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"Why it can't be me..?"

My writing masterlist

Pairings : re4!Leon x fem!reader

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Summary : watching the man you love, jump into danger whenever she is involved, is enough to rattle you, and this time, you can't help but dread the only thing you have fallen helplessly into: love.

and when your best friend, chris, is the only person who actually listens and understands you, finally takes you home after your eleventh round of tequila, helping you sober up... before letting you cry in peace, you thought it would be okay even if just for the night.

but...when leon finds out, where you are and especially who you are with, things quickly spiral into unsaid chaos, because jealousy is a twisted bitch; and when it hits, it takes everything with it.

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Note : Brief mentions of Ada, chris is our best friend, alcohol use, expect badly written stuff and grammatical errors, english isnt my native language, plus i am not well versed in writing, but anyhow, hope you enjoy <33 remember its NOT going to be accurate obvs how those missions works, how things move around in the game, it wasnt 19k words lol, i saw wrong but anyhow <33

Wc : 10.4k

Cw/Genre : emotional, fluff, romance, angst? confession, language, alcohol, insecure reader at one point, yearning, mutual pining?, annoying!reader, misunderstandings, panicked Leon, long chapter, bad plot? Idk 🤷‍♀️, drama,

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Today is the day.

It had to be. Right?

A day to finally confess.

Because you had been living through this shit for far too long.

That's what your thoughts had been circling around for the past two hours as you stood inside the ruined Umbrella facility, as you looked around, you see the place that was practically falling apart, the big chunks of concrete which fell from the walls remained scattered across the floor, the shattered glass from windows, were still shining as new, and it crunched beneath your boots whenever you shifted your weight.

The air smelled of smoke, something rotten, and sour chemical that burned the back of your throat which ocassionally made you gag enough to form tear in your eyes.

All of it was way too much for you to stomach and yet you pushed it aside in the back of your mind like you always have.

And you deeply sighed, trying to gain the control of your body back and wiped the beads of sweat from your forehead with the back of your hands before pressing and rubbing them clean onto your blue jeans then you glanced toward one of the broken windows.

As you finally lifted your gaze and stared outside it, you notice the sky was spread endlessly around the quiet city: and it was covered in muted shades of silvers with the hint of undeniable sadness in it.

The weather was indeed, beautiful and it made you feel it should have been raining by now because the clouds looked heavy enough to split open at any moment, yet somehow the storm continued to hold itself back.

And maybe that was what bothered you, because everything felt wrong today and there was an unmistakable feeling hanging in the air, an apprehension you couldn't quite explain, as though something was about to go terribly, terribly wrong.

The thoughts didnt stop there though: it went from the weather, towards the only thing you hated thinking about: your feelings.

If anything: thinking about them made everything hundred times worse. Because those restless feelings in you, kept coming back to the same ridiculous conclusion you'd been trying very hard to ignore for the past few months.

You were in love with him–the one and only Leon Scott Kennedy.

Your co-worker.

The absolute love of your life, who just didnt know it yet.

Or maybe it was simply the fact that he wasn't interested in someone else because of--no, you shake your head immediately because that thought itself was terrifying.

But one of the another truth you could digest was: Leon was about as perceptive as a cow chewing grass when it came to romance.

Not that you were much better.

Because instead of actually telling him how you felt, you'd spent months staring at him with enough heart-eyes to give yourself away a hundred times over, secretly hoping he'd notice.

Spoiler? He didnt. Fact? You made a fool of yourself every fucking time.

Then there was the way you always found an excuse to stand a little too close to him close enough that it made your pulse stumble and your stomach twist itself into knots. Somehow, he never seemed to notice that either.

And when that didn't work, you threw yourself into every mission, every briefing, every moment spent at his side with far more enthusiasm than was probably normal. As if being eager enough, obvious enough would somehow make him understand.

But of course he hadn't and unsurprisingly, your plan didn't quite worked as you hoped.

But now, you had finally decided to tell him everything.

Maybe not until after the mission you were currently on; because you still had no idea how you would even begin, but you knew you had to. Even if the outcome wasn't what you hoped for. Also because you were tired of hiding behind the walls you'd built around your heart, and tired of pretending your feelings weren't there.

Just as if something had reached into your head and ripped you out of your thoughts, Leon, who you completely forgot was with you, suddenly grabbed your shoulder and shoved you hard toward the wall. Your back slammed against the cold concrete beside you with a loud thud, knocking the breath from your lungs, the pain ran through your body making you hiss loudly. "Are you—"

But your words: were suddenly cut off by a gunshot that echoed through the building from Leon's gun, and smoke curled outside of it and dispersed in the air.

And the mutant that had been seconds away from sinking its teeth into your neck collapsed at your feet with a guttural groan, its body hitting the concrete with a sickening thud.

Fuck you didnt even notice. If Leon wasn't here you would have died. No shit.

You flinched and before you could even process what had happened, Leon crossed the distance between you and him , and finally stopped directly in front of you, close enough that you could feel the warmth of his breath against your skin. "What the hell is wrong with you today?" he snapped at you, his gaze fixed on yours.

Instead of getting angry at him or his tone, your body betrayed you immediately, and you swallow before lowering your gaze, and feel a sudden shiver racing down your spine as the realization struck you finally that he was standing entirely too close. Finally when you lifted your head and met his darkened blue eyes, you felt something very close to worry in it. "Why aren't you paying attention today?" He pressed.

You opened your mouth, still slightly breathless from the impact of the wall hitting you. "Sorry—"

"Sorry?" Leon cuts in sharply, and he runs a hair through his hair, “I don't think sorry–.” Before he could continue, a movement flashed from the corner of his eye.

Then a mutant appeared, honestly? They were bad at reading the room; even if you said it you knew it was quite an understatement.

A second later another mutant burst from a nearby room. But this time Leon didn't even turn towards it, he just raised his gun and shot a bullet straight to his head, the mutant dropped instantly before even getting closer to you and Leon's eyes didn't waver from yours and he frowned slightly. "You've almost been grabbed three times in the last twenty minutes."

You narrowed your eyes at him, god you were angry at him, furious even; but fuck.. how was he so clueless? frustrated with yourself and your own thoughts and a little bit with him, with everything, you shoved him hard in the chest.

Leon instantly staggered back a step, stumbling over his own feet, but he didn't fall: he just steadied himself before he could fall and for a second he just looked at you, with those beautiful intense eyes and unreadable expression that you knew better than anyone, which meant ‘why are you not listening to me’, but god you could not reply anyway.

Then he sighed heavily, clenching his jaw, his eyes dropping just for a second towards your lips, but he quickly shook his head and lifted his gaze and stared at you again, slowly he opened his mouth, and closed it again.

Because what else was he supposed to say?

He didn't know.

And now you looking at him, you felt the truth you'd been trying so desperately to bury claw its way back to the surface, digging up the grave you'd carefully made for it instead.

Because he was right.

You hadn't been focused on the mission, or anything else for that matter. The only thing occupying your mind was him. The need to tell him had been sitting in your chest for so long that it had become impossible to ignore. But now, with everything laid bare between you, your thoughts felt hopelessly tangled together, knotted so tightly that you couldn't make sense of any of them anymore.

Leon took a deep breath and stepped closer to you again, stopping only a few inches away from you, “are you listening to me?” He asked, and you shook your head dropping your head in defeat, and he pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation, "are you okay?." He asked softly.

When you met his gaze, there was genuine worry written in it, but what cracked your heart was, the useless thought: that he did worry for you, but as your partner, and not the way you wanted him to, "I'm fine," you said quietly.

But something else popped in your mind, a useless thought, like another tab opening in the browser of your mind, without you even clicking on it, because you knew you can't just give up: without even telling him, you thought to yourself, and told yourself, today is the day, so stop being pathetic and tell him.

Leon immediately looked unconvinced, as if he could hear your thoughts that were ruining your life, but the thought that he could hear it, made your stomach drop to the floor you were standing on, because if he could hear you right now, that would be scary.

But again you knew it was more like he could not believe a single word that came out of your mouth. "You don't look fine." Then he guides his hand, resting it above your head, before ruffling your hair, “Tell me, please.”

God, for a moment, his hands on you felt like they were pressing a gentle warmth straight into your system, spreading through you with every second he held on. Looking at him, you couldn't stop the thought that surfaced, that it was supposed to be now. This was the moment. You could say everything, you held inside. He was standing right in front of you, and for the first time, it felt like he was giving you the chance to finally do it.

You could say millions of things including your feelings, him, what you felt.

Even if words run out, he would understand it. You knew he would.

Tell him. Tell him. Tell him.

Your brain replayed that thought over and over again making you swallow hard and you nod more to yourself than to him, he looked at you intently as if you were explaining the way of world peace, “there is something..” you trailed off mid sentence, because damn it, how do you even start with this stuff.

“Take your time.”, Leon said before removing his hands from your hairs and resting it inside his pocket, but his gaze remained on yours as if he could only head you if he had focus like that, or maybe what you were going to say was the most important thing.

The moment he removed his hands from your hairs, you felt disappointment run through your chest and you finally curl your fingers into a fist and open your mouth to let the confession fall from your throat. “I-I–”

Just then, as if fate decided to intervene in the midst of your confession, it was cut off before you could even get your words out.

"Did I interrupt something?" The familiar seductive voice drifted through the air before you could even complete your sentence.

It was the voice of a woman you knew way too well.

.

You closed your eyes briefly.

Because there it was, another reason, beside your cowardiceness, that your confession never made it out of your head. Here stood another reason in flesh.

Because when she existed that beautifully how could you let your feelings be known?

When you turned toward the sound, she was already there, standing only a few feet away from you and Leon.

Ada Wong.

She looked inhumanely beautiful, short hairs, perfectly dressed, her red dress clinging to her figure, while her features complemented her face far more beautifully.

For a moment, a sharp blade of jealousy twisted deep in your gut. It was a feeling you'd kept buried beneath your heart for so long, but now it surged to the surface all at once. And despite yourself, your eyes immediately drifted to Leon.

The change in his frame was instant. His entire body went rigid, and he rolled his shoulder before closing his eyes for a second after seeing her, and his breath turned uneven just at her presence, as you see it happen in real time, tears involuntarily started forming in your eyes, and right now as you see it happening all you wanted to do was run away.

Because fuck the confession.

Fuck Leon Scott kennedy.

Maybe it was unfair, but you were tired of seeing this happening every damn time.

His jaw clenched so tightly you swore you could hear his molars cracking. Your chest twisted painfully inside you, because of that very expression he made, after all it was the same one he always wore whenever Ada appeared. Like a dog finally seeing the person who kept abandoning it.

"There we go," you muttered under your breath too quietly, that you were not even sure that you even said it.

To your surprise, Leon immediately turned away from Ada and looked toward you instead, his body relaxing the minute his gaze landed on you, "Let's go, we will finish this conversation later."

You stared at him, confused, your tears fading as your mind struggled to grasp his sudden change. Yet, you could practically feel every nerve in Leon's body reacting to Ada's presence, and still he didn't chase her, nor did he talk to her.

It somehow felt strange.

Because Leon wanted Ada, didn't he?

And before either of you could move from your place, Ada laughed softly and began walking toward the two of you. "Always so warm, Leon."

"What do you want?" Leon asked flatly, before finally turning to her, meeting his gaze, but as he looked at her, there was only coldness remained in his eyes.

.

And it was something he never thought was possible, yet it had happened. He had become cold toward Ada. Not cruel, not hateful, just distant in a way he had never managed before.

Because for years, she'd occupied a complicated place in his life, one he never quite knew how to let go of.

He also knew she cared, of course she did, but never enough to stay, never enough to choose him, and as time passed Leon had buried that truth beneath old memories and unfinished feelings.

Maybe it started years ago after he saved Ashley and Ada appeared again, reopening wounds that never truly healed.

But now it was different. Everything changed when you showed up in his life. At first, Leon tried to keep it professional between you and him. Because he felt something very first day he saw you: but he told himself it was familiarity, attachment issues, loneliness, anything except what it actually was.

He convinced himself he didn't want more, didn't need more.

But God, did he fall. He absolutely did, harder than he could ever admit. Because how could he not? After seeing you smile, after you made his days lighter by just existing beside him.

You made him feel like he needed to be a better person. But he could not let half-attachment take away his life. So he tried to move on.

He did, but could not.

So instead he tried something else, for the first time in his life, to finally confess his feelings, more than once, but the chances were never in his favour.

And he could not do that either.

And a part of him had never truly believed you wanted him that way. Not until today at least, because you had been acting stranger than usual from the moment the mission started, and he thought maybe just maybe you were going to tell him about your feelings? Maybe you were not.

Because even that paled in comparison to what had really been haunting him. You had nearly gotten yourself killed more times than he could count today, and that had terrified Leon far more than anything else.

Usually you took these missions more seriously than him, and today you were distracted, and a small voice in the back of his head told him that it was because of him.

But he could not believe it. Because you never said it out-right to him, that you had feelings, and he never saw it either.

But again neither did he: showed his feelings to you.

But maybe, in his mind, just maybe, it was that. That you loved him. The same way he loved you too.

Leon shook his head sharply to shake off the thoughts that were trying to take over his entire nervous system.

Because he was absolutely wrong. He knew that, deep in the logical mind of his.

So, he decided he would tell you everything another time.

Not knowing: today had to be the day for it.

.

Which is something you both didn't know, at least not yet.

.

Ada chuckles and places a hand dramatically against her chest. "Ouch."

"What do you want, Ada?" Leon said and this time his tone was even sharper.

Ada's smile widened as her shoulder relaxed, finally seeing Leon finally looking at her. "Information."

Leon immediately pinched the bridge of his nose at her comment and his eyebrows furrowed in obvious irritation. "We don't know anything, yet."

Ada tilted her head, looking at Leon and her gaze for a second drifted to yours and something close to amusement touched her lips, "So, you are searching for it here?"

“Yes, we are,” Leon said coolly, “but we don't have time to waste, so let's go our separate ways. Like we always do.” This time, he didn't wait for Ada's response. Instead, he gently took hold of your wrist, his fingers wrapping around it with surprising care, and instantly warmth bloomed inside your chest, spreading through you in a way that felt both unfamiliar and impossible to ignore.

“Maybe I can help you?” Ada offered, her lips curving into a smile as she looked at Leon. Then her gaze dropped to where his hand was still wrapped around your wrist. For the briefest moment, something sharp flickered across her face, her jaw tightening before she smoothed it away and looked back at you.

“No need,” Leon said immediately, already trying to guide you away.

But your feet refused to move, and you yank your wrist away from Leon's grasp, Leon's face falls as you do, but you were so focused on Ada: to notice how Leon reacted to that, “How?” you asked instead, keeping your eyes on her.

“Interesting,” Ada murmured softly.

Before she could say anything else, Leon cut in. “We are not taking her help.” and his tone left no room for argument.

Ada sighed dramatically. “Leon, even your partner seems willing to trust me.” She tilted her head slightly. “Don't make me look bad. And don't act like I've never helped you before.”

Your eyes narrowed at her. “What's in it for you?”

For a second, Ada's gaze sharpened, calculating, like always, “Oh, let's just say it's for Leon's sake. Old times' sake.”

For Leon. Of course it was for him, and their old times.

Which you hated completely. Your stomach churned as jealousy reared its ugly head once more, and you scoffed, shaking your head in disbelief.

Because every instinct told you to refuse, to leave Ada behind and continue on your own. But you were exhausted by everything, him, roaming endlessly in this building, and if Ada knew something that could get you out faster, then maybe it was worth the risk. “Fine,” you said at last. “Help us, then.”

The moment the words left your mouth, Leon's hand landed on your shoulder, turning you toward him. “What are you doing?” he asked sharply. You met his blue eyes without backing down.

“Let her help us.” you replied.

He shakes his head clearly not entertained, “That's crazy, you know that.”

“She knows something.” you pressed, your eyes pleading as they drowned itself into Leon's gaze.

“I don't care.” Leon said before loosening his grip on your shoulder and crossing his hands in front of himself.

You sighed at him and lowered your voice. “Leon, she's here anyway. We might as well make her useful.”

His jaw ticked immediately. The look he gave you made it obvious he hated every second of this.

Meanwhile, Ada looked entirely too pleased with herself. “See?” she said lightly. “Your partner is the reasonable one.”

Leon shot her a glare sharp enough to cut through steel, “Don't push your luck, ada.”

Ada only smiled at his response.

.

The next thing you knew, the three of you were moving deeper into the facility, following Ada's lead through dim corridors and flickering lights.

As you three kept walking you noticed something peculiar—Leon didn't leave your side, not once, he stayed in between you and Ada, though, somehow, he was guiding you by placing his hand firmly against your lower back, which made your chest tightened, because perhaps he was doing it unconsciously, but honestly? things like this, only made it harder to not love him, and your chest swelled with same emotions you were dealing for months.

The next twenty minutes passed surprisingly smoothly, all thanks to Ada, because now you finally managed to reach the first floor of the facility.

Ada led the way deeper into the first floor room, until she stopped in front of what looked like an ordinary wall, and you both followed behind her. A few seconds later, ada pressed some hidden buttons in it and a door slid open with a mechanical hiss. "Voila", Ada said triumphantly.

Your eyes widened in shock, “wow.”

“Don't know if we are dealing with zombies or spies.” Leon said, rolling his shoulders, his comment makes you relax entirely and you chuckle softly.

God, he is such a stupid man.

But getting back to the situation at hand: now it all made sense. Why neither you nor Leon had been able to find the door before.

Because it was deeply hidden. The room though, looked like a forgotten archive buried beneath years of secrets, there were countless Umbrella files and classified documents filling the space, the shelves stood overturned, papers littered the floor, and old computer monitors remained completely dark into the dimly lit room. The air here smelled different, it was of dust and old papers and mold taking place in this room. But at least it was better.

Relief settled immediately in your chest. And without wasting another second, you hurried toward the nearest desk and began rummaging through stacks of folders.

Leon moved beside you, searching through another pile of documents.

For a moment, you almost forgot Ada was even there. Then a soft cough echoed through the room, as she made her presence known.

You and Leon looked up at once.

Ada stood across from you holding a file, and then she stepped towards you slowly, "This one," she said.

You frowned a little at it, "How do you know?"

Ada merely rolled her eyes. "Just take it."

Before you could question her further, she pressed the file into your hands. Your heart immediately picked up speed, as you clutched and curled your fingers around it.

“Open it.” She said, raising her brow.

You nodded and looked down before flipping the cover open and turned through the pages, your eyes popped largely as if bulging itself to come out of your skull, because the file had exactly what you were looking for, "We got it," you breathed, to yourself.

"We do." Leon's voice came from beside you. Then he stepped closer to you and glanced down at the documents over your shoulder.

His arm brushed yours as he leaned in, and despite everything, your heart betrayed you, beating at frantic speed.

You didn't dare move or breathe, and somehow at that moment everything around you faded in a blur but as the warmth of him settled beside you so naturally it made your chest ache.

Then Leon stepped away instantly and the space beside you instantly felt colder. "I'll see if there's anything else," he called, already moving toward a row of drawers against the far wall.

You just nodded to yourself watching him briefly: before returning your attention to the file.

And once you were done, you slammed it shut you looked up from your file, and noticed Ada through the corner of your eye, that she drift toward Leon.

You wanted to interrupt whatever she wanted to say to Leon, to pull him away, or just tell him, you were done: and now you should go back the HQ but somehow nothing came out of your mouth, and maybe you just wanted to see how far it would go.

How far Leon would go with her.

Your eyes remained on them, as Ada soft chuckle echoed in the room, "Remember when you saved me before?"

Your fingers tightened around the file you were holding: at her words, because you know it all too well. You remember it as clearly as yesterday.

After all, you'd seen it happen with your own eyes. And just then a memory flashed through your mind: all of it happened in the split second before the explosion, Leon had instinctively thrown himself in front of Ada, shielding her with his own body as the blast engulfed them. The image is still burned into your head, whether you wanted to or not.

Your chest tightened painfully at that image, because all you could remember was Leon enveloping Ada in his body, and instead of caring for his own safety he made sure she was protected.

The memory ended and you took a deep breath, trying to calm your trembling body.

And that was Leon for you: always the hero, never caring what happened to him as long as everyone else, or Ada, was safe.

Maybe you were being unfair right now, but as soon as those thoughts appeared in your mind, everything started to hurt even more, and your eyes remained glued to them.

Leon scoffed at that, and barely glanced at her before replying, "Unfortunately."

Ada rolled her eyes at him. "You are quite charming, Leon."

“That's not what people usually accuse me of,” Leon replied dryly, already beginning to step away.

Then to your surprise Ada reached out and caught his hand, “I–” Ada starts.

And your stomach dropped immediately.

Oh, for fuck's sake. You cursed under your breath.

No way. She can't.

Leon looked just as surprised as you felt. His eyes flickered down to where her fingers rested against his hand before he pulled away almost instantly, like the contact had burnt him.

Before any of them could react or say anything, you clutched the file tighter to your chest and stepped forward, and quickly reached where Leon stood and conveniently, and--completely accidentally, you placed yourself directly between them.

Ada stepped back instantly, and her mouth twitched, because she knew why you did that, because after all she felt the same for him, but she didn't dare speak, so you took your chance, “Leon,” you said, a little too quickly, refusing to look at Leon, “I think we should go.” strange, your voice was calmer than you were feeling

Because internally? You were screaming at him. It was jealousy, you knew, embarrassing, and yet there it was anyway, twisting inside your chest as you refused to look at him.

Still. What Leon didn't know couldn't hurt him or you.

Right?

.

Before Leon could say anything, the floor beneath the three of you suddenly lurched.

A violent tremor ripped through the facility, making the entire structure groan around you, the metal screeched in the distance, and the concrete cracked beneath your feet, while the overhead lights above you flickered wildly.

For a split second, you thought the whole building was collapsing, until you realized it wasn't the facility moving. It was the floor you three were standing on. "Move!" Leon shouted.

You barely had time to register his voice before his hands hit your shoulders way too hard, and then he pushed with a force that sent you stumbling several feet away from him, your boots scraping violently against the concrete as you struggled to regain your balance.

Then the ground below Leon and ada were on disappeared in a second. And a massive section of the floor gave way beneath them, concrete shattering as the entire platform collapsed into the darkness below.

Your heart stopped, entirely, and you could feel it, instantly stop beating, your breath stuck into your throat, "LEON!" The scream tore from your vocal chords, a low guttural sound that could not bear losing him.

No.

No, no, no.

Not him.

Before you could even process what was happening, your body was already moving, instinct and adrenaline took over you completely. The same instinct that always did whenever Leon was involved.

So you ran straight to the collapse and without thinking you jumped on the floor below, as soon as you did, nothing mattered: then a second later pain exploded through your ankles then your legs, the moment you landed on the lower level, but you ignored it. Slowly dust filled the air, the debris rained around you.

But none of it mattered right now–because all you could see was Leon.

On the ground, breathing, alive.

Relief crashed into you so hard your knees nearly gave out.

Then your eyes lifted and the relief curdled instantly, into something ugly as you saw Ada above him, she was completely shielded by his body, his arms wrapped around her protectively, his back taking the impact of the fall, every inch of him positioned between her and the collapsing concrete.

But as far as you know Leon wasn't bleeding which was a relief.

But the sight struck something deep inside your chest, and you clenched your jaw tightly, as you saw them wrapped into each other for a few more seconds. Suddenly your stomached turned into weird knots, knowing that's what he does, he chooses Ada every damn time, he protected her.

Again.

Not caring if he could die, or get hurt.

Honestly? A part of you knew that Leon would've done that for anyone.

But jealousy didn't care about logic. And right now it felt like something sharp twisting directly between your ribs.

Leon groaned, making you pull out your thoughts, but nothing came out of your mouth, you even parted your lips trying to speak, but what remained on the tips of your tongue was, “you chose her” so instead you remained quiet.

Then immediately Leon seemed to realize the position he was in, and he soon pushed himself up with a loud wince and practically shoved Ada away from him.

Ada smirked at Leon, "You protected me again." She casually said as she straightened herself beside leon.

Leon ignored her entirely, his eyes instead drifting to you instead, as he limped slightly while walking towards you, "You okay?"

Why on earth was he so damn stupid?

He could have died. That thought kept repeating inside your head as you stared at him. Not the fall. Not the scratches covering his skin. Not the pain in your legs.

The only thought that remained was he could have died.

And somehow, after throwing himself into danger, after shielding Ada with his own body, after nearly giving you a heart attack, the first thing out of his mouth was asking if you were okay.

You just stared at him blankly. For a long moment, you couldn't find a single word to say. Because what were you supposed to tell him, anyways? That you were furious at him? That seeing him protect her had felt like someone driving a arrow straight through your chest? That you were terrified of losing him?

You should not be furious but emotions, ugly emotions never cared about that, did they?

And none of it mattered anymore anyhow, so instead you simply nodded.

Though a flicker of something unfamiliar crossed his face, before he could speak, another violent tremor shook the facility from top to bottom. "Wow, someone ask me if I'm okay too," Ada said dryly. You didn't even have to look at her to know there was a smug smile tugging at her lips.

"Leave," Leon ordered, without even looking at her, his eyes remained glued on you instead, as he started, “I wanna tell–”, Leon swallowed.

But you cut him off, "You're hurt... let's get outside, okay? The helicopter should be here by now." The moment the words left your mouth, confusion flickered across Leon's face again, and you saw it, lingering there as if he couldn't understand where this sudden distance was coming from.

But everything hurts. Your chest felt tight, your thoughts a mess, and the ache in your heart was becoming impossible to ignore. It was all too much. So you turned away from Leon and saw that the space that Ada had occupied moments ago was empty now.

Not that you cared.

Soon, you walked past the exit and quickened your pace toward the door, hoping Leon wouldn't notice anything.

Though a bitter voice in the back of your mind told you he probably wouldn't anyway, and somehow you believed it.

Yet within a few steps, Leon had already caught up to you. To your surprise, he reached out and gently wrapped his hand around your wrist, bringing you to a stop. Your gaze turned to him and dropped to where his fingers rested against your skin before slowly you lifted your gaze to his face. There was something almost pleading in his expression, a look that made your chest tighten despite yourself. "Hey, listen—"

You pulled away from his grasp instantly before he could continue and his brows furrowed in confusion. "What's wrong? Talk to me."

You shook your head, refusing to meet his eyes. "Nothing."

The lie came out far too quickly and looking at Leon he didn't believe it either. But before he could question you anymore, you finally walked outside and this time Leon didn't try to catch up with you: which felt like a relief.

As you finally stepped outside the building, the cool night air struck your face, carrying away the stale scent of smoke and destruction. A helicopter was already waiting on the empty road ahead, its rotors spinning steadily beneath the dark sky.

Without saying a word, you climbed aboard.

The flight back to headquarters passed in complete silence. Leon tried speaking twice with you, his voice cutting through the hum of the engine, but each time you ignored him, keeping your eyes closed and pretending to be asleep. Eventually, he gave up.

But even with your closed eyes the tension inside the cabin settled and felt like a suffocating weight, it was thick and impossible to escape.

The moment the helicopter began its descent onto the DSO rooftop, you were already preparing to leave.

As soon as the skids touched the helipad, you stood and headed for the exit. Before the rotors had even fully slowed, finally when the engine was stopped you stepped onto the rooftop and walked away without a single glance back.

Behind you, Leon called your name, but you kept walking anyway. Leaving him standing there on the landing pad as the realization slowly settled across his face.

Something was very, very wrong.

.

Later, at 9:08 p.m., instead of going home, you found yourself sitting on a deserted stairwell tucked away in a quiet corner of headquarters. It was hidden from the rest of the world and more importantly, hidden from Leon.

Your eyes were red and swollen from crying. Every tear seemed to make the heaviness in your chest worse, as if some terrible, inevitable doom was hanging over you, waiting to crush what little strength you had left.

So you sat with your head buried between your knees, shoulders hunched forward, making yourself as small as possible. Your spine ached from the position, but you barely noticed.

Everything hurts anyway.

Then a familiar voice broke through the silence. "There you are." You didn't need to look up to know who it was.

Chris.

Your best friend, he stopped directly in front of you, hands resting on his hips as he looked down at your miserable state. You knew he was there, but you couldn't bring yourself to speak. Instead, you kept your head lowered, staring at the floor. "Whoa, who died?" Chris joked lightly.

But the second you lifted your head, his face fell instantly seeing your tear-stained face, swollen eyes, and your trembling lips told him everything he needed to know.

Without another word, his expression softened, and he stepped forward and gently pulled you against him, pressing your face into his stomach while one hand settled on the back of your head. "Hey," he murmured quietly. "Tell me."

The kindness in his voice only made the dam break further. A sob escaped your throat, louder this time, and your fingers curled into his shirt tightly.

For a moment, Chris simply stood there, one hand resting on the back of your head as you cried against him. Then, slowly, you pulled away. His hand slipped from your hair and fell back to his side as you tilted your head up to look at him. Your eyes were red, your cheeks damp with tears. "I want you to take me to a bar."

Chris sighed, "What?"

"I said I want you to take me to a bar."

For a second, he simply stared at you, certain he'd misheard. "Are you serious?"

"Please, Chris." The look you gave him stopped any further questions before they could leave his mouth. It wasn't anger or stubbornness he saw or knew.

It was heartbreak, and whatever had happened, it was bad enough that you were asking for something you would never normally ask for.

Chris exhaled heavily through his nose and rubbed a hand over his face."...Okay."

.

A few hours later, you were sitting at a bar with what you were fairly certain was your eleventh tequila shot.

At least, you thought it was your eleventh. "And that's why he loves Ada," you declared dramatically, pointing an accusing finger at Chris as if you were presenting undeniable evidence in court.

Across from you, Chris buried his face in his hands, because he had listened to this story nine times.

Nine. God he was tired, but he knew so were you so he just listened.

Again.

"So you're saying he saved Ada?" he asked mockingly.

You gasped in immediate offense, "No, no, no." You shook your head so hard the room tilted slightly. "You're missing the point."

"The point I've heard nine times?"

Ignoring him entirely, you spun toward the bartender and raised your empty shot glass. "Another one."

“For the love of God, no.” Before the bartender could move, Chris reached across the counter and snatched the glass right out of your hand.

"Chris!" You pouted.

You narrowed your eyes at him, and he rubbed his forehead and finally he leaned forward and grabbed both sides of your face, squishing your cheeks together until your lips puckered involuntarily. "Listen to me."

You nodded, your eyes widening as if you were in a classroom and your teacher specifically asked you to do something, "He loves you."

For a second there was silence, God if only it was true, then you burst into laughter so hard you nearly fell off the stool, but Chris, didn't let you fall but instead he held you in place removing his hands from your face.

"I'm serious!" Chris protested.

"Oh my God," you wheezed between giggles. "You're on his side too."

"I'm not on anyone's side." Chris said and his tone was firm.

"Then you're delusional."

"You're the one eleven tequila shots deep."

You pointed at him triumphantly. “Still you are the one delusional here.” You stick out your tongue at him, and chuckled "at least I am keeping my wits about me.”

Chris looked like he was talking to a wall at this point. "He would've done that for anyone," he said patiently. "Leon is Leon. The guy throws himself into danger for complete strangers. That's literally who he is."

Your laughter faded, then your face suddenly fell, as you stared past Chris head: "But he doesn't love me." You mumbled the words came out quieter than everything else you'd said that night.

Chris's expression softened immediately. "And the thought that he does?" he asked carefully.

You looked down into your lap, "Really tempting.” Then you sighed, “but it's not the truth.”

Chris was about to logic his way into your mind but just then your attention abruptly shifted to a random man sitting three stools away.

You pointed dramatically at him, "That guy looks like a cat." You giggled.

Chris followed your finger. The man looked absolutely nothing like a cat, and thank god that man didn't notice you talking like that, "Okay, enough," Chris said firmly, finally standing up. "We're leaving."

"No, we are not!"

“We absolutely are”, he sighed then he grabbed your arm, gently but firm enough to make you listen.

But did you listen?

Obviously not. Then immediately, you smiled at Chris, the very one, which meant 'trouble' and then his face paled, because he knew you were gonna do something stupid, when his grip on you loosens and instantly you take the moment to slide off your stool and sit cross-legged on the floor.

In the middle of the bar.

Like a stubborn toddler staging a protest. Chris slowly closed his eyes. "Please tell me you're not doing this."

"I'm… n…not going home." You said slurring on your words.

By now, people had started staring at you and him, but you didn't care. Not really. Not when your entire world already felt like it was falling apart around you. Chris looked up at the ceiling as if some higher power might suddenly grant him the patience to deal with you. When none came, he let out a long sigh, leaned down, and grabbed your wrist. "Get up," he said. "People are watching."

"No." You giggled again.

Chris tilted his head toward the ceiling again as if begging someone to help him.

"Take me to your place," you blurted out, looking up at Chris with pleading eyes. Chris finally met your gaze, and for a moment, it looked like he was about to refuse. Then, before either of you could say anything else, you suddenly gagged uncontrollably, but luckily you didnt throw up.

Chris sighed in relief and whispered, "Definitely not."

"Then I'm staying here." You say scrunching your nose at him.

"You cannot stay here."

You folded your arms. “Watch me!”

Five painfully embarrassing minutes later, and two negotiations: Chris finally managed to drag you back onto your feet and outside of the bar. Though he did apologize on your behalf to them.

You celebrated his defeat by immediately leaning your entire body weight against him. "You're my best friend." Your hands snaked around his waist.

"Sadly.” Chris said, shaking his head.

"I'd die for you." You smiled.

"Please don't." He groaned and by the time he managed to get you into the car, you were already halfway asleep.

The drive home was filled with slurred rambling about Leon, Ada, helicopters, conspiracies, and what Chris strongly suspected was the exact same story for the tenth time, still he listened to you and his eyes stayed on the road. Because despite all the tequila, he knew what was really happening.

Big misunderstanding, between you and Leon and he did tell you that, but of course, you didn't believe him.

When he finally pulled into the driveway and glanced over to you, he found you curled against the window with your eyes closed.

Chris sighed heavily.

As annoying as you'd been all night, seeing you like this made something twist painfully in his chest. Because for all your jokes and stubbornness, you looked lost. Carefully, he climbed out of the driver's seat and walked around to your side of the car.

When he opened the door, you immediately mumbled something incoherent and reached for him. "Come on," he said to you, "Let's get you inside and help you sober you up.”

You honestly thought you had dreamt it all. Because everything felt distant and blurry, as your exhaustion settled heavily into your bones and your eyelids threatened to close again. For a moment, you just sat there trying to stay awake while the world around you swayed slightly.

Then Chris sighed, turned his back toward you, and crouched down while you remained inside the car, then you blinked at his back in confusion. "What are you doing?"

"Getting you inside before you pass out before even standing up." Chris said softly.

A tired laugh escaped you before you could stop it, because you were too exhausted to argue, so you wrapped your arms around his shoulders and let him pull you onto his back.

Then he straightened himself up in one motion, and as he did your eyes drifted shut again, and you could barely keep them open anyway.

A few seconds later, you forced them open briefly, just enough to make sure you weren't actually dreaming. You weren't. Chris was carrying you towards his apartment.

Then you sighed in exhaustion as if you were the one carrying Chris then you rested your head against his shoulder and let him guide you towards his apartment.

By the time Chris managed to get you inside his house, you were wide awake.

And suddenly you noticed one of your shoes had somehow disappeared during the journey from the car to the elevator. But you didn't know where: nor that they mattered.

Swiftly he guided you toward the couch and gently pulled you from his back and dropped you onto it before disappearing into the kitchen. A minute later he returned with a glass of water. "Drink."

You accepted it with surprising seriousness.

Chris relaxed for a second: then, without warning, you promptly spilled the entire glass down the front of your shirt.

You stared down at your soaked clothes. "...Oops."

Chris groaned so loudly that it echoed through the apartment. "For God's sake."

You burst into laughter. "It's cold."

"Yeah." Chris said before rubbing his temples and disappeared into another room of his before returning with an oversized grey hoodie, in his hands, "Here." He says handing you the hoodie.

"What?" You asked.

"Put it on."

You squinted suspiciously at it. "Why?"

"Because your shirt is soaked."

"Oh."

That seemed reasonable enough. A few minutes later, after a struggle that involved your head somehow getting stuck in one sleeve, Chris finally managed to help you pull the hoodie over your head.

You immediately dropped your head and buried your nose into the fabric, then frowned. "It smells funny."

Chris looked offended. "It smells like laundry detergent."

"It smells like... Chris and it's funny."

"That's because it's mine." Chris sighed.

"You know what?" he continued, "I'm never helping anyone ever again."

"You love me." You winked at him.

"Unfortunately."

You grinned at his response then immediately leaned sideways and nearly fell off the couch. Chris caught you before you could hit the floor. "Jesus–."

For a moment he just stood there holding your shoulders while you blinked slowly up at him.

Then he exhaled sharply, "You need water and some hangover pills."

“No need.” you shake your head and smile stupidly at him.

Chris rubbed the back of his neck, before saying, “your shirt might seem to disagree.” possibly talking about the fact you soaked your shirt with water: because you were way to drunk.

Then he turned away towards his room and a few minutes later he returned with another glass and a couple of hangover tablets. "Take these." He hands them to you.

You stared at them, suspiciously before blurting out, "They're tiny."

"Take them." Chris ordered.

"What if they're poisoned?" You questioned.

Chris looked genuinely exhausted. "If I wanted to poison you, I would've done it three hours ago."

You nodded and with the world's greatest reluctance, you swallowed the pills. Chris watched until he was absolutely certain you had actually taken them this time.

“Thank you.” You murmured, finally laying onto his couch.

“Don't mention it.” he sighed, and only then did he finally relax.

The apartment grew quieter after that. The alcohol was starting to lose its battle against exhaustion, but you didn't sleep, more so you could not: as everything started to weigh more on your heart.

You pulled the sleeves of his hoodie over your hands and curled deeper into the couch.

Chris disappeared down his bedroom: for a moment before returning with a blanket draped over one arm.

Without a word, he tossed it over you, making sure it covered you properly as you curled deeper into the couch. You mumbled something incoherent in response, making him roll his eyes.

Then he settled at the end of the couch near your feet, leaning back with a long sigh as the silence of the apartment finally returned.

For the first time all night, he allowed himself to relax. Because deep down, he already knew this peace wasn't going to last.

Because he knew the moment Leon found out where you were? The moment he realized Chris had taken you home instead?

There was going to be a problem, a big one, Chris dragged a hand down his face and groaned quietly before glancing back at you. "Yeah," he muttered to himself. "He's gonna lose his damn mind."

.

Meanwhile back at the headquarters, Leon didn't realize something was wrong at first. Because at first he tried to find you but could not, but after all, people disappeared after missions all the time. Mostly everyone went home, slept for twelve hours straight. Maybe you did too.

So, he told himself not to overthink it. You were an adult. You could take care of yourself. You were probably at home already, curled up somewhere with a blanket.

The thought should have made him feel relieved, but it didn’t.

Then he called you.

And it went straight to voicemail.

Second time. Same.

By the fourth unanswered call, Leon was actually scared. god damn it. Why weren't you picking up your phone? Were you hurt? Were you upset? He knew there was something you wanted to say.

But what if something happened to you?

He was halfway through before losing his mind, with unhelpful thoughts, “Fuck where are you?" he muttered under his breath, while staring at his phone, as he clutched it tighter beneath his fingers.

Eventually, he called everyone on his team after enough badgering and threatening of his co-workers on the phone someone from another group finally cracked and mentioned seeing Chris leaving the bar.

With you, and you were drunk all over Chris.

Leon's jaw clenched so hard it hurt, so immediately, his brain supplied several extremely unhelpful images that only made his mood worse.

You laughing with Chris. Leaning on Chris. Crying on Chris. Going home with Chris.

"Nope." The word came out sharp.

Before common sense could intervene, Leon was already grabbing his keys from his pockets.

Then twenty minutes later, he was driving far faster than he should have been, rain beginning to hammer against the windshield as his thoughts spiraled further and further out of control.

The logical part of him knew Chris was his and your friend, and you were safe with him. He trusted him with his and your life.

Leon knew that, internally and logically but when feelings are involved logic rarely ever worked.

And every time he imagined you upset enough to cry on somebody else's shoulder instead of his, or being with someone else, something ugly twisted inside his chest.

So he pressed down on the accelerator, the night swallowing the car as the world outside dissolved into streaks of light.

.

You weren't entirely asleep when the pounding started on Chris's door after thirty minutes.

At first, your alcohol-soaked brain convinced itself it was part of a dream. Then the knocking came again, louder this time, rattling through Chris's apartment.

You groaned from beneath the blanket and lifted your head slightly. "Is that the postman?" you mumbled.

Chris laughed quietly then looked up from where he'd been sitting across the room.

At the sound of the knocking, his expression immediately shifted. Because he knew exactly who it was. “He is earlier than I thought.”

Another knock came through.

Chris groaned and finally pushed himself upright and walked toward the front door while muttering several creative insults under his breath. The moment he opened it, Leon was standing there, soaked from the rain, "Wherе is she?"

Chris folded his arms around his chest, as he stared at Leon, “Hello to you too.”

"Chris." The warning in Leon's voice was immediate.

"Where is she?" He repeated.

Chris smiled, "Nice to see you too, buddy."

He knew he was playing with fire.

Leon flared his nostril, his blue eyes darkening as he simply pushed past Chris and walked inside. "Hey—"

Leon barely heard another word Chris said. The second he entered the living room, and moved inside and then his gaze settled on the couch and he found you.

And there you were curled up beneath a blanket on the couch, you froze the moment you saw him. Then you sat up so abruptly it was as if the alcohol had vanished from your bloodstream. The blanket slid from your shoulders and gathered in your lap.

Only then did Leon notice the oversized hoodie hanging off your frame. Chris's hoodie. He knew it immediately; because he'd seen Chris wear it more times than he could count during team gatherings. As he saw it a strange feeling settled heavily in his chest.

And something dangerous flashed across his face. Jealousy. Unfiltered. and he wanted to rip it off you and wrap you in his own clothes.

You stared at him with utmost confusion which plastered over your brows and eyes, "...Leon?"

“Am I dreaming?” You mutter to yourself while pinching your cheek..

Despite everything, Leon's gaze softened. Then he moved closer to you and crouched down in front of the couch, one knee touching the floor while the other remained bent. His hands stayed loosened at either side of him, as he steadied himself, looking absurdly like he was about to propose.

"No, you're not dreaming," he said softly, before reaching for your hand and squeezing it slightly. Your chest warmed at the sensation of his skin against yours.

Fuck, you were still drunk, as you noticed all the absurd things about him the realization hit you instantly knocking the air straight out of your lungs.

Just as you were about to say something, Chris appeared in the living room and muttered "Today is really the worst," he said, and glanced between you and Leon, and rapidly losing what little patience he had left and with a heavy sigh, he turned on his heel and headed for his bedroom.

A second later, the door slammed shut behind him, leaving the two of you alone in the suddenly very quiet living room.

For a brief moment, Leon glanced toward the closed bedroom door before turning back his attention to you.

The second your eyes met his, and your breath caught instantly.

The alcohol suddenly felt far less effective, as his blue eyes held yours effortlessly, making it impossible to look away.

For a long second he remained crouched in front of you, close enough that your heart began to betray you. One of his hands was still wrapped around yours, warmly and squeezing it tightly, “What are you doing here?” you asked, your voice quieter than intended.

His jaw tightened slightly. Leon let out a slow breath before finally releasing your hand. For a second, disappointment over you thought he was about to stand. Instead, he reached up and gently cradled your face and you felt a shiver run down your spine, “I spent three hours looking for you.”

"Why?” You breathed.

"Because you disappeared." He replied, his eyes intently on you.

You looked down at your hands, unable to hold his gaze any longer. Your eyes slipped shut, and suddenly the alcohol seemed to catch up with you again, wrapping around your thoughts and loosening the walls you'd spent hours trying to keep up. A small, tipsy smile tugged at your lips, "I was upset," you admitted quietly.

“Figured.” His words came out sharper than intended.

Then all the frustration you'd been carrying finally spilled over, and a small frown settled on your face as you looked at him. "Why..." you began, gently taking his hands from your cheeks and setting them aside. You pulled your legs up onto the couch, crossing them as your fists curled tightly at your sides. "Why do you do this...?"

Leon frowned, his brows drawing together as he finally let his hands fall back to his sides. A familiar heaviness settled in his chest. “Why do I do what?”

"Why does it always have to be Ada?" You asked, letting a bitter laugh escape your throat.

His entire body stilled at the name, and instead of getting angry: something close to amusement settled in his chest, because why were you bringing her up? But he didn't say anything, instead he just looked at you, hoping you would continue, because he was as confused as a man, who was asking for directions in new city.

"You always throw yourself into danger for her." You continued.

"I do not." Leon said confidently.

“You do!” Your voice cracked at the last syllable, "I see it every damn time!"

Leon stared at you in disbelief as you grew more agitated with every word.

"You shielded her when the floor collapsed," you said, your voice rising despite yourself. "You didn't even hesitate. You didn't care if you died or if something happened to you!" By the time you finished, you were breathless.

For a moment, Leon simply looked at you, then something in his expression shifted, the confusion disappeared, replaced by a sudden softness, as though understanding had finally dawned on him.

And somehow, that only made you angrier. Your throat tightens despite yourself as you feel the tears starting to form behind your eyelids, "Why couldn't it have been me?" you asked bitterly, and closed your eyes tightly.

The question finally slipped, and you knew it was too late to take it back.

Fuck it.

You finally asked what has been sitting over your chest for months.

The room went silent, and only sound was your and his breathing in the quiet of the room, Leon's breath caught at your question. "What?"

"Forget it." You said looking away, but his hands reached up and he held your chin with gentle firmness before making you look at him, "no”, he sighed impatiently, “what did you just say to me?" His voice was immediate.

Fuck it, if he wanted to know that bad, then you might as well as tell him, "If you're always willing to risk yourself for her..." Your throat tightened again, "Why can't it just be me?"

For a second, Leon simply stared at you. Then his expression shifted into something almost horrified, as though he couldn't believe what he was hearing anymore.

Before you could say another word, he shifted and settled onto both knees in front of you, his hands immediately rising to cradle your face between his calloused palms, and this time he didn't let you pull away. And the warmth of them made your breath catch, because they were undeniably gentle against your face, even after being rough from years of training and fighting, yet they were impossibly gentle against your skin, grounding you in a way nothing else had all night.

Holding your gaze Leon smiled softly, as if it were the only thing that mattered in this room, or the world then he shook his head frantically. "No, no, no," he said quietly, but firmly. "You've got it all wrong, sweetheart.”

"Sweetheart." Sweetheart.

The nickname settled deep into your veins and spread through you like blood itself, warm and impossible to ignore. It wrapped around your heart, slipping past every chamber of it. For a moment, that single word drowned out everything else.

But then his next words caught up to you.

You've got it all wrong.

Your brows pulled together because What did he mean, you had it all wrong?

You stared at him, as confusion cut through the haze of alcohol and your heart pounded painfully against your ribs. Because from where you were sitting, nothing felt wrong. You had seen it with your own eyes. You had watched him throw himself in front of Ada without a second thought. You had watched him choose her.

So what exactly had you gotten wrong?

"It has always been you," he finally said, the words coming out rough, as though they had been buried inside him for far too long. "Always. The minute I saw you."

Your breath caught in your throat, confusion still written all over your face. Seeing it, Leon let out a quiet laugh, one that sounded both sad and fond at the same time.

He shook his head slightly, his thumb brushing against under your eyes softly as if he still couldn't quite believe this conversation was happening. As if, after all this time, you genuinely had no idea. "I thought I was being obvious."

Your jaw dropped, and you swallowed loudly, "Obvious?"

"But you saved Ada today."

"I would do that for anyone, Ada isn't special." You knew that, but your heart didn't let you believe it, stupid. You knew.

Then seeing your spiraling eyes, he shifts closer to you with the help of his knees and continues, “what scared me was if you fell with me, you would get hurt.”

You freeze completely at his words, then Leon groaned loudly looking completely exasperated with himself. "I thought you knew."

"Knew what?" You asked way too quietly.

His blue eyes locked onto yours, as he finally opened his mouth and his throat bobbed up and down before he finally said, "That I love you."

The world stopped entirely as he said it, and every coherent thought left your mind and the little alcohol that was left in you, drained down into the floor beneath.

You felt completely sober and he squeezed your face gently, "I should've told you." His voice softened again. "I should've made it clear." He continues, "I'm sorry." The sincerity in his voice destroyed you completely, and your heart burnt against your chest as if someone reached inside you and lit it with fire.

Then Leon leaned forward, while his hand stayed still on your face, then finally he looked at you, to see if you would pull away, instead you stayed there, and finally he leaned and let his lips brush your forehead softly, just as he do a shiver ran down your spine, then he rested his forehead against yours.

"Leon—" you start, and he immediately shakes his head. "Don't give me an answer right now," he said quietly. "Think about it. Sleep on it. Tell me when you're certain."

"Leon, shut up," you breathed.

Then he pulled away just slightly then his brows lifted in surprise, but before he could say anything else, you continued. "I love you too." The words hung in the air between you.

And Finally, they were out. The truth you'd been carrying around for so long, the feelings you'd tried to ignore, deny, and bury. The moment you said them, a weight seemed to lift from your shoulders, leaving you feeling strangely lighter.

Leon simply stared at you, as if he couldn't quite believe what he'd heard. "What if you change your mind tomorrow?" he asked softly, you leaned towards him and pressed your lips onto his softly before pulling away, "Won't happen." You said firmly, then he rested his forehead against yours and there wasn't a trace of hesitation in your voice, and somehow, Leon knew you meant it.

Something warm unfurled inside his chest at your words and it spread through him like a wave, washing away months of uncertainty and longing. For the first time all night, he allowed himself to believe it was real.

Finally, a soft smile tugged at his lips. "God I used to dream about this moment.”

Then before you could say anything else he said, "C'mon." and he finally pulled himself away from you.

You looked completely confused by what he'd just said. "What?"

Leon stared at you for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. "I'm taking you back to your home."

Your brows furrowed at him, "I am home."

"This is Chris's home," he pointed out.

"Right." The realization hit a second later.

God.

You'd somehow forgotten that minor detail entirely. A look of embarrassment flickered across your face as the alcohol continued to wreak havoc on your thoughts.

Leon, meanwhile, couldn't help the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth. Slowly, he removed his hands from your face and rose to his feet. Then, without a word, he reached down removing the blanket from your lap and throwing it aside on the couch and then he carefully helped you up, steadying you when you swayed slightly the moment you stood.

The room spun slightly and his arm wrapped around your waist, steadying you. And without another word he removed his jacket from his torso and draped it around your shoulders.

Then he looked down at Chris's hoodie, his jaw ticking in jealousy, “You can give him his hoodie back tomorrow.”

You laughed at his absurd comment the sound made something warm appear in his expression.

A few minutes later, he was getting you settled into the passenger seat of his car, after letting you settle, Leon pulled out his phone, and texted Chris.

Leon: Thanks for taking care of her.

A few seconds later Chris replied with a single thumbs-up emoji.

Leon stared at it, then snorted slightly. “Grandpa.” He said and a grin appeared on his lips.

But then three-dots appeared again on Chris's chat and Leon's phone buzzed in his hands.

Chris: If you hurt her again, I'm breaking your jaw.

Leon sighed, at his text because he knew it was fair of him to do so.

“You won't get the chance.” He replied back to him.

Chris saw it immediately but didn't reply this time.

And after checking his phone for the last time Leon put it away on the dashboard of his car, and glanced over at you being half asleep beneath his jacket, and then he turned his gaze at the road and started the engine, with a stupid smile on his face.

Because, for the first time that day, his chest felt lighter as he realized, you were finally his and he was yours.

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