Work Text:
Leon's POV :
“Grace.” He slowly walked towards her. "How are you feeling?”
She looked up at him, a tired smile tugging at her lips. “It still hurts a bit, but I'll live.” One of her hands pulled the blanket laying over her shoulder a little tighter around her. “But how about you Leon?”
“Never felt better.” He flexed his muscles like he was posing in front of the gym. It earned him a little laugh. “But I still want you to meet the best Viral Doctor in the whole world.”
Grace frowned. “Wha-What? Why?”
“Your abdominal wound…” He pointed at the bandage wrapped around her torso, it wasn't quite so white anymore, the blood got sucked up from the fabric. “I just wanna make sure.”
She nodded, unsure but she believed him anyway. “O-Okay.”
Leon knew it was all still a bit difficult, but he knew a way to make it a bit easier for her. ".... And you need to accompany the little girl.”
“Little girl?” Grace's eyebrows shot upwards. “You mean Emily?”
“They found her…” He nodded towards the man in black clothes walking around them, grabbing all the evidence and packing it up inside containers. “... and Elpis saved her life.”
“She's alive?!” She jumped out of the Ambulance, almost losing her balance, the blanket slipping off her.
“Easy.” Leon caught her by the shoulder, keeping her upright. “She's waiting in my car. Wanna see her?”
“Yes.” Grace nodded so fast, that he was worried she would get dizzy. His hand moved from her shoulder, to her back, right between her shoulder blades as he guided her.
For a few seconds silence settled until Leon decided to brake it. “I'm glad you made the right choice.” His voice was calm and honest.
“Me too.” She admitted, looking up at him for a second. “It just…” Her gaze moved back ahead. “... felt good finally being able to do something.”
“Yeah. I know that feeling.” Leon nodded slowly, his other hand clenching once then relaxing again. He knew that feeling way too good.
At his car, he knocked twice on the window softly. “Hey Emily.” He opened the back door, revealing her sitting there. “I got a surprise for you.”
The little girl turned towards them, her green eyes adjusting to the light. “Yeah?”
Grace took a step closer. “Oh my– Emily.” Her hand covered her mouth. “You're eyes. Can she– Can you see?”
Emily frowned a little, tilting her head like she wasn't sure what she was looking at. “Grace? Is that you?”
“Yeah, it's me.” Grace nodded, pointing at herself. “Can you– Can you see me?”
“I can.” She smiled, slowly looking her up and down. “Hello Grace.”
Grace almost jumped out of pure joy. “Emily, can I hug you?”
“Okay.” Emily sounded a little unsure but still lifted her arms. Grace didn't hesitate, she closed the distance fast and hugged her tightly.
“Oh my god Emily! You can see. I'm so happy for you.” Grace lifted Emily up, and spun her around once. It made the little girl giggle a little, the sound tugging at Leon's lips.
“Grace, do you wanna sit with her in the back or–” He asked.
“Yes.” Grace cut in, a big smile on her face, hugging Emily tighter.
“Alright.” He nodded, holding the door open.
Grace helped Emily sit back down, buckling her up, then taking a seat next to her. With a soft thud he closed the door and sat behind the wheel, starting the engine.
After a moment Emily asked. “Where are we going?”
Leon looked into the rearview mirror. “To see a really nice lady. She's gonna check on you both. Making sure you're okay.”
“A Doctor?” The fear in Emily's voice made his stomach twist.
“Yes, but she's really nice.” He tried to calm her down. “She doesn't wanna hurt you. I promise.”
“Grace stays.” Emily's fingers curled tighter around Grace's arm.
“Yes, of course. She'll stay by your side, the whole time.” Leon assured her.
“I'm not gonna leave you Emily.” Grace promised, rubbing Emily's arm.
After that, a calm silence settled inside the car, that kind that came after surviving something you shouldn't. Or it was just pure exhaustion. Maybe even both.
Leon drove out of Raccoon City and he couldn't be happier finally leaving that place again. He swore to himself to never go back to this place, and this time, it was finally.
After around twenty to thirty minutes, they reached Rhodes Hill. While driving through the streets he saw the Big yellow M sign in the distance.
“You girls hungry?" He asked, stopping at a red light.
“Yes!” Emily immediately said.
Grace placed a hand on her stomach. “I'm starving.”
“Good.” As the light hit green, he took a right turn. “Then I guess we have a little time for a Macdonalds break.”
Grace tilted her head slightly, her voice sounding surprised. “Never thought you'd be a fast-food type.”
Leon smirked. “Today is my cheat day.”
Grace huffed a quiet laugh. “Right.”
While driving towards the building, he thought about turning into the Drive-Thru section, but he decided to park the car instead. He didn't want food stains on his seats.
After cutting the engine, he got out. “Let's go.” He watched Grace helping Emily out of the car and holding hands while walking through the parking lot.
They really looked adorable like that, like siblings, or even like mother and daughter.
Inside the Macdonalds, they walked towards the cash registers. “So. What do you want?”
Grace took a step forward so she could read better. “Oh, I think… I need something greasy…” She muttered more to herself.
Leon looked down at Emily, who looked really uncomfortable. “And you Emily?”
Emily stared at the menu hanging over the cash registers. “I… Uh…”
Grace's gaze dropped to Emily too. “Oh, she can't read what's on the menu yet.”
“Right.” Leon mumbled, forgetting she was completely blind before the cure. “But there's still a way.” He carefully picked Emily up, holding her with one arm against his left hip, while walking towards the Touchscreen kiosk. “Now you can look at the pictures of the food.”
Emily's little eyes flicked over the screen, her face was overwhelmed. “But I don't know how they taste.”
Leon rested one hand against the side of the touchscreen kiosk, the glow of it reflecting faintly in his eyes while Emily kept staring at the pictures like they might disappear if she blinked.
"Well." He said, keeping his voice easy. “Do you know what you usually ate in the care center?"
Emily's little face scrunched up almost immediately. "Some really disgusting stuff."
Grace mumbled beside him. “I don't even wanna think about what exactly that was…”
"Yeah…” He nodded then gave Emily a small and reassuring smile. “I can promise you everything here tastes good." He tapped lightly against the screen, scrolling through the menu. "So what do you like?"
Emily hesitated, her small hands gripping lightly onto his jacket as she leaned closer to the screen. "I don't know."
“Figures.” He muttered under his breath. It was the first time actually seeing food, and now she had to pick.
"Alright." Leon said after a second, nodding to himself like he'd already made the decision for her. "Then we keep it simple." His finger moved across the screen with quick, practiced taps. "A six-piece, small fries, apple slices, and water.”
He glanced at her. "That sound good?"
Emily nodded. "Yes."
"Okay." He confirmed the order, then shifted his attention to the side. "Grace, you're next."
Grace stepped a little closer, squinting at the screen. "I... uhm..." She pressed a hand against her stomach again, thinking. "I'll get a McChicken, I think. With some fries, a soda, and a McFlurry."
"Solid choice." Leon didn't even hesitate. "I'll echo your grease idea." His lips twitched slightly. "Double Quarter Pounder with cheese, large fries, an eight-piece, a Coke, and a McFlurry."
Grace blinked at him, then let out a small laugh. "Wow. You're really starving."
Leon glanced at her briefly, then back at the screen. "You got no idea."
He finalized the order, the machine giving a soft confirmation beep, then paid with his phone.
“Oh– I–” Grace mumbled tapping her pockets like she's searching for her wallet, which she definitely didn't have anymore.
“No worries.” He shook his phone once. “I got it.”
She smiled shyly. “Thanks.”
Before he could say something, Emily pulled on the hem of his jacket. "Leon."
He looked at her, one brow arched. "Hm?”
Emily wasn't looking at the screen anymore, no, her attention had shifted somewhere past him, her eyes wide again, but this time not confused. It was pure, innocent childish curiosity.
"What is that?"
Leon followed her gaze and spotted them immediately. A cluster of bright balloons tied near the counter, gently bobbing whenever someone walked past.
"You mean the colored balloons?" He asked.
Emily leaned slightly to the side, trying to get a better look. "I think."
Leon held her closer against him, slowly walking closer. "You want one?"
There was a tiny pause that showed she wasn't used to being asked that. “... Yes."
That was all he needed. "Alright." He said, guiding her a few steps closer to them. The balloons shifted softly overhead, the plastic rubber brushing together with a faint squeak. "Which color?”
Emily looked up at them, her brows pulling together again. "I don't know the names."
"I'll teach you." He said simply with one hand gently steadying the bunch so they wouldn't drift away.
He reached up and tapped one lightly. "This is blue." Then another. "This is red." After that he nudged a brighter one forward. "This is yellow." And then the last. "And this is green."
Emily's eyes followed each one carefully, like she was trying to memorize them, not just see them.
"So? Which one do you like the most?" Leon asked.
She stared for another second, then shook her head a little. "I like all the colors."
Leon let out a quiet breath through his nose, something close to a smile pulling at his mouth.
"Yeah.” He said, glancing back up at them too. "They are all pretty." Then he looked at her again. "But you only get to pick one. So the next kid can have one too."
Emily thought about that, like really thought about it. She looked like it was the most important and difficult question in her life.
Then, finally after a minute. "Yellow.”
Leon nodded once. "Yellow, huh?"
She looked up at him, a little more certain this time. “Yes.”
He reached up, untied the string, and carefully lowered the balloon down into her hand, looping it gently around her fingers so she wouldn't lose it.
"Alright." He said. "Then yellow it is.”
Emily giggled lightly as she pulled on the string and the Balloon rose back up in the Air, the helium inside not giving up. She repeated the motion a few times, giggling louder.
“Pretty cool huh?”
Emily didn't even hear his question, she was too busy and occupied playing with her little, yellow balloon.
For a moment he just stood there, holding her in his arms, watching her play like the bad world didn't exist.
“Leon!” Grace waved him over. She was sitting at a table while a waitress already brought their food.
“Coming!” He called back, walking over to her while looking at the girl in his arms. “Alright Emily. Time to eat.”
“But my Ballon.” She sounded so sad all of the sudden. Like he wanted to take away the most important part of her life.
“I'll tie it around your wrist.” Leon sat her down on the chair next to Grace, grabbed the string, made a hoop with a knot, pulling it around her wrist and pulling it tighter. “See? Now it sticks to you.”
Emily pulled at it a little, like she wanted to make sure it holds, when it did, she giggled again, making Grace laugh softly too.
“Thank you.” Emily looked at him, her eyes bright green and sparkly of pure joy.
“No problem Kiddo.” He gave her a small nod and sat down on a chair, his muscles aching in pain. Leon was getting old, even if he didn't want to admit it.
Emily swung her little legs happily sitting between them, the yellow balloon bobbing lightly above her head every time she moved. Her eyes were locked onto the tray in front of her like it might disappear if she blinked.
Leon slid the box closer to Emily and opened it for her. "Alright. That's yours."
Emily leaned in, staring at the nuggets. "They look... weird."
Grace huffed a quiet laugh beside her, a big smile spreading over her face. "That's because you've never had real food before."
Emily glanced up at her. "This is real food?"
Leon snorted softly. "Debatable.” He held one of his own nuggets up. “But yeah. This is the good kind."
Emily reached out slowly, like she expected it to move, and poked one of the nuggets with her finger. Then she pulled her hand back.
“... It's warm.”
“Yeah.” Leon said. “That's usually a good sign.”
Emily looked at him, then back at the food, then carefully picked one up. She held it for a second, studying it like it was something important. Then she took a small bite, like a squirrel nibbling on a nut. For a second nothing happened, then her eyes widened.
Grace leaned forward immediately. “And?”
Emily chewed, a little faster now. “It's... good.”
Leon smirked. “Told you.”
Emily took another bite, this time bigger, like she trusted it now. “It's really good.”
Grace grinned now, resting her elbow on the table. “Wait until you try something actually unhealthy.”
Leon slid her drink a bit closer. "Easy. One step at a time. Don't forget to drink water.”
Emily swallowed her nugget and while taking a sip through the stray, her eyes moved between them. “Can I try something else too?”
Grace raised an eyebrow. “Oh, uh. You can try my McChicken if you want.”
Emily nodded quickly, moving her drink a little out of the way, while Grace unwrapped her burger a little more and held it out. “Alright. Be careful.”
Emily leaned closer, staring at it. “That's big.”
“Y-Yeah.” Grace said. “Try a small bite.”
Emily hesitated for half a second, then leaned in and took a small, awkward bite from the edge. A bit of sauce got on her lip, and she froze again, chewing slowly. With every chew her face lit up a little more.
“Oh”
Grace laughed softly. “Yummy huh?”
Emily swallowed. “Yes. That's even better.”
Leon leaned back slightly in his seat, one elbow probed against the backrest. He watched her with that faint, almost hidden smile. “You're gonna regret saying that when your stomach catches up.”
Emily shook her head immediately. “No.”
Grace grinned. “I think she can handle it.”
Emily looked at Leon then, eyes dropping to the burger in his hands. “... Can I try yours too?”
Leon paused mid-bite, raising an eyebrow at her. “You sure? This one's serious business.”
Emily nodded, completely serious herself, already leaning a little closer.
Grace snorted. “Oh, this is going to be funny.”
Leon sighed like it was a big inconvenience, but there was no real resistance in it. He tilted the burger slightly toward her. “Alright. One bite.”
Emily leaned in again, this time a little more confident, and took a bite, way bigger than before.
Leon blinked. “Hey-easy.”
Grace laughed. “She's committed now.”
Emily pulled back, chewing, her brows knitting together for a second, then she nodded. “I like this one too.”
Leon looked at his burger, then at her. “... Of course you do.”
Emily smiled, a little proud of herself now while her hand was still loosely holding onto the balloon string as it floated above her.
Bevor finally taking a bite, he said. “... but I think you should stick with the nuggets. Next time, you can eat your own burger.”
Emily blinked surprised. “Next time?”
“Yeah.” Leon said, mouth still half full, after he swallowed he added. “You'll be hungry again.”
The little girl looked worried at that fact. “And will you eat with me again?”
Grace stepped in, placing one hand on her little shoulder. “Oh Emily, of course. If you want I'll take you everywhere you want.”
Emily nodded hard. “Please never leave.”
That seemed to hit Grace hard. “Emily… I… I don't if–”
“You could adopt her.” Leon cut in before she would fully spiral.
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
Her body started to shake a little. “I… I don't know i-if I'm capable or even ready for this responsibility.”
Leon stayed calm. “No one is ready to be a parent.”
Grace's gazes dropped, removing her hand from Emily's shoulder. “That's not really encouraging.”
Leon noticed that his words weren't the best he could've chosen. So he tried again, a little differently this time. “What I mean is, if you're waiting to be ready, that will never happen.”
She instantly shook her head. “It's still a big decision. I… don't even know if I could take care of her.”
“You saved her out of an infested care center, not once thinking about leaving her behind.” He took a sip from his drink. “I think you'll manage the rest easily.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“It is simple. It's a yes or no. The rest…” he stopped, shrugging. “... you'll see as you go.”
Grace sighed. “Great…”
“…That means I can stay?” Emily asked, eyes shifting between them.
“I'm not sure. That’s not something I can decide in five minutes.” She said gently. “It’s… more complicated than that.”
Emily panicked, gripping her arm. “…But you won’t go away?”
Grace exhaled slowly, then pulled her a little closer. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Leon watched them for a moment. "If it makes it easier for you, I've got your back."
Grace's head snapped towards him. “W-What do you mean?”
"I know people.” A took a bite from his chicken nugget. “I can make a few calls... help you get things sorted.”
That made Grace frown slightly. “Sorted how?”
Leon shrugged a little. "School, paperwork, a new place if you need one. Stuff like that."
Grace blinked at him. "... That's not exactly small stuff, Leon."
Leon glanced at her, calm as ever. "Didn't say you had to do it alone."
Grace looked down at Emily for a second, her expression softening again, but she still looked unsure. "You make it sound way easier than it is."
“It's not easy.” He leaned forward a little. “But it's just doable.”
Emily looked between them again, clearly not following everything, but catching enough to make her worried. "...I can be good.” She said quietly.
Grace's face shifted immediately. "Hey. Emily. This isn't about that."
Emily's fingers tightened slightly on her sleeve. "I won't be a problem..."
Grace pulled her even closer, hugging the little girl tightly. “You're not a problem. Don't say that."
Leon watched that for a second, then added, quieter this time. “You're a fine kid, Emily.”
Grace exhaled softly, resting her cheek lightly against Emily's head. "...I just don't want to mess this up."
“You will.” That came out dryer then intended.
Grace stared at him, half in disbelief. "Wow. Thanks."
Leon huffed. "That's part of it." Then he added a little softer. "But you won't walk away. That's the difference.”
Grace shook her head at him, then she looked down at Emily. “Let's just eat.”
He closed his eyes for a second, regretting his approach, but he decided to just shut up and not make it worse.
For a while, they weren't talking, just the soft rustle of wrappers, the sound of empty drinks and Emily's quiet chewing as she worked her way through everything like it was all still new to her.
Leon leaned back slightly in his seat, one arm resting on the table, watching without making it obvious. Every now and then, Emily would pause, looking around the Macdonalds when a sound caught her attention.
Grace ate slower, one hand resting lightly against her side, the other was rubbing Emily's back. She looked deep in thought the whole time, brow pulling together, relaxing then pulling together again.
By the time they were done, all of the food was gone, wrappers pushed aside, fries reduced to just a few forgotten crumbs.
Leon reached for his McFlurry, peeling the lid back and grabbing the spoon. Grace did the same, while her other hand nudged the small bag of apple slices closer to Emily.
“Here.” She said gently. “You need to eat something healthy too.”
Emily looked down at them, then picked one up, turning it between her fingers before taking a bite. She chewed slowly, but her face didn't look happy. “It's okay…”
Grace smiled slightly. “Yeah.”
Leon snorted quietly, taking a spoonful of his McFlurry.
Emily's gaze shifted from the apples to the ice cream. She watched the way Grace scooped hers, then how Leon did the same, her eyes following every movement like it was something important.
After a moment she asked. “Can I try that too?”
Grace glanced at Leon for half a second, then shrugged lightly. “Sure.”
She held her cup out, lowering it just enough for Emily to reach. The little girl leaned in and took a careful spoonful. For a second, she just held it in her mouth then her eyes widened.
Leon didn't even bother hiding the small smile this time. “Tastes much better, hm?”
Emily nodded then immediately looked down at the apple slices in her hand. There was a very clear shift in her expression. Her little fingers pushed the apples away. “... I don't want these anymore."
Leon let out a quiet breath through his nose. "Figured."
Emily looked back at Grace's McFlurry. "Can I have more of that?"
Grace hesitated for just a second, then looked at Leon again. He didn't even argue, with a small sigh, he slid his own McFlurry across the table toward Emily. "Take mine."
Grace blinked. "You sure?"
Leon stood up already, grabbing his phone. "Yeah."
Emily looked at the cup in front of her, then up at him. "Thank you."
He waved it off like it didn't matter. "Don't mention it."
At the counter, he ordered another one without much thought, leaning lightly against the side while he waited. He watched how focused Emily scooped another bite. She did it slower this time like she didn't want to waste it.
Grace leaned her head slightly into her hand, watching her. "Good?" He heard her ask.
Emily nodded, completely serious. "Better than the apples."
Grace huffed a quiet laugh. "That's not a high bar.”
When Leon came back, he set the new McFlurry down in front of himself and sat back down like nothing happened.
Emily glanced at him, then at her cup, then back at him again. “Sorry.”
Leon raised an eyebrow. "For what?"
"For taking yours."
He shrugged, already digging into the new one. "That's why I got another."
Emily seemed to think about that, then nodded slowly, satisfied with the logic. The balloon still bobbed gently above her again as she moved, her attention going right back to the ice cream.
And just like that, the quiet settled in again, this time it wasn't as heavy as before. The little girl was doing her best to eat it slowly, but greed and lust took over fast. She sped up, and small spoonfuls turned into bigger ones, her focus completely locked in, like she was afraid it might disappear if she didn't keep going. Leon noticed it instantly, but didn't say anything.
Grace did. "Hey, slow down a little-"
But it was too late. Emily took another bite, then another and suddenly, her hand froze mid-air.
The spoon slipped from her fingers, clattering softly against the table. Her face scrunched up tight, eyes squeezing shut as both hands flew up to her head.
"Ah!!" She winced. “It's cold!!”
Grace straightened immediately, panic flashing across her face. "Emily? What's wrong? Did it-did it hurt your teeth?”
Emily shook her head quickly, still holding onto it. "My head-!"
Leon was already leaning forward, one elbow on the table, completely calm. “Yeah that's a brain freeze.”
Emily groaned softly, still scrunching her face. “It hurts.” Small tears rolled down her face.
Leon reached over, sliding her drink a little closer. "Take a sip. Slowly."
She hesitated, then did, taking a small, careful sip from her water.
"Keep it in your mouth for a second." He added.
Grace hovered a little closer, still tense. “Emily? How are you feeling?”
Emily stayed still for a few seconds, shoulders very tense. But after a moment her face slowly relaxed. "... It's going away."
Grace let out a quiet breath, her shoulders dropping. "You scared me."
Emily blinked a couple of times, like she was recalibrating, then looked down at the McFlurry again. “... I still wanna eat it.”
Leon let out a short laugh under his breath. “Of course.”
Grace shook her head. “You can. Just… slower this time okay?”
Emily nodded, picking her spoon back up, a little more careful.
Leon pointed at her lightly. "Slow."
Emily nodded seriously. "Slow."
She took a small bite, and smiled, like the brain freeze never happened.
After around ten minutes, they were finished, the cups were nearly empty, only streaks of melted ice cream left behind.
Emily leaned back slightly in her chair, one hand still loosely wrapped around the string of her yellow balloon, gently tugging it up and down.
Grace gathered the wrappers and empty boxes, stacking them neatly before sliding everything back onto the tray.
Leon noticed that her movements were a bit slower now, careful, steady but also tired and exhausted.
As she turned towards him and Emily her eyes caught the balloons, still hanging there, shifting softly above the counter. The bright colors moved every time someone passed by.
For a second, she just looked at them. Leon picked Emily up in his arms, stepped closer and asked, casual. "Want one too?"
Grace blinked, then shook her head, a small smile forming. "No, it's okay.”
Emily turned her head immediately. "Yes."
Grace looked her, caught off guard. "Emily-"
"You should have one," Emily said, completely serious. "They're pretty."
Grace let out a small breath through her nose. "I'm a little too old for that, don't you think?"
Emily frowned slightly, like that didn't make any sense. "No.”
Emily tugged lightly on Grace's sleeve. "Which color do you like the most?"
Grace hesitated, her eyes flicking toward the balloons for a second, then back to Emily. "I don't know… They are all pretty. " She admitted quietly.
Emily shook her head, tapping Leon's shoulder. “Let me pick one for you.”
Before Grace could protest, Leon walked towards the balloons and Emily's brows pulled together hard, like it was the most important decision ever.
“Green!” Emily said a little too loud.
Leon didn't say anything, just reached up, untied one of the green balloons, and held it
out toward Grace.
She looked at it for a second, then at him. “This is– I don't– You don't—”
"Take it." He said simply.
Grace exhaled softly, then took the string, wrapping it once around her fingers. “... Thanks.”
Emily smiled, satisfied, then looked up at Leon. “You need one too.”
“Do I?" He lifted one brow.
“Mhm.”
Leon took a deep breath then shifted his gaze to the balloons. “I'll take blue then.” He took the string, wrapped it around his fingers and looked down at Emily. “Happy?”
Emily nodded, hugging him tightly.
"Alright.” He muttered, placing a hand on the back of her head. "Let's get out of here before we end up buying the whole place.”
Grace laughed quietly, leading the way, opening the doors for him.
Back in the car, the balloons floated up the second the doors closed, their strings swaying lightly as they pressed against the roof. Yellow, green and blue, side by side.
Grace sat in the back with Emily, the girl tucked close to her side, one small hand wrapped around the string like she still didn't fully trust it not to drift away.
Up front, Leon started the engine, the low hum filling the space for a moment before soft music from the radio settled in. It was a quiet song, barely louder than the road beneath them. No one said anything, there was no need for words right now.
Emily leaned slightly into Grace, her head resting carefully against her arm, still holding onto the balloon. Every now and then she gave the string a small tug, watching it bounce gently back up, giggling a little.
Grace's hand moved absentmindedly over Emily's arm, slow, steady, the same motion over and over again. Her other hand held the green and blue balloon.
Leon glanced at them through the rearview mirror. Just once, to make sure… to make sure they're safe. Then he looked back at the road, hands resting loosely on the wheel.
After around thirty minutes, the streets thinned out, together with fewer cars and less noise, until the outline of a private airfield came into view.
Leon didn't say anything, just drove straight through the gate after a brief stop, a quiet exchange with security, and kept going.
Emily leaned forward slightly between the seats, her eyes wide again. "Where are we?"
Grace was already looking out the window, her brows slowly pulling together. A private Jet coming into view. She blinked. “Leon. ...Are we flying with that?”
He didn't even look back. "Yeah."
Grace just stared at it for another second. “Are you serious??”
Emily, on the other hand, was practically vibrating in her seat. "We're going on a plane?"
Leon parked the car and cut the engine. "We are."
Before Emily could even process that fully, she was already unbuckling, nearly bouncing in place.
Grace grabbed her gently. "Hey. Careful."
"I wanna see it!" Emily said, already reaching for the door.
"Easy." Leon said, stepping out and walking around to open it for them. "You will."
The morning air was cooler here, quieter too, the low distant hum of the runway the only real sound.
Emily stepped out and immediately looked up at the jet, her mouth slightly open. "It's so big..."
Grace followed more slowly, still staring at it like it might not be real. "You didn't mention this."
Leon shrugged, grabbing the keys and locking the car. "Didn't think it mattered."
Grace let out a quiet breath through her nose. "Right..."
As they started walking toward it, Emily kept looking everywhere at once, at the lights, the plane, the open space, like she didn't know where to focus.
Halfway there, one of the staff members stepped forward, polite but firm. "Excuse me.” He said. "Balloons aren't allowed on board."
Emily's hand tightened immediately around the string. “No.”
Grace looked down at her. "Hey, it's okay–”
Leon was already stepping in. "It's fine.” He said, reaching for the strings. "I'll take them." But Emily hesitated, fingers curling around the string. "They won't disappear." Leon added, his tone calm, certain. “I'll promise.”
After a second, she slowly loosened her grip, giving him her yellow balloon. Grace handed him the other two. Leon took the balloons, the strings wrapping loosely around his hand, and turned back toward the car.
"I've got someone bringing the car over." He said over his shoulder. "They'll stay in there and won't pop.”
Emily watched him the whole way, just to make sure. Leon opened the car door, leaned in, and carefully secured the strings so they wouldn't drift around, the balloons pressing gently against the roof again. Then shut the door, gave it a light tap, and walked back like it was nothing.
Emily looked up at him. "... They'll still be there?"
"Yeah.” He said simply. “You get them back once we land.”
She nodded, satisfied, and turned back toward the plane. Grace glanced at Leon as they walked again, a small look on her face, half disbelief, half something softer. "... You really think of everything."
Leon didn't react much to that, just adjusted his jacket slightly. “Old habits….”
Ahead of them, the steps to the jet were already lowered just waiting for them to get inside.
Emily didn't hesitate, she ran up the steps, her excitement just too big.
"Emily!" Grace called after her, running after her.
Leon just watched them go and followed at a steady pace.
Inside the jet, everything felt quieter and softer. The seats were wide, lights low, and the whole space calm in a way that didn't match everything they'd just been through.
Emily didn't sit at first, she kneeled on one seat staring out the window, both hands pressed lightly against it. “Cool.”
Grace eased herself down into the seat next to her. "... This is insane.” She muttered under her breath.
Leon moved past her, unbothered, like it was just another car to him. "Seatbelts.” He reminded, nodding toward Emily.
Grace reached out gently. "Hey. Come on. You can look all you want once we're up."
Emily hesitated, then sat down, still twisting around to look out the window while Grace helped buckle her in.
Leon took the seat across from them, leaning back slightly as the door closed and the low hum of the engines started to build.
The little girl froze for a second. “... What's that?"
"The engines," Leon said. "That's normal."
She nodded slowly, gripping Grace's arm tightly, looking a little scared. Grace also looked a little stressed and uneasy.
“Don't worry. The pilot is a pro.” Leon tried to reassure them, but it didn't quite seem to work. He held out his hands, one for each to grab.
Emily didn't hesitate, her fingers instantly wrapped around his. Grace on the other hand waved it off.
But when the plane started moving, getting faster and faster and everything started to vibrate she changed her mind. Her hand grabbed his, tighter than Emily's. Then slowly they lifted off the ground.
Emily's breath caught. “Oh—” When the plane finally settled in the air, she let go of both hands and pressed them against the window again.
“We're flying.” She said, like she couldn't quite believe it.
Grace smiled, slowly letting go of Leon's hand too, watching Emily more than the view. "Yeah... we are.”
Emily laughed quietly, the sound full of pure excitement. "We're really flying!”
Leon watched her for a second, that faint smile pulling at his lips again before he leaned back into his seat. After a moment, he glanced over at Grace. "You ever been on a private jet before?"
Grace let out a short breath, still looking around. “No.”
He nodded once, like that confirmed exactly what he expected. "Figured."
She looked at him, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Yeah obviously.”
“... Everything looks so small.” Emily said enjoying the view.
Leon followed her gaze, looking out the window, seeing Raccoon City beneath them, giving him a cold feeling down his spine. His eyes shifted back to Emily and Grace. “You two okay?”
Grace nodded once, and Emily nodded a couple of times, not looking away. But her excitement didn't last forever. At some point, her voice got softer, her movements slowed and the shifting in her seat stopped. Her head fell slightly against Grace's arm, eyes closing slowly.
Grace glanced down at her and smiled faintly. "... Hey. Emily?” She whispered, like she was testing if she was still awake.
The little girl was out like a light, completely gone into her dreams.
A flight attendant stepped over quietly, already holding a folded blanket. Without a word, she handed it to Grace.
"Thank you.” Grace murmured, unfolded it carefully and draped it over Emily, tucking it lightly around her shoulders. The little girl stirred for a second, her fingers tightening a little against the fabric, then she settled again.
Leon watched it happen from across the aisle, one arm resting against the side of his seat. "... You should get some rest too.” He said after a moment.
Grace didn't look up. "I'm fine."
"You're not.” He replied, calmly.
She adjusted the blanket slightly around Emily. "I said I'm fine."
Leon didn't argue, didn't want to push her, just leaned back in his seat.
The cabin stayed quiet, the low hum of the engines filling the space, steady and constant. Grace's hand was still resting on Emily's arm, her thumb moving slowly and absentmindedly, like she didn't even realize she was doing it.
Then it suddenly stopped, her shoulders relaxed and her head tilted back slightly against the seat, eyes falling shut.
A small smile tugged at Leon's lips, watching Grace falling asleep just as fast as Emily.
The same flight attendant approached quietly, holding a second blanket. Leon gave a small nod, and she gently placed it over Grace, careful not to wake her. Now both of them were deep asleep, side by side.
Leon exhaled quietly through his nose, staying awake, even though his own exhaustion hit him hard. But he kept his eyes open, watching them, protecting them, making sure they were fine.