Chapter Text
The blood wouldn't stop pouring out of his open wounds. This B.O.W had been far smarter than any he had ever encountered. Being big and ugly was a given but all had been useless monsters hell bent on killing anyone. This one was one smart son-of-a-bitch using its surroundings to hide, messing with the electrical panels, even mimicking human voices. No this was a true monster. That's why they had lost all the Hounds and why Leon's dark grey long sleeve turned into a sickening red as he spilled onto the concrete floor.
Luckily his guts were still inside him but his leg was broken beyond repair. With blurred vision he searched for any sign of life in debris post-battle. The underground lavatory was in shambles, concrete torn from the walls, wires sparking from the ceiling. The blood matting his hair to his forehead, whether it was his or the countless infected he had put down was unknown. Still with shaky arms he lifted his upper body to have a better view. The sounds being the banging of metal as it fell from the creaking walls.
Despite his blurry eyesight he could make out in the far off distance a familiar looking body hunched over. Leon couldn't see the state of them as the figure's head hung toward his chest unmoving. His legs were dead weight as Leon dragged himself to the body in an eerie way he had seen infected do as they crawled toward him. Once close enough he nudged the others shoulder, "Chris you still with me?", he croaked studying the man’s unresponsive face, his handsome features coated in grime and blood . Leon's heart pounded with fear at the lack of response with more force, "Chris?!",
A ragged breath was heard as one brown eye opened to look at him, "Leon", he wheezed, his breathing was harsh as every breath was forced out. Pushing past the searing pain of his broken body Leon smiled, shaky and fragile, relieved to see Chris still alive. Even if it was short-lived. They were dying, they knew it, even if they found a way out of here these wounds weren't easily fixed they'd bleed out before they reached the stairs. By the time they reached level 1 the lab would have collapsed on top of them, crushing them. Thankfully all passages leading downstairs had closed ensuring nothing could get out and no one self-sacrificing moron could get in.
With harsh pants Leon pushed against the concrete floor managing to drag his body beside the immobile man. He watched as Chris slowly reached under his torn coat groaning from the slightest movement pinching a single cigarette he slowly brought it to his lips right hand shaking till the stick was close enough for him to bite the end. Repeating the motion he reached down and lifted a detailed silver lighter.
With a shaken grime covered hand he attempted to flicker the flame, taking pity with clenched teeth Leon leaned over as grabbing the lighter. Chris worldlessly dropped his hand as he took it. With a slight of hand the lighter flicked on, "These things can kill you", bringing the flame close to the cigarette, the end coming to life.
Taking a drag Chris blew the smoke awake from Leon, "Take my chances", as he looked around their tomb, dying in action was never an if but a when. How Chris managed to live this long surviving the impossible was a mystery. Frost. Vickers. Piers. Just skimmed the top of the people he lost due to his incompetence. And least His Hounds had managed to stay alive. They were the most loyal men he had the fortune to have worked with. Chris could die happy knowing death had finally come to collect him and not then.
A voice broke his thoughts, "I hope Claire won't be too mad", Leon muttered as his hand covered his bloody torso not bothering to press the wound. The older man sighed with a bitter smile, "Dying has its benefits we get to avoid her wrath", he was joking but he did worry, he was leaving his baby sister. Of all the things he failed Claire was his one true success. He regretted how distant he had become as he got older. Believing if he kept every worry in, not acknowledging it, then he could somehow avoid it. Claire had this skill to break down his walls knowing every backdoor he had, so he couldn’t risk her knowing the depths of evil he found himself in, to protect her he pushed her away. Hung up calls. Missed events. Hell he didn’t find out she had a boyfriend until Jill mentioned him.
Taking a drag, his head getting heavier, he could see her fifteen baby-faced clinging to him everytime he leave the house afriad he'd never make it back, when their whole world started and ended with each other. She 40 now but there was no age when someone was ready to lose a sibling. At least she wouldn't be alone. God he was leaving his girl alone too, Rosemary was barely six years old she wouldn't understand why he wasn't coming home. His adopted daughter had lost so much so early in life. He wasn't a religious man but he prayed Rose would know she was loved. Even in death he loved her.
Beside him Leon started shivering violently his body reacting to the large amount of blood he was losing, "Cold", he stated avoiding the issue without a word Chris lifted his left arm wrapping them around the others shoulders, Leon leaned against the other comforted by the warmth.
"Guess this is it, huh. At least we managed to take it down", coughing as the blood reached his lungs, "Figured I'd die like this. Good thing I rent month to month",
Neither spoke listening as the building groaned loud metal smacking its way down the high walls. Electrical wiring sparking as they were ripped from the walls during the fight. "At least the company is nice", Chris gave a tired smile, his eyebrows furrowing from the pain.
Leon couldn't see it but a metal pipe had him skewed to the wall, it was a matter of time before all the blood left his body eventually putting him in cardiac arrest and forcing his heart to stop beating.
The blonde chuckled slowly, "Bet you say that to all the boys", as he angled his head to look at the other blonde hair falling over his shoulder. The raven haired man had a tired smirk as he shook his head even at the end Leon still had jokes. He would miss it. The building shook, both snapped their heads to the ceiling, the highbeams bending as it held the upper floors slowly sinking.
"Any regrets?", Chris asked, trying to distract Leon from the inevitable. Wanting the last moments of his friend to be at peace not fear. Leon let out a bitter laugh, "Where do I start?", blood making its way to the corner of his mouth.
"Should have gotten more speeding tickets", he joked as his head fell on Chris shoulder too heavy to hold it up. A pained laugh making his body rock, "I'm surprised you still have a license Kennedy",
"Figured it was the only way I'd be remembered. Bet the government is wiping my information as we speak", he said as he used his left hand to emphasize his speech.
The cigarette was halfway finished when Leon reached over, plucking it from Chris' lips. He hated the smell of smoke but being at death's door brought out the worst in you, he brought the cigarette to his lips, it burned and tasted awful but it did feel nice, "You?",
Chris didn't speak for a while anxious by the quiet Leon pressed his right hand on the others stomach worried he had passed, finally he spoke, "I'm older than my father was when he died", his body was growing numb he was unable to move his legs, "Wish I could say he'd be proud to see me", he confessed, he gave up his life for this. The founding the BSAA sacrificing his youth his dreams to battle the effects of Spencer and Miranda only for it to be pointless. The BSAA became corrupt working with the Connections to fight against B.O.Ws. Every agency once it grew too large eventually would consume itself. All the people that died believing in the cause, the sacrifices they made, worthless. In the end the obsession for power continued. Human nature.
Leon puffed out a smoke, his cheek pressed against the others shoulder, he put the cigarette between the others lips. He placed his left hand over the others abdomen his tips of his fingers grazing blood soaked metal, swallowing thick he confessed, "A family would have been nice",
Chris nodded and his eyes were starting to droop. He could vaguely see the mop of blood soaked blonde hair by him. He had hoped he would die last Leon didn't deserve to die alone in pain watching as the walls crumbled around him. But this life took more than it gave.
"You have one", Chris said as his breath grew more ragged. Leon looked back smiling bitterly, "You don't realize what you have till it's gone", placing the near empty bud in Chris lips. With the last ounce of bravery Leon brushed his least blood soaked against Chris' cheek.
He had always wondered what Chris' beard felt like. Was it prickly like his five o'clock shadow or was it softer? Leon would often stare at the man's black hair envious on the way it made him look so rugged.
Chris maneuvered the arm behind Leon so that his hand could faintly touch his hair, "I always thought you had beautiful hair", he speech slurred as he ran his fingers through the others hair, "Liked the way it could never make its mind on what color it was", a small smile painting his face.
The younger eyes softened, Leon had years of watching Chris admiring his handsome face even now as the others eyes slowly closed the world no longer blessed with the sight of those rich brown eyes. From friendship to some unspoken thing. Regret was something Leon was too familiar with. If there was an afterlife he hoped he would be with Chris. "Could say the same about your eyes", he quipped.
The last of his strength Leon leaned pressing their temples together, "Next time, let's have no regrets. Sound good Redfield?", his voice wavering, Chris didn't respond verbally instead his knuckles brushed the back of Leon's head, confirming the sentiment. His gloved covered fingers lightly brushed as the movement became slower and slower till finally his hand fell limp. The cigarette butt falling from his lips as the glowing red light died soaking the pooled blood.
The end of Leon's lips quivered, "Bastard, you always have to be the first one huh?", he joked to empty ears the upper walls screeched as it felt a story Leon looking up at the ceiling. He stared at Chris unmoving body he brushed the others forehead, leaning close he pressed a kiss.
He snuggled close in a way lovers do as he watched as the ceiling fell landing onto sections below as it held the weight before it fell onto another section. His breath evened out as hazy blue eyes stared emotionless, "I'm tired Chris. I think I'm going to take a nap. Promise you'll wake me up", his eyes closing as feeling in his body numbed. He was like he was floating mind slipping away reminiscent of moments before falling asleep. The last thing he heard were the walls collapsed around them
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A blaring alarm startled him awake, his body jolting from the bed groggy eyes squinting. Smacking the clock to turn off he flopped back face making a crevice as he snuggled into the pillow. He let out a deep breath, relaxing into the firm mattress. He wasn't a morning person prefering to stay cuddled up in his warm bed. Why did he set an alarm so early? It's not like he had a mission this close to another. He whined as he rubbed the comforter over his face. If he didn't get up soon there'd be hell.
Throwing his blanket off and he looked frantically around the room. Eyes jumping from place to place. "What is going on?", he steadied his breath, hesitantly getting out of bed. Hissing as his unclothed foot touched the bare wooden floor.
The room was small, barely large enough to fit a twin-sized mattress pressed against the corner of the room elevated on a metal bedframe. A beat-up light brown 4 drawer dresser in front of him. Taking barely a step across from the bed Leon assessed the contents on top.
A black pleather watch. A plastic comb with blonde hairs stuck between the teeth. A small pocket knife.
Picking up the knife gripping it he felt a sense of nostalgia as the metal handle pressed his skin. The blade was dull. It didn't seem like it would do actual damage but it could serve as a tool. Flipping the knife so the blade pressed the palm of his hand he walked over to the door. Slowly opening he peeked out, away clear he walked down, seeing an empty combined living room and kitchen space. Lowering his arm he noticed something.
A landline?
He hadn't seen a landline since the mid-2000s when paying for it grew obsolete. A light blinked on the message recorder. He walked over pressing the voicemail button hoping to get answers to where he was.
(Message 4_September 24 1998_Hey Leon its Marvin. Listen, I know your first day is this 30th. But I am telling you not to come in. I repeat do not come in. When I can I will reach out to you. Understand. Ok kid bye)
The recorder continued listing directions but he could vaguely hear it as his vision blurred the room spinning. Dropping the knife as he held himself on the end couch.
Marvin? No Marvin was dead. He has been since.
"Racoon city. 1998", repeated the date, heavy on his tongue. Running to the bathroom he turned on the lights. His eyes squinted, his pupils adjusting to the light. He couldn't believe it standing in front of him wasn't his 45 year old reflection but a face he hasn't seen in a long time. His hands shook as he touched his face gone were his wrinkles and the small scar on his cheek. His hair no longer blonde with small hints strands of silver growing in.
He was young again.
Pushing away from the counter he checked his entire body. There were no scars. The healed flesh from bullet wounds he had taken years ago now had smooth unmarked skin.
Brushing his hair away from his face he heaved, what was going on?
It couldn't have been a dream. It was to vivid. He must be in a coma. In his last moments they always say your life flashes before your eyes before you die. He never thought it was literally. Was he going to relive everything just for the sweet relief of death?
No, that didn't make sense. He wasn't remembering memories. This was new. He was touching his still lean abdomen. This was real.
Walking into his room he couldn't believe he didn't notice it. His fingertips brushed the marked dresser drawers. The knife was the only thing he had when he was put into foster care. Having no time to gather anything sentimental having to carry his whole life in one bag. Leon recalled how on lonely days he would practice his knife throwing. Sitting on the floor as he threw aimlessly at the defenseless dresser. He let a bittersweet smile as he touched every indent. He never changed seeing how extensive the damage was. Lonely even back then. A shiver passed his body looking down and he noticed he was in nothing but his boxers.
Quickly dressing Leon sat at his old couch, the nostalgia giving him equal comfort and unease, checking the calendar told home today was September 28th 1998. One day before the outbreak. He knew he couldn't stop it. The effects are already deep in the very sewers of the city. Going in now would only increase the chances of him dying.
"Maybe I should just listen to Marvin", he muttered. This was a 2nd chance in life. Not going meant he would never experienced the horrors. Never was kidnapped by STRATCO forced to do their bidding. Never died in his mid-50s underneath the lab facility.
Leaning back on the couch staring at the ceiling. But that meant he never met Claire. Never saved Sherry. Or Ashley. Or Buddy. Or stopped every B.O.W outbreak before it happened.
He never became friends with Chris.
His heart ached.
- You have one -
Life was a bitch. Taking more than it gave
But if it wanted Leon to take it without putting up a fight. Guess it should have tried harder to keep him dead.
The streets were as empty as he remembered litter scattering the wet pavement. Prior to coming he wrote down everything he could remember. Although it had been over 20 years since the incident haunted him he had trouble recalling every heart stopping moment noting the basics.
Mentally checking off the tasks as he went.
1. Bump into Claire.
As he wrote his checklist he instinctively reached to his back pocket to grab his cellphone and text Claire. Right cellphones still weren't mainstream at this point in time. Leon remembered he had been saving up for the new Nokie model. This would be a hard habit to break. He wasn't "chronically online" as Sherry would claim but he had become dependent on the item. For the weather. Maps. Even simple tutorials when he needed to tie a Windsor knot.
.
Now alone at the beginning again Leon wished he had someone he could talk to. When he saw her again she wouldn't know him and he needed to pretend not to know her either.
20 years of friendship existing only in his memory. Ok Leon calm down this isnt the titanic. Still when they managed to escape what was his plan to repeat life again.
Would avoiding traps easier knowing where they were? Or try harder to make a newer better path? He missed Chris, Leon thought. Bloasted pep talks were his M.O. The blonde relied on that undefeated strength.
Parking his jeep outside the Mizoil gas station he looked at the dark streets. He met Claire here, when he was getting how quickly the eerie night turned deadly.
Grabbing his gun he walked out. He couldn't remember much inside but his instincts took over incapacitating the infected easily. Like clockwork a redhead woman ran in, her innocent eyes wide as she held her hands up, "Don't shoot!", she yelled.
Seeing the infected behind her he yelled for her to get down as he shot them seamlessly. He reached for her grabbing her thin arm as he pulled her to the empty police car. Claire attempted to pull away at first only to see the horde behind them. They climbed in quickly as Leon drove away.
Her hand was on her chest catching her breath, "What the hell was that?", she asked as she looked back to the gas station.
With practiced confidence he lied, "I don't know. I'm heading the police station to find some answers",
She turned to face him, "Really?! I was heading there too. I'm coming with you", she demanded
Leon bites the inside of his cheek he wanted to turn the car around and tell her she wasn't to get involved. But he knew better, 20 years of experience told him so, Claire wasn't the type to back down especially when it came to her brother.
"What's your name?", she asked, titling her head, emphasizing her youth, "Oh a Leon. Leon Kennedy. You?"
- Cl..Claire Redfield -
"Claire Redfield", she didn't know him, but he was damn happy to see her again.
Even the inquisitive type, "Your aim is pretty good. A hobby?",
"No, I'm a cop. Today would have been my first day",
With a wide smile, "Hell of a first day. My brother is a cop. I'm actually here looking for him", she said, hugging herself, hands grabbing her elbows, smile falling, "He's been acting strange recently then all of a sudden he stopped taking my calls", her gaze out the window, "I'm worried about him".
Leon's forefinger tapped against the steering wheel. The red-head had a naturally warm personality, kind and comforting, a major reason why he had gravitated to her. But this was different. She wasn't so open before, in the past he had only known about her brother from articles, she didn't really talk about their bond until years into their own friendship.
What changed?
"I'm sure we'll find him", he assured her as he drove into the city as the radio blaring newsfeed. Claire watched their surroundings hair flipping as she turned her head, she worried if they were the only survivors but Leon knew they weren't, the damn government bombed the place before they could get them out.
He was so caught up in his thoughts about to reassure her that he didn't remember what happened next, infected slapped against the windows only seconds to scream, "Hold on!", as the gas truck slammed into them flinging the car.
Leon stood up in a daze, a blazing fire surrounding him as the infected screamed in pain, "Leon!", a voice echoed past the flames, "I'm here", Leon screamed and made a cone amplifying his voice, "Head to the police station! I'll meet you there!",
Claire agreed Leon seeing past the flames as she ran. She had survived last time but he worried at the possibility of anything happening to her. The station wasn't far from him, nostalgia washing over him, he couldn't linger too long outside the gates as the infected chased him.
He had spent over two decades trying and failing to forget this place. No matter all the horrendous things he had seen in life, Racoon City marked him, steered itself into his soul. Upon his entry he hurried passed by the cameras stopping when he saw a man running, his first failure. This time with no hesitation this time he did the unlock sequence.
He had managed to find the man as he crawled under the garage door with all the strength he pulled him as the gate slammed shut. "Jesus kid you saved me", he laughed only for him to hold the gushing wound by his leg, "Shit. Here", he pushed a book into the other's hands, "Give this to Marvin", as he pressed his wound.
Leon stared at the gushing blood, his heart sinking, "Oh don't worry about me. Some fucker got a good bite. Luck for me he didn't get anything vital. I just need to head to medical first",
The past Rookie understood more than the man -- he was dying. It could be minutes. Hours. But he would turn. He had saved him from being crushed a sight Leon was happy he didn't have to relive But death still wanted him. Lifting his gun the man questioned, "Watcha doing k..", Leon fired before he could say anything, his head flinging back a single bullet hole in the middle of his forehead.
Leon's eyes were cold. The officer was a good man and deserved to die that way. "So much for second chances", his tone sober as he walked the officer, with a gentle hand Leon held his badge. They didn't have time for a burial. But he shouldn't be left here. Clipping the badge to the lower part of his shirt.
He continued his journey in a hazy body on autopilot. He was thankful they were separated if Claire saw how calm he was as he maneuvered through the corridors she'd think he was involved in. At the end of the dark hallway was the slight opening of an open garage door. "Shit", his body shivered as the awful memory came to him, tightening the grip of his gun as he assessed the room. He has shot all incoming infected, with one last scan of his miniscule flashlight he saw a half body corpse crawling from behind the vending machine. He lifted his leg to stomp on it only for his kick to only stun it. "Damn it", he scowled as he shot at it.
Once dead he didn't bother to stay if there were more he bent down to crawl between the opening. The only good thing about being young again were the knees. As he made his way inside a hand grabbed the color of his pulling him in.
Leon looked up seeing an old face, "Easy kid. It's alright. You're safe", the middle aged man said as he soothed as his hand rubbed his back. He couldn't understand the coddling until he felt a single wet drop roll down his cheek, followed by a rush, he wasn't crying. His body is not reacting. But the overflow of tears wouldn't stop as he stared unblinking at the other.
Aggressively rubbing his face he stood up, "Leon S..Kennedy reporting for duty", his voice wavered words he had longed to say for decades.
"Kennedy? The rookie! Didn't I tell you to stay away", Marvin scolded as he wagged his finger at him.
Leon grinned, "Well sir. Guess this will be my first reprimand",
The older man huffed as his tone changed from angry to impressed, "You have a gumption kid. Lt Marvin Baraugh" the man copied his gesture. Leon suddenly remembered unclipping the badge, "This belonged to an officer. I couldn't help him", he half-truthed.
Marvin examined the badge with a sad smile, thumb wiping the insignia inside, 'Elliot', "He was a good man. Thank you", the man then gestured for Leon to follow him. It's then that Leon noticed the lack of injury.
"You're not bitten?", he accidently said outloud, Marvin turned to face him, "Should I be?", as he examined his uninjured body.
Leon stuttered, "No it's just. I'm surprised to see another survivor without injuries so..", Marvin nodded, pressing a hand against his abdomen, "I almost was. Before you showed up. But someone took him down before he could get a taste",
Another change, had he really affected the timeline so much that it managed alter events before he had the ability to effect it, "Who?",
Marvin rubbed the back of his neck, "Jill Valentine. Can you believe it is a real S.T.A.R.s member here? Never had a chance to work with them before this thing happened",
Jill? She was in the city back then when both Leon and Claire were deep underground. But he never managed to get a glimpse of her. He only knew that she was in the city over a couple beers and poker. Drunk Jill was a gossiper.
Somehow he and Jill's events were intersecting. "Come on Rookie if you want to survive this you'll need proper attire",
As he finished clipping his police uniform Marvin came up from behind him handing him another gun and extra bullets, "Listen when you're out there watch yourself. Even if these things look human they aren't-
- Don't do the same mistake I did -
Don't make the same mistake I did. Either kill it or run. Got it?", he said his forehead scrunched in concern, Leon processed how young Marvin was.
As time passed he slowly forgot how he looked. When racoon city was wiped from the map as did all information of the residents. Leon had no photo of the man who had saved him. Back then he was 21 and he knew he thought Marvin was so strong and wise. Must be because of age. Now looking at him Leon saw how young Marvin had died. A man barely in his 30s.
Leon had grown older than Marvin ever had.
"Got it. But why are you telling me this? Aren't you coming with me?", Leom asked as he strapped the gun to his holster. Marvin shook his head as he jutted his chin to the blocked door, "I got a little girl out there. She's waiting for her daddy to save her", he said gathering his weapons, "I was waiting for any last minute survivors. Guess you came at the right time", he said with a smile.
Leon never knew he had a daughter. His stomach clenched did she die before or after the bomb. Marvin told him he would have gone searching for her.
With a reassuring shoulder grab Marvin nodded, "Ready?",
They needed to solve the puzzles in order to find a way out of this place. But he needed Marvin to stay here. When Leon pulled Elliot to safety he thought he had undid a past mistake. But he still died.
Marvin had been saved but death was still hovering over him. Waiting for one mistake so she could take what was hers.
"I think you stay here Lt. Baraugh. I came here with a companion but we were separated. I'm worried if we leave together she'll show up alone",
Baraugh scowled as he looked towards the corridor. He understood the paternal need of wanting to save his daughter. He had a daughter. Maybe not now but in the future. He will always go to hell and back for her. To ask a father to ignore searching for his daughter was unthinkable.
Marvin huffed, "One hour. If she doesn't show by then I'm leaving", he emphasized holding up one finger. Leon thanked him,
He may not be the smartest man but he was efficient. These puzzles were extensive and annoying. 21 year old Leon needed time with plenty of backtracking to complete them. 47 year old Leon had enough experience to complete them in one swoop.
Placing all three medallions the underground sewers opened. "I have no idea how this place passed any emergency fire protocols", Leon muttered.
Traversing back to Marvin, said man clicked on a computer, "Perfect time", he spun a bulky vintage windows laptop, "She with you?",
Leon smiled, "Told you she'd make it", Claire was a Redfield after all.
The older gave a low chuckle, "You can meet her in the Eastside",
"Got it. And the way out through the sewers is open. I'll get her and meet you there"
Marvin shook his head lifting his watch strapped to his wrist, "Sorry kid times up. I got a girl to meet",
Leon blocked his path before he walked away, "We need to stay together",
"Listen. You're more than capable of handling yourself. You don't need me", the older man smiled, wanting to assure the newer cop.
It's not me I'm worried about, Leon thought.
Hesitating Leon walked over and hugged Marvin. The man froze for a second before he returned the hug, patting his back, "It'll be ok kid",
Leon watched as Marvin walked away. Hoping death turned blind for a moment, this time let him live.
Making his way towards Claire he felt the building shake as a downed helicopter had crashed its way into the side of the R.P.D. Now that he thought about it. This might have been Jill alone.
"Leon!", a voice called to him, he smiled as he saw her. She was alive and well.
They were separated by a gate, but he knew they'd see each other again, "How's it going?",
She laughed leaning on the gate, "You known surviving",
He laughed as he nodded happily to see her unscathed, "Here. Grabbed a couple", he said as he handed her a box.
"How thoughtful. How did you know? Just what I wanted", she joked her voice light and flirty as she placed them into her satchel.
"What can I say I'm a great gift giver", he said the same thing to her years ago during Christmas. He had given her an unmarked rocket launcher. Chris disapproved.
Grabbing the gate with both hands steading himself Claire matched him hands clinging onto the gate. She leaned close till they were face to face, "You feeling well", she asked worried. Leon shook his head, "Yeah. Sorry just needed to catch my breathe", she pursed her lips titling her head, unconvinced. Leon could help his heart from clenching on how cute she looked.
"It's a shame we aren't together. You could relax while I did the heavy lifting", she said hoping to lighten the mood. When he was younger he thought Claire was so pretty. He had not met a woman like her. He had liked her. He was 47 now, not 21, they had been friends over 15 years and best friends for almost as long. Mentally he was old enough to be her dad, "Any luck with your brother?", he asked detouring the conversation, she said with a sad sigh using the gate as a swing, "No not yet", eyebrows scrunched with worry over her baby face. The Redfield siblings looked very differently Claires red hair compared to Chris dark-brown or Chris brown to Claires blue. Some assumed they had no relation. But Leon had seen them side by side, the way they furrowed their brows when thinking, pouting when annoyed, that tell tale Redfield Glare. His heart sank thinking of his old friend. This would be alot easier if Chris were around.
"Don't lose hope. Well find Chris", he said smiling at her he wasn't here. He was off in Europe. She aligned her head in confusion eyes glaring, "When did I tell you his name?",
Leon froze, heart stammering, she hadn't. In fact in the original timeline he only learned after today's events. He could lie to her if she remembered telling him. But she didn't take to gaslighting very well. Thinking on his feet he said in a shy tone, "Oh uh.. it's kinda obvious. Redfield? Not a common last name",
Her eyes softened as one eye squinting as she clenched her face in embarrassment, "Was it that obvious?!",
Leon laughed, "No, but I looked up to S.T.A.R.s thought I'd work alongside the great Chris Redfield one day", half-lying through his teeth.
She groaned childishly pulling slightly away but hands still holding onto the fence, "The great Chris Redfield. Don't let him hear that he already has a big head to match his big ears, she joked, rustling came from behind her. "I have to go. Stay safe",
With that he was alone again. As he walked into the library, events of today cycled in his mind.
Marvin being alive was a major key.
Claire seemed more open and equally more suspicious. Elliot had avoided death. Only two moments later. Jill was here and playing a more active role in Leon's life. Things were matching up perfectly to the events he vaguely recalled.
The only person he hadn't met yet was Ada. Despite their toxic relationship he cared for her. And she cared for him. Leon knew she started like him because of naivety. If they met. now she'd read him easy, that his earnest words were lies, he couldn't afford losing her. And Sherry who by now must be with Claire.
Luckily he had time. Unless fate changed anything else. Walking into the center of the department he entered what used to be a working office. Searching the desks for some last minute herbs and ammo the lights flickered plunging him into the dark. Holding his flashlight under his chin was an act so instinctive as he opened drawer after drawer.
His head jerked as he heard footsteps. Not the frantic walks of an infected. But heavy calculated steps, crouching Leon quietly made his way behind the door, the unknown assailant turned the knob. With bated breath Leon saw as the muzzle of a pistol came in clenched by fingerless gloves. With no hesitation he kicked the door, hitting the other. He tried to kick like he was used too only to realize the lack of flexibility his old body had.
The assailant grabbed his calf pushing him on the desk flat on his back. Both lost their weapons using their hands to hit each other. The unknown man pinned his right hand, Leon reached fingers brushing scattered papers, he touched a bulk item grabbing it, slamming the box at the other's head. The man barely had time to block it with their left hand, as the loose leaf phone numbers of a rolodex scattered
Leon kicked the man in the chest as he rolled not as elegantly over the desk and onto the ground. He grabbed his gun just as the lights flickered on. Both having guns drawn.
His eyes widened, "Chris?"
"You know me?",