LMAO this is so many days late😔 I was working like several 11 hour shifts around Jason's birthday. I'll never recover. I was gonna write a Percy's birthday version of this and then I was like "omg Jason's is literally tomorrow" so I changed my mind just for him. Anyways, have a good time.

Update: apparently I should've just fucking written the Percy version bc we're closer to that at this point🤚🏻

Double Update: this is the funniest series of author's notes I've ever written. I started this at the end of June. I figured I might as well post it around MY birthday since it was a few days ago, so at least I'd be on theme.

When Jason said he didn't care much for birthday celebrations, this isn't what he meant.

Jason was alone in the library, trying to pretend like he wasn't turning 21 that same day. All of his friends lived hours away, so it wasn't as if he was expecting a giant surprise party or anything. Still, he couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed by the fact that it was two in the afternoon and he had yet to receive so much as a text from someone besides his sister and, surprisingly, his father.

In a sad attempt to keep his mind busy, he'd taken to studying for his upcoming LSAT since lunch. Really, though, the words just sat on the page. Jason's brain refused to absorb anything for more than a few minutes, but it was something to do nonetheless. He scanned a page of his scribbled notes for what felt like the hundredth time before sighing frustratedly and putting his notebook in the bag at his feet. Jason gave his prep textbook a long, contemplative look, trying to decide if he wanted to be lonely and sad at the library or lonely and sad at home. He'd placed one hand on his book when—

"Is anyone sitting here?"

Jason jumped at the sudden breach of silence, surprised to see another boy around his age standing opposite Jason at the table. His eyes were much too bright and wild, and his hair was much too messy for someone who frequented the library.

With the quick realization that he'd startled Jason, the boy smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. It's just, uh, a little crowded today. My other option is with those three in the corner. I didn't think they'd appreciate me joining them."

Jason looked over to see three painfully stereotypical elderly women knitting and pointing at various people sitting around the library. He'd spoken to them once months ago, and judging by that interaction, he definitely understood the boy's hesitance to sit with them. He could've sworn he saw some open tables near the front doors, though...

"Go ahead," Jason gestured towards the empty seat, receiving a warm smile as thanks.

Now, Jason couldn't leave for a while. It'd make the boy feel like he was intruding, and Jason's somewhat fragile emotional state couldn't deal with that guilt for the rest of the day. At least it gave him a reason to avoid the world for a bit longer.

"When's your test?" Jason heard after a brief silence, probably around five minutes.

Jason's eyebrows scrunched together, so the boy pointed at the blond's small stack of books, "Your lawyer exam. Is it soon?"

"The end of July, yeah," Jason answered, not expecting a conversation but admittedly not upset about it. "Do you have a school thing, too? Or are you just a library guy?"

"Definitely not the second one," the boy said, confirming Jason's suspicions, "I'm just here to catch up for some summer courses I'm doing. I'm trying to graduate in 4 years with a double major, so...not fun. I wouldn't recommend."

"And what would those majors be?"

The boy pulled a psychology textbook out of his bag and set it on the table. "Psych and sociology."

Jason considered the answer for a moment. "Therapy?"

"Absolutely not," the boy scoffed, "social work."

Jason nodded appreciatively, and his new acquaintance kept speaking, "Do you know what kind of law you want to do?"

"Not yet," Jason shrugged, biting back his joke about doing family law to see someone else's family fall apart. His parents were a disaster. "What's your name, by the way?"

The boy couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Almost forgot about those. I'm Percy."

"Jason."

"Like the Greek guy?"

Jason nodded, and Percy grinned, "Well, isn't that fun? My full name's Perseus. We have a theme."

Jason's smile was faint but genuine. "You died nicely."

"We can revisit that another time," Percy laughed, indicating that there was clearly a connection between his name and Perseus's story.

Jason raised his eyebrows at Percy's confidence that there would be another time but decided not to comment on it. He noticed a few pairs of eyes flickering between them and their books, but Jason only felt a little bad for their volume. "I take it you don't come to libraries often?"

Percy looked a bit sheepish about his etiquette. "A friend recommended it...mostly so she can hold parties in our apartment while I'm gone, but I like to pretend it was out of the goodness of her heart."

"Are you not invited to the parties?" Jason asked.

"No, I am," Percy shrugged, "I just hate them. Would rather do...anything else, I think."

Jason laughed softly. "I can understand that."

"Sometimes I go as the designated driver," Percy told him, "but if they're being held at my place then all my friends are probably sleeping on my floor anyways."

"What kind of host are you?" Jason asked, a sarcastically offended hand on his heart.

"One that didn't invite them to be guests," Percy smiled.

The two settled down for a bit after that, actually attempting to go back to their books. Apparently, Percy's did a poor job of holding his attention. No more than ten minutes later, Jason heard Percy grab what sounded like a water bottle before feeling his eyes burn into Jason.

Percy asked, "Where do you go to school?"

"Columbia," Jason answered absentmindedly, trying to process what the words he was looking at were supposed to mean. Percy choked on his aforementioned water, coughing twice and consequently grabbing Jason's attention again.

"Are you okay?"

"Holy shit, dude," Percy ignored his question, "so you're basically a genius, right?"

Jason smiled a bit at the boy's amazement. "My dad went there. I got the legacy boost."

"Still," Percy insisted, "you had to have the stats not to ruin their reputation, didn't you? I'm pretty sure Ivy League acceptance is more than just legacies."

Jason decided it might be best not to argue. He had a feeling that this Percy guy could be very persistent. "And where do you go?"

"Just finished my first year at CCNY," Percy answered.

Jason was struck with a bit of confusion. He supposed it was only a couple years, but for some reason, he'd been assuming that the two of them were closer in age. "How old are you?"

"I turn 22 soon," Percy seemed unfazed, probably used to people's questions, "I spent some time at community college. And also took a gap year. How about you?"

Jason frowned at the reminder of why he was even there. "I just turned 21."

"Exciting," Percy replied, clearly not that excited, "did you do anything fun?"

Jason hesitated, and his new friend was quick to notice. "When's your birthday, Jason?"

The blond sighed, laughing a bit at how pathetic he felt. Here he was, about to tell a guy he'd met an hour ago that his friends had all forgotten about his birthday. "It's, uh...it's today."

Percy blinked twice at him. "Pack your books, Jase. We're getting out of here and going...somewhere else. We can decide that on the way."

"It's really okay—"

"You're alone and staring at fucking law textbooks on your birthday," Percy cut him off, "just come with me, please. We'll have fun. Promise."

Jason wasn't sure if running around with a stranger was his smartest option, even if his birthday had pretty much sucked thus far. Still, Percy had been lovely to speak to for the little time they'd known each other, and Jason really didn't have anything better to do.

With another sigh, Jason grabbed the rest of his books and zipped them into his bag, ignoring the mix of surprise and excitement that had taken over Percy's face. The boy started putting away his own things, clearly glad to be leaving the library. Jason wasn't shocked—it had become very apparent that Percy disliked quiet spaces.

The two reached the sidewalk outside, and Percy gave Jason a sideways glance. "Okay, what are we doing?"

Jason furrowed his brows. "Wasn't that supposed to be your job?"

"It's your birthday, Jason," Percy waved him off, "so we're doing whatever you want. What are you into, then? Like, bowling? Hiking? Shopping? Or do you just want to get drunk? It's your 21st, after all, so I'd understand going the traditional rou—"

"You aren't much of a drinker, I'm assuming?" Jason stopped him, waiting for Percy's nod before continuing, "Then I will pass on drinking alone."

Percy opened his mouth to apologize, but Jason pointed at the first sign he saw before Percy even got the chance. The boy in question followed Jason's gaze and nodded approvingly.

"So you're a rollercoaster guy, huh?"

*****

"I take it you're not a rollercoaster guy," Jason teased, laughing as Percy stumbled through the exit gates looking slightly ill.

Percy glared half-heartedly. "I said we were doing whatever you wanted, didn't I? I'm a man of my word."

Jason offered him an arm, allowing Percy to grab on so that Jason could drag them both out of everyone else's way. "A simple 'Hey, Jason, pick literally anything else' would've sufficed, you know."

"Nope, today's not about me," Percy shook his head, "I'll survive. Probably."

Despite Percy's clear willingness to do whatever Jason wanted, the blond decided to show some mercy and mostly chose the rides closer to the ground—he guessed Percy's issue was with the heights. However, Jason did choose a few obnoxious ones just to pick on Percy.

"Obviously I should never step foot in another library," Percy muttered as one of the workers fastened the metal bar over their laps, "since this is where I've ended up because of it."

Jason rolled his eyes. "Do you plan on finding somebody to ruin your day every time you study? I thought I was special."

Percy smiled at him, his cheeks flushing ever so slightly as the ride started. "What do you mean, 'ruin'? I'm having a fantastic—oh my gods, Jason, why do you hate me?"

"Do you need me to hold your hand?" Jason stuck out his bottom lip, fighting back his grin.

"Don't tempt me," Percy muttered.

Jason looked down at the boy's hands holding onto the lap bar for dear life. "You'll never enjoy yourself if you're so tense."

Percy gave him a look of pure panic right before Jason pried one of his hands off the bar and held it in the air right as they plummeted down the first hill. Percy spent the rest of the ride spewing nonsense to Jason about how they were going to die. Their hands were still locked together by the end of the ride, mostly because Percy had been clutching onto it for the sake of his own sanity. Jason held on long enough to pull a slightly shaky Percy out of their seats and onto solid ground again, but when the other boy made no move to let go, Jason decided to just let it happen. It wasn't like he minded...

"If it's not rubbing salt in the wound or anything," Percy started warily, "why aren't you with your friends today? Or, I guess, some family, but I know that gets messy sometimes."

Jason nodded in agreement to the latter statement. "My friends all live in the south or in California. One's in Canada, but you get my point. Too far."

"That sucks," Percy said sympathetically, "I got a friend out in California and another one that's constantly traveling."

"And the roommate?"

"Unfortunately, she does live here all the time," Percy joked.

They made their way into the next line—this one was a water ride of some sort for which Percy seemed much less anxious while they were waiting.

"So it's not the heights?" Jason wondered aloud.

Confusion overtook Percy's face before he processed what Jason was thinking. "I'm not sure, to be honest. All I know is that, if I fall out of these, I can just swim out. If I fall off a rollercoaster, then I get a face full of concrete, probably."

"And die?"

Percy glared but played along. "Now you're getting it!"

"But what if you hurt yourself falling out of these and drown instead?" Jason asked.

With narrowed eyes, Percy hesitantly dropped Jason's hand and put a few more inches of distance between them. "I take back what I said earlier about you not ruining my day."

Jason laughed, happy to see Percy's small smile at the sound. This whole thing still shocked Jason when he thought about it too hard. He wasn't one for stepping outside of his comfort zone, and he wouldn't exactly pin himself as outgoing. Hanging out with a random guy all day defied both of those ideas.

And he was having fun for the first time in a long time.

By the time everything was shutting down, Jason was about ready to sleep for a month. Being happy was exhausting. It was around ten when Percy disappointedly announced that they should be on their way. Still, it was hard to take anything he said seriously with his giant, stupid, plastic sunglasses that matched a pair of Jason's own. They'd won them after putting in minimal effort and somehow still doing decently at the ring toss game. Percy's were ocean-themed (Jason learned that he loved the ocean) with waves on the lenses and starfish and surfboards glued to the corners, and Jason's were storm-themed with clouds and lightning bolts mirroring the design on Percy's. It turned out that both boys were horrible with carnival games since those were the only prizes they were leaving with.

Jason tried to tell Percy that he could head home, especially because Jason knew they lived in opposite directions based on a previous conversation they'd had, but the boy was adamant about walking Jason back to his apartment. He claimed that 'letting the birthday boy walk home alone was unacceptable', to which Jason just sighed and accepted his fate. It wasn't like he was going to protest spending more time together.

"Did you grow up here?" Jason asked about halfway through their walk, impressed by Percy's clear knowledge of how to get to Jason's home after receiving only the address. He treated the city streets like they were merely hallways in his own home, and they were traveling to Jason's room at the end of the hall.

"Yup," Percy replied, smiling fondly at the city around him, "New York navigation is one of my many talents, you know."

"Oh, there are many?" Jason raised his eyebrows teasingly.

Percy shrugged. "Guess you'll have to find out another time."

Jason smiled at that thought. He'd never lived completely on his own before like he was that summer, and he was starting to think he would just be lonely until fall when all of his friends returned for classes. Perhaps Percy would be at least one friend in the huge city.

Admittedly, Jason was living in a very nice neighborhood, especially for someone his age. Percy stared into the window of every store they passed by, clearly confused by how Jason had an apartment nearby.

He kept opening his mouth like he wanted to say something about it, and Jason let him suffer for a few minutes before saying, "Just spit it out."

"Are you loaded or something?" Percy asked immediately, sighing of relief to have it off his chest.

"My father is," Jason was honest, "and he thought it'd be shameful if I lived like an actual college student in New York."

"Remind me not to invite your dad over to my place," Percy muttered, coming to a halt outside what he knew to be Jason's building.

"Do you want to come in?" Jason offered before Percy could even try saying goodbye.

"I'd be thrilled," Percy said with only slight sarcasm.

Jason lived on the first floor, so it certainly wasn't a difficult journey for the two. The blond held open the door for his new friend, locking it behind them and slipping his shoes off while Percy gaped at the room in front of him.

Jason just laughed, slinging an arm around one of Percy's shoulders and resting his chin on the other. "Do you like it?"

"I like your plants," Percy noted, nodding his head towards Jason's small collection on the windowsill.

Jason was about to tell Percy that half of them were fake when he saw something unfamiliar on his coffee table. With furrowed brows, he approached it to see what appeared to be a bottle of champagne with a note attached to it. He immediately recognized the handwriting of the 'For Jason' on the front and grinned, untying the note and unfolding it to read.

Hey Jason,

It's your birthday :) Sorry for ignoring you for the past week, my phone is definitely broken because I dropped it down the stairs (totally not my fault). Obviously I couldn't forget you, though, so enjoy some classy alcohol. I wanted to send you straight vodka but I feared for your liver. Hope you had a good day, and I'll see you soon hopefully. Thanks for being my best friend, as always. Don't get drunk without me.

Much love,
Piper

Jason turned the note towards a curious Percy. He couldn't wipe the stupid smile off his face; he wasn't totally forgotten after all. He'd been so busy recently that Jason didn't even notice a lack of communication from Piper, if he was being honest. She lived a rather crazy life, so Jason never thought much of it when she went radio silent for a few days.

"Is she rich, too?" Percy asked, clearly meant to be a joke as he glanced at the bottle on the table. "She got you the good shit."

"You know Tristan McLean?"

Percy nodded.

"She's his daughter."

"Dear gods, Jason," Percy sighed, "you just have all kinds of surprises up your sleeves, don't you?"

Laughing, Jason shrugged. "We also fake-dated for, like, four months."

Confusion flashed in Percy's eyes. "Why fake? Clearly you're close."

"We, uh...we're both gay," Jason told Percy with a bit of hesitation.

He hardly ran into outwardly homophobic people in real life nowadays, especially since he didn't bring it up very often, but he still always found himself feeling a little nervous when he told new people. However, Percy's green irises lit up a bit when Jason spoke.

"I'm bi!" Percy grinned at him, obviously excited that they had something in common. "But I actually did date my best friend...who is also bi."

Jason's laugh was soft but warm, and it made Percy's heart swell...ever so slightly, that is. The fact that moping-in-a-library-alone Jason had turned into this Jason just because of Percy made him feel incredibly accomplished. Jason deserved a good day, and Percy was glad to provide.

"It's a shame we just met today," Percy told him, nodding towards Piper's present, "because I'm an excellent gift-giver."

"Is that so?"

Percy shrugged with way too much confidence. "Too bad you won't find out for another year."

"You're planning pretty far in advance," Jason challenged playfully, "and if we're gonna be friends for that long then I should find out around Christmas. When's your birthday? I'll start planning so my gift can reach your sky-high standards."

"My standards are not that high," Percy corrected, "just my skill."

"You're avoiding my question."

"It's August 18th," Percy frowned, "but that's hardly fair since I didn't get to do anything for you. Twenty-two is not important."

"You did more than enough," Jason reassured, reminding himself that Percy paid for everything that day despite Jason's protests. He could spoil Percy as revenge.

Percy looked unsatisfied but seemed to be cutting his losses and letting Jason do whatever he wanted on the 18th of August. As long as Percy was on time for dinner and cake with his mom, he didn't care.

Jason knew he should probably let Percy go, but the thought was incredibly unflattering. Instead, he went with, "Do you want to watch a movie or something?"

Percy shrugged, hesitantly taking a seat on Jason's couch. "It's still your birthday, isn't it? I'll do whatever you want."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Percy pointed at him to emphasize his agreement, smiling when Jason sat next to him with the remote. Jason was an avid scroller and chronically indecisive, unfortunately, and Percy was being no help. He'd ask for the boy's opinion, and he'd just remind Jason that it was his birthday and his job to call the shots. Jason might've said it was sweet if he didn't see Percy's smirk every time Jason moved to a new row. Eventually, he gave up and turned on the first Marvel movie he could find, figuring that was a good neutral movie for someone he barely knew.

And apparently, Percy was just as bad at watching movies as Jason was at choosing them. He stood up to grab water for himself (or refill Jason's every time it was remotely low) several times, couldn't seem to decide how he wanted to sit, and had several side comments to add. Jason really didn't mind the last bit—most of them were funny. It wasn't like Jason was paying attention to the movie, anyways. Percy had captured pretty much his full attention. He'd been so sweet all day, and he'd given up so much time just for Jason, and of course, Jason couldn't ignore the fact that the boy was gorgeous. Jason was grateful to finally get the opportunity to take in his appearance beyond tousled black hair and sun-kissed skin. He made Jason laugh, didn't care about the fact that he was somehow friendless on his own birthday, and was very clearly putting the effort in. Jason was looking forward to having a friend in New York in Percy, but his poor romantic heart had other plans.

Eventually, Jason told himself, fuck it, it's my birthday, and rested his head on Percy's shoulder. He felt his new friend tense for a split second before an arm silently wrapped around Jason. He tried not to think about the fact that he'd just met Percy that morning; thankfully, that was easy when it felt like they already knew each other long before. Jason returned his attention to the screen in front of them until the credits rolled.

"I hate movies," Percy told him quietly, a joking edge to his voice.

Jason hummed. "Couldn't tell."

Percy's laugh was curt but soft, nearly a scoff. "I thought you might fall asleep after you started using me as a pillow."

"It was tempting," Jason smiled with a chuckle before silence settled again and the TV turned back into rows upon rows of available movies and shows.

"Hey, Jason?" Percy broke the quiet as he gently ran his hand up and down Jason's bicep. "I had fun today."

"Even though you spent most of the day scared for your life?" Jason teased.

"While I was supposed to be watching the movie, I was thinking," Percy's voice lacked its usual confidence, "we should do something together again...like a dinner or something, I don't know."

"Are you asking me out?" Jason's voice was deadly calm despite every ounce of himself freaking out.

He could feel Percy's shrug. "If that's okay."

"I'd love to," Jason agreed with a grin. "I'm also very interested in this gift-giving of yours now."

"Did you have something in mind?" Percy asked, his smirk almost audible in his tone.

Jason picked his head up and turned his head to meet Percy's eyes. "Maybe."

"Whatever the birthday boy asks for," Percy reminded him with a playful tone, receiving a bright smile from Jason.

He placed a hand on Percy's cheek before leaning in for a gentle kiss. It was full of laughter and bad carnival gameplay and holding hands on rollercoasters and studying together in the library. Jason was more than satisfied when he broke them apart and returned his head to its spot on Percy's shoulder.

"Think that'll hold you over until Christmas?" Percy muttered as he softly laid his head on top of Jason's.

"I think I'll be just fine," Jason laughed.

They spent much longer than they probably should've sitting on Jason's couch, talking for hours about nothing and everything. Jason was exhausted, and his body started giving out around three. He tried to force himself awake as his eyelids slowly drooped, but Percy quietly encouraged him to get some rest and stopped talking. The last time he heard Percy speak was right before Jason dozed off completely.

"Happy birthday, Jason."

LMAO this one is a little embarrassing for me for some reason, idek

Honestly this was more of a very short story than a proper one-shot, but I think that's my preferred method of writing at this point. Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed! I'll see you soon! Merry Christmas if you're celebrating! Happy holidays! Happy new year bc, let's be honest, we probably won't see each other until then. Byeeee!!