Chapter Text
The group took turns of two to gather necessities from shops. Two would stay behind at the inn/campsite/truck, while two others would make a journey out to collect food and other goods. It was a rare occasion that Wolfwood and Meryl would group together, but this was one of those occasions.Vash and Milly had decided to stay back at the inn while the others went out. It was fine. Wolfwood left The Punisher at Vash’s side, trading it for Vash’s Colt.
It was a bit of a drive; the town was a god-honest maze of roads. It left the pair aggravated and antsy by the time they finally arrived at the tiny convenience store. Wolfwood walked straight to the counter. First things first, he needed a damn smoke. “Four packs of Skulls,” he pulled out a handful of double dollars and slid them across the countertop. The man working didn’t say a word. He just grabbed the packs and traded them for the cash, sending Wolfwood off with a nod.
Wolfwood walked off, eyes scanning the shop for Meryl. He sighed, she liked sticking her nose where it didn’t belong, and that caused him a lot of trouble. He could only hope that wasn’t the case this time. “Yo, Short Stuff, where the hell are ya?”
He heard a huff and finally saw her head pop up two aisles to his right. “I’m trying to find the snacks Milly asked for.”
“Right. Well y’ain’t gonna find ‘em down there. Big Girl likes the jerky.” He grabbed a bag and dangled it in front of Meryl. She snatched it from his hand.
“Why do you call her that?” Meryl’s mouth tilted.
“What? Big Girl?” He laughed. “Makes her blush and she’s awfully pretty when she does.”
They continued to stand side-by-side as they collected food for the group. Meryl was quiet, lost in her thoughts, and Wolfwood spoke without thinking once. “You’re awfully pretty when ya blush too, Lil’ Lady.” His words registered in his own head finally, because he turned on his heels and walked off.
Meryl froze. What the hell?
At the counter, again, Wolfwood paid for his goods and quickly left the building. He opened one of his new packs of cigarettes and pulled one out. “Dammit,” he murmured, patting his pockets in search of his lighter. “Dammit, where is it?”
“Looking for this?” Meryl’s voice had a hint of mischief behind him.
He turned. “How did you- nevermind. Thanks.”
Meryl hummed an acknowledgement as she handed him the lighter. “You’re pretty when you blush too, Nick.”
Wolfwood felt electricity shoot through his veins and he bristled from toe to head. He had long accepted he was in love with Vash. He had accepted that he was probably falling in love with Milly. But Meryl? No. Absolutely not. He couldn’t. It was all too much for him. He swallowed his anxieties and marched off to the car, leaving Meryl in the dust.