[ he listens, attentive, gaze centered on raiden. a difficult tale, but one he sees himself in. snake doesn't say that. as always, he picks his words the same way someone might pick apples. ]

You told me. [ but not to this extent. it sounds like a dissociative issue, and were they in possession of medical attention, he'd ask for the help of a doctor. but this, too, is ptsd, and he's seen his fair share of it, talked about it, experienced it. raiden says it's not new to him, but snake said it wasn't either. ] I know. [ it's probably not very consoling. he's not very sure raiden's looking for consolation, either. he's an adult man, now, almost as old as snake is. the gap between them has tightened, and in some ways, he genuinely believes raiden has surpassed him. even this much, this conversation, the admissions, proves that.

snake doesn't mention his own history. he doesn't see a need to; he brushes over that apple tree. it's unimportant. ]

It's not as uncommon as you think. I had a hunch when you told me "Jack is dead." but the confirmation is as good as it's going to get.

[ he grunts, soft, almost as if he's going to continue. ]

Why are you telling me this?

[ it isn't accusatory. it's the same tone one might have if they were to instead ask "what do you need me to do?" ]