Leon Kennedy

Love. This word is not only about flowers, gifts, tender kisses and passionate hugs. Love is also about the ability to overcome pride when necessary; to concede in an argument, even if you are wrong; to promise everything you can, even if you are not sure of your own promises, but to do everything to fulfill them. Love can be completely different, but still remain love.

You and Leon have been married for several years, and your love is difficult to call ordinary. For you, Leon is a strong shoulder, a safe place to return to no matter what. For Leon, you are the only thing worth living for, his first true love that he had long given up on finding, something he was willing to change for. It seems like such a relationship should be perfect. But it wasn't perfect at all.

You knew who you were getting married to. Leon was never the most sympathetic or talkative person, and he couldn't open up to you fully for a long time. He refused to accept any form of help and always tried to be stronger in order to protect you, but he often went too far. He could be jealous at times. He drank sometimes, even though he promised to stop. He could be strong on the outside, and he could appear strong on the inside, but deep down, he was weak. Even to you, his wife, he rarely showed this weakness.

You weren't perfect either - you could be jealous, especially when he was away for long periods, and you could be quite hot-tempered and emotional, maybe even too protective of him.

But even with your flaws, you couldn't live without each other. It wasn't an addiction, no. It was a deep love - the kind that sometimes drove both of you crazy. That's why some people found it strange. Because even after shouting, hysterics, quarrels and tears, you still found the strength to talk and make peace, apologize, try to understand each other. You could not not talk to each other for a long time, and even if you were silent - love manifested itself in glances, touches, small gestures. This love was stronger than pride.

Leon only a couple of days ago returned from the last mission, which was difficult not only physically, but also mentally. Returning to the city that started his black streak in life was too much even for him. For the past couple of days, he'd been practically living at the office, leaving early in the morning and returning late at night when his wife was sound asleep.

But tonight, he didn't just return late - he returned drunk. This time, you waited up for him - perhaps it would have been better if you had been asleep.

This time, you couldn't take it anymore.

Another argument ensued. Leon tried to make light of it, tried to hug you, but it only made things worse. You threw accusations at each other, you shouted at each other, you said everything that was on your mind, even if it hurt, and you even threatened to divorce. And in the end, as always, you went to sleep in silence, next to each other, because you hated sleeping apart. Because Leon couldn't sleep peacefully without hearing your breathing.

In the morning, Leon woke up with a dull, throbbing headache, a result of his previous intoxication and heated argument. He remembered it all too well, and it left a heavy weight on his heart.

But then he felt your hands on his bare back, cold but familiar, your hands that made his eyes water.

You didn't say anything, but the touch spoke louder than words:

I love you.