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alessiathepirate · 9 months

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Post-Resident Evil 2 - Resident Evil 6

HAPPILY EVER AFTER: Leon S. Kennedy x fem!reader

Summary: Three times Leon thought about marrying his lover, one time he joked about it and one time he meant it and his lover said yes.

Notes: English isn't my first language. I apologize for any mistake I made while I wrote this short story.

Warnings: swearing, mentioned violence

•••

When I wake up next to you - it's like a dream

Waking up to the sunlight finding its way through the cracks of the blinds was a rare occurence.

Normally Leon had to wake up to the sound of his alarm or to the sound of his ringtone, because another mission was thrown at him. Opening his eyes to those sounds was already enough to ruin his day, especially if he just got home from a job the night before, still feeling low on energy because of it. During those days the only thing what could put a smile on his face was his lover's small, sleepy frown as she too was waken up by that annoying noise.

Not this time though. This day was their day off, their free Sunday, their day during which they can sleep in and then decide what they want to do.

Leon let a quiet sigh leave his lips as he blocked the light with his right arm and then brushed a few locks of hair out of his face. For a few short seconds he stayed in that position, enjoying the silence and the feeling of being well rested - and then he turned to his left, so his heartbeat can quicken and leave out a few beats.

There was his lover, with her head resting on his left arm and her right arm hugging his waist. The sunlight drew golden lines into her skin and hair, making her look like a real angel; something he felt like she truly is. It was a sight he would kill for, so he can witness it every single day, until the end of his life.

The sight held comfort, the kind of comfort he could only very rarely feel, especially with a job like theirs. Seeing her like that: calm, peaceful, rested and happy made him feel the joy others feel - others with a normal lifestyle and a normal job, with their boring life. Being there with her made him feel normal. But no, it wasn't the sight - it was her whole being, the way she acted, talked and smiled. The way she was able to love him and make sure he truly feels loved. The way she cared about him, took care of him or did the smallest, to everyone else meaningless things - they made him fall in love with her all over again every single day.

Leon smiled - with an honest, happy smile, not the kind he showed to others he wanted to impress or intimidate.

His hand moved on its own as it gently cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her skin.

She smiled in her sleep at the movement, her arm around his waist hugging him tighter.

God, he loved everything about her. Her smile, her nose, her eyes, her hair... She was beautiful and she was his, she chose to be his - not caring about what kind of problems and hardships she gets herself into by being with him.

As Leon brushed her hair out of her face he felt his heart skip a few beats - she chose to be his.

"I will marry you one day." he whispered after he made sure she was still asleep. "One day in the future, when we'll have more quiet days like these."

For a moment Leon let himself fantasize about a future he shares with her, in which he wakes up next to her every single day...

Leon Kennedy fell head over heals for her and he'll do his best to make that daydream real - but for now, he had a date night to plan.

•••

I adore you

Leon didn't mean to stay quiet and sneak up on them to listen in on what they were talking about - but once he was standing in the doorway and holstered his weapon, he was glad for his accidental silent movements. This way he could witness something he couldn't see otherwise - something what made him melt and made his heartbeat quicker, regardless of how bad of a situation they were in.

There were the girls he had to look out for (in reality he only had to look out for one, but deep down he felt the burning need to look out for both), sitting on an overly elegant couch with their backs to him. They were talking, quietly and slowly, and Leon knew it was something soft, comforting and confidential; something what was originally planned to stay between them.

"It's okay to be afraid." His lover said as she put one of her hands on Ashley's shoulder. Her voice was calming and full of comfort in a way she only ever talked to him in their shared unsure and cute moments. It was a sound Leon loved and could listen to forever. "I'm sometimes afraid too, you know- and I shouldn't be, but it's not something you can control."

"But you always look so brave. How do you keep on going?"

She let out a chuckle and then let go of Ashley. She looked away, staring into the distance, looking at something only she can see.

"Well, for one I think about the reasons why I have to keep going. I mean we can't just run away, you know. That is an option, sure, but it rarely ever works out. I think about what I have at home and about the people- the person I want to go home to. That is a great motivation."

Ashley looked at her with a small, honest smile.

"You are talking about Leon, don't you?"

"Yeah." she answered. "He is the reason I want to survive all the bullshit life throws my way. -But now that we have you, I gotta say our chances at surviving this increased a lot."

That seemed to do the trick, because the tension disappeared from Ashley's shoulders and the muscles in her face softened. For a few moments they shared something - a bond, the beginning of a friendship or comfort. Leon couldn't tell for sure, but her words not only helped Ashley relax. No, they helped him as well. The worry what ran through him ever since they got separated slowly went away and adoration took its place.

Adoration. He adored her. He adored the way she could make the tense situations into something soft and calm. He adored the way she was able to care about others and help them relax. He adored how she could make everything happy.

He adored her whole being. He wanted to hug her, kiss her, breath her in and not let her go.

He wanted to marry her - one day, in their shared future, when the timing is right.

•••

You're the only one

After Leon landed on the ground with a quiet puff, he quickly got up so he could witness the owners of the chainsaws, which cut through the wooden wall. He caught a clear glimpse of them after the last piece of wood fell; two women, their heads bandaged, wearing blood soaked clothes.

"I'm flattered, but I'm a one-lady type of guy." he joked as he raised his pistol, already aiming at one of them, not letting them make the first attack.

"You better fucking be, Kennedy!" came the sudden shout from upstairs and it was soon followed by two shots; one for each lady's head.

The monsters lost their balance for a few seconds, enough for Leon to steal a glimpse of her lover standing at the edge of the damaged staircase. Her expression spoke of clear unhappiness, followed by an angry frown.

"Jealous much?" he asked teasingly, after he took cover behind a table and aiming at one of the monstrous ladies.

"Cheating much?" she answered his question with another question.

None of them could take it for long. After a few shots they both started to giggle, not caring about the problematic situation they happened to be in.

"You know I'd never do that, sweetheart."

He meant it. He'd rather die then go to someone else. And no one else would be better then her. No one could love like her, smile like her or kiss like her.

"Don't you 'sweetheart' me! Get the hell out of here before the horde breaks the door down. I'll cover you from the balcony."

After running a circle with the two undead, he climbed through the hole they made in the wall with their chainsaws. Her lover was right, the horde got in the shack right after he got out, but it didn't take long 'til they were hit with a grenade.

Leon smiled. No one messes with her. No one at all.

He continued to shoot at ladies with the saws and that's when he noticed his partner, who just got to the balcony, sniper rifle in hand.

"Get away from my man!" she shouted after she shot the monsters in the head.

Her sentence made him grin and a pride, confident feeling warmed up his heart.

As they worked together, doing their best to kill every one of those undead monsters, Leon thought about how well they do everything together. They have each other's backs, they notice things the other doesn't and their humor isn't that different.

God, he's gonna marry her one day. He'd marry her right then and there if he could. - He thought after one of the twins went down from her continuous shooting.

And when that happens, he's gonna marry a badass, a sweetheart and a cutie - and it's gonna be perfect.

•••

She'd say yes - even if I'm bad for her

He's selfish, Leon thought as he sat alone, waiting for his lover and Helena to get back. He has been selfish ever since Raccoon City, ever since he first asked her to stay and she chose to do so.

Now they are in trouble again, they have another problem to solve, they have another hardship to push through - together. For a moment he thought about all the times they've been in danger since that damn night in 1998 and when he realized it had been more than what he could count on his hands, the feeling that he's being selfish returned again.

She shouldn't have been in this situation - or in training, or in Spain... She should have been going on with her life, learning to forget and then live happily ever after.

Ever since they started dating, things always went from good to bad and then from bad to worse.

Now they are in some actual trouble, something what if they can't solve the whole world turns to dust -- yet for some reason it wasn't Leon's biggest regret. No. Hell, the whole world could turn upside down and then burn down for all he cares - as long as she's safe and her reputation is safe. She worked hard and yet she stayed positive and happy (something what's hard to do in this kind of job), but now Simmons dirtied her, wrongfully accused her and dared to even threaten her.

Now all three of them had personal reasons to hate Simmons. Leon took that really seriously, especially after he realized the only reason why he wanted to take everything from her was because she was with him. She was with Leon Kennedy and she was in trouble because of it - again.

"We just entered the Chinese airspace." Helena said as she took a seat opposite to Leon, who didn't even notice that she was coming. A shame, he should've seen her coming after all the training he's been through.

"Good." he spoke up, but decided pull himself away from his thoughts after Helena hid her face in her palms with a long, tired sigh. "How are you holding up?"

"Why didn't you turn me in? You could've cleared your name."

"Maybe." he started. "But it wouldn't have stopped Simmons. Besides, you two would still be in trouble and I think I speak for both me and my partner when I say, you started to grow on us a little bit."

Helena just smiled as she put her hands back down on the table.

Leon almost smiled himself after he remembered that for a long time this was only somethig her lover could do - calming people down, making them smile. Now their traits and abilities are mixed together: Leon became calmer and more comforting, while she picked up some of his cheesy one liners and sense of humor.

"I like her." Helena started after a while. "She's kind even in though situations. She reminds me of Deborah..."

"She's sweet, that's right." Leon smiled at the thought. "The sweetest woman who could kick your ass the moment you look at her the wrong way."

They both chuckled at that.

"Yes, she looks like the type."

"I look like what?" came the voice from behind Helena and then her lovers whole body turned up from behind the curtain, what separated the passanger's space from the cabin crew's. She was holding three cups in her hands unsurely, and Leon had to laugh when he thought about how she can do the most impossible things during a fight, but can't do the most usual things.

"Great. You look great as always." he said instead of telling her the truth.

"I think you used the word: sweet." she smiled as she put down the cups on the table and then wiped her hands in her jeans, trying to make the burning feeling in her palms disappear.

"Stalker." Leon accused jokingly.

"Curiousity." she explained simply. "Okay, I think all three of us deserve a hot cup of coffee, so here it is. This one's Leon's with two sugars." she pushed the cup in front of Leon. "This one's Helena's with two sugars and a little bit of milk - the way she told me she drinks it." the cup landed in front of Helena. "And this one's mine."

There it was - the thing he loved about her the most, the thing what lit his insides on fire as he looked at her. No matter how much bullshit they had to go through, she still stayed herself - she still stayed calm and collected even in the most stressful situations. She was thoughtful and kind, and that put a smile on anyone's face who was close by.

She always put a smile on his face.

She gently put her hand on top of his on the table and squeezed it, reminding him that she's there.

And there it was again - the selfishness. He wanted her no matter how well he knew he was bad for her. He never asked her if she wants to stay or if she wants to go. He never asked, because he was afraid of what answer he'd get. He never asked, because she was still the most important person in his life and he couldn't live on without her presence.

So he didn't say anything, he stayed quiet and pushed the guilt aside.

"Can you please let me take a seat?"

"Of course, darling."

She chose to take a seat beside him, where she can hold his hand under the table so Helena won't see it - even if Leon was sure it wouldn't bother her one bit.

"Thank you for the coffee." Helena said as she held it, warming up her palms. "It's very thoughtful of you."

"You're welcome. I think we all needed it."

Leon just brushed his thumb along the back of her hand, saying a silent but meaningful thank you. She appreciated it with a smile.

Then without thinking about it twice he said the words he wanted to say to her since 1999, since he first realized how deeply he loves her.

"You keep on doing this and I might want to marry you."

It came out as a regular joke, as their regular teasing game, but he meant it. He meant every word, every letter. He wanted to marry her, he wanted their legal happily ever after.

She turned to look at him, lips slightly parted, eyebrows slightly raised - then the shock turned into a smile.

"Oh really? Then maybe you should start looking for a ring first."

"A ring?"

"Yes, a nice, elegant ring and then maybe I'll consider your offer."

Leon just smirked - if a ring is all she needs, then she'll get it.

Helena just giggled. "You two are really-"

They couldn't even start to drink their coffee, because the power on the plane went out and the whole thing started to shake. In the first two seconds during which even agents like them feel afraid, Leon grabbed her hand so he knew she was still next to him and she was safe.

In the next second the lights were back on and all three of them were on their way to see what's wrong. They ran up the stairs until they reached the pilot's cabin and only then did Leon let go of her hand. After all of them held their pistols in their hands, they opened the door.

There it was, the pilot's dead body, a few centimeters away from the door. And in the seat where the man should've been sitting in was a cocoon like thing, from which a monster was born.

"You don't suppose that thing can fly a plane, do you?"

"Keep coming up with these one liners and I'll have to say yes."

It was a joke. It was just some teasing. Yet Leon's heart was beating quicker than it usually does.

She'd say yes, he thought.

She'd happily say yes.

•••

You'll never have to be alone - I love you and that's all I really know

Leon was breathing heavily as he was standing on the roof, looking down at the bottom of the depth Simmons had fallen into. There he was, punctured on the column in the middle of the stupid Umbrella logo, his blood painting parts of it red. He heard when he landed and he saw how his body transformed for the last time.

Disgusting, both in life and death.

His heartbeat was still quick, his breathing was still heavy - just life every time after he fought a bioweapon. It usually took some time for him to calm down.

"That's for my sister." Helena spoke up as she too looked at the body of Derek Simmons.

"He got what he deserved." his partner said as she hugged Helena from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder, doing her best to feel and sound comforting. "I can't believe this asshole tried to ask me out on a date before all this."

"I hope the rejection hurt him like Hell." Helena muttered.

"You're God damn right it did." she laughed and then squeezed her shoulder one last time before she let go of her.

That's when she noticed -- how Leon was looking at her with pure adoration. It was something Leon knew was only in his eyes when she was the one he was looking at. He felt it in his bones. His whole being felt different when she was close by, like her presence only made life easier.

That's when Helena decided that it was time for her to leave - or at least walk a few feet away from them.

"I'll make sure the chopper is ready." she said.

Staying there, just the two of them felt like a dream. It was over, or at least almost over. The whole sudden mission. And since it felt like that they finally let themselves be honest with the other. They let their shoulders fall, their posture became less straight, the tiredness was finally seen in their eyes - but it was something what was only allowed to be seen in the other's presence. No one else ever had a glimpse of it.

"Are you okay?" the question was careful - and way too typical for his taste, yet he didn't know what else to say.

"More or less." she answered with a small smile. "What about you?"

"The same."

Leon then collected himself and stepped closer to her, gently brushing his fingers along her collar bone and then along her left shoulder.

"This doesn't hurt?"

"Not really. Simmons was a weak man and he was a weak bioweapon as well."

They both smiled at that.

"You scare me during times like these, you know... No matter how well I know that you can protect yourself. I don't like to see you get hurt."

"I feel the same about you." she said honestly, her look turning soft.

He fought with himself for a while, not wanting to let the things he really wants to say up to the surface - but that battle was soon lost. It was soon the moment she smiled at him one last time and then turned around to walk towards the chopper and Helena.

That's when his pulse became quicker again - as he grabbed her arm and waited for her to turn and look at him again. She looked at him in confusion.

"Marry me!"

It wasn't a question, but it wasn't a demand either -- he didn't mean it like one. He may be selfish and want her all to himself, but he also readied himself to give her a way out. If she says no, then that's it - he was right, he's not the right guy for her and she knows it.

She looked him in the eye as her cheeks became pink (God, it feels like lifetime has gone by since he saw her blush). She opened her mouth and the closed it again, not knowing what to do or say.

"I know it's not the right moment. I thought about it as something romantic, I planned it for years now so I'll know what to do or say. I know I don't have a ring right now, but I'll buy you all the rings in the world if you say yes." he continued, feeling that his words become a mush of both everything and nothing. "I have to know that we'll be together so I'll be able to keep you safe... I want us to have something normal and regular in our life full of trouble-- and I want to wake up next to you everyday and listen to you talk and adore you-"

"Yes..." the word was quiet and it lingered in the air for a while until Leon realized its meaning. "Yes, I'd love to marry you."

The whole world could turn to living Hell for all he cares -- she said yes. She chose to do so.

He kissed her with both burning passion and adoration, and she was kissing back with the same feelings in her chest.

"Leon," she started after they separated, but her hands were still on his shoulders. "I don't need a ring to have a reason to marry you."

Leon felt happy. More than happy. It was the kind of wholesome, burning happiness one feels when a dream he's been keeping to himself finally becomes true and real. He's been dreaming of it since forever - and now he knows for sure that it'll happen in the near future.

•••

Bonus:

The Wedding Greetings from their friends

The greeting cards some people sent them were quite funny - that's why they kept them all and that's why some are wrinkled. They read them many times and they laughed at them many times.

Claire was the first one to send them a greeting card; it was cute and handmade, but it was nothing special and elegant, knowing her friends love simplicity - when they can get it with a job like theirs.

The card had a short message with two drawn glasses full of wine: Fucking finally -- I mean Yay! The other side of the card was full of pictures of the three of them - in a café, in the park, photos taken during their short trips and some new ones, the screenshots of their videocalls.

Both her and Leon loved and treasured it deeply.

Ashley was the second to write to them - her card arrived not an hour later after Claire's did. It was a yellow card with white edges including some butterflies. The letters were written by Ashley, they were elegant and thin.

Congratulations - you'll marry the person you want to go home to everyday! Wishing you a happy wedding day and a lifetime filled with love!

On the other side of the card was the following line: I hope I'm invited, because if I'm not I'm bringing you back to Spain.

She laughed at the second part of the message and so did Leon.

Chris's card arrived two days after Claire's did - they were both one hundred percent sure Claire threatened her brother so he'll write to them.

It was written on a simple white paper, decorated with red roses. After giving it a closer look they realised Chris bought it in a store and even the Congratulations on your wedding day! was printed and not written by him.

However on the other side he did write a line: We're happy for you - Claire and Chris R.

They were sure Claire's hand was in this.

Sherry wrote them too - and so did Helena. Both of their cards were simple, light cloured. Sherry's was light blue, while Helena's was a light shade of purple. Sherry mentioned Jake in her greeting, writing that he's happy for them too - but they doubted that the mercenary would ever even think something like that. Helena included in her letter that she was greatful for their help and happy that she could witness the day Leon asked his lover to marry him.

He didn't kneel - you should have made him kneel. She messaged her privately.

The most unexpected letter came without a name. It arrived in a pink envelope (it was a shade what was very close to red) and even the paper the greeting was written on was a deep pink colour. The card had many roses and even a red lip print on the lower right corner.

Congratulations on finding each other! (She made the first move, didn't she?)

Even if it didn't have a name, they were sure it was written by Ada. They were surprised she decided to even send them a greeting, but Leon's lover (the future Mrs. Kennedy) appreciated it a lot.

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rainythefox · 2 months

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After Midnight

Sequel to Nightfall - AO3 Link

Summary: Three months after her near-death entanglement with Albert Wesker, Claire Redfield remains fettered to him as both lover and prisoner. As such, he once again pulls her into his dark games of power and control. Adamant at having her all to himself, Wesker's hold on her tightens as he pulls them both towards an unsatiable holy grail. But this is to be just the beginning of what would become an absolute nightmare...

Claire/Wesker, Chris/Jill, slight Claire/Leon and Ada/Leon. (also big focus on Wesker and William's friendship and past). Pre-RE1- Code Veronica time frame.

Chapter 1: Behind Blue Eyes

November 4th, 1971…

“The world needed your mother. She was essential. To modern science. To the future. Not you. You are disposable. An expedient…no, an anathema upon this world.”

His father’s last words to him repeated in his head, again and again.

Then he was left behind at this strange facility with all the white coats.

That was after spending his birthday two days ago flying across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.

Chicago, he recalled. That’s where he was. A research facility in Chicago. His father had spoken with the man in charge here…something about compensation for his “participation”. Anything to get that funding he always talked about for his research…

The doctors here poked and prodded him. Drew a lot of blood. Ran numerous tests. Nothing he wasn’t used to.

The young boy sat on an examination table in a small white-walled room for what felt like hours, the lights irradiant, just like the rooms he had often found himself in back home. The brightness hurt his eyes. He winced and squeezed his blue eyes shut. If he didn’t, he felt he would go blind.

He didn’t bother checking the door. He knew it would be locked. Everything in his life was controlled. When he could eat, when he could sleep, when he could leave. Isolated. All alone. Although that wasn’t anything new. He had always felt this way. His father abandoned him years ago, even if he had seen him every day of his life up until now.

Anathema…anathema, he thought over and over. He knew the word. A curse. Abomination. Something consigned for sacrificial offering and destruction.

The door opened. Instead of the usual apathy that accompanied him, always knowing it to be his father, a fleeting anxiety passed through him as two strangers entered.

One was the man in charge here his father had spoken to for “compensation”. He was quite important, a lord he’d overheard, but the boy knew nothing of who he was. The other man was a doctor and seemed to be friends with the lord. They both looked to be in their late 40s, although it was just a guess.

The lord wore a proud, triumphant smile, looking the boy over as though he was a prize of sorts.

“Hello, Albert,” he greeted politely, kneeling beside the boy. “It’s an honor to finally meet your acquaintance. I am a longstanding colleague of your father, Andric. My name is Lord Ozwell Spencer, but you may call me Ozwell.”

The lord extended his hand. Albert stared at it. Clean, soft skin. No scars. No calluses. There was a big ring with a familiar crest on its face. It made his head hurt as he tried to recall where he’d seen it. They had never met before, but the boy felt this man somehow knew all about him. He didn’t take the offered palm. The smile was camouflage, the handshake a venomous bite.

Ozwell’s British accent carried a mix of elegance and power. It was more evident than Albert’s father’s accent, which had lost much of its original Germanic cadence from working in England.

The lord didn’t seem displeased when Albert didn't take his hand. He softly chuckled, his eyes still not leaving the boy. “Strong, silent type, I see. I like that in a young man.” He motioned to Albert’s face. "Did you get into a fight at school?”

He was so used to it that Albert had forgotten all about it. “My father never appreciated me challenging him.” Albert glared at the lord. “Tell me, did my father get his just compensation for dropping me at this hellhole?”

Ozwell glanced back at the doctor with a pleased smirk. His friend didn’t smile back, looking more surprised than anything, and scribbled on his clipboard.

“I assure you, young man, that ‘compensation’ was for something else…something before you were born that I owed him. His research is valuable to my company. And so we thought it best I take you in for a bit so he could work away on a very important enterprise.”

Why did adults always lie? Did they think him gullible?

“Something tells me you aren’t so heartbroken over it,” Ozwell said softly, offering the boy a friendly, reassuring smile. “Trust me, you’ll be far happier here. My dear friend Dr. Hensley will just run a few more tests to make sure you are in good health, and then we can get you situated, alright?”

Albert didn’t bother nodding or answering. He didn’t have a choice. They escorted him through the bright, winding hallways of the medical facility. His head hurt. He spotted other children here but never crossed paths with them.

“Are you alright, Albert?” Ozwell asked.

“The lights hurt my eyes.”

The lord slowly nodded, seemingly logging it away with a quick side glance at Dr. Hensely.

When they got to their destination, it wasn’t another patient room, it was a fully functioning laboratory, similar to his father’s. They took him into the back where Dr. Hensley carefully performed a set of tests, including drawing more blood. Afterwards, he was left alone so they could talk in the room next door.

Albert hopped down from his seat and padded over to the cracked door to eavesdrop.

“I told you he was a beautiful specimen, didn’t I?” Ozwell stated. “I’m eager to see him as an adult after the indoctrination and training. He will be the perfect candidate for the next evolution of my project. Tell me the results you’ve received.”

“He’s in impeccable health, my Lord,” Dr. Hensley answered. “He’s developing how we had anticipated and his new genetic screening results are what you were hoping for.”

“Perfect to pair with Alex in the future, then?”

Alex? His sister he’d recently found out about? Pair with her how?

“Without a doubt. However, I am concerned with his lack of socialization and interpersonal skills.”

“He was raised that way on purpose. Don’t worry, he’ll gain those with James.” The lord paused, thinking, and then asked, “Was the light sensitivity listed before on his genetics? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Dr. Hensely shook his head. “No, but it’s a common condition when breeding for the Aryan characteristics that you desire. Nothing to be concerned about.”

“Does he remember anything outside of Andric?”

“He does recall the boarding school with the other Wesker children, but not enough that concerns me. The mind manipulation and synthetic memories are solid. If we continue doing what we are doing, he will never remember it all on his own.”

What?!

“Excellent,” Ozwell praised. “Start the next process immediately. I’m leaving for home to meet with Lord Ashford, Lord Henry, and Lord Beardsley tomorrow. James has already been informed and has prepared for Albert to stay with him. Just make sure to wipe his memories of the last few days and reprogram him before handing him over.”

“As you wish, my Lord.”

“And I mean it, Theodore. The utmost care and diligence in handling Albert. His value is beyond estimation. He is one of the most important assets of our future.”

Asset? His father had called him the opposite…yet the same, gut-churning feeling came from the word. The same bad taste in his mouth as though he was just something to be used. A tool, a weapon, but in the end, thrown away.

Panicking, the boy raced to the door, knowing full well it would be locked. He turned the knob and tugged on it anyway. I have to get out of here!

It didn't budge. Trapped like always.

He didn’t want to forget. He didn’t want his mind manipulated. He didn’t want to be controlled. Ruled. If only he was stronger…

What had he done to deserve this? His father’s voice played in his head, blaming him for his mother’s death, day after day after day. Was it that? He didn’t mean for it to happen!

Albert moved away from the door when Ozwell and Dr. Hensely emerged from the back room. The boy pretended to be interested in the x-rays on the wall, feigning composure.

“Well, Albert, my boy,” the lord sighed, the same creepy smile and watchful eyes on him, “I must take my leave. I have important duties to attend. Dr. Hensely will take good care of you. Please behave for him. I'll see you soon.”

Albert stayed silent, a growing knot of disgust and hatred twisting in his stomach. He thinks I belong to him. I’m not his. I don’t belong to anyone!

After Ozwell left, Dr. Hensely patted the examination table with a warm smile. “Okay, buddy. Just one shot and you’re good to go! I’m sure you’re ready to get out of here. We have a nice room and meal ready for you.”

Albert didn’t move. It came rushing back to him. The shot wasn’t an immunization of any sort. It was to put him to sleep. Then he wouldn’t remember when he awoke.

They’ve done this to me before…multiple times. He couldn’t recall how many. It was all too fuzzy. His head pounded.

Albert shook his head. “No.”

Dr. Hensely was surprised by his answer, putting his clipboard down and rubbing the back of his head. “Oh come now, Albert. Surely a strong, brave young man such as yourself isn’t afraid of a little immunity boost?”

“Liar,” Albert hissed. “It's anesthesia. You want to knock me out and make it so I don’t remember.”

“W-What? No! That’s absurd! I’m only here to help you.”

The boy refused to move, glaring at the doctor.

Dr. Hensely sighed. “Look boy, you’re doing this whether you want to or not. It’s out of your control. Either you come over here willingly or I have thirty employees outside this room that will hold you down. You wouldn't want another blackeye, would you? So which one is it?”

Albert kept his challenging gaze, one fist balled, his chest a tight knot. No choice. No control. They controlled him. They did own him.

Never breaking eye contact, Albert slowly approached the doctor and sat on the examination table. Dr. Hensely, tense and agitated, let out a deep breath and picked up the syringe.

“Get used to the fact that you will never be in control, kid. That’s how it is here. I’m sorry.”

You will be sorry…

He had to remember. No matter what. He couldn’t let them do this to him…again.

Dr. Hensely leaned in and injected Albert’s arm with the drug. The boy winced, glaring at the doctor in growing hatred…until he snatched up a scalpel on the nearby tool tray, and stabbed it into Hensley’s jugular vein.

Blood sprayed all over Albert just as the world started to spin. Dr. Hensely crashed backwards onto the floor with an agonized cry, gripping his throat.

Just before the world went black, Dr. Hensely bled out all over the floor in front of him. He heard the gurgled curses, felt the warm blood that drenched him, tasted it in his mouth. None of those things compared to the satisfying rush of power and victory he felt in that moment. He had overthrown a ruler. He could conquer them. He would conquer them all.

He should’ve done it to his father, but it was a start. They would not be able to suppress his awakening forever. One day the blinders would be removed and he would remember…and then everyone would be sorry.

The blue eyes, astute and austere, burned into his very soul, seemingly reading his deepest, darkest thoughts. The smile, proud and valiant, hid depravity within an invisible mask of dignity and power.

He couldn’t understand this feeling of being revolted by this man, yet, concurrently, being drawn to him.

“Albert?”

Albert looked away from the eerie oil painting of Lord Ozwell E. Spencer, not realizing he had lost himself in thought under the sharp gaze. He glanced up at Dr. James Marcus…his new guardian. The man was in his fifties with graying brown hair and wore a brown suit. Composed and shrewd, he was a bit harder to read compared to most adults for Albert. He still didn’t know what to think about his new guardian, but for better or for worse, the boy was stuck with him. For now.

It had been a long week. His father had dropped him off here in the States to live with Dr. Marcus, although he couldn’t remember much of the trip or the days after. Has jet lag affected me this acutely before? James had briefly shown him around the large mansion that belonged to Ozwell, before proceeding to the Umbrella Executive Training School. Apparently, James resided here in his laboratory, with his own living quarters, which is where Albert would mostly be staying. Soon, he would be attending the school as well.

James approached Albert when he didn’t move, he himself looking upon the portrait.

“My dear old friend,” James said with a wry smile. “He’s done so much for me…he will do a lot for you as well, Albert. Just remember he is the same as the Snake in the Garden of Eden. Watch his tongue…and certainly watch his bite.”

Albert wasn’t religious by any means, but he knew the stories. “You attribute your friend to the Devil?”

James smirked down at him, delighted. “Better to acknowledge you’re friends with the Devil than to deny it. Come along. There’s someone you need to meet.”

Albert hesitated, his eyes lowering to the floor. His polished shoes matched the equally polished floors of the school. His head hurt so bad. He tried to remember what happened before coming here, but it was all a haze. He recalled his father on the plane. He had said something to him before leaving. He just couldn’t remember what. Ozwell had told him his accommodations were temporary before handing him over to James, but this didn’t feel temporary.

“My father isn’t coming back for me…is he?”

James paused, frowning. He considered his next words. “No. He got what he wanted out of you. And in time, so will Ozwell and myself. But no worries, my boy. You are where you are meant to be. Trust me. In time, you will make them all pay. I’ll show you how.”

What an interesting response from an adult. Albert then followed him closer than he had on the whole tour. James led them to his living quarters nestled adjacent to the laboratory of the training school. It was a nice-sized apartment, modern and clean…a little more room than what Albert and his father were accustomed to.

“William, come out here,” James called. “There’s someone here you need to meet.”

Albert looked around the living room. Spacious. Hardwood floors. Brand new furniture. Paintings and photos adorning the walls. It hardly looked lived in. There was a wall dedicated to a trip to Africa and James’ doctorates. He settled on an intriguing photograph full of beautiful red and gold flowers with peculiar shaped petals, nothing like he had ever seen before.

Soft footsteps rushed into the living room. When Albert turned around, he was surprised to see another boy, having expected William to be an adult. The boy was smaller than him, maybe a year or two younger, with short blonde hair and blue eyes, just like him.

William looked just as surprised to see Albert as he was to see him, but the shock quickly turned into a big, toothy grin and he nearly hopped over to Albert in excitement.

“No way! You got me a brother?!”

“William, settle down. I don’t care what you call yourselves. Just get along. William this is Albert, Albert this is William. You’ll be roommates so get used to each other. I have to make a phone call.”

He was never informed there would be someone else while living with James, let alone someone his age.

Albert tensed and moved away when William eased closer with hushed excitement, especially now since it was only them. Albert had never mingled with other kids before and was unsure of the formalities.

“Nice to meet you, Albert! Can I call you Bert? Oooh, how about Al? I like Al!”

“No. Just Albert,” he grumpily answered, already irritated with the other boy’s whimsical behavior.

“I like your accent Al, are you not from the U.S.? You’ll like it here. James is alright, I guess, but the school is amazing! I’m the youngest child prodigy to be studying under Umbrella!”

This boy was a child prodigy as well? Albert looked him over skeptically. He decided to move away, giving into instinct instead of attempting conversation. He had no clue how to handle this interaction.

William followed, his excitement waning only slightly, instead a mild diffidence forming. “So uh, where are you from?”

“Not here.”

“What happened to your family?”

Albert clenched his jaw. “None of your business.”

“Oh, it’s okay,” William reassured. “I’m an orphan too. It’s why I’m with James. Been here for about a year. I never knew my parents.”

When Albert didn’t answer, William gasped and ran around to block his path.

“Wait a minute! Are you a prodigy too? No wonder James took you in! Oh, this is exciting! Finally, some competition! We could test each other’s limits and push ourselves further! Granted, that’s likely why they put us together to begin with, but just think of all the fun it will be. I mean, I’ll probably win, but it’s-”

Albert punched William hard in the nose. Partly to make him shut up…mostly to establish dominance.

The younger boy yelped, his nose busted, blood pouring out of his nostrils. He cupped his face, staring at Albert in shock as his eyes watered from the sting. “Ow!”

“Well, I just tested the limits of your face, and I must say…you need some work,” Albert sneered.

“What the hell is going on here?!” came James’ angered voice as he rushed into the room, practically yanking the two boys apart.

“I’m fine!” William blurted through his fingers.

Their new guardian sighed, shaking his head. “Why did I agree to this?” He headed for the door, snapping his fingers at William. “Come along, both of you. William, we need to do an x-ray.”

“Oh, it’s definitely broken,” William stated calmly and obediently followed after James.

“Albert, come,” James ordered in the doorway, glaring back at him.

“He brought it on himself,” Albert grumbled, and begrudgingly followed.

“Did not!”

“You did so!”

“BOYS!”

A few months later…

There was a chill to the air, but Albert was numb to it, lost in thought as he waited. Continuous mumbles soon interrupted his thoughts and he glared over at his “roommate”.

William had perched himself so he was lying upside down, halfway off the examination table, his blond hair hanging from his head and brushing the tiled floor. His face was turning red from all the blood rushing to his head.

Albert sighed. “What are you doing?”

“I’m bored! Why do you have to come for tests more than I do?”

“I don’t know, and who said you had to stay behind?”

“And go with James to that old person meeting? No thanks! You’re way more fun, Al.”

“How fortunate for me.”

The lights were burning his eyes as they waited. He squeezed them shut…and tried to tune out William in the process.

Albert was still settling in with James and William. He’d excelled in the boarding school since day one, enjoying it immensely compared to the one his father had sent him to. As annoying as his little roommate was, Albert found himself minding his company less with each subsequent day. Maybe he was building a tolerance to him…or maybe William was growing on him a little, although he refused to admit it.

William started humming, his fidgeting rustling the paper on the exam table. Albert opened his eyes and glared, witnessing his roommate attempting to slide down into a handstand, using the table as a brace to keep his balance.

Albert stood and reached over, grabbing William’s leg and yanking. With a startled “Ack!”, William toppled over. “You just had to do it, didn’t you,” he groaned as he got to his feet, dusting himself off.

“My head is killing me. I’d appreciate it if you stopped being bothersome,” Albert replied, cupping his fingers over his eyes.

“Ohhhh, it’s the lights again. Hmm.” William stood there thinking hard, glaring up at the bright lights while rubbing his chin. “I know!”

He headed for the door. The locked door. The one that always contained Albert. “It’s locked.”

“Psh! That doesn’t stop the great William Birkin!”

The nine year old prodigy procured a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door…just like that. Albert jumped to his feet when the door opened. “Where did you get that?!”

William looked confused at first. “Oh. I stole it from James. No locked doors for us, buddy! Come on, I have something for you!”

William stepped out of the room without a care in the world. Albert hesitated at the threshold. The fuzzy memories, the consequences, they stifled him for a moment before William snatched his arm and yanked him forward.

“Come on, slow poke!”

Albert followed William through the hallways. He had most of it memorized now, but was still not as familiar with it as William. The adults didn’t pay them much mind, too busy with their own duties down in the executive school’s research facility. William slipped into a smaller laboratory and beckoned him to follow.

By the time Albert caught up, William had snatched something off of a researcher’s desk and shoved it into his hands. “There! Now when you’re in the room with the bright lights, they won’t bother you! And you’ll look cool in the process!”

“Sun…glasses?”

“Yeah!”

Albert sighed. “Whose even are these?”

“Who cares? They’re yours now! Trust me, he won’t miss them.” William smacked Albert’s shoulder as he headed out. “Let’s get back before they miss us though.”

Albert nodded, slowly following after him, looking the sunglasses over. They looked positively ridiculous to say the least. He wouldn’t wear them unless he absolutely had to…but…it made him recall that no one bothered to help him with his eyes in all the years he had complained about the pain.

They returned to the patient room to wait. William sat down beside him, a few feet away, as he knew Albert didn’t like anyone close to him. But he slowly and quietly inched himself closer, and then presented something else to him when Albert didn’t snap at him to move away.

It was the key that unlocked the door. “I have another copy. This key is a master key for most of the facility. I…understand. I’ve been in locked rooms my whole life, too. But um…we can help each other not be controlled so much by them, yeah?”

Albert slowly took the key, peering at it as though it was invaluable treasure. He nodded silently in reply, squeezing his fingers around the brass.

Wincing from the lights, Albert slipped on the sunglasses. They were too big for him, but they did help tremendously against the bright glare.

William tittered next to him. “You look dashing!”

Albert snorted a suppressed laugh. And honestly, he couldn’t remember if he had ever laughed before.

March 19th 1998…

You can wait on me for once, asshole.

Wesker scowled at Claire’s text. It pertained to their established assignation tomorrow. She certainly enjoyed testing his forbearance at times. Not for the first time, he questioned his decision to gift her the PDA for maintaining contact.

His response would have to wait, however. He glanced at his watch after stepping foot into the Circular Café near Clock Tower Plaza. It was a popular bistro nestled right on the river. He soon spotted his quarry waiting for him at a booth.

The information broker, Aaron Roth, stared out onto Circular River, the water absorbing the morning hues of golds, purples, and reds. On the other side of the river, Raccoon City was a resplendent backdrop to this first act, towering, shadowy buildings in fresh dawn under a canopy of sun-tinged clouds.

Like most prey that had advanced senses to detect prowling predators, Roth caught sight of Wesker halfway towards the booth. Guarded, the broker inched his steaming coffee closer when Wesker sat across from him.

Nothing was said at first, even after Wesker pulled off his shades and stared his emissary down. A young waitress soon arrived at their booth.

“Good morning, Captain! Your usual?”

Wesker broke off his staredown long enough to give the girl two seconds of his time, direct eye contact, an artificial smile, and one nod. “Yes, that will do.”

“On it, sir!”

Wesker leaned back, leering at Roth. “Didn’t expect to find yourself back in Raccoon City so soon?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“How was your trip?”

Roth snorted, half-rolling his eyes while sipping his coffee. “Let’s skip the bullshit smalltalk, yeah?”

“Straightforward and efficient, as always. Good. It plays in your favor to keep me happy. Now proceed.”

Roth picked up a large white envelope that had been lying next to him. He pushed it across the table to his master.

“Well, the confidential data you and Birkin blackmailed out of Bard is correct. Christine Henry does have a secret project in the works. Laboratory Six in Paris. Derived from the Nemesis Project that’s been around for nearly a decade. Evidence suggests that it is in direct competition with Sergei’s pet project, T-ALOS. That explains why she wanted all the info on it three months ago.”

Wesker opened the envelope and flipped through the documents enclosed inside. Nemesis T-Type. Yes, this was it.

“Another tyrant-based project? It seems both Umbrella USA and Umbrella Europe cannot shake their unbridled rivalry.” Wesker enclosed the stolen research safely back inside its envelope. “All the better for me, I suppose.”

Instead of answering, Roth stared behind him, his usual composure becoming strained. By the time Wesker noticed, it was too late.

“The nerve you have to meet him here.”

Wesker sighed. “Sit, William. And be nice.”

“I was hella nice to Bennett. I’m still finding pieces of him, by the way,” William growled like a feral cat, and frankly, he kind of looked like one too after three nights underground.

His partner sat beside him, but looked like he wanted to reach across the table and scratch out the eyes of their liaison.

“Will, in just the span of a few months, Aaron has compensated us far over what he stole from you years ago. Let it go.”

“But he sold it to Alexia.”

Wesker glared at him.

William sighed like an indignant teenager. “Fiiiine.”

“Here you are, sir!” came the bubbly voice of their waitress, and she sat Wesker’s coffee in front of him. She then quickly presented William with a wide smile. “Dr. Birkin, you too? Do you want your usual?”

“Nah, Al’s paying today. So get me three orders of biscuits and sausage gravy, an everything bagel with avocado, a Spanish omelet, a side order of bacon, and a large triple shot caramel latte with extra whipped cream. Oooh actually, add another shot to that because I’m beat.”

“You got it, Doctor! I’ll get that out to you pronto.”

Wesker glared at William after the waitress bounded away, although Roth was left looking a little confused.

“What?” Will asked. “I’m hungry. Plus, I have a family to feed. You just keep drinking your sad black coffee, my friend. It will never be as black as your soul.”

“Actually, I am drinking a macchiato.”

“Aw, look at you giving yourself a little light. I knew Claire would be good for you!”

“Wait. Claire Redfield is still alive?” Roth asked.

Both Wesker and William broke off their repartee to glare at the info broker at the same time. He had unceremoniously readjusted their focus. Roth quickly regretted asking, as Wesker’s glare alone could kill.

“Why do you care, Aaron?” Will asked.

The information broker, calm and sly, lightly shrugged, feigning skepticism. “I just figured she’d long served her purpose by now.”

Such a clever rat.

Wesker scratched the top of his hand, an unspoken, discreet message to William. “What else do you have for us? Good news, I hope?”

Roth slowly nodded after swallowing. “Yes…She has agreed to meet you both. Unfortunately, the arrangements are a little tight because of her schedule. In two weeks. It’s the only time I could secure from her. But if you’re wanting to get info on her secret project and any of her other dirty little secrets, I suggest you take advantage post haste. I’ve already spoken with Alex and she has Daniel on board to help.”

“Two weeks?! There’s no way!” William grumbled. “You couldn’t make it in a month or so?”

The broker shook his head. “Dr. Henry is of noble blood. Very proud. Very secretive. Quite powerful and influential. She’s also quite fickle. She usually only gives out opportunities like this once. I highly suggest you take it while it stands, or you might lose her as an ally completely.”

“It won’t be an issue,” Wesker calmly added.

“Speak for yourself, I’m way busier than you!” Will scoffed.

“If I may,” Roth cleared his throat. “Will this not catch the attention of those above you? A UID agent and the Chief Researcher going on a trip to Paris to meet one of Umbrella Europe’s executives? Surely that will catch Spencer’s attention?”

William frowned and looked at Wesker, who didn’t even blink, but merely passed Roth a condescending smile. “I appreciate your ‘concern’, Aaron, but I already have it resolved.”

“Of course you do.” Both Roth and William said in unison, only to give each other weird looks.

“Proceed forward and tell Daniel to contact me. We’ll be there.” Wesker smirked. “It will be a pleasure to finally meet Christine Henry in person.”

Roth dipped his head and rose. “I’ll get it done.”

The info broker left without another word. William watched him depart completely from the café while Wesker took a long drink of his coffee.

“Such a good, obedient little puppy,” Will scoffed. “Until he shits in our shoes.”

Wesker smacked him with the envelope. “Stop your caviling.”

His partner took the envelope and stood just about the time their waitress returned with William’s order.

“Here’s your food all bagged up and your caramel latte with four shots of espresso! You might have a hard time sleeping tonight.” She giggled.

“Sleep? What’s that?” Will joked and winked at her. “Thanks, doll. Come on, Captain, let’s go!”

Wesker yawned and followed William out to his car. After the Chief Researcher secured his food on the back floorboard, he slid behind the wheel while Wesker waited in the passenger seat. Wesker finished his coffee while his partner took the time to go through the documents inside the envelope.

“Hmm, so after nearly a decade of impasse, it seems their ‘Nemesis Project’ has finally been redeveloped. You know, I met Henry briefly when Spencer imported one of their Nemesis Alpha parasites a decade ago. Remember that trip I made to Paris with Spencer like a week after we filled Marcus full of holes? Anyway, her father was in charge then. And since there were no BOWs at the time that could survive the parasite, I took the liberty of implanting it into Lisa. I got my beloved G-Virus out of it! I can only imagine what these new parasites could do if injected into Lisa now…But it seems they plan on implanting them into the next-generation T-103 Tyrants they want to mass produce on Sheena Island. They don’t even have the bugs worked out of the Epsilon strain or the T-002! Cart before the horse much?”

“They wish to test the T-002 on live combatants and use the data towards the final improvements for the new models. That is nothing new,” Wesker explained. “It will be machine versus organism in the coming months on which project will helm Phase Three and determine the future of the Tyrant line.”

“My money’s on this bad boy,” William replied with a child-like grin, staring at the prototype’s design in his lap. “Such intelligence! And look at that artillery!”

“Nature will always prevail,” Wesker agreed.”That is one constant in this world. T-ALOS may have a highly confidential A.I. nexus, but its advantages do not outweigh its disadvantages compared to the Nemesis Alpha parasites.”

“I do spot an error in this blueprint, though.” Will tapped the diagram. “Given how the parasite grows and attaches itself to the central nervous system and brain, I highly predict the cranial and facial tissues will have to be stapled or stretched. He won’t be this pretty.”

“What does that matter?”

“It doesn’t. I'm just pre-bragging how I’ll be right. You’ll see.”

“I will get in contact with Ada. She can come along with us and oversee Daniel.”

“Um…isn’t she on assignment in South America?”

Wesker frowned. He’d been so busy these past few weeks it had slipped his mind. He thought it over. “Alex is also unavailable. It would be in our best interest to have someone else we can trust on this trip. Unfortunately, we might just have to make do with Daniel.”

“Hey, didn’t you say Claire speaks French?”

That’s all it took for Wesker’s brain to do what it did best. Calculate, plot, scheme, orchestrate…

In that same moment, his phone dinged, and a familiar name read across the screen. Claire, sending him another text in response from earlier.

I’ll be there.

Wesker stared at the words, his lips spreading into a wide, devilish grin.

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