Tempest Wind (Vash x F!Reader)

Birdbrain

Vash has blabbers almost non-stop since he packed up the camp and took course towards the town he had mentioned. It provides a welcome distraction from your uncontrollable thoughts, but as you listen to his adventures and wonder how he's still alive, you notice the slight awkwardness in his voice and words. It's not quite natural; it's more about filling the silence. He tries his best to rope you into the conversation, but with no success. You just can't find the words to match his energy and his overflowing optimism towards humanity, no matter if they seem to shoot at him or not. Vash has left out that he has a $$500,000 bounty on his head, so people sound even more unreasonable to you than they did before.

After a few hours of walking, Vash suggests a small rest. The tomas, who he had been lead by their headgear, makes little noises as you stop and you take the initiative to remove the saddle and put Vash's stuff on the ground. The man in red watches for a second as you take off everything but the headgear.

"What you doing?" he asks with amusement in his voice as he sits down on his rolled-up mat to drink some water.

"I think they're itchy from the saddle," you say without turning away from the bird, petting their long neck. Happy bird noises are puffed into your ear as they lower their whole body so you can pet their head better. A few strokes along the beak, and the tomas starts to dig into the sand, sending a cloud of the fine particles flying. You narrow your eyes and turn away, holding your breath, as the creature flings sand onto themselves with their wings.

"I think you're right," Vash manages to voice out between the coughing as he has taken the blunt of the flinging sand. The tomas rubs their long neck and head onto the sandy ground, and when they finally get on their feet again, you see sand seeping out from between their feathers. Making what could be described as cooing sounds, the bird comes closer and starts rubbing their neck onto you, almost pushing you over and leaving dusty marks on your dark shirt.

"Yes, yes, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, you dirty bird," you laugh as you start to deflect the tomas' affections.

"You're good with her," Vash says, brushing the sand off his clothes as he gets up.

"Yeah, well, I spent a lot of time traveling around with them." The tomas is almost making circles around you, going one way, then the other, occasionally getting between you and the man. Stomping her feet, she has her head low and playful. Once again, she disappears behind you, and you're ready for her to stick her head through under your arm, but instead she gives a strong push with her head into your back, and you stagger forward a few steps, your own head low, trying to find balance. You don't fall, and as you look up, you see that Vash has stepped closer and has both his arms out, ready to catch you.

"Sit down, you annoying birdbrain," you spit out, no actual malice in your tone.

"What? Me?" Vash looks surprised as he puts one of his hands on the back of his head and pointing at himself with the other.

"Well, it's not what I meant, but..." you joke.

He laughs as he sees the bird lying down against your feet.

"She likes you," he smiles.

"You think?" You shoot back and laugh. You feel so light.

"Yeah, I can't blame her. There's a lot to like about you!" His eyes are closed in the smile as you are taken by surprise, and your face flushes crimson for a moment. It is so unusual for you, having spent most of the 50 years of your last roamaround alone, away from people.

Vash means every word he says, seeing you ever so slowly show your true colors behind the mask of anger and distance. You seem to unfurl almost like one of his sisters, revealing their true beauty. You are kind, gentle, and just, toward others at least. The way you seem to look at yourself still concerns him, however. He knows there is so much more about you, but maybe he can make you see that life ain't too bad and help you make sense of things in your head. As he opens his eyes and looks back at you, he sees you turning your face away from him, your cheeks a shade pinker than they were before, and it makes him very happy.