Tempest Wind (Vash x F!Reader)

Frozen Dream

The flakes fall gently onto your face as you look up towards the snow covered tree branches. A path carved into the snow leads along the river, and the fast current has kept it from freezing. The melody of the stream draws your attention, and you stumble on the uneven trail, arms shooting out to find balance, but you have nothing to worry about as a strong hand grabs you under your elbow before you land in the white powder.

"Careful now, love!" His voice is amused. "Are you really going to fall over before we even get to the ice?"

You get your feet underneath yourself again and turn around to shoot him a disapproving stare. As expected, you first see the huge, zipped up red coat, and when you look up, you see him peering down at you from between the layers of a fluffy scarf. The pompom on his hat jiggles as he laughs at your expression.

"Why do you always feel the need to make fun of me?" You try to sound serious and look stern.

This feels comforting, familiar, and cozy. But a nagging feeling in your gut tells you this is not real.

He pecks a quick kiss on your lips, only barely missing the scarves around both of you. Your gloved hands grab the front of his coat and pull him closer to give him a proper kiss before turning around again and continuing on along the path.

Soon you see the main road ahead, lit up by many candles, leading down the slope to the big lake, the canopy of trees on either side so dense that you could almost forget it's still light outside. As you get off your little path, you see a few more people, some coming up the incline, still out of breath and cheeks rosy, their skates dangling from their bags. Others are heading down just like you are to enjoy the views and a festive day. As you get to the candlelit road, you stop and wait for Vash to put down the bag. You rummage through it and take the two candles you've brought, handing one to Vash. He smiles warmly and waits for you to close the bag again and light your wick with the flame of the closest candle. You turn towards the man and hold out your candle at a slight angle so he has it easier to light his flame with yours.

"I wish you happiness and patience. I hope you have a magical season and a new year that is peaceful and kind to you." The smile on your face makes his heart flutter as you say those words, passing on your wishes to him.

Vash looks at his candle for a moment before making a little spot for it in the snow and placing it down.

"I wish love and happiness, like the kind I feel every day, to whoever gets my flame. I hope their heart will be light and worries will be but a distant memory." Vash leaves his words with his candle as you put yours down next to his.

His wishes make your heart flutter. He is always so kind to everyone, and he is never afraid to show his love to you. An eternity wouldn't be enough time to spend with him. But you know you can't have this.

"Let's go!" You grab his hand, waiting for him to follow you. He quickly throws the bag over his shoulder and squeezes your hand. As you start running down the slope, you see people who are lighting their candles and handing down their well wishes. You get around the bend in the road and see the two large spruce trees towering on either side of the path; they are decorated from top to bottom with crystals. It's an ancient tradition, passed down by generations since the colonizing ships first arrived. Some of the crystals are emitting a dim glow that's barely visible in the daylight; others reflect the light from the sun. Some are round, others are sharp, there are both ores and polished stones, and the light dusting of snow shimmers as the path opens up to the enormous lake surrounded by cliffs and mountains on the opposite side. The long and narrow shape has allowed for the snow to be blown away by the wind, leaving smooth blue ice behind.

You drag Vash to a free bench and start pushing your boots off before he even gets around to handing you your skates. He smiles at your excitement as you pull on the skates and start to tie them up before following your lead and getting to work on his own skates. You put all your things in the bag that Vash takes to carrying once again. He helps you up from the bench, and hand in hand, you go to the ice, carefully passing the young children and beginners still finding their balance. Once out in the open, you get to speed up.