Work Text:
Claire’s fever was getting worse as the infection raged through her veins. Although the world was full of fog now, she kept her eyes focused on Leon’s back, using it to keep herself grounded.
How much longer… How much longer do I have?
She winced at the sound of Chris’s painful coughing nearby. Having her own brother infected and trapped in these cells with her was bad enough. But seeing Leon become infected too…
She ran a hand over her sweaty brow, wishing to rid herself of the memory of the shot jamming into his neck. But it lingered, feeling like the final nail in their coffin.
Jill’s out there. We still have hope-
“How… how are you doing in there?”
A wave of sorrow washed over Claire at the sound of Leon’s weak voice. She breathed in deeply to try to get a hold of herself… but it was a losing battle.
He was laying on the motel bed. His shoulder bandaged up. His fever getting worse-
“Claire?”
“I’m ok,” she forced out, hoping he couldn’t hear the tremble in her voice. The same tremble she’d just heard from him. The memories of the first few nights after Raccoon City had flooded her fevered mind… much to her dismay.
He sounds the same. Just as weak…
Nineteen year old her had been so scared of him dying back then. Of losing her new friend… her new companion. She’d cried in secret on those first few long nights, the world seeming so unfair as to have him survive an apocalypse only to be stolen away by an infected gunshot wound.
You wouldn’t let me take you to the hospital. You knew they were looking for us. You wanted to keep me and Sherry safe… even if it cost you your life.
“Kinda wishing you were sitting out here with me…”
Claire looked up, her vision blurry. Leon was looking over his shoulder at her, a strained but genuine smile on his face.
And Claire wondered if it was the infection that just caused her heart to skip a beat.
“Yeah,” she managed to whisper out, scooting closer to him. “How many times are metal bars going to separate us?”
“Too many times…” Leon trailed off. “Way too many…”
Silence hung between them, broken only by the occasional ragged cough or strangled breath.
Not wanting to waste what might be their last moments together, Claire inched herself even closer to him, her dizzy mind forcing itself to replay the memory of the morning where his fever finally broke. Forcing herself to replay the relief of knowing he was going to be ok.
He was facing forward now, sitting silently. And Claire felt a spike of dread within her.
…please. Please still be with me!
She reached her hand out weakly, her fingers burning with the urge to touch him.
“Leon?!”
Don’t be gone-!
“Claire, do you wanna get married?”
She stared at the back of Leon’s head, dumbfounded.
“What?”
“What?!” Chris piped in from the other cell.
“Do you wanna get married?” Leon repeated.
Claire blinked in confusion.
“...is this the fever talking, Leon?”
“Nope,” he said, reaching his hand back to find her, his face still aimed in front of him.
Claire lowered her eyes to his hand then hesitantly took it. It was as warm and sweaty as her own… but there was comfort there. A comfort that felt… right.
“I spent too many years telling myself that I’d always have time to tell you how I felt,” Leon said quietly, his hand giving hers a gentle squeeze. “Also told myself that if one of us died before that, then at least the other wouldn’t be as hurt if we were just friends.” He looked over his shoulder at her again. “But that’s bullshit. I’m losing my mind over here.”
“Same,” Claire whispered, squeezing his hand back.
“Yeah… I could kinda tell…” Leon said softly. “So… fuck it, right? If this is my last chance for you to know how I feel, I’m taking it.”
Claire couldn’t help but smile teasingly at him.
“And you chose to do this by asking me to marry you?”
“Hey, go big or go home.”
“I’ll say…” Chris wheezed from the other cell. “You’re crazy, Kennedy.”
“Yes.”
“See? She agrees that you’re crazy.”
“No,” Claire coughed. “I’m saying yes to the proposal.”
“What?!”
“Really?!” Leon asked, his pale and sweaty face lighting up.
“Yeah. Fuck it, right?” she grinned as Chris groaned loudly.