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“Hopefully it’s a false report. Like that bullshit is back again. Right? Be home soon.”
That was what he was told in his half sleep state. Hardly registered it as anything more than dreaming rambles from Leon. It wasn’t until he finally woke up did he see the jacket off the hook in their apartment. That specific jacket he only wore when heading on a job.
A day, week, month, who knows when he will return.
All he can do is hope that whoever offers him wares does him justice.
————————-
Another rainy day. Nothing new here for Racoon City. With how badly Umbrella has damaged the area the state of the city was in a near constant rain. It seemed the skies themselves were trying to detox themselves from the chemicals and bloodshed.
Once a crater, now something new.
That was why Leon made the choice to stay here. Hit the ground running and do his best to repair. He was always meant to be a police officer here. That didn’t work, but he wasn’t going to let the world take away his ability to protect his city. He’s back here, he’s its guardian, he won’t let Umbrella take anymore away from it.
And he agreed with the choice.
His pal in Romania sure was confused on why a man like him would finally settle down. Maybe one day his fellow seller will meet Leon. Meet him and understand. Understand that he’s simply….different. He was simply different. Despite all that was pushed onto him he still kept fighting the good fight. He somehow wasn’t crushed by the world.
It reminded him that there was still a chance to live again.
Maybe one day they’ll go to Romania and visit his old friend. Be nice to show off the ring Leon got him. The fact Leon saw it while doing his typical ‘Time To Kick Umbrella’s Ass Again’ fights he saw that pretty thing and said ‘mine now’ and gave it to him. Beauty it was. A old, golden, ring with itself a ruby gem. With how it crackled it looked almost like a eye. Truly one of a kind.
And Leon thought of him when seeing it.
He would smile, as he looked the ring over on his tired hands. Hands that could finally rest as he washed them over in the bathroom, and cleaned his face up. Try and start his day and get to work.
Just because he’s settled down doesn’t mean he’s not still trading after all. He’s got other means to keep the coin flowing. He’s done this for so long after all. He knows how to adapt. With the right VPN and Trojan, a designated laptop, and a bought warehouse, he’s got it all under control. Even got employees now.
Still missed getting nice and personal with the clientele, but right now? He’s fine with drinking coffee by a rainy window while clearing out his emails and decoding messages. Along with calling up Ashley. See how that girl is doing.
Before that he needed to finish washing up. Still felt strange to actually settle down and do such a thing. Properly wash and have his body cared for. Have a desire, at all, to take care of himself. He really couldn’t recognize his own reflection at times. No more needing to travel around. Now he can settle for higher quality items, knowing he isn’t camping anymore. Enjoy a good shave, take time with the water, and just reflect.
He misses traveling, but it’s nice to have a place to come back to.
With the shower done with, he would change into his lounge wear and get started on laundry. Always had to put Leon’s clothes to soak. Make sure anything infection wise was dealt with before putting it through a proper wash. Leave them to soak in the tub as he picked up the more normal and regular laundry. Much being his face coverings.
Who knew his religious practices was what kept him alive. He wore it for his Pagan beliefs and by god was keeping ‘negative energy’ what kept him from catching those air born infections.
Negative energy, evil spells, germs, all the same thing really.
No one looks at you funny with a face covering when in Raccoon City. That’s a perk alright. A lot of people also just don’t want to live here so prices dropped stupidly to try and bring people in. Not like that’s a worry when Leon was the president's favorite. The man could have golden caviar made for him at three am every day if he wanted, but that’s not Leon.
He’s seen greed and Leon wasn’t it.
He just wanted a spacious apartment and hot water on demand. That’s really all he wanted set in stone. He got it, and now he gets to enjoy the fruits while Leon went picking.
Into the washer the clothes went and out of the dryer the last batch came.
“Like a housewife? You must be joking, old friend.”
That was what was written in that letter, and that made him think. Why was that a….bad thing? It wasn’t like Leon made him do it. If anything it was Leon who was the ‘house wife’ if you will. Was always running around their apartment doing things while he sat with his laptop and worked. He’s out right massaged him and asked him if he needed his coffee refilled when on call with a client that was making the game harder than it should be.
He’s traveled to too many countries and seen too many cultures to really be affected by such ideologies. He’s learning to be happy again and that’s what mattered.
His coffee would finish its boiling and he set it down on the side table to the window seat of his. He preferred working there. Sitting and watching Raccoon City exist. Look at the countless roofs full of gardens of the city goers that refused to leave. That determination to stay and find a way to survive was really admirable. Now and again when they worked those gardens they would save at him. He waved back, happy to know the distance kept himself obscured.
Better that way. Not like he had anything pretty under there anyhow.
That infection Saddler had played with left its marks.
He survived, but for a price.
Always a price.
He tried to not think too hard about it. That was long in the past now. Now was the future. A future to help rebuild the city. Be more than just people trying to live. Be a place of a safe heaven for those affected by Umbrella. Here to help them, and learn how to handle these infections that are ever growing and being reinvented.
This was a place of hope.
They suffered so badly, but that didn’t stop them.
Umbrella won’t win, but they might not lose either.
The world is always so full of wars of some kind. Never was one to meddle and get involved in them. He rather stay in between. Sell to the highest bidder and make himself comfortable with what he had. Not choose sides.
But….maybe following where Leon went had its perks.
“Leave you ta update.” He spoke to his laptop, as he set it on the tray to keep it from over heating. Left it to fix itself up and went about to his Altar to Njordr. Clean it up a bit, light an incense that smelled of salt water, and refilled the glass with mead. Was nice to have a proper place to practice his beliefs. Leon didn’t even question it a lick. Asked ‘so what do we need to do’ when he brought it up when asked why he always wore his mask and hood.
He can remember it as clear as day.
The day the island was going into flames, and Leon made sure he wasn’t left behind.
Long trip on that jet ski. Cramped to.
————————
“So, why do you wear all that?” Leon asked, as Ashley held the wolf close to her body. Get plenty of licks as she made sure they were all secure on the ride. Hard to stay on, and they had a long way to go to get to the boat. Had to make as much distance from the island as possible. Couldn’t risk it. They’ll all need to shave and deep wash. Not gonna be fun, but they were alive.
“Why ya asking me that, stranga?” He asked the hero, as he kept the jet floored.
“I mean, we are going to travel a while now. Might as well bite the time. So, what’s with the mask? Secretly Batman or something?” He snorted, as he just chuckled.
“Nah. It’s….A private thing.”
“Yeah? Afraid your ugly mug will scare me?”
“Yeah. Can’t have you pissen yer pants with that sweet girl there. Been through hell as is!”
Ashley laughed at that. Felt strange to actually laugh. After all that happened, it felt wrong to laugh. Like she shouldn’t be allowed to do it ever again.
“Come on now. Be direct. If it’s to keep your identity safe just say so. I won’t pry.”
There was such a genuine tone in his voice. He could so easily say such. Not really a lie. It does keep his identity safe. But….It was more than that. So much more. It was something no one could take away from him.
“Is….A religious thin.”
“Muslim?” Ashely asked, as the wolf rested his head on her shoulder and looked at the man holding tightly to Leon.
“Nah.”
“Sikh?”
“Nope.”
“Orthodox Christian woman?”
“You gonna just keep naming until ya figure it out. Huh?”
“Like Leon said….Got nothing else better to do.”
“Fair enough.”
Leon was learning Ashley was way more educated then she let on. Suppose it made sense. Daughter of The President after all. Has to be culturally informed with all those meetings. You can't be ill informed and make a mockery for the country, now can she? Being a woman puts so much more pressure on her. Maybe it’s enforced helplessness compared to learned…..
“I’ll figure it out! How about Hoodoo!”
“Nah. I ain’t Caribbean.”
“Dammit. Thought I had you there.”
“Wha? Ya think people on them islands sound like me?”
“I don’t know! I know there are closed practices so I figured maybe it’s obscure!”
“Ya thinking to hard on this, love. Ya really are.”
“Hmph….Mmm….”
Leon let the two hash it out, as he tried to steady himself. The traveler could tell by the tension in his arms that it was all starting to finally catch up to him. Now that there was no more fight or flight his body was really feeling it now. That stoic expression also told him he’s faced this before. That expression of a jaw locked so he didn’t sniffle as the tears ran down. All was washed away by the splashing water. If no one was looking no one would notice.
But he saw it.
“Paganism?! I don’t know!”
“Yeah. Is a pagan thing.”
“Ohhhhhhhh! Yeah, I was thinking too hard. It’s the accent that made me think crazy.”
“Eh. I’ve so often worked in England it just sticks with me.”
“Not a native?” Leon managed to force out.
“Ain’t prying me open that easy, Stranga.”
“Never was one to take the easy road.”
“Aw, ya gonna go open that there Pandora’s box if you aren’t careful.”
“At least it’s not Umbrella. I’ll take those odds.”
He would shake his head at such unwavering determination. Still so young and still so brave towards the world. It’ll catch up eventually.
It always does.
“Specific God or-?” Ashley would keep poking away. Whittle him down with the need to sooth her stressed soul. She hasn’t been broken by the world like the two of them were. She still had a chance. She can get snippets.
“Njord. Travelers, Fishing, Sea fairing, wealth, that nature.”
“Think you can sing him a song to give us luck here?” Leon asked, in that ever dry tone.
“I can give an offeren if ya really like, but I don’t have anything really worth his tastes on me. Had to leave much behind to save my own skin after someone blew the island up.”
“What does he like?”
He was pretty surprised Leon even asked. Was….Was he being serious?
“Well….Things from the sea of course, and that of trade. If ya can trade with it you’ll suffice. Doubtful ya got any mead.”
“…..Rummage in my pockets. I actually have something.”
“Oh lemme guess, ya got a big gun huh?”
“Just rummage.”
“Alright alright.”
He would reach into Leon’s back pocket and found himself a pocket knife.
“Ya got a knife….Ok-?”
“It’s got fish scales all over it from when I had to make food for me and Ashley. Thing is a piece of junk but it got the job done. Think that will work?”
“You serious?”
“Yeah. I’ll take whatever chances we can get. Our ride is running out of gas.”
“Already?!” Ashley gasped, as she pushed the fur out of the way to see the tank gauge lowering. They’ll end up stranded in shark infested waters like this. They had no idea how soon the rescue boat would find their location. Leon had his communication device on him still, but would they be able to meet close enough to send a more accurate ping?
“Alright. I’ll give it a prayer.”
“Do we need to pray?”
“No. But it won’t hurt to send off when I’m done. Just repeat the last verse that I’ll say.”
“Alright.”
It’s been a while since he did a prayer like this. It felt so strange. Strange to have someone actually take it serious. Everyone is always blaming Paganism for its problems. Hell, that’s how this mess here started. He can reflect on this later. Right now he was asked to do something only he can do. Something that wasn’t about trade. Something more.
“Hail Njord, God before us. Hail to you the ruler of the seas. We ask of you to accept our humble offering. Our offering that has served its time in protecting the young and vulnerable. How your offering of fish is what kept us alive in times of crisis. We return to you the gift you gave us to say our thanks. We ask you now for safe passage. We ask of you safe travel. We ask of you to ensure we reach our vessel. We ask of you to survive once more. Hail Njord, Blessing Guide.”
“Hail Njord, blessing Guide.” Ashley and Leon repeated, as he would let the waves splash over the blade in it’s entirety, before having it consumed by the waters and sent into its depths.
Faith has always been quite the sensitive thing. Here he can only hope he shows them being the pagan he was isn’t what made him that morally grey entity. No. That was who he was as a person, and not who he believed in.
“We are going to be ok, right?” Ashley asked, as the wolf gave a concerning whine. One that seemed more worried for them over himself. He’s a strong swimmer, but will the humans be able to?
“Course we are. Just some extra luck never hurts.” Leon reassured her, but the grip on the handle bars told that Merchant he wasn’t sure. Just saving face for her.
With the sky growing darker, and the engine purring slower, they all were falling into a tense silence with the stars climbing above them. How the hours went by that felt like seconds with how focused they were. Focused for the radio to beep alive and tell them they were seen. Tell them it’ll be ok.
How they prayed as the engine finally died…..
“You three stay on. I’ll climb to the back and keep pushing.”
“You can’t be serious-“ He was in shock at the determination that Leon had. He was really going to jump into the freezing sea water to keep pushing the jet ski? Keep pushing to try and make them meet the ship sooner? How will he know if they are even moving in the right direction? How is he going to handle the freezing water? What if something comes after him? They already had such limited space as is.
“You are not jumping in there.” He warned Leon, with a firm grip on his shoulder.
“He’s right! You’ll just put yourself in even more unneeded danger. Please stay.” She begged, as all the light they had left was the moon and stars. Made every ripple in the water seem so large and amplified.
“We need to keep moving. It’ll be fine. I’ll just swim until I get tired, come up to rest, and then go b-“
“You’ll freeze and sink ya damn bastard. You ain’t jumping in. Don’t be stupid. We can wait a while. We ain’t just naked yet. You said they gonna meet us at a point. We can just wait-“
“Or I can speed this up and get us out of danger faster.”
Now the two men were arguing. Suppose that was better than Leon just jumping right in. Who said Charisma was used only to seduce?
It was a very long argument. Honestly she nearly fell asleep with how far it went on. Her parents argued so much it was white noise to her. Shame it was interrupted by a loud blaring noise. Nearly fell off the Jet Ski.
“Leon! We found you!”
The communicator went off as there was a distant light. One that was slowly growing brighter, with the fog horn going off again.
“We’re over here!” Ashley screamed, and the wolf howled. Tried to make as much noise as possible to ensure they came over.
“I read you! Do you copy?!”
“We read you! We see you! Don’t move! We are coming!”
“Well I be damned.”
“Aren’t we lucky, huh?”
“Told you a little extra luck never hurt.” Leon smiled, before leaning his entire body weight against the older man. Nearly made them both fall. His body seemed to finally accept defeat and passed itself out. Physically, anyway.
“Ya did good, Leon. Ya really did. You can rest easy now.”
“Don’t cut yourself short. Wouldn’t have gotten remotely far without my favorite shop being open.”
“Aren’t I the only shop?”
“I mean the locally owned sure weren’t friendly, so the competition was in your favor.”
“Even in a moment like this….Charmin. Real Charmin.”
Leon looked up at him, with a exhausted smile, before closing his eyes. Finally he could rest.
Finally….They were safe.
———————-
“Yeah. It’s worse than I thought. Don’t expect me to be home for dinner.”
No surprise there.
“Love you.”
“Love you too, stranga.”
The message would be given a heart react before Do Not Disturbed was turned on. Gonna be another lonely night. No big deal to him really. He’s a lone traveler. That’s his trademark.
But once you get someone who you care about……
Bark! Bark!
“Wha is it, boy? Hungry?”
The wolf would come over and bring his head to rest on his lap. Big eyes looked distressed.
“Aw, ya can tell Leon ain’t coming home tonight. Yeah? Is alright. We can handle our own just fine. Here, how about we take a walk. Huh?”
That made the wolf happy.
“Figured. Go on and grab yer collar. I’ll get cleaned up and we can go running around a while.”
The wolf would go do just that as he went to get dressed. Grab his hoodie, a more traditional face mask in purple, and made sure he had plenty of weapons snuck under his clothes.
Raccoon City was rebuilt, but for its price.
No one ever expected the place to be rebuilt again, but it was. The people that escaped were determined. There were scientists that escaped, good people that survived, the world wasn’t as bleak as he always assumed it was.
It was people like Leon, Jill, Ashley, people like them that gave hope.
Suppose when you save the president's daughter it gives you the ability to pull strings.
If The Connections can pull strings, why can’t good people as well?
A safe haven. Scientists that worked on cures as fast as those Umbrella wannabe’s try all they want, they can try…..
But when you have a Merchant like him, he can get whatever those scientists want and need.
Intel included.
It’s a safe haven. It’s home. That’s what Raccoon City was.
And now it’s time to roam the home.
“Come on Chrissy!”
He would clasp her collar on, hooked her leash on, and they would step out of the door.
They would head outside, into the rainy night air, and enjoyed their walk through the city that once was a home for bio weapon trafficking. Now it was a hope for rebirth. Guess it’s a lot like a Raccoon. They’ll find a way.
With how late in the evening it was many of the buildings were closed and shut down for the night. A safety measure to ensure infected didn’t come and harm them at their most vulnerable hours. Curfews had originally been made, but it just made people sneak out and get hurt anyway. Wasn’t fun having BSAA running around all the time, but since he’s ’Leon’s Property’ they don’t risk bothering him.
If they don’t bother him, he has no issues.
Just leave him alone and let him move freely. He’s willing to stay in one place and keep the trading network here secure. Leave him be and he will give you what you need.
Sure is nice being able to do so much from a laptop. Made the teams he would join Leon on trips all the more enjoyable. He can make trades anywhere and collect new resources with out needing to sell with in the same area again. Made all the bigger profit with returning home. Oh that made life easier.
Gave him time to live in the moment much easier.
From what he was told about Raccoon city it really hadn’t been anything special, until after Umbrella showed its ugly hand. Now it was re-imagined in such a unique way. A place that had large walls to keep its heart safe. Much of its own food self grown to not force them to rely on outsiders. They were cut off from society in both a case of self defense, and to ensure no one interfered. Self reliant was what they were. If anyone wanted trade it was done outside the walls. Inside was home to self reliance and sanctuary.
If you wanted to live here you had to go through ruthless testing to ensure you were infected, and showed them what you had to offer to benefit. Extreme, but who can blame them when your home had been a housing so many strands of viruses for a man’s selfish dream of immortality.
Lights were on the moment the sky was too dark. Enough lights to keep the place as alive as the day. Really had to get some good black out curtains. A small price to pay to keep a place like this safe. Keeps predators away.
But like them, they’ll adapt.
“Grrrrrrrrr….”
“S’matter, Chrissy?”
He would peer down to see Chrissy snarling down an alley way. Despite being lit there had been a clear attack towards on of the lights that hung over the door to the neighboring shop. A purposeful task to darken.
“Easy boy. Letz back away now.” He warned, as he gave his leash a gentle tug. He gave another warning growl before following. He didn’t deny the tension, so he pulled away instead of investigating. No need to fall into a trap.
“Enjoy the walk, boy. No need to go where ya shouldn’t.”
He would ruffle the wolfs head and reached in his pocket to pull out a treat for him. This was going to be a quiet night in Raccoon City. That’s what it’s supposed to be. Nothing else.
Not like there could be more under the city. It’s been Nuked. It’s been rebuilt from the ground up. There couldn’t possibly be more bullshit here to deal with.
Right?
Maybe better not to humor such negative thoughts.
Just enjoy a peaceful walk. A calm walk through a drizzling city. A city that’s cold rain was slowly becoming more like slush. He figured he better hide out under a cafe umbrella for a spell, just to wait and see if it would change to something else.
“Mr. Merchant?”
He turned his head to see a little girl looking out her window to see him.
“Oooo! Doggy!” She squealed, which caused her mother to hurry over to ensure her daughter wasn’t looking at something she shouldn’t.
“Ah! It is Mr. Merchant. What are you doing out here at this hour?”
“Figured I give Chrissy here a walk. Seems the weather is turning to worse. This place and its weather….It really is not different from London.”
“Give me a moment. You can enter our cafe until the weather changes. I’ll get you something hot.”
“You don’t have ta, love.”
“Please. I insist. With out you we wouldn’t be able to thrive. You make sure we never run out of sugar. Come, come.”
“Doggy!”
“Pleasure doing business with ya then.” He would give a fictional tip of his cap as the mother and daughter would come down to go through the heavy unlocking of the doors. The windows remained barred down, but that didn’t block the view entirely.
The pair would step inside and the little girl was given permission to play with Chrissy. He’s a real smart dog. A smart dog that’s lived far longer than he really should. Suppose being Albino must have manipulated his DNA when exposed to so many viruses. Really survived things he shouldn’t. As if he was complaining.
Chrissy would entertain the little girl, as he sat down at a booth and the woman served him a hot cup of coffee.
Moments like this reminded him that maybe settling down wasn’t as bad as a idea he thought.
That Leon, all those years ago, really did weasel that idea into him.
Even the smell of the coffee transported him back. That hot coffee and snowy weather…..
——————————-
“Ever thought of settling down?”
“Settling down? As if. What kind of trader settled down?”
“What kind of trader follows me everywhere?”
“I don’t follow you everywhere.”
“Then how have you been so conveniently in the area whenever I am on a mission call? Actually….How the hell are you able to know where I go to begin with?”
“If it can be traded it shall. Intel can be bought rather easy, Kennedy. Don’t worry though. After I got what I needed I made sure such easily persuaded men were dealt with. You should be thanking me if anything.”
Leon would give a defeated head shake, as he was currently taking temporary shelter at the little spot The Merchant made to sell his wares. The Slavic lands were always so damn cold. It was snowing hard out there. He just needed to warm up and he can head back to the copter and leave.
Just some coffee, and a treat for Chrissy.
“Real good boy he is.” He said, as he tossed him a bone from his scavages. A very happy wolf he was. Gnawed on it was coffee was given for a trade of simple conversation.
“Yeah. He’s real smart. Easier to train then Chris ever was.”
“You just haven’t found him the right treat yet I bet.”
Leon would chuckle at the idea of such.
“We could really use a guy like you at Raccoon City.”
“Wasn’t that place blown ta smitherens?”
“Yeah, but it’s being rebuilt. When you save the presidents daughter you get to pull some strings. Umbrella needs to know that they can’t keep winning. That there are people here to stay and fight. Can’t just wipe out a whole city and expect nothing to change.”
“Aren’t you a spry thing. Really think a man like me can be there ta help you lot? You’ve never seen my face. Don’t even know my name.”
“Don’t need to. You wouldn’t stalk me around, making sure I’m safe, if you didn’t care. Even if it’s just caring about me. If you like me you like what I’m doing. Yeah?”
“Cheeky bugga…..”
“Think about it. Maybe it’ll do you nice staying in one place compared to stalking me around.”
Leon would sip his drink as he really was thinking it over. It’s hard not to develop a soft spot for someone who made sure to save your life. How can you just….Move on from that? Ever since he first laid his eyes on him he knew Leon was special. It only became even more affirmed when he grabbed his hand. Grabbed it and forced him to come to the jet ski.
How do you just…..Walk away from that?
“Care ta make a deal?”
“Hm?”
“If you can guess my name, I’ll come on over.”
“Oh? That simple?”
“If you get any cheekier I’ll end up seeing the type of underwear ya got.”
“How many guesses do I get?”
“As many as yer pretty head can figure out.”
Leon would give a thoughtful hum, and walked from one side of the table to the other. Eyes were scanning him over, as if trying to weed it out. Comical really. There was no way in hell that man will figure it out.
“So….British….Cockney….So that narrows it down a bit.”
“Maybe my parents were immigrants.”
“You have a pagan god of trade, your whole personality seems to evolve around that…..Parents probably traded as well.”
“Maybe maybe.”
“……Joe!”
“Joe?”
“Ya know. Trader Joe’s!”
“…..Imma sock you-“
He tried to grab him, but Leon managed to dodge. Was smiling in his taunting glee. Definitely did it for the sake of getting a rise out of him. It worked. It worked very well.
“Ok ok. I’ll give a somewhat real guess. How about….Jack? You look like a Jack. Jack Of All Trades, got a formal touch that you probably don’t like, Jack…Jack….Jack The Merchant.”
There was a long pause. A very long one. One that made Leon feel uncomfortable. Especially when seeing him start packing.
“What are you doing?”
“Coming to tag along on that copter.”
“You can’t be serious. I got it right?”
“No, but I like it. I like the name Jack. Think I’ll use that for now on.”
“Wha-?”
“Well? Come on now. Finish that cup so I can put it away now.”
Leon was just gawking as he was packing everything away. Was it really that simple?
What was his actual name if Jack wasn’t it? Or….was it?
Such a mysterious man.
A puzzle to solve, and if anyone knows Leon it’s this.
He loves to solve puzzles.
They practically follow him everywhere.
——————-
“He better be taking his medicine. Been trying to find more but it doesn’t seem to kick like it used to.”
He sighed, as he looked at the container full of syringes that Leon had to take. Being a patient zero who showed immunity wasn’t fun. It was catching up to him after all these years, and he can only find and rattle out medication to help. The scientists weren’t focused on things like that. They had to appeal to the masses. Not isolated cases. Even if it’s Leon.
So, he did his best and it seems it might not be enough. He’s gotten worse and now he’s here, alone, waiting on him to come home.
Least he had Chrissy.
Having the ability to sit and think like this was often good, but it was also bad. Bad to worry. Worry about someone now. Normally he just had himself to rely on. He didn’t have to worry about others. He just goes to his locations, sells and buys, then it’s off somewhere else before the cops figure out what he’s done.
Now…..Now he had stability.
He hated it.
But he loved it too.
“He will be home before you know it, boy.” He reassured the wolf, but in reality it was himself. Maybe he should try and make friends with people who lived in the city. Many a phone call was shared with those like Jill and Sherry. Even Chris was warming up to him.
He may prefer to live on his own, but socializing was always so damn nice. Learning new stories and meeting new people. Sometimes that’s worth more than the coin. The tales and history he got to hear. The urban legends and fantastic memories. It’s worth more if you asked him. Suppose that’s another appeal to Leon. He’s full of them all the same.
“It’s just been a few days, he is surely fine. Don’t you fret none, love. He will be home before you know it.”
Yeah. He’s reassuring the wolf. No one else.
He needed to keep his mind busy. He should have tagged along, but it really didn’t seem like he had to. It was suppose to be something small. It’s never small though. Everything is connected in one way or another. Apparently this Rose girl that Chris took in under Witness Protection was even connected to them.
How can a world be so big yet so small?
He needed to stay busy. He had to. He needed to calm down before he starts getting antsy and doing stupid things.
Trying to keep busy was really the hardest thing. He’s cursed with being too good at his job really. He’s able to get things done so effectively that it’s become a waiting game. Can’t do much until the supply comes in after all, so he’s left with his own devices far too often. He’s taken up knitting, crocheting, sewing, things that he can create. Not always to sell, no no. He’s found there’s something rather enjoyable about making something with your bare hands and giving it to those you care for.
He wished Leon was here to see he finally finished the blanket…..
He gave a tired sigh, as he looked at the photo on the wall. Was of him and Ashley getting patched up after being taken off the Ski. She and he were knocked out cold, but couldn’t let each other go. They really didn’t like him on that boat. Just a Stranger after all.
Another was of a rare time Leon and him could meet up with her. How she jumped into his arms. Treated him as much as a old friend as she would with Leon.
More speckled memories decorated their home. From trinkets of past missions to gifts from friends overseas. They really built a life together. Sure there wasn’t any wedding photos, but there never needed to be. They didn’t need that. He was fine with a trading of rings. Found it silly that Leon was fine with a silver band. Didn’t want anything fancy. He could give him anything and that’s what he wanted?
Simple man with simple pleasures.
“Suppose I can make something for that Rosie girl. Poor thing. Witness Protection is never easy.”
“Bow?”
“Never in it meself, but that don’t mean I ain’t seen it in files I’ve found. Nasty thing. Such a little girl no less-“
He would talk away with Chrissy. That always helped ground him. Talking. Making chat, even if it’s semi one sided. Praying, talking to himself, making conversation with the pet, he loves company. He just found it far safer to never invite. Even with people they know.
It’s better to keep something away from the world.
Place was cleaned, wolf was fed, he was fed, laundry done, project finished, no more work until tomorrow, emails checked, phone calls made, and the cold weather changed itself back to rain again.
Suppose there was nothing else left to do but sleep…..
Normally sleeping alone had been nice, but having another soul made it so different now. Laying in bed like this was a surreal feeling. He used to sleep in a sleeping bag and enjoy the stars. Now his sparkling diamond was off fighting zombies. Fun. Delightful.
And he couldn’t be there to help.
He laid on the bed, feeling somehow so small in it, and let his hand rest on the empty side. Still expected to hear Leon come out of the shower and curl up into his arms. Take sanctuary in him because if anyone knew how to make sure he stayed safe it was him. He could help make those nightmares not so loud.
He better come home soon. His tracker said he hadn’t left the country, so that’s good. Maybe……
At least there was Chrissy.
The wolf hopped on the bed and snuggled right under the laid out arm.
“Don’t tell Leon.” He teased, as the warmth of another body helped. Helped a lot.
He closed his eyes and let himself try and sleep. Try and find peace and know that Leon would find a way to figure the mess out. Whatever is happening he would be ok. Right? He will be fine. He will be just fine.
If only he realized the tracker was telling him he was back in Raccoon city, and now deep deep underground.
—————————
“Guh-!”
“Leon? Leon, love, was wrong?”
“I-I don’t know!”
The man was now on his knees, as all he had been doing was walking Chrissy. He had just finished helping him unload some crates into the warehouse, and the plan was to take a walk to give privacy for the ‘very legal deals’ that were going to be made.
Change of plans.
“What’s happening to me?” He stared at his hands, as the veins turned black and started to pulsate. His eyes were going dark and Chrissy was panicking.
He didn’t know what to do either, but he had to bullshit something. He would rummage around in a crate that was designated health supplies, and threw together that same herbal remedy he recalled Leon making back in Spain. That seemed to solve pretty much any issue he had. Imported those plants for that very reason. Be good for the scientists to experiment with.
He rushed to waster it down, so it could be injected, and sucked it up into a needle.
“Focus on me, lad. Focus on me and look at me. Look at me.” He tried to calm him down, as he pulled his spasming body closer to his own. Chrissy in turn was laying on his legs to keep them from shaking.
“Gonna go in the neck right now. I got you. I got you-“ He kept reassuring, as he stabbed him. He forced the liquid in as Leon held him for dear life. Couldn’t stop shaking and was coughing up blood. He had to stay calm. Stay calm for Leon.
It took a few minutes, but it seemed to work. It seemed like that did the trick. For now.
“What the devil happen?”
“I-I-“ He coughed and more blood came up.
“Chrissy, go grab a doctor. Anyone. Go on!” He sent him off, as he took his face mask off to help wipe away the blood from Leon’s nose and lips.
As he did, he was smiling.
“Why ya looken at me like that for?”
“You’re really handsome…..”
“Delerious. You’ve gone delirious, lad.”
“Knew you always were a looker under there. The mask was for everyone else’s sake. Can’t focus on work with such a handsome mug like yours around…..”
“Now really isn’t the time for this crap. The hell happened just now?”
“Sorry sorry just….Life flashed before my eyes. You never get used to it.”
“I know what you mean….I’ve got you.”
He would bring Leon’s head to his shoulder, and cradled him close. Let him lean all his weight into him. No need to even raise his head. He can just rest like this for as long as it was needed.
“Think when I first came here, as a rookie cop, I got infected. It just never acted up until now. Found it strange I was bitten and clawed so much but never got sick…..Maybe I have a toerlnace…..Now it’s fading away.”
“Hey now, that means ya got some antibodies. They’ll reverse engineer something. If they can keep bullshiting new viruses, who’s says we can’t figure out cures right back?”
“Since when did you become so positive?”
“……”
“Aw. Worried about me?”
“Leon-“
“I’m worried about you too. I can already see it now. You doing something stupid to try and keep me safe again.”
“How can you be so damn thick when you be bleeding from the nose?”
“It’s a coping mechanism.”
“….Ya know what, fair enough.”
Neither really knew how long it took for Chrissy to flag someone down. All he knew was that he was going to make sure those herbs were never running out. He will fill this whole city with them, if it meant that Leon stayed safe.
As he was being laid on a gurney, his hand would grabbed his wrist.
“I don’t want to be alone again….”
Those traders can wait.
They can wait forever.
“I’m coming, love. I’m coming.”
He would follow after, with Chrissy, and stayed with him as he went through endless testing. Every blood draw, every DNA scrape, he was there. There with a flimsy blue face mask through it all. He stayed.
He stayed, and held his hand.
He wasn’t going to go through this alone.
He’s been alone for so long, and so has Leon.
Now neither had to be alone anymore.
———————
Click.
(@ fanaticartisan on tumblr)
“Babe! I’m home! I’ve got one hell of a shit show to tell you about this time!”
“Shower, then shit show!”
“I know the drill!”
Leon was home. Thank the AllFathers for such. He could feel all the tension in his body leaving him as he got to work on cooking dinner for them. Just in time for such, what luck indeed.
Always was a Lucky man.
Leon would be busy with a very, and indeed very, long shower while he himself was fixing something nice and hot for them. Something nostalgic even. Some black bass on the skillet. Always hard getting food like this outside of the city, but not when a master trader like him.
Chrissy was also very excited for him coming home as well. Wouldn’t leave the bathroom door. Sat there, tail wagging, as he waited for Leon to come out.
Was mandatory. Wash away all the grime and sick, go through a layer of medical care, another layer of medical screening, more care through antibiotics and skin creams to neutralize any bites, and so on. Madness it all was.
That TV had to be shut off with all that exploded from the news stations. That had been his original telling that Leon was safe. Still, hearing him actually come in was what always calmed him down.
Dinner was finished, and left to cool, once Leon finished his shower. His clothes would be placed in the designated washing bag to be cared for later, new clothes were on, and now his arms were wrapped tightly behind him. A long groan left his body as he applied all his body weight on him.
“The News sure picked up fast.”
“Ugh.”
“Made yer favorite, fer old time sake. Black Bass.”
“You know me so well.”
“Course I do. Twenty two years and counting.”
Leon would kiss his cheek, before just snuggling into him. Seems like dinner can wait. Leon needed something now that needed more care and attention.
(@ fanaticartisan on tumblr)
With a gentle guiding he was brought to the couch and soon was snuggling into the trader. Same for Chrissy jumping right onto him as well. A comfort under him and one on top of him.
“You are not going to believe what hell I went through this time.”
“I’m all ears for a new story from you, love.”
“Well….It all started with this girl named Grace-“
Leon would tell him what happened, as fingers played with his darkening blonde hair.
Damn was he a lucky man.
This was what he came home to?
Hot dinner, hot shower, lover combing his hair, pet snuggling him, clean home, and the whole world outside staying there. Outside. Didn’t come in here. Didn’t pop his bubble. It wouldn’t pop his bubble.
He was safe here.
Safe with those who care.
The future seemed so horribly uncertain, but he can know one thing for sure.
He was so loved.
And that’s enough for him.