#i fing it interesting that they're both protectors but in different ways

[shoecrabs]

I decided a few months ago that I wanted to try rewriting tLH to see if I could give Jason and Piper stronger character voices (and maybe derail the plot so that I could make it more connected to new rome and the newer characters haha *shoots the series with my AU-ification beam*)

But at the same time, I'm realising how much more was packed into the unexpressed details than in the explicit ones. Sure, I'm currently only on chapter 2, but I read ahead, and one thing I saw about Jason specifically is the fact that he is so used to the Roman standard of what a soldier is that he never even respond to Piper, Leo or Hedge once the fight starts. It's like he's in the unfeeling soldier mode, because he never fully expresses anxiety or impulsiveness at the fact that his supposed best friends could die any at any moment. He doesn't jump after Piper or help Leo until he's been given an order. It's like the "born a Roman, die a Roman" thing is etched into his psyche.

And for Piper I always had this feeling that she's been suppressing all her feminine and empathetic qualities so that she wouldn't be made fun of or devalued. Reading about how she interacts with others feels very on brand for a young girl who wants to fit in with the boys because she can't connect with the girls for one reason or another, and in the first chapters we know it's because she's an outcast among them. I think the best example of what I'm saying is that she is so quick to defend Leo and Jason and make sure they're ok, but unlike later on in the series, she doesn't hold them, or outwardly express her relief or concern. It's like she's trying to not look weak around the boys she's befriended. She doesn't want to lose them.

Another thing for Piper that I realised is that she constantly channels her desperation r sadness into anger. She flings herself at problems, as if proving to herself she isn't just some weak, spoiled brat. It's like she's running that part of herself like her dad is, and we all know she got that from him.

which then brings the painful thing within the trio. they're all running from themselves while also trying to look normal to the others. Leo is obviously running from his past. Jason just doesn't remember what he was running from, and keeps doubling back to chase after it. Piper is so used to doing it that she doesn't realise how it hurts her until she's exposed to positive outlooks and acceptance/encouragement