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[bodyoftheseus]

« notanetrunner » TEXT ✧ AUDIO ✧ VIDEO ✧ ACTION V ✦ Cyberpunk 2077
RESIDENCE ✦ Emerald District, alone w/2 cats
GEMBOND ✦ Ruby
It's V; you know what to do.

INFO ✧ PERMISSIONS ✧ KINKLIST

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[bodyoftheseus]

When Boone answers that he didn't want to talk about it he simply waited. He took a drink and eyed Boone and waited. In his experience, it was rare for someone to fully pass up on an opportunity to be heard. It may not be that Boone talked about whatever it was that was bothering him now but it was likely that there was something he would be willing to talk about and V was willing to allow him that opportunity to unburden himself. V's gaze rose back to Boone as he started to explain his predicament. He took another drink to buy him some time as he considered the situation. His finger tapped on the rim of his glass as he started to speak.

"So is he leavin' you on read? Or is he still talkin' to ya and just avoidin' what happened?"

[thumbsdown]

Boone doesn't know what being left on read even means. But he gets the context of it, kind of.

"Still talking to me, kinda. Just doesn't feel right now."

He sighs, downing the rest of his glass. "We live together, too. It's awkward."

Realistically, Boone realises they'll probably be fine after a while. But it just feels like they've lost all the progress they made towards becoming friends. He's not sure how to articulate that feeling, though. That... disappointment. Even though mostly, he's just resigned to it.

[bodyoftheseus]

"Mmmmm. That makes it tricky."

V took the rest of his drink in one shot and raised a finger at one of the servers, motioning to both of their now empty glasses. He turned back to Boone and leaned back in the booth, letting his arm rest along the top of it as he crossed one leg over the other and got comfortable.

"Well, things'll probably blow over if you wait long enough, but I don't think you're gonna fix shit if you do that. Assumin' you wanna fix shit, of course." V had a feeling he did, or else he wouldn't be here looking like something the dog wouldn't even bother to bring in.

"I always been the kinda person to avoid talkin' 'bout shit'n hopin' things'd blow over. Bein' here'n havin' the opportunity to meet others'n have some real good arguments'n fights with 'em's taught me that sometimes what you gotta do is actually talk to 'em."

[thumbsdown]

"Course I wanna fix it." He sighs, leaning back in his own seat and rubbing his eyes under his shades. He's used to being alone by now but that doesn't mean he doesn't want some company if he can get it. He's fine with keeping Uldren at arm's length if needed, but their friendship had been nice before Boone ruined it.

"Hell if I know how to talk to anyone about that kinda thing, though. Not much for talking in the first place. Emotions aren't my strong suit." He sits forward again, leaning his elbows on the table as his drink arrives. He nods a thanks and stares dully at his glass.

"Probably more likely to screw it up worse than anything."

[bodyoftheseus]

It wasn't so long ago that V himself was in Boone's position, it seemed. A fucked up relationship that he wanted to fix but didn't know how to approach. He was lucky, he guessed, that those around him did so much work for him so that he didn't have to think too hard about it all. V had always given out halfway decent advice but could never actually follow it himself.

"Emotions don't gotta be your strong suit's long as you're honest. If your friend isn't fully ignorin' ya then they're willin' to listen."

He considered Boone for a moment, seeming to size him up.

"If you guys're good friends'n I bet they know you're not the best with words'n they'll just appreciate you tryin'."

[thumbsdown]

"Huh... you think so?" He mulls it over. If Uldren doesn't want to talk to him then fine, but... maybe he should apologise after all. V has a point- Uldren isn't ignoring him yet.

"Guess I could try. Worst that happens is it confirms he doesn't wanna talk to me. And maybe you're right- maybe he'll know."

Uldren is smarter than Boone by a long shot. He probably knows Boone isn't good with words or feelings by now. Surely if Boone tries anyway, he'll see that he does want to fix things.

[bodyoftheseus]

V nursed his drink as Boone considered what he'd said. He nodded as Boone reasoned that the worst that could happen was his friend telling him to shove off.

"Always worth a shot. Miss all the ones you don't take."

He looked hard at Boone, trying to discern how drunk he was.

"You gonna be okay to get back home?"

[thumbsdown]

"Gotten home from worse places than this, drunker too." He smiles wryly as he says it. "Thanks, though." For worrying, he supposes.

He downs his drink, grunting as he notes the burn is all but numbed away by now, not to mention the fact that he can't really feel his face.

"Didn't mean to drink so much. Just kept ordering more." Jeez... his bank balance is going to be sad after tonight.

[bodyoftheseus]

V knew that response. He'd given it a time or two when he didn't want to go home with anyone. "Don't gotta do this all alone. Not here." Which, like, V was one to talk.

As Boone finished his glass V worked on his. He didn't have as much enthusiasm for it right now. It was almost like seeing Kerry when he was drinking too much: there was an odd self-reflection and curiosity if this concern was how Connor felt about V while he was busy drinking too much.

"Happens to the best of us. More you drink more you order." V had planned on telling Boone that he planned to take care of the tab, but Boone didn't need a reason to keep drinking.

[thumbsdown]

Boone sighs, considering it. "Guess you've got a point." He just doesn't like having to rely on anyone too heavily. Not anymore. Hurts less when you inevitably lose them.

"Think I'm done, anyway. Don't really feel like having it do a return trip on me." He can hold his liquor well, but too much and he will barf just like anyone else.

He gets to his feet, sliding out of the booth with practised ease, though he does fumble a bit as he tries to pull out his card. "I don't live all that far away. It won't take long to get home."

[bodyoftheseus]

V chuckled quietly at the mention of a return trip. He'd been there more times than he wanted to admit. "Don't blame ya there."

He watched the man get up, the way he fumbled when trying to get his card out. V got up and gently rested a hand against his arm just enough to get his attention. "Don't worry 'bout your tab, I can take care'f it."

He hesitated. He knew he was being a little weird but it really didn't sit right with him to let this guy go off on his own without at least one more try. "You sure you can make it back alright?" Even veteran drinkers like the man or V could make mistakes.

[thumbsdown]

Boone blinks- he hadn't expected the offer, and his expression softens after a moment before he puts his card back. "I... thanks. Owe you one."

It means he can get Uldren a peace offering, then. And that won't be as expensive as tonight's mess, for sure. "You can come with me if you're worried. Doesn't hurt to have someone watch your back, I guess."

He does wonder why V is being so nice, but maybe he's just like that. Some people are. Boone doesn't get it but he doesn't have to.

[bodyoftheseus]

"Buy me a drink sometime t'make up for it." It was something he wouldn't actually hold Boone to, not really. He was honestly expecting that after tonight Boone would probably just fade away into memory, but that was fine. If he could do a kind thing for a gembonded then that was enough.

"This place got a lot of polish on the surface but parts'f it got a real dark side'f you're not careful." Which was to say that V planned to at least walk him part of the way home. V was sure Boone could handle himself, but so could V and he'd been through a couple of harrowing situations while here.

[thumbsdown]

"Sure, I can do that." Boone will try to remember through the haze he's in right now. Even if he only remembers a few weeks later, like he sometimes does.

"Figure I'll get myself sobered up and apologise then. He's fine with me drinking but I think a sober apology will mean more." Even if it might be more awkward, he wants to try.

He steps out of the bar and breathes in the cool night air- it braces him a little. Once V joins him he claps him on the back briefly (and perhaps a bit harder than he meant to) in an attempt at a friendly gesture. He soon moves his hand away, though.

"Hey, if I don't contact you in a few days you can get in touch with me about that drink. You seem like a pretty decent guy." And decent guys are always worth knowing.

[bodyoftheseus]

V didn't comment on the apology. He personally felt that an apology was a waste of words but he wouldn't press the thought onto his new acquaintance. The man should do whatever felt right for himself and his friend. He got up and took care of the tab while Boone stepped outside.

He joined Boone outside and was maybe a little surprised when Boone clapped his back but he shook the surprise off with a chuckle. For a man who seemed to be pretty standoffish and didn't want to talk it was a somewhat familiar gesture. He was probably just feeling a little friendly because he was full of drinks.

"Ah, don't know'f I'm decent, just been put in my place a time'r two." V chuckled at that as if it were a fond memory. "I'll be sure reach out. Gotta know'f my advice's any good'r not." Maybe he could start charging for it, ha.

[thumbsdown]

Boone knows actions speak louder than words but there's no point in not trying both, right? Even if his track record with words is... not stellar. As for the gesture, it's absolutely the drink. Doesn't mean he doesn't mean it, though.

"Heh... yeah. Let's hope it is." Said in a way that makes it obvious he really, really hopes it is.

He walks fairly steadily for a guy who's drank half his weight in whiskey, not stumbling or swaying so much as just walking ahead with dogged determination. He'd probably only trip if he had to make a sharp turn or got knocked into. Eventually he reaches his and Uldren's place, and turns to face V again.

"So, uh. Thanks for walking me back. See you some other time, yeah?"