Enpril had the quiet that came with a quiet town that was sure of itself and its future. The quiet murmur of people going about their business with a purpose was in every street and alleyway.
We had been traveling for a long time, so the first order of business was getting a room. I wandered off to look over the flyers for local order-in places, and when I got back Vash had already signed and paid for a room for the two of us.
I asked him about it as we were unpacking onto our respective single beds. "It's cheaper." He had said, "And safer."
We got to bed just as noon hit, but our sleep was equally fitful. After a few hours sleep between us, we decided to go out drinking, if for no other reason, than to stop thinking.
The booze tasted horrible, but it worked quickly. By the time we were back to the room, I had learned my first real drinking song. Something about I'm tired and I want to go to bed, had a couple bottles of something or another and it went right to my head. I was practicing loudly, with Vash instructing me between giggles when someone from the front desk came up and told us to shut up or take it elsewhere.
I hit the shower, and when I got out, he had changed into a pair of pajamas that I had never seen before. Worn at the elbows and ready to fall off a shoulder. It was adorable, and I was very proud that I managed to keep my mouth shut.
"You look like hell Nick." He said.
"Thanks."
"You should go to sleep."
"Give me a minute or so." I protested, "I'll be gone soon enough."
His hands slipped over my shoulders like a hug. I stiffed, and then relaxed as he began to rub my back and shoulders. Tension drained out of me. It was incredible.
The smell of his skin was sweet and mild, with a vein of metal and gunpowder. I wanted to touch him. Every inch of him. And I couldn't. I tried to blame his shirt.
He was saying goodbye. I could tell. He wanted me to go to sleep first so he could leave quietly.
He would be gone in the morning, to places unknown. And I didn't have the energy to resist or even cry.
"Vash…" I murmured. All I wanted to do was be with him in the time I had left and even that he was making difficult.
"Go to sleep Nick," he chided.
I didn't have any other options, so I did.