𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Rushing Around For the Rodent

AN: It's been a while since I wrote anything funny and cute, so this came to mind. It's inspired slightly by my own situation, it's my hamsters birthday today- Raya is a whole year old and I love the little fluffball, so I wanted to also write something inspired by her too! 

I imagined RE2R Leon for this one!

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Today has been absolute mayhem, from waking up late to then being busy all day with work I've had no time to actually stop and rest. The second I get home, flop on the sofa and let my eyes scan the living room of my apartment I suddenly remember what I was supposed to do today. I stare at the giant hamster cage beside of me, my brown rodent digging through her sawdust without a care in the world. Panic consumes me, it's not like a life or death situation but my body seems to act like it is. I sit up ramrod straight, already reaching for my phone to call the one person who might be able to help me in this late hour of need. 

My boyfriend, Leon, picks up on the second call. "Hey sweetheart, how are you doing?" 

"Terribly," I answer, chewing on my lip, "I really need your help, it's pretty urgent but if you're busy then that's fine and I can find someone else to help me, or I'll head out on my own, it's really not a big deal if you haven't got time or-" 

"Breathe baby," Leon's voice soothes through the phone, his tone sounds a little worried as he asks "tell me what's wrong. You're not in any trouble, are you?" I can already hear him grabbing his keys and zipping up his jacket, I let out a small laugh despite his seriousness. I shake my head despite him not being able to see it, my hamster's black, beady eyes find mine from across the room, she's probably confused as to why her mother's having a literal breakdown over nothing. 

"No, it's nothing like that," I murmur, "it's Squeaky's birthday tomorrow and I haven't had a chance to run to the pet store yet to buy her something. Work's been so busy and it completely slipped my mind as I walked home." I tell him. Silence fills the room- apart from Squeaky's squeaky sniffs as she rummages through her food bowl- then suddenly Leon bursts into laughter. I imagine him doubling over from how hard he laughs at my explanation. I frown, unable to hold back my own smile as I realise how silly this whole thing is. It's not like my hamster knows it's her birthday tomorrow, nor does she probably care. 

"It's your-" Leon tries to speak, but he's once more wracked by infectious laughter. I hold back my own giggles as I roll my eyes and grab my jacket, regardless of the situation I really do want to go to the pet store. 

"Yeah, yeah, shut up," I playfully scold, "but I'm serious. Squeaky's birthday is just as important as yours or mine." I stop laughing, my defences rising as Leon's laughter finally fades. He takes a deep breath, humming in agreement as I grab my purse and keys. 

"Alright sweetheart, I'll come pick you up in a few minutes, don't venture out into the dark without me." Leon softly says, I hear his apartment door open and close as if he's already making his way to me. My heart warms at the gesture. 

"Thank you, Leon. I'll owe you one." I reply sweetly, meaning it as he chuckles, "I'm sorry if I've ruined your evening." 

I hear Leon blow out a breath, "It's fine, I'm glad you trust me enough to ask for help. I'll be there soon." With that he hangs up. I sigh, slipping my phone into my pocket as I point across the room to my hamster, wagging a finger at her as if she's the root of the problem, realistically it's be but I'm not going down alone. I wait by the door until Leon texts me that he's outside, I lock my apartment then jog down to meet him, we share a quick kiss before he opens the passenger door to his Jeep for me, then closes it once I'm in. Leon climbs in after me, linking our fingers together as he turns on the radio then pulls away from the curb and towards the pet store. It's a short drive, but after the day I've had I really didn't have the energy to walk alone. On the way Leon asks about my day as well as about Squeaky, and in return I ask about his shift at the RPD and what he's been watching lately. Our conversations are always easy and flow well. 

"So, how old is your hamster going to be?" Leon asks, the shine of a street light making his smile even more dazzling. 

"One. It's her first birthday." I smile, watching as he nods and pretends to treat this situation seriously, but I can see his façade crack by the second. 

"Ah, so a very special one then." Leon says, biting back a grin as I huff and tug my hand away, but he's quick to pull it back and relink our fingers together as he chuckles. "I'm sorry, I really am trying." He defends, holding up a hand before resting it back on the steering wheel. I nod, knowing he is. 

"I know it's stupid," I mumble, avoiding his eyes as we pull into the pet store parking lot, "but she means a lot to me. She's kept me company since I first moved to Racoon City, and when I'm alone she's there with me." I glance at Leon, noticing how his eyes soften at my confession. He swiftly brings our linked hands to his mouth, kissing the back of my hand softly as he smiles tenderly at me. 

"In that case, let's get Squeaky some great gifts." He replies, this time meaning it. I nod, Leon exits the car as I rush to jump out, then we walk side by side towards the pet store entrance. Leon's arm wraps around my waist as he guides me around the store towards the rodent section. There's a lot of different things, and looking at them all now I don't actually know what to get my furry friend. I scan the shelves, leading Leon up and down as I debate tunnels and see-saws, I pick up a few different treats as Leon suggests things too. I'm surprised how serious he takes it now, but I don't complain. We spend at least twenty minutes gathering things before we take them to the checkout counter. I pay for my things and begin to leave but yet again Leon surprises me by quickly pulling out the things he's been plucking up and swiping his card, I blink at the fact he's literally just bought my hamster some birthday presents, the gesture overwhelmingly sweet. Leon grins, taking my hand as we carry our bags, but he leads me across the street to a fast food restaurant instead of back to the car. 

We have dinner together before he drops me off at my apartment once more, kissing me goodnight and telling me he'll be over after his shift tomorrow evening. I nod, thanking him once more for going out of his way to make me- and Squeaky- the happiest girls. The next evening I finish wrapping Squeaky's presents in newspaper so she can chew and 'undo' them just as Leon knocks at the door. I let him in, looping my arms around his neck as he carries a bag with him. 

"I've missed you so much today." Leon murmurs, kissing me deeply before releasing me and heading over to Squeaky's cage. The brown hamster climbs the bars of her enclosure as she sniffs her cute whiskers towards Leon, he chuckles as he kneels down, cooing at her as I snap a photo of them both being adorable. "You're a very important girl, Squeaky," Leon softly says as he opens up the door and carefully scoops her out, she's comfortable in his hands, "I hope you're taking good care of your mom for me whilst I'm not around." 

I let out a small laugh, heading to his side as I set the gifts inside Squeaky's cage so she can chew and open them when she wants. "She is." I fondly say as I reach out a finger and stroke Squeaky's soft fur. She sniffs, then looks towards the strange boxes now in her home. Leon chuckles, setting her back onto the sawdust as she immediately begins chewing through the newspaper, spitting it out quickly so she can get a munch on the delicious treats Leon and I bought her. We watch her work, Leon pulling me to his side as I nestle into him, then soon enough Squeaky goes back to her little den, opting for birthday nap. Leon stands, heading over to the coffee table where he put his bag. 

"I got these for us, since Squeaky isn't allowed cake." Leon smiles, grabbing two perfect red velvet cupcakes that are bakery fresh. My eyes widen as he passes one to me, we both 'clink' our cakes together whilst laughing. We sit on the sofa, eating the cupcakes before Leon does that classic 'you've got a crumb here' but actually kisses me. Things turn heated quick, so Leon grabs a blanket and lays it over us, covering us from Squeaky's eyes as I giggle and wrap my arms around him. 

"Thank you so much for loving Squeaky and I, we both appreciate you so much, and I'm glad you've embraced my...oddness?" I whisper as Leon's lips peck my neck. 

"Of course sweetheart, I love you, quirks and all. Now, let's get to the bedroom before we traumatise your hamster." He chuckles, easily scooping me up as I cling to him and nestle into his warmth and love.