Just the Two of Us Snake x Reader

      “This is going to be fun, I promise. But you're going to need to relax and stop being so serious of you want my promise to be kept. Neither of us can have fun if you keep frowning like that.” With a smile on your face, you walked hand in hand down the rather empty streets with Snake. For the very first time since you met him, he wasn't covered in slithering reptiles. With all but Donne back at the circus, you felt safe being close to him. There was however one drawback of Snake not having his companions with him, he was almost completely silent. “You're probably going to have to talk a little bit too.” You chuckled. “That would be pretty helpful.”

Snake nodded, but said nothing. Being around you, especially in public seemed to make him very nervous. He was so uncomfortable, he insisted on wearing a faded brown cloak and hood that covered most of his face and practically all of his torso.

“You know, nodding doesn't really count as talking. So you're going to have to do a little more than that.” Completely oblivious to the odd glances the two of you were receiving, you wrapped your arms around his and walked just a little bit closer to him than before. “Say something, anything at all will do just fine. I just need you to talk so things won't be awkward between us.”

This time Snake had definitely whispered something, but his hood obstructed so much of his face, it made it impossible for you to even read his lips.

“I can't hear you at all. Hold on, I think this might help.” You tugged the loose fabric off of his head and smiled. “There, that's much better. Now try to say something. If you spoke up just a little, that would be really helpful as well. You don't have to, of course, it's just a suggestion.”

The strange glances and rude stares intensified once Snakes's face was uncovered. There were small children pointing and couples practically gawking at him as you walked down the street, but you still didn't seem to notice. Freeing his arm from your hold, he reached back where the fabric of his hood was lazily resting on his shoulders and quickly covered his face once more. “I think it would be best if my face remained covered for the time being.”

“If you keep your face all covered up like that, you're going to have to talk loud enough for me to hear you.” As you walked into the tiny, dark, yet somehow inviting teashop, a question suddenly popped into your head. “Why is it that you insist on keeping yourself covered anyway? Do you burn easily?”

Snake slowly shook his head, but didn't bother answering your question. “What are we doing here? Says Donne.”

“Who's Donne?” Confused, you tilted your head to the side and thought. Snake answered by pointing to a tiny snake perched on his ear. “Oh, right. He's so small, I almost forgot about him. Sorry about that Donne.” Apologizing to a snake might seem odd to some, but it had become completely natural to you. Snake's companions meant a lot to him, so treating them like small, scaly humans was normal at this point. “To answer your question, we're here to have lunch. I know you don't like being out in public very much, so I picked this place. It's nice, but small, so not many people come here.” Smiling happily, you tugged him to a cozy table next to the window. “Best of all, it's going to my treat, so feel free to get whatever you'd like.”

Though your kind intentions were unexpected and more than welcome, he managed to keep his pale face almost totally expressionless as he sat down across from you. Because he was so impassive, you really couldn't tell whether he was glad to be with you or not. “That's not necessary, and you really don't need to do this.”

“I'm not sure I know what you're talking about actually.” You made yourself comfortable in your seat, then quickly began looking over the menu. “I like being with you a good deal, and I am the one that brought you here, so it's only right that I pay.”

“That's not what I'm talking about.” Snake looked down at the table and quietly sighed to himself. “I appreciate that for whatever reason you're making an effort to be kind to me, but I think this has gone on long enough. This might be a source of entertainment for you, or even a way for you to make yourself feel good about what you're doing with your life, but it needs to stop. While I've enjoyed seeing you, I don't want to become dependent on something that's nothing more than a charade.”

His words did hurt and, quite a lot to say the least. Even so, you tried not to let that hurt show. He really couldn't be blamed for doubting you, so you ignored the slight pain in your chest and kept a warm smile on your face. “I still haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about. Didn't I just say that I like being around you? I'm not so nice that I would spend my time with someone I dislike, trust me.” You weren't sure if what you'd said would make a difference or not, but you were being honest with him and you truly hoped he'd see that. “Now stop worrying over things that don't need your attention and order yourself something to eat already. I'm starving.”

Snake opened his mouth to speak, but before even a word was spoken, he closed his mouth and silenced himself. This confused you until you noticed Donne hanging from the top of his ear, close to the canal. Curious as to what the tiny snake must be saying, you sat there waiting patiently for the information to be relayed to you. That information never came however. “I should apologize. I have no proof that your kindness is a charade. I'm letting my own insecurities put something that could potentially be very good, in danger. I didn't mean to do that.”

“It's perfectly okay. Most people tend to be a little guarded when the first meet someone new.” Glad he wasn't shoving your affections away, you gave his hand a reassuring pat and blushed awkwardly. “You more than most have a reason to be that way. So you really don't need to apologize to me. Just promise me that you won't ever doubt whether I want to be with you again or not, okay?”

The fact that your forgiveness had come so easily genuinely moved Snake. And this time, there was no hiding his emotions, even though he really did try to do so. With a gentle blush covering his cheeks, he nodded a weak, nervous nod. “I promise.”

“Then everything should be just fine from here on out.” You tightly squeezed his hand, then turned your attention back to the real problem at hand. “Now, will you please at least pick up the menu? If I go without food too much longer, I might just faint.”

Heeding your request, he finally picked up a menu, but before he even looked at it, he had another question for you. “Don't you worry about what being in public will do to your reputation? Seeing each other in private is one thing, but being here is another entirely.”

“You really are a lot more talkative without your snakes you know. It's actually really nice to hear what you think and what you want to say. Not that I don't like them of course, it's just nice to talk to you. It's a lot safer without them being here too.” You chuckled. “But to be honest with you, I don't even notice that you don't look like everyone else anymore. I know it sounds terribly mawkish, but I see you for who you are, not how you look.” A little embarrassed by what you were saying, your cheeks became rosy. “Though to be completely transparent with you, I don't mind how you look either, not even the slightest bit.”

“I see. That's very kind of you. I can't say that I know many others outside of the circus that would be so open minded.” With his blush quickly becoming more apparent, he lifted the menu to his face and tried desperately to hide behind it.

Unable to take the awkward tension any longer, you pushed down his menu, leaned across the table and shyly kissed the corner of his mouth. When you stopped the kiss a few seconds later, his eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly open. There was no mistaking it, you'd definitely surprised him. Blushing like mad, you pulled away from him and dropped back down to your seat. “I'm sorry I did that without asking first, but I was afraid you'd say no, and I've been wanting to do that for a rather long time now. Now that I've finally kissed you, I can't promise that I won't do it again either, especially if I can do so without putting myself in danger. You'd best be prepared for that from now on.”

Still in a partial state of shock, Snake cleared his throat and attempted to compose himself. “There's no need for you to apologize. I really didn't mind, you just took me by surprise.” A very small, yet very joyful smiled appeared on his face. While his face was somewhat hidden by the shadow of his hood, there was no denying that he was happy. “I'm just Glad Wordsworth wasn't here for that. He'd have bitten you for sure. And the last thing I want is for you to get bitten when you're trying to kiss me.” Snake smiled a little wider. “He really has no choice but to get used to you now.”

“I'm glad you think so. I couldn't agree more.” You beamed up at him, much happier than you knew how to express. “Now, since we really shouldn't have any more interruptions, let's finally get something to eat.”