Tempest Wind (Vash x F!Reader)

Subject 0325

Warning: This chapter handles some dark themes including nonconsensual human and Plant experimentation!

The early morning turns into noon as you've intertwined with Vash, your bodies pressed together tightly even for the narrow bed. You lay partially over him, your head resting on his chest near his shoulder. His prosthetic holds you close, and his other hand is playing with your hair. Your fingers are laced into his locks. His calm breathing brings you absolute peace. So comfortable is the silence, both in the room and in your head. Your skin is still tingling from all the kisses he has placed on it, and all the marks he left have long since healed.

You hear footsteps in the corridor even over his heartbeats, but assume they will pass by as usual, so choose not to say anything, enjoying the warmth in your soul. But it turns out you were wrong, and the door to Vash's room slides open.

"Oh! Sorry! Lock the door next time or something!" You hear Brad's voice by the door, and you look over. He has covered his eyes with his hand, even though there's not much to see—just your bare upper back and Vash's chest; the rest is covered by the blanket.

"Brad? What's wrong?" Vash pulls the blanket more up to cover you as he sits up a bit. You see his ears take on a dark crimson color, and his voice is forced calm.

"Apparently nothing. Don't mind me. I didn't know where Iris was, and I thought she might need your support, but I guess you support her enough. Don't mind me; I'll be off!" Brad seems even more awkward than usual as he looks for the door frame with his other hand and backs out.

Vash isn't sure what to say or how to react to Brad barging in like this and then out again. He realizes what this is about, and if it's his old friend reacting in such a manner towards the whole ordeal, then it must be serious. His gaze moves back to you, and he sees your eyes staring in the direction of the tablet. You've stiffened up against him. He wraps both his arms around you tighter to give you a reassuring hug.

"Whatever you decide or whatever you do, I will support you. It's your decision to make; you can lean on me; you can be angry or sad; everything is valid. And if you want to wait till a later day, I'll keep it safe for you." His nose nuzzles closer to your ear. "I love you."

"I love you too..." Your voice is quiet, and you can almost feel the device under the bed. The truth it holds is calling out to you. "There is no point in pushing the inevitable..."

Your body feels heavy in his embrace, your joints frozen over. You know this won't give you peace—at least not until you uncover the buzzing and voices in your head. With stiff and robotic movements, you sit up, you untangle your legs from Vash's, and throw them over the bed.

Coldness creeps under the blanket and up Vash's body as you get up. He can't place the exact emotions in your face and movements as you pick up the clothes from the floor. You place his on the bed while you clutch your own. The last thing you reach for is the tablet, and your eyes linger on it for a moment before you put that too on the bed. As you get dressed, Vash looks at your perfectly smooth skin, no scars or marks anywhere to be seen. You haven't always been like this, and the answers as to how you became like this might be within reach.

He too jumps out of bed and quickly gets dressed, pulling on his daily clothes and fixing his messy locks that have been pointing in every direction. He watches you smooth your own hair absentmindedly, eyes still nailed onto the tablet, and you gulp. Vash wonders how the voices in your head are—how loud have they become again?

"What do you want me to do? How can I best support you?" Vash asks as he sits next to you on the bed, leaning forward, his forearms on his knees, "Do you want to face this alone? Would you rather have me not see it?"