Chapter Text
“We need to lay down some ground rules.” Otacon looked up from where he had been wringing out a washcloth in a dirty sink, then dried his hands off on his jeans, one at a time while nodding in acknowledgement of the statement.
“One; you need to leave soon.”
“Right.” Holding a hand under the cloth for any sparse drops of water, Otacon carefully approached Snake, who now held up two fingers.
“Two; you need to lay low. Stay off the computer, don’t go back to your home, don’t talk to anyone. I can find you safety and food for some time while things blow over.”
“Understood.”
“Three; you n--” he paused, scrunching up his eyebrows and flared his nostrils in a very aggressive fashion. “Three; y--” cut off once more, Snake replaced the ending of his sentence with a loud sneeze, making Otacon jump from where he had been standing nearby.
After Otacon had taken a moment to let both him and Snake recollect themselves, he sat back on his ankles and made eye contact with the weary-eyed other. With a nod, Otacon brushed back Snake's bangs, then hesitated.
"Can I take your headband off?"
"No." Without a moment's pause, Snake answered him with a sharp decline. Exhaling through his nose, Otacon laid the damp cloth across the band, his bangs matted with sweat against the fabric. Unsure if that would actually help cool his temper, the man pulled a handkerchief from the inside of his jacket, wiping the sweat that beaded on Snake's cheeks, scruff with facial hair, then wiped the snot from his nose, to which Snake grunted but didn't pull away. He found it a little hard to believe that the super-soldier who had killed more men in the past 72 hours than Otacon had probably ever conversed with was so brittle on the beat up sofa in the safehouse that was arranged prior to the incident at Shadow Moses. Snake always seemed to have a backup plan.
Folding the cloth over, Otacon wiped behind Snake's neck, who's eyes jolted open and grabbed Otacon's wrist with such force he winced. Okay, maybe he wasn't as vulnerable as he had thought.
“Did you fall asleep already?” He joked nervously, trying to free his wrist. Snake held on for a second too long until he processed what was happening and released it.
“No,” he mumbled; “I just wasn’t expecting it.”
“Well you’re sweating more than a popsicle in July. Sit up a little, if you can.”
“M’fine.”
“You’re not. Did you think your nanomachines wouldn’t give you a cold? You’re still human, after all. At least, I think you are.” Dabbing more sweat away, Otacon put the back of his hand against Snake’s hot cheek. “You’re burning up.”
“Really?” Snake asked sarcastically, followed by sniffles. “It’s too damn cold in here.”
“I haven’t had the time to check things out, considering you almost passed out as soon as you kicked the door open. You’re heavy, you know? I had such a hard time taking off that stupid suit. You shouldn't go commando under something like that; it doesn't seem like the wisest idea. There's nothing wrong with a pair of tidy-whities, you know."
"No wonder I'm so cold," Snake grumbled, pulling the blanket up to his chin, slinking down to keep his feet covered.
"Well, suit yourself." Patting his knees once before standing up, Otacon called over his shoulder that he was going to look around the cabin.
Thankfully there were some necessities, albeit the bare minimum. They probably won't be here that long, so the two of them could make do with what was provided.
In the bathroom were stiff towels of mismatched sizes and colors; a couple bottles of over the counter painkillers that didn't seem to have expiration dates; a boxed bar of soap that was chewed by mice; and the water that only ran cold but not quite icy. The bedroom had a single bed, mattress exposed with a stack of blankets in the closet that moths had been dining on; candles that Otacon was sure Snake had a lighter for; oddly enough, a few sweaters and pants that looked about Snake’s size in one of the dresser drawers. This might’ve been somewhere he’s hidden out before.
Continuing to rummage around, Otacon found more evidence that Snake had occupied this space previously, like empty cigarette cartons with the butts tucked inside and beer bottle caps, all poorly pushed into the corner of the room. Out of sight, out of mind. The torn off corner of what appeared to be a large bag of dog food, kibbles not to be found.
Wandering in the kitchen he found a kerosene lamp that could last them three nights at best. Another one was beside it with a broken handle, scuffed and dented in different places but hopefully still usable. A gas stove proven futile when nothing lit as Otacon turned the dials. It was surprising enough they had electricity and running water, so he couldn’t be bothered too much by not having a working stove. The two of them could manage with what the cupboard had to offer, which was cans of soup and beans. Otacon sighed and turned on his heel to go back into the small living space, where Snake no longer was lying.
Before he could open his mouth to call out, the back door slammed in the background, Otacon following suit and yelling into the wind.
“Snake!” Whether Snake heard him or not was beyond Otacon as Snake continued walking through the woods, barefoot and buck-naked aside from the blanket he wrapped himself in as he trudged onwards. “Snake! What are you doing?!”
Once again, no response, but Snake had stopped some distance away, standing rigid and shifting the blanket slightly. Otacon watched him in silence before realizing and closing the door, walking back into the house to try the stove again.
“There is a bathroom here, you know.”
“Easier that way.”
“Pissing in the snow? Naked?”
“Yeah.” Sitting down in one of the kitchen chairs, Snake coddled himself up once more, watching Otacon fuss about. “Does it matter?”
“It does! You’re sick! You shouldn’t have gone out like that!” Sneezing, Snake wiped his nose and stood up, dropping his blanket and sauntering off.
“Are you always this ungrateful?” Otacon mumbled, pushing up his glasses and flicked the lighter again, trying to light the lantern as the sky darkened. The footsteps that had been fading ceased, then rapidly turned and stalked out Otacon in the kitchen. Grabbing him by the collar, Snake yanked him forward, the lighter clattering to the floor. His breathing was heavy, throat hoarse and groggier than usual.
“You don’t need to baby me. I can take care of myself. Always have.”
“Is that why you’re being so stubborn?” Despite the close proximity and aggression, Otacon pushed his glasses up and kept his cool. “Because you’re not used to people caring?”
Releasing his grip, Otacon stumbled a little to regain his balance while Snake glared at him. He looked ridiculous, naked aside from the headband he refused to remove. His body was flushed and sweaty, looking like he was going to pass out or be sick. When Snake inevitably did wobble, Otacon caught him and put him back in the chair, Snake’s head lolling and falling against the table. Truly bothersome.
Snake awoke to the smell of food, the light of a lantern on the table illuminating Otacon’s outline as he stirred something idly in a pot on the stove.
“Are you awake?” Otacon asked, turning the stove off and switching the pot to a different burner. “I figured out the stove. Well, at least one of the burners. There’s a few dishes here, a can opener, some silverware. No actual plates or bowls or cups, I mean, but a couple pots and one frying pan.” Setting the pot on the table, Otacon stirred it one final time before passing it over to Snake. Chicken noodle soup, broth still steaming. Snake looked between the food and Otacon’s shadowy figure, then discarded the spoon with a clatter and drank from the pot itself.
“Jeez!” He huffed, leaving the kitchen and brought a pillow from the bedroom. “I’m going to sleep on the couch. I made the bed for you and if you need to pee, use the bathroom.”
“You don’t need to do all that.” Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Snake noticed he had been changed into a pair of baggy sweatpants and a sweater. Two, actually.
“I, uh…” voice trailing off, Otacon readjusted his makeshift bed timidly, “I took care of my father for some time. It’s no big deal, I don’t mind.” Clearing his throat, he continued, even though his throat began to close and dry up. “If anything, I’d prefer taking care of you. Because I wasn’t there when my dad needed it the most due to, er… Circumstances.” Snake setting the pot down clumsily cut Otacon from his ramble, jumping up and seeing Snake had merely finished eating and was just loud, not having passed out again.
“Okay,” was all he said, standing up and shuffling his way to the bedroom, the springs creaking loudly as he falls onto it and grunts loudly. “Good night.”
“Do you want me to close the door?”
“No,” Snake said after a pause, rolling onto his back and managing what Otacon assumed was a smile. Disappearing momentarily and returning with the better lantern, Otacon put it on the dresser and pointed to the closet.
“If you get cold.” The other light went to the coffee table, giving Otacon enough light to situate himself. It wasn’t until he was drifting to sleep that he remembered this was the blanket Snake had been wearing and its warmth was comforting on the cold couch, hearing Snake cough and wheeze from the bedroom, followed by snoring.