in the quiet loop. (solid snake x reader)

07 - captured.

Then, through the side windows, a deep roar vibrated the glass. You turned just in time to witness the unimaginable: the Big Shell collapsing. Plumes of smoke erupted as Shell 2 cracked and began to tilt into the ocean. Fire bloomed along its ridges. Metal shrieked and snapped as the entire complex began to give way, structure by structure. One of the hostages gasped, hands flying to her mouth. Another cursed under his breath.

You held your breath as you watched the place crumble as every corridor, every empty room, every memory in steel and salt fell back into the sea like it had never existed.

You eased into the co-pilot's seat, finally letting your muscles relax, but only slightly. The adrenaline hadn't quite left your system, and your eyes kept drifting to the distant plumes of smoke where Big Shell once stood. The horizon looked hollow without it.

You glanced sideways. Hal was focused on flying, but you caught the way his gaze flicked toward you now and then.

"You're still thinking about him," Hal said gently. "Call him. Let him know you're safe. We're safe. He would want to hear it."

You hesitated, thumb hovering over your codec. But finally, you exhaled, flipped it open, and tuned to Snake's frequency. There was a faint click, then static, then that gravelly voice came through.

"You in one piece?"

You smiled. "Define 'piece'. I've got all my limbs. A few bruises. Maybe a broken heart or two along the way."

There was a pause. You could almost hear the small smirk in his voice. "Guess that's more than I expected. You've got a habit of worrying me."

"Didn't know you worried, Snake. I thought you were too busy brooding and chain-smoking," you teased lightly.

Another beat of silence. Then his voice dropped lower with more gravel, more heat.

"Doesn't mean I don't think about you."

Hal froze beside you. He didn't say anything, but you felt the stillness in him, like a program buffering too fast for the CPU to catch up. His eyes flicked toward the windshield like they were glued there now.

You leaned back slightly, lips tugging into a smirk. "Aw, that almost sounded sweet. You get soft when I'm not around?"

"You'd be surprised how hard I can be when you're around."

Hal made a small choked sound, which he immediately disguised as a cough. You didn't look at him. You were too busy biting your lip to stop the grin from spreading.

"I'll hold you to that," you mocked, almost innocent. "You still owe me for leaving without a proper goodbye."

"Then stay safe for me," you could hear his exhale over the line, the undeniable amuse present. "And come back wearing less."

You exhaled slowly, voice dipping into something more sincere. "Come back in one piece, Snake. I'm not done with you yet."

"Wouldn't miss our reunion for the world," Snake said, his voice softer now and steady.

The codec line cut. You slowly lowered your hand from the codec, still smiling to yourself. When you glanced sideways, Hal was gripping the stick a little tighter than before, his face burning with a hundred questions he was clearly not going to ask.

"...Okay, then."

You tilted your head at him as you grinned. "Problem, Hal?"

"Nope, not at all," Hal said quickly. "Totally fine. Flying perfectly. Great weather."