Goro Takemura x Reader

Twenty-One

Your lashes stuck together as you awoke from your sleep, kissed by the first rays of sunlight of the day.

The air that filled the room was cooled down and damp, almost like a soft summer with fog that rested on the long strands of fresh green grass along the shore.

At first you thought that it was a morning of loneliness. But as you turned your head with a yawn, you noticed someone slumped down in the chair next to your bed.

"Takemura...", it slipped off your tongue. "Iya... Goro."

He was still asleep. As his name reached his ears he moved, a soft sound escaped his lips. His head moved to the side and strands of his grey and black hair fell into his face.

The bun had loosened up. Now it looked less put together and more comfortable to wear.

Now, in this light and with his calm state of mind, he did look quite familiar to you. You remembered this Dave, how you had looked up at it through a world of tears.

He had been so calm that day yet like a rock between ravens that wanted to crash against land. You had loved him that day because he had kept your little self from downing.

It had broken your heart that he hadn't shown up any more after dropping you off at Saburo's. Hanako had taken his place instead.

Back then you had clung to him like a piece of his own body. Strangely enough, you couldn't remember how his skin felt like. You wanted to touch him again.

Just to remind yourself of a time that should remain in the dark.

A soft sound made you wake up from your thoughts.

Someone was at the door.

With a quick glance at your tablet you checked that it was just one of the room service women and allowed her with a button click to enter.

A woman entered, her head lowered but with a smile on her face. She carried a tray with cups and a tea kettle on it.

"Your sister sends her regards.", the woman placed the tray on your lap. "She advises rest and tea. May I bring you anything more?"

You looked at the small bowl of fruits that came with it. Real food was something rare these days, fruits and vegetables that were organically grown were considered luxury.

Of course, your sister did not save money on little trinkets that she send to show her affection. She knew that you liked them.

She had even managed to pick your favourites.

"I will call you once I feel like having lunch.", you dismissed her politely. "But a bowl of pet food would be welcome."

"Real meat or pebbles?"

"Both. Mix it with some raw egg, if you're so kind."

"Of course, Arasaka-sama.", she bowed and disappeared.

Your attention returned to Takemura. His face looked so peaceful it made you want to touch it.

How would it feel like it you'd caress his cheeks?

Would his hair be thin and silky or more on the thicker side with a certain grip to it?

All of a sudden the memories of that day returned, how he had wrapped his arms around you in a gentle manner. As if he had tried to protect you, like a fragile piece of porcelain.

What had he worn that day?

You couldn't remember. But you wanted to. He was the only good thing from your past. Before Arasaka and after loosing the family that you were blood related to.

He was the bridge between the two things that you were, a child of the two most renowned bio engineers and the adopted kid of Saburo Arasaka.

Two world connected by Goro Takemura.

"Goro...", you breathed as you leaned forward to touch him by the shoulder.

But a small shadow was faster than you. With a leap, a cat landed in his lap, so sudden and harsh that it tore him awake within a second.

Startled, still confused by his half asleep brain, he raised his hands, ready to fight.

A meow made him hesitate. With his eyes sleepy but widened in confusion he looked down in the pet in his lap.

Your cat had been a present by Saburo for successfully finishing your bio engineer study. You had graduated with honours, as expected from a member of the Arasaka family.

Although you knew that he had pushed you to go into this field for a reason, you had chosen this major to honour your late parents. You didn't remember much of them but enough to know that they had loved their jobs.

You wanted to be like them.

"Nani?!", Takemura huffed as your cat started to make itself comfortable between his legs.

"She purrs.", you noted.

Unsure, he dared to pet her head, gentle but also with a certain kind of love that only one who appreciated cats could have.

"She is the first animal I've seen in Night City.", he said with a soft expression on his face. "Only rats and cockroaches remained in these streets."

Agreeing, you hummed and offered him a cup of tea. He accepted with a bow of his head.

"Her name is Ra. Like Egyptian god of the sun."

"A noble name.", he scratched Ra under her chin, right where a single white spot appeared on that pitch black fur of hers. "For a noble cat. And a noble owner."

Was that a compliment or did he just feel like being charming this morning?

Either way it made you smile.

"Takemura.", you said.

"Goro.", he corrected and took a sip from his tea. "We agreed on a first name basis, (Y/N)."

As your name exited his mouth he made a point of looking at you directly. It was strange but send a shiver down your spine. The warm kind, that made you feel all fuzzy inside.

You believed that your cheeks started to glow. But you managed to overplay it with a chuckle.

"Goro...", you took a deep breath of your tea, the warm steam filled your lungs with a pleasant scent of herbs and honey. "I don't want to be rude, I'm sure you know your craft well. But I need to ask for a favour."

"You ask for quite a few favours, if I may say so."

You smiled.

"Hai. That is true. If it makes you more comfortable, this is more of an order than a request. So your personal judgement isn't of importance."

His eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me?"

"I want you to take me with you. To catch my kidnappers."

"Arasaka-sama I-!"

"Don't worry. It serves a purpose. For my work regarding the relic. And you can't decline. It's an order. Arasaka order."