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“I can’t believe this is all over.” Sherry said, pushing the door of the DSO building open.
“I’m going to need some time off after this.” Leon grumbled, following her down the stairs and towards the street.
“We both do.” She agreed. “This time for real.”
“That’s what I say every single time.”
Sherry looked at him to reply, but her gaze lingered on his jacket. Leon cleared his throat and pulled the zipper up, hiding the contents of his inner pocket.
“Leon, you can’t just--” Sherry started softly.
“We’re not the only ones who developed symptoms.” He interrupted. He didn’t need a rundown of how many protocols he was breaking. Especially not from Sherry Birkin who also lived her life by skirting around the strict definition of legality.
“I know, but--”
“We both have our secrets, don’t we, super girl?” He asked and yeah, he hated to pull this card on her, but time wasn’t exactly on his side today.
Once upon a time she would have blushed at the reminder of her transgression, but instead she just looked away, eyebrows furrowing. Leon sighed. They were too old to be living like this. All of them.
The sound of an engine caught his attention, and a car appeared from around the corner. It was black, the windows tinted, and Leon didn’t need to see to know who the driver behind the wheel was.
Sherry finally shook her head and smiled. “We’re both doing something stupid, aren’t we?”
Leon watched the car stop in front of them.
“No.” He said firmly. “Reckless, maybe, but not stupid.”
“You should hurry.” She said and Leon hugged her goodbye, before getting into the car.
“I’ve got something for you.” He said, turning towards the driver. He pulled out the single dose of Elpis that he’d hidden in his jacket’s inner pocket. “Happy Valentines Day.”
Iridescent blue eyes glanced at him and he inhaled. “You always know how to make a woman feel special.” Ada replied.
“You don’t need me for that.”
The car pulled into a small alley and Ada took the syringe from him. Leon watched as she pulled down her black turtleneck, revealing rough skin, marked by the disease. He closed his eyes at the sight. It wasn’t the first time either of them had been infected, but the fear was just as sickeningly strong every time. He couldn't keep count of the number of times he’d lost her, and he just knew that one of these days it was bound to happen for real.
Not today though. Not if he could do something about it.
“Wait.” Leon said, opening his eyes to see her press the syringe against her skin. “Let me.”
Ada didn’t fight him as he plucked the cure from her fingers. Leon leaned in close and pressed the tip of the syringe against her neck. She inhaled sharply as the needle pierced her skin and that’s all there was to it. One second he was about to lose her, and the next the black marks started retreating.
Leon placed his head on her shoulder, inhaling the scent of her. It wrapped tightly around him, soothing his fears. They were going to be alright. He might have gone to hell for it, but he’d gladly do it all over again for her.
“Leon.” Ada said softly and pressed him against her warm body.
He buried his face in her neck, kissing the tender skin under his lips. Fingers combed through his hair gently, chasing away the memories and giving him reprieve even if just for a moment. Right now, the world was perfect.
A smile tugged at Leon’s mouth. Who could have guessed that one day Ada Wong would be his anchor?
Certainly not him.
He sat back up. Warm brown eyes looked back at him instead of unnerving blue and he knew that this was finally over.
“Are you taking us home?” He asked, and Ada smiled.
“Yes.” She said, starting the engine. “You need a shower, handsome.”
“I need sleep.”
Ada hummed, backing the car and turning it towards their apartment.