Chapter Text
Neon blinks through a fog of blurry chemical slurry, her mind slowly pulling out of the darkness. Stinging soreness pulses through her arms and legs, complaining as she pushes herself to a sitting position. Vision blurred with lights melting into painful swirling colors, panic starting to settle in her belly.
She can confirm being alive at the very least and that this being reality. Pain is the best indicator of that and feeling sick to her stomach is something that she’s never experienced in a nightmare. Taking a moment to gently turn her head from side to side, trying to get a better feeling of her own body. It hurts but helps clear out the drug from her system as she moves her limbs and begins to take stock of herself.
Touching her head with testing fingers she finds her clipped ears free to be seen, no headphones that double as hacking software. Still wearing her tube top and fishnets at least, a faint fear in her chest soothes as she tugs on her tight pants and thigh high. No slug-thrower or contraption at her hips, disarmed of her gear and tech.
Breathing deep helps her focus, golden eyes looking down at her dark golden freckled skinned hands. Flexing her fingers to get some feeling back into them she tries to sort her scattered memories that start stepping in from the background.
They were on a job, a remote hack as they were in a small safehouse to do it all. Decent pay and not too difficult, went without any complications at first. Pretty usual for their day to day, but then things started to hit speed bumps with the breach team. Digital security popping up that wasn't in the schematics and leaving them in a tough spot.
Her partner offered to just leave the breach team to their fate and cutting losses, but she refused. One bad mark of a job abandoned for a hacker can be par for the course, but several in a row creates problems. They didn’t need another, she told him to head into the place and free the team from their shit while she monitors.
Blackjack relented and agreed, enough of an asshole to mention that if it gets worse he can tell her the magic words. She waved him out and went to watch it all go down, he got into the facility and broke through the security. Things were working out well until… Gas.
Gas started to fill the safehouse and everything got so blurry, losing control of herself as the door began breaking open. Then she launched herself to the desk, pressing the panic button for Blackjack before darkness consumed her consciousness. She lets out a soft groan while trying to push herself up to an unstable standing position.
“Ah shit, she’s waking up. Do we got anymore of that stuff? Really don’t need her making a racket.”
Neon’s head snaps to the source of the voice and regrets it a moment later as her vision swims. Reaching out to grab onto a rough metal vertical bar holds her upright for the moment. She tries to track the source of the voice through the melting colors, slowly making sense of it.
“We can’t knock her out with it again, the client doesn’t want any permanent damage to her. Anymore of that shit will absolutely cause brain damage. I just hope that he doesn’t cut the pay for her ears, ain’t our work. Luckily you don’t have any more brain cells or that hungfull you got earlier might actually be dangerous.”
“You know what, you can go fuck yourself Jerry! I got a flashbang for your eyes right-”
“Can it, both of you. I don’t need any fuck ups here. This payload cost us a lot just to nab her, I’m not going to lose a single credit because of a technicality from that tightass. He’s desperate enough to fuck us over to get her and I’d rather get the payday. Any complaints? No? Good.”
There is shifting in the lights beyond a wall of bars, a cage separating her from the captors. For an instant she pulls back from the metal with a hiss of panic at their words. She doesn’t need them to clarify or whatever guess at who they think they are working for. Fear grips her heart as phantom pains spike through her skin, pinpricks against her freckles that bury themselves deep.
The shifting large shape behind the bars draws her out from the spiral her mind threatened to be lost inside. She looks up to the armored figure with a helmet under an arm and a scowl across his scared face. He leans toward her, looking through her more than actually caring about her as a person in a cage.
“Just sit still and be quiet. You don’t have anyone coming for you other than my client. He’s paying a lot for you to be in one piece so you try hurting yourself getting out I’ll make sure to get the most out of the cut. Understand me?”
Neon snarls at the large man as she can feel her heart churning in nightmares and horrible memories. She’s afraid of what the future brings, but not of his pinhead asshole trying to growl her into submission. Holding her ground, she jabs a finger toward his chest with a huff while trying to get a glance of the area around her.
“I don’t give a flying fuck you cuck, you wanted a quiet prisoner then you should have gotten a rabbit. Now get me the fuck out of here before you get your asses shot.”
Looking down at her unimpressed, the merc lets out a scoff as he waves off her threat and steps away from the cage. Neon takes a moment to reach up and pull back her hair into pigtails again, having come undone on the way here more than likely. She gives up halfway through as any of the ties are with the rest of her gear, leaving her hair down with a huff.
Staring to pace the edge of the cage, just enough room to reach out with her arms to either side, Neon takes in the room beyond. The chemical mostly cleared from her system, enough to have the bright lights only cause a dull pain. Around the small room are chairs and screens that this crew watches while giving her glances.
Five in total that she can see, though having her own distant look at the screens says that more move around this building. Cracked walls with caked wallpaper means an abandoned property somewhere in the city. Enough security that they planned this for a while, but seeing how miserable everyone looks, not that hospitable. Temporary and rushed, lots of money moved around just to get her, sending another spike of fear through her.
“You ain’t getting out until the client gets here. Not even your pet bot is coming around, we cut the signal before it could detect it. Even if it did, we have measures to make sure it gets turned into scrap. Luckily you sent it out to deal with the ‘issue’ we had set up. Might make some more cash from its scrap.”
A chuckle echoes through the room that the other members of his crew join in on as Neon feels suddenly so numb. Even her fear can’t grip onto her as everything falls away with the simple thought that it’s her fault. She sent him away when he insisted that they cut the job, he would be here and alive. Instead she got him killed and he would be right to blame her entirely for it.
Stepping back from the bars as she feels so drained of everything, Neon leans heavily against the back of the cage. Words echo through the room, chortling and gruff tones, but all of it simply noise to her. There is nothing about him she should have cared about, not his laugh or his presence around her. Wanting to be in her life and being so stubborn against her battiness, his touch against her skin…
Neon reaches up to touch a burning streak of water against her cheek, looking down at the drop dumbfounded. More slip down her chin and drop into the ground as she slowly sits with her knees pressed against her chest. She wants the pain, the hatred and glee in finally having him out of her life, a desperate unheard plea.
Wiping her face again, trying to clear the strain building in her body with a low stuttering groan, her eyes glance to one of the screens. A camera pov of a hall probably leading into this room from somewhere in the building.
She wouldn’t have cared if not for something in her mind wanting to take interest in just one section of the video. A broken window that the camera can see with a piece of cloth hanging from it, fluttering in a breeze. Moving in the same exact breeze on a three second cycle.
Blinking in surprise as she pushes the painful tearing emotions to the back, she focuses it all on the screens. There are only a few caught on a cycle, a decently good hack but not perfect. Although depending on what you’re trying to do you don’t need it to be even good, just last long enough to get what you want.
She spots more screens being brought into the same cycle, filtering closer and closer together. A part of her wishes she could remember the path here, to track the direction of movement of the hacks. Instead she is left watching intently, something stirring in her chest that she doesn’t dare put to words at this moment.
The leader of this crew spots her intensity though, walking up to the cage with a scowl as he stares at her. She doesn’t even spot him until he bangs the butt of his gun against the metal with a grunt.
“Hey! The fuck are you looking at? You think you’re being cute right now, watching the video feeds and- Hm… Why? What the fuck does it change for you… Unless…” He snaps to the rest of his crew with a growl, “Check the patrols and double cheek the fucking feeds! We got a worm!”
Neon flinches from his shouting and banging, watching the rest of his crew scurry about like bugs trying to follow his commands. Another pang of guilt works through her gut that she might have blown someone’s cover or operation. One more fault to put on her shoulders, making a list of them could even do her some good at this point.
A moment later though all of the power in the building is suddenly cut with a soft electric snapping sound. It echoes through the halls and brings the room to tense silence for a moment as everyone stares into the near dark. Emergency lights come up with a dull red and green glow that hits everyone with heavy contrasting shadows.
There are still parts of the room drowning in darkness because of the equipment in the way, every eye looking at every shadow. Heavy breathing on the edge of panic grows in volume as Neon can’t help but join them, unsure of what is actually happening. With another sharp metal bang across the bars of her cage the head of the crew growls and barks at them.
“Stop fucking around! Iron out and keep together. Whoever the fuck this is isn’t getting the payday alright? They got fancy tricks but ain’t no one is getting a crew together this quick, best they got is five to one.”
She watches members of the crew nod with some reassurance as they follow his instructions. Guns are pulled out with varying degrees of confidence while backs are pressed together. Eyes darting to every shifting shadow as the head of the crew groans before putting a finger to his ear.
“Sound off, I want every patrol… Now dammit!... Anyone? Are you reading me? Did they cut our comms?” He directs the questions to the rest of his crew as they glance to him and each other for some confirmation.
“Um… Sir? Our comms are still going… They only cut power to the building. I don’t kn-”
“So then… Who thought it was a good idea to steal my girl Neon away?”
Every figure in the room stands completely stone still as the voice comes out of every comm unit on the crew. Turned into stereo speakers for a low rumbling voice running on the cold edge of murderous violence. A voice that sends a burst of warmth and horrid hope through Neon’s chest as she scrambles for the bars of the cage.
“You know what? Don’t answer that. I really don’t need to be pissed off more or I might take my time ripping out your spines one vertebrae at a time. I don’t have the time for that, or the patience. Take your shots, make them count, but any that don’t go for your own head or that of your buddies are going to be a waste.”
A hard click sound echoes through the comms before they all are cut dead with dead electric air. Every ounce of air leaves the room as Neon grips onto the cage with more warmth leaking down her cheeks. She doesn’t wipe it away, letting it all drip onto the metal as she tries not to call out in joy or vindication. A fear grips her heart that saying anything will be the jinx that ends this fantasy and brings her back to reality.
Silence fills the vacuum of the voice, all of the comm units crackle for a moment before snapping off. A few members of the crew fiddle with them before giving up, focusing instead on the shadows filling the only door into the room. More guns get the hint and point in that direction, one way in only creating a corridor of death.
Though Neon presses herself the farthest away from the door, readying herself for the bloodbath. With a soft click and a ring of metal sliding against metal, a small steel cylinder flies into the room. Instinct directs her hands to close over her ears, open her mouth, and close her eyes. The rest of the crew never get the chance to take her que before the device explodes in light and sound.
It fills the room, barely muffled to Neon as her ears ring and afterimages flutter in her sight. Only giving her slight insight into the room as a large shadow slides into the room holding up a boxy object in one hand. Flashing in more light and noise, two of the crew members keel over as red gushes from their heads and chests. The rest of the mercs throw themselves to the sides, banging against tables and equipment before scrambling for cover.
Neon watches the shadow slink into the room, taking aim at one unlucky merc who missed his cover entirely. Two more flashes makes him a lifeless bundle before the shadow melts into the darkness of the room. A few of the mercs aim their guns toward the entrance, letting out blind shots that punch into the wall without getting close to their target.
She tries to track the shadow but a moment later she hears a gurgling sound as a merc suddenly finds their throat opened by a titanium claw. The figure slips back into the shadows as the last merc, the leader, watches the kill before making a choice. Neon tracks his eyes and tries to push herself further away as he reaches for a key.
Unable to launch herself far enough away, he opens the door and grabs her arm roughly. Pulling her close to him, the merc leader puts the barrel of his gun against her temple as the air leaves her lungs. The silence of the room is broken by faint dying gurgles from the cut merc as she and the leader stare into the darkness.
“Don’t you fucking dare move another muscle freak! You want her alive? Then we make a deal, otherwise this place gets the first redecoration in years.”
Her eyes flick to each shadow in the room, trying to track him until finally he slowly steps out of a shadow just beyond the cage. The bars now protect the merc from him as she can feel the leader shake slightly at the sight. Standing tall in the looming darkness, sleek black metal and plastic body with a blank faceplate. Red lights edge his faceplate as well as crimson along his long claws, a still smoking hand cannon in his other hand.
“Well then, you actually got some balls boy, but the smallest brain here. Could have even made a run for it, but instead you put yourself on the top of my shitlist again. I would absolutely love to make this slow, but you got Neon in your hands and no one fucking touches her. ”
Neon can’t hold the smile back from her lips as she stands as still as possible, not entirely knowing how this will go but hopeful. Though the merc doesn’t share her view, pressing the barrel harder against her temple while standing off against the huge robot.
“I don’t know what scrap heap she pulled you out of Tin Man, but not another step or she gets hers! Now just back off and maybe she will-”
“Oh, I’m not a Tin Man. Military model, Hunter Killer. A few years out of date and gotten a little rusty but you know what? I’m feeling a bit limber today. Did you know that they tested our reaction time by nanoseconds? Haven’t tried that in a while, I wonder if I still got it…”
Understanding of what Blackjack means hits the merc leader the same moment a bullet pierces the center of his skull. Neon flinches waiting for his body to tense and spasm, snapping a last shot out to get a dying sense of revenge. Though it doesn’t come as she pulls away from the falling corpse with a gasp, boneless without a nerve firing off.
She stares at it for a long moment, some part of her expecting him to leap up again to try grabbing her. Instead her wrist is taken by a huge palm as the emergency lights of the room are blocked by his looming presence. About to push the figure away, she looks up into the blank faceplate and stops short, unsure of what to do or say.
“Hey Neon, I told you so.”
His low rumbling tones vibrate through her chest, his cool metal touch with the hint of a heat simmering inside brings her back to the surface. From the place below where nothing feels real and every moment is just a play winding down to the last act. Everything that was sunk under that ocean of doubt and emptiness comes rushing to the surface as her eyes burn.
Blackjack leans back slightly from her, the closest to a blinking confusion he can get, before she reaches up and wraps her arms around the back of his neck. All thought about him being a smug ass forgotten under the shaking of her shoulders and losing feeling in her legs. Face hurting as she holds back the sob threatening to bubble up from her core, keeping some shred of dignity.
“Whoa hey, the fu- Alright, hey, we’re good. I’m here. Everything’s fine… For the most part, rushed cutting the power so probably will be getting back up or a Tin Man squad coming in soon. You good to go?”
“Don’t you dare leave me again. Got it?”
Every word is punctuated by pounding her fist into his shoulder, hurting her hand more than him. The held back sob slipping out with her words before being pulled back as she glares into his faceplate. Watching his head turn to the side, gazing down at her before he lets out an electric scoff while nodding.
“Yeah… Yeah Neon, I’m not leaving. But we have got to go, think you can run?”
Finally having a moment to really get a feel for her own body without the torrent of emotions from one moment to the next she pats her legs. Still somewhat numb and unreliable as most of her weight is being put on his strong frame. At the very least her vision is cleared and her upper half is free of that cotton ball sensation.
“Not fast enough…”
“Hm… Then can you hold a gun and your lunch?”
Neon blinks as she stares up at the robot absolutely perplexed, very unsure of what he is trying to insinuate. The sound of a crash and siren's echoing down the halls answers the question for her as she nods. Blackjack scoffs as he wraps an arm around her waist before lifting her up to be belly first onto his shoulder.
All of this sudden movement causes her head to spin, barely able to hold herself still on his rough wide shoulders. With a grip on his sweater and armor vest to stabilize on this higher perch, she glances over the trail of bodies. She pays little attention to the surgical destruction and more for something recognizable in it all.
“Looking for this?”
She looks down to see Blackjack reaching behind, holding out her belt along with her headphones. Things that before all of this would be the end of her world, but now give her a little relief compared to his voice rumbling in her chest. Pulling her slug-thrower from the belt holster and fitting the headphones back on, she starts a scan while checking the barrel.
“A ‘thank you’ would be nice…”
“I’ll give you a thank you that would make a princess rescued from a dragon blush when we get out of here Blackjack. Just please get us out of here first!”
A loud rumbling laugh echoes from the robot and vibrates through her chest, making her heart warm and face burn with a blush. Shaking her head as she can get all mushy later, right now her tech can find the signals of a few flesh and blood Tin Men. There is a stronger signal farther off, but if they don’t get out before attracting that thing’s attention then they are fucked.
“You got it, hold tight.”
The warning comes a little late as she loads her slug-thrower, nearly losing grip of her belt as Blackjack takes off down the hall. First toward the crashing then away, following some schematics that she doesn’t have ready. Her contraption hangs on the belt, but with how unbalanced she feels pulling that out would be a bad idea. Best not to make more trouble than they are already in.
Hallways fly by as Blackjack goes at full speed, or at least the fastest he can go without blowing her off his shoulder. Her loose hair whips in the wind, making it all the more difficult to concentrate on the movements coming closer to cutting them off. With a leap she feels her stomach lift into a freefall before suddenly coming down with a crash as Blackjack’s entire weight breaks through an abandoned table.
“What the fu-”
“Shit is older than I-”
“There they are! Halt! Under Municipal code-”
“Fuck you Tin Fucks!”
Without a second thought of seeing a pair of armored figures wearing the silver and white uniform, Neon unloads several slugs into them. Denting the armor of one before they both fling themselves into cover as they bring their own heavy rifles to bear. Not giving them a moment to aim she pumps every slug chambered in their direction as Blackjack regains his momentum.
All of the anger, outrage, and panicked fear that was built in her chest comes out as another pair step into the hall. Holding up heavy blast shields aiming wicked looking pieces, but Neon holds up a hand while pumping every ounce of power she can get a hold of in her body. Golden freckles shine with a pulse as a ball of scathing light grows in her palm before being released with an outcry.
The entire hall and every room beyond is filled with a golden light that knocks out every camera, recorder, and sensitive data collector in the area. Anything turned in their direction only gives static and can see a sudden shine before being lost to destructive electric snow. Enough chaos and confusion to give Neon and Blackjack a chance to escape, after clearing their own eyes and sensors of the golden light.
Crashing out the other side of the abandoned building Blackjack continues to carry her through the back alleys. Her gear can faintly detect him sending a signal before coming out to a side street where a rent-a-car is waiting for them. Black and sleek without obvious identification, a good getaway as he gently puts her down and pushes her inside the passenger seat. He takes the driver side before quickly speeding off from the area, making as much distance as possible.
“Alright, you got a safehouse in mind or do you want me to drop you off somewhere?”
Neon whips her head to his low rumbling tone, head swimming a little less now at the very least. Panic spikes inside her again as she bites her lip before looking back out onto the streets and buildings passing by. Somewhere safe, when did nowhere feel safe without Blackjack nearby?
“My apartment. Just have to circle around a bit.”
“Huh? Are you sure about that? I don’t mind giving them a bit of a rat race and-”
“I said my place. You asked. Better to lay low than give them something to chase. They’re a dog, as long as they have a toy then they’ll get more excited. Need them to get bored…”
She can see his blank faceplate glance at her out the corner of her eye, looking her over for a moment. Nerves build in her chest as she waits for his answer, not wanting to argue with him about it anymore than she already has. She doesn’t even have an argument to hold against him with any sort of pushback as she sits there trying to regain feeling in her numb limbs.
Feeling his gaze burning into her side, waiting for him to blow her off and do what he likes. Anger and frustration are already building as the car turns, ready to start screaming or telling him to just drop her off on the street. Though a moment later she spots the streets going past, the way back to her home.
“If that’s what you want… You got a scrambler going at least?”
Neon blinks as all thoughts about her usual tricks and programs flood back into her mind. Having been so caught up in being caught, found, and rescued she forgot about the proper process of making sure they don’t get tracked. She nods while pulling the headset over her clipped ears, long hair pushed out of the way.
Pulling a cord to jack into the car’s computer and the Net beyond that she starts booting up programs. Finding a few hunter codes trying to track them down, but they are whipped out without a second thought with more false tracks put in place. The rest of the car ride is spent in that silence, Blackjack focusing on the car while she covers all of their disastrous tracks.
As the car comes to a stop she unplugs her headset, trying to clean everything up looks to be a longer project. If she will get around to dealing with it or just letting the mess be, good luck to anyone making sense of it all. Letting out a sigh of mild relief, she looks out to see the front entrance of her apartment.
Suddenly all of the anxiety comes flooding into her stomach again, bubbling violently as she looks at Blackjack. The car settles here but still rumbling as his blank faceplate looks at her expectantly. Her heart goes from a light pattering to a thundering noise in her ears as she grips the car handle trying to calm the raging emotions.
“Dropping you off while I go and clear the car, best to not give them a drop to chase us. Especially you, had to crack some serious code to find you, but I ain’t letting anyone take you away.”
His rumbling voice echoes through her ears, even through the headset as she stares at the dashboard. Trying to focus her raging thoughts and feelings into something solid, a desire that she can work towards. Knuckles becoming white against the door handle, she feels his large robotic hand touch that sends a soothing tingling through her body.
“Park the car. I can wipe it later, just come up with me. Make sure everything is still secure… Better to have two sets of eyes on this.”
The robot hesitates for a moment, she could see a turn to his head like surprise and confusion. Suddenly realizes that as much as she might push things down and act casual he is seeing a far more raw part of herself. Embarrassment burning brightly through her as she looks away and mentally kicks herself for being like this in front of him.
Fighting between getting out of the car with a huff to deal with these feelings herself or trying to convince him to stay, she doesn’t notice the car moving again. Not until he drives them into the parking garage and turns the car off with a hissing sigh. He gestures to the door as he opens his own, patting his leg for a moment where his gun rests.
“You got it, probably for the best. Nothing wrong with getting a bit more target practice in and all that.”
Hope swells in her chest until it nearly peeks out of her face but she holds it down. Now or pretty much ever is the time to show him anything like that as she huffs before stepping out of the car. They make their way to the elevator in silence, though Neon is sure that he can hear her heart still drumming in her chest.
Not Blackjack’s first time at her apartment, a bit more often than she would have ever thought to bring anyone. Every time ending fine, a few awkward moments that encroach on the edge of familiar and intimate. Before she would have shivered in contempt, now though there is an ache in her chest as she opens the door.
Taking a careful moment to look around, headset scanning the interior for digital traps or anything left out of place. Blackjack silently stepping inside to snake across the back wall with his heavy gun in hand. A few minutes pass before she lets out a slightly relieved sigh, putting her belt and headset on an open table.
“Nothing, they haven’t found this place. At this point they probably never will unless I set up a billboard.”
“Good because if your place goes to shit I don’t have enough room in my closet of an apartment for all of you. I should probably check it too…”
Panic again rises in her chest as she stares at the huge robot turning to start making his way out of the apartment. Logic says that he should cover all of the bases, if one of them are found out then both get nabbed. She only got targeted because of her past, they didn’t know or care about the robot partner following her around.
All of that logic gets thrown out the window as she grasps for anything to get him to stay. Even about ready to stage a hack of her apartment to have him stay and sort it out. Only the thought of trying to explain it to him keeps the plan at bay as he reaches for her door.
“Wait! Uh- Wait just… It still might not be safe and… TIn Men could be haunting about the place and-”
“If you want me to stay you can just ask.”
His words stop her in mid scramble for the weight to hold him down here, stunned at his matter-of-fact tone. There is a rumbling care to his tone that causes her face to burn and hands to feel sweaty for a moment. It clears off as she shakes her head, pointing a finger at him in accusation as he leans against the door watching her.
“Wha-What are you talking about? I’m totally fine here!”
Blackjack doesn’t answer her, just leaning back against the door waiting expectantly. She swears there is a smirk in that blank faceplate watching her, just enjoying her fumbling and flustering. As much as she would want to have the high ground, to make him want to stay, her panic wins out.
“Fine! F-Fine! Stay! St-stay… Please…”
Her eyes burn again as she reaches up to wipe away the tears that start to drip down her cheeks. Everything feels blurry at the edges while trying to process the floodgates that open in her chest. Feeling tight and all too open at once, she grips the edge of the couch while taking deep breaths.
“Tease me, mock me, call me a fucking coward and baby… I don’t give a fuck just- Please just stay… I don’t w-want you to leave again…”
She can’t stand to look up from the couch, not into his insufferable faceplate or to see him swaggering in delight at her vulnerability. Feeling sick to her stomach for admitting all of this, Neon is about ready to stumble into bed and be absolutely done with this. This entire day has been nothing but a rollercoaster for her mind and heart and she just wants it to be done.
Instead she feels the couch shift with a heavy weight, glancing up to see Blackjack now sitting there with a low rumbling sigh. She doesn’t like how much relief surges through her body or the lightheadedness that passes over her. He spreads himself across the couch, taking up almost the entire space with grunt.
“You really want me to mock you? Ask me nicely and I’ll give a bit of degrading, but it doesn't seem like that’s what you want. Just come on out and tell me what you need Neon.”
Neon stares at the robot now claiming her couch, acting casual about being invited in and needed by her. She should be annoyed with him or even furious that he would take this all so lightly. Instead the ache in her chest burns far brighter as she wipes the last of the tears from her face and shakes her head.
Without any hesitation left, all of the energy holding it back is gone at this point as she strides over to him. His faceplate tracks Neon as she frowns deeply before straddling his lap and wrapping her arms around the back of his neck. Glaring into his gaze while feeling his hands glide across the softness of her hips while she takes in his heavy warm scent.
“I don’t care what you do to me right now. Berate me, mark me, hell even fuck me. I don’t care… As long as you hold me… Please Blackjack… Don’t stop holding me… That’s all I want right now…”
Her chest feels ready to burst as she holds her eyes tightly closed waiting for his answer. More than anything ready for him to push her off for being too intimate and close, this is something far beyond the casual bed pals and partners. She wouldn’t blame him for it, but instead she feels his hand run gently through her hair while he lets out a rumbling chuckle.
“Yeah, you got it…”
Pressing herself against him Neon readies herself for the cost of this intimacy, to get him off. Be entertainment while she gets a taste of his comfort and presence in her home after being so afraid of losing him. She doesn’t mind it, could be a better time but not an ounce of her wants to tell him no to any request.
His hands roll across her body for a long moment, then another long moment to the point that she squints in building frustration. Pulling back to glare in his blank faceplate while his hands still glide across her back and sides.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Hm?”
“A-Are you going to fuck me o-or not?”
Blackjack chuckles again as he leans forward while his huge hands grip her hips tightly. Her heart suddenly thundering in her chest as she grips his shoulders waiting for the next step. Pulling down her top or saying to beg for his attention, whatever demand this asshole might have.
Instead his grip tightens on her hips before lifting her completely off his lap and turning her around in the air. She gasps and huffs, about ready to beat on his metal body when he lands her back in his lap now facing away. Squirming to try getting a better look at his face, she watches as he reaches out for the remote on the nearby table. His voice vibrates through her ear as he rests a hand firmly on her hip while fiddling with the remote.
“You said you don’t care what I do with you right now, remember? Means I get to do what I want. So I’m putting on a few movies you’ve been talking up to me while I order some food for your dinner.”
Neon blinks in utter astonishment and confusion, ceasing her squirming as she leans her head back to look up at him. His black faceplate staring back down at her, waiting and expectant as she wants to be angry and frustrated with him. To yell about not babying her or treating her as some lost cat to adopt.
All that comes out instead are warm tears at the corners of her eyes as she leans back into his cooling chest and snuggles deeper into his embrace. She can feel a hum of enjoyment rumble through him as he turns on the tv and switches it to a movie she barely remembers mentioning to him. Reaching up to wipe the tears away, she lets out a hesitant sigh, trying to find the right words.
“Y-You really didn’t have to do this Blackjack… Why?”
“Because… Sometimes you can be a bitch, but I know that’s you just playing around and pushing people that can’t stand you away. Other times you're a brat, but that’s you wanting attention without having to push yourself to ask. I don’t mind and even enjoy playing along with you, but this is… Different.”
He looks down at her before slowly reaching down to cup her cheek and pull her head to look up at him. Watching as he hesitates for a moment, swearing that he is either nervous or embarrassed, before leaning down. Pressing his faceplate against her forehead and sending an electric kiss across her skin.
“I can tell that you’re hurt. I uh… I don’t entirely know how to directly help. They don’t give Hunter-Killers psychology degrees for a reason. But I… I do want to do something that might help. If you just want me to be here until you’re better then I can do that. Food always helps, and a movie to keep your mind off of it. You especially don’t have to tell me about it right now. Take your time.”
Neon continues to stare at him, the tingling kiss lingering on her forehead as more tears roll down her cheeks. She hastily reaches up to wipe them away before leaning up to wrap her arms around his neck again. Pulling him into a deep vulnerable hug, damning whatever consequences that might be waiting for doing something like this.
Blackjack lets out a scoff before wrapping his arms around her as well, simply letting her gentle sob into his shoulder. She doesn’t remember when it started and now that she can’t stop it she simply lets it all out into him. Muffled by his sweater, tears staining it as he rubs her back and waits for her to be finished.
Minutes pass before she finally pulls back, feeling gross and aching from having cried like that. There is a shine across her golden freckles as she doesn’t bother hiding the light that pours from them. His blank faceplate doesn’t focus on them in shock of surprise, only looking into her face as she slowly collects herself.
“W-Would you b-be able to st-stay the night? You d-don’t have to bu-but it wo-would help…”
“Yeah… Yeah I can do that.”
She silently nods before falling back into his embrace while half paying attention to the movie. Instead feeling the exhaustion of the entire day finally catching up with her as her eyes feel heavy. Eyelids falling low as his body feels like a gently cooling pillow, snuggling closer to him as her consciousness falls away.
For the first time in years truly feeling safe, in the arms of someone that cares.