𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Are You Two...?

AN: This one is loosely based on Resident Evil Death Island- I've missed writing for the whole gang!

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I shiver as Leon and I pass the empty cells of Alcatraz, there's almost an ominous feeling in the air, along with the cooler temperatures of the shaded prison. Sunlight struggles to filter in through the windows as the once summery day outside washes away in storm clouds of grey. Leon's eyes briefly flick to mine, before he pinches his lips together as if holding back the urge to ask if I'm okay or give me his long discarded jacket. I unravel my arms from my chest, instead letting my hands drop to my sides as I place my hand over the gun sheathed at my thigh. The sudden symphony of gunfire echoes from the other cell blocks, making me jump out of my skin. Leon instinctively goes to shield his body over mine, but then realises the danger isn't here. 

"Come on, let's go join the party." Leon mumbles, nodding his head towards the corridor that connects this cell block to another. I nod, grabbing my gun and clicking off the safety as I trail behind Leon's speedy steps. As soon as we enter the cell block, it's pure carnage and chaos. Tourists and security guards look pale and frightened as they turn on one another, some already infected and chewing chunks of flesh from friends and strangers, others are squirming on the ground, writhing in pain as the infection takes hold. Leon's eyes widen as I launch into action, shooting the undead that threaten the safety of others. Leon follows suit, his aim much better than my own as we stand side by side firing at the zombies drawn to us. Behind the clusters of screaming people and groaning undead, I spot some familiar faces who're no doubt here to save the day. Jill Valentine, and Chris and Claire Redfield. Leon spots them too, his dark brows draw together in confusion until his mind comes to the same conclusion. 

"Looks like we'll be getting out of here alive after all." I joke once the hordes of undead begin to waver. Leon and I work our way up towards our friends, leaving undead bodies in our wake. I try to usher survivors to run or get into the cells, but within seconds they've turned. I curse under my breath, glancing at Claire as she winces at the sight of so much death. 

"What the hell?" She mutters as Chris tries to save some woman, but as he's turned to take down a zombie, another launches itself at the poor woman. She's dead instantly as her throat's torn out. Together, we all fight, weapons never lowering as we work together as a silent team to annihilate the undead and rescue whoever we can- but inevitability nobody else survives. We'll think of the why's and how's after, but right now we need to finish up here. 

Leon and I end up back to back as the remaining bodies rise once more, they stumble and surround us as Leon gives me a single look. In silent understanding, together we have each other's backs, Leon ducks when I turn and shoot over his head, I swing to the side as he shoots behind his shoulder without even looking at where he's aiming, yet he still hits. When Leon needs to reload his hand reaches to my hip where I stash the ammo, he grabs it, snatching it up easily before reloading his gun and continuing the battle. One lone zombie flies through the air from above, as if in slow motion I tug Leon's knife from where it sits near his chest, then I fling it upwards until it hits the zombie in the head, the undead creature falls on top of the last few zombies, giving Leon an easy chance to finish them off. 

By the time it's all over, our friends are panting and watching us from across the room, mixtures of disbelief and awe wash over them at the sight of mine and Leon's coordinated fighting. Claire's lips part as Jill's brows raise to her hairline, meanwhile Chris has some kind of twinkle in his eye as his gaze flicks from me to Leon, who's already sheathing his weapons and turning to me. "You okay?" Leon asks with concern, his blue eyes scan me from head to toe as his hand reaches out, brushing my arm with a tenderness we only reserve for off-duty. I nod, heart racing as I lift a hand and wipe the sweat from my forehead. 

"I'm good, you?" I question in return, giving Leon a small smile as his shoulders slump in relief, he nods after a few moments, a small chuckle escapes his lips. 

"Yeah, I'm good." He replies, before wrapping an arm around my back and tugging me close to his chest, he squeezes me to him, giving me the tiniest of pecks to the forehead before releasing me. The millisecond I step away, Chris' voice booms from across the room, his jaw literally dropped as he walks over bodies and to us. 

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," He blinks, head swivelling from Leon to me, "What the hell is going on here?" I begin to tell him about the suspected outbreak, but Chris shakes his head and points to Leon and I. "No, I meant here." Behind him, Claire and Jill look just as surprised, though Jill's crossed arms and knowing smile means she's predicted for a while. Claire lets out a small laugh, it falters as she glances at the bodies we've piled up, but then she restores it. 

"Are you two...?" Claire starts, but her voice trails as if she can't even ask. Leon looks to me, tilting his head as if seeking permission to confess. I stifle a laugh as I link my fingers with his, both of us standing side by side as our friends stare at us as if seeing strangers. 

"Yeah, we're together. We have been for a while actually." I shrug. Jill huffs a laugh, shaking her head ruefully as Claire reels back in shock, she grins as Chris still looks dumbstruck. 

"How long is 'a while'?" He asks. 

Leon answers this time, pulling me to his side as I lean my head on his shoulder. "Couple of years, give or take." He replies simply, as if this confession isn't a big deal. I'm still surprised our closest friends- other than Jill- haven't worked it out yet, Leon and I try to stay professional and keep our relationship under wraps, but there's definetly times when we think we've overdone it, but as of yet nobody's caught on. Chris finally begins to chuckle, a proud look displays on his face as he steps forwards and pats Leon's shoulder, something passes between them, as if Chris is glad Leon's finally settled and happy. I know it's been a long road for him since giving up the drinking and unhealthy coping mechanisms, but after some harsh words and a few months living with me as Leon recovered from the alcohol abuse, it turned out that Leon and I had more care for each other than we realised. 

"I'm glad, you both look good together." Chris nods, "At least now I know why you're always turning down the ladies when we go out, I always assumed you were just playing hard to get." Chris jokes, but as my brows raise in question, the poor man tries to backtrack. I feign jealousy, narrowing my eyes to Leon as a panic stuck look crosses his face. 

"Ladies, huh?" I tease as Leon opens his mouth to argue. Chris stumbles back, holding his hands up in a surrender as Claire whacks him on the shoulder. Jill just rolls her eyes, walking past us as she surveys the area and gets back to the mission at hand. Claire softly gives us some kind words before following behind Jill, and Chris is quick to race after his two favourite people. Leon and I linger back, both relieved and happy now that we don't have to hide our love from our friends anymore. 

"Do you think they'll stop trying to set me up with their colleagues now?" I mumble to Leon as we follow our friends deeper into Alcatraz. Leon stiffens, jealousy evident as he frowns. I giggle, nudging him with my shoulder as our steps echo around the prison. "I'm joking- partly- you know I've only got eyes for you anyway, handsome." I reach up, ruffling Leon's hair before he grabs my wrist and brings his lips to my own. It's a short kiss, but it means the world to me.