"Love in the Time of Bullets"

Chapter 1: A Tale of Two Obsessions The dimly lit, smoke-filled bar was a far cry from the chaos and destruction that Chris Redfield and Albert Wesker were used to. But tonight, they weren't here to save the world from a bioterrorism threat or take down a powerful enemy. They were here for one reason: Léon S. Kennedy. Chris, his rugged features chiseled from years of battling monstrous creatures, nursed a whiskey on the rocks, his eyes fixed intently on Léon as he laughed with a group of friends at the bar. Wesker, resplendent in his tailored suit, leaned against the bar, his piercing eyes gleaming with an unnerving intensity as he watched Léon with an equal level of fascination. The air was thick with tension as the two men locked eyes, their mutual dislike and competitiveness palpable. This wasn't the first time they'd crossed paths, and it wasn't hard to guess why they were both here. Léon, oblivious to the undercurrents of obsession and rivalry swirling around him, smiled and joked with his friends, completely carefree. As the night wore on, Chris and Wesker found themselves drawn into a conversation, their words laced with a subtle venom. "I see you're still chasing after him, Wesker," Chris sneered, his voice low and menacing. "You know he'll never settle for someone like you." Wesker's smile was thin and cold. "And I see you're still stuck in the past, Chris. You think you've got a shot with Léon? Please. He's far too refined for a brutish, muscle-bound oaf like you." The verbal sparring match continued, each trying to one-up the other, until Léon himself appeared at their side, a concerned look on his face. "Hey, guys, is everything okay? You seem a bit... intense." Chris and Wesker exchanged a charged glance, before forcing a laugh and shrugging it off. "Just discussing the finer points of bioterrorism, Léon," Chris said, his eyes glinting with insincerity. Léon nodded, none the wiser, and turned to order another drink. As he walked away, Chris and Wesker exchanged a look that spoke volumes. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot. But as they watched Léon laugh and joke with his friends, something began to dawn on them. Their rivalry was hurting him, making him uncomfortable and wary of their attentions. And in that moment, they both realized that their obsession with Léon was no longer worth the cost. Perhaps it was time to try a different approach. Perhaps it was time to put aside their differences and work together. The thought sent a shiver down Chris's spine, and a flicker of curiosity danced in Wesker's eyes. As they raised their glasses in a silent toast, Léon turned back to them, a hint of a smile on his face. And for a moment, Chris and Wesker forgot about their rivalry, forgot about their differences, and forgot about everything except the man standing in front of them. The question was, what would happen next?