Archive of Our Own

You pluck at your outfit for what feels like the 60,000,000,000th time. Okay yeah, maybe the number might be a little exaggerated, however it's just high enough to match your level of nervousness. Because today, for the first time in eternity - and this one isn't an exaggeration - you're having a date.

The statement of your best friend still rings in your ear shells:

“Mark my words - if you're still single when you hit your 30's, I'll literally set you up with any guy that's cute and asian, okay? I don't care. You deserve to experience your own little kdrama for once! Okay, scratch that, not the drama part, only the romance. But you know what I mean!”

To be fair, there are still a few more years yet to come before you're about reach the big 3, until this supportive yet kind off threatening promise would come to fruition if she's really going to insist on it. However, just hearing that declaration being tossed around about a week ago did stir a sense of rebelliousness inside your heart. An eagerness to take the matters of your relationship status into your own hand. Right now.

Consequently you found yourself downloading a dating app only one day after. All the while ignoring the fact how many times you'd done just the same thing in the past, which had always ended up with you deleting the app again after roughly a week - too many weirdos on there, too little chance to actually find someone with genuine interest and decent manners.

Anyhow, this time might actually be your lucky shot. Otherwise you wouldn't be standing here right now, at the corner of a vast parking space, waiting for your date to pick you up.

After cocking up your head to make sure he isn't in sight yet you take out your phone, tapping on the screen until a certain dating profile pops into your field of vision. You know it basically by heart by now, considering how often you've clicked on it in the past few days.

> Vash Stampede, male, 27 <

As if to remind yourself of him being real, you start swiping through the few picures Vash has uploaded there. All three of them give away pretty much the same - a young man wearing a baggy red trenchcoat that reaches up to his chin, a big happy face with blonde hair on top and eyes that are squeezed shut behind light amber-colored glasses. The casual peace sign in the second picture is cleary the only variation to discover.

It's actually pretty cute though in your opinion, this goofy choice of pictures. Either it's the very first time for Vash to touch such an app, or he just really doesn't care about showing off like all of the other guys. Both very pleasant options to think about. Besides, what can you say against seeing such a bright and ravishing grin in more than one version?

Your eyes wander, your smile growing wider as you read the few words written below his pictures.

> Love and Peace! Would you be my mayfly? <

To be fair, definitely not the type of bio that would catch most girl's attention, especially the second part. Yet it did catch yours first second, because the sound of it just rings so odd and dorky that it instantly sparked your interest to learn more about him.

Your chatting started six days ago. Yes, you do keep count, and yes you also still remember your excited little squeak seeing that Vash had already been interested in you as you swiped him to the right side of your display. Likewise, he seemed to be just as happy to get to know you, so your flow of energy matched since moment one.

However, surprisingly the usual topics of “What do you do for work?”, “What's your living situation?” and “How long have you been single?” - questions that other guys had always combed through at first before switching to more personality related matters - never came up during those six days. Vash appears to be someone who lives within the present moment first and foremost, someone who's interested in your hobbies and the things that give you joy rather than caring about the basic settings of your life. And honestly, you appreciate this hierarchy of priorities a lot. It's... refreshing.

Accordingly, instead of knowing Vash's profession or knowing much about his personal life in general, you're rather well informed about his love for photography, his very deeply rooted devotion to donuts and your shared passion for Ghibli movies.

Aside that, Vash did also turn out to be an incredibly charming individual when it comes to flirting. He seems to have a compliment flying on his mind at all times, and his hands have never been too shy to type out his praises at any given chance. You stopped counting how many sweet words you've received in the last couple of days about how beautiful your eyes are, how gorgeous your smile, and how much he's baffled that such a dream of a girl is still single.

To be fair, it probably would've been laid on too thick if anyone else had given you this many compliments, but somehow it's been so, so nice to read them all from Vash. Maybe because his words always carry just the right type of adoration to stick with you 24/7, causing your face to light up so hard that even your co-workers have been noticing your extraordinarily joyful mood straight away.

Scrolling through the chat your gaze lands on the picture you've sent the day before yesterday in order to show him your braided hairstyle. As expected, Vash's been literally heart-eyed about it.

> Wow, you're beyond stunning! Like a fairy princess! God I'm falling so hard for you it seems impossible to ever get back up again! [Vash, 1:45 pm]

> OMG AAAHH, thank you hihi!! I'm really happy with the final look, thank you so much for your words Vash, that's so sweet! [you, 1:55 pm]

> You're the one sweet as candy! Honestly, I think I'd get an overdose of sugar just standing next to you! ;P [Vash, 1:58 pm]

It's crazy actually, how his cheesy puns are able to make you feel like a lovesick teenager, even now rereading the line. However, back then receiving it, the words did also twist a sudden sense of bravery within your guts. After a few minutes of consideration - and multiple exchanged messages with your friends - you've replied,

> Hahaha! I mean, if you wanna test this theory, you just need to take me out, right? [you, 2:16 pm]

Vash's response has been an overwhelmingly enthusiastic yes, the message he sent only a minute after your tease providing a concrete date and place, as if he'd thought about this for days, just waiting for your permission to do so.

So you agreed to his proposition, just as quickly and excited, even though his chosen date - today - is coinciding right with your birthday - a detail Vash was obviously unaware of.

But still, why not? The celebration with your family and friends would only be this upcoming weekend, meaning you're free after work anyway. And a birthday date does sound like a pretty special thing, doesn't it? It'd definitely be a fun story to tell your children about one day.

... IF you were thinking about those types of future scenarios, which OF COURSE you don't! After all, it's only your FIRST DATE! Right?!

As your cheeks flush with heat at your own imagination, you scroll down to the most recent messages, your final See you then! and Vash's Can't wait!

Seriously, you haven't been on a date in a very long time, and moreso you're certainly a huge romantic in general. No wonder why you're acting like this. Vash is an incredibly handsome, really charming and kind man. Of course it's easy to picture him as your boyfriend. But perhaps, in order to truly enjoy and embrace the present moment, it would be best to get rid of those utopian—

“He, don't tell me you're already chatting with someone else before I even got my chance?!”

A sudden voice to your right catches you off guard, and without managing to suppress the reaction your whole body flinches at the surprise, hand jerking upwards, which has your phone flying and your inner voice screaming—until you observe the device being safely grasped by a hand that's way bigger than yours.

“Oh god, sorry, I didn't want to scare you that much,” the voice snickers then. “And oh, I suppose that's actually our chat...”

You turn around to see Vash standing right next to you, a sheepish smile covering his lips as he holds up your phone with one hand and rubs at the back of his head with the other.

“Jesus Christ, you almost gave me a heart attack!” you laugh out, the shock inside your chest quickly pivoting into relief. “But those are some really impressive reflexes, thanks!”

Vash's smile fades just slightly at the first part of your response, as he hands back your phone. “Would've been a real big shame considering how precious your heart is. I hope it's safe and sound again?”

“My heart? Oh yeah, don't worry. It's beating perfectly fine and in rhythm!”

You gesture it for him, your hand imitating a steady pounding against the fabric of your top to reassure him that you've been only joking, even though it should've been obvious in the first place.

And yet Vash seems to drink it up, his smile turning brighter again, his shoulders relaxing, while he shoves his hands into the pockets of his red zip-up hoodie.

His color apparently, you think, remembering that the trenchcoat you've seen on the dating app had the same shade.

“I hope the ride was fine and you found the place well?” Vash asks, his gaze tenderly focused on you.

You nod. And then silently gulp.

Because now that you're allowing yourself to take in his appearance, you notice how attractive Vash really is. Mere pictures could never do him justice.

The way his hair's reflecting the afternoon glow from the sky is a blessing to behold, like a golden ray of sunshine on his head, while the few strands of hair tickling his forehead turn his features into something softer, something more boy-like. The intense blue of his eyes holds up to the beauty of a sparkling sea in summertime. And the details that have been hidden beneath the restriction of pixels - the piercing on his left earlobe and the tiny mole next to his left eye - make the view even more complete.

Blonde, tall and gorgeous, exactly like the advertisement.

Your heart skips another beat, yet this time you keep the insight to yourself. There's no need to make him worry again.

“Good,” Vash acklowledges your nod with a smile. “Mind to join me then? The café's just around the corner. Oh, and by the way...” his gaze skims over your body, “You look absolutely amazing!”

His cheeks blush with an ounce of color while saying it, though it's probably nothing compared to the heat that settles on your skin.

“Th-thank you,” you start to mumble, the words almost muffled by Vash's hoodie when you accept his unexpected offer for a hug. And yeah, frankly the delay of the greeting adds even more embarrassment to the already common awkwardness of a first hug. But nonetheless his touch feels nice. It's warm enough to make you wonder what a snug, genuine hug of him would feel like. Moreso how it would make you feel, if he really gave it his all.

Judging by the way Vash's eyes are clinging to your face after releasing you, he might be asking himself just the same.

Without further ado, and while swallowing down your absolutely normal and absolutely not overwhelming attraction to a man you're meeting in person for the very first time, you then follow Vash down the street. The sun in your back feels soothing, and likewise your chitchat slowly starts to relax as well, until it flows just as naturally and laid-back as your messages have in the last couple of days.

Sure, you still fluster every time Vash looks over to you, especially when you sense his glance sticking to your lips for a moment as he hums in reply. And of course you still shiver each time your arms touch, making electricity rush through your nerves at the contact.

But you soon realize that talking to him feels like an embrace in itself, so much more actually when it's his voice responding to you instead of the silent letters on a screen. And although it might sound a bit odd, somehow his presence alone is enough to make you feel incredibly welcome and appreciated. It makes you feel like you belong there, right in this moment, on this exact spot.

——

When the two of you arrive at a certain place, Vash comes to a halt, thus you do too.

“Here it is,” he explains, nodding up to a sign that says Honey Palace in shimmering caramel-toned colors. The letters are big and squiggly, decorating the head of the entire entrance in a playful style, with the twirl of the y molding into a drop at the bottom. Cozy and inviting, already at first glance.

And then you recognise a little furball behind the window, which has your mouth falling agape in awe and your voice raising an octave higher.

“Is this a cat café?!”

Vash registers your beaming expression, and the realization that his surprise proves to be successful makes him beam as well. He nods, before he takes a step further to hold the door open for you.

“The people owning this place are two souls that are most special to me. I'm sure you'll like it.”

Out of nowhere he bows down, waving inside in an absolutely exaggerated yet charming gentleman manner. The hood of his jacket almost topples over his face at the momentum. “After you, my lady.”

Vash's behavior coaxes a little giggle out of you, before you perform a curtsy as reply and enter. You have to admit, it's really cute to see him practically flourishing like a flower in the comfort of something - and someone - dear to him. This café as well as the people running it must mean a lot to the blonde.

Would your presence contribute to his comfort in the same fashion one day? It's an idea that's sweet to think about.

As you walk in, your senses tingling at the soft 90's melodies that pour from the speakers in each corner, you realize that the cosiness noticeable from outside is only the bare minimum compared to the warmth the interior radiates. It's basically a huge living room with cats, with furniture shining bright and colorful in each nook, and numerous animal residents roaming around, either blessing the guests with their affection or being on their way to catch the best spot atop one of the many cat towers. It's like a paradise with fur. A purradise, so to speak.

You notice a white siberian cat heading in your direction, brushing against your leg, and immediately bend down to pet it. A freaking purradise indeed.

“VASHIEE!!” a female voice suddenly calls up. You lift yourself back up just in time, turning to your left to watch the woman behind the counter rushing around before she greets Vash with a tight and loving hug. He responds it just as frankly.

Then her body, clothed in a white button-up shirt, a simple red tie and a green apron, jerks around, until light-blue eyes fall on you and you're met with a smile so bright and candid that it feels like you've always been part of her family. “And you must be the beautiful girl he hasn't stopped talking about for a whole week. May I...?”

Her arms open up, which makes her long dark-blonde hair bounce against her shoulders, and when she pulls you into a hug that's not a single breath less exuberant than the one she spoiled Vash with, you seriously ask yourself how much love a single person can fit. Because she literally seems to give human shape to the emotion.

To be fair though, having almost the same height as Vash, she naturally might be able to hold a lot of it.

“Hi, I'm Milly Thompson! It's so wonderful to finally meet you!” she says, shaking your hand as if she hasn't greeted you just seconds ago by wrapping her arms around you. Then she adds, giggling, “Oh right, it's actually not Thompson anymore since this june... but you just call me Milly, sweetie, so it doesn't change a thing!”

She releases your hand, her radiant smile so contagious that you feel your lips curling themselves upwards to mirror it. “It's my pleasure, Milly!” you reply.

Briefly her voice echoes once again on your mind, “...the girl he hasn't stopped talking about...”, however before you can process the meaning for long enough to feel embarrassed, Milly's already guiding you and Vash towards a free seating area. The purple couch chairs seem to gleam, being illuminated by the light dipping through the windows.

“Here you go, lovebirds! A quiet, nice corner just for the two of you,” Milly twinkles, shuffling the pockets of her green apron to draw out pen and paper, ready to write down your order. “I suppose it's the same as always for you, Vashie?”

She turns her head, her eyes glistening at the blonde whose cheeks became just a bit more crimson at the word lovebirds. He gives Milly a nod, while his hand reaches up behind his head to scratch it. And you try your best to not fall ridiculously deep in love with this simple habit that seems to always manifest itself the second he gets flustered.

“What's the usual?” you ask, though you already have an idea based on the chat you've shared with him.

A smile settles on Vash's lips. “Donuts with icing and sprinkles. And a big cup of hot chocolate!”

“With mini marshmellows on top!” Milly completes. “And what can I get you, sweetie? We serve everything a sweet tooth could wish for. Waffles, pancakes, cakes, cupcakes, pudding, ice cream. All self-made of course, with just the equal amount of love and sugar!” The giggle at the end makes you believe without a doubt she's meaning that part literally. “Oh and I can also recommend the breakfast menu with freshly baked croissants and fruits, that's the specialty my husband's responsible for. Of course it's not breakfast time right now, but if you want some, I'm sure he'd get to work without wasting a minute to make sure you two are having a good time. Never hold back in matters of the heart, right?”

She adds a teasing little wink and your cheeks flush just like Vash's did earlier.

“That's really kind, but there's no need for the extra work,” you wave off politely.

In the end you just order the same thing as Vash because a) his cute passion for donuts is absolutely irresistable and b) the combo of donuts, hot chocolate and marshmellows does in fact sound pretty amazing.

“A big round of donuts and hot chocolate, coming right up!” Milly exclaims.

For a moment she cocks her head back to Vash, screening her mouth with one palm when she whispers - without actually putting real effort into being quiet, “I like her Vashie, you better keep her!” to which he silently mouthes “I'll try!”

And with that Milly walks back to the counter, leaving you and Vash to yourselves.

“Are you comfortable?” he asks with an almost apologetic smile. “The typhoon of Milly's welcome didn't scare you away, did it? She's really the biggest sweetheart, but at the same time no one can escape her affection, even if they tried.”

“God no, don't worry!” you reply with a laugh. “She's really lovely, I like her!”

“That's great to hear. I know she's already fond of you as well! After all, how could anyone not be?”

The blue of his gaze softens as it meets yours, and instinct has your eyes escaping into his hoodie. Perhaps heathens would call it an attempt to prevent your face from heating up like a vulcano, since hearing Vash's compliments in real life is way too much for your romantic heart. But - of course - your move only serves the analysis of the suddenly super interesting material.

“Even Olaf greeted you first second, and that alone means a lot.”

That has your eyes back up. “Olaf? Oh... you mean the white siberian?” You watch Vash nod in affirmation.

Suddenly your mouth merges into a smirk. “Please tell me he's named after the snowman from Frozen, that'd be so cute!”

“He is, in fact!” Vash grins, his eyes squeezing closed into two lines of joy. “My doing, by the way. Since most of the cats already had names beforehand, Milly allowed me to name the ones that didn't. Which are all of the strays. Or well, they have been strays at least. Now they've got a home and people loving them.”

His expression gets meeker when he adds, “I mean, everyone deserves a home and people loving them, right?”

You can only agree, your heart thumping at his sincerety. “So you know all of them by name?” you ask.

“Goes without saying,” Vash declares with pride. Then he starts pointing into different directions, his eyes fixing on all of the cats, one after the other. And the smile on your lips starts to prickle as you observe him.

“Okay, so here we have Earnie, Tiger and Nero on cat tower number one. The tricolored furball sleeping on the ground is Minnie. The one next to her Balou. Over there,” he switches to another cat tower, “Cissy, Suzie and Bambi, those three are inseperable! Besties since the first day they met here.”

His eyes shortly flash back to you, as if he's scared to sound boring, but when he notices your obvious interest and joy he continues, “The grey teddy bear cuddling on that woman's lap is Totoro, real big softie. I'm sure you'd never get enough of him. Olaf already introduced himself. And then right at the counter,” he waits for you to turn around, “yes the ginger one, that's Calcifer.”

“I suppose Totoro and Calcifer are also your doing?” you tease, while turning your face back to him. Vash's smirk gives the answer away even before his mouth is finished with forming the word “Yep!”

“And the two over there?” You point towards the corner to your left, where a brown cat with black stripes lies on the carpet, its whole body splayed out like the one of a drunken man. Next to it a smaller one, busy with cleaning its grey fur that flickers blue-ish whenever it's hit directly by the sun.

“Oh, those two, yes. The round one is Roberto. He's mostly interested in food and sleep, but otherwise really endearing. And the cat to his right...” Vash in- and exhales audibly. “That's Legato. No idea why, but that one seems to hate me, literally. I've earned myself countless scratches already, so I try my best to give him the space he needs. Though to be fair, he seems to dislike being pet in general, the only person he doesn't fight is my brother.”

“Oh and this cutie right here,” Vash goes on, grabbing down to haul up a small black cat that's been wandering around, “She's the one who started it all.”

Two tiny dark paws start to tap against the table on Vash's side, as he holds the kitten on his lap. A pair of curious green eyes stare into yours.

“May I introduce, this is Kuroneko. She's a big fan of catmint, having her nose booped and baggy warm hoodies. Am I right, little one?”

Vash decorates the black fur between Kuroneko's ears with a smooch, to which she reacts with a pleased meow.

“Here, you can try it,” he proposes then, “Simply hold your index finger within reach and she'll boop her nose against it!”

He doesn't have to tell you twice.

And just like he said, as soon as the kitten sees your finger right up front her face, her head leaps forward until her soft pinkish nose meets your skin. Boop.

“Nawww!!” you squeak. “Oh my god, she's really a cutie! But what did you mean when you said she started it all?”

Vash pulls Kuroneko closer, starting to scratch her head until she's purring in his arms.

“She formerly belonged to a friend of mine,” he explains then. “But when he moved in with his girlfriend she said she doesn't want a black cat in her home. Because y'know... bad luck and all.” He shrugs. “He wanted to give her to an animal shelter, but the idea just didn't sit right with me. Why should such a small and innocent creature get punished for the rumors mumbled behind her back? Unfortunately though, animals aren't allowed in my apartment. So then I went to Milly and Nicholas.”

“It was about a year ago,” he continues, still petting the kitten with tender care, his face easing at the sight of Kuroneko's comfortableness. “They've considered to open a café for quite some time back then already. It's always been Milly's dream to have one, a place where she could make people feel at home with her pastries. When I introduced them to Kuroneko and told the story, the idea to run a cat café somehow came up pretty naturally. And as soon as Milly's best friend Meryl, who's working as an estate agent, had arranged the place, everything fell so smoothly together as if there had never been another purpose to begin with.”

He adds another kiss on top of Kuroneko's head and the irrational want to become a cat right this second rises within you.

“Her bad then,” you tell him. “I mean this girl who refused her. Becoming the mascot of a place so full of love, it's obvious that Kuroneko's a fantastic lucky charm.”

“Right?!” Vash agrees. “This little thing truly is a blessing. And who knows, if I'm really fortunate she might even sprinkle a bit of cupid magic around today.”

His eyes fall back on you, a noticeable shade of longing in his saphir diamonds, and everything inside you melts into a puddle.

“Ah, speaking of sprinkles, I see Milly's got our order ready.”

Placing the tiny furball on top of the table, Vash quickly unzips his hoodie... and starts to take it off. Mystified by his action, you try to calculate how much the idea of eating donuts could set someone's whole body ablaze.

When he detects your puzzlement the blonde smirks, explaining his intentions. “Like I said, Kuroneko's also a big fan of hoodies. She's not gonna leave on her own, and it's quite the mission to eat with a kitten on your lap. Trust me, I've tried.” He chuckles at the memory. “So giving her my hoodie to snuggle with has proven to be the best solution for both of us.”

The clothing slips off his shoulders, revealing a simple black shirt hugging his torso underneath.

After squishing the jacket into a bundle, Vash arranges it atop the window ledge to his left, then holds up Kuroneko to place her in between the cozy ocean of red. Immediately she furls herself into a kitten ball, meowing and purring as she makes herself at home within Vash's hoodie.

She receives one final cuddle, then your date sits back down. Apparently not a single moment too early.

“Did anyone order the best sweets in town?!” someone calls out behind you.

Though surprisingly the voice doesn't belong to the woman you've been expecting to hear. It's way deeper than Milly's. And way less female as well.

Vash's lips curl upwards. “Couldn't resist to nose around, huh?”

“Of course not, I'd be damned to miss this, Spikey! It's not everyday that you bring a girl in here.”

Donuts and hot chocolate fill the center of your table a moment later, as a mob of dark hair emerges behind the tray they've been served on. It's accompanied by a toothpick stuck in between a shiny grin, a plain white shirt and a black suit jacket.

Turning his head, the man then bows down towards you. The cross on his silver necklace dangles in the air. “Wolfwood. Nicholas Wolfwood. At your service!”

Politely you take the hand he's reaching out and shake it. It's rougher than the palm of Milly, yet the greeting feels just as genuine. You return his smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“Hope he's treating you alright, my precious,” Nicholas jokes then, his chin nodding towards Vash. “Otherwise you can still decide to take one of the cats instead, aye?”

His crooked smirk has a giggle escaping your throat.

“Wouldn't complain about taking home both actually,” your lips confess, too quick for your mind to think things over. Nicholas responds to it with a satisfied humming sound.

“Well, I'll leave you to it then, before my honey drags me back herself to prevent any further interruption of this precious starting romance.”

He bangs his knuckles on the table thrice, perhaps to physically underline his words or to knock on wood for your and Vash's precious starting romance. If so, hopefully the phrase wood in his name would give a little extra power to the act.

Thereafter Nicholas turns on his heel, heading back to the counter, as you find yourself reflecting on the amount of love he's put into the nickname 'my honey'. Perhaps the café's title Honey Palace isn't actually referring to the product created by bees like you initially supposed...

“They're a very adorable couple,” you muse, looking over your shoulder where Milly welcomes her husband with a jovial hit against his chest. She's probably reproving him right now for prying on the two of you, yet he just reacts with an amused laugh, as he pulls her close and apologizes with a kiss.

“They are,” Vash approves. “I still remember the day they've met, quite the story actually.”

Your chest moves back to him. “Good thing is, I love stories!” you announce, your hand reaching forward to grab one of the donuts. Over a dozen of them lie in front of you, brown dough with pink icing and colorful sprinkles. Milly seems to be equally lavish with her love and the size of her servings.

Vash snickers cutely, as he takes a donut as well and practically inhales half of it in one bite. The second half vanishes just as quickly.

“Well,” he starts then, “Nicholas and I lived in the same dorm during college. And you see, he's a really skilled and tough one overall, but exams have always turned him into an emotional wreck. He's a very religious person, thus praying usually calmed him down. But during his finals his angst really peaked and he was close to shitting his pants. That's when he told me 'Vash, the cross on my neck isn't strong enough for this one, I need to go to church.' So he did. Later that day he came back to the dorm. Beaming from ear to ear, all of his worries clearly gone, flown away to some sort of no man's land. And when I asked him what type of miracle he'd been receiving to lighten up his mood he just smiled even more. 'I think I've met an angel, my friend. One of god's messengers came down to earth only for my mercy. And I fell in love with her!' That's when I knew he'd met his soulmate.”

“Milly worked at the church?”

“Yeah, she was a voluntary worker at that time.”

“Wow, that's a freaking cute story for real,” you admire, before taking another bite from your donut, savoring the soft sweetness on your tongue.

“Absolutely, I think it'll also be a fun story to tell their children about one day,” Vash says.

And his words have you nearly choking on your food.

You cough out of reflex, ignoring Vash's worried look, as you gulp down the pastry together with something else that's lingering on your tongue - the words “Just like a birthday date, am I right?”

“God, are you alright?” he questions, “Here, maybe drinking a sip might help?!”

A tingling sensation rushes through your body at his caring manners, while you accept the cup of hot chocolate he's offering you. The warmth lubricating your throat does in fact help a lot.

“My bad,” Vash apologizes again, his mouth twisted into a smile which isn't able to fully disguise his guilt, as one hand starts to rub at his neck again. “Mentioning something like kids on a first date, that's one of the biggest blunders, right?”

“Oh no, don't worry!” you're quick to return. “It was merely a... coincidence of timing. You didn't say anything wrong!”

Coincidence of timing, your ass. But telling Vash that his mention reminded you of your own thoughts from earlier today, whilst confessing what special occasion he unknowingly picked for your date? That reply somehow seems even harder to commit to.

Either way, the golden retriever of a man in front of you looks noticeably relieved hearing your negation. “That's good to know,” he says.

You take another sip from your drink, one of the mini marshmellows swimming through your lips alongside the hot chocolate, which adds even more sweetness to the taste. Yummy. Your teeth catch one more.

And Vash does the same, as he brings his own cup up to his mouth.

As soon as you're both done with hydrating your sugar balance, your eyes shift back towards his face, where you discover a beard of marshmellow fluff and brown syrup decorating Vash's upper lip. And you can't hold back a giggle. It looks too freaking adorable.

“I believe you've got something right there...” you mention in an amused tone, pointing at his mouth.

“Oh shoot,” Vash starts to snicker, as he tries to lick it off with the tip of his tongue - a scene which instantly requires all your strength in order to not lose yourself completely in the sight of his lips and the working of his tongue. And in order to ignore the way your finger noticeably prickles with the wish to just wipe the rest of it away on your own, wondering how his mouth would feel under the touch.

“All good?” the blonde asks a moment later, interrupting your not quite innocent fantasies while sparkling blue eyes search for your approval.

“Uhm almost, there's just a tiny bit left right... here.”

Your thumb brushes against your own lip, mirroring where Vash needs to finish off his cleaning.

And oh, he stares. So much it actually takes several seconds for him to fully process the given information and to repeat the movement on his own face.

A quick nod reassures him soon after that it's all neat again.

Chuckling, your date then thanks for your guidance, hand back at his head to scrub the tension of the past few seconds away, before he's trying to get the conversation back on track. “So... the donuts are quite heavenly, don't you think?”

With slight warmth still covering your cheeks, you smile back. “Absolutely, they're fantastic! Milly really seems to have a talent to bake literal comfort into her—”

Suddenly something on Vash's skin, hit by the golden shine surging in from outside, catches your attention and the remaining words keep stuck behind your teeth. The heat from just seconds ago gives away to a cold shudder.

Because you're only now noticing that a huge scar sits on Vash's left upper arm, a faded but very distinct line that runs all across his biceps and disappears somewhere under the black fabric of his shirt.

You can't help but to stare at it, as all kinds of different feelings bubble inside your guts. Confusion. Empathy. Worry.

When your eyes start to survey, you discover even more scratches further below, although those ones appear rather harmless. And despite your rational knowledge about how rude it is to gawk, you only find the willpower to avert your gaze when you hear Vash raising his voice, prefaced by a dry cough falling from his lips.

“Not the biggest beauty feature, I know,” the man in front of you jokes, one corner lifting his mouth into a crooked smile. “I hope you don't only date me for my looks, 'cause then you might be disappointed rather soon.”

You watch him tilt his head, but before his hand can go for his favorite spot behind his head, Vash seems to reconsider and instead moves his palm over to his scar. Sadly, you can't shake off the impression that he's trying to cover it.

“May I ask what happened? Only if you're okay with it of course,” you inquire carefully, simply because it appears like a fact that if you didn't, the question would stay on your mind the entire evening. Probably even longer.

“Oh... yeah sure,” Vash stumbles, as if the reaction he'd expected would've been to get dumped rather than being met with genuine care. Which seems absolutely ridiculous in your opinion.

However, maybe not in his.

Reluctantly Vash takes his hand away, tracing his finger tip over the damaged skin.

“First off, I haven't been a very cautious kid in general, so this is just the small portion of scars that's still visible with clothing on. These insignificant scratches are actually the only ones that are rather fresh, all relics from our beloved Legato. And the big unmissable one, well... it's been almost two decades ago now, but let's just say this particular day I learned that a huge window, a baseball bat and the fierceness of a twin brother don't go quite well together.”

Compassion washes through your chest. Only halfway as a joke, you dig deeper, “How so? Did your brother try to take out his issues on you or something? Sounds pretty violent.”

“Oh god no,” Vash quickly waves off. “Nai's not that type of person. It was merely an accident. Although... I gotta admit he sometimes gives off that vibe as if he'd hate the entire human race.”

The blonde takes another donut, his expression relaxing as soon as he has a bite. After a short pause you follow his lead, grabbing another donut yourself.

“But he doesn't really hate them, right?”

After all, it seems kinda relevant to know if the family you might marry into one day is hosting some type of menace. JUST IN CASE, of course. Who would think of marriage on a first date for any other reason?

Vash shakes his head, unaware of your inner tumult, as he gulps more of the sweet dough down his throat.

“No, not in that sense. You see, Nai has always been very sensible in regards to anything environment related, things like pollution and waste of natural ressources. That's why he basically holds a grudge against anyone who's treating earth like a tool instead of a partner. But then again, nowadays he's found a way to both help the environment and to provide people with an amazing taste. So I believe it's safe to say he doesn't actually want to wipe us all out.”

“Oh, does your brother also work in this café?”

Eyes widening, Vash suddenly starts to giggle. “Right, there's missing context. Sorry. Does the company Millions Knives sound familiar to you?”

Your face twists into a grimace. “Familiar? I assume not a single other company could sound more familiar these days. Or are you not talking about the vegan restaurant that exclusively serves organic food and begins to outplay even the big fast food chains?”

The man infront of you grins, and in a split-second you understand.

“Wait, he's actually the founder of 'Millions Knives' restaurants? Wow, that's huge!”

“Yeah, it is! I'm really proud of him.”

After saying that, Vash's eyes become meeker, dazzling with a soft ocean breeze while his gaze clings to your features. “By the way, speaking of family, I wish I could've introduced you to mom. I know she would've loved the heck out of you.”

Abruptly he stops himself, laughing, “Wait, no, that sounded completely wrong. I just meant I'm sad you can't meet her right now, since she's abroad!”

You join in on his laughter, relieved because he really had you worrying there for a second. “So she's on vacation?”

Another piece of pastry finds its way into Vash's hand. “Something like that. My mom's working as a botanic, a very passionate botanic to say at least, and rare tropical plants are her absolute treasure. So she made it her aim this year to explore the rainforest with some friends.”

He chews and swallows, then adds, “It's actually been a huge thing to all of them for years now, they even made up a name for the trip, calling it the SEED's project. Cute, right? Therefore I'm super glad they finally get to accomplish their dream, I love seeing my mom so excited! Though on the other hand, they'll only be back around christmas.”

Ruffling his hair, his mouth twists into a soft line, as he finishes the donut. And yeah, without being too dramatic about it, you think the deep bond Vash shares with his mother is the absolute cutest.

“Doesn't seem like a problem to me then. I can't wait to get to know her as soon as she's back!” you reassure him with a smile.

... For a moment it looks like the blue in Vash's eyes is melting at the realization that you're already picturing him at your side during winter time that far ahead.

——

Another half an hour later the plate in front of you shines with plain nothingness, all of the donuts filling either your or Vash's belly. Crazy, to think that you seriously managed to eat over a dozen of them within such a short amount of time. Though to be fair, you also had a very dedicated partner in crime.

Taking the last sip of hot chocolate, you place your now empty cup next to his.

“Thank you so much for introducing me to this place,” you voice. “I'm sure I'll come by more often from now on!”

“I'm glad to hear that,” the blonde twinkles with joy. “And if you might need any more convincing, just know that Milly is very generous with the people dearest to her. Even though I'm always trying to insist on it, she's never let me pay for a single donut.”

“Sounds like a very tempting reason to accept a second date, then.”

“Oh, I don't think you need my company for that, she's already—oh!” Vash catches your expression, realizing that the free food is by far not the essential part for you to meet him again.

“Yeah, I guess you're right then!” he grins.

——

Soon after Vash's hoodie is back at its place and the black furball Kuroneko's lying on one top of a cat tower, sleeping. So after saying goodbye, which naturally includes another very tight hug from Milly, the two of you are about to leave the café.

“Hey Spikey!” Nicholas suddenly calls him back. “Come to think of it, one of our customers said she's gonna marry next year in january. Any chance you're available around that time or is that too short-termed?”

The man beside you turns around, thinking. “Hmm... I can't say for sure, but send me the details and I'll let you know!”

With that he says another farewell, before you both pass through the door back outside.

The pre-evening sun envelops your skin, while you can't stop wondering what Nicholas might've meant with the word available. Because despite knowing about the majority of his loved ones' stories now, you still have no clue what Vash's actually doing for a living.

Marriage... Weddings...

You attempt to imagine where in such a setting you could picture the blonde best who's walking down the road with you right now. Of course, other than in the role of the groom.

And what a handsome groom he'd be!

Literally forcing your mind away from this wishful thinking, you try to go back to the range of alternate possibilities.

Could he be a priest? Rather not, somehow this role would fit better to Nicholas, you conclude.

A waiter? Possible, but you assume this kind of job would've come up at some point while sitting in a café for over an hour.

Or a DJ? Hmm maybe... you could picture him standing on a podest, turning on the crowds with some beats.

Turning on the crowds... Wait, please don't let him be the stripper for the bachelor party!

The thought crosses your mind however passes again just as quickly, remembering how self-conscious Vash became the moment you noticed his scars. And surprisingly, suddenly you wish for him to be confident enough to work as a stripper.

Perhaps he'd agree to a private performance sometime... for you exclusively?

“By the way, would it be fine to take a bit of a longer walk back to the parking lot?” Vash asks all of a sudden, pulling you back to the presence.

“Oh, sure!” you hurry to reply, ultimately drowning the fantasy of him stripping for you.

“Perfect, because there's a nice track across the fields I'd like to show you!”

At the following crossroad Vash turns right, until the two of you enter a broad trail with pebbles. A field of corn grows next to it, and judging by the variety of other walkers the place seems to be pretty popular with couples and families.

“This is nice!” you admire, watching how the golden sunshine illuminates the pile of plants, turning them into a beautiful green maze.

The man next to you hums, walking alongside you as your gaze is still drawn to the field. After a moment you turn around, meeting Vash with a smile, which he gladly returns.

This is indeed very nice, you think. To take a walk with someone as precious as him, embracing the evening air of late summer, the warmth on your skin and the joy of just being. Moreso, the joy of fantasizing that this isn't just a first date, but a relaxing stroll with your boyfriend. A nice way to spend some quality time after a long day at work, before going home together.

And just like that, the very nice begins to change into an even brighter amazing.

As you step further you're passing a curve after which the corn field ends. And perhaps you might've frowned a little about this modification, if not right this second something else floats into your field of vision that has your glee going up even more.

Because behind the corn, there's a huge field of sunflowers waiting for you.

In absolute awe, you're gaping at the yellow beauties standing proud and tall in the scenery.

“You once mentioned in the chat you like flowers, sunflowers especially, so I thought you'd appreciate this view,” Vash notes to your left, his voice sweet and soft like honey.

“I do, oh my god they're so pretty!”

A beaming smile settles on your lips as well as a slight blush on your cheeks. You're flustered and happy, thinking how mindfully he's been planning this date.

“Look,” you announce then, pointing at one of the flowers in the front row, “This one's just my height!”

Vash chuckles softly. “Really? I think you need to get closer to convince me of that.”

Without further ado you do as he's told, despite the fact that it seems obvious your statement will prove to be true. Reaching the sunflower, you carefully place yourself beside the stem, your head exactly in line with the blossoms.

“See?” you declare, smiling at the blonde. “It's the perfect fit!”

“Yeah right, the definition of perfect,” he replies, with a touch of emotion in his tone that has your legs winding a little weaker on the field. He doesn't really seem to be talking about the height comparison.

Suddenly Vash takes out his phone, heading a little closer. “If you allow, may I capture this moment? I held myself back the entire afternoon, but to not take a picture of this fantastic smile in such a scene feels like a crime.”

With blushing cheeks you agree, as Vash positions himself in front of you, watching you through the screen. He moves slightly to the left, then crouches down a little, lost in thought in order to find the perfect angle and lighting. You on the other hand only have to pose a little, smiling into the lense, which feels like the easiest thing to do considering your point of view consists of a charming, attractive man who's acting as though you're the most valuable sight he's ever witnessed.

Truth be told, even with his tool being a phone instead of a fancy camera, Vash's skills scream of professionalism. And in a moment of reflection you suddenly remember how passionately he's already been talking about photography on the dating app. And you come to think of another very important person on a wedding.

“Are you a professional photographer?” you ask, when the blonde's finished with his session, already skimming through the pictures like it's a trained habit.

Averting his gaze from the screen, Vash meets your eyes. “Yeah, I am. Though I'm specialized on wedding photography first and foremost. That's what Nicholas was referring to earlier, by the way.”

Well, now that part's making sense to you too.

“That's so cool!” you admire.

Soon later Vash's done with presorting the pictures, turning his phone to show you the results.

And instantaneously your mouth falls agape, a silent “Wow!” spilling from your lips as he skips through them. The sun's perfectly lighting your portrait, with the tips of the flower petals gently kissing your skin. And your expression is practically gleaming.

In short, all of the pictures look freaking gorgeous. You look freaking gorgeous. And your heart beats a little faster thinking that this is how beautiful he might've considered you to be this entire time.

“I suppose your profession is being a model?” you hear his voice next to you, not at all joking.

However, you quickly negate. “No, I'm working as an employee at an ophthalmologist.”

Blue diamonds turn around, and the sudden proximity to Vash's face and lips sends a shiver trough your body.

“Taking care of other people's eyesight? Also a very valid occupation, judging by the fact how good-looking you are!” he smirks. The perky pun makes the shiver from before turn into a pleasant heat.

“Okay, but with that on mind, how do you explain someone who could also work as a male model staying behind the camera all the time?” you toss back.

It's clear that your compliment has the blonde feeling bashful as well. A single laughter falls from his lips as he shortly rubs at his neck, before answering your indirect question.

“It's the smiles,” Vash admits then. “Whenever I see someone smiling it's like a reflex to capture it. Because like, experiencing real joy on a person's face just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, y'know? And photography lets me preserve this magic.”

His mouth forms into a meek line. Shoving the phone back in his jeans, he adds, “You know, back in school my friends actually used to tease me about it, but regardless of that, whenever I saw one of them with a delighted expression I just had to take a picture. At some point this quirk even gave me the nickname gunslinger, since the speed with what I took out my phone or camera reminded them of a western fighter who's pulling out a gun.”

He laughes briefly, “Though it seems kinda crazy to think of me as someone violent. I couldn't even hurt a fly.”

That statement is something you can fully agree with. Because the way he's standing in front of you right now, hands buried inside his hoodie pockets, soft eyes and hair shining, he really looks like one of the most innocent men you've ever met.

And certainly one of the most stunning ones you've ever met as well.

“I think it's actually a very lovely habit to have, Vash,” you say to him. “And thank you for taking these pictures of me! Send them to me later, please. I wanna save them as well!”

——

It takes a good ten more minutes, but at the same time feels way too soon when you both arrive back at your car.

Leaning against the drivers door, you tilt your head up to Vash. “I know I've said this already, but thank you again so much for this afternoon, every second of it felt like a gift.”

A gift! For a girl on her birthday! Funny!

You hear yourself internally shrieking at the wording, though it's still the best way to describe your emotions.

However, speaking of which...

“By the way, would you like to come to my birthday party this weekend?” you ask out of nowhere.

The man in front of you freezes, “It's your birthday in a few days?”

And then you freeze.

“Well...,” you begin, trying to address the one topic you've been avoiding ever since he asked you out. “My birthday's actually today.”

The quiet “Shit!” that instantly topples from Vash's lips testifies his regret before he can monitor himself. “Why did you still... we could've... I'm sor—”

You brace your palms against his chest, the sensation of it stopping him in his tracks.

“You don't have to apologize for anything,” you reassure him. “Like I said, the real party's only in a few days, and I... wanted to spend my birthday like this... with you.” Your eyes lock with his, the blue in his gaze pouring down on you with something that falls close to devotion.

Catching himself, Vash then tenderly seizes your hands, guiding them up to his lips.

“If you want me there, it'd be my pleasure to join,” he cooes, as he adorns your knuckles with a kiss. “And thank you for the honor of spending this afternoon with me, birthday girl. If you allow me to, I'll try to make every day feel like a celebration from now on to make up for this little faux pas today, okay?”

And heck, how could you deny something as sweet of a promise as that?