A Strange Old Man Entered My Dream
"I can't help it, Jason. It feels like something is very wrong, and I have to fix it." Percy ranted while his head rested on Jason's lap. Both of them are relaxing at the grassy hill overlooking Camp Jupiter.
Jason, who had been watching the camp below, turned his gaze to Percy with a concerned face. "I don't know, Percy. We demigods always feel anxious–don't you think?"
"Yeah, but also no." Percy frowns. "I always feel kinda anxious but this is different." Percy sat up, his eyes met Jason's. "It's like... I did something very wrong–Really wrong–and I am constantly avoiding it. But I don't even know what's wrong."
Jason took Percy's hand, absentmindedly playing with his fingers. "Maybe you're overthinking it. We have been going back and forth doing quests without any rest. It could be your mind thinking it's your responsibility when it's actually not. Octavian already confirmed that Neptune doesn't have any kids right now. Take a deep breath, Percy."
Percy took a deep breath. And then he flopped his head back onto Jason's lap. "Thanks, Jason. That actually helps."
Jason smiled, moving his hand to brush Percy's hair. "No problem. Anything for you, Percy."
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"Do you really think the prophecy is not related to us?" Percy asked, stopping his spin on a desk chair. He was currently holed up in a study cafe in New Rome, getting help from Annabeth for his homework.
Annabeth stared at him in disbelief, she paused for a moment before answering. "Well, as far as I know, men can't get pregnant, Percy"
Percy frowned, "obviously"
"Unless you want to try? Maybe Jason would be willing to be the father" Rachel chimed in next to Annabeth.
Percy was baffled while Annabeth gagged dramatically.
“Can we not?” Percy groaned.
"Stop overthinking it, Percy.” Annabeth said, her eyes still focusing on her homework. “ There's nothing pointing to the prophecy right now." Annabeth assured Percy. "Unless you want to get preg-"
"Oh shut up." Percy cuts her off, groaning. "And here I am thinking you two could give me actual advice."
"The only advice I could give? You better focus on that homework, percy. It's been an hour, yet you've only managed to write a single line." Annabeth pointed at Percy's laptop, where a single, pathetic sentence looked back at him.
"For god's sake. How am I supposed to write a whole essay when I’m dyslexic? I'd rather have a debate with Octavian than do this!"
"Really?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow.
Percy crossed his arms. "Actually, no. That guy infuriates the hell out of me."
The three of them laughed, continuing their conversation until dinnertime
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Percy stood at the same place he was in his previous dream–the shore of Long Island.
This got to be a dream.
On the far ocean, Percy saw a shadow of a man slowly approaching him. It stopped just beyond the waves. The shadow pointed directly at Percy, gesturing him to come closer.
Percy can feel his body moving on its own. Step by step, he walked towards the shadow. Before he realizes. His mind screams at him, telling him to stop. He finally stops moving just as his feet touches the edge of the water.
The shadow smiled- no, it looked like it was smiling, but it had no face.
“Quite a strong mind, eh? Let's see how long you can last.”
Percy's whole body shuddered. He jolted awake, sweating, his breathing ragged, and his hands trembling as he clenched the bed sheet beneath him.
This is not my bedroom.
He looked around the dim-lighted room. Trying to ground himself.
oh… it's Jason's bedroom.
"Percy? Are you okay? On the gods, what happened to you?"
Jason’s voice cut through the haze. He sat up. He had woken up after he heard Percy's ragged breathing.
"Heuk- hhahh... I'm okay... I'm okay, Jason."
Contrary to what he said, Percy's chest still heaved unevenly.
Jason frowned, clearly unconvinced by Percy’s answer. "You're clearly not okay, Percy. I'm calling someone from the fourth cohort." He shifts his body to get out of bed.
Percy grabbed Jason’s arm. "No, Jason, I'm fine. Just-” His voice trembled. “Just give me your shoulder."
Jason didn’t argue. He gently pulled Percy close, letting Percy rest his head against his shoulder. He began tracing slow, comforting circles on Percy’s back with his fingers.
Little by little, Percy's trembling ceased and his breathing stabilized.
"Are you okay now?" Jason asked softly.
Percy, still leaning on Jason's shoulder, answered. "Yeah, I'm okay now."
"Nightmares?"
Percy nodded.
Jason move to the edge of the bed. "Hold on, I'll get you some water."
Percy hand shot out, grabbing Jason's wrist. "Can you just... Stay here?"
Jason froze for a moment before nodding. “Sure.”
They sat together in silence for a while until Jason finally asks, "what did you dream about?"
"The ocean"
"The ocean?"
"Yeah, something is calling me. It's telling me to go there"
Jason blinked. "Your dad?"
Percy shook his head. "No, it's not my dad. It felt darker and... Older?"
Jason tilted his head. "What do you mean by older?"
"It feels much more... What do you call it– ancient..? It's much older than my dad. Like Gaea."
Jason's face darkened. "Is it dangerous?"
Percy shook his head again. "It doesn't feel dangerous, but my gut is telling me, I shouldn't follow that thing."
Jason stared at Percy, concern etched on his face.
"You know what. Maybe I'm just overthinking the prophecy.” Percy tried to brush it off with an awkward laugh. “Maybe I'm too stressed about my homework and ended up dreaming like that"
But his eyes are telling otherwise. And Jason wasn't buying it.
"Still,” Jason pressed. “You should be careful. What if it-"
"Jason, please.” Percy cut him off. “I don't really want to talk about it."
Jason sighed but he didn't push Percy. Instead, he flopped back down on to the bed, patting the empty spot beside him.
“C’mere.”
Percy laid down, pressing closer to Jason. Jason wrapped his arms around Percy. Within minutes, Percy drifted back to sleep.
Jason, however, stayed awake. His hand still brushing gently through Percy’s hair. He couldn't take his eyes off of Percy.
I should keep a close eye on him.