Chapter Text
Rain spattered the glass as Leon peered out the window into the darkness outside. Torches moved at the end of the street, but so far none approached the cottage where he and Ashley had taken temporary refuge. Should they leave now before their enemies extended the search to this end of the village? Or would it be better to wait on the chance that the street would eventually empty? There were risks either way.
“Leon.”
The tightness in Ashley’s voice made him turn to face her.
She stood with arms clasped about herself, and her gaze flicked awkwardly away from him, then back again. “Can I ask you a favor?” She swept needlessly at wet hair that was already tucked back from her face.
“Sure.” Leon wished he had anything concrete to offer her, but he didn’t even have a jacket anymore.
“Could I—” Tears suddenly glistened at the edges of her eyes. “Could I have a hug?”
He stared at her, startled by her request. He’d been preoccupied with the practicalities of their survival: an escape route, rest, shelter if their current plan went to hell. That was his job, after all. He’d had to push her hard—he’d had no choice—but he shouldn’t have forgotten how scared and alone she still must feel. He had to be the first person she’d met in days who cared about her—who hadn’t threatened to hurt her. That last thought made him sick.
Ashley’s brows twisted, and she looked away, apparently taking his pause for refusal.
“You can,” Leon said, moving to put away his gun. “Just a sec—”
She didn’t let him finish, but stepped forward and threw her arms around him.
Leon reached gingerly around her to slide the gun into its holster. Then he held her close.
Her fingers clenched in the back of his shirt, and she burrowed her face against his chest. Leon wondered if she was going to cry in earnest; he wasn’t sure what he would do then.
But she didn’t weep. She just stood there, clinging to him as if she were drowning and he was the only thing keeping her afloat. Her grip on him was surprisingly strong—she might look delicate, but Leon was beginning to see there was steel under her polished sorority girl exterior. She’d been brave enough to attack him, and braver still to chose to trust him.
Leon could feel her cheek as a spot of warmth through his shirt. Her hair was damp against his face, and she smelled of rain. Her blazer was wet through, and the fact that he was equally soaked did nothing to make him feel better for having to drag her through this squall. But miserable as she must be, she hadn’t complained.
Ashley hummed softly against him, and her hands relaxed. “Thanks,” she said, head still tucked against his chest. When she stepped back, Leon released her. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. “I promise I won’t have a breakdown on you.”
Leon shook his head lightly. “You’re doing fine.”
She drew a deep breath. “I think I can do this.” She smiled, evidently amused by this bold claim. “I mean, we can do this. Right?”
“Absolutely.” He caught her hand and squeezed it for a moment. A quarter of an hour ago, this might have seemed a liberty, but now? It appeared they were on hugging terms.
He shrugged, adjusting his shoulder holster as he looked out the window again. The torches now glimmered behind the row of houses directly across the street. Soon the search party would be knocking down their own door, and they would be trapped. “The bad news is we’re going to have to keep moving. It’s not safe to stay here.”
Ashley regarded him blankly for a moment, but then she forced a smile. “Well, the good news is that we can’t get any wetter,” she said, her bright tone lending strength to her look.
Leon laughed, a single sharp exhale that seemed to gratify her. “That’s the truth. Ready?”
She nodded.
“Okay.” He put his shoulder to the cottage door. “Stay close.”