#re3fic

…

Waking up in the back of the truck you and Carlos rode into safety, you groggily spared a glance out of the window, trying — and failing —  to get your bearings.

Maybe Kansas? There’s was certainly more corn than you were used to.

Your eyes were still blurry from sleep. Exhaustion pulled you into its grasp easily, and you found yourself sleeping more than you had planned to.

Shifting slightly, you looked around the vehicle noticing your thoughts shift right to Carlos. Where is he? 

Last time you checked, he was sitting in the passenger seat, but some other military soldier seemed to occupy it.

Then you finally recognized the uncharacteristic weight in your lap. Sparing a glance down, you instantly recognized his soft hair and golden skin. 

Shock ran through your system, before a sort of calm? Your hands, raised in surprise, began to float down as you realized what this might mean.

You guys were getting...close….The longer you battled through Racoon City together, the more you had to start trusting each other. And you did. 

You had every confidence that he would be there to back you up if something should go wrong just like you always watched out for him.

Maybe this was just an extension of this trust.

Maybe it was something more.

Either way, you would still have his back regardless.

Your fingers gently smoothed his hair off of his forehead, and you tried to ignore that warm, soft feeling spreading through your stomach.

…

Carlos woke up to the feeling of an arm draped around his torso.

By logic, it had to be yours because you were the only one in the furthest row in the back, but it’s still a new feeling for him.

He laid there for a moment, watching the rise and fall of your chest and looking at your slumbering expression. He smiled despite the situation.

When he sat up, gently moving your arm from around him, it was the first time he could remember true peace since you fought out of that city.

He would keep holding onto that.

He made up his mind to keep holding on to you.

…

“(name).” You jolted a bit, ready to wake up and face whatever evil had made its way to you this time. When you remembered where you were, you calmed down, looking over to the owner of the voice.

When you saw Carlos, you calmed down completely.

“Where are we?” Your voice rasped with sleep and he just smiled, a soft and gentle expression on his face. Your face automatically smirked in response.

“Somewhere safe. Likely, a military base somewhere out in an abandoned city.” That didn’t make you feel better, but you nodded in acknowledgment.

Having him somewhere near you reassured you that you at least had someone that would have your best interests in mind.

“Let’s go.” He popped his door open and you opened your own, stumbling a little as you got out. Your legs were stiffer than you gave them credit for. 

Sliding your bag out off the floor, you shifted it over your shoulder and felt your heart warm again as Carlos waited for you to catch up. 

When you reached his side, you walked in together, a unit marching into the unknown. 

…

Carlos knew that interviews were going to be immediate. They wanted to make sure that they got your full statement while your minds were fresh enough to recall the smaller details, so they could ensure that they did everything right just in case things went south.

He knew this rodeo like the back of his hand.

So he played his part and played it well, but he couldn’t help wondering where you were and what you were doing.

It bothered him to be apart from you for so long.

When the interview process finally ended nearly two hours later — they would get more from the both of you the next morning when you had adequate rest — Carlos was itching to talk to you, to see you, to ensure that you were alright.

The officers lead him to his quarters for the night and you were still nowhere to be found.

His curiosity and lack of regard for how people might perceive the slight undercurrent of concern got the best of him. “Where’s (name)?”

One of the officers chuckled. “Your rooms are right next to each other.” She pointed down to the room right of his. “They should be here soon.”

Carlos nodded his head in response and then disappeared in his room, dismissing the knowing smirk the officer seemed to have. Setting his bag down, he began the waiting game, trying to placate his anxiety.

…

When they finally let you out of the interrogation room, you were exhausted and barely functioning.

They gave you your key, showed you the correct hallway, and allowed you to make the trek to your room completely on your own.

You liked it better that way, no longer having to pretend or put on an alert face while they drilled you with questions and made you repeat yourself multiple times.

By the time you made it to your room, honestly, you didn’t even notice that he was sitting right in front of your door. 

But then, you became alert enough to crouch down near his sleeping form.

“Carlos.” You shook him slightly. He didn’t budge. “Carlos.”

Nothing.

Alright.

You open your door and dropped off your things before coming back and wrapping your arms underneath his armpits, crossing them around his back. “Come on,” you grunted as you began to lift him off the ground. “Wake up, Carlos.”

He groaned for a second before blinking his eyes, “(name)?”

You nodded sleepily. “The one and only. Now, can you stand up straight so I don’t have to hold you upright?”

He immediately obeyed but didn’t move away from you.

“Are you okay?” His hands started to move around your face, cupping your cheeks before tilting your head around to inspect you.

A furious blush rose to your cheeks. “Yeah, I’m fine.” You caught his hands and moved them off your face. He kept a firm grasp on them. “What were you doing outside my room?”

“Waiting.” He said bluntly, his eyes still foggy. He didn’t even look like he was largely aware of what he was saying. “For you. I wanted to make sure you got in alright.”

You smiled at his candor. 

“Well, I’m here now.” You took a brave step and brushed a little hair out of his eyes. He probably wouldn’t even remember this small gesture tomorrow. “You can go to sleep.”

“Okay,” He mumbled smiling. “Goodnight, (name).” Your name tumbled off his lips so sweetly, your heart turned to mush.

You blushed as you started backing away from him. He had a hard time letting go of your hands but eventually managed a wave back at you as you closed your door.

…

He didn’t move an inch.

He had no idea where you were and there was no way he was moving away from your door with these weirdos lurking around.

Patiently, he watched you close your door and then immediately plopped back down where he was sitting originally, and crossed his arms. Leaning his head against the wall, he began to attempt to start his night watch.

It was three o’clock in the morning and he wasn’t sure how long he would last, but as long as he was outside your door, no one was coming in or out.

Only about twenty minutes had passed before he heard your door crack open again. When he glanced up, you were standing there in shorts and a t-shirt, staring down at him on the floor.

He smiled. “Hello.”

You shook your head. “Get in here.”

Carlos’s eyes flashed at your boldness and watched as you registered how that phrase landed.

You cleared your throat and tried again. “If you’re just going to sleep out here while ‘guarding my door,’ you’re just going to hurt yourself even worse than you already are. I noticed the way you favored your other side while we walked in.” If he was candid, he forgot about that, too focused on making sure that you walked in together. “So, get your stuff and just come in the room. You can guard my quarters and sleep somewhere more comfortable.”

Carlos found that he enjoyed it when you were firm. It made him feel cared for.

“Okay.” He pulled himself off the floor and moved to changed and grab his things.

He felt your eyes on him until he was safely tucked away in your room.

…

You’d bid your goodnights, for the second time, and you crawled into your bed while Carlos made himself comfortable on the futon by the door.

It gave him a tactical advantage, so he called it.

But when you tried to go to sleep, your eyes refused to shut.

You tried to lay there in the dark, you really did, but your mind just kept nagging at you. Carlos would really be more comfortable on the bed.

Plus, you wouldn’t mind sleeping next to him. Hell, he’d practically slept on you already, what more do you need.

“Carlos?” You tried in the darkness, hoping that he wouldn’t answer just as much as you hoped he would. 

“Hmm?” 

“You don’t have to sleep on the couch.”

“I know. I want to, (name).”

“I know, but, I’d really feel better if you just slept in the bed.” You rushed the words out, thankful for the darkness so he couldn’t see how you squeezed your eyes shut in embarrassment.

He was quiet for a moment. 

“Okay.” You heard him move from the couch. 

He agreed a little quicker than you thought he would.

You scooted over to make room for him and felt the bed sink down to your right. He shifted underneath the covers. By the time he adjusted, your arms were nearly touching. 

What the hell, you thought.

Slowly reaching out, you wrapped an arm around his torso and scooted closer so that you were pressed into his side. You sighed in relief and felt the tension loosen in Carlos’s breathing. “Is this okay?”

He nodded, wrapping an arm around your waist, folding his hand on top of the one resting near his stomach. “Yeah, this is...great actually.”

You hummed in response, moving to fit your head near his shoulder. “Goodnight, Carlos.”

“It’s really not a big deal if you need a little time to rest.” You walked up to him and took his big, strong hands into your own. “You just seem…occupied.” You lifted one hand out of his to tap him on his temple before putting it firmly back in his grasp. 

He squeezed your hands and sighed. “Sorry, I just…I’ve been thinking.”

Your heart dropped. If this is going where you thought this was going, it is going to be a painful next few days for you. 

All you can manage is a nod. 

“I really, really like you, (name).” His warm eyes bore into yours and you feel heat creeping up into your cheeks. “And I haven’t really thought out how I was going to do this, but,” he steps slightly closer, “And I know it’s pretty early, would you be mine?”

Your heart bursts and a tingling sensation creeps up and down your spine. 

You see all pure adoration displayed on his face and know right then that you have nothing to worry about. 

Smiling, you hope he can see how excited you are, how you’re just as enthusiastic about this as he is nervous. “I’d be honored, Carlos.”

“Really?” That adorable smile spreads across his face. 

You nod in confirmation, pressing your lips together to slow the spread of your smile as you stare at him in pure adoration.

“Yes!” He wraps his arms around you and spins you around in the air. He squeezes you flush against him and you wrap your arms around his neck to stay steady. Little trails of his hair brush up against your arm. 

It’s comforting. 

Your giggles make him chuckle; you can feel the vibrations of his laughter through his chest. 

He sets you down gently, keeping his arms around you. He leans down to press a lingering kiss to your cheek. You feel the small spot on your cheek heat up even as he pulls away.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” He scratches the back of his head and your smile becomes even brighter. Such a Carlos thing. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

You laugh.