80. Unexpected
"I need to leave, Leo, you don't understand."
"You're right, Reyna, I really don't, because it doesn't make sense. I know you love me, I know it, and now, all of a sudden, you have to leave? To go where? Do what? See who?"
"It's over, Leo, and that's all I have to say." The words are actually paining her to say them, but she has to.
She has to. The goddess told her so in her dream.
'If you stay with him…. it will end in the destruction of both of you.'
His next words are an unexpected whiplash, causing her to flinch. "If you walk out that door now you're a coward. If you leave, in the middle of everything going on right now, if you abandon our friends and me-"
"Leo-" she tries to say but he talks over her.
"I never want to see you again."
Pain sears through her but she makes sure to hide it from him. Instead she juts her chin up in the air, and grips her backpacks strap tighter. "You don't mean that."
"I do." His voice doesn't waver, but his eyes look like their filling with misery. "Reyna, we need you here. I can't do this without you-"
"I'm trying to help you by leaving," she says. "I- there's things I need to do, questions I need answered."
"Then why can't I go with you?" He shouts. "Why does it have to be you alone?"
"You may be able to come back to him one day, if you succeed. But it will be a painful journey, for both of you."
"Leo, you can't change my mind." She says. Inside she's begging him, to please let her go, let her leave, she doesn't want to have to-
"I'm not letting you leave. I swore I wouldn't let this come between us-"
"You don't even know what this is!"
"Then tell me!"
She makes a decision then. A decision she will regret later, but now it seems the only way.
"I don't love you. You're wrong. I thought I could, I tried, for both of us. But… I can't. You're not enough for me Leo, and being around Jason all the time…" She trails off suggestively, turning around to leave, but the utter devastation in his voice stops her.
"Jason?"
She squeezes her eyes closed before taking a deep breath. She has to do this. It's the only way to keep Leo safe.
Even if it means breaking both of their hearts.
"I thought I was over him, but I'm not. I can't even look at him without- without wishing it was me in Piper's place. I'm sorry Leo, but I can't stop wanting Jason."
It's the lowest of blows, the only thing she thinks will silence him.
She's right.
When she turns her head to glance at him he's stumbled back at her words, grabbing at the arm of the couch for support.
And she can see it on his face. Pain. So much. Heartbreak and pain and…
… no surprise.
Because this has always been one of his biggest insecurities in their relationship and she knows it. She knows he feels like less than Jason and she's sorry to be doing this.
She has to leave.
"Goodbye, Leo. Don't try to stop me."
He won't.
He doesn't say anything as she walks away.