van kalina

(I shouldn’t have agreed to this), Rebecca thought to herself. (This was supposed to be a solo assignment!)

(Coroner meetings, statement collection, evidence reporting... I did all the tasks Chris gave me on my own. I don't need rescuing anymore, especially not after Spencer Mansion... do I?) Rebecca stole a glance at the ex-Marine then, catching the steel fasteners at the side of his collar. The studs gleamed bright against the deep emerald fabric of his jacket, looking as cool and precise as the metallic zippers that ran across the front pockets. The sharp sleeves almost made her forget about what's hidden underneath: an entire arm covered in ink.

(So much for being babysitter-free), she reflected. (He hasn’t spoken, or made any comments, but he sure makes the car feel small) Rebecca tried her darnest to focus on the road, pretending it was just another workday morning out in the lush outskirts of Raccoon City, appreciating the fresh country air, clear cloudless sky, and bright summer sun… Paying absolutely no attention to the suspiciously well-timed absurd apparition of a man sitting beside her…

.

.

.

…until she no longer could.

“Out with it,” she said. “Before you suffer from some form of mental constipation, let me hear it”

Billy snorted “No one’s constipating with you riding the clutch like that. I’m surprised the car lasted ten minutes”. He had been eyeing every little shift of her feet and tracking even the slightest jerk of the wheel.

“I know how to work the pedals,” she retorted, shifting gears to pick up speed.

“You sure about that?" he asked, grabbing hard at the roof handle. "I think you got them all mixed up!”

"I don't. Besides, we're moving just fine. See?" She changed the gear yet again, determined to go even faster.

"That's not what the car's telling me." he muttered over the lurch, making sure his complaint was loud enough for her to hear. "How about showing me that license now?"

“Woo— hoo—!” she yelled, flooring the accelerator instead. "Look at me go—!"

As they pulled up at the next stoplight, Billy spoke again. This time, his tone was not teasing anymore “Press the clutch in and slot the gear into 1st.”

“Now?"

"Yes now."

"Although it just turned red?”

“We're practicing, take the chance. Anyways, always prepare the clutch.”

Rebecca cocked her head, curious.

“If you scramble when it's green, you're already late. Clutch in"

"O- Okay"

"Lift your foot" he told her, raising one hand to demonstrate a measured climb. "Slowly, just enough for the car to ‘wake up’." He paused halfway, as if he could feel the clutch engaging

"Hang on. Wake up?"

"Like, the car gets a little tight and wants to move. It’s a tactile thing, something you'd feel. When that happens, we know you’ve found the sweet spot”

“Oh, you mean the biting point, right?”

“Call it whatever you want, it’s somewhere between rolling and staying still.”

Rebecca gave it a go, gently moving her feet the way Billy showed her. “Like this?”

“Yeah. Keep going, and try holding it right at the edge.

"Whoops!"

"Too far"

"You said to hold it at the edge"

"That was the edge. You went for the cliff."

Rebecca continued to adjust the pedals.

"Great. Do this and you’re already halfway there when the light turns. No panic. No rushing the clutch”

“Huh. I think I got it” Rebecca said, excitement surfacing. "Gotta admit, though. I do feel nervous when there are other cars waiting behind."

“You'll be fine. Keep at it so the car won’t stall or jerk when you move. Ready?”

She watched the light intently, balancing the car so it’s not fully stopped nor moving. When the green light finally came on, Rebecca pressed a little gas and slowly released the clutch in a smooth roll-off. She turned to Billy, her entire face lit up in obvious delight.

“Don’t get distracted now, eyes up front,” he told her, grinning despite himself.

they hit it off by talking about trains (and how they love to crash them i guess)

(en: would you like to talk about a train?)

(en: you have such good taste, rebecca)

the connexion was ✨️immediate✨️ ;D

then, they developed an intense friendship... 👀

becca even chose to bring billy along to her vacation... =w=

...and she got him a souvenir hehe 🐨

they moved in together shortly after...anddd they were roommates lmao

bonus:

(en: i don't why, but these days, i can't stop thinking about billy...)

oh my sweet summer child, who's gonna break it to you... 🤭