My Saving Grace {Leo Valdez x Jason Grace}

Chapter Four

Jason~

Leo looked exhausted by the time we got to my house.  Maybe today was just really stressful and emotionally exhausting got him, but I couldn't help but worry about him.  Even if I didn't mention it, I saw the cigarette on the floor.

What was that guy about to do to him? 

I wished I could ask him without making him upset.  I knew I couldn't. Something about the situation just told me Leo may never want to talk about it.

With a shake of my head, I carried the Latino's bag in. He followed close behind, gasping at the size of the house.

"It's just two stories," I say as I turned to see his expression. He looked surprised, and I couldn't help but wonder if he's ever been to someone else's house before. "Most of the rooms have boxes I never moved, so for the time being, you can take my room. I can sleep on the couch."

He didn't say a word as I showed him through the house. The huge kitchen that had a wide counter you could eat at, then led into the living room. The storage closet under the stairs and the full shower and bath room by the stairs.

When we went upstairs, I showed him my bedroom first so I could leave his things there. Then I led him to the second full shower and bath room, and the three spare rooms full of boxes I never sorted through.

"You have a lot of space for being alone," Leo pointed out as I went back in the kitchen. When I met his eyes, he blushed and looked away. "I-I mean, you n-never said if someone else lives here."

A small chuckle escaped my lips. "No need to be nervous. Yeah, I go live here alone. My parents thought it would be good to get me ready for adulthood before I actually become an adult."

As silence overcame us, I started reheating some leftover pizza. In that silence, I heard the familiar growl of a stomach.

"Hungry?" I ask over my shoulder just as the microwave beeped. I placed the plate in front of him, taking a slice for myself. "Have some. You could use the pounds. You're as skinny as a twig."

He took one of the smallest slices, and nibbled the corner of it.

I didn't question his action. All I did was take the smaller of the remaining pieces and smile at Leo. What he asked me next made me choke on my pizza.

"You aren't going to make me have sex with you, right?"

"What?" I sputtered when I stopped coughing. "No! No, I don't want that from you. I won't force you to do something you don't want to along those lines. Kissing, hugging, sex... if you tell me no, then we don't do any of it."

Leo looked down in shame, and I felt bad. I sit next to him, reaching out to brush a stray curl behind his ear. The way he pulled away made me wince.

I sigh. "That man tried to force you, didn't he? That's why you asked."

He didn't say anything.  His shoulders started to shake, and I realized he was crying.

I placed my hand on his shoulder, and Leo latched himself to me, as if I were some sort of safe haven for him at the moment.  His head stayed in the crook of my neck, and my hands stayed on his upper back.  This was for him.  He needed comfort, not any sort of sign I was into him.

After about ten minutes, the Latino pulled away from me, wiping his eyes.  He gave me a small, embarrassed smile before looking to the stairs.

I smile and let a small laugh escape my lips.  "Go to bed.  You need the sleep.  I'll be down here if you need anything."

Leo turned to me, and pulled me into another hug.  "Thank you for caring."

"You're welcome," I say, grabbing his hand before he could leave.  "You don't need to thank me again.  Think of it as me giving you a second home."

He let his smile falter at that, but he nodded and hurried up the stairs.

I let a sigh escape my lips as I rub my eyes.  Before I lay on the couch, I looked through my recent phone calls.  I add Leo to my contacts, and frown when I saw the number of calls I got from my ex.

I had one voicemail from her, which I refused to listen to.  Piper would only break my heart all over again, but it's not hers to break anymore.

My eyes mindlessly raise to the stairs.  My heart was with someone else, and at the moment, I'm worried it will break all over again.

I turn off the lights, ignoring my thoughts as I tried to sleep.  It's not like I had to work the rest of the week.

~~~~~~~~

I woke up to a scream.  My eyes adjusted to the dark, and I read the nearest click.  2:34.  Then my mind went to Leo, and I ran towards my room.

When I opened the door, I expected someone to be there, harassing the Latino.  That's not what I saw.

All I saw was Leo shaking in the fetal position, eyes shut tight and tears flowing down his face.  It was a heartbreaking moment.

I kneel next to him, placing my hand on his shoulder.

His body jerked away from my touch, and I realized he was still asleep.  Whatever he saw in his nightmare was hurting him, making him scared.

"Hey," I whisper to him, running my hand through his hair.  He tensed.  "Easy, Leo.  I'm here.  No one can get to you while you're here with me.  I won't let them."

Leo slowly relaxed, and he sighed softly in his sleep.

A small smile formed on my face.  "That's it.  Just relax.  I'll be here in the morning, right next to you."

My hand moved to my side, and before he could register that I wasn't there, I slipped in bed next to him, pulling him slightly closer to me.

"I'll be right here," I lean over him, and place a kiss on his cheek.  "I promise."

Leo turned to face me, resting his head on my chest while I kept my hands off of his body.  He might already be mad if he sees me in bed with him in the morning.

Still, I let my eyes slide shut as I faded into my own dreamless sleep.