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Misty never really had to worry about her safety, or the safety of her shop. The locals knew to leave her alone, and even the gonks that thought they’d try to get something out of her were always stopped pretty quickly once V and Jackie caught wind of it. She was… protected, and she had been since she opened up shop.
That was… before, though. After her boys got fucked over on the DeShawn job, she was left without her muscle until they woke up. If they woke up. Jackie had been holding on by a thread when he was brought in, and V was… well, according to the Arasaka prick who had brought him in, he should be dead.
It didn’t take long for people to notice that Misty’s ‘bodyguards’ weren’t around any more. Nobody was dumb enough to try anything, not with Vik right downstairs, but that didn’t mean a few particularly ballsy idiots from hanging out a little too close for comfort. Misty started closing early.
She was spending more time in Vik’s, rotating between keeping an eye on V and Jackie, getting to know the guy who brought V back- Takemura was his name, giving Vik a hand with his other patients, and just spending time with Vik. He was good company. If Misty asked, he’d tell her about his boxing days. She wasn’t particularly interested in boxing, but he obviously loved it, and his passion mixed with the soothing baritone of his voice made it good conversation anyway. And he didn’t seem to mind if it lulled her to sleep sometimes.
Vik was worried about V. Misty didn’t catch all the details, but, what she did get was that he was in bad shape. Whatever chip he’d put in his head saved his life, but now it was killing him. Taking him over… Misty couldn’t help but worry, too. At least when Jackie woke up, he’d be okay… She tried not to talk about it too much with Vik, figured if they could distract each other for now it would make it easier to get through the days. Of course, they still had to talk about it sometimes.
“Is he even going to wake up, Vik?” She asked him once. He just sighed,
“You’re more qualified to tell the future than me. I’m doing what I can.”
She did do a reading on V and Jackie both, but her stress about it definitely had her looking too deep. They could be fine, or… they could not. She would just have to wait and see. For now, her and Vik were just keeping each other sane. Takemura popped in sometimes, too. He pretended not to notice Misty clinging to Vik like he was all she had left. For all they knew, he could be.
If this whole thing did anything, though, it brought the two of them closer. Had them bonding over the pain of their loved ones. The four of them had had this… unspoken something since even before her and Jackie had officially gotten together. She wasn’t sure exactly what went on between V and Vik, but she knew there was something. Of course, Jackie and V had so much chemistry, it was inevitable for them to get together. Even she and V had some moments together, brought on, of course, by Jackie… and… now, after such a long standing platonic relationship… it felt like her and Vik were going somewhere, too.
It started slow. Misty would listen to Vik trying to explain boxing and cyberware to her, letting her fall asleep on his shoulder. She’d wake up with his arm around her, warm and, for at least those moments, content. She was sure he talked sometimes just to help her get to sleep…
Sometimes, he would pet her hair when he thought she was still sleeping. His strong, careful fingers would pull apart the tangles in her hair, and she would feel warm. Once, she felt him press a soft kiss to the top of her head, but, he didn’t do it again.
It really hadn’t been that long. Only a week or two, really. But it felt longer. Misty decided she needed to talk to Vik, at least. She didn’t want to think about the worst happening, but, if it did… she was sure they could both use some comfort.
Nestled in the crook of Vik’s arm, with his hand protectively on her shoulder, she finally asked him,
“Vik… what’s happening here? With… us?” She asks softly. She looks up at him. It’s hard to tell exactly what he’s thinking, his face is always so stoic. After a moment. He finally replies.
“I think that’s up to you. Can’t imagine what this old man has to offer you, though.” He lets out a dry laugh, trying to play off the self-deprecation. Misty can see through him, though.
“You’re good enough for V, aren’t you? I’d say you’re good enough for me, too.” She straightens up, letting his arm fall from around her, and turns to look at him fully. “You feel safe, Vik. Your aura is… warm. Kind.” She smiles at him, cupping his face with her hand. “I know you feel it too.” He sighs, leaning into her touch.
“You sure about this? You’ve got a lot going on here, Misty. We both do. Don’t wanna turn stress into something it’s not.” She shakes her head at him.
“That’s not it, I know how I feel.” She says, adamant. It seems to be enough for Vik, who nods.
“If you’re sure, then I am. Can’t tell you I haven’t thought about it, before.” He cracks a smile, and Misty laughs, leaning back against him.
“Been thinking about me, huh?” she asks. His arm goes back around her, and he tilts her chin up to face him with his other hand.
“Hard not to.”
And then his lips are on hers, firm, gentle, and careful-like everything else about him. She kisses him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. It’s a short kiss. Just gentle, soft, and quick. But it’s enough. It makes her feel like things can still be okay.