CATHARSIS, resident evil 6

EPILOGUE

A GENTLE BREEZE blew in the cemetery. Despite the amount of graves and sense of death lingering around, the day was peaceful enough to let Helena place flowers at a grave and reunite with her loved ones. A beautiful arrangement of flowers, just for Deborah.

"I'll take responsibility..." Helena whispered to the grave before getting up to meet Leon, Hunnigan and Seraphina who were a distance behind her. Helena's expression was full of sorrow. "Thank you."

Leon slipped a gun in her hands.

"What? But I assisted in the attack." Helena shook her head, believing that they wouldn't grant her innocence due to what happened before.

"The investigation commission have reviewed the evidence and feel it unjust to hold you liable for Simmon's crimes. They will also not be disclosing their findings to the public." Hunnigan explained.

"But..."

"The president would have done the same." Leon spoke with a sureness in his voice. Seraphina had little knowledge on their relationship, but she knew that Leon saving Ashley strengthened that greatly.

"Come on, let's join the team." Hunnigan nodded in agreement and turned back to the car.

"Hey," Seraphina grabbed Helena's shoulder gently to catch her attention. "I'm glad they didn't hold you for what Simmons did. Sorry for...being rude and unappreciative to you much earlier."

"Ah...you don't have to be sorry. I understand. Let's talk from now on, okay?" Helena smiled weakly. "Anyway, don't you have something to say to a certain someone?"

"Huh? Uh, no! Definitely not!" Seraphina nudged Helena with her elbow and walked on ahead. This wasn't a time where she wanted to talk to Leon.

Wait, but she didn't even say his name...

"Women." Leon muttered to himself.

...

DAYS LATER, Seraphina was reminded to also visit her father's grave. This time alone, with nothing but the cold chill of winter, reminding everyone that the season was starting. She left a single, vibrant hydrangea flower on top.

The flower you always gave me when I won my competitions...

Nowadays, she seemed to reminisce of years passed.

The silly promise of being partners...then her initial defensiveness to Leon when they first met. At that time, she had no desire to live, and pushed away people like him. It baffled her at the time to think about it...why did he save her?

In the end, he was the one who helped her live.

Picking something out of her pocket, she fished out a small candle and had a lighter in hand. Although quitting smoking ages ago, Seraphina never quite got to throwing the lighter away. Lighting the flame, it burned the wick as she placed it down.

The faint light warm and emitted dimly. Somehow, the sight of a candle blowing next to the grave gave her a sense of peace. Visiting her father took a weight of guilt off of her shoulders.

I hope you like them.

"I'd knew you be here."

Seraphina stood up, facing Leon.

"Leon...what are you doing here?"

"You looked like you wanted to stay last time," He took a few steps closer and closed the distance between them. Leon stood straight with his shoulders tall. "And I couldn't find you earlier."

"Oh...is there something you wanted to tell me?"

He folded his arms, which had his sleeves rolled up, so it showed Leon's years of experience. They were full of muscle and had a certain roughness. Seraphina's eyes fluttered away from them, not wanting to be caught staring.

"There is," Leon stepped even closer, inches away. "After the whole thing with Ada, I think I feel better after seeing her go. She'll be safe, no matter what happens."

Seraphina sighed. "Of course she'll be."

"Uh, anyway, that's not my point—I wanted to that say I don't worry about it anymore," Leon scratched his head. No matter if it was ten years ago or today, he always had a hard time saying what he wanted to. "I want you to come with me. You can quit your job and work in a small shop. I don't care what it'll be, I just know you don't like it there."

She was stunned, at a lost for words.

"W-what? Leon, what are you saying? I can't just quit my job and leech off of you...that's too much. I may not like it, but without it, I couldn't have helped Chris or Claire," Seraphina shook her head. "Did you say...you want me to come? Where?"

"Anywhere. Just stay with me."

Is this the answer she was going to get?

"Leon...are you being serious?"

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be—?"

Getting interrupted by a soft kiss, Leon's eyes widened and it ended before he knew it. The moment surprised him, but he wanted more, too. Seraphina glanced away, a red flush forming on her cheeks. Her way to show intimacy was sorely lacking.

How childish.

"I'll go," Seraphina couldn't even bear to look at his eyes yet somehow managed to muster up the courage to hug him. It reminded her of the time he saved her, carrying her away. Leon's body radiated a faint warmth. "I wouldn't mind that at all."

"Good...just don't mention Chris again."

"What?"

Leon huffed, placing his arms around her waist.

"Are you jealous?" Seraphina looked up at him. "You know...that's really silly. Chris is nothing but a friend to me. Anyway, you have no reason to be jealous! Do you know how I feel?"

"I-I...what?"

"You're the one constantly working around women. Imagine how I felt."

"...Not my choice."

.

a/n: thanks for reading this far!!

i may continue the story with vendetta (past re6) but their story hasn't been finished but fully established now :)

would love to go back to re: degeneration (before re5) and damnation (between re5 and re6) !! also waiting for the new movie which seems to be set around either infinite darkness or vendetta !

will be doing a bunch of editing first...check out my other fics if you are interested in final fantasy or my re3 if you like :)