Chapter Text
V woke to the familiar ache of not sleeping properly creeping into his bones. He was told to wait for Takemura to contact him again for the next part of the plan to infiltrate the Hanako’s parade float. V thought back on what Takemura said and smiled to himself, although the man has quite to stone faced exterior, V was slowly starting to see a different side of him, a funny if not more snarky version of Takemura.
Groaning as he pushed himself off the bed, V stood doing a quick scan of the room to see Johnny was nowhere to be seen. Thanking whatever gods, V quickly took a shower in what little time of peace he might have left. Stepping out of the shower and looking into the mirror V placed a hand on his jaw, looking at how his face seemed more and more worn everyday since the heist. Scratching at the stubble that has formed he decides there is not much he can do and instead goes to his wardrobe to put some fresh clothing of. V might not care what others think of him, but if he were to meet with Takemura today, he at least didn’t want to smell as bad as he looked.
Walking across the small room V spots out of the corner of his eye Johnny sitting on the window ledge taking a long drag from his cigarette that he always seemed to have. Turing towards him Johnny smirked “You look like shit princess.” Blowing smoke in V’s general direction.
“feel like shit Johnny, but hey I’m still alive that’s gotta count for something right?” V says as he starts getting dressed for the long day ahead.
Johnny flickered and was standing against the wardrobe, cigarette still between his lips. “what’s the agenda for today? We goin’ on a date or something?” as he uses his free hand to gesture roughly to V’s somewhat formal attire.
“Ha you wish johnny, I’m running out of clean clothes and like hell I’m doing laundry in what little time I have left.” Says this while holding up a jacket to sniff, “not too bad, it’ll have to do”
Closing the wardrobe V moves into the bathroom once more to check himself over again, combing a hand through his hair. “You sure we’re not doing anything exciting, cause you look like some ditsy chick getting ready for her first date, don’t worry, you look beautiful princess.” Johnny says as he suddenly glitches over V’s shoulder.
“Fuck off Johnny, we aint doing nothing, I gotta’ meet Takemura today so how ‘bout you shut up and go back to jerkin’ off or whatever it is you do in your free time.” V snapped as he turns around to face Johnny.
V has been crowded against the sink trapped between both of johnny’s arms as he leans into the sink, only inches away from Jonny’s face, V’s voice gets trapped in his throat.
“I might just go do that” Johnny says as he reaches down grabbing his groin, and with a final wink he flickers out of V’s sight.
Letting out a long breath V, doesn’t need to turn around to know how red he is. Instead, he pushes off the sink and makes his way out of his apartment and onto the busy street below.
The smell of smoke, rubbish and greasy food hit his senses as soon as he makes it to the first floor, a noise from his phone pulls V from his thoughts as he reaches into his pocket to fish it out.
It is a message from Takemura, a picture pops up as well.
Takemura: Bazaar, Kanzaki St, Japantown. You cannot miss it
Takemura: Bazar is on the upper level, quite high, so it is worth using the public elevator. I think there are two.
A grin forms on V’s face as he reads the message, and for a quick moment he thinks of sending back some code about a fox, but he thinks better of it and responds simply.
V: Ok, I will.
With no more response from Takemura V calls for his bike and quickly sets out for Japantown. It is a short ride before V finds himself stopping in front an alley way. Hopping off his bike he notices an elevator just as Takemura said. The doors opened as he walked up, and a horrible smell filled his nose. Bring a hand up to cover his face, V used his other to press the button labelled market.
Trying his best to ignore the loud advertisements for XL Burritos, V was thankful when the doors slide open and he could breathe again.
The Market was busy with people talking, eating, and shopping. Rubbish littered the streets and tacky Japanese lanterns swayed in the breeze. Making his way across the bridge V saw Takemura casually speaking with two NCPD officers, but a noticed as he saw V walking towards them, he threw his head over his shoulder piecing grey eyes looking right at him, “Ah, you are here.”
“Goro, Good to see you.” Goro Turned away, “As it is to see you V.” Takemura give the officer a nod and motions for V to follow him.
Following Takemura, V walked closely behind, Goro’s hair is tied up as it always is though a bit messier than when V first saw him at Konpeki Plaza. Back then Takemura was polished, not a single hair out of place, V remembers the feeling he got while hiding in the screen. V was sure that this man could kill him with his bare hand if he really wanted to, but damn he would look good while doing so.
Trapped in his thoughts V didn’t even notice when Takemura came to a stop at the railing. He was leaning forward with his arms crossed over the bars, head tilted towards V with a curious look on his face. “V, did you listen to what I said at all?” Grey eyes scanned him.
V’s felt his face flush, “Um you were speaking about Hanako and the parade I think, sorry Goro I did not get much rest.” V admitted sheepishly, looking down.
V then felt a warmth pass over his face as Takemura put a hand to his forehead, looking concerned. But as soon as V looked up to meet eyes with goro, he had quickly retracted his hand and snapped his head back towards the railing.
“Now is not the time to be unwell V, we do not have much time, please try to be conscious of the fact.” V stared at the man in front of him, a smile forming on his face. V opened his moth to reply but Takemura interrupted him first.
“The floats will pass directly above us, and Hanako-Sama will be on the Main one, all I have to do is reach it and try and talk to her.” He said quickly, facing towards the sky as ships flew overhead.
“And how will you do that?” V asked genuinely interested in the crazy plan, “Why, jump of course.” Takemura said while turning to finally look at V with a proud grin on his face.
“How will you manage that? Your implants were removed, you could miss or injure yourself badly with a stunt like this!” but Takemura just continued grinning, “While you were of doing your shading dealing, I learnt more about the floats.” He stood from the railing stretching out a bit before walking further down the bridge.
Takemura explained the plan he had set out and described V’s role in the Job which was mainly hacking and taking out any snipers to ensure Takemura’s safety.
Takemura continued to a building wall stopping to lean on a digital billboard, the advertisements flashed as Goro talked and suddenly switched over to an ad of a naked man’s figure with the title of Mr Stud. Takemura was oblivious to the change, as V chuckled to himself. Goro stopped speaking “V, we have no time to waste what is so amusing?” Takemura stepped forward looking annoyed. “Sorry Goro, I see your giving me all the dirty work.” A smiled played on V’s lips.
“Would you like to trade places? What exactly would you say to her? Hello My name’s V. Only I can do this she knows me.” Takemura let out a huff of annoyance, “I have not eaten since yesterday, let us find something edible around here.” He said glancing around with a look of disgust plastered on his face.
After finishing what Takemura could only describe as a disgrace to all Yakitori. He suggested recon, which V was more than happy to help with.
“True, you with your hands, skills, and mind of a thief.” He punctuated each word all while keeping a steady gaze on V, “Agreed, this we will do together.” A smirk played on his lips.
V smiled, “agreed”
V like Goro, even if he was originally the enemy. they had grown close in the short time they have spent together. V finding out new ways to push Goro’s buttons and getting him to open up around him. V felt safe when Takemura was around, not only was he a trained bodyguard, but he also had a loyalty and trust that V had not felt with another since…
V’s dark thoughts were interrupted by Takemura standing up and motioning a hand for V to follow.
The car ride to the recon was silent, Takemura pulled into an empty construction site and got out. “Come” He said to V, “I have found a good spot, for a lookout.”