A/n: Apologies for the lack of requested posts recently, friends. I promise I'll get back to them soon. I just thought my mental health break was over, only to suddenly get back into the Reze Arc movie, which sent me straight back into big sad, so I'm just writing this to try and get the rest of my feelings out. I hope you all enjoy!
Ever since Makima had given her a place to stay in Public Safety to protect her from the Soviet Union, one of Reze's favourite things to do is catch up on all of the experiences she missed out on as a child due to being raised to be a spy from birth. Among these, a particular favourite of hers is going to see bad movies, especially with you.
From schlocky B-movies to campy horrors, cliche action flicks to corny romcoms, if it has enough bad reviews, there's almost a guarantee you and Reze have seen it. Of course, there's always the chance a film will be boring even from a "so bad it's good" perspective. However, with how many the two of you have seen, you've practically developed a sixth sense to tell the "bad" apart from the "straight up garbage". Sure, some people might think only going to see bad movies would be a waste of money, but as long as you both have fun and make a new memory together, you figure it's more than worth the price of admission.
That's why, when Power told you two about a movie she and Denji had watched on one of their days off, and how she couldn't stop laughing at how terrible it was, you knew you had to go see it straight away.
After work, you change into something not too formal, you aren't exactly going to a classy restaurant, after all, but still nice enough to look good for your girlfriend. A moment later, Reze enters wearing a purple jacket and matching shorts, complete with a plain white shirt and black stockings, making you blush at just how cute she looks.
"Hmm? Is something wrong, dear?"
"N-No, sorry, my bombshell. I just...sometimes forget how beautiful you look.
She blushes a little with a smile, giving you a light kiss on the cheek.
"I'm glad you think so, dear, but we shouldn't get there too late. If we're lucky, we'll miss the ads. And if you're lucky, I'll wear this for you later tonight~"
Now, it's your turn to blush.
"R-Right, let's head out."
The two of you make it to the cinema just a few minutes before the movie starts. You buy your tickets, while sneaking in your own snacks, and head into the theatre room, preparing yourselves for another unforgettable experience. Though, for Reze, she remains unaware of just what kind of "unforgettable" the film will turn out to be.
From what you could gather from the Blood Fiend between her fits of maniacal laughter, the movie is a strange blend of romance and action, but you couldn't make out much more than that from what she said. The first half focuses on a boy and a girl he fell in love with after they met in a phone booth in the middle of a rainstorm, with the boy having to decide between an old crush and his new one. The girl shows the boy all kinds of new experiences, like going to school, teaching him how to swim and taking him to a festival. However, the second half takes a sharp turn, when the two main leads suddenly end up in a destructive battle across Tokyo.
Apparently, the devil had neglected to tell you just how similar the film's story is to yours and Reze's own, despite you informing her on everything that happened after things died down. You aren't sure whether it's because she immediately forgot everything you told her, she did remember and she got you to go see it as a prank, or that she was simply too focused on all the bloodshed to care about the plot. Though, knowing Power's personality, all three options seem equally likely.
You turn to your girlfriend to make a joke about the plot, a poor attempt to distract her from the situation.
"Hey, Reze, don't you think-"
You cut yourself off when you see her emerald-green eyes wide and fixated on the screen. Believing she's simply immersed in the film and not wanting to break her out of the experience, you decide to keep your comment to yourself. Reze doesn't say a word for the rest of the movie, during the credits or even after the post-credits scene, as if she hasn't even realised the movie's over.
You start to get a little worried about her, so you give her a light shake on the shoulder. Her eyes finally narrow as she looks over at you with a dazed expression.
"Hey, uh, Reze. The film's done, we can go now."
"Huh? O-Oh, yeah, right. Let's go, dear."
She takes you by the hand and leads you out of the room, unable to even look you in the eye. The two of you make it outside, the night wind feels cold against your face, though not as cold as Reze's hand in yours.
"So, uh...that movie was really something, huh?"
"Yeah, it was...it was great."
She still can't bring herself to look at you, which remains true for the entire trip home. When you make it to the bedroom, she changes out of her outfit, forgetting all about the promise she made to you before, but with her current state, you can hardly blame her. The two of you climb into bed. Rather than cuddling into you like she usually does, Reze just sits there with her head pressed against the wall, as if contemplating about...something.
"Bombshell, aren't you going to sleep?"
"I-I'm still a little pumped up from the movie. You go to sleep now, and I'll join you in a little bit, 'kay?"
Still slightly concerned for her well-being, you decide to listen to your girlfriend and fall asleep, though it takes a little longer than normal without her holding you. As soon as your eyelids drop, so does Reze's cheerful facade. While the movie merely felt like an uncanny resemblance to your time with Reze to you, to her, it felt like a nightmare about how things might've gone if reality were just a little less pleasant. What would have happened if Makima hadn't been so forgiving of her actions? Would she have suffered the same fate as the girl in the movie? Would she even be lying here next to you right now?
About half an hour later, you're roused from your slumber by the sudden sensation of a hand running through your hair. You open your eyes to see your girlfriend's staring into yours. They're distant and dull, save for the glint of tears in them.
A flood of tears suddenly bursts forth, as if your words have broken the dam holding them back. She moves her hands from your hair to wrap them around your waist. She buries her head in your chest to hide her face.
Her words are muffled against your shirt.
"I can't understand you, my bombshell. You have to speak up."
She moves her head away from your chest to look up at you, her eyes now soaked with tears.
"Why did Makima let me live? Why do you not hate me after everything? Why...Why do you still love me?"
"What are you talking about?"
"All those buildings I destroyed, all those people I killed, all those lives I ruined. I used to think it was always okay as long as I completed the mission, but...I couldn't even do that. It was all for nothing. Maybe I deserve to end up like that girl...maybe I don't deserve to live."
You place a hand against her cheek, and she holds it close, not wanting you to let go, to leave her.
"Reze...what you did...it wasn't your fault. You were raised by your own country to be a spy, a weapon...you weren't even allowed to think for yourself. What happened that day isn't on you, it's on them. Until you understand that, and forever after, I'll always be right here by your side, reminding you. Because I love you, Reze."
She looks up at you in astonishment. Then, a small chuckle escapes her. She bursts into laughter, not even trying to hide it as her arms tighten around your waist. After a few seconds, she finally calms down.
"You really are an idiot, y'know? But...maybe so am I, because I love you too."
Reze rests her head on your chest, while you gently stroke her hair.
"Anyway, we should probably both go to sleep now, since we do still have work in the morning. Unless you want to take the day off?"
"No, I think I'll be fine now. ...Thank you, dear...for everything."
