Leo Valdez- Learning to Live

Chapter 10

Oh gosh, I'm sorry. Idk what happened. My motivation was lacking. But here's another chapter! And it's pretty long, too, if that helps any.

I don't own anything you recognize.

Leo stared at the ceiling, fuming. 

Today had been a long day. He was exhausted, but he couldn't seem to fall asleep, though he had been lying there for what seemed like forever. Despite pounding away on some projects for hours, he hadn't been able to burn off the anger and resentment he felt toward his friends.

Why couldn't they just let him die already? This entire affair was ridiculously pointless. His life was ridiculously pointless. They were dragging it out, completely unnecessarily. Gods, it was just so stupid.

He wondered if he tried hard enough he could melt the handcuffs keeping him firmly attached to his bed. Though they had allowed him to move back into the Hephaestus cabin, they still didn't trust him enough to be unrestrained. It was extremely frustrating.

He decided that he wouldn't have enough time to escape, especially since the keys weren't even nearby. He'd have to melt each cuff individually. There was no way he could get away with it.

Leo sighed, accepting that, at least for now, he was stuck. Since it didn't seem like he'd be sleeping anytime soon, he let his mind wander down darker paths.

He was starting to get that familiar itch to cut again. He realized suddenly that it had been awhile since the last time, since he'd been kept under such careful watch lately. Of course, if the opportunity arose, he was planning on going all the way, but at the very least, he had to hurt himself again. He missed it, and besides, the voice in his head would get mad if he didn't.

Leo nodded to himself, determined on the matter.

He was suddenly surprised by a poke in his arm. He glanced over to see his little brother, Harley, sitting in a chair by his bed. Leo had been so lost in thought that he hadn't even noticed the boy approach. The look of worry in Harley's eyes was clear.

Leo sighed. This wasn't going to be a fun conversation.

He managed a small smile. "Hey, little dude. What's up? Other than you at this ungodly hour."

Harley shrugged slightly, clearly nervous. He tapped his fingers rapidly against the edge of the bed and avoided Leo's gaze. "I wanted to talk to you. Nyssa wouldn't let me. She said I had to leave you alone." He pouted. "It's not fair."

Looking at his little brother, Leo felt a small twinge of guilt. How could he leave him? What if Harley needed him? But no. He couldn't help anyone. He was worthless. Even worse-- he was dangerous. Getting himself out of the way would ultimately be the best for Harley.

Right?

"Ah, I see," Leo said. "Well, you've cleverly evaded her. What do you want to talk about?"

"Well, you, obviously," Harley said. "Nobody will tell me what's going on, but I'm not stupid. Just because I'm a kid doesn't mean I don't know about this kind of thing." Harley's eyes flicked over to meet Leo's for a second, but they flicked away just as quickly. 

"Okay," Leo said awkwardly, after a moment of silence. He didn't know what else to say.

Harley's fingers stopped their nervous motion. Harley glanced at Leo again. "Well?"

Leo was confused. "Well, what?"

"Well, aren't you going to deny it? Say it's not true? Or at least explain? Tell me why?"

Leo flushed. "I-- I don't want to lie to you, bud. Look, maybe Nyssa's right, you shouldn't be hearing about this--"

"I know about death, you know. I know what it means." Harley stared at a fixed point on Leo's blanket. He spoke quietly. "There's a reason I'm here year-round. I have no one left to go to."