gwen

Leon stepped foot inside the academy grounds, head freshly shaven and soul alight with a stalwart sense of determination alight in his soul. Behind those baby blue eyes is the desire to graduate not only as a fine police officer, but as an instrument of hope amidst the fast-paced chaos that presently festers in our communities. He swore to himself that he’d never grow to be a greasy sleazebag kind of officer that excused immorality for the sake of ‘doing his job’, no– he’d rather die than have his goodness be corroded from his heart. Leon wanted to restore and preserve the humanity in the world through one good deed at a time because he wanted to welcome a new decade full of possibilities and new hope with you, his dearest love. With only two years left before a new millennium brought the dawn of a new era, he’s determined to do the best and most he can in order to have you both set for life and live comfortably.

As soon as he asked you if he could be your boyfriend in a quaint but lovely diner in senior year, he vowed that he would do everything he could in order to provide you with a comfortable life. He swore on everything he could see that night that you would be treated like a queen and you would never have to live off of ramen noodles while dating him. Of course, it was far from easy when it came to earning and trying to save up; he had to set some aside for college, some other goods he needed for himself, and that Jeep he wanted. Every week, he would pull out a Reebok shoebox from under his bed and count all the money he’s saved before doing some calculations as how to much he’ll need to support himself and you as well. You worked as well, taking shifts at the indoor playground and grocery; every Friday, you and your boyfriend would share how much you’ve accumulated and how much is estimated to be spent that week.

“That’s around 12 bucks more before I can get you that sweater,” you mumble as you scribble some numbers down on a yellow notepad. You shift the phone to your other ear, trying to get comfortable.

“Huh?” Leon’s voice sounds staticky from your end. “That one from Buffalo Exchange?”

“Yup,” you hum. “You said you found it cool when we saw it on display last week. You couldn’t stop staring too so I just made it a goal to get it for you.”

“What? Y’know I can get that another time, right? Besides, haven’t you been pining for those 501s since forever?”

“Yeah, but like– that can wait. You always spoil me with stuff and I don’t spoil you as often,” you reasoned. “C’mon baby, please? Just this once? It’s not like I’ll go broke right away, Lee, I’ve got some saved up for myself. Please, Lee-Lee, pretty please? With sprinkles on top?”

You hear a chuckle coming from the other end and you bite your lip, trying not to let a giggle slip or else he’ll hear it.

“So I became Leon then Lee and then Lee-Lee,” amusement evident in his tone. “But fine. Since you politely pleaded, I’ll allow it. As long as you’ll always let me spoil you more.”

“What! Leon, no! I won’t let you blow off upwards of 20 bucks on me per month, I don’t always need a new shirt or pants y’know!”

As much as you loved that boy, you always had to restrain yourself from staring for too long at a pretty item on display or else he’d get the idea that you wanted it. Well he’s not wrong because you do, but you can’t have him carelessly spending. As careless as he can get at times, you know his intentions are pure and he’s doing the best he can to meet your needs before his own. It’s in conversations like these where you know that spending the rest of your life married to him is a perfect picture of paradise.

It took Leon plenty of elbow grease to fully pay off his Jeep, another expense that’s finally out of his mind. As soon as he got into the Jeep after paying at the dealership, he smiled proudly to himself; dealing with weird customers at his waiter job, cleaning after sticky tables at kids’ parties, and tutoring fourth graders in grammar finally paid off. He couldn’t wait to arrive home and break the good news to you; he can practically hear your giddy squeal and radiant smile, your voice going “that’s great, Leon! I knew you could do it” as you caressed his cheek.

He speed walked down the hall and into your shared apartment; the building wasn’t too fancy but nothing too desolate either. Sure, the lights flickered every now and then but all in all, it was a safe enough place to settle in before moving to a better complex once money’s less tight. Usually, you’d arrive home first before he did and by the time he’d walk through the door, you’re plating the dinner you’ll both have after a long day. He’s greeted by darkness and silence as soon as he turns the bronze knob, the tiny apartment void of any signs of you; he figures you must be doing overtime. Ever since the air conditioning unit broke down, you’ve both had to work extra hours just to be able to get that dingy thing fixed. It seemed as if there was always something that broke per week, which just increased the cost of living for the both of you. Being a rookie officer didn’t exactly rake in enough within the first few months of starting the job so he definitely had to take up a few more hours just to get some more cash. Your job would’ve paid well if they didn’t deduct so much from your salary for the tax but this was better than nothing so it would have to suffice for now. With the Jeep paid off, that’s one less expense to worry about.

A noise from behind him interrupted his thoughts, turning around to see you. You looked rough: strands of hair poking out from your hairdo, your lipstick long faded and settling on the crevices of the dry skin.

“Hey sweetheart,” your boyfriend softly says as he walks up to you with a hug. “How’s work?”

You hug back, staying silent for a moment before deeply sighing and letting yourself melt into his warm chest.

“Went great,” you say flatly. “I mean– I had to break up a fight and some lady yelled at me for something I don’t have control over. Could be worse but y’know, it’s just how it is sometimes.”

Leon pulled back, settling his hands on your shoulders; despite how big they are in comparison to yours, they were never rough with you. He stared deeply into your eyes, waves of exhaustion and fatigue emanating from your gaze.

“If it makes you feel better, we have one less expense to worry about now that we’ve paid it off.”

Reaching into the inside pocket of his gray jacket, he pulls out the official receipt and unfolds it to show to you. You take it from him and see the complete list of payments, a physical proof of your combined efforts to officially own the vehicle. Despite the weariness, you still manage to smile as relief settles into your heart.

“I knew we could do it,” you mumble with a soft smile as you press him into you for another hug. “No matter how hard it gets, we’ll always make it out together.”

The blond smiles, a hand coming up to pat the back of your head. You’re clearly still drained of energy but he’s managed to somewhat ease the heaviness that weighed in your heart.

“Together, forever and ever, whether you like it or not,” he adds. His chest rumbles against your cheek, the warmth of him gentle against you.

“So,” he adds. “How does dinner sound? I’ll get started on it while you relax in the living room, okay?”

Dinner was partly bland but enough to keep your stomachs full for the night; spices weren’t getting any cheaper so you had to use as little as possible to keep stocks of it for a little longer.

───────────────────────────────────────────

Eventually, the time for rest came but you and Leon didn’t mind; in fact, the day had been busy and what you both needed was plentiful rest, especially that the next day is sure to be just as eventful. Money wasn’t always readily available between the both of you, choosing to opt for dates that didn’t need anything to be spent; cuddles in bed were one of them, a timeless bonding experience with your lover. It was in soft moments like these where you and Leon would have the most productive conversations: you would talk about budgeting and how much cash you’d lose by the end of the month then Leon would shush you, forcing you to put those worries to rest and set it aside from the next day. He could tell when you would start listing whatever bothered you, just by the very subtle cinch of your eyebrows and when your voice would deepen ever so slightly and drop the cheery quality it usually held.

“Let’s leave that for tomorrow, hm?” He would always say so gently, brushing the hair away from your face.

He would also flick away any stray lint or fallen eyelash on your face, looking for more excuses to admire your features. “Right now, we’re cuddly and comfortable in our bed. We’re safe from the outside world and not a single smidge of negativity will get through our bedroom– not on my watch.”

Leon’s eyes, despite being lidded and heavy with the desire for slumber, never ceased to hold a unique tenderness dedicated to you alone. He never looked any less in love with you, no matter how many shifts exhausted him or how much disagreements you’ve previously had. Even when you gave each other the cold shoulder after a quarrel, hate or contempt never replaced the adoration that is permanently fixed on his sky blue irises. Leon can never stay truly mad, walking back to you with his tail between his legs as he apologizes and asks for forgiveness.

“Okay, Leon. I’ll stop worrying,” you agree before snuggling closer to him.

Your head on his arm was certainly cutting off circulation but Leon could live with a purple arm if it meant making you feel loved and protected. His other arm was around your waist, pressing you closer towards him.

“These muscles weren’t here before,” you say with a small smile as you squeeze the muscles on his forearm.

“I’ve been working out at the station,” he says with a sheepish grin. “They’ll need me to be strong so I’ve been doing my best to gain more strength. Also, how am I going to carry my girl’s shopping bags once we’re filthy rich?”

The blond lifts the arm that was previously encircled around your waist to flex his biceps and triceps, showing off his gym results.

“Easy now, Kennedy. Wouldn’t want to unleash a freaky beast in this bedroom at this time in the night,” you say with a smirk.

“Woah, calm down!” He’s definitely blushing, flustered at your words.

He rambled on about the shenanigans in his office, as well as S.T.A.R.S. He seems to express interest in joining the team once he’s more seasoned and integrated in the RPD and you vocalize your support. You talked about some workplace gossip, something about a cheating boss and his secretary.

Besides being a boyfriend, Leon is a good best friend; he listens when he needs to and offers wise counsel when it’s asked of him. Prior to being his girlfriend, you were his childhood best friend so when you both took your relationship to another level, little to nothing in your dynamic changed. It was just like back then but this time you could kiss and make out.

A loud thud interrupts you and Leon, a noise that seemed to come from your upstairs neighbor. Giggles from the both of you followed soon after, still staring at it as if awaiting for the shabby thing to give out. Luckily, the ceiling stayed intact.

“Once we’re both loaded and raking in big bucks, I’ll buy us a nice house with a white picket fence in a swanky suburb. Our driveway will be heated and we might even have a pool in the backyard,” he muses as he presses kisses to your hair.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, I’m serious. I promised you that I’ll give you everything, didn't I?”

“Just checking in case you forgot,” you joke.

Leon shifts closer to you, slinging his leg over yours. He nuzzles his cheek into your forehead and you feel the slight prickle of a growing stubble.

“We’ll have 4 kids, 3 girls and a boy. They’ll run around our house and fill the rooms with so much laughter and happiness,” he continues to muse on. “Or maybe we’ll have a labrador retriever before we have kids. To prepare us and stuff.”

You smile and wrap your arm around his neck. A nail nearly catches on one of the holes in his sleep shirt. His sleep shirt has definitely seen better days, now tattered with holes while the neckline hem hangs on for dear life. You try to convince Leon to let the poor thing go but he refuses, saying it’s the best shirt for someone who runs warm like him.

“I’ll buy you so many designer bags: whatever the brand is, I got it for you– Coach, Miu Miu, Dior, Chanel, Gucci…– um, what was that other brand that was featured in that one show you love?”

“Fendi?”

“Yes, that one. We’ll have a room in our house for all your bags,” he excitedly adds. “There’s going to be an ornate and elaborate cabinet for your shoes too and you won’t ever have to glue-tack a heel together anymore.”

You look up, pressing kisses to the dimple of his chin.

“And,” you add. “You won’t have to sleep in this tattered thing anymore once I get that high-paying job. I’ll make us wear matching silk pajamas and we’ll sleep in silk sheets. I’ll buy you 5 pairs of Chuck Taylors if it means you won’t have to duct tape and sew that ramshackle pair. I’ll also get you the rarest editions of your favorite vinyls.”

He looks down and his eyes look glossy and mushy, like a puppy dog’s.

“Are you serious?”

“Of course!” You beam. “I feel bad every time we visit the records shop and the most you can do is stare at the records and hold them but not take it home. You talk about them so lovingly and it sucks to see you exit the store empty handed every time.”

His vision blurs faster than he expected it to, lips quivering as your voice replays in his head.

I feel bad every time we visit the records shop and the most you can do is stare at the records and hold them but not take it home. You talk about them so lovingly and it sucks to see you exit the store empty handed every time.

He’s always so hyperfocused on giving you the best, he tends to overlook his wants and needs. Sure, he sets aside money for himself but he always forgets about it and ends up spending more on you than himself. Seeing the excited smile and reinvigorated confidence on you always felt worth it to him though so he never truly minded it.

Cupping his cheeks, your thumb gently brushes over his warm skin.

“Trust me: by 2004, we’ll be out of here and somewhere in fancy Raccoon City’s suburbia. You won’t have to wake up at 2AM just to catch the bus on time and clock in at 5AM, you can sleep in now.”

Dabbing away the tears that have welled up in his eyes, he chuckles and nods. The motion ruffles his hair against the cotton case of his pillows.

“Of course,” he agrees. Leon pulls you into a hug, attacking your forehead and hair with more kisses. “The year 2000 is going to be our year. Everything’s going to be alright, we won’t be left behind.”

The late night ramble continues to unfold. At one point, you and Leon talk about the color of your hypothetical nursery’s wall and how much paint will cost by then. Leon talks about all the academic programs and awards his future kids will win and how they’ll be scientists that’ll discover something new about time and space.

“Unless they don’t want to be scientists,” he swiftly adds. “No pressure! Regardless of what they want to do with their lives, I’ll be here proudly supporting them.”

In the midst of talking about barbecues and wearing the New Balance sneakers that all dads seem to be spotted wearing once he’s hit 45 years old, he hears a soft snore coming from the crook of his neck.

“Out like a light,” he mumbles with a fond lilt to his voice.

He adjusts himself as carefully as possible before bringing the duvet over both of your bodies, raising it to cover up until your shoulders. A yawn escapes his slightly parched lips and he knows that’s his cue to join you in sleep. He shuts his eyes and wills himself to sleep, drowsily ignoring the uncharacteristic uncertainty that brews in the depths of his mind regarding a specific assignment that’s soon to come on the 30th of September.