Author's Note: It's just shy of one year since I've touched this pairing. I guess it's still painful for me to look back at them without seeing Hollie, but today is a special occasion. Today, September 5th 2012, marks what would have been Hollie's 19th birthday. I've been kind of spaced out all day, so I tried writing down something—anything, really—for her. I hope she's reading this from whenever she is, and knows how much I miss her. This piece isn't my best—far from it, actually—and a lot of it seems rather exaggerated, but this is what wanted to be written, so I just let it go.
It's within the little, fleeting moments that he falls in love with her.
It was in the small, barely there touches as her fingers ghost over his, sending a raging electrical storm through his body.
It was the way she looks at him with those wildfire eyes, stripping away his defenses and leaving him bare for the whole world to see.
It was her smile—the one that she saves just for him and makes him feel more awake and alive than any amount of pleasurable activities ever would.
Mostly importantly it was her kindness and courage; the way she fiercely protects all aspects inside of her life.
Because she's Claire Redfield, a fighter and a healer mixed into one indescribable woman.
He is relieved when he saves her life in Raccoon, interested when she returns the favor, concerned when they separate, and half in love with her by the next morning.
Claire Redfield could mean many things. She could be the teenager who escapes with you from a zombie-infested city, or she could be the caring, young adult that crouches down and allows Sherry Birkin to cry her eyes out over her shoulder. She could be the Valkyrie who spits fire when provoked, or the woman who breathes calm whenever she glances your way.
She's Claire Redfield and he's Leon Kennedy and it isn't always perfect, but they make it right.