[ he's changed. he's strong, and stronger than snake could have hoped to see from him. it'd weasel a smile out of him, but he's not that kind of man. instead, snake shakes his head. ]
You've got it wrong. There's no certainty in the future. What we have is the ability to fight, or to obey. Raiden, you said it before. Freeing me was freeing yourself. The ability to choose is a form of freedom, one people rarely find or define for themselves. You deserved it. A chance to choose. [ he's quiet for a moment, holds raiden's gaze. it's unflinching, the look you give someone who understands you.
he would have chosen the same path. this is the future, and raiden is protecting it. it may not have been the easiest path... but it's the one that snake knows is most logical. he said before that he would start his own fire; raiden carries the torch. ]
[ it’s strange — to hear snake speak to him as a man instead of a boy. he’d sought so desperately to be his equal. and he was, in his own way, but snake...solid snake would always stand at a distance, chivalrous and kind and cold as he left raiden behind.
he doesn’t need him anymore. it’s true. but this flutter of warmth in his chest, it’s made him feel more alive than he’s been in years. ]
Snake. [ a beat. he does not break eye contact. ] You don’t need to worry about me anymore. I want to live — and I plan on it.
But this time, when you go... let me come with you.
[ he should say something like "that's my line," but they both know it isn't. it isn't snake who hasn't seen raiden for five years.
so snake holds out his fist, only a moment after raiden claps a hand on his shoulder. it's a familiar sensation of gears and metal, bolts and nuts against the fabric of his black turtleneck. c'mon, you can't leave an old man hanging. ]
no subject
You've got it wrong. There's no certainty in the future. What we have is the ability to fight, or to obey. Raiden, you said it before. Freeing me was freeing yourself. The ability to choose is a form of freedom, one people rarely find or define for themselves. You deserved it. A chance to choose. [ he's quiet for a moment, holds raiden's gaze. it's unflinching, the look you give someone who understands you.
he would have chosen the same path. this is the future, and raiden is protecting it. it may not have been the easiest path... but it's the one that snake knows is most logical. he said before that he would start his own fire; raiden carries the torch. ]
no subject
he doesn’t need him anymore. it’s true. but this flutter of warmth in his chest, it’s made him feel more alive than he’s been in years. ]
Snake. [ a beat. he does not break eye contact. ] You don’t need to worry about me anymore. I want to live — and I plan on it.
But this time, when you go... let me come with you.
no subject
in any case, he chooses not to mention he's in the next room. ]
When you're done, then you can rest.
[ so he shakes his head, gaze downcast to the floorboards again. ] You have a fight to continue. Can't let you clock out early, can I?
no subject
‘Course not. I told you I wouldn’t die. Besides, I promised Sunny I’d bring her souvenirs back.
...Snake. [ he reaches his hand over...and clasps his shoulder. ] I’m always going to have your back.
[ and in a softer, meeker tone— ]
...It’s good — to see you again.
no subject
so snake holds out his fist, only a moment after raiden claps a hand on his shoulder. it's a familiar sensation of gears and metal, bolts and nuts against the fabric of his black turtleneck. c'mon, you can't leave an old man hanging. ]