Because We Can

6~ Five Seconds

Jason felt like his heart was being ripped from his chest, stabbed repeatedly, and shoved back up his-

"I can't believe you're just... leaving," Leo muttered, shaking his head. "Why? You're leaving me - Piper - behind. Just... why?"

Jason shrugged, having already explained the situation so many times, he couldn't repeat the story again.

"Have you talked to Pipes about it?"

"Yes," Jason nearly growled.

"Why didn't she stop you?"

Jason glared at the dirt floor. Heat rose to his cheeks. "Because she can't anymore."

"But I thought-"

"LEO!" Jason shouted, curling his fingers into tight fists. "I'm leaving. None of you can stop me now."

Leo looked petrified. Then his features tightened in irritation and anger. "Fine, then. Leave the only friends you've got left." He abruptly walked out of the stable, leaving Jason with Temptest. Jason opened his mouth, as if to call out to his best friend, but no words came.

"Guess it's just me and you, now, Temp," he whispered, climbing onto the horse's back. The spirit's back crackled with electricity against his jeans.

Jason squeezed his calves against Temptest's sides, and guided him to the strawberry fields. Jason was surprised; the whole camp had come to see his departure.

He spotted Percy first, standing tall next to Travis and Connor. The twins looked angry, but not so much as to want to pickpocket his pants. Percy looked like the sea was throbbing through him - meaning, he looked like he wanted to explode.

Through another wave of campers, Jason picked Annabeth's blond hair out. Next to her was Piper, whose face was red and wet with tears. Annabeth's arms were around her - Jason wanted her arms to be his. He turned away, making Temptest stop in the middle of the clearing.

Travis came forward first. "Hey man..." his voice trailed off as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Good luck, I guess."

"Thanks," Jason whispered dryly, looking down at his coin in his palm. "See you?"

Travis' face turned rigid. "Sure. Whatever." He backed up, disappearing into the crowd.

Percy approached, one of his hands tightly gripping the hilt of his sword. Jason prayed to the gods his head wouldn't come flying off anytime soon. "So you've decided?" Percy spat. Jason noticed that his aura was a bright, bright red. Anger.

"Yes."

"I'm not going to wish you luck-" Percy's hand tightened around the hilt, "-But don't kill yourself." He walked away, meeting Annabeth on the edge of the ring of campers. He whispered something to her blank face, and she turned to meet Jason's gaze.

She stepped forward, and true fear struck his heart as she glared.

"You're going to leave her," she said, her voice indicating a question, her eyes indicating a statement. "You're so selfish, Jason." She hissed the word, barely in a whisper, but everyone could hear it. "You're so... shallow."

Jason couldn't say anything. He couldn't.

"Wait!" a faint voice cried out. Piper. "Wait, Jace!"

The other campers parted for Piper, who was holding her dagger in her hand. She threw it to the ground, making some back away in fear of their feet getting pinned to the ground.

She was standing there, and Jason's heart broke.

"Don't leave," she whispered, pleading. "Please, Jason. Stay."

His voice was lodged in his throat. Underneath him, Temptest fidgeted.

"You have to stay," she continued, her voice smooth and sad. Charmspeak. "Stay, Jason. Please stay." Her kaleidoscope eyes were so tempting...

He resisted with his mind. "No." He dismounted, letting Temptest go. The horse-spirit didn't move. "Piper?"

In his mind, Jason decided he would count the seconds. In five seconds, he would turn and leave. In exactly four, he'll be gone. In three, he'll be running down the road, bouncing on Temptest's back. In two he'll be wishing he was on the bed with her again, soothing her. In one-

She ran to him, launching herself into his open arms. He grip on her waist lifted her into the air, and to Jason, she didn't weigh a thing. He buried his eyes into the crook of her neck - his favorite place.

"My camp needs me," he whispered, still holding her. "I'm sorry, Pipes. I'm so sorry." Tears. There were tears in his eyes, threatening to fall.

"I know," she murmured. "Just promise you'll come back to me. Jason, promise me."

He set her down, trying to pull away, but her arms were tight around his neck. He closed his eyes.

"My promises don't mean as much," he recalled. "I've broken so many-"

"I don't care," she said, her voice loud in his ear. "I don't care anymore, Jason. Jason..."

She kept muttering his name; she kept calling him back to her.

"I promise." He pulled away enough to press his lips into her ear. "I promise," he whispered again, and moved his lips to her cheek. "I promise." And again on the other cheek, and even her forehead, until his lips were mere inches away from her trembling ones. "I'll come back to you," he whispered, and kissed her as softly and gently as he could.

He pulled away, pulling Piper's arms away from him. She cried out, but someone - Annabeth - held her back. Sadness filled both of their eyes, but Jason doubted Annabeth's was for him.

He mounted Temptest again, fumbling to throw his leg over, and galloped away in a daze, knowing he would come back, and knowing he was breaking her heart.

well, well, well.

lets have a group hug. (> )>    <( <)

"i know

and i'm thinking of home tonight

there's a spark in our eyes

but i'm letting you down tonight

and so you'll say,

'i do

i do want you;

want me too.'

you're just in time

i was thinking of lines for you

i was singing words

and now i can't stop

now i can't stop.

you're just in time

to save a life."

-I Love You, Sleepyhead, Lanterns on the Lake.