doortotomorrow

Valori : [ Wakes up shivering, body coated in a cold sweat and panics when she doesn't see Johnny sleeping next to her ]

Valori : [ Barely able to maintain her footing, she gets up from the bed and frantically searches the apartment for Johnny ] Johnny?! You still here?!

Johnny : [ In a drowsy haze, he leans up against the wall, giving her an affirmative nod ] Slow your roll, V...just got up to get myself a glass of water.

Valori : [ Within a blink of an eye, she's got her arms wrapped tightly around him, breathing in the scent of the cigarette smoke permanently affixed to his clothes ]

Johnny : [ A deep frown sets into his face ] Christ, V, you're shakin' like a leaf... [ sensing Valori's about to crumble to the floor, he guides her to the stool in the living room and patiently waits for her to gather herself ] having nightmares about being beyond the Blackwall again?

Valori : [ Withholds a sob, involuntarily brushing away the tears that haven't shed yet ] Not this time...was about you bein' ripped away from me by over a dozen corpo agents.

Johnny : [ Covers her trembling hands with his own, his grip solid and strong to ground her to reality ] If a bunch of corpo drones show up, they better come armed to the fuckin' teeth, 'cause there is nothing out there that can take me away from you.

Valori : [ Her nerves start to steady themselves, allowing herself to smile a little ] Just waiting for the inevitable rug-pull is all...whenever life starts to get a little too good, that's usually the point where things start falling into the shit again. Is this really real...do I actually get to keep you this time?

Johnny : [ The most pleasant heat radiates through his system, his focused look softening into a gentle gaze ] Yeah...this is for keeps, Val.

[ afterlife, 2079 ]

johnny : [ walking alongside valori into the club ] gotta ask, v...how stubborn was rogue when it came to handing you the keys to the afterlife?

valori : [ looks back at johnny after throwing a friendly nod in emmerick's direction ] honestly? it didn't take much convincing on her part...think the adam smasher biz was the thing that gave 'er the final nudge in leaving the job...retiring from anything with your life intact in night city is too preem of a thing to pass up, y'know?

johnny : so rogue drivin' off into the sunset went smooth for the both of you? nova. after all the shit she waded through 'cause of us, she deserves to have her life scrubbed clean of it.

valori : the job's so much more overwhelming than i thought it would be...gotta babysit so many rookie mercs who come in here with somethin' to prove...what else is there to say other than, 'good luck, don't get dead.'

johnny : [ gently pulls valori into a reassuring hug ] if anyone's gonna look out for the kids, it's you. with what you've been through, you'll keep 'em from getting their lives fucked over by the deshawns of the world.

valori : [ her face flushes at the memory ] me and jackie had no clue what we were getting ourselves into, did we? easily the most humiliating moment of my life...telling you right now, comin' back in here after that was the worst walk of shame.

johnny : [ he takes her mouth with his own, sinking down into a deep, indulgent kiss ] speakin' of...think it's time for a drink...let's order up a few jackie welles' while we're thinking of him.

valori : [ warmth floods in her chest, her confidence renewed ] hey, claire! how's about a couple of jackie welles for the boss?!

valori : [ points to the surfer out on the water ] hey...bet you ten eddies he wipes out on the next wave.

johnny : [ shakes the rain out of his hair with a rough tousle ] it's comin' down pretty steady...reckon we better head back inside.

valori : [ rests her head on his shoulder ] s'okay...don't mind getting a little soaked.

johnny : [ a huff of laughter falls from his mouth ] is that right? better keep that in mind for later, then.

valori : [ hoists herself up into his arms, laughing ] you're such an obnoxious sicko, y'know that?

[ night city, 2079 ]

johnny : [ takes a long drag from his cig ] don't think it's ever gonna fully sink in that I survived...that I fuckin' managed to climb my way out of arasaka's shittiest hole. am I really here or is this another round of torture built to break what's left of me? am I gonna wake up feelin' like I'm drowning again?

valori : [ without saying a word, she gets up from her seat, bringing johnny in for a tight embrace ]

johnny : [ his body acknowledges the warmth from hers, bringing him back from the brink, grounding him to reality ]