Curate, connect, and discover
Summary: You comfort Leon on the couch after Marvin turns.
Warnings: None
Contains: Leon finally getting a hug, Leon crying, comfort, angst
It was the longest day of your life. What should have been a normal back to workday after a well needed week off, was a complete disaster. All your coworkers had been killed and turned into some sort of monster. Your best friend and coworker, Amy, had been torn in two at the waist and you’d found her gurgling and crawling around the dark empty halls of the Racoon City Police Department.
The only good thing to have happened was you met Leon Kennedy, the new cop that everyone had been so excited to see. You just worked paperwork in the back and had little experience with combat, so you were very lucky to have run into him. The two of you spent hours roaming around the building, fighting off the creatures and hiding from some sort of nuclear Arnold Schwarzenegger. You quickly became very close, confiding in each other in locker rooms, bathrooms, talking about your friends and family. You’d cried a few times, but Leon stayed strong for the most part, until now. Until Marvin turned
The look in his eyes almost made your heart break.
"Come here." You said softly, sitting down on the break room couch, the leather creaking under you. He hesitated, fighting an internal battle of whether to give in to the strong desire to fall into your arms, or keep up the facade he had put up for you.
Leon gave in, but not completely. He sat down next to you, body stiff and timid. He was practically shaking. He needed comfort, especially from a woman, so badly. There was a lump in his throat. His eyes burned. He couldn't look at you, he knew he'd end up crying if he saw that sweet, sympathetic look on your face.
You reached out and put your hand on his knee. His muscles tensed instantly at your touch.
"If you need an ear, I'm here Leon." Your voice was still so soft, it almost caused a sob to bubble from his chest. He swallowed hard and shook his head. He couldn't do that. He was protecting you, the innocent, too good to be true receptionist who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He couldn't cry to you. You needed him, not the other way around.
"I know this is scary. It was your first day. You don't have to pretend everything is alright." You moved your hand from his knee up to his face, tucking some of his hair behind his ear. He leaned into your hand, letting out a long sigh through his nose.
"It's scary for me too." You continued, softly brushing his hair. "Like, really really scary. World shattering type fear. Who knew the walking dead could become a reality to us that fast?"
He couldn't stand it anymore and he wrapped his arms around your waist, bringing your body close to him. You held him in your arms and leaned back into the couch so he laid on your chest. It felt amazing to the both of you. Seeing such a vulnerable side of Leon, the man who had been cracking jokes after killing countless zombies, it was refreshing. You stroked the top of his head and let him silently cry into your shirt.
"They had a cake, there were streamers, party hats," He finally choked out, his voice cracking between his shaky words. "They were excited to meet me, and they're all dead. All of them. They put so much effort into it…"
Your chest felt like it was being torn in two at his words. You had to admit when you saw the 'Welcome Leon', streamers, it did upset you. They never even got to meet him. He never got to meet them. He should have had that cake, got to know his new coworkers, then settled into his desk. He should be at home right now after a long day's work, setting his alarm for 4am to do the same thing tomorrow.
You continued brushing your fingers through his soft hair, holding him until his breathing slowed and his cheeks dried. His grip around your waist had loosened, but he still didn't let go. Neither did you. One arm held him in place around his back, and the other remained softly and gently stroking his hair.
"Once we get out of here, we're going to go to my apartment, get you cleaned up, fed, and you're going to have the best sleep of your life. Alright Leon?" You hoped he'd accept your invitation, truly, you really needed the company. You couldn't be alone after the things you'd seen.
He said nothing, but he slowly nodded his head. He took a moment to gather himself before sitting upright, and forcing a smile, the edges of his bleary eyes crinkling slightly. "I could really go for some fettuccine Alfredo."
"And a hot shower. We stink. Then you can meet my cat."
"You have a cat?" He instantly perked up.
"Yeah, her name is Buttermilk." You dug your phone out from your pocket and showed him a picture of the cream colored cat. "She hates that I chose the one apartment out of town. Takes like an hour to drive to work every morning, which is more time she's home alone. But once she gets older she's gonna love that alone time." You sighed, heart aching at the thought of her getting older. "She's a real pain in the ass but I'm gonna miss this kitten phase."
"I love cats. I can't wait to meet her." He smiled again, but this time, it was a real smile. He had stopped crying completely at this point.
"Then, let's get the hell out of dodge. C'mon." You stood up and offered him your hand, which he accepted with a sheepish smile.