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Chris was doing his best but looking after a younger sibling was hard work. It would have been even worse had it been anyone else other than Claire who basically raised herself, but still. As her legal guardian and caretaker Chris had to make sure certain criteria were met. He’d only managed to get legal custody of her a few years back and due to his age, occasionally the child protective services still saw fit to check in and make sure he was capable of providing Claire with the correct care. The shit part was, before he’d been old enough to get her out of the system, he’d been one of the orphans there and whatever ‘care’ they deemed legally fit was miles below what the two of them needed. All their physical needs were met but there was more to raising kids than making sure they didn’t starve.
He was old enough to be safe from going back but he’d promised Claire he’d do his absolute best to make sure she wouldn’t end up being taken either. She’d hated that place. Especially after they’d been separated since they had a good thirteen years between them. She’d needed emotional support and that was one thing lacking at the orphanage. The staff had done their best but family was family and what little Claire needed was her brother. Chris had needed her just as desperately but at least he was old enough to understand why he felt the way he felt.
Claire just felt disconnected, abandoned and alone. She’d lashed out at times but fortunately the adults were sympathetic to her situation and she hadn’t been chastised too heavily for her bad behaviour. A lot of that behaviour seemed to get corrected naturally once she was officially released into Chris’ care. As much as Chris wanted to stick by his sister for his own personal need not to be alone in the world, he knew this was also imperative to the little girl’s development. He was no shrink but he had eyes and he was admittedly a tad overprotective so he saw plain as day the way Claire started opening up and coming into her own personality around him.
The shittiest part about being barely old enough to understand what being an adult even meant though, was not being able to give Claire all the pretty things she wanted. She was a little kid after all and Chris wasn’t blind to how she stared longingly at toys in the shop windows or pretty cakes displayed at bakeries but every bit he gathered Chris had to use smartly. He’d landed himself a pretty decent job, a miracle frankly with his none-existent scholastic background, but it turned out raising kids was an expensive endeavour. Forget about rent and taxes and food and basic survival necessities, Chris had to think about school costs and clothes and babysitters and if he actually managed to have anything left after he’d save up for a nice Christmas treat or something…
It was never close to what he wanted to give to her but Claire never complained. One time Chris only managed to afford a pair of red gloves but from the way Claire cooed over them, one would assume he’d bought her diamonds. She may be young but her emotional maturity was already miles above the average kid. It sometimes broke Chris’ heart that she had to grow up so quickly but he did his best to slow the process as much as he could. One Redfield sibling skipping over their childhood was enough.
But alas, the old adage was true. He made plans and the universe saw fit to fuck with him. No matter how carefully he planned and accounted for every minute detail, a simple call could make everything crash like a house of cards. Chris couldn’t afford to go through a babysitting agency but there was a nice girl a few floors above their apartment who was happy to give a helping hand. She was chill and Claire liked her. He couldn’t afford to pay her much but she was cool with the pocket change as long as she could use his apartment to study for her collage exams.
Chris got the sense her own place wasn’t the best environment for peace and quiet but he hadn’t pried and she hadn’t offered additional information. It was a pretty sweet deal and Chris had been relying on her help that evening too, like most late work shifts, but she’d called to cancel while apologising profusely. To be fair, it wasn’t like Chris employed her or anything. She was basically doing him a favour so he couldn’t be too put out but a little earlier notice would have been considerate… Still, he said it was ok because what else was he supposed to say and realized he was in deep shit.
When the babysitting girl wasn’t available, he usually appealed to his next door neighbour. She was an older lady who was widowed recently and she was nice enough to bring them cooked meals from time to time. Claire took to calling her granny at some point and he’d apologised but she just chuckled it off. Chris wasn’t stupid. As someone who worked for the R.P.D. he saw how heinous people looking perfectly harmless could be but he was also not in a position to be too picky. He’d been weary of trusting her around Claire at the start, just in case, but eventually she’d won him over. So much so she had a spare key to their apartment, in case something happened. Unfortunately she wasn’t an option. Chris recalled her mentioning she was going to stay with family for a few weeks before she filled their fridge with heaps of cooked meals because she could have her ‘grandchildren’ starving in her absence. Chris missed her.
Then there was his other neighbour. She was the main reason why Chris was scared of leaving Claire on her own, even for a quick trip to the store. Claire was sharp enough to feed herself and keep the apartment from burning down, but the bitch next door was one nosy asshole. She’d had a problem with Chris from day one and he had no idea why. He supposed she expected a young man like him to be trouble and she was just foaming at the bid for a chance to catch him out. Some people were just like that. Mean, for no good reason. He was convinced if she figured out Claire was left alone she’d be on the phone with child protective services so quick she might trip over her own feet. He couldn’t risk it. He wasn’t going to leave Claire unattended and chance even the most miniscule threat of her getting taken away from him.
He'd even considered calling someone in the yellow pages and forking over a hefty sum. He figured he could make it by begging for some overtime. He was proud but not that proud. Unfortunately, there was far too little time for that. He had to be at his desk in the S.T.A.R.S. offices in less than half an hour. Chris supposed he could always call in sick or make up an excuse about being tardy but he didn’t want to get on his captain’s bad side. The man seemed decent enough but he was still new to the department and he couldn’t quite get a proper read on Wesker.
Captain Wesker was fair and rational enough when it came to their work but Chris got the sense he wasn’t the most emotionally invested individual. The few times he’d been in the captain’s office he’d seen no pictures of his family or anything hinting at his personal life. He seemed entirely work focused and from the amount of times he burned the candlelight after all the officers left, Chris suspected he was a workaholic. So much so his insistence on things being done perfectly to the most unimportant detail could get irritating at time. But he was fair and he could be worse. There was no doubt the cold attitude set his nerves on edge, but that hardly stopped him from checking him out… From afar of course!
Chris did his best to keep up, since losing this job was a surefire way to lose Claire, but he struggled to keep up with his paperwork sometimes. He wasn’t stupid, just more of an action-man than a sit-and-scribble-notes man. Thank the saints for Jill and Barry who gave him a helping hand. Chris would have asked one of them to look after Claire but unfortunately they were on shift that evening too… Fuck you universe!
Chris had sought and sought and sought for a solution but in the end he kept arriving to only the one and it was risky. He’d just have to bring Claire with him to work. Normally that wouldn’t even be a consideration but Wesker was scheduled to be stuck in meetings all that evening and what the captain didn’t know… Chris was also weary of exposing a child to a dangerous environment, where they literally had guns mounted on walls, but he was planning on just sitting at his desk and doing paperwork. He’d keep a close eye on Claire and make sure she didn’t get out of hand. Plus Jill and Barry were there and he could trust them to be a second pair of eyes. Forest and Joe too but he sure as shit didn’t trust them to keep his sister out of trouble. Thank god she was smart enough to immediately call them out on their bullshit the first time she’d seen them. Forest was convinced Chris told her to call him ‘trouble’ but he honestly hadn’t. She just had an uncanny ability to see through people and frankly Chris wouldn’t mess with her when she grew a little older.
And so, with no other choice presenting itself, Chris found himself chained to his desk, with Claire looking hopefully up at him while her tiny fingers drummed on the plastic case between them. She’d brought it along from home and Chris hadn’t said anything then but he realized his silence had been a poor idea. Bit late now.
‘Please…Pretty please… I’ll do a good job. Promise!’ Claire looked at him with the largest blue eyes he’d ever seen and Chris knew she was manipulating him but hell if it didn’t work.
‘Isn’t there anything else you’d rather do? I can get you some colouring pencils.’ Claire’s face fell and Chris felt like shit. She really had those puppy eyes down…! ‘Why don’t you ask Jill?’ Claire glanced around the office and realized the woman wasn’t at her desk. He hadn’t noticed when she’d left.
‘But I want to paint your nails… They’ll look so pretty…’ Chris arched an eyebrow and looked around as if beseeching help but the people in the office were busy with their own tasks and frankly he couldn’t imagine they’d be able to do much in this situation. He honestly wished he could say no to his sister but Claire had him wrapped around her petite fingers and most times he suspected she knew it too.
‘What colour?’ Claire’s face immediately lit up and she popped the lid of the box open. She rummaged through the collection of polish bottles and pulled out a bright red one. It was the sort of red which had a cop thinking of a certain district and Chris’ heart sank. He wasn’t really surprised. Red was Claire’s favourite colour after all but he sure didn’t look forwards to walking around the office with bright red nails for the rest of the day… Oh god. Forest would be merciless!
‘Red will look so pretty!’ Chris eyed the polish like it was a bomb about to detonate.
‘Sure… Red is pretty but how about something less eye-catching?’ Claire huffed. He’d clearly said the wrong thing.
‘But nails are meant to be eye-catching.’ Yeah, on prostitutes maybe but Chris didn’t relish having to explain what a hussy was to his baby sister so he kept his thoughts to himself. ‘Can I do at least one to show you how cool it’ll look?’ Chris sighed, fully realizing he’d dug his grave the moment he gave in an inch. He supposed one nail wasn’t that bad… He could only hope it’d end there but his luck hadn’t exactly been great that day….
‘Alright. One nail.’ Chris held out his hand watched with some amusement as Claire excitedly set herself up and studied his thumb nail. She eyed it as critically as a professional before unscrewing the cap and reaching for his much larger hand with her tinier one to hold it steady.
‘Whatcha doing?’ Chris almost pulled his hand back, startled by Jill’s voice coming right by his ear. Claire gave him a glare and he settled back. She’d been just about to touch the brush to his nail and his jerking would have made a mess of things. She hesitated now to look at Jill.
‘I’m painting Chris’ nails.’ Jill glanced at him and smirked. He didn’t like that look.
‘Oooo. He’s going to look so pretty.’
‘Nail. Claire is painting one nail.’ Jill rounded the table to look inside the box, taking stock of the various options.
‘No way. That’s the same as starting something and not finishing. Red?’ Jill arched an eyebrow at Chris but grinned at Claire. He could tell she was making the exact same correlations he was, except she found it funny. Figures, she wasn’t the one who’d have to walk around and suffer the teasing catcalls.
‘It’s my favourite colour.’ Claire offered in way of explanation and Jill nodded seriously.
‘And a great choice at that. So? Why the hesitation Redfield? Why would you break your little sister’s heart?’ Jill grinned at him and Chris could swear he saw devil horns poking beneath her short hair.
‘It’s just a little much.’ Jill’s eyes narrowed as if he’d fallen into some invisible trap and Chris swallowed thickly. God, the women in his life were scary.
‘So what you’re saying is, as long as it’s not red then it’s ok?’ Chris shook his head.
‘No… I mean… Maybe something more subtle?’ Chris was thinking pink or clear. Something he could hide until he got his hands on some polish remover.
‘But I like red…’ Claire chimed in, her voice a little put out. Jill nodded sympathetically.
‘How about you pain your nail red and I choose another colour to see if that works for your brother?’ Chris was starting to see where this was going. Yep, the trap was sprung. He could still say no but Claire was looking at Jill like she was the sister she’d never had. If he backed out now she’d for sure cry and that was not worth a few insults from the guys.
‘What colour will you choose?’ Jill hummed and looked in the box, giving this some serious consideration.
‘I think I’ll go for silver. I like the shine.’ Claire’s eyes sparkled as the older woman picked up her chosen polish.
‘Nice. I like that colour too!’ Chris supposed in was more toned down than red… Maybe. He decided to keep quiet or Jill would change her mind and go for something ten times worse. She could be playful like that…
‘Ok, whatever’s happening here I want to be part of it.’ Chris watched Joseph approach his table with open apprehension. Wonderful. Drawing more attention to his predicament was the last thing he wanted but he supposed it would have been a matter of time… ‘Hey Claire.’
‘I forgot your name.’ Claire was at that age where using a filter was optional apparently and while it was funny now, Chris painfully recalled her calling their mean neighbour an old bitch to her face because she’d heard him say it a few times. He had to be more careful around her spongy brain. It didn’t help that she seemed blessed with the hearing of a bat.
‘That’s ok… I’m Joe, your brother’s best friend.’ Joseph grinned at Chris who rolled his eyes.
‘Best friend is pushing it.’ Joe pretended to be hurt and looked at Jill as if to ask if she believed this guy. She smirked and held out the box of colours to him.
‘What’s this?’ Joe looked curiously at all the pretty options.
‘We’re painting Chris’ nails.’ Claire added. Wait, Chris never accepted any of this!
‘We’re not-‘ Chris started to speak out before Jill cut him off.
‘He’s being such a good older brother isn’t he? Can’t be easy for Claire being here so Chris is being very understanding.’ She turned to catch his eye. ‘Isn’t he?’ Chris grumbled but nodded. Yeah ok. Jill had a point. This was obviously something Claire wanted to do and it was a very small sacrifice on his part. He supposed this was happening, weather he liked it or not apparently. Might as well get some big bro points out of it.
‘Makes sense. Chris is nice like that. The other day he said he’d pay off our bar tab.’ Joe grinned at him but quickly held up his hands in surrender when his efforts were met with a death glare. ‘Had to try.’ He turned back to the box. ‘So have you guys settled on a colour?’
‘I like red.’ Joseph smirked and Chris figured he might as well get used to that reaction. ‘Jill likes silver. What do you like….Forgot your name again.’ Chris swallowed a chuckle. Claire was messing with the other man. He knew it and Jill knew it but Joe didn’t.
‘It’s Joe and I guess I’d go for…’ He moved his eyes from one option to the next. ‘Pink. I think it’ll bring out your brother’s pretty blush.’ The same blush peppering Chris’ cheeks now only it was decidedly more a show of irritation more than anything.
‘Especially when the captain’s in the room…’ Jill chirped and there was that pretty blush now. Chris threw a dagger at the other woman who shrugged. He’d told her he might have had some questionable dreams about Wesker in confidence!
‘Who has a pretty blush? Are we talking about Chris when Wesker’s around?’ Chris groaned and if looks could kill then the one he was gracing Forest with would have at least put him in the hospital. Joe and Jill chortled but the former beckoned the other man to join them. Forest sundered over and looked critically over the painted nails thus far. ‘Can I play?’
‘Yeah! You’re Chris’ friend!’ Claire beamed up at Forest. He’d been to their place a few times, mostly to badger him about going out for drinks when he knew damn well he couldn’t leave his sister alone. To his credit he never got annoying about it and Chris knew it was his way of trying to include him so he didn’t feel left out. He could be a character at times but there was a shocking amount of thought behind most of his actions. Sometimes.
‘I am. How are you little miss?’ Jill held out the box for Forest’s inspection.
‘I’m good.’
‘That’s good. You’ve gotten bigger since I saw you last. What are you, twelve now?’ Claire shook her head and giggled.
‘No. I’m this many.’ She held up her fingers. Exactly ten. Forest took his time to count them out and Chris smiled, warmly, at him. Another unexpected quality the guy seemed to innately possess was a way with kids. Now if only he wasn’t such a perv… Chris would have loved to trust Claire with him but he was genuinely terrified of what she might learn when he started rambling.
‘Ten. Impressive. And did you pick the red colour?’ Claire nodded proudly and Chris had a bad feeling. ‘Nice choice. I remember the last time I saw someone with red nails, she was-‘ He kicked Forest under the table and he must have struck the shin because the man shut up real fast. It very well could have been an innocent story but Chris knew from experience whenever his friend started a tale about some memory it usually ended up in some appreciation of tits or ass. This was not the sort of man he could trust around his little sister. Ever. Claire could have grey hair and Chris would still stand between her and Forest.
‘So what’s your colour Forest?’ Jill smirked at him, feeling no pity for the gathering tears in the corners of his eyes. She served with him so she knew even better how multifaceted the guy could be and as much as she held a soft spot for him, no way she’d encourage Chris to leave Claire in his vicinity unsupervised.
‘P-Purple. I’ll go with purple.’ Jill’s question was clear across his face and after Forest reached for his polish he shrugged at her. ‘Would have gone for red, but it was already taken.’ He winked at Claire who giggled some more and Forest had to deal with another warning kick from her big brother.
‘So that’s four out of five nails done on one hand… We need one more.’ Claire looked around and seemed to locate her target. ‘Barry! Come on over and paint Chris’ nails with us.’ Her choice was anything but accidental. She boomed the invitation so the man could hear from the other side of the room…and everyone else along with him. Chris glanced up to see interested eyes turn to stare at her. He groaned and slumped a little in his chair.
‘Why not call everyone already?...’ He mumbled under his breath but Chris really should have known better. Jill nodded as if he’d made a genuine suggestion and smirked. Fuck!
‘Actually, let’s make that everyone. We’re picking different colours so your input is very much appreciated.’ Chris sighed but he figured this was always going to be the inevitable outcome. He thanked his stars Wesker was away. He didn’t know what his captain’s reaction would be to this whole silliness and he was perfectly happy leaving some things a mystery.
‘Sounds fun.’ Barry ruffled the top of Claire’s head when he reached them and she grumbled up at him. The gesture was eerily similar to Chris’.
‘Wanna get the honours of the last nail on this hand?’ Jill seemed to have appointed herself the keeper of the colour box and she held it out to Barry.
‘Sure. Moira and Polly paint my nails all the time.’ He said it so matter of fact, Chris couldn’t help but stare at his hands. He didn’t see any colour on them but upon closer inspection, there was a shine which seemed to catch the light. Barry grinned at him when he noticed him staring. ‘It’s neutral polish.’ Jill hummed and looked closely at the well maintained manicure once Barry held up his hand. Chris wouldn’t have expected someone as gruff as the older man to care about his nails but he supposed he was surrounded by women at home so it wasn’t that out there. He knew how opposed to germs Kathy was firsthand. Chris had made the egregious mistake of tracking mud into her home one time, by pure accident, and she’d nearly cracked her face with the cut of her smile. That was the sort of smile serial killers had. Chris had honestly never been so afraid for his life, and he’d been in the army!
‘Clever.’ Barry shrugged but had that playful dad twinkle in his eye. ‘Maybe next time we can paint Barry’s nails, hm Claire?’ Claire nodded excitedly at her suggestion.
‘I don’t see why not. Mention it to the girls next time you’re over. Only clear polish on work days though.’ Claire looked like she wanted to dispute that but then seemed to change her mind and nodded.
‘Deal! Red on weekends.’ Chris smirked. Looks like she’d found a new guinea-pig and that was just fine by him.
‘Fair.’ The older man sighed but knew when he was bested. He reached for the clear polish and coated Chris’ pinkie with it, making the final nail on his right hand. When he was done, Chris stared at the colourful result and truth be told, he didn’t exactly hate it… By now the rest of the people in the office had approached and Chris flattened his palms on the desk, letting the newcomers stare at the results. A lot of ooos and aaas were getting thrown about.
‘We have a problem.’ Jill deadpanned and multiple faces turned to gawk at her. Chris expected her to say the captain was on his way back and that would indeed be a problem. ‘There’s only four people left and last I checked Chris has five nails left.’ The pointman sighed in open relief, noting but ignoring Jill’s curious glance.
‘Chris could choose the last colour. It’s his hand after all.’ Barry’s suggestion was met with nods of agreements.
‘Oh wow, I actually get a say in this?’ Chris was grumbling but he was actually having an unexpectedly good time. He anticipated the guys to be more judgmental about the whole thing but even Forest seemed chill about painting another man’s nails. Perhaps he was just saving his teasing for later which Chris was fine with. As long as Claire wasn’t nearby when he started making his usual sexually explicit small-talk…
‘What colour are the captain’s eyes?’
‘Blue.’ Chris answered Jill’s questions without thinking. He met her sharp eyes and blushed as her playful grin stretched. ‘I mean, that’s not a secret or nothing!’ Chris sounded defensive because he was rapidly becoming aware all eyes were on him.
‘Is that the colour you’re choosing?’ Joe asked.
‘No!’ Chris snaped back, on principle. He didn’t really care either way but picking the colour would obviously have some connotations attached to it. While he was glaring at Joe, he missed catching Jill surreptitiously pocket the blue polish. Claire gawked at her pocket before Jill winked at her and pressed her finger to her lips. She nodded seriously, having no idea what big sis Jill was doing but understanding her silence was of the upmost importance.
‘Brad! Why don’t you pick next?’ Jill grinned at the man who literally jumped at being called on. The guy was smart as hell but he was way too prone to getting started for this sort of job. Chris didn’t hate the guy but he was always a little apprehensive when Brad was the one tasked with watching his back… At least the conversation shifted towards him and he was glad about that.
‘Um…Sure…! I like orange?’ Brad glanced at Chris as if asking for approval and he just shrugged his shoulders.
‘Are you asking for permission? Just paint the nail man.’ Brad gulped and found his colour. His fingers were trembling slightly. Yeah… Chris made a mental note to avoid getting teamed with him on active missions as much as possible. Brad’s strength lay in his technology mumbo-jumbo and piloting. Best to keep him there. Heaven knows, Chris had no aptitude for all that screen work so he was willing to give credit where credit was due. He just didn’t relish the idea of Brad’s twitchiness ending with him accidentally eating lead.
‘Sorry…!’ Brad hastened to brush the pigment across the thumb nail. It was hard not to feel sorry for the guy but Wesker must have seen something in him. The S.T.A.R.S. crew was mostly hand picked by the captain himself, certainly the Alpha team. Chris had been scouted by the man as well…. A tinge of pink lit up his cheeks as he thought of the old memory. He wasn’t special for it but it still gave him the squirms.
‘Oh, that colour is nice and bright.’ Richard was standing by Brad and Jill held the box to him next.
‘Care to have a go?’ Richard grinned warmly. He’d always been one of the most likable guys around and Chris was pretty sure he could guess the colour he’d choose. He mentally patted himself on the back when Richard held up the yellow die. It fit.
‘Why yellow?’ Claire glanced up at the young man with her large eyes. She’d been mostly silent but always watching attentively. She did the same thing whenever Chris was doing something at home. When he tried to figure how to cook something she’d just stare at him, silent and ready to help if asked. Her immense curiosity for the world around her was both cute and sometimes creepy.
‘Oh? I always liked the warmth of it. Reminds me of summer.’ Richard smiled, his eyes a little distant. There was pain to whatever memory was playing across the screen of his mind.
‘Reminds me of butter.’ Claire replied and it seemed to rouse the man. Chris didn’t know him well enough to guess what ailed him but he liked Richard. He had a feeling they’d get friendlier in the future. Forest was already dragging him out to bars at all sorts of terrible hours and Chris knew he’d get along with Richard because he had the good sense to say no. He was one of the youngest S.T.A.R.S. members but few would guess it with the way he handled himself. And there was a deepness inside his eyes which Chris thought he recognised. He had no reason to think this but he was willing to bet Richard too lost someone dear to him. That pain was intimately familiar and impossible to fake.
‘I suppose that’s true. Also, buttercups.’ Richard touched the utensil to Chris’ nail.
‘And dandelions!’ Clair chirped. Richard paused for a brief second and Chris was certain he caught a tiny flash of that familiar ache flutter through his blue irises.
‘You’re a very clever girl.’ Richard finished his task and smiled at Claire but Chris got the sense he was thinking of someone else. ‘All done. Rebecca?’ He got the feeling Richard was happy to swiftly change the subject. Chris made a note to ask Jill about it later.
‘Sure!’ The bubbly medic looked far too excited, betraying her youth. She was the youngest and newest recruit. Chris hadn’t talked to her all that much but he like her. It took a special kind of asshole not to like someone like Beccs. Even if she’d just recently joined, she was already the heart of the Bravo team, according to Forest anyway.
Then again, Forest also made it known he’d find a way to get into her pants so Chris didn’t put too much stock in his intel. However, all he had to do was glance at the man practically shadowing the petite brunette to know Forests was keeping his distance as a means of self-preservation. Edward would snap his arm and beat him to death with it if he got too himself around the rookie. Chris didn’t get what was happening there but the guy was really protective of the girl. Jill told him Ed had always had a soft spot for newbies, not in a creepy way, but Chris was pretty sure he hadn’t been this sheltered when he’d first dawned the S.T.A.R.S. uniform… To be fair, Edward had patiently showed him the ropes and all that so Chris wasn’t complaining. He supposed Rebecca needed more protecting from the horny dogs the likes of Forest while he’d been less maintenance.
‘Hey Claire, is it?’ Rebecca leaned down to look at the ten year old. ‘What’s Chris’ favourite colour?’
‘Green!’ Claire lit up immediately. The medic glanced at him and he nodded.
‘That’s so cool! Green’s my favourite colour too!’ Jill held out the polish to her. ‘In the medical field green represents good health you know.’ Sometimes it was so easy to forget how intelligent this slap of a girl had to be to get her degrees so early in life. Chris had little love for doctors. The few times he’d had to get some bones set while in the army, he’d dealt with old men who had the bedside manners of toads. Rebecca’s age might set some on edge but somehow, he got the sense she really knew her stuff. Considering their line of work, Chris was almost certain he’d get to test out that theory sooner or later.
‘One time Chris’ face was all green and he puked on our neighbour.’ Rebecca stared at Claire, unsure what to make of her confession. Chris couldn’t blame her. No filter!
‘You puked on the nice old lady?!’ Forest stared in abject horror at his friend and Chris shook his head.
‘No. The other one.’ He didn’t try really hard to hide a small smirk. Okay, he wasn’t proud of it but that insufferable bitch deserved it. Chris recalled warning her that she couldn’t stand around in the hall because he wasn’t feeling well but she insisted on berating him for god knows what minute transgression he’d unwittingly made. He’d warned her! She chose to ignore it!
‘She’s a bitch.’ Claire clarified to Rebecca.
‘Claire!’ Chris groaned.
‘What? That’s what you called her.’
‘Yeah but you can’t just…!’ Chris really had to be more watchful of what came out his mouth. ‘Don’t repeat it around Karen at least, ok?’ Clair nodded, beaming proudly at Rebecca. She glanced to Chris who shrugged. The cat was out of the bag. He couldn’t take back what was already trapped inside that developing brain of hers… Damage control was all he had left.
‘Well, I’m glad your brother’s feeling better now.’ Rebecca finished her nail and stood, making way for the last waiting member to glance at the remaining choices. She looked even smaller with someone as tall as Edward standing by her.
‘Guess I’ll go for black then. Not a lot of colourful choices left.’ Chris wondered what the look exchanged between his sister and Jill was, but put it aside when Ed bent to add the dark coat to his ninth nail.
‘Black is a pretty bleak choice isn’t it?’ Ed stoically continued his work as he answered Rebecca’s inquiry.
‘It’s also elegant.’
‘It’s cool.’ Claire agreed.
‘That too.’ Ed stood back and Chris took in all the painted nails in unison, minus his own. This was a far cry from what he thought his evening would entail but he couldn’t muster a reason to be irritated. Claire looked delighted and all things considered, he’d had fun.
‘Oh.’ Chris glanced from his nails up at Jill who was looking past him. There was an unmissable pallor to her cheeks which set him on edge. Chris realized she wasn’t the only one either…
‘What’s wrong?’
‘So am I to assume all your work is done then?’ The temperature dropped just as suddenly as Chris’ insides. For such a tall man, Wesker really had no business being that silent! He hadn’t heard him at all and now the man was clearly standing right behind him. If he had the courage he’d turn to look but fuck if he had the nerves for that! Chris threw a pleading glance at Jill but he had no idea what the hell she could do about this.
‘Captain! You’re back early. We thought you’d be in meetings all day.’ She snapped the box closed but it was too little too late. Chris curled his fingers to hide the rainbow nails inside his fists but nobody there had any allusions about getting something over on Wesker. Nothing seemed to get past him! Chris glanced quickly to his sister and his guts squirmed. Would Wesker blow a fuse? Would he give Chris a disciplinary hearing? Shit, what was he supposed to do with his sister now?
‘Plans changed. Would someone care to explain what’s happening here?’ Chris swallowed thickly and finally found his legs to jump to his feet. He automatically moved between Wesker and Claire, as if hoping to shield her existence from the sunglassed eyes but she thwarted his pointless efforts by peaking curiously past his leg to stare at the new arrival.
‘Um, this is my fault sir. I…um…’ Chris was drawing blank after blank trying to come up with a way to explain this whole thing without including Claire. He wasn’t scared of a tongue lashing but what if Wesker saw fit to call CPS on him? Exposing a kid to all the possible dangers present at a police precinct couldn’t look good for him. Chris had no idea if it’d be grounds for further investigation but he didn’t want to find out.
‘Hot captain.’ The world stopped. Time too. Chris heard the words and knew Clair said them but hell if they made sense. He stood frozen between her and Wesker, seeing her slender finger point like an accusing arrow at the blonde.
‘Excuse me?’ The silence was broken by the timber of Wesker’s steady voice but it wasn’t enough to get any of the cops rooted to their spots to find their voices.
‘Hot captain. That’s what Chris call-‘ Sense smacked him in the face like a physical slap and Chris quickly clamped a hand over his sister’s mouth.
‘That’s enough out of you! Don’t listen to her. She was dropped on her head as a baby. She’s crazy!’ Claire mumbled behind his hand while Chris babbled his barely coherent excuses. He was pretty sure he heard a snicker from one of the others but everything was too drenched in his utter mortification to make sense.
‘I gather this is your sister then?’ Wesker looked amused but it was always a challenge getting a read on the man. The corner of his mouth seemed to twitch in a smile.
‘Um… yeah. Sorry, I’ll get her out of here sir. I just didn’t… couldn’t find a babysitter and… I’m sorry.’ Claire was getting annoyed with the hand on her mouth and she took to glaring up at her brother. He’d apologise to her later! Right after they had a much needed talk about what to and what not to blurt out!
‘This is no place for a child Chris.’ If he wasn’t already anxious this would have done it. He stared sheepishly at the floor, wondering if he could will it to swallow him up. No doubt this was the moment Wesker would start tearing him a new one. His conduct was unprofessional blah blah blah.
‘We were painting Chris’ nails, sir.’ Forest blurted out, drawing the impressive man’s attention.
‘Is that so? Let me see.’ Chris stared back at him. He wasn’t sure what to do but he glanced at Jill who shrugged slightly, just as lost as him. She reached for Claire though and he released her into her waiting arms to hold out his hands. Maybe he should have felt embarrassed but Chris’d much rather have Wesker’ focus occupied by the shiny colours than his rapscallion of a sister.
‘Hm. What about this last one?’ Chris might have squeaked a little though he’d beat the ever living shit out of anyone who said it later. Wesker reached for his hands and held them so he could get a better look at the freshly coated fingertips.
‘That’s Chris’ colour choice. He hasn’t made one yet.’ Thank you Joseph! Wesker hummed and he had the most serious expression as he stared intently at the colours. One would assume he was reading reports or something!
‘I see. I like blue.’ The cobalt irises of the blonde’s eyes were just visible over the rim of his shades and they moved swiftly to meet Chris’ widening browns. His mouth felt unnaturally dry and he was convinced Wesker didn’t need to hold his hands for that long… He didn’t mind but it was noticeable. Chris was sure, not just by himself.
‘I’m hungry.’ Clair grumbled and Wesker glanced at her, finally letting go of Chris’ hands which dropped like stones by his side. What was happening?!
‘Barton. Care to take the young lady to the canteen?’ Barry nodded, too dumbfounded to speak. Everyone was right there with him. What was happening?! ‘In the future-‘ Wesker was addressing Chris again and he made a proper effort to listen. ‘-if you’re in a similar situation come to me first. Arrangements can be made. We’ll leave things as they are for today. Chris? Are you listening to me?’ The younger man nodded, perhaps a little too enthusiastically. He was listening to every word with rapt attention.
‘Th-Thank you…’ It was so little and all he could say. Chris learned not to rely on anyone but sometimes it was a lonely feeling. It was always touching when he was reminded no man was an island. This reminder coming from Wesker of all people was especially polarizing.
‘I’m sure you all still have work to do.’ Wesker glanced around and Chris seemed to remember all at once this entire bizarre scene had an audience. ‘Have it done by the end of the day. That’s all.’ The man didn’t see a reason to stick around after saying his peace. He walked casually towards his office, certainly aware of the effect he had on his subordinates.
‘So Chris? What colour?’ Jill grinned at him. Wesker was out of earshot and most of the others had began disbanding back to their respective areas. Jill, Forest and Joe were lingering about. Barry had taken Wesker up on his suggestion and was leading Claire to get her some food. Rebecca decided to join them. She and Claire were chatting excitedly apparently bonding like hydrogen and oxygen.
‘I like blue…’ Forest and Joe shared a look while Jill slipped the blue polish out of her pocket.
‘Thought you might.’