Prince Jason was raised to be the perfect prince. Each day for most of his life, he was taught languages such as Latin, Greek, Italian, and Chinese. He was expected to be at every business negotiation so he could learn from his father King Zeus. He had art instructions from his cousin Apollo, archery practice from his cousin Artemis, his mother Hera taught him proper manners and how to court a woman. He was taught how to make fires to keep his family warm by Lady Hestia, in secret, his aunt Hestia and Demeter taught him nature magic. Jason learned how to hex a person to get poison oak at the age of seven. When his cousins Travis and Connor Stoll came over with his Uncle Hermes, Jason and the brothers used to do so much stuff that they would have gotten in trouble for if Jason hadn't learned to be so good at hiding it. The trio would dress in disguises and sneak into the village to get in some trouble. They often had prank battles with the son of the war hero Poseidon, the kid's name was Percy Jackson. As Prince Jason spaced out during the meeting his eyes began to become unfocused. A memory crossed his mind, replacing the fuzzy images of adults that surrounded him. Before his eyes the memory took hold. 

Connor Stoll and Lou Ellen were in a snowball fight. Katie Gardner had gotten pushed over and fell against the icy surface of the frozen lake. Travis laughed so hard his cheeks turned red and small tears went down his cheeks. Jason furrowed his eyebrows, he couldn't tell if his cousin Travis was blushing because of the cold, his laughter, or because of his obvious crush on the florist's daughter. Katie began to cry because her knees were scraped pretty badly. Travis's smile fell and he went to his knees in front of her, he helped her to her feet before Katie shoved him to the ground. Katie Gardner smirked, and Jason laughed. 'Travis got played' he thought fondly. Katie skated off quickly but Travis got to his feet and skated quickly after her. Jason felt a tug on his sleeve, Jason looked over and saw Percy holding Jason's wrist. 

"Can I show you something?"

Jason nodded and let Percy lead him, the fifteen-year-olds walked past the lake and up a hill. Percy sat down on a blanket he must have set up. Jason sat beside his best friend. Jason was amazed by the view; one could almost see the whole kingdom with the castle, his home, in the distance. Jason looked at Percy while his friend looked in the distance.

"It is stunning here, isn't it?" Percy asked.

"Quite beautiful," Jason whispered, his eyes looking over Percy's face.

Percy shivered, his teeth chattering together. He stood up and offered Jason his hand, "I am cold, let's dance to get warm."

Jason didn't know if it was his imagination, but Percy's cheeks were more pink than usual. 

He stood up and took Percy's hand. He wrapped the other around Percy's waist while Percy's free hand went to wrap around Jason's neck. They swayed side to side on the blanket with an occasional spin. After dancing for several minutes, it went from awkward at first to more comfortable, to slightly romantic, then to goofy. Now the duo was laughing as they danced in sync. Jason spun Percy and dipped him suddenly. Percy laughed and stroked Jason's cheek, "You dork, don't trip. If you tri--"

Unfortunately at that moment, Jason Grace tripped over Percy's feet and the two tumbled onto the blanket. Not so Graceful. Percy laid on the blanket and Jason was pressed completely against Percy. Both of their cheeks warmed in unison. Jason felt Percy's gaze go to his lips. Jason looked at Percy's mouth, Jason felt like gravity was pulling them together. He leaned down and felt Percy's warm breath hitch against his mouth.

Jason smiled softly when he felt Percy kiss him the moment their lips connected. Percy's warm hand was against his cold cheek and he couldn't stop smiling if he tried. He was relieved to know that his best friend liked him back. They eventually sat up but their lips did not break apart for one moment. They kissed until their chests burned with the need for oxygen. Jason withdrew from the kiss and cupped Percy's cheeks. He held eye contact with Percy and whispered, "That was, amazing." He said softly.

Percy was a blushing mess. "Should we go skate?"

Jason kissed Percy's forehead. "Sure cutie."

The two held hands until they emerged from the trees surrounding the lake, Jason was not sure who released whom hand first. He only knew that his hand was lonely without the warmth of Percy's hand. Jason put on his ice skates and skated over to Travis Stoll, 

"You're it!" He tapped Travis's shoulder before speeding across the lake. Katie skated away quickly as well, Travis hot on her tail. Jason smiled and waved at Percy from across the lake. Eventually, Lou Ellen and Connor Stoll placed on ice skates of their own and joined in on the tag game. The friends played tag for the rest of the afternoon but by sunset, the Stoll brothers and Jason Grace needed to depart. The friends shared in a group hug, Percy was one of the last to let go of the hug, since on one side he had been hugging Jason. Jason squeezed Percy's shoulder, the duo did not know but by spring there would be a war and Percy would be shipped out to join ranks the army. Nither boys could predict that Percy would rise ranks quickly and soon command one of the more terrifying groups in Olympus's army. Only the fates knew what was in store. And with that, Prince Jason has not seen his childhood best friend since. 

Jason remembered rushing to his mother Hera after what had happened and coming out to her.

Jason opened the door to her study. "Mother, I know we have a little lesson before dinner, but can we postpone it? I have something important to tell you."

Hera sighed and turned to her son. "Yes, Jace?"

Jason was very nervous. "Mom, I don't think I like girls. I... I like this boy--" He felt himself start to get choked up so he stopped.

Hera pursed her lips, "I was wondering why you really did not enjoy the courting lessons you have been taking... I must say, we will need to find you a wife to become Queen--"

Jason felt like his heart was breaking.

"But I will change your lessons so you can learn to pursue a man, I just ask you to be careful who you give your heart to. I don't want you to be like your father, do not cheat on your chosen partner." Hera requested.

Jason hugged her tightly, "I have an interest in someone."

Hera later scolded him for leaving the castle in disguise. Jason promised he would not do it again but he still wanted to see his best friend Percy. It took a few months for Hera to figure out how to make that work, they had a date set where Jason and Percy would be able to see each other when the tensions between Olympus and the Underworld kingdoms exploded suddenly and war occurred.

"Mom, please do not send Percy to war, I want a guarantee that Percy won't fight. Please." Jason begged.

The Queen looked at Jason, "He is being shipped off this afternoon. Things are already planned," she handed Jason a letter. "He wrote you this. When he returns from war, and I will make sure that Percy Jackson does not die, he will become our head Knight. He will work in the castle, you will be able to pursue him, but I expect you to consider marrying Princess Bianca di Angelo of the Underworld kingdom to help bring peace."

Something neither the King and Queen could predict is that the war would last for ten years. By the time peace negotiations were reached, with a promise of marriage between the heirs of the kingdoms, Percy had become the leader of the biggest, most feared troop in the Olympus Army. Percy could return to his hometown, seen as a war hero, and begin his new job as the head Knight for the royal family. Percy and Jason now were about 25 years old, having only been 15 when they had feelings for each other. Jason wondered if when Percy returned from war whither he would be the same person he grew up with or if Percy would feel like a complete stranger. Jason sighed, he was twenty-five and expected to marry Bianca di Angelo, the heir of his kingdom's biggest threat. Jason still had not found a man he wanted to be his secret lover. Jason smiled at the people in the meeting. He waved, "If you excuse me, I am needed to help prepare the dinner for our returning war generals." Jason left the room and sighed once the doors closed behind him. He fixed his shoulders and crossed the hallway to the kitchen to help his mother and a few of the staff preparing the dinner. Little did Jason Grace know, the heir of Olympus, that his childhood best friend Percy Jackson would be amongst the war leaders at the dinner that evening.