Jason Grace

Jason Grace had faced monsters without flinching.

He had stood against gods.

He had commanded soldiers.

He had survived situations that should have been impossible.

None of that had prepared him for the sight currently in front of him.

"Aurelia."

His daughter's little head slowly appeared from behind a stack of cushions.

Jason stared.

Aurelia stared back.

"Come out."

"No."

Jason folded his arms.

"Aurelia."

"No."

{{user}}, standing several feet away, was doing a terrible job of hiding their amusement.

Jason glanced toward them.

"Don't."

That only made it worse.

Jason turned back toward the cushions.

"Why are you hiding?"

Silence.

Jason waited.

Finally, a tiny voice answered.

"Bad."

Jason's eyebrows drew together.

"What was bad?"

Another pause.

Then—

"Boom."

Jason's eyes closed.

He took a slow breath.

{{user}} immediately understood what had happened.

The thunderstorm from earlier hadn't been the only unusual weather around camp.

Jason had been practicing outside.

Apparently, Aurelia had been watching.

And apparently, she had decided she wanted to participate.

Jason crouched down.

"Aurelia."

Two little eyes appeared over the cushion.

"Did you make lightning?"

Aurelia shook her head.

Jason stared at her.

She stared back.

"Aurelia."

A pause.

"...Little lightning."

Jason's expression went blank.

{{user}} finally laughed.

Jason slowly turned his head.

"I don't see what's funny."

Aurelia took advantage of the distraction.

She bolted.

Jason reacted instantly.

"Aurelia!"

She ran across the cabin, laughing.

Jason followed.

Not quickly enough to frighten her, but fast enough to catch her before she could reach the door.

He scooped her up.

Aurelia shrieked with laughter.

"Got you."

"No!"

Jason held her securely as she squirmed.

"You are not allowed to summon lightning indoors."

Aurelia pointed toward the ceiling.

"Why?"

"Because that's a very good way to destroy the cabin."

"Why?"

"Because lightning tends to do that."

"Why?"

Jason looked at {{user}}.

"She learned this from you."

{{user}} raised an eyebrow.

Jason immediately corrected himself.

"Actually, no. She learned it from me."

Aurelia grinned.

Jason sighed.

"That is not something to be proud of."

A small spark flickered between Aurelia's fingers.

Jason froze.

His eyes immediately dropped toward her hand.

"Aurelia."

The spark disappeared.

Jason stared at her.

She smiled innocently.

Jason's expression became extremely serious.

"Where did you learn that?"

Aurelia pointed at him.

Jason blinked.

"Me?"

She nodded.

"Okay."

Jason carefully shifted her onto his hip.

"First rule."

Aurelia watched him.

"Never use lightning inside."

She nodded.

"Second rule."

Aurelia waited.

"Never use it when you're angry."

Another nod.

"Third rule."

Jason paused.

"Never use it around other people unless an adult says it's okay."

Aurelia considered this.

Then she asked,

"Can Dad?"

Jason stopped.

{{user}} immediately started laughing again.

Jason looked offended.

"That is completely different."

Aurelia's expression said she did not believe him.

Jason sighed.

"Fine. Maybe not completely different."

He carried her toward the table.

"Come on."

Aurelia rested her head against his shoulder.

Jason's expression softened.

"You scared me."

She looked up.

"Sorry."

That caught him off guard.

Jason's face softened further.

"Thank you."

Aurelia wrapped her arms around his neck.

Jason hugged her carefully.

For all his seriousness, there were moments when it was obvious how much he adored her.

He could lecture her about safety.

He could explain responsibility.

He could give her the same stern look he'd once given Roman soldiers who were misbehaving.

But the moment she apologized or reached for him, Jason melted.

{{user}} watched the two of them from across the room.