Impressive Design
Pairing/WC/Tags: artist!Leon x vampire!reader / 930 / strangers to lovers(?), flirting, vampire au, re2 Leon
A/N: for day 7 of AU-gust @thepromptfoundry ‘vampire’ I read ‘the painter’ by @kokoluwie and got inspired for this, definitely give that one a read!
You don’t understand why you’re drawn to the painting.
You’ve seen centuries of art. You’ve watched movements rise and fall, watched artists pour their souls into canvases, watched humanity try to capture beauty before time inevitably takes it away.
You’ve seen masterpieces, but this one keeps pulling you back.
The painting hangs quietly among the others, surrounded by crowds of people who glance at it for a few seconds before moving on. Yet you remain frozen in front of it, studying every stroke, every imperfect detail.
There is something about it.
Something familiar, making it feel almost alive.
“You’ve been coming back to this one,”
The voice catches you off guard, not because you didn’t hear him approach, you did. Your senses have never failed you. But there’s something about his presence that makes you forget to pay attention.
You turn slowly. A young man stands beside you, dressed far too casually for someone who somehow manages to look like he belongs in a gallery. His blond hair falls messily over his forehead, his blue eyes bright with curiosity. There’s a softness to him that feels strange in a world where you’ve spent so long learning not to trust anyone.
You don’t know his name yet. All you know is that he smells warm. Your instincts whisper it before your mind can stop them.
“Might I ask what’s so interesting about it?” he asks.
You blink, realizing he’s been speaking to you. “Sorry?”
A small smile pulls at his lips.
“The painting.” He gestures toward it. “You seem pretty captivated.”
You look back at the artwork before sneaking a look at his name tag. “I was just wondering what makes it special.”
His expression changes slightly, like he’s pleased you asked.
“Well…” He steps closer, looking at the piece with genuine admiration. “The artist used his own blood for the red ink.”
Your eyes snap toward him. “His blood?”
Leon nods. “Yeah. Apparently, he wanted the piece to feel more personal. Like he was putting a literal part of himself into it.”
You stare at the painting again, the red suddenly looking different.
“That’s extraordinary,” you whisper.
Leon smiles. “I’ll tell him you think so.”
“You know the artist?”
He gives a small shrug. “Something like that.”
There’s something about his answer that feels intentionally vague, but you don’t press. Instead, you find yourself talking.
You don’t mean to. Usually, you’re careful. You’ve had hundreds of years to perfect the art of blending in, of keeping people at arm’s length. Leon listens, his eyes staying on you, not the painting, not the crowd around you. You expect boredom or polite nodding. Instead, he looks fascinated.
“Though…” you say, glancing back at the canvas, “I do think the color choice is interesting.”
Leon raises his eyebrows.
“You do?” You immediately regret it, because you think you might’ve insulted him. “Never mind. I shouldn’t criticized-“
“No, no.” A quiet laugh leaves him. “I’m curious.”
You narrow your eyes slightly. “You’re not offended?”
“Why would I be?”
“People usually don’t like hearing someone disagree with their interpretation.”
Leon tilts his head, his hair moving with him. He seems incredibly young, then again, almost everyone is young to you.
“Well, I think art is supposed to make people feel something.”
You look at him for a moment too long, and blink slowly. “You’re different.”
His smile grows, lips stretching. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
You look away before he notices how much you’re staring.
The two of you remain there longer than you should. Long enough that the exhibit begins to empty, and that you forget you came here for the art. Not him.
Eventually, Leon checks the time and sighs. “Guess I should let you get back to admiring your favorite piece.”
You don’t like the disappointment that settles in your chest. “It was lovely meeting you.”
“You as well.” He replies, and he turns to go but you call out to him.
“What’s your name?”
He turns back, and his eyes seem to shine. “Leon Kennedy.”
The name sits strangely on your tongue, like something you’re meant to remember.
“Nice to meet you, Leon.”
His smile softens. “Likewise.”
He disappears into the crowd, moving faster than you would’ve thought. You stay at the painting for a few more minutes before you place your sunglasses on your head, and make your way to the exit.
Later that night, you return.
Not because you want to see Leon, at least, that’s what you tell yourself. You slip through the empty exhibit halls silently, moving like a shadow through the darkness. The painting waits exactly where you left it, but you stop dead.
Leon sits on the floor in front of the painting, legs crossed, staring at the artwork like he’s been waiting.
Your footsteps are quiet, but not quiet enough, and his head turns. When he looks over his shoulder, there’s no surprise in his expression, only amusement.
“Come to look some more?”
Your eyes narrow. “You knew I would come back?”
Leon grins, and the expression is slightly different this time. It’s more relaxed, as if the smile he wore before was tamed down. It’s then you notice his teeth.
Sharp and pointed. Not human, or not entirely.
They look just like yours.
For the first time in centuries, you’re the one caught off guard. Leon stands slowly, his gaze never leaving yours.
“You know,” he says softly, “I was wondering how long it would take you to notice.”
“You’re like me,” you whisper.
Leon’s smile turns almost playful. “Something like that.”
X
Divider @saradika-graphics
Leon Kennedy blurbs
AU-gust / TrustAugust ML
