LOUVRE [A Jercy Fanfiction]

Art of Vulnerability

"Alright, that's it for the lecture today. I'll see you all on Monday. Dismissed."

Jason got up from his seat and left the lecture hall as fast as he could so that he could meet up with Percy as soon as possible.

Today was the last day of classes for the week. Jason had only one class left for Saturday whereas Percy was going for an internship program's orientation. He insisted that he needed the experience even if he was an immortal being and could do almost anything.

Speed-walking to the local cafe that was the nearest to the campus, Jason tried to convince himself that he hadn't kept Percy waiting. But he was proven wrong when he found the said man in a middle booth right next to the wondow that looked out onto the street, reading a journal.

He smiled as soon as he noticed Jason.

The blonde smiled back lightly as he made his way towards the booth and sat opposite to him.

"I ordered myself a latte while I waited for you. I hope you don't mind," Percy said as the taller male sat down.

"Oh no, of course not! But I do hope that we can have lunch together before you have to leave for the orientation."

"Yeah, don't worry. We have enough time."

Percy gave him a blinding grin before he passed him the menu and went back to reading his journal.

Jason was slightly worried if Percy would be able to adjust to university life. Apparently he had adjusted too quickly and was thriving. He had his club orientation today and had already become a favourite for a lot of the professors, except the Art History professor, Mr. D. But that was because he generally hated everyone.

Today the both of them had planned to visit the museum because the "angel" had wanted to go sight-seeing New York and they had spent everyday of the past week going around New York's famous tourist spots. Yesterday they went to Central Park to spend the whole day having a picnic there and cycling. Then they went to Greenwich Village night walk tour which was just as exhilarating.

Jason had to admit that living with Percy did have it's perks. He was good at cooking and cleaning. He never disturbed Jason when he was working and often took care of the laundry as well. Of course, Jason tried to help whenever he remembered to. But it was always Jason who watered the new plants that Percy had insisted on getting.

"Plants make the house livelier. Having plants also ensure that we are taking care of the environment around us as well."

And that was enough for Jason to spend a lot of money on plants, their pots, gardening equipment and even fertilisers. That and Percy's puppy dog eyes.

Living with the raven-haired man gave him incentive to be better even if it had only been two short weeks. The blond had even started to visit and hang out with his friends more. Nico often talked to him on phone and they had even made plans last Thursday to meet at a cafe and go on a thrift shopping trip; on which Will and Percy separated from them and went to a book store instead. Not that any of them minded. Annabeth and Piper also visited whenever they could. They have even started coming over for dinner on weekends. They will be coming over with Nico and Will tomorrow night as well.

"Where are we going today?" Percy asked with sparkling eyes and a mischievous grin as he leaned forward on his elbows, regarding Jason with a childish wonder.

"We're going to the Museum of Modern Art, then we'll go for lunch. After that we have a choice to do either Graffiti and Street Art walking tour or Colonial New York Retold walking tour," Jason explained as he finished his pastry.

"Let's go for the Graffiti and Street Art Tour. I wanna see what that would be like."

The blond gave the angel-like man a happy smile before both got up after leaving the money on their table.

***

After a whole day of walking, Jason found himself noting down some ideas in his journal while also doddling some concepts for him to paint later. At the rate they were going, maybe he would be able to finish that last section quite sooner than he had imagined. The deadline didn't seem so impossible now. And maybe, his professors might even consider giving him extra credits to make up for the few classes that he had to miss due to his focus on his art career.

Meanwhile, Percy walked beside him humming a gentle tune. They had found themselves near the tourist spot of Hudson River. Many tourists were still out and about long after sunset, taking private night tours. Percy looked out over the river as they walked by side-by-side. Jason studied Percy, as he did often, and saw how his eyes lit up with joy and how ethereal he looked even when he was under the streetlights.

Percy turned his head and found Jason looking at him. His smile widened just the slightest bit as he said, "Do you always stare at people?"

The blond was brought to his senses as he looked away embarrassed and blushed.

"Um, no- I mean, yes- but like, I-"

The angel chuckled at his failed attempts to formulate an answer. Jason looked at him wondering how a man could enrapture his attention with just his small laughs.

"Today was wonderful. I learnt quite a lot about the city's culture today," Percy said as he looked out at the city and the people walking by.

The artist shook his head and said, "You sure learn quite quickly. You didn't even turn to look at the person dressed in the banana suit today. You've progressed quite a lot since first riding the subway."

It was indeed quite a progress from the first time they had ridden the subway together. On their first day, a man had opened the subway doors bare-handedly just because he didn't want to be late. Nobody had paid him any mind when he was able to do that. Except Percy, who seemed to be quite bewildered. And that was tamest thing the blond had seen ever since he started living in New York.

"I mean, when you're someone like me you learn how to adapt quickly."

Jason liked to listen to Percy. He had a nice voice and even when he said that he was pretty old, his vibe was that of a rebellious young man who started fires accidentally and skateboarded everywhere being a public menace. He liked that there was something wild about him. It was refreshing in a way that was inexplicable, really.

After another few minutes of walking they decided it was time to head back home. Their journey was spent in a comfortable silence and Jason liked how he didn't have to fill in with small, meaningless talk. At some point they started talking about their favourite part about the tour and it was nice because even Jason hadn't had a leisure day in quite some time now.

When they got home, Jason found himself laughing at the jokes that Percy said. They were really beginning to be more friendly. And it was nice talking to someone without having to worry about what they would think because Jason hadn't let down his walls even with the people he was close to now. Maybe it was a mistake to be this vulnerable with Percy, but he figured that he wouldn't mind if it was Percy.

After a quick dinner of soup and stir-fry with some chicken sausages, he bid the angel he was rooming with a goodnight and offered his room for him to sleep in tonight. When asked why, he just replied with, "I'll be working for a while. Don't worry, I'll sleep soon enough. Goodnight now." Then he started moving towards the art room.

Before he went in though, he felt Percy grab him from behind and hug him. The warmth of his embrace was comforting and scary. He was reminded of their height difference when he felt Percy's face nuzzle into his nape.

"... Percy?"

The said angel just hugged him tighter.

"Gimme a minute," he replied, voice slightly muffled.

They stood there for a while before Jason felt a quick peck at his nape. If he wasn't blushing before, there was definitely steam coming out from his ears now.

"Thank you for toady. Goodnight, Jason."

Oh, may the heavens have mercy on my soul.