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The scale of the disaster that had struck New York became clear just hours after the explosion. The city remained in turmoil, with areas cordoned off by police and security forces. After all, they had been on the brink of another bioterrorist catastrophe. Even so, when Chris and Leon left the hospital after several hours of checkups and treatment, the city seemed to be returning to normal. It was quite ironic.
As soon as they walked through the hospital doors, they were greeted by the cool evening air. Leon closed his eyes for a moment, savoring that brief moment of peace, and let out a slow exhale.
They both began walking slowly along the sidewalk, still feeling the effects of the battle, which was evident in their weary movements. The fight against Glenn Arias had been an unexpected challenge, and their bodies were battered from so many blows and the grueling battle. They had survived, but that never meant coming out unscathed; there were always lasting effects.
Leon's shoulder still hurt. The pain had shifted from a sharp ache to a deep, constant discomfort that seemed to emanate from the muscle itself. He felt a twinge with every movement. His body was wisely reminding him just how badly he'd been injured this time. He had taken worse blows throughout his life, injuries far more serious than this. But lately he had begun to notice the wear and tear in a different way, as if his body were telling him something more. With each new mission, Leon had realized that it took him longer to fully recover. Every year it took a little more out of him.
And, if he was honest with himself, he had probably acted recklessly. Again.
But when he saw Chris trapped in the monster's clutches, pinned down by the brutal weight of rotting flesh, his mind stopped functioning normally. He didn't have time to think things through or come up with a strategy. He wasn't even afraid for himself. He was simply overcome by a cold, violent sensation piercing his chest as he imagined he might lose him. It was Chris. Something clicked inside him. Seeing him disappear beneath that mass of flesh and deformed bones set off immediate alarms, and he felt a desperation he didn't have time to analyze too much in that critical moment.
His body reacted without thinking.
He swerved the motorcycle sharply and charged straight into danger without a second thought, ignoring the inevitable impact as he skidded across the ground and his shoulder took the brunt of the blow. In that adrenaline-fueled moment, he didn't feel a thing. He sprang to his feet with grace and didn't hesitate to run toward Chris, with a single thought pounding through his head.
Don't let him die.
His body moved quickly; he had reacted instinctively, without a moment's hesitation. Once Chris was safe and Leon could finally think clearly, he realized something he could no longer ignore. His body had moved before his mind, with a visceral, uncontrollable response that welled up from the depths of his being. Now he couldn't help but wonder what had triggered that reaction.
He glanced sideways at Chris, who was walking beside him.
What the hell? In reality, Leon did know what had triggered that reaction, but he wasn't willing to admit it.
The sun was beginning to set between the buildings, casting an orange glow over the facades and creating a peaceful atmosphere all around. There was an unusual calm that rarely set in after a mission, as if the world had decided to grant them a brief respite. For once.
Chris stayed by his side, walking in silence, his hands hanging loosely at his sides. Leon had long since learned to read his expressions; perhaps he'd watched him too many times. It wasn't just fatigue weighing him down; his friend seemed troubled by something else. His face was slightly bruised, but that didn't detract from his good looks. And the tension in his shoulders was noticeable; Leon had noticed it. He flashed one of his best crooked smiles, unable to bear the silence that had settled in since they left the hospital for much longer.
"Well, Redfield…" he muttered hoarsely. He was still feeling the aftereffects of exhaustion. "We've survived yet another suicide mission. I suppose that deserves some kind of psychological medal."
Chris let out a soft snort through his nose, the closest thing to a laugh Leon had heard from him since they defeated Arias.
"I don't think there's a medal for that."
"It should exist. 'Congratulations on not dying a horrible death yet again.' We'd hang it up next to all the other accumulated traumas."
Chris shook his head, though the corner of his mouth turned up slightly. Leon always managed to crack a joke and lighten the mood, even after going through hell. Maybe that was why Chris had never been able to stay away from him. Although his sarcastic humor was a bit crude at times, he really appreciated his efforts to make him laugh.
Chris shifted uneasily, and after a pause he muttered:
"Sorry for ruining your vacation"
Leon looked back at him and raised his eyebrows, as if surprised by his words.
"It doesn't matter."
They kept walking down the street as the city continued to buzz around them, returning to normal after the bioterrorist attack. The sun was already beginning to set behind the skyscrapers, creating a beautiful trail of oranges and deeper reds; the day was about to end and give way to night. They saw several taxis crossing the avenue, now illuminated by neon lights. Conversations could be heard; life was returning to its routine and to normalcy.
Unfortunately, it was a life neither of them really knew how to live without bioterrorist attacks.
And yet, for the first time in a long while, Chris felt that he didn't want that night to end with just another goodbye. He'd been holding that in for too long. He'd always brushed it off as admiration, respect… a professional concern, or simply camaraderie among soldiers who understood each other and had survived the same nightmares time and time again. But after what had happened hours earlier, he was no longer willing to keep quiet.
When he saw Leon collapse, wounded, right in front of him as he crashed into that concrete wall —throwing himself into danger as if nothing else mattered— he almost screamed in panic. That agonizing feeling squeezed his chest tightly. In that moment, he felt the overwhelming fear of losing him forever. There were no more excuses; he knew he had reached his limit.
Chris glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Leon's jacket was open, slightly dirty from a build-up of dust. His hair was tousled by the wind, and he still looked exhausted. But there was something else about his relaxed expression and weary, slightly mocking smile that made it hard to look away.
Even after a mission like that, Leon still looked so handsome it left him speechless. Chris swallowed hard before speaking.
"Leon." His voice was deep and low, serious, but with a slight hesitation at the end. He felt insecure and chided himself for it.
Leon turned his head toward him, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh-oh. That tone never bodes well," he joked.
Chris let out a short breath, searching for the right words with a clumsiness that struck him as ridiculous, given all the impossible situations he had faced in his life. But the time had come to step up.
"There's something I wanted to ask you before we return to our respective bureaucratic prisons"
That managed to elicit a genuine laugh from Leon.
"Is the BSAA making you fill out reports again?"
"After this? Probably."
"Then you're really screwed."
Chris shook his head slightly, but this time he couldn't bring himself to smile. He was starting to feel nervous; his hands were sweaty, and his heart was pounding in his chest. It felt like it was about to burst out. Expressing his feelings was definitely harder to handle than any mission or confrontation with the horrifying creatures straight out of a Lovecraft novel.
He could handle the physical pain. The pressure during missions. The fear of dying. Even the constant guilt he'd been carrying for years. But this… this was different, because it left him exposed and vulnerable. It was something he hadn't felt in a long, long time.
After everything they'd been through together, Chris was afraid to risk the only real stability he had with Leon for feelings he'd kept buried deep in his heart for far too long. Maybe he should just be content with what they already were. Partners. Friends. People who always ended up finding each other in the midst of chaos and who kept coming back to one another.
Wasn't that enough?
Maybe it would have been enough… but for some time now, that hadn't been enough for him. He wanted something more.
Chris didn't know exactly when Leon had gone from being just someone important to him —a close friend he trusted completely— to something more. It happened slowly, without him even realizing it, amid shared missions, unexpected calls, and a silent trust that had gradually grown between them.
And now Leon was standing there, just a few steps away, looking at him with that carefree familiarity that always managed to lower his guard in an embarrassing way.
Even after bothering him during his vacation, Leon stayed by his side to help.
Chris was mentally preparing himself to say something that could shatter all this stability, because there was a chance Leon didn't feel the same way. Who was he kidding? Of course he wouldn't feel the same way. It was Leon S. Kennedy. Unapproachable, beautiful… painfully out of his reach. Chris wasn't sure he could bear to see that warm expression fade from his face and turn into discomfort. In pity. Or worse yet: in distance. For the first time in a long while, he doubted himself.
Chris thought he was an idiot for even considering taking that step. Leon was Leon. Smart, unpredictable, impossible to keep by his side for long. He was naturally flirtatious, without any real intention behind it. He approached people in a way that left a lasting impression, without realizing the effect it had on others. Chris was sure he'd misinterpreted too many things simply because he wanted it so badly.
Maybe he was about to ruin the only good, stable thing he still had left. But Chris couldn't keep quiet any longer. Leon eventually realized that something was wrong. The amused look on his face gradually softened, giving way to a genuine concern that warmed Chris's heart.
"Chris… what's going on?"
Hearing his name spoken like that, with such concern, made him hesitate. He thought about letting it go. Pretending he hadn't said anything and carrying on as they always did. That would be the easiest thing to do. Safer for both of them. But Chris was tired of running away from everything that really mattered. From what he really wanted. Claire always told him he had to take risks if he wanted something with all his heart. He took a deep breath, turned to Leon, and steeled himself. Before he could change his mind, he just let the words come out.
"I'd like to take you out to dinner."
Leon blinked. Chris held his gaze despite the uncomfortable heat that was starting to rise up his neck. Leon didn't answer, and that was killing him inside.
"Just the two of us…" he added nervously, "…a dinner."
Leon Kennedy looked genuinely surprised. Chris couldn't remember ever seeing him like that before.
The silence became unbearable, hanging heavy between them. Chris was starting to regret it; the knot in his chest just kept growing. What if he'd screwed up? Shit, shit, shit.
Then Leon let out a small, incredulous chuckle.
"Wait…" he looked at him with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment. "Are you asking me out, Redfield?"
Chris stared at him intently, without looking away.
"Would that be a problem?" He didn't say it jokingly or evasively; there was only sincerity in his voice. Chris was about to panic over the lack of response.
The look of surprise on Leon's face gradually softened until it turned into a gentler, warmer expression. Chris's heart was still pounding hard in his chest. He didn't want to misinterpret that reaction; he was terrified of making a mistake and facing the biggest disappointment of his life.
Then, like a gift from heaven, Leon gave him a genuine smile. There was no trace of that arrogant expression he used to hide from the world, nor the mocking look he used to provoke people. It was a real smile. An honest one. And to Chris, it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
"No," Leon finally replied, slowly. "That wouldn't be a problem."
The tension suddenly left Chris's body as he exhaled the air he'd been holding in his lungs. He tried not to let it show too much, but he had surely failed completely.
Leon watched him for a moment longer before adding, amused:
"Although I have to admit, I never thought I'd see Chris Redfield nervous about a date."
"I'm not nervous."
"Sure."
After that strange conversation, they arrived at a small restaurant near the bay. It was a far cry from anything luxurious or overly crowded. The place had warm lighting, dark wooden tables, and soft music playing in the background. It was fairly quiet, so they could talk undisturbed. It was a simple place, but to Chris it seemed perfect as long as Leon was by his side.
Dinner unfolded amid conversations that ranged from absurd memories of past missions to ironic remarks about their respective organizations. They talked about serious matters and lighter topics, alternating between comfortable silences and little jokes that came naturally between them. It was as if they had actually known each other for a long time. That thought made him smile.
Chris discovered that he liked seeing Leon like that.
Relaxed.
The dim light in the restaurant softened his weary features, and every time he smiled that carefree smile, Chris felt a strange tightness in his chest that was impossible to ignore.
Leon, for his part, quickly noticed how Chris was watching him when he thought Leon didn't realize it.
"What?" he finally asked, resting the arm on the table as he tilted his head toward him.
Chris quickly looked away, as if he'd been caught doing something inappropriate.
"Nothing."
Leon let out a little snort of laughter.
"Liar."
Leon's smile softened slightly. He was clearly aware of the effect he had on him. He enjoyed watching him and discovering that nervous side of Chris that so few people ever got to see. Perhaps he was now one of the lucky few. He found it surprising, and at the same time pleasant, to see the BSAA's golden boy nervous simply because of his presence. Chris's shyness struck him as charming. It was a curious thing to see in such a large, self-assured man.
Chris tried to focus on his glass, but it didn't really work.
"I didn't know you'd be so nervous on a date," Leon said after a few seconds.
Chris looked up immediately.
"Me? Who said I'm nervous?"
"Oh, really?" Leon raised an eyebrow with feigned innocence. "Then I suppose you're used to treating attractive federal agents to dinner every week."
Chris almost choked on his wine, and that just made Leon smile even more.
"Man, you sure are nervous."
"Leon…"
"What? I'm trying to figure out if that's something you usually do." He rested the chin on his hand, looking straight at him. "Or is it because of me? I'm still trying to impress you."
Chris felt the heat rising to his neck; the blush was obvious.
"You don't need to try."
He immediately regretted it, but the words had slipped out before he could stop them. Leon looked at him, and something in his expression changed. He still had that provocative half-smile, but there was something more honest mixed in that sent a chill down his spine.
"Well," he finally muttered. "You have no idea how dangerous it is to say something like that to me."
Chris looked away toward the window, embarrassed, a blush rising to his cheeks.
"Maybe the blow to the head was more serious than we thought."
Chris heard him chuckle softly, in a way that felt much closer and more intimate, sending a warm tingle through his stomach. And then, from that moment on, Leon began to flirt deliberately. He made suggestive little remarks with exasperating ease. His gaze lingered on him longer than was strictly reasonable. He even dared to make slight "accidental" touches that were clearly intentional, such as his fingers brushing against Chris's as he picked up his glass, or the light pressure of him knee against his under the table.
Chris tried to keep his composure, but Leon had always been dangerous even without meaning to be. Doing it on purpose was even worse.
Luckily for him, he survived the dinner.
They left the restaurant. The night had completely fallen over the city. The bay reflected the distant lights of New York, and the air smelled of brine, filling their lungs. The humidity clung to their skin, and the night's chill seeped through their jackets. They walked together for a few more minutes before finally stopping near the street where they were to part ways. For the first time all night, Chris was at a loss for words.
Leon watched him in silence, his hands in his jacket pockets and a calm expression on his face.
"Thanks for agreeing," Chris said finally, his voice lower than usual. "Tonight has been… important to me."
Leon held his gaze with an inscrutable expression.
"It's been important to me, too."
Chris's heart beat strongly in his chest, pounding deeply.
Leon took a small step toward him, and Chris could feel the warmth of his body despite the cold night air. The distance between them narrowed until it became dangerously small; only a few centimeters separated them, that space charged with a pull between them that Chris didn't know how to ignore.
The truth was that He didn't want to ignore it anymore.
He was still nervous; he felt awkward and clumsy, a far cry from the confidence he usually exuded. And beneath it all, a restrained impatience was growing—an urge to keep him close a little longer, right by his side. After so many years of getting used to quick goodbyes, separate missions, and a few conversations interrupted by emergency calls, having Leon this close felt so easy to want that he didn't want to see him leave.
Chris swallowed hard without taking his eyes off him. He could make out the faint glint in his eyes under the streetlights, the weariness etched across his handsome features, and a calm expression that was slowly disarming him.
"Although I do have one complaint."
Chris frowned slightly, waiting to hear what Leon had to say.
"Which one?"
"If you're going to ask me out on a date, next time take me to an Italian restaurant in the tallest building in New York. I want to see the view from up there. It's a more romantic."
Chris looked at him, completely baffled.
"Next time?"
Leon smiled in such a sensual way that it made his legs tremble.
"Yeah, Redfield. Next time."
And before Chris could answer, Leon leaned toward him and kissed him gently. It was a brief, warm, and surprisingly tender kiss, but it was enough to leave Chris completely frozen for a moment. When Leon stepped back, he was still nearby.
"Good evening, Chris," he murmured softly. And then he walked away down the street with unwavering calm —but with a sincere smile on his lips— leaving Chris standing still under the city lights, watching him disappear into the crowd with a strange feeling slowly growing inside his chest.
He felt hopeful for the first time in a long time. Chris couldn't believe that Leon wanted to see him again and go out with him. Maybe life offered little respites, little gifts, too.
And that was enough.
The End