Chapter Text
Leon was getting real sick of this.
Not only had Simmons snatched you away like you were just some meat dangling on a stick, he had no clue as to your whereabouts and the only direction that looked promising was up.
You were knocked unconscious when the plane crashed into the building, and they had dragged your limp body through until they came head to head with yet another bioweapon. Even that was a blur, the same repetitive movements only serving to make him more annoyed rather than fearful. It was like this every time he was sent on one of these missions; it was always some kind of stupid bullshit the government created. Except you were here this time– vulnerable and weak.
He had managed to get you tucked into a safe corner whilst he fought beside Helena. Then, just as he killed the stupid thing off, Simmons just had to show up, snatching you before disappearing off again, not caring for Leon’s attempts to shoot him.
“He’s weak as it is, he can't control himself in that form.” Helena says, leaning against the elevator wall as they slowly move up the building. He’s been agitated this whole time, a nervous storm brewing in him though leaning more towards anger now.
“He could easily toss her off and—“
“He won't.” She stands upright to grab his arm and stop him from pacing, noticing how his mood had flipped since you were taken again. In fact, he took an entire 180 since he found out you were in the city at all.
“He could—“
“He wants to make us suffer. So he won't kill her off whilst we’re not there.. and in his weaker state, we can make it our advantage.”
He bites at his lip, nodding slowly as he leans against the glass looking out at the city. Panicking now wouldn't do anyone any good, and you needed him at his best.
———-
You feel like you’ve been here for hours, passing in and out of consciousness. The wind had stung your eyes, forcing you to shut them as you stayed as still as you possibly could against the pillar. The slightest wrong move would kill you, and you weren't about to risk it.
Leon would come find you— he always did.
He had to, he promised he would.
You must’ve passed out from distress again because you jolt into consciousness by the ropes holding your wrists being tugged at. Immediately you yelp, panicking and begging for mercy as you struggle to realise what was happening anymore.
“Stop moving.” The cold voice does well to keep you still in your tracks, and it’s only a few more moments until you’re suddenly dragged upwards, feet finally on steady ground again.
“Thank you.. I—“ You breathe out, having not even realised the rope that restrained your upper body as well until now. The woman before you has cropped black hair, piercing eyes and a deadly aura that surrounds her. Still, she saved you, helping you out of whatever mess that all was.
She pulls you upright before you can think to argue for a second. Just as you start to open your mouth, her hands slip into your jacket pockets, retrieving the old phone you called Leon with. She doesn't leave you empty-handed though, giving you a hand gun, although it doesn't seem the type with light bullets from how heavy it is. Would you really need this?
“Go to the roof, now. Up those steps, and follow the path it takes.” You blink, surprised and then hesitantly stand on wobbly feet, whilst she grapples her cross bow onto a building far away, already disappearing off. What could she have even gained from that, if anything at all?
— — —
Annoyingly enough, you happened to be stranded only halfway up the building, even though you should probably be thankful you weren't dangling higher.
It took you a while to get the rest of the way up the building, considering that most of the routes were severely damaged with you having to backtrack multiple times. It didn't help that the area was swarming with the undead. Somehow your fear was starting to shift into frustration at this rate too. Well, you were convincing yourself of that anyway, seeing as you’d never be able to find Leon– or anyone for that matter– if you sat still and ignored everything.
It’s fine, you think, slowly stepping into the dark office, the wall of windows smashed in by a helicopter. The blades are stuck in various parts of the ceiling, leaving smashed tiles on the floor and the few lights remaining flickering. It doesn't help that the debris and dust from the broken plaster makes your heart jump each time it drops, along with the broken glass between your feet. Just get to the other side, that’s all you have to do.
As you make your way through the room, the wind howls loudly, blowing on your face and making your hair tickle your already freezing skin. You take another step, breaths controlled and quiet– you may not have heard anything strange yet, but there was no doubt something would come soon.
Keep going, just a few more steps, just to the door. You have to chant the words in your head before you break into a freight of panic yet again. When you first arrived in China you were terrified, yes, but the streets were far emptier than this and, if something strange appeared, at least you had the option to run. This building was on its last legs as it is, and you were sure you’d actually fall through this time, all twenty floors.
You let out a sigh of relief knowing that you had made it through without a problem..on to the next fifteen floors you suppose, hopefully less if you could find a working elevator. Just as you peek into the corridor to map out your next route, fingers wrap around your ankle, making you jolt back immediately. A loud snarl erupts from behind you, and you realise a zombie had been creeping up on you this entire time, it’s hands landing on your shoulders for a mere instant before you ducked and threw yourself into the hallway.
Great, now you just alerted every freakish creature in this damn floor.
The soles of your shoes were bound to be bare by the end of all the running you had been doing, and you make your way up five flights of stairs out of sheer adrenaline before hitting a dead end. There are loud growls on your left, slowly approaching so you make the risky decision of going right.. Where you heard noises from above a few floors down. You could only pray that it was one of the floors you skipped.
As you look around the thankfully empty studio, the building suddenly shakes, making you run over to the window to see one of the elevators on the opposite building suddenly crashes down. The one you were currently in was joined to it by a bridge, and you were hoping to use it earlier to hopefully find Leon, or use the elevator. It’s a good thing you didn't. Another bioweapon– or was that Simmons again?-- climbs up the side of the bridge, going up against the same woman as before. Who was that?
“Over here!” You snap your head up to the familiar voice, seeing Helena climbing up the rope that the elevator works on, before pulling herself onto the other end of the bridge, which was now unfortunately snapped into two.
“Helena!” You say in surprise, sliding out the glass doors and hands gripping the balcony railing before immediately backing up when you realise how weak it actually is. She reaches down, lifting Leon who immediately yells out to you once he realises.
“Come back to me, my love, we can still be together!”
You grimace at his rejection, wondering what the hell that was all about and then step back on instinct as he suddenly lunges for her. She falls to the ground, almost collapsing and Leon makes his way to the platform, managing to drop beside her. “Ada!”
You blink, suddenly all the pieces are adding up together. She was the one who he met in Spain.. the one he met back in Raccoon City too. Now here as well..? But why did she come to help you? She clearly didn't care for Helena either. The situation is unravelling at a shocking rate but all you can do is glance down at the gun she handed you, for a reason only she could have predicted.
—-
“I’m getting really tired of this!” He barks as he fires another shot, making a guttural groan fill the air that makes him just want to cover his ears. He couldn't stand this any longer— why couldn't he just die already?! “You did this— didn't you?!” He huffs towards Ada as he shoots, following her dodges like they’re synchronised.
“Someone had to be the test subject.” Suddenly she’s on the other side of the monster, her grapple hook to thank for that as they both battle it out. They both weaken down the side of him before she ends up tumbling down next to him– close encounters weren't exactly her best suit.
“Ada!” He runs to her side, doing his best to shield her from any more incoming bullets as he shoots some of his own, only stopping Simmons for a few moments. She may have caused him a lot of trouble, but she’d also saved his ass too many times to count. “You really gonna go down like this?” He scoffs, though no annoyance holds up in his town, looking between her and Helena still on the platform behind him. At this rate none of them would survive this, especially you. His gaze shifts to where you still stand at the top of the building, and he hates that he can't even tell you to run, because he doesn't even know a place that's safe anymore.
“He doesn't take rejection very well..” She murmurs, trying to steadily get back to her feet after passing out so suddenly.
“I can see that–” Leon helps her, only to look up to see Simmons preparing to lunge forward..and his gun barely had more than a few bullets left.
The entire scene happens in slow motion, and at first he just hears the yells from Helena to get as far as he can. He naturally follows, Ada using her grapple gun to try to get the higher edge, only for Simmons to change his course of action too fast, the monstrous claw rapidly approaching her. This would surely be the end– there was no seeing the floor of this city here, and she had already been hit badly once. There was no way—
Leon snapped out of it as the first shot rang out, his head turning to the source of the noise, and up to where you stand. In your hand a gun, small, and with enough recoil it forces you backwards. But it’s powerful, and it catches Simmons off guard enough for Helena to throw the incendiary grenade. Ada’s efforts and your second shot causes the final hit, pushing him off the bridge until he falls below, engulfed in a sea of flames.
He looks back up towards you, watching as you drop the unusable gun to the floor, likely the last few bullets you had– and you still had to traverse the rest of the way through that building. When he turns, Ada is gone already, and his phone buzzes instead.
Have to go. There’s a present for you on the roof.
Well the only way out is up.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Maybe you should’ve saved those bullets because right now you were severely regretting it. You had to flee the scene immediately after firing the shot, zombies making their way to the loud noises you made. So you had dashed all the way up, finally getting an elevator up to the top.
The roof was crawling with these zombies though, and they were practically seconds away from breaking down the few fences acting as your protection. Helena and Leon would take a while as well considering they were on the entirely opposite side of the building, and you don't know how much longer you could handle this.
Something tells you Simmons didn't really die down there too. The others probably didn't notice from their position below, but the fire wouldn't be enough to finish him off if the two other times didn't already.
What if he finds you up here again?
You swallow nervously, all too aware of the vendetta he’d definitely have against you for the countless times you’ve ruined his plans now. If you weren't going to have the public hanging of the century soon you had no idea what was actually in store for you.
—
There’s a helicopter not too far away, and you’re praying it’s actually usable. Unfortunately you’re still nowhere near it at this point. Walking through is almost as bad as passing through a haven of hungry wolves and at least they wouldn't turn you into something freakish. Out of nowhere, the zombies suddenly pay their attention to something else entirely, stumbling their way towards the opposing building.
Could it really—
You manage to pull yourself up a fence to get a better look, and feel instant relief upon seeing them enter. It’s quickly followed by immediate dread when the building suddenly jolts, sending you off the rail and hitting the ground way too harshly for your own good. The loud noise of flapping wings is what gets you though, a shadow looming over half of the building.
That was a creature from hell, you’re sure.
It looked like a beetle really, absolutely gigantic, and heading straight for both of them. They immediately spring into action, manoeuvring around to try to hit the weak spots, specifically the large beady eyes on his head. Though every time they got close, it’d suddenly put its wings high and dripping acids that burned lone zombies still scattering around and absorbing any bullets they tried to fire.
You panic, desperately trying your best to scramble up now and to the helicopter. Maybe there was something there— anything even.
“Helena!” You hear Leon yell, and you glance down below absolutely terrified of the sight you could find. Thankfully he had just narrowly missed them, but they couldn't keep up forever like this, there had to be something you could do. A distraction, maybe?
You finally reach the top with a sigh of relief, not even wanting to turn back at the hoards of zombies desperately trying to get through as well. Luckily there was a gate that wouldn't collapse— you hoped so anyway.
Now to find something.
They had managed to weaken him a bit, seeing as you’ve watched his form collapse a few times, but he keeps getting back up— regenerating almost.
You walk towards the helicopter, hoping to find a gun at most… and definitely not an entire rocket launcher. As Leon would say, Bingo.
“Helena!” You yell, carrying the heavy thing as far as you can over to the ledge that separates you from them. She looks up, just expecting you to be calling out for help, but does a double take when she realises what's truly in your arms.
“Leon!” She calls out to him as he dodges another blow, and you can only assume his own eyes glistened at the sight too. You can make out his faint grin as he nods, conversing with Helena for a moment before turning back to you.
“Escort! On my command, you shoot! Then we’ve got a plan to finish him off!” You nod at his words, determined to do your best as you get into position. It’s heavy, weighing down on your shoulders badly, but you can hardly care if it even breaks at this rate. You’ll do anything to get rid of him.
“Now!” The rocket leaves you, sending you sprawling backwards from the force, and it travels forward, hitting Simmons’ beady eyes and causing a loud roar to erupt in the air. You quickly scramble upright, trying to get a view of the final showdown. Leon grabs an electric rod that had fallen from one of the many lights illuminating the building, running up on the slumped remains and piercing it directly through his eyes.
Immediately it reacts, screaming and Leon jumps off before it throws itself upwards, trying its best to regenerate by absorbing the impact. Except, absorbing electricity doesn’t go that well, ever.
You wince at the horrifying display of light as the lightning strikes him too, the electric shocks destroying him from inside out until only his human body is left, falling below into the depths. Leon and Helena lean over the edge, watching a far more gruesome scene play out, before making their way up to you.
——————
Leon has no idea how you keep managing to surprise him, despite not even being a trained agent. Your bravery was unmatched, even compared to him sometimes, and honestly? He could just kis— he shakes the thought away before it forms, almost embarrassed at how that was his first instinct.
The both make their way up, finding you still cornered against the railing as zombies start to pour in from a broken fence on the opposite side. “Do they ever give up?” He huffs, him and Helena taking care of them in seconds. He walks over to help you but immediately stumbles when you throw yourself on him, hugging him tightly.
“Leon! You’re okay right? You didn't get hurt or any of that weird acid and when you jumped down on that platform with Ada you really shouldn't have I was so scared and—“
“I should be worried about you, idiot.” He laughs at your outburst at him, squeezing you tight for a few moments too before letting go and cocking his head towards the helicopter. Helena’s more focused on something else though, a small compact case that looks like it could be Ada’s. “I’m guessing this is for you.”
You walk over as well, curious as Leon takes it in his hand, before his eyes narrow, and he pops out the bottom. Inside is a small microchip, and they both give each other a look before he passes the pocket mirror over to her to hold and sticks the chip into his phone.
“This is.. evidence against Simmons.” Helena gasps, looking at the documents, photos, and recordings that show his involvement in every step of what went wrong in this mission. “It proves your
innocence, Leon.”
“Yours too.” He murmurs, but she only shakes her head, and you have a feeling that you only know half of it.
All of a sudden, a call erupts on Leon’s phone, seemingly from Hunnigan. He nods along to the hushed words you can't hear, but Helena just gently taps your shoulder, before pointing towards the helicopter.
She slides into the back to help you strap in, but you throw your arms around her too, holding her tight. “Thank you, for everything.”
Her hands come to pat your back gently, before she smiles too, giving you a firm nod. Something seems to linger behind her eyes, something more she always wanted to say. But she had softened just then, the hardness easing as she clicked you in. “Just doing what’s right. Besides, you were a lot of help too, you know.”
“Alright, we’re leaving now.” Leon announces over the phone, before sliding into the front seat with her. The chopper rises slowly, the loud blades blaring as you look out the window at the burning city slowly getting smaller by the second.. and your laptop unfortunately left with it.
—
Two hours have passed already, with him talking quietly on the phone to Chris about where they can stop off, and thankfully Japan is feeling nice enough to let them land at one of the military bases, so the BSAA can help them back to America.
“Everything good?” Helena murmurs, and he nods, closing the phone as he takes a hold of the controls once more. It’ll be an easier journey from here now.
“Yeah, I just uploaded some of the info. We need to get the chip to them as soon as possible.” She nods to his words, looking at the sea ahead, and trying not to think about everything left behind. His eyes drift towards where you are in the back, quietly sleeping off the adrenaline and every emotion you probably experienced the night prior. Your clothes are torn in some areas, and he still doesn't know what happened to you in the time between your kidnapping and finding him again at the bridge.
“You did the best you could.” She speaks up, and he sighs, nodding but not really believing it.
“She’s just an escort— she should never be involved in these things.” He says, shaking his head at your tired expression, the guilt on his face evident.
“She’s safer with you than without you. Especially the way things are going— this isn't the first time civilians have been impacted like this.”
She is right, as much as his self loathing disagrees. At least he had the knowledge and strength to protect you from these things, being beside you was far better than if he told you to leave now. He made a promise anyway, that he’d keep you safe. Whilst you were definitely roughed up, you were breathing, alive and well. You would recover, and he’d help too.
“Thanks for looking after her too.”
She just chuckles, shaking her head. “Saved our ass many times anyway. Besides, I'm just glad Simmons is gone forever. I just wish my sister was here to see it too.”
— — — — — — — — — — —
You wake up to a sharp pinprick in your arm, and you immediately jolt awake, before being pushed down again by a nurse.
“What the—“ You look around confused, bleary eyes watching your blood fill into vials, one after the other after the other. “Stay still.” The nurses don't talk to you any more than that, and you’re left frozen as they cover up the needle wound and then leave you alone. It seems more like a tent now, and you can see the courtyard out the front.. awfully similar to those American bases you see in the movies. That’s funny, why would you—
You try to sit up only to feel a piercing pain ripple through your body, and for the first time you really look at what he did to you.
There was a mangle of large scratches that could be equivalent to being mauled by a large animal, cuts, lacerations, and bruises all across your torso and especially the arms. You couldn't even imagine the ones on your back right now.
Maybe it was the sheer pain making you this delirious, the weird chemicals Simmons shoved down your airways or the sheer exhaustion in your body that was making you like this, but you couldn't care less.
With the best effort you can, you try to slide yourself off the bed. You needed to get out now, right now. Pain slides down your bones as your feet just graze the floor, and it shoots up your ankles as you push even more weight onto it. The wall is the closest thing you have to comfort as you slump against it, trying to use it as a guide. Now you can see soldiers walking across outside the tent opening, busy with one thing or the other, but also the helicopter you came in parked in a field not too far away. How long has it been since you arrived? Or since you left? Where is Leon? Where is Helena?
This wasn't the DSO anymore.. This was a US military base– no wonder the people were so different and nurses so unkind. But ..you didn't want to be poked and prodded by those strange nurses, even if it was only your delirious mind and fear driving this.
All of a sudden, the tiny crack of the tent curtain opens, revealing the whole courtyard, and you look up to see Leon looking at you in confusion. He was patched up a little, just here and there, and the blood was actually wiped off of his face and hands. “Why are you up? You should be getting treated..”
Just as you open your mouth to try to make an excuse the nurses return, looking exceptionally annoyed seeing you trying to leave already. “What did I say about moving?” The one from before barely conceals the snap he wants to give you and makes you wince as he pushes you back towards the bed and makes you lay down.
The fear struck in your eyes doesn't go unnoticed by Leon who makes his way over, putting some distance between the two of you. “Hey— back off. You shouldn’t treat anyone like that.”
“Agent Kennedy if your rookie agent doesn't listen to medical advice then maybe you should consider not inviting them—“ The other speaks up, wearing a lanyard and a different outfit, likely in a higher position. It’s clear from how she addresses him too.
“She’s not an agent, she’s a civilian who was harmed by a bioweapon.” He snaps at both of them, causing the younger one’s eyes to widen before he looks down. Your eyes are glazed over, listening and yet too focused on the hurt wracking through you. The last thing you wanted was to cause a fuss and make more work for Leon. You hadn't even comprehended him defending you. All you wanted to do was pretend none of this ever happened at all, and you could go back to living your life annoying each other.
“Ahem. Fine, but she shouldn't get up.” The doctor says, walking over to bring the iv machine they must’ve gone to fetch. She passes it to the other, letting him attach it to your arm.
“Maybe you should take better care of your patients.” Leon scoffs at her, unbelieving of the audacity of these people. If it wasn't for you, they’d likely be next on Simmons death list.
The stare off between the two is strong, but it ends when you wince when blood trickles down your arm from him doing the IV incorrectly. “That’s enough. Go check on the blood work instead.” The doctor instructs, making him cower especially under Leon’s sharp glare before immediately leaving.
You zone out properly after that, all sounds and procedures turning into a blur as you become quiet and docile. Even if there was something else churning at your brain right now. Thankfully your blood work comes back fine, with no traces of any virus but there were few side effects from the drug you inhaled thanks to Simmons.
It’s nothing that won't be cleared up with time, so they give you a dose of pain medication before giving you a bag to go. Every day, you’d need to take it, and when you look at the size of the pills you immediately feel sick to your stomach.. Regardless, you thank the doctor quietly for their time, even if your eyes barely meet hers.”
“I can't believe the audacity of them.. seriously, I’m glad the DSO medics aren't that harsh.” He huffs out before coming to sit on the edge of the medical bed you’re set up on. You don't respond, just kind of nodding but not like you really understand his words. It breaks him to see you so detached, but he’s just hoping after a long sleep you’ll be alright.
— — — — — — —
For once Leon’s phone is left silent the entire drive, which isn’t surprising especially after a mission. Though when the president is dead, you’re sure the government is panicking about things other than the latest bioweapon being their national security adviser.
The last thing Hunnigan did was wire him money to get a damn good hotel and food, not that he couldn't afford it anyway, but he didn't exactly bring his wallet on most missions. Usually he’d leave that with you if anything, but given the situation… So, you were in a car he borrowed, driving through the late night to your hotel in a nice part of Japan, your hands tight in your lap, window rolled all the way up and barely looking anywhere but directly straight ahead or at Leon as he drives.
“Hunnigan said you’ll like this one, promise.” He steps out of the car, grabbing a bag from the backseat with supplies and your medication, before coming around to help you.
“It’s fine..” You murmur, the first time you’ve spoken in the past hour, eyes soft and exhausted as you look up at him. He shakes his head, lifting your arm to rest over his shoulder to ease the weight off of you.
“Come on, don't worry about that.”
He’s right, the view is stunning from this room. You can see the city from above, like a bird flying overhead. And then if you look up, you can see the mountains too, trees in the distance and flora. It was afternoon in China when you got there, and here the clock flashes two am— it was too confusing considering you were stuck in American time too.
You walk in slowly, sliding off the shoes that had you agitated for hours, just admiring the quiet serenity of the room. There are two double beds in the room, but even then it’s large, a balcony that leads outside too.
Thankfully you had a shower back at the base, since they wanted you to clean before addressing any more wounds. Leon did demand a female doctor to come and help you if you needed, but you declined anyway, managing it on your own. He, on the other hand, needed one badly. Sure he cleaned his face and hands up, but everything else was still soaked in bioweapon fluids.
“I’m gonna shower, alright? Sleep if you want, I’m going to order some food after though.” He can't help but watch you warily, afraid to leave you on your own as he steps towards the bathroom. He’s stuck between wanting to have the fastest shower ever and stuff his face while laying with you, or having the longest bath ever, just soaking the hot water on his aching arms.
But you didn't look well, so he was going to try to do this as fast as he possibly could. Even if you kept insisting it was okay.
— —
The bathroom door clicks shut behind him, leaving you alone for the first time in hours. It’s.. really quiet in here, not like the eerie silence you got while walking through the streets, but the mind that makes your shoulders drop. Slowly you make your way towards the balcony door. The fresh air combined with the view would surely be nice, you think as you open it, and step out.
All you could think about was how much of a deadweight you had likely been during the whole mission. If it weren't for them coddling you and giving you a gun, you’d have done nothing but just run, maybe even have a panic attack. Even Ada knew that, you could see it in her eyes when she saved you. A weak thing you were, nothing more use than just bait, if you could be good at that anyway.
The smell of fresh air was nice, but you didn't realise how much all the noises would affect you, or well the lack thereof. Of course being night it’d be emptier, but all you could see was the scene replaying in your mind, flashbacks of Liangshang’s empty streets, then the zombie grabbing its hand into the car, eating the driver right before your eyes and–
You slam it back closed just as fast, heart pumping beneath your ribs as you stumble back, hitting a lamp that makes a loud thud when it hits the floor.
You only realise you’re shaking when you try to lift yourself up again, only for your hand to miss the wall multiple times. The room seems too quiet all of a sudden, and your head snaps towards the hallway when someone makes a noise. It’s probably a drunk couple coming to their room after a night out, but not to you. It could be anyone knocking, more agents to come kidnap you, those sentient zombies coming for revenge. Or even Simmons. He had come back so many times, every single fight you thought he’d be dead and then he just.. Returned. Again, again and again.
What if he was still alive?
— — —
Leon’s contemplating if he should try to approach you differently as he steps out of the shower, maybe just coaxing you to bed would work? Perhaps food wasn't good when you look so close to a breakdown. Thankfully the hotel was one that was nice enough to offer complimentary pajamas. Chris also stole a pair of spare army clothes too, which was comfortable, and he tried to grab one that fit your size too. He should get you to change and then—
Everything seems to freeze as he hears a choked sob from the room over. How long had you been crying for? What if the noise of the shower had drowned it out this entire time?
He’s tugging the pajama shirt over his head as he opens the bathroom door, immediately seeing the lamp knocked over and your panicked face, tears rolling down and leaving wet drops on the carpet. “Hey– hey what happened? Did you hurt yourself?” He clutches your hands gently as he checks over you for any blood or new bruises.
When you shake your head, he notices the open window, memories of his own panicked moments coming back. He pulls you into his embrace, his hand rubbing up and down your back. “I’m sorry kid. I know, I know..” He soothes your panic, squeezing you as tight as he can, making sure you know that he’s got you no matter what. The guilt is eating at him tenfold now, but all that matters is making sure you’re alright.
You choke on your own sobs, hiding your face as his other hand guides your head to his shoulder, hands clutching the back of his shirt desperately. It makes a few moments for your body to go lax against him, and he pulls back enough to pick you up, settling on the couch with you still tucked into him. “Breathe for me, alright? Nice, long and deep breaths, in and out. No need to wipe your tears.”
He doesn't know how long he’s stayed with you like this, just cradling you in his arms as he murmurs soft words into your ears. Eventually your breathing does even out though, sobs turning into sniffles and your fingers sinking from their tight grip to just holding the fabric. Even your head sinks from his shoulder, ear pressed against his heart as you let out a few more long breaths, and he thinks it’s a good time to make sure he’s actually doing the right thing. “Do you want me to give you some space?”
“N-no..” You mumble out, finally relaxing your legs so your knees no longer feel like they’re being suffocated. It’s hard to even talk to him knowing he’s seeing you at your absolute worst and of course the fear that this would change everything between you two. All the worries disappear when he lets out a sigh of relief in response. “Good, I was definitely not letting you go.”
He doesn't comment on how you've melted against him, now just quiet as he continues to rub up and down your back, easing every bit of tension out of you. He’s surprisingly very good at this even if you knew from experience he does give good hugs. “Are you not.. annoyed?” You eventually manage to say, chest feeling heavy with exhaustion, and limbs heavy.
“Maybe a little.” He hums, making you perk up instantly, tilting your head up to look at him with your wide red rimmed eyes. Though he doesn't look like it, so why?
“Pretty pissed at myself for not looking after you better. That nurse was an idiot, and I should’ve taken a faster shower.”
That makes you snicker a little, and with you still looking up at him, you get to see his smirk, proud he managed to make you smile again after all of that. “No, it’s good you took time. You smell good for once.”
“Hey– I don't always smell like bioweapon guts.”
You giggle quietly, eyes slowly drooping as he wipes the last tears from your cheeks before smoothing out your hair.
“Alright, I’m ordering food because I’m starving, and you’re having some too, and then we’re gonna crash for the night hm?” You nod, and he grins again, pulling out his phone and finding the restaurant Hunnigan recommended to him earlier.
— — — — — — — — —
Your eyes are drooping, but you’re absolutely starving after bawling your eyes out like that. After he ordered, you excused yourself into the bathroom to change into the pajamas given, thankfully very warm and covering all the bandages wrapped around you. You left the door open while you did so, just in case you hurt yourself, and also because you missed his presence every second away.
Now you lay against his side, his arm draped over your shoulder as you both eat in the quiet noise of the television, a program playing that neither of you understand from the language difference, but you sit there nonetheless. You were suddenly thankful you only got a small meal since you were full already— eating after all that has happened wasn't exactly something you were looking forward to. Although it did feel good to have your stomach content.
“So what now?” You ask, looking up at him as he bites into another piece of chicken, licking up the katsu curry sauce on his lips.
“Got a flight tomorrow. We’ve got no luggage so no issues with that.” He speaks quietly, probably because he’s tired himself, and you suddenly feel guilty for keeping him up this long. “I’ll have to hand in the evidence and write up a report and..” He’s not sure whether to tell you now, if it's too soon for you to comprehend. You look like you’re minutes away from sleeping right now.
“And what..?” Still, you manage to pick up on the unfinished words, freeing yourself from his hold to sit up straight and stretch.
“Not for now— i don't know for sure so I won't say anything. But we’ll get you a new laptop, okay? Did you lose your phone too, we can get that replaced.”
“No.. they didn't let me take it.” You frown, swaying where you sit upright, your hands rubbing at your eyes. Though, you should really be grateful that they didn't. It’s probably still sitting in your apartment if they didn't search it.
“We’ll figure that out tomorrow. Let's get some sleep, and then we can grab breakfast before the flight, yeah?”
—
Leon settles in his bed as you do in yours, eyes instantly closing when your head hits the pillow. It makes him chuckle, but really he’s starting to feel the exact same effects himself as he lays down. His bones feel heavy as they always do after a mission, but today they feel like the tiniest bit lighter than usual. His head isn't filled with dread either, actually quite content despite the pain rippling in his body. Winding down with you had much more of an effect than anticipated, and he couldn’t help but crave your touch even now. But he should let you sleep, you deserve a good rest.