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It was supposed to be an easy gig.
Johnny Silverhand and V have been working together since the formerly dead rockerboy got his body back. It took some time to get himself back to any semblance of normalcy, physically, but he’s been mentally raring to go since he opened his own eyes. They started with smaller gigs and worked their way up to this specific job: klepping a datashard from deep within a den of Maelstrom gangoons. Johnny swore he was ready and he wasn’t lying, however, neither of them could have expected this particular outcome.
The job was going well for a time but the introduction of a heavy duty, anti-tank turret gun really changed the game. Both men found themselves crammed inside a small closet with the hopes that these borged out goons wouldn’t start shooting through the walls because they definitely can now.
“We gotta move.” V says quietly, frustration coating every single word. “Sittin’ here’s gonna get us killed.”
“Sure, yeah. I always dreamed of being swiss cheese when I grew up.” Johnny scoffs sarcastically. “What the fuck are we supposed to do, hot shot? I don’t see an easy option.”
V rolls his eyes and shifts his body, which is pressed close to Johnny’s. This weird, unspoken thing between them has been growing stronger and stronger lately and V can hardly stand how hot he feels in this little closet. He’s not sure if he wants to kill Johnny or fuck him. “You’re the big merc terrorist who’s always tellin’ me how to do my job, so why don’t you save our lily-white asses this time?”
Butting heads is common for them, always has been since Johnny’s engram took up residence in V’s brain. They’ve been able to work through most of their issues and become great friends, if not something more. Living together physically is a gift and a curse. If they aren’t fighting they’re secretly pining for each other, both too afraid to just admit that there’s something there.
Johnny wants to fire back with another useless, sarcastic comment, but holds it in. It’s not helping anyone here to be snarky and this is a literal life or death situation. He really doesn’t want his last words to be some jackass comment again. Truth is, Johnny would do anything for V. He’d even die for him, though saying the words is difficult. Actions speak louder anyway.
There’s only one option in Johnny’s mind and he hates it but can’t see a way around it. He’s died before, and if he can die again saving someone he cares deeply about, then at least this time it’ll be worth it. His face grows dark, shadowed with something akin to remorse and unease mixed together in a nasty, poisonous emotional cocktail.
“I’m gonna distract ‘em, V. You’ll only have a second to escape, so use it wisely.” Johnny sighs, looking into V’s violet eyes. No more jokes, no more sarcasm, just them. “With any luck I’ll be right behind you. If not...”
“If not? Are you fuckin’ kidding me Johnny?” V practically shouts in a loud, pissed off whisper.
“If not then you gotta get outta here. Finish the job. Live your life however the hell you wanna live it. Just be you.” That infamous silver hand comes up to gently touch the stubble on V’s face, his dark eyes now a little more red than before.
“Fuck off, that’s bullshit.” V looks pissed, like an animal caught in a trap. “I’m tired of your shit, just help me come up with an actual plan.”
“This is the plan. I’m serious. We don’t have time so stop arguing.” Johnny sucks in a sharp puff of air as V’s hand comes to rest on his hip.
“You’re just gonna die? Leave me just like that?”
“Maybe. I don’t wanna, V, but this is the only way.”
“J-Johnny…” V stumbles over the name but realizes that there isn't any use in arguing. If Johnny is able to create a proper distraction then they may both get out. Being a merc means taking risks and this is a huge risk, however V can’t think of any better ideas.
“Hold onto this for me, ‘kay?” Johnny hands V the necklace containing the bullet that killed V, a charm he’s kept with him ever since he got his body back. When he looks at it, he sees his past and future - all of which seem to revolve around V now.
Before V can protest, Johnny kisses him. It’s soft and gentle, lips brushing against lips, and while it’s not the first time ever, it’s the first time that actually matters. Sloppy, drunk make-out sessions in the middle of the night that they can barely remember in the morning light don’t really count. V gasps when Johnny pulls away to push past and just like that, he’s gone.
Johnny bursts out of the closet, waving his hands and screaming insults and obscenities at the enemies on the other side of the room. When all their eyes are on Johnny, about to angle the turret to strike him down, V makes his escape. He darts in the opposite direction but of course he just had to wear a neon pink jacket which acts like a red flag to a bull. Johnny’s distraction is rendered null and void the second they see V, deciding to shoot at the bright colors instead.
Time stops for Johnny and he is able to clearly see how the enemies shift their sights to V. The way Johnny sees it, there are two options: he could use this reverse distraction to run or he could take the hit and give V another chance to leave. The first option is unthinkable to Silverhand now; maybe he would have done that in the past but he knows now that he could never live with himself if he left V. So he chooses option two in a fraction of a second, barely even considering it before he lunges into action.
He stops in front of V and holds his metallic arm out in front of him as if it could stop the bullet. It can stop a regular bullet, of course, but an anti-tank round? He’s never tested it but he assumes it won’t end well for him. Though this seems much easier than facing his death head on. He can hear V shout something behind him as the gun fires, muffling anything the man has to say with a deafening echo.
The bullet finds its mark and Johnny’s world goes black.
It was supposed to be an easy gig.
“Johnny? You’re gonna be okay… I’m right here.” A familiar, disembodied voice speaks from somewhere above Johnny as he finds himself laying on his back under the hot, summer sun. It’s too bright to see anything at first but once his eyes adjust he blinks a few times and notices that his surroundings are also familiar, though not as welcome as that angelic voice.
He’s in Mexico in his old military uniform, like something straight out of a bad memory. The sounds of gunfire can be heard all around him and there are explosions in the distance. Johnny lifts his hand up to block the sun and sees flesh, his organic hand. He tries to use the other to shift to his elbow in an attempt to push himself up, but nothing happens. A sharp pain shoots through the left side of his body and when he turns to see what’s wrong he just sees an excessive amount of blood and no arm.
“Johnny, wake up. Please.” That voice says again and Johnny looks up to the sky, trying to figure out where the voice is coming from. It’s V, that much he knows, but Johnny’s in an open desert - not a single person around him. He can hear gunshots and explosions but can’t see anything except sand and dunes stretched as far as the eye can see all around him. No people, no guns, no smoke, no V.
“V… Tell me how.” Johnny whispers to himself as he uses his organic hand to push himself up. When he looks back down to his left arm he sees that it’s wrapped up. All the blood is gone and the sharp pain is fading. “What’s happening? Is this a bad dream?”
Johnny manages to get to his feet and winces, looking down to see that the uniform he was in before is gone. Now he’s in a pair of leather pants with no shirt, shoes, or socks. He walks on the hot sand but the heat isn’t really there and once he stops paying attention to it, it disappears entirely.
“V, help me.” He says louder, running now to nowhere in particular. The sound of gunfire has faded away and now he just hears a steady beeping, like a vitals monitor. It’s quiet but the more he runs, the louder it gets. Soon the desert gets brighter and brighter, so bright in fact that he has to squint to see. Then he has to cover his eyes, blinded by the sunlight that turns his vision white. Soon he can’t see anything but bright white and then he gasps, eyes shooting wide open.
“Johnny!” V says now, his voice right in front of him. As soon as Johnny’s eyesight comes into focus he realizes where he is - Vik’s clinic. The ripperdoc himself is standing next to V, doing something on the left side of Johnny's body with an intense look on his face. “Lay down, relax. You’re okay. You’re alive. I’m right here…”
V’s voice is calming and after a few seconds, and a gentle push from Vik, Johnny lays back down flat in the ripper chair. He takes a few deep breaths and looks down the plane of his body to where V’s fingers are intertwined with his own in his lap. Then he looks to his left side again, seeing a distinct lack of his left arm. He can’t move it, can’t see it, and starts panicking.
“What… How is this-”
“You lost your arm again, now relax or I’m going to have to knock your stubborn ass out.” Vik cuts Johnny off and crouches to look at him face to face. “You’re gonna be fine, just gotta let me do my job.”
“It’s okay.” V says again, drawing Johnny’s attention back to him. “Do you remember what happened?”
“No. I died… Right?”
“Wrong.” Vik replies. “Came damn close, though. That arm was hardwired into your nervous system. You passed out and went into shock after it was blown off, according to V.”
“Blown off?”
“Yeah.” V’s voice is filled with anxiety and sadness. “Maelstrom. You took a bullet for me, or… Your arm took it for both of us. Sorry, Johnny…”
“Yeah… Yeah. It’s fine. I’ve lost it before so no biggie.” Johnny says with a chuckle. He’s confused but starting to recall the series of events that led him here. “Took a bullet…” He can see himself laying on the floor, being dragged out by V as gun fire flies over them both. V saved his life, saved them both. Got him here. “I’m gettin’ a new arm though, right doc?”
There’s a long pause before Vik sighs. “No. Not yet. This has to heal first, you lost a part of your shoulder this time and the flesh needs to heal before I can install a new synthetic arm.”
The room goes quiet then and Johnny just closes his eyes. It’s not what he wanted to hear but it’s also not the end of the world. He’s lost his arm before so this isn’t exactly a new feeling but it is one he never thought he’d feel again. With his eyes closed and the room around him staying silent, the cocktail of painkillers keeping him comfortable finally kicks in. Before sleep can take him, he feels V’s fingers intertwine with his own. A smile curls up the corners of his mouth before Silverhand falls into a deep sleep.
…
At V’s Watson apartment, Johnny lays in bed motionless but awake. V’s out on a job at the moment and promised to bring some food home when he returns. Since he left, Johnny only got up once to use the toilet then laid back down and has been here ever since. It’s been a few hours but he’s simply not ready to get up. He’s been this way ever since he was brought here after leaving Vik’s clinic a week ago. The will to do much of anything is just… gone.
“Fuckin’ stupid…” He mumbles quietly to himself, his remaining arm reaching up towards the ceiling as he stares at it. “It’s just an arm.”
Sometimes he thinks about what kind of arm he can get now. There has to be new cyberware tech these days, much better than what they had when he got his previous arm. Maybe it could even be sturdier than before, sleeker too. Could even get one that has a hidden compartment for his gun or a small bottle of booze. Even these hopeful thoughts don’t get him out of his funk. It’s such a silly thing to be this upset about. He’s lost this arm before and last time it was gone for longer than this but he persevered. Now, only a week after losing it, he feels more helpless and useless than he’s ever felt before.
V has been taking care of him, helping him adjust to this temporary disability, but as wonderful as that is, Johnny still feels frustrated. Their relationship, or the idea of a relationship, hasn’t progressed at all and Johnny knows V feels sorry for him - which he hates. That look of pity in V’s eyes makes him so angry sometimes. Every day that passes just reminds him of what they might have lost forever. Every day that passes just reminds him of what they might have lost forever, and on top of that, he just hates being cooped up. Going outside isn’t a good idea, not like this anyway. Plus, Johnny Silverhand without his silver hand feels so wrong. How can he show himself in public looking this weak and broken?
With a heavy sigh, he turns to face the wall and curls into a ball. Just as he’s about to force himself back to sleep he hears the door open. V’s familiar footsteps make their way through the room and stop near the bed. “Hey, Johnny. I’m home, brought some burgers from Tom’s.”
Johnny just groans in response and starts sitting up, which is hard for him at times. “Sounds good.”
“Need help, man?” V asks, reaching down instinctively to help Johnny out of bed.
“No.” Johnny gripes in response, suddenly more annoyed than he already was. “I can get up by myself, I’m not that fuckin’ pathetic…”
“I never said you were pathetic, I just wanna help.”
“Well stop!” Johnny finally snaps and his eyes narrow angrily. In for a penny, in for a pound he figures. “I’m so fuckin’ sick of you helping me. I’m fine. It’s just a goddamn arm and it’s not the first time. Leave me alone.”
Unfortunately, Johnny can’t storm away here at V’s place. It’s a studio apartment with a small room that V keeps guns and supplies in. So he starts pacing around the room like a caged animal. He doesn’t want to leave but he can’t stay.
“Okay,” V finally says sullenly, “I’ll leave you alone.”
“Oh, would you knock it off with the woe-is-me attitude? Am I not allowed to be upset?”
“What do you want from me?!”
“I want you to look at me and not with pity in your eyes!” Johnny screams, so full of conflicting emotions that he’s at a breaking point. The floodgates are open and he can’t stop now. “I want you to stop seeing me as someone who needs your help and just see me. Why won’t you look at me like you used to?”
V looks confused for a moment, not sure what Johnny means until the memory of that kiss they shared the day Johnny lost his arm pops into his head. “I-I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be sorry, V! Just be here. Please. I know I’m a fuckin’ mess and I’m not even a whole person right now…” An angry tear falls down Johnny’s face, catching them both by surprise. The anger inside of him is only subdued by the love that blooms in his heart and the next words to leave his mouth are all he ever hoped to say but never could before. “But I need you.”
It’s difficult to confront these feelings. In the past he never felt this way, or at least never allowed himself to feel this way. People always say that parts of his personality are in V now, maybe it works the other way too. V is a more compassionate person, someone way more in tune with his inner dialogue. All of this is uncharted territory and being open and sensitive were never his strong suits. Alt, Rogue, Kerry… He was never one to tell his friends or lovers how much they really meant to him. However, he’s not willing to let someone else slip through his fingers.
“Please, V.” Johnny steps closer to the merc who means the world to him now. A shaking hand reaches to touch V’s and Johnny can hear his heart beating in his ears he’s so nervous. “Is it just me? Am I the only one of us who feels this?”
“Johnny… Maybe the meds are gettin’ to you…” V starts with a smile and as soon as he sees Johnny’s heart break before his eyes he quickly adds, “I’ve always felt this way.” That smile shifts from happy to loving as V reaches up to splay his hand over Johnny’s bare chest - right over his heart. “Even when you acted like you hated me.”
“I never hated you, V. Ever.” Johnny chuckles through the tears that keep falling from his eyes in spite of his best efforts to stop them. “Especially not now…”
Neither of them knows who takes the first step forward but one of them definitely does and their lips lock in a hasty, passionate kiss. Johnny backs away instinctively once it occurs to him what’s happening, but seeing V’s face all flushed with that sexy expression he now wears has him lunging back in at full force.
The unmistakably metallic flavor of blood ghosts onto the tip of Johnny’s tongue as it slides over V’s bitten lip and into his mouth. It makes Johnny moan and that sound seems to surprise V, but then, he giggles against Johnny’s mouth and says, “I’m that good? Damn…”
“Shut up or I’m goin’ back to bed.” Johnny gripes with a smile on his face that he simply cannot hide now.
“Or… I can keep talkin’ and we can go to bed together?” The proposition catches Johnny a little off guard. He’s imagined this moment a billion times, the kissing and the touching, but now it’s actually happening and he’s frozen with fear. It never crossed his mind that his dreams would come true quite like this.
He wants to say so many things, to sing a hundred songs about how he feels and spill his guts to V, but the only thing that can leave his mouth is, “Yeah.”
It’s a low, husky yeah. One word that holds a magnitude of emotion that Johnny just has to hope V will understand. The way V looks at him is confirmation that he understands. His violet colored eyes get a little more hazy and that blush spreads higher on his cheeks as his teeth gently bite his own lip.
“C’mon then.” V whispers as he reaches for Johnny’s hand to pull him to the bed.
Johnny comes along, though he’s a little hesitant. Along with all the other issues he’s been having due to the loss of his arm, a lack of confidence seems to be the worst of it. Johnny can hide a lot behind grumpiness and aggression. He’s a professional deflector and the master of self-deception. Yet here with V, in such a suggestive scenario, he can’t lie to himself or anyone else anymore.
He’s so used to being confident and dominant in these situations but right now he’s terrified of underperforming or disappointing V. It seems like V anticipated this because he pushes Johnny onto his back but still lets him control the situation. Their bodies are in sync even if Johnny’s mind keeps fighting back.
“Don’t be scared, we don’t… we don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, Johnny.” V kneels on the edge of the bed and rubs Johnny’s bare stomach. “I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable.”
“I’m not, I’m… I promise I’m not.” Johnny wants to stop talking there, to let his body silently tell V how he feels, but his mouth opens and he starts speaking before he can stop himself. “I’m not really used to this, that’s all.”
“Being with another guy?”
“No, not that… Bein’ weak.” Johnny sighs and averts his gaze, looking at the wall instead of at V.
“Who said you’re weak? Just ‘cause you lost your arm? That’s bullshit, you’re the strongest person I know.” V’s hand gently pulls Johnny’s head towards him and looks him in the eyes again. “Don’t let this arm thing fuck with you. It’s not even that bad and you’ll have a new one soon. It doesn’t change how I look at you, doesn’t change how I feel.”
“Bullshit… You’ve been ignoring jobs all week to stay here and take care of me.” Johnny scoffs.
“That’s not ‘cause I think you’re weak.” V laughs. “Johnny, you’re such a fuckin’ gonk. Listen, I stay here because I really, really like you. I’m not dodgin’ calls because I think you’re weak, I’m doin’ it because I think you’re hot and I want you to like me back. We’re both home now and it’s… it’s easier.”
“Well, I do…” Johnny chuckles now, feeling much lighter after this simple conversation. V is always telling him that he needs to be more vocal with his feelings, maybe he’s onto something with that. “I do like you back.”
“Then we’re on the same page, okay? I’m nervous too.” V’s leg swings over Johnny’s hips so that he can straddle him. He then leans down and presses his lips against Johnny’s and smiles when he mumbles, “We’ll figure it out, just relax.”
Johnny takes this advice to heart and lets out the breath he’s been holding onto. His hand comes up to cup V’s cheek and he takes on a romantic tone as he softly says, “Okay, but hey there’s just one thing…” He pulls V closer so that he can whisper in his ear. “Ain’t no way I’m gonna bottom.”
V sits up and playfully punches Johnny in the chest with a pout while Johnny cackles. He wouldn’t be Johnny Silverhand if he didn’t try to control the situation somehow. That laughter subsides, leaving the familiar feeling of longing to settle back into both of their hearts.
While Johnny would never admit it to a soul, he’s afraid. He and V may have shared a mental connection for some time but he’s still scared that V will reject him. That maybe this is just a fling, that maybe Johnny is in over his head and V simply doesn’t feel the same.
“I do feel the same.” V says out of nowhere, making Johnny’s eyes grow larger than the moon. “Did you forget we’re still connected up here?” His fingers tap his forehead, indicating that he can feel what Johnny is feeling mentally. “Don’t be afraid, not of me… or of us. This isn’t a fling, this isn’t one sided. I know you could feel it too if you just allowed yourself to reach out.”
V is most likely the only person in the galaxy who Johnny trusts without hesitation. This love is unconditional and spans beyond the average reaches of romance. Sure, V is sexy and Johnny is romantically attracted to him but he’s also smart, kind, funny, and everything Johnny needs in a friend and lover. So he takes V’s advice and closes his eyes to relax and reach out to V's mind.
In an effort to make the connection deeper and clearer V lowers himself to rest his head on Johnny’s shoulder. Thick, dark hair tickles Johnny’s skin in the best way possible as he opens his mind up for V. After a few deep breaths, Johnny is able to feel V’s mind. His happiness is right there in the forefront, so bright and exciting. Behind that is something warm and lovely, something that V clearly only feels around Johnny.
“You love me?” Johnny whispers.
“Yeah, you gonk! You think I’m hangin’ around your grumpy ass all the damn time because I just think you’re a neat dude? Fuck off!” V sits up slowly and puts his hand on Johnny’s cheek. “Now let’s seal the deal. Let’s make it official… Let’s show each other how we feel.”
Johnny wonders why V’s lips are so damn soft as they begin making out. This is what he centers his mind in to keep from becoming too weak. It’s not so bad to let go and be yourself with someone like V, even if it’s a terrifying concept. He thought he’d be anxious or afraid but he’s not either of those things. Here in V’s arms Johnny feels happy, loved, and safe.
Things heat up quickly because there simply isn’t a reason to waste time with testing the waters. They both know what they want so in typical fashion for both of their personality types - they go for it. In seconds they’re completely naked and it feels amazing to finally be able to do these things with each other. Johnny has no idea how it’s going to work but he knows it will work, which is enough.
“I’ll do the hard work since you’re currently armless.” V says as he sits up and reaches back for a little bottle of lube that rests on his bookshelves.
“I’m not armless, I am missing one single arm. The other is fully functional.” Johnny laughs.
“You don’t wanna watch me get ready for that impressive cock of yours?”
Johnny’s mouth hangs open when V asks this, and for the first time in a long time he’s totally speechless. With a small nod he encourages V to do exactly that while Johnny’s hand rests on the man’s thigh. V lubes up his own fingers and slides them around and underneath himself to slowly stretch his hole just a bit to let Johnny in.
The look on V’s face is one of pure pleasure as V starts fingering himself for Johnny’s enjoyment. Soft panting sounds fill the room as they both become so damn excited for one another. V’s cock grows in size as it rests against Johnny’s hip and Johnny’s swells to meet it, sliding up between their bodies. A small pool of pre-cum slowly forms where their cockheads rest, the friction of them rubbing against each other as V rolls his hips makes them both feel so incredible.
“Fuck, V… You’re gorgeous.” Johnny says quietly as his hand slides up V’s stomach and comes to rest over his ribs. “I want you so bad.”
“Yeah? What do you wanna do with me, handsome?” V’s tone is sultry.
“I wanna fuck you, wanna make you scream my name. I wanna make you feel good, better than you’ve ever felt before.”
V slides his fingers out of himself and leans down to kiss Johnny’s lips before whispering, “Prove it, then.”
Johnny’s eyes blink blue for just a moment while he turns some music on. Something about sex and music really does it for him and he knows V doesn’t mind. Funnily enough, a Samurai song is the first thing playing and this makes V cackle after he wraps his fingers around Johnny’s cock. “Really, Johnny? I mean, I knew you were conceited but this is a whole new level of-”
“Shut it. That’s what you were listening to last, asshole.” Johnny cuts V off with a little laugh while his eyes glow again. Contrary to popular belief, Johnny’s taste in music is extremely eclectic. It’s not just punk rock for him, he can jam to almost anything. Tonight he feels like some sexy R&B and once he finds the right playlist he puts it on and turns the volume up.
Sensual beats flow freely around the small apartment and their smiles shift into expressions that are a bit softer and more erotic. Johnny watches V bite his lip while he slides Johnny’s cock into himself. V’s insides welcome Johnny and his walls hug that cock like it was meant to be there.
“You’re so tight… Fuck.” Johnny groans as he bottoms out in V. There’s more on the tip of his tongue but he’s not willing to say it, not yet anyway. The feeling is there and he hopes V can at least feel that with sincerity but Johnny’s not ready to say it.
What does come out of his mouth is a string of curses and lewd moans as V starts moving. He rides Johnny’s cock perfectly, like he was born to, and it drives Johnny wild. If he had his other arm and all his strength he’d flip them around and rail V properly. For now he makes peace with V doing the work because he does it so damn well.
“Impressive is an understatement.” V moans. “More like sensational… Magnificent… Ahh… Perfect.”
The praise suits Johnny and he manages to rock his hips up a bit to match V’s roll. They work together to pleasure each other while these sexy beats help them move. It’s hot in the room now, condensation coating the window in a thin layer that’s marred by beads of dew sliding down. The neon light that fills the streets of Night City once the sun goes down, illuminates them through the foggy window, making V’s eyes look brilliant in a dim pink glow.
Johnny can feel himself nearing his end almost embarrassingly soon but he can’t seem to help it, dreams of V don’t do the V in reality justice. He’s too horny to hold back, too excited to not let himself feel good, and V seems to be just as close, if the cacophony of moans coming from his pretty mouth are any indication.
Sometimes lengthy sex sessions are overrated and a quick, delicious orgasm does just fine. Before V can warn Johnny, he spills onto his stomach with a choked cry of pleasure. His dull fingernails dig into Johnny’s chest as his body begins to tremble, orgasm clearly washing over him in pleasing waves. Johnny shifts his body and V, in spite of his cloudy state of mind, gets the message. He helps Johnny pull out and jerks his cock off and a few sharp movements of V’s hand later, Johnny’s mess is added to the puddle on his stomach.
Johnny is breathless as his vision turns bright white, a delightful feeling flowing through him like warm water. Thinking is impossible and all he can focus on for a moment is this feeling, a feeling that only V can give him.
“Johnny…” V whimpers, bringing his hand up to caress Johnny’s cheek. “Sorry that was so fast.”
“Don’t be…” Johnny pants as his mouth curls into a little smile. “I thought I was gonna bust before you, so it’s all good… Thank you for that.”
V slowly falls off to the side and lays on his back next to Johnny. “I don’t wanna make this weird but like… what does this mean?”
“Wanna be my boyfriend?” Johnny responds in a joking tone, but when he looks over to V he’s serious. His hand drops between them and once he finds V’s fingers he entwines his own with them. “I know that sounds lame but… I dunno.”
V watches Johnny and almost laughs at him, but not because he’s being an idiot or deserves to be laughed at. He just looks so sweet and vulnerable like this. “You’re cute when you blush.” Johnny turns away and blushes harder at this compliment but V rolls on his side and reaches up to run the fingers of his free hand through Johnny’s soft hair. “Yeah, like exclusive right?”
“Yeah, exclusive.” Johnny replies and then slowly turns back to look at V. “You’re just cute all the time.”
Time stops as they stare longingly into each other’s eyes. Those words are still stuck in Johnny’s mouth and he rolls them on his tongue, mentally playing with them for a while. He’s sure V can feel this, so it’s silly to hold it in, but admitting things isn’t easy for Johnny Silverhand.
Minutes turn into hours and eventually, after V cleans Johnny’s stomach off, they both curl up together and close their eyes. Cuddling with V was a secret desire of Johnny’s and in his lover’s arms he feels like he could take on the entire world. Maybe he’s missing an arm but a new one will be equipped soon and once he’s at full strength he wants to give V everything he deserves.
Before sleep takes them both, Johnny sighs and says, “I love you too, y’know.”
He can feel V let out a breath he likely didn’t realize he was holding and they both giggle just a little before V quietly replies, “You better.”