Leo's POV

I can't feel anything.

Ever since Jason died, everything's been a dull blur of people and words. Nothing looked the same. It was as if someone placed a black sheet of paper over all my memories, then lifting it up leaving a dark mark of blackness.

People try to talk to me. I can't hear what they're saying. Their words blur together into a big mass of gibberish.

I could see colors. A flash of white. Curly bounce of brown hair. Gray eyes.

How long has it been? A day? An hour?

I don't know.

I feel broken. Unfixable. Scattered.

Percy POV

I'm worried.

Leo wouldn't even respond to our questions. He'd just stare at us blankly, like we talking in German or something.

I know he would be affected by Jason's death, they were dating, but still. This is slightly extreme.

Sometimes when Annabeth tried to look him in the eyes, he'd squint at her like he was trying to figure out who she was.

Did Leo forget who we were?

What if Leo... stopped being Leo?

Is he that broken?

< three weeks later >

I've had enough of this crap. I'm done. I'm done pretending that everything is alright. That Leo is okay. That everything will be as it was.

Leo is acting like he's mute. 

At least he still eats a bit and nods in reply once in a while.

But he refuses to talk.

And it pisses me off to no end.

Normally, I would try to sweet talk to him, he would just look at me sadly and depressed.

So today, I've decided I'm done with his sad crap.

I don't care if it doesn't work, I don't care if he'll be mad at me. I'm done.

He won't talk to us? Fine, we'll play by his rules.

I'll show him.

< Lunch Time >

It's time.

I told Piper my plan since she's the closest to Leo, she strongly despises the plan. But her problem, not mine.

Leo came into the Pavilion, hands in his pockets and head down.

I could feel Piper's warning glare from all the way across the room.

Like I give a heck.

I marched right up to Leo and stuck a finger at him. Every half-blood's eye was on me.

Do I care? Nope.

"You piece of crap." Leo's eyes shot up in surprise, then slight confusion. I didn't see any anger, thank the gods. I kinda didn't really want to get Leo angry this early into my rant.

"You piece of crap," I repeat, annunciating my words a bit more.

"You suck." I hiss. People start giving me warning looks. Give me them all for heaven's sake, I don't mind.

"And you swallow." Leo's monotone voice echoed through every ear in the room. Jaws dropped, eyes bugged, that was the first time someone had ever heard Leo say anything in three weeks. Comeback or not.

Was I affected? Nope. That prick better have said something.

"You're right. I do swallow. I swallow reality. You wanna know what you swallow? Crap. Useless insignificant crap. And all that crap goes to your head." I snarled at him. He looked offended and surprised. Probably thinking he deserves pity and sympathy, well he ain't getting any from me.

"Nah. I swallow food. Which goes straight to my stomach and digested in 33 hours and then straight out my @$$ho|e" When Leo swore, I admit, I was pretty surprised and taken back. Everyone else was as well. It didn't last long for me though.

"Well, why don't you just sh*t out your depressed thoughts at the same time? That would sure save a lot of energy." If he wants to sass me, I sure can sass him back. People started to gather around us, placing bets on who would win. Leo didn't seem to mind.

"Maybe I should do that in your mouth, after all, it's already dirty enough." He shot back at me. I recoiled back in surprise, he was smoking in anger and fury. Maybe I took it a bit too far...

"Well, maybe I'm just doing it cause I want to help you." I quietly said. Leo's eyes filled with confusion. I took a step forward, he took a step back.

"I yelled at you because, well, because I'm done." I sighed. "I'm done with pretending everything is okay, that you'll be okay one day. Cause I could tell you won't be. If we keep on pretending... then nothing that will come out of it will be positive." I took in a deep breath and forced the tears to go away, willing myself to be strong.

"...Sorry." My head shot straight up in confusion. Did Leo just...?

"I'm sorry for overreacting. I'm sorry for making you guys worry. And... I'm sorry for owning you in a sass competition." Okay, okay, and what? My eyebrows raised in an expression that said "Excuse me?"

So that's what I said.

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah, yeah, you're excused." Leo waved me off dismissively as if I was just a waste of his time. I smirked. My fingers twitched. Leo saw that and backed away nervously.

"I mean-- uh... you're...exxxx-actly right!" Leo put on a nervous smile. I kept on going closer and closer. The crowd of half-bloods looked at me curiously, wondering what I was about to do.

"How so?" I am definitely enjoying this moment.

"Ummm... I shouldn't have said that??" Leo looked genuinely scared by now. I internally gloated.

"Hmmm, I think I should still punish you..." An evil grin spread across my lips. Before Leo could have any time to run, I swiftly snatched his arm and tickled him.

"NO! Sto--HAHAH-p! NO DO-HAHAHAHAH!!!" I pinned Leo on the floor. His melodious laugh filled the room. Everyone stared at us like we were crazy. I won't disagree with them, to be honest. Leo's smile seemed to light up the whole room, it was as if all the tension disappeared in one second.

I continued to tickle him. Everything was perfect in that moment.

< a week later >

I passionately kissed Leo, my now boyfriend. Cheers erupted across the Pavilion. And just to think that just a week ago in this exact position, we were yelling and swearing at each other.

Boy, had things changed.

In a single week, we both realized that we harbored feelings for each other, and thought that it was just the aftermath of Jason's death. That's why we were screaming, we needed to let the frustration out.

I'm glad we screamed, though, because now, everything is perfect.

Every second with Leo is like a piece of heaven. He's the best thing that ever happened to me.

I know he isn't completely over Jason, and honestly, I respect that. I don't think anyone is completely over Jason's death, but that means we get through it together.

And get it done together.

☝

word count : 1136

fiona.