Brave The Storm (Panam Palmer X Male Reader)

Chapter 1

Shadows of the Past

The rain fell in sheets, turning the neon glow of Night City into a kaleidoscope of colors on the wet pavement. Y/N pulled the hood of his jacket tighter around his face, blending into the shadows as he navigated the crowded streets of Heywood. The city's heartbeat was a constant thrum of activity, a relentless cacophony of voices, engines, and distant gunfire.

Y/N’s steps were purposeful as he made his way to a nondescript building tucked between two towering skyscrapers. The sign above the door flickered, casting intermittent light on the chipped concrete. He scanned the area, his eyes taking in every detail—a habit formed by years of survival in a city where missing the smallest clue could mean the difference between life and death.

Inside, the bar was dimly lit, the air thick with smoke and the scent of cheap alcohol. A few patrons glanced up as Y/N entered but quickly returned to their conversations, uninterested in the newcomer. He made his way to a booth in the back, where a woman with dark brown hair sat nursing a drink. Panam Palmer.

"You're late," she said, her tone more amused than annoyed. She didn't look up from her glass, but Y/N could feel her eyes on him, assessing.

"Had to shake a tail," Y/N replied, sliding into the seat opposite her. "Arasaka’s been watching me."

Panam finally looked up, her sharp green eyes meeting his. "Arasaka, huh? You must've really pissed them off."

Y/N smirked. "Let's just say I have a way of getting under their skin."

Panam leaned back, studying him. "So, what’s the job?"

Y/N took a deep breath. "I need your help to break into an Arasaka facility. High security. The kind of place they don’t want anyone snooping around."

Panam raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I’d be interested in that kind of heat?"

"Because it’s not just a job," Y/N said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "It’s personal. They killed my parents. I have a lead that might finally give me the answers I've been searching for."

The room seemed to close in around them, the noise fading into the background as Panam considered his words. She took a long sip of her drink before setting the glass down with a decisive clink. "Alright, I'm in. But we do this my way. No half-baked plans, no unnecessary risks."

Y/N nodded. "Agreed. I’ve got a layout of the facility and some contacts that can help us with gear. We’ll need to move fast though. The longer we wait, the tighter their security will get."

Panam leaned forward, her expression serious. "Tomorrow night then. Meet me at the Aldecaldos' camp. We’ll go over the details and make sure we’re ready. This is a one-shot deal, Y/N. We can’t afford to screw it up."

Y/N stood, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. For the first time in years, he had a tangible lead, and with Panam’s help, he might finally get the answers he sought. "I'll be there."

As he left the bar, the rain had slowed to a drizzle, the city’s neon lights reflecting in the puddles at his feet. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, waiting for the click on the other end.

"It’s me," he said, his voice low. "We’re on for tomorrow night. Make sure everything is ready."

Hanging up, Y/N allowed himself a rare moment of hope. Tomorrow, he would take the first step toward uncovering the truth. And with Panam by his side, he felt a strength he hadn’t known in years. Night City was a place of shadows and secrets, but Y/N was determined to bring some light into its darkest corners.

He turned his collar up against the cold and melted back into the night, a shadow among shadows, but now with a purpose that burned brighter than any neon light.