The sounds of small footfalls had been following you for the past four months. No matter where you were headed, the small, adoring plush followed after you. His small boots pattering against the sand that stretched on for miles as the two of you trekked through the dry heat. Had you not found a town nearby, you would’ve collapsed out of exhaustion. Cars were far too pricey, and having someone drive you was even more expensive. Your wallet just couldn’t handle buying a car. Hell, you could barely scrape by for hotels.

The cute, squeaky sound of the sentient plush following you wasn’t unnoticed. “Va!” The high pitched, squeaky tone had began to agitate you. It wasn’t like you were oblivious to what the plush wanted. The sentient toy desperate for a kiss. You still remember vividly how the two of you had first met. He immediately tried to lean in for a kiss! Well, a face plant into your lips is what he had tried. “Va! Vashu!” Halting in your tracks, you turned to look at the plush as he jumped up, his arms poking out from his coat.

“Seriously?” You deadpan, earning a nod and another call of his own name. Was it worth it? Would kissing the stupid, albeit cute plushie make him quiet down? The thought of silence that lasted longer than five minutes felt like heaven. Even ten minutes of silence occasionally broken by a damned ‘Va!’ would be fine by you at this point. As you bent over to let the plush climb into your hand, you brought him close to your face. Was this worth an extra five minutes of silence?

Yes, yes it is.

As your lips pressed the plush’s forehead, a happy hum escaped the sentient toy. It sounded oddly deeper though. As you pulled away, you were met with the sight of blue eyes practically drowning you in the color. His spiky blonde hair swept over his forehead, and he wore circular orange sunglasses. Where your hand once held the plushie, Vash’s hand had occupied the space where the plushie once had. His eyes glittered as he stared at you. “There we go,” Vash breathed out.