Tempest Wind (Vash x F!Reader)

Journey to December

You set out the same afternoon after making sure you have all the supplies you need. Reaching December will take a while, but you get to check out the other villages and towns in the meantime. Maybe someone has more hints about what is going on.

"What do you know about December?" you ask Vash when you're far enough away.

"Well, the ship it's built on got very lucky during the Big Fall; it landed nearly completely parallel, leaving most of it in tact. Most plants and people survived, and it has always been the biggest city since the beginning. It has the strongest military force, bigger even than July; they named themselves the rule of the law, they enforce the decisions of the Seven United Cities Government. They have the largest collection of cosmic weapons; they were able to salvage a lot from their ship after the fall." Vash looks deep in thought as he lists what comes to mind.

"Yeah, I think I heard about all that, but I've never been there myself," you answer.

"I've also heard some rumors that despite the strong military presence, there's an underground organization basically taunting the December forces. I don't know much about them, but I think we will find the Snatchers there, or at least they are connected. If the rumors are true, of course. Who would do something like this..." Vash's sad voice trails off, and you look at him.

"Hey, we'll get to the bottom of this. We will do all that we can. Alright?" You smile at him, hoping to take away at least a tiny piece of his burden.

"Thank you," he says, looking over to you again. "I appreciate you sticking by me."

"You won't get rid of me that easy," you laugh. "I will fight every fight, no matter how bad things may seem."

***

You travel through a few more villages, and as before, everything seems almost cheery on the surface. The people are kind; the women and elderly are going on with their day, some carrying weapons but nothing unusual. There are fewer men around, and those who are there send suspicious glances your way. The children seem as happy as ever playing catch or ball on the streets. You try to get more information out of the people about the kidnappings, but neither you nor Vash turn up any new and relevant details on how to find the people.

You don't get very far in the hours you move. Darkness has overtaken the land before you find a rocky spot to set up camp at. Things go as you're used to: Vash sets up camp and puts on some food while you settle the birds, give them food and water, take off the gear, and give them some attention. As you work, you look over to Vash; his glasses are pushed up onto his hair as he sets up the little gas burner. The sight of him brings a smile to your lips, even the simplest of things he does with purpose. He can be a bumbling idiot, running around town with tears and snot running down his face, but there is so much more to him, and you're lucky to be able to see it all up close.

Vash senses your gaze and turns to look at you. His eyes narrow in a smile as he gives you a little wave with his prosthetic. You're about to wave back, when your attention returns to the toma, due to Vash's snapping at a little flying worm by your head and then eating it up.

"Good girl!" you praise the bird, giving her another pat. The toma makes little noises at you, and you are reminded how Vash's bird has always liked you a lot. You give her a few more pats before going to Vash.

"And here's my good girl!" He says it with a smile as you sit down beside him. You give his earring an ever so light tug as a mark on him listening in on you. It pulls a laugh from him, and he gives your cheek a kiss. The smell of gunpowder reaches your nose, and while he is always associated with it on top of his regular scent, today it is very strong, reminding you just how desperate the people in this area are.