Dark: I'm a bit happier, 5 reviews n.n But please, don't stop reviewing just because of that, the review button is still lonely. Really, it sent me a text message. Along with a Happy Christmas. Something that I wish for you all as well. This is my own gift for you, so be nice to me too.

Oh, and I changed the keyword. Hehe, it's the same one-shot, but I think this one fits better.

"…" is speech.

Italics is thoughts.

:: … :: is telepathic speaking.


Key-word: Trick
Rating: T
Genre: Humour/Romance
Pairing(s): VashxMeryl
Verse: More like the Manga, due to a small detail
Warnings: None
Summary: Does Vash really need them all or are they just a fashion statement? Meryl wonders.


ºººººº Underneath Your Clothes ºººººº

During the moments when Vash the Stampede took off his red trench coat and they happened to be spending the night outdoors, Meryl would take the chance to sneak a peek. And wonder. Or she would only wonder when she passed by the men's hotel room's door and heard light voices, laughter and rustling of clothes.

Just how long does it take him to undo all those buckles?

There had been this one time when they had indeed spend the night out in the cold desert that she had caught him dressing that had been particularly interesting.

She had slowly woken up to the soft, rhythmic sounds of "Hup, hup, hup!" and only out of curiosity did she actually open her eyes to catch a glance of the outlaw performing his morning training session a few feet away, devotedly doing one armed push ups. Curiosity satisfied (and still too tired and sleepy to manage to keep on looking (she'd berate herself for it later on)), she had fallen back asleep. On the second time she woke up, it was to quiet, almost soundless clicks that echoed in the more or less spacious cave they had found. Meryl also picked up the faint scent of nicotine, which meant the priest was up as well.

The Humanoid Typhoon was calmly putting on his armour. His jacket, unbuttoned, was put on to only keep off the slight chill of the break of the day from the scarred, bare skin of torso. The soft clinks belonged to the handful or so of still unbuckled buckles of his pants. He was adjusting one on his left shin in a rather distracted kind of way. Even at this distance, she could see his eyes weren't focused. Suddenly, he yelped and rubbed the spot, hissing and cursing under his breath.

Meryl simply cracked up laughing. Most likely, the broom head had just pinched his own skin.

For the reminder of that day, Vash had sent her sulking, dirty looks.

Up till now, she still wondered why he had so many, if they were really all needed or just his own, odd fashion statement and just how long it took him to undo all of those buckles?!

That was really making her curious.

As Fortune would have it, later that day (or night), she'd have a chance to witness it.

When heartbeats slowed down a little and breaths were caught, Meryl would let her head fall into his warm shoulder. And a smirk would dance upon her lips.

"Mmm… Only 45 seconds, Vash. I knew there was some kind of trick to all those buckles…"

Owari


Vocabulary:
Owari:
The end.

To Anonymous Reviewers:
Tenebrae Rosa:
Sankyu! n.n And yes, you should do that xP

Nightheart: Last chap ended up not coming out quite as I had planned it, but I actually prefer it that way xD At least, I do think it's cute Thank you very much and come again!

(Dark: And next chapter's keyword will be Niceness, The-Quoi. At least, that's what I've decided today... xDD What do you think of that one? n.n)