#sweet escape I Ashley x Leon

[farfrcmreality]

A tough rescue

@fleurlunae​ I Ashley Graham

In gekrümmter, schleichender Haltung bahnte sich der junge Agent seinen Weg durch das alte Gemäuer des Schlosses. Es war komplett zerrüttet und zum Teil zerstört, was Leon nur einen kleinen Eindruck davon gab was und vor welch langer Zeit all das hier bereits den Bach runter gelaufen war. Der junge Mann war erst seit wenigen Stunden hier doch hatte diese kurze Zeit ausgereicht um in ihm die schlimmsten Alpträume wieder hochkochen zu lassen. Die Menschen welche hier gelebt hatten...die Dorfbewohner waren zu willenlosen Zombies geworden. Doch anders wie er es aus Raccoon City kannte...schienen sie von etwas oder vielleicht sogar jemanden kontrolliert zu werden. Bis jetzt hatte Leon noch nicht ganz verdaut was auf dem Dorfplatz vor sich gegangen war. Dieser Moment als die Kirchenglocken ertönten und er urplötzlich von allen ignoriert wurde, welche wenige Sekunden zuvor noch versucht hatten ihm die Eingeweide neu anzuordnen. >>Lord Saddler<< hatte er sie murmeln hören. Hoffentlich war seine Zielperson noch am Leben. Sie war immerhin niemand geringeres als die Tochter des Präsidenten selbst und er hatte das dumme Gefühl das es eine verdammt lange Nacht werden würde. All diese Rätsel welche er bereits zu lösen hatte um überhaupt erst hierher zu kommen. Ganz zu schweigen von diesem...Fisch, Krokodil....Lurch...vielleicht auch eine Mischung aus Allem? Leon wollte es nicht wirklich wissen WAS da genau in diesem See versucht hatte ihn als Zwischensnack zu verspeisen. Von diese höllischen Migräne danach mal ganz abgesehen. Gott, in welches Höllenloch hatte man ihn bloß dieses Mal geschickt?

Langsam schlich er die Galerie entlang, vorbei an dreckigen, vergitterten Fenstern welche aus der alten Barockzeit stammen müssten. Mittlerweile hatte es angefangen zu regnen, doch selbst die schwersten Wassertropfen vermochten es nicht mehr den tiefgefressenen Dreck an der Scheibenoberfläche wegzuwaschen. An der Tür angekommen hob er die Hand um zu klopfen, doch schüttelte er innerlich den Kopf über seine eigene Vorgehensweise. Wenn sie wirklich dort drin sein sollte, würde man sie bestimmt bewachen. Man wusste mit Sicherheit bereits über sein Eintreffen und würde ihm die Geisel nicht so ohne weiteres überlassen. Langsam schob er die alten, sperrige Holztür auf, und betrat in gebückter Haltung den Raum.

 "Ashley? Ashley Graham?"

[xcondorone]

A tough rescue

@xbabyeagle​

In gekrümmter, schleichender Haltung bahnte sich der junge Agent seinen Weg durch das alte Gemäuer des Schlosses. Es war komplett zerrüttet und zum Teil zerstört, was Leon nur einen kleinen Eindruck davon gab was und vor welch langer Zeit all das hier bereits den Bach runter gelaufen war. Der junge Mann war erst seit wenigen Stunden hier doch hatte diese kurze Zeit ausgereicht um in ihm die schlimmsten Alpträume wieder hochkochen zu lassen. Die Menschen welche hier gelebt hatten…die Dorfbewohner waren zu willenlosen Zombies geworden. Doch anders wie er es aus Raccoon City kannte…schienen sie von etwas oder vielleicht sogar jemanden kontrolliert zu werden. Bis jetzt hatte Leon noch nicht ganz verdaut was auf dem Dorfplatz vor sich gegangen war. Dieser Moment als die Kirchenglocken ertönten und er urplötzlich von allen ignoriert wurde, welche wenige Sekunden zuvor noch versucht hatten ihm die Eingeweide neu anzuordnen. >>Lord Saddler<< hatte er sie murmeln hören. Hoffentlich war seine Zielperson noch am Leben. Sie war immerhin niemand geringeres als die Tochter des Präsidenten selbst und er hatte das dumme Gefühl das es eine verdammt lange Nacht werden würde. All diese Rätsel welche er bereits zu lösen hatte um überhaupt erst hierher zu kommen. Ganz zu schweigen von diesem…Fisch, Krokodil….Lurch…vielleicht auch eine Mischung aus Allem? Leon wollte es nicht wirklich wissen WAS da genau in diesem See versucht hatte ihn als Zwischensnack zu verspeisen. Von diese höllischen Migräne danach mal ganz abgesehen. Gott, in welches Höllenloch hatte man ihn bloß dieses Mal geschickt?

Langsam schlich er die Galerie entlang, vorbei an dreckigen, vergitterten Fenstern welche aus der alten Barockzeit stammen müssten. Mittlerweile hatte es angefangen zu regnen, doch selbst die schwersten Wassertropfen vermochten es nicht mehr den tiefgefressenen Dreck an der Scheibenoberfläche wegzuwaschen. An der Tür angekommen hob er die Hand um zu klopfen, doch schüttelte er innerlich den Kopf über seine eigene Vorgehensweise. Wenn sie wirklich dort drin sein sollte, würde man sie bestimmt bewachen. Man wusste mit Sicherheit bereits über sein Eintreffen und würde ihm die Geisel nicht so ohne weiteres überlassen. Langsam schob er die alten, sperrige Holztür auf, und betrat in gebückter Haltung den Raum.

 “Ashley? Ashley Graham?”

[goldenfigtree]

Worst Day Ever

Summary: You have the worst day ever and Leon comforts you

Pairing: Leon Kennedy x Fem Reader (no use of y/n)

Warnings: fluff

A/N: An idea I wrote instead of sleeping. Been noticing some headcanons saying Leon isn’t good with his words. Which I can somewhat see since he’s very much a man of very few words. But when he does say something he is very well spoken. And you see in RE4R and Infinite Darkness that he’s more than willing to comfort and encourage those around him. That one scene with Ashley was so sweet, I could talk about that one scene for hours like CMON HES A SWEETYPEA. So this is just a personal headcanon I wanted to write out. Also I couldn’t find any cutesy couple cuddling pictures, they all looked like something from 2013 and I hated them so just enjoy this picture of these cats cuddling idk. Okay rant over, hope you enjoy!

It was just one of those days where it felt like everything was against you. To start off the day, you woke up to red blood spotting your favorite pajama pants. Then, had to muscle through driving to work with the intense stabbing feeling in your uterus. And even better, you had to deal with an unsatisfied customer. An irrational, unsatisfied customer at that. It took everything within you not to find something to chuck at their head. Luckily the workday came to the end, however life decided to remind you that the day itself was yet to be over. Once you got home to prepare dinner, the one major ingredient you needed to make it was not in the pantry. Starving, exhausted, and still in pain. A groan that sounded similar to the growling of a bear escaped you. Your hands began sliding down against the skin of your face harshly. You didn’t even know it was possible to feel this much rage all at once. Hot tears began to leak from your eyelids as you leaned against the island counter in the kitchen, trying to breathe in for four seconds and out. A tip you happened to find online on your lunch break. However, your thoughts flicked and swished around in your mind like a flame as you did this calming exercise,

Inhale. 1 2 3 4

I hate it. I hate it all.

Exhale. 1 2 3 4

I hate myself for being this angry.

Inhale. 1 2 3 4

I hate him for not being here.

Exhale. 1 2 3 4

I hate his job.

Blinking open your eyes you still feel this ball of fire set in your chest. Sitting upon your chest, it burned like heartburn as your thoughts wondered to your boyfriend. Your boyfriend who knew exactly how to calm you on days like this. Your boyfriend who worked so well with under pressure situations given his work. Your boyfriend who was off saving the world when you needed saving right now. You hated it. You hated sharing him with the world.

A partner isn’t for sharing, that’s literally the whole point of it isn’t it?

With a sharp exhale, your anger begins to simmer from the sudden sadness that began to drench it, taking over. Tears still streaming down your face, you give up on dinner and leave the mess for when you were feeling up to it. Walking over to the bed, you effortlessly lean over and let yourself fall on the mattress, face met with the plush material, your feet dangling off the edge. The sniffling now transcending to soft, quiet sobs. This was quite possibly the worst day ever. Maybe it was the hormones talking but you didn’t care, it felt like the worst day ever therefore it was the worst day ever. Eventually, your crying tires you out enough to rest your eyes. By the time you opened them it was already night. Slowly propping yourself up, you drowsily look around and swore you were dreaming when a familiar silhouette was laying next to you, a small smile on his lips,

“Hey” he says quietly. He didn’t know how much your presence alone meant to you especially on a day like this. Your bottom lip began to tremble and your eyes leaked tears down your face, which alarmed Leon greatly. Sitting up he creases his eyebrows and grabs your hand to guide you closer to him,

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asks, his blue eyes fixated on your face. You say nothing, laying beside him, you hide your face into his chest and sniffle. All that was wrong about this day came rushing through your mind by him asking that question alone. The tears pooled into the fabric of his navy blue t shirt. The sight of you so upset was beginning to upset him. He hated seeing you cry. Wrapping his arms around you, he feels you hold him tighter. Placing a long, meaningful peck on your forehead, he then rests his head atop your head.

“Bad day?” he presses. You only nod into his shirt, hiccuping now, making your body jolt slightly. He sighs, pulling slightly away to look at your red-rimmed eyes, “Do you want to talk about it now or later?” He asks carefully.

“Later” you whisper, scrunching your nose with a sniffle. Leon purses his lips, his mind racing with ideas of how to cheer you up.

“Anything I can do?” He can’t help but ask. He’s so used to having solutions for things, it was taking him a while to realize that sometimes solutions aren’t as comforting as validation. With a sputtering chuckle you tuck your face into the crook of his neck,

“Just be here, please”

“I’m right here, always” closing his eyes, he pulls you closer and tighter into his embrace, his thumbs caressing your back and shoulder. You missed his scent, his warmth, his voice. Him being there right now was the perfect antidote for this hellish day. This time, with warmth surrounding you, you drift off to sleep almost immediately, peacefully.

Once you had woken up, you noticed that those strong arms that held you before were absent.

Was it all a dream?

The clatter of dishes in the far distance told you otherwise. Unless, given your luck, you were being robbed in broad daylight. Stretching your limbs and cracking your back, as you often did every morning, you head to the kitchen where you find Leon is cleaning up the mess of last nights -supposed to be- dinner. Being a secret agent, he sensed your presence immediately and turned his head to the side to look at you as he placed the ingredients in the pantry,

“You’re awake” with your hand on your chest, you let out a sigh of relief at the sight of him.

“You’re real” he chuckles and closes the pantry door and turns to face you,

“Feeling better?”

“Now that you’re here” you say genuinely, scratching your bed head while walking toward him.

“Miss me?” You let out a tired noise as you wrap your arms around him,

“More than you know” you croak, resting your chin on his chest as you looked up at him, “Miss me?”

“Like crazy” he says swaying the both of you, his hands clasped together on your back, “ready to talk now?”

You grimace and suddenly the lines along the fabric of his shirt looked very interesting. Clearing his throat he teasingly raises an eyebrow, pointing a finger up to his eyes,

“My eyes are up here” he retorts making your snort and roll your eyes,

“Whatever” you scoff, pulling away with a smirk along your lips as you walk off to start brewing your morning coffee.

“No witty remark?” He acknowledges, his once cheesy proud smile now a frown as his eyebrows crease in concern,

“Buffering”

“Still upset?” he watches your shoulders lift and drop as you sigh and glance back at him,

“I just want to forget yesterday” you mutter. Looking over you notice Leon leaning against the counter next to you to get in your vision,

“You don’t have to tough it out for me, you know” he says, his voice suddenly much softer, “I can take it”

You couldn’t deny that sweet and comforting softness in his voice. Much less the puppy-eyed look he was giving you.

“I know, I’ll tell you in a minute. Let me just get my dose of caffeine in” you assure,

“Yes ma’am” he replies, his tone much more satisfied and proud. Once you made yours and his cup of coffee, the two of you sat at your coffee table, the sun now hung high in the sky. You start from the morning to the night, explaining every infuriating detail about yesterday. But as you explained it to him you started to feel almost irrational for getting so upset over it all and chuckled afterward,

“This all must seem so small compared to what you have to deal with. I’m sorry” Squeezing your hand, he immediately shakes his head,

“Don’t be sorry. Just because I deal with extreme situations doesn’t make yours less important” he calmly explains, “I’m the one who’s sorry, I wish I could have gotten here sooner”

Intertwining your fingers, you shake your head, a content smile on your lips,

“Don’t be, you came just in time” returning your smile he squeezes your hand again,

“Better?”

“Better”

[ladythornofrivia]

lost lamb

Pair: Leon x Reader

Headcanons for Leon meeting Reader after the Re4 events.

Warning: spoilers from the game

A/N: I apologize for the lack of posting stuff here on the site. I have been studying for permit test. And I took the test yesterday, and I failed. I was 5 points off. I hope you enjoy.

(Please report if someone decides to steal/plagiarize my story. And notify me. Thank you.)

Lost Lamb:

• Leon Kennedy returned to a safe civilization after rescuing Ashley Graham from Lord Saddler and his countless parasitic followers, witnessing Luis’s demise, and the treasonous act from Krauser. Even escaping from the hands of terror, things hadn’t been the same. It hasn’t been since his cop days. Ashley’s father, the president, gave Leon gratitude by offering Leon to be as Ashley’s full-time bodyguard. And another condition for Leon to teach Ashley on self-defense, hence to why she wanted to become an agent like Leon. Leon might hesitate since he saw how Ashley has the full potential and ultimate capability on defending for herself.

•The president told him the request cannot be refused, worrying that Ashley, even though her capabilities on having self-defense, president is worried she might get kidnap again. He wished for Leon to become as Ashley’s bodyguard and mentor.

•The president told Leon Ashley will also have another bodyguard to keep her company, since two is better than one, and needed backup is a requirement, not that Leon is weak, but if something happen, a backup should suffice. Leon didn’t know who, expecting to be a typical tall and bulky bodyguard.

•When Leon and Ashley reunite, Ashley was ecstatic to work with him. And from there, Ashley introduced Leon to another bodyguard, you.

•When Leon saw you, he felt his heart stopped, as if he was bewitched by a spell, or being controlled by the Las Plagas, but isn’t, since Leon and Ashley are free from the Las Plagas.

•As Leon shook his hand with yours, you greeted him with a smile. Your smile is different. It was calm and sweet. Unlike Ada’s, when her smile was nothing but full of secrets and schemes, and unpredictability. She wasn’t easy to decipher, but yours was clear as day, no ill intentions.

•From then on, you and Leon guard Ashley Graham on the daily basis. Both morning and night, and between the hours in the afternoon, you and Leon both take a break.

•Spent a couple of minutes talking and making quips, Leon felt a bit of ease. There was no sign of virus or Las Plagas. He’s safe, that’s all that matters. When he’s with Ada, he was unsure and full-on guard. He wouldn’t make the same mistake that he did during the Racoon City. He didn’t want to be used by her again, or to be lured into a trap for her own secretive goals.

•But when he’s with you, he felt like a lost lamb. With knowledge and defense, the notion of coming back to the ordinary felt so lost to him. Like the lost lamb he is, he wanted to balance it between his time as an agent and as a man. With you, he felt slight vulnerability, but if he lets it down, it will be all over for him. All that he worked for as an agent, it would be for nothing.

•Ashley noticed this, and told Leon to pursue you for affection. And one day, Leon invited you to join him at dinner. And being a nervous wreck, you trying to appease it, being asked out by a man, you felt like a high school girl. Nonetheless, you gather yourself together and prepare yourself to look presentable.

•With you showing up, Leon took you out on a date, spending more time on a day off. The more he spends time with you, with the walls he built, it’s slowly becoming vulnerable, feeling as if it was about to break.

•On your way back to the apartment, you gave a him a goodnight, and as you unlocked the door, Leon gave you a goodnight kiss on the lips that it took more than a minute. His feelings had poured out.

•In the end, Leon carried you in his arms and locked the door, leading you into the bedroom for a long session of yearning passion.

[blackhairbiohazard]

You Know I’m No Good.

Paring: Ada Wong x Leon s Kennedy

words: 3.9k

warnings: 18+ This is smut !! (Blowjob, slight praise kink, slight mommy kink, chair sex, riding, mildly dubious consent)

summary: The sounds of fire and footsteps echoed throughout the halls of the castle. Leon observed the pegan architecture as he moved. He couldn’t believe that he let himself lose Ashley. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions but he knew there was no time to focus on any of that. Even if there was time, it’s not like he wanted to focus on it.. He noticed a door up ahead and began running toward it. He had no idea what would lie behind it… Will something or other, someone help Leon relieve his stress?

Or…

Ada fucks Leon in a chair to help him relieve stress.

notes: Hii ! This is my first fully fledged fan fiction that I have ever actually written and omgg it took me days. I’m going to try to post more on this account but it may be hard due to the upcoming school year. Feel free to give me constructive criticism in the comments ! Anything overly hateful will be deleted.

Anyway …. Thank you so much for reading !!

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Ada roamed the halls of the castle in pursuit of ingredients. Luis needed certain items in order to make a las plagas suppressant and she was the one who had to retrieve them. 

Despite the ingredients being her current main object at the moment, she had a personal goal of her own. She knew Leon was somewhere close by. Luis gave her all the information she needed and she was determined to find him. 

She hadn’t seen the boy in six years, ever since he was that young rookie cop. She beat herself up for not banging him the second she had the chance and was determined to make up for that deprivation of time. She hoped he was as inexperienced as he was before. She wanted to change his life.  

The thought of Leon being angry at her was something she knew would become a reality the moment they faced one another. She wanted to communicate with him as soon as possible but that proved to be rather difficult with her monster of a boss on her back. 

She let out a relieved sigh as she stood in front of the last ingredient. It was simply stashed away in a small wooden and glass enclosure. She opened it and kept the appropriate items before moving away. 

She stood in the middle of the room… Her ears perked up as she heard footsteps outside of the chamber she found herself in. She gently bit her lip and frantically looked around for an escape. She hoped the sound came from Leon but there was no way she could be sure till she seen for herself. She noticed a window and decided that would make for a perfect exit. 

Before she could even more her legs toward the opening she heard the sound of Leon’s communication equipment. The loud static noise told her all she needed to know. The corners of her lips couldn’t help but curve into a smirk. Now would be her chance to make up for Raccoon city. 

She walked toward the window quickly and quietly. Once there, she got up onto the sill and peered out. She noticed a room decently distanced from the current one. she chuckled as Leon’s footsteps grew closer to the entrance of the room. Right before he entered she shot her grapplinghook towards the nearby chamber and was swiftly dragged away. 

As Leon entered the space, it was now empty. Not a trace of Ada was left behind besides the sweet smell of her Miss Dior Perfume. 

—

Leon released a drawn out sigh as he wiped the sweat off his brow. He just solved the puzzle necessary to open the door ahead and decided maybe it was time to take a small break. 

He had been sent to Spain on a mission to retrieve the presidents daughter. He had never been on a mission to this caliber before… The former rookies life quickly skyrocketed after the incidents in Raccoon city, swiftly working up the ranks in government organizations, getting him to the position he was in at this moment. 

Anxiety flooded the mans senses. He had been uneasy since Ashley Graham had been taken from him by the cult. These overwhelming emotions clouding his judgement is what brought him to the decision to take a break. Typically, he’d proceed on no matter what. 

He stood in front of the now open passage way, hands rested on his hips. His heart rate was quite high despite the calm outlook he maintained. The only crack in his facade being his quickened breathing. 

As he stared into the corridor before him, attempting to pull himself together. He heard a ‘zippp’ sound coming from toward the window. A twinge of suspicion grew within him causing him to turn around with a brow raised. A confused expression covering his face. 

Despite the sound, he noticed nothing unusual. He noted the weird occurrence and turned back around. He still needed to calm his nerves a little more before proceeding. 

When he finally felt at ease enough to carry on, He took one step forward and stopped. A certain smell hit his nose. The smell had filled the room when he originally walked in. It was way too floral and sweet to belong to a place like this. Originally he just assumed it to be Ashley’s scent but the smell flooded back memories of a certain someone… ‘Ada Wong..’ he thought to himself. The thought of that woman brought those same feelings of dread and anxiety right back into his body but also struck new ones that made him feel even more uneasy. She made him anxious while simultaneously making his pants tight. 

He scoffed. ‘She’s not here… She can’t be here!’ He told himself over and over again. The seconds he stood in front of that short corridor felt like hours. He couldn’t believe this beautiful spy could strike such emotions within him. 

A sigh past his lips before spinning around on his heels to finally face whatever was causing that aroma. Before anything could even be registered in his mind, he came face to face with the end of Ada Wong’s pistol. He almost gasped from the shock. 

“Wouldn’t make me wanna use this, would you Handsome?” She asked cockily with a smile. Her head slightly tilted to the side. She was putting up a hostile front but in reality had no intention to hurt the boy in front of her. Her finger wasn’t even resting on the weapons trigger. The moment the words left her lips, his SG-09R hit the floor. 

After a brief moment of silence, Leon began to shake his head. “After six  years, that is one hell of a greeting.” He raised his arms in a fake sign as surrender. “Ada.” Her name rolled off his tongue as if it was profanity. 

He couldn’t deny the anger that was gnawing at him.  As much as he loved Ada and wanted to crawl back to her like a lost puppy, She left and there was no changing that. 

“You don’t seem surprised… Interesting.” She spoke, her head tilted slightly as she concentrated on pointing her weapon. A smug smirk now decorated her beautiful face. 

With those words, Leon’s anger finally boiled over. As his adrenaline and emotions amplified, he couldn’t take it anymore. Leon pushed her back causing the pair to spin around. Once back to their feet, He Swung his knife at her. She leaned back dodging it, the smug smirk still on her face. He gritted his teeth. Despite all sense of rationality he felt himself wanting to turn this fight into something more. Her expression drove him wild. How could she be smiling at a time like this and why did he want to crawl back to her?

He swung his knife once again. She dodged it, yet again. The two fought rhythmically and synchronized as if they weren’t even trying to hurt each other, which at heart they truly weren’t. He attempted to swing the knife at her once more but she caught his arm. She attempted to kicked him but he countered the attack by grabbing her high-heeled ankle. While he could, for the split-second he had.. he admired her legs.. Although this was a fight he couldn’t help his mind wondering elsewhere..

This little adrenaline filled battle between the two of them felt like it was lasting hours. The tension in the air simmered.. it was hard to decipher if said tension was sexual or aggression. Once he pushed her leg away from him, she spun around and attempted to aim her weapon at him once more. With a decent amount of force he pushed her against the wall. She let out a pained groan as she hit the wall. In a swift motion he grabbed her wrist with one hand and used the other to push his blade against her throat, pinning her against the wall. 

Ada let out a soft groan as the blade hit her flesh. Leon didn’t press hard enough to actually cut her but the feeling of cold, sharp metal against her skin was enough to make her uncomfortable. Her gaze lingered on the floor, not making eye contact with the man before her out of embarrassment. 

They both remained silent for a moment as they caught their breath. Ada had been quite winded after being slammed against the wall. She could feel her cheeks growing red and warm the longer they stood in this stance. She needed to find a way to take control. 

“Try using knives next time. Better for close encounters.” Leon spat, breaking their brief moment tranquility, if you could call it that. 

Ada rolled her eyes before finally turning to face him. The blush that once spread across her cheeks was now gone. “Not a bad move.” She wore a superior expression as she spoke. “Very smooth…” her voice always held a provocative undertone that he couldn’t ignore. 

“So who are you working for this time?” Leon asked as he looked her up and down searching for some sort of truth or crack in her cold demeanor. 

A chuckle past her lips. “Oh Leon,” she paused. “You know I don’t work and tell.” In spite of the grin on her face, she didn’t even want to think of the monster she was operating under. 

He scoffed and finally pulled away from her, stashing away his knife as he made some distance between them. “Why are you here, Ada?” 

“I know you’re stressed handsome” she stated as she stood against the wall she was once pinned to. Her tone was cocky yet seductive almost as if she was trying to coerce him into something. She gently rubbed her neck in the spot where the knife formally was. 

“What does that have to do with anything?” He asked not denying anything. The tone of voice she held made Him worry. It brought an entirely new meaning to the words she spoke. As much as he hated to admit it, this was making the anger he held for her be pushed aside. 

Ada pushed herself off the wall and began walking towards him. “Don’t you remember the promise I made to you back in Raccoon city?” Her heels clicked against the floor as she grew closer to him. The thought of what happened between them back then made Leon grow a bit red. 

“Ada I-…”

“Oh Leon.. Let me give you the greeting I never did back then.” 

The agents face immediately became red. Although he was no virgin in fact rather the opposite. He was quite the hopeless romantic. Nonetheless, Being in Ada Wong’s presence made him feel like a complete virgin all over again. She stood right in front of him, leaving little to no distance amongst the two. 

“The girl isn’t going anywhere, Leon. It’ll be okay.” She reassured before wrapping her arms around his waist. He couldn’t even manage to think of a response in the moment… Beyond his better judgment, he just blindly listened to her. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her parted lips. He’d be a fool to kiss her but he was falling into her trap hook line and sinker. 

She noticed his wondering eyes and chuckled. She knew it was only a matter of time before he finally gave in. She leaned in forward, her face drawing closer to his. Her lips hovered over his, she hesitated waiting for him to decide if he wanted this or not. 

Without a second guess, he took his opportunity. Leon cupped the back of her head, finally bringing their mouths together. The scenarios that he had been jerking off to for the past few years were finally becoming a reality! (Expect the mommy parts)

Leon’s mind went blank as their lips danced. He couldn’t even comprehend that this was real. He hated himself for how much of a puppy he became whenever she was around. Ada pulled his shirt up and over his head. “We’re doing this here?” He asked weakly as he looked down at her. Her small hands were now working away at his belt. 

“Yes, Here.” She reiterated sternly while looking up at him. As he looked down at her he couldn’t help but feel his pants getting tighter. The sight of Ada in this position was enough to make any man melt.

“If you say so-“ Thank god he didn’t utter the “yes ma’am” that was about to pass his lips. Ada pushed Leon into a nearby chair. He groaned when his back hit the cold wood although he was far too aroused to worry about the discomfort of the seat. The click of her heels as she walked towards him made the organ in his pants pulse. He was growing rather impatient. 

She slowly removed her dress while standing before him revealing her matching red lace bra and panties. The lingerie she wore left very little to the imagination, her pink nipples peeked behind the red translucent fabric. He watched her hungrily. He was practically drooling at the mouth just waiting to touch her yet he waited like a good boy. 

She got onto her knees in front of him. The bulge was practically begging to be touched. She bit her lip peering down at it, Her soft slender hands ran over the sensitive area. “Ada-“ He whined out looking down at her with big pleading eyes. He couldn’t handle much teasing, especially not from her. He’d cover the inside of his cargo pants in cum with any more of this. 

“Fine, You’ve Been a good Boy.” She stated finally giving in to his pleas, voice dripping with desire. The praise repeated over and over again in his head, how could such a petite woman make him feel so small with such simple words. Her hands rested on his waist, thumbs tucked into his waistband as an invitation to undressing him. Like an obedient little puppy he slightly lifted his hips making it easier to slide off his pants.

Ada smirked, scanning the boy in front of her, her eyes fixed on his now exposed erection. It twitched and leaked pre-cum, A bead seeping out of his tip. His pants hung around his calves. It was no surprise that Leon was big but she wasn’t expecting him to be that big. If she had to guess he was at least eight and a half inches. She bit her lip in awe and anticipation. Leon looked away in embarrassment. His ears were warm and red. She licked her palm. Using the saliva as lubricant, She gave his cock a tug. He responded with a whimper. “Stop teasing, Ada..” 

“You can take it, handsome” She leaned forward and placed a gentle lick on his tip before taking it into her mouth. An unexpected gasp passed his lips. His hips squirmed from the warm, wet feeling. This entire mission had stressed him out so much that he forgot how good things felt. Ada taking his length down her throat brought him back to reality more than any deep breathing techniques ever could. Secretly he was glad she found him and decided to have her way with him. 

The room filled with breathy moans and slight slurping sounds. She used one hand to stroke the shaft of his cock, with her mouth she continued to bob her head up and down taking more and more of his length into her throat until she was practically Deepthroating him. 

Leon wasn’t all that surprised at her skills. She was perfect in every other aspect, why wouldn’t she be in this one? His legs were beginning to shake from the overwhelming sensation. An urge to pull her hair plagued his mind even so he wouldn’t dare touch the woman’s hair. Part of it was not wanting to ruin her sheer perfection… the other part was not wanting her to stop or scold him. 

He threw his head back A loud moan filling the room, hips bucking from the pleasure. If she kept going for any longer he was going to cum. His hands rested on the sides of his thighs, tightly grabbing the white flesh. Bruises would probably cover the surface later on in the day. 

“A-Ada..” Thank god the words “mommy” didn’t slip out. “I-I’m gonna cum..” He spoke between groans barely even being able to speak at that. 

Nearly as soon as he spoke she pulled away from his sex wiping away the spit and precum with her forearm. “No way You’re getting away from me that easily, Leon.” She looked up at him with a glint in her eye akin to a predator eyeing down its prey. The way she eyed him only made his arousal grow. 

Leon closely watched her like a deer in headlights, wet cock in hand as she reached her hands back and unhooked the clasp. The red lace bra fell off of her chest and into her hands revealing her breasts. They were perfect. Her pretty pink nipples sat on the peak of her breast pointing slightly upward. He couldn’t pry his eyes away from her. 

“See something you like?” She asked in a preverse tone with a small chuckle as she stood up. “Yes Ma’am..” he uttered, not believing he actually said that aloud, while looking up at her with his mouth agape. The agent was still in such shock that this was all happening. 

Ada placed herself in his lap at a propped up position. Her breasts landed eye-level with him. Before any rational thinking could get to him, he leaned forward wrapping his lips around one of her lush nipples. The other hand occupied itself by playing with the other nipple, squeezing and rolling the sensitive bud. 

She gasped looking down at Leon and watching in astonishment. The feeling made her let out small moans. In spite of the pleasure, her hole was aching. She needed to feel him deep inside of her. 

As Leon continued sucking her breasts, occasionally alternating between the two, She began slowly moving her hips back and forth. The moist cloth on her sheer panties clung to her folds. He hummed against her breast, the feeling of her fabric covered clit against his erection was enough to make him climax. He was such a baby for her. 

Her hand rested on the back of his head tightly gripping his hair. Her moans were loud enough to spill into the hallway of the castle. She hoped nobody nearby could hear. As they continued in this position, Leon biting and sucking her tits like a needy child, Ada relentlessly rubbing her clit against his erection, her arousal grew more and more. The desire to feel him was taking over her senses. 

Leon pulled away from her tits with a deep breath. Any more of this and the pair would both explode. “I can’t take any more of this..” he muttered between breaths. As much as the desire to be a good boy riddled his mind, he needed to be inside of her. 

Without a thought he grabbed her hips, stopping her movement. In a swift motion he pulled the fabric of her panties to the side and pushed his length deep into her hole, hands resting on her curves gently pushing her down, his hips slightly raised.  The pair both let out a loud moan. 

“Such a needy boy.” She stated between breaths while moving her hands to rest on his chest as she adjusted to his size. “I’ll give you what you want, Handsome.” With that, she slowly lifted up and sat back down. His shaft sinking into her.  He stifled a moan. 

Ada continued rising and sinking down onto his cock, moving faster and faster with each passing. Leon’s noises increased in volume as she did in speed. His hands remained tightly gripped onto her hips, she’d have trouble explaining those marks to her boss later. She moved her hands to gently rest atop of his, almost as if she was guiding him. 

Her pace eventually sped up to a quite unforgiving one. She could practically feel him brushing against her cervix. His legs shook, eyes tightly shut. The sounds of his moans and pleas were the sound of accomplishment to her. She loved making men melt in her hands, turning out vanilla men was a sport for her. It was a plus that he was already such a puppy for her. 

The pair were both a groaning mess. The pressure against her cervix was bringing her closer and closer to climax with each stroke. She wouldn’t be lasting much longer. 

She fluttered her walls against him. They were both close. As the speed grew a little faster, they were both pushed over the edge. 

Ada’s walls tightened against his cock as she reached her climax. Her head flew back and one of her hands found itself intertwined with the boy’s hair. She cried out, using a hand to cover her mouth and muffle her moans. 

As she began slowly coming down from her orgasm, she felt Leon fill her with cum. She tightened around him one more time, wanting to completely drain him. Throughout the entire orgasm, and sex, he was a complete whiny mess. 

“Thats my good boy.” She lifted up her hips and used her hand to pull him out of her before collapsing on top of him, lying against his chest. Blush now lightly covered his cheeks from the praise. His head still leaned back, eyes closed. 

After a moment of the two of them just sitting there, catching their breath. Ada finally dismounted him, getting up from his lap. She adjusted the panties that were previously pushed to the side then walked over to where her clothes lied on the floor, picking them up to put them back on. 

With a heavy sigh, Leon got up from the chair he was previously fucked on. He was absolutely more level-headed now compared to how he felt when he originally entered the room although he felt himself being a bit sorrowful that it was over. He pulled up and adjusted the boxers and pants he formerly wore as if nothing happened. 

“We best get moving, Leon.” She stated while adjusting the straps of her dressed, now back fully dressed. 

“Yeah..” sigh “I know..” He put his shirt and the rest of his gear back on.  “That was a greeting worth waiting for..” he muttered with a small smile while looking over at her. 

She smiled and walked back toward him, Her legs were a bit wobbly. Maybe heels weren’t the best idea. She placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “Keep being good for me and there’s more where that came from.” The wink she gave him sent a shiver down his spine. If she kept talking like this he’d get hard all over again… 

Before he could wrap his arms around her she turned and walked towards the window. “I believe this is where we go our separate ways, handsome.” 

A pain struck in his heart. “Yeah.. I know..” 

“You’ll see me again.” She reassured stepping up onto the sill. She could feel a little discomfort rising in her core, she definitely should’ve worn different shoes. 

“i hope so..” he muttered as she aimed her grappling hook towards something nearby, he couldn’t tell what, and zipped away. 

He stared out the window for a moment lingering on her presence, trying to process all of what just happened. 

He shook his head and proceeded forward on the original path. He’d just have to jerk off to this whole experience in the shower later. 

[sillylittlegay]

Resident Evil – Oneshot [Luis Serra Navarro X GN!Reader]

Pronouns used for Reader; They/Them [2nd Person view]

Warnings; None (I think, it's just pure fluff with some sexual undertones at points)

Summary; The Reader was trying their best to just get through their and Leon's mission to save Ashley Graham, yet a certain former Umbrella researcher tries his best to get their mind off of everything happening.

Authors Notes; Luis Serra, the guy I thought would just be a side character yet I absolutely fell for him after seeing the chained up scene in its full glory.

This was partly inspired by this imagine! (It's great, read it, it's adorable.) There needs to be more Luis Serra stuff out there, he's such a sweet and interesting guy everyone pls

As always I apologize for any mistakes! I cannot speak even a tiny bit of Spanish so Google translate and other stories are my best friend for this one, do tell me if there's anything entirely wrong!

Nothing could prepare anyone for the horrors Leon and his partner had encountered in this Village. Being together definitely made things easier, but having to split everything they found was a pain. All that together with the fact that they had gotten separated so early on made you nearly call Hunnigan and tell her to leave Baby eagle to die. But you didn't. You knew you'd get through this, one way or another. All you had to do was find Leon, get Ashley and then get as far away from this place as possible.

Finding your partner however deemed as harder than you had initially thought. While you had been knocked out and chained up somewhere alone, Leon was nowhere to be seen and getting out of that hellhole was hard enough. Worse was that all your stuff was missing and once you did find it after escaping death multiple times, you had to find out that your gun was totally and absolutely broken. »Fuck this shit, I fucking hate this, I want to go back fucking home.« You cursed to yourself, hoping you'd get to Leon while only having your knife as usable weapon. You didn't even notice the Spaniard behind you, who deeply wondered how he ended up finding two Americans in one day.

»You good?« Luis asked, lifting his hands into the air when you turned around and pointed your knife at him. »Don't come closer or I'll stab you.« you slightly waved your weapon around, anxiety rising in your chest as you saw the stranger chuckle. »Hey, you know that Leon guy?« Luis asked, taking a cautious step towards the other. »I know where he is if you're searching for him.« He then added. You cursed under your breath, beginning to question just how much you could trust this random guy. »Well then, tell me where he is.« You demanded. Luis laughed softly in response. »I'm Luis, by the way, and the last time I saw your pal he was tied up with me in the old factory.« He grinned at the shorter once he realised that nothing he had just said had made sense to you. You didn't know of any old factory, nor how to get through this godforsaken village without getting murdered or heavily injured by the downright crazy Townsfolk. Not that you'd tell him that though. »I could bring you there–« Luis started, interrupted by you heavily sighing. »Absolutely no way, Luis. God knows what you're up to.« You stated, already stashing all your things away in the various pockets of your vest and hip bags. »What I'm up to? I'm no villain, mi amor.« Luis huffed, intently watching every little of your movement. »You know, I may suck at Spanish but if you ever call me that again I'm putting a bullet through your head.« You scoffed, only slightly taken aback by the strangers words. You had figured he'd be on the weirder side the moment you laid eyes on him – simply by the fact that he seemed to not be freaked out by the shit going on in this village. You didn't even notice Luis mocking "with which gun" as you already walked away from the stranger, determined to somehow find your way.

A few hours later the two of you sat in a somewhat safe house. You had taken a break from searching Leon and Luis had followed you around like a lost puppy, mostly because you didn't let him tell you where to go but he just wouldn't leave you alone either. You didn't fully mind though, the Spaniard had proven quite helpful when it came to taking out the freakish townsfolk. You were almost glad he had a gun and knew how to use it, if it wasn't for Luis' snarky remarks about how he was probably better at shooting than you were. It made your blood boil, really. But you didn't dare say anything, too scared that he might leave you to rot with only your knife to defend yourself. »You know, mi compadre, I have a good feeling about this house. We'll probably find Leon swiftly after this break.« The dark haired hummed, casually playing with his lighter. »Hope so.« You answered, absentmindedly watching the way his fingers danced around and led the small silver thing over his knuckles. It was almost captivating to watch. It was only once you heard the screams of townsfolk outside that both of you shot up, running towards the old door and immediately seeing Leon and Ashley running towards you.

Seconds later both were safely inside, though you were worried about the masses of people outside. »We must've killed hundred or something by now how the fuck are there still this many?« You grunted, already taking safety precautions and barricading the windows. »How should I know?« Leon huffed back while taking anything he found useful. »Where's your gun.« He then wondered, sounding more mad that you didn't have it on you than worried. »Got busted when they got our asses.« You answered, showing him your knife. »Only thing that kept me alive.« You added, swinging it around a bit. Luis was heard mumbling something about you being ungrateful. »Shit. You go get Ashley safe, the idiot and I are gonna handle this one. We'll get you a new gun later.« The dirty blonde Agent nodded at you, signing you to get away as fast as possible. Luis now proved useful once again, silently showing a quick way out of the cabin the four of you were trapped in, giving a quick and rather safe way outside. Together with Ashley you crawled through, praying to whatever god that was willing to listen to keep them safe.

It seemed like your prayers had been hurt, both Leon and Luis made it out safe, not a scratch on either one. You were more than glad. If one of them had gotten hurt – you're sure you wouldn't have forgiven yourself. Leon led the lot of you to a... rather shady looking merchant.. but you forgot that once you saw all the wares he sold. It almost felt like you were in heaven, surrounded by the most wonderful weapons you have ever seen. In the end though it was Leon who picked out a gun for you, as he was getting fed up with your thousands of questions on which one was shooting the fastest, reloaded the fastest and so on. The new gun now comfortably hanging in your holster, you were almost satisfied with whatever was going on. Almost – if it wasn't for a really talkative and flirty Spaniard. Luis seemed to never really stop talking, about the weather, how the gun fitted perfectly into your holster, what else would perfectly fit into your holster - the list was endless and you tried your best to ignore it. If he was only talking nonsense, you could easily do that too, but with the way he brought simple pet names and light touches into the mix you were inevitably getting more and more distracted. You had guessed someone would notice, given the fact your shooting got sloppy and you let get the townsfolk get way too close to you – luckily Luis was a knight in shining armour and helped you out, not without snarky remarks of course. »Ay, gotta be more careful, wouldn't want you to get hurt, corazon!« A crooked grin hung on the Spaniards lips. You cursed under your breath and tried your best to focus on the enemies and not Luis' pretty eyes.

Unsurprisingly, Luis had left your small group after a short while, going on his was to find some weird medical stuff for Ashley – you had been too busy staring at his lips to properly listen to whatever he had been saying. It probably hadn't been interesting for the mission anyway, you were sure. »Got something on your mind, Agent?« Leon mocked, lightly nudging your shoulder. You scoffed. »Fuck off Kennedy.«, the dirty blonde was shoved away quickly and you tried your best to keep your face from heating up. It was undeniable that Luis had an effect on you. A big one at that. Yet, for some reason, you had hoped Leon wouldn't notice – it was embarrassing enough to know it yourself. Leon chuckled at your reaction. For the short time he had known you, he already had you all figured out. Little did he know this little thing you had going on with the Spaniard was soon going to bring him to his last string of patience.

It started with the calls. Constant calling, bickering about how Luis missed you and endless teasing with non child friendly undertones. Leon could hear everything. Every giggle of yours, every single word of the Spaniard. He wished he could rip off his ears just to make it stop. It was almost hurting him that's how sugar coated the flirting of you two was. By now Leon had understood that some of your conversations with Luis would follow him into his nightmares and he tried his best to not rip the communication device from you and angrily stomp on it like a little kid that didn't get what it wanted. He composed himself. Until the two of you met Luis again, Ashley having been kidnapped yet again and you constantly giggling at Luis' words – the dirty blonde just couldn't do it. »Oh for fucks sake will you two just fuck already. It's awful hearing the two of you act like drunk teenagers.« He scoffed, leaving you and Luis rather puzzled – and embarrassed.

Luis and you stood like that for a good minute, your face red while he started laughing like a maniac. »Guess our friend isn't too fond of us, no?« The Spaniard laughed, a soft expression in his eyes as he looked at you. »His... Advice... wouldn't be the worst one, eh?« the dark haired added, evidently teasing you as you gasped and hid your reddening face in your hands. You were used to Luis' flirting, used to him being a menace, but Leon saying that wasn't something you needed today. »Settle for a nice dinner after we get out of here, Luis.« You answered through gritted teeth, embarrassment obvious in your voice as you went to catch up to Leon.

What you didn't see was the wide, goofy smile on the Spaniards face at your words. Oh just how determined he was to treat you to the best dinner you had ever had, just to see you smile and giggle.

[ashrillvenheim]

Awakening Past

Chapter 6

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QUICK NOTE: THANKS YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!

pairing: Ashley Graham x Leon S Kennedy.

Content: (+18) romance, angst, gore, erotic/suggestive themes at some point , slow burn, violence, action.

If you're a MINOR or feel unconfortable with any of this genres or ship, please DON'T keep reading, thank you.

Word count: to much to count (minimum of 2k-3k) :3

Archive of our own

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Awakening Past Masterlist

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Silence reigned between the two. Only the creaking of the rails echoed against the stone walls, Ashley with her eyes glued to the floor, unable to look Leon in the eye. The agent watched her, now catching his breath from the escape. He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a small clear vial. He sighed heavily and picked up two pills holding one out to Ashley. She cringed at the sight of Leon approaching, but her orbs turned to the gloved hand.

“What's that?” she muttered in a whisper.

“A drug that slows the growth of the plaga.”

She seemed reluctant to take it.

“Is it safe? Where did you get it?”

Leon took a few seconds to answer.

“Luis gave it to me.”

Ashley's heart shrank at the mention of the man and her fingers took the pill between them. She looked at the capsules for a few moments before she heard a metallic sound. She looked at Leon and saw him swallow the pill without hesitation. Ashley exclaimed, rising to him, but he had already swallowed it. Leon stared at her and saw the anguish on her face.

“You don't know if it's safe.” she said almost with tears in her eyes.

“Luis gave his life for them, I will trust his judgment.”

Ashley was silent, unable to formulate a response. She could only look at the capsule in her hand and then at Leon. The agent held out the canteen and with one hand, now more determined, she drank. The man's blue eyes followed the drops of water that slid down the corner of Ashley's lips as she swallowed anxiously and when she broke away from the bottle the liquid slid down her neck to her blouse. She handed it back to him then sat back down in front of him. The woman resumed her activity of looking at the floor. 

He didn't know if it was out of embarrassment or something else. He was trying to understand her, he wanted to support her as much as he could, after all, they only had each other in that nightmare.

Then he saw it. Tears were sliding silently down the girl's cheeks to the floor. Leon was alarmed.

“Hey, hey, hey, what's wrong?”

Ashley's shoulders shrugged and she gathered her legs together trying to contain her unresponsive tremors. Leon became concerned and got up to kneel in front of her. Ashley tried to look away, but a broad hand stopped her. The agent's fingers slid to her chin to make her raise her head toward him.

“Ashley, look at me.” she subtly denied, causing Leon to wrap his palm around her face. “Princess, look at me, please.”

His voice was a caress, pleading, but firm. She couldn't help herself and raised her gold eyes to meet him. He watched the tears fall down her reddened cheeks and Leon gently ran his thumbs over them drying them.

Her body began to tremble as she finally let out a sob.

“Everyone... those who have helped me or come for me are dead, Leon.” she paused, looking at him in grief. “ The policemen who came with you, the first helicopter driver and now Luis. They all die around me.”

Those words resonated in him, so much, that he remembered the moment he said them himself. The feeling of helplessness was so strong, that even he thought he was cursed.

A feeling he has been living with since his childhood.

“You don't know how it feels…”

“I know very well.”

Ashley was startled by his firm, sweet, yet fierce voice. She looked at him in confusion.

“I know very well what it's like to feel like you're bad luck personified, believe me, I've experienced it firsthand.”

The intensity with which he watched her was enough to silence her. Those blue eyes made her understand that she was not alone no matter how guilty she felt.

“Besides”  the faint smile on the man's lips made her look at his mouth unconsciously. “I'm here, aren't I? Maybe our bad luck will cancel each other out.”

It was illogical, but she wanted to believe his words. She couldn't help but sketch the same gesture as the agent, calming Leon's concern.

“Good girl, I still need you to throw you over the doors.” He paused, during which Ashley hit his chest and gave a chuckle. “When we get back we'll make a brindi for them, for Luis, okay?

Ashley nodded wordlessly. Leon got up and sat next to her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She had gone limp, so she dropped her temple against his broad chest.

“How are you so sure we're going out?”

A smirk tugged at her lips.

“Well, let's just say I'm good at surviving impossible situations.”

He just hoped that luck wouldn't turn against him and leave him alone again.

***

He heard footsteps walking from side to side, barely a whisper that anyone else could not perceive. It had been dawn for a while, but he didn't feel like getting out of bed. He didn't know how long he had been between the sheets. Thank goodness Ashley didn't have to go to college that week. He needed to catch up on sleep, and as long as he could, that would be his task. The sun was already creeping brightly through the nooks and crannies of the curtains, announcing the morning's activities. Maybe he would ask Ashley if she fancied a walk, he could use a breath of fresh air. With a grunt he glanced at the time. 

9:00. 

He decided it was time to get up and get dressed to start the day. He left the room stretching his arms and heading for the kitchen, when he heard a voice speak through the walls.

“Where did you leave the harness?”

He sensed a soft bark from one of the dogs and raised an eyebrow, was she going out? He took a quick drink of water as he heard footsteps approaching the exit and without remembering to put on a T-shirt, he turned the doorknob. 

Surprised eyes looked at him puzzled. The woman was closing the door to her house with the two dogs sitting beside her. Leon looked at the three of them.

“Going somewhere?” Leon's deep husky voice made her tingle.

“I was going for a run, I didn't know if you were awake.”

“You can knock on the door.” He crossed his arms with a smirk, leaning against the doorframe.

Ashley looked at him, then at the keys half-turned in its lock and back at Leon.

“Well, you didn't even give me time to lock the door.”  Ashley laughed, finishing her action. “You have very fine hearing, I tried not to make any noise.”

“Yeah..." he paused and then changed the subject. “I'm coming with you.”

Ashley laughed, pointing him up and down.

“You'd be a sight for sore eyes, but I don't know if it's the best option to go out.”

Leon didn't seem to understand and looked down, swallowing for a second in embarrassment, but he couldn't help but smile.

" Do I make you uncomfortable?"

Oh, she’d forgotten what a tease he could be. Ashley smiled. But she had learned a lot and was no longer ashamed to say things as she used to. Determined, she took a step toward Leon and tapped him on the chest with the back of her hand. The agent's heart skipped a beat.

“As much as I'd like to show off my bodyguard, I'd want to avoid car accidents due to distractions.”

Leon let out a chuckle and separated from the door frame.

“Okay, give me a second.”

She nodded and waited with the dogs on the stairs, looking at the cell phone.

Maybe she would take him to that place. She hadn't visited since January and was sure Leon would want to see it, but she'd tell him later. 

She took a deep breath, letting out a sigh. She would have to get used to Leon's smell in the building. She glanced toward his door for a few seconds. 

She was still processing that he was there, again, on an escort mission. She couldn't help but relive that moment when she caught his scent above the solvent for an instant. A second when her heart bounced like a hammer in her chest thinking it was an illusion, a longing in her brain to see him again and know he was okay.

But then he called out to her and she knew that hadn't been her imagination. 

Her heart raced at the memories and she took a calming breath to try to slow her violent heartbeat.

Leon returned to the door in a tracksuit and adjusted the gun on his lower back.

Ashley adjusted the harnesses on the dogs and strapped them to her belt and then headed downstairs. They took off running towards the fields and farms where there were fewer cars.

They picked up an even pace and it didn't take long for them to settle into each other. Leon was surprised by the woman's stamina, remembering how she had trouble keeping up with him in Spain and now mimicked his stride effortlessly.

He heard a chuckle that caught the blue-eyed man's attention.

“Is something wrong?”

“Honestly, in quarantine I never would have imagined I could keep up with you.”

Leon smiled.

“And here you are.”

“Yes, here I am.”

The two smiled silently and continued on their way, but there was something still gnawing at Leon from the day before. He glanced sideways at Ashley, her hair pulled back in a small half-ponytail. He had to know, he had to know what kind of trouble he might face in college.

“Hey Ashley” he began cautiously “Yesterday you told me about your situation on campus. I know you're not too keen to tell me about it, but I'd like to know what complications I might run into so I can avoid them.”

Ashley turned to look at him.

“What do you want to know?”

“What happened when you came here?”

She slowed down, pacing and letting the dogs rest.

“As I told you, nothing that caught me by surprise.”

Leon frowned.

“Were you assaulted?”

She denied.

“They just accused me of having sex with the teachers.”

Leon turned white.

“ What?”

“Let's just say that being the daughter of the current president gets you enough attention, but to come to another university and get a course ahead, well, that puts a target on your back.”

“How did you manage to do that?”

“I couldn't come with Professor Narsson to intern in the year I was in, so I made a bet with the principal.”

Each answer was throwing him off more than the last.

“You gambled with the principal?”

Ashley smiled sheepishly.

“Let's just say my motivation got the best of me.”

Leon was afraid to ask.

“And what did you bet?”

“If I won, the internship and the extra year, if I lost, expulsion.”

The agent couldn't believe her words. If she had lost the bet, it would have been her ruin. An academic record for expulsion was bad enough, but for the president's daughter... it could have conditioned her entire future and public image.

“Are you insane?”

“Yes, I know, but I guess I was sure I could do it.”

“But it's a lot of hours of study.” Leon replied worriedly.

“Hours I had, fortunately.” She noticed the man's expression and sighed, "When we got back I barely slept, and when I went to Boston I started to suffer from insomnia, so I used those hours to study.”

Leon frowned.

“You know that's dangerous.”

“I know, but it was either that or fight the hallucinations I had from the sleeping medications.”

Leon stopped in his tracks causing the dogs to turn to look at him. Ashley watched him, mindful of her words.

“You never told me that.”

She turned to him.

“It was my battle Leon, my monsters. Just like you have yours and you never told me either, but I know, because, otherwise, you wouldn't sleep with a knife in your hand under your pillow.”

He tensed at her statements. Harsh words he didn't think he'd ever hear, least of all from Ashley's mouth.

But then...why didn't it sound like a reproach? Why did it seem like she didn't hold it against him? He felt more like she understood, that she shared it. They were on the same page.

The agent wanted to say something, but he had never been a man to express his emotions, let alone vulnerable ones, but Ashley...she was able to sense those weaknesses without him having to tell her. It was helpful when he didn't want to be the one to put his fears into words himself, but the problem was when he didn't want to say it and she was still able to sense them.

Just like in Spain.

Ashley watched the man silently and gave a faint comforting smile.

“Come” she then said, getting Leon's attention “I want to show you a place.”

He saw her turn and start running again. This time he followed her without being able to look her in the eye.

They crossed a stretch of road through a forest and came out into a clearing with houses scattered in the distance. Ashley kept jogging until she reached the wooden fence of one of the houses. She looked toward the house on the other side of the dense yard and let the dogs out. Mint and Pepper sat obediently and took in their mouths a coin that Ashley handed them each and then pointed in the direction of the house.

“Henriette.” she told them. The canines' ears perked up and they wagged their tails euphorically across the gate. Leon didn't understand anything and saw Ashley gesture for him to come closer. They both watched the two furry siblings approach a woman on the porch. She was surprised to see the dogs and looked up to meet Ashley in the distance, who waved at her. She smiled and petted them and gave them each a treat and then two roses.

The dogs wagged their tails and happily walked back to their owner, who waved one last time to the woman and took the flowers.

She handed one to Leon, who looked at it blankly.

“That girl is Henriette, she has trouble communicating and socializing with people, but she gets along very well with the animals so these two act as messengers.” She gave them another treat and told the three to follow her. Pepper touched Leon's hand with her nose and looked at him to walk with him. The agent walked with them into the forest, where the sun's rays made spots on the dirt road.

“Where are we going?” the man wanted to know.

“Now you'll see.” she smiled enigmatically.

They walked a few more seconds until they reached a shy clearing between trees. Two rocks rested behind a small stream, where tiny frogs and dragonflies flitted back and forth. Ashley walked over to the rocks and laid her flower on top. Leon followed her with his eyes and his breath was suddenly cut off. 

On the surface of the stone, engraved with a chisel, was the name “Luis Sera”. 

He turned to look at the woman, stunned, as she stared at the carved name.

“No one besides us knows what he did in Spain and I wanted to make a memorial for him.” She paused, asking him to sit next to her on a log. “When you came for me at the castle, Luis had already arrived. He tried to get me out of the trap, but he had no bullets or anything to break the hinges with. He told me he would get me out of there and take me with you. He told me there was a place where he could get the plaga out of us and he left to find a way to free me, then....”

“Then I came along and Saddler killed him.”

They both looked at the ground, remembering those horrifying moments when they felt parasites coursing through their guts and adrenaline kept them alive. That little hug that helped Leon not to break after seeing Luis' death and that Ashley needed to not fall apart when she saw him inert on the ground. They still remembered how they knelt beside him and mourned his loss. They knew nothing of him, but what they could tell was that even having gotten rid of his plaga, he stayed there to try to save them, to try to get Ashley out as soon as she was kidnapped.

Only to die trying.

But if it wasn't for him, they both would have died or succumbed to the plaga.

Leon turned the bracelet on his wrist unconsciously and Ashley saw it. She couldn't help but smile at the gesture and felt an impulse to reach her hand to his, to support him, to let him know she was there.

Her heart raced. Maybe it wasn't the best idea, Leon might not be amused that she was so close to him, but... when it came to him it was hard not to get carried away.

She took a deep breath and reached out her fingers to gently brush the back of the agent's broad hand, causing him to turn his gaze back to her.

“Just as you told me, memories don't go away and it's good that they don't, because we learn from them and remember the ones that were important. They don't go away, but they get better.”

Leon sank into those golden eyes for long seconds and then turned back to the stones. He silently stood up and placed his flower on the rough surface and then rested his hand on it.

“To say I'm better with women, it didn't take long to make you a monument.” A smile tugged at his lips as he remembered the teasing Spaniard and added in an inaudible whisper “thank you for taking care of her when I was gone.”

Ashley saw him whisper something, but couldn't make out his words. She perceived the smile on Leon's face and couldn't help but make the same gesture. The blue-eyed man took a few seconds and then returned to her side.

“Shall we go back?” the woman said.

Leon watched her, so dazzling and full of energy, a side of her he never knew if he would ever see. He nodded and they resumed their walk home.

“A race!”

Leon was slow to react and by the time he realized it Ashley was 20 yards ahead of him. He called out to her, laughing and straining every muscle to catch up.

“Did they teach you to cheat too?!” exclaimed the man, seeing that it was harder than he thought to reach her.

He only perceived the most joyous and free laughter he had ever heard.

They skidded around the corner of the street towards her house and Leon cut through the inside of the railing nimbly leaping over it and reaching for Ashley's arm, but she dodged him with a great laugh.

“You cheated too!” she stopped running with bated breath. The agent laughed, rapping his knuckles on her shoulder. They both let out guffaws as the dogs barked around them. 

Leon took a deep breath. It might not be a bad thing to get away from the missions a little, have a more normal life, laugh a little more. He glanced at Ashley who was wiping sweat from her neck when he noticed the blue eyes on her.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, it's just that you've changed.”

Ashley's cheeks flushed subtly.

“Hopefully for the better.”

Leon rolled his eyes.

“If it means disrespecting me when I'm older than you thenI don’tthink soo.”

Ashley gave him an indignant look.

“And for a bodyguard, you're not very polite.”

They reached the doorway and Leon jumped up the stairs to open the door gallantly “Forgive me princess, where are my manners?”

Ashley smiled mischievously, passing him.

“You left them in the waste chute.”

Leon was caught off guard by the statement and watched her walk in. One of the things that had struck him most was the ease with which she was able to joke about Spain. Yes, it was true that not everything was to be taken as a joke, but he never thought she would bring up such topics so lightly. Not after being on the verge of death.

He and Claire were capable of making jokes for the time that had passed already, even when they were trying to escape Raccoon City they tried to take some things with humor. But he didn't think Ashley would do the same. Those two and a half years had definitely done a lot on her. 

They went upstairs and she informed him that she would be spending the morning studying.

“Wait a minute.” She entered her house, leaving Leon on the threshold, waiting. He saw her return with a piece of paper and a key “this is a copy of my apartment and here is the address of the nearest supermarket.”

“Thank you.”

“And if you have a lot of shopping to do” she paused to go to the key box “you can take my car.”

Leon looked at her in surprise.

“You let me borrow your car so fast? You're relying on me a lot.”

The smile on the woman's lips didn't bode well.

“No, I'm just worried you'll get hurt from carrying too many bags.”

This time Leon was the indignant one.

“Wo, wo, princess, hold your horses, you're getting carried away.”

“Am I?” She feigned innocence.

A crooked smile formed at the corner of Leon's lip. She was making him rage, something hardly anyone managed to do apart from Patrick and Hunnigan. But there was something different, a tingle that ran through his entire body when she teased him. Seeing that mischievous smile on Ashley's lips made something visceral push him to want to squeeze her in his arms until she begged him to stop. He didn't want to hurt her,no way, but he wanted to enrage her, to poke her nerve points to see her reactions, to find her weak spots so that her face would flush red with embarrassment, so that her eyes would avoid him not knowing where to look. He wanted to know what expressions she could make if he annoyed her.

But he restrained those impulses and smiled mischievously.

“If you continue to disrespect me like that I will have to inform your father of your unprofessionalism.”

This time her expression was one of surprise and Leon savored the glory of seeing her stunned, not knowing what to say. He looked at her for a few seconds with a triumphant gesture to then see her smile differently, her cheeks faintly flushed. He braced himself for the answer.

He watched her approach him dangerously, with a predatory gleam in her eyes. Leon's body tensed unconsciously, but he maintained his composure. He wanted to appear impassive, but he couldn't help but feel a shiver as he watched her lips part to purr those words.

“Forgive my manners Mr. Kennedy, how can I make it up to you, Sir?”

He swallowed slowly, unable to take his eyes off those golden orbs. His heart pumped hard and he could sense Ashley's heart rate as well.

She was nervous, uneasy.

Behind that tantalizing expression he could sense her racing pulse.

Just like his own.

“A steak like the other night with your pleasant company is good enough for me, Miss Graham.”

The two stared at each other until she laughed, patting him on the arm.

“All right, but don't get used to it, I'll remind you that I feed two other mouths.”

“Where there's room for two there's room for three." he teased.

Ashley sighed in exasperation and said goodbye to go to her apartment. Leon watched her close the door and quickly turned on his heel. He closed behind him and took a deep breath.

"Get a grip, Kennedy."

Ashley closed the bathroom door, shed her clothes at full speed and stepped into the shower. She sank her face into her hands and inwardly screamed like a possessed woman. Of all the things she could have said to him that was the one that had come out of her mouth?

She wanted to die of embarrassment. She didn't lose her temper like that, she was always able to keep her composure, so why did she get upset so easily with Leon? when he teased her she wanted to answer him, to erase that crooked smile he always wore to tease her. She felt an impulse to answer him in the same way, to give him back that card of teasing flirt he always took. When he was the one doing the teasing she simply couldn't let it go, not when he looked at her with those lively blue eyes, not when he said those words to her with the voice of the devil.

She watched the drops fall into the shower pan. Her heart was still pounding with joy. 

Yes, it was happiness. After more than 2 years, only knowing he was still alive through her father, seeing him in person was something... unreal.

She knew it was unusual for her to be so sarcastic and teasing, or at least not in that way, but she had to admit that she had missed his cheeky banter. Ironically he was one of the few who made her forget that she was the president's daughter. It was the first one, when they lived that nightmare in which they were just two simple people desperate to escape. 

She smiled looking at the bracelet with the aquamarine stone on top of her clothes. She was happy and definitely needed a positive influence during the exams.

She took a deep breath.

She would enjoy it while she could, after all being her bodyguard would only be temporary.

***

He towel dried his hair and dressed in home clothes. He filled a glass of water and sat in the dining room in front of the laptop. He answered the incoming call and Hunnigan's face appeared on the screen.

“ I don't think you need me to tell you anything.” The woman's tone betrayed annoyance.

Leon sighed.

“ I'm sorry, I know I told you we'd talk yesterday, but I forgot.”

Ingrid stared at him for a few long seconds during which Leon felt his insides shrink.

“ I'll let it go this time, I guess you and Ashley had a lot to tell each other.”

Leon looked at her, stunned, his frown slightly frowning.

“ Did you know about it?”

She denied.

“ Unlike you, Patrick called me for an update.”

A faint smile tugged at the agent's lips as he leaned back in his seat.

“ I can see how quickly you replace me, I didn't know you were that type.”

Hunnigan rolled her eyes.

“ Really, sometimes I wonder how I put up with you.”

“ Me too.”

She sighed and decided to change the subject.

“ Well, what about Ashley?”

“ If you've talked to Patrick he'll have told you that she was involved in the incident at the University.”

“ Yes, although he told me that it seems she beat the crap out of one of them.

Leon arched his eyebrows.

“ She told me she took a punch from one, but not that she got into a fight.”

Hunnigan's chuckle was enough for him to know he was dead wrong.

“ Well, you need to see the security camera footage, because holy shit.”

Leon slowly leaned forward.

“Show me.”

Hunnigan typed quickly and opened a window on the side of the screen. Leon took a drink as he watched the scenes in the parking lot. 

He saw Ashley with her bodyguards beside the car a second before the explosion. What he didn't expect to see was her quick reaction to jump behind the car and then run off toward the source of the sound. A succession of cameras in which he saw her running like a greyhound through the halls of the campus, dodging and jumping over people with amazing skill.

She was approaching the workshop. He saw the agents catch up with her and one of them went in to stop a shot. He had a sense of dejavu as he watched him take the bullet with his body. 

The camera changed and he almost sputtered as he saw Ashley leap from the table onto the soldier to throw him to the ground with a knee strike. 

Her reactions, the speed with which she dodged the first bullet and lifted a solid wooden table to stop the gunfire. When had she ever gotten that much strength? He watched her demeanor, the way she waited behind the barricade for the gunfire to end and then charged to the man. Even the camera couldn't perceive the speed with which she cracked his knee and unhinged his jaw, the first blow and then tying him to the ground.

He hoped she would escape the confrontation, but saw another one attack her, the source of the bandages on Ashley's arms.

That asshole.

And the last thing he expected was to see her throw a chair at him and land three punches. Leon jumped to his feet when he saw the grenade that threw her across the workshop against the wall. 

Was it really Ashley? the same one who had ordered to hide in containers while he fought? What had happened to her these past two years?

His body moved on impulse and before he could process his actions he was turning his doorknob with the computer in his hand.

“ Leon wait!”

*

She heard the lock click open and Ashley lifted her head from the papers on the dining room table, only to cringe at that darkened look from Leon. A shiver ran down her spine.

That look was one he had very rarely shown her. 

Only when she'd done something stupid.

“ When were you planning to tell me?”

The words were grave, intimidating. Ashley looked at him blankly.

“ Tell you what?”

“ This.”

He put the laptop on the kitchen island and turned it toward her, showing a frozen image of the fight.

“ Oh.” was all she answered.

“ Oh? Is that all you're telling me?”

“ What do you expect me to tell you?”

“ What do I expe- The truth Ashley.”

“ I told you I was there and stopped them from taking my teacher, but James got hurt in the process.

“ And the part where you almost got shot to death? almost got your head cracked?or blown up with a grenade?

“I wasn't shot, my head wasn't smashed, and I wasn't blown up with a grenade. I'm in one piece.”

Leon squeezed the bridge of his nose.

“ You went after two armed soldiers with bare fists, are you insane?”

“ Says the guy who slashed giant parasites with a knife.”

The man gritted his teeth feeling the rage grow. Why did he feel that way?

“ You could have been killed!”

Ashley jumped to her feet.

“ And what did you want me to do?”

“ Run away!”

“ And watch them get taken away? Not if I can avoid it!”

They both looked at each other with tense bodies and frowns.

“ I don't want you to do anything crazy like that ever again.”

“ If I have to defend myself I'll do it, Leon.”

“ That's what I'm here for.”

“ To act as a shield?”

“ Exactly.”

Ashley's knuckles turned white.

“ I've managed just fine these last two years Leon, I don't need to go back and hide in holes.”

“ That doesn’t justify getting into fights where you're in danger.” he growled angrily.

“ If the lives of the people I care about are in danger, I'll put my head against the barrel of a gun if I have to.” Leon went to reply  “just like you did.”

Why didn't she understand how dangerous that assault had been? She could have been seriously injured. She could have been hurt badly and she was still telling him that?

They stared at each other and Leon was confused by her defiant expression. She was questioning his decisions to want to protect her and it was driving him crazy.

“ Let's relax a little.”

They both startled and turned back to the laptop where Hunnigan was staring at them in exasperation.

“ Sorry, I didn't know you were here .” Ashley apologized.

Leon looked away.

“ Where are your cups?”

She looked up at him in surprise at the sudden question, but didn't meet his eyes. She sighed.

“ Second cupboard from the left.”

Leon turned silently and as he filled himself with a glass of water Hunnigan continued talking.

“ How are you feeling? I haven't heard from you in a while.”

Ashley walked over to the screen and smiled.

“ Fine, just fine. I'm preparing for my final exams and final thesis.”

“ I'm so glad, I haven't heard from you since-” Ashley waved her hands in the air in alarm and Hunnigan quickly covered her mouth. “Since... you started presential classes in Boston.” the agent corrected. Ashley raised her eyes to Leon, who still had his back to her, refilling his glass for the second time. She sighed in relief.

“ Yeah, I had a lot of studying to do, I almost didn't even have time to talk to my dad.”

Leon turned and leaned back against the counter and drank, listening to them.

“ Yeah, I just found out about everything a little while ago, so I haven't been able to get in touch with you either. One of my informants was supposed to call me yesterday but forgot it.” she emphasized the last word.

They both heard Leon growl, who simply looked out the window.

“ And then she says she's not spiteful.” he mumbled in annoyance.

“ Don't listen to him, he's just rude.” Hunnigan joked, but then her tone became more serious “ but I do want to tell you to be cautious. Leon, Maria and Patrick are there for your safety, so be careful, okay?”

Ashley glanced at Ingrid and then at Leon, whom she noticed glancing sideways at her for a moment, before quickly looking away. She let out a long sigh.

“ Okay.”

Hunnigan smiled and nodded, satisfied.

“ Well, now that I'm informed I have paperwork to do, so I'll leave you for now.”

Ashley said goodbye and the woman's face disappeared.

A few long seconds of silence flooded the place and neither of them moved from the spot. Until she heard Leon sigh and walk over to the laptop.

“ I'll let you study in peace. “ He picked up the laptop and headed for the entrance. “Call me if you need anything.”

Ashley watched Leon's back open the door and step across the threshold.

“ Leon .”

The softness in her voice stopped him and he turned with his intense blue gaze.

“ Yes?”

She leaned against the counter with a soft sigh.

“ Yesterday I forgot to tell you that I have to go to Dr. Petrov's office this week.”

Leon arched his eyebrows.

“ To see Victor?”

“ I guess my father won't rest easy until someone from the DSO examines me.” she smiled softly, trying to ease the tension between them.

Leon looked slightly uncomfortable at the mention of the Doctor, but perhaps it had just been her imagination.

“ Okay.”

Ashley smiled a little shyly.

“ Thank you.”

Leon let out a sound of affirmation and walked back to his apartment in silence.

**

The rest of the morning was monotonous. Leon busied himself filling out reports and answering emails. He didn't have to go check on Ashley every 5 minutes, fortunately, he could hear her pacing around the house or reciting some study lines out loud. Other times he hated his hearing, especially when a group of kids decided to start screaming at the top of their lungs in the street.  At noon he let Ashley know he was going shopping and didn't need the car.

The rest of the afternoon... well, he just spent it thinking.

It was still hard to take in the recording. Maybe watching her fight like that conflicted with his memories. He was glad she had decided to train, but from there to facing two armed people? 

He closed his eyes remembering, searching his memory, that moment, that scream, frozen in his consciousness like cast iron.

***

His lungs burned.

His hands ached even though he had gloves protecting them.

A gasping voice sounded behind him, making him turn to look at her. The young blonde girl was shaking violently, still in shock from nearly being pulped at the hands of a giant drill. She stumbled and fell to her knees on the floor. The agent stopped abruptly and rushed to her side.

“You can do it Ashley.” he whispered holding her by the arms. He tried to help her up, but her hands closed violently on his forearm. Leon looked down at her and then realized how much she was shaking, how fast she was breathing and how barbarously she was sweating. She was clutching him in terror, staring blankly at a non-existent point.

He had to get her out of there and fast.

“ Ashley, Ash, Ash, look at me, Ash, wake up, please look at me.” he begged, clutching her in his arms. He cupped her face with one of his hands to make her look up. Her pupils covered almost all of her amber irises and her face was pale.

“ Princess, please listen to me, come to me, come on follow my voice, come back to me.”

Tears began to flow from the golden eyes like waterfalls and her lower lip parted.

“ Le...ee...eo..n…” she stammered his name in despair. Leon felt a lump in his throat and hugged her tightly feeling the heat of tears on his neck.

“ I'm here Ash, don't worry, I'm here.”

He was on the verge of breaking down. Seeing her like this was killing him, slowly tearing him apart.

She hadn't done anything. She was a simple college student. A 20-year-old girl who didn't deserve that hell. Just because she was the president's daughter she had become a target. Kidnapped, abused and tortured. Why her?

He saw terror in those golden eyes. The horror and uncertainty of not knowing if she would live another day. 

This was too much.

Even for him. 

It was one thing to have lived through a night in a city infested by undead and another thing entirely to be lost in a foreign country for over a week, chased by villagers infected by bloodthirsty parasites.

How could he not snap? He still wondered how he was able to keep going.

“ I'm sorry Leon, f-forgive me... give... give me a sec... forgive me, let me rest a mo-” she choked on her own sobs and cries.

He clutched her tighter.

Her. She was the reason he hadn't broken yet.

He needed her. Now more than ever.

“ Shh, easy, breathe, I'm with you.”  He soothed her gently, looking around, waiting for possible threats.

“ I'm sorry... I'm sorry... forgive me, please.”

Leon held back the lump in his throat. He gritted his teeth, praying, silently screaming, clutching her to him, desperate. He wanted to get her out of there, no matter what.

He held her by the waist to help her up, but she trembled and clung to him so she could walk. They managed to reach a large room with elaborate frescoes on the dome that covered it. Leon pulled out the gun as he held Ashley's waist with his other arm. He scanned the room and saw an exit on the other side. He walked with his nerves on edge and all his senses alert. He could hear the faint sound of the wind echoing in that direction. He accentuated his pressure on his companion's waist and headed for the exit.

“ Come on princess, help me.”  he whispered. Ashley took a breath trying to command her body to stop shaking. She managed to get a slightly steadier step and not have to lay herself so much in Leon. “That's my girl, you got this.”

As tired as she was she couldn't help but feel a tingling in her stomach and a quickening. His encouragement helped her breathe easier. They approached the threshold and Leon went to put the gun away so they could both pass when an iron gate rushed over them. They both took a step back and felt their hearts shrink as a metallic sound echoed behind them. Adrenaline soon coursed through their veins again and Leon turned around aiming for the armor and shielding Ashley with his body.

“ I'm going to get someone's attention.”  she whispered before separating from Leon. Two  armor monsters followed her, giving the agent more room to engage the others, but he shouldn't take long, she had no weapons to defend herself.

The two fought as best they could. Gunshots echoed in the room along with shrieks and screams. One of the armor fell and Leon engaged the other two while the third chased Graham.

He emptied the magazine and pulled out a grenade with his heart in his throat . He didn't have many left. He rolled between them, narrowly dodging their spears and dropped the bomb between them. The explosion rattled the room, but it was not enough to suppress the scream he heard.

A scream that was not a cry for help.

He turned violently and the world fell on top of him.

He saw the bloody axe sliding through the air and Ashley's body hurtling to the floor.

It was as if time stood still.

He saw her fall painfully slowly and the armor began to raise the axe again. His heart pounded in his chest in agony and he ran towards it with all his might. He charged the creature before it delivered the final strike and the weapon fell to the floor. The two rolled onto the tiles and Leon stood over the enemy. He drew the knife, plunging it into the side of the hull, hearing a screeching sound inside the metal. Tentacles emerged from where there should have been a face, flinging the hull away from them. Leon roared, drew his revolver and pressed it against the slimy skin before firing viciously.

Once, twice, three, four, five times he shot before it stopped moving. Blood splattered all over him and a scarlet glow flashed in his blue eyes for an instant.

But it disappeared when he heard screams of pain.

He ran like hell and hit the ground with his knees, throwing the gun aside. Ashley was crying in a pool of blood screaming his name in grief. Leon spun her around and felt his throat close up. 

The diagonal cut ran across her spine from her right shoulder to her lower back. Blood was pouring out non-stop and he didn't know if there was bone in the air or not.

NONONONONONONONONONONO

Please. 

Barely able to breathe he lifted her onto his back to get her off. He used the old fabrics from one of the curtains in the room to hold her against him so the blood wouldn't form a trail. He crossed the new corridor looking desperately somewhere. In one corner, hard to see, there was a small corridor. He trudged past it and kicked open the metal door.

He barricaded the entrance and knelt down leaving Ashley on the floor.

“ Forgive me.” he whispered to her as he slipped his hands under her blouse to remove it. He made Ashley kneel with her back to him as he removed her torn bra. The woman clung to the wooden beam, shaking and sobbing. 

Leon felt his throat constricting. He had to stitch that wound, otherwise she would bleed to death. He acted quickly and pulled out the disinfectant spray along with the tiny metal box with needles and suture thread. He took off his gloves and with a little water wiped his hands.

He leaned toward her, but paused for a second. He pulled out a cloth from a pocket and held it out to Ashley.

“ Put it in your mouth and don't bite your tongue.”

Blind with pain she slipped her hand into his, took what he gave her and clenched her teeth around the cloth.

“ Hold on, princess," he whispered, pouring the spray into the wound.

The handkerchief drowned out Ashley's scream of pain, who cried disconsolately at the burning feeling. Leon cleaned the wound as fast as he could with his heart in his throat. He swallowed hard as he pulled the skin closer and plunged the needle into the flesh.

Screams drowned out by the cloth enveloped the small room. Fortunately the thick stone walls would not let the sound through.

But Leon could hear them.

As he slid the thread from side to side feeling the flesh and warm blood slide through his fingers, Ashley's sobs of agony drowned him out.

Half naked, with her head sunk against the wall, she endured the pain and the urge to pass out. He had to hurry.

Ashley began to feel dizzy and her throat no longer had the strength to keep screaming. The cloth in her mouth, soaked with saliva and tears, she could barely feel it anymore. Her vision was blurred. The sides were darkening and Leon's voice was getting more and more distant, being overlapped by the rumbling of her violent heartbeat.

It burned, it burned... to a point where she could only feel fire running down her back. She kept sweating and each prick followed by the sensation of the thread sliding into her flesh was killing her.

“ There's not much left.” she heard the man's anguished voice behind her.

She found it hard to breathe. Her hands were getting weaker and everything was spinning.

He cut the end of the thread and wiped the reddened skin one last time. He took off the bandages and approached her.

“ Ashley," he called out to her without receiving an answer. “ Ashley, answer me.”  He got no sign, alarming him “ Ashley! Ei! Ashley!” he grabbed her small hands causing her body to fall against his. She stifled a moan of pain, but her cloudy, gray gaze met his, whispering to him.

“ I´m...d...di...zzy...

“ Shh...easy, I got you, stay still, I got this.” he carefully slid the bandages, covering the wound around her torso. Ashley's breathing was ragged and her body was shivering.

Now, with her trunk covered by the bandages, he turned her toward him and laid her on the side that caused her the least pain. Ashley was on the verge of unconsciousness. Leon took out the small metal bottle and held it to her pale lips.

“ Drink a bit, come on.”

She didn't react at first, but her eyes regained some color as the cold metal bit her mouth. The liquid slowly slid down her throat in small sips. Leon calmed down when he saw her react and decided to lie down in front of her. He used his arm to support Ashley's head and pulled back the clean piece of curtain so she wouldn't be so exposed to the cold.

“ Can you look at me?" the man mumbled, trying to keep her conscious. 

She blinked for a second and moved her eyes to look at him vaguely.

“ That's it, very good. “ He smiled at her, trying to cheer her up. “Are you comfortable, do you want more water?”

Ashley looked at him without being able to utter a word. She couldn't. Her throat was broken from screaming. With the last of her strength she dragged her free hand to rest on Leon's bicep, which was acting as a pillow, giving it a little tap with her index finger. The man watched the action and repeated the questions.

“Yes, give me one tap. No, two. Are you comfortable?” one touch “do you want more water?” two taps.

Leon sighed a little more relieved now. It seemed she hadn't lost as much blood. A great relief since he couldn't provide his. He stilled as he felt Ashley's fingertip glide over his skin forming letters.

" Sorry."

“ Why would you say that?”

" Weak."

Her eyes glazed over and silent tears slid down her cheeks.

“ Oh come on, it's okay, you're not weak Ashley. You've helped me so far, haven't you? You can get through places I can't, you find things I haven't seen, you help me at times when if I were alone I wouldn't be able to go ahead.” He paused, wiping away one of the tears, "We have to work together if we want to get out of here, okay?”

Ashley looked at him for a few long seconds and with a faint smile gave him a tap. He responded to her smile and brushed away the locks stuck to her face.

“ Rest, you need to get your strength back.”  He held out some water. “Drink some more, you've lost blood and you need to hydrate again.”

She seemed a little reluctant, but threw her head to one side and accepted the drink. Then she settled back on his arm and closed her eyes.

The agent watched her silently, making sure she was breathing normally. He brought his hand to the gun at his waist and placed it between them. It would be easier to shoot that way if someone came in, though he doubted they would find them that quickly. 

Leon sighed and tried to contact Hunnigan, but once again he heard only noise.

They were still alone.

[shelbyshoe]

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Resident Evil

RE Multi-Chapter₊˚⊹☆

~When the World Falls Apart (Aeon)

Leon S. Kennedy is the luckiest unlucky man Ada has ever met. Unlucky that he's gone missing, but lucky she's willing to go into a secret facility that the government refuses to touch in order to find him.

Now, she's wandering around a labyrinth with her voice stolen and a gun that doesn't belong to her. Leon's Red9 is the key to finding him and escaping this hellish prison.

Too bad that all Ada has to go on is his voice emanating from his weapon, and there's something he's not telling her.

Rated: E

Status: Complete

AO3

RE One-Shots ₊˚⊹☆

~Take a Walk With Me (Aeon)

Leon and Ada retire to a charming harbor town. He has a day off from his job at the docks and takes advantage of the time he has with Ada, far away from the rest of the world, where they can finally grow old together and live in peace.

Rated: M

Aeon Fluff Week 2024

AO3

~Friendly Skies (Aeon)

When Ada shows up unannounced on Leon's flight to DC after a job, he is surprised, to say the least. Especially since he's flying a private government jet on his way to the White House. It seems she's more interested in finishing where they left off than getting caught by the crew on board.

Rated: E

AO3

~Las Plagas (Aeon)

Searching for a way to remove her plaga, Ada stumbles upon an infected Leon. She finds as they step closer her fever does anything but temper, and the voices in her head remind her of her deepest desires.

Rated: E

AO3

RE Drabbles/Ficlettes₊˚⊹☆

~Please, Don't Go (Aeon)

The death of Ada Wong

~Thirst Trap (Aeon)

Ada finds Leon thirst traps on tiktok.

~I See You Everywhere (Aeon)

Leon is never surprised to see Ada when he sees her in everything.

~Draw Me Naked (Aeon)

Leon is in a college art class and Ada has volunteered to be the live drawing model.

~Selfish With You (Aeon)

Leon confronts Ada about her motivations for helping him without taking credit for it.

~Sweet Rivalry (Claireada)

Claire has to confront Ada, the leader of her rival girl gang.

~Stay With Me (Claireada)

Claire and Ada had a fight where Ada feels it's best to leave.

~Don't I Know You? (Aeon)

In a universe where Leon and Ada never went to RC. He feels like something is missing, that he was destined to meet her. And then he does.

~There Was Only One Coffin (Claireada)

Claire and Ada are vampires. There was only one bed- I mean, coffin.

~Toxic Work Environment (Aeon)

The one where Ada is a secret Britney Spears fan.

~Lucky (Aeon)

Aeon dancing in the kitchen together after mission.

~Gentle Gods (Aeon)

Hades!Ada x Persephone!Leon

~A Little Entertainment (Aeon) 🔞

Ada wants to have a little fun with Leon while he's at a meeting.

~A Tall Cup of Coffee (Carleon)

Domestic Carlos x Leon where they plan out their next date while Leon orders coffee.

~Doubt (Aeon)

Ada is being interrogated and will soon be killed if Leon doesn't get to them first.

~Sweet Indulgence (Claireada)

Ada spends a warm summer day with Claire. She realizes her home will always be with Claire.

~Agent Eagle (Ashley Graham)

Ashley works in FBI, specializing in cult activity, always proving herself as a reliable agent. She reminisces on what inspired her to pursue her dreams.

~Real People (Aeon)

Ada and Leon have a break between missions to drink and chat, taking comfort in each other.

~Raspberries (Leon Kennedy)

Leon finds himself at the bar attempting to recall a memory of his childhood. Helena finds him and reminds him of the good people in his life.

Fairy Tail

FT Drabbles/Ficlettes₊˚⊹☆

~Gray VS END (NaLu + Gruvia)

Gray vs Natsu END fight

Rated: T

Status: Complete

~Meeting the Goddess (NaLu)

Nalu as Hades and Persephone

Rated: G

Status: Complete

FT One Shots₊˚⊹☆

~The End (NaLu/ENDLu)

Natsu has defeated Zeref, but at the cost of his humanity. In this path in life, he has chosen the demon seed to defeat his greatest enemy and has taken Lucy with him.

Rated: T

Status: Complete

FFN

~The Beginning (NaLu)

Dragon slayers are shunned after the battle with Zeref. Natsu had chosen the dragon seed to defeat him, but at a price. Dragon transformations are more frequent, and one day they will be permanent. Each, in pairs, are out to find the cure along with Natsu and Lucy.

Rated: T

Status: Complete

FFN

~Divine Touch ( NaLu + Gruvia)

Lucy is a renowned artist for the nobility longing for a man, well a muse, that she can't stop painting. Natsu is a god of creativity who craves freedom from Lucy's studio. Their desire for each other mount, but they fear the one golden rule. With just one touch their contract is dissolved, destroying everything they've built and keeping them apart forever.

Rated: E

Status: Complete

FFN

AO3

~Garden and Lace (NaLu)

By the end of their mission, Levy is over Natsu and Lucy's arguing. She decides to take matters into her own hands. To finally have some peace and quiet, she traps them in her little glass bottle that houses her secret garden. With lots of time to kill, Natsu and Lucy must make up, but Lucy has other sensual plans of revenge.

Rated: E

Status: Complete

FFN

AO3

~Tell Her You Love Her (NaLu)

Every night Natsu wakes in a cold sweat. Clearly, the cough is waking him, not his dreams of her. It isn't the flowers that tumble from his lips that scare him. It's telling Lucy he loves her. (Hanahaki)

Rated: E

Status: Complete

FFN

AO3

~Looks Like Rent Is Due (NaLu)

Lucy is fired, again. Saving the day with psychic abilities isn't as rewarding as you think it is. Down on her luck, and with only half rent, she strikes a deal with her landlord's brother, a vampire named Natsu. Free rent for free blood. At least it's a trial run, and he's incredibly hot.

Rated: E

Status: Complete

FFN

AO3

~A Smutty ENDing

Lucy wakes up from the most thrilling wet dream she's ever had. In her delirium, she writes it down. But not in the book she thought. Natsu isn't going to be happy that she wrote smut in the book of E.N.D. Well, maybe he is.

Rated: E

Status: Complete

FFN

AO3

FT Multi-chapter₊˚⊹☆

~Drained (NaLu)

After Lucy and Natsu are poisoned by a mysterious wanted criminal, they begin to share strange and emotional dreams. As they find themselves drawn closer together by their intimate interactions while asleep, something dangerous is happening to their bodies while awake. To find a cure they must go on a treacherous journey to recapture the escaped criminal.

Rated: E

Status: Ongoing (Planning on remastering and adding final chapter plus epilogue.)

FFN

~Desire in Strawberries (NaLu)

Natsu and Lucy are swept away by a festival held by their wealthy client, Lady Nakahara. There is more than mystery and the scent of strawberries in the air as they find themselves intimately closer to one another. What they thought was a friendly feast turns into something more as the puzzling night goes on.

Rated: E

Status: Ongoing (Replotting)

FFN

~Fairies After Dark (NaLu)

Natsu, a Horde vampire, desires nothing more than to find his father and leave his brother behind. Lucy, an immortal Valkyrie, needs to get this Horde bounty off her head. Doesn't help the assassin after her is a gorgeous vampire with cherry pink hair.

Rated: E

Status: Ongoing (Priority Fic)

FFN

AO3

NaLu lovefest 2017₊˚⊹☆

~Day 1: Lust (Fruit and Fantasy)

Look but don't touch. Natsu and Lucy volunteered to help for the Fairy Tail fresh market. Keeping their hands to themselves, and fantasies at bay seem to be harder for them than they thought

Rated: E

Status: Complete

FFN

~Day 3: Hickey (Shiver)

Natsu and Lucy take a job that sends them on a hike into the mountains. It's a cold winter day and steamy night before they make it to their destination.

Rated: E

Status: Complete

FFN

AO3

~Day 5: Chains (Chains)

Lucy is rewarded a virtual reality headset by a client. It was fun to create new places with one of her best friends. It isn't until Natsu turns up, with sexy intentions, that she finds herself way over her head.

Rated: E

Status: Complete (3 ch. 16k words)

FFN

AO3

One Piece

One Piece One Shots₊˚⊹☆

~Comfort Me (Zoyori/ Zoro x Hiyori)

After a vicious attack by ninja in the region of Hakumai in Wano, Zoro and Hiyori stop to rest at Enma shrine. Their curiosity in each other bubble to the surface as she confesses her drive to take vengeance into her own hands. Feeling powerless, they find comfort in each other, even for the moment of reprieve they so longed for.

Rated: E

Status: Complete

FFN 

AO3

Diamond No Ace

DNA Drabbles₊˚⊹☆

~Winter (MiyuSawa)

Romance, Slice of Life

Status: Complete

Requests

~END!Lucy (NaLu)

Angst

Status: Complete

[xcondorone]

Seine Gedanken sortierend ging Leon noch einmal die ganze Situation durch. Eine Situation welche beschissener nicht hätte sein können: Sie befanden sich in einer maroden Kirche, die Dorfbewohner verwandelten nun alles in eine Hexenjagd, er halluzinierte und hörte Stimmen… PLUS: Seine Zielperson vertraute ihm kein Stück und hörte ihm nicht einmal zu.

Selbst wenn Letzteres anders ausfallen würde, hätte er immer noch das Problem wie sie aus dieser verdammten Kirche rauskommen sollten. Es gab immerhin nur einen Ausgang, zumindest von der Gallerie aus, denn nach Unten würden sie es kaum noch rechtzeitig schaffen bevor der Mob an Dorfbewohnern das kleine Heiligtum erreichen würde. Doch zuerst MUSSTE er Ashley davon überzeugen das er keine Gefahr für sie darstellte und wirklich nur hier war um ihr zu helfen und sie nach Hause zu ihrem Vater zu bringen. Doch dieses Problem schien sich zu Leon's Überrschung von selbst zu lösen. Immerhin etwas.

"Hör zu. Ich weiß das diese Situation alles andere als Einfach für dich ist. Aber ich bin nicht hier um dir irgendwie zu schaden. Dein Vater vertraut mir. Also vertraue du mir ebenso."

Seine Worte waren eindringlich aber ruhig gesprochen, wobei seine azurblauen Augen den Blickkontakt zu ihr suchten. Die Stimme des Präsidenten hallte dabei immer noch in seinem Kopf wieder:

Bitte rette meine Tochter.

Als Mr. Graham diese Bitte an Leon gerichtet hatte, tat er dies nicht als Präsident. Sondern als einfacher Vater der Todesangst um das Leben seines einzigen Kindes verspürte. Augenblicklich hatte ihn dieser Satz sechs Jahre zurück katapultiert. Diese verdammte regnerische Nacht in Raccoon City, als ihm der örtliche Waffenshopbesitzer Kendo nach dem großen WARUM fragte. Warum diese Tragödie in der sonst so idyllischen Kleinstadt inmitten der Arklay Mountains hatte passieren müssen. Auf seinen Armen das kleine Mädchen. Mutiert durch den Virus der beinahe alle Bewohner zu Zombies hatte werden lassen. Fleischfressende, verwesende Monster, welche man sonst nur aus Horrorfilmen kannte. Den Blick des Mannes würde Leon, welcher damals als frisch gebackener Rookie in die Stadt kam, sein Leben lang nicht vergessen. Verzweifelt, Leidend und…Leer. Wissend das er sein Kind erlösen musste um ihm noch mehr Leid zu ersparen.

Bitte lasst uns unsere Privatssphäre.

Die letzten Worte eines Mannes, welcher Sekunden später, hinter verschlossenen Türen, seinem Kind die Erlösung schenkte. Noch immer hallte dieser Schuss in seiner Erinnerung wieder, sowie dieser stille Vorwurf in den Augen des Vaters ihn bis an sein Lebensende in seinen immer wiederkehrenden Alpträumen heimsuchen würde.

//Dieses Mal wird es anders!//

Ein Satz welcher Leon seither zu seinem Lebensmotto gemacht hatte. Nie wieder würde er zulassen das jemand ein solches Leid erfahren musste, wie Kendo und seine Familie und all die anderen Bürger von Raccoon City. Deswegen war er der STRATCOM beigetreten und hatte den Cop in sich begraben…so wie all seine anderen Wünsche auf eine normale Zukunft.

Eine Antwort von der Blondine abwartend, wurde ihr die Entscheidung durch das Aufstoßen der massiven Kirchentür abgenommen. Kurz blickte er zu Ashley und ging sofort in die Hocke, deutete ihr an es ihm gleich zu tun.

"Tu exakt was ich dir sage.", waren seine kurz angebundenen Worte, ehe er sich nach vor zur Ballustrade schlich um die Situation zu überblicken. Fünf…nein, seches. Zu viele um sie auszuschalten. Oder besser gesagt: zu auffällig. Er konnte hören das draußen auf dem Friedhof ebenfalls noch welche waren. Scheiße. Seine Blick wanderte umher und blieb an der Decke hängen. Ein… Dachspeicher? Zumindest lugte der Fuß einer Leiter aus dem Lock in der Holzdecke hervor. Vielleicht ein Ausweg aus der Siuation und sollte er nur dazu dienen sich solangen bedeckt zu halten, bis ihre Verfolger von der Kirche abließen und sich wieder aus dem Staub machten.

"Du musst hoch und mir die Leiter runtertreten. Schaffst du das?"

Seine Stimme zu einem leisen Flüstern gesenkt, schlich er in der Hocke an ihr vorbei, in Richtung der Leiter wo er verharrte und auf die junge Frau wartete. Wenn er sie auf seinen Schultern nach oben hieven würde, müsste sie es schaffen durch das Loch zu schlüpfen.

ʀᴇꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ ᴘᴏꜱᴛ ᴛᴇ, ʜᴏᴍɪɴᴇᴍ ᴛᴇ ᴇꜱꜱᴇ ᴍᴇᴍᴇɴᴛᴏ. ᴍᴇᴍᴇɴᴛᴏ ᴍᴏʀɪ.

{ ASHLEY GRAHAM & LEON S. KENNEDY }

Würde sie diese grauenvolle Nacht überleben? Warum zur Hölle passierte das alles? Warum SIE ?

Ihre Gedanken kreisten & ihr Herz pochte wie verrückt gegen ihren Brustkorb, so als würde es jeden Moment aus ihr hervorbrechen, wäre es durch fleischige Stränge nicht an Ort & Stelle gebunden. Eine interessante Metapher, denn auch sie fühlte sich einmal mehr wie ein Tier im Käfig. Noch nie zuvor hatte sie sich so nach Freiheit & frischer, reiner Luft gesehnt, wie in diesem Moment. Sie wollte einfach nur noch fort von hier, raus aus dieser schimmelig staubigen Kirche, weg von diesem grauenvollen, ihr völlig unbekannten Ort & zurück in ihr zu Hause, wo vertraute Arme & deren Wärme sie willkommend empfangen würden.

Vielleicht war das alles hier ja doch nur ein ganz fürchterlich böser Alptraum & sie würde bald erwachen? Sich in ihrem kuschelig wohligen Bett wiederfinden, das Rufen ihres Vaters vernehmen, welcher bereits am Frühstückstisch wartete { wenn er nicht gerade wieder einem wichtigen Meeting nachgehen musste } & sie gemeinsam mit schlechten Witzen & Banalitäten aus dem Alltag einen neuen Tag einleiten würden?

. . . . . . . . Unsinn. Pure VERZWEIFLUNG. Dies hier war die Realität. & wenn sie sich tausende Mal in den Handrücken zwicken oder sich selbst ins Gesicht schlagen würde, sie würde nicht aufwachen, denn es war kein Traum, dies hier war bitterer Ernst. Wenn der Schmerz in ihrem Herzen sie nicht einmal aus dem Alptraum reißen würde, dann würde sie NICHTS mehr auf dieser Welt aufwecken.

Sie war wirklich hier, an diesem gottverdammten Ort; ein fleischgewordener ALPTRAUM, der die Tür zur Realität durchschritten hatte. Sowas hier kannte sie sonst nur aus schlechten Thrillern, egal ob Film oder Buch, nur war sie dieses Mal nicht die Konsumentin, die den Inhalt belächelte & sich über die Misinterpretationen der Figuren & deren Bredouille amüsiert fühlte, sondern eine der Protagonistinnen selbst —— & es war so richtig b e s c h i s s e n !

Noch einmal atmete sie tief ein, dann wieder aus, betrachtete den Fackelzug, der sich wie eine von fremder Hand gesteuerte, weniger feierlich & eher sehr bedrohlich wirkende Polonaise ihren Weg in Richtung Kirche bahnte; zu IHNEN. Mit lodernd gierenden Flammen auf Stöcken & Mistgabeln einen Berg hinaufstapfen & dem Wunsch des Mordens frönend . . . auch das erinnerte sie wieder an einen Film. & wenn sie in der Rolle des Gesuchten steckte, dessen Leib aufgespießt & bis auf's unerkenntlichste verbrannt werden sollte, dann standen ihre Chancen verdammt schlecht, es hier lebend rauszuschaffen. Insbesondere a l l e i n e.

' Was soll ich denn nur machen . . . kann ich diesem Fremden wirklich vertrauen ? '

Welche Wahl hatte sie schon ? Er hatte sie zumindest mal nicht gleich töten { oder sonstige Abartigkeiten an ihr ausüben } wollen. & nachgegangen war er ihr auch, womit sie ohnehin gerechnet hatte. Soweit sie die Situation beurteilen konnte, saßen sie beide hier fest. Es gab weder ein, noch aus. Überall Gitter & hohe Stahlgeländer —— absolut keine Möglichkeit, zu fliehen. Zumindest mal nicht auf ' übliche ' Art & Weise.

Noch bevor beiden jedoch ein Wort über die Lippen kommen konnte, um die Situation zu beurteilen, erschallte ein grell & schier unerträgliches Piepsen in ihrem Kopf. Wäre ihr Schädel aus Glas, dann wäre er in diesem Moment vermutlich in tausende Splitter zerbarst. Nicht einmal während der schlimmsten Migräne ihres Lebens hatte sie je solche Schmerzen verspürt. Sich verkrümmend, griff Ashley an die schmerzende Stelle ihres Hinterkopfes, Enamel aufeinandergepresst, fast krampfend. & inmitten des Geflechtes aus Schmerz & Kontrollverlust, der Hall einer Stimme, so fern & doch so nah, als würde sie in ihr Ohr wispern, physikalisch anwesend sein, neben ihr stehen . . . . —— Nein, sie war vielmehr IN IHR; In ihrem V e r s t a n d.

Die tiefe, männliche Stimme predigte irgendetwas von ' verlorenen Lämmern ', { waren sie & Leon damit gemeint ? } die versuchen, aus den heiligen Reihen zu flüchten & das sie um jeden Preis gestoppt werden müssten. Es wäre ' ihre ' heilige Pflicht, die Flucht zu verhindern & ihren unreinen Seelen ERLÖSUNG zu bescheren.

' Ihre ' . . . . wer war damit gemeint ? Diese Leute da draußen, die wankend mit Fackeln & Totenblässe näherrückten, komisches unverständliches Zeug vor sich hin brabbelten & bestimmt nicht mit herzlichen Umarmungen & einem ordentlichen Händedruck ihren kirchlichen Gepflogenheiten nachgehen wollten ?

Als das unerträglich erdrückende Gefühl in ihrem Schädel wieder nachließ & die unheimlich fremde Stimme verstummte, zuckte Ashley zusammen, ächzte mit einem erschöpften Atemstoß & sackte kurz nach vorne um, hielt sich an der steinern kalten Fassade fest & versuchte zu verarbeiten, zu VERSTEHEN, was gerade eben passiert war. Hatte da jemand durch sie durch gesprochen? Benutzt, wie ein Mikrofon? Oder hatte sie jetzt auch schon Halluzinationen? Dieser Tag, oder Abend, wurde wirklich von Minute zu Minute immer verrückter.

' Vielleicht verliere ich ja wirklich den Verstand . . . '

Für kurz tauschten sie & ihr vermeintlicher Retter im stillen Blicke aus, die jedoch kaum lauter & klarer hätten Bände sprechen können. Die schiere Verwunderung stand nicht nur ihr ins Gesicht geschrieben, sondern auch IHM. Hatte er etwa das Gleiche vernommen? Den prägnanten Schmerz? Die manipulative, fremde Kopfstimme? Was hatte das alles nur zu bedeuten?

Nachdem sich ihre ratlosen Blicke trafen & sie den Blickkontakt einander für etwa gefühlte sechs Sekunden aufrecht erhielten, brach Ashley diesen als erstes & lehnte sich mit dem Rücken seufzend gegen das Gestein der Wand, die Arme nach hinten verschrenkt, wie eine Stütze. Sie richtete den Blick gen Boden, ließ sich verschiedene Szenerien & Möglichkeiten durch den Kopf gehen, erwägte die unterschiedlichsten Vorgehensweisen, aber . . . ganz gleich, welchen Weg sie gedanklich auch einschlug, oder welche Abzweigung sie in dem Labyrinth namens Verstand auch in Betracht zu ziehen versuchte, es führte sie stets zu ein & derselben Sackgasse, zu dem einzig & alleinig logischen Entschluss :

ALLEINE würde sie das alles hier, was auch immer es zu bedeuten hatte, niemals überstehen. Sie bräuchte Unterstützung . . .

—— SEINE Unterstützung. Dieses Risiko müsse sie wohl einfach eingehen. & wenn er komische Absichten hegte & sie nur verarschte, dann wäre es eben so. Was gab es schon großartig zu verlieren? In dem Sumpf dieses Schlamassels steckte sie ohnehin schon knietief drin. Sie hatte nur die eine Chance.

❛❛ Was . . . sollen wir denn jetzt nur tun ?! Wie geht es nun weiter ? ❜❜

, richtete sie die Frage nun direkt an den Mann, welcher sich ungefähr drei Armlängen rechts von ihr befand, schwenkte ihren Blick seitwärts & fokussierte sein Gesicht, wohl in der Hoffnung, seiner Mimik i r g e n d e t w a s abgewinnen zu können. Eine Art Zeichen von zuversicht —— HOFFNUNG.

Denn das ist es, was sie jetzt am meisten gebrauchen könnte. Das Gefühl & die Bestätigung, dass es diese in ihrer aussichtslos wirkenden Situation noch gab.

[xcondorone]

Nun standen sie beide da wie bestellt und nicht abgeholt. Ashley Graham, die Tochter des Präsidenten und zeitgleich seine Zielperson und er, der Agent welcher geschickt wurde um sie aus diesem Alptraum zu retten. In ihren Augen spiegelte sich reine Angst und er konnte die aufkeimende Panik in ihrem Blick erkennen, als sie realisierte das ihr Versuch ihn auszuknocken nicht geklappt hatte. Das mit dem Zuhören war auch ein Schuss ins Leere gewesen, denn statt sich zu beruhigen und seine Worte auf sich wirken zu lassen wurde sie nur noch aufgebrachter.

"H-Hey! War…!! ….te…", mehr kam ihm nicht mehr über die Lippen, als sie auch schon zur Tür raus lief. Ein Seufzen ausstoßend, wusste Leon nicht wirklich was er nun tun sollte, stand nun da wie ein begoßener Pudel der sein Stöckchen verloren hatte.

"Lief ja wirklich großartig." Mit diesen Worten an sich selbst gerichtet, setzte sich der junge Mann in Bewegung und ging Ashley hinterher. In ihrer Situaton konnte der Agent nicht abschätzen ob ihr Bewusst war in welcher Gefahr sie sich befand wenn sie nicht sehr bald realisierte, dass er hier war um ihr zu helfen wieder nach Hause zu kommen.

Weit war sie aber zum Glück nicht gekommen, sondern verharrte vor einem großen Mosaikfenster und starrte ungläubig nach draußen. Ihre Worte….waren sie nun an ihn gerichtet? Wirklich sicher war er sich da nicht und warf nun selbst einen Blick nach draußen. Was er sah war zuerst nur ein Glimmern in der Dunkelheit, wurde dann aber zu einem Fackelzug aus Dorfbewohnern welcher schnurstracks auf die Kirche zu marschierte. Ein Sturm zog indessen auf und ein Blitz erhellte den Himmel, wodurch die Dunkelheit erleuchtet wurde und sich Leon automatisch gegen die Wand presste um den mehr oder weniger wachsamen Augen der Dorfbewohner so gut es ging zu entkommen.

//Na Fantastisch! Das auch noch…!//

Leon's Freude über das Gesehene hielt sich wahrlich in Grenzen und ein Blickkontakt zu Ashley reichte um ihm zu signalisieren das sie nun ihre vorherige Panik überwunde hatte und nun eher bereit war ihm zuzuhören. Er öffnete seine Lippen um etwas zu sagen, doch überkam ihn in diesem Moment ein stechender Kopfschmerz, einer urplötzlichen Migräne gleichend und stoppte ihn in all seinen Bewegungen.

>>Findet die verlorenen Lämmer. Sie bringen uns….Erlösung &lt;<

So schnell diese Illusion gekommen war, so schnell war sie auch wieder weg. Verdutzt und verwirrt rappelte sich Leon wieder auf, die Hand nur zaghaft von seinem schmerzendem Kopf nehmend. Der Schmerz verschwand allmählich und sein Blick glitt augenblicklich zu Ashley welche genauso überrumpelt in seine Richtung starrte. Hatte… sie das gerade auch gesehen? Es war nicht mehr als ein Gesicht gewesen…definitiv männlich und älter. Unheimliche, blau glimmernde Augen, welche unter einer Kapuze hervorstachen, die das meiste des Gesichts verdeckten. Unheimlich als auch…Bedrohlich.

Das näher kommende Gemurmel riss den jungen Agenten aus seiner gedanklichen Starre und er agierte schnell, presste sich zurück gegen die Wand und sortierte kurz seine Gedanken. Ashley's Schutz und Rettung hatte oberste Priorität. Er MUSSTE sie nun schnell davon überzeugen das er nicht der böse Wolf war, welcher gekommen ist um das kleine Schäfchen zu fressen.

ʀᴇꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ ᴘᴏꜱᴛ ᴛᴇ, ʜᴏᴍɪɴᴇᴍ ᴛᴇ ᴇꜱꜱᴇ ᴍᴇᴍᴇɴᴛᴏ. ᴍᴇᴍᴇɴᴛᴏ ᴍᴏʀɪ.

{ ASHLEY GRAHAM & LEON S. KENNEDY }

Als Ashley mit dem Kerzenständer ausholte, hatte sie nur ein Ziel im Kopf; ihren Widersacher niederzustrecken { selbst, wenn es ihn nur für einen gewissen Moment ausknocken würde } & dann ihr Heil in der Flucht zu suchen. Ihr war natürlich nicht bewusst, dass das, was draußen lauerte, weitaus schlimmer war, als hier in diesem Raum festzustecken, aber das Risiko wollte & MUSSTE sie eingehen. Diese unheilvolle Nacht hielt ohnehin noch einige, sehr viel weniger angenehme Überraschungen für sie & ihre neue Bekanntschaft bereit . . .

Es scherte sie einen feuchten Kehricht, wer da gerade vor ihr stand & versuchte, diplomatisch zu werden oder ihr irgendwelche beschwichtigenden Worte entgegenzubringen. Er war hier drinnen, bei ihr, bewaffnet, eine ihr vollkommen FREMDE Person. Das Misstrauen stand ihr also durchaus zu Recht ins Gesicht geschrieben. & selbst wenn er nicht so aussah, wie diese komischen Menschen, die sie flüchtig hatte bemerken können, als sie ihren noch geschwächten & schlappen Körper in diese Kammer gebracht hatten, es wäre wohl besser hier niemandem einfach blindlinks zu vertrauen & jedes Wort für bare Münze zu nehmen —— was in diesem Falle aber natürlich ein riesiger Fehler i h r e r s e i t s war. Zu Ashley's Verteidigung musste man aber wohl anmerken, dass sie sich bislang noch NIE in einer solchen Situation befunden hatte & sich an erster Stelle ihr reiner Überlebensinstinkt einschaltete. Wie es sich als gekidnappte Person zu verhalten galt, tja . . . solche Kurse bot man an ihrer Uni leider nicht an.

NOCH nicht.

Sie schüttelte den Kopf, ihr leicht gewellter Bob - Haarschnitt zu beiden Seiten wippend, die Zähne zusammengepresst, als würde sie äußersten Kraftanstrengungen ausgesetzt sein. Wie sie feststellen musste, glitt der erste Hieb ins Nichts, da der Fremde eine beachtenswerte Auffassungsgabe besaß & ihren Move wohl bereits meilenweit hatte vorausahnen können { vermutlich war sie aber auch einfach nur unglaublich langsam & unsicher gewesen, sodass es dafür nicht viel Können benötigt hatte. Der Wahrheit musste sie sich leider stellen }. Gute Reflexe schien er also mal zu besitzen. Mit einem lauten Klirren sauste der Kopf ihrer Waffe zu Boden & sie spürte, wie das gesamte Gewicht dessen sie ebenfalls leicht nach unten riss.

Ein angestrengtes Schnauben ihrerseits folgte & sie hob das vielleicht wertvolle aber dennoch zwecksentfremdete Objekt abermals nach oben, wenn auch zittrig, hielt es vor ihre Brust & setzte erneut an, die Worte der anderen Person auf taube Ohren treffend. Alles, was sie in diesem Bruchteil einer Sekunde mitbekommen hatte, war ein Name . . .

Leon . . . oder sowas in der Art. Für mehr war sie schon gar nicht mehr aufnahmefähig, oder gar bereit gewesen.

Um es ganz deutlich zu sagen : Es war ihr für diesen Moment einfach

s c h e i ß e g a l.

“ K - kümmert mich nicht. Bleib mir einfach vom Leib ! ”

Der Kerzenständer hiebte erneut mit einem kraftvollen Schwung nach ihrem Gegenüber & dem angestrengten Schrei folgte dann ein erschöpftes Schnauf - Quietschen —— & obgleich sie sich zu tausend Prozent sicher war, ihn dieses Mal erwischt zu haben, musste sie feststellen, dass dies nur halbwegs stimmte; er hatte den Kerzenständer vielmehr abgefangen & ihn anschließend zur Seite geschleudert, einfach aus ihrem Griff gerissen & das mit einer Leichtigkeit, als wären ihre Arme aus Pudding.

Erschrocken starrte sie dem entwendeten Objekt hinterher, als würde sie einer verschütteten Lieblingsmahlzeit nachtrauern, wendete den Blick dann aber wieder rasch dem Mann namens ' Leon ' zu & die Furcht kroch ihr prompt abermals ins Mark. Wehrlos stand sie da, unentschlossen, was sie nun als nächstes tun könnte, wenn es denn noch irgendwelche Optionen gab.

& auch, wenn er die Waffe zurück in seine Holsterung gleiten ließ, so ließ Ashley ihre Abwehrhaltung nicht auch nur für einen Moment lang fallen. Sie wollte hier einfach nur noch WEG, nach Hause . . . zurück, in ihr altes Leben & das alles vergessen !

Sie hielt noch für kurz inne, versuchte sich zu sammeln, ihre Gedanken zu sortieren, doch ihr nächstbester Instinkt war:

' rasch, setz dich in Bewegung ! ' —— & genau das tat sie auch.

Erst täuschte sie an, nach links zu laufen, doch bevor er reagieren könnte, huschte sie dann zur rechten Seite vorbei, in Richtung der nun geöffneten Tür & marschierte schnurstracks hindurch. Vielleicht hatte sie auch kurz mit dem Gedanken gespielt, die Tür hinter sich zu schließen, sodass er ihr nicht folgen könnte, doch ihre Schritte waren schneller als ihr logisches Denkvermögen.

Die Panik tut, was sie nun einmal am besten kann; das gesunde Beurteilungsvermögen trüben. & hätte sie sich nicht so von ihrer Angst & Unsicherheit übermannen lassen, dann hätte sie vielleicht ab diesem Zeitpunkt schon realisiert, dass dieser Leon nicht hier war, um ihr zu schaden, sondern um ihr einen Weg aus diesem Alptraum zu ebnen.

Zu einem sehr viel späteren Zeitpunkt würde ihr erst so richtig bewusst werden, wie sehr sie diesen Anker in Form seiner rittertümlichen Erscheinung braucht, um nicht den VERSTAND zu verlieren & sich selbst komplett aufzugeben. Er wäre ihr Licht in der Dunkelheit, die helfende Hand, die nach unten greift & sie aus dem klaffenden Maul des Abgrundes zieht, welcher drohte, sie erbarmungslos zu verschlingen —— ihr HELD in strahlender Rüstung.

Doch stattdessen rannte sie vor ihm weg, ließ ihn wie einen abservierten Liebhaber in dem Raum zurück & schritt hinaus auf die Flure, der kalte Klang von robusten Stein zu ihren Füßen widerhallend. Der Schein der Kerzen & Lampen war sehr viel heller, als in der modrigen Kammer zuvor, weshalb sie kurz die Augen zusammenkneifen & sich an die neuen Lichtverhältnisse gewöhnen musste.

& erst, als sie alleine an den großen Mosaik - Scheiben in der Mitte des Ganges zum Stehen kam & den merkwürdigen Fackelzug langsam heranwankender Gestalten in der finsteren Ferne des Friedhofes außerhalb beobachten konnte, wurde ihr bewusst, dass sie noch lange nicht in Sicherheit war & es auch durch ALLEINIGE KRAFT niemals sein würde. Dies alles hier war nur der Beginn eines endlos scheinenden Alptraumes, aus welchem sie so schnell nicht erwachen würde.

Wenn ü b er h a u p t.

“ Was . . . ist DAS da ? Dort drüben !? ”

Eine Frage, wohl eher an sich selbst gestellt, doch sie hörte die dumpfen Schritte hinter sich, wie sie näher herantraten & erst neben ihr wieder verstummten. Natürlich war er ihr gefolgt. Ob das nun gut oder schlecht war, würde sich noch zeigen. Doch er verharrte, wie sie, bei der gemusterten Scheibe & blickte ebenfalls nach draußen. Konnte sie womöglich einen Hauch von S k e p s i s in seinem Blick beobachten? War er genauso verwundert über dieses fragwürdige Ereignis da draußen, wie sie?

' Dann könnte er . . . vielleicht doch wegen MIR hier sein. Ein Agent oder sowas, beauftragt von der Regierung, der mich zurück nach Hause bringt. Ich möchte gar nicht hoffen, aber . . . '

Die Hoffnung stirbt bekanntlich zuletzt, richtig?

Diese lächerliche Naivität ihrerseits würde nicht lange von DAUER sein.

[xcondorone]

Messerscharf waren seine Sinne, jeder Muskel seines Körpers angespannt. Die Sentinel vor sich haltend, schob er langsam die Holztür auf und betrat schleichend den Raum. Aufmerksam scannten seine blauen Augen die Umgebung, Millimeter für Millimeter. Was wenn sie am Ende doch nicht mehr in der Kirche war? Dieser Kerl den er gefunden hatte…Luis….

//Was erwarte ich von einem dreckigen Umbrellahund…Feige und verlogen allesamt…//

Nicht das Leon etwas anderes erwartet hätte. Wer als Mitarbeiter einen Vertrag für den Pharamakonzern unterschrieben hatte, hatte sprichwörtlich seine Seele dem Teufel verkauft. Alleine dafür was in Racoon City vorgefallen war, gab es nicht annähernd eine angemessene Strafe. Seine Gedanken schweiften ab als er sich die leerstehenden Gemäuer genauer besah. Seine letzte Nacht war verdammt kurz gewesen, weshalb sich der junge Agent doppelt dazu ermahnte fokussiert vorzugehen. Der Raum war leer, zumindest dachte er das….

SWUSSSSHHHH!

….bis ein klobiger Gegenstand direkt auf seinen Kopf zurauschte. Schnellen Schrittes wich er aus, seine Körperbewegung einer Katze gleichend. Azurblaue Augen blickten dabei in das verängstigte Gesicht seiner Zielperson. Doch noch bevor er etwas sagen konnte, holte sie abermals aus und drohte ihm somit einen neuen Scheitel zu ziehen.

"Vorsichtig damit!", zischte Leon in ihre Richtung, als er den klobigen Gegenstand mit seiner Hand abfing und Ashley den Kerzenständer mit sanfter Gewalt aus den Händen riss, welchen die junge, blonde Frau darauf hin fallen ließ. Leon wartete auf eine weitere Reaktion ihrerseits, wollte ihr kurz Zeit geben zu realisieren das er keiner dieser…völlig verballerten Dorfbewohner war. Auch wenn der Agent die dumme Vermutung hatte das es sich hierbei um weit mehr als ein paar durchgeknallte Einheimische handelte. Ihr Verhalten, die Art wie sie sich bewegten…seit er hier eingetroffen war hatte er immer wieder Flashbacks von Raccoon City und dessen …Infizierten.

Sie wich zurück, bis sie die Ecke des Raumes erreichte, ihre Augen panisch in seine Richtung blickend. Langsam und beschwichtigend hob er den Arm, und steckte seine Pistole vorerst zurück in den Holster. Er wollte sie einfach nur beruhigen und ihr die Angst nehmen. Dazu bringen ihm zuzuhören damit Leon die Fronten klären konnte und die junge Lady begriff das er nicht hier war um ihr weh zu tun. Er wollte sich nicht ausmalen welche Angst sie bis jetzt wohl durchgestanden hatte. Er konnte es sprichwörtlich in ihren Augen sehen.

"Ich bin Leon. Dein Vater hat mich geschickt um dich hier rauszuholen."

Seine Stimme war bei diesem Satz ruhig und gesenkt, auch achtete er darauf langsam zu sprechen und ihr dabei eindringlich in die Augen zu sehen.. Er wollte alle Faktoren die hektisch auf die junge Frau wirkten beiseite schaffen um ihr ein sicheres Gefühl zu geben und ihr die Panik zu nehmen.

ʀᴇꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ ᴘᴏꜱᴛ ᴛᴇ, ʜᴏᴍɪɴᴇᴍ ᴛᴇ ᴇꜱꜱᴇ ᴍᴇᴍᴇɴᴛᴏ. ᴍᴇᴍᴇɴᴛᴏ ᴍᴏʀɪ.

{ ASHLEY GRAHAM & LEON S. KENNEDY }

Der Raum war nur sperrlich beleuchtet, vielleicht maximal zehn Quadratmeter groß & zugestellt von irgendwelchem undefinierbaren Krimskrams. Sie mutmaßte, dass es sich hier um eine Art Abstellkammer handelte, denn die Silhouetten, die sich unter den verblichenen Spanntüchern abzeichneten, ließen stark auf Stühle oder andere Einrichtungsgegenstände schließen. Nun . . . zumindest hoffte sie, dass es nichts war, das vorher schon einmal geatmet & gelebt hatte.

Eine dicke Staubschicht hing träge in der Luft & der faulig morsche Duft von verwesendem Holz drang ihr stets & unangenehm penetrant in die Nase. Es erinnerte sie irgendwie an den alten Dachboden ihrer Großeltern, der höchstwahrscheinlich seit Jahrzehnten nicht mehr entrümpelt worden war & die merkwürdigsten Antiquitäten beherbergte, die ihr als kleines Kind wie abstrakte Gruselgestalten das Fürchten lehrten & sie des Nachts in ihren unschuldigen Träumen heimgesucht hatten.

Alles hier STANK einfach nur zum Himmel —— inklusive ihrer eigenen Misere, in diesem Raum gefangen zu sein & nicht fliehen zu können, ganz gleich, was sie auch versuchte.

Ashley hatte nicht den blassesten Schimmer einer Ahnung, wie lange man sie hier nun eigentlich schon gefangen hielt. Seit der Entführung, nachdem sie sich, wie üblich, vom Campus auf den Weg nach Hause machen wollte, hatte sie jeglichen Sinn für Zeit & Realität verloren. Das alles war ein bis ins kleinste Detail & penibel geplantes Verbrechen gewesen, ein abgekartetes Spiel. Erst hatte man einen Autoschaden vorgetäuscht, weshalb sie den Wagen wechseln musste, welcher sie eigentlich nach Hause, zu ihrem Dad, hätte bringen sollen. & dann hatten ihre Entführer die Chance ergriffen, ihre Bodyguards außer Gefecht zu setzen & sie ebenfalls so zu betäuben, dass sie relativ schnell das Bewusstsein verloren hatte. Was danach geschah, war ihr unklar, ein purer Griff ins Dunkle. Sie erinnerte sich nur dunkel an ihr unbekannte Stimmen, eine fremde Sprache, Spanisch vielleicht, oder etwas ähnliches . . . die Erinnerungen waren zu verworren, bereiteten ihr erneut Kopfschmerzen. & als sie wieder zu sich kam, befand sie sich bereits hier, in diesem Raum, vollkommen alleine & auf sich gestellt.

Die Fesseln hatte sie mit Leichtigkeit lösen können. Da bekam selbst sie als ' einfache ' Studentin einen besseren Knoten hin. Für kurz flackerte in ihr die naive Hoffnung auf, dass es sich hierbei um AMATEURE handeln könnte, die keine Ahnung hatten, was sie eigentlich taten & es eventuell doch leichter sein könnte, zu fliehen, als gedacht. Wenn sie sich dann aber an das höchst professionell durchgeplante Vorgehen ihrer Entführung zurückerinnerte & wie sie schlussendlich hier gelandet war, verstarb dieser lächerlich kümmerliche Schimmer aber recht schnell wieder.

Der Weg hier raus war schier unschaffbar ; eine beschissene Sackgasse. Sie hatte jeden Winkel abgesucht, nach einer Art Schlüsselloch der Tür, die sie von der Freiheit nach draußen trennte —— F e h l a n z e i g e. Vermutlich gab es hierfür eine Art versteckten Mechanismus, allerdings nicht in selbigen Raum. Er wurde wohl von außen betätigt, was nur Sinn machte. War das also eine Art Zelle ? Aber warum zum Teufel bloß hielt man sie hier gegen ihren Willen gefangen ?

Was erhofften sich diese Spinner nur von ihrem Kidnapping ? Was könnten sie im Schilde führen ? & warum ausgerechnet SIE ?

' Höchstwahrscheinlich, weil ich die Tochter des Präsidenten bin & man mich leicht als Köder oder Druckmittel einsetzen könnte, für welchen Irrwahn auch immer. Sowas kenne ich sonst nur aus schlechten B - Movies . . . '

Wäre diese ganze Situation nicht so scheiße beängstigend, dann würde sie vielleicht sogar kurz lachen.

Vielleicht.

' —— Du weißt, ich liebe dich Daddy, aber in diesem Falle würde ich mir verdammt nochmal wünschen, nicht die Tochter eines hohen Tieres zu sein ! Hätte mir eine Menge Ärger erspart . . . '

Sie biss sich auf die Unterlippe, versuchte ihre Angst zu schlucken & nun nicht die Nerven zu verlieren. Wer auch immer sie hierhergebracht hatte, würde wohl früher oder später wieder aufkreuzen, sie vielleicht, oder vielleicht auch nicht, in alle abscheulichen Absichten einweihen & dann alles weitere vorbereiten. Man würde sie hier zumindest kaum einfach verrotten lassen, wenn man sich schon die Mühe gemacht hatte, sie hier extra einfrachtieren zu lassen . . . . RICHTIG ?!

' Oder aber sie haben irgendetwas pervers krankes mit mir vor, foltern mich, schneiden mir einen Finger ab und schicken ihn als kleines ' Präsent ' an meinen Dad, um ihm klar zu machen, dass sie es ernst meinen ! '

Allein die Vorstellung ließ sie bitterlich schaudern & innerlich verkrampfen. Aber sie sollte sich zusammenreißen, jetzt nicht die Nerven verlieren, ansonsten war S I E verloren. Immerhin war das hier nicht die verlorengegangene Fortsetzung von der ' Der Pate ' - Saga.

Ja vielleicht war es auch einfach nur ein dummer Scherz —— ein v e r d a m m t dummer, oh ja. & geschmacklos unlustig obendrein.

' Und Gnade demjenigen, der auf diese Idee kam . . . '

Ein Wunschgedanke, nichts weiter. Ihr war durchaus bewusst, trotz aller irrer Ideen, die ihr irgendwie Trost spenden könnten, dass dies hier bitterer ERNST war & kein blöder Streich, wie man ihn sonst nur von den größten, unlustigsten Klassenclowns ihrer Uni kannte. Ashley war in ernstzunehmender Gefahr & man wollte sie aufgrund ihres Status quo entweder leiden sehen oder wirklich als Mittel zum Zweck missbrauchen. Doch ganz gleich, was diese fremden Irren vorhätten, ohne Widerstand & einem Kampf würde sie sich ihrem Schicksal nicht einfach so ergeben.

Sie würde auf diesen Moment vorbereitet sein, sich mit irgendetwas bewaffnen & auf ihren Entführer losgehen. Sei es auch einfach nur mit ihren bloßen Händen, einer Menge Gebrüll, Kratzen & Treten. Hier würde sich bestimmt etwas zum Zwecksentfremden finden lassen. Es lag ja zumindest mal genug Gerümpel herum.

Und fast so, als hätte das Schicksal es so gewollt & ihre Gedanken gelesen, vernahm sie von draußen immer näherkommende, dumpfe Schritte. Sie atmete noch einmal durch, ergriff etwas schweres zu ihren Füßen, das einem gold glänzendem Kerzenständer ähnelte, welchen man vermutlich für wenig Geld auf jedem Floh - oder Mittelaltermarkt ersteigern könnte, & begab sich damit in Angriffsstellung, die Tür zu ihrem ' Gemach ' stets im Blick.

PANIK machte sich in ihrem Inneren breit, wie ein Geflecht aus giftigem Efeu, der ihren Brustkorb emporkroch & von innen verseuchte. Wie eine Art F r e m d k ö r p e r, der sich an ihrem fragil geschwächten Zustand labte & klangheimlich eingenistet hatte.

Ihr Atem beschleunigte sich, wurde schwer —— arrhythmisch. Sie wollte einfach nicht glauben, dass das, was hier gerade passierte, wirklich die Realität war, das sie tatsächlich in der Lage sein würde, diesen Kerzenständer einzusetzen, um jemanden ernsthaft zu verletzen. Noch nie in ihrem ganzen Leben war sie weder jemals irgendwem gegenüber gewalttätig geworden, noch hatte sie auch nur den Ansatz eines Gedanken gehegt, der diese Tendenzen beherbergen könnte.

Doch, { & so würde vermutlich jeder in ihrer Situation denken }, wenn es um ihr nacktes Überleben geht, dann würde sie diese Grenzen nun überschreiten, das MUSSTE sie einfach ! Ihr Körper würde nur noch wie auf Befehl funktionieren, sie müsse den Kopf einfach abschalten & alles in diesen einen Schlagabtausch setzen.

Noch einmal holte sie tief Luft, schloss die Augen, glaubte für einen Moment ihren Namen von draußen zu hören, aber vielleicht war es auch nur die stetig anschwellende Panik, die ihren Sinnen einen Streich zu spielen schien. Zittrig hielt sie den Leuchter nach oben, versuchte ihren Griff um das Objekt zu festigen & starrte dann wieder wie gebannt aber auch höchst fokussiert auf die Tür.

—— & dann schwang sie plötzlich mit einem wehklagenden Quietschen auf. Eine menschliche, recht großgewachsene Silhouette trat hinein, die tiefe Stimme auf einen Mann vermuten lassend. Erneut fiel ihr Name. Der Kerl MUSSTE sie also kennen . . . es war ihr Entführer, ganz bestimmt ! Oder zumindest jemand, der mit ihnen unter einer Decke steckte. Woher sonst sollte er sie kennen ?

Er hielt eine Pistole in der Hand, beschaute sich des Raumes, scannte aufmerksamen Blickes die Premise, so als würde er etwas suchen . . . oder viel eher j e m a n d e n. & wer das war, wussten sie beide ganz genau.

Ashley ging felsenfest davon aus, dass der Unbekannte nicht ahnte, dass sie sich hinter der aufgeschwungenen Tür versteckte & für den kurzen Moment lauerte, wie ein Raubtier, welches man in die Ecke gedrängt hatte. Sie dachte nicht länger darüber nach. Ihr war es auch egal, wer er war oder was er sagte, ihr Wille zum Überleben übernahm die Kontrolle & sie ergriff ihre Chance in einem blitzschnellen Momentum.

❛ Komm mir nicht zu Nahe ! Lass mich einfach nur gehen ! ❜

Der Kerzenständer in ihrer Hand sauste blindlinks in Richtung des mutmaßlichen Entführers, darauf abzielend, ihn direkt auf den Kopf zu treffen & somit, hoffentlich, auszuknocken. Sie war vielleicht nicht die Stärkste aber unterschätzen sollte man sie auch nicht. Obgleich sie sich eingestehen musste, dass ihr plötzlich sehr starker Wille zur Gewaltbereitschaft schon ziemlich erschreckend war. Sie würde ihm den Schädel einschlagen, wenn er sie nicht freiwillig gehen lässt, & das so lange, bis er sich nicht mehr rührt.

Das war Nichts, wenn nicht reine aber durchaus akzeptable Notwehr !