Leo Valdez- Learning to Live

Chapter 4

Hello. Everything belongs to Rick Riordan, of course.

Somewhat graphic depiction of self harm. Implied past child molestation.

Gods Jason, I'm so sorry. Who would want to be friends with someone as worthless as me? It'd be best if I got going now.

I'm so sorry, Jason. For everything.

Jason's eyes snapped open.

"LEO!"

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Piper jumped when Jason suddenly yelled out.

"Jason! You're awake!"

He was clearly distressed, but somewhat groggy.

"Leo..." he slurred. "Where's Leo? You have to find him." 

"What are you talking about? Leo's fine, I just saw him like, 20 minutes ago." She furrowed her eyebrows. "Oh, he's going to be really disappointed he missed you. You know, he hasn't left your side since the accident."

Jason seemed to be sinking back into sleep, but he forced himself awake again.

"NO! No, no, he's not fine, you have to find him, Piper you have to find him, please," he pleaded with her. His eyes were wide with panic.

"Jason, I need you to calm down," Piper said, forcing a little charmspeak into her words. "Will?" she called out. "A little help?"

Will came in at the same time as Percy and Annabeth. Hazel and Frank, who were visiting the camp out of concern for Jason, soon followed.

"What's wrong?"

"I thought I heard yelling."

"Wait, no, listen-"

"Is everything alright?"

"Is Jason awake?"

"Leo needs-"

"What's going on?"

"Jason!"

"Please, guys, give him some space, he just woke up."

"Everyone, LISTEN TO ME!"

The room fell silent at Jason's sudden outburst.

"We need to find Leo," he said calmly. A slight tremor underlined his words. "Right now."

"Jason, you just woke up. You're confused," Will said kindly, after a moment. "We know something went wrong in the bunker, but I promise you that Leo is fine."

"No! You don't understand!" Jason cried out. "Leo is going to... He's going to..." He couldn't bring himself to say it. It was too horrible, too unbelievable.

"What is it, Jason?" Piper asked softly.

"He's going to kill himself," Jason finally whispered. He buried his head in his hands, crying. "Oh gods, what have we done?"

The rest of the demigods fell into a stunned silence. One second. Two.

Then Percy nervously chuckled. "What are you talking about? Leo would never do that."

Jason looked back up at them with miserable, red-rimmed eyes. 

"I know, it sounds crazy. But I promise, it's true. In the bunker... The gun... The bullet... It was meant for him. I- I stopped him. I had to. But now... Now he's who knows where and he's all alone and-" He collapsed into another fit of tears.

"He was just waiting for me to wake up. And now that I have... He wants out."

No one moved. They were still trying to wrap their minds around Jason's words. Leo and... Suicide? The two just didn't go together. They resided on opposite sides of the planet.