Chapter Text
The Raccoon City University Library was built inside an old gothic church. The stone is pale, almost an aged silver with dark, a very dramatically peaked black point pierces the sky. There are rounded towers on each corner and of the building's five floors each has an open air path around the outside of the building set into its walls and adorned with sleek pillars. There are students in its comfortable furniture, some studying for finals and a few others panicking about studying for finals.
Claire was one of those panicking about her literature classes final term paper until she found a tutor. The library's administrator volunteered for the job herself but Claire already knew who she wanted to work with. She's gotten to know the actual brains of this place in her time here. Leon has already tutored her in history and she knows his actual academic background is in literature.
Maybe the thing she likes most about him, he doesn't know what her family does for a living. At first, when he didn't seem to recognize her name she thought he was full of shit. She had her big brother's computer guy look into Leon's history. Given his own upbringing, Claire decided he really may not understand the ramifications of the Redfield name. When she meets new people, the first thing she tries to figure out is ‘what do they want from her?; as well as, ‘is it a price she's willing to pay?’
Claire's family has lived in Raccoon City since it was founded. She also wants to avoid becoming entangled with someone who, man or woman, wants her based on what she can do for them. It would be quite the feather in one's cap to snag a Redfield sibling.
There are three founding families in Raccoon City: The Redfields, The Spencer's, and The Marcus’. The Redfield's descend from a long line of lycans.They can shift from their humanoid and wolf forms at will. Their wolves vary in size, but are able to be bipedal or look more like a photorealistic wolf. They're also not dependent on moon cycles, though they do indulge their animalistic nature more often during a full moon.
The Spencer's are a long line of vampires. The Marcus family came from the ocean, they're descended from mer-people.
It's been a very long time since someone valued her beyond her connection to Chris. He's been the Chief of the RCPD for nearly two years. The former Chief, Brian Irons, was being investigated and he likely feared the outcome because he disappeared. There were rumors of murder, inappropriate interactions with subordinates, and stalking. How've, there wasn't enough evidence to do anything about it.
Chris has been like a bear with a sore ass…
…and not because of more intimate pursuits or entertaining reasons. He wants to see Irons punished for the things he's done. His very nature drives him to protect those in his charge and he considers the whole of Raccoon City and the Arklay Mountains his territory.
Leon's giving Claire's term paper a once over and makes just a few minor corrections before returning it. “There you go Claire. You've made a lot of progress this semester. Graduation is in two weeks. What are your plans?”
“Law school in the fall. I don't suppose you can tutor me in that?” She grins
“Maybe a little. My father is a lawyer.” The part Leon leaves unsaid is what a bastard the elder Kennedy can be.
“We're still on for tonight aren't we?” Claire looks up, breaking out the ever-affective Redfield doe eyes. Leon was a hard sell on the idea of public spaces and ya know…people. It took a lot of Redfield charm to convince him. Leon is inherently opposed to these things because of his own lineage. It's one he's worked very hard to keep hidden because his kind are often hunted for their innate magical gifts.
Leon Scott Kennedy is half Unseelie Fae on his mother's side. His mother's people are rare and highly sought after for their magical gifts. Even being half-fae Leon's got more magic in his blood than most. He is, by nature, very skittish. His inherent fear of the unfamiliar is because of a life spent with his father and being told he would ‘never be man enough’ to be a Kennedy. Leon's slender, finely boned, the magic in his blood had made him an omega.
The elder Kennedy was fine with marrying a beautiful fae. He was less agreeable to having a son that's so much like his mother.
“You were serious about that? Claire, do I look like a guy who fits in with crowds? I'm more of a smoky jazz bar guy.” Leon looks a bit nervous.
“Don't worry, I'll protect you. Meet me outside this address at 9 tonight.” Claire winks. She heads out with a laugh.
Leon smiles to himself and shakes his head, only speaking when she's out of earshot. “Claire Redfield, you're going to get me in trouble.”
About an hour later, Leon pushes a cart of books that need to be returned to their respective shelves. When he reaches the section on history, he sees a man leaned up against the end cap. Leon notices the stranger is wearing snug jeans and a dark green tee under a brown and tan flannel shirt and has short dark hair. Leon's never seen this man before. He knows everyone, student, employee, and professor…this man is neither. “Can I help you?”
The stranger's voice is laced with amusement. “Maybe…how do you know Claire?”
Leon gives the stranger a clear once over. He is dressed casually but his manner and posture are more formal. His chiseled jaw and sculpted physique are absolutely perfect. Leon quickly, mentally, goes through what he knows about Claire. This man isn't a boyfriend, Claire's attracted to women. “How is that your concern?”
Chris turns to face Leon more fully. There's not a single hint of recognition in those beautiful blue eyes. Could he really not know Chris's identity? Chris had already pulled background information on Leon Scott Kennedy as soon as Claire told him Leon would be her tutor. His upbringing was dreary, Leon was the son of a prominent attorney from the next city over. His father had been arrested and convicted of murdering his wife, Leon's mother Caitlin Kennedy. After that, he had been taken in by one of the officers who investigated the murder.
“I'm her brother, names Chris.” Chris says with a bit of a drawl in his deep voice. He studies Leon's reaction closely but there's a genuinely blank expression before the slender man bursts into laughter.
“It's nice to meet you, I'm Leon, her literature tutor. Claire talks a lot about you. I confess, the way she describes you, I expected…someone a bit different.” Leon looks up shyly.
Chris barks out a laugh, “Do I want to know?”
“She always talks about you with descriptions like ‘softie’, ‘teddy bear’, and ‘pushover’. But now, having met you, I may need to tutor Claire in her usage of adjectives.” Leon turns away in an effort to hide the scarlet creeping into his cheeks.
It doesn't work, Chris appreciates the pink that creeps up on his face. It makes his eyes turn the sweetest shade of blue. “She's got a soft spot for her big brother.”
As Leon puts books back on the shelves Chris ‘accidently’ turns and steps just a hair too far into Leon's personal space. “So you're going on a date with my sister tonight? She's bringing you to the bar. She only does that when she really likes someone. Any thoughts about that?”
Chris would like to thread his fingers through that blonde hair and bury his face in Leon's neck. But that wouldn't be proper now would it?
Leon turns to face Chris and he realizes how close the large man has moved. “It’s not a date. I'm not her type..”
Leon gets nervous, the bigger man makes him feel like prey that's been cornered. “...and she's not my type.”
Chris smiles slowly, every inch the predator but in all the best ways. “What exactly is your type Leon?”
Leon's eyes go wide and he feels his stomach drop. Before anything else can be said, Jessica Sherawat inserts herself into the conversation. She got word that Chris was here and she couldn't resist an opportunity to see him. She just knows if they spent time together he'd realize she's his perfect match. When she sees he's down here with Leon, she lets venom show on her face for just a moment. Leon misses it.
But Chris notices.
He's never had an interest in her because she tries too hard, and there's nothing genuine about her. Today is no different, she got on a tight button up pink sweater. The top three buttons are open and her breasts are practically pushed up to her neck. Chris has never been attracted to ‘high maintenance’ and Jessica has clearly had more than a few cosmetic procedures. There's fillers in her face, she's had her jaw line softened, implants in her breasts as well as her ass.
“Ah, Leon good, I was looking for you. You'll need to come in earlier tomorrow. I've been called out of town so I won't be here to help finish putting our collection into the computer. I'll need you to get barcodes on all the books and load them into the system. Take all the overtime you need.’ Jessica had no plans to go out of town. Seeing how close that idiot is getting to the Redfield siblings has made her green with envy.
It would seem she's taking a long weekend since she can't be at work now. She was going to deal with the pretty boy over the summer, but her plans have just moved up. Jessica remembers every word Chris has ever spoken to her. Not to mention the way he looked at her (even if that was only in her mind). Leon's not going to insert himself between them. Jessica won't allow it. Chris will be with her.
In reality, any interaction Chris had with Jessica was polite at best. He has little memory of their encounters because, to put it bluntly, it never mattered to him.
She doesn't matter to him.
“Leon, go ahead and clock out a little early. You'll need the rest.” She smirks.
**
By the time Leon meets Claire he feels woefully under-dressed. She's got her red hair up in a stylish messy bun, but that dress…
She's wearing a green form-hugging mini with sky high heels. There is a subtle glitter to the dress and it matches nicely with the very long, delicate silver chain she wears looped several times around her neck.
Leon meanwhile, has on a pair of snug black jeans and a blue button up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He used a ride share service, because being a city dweller he doesn't drive.
Truly, the real reason Leon's nervous lies in the way Chris made him feel. He's never been wanted, not like that anyway, and he's not sure what to do with that. He may not be very worldly but he does recognize lust when it's in front of him. He's not sure what to feel about a man like Chris.
Leon knows he likes men, but he's never had sex with one.
Or…
…anyone.
Claire takes his hand and cuts the line, giving the bouncer a quick wave. She drags him to the vip room in the back. It's quieter, has its own bar and very plush booths.
Leon's entire brain derails when he sees where Claire's taking him. Sitting inside a corner booth is an entire wolf pack, and their alpha.
Her big brother Chris.