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“So, why am I dragged into this?”, Chris sighs, but follows Claire through the busy bar district anyway. She turns around and pulls him by his sleeve if he’s too far behind, no chance to escape her plans. It wasn’t his fault that they left the house late, and for once, not even reports that he didn’t finish in time.
“Because you are single, too.”, Claire explains, as if it explains absolutely everything.
“Yeah?” It doesn’t explain anything.
Claire huffs. But makes her way through the streets anyway. Chris has no idea where they are going. A bar, obviously, but there’s no reason to go out on a weekday to get drunk, especially because it was on such short notice. He was ready for a calm evening, maybe a beer, watching TV but his sister had other plans.
“Leon!” Claire’s sudden shout surprises Chris, he blinks and looks up. He was so busy not running into other people and thinking too much, he should have noticed the blonde man standing there. His sister runs towards him, greeting him with a hug. What a coincidence, meeting the government agent here, Chris didn’t even know he’s in the city. Maybe they can talk a tiny bit before they have to return to their quest of whatever Claire has planned. With Leon’s schedule being as full as it is, they barely have time to talk about something that’s not work, or they are already out of breath from running away from whatever ugly B.O.W. follows them.
Leon smiles at Claire, they exchange a few words he can’t make out with all the conversation and music going on around them. And then, Leon glances up, icy blue eyes that never fail to take his breath away. Looks at Chris like he’s waiting for him.
Maybe, this isn’t a coincidence at all.
“Chris, it’s been a while. Didn’t know you’re part of our pity party, too”, Leon tilts his head to the side, it doesn’t sound like he’s judging him. More… surprise?
“Honestly, I have no idea what’s going on.” Chris admits, shrugging his shoulders. Leon tilts his head further to the side, blonde bangs covering one blue eye like this. That’s eyeliner, isn’t it? And with the head tilt, Chris could have sworn there’s glitter.
“Valentine’s day? Being-single-pity-party?”
Oh. Chris glances at his watch. 14th of February. How… did he forget this, there was advertisement everywhere, pink boxes of chocolate, roses at every corner store. He has been aware the day might be close, but totally forgot it’s today.
A being-single-pity-party. He feels too old for that kind of thing. No chances to flee now, are there? At least, Leon is there too, it makes him feel a bit better.
“Now that we cleared that up, let’s head inside. Valentine’s day should be in summer, it’s way too cold.”, Claire firmly pushes them towards the entrance of a pub Chris has never been in.
It’s a small, cozy room, the dark wood paneling of the walls covered in old rock and pop concert posters, each chair different from the next one. There are only a few empty tables left and they find a small booth for themselves. A beer for Chris, a Gin Tonic for Claire, water for Leon.
“So this is just a… thing you do on Valentine’s day?”, Chris asks after a first sip of beer. Leon hums, but Claire answers for him.
“Not every year, but when we have time. And are single, of course.”
“The second requirement has been met every year so far.” Leon grins, and Claire slaps his shoulder. “Hey, what was that for?”
“You make it sound like it’s no big deal.”, Claire pouts, wiping away non-existent tears. “Everyone I know is in a relationship, and I am not.”
“Well, apparently, you at least know me and Leon.” Or he wouldn’t be sitting in a pub with both of them. It has never been a big deal for Chris, being single. Becoming older, the whole dating thing feels very exhausting, especially with a job like his. Maybe that’s the same reason why Leon is single too, or maybe it’s something completely different. And just because he is single, it doesn’t mean he’s looking for a relationship. Claire seems to have a different opinion on that.
“But everyone eeeeelse. Rebecca, and Sherry and… and… everyone.” Hearing Claire like this, it’s a wonder she only had half a drink yet.
“Rebecca has a weird on-off-relationship with Billy, that shouldn’t be something to desire.” It’s a wild on-off-relationship with a legally dead, convicted maybe-maybe-not-murderer, but one that’s been working out well for them for more than 15 years. Still, everytime Rebecca tells Chris about her boyfriend/fiancé she usually doesn’t see for months, it’s fascinating.
“And I can't be the only one to hear Sherry's complaints. With Jake currently being contracted for a job in Serbia and Piers working on a case in Mexico, she has last seen them in early December”, Leon adds and Chris nods.
“I hope they approve Sherry's and Piers’ vacations next month. I don't think I can take another month of him being either full of love or full of heartache.” It’s not too bad, actually. Well, most of the time. Sometimes, Piers just happens to become over emotional and spends the afternoon with Chris in the rec room telling him about his perfect girlfriend and his wonderful boyfriend.
“You are shust shealous you don’t have shuch a loving relationship”, Claire tries to argue while chewing on an ice cube. With a sickening crack, it breaks, and she continues, “How did that even happen, I can see Jake and Sherry but Piers? Last time you told me about him, he tried to rip Jake’s throat out and vice versa.”
“Well, you take two superhumans - assuming Piers is finally classified as one and not as B.O.W. anymore, correct me if I’m wrong, Chris - , and a walking antibody, lock them into a room and hope they get along. Or at least hope the adrenaline and testosterone runs down before they kill each other. And I’m not talking about Sherry here.”, Leon swirls the ice cubes in his empty glass with long, slender fingers, nail polish matching his eye color.
Did Chris and Leon already meet in a hospital because the B.S.A.A.-Captain wanted to look after Piers and the DSO-agent wanted to look after the mercenary who’s under supervision of the government? Maybe. Did both men in question didn’t look like they regretted a single punch that brought them into the hospital in the first place? And did they happened to find both in the same bed, making out? The answer is, again, maybe. And if they did, it’s not a story to share with Claire tonight.
“No, you’re right. They dropped the B.O.W. classification, despite him still having to take suppressors, even if the dose is minimal. I think Sherry put in a good word for him.” Chris drowns a good portion of his beer in a weak attempt to drown the memories with it. That was one awful year, but Piers is fine now.
Everyone is fine, that’s a pretty scary thought. Usually, in their job there’s always something. Somebody is in hospital, somebody just came back from a gruesome, nightmare inducing mission, somebody drinks themselves into oblivion. Somebody loses a loved one, somebody dies. They even get constant updates from Jake and Piers, and they are both alright.
Everyone except for Claire who orders a second cocktail. A cola for Leon. Some crackers and peanuts. Chris is still content with his beer.
“See, loving relationships. And we are here, all alone.”
“Don’t know, Claire”, Leon grin is so sickly sweet as he glances over to Chris, “if you spend your Valentine’s day in a pub at a table with two handsome men, your chances of getting laid are pretty low.”
Claire opens her mouth, closes it again, opens it again as her face becomes deep red and with a pitiful groan, she drops her face into her hands. Then reaches out to slap Leon who has started to laugh loudly. “Oh, ew, Leon, ewwwww.”
Chris can’t decide if he likes Leon’s laughter, the way the glitter sparkles in the corners of his eyes, or his handsome-comment more and settles for laughing with him. Bystanders really might think Claire hit the jackpot tonight. It makes things weird that Chris joins the whole pity-party-thing, but said bystanders don’t know they are related. Leon, on the other hand… Spending the evening of Valentine’s day with Leon isn’t bad at all, in his opinion. And Claire somehow spends a lot of Valentine’s days with Leon.
But Chris knows his sister better than that.
“Jill is single.”
Claire becomes even more red, if it was even possible, face still hidden in her hands.
“I know.”
Leon’s grin becomes wider. “We should absolutely ask her if she wants to joi—”
“No! Oh, nonononono. We can’t.” Claire throws her hands up, and puts them on Leon’s forearm, shaking him. The alcohol seems to take hold of her and Chris gets to see this whole scene unfold from the safety behind a half-empty glass of beer.
“No?”, Leon asks. With another pitiful squeal, Claire puts her forehead against Leon’s shoulder, shaking her head. Leon’s hand comes up and he twirls the strands of her ponytail between his fingers.
“Nooo….”
“But you are aware that there will be more Valentine’s day pity parties if you don’t tell her. Not that I mind them, but, you know, you could change something about it.”
“I’m pretty sure you said exactly the same sentence last year too.”
“Maybe. Chris, help me out here”, Leon tilts his head towards Claire, the smile becomes softer. Chris shrugs his shoulders.
“Help out how? Tell her the same things I tell her every time? That she has to take the initiative and ask out Jill if she wants anything to happen?”
“You’re both mean”, Claire huffs as she pulls away, standing up. One and a half cocktails are enough to make her a bit mushy, but at least she seems steady on her feet. “I’ll be in the bathroom and afterwards, we’ll talk about your lovelife, and then it’s my turn to be amused.”
Leon just hums as Claire walks away, looking after her for a moment before giving all his attention to Chris. Chris, who melts under icy blue eyes. Leon is such a handsome man in his own way, soft and slender yet obviously muscular. Claire keeps insisting that he looked ‘squishy’ when they first met and Chris would have loved to see that. When they first met a few years ago, there was no squishiness left and somehow, no photographs exist. Must be a government agent thing.
“Maybe we should leave before Claire comes back to ask us about our lovelife.”
“You’re a cruel brother. Much to confess, Chris?”
Except for thinking that Leon is one of the most gorgeous beings on this planet? Chris pushes that thought back.
“Nothing. You?”
“Nope, single and busy with work”, Leon shakes his head. It doesn’t sound bitter though, as if it’s just a fact and not a life destroying conclusion like it’s for Claire, “Really thought you were going to end up with Piers.”
Chris isn’t even fazed by Leon’s comment. Probably would have choked on his beer if it was about anyone else, but… “I hear that a lot. But he’s like a son to me, and Piers only has eyes for Jake and Sherry. Thought you and Helena are an item?”
Again, Leon shakes his head, then rests his chin on the palm of his hand. “We’re uhhh… she’s still mad at me for some of the things I said to her when we were fighting Carla and Simmons and especially when I didn’t let her shoot Ada. And no, before you jump into conclusions, no Ada for me either.”
“Would have called you insane if you were dating Ada.”
“Got called insane for less.”
They suddenly hear a surprised gasp from Claire, followed by a “Leon, look!”
Both turn to the source of the sound, Claire who’s obviously on her way back from the bathroom. Looking from the woman in the red leather jacket to the outstretched arm, the invisible line from her fingertip to behind the bar where they display the bottle to a shelf with a teddy bear sitting on it.
It’s pretty big, wearing a police officer uniform with an absolutely unfitting big green bow around its neck. Sitting there like the owners of the pub take good care of it, a few shot glasses around it, a few photos.
Leon freezes. Chris isn’t even sure if he’s even breathing anymore. Just sitting there still and not moving anymore, staring at the bear.
And Claire grins like she’s about to spill all the beans. She returns to the table and slides into the booth, close to Leon who scoots away - apparently not completely frozen or maybe it’s just a self defense mechanism - closer to Chris.
Raising an eyebrow, he looks from Leon to Claire and to the teddy, trying to figure out which piece of the puzzle he’s missing.
“They still have him, like he’s waiting for you to finally pick him up!”
“Claire…” Leon tries, but there’s no stopping her.
“Don’t ‘Claire…’ me. I told you we’d talk about your lovelife once I return.”
“It’s been years and I was drunk.” All the defense goes unheard and Chris is… curious. He honestly doesn’t know too much about Leon, partially because they see each other quite rarely, and partially because the government is good at hiding information about their agents. Leon’s not dating, neither Helena nor Ada, claims to be busy with work, but there must have been something if Claire is so excited, her eyes sparkling as she looks at her brother, ready to destroy Leon’s life.
“Can you imagine that he rung me up on Valentine’s day three years ago to tell me that he fucked up? And when I came here, into this bar, he was all overemotional over this teddy that he was gifted that day?”
“I wasn’t overe—”
“Shhh. You were. Drunk and overemotional. Like telling me that this dumb bear ruined your date. But you can’t be mad at the bear because he’s so soft.”
Chris chuckles, the images vividly in his head. Three years, that means they already knew each other at that point and that makes it even easier to imagine the scene, despite being overemotional doesn’t sound like a Leon-emotion.
“You dumped your date because of a teddy bear?”, Chris has to know and Leon sends a glare into his direction, that would be intimidating if not for the blush.
“I thought you were on my side and now you’re interrogating me too? Two Redfields against me is too much to handle.”
“He. Did. Dump. His. Date.”, Claire sing-sangs, poking Leon’s shoulder with every word. And with every word, Leon slides closer to Chris until their arms touch.
“For a police officer teddy.”, Chris adds, “That’s so sad and cute, Leon.”
“Ughhhh…” Crossing his arms and resting them on the table, he hides his face in the fabric. Chris can’t help himself and rubs Leon’s back. He stiffens, looks up to Chris with his eyes wide but then relaxes into the touch, with another annoyed groan.
“I’m never going to join your pity-parties ever again. I’d like to have an exfiltration now, would somebody call Hunnigan for me?”
“Nope.”
A phone rings anyway, and Claire pulls back to take it from her bag, excusing herself and searches for a more quiet place in the pub.
“You don’t happen to get a phone call too and leave me alone in my pity, do you, Chris?”, Leon looks up, eye makeup slightly smeared in one corner and glitter over his cheeks from rubbing his face against his clothes.
“You can’t have a pity party if you’re doing it all alone”, Chris hums, arm dropping from Leon’s back. “You okay, though?”
“Mhhh. Didn’t expect to be reminded of that day.” He sits up, not looking at Chris again, and takes his glass again.
“Need a drink?”
“Cola will have to do.”
“No alcohol for you?”, Chris asks, watching Leon swirling his glass, mesmerized by the sounds and movement and not looking into his eyes.
“Stopped drinking after we’ve defeated Arias. I… realized how difficult it has become for me to not drink. When there was a bottle of alcohol in my apartment, it was empty at the end of the day because everytime I passed it, I’d just take a gulp. Felt antsy when I did not. Putting the bottle in a cupboard didn’t help either, my feet would just carry me there to give into the addiction… So it all had to go. Sherry helped me. The therapist Hunnigan entrusted me to helped, too.”
Chris understands. He’s felt the same after he’s been in that bar, suffering amnesia. The time afterwards was bad, even if he was dragged onto mission after mission that barely left time to drink. But when he could, he would. And it took way too long and a lot of help from Piers to get out of that hellhole. Leon looks better than during those days, too, the dark rings under his eyes almost gone, less exhausted and chronically depressed - at least the part of depression Chris could actually see in Leon’s face.
A sigh, and Leon leans his head back against the wooden wall, head turned back to the teddy bear. Another sip of his drink, ice cubes clinking against each other.
“I was at a county fair with my date and he won me this teddy bear at the shooting gallery. It… god, this will sound dumb, reminded me of a person I was crushing on. I couldn’t enjoy the date afterwards anymore, he was nice and everything but the damn bear…”
Chris looks at the bear now too, it sits innocently at its spot at the bar, watching over the patrons with big brown eyes in its tiny uniform.
“A police officer then?”
Leon laughs, still not looking at him. “God, you’re curious. He’s… not quite a police officer. I think he never was a real police officer to begin with, he was in a special forces division after serving in the military.”
Chris hums. He doesn't know anything about Leon. Well, he knows a few things, like him fighting bioterrorism as long as the BSAA-Captain. He knows only a few people in Leon's circle, like Helena, Sherry, Ada. There are so many people Chris doesn't know and yet, he's curious. Trying to figure out who the mysterious crush might be.
“So, like S.T.A.R.S.?”
Leon side-eyes him for a moment before looking back to the teddy with something like nostalgia in his eyes. “Yes, S.T.A.R.S.. Honestly, I didn't even know him when he was still part of it but I don't think they should give out teddy bears in tac vests and with machine guns to fight bioterrorism on fairs.”
S.T.A.R.S.
Military.
Bioterrorism.
So.
Chris is suddenly very aware of his own heartbeat, pounding loud enough for the whole pub to hear. It can’t be, why is he even letting these hopes go into his head?
He stares at Leon. Longer. But Leon doesn't look back at him. Fingers dancing along the rim of his glass, anything to keep them busy.
“Leon…” Is his voice loud enough to be heard over the noises in the room? Hopefully.
“Just… spare me from the embarrassment and… don't tell Claire. It's bad enough that she knows I dumped my date, would be worse if she knew it was because of you.” Leon sighs and rests his chin on his folded arms once more. “I like to think the teddy’s name is Officer Bearfield. Would be fitting with its brown eyes, wouldn’t it?”
Chris wants to say so much. Wants to ask so much. Leon would have never told him about his feelings if it wasn’t for the pub to keep the teddy bear his date won three years ago. Three damn years. Even if Chris has been the reason for Leon to leave his date three years ago, it’s been too long to know if Leon still feels the same.
But he doesn’t know how to start. So he lets his hand rest on the small of Leon’s back once more, hoping he won’t push him away.
Before he can form a sentence that puts things into words , Claire returns from her phone call, cheeks red up to the eartips.
“Uhhhh… Rebecca called. Since Billy is off somewhere and Jake and Piers are on missions, she asked if I want to join a spontaneous grass widow and single party with Sherry and Jill.” She explains, sitting back down. Chris raises an eyebrow and Leon raises his head from his arms.
“So”, Leon starts, “Why exactly are you sitting back down?”
“I can’t just call you here for a pity party and leave you alone…” Claire’s excuses for avoiding yet wanting to see Jill are getting weaker.
“Claire. Leon and me, we’re both adults. We’ll find a way to entertain ourselves. Please, go see Jill.” Leon hasn’t pushed his hand away yet and maybe it’s Chris’ imagination, but he’s leaning closer too.
“It’s not about Jill, it’s.. it’s…” Claire becomes even more flustered until she lets out an exhausted sigh and stands up again. “Alright. Alright. I’m going. Yes, I’m taking a taxi, Chris, don’t worry.”
“Good, don’t worry about your drinks, I’lll cover them. You’ll text me when you’re there?”
“I will.” Her shoulders drop, but her face is still red. “I… I’m sorry I leave you here but…”
“Claire, Chris is right, we’ll be fine. Now go, get your girl. It’s Valentine’s day.” Leon grins softly, making a shooing motion with his hand. Claire sticks out her tongue, then turns on her heels and leaves the scene.
Leon lays his head back down but turns it to face Chris who really wants to cup Leon’s face and wipe away the smeared make-up with his thumb. It’s such a horrible temptation and refuses to give in. Not before he knows how Leon feels now.
“You think she and Jill will end up together?”, Leon hums, picking a few peanuts from the bowl. That’s not the topic that burns under Chris’ fingernails right now but well… he can understand Leon’s curiosity, he’s been friends with Claire’s for so long.
“If they don’t end up together after listening to Jill talking about Claire for years, I’m questioning their and my sanity. They better figure it out. Leon, about before…”
Leon looks away again, unreachable again. “They grow up so quickly, don’t they? … It’s nothing Chris, don’t worry about it.”
Maybe Chris should start questioning his sanity now.
“Then look at me and tell me that’s nothing to worry about and you’re not crushing on me anymore.”
Leon’s eyes snap back to Chris, wide and worried? Hurt? Panickly? Chris wants to understand the thoughts behind those blue eyes.
“I… I can’t”, Leon whispers.
“Why?”
He laughs awkwardly, slowly moves away to escape Chris’ touch. “I’m not good at those kinds of things”
“Talking? Eyecontact? I’m not buying that, Leon. You were able to convince me in China not to kill Ada, a woman you’re aware isn’t on our side. You looked me in the eyes and told me you’d protect her anyway.”
“Chris… Can we drop this?”
“Then say ‘no’ and we’re done.”
“Can’t we be done without saying ‘no’?” Leon mumbles. He looks so uncomfortable and Chris is starting to feel bad.
“I would understand your ‘no’, Leon, I’d accept it and we don’t have to talk about it again. But please tell me.”
Leon opens his mouth, but no sounds come out. Or the funky bar music is louder than he is. All in all, it’s so weird, them sitting in a pub, a cola for Leon, a beer for Chris, two singles sitting in the room full of other singles and couples on Valentine’s day, there’s laughter and a group over there is playing billiard, another group is singing along the song off-key. Leon who’s looking like he’s barely keeping his life together. Chris who feels too desperate, too pushy.
“It’s not… a no.” Leon says again, a bit louder. “I’m not good with touch. It will sound so dumb… Yes, I am still crushing on you but I don’t know if I want… if it can become more.”
“Touch? But, Claire touched you before and you played with her hair—”
“Because I’ve met her before everything happened”, Leon huffs, shoulders dropping, “everything was easier before everything happened…”
Everything. Raccoon City, the recruitment and every zombie apocalypse that followed.
“If you always exist around the touch of death, the touch of the living becomes… scary, in some way.”
“I touched your back before. I didn’t cross lines, did I?”
“No, no you did not, it was fine. Nice.” Leon moves closer again and Chris takes that silent invitation, hand resting on Leon’s back once more. He feels it again, how Leon stiffens for a moment before relaxing, head back cushioned on his arms.
“When we first met, the Terrasave Reunion, I noticed… that you really can’t keep your hands to yourself. Always on another person’s shoulder, a gentle touch to get their attention, a pat on the back. Like a teddy that hugs back, a comforting touch. I liked that thought. And that led us to Valentine’s day three years ago.”
Chris lets his hand wander as he moves just a bit closer to Leon, enough to put his hand on his waist. Leon doesn’t flinch away despite his hands tensing.
They order another drink, ginger ale for Leon, beer for Chris. It feels like it’s getting even more crowded in the bar, but Chris both don’t mind. It’s better than quiet places where they are alone. An empty hallway, creaking floorboards, an empty street, cats or rats running over the pavement, claws noises resonating on the narrow walls. It always puts Chris into mission mode, no matter where he is. Hand always hovering over his knife.
If there’s an zombie outbreak in a huge crowd, they’d notice quickly and they would be fucked anyway. Depending on the virus, of course.
“Is there anything I should watch out for”, Chris asks after a while. Just holding Leon like this is wonderful. But if they want to see if more is even possible, then he has to know.
“Don’t you dare to touch my throat or neck, I might break your fingers. Shoulders are fine as long as you don’t grip too hard or hold me in place. The holding in place counts for everything, don’t take my arm or wrist and pull me forcefully into directions or stop me from moving. Don’t touch when I can’t see you. No cold, wet fingers.” It’s like he's memorized those sentences by heart, ready to spill them out when necessary. But at the same time, Chris can’t tell how often this recitation has ever come over Leon’s lips.
He flexes his free hand experimentally, his fingers are cold and moist from the condensation on his glass of beer. They are not as stiff as a zombie’s fingers, Chris has felt them on his shoulders more often than he’d have liked, and surely not as flakey - but it’s disgustingly close if he thinks too hard about it. Shoving the hand into the pocket of his jacket, Chris hopes it will warm up and dry.
Minding everything Leon has said, he lets his finger wander over the other man’s back, shoulders and arms. He can feel the shiver under his fingertips but it doesn’t seem to be discomfort. Leon closes his eyes, and at this point it feels like he’s a cat, showing him complete trust in this crowded place.
“Hair?”
“No pulling.”
Chris slides his hand up, skipping the neck area and runs his fingers through dirty blonde. It’s just as soft and silken as it looks.
“Face?”
“... you don’t mind the people around us?”
“No. You?”
“Nope. Face is… okay, mostly. I’ll tell you if it’s too much.” As the back of Chris’ fingers caress Leon’s cheek, his eyes open briefly, checking the situation before closing again. There are people glancing at them, Chris can feel the eyes in his back, but he honestly doesn’t care when he’s memorizing the outlines of Leon’s face. And he finally cleans away the stray line of eyeliner, glitter sticking to his skin.
“It feels just as nice as I would have imagined”, Leon sighs as Chris cups his face with one hand as gently as possible. He can’t ruin this or he’d be mad at himself for the rest of his life.
“Mhmh.” Leon has a few moles on his face, a few tiny scars, all covered by a dusting of blushing. If the light here wasn’t so bad, Chris would spend even more time staring and tracing lines on warm skin. “Can I keep up with the high standards that Officer Bearfield has set?”
Leon chuckles and moves, leaning his head against Chris’ shoulder.
“Officer Bearfield allowed me to snuggle and cuddle him? So I guess he’s still the better choice.”
“Then I still have to step it up a notch?” Leon nods against him. And Chris feels brave. It’s like he’s been brave all evening, differently than the brave he has to be on missions. It’s scary, but differently than the darkness in which he usually finds his fears.
“I don’t know if my or your apartment is closer, but I’d guess you’d feel safer in yours?”
Leon looks up to him, wide, blue eyes partially covered by blonde and - as Chris now knows - soft hair.
“After all I’ve said, you still think I’d be fun to keep me around?”
“You mean after finally admitting you’ve been crushing on me since we’ve first met?”, Chris smiles, nuzzling his hair.
“I get it, you can stop rubbing it in. My apartment should be closer.”
They finish their drinks, eat the last peanuts.
Chris gets a message from Claire, a selfie with Sherry, Rebecca and Jill. And an apology for leaving so early. A short message back, it’s fine, thanks for the update, he and Leon are heading home too.
Paying the tab, Chris looks up to Officer Bearfield again, brown beady eyes watching the pub. Watching Chris. And Chris is thankful that he could meet Officer Bearfield, even if it took a few years.
They take the taxi, it’s faster than walking and it’s gotten cold outside. They sit in the backseats of the car, Leon telling the driver where to go. His hand reaches out for Chris and they carefully intertwine their fingers. Never too much, always so careful as if they were handling glass.
The apartment itself is still a few streets away from the address Leon had given the driver. Government secrets and all, he explains later when they are alone. A calm area, unimpressive yet clean. A few stairs up, they’re both not huge fans of elevators. Doors are difficult to open with only one hand available, the other one around Chris’.
A door opens and closes a few seconds later. Chris hopes to have some time to look around later. Tomorrow. One day. But his eyes are all on Leon right now. His own back is towards the door, leaving Leon enough space in the small entrance area they’re in.
Arms are fine, so he lets his hands wander up. Leon looks like he’s about to take a step back, as if he’s overwhelmed, but stops himself.
Shoulders are fine, so he lets them rest there while studying Leon.
“You’re okay?”
“Haven’t been touched… like this in a while.” The smile that plays on his lips screams nervousness.
Neck is not fine. So he skips. Carefully cups Leon’s jaw in one hand, the other one hovering for a moment before touching him too. Always leaving him space to step back, or speak up.
“Lips?”
“Thankfully, zombies don’t have a weird obsession with lips like they have with necks. It’s… fine.”
Chris runs his thumb over Leon’s lower lip. His mouth opens slightly as his eyes fall shut with a soft sigh.
“Not kissing you at all for the rest of the evening would have been manageable, but I’m glad I don’t have to hold back.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
They meet in the middle. After all the careful touches and getting to know each other, the kiss is unexpected heated. Quickly turning to open mouthed kisses and hot panting. And Leon finally moves, hands on Chris’ waist to pull him closer until their chests’ touch. Tastes sweet like ginger ale and warm, soft. Chris wishes that he never has to breathe again so he doesn’t have to pull away and Leon seems to have the same plan, his tongue running over Chris’ lips and pushing inside.
It ends too quickly but no matter how much time they would have had, it would always end too quickly. Leon takes a step back, breathlessly, and Chris drops his hands, giving him the space. Leon’s hand is still on Chris’ waist though, fingers tightly in the leather of his jacket.
It takes a while until their breathing becomes normal again and the room suddenly feels too quiet.
“Okay…”, Leon starts, gently tugging on the jacket he’s holding. The smile is sweeter this time, less nervous. Chris wants to kiss him again.
“Can I give you a tour through the house later after I’ve dragged you to the bedroom… I’m not going to check if you’re better at snuggling and hugging than officer Bearfield here in the cold hallway.”
Chris has to chuckle at that. God, he’s going to become jealous of a teddy bear if it continues like this. But aside from that, this is Leon inviting him to bed. It feels so surreal but he has seen more crazy things in his life and was forced to accept them. And accepting this reality right here is quite easy.
“Lead the way.”
Leon does exactly that. Through the hallway, pass closed rooms. A few night lights are installed at the floor, illuminating the halfway just enough that no spot is completely dark. The nightlights are even in the bedroom, not enough to see any details, but enough to keep away the darkness. Takes off his shoes and motioning Chris to do the same. Gently pulls Chris with him on the bed until they both lie next to each other, facing each other.
“What about your waist?”, Chris asks after a while.
“Will you ask that for every part of my body now?”, Leon asks back, grinning. It’s supposed to sound like an amused jab, Chris knows, but it’s too full of worry and fear. “You’re not bored by it yet?”
“I’m not.”
The grin falters into a more honest emotion, taking away a few more layers of hiding from Leon S. Kennedy. “Waist is fine.”
Chris puts his hand up on Leon’s slim waist, feeling muscles and the tremble beneath the shirt.
“I’d hug you now, okay?”
“Okay…”
Back is fine, so Chris puts his hand there as he moves closer to Leon. Puts an arm under Leon’s head and pulls him towards him until it rests against Chris’ chest. His fast heartbeat is probably giving away how much this means to him.
A soft sigh and Leon lets his weight fall against the other’s body to hug him back.
“I really don’t want to ask but…”
“Yes, Chris, it does feel better than the teddy”, Leon laughs and it feels so honest and light. Chris kisses his hair, smiling too. There will be days when touching won’t be that easy, he can already tell. Or days when it might actually be easier for Leon.
“Good. Might interest you that, now that the teddy lives in a bar and doesn’t want to go home with you, I’m gladly taking that spot.”
“Forget that damn teddy and kiss me again, Chris.”