I Found Love (Valgrace)

Chapter Nine

Through the day, my thoughts were mostly of Hera's offer to me. I don't know what she'd give me in return, if anything. I was scared that it was a trick. 

"Uh, Leo, are you okay?" Piper asked at dinner, breaking me out of my thoughts. "You've been quiet nearly all day."

"Yeah," Percy agreed. "That's so unlike you."

Jason shot me a worried glance. "Do you want to talk about it if something's wrong?"

I shrugged. "I'm fine. I've just been thinking a lot lately," I sighed. 

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" Jason asked. "I'm always here if you need me." 

I smiled. I'm so lucky to have him as my best friend...even though I want more than that. 

"Thanks, Jay, I appreciate it," I said. 

Jason blushed and mumbled a, "No problem."

Why did he blush? I must be seeing things. 

After dinner, Piper cornered me. 

"Something is obviously wrong and you're going to tell me," she said. 

"And why is that?" 

"Because I'm worried about my best friend," Piper replied, rolling her eyes. 

I sighed. "Pipes, listen."

"I'm listening."

"Okay," I began. "I had a dream last night and Hera appeared out of nowhere."

Piper's face contorted into anger. "What does she want now?"

"She made an offer," I said. "She said that I had to give something up that I love in order to get something back that I loved."

"She means your mother, doesn't she?" Piper's expression saddened. 

I shrugged. "Most likely. But I think I know what she wants me to give up."

"What does she want?"

I took a deep breath. "Jason. She wants me to give up Jason."

Piper's eyes widened. "Leo, no! You can't give up your best friend like that!" 

"I know!" I cried. "I'm afraid it's a trick. She wants me to decide tonight."

"Tell her no," Piper said firmly. "I won't stand here and watch her take our best friend because of some stupid offer," she spat. 

"I am going to say no," I said. "I can't do it, I won't let her take him. I love him more than anything." I immediately regretted what I said. 

Piper's eyes widened. "You...you what?"

My cheeks burned. "He...he means more to me than almost anything."

Piper smiled. "You like him, don't you?"

I nodded. "I do, I know I shouldn't but-"

She engulfed me in a hug. When she pulled away, she said, "It's okay that you like him like that. In fact, that's great that you do." 

"It...It is?" Tears gathered in my eyes. 

Piper gave a supportive and kind smile. "Yeah. It is."

--

So, I will be posting my Valzhang fic soon(I love how this is announced in a Valgrace fic), it's called "Teeth" and I'm writing it for fun, I don't actually ship that.