//eyes on me

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

[After a room had turned Liquid into a perfectly healthy version of himself that actually looked forty-two rather than death warmed over, his mood had improved considerably. Add that to the fact that he had finally reconciled with his Otacon, and things were definitely looking up for him.]

There should be one around here somewhere.

[So now they were walking through the halls in search of a kitchen--some calm and quiet time between the two of them was long overdue.]

[Locked to vestri_vires]

Comments

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

[Hesitating a moment, Liquid slipped off the dogtags he wore even now--the one thing that had always been there, identifying him as a soldier. He didn't remember when exactly he'd first put them on, but they had never been taken off until that moment.]

[The blond stared at the small metal object in his hand for a moment--they had meant so much to him for so many years. His identity as Liquid Snake, condensed into a simple physical form.]

...here.

[He slipped them around Otacon's neck, pressing a kiss to his forehead.]

I don't need these anymore. I...would like you to hold onto them.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[!!!]

[He opened his eyes, looking at James in surprise. Lifting a hand, he touches the dogtags lightly. There's an amazed look on his face.]

James...

[Otacon knows exactly how special this moment is. After all this time, he's well aware of what the dogtags meant to James. There's something almost ritualistic in this.]

I'll take good care of them.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

I know you will, love. That's why I'm giving them to you.

I don't need to be Liquid Snake any longer--wearing them doesn't feel quite right now.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[Before he thinks, he moves, embracing James tightly. He can't think of anything to say to this, so he simply hugs him close.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

...!

[He wrapped his arms around Otacon's shoulders, looking confused]

Hal? What...

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...It's nothing. You just made me feel... really happy, for some reason.

[He lifts his head to smile at James.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

O...oh. Is that all? You almost made me think something was wrong.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

No. How could anything be wrong?

[He laughs softly.]

Sorry, James.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

Tch...forget it. It's fine.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[Releasing James, he goes to rinse his cup out, looking thoughtful.]

So what are we doing now?

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

Hadn't thought that far ahead, actually.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...hey.

Our younger selves don't mind me hanging around, do they?

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

I doubt it, why would they?

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He blinks owlishly at him.]

...you never told them? Didn't they wonder why you were so unhappy?

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

...Oh, that. I mentioned it to your younger self, but frankly I've hardly spoken to the other Liquid. Awkward, perhaps, but I doubt either will mind.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...that's good. [He sets the cup aside and goes back over to James.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

It'll be fine, Hal.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

I know, but I still worry.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

Far too much, really.

[Smirk.]

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

H-hey! ...am I really that bad?

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

A bit.

But...I do like it when you worry about me.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

That's good, because I worry about you a lot, James.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

You'll likely be doing it a bit less now. I'm done fighting, Hal. Permanently, unless the situation forces otherwise.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He smiles and nods.]

That's true, but I'll still worry about you. I always do.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

There's no need to, you realize. I can take care of myself.