I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
45. Clumsy
"You don't understand."
"Explain then."
Leo's words hit her like a blow and Reyna flinches away from his intense gaze. She wants to explain, she wants him to understand, but she can't find the words. He should be screaming at her, throwing things against the walls of her Praetor House or storming out. Instead he's sitting on her bed, hands clasped in front of him, watching her as she bites her lip and avoids his gaze.
He is waiting for her explanation because he trusts her. He believes in her.
Reyna hates herself.
"You don't understand." She repeats again, and this time Leo's eyes flare for a second.
"Then tell me, Reyna." He says.
"I'm in love with you," she says. "Not Percy, not Jason. That's all anybody needs to know."
He shakes his head. "Hera said-"
"Juno," Reyna grits out, "seems to like causing trouble. Venus too."
Leo's quiet for a second, probably trying to remember which gods she was talking about, but when he does speak again, he's tense. "Well they seem to feel very sorry for you. Poor Reyna, who didn't get the famous Percy Jackson or Jason Grace. Poor Reyna," Leo says, quieter now, "Who ended up with Leo Valdez, of all people."
"You- I didn't want anybody." Reyna says stupidly and she cringes. Her words are choppy and clumsy, not making sense, not saying what she's trying to say. "No- wait." She grabs his arm as he stands up. "Listen." She says. "I didn't want anyone," she repeats. "Not really. Maybe for- for my image, or to gain respect from the other demigods, but I never wanted them for me. I never did, until you. And I don't just want you… I need you." She's frustrated, words are not her choice of weapon. She was never a match for anybody with them- Reyna prefers cunning and strategy. Words can be slippery and are more often a double-edged sword than a balm. "Leo, you're perfect for me. You. Not Percy or- or Jason," she shakes her head at the thought. "They're not who I need- or who I want. Not now that I've had you and know you and-"
"Rey."
His nickname stops her confused rambling and she hopes the softening of his tone means he isn't trying to leave anymore. He's so sweet and kind to her, so concerned about everybody excepts himself…. She wishes she could make him see how much he matters. To everybody, not just her.
"Leo, you are important." She stresses, not knowing how else to say it. "People love you and need you. Especially me. Please don't- never doubt that. Please."
His eyes search hers and he relaxes before nodding and kissing her, claiming her lips as his own.
He doesn't say yes. There are no promises or oaths. But Reyna never really expected any. Leo is just as insecure as she is sometimes, and even if he isn't promising her anything, she knows that they're okay and he believes her.
And that is all that matters in the end.