Chris Redfield x Reader

Forty-Four

As if petrified, Chris stood there and stared at you. He could see how the last spark of life escaped from you.

And although he wanted nothing more than to leave this place with you, there was something that held him back.

"Ethan...", he murmured and looked up. "My team..."

"Ch-Chris...", speaking hurt, it was almost more exhausting than breathing. "She- she's talking shit..."

A heavy cough shook your chest. Some blood dripped from your mouth.

Worried, he knelt down to you. Carefully, he wiped the blood from your face, while his eyes filled with a strange glow.

You grabbed his hand, holding it tightly as if it was the only thing that could still hold you in this world.

The sight almost broke his heart. At that moment he forgot about Mother Miranda, who stood in front of him, looking at him as if she was so close to getting everything she had ever desired.

"(Y/N)...", he whispered. "Please. I- I don't-!"

"Shut... up, Redfield...", you grabbed him by the collar and dragged him down to you. "You can't... let this happen..."

He frowned, visibly lost and helpless. This was it, that one choice he had never wanted to make. Because deep down he knew, he would make the wrong decision. At least he had always feared so.

But now, that this scenario actually played out, he seemed strangely confident in his decision. All that kept him back was his sense of responsibility.

And fear. He feared to do that one and final step.

He wanted to be selfish. But the world didn't allow him to.

"She- she will... tear this world apart...", you twisted in pain, coughing blood and taking shirt breaths. "Your friends... the team... and- shit... everything just for... me?"

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and sighed. His lips trembled. As he opened his eyes again, the grip around your hand tightened.

"I can't- I can't make this decision...", he whispered. "I just- all those years... without you... I can't be alone... not again. Not anymore."

A tired smile appeared on your lips.

"I know... forgive me... Chris. But... if- if you can't make this decision... then-!", a dry cough made your chest tremble and drove tears into your eyes. "If you... can't make... this decision... then- then I will... I'm- I'm sorry."

Smiling, you swallowed down the urge to cry. With last strength, you reached out, grabbed his chest and pulled a grenade out of his vest. Without looking, you pulled the ring and pressed it tightly with both hands against your chest.

Tears filled your eyes as he looked at you, filled with fear.

"N-no!", his vice was weak. "You can't. Please."

You laughed.

"Forgive me... Chris... but I can't let you... make this decision... go. And if you don't, I'll... let go... of it...", you chuckled. "Please... Redfield. Chris Redfield. Be- be a good soldier... and go. For me..."

As he was staring at you, his lips started to tremble. Tears filled the corner of his eyes and he felt like being close to breaking.

Next to him, mother Miranda moved inside the shadows.
From the corner of your eyes, you were able to catch a glance at her face. You froze, then, surprise spread inside your chest.

She was smiling. It wasn't a sad smile, nor did she seem to be surprised about your actions. No, she was smiling in a satisfied way, as if she was sure of her victory. She had expected this. Everything was going according to her plan.

"Y-you... fucking bitch...", you hissed at her, raised your arm and wanted to throw the grenade right at her face.

But she just chuckled. Her fingers twitched and as they did, your arm froze and your body tensed. She had you under her control. All she had to do was wait and see what he would do.

Now, everything was in Chris's hands. And he seemed to be unable to chose. Or he just didn't want to.

"Look at you, little maggot.", mother Miranda said in a sweet voice. "Closer to death than to life and yet here you are, just fighting. It is truly fascinating. The human brain can be so stubborn. And you seem to be the most stubborn of them all."

Her fingers twitched again and your body arched.

A sharp pain spread through your limbs and your fingers tensed so strung around the grenade that you feared the shell out burst under the pressure.

"Look, soldier.", Miranda turned to Chris with a smile. "The suffering could be over in just one second. A word of yours, a plead. Even a curse. It doesn't matter, as long as you tell me your answer. Will you leave with your precious little love? Or will you sacrifice the only happiness you have ever known?"

Biting his lips in anger, Chris turned to her. His gaze was as cold as ice but his heart was burning and bleeding. He couldn't think straight, all he was seeing was you, dying.
There was this fear, that crept up inside of him and slowly, very slowly, he realised one thing.

This was a goodbye. It didn't matter to whom it was, to you, once and for all or to himself, the man he had been in the past.

He couldn't have both, Chris the soldier and (Y/N), his lighthouse in the dark.

This time, he had to chose. Once and for all. And no matter what he chose, there was no escape route, not second option.

This decision was final.

"I- I...", he started stuttering like a boy, too scared to decide if it was best to fight or to shut up.

His eyes were trembling, he felt weak, powerless.

Mother Miranda was holding all the cards.

And all he could do was pick one.

"I swear... to fucking god, Chris...", you hissed with heavy lips and the last bit of strength that was left. "Kill her... say no... anything... Urgh!"

Twitching in pain, your eyes rolled backwards until the white of the eyeballs was showing. Your legs started to shake and it looked like you were about to suffocate.
Mother Miranda looked Chris dead in the eyes, a smirk on her pale lips.

"Chose. Or I will take all the options from you.", she threatened.