Work Text:
Leon is already waiting in the entryway of the gym when Chris steps in from the rain, shaking his wet hair out like an overgrown dog. "Lovely morning," the agent comments asininely.
"Beautiful," Chris agrees. "But we're here. Let's go."
Moments later, they're in the locker room changing into their workout clothes. Chris can see from the corner of his eye Leon wincing throughout the process, particularly when he raises his arms to put his shirt on.
"Something bothering you?" Chris asks once he's ready himself.
Leon makes a face. "The old Raccoon City GSW. Always flares up like this when it's so damp."
Chris makes a sympathetic noise and raises his hands in little pinching motions. "Can I help?"
"I wouldn't argue."
Chris points for him to take a seat straddling one of the benches and situates himself behind him. "Tell me if it's too much, okay? You'll not allowed to just bully through it."
Leon snorts, but, reasonably certain he will, Chris gets to work. He kneads gently around the shoulder first, gets a sense of the tense muscles, feeling the rough scar tissue beneath Leon's tank top. Then he starts, thumbs pressed gentle but firm into the worst of it.
Leon grunts but doesn't pull away. Chris is no stranger to injuries and pain, no stranger even to helping his friend with the lingering effects of this particular one. He circles his fingers, follows the shoulder, digs in again at the base - and Leon jolts slightly.
"Too much?" Chris murmurs, lightening his touch.
Leon makes an unhappy little noise but doesn't answer out loud.
"You're all right," Chris tells him. "I've got you."
Leon doesn't say anything. Chris knows how hard it can be for him to accept help from anyone, and he's so glad he trusts him with this.
"Good," Chris says when he's satisfied with the massage. "I think we should try some stretches too. I'll help, if you'll let me."
"You're already here," Leon says neutrally.
"I am." Chris guides him through the exercises - arms up, back, forward, circling - supporting the shoulder, making sure he moves like he needs to without straining himself unnecessarily.
"Last one," he says finally, helping Leon cross his arms behind his back. "Press back as much as you can."
Leon does, grunting softly. "Help me?"
Chris does, pulling back on his shoulders a little, encouraging him just a bit farther than he can go himself, and hears Leon groan at the pleasant pull of it.
"Good job, buddy," Chris says and bumps his head against Leon's a little.
Leon laughs as he lets himself relax, rolling his shoulders lightly as he looks back at Chris. "Would be hard to convince someone we're just friends if they caught us like this."
Chris rolls his eyes. "We're not 'just' anything. I'm helping you because I care about you. Do we need to be anything other than friends for that?"
"Of course not," Leon agrees. "You're right; forget I said anything."
“I'm always right,” Chris assures as he lumbers to his feet.
Leon lets out a snort as he follows. “Keep telling yourself that, big guy. Anyway, pretty sure we're supposed to actually have a workout today, not just a spa session." He heads for the door.
"I know that." Chris follows him, already thinking about the next step. "And you are not gonna push yourself out there either. That arm still needs rest."
"Sure, Dad."