Artist Notes: This was inspired by knune's tales Running up that Hill Part 1 and part 2 and Draw The Line In The Horizon all which are must reads for all Claire/Wesker fans! Believe me you won't be disappointed!
This tale was written to fit into knune's universe (as she has given me permission) and takes place just before the opening scene of Draw the line in the Horizon.
Claire's things were sprawled out all over her brother's already messy desk. Papers covered in scribbled writing, doodles of stick men and other strange images Wesker was not sure he wanted to decipher, were her schoolbooks. With her right leg hanging over the arm of her chair, a pen caught firmly between her lips and a binder that was barely held together at the seams in her lap Claire sat deep in thought.
It was not the first time she had taken over her brother's desk while he was on duty; Albert also knew it would not be her last. He used to believe she was waiting for Chris's return so she could get a ride home after her classes. Wesker now knew it had nothing to with her brother and everything to do with spending more time in his company; the feeling was mutual.
It had not even been a full day since his arrival back from vacation when he returned to the police station. He was not due back on duty until tomorrow but he had other matters to attend to that could not wait.
Upon entering the Police Station his presence immediately caught attention; Albert Wesker was rarely, if ever, seen in anything outside of his S.T.A.R.S uniform. Their watchful eyes were entirely ignored; he was not here for their amusement.
He got no further than the hallway that led to the S.T.A.R.S offices when he found Claire cursing a coke machine. Desperately she attempted to shake free the precious can of soda pop that was held in its clutches. With a hint of a smirk he fed the machine another dollar and Claire became the proud owner of two canned drinks, not one. Her embarrassed smile and sheepish apology marked their reunion; it reminded him that he was home.
An hour later and Albert was playing catch up on past reports, while she prepared for her midterms.
What began as a scholarly discussion about viruses-rather her lack of knowledge about them-ended with Barry's interruption. Wesker wanted nothing more than for the burly S.T.A.R.S member to collect his miserable guns and leave. From behind Barry's back, she flashed an amused grin and rolled her eyes; Albert's frustrations were forgotten.
Now they were alone and Claire's attentions were unnaturally focussed on her books. Her rosy cheeks marked the regret she felt for her brazen actions a moment ago. Wesker paid it no mind; he knew it was time to act.
"You must be hungry," he noted in casual tones.
"How you'd guess?" She replied without ever glancing up.
Albert had never known her not to have an appetite and attributed it to a high metabolism. Claire lived off a diet of fast food and sweets, yet her athletic figure was flawless in form.
"I have my ways," he answered with a hint of a smile. It would be some time before her brother would return and he was certain she had not had the chance to eat proper meal.
"So where should we go for dinner?" His question was more of a statement.
"Cools Pizza," she replied with a grin. Her eyes were focused on her books, while the pen hung precariously balanced between her lips.
The greasy spoon restaurant was a common hang out for most of the S.T.A.R.'s members, though Wesker himself had never been. It was not his first choice but Claire was intent on it and he was not about to argue the matter.
"Very well. Would you care to go now or would you prefer to wait a bit?"
It did not occur to him that Claire was not taking him seriously until her head snapped up and the pen dropped from her mouth, clattering on the table before her.
"Wait, you serious?" she balked. At any other time, he would have been irked by such a foolish question. The rosy colour collecting in her cheeks and the disbelieving smile that crept on her lips made it impossible to be annoyed. It was equally difficult to look away.
"Cause if I didn't know any better I'd say-"
"That I was asking you on a date?" he finished for her. Wesker smirked feeling rather pleased with himself. It would seem the direct approach was the best course of action after all.
Claire laughed as she nodded in reply. Her attempts to hide her embarrassment at being overly presumptuous fell short as her glowing red cheeks had given her away. He did not mind, her unbridled honesty and innocence was as refreshing as it was intriguing.
"I can't think of what else it would be called," Wesker stated in sincere tones.
Claire fell silent for a moment as she considered his words. In her eyes, he could see the internal struggle, the weighing of options and the realization that this was doomed from the start. He briefly wondered if she knew only a short time ago, he too had been in her exact position; he doubted it.
Her decision made, Claire closed her books and rose to her feet. Dressed in torn black jeans, a faded Harley t-shirt and worn out old biker boots she looked nothing like the women Wesker had known before. She was a Valkyrie, his Valkyrie.
"Alright, let's go," she said with a playful grin as she sauntered to the door. With a small smile of his own, Albert joined her side and together they stepped out into the night.
There would be no looking back.