Temperance V who devoted every instant of their existence beyond the Blackwall to finding a way back to Johnny. Who finally finally found a way to get their engram into a body.
V whose excitement at being alive again is short-lived as anxiety sets in. It has been years, after all. What if Johnny has moved on? What if he has a whole life now that V doesn't fit into? What if this thing with them doesn't work in separate bodies? What if what they had is still and forever lost?
V who decides that even if that's the case, they still need to at least see Johnny again. Need to make sure he's okay. Then they'll move on too.
So they track him down. He's far from Night City. Has a little apartment, a few friends. A job as a bartender, of all things. So V goes to the club where he works. Figures they'll just check. Just see him. Maybe touch his hand when he passes them a drink. That's all. Just feel things out.
Johnny who is just coming back in after helping a very drunk patron into a taxi. Who quickly scans the people on the barstools to see if any of them were recent arrivals who he should get to quickly.
Johnny who sees a face he's never seen before, and his heart twists in his chest. He can't explain it. He walks closer. The person turns away like they're trying to pretend not to see him. Then he's uncomfortably close, inappropriately close, standing over them where they are sitting on their stool.
Eyes he's never once gazed into turn to meet his. His breath doesn't catch, it's just all the damn smoke in here. Those aren't tears at the corners of eyes that weren't always his, that's a trick of the light.
The other person just looks at him, like their whole fucking existence hinges on this moment.
He doesn't know how he knows, but he knows. "V?"
Their voice is unfamiliar, but the cadence settles into Johnny's soul like the pleasant hum of a familiar tune. "Hey Johnny. Been awhile."
They barely get the words out before Johnny has hauled them off the stool into a crushing hug. He's kind of laughing breathlessly, his chest shaking with it.
"I knew it. I goddamn knew you'd find a way. Fuck, I missed you."
V returns the hug, and it feels like home.
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