A/N: So, yes, it's been a year. Since July 31, 2017. Hey :)

When I first published this story, I was fifteen. so technically, I started 25 stories at that age. I completed most when I was sixteen. That's crazy to think about - I'm seventeen now, and gods, I really was not an innocent teenager :p I'm also graduating this year, and it's unbelievable to think how fast time really does fly by...!

Most of these stories are kind of cringey to read. But I'm still writing plenty of cringe, haha. I've previously stated on my ao3 account that I fell out of this fandom, which was last summer. The reason is... I can't keep up with the series. I'm disappointed with a lot of things, or maybe my interests have changed. Percy Jackson was an amazing series, and forever a part of my childhood. I still urge people to read it. It had been seven years that I would never change, and three years of writing fanfiction.

If I could give myself any advice to when I was younger, I would choose for me to outline my stories better instead of diving right in. And the advice I'm giving to you, the reader, is to write for yourself. No one else. It's not fun anymore if you're trying to meet people's wants - what you planned can be a twist. It's YOUR story. YOUR imagination. You can have any control you want over your story, and that's what makes it so amazing.

Thank you to everyone who has read my stories, commented, favorited, followed - everything. I know I keep saying this, but I want to tell you all how much I appreciate you. I'm officially done with this account! Unless if I continue with "The Minor Heroes" (which will be a more challenging process). As months went by, I noticed some people left to carry on with their personal lives. I wish them and you, the reader, the best. Please spread love, always.

By the way, Valgrace could've potentially become canon. Yes, I saw the spoilers for TOA: "The Burning Maze". I also cried.

Chapter Seven: JASON

gone are the dreaded feelings... because i think i love you,

more than my heart and mind could ever know.

The thing is, I would always set up scenarios where Leo said that he liked me. But sitting in Bunker 9, and him looking so uncomfortable, wasn't in any of them. He'd be smiling, maybe throwing in a joke or two. At the strangest moment, too, maybe during battle. But this was happening, and I wanted to make sure it was reality.

"Don't," I said, stopping him. "Just tell me everything. Please."

"Jason, I-I don't think," Leo laughed nervously. "I mean, sure, I say stupid things, but I never register anything unless someone just does it."

"Does what?" I stepped closer, making the Latino turn bright red. He never looked this tense before.

"Um, I dunno. Say 'I like you' or something."

I shook my head. "Leo, I don't just like you. It's more than that. You're always on my mind, and when you disappeared, you made me realise that you are everything to me. I don't want you to be gone." Oh gods, I sounded so cheesy; but it was pretty much the truth.

"If I hated you, I would've said 'get a life'," he whispered, "but since you're my best friend and crush, I'd say: get a life."

"Aren't both the same thing?"

"No. I say the last with kindness." He wrung his hands, casting his eyes past my shoulder. "I can't be everything to you, Jason, figuratively and literally. I don't want to disappoint you. If I ever let you down—I wouldn't forgive myself. Machines are easier to work with. There's not that many emotions involved."

"You're perfect just the way you are. Just being with you is enough."

"Don't say that. Seriously. You're supposed to be all stoic and brooding."

I nudged his shoulder, making him look up at me. "I want to kiss you. Can I?" There was a pause, so I thought that may have been too forward. My heart was pounding so loud and unsteady, and I guess words didn't matter anymore, so I waited.

"You want to, uhm…" Leo licked his lips. "Yes, you can."

I leaned down and gently kissed him. It was electrifying—or maybe it also had to do with the fact that I was the son of Jupiter. It was clumsy, too, and he placed his hands on my shoulders, unsure of himself, but it was that type of endearing, first-kiss.

All of my senses were jumbled up, exploding in the sensation of the moment. I felt soft lips; heard slight gasping; and smelled Leo's scent that came from working in the forge: musky smoke and gasoline; saw his eyelashes flutter; tasted strawberries, and . . . Nutella, maybe.

I didn't want it any other way.

Leo suddenly pulled away, and I opened my eyes worriedly, afraid I hurt him. "Is something wrong? Sorry, I must have—I shouldn't have done that."

"No, it's just . . ." Leo shuffled his feet. "I feel all tingly."

I smiled. "That doesn't sound too bad. So do I."

"Let's not be that cheesy couple."

"Of course, we're obviously the ones who wear matching clothes."

Leo looked a lot more at ease, having his usual impish grin. "Was that a joke I heard, from THE Jason Grace?"

"The one and only." I laughed, straightening up. "Let's go get you some tacos."

Whether it was obvious from our smiles, to my every-once or so gaze to Leo, as if reassurance, Piper knew. Of course, she wouldn't have been blind - I gave her a nervous smile, afraid of how she would react.

"What happened?" Percy asked, swerving his head from his cheeseburger. Along with Piper, Annabeth, Nico, and Will, they are all sitting at the Poseidon table.

Leo and I sat down beside Piper. "Oh, I finally got this guy out of his element," I joked.

Nico studied the both of us, making me shift uneasily. The dark eyes were unsettling, as if intending to uncover every dark secret. I recalled the time when we both faced Cupid. Nico must have understood.

"Hey, staring is rude," Will noticed, nudging Nico teasingly.

"Sorry, but now you're being hypocritical." The son of Hades snorted, but his mouth twitched a bit. "I saw you staring at that son of Aphrodite earlier."

"Hey! You only know that I have eyes for you." Will gave a smile, making the son of Hades return one.

Ahh. I realized that Nico was the guy Will liked. It was a bit funny how complete opposites they were, but matched.

"Dude, I'm glad you're not dead," Percy said, as usual bringing up the cheerful conversations. He gave a nod to Leo, offering a fist bump. "You were insane back there, blowing up in the sky..."

"Thanks." Leo returned a fist. "I like to go out with a bang. And at least I get to tell all my kiddies that I had an NDE."

"That's just part of the demigod experience," Annabeth quipped. She smiled at her boyfriend. "You don't know how many times I had to save his butt."

"Hey!" Percy complained. "I would've been able to do some things on my own."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "Key word being some, Seaweed Brain."

Leo leans his head on my shoulder, and the simple gesture makes me explode in complete happiness. In this demigod life, it is dangerous. But I'm hoping that Leo and I wil be together for a long time.

If I realized anything these past weeks, it was that I shouldn't be guilty about loving someone. I should take action, because life was short.

I don't want to lose Leo again. Ever.

Before this is officially the end,

I will like to say a special dedication even though this hero rarely showed in the book. Like, at all. I'm sorry, dude.

This is for Percy Jackson, who was the first hero I read and stuck with for 7 years.

I dropped the first book on my first read, but I picked it up again.

I'm glad I read and stuck through. He's all grown up now...

From twelve-years old, drooling in his sleep, to (as of today, CANNONICALLY) seventeen(?!)-years old, still drools in his sleep.

While he may be oblivious at times, he's loyal, selfless, courageous, and probably the best friend you can have.

This PJO world is complex and amazing and beautiful. I am forever grateful that Rick Riordan wrote this series.

Because he started this story for his son, who also has dyslexia.

Because he created a diverse cast which few YA authors dare to do.

Because he taught us about these twists on mythologies that we stubbornly held over the original version.

Because we cried over characters that died, or laughed over particular sentences.

Because, whether we're young or old reading the series, it feels like we knew Percy for a part of our life.