A kiss. One stupid, stupid kiss. How wrong it was of you to do, you moved on ─ Jason Grace, your ex… no, you shouldn't have kissed him. It was wrong, but it didn't feel like it, not when it happened and not in the days leading up to it.

In the days (months, rather) leading up to it, how could you think of anything but him? There was this calming air about him despite the stress that weighed him down behind closed doors and seeing him around everywhere didn't help, working with him on occasion really didn't help. He cared about the campers, a proud member of the 5th Cohort, despite their reputation.

You were happy now; you were flourishing in sparring and studies, friends and hobbies to fill the hours… you even had a new boyfriend, genius and on the senate ─ unlike Jason, he had time for you. He trained the new kids in how the "government" worked at Camp Jupiter, he was one of the strongest in your cohort, and he… he dropped everything for you, when you asked him to.

Yet, this feeling in your chest. As amazing as your boyfriend is, Jason haunted your every thought. How he was taking everything, you could only assume… well, you couldn't assume anything because everything was so okay on the outside, because you and Jason weren't close anymore you no longer hand "inside" access.

The first time you've seen him one-on-one in months, you just wanted to talk, to catch up. You were still friends and friends talked, it was normal. Past curfew, you waited in his office for him to return, occupying yourself with the trinkets on his desk.

You just wanted to talk but when he walked in through that door, your name falling from his lips in surprise… the moment was blurred, but you kissed him ─ you were kissing him. The praetor's blue eyes stared into yours with even more surprise than you, how you were going to explain why your lips were on his... that was a bridge you'd cross in a moment.