Stalemate | LEON S. KENNEDY

16 - Ceasefire

"So..." Ashley began. "All of this — removing the parasites. This was Luis?"

"Yeah," Leon replied, looking up from his map. "We're alive. Thanks to him."

"You two scared the shit out of me," you scolded, walking up to the duo while rolling up the sleeves of your shirt up to your elbows. "Don't do that again."

"Don't plan on it," Ashley chuckled, before her tummy rumbled.

You immediately reached for your pocket, before groaning.

"They took my snacks," you sighed. "Sorry, hon."

"It's okay," she shrugged. "And... I'm sorry about what I said earlier about —"

"It's okay," you placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm more concerned with the fact that I'm now going into any and all future fights full Van Damme style."

"Van... Damme?" Ashley repeated as you walked to the desk.

"He's an action star — you know, the one with all the cool kicks and stuff?"

Ashley shrugged, and you groaned as Leon laughed. You picked up a photo, and analyzed it.

A picture of an Umbrella research team, Luis in the middle. You pocketed it without hesitation. Leon picked up some first aid spray, before the group made their way to the door. Outside, you spotted a ladder. Leon boosted you up — it was nice to have him back — and you kicked the ladder down.

Leon and Ashley quickly climbed up, and you led them down a platform.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ashley grabbed your hand, and you smiled.

"You were upset, and so was I. You know how girls get," you laughed lightly.

"Did I miss something?" Leon called from behind, making both you and Ashley chuckle.

When you made your way back into the room where you had been... well, almost crucified, Ashley sighed in amazement.

"That woman who helped us... do you think she's all right?" Ashley asked.

"Oh, I'm sure she's fine," Leon assured her.

"Yeah, that bitch is a roach — in a good way," you quickly added.

"Sounds like you know her well..." Ashley muttered as you all began to hop down rocks.

You didn't respond, walking towards the stone bench where Ashley had once laid. A camo-bug jumped at you, and you reached for your — shit.

Leon jumped in front of you, killing the big quickly.

"Thanks."

"Maybe you should stay back," he muttered lightly.

You would have argued, but you didn't. In Leon's fucked up, exhausted mind, not only were you unarmed, you were his again, and you definitely weren't going to argue with that.

As you made your way to the platform, you spotted a rock with something carved in it.

XV, OSMUND.

Narcissistic bitch. Next to it was a huge book — iluminados bible, you guessed. You skimmed over a chapter about holy bugs, holy mothers, and holy children. It vividly described how Saddler would have taken you. You didn't realize Leon was reading over your shoulder until you turned around and bumped into him.

Oh, shit. Lord have mercy on Osmund Saddler, because Leon Kennedy sure as hell would not.

You eventually left the sanctuary, climbing up to a pair of doors and pushing them open. You were careful of those nasty ass bugs when you stepped in, and Leon was quick to kill them off. And then, you ran into the Shopkeeper.