My Saving Grace {Leo Valdez x Jason Grace}

Chapter Fourteen

Jason's P.O.V.~

As Nico walked away, I forced my legs to move.  With each step, my heart began to beat harder and faster.  Leo made no move to look at me, which I silently thanked him for.  If our eyes met, the guilt would only stop me from speaking to him.

As I stood beside him, I saw him tense up.  I winced as I sat beside him.

The sun beat down on us.  The ocean, bluer than I had ever seen it before.  Not a single cloud hid the sky above.  Such a beautiful day...

And I had to explain my ridiculous actions.  God, why was I such an idiot?

"I don't know if you're here to apologize to me for what you did," Leo broke out silence out of the blue. My eyes shot to meet his gaze, but he was still staring off into the horizon, ignoring my presence. "I'm guessing that's part of why you're here. To explain to me why you left me alone without a word."

All I could manage to do was nod as Leo's gaze fell to his lap.

He sighed softly, his eyes shutting tightly. "Okay. Then tell me what I did wrong. Quickly, if you could."

"Leo, it was my fault entirely," I let the words slip from my lips before I could stop them. Not that I should have in the first place. Cautiously, I reached over to lift one of his hands into my own, dragging my thumb over his trembling limb. "I had the worst dream that you wanted to go to Octavian. You gave me my ring back because you could finally impress that bastard, adamant that he wouldn't hurt you anymore..." my voice died away when I looked up and saw the Latino staring at me with tears in his eyes.

Leo licked his lips, blinking rapidly before he returned to staring at the sand beneath him.

I cleared my throat before continuing.  "I just woke up with you beside me, and I was fuming.  It wasn't anger towards you, just for this damn situation you're in.  You don't deserve to feel any fear in any relationship, and just the thought of you going back to Octavian got me riled up.  I didn't want you to see me in that state."  For a brief moment, I just caressed his hand.  The silence between us felt hard to break.

However difficult, Leo was worth every ounce of strength to get us back on track.  So, with a surge of bravery, I let his hand go to tilt his chin towards me.  His brown eyes were downcast, but instantly shot up to meet my gaze. 

"I wish I could go back and make things right.  I'm sorry I left without a word.  I'm sorry I made you feel scared and abandoned.  I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry, Leo."

I didn't realize I was crying until the Latino's gaze softened and his fingers gently wiped away the tears. 

"Did Piper show up?  When you were alone?"

The question startled me until I remembered: Octavian got to him when I was gone.  Leo may not trust me again for a while.

Not that I blame him.

"She caught me when I was parked in my work's parking lot.  She tried talking to me, tried getting me to let her in, but I just flipped her off and drove off."

The memory of her shocked expression as I drove off left a good feeling in me.

Leo nodded, though he still looked hesitant.  Holding back.

"What's on your mind?  There's something else you want to ask me, isn't there?"  My questions only added to Leo's shy nature.  "Leo?"

He sighed as questions left his lips.  "Is it wrong that I'm confused by everything?  That I don't know what to do or who I should trust now that you've done this to me?"  Tears fell down his cheeks as he shook his head.  He opened his mouth to continue, met my eyes, then closed it again.