Leo Valdez- Learning to Live

Chapter 12

Ugggghhhh sorry... There's been some pretty awful stuff going on. Things just aren't great, you know? If it makes up for anything, this chapter somehow turned out pretty long. As for warnings, there's lots of talk about and a short flashback to abuse in this chapter, as well as mentions of suicidal thoughts (obviously). 

I own nothing you recognize.

Leo perched anxiously on the edge of the bed. Oh gods, why was this happening to him?

"Hey bro, relax!" Percy called from another room. "Mi casa es tu casa!"

Leo groaned. Not only was he being forced to stay in Percy's cabin, but he also had to listen to Percy's horrendous Spanish pronunciations? Would the torture never end? 

Percy walked in, toothbrush in hand. "Seriously, dude. No stress."

Leo avoided Percy's gaze, rubbing the back of his head with his hand. "Sorry..."

Percy shook his head, exasperated. "No, I'm saying you don't have to be sorry, Leo."

Leo shrugged slightly. "I just feel bad. For invading on your space."

Percy leaned over in front of Leo to look into his face. "Hey. It's okay. I don't mind that you're here. In fact, it's kinda nice. It gets a little lonely sometimes, you know."

Leo glanced up for a second, then quickly looked back down. He couldn't deal with the earnestness in Percy's eyes. Gods, why did he have to be so nice?

"We both know I'm just here because you're the only one who can do anything if I have another meltdown," Leo said, a little petulantly.

Percy smiled brightly. "That's where you're wrong! It's obviously in case I have a meltdown. That way you can uh... what's the word... evaporate the water with your fire!"

Leo scowled. "That's not true, and it's not funny, either."

Percy shrugged agreeably. "If you say so." He stood and wandered back into the bathroom to continue brushing his teeth.

Leo stared down at his arms. Beautiful red lines stood out prominently against his skin. If only they had been deep enough...

Leo wondered about something Percy had said. Was he really lonely? That didn't make any sense. Percy was a hero. He was popular, strong, perfect. Everything that Leo wasn't. Gods, Leo didn't deserve to be in the same room as him. 

Percy emerged once again and plopped down next to Leo on the bed. He gave Leo a long look, and Leo shrank under his gaze. 

"What?" Leo asked quietly. Gods, Leo could only guess how many flaws Percy was picking out right now.

Percy stared at Leo for another moment. Finally, he looked away, running a hand through his hair. "I'm actually really glad that things ended up this way. I've been wanting to talk to you for a while now, but it's harder than I thought it would be." He laughed lightly, clearly nervous.

Leo was puzzled. What on earth could Percy want to talk to him about? What could he possibly gain from a conversation with someone as worthless as him? 

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," he admitted softly. 

Percy smiled slightly. "There's no reason that you should." He stared at the blanket steadfastly for a moment, then took a deep breath. "You know, when Piper told us about your past, I was a little surprised. Who would've thought that we had something like that in common?"

Leo raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"When I was little, I..." Percy swallowed hard. He started over. "When I was little, my mother married a man that I liked to call Smelly Gabe. She did it to protect me." His eyes darkened slightly. "She maybe miscalculated a bit on that.