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· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Chris doesn’t even lift his eyes from the report he’s painstakingly filling when the door to the STARS office is slung open. He recognizes the light steps approaching his cluttered desk before Jill even speaks up.
“Get your rude ass downstairs. The report can wait.”
Chris sighs and rubs at his tired eyes. He leans back against his chair and looks at his best friend.
Jill is standing with her arms crossed, frowning down at him.
“I really need to finish this tonight, Jill, or else Wesker’s gonna beat my ass,” mutters Chris.
He doesn’t particularly look forward to pissing off his boss. Again.
Jill snorts and leans her hip against the side of Chris’ desk. “What’s new?”
Chris throws her an unimpressed look, and it makes her snicker.
“Come on, I’m not asking you to stay at the welcome party all night, but you should at least greet the rookie. Make a good first impression,” insists Jill.
Chris twirls his pen between his fingers and he sighs again. “You know I don’t care about that. I’ll meet him soon enough.”
Even though they’ll work in different branches of the RPD, Chris is certain he’ll cross paths with the rookie often enough during lunch hours, to get coffee or in the training grounds. Why should it matter if he isn’t greeting him at his welcome party? A bunch of officers aren’t there for it too as they’re currently out on duty.
Jill puts her hands on his desk and leans over it to get in his personal space. Her smile is mischievous and positively gleeful.
“Even when he’s exactly your type?” she whispers with amusement.
Chris doesn’t mean to pause, doesn’t mean the subtle straightening of his spine at his friend’s words. He knows by the way her smile grows more amused that Jill caught on.
“I don’t have a type,” Chris argues, even though he knows that they both know he does.
As if on cue, Jill leans back and begins counting on her fingers as she speaks; “Really? Soft blonde hair, delicate features, big innocent baby blue doe eyes, a sweet smile…”
Chris can’t help imagining what the rookie must look like from Jill’s description, and damn if that doesn’t make for a pretty picture.
Jill laughs, probably picking something up from his expression. “Don’t have a type my ass. Come on, before I drag you down there myself,” she says as she steals Chris’ pen and throws it towards her own desk.
Chris narrows his eyes at her. “You won’t stop nagging if I don’t, do you?”
“Never,” replies Jill with amusement.
“Fine,” grumbles Chris. He stands up from his desk, stretching his sore muscles from having sat in that chair for hours.
Truth be told, Chris isn’t really mad about being forced to follow Jill. He’s curious about the rookie now. He can’t wait to see if Jill was pulling his leg like she’s prone to do sometimes, or if he really looks like what she described.
They make their way downstairs, and as they approach the west office, Chris picks up on the sound of music and laughter coming from inside. The doors of the office are halfway open, and the two friends slip inside the room.
The atmosphere is festive inside the office. All the officers currently in the police station are scattered around the room, talking in groups, holding plastic cups or slices of pizza, the sound of their conversations overlapping the music.
A banner hangs over the rookie’s empty desk, spelling a simple but sweet message.
Welcome Leon
If the rookie - Leon - doesn’t feel welcome in their little family, then Chris doesn’t know what will.
He searches for said rookie among the crowd, but before he has a chance to lay eyes on him, he’s spotted by Barry, towering over everyone else.
“Hey, Chris! Finally here to greet our rookie?!” Barry’s booming voice reaches him over the music, gesturing for Chris to come closer, which he does along with Jill.
“Yeah. Sorry I’m late,” says Chris as they join Barry.
The older man claps him on the shoulder, grinning in a way that tells Chris he isn’t drinking his first cup of beer.
Before Barry can speak again, another voice reaches their small group.
“Leon, this way! There’s someone else you need to meet!”
Chris turns his head and sees Marvin making his way towards him, someone following him close behind, mostly hidden behind the lieutenant. He presumes, from Marvin’s words, that it’s their new recruit.
Both men stop in front of Chris and he can finally get a first look at Leon.
And, well, as soon as his eyes land on the kid fresh out of the academy, Chris knows he’s doomed.
Goddamnit, Jill was right.
Leon is gorgeous. The sweetest smile Chris has ever seen. Soft, dark blonde hair. A youthful face, still with some baby fat in the cheeks. A straight, cute nose and the bluest, prettiest eyes in existence.
Oh, this is dangerous.
Chris knows he’s staring too much, and he doesn’t want to know what kind of expression is on his face. Thankfully, Marvin intervenes before Chris can make Leon feel uncomfortable with his creepy staring.
“This is Chris Redfield, one of our STARS members.”
Marvin introduces him, and Chris extends his hand on autopilot, his eyes not leaving those pretty blues.
Leon’s smile turns a bit shy, almost starstruck as he shakes hands with Chris. His handshake is surprisingly firm for such a sweet face.
“Nice to meet you, Sir. I’m Leon Kennedy,” says Leon in a warm tone, still smiling sweetly.
That damn smile. Chris knows it will be his undoing.
“Just - just Chris is fine. Nice to meet you too, Leon,” says Chris, unable to look away from Leon’s pretty face.
A face that soon harbors the cutest blush on those high cheekbones. Chris is hypnotized by the beautiful sight and doesn’t realize the cause for that blush until he hears Jill snicker from behind him, paired with Marvin clearing his throat.
Chris is still holding Leon’s hand, long after they should have broken off the handshake.
And people are staring weirdly at him now.
Chris’ face warms up with embarrassment and he quickly lets go of Leon’s warm, soft hand. “Gonna go grab some beer,” he mutters as he hastily turns around and leaves Leon’s side.
He’s not running away. He’s not.
When someone pulls up next to him while he pours himself a cup of beer, Chris knows who it is without looking.
“Don’t say a word,” he hisses, still feeling the burn in his cheeks.
Jill indeed doesn’t say a word, but she laughs so hard that she nearly doubles over.
Chris has the sinking suspicion that life for him at the precinct is gonna be hell from now on.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
As Chris suspected, from that day forward, he’s being teased mercilessly by all the members of STARS for his big, fat crush on the rookie.
He can bear with it, knowing there’s no ill intent behind the teasing, as long as it stays contained among the STARS teams and doesn’t reach Leon’s ears.
Speaking of Leon, a week after meeting him, Chris mercifully had no new run-ins with him. It’s better this way. Maybe it will give Chris the time to get over that stupid crush.
He hears people talk about Leon, though, and he quickly realizes he’s not the only one who thinks Leon is gorgeous. The rookie is quite popular around the precinct, among both men and women.
Chris pretends some of the comments about Leon don't bother him. He’s good at it, until one day in the locker room, when he overhears a conversation between two older officers, Charlie and Mark, both of which Chris always thought to be a bit creepy with the way they act around some of the station’s personnel.
Chris comes out of the shower, towel wrapped around his waist, just in time to hear Charlie say; “You seen the rookie’s lips? Perfect for sucking dick.”
Chris frowns while Mark laughs at Charlie’s comment.
“Bet he was all the rage at the academy. Probably why he graduated with honors,” continues Charlie with a grin.
Fury blinds Chris at the vile accusation. He lets it guide his actions. He quickly rounds up the two officers and when Charlie turns to look at him, he clocks him in the face with a vicious punch.
“Fuck! What the hell Redfield?!” yells Charlie as he cups his bruised cheek.
“Watch your fucking mouth. Next time I won’t stop there,” hisses Chris.
What disgusting rumors are these two spreading about Leon?! Chris will not let this slide. Leon doesn’t deserve that just because of how he looks. Chris might not know him yet, but the protective side of him comes out nonetheless.
“Protecting your little boyfriend? Always knew you were a freak Redfield,” says Charlie, his stance growing aggressive.
Still, the two officers don’t make a move to attack Chris. They know better. They know that all members of the STARS teams are highly skilled and that their chance of winning even two against Chris isn’t looking too good.
“I better not hear such disgusting filth again,” says Chris angrily, not backing down from the two older men.
Silence falls in the locker room, with all three men staring each other down. Eventually, the two officers slam their lockers close and leave, cursing under their breaths.
Chris hopes they learned their lesson. But if not, he’s prepared to protect Leon’s honor again.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Turns out Leon doesn’t need Chris’ protection. Turns out he’s much more of a firecracker than he appears to be.
Chris finds that out two days later.
It’s late, and the police station is almost devoid of people apart from the skeleton crew of the night shift.
Chris, the last one to leave the STARS office that day, locks it behind him and walks down the hallway towards the library so he can get down to the first floor.
As he passes by the door of the linen room, he hears voices coming from inside it. Chris stops and frowns. There shouldn’t be anyone in there at this hour.
Feeling something is off, Chris pushes the door open that had been left ajar, and what he witnesses leaves his blood boiling.
Leon is backed against the far wall, with Charlie caging him in and holding the rookie’s wrists pinned against the wall.
“Get off of me!” exclaims Leon, features drawn in an angry scowl.
“Come on, stop playing prude. We all know how you got around the academy, how you got these honors. I’ll make it worth your while,” says Charlie as he leans closer to Leon.
“Hey!” exclaims Chris angrily as he begins to make his way forward to help Leon.
Before he can reach him, however, Leon takes matters into his own hands.
The rookie knees Charlie in the gut, and the latter doubles over in pain. Leon, quick as a cat, grabs the older officer’s arm and twists it behind his back before kicking at the back of his knee.
Charlie goes down with a grunt of pain, and Leon quickly keeps him immobilized on the ground by pressing a knee into his lower back and keeping a tight grip on his arm.
Chris stares, wide-eyed and impressed. “Woah,” is all his dumb ass manages to say in the face of such a flawless, effective move.
Leon finally looks at Chris. There is a flush to his cheeks, but Chris can’t tell if it’s from the effort he just exerted or embarrassment. A worried expression appears on his pretty face.
“I’m sorry. Am I going to get in trouble for that?” asks Leon.
The question takes Chris by surprise. In trouble? For defending himself?
Chris shakes his head as he joins Leon, stopping a few feet away. “Nah, you’re good. He was the one harassing you, I can attest to that. You’re not in trouble, I’ll make sure of it,” he promises.
Leon smiles shyly at him, looking relieved, and it flusters Chris as much as it did the first time they met. Damn, he’s whipped for that pretty, boyish smile.
“Thank you, Sir,” says Leon.
Charlie mutters some profanity under his breath and tries to dislodge Leon, but the rookie pushes more of his weight on him, keeping him pinned to the ground.
Chris ignores Charlie for now, keeping his attention on Leon. “Please, call me Chris. I insist.”
Chris may be Leon’s senior in the RPD, but he’s not his superior. It doesn’t feel right to be called this way.
And maybe Chris doesn’t want the distance of titles between them.
Leon nods, and his smile falls when he looks down at the officer squirming on the ground.
“Are you okay?” asks Chris with concern as he pictures the scene he had just stumbled upon, and remembers what Charlie had said two days ago in the locker room.
What he intended to do to Leon is clear as day. Anger simmers in Chris’ blood.
Leon shrugs. “Yeah. Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”
This saddens Chris immensely. Of course a pretty boy like Leon would suffer through harassment in this line of work. He’s not surprised, but that doesn’t make it okay.
“Sorry to hear that,” offers Chris softly.
Leon meets his eyes again, and Chris gets lost in those pretty blues, in how they shine with something resembling gratefulness.
Chris grins at Leon. “But you know, on the bright side, this little incident will probably deter any other attempts like that, unless they want to get their ass beat. I know I wouldn’t mess with you, seeing how you handled our little friend here.”
Chris marvels at the little chuckle Leon lets out, and paired with the soft blush that colors his cheeks once more, it’s enough to cause butterflies to flutter in Chris’ belly.
He really is in trouble as far as Leon’s concerned.
Chris clears his throat and looks down at Charlie who seems to have accepted his fate, having stopped struggling.
“Would you mind fetching Marvin? He should still be around. I’ll watch over this idiot until you’re back with him,” requests Chris.
They’ll need to make a report on the incident, and Chris would make damn sure Marvin knows that Leon was justified in manhandling this pervert. Leon doesn’t deserve to be kicked out of the RPD for self-defense against a senior officer.
Leon nods, and he finally lets go of Charlie, hurrying out of the room after one last lingering look at Chris.
As soon as Leon is gone, Chris turns his attention to Charlie who is pulling himself up in a sitting position.
Chris is swift to grab him by the collar of his uniform, yanking him closer. “Now where were we last time? I warned you,” snarls Chris darkly.
He sees the fear in Charlie’s eyes. Good. He should be afraid.
No one would touch Leon this way and get away with it, not on Chris’ watch.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
“So, when will you ask young Kennedy out, son?” asks Barry out of the blue.
Chris chokes on his coffee. Rebecca, worried, gently taps his back while Chris fights to breathe through his coughing fit.
He glares at Barry sitting in front of him at the dining table. “Barry, what the fuck?”
Barry crosses his arms and grins at his younger colleague. “I thought you were a man of action! Seeing you make heart eyes at the rookie and not doing anything about it is very disappointing.”
Rebecca sighs and shakes her head. “Don’t listen to him, Chris. He just wants to win his bet,” she says before taking a bite of her lasagna.
Chris’ eyes narrow and he glares at Barry. “You made a bet on me?”
Jill, sitting next to Barry, snickers. She mirrors Barry’s grin. “You bet your ass we did. Barry’s trying to cheat. I bet you’ll never have the balls to ask Leon out,” she challenges.
Chris shakes his head, and he throws a disappointed look at his friends. “I can’t believe you guys. Rebecca, please tell me you didn’t participate in this nonsense.”
“Of course not! But I’m afraid everyone else in STARS did. Apart from Captain Wesker, evidently,” says Rebecca, smiling apologetically.
“You’re fucking kiddin’ me,” curses Chris as he rubs at his temple.
He’s not surprised, if he’s being honest with himself. This is the kind of shit they go around doing when in between missions. He’s usually not the target of the bets, though.
Jill looks over Chris’ shoulder, and her grin turns even more amused. “Speak of the devil.”
Chris turns his head to follow her gaze, and he sees Leon enter the break room with his lunchbox, scanning the room for an empty space to sit. Chris’ traitorous heart skips a beat when their eyes meet and Leon smiles sweetly.
They’ve crossed paths a couple times since they dealt with Charlie in the linen room, and had exchanged pleasantries, but nothing more. Seeing even small glimpses of Leon is still enough to fluster Chris more than it should. Damn his big fat crush.
Barry waves excitedly at Leon. “Hey, Kennedy! Come sit with us, son! Chris can squeeze in a place for you!”
Squeeze in a place?! This bench can only sit two people, and Barry knows it. With Rebecca already occupying the bench with him, it’s gonna be a tight fit. Chris hopes that Leon knows it too, but to Chris’ dismay, the rookie makes his way over to them.
Chris hears Jill whisper; “The biggest cheat in the world, I swear!” just before Leon is standing by their table, looking a bit shy.
“Are you sure I’m not intruding?” asks Leon, his pretty blues shifting between every STARS members sitting at the table.
Barry’s sudden, loud laughter makes them all jump around the table. “Of course not! Sit!”
Barry gestures to Chris’ side, and the latter knows he won’t escape this. He hasn’t finished eating his lunch, after all. He would have no excuse for a hasty retreat.
So he and Rebecca end up scooting over until Leon can squeeze himself on the bench next to Chris.
It’s a very tight fit.
Chris is far too aware of their thighs and arms pressed tightly together. The searing contacts are impossible to ignore, just like it’s impossible for Chris to not notice the sweet scent emanating from Leon this close to him.
A note of vanilla and cinnamon. Must be his shampoo. With hair like this, Chris is sure Leon must use the best products to keep it soft.
Chris is so distracted by Leon pressed against him that he doesn’t pay attention to what’s being said at the table. He does notice the small little glances Leon throws at him, but he’s too keyed up to try and make sense of them.
He curses his friends for making his life a living hell, and internally plots on how to get his revenge.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Chris loves Jill to bits, she’s his best friend, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to smack her across the head sometimes when she acts like a little shit towards him.
She’s a menace most of the time, and Chris is often left blindsided by her machinations.
He, Jill and Rebecca, along with several of the regular police officers - including Leon - are currently using the training room, pairing up to spar.
Chris is wiping the sweat off his brow with a towel after his spar with Jill, and he tries to be subtle as he watches Leon bring down an officer almost twice his size with an impressive maneuver, winning the spar.
Jill catches him staring, and her grin tells Chris immediately that she’s up to no good.
“Hey, Leon!” exclaims Jill, catching the rookie’s attention just as he’s about to leave the mat.
“I wanna see you go against Chris! You up for it?” asks Jill, her tone dripping with amusement.
Chris can’t believe what he just heard. Jill is definitely taking sick pleasure in tormenting him. Because what else could a spar with Leon be for him but torture? Being so close to Leon, touching him… Christ, just thinking about it is already bad enough for Chris’ heart.
Leon looks taken aback by the proposition. His gaze travels between Jill and Chris, and he seems unsure on what to do.
Good, there might still be a way to avoid a disaster.
Rebecca, bless her heart, intervenes; “Don’t you think it’s a little unfair to have a rookie go against a STARS member?”
Jill puts her hands on her hips and she shakes her head. “He can evidently hold his own, Becca. You just saw it. Maybe he can bring Chris’ ego down a bit.”
The smirk she throws at Chris irks him. He glares back at his best friend. “Hey, I don’t have an ego.”
Jill scoffs. “Yeah, right. Always gloating when you beat us in hand to hand combat.” She turns her attention back on Leon, who is standing still, looking slightly nervous, watching the bickering unfold between the STARS team. “So Leon, up for it?” asks Jill with a sweet smile.
Leon makes a quick salute, looking like he doesn’t want to upset or disappoint Jill. Chris thinks it’s very cute, even though it marks the beginning of a very painful and nerve-wracking experience for him.
“Yes ma’am!” exclaims Leon.
Chris sighs. He throws one last murderous glare at Jill before making his way to the mats, stopping at a respectable distance in front of Leon.
They both move into a fighting stance, waiting for the other to make the first move, sizing each other. Chris is aware that everyone in the room is watching them, eager to see if a rookie can get the upper hand on an experienced STARS member.
As much as he’d like to let Leon win, Chris wouldn’t disappoint them. He has a reputation to uphold.
He strikes first. He lunges at Leon fast, but the younger man almost too easily dodges the fist aimed at his shoulder, as he does for the following few more punches Chris aims at him. He’s a slippery little thing, Chris will give him that.
And very quick on his feet, he realizes when Leon grabs his arm and twists it behind Chris’ back with surprising speed.
“I think you’re going easy on me, Sir,” says Leon against Chris’ ear.
Chris is about to reprimand Leon again for not using his name, but he catches on to the slight teasing tone.
It makes him chuckle. “Smartass.”
Chris bows forward, using his momentum to send Leon flying over him. The rookie lands and rolls on the mat. He quickly gets back to his feet in time to defend himself against another barrage of strikes coming at him.
Chris already knows Leon is very skilled in hand to hand combat, but he’s impressed by how the rookie is holding his own against him. Though it becomes clear after a while that Chris, while a bit slower, is stronger than him. He just needs to get Leon to the ground and he knows he can win this.
He finds his opening soon enough. Chris purposefully tanks a punch to the sternum instead of avoiding it. He ignores the burst of pain in favor of grabbing Leon’s arm, and he pushes his other forearm against the rookie’s throat just as he swipes at his feet. Leon goes down with a cry of surprise, and Chris pins him to the ground with his forearm still against his throat, putting just enough pressure to immobilize him without hurting him.
He grins down at Leon, who looks up at him with his pretty eyes blown wide.
“Caught ya,” declares Chris, out of breath.
He realizes too late that he spoke too soon. He sees the glimmer of determination in Leon’s blue eyes just before he feels a pair of long legs wrap around his upper torso in an incredible display of flexibility. Leon flexes his body and twists it to the side, throwing Chris off balance, the latter’s back hitting the ground next to Leon.
They begin wrestling on the ground, both men trying to trap the other and win the spar. Adrenaline rushes through Chris’ blood as his hands grip at a slender waist and powerful thighs, winding around lithe but toned arms in an effort to trap the smaller man.
Leon gives as good as he gets, managing to slip through Chris’ hold with his insane flexibility and making it impossible for the older man to predict his next moves.
That’s how Chris finds himself flat on his back for a second time, but this time he freezes when Leon’s weight keeps him stuck there as the rookie sits astride his hips, pinning Chris’ wrists to the ground.
The cheering and gasps from their audience barely reaches Chris over the pounding of his blood in his ears. All Chris can focus on is the pretty rookie grinning down at him, blonde hair ruffled and wild, and blue eyes shining with mirth.
“I win,” says Leon in a breathless whisper.
Chris is stricken dumb by the gorgeous sight Leon makes above him, at least until he becomes very aware of an alarming problem straining against his briefs. And if Leon as much as lowers himself half an inch more, that problem will be pressed against the rookie’s ass.
Chris can’t have that. He wouldn’t survive the embarrassment, nor does he want to sexually harass Leon.
So as much as Chris is enjoying having Leon on top of him like that, he has to get out of this situation fast.
Chris forcefully yanks his hands free. He grips those powerful thighs caging him in and twists his body, reversing their positions, causing Leon to gasp in surprise as his back meets the mat. Chris makes sure to immobilize Leon’s legs with his own, knowing by now that they are his most dangerous and powerful weapon.
Their eyes meet, and Chris smiles down at Leon. “Never let down your guard, Leon.”
A beautiful flush paints Leon’s cheeks, and it makes for the most charming sight. For a moment, time seems to stand still as they breathe heavily with their eyes locked. There is utter silence in the room, as if everyone, including Chris, is waiting for Leon to try and turn the tables once more.
Chris is surprised when Leon averts his gaze and mutters quietly; “I yield.”
The sight is too cute, and way too dangerous for Chris’ heart. Also dangerous for his unfortunate erection.
Suddenly remembering his not-so-little problem, Chris is quick to get off Leon, angling his body to hide his predicament as he offers the rookie a hand to help pull him back on his feet.
They are immediately swarmed by their audience, who had watched their spar with bated breath and enthusiasm.
“Impressive, Leon! Keep this up and I wouldn’t be surprised if you make it into the STARS team in no time if you want to!” exclaims Rebecca, impressed.
Leon flushes even more and chuckles sweetly before thanking her.
Chris takes advantage of all the attention currently being on Leon to quickly escape from the room with the intention of taking care of his problem with a cold ass shower.
Jill watches him go, though, and Chris doesn’t miss her amused smile.
He’s never going to live that down, is he? But neither will Jill. This is her fault after all, and Chris will make sure she repays him for that one way or another…
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
When Chris arrives at the firing range to get some practice in, he finds it almost empty. The only two people there are Barry, and to Chris’ mixed feelings, Leon.
Chris can’t stop embarrassing himself in front of the pretty rookie, so the less he sees of him the better he is for it even though he likes Leon a lot.
But try as he might, Chris often ends up crossing paths with Leon despite them working in different departments.
So really, he’s not surprised with this turn of events.
He’d be lying if he said he doesn’t enjoy watching Leon shoot a gun. The focused look on his face and the way he’s slightly biting at his bottom lip as he fires the handgun at the target is very endearing to see.
Leon must have felt watched, because he turns his head towards the entrance of the firing range and spots Chris.
Leon immediately turns his gaze back on his target, but he looks a bit rattled. Under the harsh lights, Chris is pretty sure he sees his cheeks gain some color.
Chris tries to ignore the gleeful feeling at knowing he can fluster Leon like this, and the voice in his head telling him that it might mean his stupid crush is returned, and he goes to the empty booth next to Leon to begin his shooting session.
He puts on the earmuffs and begins firing his handgun at his own target. He gets lost into the motion for a while, firing an entire clip before he curiously looks over at how Leon is doing.
Not that well, apparently. Leon’s missing his mark; not by that much, but it surprises Chris since he heard that Leon is a very good shot. Odd. Chris discreetly peers his head into Leon’s booth to watch him. He notices that Leon’s grip on his handgun isn’t quite right, as well as his stance.
Chris is someone who always likes to offer his help, especially to rookies, so he doesn’t even think twice about coming over to Leon’s booth and gently tapping on his shoulder after Leon fires another bullet at the target, missing his mark slightly again.
Leon turns to look at Chris and he takes off his earmuffs. “Yeah?” he asks, looking almost sheepish.
“Your grip and stance are a little bit off. Do you mind if I help you correct that?” offers Chris with a warm, friendly smile.
Leon smiles back, a shy little thing that is too unfairly endearing. “Sure.”
Chris’ heart races as he moves closer to Leon, until his chest almost presses against the rookie’s back. From this close, he smells again that sweet vanilla scent coming from Leon’s hair, and it’s very distracting.
He gets a hold of himself though before he can let it get awkward. Chris nudges at Leon’s boot with his own feet. “Spread your feet a little bit more.”
Leon does as Chris instructed, and the latter swallows the nervous lump in his throat before he lets his hands rest on the rookie’s slim waist. “And angle your body like this,” says Chris in a tight voice as he gently guides Leon to rotate his body slightly.
Leon lets himself be moved, offering no resistance. “Huh-huh,” he breathes out, almost too quietly for Chris to hear him over the rhythmic shooting of Barry’s gun.
Chris’ hands are shaking slightly as they leave Leon’s waist to instead cover his slightly smaller hands gripping the gun.
Chris moves those hands gently, adjusting their grip. “Now let’s try this again.”
Chris positions himself at Leon’s back, his head over the rookie’s shoulder as he guides the gun’s sight towards the middle of the target. This close to Leon, Chris hears the hitch in Leon’s breath, and the sound makes his heart race even faster.
He hopes Leon can’t feel his frantic heartbeat against his back.
Leon presses the trigger and the bullet hits the target perfectly in the center. Chris smiles happily. “Perfect.”
His hot breath puffs against the side of Leon’s neck, and Chris wonders if he imagines the faint tremble in Leon’s body.
He shouldn’t linger on it anyways.
Chris, as much as he’s happy about the result, knows that it means he doesn’t have an excuse to be this close to Leon anymore, and he reluctantly steps back.
Leon turns his head to look at Chris and he smiles gratefully. His cheeks are a bit rosy, and Chris can’t look away for the life of him.
“Thanks, Chris,” says Leon softly.
Chris clears his throat. “You’re welcome. Anytime.”
He doesn’t linger, less he does something incredibly stupid like pushing Leon against the wall of the booth and kissing the living daylights out of him.
Chris stays in the firing range for a while, getting in a good shooting session, though he gets distracted easily until Leon leaves.
Barry intercepts Chris as soon as he returns to the STARS office. Chris only has time to plop into his chair when the burly man stops right by his desk, cup of coffee in hand.
“You know, I find it odd that Kennedy was shooting perfectly before you arrived earlier. He kept hitting the bullseye. Very impressive for a rookie, I’d say.”
That comment causes Chris to freeze with his hands hovering above his keyboard. He looks up to stare at Barry, raising an eyebrow.
“What are you trying to say, Barry?”
Barry laughs heartily before leaning down to whisper; “I’m sure you can read between the lines, but I have a bet to win. I’m saying that Kennedy likes you too, Chris. It’s obvious to anyone who has eyes.”
So Barry’s saying that Leon purposefully missed his shots to get Chris to help him? If that’s true then… Chris smiles fondly.
Leon is a sneaky one.
And somehow, Chris finds himself even more enamored with him because of it.
Barry smiles and slaps Chris’ back, forcefully enough that he almost collapses against his desk.
“Now don’t be an idiot and do something about this. Can’t let Jill win this time around!”
Speaking of the devil, Jill enters the office, looking suspiciously between the two men.
Chris agrees with Barry on that one. Sorry Jill, but you’re gonna lose this one…
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
The news of the event spreads like wildfire through the police station.
Leon and his partner David, out on a routine patrol. Trying to arrest two perps caught doing a shady drug deal in a back alleyway. It escalated when the perps whipped out guns. David took a bullet for Leon, and Leon dragged David’s body further down the alleyway behind cover as he called for backup. Leon desperately kept the perps at bay while trying to keep David alive until backup arrived.
What a shit-show. Chris can’t imagine Leon’s state of mind right now. David had been taken to the hospital and he’ll survive, but he’s sure Leon blames himself for it.
And that’s not even to count on the fact that Leon himself came into an inch of losing his own life. Chris heard a bullet had grazed his cheek.
Having almost lost his life, being pinned down in a shootout into an alleyway with a wounded colleague, the stress of trying to keep them both alive…
God, it’s bad. Leon should never have gotten through that.
Chris has been camping outside of the west office ever since Marvin pulled Leon inside to give his report and fill out some paperwork, waiting impatiently for the moment when he’ll be able to see Leon.
The door finally opens, and Marvin steps into the hallway, leaving the door ajar behind him.
Their eyes meet and Chris immediately asks, not bothering to hide his anxiety; “How is he holding up?”
Marvin sighs. “Shaken. You know how it is. He’s too young to go through a fucked-up situation like this,” the lieutenant says sadly.
Chris agrees. Even if they signed up for putting their lives in danger when they join the police force, being thrust into high-stress situations like this is something they wish would never happen.
“But I think, with the mandatory therapy, he’ll be okay. Our rookie is resilient, and he won’t be alone to go through this,” says Marvin in a confident tone.
He’s right about that. Leon will get the support he needs.
“Can I talk to him? You done with the paperwork?” asks Chris.
Marvin nods. “Yeah, he can go home now. Go ahead. I have a feeling your presence will do him some good.” Marvin smiles teasingly as he says the last part, tapping Chris’ shoulder on his way as he leaves.
Chris chuckles quietly. There really is no hiding his fondness for Leon from anyone, is there? Truthfully, he doesn’t mind it too much.
Chris enters the office, and he finds Leon sitting in the chair in front of his desk. He has his head bent low, face hidden beneath his hands. Chris notices tiny spots of dried blood on his hands, and it tugs at his heart.
“Leon?” he speaks up softly, just loud enough to be heard, trying not to scare Leon.
It fails miserably, as the rookie startles and lifts his head, his wide eyes staring almost through Chris.
It takes some time for Leon to pull himself out of his daze. “Chris?”
Leon’s voice came out so meek and vulnerable, it hurt Chris to hear it. He approaches Leon and pulls a chair along with him, settling it down in front of Leon and sitting in it.
He seeks Leon’s gaze. “Are you okay? I heard about what happened,” says Chris gently.
Leon’s shaking fingers reach for his own cheek, grazing over a gauze pad covering the wound from the bullet that grazed him.
“I’m fine. It’s just a scratch, really. David is the one you should worry about,” replies Leon, his voice tight with emotion.
Chris reaches over slowly and takes Leon’s trembling hands in his, holding them gently. His thumbs begin caressing soothing circles on the back of Leon’s hands.
“I’m glad you’re not seriously hurt, but I’m not talking about that,” says Chris as he stares into tortured baby blues.
Those pretty eyes glisten with tears, and even though Leon tries his damndest to keep the tears from falling, they roll down his pale cheeks.
Leon is quick to take back his hands, furiously rubbing at his cheeks. “Sorry I’m - Christ why am I so pathetic,” he mumbles with a broken, pained laugh.
In the face of Leon’s distress, Chris doesn’t even hesitate. He pulls Leon into a tight hug, offering comfort in the best way he knows. His sister Claire has always said that he gives the best hugs.
And he would do anything to take Leon’s pain away, if only a little.
Leon is tense in his arms, but it only lasts for a few seconds. Soon, he melts into the embrace, wrapping his arms around Chris’ back.
Chris holds him even tighter when he feels the tremor in his body. He turns his head to whisper against Leon’s ear; “You’re not pathetic. What you went through in that alleyway, it would have fucked all of us up, experienced or not.”
Leon makes a broken sound, as if he wants to protest Chris’ words. The latter presses on, wanting to make sure Leon doesn’t get lost in the dark thoughts that are no doubt plaguing his mind.
“You did good, Leon. David is alive because of you, because you protected him. He’s gonna pull through.”
Leon pulls away from Chris’ embrace, but just far enough to look into his eyes. He bites his bottom lip in an anxious gesture. “He got shot because he protected me first. If I didn’t freeze when that gun was pulled on me -”
Chris mindlessly raises his hand to Leon’s face, cradling his cheek to brush away a stray tear. The gesture causes a lovely flush to spread across Leon’s cheeks, and it makes Chris smile softly.
“He did what he had to do. In this line of work, we protect our partners. I’m sure he doesn’t blame you for it. He’ll tell you himself when he’s back on his feet, you’ll see. So don’t blame yourself. You did good,” insists Chris.
He’ll say it as many times as it will take to convince Leon.
In the situation he found himself in, not every police officer would have kept their wits about them and acted as quickly as Leon did to protect himself and David.
Leon doesn’t protest this time. A tentative smile blooms on his lips, and his pretty blues stare back at Chris, still wet with tears. “Thanks Chris,” he whispers quietly.
Jesus, Leon is too gorgeous, and Chris is a weak, weak man. They are so close at the moment that if he wanted, Chris could lean in and capture those soft-looking lips in a kiss.
He decides to reel in that urge. Leon is vulnerable right now, and he doesn’t need Chris to take advantage of that.
Instead, he says with a soft smile; “You’re welcome. Just know that you’re not alone. We’re a big family here, and we take care of each other through thick and thin.”
I’m here for you. Whatever you need. He wants to say it, but doesn’t want to come on too strong.
But as Chris keeps staring into Leon’s eyes, so warm and trusting, he decides that he’d lose nothing in shooting his shot. He likes Leon a lot, wants to see where this could go if Leon feels the same.
His mind made, Chris takes the plunge.
“Marvin told me you were done with the paperwork. Do you… wanna go grab a bite to eat?”
He pats himself on the back for how steady his voice sounded, giving nothing away of his nerves.
Leon’s eyes widen in surprise. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
Chris chuckles nervously. “Depends. Would you say yes?”
Leon’s eyes soften, and he smiles sweetly. Next thing Chris knows, there are soft lips pressed against his own, and his brain short-circuits.
The kiss is too short for him to reciprocate, but it leaves his lips tingling and his belly twisted into knots.
“Yes. I thought you’d never ask,” says Leon as he pulls back, looking amused.
Chris rubs the back of his neck and tries to ignore the warmth in his cheeks. “Can’t blame a guy for being starstruck around you, Leon,” he confesses awkwardly.
A cute chuckle leaves Leon’s lips, making Chris’ heart stutter. The rookie smiles fondly at him, and Chris wants to kiss him again. But he’ll wait after their date, like a true gentleman.
“I’ll return the compliment,” says Leon softly.
Jesus, Leon will be the death of him. He just knows it.
Chris clears his throat and stands, offering his hand to Leon. “Come on. Go change, I’ll wait for you at the entrance.”
Leon nods, and he takes Chris’ hand, letting himself be pulled to his feet. When Chris makes to let go of his hand, Leon grips it tighter, unwilling to let go yet.
Not that Chris is complaining.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
It takes a mere three days before Chris and Leon’s fresh new relationship gets discovered. They are in the middle of a very heated make-out session during lunch time, Chris pressing Leon against the wall of the cramped janitor’s closet, the smaller man wrapped tightly in his arms, when the door is wrenched open.
Chris breaks their kiss and whips his head to the side in alarm to see who so rudely interrupted them and hoping it’s not someone who can get them in trouble for it.
Thankfully - or not - it’s none other than Jill. She looks less than impressed, arms crossed over her chest as her gaze wanders between the two men.
Poor Leon looks mortified from having been caught sneaking around like a couple of horny teenagers. His face is completely flushed red, and he hides it as best he can against Chris’ neck.
Jill curses loudly. “Goddamnit! I owe Barry fifty bucks!”
Ah yes, the bet.
Well, that will teach her to think Chris is too much of a coward to go after what he wants.
Jill leaves them alone, a string of curses fading behind her, and Chris turns to face Leon again. The rookie looks completely mortified, and it’s a good look on him. Chris can’t help himself from kissing a flaming cheek.
“She’s never gonna let me live it down,” whispers Chris just before he tilts Leon’s head up with a hand beneath his chin. “But you’re worth it,” finishes Chris with a fond, besotted smile.
His words earn him the sweetest of smiles and a pair of warm, soft lips against his own.
Yep. Totally worth it.