Chapter Text
Darkness. The damp smell of smoke and blood.
He's there again — in the old laboratory corridor. His footsteps echo off the walls. Everything is the same as before. And the body... still there.
Luis lies on the floor, his back against the wall, blood dripping from his lips. He smiles.
— Hey, Leon... Don’t look like that. Red looks good on me, doesn’t it? — his voice cracks, hoarse, but still with that damn smirk.
— No, no, no... — Leon rushes to him, presses his hands to the wound, but the blood keeps flowing. He screams into the radio, calling for anyone, but all he gets is static. The world is silent.
— I was supposed to save you! — Leon’s voice trembles, he doesn’t recognize himself.
Luis reaches out to him, tousles his hair.
— You saved me, Leon. Just... not forever.
Luis’s eyes glass over. Leon screams. His voice cracks. The blood won’t wash off his fingers. He presses on the wound, even though the body no longer moves. He can’t stop. He can’t lose someone again. Not him.
— Please... wake up... you’re...
And suddenly — silence. Everything disappears. A sharp pop.
---
Present. The Room. Morning.
Leon wakes up with a sharp breath, in a cold sweat. His heart pounds, his chest heaving. For a few seconds, he can’t understand where he is.
And then — someone touches his shoulder. Gently. Warm.
— Leon... you were screaming again. — The voice is soft. Spanish accent. Real.
He turns. Luis is sitting next to him on the bed, his hair messy, his eyes full of concern.
— I’m here. It was just a dream.
Leon doesn’t answer. He just pulls Luis toward him, burying his forehead in his shoulder. Luis stays silent. He just holds him. And whispers:
— You won’t lose me. Never.
Location: their safe house after the operation. A small house in the mountains, far from the world. The room is already bright. Soft sunlight filters through the window, and in the distance, a bird sings.
Leon still holds onto Luis, as if afraid to let go. His breathing is still fast, but quieter now.
Luis gently strokes his neck.
— It’s okay, you’re home. Do you hear me? Not in the subway. Not in hell. Just... here. With me.
Leon stays silent but nods. He’s still tense — until Luis takes his hand and gently places it on his chest, where it can be heard: thump-thump. thump-thump.
— There. This is reality.
Leon almost smirks. — You have an irregular rhythm. — I have a beautiful arrhythmia, gracias. Especially in the mornings. Especially when you’re near.