[AN: The omake at the end is kinda... adultish, I guess. Jaina wrote it just for me. It you hate it and/or are traumatized by it, blame her. :D Thanks for all the lovely supportive emails I got. ^___^ You guys rule!]
 

Decisions

The kiss was warm and sweet, the taste of beer still lingering on his lips. She did not want to let go. She would never let go. Now was what mattered, not Knives, not Milly, not anything, just him and her and that she was touching him, and kissing him, and his warm arms encircled her and pulled her closer. Emboldened by the caresses, she reached around waist, fingers grazing scars beneath his shirt. He murmured her name into her lips and dropped his kisses along her cheekbone.

This was interesting. Did Vash always kiss on the first date so… adamantly?

It certainly pleased her though. Perhaps he thought she was as attractive as she thought he was? She almost laughed aloud at the thought. There was no way he could find her as lovely as she found him.

His mouth found her neck, and she leaned her head back, allowing him access. God! Was this only with his lips? He would be a monster in bed, she was sure.

Her fingers trailed up his back, holding him tighter, feeling how tense his shoulders were. She would have to fix that. But not now. No. Now she was overwhelmed by lips and tongue and –

“Vash? Is that you?”

Of course. Of course.

She would strangle him. Slowly.

Reluctantly, Vash pulled away from her, looking towards the source of the voice. “Knives? Yeah, we’re home. I’ll be in to see you in a second.”

There was no reply, for which she was grateful. She was sure it would have been rude or sulky.

Vash looked down at her apologetically, but then kissed her again, surprising her, saying more in that than he could have in words. It promised more later, when business was taken care of. It promised him and her and the desert and nothing else. It promised something much deeper than just the camaraderie they shared in front of others.

A little breathless, she watched as he pulled away and headed towards Knives room.

He shut the door and she nearly skipped into her own room.

And was startled to see a person on her bed.

“Milly?” she asked, cautious. “What are you doing up?”

The girl’s grin was huge. “Spill it, sempai! I want to know!”

Meryl pinked faintly. “Well… what do you want to know?”

“Everything!”

“Let me change and I’ll tell you.”

“Okay!!”

Meryl smiled at her partner and turned towards the closet. She pulled off the dress in one easy motion (she would have to wear this later, she thought, because it came off so easily, and then promptly scolded herself) and hung it back up. She donned her sleepwear and pulled off her stockings, then turned, full of wisdom and gossip, to her friend. “Well,” she started, stalling.

“Well?”

“He’s a very good kisser.” She grinned and felt like she was back in high school.

Milly leaned forward, as if to catch every word. “And?”

“And the food was very good at the restaurant. We talked. It was pleasant.”

“And?”

“And I didn’t let him eat a salmon sandwich.” She smirked triumphantly.

“Good!” Milly crowed.

“Hm… we talked about some serious stuff too. Stuff I wanted to talk to you about.”

The brown-haired girl pursed her lips. “Like what, sempai? Leaving?”

“Yes, actually. What do you think we should do?”

Her brows pulled together in thought. “I know what I want to do. I want to go home.” Her voice was soft. “I want to see my family. I miss them.”

“Yes, I know.”

“And I want to make sure you’re happy, sempai. So you don’t waste chances.”

Meryl blinked and looked at her partner, a bit surprised. “Waste chances? I wouldn’t…”

“Of course you would.” Milly looked resolute. “That’s why we’re going to take Vash-san and Knives-san back with us. They can stay in your apartment because you have that extra room. I’ll come over and bring them food and help with household chores. And you and I will go to work like usual, and Vash will beat sense into his brother.” She grinned, decided.

Grey eyes widened slightly. “Milly…”

“Doesn’t that make sense, sempai?”

“Why, yes… I suppose it does.”

With a giggle, Milly arose and started for the door. “It’ll all work out, sempai. Don’t worry. I’m on the job!” And she disappeared into the hall, humming to herself as she made her way to her room.

Meryl stood gazing after her, stunned. Were things really all that simple? Could they be?

How could they not be? It all made perfect sense.

Except for the Knives killing everything around him part. But she wouldn’t think of that.

In somewhat of a daze, Meryl flicked out the lights. Her bed was warm and accepting. She could still taste beer on her lips.

With a smile, she buried herself in the covers and attempted sleep.

In a week, her clothes were packed and their bus tickets purchased. It was almost time to go.
 
 
 

A Drabble: The Scene Kiri Was Too Innocent to Write [a TK omake by Jaina]

"Meryl, I am glad we went on a date," said Vash.  "It was fun and now I like linguini."

"I had fun too," said Meryl.  They stared at each other until the sun set and they couldn't see anymore.

"Vash, do me," said Meryl.  "I am really horny for your luv.  Look, I even took off my pretty dress for the occasion."

"Okay," said Vash.  He put his wee in her pee hole and wiggled back and forth.  They came together.

"I love you," said Vash.

"About time you said so," said Meryl.  They snuggled until the sun came up.