I got the perfect idea for hybrid Leon, idk if it's been done before, hopefully not. Either way, an abandoned RE9 Leon x loner reader who finds him in the streets, very conflicted but reluctantly takes him in because she feels sympathy for the stray. She keeps him in her home for months, and when he demands to be let out, she lets him, telling him that she didn't keep him confined in the first place.
It does take a while, but she eventually silently breaks down, realizing her attachment to the middle-aged dog was stronger than she allowed herself to feel. She didn't think he would come back. He didn't sound like he was going to. So imagine her suprise when she sees him again multiple weeks later.
She is kind, protective, and maternal figure. She's known for baking, making delicious treats to Leon occasionally. She is sincere in expressing her love through words and actions. She has been known for being cold at certain moments, but only when people bring up topics she would rather not discuss. People don't stick around for her, or care enough to wanting her around, so she's a default introvert. Even though she likes being alone most of the time.
Abandoned Re9 Hybrid! Leon x Outcast! Reader Oneshot🐾
Summary: You’ve been independent majority of your life, so picking up a stray was supposed to be temporary. Before you realize it you’ve grown fond of him. Much to your dismay, the separation quickly takes a toll on you both.
CW: None, hurt, comfort & fluff towards the end, social anxiety, emotional dependency,insecure Leon, mutual pining, age gap, self destructive behaviors, mentions of disability, (no I don’t condone ableism, this is purely a work of fiction)unhealthy coping mechanisms.
This is longer because I have to keep ts emotional and Leon in character. (Duh, otherwise that’s Lion) Gender can still be up for your interpretation, everyone can be pretty. I love this concept, so here’s your crumbs anon, tweaked it a little, hope it’s still to your liking🖤
Which flour mix did you want to try for your new recipe today, almond or oat? You pondered to yourself, digging through the grocery bag with one hand, the handle of the plastic wrapped around your elbow.
The weather seemed to have been on your side today, as it began drizzling. You had to go on a late night trip for a few ingredients you overlooked.
Fantastic. You had no umbrella either, smart move, genius, figuring you wouldn’t need it, and the bus would be here any second now.
You thought you would’ve made it back home before the rain started, but there wasn’t any time to wallow in self pity. You had to pick up the pace to catch the transit, speed walking in long strides onto the moist pavement.
Managing a part time job on top of classes was already a challenge in itself, trying to keep your head above water. Currently, you were saving up for a car, so it’d be easier to get around your university campus, to and back.
You really didn’t want to work as a restaurant busser forever, so maybe selling pastries as a side hustle would help you make extra the cash you needed. No way would you resort to being a hooker or a sugar baby. You had the choice but you were more headstrong than that to turn to such drastic measures.
After all, money always returned, people don’t.
You hated your boss and your coworkers, you were more than certain that they felt the same about you. They acted like the idea of interacting with you outside of work was taboo.
Whatever, you figured. The job is just as temporary as they are, all your connections were. So who cares?
As you rummaged aggressively into your bag making sure you didn’t leave anything behind. you paused in front of a particularly dark alley, hearing another set of loud sounds. Now those noises weren’t coming from you, but from something or someone else in the dark alley to your left.
The downpour began to increase in intensity , making it a little difficult to see what lied ahead of you. You turned your body towards the direction of the commotion.
“Hey! You there! Excuse…Excuse me—are you okay? There’s going to be a thunderstorm soon so you shouldn’t be out in the open.” You exclaimed, feeling a little stupid bringing a hand to your temple to shield your eyes.
“If you want, I think have something you can eat for now—I can check real quick.” You called out pointing to your plastic grocery bag slung over your arm..
No response, but the tall, bulky silhouette faced your direction. The sounds of crinkling trash bags coming to a halt. The dumpster was pried all the way open and only illumination were from worn out street lamps, but that barely did anything for human sight alone.
Whoever it was, knew the weather would be unforgiving later on tonight, but you had a weak heart when it came to people with less unfortunate circumstances than you. If you weren’t careful, that could be you in their place. Especially if you lost the current job you had now.
“Unless, you aren’t that hungry, then I’ll take my leave.” You managed to sputter out, hurriedly, in case the individual got annoyed and decided to end you right then and there. “Forget I even offered.”
Hold on a second, were those a pair of tail and ears? Or were your eyes playing tricks on you now…could just be the downpour. You make out the way the shadows figure had a limp in their right knee every step they took.
With your hand still on your temple, using the sleeve of your sweater to wipe remaining moisture from your face. You saw a pair of feet in front of you, finally looking up.
“Well, if it isn’t my lucky night.” A gravely voice spoke up. A full face appeared out of the shadows now his hair a little damp from the moisture in the air. “Does this properly answer your question?”
You flinched immediately, when the figure finally stepped out into the open. His gloved hand worn out and dirty, clearly evident that he’d been dumpster diving for scraps for a good while now.
It was a dog hybrid, an older one at that, must be at least middle aged. You could finally make him out—he had side swept dirty blonde brown locks over one eye, with a few strands of silver. It was unkempt, so who knows when the last time he brushed it was.
“Funny, because mines quite the opposite.” You replied, in mild disbelief. “Unless this is your twisted version of good luck.”
His cheeks were slightly sunken in, most likely from weeks without a proper meal. Despite everything he was awfully handsome in the dim light. At the realization you stepped back, face growing hot. His stubble was a little outgrown than usual over his cleft chin.
“I’d say so. Quite frankly, it’s raining cats and dogs today.” Leon snorted, with a gruff tone, his eyes drifting down to the bag in your hands and towards the stormy sky. “Perhaps this is the part where I roll over onto my back for a treat or two.”
There were some creases, wrinkles, and eye bags beneath his weary grey blue eyes. His physique was extremely buff, the way his clothes hung a bit loose now, was an obvious a sign of muscle loss. The once fitted navy blue long sleeve beneath the dirty black leather jacket, paired with tactical pants. You could just barely make out a harness beneath.
“H-Huh?” You questioned with a confused tone now, lips parting. “Oh wait! That’s not what I meant. I thought you could use the meal since you were over there...” You sputtered pointing your free hand towards the open dumpster, trash scattered and littered all over the floor. It belonged to the back of some old fashioned italian meat deli you frequently walked past.
“But, you shouldn’t stay out here, you’ll get sick.” You replied feigning nonchalance. “I can’t just leave you out here in the streets, not under these conditions.”
“Hm. I suppose I really look like that much of a charity case now.” The dog hybrid replied as he tilted his head, wet, fluffy ears twitching towards you, attentive.
“Since the government decided I wasn’t of use anymore, deemed incapable of being on the field.” He patted his right knee, shoulders slumped, tail tucked in between his legs. Christ even his posture was horrible.
“I see.” You reasoned firmly. “Listen, I can’t afford us a nice steak dinner right now. How about you come with me, somewhere warm and dry like my place. We can split this shrimp instant ramen for now? It’s cheaper.”
You dug into the bag, and lifted a bright orange package in one hand, feeling a little humiliated, placing it back inside. You were barely doing well yourself physically and mentally, but bless your kind heart for trying to help the hybrid despite your own battles.
“The thunderstorms coming, and I have enough spare room for an extra person.” You stammered. “The longer we stay out here the more soaked our clothes will get.”
Luckily Leon, wasn’t in any better state to complain about luxuries, he’d take what he could get. He hated being seen as weak, when all his life, he’d been forced to take on the role of being the protector, not the one being cared for.
“Much better than anything else I’ve been eating out of, can’t tell what it is sometimes.”Leon stated, putting it bluntly, he had eaten his fair share of snakes and raw eggs before. “Lead the way, boss.” He didn’t seem at all bothered by the rain, like if it wasn’t there in the first place. The droplets were dripping down his light salt and pepper stubble and his worn, dirty, leather jacket.
“Okay. Our introductions can come later, let’s get you home.” You chuckled as looked at him with curious brimmed eyes.
Leon wasn’t sure the last time he’d considered anywhere a home.
Everything in his life was either taken from him, dead, or temporary.
But with the light in your eyes, the same brightness that was stripped of him years ago, he had the urge to protect that precious element. He blamed it solely on his hybrid instincts, for even entertaining the thought.
“There’s a bus stop nearby, I can pay for us both.” You chirped, facing the moist path in front of you, the other palm still shielding your face.
Leon’s tail swished behind him, flicking reluctantly. The crease in his eyes crinkling just slightly. You weren’t sure why you did it, but you used to tip of your fingers to tug onto the sleeve of his leather jacket, pulling him in your direction.
“We can figure out the rest once we get to my apartment.” You added, in such a sincere manner, leading him towards the direction of the bus stop, other hand carrying your groceries. “And sort whatever you’ll need out.”
A part of Leon even questioned why he let you drag him like a rag doll, but he didn’t pull away. His bad knee ached with every step, but he pushed the pain aside to keep up with you.
Maybe it was due to the fact you were the first person to acknowledge his existence in weeks, or without automatically wrinkling their nose in disgust in maybe months. He’s lost track of time. Not to mention, he’d be lying if he said your pretty face wasn’t a bonus.
A sight for sore eyes after witnessing incomprehensible horrors for most of his youth.
Leon didn’t say anything else after that , gaze piercing you, the lifetime of suffering and flashbacks for the past 30 years quiet for for a moment.
You two made it right as the bus arrived, both almost soaked from head to toe. Your hold on him was more insistent now. The driver looking down at you both with a suspicious look, that questioned what the hell you were doing at this hour.
His ears and tail were still low, swaying just barely, like he wasn’t exactly annoyed or pleased to see you, but simply observing your next actions.
That was months ago, you dozed off absentmindedly, recalling your first meeting. The buzzer for the oven going off, the sound making you jump upright from the couch.
Currently your small business was going pretty well, and you finally saved up enough for your own vehicle. Sometimes your dog hybrid would help you wrap up and deliver the orders as your business began to grow rapidly, promoting it online and at farmer’s markets.
Primarily, you had Leon taste test which ones were the best out of each batches, throwing out or keeping the wonky ones to share between the two of you after dinners. It was silly, but you knew it was better than letting it go to waste.
Even Leon seemed to have improved, in his mobility, monitoring it when you could. You noticed his changes emotionally, or so that’s what you had concluded at first.
You didn’t even get the chance to intervene, one foot into the kitchen doorway. You saw Leon already there, his ears perked up, tail swishing, oven mitts on both hands.
He bent over, careful with his limp, mindful of his knee brace, to pull out the loaf of fresh lemon blueberry bread, and onto the kitchen counter, a light mist of steam emanating from the pastry.
He didn’t know it yet, but you’d been researching and calling countless physical therapists, one that catered specifically to hybrids. You just had to check which one accepted your insurance to help you cover some of the costs. Once your savings account was full again, you’d break the ice, and suggest the idea if he was willing.
“You almost let this one burn, would’ve been a real bummer if I had to throw it out.” He said, a twitch of a grin, barely noticeable, enough to miss if you blinked. “It’s a shame burnt loaves aren’t as tasty.”
You skipped over to him, scoffing in disbelief, crossing your arms with your foot tapping against the floor. You weren’t upset, but you liked trying to push his limits, which never worked in your favor. He had such thick skin, it was hard to read him if it wasn’t for his ears and tails, you thought.
“Excuse me, you’re supposed to be my taste tester, not the baker, if I remembered correctly.” You stated in a matter of fact manner, index finger raised.
Leon raised a brow, with a trace of amusement, eyes crinkling in return to your antics. His leather collar, and small tag underneath the kitchen lighting, a heart charm with ‘LEON’ engraved on it. You found his worn out dog tag and deciding with the small amount of money you had, you’d buy him a new proper collar.
He initially wanted to complain and bitch about how stupid it was. To reason how he was far too grown for that, but couldn’t bring himself to deny you with that same gleam in your eyes that drew him in the first place.
He wanted to see your bright smile, not a frown across your delicate soft, lips. At times he’d wonder how they’d feel gliding across his, or if he ran his thumb across them.
“I wasn’t aware we established roles around here.” He said lightheartedly, raising a brow, removing the mittens from his hands.
They looked ridiculous on him, fitting one or two sizes smaller. “You did take me in so your word goes.” He reluctantly agreed shrugging his shoulders.
How had he gotten so fortunate? Maybe the lucky stars were finally aligned in his favor for once. He didn’t believe in divine intervention but you had him considering you were an angel in disguise, here to pick up the shattered fragments of himself piece by piece.
“Whatever— you’re lucky I haven’t decided to kick you out yet.“ You grumbled, grabbing a knife and a fork, cutting into the fresh warm loaf. The aroma was a mix of sweet and zesty, a bittersweet flavor. “I should place an eviction notice.”
“Say ah.” You chuckled, holding back a laugh, a warmth blooming in your chest, a feeling that intensified with each passing day. You blew on it gently so it’d cool down a little. “Here comes the airplane.”
You teased as you picked up a bite size piece onto the utensil, other hand underneath it, as you raised it towards the dog hybrid’s lips.
Leon obeyed without hesitation, parting his lips, as he chewed quietly, the fluff of his tail swishing a little faster now, slowly swallowing the dessert. His heart rate picking up a little faster at the intimacy of the moment.
“If you ask me..” He says quietly, licking his lips. “It’s delicious, just like everything else you’ve made in the past.” He said fairly pleased, nudging his head under your palm, a silent plea for ear scratches. You placed the fork down, onto the kitchen table.
“That’s what you always say, my culinary skills and recipes are never going to improve if you keep saying you like everything I bake.” You obliged with a laugh, scratching the base of his ear, nails in the fur of his ears. His eyes fluttered shut, lips parting in small whines, ears pulled back, tail whipping wildly.
“I need to start making those overly sugary ones you hate, so there’ll be actual critique.” You taunted, with a cheeky grin.
“I can’t help myself around you, dear.” The pet name had slipped out, in a way, it felt natural. Your laugh was music to his ears, a wonderful melody instead of the once constant gunfire.
“Don’t you dare try to sweet talk your way out of this.” You grumbled, running your fingers through his hair, which was more trimmed.
“Mmmph, that’s not fair.” He muttered, one eye opening to face you, one of your hands underneath his jaw, the light stubble grazing your palm.
“It’s not my fault you’re just as sweet as all these desserts, enough to rot a whole set of teeth if you’re not careful.” He could feel himself turning to mush like an idiot.
“Nope.” You snorted tugging his cheek. “That’s a sign I should have you cut back on them. Dental work is way too expensive to be joking about.” You giggled, rubbing the soft fur of his ears, as he leaned down for more.
“Hey, I’m just being honest, it’s what you asked of me since you started.” He hummed with a faint smile, his head resting against your shoulder now, breathing in your scent. With all these new unwanted emotions bubbling to the surface, he wasn’t sure how long until he’d break.
“You’re a real pain when you want to be. I should just replace my best employee with a new one.” You said, feigning annoyance. You were lying obviously, happy to see he’s regained some weight and muscle back, not that you’d been ogling.
“No, not on my watch. I provide positive reinforcement, that should be more than enough criticism.” He growled lowly, highly against the idea of you being with anyone else like this, let alone another hybrid. What was he thinking? He didn’t own you.
However, Leon was far too lost in your touch, knew you were far too lovely for an old worn out dog with a bad leg, and issues like him.
Day by day, Leon was slowly tainting you with his bloodstained hands, dragging with down with him, and dimming your light. But for now he’d be let himself be selfish, stealing your warmth while he could.
You’d come home from work one night, only except the apartment was oddly— quiet, setting your bags and belongings aside, and onto the couch. On a typical return, the dog hybrid would’ve already greeted you at the door, or at least sitting on the couch, awaiting for your arrival.
“Leon?” You called out. No answer. You pried your shoes off as you made your way down the hallway, and towards his room. “Leon?” You called out once more, clearing your throat, your pulse rising.
“Hey, Lee, you in there? Or is something wrong?” You asked, having a bad feeling pooling in your gut, like the calm before the storm. Hopefully you were wrong, because up until now, things were smooth sailing.
The door immediately swung open, harshly, Leon’s appearance looking far more disheveled, as if he hadn’t slept in days. His ears taut, the fur at the end of his tail raised. He had his collar removed, strewn across the floor carelessly.
“How long do you plan on keeping me here?” He asked gruffly. “You do realize I’m too old for this shit?” He gestured towards the collar and then to you with his index finger.
Your breath hitched as felt your heart shatter in that moment. Was that how he had really felt about you this entire time? Had he just been pretending to enjoy your company, everything you two had been through in such a short amount of time? 
“What.. What are you talking about?” You asked quietly, feeling tears brim in your eyes. “If you really didn’t want to be here then why—“ You stammered unable to breathe.
When the hell had you gotten so used to his existence? Before you two realized half a year had flown by right in front of you. You swore his stay was only for a short period of time.
Leon could see the pained expression that you made, leaving a gnawing ache in his chest but he couldn’t falter now. Not when you deserved the world, more than him, and he couldn’t give that to you.
“I’m not a puppy anymore, haven’t been for awhile. The least you could do is quit treating me like it.” Leon scoffed, with a snarl. If the world wanted to swallow him whole, now would’ve been the perfect time. “You can’t fix what’s already beyond repair.”
“Leon— I didn’t mean to— you know that was never my intention from the start—“ You managed to speak out, a lump balled tight in your throat. Hell, you could feel yourself tearing up over something as ridiculous as this. You were naive enough to think you could’ve healed him from his pain, and the past.
Even when you grounded him during flashbacks, and held the hybrid close when the voices and screams got too loud. Whispered reassurances into his ear, as if he were the fragile one and not you.
“Or did you really plan on keeping me house pet forever? He added, coldly, face indifferent, but the way his tail was tucked in between his legs betrayed his true emotions. “I can’t lie around being your house pet, that’s not what I was trained to do, what my purpose is.”
He didn’t want to leave, but this was for your own benefit, you were already back in your feet, what purpose does he serve other than being an extra liability? Extra deadweight? He couldn’t even walk properly, to not jump at each sound, or allow himself to feel, to relax like you could.
Leon stepped out, brushing past you without a single glance behind him. He had to physically restrain himself from whining, and leaning into your touch like he always did in the past. Why was this much harder than he’d thought it’d be?
“You know what Leon? Fine— Go on right ahead, be my guest, get the hell out of here for all I care.” You said raising your voice harshly
“See who else is going to worry about a crippled mutt with a bad limp. Because— because you know what? It’s not going to be the government coming back for your sorry ass!” You yelled out, far too hurt to give a shit about what you were saying.
Leon stopped in his tracks, his hand already on the knob pulling the front door open. His ears drooped backwards into his scalp, tail the lowest you’ve seen it been in months.
“If I’d know you’d stoop so low, I should’ve known you weren’t any different from my superiors in the past.” He scoffed in disbelief, it stung more than he would have liked. He didn’t ask to be disabled this way.
When you’d constantly see it sway, even if he struggled to verbalize his feelings you’d know just by a single glance at the appendage.
Your hands balled into fists, taking long strides towards him, your cheeks felt hot, already feeling your own temper rising at his sudden outburst.
Your insults hit a sore spot, a familiar red beret, the one that belonged to the brute scarred appearance of his mentor. Involved in both Operation Javier and Spain.
One of the many faces that continued to plague him years later. Leon knew he’d be beyond disappointed at the domesticated pup he’s become instead of the soldier he taught.
“There won’t be.” Leon sighed, turning to face you with a semi defeated look, the creases in his eyes weary.
“A handler is the least of my concerns, there aren’t any exceptions, including you.” He strained out, gritting his teeth, tail stiff. That wasn’t true, hell, none of it was, but it was too late to take back the things you two were saying.
As soon as Leon noticed the hurt and tears in your eyes he made himself look away. He wanted his last memory of you to be smiling, full of joy and laughter.
Leon would let you yell, scream, hit him, insult him if it meant you’d feel better. Not whatever this was, to put you together just to tear you apart in the end.
“Then get the hell out— what are you stalling so much for, why the hesitation big guy?” You yelled bitterly, with a salty chuckle.
Everything was happening so quickly at once, but you couldn’t shut your mouth. You couldn’t believe how much this was getting under your skin. “If you hate being here so much, then leave no one’s forcing you to stay!”
“Forget about me, about us. I’m not the person you need, you’re younger, full of life I haven’t experienced, so don’t go wasting your youth on me.” He finally mustered out.
Leon knew if he let you down slowly, it’d be harder to let you go, like he should’ve done since the start, and without another word he made his way out. He let himself feel too much, and that was the problem. He liked, no loved being here, more importantly, with you.
You joked about kicking him out in the past, but you never thought that it’d become your reality.
You didn’t see the hybrid again after that.
You did your best to bury yourself into even more work, taking on extra orders, yet no matter what you did, you felt incomplete.
You knew were only using your packed schedule to dull the pain in your chest. Being already being outcasted by the rest of the world stung, but this was rubbing both salt and lemon into an already open wound.
You couldn’t remember the last time you slept properly either. At the end of each day, you’d practically walk past Leon’s old room, which still had majority of his belongings.
You refused to go inside, knowing you’d break down just from being in his space. The urge to barge in became more difficult each passing week, borderline unbearable.
One day, you couldn’t take it anymore. After a particularly bad day, full of assholes and slobs for customers. They left you nothing but messes suitable enough to be considered nearly animalistic. It didn’t even compare to the mess you were.
The rest of the night was a blur. As soon as you got home, you barged into his room. You picked up his discarded collar, and dove face first into his bed, which still had the faintest traces of his familiar scent.
You felt warm tears finally settling down, letting out choked cries into his pillow. You looked down at the leather, tracing your finger against it.
You rubbed it three times with your finger, as if Leon would appear just like a genie would. How stupid, such wishful thinking would have never clouded your judgement like this.
It was partially your doing, pushing him away, deflecting your hurt through anger. You’d need to apologize, but you didn’t even know where he was now. You wanted to say you were sorry, that you didn’t mean anything that you said.
You curled yourself into a fetal position. Right now, you felt like you couldn’t breathe, struggling to regain your composure, as you hiccuped with each sharp inhale.
Snot began rolling down and dribbling down your chin, rubbing your eyes with the palm of your hand. They burned, as much as that fight did that same night he left.
Every day, you saw something that either reminded you of Leon, whether it be a similar looking dog, his god awful jokes, the gentle crinkle of his blue grey eyes.
The way he was a silent but such a gentle dog beneath his rough looking appearance. He was older than you, capable of handling himself, you shouldn’t have gotten so attached.
Better yet, you should’ve left him stranded by that dumpster, your empathetic nature was a blessing and a curse in disguise.
At the same time, you were lonely, you didn’t have anybody else, no one to lean on. You refused to even call your Mom about something so trivial, this was adulthood for you, something you needed to get ahold of on your own.
You rubbed your eyes when suddenly a knock, then a second set, and a third. You suddenly stopped, wiping the remaining snot off your flushed cheeks with the bottom of your shirt. You said some really mean things yourself, he hadn’t even insulted you not once.
Had you heard things right? Another set of knocking, this time more insistent, but the pattern felt familiar. It couldn’t have been, you didn’t know if you’d lash out or kiss him stupid. Or both.
You got up, collar clutched tightly in the palm of your hand, as you treaded down the hallway, dragging your feet, prying the front door open. You dropped it upon seeing who it was.
There the dog hybrid was, standing on your front porch. How he bypassed the apartment security was a mystery. That wasn’t the problem, he was an ex agent and it was late, hybrids, these days man.
Only except he looked much worse than you did. He looked like a walking dead man, his ears and tail unmoving, but upon seeing you, his eyes widened just a bit. He even lost a little bit of the extra chub from your baked goods.
His weeks were just as terrible. Your generosity led you to splitting your share of the money made from the business with him.
The only thing he’d done with it was get wasted with bottles of whiskey, at some cheap ass motel and bars he could barely remember the name of. He felt like a dick more than anything but swore to himself to get back on his sobriety streak and pay you back somehow.
Once or twice had he purposely stayed outside your work place when you had the night shift, ensuring no dangers came your way. Your defeated posture and expression had him backtracking as the weeks progressed.
Until he really couldn’t take it anymore. He knew you were practically a lone wolf like he was. Everything about you was everything he needed in his life, a sense of belonging and stability. Something being an agent took from him until he was forced into retirement.
You weren’t hot shit right now either, hair a bats nest, traces of snot down your nose, both your cheeks and eyes puffy. You could give less of a fuck, it represented the way that you felt, emotions were human, and pretty crying doesn’t exist even in fiction.
“Listen, I’m sorry.” Leon said, one large hand cradling your head into his chest. “Thought I could put you behind me, that you didn’t deserve a deadbeat like me.” He strained out, trying to put his thoughts together without sounded like some pathetic puppy.
“What are you—“ you croaked out before feeling a pair of muscular arms wrap around your frame, squeezing the softness that was you.
“What are you doing back here again? After everything I said to you?” You muttered quietly, feeling another round of tears coming, feeling your grip completely loosen, the collar thudding against the floor hard.
To be fair, with you he was, but that was a conversation for another time. How the hell did he get reduced from a hardened agent to this?
You didn’t know what to say, couldn’t, so you nuzzled into his touch, hands clawing into his worn out shirt, holding onto him tight. If you weren’t careful enough, Leon would slip from your fingers once more. You could smell the faint traces of alcohol on his clothes.
“You’ve been drinking again.. didn’t I tell you we would work through it together?” You muttered.
“I know, I was a few months sober. But I realized I couldn’t take it.. not when I couldn’t live without you.” He admitted, with a light crack in his voice.
“That there was finally someone worth coming home to, and living for instead.” Leon says sincerely. Your heart hammered in your chest, the once quiet butterflies fluttering in your gut.
You couldn’t bring yourself to say anything yet, not without hiccuping, so he continued to speak, squeezing you a little harder than he meant to. Leon had seen you both dolled up or waking up like a bed head before, just never upset.
“What I’m trying to say is..” He strained softly, trying to push the words out. “I love you. A lot, tried to convince myself I hadn’t.” I have for quite some time, if you’ll have me too that is.”
He hummed, his fingers threading through your hair, even if it changed, was a mess, curls or no curls, short or long, the difference didn’t phase him. It was nice, being gentle with his fingers.
You finally faced him properly before punching his arm as hard as you could. You didn’t care if you couldn’t knock him down— but at least you felt a little better now.
“Seriously, you broke your sobriety streak while out on your little vacation?” You said completely exasperated. Yes you were happy that he felt the same about you, that it wasn’t in your head. “You’re unbelievable, I thought you were better than that.”
Leon took the hit like a champ, indifferent. He used his hand to gently trace the strands of hair that stuck to your face, wiping the remaining tears from your eyes. His ears were pointed in your direction, the sensitivity picking up every breath, beat of your heart. He let out a low whine.
“I…. I’m really sorry about what I said. I was mad, no scratch that, beyond pissed.” You said as you struggled to form a sentence.
“The truth is, I don’t care that you have a bad leg or any of that stuff. Do you know what it felt like? I kept thinking I did something wrong— that everything we did together was you pretending.” You whimpered out, your hiccups calming down.
“I know, dear I know. It wasn’t a mature decision on my part.” He admitted, looking at you with an intense look, one the spoke tones of devotion. He hated himself for making you feel this way. He knew he messed up, ears twitching.
“I’d rather take another 100 bullets, another grueling mission, than to stay away from you again, to leave behind what this is.” He stated, awfully soothing in a way that made you melt. You assumed the booze must’ve relaxed his nerves, because he was awfully open about his feelings.
“We can work this out, if we could talk about it properly-“
You didn’t give him a second, crashing your lips against his, feeling one of his canines graze against your lip, but he made sure to restrain himself to avoid cutting it. He kissed you back feverishly, swirling his tongue along with yours, tenderly.
You felt all your worries disappear, the mocking faces of those who ridiculed you, the bills that stacked up, the academic pressure to be perfect.
The bitter, taste of alcohol filled your tastebuds as Leon gently cupped your face, angling you towards him. Thankfully you were about the same height so it wasn’t much of a struggle.
Leon pulled back gently, licking the salt away from your remaining tears, he’d be lying if he said it didn’t taste better than anything that’s touched his lips from the bottle.
“Is that enough of an apology, or will I have a grudge held against me?” You chuckled now. He paused as he looked at you, really looked at you and thought, you looked beautiful, even when were crying like this, over him. Leon’s instincts preened at the sight, knowing he had this affect on you, and no one else.
“That was more than enough of an apology. I’ll think about it if you don’t mind showing more where that came from.” Leon said, tail wagging enough to shake with anticipation. How cute. “Now, let’s get inside, mind putting the collar back on me?”
