"Yes. He came to see me, gave me the bandanna." Fox didn't let go, even though he was aware Otacon was watching.

"Snake, what they did to Big Boss... I'm not going to let them do that to you. I won't let them turn you into Big Boss. They're not taking you away from me, too." He didn't mind so much that Otacon was watching this, and just held onto Snake a little tighter after his declaration that he didn't plan on letting Snake turn into Big Boss. His voice was soft as he spoke, and it was difficult to get the words out with the way his throat had been trying to close itself off.

"We were both able to defeat him, we both surpassed Big Boss, in battle, if not in other ways, as well." Fox found it difficult to say this, difficult to let go of Big Boss as the man who was always there to save him. It had been less painful when he was dead, before they brought him back. "We can beat this, we're stronger than this, Snake. You aren't your father, and you never will be, and they can't turn you into him."

Fox was beginning to realize that Snake really did need him. Perhaps for his sanity, if nothing else, to keep him from turning into Big Boss.