A/N: Gah! Soooooo sorry it took so long!! But ta-da, another chappie for you! Hope you all likey!! :D Näkemiin!!
Chapter 4 - Could This Be Real?
"I think we should celebrate."
Both Vash and Meryl turned to stare at Millie.
"Really?" Vash said unsurely. "It's not that big of a deal..."
"Why, yes it is, Mr. Vash! It's your first job! We should celebrate it."
Vash smiled and raised a hand to rub the back of his neck nervously. "Well..."
"How about we go to that fair for the well that's coming up?"
Both Vash and Millie turned in surprise toward Meryl.
"Why, that's a great idea, Sempai!"
Vash simply nodded, still in shock Meryl had actually suggested they go to a fair. "Okay."
Meryl gave them a small smile. 'Does she actually look a bit shy?' Vash thought vaguely. But the emotion vanished and Meryl turned towards the kitchen, calling over her shoulder dinner would be ready soon.
"Hooray, a fair!" Millie trilled brightly, clapping her hands together in her enthusiasm. Jack chuckled by her side, lacing his arm through hers. Millie, much to the satisfaction of Vash and Meryl, had finally accepted a date. Jack Aubrey was a fine man with soft features and a kind heart. He understood Millie's loss and that she had to take it slow, so he was always patient and open to her in turn.
Much to Vash and Meryl's dismay, however, she had chosen this day to have their date.
"Bye Sempai! Bye Mr. Vash! Have fun!" she called as they parted ways, heading toward the game booths.
"Bye." The remaining pair waved somewhat listlessly. Vash and Meryl glanced at each other uncertainly.
"Well, um... what are we gonna do now?" Vash asked nervously, reaching up a hand in the habitual motion to rub the back of his neck.
Meryl shrugged. "I don't know... I haven't been to a fair in ages."
Vash nodded. "Me either." He smiled. "I guess we could just walk around for a while."
Meryl gave a small nod and started off in one direction, with Vash falling in step beside her. They walked a while in silence before Meryl paused.
"What is it?" Vash asked, following her gaze.
"It's... cotton candy." she said somewhat shyly. "I haven't had cotton candy... since I was a kid."
Vash smiled as he saw her cheeks flush slightly, and gently took her hand.
"Cotton candy it is, then!" he chirped happily as he pulled her over to the vendor, purchasing two. He handed Meryl the violet one, and kept the blue one for himself. They walked onward, nibbling at the sugar-spun clouds delicately. They were walking for several minutes before Vash realized he had not let go of Meryl's hand.
Looking down, he froze in shock. Meryl, as well, stared in wonder at their intertwined fingers. Suddenly the spell broke and they both pulled away, and the atmosphere abruptly turned awkward.
"Um... sorry, Meryl, I'd forgotten..." Vash stuttered, eyeing her fists cautiously.
"It's alright, Vash." she said hurriedly, trying to calm the color in her cheeks. "Let's keep walking."
Vash quickly agreed and they strode on, stopping at occasional stands and game booths. Meryl convinced Vash to go for a thomas ride, which ended with Vash landing face-first on the ground. And, in return, Vash convinced Meryl to ride the small roller coaster on the grounds. Though it was very small, Meryl clung to the metal bar before her as if it was her buffer between life and death. Vash couldn't suppress a snicker as they exited the ride, and Meryl made sure to aim a good thwack at his head.
"Yeowch! That wasn't nice." he complained, rubbing his sore head.
"I should never have agreed to go on that thing!" she shot back, giving him a half-hearted glare.
He smiled down at her, but then glanced up at the sky.
"Hey Meryl, it's getting dark. Want to go watch the fireworks?"
She thought for a moment. "Sure. Where are they going to be?"
Vash smiled at her and motioned her to follow him. He led her out of the fairgrounds and up a top the nearby cliffs, seating them both down on a large, flat plain on the rock.
"Vash, are you sure we'll be alright up here?"
He nodded brightly. "It's the best place to watch the fireworks."
He sat down, and she followed suit, stretching out her legs before her while leaning back on her hands. Soon, the fireworks started, lighting up the sky in random, beautiful, spasmodic bursts. She watched in awe at the brilliant flashes of color and light, but shivered. It was cold up on the cliffs, and Meryl had forgotten her jacket.
A sudden warmth engulfed her shoulders and she looked up in surprise. Vash had laid his warm jacket over her shoulders. She smiled slightly and looked over to Vash, who caught her eye and gave her a blithe smile. She turned away and grinned as the sky fell black for an instant. Suddenly she felt something else. She glanced down. Vash's hand had moved over hers, pressing against her pinky ever so softly. She was glad it was dark, as her cheeks flushed a slight, delicate pink. She glanced up at Vash, who still stared at the fireworks diligently. As if suddenly feeling her gaze, he turned to her, then to his hand touching her. But then he moved his hand, looking a but embarrassed.
"S-sorry, Meryl." He stuttered. His heartbeat quickened. Had he just touched Meryl's hand? And she let him? What was that feeling that had just come over him? He stole a glance up into her heather eyes. His heart fluttered strangely as he stared up into the sparkling, violet depths, and he looked away uncomfortably. What was this... feeling? It was different. Like nothing he'd ever felt before.
They sat in awkward silence for a moment before Meryl moved her hand over his, intertwining their fingers. Vash looked down and stared in wonder. How could something such as this feel so... right? He looked up into Meryl's face, and froze. It was if he had never really looked at her before: her short, silky raven hair, her elfish nose, her petite rosy lips, those sparkling heather eyes. It was as if she had been wearing a mask, and all of a sudden it had been ripped away. His heart gave an ecstatic leap as realization dawned on him... Meryl was much more than a friend. So much more.
"Meryl," he whispered, staring at her intently. She smiled.
"Vash," she said softly. The color in her cheeks rose ever so slightly, and Vash realized this was the first time she had ever truly opened up to him. But, as he thought about it, he realized all the times she had dropped hints, letting her actions speak for what she could not bring herself to say.
'Was this real?' Vash thought, holding his breath. 'Could Meryl really be...?'
All hope of thought shattered as she reached out a delicate hand towards him and caressed his cheek, running her slight fingers over the smooth flesh. Vash closed his eyes and leaned his head gently into her touch. He felt her lean closer as well; he could feel her breath soft on his face, sweet and dainty. Her fingers danced lightly across his jawbone, sending a pleasurable shiver up his spine. Their closeness and her fingers on his face made it hard to breathe right, let alone think straight. But one thought seemed to burst into his head.
'This is wrong.'
He froze, holding his breath.
'You'll only hurt her. This is wrong.'
"No," Vash whispered, pulling away.
Meryl's hands held suspended in the air for a small, disappointed moment. "Vash—"
"No, Meryl, I... I can't... I can't..."
"Vash."
He shook his head and rose quickly, careful to avoid her gaze. He offered her his hand.
"Com'on. The fireworks have stopped. We should be getting back to town."
She hesitated for a moment before she took his outstretched hand with a heavy heart. Together they trekked mutely back to the darkened fairgrounds, then to their home. They parted at the stairs; Vash to his room and Meryl to hers. Shutting the door quietly, Meryl sat down heavily on her bed, cradling her head in her hands. Suddenly she realized she still wore Vash's jacket over her shoulders. Removing it, she paused, staring down at it in wonder. Gathering it up in her arms, she hugged it close, breathing in the lingering scent of gunpowder, hair gel, sand. It smelled like him. She loved it. Oh, how she loved it.
She sighed deeply, then gently folded the jacket and hung it over a nearby chair.
"Hup. Hup. Hup. Hup..."
The early morning silence was broken by the soft, echoing noise. It was almost inaudible, so quiet Meryl wondered if it was what has awakened her. But, nonetheless, she was curious to who was making it... and why.
"Hup. Hup. Hup. Hup..."
Slipping out of bed, she padded silently down the hall towards the noise. She stopped in front of Vash's bedroom, pressing her ear up against the wood.
"Hup. Hup. Hup. Hup..."
Reaching out a tentative hand, she touched the doorknob. She shivered as she gripped the cold metal, but continued. She turned the knob slowly, deftly, careful not to make a single noise. Cracking the door she peeked inside, but couldn't see anything. Opening it cautiously, she withheld a shocked gasp.
Vash was inverted in the air, pushing himself up and down on one hand, with the other held against his back. On every push up his lips parted softly in a small gasp, his supporting arm trembling with the effort. His eyes were set in determined focus as he continued: up, down, up, down.
Meryl didn't know how long she watched him, fascinated. She stood quietly in the doorway, leaning up against it for support. Her eyes trailed lazily over his upside down body, and she frowned slightly, a sudden wave of sadness washing over her. Those scars... it wasn't fair to him. What a terrible thing for anyone to go through; all those battles, those sacrifices. But, Meryl knew, if you'd asked him, he wouldn't have it any other way.
Apparently finishing his exercises, Vash righted himself with a graceful movement, landing deftly on the floor in a crouch. He stood and stretched, but suddenly took notice of Meryl in the doorway. He jumped, startled, and stared.
"Meryl? What...?"
Her cheeks reddened. "I... I'm sorry, Vash... I didn't mean to..."
He shook his head slowly, still a bit shaken. "That's alright, Meryl... um..." He looked down for a moment, his cheeks going red. Scanning around quickly he picked up a shirt, moving to put it on, but Meryl arrested his hand in the air.
"Vash." He shied away from her touch, momentarily startled she had moved so quickly. She frowned.
"Vash," she continued, undeterred, "I'm sorry... about last night."
Vash stared at her for a moment before saying quietly, "It's... alright."
She nodded and moved away, eyes cast downward in unspoken disappointment.
"Meryl." Vash was shocked that it was his voice that spoke. How had her name come so readily and naturally to his lips?
She turned, her heather eyes curious. "Yes, Vash?"
"Um..." Vash bit his lip. What had made him stop her?
"Meryl? Vash?"
Both of them jumped at the sudden voice, but Meryl strode quickly out of the room towards it.
"Jack? Is that you? Is Millie with you?"
"Yeah. And Millie's here as well... but I think I might need a little help with her..."
"Of course." Meryl replied, trekking quickly downstairs. Together the two managed to transport Millie upstairs and into her bedroom, where they lay her on her bed. Jack bent over halfway, placing his hands on his knees and taking a deep breath.
"Well," he chuckled, "that was fun."
Meryl couldn't help but smile. "Thanks for bringing her, Jack. Did you two have fun last night?"
Jack nodded brightly, smiling. "Oh yes! She's such a wonderful gal... pretty, strong and brave. But don't worry, nothing happened last night." He raised his hands up in defense. "She just had one too many, is all."
The corner of Meryl's mouth twitched in a small smile. "It's alright, Jack... it's been know to happen."
Jack smiled again, then stole a glance at his watch. "Well, I'm sorry I have to go so soon, but I've got to be at work in a bit..."
"Of course." Meryl nodded as he made for the door. She turned back to Millie and pulled the covers over her, smiling softly as Millie mumbled incoherently in her sleep.
Vash watched silently from the door in wonder, his head filled with questions. What was happening between them? Was this really happening? Could he and Meryl be...? He shook his head. This couldn't be real.
...Could it?