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The first thing you noticed was how proud she looked. She wasn’t her normal composed, regal self. She was filled with pure proudness. Which, for Hancock, was saying something. “...You’re smiling,” you said slowly. “I always smile,” she replied smoothly. You stared at her for a moment. “...Not like that.” There was a pause, as Hancock stared at you with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Come,” she said, turning without another word. That was never a good sign, but you followed her anyway.
You weren’t sure what you expected, but it certainly wasn’t this. A child stood near the center of the room- small and quiet, with white hair and golden eyes that flicked toward you with immediate recognition, familiarity. She looked way too familiar, making you blink in hopes that you were just imagining things. “...Hancock.”
“Yes?”
“...Why am I looking at a…tiny you?” There was a beat of silence as your gaze flicked between the child and Hancock. “I have something to show you.” Was all she said. “That’s not- aren’t you already showing me something?” Hancock didn’t listen, instead she gestured gracefully toward the child. “This is S-Snake.” You furrowed your brow, taking in the name. You crouched slightly, bringing yourself closer to eye level with the child. “...Hi,” you said gently.
S-Snake didn’t respond right away, her gaze shifting between you and Hancock, observing and assessing you. Then, she slowly stepped closer, carefully and cautiously. “She likes you,” Hancock said immediately. You huffed a quiet laugh. “She just met me.”
“She likes you,” Hancock repeated, more firmly this time. So that was the game.
S-Snake stopped just within arm’s reach. You didn’t move, opting to wait and let her move at her own pace. After a moment, she reached out- her small fingers brushing lightly against your sleeve, testing you. Your expression softened. “...Hey,” you murmured. The child didn’t pull away or speak to you, but she stayed like that, which was enough. Behind you, Hancock watched closely. “...She’s cute,” you admitted softly. “I know.” Hancock responded immediately. You glanced back at her. “...You didn’t…make her?”
“I did not need to.” Right, of course she didn’t.
It didn’t take long for the shift to happen. It was subtle and gradual, one moment, S-Snake was standing beside you- the next, she was closer. Then, her hand slipped into yours, small and warm, making you freeze. “...Hancock,” you said carefully. “Yes?” Hancock watched you carefully. “...She’s holding my hand.”
“I can see that.”
“That feels important.”
“It is.” She responded, a smile growing on her lips. You looked down at S-Snake. She didn’t look up at you- she just stood there quietly, her grip on your hand steady and comfortable. It was like she had already decided on something, making your chest tighten softly. “...You’re doing this on purpose,” you accused softly. “I have no idea what you mean.” You gave her a knowing look, and she returned with an unbroken look of innocence.
“She requires proper care,” Hancock continued, your voice smooth and measured- far too casual for the direction this was going. You narrowed your eyes slightly. “...Hancock.” She ignored you, continuing. “A stable environment.” “Hancock.” You repeated. “And affection.” You exhaled slowly. “...Get to the point.” Hancock paused for a moment before continuing. “We should adopt her.” Silence stretched between you for a moment as you stared at her. “...We.” “Yes.” She answered simply. “You mean you.” You sighed; your gaze on her. “I do not.” Your gaze dropped briefly to S-Snake- still holding your hand as she stood there quietly. Then you looked back to Hancock. “...You’ve already decided, haven’t you?”
Hancock lifted her chin slightly. “I have made a suggestion.” You sighed again. “You’ve planned her room.” Another pause. “Perhaps.” You fought the urge to pinch the bridge of your nose. “You’ve named her.” “She came with a name.” She responded plainly, as if it was obvious. “You’ve picked out clothes…” “...Naturally.” You sighed; because of course she had.
“...You’re serious,” you said finally. “Yes,” she answered without hesitation. There were no dramatics, just certainty. That caught you off guard more than anything else. You looked at her for a long moment before slowly looking back down to S-Snake. “...Do you want that?” You asked gently. S-Snake didn’t answer right away, but her grip on your hand tightened slightly. Then, she gave a small, certain nod.
Your chest did something…complicated. You exhaled softly. “...You’re both impossible,” you murmured to yourself. “I am aware,” Hancock responded. You huffed a quiet laugh, before turning to Hancock. “...Okay.” The word slipped out before you could overthink it, making Hancock still. “...Okay?” You nodded helplessly. “Yeah. Okay.” S-Snake’s hand tightened around yours again, while Hancock’s expression subtly shifted, unmistakable and full of relief. “...Good,” she said, like she hadn’t doubted it for a second. You rolled your eyes lightly. “Of course you’d say that.”
Later, as S-Snake quietly lingered close, already attached, you glanced toward Hancock. “...You planned this.” “I did not.” She responded immediately. “You absolutely did.” There was another pause before Hancock responded. “...It was a possibility.” You smiled faintly as you glanced at S-Snake. “...She’s going to be trouble.” Hancock’s lip curved at your words. “She will be perfect.” You looked between the two. “...Yeah,” you said softly. “...I think she will.”