SilverV AU where V decides to let the relic do its thing, and Johnny is not okay with that.
V isn't sure exactly when they decided to give up. They can't stomach the thought of sacrificing Johnny, of going on in a world he isn't part of. Nah, this is better. Fading away into him, giving their life to him piece by piece. They're not scared of disappearing anymore, because with every inch they slip away they get to see more of Johnny, become more of him. Giving your soul away isn't so bad, when it's to someone you love.
V never speaks the decision, but Johnny knows. At first he's angry, won't shut up about it. Tells V they're a goddamn coward, yells at them to fucking fight, goddamnit. V doesn't even flinch. Doesn't show even drop of doubt. Johnny stops talking about it.
Sometimes V wakes up feeling more like Johnny than themselves, and honestly those are the good days. Those are the days they're sure they're doing the right thing.
One day though, it's different. V doesn't wake up feeling like Johnny, Johnny wakes up in V's skin. He's in the driver's seat completely. For a second, he's terrified of what this means. Then he sees the hazy, half faded image of V standing by the window.
"This is fucking trippy," they mutter.
"You're still here," Johnny exhales in relief.
The ghost of V nods. "Won't be long now, though."
They just smile. "S'okay. This is what I want."
"I know," Johnny answers. "That's why I'm sorry."
That's when Johnny calls Rogue, and V realizes. Johnny had never let go of the idea of saving V. He had figured out he couldn't change their mind, so he waited instead. Threading the needle. Following V right to the edge of that cliff, just so he could jump first.
"Johnny, don't," they choke. "Don't you fucking dare."
He doesn't respond, already telling Rogue what needs to happen, and that it needs to happen quick.
Rogue sighs. "You know V is never going to forgive you for this."
"The fuck do I care," he grunts. "I'll be dead. Least they'll be alive to hate me for it."
The assault on Arasaka is painful in ways Johnny hadn't imagined. He's racing the clock, fighting with everything he's got to try and get to his own death.
V is fading in and out. When they're there, they're screaming at Johnny. Calling him a selfish bastard. Saying he has no right to do this. Each time he turns to tell them to hang on only to see no one there, it rips him open.
"Johnny, stop." V appears again, pleading this time, voice cracking over the words.
He can feel V trying to will themselves to disappear faster in hopes that if they're gone, Johnny will give up this crusade and accept the gift V is trying to give him. But way back when V made their choice, Johnny made his too. If he feels V fade away, he's going to burn this fucking tower to the ground. He'll go down in a hail of gunfire spitting his venomous rage into the eyes of the corp that took not one, but both loves of his life. He doesn't care it's the same death twice. It was worth it the first time, too.
