Chapter Text
“So, you’re sending who in for this mission?” Leon asked, reclined in his chair. Him and Chris were sat down next to one another at a rinky-dink little table, Hunnigan across from them. She made a face at the question, eyes flicking between the men in front of her.
“You two.”
“What?” That had Leon sitting up in his seat, leaning over the table between them. Chris’ eyes went wide.
“You two are the ones getting sent in. You’re the most experienced members of your respective organizations, and have worked together before. You’re the best chance we have of this mission going over successfully.” Hunnigan took off her glasses, wiping down the lenses with the edge of her button up shirt.
“I really don’t think we’re the right fit, ma’am.” Chris said, eyeing Leon from his periphery. The man was fuming, pissed. Hunnigan shrugged.
“Like I said, you’re all we have right now.”
“Why didn’t our normal debrief team tell us this?” Leon spat. Hunnigan smirked, tipping her head to the side to hide it.
“They were worried you’d run off the minute you were told if anyone but me gave you the information.” She said, finally pushing the two files she had had in front of her through the whole conversation forward. Chris took his with a sigh, Leon glaring at his own like the manilla folder had insulted him.
“We have the backstory set up for you two. I would take these roles seriously if you want all of this to go over properly.” She advised. Hunnigan stood, striding over to the door in the back of the room, “Read it over. Good luck, and don’t be too upset over everything Leon.” She said with humor lacing her tone. She opened the door and stepped out.
They sat in uncomfortable silence. Chris shifted in his seat, clearing his throat.
“So…” Chris started.
“This is bullshit.” Leon spat, flipping open his folder violently, standing fast enough that his seat skidded backwards. He leaned over the file, reading over the blocks of text with a snarl tugging at his face unpleasantly. Chris opened his own folder calmly.
“A new strain of one of the viruses, being auctioned off to the one percent, and we have to go as the unlucky couple that found themselves in jail and their invitation in the hands of the DSO and BSAA? Are you kidding me?” Leon went on, looking through the files. Chris read over his own files. Mr. and Mr. Hoaks… huh. Those were definitely… names.
“I’m not happy either but you don’t see me crying about it.” Chris sighed, flipping over some of the papers. There were pictures, charts, maps, all laid out for them to read and study. Leon turned to give Chris a look that could kill.
“I’m not doing this.” Leon growled under his breath, shutting his folder.
Chris turned to frown at Leon, “So you’re risking a new strain getting unleashed and killing civilians… because your pride is suffering?” Chris asked, raising a brow. He knew what buttons to push, not that it made him happy to do it. Leon didn’t respond for a moment.
He turned away.
“You’re not gonna convince me to do this, Redfield. I’m sick of this shit. Find someone else, there’s handfuls of other agents to choose from.” Leon turned, stepping out of the room. He flung the door open and was gone, leaving the door to slam against the wall in his wake. Chris sighed.
It was going to be a long day.
Chris tracked Leon down, following the trail of startled agents and researchers that he had left in his wake. He found Leon out on a fire escape, leaning against a set of thin stairs. Chris climbed his way out through the window, careful to not drop any papers from the two folders he was holding.
He wiggled his way into leaning against the staircase Leon was on. There was quiet, just the sound of passing cars far below them.
Chris was trying to think of what to say, formulate words, when Leon spoke up.
“I don’t want to do this. You’re not convincing me.” He said, voice soft and defeated. Chris peaked over his shoulder, taking in Leon hugging his knees, chin resting on top of them and overlooking the lit-up night of the city below.
“Frankly, I don’t want to do this either. There’s a lot of acting that’s gonna go into this and I never was a good liar.” He said, tone light. A half-hearted laugh came from Leon, his shoulders shaking. Leon sighed.
Cars passed below, the bustle of the night reaching their ears and eyes. It was hypnotic in it’s own way.
“It should be quick though… Only a few days at most.” Chris said.
“We always think a mission will be short. Then everything goes to shit.” Leon said. Chris shrugged. He wasn’t wrong.
“People’ll get hurt if we don’t go.” Chris tried. Leon shifted.
“Don’t they anyways?” He asked. Sympathy swelled in Chris. He understood, really, he did. No matter what, people get hurt and die.
“But less will get hurt if we go.” He countered.
Quiet.
Leon let out a long-suffering sigh. He reached a hand towards Chris, palm up. Chris gave him his folder.
“It better only be a few days.” Leon said, stretching out his legs over the edge of the escape, opening the file again. Chris huffed a laugh, relieved that Leon was coming around.
“They’ve got a jet for us to take early tomorrow,” Chris said, standing and moving back over to the window by the escape, “See you there?” He asked, sticking a leg back into the building.
“See you there.” Leon said, still sounding disheartened. Chris trusted he would be there. He climbed back into the building.