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Ada looked at the man whom she would marry a near two decades from now.
He walked into the room carefully with his gun out, scanning the room for any possible threats. Ada, of course, hid as she did many years ago.
This interaction was just as she remembered. By this point, she would reveal herself and after an exchange of words, the two would clash, the latter showing off the results of his training. She would compliment him to his satisfaction, dodge his prying, and test the resolve that had brought him to this point.
But right now, was there really a need to go through the motions?
After so many years of playing the cat and mouse game, and cutting away previous ties, to be able to imagine a future with the love of her life, she was put back here again.
They couldn’t even go on the honeymoon Leon had planned for them after he had just gotten a long-awaited approved vacation. For that, Ada had to sacrifice her own time behind the scenes without Leon knowing.
All of that was pulled away from her in a moment’s time. She glanced down at the absence of a ring on her finger, before turning back to Leon.
He was going to leave now. Should she make her move?
“Leon.” His name was the first thing to come out of her mouth since her older consciousness had been brought here. She had stepped out from the shadows, presenting herself in front of him. Although holding on to her weapon, she had not raised her arm to point it at him.
“Ada, and what do you need this time?” Leon scoffed. He lowered his gun, though remaining wary of her.
This attitude was just as she remembered. Compared to the golden retriever she was used to dealing with, she was currently faced with a trained german shepherd, a haughty one at that. But she knew, despite how hard he tried to be cold and indifferent, he still cared about her.
The past six years was enough time for Leon to receive intel of Ada’s survival. He was relieved to see her again, but bitter and resentful because of how she vanished from his life without having ever contacted him. He wanted closure to their complicated relationship, and even years later, that always seemed to be what he was searching for.
“I missed you”
Leon felt a thump in his chest. He wasn’t sure he had heard that correctly. “What?” All that composure seemed to disappear in an instant as his voice nearly cracked. His eyes widened, reflecting his bewilderment.
“I said I missed you. I don’t really know what to say…could you hold me for a little while?” Ada approached him with her arms open, though the gesture lacked confidence. Despite her sultry voice, she wasn't used to being the one to make requests in the relationship, and the awkwardness showed in every hesitant step and uncertain movement.
“What are you playing at, Ada?” He was still scowling, but a blush had rushed to his face, his neck and the tips of his ears.
His body flinched upon hearing the request, yet he remained in the same spot.
Soon they were face to face and Ada tested the waters as she leaned in.
Her arms slipped under his, wrapping around his waist as she placed her head on his chest. His back straightened. His heart was thumping loud and hard enough that she could feel it. His arms hovered awkwardly next to her. He was confused, hesitating to return the hug. Many thoughts ran through his mind until they stopped entirely.
His body was warm. It was comforting. Ada closed her eyes and snuggled into his chest. Leon, on the other hand, was frozen. This continued for a bit, until they were interrupted by sounds coming from outside the window. Right, the mission.
Ada pulled away, her face seemingly satisfied. “See you later, handsome.” She ran to the window and zipped away with her hookshot, leaving Leon to confront his nervous heart.
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“Looking for something?” Leon turned his head around to see Ada standing at the dock, the boat keys dangling between her fingers.
“Ada!” He seemed noticeably more flustered when he saw her now, no doubt because of their earlier meeting. Between then and now, she was also unusually compliant, helping him multiple times along the way with his mission. There were many things that he had wanted to say to her, but there wasn’t a lot of time given the circumstances.
Her heels clicked on the floor as she approached the boat.
“I can give them to you…under some conditions” she teased, curling her fingers around the dangling keys and drawing them back into her palm.
He shook his head and stepped out of the speedboat. “What do you want, Ada? Why play this game?” Leon looked exasperated that she was joking around at a time like this.
“Come on, I’m sure you’ll like it too.”
“Ada-”
Given their height difference, Ada pulled him down by his chest holster and kissed him. She pressed her lips onto his and just as quickly, pulled away.
His face reddened with a mix of emotions, anger, embarrassment, shame, and fluster. “Ada!” Leon grabbed the wrist that was still holding him by his holster. “Why are you doing this?”
Whatever she was doing, her charms were just as effective to this man now as it was six years ago. He tried to convince himself that her actions could only have served a purpose in fulfilling one of her missions.
She leaned in again, only to be blocked by his hand.
“Please stop. Is this just a game to you? What you did earlier too, is it fun playing with me? How much before you’re satisfied?”
Oh. His expression crumpled into one of hurt and pleading, the same look he'd worn when her lies were exposed on that bridge.
It felt like a cruel joke. He was afraid to give her his heart again, even a little, even for a moment.
“...I’m sorry, Leon.” Ada was careless. The woman inside her was from the future, where she and Leon had already endured everything and come out together in love, but the present Ada had not yet walked that path with him.
She contemplated her actions while Leon had thoughts of his own.
Since meeting her in the castle, Leon had noticed something in her eyes: sincerity, and beneath it, what he hoped was love and affection. When she hugged him, he felt her breathing ease, as though his touch had calmed her.
What did she mean by her apology? Had she already regretted what she did to him? Was she going to leave him again?
Leon frowned. His hand was still grasped around her wrist when he pulled her towards him and captured her lips in a sudden, consuming kiss. His mouth soon pried open hers, deepening the kiss as his warm tongue found its way in.
“Mmh” Ada moaned into his mouth, which seemed to only edge him on, as he kissed her more forcefully. She was practically pulled into his chest, his arms wrapped around her back and waist, holding her there as if he were afraid she might break free.
After he finally released her, they were both out of breath, their faces warm as they stared at each other as if they were the only two people in the world.
“We should go.” Ada was the first to break the silence.
“Ada-”
“Let’s leave the questions for later, okay handsome?” Ada dropped into the driver’s seat and tilted her head, gesturing to Leon to get in.
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Ada looked over at the sulking man and chuckled to herself. Cute.
The only thing she could smile about on this darn adventure was him.
Although his head was turned away and upper body leaning on the edge of the boat, his lower body seemed to tell another story. He was manspreading well into her space, his leg stretched out onto her side of the boat.
With her other hand still on the steering wheel, she complied with his wishes and placed her gloved hand on his thigh. She felt a subtle reaction from his body, but that was enough to tell her that she had his full attention.
“You know, I'd like to see you again” Ada said, caressing his thigh with her thumb.
Leon flicked his head over in an instant.
“Have you changed, Ada?...Or are you just trying to use me again?” He said the last part in an almost whisper. Truthfully, he had begun to feel hopeful.
“Do you trust me?”
He felt a lump in his throat; her eyes almost looked like a plead. They had this conversation before. Everything between them was bringing him back to when they first met. They had only known each other for a couple hours, but that was enough for a dangerous bond, government agent and mercenary, to form.
“Ada. Racoon City. After the incident. The world changed. You try to save one person; a hundred others die. I guess I--”
“You haven’t changed, Leon. You just think you have.” Ada interrupted him.
The boat was still, brought to a stop; her hands had left the wheel and were found cupping his face. “You know, that’s what I like about you.” His pulse quickened. Her fingers traced his lips before she leaned in and kissed him the way she knew he liked to be kissed.
Each time her lips made contact with his, it was careful and gentle. The one Leon engaged was filled with longing, passion, and desperation. This was different. It was slow and more relaxed. This was her answer. She kissed him as if she truly cherished him, moving with a tenderness that matched his pace and every breath.
Even after she pulled away, he could feel a tingling sensation left on his lips.
“Don’t think too hard, handsome.”
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“Ada, what are you doing?” He pushed himself off of the concrete, head tilted up to look at her.
After the explosion, Leon was flung onto the ground, the amber dropping down next to him, that amber, which was now in the palm of Ada’s hand.
“Securing the amber wasn’t in your job description. Besides, Luis and I had an agreement” She responded as though just plainly stating a fact.
Unexpectedly, she offered him her hand. He took it, albeit without fully understanding the present situation.
Ada almost felt bad for the emotional rollercoaster she had been giving the poor man, but seeing him so confused was too cute. So much so that “So cute” unconsciously slipped out of her mouth with a slight chuckle.
Leon’s hand was still held in Ada’s, yet to be released. A blush crept up to his face. He couldn’t pretend like he hadn’t heard what she said or come up with a witty joke in response.
Ignoring her obvious slip-up, Ada continued, “Your priority is getting Baby Eagle off this island. Luis and I have our own arrangement." She gestured to Luis and Ashley who were approaching them now. They had been on standby and watched the exchange between them, unsure if it was the appropriate time to make their appearances.
The distant chop of rotor blades grew closer.
“Ride’s here.” Ada placed her other hand over Leon's, which was still holding hers. Understanding the gesture, he finally let go.
Before he could step away, she cupped his face and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. His eyes widened in surprise, and the two onlookers stared at them in stunned silence. Ashley covered her mouth as if she had seen something unbelievable.
“Try not to take 5 months this time.” She said in a low whisper as she slipped an object into his hand. It was the jet ski key, still adorned with her little bear charm. The charm had been turned over to its zipper side, the tiny zipper left slightly open. A corner of a folded white note peeked out from inside.
“Til next time, Leon”