ꜰᴇᴀʀꜱ (ᴸᵉᵒⁿ ᴷᵉⁿⁿᵉᵈʸ ˣ ᴿᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ)

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 18

As Leon carried Nikola up the stairs, his arms trembling with the effort, he couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him. Setting her down on a makeshift bed, he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern as he saw the pain etched on her face.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked softly, his voice laced with genuine concern as he brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. Nikola managed a weak smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes, which were clouded with pain. "Just peachy," she quipped, her attempt at humor falling flat as she winced. Leon's heart clenched at the sight of her suffering, his mind racing with worry. "Hang in there, okay? I'll take care of you," he promised, his voice gentle and reassuring as he began to assess her injuries.

"Why did you fall down that hole anyways?", he asked as he had a look at her wounds.

"Don't tell me you thought I fell down there on purpose?" she asked, coughing briefly. Leon just looked at her as he took care of her leg. "That... thing suddenly appeared behind me, and we broke through to the lower level.. that's how it happened," she explained, groaning in pain as Leon disinfected the wound on her leg.

"You know.. most people would just take the stairs like a normal person", Leon said and looked at her, awaiting a reachtion while searching through his hippouches.
Nikola couldnt help but smile. "Fuck you Leon, you know I would've loved to take the stairs", she said amused and looked up to the ceeling. "No, im just messing with you...", he said and smiled slightly. Nikola nodded weakly, her breath hitching with each movement.

"Thanks... for helping me," she murmured, her voice strained with pain. "I'm really lucky to have you here." Leon's lips curved into a soft smile, his heart swelling with warmth at her words. "The feeling's mutual," he replied softly, his gaze lingering on her as he worked to ease her discomfort.

It felt so good not to argue all the time. Not being rude to each other all the time. It felt really good when they got along. He liked it when Nikola finally showed that she liked him. And that he could show that he liked her.
He loved harmony.

Nikola opened her mouth and stopped shortly, but then continued. "There was something good about the whole thing with the falling down... if it wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't get to be in your strong, capable arms," she quipped, her tone sarcastic and she laughed painfully.

Leon's cheeks flushed slightly at her words, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He knew she was just being sarcastic, but he couldnt help but hope there was some truh swinging within the statement. I mean theres always a little truth in a joke. Always. Even if its just a tiny tiny bit.

"Well, I guess it's a small price to pay then," he replied and smiled softly.

As he tended to her wounds, his touch gentle yet firm, Nikola couldn't help but feel a rush of gratitude for the man before her.

"You know," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "this might just be the most romantic thing anyone's ever done for me." Leon chuckled softly, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes despite the gravity of the situation. "Who knew fighting a monster aside someone and then treating their wounds would be so romantic?" he teased, his tone light and playful.

Nikola laughed weakly, the sound mingling with the quiet hum of the room. "I guess we'll have to add it to the list of unconventional dates," she said sarcastic.

"How about we go on a more conventional date once we're out of here?" Leon asked slowly, glancing up at her. She chuckled briefly. "You'll have to try harder than that," she retorted sarcastically. "Sure," he replied, smiling. After a moment, he cleared his throat, breaking the quiet.

"You know, when we first met, I thought you were... well, kind of an asshole," he admitted, his voice soft but sincere. Nikola raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes despite the pain she was in. "Gee, thanks," she replied.

Leon chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I mean, you were always so... abrasive," he continued, choosing his words carefully. "But now, after everything we've been through, I realize you're not half as bad as I thought."

Nikola's expression softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well, I guess you're not as much of a dickhead as I thought either," she confessed, her voice tinged with warmth.

"I'll take that as a compliment," he replied, his tone light but sincere. "You don't need to get too full of yourself," she said, turning her gaze away from him.

And there she was again, the mean Nikola who couldn't admit she had feelings.

But he didn't care; he smiled. "And you don't need to think you're safe now. If I catch you one more time playing the hero I'm going to beat you up, no matter what" he retorted, standing up. Nikola nodded. "Yea alllright, there he is again, mean Leon".
"Hey, you started being yourself again first, I'm just following suit", he replied and took one last look of her wounds he just treated.

"Alright then, that's it. I'll take a look around, you rest up."

Nikola nodded.