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Don't bother unless you have something important to say.
→ sms ← mms → voice ← video → action ← plans to end humanity → unreasonable tantrums regarding one's twin brother ←
Don't bother unless you have something important to say.
→ sms ← mms → voice ← video → action ← plans to end humanity → unreasonable tantrums regarding one's twin brother ←
[Admittedly, Meryl doesn't know what to expect of him bending down. At first, she leaps to the conclusion that he's mocking her by lowering to her level. Or perhaps he's just trying to get a more comfortable angle to thank her properly? She probably wouldn't have minded that outcome.
Not that she'll mind what happens, Eventually. Nai will have to deal with her squealing at first, and the way her fingers immediately grip at the fabric of whatever clothing he's wearing over his chest. She fixes him with a wild-eyed look, expression going from bewildered to furious to....
To touched. Despite the surprise, he's still so delicate with her. And it's hard to be angry when her skin is prickling and her heart is racing, too. She feels the wash of his breath over her skin in the brief moment it lingers, and she swears it makes her see stars.]
You don't - [She huffs, but doesn't dare shift or shy away or even scowl. Despite any appearances that she tries to put on, she doesn't want to ruin the moment. Her forehead angles so that she can brush against his. All for the sake of being that little bit closer.] You don't have to thank me. Not for something like that, at least.
[Since she's here, her hand lifts, cradling the span of his jaw.]
I care about you. I want to... not just be content, but to have good things in your life. Other things you can care for.
Not that she'll mind what happens, Eventually. Nai will have to deal with her squealing at first, and the way her fingers immediately grip at the fabric of whatever clothing he's wearing over his chest. She fixes him with a wild-eyed look, expression going from bewildered to furious to....
To touched. Despite the surprise, he's still so delicate with her. And it's hard to be angry when her skin is prickling and her heart is racing, too. She feels the wash of his breath over her skin in the brief moment it lingers, and she swears it makes her see stars.]
You don't - [She huffs, but doesn't dare shift or shy away or even scowl. Despite any appearances that she tries to put on, she doesn't want to ruin the moment. Her forehead angles so that she can brush against his. All for the sake of being that little bit closer.] You don't have to thank me. Not for something like that, at least.
[Since she's here, her hand lifts, cradling the span of his jaw.]
I care about you. I want to... not just be content, but to have good things in your life. Other things you can care for.
[ He's known. No matter how difficult things had gotten, somehow, deep down there was no denying that they loved each other. They're brothers, two parts of one whole, meant to compliment and support the other. Being torn apart, leagues of planet and stars and ideals between them was only painful. Even at his most afraid, his fear was never for himself when it came to Nai. Here and now, with the work they've put in to stitch together their tattered relationship and torn hearts Vash is certain he never needs or wants to be separated from his brother again. Together, they can overcome so much more than they could when they were apart.
He's so, so sure. He's so, so, hopeful. Tears prick at the corners of his eyes, not out of sorrow but just because he's always been emotive, and he brushes his nose against his brothers' briefly. ]
I know. I love you, I love you.
[ It's muttered again and again, his lips ghosting against Nai's in return as he says them, his arms moving to wrap tightly around his brother as he turns that ghost of affection into an actual kiss that stays chaste, for now. It's almost like he's still getting used to hearing the words tumble from his own lips, off his own tongue. He's certain he hasn't said it in over a hundred years, not to anyone. He might as well be inhaling every exhale Nai makes for how close he's slid himself into Nai's lap, and for all the gentle, tenderness he feels in this moment it's not close enough. ]
He's so, so sure. He's so, so, hopeful. Tears prick at the corners of his eyes, not out of sorrow but just because he's always been emotive, and he brushes his nose against his brothers' briefly. ]
I know. I love you, I love you.
[ It's muttered again and again, his lips ghosting against Nai's in return as he says them, his arms moving to wrap tightly around his brother as he turns that ghost of affection into an actual kiss that stays chaste, for now. It's almost like he's still getting used to hearing the words tumble from his own lips, off his own tongue. He's certain he hasn't said it in over a hundred years, not to anyone. He might as well be inhaling every exhale Nai makes for how close he's slid himself into Nai's lap, and for all the gentle, tenderness he feels in this moment it's not close enough. ]
( she's more than welcome to have that talk with him, because he will deny all thoughts of livio as their resident teddy bear, but she is little one; his … little one … as this conversation seems to be going the way of, but he doesn't think he has any place to think anything like that, even if she's coming to him with her feelings and laying them bare. it's not his right, to claim anyone else like that.
moving right along! ahem!
he smiles softly at the first response she gives. ) I imagine you couldn't attract anything but good people. ( he pauses, brows furrowing, because yes, he realizes what he's just said and is going to make an addendum. ) Save for me. But we've been over your acceptance of me and everything I am … so I suppose that means you get a free pass, hm? ( he's trying to be funny, he's trying to keep his tone light but the fact remains that he still feels as though he'll never be able to atone for what happened in july. all those people, all those lives, not even including his own because he'd brought that on himself —
but he's not going to allow himself to spiral. not now. not when this is a good conversation.
the way she turns away from him is … undeniably endearing, as though she isn't entirely transparent and that's including the fact that he's terrible at reading social cues; she turns back to him, and he takes back one of his hands to trail his fingertips over the very edge of her jaw, a reverent sort of touch that goes to the corner of her mouth before that hand settles at the side of her neck, the flutter of her pulse bright and warm beneath his palm.
he doesn't say anything else, only presses his lips to hers in a semblance of how she had done the same during the masquerade, only unhindered by the stipulations of being released from a ( pardon the pun ) sticky situation; his lips are soft against hers, chaste in the way he first lays little pecks against the seam of her mouth and then kisses her properly, warm and inviting, giving her all the room she might need ( or want ) to steer the kiss in whatever direction she likes. )
moving right along! ahem!
he smiles softly at the first response she gives. ) I imagine you couldn't attract anything but good people. ( he pauses, brows furrowing, because yes, he realizes what he's just said and is going to make an addendum. ) Save for me. But we've been over your acceptance of me and everything I am … so I suppose that means you get a free pass, hm? ( he's trying to be funny, he's trying to keep his tone light but the fact remains that he still feels as though he'll never be able to atone for what happened in july. all those people, all those lives, not even including his own because he'd brought that on himself —
but he's not going to allow himself to spiral. not now. not when this is a good conversation.
the way she turns away from him is … undeniably endearing, as though she isn't entirely transparent and that's including the fact that he's terrible at reading social cues; she turns back to him, and he takes back one of his hands to trail his fingertips over the very edge of her jaw, a reverent sort of touch that goes to the corner of her mouth before that hand settles at the side of her neck, the flutter of her pulse bright and warm beneath his palm.
he doesn't say anything else, only presses his lips to hers in a semblance of how she had done the same during the masquerade, only unhindered by the stipulations of being released from a ( pardon the pun ) sticky situation; his lips are soft against hers, chaste in the way he first lays little pecks against the seam of her mouth and then kisses her properly, warm and inviting, giving her all the room she might need ( or want ) to steer the kiss in whatever direction she likes. )
[In time, perhaps they'll cross that bridge and address the topic of possession. Certainly, Meryl is coming to see Nai as hers. Not entirely, as the last thing she would ever do is come between the bonds of brotherhood between himself and Vash. She might not know how deep those bonds go, but even still — never would she dare to usurp that position.]
I think I attract people that want to be good. That are willing to be, even. [It's an alteration that successfully includes Nai within the bunch. She's not going to forgive his past, solely because that isn't just her role, but she can acknowledge the steps he's taken forward.
She can also acknowledge that thinking about those things is about to be patently difficult for her, now that Nai is leaning in. There's a brief moment of panic, an instant where her eyes go wider as she both forgets and the simultaneously remembers what she's supposed to do next. She leans forward to meet him, eyes closing as she accepts each little peck.
Even if the smile that threatens to bloom over her lips comes dangerously close to disturbing them both.
To her credit, she doesn't immediately push for escalation. Right now she's content with lingering in the kiss. When she does move her lips, it's slow and careful. She doesn't know how much Nai has done this, if ever. Thus, a careful, educational approach seems best for her.
And maybe she just wants to take it one step at a time with him. Maybe she wants to figure out what she's supposed to do with her hands first. They can't just fretfully grab at her own shorts the entire time. Perhaps if she lifted them to lay against his chest?
Yeah, that should work. If he gets to enjoy the way her pulse jumps and jackhammers, she should get to do the same.]
I think I attract people that want to be good. That are willing to be, even. [It's an alteration that successfully includes Nai within the bunch. She's not going to forgive his past, solely because that isn't just her role, but she can acknowledge the steps he's taken forward.
She can also acknowledge that thinking about those things is about to be patently difficult for her, now that Nai is leaning in. There's a brief moment of panic, an instant where her eyes go wider as she both forgets and the simultaneously remembers what she's supposed to do next. She leans forward to meet him, eyes closing as she accepts each little peck.
Even if the smile that threatens to bloom over her lips comes dangerously close to disturbing them both.
To her credit, she doesn't immediately push for escalation. Right now she's content with lingering in the kiss. When she does move her lips, it's slow and careful. She doesn't know how much Nai has done this, if ever. Thus, a careful, educational approach seems best for her.
And maybe she just wants to take it one step at a time with him. Maybe she wants to figure out what she's supposed to do with her hands first. They can't just fretfully grab at her own shorts the entire time. Perhaps if she lifted them to lay against his chest?
Yeah, that should work. If he gets to enjoy the way her pulse jumps and jackhammers, she should get to do the same.]
( so maybe he kind of likes that she feels like she can be like this with him; open and downright playful, something he doesn't have a whole lot of experience with but is becoming more familiar with the more time he spends with her.
impishness … is a good look on her, if he's completely honest with himself. but he doesn't need to get ahead of himself, so he's going to stow those thoughts away for the time being.
she turns on her heel and all but disappears and he's left to his own devices; he steps outside, the air crisp but very pleasant on his face, perhaps because his cheeks are beginning to feel very warm — and it doesn't take him very long to find a bench set out of the way, maybe partially obscured by a bush or potted plant, and if he's ( un? )lucky, there won't be any more devil sprigs attached to them.
he sits, and he waits, and he might just take another couple of sips from his glass as he does so, letting the flavor of the wine wash over his tongue and enjoying its bittersweetness perhaps a bit too much. but maybe that's the alcohol already in his system talking, we just don't know. )
impishness … is a good look on her, if he's completely honest with himself. but he doesn't need to get ahead of himself, so he's going to stow those thoughts away for the time being.
she turns on her heel and all but disappears and he's left to his own devices; he steps outside, the air crisp but very pleasant on his face, perhaps because his cheeks are beginning to feel very warm — and it doesn't take him very long to find a bench set out of the way, maybe partially obscured by a bush or potted plant, and if he's ( un? )lucky, there won't be any more devil sprigs attached to them.
he sits, and he waits, and he might just take another couple of sips from his glass as he does so, letting the flavor of the wine wash over his tongue and enjoying its bittersweetness perhaps a bit too much. but maybe that's the alcohol already in his system talking, we just don't know. )
( as small as she is, he wouldn't have blamed her for thinking he was going either the mocking route or the stooping-down-to-her-level route, but she's going to find out soon enough that she's bzzzzt, wrong, on both of those thoughts.
he's ready for her to throw something of a fit with how he just. lends himself to the notion that he's allowed to manhandle her like that in the first place, but she's right in how incredibly gentle he is with her, and he's going to continue to be gentle until there comes a day in which she informs him that she doesn't want him to be.
( and where you want that thought process to go, you're more than welcome to take it however you like. )
he turns to nuzzle the inside of her wrist when she touches his jaw, making a low, soft, pleased noise in the back of his throat that might … actually sound like something of a purr, if she were to pay close enough attention to it. sometimes plant mannerisms translate into being effectively human, don't think too hard about it.
just wait until he gets his glowy plant markings power back, and he'll pretty much be in glowstick mode around her all the time.
he drops a kiss to the inside of her wrist, then lifts his head again and presses another to the corner of her mouth. chaste and sweet, and perhaps nearly the most genuine he's ever been with her. ) You're definitely a good thing that I have in my life. ( he says quietly, but seriously, bumping the side of her nose with his. ) And unlike someone else we know, I have manners, so I am going to thank you. ( he pauses, kisses the very tip of her nose. ) Any way I see fit.
he's ready for her to throw something of a fit with how he just. lends himself to the notion that he's allowed to manhandle her like that in the first place, but she's right in how incredibly gentle he is with her, and he's going to continue to be gentle until there comes a day in which she informs him that she doesn't want him to be.
( and where you want that thought process to go, you're more than welcome to take it however you like. )
he turns to nuzzle the inside of her wrist when she touches his jaw, making a low, soft, pleased noise in the back of his throat that might … actually sound like something of a purr, if she were to pay close enough attention to it. sometimes plant mannerisms translate into being effectively human, don't think too hard about it.
he drops a kiss to the inside of her wrist, then lifts his head again and presses another to the corner of her mouth. chaste and sweet, and perhaps nearly the most genuine he's ever been with her. ) You're definitely a good thing that I have in my life. ( he says quietly, but seriously, bumping the side of her nose with his. ) And unlike someone else we know, I have manners, so I am going to thank you. ( he pauses, kisses the very tip of her nose. ) Any way I see fit.
( maybe they'll eventually have that conversation, and maybe he'll come to understand the thought of possession of more than one person, since she's shared the knowledge of her other partners with him, there's nothing about exclusivity and vash will always be at the forefront of his mind, there is no helping that, but. she's there now, too, taking up his thoughts day in and day out. he's already made a place for her there.
( but nai can be hers, too. if she wants him to be. he'd never really felt like he belonged anywhere, much less to anyone even before the great fall, and there is a feeling of home in her that a part of him still doesn't know what to do with. he'll figure it out, in time, but … he'd be trying to get away with a lie if he tried to say he didn't like the thought of being hers.
do with that what you will, meryl. he's in your hands. )
he sighs, quietly, a short and muffled thing in the space between them. ) I want to be good, I think. ( for a small moment, he sounds so much younger than his years, unsure in the steps he's trying to take forward. ) For you, and for Vash. You both deserve so much more from me than what I am. ( there's more of that vulnerability, effectively laying himself bare before her and asking, begging for her to accept him, as she's so far accepted everything else.
but. he follows her lead when she moves her lips against his, because he really doesn't have a lot of experience with this sort of thing, and he's still gentle, delicate in everything he does with her because he doesn't know any other way to be. though he does take a chance in dragging his teeth over her bottom lip, the slightest nibble, because he honestly can't help it.
his hands begin to move, quite without his consent and one settles at the back of her neck, fingers threading through the short, soft hair at her nap while the other settles at the dip of her waist, maybe even squeezing gently, pulling her closer and closer until she's in his lap, such a tiny thing, and he wants to keep her there.
his?
maybe he's thinking about that more than he realizes. )
( but nai can be hers, too. if she wants him to be. he'd never really felt like he belonged anywhere, much less to anyone even before the great fall, and there is a feeling of home in her that a part of him still doesn't know what to do with. he'll figure it out, in time, but … he'd be trying to get away with a lie if he tried to say he didn't like the thought of being hers.
do with that what you will, meryl. he's in your hands. )
he sighs, quietly, a short and muffled thing in the space between them. ) I want to be good, I think. ( for a small moment, he sounds so much younger than his years, unsure in the steps he's trying to take forward. ) For you, and for Vash. You both deserve so much more from me than what I am. ( there's more of that vulnerability, effectively laying himself bare before her and asking, begging for her to accept him, as she's so far accepted everything else.
but. he follows her lead when she moves her lips against his, because he really doesn't have a lot of experience with this sort of thing, and he's still gentle, delicate in everything he does with her because he doesn't know any other way to be. though he does take a chance in dragging his teeth over her bottom lip, the slightest nibble, because he honestly can't help it.
his hands begin to move, quite without his consent and one settles at the back of her neck, fingers threading through the short, soft hair at her nap while the other settles at the dip of her waist, maybe even squeezing gently, pulling her closer and closer until she's in his lap, such a tiny thing, and he wants to keep her there.
his?
maybe he's thinking about that more than he realizes. )
[To her credit, Meryl is very quick about hunting down her quarry. She knows she's seen some finger sandwiches going about, and so she deftly hunts down the tray for herself. She picks some that are heavy with crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes, as well as a cheese and meat that pairs well without being overwhelming. It seems a pleasant enough happy medium.
From there, it's just a matter of finding Nai out on the balcony. She may or may not stumble on a few canoodling Dreamers, but she apologizes quickly enough and skitters away. The longer she goes without finding him, though, the more she gets a little nervous. Hopefully, Nai hadn't looked too closely at the bunch and thought she had similar intentions.
(Strange how the thought makes her stomach twist in a not so unpleasant way. She tries not to think about that too closely, though).
When she eventually does find him, the Plant hidden behind a plant, she sets the tray of sandwiches down in front of him. Then, she does indeed carefully inspect that bush for any stray sprigs. Thankfully, they're safe for now. Any kisses shared will be freely given.
Wait. What.
Anyway. She settles down beside him, an arm's length of distance between the two to ease any tension. That doesn't keep her from leaning forward, peering at his face as she adjusts to the dimmer lighting.]
How are you feeling?
From there, it's just a matter of finding Nai out on the balcony. She may or may not stumble on a few canoodling Dreamers, but she apologizes quickly enough and skitters away. The longer she goes without finding him, though, the more she gets a little nervous. Hopefully, Nai hadn't looked too closely at the bunch and thought she had similar intentions.
(Strange how the thought makes her stomach twist in a not so unpleasant way. She tries not to think about that too closely, though).
When she eventually does find him, the Plant hidden behind a plant, she sets the tray of sandwiches down in front of him. Then, she does indeed carefully inspect that bush for any stray sprigs. Thankfully, they're safe for now. Any kisses shared will be freely given.
Wait. What.
Anyway. She settles down beside him, an arm's length of distance between the two to ease any tension. That doesn't keep her from leaning forward, peering at his face as she adjusts to the dimmer lighting.]
How are you feeling?
You aren't going to let this go without all of this trouble, are you? [Her tone is light, even if she does her best to come off as annoyed. She'll never stop being comforted by his words, growing ever more assured that he's been satisfied with the offering.
And really, his reaction is far from troubling. In fact, her smile — which broadens with each kiss — betrays her true thoughts almost immediately. Yes, her nose scrunches in mock annoyance, but there's no effort to shy away. His lips feel good against her skin. She feels good.]
Besides, I meant - [She huffs as their noses bump together, eyes closing as she feels the wash of his breath over her face. It isn't fair that she can't seem to put together a coherent thought right now. He's really got her on the back foot.] I meant beyond me. Something you can put your energy into if -
[She doesn't finish that train of thought. They both know that someone's presence in this world isn't guaranteed. She doesn't need to speak that potential into existence when they're otherwise having a good time.]
If I'm away. Or busy. Or anything like that!
And really, his reaction is far from troubling. In fact, her smile — which broadens with each kiss — betrays her true thoughts almost immediately. Yes, her nose scrunches in mock annoyance, but there's no effort to shy away. His lips feel good against her skin. She feels good.]
Besides, I meant - [She huffs as their noses bump together, eyes closing as she feels the wash of his breath over her face. It isn't fair that she can't seem to put together a coherent thought right now. He's really got her on the back foot.] I meant beyond me. Something you can put your energy into if -
[She doesn't finish that train of thought. They both know that someone's presence in this world isn't guaranteed. She doesn't need to speak that potential into existence when they're otherwise having a good time.]
If I'm away. Or busy. Or anything like that!
[The admission is all she needs. He wants to take the step forward, and so she'll be there to help him. She can't guarantee what that process will look like, and quite frankly? She doesn't care. There are slightly more pressing things to think about in this moment. Namely, ensuring that Nai believes he's at least good enough to be apart of her life.
First step? Sliding easily into his lap. She straddles his waist almost without hesitation, stumbling only slightly. It causes her to break from the kiss just for a second, a faint little laugh forming, expression both sheepish and heartbreakingly stricken.
She's wanted this for a long time. Under pressure, maybe she'd admit to dreaming of it, even.
Lucky for both of them, she returns to their kiss just as easily. This time, it's her teeth that drag over his lip, reciprocating the gesture before tracing her tongue over the same space. If she had to guess — and she has no reason not to believe it, thank you — she has just a bit more experience than him. Fumbling though she might be, she can at least show him some of the ropes.
She quickly grows unsatisfied by the hand against his chest. One can linger against the firm muscle, but the other slides back into near-white hair. She cards her fingers through it painfully gently, relishing the way it slides through her fingers in the same breath that she relishes the slide of their lips.]
First step? Sliding easily into his lap. She straddles his waist almost without hesitation, stumbling only slightly. It causes her to break from the kiss just for a second, a faint little laugh forming, expression both sheepish and heartbreakingly stricken.
She's wanted this for a long time. Under pressure, maybe she'd admit to dreaming of it, even.
Lucky for both of them, she returns to their kiss just as easily. This time, it's her teeth that drag over his lip, reciprocating the gesture before tracing her tongue over the same space. If she had to guess — and she has no reason not to believe it, thank you — she has just a bit more experience than him. Fumbling though she might be, she can at least show him some of the ropes.
She quickly grows unsatisfied by the hand against his chest. One can linger against the firm muscle, but the other slides back into near-white hair. She cards her fingers through it painfully gently, relishing the way it slides through her fingers in the same breath that she relishes the slide of their lips.]
[ If it were anyone else, maybe Vash wouldn't have noticed the subtle body language. Maybe he would have let it pass. Instead, he shifts, carefully moving his head to look at Knives through his eyelashes and messy mop of hair. Nearly identical blue eyes watch Knives carefully as Vash shifts the way he's curled into his brother to settle a hand against his brother's neck, his thumb tracing over the curve of his cheekbone, just below his beautymark.
He knows, but he doesn't ask. There's a moment or two where he just watches, saying nothing and then he moves to press their foreheads together and closes his eyes. It's such a similar, familiar sort of action, one that Vash finds comfort in and one he hopes his brother finds soothing as well.
I'm sorry, Nai. ]
It's okay.
He knows, but he doesn't ask. There's a moment or two where he just watches, saying nothing and then he moves to press their foreheads together and closes his eyes. It's such a similar, familiar sort of action, one that Vash finds comfort in and one he hopes his brother finds soothing as well.
I'm sorry, Nai. ]
It's okay.
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