Chapter Text
Vash was always self-sacrificing. It didn't matter why, or even who. If the blonde could lay down his life so someone else can continue onward then he would do so in a heartbeat. It didn't matter if they liked him as a person. They could chase him, gun him down, and at the end of the day he would still rather die for them.
He wondered if Meryl would be sad? Wolfwood? The thought of those he had befriended in such a short amount of time mourning his death brought him comfort. Vash had done a lot of wrong during his long life, and all he could ask was to find repentance once he left this world.
Slowly, a smile pulled at his lips. Pain erupts from his form the moment he does so, but he doesn't care. This was a fitting fate for Vash The Stampede after all. No longer would the people of this world be tortured by his and Nai’s presence. They would be safe, free, and he could only hope positive things would come.
Nai…….right, he had died too. Vash watched helplessly as flesh burned off his bones, and his lifeless body became lost in the vast expanse of space. His last words replayed in his mind like a broken record. It was sickening, but Vash couldn't even find the energy to be nauseous.
All of the sudden little black spots began to fill his vision. It was Vash’s time to go, and he wholeheartedly accepted that with open arms. For the first time in his life his body was free from tension, and he took one final breath just to make sure to savor his last seconds of feeling.
“I can't wait to see you again, Rem.” Vash didn't completely believe in heaven, but for his sake he hoped he was wrong. All he had ever wanted was to see his mother figure again. For her to hold him in her arms, and kiss the top of his head like she did years prior. He had even forgotten what her voice sounded like, and that fact alone stung more than any bullet.
He was ready. His smile was soft and peaceful as the Typhoon slowly closed his eyes, accepting the warm embrace of death. Again, he thought back to his friends. Their sad faces filled his mind as he drifted off into what felt like sleep. He hoped one day he could apologize to them. He didn't really intend to leave them, but life had other plans.
He hopes he can see them again, and if reincarnation was real then he was ready to be their friend once more.
With one last labored breath he drifted away. He was happy, fulfilled, and ready for whatever adventure was waiting for him. At least, that's what he assumed.
What he did not expect was to hear a soft humming through the darkness. Its melody is gentle as it enveloped Vash in newfound warmth, keeping him company in his lonely void. He felt as though he was floating. Unable to move or speak as if something was holding him captive. Yet despite it all he was at peace.
The humming slowly grew in volume, the song becoming clearer by the second as the man listened on. His shell of darkness had even begun to open up. A little glimmer of light had shone through, breaking past the barrier of shadows in order to bask Vash with its glow. He felt as though he was alive once more, and through his grogginess he could only be confused.
All of the sudden he began to fight. His soul lit with a fire once again as the world around him became clearer by the second. He could feel someone rubbing soothing circles on his hand, the humming now louder with each motion from the mystery person.
Vash felt like he was struck by lightning as all his senses had begun to return. The smell of antiseptic, the sound of a monotonous beeping, and his eyes began to sting from the bright light. It hurt, god it hurt, but he couldn't do anything to stop it. Even the singing had begun to grate his ears as though it was made of acid.
He needed to wake up.
At first, Vash didn't think he had the strength to break free, but he was shocked when his eyes shot open. His chest felt heavy, struggling to breath as air filled his lungs. By some miracle he was alive.
“Vash!” That voice. He recognized it from the humming, but there was something more as well. It was so familiar, but Vash couldn't put his finger on it. At least until he slowly turned to look at the person next to him.
“Are you ok, sweetheart? How are you feeling?” Her face was etched with worry, and Vash could tell she hadn't been sleeping from the dark bags under her eyes. Her long dark hair was also pulled up into a high bun, but despite that a few baby hairs had found their way to freedom. Even with these differences there was no doubt who this was, and the realization only made the confusion he felt worse.
“Rem?” Vash swallowed hard, finding it painful to speak for reasons unknown. His voice was so hoarse too. He moved a hand to touch his throat, but stopped when he realized there was a needle stuck within his arm. Huh?
Rem, on the other hand, was acting strangely. Her worried look had quickly shifted, morphing into one of shock and confusion before her grip tightened. Had he done something wrong? Was this just some weird elaborate dream? He didn't get a chance to ask, as all of the sudden the woman stood up from where she sat.
“I’ll be back.” Vash could feel a shiver run up his spine. Never had he heard Rem sound so cold and calculated, and as he watched her walk out the door he knew something wasn't right.
For one, her clothes weren't right. The pencil skirt and blazer was something that could never be found on their ship! As well as the jewelry that hung from her neck and ears. Never in his memories had he seen such a thing, and the only time he had seen clothes like that was when he found some old magazines from Earth. The woman all dolled up with pristine makeup and wrinkle free clothes, posing for projects that the man had never heard of.
All of the sudden the door flung back open, and the scene that unfolded could only be described as truly surreal. Rem had returned, but this time she was dragging what looked to be a doctor. Her expression was hard, unreadable, and seeing his mother figure different from what he remembered was like a stab to the chest. Vash remembered Rem for being kind and always smiling, but this Rem was so different. Even after a few seconds of knowing her he knew they weren't the same.
“You need to do a full neurological exam right now!” The woman (he refused to call her Rem) had practically tossed the man into the room, her pointed glare making the seriousness of her request clear.
“Dr. Saverem! As I just said, people tend to wake up confused, and it isn't grounds for worry.” The poor man sounded exasperated, but Vash was more concerned with what he just said. Dr. Saverem? Yeah, Rem was smart, but she was never a doctor. She was a crew member though, and Vash was forever thankful that she became the caretaker of him and his brother.
“He has never called me by my first name! I’m telling you, something is wrong with my son!” Confusion seemed to be the theme for the day, because this dream was becoming weirder and weirder.
Vash had always called Rem by her name. Sure, he joked about her being like a mother to them, but that's mostly it. He absolutely saw her as a mother too! She was the closest he would ever have to a prenatal figure and he was incredibly grateful. Yet even Rem back in the day would skirt around the word “son”, preferring to call them her “special boys” or some other endearing term. Hearing her voice call him son was a lot more emotional than he would have originally expected.
“Fine. I’ll make sure someone stops by.” The doctor let out a strangled sigh, obviously annoyed by the predicament he had been placed in. “But I assure you that you are just worrying over nothing.” The man raised his hands in surrender, stomping out the room with a huff. The obvious attitude does nothing but annoy the woman more.
“I’m worrying over nothing!? I bet he won't say that if something bad happens.” The last bit was said under her breath, but Vash still heard it. Her dark eyes then shot back to him, softening the moment she looked over his form.
“Oh, honey. How does your head feel? You had such a nasty fall.” He fell? Vash moved his hand upward, tentatively touching thick bandages now wrapped around his forehead. Huh, when did that happen?
“I’m ok.” He really wasn't, but not for the reason the mystery woman thought.
“Are you ok, or are you saying that to make me feel better?” She gave him a stern glance, leaning forward to look him in the eye as though he was a naughty child. Geez, no one had talked to Vash like that in a long time. And it was as odd as it sounded.
“I promise, I'm fine. Just tired.” That was a half truth. Yes, he was exhausted, but he also felt off. It was hard to explain, but he felt as though his skin was tight against his body. It felt as though he was wearing clothes several sizes too small. His movements were slow, head fuzzy, and he could even feel his toes tingling from under the thin blanket that swamped him. It was weird, very weird.
“How about your chest? Any pain?” She sounded slightly frantic. Eyes looking between Vash’s face and his chest with an almost obsessive fury. It wasn't normal, and that only piqued his curiosity further.
Slowly he reached his hand up again, gripping at the thin hospital gown that he now wore. His chest felt fine, but the woman's words rang in his head. It was so specific, and the mystery was slightly worrying. Instead, he just shook his head.
“Ok, sweetheart. I’m going to get someone to check anyway. Just sta-” The Rem look alike didn't get a chance to finish her sentence, as once again the door was roughly shoved open. Now, Vash didn't think his death dream could get any weirder. Yet he was proved wrong the moment he saw the person standing in the doorway.
There, soaked in sweat and panting like a dog was someone who was also supposed to be dead. Vash’s own blue eyes staring back at him as though a mirror was right in front of him.
“Why the fuck didn't you call me!?” The voice growled, its familiarity stinging his brain. And that was all it took for Vash to shut down, staring like a deer in the headlights as a ghost haunted him.
“You had class, Nai. I couldn't bother you with this when you need to focus on studying.” The fake Rem spoke so matter of factly, yet there was also a twinge of sympathy. Something that was all too familiar to Vash from his years with the woman.
“A bother!? My brother being in the hospital again is not a bother!?” Nai shouldn't even be here. He shouldn't be standing, talking, or worrying over Vash. He watched him die. His skin melted until there was nothing but bones left. He couldn't take it, not like this, and soon the whole room had begun to spin.
Vash ended up puking over the side of his bed. The contents of his stomach splashed against the pristine white floor as gasps ran out throughout the room.
“Vash!” Fake Rem had rushed to his side, pulling him close so she could gently run her fingers through his blonde hair. The woman soothing him even though Vash was far from being upset.
“Shit.” Surprisingly, Nai sounded concerned too. His twin quickly made his way to his side, sitting down on the unoccupied chair that stood next to his bed. Vash didn't know what he would say, or do. But he didn't expect him to take his hand, squeezing it for support.
“Not feeling good?” Never had he heard Nai’s voice so soft and gentle. He was normally cold, distant, and downright obsessive. Even as kids his brother was never the optimistic type. Yet here was his brother, smiling at him with so much love laced into his expression.
“Im ok now.” Vash choked out the words, watching as his brother seemed relieved at his response. He was distracted though when a pair of lips kissed the top of his head.
“Nai, watch your brother. I'm going to find someone useful in this hospital.” Once again, that fire had returned to the Rem look alike. She was on a warpath, and neither twin wanted to get in her way.
“Yeah yeah. Try not to make their lives hell, mom.” The way Vash’s jaw dropped would have been comical if not for the situation at hand. Did Nai just call Rem “mom”? It was too surreal for him to believe, and as he watched the pair joke and laugh at one another that feeling grew.
Finally, the fake Rem left the room. With the door closed the room was basked in silence, leaving him to the mercy of Nai. He had expected his twin to drop the act, but instead he kept his hold on Vash’s hand like any concerned sibling would.
“I know you don't like her smothering you, but she's just worried.” Nai was sympathetic, trying hard to find the words to say. “According to the neighbor mom found you passed out at the bottom of the stairs. So I can't blame her for being so jumpy.” Vash didn't faint though? He died protecting people, and fighting against the same brother who was now determined to hold his hand!
“I fainted?” He couldn't help it as the words tumbled out of his mouth. Everything was just so odd. The room looks weird, Nai is alive, and he supposedly fainted? Nothing added up no matter how hard Vash tried.
His twin just nodded in response, getting up from his spot so he could get some paper towels and toss them onto the blonde’s previous mess. The sight of his puke made him blush. Embarrassed at himself for not being able to control his stomach.
“You don't remember?” Vash could only shake his head for no. “Guess that makes sense. You did hit your head pretty hard.” The sting of his skull was proof of that, but it wasn't as if he actually experienced that.
The pair remained silent after that, soaking in one another’s presence as though they would be ripped away once more. Vash especially wanted to eat up every second like it could be his last. It had been so long since he had a nice moment with his twin, and no matter how odd it was he didn't want to give that up.
More odd stuff happened though. His brother had been carrying a messenger bag when he entered, and the moment the pair had a quiet moment he quickly pulled out a relic. A laptop! A primitive piece of technology from Earth! Never had Vash seen one in person, and just watching Nai mess around with it was fascinating!
“Wanna watch a movie? Mom may be a bit before she comes back.” A movie too? This was the sweetest dream Vash has ever had! He had always wanted to see an Earth movie, and he made sure to tell his brother that it didn't even matter which one. That just made his brother laugh.
“Nai?” Per usual Vash wanted to say what was on his mind. It was just a dream after all, and it didn't matter what he said. Right? “Are we on Earth?” His brother instantly stopped searching through movies, staring at Vash as though he had grown two heads.
“Yeah?” Nai’s voice said it all, he thought Vash was crazy. They shared the same eyes, and therefore he could read them like a book. What he didn't expect was for his brother to lean forward, staring straight into his soul with newfound determination.
“What did they drug you with? You're acting weird.” Oh man, if only he knew how opposite that statement was.
“Nevermind.” He happily waved it off, smiling to himself as the situation sank in. He got to spend a precious moment with his brother, on a planet he was always fascinated with, and devoid of the terrible reality he lived. He still didn't understand what was happening, but he also didn't care.
“Nai? Would you?” Vash trailed off, unsure how to word his wishes to the dream version of his brother. When they were young the pair used to sneak into one another's bed. Snuggled up for warmth, and giggling like mad as they told each other stories. He wasn't sure that Nai would agree, but Vash still made some room and patted the empty spot as an invitation.
“You want me to?” He didn't outwardly say no, and instead seemed unsure. Nai’s face hadn't shown so much emotion in ages, and Vash wanted to hold onto it forever.
“Yeah. It's cold.” An obvious lie, but it did the trick. There wasn't a need for anymore prying, as Nai quickly slid into the empty spot next to his twin. Their bodies touch the laptop in between them.
“What would you like to watch, little brother? There's some new ones on Netflix, and-” Vash tuned him out, choosing instead to lean his head on his twin’s shoulder. It was just a dream, but it was a nice dream. He wanted it to last. Even if he closed his eyes and everything disappeared he didn't care. Because all that mattered was this moment, and this moment alone.