My Saving Grace {Leo Valdez x Jason Grace}

Chapter Three

Leo~

As soon as I finished putting things away, I went back to cleaning.  I just wanted to stay away from Octavian while he was drinking.

When evening rolled around, he yelled at me to make dinner.  So, here I was, making my famous tacos.

Just as I finished plating the food and had the pans on the stovetop, I felt arms push me into the counter. My heartbeat quickened while I realized what was happening. A hand ran down to my pants. Octavian was drunk, I knew that, but I am not going to do this.

"Octavian," I tried to sound demanding, but it came out like a whimper. Wrong message. "Stop, we can't-"

The blonde behind me chuckled, pressing himself against me. "Babe, all you have to do is say 'yes,'" he slurred. "We can do anything with consent."

What I said next made things worse. "What if I don't want to have sex with you?"

Suddenly, I was facing Octavian, and I could see the rage in his eyes. Fear built up in my mind and heart so that all I could do was shake as he reached over to open a drawer.

"You're making me very angry," he stated, taking out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. "You like fire, don't you?"

In an instant, I thought back to when I was young. The fire at the warehouse that took my mother from me. One of the foster homes I lived in with the smoker... and the smell of ash and smoke around that house. Worst of all, the feeling of that burning ash as the man burned into my skin as I screamed and cried at him to stop.

Tears ran down my face now as I watched Octavian light a cigarette, and let it burn for a moment. When his eyes met mine again, I covered my face.

"No," he snapped, forcing my hands away before he slapped me. "No looking away. If you won't say yes, then I'll make you wish you did."

He roughly took my arm, staring down at my wrist, palm up. I started to hyperventilate as the cigarette got closer to my skin, and I panicked. My free hand reached back to grab anything, and my hand latched onto a greasy frying pan.

In a split second, the frying pan made contact with Octavian's head, and he fell to the ground. The cigarette fell next to my shoe, so I quickly stomped it out.

For a moment, I just took the chance to realize I fought back against the blonde for the first time in our relationship.  In that moment, I let myself smile and sob with relief.

Then I noticed he didn't move.

"Oh, shit," I whispered, running to get my phone.  Quickly, I pull Jason's number out of my pocket, quickly dialing it while I paced my bedroom.  "Please, pick up.  Pick up."

"You've reached the voicemail of Jason Grace," his voice came through the speaker.  "I'm probably busy at the moment, so leave a message, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

I let tears run down my face as I sob.  "Jason, it's Leo from the grocery.  I-I," a sniffle escape me.  "I need help."

Instantly, I heard someone pick the phone up.  "What happened?  Are you hurt?  I'll head over to your place, I just got off work."

Even if I knew he couldn't see me, I nodded.  I put my phone away before walking out to the porch.  A couple minutes later, I saw a nice Dodge Avenger pull up to the curb.  The blonde from the grocery store ran up to meet me.

He held my arms, looking me up and down.  "What happened?  You've been crying.  Did he hurt you?"

I smile, but quickly let it disappear as I shrug.  "H-he tried, but I..." the thought trailed off as I led Jason into the house.  "Well, you'll see."

When we got to the kitchen, I let the blonde kneel next to the other, watching him check his pulse.  My breath caught in my throat, and I couldn't help but fear I killed him.

He deserves it for what he's done, a voice inside me stated.

"He's alive," Jason said, pulling me into a comforting hug when he stood back up.  "He may not remember who knocked him out, but just in case he does, I can take you to my place.  You can stay for a while until you feel like you're okay again."

I wanted to.  Really, I did.  But looking down at Octavian unconscious made me nervous.  He'd hurt me badly if he knew I was staying with another guy.

With a shaky smile, I pull away from the hug.  "I-I'll be fine.  Just wanted to make sure he was alive."

"Leo," the blonde took my hand.  "I'm serious.  Get some clothes and anything else you need.  You're staying with me until you feel safe again."

He wasn't going to let this go.  He was going to make me stay with him.

Why was I oddly okay with that?

Jason came with me while I packed my clothes, along with my tool belt I haven't worn in years, a statue of a metal dragon I made, and some personal pictures I kept from Octavian.  All of those things fit into a medium-sized bag.

With a deep breath, I back away from the door, stopping to give one last look inside.  Jason came out after me, locking the door behind him.

He took my bag so I could climb into the front seat, opening the door for me.  A minute after he started the car, I watched the house fade in the reflection of the side mirror.  The last three years of my life faded from my view, and I felt a little safer just being with Jason.

Maybe things would turn out okay.