Well, that aged well.

Leon found himself scurrying through Raccoon City in a tuxedo on October ninth. “Talk about balancing work and personal life,” he grunted as he mounted the motorbike. He glanced at his watch, four P.M. He had three hours to make it back in time for his own damn wedding. “Should’ve took the day off,” he muttered as the bike roared to life.

He sped off through the detonated gate, speeding through the broken highways of Raccoon City. Though, it wasn’t long before Victor Gideon interrupted the ride.

“You better not get into any trouble anytime soon,” you mumbled as you dozed off on his chest. You both had just arranged a private ceremony with an officiator at city hall. You both couldn’t care less for a grand wedding. “When have I ever?” he grinned down at you with that familiar smugness. You were quick to sit up and slap his chest, “I’m serious, Leon. I don’t want you getting hurt or worse—“

He immediately sat up and pulled you into his lap, effectively shutting you up, “Hey, hey.” He looked at you, “Don’t think like that. You know I’ll always come back to you.” You sighed, dropping your head against his shoulder, “I can’t help it. There’s always gonna be that chance, Leon. You know there is.” He hushed you, holding you tighter, “I’m not gonna leave you. Not now, not when I’ve married you, not ever.”

He gently cupped your face in his rough hand, “You’re the reason why I keep myself alive.”

Leon groaned as feral wolves chased after him. He was quick to shoot them down whilst evading Victor’s rocket launcher. “Son of a bitch,” Leon muttered when a rocket soared through the sky, wrecking the side of a tall, abandoned building. With the blast, the building’s stability began to crumble.

The building collapsed in front of him, blocking the road. Frustrated, Leon turned to take a detour. He sped over the rubble, swerving and leaping off of the fallen debris. He swerved onto the fallen building, watching as it only led upwards from there. He cranked the speed of bike, pushing him further up the ramp of a building.

I don’t want you getting hurt or worse—

The words resonated in his head as he pushed the bike to its final stretch before he flew over the building’s edge. The momentum carrying him up into the air before he landed onto the other side, unscathed and unharmed. He felt some relief wash over him when he was quickly drawn back from the intensity of the moment. He had just driven and leapt off a building, living to tell the tale. Maybe it would’ve been a story for the grandkids someday.

He was quick to make it back on the main road, only to be cut off by the doctor himself. Quickly thinking, Leon embedded the hatchet into Victor’s own bike before speeding off towards the road’s end. He halted and faced his enemy, who sat a few meters away from him. His grip on his gun tightened as he revved the bike’s engine, provoking the man.

With no further warning, the two sped towards each other at an alarming speed. Leon was quick to point and aim at Victor, shooting the bike’s tank in the process. The damage was enough to disorient the bike, spiraling it out of Victor’s control. As a result, he flew over the edge and down to the ground—an explosion soon following.

Leon neared the road’s end, peering over the damage, “Should’ve worn a helmet.”

With that, Leon made his way to Raccoon City’s center, hoping to find Grace and a cure to his damn disease before making it back to you.

ARK was nothing special for Leon. Everything still tried to kill him. Despite that, he carried on with the thought of you heavy on his mind. He coughed and wheezed, pushing himself onto the golden-hued surface. Blood splattered out of his agape mouth, his body collapsing against the door. He glanced at his watch again, five forty-seven P.M.

October ninth, seven P.M. at city hall.

He had an hour and thirteen minutes to meet you at that altar in city hall. What killed him was the possibility that he might not make it after all. “Fuck,” he coughed again, his vision blurring. “Fuck, I’m sorry…” he whispered with you on mind.

“I’m so sorry…”

He groaned softly as he spent a few more thrusts in you before collapsing onto your damp skin. Tonight had been one of the most passionate nights you’ve had together. He had taken you out for dinner before he had quietly popped the question. You had said yes before he could finish saying it. You both enjoyed each other’s company modestly before it collapsed in his Porsche—further escalating when you both made it home.

You panted alongside him, catching your breaths from the afterglow of pure bliss. “You’re so good to me,” you whispered, letting your head fall back against the pillows. You felt him nod and kiss your jaw, “You deserve only the best.” You chuckled, “Really?” He moved to hover over you, “Really.” He dropped down to give you another deep kiss, full of utter love and devotion. He eventually nipped your lip, causing you to moan softly.

He grinned smuggly at your reaction, “Maybe I need to show you your worth again.”

“Hey! It’s me. It’s Grace,” she shook him. Panic set in quick at his lack of response, “Please wake up.” She continued to try and wake the man, desperate and afraid. With a final shake, she heard him stir awake. Relief immediately flooded Grace as she succeeded, “Hey…” Leon was quick to gruffly respond, “Hey you. I was just resting my eyes.” He coughed once more. “You’re okay,” Grace reassured him. Soon, she moved to help him up. She lifted him and he glanced down at her, “Let’s do this.”

With that, the two stepped back into the fight, ready to face Zeno and destroy Elpis once and for all.

“They called,” Sherry spoke softly as he drove to Raccoon City. “They did?” Leon was quick to divert his attention to the girl. “What did you say?” his voice held tension and guilt. He didn’t need any more to know you had called about him. He hadn’t come home last night.

“I said you were helping Chris home,” she spoke through the phone. “That worked?” he spoke gruffly. She let out a soft laugh, “I convinced them that it’s bad luck to see each other before the wedding ceremony.” He chuckled at her words, “Hopefully that’s enough to ease them for a bit.” They both shared another laugh. Silence followed before Sherry spoke again, “You’re getting married in a couple of hours. Are you sure you can pull this off?”

Leon sighed as his eyes drifted to the road, “Victor said he had the answers. This could be our chance to get rid of this goddamn disease.” He heard Sherry sigh, “You’re right, but what if you don’t make it back? What would they think?” His grip tightened on the wheel, “If I turn around now—if I don’t find a cure, I won’t make it back regardless.” He looked at the photo of you dangling from his rear view mirror, “If I do, I need them to know I died wanting to keep them safe…wanting to keep myself alive to spend the rest of my life with them. I was fighting for them.”

“You really are in love,” she lightly teased, quite moved at his devotion to you. “You’ll make it. I’m sure you’ll make it,” she reassured him. “Maybe even in time to marry them right after all this mess,” she joked. “I’m sure they won’t mind you attending in combat wear,” she chuckled at the thought. Leon grinned as his eyes found the plastic covering in the back of the Porsche, “Would they kill me if I were to make a statement?”

“A statement?” Sherry asked, confused with how words. “What are you talking about?” she asked. Leon chuckled, “To save time, I figure I’d run through Raccoon in a nicely pressed suit.” He could just see Sherry’s eyes widening, “Wouldn’t that ruin the suit?” Leon’s grin widened, “They’ve always had a knack for symbolism. Imagine how romantic it’d be showing up in a state to prove how far I’m willing to go just to be with them.” Sherry laughed loudly through the phone, “You’re insane. Absolutely insane, Leon. That’s one hell of a statement to make, especially on your wedding day.”

He neared Raccoon City with a smug grin, “I should probably change then.”

“Maybe we can save her,” Leon told Grace as she sat in the ambulance. If Grace could give him hope, perhaps he could help her too. The two exchanged smiles before he walked away, dropping the leather gloves to reveal his cured and healing hands. He dug into his pocket, pulling out a pair of wedding bands. He slipped one on, not wanting to wait any longer. Hopefully you’d still accept the other one.

After a brief chat with Sherry, she spoke one last time, “I’ve gotta get ready for the ceremony. Hopefully your statement isn’t as bad as it seems. I’ll see you there.” Leon chuckled, “I’ve got it covered.” With that, the line went dead and Leon was left alone. He glanced at his watch one more time, six forty-seven P.M.

He cursed softly and looked around. He noticed a news chopper wrapping up and packing their equipment. He quickly walked over to them, “Hey, uh, can I hitch a ride?” He asked the reporter, who looked equally as confused as the rest of the team. He smiled awkwardly, “I got, uh, I got a wedding to catch.”

“Fuck,” you mumbled as you paced the hallway, your wedding attire creasing with the stress you’re in. You glanced at the clock, seven twelve P.M. “Oh my god…” you buried your face into your hands. “Hey!” you looked up to find Sherry rushing to you. “Sherry!” you hugged her, relieved and worried. “Where have you been? Where has he been? You told me he was—“

She tried to calm you down, “We’ll explain everything later, but he’s on his way. I don’t know how, but he’s—“

“They’re ready for you,” Claire poked her head through the large doors. She noticed Sherry and the lack of Leon, “Where’s Leon?” Sherry spoke softly, “He’s on his way.” She nodded and looked up at you, “Let’s get you inside before you pass out in this hallway. At least save you the modesty.” You complied and walked into the room. It wasn’t grand, but it was just enough. You saw close friends and family seated, smiling at you—and you shakily smiled back. Claire and Sherry situated you at the altar near the officiator before taking their rightful seats.

Chris looked at them, “No sign?” Sherry confirmed, “He’s on his way. I don’t know how he’ll make it in time though. I had just gotten off the line with him almost half an hour ago.” Chris chuckled and shook his head, “You best believe that man is gonna make it work.” The three settled in their seats, hoping their friend didn’t fuck it up.

The silence was soon broken by the sound of a helicopter descending outside city hall. “What the hell?” you looked out the window before turning to Chris, who shrugged and confirmed it wasn’t him. You looked at the officiator who apologized for the inconvenience, seemingly unaware of it as well.

The sound of rapid footsteps sounded through the hallway before the doors burst open. Everyone shockingly looked to find a disheveled Leon Kennedy—his suit dirty and bloody with his eyes frantic. You were quick to move your feet, pulling him close to you in relief, “You’re here, you’re here…” He held you close, listening to your words, “Yeah, I’m here.” He pulled away slightly, “I’m sorry for being…fashionably late. Consider this my wedding statement.” You looked him over, noticing the black marks no longer there, “Leon…” He kissed your knuckles, “I had to. It was the only way I could vow to spend the rest of our lives together.” He kissed you softly before glancing at the altar, “Let’s go get married.”

With that, he led you back to the altar—ready and willing.

When it was time to exchange rings, he dug into his pocket to find the silver band. “I couldn’t wait to put mine on,” he admitted, glancing at the ring occupying his ring finger. He held up the symbol in his hands, teasing, “Will you still be mine forever or will you be the one to object the wedding?” You laughed quietly, “Shut up and ring me.” He grinned and slid the ring onto your finger, solidifying the union.

The officiator smiled at the moment and cleared his throat, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and—oh!”

the old one for reference...: