A/N: Absolutely nobody is going to read this, and I really don't care.
This was done on a whim, purely for practice, as I loved Phantom Liberty and wanted to write SOMETHING for CP77.
And, really, I didn't realize until I started this that I truly needed to write something other than MHA, just as a quick breather. This was a nice, relaxing experience.
It's fluffy, cheesy, but that's all I needed right now.
And, of course, you all know I love my rare pairs, especially if it can involve just a little bit of angst about life and love.
Who knows? Maybe I can work my magic again and awaken interest in another rare pair.
By the way, I was imaging my latest V when making this, so she's an Netrunner with shoulder length black hair and pale skin, red eyes, black eye liner with the dots underneath.
...Shut up, you all know what I'm about.
But, that's all from me, as I throw this into the void. Next AIV should be out sometime this month, hopefully soon, it's mostly complete.
Take care.
_CP:77_
Misty heard the back door slide open, not bothering to turn around and see who was entering.
She simply laid her tarot cards out for the hundredth time that day as she felt arms gently wrap around her waist and warmth envelop her back.
"Hey, V."
She felt V nuzzle into her hair and hum to herself, "Hey, Misty. How's biz today?"
Misty leaned back into her, allowing V to settle herself into the crook of her neck. She had been wearing her spiked choker less and less because of this, instead wearing the dog tags Silverhand had led V to. It was V's favorite parking spot for her head, and she happened to like V enough to not want her impaled.
"It's funny that you ask. I actually had a whole group of people show up, kept me busy for hours. They even said they would tell their friends. You wouldn't happen to be responsible for that, would you?"
"What makes you say that?" V asked, her tone quickly giving away that she was smiling.
"Cause they said this place was recommended to them, but they were specifically told not to say by who."
"Hmhmhm, I may or may not have run into a little gang in the Afterlife that was super into spiritual stuff. Gave 'em a little push your way. They start spreading the word, and who knows? You might start having some regulars in here."
"Besides you?"
"Don't count. I'm a very special customer."
"Not unless I start charging you for all the tarot readings, meditations, and aura readings."
"Hey, technically I do pay you…" V kissed the nape of her neck, smiling against her skin, "Just not in eddies. I can start paying you back right now, if you'd like."
Misty sighed as V kissed behind her ear, trailing more kisses down to her exposed shoulders, "Somebody's aura is very pink today."
"Mhm…" V kissed behind Misty's ear, whispering, "You gonna charge me for that one, too?"
Misty smirked, taking V's hands from her waist so she could turn around to face her. She guided V's hands around her back, allowing V to hold their bodies flush together. She delicately played with the ends of V's dark hair as it cascaded just over her shoulders.
"Maybe…"
V's smile widened, "You closed for the evening?"
Misty's eyes flashed blue, and the front and back door, along with the window shutters, closed and locked. "I am now."
Without hesitation, V hooked her arms under Misty's butt, picking her up and carrying her over to the reclined chair in the corner. She set her down, kneeling in front of the chair and kissing her softly as she ran a hand through Misty's fluffy hair.
Being intimate with Misty was like playing with a crystal ball (a comparison that Misty adamantly tried to remind her wasn't appropriate, since crystal balls had nothing to do with cartomancy) because you held it and treated it so delicately.
Not that she believed she would break Misty, even with her being almost entirely 'ganic.
Misty was just so…soft.
She spoke softly, moved in such a light manner. Her head wasn't up in the clouds, but the clouds were down here with her. She was truly something special, and something so special should only be treated with such care.
"So, how we playin' this, Misty?"
"I think the last thing we need is Vik coming up from the clinic and wondering why the door is locked," she smiled back.
"Skipping the foreplay it is," V saluted, returning her lips to Misty's skin. She started at the base of Misty's throat, trailing kisses down to her chest and tugging the top purple sweater down just a little before moving the bottom hem up.
Traveling from her stomach, to her navel, until finally reaching Misty's skirt. V lifted each of Misty's legs onto her shoulders, enclosing her head in.
V leaned her head against Misty's leg, gazing up at her girlfriend as she took in the sight before her.
Misty met V's gaze, seeing the passion in her eyes. When Jackie brought V through her door three years ago, she never thought this was the position they would find themselves in. Both in life, and the actual physical position they were in at that very moment.
But, it was just like she told V back then: You shouldn't fear change.
This certainly was a change. Yes, change could be painful. Saying goodbye to Jackie was the most painful of them all, but that was…
Very unfortunately expected.
Everything she had read from Jackie in her tarot wasn't good. He was so adamant on achieving his dream. How could she stop him from trying? He was seeking change, but it wasn't the one he was hoping for.
She misses him everyday. She knew V did, too. There had been multiple nights where she would catch her making phone calls to his old number, just to vent. Slowly, she had changed that routine and began venting to Misty or Vik, but that was just it, wasn't it?
As painful as change could be, it's what allows us to blossom into new people and find new experiences.
Just like this one.
Her relationship with V wasn't exactly planned. She didn't ask V on a date, and V didn't ask her either. It just kind of happened.
Misty supposed she should have anticipated it, at least a little bit.
What happens when you become open to relationships again, and you spend almost all of your free time with one person?
And, even when you're with other people, that person is still always there?
You realize you love being around that person all the time.
Eventually, you talk, and talk, then one night you find yourselves kissing, then you stop that one person from guilt-tripping themselves for kissing you, you feel things out, decide to go for it, you try to tell Mama Welles, you then spend the next few days trying to sort it all out with Mama Welles, you nurture the relationship until you find yourself one year later.
You know, standard couple stuff.
It had actually been V who urged her to try dating again. V wanted her to have somebody else to be able to rely on.
"In case I flatline again," she had said. A sentiment that Misty understood, but didn't like.
She had tried setting her up with her friend River, but one quick meet up was enough to see that wasn't gonna work.
He was a very nice man, but they just didn't click. Besides, she could see that he kind of had a thing for V.
Which, oddly enough, V confirmed her suspicion. She had turned River down during the Relic time period.
Then, when she had told V that she was open to women, V had her meet Judy. Or, well, she tried to. But, as it turned out, Judy planned to leave Night City soon. It was something she had been planning for quite some time. After what V told her about Evelyn, she didn't blame her.
Now she was up in Pittsburgh, dating a woman named Bianca.
She wasn't sure they would mix well, anyways. The BD craze wasn't her thing, and she also seemed to have a thing for V.
After that, it was almost like a bad RomCom. The person she had been looking for was right in front of her the entire time, and neither knew it.
_CP:77_
[One Year Ago: Outside of Misty's Apartment]
"You don't have to walk me home every night, V."
V froze on the steps, turning back to look down at Misty a few steps below her, "D-...Do you not want me to?"
"It's not that. I just know you're very busy. You don't have to waste time on me."
V shook her head, resting both hands back on the railing, "Misty, not a single second of time with you is wasted. I enjoy it far more than sneaking into clubs for data, or turning in cyberpsychos to Regina. Best part of my day in fact. So much so-"
"I get it," Misty giggled, continuing her trek up the stairs. "Forget I said anything."
"Besides," V continued, following Misty, "I'm not letting you walk home alone after dark. Not in this city…Actually, in this city, I'm not fully comfortable with you walking anywhere alone."
"It's a short walk, V. NCPD are on every corner around here."
"In my line of work, I've learned not to trust the NCPD to do their job. I trust this," V said, patting the inside of her jacket where her Malorian resided. "And I trust myself to protect you with it."
"I know I can't convince you otherwise, so I won't bother. I appreciate it, though. Jackie shared the same sentiment, and was just as stubborn about it."
"Smart choom, that one."
"Smart in what regard?" Misty smiled. She was grateful that now her heart, while still heavy, turned warm when she remembered Jackie. It was much better than pain.
"Eh, no comment," V laughed back as they finally reached Misty's floor. They walked down the gray hallway until they reached Misty's door. "Sorry things with Jude didn't come through."
"It's fine, V. I doubt things would have gone well, anyway." Misty opened her door, leaning in the doorway. "Things like this just take time. Just let it come naturally, if it ever comes at all."
V leaned on the other side of the doorway, stuffing her hands in her jacket pocket. "You're right. Sorry if it feels like I'm rushing you. I guess it's just that after the Relic thing, you start to appreciate every second you got, no time to waste. But, sometimes I find myself projecting that onto my friends. And romance? I'm a complete gonk at relationships as it is."
"You've been wonderful, V. I really do appreciate it. I just don't think set-ups are what I need. If I don't find anybody else, then that's just life. There are some things on our path that we can't control."
"What? Don't say that. Misty, if you don't find somebody, then we truly do live in a shithole of a world. I mean, we do, but you get what I mean."
Misty shrugged, "It could just not be in the cards for me. Jackie might have been my shot."
V steeled her gaze, moving over to Misty's side of the door to look her dead in the eye, emphasizing just how serious she was.
"I might know more than anybody alive about having second chances. You, of all people, deserve one. You deserve endless chances. Misty, you're perfect. You're so beautiful, and sweet, nurturing, understanding, everything somebody could ever want in their life and more. Hell, I'd be dead without you. Johnny would have ripped my brain apart without your pills, or I might've just mailed a bullet to my brain without you trying to guide me. Misty, there are only a handful of diamonds in NC, and you're not one of them…You're a God-damn star. You're the only shining star in Night City. Jackie saw that, and now I-..." V paused, analyzing the words that were about to come out of her mouth and what they could be interpreted as. But, the scary part was what she wanted them to be interpreted as. Part of her was telling her to stop, but something overcame her, and she finished. "...I do, too."
Misty didn't say a word. The only noise that could be heard was the room number light buzzing up above them. V's heart was pounding in her ears, not sure where all of that came from. Misty's expression was one of both deep thought and realization.
She didn't know what to do now.
…But, apparently Misty did.
"Misty, I-" V was cut off as Misty's lips connected to her's in a sweet, chaste kiss. It was over too quickly; three seconds at best.
V's body apparently wasn't satisfied with that. So, her arms curled around Misty's back, bringing her in as close as physically possible.
They kissed again…and again…and again.
Each kiss was simple, short, sweet, but V was getting drunk off of them in no time at all.
As she felt Misty's hands snake their way up to cup her cheeks, V snapped back to reality, quickly separating their lips and backing away from Misty with wide eyes and hitched breath.
"I-I…I…Sorry, I…Fuck!" She swiveled around, speed-walking back to the steps, cursing under her breath.
"V!" Misty called out to her, stopping her dead in her tracks. She had stopped right at the top of the steps, looking anywhere except back at Misty. "Don't go. It's okay…"
"No, I…I shouldn't have done that."
"I kissed you, V."
"I shouldn't have kissed back."
Misty sighed, hugging her arms to her body as she walked out to V, leaning against the balcony railing, looking down at the spiral steps below. "Why not?"
"Because yo-...I'm not…Look, Misty-..." V sputtered out, the ability to form sentences suddenly lost on her.
"Because I was your best friend's girlfriend." Misty finished for her. It wasn't a question, because she knew exactly what was running through V's head.
V sighed, finally turning to Misty, "...Yeah. It's like…I-I dunno. I never looked at you that way, by the way! Back then, I mean. I'm saying that I wasn't jealous of Jackie or anything. I didn't have feelings for you. Not that I didn't think you were amazing, just tha-"
"I know," Misty cut her off before it turned into chaotic rambling. "I didn't think of you that way either. But, now?"
"You-..." V shook her head, looking down at her feet. "...You just saw how I feel about you now. I dunno when it started. Recently, had to be, but…Just how it is."
"Yeah…Just how it is," Misty smiled, moving closer to V. "It's like I said V. I want it to come naturally. This is about as natural as I could have ever asked for."
"But…what about Jackie?"
Misty raised a brow, "V, I miss Jackie every day. I still feel everything for him that I felt two years ago. But, he's gone, and we can't bring him back. I want to change, move on with my life, just like he would want me to."
"And me?" V scoffed. "Would he want me to move on by kissing his girl?"
"I'm not his girl anymore, V. Somewhere in my heart, maybe in a sense. But, in reality? It's just not how life works. Would I still be Jackie's girl if you actually managed to set me up with River? With Judy?" Misty took one final step, gently taking V's hand in both of her's. "You're not betraying Jackie, V. Neither am I. I wouldn't be doing this if I thought I was in any way. You urged me to get back out there, and I agreed. I thought it was my time to try again. But, I realized, I want to try again with you. Jackie wanted us to be happy, and I think we can find it in each other. You've suffered enough, V. The past never leaves us, but it doesn't have to dictate us, keep us from what we want. What do you want, V?"
"..." V knit her brows together in thought, not responding to the question. Her mouth opened and closed over and over again, but no words could form.
Misty sighed, letting go of V's hand, "If it really makes you uncomfortable, we can move on from this. We don't have to bring it up, or you don't have to see me for a while if you don't want to. I understand. I'm sorry if I pushed you. I hope this doesn't affect our friendship. Thank you for walking me home, and…Goodnight, V."
Misty took her leave, walking back to her apartment with a slightly aching heart. She entered her apartment, allowing the door to slide closed behind her.
…Until V's hand grabbed the edge of the door right before it shut, forcing it back open.
Misty spun around, her gaze meeting V's as she stood in her doorway. She was breathing deeply, and her expression was both determined, and seemingly slightly scared.
But, whatever fear inside of her didn't stop her from standing up straight, and speaking her truth.
"...I want you."
A wide smile broke out onto Misty's face, her spirits soaring higher than ever.
"...I want you, too."
Striding forward, V wrapped her arms around Misty's waist, reuniting their lips. Misty's arms wrapped around her neck as the door closed behind them, leaving them to explore this new change.
_CP:77_
[Present Day]
Here they were a year later, and Misty could confidently say everything was damn near perfect.
V was one of the most respected mercs in the city. The first person to ever earn their "Legend" status and still be alive, because she technically already died. And, as it turns out, dying and coming back to life, and then killing THE Adam Smasher, was considered incredibly badass.
They moved in together to an entirely new place. V found a place still close by to the shop, but much nicer, bigger, cleaner, and safer than both of their apartments had been combined. With V's work they didn't struggle for money, but both knew a fancy apartment at Corpo Plaza was not a good fit for them.
Not to mention, as evident as it was due to their current activities, V had quickly become a fan of their intimacy.
She still remembered V's face lighting up when she described sex as a spiritual communion of lover's souls, something to be enacted commonly to express your emotions and celebrate your partner.
V had perked up when she said "commonly".
She took that phrasing to heart. Not that Misty was complaining.
She reached down, brushing a hand through V's hair as her heart swelled. She was so happy that she had managed to convince V to give this a chance. To have such a deep connection to somebody was just so intoxicating.
It was funny, in a way, that a hardened merc who most would consider a walking war machine, was in reality so soft, sweet, and emotional.
Maybe V had always been this way, and she just needed to enter a relationship with her to access it.
Or, maybe the Relic changed that about her. Everything from that year changed them both.
Perhaps it was why V hadn't said she loved her yet. That kind of acceptance to commitment would be scary after facing your mortality.
It was partially why Misty hadn't said it either. With what happened to Jackie, it was made painfully aware to her that V could die any day.
Chances were low, given V's track record, but still. She hadn't taken on any massive heists of such scale since then, and seemingly had no intentions of reversing that decision.
But, despite their hesitation, Misty couldn't deny her feelings. V was on her mind all day, and the elation she felt every time she walked through the door was insurmountable.
She hadn't felt so strongly about somebody since…
V nipped her way up Misty's inner thigh, snaking her hands around her girlfriend's waist to pull her even closer.
"Ooh~...Oh, Jackie~..."
"..." V froze on the spot, her heart dropping faster than the bomb Johnny sent down the Arasaka Tower elevator shaft. She felt Misty's legs tense up, signaling that she finally realized what she had just said. V's stomach churned as she dragged her gaze up to find Misty's.
With the room only being dimly lit, the shadows shrouded Misty, with V only able to see the glistening eyes shining from her outline.
The silence that permeated the room was lethal, with both occupants only able to hear their own hearts pounding in their ears.
"I…V, I-...I didn't…"
"S'fine," V's voice came out hoarse. She cleared her throat, moving out of Misty's legs to stand up. "Sorry, I, uh…I'm just gonna step outside for a second."
"No, V, wait." Misty grabbed her hand, looking up at her pleadingly. "Let me explain."
"I will, just…I'm not going anywhere, just need some air. I promise. I just need a minute, okay?" V raised their hands together, kissing Misty's knuckles before slipping out her own and beelining it for the back door before Misty could protest.
Once in the back alley, V took a shaky breath as she walked towards the nearby elevator. But, she stopped herself, remembering that their spot on the rooftop wasn't exclusive. It used to be Misty and Jackie's spot.
"Fucking Hell," V growled, both internally mad at her idea being shut down, and mad that she was even a little bit frustrated over Misty and Jackie's relationship. It was wrong to think that way.
If Johnny was still here, he'd probably say this is what she deserved for going after "a choom's sloppy-seconds," the motherfucker…
Damn, she missed him.
Now, she couldn't even bother (attempting and failing) to punch him for saying shit like that about Misty. So, now all she could do was berate herself for even thinking of it.
What the fuck was she doing?
She was a God-damn Edgerunner, and yet a conversation with her girlfriend scared her off. It was a very loaded conversation, but still.
V sighed, "Fucking preem, V. Well done."
Her eyes found the staircase to Vik's clinic, pondering on her options. She couldn't talk to Johnny, and calling Jackie's number really felt like the wrong option. The only problem that steered her away from Vik was the events that spawned the issue.
…Fuck it. Deep end it is.
V headed down the steps, already hearing the boxing matches on Vik's television. Meant he was at least a beer and a half in, so maybe this kind of topic would come easier to him.
As she passed through the gate, Vik swiveled around in his chair, half a beer bottle in hand and an empty one on the desk.
He smiled at her, "What's this? V's come to visit me after getting off a gig instead of her favorite activity of praising her majesty Queen Misty? Either you're dying of a gunshot, or you're fighting. And, you two don't ever fight, so I'll get my tools."
"Uh, actually, Vik," V made her way over to the ripper chair, sitting down with sigh, "…the second one."
Vik's eyebrows rose as he gently lowered his sunglasses, "...Holy shit."
"Okay, we didn't fight, it's nothing like that. It's just…complicated."
"...And you want Ol' Vik's advice on dating?"
V shrugged, "If you got any."
Vik blew a raspberry, running a hand down his face, "Well, V, I'm no professional, but I've had my fair share of romantic troubles. And, no, don't ask about them. But, in case you haven't noticed, I've got one hell of a soft spot for you two. So, I'll do whatever I can to help. So, lay it on me, kid."
"Okay, well…You see it's…I'm trying to find the best way to say it."
"Kid, no bullshitting. I consider you and Misty's relationship very important. Just like an appointment, you tell me what's wrong and I'll do my best. Just give it to me."
"...Misty moaned Jackie's name during sex," V finally spat out, opting to just put it bluntly.
"...Well, God-damn, I got nothing for that one," Vik blew a raspberry, rolling back on his chair to his desk, pulling out two beers from the mini-fridge underneath.
V waved him off, her eyes moving away to gaze at nothing, "None for me, Vik. I think facing death threw me off from using vices for a few seconds of comfort."
Vik nodded, placing the other beer back in the fridge, "I getcha, kid. I mean, I don't, but I do."
V chuckled, pinching the bridge of her nose, "Thanks, Vik. By the way, as my ripper, should I be worried that you got beers in the same place you put me under the knife?"
"No comment," Vik smiled, rolling back over to the surgeon's chair. "Well, what did you do?"
"Why do you think I'm here? I panicked and delta'd out of there."
"Wait a minute. This happened today? But, didn't you just get back from working? When did thi-...Oh, c'mon, V!"
"Not the time, Vik!"
"I eat lunch up there and chat with Misty sometimes, you know?! Now I'm never sitting in those chairs again."
"Vik! Not helping!"
"Sorry! Sorry, just…Whatever, I'm removing it from my brain."
"Please do," V pleaded.
"Okay, brass tacks. You two were, uh…you know, and she slips out Jackie's name instead of yours. This the first time?"
"Yeah," V nodded. "Definitely would've remembered it happening before."
"Alright then. Am I right to assume your worry isn't just that she's thinking about Jack instead of you, but that she's always been thinking about him over you?"
"I…I guess?"
Vik furrowed his brow, rolling over the V, "You sound pretty unsure."
"Well, I-...I don't think it's been the whole time. Misty was the one who convinced me to actually go through with our relationship, because I was the one still thinking about Jackie. But, right there, I dunno. It ain't the anniversary of his death, or his birthday. It's not their anniversary either. I just don't know what prompted it. Did I like…do something the same way he used to, or-?"
"Ah! No, not going there! I don't need that kind of nitty gritty detail. Look, V, maybe you're just overthinking this. We think about the people we lost everyday. It was probably just a slip-up. Can't be mad at her for that."
"I'm not mad, I'm…Dunno, feeling guilty? Same kind of guilt when I kissed her the first time. I thought I was over it, but it feels like it took Johnny's place. Never goes away, and never shuts up. The only difference is I actually liked Johnny."
"What exactly do you got to feel guilty for, V? When Jackie and her were together, did you, uh…?"
"No," V quickly cut off Vik's train of thought. "I wasn't gunnin' after my best friend's girl. Wasn't like that. Had no feelings for her, and had no intentions of catchin' any either."
"Okay, then I'm missing something here. You didn't manipulate her. If I recall, Misty made the first move. You just said she's the one who convinced you, and we both know she only had eyes for Jack back then. But, it's been three years, V. Misty's moved on, just like we all have to. When you two got together, I was so happy, because I hadn't seen Misty that elated in years. Hadn't seen you so buzzed in forever either. But, maybe I misread things. Because, despite this whole conversation being about Misty thinking of the past, the only one that seems to be stuck in the past is you, V."
V opened her mouth to retort, but she had nothing. Vik was right. Out of everyone she knew, it was like she was the only one that hadn't moved on. For someone who fought tooth and nail for a future, and claimed to now take every day as a gift because of it, she was still just…holding on.
V slumped back against the chair, rubbing at her eyes, "...Yeah. Yeah, you're probably right."
"Well, c'mon then. What's still eating at ya? Walk me through it. I know you said you didn't have feelings for Misty, and I believe you. But, lot of times, V, we feel things we don't understand yet. Do you think you're feeling guilty because you might've felt something for her when Jackie was still around? Even just a little bit?"
"No," V reaffirmed, completely sure of her answer. "Not before…"
"You paused, V. I feel a 'but' coming."
"But," V continued, looking back through her memories, "...maybe a little bit after."
Vik nodded, taking a sip of his beer, "Now we're getting somewhere. Start spittin', kid."
"Fine, I guess it could have…okay, it probably started a week or so into the Relic business. Part of me was still taking gigs out of my hope for survival. I was thinking that I could use the eddies and the rep once I got the Relic out of me. Another part of me was thinking…Another part was thinking that all that money could go to the people I cared about, once I kicked the bucket. Help River get Joss and the kids out of that trailer park, money for Judy to help the dolls, and fund her BDs. Panam could use the money for her family. Hmhm, and Goro could have finally bought some decent fucking Japanese food," V laughed to herself, reminiscing on her texts with him. "You coulda been schmoozing it up at high-bar boxing rings, chroming out champions. But…my mind always wandered back to Misty. Right before the Konpeki Plaza heist, Jackie talked about wanting to give her a better life, her and his mom. When he died, I promised myself that I'd take care of her. But, funny thing is, it was her that ended up taking care of me most of the time."
"To be fair to you, you were pretty busy," Vik added. "Knocking on Death's door doesn't leave you with a lot of down time."
"Suppose so. Running around, panicked out of my mind half the time, pretending like I had things under control. But, Misty saw right through me. She knew I was terrified. She gave me the pills to fight a little longer, and even gave me the option to flatline if I really wanted to. At the moment, was a little mad at the suggestion, but…all she ever wanted was to help me. I wasn't even thinking about the fact that not only did she lose Jackie, but her other friend was degenerating right before her eyes. All because they were a couple of gonks reachin' too close to the sun, far too soon."
"Having dreams doesn't make you stupid, V. I think Jackie would much rather die on a heist with you, going after those dreams, than not at all."
"Yeah…maybe…" V brought her knees to her chest, resting her head against the headrest. "But, even despite what she was going through, Misty always tried to guide me, told me to follow my heart. She said a lot of other things, but even now I'm not the greatest at deciphering all the spiritual stuff, but…I try. For her. Always do. And, even when I didn't fully get it, she always made me feel better. Sometimes I would just stop by the shop, just to have some God-damn peace for a bit. She was the eye of my shit storm life."
"But, nothing happened for years," Vik said, still curious as to where this was all stemming from. "How does it still tie back to Jackie?"
"I guess…I guess hearing her say his name like that makes me feel like I'm a kid standing in their dad's shoes. I feel like I can't be what Jackie was for her."
"You shouldn't be trying to replace Jackie at all, V. Misty didn't come to you for a substitute, she wanted you. Have you ever asked her what she sees in you? Why she likes you so much?"
V shook her head, "With my bad luck, you just start to accept the actual good things that come your way. But…bad luck isn't even the right word for it anymore. Part of me still thinks I shouldn't be here, that I should be dead and Johnny should be walking around with my corpse like a fucking puppet. Yet, somehow, I made it. I'm alive, I'm better than ever. I'm happier than ever. In Night City, being happy doesn't even fucking exist! Or, so I thought. What did I do to deserve this, to have my luck flipped around?"
"When Jackie didn't…" Vik filled in for her, finally able to read clearly between the lines. "That's it. Survivor's Guilt."
V rested her head in her hand, closing her eyes as she tried to ignore the feeling of her chest tightening. "...Made it to the big leagues. I achieved my dream…our dream. I lived, and…and now I'm with the woman he loved. What kind of irony even is that? When life pulls these shitty jokes on you, it always makes a surprise twist out of the punchline."
"I know the feeling, V. But, you didn't do anything wrong. You couldn't stop Jackie from dying, and you didn't even have any say in coming back to life. And, you certainly don't have any say in who you fall for. You weren't gift-wrapped all of this. You rolled with the punches, and you made it. You would've taken the bullet for Jackie, I know. If I was there, I would've too. But, here we are, V."
"...Here we are, indeed." V sighed deeply, staring up at the lights. "Sometimes, I think about whether Jackie would approve of me for her. On the very short list of people that I would trust with her, I'm sometimes not sure if I'm even on that list."
"V, I don't think Jackie would trust anyone to take care of Misty 'cept for you."
"I know, Vik, but ya think this is what he would mean? When I said I promised to take care of her, I didn't mean fall in love with her."
Vik perked up, raising a brow at her, "Huh…You know, I don't think I've ever heard you say that before."
V knit her brows together, looking back at Vik, "Say what?"
"Said that you're in love with her."
"...I did?" V thought back to what she just said, scoffing at the realization. "...I did."
Vik chuckled, standing up from his chair, "That's probably the first step you gotta take. Luckily for you, the person you really should be talking to is already here."
V nodded, beginning to sit up, "You're right. I gotta get back."
"No, no, I meant she's here. Right here. You hear that, Misty?" Vik turned away from V, looking back towards the entrance. "You know I'm connected to my own system, right? I know every time my door opens."
After a few seconds, the familiar blonde hair and purple sweater came into view from behind the wall. Misty slowly walked into the clinic, fidgeting with her hands as she sheepishly smiled at Vik, "I forgot."
"It's fine. High time I retire for the evening, so I humbly ask you girls to lock up for me. I believe a little talk is in order. And, please, I'm begging you both, keep the 'activities' in your bedroom."
"No promises," Misty shrugged, smiling innocently.
"Ugh, I'll take what I can get. G'night, girls."
"Goodnight, Vik," V replied. "Thank you. For everything, all this. I know it's not how you intended to spend your evening."
"Anytime, V. I like being kept on my toes."
Vik left the couple alone, gathering his things and leaving the clinic. Once alone, Misty slowly approached the ripper chair, looking down at V.
"...Hey, Valerie."
V couldn't help but smile a little, "Full name? Shit, this really is serious."
"Val…"
"Sorry, just…copin'. How long you been listening?"
"A while. Can I?" Misty asked, gesturing towards the chair.
V maneuvered herself to try and make room on the chair, which resulted in lying on her side and pressing herself as hard as she could against the arm rest. Misty apparently thought that was perfect as she mirrored V's position, squeezing them both into the chair.
V placed her arm around Misty, pressing her forehead against her's, "Mama Welles is right. You are really skinny. How'd you even fit in here?"
"The same way I fit under the very little amount of blanket you leave me every night."
"Excuse you?" V scoffed, "I'm a cuddler. What are you even talking about?"
"A cuddler who still manages to get most of the blankets onto her side."
V grinned, happy for the distraction, even if it was only for a few seconds. She rubbed Misty's back as her smile faded away, "...I'm sorry I ran out like that."
"It's okay. Besides, you weren't lying. You were just outside, and I would much rather you go to Vik to talk things through than to wander with your thoughts on a rampage."
"I really should get him something after that. That definitely wasn't what he was expecting to hear tonight…or ever."
"A feeling you can understand."
V dropped her head into the chair with a groan, "You always know how to pull me back when I'm distracting myself."
"There's more than one kind of balance we can achieve, V. There's a balance between us that makes it easy for me to become a master of your signs."
"So, becoming predictable, am I?"
"Predictable? No, but I'm able to see how that was also you trying to distract yourself from the elephant in the room."
"Damn it, sorry. It's not on purpose, I swear."
"I know," Misty consoled her, rubbing up and down her arm. "But, you're not predictable enough for me to see that you had Survivor's Guilt. Although, I probably should have known. V, I-...Did I push you to be with me too fast?"
"Don't do that, Misty. This is on me. I don't regret a damn thing. I apparently just wasn't as prepared as I thought. I wanna be better, for myself and for you. I know I can't be Jackie, I'm not trying to be. But, I wanna be the partner you deserve."
"That I deserve? V, you've been perfect." Misty reached up to cup her cheek, using her thumb to caress it. "It's not about trying to be better than Jackie. There's no such thing as being better than Jackie. And, there's no such thing as being better than you, either. I loved Jackie, always will. Just like you, and everyone else who experiences loss. But, he's moved on, and I've made peace with that. I'm sorry for my slip of the tongue, V. Memories are the master of bad timing. But, I wasn't thinking about Jackie back then because of our intimacy. V, I thought of Jackie in that moment, because he was the last time I had ever felt this way about someone. Jackie was the last time I felt love as strong as the love I feel for you."
"Heh…Love, huh?" V gently held the hand Misty was holding her face with, "The scariest word in Night City. Most don't even believe it exists."
"It's rare here, but that just makes whenever you find it all the more special," Misty nudged her forehead against V, speaking softly, "I love you, V."
"Whew, oookay. Gotta let that sink in for sec," V nervously laughed out through a shaky breath. "Misty, I don't know if I'll ever not try and be better for you, but…I think I can fully grasp what I got now. I've got something so special, somethin' I never thought I'd ever have. I'd be the biggest gonk in Night City to hesitate, to keep looking back even for one second. You heard me before, but I didn't outright say it…I love you, too, Misty."
They didn't waste a millisecond in bringing their lips together, sealing the metaphorical contract. They were all in, no more time to waste. V buried her face into the crook of Misty's neck, breathing in Misty's aroma of incense and lavender. It was just one small piece of Misty's presence that calmed her, grounded her.
For a time, V used to think she was an adrenaline junkie. She thought it was just a part of the merc life. But, after everything she'd been through, she was just so…
Tired.
Dying, dodging bullets, taking lives, losing Jackie, Johnny, Evelyn, seeing all the dark shit that even she didn't know Night City had…
But, this? This was everything. Misty kept her wired together. Maybe…
Maybe a change was in order.
V kissed Misty's skin, nuzzling further into her, "You wanna go home and finish our spiritual communion?"
"You can still just call it sex, V. And, yes."
_CP:77_
[A Few Hours Later: Misty and V's Apartment]
V reached over Misty, grabbing the incense burner on her nightstand and dipping the stick into the water bowl next to it. After putting the burner back in place, she moved back and kissed Misty's temple as she slept.
"I love you," V whispered, carefully getting out of bed and throwing on her tossed to the side tank top. She left their bedroom, moving towards the main area. She still wasn't used to living in an actual multi-room apartment. Her old megatower apartment didn't even have a kitchen. It was a nice place, but Misty gave it character. V's definition of feng shui had been giving specific dirty clothes its own corner and crumpled old posters on the wall. She moved into the main living area, her eyes managing to see two ears perk up in the dark from the corner where the cat condo stood.
V smiled, moving around her couch towards the condo, scratching behind NIbbles' ears once she got there, "Sorry for waking you up, and for kicking you out of the bedroom. Your momma and I had some…business to attend to."
Nibbles merely deadpanned up at her, yellow eyes glowing in the dark.
V chuckled, moving away from the cat, "You're welcome to go keep her company until I get back."
When V introduced Misty to Nibbles, the cat had taken an immediate liking to her. After she and Misty got together, she joked that Nibbles had good taste, like her owner.
She maneuvered her way through the dark, reaching the glass door at the side of the room. She walked out onto their balcony, leaning against the railing to gaze out onto Night City as Misty's wind chimes sung into the air.
V brought up her contact list, selecting Jackie's name. His old contact icon appeared in the corner of her vision, ringing a few times before she was asked to leave a message, she knew the drill.
"...How'm I doing, Jackie?" She waited a few seconds in silence, imagining his confused reaction. "Straight to it, I know. I got a lot to say, so I figured I'd just get right down to it. Bad part is, I just don't know how to tell you. When I asked how am I doing, I meant with everything. Misty, life, all of it. Have I done good? Did I do good enough for the both of us? I'm askin', cause I gotta know before I make a decision. I think…I think I'm done."
Again, she could envision Jackie squinting at her, not following what she was getting at. She couldn't blame him. This wasn't something she would have expected to say three years ago either.
"What I mean is…I'm retiring. I know! Fucking crazy, amirite? Almost as crazy as having a phone call with your dead best friend…Fucking hell, V. Whatever, just look, I've just been thinking and I don't think I want to keep doing this. What else is there for me as a merc? Risking death everyday when it still feels like I just escaped it yesterday? If not for me, then for MIsty. Can't leave her alone again, I refuse. She lost you already, but if I bit the dust, too? Makes me feel like vomiting just thinking of her burying another one of us. She used to sit out in front of your garage when she was missin' you. Like she was waiting for you to come back. And I can't get the image of her sitting and waiting for me somewhere out of my mind. It's just…" V shook off a cold chill, trying to push down the sudden wave of nausea that always came with these thoughts. "H-Holy shit, that scares the hell outta me. Scares me more than the actual dying part itself. I can't do it. I love her so much more than being a legend."
She couldn't think of anything Jackie would say this time. She was just unloading at this point.
"But, I've already done it. Become a legend, I mean. Hell, I've already got my drink in the Afterlife. Rogue says it counts cause I technically died. Said I was the woman who died and rose again, our own God-damn Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, I think anyone who follows me will be sorely disappointed, hmhm. It always comes as two shots. One for the shot I took to the head, and the other for my second shot at life. But…"
V looked down from the balcony, her hand instinctively finding the slot the Relic still sat in. Over three years later, she still hadn't taken it out, even after it was rendered effectively useless.
"...That second shot, I'm not gonna get another one, Jackie. I still remembered what that dick wipe Deshawn asked me when we took the Konpeki Plaza job. 'Bout living the quiet life or dying in a blaze of glory. That's just it, Jackie, I…I've come out of blaze after blaze, I've got all this money I don't even know what to do with, my rep, and I…I died once, I lived again, almost died again, and again, and again. And, I'm only now realizing that I don't have to choose, not anymore. Because…" V looked back up, still staring at nothing. "...Misty is my blaze of glory. I've got the chance to be the only one who didn't just make it to the big leagues, but made it out the other side better than before."
Her head drooped again, her hair like a black curtain, blocking off the outside world from all sides.
"I spent so long talking to ghosts and people who were basically ghosts, just like I am now, all so focused on the past while I was clawing for any semblance of a future. It taught me that I can't be stuck in it like they were. So, what I'm sayin' is…this call is part confession, and…part goodbye. This is probably gonna be the last call I make to you, at least for a good long while. I'm just hopin' that I'm not disappointing you. But, I…I don't think I am."
"You're not."
V jumped in surprise, turning around to see Misty leaning against the glass door in her midnight blue robe, Nibbles rubbing against her legs. "Christ, Misty! Do you want me to put a bell on you?"
"I think all my necklaces will do," she joked, moving out towards V. She hugged V tightly, resting her head on her shoulder, "He wouldn't be disappointed, not after everything you've done. But, V, you don't have to quit for me. I'd never ask that of you."
"I know you wouldn't. But, even then, I do. Not just for you, Misty. For me, too. I'm not risking everything I care about for no reward. I've got everything I need. It's time I move on, from all of this."
Misty raised her head up, gazing quizzically at V, "Do you mean merk work, or Night City?"
"To be honest with you, I haven't really thought about it, but…I'm open to it. I know we both tried leaving once, but it doesn't have to be forever. We can see what's out there, we've got the money to do whatever we want. Maybe we can find something out there. We could go back to where you visited in Poland? Or we could go visit Judy in Pittsburgh?"
Misty's astonishment slowly turned into a smile as she listened to V list off ideas, "You're serious?"
"Deadly, Misty. So serious, that I…" V faltered for a moment as something dawned on her. She tentatively reached behind her ear, feeling the inactive Relic still slotted into her head. It was time, wasn't it? In fact, it was far past due. "This is how serious I am, Misty."
V gasped as she pulled the Relic out, half-expecting to drop dead right on the spot. But, she kept breathing, not a single ounce of pain. She held it out in front of her, gazing down at it, not sure what was even running through her head.
Did she hate this thing? It's what started it all, got Jackie killed, tried to kill her, caused her so much agony.
But, it also saved her life. Even though he wasn't in there anymore, it's what housed Johnny. It led her to the most important people in her life, barring Misty. She wouldn't be where she was without it. As if Misty could read her mind, she gently took it from V's hands.
"Your monowire, V?" V was shaken out of her thoughts at Misty's request. She peered at her, but did as she was asked, pulling out a short strand of her monowire. "Make a hole for me, will you?"
V continued to look at her curiously as she took the end of the wire and burned a hole at the top of the biochip, pulling the end out of the other side. After V retracted her wires, Misty took her hand and led her back inside.
Taking her back into their bedroom and into their small walk-in closet, Misty opened up the jewelry case V had gotten her that sat atop the dresser. Inside rested her collection of necklaces, most of them handmade luck charms. One of them had Jackie's gold ring on a chain, another was the charm of the bullet Vik had pulled out of V's skull, and, of course, Johnny's tags.
"Do you remember what I said the night we got together? The past never leaves us, but it doesn't dictate us." Misty held up Johnny's dog tags, unclasping the chain and looping the biochip onto it. She closed the chain, sliding the Relic until it hung with the tags. "Pasts are complicated, full of good and bad. The most frequent naturally occurring balance of life. The Relic is a perfect representation of that."
V took the dog tags from Misty, chuckling a little at them, "Ya know, before I would think that Johnny would absolutely hate the idea of the piece of Arasaka tech that killed him hanging with his tags, but…I also think he'd make an exception for this one. Very, very hesitantly, but still."
Misty rested her hand over V's, using the other to cup her cheek, "You really want to do this, V? You already left once, to Atlanta."
V hugged her close, kissing Misty's forehead, "Difference this time is I have you with me, which means there's nothing in NC strong enough to pull me back to it. Think of it like a really, really long vacation. I'll pay our rent in advance for the next year, maybe two. Vik can watch over the shop while you're gone, maybe turn it into storage for him until we get back. We'll get a cat carrier for Nibbles, or maybe Mama Welles can watch her for us."
"Oh, God, we have to tell her we're leaving."
"One step at a time, Misty," V chuckled at her panic. "We're not leaving for weeks. Lots of planning to do. Not to mention I've gotta tell all my fixers I'm quitting. Weirdly enough, I'm not looking forward to telling Mama Welles more than I am them. Eh, Rogue's prolly gonna be pissed, though."
"No, she'll be happy for you, I'm sure."
_CP:77_
[One Week Later: Afterlife]
"You're what?"
"Retiring," V shrugged, sliding over the data shard of her (unbeknownst to Rogue) last gig she'd conclude in the Afterlife. "For now, at the very least, but don't hold your breath."
Rogue scoffed as she processed what she was hearing. She took the shard and pocketed it before looking confusedly back up at V, "Nobody leaves this life as young as you do unless they're in a body bag."
"Been there, done that, subtract the body bag for a landfill. Not a fan. I got here on my own terms, I'm leaving on my own terms."
"You're serious?" Rogue asked, leaning back into her booth. "Just like that, in the blink of an eye, I lose my best merc? Scratch that, actually. Night City loses its best merc?"
"Just like that," V confirmed, crossing her legs and throwing an arm on the back of the booth. She had to convey just how confident and serious she was about this decision. She loved Rogue, she was great. But, she wasn't gonna deal with any Fixer bullshit. Not on this. "Maybe someday I'll return to the fold, mid-life crisis and all that. But, I'm a trouble magnet, and so are most of my friends. I'm sure I'll find no short supply of crazy shit to get up to, but the constant day-to-day chaos Night City brings just doesn't allure me right now."
"Damn, you're not just quitting on me, you're leaving Night City all together?"
"Should be. Dunno when yet, though. Still making plans and all," V answered with a shrug of her shoulders. "Misty wants to visit Poland again, so that's on the list. I wanna go see Jude up in Pittsburgh. Panam always updates me on where the Aldecaldos move, so might kick it with them for a little bit. If Goro can make it happen, I'd love to go to Japan. Misty would freak if she got to visit any of the temples there. But, that's just the thing, Rogue. We can go to any place in the world, it doesn't matter to me. I got Misty, that's all that matters. Night City isn't going anywhere, we can always come back. I still have friends here, including you, so it's not like you'll never see me again. I made it to the big leagues, but I think they'll be just fine without me. I mean, could you imagine? Packing up here, you and Johnny going wherever you wanted? Wouldn't you do it?"
"Johnny? Pfft. Johnny couldn't leave Night City even if he wanted to. He hated NC, but he was NC. But…Yeah, I understand what you're getting at, V. Just gonna miss you, is all."
"Aww, Rogue cares about little ol' me? I don't even need Johnny in my brain for you to like me anymore."
"Screw you, kid. I take back what I said, I'm only going to miss Misty."
"Too late, already recorded and everything. When I see Judy again I'm gonna ask her to make a BD out of it."
Rogue rolled her eyes, placing a hand on V's shoulders, "It's not like I can stop you. Go live your life, V. Call me when you decide to leave, and tell me where to. First-Class tickets are on me, and consider your apartment and the shop protected until you come back."
"Whoa! Rogue, you serious?"
"As long as you keep in touch. Unfortunately, I've grown to like you."
"Well, can't blame ya. I mean, technically we almost banged at the drive-in theater."
"Get the fuck outta my bar."
"Roger that!" V quickly evacuated Rogue's booth, chuckling under her breath as she moved towards the bar. She leaned against the counter, signaling to Claire, "One Jackie Welles, plea-"
Before V could even finish her request, a Jackie Welles was set down in front of her. "You order one of two drinks here, V. Never even need to ask."
V smirked as she took her drink, "Then where's my Silverhand?"
Claire pulled out another small glass from under the counter, raising it to her lips, "Whatever you don't pick, I get to drink. Anyway, how's biz with Rogue?"
"That's what I came to talk about. Biz has officially ended."
Claire froze, drink centimeters from her lips, "You're beefin' with Rogue?"
"No, nothing like that. I meant my biz. I'm officially retired, starting today."
"Holy shit, you're kidding me?"
V shook her head, downing her glass in one go, "Nuh-uh. Rogue was my last fixer to break the news to. I'm outta the game
"Well, God-damn, V. Never expected to be hearing that, at least not for years to come. What are you gonna do now?"
"That's the other thing. We've been reigning champs in the races for three years now, but you're gonna have to find a new driver. I'm leaving Night City."
"Huh. No shit? Damn, V, that puts a damper on things, but I can see in your eyes you're real happy about this. At least tell me you'll visit sometime?"
"Promise. Dunno when we'll be back, but I'll keep in contact. I'll even send you postcards, if those are still a thing."
Claire laughed, pulling out four shot glasses, pouring and mixing the drinks, "Then, I say this calls for an order of V's."
V grinned as she took her two shots, clinking them with Claire, "One for the bullet."
Claire gulped her's down with V, raising the second one, "One for the Relic."
V threw back the last shot, shaking her head to ward off the buzz, "Whew. Guess this is it, Claire."
"Suppose it is," Claire nodded, taking the glasses off the bar. "Gonna miss you guys. Now, get out there, and go give Misty a big kiss for me."
"I'll give her fifty and say they were all from me."
"Deal."
V smiled, waving goodbye as she took her leave from the Afterlife, not knowing when she would be back. As she exited, she saw the same old graffiti on the wall next to the stairs. The same words that were painted in thousands of spots throughout the city. A sight she was really sick of seeing.
"No Future"
V smirked, quickling slashing the "No" out with her monowire before climbing up the steps.
_CP:77_
[Three Weeks Later; North Oak Columbarium]
"Been a while, Jackie." Misty stood in front of Jackie's headstone, still a little downtrodden at the chosen burial ground. He deserved much more than a brick in the wall, all of these people did. "It's going to have to be a little while longer, too. I'm going away, V and I. We're not sure when we're coming back. It's supposed to be an 'All You Can Travel Vacation,' as V calls it. Your mom wasn't thrilled with the idea. She always was the one you got your stubbornness from, but also your understanding, so she relented eventually. We didn't want to leave Vik behind either, but V's spent the last few weeks orchestrating him, River, and Pepe to be friends. She seems to have a gift for bringing people together, or maybe she learned that from you."
Misty turned to look down the rows of the Columbarium, giggling a little as she watched V struggle to get Nibbles into her travel carrier in the back seat of "Beast". She couldn't tell who was fighting harder, or who was winning.
"It's so strange how I both wish so badly that you were still here with us, and yet I wouldn't give up the time I've spent with V for anything. Love is so simple, and yet so complicated." She turned back to Jackie, bending down to place a small incense burner in front of his spot. "I love her so much, Jackie, and I know she feels the same. I'm going to cherish every moment I have with her, just as I did with you. I just hope you know that wherever we go, you'll be there with us."
Misty lit the incense, standing up as she heard footsteps approaching. She looked over to see V looking very unamused by the scratches all over her arms. "Ugh, Nibbles does not like that carrier."
"I told you we should have kept training her to get used to it."
"Yes, we tried, and she tore up our couch pillows as revenge. Let's just hope this time she doesn't target us, she knows where we sleep." The scent of the incense caught V's nose, causing her to turn to the grave before them. "This a favorite of his?"
"Mhm. He loved his blend. Said the smell reminded him of his abuela's kitchen."
V smiled solemnly, putting an arm around her, "You okay?"
"Yeah. It's just that I said my goodbyes years ago, and I've been okay ever since. You said goodbye again on our balcony, and now this feels like mine. But, this time he's not the only one going away. I guess it's just hard to not feel like we're leaving him behind."
"We're not leaving him behind. Just movin' on. There's a very big difference between the two. You know who taught me that?"
Misty smiled, turning back to V, "Does her name happen to be Misty?"
V feigned a gasp, a hand on her heart, "How'd you know? You truly are a fortune teller, my dear Olszewski."
Misty rolled her eyes, but her smile wouldn't go away. She kissed V's cheek, hugging her tightly, "Thanks, V."
"Anytime. Alright, we've got a flight to catch. One that if we miss, Rogue will kill me. You ready?"
"With you? Always." Misty turned back to the stone, kissed two fingers, and placed them right on Jackie's name. "Goodbye, Jackie. Thank you for everything."
V stepped up next to her and placed her fist against the stone, taking a deep breath, "...Wouldn't be here without you, Jackie. You didn't take me to the big leagues, but you were there with me."
They turned around, but V stopped to look across the stones at another side. Her eyes found the familiar brick that read "Robert John Linder."
V flashed devil horns at it, smiling to herself, "See ya around, Johnny. Never fade away."
The couple exited the Columbarium, getting back into the car, their final stop before leaving concluded. V sighed and hit her head against the steering wheel as Nibbles whined loudly in the back.
Misty giggled, reaching back and using her fingers to pet Nibbles through the cage door, "Reminds me of you at the DMV."
"Hey," V quickly shot up from the steering wheel, "that place was complete bullshit. Besides, how was I supposed to know my license expired five years ago?"
"The date on the license." Misty merely smiled innocently as V deadpanned at her. "You ready?"
V sighed, looking out at Night City one more time. She'd be back, she knew. Things would be different, they'd change.
But, that was okay.
V leaned over, placing a soft kiss on Misty's lips, "Let's go."
_CP:77_