December 31, 2003
Trigun "Crazy lil' Thing Called Love"
The Standard Disclaimer still applies. What, did you think things would change cuz the year's almost over? Psh.
Part 2
A pregnant pause quickly fell over the room, followed by sharp intakes of breath and widening of eyes. Meryl took a gulp, wondering if it would be too much to hope for the floor to split open and swallow her whole.
'Dear God. why did I have to open my big mouth?'
She stared at Vash, who stood wide-eyed and unblinking, silently dreading all the possible responses swimming around in that brain of his. Would he shake his head and laugh in his non-committal way? Would he just sigh and calmly tell her that what she felt was him was fleeting? Perhaps he would just walk out of the room and pretend as if the whole conversation had never occurred. Or would he - dare she think it - like his brother Knives, look at her in disgust and declare her too filthy and unworthy of even being in his presence, let alone loved by him.
Meryl didn't know which response she dreaded most of all, which is why she always reacted to him with such volatility. There were times when he just seemed so kind and gentle with her she feared that he would slip through her defenses and discover her true feelings only to exploit them.
She felt connected to him so thoroughly through her three scars on her back; through them, she believed, she could take just a small amount of pain and burden off of his shoulders. However, if he were to leave her, she didn't know what would happen. For that reason alone she had hoped he would never realize that he had long ago seized possession of her heart.
As if coming out of a trance, Vash blinked slowly, brining his focus back to the petite woman before him. She bore such a striking resemblance to his Rem that it was almost frightening. Even Knives saw it. There were times he would be roused from a nightmare to find her sitting beside him, soothing away his fears, and he would have to force himself not to speak lest he speak the wrong name.
However, the only thing the two women had in common was their shared belief that no one had the right to take the life of another. From then on, they were nothing alike. While Rem had been a mother figure - a guide to him in a harsh and unfamiliar world, a light against the darkest of hours - Meryl was his support, his shelter against the storm.
When Rem's light had begun to dwindle, leaving him in confusion and despair, Meryl had been there to set him right again. For that he would be always grateful to her. However, as time went on, his feelings for her began to change. Her spirit and temperament had intrigued him from the first day they met, but he soon learned that she - like him - had many sides to her. Her strong beliefs and caring nature hidden beneath a gruff, stern exterior brought him peace whenever he was around her. Though he had never admitted it to himself until that fateful day in LR town, Vash had come to see Meryl Strife as more than just an insurance agent, even more than a friend even. He needed her like he needed the air to breathe.
Needless to say, the revelation had startled him. Vash had been alone for over a hundred years, aching for companionship but denying himself for fear of losing the lives of innocents. Towards the end, the ache had been so all consuming, he felt ready to resign himself to his fate - to waste away and wallow in guilt and misery and self-loathing. So ready to give up was he that it all but floored him when the void in him vanished with the simple action of taking the spitfire many knew as Derringer Meryl into a tight embrace. The joy he felt at the feel of her in his arms had been dwarfed only by the fact that she had just rekindled his belief in his vow not to kill. She believed he could make amends for the mistakes that he had made - she had defended him against those who wished to punish him. Just by believing in him, she had saved his soul. It was as if a piece of himself had been put back into place.
Of course, it was damaging to his pride - and to his injuries - to be robbed of this newfound joyful sensation by a kick to the head. Swinging someone around over your head after taking them into a heartfelt embrace probably wasn't the best idea he had ever had. Meryl always did have that violent streak - he supposed that came with her being so short - but he had to admit he did love to push her buttons.
When she was angry with him, Meryl's whole body just seemed to fill up with a passion that seemed focused solely on putting him in his place. Her eyes, clouding to an almost steely gray, blazed in a way they did with no one else. How many times had he lie awake at night, remembering, wishing he could get her to focus on him in another way?
And yet, here she was now, staring at him as though he were the only other sole occupant of the entire planet. Seeing her eyes filled with trepidation, he resolved that that emotion did not fit her eyes any better than sadness, weariness, or fear. If only they could be filled with love - love for him.
Love - wait, hadn't she mentioned something about that just a moment ago? Shit.
"You said that you what.?"
Meryl blinked, startled to hear his voice again. She looked up at him hesitantly to see a look of desperation on his face. Her heart sank; he didn't know what to say to her. The last thing she needed was for him to pity her. Meryl Strife was by no means weak!
She turned away from him, drawing her sheet closer about her to ward off the chill that had suddenly entered the room. "Nothing. I didn't say anything." Yes, best to just deny everything. Better to act as if it never happened at all. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from crying. "You're just hearing things."
A heavy hand rested itself on her shoulder, followed by another, nearly causing her to jump out of her skin. "You don't have to lie to me, Meryl."
A small gasp escaped her lips at having Vash so close to her once again. She could feel his breath lightly tickling her ear. "You." she swallowed slowly. "You said my name.."
Being gently lulled by the warmth radiating off of her small frame, Vash edged closer, bringing his arms across her shoulders in a loose embrace. "Does. that bother you.?" he asked hesitantly. 'Better to start slow so she doesn't try to deck me again.'
Not sure if he was referring to the hug or the use of her name, Meryl went with the latter. "My name. You've never said it before," she replied, reveling in the feel of his arms around her, and wishing he'd pull her in closer. "Not once. I didn't think you knew it at all."
Vash's arms slid away, his hands lingering on her shoulders again. "Sorry."
Meryl paused. Did that mean that he really didn't return her feelings after all? Tears began stinging her eyes. She'd had a feeling she'd be rejected, but did it have to hurt so badly?
Vash pulled her back against his chest, leaning down to rest his chin on top of her head. He felt her stiffen in surprise only to sag against him. He smiled bashfully. "I did know it. I guess I just didn't want to say it."
Meryl blinked; glad that he couldn't see the tears rimming her eyes, she asked, "Why not?"
"Cuz by saying your name," he replied. "I'd be admitting to myself that I actually cared a whole lot about you."
"What?" Meryl turned to face him, confusion etching her features.
The Humanoid Typhoon started at the sight of crystalline tears trailing down her cheeks. They sent a pang to his heart, urging him to gently wipe them away with a trembling finger. "I care about you a lot, Meryl," he replied slowly, a bit of uncertainty in his tone. "More than anybody else I've ever met. And believe me, I've met a lot of people." He gave a weak laugh.
Still stunned by such a gentle gesture from him, Meryl could barely speak. "Vash."
"Meryl," Vash replied quickly, in fear that she would retract her earlier declaration. She had meant what she said, hadn't she? "I know you don't want me to apologize for what happened that day, or any other day, but you've got to realize something. That day was the day I realized that your life meant more to me than anything else. Milly, too, of course. but you, Meryl." He took her hands in his. Laughing nervously, he replied, "I kinda. well I. you mean a lot to me and I. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I . well I'm. I'm in love with you, too."
There was a pause. Meryl only blinked in response.
Vash took a gulp. "That is, of course. if you still, well. love me.?"
Meryl blinked again, turning up to him with a look of frustration on her face. "What? You think I'm some fickle bimbo who would change her mind about something like this at the drop of a hat?" The tall plant 'eep'ed, taking a step back from the diminutive woman as she continued to rant, "Why, of all the. do you have noodles for brains, or what?"
Ah, that old anger was returning, this time more for sport than anything else. She did have to admit that she did enjoy seeing him squirm from time to time. After all, he did look so cute backed into a corner like an apprehensive schoolboy. And she figured if some busty plant engineer in the city of Valdour could call him 'Spot' and have him follow her around calling her 'master', then at least she could put the fear of the Almighty in him. Call her a sadist if you will, but again, love makes you do crazy things.
She paced towards him, one hand clutching her sheet, the free one clenched into a fist. "Why else would I put up with your ridiculous shenanigans? I love you, damn it!"
Vash's eyes lit up then, bright sparkles appearing before them as if she had just jumped out of a giant jelly donut. If he barked like a dog, she swore she'd throw him out the window.
"Do... you really, Meryl?"
He seemed so hopeful, as if she had offered him a jug of water in the middle of the desert, a lifeline in the middle of the ocean during a raging storm. It was as if she was offering him her heart and he was looking upon it as if she had offered him the most prized treasure in the world.
She smiled up at him shyly, unused to seeing him so open and filled with emotion. It made her heart soar to think that this was all because of her. "Yes, Vash," she replied softly. "Yes, I d-"
The rest of her sentence was cut off as he grabbed her into one of his infamous bear hugs. "Oh this such a great and wonderful day!!"
Laughing, Meryl tried to wriggle out of his grasp. "Let go of me, you ninny!"
"Never, never!" the gunman exclaimed. "I'll never let you go, Meryl, never ever! I love, I love you, I love you!"
"Really?"
"Even more than jelly donuts!"
More laughter. "Now you're just being silly!"
"Scouts honor!"
~~~
Milly looked up from her pudding as more laughter could be heard through the floorboards. It was soon followed by a squeal of glee - most likely from Vash. She smiled. It was good that they had finally gotten together - and about time, also.
Knives, still trussed up in a sling and leg brace from his battle with Vash, had just entered the room a few moments before. Hearing the sounds of laughter coming from above, he scoffed as they were soon followed by a loud thud. Though he had resigned himself to his fate in the Insurance Agents' indefinite care - his wounds were likely never to completely heal - his dislike for them was quite evident.
Another peel of laughter resounded. "Fools." He muttered sourly.
"Well," Milly replied knowingly, smiling into her pudding cup. "Looks as though we won't be having anymore problems from those two."
The plant, whom had just sat down across from her after raiding the pantry for something to snack on, scoffed once again. "I doubt it," he said with a scowl. "Before you know it, those two are gonna be going at it like a pair of rabbits. Guh. a plant and a spider. disgusting." He went back to eating is cup of strawberry yogurt, trying in vain to purge the thought from his mind.
Unsure of what a rabbit was or how their two companions - or in Knives' case, jailers - would be 'going at it' like them, Milly only grinned. "Well, Knives-kun, people will do a lot of crazy things. when they're in love." She smiled at him. "Maybe someday you'll understand."
Knives paled and went back to his yogurt.
~end
Author's Notes - Well, ya like? Yay, nay? I did say this fic wasn't so little, didn't I? It's a habit of mine to write freakishly long fan fictions. I can't help it. Perhaps that should be a New Year's resolution for me. what do you guys think? However you feel about it, lemme know, onegai! It's my very first Trigun fic. I got the first volume of the Trigun manga (very good, too, I recommend it) and I just had to write one. I'm working on another at the moment, but that's been nothing but slow progress, so when I got the idea for this one (at work mind you, that's a first) I just had to get it down. Can't wait 'til the next volume comes out. I've heard some very good things about Trigun Maximum, which will be issued following volume two.
But again, like I said, please send reviews. I'd love to hear what you think. And rest assured Miss Chang Po and I are still working on Don't You Dare, as well as I'm working on Tandemonai. Just stay tuned for more updates. Kay? Happy New Year! Ja ne!
~Nataku-chan ^_^
Trigun "Crazy lil' Thing Called Love"
The Standard Disclaimer still applies. What, did you think things would change cuz the year's almost over? Psh.
Part 2
A pregnant pause quickly fell over the room, followed by sharp intakes of breath and widening of eyes. Meryl took a gulp, wondering if it would be too much to hope for the floor to split open and swallow her whole.
'Dear God. why did I have to open my big mouth?'
She stared at Vash, who stood wide-eyed and unblinking, silently dreading all the possible responses swimming around in that brain of his. Would he shake his head and laugh in his non-committal way? Would he just sigh and calmly tell her that what she felt was him was fleeting? Perhaps he would just walk out of the room and pretend as if the whole conversation had never occurred. Or would he - dare she think it - like his brother Knives, look at her in disgust and declare her too filthy and unworthy of even being in his presence, let alone loved by him.
Meryl didn't know which response she dreaded most of all, which is why she always reacted to him with such volatility. There were times when he just seemed so kind and gentle with her she feared that he would slip through her defenses and discover her true feelings only to exploit them.
She felt connected to him so thoroughly through her three scars on her back; through them, she believed, she could take just a small amount of pain and burden off of his shoulders. However, if he were to leave her, she didn't know what would happen. For that reason alone she had hoped he would never realize that he had long ago seized possession of her heart.
As if coming out of a trance, Vash blinked slowly, brining his focus back to the petite woman before him. She bore such a striking resemblance to his Rem that it was almost frightening. Even Knives saw it. There were times he would be roused from a nightmare to find her sitting beside him, soothing away his fears, and he would have to force himself not to speak lest he speak the wrong name.
However, the only thing the two women had in common was their shared belief that no one had the right to take the life of another. From then on, they were nothing alike. While Rem had been a mother figure - a guide to him in a harsh and unfamiliar world, a light against the darkest of hours - Meryl was his support, his shelter against the storm.
When Rem's light had begun to dwindle, leaving him in confusion and despair, Meryl had been there to set him right again. For that he would be always grateful to her. However, as time went on, his feelings for her began to change. Her spirit and temperament had intrigued him from the first day they met, but he soon learned that she - like him - had many sides to her. Her strong beliefs and caring nature hidden beneath a gruff, stern exterior brought him peace whenever he was around her. Though he had never admitted it to himself until that fateful day in LR town, Vash had come to see Meryl Strife as more than just an insurance agent, even more than a friend even. He needed her like he needed the air to breathe.
Needless to say, the revelation had startled him. Vash had been alone for over a hundred years, aching for companionship but denying himself for fear of losing the lives of innocents. Towards the end, the ache had been so all consuming, he felt ready to resign himself to his fate - to waste away and wallow in guilt and misery and self-loathing. So ready to give up was he that it all but floored him when the void in him vanished with the simple action of taking the spitfire many knew as Derringer Meryl into a tight embrace. The joy he felt at the feel of her in his arms had been dwarfed only by the fact that she had just rekindled his belief in his vow not to kill. She believed he could make amends for the mistakes that he had made - she had defended him against those who wished to punish him. Just by believing in him, she had saved his soul. It was as if a piece of himself had been put back into place.
Of course, it was damaging to his pride - and to his injuries - to be robbed of this newfound joyful sensation by a kick to the head. Swinging someone around over your head after taking them into a heartfelt embrace probably wasn't the best idea he had ever had. Meryl always did have that violent streak - he supposed that came with her being so short - but he had to admit he did love to push her buttons.
When she was angry with him, Meryl's whole body just seemed to fill up with a passion that seemed focused solely on putting him in his place. Her eyes, clouding to an almost steely gray, blazed in a way they did with no one else. How many times had he lie awake at night, remembering, wishing he could get her to focus on him in another way?
And yet, here she was now, staring at him as though he were the only other sole occupant of the entire planet. Seeing her eyes filled with trepidation, he resolved that that emotion did not fit her eyes any better than sadness, weariness, or fear. If only they could be filled with love - love for him.
Love - wait, hadn't she mentioned something about that just a moment ago? Shit.
"You said that you what.?"
Meryl blinked, startled to hear his voice again. She looked up at him hesitantly to see a look of desperation on his face. Her heart sank; he didn't know what to say to her. The last thing she needed was for him to pity her. Meryl Strife was by no means weak!
She turned away from him, drawing her sheet closer about her to ward off the chill that had suddenly entered the room. "Nothing. I didn't say anything." Yes, best to just deny everything. Better to act as if it never happened at all. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from crying. "You're just hearing things."
A heavy hand rested itself on her shoulder, followed by another, nearly causing her to jump out of her skin. "You don't have to lie to me, Meryl."
A small gasp escaped her lips at having Vash so close to her once again. She could feel his breath lightly tickling her ear. "You." she swallowed slowly. "You said my name.."
Being gently lulled by the warmth radiating off of her small frame, Vash edged closer, bringing his arms across her shoulders in a loose embrace. "Does. that bother you.?" he asked hesitantly. 'Better to start slow so she doesn't try to deck me again.'
Not sure if he was referring to the hug or the use of her name, Meryl went with the latter. "My name. You've never said it before," she replied, reveling in the feel of his arms around her, and wishing he'd pull her in closer. "Not once. I didn't think you knew it at all."
Vash's arms slid away, his hands lingering on her shoulders again. "Sorry."
Meryl paused. Did that mean that he really didn't return her feelings after all? Tears began stinging her eyes. She'd had a feeling she'd be rejected, but did it have to hurt so badly?
Vash pulled her back against his chest, leaning down to rest his chin on top of her head. He felt her stiffen in surprise only to sag against him. He smiled bashfully. "I did know it. I guess I just didn't want to say it."
Meryl blinked; glad that he couldn't see the tears rimming her eyes, she asked, "Why not?"
"Cuz by saying your name," he replied. "I'd be admitting to myself that I actually cared a whole lot about you."
"What?" Meryl turned to face him, confusion etching her features.
The Humanoid Typhoon started at the sight of crystalline tears trailing down her cheeks. They sent a pang to his heart, urging him to gently wipe them away with a trembling finger. "I care about you a lot, Meryl," he replied slowly, a bit of uncertainty in his tone. "More than anybody else I've ever met. And believe me, I've met a lot of people." He gave a weak laugh.
Still stunned by such a gentle gesture from him, Meryl could barely speak. "Vash."
"Meryl," Vash replied quickly, in fear that she would retract her earlier declaration. She had meant what she said, hadn't she? "I know you don't want me to apologize for what happened that day, or any other day, but you've got to realize something. That day was the day I realized that your life meant more to me than anything else. Milly, too, of course. but you, Meryl." He took her hands in his. Laughing nervously, he replied, "I kinda. well I. you mean a lot to me and I. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I . well I'm. I'm in love with you, too."
There was a pause. Meryl only blinked in response.
Vash took a gulp. "That is, of course. if you still, well. love me.?"
Meryl blinked again, turning up to him with a look of frustration on her face. "What? You think I'm some fickle bimbo who would change her mind about something like this at the drop of a hat?" The tall plant 'eep'ed, taking a step back from the diminutive woman as she continued to rant, "Why, of all the. do you have noodles for brains, or what?"
Ah, that old anger was returning, this time more for sport than anything else. She did have to admit that she did enjoy seeing him squirm from time to time. After all, he did look so cute backed into a corner like an apprehensive schoolboy. And she figured if some busty plant engineer in the city of Valdour could call him 'Spot' and have him follow her around calling her 'master', then at least she could put the fear of the Almighty in him. Call her a sadist if you will, but again, love makes you do crazy things.
She paced towards him, one hand clutching her sheet, the free one clenched into a fist. "Why else would I put up with your ridiculous shenanigans? I love you, damn it!"
Vash's eyes lit up then, bright sparkles appearing before them as if she had just jumped out of a giant jelly donut. If he barked like a dog, she swore she'd throw him out the window.
"Do... you really, Meryl?"
He seemed so hopeful, as if she had offered him a jug of water in the middle of the desert, a lifeline in the middle of the ocean during a raging storm. It was as if she was offering him her heart and he was looking upon it as if she had offered him the most prized treasure in the world.
She smiled up at him shyly, unused to seeing him so open and filled with emotion. It made her heart soar to think that this was all because of her. "Yes, Vash," she replied softly. "Yes, I d-"
The rest of her sentence was cut off as he grabbed her into one of his infamous bear hugs. "Oh this such a great and wonderful day!!"
Laughing, Meryl tried to wriggle out of his grasp. "Let go of me, you ninny!"
"Never, never!" the gunman exclaimed. "I'll never let you go, Meryl, never ever! I love, I love you, I love you!"
"Really?"
"Even more than jelly donuts!"
More laughter. "Now you're just being silly!"
"Scouts honor!"
~~~
Milly looked up from her pudding as more laughter could be heard through the floorboards. It was soon followed by a squeal of glee - most likely from Vash. She smiled. It was good that they had finally gotten together - and about time, also.
Knives, still trussed up in a sling and leg brace from his battle with Vash, had just entered the room a few moments before. Hearing the sounds of laughter coming from above, he scoffed as they were soon followed by a loud thud. Though he had resigned himself to his fate in the Insurance Agents' indefinite care - his wounds were likely never to completely heal - his dislike for them was quite evident.
Another peel of laughter resounded. "Fools." He muttered sourly.
"Well," Milly replied knowingly, smiling into her pudding cup. "Looks as though we won't be having anymore problems from those two."
The plant, whom had just sat down across from her after raiding the pantry for something to snack on, scoffed once again. "I doubt it," he said with a scowl. "Before you know it, those two are gonna be going at it like a pair of rabbits. Guh. a plant and a spider. disgusting." He went back to eating is cup of strawberry yogurt, trying in vain to purge the thought from his mind.
Unsure of what a rabbit was or how their two companions - or in Knives' case, jailers - would be 'going at it' like them, Milly only grinned. "Well, Knives-kun, people will do a lot of crazy things. when they're in love." She smiled at him. "Maybe someday you'll understand."
Knives paled and went back to his yogurt.
~end
Author's Notes - Well, ya like? Yay, nay? I did say this fic wasn't so little, didn't I? It's a habit of mine to write freakishly long fan fictions. I can't help it. Perhaps that should be a New Year's resolution for me. what do you guys think? However you feel about it, lemme know, onegai! It's my very first Trigun fic. I got the first volume of the Trigun manga (very good, too, I recommend it) and I just had to write one. I'm working on another at the moment, but that's been nothing but slow progress, so when I got the idea for this one (at work mind you, that's a first) I just had to get it down. Can't wait 'til the next volume comes out. I've heard some very good things about Trigun Maximum, which will be issued following volume two.
But again, like I said, please send reviews. I'd love to hear what you think. And rest assured Miss Chang Po and I are still working on Don't You Dare, as well as I'm working on Tandemonai. Just stay tuned for more updates. Kay? Happy New Year! Ja ne!
~Nataku-chan ^_^