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Rescuing the president’s daughter was no easy task, Ashley had almost gotten taken countless of times. It felt like Leon would have to start growing eyes in the back of his head sometime soon. This group of infected was smarter then the one back in Raccoon city, a new prototype, it seemed. Well, he’d have to deal with that later. All of this was going to give him a headache.
Ashley, unlike other rescue missions he had, had helped him quite a bit. She often alerted him of where the villagers were hiding and was quick to help him unlock something no questions asked. Her unwavering trust in him made him feel uneasy, her life was in his capable hands.
Ashley looked over at Leon as they had finally made it into a room far into the castle, a room with a typewriter. Something had been bothering her about Leon. She trusted him, but he..
‘’Hey Leon, can we take a break?’’ Leon hesitated. It had already been a few hours since they had been infected, and they didn’t know how long the surpressant Luis had given would last. Still, the success of this mission also partially relied on Ashley’s mental health. Leon sighed, ‘’Yeah, but just a few minutes.’’
They sat silently for a moment, Leon re-loading his weapons and cleaning his knife from any gunk when Ashley spoke up again. ‘’Hey..’’ Leon looked up at her, she seemed hesitant to bring something up, ‘’What is it?’’
Ashley snapped out of her daze at the sound of his voice, playing with her hands. ‘’Well.. I mean, you don’t have to answer and I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable but..’’ Leon looked at her with a fond smile, her nerves reminding him of his past self, ‘’Go ahead.’’
‘’I was wondering if you could teach me how to use a knife..? I just don’t want to get in your way and-’’
Leon’s answer was quick, ‘’No. And for the record, you don’t get in my way. You’re supposed to be in my way’’ He tried to joke, yet Ashley glared at him, ‘’Why not? You don’t realize how scary it all is, I just want to be able to defend myself!’’ Leon sighed, his furrowed brows scanning over her expression
‘’Don’t you trust me? I could help keep all those guys off your back while you shoot the others!’’ Leon opened his mouth to retaliate but quickly closed it again, feeling lost for words. It’s not that he didn’t trust her, but still..
‘’It’s not like that. You are the priority here, Ashley. A few scratches won’t do me any harm, but they would to you. I won’t risk it.’’
‘’You don’t get how scary it is at all, please.. Leon. I promise not to get in the way. I just want to defend myself and you. You’re important to me!’’
Leon didn’t answer, his brows furrowed deep in thought. ‘’Aren’t we a team?’’ Leon sighed and wordlessly reached for his knife that was securely tucked onto his chest and held it out for her. Her eyes lit up as she reached for the knife, the sudden hug she gave him threw him for a loop. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her and awkwardly patted her back
‘’Thank you, thank you! Now we’ll be like a real team! I’ll watch your back and you watch mine, yeah?’’ Leon smiled as she let go of him, he held onto her arms and secretly checked her for injuries. Well, what he thought was secret.
‘’Leooonn.’’ She scolded him, her carefree attitude somehow managing to lift the atmosphere a little. As if the village around them didn’t want them dead, as if they weren’t being hunted, as if they weren’t going to turn into monsters. Just, Leon and Ashley. He liked that about her, it was an admirable trait to have.
‘’Yeah yeah, don’t go scolding me mom.’’ She hit him on his arm, his chuckle making her ears flush
‘’First you need to learn how to use it before we’re considered a ‘team’. Less you stab my eyes out.’’
‘’I take offense to that!’’ Leon’s smile manages to send shivers down her spine. She knew it was just a mission to him, but god, you couldn’t blame her for the crush she had on this man.
Leon takes a few moments to show Ashley how to properly handle a knife. She wasn’t a pro at it, but it would do for now. She’d be able to knock a couple of heads in especially.
‘’Do you usually work together on missions like these?’’ She couldn’t help but be curious about his past. A man so strong.. he didn’t seem that much older than she was, and yet.. he had accomplished so much.
‘’Sometimes, but I’m not used to having such good company.’’ He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should share more. But the curious look in her eyes made him want to give in, she was so trusting. He should learn.. learn how to trust her.
‘’I’m not used to relying on people during my missions. I.. apologize if I made it feel like I doubt you. You’re a strong girl for someone who was just a normal person a few days ago.’’
‘What a dork’ she thought fondly. No matter how cool he looked, and for a matter of fact, is.. he was very much a dork. She looked into the shine of Leon’s blade, he had given her his blade to use, while he used a rusty knife. It made her feel warm and safe. ‘’That’s what happens when you have a good teacher.’’
‘’It helps when you have a good student who pays attention.’’
Leon helped her put the knife’s harness and tightened it on her back. ‘’For the record, I think you’re strong too… well I mean, obviously you are. But you help me a lot. And I think that’s what makes me strong.’’ Ashley turned her head and smiled at him, her innocent eyes peering up at his. She had witnessed gruesome things lately, yet the ability to smile never left her..
‘’I would hope so, I didn’t train all these years for nothing.’’ Ashley rolled her eyes and muttered ‘’Show off.’’ under her breath. If he heard her, he didn’t comment on it.
‘’You ready to test your new skills, partner?’’ Ashley laughed, hiding her smile behind her hand. ‘’Okay, now you’re just being ridiculous!’’
‘’What? I’m being serious here. Didn’t you say we’re a team?’’ At his answer, Ashley snorts.
‘’Yeah sure. Come on, partner.’’
‘’..Are you making fun of me?’’
‘’Wouldn’t dream of it.’’