In Praise of Vash

Laguna

Fandom: Trigun/Gundam Wing

Pairing: (2+4)(1x2)(Wolfwood/Vash)


In Praise of Vash
by Laguna


It was the large cross the man bore that drew Duo's attention.

The braided Gundam pilot made his way across the cafe, past the jukebox, which was playing "Good Lovin'". At the moment, Cavelieri and his band were playing a most resplendant instrumental bit which made Duo stop at the jukebox and take note of the song's name, all the while moving his body with the song's cheerful rhythms.

The song ended and Duo picked out one called "I Wanna Be Sedated" by a band called "The Ramones" before resuming his way over to the man with the large cross.

"Duo Yuy," he smiled, offering his hand.

"Nicholas D. Wolfwood," the dark haired man shook his hand. "Care to sit down?"

"Thanks," Duo sat across the table from Wolfwood. "So, what brings you to this place?"

"Trying to raise money," Wolfwood explained. "I've got a whole lot of orphans to look after. One in particular." he smiled wistfully.

Duo was so reminded of Father Maxwell that he had to ask "Are you a priest?"

Wolfwood nodded. "Yes, I am."

"And your orphanage? How is it doing?"

"We're always running short on money," Wolfwood shrugged. "I could get sixty billion double-dollars easily. But to do that I'd have to betray someone I feel very close to."

"That 'one in particular' you spoke of?" Duo waved to the waitress who was approaching the table he'd vacated. "Could you bring my meal over here? You don't mind?" he asked Wolfwood.

"Not at all," Wolfwood smiled. "Yes, it is the one orphan in particular I speak of. Most people believe that orphans stop needing help when they grow up. But its then that they need it most of all. Their pride sometimes leads them astray, or they become confused on the path they have taken. Then there's Vash." There was a smile of fatherly affection in his eyes that reminded Duo of the way Father Maxwell looked when he spoke to Sister Helen about Duo all those years ago.

"He's special to you," Duo smiled.

"Very," Wolfwood nodded. "Vash has an innocence about him that most people lose when they're half way through high-school. He's a good man, Duo. A man who would take a bullet for a complete stranger. I've seen him go out of his way to help people who were just trying to kill him. I've watched him cry at the graves of strangers."

"So, what makes him worth sixty billion double dollars?" Duo asked. "A man like that deserves sainthood."

"Saint Vash," Wolfwood liked the taste of the words. They felt right upon his tongue. "Perhaps," he told Duo. "For now, he is my responsibility. At least, that's what I think. I have to save him, Duo. I have to protect him from the people who want to hurt him."

"You love him?"

Wolfwood looked flummoxed. Here was something he hadn't considered. How did he feel about Vash? And why did he stay so close when Vash kept trying to push him away? He'd left others in exasperation for less provocation than the Humanoid Typhoon had offered.

"I never thought about it," he replied. "Maybe..."

"I know how you feel," Duo smiled. He handed a picture to Wolfwood. It was of Duo and a young man, both holding hands. The young man was blond haired with eyes so full of emotion they could cause angels to weep and bring devils to their knees in repentance. "He was my fiance'." he explained. "He died five years ago, in his sleep. A blood vessel burst in his brain. I forget what that's called. But he was dreaming, I guess, when it happened because he was smiling when we found him, so I suppose it was a good dream. Do you think people's dreams become their heaven if they die in the middle of having them?"

"Only God knows the answer to that question," Wolfwood shrugged. "And I'm sorry about your fiance'. What was his name?"

"Quatre Raberba Winner," Duo retrieved the picture and it was then that Wolfwood saw the wedding band on Duo's finger. Duo realized where Wolfwood was looking and smiled as a spandex-clad boy with dark hair strolled up and stood over him. "My husband, Heero Yuy. Heero, this is Nicholas D. Wolfwood."

"Duo," Heero began.

"So, let's see your boyfriend," Duo grinned at the wandering priest.

Nicholas pulled a folded up piece of paper from his pocket. He opened it and handed it to Duo.

"Wanted Dead or Alive... Vash the Stampede... $$60,000,000,000.00 reward for... VASH THE STAMPEDE?!" Duo instantly leaped over the table and grabbed Wolfwood's collar "Tell me more about him. I used to read all kinds of tales about all the stuff he did. He wiped out let's see how many towns was it...?"

"Zero," Wolfwood replied.

"No, it was at least five."

The waitress took the money Heero gave her for Duo's and Wolfwood's meals.

"Keep the change," he offered.

"They were destroyed by the people chasing Vash," Wolfwood explained. "He's innocent of all their accusations. Everything I told you about him is true. Vash the Stampede is the most wonderful man of our time."

"And you love him," Duo smiles. "Perhaps you should tell him." He stood up and took Heero's hand, as they prepared to leave.

"You're right," Wolfwood said, standing up. "You know, you'd make a good priest."

Duo watched him walk out the door. "Yeah, I thought so once, too."



(OWARI)