Not again, not again // thread (complete)

[knifexgun.livejournal.com]

Who: Leon S. Kennedy (knifexgun), Walter Sullivan (crazyhoboninja), and even Pyramid Head (greatkniferape) for a quick visit ;D
Where A hallway, with an elevator too. Oh my.
When: After Leon forgives Walter.
Rating: R for violence
Summary: Leon and Walter wander around a bit, until they find an elevator (because you can't have an SH event without one). However, they're too late to notice that they have an uninvited guest.
the Story:

You learn something new everyday. That's what his mom used to tell him anyway. And he certainly learned more things about Walter this day. But even knowing about the 21 sacraments, the summoning of the Mother of All, his punishing Dante, and even this forbidden love for Henry, Leon couldn't find it in his heart to simply reject Walter.

He was his friend.

Besides, Leon's met worse people, people who never try to change or atone after their mistakes. If he had to forgive someone like Albert Wesker, Leon didn't think he'd be able to stand it even for a second.

He was walking with Walter down a hallway, his hands holding a red9 handgun just in case. But suddenly, Leon paused in his step.

An elevator?

"Elevator? Well, now I know this isn't the same mansion anymore," he joked a bit, going up to inspect it. There was a rusty pipe keeping it open. "I don't know if we should trust this thing though..." Leon wasn't too fond of falling to his death.

Comments

[crazyhoboninja.livejournal.com]

If anything, it seems as if Walter is far more at peace with himself than before -- when he panicked with his own mortality, the angel inside of him driving him mad, how furious he was with the devil twins--

He seems much happier now.

"Hmm." Walter tilts his head. "At times, we must take a route that even we consider untrustworthy. That is the way of things -- especially in the world I am from."

He pauses, then frowns.

And stiffens.

He's sure he hears scraping...

[greatkniferape.livejournal.com]

The god was meandering about the mansion. And just happened to be in the elevator. His form cast an eerie shadow over the two newcomers.

"Hello Walter."

[knifexgun.livejournal.com]

"Shit..." Leon backs away from the elevator, his arm easing Walter back with him.

"What do you want?"

[crazyhoboninja.livejournal.com]

No. No, the Red God is here--

He trembles a moment before he straightens himself. They can't fight him. Definitely not when they're both mortal...

Walter scowls and grabs onto Leon's arm and pulls on him, shoving him in the opposite direction of where the Red God is.

"Don't ask stupid questions -- Mr. Kennedy, please run, now!"

[greatkniferape.livejournal.com]

And the Red God was ready to hack them to pieces, especially Leon.

It was time for the hunt.

[knifexgun.livejournal.com]

"After you!" Leon gives Walter a bit of a head-start push, proceeding to run away. Guess this means we can't be friends, Leon thought with a wry smile. But since when did talking to the enemy ever resolve the conflicts he faced?

He looks behind him to see how far apart he and Walter are from the God. Until suddenly, they come to another elevator on the other side of the hallway, kept open by another rusty pipe. "What the-? Have to take our chances now. Get in, Walter!" Leon turns around, firing bullets at the approaching Red God. If anything, it would slow him down long enough for Walter to escape.

[crazyhoboninja.livejournal.com]

Another one--

He stops, and he looks at Leon -- then to Xuchilbara.

He could run for it. Oh, it'd be very easy, and he is frightened for his now mortal life. He is weaker now.

He is but a man, but so is Leon, so willing to protect him.

"I'm afraid I must protest, Mr. Kennedy," Walter says softly. "Thank you, though."

But a man, but still strong enough; Walter reaches up to grab the back of Leon's shirt, by the collar.

He practically throws him into the elevator; Walter is following as fast as he can -- but only to grab at the rusty pipe to try to pull it out so it can close the elevator doors. If they can both escape, that is ideal

[knifexgun.livejournal.com]

"What-" But Leon barely has time to make a proper protest. His back and part of his arm hits the wall of the elevator. Walter was stronger than Leon had guessed. The pain spreads, but he ignores it as his eyes go wide, panicked.

Walter- why did you-

"Walter...!!" He sees the Red God right behind the blond. He reaches to yank the other man in with him. But perhaps it was too late for that now.

[crazyhoboninja.livejournal.com]

As Leon reaches for him, it is quite too late.

The pain is nothing new, but lacking the strength to hold himself up is. He doesn't regenerate, he won't.

He's going to die.

The spear has impaled him, from his back and out his torso. Walter chokes, gripping onto the sides of the elevator for support.

He winces and grabs onto the pipe; the spear yanks out of him, just in time as Walter falls forward and pulls the pipe out with him. He tumbles into the elevator, and the doors snap shut.

Immediately, the elevator starts rushing down to the bottom floor. Walter groans and sputters, writhing somewhat on the floor.

[knifexgun.livejournal.com]

When Leon sees the blade burst through Walter's body, he is horrified. "No!!"

Leon quickly kneels on the floor beside the other as the elevator doors separate them from the Red God, taking them down to who knew what floor. As long as they got away but...

The wound... No, he can fix it. He can fix this. His hand hovers over the wound, uncertain.

But he knows he can't fix this. It went right through.

Just like when Luis died...

This weight on his mind, on his shoulders. It was very familiar to him by now. "Damn it, Walter... You could've saved yourself."

[crazyhoboninja.livejournal.com]

"Ah, but..." Walter can't help but grin faintly, in spite of the pain. "I am used to being a sacrificial lamb."

He shudders, then reaches to limply place his hand over Leon's wrist.

"Nnh--!" He winces. "I wanted... to do this. Because you are my friend. Leon."

[knifexgun.livejournal.com]

His friend.

Leon wanted to smile, if only for that. And he called him by his first name this time too.


Damn it.

His heart feels heavy. It feels like his chest can't carry it when he moves to hold Walter's hand, grip firm. He wonders if it's more support for him than for Walter.

Leon lowers his head, hair falling into his face as that heart-shaped weight seemed to stop his voice. But when he speaks, the pure determination he feels comes shining through.

"I promise you, Walter, when you come back, this will all be over."

[crazyhoboninja.livejournal.com]

"When, if... who knows--"

Walter tenses a moment.

"Please take care of yourself, Leon."

Death isn't ever like "going home".

It hurts mostly, at first, even if it is draining.

And that is it; his hand goes limp in Leon's, and Walter Sullivan is actually, truly dead.

[knifexgun.livejournal.com]

"Walter..." He felt the warmth and life leave the other's hand. He doesn't know what to say.

And letting go was so hard.

How long must this go on?

He wanted to save Walter...

He wanted to save Luis, save Krauser.

And Ada, she got hurt. He couldn't even reach her in time.

Was it simply...no use?

...



Leon spent the rest of the elevator ride sitting beside Walter's body, barely making a sound. His head was lowered, leaning his forehead against his hand. When the elevator stopped, the doors opening, Leon finally stood up.

He picks up Walter's body into his arms. He leaves the elevator with him.

He sets Walter down onto the new hallway's floor, propping his upper body up against the wall. Leon folds the arms over his waist.

And then he steps back, away from Mr. Walter Sullivan.

"A promise is a promise," he whispers.

It was even harder to walk away.