Judgmental (a Percy Jackson AU)

Bad Boy Supreme

     Jason and Frank had just finished making brownies. The brownies were cooling on the beige kitchen counter while Jason looked for a nice plate and Frank grabbed the plastic wrap. A couple had moved in yesterday and the two decided that they wanted to welcome them. Ever since the winter storm a few weeks ago, Frank and Jason had been spending more time together. It helped, being around someone else.

      "I hope they like brownies," Frank said.

        "If not, we can also offer them a jar of the marmalade that nice lady gave you," Jason said.

     Frank has begun working at Demeter's Gardening Supplies and two days ago, an old lady had tipped him (strangely enough) with several jars of peach marmalade. It tasted excellent with oatmeal, as well as on toast, bagels, and even brownies. Jason knew this because Frank had dared to try it first.

       "Alright, marmalade and brownies," Frank said. "They should be pleased."

      "Especially because they're both homemade," Jason said.

    They both laughed. Though they both now had jobs, money was tight. They was no way they would have bought brownies from the grocery store when they cost less to make at home. Home, Jason thought. Since when did this apartment become a home? Perhaps it had been since Frank and he had started bonding. Perhaps it was because he was hanging out with Reyna again or because he went on a date with Piper last night and it had gone well.

      "I hope that they're good neighbors," Frank said.

       "Piper told me the woman, Khione, recently got hired as a model," Jason said. "The man, Leo, apparently used to work at Pickleman's, but he quit. Their house burned down in a fire. That's all I know."

      Frank's shoulders slumped and he sighed. Jason knee his friend's family mansion had burned up in a fire recently. The sweet scent of brownies didn't seem as comforting anymore. It was strange that the same thing that enabled them to make brownies was what had left this couple temporarily homeless.

      "Come on, Frank," Jason said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Let's take these brownies over."

      They wrapped up the brownies, leaving half of them for themselves in the plate. Frank carried the brownies and Jason carried a jar of peach marmalade over to apartment 209. Jason knocked on the door.

        It opened quickly and a scrawny man with bright, brown eyes and curly, dark hair smiled at them. He was wearing jeans and a grey t-short with words too faded for Jason to discern. A tall, pale woman appeared beside him. She was beautiful in an unapproachable way — like a statue made of ice — and her face seemed frozen in a slight sneer.

     "We wanted to welcome you to the apartment complex," Jason said.

    "We brought over peach marmalade and brownies," Frank added.

     "Thanks," the curly-haired man said. "I'm Leo and my fiancée here is Khione."

     Khione didn't smile as she took the jar of marmalade. Jason noticed her eyes lingering on him and he had to force himself not to squirm. He knew that some women were as capable as evil as some men; virtue and sin were not exclusive to any gender.

      "If you need anything, then you can just knock on our door," Frank said. "We live right beside you."

      "We won't be needing any help," Khione said, slamming the door on him.

    The two men looked from the door and then to each other. They both shrugged and returned to their apartment. Nothing really had happened, but something about Leo and Khione made Jason feel on edge. He just wasn't sure what.