Chapter Text
“I’ve been really cold, Percy,” Jason informed his friend at some point in conversation. He sat in Percy’s room at the Blofiss’ apartment in Manhattan. “Piper's been away from camp, and Leo and Nico don't like hugs. They're my only year-round camper friends.”
Percy tilted his head, failing to see how those two things were connected. “Yeah, uhh…” he said, “you said you’re cold, Jason? Do you want a jacket?”
Jason smiled shyly. “Oh, no,” he said, “sorry. Other kind of cold.”
“Ohh,” Percy replied. “Um, what?”
“Touch-deprived cold,” Jason explained like that made sense. Percy must have still looked confused, because he went on to say, “like, when you go too long without being hugged or anything, and then you start to feel cold all the time? You know?”
“I…do not,” Percy admitted.
Jason blinked. “You’ve never felt like that before?”
“Not that I can recall. Does it…happen to you a lot?”
“Yeah. Well, kind of.”
“Does it hurt?”
Jason sighed. “Not usually.”
“But sometimes?”
He nodded. “Sometimes.”
“Oh.” Percy considered that. “Can you do anything about it?”
“Just have someone touch me, technically. Simple, but not always easy.” Jason huffed. “It's pretty easy to ignore, though, as long as I’m busy with other things. I have noticed that it makes it a little harder to sleep sometimes, but otherwise, it's fine. I can't believe you’ve never felt touch deprived before. That must be nice.”
“Yeah,” Percy said, “I guess so. Do you need me to do that? Um, touch you?”
“Really? That would be nice. Well, not that I technically need it. But if you wanted to?”
“Sure thing,” Percy said. “What do you need me to do? Like a hug?”
“That works,” Jason agreed. His shoulders seemed to drop a little. Percy moved toward him to hug Jason at his request, wrapping his arms around his chest.
Jason must not have been kidding about needing a hug, either, because he slumped heavily into Percy’s arms. “Whoa,” Percy said under his breath in slight surprise. He patted Jason’s back. “Does this help?” He asked.
“Definitely,” Jason mumbled. “Thank you.”
“Don't mention it.” Percy’s face felt a little flushed, but he was glad to help his friend. Jason was warm, and although he was bigger than Percy was, the way he leaned on him reminded him of the way his dog, Mrs. O’ Leary the hellhound, pressed some of her weight into Percy’s hands while he pet her—-a silent ask for more pats and attention.
“Are you gonna need…more than this?” Percy risked asking. “I mean—is there more I can do for you?”
Jason tensed, unsure. “I, uh," he started, "are you sure you’d want to?”
“I guess it depends,” Percy reasoned. “What would it take to make sure you weren't cold anymore?”
“I don't know. I’m sorry," Jason said. He pulled away to meet Percy’s eyes. “Your hug was good, though, thank you.”
“Jason,” Percy called, catching his friend by the shoulders, “hey, look…I'm your friend. If you need hugs, or…or whatever from me, you can have it, yeah?”
Jason looked up with an uncertain smile. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ve done a lot crazier shit for my friends than giving them a few extra hugs.”
“...what about shoulder rubs?” Jason pleaded.
“I can do that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, dude,” Percy affirmed, “let's go in the living room and pick a movie or something, then I’ll give you some rubs while we watch? Sound okay?”
“Honestly? That sounds awesome, Percy, thank you.”
“Not a problem. Come on,” Percy urged, getting Jason up so he could lead him to the living room, “got any ideas for what you want to watch?”
“What do you have?”
“Oh, I think How To Train Your Dragon is on Netflix.” Percy picked up the remote and pressed the power button.
“Haven't seen it.”
“You’re kidding! It's really good. Let's watch it.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Percy put the movie on and set the remote down. Jason sat on the sofa next to him. Percy had a brief thought that Jason held an unnaturally straight posture for a teenage boy, sitting on his friend’s living room couch to watch a movie.
“So,” Percy prompted, “you still want shoulder rubs?”
“If you don't mind,” Jason replied.
“‘Course not, come here.” Percy nudged his friend so that Jason would turn his back to him, making it easier to reach his shoulders.
“Hmm,” Jason mumbled, when Percy started.
“Hm?” Percy questioned.
“Good,” Jason said, “feels good. Thank you.”
“Oh. Uh, good.”
“Do you give back rubs a lot?”
“Uhh…” Percy had to think. “Oh, I guess Annabeth gets kinda sore sometimes. I wouldn't say ‘a lot’ a lot, but I suppose I do them for her.”
“That must be nice.”
“Yeah. Does Piper or anyone do them for you?”
“She does. Piper's probably my main source of touch most of the time. Her, and you, when you're at camp or otherwise around me.”
“Really? Not Leo or anyone?”
“Well, uh…Leo’s not really big on physical contact. At least, most of the time. There's been a couple of times…and lately he's been more okay with it, but I think it kind of stresses him out, you know?”
“Ah.”
“Yeah. I love him, though.”
“I know you do. He's a good guy.”
“He is. He's…so cute," Jason said fondly.
“He's what?” Percy asked, surprised.
“Well, not—” Jason stuttered, embarrassed, “like, not how my girlfriend is cute. It's just nice to see him excited about his projects and stuff, you know?”
“Sure,” Percy replied. That made sense.
“Ooh, wait.” Jason seemed to get an idea.
“What?”
“A few weeks ago, at camp. Leo slept over in my cabin, doesn't matter why, and I think we were both missing out on a lot of touch for a while…anyway, we ended up sleeping so that he was laying on top of me, and in the morning, I didn't feel cold at all.”
Percy blinked. “Leo slept in your cabin?”
“Uh, don't tell him I told you that.”
“No, wait, I think I remember that,” Percy laughed, “I think I saw you come out of the cabin together, but I don't remember questioning it.”
“Oh, okay.” Jason grinned, “Yeah, we’ve stayed together a couple of times. It doesn't seem to thunder like it does when you and I try to stay in the same cabin.”
“Augh, that makes me so mad, I’d love for you to stay in Cabin Three.”
“Me too, bro. Me too.” Jason huffed. “Anyway, the point is, when Leo laid on top of me, it kind of cured me for a while. Of the coldness, I mean.”
“So, you want me to do that?” The idea made Percy’s cheeks feel a little warmer, but not unpleasantly.
“...I would like that,” Jason said softly.
“Let's do it, then.”
“Is the couch okay?”
“I don't see why not.”
“Okay.” Jason moved to lay on his back across the couch. Percy followed him, carefully laying across Jason with his own body weight. He wasn't sure of how much weight he was actually supposed to press into him, but Jason assured him: all of it.
“...good?” He asked.
“Mh,” Jason groaned.
Percy pulled away a little, hoping he hadn't been crushing his friend. “Bad?”
“No!” Jason gasped, reaching for Percy to get him to come back, “not bad. You're perfect. You're just…” he laughed softly, “you’re bigger than Leo. And Piper.”
“What are you trying to say?” Percy asked, half teasing.
“Oh, no, nothing bad,” Jason flushed, embarrassed, “It's just more weight when you lay on me. It feels…uh…really good.”
“Ohh,” Percy said. He returned to resting his full body weight on Jason. “This is fine then?”
“Mmhm.”
“Great.”
“Hmm. You're really warm.”
“Uh,” Percy flushed, “thanks, bro.” He was suddenly very aware of Jason’s hands resting on his sides, fingers curled into the fabric of Percy’s loose-fitting black and blue tie dye t-shirt.
“Mhmm,” Jason mumbled. “You smell good, too. Always like the ocean.”
“So I’ve been told,” Percy smiled.
“Are you uncomfortable?” Jason asked suddenly.
Percy checked himself. “Not really,” he said honestly, “why?”
“I just…I asked you to do this, and I’m not sure if you wanted to or not. Your face is also a little bit red. You don't have to do this for me if you don't like it, okay?”
“I know, Jason,” Percy assured, “I’m okay. I promise. I guess I’m just not…naturally a cuddler.” He laughed halfheartedly. “I mean—not with friends, anyway. I’m not used to it, I think.”
“Oh. Okay, that makes sense.”
“Yeah. So I’m just not really sure how to respond. Especially with guys, you know. Like—male friends, if that makes sense?”
“Yeah. I think so. Having to be manly and unfeeling, and all that. Gets tough sometimes, hm?”
“For sure,” Percy agreed. “Times about a gazillion, when you're a hero that actually needs to act tough and protect people.”
“Absolutely.”
“So, yeah,” Percy said, “It's not that I don't like this, it's just that it feels a little…I don't know. Awkward? Unfamiliar?”
Jason tapped his fingers lightly against Percy’s back. “You do like it, though?”
Percy sighed. “Yeah, I do. It's helping you?”
“Yes,” Jason breathed, “it's exactly what I needed, thank you.”
“Awesome.” Percy grinned despite himself.
As the conversation came to a natural end, Percy and Jason decided to watch the movie playing. They didn't talk for a while. Percy rested his head against Jason’s chest. The warmth made it harder to focus on the movie, as well as Jason’s hands idly stimming with the fabric of Percy’s shirt.
Near the end of the film, though, Jason said: “Hey, Percy.”
“Yeah, man?” Percy responded.
“Could we…sleep like this, you think?” Jason asked shyly. “Or at least, you know…together.”
Percy considered that. He didn't see why not. “Sure,” he replied. He lifted his head to look at Jason. “Here, or the bed?” He asked.
“Whichever.”
“Okay.” Percy thought. “Bed?”
“Sounds good,” Jason breathed.
“Great. Should we get ready now, then, or…?”
“Honestly? Yeah, I could sleep. Unless you're not tired.”
“No, yeah, I’ll just…” Percy got up from the couch, letting Jason stand up as well. They’d been lying still for so long, they both had to stretch. “I’ll find some clothes and take a shower, then,” Percy yawned, “are you gonna take one?”
“I’d like to, if that's okay.”
“Not a problem. You can go first, then.”
“Are you sure?”
“Unless you wanted to shower together, dude,” Percy teased.
Jason stared at him for a moment, like he was trying to decide if he was joking. “You’re funny,” he finally decided.
“Thanks,” Percy laughed. “Come on, I’ll show you what soap you can use.”
After they had both bathed and changed into the clothes they were sleeping in, Jason and Percy were in Percy’s bedroom with the lights off. They lay next to each other, trying to go to sleep.
Percy could hear Jason’s steady breathing next to him, and briefly, he wondered what Annabeth would think about him being close to his friend like this.
Then, Percy remembered all the times he'd seen Annabeth holding hands with her friend Piper, or having Piper lay her head in her lap, or the couple of times he’d seen Piper give Annabeth a small, sweet kiss on the forehead. If his girlfriend had qualms about this with Jason and Percy, that would just be hypocritical of her.
Percy turned over to where Jason lay next to him. He reached across the bed and found some part of his friend, covered by the fabric of his shirt. Somewhere along his shoulder or his upper arm. He gave it a gentle squeeze. “Jason,” he called in a raspy whisper.
“Yeah, bro,” Jason replied sleepily.
“Are you still cold?”
“Hm, not so much anymore. I think what you did really helped, thanks.”
“Okay,” Percy accepted. “You didn't still want me to lay on you, or anything, did you?”
Percy heard Jason shift. “I don't think I need you to lay on me anymore, but I just…” Jason paused, choosing his next words, “I don't feel so cold anymore. But I’d still really like some, like, hugs or something. If I’m being honest.”
“You did say you wanted to sleep like how we were in the living room, with me laying on you.”
“I did say that,” Jason breathed, “and honestly, I still wouldn't mind that.”
“Okay, hold up,” Percy said thoughtfully. Then, he had an idea. He moved across the bed, closer to Jason, and tapped on his arm. “If you turn over, I’ll give you some back rubs, okay?”
Jason made a noise that sounded like some combination of excitement, surprise, and gratitude. “Yeah?” He murmured.
“Sure,” Percy assured. “Come on.” He sat up, waiting for Jason to settle and get comfortable, in a position that would allow Percy to follow through with his promise. When he didn't hear any more shuffling, he found Jason’s shoulders with his hands in the dark, and asked, “are you ready?”
“Mmyeah,” Jason mumbled.
“Okay,” Percy whispered. He started to press his hands into Jason’s back, trying gently to loosen up some of the tension there. He wasn't really sure where Jason liked to be touched, but he did know what it felt like when Annabeth was stressed and got tense muscles in her back. Jason had a lot of that. It must have been building up for a while.
“Hhhh,” Jason groaned as Percy pressed into a tough spot in his middle back.
“You okay?” Percy murmured.
“Hng…good.”
“Sweet. You know, you have a lot of tense spots, buddy,” Percy informed his friend, “don't you feel sore, like…all the time?”
“A little bit, I guess,” Jason mumbled. “I mean, just sometimes.”
“Like today?” Percy asked gently. “Are you hurting today?”
“Kinda…yeah. Well, I was,” Jason corrected, “but it's really hard to—mh—-hurt right now.”
“Yeah?” Percy smiled, although Jason couldn't see it in the dark.
“Mmm.”
“Stick with me, little guy,” Percy said fondly, “when you're here, I’ll be able to rub all that tension and back aches away. Then you’ll be all soft again…like a big ball of cookie dough that you take out of the fridge.”
Jason didn't verbally reply to Percy’s words right away, but he did make an audible gasp when Percy pressed his palms into the sides of his back, below his shoulder blades. Percy hummed, a little amused.
“You know, Jason, really…” Percy continued, noticing how his talking was helping Jason to relax more, “I think I kind of like giving you back rubs. It seems like it makes you really happy…yeah?”
“Yeah,” Jason sighed. “Happy…ohh, it feels so good.”
Percy laughed. “You really do like it, don't you?” He observed, “You weren't kidding about needing to be touched more often…you know what, I’m gonna make sure I keep that in mind. I’ve gotta do this every time you're over.”
“...really?” Jason’s hopeful tone made a ball of pleasant warmth appear inside Percy’s chest.
“Definitely.” Percy scribbled his fingers lightly across Jason’s back, making him squeak adorably in surprise. “I’d better make sure I’m giving you more hugs at camp, too.”
“That sounds good,” Jason agreed sleepily.
“Good.”
“Mhmm.”
Percy rubbed Jason’s back for a long while, determined not to stop until the tension was worked out of him. He knew Jason would let him stop at any time, and say that it was fine and he was grateful for what Percy had done already—-but Percy wanted to make sure Jason was satisfied.
He could tell when he was done that Jason was really grateful for that, too.
Percy could've stopped there and gone to sleep right when he was done giving back rubs, but he liked to do things extra. For another while before sleeping, he just lay facing Jason, and stroked his fingers through his soft hair. Jason seemed to like that.
Percy kept talking to him in a sleepy voice while he stroked and gently scratched at Jason’s scalp, and the replies were only hums and gasps and soft little moans for a while, until finally, Jason dozed off altogether.
He wasn't sure if Jason really believed him, but Percy fully intended to keep his promise about keeping Jason warm whenever he slept over.