Cleon - One Shots/AUs

Always here for you

Summary: It's late at night and Leon & Claire are resting side by side - but what happens when Leon suffers from a nightmare caused by PTSD?

Status of their relationship in this one shot: Married.

It swarms his mind, all day, everyday and now, even when he tries to sleep. It's horrible. Leon would do anything to move past it but he can't, it has it's own threshold in his mind. In one way, he treats his thoughts as battles scars. They'll be with him always so he tries to view them more positively - though it's useless. They're just shitty thoughts and nightmares he's forced to deal with now.

Now, as he sleeps, the memories of Raccoon City, Spain and all the other shit he's had to go through flood his mind. It's all like one big flash that has such an impact on him, it ruins his way of sleeping. Does he deserve this? Leon asks himself that daily. He swears this is some sort of a punishment. It's dreadful to even live at this point and the only thing, literally the only thing that keeps him here is his wife, Claire.

Of course they have a baby on the way, little Marianna! Claire is 7 months pregnant and they've been ecstatic waiting for her, but Leon needs her soon. He needs his two girls to be entirely in his life already.

Tossing and turning, Leon was half awake. He was still dreaming, but it definitely wasn't a good one. It's almost as if he can really feel the physical pains he went through on those days. In the moments, he hardly felt anything. Being so induced with adrenaline will do that to you. Now that he's calm (For the most part) and can actually think back on it, he realizes how horribly hurt he was everytime.

For the final time, Leon moved his body and suddenly woke up. His breaths were heavy, as if he couldn't breathe. He clutched his chest and closed his eyes, trying so hard to calm down but it's so difficult. His heart rate is fast, he can feel is practically pounding out of his chest. In the midst of all this, he's slightly shaking and his body is sweating. Panic attacks are never fun. They really, really fucking suck.

Claire was quick to wake up. With all of the noise and movement, how couldn't she? She already worries for Leon as it is so it's no surprise she has some sort of mental alarm in her brain, telling her to awaken. "Baby," Claire gently grabbed him, caressing his shoulders and shooshing him. "It's alright baby, relax." She kissed his head and held him close, trying her very best to calm him and well, it was working.

"Shhh." Claire whispered. Leon nuzzled his head against her chest and laid on it, the warmth was rather comforting. This is what he needed; Claire is all he needs. "My baby." She whispered, kissing the top of his head and rubbing his back, helping him feel eased. "It's okay, you're safe and I am here." Her words are so helpful and meaningful. "I'm sorry honey." Leon murmured against her chest. He feels bad for waking her up, he didn't mean to. He was in the moment and freaked out.

Claire let out a faint chuckle and shook her head. "No apology needed Leon, I understand." She kissed his forehead and held him close. Leon has gone through so much and Claire knows that. She'll do anything to ease his anxiety. "I'm here baby." Claire ran her fingers through his hair. Everything she does is reliving. She really is perfect. The most perfect wife in the world.

He let out a loud sigh and took a deep breath. "Thank you Claire." Leon whispered, kissing her collarbone and now nestling his head into her neck. "I'm always going to be here for you handsome." Claire stated. She means that. Leon comes first. She could be absolutely spent and she'd make time for him, especially in dire moments such as this. "Let's try to go back to sleep, okay? We have a lot to do tomorrow and I don't need you tired. "Okay."

"I love you, Leon. To the moon and back." Claire kissed his cheek quickly and closed her eyes, ready to fall back into a deep slumber. "I love you more." Leon tightly shut his eyes and grasped onto Claire, as if she was going to leave or something. That's all he needed - comfort from the love of his life.

Art Creds: R E M O.