Leo Valdez wiped the sweat from his brow, sparks dancing like fireflies around the cavernous workshop. The air smelled of molten bronze and titanium, almost a signature fragrance of Hephaestus workshop. On a large metal table lay something that wasn’t quite a body yet; titanium bones, sinews of enchanted fibers, mechanical structures like organs that glowed faintly, a heart that pulsed with liquid fire and several pieces of metal that wrapped everything like skin.
“Leo?” Percy said from the doorway, his voice couldn't hide his concern. “You sure this is going to work? We’re basically Frankensteining Jason.”
“Relax, Water Boy.” Leo answered without averting his gaze from his task, hammering the red hot metal pieces on the anvil. This is nothing like Frankenstein. This is… uh… Hephaestus-approved artisanal resurrection craftsmanship.”
“Right… remind me again how many human bodies were created in this workshop, repair boy?”“One, the first woman, but that is besides the point, technology has advanced a lot since then! Look at all these gadgets and machines we have now! Back then dad had to use literal dirt.”
“OK.. and… that is supposed to help?”“I’m sorry, are you the expert in resurrection here? Have you died and come back to life before? No, that was me, which makes me the most qualified in the field of stopping being dead and in my expert opinion this definitely will work.” Leo answered in a playful yet annoyed tone as he kept hitting the metal in front of him at full force.“You know I am just worried about you right? You haven’t been sleeping nor eating well.”“Sigh… I know… Thank you for being here… and for your help organizing the others.” Leo placed the hammer to the side and let out a deep sigh. “It is done. Now to piece this together with the rest. He brought the missing part to the remaining artificial body parts and started assembling everything together, after a short while the body was finished.”“Wow, he looks really cool! Kind of like a robot in a movie!” Percy exclaimed, fascinated by Leo’s accomplishments. The body on the table did look like a robot with very fine and detailed life-like features.“Yeah, for now he does, once the blessings work their magic he will fully turn human~ish. He definitely is going to be stronger than the average human, possess more stamina and of course he will be fully able to use his powers.”“Wow amazing! Follow up question… just out of curiosity… and please don’t get me wrong or anything. Despite his shiny metal finish, the detail is very… life-like! So… were you basing his looks in some pictures in particular or…?”“Huh? What do you mean?Are you saying he doesn’t look like Jason?” Leo asked worriedly.“Oh no no… he does look like Jason just… hmm how to put it… hmmm he looks… huh… hotter?”“WHAT? What does that even mean?” Leo shouted, confused by Percy’s opinion.“I mean… I don’t remember his chest and back being so broad and bulging aaaaaand his…”
“Enough!” Leo interjected before Percy could finish that sentence. “I had to take some liberties in some… areas, mostly going by memory.”
“Memory, huh? Iiiiinteresting, I think I would remember if Jason had a hidden third leg in his jeans.” Percy said teasingly.
“Percy…” Leo exhaled with annoyance.
“Hey, I'm not judging, I mean, whatever makes you both happy.”
“I don’t like your tone, what are you implying?"
“Well… I am just saying…”
“Oh so because SOMEONE had a bisexual awakening everyone else is supposed to have one?”
“Look I am just saying… if you DO ever have one… I am here for you, because at least I am an expert in that.”“Heh good point, thank you, but your services will not be necessary because JASON is completely straight, I mean I am, I mean we… together… I mean both of us… straight. STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT, PUT THAT EYEBROW DOWN, WATER BOY.” Leo turned around to avoid Percy’s gaze. “DON'T YOU HAVE BLUE CHEESEBURGERS TO EAT SOMEWHERE? STOP DISTRACTING ME! I need to prepare everything to transport the body.”
“Fine fine I'll stop teasing you. Besides you are right I do have a dozen blue burgers waiting for me in the palace. Give me a call when you are done with the preparations so Fry and I can get him the blessing.”
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“Hey Water Boy… hummm… remember how you said that… that you could talk to me if I ever… Yeah…yeah…sigh… yes… OK… see you there in 10 minutes.”
Leo walked back to the living room where Jason was reading a book while snacking on some muffins. He was so engrossed in his fantasy book about a group of adventurers cooking delicious dishes inside a dungeon that he probably had lost count of how many muffins he already had scarfed down.
“Hey Jason, I am going out to do some errands.” Leo said as he started to put on his shoes.
“Oh… do you want me to go with you? I'll just…”
“No no, it’s ok. Do you want me to bring you something? Maybe some more of those muffins?”
“Ohh don't worry I still have plenty of… huh? Where are my…?” Jason asked confusedly as he looked for the lost muffins he had already inhaled.
“Don't worry I'll be back with some more bye!!!” Leo hurriedly closed the door behind him before Jason could respond.
After a short walk Leo arrived at the place that Percy told him about, a burger joint with golden arches. He pushed the door open and as he entered he was suddenly greeted by a store manager.
“Welcome Mr. Valdez, Mr. Jackson is waiting for you in the back.”
Leo was a bit startled by the sudden approach and the out of place formality for a burger joint.
The manager pointed Leo to a door that said employees only. As Leo pushed the door open he found himself greeted by a very ornate corridor with beautiful vegetation and modern wall fountains on the sides. It was a severe contrast to the heavy smell of grease, the loud noises and cheap plastic fixtures from the previous room.
The corridor ended in double doors with delicately carved vegetation. On the other side of the doors there was a spacious room with also several waterworks on the walls and plants and flowers growing alongside them. In the center there was a rectangular sturdy looking table with only two seats. Percy Jackson was occupying one of them.
Percy was caught as he stuffed a bunch of blue fries in his mouth. He quickly tried to gulp them down as he cleaned his greasy hand on the side of his tight shirt.
“Hey Leo, what’s up! come in, come in, please take a seat.” The boys greeted each other and Leo took the empty seat as he looked around the room. “I was not expecting all of this inside a regular burger joint, or… wait, are we in Adephagia's palace right now?”
“Well yes and no, this is not THE palace per se, but this is one of her temples and it does connect to it.” Explained Percy vaguely.
Leo looked a little confused. “This burger joint is a temple?”
“Yeah, I mean, even her logo is outside.” Answered Percy casually.
“Her logo? The M?”
Percy smirked. “That is not really an M, that was just a story she came up with for branding purposes. The golden arches are actually 2 stylized As for AdephagiA and are a powerful sigil that Channels energy to Worship her. Anyone that crosses those arches becomes a servant to her!”
“Wait what? Are you trolling me?” Leo asked, starting to freak out.
Percy busted out laughing. “Haha only halfway, she did come up with the logo herself and indeed every establishment serves as a temple, she is literally everywhere in the world and every customer is technically making an offering to her.”
“Oh wow, I know you guys told me she was powerful, but with a system like that… “
“Yup… and that is only from this franchise there are many more plus plain overeating is also a way to worship her. It took me a while to wrap my head around it, but none of the other Gods come even close in terms of power. That is why I knew she could definitely help Jason with her blessing. How is he by the way? Is he adapting well to his new body?”
“Jason is doing great. He has been taking things easy so far. He has been mostly reading and working out at home. Other than his increased appetite, everything seems ok so far.” Answered Leo with a hint of uneasiness.
“His increased appetite?” Questioned Percy.
“Yeah he has been overeating a lot lately… it might have to do with the energy needed to maintain this new body, but I am not sure…” Leo looked deep in thought.
Percy noticed Leo's concern. “Hey don't worry I can ask Fry or Adephagia about it, they are experts in overeating after all.”
“Heh they might not be the only experts in that field…” Leo said teasingly, throwing a glance at Percy’s plump body.
“Hahaha you got me there, having access to unlimited amounts of your favorite foods comes with slight consequences hehe. Luckily I quite like the extra heft.” Percy said as he grabbed and lifted his doughy belly by the sides and let it fall a couple of times. “Believe me I don't miss being a twink at all haha.”
“I might have to find you another nickname, maybe water retention boy?”
“Eww no that sounds gross haha”
“Then what about Whale boy?” Leo said as he busted out laughing.
“Haha honestly Whale boy is way better than Water boy.” Percy said with a big chuckle. “By the way… that reminds me you are looking good! You are finally looking healthy! We were all so worried about you, you were not eating nor sleeping well. I am glad that you finally have color in your skin and some meat on your bones hehe.”
“Sorry for making you all worry. Bringing him back…it was too important for me… I…” Leo couldn't find the right words to express himself and stayed silent, fidgeting with his hands.
“Oh! Where are my manners, do you want to order something? Sorry I already started with a light snack before you arrived.” Percy said attempting to lighten the mood and make him feel at ease.
Leo looked down at the huge order of blue colored fries in front of him. Somehow, despite the years of knowing Percy he still couldn’t fully understand the fascination he had with blue colored food. “Oh, thanks. I am ok tho. I had breakfast just a few hours ago and Jason will be waiting at home… I didn’t exactly tell him where I was going…”
“Oh I see… in that case how about you take some orders to go? The staff will have them ready so you can take some food for Jason too. Would that be ok”
“Well…” Leo looked with concern at the blue fries between them.
“No, the food will not be blue.”
“OH THANK THE GODS!” Leo exhaled with relief.
“Wow rude.” Percy pouted.
“I am so sooooorrrrryyyy I tried to stay polite, but blue food is just not meant for me.”
“Fine, you will get your boring colored food, more blue food for me.”
Leo chuckled.
“Now that we have that out of the way…you wanted to ask me about something, right? Something maybe related to… new kinds of feelings?” Percy asked teasingly.
Leo let out a deep sigh bracing himself to finally put into words what was going on inside him. “Yeah… How do you know? I mean… that you really are… you know… Like… This is a little new to me, but at the same time maybe not? I was sure I was only into girls, but ever since Jason died… I always felt an emptiness in me that I tried so hard to hide even from myself. Then my break up happened and I tried to blame all those feelings on my failed relationship, but maybe it was my fault from the beginning? Maybe it was an excuse to hide something else? Sigh… Now that he is back… the mere thought of losing him again… I feel like… like I wouldn't be able to take it. I am scared Percy… scared that I will lose him again, that this was all temporary and he will just vanish in front of me. He is too important to me… and I think he always was. When I learned first of his death there was somewhere deep inside me a small flame of hope that told me that he was ok, that it was not the end, that everything would be all right, that we would meet again, but now… knowing what they wanted to do to him, knowing that I could have lost him for real…” Leo gripped his own hands as painful thoughts invaded his mind.
Percy reached across the table and grabbed Leo’s clasped hands in a tender motion. “Have you… talked about it with him?”
Leo shook his head slowly. “I don’t even know what to say! Like hey bro! Whats up, by the way I wake up every morning thinking about your beautiful smile and I cannot fathom a life where you are not in it. No homo!” Leo hid in shame behind his hands letting a muffled scream.
“Mabe don’t say that last part?”
“Come on Whaleboy! I cannot say all that to him! He is straight! He had a girlfriend!”
“So did you! So did I! That doesn't mean anything. I mean you were so sure you were completely straight, but you are literally saying the most madly in love and corny things about him!”
“Am I…? Is it really that bad?
“The dictionary has a picture of you for the meaning of Down Bad.” Percy said in a sarcastic tone.
“Uugghh Percy, what am I going to do? What if he doesn’t want to be my friend any more? What if he feels pressured after being revived and feels like he owes me? I don’t want to take advantage of him! He will hate me!” Leo said with desperation.
“That is never going to happen, you know that, you know him.” Percy said, trying to calm him.
“Sigh I do… but what if…”
“If you don’t confess to him I will ask him out myself.” Percy said, interrupting Leo and throwing him a defiant glance.
“PERCIVAL JACKSON HOW DARE YOU! RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR BLUE FRIES!” Leo dramatically leaned back without skipping a beat.
“Oh, I will woo him so bad that he will only have eyes for me.” Percy teased. “He won't be able to resist all this!” He said as he let his hands travel over his plump body in an exaggerated sexual motion.
“You greedy gluttonous Blueberry Boy! Fine! I will go talk to him! I will do it right now!” Leo exclaimed as he rose from his chair.
“Oh yeah?” Percy also stood up, going with the flow.
“Yeah! I will go right now and confess how much I love him!” Leo said decisively and then stayed quiet in place for quite a while. His brain was finally catching up to his emotions. “Oh God, I… I love him… I'm gonna talk… to him! What am I even gonna say?!” Leo expressed as he panicked from the realization of his own feelings and the prospect of having to confess them.
“Just tell him how you feel and be yourself, that is more than enough, you are a catch!” Percy said reassuringly with a wink and finger-guns
“You really mean it?” Leo answered timidly.
“What, you want me to woo you too? Because I can....” Percy answered mischievously.
“Haha. Stop it, blueberry boy.” Leo said with a smile. “Thanks, Percy.”
“Great, now go and get your man! Oh! And before you go, the staff will prepare some orders for you to go. You know what they say, the way to man’s heart is through his stomach and I can attest to that, hehe.” Percy said as he patted his large stomach.
“Thank you. I am still worried about this increased appetite thing… I can only think that his new body really needs more energy to keep up... so I sometimes worry about what would happen if he doesn't eat enough…” Leo said as he immediately went back to worrying about Jason.
Percy tried to ease Leo’s worries. “So what if he is a little hungrier than usual, technically, he hasn't eaten in a long while, maybe he is just catching up to those missed meals, so now that he is alive, just let him enjoy himself and make the most of it. Tell you what, I will come by this week and bring you another enchanted food tray. Make sure to keep your man full and happy.”
Leo went and hugged Percy. “Thank you. Guess you really are an expert in this huh?” Percy chuckled.
As the boys were saying their goodbyes Leo turned around. “Say… Do they have muffins on the menu by any chance?”
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The apartment door opened and in came Leo hauling a bunch of heavy bags in both arms. “Jason, I'm back! I brought food!”
There was no immediate answer, but there was some clattering from the kitchen and the distinct sound of the fridge door closing followed by some rushed heavy steps.
“Oh hey welcome back! Jason said as he approached Leo for a hug. Wow you brought a lot of stuff! Good thing you did, I’m starving!”
“Are you now?” Leo said as he placed some of the bag on the floor and then reached up to remove a stain of chocolate from Jason’s lips.
“Oh that I… sorry… I got a little hungry and raided the fridge. I just couldn’t…”
Leo interrupted him. “Don't worry, I brought enough to fill you up.” Leo said showing him the bags.
Jason grabbed all of the bags with ease from Leo. “Thanks babe, you are the best.” Jason said with a big smile as he took them.
“What” Leo looked perplexed trying to understand what he just heard.
“What” Jason dropped the bags immediately in a panic, his smile fading as his mouth was left open realizing what he just blurted out without thinking.
Both boys were a little perplexed and speechless.
“Uhh I mean bbbbbro thanks bro you’re the best… hahaha… sorry. I messed up. I…” Jason tried his best to find an excuse. “Haha anyways let me bring these to the kitchen real quick.” He continued rambling as he hurriedly picked the bags and sprang in the direction of the kitchen.
Leo armed himself with courage and shouted. “Jason! Stop! There is… something I’ve been meaning to tell you…”
“I didn’t…”
“Please, let me finish first.” Leo took a deep breath. “I have feelings for you… more than friends feelings…”Leo took a pause to see Jason's reaction. He was shocked, but didn't seem to be angry nor repulsed by it. “I… am not sure… but… I think I've had these feelings for quite a while.” He continued. I'm sorry for dumping this on you all of a sudden, but I don't want you to feel tricked by me or that you owe me something. Sorry for being so selfish… I understand if you feel uncomfortable and…” Leo rambled.
“Please stop… there is no need… I just… I thought you were straight!” Jason interrupted, sounding a little confused.
“Yeah, me too… how… how about you?” Leo was a little scared to hear the answer to the question.
“I… I don't know…I… don't think I am… I’ve always felt a special connection with you… I… I just thought that… that you were not into me so…” Jason said awkwardly thinking back about the times he spent with his best friend.
“Wait, really?” Leo asked, completely shocked. I was also feeling like that… I didn’t want to ruin my friendship with you. That’s why I never…” Both boys chuckled and then were left awkwardly in silence.
Leo finally spoke. “So… I don't want you to feel pressured into anything you don't want but may I…”
Jason ran straight to Leo and picked him up with ease. He hugged him closely as they twirled in place just to lift him high up.
Leo was too stunned to do anything. The boys looked into each other's eyes, losing themselves in the moment for what felt like minutes until Jason spoke.
“May I kiss you?”
“I thought you would never ask, Superman.”