So raise a glass to turnings of the season
And watch it as it arcs towards the sun
And you must bear your neighbor's burden within reason
And your labors will be borne when all is done

And nobody, nobody knows
Let the yoke fall from our shoulders
Don't carry it all don't carry it all
We are all our hands in holders
Beneath this bold and brilliant sun

And this I swear to all

Don't Carry It All

Meryl puts her cup of coffee down, seeming relived that Milly went of. Yeah- now she's going to ask the serious questions. Not good. I try to stuff as much doughnut in my mouth as fast as I can. You know, to stall the conversation!
"Vash! Stop stalling! Look- I need to ask-"
"Dnth wowy, Mewy-"
"...uh, maybe we can talk after you're done chewing."

Okay, I just bought myself fifteen seconds! Think, Vash!
"Thanks, Meryl. But, you don't have to worry. I'll be keeping them very very far away. So there's no need for the townsfolk or Bernardelli to worry about-"
"You're keeping them? You're keeping them both with you? I... know you have to do this for your brother, but Bluesummers? Are you even sure he's not just a corpse? It's not healthy for you to live like that Vash!"
"I know they're both alive, Meryl. Not awake... but alive. Knives'll be up soon, and Legato- he's still breathing. I can't just leave him to-"
"That's what you should do. I mean- maybe not now, but you can't just hold onto a corpse forever... Please, Vash, you'll just get hurt again."
"Meryl, I did this to him. I have to watch over him; I wanted a better path back then, one that wouldn't make me a killer. And I got it. I'm grateful for that, so I'll follow it. Don't worry Meryl, it's no burden. Not compared to the weight I'd have to live under if that bullet had done its... job."

There's a silence as Meryl picks up her coffee cup. It shakes a bit in as she sets it back down.
"I see. Are you sure, Vash? That your safe with both of them? I mean you sent me and Milly away because they're dangerous. But you're still there yourself, Vash. Alone with them. What if they both wake up? Then what happens to you? You have to stop thinking of yourself last! Just, just- if you won't leave them, then let me help you! At least that way if something happens, then I can-"
"If something happened, it would probably be them trying to hurt you. Knives can't stand my being closer to a human than to him. And Legato would use you for leverage without a second thought. I miss you, you and Milly both are almost all I've left. Which is why I need to stay far away, so you're safe. But, I have to at least try and save them. I mean, your ticket to the futures always blank, right? I just can't let anyone else risk their life in this."

"Vash... you won't change. Are you sure you're safe?"
"Legato never wanted me dead, and neither did Knives, really. I'm the only person whose safe with them."
It's amazing how Meryl can keep so calm,strong with what she says next:
"You shouldn't have to suffer for them, after everything they took from us, from everyone. Not after- after they-
Just promise you'll visit us here in the village. I don't want to lose you to those monsters."
"I will Meryl, whenever I can. I promise."

So... the prologue for a story in a what I take is fairly dead fandom.
But, the little thoughts for this plot just won't let me be.
The focus of the story will soon shift to Knives/ Legato/ Vash. (Hopefully with each taking a shot at narrating)
I haven't seen Trigun in years. And, I just stated re-watching,so hopefully everyone's not too out of character.

Lyrics are from The Decemberists' "Don't Carry It All", go listen to it on the tmblr link at my profile.