and she scrunched up her nose. "Why?"

"It's just that he always gets the credit for everything. I was the one who killed the monster. So why is everyone gushing about him being so amazing and great and strong? I just feel like I deserve some credit, you know?"

Piper was silent for a second. "Of course you deserve credit. Percy has been trying to explain it to the campers but they won't listen. We're in camp half blood, Jason. Percy is a celebrity here. So it does make sense that he'll be adored no matter what. Think if the roles were reversed and we were in camp jupiter. I'm sure he wouldn't be as recognized there." She said quietly. Jason felt a fire burn in his chest.

"Seriously, Piper? There wouldn't be any difference if we were in camp jupiter. He's a celebrity there too!" Jason threw up his hands in frustration and scowled. 

"That's not his fault, Jason. He can't control how the crowd feels."

"Yeah, but-" They were interrupted by a cheery "Hey!" They turned to look at Percy.

"Well, speak of the devil! It's Mr. Popular here!" Percy shyly smiled. "I'll never get used to this. Oh, by the way, I hope you aren't angry with me, Jason. I'm really sorry about the campers. I've been trying to tell them that it was you who killed the gorgons. I'm really sorry, dude." He winced and looked down.

Jason tried to analyze his face for any hint of insincerity. When he couldn't find it, that only made him even more angry. "Yeah, whatever. I know." Jason rolled his eyes and Percy seemed taken aback. "Oh. Alright." He smiled at them and tilted his head in a goodbye. Piper waved at him as he jogged off to see Annabeth. Jason glared at her as she turned to look at him.

"You said you would take my side." He muttered bitterly. She watched him turn and walk away.