Archive of Our Own ^beta

Vash wouldn't call what he’s been doing for the last quarter century running from his brother, more like an extended brake. What's 25 years to a set of twins that were past the 150 year mark anyways? Vash signed as he looked at the notification on his phone, year 151 was coming up in a few days and after missing last year's “big one” his older brother seemed… agitated would be too light a word. 

He loved his brother, truly but Nai’s brand of obsessiveness would get to most people rather quick, so after 125 years of being treated like a fragile doll, who could blame Vash for wanting to get away for a while. Honestly it was a miracle Vash got this much time to himself. When he slipped out from Nai after their 125th birthday he thought Nai would send an army after him. He had more than enough resources, being the world's only independent plants was an odd sort of celebrity; access to all the world's scientific communities and a good helping of access to military command too. 

Nai knew how to play nice, how to convince people to give him access and resources, and funding for all sorts of projects in the name of progress with the help of plants. Nai always took the lead, always insisting he was more than capable to handle the demands and expectations that were placed on both of them. After 50 or so years that seemed to stick in people's minds so Vash felt like more of an afterthought to everyone but Nai. 

Vash liked to think himself smarter than most people gave him credit for; he could see how all of Nai’s blustering was to ensure that no one spent too much time with him. All their lives Vash had felt Nai’s overbearing presence over him, Nai insisting he was just fulfilling his duty as the older brother to take care of Vash. Sure Vash, for being twins from a spontaneous birth, wasn't as tall or strong or had as many plant abilities as Nai but he was still an independent plant! Every facet of his life felt like it was in Nai’s control, where they lived, who they worked with, even what colours suited Vash best. So really, getting away for some time didn’t seem that unreasonable to Vash; even if it was done covertly and spontaneously.

Vash had come across a seemingly quiet city park, he had been on the move endlessly the past 25 years, knowing staying in one place for too long could mean being recognised. Nai had seemed to keep his flight quiet up until last year after their birthday, though really aside from asking him to come home there wasn’t too much he could do. 

Vash sat down on a park bench; he could barely even remember what city he was currently in let alone whatever the name of the park was. For as annoying as it had been before for Nai to take up everything upon himself, it did have the unintended consequence of meaning Vash wasn’t easily recognisable to the general population, but there was always the risk of slipping up and showing his inhuman nature. 

Pulling out his phone, Vash connected to the park’s Wi-Fi, he got a new phone every five years and so far it seemed like Nai wasn’t able to track him after the last two. He was getting tired running, though. Odd jobs and Fairweather friends ate at him, having to say goodbye as the years passed and he never changed. 

“Maybe I should check in…” Vash signed, seeing the park he was in was only a city over from their home. Could Nai have gotten the message after so long? Sure when he checked his old email there were over three thousand messages from Nai but they did stop about six months ago. 

Downloading a safe messaging app, Vash took a deep breath before typing and sending his first message to Nai in decades.

>Hey, it’s me…>

Vash had typed and deleted more from the message a good dozen times before just leaving it as it was.  It was past midday, who knew when Nai would even have time to check his phone, and for all Vash knew, it could have gone right to spam given the app generated a fake number. Vash watched as a few people jogged by, the park seemed lively enough, given it was summer vacation and the weather was pleasantly warm. 

Vash closed his eyes and slipped his phone back into his pocket as he leaned back on the bench, opting for a quick nap while waiting to see if Nai would get back to him.

A few hours must have passed when Vash was jolted awake by the vibration in his pocket. The sun was lower on its path but being summer it was still far from dipping past the horizon. The park seemed less busy as Vash looked around before fishing his phone out. 

<Vash? I tried calling, I want to be sure it’s actually you. Call me or I’ll assume this is a prank. <

Vash sighed, he really wasn’t ready to actually speak with Nai yet and he could probably have the call traced quick enough. Vash looked through the app store to see if there were any free mask calling apps but they seemed sketchy at best. Looking around the park, it was generic enough he thought, there were no visible buildings and it was mostly trees that were common to the country. 

Vash snapped a quick selfie, cropping it as tightly as he could to get as much of the background out as possible before texting it to Nai.

>proof enough? Can’t really call rn.>

Vash waited, sure that should have gotten a quick response from Nai but several minutes passed and he was starting to worry that Nai could somehow track him but a response eventually came.

<You haven’t been taking care of yourself, Vash. You look tired, have you been eating?” < 

Vash let out an annoyed sigh, of course Nai was going to baby him. Sure there were bags under his eyes but he didn’t look that bad! And he was always on the lanky side, Nai had to stop comparing them. 

>I’m fine, Nai! I wanted to extend the olive branch but if that’s how you’re going to be right from the get-go then I’m sorry for bothering.>

Vash shoved his phone back in his pocket and stood up from the bench. After almost 26 years he thought Nai would have understood why Vash left but clearly Nai was the same as always. His phone buzzed a few times but Vash ignored them for now, maybe it was a bit childish on his part but Vash also had his stubborn streak.

Getting up, Vash walked through the park, and looked around the paths. The park seemed empty of people; it was early evening but still it seemed odd to him that there were less people than there had been in the afternoon.  It hadn’t been that long from when Nai texted him back and they had that brief chat but paranoia still needled Vash’s mind. 

Vash made his way out of the park, the city streets at least had people so he didn’t feel as exposed and that helped to ebb his paranoia. Vash didn’t really have a destination in mind for now, he’d need to find somewhere to stay the night soon enough and then decide if he'd be staying in this city for long. But first What Vash really wanted to do was find somewhere to eat! His stomach gave a loud enough growl to cause the person that was crossing his path to look over at him. 

Vash gave a nervous laugh and waved them off as he walked along the street, willing to pop into the first place that looked good. For being right next to a park, there were surprisingly few restaurants close by; at least the kind that was in his budget. Part of his ‘not running away, just getting some space’ lifestyle meant he didn’t open any new bank accounts and was strictly cash and prepaid cards with under the table cash jobs. Not quite the lifestyle he was used to with Nai but he made it work. Finally two streets down he spotted a pizza by the slice place; the kind with a few seats along the window but was meant to be a grab and go deal. Pizza was always within his budget!

Vash looked through the windows as he got closer, it was mostly empty; one person behind the counter and one guy sitting in the window, a large slice of cheese pizza in front of him sat untouched. Vash walked in, a digital chime dinging with the door as it fell shut behind him and the worker looked up from their phone at him.

“Welcome, what can I get you?”

Vash looked at the rotating pizza stand on the counter, there was only one cheese pizza in it with a single slice missing, the rest of the racks sat empty. 

“I guess it’s just cheese pizza for now then?” Vash gave a small sigh as he asked, he wasn’t opposed to a plain pizza but he’d like at least one option with toppings.

“Sorry man, just getting ready for the dinner rush. If you’re ok waiting a bit, we’re about to put more pizzas in the oven. Let me know what you want one on, no extra charge.”

“Well then, I’ll get a slice of the cheese for now and if you could make one with pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers and sausage, I’ll get two slices of that.”

The worker nodded, ringing Vash up, adding a can of pop to the order “Can I get a name for that?”

Vash stiffened slightly before rubbing the back of his head and lighting slightly “is it ok without? I’m just gonna sit at the window to eat…”

The worker blinked at Vash before just shrugging as he slid the paper plate and a can of pop over to Vash. Vash gave a small slight as he pulled some napkins from the metal dispenser and turned to sit and eat. There were two window counters however only one side had stools, the other was marked as a waiting/pick up area for delivery apps. Vash sat his slice and drink down on the counter as far as he could from the other man, wanting to not be too awkward and scooted the stool over before sitting down. 

Vash started eating his slice of cheese pizza, glad to finally be getting something in him; he’d never admit it but Nai was right, it has been two days from the last time he stopped to have a proper meal. It was getting harder and harder to find cash jobs that covered both somewhere safe to sleep and food. He’d feel guilty about staying at shelters, not wanting to take a spot from someone who was actually unhoused while he was just a runaway. 

Before he knew it, Vash had already finished his slice and was just sitting waiting for the next pizza to come out of the oven; he hoped it wouldn’t be too long. Vash debited cracking open the can of pop while he waited, tapping on the top of it with a finger. He looked over at the other man sitting next to him. 

He had dark hair and tanned skin but wore a suit that looked too warm for summer, Vash figured he had to wear it for work but he noticed it seemed rather ruffled and in need of a good ironing. Vash also noticed he still hadn’t taken a bite of his own slice and by the looks of how the grease had settled, he was sitting with it for some time…

“Come here often?”

Vash jolted as the man turned his head to look back at him, crap he was caught staring!

“Ahh no, not really, I’m just passing through.” Vash turned his attention to the window they were sitting in front of, trying to not make eye contact. The street was surprisingly empty given the time of day.

“Humm. Visiting then?”

Normally Vash didn’t mind small talk with new people, he was always the friendly and outgoing type; one thing he actually really enjoyed during his time away was getting to meet new people. But there was something off about the man he was sitting next to, still Vash didn’t want to be rude or act too strange himself.

“Just passing though really, I’m the travelling sort, I’m not from around here…How about you?”

“Here for work, I actually live in the next city over, Julai, I’m heading back tonight too; just gotta finish up this job.” 

Vash watched as the man stood from his stool. He looked taller as he pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his breast pocket and took a step closer to Vash. 

Vash bolted from his own stool, he already had one hand on the door before his other arm was grabbed; he still tried to push on the door but it was locked.

“Oh no, sweetheart, big bro wants you home.”

Vash felt a shock of energy as the man pulled something out from his suit jacket and pressed it to Vash’s neck. Normally a nerve pinch or taser wouldn’t harm him as much as it would a human; but whatever the man had affected his plant nature, his markings lit up. Vash’s senses were fading as he heard the worker saying something over a phone, Vash would just make out a black SUV pulling up outside the pizzeria as his consciousness faded away. 

Vash groaned as his consciousness slowly returned, he felt stiff and sore but at least the bed(?) he was on was very plush, the sheets under him and the blanket over him felt nice. Vash finally managed to open his eyes, rubbing the rheum out and pushed himself up into a half sitting position. 

Looking around, it took a moment but eventually Vash recognized the room he was in, though it had changed slightly over the last 26 years. He was in his old room back at his and Nai’s manor, shit so he really had been caught then. Vash turned his attention from the room to himself, pulling the blanket off of him, he looked down to see that someone had changed his clothes. He was in a plant body suit, similar to the one he remembered Nai preferred to wear when they were home without anyone around; though where Nai’s was white, his was a dark grey, almost black. 

Vash couldn’t tell just how long he had been out for, he looked to the left side of the bed where he used to have a digital alarm clock. There was a bottle of water on the table instead, and suddenly Vash was stuck with just how thirsty he felt. Though his body felt slow to respond to his brain, he managed to pull himself closer to the edge of the bed and grab the bottle. He took the bottle in both hands, brain telling him it must have been a one litre bottle rather than a normal 500 ml but he drained it in record time. 

As his brain felt like it was finally catching up to the situation, a knocking on the door caught his attention and Vash turned to the right side of the bed where the door was. He didn’t say anything after the knocking stopped, though the first clear thought Vash had before he saw the knob turn was that the bed was really big.

The door swung open and sure enough, there was Nai, dressed all prim and proper, though he let his hair grow out slightly in their absence. It was neatly parted, framing his strong high cheeks and sharp jaw. Nai just stood there, looking Vash over with a sharp smile pulling his lips, he folded his arms over his chest, whole body filling out the open door frame.

“Welcome home, Vash. You weren’t easy to find.”

Vash gave an annoyed grunt as he slid back along the bed, pushing himself to sit up along the headboard. “Yeah, that was intentional, Nai. How did you even find me?” Vash pushed one of the large pillows out of the way, trying to keep some semblance of dignity; why did Nai swap his old queen bed with something so massive?

Nai signed and shook his head, though he didn’t come closer, remaining where he was “Though I commend your use of anonymous messaging apps, they do track the download and installation data. Once I knew where anyone who installed those apps today were, I had people stationed in the areas where you might go next. Though you did your best to remove anything from your pic that could tell me more precisely where you were, it was the same time zone by the light-”

“ALRIGHT! Alight! You used your super criminal minds skills, got it. Now what? Are you going to be chill and let me do my own thing or are you gonna try and put me under house arrest?”

Vash watched as Nai scowled at his words “Vash, you left without a word, no note, refused to answer my calls, texts and emails. For 26 years you kept me worried about you! Every time I tried to find you; you kept running away.”

Vash winced as Nai chewed him out, trying to think of how to respond but Nai kept going.

“You’ve been acting like some angry pre-teen running away from home, but that ends now. You’re not worrying me like that ever again…”

Nai finally unfolded his arms and walked forward, getting closer to the bed Bash was on. As he got closer and closer, something seemed off to Vash. Now at the side of the bed, Nai was towering over Vash, an intense look in his eyes. “And if you’re going to act like a bratty pre-teen, you may as well fit the part.”

Before Vash could react, Nai reached out to him, grabbing him and lifting him out of the bed by his armpits. Vash’s brain, though fully awake now, was struggling to process just what was happening. Nai turned around while still holding on to Vash, he was now fully off the bed and held up a good two feet off the floor, though he wasn’t even eye level with Nai.

“Nai… What's going on?! What happened to you?!”

Nai laughed, lifting Vash up to eye level before looking him up and down “nothing’s happened to me, aside from my worry over you and thinking about what to do once you were home.”

Vash squirmed in Nai’s grip, trying to shake free, he lifted his arms, pushing against Nai’s ample chest, legs swinging and trying to find purchase on Nai to help push him away. 

“Well now if you’re going to act like an angry kitten, let's have you fit that part now.” 

Nai’s plant markings came to life in his skin, a pulsing blue light that showed from his face, hands and under the clothes he was wearing. Vash stopped his struggling as he felt his own markings light up too, from his skin to the plant suite he was in. There was a strange sensation that overcame him, his whole body felt warm and like it was vibrating and then he felt Nai’s hands on him growing.

Except it wasn’t Nai who was growing, the whole room was. No, Vash realised he was shrinking and that it wasn’t an oversized bed he woke up in; Nai had somehow already shrunk him. Vash watched as his perspective shifted, Nai getting bigger and bigger, the floor getting further and further away from his dangling feet. The sensation finally stopped and their plant markings dimmed and faded away. Nai now had his hands fully wrapped around Vash’s chest. 

“There we go. That looks about right for how you were behaving.”

Vash was stunned into silence for a moment. He kept looking down at how far the floor seemed from him now; Nai was always a head taller than him, and Vash (normally) wasn’t that short so being held at Nai’s chest level felt like he was five stories up from the ground. 

“Nai… what did you do?”

Vash couldn’t help but grip onto the large hands that were holding him up now terrified of being let go. He looked up at Nai, eyes wide with fear and apprehension. 

“What I had to do to keep you safe. No more running, Vash, no more acting without thought, no more ignoring me.” Nai pulled Vash close to him, right up to his face where he nuzzled Vash against his right cheek. Nai pulled Vash away, carefully setting him down on the bed and knelt down before Vash.

“Now, I think it’s only fair that after leaving without a word and thinking about my feelings for 26 years, you have to take responsibility for your actions. You need to show me you can behave like an adult if you want me to see you as one.”

Vash wanted to get angry at Nai, this is exactly why he ran away in the first place! Nai’s overbearingness is what caused him to run but Vash knew saying anything of the sort would probably end badly for him in the moment. For now he was at Nai’s mercy and he was currently probably a foot and a quarter tall at best; Vash balled his hand and clenched his teeth as he nodded up at Nai. 

Nai beamed with a smile “good, now let's take small steps to mend our relationship” Nai held out his hand, palm up as an invitation for Vash. “Why don’t we go have a birthday dinner like old times? It’s a day late for our 151st birthday but considering we need to make up for 126 too now, a day isn’t too bad.”

Vash paused as he placed a tiny hand on Nai’s “wait… our birthday was yesterday? I was out for that long!?”

Nai gently picked Vash up, holding him in the crook of his right arm like one would a cat before standing and leading them out of Vash’s room. “Yes, little brother. Though I had time to work out the mechanics of plant manipulation, your body needed time to adjust to the initial process. The way your gate connects to the higher dimension meant you didn’t have the stored energy for a quick recovery.”

Vash listened as Nai prattled on, their home always seemed too big to Vash and now as Nai carried him to the dining hall, it felt five hundred times bigger. Unless Vash could figure out how to return himself to normal size, Nai really had prevented him from running away again. They had to go two floors down and the spiral staircases seemed daunting to Vash at this height. There were elevators too but he wouldn’t be able to reach the buttons. 

Before he had run away, when it came to their home, Nai often avoided having people over as much as possible. There were house staff; cleaners and such but they came on a schedule; not live in like Vash had read in Victorian era novels, even if their home was large enough. Nai also kept work related meetings to just his office on the main floor but as Nai took the long way down, they had passed a few people already.

The worst part was they all turned to Nai (and him) as they passed, greeting Nai and their eyes drifted to Vash who was held close to Nai’s large chest. 

“Good evening, Master Knives…”

Vash’s face burned with embarrassment as he finally turned to look up at Nai, rather than facing all these people he didn’t know seeing him like this. Of course Nai was smiling from ear to ear, every time someone called out and he nodded to them before pointedly looking down at Vash. At last they arrived at the dining hall, another new house staff member greeting Nai before pulling the door open. 

The room was just as Vash remembered it, though seemingly bigger given his current stature. A long heavy oak table with only two chairs set at the same side, the table is set with far too much food considering Nai doesn’t eat and Vash doesn’t feel like he currently has much of an appetite.

Still holding Vash in his arm, Nai sits down in his chair, scooting it closer to the table with his free hand. When Vash shifts as if he was trying to get from Nai’s arm to the table, Nai presses down on Vash slightly. 

“Tut tut, Vash; if it’s rude to put one's feet up on the table, it would be equally rude to stand or sit on it.”

Vash looked up at Nai, who was looking down on him with a grin that would put the cheshire cat to shame. Vash didn’t say anything, if Nai was trying to bait him into a response he’d have to try harder. 

Nai pulled a dish close to them, for as stubborn as Vash wanted to be in this mess of a situation; the food did smell really good and he found his appetite returning. Nai used his free hand to load up the empty plate before them with a braised beef, red skin garlic mashed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts; he added a spoon full of the au jus over the beef. 

“What would you like first, Vash?”

His mouth was already watering, if it really was the day after their birthday then that means all Vash had really eaten for almost a week was a single slice of pizza. Vash resigned himself to having to put up with Nai’s overbearingness ramped up to 11.

“The beef and mashed potatoes.”

Vash waited expectantly but a moment passed without Nai making a move, Vash looked up at Nai who gave him a pointed look.

“Aren’t you forgetting something, humm?”

Vash blinked before sighing internally, he had to remind himself he was at the mercy of Nai’s game.

“Please, big brother.”

And that still worked like a charm. Nai’s eyes lit up and his smile split wide, sharp canines visible and that sent a small shiver of fear down Vash’s spine. Nai loved the use of ‘big/little brother,’ Vash always wanted to roll his eyes; there was no way to truly know who was born first, Nai just insisted he was the older of them.

“Of course, my Vash.” 

This went on for a good ten minutes before Vash was starting to feel full. It was also awkward not only being fed by Nai but with how small he was, just eating from a regular fork was difficult. After finishing his last bite, Vash shook his head as Nai went to skewer another Brussel sprout, he had managed half of the plate where at normal size he could eat thirds and still have room for dessert. 

“I’m full… Thank you, Nai.”

“Humm, while I do suppose the amount you ate is adequate for your current size, we still have our birthday cake though, I do hope you saved some room.”

Nai snapped his fingers and a few staff members came in from the side door, clearing the table before one of them brought out a cake. It was thankfully not full of 151 candles on it; Vash remembered the cake disaster of their 100th birthday. Nai cut a small slice of the cake, holding it in front of Vash.

“Happy birthday, Vash.”

Vash had, perhaps foolishly, thought Nai might get bored of this whole treating him like a pet thing sooner or later. He had never shown interest in having a pet before, thought there wasn’t much that interested him outside of Vash… 

After that first meal together, Nai took Vash to his own room for the night; though Nai didn’t need to sleep, he did every so often but he slept every night for a week straight, with tiny Vash pulled tight to his chest. Vash thought he got more rest during his time on the run. 

The last thing Vash wanted to do in this situation was get used to it; he was still stubbornly determined to get away from Nai as soon as he was returned to normal size. The first time Nai insisted on washing Vash in a bathroom sink; Vash almost thought about trying to run away then and there, living as some cryptid or like a borrower in his own house. They eventually came to an ‘agreement’ where Vash could at least wash himself but Nai got to supervise. ‘Thank fuck I don’t need to shit at least’ Vash thought to himself, at least he had that part of being a plant down, even if he did eat. 

Nai got custom clothes made for Vash, he was beginning to feel more like Nai’s doll than a brother. Most of the clothes were normal but there were some… Vash didn’t mind wearing skirts or dresses, so long as they were comfortable but Nai had a few rather frilly things made for him. For his part, Nai began wearing dress shirts that had a large breast pocket so he could carry Vash around in that, freeing his arms while still keeping Vash close. 

After two weeks, during dinner one night, as Vash told Nai he was full, Nai set the fork down and pushed the chair back slightly but didn’t stand up. He gently lifted Vash up with both hands and turned Vash around to look at him.

“But Vash, surely you could eat a bit more? After all, you are a growing plant…”

Their plant markings lit up in tandem, Nai’s pulsing in a pattern that Vash’s soon mirrored. Vash felt that sensation of his skin getting warm and vibrating as he felt himself growing. The clothes he was wearing ripped and Nai carefully removed them as Vash more than doubled in size. Nai still held onto Vash with no issue, their markings fading away as Nai smiled, turning Vash back around to face the table but setting him on his lap. 

It was a strange feeling for Vash; though he was full a moment ago, he now felt as if he ate little. He looked around, adjusting to his shift in perspective; though he still wasn’t as tall as when he first woke up over two weeks ago, everything seemed so different. The table came up to his chest, even sitting in Nai’s lap so it was an adjustment but he’d savour getting to feed himself as much as he’d savour the rack of lamb. 

Nai still seemed to enjoy having him at this size too, as Vash finished eating, Nai scooted the chair back and helped Vash down off of his lap. Vash stumbles as he stands up; it’s been more than two weeks of basically being carried around everywhere. Thankfully even with all the size changes his body has been proportionately the same so everything still feels the same. Nai kneels down to help steady Vash, he feels like a new fawn but eventually Vash manages to stand up straight.

Nai’s large hands are still on his shoulders “are you alright, Vash?”

Vash holds back his comment of ‘I’ve been carried everywhere for over two weeks, what do you think?!’ and just nods. “Yes, Nai, just getting used to being back on my feet.”

Nai nods back to him, lifting his hands off of Vash and waiting a moment to ensure Vash won’t fall over before standing back up. “Hold my hand while we head back.”

Vash looks up at Nai who's truly towering over him. Vash swallows a gulp as he craned his neck to look up at Nai’s face. Vash feels his face grow hot and for a moment wonders if he’s going to change sizes again but it's just his cheeks that are burning. Though Vash is twice as tall as he had just been, he was basically attached to Nai the whole time, even when Nai set him down to wash up or change, he never stood right in front of Nai like he was now. 

Nai reached out his left arm and Vash had to reach up to hold onto it. Nai was damn near seven feet tall where Vash didn’t even crack six feet normally, as it was now, Vash’s head didn’t even clear Nai’s legs. Vash cursed the part of his brain that was reacting in a way to this whole situation. 

As they walked back up to the third floor, Nai looked down at Vash and a fond smile spread across his face. “You’ve been behaving very well these past two weeks, I’m proud of you, Vash.”

And damn if that part of Vash’s brain didn’t flair right back up. In trying to beat it back with a mental stick, Vash didn’t moderate his words as he spoke “well, I haven’t had much opportunity not to.” Great, now Vash was also mentally kicking his filter for not going off.

To Vash’s surprise, Nai laughed at that. His deep baritone laugh filled the hall that was thankfully empty. “Indeed, Vash, indeed. I can only be away from work for so long and I wouldn’t risk taking you with me so now it’s time to see if you can behave on your own a bit.”

“Really?” Vash stumbled slightly as Nai started walking again, after having paused to talk. 

“Yes, although you’ll still need assistance with some things, I think you’ve earned back a bit of my trust. I do hope you won’t break it. You’ll have free reign of the top two floors without me. Just don’t go down to the main floor without me; if there’s anything you need from there just call on your staff.”

‘Ahh, there it was’ Vash thought to himself. He’d still have eyes on him, even if they weren’t Nai’s twenty-four seven. “Do I get to sleep in my own room again?” Vash cautiously asked as they were getting closer to their bedrooms. 

Nai pauses, clearly thinking it over and Vash almost worries he’s already messed up his path to getting back to normal but then lets out a sign “If that’s what you’d like, baby brother.”

Nai almost sounds sad to Vash as they continue the last few feet to their rooms and damn if Vash almost, almost takes it back. Nai lets go of his hand and Vash looks over the door to his room. He has to reach up to turn the knob but he manages it. Vash turns to look up at Nai who has a pensive look on his face. Vash tries to remind himself he’s not back home willingly, that Nai dragged him but still, he was going to try and reach out before this all happened…

“You know, Nai… I don’t think I’d be able to reach the shower controls and I don’t know how safe it would be for me to use the tub on my own…”

Nai’s face lights up as he steps into Vash’s room “of course, Vash. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you under our roof.” Nai strode to Vash’s en suite and started running a bath, shutting off the water once it was half full and calling for Vash to wash up.

A full month had passed with Vash at the three foot mark. It was difficult at first but Vash eventually got the hang of it, he’d need a running start to get up on his bed but it was actually kinda nice to have it feel so big. Nai had more clothes made for him; Vash really wasn’t so frivolous as to want custom but considering he was basically a preschooler sized adult it was a necessity. There were still some rather frilly outfits that Vash avoided and dreaded when Nai was going to basically force him into. 

Getting around was still awkward, true enough to his word, Nai had guards around the levels of the manor Vash was allowed in. Vash spent most of his time either in his room or the library; he had looked around the music room but most of the instruments were too big for him. It was just past the cusp of autumn and Vash was starting to go a bit stir crazy; he’d grab a book and head out onto the third floor terrace but he didn’t read much. 

Vash pushed up against the metal railings and looked out over their back garden, the trees were bright yellows, oranges and reds most of the flowers had wilted off of the bushes leaving the green leaves to turn brown. Vash was suddenly struck with a longing to walk along the paths among the falling leaves. He was tired of being stuck inside, tired of being looked down on and needing to rely on others so much. 

Vash turned from the Terrace and began marching through the hallways to the elevator reaching up and stabbing at the down call button. As he waited for the elevator to come up, he heard footsteps approaching, Vash wanted to scream if someone was going to stop him.  The doors slid open as someone called out to him.

“Oi, oi, spiky, where do you think you’re going?”

Vash was punching the close doors button over and over, the doors sliding shut as the man, Wolfwood as he eventually introduced himself, was about two feet away. “Down” was all Vash said as the doors blissfully closed before it was too late and the elevator car began its descent. It was around one pm, Nai would still be in meetings but Vash still needed to avoid anyone else spotting him. The doors slid open and Vash moved to the side so he could look and check to see if the coast was clear. Vash quickly got out of the elevator, constantly looking side to side as he slowly crept his way towards the back door. 

It had been 26 years but Vash had lived with Nai in this manor for 35 years before that so as long as too much hadn’t changed, he should be able to make a clean exit. There was a four way intersection a few feet up the hallway, so long as he hadn’t moved it, Nai’s main office would be down the right hall from where Vash currently was. Vash was carefully listening for anyone that might be coming, all he could hear was Nai talking with someone down the hall. 

Carefully checking down the cross hall, Vash bolted to the other side as quickly as he could, he stopped on the other side and waited a moment to listen. With no sounds of anyone approaching, Vash continued to the end of the hall where there was a set of large glass sliding doors that led to the back gardens… And Vash could see two guards on the other side, thankfully looking away from the doors.

Vash quietly let out a curse, despite the size of their home, there were only the front and back doors. And while Vash was still feeling stubborn, he knew there was no getting out the front. Vash didn’t want to resign himself to being stuck just yet but he had to admit there weren’t many options for him right now. For now, Vash began to back track, he didn’t want to get caught when he didn’t even get to make it to his destination. 

When he was back to the cross hallways, Vash stopped to listen for Nai’s office again. He was still talking with whoever it was before but something caught his attention. That feeling when you can tell someone isn’t talking about you but they're almost talking around you. 

“...This really is a once in a century opportunity. I know to you that doesn’t mean as much to you as us humans but I really do implore you to reconsider.”

“Thank you, Legato but my answer is still no. There will be other scientific discoveries closer to home, I’m not leaving, now that I finally got my brother back. You can let Conrad know I’m willing to consult remotely but even under the best of circumstances that’s as close as I’d get to him regardless.” 

There was a bite to Nai’s voice on the last line that made Vash drew his attention as much as the first part. He didn’t want to risk getting closer but he did press in on the wall to at least have some cover should someone walk down the other hall.

“Very well, Master Knives. I take it then that you’re opposed to all invites that would take you from your home? 

Vash could picture Nai pinching the bridge of his nose as he let out a long sigh.

“Yes, Legato nothing has changed for the past 26 years, why would it change now?”

“Whell, I just thought with your wayward brother captured you’d be able to free yourself…”

Vash could hear Legato’s voice trail off and the sound of metal on metal. Vash didn’t see Nai use it often, not since they were teens to about their 30’s during their time under military observation. He heard the metallic chimes of his knives forming and moving about his office and a heavy chair rolling back. 

Vash was caught between wanting to run away and wanting to get a closer look “I have not ‘captured’ my brother.” Vash could hear the air quotations and he wanted to make a snarky comment but his filter was working properly today. “He’s been returned to me; his wellbeing and safety are my top priorities in life and don’t you forget it. Everything I do, everything I endure is for him! The only reason I didn’t take revenge on humanity before we got our freedom is because it would hurt Vash, he foolishly loves humanity so.”

Vash risked it, he carefully crept close enough to just see a bit of the office, he couldn’t fully see Nai but that should mean Nai couldn’t see him. He did see Nai’s bladed tendrils dancing about the room but nothing was destroyed so he clearly had more restraint than Vash gave him credit for.

Nai sat back down in his chair, tendrils retreating back into him and forming a bulky hooded cloak. “When he disappeared without a word, ran without looking back, I didn’t know what to do, what I had done to suddenly push him away. For 26 years I worried about him day and night and the moment I finally heard from him and voiced my concern, he ran again…”

The bitterness that had been eating away at Vash begins to ebb away, he’s still not happy about the last two months but it’s hard to stay fully angry at Nai. Vash is still frustrated that Nai doesn’t seem to realise it was his overbearingness that drove him away… but then Vash realises he’s never actually voiced that. 

“I don’t even know what I’m doing now… At first it was just about ensuring Vash couldn’t harm himself further but there's also a part of it… A bitter part that wanted to show him how he made me feel; powerless over a situation.”

‘Well fuck’ Vash mentally cursed the whole situation. He almost wished he had just headed back so he didn’t have to hear this; that he could stay mad at Nai and partly so he didn’t have to think about how he hurt Nai as much as Nai stifled him. Had they really hit 151 without talking about their feelings to one another…

“Master Knives…”

“Leave, Legato… Just leave me be.”

There was a moment where nothing was said that no sound could be heard but then “yes, master” followed by footsteps. Vash had nowhere to hide if Legato looked down the hall so he quickly ducked down, pressing as close to the wall as he could and just prayed to whoever would listen that he kept his head up.

Thankfully he walked quickly and didn’t look back or down so Vash let out a sigh of relief as he turned to see a tall lanky blue haired man turn the corner and walk away. Now Vash was left with two options; slip away and pretend he didn’t hear anything, wait to see what Nai did… Or step forward and actually talk to Nai. Vash contemplated a third option of flinging himself into the sun but that, sadly, wasn't feasible. Vash drew a breath in through his nose and exhaled before knocking on the open door frame.

“Legato I said leave!” 

Vash stepped in, Nai was looking up and didn’t see him over the desk. Vash wanted to scream that he was stuck like this for such an important conversation.

“Nai…”

Vash watched as Nai shot up from his chair and looked over his desk at him “Vash! What are you doing here?!”

Vash decided to just cut to the chase “I heard what you said, Nai… I’m fairly sure I heard everything. Can we talk, please?” 

Nai took a moment, his face going from emotion to emotion but he eventually schooled it into something neutral. He walked around his desk, lowering the other chair and offering Vash a hand up; Vash shook his head. “Lets go talk outside, in the garden; is that fountain still there?”

Nai pursed his lips, mouth a long thin line but he nodded, reaching out a hand that Vash took. The two walk down the hall, Nai opening the sliding glass door and dismissing the guards there as they walk along the cobblestone garden path. The air is still warm even with fall well on its way, there are some apple trees along the path; Vash remembers Nai using his blades to cut some loose, Vash catching them. 

As they get close, Vash can hear splashing water and as they enter the centre of the garden, Vash can see the fountain he remembers. It’s made of smooth white marble, a circular pool of crystal blue water and at the centre plateau was a statue. A feminine figure holding a large bouquet of flowers in her closed hands, vines arching over the bouquet blooming with petunias that water rained down from. It was the first thing Nai added to the manor when they bought it.

Vash pulled his hand from Nai’s and hoisted himself up to sit on the fountain's ledge, patting at the space next to him for Nai to sit. Nai sat next to Vash, dismissing his cloak, his human clothes were gone and he was just in his plant skin. Sitting next to each other like this didn’t feel so bad to Vash, at least he didn’t need to crane his neck all the way back to look at Nai.

“Nai… I’m sorry for running away and not saying anything. You’re right, I wasn’t thinking about how that would affect you… But you were the reason I ran.”

Vash watched as Nai stiffened, eyes going wide but Vash continued “It’s hard, having you for a brother. The way you would just take everything on, that you wouldn’t let me help or get involved in anything. I felt trapped in a life I didn’t have a choice in, and while you took everything on, you doted on me endlessly. It was too much, I felt less like a person and more like… I don’t really know, like some fragile doll in your eyes.”

Vash paused, gathering his thoughts. He was better at running from his feelings than dealing with them head on. He supposed it would be good to stop for a bit too, let Nai take in what he said and give Nai a chance to respond.

“Vash… I never meant to make you feel like that, I swear! I don’t know what it is, there’s just something in me that’s intrinsically drawn to you. You’re the most important person to me and I only wanted the best for you. Growing up… we had so little control until my gate opened and even then; the way the humans just wanted to use us.”

Nai’s voice went dangerously deep, Vash patted at his arm, trying to help him refocus on their present conversation. Nai let out a sigh and continued “I never wanted to feel like that again. I wanted to build a paradise for us, a home for you and me so you’d always feel safe. I… I’m sorry too, Vash, I was too blinded to see I was pushing you away.”

Vash slipped his right hand into Nai’s left, Nai’s hand engulfing it with ease. “I guess we both have a lot to be sorry for. I never meant to hurt you either when I ran, I was being stubborn, more so than I ever needed to be and that just kept me going. I guess I was self sabotaging by trying so hard to stay off the grid; it was hard, I won’t lie, and I really don’t want to do that again.”

“The same could be said of me; I was so focused on what I could do to keep you safe that I didn’t see how I was smothering you. Please forgive me, Vash.” Nai gently squeezed his hand and Vash moved to hug Nai. 

The two held their embrace for what felt like hours but eventually Nai edged Vash off. Vash scooted back and Nai stood first, Vash hopped down from the fountain ledge and stood before Nai; that one part of his brain doing something again and he looked up and up at his big brother. Vash thought it was just his cheeks burning again but even with the bright afternoon sun, Vash saw Nai’s plant markings light up, his own following suit. Vash stripped to his plant skin as he felt the vibration of energy as he began growing again; as Vash was almost back to his full height, he held up a hand and Nai stopped. 

“What is it, Vash?” 

Their markings were still glowing but the sensation that accompanied his change in height had stopped. Vash leaned into Nai, his face level with Nai’s chest and he rested his head in Nai’s pecs, looking up to Nai.

“I can live with this, it’s only a few inches off but it’s worth the view.”

Nai blinked a few times but then let out a boisterous laugh, their markings fading away and Nai wrapped his arms around Vash for another long hug. “If you change your mind, please, let me know.”

Vash just hummed before smirking into Nai’s chest “Actually… I think you awakened something in me. We need to talk first but… maybe I won’t mind being small with you every now and then.”

Nai pulled Vash away as if Vash was burning him, eyes gone wide as he looked down at Vash, mouth moving, trying to form words that died in sputtering half formed sentences. Now it was Vash’s turn to laugh “What cat… or rather, an angry kitten got your tongue?”

Vash got back into Nai’s space, standing on tiptoes to kiss him.