The food experiments

VI

The thing about investigating a subject is not only the expansion of your knowledge, but also realizing you've misunderstood certain aspects of it.
Otacon, the same way he had proved recipes don't need to be extremely precise, had not only seen but also experienced that romanticism wasn't all about the ambiance. Snake hadn't planned anything beforehand, he wasn't the one to put the subject on a conversation. They were just sitting together, outdoors, and yet...

—You going to see Alina? —Snake asked him, serving the food to his dogs.

—You put me in that situation, you know.

—You're not upset.

—No, I'm not. But I'm still shy...

David walked towards him, looking directly into his eyes.

—It'll be easier than you think.

He messed his hair up before hugging him. He wasn't too good expressing it, but he felt proud of how much effort Hal put into things - even the ones he didn't enjoy too much.
Snake helped him prepare his backpack, after which he took one of his coats before Otacon could ask for permission. He then disorganized his greyish hair again —Otacon had tried to fix it between one thing and another—, petted his neck and said goodbye to him.

____

Hal waved at both Alina and her daughter as he walked closer to the pub. It was a bit dark yet and he could feel the cold around his legs, but he was doing fine with Snake's coat. He still asked himself each time why they felt warmer than his own, but never found a convincing answer.

Hal properly introduced himself - they hadn't know his name yet. Alina gave him several instructions about what and how they usually did things, clear and simple. Otacon followed them with much more easiness than he had expected. "Maybe Snake was right after all", he thought.

The hours passed by without much trouble. Otacon learned a lot, even at the times he only watched what they were doing. He didn't feel confused, anxious or tired - just as she had been via text, Alina was equally gentle in person. He wondered if his mother would have been like that, if she was still there by his side. She probably would...

—Hal, would you mind going outside for a second? —Alina asked, hands holding up several empty glasses—. I think there's a dog looking for you.

—A dog? —he repeated while following her request.

He looked around and before he could notice it, he was already laying on the snow. He felt something heavy on his ribcage.

—Miku! —he called the husky, breathing the best he could—. What are you doing here? Snake must be worried-... —he remembered her usually wild moves and speed—. He probably doesn't need to...

Miku stood aside and waited for him to get up and pet her. She waved her tail with excitement. She was still young, but she loved learning tricks and following either Snake or Otacon around. She ran in circles around him, expecting him to follow her back home.

—Is something wrong at home?

Miku stayed still, silent, to let him know he didn't have to worry. After a few seconds she started running in circles again.

Alina's daughter slowly tried to reach them - she wanted to pet the dog. Hal noticed her and asked Miku to sit next to him, so she could pet her properly.

—Is this your dog? —she asked, curious.

—Well, technically, it's David's - the guy I was with yesterday. He has another 49 dogs, you know? I love them all so much I consider them mine too. I even get to name them, like I did with her - she's called Miku.