Standard disclaimer: Trigun is not mine.
Warnings: Sap, fluff, waff, cliché, OOC... what can I say? I don't know where
this came from. Meryl's POV.
Millie started it. "Let's have a drinking contest!" She giggled as she downed her third glass of beer. "It'll be fun!"
"Okay," Wolfwood clinked his glass against hers. You got it big girl! Right Vash?"
"Huh? Oh right?' Vash looked up and attempted to focus. I put a hand over my mouth. Laugh or yell? Would they even care at this point? "What are the rules?"
"The one who drinks the most wins!" Millie declared. I shook my head in dismay. I knew if I protested, I'd lose. I've learned not to try and argue with people who are much bigger, drunker and stubborner than I am.
"Okay!" Wolfwood agreed.
"I'm in!' Vash said blearily. He blinked those lovely eyes of his at me. "Small girl?"
"I'm refereeing," I said resignedly. "Just make sure you don't pass out, okay? I can't drag all three of you back to the hotel."
"Okay!" Millie poured the glasses full again.
Several hours later....
Vash put his head down on the table and waved off Millie's offer of more. "I can't! I promised small girl I wouldn't pass out... one more and I will." Well, at least he remembered his promise to me, I thought as I sipped my coffee. Then again, he still looked like he might pass out at any minute. This was excessive drinking, even for them.
"You really are a lightweight, Tongari," Wolfwood said scornfully as he tossed back his drink... and then fell over. I leaned down to check. Out cold.
"I think you won Millie," I said to her.
"YAY ME!!" Millie raised her hands in a cheer. "I RULE!"
"Great, good, fantastic..." I was happy that it was over. "Now, how do we get him back to the hotel?"
"I got 'im!" Millie reached down and swung the priest easily over her shoulder. Damn that girl is strong. "Can you get the cross Mr. Vash?"
"Uh..yeah.." Vash stood and lifted the cross up into his arms. "This is heavy," he complained.
"That's because it's so full of mercy," I replied automatically as I reached out a hand to steady him. My sentence made the other two giggle, swaying with laughter. I held my breath, cursing mentally. Don't fall over now- I pleaded silently. I didn't like how some of the other patrons in the bar were sizing us up. Vash suddenly flipped the huge cross over his shoulder. If I didn't know that the man could shoot perfectly, drunk or sober, let alone flip that thing without dropping it, I would've rethought his level of drunkenness too. Some of the watchers turned away, the rest seemed to be regarding us as entertainment.
The two of them, staggering under the weight of the priest, his cross and a huge amount of alcohol went meandering into the street. Fortunately the hotel was only a few buildings down. I was walking in between them, steadying them when necessary, praying quietly that they would get back to the hotel without another one collapsing. This wasn't a really safe town. I kept my at least one of my hands near my derringers and my eyes on the shadows.
Our room was on the first floor. Millie headed towards it before I could stop her. She tossed the priest on one of the beds.
"Ow," Wolfwood muttered, turned himself over and started to snore. Loudly. I swear the panes were rattling.
"Aw hell," Vash leaned the cross up on the wall and rubbed his face. "How can anyone sleep through that?"
"I can," Millie said brightly. "My brothers all snored." She smiled at us and then passed out on the other bed. At least she didn't land on the floor. No more help from that corner, I thought and turned to the last one standing. Well, kind of standing. Vash was leaning against the wall, looking pale and shaky.
"C'mon you," I slid an arm around his waist. "Let's get you upstairs to your room." Helping someone who was taller and heavier than I am, not to mention unsteady on his feet, up the stairs was not an easy task, but I managed it. Between him, Millie, and Wolfwood, it wasn't the first time I'd had to do this after all. Vash dug his room key out of his pocket and I snatched it from his fumbling fingers. I unlocked the door and helped him in. His room was a single and smaller than ours, much smaller. If he fell, he'd have a 50/50 chance of landing on the bed. He tugged off his coat and I caught it before it hit the floor.
"Thanks small girl..." Vash blinked at me, trying to get his boots off and failing because he had forgotten to untie them. "Wolfwood took your bed, where are you going to sleep?"
"I'll go get his key and go up to his room on the third floor," I replied as I helped him pull off his boots. A muffled cursing echoed in the hallway as one of the inn's other patrons made his way down the hall.
"It's not safe. I'll go, you stay..." Vash stood up as I put his boots under the bed so he wouldn't trip on them in the morning.
"I'll be fine. I'd need to go back and get my nightclothes anyway, so I'll just get the key too. You need a rest," I said soothingly, but suddenly he was waving black and grey cloth under my nose.
"Here. M'pajamas. Take them and the bed. I'll get the key..." I stared at him, exasperation warring with the urge to hug him for being so sweet. "This hotel is no place for a lady to be wandering around. Even if she's like you." Exasperation won.
"Vash, damnit! Since you obviously don't think I'm much of a lady, I'll be fine! Quit being such an idiot! There's no way you'll make it down there and up to the third floor without falling over. Put on your pajamas and get to bed, right now!" Vash blinked at me for a moment, then pulled off his shirt in a quick motion. I whirled around, my face hot. The cursing in the hallway had turned into a muffled argument.
"Meryl," he said a moment later. I looked back around, startled at the use of my name. Vash was clad only in his pajama bottoms. He was leaning against the door. "Shirt's yours. Got..go to bed, okay? This hotel at night isn't safe. The innkeeper said so. It's not.. safe." His bloodshot gaze was focused on me, determination apparent. How had he gotten undressed and in front of the door so fast? I went and tried unsuccessfully to move him from the door.
"Vash, please... Quit making me worry and go to bed okay? You're about to fall over and I'm exhausted. I want to sleep."
"I'll go when you do."
"Don't be a pervert!" I snapped at him, tugging on his arm. It was like trying to move a rock. Why was everyone else so much bigger than I was? Damn it, it wasn't fair. Tiredness was washing over me in a wave.
"I won't... please Meryl. I'm worried about you. It's not safe out there- I know it's not. If you leave, something bad might happen." His eyes were teary now. "Please, I'll be good. Just stay." Maybe if he fell asleep I could sneak out...?
"Oh all right." I snatched the shirt from his hands. "Turn around." I undressed with record speed. His shirt was huge on me of course. It reached past my knees, giving me a sense of security. After Vash fell asleep, I could just pull on my leggings and leave. Easy. "Okay Vash," I started. Arms wrapped around me from behind and I froze. He lifted me into bed, placing me between himself and the wall. Okay, hard to escape, but not impossible.
"Thanks Meryl," his arms tightened around me. "I know you're mad, but I didn't want you to get hurt. I love you." His aqua eyes closed, leaving me stunned. I blinked and opened my mouth, but before I could speak, a gunshot echoed in the hallway, quickly followed by another one. Several shots rang out, followed by some yelling and what sounded like breaking glass. What the hell was happening out there?
"Fighting over the bathroom," Vash muttered as if in answer to my unspoken question, eyes still closed. He cuddled against me like a huge kitten. "They're fine. If you'd gone- caught in crossfire. Stay here." He kissed my mouth gently. "Told you it wasn't safe..." He yawned and his breathing turned deep and even. Asleep. How the hell had he known what was going on out there- no, how had he known what was going to happen? He'd never seemed psychic... no wait. 'My enemy is coming!' He had yelled at Millie and I before Monev the Gale had appeared... Maybe he was a bit- or had some kind of sense that warned him danger was near? I reached up and touched his cheek gently. He smiled in his sleep, and said my name again. I snuggled down deeper into the covers and decided that I'd worry about it tomorrow. I was happy where I was.
Millie started it. "Let's have a drinking contest!" She giggled as she downed her third glass of beer. "It'll be fun!"
"Okay," Wolfwood clinked his glass against hers. You got it big girl! Right Vash?"
"Huh? Oh right?' Vash looked up and attempted to focus. I put a hand over my mouth. Laugh or yell? Would they even care at this point? "What are the rules?"
"The one who drinks the most wins!" Millie declared. I shook my head in dismay. I knew if I protested, I'd lose. I've learned not to try and argue with people who are much bigger, drunker and stubborner than I am.
"Okay!" Wolfwood agreed.
"I'm in!' Vash said blearily. He blinked those lovely eyes of his at me. "Small girl?"
"I'm refereeing," I said resignedly. "Just make sure you don't pass out, okay? I can't drag all three of you back to the hotel."
"Okay!" Millie poured the glasses full again.
Several hours later....
Vash put his head down on the table and waved off Millie's offer of more. "I can't! I promised small girl I wouldn't pass out... one more and I will." Well, at least he remembered his promise to me, I thought as I sipped my coffee. Then again, he still looked like he might pass out at any minute. This was excessive drinking, even for them.
"You really are a lightweight, Tongari," Wolfwood said scornfully as he tossed back his drink... and then fell over. I leaned down to check. Out cold.
"I think you won Millie," I said to her.
"YAY ME!!" Millie raised her hands in a cheer. "I RULE!"
"Great, good, fantastic..." I was happy that it was over. "Now, how do we get him back to the hotel?"
"I got 'im!" Millie reached down and swung the priest easily over her shoulder. Damn that girl is strong. "Can you get the cross Mr. Vash?"
"Uh..yeah.." Vash stood and lifted the cross up into his arms. "This is heavy," he complained.
"That's because it's so full of mercy," I replied automatically as I reached out a hand to steady him. My sentence made the other two giggle, swaying with laughter. I held my breath, cursing mentally. Don't fall over now- I pleaded silently. I didn't like how some of the other patrons in the bar were sizing us up. Vash suddenly flipped the huge cross over his shoulder. If I didn't know that the man could shoot perfectly, drunk or sober, let alone flip that thing without dropping it, I would've rethought his level of drunkenness too. Some of the watchers turned away, the rest seemed to be regarding us as entertainment.
The two of them, staggering under the weight of the priest, his cross and a huge amount of alcohol went meandering into the street. Fortunately the hotel was only a few buildings down. I was walking in between them, steadying them when necessary, praying quietly that they would get back to the hotel without another one collapsing. This wasn't a really safe town. I kept my at least one of my hands near my derringers and my eyes on the shadows.
Our room was on the first floor. Millie headed towards it before I could stop her. She tossed the priest on one of the beds.
"Ow," Wolfwood muttered, turned himself over and started to snore. Loudly. I swear the panes were rattling.
"Aw hell," Vash leaned the cross up on the wall and rubbed his face. "How can anyone sleep through that?"
"I can," Millie said brightly. "My brothers all snored." She smiled at us and then passed out on the other bed. At least she didn't land on the floor. No more help from that corner, I thought and turned to the last one standing. Well, kind of standing. Vash was leaning against the wall, looking pale and shaky.
"C'mon you," I slid an arm around his waist. "Let's get you upstairs to your room." Helping someone who was taller and heavier than I am, not to mention unsteady on his feet, up the stairs was not an easy task, but I managed it. Between him, Millie, and Wolfwood, it wasn't the first time I'd had to do this after all. Vash dug his room key out of his pocket and I snatched it from his fumbling fingers. I unlocked the door and helped him in. His room was a single and smaller than ours, much smaller. If he fell, he'd have a 50/50 chance of landing on the bed. He tugged off his coat and I caught it before it hit the floor.
"Thanks small girl..." Vash blinked at me, trying to get his boots off and failing because he had forgotten to untie them. "Wolfwood took your bed, where are you going to sleep?"
"I'll go get his key and go up to his room on the third floor," I replied as I helped him pull off his boots. A muffled cursing echoed in the hallway as one of the inn's other patrons made his way down the hall.
"It's not safe. I'll go, you stay..." Vash stood up as I put his boots under the bed so he wouldn't trip on them in the morning.
"I'll be fine. I'd need to go back and get my nightclothes anyway, so I'll just get the key too. You need a rest," I said soothingly, but suddenly he was waving black and grey cloth under my nose.
"Here. M'pajamas. Take them and the bed. I'll get the key..." I stared at him, exasperation warring with the urge to hug him for being so sweet. "This hotel is no place for a lady to be wandering around. Even if she's like you." Exasperation won.
"Vash, damnit! Since you obviously don't think I'm much of a lady, I'll be fine! Quit being such an idiot! There's no way you'll make it down there and up to the third floor without falling over. Put on your pajamas and get to bed, right now!" Vash blinked at me for a moment, then pulled off his shirt in a quick motion. I whirled around, my face hot. The cursing in the hallway had turned into a muffled argument.
"Meryl," he said a moment later. I looked back around, startled at the use of my name. Vash was clad only in his pajama bottoms. He was leaning against the door. "Shirt's yours. Got..go to bed, okay? This hotel at night isn't safe. The innkeeper said so. It's not.. safe." His bloodshot gaze was focused on me, determination apparent. How had he gotten undressed and in front of the door so fast? I went and tried unsuccessfully to move him from the door.
"Vash, please... Quit making me worry and go to bed okay? You're about to fall over and I'm exhausted. I want to sleep."
"I'll go when you do."
"Don't be a pervert!" I snapped at him, tugging on his arm. It was like trying to move a rock. Why was everyone else so much bigger than I was? Damn it, it wasn't fair. Tiredness was washing over me in a wave.
"I won't... please Meryl. I'm worried about you. It's not safe out there- I know it's not. If you leave, something bad might happen." His eyes were teary now. "Please, I'll be good. Just stay." Maybe if he fell asleep I could sneak out...?
"Oh all right." I snatched the shirt from his hands. "Turn around." I undressed with record speed. His shirt was huge on me of course. It reached past my knees, giving me a sense of security. After Vash fell asleep, I could just pull on my leggings and leave. Easy. "Okay Vash," I started. Arms wrapped around me from behind and I froze. He lifted me into bed, placing me between himself and the wall. Okay, hard to escape, but not impossible.
"Thanks Meryl," his arms tightened around me. "I know you're mad, but I didn't want you to get hurt. I love you." His aqua eyes closed, leaving me stunned. I blinked and opened my mouth, but before I could speak, a gunshot echoed in the hallway, quickly followed by another one. Several shots rang out, followed by some yelling and what sounded like breaking glass. What the hell was happening out there?
"Fighting over the bathroom," Vash muttered as if in answer to my unspoken question, eyes still closed. He cuddled against me like a huge kitten. "They're fine. If you'd gone- caught in crossfire. Stay here." He kissed my mouth gently. "Told you it wasn't safe..." He yawned and his breathing turned deep and even. Asleep. How the hell had he known what was going on out there- no, how had he known what was going to happen? He'd never seemed psychic... no wait. 'My enemy is coming!' He had yelled at Millie and I before Monev the Gale had appeared... Maybe he was a bit- or had some kind of sense that warned him danger was near? I reached up and touched his cheek gently. He smiled in his sleep, and said my name again. I snuggled down deeper into the covers and decided that I'd worry about it tomorrow. I was happy where I was.