AN- Well, I'm off spring break so I'm not going to be able to write as often as I have been. I am, however, in my fourth- and last- quarter of school, so this summer sometime I'll probably be able to wrap it up, if it lasts that long. Enjoy.

Loving Vash- Chapter 2

The Stardusk Hotel was stunning.

Right when the couple entered, a young man in a tuxedo greeted them and guided them toward their room. The carpet was wine red, the ceilings decorated with beautiful paintings of lovers. Chandeliers hung shining from the ceilings also. As they journeyed through the maze of hallways, roses lined the walkways. It was truly romantic.

Vash had even dressed up- in a black tuxedo, even pinning a red rose to his chest. Meryl hadn't worn anything amazing, just a black gown. She wasn't expecting much to happen...

They arrived in their room- which was almost more grandeur than the halls. In the middle of the room was king-sized bed with red, black, and white silk sheets. The pillows were white and fluffy- created from more silk. The walls were white, pictures of roses and flowers hanging from them. The room was splattered with candles here and there, white and smelling of roses.

"Vash..." Meryl was amazed at the sight. She plopped down on the bed, her fingers tracing the wrinkles in the silk.

"Yeah, I know," Vash mumbled, just as hypnotized as Meryl. He made himself comfortable by flopping down onto the bed, pulling Meryl to his side.

"You're really a touchy person, aren't you?" Meryl asked, her eyes looking directly into Vash's.

"Well, I've waited 131 years haven't I? I've never had a lover before."

"Ah, I see. That surprises me somehow, after seeing how many women you've chased."

"Yeah but," Vash stopped, grabbing Meryl's nose. "I got the best one this time." He tickled her stomach, playing with every little feature on her body.

"You're so weird," Meryl giggled, trying to defend herself from the sensation the tickling brought her. She picked up a pillow, whacking the poor boy straight off the bed.

"You are in for it now," Vash muttered, a small smile forming across his lips. He grasped the sheets from under her, sending her clear onto the floor. Her brows furrowed in frustration.

Vash laughed as Meryl struggled to pick herself up off from the floor. She eventually gave up and rolled over to Vash, where he lifted her up and set her back on the bed.

"Stupid-head..." Meryl grumbled, but she was still grinning. Vash joined Meryl, wrapping his arms around her. "By the way- we leave for dinner in about ten minutes."

"But- oh man, I'm completely messed up!"

"No you're not. You look great."

Meryl smiled at Vash's sincerity. "OK, let's go."

After dining among the ranks of such classy folks as Cliff Cezar and the elite members of the Gunsmoke Elite Club, Vash and Meryl headed back to their cozy dwelling.

A small, unnoticeable radio sat in the corner of the cream-colored bathroom. It played soft piano music that coordinated with the setting of candles and bubbles. Vash and Meryl both eased themselves into the large, French tub and laid opposite each other.

Meryl was extremely uneasy about relaxing (not that she was) naked in a tub with the most wanted outlaw on the planet, not to mention he was not a human and that he had more scars than anyone else. But she wanted to stay with him, so as to not cause him to feel ashamed or embarrassed of his body. After all, in Meryl's experience, Vash had never been confident in his scars.

Meryl shifted in the tub, trying to turn away from Vash. She wasn't afraid of sitting so close, she just didn't want to see anything... that she really would prefer not to at the time. She figured that in the bedroom it was OK because the lights were off and she couldn't see much. But in the bath tub...

"Where are you going?" Vash questioned, a hint of disappointment apparent in his girlish voice.

"I'm getting out, I'm pruny," Meryl said, beginning to contemplate whether or not she should stay.

"Please don't go," pouted Vash. "I want you to stay."

Meryl sighed, climbing back in. She seated herself across from Vash, turning her head sideways. She could hear a chuckle escape Vash.

"What?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"You," Vash said. "You don't want to look."

"Of course I don't," Meryl retorted, flinging a bar of soap at Vash. "I'd feel so dirty. In fact, I already do."

"Oh, I see. Well..." Vash scooted closer to Meryl. "You are the first woman I've seen naked. So that makes me feel dirty too." He swerved around her. "So if I were you, I wouldn't worry about it."

Meryl blushed, ignoring Vash's hair that brushed against her back. The tips of his hair were so soft, even though his hair seemed so rough because of the way it stuck up.

Meryl got out of the tub, trying to hold on to what little personal space she still remembered. The windows of the hotel were opened, allowing a cold, desert breeze to flow into the room. Meryl had blown most of the candles out, but a few still were glowing. She slipped into her pajamas and crawled into the silk bed.

Vash shortly followed, climbing into his pajamas behind the curtain. Meryl still couldn't even fathom why he still insisted on dressing in privacy, even though she had just been in the same bath tub as him, both of them naked.

Meryl felt a slight tingle at her ankles. It hadn't been much, so she assumed it was the wind. Then she felt it again. Meryl sat up, only to discover that it was none other than Vash, his head down by her toes, playing with her ankles.

"You are weird," Meryl whispered, turning so as to be able to face Vash. "What's up?"

"Nothing," he said, pulling her closer to him.

Meryl smiled sadly, knowing that something had to be on his mind. She decided against pushing the subject, so instead ignored it. "Vash."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just saying your name."

His eyes lit up. "Well, how would you like..." Vash paused, reaching behind him, "... to be Mrs. Vash?" He revealed a gorgeous, shiny diamond that was set carefully on a gold band. He lifted her hand and slipped it onto her finger. "Perfect fit." Vash smiled, wiping a stray tear from Meryl's eye. "Meryl, will you marry me?"

The young woman's voice was lost. She was lost. Meryl was lost in the moment. She wanted to memorize how everything felt and looked. Her eyes were damp from the tears of joy she had released. "Yes!" Meryl cried, wrapping her arms around Vash's neck. "I will."

Vash had been right- it really was the best night of his life.

-Three Days After-

Meryl had revealed the news to Milly- and the poor girl couldn't be more ecstatic. She was already trying to help Meryl with everything; planning the wedding shower, bachelor party, which type of flowers to be used, and so on.

Meryl and Vash decided that it would be better if they picked out a date for the event to take place before anything else. Eventually, they agreed that July 1st would be perfect. Their wedding... would be perfect.

AN- I know, I know. Much shorter than the first chapter, but it is the school's fault, so nyah. Anyways, next chapter will probably be a little longer. Love&Peace.