imgonnagetyouback
leon kennedy x fem!reader
summary: believe it or not, breaking up with leon kennedy was the easy part. deciding whether to move on or make him regret it was harder. inspired by taylor swift's song, imgonnagetyouback.
cw: eventual smut, re9!leon, mean!leon, possessive!leon, dso!reader, brat!reader, large age gap, toxic relationship, sexual tension, alcoholism, jealousy, possessiveness, power imbalance, weapons, mentions of re8, no use of y/n
part one two of three | comment to be tagged <3 | divider cred @/feimingo
You were so over Leon Kennedy.
So over him, in fact, that you requested reassignment at the DSO. You had dated for several months and had been partners for even longer, but you could hardly imagine continuing to work in the same office let alone together in the field. Your job was serious! You were a special agent! And though you truly cared about your current assignment- investigating the village incident in Romania a few years ago- you needed to put as much distance between yourself and Leon as possible.
So, instead of traveling to Romania, you were going to be staying rather close to home. Your boss put you and your new partner, Penn, in charge of investigating the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center.
“This is a huge mission, agent,” said the director. “I expect the utmost discretion.”
“Yes, sir,” you replied, eagerly leaning forward in your chair. You had arrived to work only a few minutes ago and your first stop was his office after receiving the email that your transfer request had been approved yesterday evening.
“I am entertaining this sudden reassignment because I respect you. I also think it will be beneficial for an experienced agent such as yourself to show Penn the ropes,” the director remarked. “But I will not lie and say that I am not disappointed that I have to split you and Agent Kennedy up.”
“I understand, director. This will be for the best,” you said passionately, rising from your seat. “I won’t let you down.”
And it was true- you were very good at your job. You had received an award for your valor in your field and you weren’t even 30. That was unheard of in the DSO, especially for a female agent. And Leon had been sure to throw that in your face that night. You tried not to get lost in your thoughts at work- again, this mission was important. But you couldn’t help yourself as you recalled the night you called it off as you made your way back to your office.
It had been a good day to start. That morning, you met with a few agents from the BSAA to review the information they had on their extraction of Mia and Rose Winters. This was going to progress your investigation greatly and allow you and Leon to head to Romania sooner than you thought. You were very used to living and traveling together, after all, it had been one year of it. Your formal education in biochemistry and his extensive experience in combating bioterrorism was a perfect match, your director said.
A perfect match indeed. He was much older, yes, but you were mature. Leon was a charmer, that much was true. He was funny, sexy, and intelligent- all things you had ever hoped for in a partner. You dated a few boys in college, but this was a man. Everything, from his watch, to his car, to his guns- both department issued and god-given- was attractive. You couldn’t believe he wasn’t married. Looking back, it should have been more obvious.
You were a little hesitant to begin with- one really should not date their coworkers, especially as a new employee- but you both agreed to keep your developing relationship on the downlow. During the day, you would both do your jobs. You were professional. And to this day, not many know about your history with Leon. But at night, you would either hang out at your apartment- never his- or he would take you out a few towns away in a dress and heels his hefty DSO paycheck paid for. You were spoiled and you loved it. At first.
You started to find yourself quite annoyed with him often. He had practically moved into your apartment, which was fine, until he’d get home far too late for a weeknight. Despite many attempts, he’d blow you off anytime you suggested staying at his place for a weekend. It seemed he didn’t want to let you in, in more ways than one. At first, you told yourself that he’d spent most of his life traumatized and misunderstood. But how long were you willing to make excuses for him?
That particular night, you were debriefing Leon on your conversation with the BSAA agents. “The BSAA don’t think that Miranda is truly dead,” you informed him, pacing back and forth in your kitchen as he sharpened his hatchet at your table.
“Ethan blew up the entire village. She’s dead,” he argued without even looking up from his task.
You opened your refrigerator and grabbed your favorite wine. You were silent as you poured it, but after you took your first sip, you replied. “But the BSAA recovered some kind of fragment that they believe contains her consciousness. I just feel like if we go to the site and-“
“Listen,” Leon cut you off. “I’ve been dealing with the BSAA for years. They don’t know what they’re doing. Let me deal with them.”
“I am capable of doing my job, you know,” you shot back, standing directly in front of him now. “I don’t always need your help.”
“Don’t get like that,” he said, standing up from the chair to put his gear back in his bag. “You’re a rookie, that’s all. I am just trying to help.”
“A rookie?” you scoffed. “I would think the recognition I got at last month’s gala would elevate me from rookie.”
“Yeah, it’s very impressive,” he replied, drawing out his words, his gaze still fixed on his bag. “I wonder if the director knows I did most of the work.”
“Excuse me?” you replied, not believing he said what he did. “Are you seriously trying to take credit for my success? You know of all people should know how fucking hard I worked on that case.”
Leon let out a ‘hmpf’ and shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh, don’t be short with me now, Leon. It seems you have sooo much to say, so let’s hear it,” you said, crossing your arms. “Tell me more about how I’m so inexperienced.”
Leon finally looked at you then, slow and deliberate, like you were something he had to assess rather than someone he cared about.
“You want me to say it?” he asked, his voice low. “Fine. You’re good, smart. But you’re not ready for half the things you think you are.”
You let your hands fall to your sides. “There it is.”
“I’ve seen the shit that happens out there,” he gestured with his hands towards the door, stepping closer to you now. “You read reports and conduct interviews-”
“I was in the field with you, Leon," you snapped.
“And I kept you alive,” he shot back, sharp.
A bitter laugh escaped your lips. “Wow. So that’s what this is? You think I’m some child you have to fucking babysit?”
“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself,” he said. “And instead of listening, you… what? You get a little recognition and suddenly you think you don’t need my guidance?”
“Guidance?” you repeated. “Is that what you call it? Because it feels a lot like control.”
“You don’t know what control looks like, babe.”
“Don’t babe me,” you challenged. “If it’s not control, what would you call shutting me out of your life? Or refusing to even let me step foot in your god damn apartment? Or deciding you’ll ‘handle’ things? We’re supposed to be equal, Leon.”
“The apartment thing,” he stopped on that part. “Is different. I've told you that.”
“Is it?” you pressed. “Or is it just easier for you to keep me at arm’s length so you can keep pulling rank over me?”
You caught his jaw jump. “You’re twisting this.”
“You loooove that you’re older. More experienced. It gives you an excuse to talk down to me like I’m one of your little trainees.” Your voice was raised now.
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Are you sure?” you shot back. “Because it sounds like you can’t stand the idea that I don’t need YOU to do MY job.”
“That’s not-” He stopped, exhaling. “You’re missing the point.”
“Then enlighten me,” you said, throwing your hands up. “Since you always know best.”
“Someone has to,” he said, quietly.
“Yeah,” you said with finality. “I think we're done here.”
Leon frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” you said, stepping back, putting space between you and him. “It means I’m not doing this anymore. I’m not going to keep fighting to be taken seriously by someone who’s supposed to be on my side.”
“You’re overreacting,” he said immediately.
“No,” you replied, shaking your head. “I’m finally reacting the way I should have a long time ago. I think you should leave.”
“Seriously?” he asked, his brows pulling together.
“Yeah, seriously.”
He let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “You’re kicking me out over a little argument?”
“I’m ending this,” you corrected. “The ‘little’ argument where you spent 10 minutes insulting me just made it obvious.”
For a moment, he just looked at you, like he was waiting for you to back down. Like you always did. But you wouldn’t this time. “Pack your things, Leon.”
Your arms were outstretched, your hands against the credenza in your office with your back towards the door when a sharp knock rang in your ears. You hoped to god before you turned around that it wasn’t him so soon after recalling that memory, so you were delighted to see Penn leaning against the door frame.
“Don’t tell me you’re already stressed about the case,” he said, sinking down into one of your chairs. "You're supposed to be the brave one. I'm practically shitting my pants."
You tucked your hair behind your ear as you leaned down to grab some files from the cabinet. “No, no,” you laughed. “I’m... trying to go caffeine free and it’s really not working out.”
“Oh,” Penn replied, sharing in your laughter. “No offense, agent, but I really do feel like that is bad timing.”
“I am beginning to agree,” you said, rubbing your head, feigning a headache, when really, you were trying to scrub the last remnants of Leon Kennedy from your mind. “Anyways, I think it’s best if we meet in the conference room to discuss our strategy after we’ve both had a chance to read the briefing.”
“Yes ma’am,” Penn affirmed. “I’ll see you after lunch?”
You nodded your head at that, and as he left, your gaze was fixed on his dark, curly hair. Cut it out, you almost said to yourself out loud. You straightened, exhaling through your nose as your eyes shifted down towards the files in your hands. You pressed your lips together, squaring your shoulders as you stacked the folders into a neat pile. Work. That’s what this was. A new assignment, a new partner, a clean break. And you really need to get out more.
Though, you knew it was only a matter of time before you would have to see him.
That afternoon, you made your way to the conference room, a steaming cup of the DSO’s finest coffee in hand. You swung open the door without much care, thinking it would be empty save for maybe Penn, if he had arrived early. Instead, you found Leon and his new partner, a seasoned agent named Marco. It looked like they were reviewing video footage from the village in Romania.
“Hey there, miss big shot,” Marco teased. “Look at you moving on up and leaving us poor bastards with your sloppy seconds.”
You let out a laugh and tried your hardest not to look at Leon with a slight sense of satisfaction. “I’m a tough act to follow, I know,” you replied.
You could feel the heat of his gaze on you. Truthfully, you didn’t know if it was in anger or desire. You hadn’t talked since that night and there was plenty left unsaid. You didn’t care, though. He made his bed and now he could lie in it.
“We were just leaving,” Leon finally said, sharply. “The room’s all yours.”
You didn’t bother responding as crossed the room and set your stack of files on the big glass table at the center of the room. As Leon and Marco gathered their things, Penn walked in.
“Hey, sorry- I got tied up downstairs-”
You looked up as Penn stepped into the room, a little breathless but smiling, one hand still on the door.
“Right on time,” you said, a touch lighter now.
Penn’s gaze flicked between the three of you in the room. “Oh, uh, hi,” he added, straightening slightly. “I didn’t realize the room was occupied this afternoon-”
“Marco,” Marco cut in, stepping forward and offering a hand. “Don’t worry about it. We’re on our way out.”
“Penn. I’m new to DSO. Nice to meet you.” Penn looked over at Leon, thinking he would introduce himself like Marco did. When he didn't, “Agent Kennedy,” Penn said instead, extending his hand politely.
Leon looked at it for a beat too long before taking it, his expression unreadable. “Penn,” he repeated flatly.
Penn, to his credit, didn’t falter. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, glancing briefly in your direction. “You’re like, a fucking legend.”
Something tight coiled in your chest, but you pushed past it, offering Penn a small smile as you stepped beside him. “Oh, he’s not too intimidating,” you said. You reached for one of the folders and handed it to him.
At your kindness towards Penn and your smart remark, you could have sworn you saw Leon’s jaw tightening, his shoulders squaring just slightly, like he was settling into something he couldn’t quite name.
Marco glanced between the two of you, then at Leon. “Well,” he said, clapping his hands together once, breaking the tension, “we’ll let you two get to it.”
Penn let out a small breath after they had closed the door with a sharp click. “...Was it just me, or was that-”
“What?” you questioned, already moving to sit at the table, flipping open your file like nothing had happened.
Penn laughed under his breath. “Nothing, nevermind.”
You didn’t look up. “Don’t worry about it,” you said. “Let's get started. We have a lot of work to do... try to keep up.”
