𝑳𝒆𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅𝒚| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 2

Bittersweet Backstabbing

"Your friends are in the main cell block. If you hurry, you might be able to save them." Dylan says through a speaker as Jill, Leon and I look to one another. Without wasting time Jill and Leon immediately spring into action, I follow loosely behind, the plan already working.

When we reach the cell block Dylan comes into view on the levels above, his eyes meet mine as I glance to Leon at my side. I'm reluctant, but nod as one of the drones infects Leon with the virus. Straight away Leon falls, grasping his neck in a mixture of pain and panic. He looks up at me, his blue eyes search me seeking if I've been infected too, but when I step back and shove my gun into its holster a look of disbelief crosses his features.

"You're with him, aren't you?" Leon accuses, falling backwards and hitting the cells where Claire and Chris reside. I nod, another wave of regret filling me, until I remember why I'm doing this and who it's for.

"You killed my father." I say, raising my chin as Jill's brows furrow. She doesn't understand, she wasn't there.

"You're Arias' daughter? I thought Maria-" Leon begins, but I give him a death glare that quietens him.

"She is- was- my sister." I reply, hating the way my voice wobbles. Leon's face falls, his breathing becomes laboured as the infection spreads. I step towards him as Jill points her gun at my back, but when Dylan moves she swivels it back to him. I crouch down, cupping Leon's face like I have so many times before these last few months I've been faking being in love with him.

"I didn't want to do it this way. In fact, I never wanted to ever have blood on my hands like my father and sister did, but...I can't let you get away with murdering them." I explain, squeezing his chin with my nails. Leon hisses, attempts to lift his hand but it falls. He's useless and dying, I should be happy, but damn it I've grown attached to him.

"They were both dangerous, what I did saved countless lives, and I bet eventually they would've turned on you for being too good for them-" Leon begins, but I shake my head hating the way he's crawling into my mind and planting these ideas.

"No!" I snap, shoving his head back and standing as he pales, "I loved them, and they loved me." I tremble, tears forming in my eyes as Leon just looks up at me with sadness.

"Maybe, but the ones we love aren't always the people we wish them to be." He whispers, his words speaking from his own experience. My lips part, a small percentage of me wants to call all this off, forget what happened in the past ad accept the fact Leon might be right about saving lives. But I can't, not when I'm just the help. I look up at Dylan, who begins giving some speech to the group, but I'm done here. I can't bear to be with Leon any longer.

I don't look back as I climb the stairs to meet Dylan. I don't watch as the group of friends downstairs reach for each other, words of worry and hope exchange between them. I wish I had that.

I finish helping Dylan with his plan, then begin to get ready to leave, until I spot that fucking unkillable man messing with the controls in the tower. I grit my teeth, forcing my feet inside the room instead of towards the exit. "How are you still standing?" I call out, cocking my head to the side as Leon turns to face me, already clenching his fists ready for a fight.

"Sheer determination and a vaccine. Why are you still here?" Leon sarcastically retorts, his dark hair falling over his brow as he watches me.

"Thought I'd hang around and watch the show." I fake a smile, then quickly throw myself forward as I land a punch to his jaw. Leon's head swivels to the side but he recovers quick, and throws a punch of his own. I duck under it, sweeping my leg out to knock him over. However Leon's quick and grabs my leg, yanking me up to toss me aside. I throw my weight into him though, hooking my leg around his neck as we both fall to the ground.

"Ah, this brings back good memories." Leon grits out as I choke him with my leg, my hands grabbing at his hair so I can easily squeeze his windpipe. I scoff, loosing a tiny bit at the familiarity of his jokes, but Leon uses it to his advantage and rolls us around until he's straddling me. A knife to my throat.

I stare up at him, shocked and embarrassed at myself for being vulnerable. "Go on. Finish ending the bloodline." I gasp out, lifting my head until the cool blade begins to dig into me. Leon's eyes stare into mine, searching for something I don't understand.

"No." He says after a few moments, his shoulders relax and surprisingly I don't use his lack of readiness to attack. "I don't want to kill you, the same way you don't really want to kill me."

My brows knit together, "Of course I want-"

"No you don't." He chuckles, "Otherwise you would've stabbed me in my sleep. You've had the past few months to kill me, but you haven't. If anything I'd say you've been caring for me, even started to lov-"

"Don't fucking say it!" I snarl, turning my head in defeat. Fuck! This wasn't supposed to get complicated, but I've become entangled in a web of emotion, and now I don't know what I want.

I'm sad about my family, but deep down I know it wasn't really them. Not after Arias. Leon didn't kill them, he just took down the puppets. He must see the thoughts brewing, because he rolls off of me and stands, holding out a hand. I sit up, staring at it. He sighs, reaching down to scoop me up and set me on my feet. I lean on him, the tears that have been building finally escape.

"I'm sorry about your dad, and your sister." Leon murmurs, reaching out a hand to cup my cheek. I nod.

"I'm sorry I tried to kill you. I...I know you won't forgive me, and I swear that I'm done. If it's any consolation, these last few months have been the best of my life." I sniffle as Leon wipes my tears away.

"I won't forget, but I can forgive you," My head shoots up at his revelation, "You're not the only one who's caught some serious feelings." He swallows, "I wish I could be mad at you, I fucking should be, but...I'm not." He shrugs.

I can't help it, I let out a small laugh at his lighthearted tone, this whole situation just feels so comical all of a sudden. Leon begins laughing too, and in the end we both end up doubling over in giggles, clinging to each other until his lips meet mine.

"You're crazy." I whisper between the kisses.

"Maybe, but from what I've been through I think I deserve a loss of sanity for a while." He murmurs, grabbing the back of my neck and deepening the kiss.