Snake Eyes

During his somewhat short time in the city thus far, coming home had become one consistency Snake became accustomed to, looked forward to, even. It was quiet and serene, and rarely, if ever, did the subject of his blindness become the object of scrutiny. Here he could pretend he hadn't been plucked away from his life (again), if only for a little while.

Today, however, something felt wrong the moment he stepped through the door. A stray smell, and a soft sound in the other room, was all it took. "..." Curiously, he felt for the light switch near the door. Sure enough, it was flipped on, something he had no particular need for. He was already positive, someone else was in the apartment.

Nothing to do but follow the faint sound he'd picked up on already. One foot in front of the other, he made his way to the living room. He stopped at that doorway, rather than venture in too quickly.

"...let me guess. They've finally seen fit to give me a roommate."

At least, that seemed the most reasonable explanation. Otherwise, this person, whoever they were, clearly had less than savory reasons to be there.

"I see…" Maybe he doesn’t want to talk about it… "But really, thank you so much, sir. I’m very grateful for your kindness and advice."

"I think I know what I should do… and hopefully soon, I’ll be able to." He took Snake’s hand and shook it again, this time with a little bit of newfound courage. "I’m so glad there are people like you in the world… I-I mean it. I hope you have a wonderful day." He let go, standing up. "… oh, uhm, if there’s anything I can ever do for you, please, let me know. I live in Suite N-0, in the Inner City. Ah, what about you?"

"It was nothing, Atlus. I merely deprived you of a few hours of target practice you sorely need."

Atlus nodded. “I see… well, keeping secrets to protect others is similar to this, I think.” He ran his fingers loosely across the surface of his journal, tracing little circles. “If I tell him how I feel, I may run the risk of alienating him, confusing him… there’s a lot to worry about.

"But I’ll never know if it’s okay unless I just do it. And by then… the fallout can’t be prevented. Though sometimes, I think it may be easier to go ahead and get on with it, mostly so I can face reality. I don’t really think he would be interested… so sometimes I daydream about having the courage to actually just go up and say I want to be with him, just so I can end it once and for all… so the both of us won’t be hurt in the process, of course.

"… but now I’m just saying things… was it difficult for you, then? Do you still keep those secrets, even now?"

"...if it weighs on your mind this heavily, then getting it off your chest is the best idea, no matter the outcome. But..." Snake frowned a little. "I don't know either of you, obviously, but don't assume the worst. People are full of surprises."

"As for my secrets... in the end sharing them may have saved us all. Once I realized the truth of our situation, sharing was easy enough--it was then I knew no real harm would come to us. ...not if he had any say in the matter."

Atlus watched him shake, helping a little in the process of joining their hands. Something about it made him blush, but really, what didn’t have that effect on him?

“‘Snake’… of course.” He smiled. I wonder if there’s a special reason for that choice… maybe I can ask him another time. "It’s a pleasure to meet you… o-oh, I already said that. But… really, thank you for your advice. I think I realized that it’s very insincere of me not to approach him myself, with something this important. Letters are nice, but… maybe for this situation, a direct approach is better. I just have to gather the courage to tell him." He blinked, realizing he’d given a clue about the object of his affections. Oh, well. There were plenty of gorgeous men wandering the streets of Thalassia, and it wasn’t likely that Snake knew him, anyway. Probably.

It was tempting to try veering into the realm of small talk again there, but well, Snake had already said he wasn’t interested… and maybe that wasn’t necessary, now. “I know you said you don’t have much experience with these things, sir… but have you ever been in this situation before? Have you ever… well, I don’t know…” he laughed slightly. “Have you ever found yourself having a hard time keeping your feelings inside? I-I know that’s a strange question, but…”

The question, simple as it was, made him pause to consider. He had been through much, yes, but this kind of problem... did he really understand it?

"...you could say that. There were times I had to keep things to myself, in order to keep someone important safe. However, it was easier at the time than you may imagine." It was hardly the same, if he was being honest with himself. Unfortunately, it was the best example he could think of at the time.

"Oh…!" Atlus looked over at the man, the realization that he hadn’t once opened his eyes slowly dawning on him. "Y-Yes, of course. I can imagine…" How rude of me not to notice… or, well… maybe that would be even ruder to think about the fact that he’s blind, and even worse to say something about it… 

"Oh god, I never introduced myself, did I?! I’m so sorry, sir." He held out a hand, not really thinking about the fact that it would probably go unnoticed. Oops. "My name is Atlus Trudeau. It’s good to meet you… you’re very kind for stopping to talk with me about all this. I-I’m sorry I’ve gotten you wrapped up in it in the first place."

Snake had to hold back a chuckle. He was more or less used to any given reaction to the revelation, whether it was initially noticed or not. There was a certain amusement in it, really. At least when things weren't particularly pressing.

"Good to meet you, Atlus." Luckily for him, it wasn't difficult to tell the other had shifted--and a handshake was normal. As such, he reached out until fingers found skin, and went in for the actual handshake.

"So… you don’t think I should leave the letter?"

"Well, I just… I had assumed it would do the opposite. I’m not sure I can tell this person with just words. A-And I’ll look like a sputtering fool if I try it in person, won’t I? My plan was just to… well, I was going to write something, tuck it into a bouquet, and leave it on their doorstep. So… if they’re really not interested, at least…" At least I won’t need to see the look on his face… but that’s so cowardly, isn’t it? Was I really going to do that…?

"Well… I-I don’t know. But I think you may be right. It would be irritating to hear my rambling on paper, let alone in person. I may as well do the thing that’s most sincere… I suppose…" He looked at the notebook in his lap sadly. "I think it’s the least I can do, for someone who entrusted me with so many of their thoughts and secrets. Is that what you’re saying…?"

"Oh, that… r-really…?” Atlus laughed a little. Why? Why had he even been mumbling and writing that in the first place? “It’s… it’s nothing interesting…”

"… but…" he sighed, knowing all too well a distraction wouldn’t work. "I, ah… well, I was trying to… write a letter to someone, sir. A, ah… special someone… and I’m not very gifted with words… about this." I should just spit it out, shouldn’t I? But… but… okay. Maybe he can help if I just get it out of my head—

"I-I’m, I’m writing a love letter. Do you know anything about that sort of thing? Possibly?" Dear god, what did I just say?! "Ahaha… i-if some advice isn’t too much trouble, of course!"

Sigh. This had been what he was trying to avoid, hearing about the man's... troubles, for lack of better word. Still, Snake sat himself on the bench beside this stranger. Something told him this would be a while.

"...you're thinking too hard." Perhaps that was a bit blunt, but that was how it appeared to him. "I don't have much experience with this, but I believe expressing your feelings should be as simple as you can make it." Straightforward. That made things less complicated, and there was less chance of misunderstanding.

"That’s… quite true." He relaxed just a bit, relieved no harm had been done.

"Ah… so, uhm, how are you, sir?" Atlus thought it might be best to distract from whatever embarrassing thing he’d mumbled aloud. "It’s a good day outside, isn’t it?"

"Huh?!"

"Ah, right, I apologize sir!" Atlus’ good aim was just about useless with a piece of flimsy paper and head full of sappy thoughts. Too bad. "I didn’t hit you with it, did I?" Thank god he didn’t read it… that would’ve been so embarrassing…