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“Hang in there!” Vash’s body sags as the weight of at least three planets gravity finally releases. Jessica did so well - he isn’t sure what he would’ve done without her. Every breath feels like- he flinches slightly and frowns, staring at the motionless puppet in front of him. At least the Puppetmaster-
“No one, not anyone ever cared if I lived or died. Except for Lord Knives and the Eye of Michael… only they acknowledge my existence…” Suspicion makes the hair on the back of his neck rise, not allowing himself another moment to catch his breath. “If my show is over… then so is yours, Vash the Stampede!! Because I’m taking you with me!!”
The Puppetmaster rises in a rickety sudden movement, flinging another of his machinations his way. Move, idiot, move! His body is too slow, he’s let too much of himself wither away to defend himself. Is this how he meets his fate? To a doll? As he finally gets his arm up, a body forces itself between him and the - its an exploding doll?! They took the blow! That means someone’s hurt-!?
“Geez, you’re as soft as ever blondie.” His heart stalls, freezing in his chest despite the adrenaline coursing through him. It can’t be… “You’re always letting your damn guard down too soon.” That voice, that cross, the smell of smoke, those… eyes…?!
Vash gapes at Wolfwood, hand on his hip as if it’s only been a day not two years since they last met. Stumbling forward, he can’t even convince himself to blink… unless this is still Puppetmaster’s work? Waving his gun above and around Wolfwood, the humanoid typhoon can barely keep the hope out of his eyes when he just stares at him.
“Huh? The hell is wrong with you??” It's… him… it's… Nico?
“Sorry-” he laughs airily, dizzily, “Just had to, you know, check for strings.” Anxiety wells within him, stepping back he laughs and rubs his head absentmindedly.
“What does that even mean??” He’s exasperated, angry, and has that beautiful tick in his brow that identifies him as the real deal.
“It's really you… you’re really here with me?” Throat tight Vash is keeping himself together by sheer force of will. He can’t cry - he doesn’t deserve to.
He chuckles and the world silences around him for just a heartbeat. There. Something heals deep within his soul at just one grin, one laugh, and everything feels right again.
“You morons!” Well. For a moment. Puppetmaster groans and Vash can’t help but feel disoriented as he’s ripped from the first breath of relief he’s had in two years. “Lord knives made me a king so that I may serve him. And as his king, I’ll see his will done!!!” As a syringe lobs itself deep into his chest Vash can feel his own heart rate quicken as fear rushes through him like a waterfall. Now Wolfwood is in danger. Again. Because of him.
It's a deja vu he can’t stop, a replaying of everything they’ve been through before. Nothing really has changed has it? Wolfwood takes aim and hauls the punisher once again, hefting it like he has no right to. The vitriol replaced on his face is almost unrecognizable, “I’m sorry Leonof… not today.”
He can’t stop himself, “Wolfwood, don’t!” Before he can stop him two shrill screams stall him once again. Then like angels on high, two girls drop from above in a somehow even more shocking fashion. They crush him and as the dust clears Vash almost can’t believe his eyes. How? Meryl meets his eyes and it's as if the sun rises again, her eyes light up and then she’s running to him. Frozen in place he can only watch when she stumbles slightly, tripping in an effort to get to him faster. On instinct he reaches out an arm to stabilize her but she falls into him instead. Squeezing him tight enough to steal his air and bruise him.
Arm hovering behind her Vash can’t take a breath, can’t allow this blossoming hope and joy to take over. He can’t-! She gasps and then scrambles back as if burned, heat rising to her face as she clears her throat, the second following up behind her.
“Hi!! W-we’re from the Bernadelli news! My name is Meryl Stryfe!” She holds out the card as if it can erase the lines she's crossed. As if he could just undo the burning coursing through him. It's all too much.
“Milly Thompson, Meryl’s number two!”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Milly! And uh…” the same discomfort and anxiety flood through him once more, “Long time no see, huh, Meryl?” He watches her swallow and try to push past the horrendous memories that flash through her eyes. Vash knows her though and can see every moment of pain he has put her through.
She clears her throat, “Let’s stay on topic shall we?”
“We have questions Mr. Vash!”
“Can’t I be happy to see you?”
“Post interview!” Meryl is practically begging for his compliance-
“The people demand it!” So he lets it go and laughs.
“C’mon guys…” Staring at their hopeful faces all he can do is laugh a little uncomfortably and glance backwards. Seeing the puppetmaster lying on the floor his face drops and the easy mood shifts cold once more. Walking over he kneels before him as that same pain and agony wipe through him once more. His fault.
“I’m sorry, I know it felt like no one cared if you lived or died. But that was never true.” The weight of their stares feels like barbs into his back, sharp enough to cut but holding back so he doesn’t bleed.
“..huh?”
Vash just smiles sadly, “I’d like to sit down and talk after you recover, Mr. Leonof the Puppetmaster. Or should I say… Emilio?” The light comes back on in his eyes so Vash just smiles, holding onto the spark of hope he sees there. Lifting the piece of ceiling in a grunt, Vash frees him and groans as the pain finally starts to resonate through him.
“C’mon spikey at least let us help,” the piece moves in a quick motion as Wolfwood crouches to his aid. Leonof coughs and groans as the weight is finally removed. Meryl and Milly rush over to offer their aid and it's like two years have vanished. He stands and regards Wolfwood more cautiously, but the man simply grins back at him. “Guess you really don’t change,” lighting a cigarette he turns on his heel and starts to walk away. On impulse Vash moves to follow.
“Vaash!!” Jessica sprints towards him from the plant room and all has to be put on hold again. “Are you okay?! Did it work? Who are these people??” She gasps, “Oh no your arm! Brad!!” Torn away and pulled into a sitting position Vash huffs in feigned exasperation. “Is that better? Does it still hurt?” Her big blue pouty eyes are too much for anyone to handle, let alone Vash.
“You’re worrying too much, I’m fine. And that’s because of you. I couldn’t have protected everyone without your help. Thank you Jessica.”
Just like that her face alights with joy, “Course!”
“Hello Vash.”
Jerking to his feet he looks over and finds a familiar face, “Luida..!” Guilt wracks his body again, why must he continue to burden all those around him… “This never should have happened. You shouldn’t have to suffer because I failed…” his voice cracks, clenching his fist he drives onward, “Failed to stop Nai and JuLai.” Eyes downcast, he can feel them all watching him. “I’ve been there a lot over the last century and a half… There were so many people. Wonderful people who welcomed me, shared their food and their water..! Kindness I didn’t deserve.” The emptiness inside him throbs in agony as memories unbidden roll through his mind. “Mary, Ken, Takeshi, Ange, Jiro… and… Roberto…” His name barely leaves his mouth and he can’t even look Meryl in the eyes to apologize.
“It's okay…” Oh Jessica. She needs to leave, let him go, before she gets hurt too.
“It might’ve been forgivable if I’d died too, but… I didn’t.” Finally he can say it, the truth, the ugly honesty that they’re too kind to say.
“You… will live and suffer.” Hoppered’s beaten broken body at his feet- Vash flinches away from her touch and clenches the fabric tightly, “I’m sorry…”
“There’s no need to apologize. You’re not responsible for all humanity’s well-being. This tragedy isn’t just yours, it’s ours too.” It almost sounds like she means it, “And we didn’t lose JuLai because you failed, it was because the whole world did. Can you tell me about them?” I couldn’t stop Nai, if I had- what? “All of those wonderful people who were kind to you?”
“Luida…” she can’t mean that.
“I’d like to hear about them, too!” Meryl…? “They should be remembered… and I don’t just mean by you but by everyone. So tell me! Let me grieve, too! Let me help you carry this burden! You’re not in this alone, so don’t act like it, okay?” He’s never seen her this assertive, at least regarding their emotional well being. The clarity and brightness in her eyes makes his breath catch, “We’re right here… so tell us.”
He wants to cry, it's overwhelming and he can’t help but think of when they were on the Ark. “We’re all here Mr. Vash!” Milly, this new apprentice, does she even know all that he’s done? Her heart bared on her sleeve, Vash wonders when he’ll disappoint her too.
“Yeah what she said…” Even Brad? Wolfwood walks forward and locks eyes with him, simply grunting in approval. The darkness overwhelming him starts to slow, the world seems to vanish except for those right in front of him. His… friends.
“Right!!” He gasps as Jessica’s enthusiasm pushes it all over the edge. He cries for the first time in a long while, he cries.
“It’s alright Vash you’re safe now…” A hand on his back makes him shake, then Meryl shoves her way into his chest, wrapping both arms around him. This time there is only a moment of hesitation before he rests his head on top of hers, arm squeezing her tightly. Jessica wraps into his side and with the three of them holding on, Vash allows himself to fall. For this moment, they’re safe. For this moment… they’re alive. “It’s… good to be home.”
It takes some time to convince them he’s alright, to allow him time to himself. Luida aids him by coercing the girls to rest, that he will still be here if they walk away, followed by a very pointed look. He laughs awkwardly, then turns on his heel to walk away. Footsteps fall behind him and with tense shoulders, he continues down the hallway, awaiting the lecture.
It's only when the chattering grows distant does he call out, “Hey blondie.” The ship feels cold, barren now that it's just the two of them. Allowing Wolfwood to catch up to him, he can’t help but question the thoughts turning in his head. Without stopping, he passes him by with a quiet, “Welcome home.” Striding off into the dark without turning, the undertaker fades away and those two words bounce around his head in the lingering silence. Guess the lecture would wait.