My Ship in Five Minutes: Wesker x Leon

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I really love filling out ship charts for my favorite ships, and I wanted to put some additional thoughts and context for some of the choices alongside this one since it's the first Leon/Wesker one I've filled out! Ada isn't included in this because she comes and goes in the relationship as she pleases, and I wouldn't consider her and Wesker to be "romantically involved"; if it sounds complicated... that's because it is!

Trope(s)

Enemies to lovers: When Wesker and Leon do formally meet, it's definitely as enemies! Their temporary alliance forces Leon to put his allegiance to the US government on hold for a moment in pursuit of a cure for his condition. Knowing what he knows from Ada (and his own observations), Wesker is interested in having Agent Kennedy under his microscope, figurative and literal; he wants to see what all of the fuss is about! It's a long road from enemies to lovers, one that puts everything they are at risk... but only they would be able to tell you if it was worth it!
Doomed pairing: This one should be pretty obvious. Leon is good, Wesker is evil! They were doomed from the start! But that doesn't mean they can't set themselves up for a world of pain until everything comes crashing down!
Slow burn: With two characters as emotionally reserved as Leon and Wesker, I think any possibility of romance between them would have to be a slow burn. Neither are particularly impulsive and it would take a special kind of circumstance to get them to fall for someone!

Trust, Jealousy, Horny, Clingy

Wesker can always trust Leon to be exactly who he is. Ada said it best, after all: He's a good boy. Predictable. He can rely on Leon to always do the right thing, even at the detriment of his own life... which Wesker finds fascinating! Conversely, Leon never loses sight of the fact that he truly can't ever completely trust Wesker. There's parts of Albert that he's seen that nobody else has seen (not even Ada), but he ultimately knows what Wesker is and overall doesn't delude himself into thinking he can "fix him".

Neither Wesker or Leon are jealous people; they enjoy their solitude and know that work (and other complicated engagements) must always come first... even if it makes things difficult for one another, in more ways than one! As Wesker says, "There will be another time." Plans are cancelled, rescheduled, moved around, it's a fact of their lives. A reunion will happen eventually! As for their sex drives, neither have ever been particularly voracious, so their mutual enjoyment of their intimacy comes as a surprise to both of them... and Ada too!

As far as being clingy, Leon is moreso than Wesker, but that doesn't mean Wesker loathes the contact... he just won't ever ask for it first! Leon will greet him with a pat of his own thigh, a crooked grin and a "C'mere," to which Wesker finds himself yielding to more often than he'd care to admit! Leon has a way of flirting with him that doesn't make it seem like he's fawning or simpering (Wesker's words!); it feels like enjoyable banter, and not like suffocating amounts of attention... which keeps even someone like Albert coming back!

Star signs

I think a lot of star signs could suit both of them, but I just stuck with my instinct and decided to make them both the same star sign... Aquarians! At first glance, Leon and Wesker are objective opposites (good and evil respectively), but upon closer inspection I think they actually have a lot of similar traits! Both hold themselves to a high standard, valuing intellect, independence and wit within those they hold dear (like Ada!). Wesker and Leon have both been told they can be a little standoffish (intentional with the former, not with the latter!), but they fully immerse themselves in the throes of their goals (short or long-term) and definitely march to the beats of their own drums. Underneath those socially-strange veneers just might lay an emotional side that only very few are privy to!

While they have these similarities, their Aquarian differences are also definitely there too. Leon is very emotionally intelligent (though socially awkward), whereas Wesker's analytical mind tends to prevent him from seeing (or particularly caring) about the feelings of others. Wesker likes a partner that challenges him (I do not think he would seek a thoroughly submissive partner; sexual dynamics are another matter entirely) and Leon wants to feel a connection that will be with him for life!

How it happens

Like I said above, I think they both fall slowly and unintentionally. Neither of them were ever searching for romance, let alone with each other! Absolutely not at first sight! Both are slow to fall and approach it as completely casual, like acquaintances with benefits... but their feelings have other plans for them! Leon discovers and comes to terms with his own feelings first, and knows that affection for someone like Wesker spells trouble for both of them. Wesker resists it the longest, not wanting to acknowledge Leon's "affect on him"! Ultimately neither expect the other to change; they enter their little tryst knowing that this will someday have to come to an end... right?!

Relationship attitude

There's no big romantic flourish; to sum it up very quickly, I think Leon fell first, but Wesker falls harder. They obviously wouldn't ever be able to really be in public together considering their drastically different allegiances, but hypothetically, I think it would be Leon who would put an arm around Wesker... who might occasionally reciprocate by placing a hand on the back of Leon's neck! They would smirk at one another as one of them gets the door for the other (Leon giving Wesker's waist an appreciative rub or ducking under his arm with a playful smirk and toss of his hair... or if Leon held the door, Wesker humming in satisfaction and dipping his head down, purring a low, flirty Thank you in his ear), but generally speaking they would both be pretty "mellow" with any kind of PDA! Neither of them are into public grandstands of attention; affection and romance are better suited to their own private moments.

Boxes in the middle

• First to confess/first to kiss: Saving this for my longfic series... sorry! Hehe!


• First to apologize: Leon. Knows Wesker is way too prideful to apologize (usually!) and if he initiates the conversation, it's more likely to end on a better/more emotionally-productive note.


• Initiates contact: Wesker. Leon knows Wesker is very... particular about giving and receiving affection, especially early in their "relationship". Lots of observing and studying to learn to read mean old Albert and figuring out what makes him tick. Wesker leads, shows Leon what he likes and doesn't like, and then lets Leon take charge, tests him. Much to his chagrin, Agent Kennedy always passes with flying colors! The more time goes on, the more Wesker can trust Leon not to misstep, and both of them initiate contact fairly equally.


• Spoils the other: I think it's pretty safe to say that Leon and Wesker are in two entirely different tax brackets, so what spoiling means to each of them can vary. Wesker's perception is that most people enjoy receiving goods (though that doesn't mean he's a big gift-giver; you'd be lucky to receive a kind word from him, let alone an actual present!), so he gifts Leon a shiny new bike or a fancy watch! But really, the best kinds of gifts he "gives" Leon are things like cooking him dinner or watching his favorite movie with him. That's what Leon treasures most!
  
  Leon, on the other hand, is a lot more sentimental. Memorizes Wesker's food orders and orders him takeout when he's had a long day. Dedicates himself to attempting to truly know Wesker (something that Wesker feels very... complicated about), then doing things that he thinks Wesker will appreciate. Not that he'll ever admit it, but Wesker secretly enjoys it when Leon approaches him with a movie case and some greasy pizza with a "Got this movie that I think you'd like. Wanna watch?"


• Wakes up first: Always Albert. He never sleeps in! Conversely, Leon will take any chance he can to sleep in; work is exhausting, and the sleep he does get is often not so great. Prefers to just try and sleep on his off days... unless there's a certain bioterrorist who can rouse him from it with breakfast or the promise of a shared shower!


• Does the cooking: Wesker again! It's a practical science that requires good technique and precise instruction, which is why he enjoys it. He often makes whatever he personally wants, but Leon is all too eager to eat whatever he cooks up! Leon has a complicated relationship with food; he loved his mother's cooking growing up (they never got takeout), but after his parents died, it became too daunting of a task. He's always surviving on protein shakes, eggs and fast food until Wesker cooks for him again!


• Does the housework: They never live together, so they're in charge of their own spaces. Leon's apartment(s) always look as if someone is just moving in, or is about to move out; he doesn't partake in furnishing or decorating his home unnecessarily, often preferring if the apartments he's moved to for work come pre-furnished for this reason. The only "clutter" he has are his multitude of dvd cases on his entertainment stand! Wesker greatly enjoys interior design and his home(s) are always well decorated (no matter how temporary or modest they are!). Never a speck of dust or grime anywhere to be seen, very neat and tidy! Places always look very "lived in", even if he doesn't spend much time at them himself.


• Does the talking: The one who loves to hear himself talk of course... Albert! Leon is more on the quiet side, preferring to be the listener. He won't hesitate to chime in if he has things to say, but he mostly prefers being out of the "spotlight".


• The more popular: Not sure if this means in fandom or canon context, but either way I'm going to go ahead and say Leon. Everyone knows of the survivor of Raccoon City, rescuer of the president's daughter, Agent Leon Scott Kennedy! Whether Leon appreciates (or even cares) about his notoriety is another matter.


• The designated driver: No drinking necessary... it's [almost] always Wesker, which works out just fine for both of them anyway; Leon's in charge of the radio, aircon, and feeding Wesker any food they get while they're on the road!


• The better caregiver: Absolutely Leon. The more emotionally-intelligent and caring of the two, Leon may not have the greatest social grace, but he's very sensitive (absolutely not derogatory and certainly not a weakness. It's a good thing!). Knows when to push and when to yield. Neither of them particularly like being taken care of, but Leon's definitely the one who is better at it. Wesker is much more clinical about it, but he also knows what makes Leon tick and knows what will cheer him up if he's down in the dumps. However, knowing and doing are two separate things... who knows, maybe he'll even indulge him from time to time!


• The worrier: Poor Leon has a lot of stress on his shoulders at any given time (self-imposed or otherwise), but he doesn't worry about Wesker's well-being. He and Ada always find a way to come out unscathed from anything, and while Leon does care for them, he's not worried about their survival. They always seem to come out on top! And Leon will always oppose Albert's cause, no matter how attached to him he may become. Wesker also needn't worry about capable Agent Kennedy... especially not when he's the one pulling the strings of his opposition! It always thrills him to see Leon (and Ada) rise above adversity over and over again... even if it does meddle in with his own plans!


• "Excuse me, he asked for no pickles.": Neither of them are particularly meek or sheepish, so they have no problem sending their wrong food orders back. Leon will sometimes just shrug it off and say "Ugh, whatever," and eat it, but if Wesker's food is wrong, he will always politely - but directly - get it corrected.