꧁༒☬𝓜𝓾𝓻𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓓𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼: 𝓐𝔀𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼☬༒꧂

꧁༒☬𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓑𝓮 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓞𝓻 𝓑𝓪𝓭☬༒꧂

Valerie's words and actions had left V in a state of confusion and doubt. V couldn't help but question everything that had happened between them, wondering if Valerie truly loved Uzi or if she had just been using her to feel good.

But what really weighed heavily on V's mind was the way she had stood by and allowed J to abuse N. The guilt and shame of being a silent bystander were crushing her. V couldn't help but ask herself if there was anything she could have done to stop the abuse and if she could ever forgive herself for not doing so.

As she walked away from Valerie, V knew that she needed to take responsibility for her own actions and decisions. She couldn't keep blaming others for the things that had happened to her and around her. Nor could she pretend these problems didn't exist when she was emotionless.  It was time for V to find the courage to face her past, learn from her mistakes, and become the kind of person she could be proud of.

V takes the elevator sighing heavily finally finished with this whole ordeal and ready to help Uzi again.

As the elevator dings and the doors slide open, revealing N and Uzi standing there waiting for V. They both look up as she steps out, but quickly notice something is different about her.

N furrows his brow, "Hey V, are you okay?"

V looks down, sadness in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispers, tears starting to well up in her eyes.

N and Uzi exchange a confused glance before N steps forward, "Sorry for what?"

V steps closer to N and wraps her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "For not being a better teammate," she says, her voice muffled against his shoulder. N looks over at Uzi, who shrugs in confusion. He looks back at V and gently strokes her back. "It's okay, V. You've always been a good teammate."

Uzi steps forward, "Yeah, we don't know what's going on, but we're here for you."

V sniffles and steps back from the hug, wiping her eyes. "Thank you, guys. I just needed a moment."

N nods, "Anytime, V. We're always here for you."

As the doors of the elevator slide shut, V looks at N and Uzi and realizes that they truly care about her. She makes a promise to herself to be a better teammate and friend to them in the future.

As they walked outside into the abandoned city, V suddenly stopped in her tracks, feeling sick to her stomach. N turned around, concerned, and handed her a small can of unprocessed oil.

"Here, drink this," N said, offering the can to V.

V hesitated, as she open the can a putrid smell immediately hit her olfactory sensors making her cringe, looking at the dark, murky liquid inside it seemed like plain old oil. But based on the smell alone V could tell her oil was unprocessed, but she knew she needed it to keep her energy levels up. She held her breath and quickly drank it, grimacing as the taste hit her tongue.

"Ugh, that's gross," V said, making a face.

N chuckled. "Yeah, it doesn't taste very good, but it does the trick."

"Yeah thanks, N," V said giving him a smile as N lightly blushed.

As they continued walking, Uzi walked ahead of them, a small smile on her face. V and N walked side by side, chatting peacefully about their plans for the future and what they would do with a proper cooling system. Despite the difficult circumstances they faced, they were grateful to have each other and the small comforts they could find in the midst of their struggles.

But as they continue to walk closer to the abandoned factory that they call home, Uzi trails behind V and N, lost in thought. V notices her friend's distant expression and nudges N, silently indicating that something is wrong with Uzi. N takes a step back to walk beside Uzi and asks her if she's okay.