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The motel they were staying in was a grade-A dump.
Johnny believed that he was definitely one of the people qualified to say this; After spending his life in dodgy youth shelters, suspicious foster homes, military barracks and a whole slew of squats, his standards for what a "place to sleep" was were laughably low by now, and yet, this motel was easily scraping the bottom of the barrel. He could see cockroaches scurrying on the floor from time to time, just looking at a filthy microwave on a rickety table made him nauseous, and he was pretty sure that the stain on his mattress was somebody's unwashed period blood.
Thank god they were only here for one night- any more and Johnny would rather chance getting robbed while sleeping on a bench in the parking lot behind the complex they were staying in. Nibbles wasn't much of a pest control either- she was lounging on his laps and purred like a little motor while he scratched her behind her ears instead of chasing cockroaches like a cat should.
Since V and he decided to take the creature in, back in Night City, Johnny couldn't stop wishing that he was corporeal for five minutes just so he could pet her; When V did it, it scratched the itch for a little, but it was annoying in the knowledge that it wasn't the full experience. Now that he had his body back, he could fully experience the warm, slightly furry being that was Nibbles; surprisingly to him, when he held his palm on her for long enough, it actually became sweaty- a discovery he could never have as an engram.
V was taking her sweet time getting ready in the equally ghastly bathroom the room came with, along with a double bed and a closet with one of the doors broken off. She was brushing her teeth- the scrape of the stiff hairs sounding out through the thin walls. Johnny only hoped that it didn't mean that she was going to skip breakfast like she had a tendency to do- she needed the strength if she was going to get better, and she's not going to if she won't eat.
It's been a few months since they were split in Arasaka Tower- V being returned to her body, and Johnny uploaded into his own, which was secretly held in the lab section of the building, held on ice since 2023. Johnny fully expected to die in Mikoshi, join Alt in whatever she was planning, but instead he got to live, in his own body, and sit on a bed that threatened to collapse any second now in a hotel where someone was most certainly killed at some point.
The Aldecaldos were a godsend; Panam and her people helped V to get into the Tower and get his body from a freezer hidden in one of the labs. Looking into his own, dead eyes, Johnny thought that he looked more like carrion than a human being. They even took them back to their camp to let them recover; If not for their help, the two of them would certainly perish on Mikoshi's floor, two people who faced death together already and won twice only to lose their life like two slaughterhouse escapees.
V certainly had a harder time coming to- her body was weak from the engram illness, and didn't take too kindly to having her personality uploaded back. She could barely move, threw up anything she ate and slept for up to twelve hours a day. Some days, Johnny started to worry that she might not survive the whole ordeal, and will leave him alone in this world, with a cat in his arms and a duffel bag full of memories of a person who was the half of his soul.
Johnny had to quickly learn how to become a caretaker to her; A condition Panam gave him for staying in the camp with V. It was a series of tasks he managed to do every day without much thinking- make sure she had her meds; Have her eat at least once a day; Help her walk to the communal shower or bathroom if she needs to; Take her clothes to the wash; Repeat that every day. It reminded Johnny of being in the army, of being given simple, repeatable tasks. He stayed near V like a guard dog, always there to help her and protect her, god knows from what.
Whether due to Johnny's care or V's ruthless determination, she managed to slowly heal, surprising absolutely everyone in the camp. She started to have more and more strength, and her twig-like body started to grow some meek musculature. It wasn't much, but to both Johnny and everyone else in the camp it was an absolute miracle.
V decided that she was thankful for all the support she got from her Nomad family, but she'd like to strike out on her own, see a bit of the world and celebrate her new lease on life and, obviously, whenever V went, Johnny would follow. Thankfully for him, V was more than happy to let him tag along, as an odd mix of a nurse and a muscle to make sure she's well-taken care of and safe no matter where she went.
They set off a few days ago, with a van they got as a parting gift from the Aldecaldos. V was only let go after a round of hugs and ruffled hair, finished off by a tearful goodbye from Panam, who held onto her like this was the last time in their lives that they would see each other. Johnny also received some kind parting words, but the most surprising goodbye gift had to be a handshake from Panam; She never hid her suspicions about Johnny's intentions and competency regarding her friend, but that firm squeeze clearly meant that she wished to bury the hatchet. They both wanted what's best for V, and Panam must've trusted her when she choose Johnny as her travel companion; That handshake was a silent plea that was just too difficult for her to say out loud to him- "Keep her safe, rockerboy".
And now, their new life was about to begin, hatching from this nasty place like a moth out of a cocoon. As far as rebirths went, Johnny has personally been through worse; This was still a step above a shallow grave in an oil field. Through a window that clearly haven't been washed since it was installed, Johnny could see a clearly drunk man stumbling out from one on the rooms at the ground floor, and a woman, leaning on the railing, dressed in kitschy, thin robe smoking her third cigarette this morning.
This was not a place Johnny would want V to be on her own- she was more than a capable fighter and probably a more accurate shot than Johnny, but he couldn't stop thinking about someone ambushing her, punching her so hard she falls to the ground with a shattered nose and doing god knows what else. She was still too frail, not fully recovered, she needed a second pair of eyes and fists on her side until she finally heals. Before that happens, she had him on her side, watching over her like a well-trained doberman with a piercing stare to make any creep think twice about even approaching her.
Johnny felt the corners of his lips twitch upward in a giddy grin; Protecting V felt right, like he found his place in the world after decades of rage and misplaced need for having something meaningful to look after. He belonged with V, and she belonged with him- it was as simple as that. And even if this hotel was a hellhole, there was no other place where Johnny would rather be.
After what felt like ages, Johnny heard quiet steps behind him, another person near silently announcing their presence. He turned around, mindful to not startle Nibbles out of the little cozy nest she had on his laps.
Unsurprisingly, it was V. She stood on the other side of the room, almost a ghastly presence, with her thinness and sunken in eyes. Her pants were nearly falling off of her hips, held securely by a second-hand belt. A tank top with some graphic design of a skeleton on it shown off her bony arms and collarbones that were jutting out like some kind of tusks. Despite that, Johnny's heart skipped a bit in his chest, the excitement over seeing V making him feel like a kid seeing their best friend in the morning in school before the classes have started.
She might've looked slightly better than the cartoony death on her shirt, but she was able to stand up on her own- a feat that, until recently, was almost impossible. Even though it was thanks mostly to V, Johnny still felt pride when he saw her like this; Her muscles were quivering, and she probably will have to sit down the second she'll walk to the bed, but even now it was clear that V was a fighter through and through, and Johnny could tell that she will be the same V, full of vitality and spunk he saw on that first day where he confused her for an Arasaka guard and knocked her to the ground.
Something glinted in her hand, the same kind of reflection switchblades have when some punk raises them to shank you in an ally. V would never hurt him, Johnny's sure of that, but there was still that small kick of adrenaline jumpstarting his heart. She slowly came closer to the bed, her feet unsteady as she stepped on popcorn they threw on the TV screen last evening. Then, there's a creak of the bed, as she sat down, beloved weight right next to Johnny's body.
- How are you two doing today in this fine establishment?- V asks, and Johnny can tell that her eyes are on Nibbles.
- Fine, I guess.- He responds, his flesh hand resting on Nibbles' back, as he gently strums her ribs with his thumb like he would a guitar.- Room service could be better, it sits on my laps and demands attention instead of hunting cockroaches like I asked.
- She probably thinks you're her room service.- V reaches out to the cat and pets her head, and Johnny could swear that he can count all her phalanges hidden under thin, brown skin.- But I think she's satisfied anyway. She wouldn't purr as much as she does otherwise.
Johnny would've never guessed that he will be able to have a cat- or any pet, to be frank. They were status symbols for the rich, the ability to own one being locked behind multiple taxes so high they were multiple of what Johnny earned in a month in gigs, and procuring one illegally was difficult and risky. If he could've chosen though, he'd always wanted a cat- They were smart, walked their own paths and their trust and affection had to be won, unlike the blind obedience of dogs. Whenever Johnny went out for a smoke after a concert, he tried to make the alley cats who lived there come closer so that he could pet the delightful strays; They rarely did, watching him with caution as they hid under trash bins, but even just seeing their eyes watching him, with their vertical pupils following his every move was enough to lift his spirits. Nibbles was a childhood dream come true; The little creature fascinated him, and he could watch her play or sleep or just wander around for hours in silent awe.
- So... What about what we've talked about yesterday...?- V's voice is uneasy, the sudden shift in her mood obvious, even if Johnny couldn't see her face.
***
- I think that we should change our looks.- V said, taking her eyes of another powerline that has fallen onto the sand due to disrepair, like a fallen whale.
- You talkin' implants?- Johnny kept his eyes on the road, hands firmly grabbing the wheel, as if he was transporting something incredibly precious and couldn't allow himself even a momentary distraction.- Forget it, we don't have the eddies. Unless you're okay with us hitting each other in the face until one of us breaks a nose.
- With the way my bones are now, no, I wouldn't even chance it.- She sighed with exasperation as Johnny fought with himself to not smirk.- I mean something simpler, cheaper, haircut, different clothes, stuff like that.
- You think that anyone is gonna believe anyone saying "I just saw the woman who blew up Arasaka tower and a rockerboy who's been dead for decades!"?- Johnny's voice wavered up and down as he did a voice.- Newsflash V, most folks either don't believe in resurrecting the dead, or believe that one dude did it thousands of years ago and that's it.
- I know but... Isn't it best to be safe? Especially now, when we can finally be free?- V kept staring at Johnny, her eyes piercing a hole in his cheek.- I guess maybe I won't be as easy recognized, especially when I look like a zombie, but you? You're literally the same as you were decades ago. What would you say if I cut your hair a little?
Johnny felt his whole body tense up, the knuckles on the wheel paling in seconds.
- That's the dumbest idea you've had since putting on that back-alley BD goggles.- He huffed.
- Oh come on, please?- She shifted in her seat, pulling up the jacket she kept on her laps back in its place, the Samurai logo faintly glowing red.- I promise that I won't fuck it up on purpose!
Johnny sighed, trying to regain self-control and not drive their new home into a ditch. He hated anyone getting close to his face, the contact making him enter a state of an anxious panic similar to that of a dog who suffered a life of abuse snapping when their owner surprises them. The thought of someone touching his hair made him ill, and he would more than likely just jump away, confusing V and causing an uncomfortable tension between them, right at the start of their new life too.
On the other hand, it was his V. She was a part of him, her hands used to be his own, briefly, and he knew that she wouldn't try to scare him or mess with him on purpose. And, as much as Johnny hated to admit it, V was right; They probably should change their looks at least a little. She has lost so much weight, plus she always had a kerchief on her head and a pair of almost comically large sunglasses to protect her from the glaring sun, so she was much harder to recognize than he did, his body looking exactly the same as it did 50 years ago.
As much as he hated admitting that out loud, his life wasn't only about what he wanted and what was the best for him anymore. And if cutting his hair would make V safer, then...
- Fine, you've won, I'll think about it.- Johnny mumbled.- Now pick some radio station that isn't complete shit, I need some music in this wasteland.
Johnny was sure that V briefly smiled at him, before the radio buttons clicked, and V slowly turned one of the dials.
It wasn't complete shit, Johnny had to admit.
***
- Cut it. Just make sure that it looks decent.- Johnny said clearly, still petting Nibbles in his lap, holding onto the small animal like a lifeline.
- I'll do my best.- V's voice bright and happy.
Without a warning, Johnny felt V's slender fingers snaking its way up his neck, quickly sinking in deep in his hair by the roots, vanishing into the black strands.
- What are you doing?- Johnny asked anxiously.
- Just looking at what I'm working with.- V said quietly. Johnny could swear he felt her breath on his nape, a phantom of fear or a real sensation.- Your hair's so thick and shiny, shame it has to go.
- It's going away for a good reason.- Johnny kept his eyes on the window in front of him. The smoking woman has gone back into her room.
Before he even realized what was happening, Johnny felt a hairbrush pressed against the crown of his head as it slowly made its way back to his shoulders in languid strokes, like the ebb and flow of the sea.
- That your hairbrush?- He asked despite the clamp on his throat.
- Yeah, I promise.- V reassured.- I'm not giving you lice; Wouldn't want to catch anything from you.
Johnny did his best to breathe slowly and deeply, even if his lungs felt like all of the tar he had in there from smoking and urban living has pooled down at the bottom and weighed them down.
The touch of other people on his hair brought back bad memories; He was just a pup, determined to escape the bad treatment of foster home and the failing grades of school- from what he saw from a recruiter, army was supposed to be about being a hero and driving cool tanks with his new friends.
The first splash of bitterly cold water was right after he was accepted: Some brute with more chrome than brains, fuck knows who he even was in the chain of command, pinning him down to a table, his palm, as large as a book, pressing dangerously tightly on his aortas, shearing his hair with a machine whose metallic growl reminded him of an angry animal, more than willing to nip a part of his ear if he even flinches.
Since then, any stranger touching his hair was a threat; He probably busted more than a couple lips of some other young morons in the army who found out his weak spot and thought that it would be hilarious to ruffle the short hairs he had by surprise. He's been growing them ever since he deserted, his mane just another "fuck you" to the corpos who tried to take away even such a small way of expressing himself. He was lucky that his parents, deadbeats as they were, gave him good genes when it came to hair strength and luster, and that it fit with his image.
Not so long ago, Johnny would've probably turned around and pushed V onto the floor for even daring to touch his hair, and yet now, despite being wound up tight, he was determined to stay still, staring out the window and reading the license plate of one of the cars for what felt like the thirtieth time and stroking Nibbles' warm skin.
Some small voice deep in his head keep whispering to him that V would never hurt him, and he could feel it in the, almost loving, way V took care of his hair. She was incredibly gentle, brushing each strand with attentiveness in an almost sleepy rhythm, making sure that all tangles were smoothed out before she starts cutting. Johnny wasn't sure what that voice was- his own brain's inner way of calming him down, or a piece of V's soul that was now forever a part of him.
- Why are you even brushing my hair?- Johnny chuckled nervously.
- I dunno, I... I always wanted to touch it, I guess.- V laughed awkwardly.- Even when you were just an engram, it always looked so silky smooth, I was always bummed out that it's just an illusion in my brain. I'm happy to have my chance now.
- Enjoy it while it lasts, I guess.- Johnny said and almost instantly bit his tongue.
Did he want V to enjoy it? He thought that he wanted to have it over with as soon as possible, why did he tell V to savor that moment? His chest was tight, like he was unable to take full breaths- He didn't have nearly enough oxygen to waste it on these ridiculous dwellings.
- Okay, I think you're ready.- V put the hairbrush on the bed beside them, causing Johnny to open his eyes in surprise. "Pity", he almost wanted to say; How can he hate and love something to such a confusing extent? He supposed he knew the answer to that question the second he decided to help save V's life.- You're sure you want me to cut them? I don't wanna listen to you moaning if you won't like it later on.
- We'll take whatever you'll cut off and I'll make you pay for a wig.- Johnny shrugged. It wasn't really the looks that concerned him; He was sure that he's going to look like a rebellious sex god even if V would shave him bald and take one of his eyebrows with the rest of his hair- that would probably only enhance the edginess that, in his mind, made him hot.
- So that's a yes?- V picked up the pair of scissors lying next to them on the comforter.
- If you're willing to pay for a wig.- Johnny shrugged. He was playing chicken with her to not show how much his stomach was turning at the thought of someone doing anything with his hair. Brushing had an element of care in it, which made it almost pleasant; There was nothing that showed sympathy in chopping off his hair.
Without saying anything back, V grabbed a strand in the back of Johnny's head and smoothed it out between two of her fingers, the only hair straightener they could afford. The second Johnny felt the scissors hold onto his fingers and start cutting off his hair, he stopped breathing. He could almost hear every hair snapping as the blades started to close, his ears raised and cautious, ready to send the signal about needing to escape the second his adrenaline spikes dangerously high.
- Look at that!- V reached over, leaning her arm on Johnny's shoulder. A curl of deep black, straight hair was hanging from between her index and middle fingers.
- Good.- Johnny sighed.- Just don't chop them all like this. If you'll give me a bowl cut I'm not leaving until you fix it.
- Okay, mister Death Serious Rockstar.- V lowered her voice to a croaking rasp as she took away the hand that held his hair. Nibbles, interested by the movement of something hanging above her, stopped purring to turn her head upwards and bat her paw in the air.
V, seemingly honoring Johnny's request, made a few quick, snappy cuts in the place where she chopped off the strand she showed a moment ago. Johnny gently pressed Nibbles' head back into his chest, where she happily resumed nuzzling into his sternum. He hated to manhandle the poor cat, but she was the only thing that allowed him to stay calm during the process; Idle stroking of her head and back allowed him to focus on something beside his clenched jaw and sweaty palms.
- You never had someone in Samurai give you a haircut?- V asked as she cut another part of Johnny's hair.
- I wouldn't trust these gonks with a blade near my neck, that's for starters.- Johnny said dryly.
- Aww, but you would me?- V asked in an overly sweet, chipper voice.
- At least you're sober.- Johnny mumbled.- Couldn't say that about any of them. Your hands are kinda shaky, but you're not seeing double and you’re not high enough to want to stab me for some delusional reason. If you'll do it, it will be one hundred precent due to an agenda.
V continued to snip and trim Johnny's hair, each strand that slipped down tickling the skin on Johnny's neck, giving him goosebumps. He closed his eyes, trying to think about the travel, their supplies, the state of their junker, if Nibbles has enough food, anything that was actually constructive and helped him distance himself from the metallic click of the scissors. The harder he tried to make plans, the more he grew aware that he had no idea where he and V were even heading in the first place.
- Where are we going next?- Johnny asked, his eyebrows furrowing.
- I thought that you'd have an idea.- V said, chuckling awkwardly.- You actually got to leave Night City and travel before, right?
- V, that was over fifty years ago. I doubt that many of the places I remember are even around anymore.- Johnny pursed his lips.
- We can go on a tour of dead music venues Samurai played in.- V said playfully, grabbing and gently pulling on a strand of Johnny's hair to stretch it out.- Take a board that's used to block the doors and windows from each one and start a collection.
- Sure, I can see you trying to rip off boards with these twig arms of yours.- Johnny lifted his eyebrows.- Is there nothing you want to see? World's biggest yarn ball or some other tourist cash grab for people of your IQ?
- Well, I...- V's voice has suddenly gotten timid. Johnny didn't like it one bit; Didn't suit her at all.- I... guess I always wanted to see the Great Canyon.
- Really, that's it?- Johnny opened his eyes in surprise.- You want to see one of the most popular tourist attractions in NUSA? Wow V, your refined taste keeps flooring me.
- Shut up.- She chuckled. There was no anger or resentment in her tone; It seemed like Johnny won't be losing his ears yet.- It's stupid; There was this girl, Anna, in one of the foster homes I lived as a kid... She had this poster of the Grand Canyon on a wall next to her bed, I stared at it when I couldn't sleep. I would imagine that I'm far, far away, standing at the edge of the canyon, running in the sand, looking at the stars... World's saddest trip, I guess. I just always wanted to see it, you know? See if it's anything like how I imagined it.
Johnny didn't say anything, instead just looking through the window at the parking lot of the hotel. He knew what V was talking about- He probably spent just as much time sneaking out of his foster home to aimlessly walk around whatever bumfuck town in Texas he was this time, throwing rocks at billboards and shooting empty cans and bottles from a cheaply made pistol he stole from his guardians. He tried to imagine a better place to be, but his mind always ended up blank, like there was nothing worth seeing in the world anyway. He would probably give a lot for a poster like this back then, just to keep his brain focused on at least one beautiful and breathtaking place on this planet. It would save him a lot of unnecessary anger, PTSD and at least one early death.
- We need to get a map.- Johnny said, voice full of determination.- Not sure if most roads that can get us there are still in working order, but we gotta try. Maybe we'll discover some good diners or an even bigger world's largest yarn ball or some crap like that.
- Really...?- V shifted back from Johnny on the bed.- We're seriously going to see the Canyon...?
- We gotta start the road trip somewhere, right?- Johnny shrugged.- Might as well be the Canyon.
- I... I'm not sure what to say...- V's voice wavered. She was genuinely moved, and Johnny didn't know how to react to that; He was never good with feelings and mushy things like that.- Thanks Johnny, I... It would mean a lot to me.
- Now, now, enough with the sobs.- Johnny couldn't pretend like V's honesty didn't tickle him somewhere deep in his chest, his voice softening.- Finish up the cut and we're leaving. If we won't be gone by 11:30 AM then the owner's gonna kick down the door and threaten to shoot us, and that's something we could both live without.
- Hah, I bet he won't feel so bold once he sees what I'm armed with.- She cut the air with the scissors twice, the metal blades clicking against each other.- It makes even Johnny Silverhand himself nervous.
So she did pick up on that. Johnny chewed on his lip as V finished up her work. He was hoping that she wouldn't notice, but it seems like V once again managed to be two steps ahead of him; Johnny should've been used to it by now, but it was still delightful to have her surprise him, even if she managed to jab him in a sensitive spot. Perhaps it was a fragment of his soul she had woven into hers after what they've went through together; It always managed to show up by surprise. It was a similar experience to noticing your loved one mirroring your behavior without them being aware of it.
- Okay, I think it's done.- V backed out with the scissors and handed Johnny a pocket mirror, one that used to be a part of a face powder case. It had a sizeable crack on it, one that split in two like roots or a lightning strike. - What do you think?
It was definitely shorter, that Johnny could see even on this tiny, broken mirror. The bangs mostly reached the ears, a far cry from the long hair he had before. It was obvious that it was done by someone who only had a pair of scissors and determination to their disposal, but even then, Johnny supposed that it wasn't... horrible. He turned his head to the sides, trying to figure out how his profile would look like to others; Would their first thought be Johnny Silverhand? A haircut, especially a drastic one, can really make someone look like a completely different person, especially if you combine it with glasses that obscure half his face. He wasn't supposed to look good, he was supposed to blend well and not draw anyone's attention.
- Weird seeing my ears.- Johnny kept staring at his reflection. He started to notice tens if not more of short, black hairs on his shoulders and neck; These will be a pain in the ass.- I guess it fulfills its purpose. If we'll ever run into money trouble on the road you can start cutting people's hair in a rest stop or something.
- I'll be cutting hair and you will be responsible for book keeping?- V sounded chipper, like Johnny's response fully satisfied her previous question.
- I'll be responsible for making sure nobody will try to break your twig arms if they'll be unhappy with the results.- Johnny brushed his shoulders to get rid of the hairs.
V backed out and sat on the edge of the bed, throwing the scissors, hairbrush and mirror into her backpack, the items making a dull sound when they hit the fabric. She grabbed a black bandana that she threw on the nightstand on her part of the bed and started to fold it again. Johnny knew that she didn't like the fact that she had to wear it whenever they were outside, but she didn't really have a choice- Harsh, desert sun of the post global warming world was more than happy to give her killer migraines that rendered her in so much pain that she couldn't move and would only lie curled up on the floor of the van.
Johnny watched V work as he stroked Nibbles's head. He couldn't even imagine that it would be possible for both of them to live, to get away from clutches of Night City and just exist, and yet he managed to be taken by it whenever he'd catch V brushing her hair, staring out the car window at the dunes and thorny bushes growing by the side of the road, smoking on a lawn chair in front of some tiny store in the middle of nowhere or sipping on a can of NiCola.
Before they left, Dakota gave V a camera- an actual honest-to-god camera. It was almost antique by today's standards; No internet connection, no wireless, just a port for a cable and a memory card. It wasn't a polaroid, but maybe that's for the better- as if either of them would be able to service it out in the middle of sandy nowhere. It was a link between cameras with a roll of tape and modern Kiroshi eye implants most commonly used for taking photos nowadays.
Dakota gave it to V as a goodbye gift, an invitation for V to make memories and document their travels. She haven't used it much yet, waiting for a better opportunity to take photos of something more interesting than ghost towns and Johnny shaking out sand from his boots. The Canyon seemed like a majestic enough thing to start. Maybe it's a good thing that V was the one who got it; If Johnny was in charge of it, he would probably take an absurd amount of V just existing and being real, and he had a reputation to uphold. That, and an equally embarrassing amount of photos of Nibbles.
Johnny watched V struggling with tying the bandana in the back of her head, her fingers slipping off the fabric or her bony hands knocking into each other.
- Come on, let me do it.- Johnny gently picked up Nibbles off his laps and put the confused cat on the bed next to himself.- They're really gonna shoot us if we won't leave soon, and we're gonna be here for hours before you tie that.
- Ugh, fine.- V growled, her hands falling to her laps.
- Glad to see that you still have some brain in there.- Johnny grinned as he sat behind V.
Gently, almost tenderly, he grabbed the two edges of the bandana between his thumbs and index fingers and pulled, tightening the material on V's head.
"I can cut yours too if you want to" he almost said, but he didn’t. V's hair brush against his skin; Hers are artificial, implants made to look like natural ones. They're quite thin and hard in touch, far cry from his own thick, soft ones- they're almost like wires, though Johnny knows they're only here for looks, and don't have any other functions. Even so, their touch is comforting- any part of V's body against his own would bring him peace.
- Should we clean up the popcorn...?- V pointed at the TV with her chin.
Johnny looked at the floor, the disgusting, stained carpet covered in kernels.
That night Johnny was flipping over the channels, mostly encountering static that crackled on the screen in between a handful of stations that actually had any signal. Nibbles, trusty companion as always, lied curled up next to him, her giant, yellow eyes now closed in slumber.
V was finishing up cleaning herself up after a day on the road, brushing out sand from her hair and wiping up sweat from her skin.
They picked a room with a queen-sized bed because one, it was cheaper, and two, after you literally share a body and mind for over a month, sleeping in the same bed was like shaking hands. Johnny wouldn't say that, but he even preferred a setup like this to keep an eye on V while she slept, making sure that she will receive help if her health will act up and that he will be able to protect her if anyone tries to harm them- the locks of the room were almost falling off the doors, and the clientele didn't exactly seem like the upstanding types that will return you your lost wallet with all the contents attached.
Between a flip between another dead channel and the weather being shown by a woman in a tight dress with both her eyes replaced by crude prosthetics that looked nothing like human eyes, V has entered the room. She wore a shirt that reached the middle of her thighs and slipped off one shoulder; Even if V was in the prime of her health, the shirt belonged to someone twice her size, or has been through so many laundry cycles that it might as well have originally belonged to someone Nibbles' size.
- Come on.- Johnny patted the bed next to him; The darkness of the room have obscured his excited smile.
V came closer, falling onto the mattress with a sigh of relief.
- Ugh, my lower back is killing me.- she stretched her arms.- We spent way too much time in that car, we gotta stop more often to at least walk around or something.
- It's cause your bony ass doesn't have enough cushioning.- Johnny looked at her, remote still pointing at the screen.- I, for example, feel great.
- Oh yeah, cause you're such a huge ass.- V nudged him in the bicep.- No wonder you're fine, you could probably cross the whole North America and not feel a thing.
- Thankfully, you can now spend the night on this wonderfully comfortable mattress.- Johnny pressed down on the springs which made a metallic clang.- Rest your bones before we'll spend even more time on the road because you're gonna need it.
- I'm not tired.- V said, propping up a pillow on the headrest.- What's on TV?
- Static, porn, more static, the weather, some more static and some melodramas about rich pricks.- Johnny stared at the screen which flickered in black and white.
- Wait, is it "Little Big Corporats"?- V's eyes shined like a lightbulb just went off in her head.- Isn't that the show that Kerry loves?
- You remember the name of that garbage?- Johnny raised his eyebrows, but the rest of his face remained unamused.- Good to know you've retained only the most important informations when you only have half a brain.
- We can watch that, right? At least for a laugh.- V shrugged.- I still have that bagged popcorn I bought at that gas station, would be a shame if it went to waste.
- Fine, let's watch "Little Big Corporats".- Johnny sighed and changed the channel he saw before, with two people so perfect they were mundane and boring screaming dramatically at each other.
V's idea turned out to be a spectacular success- they spend the night on the marathon they were lucky enough to catch, getting into the convoluted storylines, first ironically and then begrudgingly seriously. They screamed, pointed at the screen and lamented when their favorites were duped again, and booed while throwing popcorn kernels at the screen when a character of the so-called Baroness entered the room.
Johnny had to admit that he just had... fun. It was as simple as that: He spent a really good time with V by his side. It was truthfully the first time they didn't have to worry about impending doom, and Arasaka, and the relic or anything else, and just watched TV, like two close people would. Of course he and V had fun together before, back when he was an apparition haunting V's Kiroshis, but nothing could compare to being there in the flesh, having V grab his arm when she got excited, lean on him when she started to feel tired or feeling her breath on his cheek when she was roaring with laughter.
During a more quiet moment when the rays of the morning sun were visible behind the roof of the wing of the motel, when V was leaning on Johnny's shoulder with her eyes closing, Johnny, out of nowhere, thought about just how lucky he is to be here, in this dump, with V by his side. He joked about her lack of a brain constantly, but he never doubted that V was sharp as a whip-Johnny would never be able to say all that out loud, but he was sure that V knew about just how much she means to him.
***
- Leave it.- Johnny said, looking at the floor.- The cockroaches will have a feast.
- Maybe they'll leave other gonks who will be staying here after us.- V nodded.
- All right, ready to go?- Johnny got up from the bed and threw a beaten-up brown jacket over his shoulders. Usually, his hair would cover his neck, but now he sensed the worn-out synthetic sheepskin gently tickling his skin. Another sensation he will have to get used to.
- Yeah, I think that I've got everything.- V covered up her thin arms with the Samurai replica jacket, the logo on the back snarling at Johnny.
He was glad that Rogue decided to make this jacket for V, he really was. Yesterday, when they were still on the road, he caught a glimpse of V dozing off with her cheek pressed against the car window, the jacket covering her like a blanket. The collar lit up her features with its blue glow, her sharp cheekbones and eyebags as the souvenirs of intense illness she's been through what felt like yesterday. Despite that, Johnny wasn't worried about her; If anything, it made him hopeful, that in time, this jacket will fit V like a glove, the blue light making her seem strong and fearless once more.
Samurai's Oni got quickly covered up by V's backpack as she scrambled to get ready to leave.
- I think I've got everything.- V straightened out her shirt.
- Got a water bottle handy?- Johnny asked, letting Nibbles climb up his arm and perch on his shoulder like a parrot.
- Ugh, of course I do.- V rolled her eyes impatiently as she slid on her sunglasses.- I need a smoke, got any?
- Should have some in the car. I gotta check the engine to make sure that nobody tampered with the car during the night. Feel like a lot of shifty people see this place as a goldmine of scrap.- Johnny looked at the window, eyes narrowing.
- You'll do that and I'll try to look through some of the maps we took from the Aldecaldos.- V nodded.- There's gotta be something useful in them. And I gotta call Judy while we still have reception, make sure she made it to Oregon.
- Deal.- Johnny slid on his aviators.
V stretched out her hand, palm diagonal and flat. Johnny high-fived her and shook their hands, Nibbles slightly flinching at impact. Another small, delightful thing that made Johnny happy to be corporeal.
- This hair suits you, you know?- V tilted her head with a smile.
- If you're fishing for compliments, you're not getting any.- Johnny smirked.
- I'm not fishing for compliments!- V leaned back with a mockingly shocked expression.- A simple "Thank you V for not making me a walking target" would suffice.
- Thank you, V.- Johnny closed his eyes and nodded, doing his best to sound genuine.- That's all that you're gonna get.
- Wow, Johnny, not the first time to leave a woman disappointed with length?- V's voice playful as she exited the room and went down the corridor.
- You little viper!- Johnny went after her, chuckling under his breath.
The doors to the room closed, locking themselves with a click. The long road in front of them awaited.