Chapter Text
A cold chill urges Meryl out of her bed roll, casting a worried look at the cave around her group.
Nights like this left her weary and ill at ease, especially with the mystery surrounding Vash growing ever worse.
The more tangled she became in his life, the more she wanted to be tangled in his arms.
It was ridiculous to care for Vash the Stampede. He was the first classified Human Natural Disaster. He was the 60 Billion Double Dollar Man. He was her work assigned responsibility.
…But he’s hurt.
Meryl looked around in the dark to find him. With little surprise, she noticed he was resting off from everyone else, facing towards the wall.
She could already picture those sad, misty eyes that would draw anyone in. The steely gaze that protected him.
Oh god, I have to see him, Meryl fretted, her mind running with worries. Seeing his face was a guaranteed pick-me-up.
…And at least it was an excuse to talk.
It had been hard to find time alone with him after the preacher man joined their group. She was thankful for the opportunity, even if it was the dead of night.
Meryl crept over her friends into the small offshoot, almost like a separate sleeping quarters.
The moment her toes touched the sandy ground, he shifted. It was subtle, but Meryl noticed him start to take in air and relax his shoulders.
Is he pretending to sleep?
Meryl knelt down beside him, tongue stupid wondering what she would say. Her mind hadn’t formulated an excuse yet. Simply being worried would make her sound like a foolish, helpless woman. That was an image she fought against her entire life.
There was so much to say. There were many things she hadn’t gotten to tell him during their previous brief reunion, besides an exchange of her handkerchief.
She smiled preemptively and let her knees rest beside him.
“Vash-”
“Why are you awake,” Vash’s soft voice came without a hint of slumber.
Meryl felt her tongue tie in her throat.
He hadn’t turned to face her, just shooing her off immediately the moment she got close.
“I just-”
“I’m too tired now, please go to bed,” He said gently as if scolding a little girl.
Normally, she’d fly off the handle. What right did some random man have to treat her like a child?
But really, he’d just lost so many friends the other day, so she couldn’t blame him for being cold. He was even polite when doing it.
He must be in so much pain, Meryl’s heart rang out again as she reached to touch him.
She placed a hand on his bicep, squeezing it gently.
“Sorry, I’m just worried about what happened. You won’t explain and now there’s a group of killers after us.”
Vash sighed, finally turning his head.
He did look tired, but his eyes were hidden under the cover of night.
“...I’d tell you to leave, but I don’t think you would,” He said.
Meryl moved closer, feeling uppity about his words.
“Of course we wouldn’t! People are in danger and it’s our mission to look after you!”
“...That’s not a mission, it’s an assignment,” Vash corrected her,” And I don’t need you two looking out for me.”
“It’s a mission for work,” Meryl added, raising her voice,” And I’m not leaving you to your own pain.”
They watched each other cautiously in the dark. Vash bit his lip.
Meryl felt herself grow hot with embarrassment.
“...What I mean is, you’re hurting, and I want to be your friend. I know you might hate us but Milly and I-”
Suddenly, Vash was inches away from her face.
Meryl shut her mouth and stared, body burning even hotter.
She had no idea what he wanted. If she’d offended him, or if he wanted to pull something perverted.
Truly, Vash had become such a mysterious person, he was impossible to predict. She was dangerously close to loving that person.
“..W-what do you need-” She shivered, unable to meet his gaze.
Vash closed the space between them.
His kiss was short, but it excited her like lightning. Nerves wracked her chest in a thunderous heartbeat.
She found herself struggling to speak as he retreated.
“I am hurting,” Vash replied,” But that feeling won’t distract me from my goals.”
His fingers nearly touched her own. She saw a quiet smile cross his face that didn’t seem real.
He turned away from her now, peeking over his shoulder.
“You’re really pretty, you know that,” He said,”...Thanks for cheering me up.”
Meryl nodded, so flustered and confused.
Vash faced the wall, settling in his bedroll.
“Get back to sleep, Insurance Girl.”
She listened.