Never Waste Your Feelings On People Who Don't Value Them

We were ambushed by the most amazing smells as soon as Percy opened the door to his mother's apartment. I could barely make out the soft thrum of music coming from somewhere inside. Percy dropped our bags inside the first door to the right as we made our way down the hall. He turned toward me, bringing his finger to his lips, signalling me to be quiet.

He tiptoed further, ducking through an arch on the left, and I followed. His mother, I assumed, was stirring a pot on the stove. Her back was turned on the looming threat of her son sneaking up behind her. He scooped her into a big bear hug with lightning speed. Her scream quickly became laughter as she realised who the culprit was.

"Perseus Jackson, unhand me this instant!" she breathed as she squirmed in his grip. He placed an exaggerated kiss on her cheek before he lowered her just enough so that her toes touched the floor.

"Hi," he greeted with a chuckle. "Please tell me there are cookies," he pleaded into Sally's neck, making her squirm more in his arms. She twisted enough to playfully slap him on the shoulder, finally making him put her down.

"There are..." she breathed, "...but your father also told me that you aren't allowed any sweets with your new training program." The two rolled their eyes simultaneously.

"He's going overboard again," Percy sighed. "It's why I quit the first time."

"I know," she chuckled, walking toward the fridge and reaching for a blue ceramic jar on top of it. She lowered it, removing the lid. She held out the pot for Percy. He stuck his hand inside with the biggest smile I've seen on his face in a while.

"He's always been like that, but luckily you have a mother who doesn't listen to his bullshit or deny her son some happiness, even if it is just a cookie." She looked up as Percy's hand retrieved something blue from the jar.

We made eye contact, and she immediately sprang into action. She all but threw the jar in Percy's direction. Percy, in turn, somehow managed not to drop it although he was very focussed on the cookie he was already taking a bite from. Honestly, it made me kind of sad to see reflexes like that and know he's never gonna play on my team again.

"Oh, I nearly forgot," she huffed as she made her way to me. "Let me look at you," she said, cupping my cheeks with her hands. "Oh, you're even more handsome than I remember." She turned back towards Percy. "Don't you dare mess this up, you hear me?" she asked in a dangerous tone. Percy placed the cookie jar on the counter with a nervous look on his face.

"I wasn't planning on it," he answered softly, lifting his hands in defence.

"Honestly, missus Jackson, if someone's gonna mess it up, it'll probably be me," I said, a nervous laugh escaping my throat and my hand rubbing the back of my neck, my mind going back to me and Percy's earlier conversation.

"Don't be silly, dear," she said, turning back to me. "And call me Sally." Percy turned toward the stove, smelling the steam rising from the bubbling pot.

"Minestrone soup?" he asked, his excitement flashing in his eyes. He bent down to peer through the oven's window. "And bread bowls?" His head snapped back toward his mother with more force than really needed. "You are, without a doubt, the best mother in the world!" My mind got stuck on one little detail.

"Bread bowls?" I asked.

"Yeah." Percy nodded very excitedly. Sally turned to me with a smile.

"It's Percy's favourite comfort food," she said. "I hollow out the bread, slather the inside with some butter and serve the soup in it," she explained.

"While the hollowed-out bread sits steaming next to your bread bowl," Percy said, practically salivating. "The best part of all, the bread is blue." Sally laughed at that.

"Of course, it is," she said, walking back to the stove to stir the soup again. "I know how to take care of my baby." Percy rolled his eyes, but his smile while doing it made it clear it was just for show. "Now, set the table, the food's gonna be done in a few minutes," she said, turning to Percy, who almost immediately jumped into action.

I stepped forward to help, but both Percy and Sally turned toward me in unison, pointed to a chair, and instructed me to sit. Wow, I was really wrong when I thought Percy and his dad were alike. Watching him now, I realised he was more like his mother than his father. Yes, he looked like his father, but his mannerisms were his mother to a tee. I sat down before my mind could really process what was happening.

Percy and his mother moved around the kitchen in perfect harmony. When she couldn't reach something on the top shelf, he casually stepped over, took down whatever she needed, and continued setting the table, no communication required.

As I watched, I wondered if this was what I could expect if Percy and I moved in together. Sure, not at first, but by seeing that he could be that in sync with someone, my mind started to picture myself in Sally's shoes.

Sunday morning, making breakfast, Percy and I floating around each other wordlessly as we stole a kiss every now and then. I realised how domestic that thought was, but I desperately wanted it. I wanted to spend the whole Saturday lazily cuddled up with blankets watching TV.

I wanted to have a weekly date night where we force ourselves to get dressed up and go to dinner, trying to forget everything wrong that happened that week. I wanted to walk down the street and hold his hand. I wanted a teammate, a partner.

I sat at the kitchen table and realised that the only thing stopping all of that from happening was me. I thought back to what Percy told me on our way up here. At that moment, I realised how right he was. Yes, I had opened myself up physically to Percy, and that was huge, but I hadn't opened up to him emotionally.

I hadn't told him that he was the reason I didn't absolutely hate this winter. I hadn't told him that I had suicidal thoughts throughout my high school career, more often than not, after we lost to Half-blood High, and my father made comparisons between Percy and me. I found it very ironic that the person I had associated with pain and torment for years had now become my salvation...It really was time for me to tell my family.

I absolutely needed my dad to know if I wanted to make Percy and I's relationship public. I mean, the press will have a field day if they found out the senator's son was gay. It would be better if my dad knew, so he could at least be warned, maybe even run some interference.

As for Thalia, Thalia hasn't been Percy's biggest fan since he and Annabeth, her honourary baby sister, had split. So, it really didn't matter if she was in a good mood or not. She wouldn't be too thrilled with the relationship either way without needing some convincing. Will Percy be okay with me telling her about what happened to him? Explain why he had done what he had to Annabeth?

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. Speak of the devil...Percy glanced my way with a concerned look. I showed him the photo on my phone, and he grimaced. I pointed to the hall to show Percy I was going to take the call. He gave me a quick understanding nod.

"Hi, Thals," I said, ducking into the hallway and making my way farther into the apartment into the living area, where the stereo was humming smooth melodies. There was a very comfy looking couch underneath a large window. The last orange light of the setting sun filtered through the sheer, flowy curtains. I took a seat on the couch, and I swear I've never felt as comfortable or at home as I did at that very moment. "What's going on?"

"I don't know," Thalia drawled. "You tell me." Her tone was a little clipped. "I came to my baby brother's apartment - even though I swore I would never set foot in the legacy dorms - because I haven't seen him in forever, only to be told by his roommate that he's in the city for the weekend with Percy freaking Jackson." Her voice was tight at the mention of Percy.

"Ah, about that," I started, taking a deep breath for courage. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you..."

"Since when are you tight with Percy?" she asked, and I winced.

"Well, we were training buddies at the start of the football season," I stated.

"And what?" she asked. "Percy was just so nice that you completely forgot that he's scum?" I clenched my jaw at that. I absolutely did not like the way she was talking about him.

"Thalia, stop," I said, trying for forcibly, but ending up a little weak.

"You have no idea what he did to Annabeth!" she spat hotly. "She came and cried in my arms, Jason! I had to see the strongest person I know, break down and think she's worthless because of him," she sneered.

"Thalia, stop!" I nearly shouted.

"Jason, you don't understand..." she started, but I cut her off.

"No, Thalia, you don't understand," I hissed, trying to control my anger. "You don't know the whole story, you don't know his side."

"His side?" she asked in a low tone. "Jason, he broke her heart," she said before her tone turned suspicious. "Why the fuck are you taking his side over mine?"

"Because I love him, Thalia!" I snapped.

"You what?" she yelled so loud that I flinched away from the phone. I brought it back to my ear with a sigh.

"I love him, Thalia," I answered softly. "I've been dating him for a few months now."

"Jason..." she said, her voice tight, "...drop me your location. I'm picking you up right now."

"No, Thalia," I said, more boldly now that the secret was out. "I'll see you on Sunday. I'll explain."

"He's gonna break your heart, Jason," she said, her voice sounding broken. "I'm trying to protect you."

"I know, but I also know he won't hurt me, Thalia," I tried sounding reassuring. "Please, come to the apartment Sunday night," I almost begged. "I'll make dinner, and I'll explain everything, promise." She stayed silent. "Please, Thalia, for me?"

"Fine," she sighed. "I can't promise I'll understand, though."

"Thalia," I said softly. "Do you remember the promise I made the day you drove me to college? I promised you I'll do what makes me happy. He makes me happy, Thals, happier than I've ever been." She groaned.

"Just..." she groaned again. "Just be careful, Jase. I'll see you on Sunday," she sighed. "I love you."

"I love you too." The line went dead. I slumped back into the couch with a sigh. Percy was leaning against the wall just inside the hallway. I gave me a soft smile.

"Dinner's ready," he said softly. I lightly slapped my phone against my palm.

"Actually," I said, biting my lip, "I have one more phone call to make." It really was time for me to tell my family. He walked over, sitting down next to me.

"You don't have to do it all in one go, babe," he said, running his fingers through my hair. I sighed, leaning into his hand, drawing strength from it.

"I know," I said, making my decision. "I want to, though." He gave another soft smile. "It's time," I whispered.

"Thank you," he whispered, leaning in to give me a sweet peck on the lips. He stood up again. "We'll be in the kitchen when you're ready," he said, running his fingers through my hair again. "I love you with all my heart." I basked in that for a moment. Percy honestly had the talent to say precisely the right thing at the right time.

"I love you too, Percy." I took his hand and kissed it. He turned with a smile, going back to the kitchen. I pulled my father's contact up on my phone, took a deep breath, and pressed the call button. He didn't answer. Of course, he didn't. I pulled up his assistant's contact. Ganymede answered on the third ring.

"Jason, how can I assist you?" he greeted in a clipped tone.

"I need to speak with my father," I said in a similar tone. This was, after all, our routine.

"Unfortunately, the senator is otherwise occupied," Ganymede drawled, and I sighed, knowing full well what that meant.

"Ganymede, it's Friday night," I huffed. "I know what he's doing, and you can tell him his whore of the evening can wait. This is important."

"I was given strict orders," he started in a bored voice.

"If you don't give the phone to my father this instant, I'm gonna go out and do something so bad he's going to set a new record in dropping in the polls, got that?" I asked hotly.

"Very well, it's your funeral," he muttered. "One moment."

"What?" said a gruff voice after quite a stretch of silence.

"Father," I said in greeting.

"Are you dying?" he asked flatly.

"No, I just had to talk to you," I said.

"Speak fast, boy," he huffed, and I clenched my teeth. I honestly didn't care that he was cheating on Hera. She was horribly cold and abrasive towards everyone. The only reason they ever got married was to boost their status. She still saw every affair and bastard, including Thalia and myself, as an insult to her honour, though. I guess I kind of understood that too. I wouldn't like being cheated on no matter the circumstances, even if I didn't even necessarily like my significant other. "I can't leave Miss December alone for too long."

I nearly gagged. Then I took a deep breath, bracing myself for my confession."Well, I felt like I should warn you, so you can plan your campaign accordingly before I went public," I said, pausing only to hear silence on the other hand. "I'm gay."

"Oh?" he asked, but I sensed it was rhetorical. "Explains a lot actually. Like why you could never match up to Jackson." I clenched my jaw again.

"I'm actually dating him now," I grit out, and his laughter boomed through the line.

"Wow, okay," he breathed. "That all?" I felt my eye twitch. He doesn't care about you; I reminded myself. I honestly didn't know why I kept expecting him to act anything but indifferent to me.

"I'm making the relationship public next week," I said softly.

"Very well," he said, suddenly business-like. "I'll have Ganymede organise a press conference to solidify my position for the Sunday news. He'll be in touch. Goodbye." The line went dead, and my father probably went back to Miss December.

I stood with a sigh and made my way to the kitchen. Percy said something that made his mother chuckle, and I smiled at the scene. How I wished I could have a simple dinner, an easy laugh, with my own family. Percy looked up toward the arch, spotting me leaning against the doorjamb. He jumped to his feet, pulling me into a hug.

"How'd it go?" he asked cautiously.

"He doesn't care," I answered, my voice cracking. I hadn't realised I had started crying until I felt Percy's shirt get wet under my cheek.

"Oh, babe," Percy whispered, running his fingers through my hair and down my spine.

"If I may," I heard Sally's gentle voice as she took a few cautious steps toward me like I was a wild animal she was trying not to frighten. She took my hand, and Percy hugged me tighter. "I've learned at least one crucial lesson in my life, and I'd like to give you some advice." She cupped my cheek with her other hand. "Never waste your feelings on people who don't value them, dear."

I looked at her multi-coloured eyes and felt...I'm not quite sure what, but it was very overwhelming. My chest was starting to ache, and Sally used her thumb to wipe away my tears. I took a deep, shaky breath.

"Thank you," I said to both of them. "Right now, though, I'm hungry." Both Percy and Sally started laughing. Percy pulled me to the table, and we sat down to the most delicious meal I've ever eaten.