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Darkness.
Slowly, the scraping of metal on metal faded away into the distance. All that was left was stuffy air, and rapid breathing by his side. Leon felt almost… peaceful. But there was something left unsaid, something left not done. He couldn’t give up just yet. Once they had caught their breath a little, Leon would get them out. His brain was already rapidly moving, forming a plan. Now that he wasn’t dead, there was so much left to do.
They still had batteries in their flashlights. They’d last for hours. There were remnants of machinery they could use - even after so much had broken he knew Umbrella had backups within backups. Something always ended up working for him. He already knew where the exit was, all they needed to do was find a way up. Now, he’d have to bandage Grace as best he could so she could travel with him-
A sudden flash of light.
Leon tensed up, reaching for his gun on instinct but that uniform- that uniform was very familiar. A corner of his mouth quirked up.
“Captain Redfield has a message for you,” Umber Eyes reached out and Leon let himself be pulled up. How dramatic. These rescues were always so damn dramatic.
“What, he can’t give it to me himself?,” Leon shot back.
“Just let us get you upstairs. He’s not suited up yet,” the man laughed, giving Leon a harness for himself. A different wolf was already helping Grace into one too.
“Wh-who’s Captain Redfield?,” Grace asked. A different wolf now approached her, lifting her shirt to inject a familiar green substance near it. It closed quickly enough so that she could travel at least.
“My partner,” Leon replied, taking a step closer. “Took his sweet time getting him and the wolves here. You good to get up there?”
“Uh, yeah,” Grace nodded. “It’s not as bad anymore.”
“Good, here,” he put an arm around her shoulders. He had done this many times before, and while Grace had been incredible the past days, she could use some guidance. “Let me show you.”
Slowly and carefully they were brought back to fresh air. Leon took in a deep breath, glanced at the stars above him. Despite it all, despite that destruction down here, the stars were just as beautiful as they always were. As beautiful as that voice behind him.
“You’re really cured?”
Leon smiled to himself. A wide smile that he had to suppress before he turned around. He couldn’t let Chris see it.
“Yeah. Soon as your boys got to it, take a dose too.” Finally he turned. Chris was just as handsome as ever. His face wasn’t marred by any black yet. “You’re late.”
“Maybe next time give me a heads up before you run off to your death. Again.” Chris approached him, took one of his hands, rubbed it gently. “You know I always have your back. If you let me. And… I don’t have any symptoms yet.”
“We all have it. We were all there. Take it,” Leon insisted. He paused. He hated admitting this, but- “I’m sorry. I’m glad you’re here.”
Chris sighed, and pulled him close. Those strong arms pulled him against a rock hard chest against which Leon could finally relax. He shuddered. It had been such a long, hard day. He had been ready to die - why? He should have fought harder to be right back where he was right now. With the man he loved.
And there was something still left to do.
“I’ll take the dose,” Chris’ voice rumbled in his chest. Leon never felt more at peace than right here.
“Good,” he mumbled. He was strangely energetic. Maybe it had been the antiviral. Maybe it was the adrenaline, or a combination of both. “We can’t push it anymore, Chris. It can’t wait anymore.”
Chris paused for a moment, but Leon could practically feel him grinning.
“Well, can it wait until I get you to a bed? And, well, a shower…”
That man couldn’t even wait until he laughed at his own quip. Leon pushed back to look up at him, and shook his head in disapproval.
“I get it. I get it. All that stank. Guess what, a sewer was involved.”
“There’s always a sewer involved,” Chris sighed, laughter ebbing away to a grin. “Come on, I have a chopper to a crappy motel. Just a few minutes.”
“Grace?”
“Coming with us,” Chris replied. “Wound isn’t too bad, Ramirez is taking care of it. She’ll be fine. Both of you need some rest.”
“Good. Good…”
When Leon felt the breeze against his face in the helicopter, he leaned back. Seatbelts be damned. Because he knew Chris was going to be behind him, to embrace him, to keep him steady and safe. After the hectic days, his body was completely exhausted. Though it was only a few minutes to said crappy hotel, suddenly overwhelmed with special forces, he almost did not make it.
Chris all but forced him into the shower while Leon still had those stars on his mind. For a mere few moments at least. The warm water hit, the warm skin touched him, caressed him. Cleaned him, really. But now Leon was awake again.
“Didn’t realise you were part of the shower,” he mumbled, leaning into every touch.
“Of course, you’re barely standing upright,” Chris replied, hand slowly running down Leon’s back, cupping a cheek.
“Oh I know something that can stand upright,” Leon grinned at his own quip, turned to face his partner and reached between his legs. It was a familiar feeling, yet one that never got old. That thick, hardening length under his touch. The thought of where it would go soon enough. Leon licked his lips, warm water from the shower hugging them both.
“You really up for this right now?,” Chris made sure, tugged him closer. One hand slid between his cheeks, teasing his hole.
“There’s nothing I want more,” Leon told him. “Do me already.”
Chris was so damn good at holding him firmly, but gently. At making him feel safe, especially after a near death experience. This had become a habit of theirs. Something about being intimate, being safe like that, made everything that came before it so much less horrific. And so it did now. As he was held, as Chris was sliding into him, those memories faded - at least for the moment. Now all this world was - was the two of them.
Then, all it was, was familiar pleasure. Chris knowing exactly what spot to hit inside him to get him close to the edge. How to touch him, reach around him, kiss the back of his neck in exactly that spot that gets Leon going, that can bring him over the edge. Did send him over the edge. Chris held him through it, rolling his hips to finally finish inside.
Chris knew exactly how much Leon liked that, too.
The next thing he knew, he was all snug in a rather musty blanket. Chris held him tightly, kissing his neck, the top of his head. Until Leon was somewhat himself again. Despite wanting to pass out, there was still something on Leon’s mind.
“We can’t keep pushing it,” he repeated his earlier words.
“Mh?,” Chris mumbled, reaching for his hand again. Leon loved those big hands, holding his own. Fingers intertwining.
“We need to get married already. Now.”
“Now?,” Chris chuckled. “How’s that gonna work?”
“Well, not right now… but soon. We can’t keep pushing it further and further and every time some world ending event gets in the way,” Leon was frustrated. They had moved it too many times. Now he had almost died because of this stupid disease. The time to avoid things was over. “Let’s just get hitched. I can’t go out there again without having married you. And it’s just a matter of time before something comes up again.”
“So you really can’t wait to make me a widower, then, huh?”
Leon was taken aback by that, but then immediately felt a flood of guilt rush through him. He sat up, shivering a little when the blanket fell off his bare torso, to look at his partner.
“I am sorry about leaving the way I did… I just-”
“I know. You had to,” Chris never stopped touching him. Hand on his thigh, just resting there. “But Leon, I could have helped you.”
“There wasn’t time. You know how it goes.”
“I do,” Chris sighed.
“And it’s not about leaving you a widower. It’s about having a wifey wait at home for me,” Leon grinned.
“You little shit,” Chris tossed a pillow at Leon’s face, who let it fall down without catching it. Still grinning. “Keep it up, see if I’m gonna cook for you in only an apron again.”
“No!,” Leon exclaimed, trying to feign terror. “I need the apron.”
He let himself fall back onto his partner, hiding his grin as he got comfortable on his chest.
“You sure you don’t want a wedding?,” Chris asked, a bit more serious. “You suggested it in the first place.”
“We can still have that later,” Leon told him. Where his hand was resting on Chris’ pecs, the engagement ring shone in the low light. They already had their final wedding rings. It was all just waiting for them. “I just need to know you’re mine and- and if the worst happens, you’ll still be there. I mean- Imagine they bring me back and you have no rights to me. I don’t have any other family left.”
“I’d figure it out…,” Chris hesitated. “You really thought of all that?”
“Not just death. Injuries. They only let in family. You have Claire but if they did not let me see you, it would kill me,” he replied honestly. “I need you, Chris.”
“You got me.” Chris squeezed him tighter, another kiss to the top of his head as Leon tried not to imagine how he might find him in a hospital when yet another mission went to complete shit thanks to Umbrella. “Let’s do it tomorrow.”
Leon shot up, hand still on Chris’ chest.
“Really?”
Wistful eyes looked up at him. A hand reached out to cup his cheek. Leon’s own covered it.
“Whatever we plan is just going to go to shit. I want to be your husband, too. You don’t even know how badly. We waited far too long already.”
“Thank god,” Leon blurted out. He leaned down, Chris ready for the kiss, to return it eagerly. If he hadn’t been so damn tired, Leon might have suggested a second round. In between kissing, he continued: “Grace- could be a witness. Maybe- maybe Sherry. Not too far away.”
Hearing that name, Chris let his head fall back against the headboard, a soft thump accompanying the motion.
“Claire is going to kill us.”
“You know where she is? If she can make it, could be her,” Leon offered.
“Let me call. Jesus. Go look where the nearest court house is.” Chris, ruffling his hair, reached for his phone as Leon went for his own. It didn’t take long for Claire to pick up - late night calls usually meant emergencies. And it was - in a way. As Leon took care of his own job, he only heard one side of the conversation. “It’s me- No, no we’re fine. Leon is fine. Yeah, a cure. You get a dose too but that’s not- Yeah I know. Listen, we’re getting married tomorrow. I need you to come out here.”
The happy yell that came through the phone was audible even to Leon, making his lips twitch in a brief smile. They’d still have a few miles until the nearest courthouse, and needed to hope that their marriage licenses could be made right there. Though, usually, the DoS came through for things like that. Only now he had found that place was not as secure as he thought. Joining Chris’ team became more and more appealing.
“She can make it,” Chris nudged him, and so Leon showed him the map of where they needed to go. His partner nodded. “Yeah, here, I’ll send you where. Calm down already I- Yeah, thanks. Love you too.”
“I take it she’s excited,” Leon chuckled as they both moved right back to their previous positions: Leon in Chris’ strong arms. “I honestly can’t believe it’s finally happening.”
“Should have, long ago,” Chris muttered. “Go to sleep, love. You’ve had a day.”
“Mhhmm….” Leon trailed off, thinking of his partner’s magical powers. The moment he was in bed with him, in those arms, feeling his breath and heat against him, Leon could drift off to sleep immediately.
It wasn’t always peaceful though. After a mission like this, floods of images went through his mind, working through the horror that never really stopped losing its edge. Through the information he had found, the suspicions now building in his head. He woke with a start to Chris already dressed, neat, fresh clothing on the bed next to him. His partner looked a bit nervous, pacing and double checking their bags.
“You’re not having doubts, are you?,” Leon asked, sliding on the long sleeved shirt next to him.
“No, just-,” Chris sighed. “Every time we tried, something happened. What makes this time different?”
“This time I survived a deadly disease and brought a cure home for all of us?,” Leon suggested.
“Yeah, and maybe that’s all the luck we get in this lifetime.”
Leon groaned as he stood, rubbing his back. Now all those falls, fights and injuries made themselves noticed. He wasn’t as young as he used to be… Nevertheless he managed to get to Chris, to cup his cheek and kiss his forehead.
“Don’t even think like that. Today’s the day. No more waiting.”
“Right, yeah.” Chris smiled at him softly, the lines around his eyes standing out a bit more that way.
“Damn, you’re handsome,” Leon muttered, earning a chuckle in reply.
“Right back at ya’.”
After near death, indulging himself in his partner was a luxury he never thought he’d have again. Even as they moved on to the nearest city, he made sure he was touching Chris somewhere at all times. Too many instances of one of them nearly dying - this was why getting married was so important. One of these days they would be running out of luck. And when that happened Leon just had to be Chris’ husband. He had to know that they were tied to each other, eternally.
Though as an aside, seeing Grace blush and look away every time Leon caught her looking at where they were holding hands was pretty adorable. Leon knew he didn’t exactly come across as the loving type, or the type to have a partner at all. He grinned to himself every time it happened, all the way until they had made it to that quaint city and finally met up with Claire.
Hotel check in? Done. Best in the city - 3.5 stars. Well, it was something. Maybe not that clean nor that comfortable, but Leon took in a deep breath - it was just for one night after all.
At city hall? Finally meeting Claire. Running towards them with a smile on her face and waving her arms. Ten feet from them: A stumble. Chris was not close enough to catch her and all three of them now watched as she faceplanted onto the concrete. Red splattered everywhere.
“Ow.”
“Shit-,” the three of them ran to her, helped her up.
“I didn’t mean to do that,” Claire offered apologetically. “How bad is it?”
“Hospital. Now,” Chris insisted.
And so they split.
Inside the building, Leon and Grace stood in the entryway for a few moments.
“It happened so fast,” Grace said, voice tinged with disbelief.
“Yup.”
“There was so much blood!”
“Mhhm.”
“Th-that was Chris’ sister?”
“Yeah uh, she’s usually not like this,” Leon told her. “She was actually with me in Raccoon City, back then…”
“R-really?”
“Yeah she’s uh, she’s pretty capable. Normally,” he added. It was out of character for Claire, very much. Slowly, a sinking sensation settled in his stomach. Had they really run out of luck already? Was their wedding just really that cursed?
No. He couldn’t think that way. This was going to happen. Today.
With renewed resolve, they followed the corridors to get into the right office. Thankfully they had remembered to get Chris’ ID before they’d gone off to the hospital. So one thing was going relatively smoothly. A young woman in an offendingly bright pink dress clacked away at her keyboard. Leon took in a deep breath and prepared himself for the worst.
“Good morning.”
“Oh good morning!,” the smile they were given looked as fake as the nails that made the offending sounds. But Leon pushed himself to ignore it all. “How may I help you?”
“Marriage license,” Leon grumbled, his mood already rapidly declining as he thought about everything else that might go wrong. “For me and my-”
“Oh you’re such a… cute couple,” the lady said in a tone that was too high pitched. Her gaze lingered on Grace and the apparent age difference between them. “Right, I’ll need some identification.”
“Here’s mine, and my fiance’s,” Leon said pointedly, sliding both of them over. That sinking feeling deepened when he saw that overly fake smile freeze. “Grace here is just a friend. Witness, for the ceremony.”
“Heh, right uhm, well, you don’t live here though, do you?,” she continued, eyeing the IDs closer.
“No, we do not. Just passing through,” Leon replied. Since he wasn’t prompted, he reached over the desk to grab a notebook and pen, to write down the additional information she would need. “These are our social security numbers, places of birth. That’s it, right?”
“Uhm, well…,” the lady put both IDs down, and did not bother taking the notepad back. She hummed and hawed as if to figure out how this complicated process worked. “I… can’t do it. Since you don’t live here. You’ll have to do it in uh, Washington DC. Yes, that’s it.”
Leon raised an eyebrow. This woman was a terrible liar and he did not have the patience for it. He needed to get married today.
The two stared at each other. Leon glared. He was good at that. The lady’s smile was still frozen and she slowly looked as if she were about to panic. Good.
“May I speak with a supervisor?,” Leon spoke the dreaded words.
“Th-there isn’t one in today I-”
“Oh Marge, did you need me for something?”
Another woman had almost passed them, holding a stack of folders. She wore a grey skirt with a white top - already a lot more approachable in Leon’s opinion.
“Oh it’s nothing, they were just about to leave-,” Marge, apparently, was interrupted by Leon.
“Just trying to get me and my fiance’s marriage licenses. ‘Appreciate your help.”
“Marge, are you having trouble with the system?,” the woman set down her folders and looked over the pink one’s shoulder. “Everything looks fine…”
“Cynthia it’s not that it’s just that it’s not possible for them here,” Marge insisted, nervously. “They live in Washington DC.”
“But that hasn’t mattered in a long time,” Cynthia insisted. She now saw the notes Leon had made and their IDs. She paused, and sighed. “Marge, I’m going to have to write you up for this. You can’t deny them because of your… convictions.”
Marge immediately shot up from her desk, so fast that she knocked her fancy looking office chair back. Leon only raised an eyebrow, while Grace flinched next to him.
“But they- they- we can’t let them, they’re-”
“Gay,” Leon offered with a helpful smile. “Very. Yes.”
Next to him Grace started to snicker. The shock had worn off and the ridiculousness of the situation set in. After they had just saved the world and themselves, such a problem seemed so utterly insignificant that it quite frankly, was really fucking funny. Leon thought so too.
“Go take your break,” the supervisor insisted. “Now, Marge. I’ll take over.”
They were waved over to the desk opposite, and Cynthia started to hack away at her keyboard with practiced precision. She barely needed to glance at the information Leon had given. Clearly, years of experience was behind this.
“My deepest apologies,” she said as she typed. “She’s done this before, this is going to be her second write up. I’m sorry you had to see her but if I get one more, I can fire her!”
The delight in her eyes made Leon chuckle.
“Well, you’re welcome then.”
The smile he got was rather genuine. They had a bit of a back and forth, but finally they were getting somewhere.
“Leoooooooooon,” a slightly slurred voice made him turn. Claire was holding onto her brother’s arm, pupils dilated and a bandage over her nose. “It’s finally happening!!”
A clearly drugged up Claire was being brought over, and Chris leaned in to kiss Leon’s cheek.
“She’ll be fine,” he said quietly. “Everything alright?”
“They were kinda homophobic,” Grace pointed out before Leon could say anything. “But Cynthia is pretty nice. Here-”
The ancient looking printer had spit out what they needed, ready on slightly brown-ish paper for them to take. Finally. They were so close now.
“I am so sorry about this, again, and ah…,” the supervisor looked even more apologetic than before.
“Oh no,” Leon heard Chris mutter. “What else?”
“The person who can finish you up is not available right now,” Cynthia explained. “I am hoping they’re back tomorrow… I’m really so very sorry.”
Leon felt himself tense up. How was it that at every point there were obstacles in their way?! They’d tried doing this properly so many times that he had lost count, sent out invites, withdrew them again until they were going to have the smallest ceremony possible. Now they weren’t even allowed a courthouse wedding?!
“Where do they live-?”
“Leon,” Chris interrupted.
“We’ve waited too long!,” Leon shot back, stopping himself from raising his voice too much. This was nobody’s fault and that made it worse. He wanted someone to blame. “Now we’re this close and still-”
“One day,” Chris grasped his arms, pulled him a little away from the group. “Hey, look at me. Just one day. Alright? We’ve waited this long, we can wait one more day.”
“What if it’s not one day?,” Leon’s hand reached to cover Chris’ own. “What if more shit like this happens?!”
“It uhm- Cynthia called them,” Grace tried to speak up. She smiled awkwardly at them like she wanted to run away from this intimate moment. “They’ll definitely be in tomorrow. 10 am. You’ll be first.”
“Oh,” the tension in Leon’s shoulders disappeared, and they sagged. “I… thanks.”
“Yeah no prob-”
“What about suits?!,” Claire had somehow teleported into Leon’s vision and was now holding onto his shoulders instead of her brother. Her eyes were wide. Yeah, they had given her the good stuff at the hospital. “You’re gonna need suits! Or dresses! Leon you’d be so pretty in a dress!”
“I see the inside thoughts aren’t staying inside anymore, huh?,” he muttered, amused. Chris would certainly love to see that, he knew. “We’ll be fine in just regular clothes.”
“But I had the prettiest dress for your wedding!,” Claire whined, eyes filling with tears. “I was gonna be so pretty…”
“There might still be one,” Leon tried to soothe her. “This is just the formality. You know we’ve had terrible luck.”
“I know, I knoooow!,” Claire was now full on wailing, making the group lead her through the otherwise rather quiet building. “You guys have the worst luck ever! It’s not fair! You save the world on what, like, a weekly basis?”
“Claire,” Chris tried to be stern and handed his sister a tissue, but was evidently quite amused. “Please calm down. It’s fine. It’s gonna happen now.”
“Yeah but- but-”
“Hey, Claire, how about we get you back- back to the hotel,” Grace took her arm, leading her out of the doors. “I’m sure Leon and Chris need some time. Let’s get you resting.”
“Ohh ohhh, but no sex before the wedding!,” Claire giggled to herself. “Do I still have more pills? They’re fun…”
“Yeah, I think you got more, but let’s take it easy…”
Before Grace could turn them towards the hotel not too far away, Leon stopped them.
“You had a rough day,” he said. “Let us take care of her. You’re still injured.”
“No, it’s alright,” Grace smiled at him. “You saved my life-”
“And you saved mine,” Leon insisted.
“I’m happy to do this, really,” Grace shot back. “Gives me something… else to think about. This is, it’s nice. Helping you two is nice.”
Leon nodded - he understood. This was a lot to take in, coming down from survival mode like that. Grace’s mind and body had to work through that, and it would take a long time. Thankfully he knew the FBI had great health insurance, so that was something at least. But an experience like this, it bound them together, and always would.
Chris had an arm around his shoulders as they watched the two walk off together, Claire rambling on about the dress she had gotten for their wedding. A squeeze made Leon look up at his fiance.
“Coffee?”
“Coffee.”
There was a quaint little diner in the town, not quite as retro or old as those in rural places tended to be. The waitress didn’t have to wear a skirt and the cook they could see through the large window was a young man with a high ponytail. The music didn’t come from a jukebox, and wasn’t obnoxiously loud. Leon was almost impressed. The old booths were still there, newly upholstered without that terrible noise vinyl would create upon sitting down. They were huddled close together - closer than friends, but not too obnoxiously a couple. Leon had the urge at times, sure, but he’d always thought it wasn’t anyone’s business to see how much he cared for this man.
Clinging to a steaming cup of pure black coffee, they sat in silence for a while. Silence between them was easy, comfortable. Chris always knew what he was thinking, always knew what he needed.
“I’m really glad Claire introduced us back then,” Leon spoke out of the blue, feeling Chris lean against him closer.
“Mhm. Me too.”
“You been doing okay?,” Leon leaned in a little closer. Almost within reach to kiss him. But all he did was look into those brown eyes. “The scar on your hip still bothering you?”
“It’s been better. Too busy to think about it, really,” Chris replied.
“Did you find anything?” Leon paused. “I still have to debrief-”
“Now’s not the time,” Chris gently, but firmly, interrupted. Below the table, out of sight, he squeezed Leon’s hand. “Don’t go into work mode just yet.”
“Right,” Leon managed a half baked smile. Once he got that way he couldn’t stop, and emotions were pushed deep, deep down. It was the only way to deal with these nightmares. Feelings and all that stuff, that could be felt a different time. But now was the time for emotions. He let his head rest on his fiance’s shoulder. So much for no displays of affection - but he was tired. “Just glad you’re here, and it’s happening.”
“Glad you’re still alive,” Chris didn’t let go of his hand this time. “Glad Grace was there. She’s got potential.”
“Let’s… let’s not drag her down with us, alright?”
One time was horrible enough. There weren’t a lot of people that could do this on a regular basis - and it was taking a toll on them. The disease, the stress, constantly on alert - there wasn’t even time to work through all their PTSD with all the new bullshit coming their way. It was their burden to bear, and Leon wouldn’t change it, but he would protect others from it.
“Speaking of-,” Chris showed him his phone that had just vibrated. A text from the wolf pack: “They found Emily. She’s responding to the antiviral agent.”
Half a sigh, half a laugh came out of Leon, and he sat up again as if it was the text and not the coffee giving him energy.
“Grace is gonna be thrilled. At least one good thing.”
“It’s what it’s all for,” Chris replied.
“Mhm.”
The coffee was good and so were the burgers. The two took it slow, wasting the day in comfortable silence or quiet conversation. Only when they were back at their hotel room did Leon fully allow himself to silently ask for what he craved. Cuddling together in the bed of questionable hygiene, he had to push a wandering hand away from his belt.
“No sex,” Leon said firmly.
“Why not?,” Chris looked amused.
“We’re getting married tomorrow,” he replied.
“So? We’ve had a lot of sex before marriage,” Chris countered.
“Let’s just wait one day. It should be special. Well, it would have been, if I had the lingerie with me…”
Chris suddenly sat up, Leon flopping back onto the pillows. Eyes wide, he looked down at him.
“You got some?!”
Leon lazily adjusted his position, hands behind his head as he looked endearingly smug.
“I knew how much you’d like it. Custom made. Hell, wasn’t going to find anything that fits in a normal store.”
“Is it… white?,” Chris leaned in closer.
“Mn. And lacy. Only lace, really,” Leon replied.
“Fuck!,” Chris threw up his hands, then let himself fall back onto the bed. “You have got to wear that when we’re back!”
“I did get it for you. So… sure,” Leon laughed softly to himself. “But don’t think that’s going to be a regular thing, alright?”
“Even if it’s just once in my life, it will all have been worth it,” Chris sighed dramatically. “I’ll take down as many Umbrella-s as it takes to see you in lingerie.”
Leon shook his head but continued to laugh, until he was pulled into a bear hug that he struggled against - only pretending to, of course. Chris always won their little fight, and could have his way with him. But tonight all that meant was to go to sleep - or attempt to. Their night was filled with tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable on this lumpy mattress and in a bed that had Chris’ feet sticking out at the end.
Both of them were used to function on little sleep. The four of them met in the diner, having their breakfast to pass the time until 10 am. Leon ignored the burnt bacon, and the undercooked pancakes. If he ignored the things that went wrong, perhaps they would not be able to stop them from proceeding. Only a Raccoon City-level incident could stop them from getting married.
Ah, perhaps, he should not have thought this.
An explosion shook the windows of the diner, Grace and other guests shrieked while Leon, Claire and Chris immediately turned on work mode. Such as it was. Checking guns to see if they were functional, glancing around to assess the damage. Everyone inside was fine, outside - it was chaos.
“Claire, stay with Grace,” Leon told her quickly, and she nodded in reply. Her face was now completely black and blue - courtesy to the broken nose of the previous day. “Make sure nobody here panics.”
“Got it. Grace, you alright? Good- check on that old lady I think she fell,” Claire was good at this: Keeping calm, delegating, taking charge of any situation. Leon didn’t have to worry about anything in here. “Alright everybody stay calm-”
Chris and Leon were already outside, a pileup including cars and a truck carrying some kind of liquid were involved. Any bets on whether it was flammable? Leon shook his head at his own thoughts.
“You,” he grabbed a man’s shoulder who stood right next to the diner’s door. “Call 911. Now.”
“Oh uh. Yeah- okay-”
But he was already off. One of the cars was partially under the large truck, and he could see people inside. Both he and Chris struggled to open the doors. His fiance managed, but Leon had to crack the window, trying to keep damage to the occupant as minimal as possible. He hooked his arms around the man behind the steering wheel, bleeding from his head and covered in the fluid that was by the smell most certainly flammable. He had to act fast, and did so without thinking.
In one rush of strength he pulled the man through the window, and away from the car - only when they were a safe distance away did he realise the sharp pain radiating from his arm.
“Leon!,” Chris looked up from the woman he had pulled out, now lying on the pavement. “Shit, what happened?”
He still made sure the woman’s head was supported before going to him, reaching for Leon’s arm.
“Just glass-”
Another explosion. This time, a fireball that pushed Chris into him - who instinctively wrapped his arms around his fiance - but it was hot for only a brief moment. Safe distance. They knew how far they had to be.
Sirens wailed as ambulances and firetrucks arrived, but Chris only had eyes for him.
“Let me look at that,” he all but ordered, helping Leon out of his shredded jacket. His entire arm was dripping with blood, a long gash on the back of it from the glass. “Fuck, Leon, you need to get that stitched up.”
Chris took his own jacket and started to wrap it around his arm as Leon took in the scene. The people they had pulled out were already being tended to by paramedics - another team now jogged over to them.
“Sir, are you alright?”
“He needs to go to the hospital,” Chris answered for him, already dragging Leon along. “Asap. Stitches.”
Chris dealt with them rather clinically, and to an observer it looked as if they were strangers, and he didn’t care at all. But to Leon, it was the exact opposite. It was because Chris knew how serious this was, that he was so efficient. It was the fastest way to get Leon the help he needed. Everything else that happened around him was a whirlwind. Hospital, doctors. Pain meds. Stitches. Nothing really registered, but he sighed.
“We were supposed to get married today,” he softly spoke to Chris, holding his non-injured hand.
“We still will,” Chris replied firmly. “I…”
For the first time in a few hours, Chris’ mask slipped.
“They let me in here this time, but if we’re not married-”
This was exactly what Leon had been thinking. Like this, to everyone else, they were nothing to each other. No rights to information, to visitation. Fuck all in case of emergencies.
“How long are they open?,” Leon asked.
“I’m not sure,” Chris replied, pushing his own panic down. “We’ll go as soon as you’re done.”
“He really should be staying for a while-,” one of the nurses assisting the doctor spoke up.
“We’re getting married,” Chris interrupted and pointed a finger at her. “Today.”
Leon smiled to himself, his head falling forward until it rested against a strong shoulder.
“Today,” he echoed.
“Oh uh well, just make sure he rests after that,” the nurse finished awkwardly. “He’s lost quite a bit of blood.”
They had a moment alone in the room as Leon was taking in a few breaths and steadying himself against the pain. He didn’t like painkillers that numbed. If he didn’t feel the pain, how would he know that he was still alive? That he was still human?
“I really used up all our luck, didn’t I?,” Leon muttered.
“Next time, we’ll go together,” Chris told him softly. “You and me. More luck between the both of us.”
“Yeah.” Leon was fully in Chris’ embrace. Here, he was safe. “Might be nice, not going at it on my own.”
“I know you’re used to it…,” Chris was gently rubbing his back. “But having a team you can trust is pretty nice. You don’t have to do it all on your own. Especially once we’re married. Got it?”
“Mhhm…”
Leon had drifted off. Thankfully, he could trust Chris and he woke up in an uber, driving back towards city hall while chatting with Grace and Claire on the phone. There was no time to waste, even if Leon did need the rest.
“Just turning the corner- there you are,” Chris told the phone, then waved to the two now in their sight. He turned to Leon. “You good to say ‘yes’.”
“Mhm. Was born ready.”
Chris helped him out and while Claire explained what happened after the crash, Grace was fussing over Leon. He had to reassure her that everything was going to be fine - thankfully the massive bandage over his arm was covered by Chris’ jacket. Still, he felt tense. Like something else might go wrong before they finally signed everything and were properly married.
And there it was-
“Locked,” Claire tried the door to the clerk’s office. “But I asked how long they were open, I told them you were coming! Why is it locked?!”
Despite how tired he was, Leon was about ready to break down that door-
“Coming, coming, sorry!,” a man with a full head of grey hair, holding a steaming mug of coffee, came ‘rushing’ down the hallway. Really, he was just pretending to walk past. “I’ve got to lock up when I get my coffee - it’s policy!”
“Oh, right, haha,” Claire laughed awkwardly, the hand she had balled into a fist slowly relaxing once more. It looked as if Claire was just as nervous as they were. “Well thank goodness you’re here now!”
“Right, yes,” the man fumbled with the keys and his mug, taking a painfully long time to open the door. “Awful thing that crash! I saw you guys helping out there, that’s really brave!”
“That’s my guys!,” Claire laughed, relieved and cheery once again. “But, seriously, you’ve got to get them married. Now, preferable.”
“Alright, alright,” the man laughed too, a little nervously. The four of them crammed into the small office, where he dodged piles of documents with practiced ease. Rattling off what he needed and the usual legal stuff, he then entered everything into his system - keyboard clacking. “Alright, I will just need you two to sign right here, and there… and down here.”
“Not very romantic, is it?,” Grace sighed a little.
“I don’t think it matters right now,” Claire whispered, as if this was somehow still a holy ceremony. “They’ve waited a long time for this. Something always went wrong.”
Leon was expecting the pen to explode in his face. For that man to be secretly infected with the t virus and turning right before they could sign. Or perhaps he was a secret assassin. The paper laced with a deadly poison? Many options raced through his mind as he signed, again, and again. As Chris’ name joined his on the paper, he wondered if the antiviral agent they had taken might fail in time after all.
Just like that, it was over.
“Congratulations,” the clerk beamed up at him. “You are now husband and, well, husband! Here’s your copies!”
Leon paused to wait for something to happen. It was quiet for a bit before the clerk spoke up again.
“I’ll need the witnesses to sign here as well-”
He looked around. It was just them. Then his gaze fell on Chris. His husband. The smile on his face was so warm, the lines around his eyes deeper than they’d been a few years ago but every single one just made him more handsome to Leon. Wordlessly, his husband came to embrace him.
“We did it,” came his rumbly voice right in his ear. Leon suddenly had to hold back tears.
“After all this time…,” Leon whispered.
Nothing felt quite like home than being in this embrace, having Chris’ scent envelop him. For a moment he could forget that they were being watched - then an additional hug robbed him of his breath.
“You’re marriiiieeeeeeed,” Claire squealed. “Get in here, Grace!”
Very awkwardly, Grace joined the group hug. Much lighter, given that she was still hurt. Claire was hurt. Even Leon was hurt. Only Chris had gotten away from his last mission without a scratch!
“We should celebrate!,” Claire blurted out. “There’s another restaurant in this town - the diner had to close for a bit.”
“None of you should be having alcohol,” Chris said, sternly.
Naturally, a short while later, they all clinked their glasses of champagne. Or sparkly wine. Leon didn’t know nor care. It was shitty wine, a shitty restaurant and who knew how, but they managed to mess up the fried foods they ordered to snack on. None of this mattered. None of it could bother Leon when he was finally a husband. Only one more night here, then they’d return back to Leon’s place in Washington, and the real work would begin once more.
“Let’s wait-”
Chris’ words that night made Leon hesitate.
“We already waited yesterday,” he pointed out.
“But… you said you had lingerie…,” Chris looked a bit sheepish, hands on Leon’s hips who had been about to ravage him. “I want to see you in it. For our wedding night.”
Leon sighed.
“It was ridiculously expensive…”
“See, it needs to be worn!,” Chris already felt triumphant, grinning.
Now Leon knew exactly how Chris had felt before. Pent up. Wanting his husband desperately but being unable to since he had done the same thing the night before. It was a rather sleepless one, getting up early again to say goodbye to Claire and Grace. Grace would go and meet Emily, and Claire would return to her own work but not without insisting on another group hug.
Leon had always had trouble to think of his apartment in Washington as home. It felt cold, unfamiliar, every time he returned to it. The only time he was really comfortable here, was with Chris. They both traveled a lot, so they had avoided this discussion, but Leon harboured secret thoughts: A small house in the mountains somewhere. No more work, just Chris and Leon, living peacefully. But a part of him believed that this would never be possible. That one day, he would die on the job.
Chris drew him out of his thoughts, hugging him from behind. A playful bite tugged on his ear.
“How about I get us those nice steaks, and you… get dressed for later. We’ll have dinner, some wine…”
“I thought no alcohol,” Leon teased.
“One glass won’t kill you, if we’re careful…,” Chris let his hand run over the injured arm, gently, carefully. “I’ll take care of you, Leon. Don’t you worry.”
“Mhhm, I know. I’ll take a shower. Don’t take too long,” Leon told him, resenting the way his warmth disappeared.
He was a bit too practiced in how to shower with an injury. How many times had he put a plastic sack over a body part to keep it out of the water? By now he knew how to make it air tight, as well as how to change the bandages completely on his own. Finally, he pulled out the expensive cardboard box that the custom made lingerie sat in. It had been so long, Leon was concerned it wouldn’t fit anymore.
It took a bit of trying and planning to figure out how to put it on - it had been some time after all. Eventually he found himself in the bathroom, looking at his reflection in this white bit of almost nothing. Lace held together with straps, barely covering his chest and sides. Even the panties were practically see through, the ensemble finished with matching stockings. Leon didn’t quite get it, but if Chris was all for it, he’ll be happy wearing this too.
His husband had already returned, so he put on nice slacks and a dress shirt to join him for dinner. Chris eyed him hungrily.
“You’re wearing it?”
Leon felt his ears burn up. Nevertheless he leaned in closer, tugged Chris into a kiss by the front of his shirt.
“You’ll get to unwrap me after dinner, husband.”
“Fuck yes.” Chris looked like a giddy schoolboy, it was so adorable Leon couldn’t hold back a grin, shaking his head a little.
His husband had prepared the take out dinner on their nicest plates. It almost looked as if they had cooked - something they did rarely, but when they did it was fun. Often together, when they had a bit of time in this apartment just the two of them. But the local restaurants knew them well and had their steaks done to perfection. Leon was actually quite ravenous. So much energy used up just to try and keep himself together, now he also had a wound to nurse.
“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?,” Leon teased when he noticed Chris’ gaze often flitting to the one open button of his shirt.
“How can I not?,” Chris laughed. “I’ve imagined this for a long time.”
“What’s the big deal with it anyway?,” Leon asked, scooping up some more of those perfectly crisp fries. It was just the stuff to sate him right now.
“I don’t know - it’s hot!,” Chris blurted out. “I’m a simple man. I love you and lingerie is hot, that’s all.”
Leon put down his fork, leaned in closer, and pinched his husband’s cheek. Such a tough man, such putty under his own hands. Leon liked that part a lot.
“Adorable,” he muttered.
“Don’t let the boys hear you calling me that,” Chris said, but blushed a little. “I have a reputation, you know.”
“Mhhm, big strong man,” Leon nodded softly, slowly leaning in closer. “Can’t have them think you have feelings…”
He leaned in, pulling Chris into a kiss by the front of his shirt. Where he grabbed it, a button popped open - it was the tight shirt that Leon loved on him so much. Their kiss deepened, and the almost finished dinner was quickly forgotten. Leon slipped into his husband’s lap, ripping at the shirt to let all its buttons fly through their dining room. It was not the first time. He’d attach new buttons later.
That magnificent chest. Leon was obsessed with it. Chris trained regularly, hell, they often trained together where he got a glimpse of it, but he never got tired of touching himself. Feeling hair underneath his fingers, teasing a nipple to make Chris blush ever so slightly. He wanted to lean down and suck on them - too uncomfortable in this position.
But Chris always knew what Leon wanted. His hands slid up Leon’s thighs, coming to rest on his behind to then lift him up. Leon’s legs wrapped around him in a practiced motion. All the while they didn’t stop kissing, weaving past furniture to get to their bed. When they fell, Chris made sure he was the one underneath, cushioning Leon above him. Hands on Leon’s thighs, he gazed up at him, lines by his eyes crinkling into a smile.
“I love you so much, husband.”
Leon’s heart melted.
“I love you too,” he replied, trying not to let his voice crack. After all this time, they were still alive, still together, and finally married. They should have gotten hitched long ago.
But instead of trying to find the right words, Leon reached to unbutton his shirt, seeing his husband’s eyes moving towards where his hands were working. Slowly he revealed the white lace and silk, finding himself blush more and more under that steady and disarming gaze. Chris licked his lips, clearly aroused - Leon could feel it already against him. Carefully, he shrugged out of the shirt and let it fall to the side. The only thing ruining this sight was the bandage around his arm.
“Wow,” Chris gasped, hands finding the lace to trace it. Light caresses that made Leon shudder. This somehow felt far more exposed than being naked. “Is there… are you wearing a thong?”
Chris was grinning, giddy. Leon rolled his eyes.
“You think boxers would match this?!,” he blurted out, trying not to become too defensive. “I… here, I’ll show you.”
Ignoring the heat in his cheeks, Leon sat up to get out of the rest of his clothes, leaving only the lingerie. Before sitting back onto his husband, he undressed him, too, keeping his gaze as he did. That look of desire in Chris’ eyes, he had never been desired like this with any previous partners. It stripped him of his defenses, it left him completely at his husband’s mercy - even when he was on top.
“Get back on here,” Chris said softly, just as Leon straddled him again. “You’re so beautiful.”
His big hands gently rubbed Leon’s thighs, warming them up as if he looked cold somehow. When he couldn’t reach any higher, Chris sat up to explore him gently.
“It’s so soft… how’s it feel?,” he mumbled, leaning in closer to kiss Leon’s neck. A dangerous place for him. Leon shuddered.
“It’s… fine,” Leon’s voice was a little unsteady. He swallowed, feeling Chris’ hand caress his behind, then gently sliding underneath the string between them. He was always so careful - and Leon appreciated it. A rough fuck was fun when they were younger, these days, he preferred the prep. “I really like the way you look at me in it. Guess it was worth it.”
“Oh yes it was,” Chris chuckled a little, his stubble rubbing against Leon’s skin. They had everything within reach, Leon let him rub his lubed fingers against his hole, sighing softly. “Going in, love.”
As if he needed the warning. But Chris said it, anyway. Always taking care of Leon’s safety, enjoyment, pleasure. He had seen him in the field, but here, in their own four walls, Chris was so incredibly different. He laughed freely, he was goofy as hell and so very tender and romantic. Leon still was so, so in love with him.
He clung to his husband as he was fingered open. Even if this position was a bit awkward for Chris, he did not complain. According to him, Leon’s moans right inside his ear were his biggest reward. Leon had asked whether this was more enjoyable than penetration itself - Chris had laughed. And said yes. The look on Leon’s face when he was blissfully out of it during an orgasm, was everything Chris ever needed.
“Hah, ah, wait…,” Leon pushed Chris back down onto his back. “Let me do this.”
“Hell yeah,” Chris grinned, like a kid in a toy store. Leon didn’t do this often. “Take your time, husband.”
“I won’t break, husband,” Leon shot back, grinning. He reached behind him, taking Chris’ thick length to breach his hole. “Fuck. At least- at least this thing doesn’t need me to take it off to fuck you.”
Leon felt quite vulnerable in moments of intimacy. Usually Chris was on top, taking care of him but this was special. He ignored the tug in his arm as he leaned forward, bracing himself on his husband’s large chest. Slowly, he sank down on him, closing his eyes. Still, he could feel Chris’ gaze on him, how he was able to see everything - there was no place to hide. After all this time, it was still difficult for him to be this brave.
But it was a special day, he wanted to spoil Chris absolutely rotten for all the good things he had ever done for him. So he rolled his hips, feeling that cock inside him. His jaw slowly slackened, and he closed his eyes again, only fluttering open briefly to keep his balance. Chris looked up at him with such awe.
“That feels so good, baby,” he muttered, hands just resting on Leon’s thighs. “You’re so hot~”
They were both getting older, but Chris never stopped complimenting him. And hell, it worked. Leon felt desired and loved, felt his confidence grow as he took his own pleasure but gave it, too. Watched Chris underneath him melt, lips parted to let out soft, deep moans.
“Cum inside me,” Leon whispered, his cheeks as hot as his loins. “Husband, cum inside me. Hah~ ah~”
With his hands on Chris’ chest, he kept bouncing on that perfect cock, finding his arm shake slightly under the effort. He tried shifting, but Chris - Chris had of course already noticed. He sat up, hands on Leon’s ass.
“Let me help you.”
“I said I was going to-”
“But you’re hurt,” Chris interrupted gently. “There will be plenty more chances, I promise. I’m not getting tired of you, ever.”
Leon slowed, taking in a deep breath. His arm was throbbing with pain.
“Fine-”
Just like that he was on his back, flipped gently but swiftly so Chris could push deeper inside him. Leon’s eyes rolled back - this was still the best thing - ever. To be showered with the sweetest words while being fucked mercilessly in just the right rhythm? This was how Leon finally forgot about every single bad thing that ever happened to him. Now it was just pleasure, the scent of his husband all around him, his body worshipped.
“You look so fucking hot,” Chris groaned against his throat, nipping it playfully. His mouth explored where he liked, mouthing against skin through white lace. “Don’t worry, I won’t forget to cum~”
“Fuck,” Leon moaned, legs spread helplessly wide. “Do it already.”
He was so damn close.
Chris knew exactly how to get him off. How to speed up, fuck into him, reach the perfect place to have them both come at the same time. Leon’s legs had locked around Chris’ waist, not letting him move away until they had both ridden out their orgasms, panting softly against one another.
With one hand, Leon absentmindedly played with the short hair on Chris’ neck.
“Alright?,” Chris asked.
“Mn. Always,” Leon replied.
“Can you wear this next time, too?”
“Tch, you wish,” Leon had to laugh a little. “Special occasions only.”
“So, if I go on a mission and barely come back alive-”
“Do not dare,” Leon interrupted.
“You do the same,” Chris teased.
Leon huffed - it was true. They were both too reckless for their own goods, and now that the virus was erased from their bodies, would they continue to heal as well as they used to? Would age finally catch up to them instead? Perhaps it was time to slow down a little, as painful as that thought was.
He let himself be taken care of - despite being the one wanting to do so. But his husband was too good at it, knew too well what Leon needed. It didn’t take long for him to be back in sweatpants, even though Chris lamented every loss of silk and stocking as he himself removed them.
“I best put these away, gotta special clean ‘em or something, right?,” Chris carefully folded the straps and lace, which proceeded to fall apart where he put them down. He watched his failure for a moment, and decided not to do anything about it. Leon grinned.
“Probably. I’ll have to ask the shop.”
“Mhm, hang on.”
Chris returned to the bed with a familiar box. Right then and there, with Leon in sweatpants, with Chris completely naked, the two of them exchanged rings. Tungsten carbide, black, an engraving on the inside - just their names. Practical for everyday use, sturdy enough to be taken into an Umbrella lab. They had thought of everything. Leon let out a shaky sigh. Now it finally felt complete.
Their fingers intertwined. Their gazes met. No words were spoken. Both of them knew exactly what was important, and what had needed to be said had already been said so many times before. Things were much the same, after all, only now, when one of them returned from a mission - or the next disaster - they would come home to a husband waiting for them.