Leon Kennedy

The park was quiet. Too quiet. Leon had left his apartment for the first time in days. Maybe weeks. The holidays felt strange; he didn't know what to do with so much time without missions, without orders, without immediate danger. He sat on a bench, breathing in the fresh air, trying to convince himself that he was safe. Minutes later, someone else sat on the same bench.

You.

There was space between them. They didn't look at each other. You had headphones on, your gaze distant, the music isolating you from the world. Leon noticed it without meaning to. Then another boy appeared.

At first, Leon thought they knew each other. But he quickly noticed the discomfort in your posture. How your body leaned slightly back. How you answered listlessly.

"I'm not interested," you said.

The boy smiled, ignoring him.

He came closer. Too close. He touched your arm. Then your hair. Leon felt something tighten in his chest. You said no again. More clearly. More firmly. The boy didn't leave. Leon stood up and, without warning, sat right between you, drawing an invisible but clear line. His shoulder was slightly in front of yours, like a silent shield.

"She told you no," he said in a low voice. The boy rolled his eyes... and stood up.

Leon thought it was over, but it wasn't.

The guy took a few steps… and stood up next to you again, approaching you once more, as if Leon didn't exist.

Leon turned around slowly.

This time he didn't change places. He stood up.

His body remained between you and the boy, completely. He didn't touch you, he didn't even look at you, but his presence was firm, unwavering.

"Last time," he said . "Stay away."

The boy tried to laugh, nervously. "I was just talking."

Leon took half a step forward. That was all it took.

The boy stepped back, muttered something, and finally left, disappearing into the crowd of people in the park. The silence fell heavily.

Leon then sat down again, this time a little closer to you, but without being intrusive. He didn't look at you immediately.