The air in the tensed atmosphere tasted much like salt from the large sea; unlimited beyond thoughts. You had no thinking in mind as you lie on the sanguine ground.

You didn't know whether you were climbing for death, or crawling for survival. Feeling almost close to apathetic, you let your thoughts go, shutting your eyes, letting the dim light absorb you. 

Imagination must have washed over your presence, as you heard strong voices commanding in the distance. The voice was gentle yet rough, almost like an angel from above the vaporized clouds. 

"One over here!" A pair of strong arms wrapped around you. 

"She's out," the voice spoke again as if he had quickly already examined you. "Bring her out! Hurry!" The air entered your lungs as you were lifted.

...

Your head pained as you forced your eyes opened, looking up at a dull ceiling. "She's awake!" A pure language filled the air, one which you couldn't understand. 

Men gathered and crowded near your bedside, as if it was Snow White playing all over again. The many men moved aside for a blond man to enter through from the center. His green military outfit was enough to shout his power. His right shoulder was slightly lifted, signifying that he had a gun on hold. 

The blond walked slowly toward the bed from the center front. "I'm Vash," he saw you made no move to answer him. "You're in Switzerland, my homeland." 

"S-Switzerland." You murmured. "S-Switzerland." You repeated. 

"Correct." 

"Vash." Your eyes contacted with his. 

"What about you?" The Swiss man felt less threatened with you around. know why he hadn't shoot you yet. The air just seemed less tensed with you around. Everything just seems... different. He didn't have the sudden urge to shoot you, like he does with almost all the planes that enter his green lawns. 

"I'm (Name)." 

"Why were you by the cave?" The Swiss man questioned. 

"I was on a mission to assassinate a spy, I failed. I will be hunt down by my boss now..."

"Don't worry," his henchmen exited the room on his single command. "I'll protect you." 

"Vash..." The honesty in your voice sparked his dull soul. "I'm grateful. Thank you." 

The door was knocked on as a voice spoke up. 

"Big Bruder? Are you here?" 

"Come in, Lili." The young girl walked in.

"Ah! Am I interrupting anything?" 

Vash stood up. "No, come here. Introduce yourself to (Name). We rescued her today in the cave." 

Lili came to your bedside. "Nice to meet you, I'm Lili." 

"Hi Lili. I'm (Name)." 

The Swiss man took the chance to exit the room, somewhat glad that he brought you back home. His sister seemed happy for a first, in a long long while. Perhaps its because of the girl's seemingly cheery yet dull aura but- It was something even Vash himself couldn't tell. 

A few weeks has gone on from your recovery, he had fulfilled his promise of protecting you. Vash has shot down any enemy planes that flew by, regardless of who it was. 

He didn't really care, and it was almost the first time he felt like he had shot the planes and people who crossed his lawns for a reason - that he was somewhat even happy. 

And that reason was exactly you. 

There was this particular feeling that he couldn't explain when you were around. Vash could not tell if it was empathy, or sympathy but he was quite sure he didn't feel any of the above said. Vash's heart ran quicker when he was around you - he just couldn't find the reason why. 

Perhaps when he find out, he'll find a chance to let you know what he thinks. Perhaps calling his sister to help would a good idea, but that sounds wildly bizarre. Perhaps Roderich would a nice choice to ask, but he only married Elizabeta before an that resulted in separation in the end. 

In the end, Vash only sent a letter to Francis's radio station. He tuned in every Saturday to make sure his letter was read in queue and answered respectively. 

"Big Brother is here to answer your questions~ Ohonhonhon~! This evening, we have a question from someone in Switzerland.

He asked: I urge to shoot down any planes that crosses my lawns, but I recently saved this girl in a cave and I don't feel like I have to shoot her. I feel like an overprotective boyfriend around here, and it's been forever since I shoot down planes for reason. And I don't know how to explain this feeling I have around her. Help...? 

- Anon (Switzerland)." 

Francis coughed. 

"Why does this sound like Vash." Francis laughed, wiping the thought away. 

"You must love her! There you go! Unexplainable feelings are always the first step out! Go confess before it's too late!"

Vash turned off the radio, running down to the living room - where all was quiet in his home. Looking at the clock, he realized he had set a curfew for sleep. 

This was when he cursed himself for being too strict. 

Vash waited until a few months later, you were still living in the residency of the Swiss.

"(Name)?" Lili called from afar. "I think big bruder likes you." 

"Huh!?" The knife moved, almost cutting your finger. 

"Watch out!" Vash called from the staircase. Vash almost ran to the kitchen as he took your hand in his, examining it. You backed up, almost frightened what Lili said was true, or worse - just a lie. "I'm sorry." 

"I-It's alright." Vash met your eyes as you looked away hurriedly. 

"(Name)?" Vash suddenly called. Your eyes adverted to his. "What if I said... Ich liebe dich?" 

"Do you really, Vash?"

"Ever since I saved you, (Name)." 

Vash again took your hand in his. "Ich liebe dich." 

You felt Vash's face moving closer to  yours, now just inches away. 

"I-Ich liebe dich auch, Vash." As you finish the sentence with his name, his lips clashed down to yours, capturing it accurately without fault - as if he had been waiting for this moment since forever. Truth be, he had been. 

He was not a man of much emotions, but when he showed them, it was stunningly performed - one by one. 

In the end, the two just parted away and exchanged a sweet, yet short smile.