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“Ada.. what- what are you doing here?”
Leon's question came out as a whisper, so devoid of his usual snark. But how could you blame him? Here was the woman that occupied his mind 24/7, standing at the doorway of his apartment at 3:27 am. He had to blink a couple of times, making sure that she wasn't a figment of his sleep-deprived hallucinations. But that knowing smirk... the way she eyed him up and down as if searching for something. He knew she was real.
“Where’s your manners? Not even a hello?” Her voice was molasses, so smooth and thick it could choke you. She was unbothered by Leon's shock, amused more than anything.
“You know what I mean.”
She smiled and all of Leon's frustration melted instantly. Of course, his face said differently, but Ada could see through the mask easily. “Mmm.. can't say that I do. Mind if I come in?”
“I- yea. Sure. But I'm off the clock, I'm not here to discuss business or missions or whatever.”
Ada let out a small laugh that made Leon want to melt in a puddle. “I know blondie, trust me, work is the last thing I want to talk about.”
Leon watched as she let herself in, making note of the fact that this is the first time he's seen her in casual clothing. No red dress to show off her figure, no gear to adorn her thighs or chest: just a loose shirt and leggings. It was more bewildering than all the times she had a gun pointed at his head.
He locked the door behind her and watched her look around the apartment, her constant observation made him feel like his place was getting inspected for a health code violation or something. He suddenly felt embarrassed, feeling like a teenage boy who had a girl coming over for the first time and not bothering to clean up. Half-empty whiskey bottles littered the coffee table and kitchen counters, a habit he noticed he was picking up after settling into his involuntary career as an agent.
“Nice place you got here Leon. It's less of a wreck than I expected it to be.”
Her voice broke Leon from his own thoughts. “Thank I guess. You wanna explain to me how you know where I live?”
“I'm a woman of many talents, blondie, it wasn't too hard to find.”
The nickname made Leon's stomach turn in the best way, smothering the concern that came from her response. It's not like Ada was ever one to give straightforward answers anyways, so he didn't push it further.
“I guess I should be a gentleman and offer you a drink. Unless you brought a welcome home gift for me?”
“Am I not enough of a gift?”
“I- Yea. I guess you are. Whatever.”
Leon didn't know why he ever tried being smooth with her when she always had something better to say. She always has the tendency of putting him in his place. But it wouldn't stop him from shutting up.
“You’re not here to kill me right?”
Ada frowned, and Leon wanted to take it back immediately. Sure, it was a very fair question considering well.. everything. But the last thing he wanted to do was make her feel like he didn't have any trust in her.
“No, I'm not blondie. I just wanted to check up on you. Nothing more.” She walked up to him, her stride ever so graceful even in the small space of his kitchen. She put a soothing hand on his arm, fingers tracing over the curves of his bicep. “I will take some water though. And get one for yourself too, I'm not a fan of whiskey.”
Leon did everything in his power to stay the strong and composed man he knew he wasn't in front of her. Her touch, her closeness, it was all enough to make his head spin. Completely under her trance and they've only exchanged a couple of sentences.
“Yes ma'am..” He grumbled, turning away to go to the kitchen to do as he was asked. On the way there he self-consciously smelt his breath, which did in fact reek of whiskey.
“Good boy.” Another soul-crushing chuckle. “I'll meet you on the couch.”
His cheeks were already burning up. He felt like a former shell of the hardened 27-year-old he was before, he was more of a shy boy not knowing how to act around his crush. He tried to not listen to the sound of her kicking off her sneakers, the sound of her settling on his couch. Every piece of evidence that she was here was a gift, but he didn't want to get too attached. He failed this miserably.
“Here you go, your royal highness.” He said with a smirk, trying to regain some kind of control over this situation as he passed her a cup of ice water, sitting on the opposite end of the couch and sipping on his own.
“Such a sweetheart. Thank you.”
He was almost hesitant to respond as if this simple act of thanks was a trick on its own. “Um.. you’re welcome.”
Ada took a large sip of her water, eyes closed in relaxation as she did so. Goddamnit, she can even make drinking water look beautiful. She set the glass down before crossing her legs, getting more comfortable against the armrest and glancing at him.
“So.. how are you feeling?”
“What?”
She rolled her eyes. “How are you feeling blondie? After your mission. It's been a day or two since you've been back to the states right?”
“You really know your stuff about me, huh? Did you miss me that much Ada?”
She let out a scoff, it was supposed to come off as annoyed but Leon couldn't help but notice the pink dusting the tip of her ears. “Well, you still know how to run your mouth so I'm sure you're fine.”
Leon let out a quick exhale from his nose, a half laugh half sigh. But the warmth went away when he really reflected on her question. The new scars to add on to the 100s of small ones on his body... the trauma of his body being a host to a terrifying parasite.. the loss he experienced, only enforced his idea that everyone close to him is bound to die. He wasn't feeling great, that's for sure. “Yea, I'm great considering it all.”
Ada's cocky smirk shifted to a frown as she watched the gears turn in his mind. Gentle fingers made their way to Leon's back, drawing small circles between his shoulder blades. The small sign of affection was so foreign, yet so familiar at the same time for Leon. He closed his eyes and sighed, knowing that this moment would be another to vault in his brain when she eventually departed again.
“Hey.. you're still alive and that's what matters.”
Of course that's what Ada got from that. He couldn't help but be hurt and thankful at the same time.
“Doesn’t change how many people died.. how many bodies were used as puppets for someone else's scheme. I'm getting sick of this story.”
“You don't have to tell me twice.”
Leon lets out a small laugh. Yea.. if anyone would get it it would be Ada, wouldn't it? “How are you holding up? You uh. Taking care of the sample?”
“Hey. I thought we said no talking about work.”
“You were the one who asked first!”
“No- I asked how you’re feeling. You don't hear me asking about the president or his daughter do you?”
“Well, I think that's because you couldn't give less of a shit about either of them.”
Ada lets out a genuine laugh, not one to cover up anything or a knowing chuckle, but an actual laugh. Another win for Leon.
“Well.. you got me there blondie. But to answer the question you meant to ask- I'm doing fine.”
Leon knew that was a lie. She was never doing fine. He knew just how much of her mannerisms were to cover any trace of her feeling things, you know. Like any other human. But he knew well that Ada would rather die than be seen as a person with a weakness, so he took this loss. Any more questioning and she would be out of his life again, only to return in a month- a decade, who knows.
“That's good to hear.” A pause filled the room. Her hands were still on his back. And being Leon, he couldn't shut up and just enjoy that simple pleasure. “You've been on my mind, Ada.”
“Have I now?”
She questioned him so casually as if it was obvious she would be on his mind. What sane person on this earth wouldn't have their mind consumed by her once meeting Ada?
“You have.”
“I hope you've been thinking nothing bad. I have a reputation to keep.”
He turned to face her, half-lidded eyes locking on her own. “Of course not Ada. And if I did, you would probably have me on the ground with my arm twisted behind my back.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. Leon's breath hitched as he felt her blood-red fingernails trace the outer lobe. “Oh, Leon. You know me so well.”
A moment of silence lingered between them again. He studied her face, and she did the same. Both searching for each other's true intentions, if there even were any right now. Leon couldn't help but get the feeling they were on the same page for once, the world stopping just for them.
“Why did you come here, Ada?” His voice was hoarse, exhausted.
“I missed you.”
That was a lie. Was it? Leon was sure it was, he was nothing compared to her, a broken excuse of a man who's failed her and himself so many times. What was there to miss?
“Come on Ada. Tell me please.”
She glared at him. It wasn't cold, but the frustration was still there. “I missed you. I'm a serious blondie.”
“How? I had your knife to your neck just a few days ago- I'm sure you didn't miss that.”
Her lips pulled into a curl. Leon was enamored by them. Never without the cracks of dryness, smooth and so kissable. He only had that privilege once, but the feeling of them against him was something he could never forget.
“That’s just how we talk. I'm not bothered by our little…interactions.”
“But-”
She sighed. “No matter how many years have passed, you never shut your mouth.” With a swift swing of her legs, Ada straddled his waist, arms wrapped around his neck as he sunk further into the couch. He looked up at her with wide eyes, arms awkwardly fumbling around the couch as he tried to keep his brain from melting.
“A-Ada..”
“You wanna know the truth blondie?” There it was again. The smoothness in her voice that made the whole world disappear around him. She was the center of his universe, anything and everything orbited around her at this very moment. “The truth is that I came here to distract you.”
The cockiness that Leon possessed earlier was far gone. It was only an act anyways.
“Distract…me..?”
“How cute..” She whispered, placing a kiss on his forehead before bringing a hand to his cheek, her thumb brushing high cheekbones. Leon didn't dare to move, afraid if he did he would wake up from this dream. “Yes, to distract you. Is that so hard to believe?”
“Yes actually.”
“Well, I'm feeling extra kind tonight.. let me take care of you Leon.”
“You.. take care of me?”
“I know you understand English, Lleon. Don't act dumb.”
“Shush.. You know what I mean.”
She tilted her head, an amused smirk adorning her face. “Did you just tell me to shush Kennedy?”
Oh god. “I didn't mean it like that! I'm sorry!”
“What a naughty thing... and here I was thinking you were so sweet. How wrong I was..” Her breath tickled his ear, causing him to shiver all over. Leon rested his hands on her hips, the most dangerous thing he's done in months. If this was a dream, he hoped he would never wake up.
“N-no.. Im not..” He wasn’t even sure what he was disagreeing with himself.
“Yes you are a blondie.. I'll let it go tonight, but next time I won't be so generous.”
Next time?
“Thanks..” He let a shaky sigh out, already overwhelmed by the closeness of her face.
“Actions speak louder than words Leon. Show me how thankful you are.”
He was so completely and utterly hers. With no further hesitation, he pressed a gentle kiss against hers, savoring the feeling of her soft lips against his chapped, scared ones. So much has changed between 6 years, yet so much has remained the same. He felt alive for the first time in a while when her lips met his, tongue teasing his bottom lip just like it had in Racoon City all those years ago. He felt her fingers brush through his hair, and he couldn't help but moan against her lips.
“Ada..”
“Leon.”
The recognition of each other's bodies, of each other's existence made him want to cry. He missed her so badly, missed her snark, missed her sternness, missed her smile, just- missed her so much. He needed more. A large hand massaged her hips, pulling her closer. His thumb brushed under her shirt, causing her to let out a small moan. It was such a beautiful sound, one he knew already he would be replaying in his mind over and over again when he was alone again.
“Leon..” There it was again. Her voice hummed against his lips in the most pleasant way.
“Ada…” He responded between kisses, chasing her lips every time she pulled back. He was on autopilot at this point, wanting nothing more but to melt more into her. His hands traveled more up her shirt, calloused fingers tracing over the smooth dip of her body.
“Leon!” She pushed away from him, hand on his chest to keep him from kissing her again, like a dog being yanked by its leash. Leon felt his heart drop to his stomach, did he get too excited?
“I'm so sorry- I should've asked if you were ok with me getting handsy. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable I just- you’re so amazing and-”
“Shhh.. just for once, shut up.”
Leon bit the inside of his cheek and nodded, trying to prove his obedience. He looked up at Ada, taking a chance to observe the beauty of her flushed face and messy hair, a sight he was sure only he had the privilege of seeing.
“Did- am I doing something wrong?”
Ada let out a soft laugh. “No blondie. You didn't. You’re so precious.”
Another win for Leon. Any words of praise from her gave another reason for him to keep living, as dramatic as that might sound. But more than anything he was just relieved that he didn't make her uncomfortable.
“Then um... Why-”
“I should tell you something before we get more... out of hand.”
This shocked Leon. Ada was never one to let Leon in on what she was thinking- let alone get him prepared for any of her next moves. He brought his hands back to her waist and traced small circles with his thumbs against her, mirroring her fingers on his back from before.
“Well.. you can tell me, Ada. Anything at all.”
She smiled, moving a strand of blond hair from his face to see him more clearly. God, he would do anything for her.
“I’m transgender.”
She said it with no hesitation, no remorse. Just as the fact that it is. Leon blinked for a second, processing her words before he felt his heart swell. He couldn't help the goofy smile that grew on his face.
“Really? Just when I thought you couldn't get more perfect..”
Ada shot a suspicious glare. “Don’t be weird about it Leon.”
Leon chuckled, he knew well why his optimism would, unfortunately, make her more worried than relieved. “No no- I'm just so happy to hear that. I’m trans too.”
Now that gets a reaction from Ada. Her eyes widen in shock before lowering again, a soft look he's never seen settling on her face. “Really?”
“Yea. Really.” He smiles and takes her hand, guiding it under his shirt to let her fingers trace over the tender skin of his top surgery scars. He can hear his heartbeat in his ear, but there was a sense of elated relief that washed over him when he let someone as important as her touch such a sensitive part of himself. Her eyes were fixed on the movement of their hands under his shirt, so observant as always.
“You.. you’re beautiful…” She breathes out, a sense of vulnerability coming from her voice that was so rare to reach Leon's ears.
“The most gorgeous girl in the world calling me beautiful? What the hell did I do to get this lucky?”
There's no sassy remark from Ada, or teasing words escaping her lips. She simply pauses and smiles widely, and Leon has fallen in love all over again. Just when he thought he couldn't be any more obsessed with her, she always found new ways to surprise him. There's a certain energy in the room, and Leon feels naked despite still being fully clothed. But.. there's no shame or embarrassment. A newfound sense of understanding stirs between them, and just like many things in their strange relationship, the silence speaks so much more than any words they could possibly say to each other.
“I love you.”
But he does manage to say those words. He didn’t even mean to say them, but he doesn't regret it either. He truly loved every inch of her, and the fact that they both knew what it meant to be entirely and totally themselves, despite the harshness of their jobs- no: the harshness of the world around them, made him so much more proud of being able to be this intimate with her.
She couldn't say it back. Despite how relieved she felt, how understood she felt for the first time in forever, that kind of vulnerability was more terrifying to her than freeing. But she did want to show her appreciation… after all, this was her Leon. The Leon who didn't hesitate to take a bullet for her- the Leon who sought her out and did anything to stay by her side despite how much pain it would cause him- the Leon that made her question her very being. How could she not love him?
“Oh, Leon..” The words come out more painful than she intended. If she could, she would have said it with a sly grin, but she's only so strong. She can only give a shaky smile and a kiss to his cheek before pulling him in for a hug, hoping Leon can understand that this is as far as she can go.
And of course, he understands. He would wait another 6 years just to have her in his arms again- he can wait as long as she needs to even admit that she likes him back, let alone say those three words. He pulls her tight against his chest, burying his face in her neck as she pets his hair with her hand, the sweetness making his stomach turn. It's like a rotting peach- so sickly sweet its syrup is spilling all over, showing the world what it really is inside.
He gathers the last bit of his bravery, words muffled against her shoulder. “Stay the night?”
Ada doesn't respond for a moment, hand still methodically combing through his blonde strands. They're greasy- unkempt from nights of neglect for himself and staying up for days straight, probably tormented by his own mind and flashbacks that won't let him rest even if he wanted to. But she doesn't care. It's the Leon she knows.
Well.. he's been a good boy. And Ada is a generous woman.
“Sure thing blondie.. I did say I wanted to take care of you tonight, didn't I? And I haven't even started.”
Leon's eyes widened as he felt her finger trace over his scars again before traveling down his stomach and teasing the front of his pants.
That's right, they've only gotten started, haven't they?