"What's your healthcare offer?... Uh-huh, platinum?... And does that extend to cover direct family?... Spouse?... And dependents under 18? Oh, damn."

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, sore indents from his glasses, sighed with relief,

"That's-... no it's great to hear. Definitely helps move along my decision-making."

"What's still holding you back, Viktor?"

"Well, she's not exactly my spouse, yet."

"Well, hearing you'd be platinum covered
by T.T. will surely help with your proposal?"

"I can only hope so, not sure though, she's very… Anti Corp. To put it mildly."

"Well here at Biotechnica, we don't
care about your private politics.
In fact company policy forbids
employees from expressing
their views on politics."

"Right. Unsurprising. If I may be bold enough to ask, how long will this offer stand?"

"For as long as you're capable of
using your brilliant mind for science,
Doctor Vector. You know how to reach us."

"Thanks, yeah. I'll be in touch." Hanging up, he finally quit his pacing. Sighing, tossed his phone on his workbench, a few stressors gotten rid of, soon replaced by new ones.

"No."

Her voice, she entirely had come out of nowhere. Somehow opening 2 of Night City's creakiest doors without a sound, sneaking in unbeknownst to him. Startled, he turned to her, a distraught young woman in the clinic, his weakest weak point.

"V…"

There was no denying anything, no point,
"Did you catch all of it?"

"If it means you'll join a Corp, I will never marry you, Viktor! Ever."

Something about her crossed arms beckoned him, he placed his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them gently. Begging the universe that she wouldn't pull away from him, he managed to retain his calm facade,
"It'd be worth it for you, V. Only for you. Y'know I too would rather burn them to the ground."

"So you'd rather be miserably Corpo owned, just to keep poor lil ol' me around, than your own man without me?"

"I'd rather be dead than without you. Joining a Corp is the next closest thing, sure, but at least they'd pay for your hospital bills. They can do so much more for you than a simple Ripperdoc can, V. They could even help us deal with the Relic."

"What if I'd rather get killed by the Relic? At least I'd be dying with a soul then. With my principles intact!" The upset netrunner stepped back, only one step, but it was far enough for him.

Defeated, his hands fell to his side before balling up into fists, gaze shamefully averted,
"You're right, I'm being selfish. Can't force you to stay alive, can't… make you stay. With or for me."

"Didn't say that either."
Drawing his attention again, she touched his cheek, his chin, brushing her thumb over its scar,
"I'd love to stay with you, Vik. But with you, the charming old-school boxing boy with the beautiful, mischievous grin, not the drained shell of a corporate lackey."

V could read on his face that his heart was breaking as hard as his voice did.

"But the Relic, Val… don't wanna lose you, not like this."

Wrapping his arms around her, hiding his sorrow in the nape of her neck, he let go of his barriers too. Releasing pain from his soul, tears from his eyes. Incapable of staying dry herself, she embraced him back, pulling him in tightly as she whispered against his skin,
"We'll find a way, Viky, I promise."

"If I promise not to shill out, would you marry me then?" Chuckling, he somewhat joked, trying not to seem too desperate.

She sniffed her nose, as well as his cologne,
"I will take more than half in divorce proceedings if you break that promise."

"Will? Not 'would'?"

"Oops, jumping ahead of things again, I guess. Stand by what I said though."

The man could feel her lips smile against his trapezoidal muscle. Letting go just enough to see all of her, yet hold her close, he cupped her cheek. Hand slipping to her neck, fingers running through her hair,
"That's not a no, so you're telling me..."

"Telling you to better write one hell of a prenup. That is, if you want Mrs Valerie Vector to come home with you."

Enjoying the view of relief washing over a grown man, she couldn't help but take advantage of his closed eyes. Then of his smiling lips, with her smirking ones.