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The air around Luis is suffocating. Leon can feel his presence always on him, stuck to him like glue even when he leads the way. It’s like a shadow of a ghost, breathing down his neck and caressing his shoulders when he gets too tense- even when Luis is at the other end of the room. Even when they make eye contact right in front of each other, brows furrowed and playful, the air suffocates them both.
Leon can’t help how his eyes trail over Luis almost without realizing it. It’s a dangerous game when the man you want to stare at is constantly on his toes, ready to tease you for your serious face or clenched hands. So, Leon kept his distance, making sure his eyes were glued ahead as they explore the underground caverns and mineshafts. They were stuck together, a very unwelcoming situation when it felt like neither of them could converse normally. Luis is prolonged to flirting and Leon just .. doesn’t respond. It’s awkward and offputting, unusual and uncomfortable yet intriguing, and leaves their eyes lingering a bit longer each time.
Luis is unusually quiet for example. He keeps his tongue to himself, for now, only announcing his existence behind Leon with some hums, crunches of his stupidly tacky black boots, and something that stung the air: a cologne. It was hard to ignore and even harder to erase from Leon’s mind when he inhales it momentarily, being transported to scenarios upon scenarios of dirty shit he would never mutter even on his death bed. As a man of his pride, Leon didn’t say anything about the scent even though it invaded his brain every waking second. It was unforgettable by now; the pine scent smothered in something musky like whiskey or leather. It didn’t sound pleasing to the ear but being near it made it better than Leon would’ve thought.
The idea to turn around and confront Luis played through his head a thousand times; he imagined the smirk he would get when asking the question and then the hand that would slide the bottle out of his pocket, probably tossing it to him. A dumb snicker and a tilt of his head, “What, Sancho? You interested?” and Leon would shove it back, saying to keep the damn thing. That seemed like the way things always played out. Leon would lean into his curiosity a little bit, Luis’ boldness almost scaring him off and the air would come back to the tense, weird nature. Musky pine-scented air, more like.
But they were both getting bolder: the touch and looks lasted longer, the conversation smoothed over, and Luis was happily letting Leon see and take the bottle of cologne he carried with him everywhere.
Leon turns it over in his palm, it wasn’t a huge bottle; a perfect travel size for a guy who liked to live fearlessly and travel perhaps when he got off this fucking island. His fingertips smooth over the glass, the liquid inside swaying with his touch and it looked like it was half empty already. Luis grins and Leon already knows what’s coming, “What’s got you so interested, ey? Wanna spray some?” He asks, taking his stance as he leans against a barrel. For once, they were taking a break as the walking was getting to their feet, or mostly just Luis’ who strived for less than 100 steps. Leon takes a once over the bottle again, admiring the beautiful wording and engraving on the bottle, it looked a bit more expensive than a drugstore cologne.
Leon huffs under his breath before holding it up, “I think you have enough on already.” he remarks, almost in a tone of something like teasing but Luis can’t catch on; he’s never seen Leon as one to make jokes. Luis sputters a bit before laughing, he takes the bottle back like a protective mother,
“Well, at least one of us won’t smell like shit when we get out of here.” He chuckles, admiring the bottle as well. It was easy to get lost, staring at the murky cologne inside and the scent seemed to seep out just through the cap. “Just reminds me of home, that’s all.” he finishes, giving Leon an understanding look before he puts the bottle away in his pocket again. The air is now sentimental, a feeling Leon hasn’t allowed himself to feel in such a long time. He hates thinking about moments dear to him, it wasn’t appropriate when he needed to train. But Leon doesn’t cringe or back away, he allows both of them to stay there in the air and enjoy it instead of running from it. It’s nice and considerate… until he ruins the moment.
“They also say this one is a real ladies' magnet, maybe you could use it, Sancho,” Luis speaks up again, grabbing Leon’s undivided attention. His stupid shit-eating grin is back and he seems to speak from experience even though Leon knows it’s just to rile him, “Unless you got a girl back home, hm?”
Leon is surprised at the question, almost losing his serious stance in a moment when thinking about what he asked. No one really asked him about his love life despite the actual teases and implications. Did Luis think he was real material for that kind of relationship? Leon recomposes himself, shaking his head and releasing a breathy chuckle, “No, no, I don’t have time for stuff like that. Besides, I’m dealing with my own shit- wouldn’t wanna wrap someone else up in it.” He dismisses the question quite maturely, glancing back at Luis with the same ask in his eyes. Luis seems to read him well, slowly sliding over to close the gap between them,
“Ahh, I see. Don’t get your hopes up then, I don’t either.” He laughs at that, it did seem like a real joke that a flirty geezer like him couldn’t land a girl. But then again , Leon thinks, maybe he doesn’t want one. “I just like fooling around, getting drunk like I’m still that rebellious 18-year-old I was, you know? The bars are fun and the women are nice, but I’m not sure I’m looking for one.”
Deep down, Leon appreciated the honesty from Luis, the trust that he felt that he could talk about a lot of this was nice but Leon couldn’t keep it going on his end. His hums and huffs were quiet and he didn’t seem all that interested in what Luis’ love life was like. But Luis kept going, spilling more out into the open, the mineshaft walls seeming to soak in their conversations and Leon just enjoyed the buzz of their talk.
“You interested in men, Leon?” Luis asks out of the blue.
The question makes Leon stop and stare, his face contorting so suddenly that it can’t process what he asked. What the fuck kind of question is that?? The shifting on his holster comes to a halt and it’s clear the air is dry, cramped, and palpable. Leon is unable to read why Luis would ask anything like that at all, especially if it comes out of a place of genuine wonder instead of torturous teasing.
“What?” Leon finds himself saying out of disbelief, “What are you on about?” he continues, almost holding back a scoff as he meets his eyes once more. Luis doesn’t seem afraid of the question, instead, he leans in and smiles so annoyingly. It drives Leon insane and it seems to prick under his skin but he lets it go.
“I can just feel your eyes on me all the time, ya know?” He chuckles before raising his hands in a defensive manner, “I’m not so innocent either though! I’m sure you felt my stares.”
Leon looks away, he has to, as he realizes Luis is right about the accusations and he knew he wasn’t going fucking crazy. Luis had no shame either, even if he liked to act with such chivalry, he embraced the tension between both of them and he didn’t care for the lack of flow between their bodies right now. His shoulder brushes against Leon’s and his voice lowers, “Guess we’re both guilty.” He says to Leon’s lack of response or lack of contact.
Leon didn’t want to admit it at first, didn’t want to give up his pride for something so small in his mission. But it was undeniable, wasn’t it? He was just speaking so much by talking so little.
“Your cologne is nauseating, I hate it.” Leon spits out suddenly, his head swiveling back to Luis. Their eyes meet once again and this time, neither of them back down. It’s an entrancing and dangerous stare as Luis’ proud face never changes.
“Ah, don’t lie to me, cariño. It’s all you can think about while I’m here,” Luis says like he read his mind right in front of him. Luis is getting more comfortable, his fingers trancing the back of Leon’s hand and the man doesn’t stop him. He’s crazily intrigued by Luis’ charm though he would never say that, never to his face at least. It’s as if Luis can feel and sense all the venom leaving Leon’s words and his remarks are never as harsh as he thinks.
Leon breaks the glare, looking straight on as if he needed to study the stone walls and their decaying bricks. He lets out a tsk under his breath, not feeding into Luis’ delusions and certainly not thinking about how clearly he can feel Luis next to him. The air has diverged into a way more homey smell of tobacco and leather, mostly radiating off of Luis’ ugly ass jacket. He lacked a certain grime to him, it was as if blood or bug remains just didn’t stick to him, or maybe Leon really was deluded for a moment. Maybe he was desperate, growing a mind of his own that needed to be satisfied.
Luis’ smile stays but he decides to not push the topic any further, he’s aware of how badly he affects Leon and it makes him quite proud. He’s grinning ear to ear and swaying gently like he was drunk, “You drive me crazy, Leon. Can never tell what you’re thinking, hm.” He soon says aloud, not looking for a response. “That Ashley though, now she’s quite the talker unlike you. She really looks up to you.” he hums almost inquisitively like he’s known Ashley for his whole life. His tone soon turns infuriating, “And she said she liked my cologne.”
Leon has to hold back his eye roll manually, shaking his head, “Good to know someone actually does.” he bites back. Luis holds a hand over his heart in feigned hurt, pouting dramatically.
“Don’t be like that, amigo!” his shoulder knocks against Leon’s playfully and he raises a brow, “What you got against me, ey?”
“We both know the answer to that.” Leon responds coldly. He had been refusing to make eye contact with Luis, as if he knew he would be caught if Luis saw him fully. “An Umbrella scientist and vague motives, suits you perfectly.”
“Ex-Umbrella scientist and there’s nothing more I can say, it’s just the truth, Leon. If I wanted to cause you or senorita harm, I would’ve done it already.” Luis defends himself. The point was obvious to Leon too, he just felt like being tough about it for a bit more. “What’s the real reason you won’t even look at me? ” Luis asks, a smirk lacing his words so plainly. Leon lacks a response or a bark, he can’t decide if admitting the truth or sitting in silence would be the less painful one.
But instead Luis shakes his head, waving his hands in the air, “No, no, actually, I love this game. “Guess what Leon’s thinking”! Ahh, classic.” He laughs at his own dumb joke, leaning offf the barrell and now mindlessly wandering the room little by little. Leon just stares at him, watching his feet stroll around and then watching his hands tapping his face, he wasn’t amused. Luis is sputtering tiny answers, all in their own fantasy world where they could’ve been true or already could’ve happened. Mostly the murmuring is just to himself but it’s his laugh that still shake the weak hall, the echo making it seem like a family reunion has just started in the mineshaft. Apparently he’s landed on one that he loves, and knows is true because now the air is stiff and silent again. He’s approaching Leon head on, forcing their eyes to meet and forcing Leon to come forward with his confession even if he never says it.
“You despise me … because .. you must actually like me. Am I wrong, cowboy?” His words come through his excited grin and his arms are crossed confidently because he knows he’s got Leon right where he wants him. Leon’s focus is shifted on that stupid cologne again, the root of all his problems and yet the want of his strongest desires. A woodsy tobacco smell fills his mind and it’s just so tempting, the air is now a distractor and it taunts him. He allows himself to become consumed, Luis taking the respected silence as a small go ahead because of the way Leon never breaks eye contact anymore. He’s pinned Leon at the edge of the decaying table with no way of escape, unless Leon pleaded of course.
But he wasn’t running, neither of them stepping away even when the joke seemed to go too far and get too close for comfort.
“Do you admit it now, Leon?” His name rolls off of Luis’ tongue in such an annoying way that Leon became hooked. Luis’ tongue slithers between his teeth playfully, fully aware of how he affected Leon at all times of the day.
“Shut up, asshole.” He finally sputters, pulling the infruitating Spanish man in an messy, inexperienced kiss. Well mostly inexperienced on Leon’s part, Luis knew exactly what to do even with unexpressive lips that Leon possessed, because Leon had never really been intimate with someone before and it was increasingly obvious the longer the kiss went on. But neither of them seemed to care, theirs needs and desires were being taken care of after much longing and pining with hints of glares and stiffness.
Luis has to force himself out of the kiss, showing some desperation for air, “ Dios mío, you’re trying to kill me, cariño.” he chuckles weakly, swiping some hair out of Leon’s view, “You look beautiful like this though.” he murmurs as he sees Leon’s cheek fill with a red hue from the kiss.
The sweetness made Leon tense, he hoped to cover these feelings with pure desire and action but he did not hope for anything that wouldn’t follow him out of here alive.
He pushes them both off of the table, shaking off Luis’ hand, “We should get going.” he says, rearranging stuff on his belt to kill time and show urgency. That air that was once flowy and open was slowly becoming cold again, and they both felt it. Luis cleared his throat and nodded, making sure his cologne was safe in his pocket and that it would stay there for a while. They did not discuss the kiss after they started moving again, it felt like it never even happened.
But it did; the walls would talk and the air was still insufferable but maybe just a bit more comfortable, because they both hoped it was.