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It had been a while since you’d just done anything for yourself. Lately, it felt like you’d been planning for death, not living your life, that’s why you’d decided to just get into your car and drive. Johnny knew just the place, it was just the right amount of trespassing to be fun, at least in his words.
You drove for a little while, through the neverendingly busy streets of Night City, it was oddly serene, the thumping of your radio and the beeping of car horns being the only background noise that you needed, Johnny materialized into your passenger seat, directing you which way to go.
“Johnny, I swear, if I have to spend a night in a Night City jail cell, I will call River to bust me out, and I know how much you fuckin’ hate River.” You hear a scoff from Johnny, who sits at your side, “If you’re still good at netrunning, we’ll be fine. Now quit complaining, it’s ruining my mood.” Then, it’s silent, and the both of you don’t bother to say anything, besides a few directions, then, you reach an empty, desolate parking lot in North Oak. You begin to walk up a hill, side-by-side. You soon run into a chain-link fence, tall and overbearing, you glance at Johnny who just throws his hands up, before crossing them again, a smug grin on his features. You roll your eyes, quickhacking the keypad on the lock, causing it to click, and fall off. “As I said, we’ll be fine.” Johnny pats you on the pack softly, you watch as he walks away, and your chest feels light and airy for just a second until you find it in you to just start walking with him again. Now, isn’t the time for that or for… for him.
You walk up the rest of the hill, Johnny simply popping into view as you reach what must be the spot, You stand behind the North Oak sign, and Johnny smiles at you.
“What is this?” You ask him as he shakes his head, “It’s your birthday, kid. Probably your last might as well enjoy it, even if it’s with me.” Oh shit. It was your birthday, you hadn’t bothered to remember, too busy with everything else in your life. “Gimme your holo,” Johnny says, snatching it from you, the look you give him is quizzical at best that is until he starts playing music. It’s your favorite song, softly coming from the Holo, you smile as you now realize why he’d insisted on bringing food with you guys on this “trip” You watch as Johnny sets your phone, taking your hand into his, dancing seems dumb, but hell, you might as well enjoy this time while you have it.
You stare up at the sky, the evening’s orange bleeding into a purplish color, the stars are more visible now than usual, something you’re thankful for. Johnny chuckles, a rumble in his chest and his throat as you pull in closer to him while dancing, it’s not on purpose but it’s a gesture he appreciates and one he was going to do himself sooner or later.
“I wanted to say that I’m sorry… I was a shit to you when we first met.” He says out of nowhere, the two of you still swaying together in the night’s air. You laugh a bit, “You tried to kill me, Johnny, but also, I thought Johnny Silverhand didn’t care what he did.” He shakes his head, his real hand, his human hand running through your hair. “That’s 2020 shit, I didn’t care… Fuck, you gave me a second chance at life. I don’t want to waste it. I don’t want you to waste the rest of your life.” You pull away, looking Johnny in the eyes, “Hey, I’m not wasting it. I’m finishing it in the best way I can, going out in a blaze of glory, and if I get to help you finish yours along the way? Shit, that’s all I can ask.” Suddenly, there’s just something, Johnny’s heart beating heart against his chest, tight against yours and he chuckles ruefully.
“Only took dying and another fifty years for me to get me to tell someone how I really feel about them.” You laugh softly, “Actually, you still haven’t told me just yet.” His eyebrow cocks, “Neither have you.” Then, his lips crash against yours, knocking the wind out of your lungs, even though he truly isn’t there, it’s enough for the both of you. “Hey, Johnny?” You whisper and lay your head on his chest, listening to the soft thump of his heart.
He sways, humming in acknowledgment, as you wrap your arms around his neck. “Thank you, so much. This might just be the best birthday I’ve ever had.” He stops swaying with you and sighs, “Glad I could do that for you, kid.”