☮ 042; [video]

[philanthrotaku]

[Otacon was not in great shape today. The Rocket takeover had left him with bruises and a broken arm in a cast. He looked exhausted as well as injured when the video came on, but there were a few things he needed to take care of. First, there was someone else that should have been in the Radio Tower that day that he hadn't heard from.]

[Failed

Comments

[imthe_shit]

[Snake had already been making his way to Otacon's room and was just about to knock when he heard his friend half-sobbing out apologies. That was all that needed to happen for Snake to open the door and rush in, staring down at Hal.]

Otacon...! [The cast, the bruises, the crying... Snake looked with wide-eyes.]

[philanthrotaku]

...my father's...he left, Snake. I can't contact him.

[He looked up with an oddly blank expression--like he was in shock. It wasn't too far from the truth.]

...you shouldn't be here. Liquid's going to start another fight.

[Any change of subject was a welcome one.]

[imthe_shit]

[Crouches down to his level, placing a hand to Otacon's shoulder.] I don't give a damn what Liquid's going to do. I'm here for you.

[philanthrotaku]

...Snake, I just...

[Otacon stood up, a little unsteady on his feet.]

...let's just get out of here for a while. Please.

[imthe_shit]

[Stands up with a grunt and nods.]

All right.

[philanthrotaku]

[He turned and walked out of the room, wincing slightly. Every part of his body still ached from the fight in the Radio Tower, though this had admittedly taken the focus off of things for now.]

[imthe_shit]

[Follows him, looking about the room as he exits it. Snake is starting to consider not leaving Otacon's side... But the fact he has Liquid makes the old soldier frown somewhat. Now was not the time to be thinking about that.]

[philanthrotaku]

Let's just...go get a coffee or something. Sound good?

[Otacon was trying to play this off like it was nothing. Act like it didn't hurt half as much as it did.]

[Of course, it didn't work very well.]

[imthe_shit]

[Hey Otacon.

You're getting an old man hug.]

[philanthrotaku]

...

[Hugs from anyone are very welcome today.]

...I'm okay, Snake. Really.

[imthe_shit]

... Don't kid yourself... There's no mission we have to strive for... Don't bottle it up again. [ Doesn't let go. ]

[philanthrotaku]

[He almost wished Philanthropy did have a mission to accomplish. Anything to take his mind off of this.]

[Otacon wrapped his uninjured arm around Snake's shoulders, not speaking for a moment or two.]

...it's just...not fair, David.

[imthe_shit]

[ Pats his back, still not the greatest at comforting, but he's willing to try. ]

Yeah... I know.

[philanthrotaku]

...wonder what he really thought about me. I-if he thought I turned out to be a failure or not.

[imthe_shit]

Hey... He stayed with you all this time. That's got to stand for something.

[philanthrotaku]

...yeah. Yeah. Y...you're right.

It just...hurts, y'know? It took me this long to realize I barely even knew my own father, and now I lose him all over again.