My Saving Grace {Leo Valdez x Jason Grace}

Chapter Ten

Jason's P.O.V.~

Leo and I just got home from that wonderful date, laughing as we waved our friends off for the night. It was highly reassuring that he actually got along with Nico. Just seeing those two nudging each other playfully was great. Though, maybe I should start to worry about losing Leo to Nico's Italian heritage.

As I locked the door for the night, I heard the Latino pull a chair out at the counter. "That was absolutely amazing, Jason! Your friends are so nice and Nico actually made me feel normal."

The smile that was on my face only grew. "I'm glad you had fun. I'm glad your curls are coming back." To emphasize, I sit next to him and tuck a stray curl behind his ear. "It definitely adds to that beauty you have already."

Leo bit his lip and shook his head. Even so, he reached up to my hand and held it in place. His eyes fluttered shut as his body relaxed, though the moment only lasted a few seconds.

The moment he opened his eyes, the question I keep hearing so much about left his lips. "Are you going to tell me what sex is yet?"

My hand slipped out of his grasp as I covered my face. "Leo."

"You don't have to.  I'm just curious is all."

When I let my hands fall, guilt spread through my body.  Leo was glancing around the floor, mindlessly picking the nail polish off of his nails. Just the sight of him made his innocence even more appealing.

God, he's beautiful.

"Sex isn't a game," I sigh out, causing Leo's eyes to meet mine like a magnet.  "It's the biggest step you can take in a relationship, one that changes everything.  That's why people sometimes wait until marriage, just for the reassurance that there's love."

The Latino's brown gaze wavered slightly, then shut.  "So we could have sex?"

I stared down at my hands, then at my pocket.  The box felt heavier than before.  "Leo, why is sex so important for you to know?  You're an amazing person who doesn't need to flaunt yourself like that."  My eyes rose to see a tear run down the tan cheek.  I didn't even try to fight the urge to wipe it away.  "You're perfect."

He only shook his head, pushing my hand away to meet my eyes again.  The amber flecks I saw in them glistened with tears.  "Then why was Octavian so set on having sex with me?  I said no, but he kept trying and trying.  Why did he do that?"

My heart seized in my chest at the mention of that man.  The man who scared Leo so much it stopped so many things from happening.  The man that I knew I would never leave Leo to.

A breath left my lips.  "There's so much to sex, Leo.  Casual sex, rough, oral, consensual, and many others.  All of those things are good with consent only.

"What Octavian is doing is trying to force you into sex.  That's rape."  I saw a look of confusion pass over Leo's face.  I placed my hand on his cheek, staring straight into his eyes.  "You told him no.  If he didn't stop, tried to get what he wanted, that's force.  He could go to jail for that, no matter how old you are."

A faint frown added to the sorrow evident in Leo's mind.  Tears fell faster down his cheeks, causing some of his makeup to smear as he wiped them away.

Still, I continued to talk.  "If we were together for a longer time, and it was completely consensual between us, I'd consider having sex with you.  But I don't want you to ever feel pressured into anything.  You decide your life.  You choose who you love enough to make that step."

My eyes flickered to the time.  "It's late.  We should head to bed.  I'm sure you want to go out and see my family."

Leo nodded solemnly as I stood up, staring down at his hands.

As I made my way to the stairs, I hesitated.  I pulled the small box out of my pocket, turning back to Leo.

"Before I go," I said as I walked back over to his side, "I got you this."

His eyes instantly brightened when he opened the box.  The silver ring shined in the light, showing off the black lettering.  I Promise.

"It's a promise ring for you.  If you choose to leave me, I swear I will always be here for you.  No matter where you go, I'll come for you.  Even if you don't love me like I love you, I will do anything for you."

Leo was staring at me with awe.  I smiled, kissing his forehead gently.  "Come to bed when you feel like it."

Before any other words could be exchanged, I hurried up the stairs to get changed.

~~~~~~~~

The sound of a door opening made me open my eyes groggily.  I groaned as I shifted onto my back.  At the same time, I heard a soft giggle come from the foot of my bed.

When my eyes adjusted to the dark, I saw the small figure of Leo staring down at me.

He grinned playfully at me.  "You're really sweet on me.  I still don't know why you like me so much."

A smile of my own formed as I sat up.  "What can I say?"

"I wasn't done," Leo chuckled.  He tossed the black box over to me, leaning into the bed frame near my feet.  "I don't need the ring.  You should love me enough to know that."

I shrug.  "I know, but I really want you to have it."

For a moment, the Latino stood there, frozen.  Then he laughed.  "You don't get it, do you?  I don't need the ring because I'm leaving."  His eyes darkened as he climbed onto the mattress, closer onto my lap.  "Now that I can look good for him, he won't hurt me."

A pain bloomed through my chest.  "What?  I thought..."

Leo grinned again, his body pressing so close against me that his lips were inches away from mine.  "You thought what?  That I could love a man who never told me he slept with a girl before?  That I could love you?"

How did he know about Piper?  I didn't tell him about that part of us.

"Besides, your birthday's only a week away.  Did you really think I'd actually stay with you?"

Before I could say a thing, Leo leaned in and kissed me.

~~~~~~~~

I woke up with a start, sitting straight up.  I tried to catch my breath, tried to calm my shot nerves, but his words echoed through my head.  Of course he was planning to go back.  Why would he want to stay with me?

My eyes flickered to the other side of the bed.  Leo was still sleeping peacefully, his common whimpers now faint.

I should stay with him, a voice said in my heart.  He'd need me in the morning.

But the bitter, fearful part of me outweighed my heart's desire.  Leo deserved to wake up alone.  He was leaving me as soon as my birthday was up.

I changed as quietly as I could before walking down the stairs.  My phone was laid on the counter, but I didn't pick it up.  I grabbed my car keys, walked out the door, and hesitated.  Why was I leaving him because of a dream?

Then I sighed as I locked the door behind me.  "I just need to think.  He could use the time anyway."

I got in my car and drove away as my insecurity of losing Leo grew.  Just like I lost Piper.

All because he couldn't push an older man away from his mind.