Disclaimer: I (sadly) do not own Resident Evil, Leon or Krauser. They belong to Capcom.

Warnings: Slash, yaoi, general angst.

i know it starts out slow, but I'm hoping people will still give it a chance. Feedback is greatly appreciated :)

...

Leon knew he was dying.

There couldn't be a coming back from this, especially not when he was stuck here all alone, he knew that.

Deep down.

In a hospital, probably, but not in a ditch in a foreign country, surrounded by Ganados, and God only knows what else. He cursed himself weakly for being so careless. He had just been so thirsty, and the waterfall too inviting.

Too loud, too, apparently.

He snickered humourlessly, but quickly gave a sharp cough when the blood bubbled up from somewhere deep inside him.

He hadn't heard the Ganados before an axe was buried deep in his side.

He had always somewhat prided himself with his instincts, instincts which had saved him in Raccoon City, so maybe his arrogance finally got the better of him.

He rolled himself over on his back with a grunt. The exertion made the world tip and swirl, and sparks flew in his peripheral vision. He felt dizzy and nauseated. But most of all angry with himself.

He didn't want to die. At least not like this. He hadn't had a fairty-tale fantasy of dying surrounded by children and grandchildren, his line of work didn't come with a guarantee of a peaceful end, but at least something better than this.

I did save Ashley though, he thought. I did my duty.

His hands dug into the cool earth, and he tried to fix his gaze on the stars above him. A strange calm came over him then. Acceptance, even.

Maybe this isn't so bad.

His eyelids kept fluttering, and his chest felt heavy, like it usually did right before he fell asleep.

It wasn't uncomfortable.

Easier than falling asleep, he though, before he drifted into unconsciousness.

...

He was flying. Floating. Drifting.

Or... Something.

He tried to open his eyes, but the light stung his eyes. The world moved in waves. Gentle waves.

Is this dying, he quietly mused. Is this it?

His hands hung weightlessly by his sides, but there was definite pressure under his back and knees.

Is someone... Carrying me...?

Leon drifted off again.

...

When he came to he was surprised to find himself in a bed. The bed sheets were cleaner than the ones he'd seen in the village, but not exactly up to his standard. He made a strange gargle at the thought. He had more pressing matters to worry about.

He tried to raise his gaze from the bed to the actual room, but ended up just pressing his eyelids back together with all his might. The light made him light-headed, his pulse showing in his line of vision, creating a strange, rippling effect on everything around him, like a fun house mirror.

Nausea rose up in him again, so he kept his eyes closed.

He tried to tune his ears, but heard nothing, except the familiar sounds of the river that seemed to surround this whole place.

I must still be in the village then. The realization made his heart sink.

He had been silently hoping that they had found him. Found him and brought him home.

Home.

Tears stung his eyes, but he didn't have time to dwell on it as he could hear the sudden sound of a door slamming somewhere below him, followed by footsteps.

Someone is here!

Adrenaline rushed through his body, and his pulse pounded in his ears as he heard someone walk with heavy footsteps up a staircase, getting closer to where he was lying defenseless and alone.

Keep calm! A voice inside him demanded. Control your breathing!

He decided to obey and forced himself to take long, slow breaths. It calmed the ringing in his ears, and he could feel his pulse slow a bit.

The light dulled, as if someone was leaning over him, Leon hadn't heard anyone approach him, which surprised him, considering how heavy the footsteps had sounded coming up the stairs. He wanted so badly to open his eyes, to lock eyes with whomever loomed above him, but he didn't.

Instead he kept his breathing slow and steady, until light again flooded over his face.

Whoever it was had left.

Leon opened his right eye just a crack and found the room empty. Dizziness didn't overpower him now, so he got a quick overview of the room. He was in a bed along the wall, a small wooden staircase in the other end of the room leading down somewhere. A window was directly in front of him, halfway blinded with a ragged curtain.

It didn't give him much.

He cursed himself for not coming with Ashley when the helicopter came for her, too stubborn to leave any unfinished business behind.

A familiar sound rose from the room underneath, interrupting his angry internal monologue. A crackling sound, like fire, followed by the inviting smell of bacon.

His stomach both churned and rumbled, as the thought of food equally disgusted and enticed him.

Leons eyes starting darting around the room, desperately trying to find an escape route. The window was his safest bet, but he wasn't sure if he'd make the jump.

Or the walk over to the window itself.

The sound of someone coming back up the stairs disrupted his planning and he quickly closed his eyes and resumed the slow breathing.

Someone was there again. The light flickered as someone soundlessly crossed the room, and he could smell firewood as someone stood by his side.

"You might as well open your eyes Leon, I know you're awake."

That familiar gruff voice, but...?

Leon opened his eyes, and tried to look at the man who now was seated in a small chair next to the bed, his fingers caressing that all too familiar knife.

"Krauser... But I..."

"Killed me?" Krauser offered with a smirk. "No, not that easy, I'm afraid. Looks like someone did a number on you though." He pointed his knife towards Leons abdomen, who immediately put his arm protectingly across the aching wound.

The pain as his arm brushed against the tender flesh made him squirm and close his eyes again.

"Why did you save me?" Leon asked through clenched teeth.

"Believe it or not, comrade, I need you."

Krausers voice had that dangerous edge to it, even though the tone was friendly enough.

Like a purring tiger, Leon thought, bewildered and slightly amused.

"The gig is up. Saddler and Wesker both want me dead, and you might be my only ticket back to the states"

Leon tried to laugh, but the coughing made it sound more like a sharp bark.

"You don't need anyone, Krauser. You've never needed anyone your whole life".

A flicker of emotion crossed Krausers face, but his eyes were cold when he answered.

"You don't exactly earn boyscout points for kidnapping the Presidents daughter, you know".

Leon fell silent. Made sense. The man who kidnapped her could easily get back in with the man who saved her. Maybe Krauser would force him to make up some bullshit story on how they had worked together all along.

The chair creaked as Krauser got up and stretched.

"I made food" He didn't wait for Leon to respond, but moved across the room, less cat-like now that Leon was awake, and descended the staircase.

Leons stomach churned again. Bacon wouldn't sit well in his stomach.

His fears were not justified, because when Krauser returned he had a tray with a small bowl of clear broth, a glass of water and thin slices of toast.

"I didn't know you had it in you" Leon said weakly as Krauser helped him up in a half-sitting position and put pillows behind his back.

"You'd be surprised" Krauser simply said and put the tray in front of him. "Just don't expect a sponge-bath."

Leon gave another bark-like laugh before shakily grasping the glass of water offered.

He took small sips, but he still gave quiet half-gasps between each sip, as if he was drowning.

Krauser didn't say anything, just observed him quietly with his brows furrowed.