Work Text:
Albert didn’t plan for this path in life, especially with how it all ended: volcanoes and missiles to the face. He didn’t expect his life to end any other way if he were honest, looking back he did…admittedly, deserve it. By some miracle or unfortunate curse - depending on who says it and Albert never stopped them from saying one or the other - he came back, and walked the Earth again. He didn’t expect redemption, no, yet here he was, spending time with everyone with a book in hand. Jake and Sherry were in the kitchen, cooking together as everyone talked about whatever was going on beyond work.
He knew he didn’t deserve to be there, even if everything that he was taught in his childhood told him otherwise. Albert only listened to the conversations, reading the words on the page. It gave him good white noise to the story, something he would’ve never picked up while working on the viruses. Oddly, this was a welcomed break - yes, he still had to assist with the breakouts by finding the source and the inner workings of it - but this? This was peaceful.
“Wesker!” He glared at Chris for disturbing his reading, raising only a brow in response. “Hey, we were trying to get your attention.”
“I was reading.”
“The same page for the last ten minutes, sure.” Jake chimed in, raising his hands up in defense when Albert glared. For never knowing about one another…we really are similar. He wouldn’t say it out loud, never.
“What do you need, Chris?” Albert sighed, looking at the younger man. It’s still strange to see him on the same team again, it had been decades since STARS…another silent regret he never would say out loud.
“When we get back I need you to check a report for us,” Chris said bluntly, getting an eye roll from Albert as he closed the book.
“Next time, say you need me to do that while we’re at the base and not when we’re all here.” Albert sighed, rubbing his temples. Lord, do some things never change from the STARS time?
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
“I’m just stating.”
“And I’m telling you.”
“Just do it next time, don’t waste people’s time.”
“Don’t order.”
“I’m not ordering, I’m just stating an idea?” Jill seemed to find it funny, whatever it was, as she laughed her way off the chair. Albert raised a brow, trying to understand how it would be funny that he was just trying to get it through to Chris about it. Barry shook his head, deep laughter leaving him too. “What’s so funny?”
“Albert…you’re saying you’re not ordering yet you’re using your ordering tone,” Jake explained, using his hand to hide his own smirk about it all.
“I’m just talking?”
“But you’re speaking…oh whatever you won’t get it.” Everyone but Chris and Albert continued to laugh, leaving Albert still very confused.
The ride back to the base was boring, Albert kept his nose in another book from the collection he was gifted as a ‘congrats for getting through one year of therapy without murdering one of us.’ Honestly, he wished he was joking but that was the tag on the present. He only stopped when they finally parked in the spot, simply closing it and getting out of the truck before following Chris inside for whatever this report is.
It was always silent whenever Albert walked in, perhaps people were still terrified of what he is. A murderer, someone who shouldn’t get redemption and all the effort to heal. A small part of him agreed with them, though that voice always sounded like someone he killed without hesitation for hiding the truth. Something he won’t ever get back, a sense of normalcy and being a person who wasn’t just a test subject.
The door opened, walk in, normal. Nothing strange as Albert took the report and started to read. The first thing he noticed was it seemed to be about a person, reporting the effects of the virus on the body. A fairly familiar virus too - Golgotha Virus, created by his old friend and he ended up injecting himself. It was interesting to see it again, back into the spotlight but then again, it was possibly even more dangerous than the virus Albert made himself.
“Where did you find these?” He asked, reading further. Test subject GWB-092 seemed to be now able to survive anything we give him with little reaction other than bleeding. It’s also noted that he won’t speak anymore, unknown if it’s a result of the virus blocking his voice or by his own will.
“Found them in a lab we recently raided, it’s good to note that these are dubbed as older notes but it’s said that this report is about a person being experimented on, similar to Lisa Trevor,” Chris explained, getting a nod in response as Albert kept reading. The more he read the more he wondered if this was how Lisa felt during it all. Though this person was willing to keep their voice gone and refused to break unlike her and her shattered mental state.
“Do we have a lead on who it could be?”
“Well that’s why we’re having you read it, we have a theory but we wanted to hear what you suspect about it.” Albert hummed, next page. More tests: fire, ice, bullets, explosions, drowning, everything. They seemed to make someone who was unbreakable and unkillable though it did little to bring the experiment to speak.
Test subject GWB-092 is able to survive everything we throw at him though he won’t speak to any of us. Not even familiar faces that we know he would recognize. As much as we know we shouldn’t worry about him but in the fact, he was, at one point, a brilliant virologist who inspired so many of us and even challenged Earl Oswald Spencer at one point. To see him go silent almost terrifies us, wondering what he could be plotting behind those cold eyes.
To touch on the topic of his eyes, it seems something had changed in recent days though it is unknown if it is new or just now seen due to the subject’s hair blocking his face. Before his eyes were both blue, a paler blue but a blue. All he had due to the virus was a sunburn-like mark across the right side of his face. However, now, the virus seemed to take over the right eye completely and is now with a few veins becoming more obvious to spot on the lower right jaw. When pressed, the subject only shrugged before going back to refusing to answer anymore.
“I suspect this person had obviously been through it and finally said fuck you and won’t speak to anyone who tries to talk, whether it’s to save him or experiment on him,” Albert said, hesitantly putting the report down. The more he read the more he wondered what those letters meant, obviously it was symbolic of something but what? An idea was easily given but he wasn’t sure he wanted to accept it. “Though the subject name is interesting.” Chris nodded before sighing.
“There’s a theory as to what it could mean.”
“Do I get to guess your theory?”
“Just say what you think it is.”
“Golgotha William Birkin. It’s the only one that would make sense and the 92 is how many different bodies were sacrificed to bring him back.” A small burn in his chest saying his own theory, almost wondering if it was. William, the smartest person Umbrella ever hired, pushed to his limits and refused to speak. Doesn’t sound like him but he didn’t expect the other to break so easily back then either.
“So everyone’s on the same page for who it could be then.” Oh, fantastic, everyone thinks it’s William too. Albert sighed, adjusting his sunglasses.
“So what is your plan to find William?”
“That’s the thing, that’s the only report that seems to remain of him. We need to find the others and where he’s placed for no-” The door slammed open, and both men looked at Jake who looked visibly shaken up.
“What happened?” Albert asked, getting out of the chair as a million thoughts ran through his mind. Whatever it was it obviously freaked out the ex-mercenary.
“Someone literally just walked up to the base, like unable to talk and looked like complete shit like…covered in blood and Rebecca is treating him. We’re not sure where he came from but he’s here now.” Jake explained before just sighing, “we gave him a notebook to write on and…”
“And what Jake?” Chris said, getting his gun at the ready.
“He wrote that his name is William…William Birkin.”
“What.” Albert couldn’t even stop the word from leaving his lips, shocked. Of course, William was stubborn, he would find a way out but to find a way here? That meant he had to be nearby, somewhere near the base where he was and possibly experimented on.
“Sherry’s been sobbing, he’s been sobbing, Rebecca is just shocked because he looked like he should be dead but isn’t and-”
“Where is he?”
“Med bay.” Chris looked at Albert, nodding before motioning Jake to start walking down there. Honestly, Albert felt he was on autopilot when they walked down to the med bay - that’s what they say, isn’t it? He can’t remember. A million thoughts went through his mind as the door slid open, showing Sherry talking to someone with long blonde hair, bloodied clothes, and looking deathly thin. He stood there, watching for a moment as he tried to listen for any words, any voice. Nothing except Sherry promising to help him through it and to keep him from getting worse.
“Rebecca, how bad is it?” Chris asked, walking over to her to read the reports. Rebecca sighed, clearly flummoxed by something.
“He’s fine…he’s completely healed, just dangerously thin from lack of nutrition. I don’t know how though. Nothing I have should do it.” She explained, looking at Chris. Both of them just shrugged, clearly not able to get an answer. Albert could guess the reason, if it was truly William then it was his virus, the one thing he put everything into. It would heal him in no time.
He walked over, quiet as he went behind Sherry and presumably William before lightly tapping on the man’s shoulder in the pattern that both of them did for one another. The man seemed to pause before turning his head to face Albert, blinking a few times before a smile came across his face, waving. His mouth opened and nothing came out, clearly annoyed with it before grabbing the paper and writing: Hello again, Al. Albert scoffed, flicking William’s nose.
“How was hell for you?” William shrugged before writing his response: It could’ve been nicer but you know, can’t change how hell goes. How did your hell go? “I fucking hate therapy.” Everyone went silent before laughing, William joining in by hiding his face behind the notebook. “I’m not wrong it’s torture!”
“You’re just mad because you had to go to it daily for four months straight in the beginning. It’s not that bad anymore.” Jake brought up, making Albert’s eye twitch at the mention of what happened in the beginning. Lord if I ever have to go through that again I will personally murder each and every single one of you…
“When I died, I didn’t ask to be brought back only to talk about my life and go through therapy. I didn’t ask for it nor do I want to do it anymore.” William laughed, well as close as he could without his voice being there. He wrote for a moment before showing it to Albert: So what I’m hearing is that your hell was essentially forced therapy sessions because you needed it? Because you do need therapy, dear friend. “William you may have just come back but I will put you into a trash can.”
“No, no trash cans,” Sherry said, hugging her dad close and narrowing her eyes at Albert who rolled his.
“Well then you’re father needs to learn to keep his mou…well his pen still.” William smiled, moving some of the strands out of his face, keeping the right side hidden. So far it was lining up with the report found earlier by Chris. Though it also lined up with where the infection started in William those years ago.
“Actually, Doctor Birkin,” Chris spoke loud enough to make William flinch, looking around for someone before realizing it was himself. Albert was surprised by that reaction, William always took it with pride so as to seem afraid…what happened when he wasn’t there with him. “William Birkin.” William gave a thumbs up, smiling sheepishly. “Does the name GWB-092 remind you of anything?” The man tensed up, hand gripping the notebook. Sherry reached over and lightly held his hand, trying to get him to relax. Albert sighed, narrowing his eyes at Chris for thinking this was the perfect time to ask it.
“Let’s just put that as yes and leave it there, alright? Alright!” Jake finally said, clapping his hands together as William jumped at the sound. Albert rubbed his back reassuringly, finally getting William to calm down enough to stop gripping the notebook.
“How about you get checked out and then you can finally rest, William?” Albert said, briefly thanking the therapist for telling him how to act when helping people he did care for. William nodded, letting go of a breath he was holding in. This was going to be a long ride…
It had only been a couple of weeks since William’s return and start of recovery. Right now everyone wanted to focus on his physical health more than mental health though he did get several hours where he got some help with that too. Albert tended to stay near his side, knowing from experience that it sucks to be alone for too long. When he came down today, William had been given soup to eat
“How’s it been going for you today, William?” William tapped the notebook, sighing. Albert took it before snickering at the words. “Ahem… if I have to have one more needle into my arm I will murder a person , I’m assuming you’ve been having a wonderful time.” Obviously, he got a punch to his shoulder as he took a seat on the bed.
“Perhaps we should give you Chris to put a needle into your arm next, I think it’ll be wonderful to do.” William raised a brow, taking the notebook and writing before showing it: You just want Chris gone don’t you? “Why wouldn’t I want him gone? I have you back for a good reason don’t I?” William rolled his eyes, shaking his head with a smile. They went into a peaceful silence between the two of them, Albert mainly watching William spin his spoon in the soup, shrugging before he went to writing in the notebook again.
Do you mind if I write an entire rant for a moment, Al? You don’t have to read it I just need to get it out of my head. Albert raised a brow before nodding, adjusting the long hair to where both eyes were exposed. Just like the report had said, one eye was purely a G eye while the left eye was the natural blue eye. William smiled somberly before going to a fresh page and starting to write. Albert watched him during it, occasionally checking the soup. Obviously, he didn’t like it based on it barely being gone.
“Was it bad?” Albert asked when he saw William finally finish his written rant. William looked at the soup before tapping his right shoulder. “G didn’t like it?” He nodded, putting the notebook down to poke at the soup again. Albert decided to take it and read the rant, resting his chin on his hand.
“So…what I’m reading here is if I get the chance to see some of these people I can murder them?” He saw William laugh silently, smiling at Albert before taking the notebook and going onto a fresh page before writing more words: Only if you let me do the final hit. “Oh of course, William. Why wouldn’t I let you?” William smiled, hugging Albert before Albert used the notebook to hide their faces. He brought William closer to kiss him softly, getting it easily returned. “Been too long since I’ve done that.” He whispered, making sure no one would know as they scoot away from one another and the notebook was dropped again.
“What are you two plotting over there?” Both of the men turned to look at Sherry and Jake looking at them, both smiling.
“None of your business,” Albert said, rolling his eyes as Sherry walked over to hug her dad.
“Was the soup bad, dad?” William shook his head before pointing to his right shoulder. “Ohh G didn’t like it and now won’t let you finish?” He nodded, sighing as he closed the notebook. Albert rolled his eyes, taking the notebook from him.
“Why are you two here anyway?” Albert asked as Jake walked over with a cocky smile.
“Well sounds like someone is finally allowed to come back with us, way faster than some person a few years ago.”
“Jake, if you value your life you won’t speak of it.” William bonked Albert on the head after taking his notebook back. Sherry giggled, shaking her head.
“You guys are idiots but ones I wouldn’t change.”
It was one in the morning, honestly, everyone should be asleep at this hour. However, William just couldn’t rest. His mind was racing, words and actions repeating that he would much rather have it where he was dead again and never have to deal with it again. It would be far easier but alas, he was alive and going through it.
He sat on the bed, staring at the mirror from across the way, studying his entire physique. He didn’t look normal, he didn’t even look human anymore. “You know, William dear, you did always look better-” A knock tore him out of the voice’s words, sighing before getting up and walking to the door, opening it just enough to where he could peek an eye out.
“Thought you were still awake, what are you doing?” The older of the two asked, making the door open much farther while William shrugged. He rubbed his arm, moving out of the way and letting Albert walk in and join him. Albert took a seat on the bed as William grabbed his notebook and started to write. Another thing to get used to: he couldn’t even speak. G decided that he shouldn’t be let speak if he’s always in danger.
Which, G, I am not in danger anymore, I’m safe.
Don’t trust it.
And I don’t trust you then. He sassed the virus before handing Albert the written words.
“You couldn’t sleep?” William nodded, yawning as he sat down. Albert hummed, handing back the notebook. “So that makes two of us. What do you want to do?” William started to write his answer though he bet Albert could figure it out. Turning the notebook around so the other could read it before seeing Albert snort at it. Still, the only one who makes you snort.
“No William, I cannot silence the G virus within you, I apologize.” William pouted before sighing, laying his head on Albert’s lap for a moment. It was worth a shot to get the virus to relax and understand it’s safe here now. He felt cold fingers go through his hair, heard the humming tune, and closed his eyes. “...I’m glad you’re back.” He took Albert’s hand and squeezed it, opening his eyes to look up and smile at him. I missed you, Al was what he mouthed, hoping it would be enough.
Albert only smiled back before moving their positions to where both of them lay next to each other, the notebook left at the end of the bed. William wrapped his arms around the other’s neck, pulling him close. They both laid there together, already feeling sleep crawl at his mind.
No, not safe.
G, I swear to god, we haven’t slept since we escaped, can we sleep?
He’ll hurt us.
Al? No, he won’t, he cares for us.
Don’t trust. He groaned silently, hitting his right shoulder as Albert chuckled.
“I’m assuming G isn’t playing nice?” William glared at him before rolling his eyes. “It let you sleep before, right?” He shook his head and as much as he didn’t want to, he got out of Albert’s embrace to grab the notebook and wrote the answer, showing him, “Wait…you haven’t slept since getting out of there?” A nod. “How does it not feel safe?” He shrugged, placing the notebook on the windowsill.
Albert sighed, bringing William back into his arms. “It needs to let you sleep, Will.” Can’t make it. He mouthed, wrapping his arms back around Albert. For once sleep would be nice, he hadn’t slept for what felt like years at this point and none of it was his fault. G just wants to be sure…yet it meant no sleep. He tried relaxing again, closing his eyes, and trying to lure Albert to sleep as well. G still didn’t budge on it, keeping the body awake.
Okay, what do I gotta do to make you accept we are safe?
We aren’t safe.
What do I do to show you we are?
Nothing.
G, I get being stubborn but we haven’t slept in forever, can we sleep just for tonight? All he got in return was the annoyed growls, rolling his eyes at the antics. Of course, it wouldn’t listen for once in its…virus life.
“What’s the plan to get you to sleep?” William shrugged, gripping Albert closer. “Did it give anything to make it stop?” He shook his head. Albert sighed, threading his fingers through William’s hair as he thought about it. Obviously, nothing was working, G was stubborn in its belief that they were still in danger. Albert’s hand drifted further down, following the spinal cord as he hummed. William looked at him, eyebrow raised. “I have an idea…”
I don’t trust it.
I trust Albert with my life, G, we’ll be okay. Even with reassurance, he knew G was hesitant about this. Then again, the virus never met his dearest friend. He let Albert move him on his stomach, back upwards, and shirt riding up. Coldness followed up with it, smiling as he felt a few kisses on his back.
“Trust me?” William nodded, closing his eyes. He felt G tense up at Albert’s hands on where it resides the most, he felt the movement go up slowly, almost trying to make sure it was okay with it before moving onwards.
Eat? EAT?
No eat, we don’t eat my best friend. He felt the annoyance in the noise G gave him, loud enough that it could be heard by anyone. Albert gave no notice if he did or didn’t, leaning his head down on the right shoulder, feeling the tension come up. William moved his head so he could look at Albert, smiling. He didn’t know why or how he had the patience for this kind of madness but somehow he got lucky enough to do it.
He wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that but soon enough he felt G relaxed and his eyes felt heavy. He tried to hum out to Albert but only sighed when nothing came out.
…fine he good.
Thank you, G. Can we sleep?
…yes. The amount of relief he felt with that, not even thinking before he moved out from under Albert and hugged him, feeling the exhaustion of months of no sleep catching up to him. Albert chuckled, hugging him back before laying them down.
“So it worked?” William nodded, hiding his face in Albert’s shoulder. Albert seemed to smile at it, lightly kissing his neck. “Sleep well, I’ll be here when you wake up…” Another nod before the peacefulness of sleep finally overcame him. Lord knows he needed it after spending so long being unable to. Albert held him as he relaxed before joining, keeping a hand on the right side in case G got nervous.
“That’s cute…” Sherry whispered, shutting the door once both men were asleep, and looked at Jake who smiled and offered his hand.
“Yes very cute, let’s go sleep now.” She nodded as she took the hand, and went back to their bedroom to sleep as well.
Albert didn’t even realize how much he relied on William being the bigger talker between the two of them until William physically couldn’t speak anymore. Everything he normally got away with it no longer could he do since William wasn’t able to say a word for him like he always does. It was a process for everyone as well, William needed to find more ways to communicate since writing takes time, and sometimes his writing is bad. It was also discovered why he was unable to speak: G created some block between his vocal cords and everything else, making it impossible. No matter the amount of coaxing at the virus to let it go did the job.
“Three months, 1 week, and 3 days,” Albert said with a sigh in the kitchen, looking over at William who was making himself a cup of tea. He didn’t know why he kept track of how long William had been back, it did help keep both of them moving on from the day. Written words to Albert alone revealed more of what had happened to William, things he wouldn’t tell the others without his permission.
William paused what he was doing to rub his throat, clearly in pain from something again. Albert sighed, walking over to see if he could figure out what it is this time around. “G needs to be nicer I swear.” The younger man shrugged, giving a half smile before coughing up a storm. Eighth time this week… more strange occurrences have happened, yes, but William shouldn’t be coughing this often. “Remind me to have Rebecca check your lungs.”
William did a motion of his hand of someone talking while mouthing something before nodding, rolling his eyes, and grabbing the notebook, writing down something. He turned the page around for Albert to read: I don’t think it’s my lungs but alright I’ll go through another visit.
“Thank you for humoring it,” Albert said, taking William’s glass and handing it to him once he put the notebook down again. He sipped the hot beverage, both enjoying the silence for the time being. Jake and Sherry won’t be back until next week from their current mission, leaving the house relatively quiet and people-free for the time being.
It did lead to quite a peaceful time together, mainly reading books together or watching some science show and criticizing it. William throughout the day coughed repeatedly, occasionally coughing up blood as well. He kept reassuring Albert he was fine but Albert was certain it was more for William than himself.
Dinner was easy as well, letting William handle it himself. Albert tried to help but he was quickly kicked out as the younger man worked on their dinner. However, the older man sat on the seats nearby, still worried about William. Something was clearly happening and not even William knew what it was.
“Are you making some-” Albert was in the process of asking before William coughed again, covering his mouth in the process. It was only a moment before Albert got out of the chair and ran to William’s side, already running through the places where the first aid is. William kept coughing, deep red liquid slipping through his fingers and dripping onto the floor. He was shaking, trying to hold the blood in as Albert lead him to the couch before sprinting to the first aid and sprinting back.
“So what about that being okay nonsense, hm?” He said, pulling William’s hand away from his mouth to wipe away the blood before noticing something was coming out of his throat. “Hold still for a second.” William flinched away before being held down long enough for Albert to put his hand into his mouth and grab whatever was coming out. It felt almost like a muscle…which was honestly gross. He mentally noted to clean the living room before Sherry and Jake get back. “This is going to hurt.” was all Albert warned before pulling it out, getting a very loud yelp from William.
Albert looked at the item, honestly, it looked like a mess of muscles and blood vessels together with a tiny G eye poking out. It would be enough to make a normal person puke their insides out at the sight but this wasn’t his first rodeo with it. He grabbed a plate to place the item before going to clean William’s face and hands.
William was shaking, wide eyes looking at Albert as he started the process of getting the blood off of him. Honestly, Albert wanted to say something but William looked so shaken up from it that he didn’t dare to speak. The red liquid was easy to remove, neither of them really minded it but he could only imagine what William was thinking…
“Are you okay? Wait shit where’s your-”
“A…Al..?” Albert froze for a moment, looking at William who coughed again. No…no way that hoarse voice was his, ragged by time never speaking for so long. There had to be no way…
“William?”
“...throat hurts…” He coughed out, covering his mouth. His other hand went to his throat, rubbing a spot. It only took a moment before it clicked where William had been rubbing all day: where his vocal cords would be. That would mean…he glanced at the mess of muscles and vessels on the table.
“Let me get you water,” Albert said, getting up and going to the kitchen, luckily nothing was burning as William had only started cutting up everything. He quickly got a glass of water and walked back, watching William as he started to breathe through his mouth.
“I…I can talk..?” He asked, teary eyes looking at Albert who nodded as he got on his knee and urged William to drink the water. It took a few tries to get the water down his throat, needing to stop before he choked on it more. Albert stayed there even when it was finished, trying to process what had happened. G had finally let him speak again, yes, but why did it decide now? It could’ve done it several times before: the first time he came to them, the first night spent at the cabin, every other time. So why only when it was just them?
“How raw does your throat feel?” He asked, wiping away any leftover drops of blood that would appear.
“...feels like I’ve screamed for hours,” William said, wiping away his tears. “It hurts…”
“I know it does, we’ll get you some tea or honey to help it through. Though I wonder why G picked now of all times to do it.” Albert said, getting up to throw away the bloodied paper towels and cleaning up what tools he used to help.
“... you are trusted…don’t like anyone but you and red and blonde. ” William froze up at his own mangled voice, Albert turning around and blinking a few times. “I…”
“Good to know G likes the three of us…but preferably let William speak next time.” A rough laugh left William as he smiled at Albert.
“Now I can say something funny…”
“What?”
“G doesn’t like Chris since the question.”
“Well deserved,” Albert said, walking over to kiss him softly. “Don’t know if the blood makes it better or worse…”
“How about worse?” William suggested before kissing Albert too, being brought up to his feet.
“I’ll take it…say it for me, won’t you? I haven’t heard you truly say it yet.” Albert whispered once they pulled away. William looked at him confused before it clicked.
“I missed you so much, Al.” Albert kissed his forehead.
“Missed you too, Will.”