Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Claire stared at the phone on the table.
What was the best way to go about this? 
They had not spoken in years. Barely met each other on one occasion or another. Never talked for long. Even less, hang out together. And now he was writing. To her private number. In messages, not emails. Asking to meet up. 
“Maybe a mission?” 
Claire cocked her head to one side, waving one leg as she typed at the laptop, searching for any news. 
“No recent ones…” 
Then she continued on the internal sites. Maybe it was a more hidden subject?
“Nope, still nothing.” 
Claire leaned back in the chair and shook her head. The loose hair, now all grown down past shoulder blades, was so fun to play around with that she usually made it dance like this. Pressing her lips together, Claire picked up the phone and opened it to the message from Leon. 
“I guess there is only one way to find out, then,” she shrugged and started typing. 
‘Sure. I have some free time after three.’
Not too much, though. She had another meeting coming up. Claire doubted that they had that much to talk about, anyway. Her phone biped and the screen lit up. 
So soon?
Claire arched an eyebrow, now truly surprised, and read.
‘Great! I’ll wait at Coreen's Cafe.’
The chair rolled around the private office. Claire gazed out through the windows that composed the office's outside wall. Leaning over one of its arms and peeking down, she confirmed the name of the coffee shop just at the corner of the street. 
How the hell did he know that place? 
She was now straight-up amused and kept humming all the way through ending her last emails for the day. 
That’s what it means to be a federal agent. She smirked. Show off. 
When it was past five, Claire raised from her desk and headed out, stopping by Moira’s first. 
“I’m heading out for a bit. Want something from downstairs?” 
The brunette, now a bit older and much calmer, barely lifted her nose from the hoard of papers that crowded her desk. 
“An espresso,” she scratched her face. “Fuck. Make it double.” 
“You sure?”
“Yeah! Yeah!” 
Claire shrugged. 
“Alright then.” 
More colleagues greeted her on the way down from the tenth floor and the doorman also had some documents for Claire to sign. So, by the time she was finally out, it was already 3:15 pm. 
Claire crossed the street in a hurry, folding the newly received folders in her hand, and finally entered the cafe. It was rather small yet cozy and she passed the tables with a familiar ease. Claire searched around until her gaze spotted dirty blond hair among the crowd. 
He was standing near the window, a short coffee already in front of him. The long gaze could be spotted just a bit in the window reflection. 
Casual clothes. So he did not come directly from his work 
“Did you wait long?” Claire asked as she walked to his side. 
Leon turned and his handsome features lit up. It had been quite some time, yet the man aged like fine wine. No wonder there were so many sad hearts in his wake. He was dressed in a dark jacket, dark shirt, jeans, and black shoes. That combination only made the color of his hair and the deepness of his blue eyes stand out. 
“Hi!”
Leon raised from his seat and quickly offered.
“Not at all. Let me help with that.” 
“Thanks.”
Claire thought that he was only referring to the folders in her hand, but the federal agent was pulling the chair for her as well. She did not deny it, enjoying the little show, just settling in her spot. It must be something big that Leon needed help with, Claire mused as he also sat back down. He was smiling until something caught his eye. Claire blinked at him.  
“Your hair is different,” Leon observed. 
Claire looked down at the red locks and it clicked. 
“I don’t always wear it up,” she laughed, realizing that was not how she usually appeared in front of him. 
Leon nodded and kept studying her with interest. It was true, most of the times they met, Claire had been dressed in a more informal look. Mainly, her favorite red jacket, jeans, boots - the sort. Now Claire must have looked a bit different again, in her white blouse and creme trousers, with her hair down and green glasses. But Leon did not comment further. 
“What’s your poison?”
She looked at the blackboard with the menu written in white chalk on it. It was already afternoon but some more work still needed to be done… 
“A cappuccino, please.” 
If Leon was so kind to offer, why not let him? She smirked as he nodded, disappearing into the line like a man on a mission. In the meantime, Claire took a look over the documents she had just received. In one of the folders, she found the expected permit and a new visa for South Africa. She was smiling in relief when the steaming coffee was placed on her right. 
“Smells nice…” Claire closed her eyes and inhaled the deep scent. 
She reached for the coffee but stopped midair. Leon was leaning back in his chair. And the smile that warmed his eyes shook her. Claire gulped and lowered her gaze. Something was certainly strange. She leaned back and focused on her drink. 
“Good?” 
She only nodded and took another sip. Thankfully, it was not too hot because she would have burned her tongue. His tone was, also, very warm. Something was weird with today’s Leon. 
“So,” Claire placed the mug on the table, sorting the files in one uniform pile, and threw Leon an expecting look. 
The handsome man cocked an eyebrow. She looked down, also raising her own eyebrows. 
“Is there any reason for the sudden meeting?” 
“Ah!” Leon made an O with his mouth and took another sip of his own coffee. “Does meeting an old friend classify as good enough?” 
“That’s it?” Claire asked dumbfounded. 
“Should there be more?” Leon looked around, and then back at her. 
She blinked. And then shook her head. 
“No. I guess not,” and leaned back. 
They continued enjoying their drinks in peace. One utterly confused and one weirdly comfortable. 
“Are you leaving soon?”
Claire’s mug stopped just near her lips. 
“Yes?” 
Leon pointed his chin towards the folders. Claire’s gaze fell towards them and remembered she was checking her passport when he returned. 
“Ah! Yes. In four days.”
“Hmm. That would be Friday, right?” 
Claire nodded, still trying to keep up with the whole vibe. 
“That’s good.” Leon smiled again. “The weather seems to be good enough, then. No rain is scheduled. Should be a smooth flight.” 
“Not in the US. But I’m not so sure about  Amsterdam. It always rains over there! Just watch me lose my flight, and then my baggage for a whole week,” Claire ranted and sighed. 
Leon huffed amused. 
“Not the first time?” 
“Don’t even ask. Last time I had to spend my whole paycheck in second-hand shops to actually wear something else than what I had on me.” 
Another low laugh came. 
“At least you had from where to buy them,” Leon wiggled his eyebrows. 
“Ah…” Claire scrunched her nose, remembering quite a few BOW outbreaks in which she wore the same clothes for a longer time. “That’s true. I still don’t like it.” 
She got nervous that Leon might bring up old topics. A cafe in the middle of the day while Claire still had a lot of work to do was hardly the place to open up old discussions. 
“Are you going all by yourself?” 
Thank God!
“No, no. I have a few other colleagues going with me. There is this school inauguration…” 
Claire explained the whole project and Leon just listened intently. After talking for some time, being so caught up in explaining her main passion for the last half of a year, she wondered if Leon was actually bored. He didn’t look like it. So Claire didn’t ask. It was he who had been interested in the first place. And since he kept fueling the discussion here and there, she just rolled with it. 
Her phone started vibrating on the table. 
“The meeting!” Claire jumped. “I completely forgot about it!” she opened the calendar app and gasped. “Oh, I’m sooo late!” 
Leon was already collecting and handing her the folders. 
“Thanks…” she raised a worried gaze “I’m sorry! I forgot to tell you …”
“No worries,” he shook his head calmly. “I’m glad we had the chance to talk.” 
“Same here!” Claire grinned while raising up. 
“Now go” Leon raised as well. “And Claire.”
He caught her eyes just as she passed by him. His were so high she had to look up. And so charming, gazing so calmly in that evening light. 
“Be careful.” 
She nodded. 
“You too.” 
He nodded. 
They said their goodbyes and Claire left the very confusing man alone in the cafe. 
 
 

Chapter Text

If Claire thought that only that hangout was strange, she was in for a series of surprises. She wrote it off as a sort of reunion between old friends as a result of nostalgia on Leon’s part. There was a lot to prepare for the upcoming trip so she quickly passed it as just another random meeting. 
So, when a ‘Have a nice trip.’ message popped on her phone screen, Claire just froze in the middle of the airport.  
“Claire, you alright?” one of her coworkers asked and she quickly regained her composure. 
“Yeah. Let’s go,” she confirmed and followed.
They passed the security gates and only after that did she finally reply. And wrote it off, again, as just some nice feelings and nothing more. It was nice of Leon to remember their short talk. So there's no need to read too much into it.  
It was just that… throughout the whole trip, there were little messages here and there. How was she? Was the weather good? Was the food very different? Claire found it a bit nerve-wracking. So she replied quite late at first. 
But Leon persisted, seemingly not put off by her slowness. And, at some point, Claire just got used to it and replied like she normally would. 
Maybe he finally had that vacation Chris was making fun of and he was just bored! She mused
Claire had been back in Washington for two days when another message came. She strolled through her living room, drying her hair in a towel, expecting the usual one. Instead, she stilled as she read it. 
‘I have some tickets to Acting Danger for Friday afternoon. It’s set in Cape Town. Since you’ve just got back from there, it would be nice to point out if the movie does the city justice.'
This was… no, it couldn’t be. Claire let the towel fall on her shoulders. She took the phone, grabbed the fresh bowl of popcorn, and went to the couch, taking a long hard look at the message. 
“Leon… that almost sounds like a date.”
Claire frowned. If this was a joke, it was not a good one. She closed the phone, placed it down, and opened the TV. Cape Town was where she had just traveled to. But that was clearly just an excuse. About halfway into the action movie, her feelings were a bit more clear. Claire took the phone back up and just wrote. 
‘Sure. At what hour?’
The answer came immediately.
‘I’ll pick you up at six.’
“Pick me?” Claire’s eyebrow perked up.
Yes. This definitely was a date. 
‘Alright. I’ll be ready by then.’  
‘Looking forward to it!’ 
“Same here…” though, not for the same reasons. 
Claire did not reply to the messages anymore and placed the phone back on the couch, face down, and started nibbling on popcorn. She was intrigued. What had gotten into him? Claire wanted to confirm with her own eyes. 
It was true, he had quite a reputation for dating here and there. With her time spent, researching, writing articles, and gossiping in her usual circles, Claire had heard quite the stories. Most of them involved one certain spy, Ada. Apparently, she had been in Racoon City too. Claire never met her face to face but she heard she was quite the beauty. And knew a bit about the background, too. 
She popped another piece of popcorn in her mouth, watching the guys shoot each other on the large screen. This sounded more and more like a guy trying to get over a wounded heart with a new conquest. But this was Leon she was thinking about. Claire wanted to think he wasn’t like that. But then again, how well did she know him?
“You better not pull any tricks…” 
Claire laid back on the couch with a frown and a mischievous look in her eyes. There was only one way to find out his true intentions.  

Chapter Text

As promised, at six, a black sports car was parked just at the entrance of the apartment building. Claire watched from her window as Leon scrolled through his phone while leaning on the hood. It was now closer to summer but still not so warm outside. He was dressed in a light-dark leather jacket, dark jeans, and a white t-shirt. 
He sure has a defined style! 
Ste studied Leon while an unpleasant feeling lingered in her chest. Claire really hoped that her dark assumptions about him were not correct.
Curiosity got the best of her. 
Biting her lip, she turned around, took her phone from the charger, placed it in the purse, picked up the long, dark trench coat, and put it on after taking one last look in the mirror. She was dressed in black tight trousers, black heels, a black turtle neck, and gold jewelry. Her hair was down and she looked good with her light makeup. 
This was not the night to go all out. 
“OK, enough waiting,” Claire told herself as she looked at the clock that was indicating 6:04 pm.
It did not take her long to arrive downstairs. 
She did not need to call out for Leon to look up. As soon as he saw her, his expression brightened. Claire noticed, amused, how he slowly checked her out as he detached from the car, greeting her. 
“You look good.” He said in an appreciating tone. 
“Thanks.” Claire smiled wide, even more amused. “You too.”
Leon looked down and smirked.
“I tried.” 
Well, judging by the looks the passer-by gave him, he succeeded as well. His style had pedestrian approval, she laughed internally. They looked at each other and Leon waved towards the car. 
“Shall we?” 
Claire nodded and followed him, surprised. He was actually going to hold the car door for her. 
“Thank you,” she smiled coquettishly and stepped in with grace. 
If she was going to get the prince treatment, Claire might as well enjoy it and behave like one. Leon closed the door and she admired his lean physique until he got into the driver’s seat. After the car started with a roar, he looked at the time on the display. 
“The movie starts at 45, we have time to grab some popcorn and something to drink.”
Claire leaned back, watching him from the corner of her eye. 
“Looks interesting, Acting Danger was it?”
“Mhm.” 
“And did you say you needed help with…”
Leon’s eyes glistened as he threw her a long side look.
“The accuracy of the surroundings.”
“Ah, yes, of course. Should I make a full report?” 
His low laugh resonated between them. 
“Just a few mental memos will suffice.” 
“Got it.”
Claire also smirked and shifted in her seat, enjoying the view.
“How was the flight back? Got everything back in one piece?” 
She blinked and remembered their discussion at the cafe. 
“Ah! Yes! But I did have a delay…” 
“Really?”
Leon actually sounded worried. Even if they exchanged those short messages, Claire never got the chance or thought to tell him that story. So she described her small adventure at a hotel in Amsterdam and he followed with multiple questions about her comfort and well-being. Then, they got into the weather and locals in South Africa and before Claire noticed, the sports car was already packed in the mall’s underground parking. 
Wanting to see how far he would go, she awaited Leon to kill the engine and get out of the car. And he actually did open the car door for her. Claire took his hand, all smiles, and said another thank you before following Leon inside the elevator.
“You seem to be in a good mood,” he noticed, also amused. 
Claire looked up at the numbers changing on the screen before looking into his deep blue eyes. 
“This brings back memories.” 
A flash crossed Leon’s face. It was short but it had been there. Claire watched more attentively as his gaze softened. He appeared to want to say something but the doors were already opening. 
“After you,” he let her go out first before following her. 
Leon was fully prepared, tickets already on the phone when they got there and she waited comfortably on the couch in the cinema as he took care of the snacks and drinks. Yes. This definitely felt a bit fishy. And to confirm it all, almost every female on the perimeter was giggling and throwing admiring looks his way. If he wanted, Leon could have his pick, no trouble. Claire could see as well, Leon had a beautiful face and was highly attractive. With his line of work, his physique was top-notch as well. 
But it also came with a lot of scars. Claire felt a bit bad. Maybe she was being too harsh on him and the man just wanted to have some fun, like any normal person would… 
“If I knew you were going to be tired, I would have suggested an earlier hour.” 
She blinked, surprised, as a bag of popcorn materialized before her lowered eyes. 
“It must be the jet lag,” Claire lied. “It’s fine, I’m used to it.”
“You’re sure?” 
“Yeah!” she jumped to her feet and grabbed the bag with her smile back. “Let’s go?” 
Leon watched her for some time before confirming something and made way for Claire to step ahead once more. 

The movie was actually good, even with all the stupid one-liners. Claire was having a good time. And her date was enjoying himself too. So much so that sometimes,  Leon would bend closer to her and whisper something closer to her ear while still looking at the screen. Seemingly, completely unaware. Well, Claire wasn’t. Her heart skipped a bit every time he entered her personal place. 
As an interesting scene came up, Claire completely forgot about it and when he leaned closer she fully turned. Their faces were so close that she could feel the heat radiating from him. Claire was debating how to stop the kiss when Leon gave her a smile and backed out, returning his focus to the movie. 
That definitely felt like a good moment for him to pull a move on her. So, maybe Leon’s intentions were not that bad. Claire allowed herself to relax and watched the movie truly in piece. She laughed more freely and even made her own comments here and there. 
Until she felt a hot touch on her cheek. Claire froze and looked up, completely taken by surprise.
“You’ve got popcorn on your face.” 
Leon's eyelashes were lowered as he was concentrating on removing the foreign object from her cheek. He truly had an otherworldly beauty to him, so much more highlighted in the dim light. Claire did not breathe until he finally finished and his eyes found hers again. 
“There you go.” 
He smiled warmly. She also gave a smile but it came crooked. 
“Thank you.” 
Damn it! He had a win on her for that one. Leon once more and returned to his seat and Claire was grateful for the darkness in the cinema room because he could not have the satisfaction of seeing her blush. 
The movie ended without further events. Leon continued being a gentleman as they exited and as she went out to the restroom. 
‘OK. Focus. The last thing we need in this life is to actually fall for him. Especially if he’s being an ass.’ 
That was Claire’s decision. Have her fun, see how far Leon intended to go, and not give in if it was all superficial. With her priorities set straight, Claire threw her reflection a determined grin, flipped her long hair back, and stepped out. 
Leon was not hard to find to spot. And neither was the young woman chatting him up. She looked small, petite, and very dolled up. A real sight for the eyes, Claire mused and stopped at a decent length, giving the two some privacy. Who was she to disturb his plans? The scene was quite familiar so she comfortably watched them, trying not to smile too widely, for fear of offending the man. 
Which, said man actually looked quite cold at that moment. Even before she approached, Leon looked too straight and too stiff. Claire remembered that he had a different vibe when she spotted him either at gatherings or with other women. She witnessed firsthand his charm a long time ago, with Angela around. And the rumors only kept that image in her head. Surely, Leon knew how to be suave when he wanted. 
Leon finally spotted her and his face lit up. He stiffened for a moment when returning to his unwanted companion. 
“Excuse me.” 
“Ah…!” 
But immediately warmed as he approached Claire. On the contrary, enjoying the show, Claire leaned to one side and peaked at the girl that was extending a hand towards him. 
“Are you sure you want to leave her like that?” she could not completely hide the amusement in her tone. 
“It’s fine. Let’s go.” 
Unlike her, Leon seemed actually ticked and Claire did not press for more, only following him with a small smirk, watching his bothered profile. Back in the elevator, as the soft music played, it dawned on her how heavy her eyes had become. 
“I would ask to go for something to drink,” Leon’s amused tone resurfaced. “But I’m afraid you had enough for tonight.”
“Me?” Claire asked but a yawn came over her and proved his point. “Alright, I guess you’re right.” 
“Don’t worry, I’ll carry you if you fall asleep.”
That caught her giggling in the middle of another yawn. 
“Or we’ll both fall asleep at this point.” 
He grinned and that made Claire giggle more. 
“I’m fine. But maybe I need a good night’s sleep.”
The doors opened and they stepped back into the parking lot.
“Well, you did make a lot of effort. All that energy to actually go to the movie. Eat. Laugh!” 
She slapped his hand clothed in the jacket, feeling his strong muscles.  
“Stop it! I’m trying to yawn here!” 
“Of course! But be careful, we have to have what to drive back home.” 
Claire got confused and threw him a long look. Leon laughed, troubled, and pointed forward.
“The car?” 
Claire blinked towards it and back at him. 
“Because you would swallow it?” 
Leon’s cringing expression was getting better and better. Clearly embarrassed, he went to open her door and waved. 
“Never mind.”
Claire pressed her lips together, trying really hard not to laugh at him. 
“It was a good joke. I’m just too tired. “Again, the amusement slipped into her voice. 
“Yeah, yeah. Go inside, let me live.” 
He was actually pouting. She watched, fascinated, as he also got in and continued to pout for a while. 
“It really was!” 
“Please, just drop it!”
“I mean, at least it couldn’t have gone worse,” Claire raised her hands up and Leon threw her a disbelieving look.
That got Claire into a fit of laughter. He tried to look upset but soon joined her and the car was filled with their merry voices. 
“Ah, I’m just kidding. It was good. I was just caught off guard,” Claire finally said after settling down and wiping a tear. 
“I know, I know.” Leon shook his head. 
“Ah, we’re here!” Claire noticed, surprised.
And tensed a bit. This was another moment when one, in such a situation, would make a move. Leon got out and looked as calm as before. Again, he opened her door and helped her get out. Claire thanked him and prepared. His hand rose and she tensed.
A touch so light, she barely felt it, went past her ear and one of her bangs was tucked behind her year. 
“Good night, Claire.” 
The whole world slowed down. Claire had never heard her name be called like that. So full of emotions. Leon’s gaze was deep, its warmth scorching her from the inside. Claire was at a loss of words and her heart raced after the gentle touch that was only there for a split second. 
Still smiling, Leon backed one step. Through a haze, Claire whispered a barely heard:
“Good night…” and she turned, walking absent-mindedly towards the entrance of the apartment complex. 
Before entering, she turned once more and, sure enough, Leon was watching her with the same confusing look. She felt a tremble shake her. He waved. She also gave a small wave, turned, and entered. 
In a daze, Claire got back to her apartment, unlocked the door, got inside, and closed it back. She was still sorting her thoughts, frowning and munching her lip as she reached the window. Only then did she see Leon get inside the car and leave. Somehow, she got the feeling he must have waited to see her apartment lit up. Not that she had any doubt that he knew which one it was even if Claire herself never told him. 
“What’s wrong with him?” 

Chapter Text

‘Can we meet now?’
For some reason, even though it was not so different from the messages they had been exchanging lately, Claire had a weird feeling about this one. She was in the middle of a meeting when she saw it. Truth be told, it made her a bit worried. 
Then, it made her a bit more suspicious. After what he pulled three dates ago, Leon seemed to be back to normal. Or, however he was before that movie night. Meaning - no tender touches. Only occasional brushes of shoulders, opening doors, but no such tender moments as that one. Granted, they had mainly visited cafes or parks when each of them had the time to do so. And that seemed to be limited as of late.
‘I have a meeting up until twelve,’ Claire wrote and focused back on the presentation. 
‘Eat with me. I have something to tell you. Auténtico at twelve fifteen?’ 
Claire’s eyes rounded. Leon really was insistent. And that would be their first lunch together. Once more, curiosity got the best of her. 
Was he finally gonna back down? It sure looked like it. Formal setting, no place for a scene. Claire smirked. Well. If that was the plan, she would not make the job easier for him. But, for now, she had to concentrate on her job. 
Claire raised from her seat and stepped into her part of the presentation. 

As promised, Leon was already there when Claire reached the restaurant with large windows and a Spanish setting. When they met during work hours, he always choose the closest setting to her. So, Claire got there in no time, patting him on the shoulder as she approached. 
“Hi!”
Leon rose and froze. Claire blinked in confusion at his stunned expression. 
“You look …beautiful.” 
So simple. And so effective. Claire felt the brush creep in all the way to her ears. 
“Thank you,” she whispered and tucked a strand of loose bangs behind the ear. 
Claire did a mental check. Her hair was caught up today. Her makeup was normal. She lowered and gaze and also froze. Ah. She had the presentation today. As such, the outfit was more formal. Probably, it was the first time Leon saw her in what, Claire considered, was her most cute work outfit ever! That she specifically had avoided when meeting him. A pink pencil skirt and a flowy white silk button-up with white heels. 
A bubbled laugh came up her throat. She certainly hadn’t planned to meet Leon today so she dressed up. And then forgot that she did and came out just like this.
“Does it suit me?” she raised her gaze, asking coquettishly. 
“Very.” 
The reaction was not what she expected. Leon was sincere and …in deep awe. That made Claire aware of herself and blushed deeply once more. They stood there like two teenagers until Leon remembered to pull her chair and help Claire sit down. After the waitress came, ordered the food, and received their beverages, Claire, pushed by too much curiosity, asked:
“Is there something you wanted to tell me?”
That hit home. She watched with eagle eyes as Leon gulped, looked to one side, and took a sip of his glass of water. Claire did not retract or redressed her question, just waiting like a cat watching a mouse. 
Finally, he put the glass down and turned to her with a serious look. She also straightened and met him with a straight face. At least, on the outside. 
“Claire.”
“Yes.” 
Here it goes!
“I … I will be leaving.”
“Yes.” 
“For a month.” 
“Mhm.” 
“I will be on a … mission in Finland. The time distance between here and there is about seven hours.” 
“Yeah, that’s about right.” 
“And… “ he looked down, searching for his words. “I might not be able to message you at the same hours as I did until now.” 
Claire’s head fell to one side. The same hours? Did he not mean, that he would not message her at all? Just… at different hours? 
“And, “ a sigh” that obviously means that we will not be seeing each other in the meantime. Unless you want to wait for about twelve hours for an international flight, give or take depending on the weather.” He grinned but his eyes were a bit… desperate? 
“That would be quite a long wait.” Claire mused, pretending to deeply think about it. “But I guess it’s enough time to make a reservation at a fancy restaurant.” 
Leon’s eyes sparkled. Claire wondered what strange idea did he cook up again.
“I’ll take you to one! When I’m back!” 
Claire’s folded arms fell. She stared at Leon. 
“You want to go on a date when you get back?”
“Of course,” Leon was dead serious, completely caught in the idea. “This one is nice as well, but a night view from The Inn at Little Washington is much better. And, by then, it would be even warmer, so we could wander around outside. I heard it has some beautiful views all around.”
It was all she could do to keep her whole face from falling to the floor. The Inn at Little Washington!? That was a  Michelin Three-Star Restaurant! Leon just continued planning as she watched him, shocked. What was with this man!? 
No way. Was he actually serious about them? But Claire was not sure. 
“Is it possible to make reservations by then?” she asked, not wanting to kill his obviously enthusiastic mood. Not that a dinner at a Michelin restaurant sounded necessarily bad, or anything. 
Leon only straightened and grinned with complete confidence. 
“The only issue here is if you agree to accompany me, darling.” 
Claire almost fell off her chair. 

Chapter Text

True to his word, throughout Leon’s overseas mission, the messages were as present as before. If not more so! Granted, they came at dubious hours… sometimes at five in the morning or at eleven in the night.  And by the end of that month, Claire felt like he was not even gone. She knew what he ate, what he liked most about the city, and what he did, that was not confidential to share.  
Claire leaned her bike to one side as she read the latest message.
‘Where are you?’
After looking around herself and deliberating, she wrote the name of the spot near Silver Lake Regional Park. Maybe Leon was back a few days earlier than anticipated. The next message she sent was to let Leon know she planned to take a long ride around the lake in case he had any plans to meet up. 
And then she started her bike, enjoying the scenery. At some point, a dark-clothed biker appeared in her rearview mirror. He was there for a while. And seemed to be following her. Claire didn’t recognize the bike, its number, or the driver. Her pulse quickened. She chose a parking spot, turned her bike to one side, and stopped it with her foot. As expected, the other biker stopped at a close distance. 
With a slow movement, Claire lowered her hand furthest from him to the bag just by her leg, extracting a gun. As the newcomer let his own bike fall to one extended leg, the safety of the gun was unlocked. 
“The vest is bulletproof.” 
A familiar voice came and the biker lifted his helmet, revealing a cascade of dark blond hair. Claire’s whole body relaxed and she immediately put the gun on the bike, and safety back on, letting out a long sigh of relief. 
“I thought I had to fight my way out!” she confessed and also took off her helmet. 
She inhaled the mountain air and caught the hair falling free down her back in a ponytail. 
“Sorry,” Leon apologized, sheepishly. “I didn’t know I looked that much different.” 
“I almost shot you!” 
“I know.” 
He laughed and Claire leaned forward sighing once more.
“I promise I’ll signal next time,” Leon winked.
Next time. 
“Do you drive often around here?” Claire asked, sizing him up. 
Leon shook his head and his locks hair flew in all directions. 
“Nope.” 
“Just because I said I was here?”
“Mhm.”
He nodded. Claire gazed at him for a while, taking in his ravishing good looks. The dark biker style suited him much more than she wanted to admit.
“Chris said something about you being into bikes for some time,” she mused as she watched the powerful model under him.  
“Ah! Well, I did save his ass with one,” Leon grinned, extremely proud of himself.
“Yes! I remember that too. You saving him certainly made me less angry that my new Ducati XDiavel was totally destroyed. Freshly ordered, too.” 
Leon’s face fell. Claire held her grin hidden as she sized him up again. 
“I’m sorry… I didn’t…” he grunted and shifted uncomfortably. 
“Don’t sweat about it. I learned not to order through the company, again. Even if it is a special model… I guess my brother’s life is a bit more precious, so it’s all water under the bridge,” Claire pretended to be magnanimous and waved it off. 
“I’ll buy you a new one,” Leon blurted out with a very serious expression. 
Claire blinked, realizing her teasing may have gone a bit too far. She straightened in her seat and shook her head. 
“It’s fine. The insurance covered all of it and more.” 
She patted the red bike under her. 
“I wouldn’t want to replace her, anyway.” 
Leon’s gaze fell to her hand and seemed to shift for a moment, darkening. While not completely unaware, Claire was careful, not wanting to dwell too deep into that mood. Then, his eyes went upwards and he was checking her again. And then his focus was lost as if gazing somewhere far away. 
“It’s been a long time.” 
Claire blinked. Leon leaned on one handle and gave her a warm smile. 
“It’s like we’re back in 98’.”
“Ah… right!” 
Jeans. Her favorite leather jacket. Black boots. Ponytail. 
“You look pretty modern day, though” Claire scrunched her nose at him.  
“I like to think my fashion sense had advanced since then,” Leon arched an eyebrow and looked down. 
“And mine didn’t!?” 
Again, his face fell. And this time, Claire burst out laughing. 
“I … that’s really not what I meant. You always dressed nicely!” 
“You’re so straight-laced,” she shook her head and he also laughed. 
“But it’s charming,” and Leon winked.
Claire could only approve.
“It is.” 
They grinned in comfortable silence.  The weather was nice, the lake clear and a pack of birds flew over the view, completing the nostalgic scenery. 
Claire was leaning forward, with eyes closed, enjoying the breeze. Leon was completely still. At the lack of movement or sounds coming from him, Claire got curious. Subtly, she glanced at him only to catch him gazing back at her. She gave him a questioning look but he only smiled in contempt and looked back at the scenery. 
He looked so content, basking in that evening light. It filled her chest with different emotions. This Leon in front of her was really an enigma. Claire needed to dig a bit more.

Chapter Text

Leon kept his word once more, Claire mused as she took a bite of the sophisticated pasta.  
Mmmm! It was good!
Her delighted mood only helped fuel her date’s ego. That was already inflated by the looks of the extremely proud man on the other side of the table. Never had she seen such a pleased look on Leon in anything unrelated to a biohazard. Claire wondered if it really was just because he put a lot of effort into the date and actually managed to get them the promised seats at the restaurant. 
But, it might also have to do with the fact that, un-ironically, they were the most good-looking couple in the whole establishment. Leon in a black suit and Claire in a deep green dress with high heels. For the first time, she actually put effort into her looks and Claire knew she looked stunning. And Leon looked ravishing. 
Remembering the appreciative look, and the bunch of compliments Leon showered her with, Claire paused. Carefully wiping her mouth with a napkin, she gave Leon a sincere look.
“You look really good in that suit. It brings out your eyes.“
The compliment took Leon by surprise. His eyes rounded at first and then darkened as he grinned. 
“I had to step up, sweetheart, ” Leon threw her a ravishing look. “And I’m glad I did. I would have made you look  bad” 
Claire blushed, pleased, and took a sip of her wine. Again with the nicknames, this man! Leon kept his eyes on her, probably keen to see such a reaction out of her. 
They continued talking about his recent trip when a laughing child passed by them and stopped at a nearby table. It was a big family that all had the same cheery smiles, with a bunch of food and a tower of presents around the. 
There it is!
Grinning behind her napkin, Claire hid her mischievousness and gazed lovingly at the happy group. Intrigued, Leon also followed her line of view. 
“I think it’s the middle one’s birthday,” he said, as if on cue.  
“You wouldn’t think that by seeing the little one,” Claire added, observing the two children fighting over who should blow the candles. 
“The little ones are always like that,” Leon shook his head and she wondered, for a moment, how did he reach that conclusion? “It must be pretty expensive, to spend a children’s birthday here.” 
He was right. The prices on the menu almost made her jaw drop. Everybody at that table was well dressed, and it seemed not only the parents and the two boys were there, but the grandparents from both sides. It was a cute scene. Their love filled the air. A perfect family. 
Claire saw her opportunity and she took it. Leaning her elbow on the table and placing her chin on her palm, the woman whispered in a longing voice. 
“Why not? If I had that much money, I would spend all the birthdays in grand restaurants.”
“All the birthdays?”
“Of course! Mine! My husbands. Especially all of our children’s too!” 
She smiled widely and gazed at him from under lowered eyelids. 
That should give him a decent enough scare.
Any man looking for a fling would run at the thought of children. And, by the rate that this thing between them was progressing, Claire decided it had been fun but enough and she should cut it short. As expected, Leon was speechless. She was already preparing to elegantly let him slip away when he leaned forward and also rested his right elbow on the table. 
“How many children?” 
Claire’s face fell from her palm.  
“Five!” she blurted out, not backing up. 
“Five?” Leon rubbed his chin with his right hand and thought for a moment. “You would need a big house for five.” 
“Of course! A mansion on the beach or near the mountains with an even bigger garden for running around!” 
Leon nodded in approval and sank deeper into his thoughts. 
“You would need a seizable income for that. With all the heating costs and the gardening. And the electricity too…” 
“That shouldn’t be a problem!” Claire’s nose went higher as she proclaimed. “My husband would have money to sustain us all!” 
Once more, she waited excited for him to back down. Instead, Leon grinned, leaned even closer, mimicking her position. So close, his eyes were breathtaking. A manly perfume entered her senses and her head spun for a few moments. Combined with the way he looked at her… Claire gulped. Leon was ready to devour her if she was not careful.
“He would have to have a very good position,” his voice was low and reverberated between them. 
“One at the top, obviously. “
“It is also, a dangerous world to bring children in.” 
“That’s why he would have to be strong.” 
“How strong?” 
“Well,” she tapped her chin. “Stronger than me, that’s for sure.” 
Leon laughed at that.
“That’s a tall order, darling. You are pretty strong,” he admitted, slipping out of his role for a moment. 
“See?” Claire raised her shoulders and sighed. “This is why it’s a bit hard.” 
Then, she stared at him dead on. 
“Above all, he would have to love me.” 
“Hmm?” Leon’s head fell to one side, still on his palm, and just hummed hypnotically.
Claire squinted and continued. 
“He would have to be so in love with me that other women would be completely invisible.”
“What about men?” 
“Those too,” Claire chuckled. 
“Well, that shouldn’t be too hard,” Leon replied, keeping her gaze with his own. 
“Yes,” she agreed, and then also stared back at him. “For a man in love with me, that is.” 
Leon only blinked slowly and they stood like that for a while. Claire searched and Leon let her look for whatever she wanted. 
“I think the food is getting cold,” she said after some time and returned to her plate. 
“Should we order something else?” Leon returned as well and eyed her plate, ready to act on it. 
Claire shook her head and continued eating. 
“That would be a shame.” 
Their conversation returned to normal and the meal ended on a delightful note. As the cold spring night fell on the garden outside, the atmosphere between the two only warmed as they walked hand in hand back to his car. 

Chapter Text

Ever since that restaurant date, Claire finally allowed herself to dress and react more feminine. While she was not yet fully convinced, one thing was for certain. Leon was serious. About whatever this was. So, she could enjoy this dating stage as she would any other. 
A question loomed in her mind. Claire leaned on the kitchen counter as Moira prepared her own coffee. 
“Earth to Claire.” 
A hand waved in front of her eyes. Claire blinked as she looked at her younger friend. 
“What’s got your panties in a knot?” 
Claire puffed and smirked over her coffee. Moira was more mature now than when she first started working for TerraSave but that didn’t mean that sometimes her old self did not resurface, sending Claire in a constant giggle. 
“I am a bit curious about the news from Canada,” Claire told a small lie. 
Granted, that was concerning as well, but it was not the reason she had been so absent-minded the whole morning. What concerned her was the lack of …intimacy. More than holding hands, leaning on each other, and subtle small touches, there had been no kisses. Granted, Claire had been a bit tense at the thought of them but no initiation at all… ? That was weird. She took another sip. And even with the hand holding, she had been the one to gently brush her hand against Leon’s before he took it in his. 
This was definitely a romantic relationship, right? Then why…? 
“Are you sure?”
Claire raised an eyebrow as Moria danced over and grinned. 
“Nothing to do with your sudden disappearances during breaks?” 
“That is that, and this is this,” Claire waved her hand as she avoided the topic. 
“Are you sure?” Moira hummed as they walked but Claire only shook her hair, amused. 
“Which meeting room was it?”
“Three and one. And don’t avoid the topic. I saw how you smile at your phone!” 
“I have this app, called Twitter, which has memes on it…”
“Bullshit!” 
Claire laughed at the wound-up Moira and they entered said meeting room. 

“Now let’s see how it goes,” Claire played with her phone, slouched on one side of the chair. 
For once, she was the one to initiate a meet-up. Leon responded fast and agreed to meet on the spot. 
She was the first to arrive at the cafe, and Claire was glad she did. It gave her a little bit more time to sort her thoughts. The summer sun was shining brightly and she had to squint her eyes as she looked outside. The road near the cafe, if you were to drive straight ahead and then to the right, would lead to the white house. Claire’s frown deepened as a memory resurfaced. 
It was in front of those gates that the same man she was seeing now crossed a clear line between them. His work only concerned him, Claire had no place in meddling in it. Her hand stopped, the phone’s corner hitting the table with a thud. Leon had refused to give her that chip. Because he did not deem her qualified enough to handle it. Or trusted her with it. 
Claire remembered what a toll that had been on her self-pride. She had really felt they had been on equal footing up until that point. But with Leon’s silence came a strong cold shower of reality. 
“You got here early,” a voice that sounded like it had been running a marathon came from above her. 
Claire looked as the man dressed in a blue navy suit breathed heavily, adjusting to the hotness of the bright summer evening. His hair was disheveled, the jacket in one hand and the shirt was three buttons open. Claire gulped in spite of herself as she watched Leon pull on his tie to let some ventilation in. A drop of sweat rolled from his chin down to the side of his neck. And then down that clavicle and follow down …  
“No,” Claire shook he head and straightened in her seat. “I asked you too late. I was already on my way.”
“Something’s wrong.” 
Leon immediately called her out as he sat down, a deep frown on his face. 
Shit. 
She had been careless. Claire thought about faking a smile.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Don’t lie.” 
She scrunched her nose. Fine. No fake smile then. Claire sighed and shifted in her seat. 
“Alright then,” she looked down and wandered about the best approach. “I am leaving out of the country for a longer period of time. When you had a similar job, you announced me ahead of time, so I thought it only appropriate to do the same.”
“This is serious,” Leon squinted his eyes and leaned a bit forward. “It’s about a virus.”
Why was he so perceptive!?
“We don’t know yet.”
“Is the BSAA involved?” 
The question surprised Claire and she thought for a bit. 
“No, not as of yet. But it might concern them as well, now that you’re mentioning it.” 
“You haven’t talked to them. How soon are you leaving?” 
“In about two or three days. It’s a fresh lead and we’re risking losing it if we’re delaying.” 
Leon fell silent, clearly holding back. Claire avoided his scorching gaze. She tensed as she anticipated the oncoming berate. Or would he tell her to not go? Leave the job to someone more qualified? Claire did not want to justify herself in front of him. That is exactly why, up until now, she had never mentioned in front of Leon the missions along BSAA or any of her other accomplishments in the field. He clearly knew about a connection between TerraSave and BSAA but never brought the subject up. Most likely, Leon had no idea she was able even to lead a mission with them.
His anger was easy to read.. Leon leaned back, pulled out his phone, and started typing something. Claire already felt herself get angry. After all that happened, Racoon, The Veronica Vyrus, and even Sein Island, he still didn’t see them on the same level. She placed a hand on the table, ready to get up. 
“Leon, let’s…” 
“Let me come with you.”
Claire froze in mid-air. Leon was dead serious as he stared at her. She fell back in the chair. 
“What?”
“Your mission. I have days off. Let me come with you.” 
“But… wouldn’t that interfere with your job in the…?” she didn’t finish the sentence but they both knew what Claire was referring to. 
“I would be in my own personal time. It should be of no concern to them.” 
“Still, it could get you into trouble!” Claire pressed both her palms on the table, concerned by his impulsive idea. “You can’t just risk it for some mission.”
But Leon would not budge. 
“It’s not just some mission.”
“You don’t even know the first thing about it!” 
“I know it concerns you.”
“Look, Leon,” Claire sighed, letting her forehead fall into her palm. “I really appreciate the offer. I do. But this is my job. This is not the first time I’m going in one and …”
“I know.”
“What do you know?” 
Leon’s expression softened and she felt herself melt a bit.
“I know you can handle yourself, Claire. And I also know you would be able to handle the mission all by yourself. But, I am also concerned. And I would like to help. With your permission, of course,” he then grinned, hitting the jackpot. “Hell, even Chris came to me for expertise.” 
Playing the brother card again. Claire looked at him, baffled. This conversation was not going the way she had expected. 
“Please, darling,” Leon smiled even cuter and her heart moved. 
This Leon, what was it with him!? 
She tried to find an answer while searching for any traces of insincerity …nothing. He was not even trying to schmooze her into it. Claire could not believe it. But… She bit on her lip, tapping her fingernails on the wooden table. There was no denial about it, Leon was an expert. And she would feel safer with him by her side. 
“Alright… “she nodded, still trying to sort her thoughts. “I will try and talk to my boss.”
Leon blew a big sigh in relief. She wanted to tell him he was still not completely off the hook but found it a bit cruel so Claire decided to hold it in. 
“After, and if I have everybody’s approval, I will let you know the details…”
It was meant to sound a bit discouraging but Leon’s smile widened even more. 
“Thank you, sweetheart!” 
She bit her lip again.
“Don’t thank me yet.” 
But Leon only continued smiling, satisfied. 

Chapter Text

“So, for now, you’re more of a little secret.” 
“Your little secret?”
Claire turned alarmed and threw a disbelieving look at the grinning man behind her. 
“Leon!” 
They were in the middle of an abandoned facility yet he had the wits to joke around like it was their usual night out. Leon grinned playfully.
“As I was saying…” arching an eyebrow at him, Claire pressed forward, closely watching the dark halls as they passed by. “Only my boss and a few others know about your true identity. Especially about your real job. But I guess your name got them assured immediately.” 
“It comes with the fame.” 
Claire rolled her eyes at his display of ego. 
“The rest, barely know what you look like. Probably assume you’re also BSAA.” 
She kinda copied Chris’s example -  presenting Leon as an expert in BOWs. His name was easy to pass by the board. As for the team, a slightly edited profile suffices. As expected, with the new person on board, and due to the rushed preparations, the teams were split and Claire and Leon ended up together in this abandoned facility. The other two teams were covering two other sites.  
“It’s better that way,” he agreed, checking the corners. “Though, I should be more buffed up to be part of them.” 
Claire couldn’t help but giggle at that. 
“How much more buffed up?” 
“At least twice as I am now!”
“Oh, come on! You’re buffed up enough!” 
Leon wiggled his eyebrows at her. 
“More is not doing for you?” 
“You look good like this” she grinned back. 
Their conversations were cut short as they reached the end of the main corridor and went up the stairs. It was silence. Only small sounds here and there, probably from hiding rodents. Yet, the pair cautiously searched in silence the deserted rooms. 
“Maybe there really is nothing,” Claire said and peeked at him. 
“Let’s search some more.” 
She would sigh in relief at the lack of danger if not for the lack of results and the fact that Leon’s efforts to come might have been for nothing on her mind. 
“Hey.” 
Claire felt something near. She turned only to see Leon’s face very close to hers, whispering in her ear. 
“I’m glad I came. Even if we find nothing, it’s good to hang out together. And at least we tried. Not every day it has to be centered around mowing down BOWs.” 
Claire gulped and nodded. Suddenly, the radio lit and she pressed the button. 
“Yes?” 
“Got some signals in the east wing.” 
“Got it. Heading over there now.” 
Claire closed the radio and turned towards Leon and shrugged. 
“Or maybe it is.”
Leon huffed and followed her. They had to cross quite the surface and sneak through the fallen parts of what seemed to be very large machinery. 
“Here,” Leon extended his hand as he climbed up. 
“Thank you,” Claire took it and couldn’t help a moment of nostalgia overtake her.  
Throughout the whole mission, she noticed how attentive and careful Leon was. Never leaving her side, he loomed like a shadow even as she busied herself with one thing or another. But, he was not fussing like when they were younger. He was now actually giving her space, letting her lead, and mainly protecting and assisting from the back. Claire was grateful. This was, after all, her mission. It would have been more difficult if they head-butted at every turn. 
As they were searching through the mess that seemed to be the aftermath of an explosion, something moved in the dark, a level above. On the railings. It had only been a second but Claire was sure she saw a figure. She glanced at Leon but he wasn’t looking in that direction. 
“We’re not alone.” 
There was no reaction from his side. 
“Were we being followed for long?”
“No. For just a few minutes now.”
Claire wondered if she should put up her guard. Against him. She said nothing more. Instead, Claire chose to take a gamble. Worst case scenario, she would end up on the short end of the stick, empty-handed, but with a safe heart. Best case scenario…
“There is an elevator there,” Leon pointed out. 
“Elevators again?” Claire smirked and followed him inside. 
“At least this time you can walk,” he threw back with a mischievous glint and pressed the rusted button. 
“I got by just fine,” she arched a brow at him as they descended. “Don’t forget who helped you not turn into a crispy meal.”
“Ha! Ha!”  Leon ironically laughed.
Claire jumped over the mention of his conquest back then too. If she hadn’t closed the floor back then, both he and Angela would have been burned alive and neither of them would have been flirting leisurely afterwards. One of the many reasons Claire didn’t trust Leon so easily now. The other one was probably with them, in this building. 
“I’m glad you made it out alive, “ Leon’s serious voice caught her attention. She glanced at him and saw him frown.” I was pretty angry back then, you know. I thought I told you to get out.” 
“That’s no way to so thank you.”
The doors opened and they stepped out into complete darkness.  Only their flashlights lit the now metal walls covered in weeds. 
“I would’ve found a way.”
“Probably,” Claire shrugged. “Or you would have died.”
“That’s the risk of the job.” 
None said anything. 
“Would you have been sad?” Leon threw her a playful look.
“Of course,” she stopped and looked him dead in the eyes. 
No matter what feelings were between them, Leon had always been an important person to Claire. And, if given the chance, she would always choose to save him. He looked back at her, displaying a sad smile.
“Then you would understand my anger.” 
Checkmate. 
“Look, over there,” Claire whispered and they both sobered and went to open the big double door she pointed towards. 
“A lab,” Leon pointed out as they went through the various computers and tall tubes that were empty now. 
By the size of it, those could have held at least three men inside. Or a BOW. 
“Well, we didn’t come for nothing,” Leon pointed out and Claire giggled a bit. 
“Seems so.” 
Splitting up, they both started scouting the room. Claire searched for a functional computer and Leon was looking through the scattered files and debris on the floor. Finally finding one, she loaded the files one by one. Her frown deepened. This all seemed familiar. So her search was right. 
“Her again…” 
“Her?” 
How Leon heard her from the other side of the room, Claire did not know. She straightened, watching the vague files dated back to 2011. 
“Wesker,” she let out a long sigh. 
Leon also straightened from where he was crouching and was now watching Claire, a deep concern on his face. She nodded and looked back at the half-broken monitor. 
“Alex Wesker?” he asked and she was not even surprised he knew that name. 
Ah, yes. He was the one to write the report back then… 
Though Claire only knew half of the story when she was first taken back by Barry. By the looks of it, Leon found out about the Overseer’s identity. Probably the whole incident too. 
“The one and only,” Claire ran a hand through her front bangs. “I swear I am dreaming the Wesker name at this point.” 
“You know… “ Leon’s tone was lighter and she raised a questioning look. “Did I ever tell you about Sherry’s boyfriend?” 
“Jake Muller? Don’t worry, she told me,” Claire shook her head. “First, Albert in Antarctica, Alex in Sein, and now Jake dating Sherry. Next thing I know, my whole life is centered around Weskers. It’s the curse of the Redfield bloodline,” she ended with a laugh. 
Leon laughed as well and they both remembered the whole story between Chris and Albert. 
“I mean, you’re not far off from it,” Leon laughed and moved to the right. “Sherry could qualify for a Redfield, too.”
Claire’s gaze fell a bit and an old remorse bit at her. 
“I would say she would qualify more as a Kennedy.” 
“You were the one who saved her life. More than once.”
“And, as I hear from her, you were the one that stayed in service because of her. ” 
“She’s exaggerating.” 
“I would say not.”
Leon shrugged, raised up a piece of large metal, and winked at her. 
“Then let’s agree she qualifies equally as both.” 
Claire seemed to think for a moment.
“Alright, I agree.” 
They both laughed at the silly conclusion. Claire pulled out a USB and thankfully, the files found could be transferred easily, even though the computer was barely functioning as it was. 
“Claire.” 
Leon’s voice called from the adjoining room just as Claire was confirming 80% transfer to the USB. 
“Yes?”
She approached and froze in the doorway. Leon was looking back at her. Just past him, a green-lighted the whole room. And floating in the green liquid, a familiar sight greeted her. 
“I get it this looks familiar.” 
Claire nodded and approached the tank tube. It looked like an amalgamation of different insects and serpents. 
“Kudoku.” 
Leon frowned and looked back at the floating monster. He seemed to be thinking of something as a dark silence fell between them. Claire again caught a glimpse of the rare sight of a very upset Leon. Her eyes fell back on the tank, wondering if he had any connection to it as well. 
“We have to destroy it,” she declared and watched carefully his reaction. 
Leon nodded and took out a timed bomb from his vest. Claire relaxed as she saw it stick to the glass. A movement could be heard in the other room. She froze.
The USB! 
Claire sprang back to the door. 
“Claire, wait!” 
An alarm went off, deafening them. 
UNAUTHORIZED DATA EXTRACTION HAS BEEN SIGNALED! 
COMMENCING AUTO DESTRUCTION IN
TEN MINUTES. 
She sprinted to the desk and watched confused as her USB was still there, at 99% copied data. Only then did she notice a red light at the far end of the room. Another computer. She sprinted to it, opening the monitor. 
“Damn it!” 
She slapped the table as the complete transfer appeared on the screen, no USB in sight. Somebody had been there, before them. 
“Claire!” she felt a touch on her shoulder and jumped. 
Leon was near her, handing her own stick.
“It’s fully copied. We have to go.” 
Not that she didn’t fully trust him, but Claire gazed at the other computer anyway. Transfer complete. She nodded, taking the USB from him. 
“Thank you.”
“No worries.” 
“Let’s go!” 

Chapter Text

8 MINUTES
The alarm was truly getting on her nerves.
“Go!” 
Now that they were looking for a way out as soon as possible, Leon easily took the lead. Claire stuck close to him, watching their back. A loud cracking sound came from down the corridor. From the lab they just left. She placed her hand on his arm, turning. 
“Leon. Look.”
He stopped and followed her pointed gun. There was water flowing on the floor. 
No. 
Not water. 
“Claire, go!” 
She heard his rushed whisper and felt her arm being pulled towards the elevator. Going with the flow, Claire started to run when a shadow jumped over their head. 
“Get down!” 
She did. Three shots were fired and the monster jumped again. There! From her crouched position, Claire also fired four shots. A series of growls told them that the creature had been touched. But the rapid movement with which it jumped all around the corridor told them that it was very much alive. 
7 MINUTES 
“This way!” 
Her waist was pulled up and they were running towards the elevator. 
“We can’t let it get out of here!” Claire shouted and Leon was shooting as the doors were closing. 
“I know!”
He pulled another grenade but seemed to hesitate. 
“What’s wrong?” 
The door closed and the elevator started ascending. 
“If I threw it, we might have been caught us up as well.” 
“It may…but,” Claire started.
“It’s all going to blow up anyway,” Leon reassured her. 
6 MINUTES
The alarm still rang in the elevator. 
“You’re right.” 
Claire settled back, lowering her weapon but keeping her focus. They reloaded their guns. 
“What if there’s a way for it to go up?” she asked. 
“Then we’ll find a way to send it back down.” 
Her eyebrow arched. 
“That came out kinda’ cool.” 
“Right?” 
Leon grinned.
“Next thing I know, you’re going to go around saying ‘Shaken, not stirred.’”
“Not before I introduce myself.” Leon leaned closer, his eyes the same level as hers. “Kennedy. Leon S. Kennedy.” 
The ping came and the doors opened.
 5 MINUTES. 
“Well, Mister Kennedy. We should go before it gets too hot.” Claire winked and stepped out first. 
She could hear his laughter behind her.
A move!
Claire quickly raised her gun and shot. 
“Shit!” 
Leon was by her side in no time. 
“See what happens when you say it out loud?”
“It’s my fault!?” 
“Run!” 
The monster jumped straight at them and Leon shot. It was small and it was fast. Claire flashed her light at it and it seemed to screech away from it for a moment. It looked disgusting. Like a bunch of bugs and animals squashed together and no specific one at the same time. A few long tentacles seemed to extend from it, helping it climb and move fast.
4 MINUTES
They both sprinted. Leon shot the monster in place before running past it. The naked skin threw what seemed like something acid all around. They had to dodge to not get hit by it. 
“Leon, this way!” 
He swiftly followed Claire and they turned a corner just as one of the tentacles shot at his feet. 
“That was close,” she breathed. 
“It’s becoming more aware of its surroundings.”
“Mm.” 
3 MINUTES
The alarm was swallowing any sign of its movement, so the two only had to rely on their visuals for defense. They loaded again. 
“This way.”
She followed him, running through a locker and then another hall. The whole abandoned institute was like a maze. Claire frowned, praying they’ll make it out in time. A tentacle sprang in front of her. She shouted in surprise and fell back. 
“Claire!!” 
“I’m fine!” she immediately shouted to get Leon to stay back. 
The monster appeared in the next beat. Claire immediately pulled her gun and shot with no hesitation. 
2 MINUTES
The monster made three leaps backward, climbing on the wall. Claire followed it with her shots until she was out of bullets. She definitely hit it. But it was resistant! 
As if sensing her sudden vulnerability, the monster launched forward. Claire braced herself, reaching for the knife at her boot. A tentacle sprung and she quickly rolled. It was still going to get her! She had to think of something! A shadow appeared over her. And then blood spattered over one side of her face. 
“LEON!!” Claire sprung to her feet.
“Stay back!”
He shouted and shot. His bullets grazed the monster but the shock of the weapon was harder too. The monster jumped back and Leon kicked it so hard with his right foot that it went flying back in the wall. 
“Leon!” 
Claire finally reached him, gazing horrified at the scratch. Thankfully, he had not been impaled. But that was a BOW! 
“We’ve got to get out now!!” 
1 MINUTE. 
Leon just wiped the dripping blood as Claire paled at the sight. There was so much! Worried sick, she nodded and they both continued running. 
“Shit,” he swore and stopped. 
Nearly crashing into him, Claire asked. 
“What’s wrong?” 
“Because of the hills, we’re one level up on this side of the building!”
“What!?”
There was movement from behind. Claire turned and shot, this time blowing up a pipe that sprawled a jet of water. The monster shrieked and fell back 
“We have to jump,” she heard him from her right. 
“Your arm!” 
“There’s no time!” 
“But...!” 
Claire felt her arm being grabbed. Next, she was staring into that pair of deep blue eyes. 
“Trust me.”
For only a moment, she debated. And then, Claire nodded. They both turned and ran towards the windows. 
DETONATION IS COMMENCING NOW! 
A loud bang. Claire felt her body wrapped in his as they leaped through the air. She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed closer. The fire came next, and they could feel its heat even as they were nearing the ground. Then, came the shock of the contact. 
Leon and Claire spun on the grass, him cushioning her fall. They rolled and stopped after so long that Claire could not tell which was up and which was down. Regaining some of her senses, she pressed up, head buzzing. And then opened her eyes. Leon was under her. And his eyes were closed. Her heart stopped. He was not breathing. 
A shaking hand reached his scratched cheek. 
“…Leon?”
Her whisper came cracked. No. This was not possible. 
“Hey…Leon…?” 
Claire's vision was blurring.
“Cough! Cough!” 
A violent gasp came. He shook and started coughing badly as if gasping for air. 
“Oh my god! I am so sorry!” 
Realizing she was putting pressure on his wounded body, Claire hurried to get off. Only, a strong arm held her in place.
“You’re hurt!” she snapped at the impossible man under her. 
“It’s fine! Cough! Cough!” 
“No, it’s not!” 
“It was -wheeze- the fall. My back hit the ground a bit too hard.” 
Leon inhaled deeply, his chest raising with her, and then cracked opened his eyes, gazing down at her. 
“Are you alright?”
This man! Claire shook her head and her locks flew all around her. 
“Don’t worry about me. It’s you who is so injured.” 
Her worried gaze fell all over his scratches. And then on the blood now covering his whole right arm. She immediately pulled on his black shirt. 
“Hey, I appreciate the enthusiasm but this is hardly the place…”
She shook as he laughed. Claire glared at Leon’s calm face when he placed his hand on hers, stopping her. Then, he saw it. And his body froze. Two tears fell on his chest. Claire did not budge, staring him down, still grabbing at his shirt. His fingers loosened and her eyes darted back to the wound. Her hands were trembling and her vision was blurring even more. 
Claire managed to drag the material down his shoulder and she quickly inspected the wound. 
“It looks worse than it is.” 
Leon kept his tone calm but did not attempt to stop her anymore. Claire wiped the tears furiously, still checking. 
“It might be infected.” 
“It should, probably, be in effect by now.” 
“Either way, we have to bandage it.” 
They both raised at the same time.
“You were too reckless.” 
“You could have been injured even worse.”
Furiously, Claire wiped the first aid from one of her pockets. She could feel his stare on her face but refused to look up. 
“You have to take your arm out.” 
Only then did she feel the cold as his left arm unhooked from around her waist. She shivered a little.
“You’re cold.”
“Your arm.”
Leon sighed and pulled out his right arm with difficulty, lifting the shirt on the shoulder. Leaving one arm and half of the abdomen bare. Thankfully, he was strong. Claire could feel the tense muscles as she bandaged him with great care. Leon was still watching her closely. Only when the final wrap of the white band tightened around his arm and she fastened it, Claire sighed. It was already getting red. 
“You have to get proper, medical, help.”
“Claire.” 
She looked to one side. 
“It’s fine. I’ve had worse, ” Leon reassured. 
The nerve! She spun and opened her mouth to protest. Claire froze. Through ruffled hair and with the shirt uncovering half of his ripped body, Leon was gazing at her. A deep stare, filled with unspoken emotions.  A memory overlapped. Claire gulped down the node in her throat. No. He was alive. And the infection was not spreading. 
She let out a breath in relief and her head fell. No, Leon was right. She was being stupid. It was barely more of a scratch, worsened by their jump.  
“I’m sorry. I overreacted,” she laughed a bit, easing her nerves slowly. 
No, he was not Steve.
A sudden touch made her jump. Claire raised her head and met his warm smile as a big hand cupped her cheek. 
“You look like a mess.” 
She blinked. Dumbfounded. And then she burst out laughing. 
“I look like a mess!? Have you seen yourself!? 
“I can only see you now,” his laughter joined hers.
“You have more earth and weeds on you! And your hair! You looked like someone decided to play bowling with you in the grass!” 
The arm crept back around her middle and they both fell back, still laughing. Claire definitely felt it now. His strong body. His naked skin. She raised her eyes to his. And her laughter silenced. 
Leon’s expression… was vulnerable. Claire was expecting any other look but this. His touch on her middle too, it was light yet clingy. As if… he was scared. 
Why? 
Her chest throbbed. And why couldn’t she take her eyes off him? 
Why now? 
The man she could barely read for years laid before her, bare. Letting her see right through him. The light of the burning building illuminated his beautiful, softened, features.
Leon looked at her lovingly. 
Slowly. So slowly, Claire lowered her eyelashes. Leon’s eyes rounded as her lips descended, lightly brushing his. It was short and Claire soon raised her head, her eyelashes fluttering. 
They both looked at each other, his amazement overshadowing hers. 
“Claire.” 
A strong arm grabbed the back of her head and his lips crashed into hers. Claire barely had any time to react as his hungry mouth overtook hers. Her eyes squeezed shut. Soon, their tongues were intertwined in a sensual dance. The world spun as she was pressed down, Leon rolling over her, taking her every breath. Her fingers ran through his smooth hair as his whole body entrapped hers. With each kiss, Leon only squeezed her closer, as if she was his only breath of air.  
  

Chapter Text

That night, it felt like Leon’s restraints broke. Claire’s cheeks heated up even as she recalled it. They had such a passionate make-out session that, when the radio call came, it was barely heard. Leon had to physically unpeel himself from Claire. He was breathing heavily, eyes unfocused, stumbling for the radio while she just watched him in a daze. After finding and handing it to her, Claire had to clear her throat a few times before speaking. Even then, her voice was trembling a bit. After she responded, confirming their safety, she was not sure that Leon, still on top of her, would back down. In theory, they still had time before going back.
But after another long, deep kiss, Leon lifted himself and then Claire. And they returned just like that. 
Well, not entirely just like that. 
To be more precise, Leon stuck closer to Clare than ever before. He stole a few quick kisses while the team was preoccupied with arranging the safe route out, leaving Claire dazzled. 
She had been really surprised at the sudden onslaughter. And Claire was still a bit confused, a month later. She scrolled through the phone, deep in thought.
Now, after some cool down, she had at least a confirmation. Leon let her set the pace of this relationship they had. After she touched his hand, in that restaurant, he would always, from then on, touch her here and there, holding hands, small brushes all touchy-feely.
If she agreed that a restaurant was a good idea, their dates would be fancier and more diverse. And if she barely brushed their lips together…
“You want some?”
“What?”
“The sunscreen.”
“Ah…!”
She blushed even harder. Putting the phone on the sunbed, she took the sunscreen from Chris, pretending that that was the reason she was red as a tomato.
“Something interesting?” he joked as he saw his sister being so absent-minded. 
“Just looking for some presents.”
“Hmm? Is it for someone I know?
“Hmmm…it is a close person,” Claire answered vaguely.
“Do you need help?”
“No, not at the moment.”
Truth be told, a male point of view would help her find a better watch as a present. But to tell Chris about Leon…Claire was not sure yet. 
In fact, she was not sure how much she could trust Leon. His feelings for her. Claire used to have a crush on him, back when they first met. And then, after Antarctica, as she dug dipper and dipper, connecting the newfound info to fragments of conversation she had with him, Claire discovered Ada. And her crush died. 
It died more as they met and she realized that Leon did not see her in a romantic way. Or, to be more precise, he saw any woman that way and Claire was not even close to the middle of the list. She figured that, since he clearly cared about her, it must have been in a purely platonic way and Claire just left it like that. 
Until Leon decided to invite her to a cafe, near her office, more than half a year ago. What happened since then overlapped with what she heard from Chris, and then from what snippets she got from Sherry.  Claire did not want to find herself in the position where, one day, her beloved would one day turn her back for another woman. No matter how sincere he seemed until that point. 
Yes, that would be the way to describe it - Claire did not trust Leon to be completely honest with himself. 
“Well, I’m here if you want a second opinion, anyway.” her brother shifted back to his own sunbed and Claire smiled at him.
“Alright, I’ll do that.”
He also gave her an encouraging smile. And let her be. Claire loved Chris for being just like that, always in the background, supporting. And he also was the one to open the discussion Ada, her double, the death of his team, and Leon's actions before and after China. And then she could ask Sherry about her part of the story too. That is how Claire came to be convinced that the man’s heart was helplessly lost forever.
Her finger stopped over a simple titanium watch with a dark interior. She showed it to Chris.
“What do you think about this?”
Chris lifted his sunglasses and squinted at the phone. Then nodded in approval. Happy, Claire retracted her hand and made the order. 
At least, that’s what she thought until a month ago. 
That look back then... it raised a big question in her whole theory. Yes, she would give Leon a chance. The man was clearly trying. But Claire was not convinced that they would be a long-term thing yet. 
And Claire would not settle for a second choice. Or lose her time, waiting for Leon to make a decision.
She put the phone down and closed her eyes, basking in the warm weather. So until she was sure, she would take it slow and keep her heart safe. 

Chapter Text

“Max! Ana! Are you there!?”
Her voice resounded in the ruins, but no response came. Claire turned around, trying to remember the original floor plan of the Canadian TerraSave headquarters. All around, there was only hell. Trying to keep the despair at bay, she found her way through the rabble. 
“Ah! Shit…” 
A broken wall fell and Claire dodged, almost being buried under it. Her fist clenched harder around the USB. Most likely, the main reason for the attack. 
“I really hope there is no other Wesker this time around… “ she mumbled, pressing forward.
Claire had enough kidnappings and abductions to last her an entire lifetime. 
“Search over there!” 
She froze. And dodged behind a fallen shelve. A pair of foreign soldiers passed by. So they were looking for something. Claire hid as they passed by, and after looking twice, resumed her road. Reaching the stairs,  she started ascending cautiously. If her assumption were correct, she had in her hands the last data of the Kudoku virus. And the headquarters had registers of it, too. She had to reach the server room and delete it or blow it up before someone had a chance to use it. 
“So close to securing the data transfer, too!”
It was dangerous to keep the data in TerraSave so, after negotiations, it should have been sent to Rebecca’s institute after strongly encrypting it. And that took some considerable time to research on how to do it best. That’s why Claire went, in person back to Canada, to ensure the safety of the transfer. 
Another pair of boots resounded on the halls. Claire hid again, preparing her gun. But the two soldiers passed in a hurry. Claire peeked after them, but they were long gone. 
“Something’s wrong…”
There was no time for lingering around. Claire continued her ascension and stopped at the doors leading to the 7th floor. She pushed them slowly, peeking inside. After checking it was empty, she carefully stepped inside, following the path in her memory. 
“They really went out with the bombs…” 
The headquarters were a mess. The only comfort Claire had was that there were no signs of infected or BOW. Without the grunts, the destroyed building felt even more sinister. Like something was not right. Not knowing what to expect at the next corner. 
Claire took a corner and found the way blocked. 
“Damn.”
Turning around, Claire tried to find another way. Her boots resounded as she zig zag-ed through the rubble. After a long detour, she found the main doors of the laboratory. Thankfully, her ID was working on that level and they opened. Claire rushed inside, heading straight to the server room. Just as she unlocked the computer, a cold hard metal pressed on her scalp. 
“Hand that pretty little thing over.” 
Claire froze. And slowly raised her hands. She could see the slight reflection of the woman behind her in the glass covering the servers. 
Now. 
Claire dropped, the gun followed her, and she spun on her heel, hitting with her leg. The woman jumped backward, skillfully evading her kick. Immediately, Claire pulled out her gun and the two came face to face. 
And they both had a look of realization on their faces. Even if she never met her face to face, that was most likely, Ada. 
“You don’t stand a chance against me. Just hand that over.”
Her voice was nice. Her whole figure was to die for, dressed in a tight red shirt and black skirt with high heels. To be perfectly honest, near her, Claire in her jeans, boots, and red leather jacket was … plain. While these thoughts crossed her mind, the other woman seemed to be studying her too. 
“I need this. I cannot.” 
Claire stated, simply holding her ground. Nothing good came out of fighting, even if she was not convinced she would lose. That was because this was the woman who truly had Leon’s heart. Now Claire could see why. 
Ada took one step, the heel clicking on the metal floor. While there was clearly a chance, Ada’s gun also did not fire. Claire took a step back. 
“Stop right there.”
A deeper voice resounded in the room.
Leon!
None of the women moved from their position, nor did they look in the direction of the approaching agent. From the corner of her eyes, Claire could see that his guns were still in their holsters. Claire recognized Leon’s serious attitude just from his body language. Her hands started to tremble a little. 
It was over. This was the stopping point for them. Claire was aware that this was the moment she should lower her gun and retreat. But… Her stance deepened, preparing. Even if she had to fight the two of them, Claire could not give up the Kudoku data. Not with a clear conscience that another outbreak could take place. 
As another footstep resounded close to her, Claire tensed even more, half expecting the gun to come out of her hands. If she remained without it, it would be difficult to run with the USB, much less destroy the PC. And even if none of them shoot her, Leon could easily overpower her. It was a bit strange… she would miss his embrace. 
A large form blocked her view. Claire raised an angry stare. And only met a wide back. 
“…Leon?”
Her gun shook. In front of them, Ada appeared completely unfazed. Claire could not understand what was happening. They stood like that, staring at each other. Leon in front of Claire and Ada confronting them both. Somehow, this situation seemed to be proceeding in the wrong order. She felt like she should do something, expecting at any moment that Leon would turn and make a move. 
Ada’s eyes shifted. Leon’s position also leaned a bit to the side. Then, he shook his head. 
“Not this time, Ada.”
Claire’s eyes widened. She stared at his back incredulously. Then, her gaze drifted to the beautiful woman. Ada stared for a while longer. No words were spoken… but a silent conversation seemed to be taking place. Then her gun lowered and a smirk spread on Ada’s increasingly beautiful features. Claire could tell from Leon’s posture that he was also relaxing.
“I will find another chance,” Ada threatened in a sexy voice. 
“We will not back up on this.” 
His voice also sounded amused but Claire could hear the warning in it. Ada’s eyes squinted.
“We… hm?”
Leon did not respond. But the implied one was…yes. In one delicate move, Ada halted her gun and turned, saying nothing more. Just as she came, the mysterious woman disappeared into the dark. Not even her heels could be heard anymore. 
Claire was still trying to process what just happened. Only her gun remained in the air, just a bit lower. Shaking. Her shock must have been plastered all over her face. Because, when Leon turned to face her, his eyes widened. He first took in her expression. Then, his gaze lowered to her hands. A pang of guilt shot through her chest as Claire read the hurt in his eyes. 
“Leon…I…”
Her hand raised towards him. Then, the whole building shook. A loud explosion was heard from the lower levels. The metal plates started pulling apart. And the whole floor crumbled. Claire could feel her gravity center shifting and her hand stretched towards a stumbling Leon flapping in the air.  
“Leon!” 
“CLAIRE!!”
The last thing she remembered was the horrified look in Leon’s eyes as she fell and then, the world was dark. 

Chapter Text

A giant headache was the first thing Claire felt. And then the urge to crawl under the covers and groan. It was just … it was a bit hard to move her left hand. She tried to open her eyes but they stung. Blinking a few times, fighting the irritated feeling, she finally saw a white light. 
Why is it so harsh!? Who puts so many lights in the middle of the night?
Claire could only assume it was night due to the dark and her grogginess. Finally, her eyesight settled a little and Claire could make out some shapes. Her mood soured. By the looks of it, she was in a hospital bed. Her forehead wrinkled in distaste. Her right hand was bandaged in a cast. Most probably, broken in the fall. 
Sigh. 
About that fall… Claire shivered a bit. 
Maybe it’s best not to dwell too much on it…
She searched for other broken parts of her body when a strange piece of furniture caught her eye. No! It was not furniture her gaze crawled upon. Claire’s eyes widened. 
“Leon…!” 
She changed her surprised scream to a whisper just at the last moment. Her chest tightening, Claire slowly raised up from the pillows. 
On a chair, near the bed, there slept a very tired Leon. His face was crumpled in a deep frown. With the arms crossed around himself. Leon was slumped so deep he nearly fell out of the chair. Even though her middle and arms were screaming in pain, Claire leaned forward. The closer she looked, the more she could see the bad condition the poor man was in. 
Unshaved. Hair in a mess falling on his forehead. Clothes in disarray. He had bandages too, but it was clear as day that they were done in a hurry. Of what memories she could piece together, Leon also fell back then. Yet, she was in a bed, getting tended to, and he was still dressed in the same clothes, all wounded. Claire’s eyes stung again.  
Probably awoken by the sheets rustling, Leon’s eyelashes shook slightly. Claire squeezed the sheets in her left fist as she watched Leon slowly shift in his chair, clearly in discomfort. Then, his head rose and suddenly sprang up at the revelation that she was awake. 
“Leon, why…”
A sudden hug left her breathless. The resounding sound of the chair hitting the tiles made her head ring. Claire turned in the strong arms, trying to say something. Then, her mouth was covered with his. 
Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the sudden move. Claire did not have time to react. Two strong hands kept her close. One pressed the back of her head, the other,  her waist, and his mouth desperately devoured hers, as if afraid she would disappear. Overwhelmed by the sudden burst of passion, Claire could only bend and responded in full, overjoyed Leon was alive and there. 
Leon’s lips pulled apart and Claire felt, in a daze, his palms hurriedly touching her face. 
“You’re awake,” he breathed and it sounded so hoarse it made her stomach churn. 
Claire opened her eyes and met a pair of reddened blue ones. Her heart shook.  His retinas were bloodshot, and not from lack of sleep. Leon had been crying.
“I’m awake,” she confirmed and her own voice was weak. “Are you alright?” she grabbed at his hand with her right, looking him up and down. 
At least, he was standing and moving his limbs. No bone was sticking out either. 
“You need to get better treatment,” Claire said, worried. 
“Never mind that,” Leon shook his head. And then pressed his forehead to her lowered one. Claire stilled. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”
“Me too,” she closed her eyes and squeezed his hand. “But you really need to sit down. Please.”
Leon only embraced her once more, sighing deeply. Claire searched his gaze in concern. Now closer to the light, Leon’s face was full of cuts and bruises.
“Leon, please…” 
It took some time until they split apart.  Even as he stood back, slouched forward in the chair, Leon held her left palm between his two. They were shaking. 
“I really thought I lost you…” came a silent confession. 
His head was bent. Claire could only feel the pain from Leon’s choked tone and his hands. She felt the impulse to crack a joke, to help unloosen his nerves,  but thought better of it. Leon hardly looked like he was up for it. Claire only rubbed his palm back and said. 
“I’m here.” 
Leon only nodded. And her palm was squeezed harder. Something glistened as it fell from his cheek. A tear. 
“Leon…”
Claire did not know. How to react to all of this warmth displayed so openly in front of her. She had been afraid. And still was hesitant to give it a name. But, only for now, Claire knew one thing for sure. Leon was here. He took her side. And he had stayed by her. 
Slowly, she raised her hand, and his. And slowly pressed her cheek against them.
“Thank you, Leon.” 
A smile spread on her lips. His teary eyes came into view. Leon was so distraught and overwhelmed it melted her whole. Still smiling, Claire leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, passing on her own feelings to him. 

Chapter Text

“Do you want something else to eat?”
“Hmm…is there a pasta restaurant nearby?” 
“I will have to check. What pasta do you want?” 
“Carbonara!”
“Heh. Alright. Carbonara it is.”
The phone started vibrating on the bed. Claire tried to pick it up with her left hand without turning too much. 
“Need help?” 
Leon’s hands stopped for a while, the brush still in her hair. Claire made a small wave with the phone. 
“It’s fine, thanks.” She slid the call button and pressed the phone to her ear. “Chris. Hi!” 
“Could this be the last time I have to call you in a hospital?”
Claire winced and moved the phone from her ear a bit. Her brother was angry. Rightfully, so. She was in a Canadian hospital with a broken arm and a nasty concussion. And had been unconscious for a day and a half, too. 
“Of course!” she grinned and answered slyly. 
“Claire…”
“I’m sorry.”
She winced and apologized truthfully. But not without thinking that this was a bit of a payback for all the times he had been in a hospital. The steady brush combing through her hair brought her comfort. 
“I’m sorry, too. For getting angry.” Chris apologized on the other side. 
“It’s fine.” Claire straightened a bit. “Did you receive the data?” 
“Mhm. Rebecca is working on it.” 
“Ah! That’s great!” 
Claire let out a long breath in relief. She felt a strong hand gently massage her hurting shoulder. She looked up at Leon, blinking slowly. It was so good. To have him near, silently having her back.
“How’s the hospital?”
“Good. The food is not so great, but I manage. I should be eating some pasta soon.” 
Claire winked playfully at Leon who peeked up from his handy work and replied with a playful look of his own.
“Damn. They serve that in the hospital?”
“Hm? Ah, no! I have it brought to me.”
“Brought to you, hmm?” she could feel Chris’s grin over the line. “By the way, I’ve been trying to find some time to fly over there. It’s just that the stuff in Finland right now… might take some time. You would already be out by the time I got there. I’ll try to look for somebody nearer.” 
Claire peeked at Leon.
“It’s fine. Leon is here.” 
There was a pause. The brush stopped in her hair. She watched his startled blue eyes, searching for confirmation. In the next second, Leon’s whole expression warmed and his face lit up in a great smile of understanding. Claire’s heart was beating fast, her cheeks warm. 
“Leon, huh?” Chris’s voice came after a while, seemingly deep in thought. Claire tensed a bit. “That’s good. I guess I’m not needed then.”
“Chris!” Claire giggled, taken back at the childish behavior. 
Chris was also laughing and Leon was shaking, suppressing his own. 
“You can still visit when you get back to the US.”
“I wouldn’t want to be intruding!”
“Oh my god!” 
“Joking, joking. Anyway, tell him that I said hi. And I also want to be treated to pasta.” 
“Sure, sure.” Claire rolled her eyes.”Stay safe, Chris.”
“Especially you, Claire.”
His serious tone was back. She nodded.
“I will. I promise.”
Chris sighed.
“I guess that will do. Bye!”
“Bye!”
She closed the phone and both of them giggled. 
“He didn’t sound very surprised,” Leon mused, gently pulling on the hair, trying to braid it somehow. 
“He always was tenacious in the worst moments,” Claire giggled, lowering the phone and lifting the hand mirror from the hospital bed. 
She bit her inner cheek to stop another giggle surface at the mess that was becoming her ‘braided’ hair. Glancing at Leon’s focused expression in the mirror, Claire didn’t have the heart to criticize his handy work. 
“Maybe a ponytail would be easier for me to untie?” she proposed skilfully. 
Leon nodded in approval, clearly aware of the mess he was creating. 
“Good idea.”
He untangled the braids and brushed her hair once more. Claire handed him the elastic and closed her eyes. It was such a good morning! She relaxed, completely ignoring the fact she was in a hospital room and her left hand was still in a cast. She barely felt it as an inconvenience. With Leon tending to her every need, Claire was afraid she might become too spoiled. 
Oh! 
But she liked it so much that Claire wished every moment to last forever! 
“Done.” 
Claire opened her eyes and leaned her head backward, looking up at him. Leon leaned forward, pressing a long kiss to her forehead. Those were her favorites. 
“Thank you, darling.”
His gaze twinkled at the nickname and his grin deepened. She nuzzled against him and Leon embraced her from behind, trailing the kisses down her cheek and neck. 
Growl… 
As red as a tomato, Claire straightened and ignored Leon’s giggling. 
“I’ll go bring the pasta.”
“Thanks,” she nodded, refusing to look at him. 

“Let’s go to Maldive.”
Claire almost choked on her food.
“Cough! cough!” 
A strong hand slapped her back. 
“Easy there,” 
Leon was leaning over her, all worried, while she was forgetting how to properly eat. 
“Here, have some water.”
She took the glass, revealing some of the food stuck in her neck. With teary easy from the sudden loss of air, Claire turned towards Leon, eyebrows pressed together. 
“What do you mean by Maldive?”
“A vacation, of course.”
“Like a holiday?”
“Of course.”
He was so serious Claire could almost think it was the most normal thing in the world. 
“As in, south of Sri Lanka, Maldive?”  
“Is there another?”
“No…” 
“If you want to, of course.” 
Claire looked at him, curious at the sudden idea. This would be their first trip together. And it felt like this would be a turning point in their relationship. Flying to Maldives was also very expensive. It was a lot of effort on Leon’s part. Claire leaned her left elbow on the table and supported her cheek with her fist. 
“I don’t think I’m allowed to get the cast wet.”
She raised her right hand. Leon looked at it troubled. 
“Ah…”
It was amusing, watching him wreck his brains. Seeing him all troubled warmed her heart a bit 
“But... I always wanted to visit a tropical island. It’s something to look forward to when I finally get this thing off, “ she remembered a certain moment from a few days ago and emphasized “We could take a smaller one on the dry land, and postpone Maldive until the cast is off. ” 
Leon grinned. 
“Yes, we should do that.” 

Chapter Text

True to their promise, the following month was filled with one-day small car trips. It all started right after they both arrived in Washington. Leon would pick her up from home and then they would spend the day driving or walking outside and inside the city. It was truly wonderful! Claire had been on leave due to her injury so she had all the time in the world to plan for their Maldive trip. She was all around town when Leon was not around, preparing. 
She was excitedly shopping for swimwear when the call came. 
“An urgent mission?”
“I’m so sorry … I wish I had the time to meet you in person…”
“No, it’s fine… more than that, is it…” it was a really stupid question to ask. But Claire couldn’t help herself. “Is it going to be dangerous?”
“Not that much,” Leon replied and sounded a bit surprised. 
Of course he was. Because any mission was dangerous. She was so stupid. 
“It is going to be a tight pinch, though. A good luck kiss might have helped.” 
Claire almost dropped the phone. The man had the gal to actually joke around while she was dying of worry!  
“I guess it’s too late for that now,” she raised an eyebrow and joked. 
“*Sigh*… Unfortunately…”
“You could have one when you come back.”
Alive.
“Darling, that would also help a lot.” 
Leon’s voice really sounded sexy today. 
“Then be sure to come and claim it, darling…” 
Claire smiled and leaned on one side as she peeked at a set of sexy lingerie. 
“Claire…” he sounded more serious and she woke up from her daydreaming. “We might have to postpone the trip to Maldives for at least two weeks.”
There were no words said. The trip was supposed to be in two weeks. And if it was to be postponed by another two… That would mean Claire will not be able to see Leon for a whole month. There was a lump in her throat when she tried to speak. 
“Will you… be able to have outside contact?”
“From time to time…”
She had to swallow at that revelation. 
“I see…” 
“Claire… I’m really sorry.” 
More than that, Leon was the one going away, not her, who was moping around now. 
“You still have the tickets for the trip. I hope you rescheduled it.”
His laugh came over the phone. It was so warm. 
“Of course, I will.”
“And, Leon,” she braved, forcing the smile in her tone. “The trip. It’s for two people.”
Another laugh.
“That’s true. Then I guess I have no choice but to show up. For the kiss, too.”
“And, remember, you can’t get a cast in the water.”
“So you said!” 
Another moment passed where Claire just stared, not seeing anything in front of her.
“Leon. Stay safe.”
And come back to me. 
“I promise I will take care... You too, Claire. Stay safe.”
She nodded even though he could not see her. They talked a bit more and then said their final goodbyes as Leon was summoned somewhere else. Claire closed the phone and stared into nothing, the excitement for the shopping spree, long gone. 

It was quite an interesting time. Life went on like normal. Work was work. Weekends were weekends. Claire tried to keep herself busy, never letting a second by without doing something. If she did have a moment alone with her own thoughts, Claire would realize how lonely she felt. 
So she worked. And went outside. There had been a trip with Moira. A shopping spree with Sherry. There was also some new work assignment that kept her busy most of the time. Her other friends also seemed to be calling her quite often, for movie nights or baking courses. Yes, now she was taking baking courses too, because there was a time frame that was empty and she had to feel it. 
At some point, the people around her seemed to be crowding. More than once, Claire could feel a long look in her direction and it seemed like everyone was more attentive towards her. 
Claire caught her reflection in the mirror one of the nights, after doing extra hours. Again. 
Sigh. 
She looked tired. No. More than that, she looked sad. Faced with her own tumultuous feelings, her gaze became misty. Claire tightened her grip on the bag. There had been no contact from Leon for two months, three days, and four hours. Her breath became heavy. 
Inside the elevator, she let herself be cooled by the metal walls. If something were to happen to him, it would probably be covered by the government. There was no legal connection between them, so there was no need to notify her of any changes. At some point, the news would get out. But by then, it would already be too late. Claire was going to be sick. 
If only Leon had told her where he went, Claire could have tracked him down. The doors opened and she took a long breath before taking a shaky step outside. For a few weeks, she had tried to find his whereabouts. Nothing. 
One could not help but think of the worst in such situations. It was not good. Dwelling on it only made her feel worse and it helped in gaining nothing. It was just… Claire missed Leon terribly. 
It was already dark and raining. Typical fall afternoon. Grumpy, she opened her umbrella and stepped absent-minded into the rain. She had some business in the morning outside the office, so Claire had to walk for a while before she could reach her car. 
It was pouring cats and dogs. At least she had her boots today and a long, dark coat, over her jeans and shirt. Otherwise, she would have looked like a complete mess. Not that Claire was not feeling like one. But she didn’t need to look like it too. 
She heard a large vehicle approaching. A truck! Too late, did Claire notice the huge puddles covering the road near her. 
Oh no…
Claire braced herself for the cold shower. She really wanted to cry. 
The water splashed high all around. Yet, Claire did not feel anything. Confused, she looked down and, indeed, she was no wetter than before. She noticed a pair of black boots in front of her and quickly made the connection. 
“Ah, I’m so sorry, you’re all we…!!” 
Her umbrella fell. 
“Oops!” 
He caught it midair, keeping it steady over Claire’s head. 
“After all that trouble, you’re going to get yourself wet anyway?” 
That warm laugh. Those kind eyes. Strong shoulders. Soothing voice. 
“Leon…”
He smiled. And just said:
“Hi!” 
Claire’s legs gave out. 
“Wait!”
Leon rushed forward, catching her middle in one hand while the other still held the umbrella. A splash came from where his own umbrella fell. 
“Whoa there. Claire! Are you alright!?”
His joyful expression was starting to become worried as she felt the blood leave her face. He was really there. His arm around her was real. The heat of his body warmed her frozen one. She grabbed his upper arms. Leon was really in front of her! 
“LEON!” 
In a moment, Claire was squeezing Leon’s neck hard, afraid he might vanish at any moment. 
“Claire!?” 
His surprised whisper only made Claire hold him tighter. Leon held her close, and she could feel his confusion as she cried loudly on his shoulder. Instead of questioning her, Leon simply patted her back while keeping the rain from reaching her. 
It felt like an eternity passed before her uncontrollable sobs seemed to diminish. The pressure around her middle went away and a large palm cupped the back of her head. Then it moved to her cheek, guiding her head upwards. 
“Don’t cry…” Leon begged and he also looked pitiful now. 
“I thought *sniff* that something happened to you.” 
“I’m fine,” he soothed and looked and pointed at himself. “See? No cast! All in one piece!” 
Claire nodded and gulped another sob. 
“It took a bit longer because we got a new lead and it was too late to back down.” 
Another nod. Leon was explaining everything so softly to her that Claire was really going to cry again. 
“I’m sorry I couldn’t contact you, but that would have meant putting you in danger, as well.”
“It’s fine,” she lied and shook her head. 
“Please don’t cry like that.”
She nodded. 
“I’m really fine, “ Leon assured. 
Claire hugged him again. Leon held her tight and gave out a long sigh. 
“What am I going to do with you?” 
He sounded extremely happy. Claire fisted his chest with no power.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
She leaned back and he leaned forward, melting into a deep kiss. 

Chapter Text

After way too many hours of flight, Claire could finally see land. Or, to be more precise, the piece of land that was floating in the middle of the Indian Ocean. She had slept all night and through the last flight as well. After a boat trip, they were finally, finally in their two-room, one bathroom, one kitchen cabin. 
Claire had been a bit nervous and excited, gazing at the big bed in the middle of the bedroom, with a direct view of the ocean. But, Leon had been a gentleman and she had all the time in the world to change and freshen up. In the shower, she wondered if, maybe, she was the only one to expect more of this trip. Then Claire realized how stupid that sounded. They were on a trip on a romantic island. They had one cabin just for them. The island felt completely separated from the rest world. And on their way to the lodging, Claire could count at least ten other couples.
This was definitively a lover’s getaway. 
With that thought in mind, her confidence, tired by the long road, resurfaced. She dolled up for the sunny trip around the island. It was so much fun! They went walking, diving, and eating at a thematic restaurant. As Claire gazed at the bright orange sun being swallowed by the deep dark sea, she could not help but think that this was a bit like a honeymoon. 
Let’s not think that far. Yet. 
But there was something more that she could do to heat up the mood. Claire peeked at the handsome blond man walking beside her. Ever since Leon came back, he appeared more and more attractive each day. Or was it Claire that was just finally letting her feelings roam free? As he looked now, shirt rolled up on his arms and unbuttoned deep in the front, with straight pants hugging his hips, she felt a heat rise up in her loins. Claire had to stop at a single cocktail as she was sure that more alcohol would push her to just jump on him, then and there. 
Claire fanned herself. 
“Is it still too hot?” 
She blinked at Leon. He looked genuinely concerned. She wanted to bump him on the head. Here she was, outright lusting after him for three whole weeks and the man was painfully oblivious. Not a single move! Claire felt a bit awkward to be the one to initiate this time.  
There was no other way. She had to be coy. Claire flipped her hair back, letting her neck and cleavage in full view, and she started fanning herself.
“Yes, I can’t wait to take a shower.” 
Leon tripped. It was almost unnoticeable. Claire blinked in surprise as he just continued walking, acting like nothing happened. She faced forward pretending she didn’t see anything. 
So he isn’t unaware!
That gave Claire a push. 
“Don’t you need one, too? My dress has become all sticky, I can’t wait to take it off.” 
Leon was completely silent. Except that, this time, he gave her such a hungry look that Claire’s heart started racing miles per hour. It made her even more bold. 
“Should you take it first or should I?” 
Claire asked and peeked over her shoulder. 
“Should we take one together?” 
Now it was her turn to lose her footing. The smile Leon gave her was full of naughty promises. He immediately caught her and their faces came close to each other. Leon’s eyes narrowed a deep darkness enveloping them. Claire felt like she would be devoured on the spot. Not that she complained!
“Or should we use a more handy approach?”
His raspy voice, near her ear, melted Claire’s knees. 
“What… handy approach?” she had to struggle to say the words, so mushy was her mind. 
And he had not even done anything! Leon leaned closer and Claire closed her eyes. His breath burned her neck. 
“There is the ocean.” 
Claire’s legs almost gave up. Good thing she was still in his arms. Actually, it was not a good thing. Leon was so hot right now she did not have the patience to wait until they reached the ocean!
Get a hold of yourself! 
She raised her hand to Leon's cheek and met his burning gaze with her own. Leaning ever so slowly forward, her lips met his just for a teasing second and then Claire slipped away from his embrace. With an amused expression, Leon followed her as she strolled towards the beach. It was dark now and they had to pass some trees to reach it. But Claire saw the spot earlier and it was perfectly ingrained in her mind!  
Reaching the edge of the sand, Claire slowly slipped out of the dress, the shoes, and the shawl as she walked brazenly forward. She threw Leon one long look and turned again, making sure he was following, and dipped her feet in the water. The man was frozen on the spot and she knew that he was watching her every move. Drunk on the high of the moment, Claire leaned down, slowly, very slowly, and teasingly took down her underwear, tossing it on the sand, near the dress. 
She could hear a shuffle from where Leon stood. Claire didn’t turn around once more. Instead, she just went on into the warm water, until it reached above her middle, fully enjoying the refreshing feeling. 
SPLASH!
Claire did not even have time to react before a huge body captured hers from behind, her lips stolen in the next second. She immediately let herself go until they were both out of breath and had to take a break. Leon distanced himself and Claire watched him through foggy eyes, almost begging him to keep on kissing her. In the moonlight, he was perfect! His body, godlike! His face, unnatural!  When did he have the time to undress so quickly!? 
“I love you.” 
Claire immediately sobered up. Two strong palms cupped her face. Leon lowered his eyes to hers, opening up his soul to her. Completely honest. The sentence was simple. Spoken so firmly, too.
“Say that again…” she pleaded, feeling her breath leave her.
“I love you, Claire. I love you more than life itself. I have loved you ever since that night. I have loved you every moment and every breath I took since then. Claire. You’re the only woman I have ever loved. Truly loved.” 
Wordlessly, Claire tried to process the meaning behind those words. 
“What do you mean… the only woman?” she whispered. 
“The only," Leon spoke more firmly, his hands around her shoulders squeezing as he tried to pass that truth onto her. 
Impossible! 
There was no way! 
Then, all those years, spend guarding herself!? All those years Leon had been cold towards her, only seeing her as a friend!? What about all the reports on Ada!? True, the last time they met he clearly did not have feelings for the other woman, but still! That didn't mean that it was not always like that. Right!? That didn't mean that he ...
“…all this time?”
He loved her? 
“I loved you. ” Leon confirmed  And sighed. “I know. I know it’s contradicting,” he gave a pathetic laugh. “I was a coward, Claire.” 
A coward? No. If there had been a coward, wasn’t it her for hiding from him? Through her own misty gaze, Claire could see the tears forming in Leon’s eyes as desperation took over at the lack of response. Again. he cupped her cheeks ever so gently. 
“I know it’s hard to believe me. I really do. And I don’t ask you to. Just…” his head fell. “Just let me be near you, like this. And, with time, I just hope I can prove it to you. But, I love you, Claire. I really do.  I would never leave again, just to never see you cry like that. If you ask me to quit it all, I would. If you ask of me… ”
Leon's voice broke. One tear shone in the moonlight as it hit the water. Claire finally understood. The look he gave her in Canada when she thought that he will not choose her. Leon knew. That she did not fully trust him. Nor believe him. And he also knew why she had reached that mistrust. Claire’s eyes widened, as realization hit her. Because it was not only her who hid away from him, it was him also, who had pushed her away. It was he who had created all those lies!! That's why Leon knew exactly why Claire didn't trust him! 
And yet, here stood both of them. And Leon offered all of himself. As long as Claire remained by his side. 
A hand surfaced from the water, cupping the man’s fallen cheek. Claire took one step closer, tilting his head a little bit up. She met a pair of pained eyes through the fallen hair. The other hand came out of the water. Her fingers grazed through the wet locks, removing it all from his face. Now, the whole expression lay open. Once more, Leon was fully vulnerable before her. And she understood. 
Claire leaned even closer as she closed the gap between them and kissed him. Leon responded with longing, hugging her like as if she was the most precious treasure in the world. 
“It took you a long time,” she stated and snuggled into his chest. 
It felt so good there. It was the most perfect place in the whole entire world. Being held like this, being spoken to like this. Being kissed like this. Claire finally felt free. 
“I love you, too,” she simply declared. 
Leon stiffened. Claire was quickly removed from that warm embrace. She only smiled when she met his shocked expression. Her shoulders were grabbed once more as Leon frantically gazed at her, searching, opening his mouth, closing it, unsure of what to say. As he did so many times before, she just stood there, her feelings revealed, letting him find the answer on his own. 
His shock became a surprise. Then the surprise morphed into pure bliss. His palms came to her face again, rubbing her cheeks. Her smile also widened. Soon, she was pressed into him once more, lost in a deep kiss. 

Chapter Text

“Are you really not going to tell me?” 
“Nope.” 
“Not even a hint?”
“You can look around as we go.” 
Claire let out a long sigh and slumped back in the car seat. She watched Leon being all smug and pleased with himself as he drove through Richmond Street down in Virginia. Maybe he wanted to have a short trip in the town, escape from DC?
That idea went out the window once they passed the town limits, after grabbing some to-go coffee. Shrugging, she resigned to watching the green scenery as it danced before her eyes. It was the beginning of summer and the forest was in full bloom. As patches of shadow crossed, Leon’s reflection appeared in the glass. 
Claire rested her head on the headrest, watching his well-defined profile. They had been dating for almost a year and a half now. And yet, Leon still managed to elude her. This was not the first secret getaway either. So Claire was used to it by now and knew not to insist too much.
They drove on the highway for a while before exiting on Road 629. Claire raised from her seat a bit, as the surroundings did not reveal a particular attraction, just a road with country houses and a long line of trees on the side of the road. 
Maybe we’re going to visit someone? 
Claire tried to remember if any of their acquaintances lived nearby. None that she knew of. Then, maybe one of Leon’s? This looked like a well-put neighborhood. It must have been someone important. But they passed the houses, turning right on a one-way road. It seemed like it led to a private residence. They followed the white fence for a while before taking another turn. She barely saw Leon grab his phone and type something. 
As expected a house. No! A mansion came into view at the end of the long road. It was raised in the old style but so beautifully renovated, with trees lining the road and a roundabout just in front of the house. 
“Please tell me we are not meeting the president,” Claire spun towards Leon. 
He laughed and killed the engine. 
“His house is way bigger than this one.” 
Like that helped with her nerves. Claire watched Leon get out of the car and stroll towards her side, opening it for her too. As she climbed down, she felt so envious. Leon was so indolently at ease and wouldn’t let her have the same release. 
“Wait a second.” 
She stopped and watched him take out his phone, again, and open an app. Leon pressed a few buttons and then closed the phone, swiftly putting it back. 
“There. The alarm is closed.” 
“The alarm?” 
Claire was less surprised that such a big villa would have an alarm than the fact that Leon had an app on his phone for it. 
“Otherwise, we would have the police here before we enter the front door.”
“Naturally.”
Leon smiled and just turned on his heels, heading towards the entrance. Claire looked at the white villa with a green roof and motifs and then at Leon who now held the front door open for her. She approached, shaking her head and laughing at his smug look. 
“Who’s house is this?” 
“Mine.”
Claire froze. And spun towards Leon. 
“What!?”
Leon just passed by her and entered the foyer. There were stairs on the left and a glass wall table on the right, near the clothes hanger. As if to prove his point, he just left the car keys there and went on inside. As they passed through the dining, with a table in the middle and a fireplace on the side, Claire noticed that the house was freshly renovated. For sure, an interior designer had been involved as well. 
“Isn’t it a bit… “ she stopped mid-sentence as they entered the large kitchen that was separated by the lounge area by another, big, fireplace. “Big?”
“It’s just big enough,” she heard Leon from her left. “Want something to drink?”
“Sure…”
“Juice? Wine? Water?” 
“Don’t tell me you have a cellar, ” she joked. 
Leon only smirked. 
“Water, please.” 
Claire turned, choosing not to let her mind fry from overload. As she gazed at the large windows that were peeking after the fireplace, she felt a glass press near her exposed arm. 
“It will help cool you off.”
“Thank you…” Claire took it and looked at Leon. 
And didn’t receive her answer. 
“Come, let’s see the view.”
Claire just followed him out of the kitchen, past the fireplace. A whole panorama of a long, green field, surrounded by trees, greeted her. She stopped in the middle of the living room. A large shoulder pressed into hers. Claire leaned into Leon, unable to take her eyes off the view. It was breathtaking! Waking up, drinking your coffee to this!? There was a porch just outside with another set of sofas, similar to the ones in the lounge room. It was pure bliss! 
“There is another lounge inside, with smaller windows and a TV, in case there is a need for more privacy.”
Her body heated only at the idea of them in one of those sofas. She didn’t even notice the room did not have a TV.
“Come,” Leon turned, waking Claire out of her naughty thoughts as he retracted the shoulder she leaned on. 
She followed him back inside. And indeed, there was the second lounge room, as comfy as the first, an office, a dressing room, a great bedroom with the same amazing panorama, an even larger bathroom attached to it, and five other smaller bedrooms and bathrooms. All warmly decorated. Not for show, but for it to be lived in. Claire was starting to get the feeling that there was more to this. Her heart sped up. 
“There’s also a gym in the basement.”
“There’s a basement as well!?”
“Didn’t you notice the stairs near the kitchen?”
“No!”
Leon laughed. He really was all smiles ever since they left DC. 
“We have to work on your observation skills,” he bopped her nose with his finger. 
“We are not in imminent danger!” Claire defended herself. 
Leon just continued laughing and went off, and she followed him to a large basement which, indeed, had a wine cellar and gym equipment. In one corner she noticed what looked like a …safe room? Well, that was definitely the most Leon thing that Claire found in the whole house.
This really was a rich estate. 
“Leon…is this all really yours?” she asked as they took a stroll near the covered pool. 
“So the documents say.”
“For how long?”
“For how long I’ve had it?”
Nod.
“About a year. No, almost a year. I bought it at the end of last August.” 
At the end of last August? Somehow, Claire felt that it might be a connection there to a certain conversation that took place in a three-start Michelin Restaurant… 
“It feels and it doesn’t feel like you,” she confessed, gazing at the barn raising in front of them.
“Do you like it?” 
“It’s very big!”
“And?”
“And it’s really nice! I wouldn’t have imagined you would own something like this... But…”
“But?” Leon stopped and turned towards her. 
“But, at the same time, it feels like the best retreat for you,” Claire gazed at him warmly. 
“It is, isn’t it?” Leon also smiled and looked back at the house. They both gazed in silence until he turned, full of proud energy, and said.  “Come.” 
The barn was not what Claire had expected. From the outside, it looked so normal. But from the inside… 
“Do you plan on making a military base here?” 
Leon laughed wholeheartedly, tickling her waist as she gaped at the safes and the computers. Claire slapped at his arm to keep him away. He was playing with her! 
“It’s just extra security. In case somebody decides to randomly take revenge.”
“Don’t tell me you have a rocket shield as well,” Claire joked and Leon smirked. “No! Really!?”
“It is a big ground to cover,” he only shrugged. 
“My god…”
Leon really planned on moving here full-time! And he did not stop there. They resumed their walk and reached a very small cabin and next to it - an entire lake! With a deck, two boats, and everything! Leon even insisted they go for a short trip on the boat before turning back to the house. 

As they were preparing food in the kitchen, Claire still felt all of this to be unreal. Leon had told her that the cleaning staff would bring groceries on a weekly basis. The cleaning staff. What kind of parallel universe was this? The sun was setting, embracing the kitchen into a warm atmosphere. 
“Could you pass me the salt?” 
“Sure…”
Claire searched for it and handed the salter to him. 
“You seem to find your way around it fast, “ Leon mused. 
“It’s easy.”
Claire found that it was easy for her to find a lot of things around the house. As if it was decorated thinking of her stature and habits. The placing of the furniture. Everything. 
“How do you feel about it, now that you’ve seen all of it?” he asked, focused on the boiling pasta. 
“As I said…”
“It’s big.”
“Yes!” 
They both laughed. 
“And very cozy,” she said, cutting the meat for the pasta. 
“Really?” 
“So cozy!”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit empty?”
Claire looked around and saw the furniture and decorations. 
“It could be a bit lonely for just one person,” she agreed. 
“Right?” Leon also gazed around. 
Claire nodded and they went on with the cooking. The food was finished shortly. They went outside, near the fireplace surrounded by comfortable chairs. It was a deeply intimate and romantic scene. They ate, talked, and laughed, just the two of them, the great estate in their back and the whole nature in their front. Just like a dream Claire did not wish to wake up from! 
“You know, Claire.”
She looked at Leon that was extending his hand to recover the plate as she finished her pasta. 
“Let me help with that, ” she raised from her chair. 
“It’s fine.”
Not wanting to ruin his gentlemanly plans, Claire just turned towards the field and watched the sunset, not wanting to miss the beautiful moment the red ball of fire would disappear behind the trees. 
“About what you said earlier,” Leon continued his train of thoughts while still gathering the cutlery in the back. “I think you’re right. It could feel lonely for just one person.”
Claire gazed at the field and remembered again that discussion from the restaurant. 
“Though, I never intended it to be for just one person to begin with.” 
A big house. A mansion. Not near the beach or the mountain, but near a lake. With an even bigger garden. 
“It’s just that, I wonder if the person I have in mind would agree to live here. With me.”
Five children. With big, lavish birthdays. 
“Just two persons filling all of the house?” Claire asked and the node in her throat resounded in her tone. It sounded no much different than Leon's own emotional voice. 
“The number can grow in time. Maybe four to seven persons in the end?”
Claire swallowed a gulp and hugged herself. 
“You would need a lot of funding for so many people.” 
The porcelain and metal clinked in the back.
“I would say that I have gathered enough over the years. To be honest, up until now, the housing was provided by the job. I barely took any vacation. So it all kind of just, accumulated. And the pension for government jobs is very good. Health insurance too. For the whole family.”
“Family?” 
“Yes, family.”
The noise made by the cutlery disappeared. Only the rocks in the pavement moved under his shoes. 
“That is if she agrees.”
Claire’s view was becoming mistier with each word.
“Did you ask her?”
“I plan to.” 
Leon’s steps came closer and stopped. 
“Claire.”
She turned and gasped, quickly covering her mouth with one hand, the other still hugging herself. Leon was on one knee on the pavement, gazing lovingly as if his whole world was her, a small red box in his hands, opened. A ring shone in the orange lights of the sunset. 
“Will you marry me?” 
A strong husband. Stronger than her. A sob escaped her mouth. Able to protect them all. 
“Leon…” she started and the tears were already falling. “What if there is just the two of us?”
She was scared, even if that was her dream. After all that she, that both of them went through with the viruses, Claire was scared that she could not give birth. At this point, it was their age to consider, too. 
“Sherry would agree that family is not only connected by blood.” 
Another sob. Leon’s gaze was so gentle. So encouraging and full of hope. He stood there, handsome, ripped from reality, on one knee, just waiting, letting her set the pace once more. Her Leon. Laying his whole life before her. Claire nodded, and the tears took over her view completely. 
“Yes.” 
She nodded even more, crying.
“Yes!” 
Claire could only hear him get up and feel the ring slip on her finger. And then, his warm embrace engulfed her shaking self, completely isolating them from the world. 
“I love you,” he whispered in a heavy tone, holding her tighter and tighter. 
“I love you too!” she sobbed.
“I love you so, so much!”