summary : just because of a chocolate bar in the grocery store and a little girl, leon met his greatest loves.
tags : post ID!leon, single mom, tooth rotting fluff, reader is 31 and leon is 29ish, inaccurate toddler language, strangers to lovers??? or strangers to friends to lover, girl dad leon
notes : its hereee, a turning point for reader and leonπ« im not exactly so sure of this chapter cause i think its going a bit fast? but uhhh nevertheless, i really liked writing this so i still hope you enjoyed this!
a week had passed since leon first came and shared dinner with you and lilah at your new apartment. then somehow, in the days that followed he had quietly settled himself into the space of your lives.
not in an intrusive way, and not in a way that demanded attention but it just simply happened.
every morning seemed to begin with the same coincidence. you would step out of your apartment with lilah at your side, chatting happily and only to find leon leaving his own place at the same time. what started as simple, shy greetings gradually turned into conversations in the hallway. sometimes they lasted only a few minutes because leon was being summoned asap in the HQ and the other times, if the day was just breezingly free, lilah would start talking about something and neither of the adults would have the heart to stop her.
then there were the evenings, the little girl had somehow decided that leon needed to sample every cookie, cupcake, brownie, or pastry that found its way into your kitchen. more than once, she'd proudly march down the hallway carrying a plate with both hands while you followed behind, apologizing in advance for disturb his night.
leon didnt really mind, he always accepted them, every single time and with the same enthusiasm that always brightens up lilah's face.
sometimes he'd even return the favor with takeout food after a long day and dinner invitations had somehow appeared out of nowhere.
the answer was always yes and every single time, lilah looked like she'd won the lottery while leon just always looks at her with fondness.
then you realized that was the problem, it wasn't leon, certainly it wasn't lilah but it was you because somewhere between the shared meals, the casual conversations, and the growing familiarity, you had started noticing things.
like how naturally leon fits in your home, how easily he settled into the chair beside lilah or on the floor because both of them really likes sitting on the floor, how quickly her laughter came whenever he was around and how much brighter she seemed every single time.
it was impossible not to see how lilah adored him, she looks at him like he hung the stars for her.
the little girl talked about him constantly now. she'd mention something funny he'd said, ask when she would see him again, or wonder if he will like whatever she was drawing and leon had never treated her like a burden, never brushed her aside and never acted annoyed when she asked endless questions. instead, he listened as though every word coming from her mouth mattered and for him it really is everything.
you found yourself watching those interactions more often than you'd like to admit. you watched the way leon smiles whenever lilah became too excited, watched how patient he was with her, how effortlessly he made her laugh and every time, the same uncomfortable feeling settled inside your chest because it had only been a week and a few days yet leon was becoming part of your routine.
part of lilah's routine and part of your home, that realization should have comforted you but it scared you instead because people leave at a time where you always thought it will never happen.
nothing stayed the same forever, you had learned that lesson long ago when lilah's father died from a shocking leukemia. lilah was still a baby back then and the news was a complete shock. one moment, the two of you were planning your future together, and the next, hospital visits and treatments became your reality.
everything happened so quickly that sometimes you still struggled to make sense of it years later. when he passed away, it felt like your entire world had collapsed. there were days when you didn't know how you were supposed to keep moving forward while raising a baby on your own. thankfully, your family never let you face it alone. your parents helped with lilah whenever they could, your friends checked on you constantly, and little by little, they helped you find your footing again.
eventually, life became just you and lilah, comfortable and predictable.
you knew exactly what your future looked like because it revolved entirely around your daughter. you only had each other to worry about.
now there was someone else, someone who had somehow slipped past your defenses that you built to try and protect your heart and lilah without either of you noticing.
someone whose footsteps lilah immediately recognized in the hallway and makes her perk up, even though sometimes its just another neighbour.
someone you found yourself looking for every morning whenever you open the door and someone whose presence had become alarmingly easy to miss whenever he wasn't around and that was the dilemma because every time you saw the smile on lilah's face whenever leon knocked on the door, every time laughter filled your apartment because of something ridiculous he said, and every time you caught yourself enjoying his company just a little too much, you couldn't help but wonder whether letting him become this important was a good thing.
or the beginning of a mistake that would hurt all three of you in the end.
tonight is quite different from the other days and it has been another week. the apartment is quiet, the AC is whirring as it cools the whole room and you could hear distant sounds from the city below. lilah was already asleep too in her room, tucked in her yellow blanket and surrounded with her plush toys. she was very tired from her day today because while you work at the flower shop, mrs. swan took her into some grocery shopping then they went to the park to feed the birds.
"momma, the birds so beautiful. nana told me im a pwincess". lilah giggled while she told you earlier when you guys are finally walking home.
yeah, mrs. swan told the little girl to call her nana cause she can. she absolutely adores lilah and you couldnt help but think that you would love for your parents to meet mrs. swan someday.
then after a long day at work, you had decided that tonight was going to be for yourself. once lilah had fallen asleep earlier and the apartment had finally grown quiet, you found yourself settled comfortably on the couch with a soft blanket draped over your lap. the warm glow of the television filled the living room as an episode of Food Network played in the background, while you finally allowed yourself to simply relax and enjoy the peaceful evening.
but that was interrupted when you heard a thud outside your door. it was muffled but you definitely heard it, you took the remote and lessened the volume before you took off your back away from the couch to strain your eyes better. silence filled the room, along the small chatter of TV and you furrowed your brows when you couldnt hear anything anymore.
you were about to relax again when you heard another thud before a jiggling of keys, and that got you to stand up and finally approach the door. your bare feet padded across the floor with cautious steps before you stood on your tiptoes to check on the ring hole on the door.
you widened your eyes when you saw leon leaning heavily on his door, his forehead was against it and one hand is braced on the door to hold up his body. you saw how his shoulders are moving heavily under the leather jacket and you could see a hand pressed on his stomach.
immediately, you unlocked the deadbolt and your door with haste fingers. you opened it and finally saw how miserable he looked, he had his back on you but you can tell he's barely holding himself up.
you glanced down and saw his duffel bag on the floor, along with his keys.
"leon". you said as your hand hovered his shoulder and you widened your eyes a little when he flinched.
you wait patiently for him as you heard him sucked a breath and the leather jacket against his broad shoulder moved before he turned his head to look at you.
you held yourself to keep the gasp that almost came out of your lips. he looks so horrible with his gorgeous locks flopping against his forehead. one of his eyebrows have a nasty gash on it while his right cheek has a purplish bruise blossoming on it.
his eyes, his light blue eyes looks so dead too.
"hey, super mama". leon breathed out with a grit of his teeth but still managed to quirk his lips up.
damn, it was nice to see you after a horrible mission.
you bit your lip as you eyed him with worry in your eyes. normally, whenever you hear his silly little nickname, you'd roll your eyes or just shake your head in amusement but you cant help but not do it right now.
"what happened?". you quietly asked, fingers fiddling with your cardigan. you wanted to touch him but youre afraid he might not like it.
"just work". he simply said, he inhaled sharply before he pushed himself off of his door but his knees buckled down when a pain shoot up his right leg where it ached after he lost his balance earlier and his motorcycle fell directly on his it.
you caught him before he could fall down and you grunted a little at his weight. he cursed down under his breath when he felt you catch him, you shouldnt supposed to do that.
"sorry... sorry". he mumbled as he tried to gain his legs back, ignoring the throb on it so that he can lean away and not burden you with him.
"come on, lets get you inside". you clutched him tightly against you and maneuvered him towards your open door.
"w-what, no no. let me get my keyβ". he stopped when you glared at him. your eyes are so beautiful while glaring at him but he cowered slightly cause he definitely can feel the mama bear in you.
he nodded his head hesitantly after gulping and you carefully led him inside to the warmth of your apartment. leon breathed in the place, he's been gone for only two days but he missed this. he missed feeling the warm atmosphere, he missed seeing the potted plants around the place and he missed the familiar arrangement of the place that he had come to memorize.
he doesnt live at your apartment but he knows it like the back of his hand.
"sit". you told him as you helped him settle down on the couch and it dipped when he finally put his weight on it.
he lets out a small groan as his body relaxed on the soft couch, he stretched his legs infront of him and his shoulders sagged while his head hits the couch.
"i'll get your things, stay here leon". you firmly said to him with a look that you also give lilah sometimes whenever she couldnt keep still.
leon hummed and nodded before closing his eyes to let himself rest. he felt sorry and ashamed for you to see him like this but the couch was so comfortable, the self pity and guilt will probably come to eat him later.
you gave him a sad look when you noticed how he relaxed before you went out of your apartment again to gather the things that he dropped on the floor. after gathering it, you went back inside and locked the doors again.
you wont let him get up from that couch based on his state right now, if he gets up then you'll force him down.
you set the duffel bag on the floor near the couch then dropped the keys on the table with a soft clank. you sat beside him carefully to not jostle him too much before you took your untouched mug of hot tea from the table.
you hummed in satisfaction when you felt it was still hot, you probably could just make him another one but you didnt want to leave him alone right now.
"here, have a drink". you softly said as you nudged the mug towards him.
he opened an eye and looked at the mug before looking back at you.
"thats not poison, is it?". he said, voice a bit scratchy and deep.
you huffed in amusement as he hiss softly while adjusting himself to sit up. you watched him trying to make hinself comfortable and you frowned when you saw he had a bandaged hand pressed on his side.
"thank you". he muttered as he took the mug out of your hand, a slight jolt ran through him as his fingers brushed against yours.
you just observe him as he swirled the mug before taking a sip, you watch his throat bob as he swallows the drink and you watch his chest heave a little. he brought down the mug on his thigh as he lets the warmth settle down inside him.
its a nice feeling, he usually doesnt drink tea but his frequent visits on your apartment kinda made him to just drink it because lilah loves to make tea, with your supervision of course.
its her new hobby so it seems.
"what exactly do you do?". you asked, just a simple question but it sent him into a small spiral.
is this gonna be the night where it will change everything?
"you told me freelance but i dont think it is". you told him honestly, its not an accusation that he lied but youre curious and you dont really like seeing him hurt.
your time with leon arent always that bright and all smiles, you always notice sometimes that there's something wrong with him. you always see it, no matter how much he tries to hide to not taint your and lilah's version of him.
but of course, you never really pushed because in the end, its not your right. you guys are just neighbors.
"iβ i know you have your secrets, i understand but i just... i just want to know". you said quietly, voice soft and so whispery as you ask him the question that you always dont want to ask but there's something inside tour chest that is bugging you so you know you have to do it. "for lilah's sake".
and it is true, you dont want your baby girl to be attached to someone who keeps dangerous secrets. you dont want your baby to be hurt in the end, you cant handle that and maybe you dont want to be hurt too.
leon didnt asnwer right away, he just stared at the tv infront of him while a finger runs against the surface of the mug. he doesn't want to tell you the truth, he knows he had built something good with you and lilah. it was early, almost a month now that you guys met but he knows that there's something.
this is for you and for lilah, but he also knows that he cant keep you away from the truth. you dont deserve that and he knows you guys deserve more than him.
"there's some things that you dont know about this world". he broke the silence as his mind flashes memories that he couldnt keep buried inside him.
even after so many years.
you didnt interrupt him as he trailed off, eyes going dazed and blank. you know he has a lot to say and you dont want push him or force anything, you just want to understand.
"i cant lose you guys". he confessed with a voice so raw and heavy.
you frowned at his words, confused because of the sudden heaviness that even the atmosphere changed and he still havent looked at you.
his gaze remained fixed on the television, though it was obvious he wasn't seeing any of it. his fingers continued tracing the ceramic mug in his hands while his jaw tightened like he was fighting with himself, like there was a battle happening entirely inside his own head.
the silence stretched between you as you continued to observe and watch him, the small expressions on his face made you to not say anything.
he's wearing the same expression you'd occasionally catch when he thought nobody was watching, the distant one, the haunted one and the look of someone carrying far more than they should.
so you waited in silence.
"the world isn't as simple as most people think it is". he lets out a breath, a small broke laugh and his tone sounded tired.
"i work for the government". he continued and that much didn't surprise you cause you already kinda guessed that.
no normal office worker or freelancer disappears for days before returning with bruised knuckles and exhaustion hanging from his shoulders.
"i deal with things most people don't know exist". he said with a clenched jaw as his gaze looked down at the cooling tea on the brown mug.
the words made your brows furrow cause you know the government really does have things that theyre keeping but the way he said it sounds so haunting and heavy.
his eyes finally met yours and for the first time since you'd met him, there was fear in them. its not a fear for himself but fear of your reaction and the fear of what would happen after he will tell you everything.
you swallowed but you didnt look away, no matter how intense and serious his eyes are.
"ive spent most of my life fighting bioterrorism". he said as his eyes remained on yours, steady but the fear in them are still present. he's trying so hard to be brave about it and just face whatever youre gonna say head on.
the unfamiliar word settled heavily in the room but you remained quiet to give him space and time to say more. you cant just take his words without understanding anything and leon appreciated it more than you know because if you interrupted him, he wasn't sure he'd be able to continue.
"ive seen things that shouldn't exist". he laughed softly with a shake of his head,Β though there was no humor in it. "monsters."
you blinked cause the word sounded absurd and impossible, monsters are just stories and in fairytales but the way he said it made it difficult to dismiss. he wasn't joking, not even a little and his eyes gave it all away.
"monsters?" you repeated carefully, a sudden thick claw tried to get out of your throat as your mind tried processing everything.
you could take that leon is a government agent, or a spy maybe but monsters feels a bit reached.
"real ones". he nodded as his face hardened again when memories flashed through his mind.
raccoon city, the infected, mutated creatures that seems to be an everyday event, people screaming and people dying.
all the nightmares he'd spent years trying to bury.
"i kill them". he quietly said as his grip on the mug tightened and his throat suddenly felt squeezed.
the confession hung between you and the room felt strangely quiet, even the television seemed distant now.
you didn't know what to say cause all of this right now feels like youre hearing it from a movie or a tv series. the worst of it is that you know he's not lying about any of this, if he is then he's one hell of an actor.
part of you wanted to ask a hundred questions, questions that needed to be answered cause your mind is trying to keep up or maybe youre too tired and another part simply just stared at him, trying to see the man sitting on your couch with the things he was describing.
the man who let lilah braid his hair, the man who ate dinner at your table and the man who laughed at her jokes.
leon looked exhausted, like every word was costing him something.
"i didn't tell you because i wanted to protect this". his voice softened as he glanced around the warm apartment then to you. "protect you."
then his eyes drifted toward lilah's bedroom door, his eyes lingered as his lips quirked up a little and he looked at you again.
"you and lilah became so important to me."
the honesty in those words made your chest tighten and your eyes softened because the confession made you feel emotions that youre still trying to understand.
you opened your mouth to say something but leon beat you to it.
"that's exactly why i was scared to tell you cause i know what follows me". he looked away again, feeling shameful and guilty as
his voice dropped lower. "the people I fight, the things ive seen and the danger."
"i know what happens to people who get close to me". he shook his head in defeat as he felt his throat closing up, he doesnt know what youre going to say.
you remained silent though,Β not because you were angry or afraid but because you could finally understand where all that sadness in his eyes came from.
the pieces were starting to fit together and while sitting beside you, leon waited for the judgment, the fear and for you to tell him to leave because despite surviving monsters and outbreaks, he wasn't sure his heart could survive losing you and lilah.
the silence remained between the two of you as you lets your thought to comprehend everything, the clock continued ticking, the tv continued showing a vlogger who is showing restaurant foods and the world outside continued movie despite the dark.
its all like leon, thrown everything at him but he still kept moving to survive even though sometimes he doesn't exactly knows what he's doing anymore.
slowly, you moved closer to him as the couch moved and he looks at you in surprise. your face are devoid with any emotions but your eyes showed softness and kindness. when you neared him, your eyes ran to every wound on his handsome face while one of your hand crept on his free hand before intertwining it with his.
he froze but he just lets your warmth and softness cover all of him.
"im sorry". you quietly said, your chest feels heavy after hearing everything what he said. you cant imagine what he goes through everyday just to survive, you know he doesn't deserve this.
d"wβwhat?". he breathed out as his eyes looked for any anger or fear on your face and eyes but he couldnt find any.
"you havent given us any reason to be afraid leon". you said as you squeezed his hand in comfort and that is true. all of his actions and words towards you and lilah have always been kind, soft and gentle.
no darkness, no monsters and no blood.
you know you should be afraid of the things that he told you cause monsters are real but if you have someone like leon, you feel like there's nothing to be afraid of.
you trust him and thats enough.
"stay the night, please". you whispered as you looked at him through your lashes.
he couldnt help but squeeze your hand in return, the darkness and fear is still present but he knows he can overcome all of it because of you and lilah.
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