𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟯

Fatherly Instincts

AN: This imagine is inspired by a COD fanfic I saw on Tumblr, but it's changed and adapted for the franchise of RE. The original idea wasn't mine, but the writing and adaptation is♡

---------------------------------------------------------

I open my apartment door to let Leon in, his eyes focus on the little bundle in my arms. Barely a year old, Olive, named after her daddy, Carlos Oliveira, coos up at him, brown eyes blinking at Leon, who's still stood there in shock. "I'm sorry, I know you wanted to talk about Raccoon City between us but I couldn't find anyone to look after her, and I know I've already let you down once and-" I ramble, but Leon's face softens, shaking his head.

"It's alright, we can still talk about it with this little one here. If you're still up for it?" He asks. I nod, stepping aside as he comes in. Since meeting Leon on that dreadful night, we've become close friends, and especially after Carlos abandoned Olive and I, choosing his own safety over his family, Leon has been more than happy to help me when I need it, and in return I try to help him by being there for him and just generally being a good friend, even if I have my limits.

"Let me set her down and make some coffee, then we can talk things over. I know you said you've been having nightmares again." I say over my shoulder as I head to my bedroom, setting Olive down in her crib. Leon trails behind me, smiling at the baby as he leans down and tickles her face with his finger, coaxing a grin from her.

"Yeah, I thought they'd stopped after the sleeping pills, but apparently not." He sighs, then following me to the kitchen where I make some coffee for us. A tired yawn escapes me even though it's the late afternoon, looking after myself and Olive isn't an easy feat. Leon's sympathetic eyes meet my own, and I can already tell from the way his jaw clenches what he's going to say. He's said it many times before.

"I can't believe that asshole just left you alone with his own kid, all because he fucked with Umbrella and doesn't want to pay the price. It isn't fair on you to have to do this alone." Leon sternly says, but the aggression isn't aimed at me. It never is. I shrug, passing Leon his coffee as we head to the living room and sit down. My eyes glance at the open door of the bedroom, figuring that Olive's asleep since she's not crying.

"Nevermind about my life. Talk to me about those nightmares. Are they as bad as used to be, or worse?" I ask, hating the way Leon swallows thickly, his eyes taking on a haunted look.

"Worse." He mumbles, then takes a breath as he begins to explain them. We talk for hours, sharing experiences and occasionally cracking some jokes to deal with our trauma, I end up laying on the sofa as Leon perches on the floor, sitting opposite me as the heavy conversations turn lighter. I don't even know when it happens, but I end up falling asleep even though I had coffee. Comes with the territory of being a single mother.

When I wake up, I hear Olive crying. I look around, not seeing her or Leon. Panic consumes me as I stand, letting blanket- how did that get there?- drop to the floor, then I rush to the bedroom, shoulders slumping when I find Leon holding Olive to his chest, murmuring soft and comforting words to her as he rocks her, his finger tracing her soft cheeks.

Leon's head lifts when he sees me at standing in the doorway. He gives me a reassuring smile, nodding down at a now quiet and calm baby. "I've got her, don't worry." He murmurs, looking down as Olive's eyes begin to close again, a small smile on her lips.

I shake my head, feeling guitly that I invited him over for him to catch a break, only for him to deal with my own issues too. "It's okay, I can take her, you shouldn't have to-"

"I want to." He softly interrupts, smiling at me as he ever so slightly lowers his arms to show me a peaceful Olive. "You were asleep, and it looked like you needed it. It's really no big deal."

I let out a breath, nodding as I run a hand over my face. I love my baby, but admittedly it's nice for someone to help me with her. I always imagined it would be Carlos here with her, giving her numerous speeches on how pretty she is and flirting with me as he takes care of her, but instead I've got Leon, who seems to do a quicker and better job than I do of getting her to sleep.

"You look like the fatherly instincts have kicked in. I've never seen you so...soft." I blurt out, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks as he arches a brow, but thankfully laughs it off as he sets her back in her crib, making sure she's safe and secure before he stands again.

Leon takes my hand, leading me out of the room and back into the living room until he stops, turning to me. "You're so amazing, and I really want to kiss you right now, is that okay?"

I stare, dumbfounded, but then I nod. Immediately Leon's cupping my cheek, pressing his lips to mine as I move closer, my palms resting on his chest until we pull apart. "Why did you do that?" I whisper, not accusingly, but purely curiosity.

Leon smiles, brushing his nose against mine. "I did it because I love you, and not just in a friendly way. Oliveira doesn't know what he's missing out on, and news flash, it's pretty damn good. You spend all your time taking care of others, so I'm gonna be the one who takes care of you, okay?"

I nod, speechless but full of happiness. Without another word, I reach up and kiss him again, his time showing him how I feel too.