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Meryl plopped her textbook, notebook, and pencil case down on the coffee table in the middle of Vash's living room. Vash already had his notes sprawled, every piece of paper a part of the organized chaos that made up his life.
He had invited her over to study for their upcoming biology exam, but Meryl knew Vash would ace it no matter how limited his studying was. Meryl hardly saw him take notes in class, and yet he had a natural talent for science. The short journalism major however was much more skilled in the literary and liberal arts. All of the terms and massive amounts of memorization made her brain ache and tears fill her eyes with frustration.
Tonight she aimed to study hard for their upcoming exam. Her goal was to beat her previous score, a number that she would take to the grave. Vash had tried to get her to spill, whining and hanging himself off her small frame after the results were posted, but she wouldn’t budge. The embarrassment was too much.
Meryl may lack in the science department, but she made up for it in determination, and while it was the evening she planned to study until she understood the guide their professor had assigned, or until she passed out.
Why couldn’t science be more flexible like writing? Analysis came so easily to her, but mathematics mixed with memorization and hard set rules caused her so much frustration. Vash seemed to thrive, getting at least 90% on every exam thus far. He had offered on multiple occasions to help her study, but Meryl’s stubborn streak had refused each time.
And she worried that by studying together they would get nothing done.
But tonight would be different. She hoped.
She sat to the right of Vash on the ancient couch that every off-campus student housing owned, his arms splayed along the back in his typical carefree manner
Pulling out notecards and various colors of highlighters, Meryl flipped through her overpriced textbook, that she was determined to get her money’s worth out of, and found the correct chapter for their correlating unit.
"Where did you want to start?" Vash asked.
Pulling the study guide packet out of a vinyl folder in her bag, she waved it obnoxiously in his face, "I have to get this done if I'm going to do any good on the exam, so that's where I'm going to start."
He itched his nose, trying to remedy the tickle she left on his skin from the pages, "Alright, let's get started."
Meryl sighed, the daunting task and late night ahead of her already sapping all of her energy.
__________
If someone had visuals on Meryl’s brain, it would have looked like a smooth and squishy mass of pink. She couldn’t describe what a taxonomy was or remember if Mendel had worked with peas or bees. Ideas from earlier units were beginning to mix in with the current one and Meryl was panicked that she might be studying for the wrong test all together.
She sighed, rubbing deep into her eye socket with her knuckle. Her eyes were exhausted from the endless scan of science jargon, bolded words, and tiny font superimposed in front of a colorful illustration of the double helix.
“Meryl,” Vash said cautiously, “maybe we need to take a break.”
Vash had been great company and an even greater tutor, but he didn’t need any of this study time to do well. Meryl was probably pulling him away from other classes he could be working on and that made guilt rise in her stomach.
“No,” she said, determined to finish but longing to step away, “I need to do well on this test. I never do well in this class and it is so frustrating ,” her hand was clenched tight around her cheap yellow mechanical pencil.
She would do this, and she would do it now, even if it killed her.
Vash just sighed, well aware of her determined nature. He had seen the fire in her eyes when her heart was set on something, and Meryl tried to make it abundantly clear that she would do this, and she would do well.
Refocusing her efforts and pulling out the flash cards she had finished half an hour ago, she began quizzing herself, but the words seemed to blend in with the faint blue lines that came preprinted on the paper. This time she brought both heels of her hands to scrub at her eyes, desperate to get them to focus and read and study. She had to, she just had to get this done.
Vash shifted next to her, hands moving down from the back of the couch, “Meryl, I really think you could use a break. Why don’t we close-”
“No!” she said louder than she meant, “No, Vash. If I’m going to do any good on the test or in this class in general, I have to study until my brain leaks out of my ears.”
If she was honest, her brain was already in desperate need of emergency repairs.
Turning back to the figure on DNA sequencing, Meryl searched for the bolded terms listed in the packet that would be on the exam.
The blond next to her reached out a hand, tucking her dark hair behind her ear. She glanced sideways at him, attempting to stop him with a side eye. He just responded with that typical innocent smile, feigning innocence. After knowing him and dating him for the past couple months, that smile could easily mean so many things, and Meryl knew at this moment he was hiding his desire for her to stop working so hard.
“Vash, I already said,” her eyes flicked back to the textbook, “I’m not taking-” her words cut off by an involuntary gasp.
The hand at her ear had traced around the edges, fingers running along her hairline until he had a solid hand carded into her short hair. He tilted her head and placed a simple kiss on the side of her neck. Just the action caused her mind to short circuit, which was made easy due to the fact that it was already mush from genetic biology. When she didn’t immediately shove him off or start swatting, he took it as the go ahead to place another kiss, gently sucking on the soft skin. Meryl felt those typical butterflies enter her stomach, tickling at her lungs and making it hard to breathe. The hand in her hair trailed gently down her spine and she nearly arched at the sensation. His large hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her tighter to him. Warm fingertips pressed into her and set off those eager butterflies once again.
Meryl knew she needed to stop him, but the softness of his lips and the heat that spread through her chest made her forget about the anxiety of studying for a subject she hated. The blond placed a few more kisses on her neck, trailing down to the crook where her shoulder began. Fortunately, Meryl had on a collared shirt that would stop him from moving any further down.
At least that’s what Meryl thought would happen.
Vash hooked a finger into her collar and bit down on her shoulder.
"Vash!" She yelped.
He laughed hot hair against her skin, but slowed his kisses, lifting his face away from her and she immediately missed his presence. He smiled at her with those puppy dog eyes that melted her every time, “I knew you wouldn’t listen to reason, so I had to try another approach.”
She scowled at him with no real malice, “You really are evil sometimes.”
He pouted, his shoulders slumping forward and his bottom lip jutting out, “Evil?”
“Yes,” her answer was firm as she turned back to her studies, a fresh wave of energy motivating her to… to finish the study guide, “I have to finish working on the guide tonight .”
Out of the corner of her eye he bit his lip, trying to hide a sly smile and Meryl nearly abandoned all coherent thought, but Vash beat her to the punch.
“I didn’t want it to have to come to this.”
Her brows furrowed in confusion, then she squeaked in a rather undignified way as two strong hands grabbed her hips and hoisted her into his lap. His legs were splayed around her as he snaked his arms around her waist.
“Vash…” she started, her hesitation and nervous energy palpable, but before she could continue to berate him, his lips were on her again. More fervent this time, he kissed from her hairline all the way down her nape, following her spine as a guideline. Meryl finally relaxed, letting out a satisfied sigh. One of her hands rested on his thigh, the other grasped at his prosthetic hand and eventually intertwined their fingers.
It irritated her to no end that Vash had figured out so quickly that her neck was sensitive, especially to unsuspecting kisses and licks . Vash’s tongue flicked out briefly before he placed a kiss over the top. She gripped his leg and she felt the smile on her neck as he sucked with real intent to cause damage.
It had been early on in their relationship. She had come over to write an essay, but got sidetracked by the pile of dishes in the sink. Vash begged her not to, but she felt the desire to do something nice for him after he had graciously allowed her to use the amazing wifi in his house. While she leaned against the sink, her head dipped to see the plates in hand, Vash had snuck up behind her to place a simple kiss to her nape. Meryl dropped and nearly broke the plate she had been scrubbing at.
Needless to say, he had abused the power on more than one occasion, not that Meryl had complained.
In the present, sighs continued to escape her lips as she rolled her head forward involuntarily. With every press of his lips more and more terms relating to bean heritage escaped her mind. She felt fuzzy with want, but Vash stopped her train of thought every time he sucked the sensitive skin into his mouth. Their laced fingers pressed comfortably in her stomach as she continued to trace patterns or dig fingernails into his thigh.
Remembering his free hand, Vash followed the curve of her waist up and around her shoulder and she shuddered at the touch. Reaching from behind, he cupped her cheek and willed her to stretch the side, leaning into his hand and opening up new possibilities for him to explore. Meryl’s final rational thoughts scattered as soon as he dragged his teeth along the fresh expanse. He bit down, gently so as to not break skin, but hard enough that a gasp erupted from Meryl.
Meryl was relieved that she reeled in the moan that threatened to sound, but Vash was touching every weakness. His lips on her neck, fingers along her jaw, and an arm wrapped around her waist. But she was eager to run her own hands over his body, thread fingers through his hair and drag his lips down to meet hers.
She shifted in his lap, sitting upright. Vash pulled away and whined behind her. Quickly, he caught the memo as she turned to face him, pulling her legs up to hang lazily over his. His hands released her, reuniting with her waist and laying her down on her back. He slid out from under her, swinging a leg over and trapping her tiny frame beneath his. Meryl’s heart leapt in anticipation.
It was moments like this when she realized how much she appreciated the breadth of his chest and shoulders. Vash towered over her height-wise, but he was also wider than her, creating a blanket sensation when he would kiss her from above. In this moment, however, Vash simply hovered over her, his hands bracing above her shoulders.
Meryl’s hands traced the expanse of his chest, moving slowly along the fabric of his shirt. A small satisfied smile snuck onto her face when she saw his breath hitch and his mouth fall open. Her arms snaked around his neck, gripping his hair and simple black turtleneck, eager to pull him down to her lips. She played with his hairline and pulled him in close, anticipating the softness of his mouth on hers, but he swerved, kissing her jaw and moving quickly downward. He balanced on his forearms, leaning deep into her neck once again.
He was teasing her, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Not when he was exploring the sensitive skin at her throat. Not when he was sucking at her pulse point. Not when his hand moved to the base of her skull, tilting her head back to allow for him to suck under her jawline. Certainly not when he unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse to pepper kisses and leave a trail of dark bruises along her collarbone.
Meryl barely had the mind to keep the grip she had on his neck, her arms going limp with every mark. That ever constant irritation nagged at the back of her mind, demanding that he kiss her for real and not continue to trail down her chest.
Vash was careful of her chest, keeping his hands at her waist or pressed into the couch. He used her shirt as a barrier (even though he had pushed the limits by unbuttoning it at all). He knew if he went too far, Meryl would be smacking him upside the head rather than scraping her nails satisfyingly through his undercut.
"Vash," she finally managed to get out, although meagerly. He simply hummed in response, the sound vibrating through her as he continued his focus on a spot at the hollow of her throat.
She would have to dig a turtleneck out of her closet to wear tomorrow.
Her grip on him tightened, "Vash, please ."
His body lifted off of her, eyes half closed and lips swollen. Jealousy filled her as she wished for her lips to feel just as abused. Finally responding to her begging, Vash leaned into her lips.
His full weight settled onto her, arms wrapped around her and trapped between her body and the couch. He had gotten Meryl riled up with all the wet marks left on her neck that she nearly seeped into the couch at his gentle and methodical kisses to her lips.
He worked slowly, kissing softly and without urgency, simply relishing in the feel of her lips. Meryl slid her hands down to his cheeks, prompting him to press further into her. Taking some control for once, Meryl nibbled on his bottom lip and she felt his kisses falter and a groan sound from the back of his throat.
It was satisfying to know that she could also impact him in such a way.
Vash continued to kiss, urging their mouths open and she tasted him for the first time tonight. Her hands scratched at his cheeks, moving forcefully up into the blond locks. She was eager to muss his hair, attempting to leave a mark of their makeout session. Unfortunately, Vash had her beat in the mark-leaving department
Their mouths shifted and interlocked with each other. Meryl's extremities were nearly numb, her toes curled next to Vash's. She wondered if he ever needed to breathe, because the way his tongue traced her teeth and how he kept their mouths sealed made her second guess his humanity.
Unable to keep up, Meryl slid her hands down to his chest and pushed him away. Vash was panting, and she knew that he also needed a moment to recuperate. Her chest heaved against his, their heavy breaths moving in sync.
A small smile pulled at the corners of his open mouth, "Sorry."
She just laughed and put their foreheads together, "No, you were right. I needed a break from my notes."
He pressed a simple kiss to her lips, "I often know what's best for you."
"Oh yeah?" Teasing evident in her tone, "like what?"
"Like this," he lifted off her chest and Meryl immediately missed the satisfying weight of him on top of her. He dragged his hands away from her torso to hold her cheeks, mirroring her position.
Leaning down carefully, he placed feather light kisses all around her face. Brushes on her eyelids, gentle placements on her cheek bones and her nose. Every touch made her hum with pleasant satisfaction.
"I will say," she started, but Vash kissed her lips, interrupting her. She relinquished her train of thought and kissed back.
Their lips parted with a soft smack, "Sorry, I interrupted you."
Her eyes fluttered open, attempting to remember what she was trying to say before.
"Oh," the memory coming back, "I was going to say that this break may have done more harm than good. I don't even remember what unit we were studying."
He let out a laugh that shook his frame and Meryl smiled wide up at him. Pressing a final healthy kiss to her cheek, Vash sat back, moving off of her lap. She pulled her legs back and sat against the arm of the couch, hugging her knees to her chest.
"Now that you've had your much needed break, let's finish this packet."
"Ugh, ever the academic," she said, but the smile on her lips betrayed her meaning.
Leaning toward her and picking her up for the second time that night, Vash moved Meryl back into his lap. His arms moved around her waist and she hoped he would hold her, but instead he moved the necessary notes to the forefront. Meryl groaned. She would rather do anything else than learn the various elements of Gregor Mendel's experiments.
"Don't worry," he placed a kiss on her temple, "I'll be right here to help you."
Vash settled his arms around her waist and sat his chin on her shoulder, watching her restart her efforts. His comforting weight kept her grounded and she continued to flip through her book and amend mistakes on her flashcards. Every once in a while he would chime in, further explaining ideas or connecting elements of the unit to each other. Meryl appreciated his efforts and his encouragement, but the way he spoke directly into the shell of her ear was distracting. At one point he whispered, "good girl," into her neck and Meryl nearly dragged him back down onto the couch to finish what they had started.
Finally, after what felt like ages, Meryl completed the packet. All blanks were filled and all of the terms defined. She let out a sigh, grateful to be finished with this biological hell.
"All done?" Vash had gotten increasingly more comfortable against her frame, arms squeezing further around her and his face leaning into her cheek.
"Mhmm," she replied affirmatively.
"Perfect," his voice hardly a whisper as he turned her face to his and pressed an eager kiss to her lips, forcing her to drop the pencil and papers in her hands.
Meryl giggled into his mouth as he hooked his prosthetic under her knees and pulled her sideways in his lap. Her arms snaked back into their comfortable position around his neck. Vash redoubled his effort to make her melt under his touch, his other hand stable and reassuring in between her shoulder blades. She let him kiss her, touch her, suck on her as she relaxed into his arms. After a long night of mind-numbing homework, she would rather participate in a mind-numbing activity that was much more entertaining.
Meryl had needed a break, and Vash was right when he knew exactly what was best for her. But he also knew how to keep her sane while also driving her insane .
She should clean up her notes and pack up her stuff to go home for the night, but that could wait. All she wanted right now was his lips on hers and the firm grip around her waist that told her he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.