Chapter Text
The bus let's out a mechanic sigh as it drops off the last passenger of the night. One final glance at apprehensive knot of the of the driver's brows says it'll be the last time he wheels anyone into Raccoon City.
You say your thanks and step out, adjusting the backpack over your shoulder. The chill of night seeps into your jacket and you hurry towards Emmy's Diner with a bright neon open sign. You make out five people through the windows. One slumped against the counter with a familiar mop of blonde hair, another giant of a man focused on balancing a ketchup bottle on the guy's sleeping head. He retreats back to his table with a shit eating grin and seems to coerce his friends into something dubious, only to panic when the girl jokingly pulls out a gun.
Their argument and laughter drowns out the ring of the bell as you enter and make a beeline for the slumped man, settling on the seat next to him. His even breath fans the stray hair framing his face, mouth parted slightly in deep slumber. For the first time in the twenty two years you've known him going back to when you were in diapers, Leon S. Kennedy is undeniably drunk.
You steal some of his fries, turning just in time to catch a red toy gun in the air. You inspect the projectile about to make landing on his face and the other customers who gawk at you in stunned silence, even the lady behind the counter eyes your presence in surprise. You offer a small smile and drop it on Leon's head, biting down a chuckle as he jolts awake. “What the fuck?“
Silent laughter fills the diner and another guy sinks into his chair in embarrassment. Leon runs a finger through his locks, acknowledging you with a passing frown and does a comical double take when he registers your face. “Y/n?“ He blinks the fog of sleep away, a grin lighting up his face when you don't dissappear like his dreams. “You're here?“
You shrug, “Yeah, I see life's been treating you the same”
He huffs a laugh and pulls you in for a hug, you barely manage to keep upright, almost falling onto his lap while he clings to your waist. The Police Academy did wonders for Leon, despite his notorious time there, his strength seeps through your embrace. You slide an arm around his neck and put him in a head lock, messing up his hair with a knuckle. “I missed you too!”
“It's been a long two weeks without you” He mumbles, pressing his face deeper into your arm, head heavy and drooping.
“Don't you drool on me” you scold and he looks up from your head lock, giving you a sly smile.
It takes some convincing but he finally let's you sit properly, albeit sliding your stool closer and complaining about how it's been illegally long despite your phone calls. Two weeks have been the longest you weren't with each other, and that's stretching it. He takes a bite of the burger and pass it to you, “But why are you here? I was gonna come home and visit on the weekend.“
“Wanted to see how you're doing, of course” You chomp down on it, humming as the flavor explodes in your tongue. “Should be flattered, I wouldn't have come here if someone offered a thousand bucks.”
“You don't need a thousand bucks, your dad's rich.” Leon says offhandedly and sips the last drops of his coffee, pausing sheepishly when you give him a deadpan look.
“That wasn't – the point I was making but anyway” You hand over the burger and Leon passes a napkin, gesturing to your mayo stained cheek. “He knows you're here?“
“Considering how our parents always know where we are, yes” You wipe your cheeks carefully, wherever the mayo is, you aren't it's mother to know.
Leon's lips quirk up and he takes the napkin from your hand, trapping your chin between his fingers as he wipes the parts you missed. “Well I'm glad you're here”
You smile fondly now that he's tangible and right in front of you. Leon wasn't wrong, it's really been the longest two weeks of your lives. You lean down so your lips press on his thumb. “So am I”
Someone clears their throat and you both pull back, finding the fries and ketchup more interesting. Tires rolls to a halt outside just as the song switches to 'It's a heartache' by Bonnie Tyler, you and Leon turn to the door just as two Police Officers pile inside the diner.
“Evening fellas, sorry to interrupt the little love fest” There's no real apology in his tone as he gestures to the two of you with his hat and smirks.
“Shit” Leon whispers and you raise a brow. “We're not. . . ” You to trail off, words falling into deaf ears as his partner whispers something and they head straight for the counter. The louder of the two drums his knuckles on the wood and calls out, “You back there Louise?“
Leon rubs the growing ache on his forehead, a diversion so he can roll his eyes without anyone else noticing. You smirk at this and his ears turn a shade of red.
Louise comes out of the kitchen, straightening her apron. They seem to be familiar with each other as they exchange pleasantries and orders. You tune out most of their back and forth, too focused on making the perfect ketchup smiley. Leon leans close to your ear and whispers, “Would you like something to drink? Milk or Coffee?“
“Tea” You both say the last part in unison and he nods wholeheartedly. You turn back to your ketchup art as he starts to order. “Excuse me ma'am, can I get–”
“Oh you must be the rookie” The cop interrupts and everyone in the diner pauses mid-chew and drink to watch. Leon can only sigh and offer you an exasperated look that says 'Welcome to my life'.
“How you doing, rookie?“
Leon opens his mouth to speak but closes it shut realizing the rhetoric nature of his inquiry. The cop rests a hand on the counter starts his spiel, “So I heard that you shot your partner in the ass during training, is that true?“
You frown at the officer, it does sound hilarious out of context but some donkey students were cornering Leon's jumpy parter, and Leon being jumpy and high-strung himself on his first time with a gun well. . . Plus it was only a graze, his partner's butt cheeks were safe. But Leon's reputation and self esteem took the hit pretty hard.
“And that your uh daddy, some big shot on the force-” He reaches for the fries, dipping it on your ketchup smiley and leaving sad streak if red. You give him a stink eye. “He had to bail you out?“
Leon just nods absent-mindedly.
“Now is that why they transferred you to this. . . Shit hole town?“ He burst out laughing and takes another fries. “Yeah” Leon whispers with a tight-lipped smile and drops his gaze on the plate. His brows furrow at the sight of your smiley now beaten and battered so he pushes the plate away from Mr. Cop-y Cock and towards you.
“Leon S. Kennedy” The cop drawls, sharing a laugh with his partner. “What's the S stand for? Stupid?“
The stool squeals against tiles as you rise with clenched fists, “This is getting out of your jurisdiction, Officer” Leon grabs ahold of your jacket sleeve and shake his head while you prepared to pounce.
“Oh no, the girlfriend!” The cop smacks Leon's shoulder and let's out a cackle. “We're just playing with you kids.”
None of you bother correcting him, that assumption has been made before and you reasoned that since you're a girl and his best friend, you're the best girlfriend. Nevermind the implications that you hope are true.
“Yeah, good” Leon says, patting your back in reassurance and whispering that you can have all his fries as consolation. You finally take a seat and unclench your fists as the cop turns his attention to the other customers. “Ah y'all working the graveyard?“
“Yep, where you guys headed?“ The big fella with a fondness for pranks asks.
“Well someone found a body, up at the old Spencer mansion. It's all chewed up.“ Everyone at the diner tensed and you exchange a concerned look with Leon. That can't be good, even drivers from out of town are weary of this place and now for good reason.
“Didn't think there was anything up there anymore” Big fella muses.
“Well, the sooner they shut this whole town down, the better, as far as I'm concerned” The cop scoffs and picks up their coffee.
“Hey, hey” Louise points at him, “It's my hometown you're talking about.“
He raises his arms in mock surrender. “Well you're welcome to it” They both share a laugh and he hands a cup to his partner. “Come on, we got to shake a leg” They both head for the exit when he yells, “And don't shoot!“ smirking back at Leon, “I'm unarmed”
Leon indulges with a fake laugh and mutters “Fuck that guy” when they were out of earshot while you huff in annoyance. Louise comes over and asks if he'd want a refill of coffee which Leon declines and instead orders a chamomile tea with a half cup of milk and two tablespoon of sugar, just the way you like it. He sneaks a smile at your direction and you run your fingers through his soft hair.
Big fella reluctantly opens his wallet, “Right so uhm, I guess I'm paying”
“Mhm” The girl nods, eyes twinkling in amusement.
“Come on we should get to the station” They start gathering their things, just as Louise places the cup of tea in front of you. The big fella pays for their meal and picks up his discarded toy gun, pointing it at the girl and mumbling, 'pew pew'. She rolls her eyes and pushes him out the door with a laugh.
She turns to you as her friends pile out “Pay us no mind. We're uh – nice people once you get to know us. I'm Jill Valentine”
Leon smiles, albeit reluctantly and it resembles a grimace. “Leon”
“Kennedy” You add, patting him on the shoulder and extend a hand for Jill to shake as you introduce yourself.
“Well it's nice to meet you both” Jill brings her hand up for a salute and march out the diner.
“Her and that big fella are kinda cute” You muse and take a sip of your tea. Louise chuckles, “Oh yeah, she only got eyes for him” She takes some time to chew her gum before putting Leon under investigation, “You really shoot your own partner?“
Your eyes snap to her and you almost spit your drink out at the sight of blood leaking out of her eyes. "Y-yeah uhm, it's a long story. . . “ Leon trails off, brows pinching in a frown. He gestures to his own face. “What's going on with your eye?“
“You feeling okay ma'am?“ You grimace at how nervous you sound.
Louise wipes it off with a finger but red just smears across her pale skin. “Oh. I don't know, it's been doing that the last couple of weeks.“
“Uhm I think you should see someone about that.” Leon suggests, sliding a hand over yours and prying the teacup away. The implication of his suspicions about it being from the water twists your gut in knots, a pandemic from a waterborne virus can drag everyone in this city straight to hell.
“Yeah, it's probably nothing” Louise waves a dismissive hand when something thuds against the window. You and Leon get up simultaneously and slowly approach with bated breath. Through the blood specked glass, a bird twitches and whines on the ground, trying to move its broken neck.
Leon turn to you worriedly, “I should get you home”
“How rude Kennedy, I just got here. And I'm not leaving without you”