Title: Metal Gear Solid: Elements of Destruction- Chapter 20: Rescue
Author: The Ice Goddess (FrozenBlueIce)
Fandom: Metal Gear Solid
Feedback: All feedback is welcome, whether it be negative or positive. I'm trying to improve on my writing so, please be honest: frozenblueice@yahoo.com
Pairing: The main pairing of this story is Snake/Otacon, which is obvious to anyone who knows of my fondness for Hal Emmerich, so therefore alright to disclose. There are others, but if I told you what they were, it'd ruin the story.
Series: No. There may be sequels in the future, but right now that is looking unlikely due to time constraints.
Rating: PG (this chapter only)
Disclaimer: All characters appearing in previous Metal Gear Solid video games are the property of Konami Computer Entertainment of Japan, and of their creator, Mr. Hideo Kojima. All new characters are the property of The Ice Goddess. This is a work of fanfiction, and in no way, shape, or form will I receive any monetary compensation for it. It is for entertainment purposes only.
Type: Action/Shounen-ai
Summary: This story takes place one year after the events of "The Big Shell." New information found by Otacon sends Snake back into action. (That's all I'm revealing!)
Chapter 20: Rescue
Raiden followed behind Dr. Raznov through the seemingly endless halls of the base, each stretch still resembling the last. He checked his radar screen. They were definitely somewhere other than where they started.
Jack had on just a pair of black pants and a pair of black boots. The scientist had told him that clothing would irritate the skin around the area of his new implants, so he decided to stick to wearing clothes on his bottom half. They were RNF issue, the only thing she had to give him. At least he wasn't exposed anymore, he thought. This was the second time he had been captured and stripped down to his birthday suit. He wondered why the enemy couldn't do its torturing with his clothes still on.
Anja stopped and pointed to a door at the end of a corridor. "That's the torture room," she said. The woman swallowed hard as memories of her previous visits there resurfaced.
Raiden went up to the door and looked in the window. There was Snake, just where Otacon said he'd be. Noticing Dave's lack of clothing, Jack let a smirk run across his face. At least he wasn't the only one who had been exposed this time.
He tried to go in, but the door wouldn't budge.
"Damn! It's locked. How am I supposed to get in?"
Dr. Raznov came up beside him and got out an access card. She swiped it through the slot next to the keypad, then typed in her four digit ID code. The door slid open.
"Oh, uh… Thanks," Jack said blushing.
The woman smiled, then waved him in.
Jack stepped cautiously, looking for signs of others nearby. It appeared that the coast was clear, but he didn't let down his guard.
The mercenary was lying, restrained against the metal table. His eyes were closed, and he looked as if he was sleeping. As Raiden approached the bed, Snake's eyes popped open, instantly alert to the presence in the room.
"Come back for more, have ya?" he snarled.
"Huh? 'Nathair', it's me," Jack told him, walking around into his line of vision.
"Kid? How the Hell did you get here?" he asked, relaxing a bit. "And what the Hell happened to you?" he gestured with his chin at the strange panels of blinking lights.
"No time to explain," he replied. "I have Dr… I mean, Anja with me. We're getting out of here."
The scientist worked the rack's controls, releasing the prisoner.
Snake sat up for a moment, rubbing his freed wrists. "Thanks doc." He looked around. "Where's 'Richard'?"
"He's in trouble," Jack explained, "but he refused to tell me where he was. He said I had to find you first. He told me you were in some kind of trouble yourself."
Snake let out a low growl. "It wasn't anything I couldn't handle. I've dealt with worse tortures."
Dave touched the spot behind his ear to activate his codec.
"Otacon? Are you there? Otacon!"
There was no answer. He tried a few more times, but still no answer.
"Otacon?"
Something was coming through. It was hard to make out, but it sounded like raspy breathing.
"Otacon. Where are you?" Snake called out to him again.
He listened for a reply. His ears picked up on a clacking sound. It sounded like chattering teeth.
"S…s…n…n…n…a…k…k…ke…" a trembling voice whispered.
"Otacon! Hang in there!" he told him.
Snake jumped to his feet, grabbing his things out of a crate in the corner of the room. He quickly threw on his sneaking suit and holster, but there was no gun to put in it.
"Doctor?"
"Yes?"
"Is there a large freezer anywhere on the base?"
Anja nodded. "Yes. It's in my 'Element' testing lab nearby 'Shadow's' hangar. Why?"
Snake tied his bandana around his head. "Show me the way."
***
Something felt warm against Hal's body.
"Otacon."
He heard his name being called. Was he dreaming? Everything was so dark. His eyes just wouldn't open.
"Otacon."
He heard his name called again. A slight trace of musk entered his nostrils. The scent was alluring and familiar.
"Damn it, Otacon. Open your eyes!"
It was Dave's voice. He found the strength to open his eyes and look up at him.
"Snake…" he breathed.
"Yeah Otacon, it's me," the other returned. He was sitting on the floor with his friend's head resting against his chest. His arms were wrapped around him, trying to share his body heat with his friend.
"I'm so…"
Hal coughed a few times, his blue lips still trembling.
"I'm so glad… you're… alright."
"I'm fine," he reassured him. "Why wouldn't you tell Jack where you were?"
A pair of hazel eyes bore into his. "Because… I knew…" he wheezed, "I knew… he could… save you…"
"But why, Otacon? Why risk your life like that?" Snake demanded.
"Because… I…"
Hal paused, trying desperately to breathe in the warm air around him deep. He had so much to say, but his body wasn't cooperating. Otacon could feel it. He was dying. If he was going to say what was on his mind, he'd have to hurry.
"Snake… Do you remember… when I asked you… if you thought love… could bloom on a battlefield?"
"Yes, Hal. I remember," he replied.
"Do you… remember… what you said to me?"
"Anytime, anyplace, people can fall in love with each other."
Hal smiled weakly. He did remember.
"You also… told me… that if you love… someone…"
Hal coughed again, his windpipes rasping and whistling as he struggled to keep control.
"you have… to… be able to… protect them."
Snake nodded, his green eyes matching his hazel gaze. "That's right."
"I tried…" he whispered. "I tried to protect Wolf… but… I failed."
He coughed again.
"I tried… to… protect E.E., …but I… failed…"
Warm tears streamed down his red, frost-bitten cheeks. Snake wiped them away with a gloved hand.
"And now…" Hal's voice lowered again. His friend leaned in closer to hear his words. "Now… I've failed… to… protect… you…"
Otacon gathered up what little power he had left in his body to raise his mouth up to meet Snake's. He kissed him gently. Dave tasted so sweet, just as he imagined he would. He didn't want it to end. Hal loved him, and he would die with the satisfaction that he had finally told him how he felt.
For the longest time he hadn't even known it himself. But after awhile, it had just become so clear.
Losing control, Hal's body collapsed into Dave's lap, breaking the kiss.
Snake had a look of shock and confusion on his face. Otacon was in love with him?
He checked Hal's pulse. It was weak, but still there. He scooped the limp form into his arms and held him close.
His codec rang. It was Anja Raznov.
"Nathair. I've got my anti-hypothermia supplies. We're headed back your way."
"Hurry up!" Snake told her. "He hasn't got much time left."
"ETA: four minutes," she stated, ending the call.
Snake turned his attention once again to Otacon.
"So, that's why you came along," he whispered as he caressed his hair.
Dave listened to the sounds of his partner's shallow breathing as he waited for help to arrive.
"Hang in there, Hal."
Author's Notes:
Nothing really for this chapter.