Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Despite It All ❯ One-Shot

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Ping- Feeling angsty again...
Wolfwood- Oh God...
Ping- This probably didn't come off the way I'd hoped. If it did, you get the full effect. If it didn't, this is a waste of literary effort. You know, now that I think about it... there may not be a point after all...
Vash- The POINT is, I haven't gotten Wolfwood yet! -_-.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the computer this was typed on, and so help you if you try coming after that... -_<

Warnings: SPOILERS, Angst, Shounen ai

'Vash's thoughts'
/mindspeak/

Despite It All

Over a hundred years. Closer to two hundred. He had followed her words so closely. They were his religion. But Knives... he always wanted to change that. And he had- Vash no longer needed a constant reminder of Rem. She was in his heart, and while he would not forget everything she ever taught him, he would also learn to live by what he thought.

/I'm proud of you, you know./

'What?'

/For finally thinking for yourself./

Vash felt a smile creep across his face as he sensed the voice smiling as well. 'Proud.' It felt good. He looked over his shoulder into the house. He sat on the creaky porch and watched as Knives slept. Watched his chest move up and down in an even rhythm.

'Even for saving him? Are you proud of me for that?'

/Of course. It's who you are- you shouldn't have to change for anybody but yourself./

'But I have changed.'

/And it was you who wished to do so./

Vash chuckled lightly and ran his hand across his chin, idly scratching the stubble there. He was thirsty, but he didn't want to get up for a glass of water. If he moved, Knives might wake, and he didn't have the energy to deal with him yet. What to say, what to do, what to think... It was all too much in too short a time. And if he moved, the voice might fade.

He remembered snippets of it when he had walked through the desert, his brother's body slung limply over his shoulder. Whenever he stopped to catch his breath, he heard it come through, muffled and broken as if through a faulty radio. Then he'd start moving again and it would fade away completely.

'Don't leave me.'

/That's up to you, Vash. I can always be in your heart, if you want me to be./

'No, say you'll never leave me!'

Vash felt tears sting his eyes. He didn't know why this was important, only that it was. He needed to know that someone would always be there for him. 'You've always been in my heart...'

/I know it doesn't amount to much- that I'm proud of you. I have no right to think that would offer you any kind of comfort./

The tears were more insistent now. 'I am... honored that you feel that way.'

He did. It felt like a light had been ignited within him, filling him with a warmth and love he hadn't felt in too long. He heard Knives stir behind him. He refused to look behind him. He refused to acknowledge that his twin might be waking. If he didn't move, maybe he would go back to sleep, and Vash could remain here, on the porch, watching the sunset.

'It's nice out. Nice and quiet.'

/I wouldn't know./

Vash grimaced. 'I'm sorry...'

/Don't be- I'm not. Not really./

It seemed every small thing Vash tried to take comfort in was slipping away from him. He didn't have anyone to share this with. But he wanted... he wanted. And deep down, he knew that Knives would never appreciate the need to just sit and watch the world, and bask in the glow of being with someone you love. Just sitting, talking, watching, living. Living. Vash laughed sadly. At least being there. That was all Vash wanted- someone to be there.

'Please...'

Vash had lost almost everything- he had killed someone, he had seen innocent men and women die. He had failed to save lives and he had lost many friends. He had caused pain, been pushed away by fear and hatred, with nowhere else to turn to, no home to feel safe in. He had his brother now, but it wasn't everything. It wasn't what he really wanted. This- his brother was something he needed to do. But he wanted something- someone else.

'... please be there...'

/Would you like me to sing for you?/

The voice was teasing, but Vash couldn't smile.

/Good./

'Please tell me you won't leave me...'

/I can't stand to see you smile that way.../

'Please...'

Vash held his face in his hands and cried softly. Despite it all... 'Forgive me.'

/I promise./

"Vash?"

Vash looked over his shoulder, into the light blue eyes of his twin. He waved, watched the confusion and pain on the other's face. Vash stood and faced the doorway.

'Wait for me.'

/Forever./

'I love you.'

/I'll wait for you forever./

~owari~

**********

AN:

This was very against my usual 'Episode 23? What's episode 23?' point of view.
Ta-da! My record for shortest fic ever!!

Ping- This was so freaking short it wasn't funny.
Vash- >_-. No, it WASN'T!!!
Ping- ^^* Next time, I swear! I didn't intend it to be, but it was just a sentiment, really, not a fic. But hopefully someone enjoyed it...
Drunky- I did.
Ping- 0~0 R-Really!! ^_^
Drunky- Yeah. Oh wait, I was looking at your SM poster... ::droooool::
Ping- -_-^

Since I'm not getting any fireworks off this one, it may become part of an arc. You know, like those other DOZEN I have and never work on...