Chapter Text
Roaming the world with a dragon was different from what Vash expected. He thought Wolfwood too prideful to allow the Intoner to ride on his back, and when Vash said as much, Wolfwood scoffed in an insulted manner. Then, similar to the first time they met, the dragon’s fangs clamped on his cloak and threw him onto his back.
A part of Vash wanted to go straight to JuLai - straight into the yawning void of a beast who looked so much like him, but a rational part knew that he was too weak as he was now. The flower could sew him back together if needed, but if Nai landed a final blow with Razlo then…
No, no, he wasn’t ready yet. He couldn’t risk putting Wolfwood in danger either, though he knew the dragon could handle himself. He hasn’t seen the dragon in action yet; the scars that marred the creature told Vash enough. The scorch mark upon his wing, hiding a symbol underneath, interested Vash the most, though he never asked. He had his own scars, after all, ones that the flower never fixed. He knew how unwanted stares felt, how horridly the twisted lines would throb in a dull ache occasionally; pain that he deserved and could only ignore for so long.
Vash does that a lot, he knows. Ignorance. Averts his eyes from the truth, from the aria the flower sings, from his brother. He could no longer feign obliviousness of what was right in front of him. Nai was his problem to solve, and solve it he will, no matter the cost.
Vash looked to the trees below, his hand on Wolfwood’s neck for stability. The year had not changed the forest, almost like a curse had settled across the area. The trees remained dead, an eerie atmosphere suffocating the land. Vash never felt uncomfortable beside the little cabin, even when the air never moved. Wolfwood always provided comfort, his presence a steady weight, though Vash was positive the dragon didn’t realise it. Sometimes, however, Wolfwood would wrap a wing around Vash’s body, and the Intoner would begin to think that maybe Wolfwood did know.
“Oi, needle-noggin,” Wolfwood’s gruff voice brought Vash back to attention, crystalline eyes looking to the head of the dragon. “We’re not going to JuLai, so where are we going instead?”
Vash paused, considering. Then he laughed, a nervous shrill. “Ahhh, I don’t know actually-”
“You don’t know?” Wolfwood yelled, jostling Vash on his back causing the Intoner to grip his neck tighter in fear of falling. “Have I just been flying with no destination in mind?”
“Hey, hey, hey, you’re the one who threw me onto your back and just took off.” Vash argued, kicking Wolfwood gently in the side. “We could go to the Land of the Mountains, I guess.”
“And why would we go there? It’s cold as shit, blondie.” Wolfwood was right. The Land of Mountains was home to an unforgiving climate, harsh winds and biting snow. Vash had only visited there once, and he would rather never again. But where else could they go? The Land of Mountains was the closest to the forest, if Vash remembered correctly, but there was another reason.
“Nai has… disciples, I suppose, stationed in the different regions. If we want the best chance at success, we need to take care of them somehow.”
“Hah,” a chortle, the rumble deep within Wolfwood’s chest. “And how would you do that, spikey? Love them to death?”
It was a valid concern, but between the flower’s incessant song and the unruly wind that had begun to pick up as they left the forest’s domain, Vash could feel something akin to irritation settle under his skin. “You’re not very helpful for a dragon, you know?”
“I’m plenty helpful! I’m helping you now, aren’t I?” Beady eyes turned to stare back at Vash, glaring. “Don’t get all pissy, blondie. For an Intoner, you’re too damn naive.”
Wolfwood was right, Vash knew. For all the power Vash held, it didn’t matter if he didn’t actually use it. He was a coward; his song would bring ruin, an Earth shattering scream that could enhance his abilities or tear foe limb from limb. He only used his power if it was the absolute last resort; even against Nai he didn’t dare sing, despite the fact his brother didn’t hesitate to use his song. Nai’s voice was vengeful, a deep guttural sound that bespoke of the power he held; it could be heard from miles away and shook the very foundation itself. Vash’s was softer, raspy since he didn’t use it as much, a mournful cry that pierced the hearts of all nearby.
Nai always said his song was pitiful.
Despite all of Wolfwood’s grumbling, he did begin steering towards the Land of The Mountains. Vash didn’t grace the dragon’s previous statement with a reply, choosing instead to look above towards the sky. The void above so desolate, broken by the occasional wispy cloud that dissipated all too quickly. The ride proceeded quietly, only the sound of Wolfwood’s wings flapping to fill the blanket of silence. Wolfwood never glanced back towards him, his gaze steadily forward, and Vash let his mind wander. The flower increased in volume.
Soon, the air turned cold, snow falling from the clouds overhead and Vash knew at once they had entered the Land of Mountains. He could see the white peaks, a couple of ruins scattered the landscape, but otherwise, it was deserted. The dragon below him shifted, grimacing against the cold.
“Of course you just had to choose to go to the coldest region.” Vash chuckled at Wolfwood’s displeasure. The cold didn’t bother Vash that much, he could feel it, yet he was still warm underneath. It was like a numbing cream almost - there, but not inhibiting. He wondered if the flower had a hand in that too.
“I didn’t know dragons got cold.” He rubbed his hand on Wolfwood’s neck in a feeble attempt to transfer heat. He didn’t know if the beast could feel it, and Wolfwood gave no indication if he could.
“We don’t. But it’s uncomfortable. My wings feel like they’re gonna fall off.”
“I think you just like to complain.”
Wolfwood levelled a glare towards him, an expression Vash was growing used to seeing. The blonde smiled in return, eyes crinkling, and something in Wolfwood’s expression shifted a bit. It was only for a moment, but Vash could have sworn the brown eyes flickered with fondness. Vash would have dismissed it as his imagination, but Wolfwood then returned to staring ahead, his voice contemplative as he spoke.
“You know, I think that’s the first genuine smile I’ve seen from you.” Vash’s brows furrowed, tilting his head. “What do you mean? All my smiles are genuine.” Except they’re not, and Wolfwood knows it.
“Right. Because true smiles are always painful.”
“Careful Wolfwood, keep that up and I’ll start to think you care.”
Though Vash was already coming to that conclusion. Dragons are solitary creatures, noble, and Wolfwood was no exception. They didn’t meddle in the affairs of the other races of Gunsmoke, choosing instead to watch from afar as they hastened the world’s demise. They thought themselves above the petty squabbles of man, even though the dragons would also suffer if the world was to perish. Yet, Wolfwood offered him a place to stay, plucked Vash from the jaws of despair and offered the Intoner his help, despite being aware of how dangerous it could be. When Vash would fall asleep outside waiting for the creature some nights, Wolfwood would settle a wing over him protectively, curling his body around the other. And Vash would feel loved - warmth, softness, kind feelings he wasn’t worthy of.
For all of Wolfwood’s roughness, there was a gentleness there too. And the selfish part of Vash wanted to relish in it, to cocoon himself in the sweetness and forget the flower, forget Nai. Damn the world and everyone in it, if Vash got to bask in Wolfwood’s warmth for all eternity.
“Can’t have that, can we, needle-noggin?” Vash could feel Wolfwood’s laugh, a tickle against his skin. “Now, we need somewhere to land. The valleys look too narrow for me to fly through.”
Vash nodded. “Right. Get us as close to the mountain as you can. We can rest a while.”
Wolfwood didn’t reply, just swooped down towards the base of the mounds. The snow glistened, disrupted as Wolfwood’s claws dug into the blanket. Vash hopped down from his back, patting his neck in thanks. Wolfwood snorted, following Vash as the Intoner made his way further into the valley. Though neither of them could feel cold, it would be preferable to set up camp somewhere away from the winds.
“Oi, blondie,” Wolfwood said when the pair finally found somewhere to settle. Hidden away, mostly, a stoney overhang big enough to cover Wolfwood as well. The dragon had laid against the wall, his tail creating a barrier of sorts around the pair. Vash looked to Wolfwood, head cocking to the side to show he was listening.
“What are you gonna do about your arm?”
Ah, right. The flower can’t regenerate the limb, since Razlo had managed to burn the stump. Vash was content to carry on though with one arm, and told Wolfwood as such, shrugging. “Nothing? I can shoot fine with only one arm.”
Wolfwood chortled, deadpan almost.“Heh, cute. Seriously, you dolt, from what you’ve told me about your brother, you can’t afford any weaknesses. And that includes this.” Wolfwood bent his head down to nudge at the stump, lips curling back to reveal teeth in a smile.
Vash scoffed, insulted. “Thanks for your concern, but I’ll be fine.” He was an Intoner, after all. A God of song, a demon who would bring the world to its knees. The dragon’s worry was well meaning, but unneeded. Wolfwood’s expression was unimpressed, lips pursed, but he didn’t say anything more. His head turned away, to look up at the sky.
“I don’t get you at all, blondie. You piss me off, but your heart…” He still wasn’t looking at him. Vash remembered reading that dragons had the ability to see the shape of people’s hearts. No matter how well guarded you thought you were, dragons would be able to see underneath it all. It was disconcerting to Vash, in a way. He preferred keeping his feelings to his chest, out of sight, but Wolfwood could always see through him.
“My heart?”
“It’s full of holes. But, there’s something else,” Wolfwood finally returned his gaze to Vash, scrutinising. Vash stared right back, striking blue meeting warm brown, a match to strike a flame. “There’s a glow, faint, but I can still see it. You’re hurting, needle-noggin.”
The earnest look on Wolfwood’s face was enough to make Vash turn away suddenly. “Me? Hurting? That’s funny, I didn’t think Intoners were capable of such feelings.” The laugh was like lead, heavy in the air. The dragon’s visage soured. “Whatever needle-noggin, you don’t want to be honest with me, that's fine.” Then, he was standing, shaking his body to dust off dirt. Vash followed suit, dousing the campfire. It was time to go.
The flower sang, a light lilt, and Vash tried to ignore the sinking feeling within his gut as he and Wolfwood made their way out of the valley. Towards the disciple of the Land of Mountains.
Further, further, to their goal.