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As soon as he sees Percy walking out of his Cabin Jason shouts,
“Perseus, Orion Jackson, stop avoiding me and face me like a man instead of a coward. I’m sick and tired of you ghosting me. I deserve better than that, Percy. You’re my friend and I care about you and everyone is worried about you, so please tell me what’s going on so we can find a solution.” Jason said while walking towards Percy.
“You’re right Jason, you didn’t deserve the treatment I gave you and I apologize, but the last weeks have been crazy like you wouldn’t believe. I’m so sorry for shutting you out, but I had my reasons.” Percy said,
“Percy, you’ve never lied to me and we’re demigods our life are ridiculous, so talk to me what has happened. That made you shut me and all your other friends out of your life? Also, those reasons better be good, mister, otherwise I’ll let Annabeth and Thalia go at you, understood Percy?”
“I understand Jason, you know mom’s heritage always has been a bit of a mystery but, right?” Percy said, his voice hollow and exhausted.
“Wait! What? That’s why shut me out, Percy? Your Mom having an unusual heritage?” Jason asked.
“Not exactly, but basically, yes, it’s a long story, so do you want the full story or bullet points, Jason?
“I’ve the time, so give me the full version and it better be good, mister.”
“Okay first let’s go to my cabin I rather tell you this in private and please don’t interrupt me when I talk okay Jason I rather first explain myself fully before you ask questions, okay Sparky?”
“Understood Percy. Jason said while he sat down beside Percy.”
“I always knew mom wasn’t completely human like she pretended, but I always kept my mouth shut because I didn’t want to lose mom. But occasionally it was if someone else had taken over her body. She would act strange, talk with an Irish accent and many other things. But I thought it was just mom, but not it’s also me. It started with pranking. You know I always enjoy a good prank but lately they started getting out of hand and changed from fun to cruel and harmful. I even took joy in the pain and misery of mortals. I even started talking in a language mortals couldn’t understand and started dealing in favors.”
“Several people told me, including Mom. I was changing for the worse. I became cruel and spiteful and it was as if I wasn’t myself at moments.”
“Annabeth even compared it to how I was in Tartarus, but then towards humans instead of monsters.”
“And don’t talk to me about my temper. I get offended by the slightest thing, even someone breathing wrong or too hard makes me angry.”
“For as long as I can remember, I have gaps in my memory, but in the last few months, they have increased. I sometimes do not remember entire days and then the rumors started floating about me putting mortals in hospitals for fun. Also about never having lied to you trust even I if I wanted I can’t It’s impossible for the fair folk to lie.”
“And then the physical changes. It’s like I’m becoming a whole other being.”
“Perce, you look the same as always to me, only less energetic than normal.”
“Gods, I knew I forgot something.” Percy raises his hands and the glamor surrounding him disappears.
“Wait, what? How this can’t be happening? I know we’re demigods and our lives are one big clusterfuck, but this is how it’s like my mind can’t even interpret what you’re or how you’ve changed. It’s like you’re something completely, other Percy.
“To make a long story short, one of mom’s ancestors is part of the fair folk, but because mom knows nothing about her grandparents, my great grandparents, the chance is huge that one of them is also part of the fair folk; the blood is too strong in both mom and I for it only be from a distant ancestor or from dad because then mom wouldn’t be so affected.”
“I’m sorry that’s happening to you, Perce. But it doesn’t explain the dark circles underneath your eyes, the tiredness and even multiple cuts I can see all over your body. I want to help you, Percy, but if you won’t tell me what’s troubling you, I can’t help you.” Jason said calmly.
“I haven’t been able to get a good night’s rest for months. Every time I close my eyes, I find myself down there again. I can smell the sulfur already and I’m just so tired, Jay. What did I do to deserve this? I don’t want to be part of the fair folk. Jay, I just want to be a normal teenager. Get drunk, hang out with friends, and attend parties. But no, my life has to be this shit show and I’m sick of it, Jay. I just want to be normal. Is that so much to ask? And then I also started developing feeling for you. You stupid dork, but I know you never would even want to date me because who would I’m such a mess? Even I wouldn’t want to date myself.” Percy says, sobbing and tears streaking down his face.
“First stop the self-deprecating, Percy. It’s not needed, yes, you’re a mess, but it’s nothing we can’t deal with if we communicate with each other and some much-needed TLC. But I’m up for the job and secondly don’t put words in my mouth. I’m honored you developed feelings for me. I’ve had a crush on you forever, you dumbass, so I would love to date you, but first let’s go to the Hypnos cabin and see if they can help you. With those nightmares and if they can’t, we’ll ask the Hecate cabin.” Jason says while he hugs Percy.
“After that, I’m going to gather information about the Fair Folk and see how we can get in contact with them so you can learn what it means to one of them. If it means you will change and become more malevolent than we’ll deal with that. You always will be Percy Jackson, Estelle’s big brother, the best friend a boy could ask for to me. And I won’t let go of you. Your mom and Annabeth would never forgive and I wouldn’t forgive myself if you being part of the fair folk means I give up on you. Even If it I have to join the fair folk myself, I won’t ever let you go. Understood the Seaweed brain.”
Percy let out a mocking chuckle, his voice cold and full of malice. And an otherworldly surrounded Him. “Jason, Jason, Jason. It’s wonderful how naïve you humans can be. You joining the fair folk don’t make me laugh. Don’t say things you will regret, stupid human, you wouldn’t survive a minute amongst the fair folk. Be glad I haven’t taken your name yet and that my human side loves you. If it was up to me, you would be dust.”
“Percy, what’s happening? What do you mean, take my name and hey I’m not some mortal you can insult to your liking faery! I’m Jason Grace, Son of Jupiter, survivor of the giant wars and one of the seven now give my friend back or you will regret it.”
“Don’t you realize that I’m Percy, you stupid human? Only I’m what he’s going to be when the faery blood has taken over completely. But I’ll give him back, but known this isn’t the last you’ve seen of me human. One last advice guide your name carefully. If you truly intend to come with us to Tir Na Òg human and one last thing, all that research about entering the otherworld it’s not needed. You just need to locate a faerie circle. Step into it, and you’ve entered now. Goodbye and have fun with human me soon. He will be gone and I’ll be the one left.” Said the faery with a cackle. Then Percy’s eyes changed back to their usual shade, and the eerie glow around him disappeared.
“Jay, what happened? Why are you frightened? What have I done now?” Percy asks, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and doing his best impressing of just awakening from a deep sleep.
“Well, I just met the reason for the gaps in your memory. You said your mom, and you sometimes acted strange. Now it comes because your fair folk side is its own entity, Percy. It’s self-aware despises human and told me he’s who you’re going to be when the faery blood has run its full course and if that’s true. We need to get it quickly, respect humans, or at least the young campers, and see that we can merge your personality with him, Percy. Although he’s a part of you which you need to respect and acknowledge. Doesn’t mean you’ve to disappear. You have fought too much and done to too much to be taken over by a faery.”
“Jay, you’re right and don’t worry, I won’t let what makes me, me disappear, but I don’t know how to find that balance jay. I feel the faery grow stronger every second and my mortality disappears even quicker than when I was down there.”
“Both of us have to calm down and talk to Clovis. If he can help you with your nightmares, then you’re going to meditate and find peace with yourself. After that, you’re going to pray to your undersea family and tell them everything what’s happening to you and ask if they know how to help you, Percy.”
“Meanwhile, I’m going to find everything I can about the fair folk and Celtic mythology. Before I forget what’s your opinion about therapy, I know a legacy of Mars that has studied psychology and has become a therapist and maybe he can help you process everything. But I’ll promise you one thing Percy I’ll be by your side. Whatever happens, I’m here for you.” Jason quickly kisses Percy and walks towards the Hypnos cabin.
Percy stands there dazed for a couple of seconds, still in disbelief that Jason kissed him and put on his glamor again, and quickly runs after Jason.
Outside the cabin, Clovis was already waiting for them.
“Come in. I was expecting you. Tell me what I can do for you both.” Clovis said while sitting on his bed.
Jason is here to support me, but the problem is this: I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in months. Every time I close my eyes, I get terrible nightmares. Most of time I find myself down there again.
“Unfortunately, I can do much with down there and nightmares. I’ll need more information than that to help you. Jackson.” Clovis said while failing to keep his eyes open.
“I mean Tart”. before he even can get the full name out, Percy’s eyes froze he falls down, closes his eyes and shouts no. before Percy knew it, he could smell the sulfur air. The sounds of monsters screaming fill his ears and the only thing he sees is darkness.
“Do you now understand why Percy couldn’t be more specific Clovis from what I suspect what he means with down there is Tartarus and just trying to say its name gives him flashbacks so can you better think of a way to help Percy with his nightmares while I’m going to snap him out of his flashback and ground him back in reality.” Jason said.
Jason walks to Percy and sits beside him.
“Percy, it’s me, Jason. Your Name is Perseus Jackson. You’re the son of Poseidon and Sally Jackson and you’re with me and Clovis in the Hypnos cabin. Nothing is happening and you’re safe with me now. Try to focus on my voice.” Jason repeats with a steady voice until he holds Percy’s attention.
“Jason, is that you?” Percy ask his voice trembling
“Yes, it’s me, Percy. Try to focus on my voice and open your eyes, then tell me five things you can see.”
“How can I do that when the only thing I can see is darkness?”
“Percy, please try to open your eyes you’re with and Clovis in the Hypnos cabin. There’s nothing that can happen to you.”
“How can you say that, Jason? When he’s right in front of me, I can hear his voice sucking in the air and his face is pure darkness.”
“Percy, I’m sitting beside you, and may I hug you?” Jason asks, trying to keep calm. How is he supposed to help Percy? he’s no therapist! hades, this is even his first time coaching someone out of a flashback.
“Please do Jay. He’s getting closer and I can’t escape.”
Jason embraces Percy and rubs his back. Jason even starts humming a song he heard in one of the many movies he watched. Slowly, he felt Percy relax and, to his relief, Percy’s eyes opened and the frozen stare in them was gone.
“It’s good to have you back, Percy, but can you please do me a favor and tell me five things you can see? “
“You, Clovis, sunlight, the wooden floor, campers playing outside.”
“Well done, Percy. Now four things you can hear.”
“Campers playing outside and it filled their voices with joy and excitement. Your heartbeat, birds chirping, and Clovis breathing heavy. Go to sleep dude. If you’re tired you don’t have to stay up for jay or me. Percy said.”
“No percy, Clovis stays awake until we have left the cabin. He’s doing something for me that’s more important than sleeping, but to continue what are three things you can touch.”
Percy looks around and explores his pocket for things he can touch.
“Riptide, you hugging me Jay, which although is nice, it’s becoming a bit much and the ground are things I can touch.”
Jason quickly steps away. “Sorry, Percy, I didn’t even notice, but try to keep calm. Okay, that otherworldly glow is surrounding you again and I rather don’t deal with a good neighbor while I’m trying to do a grounding exercise with you.”
“Is that why you’re asking me to name things and it’s quite nice actually, and thank you so much for being willing to do this for me? You could just have left me alone when the flashback started?”
“First of all Percy when I’m around when you’ve a flashback I’ll never leave you alone that’s one of the worst thing to do when someone has a flashback if you don’t want me to talk with you or ground you okay I won’t do that but I won’t ever let you out of my eye. Now, to continue with the grounding exercise, can you name me two things you can smell?”
“Your cologne and it’s quite the delightful smell and unwashed bedsheets, Clovis. I know you’re a Hypnos kid and are constantly tired or asleep, but please try to change your bedsheets more than once a year, okay dude?”
“Agreed hygiene is important, but Clovis gathering information for us Percy so he can’t hear us right now. But to close the grounding exercise, what’s one thing you can taste?”
“My tears, but why am I crying? I’m safe. I’m not down there anymore and you’ve managed to get me back to reality.”
“Just because I grounded you, Percy, doesn’t mean that your body is done processing your stress and emotions.”
“Well done with grounding Jackson, Grace and Jackson. We change our bedsheets daily. The unwashed sweaty smell is coming from you, but I’ve done what you asked and gathered information on how to help Jackson with his nightmares. But I can’t find anything besides a basic charm that may ward his dreams. I can’t do more, unfortunately.”
Suddenly the air grows chilly, and a glow surrounds Percy, making him look otherworldly. “That’s the only thing you give us, child of Hypnos, a basic charm. Nothing to take away my mortal side, his misery, or even the root of his nightmares. If you won’t come up soon with a better solution, I’ll come back and show you what one of the fair folk can do with the name of a human. For now, I’ll be kind. All the drinks you touch will turn into spoiled milk.” Percy walks out of the cabin, but not before whispering one last curse: may you make up every day with a head full of faerie locks The faerie let’s go and Percy becomes aware again.
“Jason, why am I in front of my cabin? I thought we were in the Hypnos cabin.”
“Long story Perce. I’ll tell you later, but first let’s go inside and cuddle.”
“Percy, while we’re here, let’s discuss and make a plan what you can help to learn control and what you’ll need for it to happen.”
First, no more other demigods. I’m going to talk with Chiron tomorrow and see what’s his advice is and how I can make this pain that has been with me for days go away not even will know what it is.
Jason slaps himself right in the face at the suggestion of Chiron. Why didn’t he think to go to him first? “I’m such an idiot. We should have gone to him first instead just now, but, okay, we can deal with that. Later, the situation with Clovis could have gone way worse.”
What do you mean, what has happened to Clovis? Tell me now Jay, or I’ll tickle you until you burst it out and I mean it?
Do your best Perce I’m immune to tickling.
“Let’s see about that.” Percy pounces on Jason and starts tickling him.
Jason burst out in uncontrollable laughter as soon as percy tickles his sides.
Less immune than you thought you’re are Jason, so tell what has happened to Clovis and I’ll stop.
“It’s not that serious. Your faerie appeared and was furious with Clovis that he could only give you and basic ward. It threatened him a bit it and said it was thinking about taking Clovis’ name but was pretty lenient and only cursed him that every drink he touches turns into spoiled milk. So no reason for panic.”
“He jay why instead of making a plan, won’t we make out for a bit? I want to taste your gorgeous lips on mine.”
After a long make-out session only broken when either Jason or Percy needed air, they continue planning.
“Okay, so step one of Plan Fair folk is talking with Chiron. What do you think step two should be, Percy?”
“Talk with someone who knows the ins and outs of immortality.”
“That’s a great second step. Do you have someone in mind? If not, may I suggest your dad or step mom or even your big brother Triton? They all love you and plenty of times told you that whenever you need their help, they are there for you.”
“You’re right jay, they are perfect, but what do you think is the best step after that talk?”
“Go to a mortal library to investigate what your fae folk side meant with a faerie circle and learn every what we can about the fair folk tier habits and their world before we pay it a visit.”
Suddenly, a huge growl fills the room.
“Sorry, that’s my stomach. It’s almost dinnertime, and planning makes me hungry.” Percy says with a blush.
“Then let’s go to the campfire, Percy, and eat. After that, we can watch a movie or do something and have a sleepover.”
“Sounds good, Jason. Do you want a sleepover here or in your cabin?”
“Let’s do yours. I don’t think dad would take kindly to you sleeping in his cabin, but let’s go. I’m quite hungry myself, so dinner sounds great.”
“So what would you like to do this evening, Percy, and nothing related to the fair folk or things like that tonight is for us to have fun get now each other better than partners?”
“I would love to play a few board games and maybe watch a movie, but Jay we’ve been friends for quite a few months now and now that we date I think it’s important that we.” Jason stops Percy talk by kissing him.
“No serious talks tonight. Percy kinks and other desires we can discuss at a later point. Tonight is to have fun, the only so which games do you have that we can play?”
“I’ve quite a few, but recently I got this one. Its name is code name duets. It’s a word association game and sounds fun and an old but fun one: snakes and ladders. I also have the fox in the forest, morels and the game of life, but I’m not in the mood for that one today. I also have cards, but what would you like?”
“Snakes and ladders sounds fun and that word association game let’s do those. They sound fun, but before we start, let’s first read the game rules so we know whether we actually want to play the games.”
After reading the rules, they decide to play snake and ladders and a few card games code names was not what they were in the mood for that evening. He Perce do you maybe have the game of the goose I know I think you know and we can spend easily quite a few hours playing it.
“A shit, this is the third time I land in the well. Are you’re sure you’re not influencing my luck or that these dices aren’t loaded Perc? You’re winning too many times for it to be fair?”
“That’s for me to know and for you to never find Jay.”
After even more rounds of the goose game and several rounds of snakes and ladders, Percy stars yawing.
Let’s go to bed, Jay. I’m exhausted and tomorrow we have a long day on the planning.
After having brushed their teeth and done other things to make themselves ready for bed, percy invites Jason to sleep with him in Percy’s bed, but Percy warns Jason that he’s a cuddler and won’t let go during the night.
“Good morning Percy. Did you? Sleep well. Are you ready for today?”
“Ugh let me sleep Jason. Just because you’re a morning person doesn’t mean that I’m one.” Okay percy, I’ll let you sleep but if you aren’t within thirty minutes out of bed I’m coming back and help you get out of back, understood?
Several minutes later Jason came back and snagged the blankest away from Percy. “come on grumpy pants it’s time for you to wake up you’ve a talk with Chiron scheduled today and then we’re going to talk with Uncle P and Amphitrite. But here’s a cup of coffee.”
Unknown to him, Jason just made one of the biggest mistakes in his life, giving Percy coffee.
After the first sip, Percy began jumping up and down on his bed.
“Perseus Jackson, act your age. You’re an almost nineteen-year-old and we don’t jump on beds.”
“Percy pouts. You’re a meanie, Jason. I want to jump. I don’t want to talk with big, bad, scary centaur. I want to have fun.”
Jason smiles. It’s endearing to see Percy acting like this and having fun, but this can’t go on.
“Perseus if you don’t come down from that bed I’m going to get Annabeth and ask her to help me mind you today.”
“You’re not the boss of me. I can do what I want and if you won’t let me have fun, then I’ll let the fae out have him have his fun with you, jay.”
“Okay that is it I’m getting Annabeth hopefully you’ll behave better for her but before he leaves the cabin, he gives Percy a few warning swats on his ass if I find you ruined your cabin this is just a preview of what you will get.” Jason said while trying to look serious. He finds Percy’s antics quite amusing.
Jason then walks towards the Athena cabin and knocks on the door.
“Annabeth, do you maybe a minute? I need your help to wrangle Percy. I gave him coffee and now he’s acting like a child.”
“Oh no we need to get back quickly before he ruins the entire camp didn’t Sally tell you to never give Percy It makes him even more mischievous than usual and his hyperactivity goes through the roof it’s good you got me but I hope that this learned you to never give Percy coffee again.”
“but what were you even doing in Percy’s cabin? Jason, did that seaweed brain finally confess?”
“Yes, he confessed, but that’s not important Percy has fair folk blood and if coffee makes him more mischievous, I don’t want to know what it will do now to Percy if we let him run loose and he needs to talk with Chiron for Information about the fair folk and if we can borrow his car to go to a mortal library to get even more information.”
“Then what are we waiting? Let’s go to the Poseidon’s cabin.”
They arrive in a record time at the cabin and find that Percy has crashed from the caffeine boost he luckily had dressed himself, so they only had to wake him up. Jason did this by kissing Percy.
I hope you had fun, Perce. That’s the last time I give you. Coffee now let’s go to breakfast and after that pay a visit to Chiron.
Come in boys, Clovis told me everything about yesterday, so I know why you’re here.
What I can tell you about the fair folk isn’t much. I only interacted with them a couple of times in my lifetime. Most of what I know of them is that they are mischievous, have their own set of morals and that they see humans as their playthings. For, more information you’ll have to look into old folktales boys and maybe your father can help you further Perseus both don’t count on it..
Thanks Chiron, that helps plenty. Do you mind if we borrow your car tomorrow to go visit a mortal library and maybe go on a date after that?
Of course not boys, that car is for you kids, not for me. I can’t drive for the love of my life, so please take it.
Outside, they find Annabeth waiting on them with a couple of thick books in her hands.
Here’s these are for your seaweed brain. It is all the books about the fair folk I could find.
Thanks Annabeth, that will help a lot. I’ll speak with you later and my apologies for pushing you out. You always have been there for me and instead of asking for your help, I pushed you. away can you forgive me?
Oh seaweed brain, I forgive you, but don’t let it happen again or we’ll have a different conversation.
Thanks Annabeth, I now have to go. I need to talk to Dad.
Jay, do you want to come with me or do you have other plans?
I think it’s the best you go alone and tell me the most important things alter your dad scares me and rather don’t get punished by him for daring to date his favorite son.
“Okay, no problem, but what are you then going to do?”
I’m going to look for the closet library that has Celtic information and look through the books Annabeth just gave us.
“Have fun. I’ll see you later jay,”
After having found the perfect place for the conversation, percy sits downs and prays
Dad, Amphridite, Triton I don’t know if you can hear me but is anyone of you available for a talk I need advice.
Both Poseidon and Amphridite show up but they do it in their true forms but Percy finds he doesn’t have to look away and their divine presence doesn’t bother him which he notes down as signs that something is clearly wrong with him he never heard of a demigod that can look at a god in their true form.
The first thing both Poseidon and Amphitrite do is huge Percy. It has been some time since they have seen him and they missed him.
“So what kind of advice do you seek Perseus has it do with the Jason of Jupiter that you’re clearly dating now I can smell his sent all over you or has it do with the fair folk?”
“The fair folk. What do you know of them?”
“They are eternal beings. They exist out of time and have always existed and will always exist just like you will do after ascension. Perseus. They have the power of change and are prideful mischievous beings who love to prank some of of them don’t mind mortals. Some see them as their plaything and some of them hate them. They exist in the seelie court and Unseelie court. Besides that, they are a mystery which you’ll need to solve yourself. “
“Before you go, could you please clear up something? How come I can see your true forms without consequences and what’s is this annoying stabbing pain that won’t go away?”
“Oh, that those are signals you’re on the point of ascension. You just need the right push and you’ll ascend. Which will take all your problems away guppy. Now we have to go and before I forget. Make sure that your boyfriend ascends too you’ll become eternal so someone with a mortal life span isn’t the right partner for you and faery and human can’t have a healthy relationship. Goodbye Perseus and good luck.”
“How went your talk? Did it clear up things?”
“Yes, it did. I learned fair folk are eternal beings and that I’ll also become eternal.” And that I’m at the point of ascension. “I just need the right push and that if we want to stay together, I’ll need to make you eternal as well.”
“Okay, since your talk went a lot faster than expected, Percy I looked through the books Annabeth found, but they don’t contain the information you want, so let’s go to the library.”
“Sure why not but do you have thought how we’re going to red those books our dyslexia will play up those books aren’t Greek or roman or even old Irish no most of them will be modern English and you know both of us can’t read those without an enormous headache and spending many hours deciphering what the book says.”
“Yes, I did the library I found has a collection of folktales and other information about the fair folk and other Irish and Celtic legends in audio form we only have to check them out in the library and we can keep them for a couple of weeks so I made a list of the most important books we need to rent.”
“Well done, Jay, that’s great, then let’s go.”
They arrive in front of an old mansion. The welcome board reads welcome to them. library you. seek it, we have it.
At the reception, they see a boy just a couple of years older than them. He greets them with a smile.
“Welcome to the library. You seek. It we. have it. How may I help you today?”
“Hi, we’re seeking information about the fair folk and their world and other Celtic legends, but my boyfriend and I both have dyslexia, so do you have any dyslexic friendly books featuring old Irish folktales?” Percy asks.
“Yes, we certainly have. Our slogan is there for a reason. This library has all the information you want as long as you seek it, so follow me I’ll bring you to our folktales area.”
After climbing a couple of stairs, Percy and Jason arrived at a room full of books.
“Tell the room which books you want and it will bring them to you but it’s best to be as specific as possible otherwise it will give you all book that have part of your search and just what you’re looking for. I wish you the best of luck. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, thank you. This is even more that we were expecting.”
“than have a good day. I’ll be at the information desk if you need me.”
“we’re seeking books about the fair folk and the otherworld and all the books need to be dyslexia friendly.”
About ten books lighted up.
“You grab five; I grab the other five jays.”
“Jay, all these books are brilliant, but let make a selection by requesting even specific about what we seek.”
“Let me do the first one. Which of you is has the most complete collection of both fairy tales and folk tales in them. One book is lighted up nice. A treasury of Irish fairy and folktales, it is.” Jason said
“Now for me, which of you will give me the most information about the fair folk in the world they live in and how to interact with them? Again one book lighted up the complete guide to fair folk. Great. do you also contain information about faerie circles? If yes, glow if not, don’t glow.” Percy asks. The books glow, so Percy puts away all the other books.
“Come jay, we’ve got the books we need. Let’s check them out. Grab a drink and what do you say about going to the movies after that? “
Jason just nods and says, sure Perce sounds great while he continues browsing through the books.
They then walk to the info desk. “Hi, we would like to check these out. What is it going to cost and when should we return them?”
“Those are great choices. Borrowing books is free and our return date is three months. Have fun reading and I hope you enjoyed your visit to the library.”
“we did thank you for the service and we’ll absolutely come back.”
“Damn your glamor is strong Perce the guy didn’t even notice you’re not fully human.
“That’s its job but come let’s get a drink somewhere.”
They then step back in the car and after having grabbed a drink at a café percy drives until he finds a movie theater.
“Why are we stopping in front of a movie theater? I thought we would grab a drink and then go back to camp?”
“I asked you if you wanted to go to the movies and you said sure sounds great. But if you don’t want to, then we will go back to camp, but I thought having a movie day would be fun.”
“I thought you were asking something different, but a movie date sounds fun. Let’s see what movies are playing.”
“Percy, I’m sorry, but none of the movies that are playing interest me. Why don’t we go back to camp and instead of eating at the camp fire cook a meal together and after that we can read through the books.”
“That sounds like a fabulous plan, Jay. Let’s do that.”
When they step back in Percy’s cabin, Jason asks,
“Do you have any dish you like to make the most, Percy, or at least have made multiple times? I’ll admit I’m not the best cook, so making sure it’s delicious is going to be up to you.”
“Mom’s blue taco’s they are easy to. make come, let’s get the ingredients. I’ve everything for it in my fridge and cabinets, so that’s a simple task.”
“Done, Perce, what’s the next step?”
“Could you chop the lettuce and tomatoes while I do the onions and prepare the guacamole?”
The sounds of vegetables being chopped fill the room for a couple of minutes.
“I’m finished Percy. What should I do next?”
“can you put a skilled on the stove and add the ground beef to it then I’ll add the seasonings and help you with the next steps?
“Okay, I’m now let add those seasonings a bit of cumin salt, some chili powder, oregano and some fresh garlic and garlic powder. Now we let this cook for a few minutes and then we add the tomato sauce and reduce it with water. But you’re doing great, Jay. I’m so proud of you.” Percy says while he pulls Jason in for a make-out session. Even while making out both Jason and Percy keep a close eye on the ground, meat occasionally stirring, mostly done by Jason, with Percy holding his hand to help him get used to the motions.
“You’re doing awesome Jay. I’m so proud of you.”
“Okay, the meat looks cooked. Now we will add the tomato sauce water and let it reduce until the meat is a little saucy. Do you want to do that jay or would you rather heat up the taco shells? The second one percy I’ll let the filling up to you.”
After the last few steps of cooking were done, Percy and Jason sat down at Percy’s dinner table.
At the first bite, Jason couldn’t believe how amazing these taco’s tasted, and that he helped to make them.
“These taste delicious Perce. We’ve to cook together more times and maybe we even can invite Thalia over for dinner someday.”
“I know, right? Mom’s taco is fucking delicious and sure I love to cook together with you. You’re a great help and we’ll make a chef out of you if it’s up to me, Jay. And we absolutely can invite Thalia over sometime.”
“Thank you, Percy, but come let’s start our research by reading those books and then when we’ve done enough research, we can look for a faerie circle, whatever it may be.”
A couple of minutes’ percy let’s out an excited shout jay I’ve found it. A faerie circle is a perfect circle of mushrooms created by faeries. dancing. Let’s look for one tomorrow.
“Let’s tomorrow first get the right equipment and then we can go.”
“But jay, there isn’t the right equipment when we enter. The only thing that remains are the clothes we’re wearing nothing else, so preparing is useless. I want to visit as soon as possible.”
“okay then we can tomorrow go look for it but now let read further.”
In the end, both boys fall asleep with the books on their faces.
The next morning, they set out to find a faerie circle.
“Jay, I found it come quick. I found the circle.” Percy shouts while he stands in front of a perfect circle of mushrooms.
“I’m coming percy. Wait for me. I’m coming.” Jason shouts while he runs towards Percy. only for the worst thing to happen, Jason trips over a stone and pushes both Percy and himself in the circle.
Suddenly the mushrooms glow and then one light flash later, percy and Jason found themselves in Tir Na Òg the realm of the fair folk.
“Where are we?”
“I don’t know, Jason, but one thing is clear: we’re not home any longer and probably on an island, so come, let’s explore.”
Percy steps out of the circle and immediately falls down and lets out a scream of agony it as he’s being stabbed by a thousand swords and is being burned alive, but also his entire body reshaping itself.
“Jason rushes towards Percy’s side. Percy, what happening? What’s wrong?”
“Arg, I think AHH I’m ascending. Jason, it’s hurts. Please make it stop.”
Then a golden light with blue accents start covering Percy within a few seconds. It had grown so strong that Jason had to turn away and closes his eyes. The only thing Jason could hear was Percy’s cries of make it stop and his screams full of pain.
After a couple of minutes full of the most excruciating pain, Percy finally felt the pain go away and stood up. Just like Amphitrite said, he felt balanced again. Why he cared about those stupid things humans called ethics and morals and laws, he didn’t know. But he knows one thing from on. The only one who gets to decide over his life is to him and not someone else.
But where’s Jason? He’s Percy’s. If another faery thinks they can take away what’s, his, then he will make sure that they know why monsters fear the name Perseus Jackson?
“Jason, where are you Jason?”
“I’m here Percy I needed to hide or your ascension would have blinded me. Do you feel any different from you did before ascending? Physical, you have changed a lot, but at the same time you look like you did before the fae blood active. It’s as if my mind can’t form a full picture of how you look every second something is changing or looks of.”
“I feel balanced again more possessive and I don’t care about those stupid morals I had if people fear me that’s great I’m no longer going to hold back I’m the son of the sea and I won’t restrain myself any longer.”
“As long as you let me be myself I don’t mind you being a bit more possessive Percy it’s a good look on you but let’s go forward and see if we can find the seelies without getting captured in their dance and finding out that there have gone several years or even eons by when we get back to earth.”
“sounds good to me, but I think the one that should be worried about being ensnared by the dance of the fair folk is you Superman. I’m part of them, so I’m pretty sure I’m immune to their effects.”
“I think is not enough Captain Salt water so we’re both going to be careful but you’re right that I need to be more careful than you, so let’s promise to use nicknames instead of our true or full names I don’t want that either of us get our name taken.”
“Let’s do it, Goldie, but enough talking. Let’s go explore this place.”
“Can’t we just stay here longer Percy, this forest is unbelievable just smell it the air is so crisp and clean and those trees they are so delightful why should we leave.”
“Jason, we have to leave and you’ve the choice. Either you come willingly or I knock you out and drag you out of this forest, but no way in hell I’m leaving you in this forest.”
“I’m coming Percy. Just because I want to stay for a moment is no need to knock me out.”
“then come Jay. I don’t want to spend any moment longer than needed to in this forest. It’s almost like it’s enchanted.”
Percy runs then straight out of the forest.
Jason, a few moments later runs after him I don’t know hat creeps him so out of this forest but if he says it’s enchanted, I better follow him I don’t want to find out that Percy presence makes it that those enchantments have difficulty capturing my mind.
Suddenly Percy stops. He can feel one of of the fair folk is close better be careful and make sure it is the seelies and that they are in a welcoming mood.
When the presence comes closer, he can sense it’s a single being and that it wasn’t malicious.
“Welcome, whoever you may be. I would love to have a name I can put to the one in front of me calling you boy is just not me.”
The name is seaweed brain. I’m also known as captain saltwater or kelp head, but may I know who I’ve the pleasure to come across and could you tell me where I could find the seelie court?
“No, you may not. That’s private and you haven’t earned the right to know my name. To find the seelie court, search for an enormous meadow and when you see light, hear laughter and it smells like morning dew. You have found the court. Why you’re looking for the seelie court when you smell like unseelie and clearly have an unseelie heritage. I don’t know. But warn your human companion that if he doesn’t want to get ensnared. By one of the many traps for humans, this world possesses. He better keep close to you.”
“Why you insist on traveling like a human while you’re clearly of fair folk descend? I don’t understand, but if you want to find the seelie court, you’ll have to travel like one of the fair folk and not human. Otherwise you’ll seek them forever. But goodbye for now I wish you success and hope you can find what you’re looking for amongst the seelies. If not, I’ll be waiting on you by the salmon well surrounded by the nine hazels.”
The being then disappeared, and Percy could see Jason running towards him.
“Who was that being, Percy? It looked important.”
“I don’t know Jay, but think I just met the fae I descend from. It spoke tom modern, and it didn’t even insult me for having you traveling with me instead; it has a warning for you Jay. You need to keep close to me, otherwise this world will trap you. But can you hug me? I want to try something it advised me to do?”
Percy closes his eyes and images the place where the seelies live.
Suddenly Percy felt himself pulled towards he knows where. He follows the pull and he and Jason disappear and appear in front of a huge meadow filled with many creatures.
“So this is why it’s called a court. Seelies aren’t just the fair folk, but a collection of various beings.” Jason thought, but accidentally said out loud.
“Thou would be correct, human, but how have thee found us humans can’t enter our court without being invited?”
“He’s with me the name is PJ and I found out I’m of fair folk descend seelie or unseelie I don’t know but I traveled to here to better understand your way of life what it means to be part of the fair folk and learn to understand and train and control the powers I inherited from your kind.”
“Thou may stay but only if you send your companion away humans don’t have a place at this court and aren’t welcome either and tell it to keep its mouth shut if thou want it to stay at court he must become your pet or slave or he becomes dinner.”
“My answer to all those options is no this blonde superman is my lover, and he’s the son of the roman god Jupiter and he’s mine and we’ll are leaving I’ll find someone else to help me come jay it’s time to leave this place oh one last thing I curse you with seven years of unending misery and that no place in that period will ever feel like home to you and that. Before he could finish his curse, Jason dragged Percy away. That’s enough, Mr. optimism. yes I don’t enjoy being told I need to be your slave, but they are fair folk, not humans, but come why don’t we seek that being you spoke with and you think is your ancestor.”
Within a few seconds, Percy found the place and the fae I he spoke with and without a flash or anything, Jason and Percy appeared at the place and right in front of the being Percy spoke with. They looked their eyes out so stunning were the places the hazel trees were the biggest they ever seen and the well had the clearest water Percy has ever seen.
“I didn’t expect to see you so soon. The meeting with seelies was unsuccessful, I see.”
“Yes, they wanted me to either send Sparky here away, or that I turned him into my pet or slave and He’s mine only I get to decide what I do with him not some seelie and who are they to tell me what to do.”
“I see it’s good you came here, then why don’t you tell me what’s the reason you sought the seelies and see if I can help you or at least provide answers?”
“We sought them out because I learned recently that I’m of descended from the fair folk and I want to find out what it means to be part of them learn to control my powers and how to give a taken name back and a family friend told me that maybe the seelies could help me with that.”
“Ah, I see yes I can help you with that, but it will take time now is that no problem for time in this realm is something that’s infinite.”
“Let’s see. What it means to be part of the fair folk differs from every member. We all go our own way and because even our physical form is malleable. We’re beings of change, but not in ways you humans are. Some days we may be birds other times be part of the wood or even the water, so the easiest answer is to be part of the fair folk is to be change personalized. But just because we’re change doesn’t mean what told about in folklore and myths isn’t true we are mischievous, prideful and also spiteful and occasionally even cruel in the eyes of human but the most important thing to understand is this we don’t have morals in a way a human could understand them or classify them.”
“Now about powers, the fair folk’s greatest power is their glamor. Let me show what I mean. The faery takes one leaf from the hazel trees and turns it into the leaf of a pine tree. This is a minor change now for the medium change. He turns one salmon from the well into a robin. You get the idea of a slight change that can make a tremendous impact. A few examples are what if Richard, the third of England, had won or what if Martin Luther King lived or even the gender are date of birth from a person?”
“Damn, that’s a wicked ability. How strong would you place captain saltwater here to be Sir or? Madam sorry, what pronouns do you use?”
“we fair folk don’t use things like pronouns or gender like you humans use. We don’t have a fast physical form like you humans have. Most times we don’t even take on a humanoid form, so refer like you want to me. I don’t care.”
“Now Perseus here is powerful, and especially through his divine heritage. He has the potential to become one of the strongest fair folk to exist, but right now, he’s just finding his footing and exploring his powers. But it’s important to know that it doesn’t matter how strong a faery is because the most respected faeries are the ones that are the one that are the trickiest, the creative ones. Sometimes they may be the weakest in power, but by influencing little things they can make the greatest chances.”
“So it’s important Perseus that besides learning control you learn to manipulate, to be tricky and most of all be creative. Which I’ll gladly help you with.”
“Which is one thing you would love to change besides erasing your fair folk heritage because unfortunately you can’t use a fair folk power to erase fair folk.”
Percy only has to think a moment Jasons humanity. He knows that without interference with, the chance that Jason can ascend is minimal.
“Sparky, I know what I want to change, but I need your permission because it’s going to hurt like crazy.”
Jason gulps at the intense look in Percy’s eye. “You’re scaring me a bit, Perce. What is it you want to change?”
“I want to make you ascend jay. We both know your father will never do it out of fear of you overthrowing him and here I can do it safely and make sure someone can never strip your godhood from you.” Percy said while he hugs Jason.
“Do it Perce and after that can we please go home? It’s feels like this entire realm is oppressing me.”
“I’m okay with leaving. I got what I wanted from this visit and hopefully we can see each other in the mortal realm, sometimes grandsire.”
With a snap of Percy’s finger, an immense pain goes through Jason and within seconds, it turns into agony how Percy could ensure he doesn’t know.
“Make it stop Percy Pease. Make it. Stop, it hurts. So much, please stop this agony.”
“Can’t do Jay ascension is the most painful process a demigod can undergo, but you’re doing great just a moment more and it will be over.”
Jason then started changing. He started growing several meters and spread a divine presence.
“How do you feel jay any idea of what your domains are?”
“I feel amazing Percy it’s like I’m reborn all pains and injuries I had before ascension are gone my eyesight has improved drastically and so may other things but no I don’t have any idea about domains but come lets go back to camp half-blood I can sense hostile beings coming close and I’m not in the mood to fight so can you please travel us to the exit of this realm.”
“He doesn’t have to do that Perseus has inherited from the talent to plane walk or realm travel our whatever name you want to give it but what it means he can travel you both back to the mortal realm now he’s a fully realized faery.”
“Percy, when we’re back at camp, let’s go on a date. okay last few days have been absolutely crazy, so let’s be normal teenage boys for a few moments, okay?”
“Sounds great, but I now have to concentrate. Jason’s plane walking is a lot harder than traveling from place to place within this realm.”
“A few moments later, both of them disappeared in a flash of light, and appeared right on Percy’s bed and fall asleep as soon as they found a comfortable position which ended up spooned in each other’s arms Percy being the little spoon and Jason the big spoon I love you sparky let’s go on a date again tomorrow.
Jason doesn’t answer, only pulling Percy closer to him.
I’ll ask it tomorrow again, but gods, I love that boy. Is the last thing Percy thinks before he falls asleep on Jason’s chest.
The end