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V arrives at Misty’s Esoterica. She doesn’t want to be alone right now. Not after Jackie’s passing and finding out she’s going to die soon because of this fucking virus in her head.
Looking at the door, there’s a note.
Not open for the rest of the week. Call me if you need emergency readings and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Fuck. With Misty not there, she doesn’t know what else to do. Viky.
V finds a gate around the back of the Esoterica and enters. It’s the usual enters to Viktor’s clinic but Misty’s was always the faster way.
The hairless cat that sits at the top of the steps is at its usual spot and meows at V. She bends to pet it, making her feel a little more alive than she has been lately. However the back pain she has right now is still hurting like that motherfucker.
When she stands up, her back cracks, adding to the pain. “Fuck!” The cat runs off at the noise. V calls after it “Sorry cat!”
She walks down the stairs and the door opens automatically. Viktor is sat at his usual spot and judging by the noise, he’s watching a boxing match.
V accidentally knocks something over after a little stumble. Viktor turns around at the noise. “Hey kid. How you holding up?” He sounds surprised to see her.
”What do you think Vik?”
”Yeah I know, that was a dumb question.” He pulls a chair from behind him for V to sit on.
She moves slowly, like she doesn’t know how to and when she sits, she winces.
Victor watches her and not the boxing on the monitor. Something like sympathy appears on his face. V hates it. “Don’t look at me like that Vik.”
He quickly moves his gaze away. “Sorry V, it’s just…” he pauses for a moment, “you look like shit.”
V snickers. “Yeah I know. Pulling off the ‘heist of a lifetime’ that ends up killing my friend and putting a parasite in my head would do that.”
Silence fills the air. Not awkward, just sad. Viktor is also mourning Jackie. He hears stories from Misty every time she enters his clinic. That’s usually the reason she goes there anyway.
However, seeing V like this makes his heart feel like it’s going to leap out of his chest. He saw her nearly die on his table. He had to tell her she was dying. The look on her face nearly killed him, especially since she’s still got a lot to live for.
“Vik,” she says, he immediately turns to face her, “I don’t know what to do.” Tears spring in her eyes. “It should’ve been me and Jack against the world.”
“I know kid and I’m-”
“It should’ve been me, not him.” A tear runs down her face and Viktor grabs a napkin. He reaches over and she grabs it. Her fingers graze his and her heart jumps.
“Don’t say that. You didn’t know how bad it was gonna end.” He leans on his elbows on his knees, looking at her.
V puts her head in her hands in shame. She’s never cried in front of Viktor, let alone she wants to start now.
“That’s the thing Vik, we knew there were risks. We knew that if anything happened outside of the plan, it was fucked.”
More silence filled the air, Viktor didn’t know what to say. It felt like anything he said would be met with a nihilistic response.
”I just…” V starts off. “I just don’t want to be alone.”
“You’re not alone kid. You’ve got me, Misty and probably some other chooms I don't know about.” That made her chuckle. “Here come look at this.” Viktor motions V to move closer to him.
She does and he points out what’s happening on the screen. It’s a boxing match of course. One of the classics as Vik would say.
He describes what’s going on to her to try to get her mind off of things but V just can’t help but notice the smell of antiseptic and alcohol next to her.
“Ahh I miss this smell.” Said the invasive voice in her head. Shit, the parasite. “I’m not the fucking parasite, you’re the one that’s in my head.”
“Viky do you have water?” V asks desperately. Viktor nods and grabs some water next to him while V stumbles for the Beta blockers.
“Giving you a hard time eh?” He asks jokingly, but also concerned.
V finally gets a few out of the bottle and gulps them down. “Get out of my fucking head.” No YOU get out, fucking asshole!
She breathes a sigh of relief now he’s gone. She’s finally alone with her thoughts… and Vik. The strong antiseptic smell still invades her nose, but it’s a lot better than the smell of ass and processed shit in the megabuilding.
Her heart skips a beat and her eyes water again. She remembers watching a match at Jackie’s with Misty and Viktor, whenever he could get out of the clinic anyway. It was basically his home.
She looks at Viktor and can see the same expression on his face that’s she’s had for days. He’s remembering things.
She looks down. His hands are clenched together, his arms twitching. Looking back up, his jaw’s clenched. He’s holding back something.
V holds his tatted arm, showing him exactly what he said earlier, that he’s not alone. She’s there for him, like he is for her. He looks over at her and she smiles at him, knowing physical acknowledgement is all they need right now.
The moment is broken by loud crowd cheers on the monitor and V lets go of him. Viktor stood up and grabbed his metal glove.
The clinic door opens. “Viky I brought some-”, V turned around at the familiar voice. Misty’s back. “V, it’s so good to see you.”
Misty walked up to her and put the drinks down on the table. V stood up and gave her a big hug. It lasted for what felt like forever. Two grieving friends needing each other for a shoulder to cry on. V feels some dampness on her shoulder.
Misty finally pulls away. “So, how’s those blockers working for you?” She asks V, trying to act normal.
”Yeah they’re working good. The asshole in my head has been quiet for a while.”
Misty smiled, tears still welling up in her eyes. “That’s great to hear.” She turns to Viktor, who’s now tweaking with the glove. “I brought some Broseph’s if you want ‘em.”
Viktor turns to her. “Thanks Mist, grab a seat. I’ll put something on.”
She grabs a chair and pulls it next to V’s. V grabs a few beers and cracks them open. Viktor finally takes his seat next to her.
She gives two of the beers to Misty and Viktor and holds her can up. “Cheers to Jack, who I know would be laughing the whole place up knowing we were sitting here crying about his crazy ass.” Everyone snickers. Misty’s face scrunching in the corner of her eye, holding in the tears.
“I’m so grateful to have known him and to have stood by his side through all of those shitty gigs. He had every chance to delta after that shit show of a job from Kirk, but he didn’t.” V’s eyes fill with tears and she looks up. “I’m glad to have called you a friend, Jack.”
She looks at Misty, then at Viktor. “Cheers guys.” They all clink their cans and drink a sip.
Misty chimes in, “So should we watch that new episode of Watson’s Whore? I heard it’s even worse than the last one.”
”Fuck, really?” Viktor sounds disappointed but he soon gives in seeing the pleading look on Misty’s face. “Okay fine, but you gotta bring more Broseph’s next time.”
Misty smiles, “I didn’t anticipate any more company, or else this would have been enough!” She looks a V and gives her a wink. Viktor turns on another station on the monitor.
The three of them sat together, holding a beer and watching the TV knowing that they’ll shit on it once the drinks hit.
Three friends grieving but also enjoying every bit of time together. Especially V, who knows her time is limited, but wants to spend every second with the people she loves and cares about.