The drive back home wasn't that eventful much to Leon's pleasure. His mind was filled with nothing but thoughts about who Claire had slept with; he didn't remember people coming over to visit- nor staying over for that matter. Just him.
Chris parked the car in the drive and offered to carry Claire inside so she wouldn't have to walk, which she gladly accepted and also let him and even tuck her into bed. Leon stayed in the living room and sat on the couch in disdain, he just couldn't believe it- he wouldn't have believed it until Claire mentioned that she was glad she didn't get pregnant at the hospital.
The oldest Redfield came out into the living room and placed his hand on Leon's shoulder, giving it a somewhat consoling squeeze. "She's resting now. Wait until she's better to tell her, you know she wouldn't want you to tell her now."
The ex-rookie nodded and rubbed the bridge of his injured nose gently, trying to get the visions of Claire out of his mind.
"You're right, I can't tell her now… But I have to do it soon because I don't have that much time left."
Chris gave a confirming nod and made his way out to his car, leaving Leon alone with nothing but his thoughts. He got up from the couch and went to the kitchen to get himself a drink, he looked for his bottle of scotch and realized it was almost empty, including all of the other bottles in the cabinet.
Then that really got him thinking.
He didn't remember people coming over to visit- nor staying over for that matter. Just him.
Claire became better in five days, her color was back on her face and also was her smile. She enjoyed Leon taking care of her, it was a lot better than having her brother do so, she didn't need a twenty-four hour nurse.
It was mid-afternoon and she waited for her friend to come home from work, it was boring being all by herself. Boring and lonely. She herself would have gone to work but nobody wanted her there until next week, they didn't want to get sick themselves; even though Claire said they would have already been infected by now.
Finally she heard a set of keys and the turning of the door knob from the front hall. With a spring in her step she raced down there to greet Leon. When she saw him there he looked tired, bags under his eyes and a worn-down face.
"Hey there, partner."
"Hey, Red." his voice fell down flat and he made his way down to his bedroom.
Claire turned her head to the side and started following him, noticing a bag under his arm.
"Ooooo what's that? It looks mighty fancy."
Leon lifted up his arm and showed off the fancy bag quickly before stuffing it into his room quickly.
"It's an attache case, they're giving them to use at work now to hold our equipment.'"
"All of the equipment?' she quipped, "That looks too small!"
He nodded in agreement and smiled "It's bigger on the inside. Come on, I need to talk to you in the living room."
"Oh… Alright then?"
The two sat down in the living room on the couch and Leon sighed loudly, rubbing his still some-what bruised nose.
Claire fidgeted a little and started to nibble on her bottom lip, nervous about what he was going to say to her. Did he remember? Was he angry?
"I'm leaving."
Claire's teeth punctured her lip and she could taste a little bit of blood on the tip of her tongue. Her eyes became wide as she looked up at her best friend, trying to figure out if he was messing with her or not. But it was clear when she saw how stern he was looking at her, his grey eyes were holding back something he wanted to tell her but he couldn't.
"Leon, I mean… Leon?"
He took her hand and sighed loudly as he changed the direction of his gaze to the ceiling.
"I'm going to South America. For a mission."
She had been holding her breath and let out a large sigh "A… mission?" Tears had been forming the the corner of her eyes, clouding her vision.
"Yes, a mission. Where did you think I was going? Away forever?" a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he gave a small chuckle.
Claire stood up abruptly and stretched her arms behind her head and turned away from him. "Leon you made it sound like you were leaving me and never coming back ever again!" Her form straightened up as she felt his arms wrap in around her waist, she let her arms down at her sides and Leon placed his chin on her shoulder.
"Would you have been sad if I left forever?"
"Of course I would have."
"Would you have cried?"
"...Maybe."
"Do you want a drink?"
"Um sure, do we have anything?"
Leon shrugged and let go of Claire and made his way to the kitchen, her following behind him.
"I should still have that bottle of scotch."
"Erm… Leon?" Claire fidgeted a little and coughed before she spoke again, "You drank a lot of that a couple weeks ago..."
Leon's hand reached for the knob on the cabinet and acted surprised, "Oh really? I don't remember that." he opened up the cabinet and looked inside. "Woah, you're right Claire. How did you know? And wow there's like nothing in here, it's as dry as a desert."
The redhead fidgeted more and looked down at the floor, pink started to stain her cheeks a little.
"Well you see… We um, drank it. Together…"
"Really? I have no memory of that."
"I do, I didn't drink nearly as much as you did."
"Huh, that's strange. Was it the night before I woke up wasted and you only had a 'slight hangover' and I couldn't remember anything at all that happened the night before? That must have been the day I was going to tell you I was going on a mission and had a few drinks to calm my nerves. I would say that was roughly around three weeks ago- wouldn't you say, Claire?"
Claire furrowed her brow and and held her hands up defensively "I don't know what you're trying to imply here Leon, but I did-"
"Did you and I sleep together that night, Claire? That's all I'm asking."
"Yes." she replied matter-of-factly, "We did."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because I didn't know what to do! I woke up the next morning and acted like it never happened! Is that what you wanted me to say Officer Kennedy? Confess to you that I slept with you while we both were drunk?
Leon stayed on his cool and reached into his jacket to pull out something.
"What are you going to do?"
"Agent Kennedy."
"What?"
"The correct title for me is Agent Kennedy, and you are under arrest." he grabbed onto one of Claire's hands and slapped a handcuff on it; locking it into place.
"WHAT!?"
"Your crime is for being too damn hot and a bad liar."
"WH-"
He cut off Claire's response with sharp kiss- capturing her lips hostage while he moved to lock her hand in the other cuff behind her back. His lips slightly hovered away from hers and he whispered almost inaudibly "I love you."
Claire somewhat mumbled an 'I love you too' before he lead her back to his bedroom. The mission to South America was going to separate them for a long time, but they'd wait for each other; that's what best friends do whether they're in a relationship or not.
A/N: Hopefully a little closure after almost six years without an update, I apologize for my lack of writing Cleon fanfiction over the years.
-Hobohunter