A Heart in the Machine (Serial Designation V x Reader)

Chapter 20: Preparing for Prom

Her silence makes you glance over, and you notice something unexpected. Her sharp, guarded expression seems to have softened.

"It's not the most exciting job," you admit, "but it's important. And... I like it. I think I'm pretty good at it too."

V's eyes flicker as she watches you, her usual smirk fading into something almost contemplative. "Huh," she murmurs, more to herself than to you.

You try not to stare, turning back to your repairs, but you can feel her gaze lingering. It's not threatening or teasing—just... thoughtful.

"You're weird," she finally says, though her tone lacks the bite it usually carries.

You smile without looking up. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As you tighten the last bolt and lean back to inspect your work, you pause for a moment, glancing over your shoulder at V. She's still leaning back in her seat, her gaze distant but attentive, like she's been listening the whole time.

"Don't get me wrong, I do like the routine of fixing things around the bunker," you say, adjusting a loose wire. "But... sometimes it feels like it's too easy to get caught up in what's expected of you, you know? Like there's no room for anything else."

V doesn't respond immediately, but you notice her posture shift slightly, her fingers fidgeting against the edge of her lapel.

You continue, half to her and half to yourself. "But we don't have to just follow the routine because it's easier. You can change things, even if just a little."

The sound of her chair squeaking makes you look up sharply. V stands abruptly, staring at you like you've just said something impossible. Her glowing eyes widen, flickering faintly, and there's something in her expression you can't quite place—shock, and something that looks like... longing?

You straighten up, brows furrowing with concern. "V? You okay? Did I say something wrong?"

Her gaze doesn't waver, but her usual sharpness is gone, replaced by an uncharacteristic hesitation. She stammers, her voice unusually quiet. "It's... fine. You didn't—no. It's not wrong."

The unsteady tone of her response is enough to catch you completely off guard. For a moment, she looks vulnerable, almost fragile, but as quickly as it appears, she glances away, brushing imaginary dust off her jacket.

You hesitate, trying to read her expression, but she's already started pulling herself back together. "Alright," you say carefully, watching her. "If you're sure."

"Yeah," she replies, her voice firmer now, though she still won't meet your eyes. "I'm sure."

She sits back down with a deliberate nonchalance, crossing her legs and smirking faintly, though it doesn't reach her eyes. "You're annoying, you know that?"

You chuckle softly, shaking your head as you turn back to your work. "I'll take that as a compliment too."

She doesn't respond, but as you glance at her one last time, her fingers are resting lightly against the brooch pinned to her lapel, her expression distant and pensive.

As you gather up the tools and sweep the scattered screws into a small container, the silence in the pod is heavy but not uncomfortable. V stays seated, her gaze fixed somewhere far away, lost in thought. You decide not to disturb her, letting her process whatever's going through her mind.

The quiet is broken by a familiar thud on the roof of the pod, followed by the creak of the hatch opening. You instinctively glance up as N's unmistakable silhouette drops down into the room.