Stone Walls (Jercy AU)

JASON

Jason sat in the kitchen with Grover and Thalia, eating some red velvet cake they had left over in the fridge. They were eagerly waiting for Percy, who had been talking to Jason's mom for over an hour now. Jason wondered how much really went down when Percy was living with his stepdad, but he didn't want to ask. He was grateful his mother would be able to help him out of this.

Jason couldn't help but wonder why he cared so much about Percy. He cared enough to tell Thalia his crazy, but true, idea of Percy being abused by his stepdad. He cared enough to sit at the pool that day and listen to Percy as he reminisced about his mom. He cared enough to sit here with Percy's friends while they waited for him to walk out of the office. So, it was really just Jason being nice. He was never one to deny people help anyways. Right?

Jason heard his mother's office doors open. Thalia, Grover and Jason looked up from their cakes to see Jason's mother standing there, but no Percy. She sighed as she sat in the seat next to Jason, Thalia and Grover on the other side of the table

"How did it go, Beryl?" Grover asked. Jason's mom had let Grover and Percy call her by her name for years. She was like a second mom to both of them. Grover's mom, Dahlia, was also like a mother to Thalia and Percy.

"He's really shaken up," Beryl sighed. "In all my life of knowing Perseus, I have never seen him so broken."

Perseus? Percy's name was Perseus?  Like the Greek hero? In all his years of seeing Percy with Thalia, he never knew Perseus was actually his name. All he ever heard people call him was Percy.

Jason continued to listen as his mother explained she couldn't disclose any information to them because of confidentiality, but she will be able to make a case against his stepfather, who Jason learned is Gabe Ugliano.

"I offered him our guest room," Beryl said. "He can stay here for as long as he wants. He is not going anywhere near his old apartment."

Thalia smiled a little at her mother. "Thank you so much, mom."

Beryl gave her a small smile and placed her hand on Thalia's. "I'm going to go get some things for Percy at his apartment with one of my friends from the police department. Jason, will you stay with Percy?"

"Of course mom," Jason said.

"Thalia," Berly said, "please drive Grover home. It's getting awfully late."

"Okay, mom," Thalia replied.

Thalia and Grover got up. Jason's mom hugged and kissed Grover on the cheek before they walked out to Thalia's car. Jason wanted to go check on Percy and see if he was okay. But Jason knew he wasn't okay. Who would be okay after all this? He's probably still shocked he's never going back to that house.

"Mom?" Jason called before she could leave to her car. She turned to face him. "Is Percy going to be okay?"

Jason's mother gave him a sad smile. "He will be, sweetheart, but not for a while." Then, she left to go to Percy's apartment.

Jason sat alone in the kitchen, wondering if he should knock on the guest room door and keep Percy company. But he also wondered if Percy just needed some alone time. This was like when Jason was wondering if he should approach Percy at the pool in school. But that seemed to turn out okay. Percy had opened up to Jason. Jason thought that maybe if he went to go see Percy, he would let him stay.

After some careful thought, Jason decided to get up and see Percy. He walked out of the kitchen and down the hallway to the guest room. He took a deep breath before knocking gently on the door. There was no answer and Jason didn't hear any movement either. He knocked once more, a little louder this time, but still nothing.

Maybe he doesn't want anyone around, Jason thought. He turned around to go back to the kitchen, but then stopped. He didn't feel like he should leave. He felt like he should check on Percy. Jason thought maybe he just fell asleep.

Jason turned back around and gently turned the doorknob. He opened the door a little before walking into the room. The window was closed, curtains drawn. The small light coming from the open door was the only light Jason had. He opened the door a little more and saw Percy was asleep on the bed. He was curled up, the covers engulfing him all the way up to his shoulders. Jason chuckled at the fact that the raven haired boy looked like a burrito.

Jason turned to shut the door and walk out, but then Percy started screaming. Jason whisked back around and went to Percy's side. He sat on the bed trying to calm a frantic Percy. Percy was screaming over and over, "No, please! I'm sorry!" His olive skin was sweaty and his face was turning pink like he was having night sweats.

Jason was able to grab Percy's flailing arms. "Percy! Percy!"

Percy finally stopped flailing and his seas-green eyes opened. He panted, looking around the room he was in and then making eye contact with Jason. In that moment, Jason saw just how broken Percy was. His eyes were gloomy but still remained a bright sea green. They were like an ocean in a storm, reckless and chaotic. He looked lost, as if he was drowning inside his own mind.

Percy seemed to realize how Jason was holding onto him. He quickly sat up and leaned against the headboard. "What are you doing here?"

Jason sat up on the bed. "I really just came to check on you, my mom and Thalia aren't here right now."

"I don't need a babysitter."

Jason furrowed his eyebrows confusingly. Percy sounded a little rude when he said that and Jason suddenly felt like he shouldn't have came. Jason just pursed his lips together and walked out the door, shutting it behind him. He didn't even bother looking back.

Jason went to the living room and sat on the grey couch. He switched on the TV and watched Criminal Minds. Jason was considering going into law like his mother, or perhaps business like his father. Jason wasn't too sure yet. He just knew he wanted to be someone great, someone who could use what he does for something good.Jason was so caught up in the show he didn't even hear the guest room door open. Jason saw Percy walk over and sit on the single grey couch next to him.

"I'm sorry for sounding so rude," Percy said. Jason glanced over and saw Percy wasn't even looking at him. His eyes were on his hands in his lap.

Jason muted the TV. "Do you want to talk about your dream?"

Percy's mesmerizing green eyes met Jason's blue ones. Jason saw Percy open his mouth like he was going to say something, but he didn't say anything at all. Jason couldn't help but think Percy didn't want to trust him, or maybe he wasn't able to. Maybe he didn't know how to trust or talk about his feelings. Maybe he didn't know what it meant to be cared for.

Percy took a deep breath and said, "Do you have anything to eat? I haven't eaten since yesterday."

"We can order pizza if you'd like," Jason replied, not wanting to push Percy into talking about the dream.

Percy gave Jason a small smile. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Jason smiled back and picked up his phone. He dialed the number for the pizza place and put the phone to his ear, waiting for someone to pick up. He saw Percy walk into the kitchen to get a drink. Jason knew Percy needed to let everything out. He needed to talk about it. But he knew Percy didn't know how to let anyone in right now. He didn't know how to be vulnerable with his feelings. Jason knew this won't be easy. He knew Percy won't let him in. He probably won't let Thalia in, or Grover. But Jason was going to find a way to be there for him, no matter what it took. Percy needed help to get through this.

"Good evening, Mike's Pizza, may I take your order?"