Not Your Kind Of People (Raiden x Reader - Metal Gear)

A Painful Truth

Warnings:

Unbetaed work. Mentions of rape and child abuse.

Part XV

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He regains control over his limbs little by little. You accompany to his PT sessions and his doctor says he's shown remarkable progress in no time, thanks to his willpower and your support. Raiden is in a better mood, much better than you've seen before, and that helps a lot too. Sunny visits often, also, and spends time with him, talking about her plans or the places she wants to take him around Baltimore when he's fully recovered.

It's quite heartwarming to see them grow closer everyday. He quite enjoys the company of the little girl, and she looks happier than ever by his side. For once, everything feels the way it should be and a dark part of your life is coming to an end, at long last. There's a new life to live ahead and you intend to make the most of it.

It's time to break free of the chains that tie you to your past, once and for all.

After a session of physical therapy in the evening, you return to his room. He's got a more solid footing and now is able to walk with a bit of help. Before he heads off to bed, you offer to take care of his hair and it brings a smile to his lips. Raiden lets you near him, unafraid and unashamed, without distrust. He knows it's only you, and you won't hurt him in any way— you won't judge him like others have.

"You have to look your best," you tell him as you smear the cream bath on his blonde tresses, gently massaging his scalp in circles. A soft moan resounds in the back of his throat and you chuckle at his reaction, fingers tracing a path from the top of his head to the back of his neck. "You know, I remember the first time I saw you. You had such a long and beautiful blonde hair, I was kind of jealous of it."

"You thought I was a girl," he sounds amused by your remark and you shrug your shoulders, arching an eyebrow at him.

"Well, I thought you looked really pretty, that's all. It shouldn't be something bad, right? In fact, I still think you're quite the attractive man. You'd turn my head anywhere, any day."

"I'd still turn heads anyway." In the blink of an eye, gloom takes over him as he examines his hands. "Look at me, even with artificial skin it's easy for people to tell I'm not human. I can see the pity in their eyes, disgust, hatred, as if I chose any of this. I thought things would change, that we'd start anew but... can we really do it? Is this the life you want, with someone who isn't even human anymore? I'm still a beast."

"Don't say that!" Wiping your hands with the towel on his back, you cup his cheek and make him look at you. His blue eyes are so full of hurt and sadness, as you hold his face gently. "Jack, you're all I want and all I need. I chose to be by your side and we'll do this together. Things will get better for us, you'll see. I will take care of you, we'll have our own place and we'll live a life of our own for once. What does it matter what others think, as long as as we have each other?"

He doesn't say anything, only stares into your eyes for the longest of times and then his hand slowly rises to touch your face. It brushes against your cheek, and his index finger traces your lips with clumsy movements. He smiles with sadness before his eyes stray to the window when a soft pitter-patter catches his attention, suddenly.