The Train
Tribute to the amazing Trigun Twin-Swap AU Fic "The Walls of Jericho" by a writer who has been my muse for the entire summer, @tragic-unpaired-electron. Spoilers for the fic in the excerpt this is illustrating:
Sometimes, Nai would see Vash on the train. They’d never spoken. When Nai awoke, Vash would be asleep on the seat across from him, head tucked into his shoulder. Those were the worst dreams; Nai would sit frozen, watching his twin. Part of him wanted to take Vash by the shoulder and wake him up, and part of him was terrified of the thought. Why is he always asleep? He’d asked Asherah one day. You can’t connect yet, like you connect with us. Your minds and hearts are still too far apart, she said, sighing. Maybe someday, as his own mind heals. Give him time. Is he awake on the train when I’m asleep? Can he see me? Nai had asked. He’d gotten his answer, one night, when he’d woken on the train to find a single red geranium pressed into his open palm. Like an apology–or maybe that was just what Nai wanted it to be. -Chapter 23
I started this literally the next day after the fic concluded. The scene was just haunting. There was so much yearning, but also hope. I loved that the brothers didn't reconcile because my god, Evil Vash was an actual lost cause. But then again, this scene was a promise. A promise that hurt like hell. I tried to convey that in Nai's complicated expression that I manipulated a million times. I was listening to the waltzing cries of "Asking For Too Much" at first to capture the wishful despair, but then it got more hopeful as I drifted to "i got so much to tell you".
It was a journey emotionally as much as it was artistically. You guys know I don't really do backgrounds, I don't do continuity, I don't make the characters interact with static objects or hold strong postures. But dammit I tried. I pushed myself. It's not perfect but I think I was able to bring my imagination of this scene to life and it's a relief to do so. I'm so proud of this!
While working on this, the author finished their other trigun au fic and I'm just struck by how amazing it is that we can all reach each other through the screen in such beautiful ways. Every single story they posted was just so special. Seriously, this Nai is just an incredible character and he grows. I can't recommend this fic series and this author's works enough.
Thank you.
