#THE MICHAEL CURSE WAS TEMPORARILY LIFTED

[sea-jello]

what not being able to sleep will get you. new designs in a new style and all drawn traditionally for some reason

also me n my brother i did on the bus a while ago because i like them

[pain-is-too-tired]

Michael and Jake being there for eachother.

Jake being one the only people other than Michael's siblings to check up on him after Lee's death. The only one who could get him to admit he's not fine.

Michael being there for Jake after Beckendorf's death. Even amongst the tension between him and the Ares cabin. One the reasons he much more quickly conceded before BoM. Being the only person who knows what Jake's feeling at that point. Letting him cry into his shoulder. Holding him close away from it all. Helping him settle into his new role. To keep going.

When he fought at Williamsburg Bridge, he kept going for memory of Lee and Beckendorf. For his siblings. For Jake and his own siblings.

When Jake learned about Michael, he nearly broke. Only keeping it together for his cabin. Having to find a secluded spot so he could cry on his own. Feeling completely lost without him.

After BoM, he slowly became more and more drawn away as more and more happened. As he recieve a influx of new siblings to look after and struggled with the curse. The only other Head Counselor that could really talk comfortably with him was Will. He was more distant to the others,especially Clarisse.

It wasn't until Leo showed up and things were getting better for their cabin that he was slowly becoming himself again. Him and Leo co-couseled(idc what canon says, obviously him stepping down didn't last long anyway. I'd say he temporarily stepped down then returned to co-counsel once he got himself together again.) And he was actually feeling normal again.

Than Leo sacrificed himself. And again he lost someone he cared about, not too differently from how he last Beckendorf either.

He became worse again, tho he got somewhat better getting the scroll from Leo couple weeks after, he still was clearly struggling. But he slowly learned to at least keep a better face for other this time. He still had Harley and the rest of his cabin.

When Will and Nico got together, and more campers started coming out, he finally got the courage to come out himself. He didn't mention Michael, he couldn't bring himself to, but he felt a little weight lifted from his shoulders.

When Leo came back, he tore him a new one, before breaking down and hugging him tight.

If keeping closer to canon, when he hears about Jason, he's one of the first to reach out to Leo. And for the first time in years he talked about Michael. Letting Leo know hurt doesn't completely go away, but it does get easier.

If Jason Lives au with Valgrace- him seeing Leo clearly coming to terms with his own feelings for Jason and helping him through it. Feeling comfortable in his own identity for the first time sense he lost Michael. Seeing a little bit of him and Michael in Will and Nico and Jason and Leo. Him helping Leo and being a supportive big brother to him. Finally starting to feel a little more whole again.

Just 😭