#leon young magazine

[getincentstyle]

gao ye for leon young magazine march 2023 issue 🖤

[lottiies]

CRUSHING AND GREEDY

leon kennedy x fem puppy hybrid!reader

you’ve started feeling different about your owner, leon, as of late. cuddling and following him around all the time just isn’t enough, especially not with the way the spot between your thighs has been aching for him. leon isn’t immune to your antics, he’s weak for his sweet girl

cw: fem!reader, 5.2k wc, daddy kink, baths, small excerpt of jealousy on readers side, mentions of PMS symptoms (sore chest), tit massage, masturbation, unprotected p in v, blowjob, doggystyle, missionary, ass & clit spanking, manhandling, size difference, dumbification + praise, finger sucking, breeding

note: um…hi. bye. this is actually just pure filth LMAO i’m not joking don’t judge the pacing okay. not proof read i can’t read this again ૮ ྀི◞ ⸝⸝ ◟ ྀིა

bot version

for a hybrid who hit the jackpot by having the sweetest owner, you weren’t satisfied.

if someone searched for an example of the word ‘insatiable,’ you’d probably be on there. a pretty picture of you posing with your ears perked up and a pearly smile on your face.

leon had been through so many rough patches in his life, but he was mentally getting as better as he could get: he had turned away from depending on bitter tasting-alcohol, became a bit more comfortable admitting that he needed support, and didn’t have that sunken look in his eyes anymore.

anyway. point is, after his progress, he decided to get you. what could go wrong with a cute puppy hybrid who he wanted to dote on and have as a sweet companion? maybe one to curl up with and watch his favorite movies, someone to have so he wouldn’t come home to an empty house.

everything was fine the first month. you were clingy and affectionate, curling up by his side every night and following him around the house like a shadow with an eagerly wagging tail. how cute, he always thought. when he sat to watch his movies, you always either willingly sat on the floor and clung to one of his legs or sat on his lap to hug him, not even watching the movie yourself. all you really needed was for him to pat your head and kiss your forehead.

but you had been more…well, needy, as of late. clambering all over him 24/7 and chasing his lips. he’d always laugh breathlessly before gently pushing you away whenever he needed to take a breath, you’d pout at him all the while.

he didn’t get hard often prior to this happening, mostly because his libido was pretty low at this point. the most he would get was some morning wood or some random ones popping up time to time. healthy. he never had his face buried in some dirty videos now that he was older and had better things to do. give the guy a break, google and twitter wasn’t his forte.

but god almighty. you had his hormones rushing as if he was young and opening up a porn magazine for the first time. it felt taboo back then up until he strayed from religion. this time, it felt wrong because he was genuinely unsure if you knew how provocative you were being.

the worst thing about it is that you so shamelessly called him daddy. it was really cute at first! like yes, he’s taking care of you so it only made sense right? even if technically you were too old to be addressing him that way, he brushed it off, the nickname made him feel happy.

but the name had been paired with more…lewd acts of yours. his head started linking the term coming from your puckered lips with the heat in his stomach.

“y’smell so good, daddy!” you’d say as you buried your face against his chest and sniffed at him, squirming all over his lap. for fuck’s sake, his cock came to life.

“you’re so strong, daddy. but i feel like i never see you work out, how’d you get this much muscle?” you’d ask as you massaged his biceps with a starry-eyed look. then you’d chomp down on one like the bad girl you were. geez. it got him feeling all dirty.

you on the other hand, thought you were doing the right thing. you wanted him to like you beyond him pampering you. you couldn’t help it, leon was so nice and kind and handsome and doting and funny (not really) and attentive and strong. okay, way too many ‘ands,’ let’s stop there.

you didn’t see him as a mere caretaker anymore, you wanted him as your mate! he was the perfect candidate — strong, protective, caring, intelligent, and you could just sense that he’d get you knocked up first try.

he smelled so good all the time too, it made your clit throb every time you caught the scent. the concoction of his faint aftershave, strong cologne, and his natural scent was like some kind of aphrodisiac that reached your cunt faster than viagra could.

you had leon thinking with his dick more than his brain these past weeks. and he wasn’t sure how much more he could take.

every night, the minute he heard your steady breathing and the adorable sleepy noises you made, his hand was already slipping underneath the sheets to palm his cock, tugging his bottom lip between his teeth. then his hand would tug down his boxers, sucking in a breath as he wrapped his hand around himself, gently bucking his hips up against it.

his thoughts were vivid, stimulating all his senses at once. smelling your natural scent mixed with the shampoo and soap he bathed you with. hearing you whine and call him daddy. feeling your hands paw at all parts of him and claw at his skin, the softness of your ass, tits, and thighs as he fondled you. tasting the flavored chapstick you put on your pouty lips every day, the salt on your skin, the sweetness of your cunt and what it wept. seeing your eyes roll back and drool dribble down your chin because you couldn’t even think enough to swallow. what a stupid pup. his pup.

and there were way too many memories fueling his fantasies.

park incident:

leon was a good owner, he took you new places to walk whenever he had the time. today was no different, he chose a beautiful park with a lake, just walking you around the vastness of it.

an hour passed, you were content. keyword, were. there was a woman coming over, a nice smile on her face and her eyes set on leon.

oh. hell no.

you were visibly mad and clung onto leon’s arm with an iron grip, trying to get him to walk you away from the direction of woman. but your attempt was like a feather, completely ineffective. your ears flattened against the top of you head.

don’t talk to him. don’t talk to him. don’t talk to him.

but the lady did, fluttering her lashes at your owner and asking him what breed you were. as if she actually fucking cared, that was probably just a conversation starter to get his number.

before you knew it, you were growling at her.

leon tugged at your collar, a nonverbal gesture as if to say: ‘stop that.’

“i’m so sorry, she’s usually the sweetest little angel.” leon told the lady, a sheepish smile on his face as he brought his free hand up to stroke your head, hoping to calm you down. “say sorry, girl.”

your nose scrunched up at his unwanted instructions and glared at him incredulously, though you looked more like a kicked puppy than anything else. sorry. sorry? why should you have to apologize? she should be getting on her damn knees and apologizing for even breathing near leon. what a pain.

“but daddy!” you bit back a complaint, sulking and rolling your eyes. “‘m…sorry.”

“that’s my girl, you’re just in a bad mood, hm?” he encouraged you to give some more meat to your vague apology.

you nodded. “mhm, i’m just not feeling well today, ma’am.”

and oh boy. the drive back home was uncomfortable. leon would never yell at you, he was a softie for you. and he wasn’t particularly mad, just…feeling uneasy because you had never growled at a stranger unless it was someone who was trying to pet you without your permission.

it turned him on too, much to his embarrassment. driving with a hard-on was difficult.

laundry incident

leon was a little on edge on his drive back home, mostly because he had told you he would’ve been home two fucking hours ago. yet here he was, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel of his car, waiting for the light to turn green.

and of course you were anxious! your eyes had been trained on the clock, just waiting to hear the familiar sound of him pulling into the driveway and opening the garage. but it hadn’t happened. one minute felt like thirty, you really had no sense of time.

with tears in your eyes, you went upstairs, sniffing the air a bit to pinpoint where his scent was the strongest. poor thing, you just needed some comfort. you eventually stumbled to his laundry hamper, turning it upside down to get all the clothes onto the floor and then tossing the bin elsewhere.

you made yourself comfortable on top of the pile, clinging onto one of the jackets that was there and bunching it up against your face. it made you feel so much better, but along with that came some warmth that pooled in your lower abdomen, making you whine as you sniffed at his lingering scent. you felt light-headed, like his smell alone was giving you some kind of high and making your body all tingly. you had half the mind to stuff some of his clothes between your legs and rut against it like an animal. but you didn’t.

you kept nuzzling against it, so distracted and caught up that you didn’t even hear the series of sounds you had been waiting for — garage door, jangling keys, your owner’s familiar footsteps.

leon sighed when he wasn’t met with your usual bombardment of affection, and he let out a whistle, the same one he always used to call you over with. but he didn’t hear you scamper on over to him. he checked all the rooms downstairs before heading up, and yeah, he saw you there on his bedroom floor, looking all pitiful while cuddling against the mess of a pile you had made

“oh, sweetheart.” he murmured tenderly, making his way over and kneeling down, cautiously stroking your head. your tail wagged in response, your ears perking as you sat up and wrapped your arms around his neck, whining against him.

“sorry for not giving you a heads up, sweet girl. did you miss me?”

“mhm, i missed you so much. it felt like you were gone for a whole month.”

you were so dramatic, all he could do was bite back a chuckle, he didn’t want to make your worries seem like a laughing matter.

“i know, i know.” he kissed the top of your hand, his hands sliding down to your hips to keep you against him, wanting to console you for a while.

his clothes didn’t compare to actually having his heavenly presence, you pressed your face against his neck, your nose brushing against his pulse point as you breathed him in over and over, cute little whines and grunts escaping you, so happy to have him back. you needed to make sure he was okay! to make sure he didn’t smell like someone else.

“easy, girl, easy.”

he was losing it, having a pretty pup like you squirming against him and making those sweet noises wasn’t easy. sure, you had always been whiny when he came home late, but you had never been like this.

it was hard to tell whether his absence was giving you unhealthy attachment issues or if there was another root to the problem. leon wasn’t exactly the best at initiating such discussions.

bath incident

you were a lot of work. leon should’ve just put you in the bath and left you to your own devices the very first time. but no, he didn’t. what if you got soap in your pretty eyes or somehow drowned? unlikely, but with a curious puppy hybrid, anything was possible.

ever since then, you always need him to bathe you. but you were in no way decent about it.

he was catching up on some emails sent to him on his laptop when he heard a soft pair of knocks on the door. you, of course. “come in, baby.”

he wasn’t expecting for you to be stripped down though, your nipples hardened presumably from chilly gust of his AC, and a patch of hair down below because he was always too scared to shave you down there, what if he accidentally cut you? he resorted to just trimming it. it was cute though.

“christ.” he hurried up and shut his blinds, were you crazy? it was night time, the room was illuminated, anyone could’ve seen you. you were going to give him grey hairs, yeah he was already heading that way but you were speeding the process up!

he babied you though, letting you lead him to the bathroom by tugging on his sleeve. he listened to you chatter about your day and about a new collar you wanted while he filled the tub and made sure the water temperature was nice.

it was hard not to take peeks at you as you sunk into the water once it was ready. he was a man. and you were pretty, a bit too much.

like always, he used a washcloth to clean you up — using his free hand to hold you steady. your tail always splashed water and made a mess on the tiled floor.

“you’re splashing all the water.” leon noted, leaning down a bit to kiss the crown of your head. he truly had no backbone when it came to you.

“i can’t help it! my tail moves on it’s own.”

“maybe this is a sign for you to start taking showers instead, hm? it’s less of a mess, quicker, and i’m sure you wouldn’t even need my help.”

“um…no.”

“no?”

“i always need you, daddy! it wouldn’t be fun getting cleaned up with you.”

and to make matters worse, even after he finished cleaning you up, you were still nagging at him, he sat on the edge of his bed and waited as you got into your nightgown.

“i feel sore.” you whined, going over to stand in front of him, your tail tucked between your legs.

“sore? but we didn’t even go on a walk today.” he held onto one of your hands, bringing it to his lips to kiss your knuckles. “want me to massage your legs?”

“mm-mm.” you shook your head and cupped your own breasts, squeezing them. “i’m sore here, don’t know why. help me?”

your chest always ached for a few days every month. you hadn’t really attributed it to the fact it always hurt just before your period, though.

leon bit his lower lip. he really shouldn’t indulge you. his fingers were twitching a bit, his mind already imagining the plushness of your mounds..

“such a spoiled princess….sure, c’mere.” he scooted back a bit, spreading his legs to make space for you to sit on the matress.

slowly running his hands up your torso as you sat down with your back facing him, he eventually reached your tits, kneading at the soft flesh. like pillows, he noted. they’d be nice to nip at and use as a stress reliever. if only. god, he felt like those perverted people who bought PC mouses with character’s tits on them.

“that feel okay?” his question was a murmur against your ear. you nodded and squirmed back against him, resting your head against his shoulder and going limp. “mhm, keep going.”

maybe you didn’t notice the way there was a bulge pressing against your backside, or the way leon’s hands squeezed you a bit harder whenever a soft mewl escaped your lips.

whether it was arousal or actual relief from your soreness, he didn’t know. but your nipples were hard again, his room wasn’t cold anymore so clearly it was because they were being stimulated by his fingers.

maybe if leon was also a hybrid with an exceptional sense of smell, he’d smell the honey your cunt sobbed for him. your panties felt all sticky and uncomfortable, your clit throbbing like it had a heart of its own.

he couldn’t help himself, he gave your nipples a pinch, hearing you squeal after and arch your back. “daddy!”

“…sorry, princess.”

yeah, he jacked off that night.

————

the point is, there was only so much leon could take before he fucked you stupid. but maybe that’s what you wanted him to do, considering you were getting all dolled up with nowhere to go, just stuck in the house with him. you didn’t want it any other way.

descending from the stairs, you went on over to the living room, taking your favorite seat between his knees, your legs folded on the fuzzy rug below that you had begged him to buy when he took you to the furniture store. said it was soft enough for you to sit on the floor with it. he told you that you could just sit with him on the couch or his lap, but you liked sitting by his feet. so, he got it specifically for you. oh, how spoiled you were.

his taste in decor had always been simple, but now his place was filled with all the things you wanted — plushies, frilly couch pillows, cute figurines of characters you didn’t even fucking know. what a poser.

leon’s thighs were massive, the sight of them all spread had you swallowing some of the saliva that had immediately welled up in your mouth. you had seen his dick several times, you always wanted to stroke it and suck it, how could you not? you were sure it would fit perfectly in your mouth.

your skirt was so fucking short and frilly that it was riding up your ass because of the way you were positioned, had leon been behind you, he would’ve gotten a perfect shot of your lacy panties (and the way they were already soaked.)

looking down at you, he failed at suppressing the burst of heat that shot down to his stomach from how tempting you were, gazing up at him with those pretty eyes that seemed to be asking for something, but he was unsure of what.

his hand settled on top of your head, stroking the area between where your cute ears were all perked up. “look at you, all dolled up and pretty. need something, sweetheart?”

your tail was already wagging at full speed when he pet you. you nodded eagerly. “want your attention, daddy.”

the word fell from your lips in such an emphasized way. you would sound so lewd squealing that out as he buried his cock inside you over and over. maybe he should get help.

“you’re so needy.” with a click of tongue, he, gave one of your ears a gentle flick. “i always give you all my attention. when’s the last time you’ve left me alone for more than five minutes? last time i checked, i spoil you rotten.”

you frowned at that but he did have a point. still! you needed more, you were so greedy. maybe if he was good at dishing out some discipline, you’d be better. anyone looking into the situation would’ve wondered why leon never put you over his knee, he could easily manhandle you with the strength he had built through the last two decades.

“don’t pout, when have i ever neglected your needs?” he asked. leon grinned and patted his lap. “come here..”

his hands snaked down to hold onto your hips as you followed his instructions eagerly.

“this better?”

“yup! you know i like being close to you…what are you watching on TV?”

“i was just browsing some channels, can’t find any that are playing a good movie though…i might just have to get my dvd box back out and just rewatch a movie. cinema is dead these days, it was better back then.”

“old man.” you snickered, laughing at his complaint.

“you wound me.” he was being dramatic. “trying to break my heart, princess?”

with a giggle, you shake your head before burying it against the crook of his neck. “no, i love you.”

there was tension in the air, he was sure today would be his breaking point.

he tried to get his mind off the way your warm breath was fanning against his skin, and the way you were sniffing at him.

what leon couldn’t ignore though, was the very discreet and quiet squelching he heard whenever you shifted your hips, paired with the dampness that was seeping through the fabric of his pants from where you sat atop him. you were wet. fuck. and not just a little wet. no, you were dripping. he didn’t even know women could be this soaked without actually being touched.

“stay still. you’re so restless.” his fingers dug into your hips, trying to keep you in place. you were always squirmy, moving around like you had just downed two energy drinks. he sounded breathless, your ears perked up.

your cheeks huffed out, your clit no longer getting any stimulation, only some pressure at being pressed snugly against some hard part of his pants. you clenched a bit to try to get some more, even a scrap.

“nooo, but it felt so good.” you whined, your tone of voice tugging at his heartstrings. “more, please?”

he shouldn’t. he really, really, really shouldn’t. but he did, you pushed his limits way too much these the past weeks. he was weak, and his sweet (bratty) puppy was seeking some pleasure. it would be sad to just leave you like this, wouldn’t it? you were ready for him, he was sure foreplay wasn’t even needed for his dick to painlessly stretch you out.

“you’re such a brat, y’know that? always all over me like i’m immune to your charms. was this your plan?”

of course you nodded with a coy smile before nipping at his neck.

taking a sharp inhale, his hips bucked up, making your toes curl at the abruptness of the feeling. it felt more exhilarating when leon was the one directly giving you that pleasure, more so than when you rut against some pillow. or maybe it was because you could hear his grunts and hitched breaths, clearly this felt good for him too. you were giving your owner pleasure, this was mutually beneficial!

you were using his lap as if it were some kind of trampoline for your plush ass, dry humping him like the puppy hybrid you were, using him for your hearts (clits) desire..

pulling your face away from his neck, you cupped his face and kissed him sloppily, too turned on to do it properly. leon’s eyes shut, returning the passion with fevor. when you leaned away, a thin string of shared saliva snapped.

“daddy, i wanna touch you and suck you.” your hand snaked down to rub over his jeans, it was obvious what you wanted. you got back down onto the floor, looking up at him expectantly.

“fuck…you’re impatient.” he leaned down and gave you one final kiss before leaning back, fumbling with his belt and zipper, pushing his hips up a bit to get his pants down to his knees.

you looked all starry-eyed, mouth agape at the sight of his dick. it had a curve to it, you licked your lips. you were on him in an instant, sucking on one of his balls, letting it out with a soft ‘pop’ and doing the same to his other one. they felt heavy, that’s for sure. maybe his seed would be strong enough to get you all swollen and round first try, fuck, you wanted it.

“you’re so hot…” he watched you with lidded eyes, his stomach tensing at the sensitivity. listen, he hadn’t felt a tongue on him in years, give him a break.

he gave your fluffy ears a scratch, holding his breath when you licked a strip up his shaft and finally wrapped your pretty lips around his dick. all his nerves felt fuzzy, the thoughts being knocked out of his head.

the background TV sound faded out, replaced with the sound of his tip hitting the back of your throat.

leon hissed when he felt your teeth brushing against the sensitive skin of his cock, and his fingers instinctively tugged on your hair to pull you back.

“careful with your teeth, princess.” you were new at this, it was to be expected.

“‘m sorry.” you tell him, your ears pinning back a bit from the thought of hurting him, like it was some kind of sin. you got right back to sucking him dry, mindful of your teeth, going down until the tip of your nose felt his hair.

“juuust like that.”

your tail flicked to and fro in response to his praise, doing the same thing over and over until you had to pull back for air, taking deep breaths, your brows furrowed.

his grip on the base of his cock was loose, and he gently slapped it against the side of your face. pat, pat, pat. geez. what a perv he must be, because he felt lightheaded from how hot the sight was. you were looking up at him through your lashes, just taking anything he did without any questions.

and it’s because you liked it. there was something exciting about knowing you were seeing a vulnerable side to him. a part of him that random woman you growled at when he took you to the park wouldn’t see.

“what do you need?” he had to ask, you were staring at him so devotedly, your eyes lit up as you looked at him.

“you.”

leon could’ve just fucked you in the living room. but he was sweeter than that, he wouldn’t just push you onto the floor or couch…maybe in the future if you were being particularly bad. but this was your first time, and he was somewhat of a gentleman.

standing up, he slung you over his shoulder with ease, taking you to the bedroom and placing you onto the soft sheets of the mattress.

he fumbled with his clothes, pulling his shirt over his head, but it did nothing to make his burning body cool off. you followed suit, stripping and getting into position.

leon’s eyes glazed over when he saw you: face down, ass up, back arched, already squirming a bit. he hadn’t even given you any instructions, you had just gotten into doggystyle position as if it was your nature. well…it kind of was.

getting on the bed and kneeling behind you, his weight sunk the mattress down a bit as he settled between your spread legs. his palm splayed over your ass, fondling it a bit before he gave one side a soft smack.

you yelped at that, your body jolting a bit.

“so dramatic,” he snorted, grinning at your reaction and giving you another pat on the other side. “i was being gentle.”

he stroked himself a couple times before pushing the head of his cock inside you.

he was about to ask if you were in pain so he could take it slow, but you were already throwing your ass back onto him and taking him whole. “feels so good…”

he watched your ass bounce and meet his hips before he leaned down so he could put one of his hands between your shoulder blades, keeping you still while he shoved his dick in and out of you.

his balls kissed your clit with force every time his hips pressed against yours, making you squeal. your calves kicked a little involuntarily, so cute.

the noises were obscene, like something only a high quality microphone could properly pick up.

you were so wet, his sheets would be a mess later, how dirty. vocal seemed to be your middle name, with the way you were sobbing out for him without a care in the damn world. as if you were in some studio with sound-proof walls, which you absolutely weren’t.

“daddy, daddy, daddy!” your voice was getting all high pitched.

“yeah, keep crying for me.” his hand tangled into your hair, tugging it so your noises were no longer all muffled from the way your face had been pressed against the pillow.

“so pretty…you were made for this, weren’t you? made to take my cock? bet i could slide it in easily whenever and you’d drop whatever you were doing.”

where the hell was this dirty talk coming from? leon was sure he’d feel embarrassed after this was all over but right now his mind could only think of how your walls swallowed him.

your answer was a long series of whines, your eyes rolling to the back of your skull as his cock pressed in deeper, fitting so snugly inside you and hitting that spot that indirectly stimulated your clit.

he gave your ass a slap with his other hand. “good girls answer when they’re asked a question. use your words.”

“yes!” your voice sounded so broken and hoarse. “i want it, daddy. w-whenever…whenever you want…’m yours, y’know that.”

“atta girl, so eager to please your owner.” his voice was smoother now, he guided you down until you were laying flat on your stomach. he pressed his chest against your sweaty back, enveloping you whole.

you were in heaven, the room filled to the brink with leon’s natural scent, it made your head spin. he pressed some kisses to the side of your head, lazily thrusting into you as he took some time to smother you with some sweet affection.

“such a good puppy. you don’t even have a single thought inside that pretty head of yours, hm? fucked you stupid? thought your breed was supposed to be smart.”

pitiful mewls emitted from your throat, your hands holding onto the pillows like your life depended on it. there was so much going on, your brain was turning to mush.

he held onto your jaw, pushing his middle and ring finger into your opened mouth, they got lubricated immediately, your lips closing around them as you started sucking eagerly like you had done for his cock.

he let you use him like a lollipop for a while until he pulled his fingers out your mouth.

“bet you just wanna be bred, huh sweet girl? wanna get knocked up and have my babies?”

those questions had you sobbing, “yes, yes, yes! want you to fill me up!”

he brought that same hand down underneath your hips, his hand trapped between the matress and your cunt, and rubbed tight circles on your sensitive clit. you trembled, your eyes tearing up from how earth-shattering it felt. you instinctively rut down, being both split open and having your bud being toyed with.

“daddy…daddy, don’t stop.” god, you were drooling all over his pillow.

“yeah, you gonna cum soon?” the answer better be yes because there was no way he could hold back for much longer. his time was running out, he was losing it.

“mhm, gonna cum.”

he had to see your pretty face, he flipped you onto your back, wasting no time on spreading your thighs and pistoning back into you, his thumb rubbing at your clit. your collar jingled with each thrust, your toes curling and your stomach clenching.

your head tilted back, his free hand wrapped around your throat, applying very light pressure there and playing with the adornment on it. you looked like a goddamn mess, hair all frizzy, lips wet and swollen, tits bouncing, your ears pinned back, eyes glossy and shedding some tears.

he gave your clit a few spanks, each one making you squeal loudly, your eyes rolling back.

you held onto his forearm for support as your body trembled in waves, your cunt squeezing his dick so tightly that he couldn’t move in and out of you as fast. leon groaned, his balls feeling tight before he finished. he hadn’t climaxed this much in years, his hips stuttered against yours every time he emptied another string of cum inside you.

he slumped against you, the room filled with quiet panting and your whimpers. your legs wrapped around his torso, not wanting him to move.

“love you…”

“i love you too, princess.”

“can we go again?”

“…you’re so fucking greedy.”

[shadesoflsk]

EVERY STEP YOU TAKE !

ft. Leon Kennedy.

summary: just some headcanons about watching Leon age!

a/n: This came to me in a revelation. i just noticed that in some scenes, Leon's wrinkles would be even more noticeable. let it be his tough job or the fact that he's indeed "growing old", i wanted to write about Leon realizing the fact that time spares no one. Also, i had in mind re4 Leon turning into id leon ?? I know neither of them are really old, but yeah...

Can you actually read what's written in there? It all started as simple jokes and innocent teasing. You would often poke fun at your boyfriend for the way he's squinting his eyes while reading. He's still very young – 27 years got nothing on him – yet you found it so endearing to observe him while he pouted. Getting mad as your teasing words started.

He can't, thank you very much. He needs glasses, even though he keeps on denying it. He first noticed his little problem when he was reading a document, too focused on the tiny letters to even acknowledge the real meaning behind those words. Is that an a or an e? Dear God, this can't be happening, he thought. The world wasn't prepared to see him wearing glasses. Nor was he prepared for your endless teasing if he admitted it.

Baby blue eyes, Leon S. Kennedy! Or at least that's what you used to call him in the past. As years went on, some pet names were long forgotten. He has grown more serious and more cold but not less romantic. Yet he wasn't his past self who would blush if you called him baby. He likes reminiscing about the past – how he had a bright future. He still has, right? It is not like life is over.

However, life seemed so ridiculous as you stated that there were some faint wrinkles on his forehead. His hand unconsciously reaching for the skin there, feeling some lines. He just needs to moisturize or buy some serum for his skin. Life as an agent was tough – this was just dry skin you don't understand. Too many excuses for a man who is so sure that those lines are just a product of his exhausting job.

Don't look so mad! you often told him when you found his eyebrows doing the exact same thing during and after a gruesome mission. Being lowered and pulled together. He always had a resting bitch face that didn't match his own personality. He would try and not furrow his eyebrows as soon as you told him that expression would cause even more wrinkles to form.

After a year or so, he reluctantly admitted that yes, those were wrinkles. But that's not something bad. In fact, it was more than okay to age. He once read in a magazine that wrinkles served as a map of every journey and challenge he had faced. No, it isn't sappy. You're just jealous that his faint wrinkles look better on him than you.

But even though you kept on joking, he was grateful for growing old with you. You met him when he was a bright and young cop. Full of life and love to give. Now, you were standing next to him. Kissing his forehead and whispering sweet nothings, you promised him that you would always love him, even though he could barely walk in the future and even though their romantic dates would consist of feeding some pigeons and fighting nurses because you guys don't want to take your meds.

[navstuffs]

Heart to-go

Pairing: RE2Barista!Leon x GN!Reader

Summary: You hate coffee. Of course with your luck, you end up falling in love with a cute blushing barista.

Warnings: COFFEE SHOP AU, SUPER FLUFF, blushing leon, tooth-rotting fanfic, reader DOES NOT like coffee (i could never), reader/leon are clueless and shy, sabrina and gabriel are names used in this fic, image taken from google

Author's Notes: hey, im back (sorta?kinda?). i had this fanfic saved for a while and since i haven't been able to produce new material, i decided to edit and post some of my old drafts. i plan on posting the other coffee shop au - nsfw version, but from now i hope you enjoy reading this one!

If someone told you before that you would visit a coffee shop and actually order the same cup of coffee every day, you would laugh at their faces. You don't like coffee, period. There is something about the smell or taste you just don't like it. Warm, cold, sweet, unsweet, with chocolate, you tried it all. It just isn't your thing, which made some people look at you as an E.T. sometimes, but hey, to each its own, right?

Your co-worker Sabrina is the one who invites you out to a popular coffee shop nearby your work. Before you even attempt to say no, Sabrina explains that yes, there were other drink options and some delicious pastries, like "some of the best brownies" she had eaten her entire life.

So you agree, with the promise you wouldn't regret it.

There is no line when you enter, around 5 pm. You pass this coffee shop often going to work, the smell strong in your nose if the door is open. You never entered, of course, but now inside, you must admit it looked cozy. A lot of natural light comes from the big windows in the front, illuminating the entire space. There are tables and chairs, at this time empty, compared to how full and hectic they could get in the morning.

As Sabrina orders her long order, your eyes wander the menu, written behind the counter on a giant blackboard. They had other options, as Sabrina explained before, such as handmade Italian sodas and some juices. When Sabrina is done, you turn your attention to the very attractive cashier. The kind you see on the cover of magazines, like a model or something. And cute. He has innocent blue eyes, a soft face, and blonde hair under the black cap. Your eyes glimpse at his name tag, "Leon," as he waits for your order.

"What do you want?"

And the words come out of your mouth before you can even think, something you would never have ordered in a million years.  

"A coffee?" 

You can feel Sabrina's neck twist, shocked. You ignore her, ignore how your voice went two higher tones than it should, focused on Leon, who continues smiling, patiently waiting for the rest.

"Sure, which one?"

"Coffee?" Your eyes roam around the many, many names and sizes as if you know what all those names mean, and you decide to risk it all. "How about your favorite order?"

Leon's eyes widen briefly before a faint red tone rises to his cheeks. He chuckles, surprised, before placing the order on the computer. 

"Right, okay then, my favorite order. Anything else?"

"Nothing, that will be it."

You pay your bill without looking up. Sabrina looks semi-concerned and amused when you are done ordering, a strange smile on her face.

"Are you okay?"

"I panicked," You whisper, hoping Leon can't hear the panic in your voice as you pull her to a table before she can start asking more questions.

You sit to wait for your order, and you notice Leon and another young blonde lady behind the counter. He seems to be blushing about something she says, and you wonder if that wasn't the most adorable thing you've ever seen.

"You are staring," Sabrina warns, her voice denoting humor. Why does it sound like Sabrina is having fun with your misery? You look out the window to the traffic slowing down since it is the end of the afternoon. When your order finally arrives, you turn excited, expecting to see Leon but being greeted by Ashley's happy face.

"Enjoy!" Ashley exclaims before leaving. You grab your small cup of warm coffee with a top layer of foam on it. It smells like cinnamon and vanilla. You really, really don't want to drink it.

"Careful now, Leon is watching," Sabrina teases, making you turn to look for Leon. He is indeed staring at you, his blue eyes filled with expectation. When he catches you looking, he turns his face away, a deep blush on his cheeks, too focused on cleaning something behind him.

"I can do this." You tell yourself, taking a sip from the cup. Yeap, still bad. Still bad as the first time you tried it. You drink another small sip because Leon could still be watching before placing the cup on the table. "I don't think I can do this." You confess in a whisper to Sabrina, who doesn't answer. She giggles, drinking her coffee as water. She saves you the dignity to not tease you anymore, at least.

Noticing she wouldn't be any help, you take small sips while listening to Sabrina's news. It was easier to drink while she talked so that you could ignore the sour taste in your mouth.

When your cup is finally empty, you sigh in relief. You have done it. You are NOT disappointing any cute blushy barista today. Leon appears at the side of the table, eyes filled with expectation.

"How was it?"

"It was so good. My friend over here loved it, right? Right?" Sabrina smiles happily in your direction. You want to strangle her, but you nod, smirking instead.

"Perfect, Leon. Thank you."

Leon's eyes lock on you, and you stare back, starstruck. No one should be allowed to be this charming. His smile lights up his entire face, making him look even more special. The type you could fall in love with if you aren't careful enough.

"I will get those for you, then," He cleans the table, then leaves, nodding in your direction. When he is out of a safe distance, Sabrina sings low.

"I think he likes you!"

"Shut up, Sabrina!"

-x-

After that, you start to visit the coffee. Daily. You get to meet the rest of the employees: Luis, a handsome man with a captivating smile who constantly flirts with you. You already know Ashley, a young college student who is always excited to see you. And well, there is Leon. It is odd how you click so fast with Luis and Ashley; you could joke with them as much as you wanted, but things worked a little differently when it came to Leon. He made you nervous.

He always welcomes you with a warm smile and treats you with respect. You tried to tease Leon once, but it died in your throat when you watched his expression. He just looked so innocent, you just didn't want him to dislike something you did or said. What if he misinterpreted?

You also continue ordering the same coffee. Your newfound trick to not throw it away? Take it to work and give it to Sabrina. You know you are wasting money, but Leon's smile is worth every cent, especially when you place the money on the counter for "Leon's order". Like one morning, two weeks after your first visit, you enter the shop, and it is Luis at the register.

"Hello, pretty thing. Same order?" Luis asks, winking. 

"You know me, Luis, I am loyal." 

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Luis sighs, pretending to be disappointed. Ashley waves in your direction when she sees you, asking. "Let me guess, another Leon's order to go?"

"You know, it is my dream. One of those days, you will enter those doors and ask 'Can I get Luis's order or maybe Ashley's?" Luis teases, "No, it must always be Leon's order. I have started to wonder why."

"I like his coffee," You whisper in your defense. Luis smiles, knowing exactly what you like. He points to Leon's back, too focused on a coffee maker. "Your boyfriend is waiting."

You show off your tongue, rolling your eyes and going toward Leon. He guides a cup of steaming milk into a to-go cup, almost as if he is drawing. You don't say anything, watching his concentrated face as he finishes. Every inch of his attention to whatever he is drawing. When Leon is done, he turns toward you, opening a smile.

"H-hey. Here it is."

He puts the to-go cup in front of you, uncovered. You find it weird but don't discuss it.

"Morning. Thank you. My favorite, as always." You grab a lid nearby, closing it. Leon seems disappointed but doesn't say anything. You quickly take a sip, holding back a scowl. "Perfect as always, Leon. Thank you. I don't even know where I would be without Leon's every morning... Leon's order, I mean!"

The frown is gone, and Leon smiles timidly, blushing. Of course, you must embarrass yourself in front of him, but honestly, you don't mind. Your mornings always got much better after seeing his smile. You leave the coffee, waving bye to Ashley and Luis. When you are gone, Ashley and Luis surround Leon, too curious.

"Did they see it this time?" Luis wonders.

"No."

"Such a nice person, but so clueless," Ashley sighs, holding her chin. "Maybe you should just try writing your phone number on the cup, it would be more direct."

"Or maybe they don't like me that much..." Leon declares, making his co-workers groan.

"Not this again, Leon."

-x-

Three weeks pass like that. You go in, say hi to Ashley and Luis, get your coffee with Leon, smile at each other, and leave for work. There is some teasing here and there from Ashley and Luis, you tease back, and that is it. You wonder if you should get a different order, but Sabrina seems happy enough with the coffee, you are happy enough to see Leon, so it works.

The next morning, you enter the café to find Ashley organizing a casket of brownies. After greeting each other, you grab one from the basket. So those were the limited edition brownies Sabrina always talked about.

"Hey, Ashley, are those the famous delicious brownies?"

"Yeah. Made by an extraordinary chef, but I can't reveal his identity. It is top secret."

"Can I get one? And also a Le-"

"Leon's order? Yes, yes, I know," She groans, sounding tired. Leon appears from the back office, opening his usual smile when he sees you. You like to think it is your special smile, but it is probably how he smiles at every single client.

"Hey."

"Morning, Leon."

He starts preparing your drink the way he always does. You wonder if Leon is bored or if he can even make it with his eyes closed. Maybe you should ask him if his favorite order has even changed next time? As you watch Leon work, you give a big bite to the brownie. It is delicious. The perfect balance between chocolate and sweetness. 

"Ashley, those are so freaking good!" You exclaim, bringing her attention back to you.

"Oh really? Our chef will love to hear that!" Ashley says with a suggestive tone, giving a quick side look to Leon. You finish the brownie in a few bites as Leon puts your cup on the counter, his cheeks painted red. Again your cup is uncovered. You grab the lid and close it. It has become a ritual by now. 

"Thanks again, Leon."

When you look up at him, Leon has a different expression in his eyes. He blushes, no more than he usually does, his hand raised. Before you can ask what is wrong, he places his hand over yours on the cup lid. His hand is warm, probably normal for someone working with hot drinks all the time. You don't say anything, waiting. Leon seems to be waiting as well, for you to say anything. Neither of you does, and the moment is broken when the door opens, a huge group of women coming in.

"Sorry, I don't know—" 

"Bye!" You rush out of those doors, not looking back.

Well, that was certainly odd, you think. Leon has never touched you before. It seems that he wanted to tell you something, but at the same time, he was waiting for you to say something? When you get to work ten minutes later, the cup still warm in your hands, you search for Sabrina, not finding her. Gabriel, your other co-worker, explains she is sick.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Nasty flu."

"Oh, okay. I will message her later then."

You look at the cup in your hands to her empty table before asking Gabriel.

"Hey, do you want some coffee?"

"Free? Don't mind if I do! What has on it?"

"I guess coffee, milk, cinnamon? I don't really know."

"You don't know?" Gabriel asks, grabbing the cup from you. "You don't know what is in your cup? Here, let me smell it, I have an excellent sense of smell." He opens the lid to smell it and exclaims, "Awn, this is cute."

"What?"

"The heart."

"What heart?"

Gabriel carefully gets the cup to show you a heart drawing on top. You want to hit yourself in the head; is that what Leon has been doing? That's why he held your hand this morning to show the heart? No, it couldn't be. When Gabriel starts taking the cup to his mouth, you pull the cup back, placing the lid.

"Sorry, Gabriel, gotta go! I will return with another one!"

You rush back to the store, holding the cup firmly. Maybe, just maybe, Leon has been drawing those for you only, and you always close the lid? Maybe this is what he was trying to tell you this morning. What if Leon draws a heart for everyone? Shouldn't you be paying for that? What if—? No, no time to think of that. Perhaps this is your chance. You enter the shop, gasping for air. Ashley is nowhere around, and Leon is dusting around the table. When he sees you, his brows furrow, but he doesn't hesitate to get close to you.

"Are you okay? Something wrong?" Leon sounds concerned, his eyes scanning you.

You try to speak, still catching your breath. You pull the lid, triumphant.

"What does this mean?" 

When you two look at the cup, the drawing is gone. There is just a mess of brown liquid, smelling like vanilla and cinnamon. You can't believe it. You turn to Leon, pointing at the cup and him, your mouth opening and closing.

"Have you been drawing hearts in my cup this whole time?"

"I have." He admits, blushing. 

"Thanks?" Jeez, you couldn't come with something better. Leon nods as if understanding before starting to turn away. "No, wait, please, I mean, I like them. A lot."

His face lights up, and you wonder how someone can look so adorable. It is so unfair for you poor heart.

"Tha-that's good, then. I was wondering when you would see them."

"Well, 'cause the lady who drinks my coffee doesn't open the cups!" You try to explain to him, biting your tongue. Leon waits, confused. "Yeah, I don't like coffee," You finally confess your secret somberly, like a sinner talking to a priest.

"So wait. You don't like coffee and keep ordering it? Why?"

Well, now it is your turn to feel your face burning. Realization passes through Leon's face, and he starts stuttering something before three older ladies walk in, going directly to the cashier. He grabs your cup, his heart thumping as he rushes to write something. When Leon gives you back, you see his number written in black ink.

"Ca-can we discuss this better later tonight? If you want to, of course," Leon asks. You nod. "Then you can tell me all about your hate for coffee."

"I would love to."

[mychoombatheroomba]

Proximity Alert

Between the Bones (Leon x GN! Reader) - Chapter 11

And into the minefield you go. Little do you know, Leon is fool enough to follow you.

(Cross-posted from Ao3)

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Chapter Index

Flustered or not, Leon was, as you came to find out, a damn good shot. 

He would have had to have been, you supposed, to survive what he’d survived. Still, you found yourself very much impressed as the two of you spent your hour unloading magazine after magazine into the targets down range. You didn’t mind losing to him. 

Not when three points was all it took for him to smile the way he did. 

“If you can shoot like that now, just think of how good you’d be if you cut that hair so you could see,” you’d said, and you weren’t sure where the energy you had was coming from. 

Maybe you said it for the same reason you'd called him pretty; it was true, yes, but you also wanted to get a rise out of him. 

And a rise you got. “You must not hate my hair too much, if you think I’m pretty.” 

Oh, he was getting better at countering your jabs. Knives and words. And just like when he managed to get a successful counter in while sparring, you watched his eyes go a little wide as he realized what he’d just said. 

You were both flying by the seat of your pants, then. 

“I won’t matter how pretty you are if someone can throw you around by your fringe,” you said, ignoring the way it felt like you were walking over the edge of a cliff. Ignoring the way your mouth curled without you meaning it to. “And if I remember right, I’ve done it before.” 

“Guess I’ll just have to be extra careful, then.” His own smile returned, and it lingered until the two of you said your goodbyes. 

That smile made some stupid, sentimental part of you ache because it made him look young - young and proud and excited that he’d done well. For a moment, he looked like Raccoon City never happened. Like the two of you weren’t training to fight what spawned from mankind’s darkest ideas. For a moment, as Leon beamed at you, you could almost imagine that things were normal. Or, as normal as they ever had been for you. 

You felt that way more and more when you were around Leon - strange, because if anyone should remind you of what waited for you out there in the real world, it should have been him. Instead, you found yourself smiling more when you were around him than you had in the last year. The smiling wasn’t the dangerous part, though. 

Ever more, you were ignoring the warning bells in your mind in favor of holding his gaze for a second longer than you should have. Letting yourself study the strength of his jawline, the way the boyish fullness of his cheeks was sharpening into something harder. Or the way his arms were being cut by more and more defining lines. You let yourself say things you shouldn’t have because getting those little rises out of him made you feel . . . 

It made you feel something other than the misery you’d been wallowing in for so long. 

Something you almost felt you didn’t deserve. 

That had been the silent war your thoughts had been waging, because it was stupid to get close. It was completely and utterly reckless. 

And you thought of that smile as you went to bed that night, anyway, because it felt good to imagine something other than the snow and cold, and the dead eyes that waited for you in your dreams. Thinking of the warmth of his hand on top of yours, his smart mouth, or the way his cheeks and the tips of his ears would redden when he was embarrassed felt like you’d found a place to rest your weary bones. Maybe you could afford a moment of weakness, every so often. 

Thoughts were harmless without action to give them life. A gun with the safety on. You could think whatever you wanted. 

So long as it stayed safe in your mind, where it belonged. 

⧫⧫⧫

Pretty boy. 

It really shouldn’t have taken up such a big space in his head, but Leon found himself thinking of those words as he lay in bed that night. It didn’t stop the nightmares, but it was a far better thing to remember when morning came than rotting flesh, or heavy footfalls at his back. 

Or the feeling of someone’s hand slipping through his fingers. 

He would much rather think of you and whether you were being serious or not. 

That was the question he tried to puzzle out that day, well aware that he was putting too much thought into a single moment. A joke. Had to have been. 

Still, he sure as hell wanted more, whatever it was.  

So, when evening came and he met you in the training yard, he did so with a mission he had no notion of how to carry out. You were already there, as always, the sunset casting you in honey gold. You tossed him a knife. “As promised,” you said as Leon caught it. 

“So, what do I get if I win this time?” he asked, flipping the blade back and forth, just as you so often did. It was becoming more and more natural to him, now. 

Still, if it was natural for him, it was second nature for you. 

“I wouldn’t worry about something that’s not going to happen,” you shrugged, a glint in your eyes. You’d always seemed sure of yourself, but with the passing of the last few weeks, he’d come to see a different side of that confidence. One that wasn’t afraid to dish out a bit of trash talk. An Army brat, through and through. Leon didn’t mind it, so long as he could give as good as he got. 

He rushed forward, knife aimed at your chest. You moved just as fast as Leon knew you could, bringing your hand up to smack the blade away. A few weeks ago, you would have blocked him, but Leon had gotten faster since you began teaching him. 

More than that, he’d gotten wise to a few tricks. 

He tried not to be too proud that he was nearly fast enough to pull the feint off. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, after all. Still, as he changed his weapon’s course at the last minute and felt the blade catch your shirt, if not your skin. You felt it too, he could see it on your face as you leapt backwards to safety. “Don’t be so sure,” he breathed, locking eyes with you. “I learned from the best.” Flattery had worked the night before. Maybe-

“I’ll tell Krauser you said so.” 

“Not what I-”

“I know what you meant,” you nodded, eyes softening almost imperceptibly. “Now, come on.” 

You were all business when the knives were in play. He knew that. Still, it had been worth a try. Besides, he didn’t think he would ever get tired of watching you fight. Even if he was the one on the business end of your knife. 

You were a viper. When you reared up to strike, one couldn’t help but watch, wide-eyed as adrenaline filled them. Fear and bewilderment in equal measure. And when you moved, god help anyone within reach. You were too fast for him several times that night, as you always were. Too fast and too dangerously beautiful-

Focus. 

The difference lately was that Leon was beginning to move the same way. Those patterns that he’d been watching for from you, he’d finally begun to learn. You favored protecting your torso over your legs. You liked feints. Wrist locks and knocking him off his feet. Controlling his arm. All favorites that he learned to watch out for. It let him stay “alive” longer and longer. All secrets that helped him avoid a disarm, or a takedown. He was learning more than how to fight, he was learning you. For every disarm or takedown, he gave you a scrape or a bruise. You were showing him how to bridge the gap between the two of you. 

That was why he thought he had you when you bent his arm up after a jab at his side, the strain of it edging just short of real pain. 

Your hands were both occupied. His left wasn’t. 

He kicked towards your leg, and you shifted a bit to avoid it. 

His wrist being free was just enough mobility for him to toss the knife up. His left hand caught it, and again he just nearly missed the swipe he took at your head. You ducked under the swing in a blur of motion, and he followed through. You caught the attack, and again your hands were moving to control. Just as he knew you would. 

Shoulder protesting a bit at the speed with which he moved, Leon wove his arm under your own. You blocked the first strike. Just barely the second. 

Your bodies were pressed together, your hands just barely stopping him from checkmate. With steel just an inch from your throat, your lips parted as you looked up at him, first in surprise and then in struggle. Victory was there, within reach. So close Leon could reach out and grab it. Get drunk off of it. 

Drunk off of the idea of winning and drunk off the way you felt against him. 

Then he felt something else. The weaving of fingers through the hair on the back of his head. Gentle for only a millisecond. The sort of sensation that made it feel like someone had hooked him to a high-voltage battery. That gentleness died before it even drew its first breath as he remembered the warning you’d given him the day before. 

⧫⧫⧫

You’d done it to win, and maybe to prove a point. What you could never have predicted was that bragging rights were absolutely nothing next to the real prize. That being the sound that Leon Kennedy made that evening in the training yard when you pulled his head back by his hair. 

You’d heard his pained groans a hundred times now. This one, though . . . it was different. Throaty and strained, and downright sinful. No human being had a right to make that noise. Not in a situation like this. 

If that was the sound he made when he was in pain . . .

What were you doing?

Both of you froze as soon as you realized what had happened, staring at each other from a distance that seemed too far and too close all at once. His eyes were dark, even with how wide they were. His breathing shallow. His body tense. His lips parted. His throat was exposed, the knife in his hand still pressed against it. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed thick. 

It was then that you realized just how far into that minefield you’d wandered.

And the way he was looking at you, those shadowed blue eyes searching your own, only made it worse. 

What the fuck were you doing?

“Told you about the hair,” you said, not of your own volition. Something cruel had a hold of you. Cruel and wild and full of a fire that burned you from the inside out. A year’s worth of pushing want down in favor of need was all threatening to split you open, now. 

You were stronger than your impulses, though. Or more cowardly than you’d like to admit. 

Whatever the case, you let go of Leon’s hair and stepped away because you knew if you didn’t, it would mean the beginning of something you couldn’t allow into reality. You just hoped that you had bailed out early enough, because as you moved away from him, that tension in the air remained. 

“You okay?” you asked after a moment of silence, because you genuinely didn’t know what else to say. 

“Yeah,” Leon nodded, and even if he was lying, you weren’t going to call him on it. Not right now. “Yeah. Just . . . point taken about the hair.” 

“Hmm,” you nodded back. 

Another beat of oppressive stillness, and you could only do your best to tread water through it. That, and try not to linger on the way Leon’s lips had looked only seconds ago. It was just a moment, and it passed. The safety was still on. 

“So, are you going to cut it?” you finally asked, pointing to his hair. 

Leon had looked lost up until that moment. Even as you spoke, it took him a second to register what you’d said. He looked at you for the first time since you’d let him go - just a glance, but one that let you know that you’d kicked up a storm in his mind. He breathed a single dry laugh and shook his head. “Not a chance.” 

⧫⧫⧫

He couldn’t sleep. And not entirely for the usual reasons. 

No, that night, Leon was kept awake by the memory of your hand in his hair and the sharp pain of you pulling on it. That, and the warmth of you being so close to him. The way your eyes had been so bright with an emotion he’d never seen in you before, one that burned low and true like embers. 

He replayed the moment in his mind, out of embarrassment, true, but also to chase the phantom of what he’d felt. It wasn’t the first time he’d thought of you in the dark - his thoughts had drifted to you more and more lately. That night, though, he wasn’t just thinking about you. He was imagining you. He imagined what you might feel like in his arms, what the skin beneath your shirt might feel like against his fingertips. 

He imagined what it might be like to feel the kiss of your lips instead of your steel. 

And as he imagined, he fought back the guilt that wrapped its cold hands around his throat. Who the guilt was owed to . . . that was becoming a more difficult thing to know.

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Chapter Index

A/N: This chapter brought to you by the sounds Leon makes when he's injured. Also shot myself in the foot putting a Leon pic in every chapter . . . gonna need more than 40 of these mfs 😂

[lunas-nargle]

↳one

chapter one of “meddle about” series brian o’conner x reader

i. blonde beauty

The young Toretto's girl sighed as she ran her hand through her sweaty hair. She was wiping down the counter when she heard her younger cousin say, "Guess who's back, Y/n?"

Y/n looked towards the part of the bar where the stools were lined up. There sat the blonde beauty Y/n came to know as Brian.

She smiled and walked closer to him, "Tuna on white, no crust, correct?"

"I don't know." he said, flipping through a magazine, acting like he's never had it before. "How is it?"

Y/n's grin widened, "Everyday for the last three weeks you've been comin' in here. Everyday, you ask me how the tuna is. It was shitty yesterday, it was shitty the day before, and if you couldn't guess already, it's just as shitty."

"I'll have the tuna." Brian smiled back at her.

"No crust?"

"No crust."

Y/n pushing herself from the counter to prepare his sandwich.

As made his food, Brian's eyes couldn't help but wandered her body. Brian thought Y/n was one of the most beautiful girl in the entire world. If he had to eat tuna sandwiches for the rest of his life just to see her, he'd do it. Anything it took to be around her. His eyes stopped at every curve, dip, and valley she had before they went back up to her face as she turned back to him.

"Thank you." he said, once she dropped the plate in front of him. Y/n smiled, turning the magazine to her. Suddenly, her peace was taken by the sound of cars speeding towards the shop.

She was around the counter to clean anything up that needed it, to anything that was crooked. She wanted to distract herself from him. She walked past Brian, holding a stack of napkins, but he stopped her.

"I have something I've been wanting to ask you." he said, his striking blue eyes blaring into hers. Y/n tilted her head, wanting to know what he was thinking. "I was thinking--"

He was cut off by Y/n's squeal. Jesse suddenly swooped her up, spinning her around. The napkins she was holding almost dropped out of her hands.

"You ass!" she exclaimed, smacking his shoulder once he put her down.

"What's up, guys?" Mia said, stepping away from her school work.

"How ya doin', Mia?" Leon said, walking past them and into Dom's office with Letty and Jesse behind him.

"How's it going, Mia?" Y/n saw Monty, Vince's little brother, lean against the counter in front of Mia.

"It's-It's going good." Mia nodded, bashfully.

Y/n smiled and sighed, looking back towards Brian. Her smile dropped when she saw the lovely sight behind her was ruined by Vince standing behind him, glaring at the back of his head

She rolled her eyes and sighed, turning to fix anything that the crew messed with. Vince sat down, still staring at Brian.

"Ahh, Y/n," Jesse said as she walked by, looking at him through a pair of sunglasses. "He's beautiful."

"I like the haircut." Leon commented. Y/n smiled at the comments as she walked by.

Y/n reached the other side of the bar, where she previously was before the others arrived. She cleared her throat, "Vince." he didn't answer. "Vince!"

"What?" He looked towards her.

"Could I get you anything?"

His eyes looked Y/n up and down. "You look good."

Y/n scoffed, "Nice try."

It wasn't rocket science to anyone that Vince had a thing for the Y/n. But Y/n's feelings weren't recuperated. He'd constantly grossed her with his unnecessary comments, turning her off as soon as he would open his mouth.

Brian suddenly stood up, fishing money from his pocket, and placing it down on the counter. He gave Y/n a bright smile, "Well, thanks a lot, Y/n. See you tomorrow."

Y/n gave him a bashful one back, kind of sad his visit was cut short, "Yeah, see you tomorrow."

Brian started out of the shop.  Vince suddenly stood up, calling out to him. Brian seemed to be paying no attention to the beefy man.

"Try Fat Burger from now on. You can get yourself a Double Cheese with fries for 2.95, punk." he spat.

"Vince, seriously?" Y/n mumbled walked around the counter.

Brain turned his head still walking to his truck. "I like the tuna here." he said, making Vince more enraged.

"Bullshit, asshole." Vince said. "No one likes the tuna here."

"Yeah, well, I do." Brian said, but he was suddenly pushed into the side of his truck, face first. Brian suddenly turned around, punching Vince straight in the face. Then, as quick as lightning, the two were fighting. Monty went out and tried to break it up which resulted in getting elbowed in the face by his brother.

"Jesus Christ, Dom." Mia said, frustrated. "Would you get out there please?"

"Dom, seriously!" Y/n said, coming closer to his office once he didn't even flinch. "Get out there!"

Dom got up from his seat, slowly. He leaned against the doorway.  "What'd you put in that sandwich?" he asked, calmly.

"Ha, ha, real funny." Y/n said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Dom!" Letty said, gesturing towards the men, who were now on the ground.

"Alright." Dom said, finally speeding to break the fight up. Jesse and Leon followed him, with Y/n and Letty right behind them. Mia grabbed a tissue, handing it to Monty for his bleeding nose.

Dom pulled Brian off and pushed him into the car they were beside. Brian raised his hand in surrender, "Hey man. He was in my face."

"I'm in your face." Dom retorted. Vince tried going after Brian again but Dom pushed him back. "Relax!" Dom roared. "Don't push it, you embarrass me!" He looked towards Jesse. "Jesse, give me the wallet."

Jesse tossed Dom Brian's wallet. He opened it and inspected it for a few sends. "Brian Earl Spilner." he read. "Sounds like a serial killer name." He pointed the wallet towards Brian. "Is that what you are?"

"No man." Brian said.

"Don't come around here again." Dom said. Y/n's face dropped. Brian was the only thing good about her job. Brian took his wallet back as Dom started to walk away.

"Hey, man you know this is bullshit." Brian said, as Dom walked. Dom turned and stocked towards him, "You work for Harry, right?" he asked.

"Yeah." Brian answered. "I just started."

"You were just fired." Dom said, venom tracing his words before he walked away from the scene.

[articdelilah]

Hellooo I love the teen mc concept so I'm wondering if you could do it also with Leon's faction? Thank youu

✮ A Little Trouble ✮

Platonic!Ikemen Princes x Teen!Reader

Hi Anon!! Thank you so much for requesting💞 Your wish is my command! Sorry for the wait!! (I know nothing about Leon so I’m sorry if he’s OOC)

Domestic Affairs Faction

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Leon tried to argue with Sariel about his choice. This girl has school and friends and life to live! It would be horrid to put such a hard task on such young shoulders. Sariel of course did not wield with Leon’s request of changing the Belle.

By her side from day 1. He showed how the factions work and what they do, their aim and motives.

After the very hard first day with Leon, they go into town to get ice cream! Or steak. Whichever one Belle is feeling after such a day.

Leon is consistently looking out for her, making sure Chevalier doesn’t say anything too honest or hurtful. If he tries, he’ll be shut down by Leon almost immediately with furrowed brows.

Very protective but not in an overbearing way. Definitely not as subtle as the other Princes. When Belle asks to let her dual with him, he thinks about it but decides against it. He promised her that once she reads all the books Sariel assigned, then he’ll dual her fair and square. Motivation!

Belle liked to observe the man work. She sat with him, asking him questions about the different subjects and affairs that are happening in Rhodolite. She asked about Obsidian but Leon tried to avoid the topic.

Obsidian wasn’t a big threat currently and perhaps it’d be better if Sariel told her? No that would be the worst case scenario.

Leon explains Obsidian’s land, why they want to invade and their current status of threat. Belle said she’d ask Chevalier about it as well, but Leon only made a sour face.

A sudden clang of two silvery swords frightened the birds which were resting in the nearby oak tree; the birds of brown feathers sore into the clear sky as a result. The air wasn’t thick with bloodlust or hatred however instead filled with adrenaline and determination. Belle had begged Leon for them to dual for as long as she could remember, doing everything in her power to get him to agree. Sparks flew in all directions as the two continued their dual, brows creased on the young Belle’s face making Leon smile. He was so proud of her, being able to read all those books in a couple of days sure is an accomplishment. In the midst of thought, Leon was abruptly pulled away from his thoughts as a cool sharp point nudged his neck. His eyes widened as he realised he let his guard down. Despite this he couldn’t help but laugh at the distaste on Belle face “Stop going easy on me! Come on! Fight me for real!”.

“I’m trying”

Jin laughed with Clavis when he met Belle. He simply loved her already!

For the first week of Belle’s stay, he always made sure she had flowers and a few lollipops in her bedroom. Everyone needs snacks right! The flowers were simply never the same colour however. On Monday the roses were red, Tuesday they were pink.

His great hand coming down to ruffle her hair and laugh when she told Jin about her worries. After all, how can you be worried with Jin by your side? If there was anything Jin could help with, you bet he did help.

Is studying alone hard? No worries. Jin is right there to help! Want a break? Jin’ll take her to town for some food!

Belle had been working hard and Jin knew that. He wanted to take some of weight off her shoulders by making her life at the palace a little easier by doing small gestures like bringing her the heavy leather bound books Sariel assigned Belle to read back to her room.

Once Jin came back to find the new Belle alone in the drawing room. He peaked his head in and noticed that she wasn’t reading any heavy leather bound book but rather staring intensely at a fashion magazine for teen nobility.

He knocked on the door to get her attention, asking the girl what she was looking at. Belle watched him next to her as she hesitantly showed him the dress she had been looking at. Her gaze averting to the rug on the floor. Jin agreeing it would look lovely on her.

Lollipops and summer nights on the balcony>>> Late night walks around the town + the palace are very common.

He introduces Belle to his favourite tavern and shows her the nightlife of Rhodolite (without the bad stuff ofc)!

Jin usually brings her to make fun of the drunks with him, dine and chat loudly about anything that really came to mind.

The 1st Prince of Rhodlite leaned on the pastel pink wall of the newest clothing store, waiting for the new Belle to finish getting changing. The whole place was filled with dresses and suits for young nobility, making it the biggest trend in the higher classes. The clothes were imported from Jade and Benodite. Jin had popped a lollipop in his mouth a few moments prior as he hummed a little song under his breath. Belle let out a little squeak in the changing room, making Jin smirk and hurry her out of the rather large stall. Her hand slowly peaked in the corner of the fabric of the curtain, pulling slowly on it to reveal herself in the same dress she was looking at in the magazine. Belle gave the 1st Prince the largest smile and spun and twirled; The dress was light green and white, adorn with lace and pearls. This particular dress was exported from Jade and it reached her knees with a large bow at the back. “Stunning Belle! But not quite finished yet” He wagged a finger and the [H/C] haired girl skipped over. Jin’s hand held a green bow that matched the dress with pearls, his fingers brushing her hair behind her ear before playing the bow in place.

“Thank you Jin! You’re the best!”

Yves was speechless at the news of Belle being a teenager. After all, being Belle is such a big responsibility! Can a teenager really handle it?

Yves takes on the new Belle under his wing, giving her a little [F/C] diary to write her notes in. She cannot forget anything of course.

Is afraid to let her out of his sight for longer than 2 hours.

He was so surprised how Belle treated him, especially that a lot of people were taught young about his bloodline. Belle however was still kind and caring despite everything she had heard in town. Yves asked her about this one day, the girl spoke that “Unless I’ve met the person, I would never claim they are evil just because of the blood that flows through their veins”

Yves has very strict with Belle, but he always made it up to her by baking her cookies or cake. Tea parties are also quite common, BUT ONLY TO TEACH BELLE TABLE MANNERS no other reason

Make overs with Yves are simply a must! Yves teaches Belle how to do her hair in complex hairstyles, the basics of colour meaning and styles of clothes worn on different occasions. Fashion is just as important as politics in the noble world after all!

Eventually Belle asked Yves if he would show her how to bake and Yves couldn’t hold the prideful smile that lit his face, he of course agreed! It was only because it was his duty as Prince however 👀

The palace was cold, silence and darkness submerging every corner it could greedily claim as its own. Despite the harsh snow outside, the kitchen was filled with warm light and cheery laughter of a Prince and a young girl. The fire crackled as the two sat on plush pillows, giggling as they engulfed in quiet chitchat. On the wooden floor lay plates of chewy cookies and sweet colourful macaroons. Belle held a plate with peach pie, struggling to hold it still as she fell into a fit of giggles once more. “That’s not even that funny!” Yves tried to pout but failed miserably as seeing Belle smiling so hard made his heart swell with pride. Sure Clavis’ prank with the cardboard cat was definitely not fun to experience, but maybe perhaps it was worth falling into Clavis’ potholes just to hear Belle’s laughter.

He was distant. Just like Chevie, he found the thing ridiculous and shook his head disapprovingly when told.

With the help of Yves and Sariel however, Belle got a chance to spend more and more time with Licht.

He tried to be rude, but Belle never took it to heart. Perhaps she knew from the start how kind he actually was. Either way, Belle being persistent was both a blessing yet curse.

Soon she became his companion. She was obviously worried about him which gave Licht motivation to be better. He never wanted her to worry about him.

Despite this Licht usually keeps his distance from her, making sure she is safe from afar.

Licht showed Belle how to ride a horse, knowing full well that Belle did something wrong to spend that extra minute with him.

Licht is always willing to sing to Belle after she had a rough day or a nightmare. He’ll stroke her hair and sing that same song his mother did, the Prince’s sweet voice lulling the girl into a sweet dream.

One day, Licht had invited Belle to visit him at the stables. She put on her best outfit before meeting him, but she was taken by surprise when Licht said this isn’t a riding lesson.

Not even the cold breeze of approaching autumn could make Licht’s heart less warm as he observed the girl near him. In her hands a basket filled with all types of flowers: coneflowers, dahlias and cosmos. Yellows, pinks and whites brought life to the brown weaved basket. Licht sat amongst the grass letting the cool air fill his lungs, his horse a couple of metres away grazing at the greenery. Belle plopped down next to him, smiling a smile that was brighter than the sun. “Close your eyes.” Licht smiled softly at the girl. She giggled when she closed her eyes, waiting patiently. Carefully picking the flowers with the longest stems, Licht’s fingers braiding the flowers over each other. He did this for a minute before placing the flower crown on the now impatient Belle who was starting to complain. Her eyes shot open and her hands began to delicately inspect the flowers which adorned her soft hair. Her eyes squinted with cheerfulness. Licht’s silent moment of his own happiness becoming brighter as the girl pounced on the once lonely wolf. The 6th Prince held her close, swearing that he will protect his sister. After all, they say that blood is thicker then water of the womb.

If you like my work, feel free to request!! Thank you for reading and Goodbye my Doves🕊️🌙

[paradisedixon]

ᴛʜᴇ ᴏꜰꜰɪᴄᴇ, ᴘᴛ 2

leon kennedy x fem!reader

summary: au where no outbreaks have occurred. chris, jill, leon, and you all work for the RPD, you working as the STARS secretary. you’ve had a crush on a certain blue eyed officer for nearly a year, and chris and jill are getting impatient.

warning(s): bestie!chris redfield, kissing, swearing

⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

“Chris.. why are you here?” Leon had his front door open directing a deadpan stare at Chris Redfield, who stood at his doorstep with a 12 pack of Coors Light under one arm and about a dozen magazines under the other. Leon was a bit mopey that weekend, his year-long crush had just told him she liked someone else. He couldn’t bring himself to ruin the friendship they had, so he kept himself silent. All he wanted was for her to be happy and if this was the way, then so be it. He could move on. Hopefully.

“I heard.” Was all Chris said before he pushed passed the young officer and into the small apartment. Leon stared at the now empty hallway in front of him where Chris used to be, shaking his head in exasperation. Not like I wanted to relax on my day off.

“Yeah, sure, come on in!” Leon spoke sarcastically into the air, shutting his door and locking it. He turned on his socked heel and watched as Chris placed the beers on his coffee table and plopped the stack of magazines next to them.

“May I ask what you heard, exactly?” Leon folded his arms together in moderate annoyance, and Chris placed his hands on his hips and observed his friend. Leon had on a plain black wrinkled t-shirt, a pair of gray sweatpants, and a pair of white socks on his feet. His hair was frizzy, telling Chris he’d been in bed all day.

“Come on, it’s four in the afternoon and you’re not even dressed, which is not you. There’s only one explanation for this behavior, Kennedy, and I think it had to do with our favorite secretary.” Chris’ implication coaxed a groan from Leon’s lips, and Chris hummed in contentment and Leon’s reaction.

“How the hell do you know about that?” Leon finally made his way to his couch, practically flopping down on the soft, blue cushions, crossing his ankles on the coffee table. Chris followed suit, cracking open two beers in the process.

“I know everything.” Chris spoke as if his statement was the most obvious thing in the world, a sarcastic shrug eliciting a light scoff from Leon, who accepted the beer from his friend reluctantly. Chris sighed in preparation, staring at the magazines.

“Should I even ask what those are for?” Leon sipped on his beverage as Chris tossed one onto Leon, taking another one from the pile for himself.

“We’re coming up with a plan to get you the girl.” Leon stared in bewilderment at the magazine in his lap that read Cosmopolitan across the top in big, pink letters. He then shot a glance at Chris, who was already reading the How to know a guy likes you article in his Seventeen magazine.

“Uh.. Chris, I don’t think this is gonna help me much.” Leon picked up the magazine, Britney Spears staring back at him with a pout. Tell me about it. He turned his gaze to Chris, who sagged his shoulders and let the magazine fall limp in his grasp.

“That’s exactly what Jill said.” Chris murmured, closing his eyes.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Chris yanked the magazine from Leon’s hand and threw them back on the pile, sitting back against the couch and sighing dramatically, “so what the hell are we gonna do now?” Leon furrowed his brows and scoffed.

“That was your big plan?”

“I had to call my damn sister for these,” Chris sighed in disappointment and sucked on his teeth, “anyways, it’s more than you’re doin’, buddy.” Chris took a few chugs from his beer, then let it rest on his thigh. Leon rolled his eyes at his friend. I can’t believe he actually thought I’d read these for advice.

“Seriously, though. What are you gonna do?” Leon sighed and shook his head, simultaneously tapping his finger on the neck of the bottle.

“Nothing. She likes somebody else.” Chris rolled his eyes at his oblivious friend.

“Right,” Chris said flatly, “somebody else. Who is this somebody else, may I ask?”

“She didn’t say.” Chris hummed in an exaggerated acknowledgment of Leon’s answer.

“She didn’t say, huh?” Leon looked at Chris with a mixture of confusion and suspicion. Chris was stroking his chin as if he were in deep thought. Yeah as if there’s anything up there.

“What do you know?” Leon finally asked. Chris’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, and a smile tugged at his lips.

“I may or may not know who this mysterious crush is.” Leon straightened his back on the couch, practically throwing his beer on the coffee table.

“You do?!” Chris nodded.

“Mhm. Matter of fact, we both know him. Well.” So he works at the station. I could’ve guessed that. Probably one of the older guys, they usually have a good reputation with the women in the department. Well we did get a few new recruits, but they seemed too immature—

“You have no idea, do you?”

“Nope.”

“I bet he still has no fucking clue.”

Jill was standing next to you in your kitchen as you washed your dishes, her arms crossed over her chest. She called you while you were stress cleaning your apartment, so she came right over and was trying to talk your anxiety down.

“Why can’t I just tell him? Or kiss him? Or.. do something other than kiss him?” Jill gave you a look and you sighed.

“We’ve been over this. It’s way more fun to see him squirm.” You groaned as Jill chuckled.

“But I’ve liked him for so long and only now figured out that he likes me too! Now I won’t be able to focus on anything else,” you gasped, “how am I gonna be able to work?! Before it was just daydreaming about his face, but now I won’t even be able to look at him without thinking about how big his—“

“Okay, okay! Down, girl,” you giggled at Jill’s disgust, “if you really want him that bad just go to his place now. Chris told me he’s home, just give me the word and you’ll have him all to yourself.” You gaped at her and she raised a brow, pulling out her flip phone from her pocket. You threw your eyes back and forth from the phone to Jill’s smirk. Dreams really do come true!

“..really?” Jill rolled her eyes and pressed a button on her phone and placed it against her ear. You dried your hands off in your towel and kissed her on the cheek, taking off to your bedroom to change out of your lazy day clothes.

“Hold on, man, it’s Jill.”

Leon sighed heavily at the suspense as Chris pulled out his phone.

“Yes, Schnookums?” Chris cooed, and Leon groaned, chucking the throw pillow he previously leaned against at Chris’s head, eliciting a cackle from the larger man.

“I can’t believe you just called me that— Anyways, our girl wants alone time with the Rookie, so make sure he stays home until she gets there.” Chris gasped softly and glanced his eyes down at Leon, who had a scowl on his face from the disgusting pet name, his beer raised to his lips.

“Already?” He mumbled into the phone, and Jill laughed.

“Just stay there, and let it be a surprise.” Chris and Jill said their goodbyes and hung up. Chris looked around the room, trying to find a viable excuse to stay. He spotted a set of dvds in Leon’s entertainment center below his TV.

“Boys night!” Chris hollered, and Leon groaned into his hand loudly, throwing his head back against the couch as Chris shuffled through his movie selection.

“I knew I should’ve never told you where I live.”

*✩*

“Alright.. how do I look?” You wore the best date outfit you could find, and you were currently nervously fiddling with the strap of your purse hanging from your shoulder. What if it’s too much? What if I read him wrong? Oh fuck what if I try to kiss him and he totally rejects me!I’d have to quit my job—

“Hot!” Jill exclaimed, mouth gaping open. She looked you up and down and you felt your cheeks turn red, shifting from foot to foot. The skirt of your dress flowed freely to just above your knees, the bodice hugging your chest in all the right places. The dress was casual enough that it didn’t look like you were trying to hard, but sexy enough to catch someone’s eye. You had put on light makeup, just your mascara and eyebrows with a bit of lipstick.

“What if I totally read this whole thing wrong?” You admitted your doubts, and Jill’s shoulder sagged.

“Trust me, you didn’t. I’ve been telling you the whole time that he likes you! You only thought I was teasing because you couldn’t see it for yourself.” Jill’s words of assurance relaxed you, and you nodded, gaining some of your confidence back. She stepped forward and rubbed her hands up and down your arms soothingly.

“You look hot as fuck, and I would be truly surprised if he doesn’t see that. I would also be red hot and murderous.” You giggled at her temper, taking her hands in yours.

“Okay, okay, I’m hot. Thanks, Jill.” She nudged your cheek with her knuckle and nodding her head at the front door.

“Now go get him, Tiger. I expect details in the morning.” She winked and you groaned.

“I swear you’re just like my mother. Although I’m not particularly opposed—“

“Just go!”

*✩*

Leon was currently staring at his television screen, four beers in, and absolutely hating Chris Redfield. He glanced over at his friend who was currently sobbing at The Notebook, two throw pillows clutched to his chest.

“They loved each other so much.” Chris cried, tears streaming down his face. Leon threw a hand onto his back with a sigh and rubbed between his shoulder blades as Chris buried his face in the pillows.

“It’s okay, buddy. Just let it out.” Chris’s sobs continued and Leon rolled his eyes.

“Could you believe Jill has never cried to this movie? She’s made of stone, man!” Could this night get any worse?

A knock on his front door freed him from his current suffering.

“I’ll get it!” Leon jumped up and briskly walked to his front door, throwing it open, but stopping short.

“Hey, Leon.” You shyly smiled up at him. You giggled as his mouth flopped open and closed, staring you up and down. You blushed, shifting on your feet.

“H-Hey! What are you doing here?” A smile quirked up on his lips, and you were about to answer when Chris interrupted, no trace of tears on his face.

“I’ll see you later, Rookie!” Chris walked past the both of you, patting your shoulder and giving you a wink, the blush on your cheeks deepening. Leon was giving him an incredulous look before shaking his head.

“Come on in.” He chuckled, and he stepped aside for you and closed the door behind you. You looked around his apartment, cocking your head at the sight of the stack of magazines on his coffee table.

“Why do you have, like, thirty Cosmos?” You chuckled, picking one up with Lindsay Lohan. Leon made his way over to you and laughed with you, though his sounded a little more nervous.

“Oh, you didn’t know? I love these things,” you quirked an eyebrow, “y’know, hair care is everything.” You giggled at his nervousness as he plucked the magazine from your fingers and placed it on the stack.

“So this is how you get it to look so good?” Leon’s eyes widened at your flirting, and you smiled with feigned innocence. Then he started thinking about his hair, and he almost panicked when he realized he probably looked like a bum. I didn’t even do my hair today!

“Speaking of, I didn’t actually expect to see you today.. especially at my place.” You laughed nervously and glanced down at your shoes. You can’t go back now, just say it!

“About that, Leon..” You plucked up your courage and took a step towards him, closer than you’d ever been, looking up at him through your lashes. He looked as if he were frozen as he stared down at you, a light red gracing his cheeks.

“There’s something I need to tell you, but I think it’s be better if I just showed you..” Leon nodded mutely, and you took another step. Your chests brushed up against each other and you heard him suck in a breath as you raised a hand to drag it up his arm, the muscles feeling better than anything you’d imagined. Your other hand raised to connect with his other arm and his large hands instinctively snaked around your waist, resting on your hips. His touch sent sparks throughout your whole body, like an unseen force pulling you closer to him.

You reached your nose up and brushed it against his, as light as a feather, asking him for permission. A beat passed, your heart was in your throat in doubt, but your eyes fluttered closed as his lips finally pressed themselves to yours.

The butterflies in your stomach erupted like a volcano as you dragged one of your hands to place on his chest and the other to his cheek, resting them there. One feather-light kiss turned into two, then three, and soon they were deepening as you brushed your tongue against his lips.

Leon’s grip on your hips got tighter as he pulled you impossibly closer to him, his warm, wet tongue licking into your mouth seductively. You let him kiss you silly, wrapping your arms around his neck and letting your fingers impulsively run through his soft hair. My fucking god what conditioner does he use? Okay not now—

You tugged on his hair just a bit, not even paying attention—maybe a little, and Leon moaned into your mouth, making you weak at the knees. Leon broke the kiss with a pop to look at you with hooded eyes, his lips now plump and wet. They then turned up into a playful smirk.

“So the guy-?”

“Is you, Leon.” You both smiled wide and Leon chuckled, rubbing his hands up and down your back.

“I should’ve known.” You giggled as he took you lips once more, and gave you arguably the best night of your life.

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[A/N] im so sorry i robbed y’all PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!! but thank you guys so much for reading part 1!! i didn’t expect the amount of support and it means so much! i had a lot of fun writing this i hope you had fun reading <3

[[decided to tag everyone who asked for a part 2 <3 @drizzyxrs @kittenkiryu @angiekurosaki @wanderlustingcastaway @dargoww @worriedweirdo @brittlecakes92 @quartzzzzzzz]]

[a-edgar-allan-hoe]

Fade Into You

ResidentEvil4Remake!Leon Kennedy x FemScientist/Pathologist/!Reader

Resident Evil x The Last of Us crossover

A/N: Just a little idea I had lying around. The timelines are a bit jumbled up since the Last of Us and Resident Evil take place in different eras so I made this story takes place in modern time so bear with me here. I hope y'all like it and let me know what you think! 💜

Summary: Imagine being a scientist set with the task of finding a cure for everything that has happened, assigned to return the world to how it once was only to become an assignment for someone else, an agent named Leon S. Kennedy tasked with making sure you are transported safely to your destination.

Warnings: language, some potential suggestive content, blood and gore and violence.

Notes: angst, some comfort and fluff and Leon’s terrible dad jokes and some trauma sprinkled in there.

Time. Time is a strange thing. Nonphysical and always there, always changing, from beginning to end. At the same time, it comes in cycles, repetitions and patterns. A metaphysical figment of creation, a concept constructed and molded to the understanding of the human species. An entity bigger than ourselves, spanning across millions of galaxies, and yet can fit within the palm of our hands. What is time, other than of what we know of it. Often times you found yourself wondering the same thing.

You don't know how long it has been since the outbreak, since the virus that started to plague the earth was first heard on the news, since well..........everything. So much has happened since, you had trouble remembering a lot of it, or any of it for that matter.

You used to work for the CDC, you still do, or what’s left of it, before you were taken against your will................there's not much left of anything anymore. Back then, you were the leading scientist in the department of Cancer Prevention and Control. 'New and upcoming young scientist leads the fight against cancer', titled the articles that were written about you, some of them far too promising and others harshly criticizing and objectifying. You're pretty sure you still have those articles stashed away somewhere, the good, the bad, and the ugly. What for? You’re not sure. Motivation perhaps, if there was any still left in you.

You were the best at your field, nearing a breakthrough for finding the ultimate cure for cancer that targeted the cells at the earliest and even latest stage, diminishing the illness completely as if it had never even existed in the host. You had even been featured on the cover of Life Magazine and the Smithsonian magazine for your work, the photos taken of you wearing your lab coat and standing over your microscope or interacting with your team and your patients. Boy was your father proud, his little girl on the verge of revolutionizing the medical world, he almost always had a hard time believing it, still picturing the day he held you bundled in his arms when you were first born. You were still ever his little girl to him. You could still remember the look on his face, the way he beamed when he found out, buying a copy of both those magazines just to frame it up on the wall as if there wasn’t already enough pictures of you and your little sister throughout your years.

You almost accomplished your mission, almost. You were close, so close. And then the virus took over, the Plagas and then the Cordyceps brain infection. Cancer became the least of worries.

Since the epidemic, you tried to save as much of your family photos as you could. After all, they were the only things left as a reminder of the past, of how things were. It's been so long the pictures almost don't seem real, like something created out of the mind of a delusionist, taken from of the pages of a science fiction novel, an imitation of an alternate reality. Never in you right mind did you think all those flesh-eating zombie movies you snuck out to watch with your sister at the local theater as a teen would feel more true to life than the actual past, the history of the human race.

Every night before you went to sleep, you'd pull out the storage box from under your bed, the one containing your family's photo albums, flipping through each page and staring at the photos of your parents and little sister as a way of forcing your brain to remember them. You believed this was your way of keeping them in your memory, recollecting the moment behind when each photograph was taken as if they were pieces of a broken vase meant to hold all that was you, pieces that sliced at you whenever you tried to put them back together. Truth was, you were afraid, desperate to cling on to the echo of their existence. And so you looked at those photos in a ritualistic manner, each and every night before bed. Truth is, you were starting to forget their faces, their voices, and you knew it.

In the beginning there were many; scientists, doctors, or pathologists or whatever you wanna call them, working on the task that was given to you by the government, each and every one of them fighting for a life of their own and the lives of many. Now they were just names on the diplomas that hung in their offices, names printed under an achievement of the institution they attended, just pieces of paper left to gather dust and be forgotten. Sometimes you wondered if you were the only one left; in your state, your country, the world? Who knows. In the building you worked, there used to be seven, then there were six, then five, then four…………….now there was only you.

Time seems to be nonexistent to you. The clocks on your walls meant nothing, nothing more than some numbers and a bunch of little gears that turn the hands to display the hour. A symbol of endless nothingness. The white walls of the building you worked in were just a place that they happened to hang on. And god you hated those white walls. You’ve lost count of the days you spent locked up within them, with nothing to keep you company except for the lab rats and your own thoughts. It's a wonder you didn't lose your sanity. A time came when you’d question if you’d ever see another human again. It seems as if your prayers were answered.

You were currently sat on the makeshift bed of a small base hideout, staring ahead at the fabric of the military tent that blew slightly against the wind, the makeshift tent that you stayed in after you were rescued, if you would call it that. Being the only woman at a base full of military men had its own fears, and you'd almost rather be out with the infected than here. You don’t know what it’s like anymore, being free I mean, you only remember being held hostage, held in one place to work for the government only to be taken away to work for another before being taken again for your so-called expertise, like an almost endless cycle, as if you were some goods that needed to be traded off and transported from one destination to another until you could no longer be of use.

You couldn't remember much after you were taken by the cult in an attempt to bring back Umbrella Corp or whatever they wished to call themselves, the memory of it all was still as fuzzy as when you first arrived under their "management". Now what would you even call your current circumstance? A formal and civil hostage situation under the label of U.S. personnel? You were only being held for the time being before being sent back to the states to work for whatever was left of the government. And as much as you wanted to go back home, or what's left of it if we're being honest, you've only heard of how worse it has gotten since you left.

“Y/l/n.” One of the soldiers called for you as he opened the flap entrance to your tent, his form casting a shadow across the floor in front of you. “It’s time.”

You gave the soldier a quick nod, grabbing your backpack from the floor and the small pocket knife that you kept under your pillow, stuffing the folded blade in the back pocket of your jeans as you got up and walked out of your tent. You followed the soldier as he led you through the open area where other soldiers were gathered, some of them standing guard, some eating their meals and others standing around leisurely as they conversed with each other. You could feel their eyes on you, watching you tag behind the soldier that was in front of you as he led you to the bigger tent on the other side of the field, the tent where the officers and higher ups held their meetings to discuss important matters.

You heard some voices coming out from inside the tent, two to be exact, discussing something important apparently. It’s all they ever did around here. And as you stepped in after the soldier, you saw the colonel speaking to a man you had never seen before. Tall, blond hair, wearing civilian yet practical clothes with tactical gear over it, unlike everyone else here who donned the military uniforms. He's definitely not military-

“Sir-“ the soldier that led you spoke, alerting the colonel of your presence.

“Ah. There you are.” The colonel turned towards you with a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling from his old age as he gestured you over to where he stood at the table that was stationed dead center of the larger tent. “Was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.”

You looked between the two men across from you in the tent once the soldier that was by you had left, allowing you a better view as you only watched with slight uncertainty before approaching the officer. The man whom you did not recognize had looked your way as well, his face not showing a single shift in emotion upon your arrival, but you had managed to notice the slight curious quirk of his brow at seeing you. Who the hell was he?

“Say hello to your assignment,” the colonel gestured towards you as he spoke to the blond man. God you hated being called that, assignment. “Dr. y/n y/l/n."

“Leon S. Kennedy.” The man outstretched his hand, to which you stared at with the blankest look possible.

"............Pleasure." You gave the man a short smile, completely disregarding his offer for a handshake before turning to the older officer and pulling him aside as if the young man wasn’t even present in the first place, watching from the side of your eye as he awkwardly pulled his hand back, a look of hidden puzzlement on his face. You didn't want to seem rude but this was not what you had signed up for, being alone for who knows how long with a man you absolutely did not know.

“Agent Kennedy here is to ensure that you are transported and arrived safely to your destination.” The colonel answered after seeing the silent but scrutinizing look on your face.

So an agent huh. He’s probably as stuck up as the rest of those shit heads you've had to come across. Agent or not, who's to say he isn't like the others.

“What does that have to do with me?"

"Well he's been hired as your bodyguard."

You tried your best not to laugh. "What, some washed up reject of the Backstreet Boys?” You lowered your voice, knowing damn well the agent a few feet away from you could hear everything.

Leon couldn’t help but cock his head back with a slight scoff, not sure if he should be offended by your insult or impressed by the creativity behind it.

“Agent Kennedy is the best in his field. And our job is to make sure you end up safe back in America. I’m afraid you’re much too valuable to be left to wander back on your own.”

You let out a small huff, crossing your arms over your chest with a stern look of contemplation as you eyed the ground beneath your feet before finally folding. He had a point there, it was dangerous out there. But who's to say you should trust him? You had trouble trusting anyone for that matter. "Do you trust the guy?" You looked up at the colonel, knowing better than to trust a man's word but who else was there. There wasn't really anyone here to protect you but yourself.

"Agent Kennedy is a good man, reliable, I assure you."

You don't know that. "............then I suppose I have no choice but to take your word then." You sighed, knowing there wasn't really a way out of this.

“Good. Go easy on him alright.” The colonel straightened up, placing his hand on the back of your shoulder as he led you back to where the other man stood.

"Agent Kennedy, I trust you'll keep Miss y/l/n here safe."

"Yes sir." Leon nodded his head, attempting to send you a kind smile as if to say you were in good hands but you only stared off into the distance, still unhappy with the decision made. As long as it meant you went back home. Home. Jesus. You don't even know what was awaiting you there.

"She can be quite stubborn at times but you'll get used to it." The older officer added with a chuckle to which you shot back with a quick glare.

"Well that's fine by me." Leon smiled. "I'm a patient man." If only he knew how much you were going to drive him up the wall.

"Well here is the location where she needs to be dropped off." The officer handed Leon a piece of paper. If you have any questions, you know who to call."

"Copy that."

"Can I have a handgun-"

"No." The colonel was quick to interrupt your question. "That won't be necessary."

"Fine." You mumble to yourself. "Guess I'll just use my butter knife then."

Leon quietly watched the interaction between the two of you, slowly getting a clue about the personality of who he was going to be spending the upcoming days with, and he wasn't quite sure how to feel about it. He too would have opted for the same response as the colonel since you didn't look like the type to have ever fired a gun, much less used any weapon at all. And what exactly did you mean by butter knife? Should he be worried?

"Well you'd better get going, you don't want to be traveling at night, not with what's out there."

"Yes sir." Leon nodded his head at the colonel before heading out of the tent.

You turned to follow the tall blond but were stopped by the officer who held his hand up. "Not just yet. I have something here for ya."

You watched as the colonel pulled out a large black case, clicking open the clasps before opening it to reveal a hunting rifle nestled safely inside.

"I thought you said I couldn't have a gun."

"No, I said you couldn't have a handgun."

The colonel stepped aside, allowing you room to take a step closer to examine the rifle better. Was that? You'd recognize that wooden stock anywhere.

"My dad's rifle. How?"

"Had someone retrieve it from your old place. I'm guessing you know how to use it, judging from the way you recognized it so quickly."

"I-Thank you....sir."

"Just make sure you get your ass back to the lab in one piece." The colonel pulled the rifle out from the case before handing it to you, along with a box of some ammo.

"Of course." You sent the colonel a short smile, putting the box of ammo into your backpack before taking the rifle from his hands, feeling the weight of the thing within your grasp, recognizing each scuff mark and scratch that lined the wooden body, the little signs of wear and tear caused by your own clumsiness, each of them reminding you of the times spent with your father at the range when he taught you how to use the thing. It even smelled of him, after all this time. If you weren’t in a public setting you would have curled up into a ball and cried, holding the rifle close to your frame as if it were the remnants of your father, the man who raised and protected you for the majority of your life. And in a way, it was.

"Stay safe out there kid."

“Sure thing.” You gave a nod, slinging the strap of the rifle over your shoulder as you pushed the memories and emotions away, heading over to the entrance of the tent until the colonel called out again.

“Hey kid.”

“Yeah?” You turned back to face the older gentleman. It wasn’t long, the time that you’ve known him, but he seemed to be the only one that looked out for you, the only one that stood up for you when the other soldiers harassed you and uttered vulgar things in your direction.

“Try not to get separated from Agent Kennedy.”

“Can’t promise that.” You turned back around, raising your hand to send him a wave goodbye before pushing aside the flap of the entrance and stepping out into the sunlight. Well, this is it. Another day, another journey.

You were met outside of the tent with Agent Kennedy, who seemed to have been waiting outside the whole time, hopefully not eavesdropping, not that there was anything important or personal said back there but you just didn’t like people listening in on your conversations.

Straightening up, Leon gave a quick glance over your form before eyeing the rifle on your back. That definitely was not there before. “Where the hell did you get that thing?"

Christ this man talks too damn much and you just met him.

Rolling your eyes, you ignored his question, or rather his whole presence as you headed towards the truck that was set out for you. As much as you didn't want to be rude, you were anxious to get the hell out of this place and return to a place that you at least knew.

“Never mind I guess.” Leon muttered to himself before trying to catch up with you ahead. Jesus you walked with purpose.

Opening up the passenger door of the truck, you threw your backpack and rifle in the backseat before seating yourself in the passenger seat, putting on your seatbelt as you watched Leon walk up to the truck, still a couple feet away.

“Can this dude be any slower?” You muttered under your breath with a roll of your eyes, propping your elbow up on the door window as you stared out of it.

“Someone’s eager to get out of here.” Leon chuckled at the way you had situated yourself so quickly along with the obvious impatient expression that sat on your face as he opened the driver door before getting in himself, putting the keys into the ignition to start the car.

“So uh..........” Leon adjusted the rear view mirror before placing a hand on the back of your seat as a way to back the car out of the parking spot while you only studied his movements from the corner of your eye before glancing out the widow again. Why did you have a gut feeling this guy wasn’t the best driver. “where to huh? My place or yours?” Leon cracked a smug grin, hoping to lighten the mood judging from the unease you must have felt to be left with a complete stranger but quickly changing his mind after seeing the absolute foul, confidence-shattering side-eye that you just threw him.

If this man doesn't shut up-

"Right-" Leon cleared his throat, his expression changing back to his usual resting one as he looked back ahead, changing the gear to reverse as he backed out of the parking spot. Not even a minute with you and he could already tell you were going to be a blast to be around. You were the complete opposite of Ashley. And as much as he preferred a quiet atmosphere, he'd rather take his chances with Ashley all over again.

Some silence had passed between the two of you once you hit the road and left the base behind, the only sounds being the humming of the car and the wind outside. The drive was scenic in a way, if it were not for the situation at hand. But watching the trees and landscape blur by through the car window almost reminded you of the drives you went on with your father and sister, transporting you back to the road trips where the three of you would listen to the radio while fighting over who's turn it was to play the next song.

You missed your father softly singing along to his music that you at one time used to be annoyed by, your sister and you referring to his taste in music as the "Ancient Ballads of Babylon". And oh how he used to get defensive over it, calling it the "good stuff unlike todays junk", though he was never able to hide back the smile from your little slanders. What you would do to listen to his music again, to be in his truck sitting in the passenger seat reading a book before crawling to the backseat to take a nap with your sister, her head resting on your lap while your rested yours against the window.

Due to how quiet you were, Leon couldn't help but to glance over in your direction to make sure you were still alive, noticing the way you had become lost in thought, your gaze seeming to reach miles away. His eyes traced down to the subtle movement of your hands, watching how your fingers toyed with the dainty beaded bracelet that sat at your right wrist. There were a couple white beads situated together, printed with small black letters that formed a word, or rather a name, but before he could have a chance at reading what it was, you had noticed him looking, causing you to swiftly pull the sleeve of your loose sweater over your wrist. The sudden movement from you had caused Leon to clear his throat as he snapped his head back to the road, as if embarrassed at being caught before clearing his throat. "So uh, are you some bigwig's daughter? The president had requested you specifically."

The president? There was still a president? Well shit.

"Look. I'm just trying to know what I'm dealing with here." Leon put his hand up in defense after the annoyed expression you gave him.

You shook your head lightly at his behavior, heaving out a released breath as you propped your arm up once more, resting your head against your hand and discretely wiping away the tear that was starting to fall down the corner of your eye.

"Doctor huh. What are you, UCLA grad? You strike me as a LA city kind of girl-"

"Harvard." You interrupted.

"So you do speak." Leon shot you a quick smirk, surprised at your sudden input before staring back at the road. "Thought it was just me but....looks like I struck a nerve here. Sooo......Harvard huh? You must be pretty brainy then, surviving a med school like that."

"............" Dear god please.

"You know, you look a little young to be a doctor."

Geez, if that isn't the first time you've heard that one. You wished the man would just shut up and focus on the road. You swore that if he somehow ended up sending the car off a cliff you were going to personally strangle the blond yourself. Actually, come to think of it, if he talked any more you just might take the wheel and drive off a cliff yourself.

"I take it you're not much of a talker." Leon commented on the way you so obviously tried to ignore him. Jesus, did he rub you the wrong way or what. Or was it just the Ivy League attitude? He had heard the talk amongst his old colleagues back at the station about the Ivy League folk that would sometimes come through the town. Overly-educated and stuck up, some of the officers would call them.....if you consider calling someone overly-educated an insult. Perhaps this was what they meant? Seems like you didn't want to even be associated within the same proximity as him.

Rolling your eyes, you twisted around in your seat to reach for your bag, pulling it onto your lap and opening up the zipper before digging into the contents inside.

Leon watched you with curiosity, opening his mouth to ask just what it was you were up to before seeing you pull out a pair of headphones and a portable CD player that looked like you stole right out of the 90s. Keeping the backpack on your lap, you slipped the headphones onto your head, pressing play on the device before pulling your feet up onto the seat and turning towards the window so that your back faced the man in the driver seat.

Leon couldn't help but to shake his head with a light chuckle, taking this as a sign to shut the hell up and let you be in your own little bubble. Maybe you’re just shy. Or maybe you just don’t like him. Or maybe you’ve been through a lot. Who knows.

You watched the trees once more, listening to the song that played through the speakers of your headphones, Fade Into You by Mazzy Star, letting the soft tunes soothe your nerves. And as much as you tried to force yourself to stay awake in order to stay alert for your own safety, you couldn’t help the drowsiness that took over you. The music playing through your headphones, the blur of the trees out the window, and the subtle vibration of the moving car only added to that effect. And slowly, you let yourself slip, your eyelids growing heavy as you finally shut your eyes.

The drive had felt like hours for Leon, but he didn't mind as much. In fact, this was sort of relaxing, just driving, listening to music he enjoyed as it played softly from the radio, the volume lowered as means to not disturb you. This mission was turning out to be less stressful than the others. Or maybe he shouldn't speak too soon.

The young agent would occasionally find himself glancing over in your direction, perhaps to make sure you were okay and weren't dead. He had a bad habit of making sure the people under his care were alive and well and not breathing their last breath….if you would call that a bad habit. As much as this man hides it behind his cold exterior, I am positive he is just as panicky as the rest of us.

Your lack of movement had started to worry the blond, seeing that you have stayed in that position for a couple hours now as he began to wonder just what the hell you could have been doing the whole time in order to stay in the same exact position. (He has his himbo moments.) But the slow shifting of your form had relieved the young man as he watched you turn over on your other side to now face him, getting a glimpse of your closed lids behind the strands of your loose hair that almost covered the look of calm on your face, hearing the small moan that came from your chest in your state of sleep as you shifted around while your brows furrowed together at the center in a look that he could only describe as discomfort from your curled up position on the passenger seat.

One thing he had noticed though, if he listened close enough, he could hear the slight and faint whistle of the air rushing through your nostrils each time you breathed, a sign that usually meant a deviated septum. He didn’t know why, but that tiny detail had somehow set his mind at ease…something so insignificant…so barely noticeable unless you really paid attention to it…almost as if it had made you more human. And the thought of it was comforting to him.

As he looked over your sleeping form, he couldn’t help but to take note of the details that made you: of your hair that looked as if it had not been brushed through, or the dark circles under your eyes, or the little bump on your nose at the bridge, or the faint signs of hyperpigmentation and small little acne scars that lined certain areas of your face, or the light dust of freckles on your nose that were barely visible unless you really took a closer look. Even down to your wardrobe, your oversized navy blue v-neck sweater and the white tee you wore underneath, and your loose-fitted jeans, and your worn in black doc martens. Leon did not know how to describe it, but there was something comforting about you, something that made him feel…at ease. And maybe…just maybe, this mission might not be as bad as he once thought.

Part 2?

[idyllcy]

from one admirer to another : sunny side up?

pairing: leon kennedy x reader || masterpost: from one admirer to another

synopsis: from one admirer to another, an online penpal service, allows for two people with common interests to write to each other without ever revealing their actual address! Luckily for both you and Leon, you get matched up! What do eggs and Christmas even have in common anyway? sure hope it's that modeling business and NOT that Ada Wong addiction.

featuring: reader as scrambled eggs // leon as christmas

Dear scrambled eggs,

¿Empezar por flexionar tu francés? Dos pueden jugar ese juego. Just kidding. That was machine-translated. I know minimal Spanish. I asked a guy for directions once and he started speaking English to me. That's how bad my Spanish is.

The extent of my Spanish is whatever I learned in college for my one year of a required language. I know how to ask where the library is and how to not die. I think that's enough. Thankfully, I'm in France and I don't look nearly French enough. Though, someone has stopped me to ask me if I am French. I'm not.

Thank you for the snacks. I got an earful from my manager, but the calorie count somehow convinced him that I can eat it without dying (gaining weight). I shared some with the other people in my airbnb, but some of the other more popular models have already gone back. It was so good.

Don't worry, I'm not going to go insane. I'm nicely adjusted to the fact that I shouldn't actually start thinking I'm dating someone. I haven't needed to use that sentence of yours yet, but— sorry, just did. I just had a young woman come up to me and ask me if I was single or something and then repeat the question in English. Am I... the rizzler? (is that how you use that) I'm kidding. I told her I had a girlfriend... or whatever you told me to say.

You think I'm ever going to end up dating that model? I don't.

Oh, right. The other models wanted to thank you, so I'm mailing back a signed magazine from most of the models here. Only person that didn't sign was Ada (obviously). Hope you like it.

Catch you back in Raccoon? Christmas

To be fair, Leon wasn't trying to smudge ink on his letter.

"T’as des beaux yeux, tu sais?"

Leon looks up at the person asking the question, blinking slowly.

"Ah, sorry. I... Je parle pas le Français." Leon laughs awkwardly.

"Oh, no problem." The girl smiles. "Single?"

"Ah, non. J'ai une petite amie?" Leon thinks that's how you say it. "Désolé."

"In America?"

Leon nods, waving as she nods and steps off.

Leon's heart rattles against his chest, heartbeat erratic as he takes a sip of his coffee, mumbling quietly to himself. He's still not used to being hit on by people. In retrospect, he really should be, but even as he writes the letter to you, he really thinks he's grateful no one took advantage of him in the industry. Raccoon wasn't an easy place to climb, and the fact that he's gotten up the ranks relatively cleanly is pretty impressive.

Well, always harder to climb ranks as a woman.

"Mind if I sit here?"

"A-Ada!" Leon nods, Ada smiling as she takes a seat. "Are you enjoying Paris?"

"I come here every year, so... same old." She hums. "I heard it's one of your first times. How did your shows go?"

"It went okay." Leon smiles.

"Writing a letter?"

"Penpal." He hums.

"One admirer to another?" She stares down at the handwriting, and Leon smiles.

"Yes."

"Huh. Interesting."

"Have you done it?"

"No. No time." She thanks the waiter for her coffee, taking a photo before Leon seals his envelope. "Who's your penpal?"

"An egg enthusiast." Leon hums. "When's your flight back?"

"In two hours. I like this place a lot." She hums, ripping her croissant in half. "Come here a lot with my friend." She raises a brow at him as she takes a bite, and Leon shakes his head.

"I can't control who I like."

"I know." She hums. "Don't break their heart."

"I can't do that if they don't like me."

"You don't know that."

Leon wonders if there's hope in her words.

prev letter : masterlist : next letter

[fortune-fool02]

A Sweet Smile

Leon Kennedy x female reader

Requested by: anonymous

Prompt: 1.smiling at each other from across the room

Hii!!! Can I request prompts 1 for Leon for "cute interactions"? Because Leon has such a beautiful smile and it makes me ehdhejdhxjsjsb

It can be where the reader always smiles at Leon during training and he's kind of confused but smiles back. Or whatever you want. Up to you!

Love your writing too❤️

Warning: No spoilers for RE 2 Remake. Fluff.

I absolutely love this request! Leon has such cute smiles! I decided to go for RE 2 Leon for this. Sorry if this is short.

Please enjoy.

The muffled sound of gunshots bounced about a little, bullets shooting through the targets one after another. Each one roughly around the centre, even if they were a little off by centimetres. It wasn't bad, his aim was improving.

Leon took a breath as he lowered the gun, the light dash of adrenaline lingering in his veins, leaving him feeling a little fuzzy. Though he didn't really want to have to use a gun, he understood the reasoning behind it. Either way, he was just happy to finally be here. To be part of the Police Department he had always dreamed of as a child. Even if his most recent break-up wasn't pretty. Still, he pushed that to the bsck of his mind to forget and focused on the next targets.

The targets went down again after he emptied his magazine into them, and a low whistle could be heard. A young woman stood by, leaning against the wall.

"Nice shooting there, rookie." Her voice held a sense of approval, her lips lifted into a smile that sent a flutter of butterflies in Leon's stomach. He blinked before returning a lightly nervous smile, not quite sure how to respond with this feeling.

"Thanks. Um, I'm Leon Kennedy." He introduced himself, putting the gun's safety back on then set it down on the table in front of him, carefully removing the safety gear on his face.

"[Name] [Surname], a pleasure to meet you." He had heard that name a few times around the department. Talented with a gun and able to hold her own. She walked over to him, her eyes drifting from his face down to the gun beside him, "You're not bad with that. Better than I was expecting." Little threads seeped into him at her words, making him feel light and warm.

"Thanks. I thought I'd just get some more practice in before I head out on patrol later." She hummed in agreement. There was no such thing as too much practice with a gun, especially when it came to some of the criminals they had to face. People who wouldn't hesitate to take a life. Leon had to be prepared for an encounter.

She had seen a too many good people get hurt because they hesitated or missed.

Picking up the gun again, she handed it to him. "Hold it." Confused, Leon did as told, holding the gun how he usually did. [Name] moved behind him, her hands sliding down his arms to aim it back at the targets. Her lips close to his ear,

"When aiming, don't always aim for the centre. Remember, they'll be moving and you'll have the wind." Her hands slowly guided his lower, "And relax your shoulders. You'll hurt yourself otherwise."

Listening to her guidance, Leon eased some tension in his shoulders and took a slow breath. Her body heat was comforting and soothing, more so than the cold metal of the gun in his hand.

"There you go." [Name]'s praise sparked more in him before she pulled away and lightly patted his back. Turning on her heel, she began to head out of the shooting range and stopped at the doorway, "Also, Leon. You look cute when you smile."

Heat began to fill his cheeks, his lips lifting up into a small, warmer smile.

[marisaeon]

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 "It's as if she cast some kind of spell on him with just her eyes alone. She was beautiful. Gorgeous... Otherworldly. Any word he could think of in that moment." ᡣ𐭩

Love at first sight, based with RE2 Leon and Ada. (Set in modern times, Leon is still a cop, and Ada works the front desk!)

Support this over on my ao3! Or, read below the cut ──★ ˙ ̟

A few people have worked the front desk for the time he worked here. It was a short amount of time, still a rookie cop. But it seems everyone he was greeted by at the desk were older women. Just a pleasant greeting and then a goodbye.

There were rumors amongst the other officers that a young woman would be starting work here in the office. She'd supposedly come here training, yet he's never actually been in the office while she was. He was starting to think they were just making it up. Just a bunch of cops wanting a little 'action' in the workplace. Leon wasn't all that into it. What difference would it make?

It was the day all his coworkers were talking about. He just so happened to be talking to one of the older ladies in the front. She was talking to him about how her daughter graduated college yesterday. He was excited for her, but truly couldn't figure out a way to make the conversation longer. The lady kept talking about the day before, telling Leon all he could understand. He was just nodding along, smiling.

Then, he heard the sound of heels clacking on the floor. It was getting louder towards them. It caught both of their attention. Leon's lips pursed, mesmerized at the sight in front of him. It was a young woman, most likely the rumored one. Her collared pencil dress a deep shade of red. She was wearing stockings, and black heels. As far as Leon could tell, they looked expensive. Something he'd see in the magazines.

The mysterious woman held a small purse in her hand, matching her outfit. A small smile outlined her lips so perfectly, it's as if she never stopped.

His gaze followed her, as she entered behind the desk.

"Good morning, ma'am, sir." Her smile only grew slightly, before walking and placing her belongings on her desk. It was one right up front.

For some reason, Leon felt a rush of excitement that she was that close to where he has to be everyday. Why was that anyway?

Before he could remember how to speak again, he heard, "Those heels! You're definitely going to get tired wearing those all day." The older woman wowed, obviously impressed with her entrance as well.

The younger woman chuckled. "I'm alright for now, thank you though."

Leon couldn't stop staring, admiring her features. She had raven hair, it was styled perfectly and complimented her look. Her eyes were round, and she had lightly applied makeup to her eyelids that seemed all too perfect. He was so lost in her beauty, he didn't realize her looking back at him. Holding the eye contact, she smiled gently at him. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't. It's as if she cast some kind of spell on him with just her eyes alone. She was beautiful. Gorgeous... Otherworldly. Any word he could think of in that moment.

Until her boss called her into the back. "Ada Wong? Could you please come here for a moment?"

So that was her name, Ada. Even her name sounded beautiful.

"Yes, I'm coming." Ada looked over to the older woman. "I'll be back." She smiled, before leaving into the back.

The woman chuckled. "Well isn't she a beauty?" She looked over to Leon.

"Totally..."

She looked at him with a knowing look. "Well, I'll be in the break room for a bit. Talk to you guys later!"

"You're leaving?" Leon blurted out, but the woman was already walking off. He let out a sigh, but was relieved somewhere deep down.

Ada came back from her little chat and walked back over to her desk. She started unpacking some things.

"Did she go somewhere?" She asked, the question directed to Leon.

He was already staring again. "Oh.. Uhm.. Yeah, she said she was going on break."

She smiled at him. "And how about you, officer. Are you going on break too?"

His heart skipped a beat. For some reason, hearing her call him 'officer' sounded different. As if it had a different meaning when she said it.

"I'm... My shift actually hasn't started yet. I'll be going soon."

"Hmm.. That's a shame. I was hoping to talk to you more." She sulked.

"Really?! I mean... We could talk... uhm.. longer." He stumbled over his words.

"Are you nervous, officer?" Ada teased him, she could already tell something about him.

"I'm not! Just... Actually what were you called for? Nothing bad, right?"

"Nothing like that, we're good." She unpacked the last of her things. "What's your name?"

"It's Leon! Leon Kennedy. Sorry I didn't introduce myself before, that was rude."

"No, really I haven't introduced myself either... It's Ada."

He smiled at her, he so wanted to tell her that her name was pretty. But he couldn't help but wonder if she would find it weird. He was suddenly lost in her eyes again.

"Is there something on my face?" She asked, holding up a small compact mirror and scanning for anything.

"Oh, no! I was just... Spaced out a little."

"Oh, that's good. You've been looking, so I got a little bit worried." Ada closed the mirror, putting it into her bag.

"I'm sorry..."

His shift started very soon, and he had to leave her here as hers started as well.

"I have to go now. I'll... See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow. It was nice meeting you."

He nodded, awkwardly backing away, almost bumping into something on his way out. She thought he was cute. Laughing at him softly after he let out a little "ow" in his way out.

He couldn't wait for the next day to come, so he could see her again. He found himself coming into work even earlier the next day, just to talk to her.

Did he have a crush? Surely not...

●・○・●・○・●●・○・●・○・●●・○・●

And they called it... Puppy loveeeee

૮꒰ྀི∩´ ᵕ `∩꒱ྀིა

I did proof read this, twice actually. But it's also like 12AM so.. Probably gonna read it again tomorrow and find like 20 spelling mistakes. Also Heart if you're reading this hii ty for giving me the motivation to actually write this I LOVE YOU

(´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

Okay goodnight. I'm so tired HELP

[byneddiedingo]

Joe Pesci and Barbara Hershey in The Public Eye (Howard Franklin, 1992)

Cast: Joe Pesci, Barbara Hershey, Stanley Tucci, Jerry Adler, Dominic Chianese, Richard Riehle, Richard Schiff, Jared Harris. Screenplay: Howard Franklin. Cinematography: Peter Suschitzky. Production design: Marcia Hinds. Film editing: Evan A. Lottman. Music: Mark Isham. 

Before they were paparazzi, they were shutterbugs, and the most notorious of them was Arthur Fellig, known as Weegee. Fellig's ability to get to a crime scene first, often before the police, made him famous, but he also thought of himself as a serious documentary photographer. Howard Franklin based the protagonist of The Public Eye, Leon Bernstein, aka Bernzy (Joe Pesci), on Fellig/Weegee, including the character's willingness to cheat a little to make his pictures better. Bernzy, for example, coming upon a corpse before the cops arrive, rearranges the body a little to make the composition of the shot better. Once, he asks a bystander to toss the victim's hat into the frame: "People like to see the hat," he says. Weegee likewise knew how to pose and frame his pictures: One of his most famous documents the arrival of a pair of bejeweled and befurred dowagers at the Metropolitan Opera opening night in 1943, while a drab and frowzy woman gawps at them. It was published in Life magazine and in the following year was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, where the reaction to its comic juxtaposition gave the shutterbug a reputation as an artist. But it was not a candid photograph: Weegee and his friends had found a barfly, plied her with wine, and shoved her into the frame at just the right moment. Franklin gives Bernzy some of Weegee's duplicity, but he's more intent on making his shutterbug into a hero who uses his street smarts to foil a plot by the mob to muscle in on the distribution of gasoline rationing coupons -- the film takes place in 1942. He also falls in love with Kay Levitz (Barbara Hershey), a beautiful nightclub owner. In short, the movie is slick when it should be gritty. Pesci gives a restrained performance, almost as if he doesn't want to repeat himself, having just won an Oscar as the volatile Tommy DeVito ("What do you mean I'm funny?") in Goodfellas (Martin Scorsese, 1990). There are good performances by Hershey, Stanley Tucci as a young mobster, Jerry Adler as a newspaper columnist friend of Bernzy's, and Jared Harris as a doorman at Kay's nightclub. But the movie never builds the tension it needs for the story to have much payoff at the end. 

[inclusivefuture]

What would the world look like if queer people could be themselves from day one?

The other day, I came across a set of tweets by Australian writer and LGBT+ activist Alexander Leon which really struck a chord in me.

In the past few years, I've been doing a lot of figuring out what's really me and what parts of my identity are creations, parts of a persona I built - unknowingly - to protect myself. And like Alexander Leon, I've become grateful for this opportunity for self-discovery.

I started to wonder what a world would look like if queer kids didn't have to "sacrifice authenticity to minimise humiliation," if, in our adulthood, we weren't forced to parse out which parts of ourselves are constructed and which parts are authentic, if we didn't have to go through this process of "unlearning."

The tweets above were adapted from an essay that Leon wrote about this concept of having to unlearn your own identity. In it, he writes about how, from an early age, he felt that his whole life was a performance even before he knew why he was performing. And when he came out, he was unable to shake the persona he'd created in order to protect himself from the disapproval of teachers and ridicule of peers.

"In truth, I didn't know who my actual self was. And how could I? The barely out version of me was a collection of fragments, pieces of me which I'd left to atrophy rammed up against pieces I'd contorted into unsightly shapes to protect myself."

For me, it's not so much that I've been performing, pretending to be someone I'm not. Instead, I've been behaving in the only ways I thought I could. I didn't know there were other ways to be. Even after I realized I was queer, it took me years to realize that I didn't have to be attracted to men at all, and still more to realize I didn't have to be strictly one of two genders. I didn't know there were other options, other ways to be. Figuring out who I am has required unlearning of societal expectations and intense introspection.

"It's a task that involves enormous emotional and spiritual upheaval," Leon writes, "which many of us are forced to do alone, with scant resources, or little in the form of mentorship."

It makes me wonder: how would my life have been different if I had access to role models and mentors, if I knew from the beginning that it was possible to exist outside the gender binary? What would a world look like in which queer people weren't required to go through this "massive, existential and deeply difficult exercise" alone? Where would we be if we did have resources and mentors to guide us through this process? If we didn't have to go through this process of unlearning in the first place, if we could be our authentic selves from the beginning?

This world, a world in which queer folks can be themselves from day one, is what we want to imagine in Issue 1 of Inclusive Future Magazine: Visions from a Gender Inclusive Future. And, as Leon points out in the end of his essay, it's a world that we're in the process of building, "a reality we are all continuously creating" by being ourselves and deconstructing the gender binary.

[M]y struggle, as exhausting as it may be, is a gift through time to generations of queer people yet to come. My authenticity, our authenticity, allows us to create a reality in which young queer people will see an opportunity to thrive not as an actor forced to play a part, but simply as themselves, side-stepping the trauma of the closet and living their truth from day one.

It's for this reason that the other editors of Inclusive Future and I wanted to create this magazine. Envisioning a future that includes all of us, and considering what that would mean for all aspects of society, is an important step in creating the reality we wish to see.

Originally posted on our blog on April 9th, 2021. By Mantha Pratt (samwisegamgeeee).

If you want to be part of this project, we are currently accepting submissions from trans, nonbinary, agender, and genderqueer people! Submissions are open until October 6th. Visit our website for more info!

[theink-stainedfolk]

Fragile Feelings

Never had I thought that I,a mere theater actor, would get rich overnight. Never had I thought that I'd become rich by just marrying a pretty young lady,who just came out of nowhere, suggesting the job. But here we are.

Her eyes were like that of the siren's drawing me into those deep pools of brown. She elegantly sipped the milk tea from her intricately designed cup. Her butler stood behind her with his eyes focused downwards. Her cream white jacket hung loosely over her shoulders. 

“Have you stared enough?” She said, raising her brow.

“I apologize, madam. I didn't mean to be rude.” I immediately averted my gaze. 

“It's fine.” She said and I looked back at her slowly, her leg crossed over the other made her aura appear even more dominant than before. “We'll have to do a lot of staring in the future anyways.”

“...Excuse me?” I was dumbfounded. 

She strengthened her posture. “Let me introduce myself. I'm Khanh Linh Tiên, the owner of Aether Electronics. I'm looking for a partner.”

I stared at her for a good minute, then I laughed.

“I'm sorry, but you might be meeting a wrong person, I'm just a-”

“Theater actor? I'm meeting the right person then. You are Heather Abdahu, 25 years old. I am looking for you.” she stated.

“You know who I am yet you are searching for a partner? Won't you be going in a loss?” This can't be the only reason for meeting me. Either that or she is truly stupid like those magazines say.

Laugh escaped her lips. “You are misunderstanding something here. I'm Looking for a partner, not a business partner.”

“Then you might have even a greater loss.”

“For a year or longer depending on the situation.” 

“Are you not listening to me?”

“What is your rent?” she suddenly asked. 

I had no idea where this conversation was headed to.“$2,150 per month, why?”

“I'll give you $30,000 per month for this.”

My eyes widened.“Have you gone crazy!?”

“$50,000”

“Hey wait, stop.” I raised my hand to stop her, she really must be crazy like the magazines say. “Why are you doing this? Can I at least get the context?”

“You know about the Khanh family very well, everyone does, I believe. And you must also know about the death of Leon Calloway, my fiance.” she folded her arms.

“Yes, a plane accident, it was truly sad.” I feigned sadness, I genuinely felt nothing for his death, I never really cared what was happening in the rich people's world. Plane crashes were minor accidents in their world.

“No. Not an accident, a murder. He was murdered.”

“What?” so the conspiracies were true…. Or she finds it hard to believe that his death was an accident. 

“Leon Calloway was one of the few eligible bachelors my grandfather chose for me during my college years.” Her mind drifted into her memories. “He was from an influential family of industrialists. I never questioned my grandfather's choices, after all he was the only person left in Australia with me as my brother was away for business issues in Vietnam. A few months after my grandfather's death, Leon was traveling to America, where his private jet crashed.”

“And you conclude it as a murder because?” I found her conclusion for this very difficult to believe. 

“He received a threat, asking to break his marriage with me. He told no one about it though, I just know it because I went through his phone.”

“......Wow… and- and I'm… you are asking me to accept this position, knowing very well that I might die?” Does she not care that a person might die here? Regardless of the money she's giving out to people just for being her lover. Money won't even matter if I die, is this some kind of joke?

“You need not fear for that, you'll be living in my house, with approximately 30 or more experienced bodyguards, with armaments might I add. And I believe I offered you a good deal, do you plan to live like this? And, this is for a temporary period of time, I promise to not let harm touch, much less, think about touching you." Her words were firm. It ignited some kind of fire within me, a fire of hope I believe. 

“Fixed period? Will you get something between that period?”

“Yes, I'll find out who exactly is so brave enough to challenge me, out of all the residents of the Khanhs. Do you consent to this deal?” 

“.... Are you really going to give me this much amount just to pretend to be your fiance?” I asked, just to be sure. This job is hard, I might die, might never get to break through the industry. But the offer is just…. So good to ignore. I could live somewhere else, with protection and without the knowledge of my parents, I can provide fees for my siblings and then they'd be free to buy anything, whatever they desire without thinking about it over and over again. 

She smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement.“To be my fiance and pretend to be in love with me, yes.”

“What about your image?”

“My vengeance is more important to me than my image, to be very frank.”

“Then… I consent. I'll be in your care, I hope you are true to your words.” Fuck it. Might as well jump in fire instead of regretting not burning in it.

“Very well, Heather.” she stood up, her butler adjusting her jacket for her.

“Can- can my siblings live with me too? Wherever I'm going, my siblings are coming with me. If not then just forget all of this.” 

She stared at me, confused. “You have siblings?” 

“Yeah. Hadia, and Sagheer. One is in college and the other in high school respectively.” I smirked, “You knew so much about me but not about my siblings? Not so meticulous of you.”

She returned my smirk and walked up to me. Though I thought that it didn't affect me much, I felt scared for a moment, even excited. “What could I have done? I only had my interest in you, hence I know all about you. How about we spend a day together to know more about each other, hmm?” She teased. I felt my heart rate rising and my face burning. 

walked to the door but turned around just before leaving. “And just keep in mind. Khanh Linh Tiên, never goes back on her words.” she winked and left.

I, along with her butler, were left in the grand living room. Silence was so loud that I could hear my heart thumping loudly against my chest. Her butler then guided me outside in the car to drop me to my house. While driving out, I turned to look back at the grand mansion, which stood with pride and vigor. This turn of events might bring either the saddest events in my life or the happiest. I guess we'll have to wait until the time tells us itself.

[justforbooks]

In the late 1960s, Burt Young dashed off a letter to Lee Strasberg, who ran the Actors Studio in New York, hoping to be taken on as a student. “Seriously, Lee, I don’t know if acting has anything for me, or vice versa, but I’m treading water,” he wrote. “So see me.”

The letter was intended to curry favour with a woman whom Young was trying to impress, and whose dream it was to study with Strasberg. Both she and Young were invited to audition. She quit after drying up during her first acting class but Strasberg was impressed by the stubby, paunchy Young, telling him: “You have huge tension about you. I feel you’re an emotional library.”

Less than a decade later, Young, who has died aged 83, found fame playing Paulie Pennino, the gormless, rough-and-tumble butcher who is brother-in-law to the aspiring prizefighter Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in the rags-to-riches hit Rocky (1976).

“I thought the script had the cleanest street prose I’d ever read,” said Young. Among the film’s 10 Oscar nominations was one for him as best supporting actor. It won three prizes, including best picture.

In Young’s hands, Paulie was roguishly endearing as well as exasperating. The actor described him as “all burly on the outside and all quicksand inside”. Paulie’s tenderness toward Rocky is forever being complicated by his jealousy at the boxer’s success. Any initial tension or piquancy in the drama, however, was diluted by a stream of sequels in which Stallone and Young reprised their roles. One low-point was Rocky IV (1985), which begins with Paulie receiving a robot butler as a gift from Rocky, whose success has made him profligate. Paulie modifies the robot to give it a female voice.

He is last seen in the sixth instalment, Rocky Balboa (2006), where he is once again the boxer’s corner-man. The character’s death is alluded to in the spin-off Creed (2015), in which Young does not appear.

Paulie was typical of many of the roles that came Young’s way: you could hear the hair growing in their ears, smell the stink on their singlets, feel their brain cells dying. In Back to School (1986), for instance, he played a tough-guy chauffeur described by the hero, played by the comic Rodney Dangerfield, as “an animal. In his family, he’s only the second generation to stand upright.”

For Young, it was never that simple. In Robert Aldrich’s vulgar cop comedy The Choirboys (1977), his turn as a cackling sergeant was singled out by the Washington Post as “human and appealing”. Cast as the flawed, the coarse or the criminal in films such as Sergio Leone’s gangster epic Once Upon a Time in America (1984) or Alan Alda’s whimsical Betsy’s Wedding (1989), he allowed a rumpled warmth to shine through the cracks, his actorly intelligence informing every choice.

Esteemed co-stars respected his craft. Jack Nicholson shared a scene with Young at the start of Roman Polanski’s neo-noir thriller Chinatown (1974), and was said to have greatly admired the actor and to have used him as the model for the laconic hood he played in Prizzi’s Honour (1985).

James Caan, with whom Young first worked on the shore-leave love story Cinderella Liberty (1973), wangled parts for him in The Gambler (1974), inspired by (though not adapted from) the Dostoevsky novella of the same name, and The Killer Elite (1975). The latter was the first of two films that Young made for the director Sam Peckinpah, the other being the action-comedy Convoy (1978).

“Everybody was scared of [Peckinpah],” said Young. “The studios were scared of him. The other actors. And so they would go through me, because I had no fear of nobody.”

It was Aldrich who became Young’s friend and loyal collaborator, directing him in The Choirboys, the nuclear-age thriller Twilight’s Last Gleaming (1977) and …All the Marbles (1981), a salty comedy about female wrestling released outside the US as The California Dolls.

A 1978 Esquire magazine profile dwelt on the actor’s history of juvenile delinquency and general criminality, noting that his life was “lifted right out of the pages of Damon Runyon”.

He was born in Queens, New York. His birth name has been listed variously as Gerald De Louise and Richard Morea, with Burt Young the name he adopted once he became an actor. His mother, Josephine, and father, Michael, an ice-delivery man and sheet metal worker who later trained as a teacher, tried to improve his chances by sending him to Bryant high school, an establishment in a better neighbourhood, but he was soon expelled. He attended St Anne’s academy, from which he was also ejected.

At 16, he joined the Marines, served tours of duty in Japan and the Philippines, and developed an aptitude for boxing. After a dishonourable discharge, he returned to New York and boxed professionally, training under the renowned Cus D’Amato and Charley Goldman. Fighting under three different aliases, he claimed to have amassed a record of 17 wins to one loss.

He became a truck driver, managed a silk-screen printing business that went bankrupt, part-owned a bakery and a bar, and worked for his brother’s Manhattan carpet-cleaning firm, before starting an outlet of his own in Queens. He later opened his own restaurant, Burt Young’s Il Boschetto, in the Bronx.

His first acting jobs included parts in the daytime soap The Doctors (1969) and the crime comedy The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight (1971). Over more than half a century, he accumulated around 160 movie and TV credits including The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984) with Mickey Rourke, a harrowing adaptation of Hubert Selby Jr’s Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989), the Hugh Grant comedy Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), which reunited him with Caan, and Transamerica (2005), in which he was the father of a trans woman played by Felicity Huffman.

He also wrote and starred in two films: the TV movie Daddy, I Don’t Like It Like This, about a boy whose father tries to toughen him up, and the sentimental Uncle Joe Shannon (both 1978), in which he played a bereaved trumpeter. In recent times, Young devoted much of his life to painting.

One of his most wrenching performances was in a 2001 episode of the HBO series The Sopranos. He played an ageing hoodlum, dying of cancer and grateful to be given one final hit to carry out. The assignment ends unforgettably in blood and bathos.

Crime was an area he felt he might have lapsed into were it not for the approval he received from Strasberg. “I come from that life,” he said. “To this day, two of my best friends are doing 100 years.”

But he was acting well into his dotage. “Rather than flying high, I’m wide,” he said in 2002. “I still have ambition, but I’m slow. I’ll never be Tom Cruise.”

Nor would anyone have wanted him to be: there was more character in one grin or grimace from Young than in a dozen vehicles featuring sleeker, shinier stars.

He is survived by Anne, his daughter, from his marriage to Gloria, who died in 1974.

🔔 Burt Young (Gerald De Louise), actor, born 30 April 1940; died 8 October 2023

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