(no subject)

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

[There's the sound of a doorknob turning and the creak of a door opening as Otacon steps into his room. Unwilling to disturb the sleeping boy in his arms, he doesn't turn on the lights, though he does keep the door open so that light from the hallway can stream in. He remembers the layout of his apartments well enough to make his way to his bedroom.]

[Whispering to the man behind him.] Watch your step.

[Once he reaches his bed, he lays his son down on it and pulls the covers over the boy. He smiles at what he sees in the dim lighting. Bending down, he gently lifts the hair away from Arthur's face and strokes his cheek.]

Comments

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

[Snake takes careful steps into the apartment. He is used to being in the dark, and being able to adjust his sight when there is little to no light. Even without his goggles, he followed Otacon silently to his bedroom.]

[He watches his son and the way Otacon treats him. He can tell how astute he is with children, compared to his own failed attempts at treating children. He had little to no knowledge, but was thankful that Arthur didn't seem like a handful. Neither did he complain.]

_{You're gifted with kids.}

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

Arthur's easy to care for.

[Otacon slowly makes his way around the bed and fumbles for a nearby closet. When he gets that open, he pulls out a few heavy blankets. He spreads them out on the floor.]

Will this do? I don't have a sofa.

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

[A wry smile creeped onto Snake's lips. He stood by, before helping to smooth the corners out of the blankets.]

_{It's good enough. Reminds me of my old days as a Green Beret. Decent accomodation was hard to find back then.}

[He pats the blankets and beckons Otacon to lay down beside him.]

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

[Otacon sits down where Snake beckons, feeling a bit self-conscious.]

I'll get a couch soon, so that you have a place to sleep when you stay over and Arthur's still here.

[He tries not think about the fact that Arthur may disappear in two more days.]

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

_{Don't worry. I'm not gonna be here every night. This is your place, and this is a one off.}

[Snake really didn't want Arthur to disappear. It would be difficult to see him go.]

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

Alright.

[He's still going to get that couch anyway. Just in case.]

[He lays down and looks over at Snake.] I might as well just give you an open standing invitation to stay over whenever you'd like.

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

[Snake shuffles down onto his stomach, resting his head against his arms. He peers out in front of him, noticing a small crack in the wall, but refrains from commenting on it.]

_{You don't have to do that, Hal. I know you like your privacy and your alone time. If I dropped in whenever I wanted, there'd be no point in living separately, right?}

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

No, I guess not.

[He smiles and scoots closer to Snake.] Plus, it'd be harder to carry on my affairs on the side if you're here all the time.

[Kisses Dave to let him know he's joking.]

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

[That made him smirk a little. He turned on his side after a moment, coaxing his hand up to soothe through Otacon's hair.]

_{Is that so?}

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

[Otacon turns his face into the caress.]

[Flippantly.] Mmm-hmmm.... I've had so many offers for one night stands that I've lost count.

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

_{Can't say I blame them.}

[He steals a brief kiss, lazily slipping his fingers between the wavy strands of Otacon's hair.]

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

You should feel lucky... [He pulls back and kisses along Snake's jawline.] ...I'm spending my time with you instead.

[His hands go around Snake's waist and he pulls himself closer to the soldier.]

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

_{Heh. Is that your idea of a compliment?}

[Snake teased, but was more than welcome to the arms that had slipped around him. His own arms wrapped around Hal and he held him close, allowing things to go at his pace. He wouldn't try to impose anymore.]

[tinyotasune.livejournal.com]

[As morning began to dawn on the three, Arthur's eyes started to open up. He had fallen asleep early, and so naturally, he had woken up early too.]

[He blearily sat himself up in bed, ignored his two fathers as he shuffled from the bed and headed to the toilet.]

[When he had finished, he washed his hands and wandered back into the bedroom. He wondered why his dad was sleeping sitting up...]

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

[The sound of Arthur shuffling about is enough to bring Otacon to consciousness. He fumbles for his glasses, puts them on, and sees his son up and about. He follows the boy's gaze to see what Arthur is looking at.]

[As if answering an unspoken question.] Your father's an idiot.

[Otacon gets up to drag Snake to a proper bed.]

[tinyotasune.livejournal.com]

[The young boy stares back at Otacon for a moment, flashing a bright grin at him. He watches, observing how similar this situation was to his own life at home. Except it was either Snake hauling Otacon from his workspace to bed, or Otacon hauling Snake from the couch to bed.]

_Heeeeee. [He watches on, amused by them both.] _{Silly daddies.}

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

Silly daddy is right.

[He reaches Snake and crouches down to shake his shoulder.] Snake?

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

[Snake mumbles something under his breath all quiet and low. His head is bowed.]

LIQUID! ...

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

[A little alarmed now, he shakes more insistently.] Snake!

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

[That certainly woke him up.]

... [When he had relaxed again, he groggily rubbed his face.] _{Urh... What?}

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

[Otacon backs away a bit. But he's still concerned and searching Snake's face for signs of unease.] Did I startle you? Are you alright? It sounded like you were having a dream about Liquid.

[He sighs.] You should have slept on the blankets with me.

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

What are you talking about? I don't dream about Liquid...

[He wrinkled his nose at the very thought. He hates dreaming about Shadow Moses--] _{More like a nightmare.}

Hrnh... I stayed up most of the night.

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

You were screaming his name...

[He tugs Snake into a standing position and over to the bed.] Arthur's awake now, so I'll keep him company while you get some real rest.

[snakehermit.livejournal.com]

_Hnnhh... [Snake sort of grumbles, feeling his weight being shifted to the bed. He peers over to Arthur, and then back to Otacon.]

[He takes Otacon's wrist to prevent him from easing him down to the sheets.] I'll head back to my room. It's alright.

[codec-mechanic.livejournal.com]

You sure?