Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hazel laid on the shingles of the roof, looking up at the stars and taking in the warmth of summer. She'd been brought back only a few days ago, and they were on their way to camp Jupiter. California was a big place, after all, and it took a lot of energy just to get from DOA to here, in the middle of nowhere, some abandoned house.

"... You're my brother, right?" Hazel asked.

"Yeah, why?" Nico smiled gently, opening up a pack of gummy worms. "Want one?"

"Um... No thanks. I prefer my food not to look like bugs."

Nico laughed lightly. "Suit yourself... I got you kettle chips, and sweet tea. Figured it would feel less... I dunno, alien for you."

Hazel sat up and reached for the chips. "Thanks."

"Of course... Now, was there something you wanted to tell me?" He asked.

Hazel nodded. "When I was... Down there... Well, I-I met a lot of people, looking for my mom, but... There was one in particular." Hazel cleared her throat. "Someone from... Somewhere really far away. I couldn't tell if they were a boy or a girl. And when I asked, they... They didn't know how to answer. They just said 'no'."

"Oh... Like, no to both?" He asked.

"I... I think so." Hazel put her chin on her knees. "Do you know what to call it?"

"I think... I think the word you're looking for is 'nonbinary'. I-I could be wrong, I've only ever met one person like that."

"... Do you promise not to freak out?"

Nico thought for a bit. "... Yeah. Of course."

Hazel sighed. "I... I kinda wanna be like that. Like... I don't wanna just, abandon being a girl, but the word feels too small for me."

"Oh..." He took her hand. "... You know I'll always love you. No matter what your name is, or how much hair you cut off... Even if you're not my sister anymore, I'll always be your brother."

Hazel smiled. "... Thanks. But the thing is, I don't wanna cut off my hair, or change my name. I do still wanna be your sister." She sighed, flopping back on her back.

"That's okay too, y'know. Just because you're nonbinary doesn't mean you have to do all the nonbinary things."

"I know, it's just... I don't know why I'm telling you all this, it's not like you need to change much. And I mean... If I don't do any of that stuff, how is anyone supposed to know?"

"Well... Do you need them to know?"

Hazel shrugged. "... I don't want them to say 'she', when they see me." They admitted.

Nico nodded. "Well... What do you want them to say?"

"... Them. I think... I think that's what I want."

"I'll tell them that, when we get there." Nico squeezed her hand. "That is, if you want me to."

They shrugged. "... No. I can't have you fighting my battles for me. I'm just... Glad you reacted so well. I thought... Y'know. You're like me. You're from back in the old days." They leaned on his shoulder. "There was no way you'd understand."

"Oh, Hazel..." He hugged them around the shoulders. "Even if I didn't understand, I would do everything I could to make you happy. Because I love you."

Hazel smiled. "I love you too, Nico." They eventually broke off the hug. "... I think it's best we go to bed soon. You said it was just one more jump away?"

Nico nodded, standing and offering his hand to them. "Let's get back down."

Hazel and Nico climbed down the hole in the roof, to their sleeping bags on the floor. Hazel put their curly brown hair in a bonnet, and slipped into the bag to sleep.

Chapter Text

Frank sobbed into the toilet, for the second time that day. Years had passed since the quest, and the blessing of Mars didn't stick. And sure, Frank hated the broadened shoulders and the muscles and the added height. But... He loved the praise he got. Percy, Jason, Annabeth, Reyna... All of them, people he respected and admired, were so happy for him when he 'got in shape' courtesy of his father.

It was so intoxicating, to, for once, have people just. Assume he's strong. Assume he's capable, assume he's worthy. Strangers treated him differently back then, when he was 'fit' and 'healthy'.

Is this health?

Losing 12 pounds this past week because he's been at the gym since the doors have opened, and only leaves because he has to work?
Going back to the gym the minute the clock hits 5 and staying there until they close?
Only letting himself have lunch if he beats yesterday's best, and skipping breakfast no matter what?
Having to down 5 cups of coffee just to avoid falling asleep at his desk because his body's barely holding itself together?
Continuously punishing himself over and over, because despite the fact he's gone down 4 sizes these last two months alone, his stubborn pouch of belly fat just refuses to leave?

According to the world around him, yes. That's exactly what health looks like.

"Woah, hey Frank." Jason called out behind him. "How ya doing, buddy?"

Shit.

Frank sighed. "I-I'm good. Just, uh..."

Jason knelt beside him. "Frank... What are you doing?" He asked, this time more concerned.

"Nothing, I'm not doing anything." He tried to stand up, but his knees were weak. Jason grabbed his forearms to keep him steady. "Just need to rehydrate."

Jason looked... Genuinely scared, his albino-violet eyes scanning his features. "... Frank, you need to sit down." He stated, authority creeping into his voice. "It's time to call it a day."

"But... I... No." Frank looked down at his feet. "I have to finish what I started. I said I could make it to 350, I'm gonna make it to 350."

"No. Not today." Jason pushed him down on the toilet seat. "Frank, you've been working out so hard you literally threw up. No more bench press for you."

Suddenly, Frank just burst into tears.

They stayed like that, for a bit. Jason held him as he cried, ranting about everything he's put himself through. It was so long that eventually he just exhausted himself, legs numb from sitting so long.

"... I just don't want people to be so... Disgusted with me, anymore. I want people to look at me like... Like a human being. The way they did before the blessing wore off."

Jason sighed. "... Y'know... I know this is gonna sound hollow, but... If you try to change yourself, just so other people will see you as human, all you're doing is playing into the idea that you weren't human before."

"So... What do I do?"

"You have to treat yourself like a human, right here, right now. You can't afford to think of yourself who will one day earn the right to be human, by doing this, that, and the other. Because you're human right now." Jason sighed. "... Sometimes, people do shit like this because they're trying to cope with something they don't wanna face head on. It's... A control thing. Maybe that's not the case for you, but... It's something to consider."

Frank shrugged. What could he be hiding from himself?

He was up all night, trying to answer that question.

But eventually... She got an answer.