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Luis had thought it weird that she'd known who he was talking about from his nonanswer. Leon, she knew him. That probably shouldn't be a surprise. Ada worked in this field, and Leon was definitely some sort of agent. They'd probably run into another before.
But still he thought it was interesting.
And as the night continued on, he chewed on that thought. Ada’s willingness to help while posed as selfish, it really wasn't. And Leon…well he had a hell of a savior complex.
He'd come to the conclusion that the two probably got along despite…everything. Call it a gut instinct, but Leon warmed up to him well enough, and if he'd run into Ada in a similar situation? Well, he felt confident it would go about the same way.
He never mentioned Ada to him, he wasn't willing to risk his own skin if Ada hadn't shown herself to the agent. He also wasn't too keen on any questions about his own involvement with her being questioned. He had no doubt Leon would sooner put a bullet between his eyes and let The Amber get into dubious hands.
Not after what he'd been and was still going through. Luis didn't think he'd even blame him, but he wanted out before he was killed. Small sacrifices or at least that's what he told himself.
But after Leon saved his life from Krauser, a name he'd picked up during their subsequent fight, he got some answers. Ada was on coms with him, it couldn't be anyone else.
Leon listened and the small smirk he had intrigued Luis.
“Oh so you aren't heartless after all. I guess I should be….thankful?”
A response that had Leon huffed lightly and rolled his eyes.
“Looks like we're going to the clock tower.” He told him, and Luis just nodded.
He wouldn't refuse, not now that The Amber had been grabbed by Krauser. The only real option he had was to follow after the man.
“What did he mean by stolen goods?
Shit…he weighed his odds and figured the truth was his best option. Leon truly was a good man, maybe he would understand his plight. Possibly even offer salvation on the chance that Ada refused him. What did they say about casting your nets wide?
So he explained stiltedly…to think he's just got some trust from the man only to quash it again.
To his surprise, while Leon reacted negatively, it wasn't so extreme. Maybe because he didn't have The Amber anymore, maybe not, he didn't know. Leon understood his desperate scramble to escape even if he didn't agree with the cost.
Luis didn't even have to explain Ada’s involvement (not that he would have). Leon already put those pieces together and cursed a creative string as it all clicked into place.
“I'm going to kill her.” He rumbled as his tirade finished.
Luis didn't confirm or mention her being infected. He wasn't about to spill anything more. If Leon was intimidating? Ada was terrifying, and she'd sooner kill him for divulging information.
From there it was a blur. If he'd been impressed by Leon's fighting skills before it was nothing when compared to seeing them now. No matter what nightmarish horror popped up, Leon did little more than taunt it as he cut it down. Luis realized he'd probably should have thrown his lot in with Leon from the beginning. Well, if that wouldn't have gotten executed that was.
Then Ada appeared with the keys to the boat. She'd strutted up and just dangled them with a teasing smirk. Leon looked at her for a moment, then got up and offered an arm for her to use to step in.
It stunned Luis into silence. Ada just rolled her eyes and ignored it, only snapping at him for his bleeding heart. She took the driver's seat and Leon didn't argue, just took shotgun. Luis contented himself with sitting in the back.
The tension was so thick that he nearly choked on it. These two clearly had a history and a not so simple one at that. Their back and forth gave him a bit of insight, and the way Leon looked at her…well Luis wasn't blind.
The knowledge that Leon had been in Raccoon…that Ada had been too. He shuttered at the thought. Had they run into what he helped create? He hoped not...
As Ada took her leave and Leon jumped for the wheel, Luis was left with his own thoughts. It was funny neither of them had as much as acknowledged him. And he was thankful for that, he’d been half scared Ada would confront him, but she’d been preoccupied. He wondered if they'd simply forgotten about his presence.
However Leon never even blinked as Luis took the newly vacated seat, and he supposed they'd just not cared.
The next stretch was well out of Luis’s comfort zone and by the time they found Ashley he volunteered himself to stay by the door. Leon hadn't argued, and he was thankful as he collapsed down the wall and sat in a heap. God what the hell…it had gotten so much worse since the beginning of this mess.
Leon popped back up eventually looking no worse for wear if not a good bit more hesitant. He'd seen something and Luis was glad he'd been spared. Once in the room and the suppressant injected into Ashley Leon nearly collapsed and Luis wished he could do more, but he couldn't. So instead he offered to keep watch.
Leon agreed a touch too easily for it to be comforting.
Eventually once Ashley was back up and Leon wasn't barely standing, they continued on. It was a damn nightmare but not hopeless. Then Saddler appeared. Luis wasn't sure why he was spared, but he didn't question it, and like that they were back to trying to find Ashley again.
The camp was haunting but informative and…Krauser, God Luis hated that maniac. He stayed well clear and tucked himself away into a corner as Leon kept his attention. They moved so fast he could barely keep up. Krauser stalked them for far too long, but Leon never faltered. Not at the taunts that were far too personal, nor the goading that would get a lesser man.
Mutated freak or not Leon remind more skilled which Luis thought shouldn’t be possible. And as Leon came out on top in the end, Luis should feel more triumph for Leon than he does. But he can't muster it when Leon looks haunted as he finishes off the man who taught him everything he knows.
The next trek is almost easier with air support…or it was until they lost it. Luis was getting tired of losing good innocent people. The fucking thing that wouldn't die was a nightmare and then Saddler AGAIN. Well, at least Luis had had the smarts to stay back, but that meant little when Leon was about to turn.
Before he could attempt really anything besides taking a few hasty steps forward, gunfire stopped him. He whirled around and spotted Ada automatic gun in hand. She paused her firing as Leon was given back control over his own body.
“LEON GO!” She screamed, and Luis knew he wasn't imagining the fear and desperation in her voice.
Leon grabbed Ashley before all but dragging himself back towards the door. Luis was happy to meet him and help. He took Ashley before the other man collapsed.
It was much harder than he made it look. And Luis had to wonder how he'd even managed it as bad off as he was. But Leon took the initiative and threw an arm around his shoulders thank God. From there he led them to his lab and did his best to ignore Leon's messy stumbling.
He was preparing to toss Leon on the chair, but he hissed and spit about Ashley. And frankly they didn't have time to argue, so he just threw Ashley on the chair instead. He then wheeled over and started the purging process.
Ashley's scream would haunt Luis for the rest of his life, but Leon remained at her side keeping her hand in his grasp in some form of comfort. And as it finished and Luis sighed out a relieved breath, Leon dropped.
He quickly pulled Ashley from the chair and laid her down before doing his damnedest to lift Leon. The guy was so much heavier than he imagined. The weapons didn't help and were quickly thrown off. The harness he had on was about the only saving grace as eventually he was situated, and the process began again.
If Ashley's screams were haunting Leon's was something beyond words. Ashley woke up during it and the way she went sheet white helped none. She seemed to want to offer comfort but was unsure how, and Luis wouldn't allow her anyway. The last thing they needed was for her to get her hand grabbed and broken.
What felt like an eternity later it stopped and Leon remained out cold. Ashley looked to Luis with pleading eyes, and he wished he could offer any more comfort than just.
“He'll be fine, he's a tough bastard.”
Sure enough after a few minutes, Leon stirred and they both let out relieved breath. He rallied far quicker than he should be able to, but It's not like they had another choice but to continue.
They made their way back to the main area to see it trashed and Ashley asked about the woman who'd saved them. Leon had said she'd be just fine with a chuckle, and Luis had to agree Ada seemed a lot like Leon in the regards of just not staying down.
Or he'd thought so until they made it outside and saw Ada stung up. Leon hadn't even hesitated before jumping in the lift.
“Keep her safe, I'll be back soon.” Is all he'd comanded, and Luis took on that responsibility happily.
“Who is she?”
Luis sighed and looked at Ashley. How much could he say? Stupid question It didn't matter anymore, did it?
“Mercenary she was supposed to be my ticket out of this hell hole. Don't know if she will be anymore. I might have to throw my lot in with you.”
Ashley watched the scene below as Leon shooting her free before he was swarmed and she squeaked. Then Ada came and saved him as they started advancing on Saddler.
Luis privately cheered until that thing mutated into something that would haunt Luis's nightmares for the rest of his life. Ada disappeared and Leon started fighting that abomination.
The observers thought he succeeded for a long moment after we went down, but it just continued to mutate further. Growing impossibly larger and more horrific. Leon had just trudged right back into the fight without a thought.
Luis didn't know how he did it.
Footsteps ran up behind them, and Luis turned gun in hand but froze at the sight of Ada with a rocket launcher thrown over her back.
Ashley didn't miss a beat, “Leon needs help! Hurry!”
In any other circumstance he knew that Ada would never take being talked to like that. But she does little more than eye Ashley for a moment before she runs off.
It could have been seconds, minutes, or hours, but eventually there was a shout.
“LEON! USE THIS!”
And like a guardian angel, the rocket launcher was thrown down. Leon didn't miss a beat before grabbing it and firing. He didn't stop there running up to impale the creature with its own staff before being flung to the side as it died.
Luis just grabbed Ashley and pulled her onto the lift.
As they ran up they caught the latter part of Ada and Leon's conversation. She had The Amber in hand, and for the first time Luis didn't want her to have it. Leon too seemed upset, but he never drew a weapon just…watched. She walked away as the chopper came up.
“You coming?” She asked as she eyed Leon before her eyes slid to Luis. It's his out, the out he'd wanted so bad. He looked at Ashley then Leon who didn't even look his way. Would he leave with her, could he?
“I think we both know this is where we go our separate ways.” Leon said evenly.
Ada frowned lightly before she looked firmly at Luis.
“No, I think I'm sticking with them.” He answered as evenly as he could manage despite his pounding heart.
The look in Ada's eyes was indistinguishable. She just got on the helicopter and it rose, Leon stepped forward despite himself. Luis couldn't see his face, and he didn't think he wanted to. Then the island started to explode, Leon looked back at it then back to Ada once more.
She tossed something down and Leon caught it with a small huff and a, “Cute.” Before another explosion, he turned. “Come on.” He commanded and brought them back to the lift. He sounded off and neither of them commented on it, but the look they shared was more than enough.
Soon they were holding on for dear life on a far too cramped jet ski.
oO0Oo
Luis didn't usually consider himself a lucky man, but he didn't think there was any other way to explain it. He'd be pardoned for his actions considering he'd helped save Ashley and Leon both. He'd apparently leveled the scales just about even, and he was thankful.
Leon had even gotten him in contact with another woman. Rebecca Chambers, she was a wonderful woman if not intimidating. She'd been STARS of all things, and now she was helping them to destroy and cure all the viruses that popped up. Luis was happy to join her on account of understanding how some of them were made to begin with.
He kept up contact with Leon and Ashley. He kept an ear to the ground about anything Plaga related, but nothing ever came from The Amber. No mass outbreak, no nothing. It made him wonder what Ada had done with it.
He thought about Ada often if he was being honest, but he never asked Leon about her though he wondered endlessly.
Leon, Ashley, and him were at a hole in the wall bar six months later. They'd all gotten some free time, and Ashley wanted to see them again. Luis had too if he was being honest, and he was sure Leon was in the same boat if he wanted to admit it or not.
They'd been hauled up in the far corner, quite a few drinks deep when she appeared. Quite as anything just like a phantom, Ada stood hand on her hip. Ashley gaped and then grinned wide as Luis did his best to pick up his jaw from the floor. Leon just stared like he was seeing a ghost.
Luis kicked Ashley's foot and gestured with his head. The woman got the message and quickly moved to sit beside Luis. It left space for Ada to slide in right next to Leon which she did happily.
She made herself comfortable before snagging Leon's drink and downing the rest of it herself. Leon continued to stare and Luis wanted to smack him, but settled for kicking him in the shin instead. Leon startled and Ada just raised a brow at him.
“No hello? No thank you for saving my life again? Just so you know your debt is really racking up, I hope you're keeping track.”
Leon finally managed to choke out a response, “Thought we were at least even from Racoon.”
She scoffed, “Hardly, you still owe me one. Who do you think tossed you that rocket launcher? That's two now by the way.”
He took in a sharp breath, “That was you?”
“Who else could have done it?”
Leon rolled his eyes, “Excuse me for thinking you were nothing but a splatter on the ground hundreds of feet below. Not like I watched you fall or anything.”
Ada rolled her eyes like it was the dumbest thing she'd ever heard. “I have more lives than cat Leon, you should know better.”
He threw his hands up at that, “I'd just met you!”
She just leaned forward into his space and he flushed. Ashley side eyed Luis and he tried to fight back his amusement. God Leon was so gone on her it was hilarious, and the best part was that Ada knew.
“And yet…” She purred.
He looked away. “You were the one that kissed me.”
Luis felt his eyebrows rise at that, and a quick glance at Ashley shows she also hadn't expected that.
“And you chased after.” Ada added breezily.
Leon rolled his eyes, “Yeah, and?”
She simply tilted her head at him for a moment before sitting back against the booth and waving a waitress over. No one made another comment until new drinks were ordered.
Surprisingly, not much else of note was said. Ada never explained what became of The Amber or what she'd been doing since. They were there for another hour and a half before Luis nudged Ashley to be let out. She stood, and he quickly dragged her to the bar top promising to be right back.
She staggered after him confused. “Luis what-”
He jerked his head back at the other two. “Trust me chica.”
She buffered for a moment before it seemed to click and she just smirked. They sat at the bar top, and Luis ordered another drink for them both.
“He's so in love with her.” Ashley grumbled amused.
He just nodded along, “Si, and I have a hunch it's reciprocated.”
Ashley's brows furrowed, “You do?”
He nodded, “When we were headed over to the island, I was witness to a conversation between the two. Also, she helped find you many times.”
Ashley frowned in thought, “I suppose, but I mean...” She made a vague gesture that encompasses everything.
Luis understood and just nodded along. It was complicated to put it lightly.
After about ten minutes they started heading back. Sure enough the two were entangled together, Ada half on his lap as they kissed. Luis grinned and he felt Ashley stall next to him. He collapsed back into the booth starting Leon thoroughly, but Ada was unmoved just eyed him.
“Heading home?” He asked simply.
Leon blinked dumbly for a moment before he looked at Ada hopefully. The woman just smirked, “Well?”
Leon didn't need anymore promoting, digging in his wallet and tossing far too much money on the table. He was out of the booth moments later and all but dragged Ada behind him. Ashley watched them go and just chuckled.
“HAVE A FUN NIGHT!” Luis called after them. It was that comment that finally broke Ashley as she started cackling.