In Your Arms - Part #1 -
Val / Saul
9 JUNE 2077
"Ma'am, I'm sure you'd be cozier with your shoes off." Val looks up from Panam's feet on her lap over to her and grins.
Panam laughs. "Haha, after a full day in them? I'd fear a health code violation."
"Nonsense." Val shakes her head slightly. "After a day full as today, you deserve to kick back."
"Oh? And what do you have in mind?" Panam looks curiously at her.
"Here at the Independent California, customer satisfaction is job one." Val's voice is flirty now. "Your wish is our command..." Another cheeky grin.
"Careful." Panam chuckles low. "...you can't know, what I'd wish for..."
"Mhmm?" Val eyes her while her hands rest on Panam's lower legs.
Panam looks at her for a few moments and the only thing to be heard is the sandstorm blowing around the house. "You know what?" She takes her legs off Val's lap. "We better get some sleep. That was a damn long day." She leans back and makes herself comfortable at one end of the couch. "V... I'm glad you came. Really, thanks. It meant a lot to me." "No chance." Johnny's voice interrupts Val's thoughts, and she opens her eyes. He sits in the armchair across from her and grins knowingly at her.
"What?" Val shifts a little, so that she can look at him better from her lying position.
"She's not playing for our team." Johnny pulls off his aviators and eyes Panam, who sleeps at the other end of the couch.
"You think so?" Val frowns.
He looks back at Val. "Your gaydar says somethin' else than mine?" He puts his feet on the coffee table. "She's straight."
"Yeah... I probably didn't want to believe it..." Val lets out a quiet sigh before she adds. "This world'd be a better place if everyone were bi or pan."
A short, quiet chuckle from Johnny in responds. "Probably." Val turns her head to look at Panam. "Should have known after she showed zero reaction the last time... when we talked 'bout sharing a motel room."
"I get why ya tried, anyway." Johnny leans back and crosses his arms in front of his chest while looking at the sleeping woman. "I like her."
A sleepy smirk on Val's lips and she closes her eyes again, lying back down at the couch. "Why do ya even think 'bout it so much?" With closed eyes Val's mind isn't able to trick her that Johnny's voice is actually anywhere but in her head.
So Val opens her eyes again, and with a glitch Johnny's sitting on the armchair again. "What do ya mean?"
"I'm long enough in your head to now, that something like this doesn't affect a friendship for you." He lights a cig.
"Yeah, but I don't know if it does for her..." Val yawns. "I really like her. Don't wanna risk our friendship."
"That why you can't sleep?" Johnny blows out digital smoke while looking at Val with a frown. "Nah, I can't sleep 'cause it's..." Val thinks about it for a moment. "It's too quiet."
"It's not quiet." Johnny shakes his head a little. "There's a sandstorm outside."
She thinks about how to explain it. "You rode with the Aldecaldos for some time?"
Johnny frowns at her while taking a drag of his cig. "Did ya read about it or saw it in my memories?"
"I..." Val thinks about it. "I just know it but can't remember wether it's true or maybe I dreamed 'bout it..."
"Nah, you're right." He blows out smoke while shrugging. "Why are ya askin'?"
"I'm a Streetkid. I spent my entire life in a big city. The traffic, people, music..." She yawns again and closes her eyes. "The sandstorm is too... monotonous." She rolls on her back, careful not to kick Panam. "I'd turn on the radio, but I'm not alone."
"I could sing ya a lullaby." She can hear the grin in Johnny's voice.
"Please don't..." Then there are mumbling and groaning sounds from the room next door and Saul talking unintelligibly, but easily heard because of the lack of a door in his sleep. "Ya hear that, V?"
"Yeah..." She opens her eyes and gets up carefully to avoid waking Panam. Quietly, in her socks, she walks to the other room and stands by the door. "Saul?"
He lies in the lowest of the triple sleeper, tossing and turning in his sleep while mumbling something.
Val takes a step closer and speaks to him a little louder. "Saul?" He didn't react and Val squats down next to the bed, both hands on the ladder, while Johnny stands by the door.
"Saul, wake up." He is still not reacting, lying on his back and moving his head around. Val carefully places a hand on his upper arm, ready to pull back should he startle. But nothing like that happens, so she holds his arm a little tighter and says a little louder once. "Saul!"
He wakes up wincing and with a sigh, and Val lets go of him immediately. "It's okay." Her voice is quiet again, almost a soft whisper. "Panam?" Saul looks around sleepily, there's a hint of panic in his eyes and he's looking around as if trying to figure out where he is.
"No, V." Val squats beside the bed and looks worried at him.
His breath goes heavy, and he's avoiding Val's eyes. "You... I..." Seems like he's uncomfortable.
"No need to be embarrassed... everyone has nightmares from time to time." Val leans back on her heels and looks around the room to give him a bit more space. "...at least I have some experiences. More than I might like."
The last few days alone must have given Saul more than enough inspiration for nightmares. "Did I wake ya?" His voice is calmer now.
Val looks at him, and he answers her gaze. She shakes her head. "No, I was awake. I..." Val shrugs. "I couldn't fall asleep." A sleepy smile. "Guess I'm just a Streetkid... it's too... well, it's not quite, but too calm." Saul's breath has calmed down. He turns to the side, leans on one elbow and eyes her. "Have you always lived in Night City?"
Val nods. "Born in Heywood. I was in Atlanta for two years. But besides that..." She sighs tiredly and lowers her gaze, looking at the dusty floor in between her feet, her hands still at the ladder. "Thanks." Says Saul after a few moments. "Hmm?" Val looks up at him. "What for?"
"For waking me up." He smiles a little while looking at her. "Well, and for saving me."
Val returns his smile. Then she says with a low, calm voice. "Ya know what helps me to sleep?" She eyes him and the bed. "Being not alone. And if you have nightmares, there is someone to wake you up." She looks at him questioningly. Saul looks a little confused, looking down at himself and the bed. "You...?" He shakes his head slightly. "I'm dirty and bloody and I lost track how many days I haven't showered."
"Yeah, and I've got sand everywhere." Val giggles low. "I don't mind." She shrugs. "But sure, I'll not force myself on ya. I can go back on the couch to Panam..." Val turns her head to look at the door where Johnny stands, arms crossed in front of his chest, aviators on. Her smile disappears. "She sleeps soundly... and I can not fall asleep and the sandstorm..." Val looks down at the floor again, sighs quietly and continues with a softer whisper. "...is too loud and too quite at the same time... if that even makes any sense." She looks up again after a few seconds, biting her lip when she sees Saul's studying her. Then he nods and shifts back closer to the wall to give her some space.
A tired, grateful smile from Val and she climbs into the bed. Lying on her back, both hands on her belly, she lets out a long sigh. "Thanks." A sleepy whisper.
A low, deep chuckle from Saul, sending shivers down her spine. "It's okay. You woke me up from the nightmare, maybe I can help you fall asleep." Val turns her head to the right to look at him. He's still lying on his side and is looking at her as well, just a few inches away from her. She smiles at him once against and then her gaze is on his lips for the moment. She tries to cover the impulse by closing her eyes and turns to the other side, lying with her back to him now to not getting any ideas...
She has already put the friendship with Panam to test enough. There's no need in hitting on the clan leader and being rejected once again today.
"Since when do you care what people think 'bout ya?" Johnny's still standing at the door when Val opens her eyes.
She suppresses a vocal sigh and closes her eyes again. "Please, just leave me alone. Just wanna sleep and the omega blockers are in my jacket..." And the jacket lies next to the couch in the living room. "You're a merc, right?" Saul asks quietly, almost whispering.
"Hmm..." She's so tired. "...yeah." When he says nothing else, she asks: "Why?"
"You..." He pauses a second to think. "Panam hired you to save me?" He asks warily.
Val frowns. "You're asking if I charge money for getting you out of there?" She's still whispering, but sounds irritated. "You're obviously good at what you do if you've taken down the entire [Raffen camp on your own." He's thinking about what to say again. "I mean, your work surely has a price, a price that is worth it."
"Panam is a friend, and she considers you family." Val's voice is calmer again. "So, no, I'll not demand money." She explains firmly. "Panam promised me her sniper rifle - but I did not ask for it. That was her idea." Val adds with a calm voice. Saul sighs. "Sorry."
"For what?" Val would love to talk to him, but she's just fucking tired. "For asking... assuming..." He sounds sincere.
"It's okay." Val interrupts him and then she yawns.
"Let's try to get some sleep." Val can hear a smile in his soft, husky voice and she nods. She's shifting around a little and bends her left arm, placing it under her head, trying to get comfortable.
Then she feels the mattress lowers and hears Saul move closer. "Here ya go." Low, husky voice, almost a whisper giving her goosebumps and he puts his own left arm under her neck and Val opens her eyes, making sure that's what just happened. Val swallows, takes away her own arm and moves back a little to lie down on his upper arm. She's shifting slightly to find a comfortable position, and Saul puts his other arm over her waist.
Val closes her eyes with a sigh, leaning in his touch. His muscular arms holding her, his breath in her hair, his torso touches her back just slightly and he is radiating a comfortable warmth. "Damn, it's getting cold." Saul rubs his bare arms.
"I tried to get us some heat in here, but no luck." Panam knees in front of the fireplace, looking up at Val. "Can you check it? Might have the magic touch."
"Oh, I do have the magic touch." She looks down at Panam with a cheeky grin. "But not with tech."
Panam shakes her head a little. "You know what? Check the fuse outside, it might have come loose." She stands up from the floor to sit down on the couch, facing Saul. "If so, just whack it back in place and I'll get this junk burning."
"Anything else, Your Excellency?" Val looks at her with raised eyebrows.
"Huh, I'll need to think about it." Panam smirks. "Though it'll be the end of our friendship if Saul freezes to death."
"Oh, I can think of a few ways to warm him up." Turning around Val winks at Saul and then she walks to the door, without waiting for his reaction. "And it would be the end of our friendship if I die out there, too." She sighs and opens the door. "You were right..." Saul mumbles against her hair sleepily, brings her back to the present.
"Hmm?" Val is so close to falling asleep, she's not willing to speak.
"This is way better, than being alone." He moves even closer, holding her in his arms a little tighter so their bodies are touching each other now.
"Mhmm." A pleased hum from Val in response and she finally falls asleep just a few moments later.
Panam laughs. "Haha, after a full day in them? I'd fear a health code violation."
"Nonsense." Val shakes her head slightly. "After a day full as today, you deserve to kick back."
"Oh? And what do you have in mind?" Panam looks curiously at her.
"Here at the Independent California, customer satisfaction is job one." Val's voice is flirty now. "Your wish is our command..." Another cheeky grin.
"Careful." Panam chuckles low. "...you can't know, what I'd wish for..."
"Mhmm?" Val eyes her while her hands rest on Panam's lower legs.
Panam looks at her for a few moments and the only thing to be heard is the sandstorm blowing around the house. "You know what?" She takes her legs off Val's lap. "We better get some sleep. That was a damn long day." She leans back and makes herself comfortable at one end of the couch. "V... I'm glad you came. Really, thanks. It meant a lot to me." "No chance." Johnny's voice interrupts Val's thoughts, and she opens her eyes. He sits in the armchair across from her and grins knowingly at her.
"What?" Val shifts a little, so that she can look at him better from her lying position.
"She's not playing for our team." Johnny pulls off his aviators and eyes Panam, who sleeps at the other end of the couch.
"You think so?" Val frowns.
He looks back at Val. "Your gaydar says somethin' else than mine?" He puts his feet on the coffee table. "She's straight."
"Yeah... I probably didn't want to believe it..." Val lets out a quiet sigh before she adds. "This world'd be a better place if everyone were bi or pan."
A short, quiet chuckle from Johnny in responds. "Probably." Val turns her head to look at Panam. "Should have known after she showed zero reaction the last time... when we talked 'bout sharing a motel room."
"I get why ya tried, anyway." Johnny leans back and crosses his arms in front of his chest while looking at the sleeping woman. "I like her."
A sleepy smirk on Val's lips and she closes her eyes again, lying back down at the couch. "Why do ya even think 'bout it so much?" With closed eyes Val's mind isn't able to trick her that Johnny's voice is actually anywhere but in her head.
So Val opens her eyes again, and with a glitch Johnny's sitting on the armchair again. "What do ya mean?"
"I'm long enough in your head to now, that something like this doesn't affect a friendship for you." He lights a cig.
"Yeah, but I don't know if it does for her..." Val yawns. "I really like her. Don't wanna risk our friendship."
"That why you can't sleep?" Johnny blows out digital smoke while looking at Val with a frown. "Nah, I can't sleep 'cause it's..." Val thinks about it for a moment. "It's too quiet."
"It's not quiet." Johnny shakes his head a little. "There's a sandstorm outside."
She thinks about how to explain it. "You rode with the Aldecaldos for some time?"
Johnny frowns at her while taking a drag of his cig. "Did ya read about it or saw it in my memories?"
"I..." Val thinks about it. "I just know it but can't remember wether it's true or maybe I dreamed 'bout it..."
"Nah, you're right." He blows out smoke while shrugging. "Why are ya askin'?"
"I'm a Streetkid. I spent my entire life in a big city. The traffic, people, music..." She yawns again and closes her eyes. "The sandstorm is too... monotonous." She rolls on her back, careful not to kick Panam. "I'd turn on the radio, but I'm not alone."
"I could sing ya a lullaby." She can hear the grin in Johnny's voice.
"Please don't..." Then there are mumbling and groaning sounds from the room next door and Saul talking unintelligibly, but easily heard because of the lack of a door in his sleep. "Ya hear that, V?"
"Yeah..." She opens her eyes and gets up carefully to avoid waking Panam. Quietly, in her socks, she walks to the other room and stands by the door. "Saul?"
He lies in the lowest of the triple sleeper, tossing and turning in his sleep while mumbling something.
Val takes a step closer and speaks to him a little louder. "Saul?" He didn't react and Val squats down next to the bed, both hands on the ladder, while Johnny stands by the door.
"Saul, wake up." He is still not reacting, lying on his back and moving his head around. Val carefully places a hand on his upper arm, ready to pull back should he startle. But nothing like that happens, so she holds his arm a little tighter and says a little louder once. "Saul!"
He wakes up wincing and with a sigh, and Val lets go of him immediately. "It's okay." Her voice is quiet again, almost a soft whisper. "Panam?" Saul looks around sleepily, there's a hint of panic in his eyes and he's looking around as if trying to figure out where he is.
"No, V." Val squats beside the bed and looks worried at him.
His breath goes heavy, and he's avoiding Val's eyes. "You... I..." Seems like he's uncomfortable.
"No need to be embarrassed... everyone has nightmares from time to time." Val leans back on her heels and looks around the room to give him a bit more space. "...at least I have some experiences. More than I might like."
The last few days alone must have given Saul more than enough inspiration for nightmares. "Did I wake ya?" His voice is calmer now.
Val looks at him, and he answers her gaze. She shakes her head. "No, I was awake. I..." Val shrugs. "I couldn't fall asleep." A sleepy smile. "Guess I'm just a Streetkid... it's too... well, it's not quite, but too calm." Saul's breath has calmed down. He turns to the side, leans on one elbow and eyes her. "Have you always lived in Night City?"
Val nods. "Born in Heywood. I was in Atlanta for two years. But besides that..." She sighs tiredly and lowers her gaze, looking at the dusty floor in between her feet, her hands still at the ladder. "Thanks." Says Saul after a few moments. "Hmm?" Val looks up at him. "What for?"
"For waking me up." He smiles a little while looking at her. "Well, and for saving me."
Val returns his smile. Then she says with a low, calm voice. "Ya know what helps me to sleep?" She eyes him and the bed. "Being not alone. And if you have nightmares, there is someone to wake you up." She looks at him questioningly. Saul looks a little confused, looking down at himself and the bed. "You...?" He shakes his head slightly. "I'm dirty and bloody and I lost track how many days I haven't showered."
"Yeah, and I've got sand everywhere." Val giggles low. "I don't mind." She shrugs. "But sure, I'll not force myself on ya. I can go back on the couch to Panam..." Val turns her head to look at the door where Johnny stands, arms crossed in front of his chest, aviators on. Her smile disappears. "She sleeps soundly... and I can not fall asleep and the sandstorm..." Val looks down at the floor again, sighs quietly and continues with a softer whisper. "...is too loud and too quite at the same time... if that even makes any sense." She looks up again after a few seconds, biting her lip when she sees Saul's studying her. Then he nods and shifts back closer to the wall to give her some space.
A tired, grateful smile from Val and she climbs into the bed. Lying on her back, both hands on her belly, she lets out a long sigh. "Thanks." A sleepy whisper.
A low, deep chuckle from Saul, sending shivers down her spine. "It's okay. You woke me up from the nightmare, maybe I can help you fall asleep." Val turns her head to the right to look at him. He's still lying on his side and is looking at her as well, just a few inches away from her. She smiles at him once against and then her gaze is on his lips for the moment. She tries to cover the impulse by closing her eyes and turns to the other side, lying with her back to him now to not getting any ideas...
She has already put the friendship with Panam to test enough. There's no need in hitting on the clan leader and being rejected once again today.
"Since when do you care what people think 'bout ya?" Johnny's still standing at the door when Val opens her eyes.
She suppresses a vocal sigh and closes her eyes again. "Please, just leave me alone. Just wanna sleep and the omega blockers are in my jacket..." And the jacket lies next to the couch in the living room. "You're a merc, right?" Saul asks quietly, almost whispering.
"Hmm..." She's so tired. "...yeah." When he says nothing else, she asks: "Why?"
"You..." He pauses a second to think. "Panam hired you to save me?" He asks warily.
Val frowns. "You're asking if I charge money for getting you out of there?" She's still whispering, but sounds irritated. "You're obviously good at what you do if you've taken down the entire [Raffen camp on your own." He's thinking about what to say again. "I mean, your work surely has a price, a price that is worth it."
"Panam is a friend, and she considers you family." Val's voice is calmer again. "So, no, I'll not demand money." She explains firmly. "Panam promised me her sniper rifle - but I did not ask for it. That was her idea." Val adds with a calm voice. Saul sighs. "Sorry."
"For what?" Val would love to talk to him, but she's just fucking tired. "For asking... assuming..." He sounds sincere.
"It's okay." Val interrupts him and then she yawns.
"Let's try to get some sleep." Val can hear a smile in his soft, husky voice and she nods. She's shifting around a little and bends her left arm, placing it under her head, trying to get comfortable.
Then she feels the mattress lowers and hears Saul move closer. "Here ya go." Low, husky voice, almost a whisper giving her goosebumps and he puts his own left arm under her neck and Val opens her eyes, making sure that's what just happened. Val swallows, takes away her own arm and moves back a little to lie down on his upper arm. She's shifting slightly to find a comfortable position, and Saul puts his other arm over her waist.
Val closes her eyes with a sigh, leaning in his touch. His muscular arms holding her, his breath in her hair, his torso touches her back just slightly and he is radiating a comfortable warmth. "Damn, it's getting cold." Saul rubs his bare arms.
"I tried to get us some heat in here, but no luck." Panam knees in front of the fireplace, looking up at Val. "Can you check it? Might have the magic touch."
"Oh, I do have the magic touch." She looks down at Panam with a cheeky grin. "But not with tech."
Panam shakes her head a little. "You know what? Check the fuse outside, it might have come loose." She stands up from the floor to sit down on the couch, facing Saul. "If so, just whack it back in place and I'll get this junk burning."
"Anything else, Your Excellency?" Val looks at her with raised eyebrows.
"Huh, I'll need to think about it." Panam smirks. "Though it'll be the end of our friendship if Saul freezes to death."
"Oh, I can think of a few ways to warm him up." Turning around Val winks at Saul and then she walks to the door, without waiting for his reaction. "And it would be the end of our friendship if I die out there, too." She sighs and opens the door. "You were right..." Saul mumbles against her hair sleepily, brings her back to the present.
"Hmm?" Val is so close to falling asleep, she's not willing to speak.
"This is way better, than being alone." He moves even closer, holding her in his arms a little tighter so their bodies are touching each other now.
"Mhmm." A pleased hum from Val in response and she finally falls asleep just a few moments later.
"Anything else,
Your Excellency?"
"Huh, I'll need to think about it. Though it'll be the end of our friendship if Saul freezes to death."
"Oh, I can think of a few ways to warm him up."
Screenshot by Nereol
Screenshot by Nereol
When you needed me
The city holds my heart
Within walls of glass and steel
Can't you see I just can't go?
These walls are all I know
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