Leo Valdez- Learning to Live

Chapter 3

Oh look. Another chapter. Hmm.

I own nothing you recognize. That's all Rick Riordan.

Jason slowly became aware of his surroundings. It was quiet. He was lying down. And his chest hurt like Hades.

What happened? Where am I?

He forced his eyes open and squinted around. It was very white. He must be in the infirmary. Well, that made sense, seeing how much pain he was in.

He glanced over and saw a small, disheveled boy slumped over in a chair beside him.

"Leo?" he croaked.

Leo's head snapped up, and Jason was horrified at the sight of his friend. He was pale, skinnier than normal, and had massive bags under his eyes. 

"Jason! You're awake! Thank the gods. How are you feeling?"

"Honestly? Awful." He coughed a few times, each one sending a spike of pain through his body.

"Here. Have some water." Jason gratefully took a few sips from the glass handed to him.

"Thanks. What even happened? It feels like I got shot or something."

Leo looked away guiltily. "You did."

And with those quiet words, Jason remembered everything.

"Oh, Leo..."

"So. You remembered, then?"

"Please tell me I'm remembering wrong. Please tell me that you didn't... That you don't want to..."

But Leo remained silent. And Jason's heart broke into a million pieces.

"Why? Leo, please, you're my best friend, and I-"

"Am I though?" Leo softly interrupted, still staring steadfastly at the floor. "I can't remember the last time we hung out or even talked. Not that I blame you, of course. Who would want to be friends with someone as worthless as me? And what kind of friend puts you in a hospital bed, anyway? Gods, Jason, I'm so sorry." A tear slipped down Leo's face.

A wave of guilt crashed over Jason. He had never seen Leo so quiet and still, and it scared him to death.

"No, Leo. No no no, you're not worthless. And if anyone should be sorry, it's me. Hades, the rest of the Seven, too. We neglected you, made you feel like you're not important. But you are, Leo, I swear to the gods you are."

Slight tremors ran through Leo's body. He still refused to look at Jason.

"You don't have to do this. You don't have to pretend to like me anymore. I'll be out of your hair soon anyway. I just had to wait and make sure you were going to be okay first."

Jason was absolutely shell shocked. Where had this come from? How long had this been going on? How had none of them noticed? And most importantly, how were they going to fix it?

"Leo, wait. We can help you. Please. Don't leave. Let's just... Call everyone else. And we can talk. Okay?" Jason's voice shook as the full weight of the situation bore down on him.

But Leo was slowly pushing himself up from his chair. "No, I don't think so. I'm sorry Jason, really I am. But I've already stayed too long. It'd be best if I got going now."

"No, no, don't go. Don't do this Leo. I'll... I'll call the others! I'll scream until they come and then we can fix this."

Leo almost laughed, but it wasn't the cheeky grin Jason was used to. It was an ugly, bitter smile that didn't belong on Leo's face.

"No, you won't. And I'm past fixing, anyway."

What was he talking about? But as Jason prepared to call for help, he felt his eyelids suddenly drooping. What in Hades?

"Don't worry, I only used a mild sedative. I didn't want to hurt you anymore," Leo said nervously. Jason looked at the now-empty glass of water in his hand and cursed.

"I'm so sorry, Jason. For everything."

And with those words, Leo walked out the door.

Jason tried to keep his eyes open, but he was powerless.

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Piper had just finished lunch and was making her way back to the infirmary. It had been three days since Jason had been admitted and she was worrying herself sick over it. Will had said he would be fine, but he still hadn't woken up.

Lost in thought, she ran smack into Leo Valdez.

"Oh gods, Pipes, I'm sorry!"

Piper shrugged it off. "No problem. I wasn't paying attention either. How's Jason?"

Leo sighed, running a hand through his messy curls. "Still asleep. I have a feeling he's going to wake up soon, though."

"I hope you're right." After a few moments of silence, Piper suddenly realized something. "Hey, you're out and about!"

Leo shuffled awkwardly. "Oh uh... Yeah. I just, needed some air."

Piper gave him a beautiful smile. "Well, I'm glad. It's not healthy to be cooped up for three days in a row. And you know Jason wouldn't have wanted you to do that, either."

"I just had to be sure he was okay," Leo said, in an unusually hard voice. Piper studied her friend. To be honest? She was worried about him. He hadn't said a word about what had happened and hadn't left Jason's side ever since the accident. And he seemed so upset. It wasn't like him.

"Anyway, I should go," Leo said, brushing past her.

"Leo, wait!" For some reason, Piper was reluctant to let him go.

The boy grudgingly turned back. "What?"

"I know you don't want to talk about it, but whatever happened, it's okay, alright? Nobody's died. Jason is going to be fine. It's okay."

Leo hesitated for a second, then suddenly crushed her in a hug.

"You know I love you, right Piper?"

Piper was a little stunned, but returned the hug. "Of course I do, Leo. And I love you too."

Satisfied, Leo stepped back. He gave her the saddest smile she had ever seen.

"Good. Well then, so long, Beauty Queen. I'll catch you later."

And he turned and walked away before she could see the tears streaming down his face.

A little confused and slightly worried, Piper continued her walk to the infirmary.

Yep.