𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟯

Swimming With Salamanders| Request

AN: Someone requested a scene from RE4R with the giant salamander scene, so here it is!
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I follow Leon as we head from the small fishing village to the dock, the salt of the lake water tickles my nose as I look around to inspect for any other unfriendly villagers.

"Let's take a quick look." Leon mumbles, pulling something out of his fancy holsters then raising it up. I take my place at his side, watching him as he gazes out at the lake behind. I vaguely see his eyes dart to me, so I tear my eyes away from him to look at the small boat far off in the distance. I can't make out much from here, it's barely a speck, but Leon mutters a "fuck" implying not all is what it seems.

"What's going on?" I ask, worry lacing my words as I wring my hands together nervously, being even this close to open water is setting me on edge, especially since I can't swim. Leon doesn't reply to my question, instead his body leans forwards just a little as he searches for something, his reactions tell me he's caught onto something. I look back at the small boat, which begins to move across the lake, then all of a sudden there's a massive splash. My eyes try to zero in on it, but the cause of the disruption doesn't appear.

"The hell was that?" Leon asks more to himself as I step back from the edge of the water, the faint ripples from the splash finally meet the wood, and I feel my throat go dry. I shake my head, my breath coming fast as I panic.

"I can't get across, I'm not getting into that boat just to die by drowning or being eaten alive or-"

"Calm down," Leon softly says, putting his hands on my shoulders as he leans down to my level, "It's okay, it's a quick journey across, we'll be a few minutes tops. I won't let you go under, and if you did, I swear I won't waste a second before diving in after you. Okay?"

I swallow, wanting to say not really, but I I don't have a choice, unless I'd rather stay here and hang out with the killer fishermen. I nod, letting Leon carefully take my hand and lead me to the edge of the dock. He jumps into the boat, making it wobble, then raises his arms. His hands grab my waist as his eyes meet mine in permission, as soon as I nod once more he's lifting me up and setting me in the boat, where immediately I cling to the sides and begin shaking.

"If you're not careful you're going to tip us over before we even get out there." Leon says. I gasp, eyes widening until I see his playful smile. He's toying with me. I fake a laugh, leaning back a little as he pulls at the cord to get the boat going. At least, for a few seconds, I feel better watching his muscles work, but then the boat chugs to life and it speeds away from the safety of land.

I take deep breaths, closing my eyes to hopefully help me to avoid watching the dark water swallow us. It all seems to be okay, until the boat splutters and dies. My eyes pop open in terror as Leon frowns, less worried than I am. "It's alright, just the old engine-" Leon begins as he tries to pull the cord again, but then suddenly the boat completely rocks like an swing, and I know for a fact that wasn't natural.

"Leon-" I plead, but I don't know what I'm asking for. Maybe for us to turn back. Maybe I just want to not be here.

"Shhh" Leon has the audacity to say, pressing a gloved finger to his lips as he holds the sides of the boat, head slowly turning from left to right as he surveys the lake.

Unexpectedly, something absolutely humongous jumps out of the water, diving over the boat as if in slow motion. I look up, squinting against the spray of water to see a mouth full of jagged teeth aiming right for me. The boat tips to the side, not enough to capsize but enough to send me flying over the edge and into the cold abyss. I immediately panic, arms and legs flaying around as I sink deeper and deeper down, unable to do anything as my lungs protest. The water stings my eyes, the last thing I see before closing them is that giant mouth coming right for me-

But then it makes an ear shattering sound and seems to swim away from me. I kick my legs, instincts trying to come to my rescue as I move in the water, but I don't know which direction I'm moving. I just keep trying to get upwards, now more than ever needing to take a breath, then finally my mouth opens but water comsumes me instead.

A strong body wraps around mine, swimming to the surface with fevor, then I break through, coughing and gasping as Leon holds me close to his body, keeping us afloat as I throw up all the water and take deep breaths despite the burning in my lungs. I look around, blinking away the droplets clinging to my lashes to see blood marring the lake, bits of flesh float about, which must be from the creature.

"Come on, grab onto the boat and I'll boost you over. Quick." Leon grunts, sounding in pain. I turn to the wooden boat, grabbing it as it tilts, then Leon's pushing me upwards as I climb over and land on my back, the bright blue sky staring back at me. I'm panting, but sit up to help Leon up who tumbles in beside me. I sneak a look at him, frowning at his dark veins.

"Your skin." I weakly say, leaning up on my elbows as Leon waves me off, instead he reaches out for me and grabs my cheek, eyes frantically seeking out an invisible injury.

"You're not hurt, are you?" He asks. I shake my head, no longer worried about my own life as I see Leon gasp in pain. His eyes close as he kneels over the boat, vomiting blood as his muscles clench in obvious pain. I realise now why he took so long to save me; he was fighting the monster whilst suffering with his own...illness? Whatever this is, I know we'll figure it out.

"Leon, tell me what I can do! Leon!" I worriedly exclaim as his eyes roll back and he passes out, landing on his side with a thump. I shake as I sit down, gently lifting his head and setting it on my lap as I stroke his hair. I look around, noticing the sun is beginning to dip behind the mountains. I don't have the strength to get the boat going, and I can't swim to the shore to do anything.

I'm useless, but what I can do is make sure Leon is okay. I stare down, watching his breathing as the sky darkens. I don't even feel bothered about the rippling water around me, all I know is Leon and looking after him like he did me.

Hours pass until he wakes with a jolt, sitting up as he gasps and checks his hands and arms, but his veins seemed to have gone back to normal. "Leon?" I ask, reaching out as his wide eyes find mine. He calms down instantly, catching his breath as he nods as if to say he's okay. My shoulders sag in relief, then I take his hand in my own, squeezing as he slips his fingers through mine.

"I'm alright. I just....let's keep going." He says, taking a breath then releasing my hand as he turns to start the engine. I lean back, cursing the headache that's forming as the boat springs to life, then we continue our journey across the lake.