PROMPT 1: Love at First Sight
Synopsis: Leon gets drawn into a discussion that sets troubling in his heart. And Claire is there to fix it.
#Post-Resident Evil 7 #Post-Resident Evil: Village #Not Beta Read
Notes: I thought I could finish the fics in the given timeframe. But got held up with IRL work stuff. Hence, this would be my late entry for CLEON Valentine's Week event. Happy reading and cheers!
February 2030
His Chelsea boots pattered against the walnut wooden flooring as Leon made one last round of checking the kitchen to have all the appliances in order before leaving the house. Satisfied, he trekked his way to the foyer and stopped by the thermostat. He decided 10F was good enough to keep the house warm while he was gone. He drew his grey woolen overcoat around him and shuffled next to the staircase. Left hand gripping the box newel post with his forefinger tapping the wooden surface, he peered his head upward expecting any of the occupants upstairs to come down. Alas, none appeared. So, he announced his margin of waiting for them to notify his patience limitation.
"Lady and gent, you got 2 minutes!"
Thereafter, his 8-year-old son pranced his way down the staircase while humming a song. He was certain it was Thunderstruck by AC/DC. Last week, he caught him uttering the lyrics of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queens. Although he had his doubts about whether the song was appropriate for his young age, Leon let it slide. And would not pry on how his son came across all these rock-n-roll bands. His guess was Chris Redfield. Senior or Junior, he was not sure. Scott could not hide his excitement on his coming meeting with his older cousin. Leon's sedulous eyes followed the boy until he reached the end plight of the staircase. With his backpack loosely hanging on one side of the shoulder, Scott ran his fingers through his hair as he made eye contact with his father. A toothy grin gleamed on his face. The whole of his demeanor made Leon chuckle in incredulity.
Good God!
His deep blue eyes alone were enough to say Scott was his. In addition to his dirty blond hair cut exactly like Leon's usual hairstyle, Scott was the exact carbon copy of him. However, Leon thought his son was a lot cooler when he was about his age. It might be because he was the youngest among his close male peers. To fit in, he gravitated to make them as an example.
"Where's your sister?"
"Dunno. She has been fussing about finding the red beret that she got from you."
"I thought she didn't like it?"
Leon received a nonchalant shrug be an answer from Scott. Then, the boy professed, "She has been weird these few days."
"Weird how?"
"Moody. I don't know. And this morning she asked me what -love at first sight- is. How would I know? First, she was mad at me and then she started crying."
Leon's surprise was manifested in his wording, "What?"
"Is love at first sight the same as crushes?" Scott's eyes went wide and asserted without waiting for an answer, "Maybe she has a crush on someone."
Confusion was written all over Leon's face. "Not a word until I confirm this." Scott responded with a nod.
The thudding sound every time the heavy steps were taken against the walnut wooden thread was heard clearly from below. They were expressing the somberness of the person that currently climbing down the stairs. Both of the males that stood by the last plight of the stairs mumed their conversation earlier.
When his daughter reached the floor, the place where he stood; he asked in a soft voice. "Did you find what you looking for?"
The floor was a lot more interesting to Lara than the two males in front of her. Tugging the straps of her backpack as her sign of dejection, she only answered her father's query with a dispirited head shake. Scott looked back and forth between his father and his twin sister. The gloomy air was too hard for him to perceive as he swallowed the lump in his throat due to nervousness.
"Ponytail?", asked Leon, wanting to neutralize the situation.
Lara finally lifted her head and met Leon's gaze. "Yes, please."
After years of practice with Claire, doing a ponytail to his daughter was not something that caused him headaches. He skilfully gathered her hair and secured it in a high ponytail. In comparison to her twin brother's blond hair, hers was auburn. Her shade of red was a lot darker than Claire's, sometimes it gave the appearance of a brunette. She was saddened by the fact it looked different from her mother's, but Claire assured her it would get lighter as she grew older. To comfort her further, Claire convinced her that she could just dye her hair red. Problem solved.
Leon saw Scott stealing glances at his sister. The boy tried to study her expression and hoped she had settled her upset self. Alas, Lara was still wearing her cloudy face. So, he stayed tight-lipped and watched his father tie her sister's hair in silence. The winter snow refused to retire even now it was already mid-February. After making sure that the kids were properly dressed for the bone-chilling weather, Leon walked them hand-in-hand to the car with small strides and guarded steps. The three of them left their residence when the day started closing to a night in the thickest of February snow.
Since they left Pimmit Hills, stillness and silence pervaded the whole drive to downtown Ballston. The twins, especially Lara decided to go see Claire first before heading to North Springfield. Once the car glided into the I-66 expressways, he caught a glimpse of his twins, from the rearview mirror. Scott got his eye glued on the screen of the Nintendo Switch that he borrowed from his cousin. He must be making the final run of playing the games since he opted to return to its rightful owner afterward. His ear was stuffed with earbuds, presumably to give the other car occupants some privacy.
Leon peeped further to the right searching for his daughter. He found her propping her head against the window glass, chin settled on the window frame, head lazily tucked upward. Enthrallment to the darkness which was illuminated in intervals by the streetlights and the moving cars; was the last thing he could describe of his daughter right now as she gazed apathetically through the car window. Her mind was somewhere else. He tapped his finger on the steering to bite down his nervousness. He caught a glance from Scott, the boy was also squirming in his seat. He had lost his focus on the games. He was a good brother, if something going on with Lara he would like to follow through. Not because they were twin but because his mother instilled in them the value of reliance on sibling kinship.
Could not bear the morose look on his daughter's face, so Leon decided to pry.
"Do you want to hear music, Lara-Bear?"
The nickname she proclaimed after hearing Chris addressing Claire as Claire-Bear. Lara straightened up when being called by her father only to shake her head. Leon saw Scott had forsaken the electronic device in his hand and averted his head anticipating his sister's reply. When he received her lukewarm reply, Leon stared at his son's eyes briefly through the mirror before returning his attention to the road. The unimpressed look on Scott's face indicated his demurral towards his father's approach to deal with the situation.
"Dad, I have a question."
Here we go.
Leon mentally braved himself, he was about to receive a cynical head-on thinking from his son.
"Yes."
"What is- love at first sight?"
The question got Lara's head whirled subsequently shooting a deathly glare at his twin brother. As usual, Scott took no heed of the warning and ignored her.
"Er...well. It's an expression that when you start to feel love with someone after meeting them for the first time.", answered Leon.
"So, just happened during your first meeting?"
"That correct way to put it."
"So, whom is that you experience with?"
"It's your Mom believe it or not. When I saw her for the first time, I knew she was the one for me."
"How you know?"
"When saw her she was the most beautiful person I ever met that night. When I first met her."
"So, you like her because she's just pretty?"
Scott sniggered, while Leon's brow furrowed. He thought his son was going to dunk him into the ocean pit. The best to put to the current situation was that he was interrogated by his own kids. He found his son had the knack for digging up information. His persistence reminded him of Claire. On the other hand, Lara was the reminiscence of himself, her observable stare did not leave him once like a hawk aiming a prey, throughout the exchanges between him and his twin brother.
"No, she was more than just being pretty. As I got to know her, I became attracted to her more."
"But that's not from a glance when you first met her? You said love at first sight happened when you first met each other."
"I said, I'm attracted to her more. Meaning I was already attracted to her at the first meeting."
"Attraction? Not love?"
"Attraction led to love, Scott."
It felt like he needed to emphasize further. He added, "Look, this is how I know I was madly in love with you Mom the moment we met."
Scott asked with a grin. "Okay. How?"
"I'd get all sorts of trouble just about everything involving your Mom. Whether to make her happy or to keep her safe. Or simple as just to be with her."
"So you do believe in...love at first sight?", asked Lara, finally interested to join the conversation.
"Of course."
He was expecting that Lara would rejoice to his declaration but her face looked further gloomed in sadness. If he knew better, any minute she was about to cry.
What going on?
"Is it worth though? Because there are plenty more fish in the sea?" Scott wiggled his brows at Lara whereas she huffed in disgust.
"If you know your heart, then it's totally worth it. But where did you learn that?"
"Of course the internet, Dad."
"Scott, you got to lay off the internet man. Start listen to your Mom. Maybe read a book."
"I did. I just finished Dawn Trader."
"Yeah, with illustrations.", chided Lara sardonically.
"Yo, I still read. Unlike someone worried about crushes." Scott riposted with slight irritation.
Leon admonished his son by calling out, "Scott."
Bewildered Lara asked, "What crushes?"
"You and all mushy about this -love at first sight-."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. And you've been pissy ever since that call from Aunt Sherry." Scott lambasted Lara's rebuttal feedback since he thought his sister was in denial.
"Guys-"
"This is not about my crushes. Even if I got crushes, this is more serious. It's about Daddy.", refuted Lara to Scott's remark with a raised voice at the end.
"What? About me?"
Now that's a plot twist, his thought murmured. He voiced his confusion, yet was deafened by the noise of the twins squabbling which now included more unrelated topics. Leon was gradually sucked into the senses of enervation. He was wrangling Scott's satirical sense of humor and, at the same time was tackling Lara's delicate inkling. He did not need this when he got a dinner date that he had been waiting for since Christmas with his wife.
"Guys, listen up." Leon interrupted, his voice was flat and authoritative. The car was moving away from the expressway as it entered the ramp of Exit 71.
When both of the twins ceased getting on at each other throat, he continued, "The main point is that I love your mother and she loves me too. Scott, you not helping here. And Lara, about this -love at first sight- thingy, for me, it was your mother. It has always been your mother."
There was no plight of relief in Lara's expression. He added, "And I'm pretty sure I will be the same with your mother. That I'm her lover at first sight."
There tremor in his last words, he cleared his throat to hide it. Truthfully, he was not sure. They never discussed it with each other. In his opinion, they were afraid of each other given answers. Afraid to be gutted and heartbroken.
"I highly doubt that."
Casting her gaze back to the window, Lara spoke with high credence. Then, she added, "After all, I think it stupid."
"You calling me stupid?"
"No, I think the idea is stupid."
"The idea?" Scott was too slow to comprehend what Lara trying to say. He faced Lara, giving all his undivided attention to his sister.
"Well, it didn't matter. Cause Mommy didn't believe in it."
As soon as Lara finished those sentences, the car came to a stop. Scott who just now was cheery succumbed to despair. Leon pivoted his upper body to face both of his children in the back seat.
"Mommy said that?", queried Scott.
"I heard her say to Aunt Sherry."
"We're here."
Leon's voice dropped to icy cold and they both turned to him. Lara's bright blue eyes were beckoning his. It all made sense now. It was not Claire that her heart crying for, it was him. If not believe it, then it was true that her Daddy was not captured by her Mommy's heart. Then, he would be heartbroken. Must be her logic, Leon thought.
"Can we go greet Mommy? I wanna give her something."
"Yes. We can."
He drove the car from the main entrance of the TerraSave building and parked at the empty parking spot by the roadside. He drew in Scott's hand, just to make sure he did not wander alone. He heaved Lara up, holding her like a 4-year-old kid. She encircled her arms around his neck, finding the security that she usually had since a baby. Making their way into the building, only Scott was talking and asking questions. Lara in comparison was on high alert with focused eyes trying to catch a glimpse of her mother.
Leon notified Claire through a brief call as soon as they reached the lobby. There were still workers coming in and out, who worked late at this after-hours. Nonetheless, the place was still sparse with people in comparison during the day. A few familiar faces greeted him, some of them were Claire's staff. He smiled back in return. As soon as she set her feet on the floor, Lara ran to one of the sofas that got a full view of the elevator. Scott followed suit and slumped his small body next to her, he pulled out the portable game console from his jacket and continued the game where he left off.
While Leon stood next to them, his gaze fell back to his daughter again who diligently eyed the elevator door to open and hoping to have her mother appear sooner. The revelation of her being upset just now became a mounting disquietude for him. Even, her notion swelled his heart with love, seeing her daughter's distress set a turbulent in him. The wheel of his brain was working on what way he could do to soothe her upset daughter. If he told her that he did not care about him being the first for her mother, it felt like he discrediting his love for her mother. His brain was stuck in the same loop of blunder and frustration.
How to do this?
When the elevator dinged, the three of them zeroed their eyes in the direction of the elevator. The door cracked open and spewed out the occupants inside. At last, the long-awaited silhouette emerged to much of their delight. The obsidian black swing coat flared as she moseys her way towards them. Her usual leather tote handbag was slung in the crook of her arm, it matched the color of her coat and her round-toe chunky pumps. She got her hair visibly curled under the red beret she donning on her head, with her red woolen gloves in her hand. Now he knew the reasoning behind Lara's fussing over her red beret.
That was most definitely not what Claire wore when she left home. Was she? Leon had gone to deep slumber after arriving from a 10-hour flight from Geneva. He did manage to slip his kisses to the kids and Claire, right before they moved on with their daily schedule. Right after sending the kids to school, Leon remembered her secretary arrived this morning since they decided to carpool to Bethesda for an unscheduled meeting. But not in this vintage ensemble though. Now, he felt underdressed even though he had his best suit worn. It was the grey pure wool three-piece suit that Claire bought for him. Goddammit! She always outdid him in the looks department without even trying.
"You both can close your mouth now."
A proud smirk plastered on his daughter's face amused by her male kindreds gawking at her mother's presence. Lara's behavior felt like Claire was hers alone, rather than being shared with them all. This has been silent competition between the three of them. It was far from detrimental but the twin mischievous stunts could sometimes be provoking.
You cheeky squirt! Your mommy is my wife.
"Dad, Mom looks like someone from the black-and-white movies."
Scott was right. His wife looked exactly like the heroine from the 1950s movies. He resigned in cognizance, "Yes indeed."
Claire reached in front of her daughter and gracefully lowered herself down to have the same eye level as her.
"Daddy said you want to see me before we go see Uncle Chris."
"You really look beautiful, Mommy.", admitted Scott. Now they both crowded Claire as Leon watched afar.
Didn't all of you see her this morning...
Lara nodded and said, "I wanted to give you this. I finished making them this evening. It's Daisy, your favorite. I have one too, see."
It was the DIY crochets that recently got Lara obsessing about making them in her spare time. The craft piece was far from perfect. It was an outlook of the flower but with hanging string, sloppy knits, and uneven petals. For Claire, it was unique in many ways nonetheless.
Scott peeked into the craft that was held out in Lara's hand. He was about to entreat them with his blunt commentary but pressed his lips together when he saw Claire narrow her eyes at him as a soft reminder to keep it shut. Highly impressed, Leon let out a silent laugh witnessing how her wife handled their son by making a statement just through eye contact. To cheer him up, he ruffled the boy's hair.
"It's beautiful. Go ahead put it on my coat." Lara nodded energetically and pulled her mitten between her teeth.
"It's Valentine's Day. So, I made it red like you usually get from Daddy."
"Well, thank you."
"Done. I look the same as you." Scott unconsciously rolled his eyes scoffing at her remark, but cleared his throat to cover it so it did not get caught by Claire.
"Okay. Let's head to Uncle Chris." Leon chimed in, at the same meeting his wife's gleaming gaze and alluring smile.
-*-
"Something is bothering you. Everything okay in Switzerland?"
Claire snugged his arm, hugging him closer. Their hand linked together, as they stood in front of The Capital Grille waiting for the valet to bring the car.
"All good."
"What the matters?"
Leon gazed down at her. Beautiful eyes... After 32 years of knowing each other, they pretty much could read each other thoughts. He decided not to dodge the question and come clean.
"It's about something that Lara said earlier."
"About what?"
"Love at first sight." When she heard his reply, she could pick out what exactly had been clouding Leon's mind.
"She heard what I said to Sherry?"
Leon nodded as Claire's Beemer rolled down and came to a stop in front of them. The valet returned the key to Leon, and in return, he tipped the boy subsequently they both walked to the car. Seatbelt secured; Leon started driving away from the restaurant. Biting his lower lips to curb his anticipation that Claire would continue. When he was rendered with silence, Leon reached out her hand and interlaced their fingers together. He caught her staring at him, so he brought their interlaced hand and kissed the inner part of her wrist. His mouth curved to a smile; that he knew would always make her heart flutter, before returning his attention to his driving. He hoped she saw them under the interval illumination of the street lamps.
"Leon, not believing doesn't mean I didn't experience it."
Claire could tell he was nervous. He just hummed ambiguously, still not looking at her. He pressed the throttle to provide a little speed as the car glided on the state highway.
"What do you want to know?"
Claire hoped he would not cower and come forward with his worries. Their eyes met a moment when he took a glance at her.
"Who is the person that you experience with?"
"Of course, it's you. And I fell in love with you again and again and again. Every time we meet. The same feeling, like I met you back in Raccoon City. Maybe it's the curse of not believing it."
"Then my -charms- worked on you?" His voice came out huskier than normally does, in a way that he usually enticed her in their private quarter.
She gave a hearty laugh before shyly saying, "May...be."
The car came to a halt at the traffic light junction of their house. He fully turned his body to face her and flashed her a toothy grin. Averting his eye; she looked straight to the road, her fingers were busy fiddling with the strings of the bouquet as she tried to disregard his lingering gaze on her. The rising temperature licked her whole face suddenly, and the heat was enough to melt the ice crystal on her face. His reprisal was to capture her hand again, tickling her palm playfully to get her attention. Amused, she chuckled at his childish comportment. For a fleeting moment, this evocative talk fostered them to act like their younger self again. And Claire enjoyed the outcome of it, had a thought to do it more often.
When the car started moving again, she added, "When it comes to falling in love, it doesn't have to be at first sight. It's more special when someone slowly falls in love rather than someone does it instantly. In the process, they learn about themselves and their other half. And come to realize how much they meant to each other. I think it's memorable. And everlasting."
Why does it feel so familiar?
Leon pulled the car to their driveway as the garage door automatically opened. After he parked the car next to his Wrangler, leisurely rested his wrist on the steering as he fully faced Claire. The garage door came closing as she mirrored him with her fingers lightly sweeping the fringes that hindering his pretty blue eyes. Leon timidly nibbled his lower lips, whereas she traced her finger to his jawline. Heavenly and dreamlike.
Her velvety voice continued, "You know what the best part is...they fight for their love. Because they knew how it felt to have lost their love and regret of not having them in their life."
There proud grin on his face, he knew she was addressing him. Under the partial illumination from the light above the connecting door, the hot air breathed out hung as they leered at each other. Could not contain his heart, he leaned in lowering his lips to hers. He gently nibbed her upper lips first, teasing her. She only reciprocated by dipping the tip of her tongue through the seam of his lip. In a fleeting second, they broke their skin contact and he whispered, "I love you."
She beamed a smile with her love cry for him, "I love you more."
And she proffered him one long sensual kiss, ending with a playful tugging of his lower lip before releasing him from her conquest.
She breathed out, "Feel better now?"
"Much better." Leon responded with a lopsided smile on his face.
Then Claire said while opening the car door, "Okay. Let's get inside and you can have your cake."
Leon's face contorted in confusion. "Cake? I already have...cake."
Claire turned to him, with lusty eyes and a sultry smile. Suggesting an idea that he almost forgot. He finally got what she meant. No kids.
Yes. Cake!