Fever

Fever

Fever

Disclaimer: I do not own Trigun.

The twin suns rose once more and therefore promised a new date, a new day, a new life.

Vash the Stampede, the evil bandit who was known for destroying the cities and for being addictive to the doughnut, made his way down the stairs of the small house as he did every morning since he returned no more than two months prior. He looked at his brother who was sitting quietly at the old faux wood table. The sixty-billion-double-dollar man smiled, 'So he's really giving it a try, huh?' He was actually surprised that Knives had agreed to give humans a chance, especially since he was so bent on killing them all in a fiery explosion for nearly 130 years.

"Well look who's up and about this lovely morning! I would've thought your injures would have had you bedridden for another week or so but I guess I was wrong, huh?" The golden blonde man laughed and put his right hand behind his head as he did so. Knives just gave him a cold stare.

"Um...okay...hey how 'bout some breakfast? You must be-"

However the man's sad attempt at a peace offering with his brother was cut short. "MR. VASH!" came Milly's high voice as the tall woman ran down the stairs and into the room the boys were in.

"What's the matter, big-girl?" Vash asked. His voice was drenched in concern.

"It's Meryl...she's...she's..."

"She's fine," said Meryl from the base of the staircase. Her voice was hoarse, her eyes were glassy and her skin was very pale.

"No she's not!" Milly said with a huff. She placed her hands on her hips and pouted, "Meryl, you're sick and you're staying in bed until you get better."

"Nonsense...I'm-" her sentence was cut short from a coughing attack. She hunched over to cover her mouth, and then suddenly felt a strong hand on her back. Meryl looked up to see it was no other than Vash the Stampede.

"Easy there! You're as sick as a dog, insurance girl!" His voice was softer than usual, "C'mon now, go back upstairs and lay down. We'll bring you some soup."

'Oh great...' she thought as Vash led her up the stairs. 'He's lecturing me now. Isn't this a little backwards? Aren't I supposed to be telling him what to do and not to do?'

Once they reached her room the blonde opened the door and led her back to bed. Meryl gave him a pleading look, but he ignored it claiming she better get into bed or else he would make her. Once she was back in bed she felt Vash's real hand on her forehead, "Holy crap, you can burn an egg on your forehead! There is no way your leaving this room with that fever!"

"But Vas-"

She was silenced by a thermometer being stuck under her tongue, "No buts! I'm gonna take care of you until you get better." He made a macho pose as he said this. "And besides..." He took the thermometer out of her mouth, and he was right. She had a very high fever. "It's the least I can do for all those times you took care of me." He smiled at her and got up. "Now try to relax, Milly and I will take care of everything! Don't worry!" He gave her a smile and ran off.

'Why does that worry me more?' the raven haired woman thought in despair as she sank underneath the blankets.

Milly heard the sound of Vash's boots make their way down the stairs. "Did she listen to you, Mr. Vash? Is she gonna relax?" Vash nodded and made his way to the kitchen where his brother still sat, unfazed by the situation.

"Hey big-girl?" he called.

"Yes?" she said as she entered the kitchen and gave a good morning wave to Knives, "Hello Mr. Knives!" Her greeting was ignored.

"Do we have any soup left?" Vash asked.

"Oh no, I think we ran out. Don't worry I'll head down to the general store and pick some up. Do you boys want anything else?"

Vash shook his head.

Knives continued to sit.

"Okay then, I'm off!" and with that the burnet left the house.

Are you really planning to take care of that human wrench? Vash heard in his head. By now he was used to Knives invading his thoughts.

Yup.

Why?

Because...I want to. She's done so much for me over the years and it's time I paid her back for the favor.

In other words...you're in love with the wrench.

Knives...

Knives face was then twisted into a smirk. How long?

How long what?

How long have you been in love with her?

I'm not "in love" with her I just-

Have a feeling of intense desire and attraction towards her?

Yeah!

Vash, that’s love.

Vash's head fell onto the table in defeat. This couldn't have been fair.