Waiting For Your Call|RE9 Leon Kennedy x Wife!Reader
(A/N: I'm still on the Leon hype train what can I say, and I'm sure this has been done but I wanted to do some fluff) WARNINGS: mentions of past trauma, mentions of mental health issues, marital issues, alcoholism, aside from that pure fluff <3 etc.
What's Playing: "Mr. Loverman" ~Ricky Montgomery
"Hey. It's me."
You and Leon had been fighting for a while, petty fights that had gotten far more heated than they should have. Bickering about him not cleaning the coffee grounds out of the sink, or you forgetting to tidy up. Pointless pet peeves that you used to be able to let go of, now spats that never really got resolved, leaving you both more bitter than before it started.
You both reasoned that all couples fight, you were just going through a rough patch that would eventually get better. Even though the truth was something you refused to face.
It was never about the sink or the tidying, it was about the bigger issues that never got addressed. The things that were swallowing you whole but you couldn't bare to acknowledge. When it first started, you made a list, determined to talk through them, now it was just a list you kept revisiting, shameful that once again you hadn't had the courage to address the problems. Just like you were now. The list mocking you with your neatly printed writing.
Leon's job, how you hated that he kept it. It paid well, but putting him in danger more than you thought worth it. His insistence to keep it.
Kids. You wanted them, he didn't. He never explained why. You wanted to know why.
Leon's unwillingness to open up. You'd been understanding once, now there were somethings that were kept hidden that were tearing you two apart.
Leon's drinking. It had always been bad, but lately it had gotten worse.
Your jealousy. You couldn't help the gnawing fear that he secretly still pined after Ada. Even when he told you he didn't. (If he just told you honestly about what went on between them it would be easier. But he refused)
Both of your paranoia, both of you obsessively checking each other's locations to make sure the other was safe. Fearing when either of you left the house.
They were killing you. Slowly, like a poison micro dosed into the very air surrounding you. The joy and love you'd had for each other in the beginning being choked out until that was left was bitterness and resentment.
Days once filled with laughter and intimacy now cold and consumed with distance. You both woke up on opposite sides of the bed, silently preparing the day, leaving for work with one of Leon's cold pecks to the cheek. Coming home at different times, especially when you suspected Leon was staying late on purpose to avoid you. Staying up as late until he came home, falling asleep on the couch only for him to move you to bed when he came back.
A soulless routine, sucking the life out of you both. You weren't sure how much longer you could go on like this.
"I've got a call. I'll be back."
It was what he always said when he ran away to another crime scene. Once you knew that he would be back, sooner than later. Now you knew that he'd probably stumble in at two in the morning, sleep on the couch so you couldn't smell the beer on his breath. He still thought that you would scold him for it, when in truth you'd lost the energy to do so. Now you couldn't bring yourself to care like you once had. If he wanted to drink himself to death, all you could do was watch on the sidelines and worry.
"Do you have to take it?" It was what you always said, hoping that just once he'd say no. Stay home, where you could keep an eye on him, keep him away from temptations.
"I do."
But he never said no.
"What time will you be home?" Translation: "Are you going to the bar after work again?"
"Late, probably." Answer: "Yeah. I don't know when I'll be home."
"Stay safe, don't take any risks." You held up your face for the peck, trying to not let it show how much it hurt you to see him hesitate.
"I won't." His stubble scratches your cheek as he presses his lips to it without much warmth.
As Leon turns from you, you can't help but call out, in case he didn't know it.
"I love you."
Leon almost seems surprised to hear it, but quickly composes himself. "I love you too."
Before he shuts you out with the door closing behind him.
Leon hesitates, he should call. He has to call. He'd been gone for who knew how long, without so much as a word. Of course you'd be worried about him. How could you not be? He'd run off telling you that it was just to be a quick stop in, and then he'd disappeared, almost gotten himself killed. The news cameras had already been propped up, there was a good chance you were already watching.
And yet, he still hesitates.
Leon was a man who had stared death in the face countless times, almost died to his infection, and yet calling you was what terrified him the most. What would you say? Would this be enough to finally pull the plug on this marriage?
For the longest time, Leon hadn't particularly cared. He'd wanted you two to stay together, but the guilt he'd felt towards those he hadn't saved consumed him. You'd thought that giving him his space had been what he needed to get better, when in reality all it had done was give him an excuse to continue hiding. What you had thought was consideration had allowed him spiral. Could Leon even go back? Crawl out of this pit?
He had to. The infection sapping away all his strength had brought him low enough to realize that he couldn't live without you. All this time, you've been what allowed him to go on. Without you....Leon didn't know what he would do, a dark pit would open for him that he wouldn't be able to get out of. He'd do whatever it took to get you to stay.
With a sigh, Leon held the phone up to his ear, swallowing his nerves as it rang.
It only rang twice before you picked up, your barely audible breathing the only indication you were there. Waiting, hoping that it was him, that he was alright.
"Hey, it's me." It's all he could say, his throat suddenly tight with emotion.
"Leon? Where are you? Are you alright?" It killed him how worried you sounded.
"I'm just fine gorgeous."
"I'm watching the news, don't tell me you were there."
Leon sighs, raking a hand through his hair as he turns his face towards one of the news cameras, giving it a sheepish grin and small wave.
"...You bastard." Clearly he'd been in frame.
"I'm alright sweetheart, in fact, I feel better than I have in a long time. Once this mess is all sorted I'm on my way home."
"Actually this time?" It was a loaded question, like you were more so asking if he had a change of heart on something.
"Yeah, I'll be home before you know it." He glances at the various DSO agents and medics around and ducks into a quieter corner. "I think we should talk about some things. Actually talk."
Your breath catches. "I think we should to."
"I...I miss you. And I don't think I say it enough when I'm gone. But I miss you and can't wait to come to you."
The pause is enough to make Leon question if it was too late, if you no longer felt that way about him.
"I miss you too. I can't wait to see you."
Leon can't hide the small smile that comes to his face, how his heart soars. "I gotta go wrap it up here, and then I'm off. See you in a bit sweetheart."
"Bye, I love you."
The grin on his face widens. "I love you too."
You paced, constantly checking the window for his Porsche to pull up. It was pathetic, how desperate you were to see him. And yet you couldn't deny the relief at seeing those headlights finally pull into the driveway, the engine turn off.
Running to the front door you post yourself, waiting, heart in your throat. Would anything be different? Did he have a change of heart? Would things be different? Or would you both just slide right back into your toxic routine?
The handle turned and there he was, dishevelled, exhausted, but with a light in his eyes when he looked at you that you'd missed so dearly. Like he'd been waiting his whole life just to lay eyes on you.
"Hey gorgeous."
It was enough to send you flying into his arms. Kissing him with every once of passion and longing that you'd kept bottled up this whole time. Kissing him like you'd been starved of him for far too long and finally got a taste.
Leon met you in the kiss, taking you in his arms while kicking the door closed. Each of you hungry and and desperate, missing the feel of your lips pressed together.
It had been far too long.
"I missed you so much-" You breathed against his lips.
"I know sweetheart." His hands slid up your body to hold either side of your neck. "I know I've been lacking, but I promise, I'll always come back to you."
A glance down at your lips is enough to have Leon pull you in once more, gripping you like he was afraid to let you go.
It was the old Leon that you had loved and missed so terribly, brought back to you. And for once in a long time, you had hope.

























