Pride Day 1🌈: Vax'ildan Vessar x male!reader
Summary: After a duo adventure, you take care of Vax's wounds which eventually leads to a few realizations about your feelings for your friend
The flickering light from the campfire casts shadows across the forest clearing, illuminating the weary face of your friend. He winces as you tend to the deep gash on his arm.
The battle hadn't been the nicest and both of you are exhausted by now, deeply regretting having told the others that you could totally handle it on your own.
"Hold still, Vax," you murmur, dipping a cloth into a bowl of clean water. "I need to clean this properly."
Vax chuckles softly. "I've had worse, you know. This is nothing."
You give him a stern look "I know. But that doesn't mean you get to ignore it. Let me take care of you."
He sighs, the tension in his shoulders easing a little as he allows himself to relax. "Alright, alright. You win."
You look up at his face for a moment. "Say that again."
He chuckles, shaking his head. "No chance."
As you work, the silence between you is comfortable, filled with the sounds of the night: The crackle of the fire, the distant call of an owl, the rustle of leaves in the breeze.
You focus on the task at hand, but your thoughts are starting to drift.
"Do you ever think about the past?" you ask quietly, your voice barely above a whisper.
Vax looks at you, his eyes reflecting the firelight. "From time to time" he admits. "Why?"
You shrug, not meeting his gaze. "Just... thinking about life was before we met each other."
There was a pause, Vax being quiet for a little. "What? Already grown tired of me?" he asks in an amused tone but there's something else in his expression too.
You slowly finish cleaning the wound and reach for the bandages, your fingers brushing against his skin.
He shivers slightly at the touch, and you feel a strange flutter in your chest.
You aren't sure how to answer his question.
You have known Vax for a long time, fought beside him, shared stories and secrets. But lately, something has shifted between you. An unspoken tension, a feeling that neither of you had dared to voice.
"Of course not…sometimes I just wonder if it's worth it," you continue, your voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Just after all this time…i feel like we're loosing out on so much."
Vax is silent for a moment, then he reaches out, his hand covering yours. "We're fighting for each other. For the people we care about. For a future where we don't have to lose anyone else. And…well possibly also the money."
You chuckle quietly but still don't quite feel like you're finding the right words for what you want to tell him.
You look up, meeting his gaze.
There is something in his eyes, something that makes your heart race. You have always admired him, always respected him.
But right now? In this quiet moment, you realize that your feelings run deeper than that.
"Vax, I..." you begin, but the words get caught in your throat.
He smiles softly, his hand reaching out to yours. "Me too."
You stare at him, surprise and relief flooding through you. You haven't even gotten the chance to finish your sentence "You do?"
He shrugs lightly. "Look, you're not exactly the most subtle person."
You feel your face heating up, hiding your face in your hands. "Shut up."
He chuckles quietly, carefully reaching out to grab your wrist, pulling it away from your face. Then, slowly, hesitantly, he leans forward.
You meet him halfway, your lips brushing against his in a tentative kiss. It's gentle, almost fragile, but it holds a promise, a hope for something more.
When you finally pull away, Vax rests his forehead against yours, his breath mingling with yours.
"We'll figure this out together," he whispers.
You smile, your heart feeling full. "Yes, we will."
For a moment the two of you are quiet, taking in the presence of the other without the fear of being judged in any way.
"...just so you know, you'll have to tell Vex." he mutters after a while.
Your eyes widen at the mention of your best friend and for a moment you try to think of any way in which that talk is not going to be extremely awkward.