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Percy Jackson was a god among them. But he chose to bleed red because he wanted children to have their cabins and their parents at least acknowledge that they were responsible for their birth. And Jason Grace once saw the boy as a threat — one praised too highly and supposed to be perfect. The Great Savior of Olympus, The Modern Greek Hero, The God Who Bleeds Red.
At first, when he found out that Percy was a trouble-magnet with ocean eyes and bruises on his skin, he felt doubtful. All he knew was put to the question, how could this boy who was so free and spoke so rashly, be the greatest? But after a while, when envy and pride didn’t cloud his judgment, he knew nobody could compare to Percy Jackson because he was painfully mortal with a heart who could rule the universe the kindest if it gained his loyalty.
“Percy.” He who was ready to burn himself and sacrifice his life for the demigods always smiled so brightly. Never complaining and always accepting of their wishes. His back carried the universe always ready to let children climb and race off. But when they turned their back and went home, the boy was a broken piece who seemed to think his worth was equal to his purpose.
The boy’s tan skin submerged against the waves, gold gleaming like sunlight as it healed the wounds he just gained. “What happened?” Jason wonders if people asking his friend the question enough. Or if they ever asked it genuinely because when he turned to face Jason, his eyes were shaped in unfamiliarity before settling into that hero mask, that savior mask. “Kids are rough, aren’t they? I mean — I was more active than them so I do get the energy.” Truth but shrouded in lies all the same.
He knew that he was risking his Uncle’s wrath if he stepped in the waves. But Jason would do anything at this moment to have Percy break openly and safely for the sake of an honest feeling. “Babe, why are you bleeding?” He was supposed to say the color red, but it wasn’t so true, was it? He could see the copper taking over the mortal gush of maroon. But he didn’t bother to question the discoloration, he wanted to know what added or aggravated scars.
The word babe was a word he knew Percy liked. His eyes close for a second and his muscles unfreeze from the rigid frame. It was a nickname that didn’t have anything to do with his powers or other’s perception of him. It was a name crowned to someone who was loved, specifically loved by Jason so openly. “The deity I closed the doors on down there… he’s sending more and more monsters after me knowing it would…” Percy was brave. But as a man so connected to the human relationships he had, he had one great-great fear. “More monsters, more battles, more crowns to add to my warrior status will solidify the fate of immortality. He knows I fear it so he forces it upon me.”
Jason knows that the boy beside him is a god in the making. But he does not care for that and kneels to the water to pull him to his chest and have him crumble into his arms as he runs his hands through Percy’s hair. In this moment and as long as he can, he’ll have Percy feel the humanity he wants to keep. If he needs someone to take this role in his life forever, Jason will gladly offer his soul if he wants him to. But today, he doesn’t speak of that possibility – knowing it would surface the guilt. So he just leaves soft kisses to the boy’s pulse, calming him and pressing on the sign of his mortality. “You’re so beautifully mortal, babe. You’re the most human among us.”
The waves form a dome around them, shielding both from the eyes that might wander. And for the first time, Jason does not feel fear of the seas and the oceans. “And I will always remind you of that, as long as you want me to cradle you.” He almost thinks that a sea spray blesses him — but he does not ask questions, he just holds Percy close to him.