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It always came back to the same place, every miserable part of his life always ended up back here. This damn village that Luis couldn't ever escape, from the moment he was born it was evident. As he ran through the achingly familiar darkness of the forest each twig snapping with a resounding crack . The same thought kept repeating in his head as he fled. Maybe if he didn’t get mixed up with Umbrella just to escape it and end up in the same fucking hell as always, if he somehow got away from this village like his grandfather wanted, If he’d just never been born–
“ Mierda !” groaning as he goes down his nose hitting the ground with an unflattering crunch!
Sighing, he looks over his shoulder only to feel his heart drop into his stomach at the sight that greeted him.
It was a guitar.
His guitar. Even had the little doll next to it.
He gasped and scrambled to his elbows. Now that his vision was clearer and he wasn’t high on adrenaline he could actually take in his surroundings. The forest was still as he remembered it, vast, creepy as hell, and the source of all his problems. It was what was in the forest that made his breath stop.
“ ...no me jodas .” he croaked.
Looking to his left he could see the photo of him and his grandfather, the charred frame was still slightly smoldering. Shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath he attempted to steel himself. He could feel the bile in his throat burning, clawing its way out. He hunched in on himself and waited for it to ebb before he looked again. His other side offered him his broken lab set. The vials all shattered, some shards stained with blood. He felt a stinging in his hand, looking down he saw the angry gash going from his pointer finger to the middle of his palm. He must’ve broken them when he fell. He frowned. That was his first set.
His somber mood quickly left as he heard the crack of a twig breaking and a faint howl. springing to his feet with an agility he didn’t even know he possessed, he grabbed the photo and broke into a sprint. It wasn’t long before he heard barking and harsh panting close behind him. Too close, way too close behind him. He laughs bitterly, why did he ever want to go with his grandfather hunting with these things out there?
That thought seems to spark something in his brain as he risks a glance over his shoulder. The wolves had the typical body of a gray wolf, if you discarded the ugly red eyes and the giant fucking jaw and teeth. He was royally screwed. Regular wolves are dangerous enough, but plaga wolves? Impossible. They're tougher to kill, faster, and-
Luis cried out as he felt teeth snap around his ankle.
-oh yeah, their teeth are so much stronger.
Screaming as he connected with the dirt, he kicked blindly behind him to ward off the other wolves. The wolf on his ankle continued to chew away at him like he was some glorified chew toy. Deciding that was a lost cause, he directed his attention to the other wolves. There were a total of two circling him snarling and snapping at him when he directed his attention at a specific one for too long. A blur of gray caught his eye, putting his arms in front of his before the wolf could make contact he felt the deafening rip of one of his sleeves being torn from the jacket. He huffed, he loved this jacket. The wolf growled its pleasure and lunged again, as Luis brought up his hands to defend himself, he felt the photo being ripped out of his hands.
He flailed, grabbing for the photo. The second wolf took this as an opportunity to latch onto his now exposed forearm. Sinking its teeth into the flesh and tearing . Luis screamed and tried to thrash his way out of their grip. It was no use, he couldn't win against a regular wolf. What would he be able to do now? He was going to die in this godforsaken village. The more it sunk in, the less he was bothered by it. It was what he deserved anyway, he was born here, tried to make a difference in the world. Well, He made a difference, yeah, he helped engineer the end of the world after all. He was born here and he’ll die here. It was a shame it hadn’t happened 28 years ago.
One of the wolves crying broke him out of his thoughts. Cracking an eye open, unaware he even closed them to begin with, he saw the wolf with the photo shaking its head and banging it against the dirt. The other wolves abandoned him, going over to the wolf. Luis scrambled to his feet, looking at the wolf, he froze. The photo had burst into flames. It was stuck on the wolf’s teeth, Burning the wolf’s mouth. The wolf continued to cry out, as the other wolves were occupied for the time being he looked around for a way to escape. Living and dying speech would have to wait, it seems. Limping away, he noticed an opening in the trees. He took one last glance at the smoldering photo in the wolves mouth, and made a break for it, If he remembered correctly this path should lead to the village-
It didn’t. It was a bridge.
A bridge made out of the charred planks of his home.
He skidded to a stop right at the edge. Risking a glance down he saw nothing but darkness.
“You’re serious right now?” he screeched.
He looked down at the wood. Most of it was just charred everyday planks. Bending down, wincing at the bolt of pain up his ankle, he inspected the first plank. It had scratchings in it. The carvings of two stick figures. One tall, with what looked to be a shotgun, the other, a young boy. The little boy was hugging the taller man's legs. Luis could very vaguely remember carving it. He smiled sadly. What he would give to see him again, just once-
He shook his head. Useless thoughts like that lead nowhere good. Taking the first step on the wood felt like he just signed his soul off to the devil. He shook it off and chalked it up to where the wood came from. It wasn’t he was halfway across the bridge that he figured out why.
Up ahead, about twenty meters from the bridge in a large clearing, was his and Leon’s apartment.
It was engulfed in flames.
“Leon!” he cried out, “ joder!”
He sprinted forward as fast the injured ankle would allow. As he got closer he noticed for the first time the crowd that had gathered around the building. When the people turned towards him, he gasped. They all had las plagas. Their red eyes scanned over him as he felt a chill go down his spine. The scar on his chest wouldn’t stop burning.
“¡ aquí tienes!” one screeched, pointing at him.
The commotion caused them to shuffle into motion, an old lady ran at him with her arms outstretched, another began readying his pitchfork, the other continued to add more flames to the fire. Luis watched on in silent horror. His throat worked to try and form words but none would come out. He fell to his knees with his head in his hands. This couldn't be happening. He–they–fixed it together. Why was he losing someone he loved again? This village could never leave him the fuck alone. No matter what he did, or how long he was gone for, it would always come back to haunt him anyway. With the same thoughts reverberating in his skull, he sighed and hung his head, going limp. If they wanted him, they could have him.
They should’ve gotten him long ago.
Step, step, step.
His head snapped up, he knew those steps, he learned those steps from hours together in a mine. He would recognize those steps if he were deaf. He didn’t want to look, he didn’t have to look. He knew who it was.
The shadow coming to a stop in front of him didn’t make him look.
The press of metal against his forehead didn’t make him look.
The safely turning off from the gun didn’t make him look.
“Look at me, Luis.”
He looked.
He was only ever a fool .
Looking up Luis saw exactly what he knew he’d see, something he hoped he’d never see,
Leon had the same clothes on, same fluffy hair he yearned to run his fingers through, the difference was the eyes. They were no longer the desolate blue eyes he’d come to know, They were bright red and ugly . His face was covered in the black veins he begged any god who would listen he’d never have to see on his or Ashley's face. His eyes widened.
Ashley!
“Leon,” he began, his voice cracking, “Where’s Ashley? She’s okay, si ?” it couldn’t be her too. Please.
“With Saddler.” He furrowed his brow and sneered, “Why?”
Luis looked up at Leon. The gun pressed to his forehead, the veins and eyes that don’t belong to him, the hordes of people he failed to save, and to Leon with the light from the burning building illuminating his outline. He closed his eyes.
He leaned his forehead against the barrel.
“Sancho, please-”
He woke up screaming before he could even hear the shot.
He could faintly hear the clang of those goddamn footsteps on the tile floor over the sound of his hyperventilating. He was so lost in his panic he didn’t even notice the figure that was standing over him until it was leaning down to his face-
The crack of his knuckles told him his fist connected with the figure's face, if the shouted “ What the fuck Luis! ” wasn’t enough to alert him. The pain shooting through his hand brought him back to reality long enough to see Leon on the floor hunched over and clutching his nose.
His Leon.
It clicked.
“ Oh mierda! Sancho! Oh my god–” he scrambled out of bed to get to Leon, who was hunched over and clutching his nose, mumbling something that didn't sound very nice, Luis chose to ignore that. the poor guy. He was still in his work clothes for god's sake.
He helped Leon sit up and took his face in his hand, moving it to inspect it. When he deemed it okay, it was going to bruise like a bitch but it probably wouldn’t make much of a difference with all the other injuries he might’ve gathered from the mission.
Still scowling, “Jesus Christ Luis I know you don’t like me seeing your bed head but this is a bit much,” he touched his finger to his nose and groaned, “Even for you.”
“Are you not a trained government agent? Can’t you handle a little punch?” Luis huffed and looked away.
Leon looked at him and frowned harder, Luis wasn’t sure how that was possible.
“Since when were you so strong anyway huh? Damn, where was that in valdelobos?”
Luis tried, and failed, to suppress the tiny flinch at the reminder. He prayed Leon didn’t notice, but like every other time Luis prayed, God laughed in his face, and he saw Leon’s eyes soften. Of course he noticed. As much as Leon pretended to be this ‘ I’m so macho and care about no one.’ kind of person, he usually failed miserably. Luis should know that by now.
“I uh, I heard you screa-'' Leon began hesitantly.
Luis beat him to it. He did not want to have this conversation, he was still sweating for god’s sake.
“Well cariño, I think we should patch up any injuries you have, si? ” Luis smirked at the way Leon grumbled and stormed out of the room, but obediently went to the bathroom. Luis smiled, he was glad Leon was home. Gathering as much of his dignity as he could he followed Leon to the bathroom.
He got there to Leon brooding on the edge of the bathtub with the medical kit sat on the toilet seat and his shirt crumpled in a corner, probably to be burned depending on what his mission was like. Efficient as always it seemed.
Settling himself down on the toilet seat, and thinking for the 100th time that this bathroom is way too cramped for two grown men and of decent height, he waited for Leon to offer a place for him to begin, when he did not he narrowed his eyes at him.
“I know you probably took a couple hits to the head on your mission, despite the fact that there is nothing up there to damage-” He chuckled darkly at the offended grumble Leon gave “-and you might be running slow but you do have to give me something to work with.”
Luis watched Leon debate it in his head, folding his hands in his lap patiently. He also saw the moment Leon decided to be an ass and continue to give him nothing. So this was how the night would go.
Sometimes after Missions Leon could be very bull headed, Luis guessed it was an after effect of having to direct idiots around in very stressful environments for hours on end. He forgets that Luis isn’t there to belittle his every decision, it usually takes a bit before he remembers that. He frowned.
“Sancho, leading cabróns around for hours on end is tiring I know. However, I am not one of those idiots, I can help you-” He reached for Leon’s face and turned it so their eyes could meet, luckily, he saw Leon’s eyes get a little brighter. Closer to his usual self. “-let me help you. please.”
Luis always wondered what they looked like before the Racoon City problem, then he remembered how he didn’t deserve to see that. The thought left a sour feeling in his stomach and his face dropped. He shouldn’t have even lived long enough to meet Leon, let alone be his partner.
A hand clamping over his broke him out of his thoughts. His eyes focused again to see Leon’s face much closer than before, and eyes much softer. He always will notice huh? he couldn’t even keep the fond tone from his thoughts. He saw Leon’s eyes drift from his, to his lips, and back again. Luis smirked.
“Miss me that much, eh vaquero ?” Luis took great pleasure in watching a blush spread across the blond’s face. He enjoyed the hand running through his hair even more.
Leon didn’t grace him with a verbal response, but he did begin to lean in. Luis watched his eyes flutter shut before he met him halfway. The kiss was a sweet thing really, it was chaste, more like a peck. Luis loved it either way, he wrapped his arms around the back of Leon’s neck and let him lead.
Leon apparently didn’t have any major plans, as he pulled back shortly after, but not fully like he was before. Allowing Luis to keep his arms wrapped around him, he even felt the hand drop from his hair so he could wrap his arm around Luis’ waist. Just the way he knew Luis liked it. He looked down at Leon and frowned.
“Playing dirty are we, Sancho?” he grumbled.
Leon smirked back at him, clearly pleased with himself, before his face changed into something more serious.
“Luis...can we uh, talk?” he swallowed and didn’t look him in the eyes.
“Oh,” Luis blinked, “what about?” He frowned and he tensed considerably. Leon strongly disliked talking about feelings. For him to initiate it, something must be serious.
There must’ve been something in his tone because Leon’s eyes snapped to his and he continued in a much softer tone.
“Nothing bad! Well, I mean it’s not the best either-” Luis removed an arm from around his neck and pressed a finger to his lips.
“Maybe this is why I should talk and not you, hm?” Luis asked, raising a brow and smirking.
Leon scowled at him and flicked him on the forehead, grinning at how he whined from it.
“It’s nothing life changing, I just wanted to check in on you.” He looked at Luis, showing signs only Luis knew meant he was worried.
Luis hesitated, he really didn’t feel like having this conversation. Especially at 3:12 in the morning after he just woke up from a nightmare. Although, if Leon asked him now it might mean he won’t have the nerve to press him about it again. Which would be great, if it wasn’t likely that Leon would feel guilty for not being able to help Luis.
Luis sighed and reached for some gauze and gestured for Leon’s arm.
“Hit me.” he made eye contact, keeping his hand out.
Leon obediently offered his arm and began to think.
“How’ve you been the last two weeks? Think of your answers carefully as I did talk to Ashley on the way here.” He allowed himself to smirk at the way Luis’ mouth opened and promptly shut.
“You called our princess before me?! I’m wounded cabrón. ” He gasped, mock offended.
Leon scoffed.
“She’s a college student, do you really think she sleeps? I knew she’d pick up.”
Luis laughed softly as he began to apply the gauze to Leon’s arm, grabbing the bandages. From what he saw, there weren’t many cuts that needed serious medical aid. He did see some scratches on his back he’d have to check out. He shouldn’t even have to do this in the first place if Leon would stop hiding his injuries from Hunnigan. Sure, it means that Leon trusts him, but his bed was so warm…well, when he wasn’t trying to claw his eyes out and escape it that is.
He was broken out of his musing by Leon coughing pointedly.
“Deflecting won’t work Luis.” He narrowed his eyes at him.
Luis sighed as he finished bandaging his arm, nudging him to turn so Luis could work on his back. There were multiple bruises and scratches, looks like he took some nasty falls.
“So hostile Sancho. Fine,” He glared right back at Leon. tone getting harsher as he went on, “ I haven’t been the best. Can you blame me? My trusty squire was so far away from me doing god knows what, I’m in a foreign country with many enemies, and the fucking government still doesn’t know if I should be allowed to live because of my work! To top it off, I'm not even allowed to see our princess like you are!”
Luis groaned and rested his forehead on Leon’s back, mindful of his injuries.
“I'm just so tired, Leon.” He sighed heavily and waited for Leon’s response. When the only one given was him floundering for words he chuckled weakly.
“Too many feelings for you, Sancho?”
Leon let out an annoyed huff and turned to face Luis, effectively cutting off his way of hiding his face. He frowned, Leon frowned back at him.
“How come whenever I try to help you, you somehow end up helping me? ” he asked incredulously.
Luis shrugged.
“It’s because I’m just such a caring person, Carino. ” He tried to make it sound happy, but it fell flat.
Leon glared at him and grabbed his hand, threading their fingers together and squeezing.
“You are one, Luis.” He continued before Luis could interject, “I don’t care if you don’t think you are. Ashley and I are living proof of that.” He rubbed his thumb along Luis’ palm.
Luis scowled.
“What else was I supposed to do? Leave you for dead? It was my fault in the first place. It’s kindness, it’s cleaning up a mess.” He scowled and looked away, trying to tug his hand back to himself.
“You just proved my point Luis,” Luis looked up at the soft tone and was surprised to see a small smile on Leon’s face, “You say that like you had no other option. You did, you could’ve left us to die from the parasite, you could’ve used me to protect you until you completed your deal with Ada and left us, you could’ve never built that machine, you could’ve never broken away from the cult and Umbrella.”
With each statement Leon’s voice got more firm. Luis’ eyes widened and he felt his vision getting blurry slightly. Leon was never one for emotions, for him to be so insistent was a surprise. It showed he really meant it. Luis' lip quirked up slightly.
“Really? You think that?” He couldn’t stop his voice from cracking, “You’re too good for me Leon.” He pulled him into a tight hug, albeit somewhat awkward with Leon’s angle and Leon’s general aversion to hugs. Luis wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“No, I’m not.” Luis could’ve sobbed on the spot with how sure Leon sounded. “Ada told me how you acted when the medicine was destroyed in that fire, she said that you genuinely looked terrified .”
Luis scoffed.
“Of course she did, left a note with a lipstick kiss I assume?”
Leon chuckled and nodded. Luis wasn’t surprised, Ada was the reason he was alive after all. Why not spill all his secrets while she was at it?
Leon broke the hug to look into Luis’ eyes.
“You’re my Don Quixote, and you always will be. Even if you don’t think you are.” He closed his eyes and put their foreheads together.
Luis smiled and thanked a god he no longer believed in for the man in front of him.
They stayed like that for some before Luis shook his head and pulled away. Leon made to get up but Luis stopped him. He still had to check to see if Leon's injuries were fine. Which led to him asking the worst question of his life.
“Oh, what’re these scratches on your back, mi amor ? They look strange.”
“Oh, that's from you.” He shrugged. Luis gaped at him.
“ What?” He hissed at him, face aflame.
“Yeah it was a hot topic for a bit with the new agents-” He just kept going, completely unashamed.
“you let them? How did they even see? ” Luis did not squawk. He was a grown man, what he did was only similar to a squawk. Leon at least had the decency to look semi-sheepish.
“It was before the mission, the government is trying this new thing where before long team missions you spend a night together to ‘work out the kinks’,” he raised his arms placating to calm Luis when he opened his mouth, “poor word choice I know, and I was changing and one noticed and it helped lighten the mood-”
Leon said the last part in a pleading tone in hopes of reducing Luis’ combined embarrassment and rage, but to no avail. Luis got up, grabbed the nearest thing to him, and threw it at Leon. Lucky for him it was only a roll of bandages, Leon caught it easily and smirked at him. Luis scowled and stormed out, pointing at him.
“Do the rest on your own and sleep on the couch.” He announced icily and slammed the door in Leon’s face.
He stormed back to the bedroom and angrily got under the covers. He convinced himself that he was not waiting for that Ese hijo de puta. No he did not relax completely when he heard the door open and he most certainly did not lean into his warmth when Leon’s arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer. He did not sigh happily either.
Leon kissed the back of Luis’ head and whispered into his hair,
“I love you, Luis.”
Luis completely melted, turning to look at Leon he responded,
“ te amo también, Sancho.”
Leon tightened the arm around his waist and Luis thought, just maybe, that being alive wasn’t such a plague.