Revelation
Baby, when you take the shape of a demon
I can feel desire deepen
Fall into my black hole heart
Sink your teeth in
Changing everything I believed in
We can take a trip in time back to Eden
Giving me the truth I'm seeking
Open up a vain
Then leave me bleeding
Do it all again on the weekend
“Demons” - LSDXOXO & Eartheater
“Panam, I get what y’er sayin’, but we can’t stay here.” Judy pleaded with exhaustion.
Morning light was beginning to oversaturate the navy night sky with a muddy orange glow. Birds began chirping in the nearby hills, and a life awakening rustled among the tents and trailers. Panam spent a couple hours explaining her makeshift plan to overtake a nearby Kang Tao outpost, hoping that specific location would contain the necessary cargo Nate desired. Based on the Technomancer’s previous research, chances seemed likely. As far as uncovering the truth behind the sacrificial cult, that plan was in shambles. I had decided we were all too tired to fully create and organize anything with substance, and some sleep would be beneficial. Panam was in the midst of dismissing us, implying that we would recoup later in the day with Mitch and Carol as well.
“Okay, I get that Judy, I just don’t see an immediate alternative for us right now. Maybe later today we can set base elsewhere, but I can’t see how that’s possible tonight.” Panam grumbled, she was beginning to become frustrated due to her state of sleep deprivation.
“Jude, let’s just go to a motel nearby or some’, I got some extra eddies to burn.” I reassured as I rested a hand on her thigh.
Judy nodded in agreement.
“Alright, you guys do that. Just meet back here sometime in the afternoon. And keep in touch.” Panam yawned as she began to sit up.
“Pan, you shouldn’t go back to the trailer alone. We don’t know if anyone saw or heard us.” I said.
Panam yawned dramatically and shooed us with her hands, “I can take care of myself, don’t worry about me.”
Judy insisted on driving us over to the motel, probably due to the fact I was still injured, and my exhaustion was becoming apparent. So much for “getting rest” or “taking it easy”, I thought. After a while Judy pulled our borrowed Aldecaldo truck up to a motel titled, “The AfterParty”. Considering our proximity to Vegas, that title tracks. Various abandoned strip malls decorated the area near the motel, signs of a once lively area were now reduced to skeletons, ghosts, and flickering neon.
Thankfully it was still dark enough for my eyes to welcome sleep. We settled in the room with none of our belongings, Judy had insisted on leaving the camp even if it meant not having a fresh change of clothes. I hissed in pain as I laid down, the squeaky mattress screeched against the pressure. I bent down and began to untie my boots when Judy hurried to my side. She gently pushed my hands aside and finished untying them before tugging them off and setting them on the floor. She did this silently, but with an unspoken compassion that made my lips curl into a smile as I observed her. Judy quickly tucked a strand of pink and green hair behind her ear before then pulling off my socks. She stood up and started to unfasten my belt. My stomach burst with butterflies as I couldn’t help but let my mind go somewhere dirty. My cheeks must have turned into a noticeable shade of crimson since Judy looked at me and smirked before she rolled her eyes.
“No more for you tonight cowboy, save your riding for tomorrow.” She murmured while shooting a playful wink.
Her comment caused me to laugh, but laughter quickly turned into a huff of pain as Judy gently tugged my pants down. Left in boxers and a shirt, I allowed myself to roll onto my back. Judy stripped down and crawled beside me, pulling the bedsheets over us. I pulled her close to me and sighed with contentment as I closed my eyes. Sure, it wasn’t the best bed ever but at least we were safe.
“V?” Judy whispered.
“Hm?”
“Please don’t get yourself hurt again. All this stuff you’re plannin’... it’s got me on edge.” Judy murmured.
I pulled her closer to me and she gently rested her head on my chest, wrapping an arm around my torso while carefully avoiding my bandages. I kissed her softly on the top of her head.
“Once all this shit’s over, let’s take off for a few days. Spend some time just bein’ normal.” I said against her head.
“I’d like that.”
***
The mid-morning sun woke me up. Judy was still fast asleep thankfully; I desperately wanted her to feel rested and comfortable. I admired her face as she dreamt; her full lips slightly parted open and her eyes were dancing around behind her eyelids. I wondered what she was dreaming about. I folded my arms behind my head and glanced out the window. It was eerily quiet, but I guess that was to be expected of a pretty desolate location. I bit my lip, anxious about Panam’s ideas and what our next steps of action would be. All of this trouble, just for me. Experiencing this level of care and dedication was beyond me. Any time someone had cared for me they ended up flatlined. I wasn’t sure if I could handle losing anyone else…
My father and brother died doing what was best for the Bakkers…My mom followed suit a couple years later after a raid at the camp. I was left alone, and partially wished to stay that way, since I was then conditioned to know that at some point everyone leaves.
Then Jackie…
And even Johnny.
Judy’s rustling brought me out of my downward spiral of thoughts. She yawned and poked the side of my face, bringing me back to reality.
The reality being that everyone I loved was still alive and that I had some serious business to take care of in a few hours.
Everyone I love…
“Where’s your head at?” Judy yawned again.
I looked at her and was met with a sleepy grin plastered across her face. The sight caused an involuntary smirk in response.
“Ah, just the great beyond, the what-ifs, the who-nows, ya know, serious philosophical questions.” I joked.
Judy giggled before rolling her eyes at my comment.
“Yeah, I can definitely see some wheels turnin’ in there.” She joked back, poking the side of my head again playfully.
I turned to my side in order to face her, smiling harder as I saw her inch closer to me. She pressed a soft kiss on my cheek and brushed some loose hairs away from my face. It was funny to think that at one point I had been so nervous around her… The times her hand would accidentally brush against mine, it would drive me crazy. I had hoped she never noticed the number of times I found myself gawking at her as she walked in front of me, or the deep red my cheeks had become when she kissed my cheek at Clouds. To know then that I would be lying here with her now, having left Night City with her by my side… I’m sure I would have laughed in my own face. The thought caused me to burst into laughter.
“Oh c’mon, I’m not that funny. What’s crackin’ you up?” Judy asked with a smile.
“I was just thinkin’ that if I had known all those months back that I’d be lyin’ here with you in Vegas I would have probably flatlined.” I said between giggles.
Judy seemed to blush and held my face in her hands, her smile growing larger.
“Were you really that downbad for me?” She mused.
“Oh yeah, biggest crush ever, like, schoolgirl shit.” I felt myself tense up at the sudden confession.
Judy gushed at the confession, however. Her smile turned from playful to one of serenity before she kissed me gently. I kissed back, feeling a sudden overwhelming passion overcome me. I love her so fuckin’ much, I thought.
Suddenly, just as our kisses were becoming more sensual, she pulled away.
Fuckin’ tease, I huffed.
Judy smirked mischievously at my reaction, knowing full well that she was giving me blue balls. I pouted dramatically which caused her to erupt in giggles. She sat herself up and grabbed my wrists, directing me to join her in a sitting position. She pulled me into a gentle hug and then hopped off the bed. I stayed sitting and stared at her, head cocked to the side with confusion.
“Weeell, I’m gonna get ready, do you wanna make us some food?” Judy asked with a mock pleading tone.
I grinned and nodded.
“Who can say no to that face?” I replied, pulling myself up from the squeaky mattress.
I grabbed some instant pancake mix from the motel’s general store and fired up the small grill that was stored in the Aldecaldo truck Judy and I had borrowed. Thankfully I was the certified “pancake sous chef” during my time with the Bakkers, so I knew these would impress my hungry output. I carefully stacked two pancakes on each plate and grabbed some Chromanticore from the nearby vending machines. For some reason Judy wasn’t coming down yet, so I called up to her.
“Booty-Judy! Rise and shine, breakfast on the table!” I shouted.
After a few moments, Judy emerged from the motel room and bounded over to me. She looked exhilarated, giddy almost. I smiled when I saw her and presented her with a plate of perfectly round pancakes. She was slightly out of breath when she thanked me, pulling me in for a kiss and then taking the plate from my hands. A notification popped up from my holo, a voice message…from Judy? She noticed my eyes light up blue as I was opening it and grabbed my arm.
“Don’t!” She squeaked.
I canceled the notification and furrowed my brows, giving her a look.
Judy exhaled, “It’s nothin’, let’s just eat.”
I raised a brow and smirked, gotta admit, it was fun to see her squirm for a change. What was in this message?
We began to eat silently. When curiosity suddenly took the better of me, I swallowed my bite and looked at Judy interrogatively.
“Jude…” I drawled.
Judy put her finger up to my lips and shook her head, “Shush.”
“God dammit! What is it?” I whined.
Judy sighed and looked down at her plate of food. She closed her eyes in defeat, but then grinned. She brought her eyes back up to mine, still smiling. A certain softness in her gaze which suddenly mesmerized me.
“I love Baba Yaga, too.” She murmured.
My stomach dropped. Wait, is she really-is she saying she loves me? Is that what the voice message said? I gulped, feeling my cheeks burn hot. Judy smiled and brought her hand up to my face, cupping my cheek gently.
“I love you, V.” She whispered.
My heart pounded in my chest. I knew she saw right through my Baba Yaga stunt. I was speechless, rather unfortunately, because I know she was expecting a response. I forced my mouth to open and try to speak, but only a strange high-pitched noise escaped. I cleared my throat.
“I love yo- ahem, Baba-no! Fuck. I love you, too.” I stammered.
Judy burst into laughter. So much for the cool, calm, and collected merc I supposedly was. Leave it to Judy Alvarez to completely derail my entire persona.
After we finished eating and laughing at my “gonkness”, we exchanged a tender kiss. A physical expression of our love for one another. Sitting on the bed of the Thorton, Judy finally allowed me to open the message.
“Heeey V! I know what you’re thinkin’ - why’s my crazy output leaving a message on the machine while I’m making breakfast? Well, ahem, you know me - I get mushy when it comes to sharing…feelings. So uh, ahem, what the hell. I figured I’d just tell you here. Better than pretending I love a cannibal, right? Anyway, V, I just wanted you to know that…I’m happy. For the first time in my life. And I wanted to… Speak o’ the devil… See you soon. Mwah!”
I closed the message and pulled Judy in for a kiss. I drew my face back and grinned, noticing that she was flustered.
“Yeah, by far better than pretending you love a cannibal.” I mused, closing my face back to hers for another kiss.