Work Text:
The bitter cold was what woke her up, biting at her legs now that her tights were muddied and torn, seeping through to her core despite the wool and leather coats insulating her from the floor. They'd found a secure enough room Leon had finally let them rest, just for a little while.
But Ashley didnt feel rested at all for the bit of sleep she'd gotten, how could she? She coughed, rubbing a line of dried blood that ran down her chin. And when she raised her eyes again into the room, it was empty. Leon wasnt sitting beside her, what little gear he has stripped was still laid in a pile there.
"Leon...?"
There was no answer besides a faint clicking, outside the door. It sounded familiar but she couldnt quite place it, but it was something. Dread seeped into her chest as she got up, willing herself not to but feeling compelled to look and find her own tether to safety in this god forsaken place.
Ashley made for the door before she could convince herself not to, and it was far too dark to see anything before her eyes could adjust. But there was clicking, and muffled steps.
Her eyes caught on boots in the grass, dragging with each step. The glint of the metal rivets in his shoulder holster caught her eye next, then the silver loop of duct tape that made it easier for her to hold onto it.
Blood, around his collar. Metallic clicking, squirming. Red, teeth, a patch of blood matted hair. His pistol half hidden in the frenzied tendrils, a finger pulling the trigger, the click of an empty magazine.
Ashley screamed. Thats all she could do, even when she sat up all over again and looked around, seeing that same pile of gear and hands reaching to her.
Leon was on his feet in a second, carefully gripping her shoulders before letting go when she squirmed away with another cry. "Ashley, hey, its okay. Youre okay, it was a dream," his voice was gentle, not the teasing or commands he'd had to give to get them this far, "Its alright, look at me."
She did, searched his face for anything from that dream, and found nothing. Just the black veins creeping up his neck now that she had too. "Okay..."
It took all her breath to say that one word, aware now she was sucking in deep gasps, and it still wasnt enough air. Ashley looked around the room, feeling the darkness of it close in around her.
"Hey, eyes on me. Were fine," She felt him take both her hands, and Ashley focused on that squeezing them hard. "Follow me, okay? Like we did before."
Breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold.
Breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold. Were alive.
Breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold. Were alive. Hes not one of those things.
Breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold. Leons not one of those things, shes not either, and theyre almost where they need to go. They just have to hang on. She can do it.
It takes longer than before, but eventually her breath is slowed and deeper, she doesnt feel herself shake anymore. Ashley lets go of his hands, but reaches out latch tightly onto him, burying her face in his shoulder. They sit that way-Leon stroking the back of her hair and rocking them both-just for a little bit.