This is based on something Vaughn says when you talk to him at Mirabelle's shop (though I forget what color heart he has when he says it). I was actually really surprised when he said it. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt it kind of made sense with his character. Still, I thought it was interesting, and decided to try a scene with it. It turned out pretty cute, especially when I added a little more inspiration from Fruits Basket, teehee. Anyway, enjoy!
Vaughn couldn't help but frown slightly as he stood in the Animal Store, watching as Chelsea once again offered gifts to Mirabelle and Julia with a friendly smile and a slight blush on her cheeks. He hated to admit he was curious about what the farmer gave to the two animal store-owners, but the boxes prevented him from seeing the items. He usually wasn't so nosy, but he had to wonder just what kind of gifts she gave others.
He knew that some of the presents she gave to people, such as the milk she always gave him, were from her farm. Some of the things she gave were from the island itself. But some of the gifts she gave were store-bought, and he wondered just how much money she was spending to give people things…how much money she was losing just being nice to others.
As he noticed the brunette approaching him, he pulled his hat lower over his head. "Morning, Vaughn," she greeted cheerfully.
"Hey," he replied gruffly.
She held out a silver canister to him, her cheeks colored a little darker as she did so. "Here. My cow was in an especially good mood this morning, so the milk should be awesome today."
Hesitantly, he carefully lifted the cover of the bottle and looked at the milk inside. Inhaling slightly, he then capped it again and muttered, "You could probably get a lot of money for high-quality milk like this."
Chelsea blinked, an uncertain expression set on her face. "I…guess…" she replied slowly. "But I…I want you to have it."
"I'm serious, though," he insisted, setting the milk down. His eyes then focused into hers, trying to see through her…the way she sees through him. "How are you doing on your ranch? Are you earning enough?"
Her mouth opened, floundering to answer him. "I'm fine…" she finally managed to say. "Really. I'm working hard and doing my best."
"You'd probably have to work a little less if you didn't spend what you received on frivolous things."
Her lips pursed together in a thin line, Chelsea placed her hands on her hips. "What's gotten into you?" she wondered. "Why are you so concerned about my profits?"
He scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. "You don't, obviously. You need to be smarter about your money and manage it, not foolishly throw it away just to give people silly things."
She met his hard gaze with one of her own, crossing her arms as well. "Huh…" she mused. "I knew you weren't the nicest person in the world, but I never took you for someone like that."
Vaughn turned away from her, glaring at the wall. "Money rules the world. You can't do anything without money. Never forget that."
For a moment, the farmer did nothing and simply stared at him, frustration and confusion in her sapphire eyes. Then, with a loud sigh, she stormed out of the Animal Store, slamming the door on her way out.
The sudden crash startled the two store owners, drawing them from their business. But Julia recovered quickly and turned accusing eyes towards Vaughn. "What'd you do now, Vaughn?" she demanded.
Avoiding her gaze, the cowboy reached down and picked up the milk canister. His business was his own and no one else's; while he was worried whether Chelsea had enough money to take care of herself, other people didn't need to know that.
Vaughn didn't usually amble through the forest this late in the day, but it was the best place to be alone and clear his head. It had been a long summer day, and he somehow hadn't seen Chelsea since their argument that morning. It bothered him a little, especially knowing that it was probably his own fault that he hadn't seen her, but he didn't know what to do about it.
There wasn't much he could do now, though. The ferry was arriving in a few hours and he had to leave for Mineral Town tonight. A walk from the forest to the docks would take a while, which gave him a little more time to think about how to apologize. Getting off the island might help him think straight as well.
On his way to the bridge, however, he stopped in his tracks when he noticed a chocolate-colored horse some distance away, grazing a little along the path. His brow furrowed together; he'd seen Chelsea riding her horse enough to know that she owned the only one on the island. But what was it doing all the way out here?
The horse lifted its head as he approached, watching him warily and looking ready to run off. He moved slowly, holding up his hands to show he didn't mean it any harm. The horse watched him for a moment, then snorted and returned to grazing, allowing him to draw closer.
When he was close enough, Vaughn gently patted the animal's neck and drew its attention to him. "Hey," he said softly, stroking the horse's fur. It nickered softly and nudged his shoulder.
The wild dogs would be prowling soon, and he wondered why the rancher would leave her horse out in the forest like this. He knew the girl had better sense than that. Then why…?
"Is your owner around here?" he asked, loud enough for her to hear if she was close by.
The animal snorted again, and he took it as an affirmative answer as it turned and glanced at him, expecting him to follow. He walked beside the beast, keeping a hand on its side as it led him to the Goddess Pond. Underneath one of the trees, he could make out a familiar figure shadowed by the darkness.
At first, his heart leapt into his throat when he saw Chelsea lying there. But as he knelt beside her, removing her bandanna and checking her for any injuries, she stirred a little and rolled to her side, snoring softly as she settled back down. Then he rolled his eyes, realizing she was simply sleeping.
"Hey," he said, shaking her slightly. "Hey, wake up."
She murmured a little, but didn't rouse from her slumber.
He sighed. "Idiot," he whispered, but his tone sounded more amused than anything. Rising to his feet, he removed the rope he carried on his belt and tied a lasso, loosely placing it around the horse's neck. Holding onto the other end of the rope, he carefully scooped the girl into his arms and carried her bridal style, letting her head rest against his shoulder as he took her and her horse home.
Vaughn walked slowly from the forest back into town, making sure not to stir the girl in his arms too much that she might wake up. He also had to keep the horse under control as it walked along beside him. By the time he crossed the bridge, it was already dark and the ferry would be arriving soon. He stood for a moment; debating whether he should drop the girl at one of the nearby residences and let them take care of her while he went to the docks and prepared to leave the island.
He didn't have a lot of time to think, however, when the horse snorted, tapping a hoof on the dirt road. With a sigh, Vaughn carefully shifted the girl's weight in his arms before leading the horse along again, taking the road up to her ranch.
As he stepped onto the property, he released the rope and let the horse run freely, deciding to take care of the animal later. Then he continued on to the house, fumbling to get the door open with the rancher in his arms. Somehow he managed and stepped inside, pausing a moment to take a look around.
Though her house was bigger than the last time he was here, there weren't many other differences than that. He noticed the kitchen, and could see she now had a refrigerator and a cabinet. But other than that, it seemed exactly the same as before.
His thoughts were interrupted when the girl in arms murmured softly, turning into him and burrowing her face in his chest. His cheeks burned, remembering why he was there in the first place and wondering how he'd forgotten, even for that one minute. The heels of his boots clacked against the wooden floor as he moved further inside, gently placing her down on the bed.
Chelsea stirred slightly, a frown on her face as if she disapproved of the change. But she settled back down quickly, turning onto her side and pulling her pillow close to her.
While she became more comfortable, Vaughn stood and watched her curiously. She had a very serene look on her face while she slept, as if she didn't have a care in the world. Even with all the work she had to do, even with all the pressures of expanding the island, even with the need of taking care of herself, her animals, her crops, and taking the time for the people around her…at the end of the day she still managed to relax and not let all the stress bring her down.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and this time he did nothing to hide it. Kneeling down beside her bed, he gently brushed strands of her chestnut hair from her face and whispered, "I'm sorry…okay?"
Murmuring again, the girl snuggled deeper into her pillow and sighed softly.
Rising to his feet again, Vaughn walked as quietly as he could to the door, briefly pausing at the table to place the farmer's bandanna down. Glancing back at her one last time, he then closed the door behind him.