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The Argo II wasn’t often quiet. Leo always made sure of that whether by clattering tools across the deck, blasting obnoxious music through the ship’s shitty speaker or cursing at Festus when the dragon decided he wanted to nap instead of help. But tonight the ship was hushed. The others were asleep and the hum of celestial bronze beneath their feet was the only sound.
Jason was leaning against the rail, staring out at the stars. His chest felt heavy, heavier than usual. He had been trying to shake it for hours now, telling himself it was just exhaustion or nerves. The last battle with the telkhines had left him with bruises across his ribs and a shallow cut along his side. Annoying, but not life-threatening. At least that is what he had told everyone else.
He heard the hatch creak open and footsteps padding closer.
“Why are you out here brooding like Batman?” Leo asked, coming to stand beside him. His hair was sticking up worse than usual, goggles pushed up to the top of his head, smudges of grease across his cheek. Basically he looked like he had just crawled out of the engine room and hadn’t even rested. “And don’t even try the ‘nothing is wrong’ routine. I have invented that routine.”
Jason tried for a smile but winced instead. “I feel like I’m dying.”
Leo froze. “Uh, excuse me? That’s not a phrase you casually drop Grace.” His voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet. “What- What do you mean ‘dying’? Like, seriously dying or… or like when Piper made us watch the notebook and you wanted to fling yourself off the ship kind of dying?”
Jason huffed a weak laugh but immediately regretted it when pain flared across his ribs. He gripped the rail tighter. “Not- not that kind. Just… something’s wrong.” Leo’s eyes widened as he scanned him, like he was trying to see through skin and bone with sheer force of will. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
“I thought it would pass.”
“Jason.” The way Leo said his name, quiet, angry and scared all at once made him look away. “I didn’t want to worry anyone.” He muttered. “We’ve all got enough going on.”
Leo threw his hands in the air. “Oh fantastic logic! Hide your mortal wounds so your boyfriend gets to discover you half dead at two in the morning. Great plan, Sparky.”
Jason blinked. “You call me sparky?”
“Don’t change the subject!” Leo snapped, though a smile tugged briefly at his lips before worry crushed it again. He stepped closer, gently tugging at the other’s shirt. “Show me.” Jason hesitated but sighed and lifted the hem of his shirt nonetheless. The cut along his side wasn’t huge, but the skin around it was red and swollen, and faint lines of angry purple radiated outward. A sharp inside escaped Leo. “That’s infected. Gods, Jason. You’ve been walking around with this? No wonder you feel like crap.”
Jason’s head swam as another wave of dizziness hit him. His knees buckled and suddenly Leo was there, strong despite his smaller frame bracing him with suppressing steadiness. “Okay, nope, not letting you pull the noble martyr routine,” Leo said, voice shaking even as his grip was firm. “You’re sitting your butt down before you actually collapse.”
He half dragged, half guided Jason to a crate by the mast, who immediately sank onto it, sweat dampening his temples despite the cool night air.
Leo immediately dashed into the infirmary corner of the ship muttering in Spanish the whole time and came back with a handful of supplies. Bandages, ambrosia, nectar and a weird glass vial that looked suspiciously like it had been cobbled together in a workshop rather than bought from any apothecary.
Jason eyed the vial. “Leo… is that safe?”
“Do you trust me?” Leo shot back, kneeling at his side.
Jason managed a tired smile. “Always.”
That made Leo pause for half a second, eyes flicking up to Jason’s face before darting back away. He focused on cleaning the wound, muttering. “Don’t go saying stuff like that when you’re half delirious. Not fair.”
Jason hissed as Leo dabbed nectar against the cut. “Feels like fire.”
“Yeah that means it’s working.” Leo said briskly, though his hand lingered, careful and gentle. He worked in silence for a moment and then added softer. “You scared me…” Jason leaned his head back against the mast. “Didn’t mean to…”
“Yeah well intent doesn’t erase the heart attack, Superman.” he pulled a bandage snug around Jason’s ribs, fingers trembling only slightly. “There.” he said, sitting back on his heels. “You’re officially patched up. If you keel over now, I’m haunting you.” Jason managed a crooked grin. “You’d be the worst ghost. You’d rid the ship to scream every time I opened a door.”
“Damn right,” Leo said. “I’d make Festus breathe fire every time you tried to shave. Real paltergeist energy.”
Jason chuckled and winched as pain shot through his ribs again. Leo’s eyes immediately softened again. He reached up, brushing the other's hair back from his damp forehead. The touch was so careful, so unlike his usual rough energy, that Jason leaned into it without thinking.
“You’re burning up,” he murmured. “I should’ve noticed sooner. I should’ve-” Jason cut him off, his hand covering Leo’s. “Don’t blame yourself. You’ve got enough on your shoulders.”
Leo snorted, but his voice cracked betraying how he really felt. “Says the guy who thinks fighting the biggest monster alone is a totally reasonable hobby.”
Jason smiled faintly. “Guess I thought you’d be safer if I took the hits.”
Leo went quiet. His thumb tracing unconsciously over the back of Jason’s hand. “You ever think maybe I don’t want to be safe? Not if it means watching you hurt yourself for me?” Jason’s chest tightened for a reason that had nothing to do with his injury. “Leo…”
He shook his head, gaze flicking up to meet Jason’s. The usual mischief in his brown eyes was tempered but not gone more like a flame banked low. “You’re allowed to need me, Superman. Not just as the guy who fixes your wounds with duct tape and celestial bronze. As-” he hesitated, but swallowed hard forcing himself to push the words out. “As the guy who loved you.”
The words landed heavier than any blow Jason had taken in battle. He blinked dizzy for a whole new reason. “You… love me?”
Leo gave a shaky laugh immediately trying to deflect. “Well don’t look so surprised. You’re kind of easy to fall for. Tall, blonde, heroic jawline, what’s not to love? All the ladies would be over you for sure.”
Jason grabbed his wrist, his hold a little firm. “Leo, don’t joke it away.” His voice was quiet but steady. “I love you too.”
He froze. For once words seemed to fail him. His mouth kept opening and closing and opening again. “You- what.” Jason tugged him closer, ignoring the sharp protest from his ribs, until Leo was kneeling between his knees. He cupped Leo’s cheek, thumb smudging grease against warm skin. “You’re my medicine,” Jason whispered. “You always have been.”
Leo’s breath hitched and then he leaned in before he could think his way out of it. Their lips met, soft at first, almost tentative like both of them were afraid the moment might vanish if they pressed too hard. Jason kissed him back, slow and sure grounding himself in the heat of Loe’s mouth, the faint taste of sugar and smoke.
When they finally broke apart, Leo’s forehead rested against Jason’s. “You’re not allowed to scare me like that again” he whispered. “If you’re hurting, tell me. Got it?” He nodded. “Got it. No more hiding.”
“Good.” Leo exhaled, a little shaky but forced a grin nonetheless. “Because I’m a terrible nurse, but I’m a dam good boyfriend.”
Jason couldn't help but laugh despite the pain it brought him, it felt lighter this time. “You’re both.”
Leo’s grin turned wider, brushing a quick kiss against Jason’s temple. “Guess that makes me the ultimate medicine.” Jason pulled him closer, holding onto him like he was the only anchor keeping him steady and maybe, maybe he was. Under the stars, with the ship humming around them, he let himself rest, safe in the warmth of Leo’s arms.
For the first time in days, the weight lifted. His body might still be bruised, ribs still aching but his heart felt healed.
Because Leo was there. And that was enough.