blooming after the battlefield

by buskat

Summary:

Following the Shadow Moses Incident, Snake and Otacon have a late night talk about themselves and everything that's happened to them. Oneshot cus I'm lazy :P.... also may not be fully lore accurate bc I'm tired teehee

"Do you think love can bloom, even on a battlefield?"

Years have passed since Hal 'Otacon' Emmerich asked Snake those words. After all of the trauma they experienced during the Shadow Moses Incident, Snake still found himself latched onto those words. He wondered if Otacon had a purpose of asking that question, or if he had any person specific in mind. Still, Snake kept the questions to himself. He was a soldier after all, what more could he do than stay strong? He smiled as he watched Otacon with Sunny, knowing that those battles may really have bloomed into something. When he was with the two, he didn't feel like just Solid Snake anymore. He felt like David.
"Sunny, you really should be getting to bed," Hal sighed, trying to get the child to cooperate. The two were watching some weird anime on the TV, something called Ouran Highschool Host Club. David could only laugh at the fact that after everything they've gone through, Hal still watched Japanese cartoons meant for teenage girls. Sunny argued, begging to watch more, but eventually Hal was able to get the little girl to sleep. David sat on the couch, switching the channels in hopes of finding something more mature. He lit a cigarette, and hit it slowly as he heard Hal return from Sunny's room.
"So, how's fatherhood been treating you?" David asked, grinning.
"Well, I'm just glad I have someone to watch my shows with," Hal chuckled. "You know David, for people who have really shitty issues with their fathers, I'd like to think that we're pretty good dads." David froze at Hal's words. Was he really like a dad to Sunny as well?
"Don't drag me into your little daddy-daughter crap," David laughed. Hal smiled and sat down next to him.
"You might not be her officially adopted father, but let's be honest here, I'm sure she sees you as such."
"You think so?" David took another hit of the cigarette as the smoke filled the room.
"I sure do. And could you put that out? It's not good for the house," Hal grinned, as David pouted putting it out. The two of them just sat, their silence filled by the sounds of whatever show was playing on the TV. Hal eventually scooted closer to David, and his mind began to race with the question yet again.
"Hey, Hal?" David asked, looking into the scientist's eyes.
"What is it?" Hal asked, looking back at him.
"Do you remember, all of those years ago, what you asked me about love?" Hal froze at David's question.
"I-I'm not sure I recall... what was it?" Hal stuttered.
"You asked me if I had ever been in love. And then you asked me if I thought love could bloom, e-"
"-even on a battlefield," Hal finished. Neither of them knew what to say. The room was dark, the only light shining from the TV. Both of their eyes were practically glowing from the TV light, and they had their eyes on no other than each other. After minutes of silence, David spoke.

"I think love did bloom on that battlefield, Hal."

Hal was silent for a long while, as they continued to just stare at each other. Eventually, Hal got up silently. He walked around into the kitchen in silence, and eventually returned. He stood in front of David, staring again. These moments of silence were almost as hellish as what they had endured in battle, and David could do nothing but wait for Hal's voice to say something, anything.
"Hal-" David started, but was cut off by the scientist's lips on his.
"I think love bloomed too, David," Hal smiled. The two of them just froze, smiling at each other. Hal sat back on the couch, David's arms around him as the two fell asleep together in silence and love.