Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Hey, Leon!” Claire welcomed me. “So, this is your new apartment?” She had driven here to meet me at my new apartment.

“Yeah, fancy isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I’m surprised you can afford it—uh—no offense.”

“None taken.” I said softly.“Have you heard anything about Sherry, yet? I heard she was in the hospital due to getting shot. She’s okay, right?” I ask, I try being cautious with my words for some reason.

“She’s fine—she said she is still aching all over, she can hardly walk. But other than that she’s fine.”

“I hope she has a smooth recovery.”

“Anyway, Chris said he’s on his way to help with moving, and so is Piers.” Claire explained as I opened the trunk of my car.

“Who’s Piers?” I ask.

“Oh that’s right, I haven’t told you about him yet! Silly me. Piers works with Chris in the BSAA. Well, Chris technically doesn’t work in the BSAA anymore…all his men died. ‘Cept Piers.” She clarified.

“Ah. I see. It’ll be nice to meet some new people.”

“Yeah, knowing you, it’d be nice if you actually met someone new.” She chuckled.
I chuckled as well, I noticed a car pulling up.
“Oh look that’s Chris! And Piers!”

“Hi.” Chris rolled his window down, he took the keys out and hopped right out of his car.
I noticed Piers leave the vehicle as well.

“You must be Leon, I’m Piers.”

“Yes, I’m Leon. Nice to meet you.”

“This is an oddly good looking apartment for someone like you.” Chris elbowed my arm.

“Ow!” I whined.

Claire sighed and said, “It’s glad to have you back, Leon! Now we’re all complete!”

“Quit acting like a kid.” Chris joked.

“I have every right to act however I want. Whenever I want.”
Piers started to chuckle, then we all ended up laughing.

“She’s right, it’s nice to have you back Leon.”

“It’s nice to finally have people to be there for me…especially after R.C.” I said.

“Alright! Let’s get this stuff moved in.” Chris spoke as he grabbed two suitcases from the trunk of my car.

An hour passed and we got everything set in place, well, some stuff. The television is sitting on the floor because I don’t have anything for it to sit upon. Piers had to go because he went to visit Sherry at the hospital. I found out Jake was visiting too, I don’t really know much about him.
I lied down on my temporary water bed. My thoughts started flooding with the thought of Raccoon City. The thought of that woman. Ada. I will get my revenge on Umbrella some day. Very soon, in fact. They killed the love of my life, and I won’t let that stand! Or…I think she’s the love of my life. I felt something there. Especially when she kissed me…It’s like I’m infatuated with her. But she’s dead now. I felt a tear roll down my cheek, I laid on my side and drifted off to sleep.

I woke up. The room was dark but the light of the sun was shining through my window, which was opened. The crisp wind blew through the pale window. I got up and brushed my teeth. I’m out of toothpaste. I should go buy some today, along with some food. So I don’t starve. But maybe a snack because Claire said she’d order pizza today.

I get dressed and head out for the store. The one I’m going to isn’t all that far and it’s small. I head in and look for the toothpaste. Great. There’s none here. I can at least get breakfast. I head over to the isle with snacks, I don’t plan on having a big breakfast, so anything can do.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone yelling.

“Give me the money now!”

We’re getting robbed?! I see a woman sneak up to the man and knock him out.

She picked up the gun and stated, “It was a prank. This gun is fake.”

Before I can help myself, I add, “Or he thought it would scare him into giving him the money. Or he didn’t realize it was fake.”

The woman turned to face me. “It can be anything really.”

The woman had medium-length brown hair.

“And you are?” She said.

“I’m Leon Kennedy.”

“Helena.”

“Um—sorry to ruin your little conversation. But thank you,” the cashier smiled.

“Of course,” both me and Helena said simultaneously.

She glanced at me after we both spoke at the same time, I felt embarrassed. Should I have not said anything?

“Well, I should get going now,” I say.

I quickly left the store without saying anything after that. Then I remembered I forgot to get breakfast. Damn it. I didn’t want to go back there after I just left. So I went to another store. I got breakfast there. It was good.

I was eating at a small park at a picnic table. It was right by my new apartment, maybe I did choose a pretty good place to live as of now.

I looked at my surroundings. I saw a couple eating at another picnic table. Or at least I think they’re a couple. I glance to my right, I see squirrels chasing each other. I laugh. I’ve never seen squirrels chase each other before. I felt like a child there for a moment.

“Yeah, well, it’s over!”

I look back to the couple. They were arguing.

“Are you kidding me?! After all I’ve done for you!”

“You’ve done nothing. You’re being obscene for no reason, John.”

“I brought you here and even made you breakfast!” The man, who I think is named John, yelled.

“You can’t keep me in the house.”

“It’s for your own safety, so your identity won’t be exposed!”

What did he mean by that?

“I don’t need a man to protect me, John. I know what I’m doing, okay? You can’t just lock me up in the house.”

“What if that guy sees you? You’ll be in trouble! And he will get mad!”

Who’s he?

“That won’t happen. You’re just paranoid.”

“Yeah, damn right I’m paranoid. I’m paranoid for your safety.”

“You’re not my father, so stop acting like it. Your supposed to be my boyfriend.”

“Well you need someone to protect you! You’ve e never had protection before. Especially by your own father.”

There was silence for a moment.

“I’m done with you, John. We’re breaking up and I’m moving out.”
Her voice was dry.
She turned and left. “I’ll meet you in the car.”

I barely got a good look at her, but she had black hair and wore a red sweater. I look away once she comes my way. You’d think she was going to come up to me and talk, but she walked right past. But she looked so familiar. She reminded me so much of Ada.

—————

All right, I think that’s the end of like chapter one or something. I’m not quite sure how AO3 works as I’m new to writing stories on it, but I think you can add chapters. And trust me, there will be Aeon. You can count on it.

And hopefully some angst, too……

Also, sorry for it being short. I rushed. I really wanted to get this out as I’ve procrastinated a LOT. But I hope you enjoyed:)

Chapter Text

I felt kind of awkward. Just watched two well-kept people argue. Or at least they look well-kept. I noticed that guy, John, side eye me. Does he know I overheard? Or is he just angry and is that kind of a guy who’s mean to everyone when he’s mad.

I look at my watch, I should be heading home.

And so I do.

When I arrive home, I see Claire sitting on the front step of my house.

“Leon, I’ve been waiting forever for you to come home. Where were you?”

“I was at the park.”

“What for?”

“I was eating there,” I admit. “I decided it’d be nice to go out.” I look at her, sitting. “Now are you going to tell me why you’re sitting on my front porch?”

“Ah,” she nods once. “Yes. I was going to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“Do you want to go visit Sherry, in the hospital?”

“Yeah, I do. But why’d you not text me, and wait on my front porch instead?”

“My phones dead.”

“That sucks, sorry for making you wait for so long.”

“It’s okay, no worries. Anyway, let’s go. I hadn’t seen her in a couple days because I’ve been busy with my new job as a waitress. Who knew it’d be so tiring?”

“Speaking of which, I need to get a job, too.”

“Maybe you can become a waiter at the restaurant I work at, they’re still accepting workers, you know.”

Claire gets in the drivers seat, I get in the shotgun.

“Maybe. We’ll see.”

She starts the car and we head over to the hospital to visit Sherry.

“So what happened? How did she get shot?”

“She was called in to help free a hostage, who was being held at gunpoint. And she got shot by the kidnapper during it,” Claire explained.

“Why? Why were they holding someone hostage?”

“I don’t know. I’ve heard multiple things. But all of them are revolving around the Raccoon City incident…”

I frown. “What? Why?”

“I don’t know. Everyone has been talking about it lately, unsurprisingly. But it’s more than ever.”

“Yeah, well—it’s over now,” I say bitterly. “People should stop worrying about it.”

I look out my window. I feel like a child. I should be more mature about this. She probably hates me.

“Leon…” Claire says in a soft voice. “I know you’re hurt, I’m your friend, sometimes it’s best to face your problems.”

“Yeah, well the last thing I’d want is to be reminded of something very traumatic that happened to me, Claire!” I say loudly. “You have to understand this. You and I are very different from each other, from the ways we cope, to the things we like.”

I look over to Claire, she’s frowning. I feel bad. I want to apologize.

“Leon, I get you’re struggling. But this is no way to cope. As your friend, I just want what’s best for you. We went through the same thing, you have to realize that. I’m only trying to help,” she says softly. She pays attention to the road while speaking.

I wish I was like her. Able to face my fears and still be strong. Maybe one day I’ll be like that.

The rest of the car ride it is silent. We say no word to each other. I wish I could just say sorry. But I’m scared. I’m a coward. And I’ll just feel embarrassed when I do apologize.

“I’m Claire Redfield. And this is my friend Leon Kennedy, we’re visiting Sherry Birkin.”

“Sign your name on this, please.” The doctor gives Claire a clipboard that she signs. Once she finishes, she hands it to me. I sign.

I give it back to her and she hands it to the receptionist.

“Thank you. The room you’re looking for is room 303.”

“Thanks,” Claire beams.

“Have a good day,” the woman calls.

“You too!”

We head over to Sherry’s room.

“Sherry?” Claire says softly.

“Claire? Is that you?”

“Hey, girl!”

She hugs Sherry.

“Look who I brought.” Claire signals for me to come.

“Leon?!” Sherry sits up, but ends up wincing.

“Careful,” I advise. “Hey, Sherry. It’s been a while.”

Sherry leans into a hug, I hug her back. It’s great to be reunited with her.

“Did they successfully free the hostage?” She asks Claire.

“I dunno. I hope so.”

“I thought you’d know. It’s okay, though.” She looks to me. “How have you been, Leon?”

“I’ve been all right.”

I can’t tell if that’s true or not.

“That’s good to hear. What about you, Claire?”

“I’ve been doing pretty good myself,” she chuckles. “Have you?”

She looks down at her wound. “Aside from being shot,” she says warmly. “I’ve been doing great.”

“I heard about how it happened,” I begin. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’ll live, I hope.”

“Well you’ve made it this far, I’m sure you’ll live,” Claire beams.

“You’re right. Anyway—what are you doing here, Leon?”

“I moved,” I admit.

Her eyebrows rose. She says, “Really? Why?”

“To get closer to my friends. It was lonely living in Pennsylvania with little to no friends.”

“I bet. But I’m glad you’re here now, Leon! I love seeing old friends.”

“I’m glad to see you, too.”

“Do you know when you’ll get discharged, Sherry?” Claire says.

She thinks for a moment. Then she says, “I think in three days.”

“Okay, that’s good.”

After thirty more minutes, we say our goodbyes and leave.

“Can I drive this time?” I ask.

“Absolutely not. You’re a terrible driver. Plus, you drive in the middle of the road.”

I roll my eyes, “Well that’s just rude.”

“It’s true though,” she says as she gets into the drivers seat.

“Doesn’t relatively mean it’s nice.”

My phone starts to ring.

“Hold on, I gotta take this,” I say.

“All right.”

I pick it up.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Leon. It’s me Chris,” he said in a very urgent tone.

“Is something wrong?”

“Yes…something is wrong…!”

I hear gunshots.

“The hell is going on?! Why do I hear gunshots?!”

Claire jerks her head over to look at me. She starts to seem a little serious, she looks back at the road.

“They’re….”

“Chris, I think you’re breaking up!”

“Zombies! They’re—they’re back!”

I stop.

Everything seems so quiet to me now.

I’m dreaming.

This is a dream.

This is not real.

They’re gone.

It’s all over.

“Leon?! Leon?!”

I snap back to reality.

“What kind of sick joke is this, Chris?!”

More gunshots.

“I’m not joking! Where are you?!”

“I’m in the car, heading to my house!”

“Turn around, Leon!” He urges. “Leave while you still can!”

“No! I’m going to help!”

I hang up quickly.

Claire glances over to me a couple of times.

“The hell just happened? Who were you talking to?” She says in a frightened voice.

“It was Chris. He told me something…”

She asks skeptically, “What did he tell you?”

I pause.

Should I tell her?

She’ll find out no matter what.

I will.

She’ll hate me if I don’t.

“Chris…Chris told me there’s more zombies…”

She paused for a moment. She looks shocked.

“You’re lying.”

“No. I’m not, Claire.”

“This can’t be happening…”

“We have to stop this if it’s really true!”

She looks at me, “It has to be false! It better be a joke.”

I look at the road, not knowing what to say.

“Claire, watch out!” I shout.

…

…

…

…

…

Everything was blurry. It’s raining. And the sky was a bright gray, yet it felt so dark. The wind was crisp, and the cold rain almost burnt my delicate skin. I wanted to cry. The car was upside down, I think.

I look over to my left. I spotted Claire, outside of the car. My heart starts to race. I need to get out. I have to make sure she’s okay. I can’t lose my only friend who cares about my well being.

I unbuckled, and immediately fell. My head started to ache worse than it already was, I might have a concussion now.

I get on my back, and kick the window until it breaks. Then I crawl out, feet first.

I try to get up, but fall down immediately. I try a second time and I’m up. I try to run, but my leg, it’s injured. It didn’t hurt as much as it should considering the fact that there’s a large portion of metal—wait. Metal?

I fall down and immediately start to pry the piece of metal out. It didn’t hurt at all. Why?

It was deep inside my leg. I can only hope it’s not in my artery. I can’t get it out. I groan in anger, and get up.

I half run-half limp to Claire. She’s unconscious, but still breathing.

“Claire,” I shake her. “Claire!”

No response.

I check her pulse again, still breathing.

“Claire!” I yell in desperation.

She wakes up.

“Oh my god, Claire! I thought you were dead!”

She sits up.

“What happened?”

I explain, “We got in a wreck.”

“Leon, your leg!”

I forgot about that.

“I couldn’t get it out—I needed to make sure you were okay first.”

She takes off her red jacket, and tears off some cloth on her shirt.

“Let me help you,” she says. She takes my leg and tries to get the metal out.

I wince, although it doesn’t hurt.

“I’m okay, it doesn’t really hurt …”

“You’re in shock, that’s why. We need to get help. This is no good.”

I help her try to get it out, we both struggle.

After what felt like eternity, we get it out. My blood is all over my hands and Claire’s hands.

She takes her shirt fabric she had previously torn off, and a stick, she wraps it around my leg tight.

“Can you walk?”

“I think so.”

She helps me up.

“Careful.”

We both take one last glance at the car.

“Where do we go from here?” I say.

It’s pouring really hard now, and I’m freezing.

“I really, honestly, don’t know. We should try to find Chris, that’s for sure.”

“You’re right. We need to find Chris.”

“He might be able to help us.”

We find our way on the road. It’s chaos. Absolute chaos. Everything is on fire, and there are so many cars. So many people, too. Running.

I can’t help but feel angry at myself.

Everywhere I go something bad happens. Is it my fault? It has to be. It is.

My legs are sore, especially my injured one. We have no weapons to protect ourself. Which reminds me to tell Claire.

“Claire,” I say.

“Yeah?”

“We have no weapons. How will we protect ourselves?”

She stops jogging. I do too.

“We can find some.”

“Let’s just hope we won’t encounter anyone we need to use weapons on. Like zombies. If this thing is even real.”

We continued to jog.

“Looks like we’ll just be using flight or fawn,” Claire says.

“Or freeze,” I add.

“Hopefully not.”

I feel something brush my shoulder, I jerk back to see that it’s a zombie. I let out a yelp and back up quickly.

Claire turns around.

“Leon!”

She grabs a chunk of wood, long enough to be used as a weapon. She whacks the zombie, then drops the wood.

“Let’s go,” she says. She’s out of breath.

“Do you have any idea where Chris is?” I say.

“No, I don’t. And there’s no use calling him. Ours phones are broken and/or left at the wreck.”

“Yeah, I saw our phones. They were broken.”

We cut through the alley way, as cars were blocking our way.

I kicked a zombie’s shins, which knocked it down.

“God, I really need to work out,” I complain.

“No stopping now. It’s too late to get out of this mess.”

Before we can leave the alleyway, something walks right through a wall, which caused it to break. It was huge. And I got a good look at it.

It wasn’t human.

The eyes were bulging, and the mouth was open, but all you could see were teeth. Its mouth was huge. It was disgusting. There were black spots on its gray skin. It was tall, and clearly strong. It wore dirty rags. The limbs were disgustingly long. Even the neck was. Its eyes were covered with its own flesh and bones. I gagged at the sight.

It growled.

“What…the—“ I couldn’t even make a sentence.

The creature whacked Claire in the face, knocking her out, supposedly. She didn’t move.

“Claire!”

It growled. It was deafening.

The next thing I know, everything went black.

…

…

…

…

…

…

I woke up, in the alleyway, still. But I saw a woman. She looked familiar. But everything was blurry. I blinked a couple times. She was now standing besides me.

“Leon…” her voice was warm. It was deep, yet feminine.

I sat up, rubbed my head.

“Who…?”

My eyes adjusted a bit.

She had short black hair, a strand was in her face. She wore a dark red dress, it went down to her thighs. It had spaghetti straps, and it looked like it had black shading on the outline of her dress. There was a small slit in her dress on her left leg.

She wore black heels.

And those two bracelets she wore in Raccoon City.

“Ada?”

“I thought you’d never recognize me.”

I quickly got up.

I stared at her, I needed to make sure she was real. There’s no way. She’s dead.

“I thought—“

“I know.”

I look at my surroundings.

“Where’s Claire?!”

“Who?”

“Claire! She’s my friend. We both got knocked out—and now she’s gone.”

“I didn’t see her.”

My heart is racing. Where is she?! She better be alive and okay.

“Listen, we have to get out of here. You’re lucky you weren’t bit while you were having a nap.”

“How do you know I’m not bit?”

“I checked you,” she explained. “I checked your arms, stomach, legs, neck. Nothing.”

I still can’t believe she’s real.

I continue to stare at her.

“Leon, I know you’re shocked right now, but can you please stop staring at me?”

“Right. Sorry.”

I sigh.

“What now?”

“We have to get out of here,” she orders. “It’s not safe here. These zombies—they’re advanced. They’re smart.”

“The last time you told me that, you ended up trying to kill me,” I say bitterly.

She crosses her arms. Ada shakes her head, then says, “I didn’t *almost* kill you.” She bites her lip. “And I mean well this time.”

“Really? How do I know this isn’t one of your schemes, Ada?”

She looks me in my eyes. Her face was straight.

“I know you’re hurt, Leon—“

“Hell yeah, I’m hurt! You—you betrayed me! And then you died! And now you’ve come back, and you’re acting like it’s all normal!”

“I do not have time to argue right now. This is a life or death situation, not a damn debate!”

“Fine. I’ll get out of here. But we’re going our separate ways, Ada. I don’t want to get hurt again.”

I looked Ada in the eyes. She showed no emotion. But for a second—just a second—she looked devastated. I shake my head. This is what she wanted.

“Fair enough.”

She struts away.

I watch her leave me.

Again.

“Ada, wait..!”

——————

CHAPTER END!!

Chapter Text

“Ada, wait…!” I call out. She turns on her heel with one eyebrow raised. Our eyes meet and she just stands there. Probably waiting for me to say something. “I—I want you to stay. I can’t risk being alone. You’re stronger than I am…so—“ I trail off nervously.

She doesn’t respond right away, in fact, she smacks her lips and looks down at my feet.

“Oh?” Is all she says.

I want to curl up in a ball. I feel so embarrassed, but we just look at each other.

“You’re not seriously going to leave me again?” I say softly. “I trust you, Ada.”

She smirks devilishly. “And why is that, Leon? You know I’m not to be trusted.”

I look at my own feet now. “You’ve saved me at least four times already, and counting.

“Fine. You win, count yourself lucky.“

I smile. “Let’s go.”

We head to the road. It’s chaos. Fires everywhere, zombies, too. It reminds me of RC. Raccoon City. My breathing starts to get heavy just looking at it, in a bad way. I think Ada realizes. She puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Keep up, wouldn’t want to get lost now, do you?”

I should’ve known she wouldn’t have said something more comforting. But her words in general calm me.

“Right.” I shoot a zombie right in he face. It’s head practically explodes. So grotesque. I gag after the disgusting sight. Some blood splattered on my already dirtied clothes and body. Ada has less blood on her somehow. “Gross. Now where do we go?” I ask.

“There should be a—“

She was cut off by a loud screeching noise, coming from a car hitting its breaks.

“Leon! It’s me Chris, get in.”

“Chris!” I say almost excitedly before remembering the situation I am in.

“Who’s that?”

I glance over at Ada, whose expression had not changed at all.

“An old friend,” I cock my head. “She’s coming with us.”

He nods. “All right. Get in then.” His second sentence sounded more strict and cold. I get in the back seat, I scoot over a bit so Ada can get in faster. She shuts the door. “Where’s Claire?” Chris says.

Shit…I can’t tell him…he’ll freak.

I glance over at Ada, who’s staring at me. I can’t seem to make out words. So she informs Chris for me.

“She’s WHAT?!” He says incredulously.

“I’m sure she’s fine! She can really handle herself, Chris. I’ve seen it actually. She’s pretty independent.

“I know that…but we don’t know if she’s alive,” he says coldly. “I can’t lose my sister.”

“I understand, Chris.”

“Where are we going?” Ada says, trying to, probably, make conversation after five minutes of silence.

“A warehouse,” he announced. “I was informed that the infection started there. So that’s where we need to go. To end this, hopefully.”

“I am not prepared for this,” I admit.

Chris says, “That reminds me. I’ve got more weapons in the back in case you don’t have any.”

“I’m still not ready for this.”

“Fair enough.”

I glanced at Ada. She was silent for a long time, which isn’t that unusual, really. She was looking forward with a blank face.

“Ada, you all right?”

“Yes.” She looked at me. “why?”

“You seem…sad?” I don’t know how to describe what she looked like. I guess I just wanted to hear her voice.

“I’m just thinking, is all.” Her gaze returned the seat in front of her. “Are you all right?”

I blushed for a moment. “To be honest, not really. But I’m sure you’re aware of why.”

“That’s understandable, I suppose. But you’ll put an end to this.”

I look at the seat in front of me now, wondering. Will I be so lucky this time? Or will I just die or turn into a zombie? Maybe death is the best option. I have nothing to live for anyway. My life has been getting worse ever since the first drop of alcohol I’ve consumed. I continue to think…

Until I realize.

Her words repeat in my head, “That’s understandable, I suppose. But you’ll put an end to this.”

But you’ll put an end to this.

You’ll.

Doesn’t she me we will? That has to be a mistake, right? I was about to speak up until I notice Chris slowing the car down.

“What’s wrong, Chris?”

“There’s a horde,” he emphasized. “We need to go through the forest…which is no big deal because it’s located in the woods…but it’s ahead of us.”

“Well then drive fast!” I exclaim in fear.

Ada’s expression didn’t change. How can she be so calm? Chris turned the car sharply, which made me lean left, my shoulder slammed into Ada’s. Embarrassing…I’m so embarrassed.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

She had slammed into the car door on her left, she still looked as calm as ever. I wish I could do that. But I know deep inside her she’s probably just as scared as me. I hope not, though. I don’t want her to be scared.