Jason sat with Piper and Leo in the bustling college cafeteria, the three of them chatting over lunch. It was one of those rare, quiet moments in their otherwise busy schedules, and Jason was enjoying the peaceful rhythm of it all. But then, he saw him.

A new face in the crowd, walking in with casual ease. Percy Jackson. Jason had heard the name earlier that day—new kid, just transferred in—but seeing him now… well, that was something else. Percy had that idiotically handsome face, the kind that made Jason’s brain hiccup for a second. Dark, messy hair that somehow still looked perfect, piercing green eyes that seemed to hold some untold secret, and a grin that could probably get him out of any situation. Jason couldn’t look away. His stomach did a weird little flip.

“Uh, Jay? Are you good?” Piper’s voice cut through his daze, and Jason blinked, realizing he’d been staring at Percy for way too long.

He cleared his throat, trying to act normal. “Yeah, just… nothing.” But Piper was watching him closely, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips.

“Uh-huh,” she said, glancing over at Percy, then back to Jason. “You’re not fooling anyone.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “Dude, are you…?” He didn’t finish, but the mischievous look in his eyes said it all. Jason could almost hear the unspoken words: You like him, don’t you?

Jason felt his face heat up. “No, I just—he’s… uh, new, right?”

“Right,” Piper said, her tone way too innocent. “You’re just admiring the view.”

Jason groaned, trying to hide his face behind his cup. “Shut up, both of you.”