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“...I spy with my little eye, something yellow and dry–”
Wolfwood cut him off. “Sand.”
Vash laughed. “Right again! Man! How do you keep doing that?”
Wolfwood grumbled under his breath, far from amused. “Can we do something else now?”
The two of them were walking through the barren desert, dunes rising and falling around them as they traveled forward, the sun slowly being left behind.
“Sure! What do you want to talk about?”
“Preferably? Nothing.”
“But, Wolfwood!” Vash protested, “How are we supposed to get to know each other if you just keep silently brooding the whole time?”
“We don’t need to ‘get to know each other.’” Wolfwood snapped, adjusting his sunglasses. “I’m helping you fight Knives, and that’s it.”
“Oh, so it’s like that?”
“Yeah, it’s like that.”
Vash huffed. “Fine. Have it your way, then.”
They walked on in silence.
A few minutes later, Vash started humming.
Wolfwood eyed him and the humming immediately stopped. Vash looked back at him with an innocent look on his face.
More steps, and the humming returned. Louder.
Wolfwood gritted his teeth and continued walking, deciding to just to ignore Vash.
He managed to do that for about ten minutes.
“...and phosphorus, and francium, and fluorine, and terbium, and manganese, and mercury, molybdenum, magnesium, dysprosium, and scandium, and cerium, and cesium, and ~!”
“FOR THE LOVE OF GOD” Wolfwood snapped his mouth shut and took a deep, deep breath. “Can. You. Stop. Singing.”
“Why, Wolfwood. If it was bothering you that much, why didn’t you just say so?” Vash asked lightly.
Wolfwood scowled. “Funny.”
The worst part probably was that the bastard had an actual nice voice. Not that Wolfwood would ever tell him that. Vash already never shut up as it was.
“I have been told that I have a knack for comedy.”
“Hm. You do look like a clown.”
Vash nodded his head in agreement, before he frowned. “Wait. What?”
Wolfwood shrugged. “I mean, that red coat with that hair?” He made a vague gesture in Vash’s direction, smirking. “Only thing missing is the make-up and you’ll fit right in the circus.”
Vash tried to glare at Wolfwood, but the effect wasn’t as successful due to the smile that kept tugging the corners of his lips. “Now, who’s being funny?”
“Don’t get used to it, Spikey.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Wolfwood.”
After a moment of companionable silence had passed, Vash looked at him. “So, does that mean…”
“Fine.” Wolfwood sighed. “Ask whatever you want. Don’t expect me to answer it, though.”
Vash beamed at him, bright green eyes sparkling. “YES!”
Wolfwood was already regretting this.
“But don’t go thinking that makes us friends or something.” He warned.
Vash nodded seriously. “Of course, of course.”
Wolfwood squinted at him. He… He hadn’t heard a word Wolfwood had said, had he? Urgh.
“Okay, first question! Cats or dogs?”
“I dunno. Dogs, I guess?”
“Favorite color?”
Wolfwood gave him a flat stare.
Vash chuckled. “Right! Black, duh.”
Wolfwood muttered under his breath. Unbelievable.
“What about… Favorite food?”
Wolfwood frowned, thinking. Did he even had one of those? He barely ate these days…
A scene bubbled from the depths of his memories. He and Livio and a dozen other kids gathered around a small table. Miss Melanie arriving with a giant steaming pot, a tired but kind smile on her face. The warm and spicy smell of homemade soup lifting in the air...
Wolfwood felt a pang in his chest that had nothing to do with hunger.
“...Beer.”
Vash gave him a disappointed look. “I don’t think that counts as food.”
“And donuts do?” Wolfwood retorted.
“...Touché. Next question –”
Wolfwood raised a finger. “Ah, ah! It’s my turn to ask a question now, Needle Noggin. It’s only fair, isn’t it?”
Vash smiled awkwardly, suddenly looking cagey. “Uh, I don’t know about that…”
Wolfwood raised an eyebrow.
Two seconds passed, and Vash sighed in defeat. “Oh, alright.”
Wolfwood grinned, then scratched his chin in thought. What to ask, what to ask? Something that would embarrass Vash the Stampede.
“What’s the deal with you and shortie?”
Vash sputtered, face turning red as his coat. He blushed prettily, Wolfwood noted.
“W-What?! I –” Vash looked away and cleared his throat. “I have no idea what are you talking about.”
“Aham. Sure you don’t.”
“There is no deal between us!” Vash insisted. “Meryl’s my friend. I care about her just like I care about you and Milly. That’s all.”
Wolfwood raised a hand in surrender, trying to stifle a smile. “Alright, alright. No need to get defensive, Spikey. I believe you.”
Vash didn’t look convinced. “My turn now.”
“Go ahead.”
“What’s your middle name?”
Wolfwood grimaced. “Nope. Pass.”
“What – You can’t pass a question!”
“Sure, can!” Wolfwood retorted, increasing his pace. “I just did!”
“That’s not fair – Wait! Wolfwood! Come back here!”
The two men ran through the desert, yelling and laughing at each other. The wind carried their voices away, and soon their footprints would be wiped out from the sand, all records of their passage erased from existence.
And yet, these moments they shared together would live forever. For love makes every instant an eternity unto itself, every second a world outside of time.