Chapter Text
V was woken from deep, comfortable sleep with the warm body of Panam pressed against him by his holo buzzing. He groaned, squinting against the holo’s screen, and cursed at his best friend. Why the hell was Jackie calling at the ass crack of dawn?
He slipped away from Panam, who groaned in protest, and pulled the blanket up to cover her, resting a hand on her shoulder. She snuggled against it, and it was with the greatest reluctance, as well as annoyance against his closest friend in life, that he hit ‘reply’.
“Jackie. The sun wants to get back to sleep, and so do I.”
Jackie snickered, clearly having forgotten the time difference between Night City and Honolulu, and not in the least feeling any remorse.
“What, did I wake you?” Jackie squinted, and leaned closer to the screen. “Are you in a tent? Where are you?”
V couldn't help grinning, and dragged his fingers through his sweaty hair.
“Hey, Jackie. Yes to the first, in a tent to the second.”
Jackie scoffed, and squinted.
“Maldito, you’re always like this after getting laid.”
It had been a while, but he supposed he was. His good mood tended to be to the annoyance of others.
“Hey, you’re the one calling.”
Jackie searched the skies of Hawaii on the other end of the line.
“Fine, whatever. Kicked out the girl yet?”
“Hmn, V?”
He rubbed Panam’s bare shoulder as she raised her head with drowsy eyes blinking against the gloom of the tent.
“Holy shit! Misty, you gotta see this! V’s gotten laid, and hasn’t kicked the girl out! This is serious!”
“Who are you talking to?”
V didn’t turn the holo to show Panam Jackie’s face, though he was tempted. She might object, even if it was to mess with Jackie.
“It’s Jackie. You can go to sleep again.”
“Hmn.”
Her head dropped back to the pillow, and he gave her a fond smile before getting up, struggled with his trousers to get them on, and grabbed a shirt before exiting the tent. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, and as V crashed into one of the couches around the now extinguished campfire, Jackie wasn’t done providing his girlfriend with a live commentary on V’s love life.
“I think he’s smitten, Misty!”
“Really? That’s so sweet.”
V snorted as Misty’s voice filtered through the holo. He’d never consider himself ‘sweet’, but he’d let Misty keep her opinions. He put the holo aside, and pulled the shirt over his head. The dawn air was chilly, and he reached for a deposited blanket. Once done draping it around his shoulders he picked up the holo again.
“You wanted something in particular, Jackie? I wasn’t kidding about it being the ass crack of dawn.”
Jackie’s face stretched sideways in a filthy pleased grin.
"We're coming back home tomorrow. Mama is making dinner, a welcome back of sorts. Thought you might want to join in. And… bring your girl with you.”
V frowned slightly at that. He’d… actually love to. But he knew what Mama Welles would think. Then he grimaced. Fuck that, they’d managed to turn her around on Misty. He’d do the same for Panam. He replied, voice firm. A warning of how it might be seen, rather than any kind of excuse or explanation.
“She’s Aldecaldo.”
Jackie seemed to grind to a halt.
“Ah. Hm, I see how Mama might have objections.”
“Right about one thing though. It’s serious.”
Jackie rubbed his neck.
“Maldito, sure know how to pick ‘em. I’ll break the news gently with Mama.”
“Thanks, Jackie.”
Jackie waved his hand.
“Denada. You owe me big time though, and you’re telling me how you ended up with a nomad.”
V heard a rustle and footsteps behind him, and turned around to see Panam approaching. She’d put on her top and jeans, and she dropped down to lean her elbows on the back of the couch, one of her hand touching V’s neck.
“So you’re Jackie.”
Jackie’s grin turned nervous, and V suppressed a snort.
“Told you about me, did he? He’s been keeping you secret.”
The fingers at his neck flexed slightly, her nails scratching at his skin.
“Oh, has he?”
V shrugged, affecting a nonchalant air in spite of the sudden chill he felt.
“Hey, you never told anyone. Everyone just sorta assumed.”
Her raised eyebrow made it very well understood that that wasn’t a sufficient excuse. Jackie piped up.
“I’ll… just make that call to Mama. Bye, V!”
The holo went dead, and Panam circled the couch, seating herself at the other end. Her eyes were hard, but there was a brittleness to them. V sighed. Couldn’t have that.
“I’m not ashamed of you, Panam.”
“Funny that that’s the first thing you think.”
He raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arm.
“Because I’m guessing that’s what worries you.” He slumped back, and looked out across the camp. Thankfully, nobody else seemed to be getting up. “I...” Jesus, he didn’t know what to say. “I’ve… not been... close to anyone for years. Six years as a Corpo, you… learn not to trust anyone.” Putting the words to the air was difficult, and he clenched his hands. “Even should you find someone you actually can trust, that’s just painting a huge target on their back - or yours.” He grimaced, and turned back to Panam, whose arms had sunk into her lap, eyes softening slightly. “I’ve been just as worried as you about… this thing between us. It’s just an acquired habit not to show such things. I’ve been afraid to mess it up, or that anyone outside would bust in and ruin it if they knew.” He sighed, but couldn’t stop talking. “Whatever… whatever we have, I… I like it. And I like you.” He flushed. He sounded so juvenile. She looked away, her cheeks darkening. “I’m not ashamed of what we have,” he reiterated.
She scooched closer on the couch, putting a hand on his knee. He opened up the blanked, and she snuggled closer. Her warmth comforted him, and he drew her close.
“You trust me?”
A simple question, and V stopped himself from laughing. Of course he did. She couldn’t pretend to be anyone but who she was to save her life. And while it wasn’t the only reason, he realized that her straightforwardness and unrelenting honesty were huge parts of why he was drawn to her, and why he actually did trust her. The fact that she seemed unable to hold up any sort of deception soothed some of his inner paranoia. Part of him felt horrible for it, but the rest… The rest was only glad to know her, to be so close to her.
“I do." He smirked. "And quite a lot at that.”
She rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything, only snaking an arm around his waist, and pulling closer herself. After a while she looked up at him, and spoke again.
“Hey… when'd you get so sensitive?”
Her smile was teasing, and he returned it.
“When I started hanging around with you.”
She punched him on the arm. It was a light punch, and with the plasticine subdermal armour under his skin he felt little more than the impact, but he caught her clenched hand on the return, and brought it to his lips. She flushed, and he felt very pleased with himself. Seemed some of the city tricks worked on the country girl.