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Nai poured some bath salts into the tub. Even with increased access to water, the twins still treated baths as a rare luxury so as not to overburden their sisters. Vash needed a proper bath to soak his aching body instead of the quick showers they normally took. Nai tested the water. Perhaps a little too warm, but perfect for sore muscles. “Vash?” He called. “Your bath is ready.”
Vash’s fever-flushed face appeared in the doorway. He wore a tank top, shorts, and had a blanket clasped around his shoulders. “I’m ready. A bath sounds wonderful.” He hung the blanket off the towel rack. “Can you help me? I left my prosthetic on the bedside table.”
“Of course.” Nai smoothed Vash’s dark hair out of his face. His eyes were glassy with fever while his skin was still too warm. Who had dared to infect his precious twin with their vile germs? Humans were so disgusting. Except they were human now. No longer immortal Plants, they were as susceptible to disease and injury as the other inhabitants of this dustball. “Still running between hot and cold?” He asked when Vash shivered.
“Yeah. I’ll feel better once I’m in the water.”
Nai felt Vash’s forehead. “You’re still too warm.” He removed his sweat-soaked clothing. They’d learned (and were still learning) to adapt to each other after decades of discord. Vash was more than capable of drawing his own bath and undressing himself, but the twins were trying to do better about showing vulnerability. About letting the other help. “Let’s get you in the bath.” Nai guided Vash over to the tub.
“Wolfwood and Livio should be back with medicine tonight.” Vash braced his single hand on Nai’s shoulder as he stepped into the tub. He sank into the hot water with a moan of pleasure. “Oh that feels amazing. Thank you, Nai. And thank you, sisters!”
“You’re welcome.” Nai hesitated a moment. “Do you want me to join you?”
Vash scooted forward in a clear invitation. Nai stripped off his own clothes. Even a year into wearing them, it still felt strange to dress in human garments instead of covering himself with his Gate. He climbed into the tub behind his brother. “Are your muscles still sore?”
“Feels like I wrestled you for hours,” Vash grumbled. “After being dropped off a building and run over by a sandworm.”
Nai snorted. “How descriptive.” He guided Vash back to wet his hair then slowly massaged shampoo into it. Vash’s happy sighs of contentment made him smile. If only they’d had this peace sooner instead of constantly fighting each other. Each twin had been convinced in their own belief that he was right and his brother the misguided one in need of persuading. Correcting. “We’ve wasted so much time,” he said softly.
Vash reached up to take one of his hands. “We have. We’re making use of the time we have now though.”
Nai kissed his flushed cheek. “We are.” Getting to this point had also been a process. They were finally at peace with each other though.
Nai took his time washing Vash’s shoulder-length hair. If Vash were one of the cats that visited their orchard, he’d be purring right now. Next he began to gently clean his body. Nai’s heart ached at the sight of the many scars marring his brother’s skin. Some, like the ones on Vash’s back, were his fault. Others were from humans who’d never understood that Vash wasn’t a devil, that he only wished to help. He bit his lip as he touched one of the newer scars on Vash’s back. These were from his failed attempt to use Vash to breed a new generation of Independents. Thinking about how he’d violated his brother to get his way made him sick. For all that he hated the humans who’d hurt Vash and their sisters over the years, Nai knew he was no better. He’d caused Vash plenty of physical and emotional damage. The emotional wounds couldn’t scar, but if they did he knew Vash would be covered in them.
Nai kissed the top two scars from piercing Vash with his blades. “I wish I could’ve healed your body along with bringing life to NoMansLand.”
Vash shrugged. “It’s fine. Each scar is a memory.”
“A horrible one,” Nai sighed. Why had Vash never used his abilities to heal himself? This much scar tissue couldn’t be comfortable! Same with having a metal grate over his heart. Did Vash want painful scars and memories? This was one decision he’d never understand. So instead of trying, he kissed the scars again. “I’m so sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you, Vash. I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
Vash leaned back against Nai’s chest. He gave him a soft smile and reached up to catch one of his trailing curls. “I have my brother back. That’s all I need, Nai. I don’t need constant repenting and apologies. Do you want me to wash your hair too? It’s so long!” He playfully tugged the curl.
Another apology hovered at the tip of his tongue, but Nai held it back. Vash clearly wasn’t in the mood to dwell on the past. “Please. And it is, but I like our longer hair.” He especially liked how his own fell around them like a curtain when he had Vash beneath him. He loved having Vash’s fingers tangled in his hair. It could be tedious to wash and comb though.
“Okay! Switch places with me.”
Nai stood. Water sluiced off his skin as they repositioned so that Nai now sat before Vash in the tub. He leaned back to soak his hair. Vash washed Nai’s waist length hair with the same care and patience that Nai had given his.
“Should’ve worn my prosthetic,” Vash mumbled as he massaged Nai’s scalp with his flesh hand.
Nai’s eyes closed in contentment. “It’s fine. This feels nice.”
Vash washed his body clean once he finished with his hair. Once he was done, it was Nai’s turn to lean back against his chest. “Don’t fall asleep in the bath, okay?” he told his brother. Perhaps he should move so he could keep an eye on him.
“I won’t.” Vash wrapped his arm around him. “I just want to relax some more. The water feels amazing!”
“So does the company,” Nai murmured. He rested a hand over Vash’s. “We’ve learned so much this past year. Swimming, how to manage a farm, you staying in one place. Being close like we were back on the ship.”
“We’ve definitely gotten closer,” Vash giggled. “We were never this close when we were young.”
Nai rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I meant.”
Vash kissed his cheek. “I know.”
They’d grown from infancy to childhood aboard the Project Seeds ship with Rem. Sexual relations hadn’t crossed either twin’s mind until much later in life. Nai had always regarded human intercourse as something disgusting and vulgar. Totally beneath him. Only with Vash did the concept appeal to him. Humans had an assortment of labels to describe their physical and emotional attractions. Or lack thereof. It’d never mattered to him until becoming a human himself. If he only wanted his twin, did that make him a Vashsexual?
“Nai?” Vash squeezed his hand. “Are you okay?”
Nai cuddled against him. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about how you’re the only person I ever wanted to be with. I was too young to realize it on the ship or when we met again as teens.” Those were more painful memories he didn’t want to deal with right now. “Vash?”
“Hm?
Nai clasped his hands. “Thank you. You brought Nai back after I’d long ago rejected humanity. There is no one else I’d rather spend this journey of human life with.”
Vash hugged him closer. “I’m so glad you feel like Nai again. I’m glad we get to go on this adventure together.”
Nai turned his head to press soft kisses to Vash’s skin. A year ago, this entire scenario would’ve been impossible to fathom. Nai might’ve stabbed anyone who suggested it. Yet here they were now: happy and thriving. Together. It was what he’d always wanted. If only he hadn’t put Vash through so much pain to get here.