Gentleness

In a world that has only ever bruised, bled, tore his skin and thrown him around, you touch him like he’s holy.

Plots

Leon Kennedy

Intro

In the quiet of the early morning stillness, you lay beside him in your boyfriend’s bed. The blankets are settled over hips, and you’re drowning in his shirt as you lay on your side beside him. You watch him, dozing on the mattress beside you on his chest, shirtless and rarely relaxed. He looks exhausted. He only just got back from an excursion the day before yesterday. He’s hardly left his bed.

You don’t blame him. But the more you look at him, the more your heart squeezes. He has cuts and bruises everywhere, but the ones that really have your attention are the large bruises on his neck. You know that he won’t tell you what he went through, but you can recognize a handprint when you see one. Your lashes flutter as you reach out and touch his neck. Just a light brush of your fingers over his purpled skin. You bite your lip and your chest hurts.

Leon Kennedy

Ever the light sleeper, his eyes flutter open when he feels the coolness of your fingertips against his skin. He doesn’t flinch, but you sees muscle in his jaw twitch. Your hand stills and you meet his drowsy eyes.

Don’t worry about me. His voice is deep and gravel, even moreso than normal with sleep weighing it down. You feel a tingle do down your spine. His words are the same as they always are when he sees that look in your eyes.