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The two stumble over to the police cruiser, battered and exhausted. Keys are shakily taken out of the rookie’s pocket and fumbled with for a moment to open the door before they can both throw themselves into an ounce of safety. Both doors are slammed shut and locked, paranoia still plaguing them from the day's events. The car is nearly silent, the only sound being their ragged breathing from the run across this damned town. Leon is the first to speak up after grabbing the water bottle he left in the car earlier.
“Sooo…”, James glances at him with an exhausted look. They stare at each other for a moment before he looks away and Leon slumps a bit in his seat. Maybe right now isn't the time to ask that. “Never mind, let's just get out of here.” He takes a swig out of his water before handing it to the other and putting the keys into the car. It takes a few anxiety filled moments for the car to start before they’re speeding through the rundown streets. Leon is doing his best to focus; he had a track record of ruining cars, and this wasn’t the time for that. With the responsibility of dodging monsters, avoiding broken roads, and finding the road out of there he was pretty impressed with himself for getting them out alive. The blonde clearly had a different opinion, his knuckles white from the grip he had on his knees.
“How the hell are you a cop?” The first thing the rookie had heard from him in at least an hour, and he laughed with a shrug. James reaches over to put on his seatbelt now that they were on a normal road. The crazy driving was reasonable when they were alone, but he was not risking going flying out a window because this cop can’t drive around others.
“You know I have no clue. Guess that's why I’m still considered a rookie after months of work!” The atmosphere in the car becomes a bit lighter, although both stay silent like before. James seemed to prefer it and the other wasn’t about to ruin his comfort. Leon goes to turn on the car radio just to find static which is turned off immediately. He murmurs to himself. “Damn, now my radio is messed up. Can’t wait to explain that when I get back.” James sits up from his slightly hunched position, reaching for the water bottle he placed in the cup holder. Turns out they both had the same idea and his hand snaps back towards himself when it touches Leon’s. The smaller hand retreats and gestures for him to take it, which he nervously complies to. I can fight two pyramid head creatures with giant knives but get skittish when another man touches me? Come on James get it together. He sips from the bottle as he stares out his window at the other cars, feeling somewhat comforted by knowing they aren’t alone anymore.
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“I’ll get us some more water, you stay in the car.” Leon opened his door and grabbed the nearly finished bottle in the car, using the water in it to wash the blood off of his face to seem somewhat presentable. James watches him slam the door closed and head into the gas station, unbuckling and slumping in his seat to relax his body. His mind was far from relaxed though. Couldn’t stop thinking about what he did to Mary, to Eddie, hell even to Laura. He left a little girl alone in that town to fend for herself. Without Leon’s presence the guilt seemed to overwhelm him just like it had before in Silent Hill. Thoughts from every corner of his brain come flooding into the front of his mind. He didn’t know what else to do other than curl in on himself and grit his teeth until all of it went away. It was so loud in his head, he felt as if he would get a headache from it all. A snap back to reality hits him when a hand lands on his shoulder and sends James jumping out of his seat a little.
“You alright?” Leon’s voice is quiet as he removes his hand from the blonde and settles into his seat. Two waters were placed into the cup holders for them, and multiple snacks were placed on the dashboard. James takes a deep breath in to calm himself.
“I’m fine.” He glances up at the food and raises an eyebrow at Leon. “You’re able to eat after all of that?” The rookie nods excitedly and closes his door before biting into a hot dog he got for himself. A bag of chips and a granola bar are handed to James.
“I know it isn’t very nutritious, and probably isn't best for us to eat after running around so much, but something about junk food makes you feel better after it all y’know?” He couldn’t relate, but the logic didn’t seem too bad even if his stomach twisted a bit at the idea of eating. A hesitant bite to the granola bar is where James started, making sure he could handle something in his stomach. After a moment of waiting, he realized how hungry he was. Breakfast had been avoided that morning and it wasn’t like he could grab something to eat for lunch or dinner while in that hell hole. James made quick work of his food, catching Leon a bit off guard.
“Damn, want me to get you something else? I mean you’re a big guy you probably need more than that to keep you going.” He shakes his head. “Alright then, if you say so.” Leon finishes off his food as well not long after and throws their trash into a bin outside. The blonde nervously rubs his hands together as he watches the other get back into the car. It takes a few moments of silence for him to figure out what exactly he wanted to say. Leon deserved some sort of thanks, that was obvious, but how should he say it? Just a simple ‘thank you’ didn’t feel right after everything. James’ nose scrunches slightly as he gets lost in thought, not noticing Leon getting closer to him in his peripheral vision.
“Leon I-” He cuts himself off when he looks over and Leon is much closer than he thought, making him jump towards the window a little. He was just resting his elbow on the center console with his head in his hand and looking in his direction, but it was the closest he’d gotten to a person… well a real person, in what seemed like forever. The rookie had laughed quietly at how much he jumped, making his cheeks burn from embarrassment. James clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck as he sits normally again. “As I was trying to say… I want to thank you for helping me today. That town would’ve been an even worse hell to deal with on my own.” A small smile appears on Leon’s face.
“Well, I wasn't just going to leave you there to beat some monsters with a pipe! Wouldn’t be that good of a cop if I did.” He fiddled with his water bottle’s cap as he spoke.
“I guess so…” James looks out his window before trying his best to continue his recited thanks. “Also, you didn’t have to drive me out of there or do any of this.” He motions towards the water Leon had bought. “Could have just left me near my car and gotten out of there yourself. I already thanked you, but I did…. Appreciate you going the extra mile for me.” The rookie scoffs and shakes his head, the smile still beaming on his face. The look he had in his eyes when giving the other a side glance hit James like a slap to the face. It felt so much like the endearing look Mary gave him at the smallest things.
“Can’t believe you think you have to thank me for being a decent guy. It's flattering but, you don't have to.” He fixes his posture and starts the car back up. “Now if getting you some food was considered the extra mile then I guess I’m going at least 5 more. We’re both exhausted and need a shower, I’ll get us a hotel room for the night.”
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Being in a hotel again so soon wasn’t ideal for James, but he couldn’t really turn down the idea of a nice bed when the only other option would be the backseat. As soon as they entered the room Leon started stripping himself of any police gear. It got uncomfortable hours ago and he wasn’t having it rubbing against him anymore. The blonde awkwardly watched and closed the door, diverting his attention when the shirt and pants came off.
“I’m sure you've seen naked guys in a locker room, you don’t have to stare at the ceiling just because I don’t have pants on.” James sighs but continues looking away, listening to him fiddle with stuff before feeling clothes dropped onto his shoulder. “I’m getting in the shower. You go ahead and take off any clothes you want washed and put em in a washer with mine down the hall. Nobody should be around at this hour so don’t worry about being seen in your underwear.” He hears him murmur something along the lines of, ‘don’t think they’d mind seeing too much anyways’, before the bathroom door is shut. He chooses to ignore that comment before hesitantly taking off his layers.
Uncomfortably shuffling your way down a hotel hallway in nothing but your undergarments was not James’ favorite way to spend his first few minutes back in normal society. Sure no one had seen him, and he was able to make it back to the room fine, but it wasn't something he was up for doing again. Leon would have to be the one to go get the clothing in the morning…. Speaking of him, the rookie was sitting on the edge of one of the beds seemingly waiting for James to get back. A few cogs turn in his brain before realizing that Leon is still only in his boxers even after the shower.
“Uh- I’ll go take a shower now.” Being occupied with the objective of avoiding looking at the other, James manages to hit his shoulder off the doorframe to the bathroom. “Shit-” Before Leon can say anything he quickly shuts the door behind him. His muffled laugh is heard through the wall. I’ve only known this guy for a day and already embarrassed myself twice. Great.
The blonde wasn’t too giddy to find out during his shower that he had a new wound added to his side from that damn Pyramid thing. It stung like a bitch when soap seeped into it and was a pain to clean. Only good news was it wasn't bleeding anymore, and the bed didn’t have to look like a crime scene at least. Although he seemed to have a habit of doing that to beds.. He must’ve let his mind wander under the comfort of the warm water, as he got shocked out of his daze when Leon knocked on the door.
“You alright in there? It’s been at least fifteen minutes…” James sighed and turned the water off before answering.
“Yeah yeah, just give me a moment.” He hears steps move away from the door before deciding to get out and dry himself off. Having to go in there with barely anything on again wasn’t something he was excited for, but after all the shit he’s been through today he supposed it wasn’t the worst thing. Leon was laying in one of the beds already buried under the covers when he got out of the bathroom. James headed for the other bed but stopped himself between the two. One part of him wanted to lay down in his own bed and deal with any thoughts or possible nightmares on his own. The other, more prominent part, wanted to go lay with Leon. It wouldn't hurt, even if it felt a bit like betraying Mary. Would this be what she wanted for him? To move on? Maybe, but he didn’t seem to give himself enough time to think about it as he was already next to the cop.
“Oh, so you get scared when I’m a little too close in the car but now you want to sleep with me? Make up your mind Jam.” Leon turns to face him, seeming happy with this development even if his voice was dripping with sass.
“If you’re going to say it like that maybe I should go in the other bed then. Also… Jam?” A nod comes from the other who's already put his head down from exhaustion again.
“Yeah…. I get comfort from food, and I don't mind you too much either, so calling you Jam seems fitting.” His voice falters a little at the end, his need for rest getting the best of him. “Hope you don’t mind it too much.” James is left there simmering in his own flustered state as the other dozes off. He slumps down in bed the best he can, trying to calm himself. Even if the rookie can’t hear him, he still responds.
“No, I don't mind it at all…” In fact, the stupid nickname was already growing on him.