My Saving Grace {Leo Valdez x Jason Grace}

Chapter Thirteen

Leo's P.O.V.~

I was walking through the neighborhood, tear stains on my cheeks. Nico had been gone for a while, Jason still hadn't come home... I was just scared. My feet dragged across the sidewalk as I passed house after house.

Why was I being punished? I was the one who lost my mom when I was a kid. I was disowned by my own family. The only relationship I knew was an overbearing one where I got hurt. The only home I knew growing up was the streets until Octavian came, and even now, I can't go back.

But when Jason opened his home to me, I felt like I found a home again... one that was safe and warm, where I would always be welcomed.

I didn't even realize I had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk until I was turning around, yet I didn't move a muscle.  I just stared back the way I had come, wondering.

If I go back, would Jason come back?  Would he realize the stress he put on me by vanishing?

"Who would want me?" I sobbed into the air as I turned my back to Jason's house.  My legs felt heavy like lead as I walked along the houses once more.  "I'm a disaster.  Maybe I'm not worth it."

But what if I'm wrong? Would Jason actually waste time looking for someone as broken as me?

Only one place blazes in my mind. The only place I felt truly amazing. The place I truly felt like I fell in love at.

"If he loves me," I whispered under my breath as I began to walk with purpose, "then he'll go there to find me too. I know he will."

~~~~~~~~

Jason's P.O.V.~

My hands were shaking. Why did I leave? Why was I such an idiot not to leave a note? Leo didn't deserve to be left alone like I left him.

"Damn," a grimace grew on my face as I paced the yard. "I should have just stayed. He could be with Octavian again by now."

"Like hell he is," a familiar voice came from behind me, and I almost sighed in relief when I turned to see Nico walking his motorcycle into the driveway.  "He refused to go with Octavian before I came over.  I doubt that guy would come and kidnap Leo, no matter how much he wants him back."

I just stared silently at the Italian for a moment, shocked to see how his hands trembled slightly.  He looked out of breath, as if he had run here for miles.

Finally, my brain processed what the Italian had said.  "Octavian was here?"

The pointed glare I got in turn made me look away.  "He wouldn't have been in there in the first place if someone hadn't left Leo alone.  Who gave you the right to leave without a word, Jason?  Leo was scared to death about you!"

I couldn't look Nico in the eye.  I couldn't bear to see the rage that burned in his eyes right now.  However, all I manage to do is shake my head.  "I don't know."

"Whatever," the Italian snorts at me. "Any idea where he may have gone?"

I risked glancing up at Nico, accidentally locking eyes with him. His dark irises burned with anger as he glared me down. It was a similar anger I saw in him when we first met, but back then, it wasn't directed at me. Now, it was and that was terrifying.

"Nico, if I had any idea where he could be heading, I would be running there myself."

The Italian growled in frustration, pacing as I had once been. "Well, he can't be anywhere near here, that's for sure. He'd make it hard to find him. Hard for you, at least. Where did you guys meet?"