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To Leon, day offs are a luxury. Between missions, stake outs, or just normal security work. They drain him of the 365 days the year gave him. Most of them spent away from his own home, the warmth he'd painstakingly built and always tried to fill with memories.
Days spent away were the ones where he'll always miss the most. He can't get them back or lament them for too long, it clogs his mind. When he does that, it could lead to a mission gone wrong, those would need fixing, which also meant more days spent away and ad nauseam
But not today.
The sun strummed down the curtain, harsh in their light, cluing him in that it must be past the morning hours of his regular wake-up schedules. Not that he minds. Leon was instead happy with the fact that he slept in, that he was comfortably and cozy and relaxed enough to sleep in. Reveling in the fact that he felt safe.
The large figure behind him is a testament to that feeling. Roughed textured chest rubbed against his back, sore from the exercise of the previous night. A little rigid, but oh is it bliss for him to feel it.
He was loved and returned the passion all he could. The large hand around his waist was gentle with a hint of possessiveness that still manages to stir ambers in his stomach, right under the splay of a palm that nearly covers his chest. A long time ago, that hand would seem bigger. But Leon's rigorous training and active field life gave him a more defined figure, still, the other touched him all the same, in fact, sometimes he felt more love pouring out from each finger tips when they touch. All of them are precious to the creature currently exhaling cold breaths to the top of his head, sometimes moving to bury its nose to his hair, nuzzling a small tuft.
Leon enjoys all of them, the small details, the tiny attention and expressions of the other. How those gray eyes kept looking at him as if he was the most interesting thing in the world when it’s awake. And honestly, Leon was grateful to be seen that way.
He shifts, trying to see how the arm around his waist would react. Predictably, it tightened the grip around him, pulling him back to a firm, wall-like chest, riddled with solid muscle, a grunt soon followed. It happens all the time, even so, the surge of happiness and love that fills his chest whenever it does happen, it always feels like the first time. The gesture makes his toes curl and his skin to tingle, the butterflies in his stomach does a little number that makes it tickle just right under his skin.
Giddy, he'll put it that way for now. Anymore and he felt his chest would burst.
Then his stomach rumbled, begging for food.
"I know you're awake right now and it's your turn to cook breakfast."
No response, not even a grumble.
Smart
"X, I know you're awake," Leon turns to face the creature, seeing that the stale expression hadn't changed, he attacks the defenseless X with kisses, not caring where it lands, whether it was its cheeks, the bridge of its nose, its forehead, or its lips. sometimes blowing small blueberries at a patch. It turned to giggles when the other scrunched its nose, "come on, wake up big guy."
In an instant, Leon felt his whole world shift, his back hitting the mattress proper and an "oomph" escaping him. A small flurry of giggles escaped his lips before he even managed to refocus his attention. The whirlwind of blanket covering half his face yet it was pulled slowly down by hands that are so delicate, arranging the excess fabric towards his hip because X knows that he gets cold there easily.
The amount of detail X remembered of him was remarkable.
Caged between strong arms and a body that covers his own. Leon's laughter still hasn't died down, the edges of his vision still fuzzy, yet the warmth on his face from all that just happened is a pleasant reminder that all of this is real, that he's experiencing all of this and that X was on top of him.
His vision cleared, focusing slowly and surely until he could finally see X on top of him. Like this, under the bright sunlight, highlighting each and every ridge, all small and big on X's stoic face, gray irises looking down at him, waiting, looming. A long time ago, Leon would've ran for his life. But now there's no other place he'd rather be. To be seen, to be so looked at, by the creature that he comes home to, that awaits him as he waits for it too.
X had become his life, slowly but surely, until it became a fixture that he'll look in the corners of his eyes. The other would do the same, eyes following him when it thought the other wasn't looking. The attention and tentativeness that Leon knew was mutual made him feel giddy again.
He didn't know when his hands reached out to cup the other's face. Thumbs drawing circles on those high cheekbones, his smile uncontained as X observes him, one of its favourite activities he found. Though Leon wasn't ever sure what was so interesting about him, either way he hoped that whatever it was it stayed that way.
One of X's hands came up and covered his, running its own thumb on the back of Leon's hand.
Leon pulled X down, letting their lips touch in a slow kiss. No rush, nothing intended behind it except just to kiss for the sake of it. Letting the sun bask them together and X's body heat to surround him like a weighted blanket.
After what felt like forever of bliss, they pull apart. Leon letting his smile loose once again.
"Morning, X."
X took one of his hands and kissed each knuckle.
---
It never really understood what was the appeal of the sun. At first, it thought it was a nuisance. For years it was cooped up between white walls and gray concrete, constantly being drugged out of its mind and let whatever the "doctors" do to it run its course. The only source of light it knew during all of that was lamps, artificial lights that pierce its enhanced sight and irritates.
So when T-00 first got a taste of the actual sun after it had escaped Racoon City, it thought it would irritate its eyes too. Blinding and harsh. Yet the first thing it noticed was how warm it was, how, against its cool skin, the sun felt like a coat that wraps around it so slowly.
"Whew, thank god we didn't miss the morning sun. Sun rises are great, you know? Especially in a place like this, ‘always a treat to see them early."
The human - Leon - chattered. Giving it information about nothing and everything at the same time.
Between the tall trees and vegetation, the sunlight seeps through every slip it reaches, a steadily growing warm light accompanied by the chill of the morning. Yet the two made an interesting combination, one that it now loves.
T-00 never knew exactly why did its eyes stared at the sunrise for a while longer. Back then nothing made a coherent connection. A fresh out of the lab bioweapon, it still couldn't comprehend its existence, purpose, and now, where will it go?
But Leon simply called it the name he has given it, "X".
And X looked down. The human who'd been frantically running away from it now looked at it with a smile that creases the edges of his eyes. It doesn't know why the human was so... friendly at it.
"Let's gather some wood for tonight, it gets cold."
It doesn't know why, but follows him anyway.
Now X is crouching beside a bed of flowers, weeding through the patch, making sure the magnolias are clear of it. The rattle of a cart behind him, Leon with the fertilizer and watering cans. As it was almost done with the area, it was Leon's turn to do his task, while X moves to a different one, this time tomatoes.
They work in silence, a familiar dance from years of coordination. X's hands were too stiff when they first started, slow and scared of hurting the actual plants. Meanwhile Leon hesitated on planting the seeds, not knowing if he was doing it correctly. It took them a lot of reading botanical and gardening books together and a lot of getting used to working on the small field to finally figure out the workflow.
After that it was a series of trial and errors. A First harvest that went well and felt satisfied with, despite the small yield. The soup from their own garden tasted like triumph.
So now it was routine. Whenever there was time to grow something, they would, no matter the outcome they would do it. Filling the day with something that made them feel normal amidst the fighting viruses and other bioweapons.
X looked beside it, finding Leon crouched as well, carefully watering the plants and checking for leftover weed that might still hide between the bushes.
The sky was so blue and the sun was still in its young golden shade, soft but beautiful.
It didn't realize that it had been staring at Leon and the sky behind him until Leon called out its name.
"X, what's wrong?"
Leon looks concerned. But X, X found something else.
Blue eyes that are so bright and clear, beautiful that it found itself sometimes lost just looking at them. Blond hair with a dewy sheen, soft to the touch and easily ruffled by the wind. Like the morning sky. They look like the morning sky.
Leon frowns, scooting closer, lifting his hand to touch X's thigh before realizing that his rubber gloves are covered in dirt. But X didn't care.
This human who had taken it out of hell a long time ago was now beside it, concerned for something he doesn't even know yet, over something that he truly doesn't have to worry about.
Everytime X woke up, it was with a prayer that Leon was beside him, in its arms, safe and sound and content. It doesn't happen everyday, but it is a bliss when it happens. X cherishes them. It wouldn't count morning to start without Leon's smile, a smile that made it forget what kind of creature it was a long time ago. A smile that chipped that part of it little by little and replaced it with a feeling it could now put a name on.
The day starts when Leon tells it "Good morning" and ends with a "Good night".
It'll always be like that.
X knew that Leon didn't want to get either of them dirty, despite the fact that they'll be taking a shower after this. So it nudges the other's forehead with its own, close enough to do so without leaning too far.
Leon looks at X, surprise and confusion colouring his blue eyes. X tried turning the corner of its lips up, a simulacrum of a smile, something it was still trying to work on because whenever it succeeded, Leon would laugh, claiming that it is adorable before giving X a smile of his own that to X made everything felt brighter.
But this time, instead of waiting for Leon's response, X placed a kiss on Leon's forehead, lingering for a moment longer than usual.
When X pulls back, Leon's expression now changes to a dazed look. The attempt at a smile is back, but X moved its finger, the rubber gloves a hindrance yet he signed anyway.
[I love you]
It took a moment for Leon to process everything before that brilliant smile under the bright blue sky and the rising sun greeted X.
To Leon, he might never understand what just happened, what X got going on in its head. But he knew that X doesn't say love sparingly, keeping it until it felt that it was just right to say. So instead of wondering why, Leon simply smiled and replied,
"I love you too, X."
---
Leon sank even more to the couch. The sizzle of the fish fillet from the pan is a good melody to his ears; familiar, homey, cozy, safe. That last one was very important. In a few seconds he'll be able to catch a whiff of that simple but delicious smell.
It was X's turn to cook lunch today, they settled for something simple, some fillet-o-fish sandwich with salad. Nothing too heavy and easy enough for one man to operate around the kitchen. He would opt to help, but this time, he allows himself to be lazy, to just take everything slow and enjoy the moments in its own passing.
X was more than happy to let him do so. Between the two of them, it's obvious that Leon was the one who spent time away more often. So this counts as extra holiday to both of them.
There's something about taking care of Leon that stokes a feeling of pride and joy in X. To see Leon in a state of Euphoria with his surroundings, practically moulding himself into the couch in that floaty space between sleeping and not. To X, that is happiness.
Having each other just a few feet away and knowing that he can practically just get up and walk a few short steps and wrap his arms around a waist he never could quite circle fully, was like a blessing. He knows X won't budge as he laid his head on hardened back muscle that flexes as X moves around the kitchen counter. It's a nice reminder that both of them are alive sometimes, that it's not a dream. If Leon shed some tears then X never mentions it anymore. Only loosens Leon's hold as he turns around to give him a reassuring embrace, a low baritone purr reverberating from X's chest.
That is home for Leon.
The fillet-o-fish smell finally hit his nose.
X toasted the bread next and prepared the sauces for both the salad and sandwich. After plating the two meals, X brought it over to the coffee table. Leon was, as usual, hogging the entire oversized couch. Spreading his arm over the backrest and man-spreading like there was no tomorrow. Yet X only scooped him up, Leon's hand immediately flying to wrap around the other's neck, nuzzling at the nook and humming.
X huffed, like this, there was no way it would be easy to let go of the pseudo-koala latching on to it. But X has no intention of fighting him in the first place.
Arranging them so that Leon was comfortably on top of him, eyes still closed, back to tethering between sleep and wake. Letting Leon settle on top of it for a bit more, knowing that relaxing was a little foreign for the both of them sometimes, there's always something in some corner. A summon is just a call away on their work phone. It was a miracle that this time it was signed on paper that they wouldn't be bothered, not by some shady organization or official ones, they have all the time they're given to enjoy this.
X's hand finds itself to Leon's back, rubbing up and down on the slightly tense spine, putting pressure on a few knots it found, working them slowly until a pleased sound came out of the blonde. Even when X found no more to relieve, it stayed rubbing the muscles.
And it knew that Leon was slowly drifting into a comfortable nap, lunch definitely shelved for later.
It finds that it doesn't really mind. A sandwich is easy to make, but Leon relaxing and taking comfort, looking cozy and content, is not an everyday thing. X finds itself craving for that everyday however. It knows that Leon too would love to see it relax. The man was adamant in making sure that X felt accepted, welcomed, and most of all, loved.
Which Leon time and time again manages to show. From words, hugs, kisses, touches that are fleeting but felt like a tether for X. To what? X doesn't know. Yet it doesn't make them less meaningful, because it's all Leon who gave them. That already meant more than the world.
The sandwiches are getting cold, along with the salad.
Leon's breaths evened.
X figured that lunch can wait, they can heat up the sandwich later. For now, one hand tucked under its head, the other still on Leon's back; a little nap won't hurt.
---
Leon would never regret winning that little argument. Adding the reading nook might've gotten him side eyes during the arrangement agreement, but damn if it wasn't worth it.
With X's size, it's basically a second bed that could fit the both of them if they just arrange themselves like so. The heated bedding was excellent for winters like this, where snow fell just right outside the insulated window surrounding the nook, preventing them from actually feeling the young winter cold.
They spent more time there during the day than they would like to admit. Food and meals turned to snacks they hogged from the fridge and whatever bottled drink finds its way to their arms and into the snack box they prepared for a reading binge like this. And then it was a flurry of choosing what books (if they haven't decided the night before) to read together, or they'll read different books and that's ok too. The silence would fall between them easily, like a metaphorical weighted blanket on top of the real one.
One of them would fall asleep at some point, it has happened multiple times before. And Leon couldn't be happier with the outcome every time that happens.
Maybe it's him that fell asleep first. X would make him comfortable on the bed, bookmarking the open page and continue to read its own book or the book they decided to read together. Or it might join him in the little nap. Maybe X would fall asleep first and Leon isn't strong enough to move X, though he does the rest the same as X treated him.
Either way it's something that Leon held in his hands like a tiny light, amongst many that lit up his life. They're all precious. In his mind, they're like memories that kept him going. That throughout the path he'd chosen, there's a light that awaits him, guides him through the exit and accompanies him through another tunnel.
For now he enjoys leaning on X's side, an arm supporting him, tucked into the space X made for him. The book was a new one he'd picked up during a charity sale, it didn't really pique him so much as it looked like a good light read from the short synopsis. And it's doing its job as far as Leon is concerned.
X had picked up something from their last night market run. It was more of a recreational trip rather than one to get groceries, so odd trinkets and other doodads filled their bags by the end of it.
Leon peeked a bit and found that it was the cheesy romance novel X had bought during that. Honestly, he wasn't really into the romance stuff. He'll probably read a short novella or two, but that's probably it. Though X had an eye for romance, from the cheesy to the ones that had the ability to make Leon bawl his eyes out while X sits in silence, contemplating its emotions.
Those were a bit far and few in between, but when it does land into their collection, Leon doesn't mind dropping the book he's reading to read together. They're a delight to experience.
Speaking of their collection. Leon looked up from his book. The nook has bookshelves planted into the wall surrounding it. Some of the shelves were almost full, some already without a space left. Pride engulfed him however, the number of books they've obtained and read were like footsteps. Trailing a sign that this was something they've worked on together for a long time. A reminder that they've gotten this far, and to Leon it's worth every step they've taken.
But the problem stands, they're running out of space and the nook walls don't really have anymore to put new bookshelves in.
Leon drops his book a bit, almost closing it without a proper bookmark and lost his progress when X's hand flew to hold the opened page.
It jolts Leon into awareness and out of his thinking.
"Thank you, X."
X, the ever observant, asked him,
[What's wrong?]
Seeing a face without eyebrows frown erupted a little laughter from Leon. X's effort in trying to show expression started awkward at first. Smiles that are just too wide, frowns that look like anger, but it all falls adorable to Leon. This one lands the same.
Leon puts a bookmark on the page before placing it on the shelf on top of his head. Finally turning to face X, who had done the same with his own book. Now, with X's attention on him, a weighted blanket on top of them, and the last of the winter sun casting over through the window, Leon thinks that the setting might be a tad too dramatic for what he was about to say. Though he goes for it anyway, sometimes little things are good if paired with over the top atmospheres.
"We need a new bookshelf." He says. A smile on his face as he waits for the words to sink into his husband.
Then it does. X's expression falters, a visual representation of "Seriously?" as if accusing Leon of some crime replaced the worry.
"What? We're running out of space here, X." Leon gestures to the shelves around them, especially the full and nearly full ones.
X dutifully follows his hand. Seeing the point himself before sighing .
[Alright. We'll get new shelves.]
At that, Leon threw his hands up.
"Let's place it nearby so we can reach it easily."
[Just say you're lazy.]
"Hey! I just like things conveniently within reach."
[Sure. "convenient".]
The slap to its chest was worth the pout on Leon's face.
Neither of them felt like getting up, still lazy in the tiny nook and probably will continue reading while demolishing the stash of snacks and drinks in the box. The shelf would be a later problem. X already thought of putting it on the vacant wall beside the nook, they could use it to store old books they've read a few times and practically memorized, the list of those growing in its head.
Unbeknownst to X, Leon was thinking of the same thing and voiced it out.
"We should place the old books on the new shelves, that way we can have space for new ones and have them rotate like that."
X nods, trying to give a smile as a form of reassurance, although it was pretty sure it came off more as a sneer. Leon laughs at the attempt, a hearty laugh that warms X's heart and leaves it satisfied. As Leon calmed down, he placed a hand on X's cheek. Like instinct, X's arm looped around his waist, pulling him closer.
The last of the winter sun cascades down the walls. The window gives it ample room to shine inside the house, illuminating the nook with a soft orange glow.
And Leon thinks that he's never been happier.
---
There's another pile he'd yet to start on. Seriously, his arms are starting to feel like fall-off-the-bone meat stew with how much he'd been folding.
Summer has the baggage of causing him to sweat like crazy. Sure, the AC was almost always on and he wore breathable fabrics with light colours nearly everyday now, the dark attires abandoned and still neatly folded or on their hangars in his closet. But summer doesn't mean he can stay inside all the time. Errands and chores don't magically complete themselves.
Despite splitting it between the two of them, Leon still manages to come inside the house drenched front to back. X doesn't really sweat so as he looks over to his husband's side, seeing that X was already on his last pile while he got two more to go through felt unfair. Sometimes his husband just has advantages he can't help but be jealous of.
So what does Leon do in the middle of his predicament? Sigh and lean back on X's arm. He let himself sag, muscles relaxing and truly let it feel like it'll fall off his bones, eyes half-lidded with his lips part, letting sighs and odd noises escape his mouth. God, it felt good to relax like this.
X however, looks at him, pauses in its ministrations to look over the human resting against its arm. And honestly, it was glad that Leon could rest against it like this. Like Leon can forget everything and feel safe, knowing that X will never judge him in times where he needed something- someone- to rest against. X never needed much rest, it's a bioweapon after all, capable of stamina that can keep it awake for days at a time. The perks of that was that there were nights where looking at Leon was better than sleeping, a concept it had only learned after Leon introduced it to it.
After that, X fell into a rhythm matching Leon's. Human necessities it never considered as important felt like little treasures. There was Leon, patiently guiding X, something that only looked human, to actually feel what it's like to live with a purpose, to enjoy things that sound overtly mundane.
The little things are precious. Their profession taught them that, hammered it in with every near death encounter.
And this was one of those little things to X. A detail most will miss, but not X. Leon was fit, more than the normal person, though he does get exhausted after long missions or normal duties. But this was different from those.
It had welcomed Leon after those missions and vice versa. There's a difference between post-mission exhaustion and this one. The former will take Leon out in an instant. The moment Leon hits a surface, he'll be out like a light, possibly sleeping for a good 16 hours or so. X would take care of the other once he woke up, meals, baths, everything, he'll make sure Leon was well rested enough before going back to their daily activities.
This though, Leon needed a time out as he calls it. Nothing was overbearing his shoulders, no orders to follow, or lack thereof. Just the mundane feeling of needing to slow down, take a breather, and then continue.
X finds itself happy. Happy that Leon could always rely on it for these small moments. Finding itself hoping, wishing, that Leon would always feel like this around it.
X smiles.
"Give me a minute." Leon said, out of breath but the smile on his lips clear.
Leon felt the body behind him move, himself following the shift before large hands steadies him and before long he was sitting on X's lap, head pillowed between muscular pecs, those large hands moving to his shoulders and gave them a light massage, undoing the tension and making him smile with how good it was.
The hands moved to his forearms, then lower until they reached his palms and gave them a massage too.
X's thumbs against his palms felt ridiculous. They almost cover them, giving light pressure to them and releasing stiffness he never knew was there before, smoothing them after. Leon sinks more to the body behind him. It was bliss, it was heaven.
The kiss to his forehead was the cherry on top.
"It's not fair you know?" He continues out of nowhere. Still, X didn't stop his ministrations and instead leaned in to hear his words better.
"You don't sweat so much while I always came back from outside looking like a wet cat - Claire's words not mine - Now I have to change every time while you don't and-" Leon gestures at the almost gone laundry and neatly folded ones beside it "-it's not fair."
X lets go of Leon's hands. [I'll help you with them later.]
"No. It's just something I needed to get out of my chest. I'll finish mine on my own. You can vacuum upstairs, yeah?"
[Vacuuming can wait. I want to do this for you.]
Leon clicked his tongue. "Since when are you good at sweet talking?" Pulling X's head down by the nape before planting a kiss on its cheek. The sneer-looking-smile as Leon pulled away made the summer sun look dim in comparison.
[I learn from the best.] And X wraps its arms around Leon, pulling him impossibly closer.
A tingle went through Leon's whole body. Like this, so close without a space between them, he can hear X's slightly irregular heartbeat, the way X's textured skin still feels so vivid even with a cotton shirt between them. They all spelled out "safe" for Leon. The person he can fall back, the one who'd hold him through the worst. X was that and more and then some.
"Well if that's the case then lets make this equal."
Leon's hands were free, he doesn't know what got into him but he pulled the most bottom shirt in one of X's pile, sending the rest toppling over. The neat folds came undone on some, while a small number survived with minimum unravelling.
"I still don't want you to help me by the way."
The arms around him loosened for a moment. Leon saw as X's attention was glued to the fallen pile, shifting gaze grazing over the ruined laundry.
Then he felt fingers climbing up his side. Laughter erupted from him as X tickled him. Anywhere and everywhere it can reach with its hands, they will be tickled.
Leon falls forward, trying to fight off the hands by turning on his back, but oh no, that just gave X more skin to tickle.
His t-shirt riding up to his ribs. The shorts he's wearing a poor choice in this situation.
X's attacks stopped as he was getting breathless.
[Rude!]
"Nope,” popping the p, “don't want you doing my responsibilities so I gave you back yours!"
[Leon.]
"Yes, big guy?"
[I love you.]
Something so warm and right filled Leon's chest. This was where he belonged. Between unfolded laundry and flurry of clothes. Under his husband who sees him like he's meant the world, like he is the world. And Leon hopes that he could convey just how much X meant to him also, to always see X smile and happy. Knowing that they're each other's happiness.
But Leon was human, there are limits to how much he can say. He's not the most articulate, outright terrible at times. Yet this time he meant every word. Hoping that they are enough so that X can hear, can know, that Leon felt the same way.
"I love you too, X."
---
+1
---
The first thing Leon noticed was that his head felt wrong, thrumming a little too violently for his liking, yet there was no headache as he finally opened his eyes. Waking up felt heavy sometimes, but it would go away as he gathered his wills, eventually facing the day. Yet this time he finds himself pinned, there's no will to find, a wall was keeping him from gathering it.
Then his surroundings started to clog.
The sheets didn't feel right, his body felt heavy, the silk pyjamas (his favourite) was just too slippery and too much in general. Everything was clouding his senses. Noticing that the morning wasn't as bright as usual, Leon peeked at the window finding that it was gray. But he was grateful that it was. He doesn't think he can handle the sunlight today.
His limbs registered later on. Leon finds them heavy, pinned down by nothing and everything around him at the same time. He knows that moving will just make everything worse for him.
The missing familiar weight around his torso was gone, no more heft that kept him down the bed. X and him must've tossed and turned quite a bit last night. There was a feeling of betrayal as he felt himself sighing in relief that there's distance between them. Something stirs in him that it wasn't right that X isn't around him, behind him, crowding onto his side of the bed. Yet the first part was louder, pleased in the absence and thanking the lack of contact.
Leon sensed the other side of the bed stir. X's grunts a little louder, clearly noticing the lack of Leon in its arm. It didn't take long for Leon to feel a bigger shift behind him, his back to X but he knows that the first thing X would reach out to is him, his senses attuned to the other's proximity. He flinched at the approaching finger. Not needing to turn and look to know that it was mere centimeters from his skin.
His response prompting a sudden jolt, the bed rippled in its bounce and Leon shuts his eyes as it grazed more of his skin. The reaction was enough to wake X completely, it couldn't see much but it knew what Leon was feeling right now. The worry was still there, but not so much anymore as X understood what was happening.
It was one of those days.
X rose out of the bed, careful to be as slow as possible and not disturb it too much. Its usual thumping footsteps now muted. It went to the en suite bathroom. Leon thanked whatever almighty is up there for giving him the enlightenment to fix the hinges last week. Though hearing the sink water run made him flinch again, despite knowing that X was running it in the smallest possible setting.
His husband came out a few moments later, going to the closet and being careful when opening the doors, changing out of its pyjamas before pulling a weighted blanket and a cleanly pressed thin cotton shirt. It was flowy and much nicer than Leon's other ones, but he never uses it for anything but these kinds of situations. The weighted blanket itself was not as heavy as their other ones, made of a softer material and big enough to cover X. Meaning that it could cocoon Leon just fine. The term "blanket burrito" soon became their favourite to say at times like this.
X slowly walked over to his side of the bed, placing the items down as he kneeled, eyes level with Leon's face. Leon doesn't look at its eyes however, it would feel too loud in a way he can't fully express sometimes. But X wanted to help him, he knew this, X was the one who always helped him during times like this. It took them a lot of trial and error before figuring out what to do, what can and cannot be done when these kinds of things happen. So X tilted its head, a wordless question of "can I touch you?" that it'll wait the answer for no matter how long it takes.
Seeing the gesture from his peripheral made Leon realize that this one will take a while. So the silence stays. Neither knew how long as if an alarm clock wasn't just a glance away.
Maybe it was only a few minutes, maybe it was half an hour, or maybe even an hour. But Leon finally let out a sigh, a small burden lifted from his too aware body.
X moves slowly, testing by holding a finger out to the back of Leon's hand (they found out early on that face is the biggest no no) and waits for a flinch or a twitch. It felt relieved as Leon doesn't seem to show any reaction. Still, X avoided contact as much as possible as it worked around Leon's body to take off the silk pyjama, leaving it as a pile beside the bed as it reached for the shirt. Slipping it on so carefully that it made Leon felt like he was something worthy of being treated like so, and maybe he was at times like this.
X leaves the shirt unbuttoned, then he places the blanket on top of Leon, slowly wrapping it around him until he resembles a burrito.
Leon felt X's arms come under him, lifting him out of the bed to the living room. Normally he would've loathed being removed from the cloud like mattress, preferring to stay there as long as he can and finding any excuse to do so while X relents and indulges his whims. Though that's not for today.
Laying Leon down on the sofa, X makes quick work of moving the coffee table to the edge of the living room, careful to not make too much noise. X moves to the kitchen next, quickly brewing a pot of tea and filling a cup before placing them on a tray and walking back to the living room.
It placed them on the floor then scooping Leon back up and placing the burrito on his lap, between his legs. Leon shifted slowly, adjusting himself little by little before finding a comfortable position.
He sighs, letting it carry a little of the overwhelming sensation with it as he settles his whole weight on X's chest. Usually feeling X's skin texture on his own was something he looked forward to. But both knew that that wasn't optimal, they can wait for when everything gets better, and it will get better.
X brushed a finger against the cup, feeling that it was at the right temperature. It brought it to Leon's lips, head tilting to the side, making sure that it got the position right. Leon preened his head closer, letting his lips touch the edge of the cup and X tilted it a bit, letting Leon drink a small amount. It waits for Leon's reaction, if the tea was probably still a little too hot for him now.
When Leon pressed his lips to the cup's edge again, happiness flooded the bioweapon. Leon drank a few more small sips before leaning his head back to X's chest. X put the cup back down and stayed still.
Letting time pass in a blur around them, the sky gradually getting darker. Eventually Leon's blanket unraveled, yet he didn't mind. X noticed but didn't make a gesture.
Soon, his hand reached for the tea cup, half full and considerably cooler than when he first drank it. Bringing it to his lap and cupping it with both hands, Leon let the residual heat warm his hands, a pleasant feeling that helped him hunker down. The sensation as if whispering to him that this was home. X behind him a solid proof.
His body felt like his own again, albeit a bit of too much still clung to some parts of him, but it abates by the minute. He moves his neck a little, just enough so he can see his husband's face. Finding X mindlessly staring at the wall sort of tickles his heart. Their living room has the standard furnishings, TV, a bookshelf doubling as the TV table, some decorations, and a window-wall to his right, giving them ample view of the outside world.
But X's eyes are glued to the portrait hanging above the TV.
Their wedding day was small, Leon and X both agreed on a private ceremony. Claire was his bridesmaid/best man/ring bearer. She'd called herself a 3 in 1 after that, smacking Leon when he said "Like a shampoo". X never knew how good white tuxedos looked on Leon before that, it brings out the clear blue of his husband's eyes and blonde hair, making it all shine under the brilliant sun. Leon himself thought that X looked perfect with his own white tuxedo.
The patter of rain greeted him like an expected guest. Drizzling down the window making the world outside look like an abstract painting.
As he thought, it wasn't a storm. The rain a light shower that will probably last the whole day. The ground will surely be mud tomorrow, but at least the garden will be well.
Looking at X again, this time finding it looking down at him, it startled him a bit, though quickly subsided to a pool of warmth in his chest. His body doesn't feel that heavy anymore, feeling more like flesh instead of an anchor sinking him.
X studies his face, looking again for any signs of discomfort to find none.
Leon wanted to kiss him, but he knows that that's too much for him now. So he settles with a small smile, barely a lift of his lips but X understood the message anyway.
Leon knows the day will be better when X returns his smile.