Leo Valdez- Learning to Live

Chapter 14

Hey hey! What's up?

Um, quick note for this chapter: Even though both of my sisters are on antidepressants and in therapy, I have managed to sneak under the radar with my self-destructive habits and thus have experienced neither. (Don't worry too much about it though, I don't even think I'm depressed; I just have horrible coping mechanisms hahaha). The point is, this could be really not what it's like in real life at all because I'm too lazy to research it, and if so, I apologize. 

I do not own PJO/HOO. Warnings for talk of depression/self harm. 

Will observed the scene before him nervously.

Much to his surprise, he had been informed only a day after his initial offer to talk that Leo had decided to take him up on it. Though surprising, this decision was not at all unwelcome, and Will had quickly ushered Leo into a small room in the infirmary that would have to make do as an office.

Annabeth, who had dropped Leo off, immediately protested when Will tried to remove the handcuffs on Leo's wrists, but Will insisted. He wanted Leo to feel free to talk, and it would help if he was literally free. Annabeth glared at him, clearly against this line of reasoning, and Will wondered if that had anything to do with Leo's red-rimmed eyes. Eventually, however, Annabeth gave in, with a soft, "Be careful," before she slipped out the door.

Will invited Leo to take a seat, which he did grudgingly. Will examined Leo carefully, trying to read his mood before jumping in. He seemed... upset. Which Will supposed was unsurprising. Leo was always upset these days.

After a long moment, Will decided to begin, tactfully choosing not to mention the fact that Leo had obviously been crying recently. "First of all, Leo, I'd just like to say that I'm really glad that you're here. It means a lot to me." Will gave him a bright smile. Leo shrugged noncommittally in return.

"So... Have you ever seen a counselor before?"

Leo shrugged again. "Yeah."

Will raised his eyebrows in surprise. But Leo didn't seem inclined to elaborate.

"And when was this?" Will prompted.

"I was eight. It didn't last for very long and it didn't do me any good either," Leo said shortly. He clearly didn't want to talk about it, and Will couldn't exactly blame him. If he was remembering his timeline correctly, that would have been directly after Leo's mom had died. It probably wasn't a good time in his life.

"Okay," Will backed off. "Well that's good to know."

Especially since it wasn't like Will had access to Leo's medical history, Will added mentally. That wouldn't have been an issue to get a hold of in a normal situation, but this was anything but a normal situation.

"So, what seems to be the problem, Leo?"

Will already knew, of course. Everyone in the camp knew by now. But he was curious to hear what Leo himself had to say about it.

Leo folded his arms in front of him and slouched back against the wall behind him. "Depends on who you ask."

"Well, I'm asking you," Will responded, genuinely curious.

"In that case, nothing."

Will's eyebrows raised even higher. "Nothing? Really?"

"That's right," Leo said. "Well," he reconsidered after a moment, "I guess that's not exactly true. The problem is the unyielding stubbornness of my peers."

Will was a little lost at this point. "Your... peers? You mean like, us? Your friends?"

"Yes of course that's what I mean," Leo snapped, losing his patience slightly. "The stubbornness of all of you is the main problem here, because it means that I'm still here!" He gestured wildly around him in frustration.