It was already getting dark when, with an exhausted sigh, you covered the last window with a large piece of wood. Outside, the shadows began to grow and the cold crept further into the house.

Exhausted, you closed your eyes and leaned your wet forehead against the cool wood. At that moment, it felt so good.

"Well, out of power already?", Chris asked with a smirk in his voice. "You didn't used to be so easy to finish off."

A smirk appeared on your lips.

"Funny, Redfield.", you turned around and leaned against the window. "I was just resting my eyes. What about you? Are the supplies sufficient? I hope we get something better than instant food."

With an amused expression, he raised his hands, in which he held two plastic bags.

"Sorry.", he smiled apologetically. "Left or right?"

You groaned and rolled your eyes.

"Does it make a difference?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"It depends."

"On what?"

"Whether you like chicken or prefer vegetarian."

"Hm.", you twisted your mouth.

Chris looks like he needs the protein from the meat. Vegetarian rations from military were usually horrible, even worse than regular rations, but you didn't want him to end up taking the worse food.

Of course, he would have given you anything you chose. But you didn't feel like taking advantage of that.

"Vegetarian.", you said, and let yourself fall down on a chair.

Chris tossed you the bag.

"Still tastes as awful as it did then.", he joked, opening his cold dinner.

You pulled a face again, already fearing what the taste would be like.

"Another thing I didn't miss from back then.", you growled, shoving cold, precooked vegetables into your mouth.

With an amused grin, he watched you choke down the most unsatisfying meal in a long time.

"Aren't you going to eat anything?", you asked, having to swallow the urge to spit it all out.

Glancing at his food, he shrugged. It really seemed like he was speaking the truth, but the shimmer in his eyes was hungry. He just didn't want to eat.

"I'm not hungry now.", he said, pushing it away.

You frowned. This reminded you of the past.

He had often chose to safe his meals for later only to hand them out in case somebody else was still hungry.

"Don't save it for later, I won't get hungry.", you said, demanding with a gesture that he took a bite.

He raised his eyes and tried to laugh, but you could see that you had guessed his thoughts.

"Who says I'm saving it for you?", he smirked, trying not to sound too obvious.

With a wry smirk you looked him in the eye.

"Chris.", his name sounded like you were teasing him.

"Yes?", he leaned forward, his face approaching yours.

"I don't want you to neglect yourself for me. Eat something. You must be hungry."

A soft laugh escaped him. When he lowered his head, you could see the gray strands in his hair. He was getting old.
What a pity, you would have liked to let him live forever. Your hand twitched, you wanted to stroke his head.

But when he moved, you stopped and withdrew your hand.

"If I eat something, will you do me a favor?", he asked with his hand outstretched.

You raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of favor?", you leaned your head on one hand.

"Hm. I haven't decided yet. A few answers would be nice. But...", he licked his lips, his eyes wandered over your face.

It was strange, otherwise he did not behave so openly, so playfully. But just at this moment he seemed to enjoy adapting to your way.

You had to laugh softly.

"Redfield.", you leaned towards him. "Forgive me, but acting this demanding isn't like you. Just say what you want. Give it to me straight. After all these years, is it my body that you with for? I've aged but I don't look to bad myself, if I may say so."

You giftet him a broad grin.

He blushed. Or at least you though so.

"(Y/N).", he had to smile as your name crossed his lips. "Why do you always have to be this way?"

He closed an eye to look at you with his head tilted.
At his sight, you had to blush. He really was devilish handsome.

Why were you noticing it now?

Surely, he had been handsome all along, even back then. But this day, in that exact moment, he seemed perfect with all his edges, the short hair and his unclean beard.
Snorting, you squeezed your eyes together and tried not to be too amused about the look on his face.

He seemed so bothered by you, yet there was a slim smile on his face. The shimmer in his eyes to you that he wasn't angry and not really annoyed.

He even enjoyed this moment. A short moment like back in the day, joking around and teasing each other.

Yes, he had missed you. Painfully so.

And now that he came to that realisation, he wanted to have a taste of every second with you. Because he feared that those would be the last minutes before you'd run away again.

It had taken him months in order to find you for this mission, he didn't want to know how long it would take to find you a second time. Maybe it would take forever.

Closing his eyes and breathing out heavily, he rubbed his forehead. He was willing to take whatever would happen. Including the pain and helplessness it would bring.

"Chris.", you reached out and stroked his cheek. "Are you alright? You look tired."

He sighed.

"I am. For such a long time now, I am.", he grabbed your hand, carefully squeezing it. "But it's fine. I'll be able to sleep tonight."

Confused, you tilted your head and raised an eyebrow.

"How do you know?"

"Because you're here. Every time you're with me I sleep well.", he breathed a kiss onto your hand.

The gesture made you smile. Usually, Chris Redfield wasn't a soft man, not very talkative nor affectionate. But whenever he was around you he seemed to soften.

"Don't worry.", you whispered and placed a kiss on his forehead. "I'll be here. I'll always be here. By your side."