The food experiments

V

The first thing Otacon did after waking up was turn the lights on and open the closet's door. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, overjoyusly proud of himself. He had been the one to do the action, even if he had needed a bit of help from Snake to make the move. He thought his skin seemed a bit more lively than usual. "Maybe it's a consequence of being in love?", he wondered. He got closer to the mirror and observed himself stroke his cheeks, trying to figure out whether they really looked slightly pinker or he was being too imaginative.

Just as he had previously done, he entered the cooking forum to check for new replies. He had initiated a new thread, a bit fearful it'd be deleted because it wasn't strictly about food. Well, in fact... It wasn't related to food at all.
He had asked for help with romance. Sure, he knew what could be considered more or less romantic - he had seen so many kinds of films and shows, read so many books and comics... But that was the thing, he never really had the chance to be romantic.

—Otacon, I'm going out. Need something? —a deep voice sounded behind the bedroom's door.

—Wait! —he quickly replied—. I'll come with you.

Hal rotated his body from the mirror on his closet to the hanging clothes. He checked all his sweaters, jackets and coats and left the room without picking anything.

—Can I borrow-

—Go get it.

Otacon went to Snake's bedroom and took one of the coats that had a really soft synthetic fur on the inside - it made him feel cozy. He was childishly smiling, but he wasn't aware of it. He went back to Snake.

—I think I'm ready to leave now.

David looked at him for a few seconds, walked to the kitchen, warmed up a sweet-flavored tea to fill a thermos bottle that he later put inside his backpack, and patted Hal's shoulder as he went to the door. He knew his habits well enough to know Hal would be thirsty in less than 10 minutes outside. He also knew he didn't want to put a foot inside a cafeteria full of people and be held hostage there for at least half an hour.

Snake lit a cigarette while Otacon catched up with him - he always felt the need to pet the dogs and tell them goodbye. To all of them. Individually.
He would have never thought his life would look like this. He was more than committed to die after a lonely life, but he now lived with a kind man who he would trust his life to. Someone who he allows to approach him, to hand-shake him, to hug him... To kiss him.

—Kept you waiting, huh? —Otacon joked, laughing a bit—. So, what's the route?

—You've never gone to the pond, have you?

—There's a pond nearby?

—Yeah.

—Are you gonna go fishing?

—No, I just like to walk around there. It's quiet. We can go somewhere else if you want to.

—No, the pond sounds good —he smiled.

____

Otacon noticed a raw wood bench as they approached the area - he didn't need any clues to conclude Snake had built it. It was really well done and perfectly matched the views, but it didn't bring any attention to itself. Just like him.
David guided him through the landmarks he had discovered during his previous visits. The landmarks being paw prints carved in stones, animal bones, hiding spots and nests. Hal payed attention to all of them equally, adding extra information if he had some. Snake then stood on top of the ice covering the water and waited for Otacon to follow him, but he was reluctant. Snake didn't insist.

They went back and sat together on the bench. Hal was already halfway through his bottle, while David had barely touched his own. He took a small bag out of his backpack and offered it to Otacon - it contained different kinds of toasted nuts. He ate some.