How to Save a Life

seven

(A/N: I apologize in advance for this chapter)

• Leo •

  A knock on the bunker door woke me up from my half-asleep nap on my table. I jumped up and rubbed my eyes, before clearing my throat and tousling my hair. I opened the door, a smile on my face. 

  "Hey, Neeks- oh," I whispered, seeing Jason's familiar blue eyes at the door. "I already bought Girl Scout Cookies," I said, going to shut the door, before a foot stopped it. I leaned my forehead against the door, before sighing and opening it again. "So the tables have turned."

  "I'm sorry," he choked out. That's when I realized that his eyes were red and puffy and his cheeks were stained with tears.

  "Jase..." I trailed off. "Come here."

  I let him in and he collapsed into one of my fun rolly chairs, laying his head in his hands. I let him sit there for a minute, before he looked up at me, his eyes sad.

  "What's wrong?" I asked, staying by the door.

  "I...a lot," he whispered.

  "Wanna talk about it?"

  "Can we cuddle?"

  "Uh huh- wait, what?"

  "I just really need someone right now."

  "Alright..." I trailed off, pressing a few buttons on a wall, a king-sized bed popping up from the floor. Jason looked at the Star Wars comforter and laughed, before plopping on the bed, throwing an arm over his eyes. I sat hesitantly next to him. "Tell me what's up."

  He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me down next to him on the bed, nuzzling his face into my neck. I sighed and pulled him closer, holding him tight. The gods know I'd lose him again. My fingers went into his hair and toyed with it, as my other hand laid across his waist.

  "Piper broke up with me," he whispered, his lips brushing my neck. I began pulling away from him.

  "So that's what this is. I'm just a rebound-"

  "No!" he cried out. "No, no. You're not."

  "Then what is this?"

  "I missed you. And we can do this now."

  "Because you and Piper broke up."

  He nodded, tangling his legs with mine.

  "You swear?" I whispered.

  "On the Styx."

  "Why did you guys break up?" I asked, allowing myself to relax into his touch.

  "I told her about us," he murmured into my neck. "I told her everything. She said she didn't care that it was with a boy - or even that it was you - she just cared that I did it behind her back and kept it from her."

  "Hm," I hummed, rubbing his back lightly. "Sounds like something Pipes would say."

  "Yeah..." he trailed off, pulling me closer to him. "I really missed you, Leo..." He leaned in closer, his forehead resting against mine. I could feel his breath against my lips. He smelled like sour candy and I craved it. My eyes traveled to his lips and I wanted to kiss him so bad.

  I had to pull back.

  "Leo-"

  "You just got out of a relationship with Piper. I can't-"

  His lips found mine and I didn't pull away. Instead, I kissed him back like he was oxygen and I couldn't breathe. His arms wrapped around my waist as he pulled me so close, there was nothing between us.

  We both pulled away, breathing heavily. He rested his forehead against mine, both of our eyes closed.

  "So you missed me too?"

  "You have no idea."

• Nico •

  I looked at myself in the mirror, running my fingers through my hair. I grabbed a few movies and a box of assorted chocolates, putting them in a plastic bag before I headed out to Bunker Nine. I stood at the door, before taking a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

  I knocked three times, hiding the bag behind my back. The door opened. 

  Jason answered.

  "Oh," I whispered to myself, putting two and two together. I tried to ignore the pain in my chest. Of course.

  "What's up?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe.

  "Just wanted to uh-" I stopped myself. "How'd it go with Piper?"

  "We broke up."

  I nodded, watching a familiar head of black curls pop it's way passed Jason and the door. His amber eyes lit up.

  "Hey, Neeks," he greeted. I forced a smile.

  "Hi."

"What's up?"

"Just checking on you. You're great, so bye."

I stepped into the shadow of the door and traveled to Percy's cabin, watching as he jumped and screamed when I landed on his bed. I tossed the movies and chocolates onto the floor.

"What's got you into a mood?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing. Do you want me to take you home?" I asked, trying not to let my mood get the best of me.

Calm down. You didn't have a chance anyway. He's with Jason. He's happy. Don't let your attitude get the best of you.

"What about Leo?" he murmured, tossing a pretzel into his mouth from the bag at his side.

"He got what he wanted. He's happy."

"You sound bitter."

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does. Tell me what's up, Neeks-"

Suddenly, a knock at the door cut our conversation off. Percy got up to answer it.

"Hi. Um...is Nico here? He wasn't at his cabin and I'm kinda hoping he didn't leave."

"Yeah." Percy turned to look at me. I got up and walked to the door, seeing those familiar amber eyes I found myself lost in.

"Hey," Leo said, a smile on his face. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I was just checking on you," I lied, biting my lip a little bit.

"Are you sure?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, I assumed you didn't say anything because Jason was there."

"Nope. Just checking on you."

"Oh. Alright."

"If you need anything, I should be at my cabin later."

"Okay," he murmured. "Are you alright? You look a little sad."

"I'm fine," I lied again, shrugging to make it seem more real.

"Alright. I'll see you later."

"Bye."

I shut the door and tried to blink the tears out of my burning eyes.

He's happy. He's happy. He's happy.

"You like Leo," Percy whispered.

"I know. It sucks."

"Why?"

I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead against the door.

"He's happy with Jason."