Dealing with loss can be difficult. A lot of time it’s denial. Withdrawal. Overexertion. Perhaps that’s a way to describe what you did.

You were coping with the loss of the love of your life, whom, four years ago, had shown up back at Camp Jupiter holding the hands of a girl, who was basically you, but the Greek version. Pretty, similar hair, confident, sweet, kind, always wanting to hold his hand, be near him, hold his hand. You knew what that felt like.

You now label it the ‘Jason’ effect. He makes you fall in love and want it all day every day, and he’s always willing to comply.

You’d taken over his post of Praetor to feel close to him, so how had you been reduced to sneaking hidden glances at him during the banquet of the Greeks arriving? Degrading, tossed aside and immemorable.

Immemorable. Too easy to forget.

So to cope, you threw yourself into your work as Praetor, you worked all the shifts people didn’t want to do. The solstices’, the Fridays, birthdays, hell, even Christmas. You stopped treating yourself well, you didn’t even realise it, really.

Finally, Reyna left with the Hunters of Artemis, and you decided to let a new era of Praetors’ take over, so you headed to New York and flourished work-wise, becoming one of the most sought after in your profession. Late nights became early pay checks, with extended bonuses.

Romance? Nonexistent. Why would it be? Your heart belonged to a boy from your past. A boy you didn’t even know remembered you.

Meeting with Annabeth, unexpectedly working together on a project, you both get chatting. She tells you about her engagement, the new puppy, her home renovation with Percy.. until suddenly she brings up how Jason and his ex split years ago. She turned out to be bi, and felt the relationship was forced.

Did she have any idea who he was?

“..yeah, Piper went a bit rogue with that one.” Annabeth mutters, clicking her pen before scribbling a signature on a dotted line. “You should reach out to him. He remembers you, you know.”

“I’m sure he has other options.” You brush off.

“He talks about you.” She blurts, before her eyes soften. “Like, a lot. All the time really. Saying he misses you, and he feels shitty for not remembering- even though we told him it’s not his fault.” She rushes.

You sigh softly, “I don’t know, A.” She looks at you empathetically. “Look, if what happened to you with Jason happened to me with Percy? I’d fight for any chance with him.”

So somehow you get his number from her, and by the time you’re walking to your car you get five messages from him.

Jason: Hey. This is probably the most awkward thing to do over text but I want to get to know you again. I miss you, like an insane amount and I want to see you. Jason: Hope this isn’t too soon. Jason: And you don’t hate me. Jason: And your favourite ice cream is still Ben and Jerry’s. I just bought a few tubs. Jason: Dinner and movie at my place? Jason has dropped a location pin.