Today I saw you We were back on the old spacecraft Sitting under the artificial sky colored blue We talked and sang and laughed

She was there too Did you see her as our mother? She saw you as a son, she truly loved you I think-no, I know you loved her too, brother

Today I was awoken Free from the false memories and lies It was a dream, our bond remains broken Can you still hear my cries?

The little boy ran around the corner, his sock covered feet gliding across the floor as he did. He gripped the wall as he tried to catch his breath. How long would this last? When would it be over? He wasn’t sure how much more he could take.

Before he could process it, the boy felt fingertips poking his back.

“BANG BANG! I got you, Vash!”

Vash groaned in defeat and turned to see his twin brother laughing triumphantly, using his fingers as make believe guns.

“Yeah, yeah, fine. Can we stop playing now?”

“Don’t be like that! It’s fun!”

“We’ve been playing for ages! Let’s do something else!”

As the twins squabbled, they failed to notice a woman enter the room. She took the opportunity to put her hands on their heads and ruffle their hair.

“Are my boys fighting?”

Both kids made a startled noise as she did this.

Vash spoke first. “Nai keeps making us play cowboys. I hate playing cowboys!”

Nai rolled his eyes. “Stop being such a baby.”

The woman, Rem, crossed her arms and stroked her chin in thought.

“So one of you wants to play a game. But the other doesn’t. How can we make this fair so everyone can keep having fun?”

The boys considered her question carefully. Then Nai spoke with a matter-of-fact tone.

“We keep playing cowboys.”

Vash glared at his brother and growled accusingly. “Nai, come on!” This caused the other boy to stick his tongue out at him.

Rem chuckled. “I don’t think that’s what i was getting at. Nai, you need to think of your brother. Why don’t you ask Vash what he wants to do?”

Nai sighed. “Fineee.” He turned to his brother. “What do you wanna do?”

Vash looked up at Rem hopefully. “Crafts! I wanna do crafts! We haven’t made any in forever!”

The other boy grumbled. “Crafts are boring.”

“They are not! They’re fun! You just hate them ‘cause you suck at making them!”

Rem intervened before the boys could argue more. “Alright, alright. I have an idea!” This got the twins’ attention. “Why don’t we put on a movie and do crafts at the same time?”

Vash cheered and pumped his fist in the air excitedly. “WOO! Yeah!” It was as if he was never upset in the first place.

Nai raised an eyebrow at Rem. “What movie?”

The woman noticed his challenging look and returned it with a knowing grin. “A western, of course. You can choose which one.”

This made the boy’s face relax into a small, grateful smile. “Okay. Sounds good.”

Rem smiled in satisfaction. “Great. Off we go then!”

She turned to walk away, her boys following close behind like ducklings. All’s well that ends well

“Vash, wait up!”

Your voice alerts the blond outlaw just as he was slipping away into the night. Cursing himself under his breath, he turns around and gives you a strained smile. You weren’t supposed to find him like this. He chose to leave at this hour for a reason.

“Hey! Funny seeing you out here. It’s, uh, kind of late to be awake, isn’t it?” His voice cracks awkwardly as he speaks.

You come close to him with nervous eyes and a shy smile. “I…have something to tell you.”

Meeting Vash was a very odd experience. You had been relaxing at home when all of a sudden, frantic knocking on your door paired with desperate pleas got your attention. Opening the door you were met with the man in question. He begged you to let him hide in your home, just for a little bit. And when you didn’t answer him immediately he took to groveling at your feet. The rest was history.

Days turned into weeks which turned into months. You had quickly gotten used to Vash’s presence and even grew to enjoy having him around. The strange man was a breath of fresh air in your, admittedly, monotonous life. He was easy to talk to and had so many interesting stories to tell. He was sweet and kind and insisted on helping you around the house as thanks, even though he wasn’t great at it. He was fun to hangout with even if you were just food shopping together.

He was a wanted criminal with an impossibly high bounty on his head. Finding that out was surprisingly anticlimactic. You had been out running errands, Vash tagging along as usual, when you came across a wanted poster of your companion. It was unmistakably him. The illustration showed off his signature spiky hair, his goofy smile, and even the little beauty mark under his left eye. You looked at him. He looked at you. You raised an eyebrow. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and let out a little laugh. You dragged him back home immediately.

Vash explained everything to the best of his ability. He really had meant to tell you sooner. Or better yet leave before you could find out. Instead of being met with anger or fear as he expected, you simply said you’d both do better at helping him keep a low profile. You didn't believe he did all the terrible things people accused him of. And until you saw it with your own eyes, you'd continue to trust him.

You believed in Vash. That meant the world to him. And that was why he couldn't stay. He already had unfinished business, and he couldn't let harm come your way because of him. It was already selfish of him to have stayed as long as he did. Vash tried to leave many times, but something always got in the way. “Just one more night,” he’d tell himself.

Of course on the night he finally brings himself to leave, you just have to catch him. So now here you both are: you fiddling with your fingers as you prepare to tell Vash something he’s sure he won’t want to hear. And the man himself preparing for it, looking down at you as the moonlight illuminates your features.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about this, and I just…I need to say it before I chicken out. You grin up at him. “I’ve really enjoyed living with you. I didn’t expect it, but you’ve become a dear friend to me. I care about you, Vash. So much.”

Vash can’t help but return your smile with a tender one of his own. You’re always so genuine and earnest. It’s endearing to him. He knows he doesn’t deserve such treatment. Or you as a whole.

You continue, “In fact, I think my feelings go a little deeper than that.” A few beats of silence. You take a deep breath. “I love you, Vash. Or rather, I’m in love with you.”

Deciding to leave it there for now to let him process your confession, you simply look at him expectantly. What are you expecting? Honestly, you’re not completely sure. A part of you has prepared for the worst. After all, it’s selfish to believe you’re entitled to someone’s feelings. And yet another part of you can’t help but expect something, anything more. The two of you have grown quite close these past few months. Something might be there!

Vash’s smile falters a bit, changing into something more wistful. The silence is agonizing for you. Every second he doesn’t speak is another second you regret saying anything at all. As your mouth moves to form an apology, Vash takes a step closer to you. He places a hand on your head and rubs your hair gently.

“You don’t love me.”

His voice is so soft and heartfelt that it takes you a moment to realize what he said. Whatever you were expecting, it certainly wasn’t this. You’re stunned into silence. Who is he to tell you whether you love him or not? They’re your feelings and you’re sure of them! But before you can argue, Vash speaks again.

“Save your heart for someone better.” He removes his hand from your hair, and you’re so tempted to grab it and keep it there. Then he takes a couple steps back. “Thanks for letting me stay with you this long. I hope one day I’ll be able to pay you back for everything.”

With that, Vash turns around and starts to walk away from you. You and any future you foolishly imagined sharing together. Realistically you knew this would happen eventually. But that realization came before you understood your feelings for him, so it didn’t bother you as much. It’s bothering you a lot right now though.

“Vash!”

Like before, your voice stops him in his tracks. But this time he barely glances back at you.

“Will we see each other again?”

Your voice is small, but hopeful as you ask him this. You don’t get an answer. Vash keeps walking after a few moments of deliberation. Truthfully he doesn’t have an answer. And the last thing he wants to do is make a promise he won’t be able to keep.

Within minutes he’s gone. You’re left alone; just you, your heart, and the stars above.

There’s a new history museum in the little town. At least that’s what it says on the sign. But when a mother brings her son to visit, they notice there is only one room. One big, white room. It’s almost empty. In the middle is a humble apple tree. The little boy lets go of his mother’s hand and ambles up to the tree.

“Mama, where’s everything else?”

“I’m…not sure, sweetie. Maybe we came at a bad time and things aren’t ready for us yet.”

As the mother looks around the room, looking for anything at all, the boy reaches out to grab a fruit from the tree. Twisting and tugging he eventually hears a snap. The apple is in his little hands.

His mother turns back to him. “Oh, honey, you shouldn’t-“

She reaches out to grab the apple from him, but the boy holds it away.

“But I’m hungry!” he points to the tree. “It’s gotta be here for us, right?”

The mother looks at the tree. Maybe he’s right. Maybe this apple tree is here just for them somehow. She turns back to her son and holds out her hand.

“Let me see it first.”

The boy reluctantly hands his mother the apple. She examines it closely, turning it with her fingers to see every part of it’s surface. She brings it to her nose to sniff it, and she even tries to squeeze it gently. The results of her impromptu fruit exam are that it’s clean, not rotten in the slightest, and just in relatively good condition. She hands the apple back to the boy after wiping it on her shirt. He beams as he takes the apple back. He immediately sinks his teeth into it.

“It’s sweet! Mama, have one!”

Her son’s words draw her attention to her now rumbling stomach. Perhaps she could use a snack after all. She reaches out and grabs one of the apples close to the top of the little tree. With a gentle twist she’s able to get the fruit. She goes through the same examining process she did on the other apple. This one is in similar condition. When she brings to the apple to her lips to taste it, her eyes widen. It is sweet. But even more so, it tastes like life. Like love.

For a moment a lifetime flashes before the woman’s eyes. Not her life though. She isn’t sure whose. She sees spaceship crashing. She sees a barren, desert planet. She sees people both good and bad. All trying to survive with with little they have. And at last she sees an apple tree. The very same apple tree in this room.

“Mama?” the little boy is tugging on her pant leg. “I wanna go. I’m bored.”

The mother is brought back to the present. She looks down at her son and smiles a bit.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Hand in hand, the mother and son walk out of the supposed museum. They don’t see the way the building disappears behind them, fading away as if it was never there. But the apple tree remains. And so does it’s story.

Brother, please come back Don’t run away Don’t be afraid I’m not the one to fear I did this for us, for you

Brother, please come back Why would you go with them? They’ll use you, abuse you, bleed you dry How could you choose them over me? Just like mother did that day

Brother, please come back I have been alone for so long But I won’t be anymore Our paradise will be ready soon You must come see

Brother, please come back Why do you fight for them? They’re not your friends They’re not your family They’re the enemy

Brother, please come back You can’t die Not now, not like this I can’t lose you again That’s not fair

Brother, I’m sorry I was wrong about the world I tried to save us, to protect us I didn’t mean to hurt you Everything I did was for you, for us

So please come back Come back…