Chris Redfield x Reader

Fourteen

With a loud scream, you tore your eyes wide open. Darkness greeted you. The silver light of the moon touched your (S/C) skin.

Still confused and frightened by the dream, you jumped up into the air. Sweat dripped from your forehead and your heart beat wildly in your chest, as if it wanted to jump out and escape. With quick breaths your eyes jumped around.

Everything was black, so dark and cold.

There were seats like the ones in a car. A world of ice and snow moved past before your eyes. Only a few moments later, the familiar sound of a car engine filled your ears.
With a trembling sigh, you closed your eyes and took a deep breath.

The memories retuned, Chris, his request and the mission at the house. You remembered the baby, Rose and her little screams as the woman had taken her. That woman had been like nothing you've ever seen before.

With those memories, the pain also returned.

With shaking hands, you lifted your sleeves and took a look at the arm that this bitch had stepped on. The spot was red, probably turning black and blue soon, but the rest was fine. Only your back hurt a little, but that was nothing that couldn't be handled with.

The car drove over a bump on the road, causing it to jump slightly into the air.

"Ugh!", you twisted, slapping a hand onto your mouth to suppress the sudden urge to empty your stomach. "Shit. Shit, shit, shit!"

In the corner of your eyes, something moved.

Alarmed, your hand shot to your leg where the gun should have been. But you reached into the empty space. At that moment your instinct was triggered. With a clenched fist, you whirled around, eyes wide, wanting to strike the shadow.

But you were not strong enough. Suddenly a large hand rose up, grabbed your wrist and forced you to fall back into the back seat.

A startled sound escaped you, but you didn't flinch and lashed out with your other hand. The impact was hard, so hard that a sharp pain coursed through your bones. A cry of pain escaped from the target.

"What the fuck?!", Chris screamed and pulled his head in. "(Y/N)."

"Redfield?!", you froze in surprise.

With narrowed eyes Chris raised his head and dared to look out from between his strong arms.

"What's gotten into you?", he asked, audibly unpleased.

Breathing heavily, you stared at him. Your hand rose and with trembling fingers you touched his face. He felt real. But maybe it was just your imagination. The dream had also felt real. His body had felt real.

"Redfield.", your voice trembled and you could feel cold sweat dripping down your forehead. "Are you...?"

He frowned in confusion. Carefully, he reached for your hand, still wearing his gloves, and squeezed it a little. It hurt after you gave him a blow to that head.

"What's wrong?", he asked, putting a hand on your cheek.

You winced at the touch.

"Don't touch.", you asked him, pushing his hand away again. "Fuck. Fuck, my head... the memories keep fucking me."

With a heavy sigh, you lowered your head.

Without a word, he reached behind him and pulled out a bottle of water.

"Here.", he had already opened the lid and held the bottle to your lips. "Drink a lot. You look pale."

Greedily you took several sips before pulling your head away and suppressing the urge not to throw up. The water tasted like pure gold. It felt like this was the first sip of water after ages.

"Shit.", Chris pressed his lips together. "You look like..."

"Like an idiot? Go ahead and say it, Redfield. I know I'm not like I used to be. I've become weak."

"Your mind is turning against you."

"Yes. It's bitter, but it's the truth."

You looked at him, a bitter grin on your lips.

He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

"I had hoped you would have been spared.", he muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

You laughed.

"Funny, Redfield. Do you honestly think anyone can keep a clear mind with that crap?"

"No.", he shook his head. "But you were always...stronger than me. You were my best soldier. I didn't expect you to turn out this damaged."

"If you want me to go, I will. I don't want to be a ball and chain. I never was, I'm not going to start now."

Again he shook his head, but something was different. There was something in his eyes. You couldn't quite make it out, but you thought it was a hint of guilt.

"You can't go. Please. I can't do it without you."

A laugh escaped your lips. It sounded bitter, but you felt relieved.

"So you'd rather have someone with you who's crazy."

"I'd rather have you with me.", he looked you in the eye. "I know you, you'd be worse off alone than with me. If I can, I'll help you."

"Shit Redfield, you talk as if I had a simple depression."

"No.", his lips twitched. "But you're no worse than me. We're both in deep. Stay with me. I need you so I won't sink."

The last part sounded like a request.

Suddenly, he changed. His eyes softened and for a moment, he allowed you to see how tired he was. Not only tired, but also broken. He was done with this world.

He had seen it all. Now, living on was a curse. But he didn't want to die either. He just wanted it to be over.

"Chris.", you sighed his name and reached out to stroke his cheek.

He leaned into the touch, letting himself fall deeper into the feeling of your warm skin. A sigh left his lips.

"One last time, my friend.", he whispered with his eyes halfway opened.

"One last time.", you said and let your forehead fall against his. "And after that we will never return. I promise."

He smiled, filled with bitterness.

"Don't promise things you can't keep.", his voice sounded like he was close to breaking.

"I don't...", you closed your eyes. "I promise."

How much those words hurt.

But what was worse was the fear that you might could not hold this promise.