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Jason was on a boat. He couldn’t quite remember why, he just knew that he was on a little row boat in the middle of the ocean. He figured he should probably care that he didn’t know why he was on the ocean, but he didn’t. He was far, far too focused on the enchanting sight before him.
Leo was in the water. He was splashing happily about, diving under the water, only to emerge in the next second a few feet away. His laughter bubbled bright and beautiful and bouncing on the waves and the water droplets suspended in his hair glittered like priceless gems. He popped up out of the water to hang over the side of Jason’s boat, eyes gleaming and lips curled into a smirk. “You should get in the water.”
Jason chucked softly to himself. He wanted to reach out and cup Leo’s damp jaw more than almost anything, but a very loud part of his brain refused without explanation, so he kept them folded in his lap. “I've already told you no. I'm scared of the water.”
Leo blew a raspberry, clearly disinterested. “Please. Like I'd let you drown. I'd keep you safe.” He cocked his head to the side. “Don't you miss me?”
Jason’s heart ached suddenly, and he had to keep his fist clenched tighter in his lap. “More than you know.”
“Then prove it!” Leo shoved away from the boat making it rock a little and giggled some more. “Jump in the water and kiss me!”
“Maybe next time,” Jason promised, his heart still aching with fondness. But right now my feet are staying in this boat.”
“Boo,” Leo heckled. He kicked through the water, circling the boat with the lithe grace of an otter, and with every pass Jason felt his longing grow. “Come on. Can't you do this one thing for me?”
“Can't you let me stay dry?” Jason shot back playfully. Then, more seriously, he added, “You know I'd do anything for you. I'd die for you.”
“I don't want you to die; I only want one thing from you,” Leo smiled gently. “Come play with me, Jason. I can even call Festus over and we can make it a real pool party.”
“I wouldn't be much fun at a pool party,” Jason confessed. He was kneeling now, gripping the side of the boat as he leaned over the water. He couldn't remember when he'd moved, but he didn’t care. Leo bobbed up out of the water, close enough for his wet curls to tickle Jason’s forehead, but maddeningly too far to kiss. “I'd be way too focused on just trying to stay afloat. I can’t swim, remember?”
Leo made a soft noise near his ear. Something animalistic, almost like a trill, and it made Jason's brain go fuzzy. “I could take that suffering from you,” he promised quietly. “Just trust me, and you'll never fear that pain again. Just join me and we can do anything, Jason. Just jump in the water.”
“I'm scared,” Jason confessed on half of a terrified breath.
“You can be scared.” Leo’s lips finally, finally brushed his cheek. They were cold and almost sharp, and unlike any touch Leo’s fire-warmed skin had bestowed upon him before, but he still leaned into it. “You can be scared, I just want you to be scared with me.”
“Okay,” Jason whispered, eyes completely focused on Leo. “I trust you.”
Leo’s gasp was pure delight. “Really?”
Jason’s lips quirked up in smile and he shook his head fondly. “The things I do for you.”
Jason didn’t stop to think. He just stood up and began taking off his clothes. He stood at the edge of the boat and looked down at Leo who was waiting with open arms and a smile full of unnaturally sharp teeth and malice.
He jumped.
He plunged into the water, sinking like a stone, just as he predicted. The water was icy cold and impossibly dark. Leo’s fingers wrapped around his bicep, squeezing like a manacle. The world grew darker, colder, and, remarkably, Jason didn’t care.