[Woof]

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[Snake grunts as he jerks awake, stiffly, since he fell asleep on the floor in the hallway real classy-like.  Next to him is an empty whiskey bottle.  He groans and runs his hands over his face and even though no one is around to see it, he's still embarrassed.  He hopes that he didn't do anything stupid.]

Hn?

[Something on his neck is 'itching' him.  Snake touches his neck to scratch and he feels something leathery.]

[He woke up with it on; a simple brown collar with soft, blue kidskin lining. He doesn't like it.  It has a damn ring on the front...where someone could potentially attach a lead.  Great.]

What...the Hell?

Why does this crazy shit always happen to me?

[This Nexus is really starting to get on his last nerve...and Snake's last nerve must be pretty strong-]

Comments

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

[Slowly shakes his head.]

No. It's not.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[He stares at him.]

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

[He turns to look fully at him.]

I shouldn't have forced you. There is no excuse.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

'Forced'?

[He furrows his brows.]

I didn't feel 'forced'.

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

[Turns his head away and closes his eye.]

...

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[He looks down feeling that he failed at that, as well.]

.........

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

I would have liked to have been sober for it.

[he folds his hands between his legs and looks down at them.]

Instead, I have vague images of what I did and crushing guilt.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

... [He looks back at him and is hesitant to speak, but he finds the courage somewhere, eventually.]




You didn't hurt me, if that's what you are wondering.

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

[Shakes his head.]

That is only a small comfort.

I could have done much worse.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[He feels really bad that Big Boss is regretting it...that's really not helping Snake's self esteem much.]

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

[Turns his head sharply.]

Snake.

[He does not look happy.]

That is why.

[He stands up.]

I'm disappointed. You should never roll over and take it. Not from me. Not from anyone.

Don't you dare lay the blame on yourself.

[He looks over seriously]

Or I will kill you.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[He's taken aback, which is quite sobering.]

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

...

[Now he's really confused.]

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

[Big Boss is pissed, in a slow burn cold rage.]

You're better than this.

Prove to me you haven't given up.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

What?

[How? He's sick and dizzy...and he knows he can't shoot straight to save his life, most likely - literally. He scoots away some on the bench.]

[He swallows hard forming a lump in his throat that nearly strains against the collar around his neck.]

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

[This isn't doing anything to help his mood.]

Self-pity has no place in you. You've fallen apart, why? For what purpose?
When was the last time you thought of anything but your misery?

Answer me.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[He thinks for a moment.]

Last time...was when I-

[He winces when he comes to the realization.]

-when I was with you.

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

[He pauses, some of the cold rage melting. His face does soften somewhat but he isn't done.]

Answer the other question. Why. Why have you done this to yourself? What is your reason.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[He's dead meat.]

[He really doesn't remember HOW he got drunk this last time. All he knows is that he woke in this very hallway with an empty bottle of Jack Daniel's.]

...

[He has to tell the truth, even it gets him killed.]

I don't remember. I was having a decent day, but- [His body trembles minutely.] -I am missing a whole chunk of time. I have no idea if I even drank this on my own volition.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[He tugs at the collar.]

I don't know how this even got on me.




I've got no clue to it's symbolism.

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

You won't let this happen again.

[He's still not very happy. The explanation cooled him somewhat but... he's still not happy.]

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

I won't-

[If Snake could meld THROUGH the wall that his back is completely against, he would.]

...

[There's nothing more frightening and nothing that commands more compliance than a stern Father.]

[zeroequals100.livejournal.com]

Good.

You're better than this.

[saltpeppered.livejournal.com]

[Snake tugs on the collar...still won't come off.]