The pouring rain hummed outside of the tent. Normally Costa Rica had warm weather but the cool ocean air blowing in and the sun going down was making the temperature drop unseasonably low. Snake wondered how his men were doing in this weather and hoped they would all be smart enough to stay put during a storm like this. It was times like these he wished for more stable quarters at MSF, but the band of mercenaries were operating with minimal personal and even less capital. He knew the last part well, Miller reminded him every chance he got. "War is a business and we should be profiting like everyone else!" He would say. It was probably right, but Snake didn't really have much desire for money just as long as he felt like he belonged, and the only place to feel like that was on the battlefield. Killing was the only thing he felt he did well and he would be lying to himself if he said he didn't enjoy it, just a little bit. Or course he also enjoyed his family, each MSF solider was like a brother to him and he cherished them all. They called him Boss, accepted him as their leader, and just as they vowed their lives to MSF he vowed to do what he could to make it worth their time.
He wasn't alone running MSF, the small encampment was mostly held down by his second in command Kazuhira Miller. Miller was over a decade younger but the unique circumstances on how they met and befriended had made Snake trust him fully - a gift he did not give easily. While Snake went away doing this job or that it was Miller who settled disputes, managed the troops, and made sure everyone had a hot meal at the end of the day. He was thankful for this, cooking was most definitely not Snake's strong suit, and neither was the day to day management. Or money, he really hated dealing with that and years of being funded by the US Army made him lack the appreciation for what things cost. Miller, on the other hand, spent his childhood in Japan living with his single mother and helping her run a small cigarette shop. He wondered if Miller had never taken up smoking due to the cost and lit up a cigar.
Thunder crashed as the storm intensified and Snake started to feel slightly concerned. He had sent Miller out some time ago to ask everyone to stay put and bring them all a bit of food to keep up morale. Miller was good at taking care of the troops but he still had a lot to learn on the subject, so this one had been entirely Boss' idea. Miller didn't really get why anyone would be inclined to go out in this weather, including himself, but the man obeyed Snake regardless. Even with the boss and subordinate relationship they had, he treated Miller as his equal. They rarely argued, but when they did it would usually end in a fistfight. Repeatedly be defeated didn't stop Miller from trying each and every time. It was that fighting spirit that drew him to Miller in the first place. He knew that his second in command would never stop fighting and do what he had to for what he believed in. That's what made a good soldier, a good man, in Snake's eyes.
He was partway through his cigar when a drenched figure slunk into his tent. The sun had just finished setting but he could still see how heavily the rain was falling as the entrance parted. Thunder again, this time louder and closer than before. The storm would be bad and he was concerned about the camp. It didn't show on his face as he watched Miller remove his wet coat and ascot, revealing a solid green shirt underneath. The man left his sunglasses on, which at this point wasn't the least bit surprising. Miller was always wearing those aviators in inappropriate situations like indoors, the rain, or evening. He had heard the soldiers make jokes when they thought no one could hear and he himself had wondered on more than one occasion what the deal was. Miller always seemed to dodge the question so Snake eventually just dropped it. It's not anyone's business to pry, he thought.
"It's cold out there. Everyone's even given orders not to leave their tents unless absolutely necessary. They've been given some extra rations and I handed out a few decks of cards. Nothing to worry about, boss." It was hard to hear Miller over the storm but Snake pieced his words together.
"Good, thanks." He replied before taking a puff from his cigar.
He watched as Miller went over to make coffee. A small generator in the tent powered the lights and whatever small appliances they needed. Snake wondered how despite the rain Miller's blonde hair was always perfectly slicked back, where his own was always a brown dishevelled mess. It didn't help that the bandanna he wore pushed it all up to make it stick out more. He had a beard, there was never enough time to shave, but Miller always managed to find some. He didn't question how busy Miller was, the man had just as much responsibilities as Snake did, but for some reason he always managed the simple things - cooking, shaving, women... Snake couldn't help but notice Miller's hands were shaking as he poured the grounds into the machine.
"Sit down, I'll do that." He said as he stood up, his chair getting stuck on the tarp the was the tent's floor and him catching it in one seamless motion. His cigar didn't even twitch in his mouth.
"It's fine boss, I don't mind." Miller's voice definitely sounded weak.
As Snake same closer he noticed Miller's cheeks were flushed. He reached over and carefully removed his sunglasses, not that he needed them inside, and looked at his slightly sunken blue eyes.
"I can tell just by looking at you you're not feeling well Kaz, now go sit down. " he ordered, elbowing the taller man out of his way and filling up the coffee maker.
Miller sighed and obeyed, sitting at the table and resting his head on his hands. Maybe they were overworked, Snake thought. Being out in the rain certainly wouldn't help either and it was his fault Kaz had gone outside. The temperature had dropped even more now and he felt a slight chill against his bare arms. He was wearing green camouflage and the same army green shirt as Miller, standard issue clothes they offered all MSF members. Miller wore solid green army pants, which Snake now noticed were soaked too. While the coffee brewed he went to grab a dry pair of pants before realizing he had no extras. The rainy season made it muddy and difficult to wash and dry clothing. He narrowed his eyes a tad in frustration before going back to the kitchenette and pouring two cups, setting Miller's down on the table and taking the seat next to him. Miller stifled a cough before taking a sip. His hand was shaking again and he was starting to look worse.
"Thanks." Miller looked at him with a smile, his soft eyes showing more appreciation than his words.
Snake couldn't help but notice Miller's eyes. They were something he rarely saw, so blue and striking. It was when he took those glasses off that he was able to talk any girl he met into his bed. They usually had ambition in them but tonight seemed glassy and distant. Snake reached over and gently touched Miller's forehead and held it there for a moment, despite Miller's flinching. He could feel Kaz's whole body shaking under his met Miller's eyes with his own, concern clear on his face.
"You're sick." He stated
Miller groaned and shook his head knocking off Snake's hand.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Boss." Miller argued, his voice sounding more faint than ever and his body still shaking. It was obviously a pretty high fever. They didn't have an infirmary or even a doctor in the camp and up until now were dressing their own wounds. Both him and Miller were actually pretty good in this department and it was working well. He also knew that he couldn't afford to let Miller push through whatever was causing the fever and possibly getting more sick at a less opportune time.
"Go lay down in the bed over there so I can keep an eye on you." Snake motioned across the room.
Miller giggled, he must have thought he was joking. Snake extinguished his cigar, got up quickly from his chair, and grabbed Miller by the arm.
"I wasn't kidding." He said as he pulled up.
It didn't matter that Miller was a bit taller, Snake was stronger and still able to push him around. Miller stumbled as Snake pulled him to his feet but he was gently as he pulled Miller's arm around his own neck, partially supporting his friend on his back as he half carried, half dragged him across the room. His whole body felt hot and he smelled like you'd expect someone with a fever to, that sickly smell, with a hint if sweat and rain mixed in. Miller made a few protesting remarks but didn't fight too hard and even laid his head on Snake's shoulder. Kaz was one of the proudest men Snake had ever met and it was more obvious than ever he really wasn't doing very well. He placed Miller down on the bed softly. His eyes were closed now and Snake started undoing Miller's pants.
"What are you doing Boss..." Miller moaned.
"Heh. You're soaking wet Kaz, just go to sleep. I can't afford to let you die to a fever." He joked.
"I'm stronger than... Tha..." Miller trailed off, passing out.
Snake finished pulling off Miller's pants. He had no underwear underneath (none or the soldiers wore any, really) but that was nothing he hadn't seen before. Soldiers didn't really worry much about modesty and Kaz was probably the least modest of all, especially with a few drinks in him. Snake wondered if it was maybe a Japanese thing. Sitting on the side of the bed he covered Miller up lightly. He was going to get up but something made him linger for a minute longer. He knew Kaz would recover, he really was too strong to be beat by a minor illness, but he still found himself concerned. This was his best friend, after all. He ran his hand gently from Kaz's forehead, across his cheek, and cradled the side of his face holding his hand there for a moment. He watched as Miller took short breaths and occasionally moaned in his sleep due to the fever. He could feel his hand getting warmer and got up to soak a cloth in cool water before returning and placing it on Miller's forehead.
"Mmm... Boss..." Miller moaned in his sleep. Snake couldn't help but smile, although he wasn't sure how else to react. He was good at helping people achieve their goals but not so used to providing gentle comfort.
"Shh... Just sleep." he croaked.
"Suki desu..." whispered Kaz in Japanese. Snake didn't know what 'ski de' meant and reminded himself to ask Kaz about that later. He turned to get up again but Miller reached out and grabbed his hand. Snake turned, and went to speak before realizing he was still sleeping. It's funny what people will do when they're delusional from a fever, he thought. It was getting pretty late now and Snake found himself lying on the bed next to Miller, his hand still clasped around his own. It wasn't the first time the two had slept in close proximity like this but for something felt different tonight. Maybe it was the hand holding. At any rate it would allow him to keep a close eye on Miller through the night, just in case.
Snake woke early to the sound of birds singing loudly. There were so many in Costa Rica and he had no idea what they all were, just that they caused quite a racket very early. The rain had stopped and the morning was muggy and hot. He checked Kaz's forehead and it seemed like the fever had broken. He put another blanket on him and got up to make some coffee and hang Miller's pants outside to dry. Just as he was lighting a cigar he heard some groaning from across the room. Snake watched as Miller sat up looking a bit confused. Kaz's eyes looked first to his sunglasses which were still sitting on the counter from the night before, then the coffee that was almost done brewing, to Snake himself, and finally down to his naked crotch which he exposed when he moved upright. Snake couldn't help but look and it was no wonder Miller was so confident with his clothes off.
"Where are my pants?" Miller asked, leaning over slightly to search the floor.
"I hung them to dry outside." Snake responded, puffing on the cigar. Miller shook his head for a second, the memories of last night probably coming back to him.
"Oh right, thanks boss. Uh, about last night..."
"Don't mention it. I don't know what I would do without you Kaz, please don't get sick again."
"Heh, I'll do my best." Kaz chucked and Snake handed him a cup of coffee. "Thanks."
Snake pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat smoking and drinking his coffee for a moment before speaking again.
"How are you feeling?" he finally asked.
"Oh, uh... Much better, thanks. My head hurts a bit but that's it." Miller replied.
"Hey Kaz, what does "ski de" mean?"
Miller cocked his head to the side. "Suki desu? It means I like you, it's really only used for a first time love confession. Why?"
Snake didn't answer and Kaz knew better than to press the subject when this happened. He wondered who Kaz had been talking about when he said that in his sleep. It had been his name he uttered just before, so maybe... Snake tried to push that notion out of his mind. Kazuhira Miller, womanizer, man who tried to kill them both with a grenade, would not be saying things like that to another guy. Snake was glad at that thought, the last thing he needed at this time was getting mixed up in drama like that. Without a word he went outside to retrieve Miller's now dry pants and threw them across the room, hitting his face.
"Glad you're feeling better Kaz, now make us something to eat." he barked. Kaz grinned.