Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/2435039.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      F/M
  Fandom:
      Harvest_Moon, Harvest_Moon:_Island_of_Happiness
  Stats:
      Published: 2014-10-10 Updated: 2017-08-01 Chapters: 11/? Words: 107005
****** Yuki Chronicles ******
by darkryuu
Summary
     Continuation stories about Yuki's Steiner and Kaede's children.
     Current story is City Girl involving Sachiko "Chelsea" and Vaughn as
     she invades the surly cowboy's life.
***** Blythe *****
Chapter 1: Blythe
Disclaimer: True disclaimer is I don't own Harvest Moon XD
I'm sure that there are fans that ended at Yuki within the series I've decided
to title/call “Legacy” so I want to begin by saying I have a series of short
stories following the lives of the 'children's children' so essentially the
whole Third Generation will have their lives wrapped up. I'm not going to
dabble into fourth gen thankfully but I do want to at least wrap them up. Just
because I love both the OC characters and the fact Harvest Moon gives me such a
host of characters that I can't use all the ones I want in just the second
generation. Not QUITE enough of them.
“Why not give this a SEPARATE file then?” On my Tumblr, I wrote a note citing
that I was going to compile all my short stories in Chronology. However, fact
of the matter is I was not aware that with all my moving chapters around it
wasn't quite going the way I expected. Thus I've mentioned on said Tumblr now
that I will compile the shorts in the 'parent' file. As in, this story is about
grown up Sachiko. Yes, Steiner and Kaede's little baby in 'Yuki'.I'm not
planningon putting this into a whole separate fanfiction because I'm not
currently projecting a behemoth of a story like some of my others. And I feel
I've cluttered the Harvest Moon section enough somehow x sweatdrop x

So now that that's done...
Author's Note: Hellu, all. I know it's been a couple weeks but this new short
marks a bit of an extreme difference for me as I haven't played through Island
of Happiness or Sunshine Islands. Sure, I've rewritten plenty of characters
before the game came out (i.e. This Love, Jewel in the Rough) but in the case
of one Vaughn it feels like I have a lot to live up to. He seems to be a
favorite in the series and for a lot of cases I'm not entirely sure why, lol.
I've done the 'tsundere' before with Chihaya (Chase) but Chase seems aware he's
not the nicest guy around in game and in this series. Vaughn on several founded
instances in my research of him seems...absolutely unaware. While I'm not
entirely sure who's the bigger jerk in either case (knowing you're a jerk and
doing it anyway or not knowing the things you say are the jerkyiest thing EVER)
it's a bit of a different ballgame. Hopefully I've rendered him close enough.
Enjoy n.n
Yukina Sachiko sat in the orientation room with her satchel at her feet as she
held her notebook in her lap and pen in hand. Others filtered in from the
student commons outside. Not many but no one was expecting a full crowd to
begin with. Alas, she was her father's daughter and she had to recognize an
amazing opportunity.
Sachiko pursed her lips as she took out her phone, sliding to view a message
she was still awaiting an answer to. Nope. Why should she figure any
differently?
Sighing faintly, she adjusted in her chair. It wasn't a good time to do this
but at the same time it was. It gained her the opportunity to graduate with a
bit of experience in management. Her Aunt Rosa's father-in-law was inspiring in
one way. Sure, he was practically running a monopoly with his hands in
everything but the fact that he could was amazing. She'd major in business like
her grandfather and hopefully a run a good company. Big plans that she wanted
to get off the ground soon. Additionally, the sooner she could get out of
school the sooner she can help him...
“For the love of Jesus, will you stop avoiding me?”
Eyes widening in surprise, she glanced to her side to find Chet standing there.
Another good reason? Escaping this guy for a little while. Huffing, she
slouched in her chair, set to continue her feat of ignoring him. At least until
he stopped existing.
“Sachiko!”
“Chet, really, I...I understand. I'm not really good enough for you so that's
why you're sleeping with your friend's girlfriend. Get it, super do, so you can
leave, kay?”
Her ex-boyfriend who she'd last seen in a compromising position with Sandra
started to breathe hard. Just a signal that he was getting upset and yea, she
was over that. All guys in this area were the same. Either that or she just
made guys want to cheat on her. Ouch stuff.
“Oh c'mon! And you can't tell me you're actually going abroad!?”
“Yes. I told you I would...And unless you plan the same, I don't believe you're
supposed to be here” she managed as politely as possible.
Chet glared a little at her before huffing, walking off. Good riddance. She had
a lot more on her plate to deal with than guys that couldn't manage to keep it
in their pants. Alas...why was it every guy? Was she just crazy to think a man
should be able to commit? Had her family just spoiled her intensely into
thinking there were pure monogamous people out there?
Biting her lip, she shook her head rapidly trying to toss it away. Not now,
Sachi. Pay attention, she commanded, as the director of the studies abroad
program spoke about the various opportunities and how this was a good option
for them all. The credits were through the roof andshe got to take a break from
this place. It was win-win.
Walking to the front to retrieve her package when her name was called, Sachiko
smiled, anxious to know where she was going. This particular program was
'random' as in they wanted to test your ability to adapt to the managerial
situation in any location. They provided housing and everything while the
student assisted a participating business. She hoped for a ritzy city or a
spacious suburb...
...Or...somewhere she didn't recognize whatsoever.
Bokuyashima? Where...where was that? What was that? 'Verdure Island'? Gaping,
absolutely speechless, she looked up in shock at the others that were naming
off big cities. Looking at the map of Bokuyashima, she discovered that, well,
it was an island, yes. But frankly it seemed like a farming country...
…COOL.
Sachiko brightened. Hey, it wasn't impossible, it's where a majority of her
family got it's start. Actually all their success stemmed initially from that
farm her Uncle Nelly ran today. Stood to reason she could make her own claim to
fame in the same setting. Awesome!
Grabbing her things, she rushed out to gather her belongings and go spend a
couple days with her family. She was guessing this place was nowhere near
Mineral so stood to reason she wouldn't be seeing them often in this year. Most
likely her protective papa Yukina Steiner was going to flip a lid but she'd
explain it carefully to him. Her grandfather, on the other hand...
They were so ridiculous about certain things. They'd only be apprehensive
because she'd be alone or two, hook up with a guy like she hadn't since she'd
entered college anyway. Perhaps she was a little too liberal but she knew she
had needs to take care of, it never made her that uncomfortable when her
younger siblings Skye or Felicie mentioned anything like that either...
Frankly it wasn't going to happen here though. She was going to keep this
professional and, while it may be biased, country guys had never been her
direct type so she was probably safe.
Probably.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Damn it, Denny, I told you to watch him for a second.”
“Dude, he almost killed me!”
He'd been reluctant to keep the name. 'Your parents at least left you with
that', they'd say at the foster home. Thanks, he'd always thought bitterly. The
moment he turned fifteen he'd left and had all intention of abandoning such
sentiments. He didn't need the only scrap they thought to leave him with.
Unfortunately, Vaughn Blythe learned it was hard to make it completely through
life without a name.
Scowling irritably, he readjusted his hat and glared at the tanned fellow
beside him irritably. Denny Walker, if he actually wanted to admit anything,
which, he didn't, was his only friend. Well, aside from Mirabelle...nagging old
woman that had moved to Verdure from France about half a decade ago. He'd been
reluctant to do business with her, the lady always singing show tunes and
forcing him to eat pie all the damn time, but there was no denying she knew how
to take care of her sheep. Her business aesthetic could use a lot of help but
as far as Vaughn was concerned her heart was in the right place. Just hoped she
had enough sense not to tank.
Well, he should try to be nicer to her now because he might end up killing
Denny, the dumb f—k. “It's a horse, dips—t.”
“Horses can totally kill you, s—tdip.”
Vaughn rolled his eyes and looked around, “You know how fast a horse can go? He
could be anywhere by now.”
“I say good riddance. That horse was the devil, man” Denny groaned, leaning
against the fence outside of Chen's general store.
Usually Vaughn would have gotten up in arms about this comment. After all if he
trusted anything it was animals. But in this case he was very hard pressed to
argue...
His name was Thunder, a beautiful young palomino horse. Vaughn often
transported animals for the various ranches around here, putting in their
requested orders then bringing the livestock back every other day. It took him
HOURS to walk here and usually he got heckled by his job opponents atop their
stout horses as they made amazing time. Usually he wouldn't care as long as the
animals were well cared for but he was losing valuable time herding by foot and
in turn it was sort of rough on them to hang out in the wilderness because HE
needed a break.
The seller was antsy. Vaughn should have called his bluff then because he may
as well have given him Thunder for free for the discounted price he got. 'He's
a good horse...he's...got spirit' was his line. Yea, the spirit of Beelzebub.
Thunder, upon greeting him, almost bit his fingers off. Vaughn was honestly
shocked. Never had he EVER had an animal react like that to his gentleness.
Thunder then proceeded to have them reenact a bull riding event and nearly
break his spine falling off of him. Vaughn wasn't dissuaded, alas. He was going
to break him in if it killed him. Unfortunately he had had no idea that that
was very likely.
Scrunching his brow while he stroked his forehead, he scolded himself for
leaving the devil in Denny's care. Denny was a fisherman, not a rancher, so if
Thunder did go at him full throttle like he was apt to do, Denny would do what
any sensible non-rancher would do: move. Fast. Didn't mean he wasn't still very
annoyed with him.
“Well, I need to report in to the guys at the port anyway. Good luck finding
him!”
Vaughn lightly gaped at Denny as the hyper fellow skipped off. Oh yea, thanks
for helping him look, prick.
Growling, he shuffled around, quite frankly exhausted. It was tough just
camping out all the time and turning around to make absurd hours. Not to say he
was complaining or anything, just he was way too tired to be playing hide-and-
seek with his crazed horse. So help him, he'd sell Thunder in a heart beat and
get a nice tame horse that wasn't out to murder him.
Maybe he was incredulous when the sun sank over the horizon and the black
seeped through the island because he was still looking by at least nine at
night. It wasn't that big an island, damned!
Weary, swearing, as he came to the beach with worn body and spirit, Vaughn
looked around in a daze. A beach...why would Thunder come on a beach? Sure,
maybe he'd like it but...there was nothing out here for miles. Miles...and
miles...
...Damned.
Sulky and resolved to his fate that this was pretty much all that was left to
search, he continued his trek. Walking across sand was even more exhausting and
he was almost possessed to stop and nap on the sand. Looks like he'd be
crashing here tonight at this rate...
It startled him, his own coldness, when he started to wonder why it was even
worth chasing after this stupid thing. It was just aggravating...was it worth
it?
“Aren't you a pretty boy? Ah, I haven't seen a palomino in forever!”
Vaughn jolted, shocked, when a female voice interrupted his thoughts. Quickly
looking around, his eyes finally settled on, THANK GOD, Thunder...with some
girl.
He'd been here for about seven years but he'd never seen her before. She had
long brunette hair, wearing a white strapless sun dress, both billowing with
the ocean air, her feet bare. Seemed like something out of a novel or movie
or...something, especially with her gently petting Thunder's long nose...
...Wait, he wasn't biting her?
Frankly quite annoyed, he marched over with all intention to snatch the horse
away and drag him to the inn so he could finally go to sleep. Whatever. Forget
all this, he was growing more frustrated by the second. Why was she messing
with his horse?
Whoever the hell she was finally looked up at him. He paused for a moment, a
little caught off guard. She had almost unearthly colored green eyes, her skin
pale but...maybe just because of the moon. For whatever reason, she was
smiling.
“Oh hello, is this your horse?”
“...Yea.”
“He's very pretty” she complimented, smiling broader as the horse nuzzledher.
“And such a sweetheart.”
Vaughn glowered at Thunder. Oh, was it because he wasn't a woman? Figured, he
has a sexist damn horse. Thinking the woman would just stand there dumbly, he
was semi-relieved when she backed away. Reaching for the reigns, Vaughn was
feeling better, throwing himself onto the back of the animal...only to hit the
sand not ten seconds later, tossed from the throne of his noble stead.
“Ohmigosh!”
...Ugh. The woman returned to him, alarm written all over her face. “Are you
okay?!”
“...Yea.”
She frowned, staring at the horse as if his behavior was bewildering. “That's
so strange, he's been so nice...”
“Yea, well, he's pretendin'” he snarled, clambering to his feet and giving
Thunder a hard look. “Better behave in front of your lady friend here, Thunder.
Don't want her to know how you reallyare.”
Expecting her to balk, she instead laughed rather girly, rising to her feet and
rubbing the horse's ears. “I'm sure that's far from the case. Thunder, was it?
You have to be careful, you don't want to hurt anyone.”
Vaughn almost leered when Thunder snorted loudly. Ass.
He stiffened when the brunette turned to him. Oh God, now she was going to talk
to HIM...
She indeed bowed, rising to give him another exuberant smile. Why? “Hello, I'm
Yukina Sachiko.”
He cared...? “...Vaughn.”
“Nice to meet you! I'm going to be assisting Masaru Mirabelle with her
bookkeeping for a year so I suppose I'll be seeing you around the neighborhood”
Sachiko nodded.
Eh? “...Oh, so...you'llbe helping Mirabelle?”
Vaughn glowered at her skeptically. She looked like some flouncy...student. And
she really couldn't be that much older than him and she was going to help
Mirabelle with her accounts? Fearful to say the least, he was going to remark
that perhaps that wasn't a good idea. But Sachiko laughed again, picking up a
satchel bag from nearby, “I know I don't seem like I'll be any help but I'm
definitely going to help Mirabelle sort everything out. It's why I'm in
school.”
“Sure. But that don't mean going 'round messing with strange animals. Thunder
is dangerous.”
Sachiko blinked at him, surprised, “Oh, I wouldn't usually but he came up to
me...”
Oi... “Well, still.”
“I'll keep that in mind, sure” she smiled again, “Thank you.”
'Thank you'? “...Yea.”
“Well, I have to get up early so I should be going. Nice again meeting you,
Vaughn, Thunder!” she called, walking the opposite way up the beach.
“...Bye.”
Vaughn stared after her for a few minutes before shaking his head. What a
mess...he really hoped that some college student from the city wasn't the final
nail in Mirabelle's coffin. He was fond of doing business with the lady, after
all.
Apprehensive, he put his thoughts aside to mount the horse for try two. He
expected to just be thrown off again as Thunder found hobby in doing...however,
like some kind of miracle from mysterious college students on the beach, the
horse just grunted. Oh well swell, listen to the woman you just met a few
minutes ago. Grasping the reigns, he grumbled as the ride was rocky beyond any
reason. Well, he was still a jerkass horse but at least he was letting him
ride.
...Sachiko, huh?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Dude, she's hot. You haven't noticed?!”
Vaughn slurped some noodles idly as he sat in Nick's Diner with Denny... the
fellow had offered him free food and well, since he wasn't looking to get paid
for another week he needed to take any opportunity he could. Swallowing down a
bit of beer, he waved a hand. “Don't notice stuff like that.”
Denny gave him a bland yet incredulous look. “Maybe if you're BLIND. Plus,
Thunder likes her.”
He leered, “Thunder's a blasted sexist.”
Denny laughed at him, drinking a beer after he popped a piece of sushi in his
mouth. “Dude, for real though. She is super pretty...”
“Only you notice stuff like that.”
Vaughn scowled when the door swung open and said 'hot girl', dressed in those
short short jeans, a yellow tank top, and a red bandanna atop her head,
entered. Sure enough, all the guys at the bar and at the tables turned to look.
She was holding a stack of papers, a bounce in her step as she headed to the
counter. Nick seemed hard pressed not to stare as she ordered something...
“...I guess her eyes were kind of interestin'...”
Denny raised a brow at him, “...I mean, I guess they're pretty but that's...not
usually the first thing a guy is going to notice on a woman like Yukina-san,
man.”
Rolling his eyes at that, Vaughn glanced at her. “I'm not the type to notice
thateither.”
“Gay?”
“Hello, Walker-san, Blythe-san!”
Mirabelle had told her his last name. He just gave her a brisk nod and Denny
gushed as she approached them. She was too friendly for his taste...Mirabelle
thought she was just the most adorable thing ever. Whatever. Vaughn just wanted
to see results...
Alas, Mirabelle told him that she had lost track of a lot of funds and was
probably months from having to sell the ranch. She apologized that her orders
may become sporadic but that as soon as things got leveled out and her debt was
diminished she'd make her normal stock runs. While somewhat bitter that meant a
little less of his paycheck, well, that was better than losing her altogether
and permanently missing that portion of his paycheck...
“Oh, that was my daughter's area” Mirabelle confessed sadly, “But she left
DECADES ago now, my goodness! The damage is done.”
Sachiko had patted the woman's hand. They were sitting at the table in the barn
as he settled in the stock he'd brought from the other island. She seemed like
the spoiled type so he would have assumed she would balk and sob about the
smell. But no, she seemed fine enough...
“I'm sure Julia-san would come back and help if you'd have asked, Mirabelle-
san.”
“Oh goodness, never” Mirabelle scoffed. “That girl, she has...business she is
too involved in for her poor old mother to see shadow of her!”
Sachiko laughed, “Well, she does have Lia...”
“Yes, the grandchild I shall never see” Mirabelle muttered, shaking her head,
before brightening, “You are already a great help, Sachiko. I'm glad you're
here.”
...Meh. People.
Vaughn glowered a bit as Denny and Sachiko spoke. Whatever, it didn't involve
him. He just continued to eat silently, blocking out their conversation. Which
may not have been a good idea...Denny blinked back at him suddenly, grinning.
“You should join us, Yukina-san.”
...UGH. People! Sachiko smiled, “Oh, I don't want to interfe--”
“Not at all! Here, have a seat. I'm going to go grab some more noodles” Denny
announced, standing up and darting off.
He'd kill him. Starting to stand and leave, Sachiko suddenly looked thoughtful.
“Denny is cute.”
“...Uh, sure?”
Vaughn stiffened a bit as she blinked towards him. He supposed he wasn't used
to...different colored eyes that much. Brown or black...Mirabelle shook him
with her blue ones at first. Green was...strange.
“You don't think so? He said you guys were together...”
“...What?”
Sachiko pressed the tips of her pointer fingers together, nodding, “Like
together-together.”
...HE'D KILL HIM. Vaughn's cheeks burned as he gritted his teeth. “...In his
nightmares.”
The girl giggled, “I thought he was kidding, considering he ran off right
away.”
Vaughn could only shake his head. That was until Denny returned so he could
stab him through the eye. Eating a bit of umeboshi, he glowered at her. “So
wha'? Now tha' he ain't 'together-together' with me, you gonna go after him?”
“Oh heavens, no” Sachiko shook her head, “Denny's a good guy but relationships
are too complicated, especially with the work to be done.”
Vaughn raised a brow, drinking his beer. “I guess you're smarter than you
look.”
She smirked, surprisingly. Seemed kind of weird when she was all butterflies
and ribbons. “I heard from Mirabelle to accept that as a compliment.”
“Prolly.”
“Oh yea! Does Thunder like carrots?”
Vaughn scowled, “I've never had carrots around to see if he liked them.”
Sachiko frowned, “Why?”
“I hate carrots.”
“I wonder...my Uncle Kurt reminds me of you and he hates carrots as well. I
wonder if it's a grouchy thing...” she pondered, stroking her chin.
Glaring at that slight, she waved a hand as if it were of no consequence.
“Well, I want to give him one. It might keep him in a better mood if he had
treats every once and then.”
“You don't reward evil” he scoffed.
Sachiko laughed, smiling at the waiter as he delivered her a bowl of soup, the
young man flustering and fleeing sheepishly. She pouted, “Oh pooh, it's like
that everywhere. I'm not scary, am I?”
Vaughn rolled his eyes, pausing before drinking the broth from the bowl, “I
doubt it's fear.”
“How mysterious” she said, wide-eyed, as she drank her soup. Suddenly she
looked outside and her brows furrowed. Vaughn frowned and followed her gaze
absently. Oh...Sabrina.
Sabrina and Regis Ellison lived in this area despite being, well, millionaires.
Regis himself was quite often away, he had dozens of other areas where he
mined, the lifeblood of his wealth. But Sabrina, his bookish but cheerful
daughter, stayed here at their mansion on the end of town. Vaughn didn't mind
her so much...
“She reminds me of this evil lady I know of...but she seems so nice” Sachiko
suddenly remarked, almost sounding as if she weren't directly speaking to him.
Evil lady? Vaughn glared darkly when Denny returned with a grin. “Worked it
out?”
“Where I'mma put your dead body? Naw, but I'm thinking.”
The fellow just grinned even more and Sachiko laughed, finishing her soup
rather heartily. “Well, I'll leave you two to that. Hopefully you don't come up
missing, Denny.”
“You're the only witness” Denny mock-pleaded.
Vaughn snorted and she winked before digging through her bag, “I did bring
Thunder some carrots so I'll see if he'd like to try them.”
He just watched after her as she waved...looking through the window, he could
only groan for whatever reason when Thunder almost trotted to her with the
little give the harness gave him. “I may as well give her that dang horse...”
Denny smirked at him, unsnapping the wooden chopsticks to dig into his third
helping of ramen. “See? Even the horse thinks she's attractive.”
“Gross.”
“A-ah, Vaughn-san, hello.”
He looked up, a little surprised to see Sabrina standing there nervously. She
was always a little...old-fashioned, he supposed? He kind of liked that, other
girls tended to be too flashy. Like the one that his horse was madly in love
with...maybe. Honestly he didn't see any reason to believe she thought she was
being fancy...she wasn't prissy and as dizzy as she came off she seemed capable
enough. Probably...was a cultural thing? Of course they were going to walk
around in plaid and knit sweaters, it just seemed practical. What was country
practical and what was city practical were two separate things...
Vaughn glanced back outside for a second, finding Sachiko was brushing a bur
out of Thunder's coat. Then again, she seemed awful knowledgeable of farming
for a city girl...she helped Mirabelle out when she wasn't doing accounting.
Seemed peculiar she'd know how to shear sheep and milk cows...
“Uh, Vaughny boy...Ellison-san is speaking to you.”
Shoulders stiffening, he quickly looked back to the black haired girl who
appeared horrified somehow for whatever reason. Clearing his throat, he leaned
back, “My apologies. What were you saying?”
“A-ah, it was nothing” she blurted with a smile, looking out the window, “Isn't
that your horse? Why is Mirabelle's assistant brushing it?”
“If she doesn't no one will” Vaughn groaned.
Denny snorted, suddenly rather cautiously eating his noodles, “It'd attack the
rest of us. Sachiko-san has a...special touch.”
Sabrina frowned, “Well, that's...no good. Maybe you should get another
horse...”
Leaning back in the seat, Vaughn was pressed to agree. Thunder was nuzzling
her... “You're prolly right. Give that damn sexist horse to his chosen
master...”
“You'd really give her your horse, man?” Denny smirked, glancing towards
Sabrina and setting down his chopsticks, “I bet he'd feel betrayed, seeing you
every day, knowing that deep down you thought he was a sexist demon horse.”
“Hardly!”
“Blythe-san!”
He leered towards her for calling him by that damned name, 'Yukina-san'
skipping back in and handing him...carrots. “If you don't get them blasted
things away from me--”
“Thunder LOVES them!” she insisted, “C'mon, what's wrong with carrots?”
“I hate carrots.”
Sachiko pouted some, “FINE, I'll keep them at Mirabelle's so Thunder can have a
treat when you come by since you can't get over your inadequacies...”
“And what 'inadequacies' are those, Missy?” he scowled.
Her green eyes widened rather doe-like, pressing her hands to her cheeks as her
mouth formed an 'o', “Oh my lawd, I said that outloud-d-d.”
“...You know what--”
She squealed, darting off as he started after her...for some reason. He wasn't
one given to chase unless it was stupid horses that hated him because he didn't
have a pretty face but this once he felt pressed to teach her a lesson. Which
also was strange...
Vaughn yelped when quite suddenly Thunder was blocking him. Glaring at who
should be his best friend, he leered more when Sachiko was on the other side,
peeking over the spans of Thunder's back. “Sorry?”
“...Whatever.” It really didn't matter that much to begin with, meh.
Sachiko suddenly smiled, folding her hands behind her as she wandered closer,
leaning against the horse somewhat. “I know you hate it, Blythe-san. Anyone can
see how passionate you are about caring for animals and Thunder quite obviously
isn't your biggest fan.”
“It's because he's sexist.”
“What?” she laughed, her brows creasing, “I don't...think he is aware I'm any
different than you gender wise. Perhaps that could be it. But I think if you
want him to tolerate you a little better you shouldn't pretend to be such a
gruff old cowboy.”
Eyes widening, he glowered, “...Who says I'm pretending?”
“Everything you do” she assured with a smile, “You can be as bristly as you
want but don't force it. I think even Thunder can sense that much.”
“Oh, so you approach him all masks off, huh?” Vaughn countered acerbically.
Sachiko folded her arms, resting her chin in her palm rather thoughtfully, “Oh,
maybe you're right then...maybe he does just like women.”
Vaughn blinked, a little startled by this, before tilting his head.
“...You...may have a point. I just...act with gentleness.”
Her bright smile returned, stuffing her hands in her pockets as she teetered
back and forth on her heels, “I don't think it has to be an act.”
“...Yea.”
Sachiko looked at the orange plastic watch she had around her wrist...he hadn't
been to the city but he thought watches were 'outdated' there with their fancy
phones. Maybe she didn't have a choice...maybe she was just adaptable. He
frowned, confused, as he watched her face. He...he supposed she...was kind of
pretty.
“Well, I best get going, Blythe-san, I have work to do back at the farm” she
announced, standing up straight.
… “...Stop calling me that. 'Vaughn' is just fine” he grunted, taking Thunder's
reigns.
Sachiko smiled, “And if you every decide to call me anything, 'Sachiko' is just
fine as well. I'll see you.”
“...Yea.”
Watching her skip off, he stood there lost in thought for a few moments before
shaking his head, wandering back towards his camp. What...what a
weird...strange girl...
He'd forgotten he'd left the others inside, Denny and Sabrina watching as he
conversed with some mysterious college student he met on the beach...Denny
looked to Sabrina, gnawing his lip as the girl gazed after the gruff 'cowboy'
in anguish...
Because for just a second he looked like he was feeling something.
***** Happiness *****
Chapter 2: Happiness
Author's Note: Well, since this is now a new story, we'll just say it
hasn'tbeen a month since I updated and enjoy!
XXXXXXXXXXX
Vaughn groaned faintly as he turned over on the mat of his tent, tugging his
blanket higher over his shoulder. Damn it, he hadn't slept in a bed in
ages...maybe it was about time he checked into an inn for at least a day.
His portable alarm buzzed painfully at the moment he'd settled himself back to
sleep. Possessed to toss it out into the wilderness, he figured he'd just get
some rest tonight. Maybe Denny would let him crash on his couch...
Frowning when, like something out of what he'd imagine would occur in a
children's book, Thunder poked his head in, he began to leer. “No.”
The horse huffed, picking up his trademark cowboy hat he'd discarded at the
flap door of the tent and managed to give it a toss in his direction. “Damn it,
Thunder, no.”
Thunder neighed loudly... In this daily battle of who was master, Vaughn
constantly lost. Damned Thunder was just too persistent...and...
“...She does make porridge extra good, don't she?”
The horse snorted. If he were crazy enough Vaughn would imagine it'd sound like
he was agreeing. Sitting up groggily, he gazed around at the gray sky awaiting
him outside before stretching, glowering. “That's it this week, Thunder. I
don't have time to go play wit' your crush everyday.”
He seemed satisfied enough that Vaughn was being compliant, leaving his place
at the tent and going to...wait. Vaughn rolled his eyes, pulling his shirt back
on and wandering out to clean his face. Pouring a little from his water supply
into a bowl, he splashed his face and shook his head a little. Time to start
the day...
Going through his daily schedule of cleaning up the spot he'd chosen to camp in
that particular night, he slung the canvas bag with the few possessions he had
onto the cart Thunder grudgingly pulled. He was getting less stingy...as long
as he got to see her.
It was already about nine by the time he rode Thunder into town, past the still
rising habitants towards the little house she stayed in off to the corner of
Verdure Island...Thunder of course had invited himself, running off and
trailing her once. She delightedly gave him carrots and Vaughn a sangria with a
share of the brothy soup she was having for dinner. Not prone to accepting
things like that from strangers, he was set to turn her down...alas, his
stomach growled louder than it ever had so to save face, he just humbly
accepted.
It was good though. And when Thunder pulled the same stunt earlier in the
morning around this same time, she gave him a delicious bowl of porridge. He'd
been a little possessed to stay for a while after that, being that it was one
of his favorite meals and she did it so it didn't taste like lumpy crap. Denny
wasn't really great at cooking anything that wasn't fish...but she'd smiled
brightly and told him she'd have a bowl waiting for him on the days he came in.
...How doting. Couldn't stand it. That Sachiko...
He scowled when, as they approached, she tossed the windows open, outwards.
She'd probably not seen them, just opening a window with the exuberance she put
into everything. Sachiko was singing along to the stereo where some...rock was
playing. He assumed she'd listen to some fluttery music that most women he ran
into listened to but all of it was sort of...hard from what he could tell.
Before he could fathom that anymore, Thunder took off towards her. Vaughn
yelped, trying to hold his reigns but he wasn't hearing it...sulking deeply as
the horse peeked through her window, he shook his head when she laughed,
seeming a little startled. “Good morning, Thunder! Vaughn!”
“'Mornin'...”
He could smell a hint of apple cinnamon pancakes and noticed the porridge
simmering...she reached out and gave Thunder a sugar cube which he gratefully
accepted. Vaughn dismounted and tied him to a spigot nearby...but figured he
didn't have to, Thunder wasn't going nowhere with Sachiko near. Sighing,
feeling mournful his horse listened to some random chick more than himself, he
meandered towards the front door which she'd unlocked at some point for him.
Entering the small kitchenette with a dainty breakfast nook, he found himself
pausing...it wasn't him to notice what someone wore. 'Cept Sachiko actually had
a wardrobe...he might have three outfits top and the rest of the people in town
either were in the same boat or just had multiples of the same thing. So it was
odd to see Sachiko wearing...variety.
To some extent it seemed frivolous...but it made days like today strange, he
supposed. She was wearing a white button up blouse and a knee-length black
fitting skirt, her brown hair which usually was kept loose up in a bun. One of
those executive type looks, he assumed...'cept why was she doing that here?
“...Goin' somewhere?” he questioned, taking a seat.
She smiled back at him, pouring some of her damned crack coffee that had him
spinning on his head the first time into a blue cup. “Oh yea, I have to leave
for a few days to check in with my professor. I should be back Thursday.”
Vaughn nodded his head once when she handed him the caffeine attack he
definitely needed now. Okay...so she was going back to the city.
Cool...Thursday though? It was Monday...additionally, dressing like that for a
teacher? “...You going on a date with this teacher?”
Sachiko laughed, raising a brow at him as she was frying something up, “No, why
would you ask that?”
“You're dressed awful spiffy for a meeting with a professor” he remarked
simply, drinking his coffee.
“Well, I have to check in with my report on what's going on here” she
explained, “And since this is for my business degree, I need to appear a little
'spiffy'.”
Vaughn just nodded, not thinking anything else was necessary to say. He frowned
lightly as she briefly picked up her fancy phone, staring at it as if she was
expecting it to do something magical before sighing, dropping it and scooping
out an omelet on a plate. Ugh, it always smelled so good, his stomach almost
always started to grumble when she served it...
Muttering a half-assed 'thanks for the food', he ate his porridge gingerly,
completely content that it was as good as always. Which just struck him as
odd...Regis used to say he'd met a lot of city girls and that most couldn't
cook if their very lives counted on it. Vaughn glanced at her as he sipped his
coffee, the woman taking the seat across from him with her own plates in hand.
“You're awful good at cooking for someone that isn't tryin' to be a chef.”
“Ah, thanks!” she gushed, clapping her hands together with an 'itedakimasu'.
“I'm not that great though. But it'd just be a shame if I didn't know how to
cook. My papa's a world renown chef, after all.”
'World renown'? “Is that for real or you just hypin' him up since he's your
daddy?”
Sachiko pouted, dashing a bit of sugar on a grapefruit, “Of course it's for
real! He ranks about a twelve in most accredited chefs. I wouldn't make up
facts just to dote on my daddy, silly.”
Vaughn sipped the porridge slowly, frowning, “...Ain't that what kids do?”
Before she could respond he found himself yawning widely. Actually pretty
alarmed, he covered his mouth, “Damn...”
“Are you sleepy?” she blinked, “You have black sacks under your eyes.”
“I'm fine.”
Sachiko didn't seem so sure. “I was talking to Denny the other day, he told me
you don't even have a real house and that you sleep in a tent! You really can't
be getting your full rest that way, you know?”
He rolled his eyes and scraped the bowl, gathering the remnants of the porridge
into a final delicious spoonful. “I'm sure you and Denny can find somethin'
better to talk about than me.”
“You're just such an interesting topic” she teased.
“Fuh.”
Curling her prim fingers around the cup, Vaughn watched her drink deeply. Aside
from Denny and occasionally Regis and Mirabelle, he so rarely ate with
people...Denny ate like he figured Vaughn was going to suddenly attack and
steal his food. Regis in the company of Sabrina usually ate so daintily it
denied sense. Mirabelle was a pretty...haughty eater. Sachiko was somewhere
between those latter extremes, not wasting time but doing it in a way that he
supposed constituted “classy”. He'd remarked on it once to Denny when he
watched the guy scarf down a fish in, frankly, impressive time.
“You noticed something like that?” the fellow had blinked, wiping scraps off
his cheek, “Well, that's weird. You like her or something?”
Oh, naturally. That was the next assumption, right? Idiot. He frowned, scooping
a bit of the omelet into his mouth. She was just the only thing keeping Thunder
in line is all. Sachiko's green eyes suddenly brightened which startled him a
bit. Something about her eyes and not knowing what ran through her head. It
made him sick or somethin'.
Setting her mug down a little heavy handedly, she clasped her hands, “Since
I'll be away for almost a week, you should just stay here in my guest room to
catch up on your sleep!”
Vaughn shook his head. “No thanks.”
“Why not? I know you're all prudey and wouldn't want to stay here while I'm
around so it's a perfect opportunity! Besides, I bet it'd make Thunder happy
even if I'm not here.”
Prudey? Tapping his fingers against the table, he glowered at the horse in
question as he ate the carrot Sachiko had given him for breakfast. “...I
wouldn't give you nothing for staying here.”
“That's fine, I don't need anything” she assured, standing and taking her
plates towards the sink to wash.
Normally this would have been an utter 'you're crazy' but it was true, he
wasn't really on top of his game in his current state of exhaustion. Normally
he stayed with Denny but as of late it was just too awkward with him having
women in and out all night. Mirabelle he wasn't convinced actually slept...
Rubbing his face, he grumbled, “...Just because of Thunder. I don't really
wanna.”
“Of course” she seemed to tease a bit, putting the dishes on a tray to dry. “I
need to head out soon so let me give you a quick tour.”
Lazily he followed her around as she showed him the bathroom and where the
towels were as well as the bedroom she'd assigned him. Vaughn blinked slowly as
she picked up a small bag, telling him to help himself to anything in the
fridge. He just nodded and walked out with her. Rolling his eyes when she gave
Thunder a kiss on the nose, Vaughn waved some when she did, skipping off
towards the dock.
Vaughn left Thunder at the house to wander and take care of his job. Mirabelle
happily paid him, all her affairs in order ala Sachiko. Secretly he was pretty
happy about that at least as it looked solid that Mirabelle's business wasn't
going to spontaneously go bankrupt now. The busybody had been here for only two
and a half months so that kind of amazed him some.
Thunder, whom Vaughn would have expected to be irritated his girlfriend was
away, seemed quite content to be outside of her home. Yea, he trotted off to
graze in an abandoned field nearby but came when Vaughn called him to give him
a nice brush and water...as long as they were near her essence.
...It was...kinda nice.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Yukina Steiner yawned widely as he stood in the kitchen of Tenshiya, mixing the
batter for his famous 'banana cake'. His sous chefs were rushing around,
yelling at one another orders and 'yes' when the leader asked questions.
Usually he thrived on the atmosphere but admittedly he'd been a little drained
lately.
His baby girl wasn't here!
Pouting and looking over his shoulder, Steiner figured he should be able to let
go. Sachiko was an adult now at 23. It struck him as surreal, remembering that
beautiful little angel, a gift from her mother, swaddled and clinging onto him
as a newborn. Now she was off running her own affairs, capable of having a
career and a family. Over his dead body anyway.
“Papa!”
Steiner jumped, looking over his shoulder, wide-eyed, as Sachiko almost
appeared like a mirage. Oh...speak of his angel? Smiling widely, his spirits
already lifted, he set down the bowl and held out his arms. “My little Sachi.
What are you doing? Visiting?”
His oldest daughter skipped into his embrace. His girls got their mother's
height, Sachiko only around 5'4”. Which was pretty good, he supposed, just
definitely didn't really compare to him. His height just made him feel like an
alien in this country, even to this day.
Sachiko pulled away with a broad smile on her face, “I had to check in with my
teacher to report on my studies. I decided I'd stay until Thursday so I can see
everyone. How have you been?”
“Crushed. I'm not used to going such long periods without seeing my child” he
sulked, petting her hair.
“So silly, papa” she chastised without any real reprove. “...You haven't
happened to hear from Skye-chan lately, have you?”
Steiner groaned, his mood once again glooming with that reminder. “No...I don't
know what your brother's doing. Every time I call his phone is off and no one
has heard a word from him in at least a month or so. At least Hayato and Iori
keep up with him but that can't last with them graduating...”
“Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to send him to school...” Sachiko whispered,
looking away.
“He needed to do something” Steiner insisted before resuming his smile, hugging
her shoulder, “Tell you what, let me finish this banana cake and I will call it
an early day so I can make a proper dinner for my girls.”
Sachiko grinned, “You call an early day? Impossible, papa.”
“For my baby, nothing is impossible” he assured, kissing her forehead. “How has
Verdure been?”
“Pretty nice, actually. It's kind of like how grandpa and everyone described
the way Mineral used to be when it was Mineral Town...” Sachiko replied,
sitting on a stool off to the side to stay out of everyone's way.
“Hmm...have you met anyone?” he found himself leering.
Sachiko rolled her eyes but laughed. “I've made friends. And I even know this
cowboy guy, he's like a cross between you and Uncle Chihaya in a way...”
“That sounds...horrific...”
Giggling, Sachiko mused for a moment, “He's really gruff but I think he's nice.
He has this horse that seems attached to me.”
Steiner raised a brow at her as he poured the smooth liquid into a huge pan.
“...So you...like him?”
“Oh dear, no” she swiftly shook her head. “He's just kind of someone I know.”
Though those words should have reassured him a bit, the only thing Steiner
could think of in the back of his head was “oh no”.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Admit it, she's hot.”
“I dunno what the hell that even means.”
Denny rolled his eyes, sitting out on the small beach where Vaughn had met
Sachiko about three and a half months ago. It was the latter days of Summer so
everyone wanted to spend time out in the sun. It all seemed silly but Denny had
dragged him, insisted they'd have free food. While Vaughn wasn't motivated by
food to that extent, it had been a while since he'd gotten a swim in so there
was that at least.
Sabrina appeared, wearing what she usually wore...Vaughn frowned. He didn't
mind that, of course, he wasn't any fashion critic. But still, seemed awful
uncomfortable to not at least wear something a little more breezy on a beach...
“...It is a bit too arousing. I mean, her body is no joking matter...”
Vaughn cocked a brow at the fellow from his chair, returning his gaze to the
subject in question. All the more...conservative islanders were kind of
watching her as she waded in the water with one of the female friends she'd
made here. She was wearing this yellow string bikini and, in spite of not
'noticing that type of thing', even he had to admit she was kind of shapely. He
guessed that was what was 'hot'.
“A-ah, hello, Vaughn-san, Denny-san” Sabrina smiled shyly, walking up beside
them with her normal greeting and bowing.
Denny started a bit, looking towards her, wide-eyed, before smiling quickly.
“O-oh hey, Sabrina-san...uh, you're not swimming today?”
Sabrina flustered, waving her hands, “O-oh no, I couldn't! Bathing suits are so
awkward!”
“Ah, well...”
Vaughn scratched his bare chest, yawning, wearing non-descript black trunks,
Denny bandana-less and wearing purple printed ones...well, maybe a little.
Being half-naked was unacceptable under most other circumstances but it was
fine as long as you were swimming?
He sat up a little straighter, glowering as Sachiko skipped happily across the
sand towards them...reaching for the little table between them, he held out the
iced tea that she'd had them monitor since they weren't “any fun”.
“Ah, arigato!” she rasped, taking the drink graciously and sipping for a long
moment.
Crossing his arms, Vaughn glared at her. The only thing he was pressed to
notice without Denny was nipples. Shouldn't the cloth compensate for getting
all showing when wet? They were kinda prominent ...Wait, was that weird to
notice?
Sachiko smiled, setting the drink back down, “Oh, hello Ellison-san!”
“H-hello, Yukina-san.”
Vaughn scooted over a bit so she could sit on the edge. Sachiko cocked a brow
towards his legs... “...You know, my papa has white hair and it's natural. Just
how?”
“Stop checkin' out my legs, perv.”
She laughed, plucking them. “I'm not the one girl-watching on the beach.”
Vaughn was appalled. “Is that what it looks like I'm doing? I'm drinkin' a damn
beer!”
“You can multi-task” Sachiko pointed out, stirring her straw around in her
drink.
Denny laughed at the disgruntled look on Vaughn's face. “Don't worry, Sachiko,
that's so not his style. I can't even point out a woman to him.”
Sachiko giggled, “Vaughn has a pure heart.”
Vaughn raised a brow at this. “...I dunno if I could go that far, even 'bout
myself.”
She smiled, tucking her legs and facing outward. She waved at the friend she'd
been playing with who was talking to her boyfriend. Vaughn frowned, his brows
creasing, noticing that she had something...tatted across her right shoulder
blade?
“...What does that say?” he found himself asking, poking her where the marking
was.
Sachiko blinked, surprised, looking back towards him, “Oh yea, it says
'happiness' in English.”
Vaughn leered. Figured. “Why?”
“It's what my name means, child of happiness” she smiled.
“Mm...didn't imagine you being the type to get something like that. You're not
a tatted trouble goth child” he remarked almost sarcastically.
She grinned, “And how many “tatted trouble goth children” get 'happiness' as a
tattoo, cowboy?”
“Why'd you come over here again?”
Sachiko laughed, standing and dusting off her legs. “I'll leave, I'll leave.
But if the waiter comes back around, could you order me a Long Island? Only if
it's not out of the way though...”
Vaughn's brows furrowed but Denny nodded, “We gotcha.”
Thanking them, she skipped off back to her friend, the two deciding to boogie
board... “Long Island...ain't that liquor?”
“We're all adults here, 'cowboy'” smirked Denny, picking up his own cocktail.
Vaughn quirked his brows at that. Hmm, she was turning into a bit of a party
girl, wasn't she...? Then again, maybe not, he smirked, noticing how childishly
happy she seemed running into the surf. Nah...her parents picked a fitting
name. Made him wonder what his meant...
“Um, Vaughn-san?”
He almost jumped, having forgotten Sabrina was there...she seemed sheepish
and...alarmed or something? “Uh, what?”
“I-I don't mean to pry” she blurted, pasting on a anxious smile, “It's just
you're so close with Yukina-san. Do you two go out?”
Denny burst out with laughter. Vaughn glowered at him before shaking his head.
“Don't be stupid. I don't got time for that kind of foolishness. She's just
some girl that's too friendly.”
“Well...” Sabrina kneaded her hands, “If...if it bothers you, I'm sure you can
tell her so...”
...Bothered him? “I never said it...bothered me, I s'pose. She's just a
busybody, is all. I don't figure she'll be here long 'nough for me to get too
fed up.”
“O-oh...I...I suppose that's true” she smiled.
Denny stared at her before looking away, waving towards a waiter that just
happened to be walking by. “Hey, a Long Island, please...oh, uh, did you want
something, Ellison-san?”
“E-eh? O-oh no, I'm not into that sort of thing...” she flustered, taking a
seat on a free chair sort of near them, kind of huddled up and shy.
Vaughn continued to drink his beer gingerly, figuring he had a few issues with
hard liquor himself...in that it made him a giggly person. Denny thought it was
hilarious but be damned if that happened again in this lifetime. But he was
slightly curious as Sachiko was already a giggly person so would it do the
opposite to her?
“Um! Vaughn-san, my father will be home tomorrow. Are you free to have dinner
with us?” Sabrina questioned randomly.
Looking to her, he went over his schedule in his mind...mm, he had some
deliveries to do this week. Figured he could probably come for dinner before he
headed out. He could grab a nap at Sachiko's place in between. “Sounds
alright.”
“A-ah, great” she smiled.
...Or maybe not. He didn't have much to say to her after that and frankly she
didn't seem to have much to say to him. Returning to at least hopefully listen
to Denny blabber, the guy had grown suspiciously quiet himself...okay, maybe
he'd leave now then.
“Ah! Vaughn, do you think Thunder's okay? I've left him for so many hours!”
Sachiko gushed, suddenly scurrying up the sand towards him. It appeared her
company was leaving, the sun preparing to set over the warm horizon.
Vaughn scowled, handing her the Long Island, “Stop acting like I've given you
that horse. He's my concern.”
“Yea, but he hates you” she pouted.
Vaughn just gaped at her drolly, the woman sitting on the end of his chair once
more and sipping her drink. “...Well, be that as it may...shut up.”
Sachiko giggled, “He doesn't though, he just has to warm up to you a little bit
is all.”
He supposed that should have made him feel better but considering it was going
on five months it wasn't looking too good. Glaring as she drank kind of
strongly, he drawled, “Some reason you're having so many beverages?”
“Hmm? ...Oh, you're right, I should probably slow down” Sachiko murmured almost
as if it were an afterthought. “I'll probably go home soon...”
Vaughn sat up, grimacing a bit as he finished his...fourth beer and grabbed for
his shirt. “Well dependin' on how finicky Thunder is most likely gonna be, I'll
prolly just crash there tonight.”
Denny blinked towards him slowly as Sachiko nodded, finishing the last bit of
the Long Island before standing and heading towards the main hut. Probably was
going to settle her tab... Vaughn yelped as Denny punched his shoulder
haughtily. “Ah HAH!”
“Wha?”
“So that'swhere you've been staying, huh? I was starting to wonder” the
fisherman remarked smugly.
He snorted. “I can't stand stayin' with you. At least she shockin'ly gives me
peace.”
Denny grinned lazily. “Uh huh.”
Vaughn leered silently at him. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he glanced
towards Sabrina. Once again she had that shocked blanched expression. What was
with her lately? She was being weird. “...Somethin' the matter?”
“A-ah! No, no, just...uh, thinking” she waved her hands quickly. “U-um, though,
if you're ever in need of a room, of course the mansion has tons too.”
“I really wouldn' mind just stayin' in an inn but Thunder does prefer her
presence” Vaughn shrugged, the whole thing inconsequential regardless. Well,
Sachiko was free board and food...
Raising a brow as he was suddenly struck with an idea, Vaughn reached into his
pocket and gave a quick trot over to where she was. Just as it was her turn in
line, he dropped a bill on the table. “I'll cover hers and mine.”
Sachiko was a little startled. “Eh? That's fine, Vaughn--”
“Just to pay back for all the food I've been snatchin' off you, is all. Don't
let it get to your head” he assured, taking the few bills he got back and
stuffing them in his pocket.
“I suppose...” she drawled, pulling on that same white sundress from their
first meeting. “Since you're staying, did you want anything specific for dinner
tonight?”
Vaughn frowned, “...I haven't had some good curry in a while. Can you pull
that?”
Sachiko winked, grinning, “Definitely.”
...Happiness, huh?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Vaughn is rather late for him...”
Yukina Sachiko frowned, sitting at the table in Mirabelle's house and writing
down order forms. She was making a bunch of shipments to local farms now so it
was a bit of a chore to keep up with all of it but, well, that's what she was
here for. And indeed, the shepherd of the various animals was not on his
usually tight schedule.
Looking to the clock, she bit her lip. Yes...something was up. It was almost
two hours later than his normal arrival. Setting down the books, Sachiko stood,
readjusting the jean capris she'd taken to wearing as the weather was just
starting to cool. “I'm...kind of worried. Let me go take a look.”
Mirabelle waved her hands, “Oh, I'm sure everything is fine.”
Sachiko shook her head, opening the creaking door to the outside. “It's...just
not really Vaughn.”
While the older woman was probably prepared to argue more, Sachiko stepped out
and started towards the direction Vaughn normally came from. Almost immediately
did it become completely clear something was amiss.
Denny and other villagers seemed utterly bewildered as sheep and cattle
wandered the streets of the town aimlessly. Some of the children were chasing
and petting them happily, the others kind of shooing them away and demanding
whose animals these were. Sachiko frantically looked around. No Vaughn in
sight.
Rushing to Denny's side, she gave him an anxious expression. “Have you seen
Vaughn?”
“Huh? Uh, no” the fisherman shook his head, wide-eyed as a cow pushed past him,
“I mean, I did see Thunder going in the direction of your place with the cart
he usually carries his stuff on. But no Vaughn...”
“Oh my God, something must've happened to him” she rasped.
Denny frowned, “Well, I mean, maybe...a lot of the herd got away from him, is
all? And additionally, Thunder doesn't need much provocation to run away,
y'know?”
“It's...just trust me, this is off” Sachiko insisted, rushing back towards
Mirabelle's farm.
No...she hadn't known the surly fellow thatlong but she knew his work ethic and
especially the code he kept in keeping his animals safe. Vaughn wouldn't have
allowed this to happen on his watch under any circumstances. Mirabelle shared
the same sentiment when Sachiko informed her that some of his herd was loose in
the town. She called up her few hands to help her try to gather them while
Sachiko rushed back to where Denny was trying to stop a goat from eating a
crotchety old stall owner's cabbage.
“Denny, can you come with me to find Vaughn?” she pleaded, “I'll grab Thunder
and maybe he can lead us back to him.”
The fellow nodded, one of Mirabelle's workers taking over his task. “Yea, let's
go. This is kind of weird.”
Racing back to her house where, indeed, Thunder was standing, she grabbed his
reigns, swinging herself up on his back. Denny awkwardly pulled himself up
behind her, squirming. As usual, Thunder tried to buckle from underneath him,
intolerant of generally anyone aside from her or Vaughn riding him. “Thunder,
we don'thave time for this today! Please, take us to Vaughn” she begged the
horse.
The horse snorted, almost a disgruntled sound, but allowed her request and
started a gentle trot off towards the open fields that lied between the seaport
and town. Sachiko egged Thunder on a little faster, having a synchronized yelp
with Denny as he almost fell off.
“Denny! Come on, hold on to my waist! I can't have you hurt too if Vaughn is
injured!” she pouted.
“O-oh, that's...well...” he stammered, stunned, before sighing, “Okay, you're
right. Hopefully he doesn't get pissy...”
“What?”
“Nothing” Denny assured, wrapping his arms around her stomach as they trampled
deeper into the wilderness.
Thunder started letting up a little bit, both of his riders noticing that there
were some miscellaneous cows, sheep, and goats grazing all over the place.
What...?
Denny suddenly breathed out, “...He's asleep?”
Sachiko glanced back at him, bewildered, before following his gaze. Under a
tree, Vaughn's knees were balled up to his chest, his back relaxed against the
trunk. Yes, to the passing observer it would have seemed he was asleep but...
Coming to a stop, Sachiko leaped off Thunder's back, rushing to him. No, Vaughn
wouldn't oversleep. His things were packed, after all. He also wouldn't have
just stopped here for a nap. Kneeling before the cowboy, she cautiously reached
out to take off his hat. She didn't want to alarm him if, somehow, she was
misunderstanding.
As she expected, his face was completely red, his hair soaked through with
sweat and matted. Sachiko lifted his chin, pressing her hand to his forehead.
Alarmed that it felt like she was touching a hot eye on a stove, she quickly
turned to Denny who'd managed to dismount without falling. “He's burning up,
Denny. We have to get him back to my place.”
“Oh man, he does look bad...hey, Vaughn, can you hear me?” Denny questioned,
helping Vaughn to his feet, the man unconscious and hanging limply.
Vaughn didn't make a sound aside from his heavy haggard breathing. Sachiko
rushed to support his other side as they dragged him, carrying him towards the
cart...while she would have preferred to sit in the back with him, Denny seemed
to have zero knowledge of guiding a horse so she left the fellow to watch over
him...
“...She was actin' real peculiar.”
Sachiko scowled as Vaughn stood outside her door with Thunder, absolutely
soaked through with rain. It had let up a while ago but it did seem the guy had
walked through the entirety of the storm. “Who was? Come inside to tell me
about it and dry off, you'll get sick.”
He wasn't listening. No, that stubborn guy wasn't real fond of listening to
good sense. He tipped his wet hat backwards, glaring outwards. “Dinner's
usually nice with Regis and Sabrina. Tonight it was like I'd done somethin'
dumb awful to her.”
“Did that bother you?” she crossed her arms. If she ran off at hyper speed to
grab a towel he'd still be gone by the time she returned.
“...Nah. It's just they've always been kind folk to me. They practically rushed
me out after dessert.”
Sachiko frowned. What? “They rushed you out into the rain?”
“Nn” he sighed some, taking off his gloves and wringing them.
“I wouldn't imagine either Ellison-san would be so...cruel. You're soaking wet.
Just come in and change your clothes. It'll only take a second.”
Vaughn stood up straight, walking over to Thunder whom he'd left there after
his nap. “I don't have time.”
Ugh, he was so... “You came and talked to me...surely you'd have a little time
to see to your own well-being.”
“...Who said I wanted to talk to you? Nosy.”
Sachiko could only watch and wonder what it was about him. She had never met
anyone that spoke that tartly all the time. She'd told her father he reminded
her a bit of her Uncle Chihaya but even he had moments where he was completely
warm and kind. But...then, Vaughn...did have his moments as well. Like when he
was taking care of his animals, he always had a soft gentle expression on his
face, tender. So what exactly made them act like everyone was just one big
hindrance...?
Her Uncle Chihaya, she knew, suffered from abandonment issues. It wasn't as if
he was truly abandoned but there was a marked lack of affection in his
upbringing that made him sour, bitter even. Her Auntie Rosa, the man professed,
was the light in his life. She made up for all those things, the things his
immediate family hadn't been prepared to give him until it was pretty close to
too late.
...She'd known when he went off to the field that if he didn't get sick he was
used to the rain. Despite calling out to him to rest there for the night, to
please get a shower, he didn't listen. She knew she was no light and she didn't
even know what Vaughn's story was, but...
“Should we call for a doctor...?” Denny asked, standing up straight and staring
down at their friend.
Sachiko smoothed Vaughn's hair from his face tenderly. He was sweating
profusely and hadn't roused once since they got him from the field. Standing
with a nod, she went over to the top of the dresser in her temporary room and
grabbed a pen and tablet. Scribbling down some things, she murmured, “I doubt
he'd want all that fuss immediately. His fever does seem high but I've stayed
up all night with my siblings when they've had burning temperatures so...I'll
take care of him for now. I will contact the doctor to inform him that we may
need him. Can you do me a favor?”
“Absolutely.”
“Pick these things up for me, please. It's just cold pads and some ingredients
for soup. And a few meds. I'll break his fever” she assured, tying her hair
back after handing him the list she'd compiled.
Denny nodded slowly before raising a brow. “...Pajamas?”
“Well, I don't think Vaughn's the pajama type so just a thin light pair...”
Denny lightly gaped as she sat Vaughn up, relaxing him against her shoulder.
His breath was almost smoldering her neck, his skin even hotter as she removed
his vest. “U-uh, um...I mean, like...like the doctor, Sachiko, I don't...think
Vaughn would appreciate you undressing him. Why...why don't you let me do
that...?”
“Hmph, if he'd listened and just taken off these stupid clothes when I told him
to instead of acting like a child he wouldn't be sick! What would have happened
if we didn't go out there?” she huffed, unbuttoning his shirt. “If he wants to
act like a kid, well, he's going to be treated like one!”
“Yea, maybe, but it's still his...stuff...” the fisherman drawled, his eyes
growing even more as she started to unbuckle his belt.
Sachiko frowned. “Oh, that? That doesn't matter. I have a brother and...well,
had boyfriends. It's no big deal.”
Denny slowly smiled reluctantly. “W...well, why...don't you, for Vaughn's
future sanity's sake, leave his underpants on?”
Considering that, she nodded as tugged off his pants and folded them over a
chair nearby. “I guess that'd be fine.”
Letting out a breath of obvious relief, Denny rushed off, “I'll go get this
stuff then!”
Sachiko nodded once more and covered Vaughn's body, rushing off to find a basin
and a washcloth in order to wipe off the accumulated sweat along with a hair
band. Pulling his somewhat long white hair back, she gently wiped his face with
the cool water. His chest was rising and falling erratically, his brow furrowed
tightly. Reaching out she gently smoothed them, petting his cheek. “Silly
man...it's...it's okay to lean on people sometimes. You didn't have to go out
and get sick. I wasn't trying to be nosy...”
She almost started when his eyes opened, dazed and downright bleary. He was
gazing up at her, weary and confused. Regardless, she was relieved he'd at
least momentarily gained consciousness...
“Sachi...” he rasped, his voice weak and...Sachi? Her heart jolted when he
shakily reached up and grasped her fingertips, moving them to another portion
of his face. “Your...hands feel...real nice...right now...”
...The poor thing was hellasick A little flustered, she reached with the hand
he didn't have a death grip on to grab the wash cloth once more, wringing it
out and giving it a good shake before dabbing his forehead once more. “What on
Earth did you do, Vaughn?”
“Nothin'...” he drawled softly. “I was...just getting tha' animals and... next
thing I know... felt like I was...dragging...boulders...”
“Well, you're burning up” she told him...though if anyone was aware of that it
was probably the guy ready to boil to death in his own skin. “Let me check your
temperature.”
Finding the thermometer, able to break away from Vaughn for at least a moment,
Sachiko put on the plastic cover before putting it in his mouth and under his
tongue. Vaughn dozed while Sachiko waited with horror. It was nearly an
instantaneous reading under all circumstances...except...
“Oh my Gawd, you're almost over 103 degrees!!”
“The f—k? Wouldn't...I be...dead?”
Sachiko groaned, reverting the degree from Fahrenheit to Celsius...not that it
mattered, it was bad regardless! “39.8 degrees Celsius.”
“Oh...that is...kind of hot...”
Deciding it best not to remark on that bit of 'duh', she got up to see if she'd
brought any loose cooling pads. “Did...you undress me...?”
Sachiko scowled, “Yes! You were soaked through with sweat!”
“Perv...” he rumbled and, for God knows why, stood up. Or barely. He was
tipping quite a bit.
She rushed over to him, “What are you doing? I just told you your body's almost
hot enough to boil water, why are you standing up?!”

“I gotta...pee...”
Ugh! He gave her the saddest leer she'd seen from the King of Leering as he
held onto the door sill connecting her bedroom to her bathroom for dear life.
“And you...you stay out here.”
“You could collapse!”
“I...don't need your help...to pee...” he groaned, stumbling in and closing the
door.
Sachiko wanted to roll her eyes but could only stand there helplessly, hoping
not to hear him take a dive into her bathtub...
After a minute, he reappeared, swaying and reaching out to steady himself,
“Now...now give...me my clothes and I'll...be on my...my way...”
“Will you stop being crazy?” she demanded, not even shocked when he toppled
into her.
“No.”
Sighing, finally getting in that eye roll, Sachiko managed to back up and drop
them into her bed. She'd only gone too since he was considerably taller than
she was and dragging him would have just been too much of a strain on them
both...
Alas, the fellow, more coal than human, was like a gigantic rock lying on top
of her in his state. Somewhere between his refusal to stop being insane and her
getting him back to bed he'd fallen back into his coma and was not budging.
This was too much...
Whatever. Resigning to her fate with a sigh, she got the cloth once more that
she'd left on the night stand and managed to reach out to get a little edge of
it damp and cool. Sachiko pressed it to his cheek, stroking his hair back out
of his face again. Despite the fact he wasn't roused, she could tell he was
relaxing, his breathing becoming more paced and his perspiration decreasing.
Thank goodness for that at least...staring at his face, she almost smiled
somewhat though concerned. He looked comfortable and almost innocent. What a
sweet face on a guy about to catch on fire...
“U...uh, I'm back...”
Sachiko looked up, alarmed out of her thoughts, to find Denny standing in the
doorway with bags and a shocked expression. “Oh, hi...he had to use the
restroom and after he was done tried to leave. You see where it got him.”
Denny groaned, walking over and managing to gently turn the man over onto his
back. “He really is an idiot sometimes...”
Sorting through the bag, Sachiko set out all the supplies, requesting Denny go
put a pot of water on the stove to boil for the soup. After he ran off she got
Vaughn dressed in the nice navy satiny thin pajamas Denny found and tucked him
into bed. Placing one of the cooling pads on his forehead, she rushed off to
grab him a cup of water so he could take some aspirin.
“Damn it...busybody...who said I'm...sick?”
Sachiko glared. “...Common sense?”
“Whatever...I...need to get back to the herd...and you'll get out of my way!”
he blurted out with forced bravado, trying to get up but falling on his side
once more.
“Vaughn” she whispered, kneeling and grasping his hand, “I know they mean a lot
to you, your animals and your job. But if something happens to you then you
can't do either. Please, if you won't rest for me or yourself, at least do it
knowing that your animals need you.”
She awaited his answer, his violet eyes gazing at her emptily. They were almost
glazed over and she figured he was just devising his next bit of meanness to
get her out of his way.
“Your hands...really do feel nice...” he murmured softly, returning her palm to
his cheek.
Holy God, he was sick. And absolutely delirious. “Vaughn--”
“Mira...Mirabelle, she...she'll take...care of 'em until I can...stand up
straight?”
Sachiko's eyes widened, surprised. Wait, was he...? “Yea, she rounded them up
and they're at her farm. She'll watch them for you and they'll be there waiting
for you when you get back on your feet.”
“...Okay...” he finally conceded, closing his eyes and returning to his deep
slumber.
Utterly relieved, she pulled away after letting him clench her hand for a while
to see if Denny was trying to cook something. Nope, instead she found him
lounging in the hallway outside the door. “Ah! What are you doing?”
“Hmm? Oh, uh, nothing. I've just never seen him act so... tenderly.”
“Well, he's sick...” she somewhat defended...defended? “Can you update
Mirabelle on what's happened? I have a feeling she'll agree but I did console
Vaughn with the thought she'd take his herd into her care.”
Denny nodded. “No problem. Do you need me to do anything else after?”
“Ah, no. Thank you so much, I wouldn't have been able to do this without you!
And you're probably missing work...”
He waved a hand with a soft laugh, “No way! Vaughn's my buddy! If you need me
for anything, don't hesitate to call, okay? I'll keep in touch and check on his
status so we'll know if we have to call the doc, cool?”
Agreeing, Sachiko walked him out before rushing to the stove. There she came to
the realization that Vaughn's favorite food was porridge...and that was a great
dish to feed a sick person. He couldn't disagree if he loved it, right? Or so
she hoped, it was Vaughn. Regardless, she started the meal and planned to shave
some ice for his probably equally burning throat.
Going back to check on him, she sat by his bed and rubbed his back. Sachiko
found herself sulking after a few, staring at his warm face. Well, she should
have told Denny to inform Sabrina. While it may have been just as likely that
Vaughn misread the situation, why didn't she request or plead that he stay
until the rain let up?
...Meh, who was she kidding? She couldn't convince Vaughn to change his wet
uncomfortable clothing. What chance did Sabrina have at convincing him to stay
at her house longer? He...didn't like...nosy people, she supposed.
“Sachiko...”
Startled out of her stupor, she glanced down at Vaughn who must've woken up
while she was in thought. His lips were lightly agape, his eyelids heavy, as he
stared up at her. Sachiko quickly smiled, continuing to rub his back over the
skin. “Yea, Vaughn?”
“Why...are you coddlin' me like this...?” he murmured. His tone lacked any
rancor, however. It sounded sincerely curious. “I've never been coddled...”
“Your mama never coddled you when you were sick?”
Vaughn gazed off for a moment before shaking his head. “...I don't... remember
my ma. They all...left me... behind.”
… “So you're used to being alone?”
“Yea...” he rasped, “I've...always been...”
She shook her head, “That's not true. Denny has been rushing around madly
getting things to take care of you. Mirabelle knew that something was amiss
when you missed your tight schedule and...and Sabrina, she's always coming over
to talk to you. And...and me, I...I thought we were friends. You're
not...alone. You don't have to always be anyway.”
“...Can I hold you to that?”
Sachiko stiffened, speechless, as he gazed at her drearily, a sort of
solemnness in his expression. “U-uh, I...”
“Don't...go saying things...all willy nilly. You better...mean what you say...”
he droned, dozing off.
...Eh? Confused, resting her hand over her weirdly pulsing heart, she stood to
go check on the food. Oh yea, yes, he was sick. Otherwise, that just sounded...
That just sounded weird...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Vaughn Blythe felt like he'd slept for years.
...It wasn't like he hadn't listened to Sachiko. It sucked being soaking wet
and traveling, she could at least give him that bit of sense. He'd changed when
he got in his tent, thoroughly drying off before settling in for the night,
thinking.
If...he had ever been pressed to think about it, he'd probably think a girl
like Sabrina would be his...type? That sounded about what Denny usually said.
She was quiet and didn't press him for a whole lot of conversation.
Conservative, timid, moderately cheerful...not like some other people that just
gushed with sunshine.
“Do...you like Yukina-san?”
Vaughn looked up, wide-eyed, sipping the bit of coffee Sabrina had given him
after dinner. Regis had to take a call in his office, leaving them in the
ornate sitting room to sit quietly. Until this, anyway.
“What's with you and Denny? I told both of ya'll nothing's happening between me
and Sachiko.”
Sabrina plucked at her skirt, blushing, “She...Yukina-san calls you 'Vaughn'.
And you...just called her Sachiko. That's...pretty friendly.”
“We aren't concerned about them sort of formalities then, I guess.”
“I...I'm sorry, I'm just concerned” she laughed shyly, “She seems awfully
presumptuous in a way. Like...touching you and stuff.”
Vaughn raised a brow. He felt like he'd recall getting 'touched' by Sachiko. Oh
wait, the legs thing... “Well...wouldn't I have also been... presumptuous to
touch her back like that?”
Sabrina squeaked, waving her hands, “O-oh, th-that's true. Never mind.”
“Concerned though? Sachiko's harmless...”
“She's...just like those pretty girls I went to school with” she murmured
quietly, “Always so...cheerful and...well, as I said, presumptuous. I know you
value your privacy and...she's sort of invading that, isn't she?”
Considering that, Vaughn folded his hands. Sucking his cheek, he drawled,
“...She's nice to talk to sometimes. And she makes some good porridge.”
“...Then...it's not...because of her body...?”
Vaughn recoiled. WHAT? “...Who do you think I am? You think I just hang out
with her to ogle her? Christ, what's everybody's problem!?”
“I-! It...it just means that...that you like her for...not superficial
reasons.”
...What?
He stared at her, the woman asleep at his side. After he woke from what seemed
like a long coma, he found she'd fallen asleep in a chair beside him. Busybody
woman...he pulled her in with him and she had yet to rouse. It looked like
she'd worked pretty hard on him.
Superficial reasons...like, he raised a brow as he glanced down, how her
breasts were huge? Or her hips? Or...ass? Nah, that was Denny's domain
somewhat. The guy...he wasn't a pervert, Vaughn noticed, just an admirer.
Vaughn wasn't able to think in such...superficial reasons.
Sachiko 'mm'd', shifting a little, her eyes opening slowly. But then, they, her
eyes, were...really pretty...
Freezing, shocked by his thoughts, she pouted after a yawn. “Oh Vaughn, I'm
sorry, falling asleep like that...are you feeling okay?”
“ U-uh, sure.”
Silently alarmed as she smoothed back his bangs and pressed her forehead to
his, he flustered a bit. “H-hey...”
“Perfect” she smiled, closing her eyes once more, “Say something grouchy so I
know you're back to normal.”
“Shaddup” he grumbled, pinking some, “What's that even s'posed to mean?”
Sachiko laughed, tucking her hands under her chin, “You were being deliriously
adorable.”
“UGHHH” he groaned, turning on his back and covering his eyes. Why him?
Laughing again, she sat up on her haunches and rubbed her eyes. “It's fine, I
thought it was cute...ah! Let me call Denny.”
Watching her scurry off, he scowled. “Call Denny for what? Why you even have
his number?”
“Why, Mr. Blythe, I think I can have Mr. Walker's number if it so pleases me”
she informed him rather coyly.
Finding himself sulking, he sat up and scratched the back of his head...aw
hell, it'd been three days. It was all a mysterious blur so yea, he could see
himself acting out of character in his lapse of complete consciousness.
Hopefully he hadn't said anything too stupid.
Shuffling around, still feeling pretty sluggish, he wandered towards the entry
and out the front door. He just need a little fresh air...
“Ah!” he yelped as suddenly he was shoved over.
Glaring at the attacker, he was shocked to find Thunder, all massive and
foreboding, looming over him. Well, the time had come: his horse was finally
going to kill him. Wincing, about to clamor to his feet, unsure if that wasthe
horse's plot, he was stunned when suddenly his hat was set on his head...huh?
Hearing a giggle, he turned to the door where Sachiko was standing, her hands
in her pockets as she smiled. “You won't believe me but even poor Thunder
started to get antsy because you were under the weather.”
Yea, he didn't believe that...coming to his feet, he couldn't help smile a
little bit, rubbing the animal's nose. “My bad, Thunder. I'mma try to take
better care of myself.”
He neighed a little before trotting off, going about his horse business. Vaughn
smirked, propping his hands on his hips. Well, that was...refreshing.
Sachiko suddenly grasped his wrist, frowning with a worried expression, “Are
you sure you're feeling okay?”
“...Yea. I'm fine.”
Her bright smile returned, “Great! Why don't you get a nice shower and change
while I make us lunch? We can eat outside. I'm sure you're sick of being in a
stuffy house...eh, only if you want to...”
Vaughn wasn't sure what to make of her becoming...shy randomly. Well, aside
from her realizing she was a busybody. But no, he was starving and it was nice
out. “Sounds fine.”
“Ah! Okay” she clasped her hands, “Sangria? Omurice?”
He just nodded, following her back inside as she apparently ran off to prepare
them a picnic lunch. Going into her shower, he felt...a little relieved.
Finally he could return to work and his...isolation.
“That's not true. Denny has been rushing around madly getting things to take
care of you. Mirabelle knew that something was amiss when you missed your tight
schedule and...and Sabrina, she's always coming over to talk to you. And...and
me, I...I thought we were friends. You're not...alone. You don't have to always
be anyway.”
Running his hands backwards through his hair, he pondered if that happened or
had he just imagined it in his feverish stupor...
Somehow, somehow, Denny ended up getting invited. While they were sitting on
the beach, Vaughn almost ended up killing him for trying to eat all of
Sachiko's food. 'Damn it, man, I was the one that was dying!'.
Sabrina had come, Sachiko inviting her without the awareness that the girl
wasn't her biggest fan, and smiled, watching them shyly. Sachiko laughed and
pulled out a massive container of seconds, joking that she realized she was
cooking for men.
He wondered about that girl. She scolded him for not having even a light jacket
and went and retrieved one out of a box. She said she didn't do the whole
relationship thing but this was quite obviously a guy's jacket. And apparently
a tall guy at that, the thing barely fit him. That crap didn't matter to him
though...right?
Glancing at her when she was busy chattering with Denny, he grimaced and
covered his heart as it started to...shake or something. Pretty eyes?
“I-! It...it just means that...that you like her for...not superficial
reasons.”
Looking down at the blanket, he slowly tried to trace the word emblazoned on
her shoulder. It didn't help that it was both in English and in that fancy
cursive writing they did. Happiness...
Lifting his face carefully to stare at her, starting to wonder if he'd ever
known such a thing, he felt lost. She...wasn't his type. She was more talkative
and doting and busybodyish than anyone he'd ever met. That kind of overzealous
happiness...who was ever that happy?
...Or...was she just kind of special like that?
Did...he want to find out?
***** Specialty *****
Chapter Summary
     So...how has this story been done for three years and not be
     anywhere? Like, Otome referenced a whole line from this...my bad.
Chapter 3: Specialty
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Denny Walker had asked his great Uncle Kai if he knew anything about a Yukina
Sachiko when he called him recently.
“Sure I know Sachi! Ya'll are taking care of her, right? She's been coming to
eat at my place since she was a little girl, she's like one of my own, y'know?”
What kind of guy does she go for?
“Not you, punk.”
Just in general, Denny had reformulated.
 “Sachiko dates any guy she finds interesting, I suppose? And the ones that
leave her with a lasting impression. Like she'll chatter about some dude
running a soup kitchen for the homeless or starting a charity for a poor
family. You know, NOT YOU?”

Denny smirked some, leaning against the post in town, having just turned in all
the fish he'd been able to capture today. It was a pretty decent pull...
Vaughn Blythe was finishing his orders, an odd sense of haughtiness about him
as he folded an envelope and sent it through the mail. Probably an order form
for gathering the cattle and sheep and whatnot. With a peculiar amount of
pride, he walked over to him. “Let's go get a beer.”
“Sure.”
“We can have a lotta beer, in fact” Vaughn nodded simply, “Since I won' have to
ride out to the field anymore.”
Denny smirked more, “Right. Well, since you have Sachiko to thank for that, why
don't you invite her too?”
Vaughn groaned. “...Might as well.”
“Think she'd like a surly jerk of a cowboy who has a good heart somewhere under
his leather exterior?”
“What book are you reading?”
One that could get interesting.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
She was being nosy again. One day, after he was done at Mirabelle's ranch,
Sachiko said she found something perfect for him: a house.
A house? A house. As in, a building planted on a surface permanently in which
he'd have to pay for it's location and pretty much be trapped to it's being.
No. No, that wasn't him at all and she was crazy.
Sachiko had pouted. “It's perfectfor you, Vaughn. Just give it a look. I'll
understand if you don't think it's a good idea but I'd feel better if you had a
place to at least crash at that isn't a tent.”
Why he humored her, he'd never know, but he followed the woman to meet a
renter. The guy stared at them weirdly, as if they were dumb insane. It was a
dumb insane idea but Vaughn wasn't sure where this guy got off deciding that.
The man showed them to the... house, a place almost disappearing into the woods
but not too far from the edge of town. Basically it looked like a plank board
box. Their tour guide looked at them, as if expecting some kind of
reaction...before shaking his head and popping the key into the lock of a worn
old door.
It was one large room. The kitchen, the bedroom, and the den all shared the
same exact area. The kitchen was tiny, just a stove and a counter, a sink, and
a tiny mini fridge. The bed was just maybea extra large twin size in the corner
with the most makeshift nightstand ever. It had an ancient kerosene lamp
sitting on it...the den was a couch and the oldest television Vaughn had seen
in a very long time. It was...a box. There was a door in the back that led to a
bathroom that just had a pull spring shower which would have to be held to stay
on, another sink with a flat plain mirror over it, and, of course, a
toilet...another door led to what was probably a storage area. There was the
tiniest closet he'd ever known beside the bed and another beside the fridge,
near the television an old time wood stove for heating though there was a big
central heater in the corner that had seen some years...
Vaughn stared around at the place, wide-eyed, as the renter observed them
drolly. “Rent's about 45 pieces a month...”
Sachiko smiled at him, “So what do you think? It's month to month too so you're
not contracted to keep it. And I bet you spend more than 45 pieces a month at
the inn when you stay there to rest.”
...He loved it.
On some level he thought he should be irked she knew him well enough to pick
out a house he'd actually like but he was ultimately thrilled. Houses were so
complicated and this house was the anti-complicated. Everything he needed was
right there, every last necessity. A bed, a fridge, a shower...he didn't have a
lot of crap so the small storage would do just fine. At 45 dollars a month, the
place was a steal! Hell, the renter was so shocked and horrified he'd cut the
price to 35 if Vaughn did some maintenance. Damn straight he had a house now!
Sipping an ice cold beer as he sat at Nick's with Denny, he looked towards the
door. He supposed the...polite thing to do would have been to walk her here.
With autumn completely set in it was getting darker earlier, of course. But he
wasn't sure their friendship called for that sort of thing with her nursing
life back into him and finding him houses. Busybody woman...
Damned if he wasn't minding a whole lot less though. What the hell was his
problem?
Sachiko skipped in, wearing a black coat with jeans that were fitting her a
little too...fittingly and a yellow tunic thing. Ugh, hewas noticing clothes
more because of her.
“Hi, Vaughn! Hi, Denny!” she greeted as she took the seat as their...third
wheel maybe? He guessed this unit was now a temporary tricycle.
Greeting back, the woman ordered a Cosmopolitan...Vaughn sulked. “Why don't you
drink a simple beer? You're getting more for less than your fancy pants mixed
drinks.”
“I've never cared for the taste of beer” she admitted before clapping, “But it
is Fall, I could definitely drink hard cider!”
Denny snickered, “You can drink whatever you want without SOMEONE giving you a
hard time, Sachiko.”
Vaughn rolled his eyes a bit, “I was just saying. She knows she can do what she
want.”
“I appreciate your concern over my frugality” she teased, taking the martini
glass from Nick with a 'thanks'.
“It probably don't even taste as good as beer anyway” scoffed Vaughn, taking it
from her suddenly and sipping...before almost convulsing. “THE hell?”
Sachiko smirked, retaking her drink, “You okay, cowboy? Too rough for you?”
He leered at her, covering his mouth as if to will away the taste. “You're
drinking death.”
She laughed and turned it in her hands. Denny remained silent as he observed
the two talk together...Sachiko was a decent distraction, he was finding. Out
of every distraction Vaughn could potentially have they all failed in the end.
But no, not her. She...she was different...maybe she...
“For the love of f—k, why's he back?”
Denny looked up, surprised. Vaughn was looking over his shoulder, Sachiko as
well, towards the door. Denny followed their eyes and groaned in his head
himself. Jeez.
It was Sabrina....Sabrina and her ever delightful cousin, Will Regison. Denny
smiled weakly when Sabrina smiled towards them and waved shyly. Vaughn...could
not stand Will.
“Who's that?” whispered Sachiko as they approached.
“That's the biggest pain in the ass to grace mankind” Vaughn snarled, glancing
towards Nick as if signaling for his bill.
“A-ah, hello, everyone! You remember my cousin, Will, correct?”
Denny smiled broadly as Vaughn gave them a sullen look. “Of course we do. How's
it going, man?”
Will was a bit of an enigma to him...while Sabrina and Regis had black hair and
purple eyes, Will was a sunshine almost surfer fellow. He was blond with blue
eyes and a tan...so his mother must have destroyed his father's genes because
that didn't make a whole lot of sense from what he knew. He smiled at them
brightly. “I'm doing well, thank you!”
“What brings you to the island?”
“Well, Sabrina had asked me to visit on one of our recent correspondences and I
was rather bored so I figured I'd sail the yacht in to meet her request” he
explained jovially.
Denny just smiled some and Vaughn shook his head, almost chugging his beer.
Yep, Vaughn lived in a house that cost less than a rice ball and he was barely
able to make ends meet but this guy came sailing in on his yacht at his own
convenience. “Oh, that's nice...what have you two been up to?”
“Ah, we've been having vivid momentous discussions about the books we've been
reading lately! It's been lovely to chat with someone who's so knowledgeable!
'The Grecian youths are full of quality;
They're loving, well compos'd with gifts of nature and flowing o'er with arts
and exercise'!” he sighed airily, seeming thrilled...
Denny just gaped a little, smiling. “...What?”
Vaughn glared darkly at him, probably a nanosecond from a 'shut the f—k up'
before Sachiko clapped her hands together, “That's Troilus and Cressida,
correct?”
They looked to her, surprised, as Will's face brightened. “Indeed! One of
Shakespeare's more mysterious and lesser known works, to be sure! I'm sorry,
I...don't believe we've met.”
Sabrina smiled...it was a rather strange look. Almost...devising. “My
apologies. This is Yukina Sachiko, Will. She's currently interning here with
one of the local ranchers for her business major.”
“Ah. A business major dabbling in Shakespeare?”
“I decided to take a few literature courses before my college career was up. I
always found it a good distraction. He's such a diligent writer” Sachiko
explained.
Uh oh. Will seemed pleased...because he had the nerve to take a seat on the
side Vaughn wasn't on. Sabrina took a seat between Denny and Vaughn, ordering
an oolong tea.
“Ah yes, I'll have a glass of milk” Will requested before nodding excitedly, “I
agree, he's such a joy to analyze. What were your thoughts of Troilus and
Cressida?”
Sachiko tapped her chin thoughtfully, “It was a very odd one for him. While he
had a bit of humor in most of his tragedies to lighten the mood he shifted
pretty erratically in this one, I felt. I wasn't sure how to feel and I
wondered if that was purposeful.”
“Indeed! Out of his stories, which did you appreciate the most? I'll be shocked
if it's Romeo and Juliet.”
“Oh, I enjoyed Romeo and Juliet” Sachiko blinked, “Since everyone fathoms it to
be such a happy romantic tale when it's truly a tragedy, I kind of feel it's
both misunderstood and over exemplified.”
Will clapped his hands together, nodding again, “Very true. Aside from it's
misrepresentation commonly in society, it is well executed. I found Othello to
be one of particular intrigue.”
“I liked Othello, it was very telling in a way. I found Shakespeare's plays
that seemed peculiar considering his style such as 'The Winter's Tale' were my
favorite. That one was so odd but it was difficult to put down.”
“I agree! My, it's so strange to meet someone else on the island besides
Sabrina that is aware of literature. Usually I'm met with looks of confusion”
Will expressed contently.
That might not be the book smarts, Denny thought slowly...Sachiko smiled, “I've
always enjoyed reading quite a bit. If I hadn't gone into business I may have
pursued literature or the likes. I think I can still at least do both though.”
Will tilted his head, “A very wise decision. It's difficult to find a career
based upon such a centralized focus but at least you're able to devote time to
it when available.”
Denny slowly dared a look towards Vaughn...and wondered if the guy realized his
jaw was kind of ticking as he silently drank his beer, his fingers tapping
against the table. Sabrina looked to him before smiling quaintly, “Will, I
believe it's time for dinner so we should be going.”
“Oh, what a shame” he frowned, “I hoped we'd be able to talk more...ah! As
Sabrina will be maintaining the library tomorrow, would you be available to
have tea with me in the afternoon? I'm sure you're very occupied with your
intern duties but everyone needs a break in the day.”
Sachiko, either oblivious or SOMETHING, nodded, “That sounds nice. Haila's cafe
is a nice little quiet place.”
UH OH. Vaughn, completely startling, slammed his beer down, glaring at her
hotly. “I thought we were going riding tomorrow.”
“Well of course we are!” Sachiko frowned at him, “But that's in the evening.
Regison-san wants to have tea in the afternoon. I'll be able to fit both.”
Denny grimaced, watching Vaughn open his mouth. He knew the guy was about to
tell her to 'forget it'...alas, surprisingly, he pursed his lips before
grumbling something and drinking his beer again. Huh? Will stared at him, wide-
eyed, before smiling at Sachiko, bewildered. “So we'll have tea, Yukina-san?”
She nodded and he seemed thrilled, rising, “I look forward to it! I will see
you tomorrow.”
Sabrina bowed, shooting Vaughn a hopeful look before scurrying behind her
cousin. Denny almost choked when Vaughn just stared at Sachiko expressionlessly
as she continued to drink rather apathetically.
“What is troubling you, my dear cowboy-san?”
“Did you not pick up how crazy obnoxious that guy was?”
Sachiko scowled, “He was nice! I like talking about books. I go to book
readings all the time at school, this is the next best thing.”
“Yea, well—you better not be late, talking about some books” he snarled,
grumbling lightly under his breath 'you're supposed to read books'.
The out of towner smirked at him, finishing her drink, “You seem cranky. Or at
least crankier than usual. Why don't you go to bed?”
Vaughn huffed, signaling Nick for another beer, “I'm a big boy, little girl. I
don't need nobody telling me to go to bed. I gotta house.”
Sachiko laughed, “You're cute.”
Denny observed them once more as they began to argue chat. He figured it was
weird that Will was so suddenly asked to come visit. Sabrina could chat to him
anytime she wanted over the phone about books but...
Was she trying to...?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“What the f—k is this s—t?”
Vaughn thought of himself as the type that didn't need a whole lot of
schooling, especially considering high school cost money he didn't have when he
ran away. He was making it well on his own without any specialized training
either...
Somehow, after Will and Sachiko's rambling last night, he went to the library
for the first time. Sabrina had been shocked to see him and even more shocked
when he checked out Shakespeare's complete collection. He could've killed
somebody with this damn book. Hell, if he dropped it on his foot he was sure
it'd shatter every bone he had.
He went over to Denny's for breakfast, knowing that if he went to Sachiko's
she'd tease him over this. Thunder wasn't thrilled but the horse did what he
wanted anyway so he trotted over to her place. Oh well, he didn't care. Usually
the beast was just roses and dandelions since they actually lived in town.
Meant he could get to his beloved a lot quicker and easier...whatever. He'd get
to him anyway when they went riding today.
Sachiko told him, when he was sick, that she rode Thunder out to find him.
Somehow it struck him as ridiculous she knew how to ride a horse. Of course it
was no more ridiculous than her knowing how to milk cows but he'd expressed
this opinion to her and she'd seemed honestly offended. Thus she went to
Mirabelle and borrowed her favorite horse 'Sparkles', a female with a black
body and a white mane. It seemed to piss Thunder off quite a bit, her getting
on another horse...but seemed ol' Thunder had taken a bit of a shining to
Sparkles. It was a more comforting same species fancy, at least...
Before Vaughn knew it, they would go riding every Thursday evening. She rode
well, he'd give her that. No fancy styles or extra frap, just straight rode and
he...kind of enjoyed it. Sometimes she'd find chestnuts and they'd make a small
fire. Last time she brought some crazy sugared salt caramel hot chocolate
beverage that went well with the autumn ambiance. She told him some things and
he'd taken to listening...he wasn't used to listening that closely but he gave
it a go. He found it funny she enjoyed his company...
...Well, apparently she could enjoy a lot of people's company, he leered,
staring at this...Greek.
“THIS is fascinatin'?” he demanded incredulously, gesturing towards the books
in shock, “I need a degree in insane to understand what's even being said!”
Denny was frying up some fish and snickered, setting a tray of rice and the
fish beside him along with a cup of coffee. “Dude, Shakespeare is crazy hard to
read if you don't understand old timey puns and double entendres. I'm sorry,
man, but we're just simple laborers. Not to say that it wouldn't be
understandable if we sat down with it for a while but you know we won't.”
Vaughn pouted, picking up the fish and taking a bite. “...Stupid Will.”
“So this is about Will?” Denny asked absently, sitting across from him.
Vaughn's nose wrinkled, “...I can't stand him and you know it.”
“Can't stand him or stand that he's got something of a similar interest with
Sachiko?”
“...Shut up” he grumbled, closing the book and resting his chin on it, pouty.
“I don't care what she does.”
“Could've fooled me!” Denny grinned, “Better be careful, pal, they've got the
whole sophisticate s—t in common. You're just a shepherd living in a shack.”
Snorting, Vaughn sat up and ate his rice, “Shaddup, I said I don't care.”
After he left and got a good amount of work done, he did find himself sitting
outside of her house, reading some story...'The Tempest'. He might've seen the
movie...
Thunder neighed happily, something he thankfully could use as a signal to put
the book away. Sachiko came trotting up on Sparkles already, her face rosy with
the brisk air, the hood of her jacket pulled over her head. She smiled,
dismounting and rubbing her hands together. “Hey, timely as usual.”
“Yea” he drawled, glancing away. Something about the way her wind burned cheeks
looked. Real peculiar.
… “So how was your book readin' with golden boy?” he questioned casually,
grabbing Thunder's reigns.
“Oh, one sec!” she gushed before scurrying into the house, returning with a
book bag. Swinging herself up on Sparkle at ease, she followed him as they
trailed through the brush of Verdure. It was...a comfortable silence between
them. Or almost because she never answered his damn question!
After a few more minutes, he cleared his throat, “So...reading? Golden boy?”
“Oh yea! It was nice! He's really well read. We discussed T.S. Eliot and Joseph
Conrad and Italo Calvino to Murasaki Shikibu and Haruki Murakami.”
Vaughn was puzzled. “You...talked about more than Shakespeare.”
She laughed, “Well, there's definitely more authors than Shakespeare, as
interesting a topic as he is. When you get into novels and literature there's
so many you can talk about. The Wasteland, The Love Song of J. Alfred
Prufrock...or Lord Jim and 'L'Avventura di Due Sposi' or The Tale of Genji.
Those were the ones we got into. He was pretty excited.”
Was she even speaking Japanese or English during a good portion of that
sentence? Vaughn just stared at her blankly before shaking his head. It kind
of...made him feel dumb... “So ya'll...probably gonna meet again, huh?”
“Some time this weekend” she affirmed...painfully. What was wrong with him?
He opened his mouth to tell her wasn't feeling well and would probably end this
trek early to go lie down... “He did ask me to dinner tonight” she continued as
if all she said wasn't enough.
“You should--” he started silently, bitterly.
“But I really look forward to us riding together. I would have been jabbering
on all night with him alas I need a break too from...everything” she laughed
softly, interrupting or not having heard him, as she tucked a strand of hair
behind her ear. “I like everyone here, don't get me wrong...but your company's
my favorite. I find it the most calming of all somehow.”
Vaughn stared at her sideview wide-eyed for a moment before quickly looking
away, his cheeks growing hot as he once more cleared his throat. “O-oh...”
“It's getting really cold, isn't it?” she remarked, blowing into her hands.
“It's crazy that Winter will be here before we know it.”
Still confused out of his head, he could only nod dumbly...before removing his
gloves, steering Thunder closer to her and handing them to her. Sachiko seemed
surprised. “What are these for?”
“P-put 'em on. No need to let your hands get all frigid.”
“Oh, I--”
“Forget it. We'll stop and make a fire or something if it gets too cold. I'm
fine” he insisted, grasping the cold leather reigns.
She pouted, “...Okay...tonight I thought we could go to your place so I can
make you a housewarming dinner though. Is that okay?”
“...Be...collected.”
“Eh?”
“...Nothin'. Sounds swell.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“She's a lovely woman.”
Denny shot a look towards Will, wondering what course of events led the man to
be here. While he didn't necessarily hate or even dislike Will, it wasn't like
they were pals that got beer together. Hell, the guy was sitting here drinking
tea while him and Vaughn were knocking back cold ones. It was just
peculiar...then he had the nerve to say that.
Another peculiarity was Vaughn's general behavior towards Will lately. For the
years prior, at some point in Will's presence Vaughn was going to try to beat
the rich fellow senseless for annoying him somehow. Will was so damned
oblivious that his flowery and exuberantly sometimes arrogant speech got under
Vaughn's skin. He called Vaughn 'boorish'...which may have been true but still.
Alas, Vaughn seemed perfectly calm around him after that 'date' Will had had
with Sachiko to discuss novels and the likes. Denny wasn't a hundred percent
sure why, just hoping it still pointed to his favor.
However ... Vaughn shot the blond a quick look. “...Sachiko?”
Will nodded, gingerly sipping the steaming beverage. “Very cultured yet down to
Earth...almost too much of a good thing.”
Vaughn glowered at him, “...I s'pose.”
Denny blinked at him before somewhat groaning when Sabrina walked in.
He...didn't know what she was planning.
It was clear she was trying to coerce some kind of relationship between Will
and Sachiko. She had little book dates set up for them and just a few nights
ago managed to wrestle the woman into having dinner with him on his yacht. That
was the first time in a bit that Denny had seen Vaughn riled up about Will's
presence but he easily calmed when Sachiko came and had a drink with them
after.
...This was turning into gambling, somehow.
Sabrina approached slowly, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly ajar. Will
frowned, pulling out a chair for her at the end of the table nearest him,
“Sabrina, whatever is the matter?”
“I'm fine” she smiled quickly, sitting beside him. “...Um...”
Vaughn stared at her as she looked at him slowly. “Um, I heard you got a place
to live and I was thrilled...”
Denny almost interrupted because even the way Vaughn's eyes lit up denoted the
absolute affection he had for that place. Nope, Sabrina didn't seem to notice.
“I-I'm sure there's more places for you to choose from though, Vaughn. It's
depressing someone even swindled you into renting such a place...”
...Uh oh. The cowboy's expression shifted and he continued to stare at her
before signaling to Nick for another beer. Oops. “...U-uh, Ellison-san, I...I
think you may misunderstand but Vaughn actually really...likes his house” Denny
expressed.
“Eh...?”
Before that turned into a hyper awkward situation, Sachiko arrived. She'd gone
away for her monthly visit to her teacher and home, dressed in a professional
a-line black dress. Denny found her absolutely gorgeous...
“Ah! Yukina-san, you look lovely. How was your meeting with your professor?”
asked Will, standing to apparently pull out a chair for her.
Denny smiled awkwardly when Vaughn glared a bit at him. He'd had an open chair
beside him and he probably fully expected her to take that one. Alas, Sachiko
smiled faintly and accepted Will's offer. “Oh, it went well. My grades are
looking great...”
Nick came to the table and dropped off a few more drinks. “Want something,
girly?”
“...Uh, do you know how to make a Zombie?”
Denny's eyes widened and Nick seemed...startled. “Uh, sure.”
Vaughn was staring at her, probably not aware of why they were so shocked she'd
order...something like that. But his eyes were blank, unreadable. That's why it
was just as astonishing when he held up a hand to halt Nick's movement.
“Get me one too.”
“...Uh?”
“Uh, buddy, that's...that's...not a...easy drink to handle” Denny stammered.
Vaughn lost it drinking light drinks. It was hilarious but who knew what the
rancher would do on 151?
“Mind your business” Vaughn remarked simply, drinking the rest of his beer.
Sachiko's green eyes narrowed at him...and his narrowed back. Um, what? Sabrina
glanced between them nervously and Will raised a brow. “Apologies, I'm not
particular fluent in alcoholic drinks. What else is a 'zombie' besides a horrid
horror movie creature?”
Vaughn blinked at Sachiko, “I dunno, what is it we're drinkin', 'girly'?”
She pursed her lips, leering a bit, “We'redrinking a mixture of Bacardi 151,
apricot brandy, and light and dark rum.”
“Luckily I dunno what a majority of that means” Vaughn said with a confusing
amount of snideness.
It means you're drinking straight up liquor, idiot! She neglected the juice but
that was four kinds of alcohol in one drink! Denny stared at his friend
helplessly, unsure of what exactly he was trying to prove to her but...
Nick returned with two glasses of 'Zombie', setting it on the table. Vaughn
leaned back in his chair, glowering at Sachiko. “While we're goin' crazy, Nick,
why don't you get me and our lady friend here a shot of SoCo?”
Staring at them weirdly, the owner disappeared, muttering 'black out it is'.
Sachiko glared darkly at him. “I don't likeSoCo. More so, I'm surprised you
know what it is.”
“Don't underestimate me, woman” Vaughn countered simply, “You come in here,
ordering some crazy liquor looking like the world's about to end. Take it you
might need a fewtypes of 'Southern comfort'.”
...Did Vaughnjust make a suggestive remark? Denny gaped incredulously at him as
Sachiko shot him a fiery look. “One Southern Comfort is enough, nosy.”
Denny grinned nervously as Nick walked back to some battle no one else present
understood in the least. He set the shot glasses in front of them but neither
broke the intense eye lock they had between them. It must've made Sabrina
nervous because she waved her hands, “U-uh, Vaughn--”
Vaughn held up his gloved hand, palm out and a nonverbal 'shut up'. Picking up
the shot, he cocked a brow. “Bottoms up.”
Sachiko picked hers up, snorting, “Cheers.”
...He had a bit of a bad feeling about this.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“V-Vaughn, please!”
Sachiko tilted her head, drinking her third Zombie as Denny watched the bar,
deadpanned. Will was also speechless...and the only one attempting to save
Vaughn from stripping off his pants was Sabrina. The women there were even
throwing money at him, some poor intoxicated soul having put the jukebox on
'Sexy and I Know It'.
“In my entire life I never would have imagined this was even possible” Denny
said simply.
Sabrina was just waving her arms, her face on fire as Vaughn danced topless
with just his bandanna and hat on. Seemed he was bit drunk to properly navigate
his zipper so he was struggling.
“...Perhaps I should...save Sabrina from this situation” Will remarked, his
blue eyes the size of saucers.
“Perhaps...”
With a sigh, Sachiko shook her head and stumbled to her feet, rocky on the
heels she was wearing. “N-no, I got this...”
They watched her, bewildered, as she went to the bar and grabbed Vaughn's
wrist, wobbly. “Okay cowboy, you've made your super bad point. Be a good boy
and get off the counter.”
“You can't tell me what to do” he slurred, pointing at her shakily, “I
gotta...gotta house...”
Sabrina squealed when he pointed in an accusatory manner at her. “A house I'ze
love, you!”
“Okay, sweetie, you're absolutely right” Sachiko responded soothingly, “Get
down so we can talk about it properly, okay?”
Vaughn glared at her, “W-why? They...they love me...”
“I know...but you'll hate that in the morning. Just come down, okay? I'll make
you your favorite porridge.”
His eyes brightened...Denny smiled some, quickly coming over to help him get
off the surface without taking a dive instead. Sure enough, he was almost
falling over, leaning heavily into Denny...before suddenly shifting towards
Sachiko. “I got...drunk for you...woman, you better f—king tell me...s—t.”
Sachiko held his hip, grabbing his shirt, vest, and tips. Denny frowned, “Um,
Vaughn, maybe--”
Vaughn glared towards him, causing him to freeze, “You...you all stay outta
this...”
Will yelped when he pointed at him, “ESPECIALLY you, pretty boy.”
“Yea, lemme...take him home” Sachiko sighed, starting to walk towards the door
but not before smiling towards Will. “I'm sorry for behaving this way. It's
been a tough few days and I wanted to relax with a drink, is all...”
She squeaked as Vaughn pulled her tighter against his side. “Stop f—kin'
smilin' at him like you like 'em!”
“Stop being crazy!”
“No!”
Will smiled blankly, “Uh, it's perfectly fine, Yukina-san. I...understand that
much, at least. Would you like me to walk you home?”
Sachiko opened her mouth but Vaughn actually pushed her behind his back, his
purple eyes narrowed to slits, “No.”
With that the man pulled her out, walking almost soberly as he held her hand
firmly. Denny stared after them before looking to Sabrina. Anyone could see the
crushed look on her face. Will shook his head a bit at her and grasped her
shoulder, guiding her out as well, leaving the fisherman there to ponder.
...Was this going to plan?
A hazy light traveled through the old blinds of the forest loft, hitting the
bed in the corner across the room. The air was cold, almost brisk, as it
tickled his uncovered face. He'd forgotten to start the heater last night, he
presumed, and usually such mishaps woke him with a chill. No, this peculiar
morning his body felt nice and warm. And apparently he had an extra arm.
...Come again?
Vaughn Blythe opened his eyes, hissing a bit as the sunlight seared his eyes
and a dull throbbing pounded behind his brow. S—t, what had he been up to last
night...?
Peeling back his covers, he stared, nonplussed. Okay, and here was Sachiko.
Rubbing his skull, he turned over on his back and stared at the ceiling.
Okay...he recalled what happened but he still wasn't a hundred percent sure why
it spiraled absolutely out of control.
...Maybe it just pissed him off remembering a father that solved his problems
with alcohol.
Turning on his side, he shook her shoulder. He wasn't sure he got an answer
last night but he figured he'd only cared so much then because Will was being
too familiar. Nosy brat, acting like he knew her so well after a whole two
weeks. Now it didn't matter, he didn't...
Sachiko made a mewing sound, her verdant eyes opening slowly, sleepily. His own
eyes widened, startled as his heart sped up.
F—k , she had beautiful eyes.
Blushing profusely, he covered his mouth with the back of his hand, shocked by
himself. Sachiko 'mm'd', curling up even more. “Relax, cowboy, nothing happened
here last night...”
“I-I know that!” he blurted, glowering at her. “J-just who said you could sleep
in my bed?!”
“Sorry...I was walking you in and somehow I can never get up the strength to
move you when you collapse on top of me.”
He couldn't help groan and cover his eyes. Oops. “...Yea, well, about last
night--”
“Last night. Let's just say you have a hell of a way of saying 'just talk about
what's wrong instead of drowning your sorrows in booze', Mr. Blythe.”
Vaughn flustered. “D-Don't be ridiculous. Maybe I just wanted some crazy hard
mixed drinks I've never heard of.”
“Okay” she smiled some. “Well, thank you regardless for not letting me drink
alone.”
“...Yea.”
Pursing his lips, embarrassed, he reached into his pocket...he felt unleveled.
Blinking absently at the wad of bills he pulled out, he slowly flipped through
the stack. “...Maybe I should become a stripper.”
Sachiko laughed, “You were...questionably good at it. I'm shocked you recall it
and you're calm about it too.”
“It's...not the first time...”
Her brows furrowed at him before he grunted, sitting up. “Well, thanks to you I
get to navigate this day hungover, so--”
Too busy glaring, he was entirely caught off guard when she kissed his
cheek...wh...what? “I know, I know. To make up for it I did promise to make you
porridge. Why don't you relax or get a shower while I cook?”
Mind spiraling in circles, all he could do was nod dumbly and collapse, facing
away from her to stare at the wall. She was humming contently as she worked at
his small kitchenette.
Something...something ached inside of him and he didn't know what it was.
He...he knew he didn't likeit, at least. What...what was it though?
...F—k.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Oh, what a dismal day...”
Will Regison stared up at the gray skies, rain clouds weighing heavy yet not
giving way quite yet. He was already wearing a rain coat, just in case. It
looked like he was heading towards the cafe but stopped by Denny and Vaughn to
'chatter'...
Denny looked to his friend...ever since the drinking event, he'd become more
sullenly quiet. Perhaps even introspective if he wanted to diagnose it. He
could only wonder what happened between him and Sachiko. He could only hope it
was still in his favor.
“There you are, darling. I was going to come look for you.”
Looking up he found Sabrina, holding a satchel and also wearing a raincoat. She
smiled some at Will, “Sorry, I wasn't sure which book to bring so I grabbed
several.”
“Appears we'll indeed need several...” he remarked, returning his gaze to the
sky. “...Glad I had Uncle store the yacht. It seems like this will be quite the
downpour.”
Vaughn had at least muttered about Mirabelle being a 'worrywart', putting all
the animals in the upper part of the stable. Better safe than sorry, Denny
figured. They'd stored all their boats away as well...
Will sighed, holding out his arm for Sabrina. “It's really a pity though.
Today, I was going riding with Yukina-san. I'd mentioned Arthur to her and
she'd suggested it...suppose we'll have to reschedule.”
...Huh? Denny stiffened as Vaughn's attention shot to. “...Wha?”
“Hmm? Oh, um, we were...going riding later on today?” Will reiterated with a
painfully oblivious smile.
If they thought dark clouds were in the sky before, they didn't compare to the
ones gathering in Vaughn's eyes. Sabrina seemed confused but Denny could only
swallow, noticing her glee. “Is...something the matter, Vaughn?”
Denny prayed but knew it was only a matter of time when the final member of
this noncohesive unit appeared. Sachiko was wearing a yellow slicker and rain
boots, holding an umbrella. “Hey guys. What's up?”
“Uh, n-nothing much!” blurted Denny. This was bad.
Before any of the others could say anything, Vaughn gave her a hardened
expression and said so suddenly, so deeply, “...So we're all the same.”
Sachiko frowned, “What? What are you talking about?”
“Save it” he spat, turning away.
She followed him as Denny grimaced. Nope, not to plan, not to plan at all.
“Vaughn! What's your problem?”
“I don't havea problem! Why don't you just go back over there to him, huh? We
all the same in the end, right?” he snapped, “F—k if you're special either!”
“What are you on about!? I don't understand!”
Denny sighed as the rain started to fall rapidly. Just figured...
“Then don't even try. And don't...don't ever talk to me again.”
Will scowled, thinking it apparently honorable to interfere in this train
wreck. “Come now, that's a bit harsh, don't you think?”
Welp, it was bound to happen some time. Vaughn grabbed Will by the front of his
slicker, the fellow yelping as he forced him backwards against the post of the
nearby building. “You little f—king prick--”
“Vaughn, stop it!”
“G-guys!” Sabrina suddenly squealed, alarmed.
They all looked to her...the sound wasn't particularly appropriate for the
current situation somehow. However, once they were all silent, the sounds of
sirens could be heard over the dim of the sheets of rain coming down. Denny
wasn't sure how he hadn't noticed but...somehow the rain had come up to his
shins. “Oh s—t, another flash flood.”
“Flash flood?” Sachiko demanded.
“The areas notorious for them, that's why our house's foundations sit so far
off the ground” Denny explained quickly. “Come on, we have to get to the
gathering point.”
Vaughn's jaw was taut but he dropped Will and started marching through the
shallow water, becoming just a blur of color through the curtain of droplets.
Will at least took the time to guide Sachiko and Sabrina...
...Ugh, Vaughn was a nightmare. He wasn't making this just difficult, he was
making it impossible. Maybe...maybe this gamble was over.
Mirabelle squealed as they appeared, tons of the residents already gathered,
talking worriedly amongst each other. “Mon Dieu!You are all soaked! Come, come
by the fire!”
As they were awkwardly agreeing, the tension still thick amongst their party,
one of Mirabelle's workers sauntered up, scratching his head. “Yo Vaughn,
dude...uh...”
Vaughn sent him a dark expression and the guy naturally froze. Denny scowled,
“Ignorehim. What's up?”
“Oh, uh...it's...it's Thunder, man. We had him up in the stables and he
straight bailed, getting away from us. We looked all over for him but couldn't
find him before the sirens sounded. Sorry...”
The cowboy's irate expression melted into shock. “...He's...he's out there
now?”
“Unless he took cover, most likely...”
“That...that stupid...stupid horse! Where the hell did he go?!” Vaughn
exclaimed, starting back towards the doors.
Alas, the mayor had a notepad as he stood by the door, “...That's everyone.
We'll have to close it up.”
Vaughn halted, “W-wait! I have to go back out there!”
“Son, whatever it is, it'll have to wait...you know it'll be over soon.”
“Thunder could be swept away or drowned by then!”
The leader of the island just shook his head, attempting to calmly explain as
others started to close the heavy doors. Denny sighed...poor Thunder. Seemed
that was it for his rebellious days...
“Please!” Vaughn pleaded.
“I have to keep our citizens safe, Vaughn, I'm sorry” he shook his head, going
over to sit at a desk situated in the corner specifically for his use.
Vaughn stood there, gaping helplessly. Denny absently patted his shoulder,
hoping it was somewhat of a comfort though knowing full well it wasn't...
“H-hey!! Come back!”
They all looked up, startled by the worker's shutting the doors sudden outcry.
They'd paused and were waving madly at the small gap still available. Will
appeared petrified, gawking, as if he'd seen exactly what happened. The mayor
stood and scowled. “Close those doors!”
“But sir--”
“Close them.”
The men hesitantly completed their task and stood there, staring at the barrier
as if they'd committed some terrible act. Sabrina was paler than usual, her
facade similar to Will's. Denny scowled, looking at them. “What's wrong?”
“...Sachiko...she just... ran out.”
“...What?”
Denny stared at them for a long minute before quickly looking around, his heart
beating faster. He called, in disbelief over what they'd claimed, “S-Sachiko?!”
Looking over the entire population, it seemed certain that the woman was not
present...did...did she go...to...? Gritting his teeth, he turned to Vaughn to
pin this on him. Damn him for being the biggest ass to ever live! Now she was
putting herself at risk for--
The face Vaughn had finding out that Thunder was out there in the elements was
troubling enough. Now it looked like someone had sucked out his soul.
Completely blanched, his lips were slightly parted as he stared wide-eyed into
nothingness.
“That...that...busybody...” he rasped
...S—t.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Well, one thing was for certain: if any of her relatives were here, they'd be
pissed. Especially her father, he'd be absolutely livid. Sachiko sighed
vaguely, vaulting off a low roof to land on another. That was his fault for
teaching her how to navigate these situations. The only real difficult part
here was the metal roofs they had. Soon she could use trees, she supposed, even
though they'd be just as slippery.
Yelping when she just almost missed grasping a branch, she scowled and stilled
her vision through the rain. It looked like a blank canvas, the water coming
down as almost opaque. Right now she was going off memory, what she recalled
the setting looking like.
...Why are you doing this for him? Vaughn was...such an ass. She couldn't
understand men like him. All she knew was he met that criteria of 'bad jerk
guy' that girls tended to fall for and she'd sworn not to be that way. Yet here
she was, going to save Thunder just because she knew he'd be heartbroken.
After...after, she'd never speak to him again, if that's what made him happy.
Landing on the ground, or more precisely the stream, she perked up her ears.
All visual was pretty screwed so she'd have to focus on her other senses...in
the distance, she could hear wild neighing. Thunder was close...
Sachiko choked, getting caught off guard, when her feet suddenly disappeared
from under her. Damn, the water level was growing fast. Forcing her feet to
stay grounded, she waded quickly through. Don't worry, Thunder, she was
coming...
Somehow, somehow, she was able to see the white horse through the white rain.
He was rearing back, horrified and confused. Poor baby, she thought sadly.
“Thunder!”
Her voice did little to calm the creature in this situation, alas, and she
carefully navigated around him to grab his reigns. Holding tight, at this point
more floating than walking, she glanced off in the far distance towards the
safe house. They'd never make it there, they'd be underwater...
Biting her lip, she quickly searched around the area and found a wide plank. It
was thick and heavy...wrestling with it, she set it at an angle against the
flat roof of one of her neighbor's house. It was a fight and she almost wanted
to yell at the horrified animal as she dragged and tugged him up the makeshift
ramp. But who was she kidding? ...Now she was scared too.
Drained when by some miracle she got him on the flat roof high off the ground,
she removed her raincoat and...put it on him, creating a hat so he could see
and relax at least a little. Unless the rain level somehow got higher he should
be perfectly fine...
She huddled under the nook of the gabled roof where she presumed an attic was.
Hugging herself tightly, she finally noticed how absolutely freezing it was.
It'd be terribly ridiculous for her to die from the cold if drowning didn't do
her in in this situation...
What a ridiculous thing to do for a man like Vaughn Blythe, Sachiko.
...What...made you do such a thing?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Vaughn...” Sabrina murmured, “What...whatever happens, it'll be okay,
alright?”
...He couldn't feel his fingers.
Wrapped in a blanket Mirabelle had fetched for him, he shivered. Somehow he'd
lost all feeling in his body. Will and Denny had been arguing with the mayor
for the last four hours to at least open a window or somethingso they could go
out and try to find her. He told them they were ridiculous, he had to protect
his citizens. Apparently Sachiko didn't count.
And don't...don't ever talk to me again.
“...Be careful what you wish for” he murmured aloud.
“What...?” Sabrina asked softly.
Suddenly, a siren sounded and everyone in the room jumped up. The water always
moved out to sea after a few hours and the watcher in the lighthouse would
signal when the land cleared...someone ran off to uncover the window and
announced joyously it was over.
...Was it?
Vaughn launched to his feet, pushing the blanket off of him and actually
assisting the workers open the massive protective door. As soon as there was
enough space for him to slide through he took off.
“Vaughn!” Denny called.
He didn't...he didn't mean it. F—k, he didn't mean it. He just...he just wanted
to be...
Will and Denny were behind him, calling out her name. He didn't need to. She
knew at the same moment he did where that fool horse ran off to. Almost
slipping in the mud and thick puddles on the ground, he breathed hard when he
arrived near her house.
The other two panted behind him as he stood, a little shocked at what he was
seeing. After a moment they both had a synchronized 'eh?'.
On the roof of Sachiko's next door neighbor stood Thunder...wearing a yellow
raincoat. He didn't seem a bit troubled, considering, just peering forward as
if he were watching for something. Will and Denny just stared at Thunder as
Vaughn shook off his confusion. “Sachiko!?”
No answer. His heart was choking him or something, it just didn't make sense
and it hurt. “Sachiko!!”
He breathed haggardly, feeling weak, “S...Sachiko, please...”
“A-ah! I see her!”
Vaughn looked back at Will who had started to move around. He was facing
Thunder's side, pointing. Quickly coming to stand beside him, he was relieved
and mortified. She was curled against a window, just wearing a sweater, jeans
and boots. Biting his lip, he quickly looked around. There was...a board. Had
she used that to get Thunder up there? Good God, he couldn't get that blasted
horse to walk around a fence, how much did it take to get him to walk up a
board onto a roof?
He started to implement the same technique, growing even more aghast that she
was able to accomplish such a feat considering she probably had to hold the end
of the board to keep it steady. Just as he was about to rush to her side, the
woman apparently awoke.
“Ah...oh my God, it's over?” she questioned in a surprised voice.
“Y-yea” Denny called, unable to mask his amazement.
She stood, completely soaked through. Vaughn started to go up and assist
her...they all screamed in horror when she just jumped.
The sound of their unison terror was cut short into befuddlement as she landed
at ease in a crouch. Rising, she hugged herself tightly and smiled at them
wearily. “Sorry...did I worry you guys?”
“Y-you're damn right you did!” blurted Will, somehow getting over the insane
aerobics they just featured. “What ever were you thinking!?”
“Sorry...”
“It's fine, Sachiko...we're just glad you're okay” Denny murmured,
...This little...
“Well, we better find a way to get Thunder down...it was hella hard getting him
up there so it might help to have a few extra hands” she laughed shyly, tucking
a wet strand of her hair back into the soaked together bunch.
“Will do. Come on, Vaughn, let's--”
He'd probably never hugged anyone a day in his life. He didn't even know if he
was doing it right but he pulled Sachiko tight into his arms, embracing her
against his chest as he rasped out painfully. “Don't...don't ever do that to me
again, you hear me?”
She clenched his shirt. He could feel her whole body shivering against him. “I
just...I just didn't...want you to be...sad...”
“That's myburden to worry about! Why-why would you...? I...I don't
understand...” he whispered, clinging more.
“Vaughn--”
He clenched his teeth, upset with himself. “I...I don't want you...not
to...talk to me ever again. I never wanted that. I...I'm sorry...”
Sachiko swallowed and gazed up at him sleepily. “...What is it that you wanted
then?”
… “We'll...we'll worry about that later” he grumbled. She squealed as he picked
her up in his arms, scowling towards the astonished Will and Denny. “...Can
ya'll handle gettin' Thunder down from there? I've gotta see to getting missy
here warm.”
“N-no, that's f--” she started.
“Hush up” he scolded.
Denny waved a hand, “Yea, we got this.”
Vaughn nodded once and headed towards her house...Will looked annoyed. “He
treats her like absolute crap then has a heart attack because she put herself
at risk for his feelings. What does he want from that poor girl?”
Denny watched after them, finding Sabrina appearing with a group of people
behind her. He smiled some at her, shrugging.
“I guess...he just wants to be special to her.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
End Notes:
English major nerdism abound! Despite my mounting typos and grammatical
mistakes, I did indeed major and graduate in English. However, my centralized
focus was around literature specifically, I only got one linguistics course in
and absolutely nothing on the technical points of English (though I did take a
ton of writing...I don't know what my problem is XP). However, I read A LOT and
took a late Shakespeare course. We read some of his lesser known works like
'Troilus and Cressida'. That line where Denny was like “what?” when Will was
talking is from Act IV, Scene 4 of said writing. At the end of Vaughn and
Sachi's ride, Vaughn mutters 'be collected' which is from Act I of The Tempest.
A lot of the novels Sachiko mentions are works I did have the pleasure of
reading. “L'avventura di due sposi”, 'The Adventure of the Husband and Wife' or
some equivalent I got to read in my Italian course...
If you follow me on Tumblr, I've come to the horrific conclusion that Regis'
name is Regis Regison going off the translation. It was mentioned by a tumblr
user that maybe not necessarily if Will's mother is Regis' sister. However, I
watched Will's marriage scene for research and it is his father that is Regis'
brother. I...cannot fathom what Natsume was thinking with that (Natsume
translates!) but for now Sabrina and Regis will keep the last name Ellison.
'Sexy and I Know It' is of course the horrifically stick in your head song by
LMFAO. I finally got around to watching that video recently and well...I might
vomit a bit now thinking of the “wiggle” part XP
Also! I THINK Kai was mentioned as moving in during Leave Out All the Rest but
don't quote me. I know he moved in during one of the stories. In Yume, Rosa,
Chihaya, and Miru talk about going to eat at his place. I'm thinking Denny is
the son of one of Kai's sibling's children.
Sachiko's ninja tricks are via her great phantom thief daddy, Steiner. This was
mentioned somewhat in This Love and Third Generation.
ALSO DON'T WALK AROUND IN FLASH FLOODS, YOU ARE NOT A NINJA.
***** Mission Accomplished *****
Chapter 4: Mission Accomplished
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“They're...kinda big.”
Denny Walker gave Vaughn Blythe a bland expression of disbelief. As always,
they were sitting in Nick's on a cold autumn night, drinking a few beers before
they wandered off to bed. As usual, Will Regison was sitting with them for some
bizarre reason, sipping tea. In the midst of this tradition, Denny questioned
the surly herder over what had taken place over the last three days he'd been
nursing Sachiko. Honestly, there were things he couldn't imagine and that was
one of them.
Vaughn boldly proclaimed that he did a 'fine job'. He made her soup and sat
with her and made sure she took meds for the cold she'd naturally incurred from
rescuing Thunder. Denny was just kind of humoring him...up until the guy
admitted he'd kind of undressed her.
'Uh, what?' was Denny's response, Will staring at the cowboy incredulously.
'Not completely', the man amended. Just down to her drawers...?
“...Dude, I mean, yea, she undressed you but...it's a little different with
chicks” Denny tried to explain.
Vaughn expressed that, yes, more and more, he was starting to see her as a
woman. Will rather snidely remarked 'what was she before?'. Somehow Vaughn
didn't beat him to a pulp but actually seemed thoughtful. 'Dunno what I thought
she was before.'
Well, in spite of what Denny was attempting to accomplish, he was a wee bit
jealous of the bastard. Sarcastically he questioned what Vaughn thought and was
met with that pretty interesting answer...
“Well, duh?”
Vaughn scoffed, pinking a bit as he glanced towards the door. Stood to reason
she'd show up soon, it was tradition. Finding the coast still clear, he
shrugged. “Don't see a reason why she's so...bosomy. Don't lotta folks get them
implants?”
“Surprised you didn't cop a feel while you were stripping her.”
“For what? I don't even get it, what's so appealing about two...lumps a' flesh?
Why even have them?” Vaughn sulked.
Denny leered at him. “Shut up, you blasphemous demon.”
Adding to the general bizarreness of this conversation, Will leaned forward and
actually seemed...curious? “You know, he has a point. Exactly what does make
breasts appealing...?”
“Does it matter?”
“I suppose it could be due to a psychological fixation we have to our mothers.
If we were nurtured off nursing then perhaps we have somehow twisted that
warmth into a need for intimacy from a woman.”
Denny almost died recoiling, swiftly covering his ears, “I do NOT want to hear
that I love tits because of my mother, you ass!”
“...Might make sense” Vaughn said faintly.
Wanting to deviate from this horrid topic, he cocked a brow at Will, choosing
not to question Vaughn's remark because he knew the effort would be entirely in
vain. “Funny though...do youthink about sweet Yukina-san's girls?”
“O-o-of course not!” he sputtered out madly, his entire face flushed.
“See? Will's normal” Vaughn nodded.
Denny smirked at him, “Only an abnormal person like yourself couldn't tell he
was lying.”
“I-I'm not lying!”

Before the blond could defend himself further, he got a phone call. Staring at
the device, his eyes widened. “Oh, it's my mum...”
“Yea, why don't you share your little hypothesis with her?”
Will sulked, standing, “Excuse me for a moment.”
Denny nodded at him, relieved for the chance to finally chatter with Vaughn
without the obstruction. Leaning in a bit, he murmured, “...So, what's going
on? Are you and her...closer?”
Vaughn tilted his head at him...before, infuriatingly, just shrugging his
shoulders, continuing to eat peanuts and sip his beer. Jerk bastard.
...This could still work. Of course, this was still the same Vaughn that
juststarted seeing a bombshell like Sachiko as a woman.
Ugh.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Vaughn...I kind of want my mommy...”
Vaughn frowned, wringing the cool cloth in the basin before dabbing it against
her forehead. He tried to do it gentle-like, like she did. Figured if she was
asking for her ma he won't doing too good a job... “Sorry I suck.”
She smiled, her face flushed with fever. There was something weird about seeing
her like this, some weird ass feeling going through him. It was all hot like he
had one himself. “You're doing fine. There's just something about a mama's
touch, you know?”
“...Nah.”
Freezing when her green eyes narrowed towards him, she turned on her side. “Why
is that?”
“It don't matter.”
“Sure it does...” she murmured, “You can tell me...”
Vaughn had no intention of telling anyone anything about himself or his past.
But alas, her eyes destroyed his intentions. Probably because they made
him...weak?
“...We lived in the states when I was born, a little place in Wisconsin. We
lived out on my grandma's farm. My father, he was in the military. Fort McCoy
or somethin' like that. Mama waitressed for a little pocket change. We...we
won't a real functional family. My parents drank and partied a whole lot and
grandma and grandpa didn't give a damn about us. I don't recall a whole lot
about any of 'em.”
Sachiko stared at him drearily, “'Us'?”
“...I had a baby sister, Emmeline. I was only a brat myself and I took care of
her mostly. I...I don't like talking about her.”
“...You say you're from the United States? How did you end up here?”
Vaughn tilted his head, awkwardly trying to rub her back, knowing it was
nowhere as soothing as the massage she'd given him when their roles were
reversed but giving it his best. “My father got sent to a station here.
Remember him being real mad about it, got real pissed off and beat me and my ma
after he took a bottle of whiskey straight. He was racist, didn't get round
well with those that 'weren't their kind' so likely he didn't like going to a
foreign country. Beat my ma because she was ready to leave him before she would
go to Japan. Turns out she mighta been right.”
They used to have him talk about it in therapy. He didn't rightfully care
exactly...well, nah, that wasn't right either. “It was snowing...we were going
through Okinawa, my whole family. Dad had stopped at a bar and cussed out some
people, having a few too many drinks, and I think they were gonna court marshal
him or something. Him and mama were screamin' at each other at the top of their
lungs and poor Emme was crying her eyes out. I just remember trying to calm her
on down.”
“...If they'd justa paid attention, maybe they would be alive today. It won't
nobody's fault 'cept his, veering off road and turning the car over in a ditch”
he concluded softly.
“...You...?”
“Mama and him were killed on impact. Emme, she fought...so hard but she was too
hurt. She fought to try to take back the life they took from her but she
couldn't...” he muttered bitterly, “...I said I don't like to talk about her.”
He scowled as Sachiko sat completely up, looking...distraught. Precisely why he
didn't like talking about himself, people getting all damn emotional about that
kind of thing. It was his life and he didn't feel anything for it anymore so
why should a practically perfect stranger start to blubber about it? But she
reached out and almost fell into him. First he wanted to reject it because it
seemed like she was hugging him...that is until he noticed she was heavy as a
log and breathing heavy. Alarmed, he relaxed her back into bed. “H-hey, calm
down...”
“...I can't...imagine how lonely that was...” she mumbled. It barely sounded
like she was talking to him. “I couldn't stand it if anything happened to my
papa or mama. I couldn't stand what happened to my Skye-chan or Felicie...I
wouldn't...I wouldn't know what to do with being the only one to survive.”
… “...Yea. It didn't...make sense to me. It...still don't.”
In all honesty, even back then when he was just five-years-old, he hated his
parents. Boozing partying teenagers that had children just because their
parents told them they had to and none of them were worth a damn. Maybe it was
cold but he hadn't blinked when he woke up and found them dead. They won't
really alive to him regardless.
The therapists wrote in his files the only emotional response he gave was
mentioning his sister. His sister had no business being born in the first place
with no goodnik parents like that. He couldn't be a father at damn five-years-
old to her. He tried but what good was trying when he knew he couldn't?
When they told him his sister was hurt real bad and was trying real hard he'd
thought she had no business dying, barely even one year of life under her belt.
They let him sit by her side in the hatch that was meant to keep her from
losing her battle. He watched her diligently only to see her defeated. Yea,
he'd known he couldn't.
Him and her, Emmeline, they was sitting in the same back seat with the same
restraints so why in the hell did he live, practically unscratched? He'd had no
business being born either.
Yukina Sachiko was the type of girl whose parents had probably loved her the
moment they found out she was in the womb. They probably spoiled her senseless,
her entire family. They named her something like 'happiness' and meant to
surround her with it. Girls like Sachiko were people that he didn't understand.
He was an orphan his whole life from the very beginning, even when he wasn't.
How were they supposed to be able to understand the loneliness? You get over
that shit.
Vaughn jumped some when her hot hand grasped his, tugging. “...Stay the night?”
“...Fine.”
Awkwardly crawling into bed with her, he grumbled as he wrapped his arms around
her shoulders. “...You just a busybody.”
“Do you mind?” she murmured into his chest.
Vaughn snorted, “Yea, I mind. Here I am taking care of you because you stick
your nose into my emotions instead of sleeping in my nice house.”
Sachiko giggled sleepily, her green eyes shutting, “You're right, cowboy. You
do make me want to take care of you even though you're a jerk...”
“Oi.”
“Why did you get all angry earlier...?”
Because of a girl like you, the kind that probably had everything your heart
desired. You probably had all the right to be selfish and looking down on him
but somehow you gathered to make him feel special too. Now all he wanted was to
become something to a girl that had had everything.
Here he thought he was used to lonely.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Damn, it was cold last night. It was miserable.”
“It is a bit nippier here in the fall than I'm used to. Mineral's got such a
crisp tone.”
Yukina Sachiko blew into her hands as she walked alongside Vaughn Blythe. It
hadn't necessarily been her idea but admittedly it'd sounded exciting when
Mirabelle thought of it. 'Go with Vaughn to observe his business while he
transfers the stock', the French woman had suggested. Get an idea of what's
happening on his side, she'd said. Vaughn had gawked and stuttered that he
wanted nothing to do with that but she'd begged. Eventually he gave in...
Sachiko packed a sleeping bag, some food, and some other amenities for the
night. While she was sure Vaughn was more than possessed to leave town without
her, he grudgingly came by to get her. Riding with him, Thunder, and Sparkles
was an interesting experience. She didn't talk, didn't want to mess up his kind
of solace after all. Alas, the surly cowboy grunted at her, telling her she
better say something before he snapped out.
When they stopped for the night, having gone to a shipping ferry miles and
miles away from town and gathering the livestock, she was appalled when he
muttered all he had was jerky. As she'd figured as much, she pulled out
containers of rice and paella for herself and gave him his beloved porridge for
dessert along with some curry. He'd seemed secretly delighted and ate heartily
before falling out like a contented, well-fed baby. Sachiko snickered, putting
the dishes into an extra bag she brought and covered the man in his blanket.
Leaning over him, she stroked his bangs out of his face before murmuring 'good
night' to him.
Though she crawled into her sleeping bag that night, she woke up wrapped around
a snoring Vaughn. She'd blushed and was prepared to apologize profusely...but
realized that he'd kind of curled around her too and it was freezing. Survival
instincts?
Warming up a breakfast of extra porridge over the fire along with some water
for coffee, she greeted him with a smile when he staggered out of the tent
sleepily. Vaughn stared at her for a long moment before groggily mumbling
'g'morning'. They ate in sleepy silence before taking the rest of the cattle
and sheep back towards Mirabelle's. Now, task complete, they were going to have
lunch at Nick's before he took off to his other clients. Or that had been the
plan.
“Uh, Sachiko...a guy's been looking for you.”
They both looked up, startled by Denny's voice. He seemed a little antsy...
“And...he's not been quiet about it.”
“Eh?”
“There you are!”
...Oh damn it.
Sachiko glared daggers as, of all people, Chet rushed out of nowhere, looking
pissed. “Where have you been? Do you know how long it's taken me to find you?”
“Please do me the favor of unfinding me, please” she sighed, growing infinitely
weary after being pretty content. Was he really that desperate? He jumped on
the chance to cheat on her and now he was still unable to let go? Or really,
was he just here because someone had rejected him and needed a quick
distraction? That was Chet for you, always jumping on spontaneous thoughts.
She leered when he reached out and held her wrists, exasperated. “C'mon,
Sachiko! I'm sorry, I really am. You...you can forgive me, can't you?”
“I have long forgiven you, Chet” she admitted, “But not enough for what you're
thinking. You're a nice guy and all but the chances of there being an 'us'
again? Not likely so please...you'll find someone else, I swear.”
“You're just a stuck up bitch” he glared, releasing her.
Sachiko shrugged absently, “If that's how you feel.”
“You--”
“Hey. She's through with you so stop being thick and get outta here.”
Eyes widening, she glanced back to Vaughn who was now glaring at Chet rather
heavily. Chet himself scoffed, “What? Is he your new sucker?”
Before she could respond, Vaughn stepped in front of her. “I'm not. If I was,
you'd be eatin' dirt right now, f—ker. I'mma say it one more time: get outta
here. I'm losin' patience.”
While she couldn't see the expression the surly cowboy was giving her ex,
Chet's reaction told her it wasn't pleasant as he backed off. “W-whatever...”
Somewhat relieved and hoping it was the last time she had to see him, she
yelped when Vaughn pinned her with an annoyed look. “I thought you didn't go
for stupid relationships.”
“Well I had to go for stupid relationships to realize they were stupid” she
pouted.
Vaughn lacked a lot of...social conventions, she supposed? Otherwise he'd know
it was awkward and uncomfortable to just stare at her the way he was, not to
mention the length of time he did so. Denny, whom she'd forgotten was even
there, cleared his throat. “U-uh, so you guys were going to go for lunch?”
“...Perhaps” Sachiko drawled, her eyes narrowing at Vaughn's impenetrable look.
“...Yea.”
Vaughn stuffed his hands in his pockets, turning away at last and continuing
towards Nick's as if that weirdness never occurred. Sachiko groaned, hugging
her arms and smiling towards Denny anxiously. “Will you be joining us?”
“Uh, maybe...later. Have fun!”
He escaped, as one should in this rather peculiar case. With a marked amount of
reluctance, Sachiko followed Vaughn. While normally they sat at the bar, having
to turn to speak to each other, he was oddly sitting at a table for two.
Glancing around for a moment to see if the bar was full, she was certainly
confused to find it empty.
Deciding it best not to question Vaughn logic, she settled down across from him
and picked up the menu. Ramen sounded good on this cold day and a hot caramel
chocolate for dessert...looking up, she was prepared to shatter the quiet and
casually ask what he was getting.
It...wasn't like Vaughn didn't do it a lot. It was like he was searching for
something as he gazed, almost unblinking, at her. It didn't necessarily make
her uncomfortable, no. No, no, what did it make her feel exactly? Curious,
perhaps. And he had rather mysterious eyes...that made her question herself
though. What was it about Vaughn and what was it about her that made him look
at her like that?
“...Are they implants?”
“...Excuse me?”
Sachiko's 'curiosity' transformed into bloodthirsty rage as his eyes narrowed a
bit. “I mean, they can't be real, right? They're too big.”
“...You prick!” she almost snapped, quite irritated, “There's not a thing on me
that's fake, you bastard!”
Leaning against his palm, he stared at her evenly. It didn't quite make sense.
As infuriated as she was over his token bluntness and the theory of the
statement, something wasn't adding up to her. He wasn't staring at her breasts.
No, Vaughn was one of the few men she'd had a conversation with where his eyes
never trailed down to get a little ogle in. Surely he'd noticed, of course,
they were rather...robust. But why would he say such a thing?
A little hurt, she was prepared to feign exhaustion and go home. Alas, Vaughn
tilted his head and spoke in a shockingly gentle voice. “It was real cold last
night. You was shivering bad in that sucky sleepin' bag of yours so I came up
and got close to you. Kinda shocked me, you gettin' all clingy.”
She flushed, pursing her lips. “W-well--”
“Guys always talkin' 'bout your body. Nice this, nice that. And sure I've
noticed all that but it's real peculiar. Those things just don't really matter
to me. It's not the reason I put up with a busybody like you so I'm guessin'
it's just you that's the reason.”
Sachiko stared at him this time, speechless, as he shook his head. “I won't
asking to be a pervert or nothin', just thinkin' if they was fake you didn't
have to put all that effort in. All that extra stuff attracts guys like
your...ex and I would think you alone is enough in the end.”
“...I...”
“Mm, you know, I haven't had Nick's ramen in a while. Think I might get that”
Vaughn said at ease, as if he'd just gotten something off his chest.
“Oh, uh, I was thinking the same” she quickly smiled, picking up the menu to
hide her face.
“...Sachiko?”
“Yes?”
Vaughn glanced away, staring at the window they were near. Not out, at. There
wasn't anything collecting in his eyes, it was as if nothing was occurring
beyond the pane and he just needed the glass to reflect. “...What...made a guy
like that special enough you'd be with him?”
“I don't know. Nothing was really special about him. Just poor judgment” she
shook her head, squaring her shoulders, “He, uh, cheated on me before I came
here so we broke up. I don't know why he's so adamant, ha...”
Once again he just stared at her. It was as if no natural disaster running
between them could break that gaze and finally he just 'mm'd' as a waiter came
to take their order.
...What exactly had she learned?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“He, uh, cheated on me before I came here so we broke up. I don't know why he's
so adamant, ha...”
Wasn't it obvious? You don't go hours across the sea to talk to somebody that
hadn't caught your fancy hard. Oh, for certain it was bad judgment...on his
behalf. He went fishing in other waters and failed to realize that the pond he
had was actually better in comparison. Too bad, it was off limits to him now.
Other fishermen were trying to move in on the territory. You don't get to
recognize later what you did, especially by trying to badmouth it to the
newcomers.
...Maybe newcomer anyway. The whole thing still seemed frightfully painful.
Thing was he couldn't stand them observers, looking and hoping they'd be
allowed. They didn't really know what was there, they just knew from where they
were standing it looked good. He wasn't sure when but he started to give it a
closer look but...she had those damn gorgeous eyes.
Turning over in his tent, Vaughn grimaced, tugging his thick quilt with him. It
was her own doing, coming with him on that brief journey. He expected her to
balk at being out in nature but she survived it well enough. Even packed food
for them...be damned, she started shivering real hard and it woke him up. Just
figured, he won't nothing to her and he was snuggling up with her all the time
now. Sachiko hugged him tight like a girl that knew warmth. She wouldn't know
about long cold nights alone or anything like that. Nah, it should've bothered
him. It should've bothered him a lot but it didn't. It felt okay to fall asleep
curled up with somebody.
Wasn't his 'interest' in a girl like Sabrina though? Just kind of simple and
real classic? Meek, sensible. Sabrina was the type of girl he was 'into'. Or so
he'd have thought.
Never had he looked at Sabrina straight in the eye and thought absolutely
nothing and absolutely everything. No, he analyzed them recently to see, to
check his senses. Nah, when he stared into her eyes he just thought they were a
pretty damn similar color to his. Little duller, little less violet. Purple?
Yea, purple.
'Oh man, Sachiko's hot'. Yea, they see the 'tits', they see the 'ass', they see
the 'hips'. He looked into her eyes and saw worlds of joys tinged with finite
sorrows. He saw her greatest contentment and her greatest pain, her passion,
her warmth, her faith in life. He saw the way they glowed when her cheeks
raised with a smile, those little dimples making them shine bright. He could
see nerves and anxiety, calm and peace. He could see the happiness. He didn't
know nothing about any of those things, everything was dead in his sight. But
he could read it like so many books and it knocked him senseless. He'd seen her
squirm, look away and giggle nervously, when he got lost on his way back from
something he knew nothing about. Oh...they...they were green. Like grass, like
youth, like life.
Sitting up, he groaned and clenched his head. “F—k a sleepless night.”
Standing, Vaughn wandered out of the tent, hugging himself against the cold
night. He stared at Thunder, the large animal standing, asleep, and even
snoring. Cocking a brow, he reached out and pet his ear. Stupid Thunder...he
wouldn't have even met her if he hadn't run off, most likely. Sure, she worked
for Mirabelle but he didn't associate with any of her workers anyway.
She...could have just blended in. Then he'd be able to sleep tonight.
He smiled wistfully. “...Thanks.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Hey, baby doll! Are you feeling better?”
Yukina Sachiko smiled, hugging her knees as she sat in her bed, her phone
pressed to her ear. “Yea, much better, mama.”
“Your father was so freaked out, I swear he was going to jump on a plane and
get there. But I told him it was just a cold...”
“Oh yea, dad being here would have been a bit much” she laughed softly. She did
end up having her own personal nurse anyway...
… “Mama, what attracted you to dad?”
“Eh?”
Sachiko tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, flustering, “Like...I may be
going about this all wrong, just choosing to date guys based solely on what
they do. I've never...really looked at the whole person before. But...what
exactly did you see?”
Kaede went quiet for a moment. “...That's a loaded question, considering some
things. But I can't really define it as being any one thing. It just sort of
clicked after a while and I guess the rest is sort of history.”
Sighing, she dropped back into bed, her mind a little muddled. “...He's such a
jerk. And just downright rude.”
“Well, that doesn't sound good.”
“I mean...I don't know. Maybe that's too blunt. I understand him, regardless.
Sometimes...”
Her mother was probably raising a brow on the other end. “Honey, I'd probably
aim to not date a jerk, no matter how much you may understand him. Time to be a
little wiser, sweetie, it is your--”
Her own yelping interrupted her mother as loud crashing erupted outside. She
rolled off her bed, startled. What the heck? Rushing to the window, she opened
it and stared down in confusion.
Vaughn was groaning, lying on his back and appearing as if he'd been dragged
all the way there...biting her lip, she smiled. “Evening, Vaughn!”
“...Hi.”
“Vaughn, huh? He making a night call?” Kaede questioned dryly.
Sachiko laughed, pulling on her robe over her pajamas as she headed for the
door, “His horse is. Thunder would be the perfect man.”
Kaede snickered, “Sounds sketchy. But I'll let you go see to that, sweetie.”
“Okay, mama! L- oh, wait...have you heard from Skye-chan?” she questioned,
hovering her hand over the doorknob.
“Mm, he called yesterday. He seemed as...chipper as ever” her mother responded
faintly.
Letting out a breath, Sachiko smiled wearily. “...Okay. Well, I'll call you
back tomorrow, mama. Love you!”
“Love you too, baby doll!”
Pressing 'end', she opened the door and smirked, her eyes narrowing, finding
Vaughn on the other side of the door, disheveled and covered with dirt and
leaves. “...Thunder wanted to see you.”
“Did he now?”
Grumbling, he wandered in and lifted his leg to take off his boots. “...I hate
to ask but you mind if I crash here a few days? Heater finally fried so I had
to buckle down and buy a new one. Won't too bad price wise, really, but I don't
figure I want to wear a parka to bed for the next four days.”
“Oh, that's fine” she blinked, closing the door behind him. “Let me go change
the sheets in the guest room. You can watch something on television, if you'd
like.”
Sachiko stiffened when Vaughn cocked a brow, “Why can't I just sleep with you?”
“Eh?” she squeaked, flustering, “W-we can't do that!”
“We've slept in the same bed almost five times now” he leered.
“T-that's--”
He crashed down on the couch, waving a hand. Pouting petulantly, she sat down
beside him and pulled the strands of the throw shyly. Vaughn just kind of
stared at her. “...I mean, we don't have relations or nothing so what you
worried about?”
“You're a jerk” she scowled, pinching his side.
The cowboy swatted at her hand before looking around, frowning. “I think I am.”
Sachiko smirked, her brows furrowing, “What brought you to that?”
“I was over eating dinner with Regis and Sabrina tonight. I guess I musta said
something really bad because Sabrina got real upset and I was almost forced to
leave. Will was there and I was going to ask him but he was ignoring me.”
“What were the topics?”
Closing his violet eyes, he sighed sleepily, “I was talking about the heater
being out...Sabrina said I could stay there but, well, I figured I'd ask you
first. I don't really like being in such a big ol' house and she's been makin'
me kind of uncomfortable lately.”
… “...Y-you didn't tell her those last things, did you?”
“Nah. Just told 'em I didn't wanna be an inconvenience. They might be fond of
their house and I wouldn't wanna insult it, unlike somefolk” he rolled his
eyes.
Sachiko couldn't help smile that he was still sore about Sabrina thinking he
was just living in a small house because that's all he could afford.
“Vaughn...”
“Wha?”
“You'd never lie to me...so tell me, you're not attracted to me at all?”
He recoiled a tad, appearing befuddled. Locked in a bewildering stare for a
long few seconds, he finally remarked: “...Attracted? What's that supposed to
mean?”
Sachiko groaned, dropping her head, cheeks burning. Never mind, he was just
clueless. “...Nothing. Let's just go to bed.”
Standing and starting towards her bedroom, she inhaled sharply when his arms
suddenly wrapped around her shoulders. He smelled earthy, like trees and sweet
grass. Sachiko flushed as he buried his nose in her hair. “...You kinda smell.”
“Ass.”
“I mean, not...a bad smell...it's a nice...scent...”
It was weird. Her body kind of trembled because his voice seemed to break, as
if he were relenting to something. What was going on with him...? More so, what
was going on with her?
Vaughn let her go, clearing his throat. “I'mma get my stuff and take a shower.
I ain't get you dirty or nothing but I should prolly shower.”
“A-ah, okay” she smiled shyly, “I'll, uh, go get it...warm for you.”
AWKWARD. Turning on the tap, she quickly scurried back into bed, curling under
the covers and turning on the tiny television. He'd shuffled back in, entering
the bathroom with a handful of wrinkled clothes. Moving to her side, she
clenched her eyes shut, trying to remind herself this was just a course to
further her experience, not pick up the locals. Get a grip, Sachiko!
“Sachiko?”
She looked over her shoulder and gaped lightly, finding the white haired fellow
only wearing some loosely fitting pants, still gleaming from his bath. Running
his fingers through his damp hair, he used his free hand to rub his stomach.
“...Can I make a snack? I dunno, they eat kind'a stingy over there and I don't
sleep well on a half-empty belly.”
“A-ah, yes, I think there's some leftover curry you can warm up if you want”
she smiled quickly, sitting up, “I-I think I'll make myself some milk tea as
well.”
He frowned but nodded, allowing her to lead him to the kitchen and microwave
some curry with rice. It never really tasted the same to her after it's initial
making but Vaughn ate it haughtily, sipping a glass of water with it healthily.
She sat across from him, drinking something that would hopefully knock her out
and remind her she wasn't going to have to sleep next to him.
“You havin' trouble sleepin'?”
“E-eh?” she looked up, surprised, “O-oh, not really, I don't think.”
Vaughn peered up at her rather thoughtfully before tilting his head, “...I
have. Haven't slept well for a few days now.”
Sachiko scowled at that, noting his eyes did have extra bags under them. “Why's
that? Is something on your mind?”
“You could say that.”
Before she could ask, she looked away because her eyes accidentally trailed
down his bare chest. He wasn't ripped. She didn't really like ripped
anyway...but the muscles he did have were just perfect, a little snail trail of
white hair disappearing into his pants...no ogling, damn it, no ogling!
AH!
“Oh my God, it's snowing!” she squealed, delighted, rushing to look out the
window.
Vaughn continued to sit, scraping his plate for the last pieces of rice. “You
like snow?”
“I lovesnow!” she gushed...before pursing her lips, sulkily looking back at
him, “I bet you don't though.”
“I have nothing 'gainst snow...” Vaughn remarked before tacking on rather
quietly, “I guess 'cept it being one of the reasons Emme died.”
Sachiko froze.
Oh God, she forgot that part. He could hate snow, it was responsible for the
death of his family. Ready to gush out apologies, Vaughn seemed introspective,
leaning back and stroking his chin. “But that's pushin' it, even then. Plenty
of folk drive in the snow and don't go get themselves killed so I guess
nothin's wrong with it. I don't like that I have to work extra hard getting the
animals tuh move but that's just winter for ya'.”
“A-ah, yea” she quickly smiled, looking back out the window, “It's always been
such a pretty phenomenon to me. My papa would let me crawl and walk around in
it as a child and we'd go to my grandpa's house or get cocoa from the local
shop. Well, before he got super busy and all. But it was always special to me
and Skye and Felice--”
“Who are they?”
Sachiko gawked, “Ehhh? Those are my little siblings! Surely I've mentioned them
before.”
“Probably won't listening.”
She leered at him. “I love my Skye-chan and Feli. It was always fun being the
oldest. We'd play in the snow all the time...but...they're older now. Guess I
am too.”
“What are you, sixteen?” he snorted sarcastically.
“I wouldn't be in college at sixteen, dorkface” she snickered, continuing to
watch the white fluff. “24.”
Vaughn sucked his fingertip of sauce, blinking languidly, “I swear you told me
you were 23.”
“Not anymore.”
“...What? When was your birthday?”
She laughed, running her fingers through her hair, “Today.”
“...Well, fine time to tell someone” he scoffed, standing, “You ain't want to
do nothing big or exciting?”
“Well, sure, but I didn't wanna make a big fuss of it...”
Oh God, he was doing it again, staring down at her expressionlessly and
completely silent. After a while, he sighed, wandering towards the living room.
“Let's go...play in the snow. Not that I want to or nothing.”
“Eh? What are you talking about?” she asked, confused by this conclusion he
came to.
Going through his things, he pulled out a thick sweater and a down-filled vest.
Pulling on some pants over the ones he already had on, he glowered back at her.
“Go get dressed 'fore I change my mind. I left mighty cold to go back into
mighty cold and the ideas getting cold fast.”
Eh? Shocked and confused, she went to her bedroom and pulled on an oversized
sweater over her pajamas and a pair of boots. Returning to the creator of this
weird idea while tying her scarf, she was about to report that maybe they
should just stay inside...
Alas, Vaughn was all bundled up, wearing his cowboy hat and a thick wool scarf
doubling as a muffler. His eyes narrowed at her. “You going to get cold in just
pajamas, woman.”
“I don't feel cold that much” she assured, grabbing her gloves off the coffee
table.
“Suit yerself. I'm not nursing you this time though.”
She blushed as he grabbed her hand and led her out the door. Thunder was
underneath a little awning, watching them absently as they began their journey.
Sachiko gazed up, enraptured. “It's so pretty...the stars are so clear too.
It's strange but enchanting somehow.”
“It is kind of odd” he remarked, staring up as well.
They were so different. She was just kind of a dilly dreamer and he was
completely down-to-earth. What could they possibly actually want out of each
other...?
Sachiko was a little surprised to find them arriving at Nick's. It was already
11 o'clock, the guy was probably preparing to shut down. The man indeed stared
at them in disbelief but Vaughn held up a hand. “Don't bitch.”
“Vaughn” she sulked, bowing, “I don't know what he's doing, Nick-san, I'm
sorry.”
“Don't worry your head over it” Vaughn snorted, pushing her down into a chair
before walking with Nick behind the bar.
Prepared to scold him, she did feel a little bit better that they weren't the
only night owls. But still, Nick probably wanted to get some rest too! After a
few minutes alone, she was prepared to go tell Vaughn they should go...
“I don't sing so just 'happy birthday'.”
Sachiko looked up, puzzled by this statement, but gasped when Vaughn set a
slice of chocolate cake before her. “Hate the stuff so don't offer none.”
“Oh...t-thank you. I love chocolate.”
“Figured you would” he smirked some, sitting, holding a beer for himself.
Picking up the fork, she ate a bit and smiled. Cake was a little difficult to
eat. She always felt awful for thinking it but after eating Yukina Steiner's
cake your whole life, others just paled in comparison. Looking up at Vaughn who
was staring back, drinking his beer, she blushed shyly. Although the sentiment
definitely made her forget her biases.
Finishing her birthday treat, she waved and called a gracious 'thank you' to
Nick as the man returned the gesture. Vaughn yawned, raising a brow as the snow
was a lot thicker now. “Sheesh, I ain't going out to work in this. I bet a
bunch of the ranches done shut down.”
“Well, you get to sleep in tomorrow! Maybe you'll sleep well tonight.”
“Doubt it.”
Giving him a look, she quickly darted down and scooped up a handful of snow,
throwing it at him. Surprised for a moment, his eyes narrowed. “Don't think
I'll go easy on a woman.”
“Bring it” she taunted, sticking out her tongue.
She squealed, laughing as he chased after her, darting around rapidly. It had
been a little lonely today. Of course her father and mother called her early to
wish her a 'happy birthday' followed by her grandpa, with birthday texts coming
from aunts, uncles, and cousins. But that wasn't how it usually went...there'd
be a party or hanging out with friends or something but today, she'd worked,
came home, took a bath, and had been entirely ready to go to bed. There was
something kind of depressing about that...
“Ah!” she exclaimed, shocked when he caught up with her out of nowhere,
tackling her around her hips.
He scoffed, his face flushed, having lost his hat somewhere back as he braced
on top of her. “Using your ninja speed to your advantage, huh? Well, too bad,
girly. Making an old man run like that. Now I'm gonna bury you.”
She giggled, wrestling his arms as he tried to throw snow on top of her, “No!
It won't happen again!”
“Darn straight it won't, yur' about to be an igloo.”
Laughing, she tousled a little, rolling around in a mock-attempt to fight him
off. It was a sweet gesture though, not one anyone but her father, mother, or
grandfather had made to her in a long time. And the fact that it was Vaughn
that plotted this? That was downright special...
Pushing her on her back again, he panted, groaning and dropping his head a
little. “Oh f—k, I'm outta shape. I think I'm gonna die...”
“Don't be silly” she snickered, reaching out to knock a bit of snow off of his
face.
She stopped when he looked down at her, his usually glaring expression replaced
with perplexity. Damn it, what was he thinkingwhen he stared right into her
eyes like that? She knew what she was thinking but what he thought was always
such a mystery!
Dazed, he said so bluntly, so shockingly, “You have... really pretty eyes,
Sachiko...I dunno if...if that's the kind of 'attracted' you're talkin' about
but...but they're real...really nice.”
Vaughn blushed bright red, trying to look away, “U-uh, let's...let's get back
to--”
His lips were cold but she figured hers were too...gently pressing them
together, she nipped a little at his lower lip, just dipping her tongue between
the crevice before pulling away. He stared down at her, now absolutely
mystified. Flustering, she laughed, embarrassed, and sat up. “U-uh, yea, let's
get home and dry off. No use for both of us being cold!”
“Sa--”
“C'mon, c'mon, I'll make us milk tea!” she blurted, grabbing his hand and
dragging him.
Oh God, him. Him of all people. Mister Complicated. She told herself to leave
all this at home, away from basically work, but...
But what was wrong with her?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Good Lord, he thought he was going to toss and turn all night in absolute
confusion. He was right to, nothing about what had happened made any sense to
him.
But nah, they shuffled in, dried off, had a quiet cup of tea, and went to bed.
Maybe they were just too old to have no sleepless night like that because they
both went out like a light. Playing in the snow was serious business, it
seemed, and next time he had insomnia maybe he'd just do that.
Course now he had all damn day to make up for it.
Squeezing his temple, he grimaced. He didn't even know what came into his mind
that second. But...but God, she was so...so pale from the cold, her cheeks
rosy. All the dimmed out color around them made things look gray. Everything
but those eyes and it was so perfect he didn't even stop himself from telling
her.
“Wow, buddy, you starting a little early there, arent'cha?”
Denny walked in. It was about five in the evening. Vaughn had been sitting
there since about twelve, finishing up the few tasks he had as, as he'd
expected, all the ranches had just decided to keep the stock in the barn today
to await the snow clearing up. Sulking, he swirled his beer that he'd gotten an
hour back and barely touched. “...Denny.”
“What?”
“...I...I think she kissed me.”
The fisherman paused as he was taking off his purple scarf to stare at him
before scowling. “...What?”
“I think she kissed me.”
“What do you mean 'think'? Either she did or she didn't!”
He had never been kissed before. Not by his parents, not by his relatives, not
by nobody. It felt...it felt weird. Like kind of soft and...and moist or
something. He hadn't even started to think how to react before it was over and
she got nervous. Probably got nervous cause he was just sitting there like a
deer in the headlights. Oh yes, tonight would be a sleepless night.
“Vaughn!”
“I don't KNOW, okay? We-we were playing in the snow and I-I don't know what
happened. I said her eyes were pretty and we was about to go back to her place-
-”
Denny gawked. “Go back to her place? When the hell did all this happen?”
“I stayed over last night 'cause the heat in my place is getting fixed. I found
out it was her birthday and I thought I'd take her for some cake or something.
When we came back, we started messing around with the snow and then we was
wrestling and I-I said she had pretty eyes and I think she kissed me” he
mumbled, feeling strangely shy.
“...Wow. Did you kiss her back?”
Vaughn groaned, burying his face in his hands. Help him, this nonsense was
gonna kill him. “It's a basic question, man! I mean, was it a tongue-y kiss or
just kind of a smack?”
“'Smack'?” Vaughn echoed, confused, “I...I don't know, it was like...like
rubbing or caressin' or something, no smacking and not much tongue.”
“Not much tongue?”
“I mean, she licked it a lil' and...” he paused. “...Ain't that kind of dirty?”
Denny sighed, exasperated, “You...are a lost cause. Did you at least caress
back a little?”
“No...why would I do that?” he grumbled.
“Because that's what people that mutually like each other and apparently give
overly sappy compliments like 'you have real purty eyes' do, Vaughn, they kiss
each other unless one really doesn't want to be kissed by the other. Which,
tell me if you don't, because this s—t's driving me crazy. I think I'll just
take Sachiko for myself” Denny snorted dryly.
Vaughn glared daggers at him, grabbing the front of his shirt. “You keep your
hands off of her, you. I may not know what I'm doing but she's not for you.”
“Oh really?” Denny blinked at him rapidly, “Is she for you?”
“I-I don't know! I thought my type was Sabrina then she comes in the picture,
confoundin' things! I just don't want complicated!”
Denny shrugged, nodding at Nick as he was handed a beer. Popping the top, he
took a long sip before sighing, rasping, “Welp, you better know quicker, pal.
Sabrina saw her and harassed her into dinner with Will on the mansion's
balcony. She might be kissing on somebody else real soon.”
“...What?”
Launching to his feet, Vaughn glared towards the door. What the hell? She was
going to kiss him one night then go have dinner with that dandy the next?
“Maybe I oughta let her! Seeing as I ain't good enough!”
“Uh huh, well, maybe she just expected you to affirm some things after she, oh,
kissedyou.”
“She wouldn't let me!”
Denny frowned thoughtfully. “Okay...well, if she did, what would you have
said?”
He opened his mouth but froze.
...What...what would he have said? What could he say? He didn't understand
this. Relationships seemed pointless and if he thought to dabble in one it'd be
plain and simple. It'd be a girl like Sabrina, one that was quiet and smart and
sensible. A girl like Sachiko was...was over his head. She knew things that
were far more complicated, more advanced, and...and she had everything. She
wasn't...wasn't what he'd planned to fall for but...
Swallowing, he stared off into space to reach a conclusion. The smart thing was
to say she was a mighty fine friend, one that made him porridge in the morning
and they went riding together. She'd probably be mighty relieved and they'd
just go on without all the kissing and eye ogling. Things would just...be the
same as always.
...Pursing his lips, he dropped some coins on the table and rushed from the bar
without a word. Yea, that'd...that'd be fine.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“It's...just been strange, Sachiko-san, his infatuation with you. I swear he
always said that Sabrina's probably the proper one he'd have a relationship
with.”
...Probably so.
Will had come to sit beside her when she left Maribelle's farm, roosting
outside and staring off into the nothingness. He'd been concerned and she
detailed what happened that night. Going quiet, he smiled some and patted her
back. He offered to take her for tea...she wanted to change first, thinking
it'd be nice if they got lost in a philosophical talk or about books. She
just...
She just didn't know what she was doing.
Beyond what she'd ever imagine, when she exited her house, Sabrina was with
Will. The girl looked strangely upset, her purple eyes full of tears. “V-Va-
Vaughn probably w-was very uncomfortable with all this, Yukina-san! Y-you
should just leave him be, h-he doesn't like being put on the spot!”
Fine...fine, whatever. She got it. Vaughn just...just was really weirdly sweet
sometimes. She should be thankful he was comfortable enough with her to be like
that. Truly she understood how he could be so locked away. She'd wanted to ask
why he didn't just live with his grandparents after his parent's death but
realized that in the end it'd only hurt him again. The last thing she wanted
was to hurt him, to make things difficult or troublesome. They could pretend
the kiss just...never happened.
Sabrina was relieved. What was the difference though? If she liked Vaughn too
then clearly that would lead to the same discomfort, right? Unless...unless
she'd just do things a lot different than she which would make sense. Perhaps
she'd just been too tactless...
After that, she'd wanted to go home and maybe nap. She'd slept well last night,
in spite of the kiss, in spite of the fact he was sleeping there beside her.
Maybe it'd been 'because of' that made it okay to rest well. But then, she'd
felt heavier after realizing those were things that were beyond them.
No, neither Regison would hear it. Will was less vocal but expressed Sabrina's
zealous pressure to have dinner with him. She wasn't feeling much like
philosophy or talking about literature right now. But she also didn't feel like
arguing so she went.
“Sachiko-san, are you okay? You've barely touched your food.”
Sachiko looked up, startled, and quickly smiled as Will gazed at her, worried.
“I'm sorry, Will. I suppose I'm not being great company right now...”
The blond hesitated, squirming, “You're...you're always good company, Sachiko,
you needn't be concerned about that at all. I'm just...I'm just a tad troubled
over all this with Vaughn. I...I do hope you're not too upset about him.”
“Upset?” she echoed, eating the gazpacho, “Why would I be upset?”
“It's...it's just clearer to me than others that you two have...a connection.
It doesn't really make sense to an outsider because you're like fire and rain
but it's there.” He cleared his throat. “I...I don't know how much I like it,
actually...”
Sachiko frowned, about to question this...when the door to the little heated
gazebo swung open.
Will stood, startled, and Sachiko could only gawk as Vaughn appeared,
irritation painted over his face. “Mighty fine of you, Sachiko, going over here
with blondie at the earliest damn convenience.”
“What are you talking about, Vaughn?” she scowled, standing as well.
Sabrina squealed, bright red as she came up from behind. “V-Vaughn, wh-why
don't you come join my father and I for dinner instead? Will and Sachiko--”
“Don't” he hissed, “I don't wanna even hear their names beside each other.”
Sabrina blanched and Will laughed shortly. “Seriously. This is what people find
attractive? Just blatant rudeness?”
“Shut your face” snarled Vaughn, stalking over. “Maybe I am rude and maybe I am
a jerk. But I'm sick uh' waiting around and watchin' to see if it's worth it.”
Sachiko was utterly speechless as he grasped her hand like the night before,
dragging her towards the door. Sabrina followed after them, crying out, “V-
Vaughn!”
He didn't stop though, not for the woman he apparently thought was most
sensible for him. Sabrina was...she was quiet like he was, sensible like he
was, and she probably wouldn't cause him any real legitimate unease. It
didn't...exactly make sense.
Stopping outside her house, he sent a look towards Thunder who'd apparently run
there under the impression Sachiko would have already been present. Shaking his
head at that, the cowboy looked down at her, annoyed. “What the hell? You kiss
me then go off and have dinner with him?”
She groaned and glared down at her feet. “...I figured I'd just made you too
embarrassed. I forgot you're...you. That all this was just nonsense,
this...relationship stuff. I just...just got my hopes up because you were being
weirdly sweet to me and stuff. I mean, I haven't met a lot of guys that don't
play up on giant boobs and compliment my personality and my eyes. I don't think
a lot of guys can work their way up north.”
“Well, they just dumb blind!” he grunted before scratching his cheek with a
finger, “...I mean, I...I think you're...you're...pretty. Like, altogether-
like.”
“Thanks, I think.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets, gazing off, his breath fogging the air
outside. Finally he closed them. “When I got mad over you ridin' with Will, I
thought you just didn't really care who you rode with. I thought...I thought
that was just something you did with me 'cause you told me you preferred my
company then you go off doing the same with just anybody. It pissed me off.”
“...Eh? That's...? That's why you were upset?” she gaped.
Vaughn leered at her and she couldn't help sulk. “What are you, five? I can't
go riding with anyone else except you?”
“No!”
“Look here, Vaughn Blythe, I'm not a possession, I can ride with whomever I
feel like! And what difference does it make?!”
He looked peaked, his brow drawn together tight. “Obviously I want to be
special to you, damn!”
Her eyes widened... “...What?”
“I...I just...I don't...want to be like the others. I...” he started to
stammer, trailing off and turning red. “...Okay, shut up, I'm stupid. Damn.”
Sachiko grabbed his scarf, scowling, redirecting him to face her again. “Say
what you mean, Vaughn.”
He stared at her...and like some kind of payback, he leaned forward and gave
her a kiss. It was kind of...strange, he was square against her face. However,
he seemed to realize that wasn't quite right and turned his head a bit, a
little less forceful and a lot more tender. Pinking, she bit her lip when he
pulled away, seeming disoriented.
“...Did I...mess that up?”
“It was perfect.”
“Don't patronize me, woman.”
She stuck out her tongue and he gently pressed his forehead to hers.
“...Let...me try to be special to you, Sachiko. And...of...of course you can be
friends with Will but...I mean, don't...don't make it look all sappy-like.”
“...Okay.”
Well, he seemed pleased. She was unsure mostly because this was going to be
difficult. No, not him, but...but she never thought hethought he had to be
special to her. Hearing him speak of his parents as if they were strangers, of
a sister he felt he let down, all she could imagine was that she had a large
void to fill. And it wasn't like she didn't think he was worth it...but could
she?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Hahaha, four-eyes, four-eyes!”
He knew he'd been a dick kid. There were a lot of dick kids. You did a lot of
things in your youth you could look back on in later years and still want to
punch yourself in the face over.
“Y-you leave me alone, Denny Walker!”
What was it that children did? Tease people they secretly liked? Yea, he was a
punk.
Denny frowned when he found Sabrina sobbing outside of her mansion, crying real
tears as if she'd been turned down. He supposed in a way she had been as he'd
just seen Sachiko and Vaughn walking around together. They weren't being
romantic or anything but he could tell something was different between them
already. He swore Vaughn ran out of there to end it for being an inconvenience
but, well, mission accomplished. He'd helped to make her cry again.
Sighing, he sat down beside her and folded his hands. “...You know, Vaughn's
not the only guy out there.”
“I-I just knew he'd see me one day” she wept, rubbing her eyes, “I-It's not
fair. It's always like that. It's always the spunky popular girls that get the
guys! She just showed up, h-how could she steal him away that fast?”
“I don't think she intended to 'steal him', Sabrina. I think they just kind
of...clicked together.”
Sabrina gave him a depressed look before gazing away. “...Is it too late for me
to get him back now?”
“...Maybe.”
“...Maybe isn't definitely, right?”
Denny gnawed his lip and stared at her. She was such a quiet girl. They didn't
go to the same school, they barely lived in the same universe, but sometimes
he'd stop and watch her read on the playground. Her face was always expressive
as she read her novels, like she was immersing herself, like it'd become a
world to her. He liked imagination. He imagined maybe she'd share some with
him...
...He'd accomplished his first mission and destroyed hers. Will was off at
Nick's actually having an alcoholic drink, he was so crushed.
...Didn't look like she was ready to give in though.
***** Puzzlement *****
Chapter 5: Puzzlement
Author's Note: Ahh! I've been working more though it's not even that busy at
work. It sucks! But one day...
Few things to address...first, I posted on tumblr a while back that...uh, eff
putting the lemon chapter on AO3 alone. So yes, the smut is back XD Second,
Carrie's second chapter is in the works. It's a very complex chapter, working
in what appeared in other stories so it might take a while but I did spend a
majority of today working on it. If you missed it, you can read an excerpt
here: kazeblanca(dot)tumblr(dot)com/post/38370864901/excerpt-from-chapter-2-of-
the-betrayal. Additionally you can read excerpts for Chika's (Chihaya and
Rosa's daughter from Yume) short story as well as Kamon's (Jyun and Roomi) on
my blog. I am super looking forward to the last one. But one step at a time XD
Wow, it gets me how different colleges work. Save for the apocalypse my college
would not cancel a thing. I remember we got like ten inches of snow, nearly
unheard of in my state, and I couldn't even take my car to school. Checking the
site they were like, uh, yea, all exams are called for and I had to have my dad
drive me down in his SUV then trek to class to take our finals. I don't really
even know how you could have a final into the second semester x.x But that
aside, yes, Sachiko is kind of 'perfect' right now but as mentioned with my
everything will explode writing style, give it time XD
Enjoy... kind of...smutty. OH! SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIRD GENERATION.
THIS IS PRIOR TO CHAPTER 13 OF SAID STORY.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Vaughn...”
He frowned, munching on popcorn, staring at the television. Sachiko was lying
on top of him, her ear against his chest. Really, he never liked watching
television or anything that much. But she got him sort of hooked to this one
series...he was kind of aware she probably felt ignored but it was getting
good! Looking down at her, he rubbed her back and kissed her forehead. She
pouted up at him. “Don't humor me.”
“It's getting good!”
Sachiko smirked, shaking her head and yawning, “It's funny how much of a guy
you are.”
“Oi, woman.”
It was...it was nice.
All in all, when he thought about relationships he thought about all the ways
in which they went wrong. That seemed like the most unnecessary hassle in the
world. But sometimes he did recognize some basic need for companionship and
figured if he needed to find it, well...it'd have to be a sensible girl, one
that didn't bug him.
But then, why did he never actually ask her out? Or...pursue anything? Sachiko
made him essentially pursue her in a way. He wasn't about to let her go to
Will...but he wasn't sure if he'd ever felt that way about Sabrina. So here he
was, with Sachi and...
He wasn't good at affection. Hugging, kissing, snuggling, all of it was stuff
he'd had no practice with whatsoever. She'd figured that out quickly and while
he thought perhaps she'd want to abandon ship she just...worked through it. In
the beginning, she just didn't and he realized that probably wasn't going to
fly with a girl like her. So yea, he gave it a shot and maybe after a few weeks
he didn't cringe or flinch away. Times like now it was nice...she was just
lying on top of him.
Vaughn blinked down at her when she rubbed his side a bit. She was touching him
kind of a lot now though. It'd been almost two months so maybe that was the
next step? He wasn't too sure of what was happening, he was just going to
assume she'd tell him. Figuring this was just one of those things, he absently
entwined her fingers and pressed his lips to them. That was a Denny trick he'd
taught him.
Sachiko blinked back up at him and just smiled, relaxing her head against his
chest again. Simple enough, really. The whole thing wasn't that bad. They went
horseback riding or out to eat. Though it was cold they took a boat out
recently to another area of the island to hike through. Sometimes she'd join
him on his stock runs...so it was basically like it was except with kissing and
hugging.
Somehow he might've been missing something though.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Ew.”
“You asked, young lady.”
Sachiko groaned, slouching as she sat in her house, on the phone with her
mother. Never. Like never-never had she had to deal with this. In a way, it was
refreshing. In others, she felt like a bit of a whore...
Vaughn...wasn't pursuing sex?
She pouted, glaring at her chest. They were her biggest enemy, her breasts.
Always drawing unnecessary attention and getting her harassed by men. Oh, that
was more their problem than anything to do with her body but fact of the matter
was they were definitely a conversation starter in one way or another.
Oh, Vaughn had said as much, that he wasn't ogling her chest or hips or butt.
That wasrefreshing. However...that kind of left her in a hole because if she
wanted to flaunt or get his attention, she'd have to be a lot more forward. She
was pretty sure if she just wore lingerie or something he'd just be like 'why
are you in your drawers?' or any other Vaughn-like logic. He really was sort of
pure...
Asking her mother if she ever had to 'seduce' her father, really just quasi in
passing, the woman bluntly told her she and Steiner had had sex within about
three hours of meeting each other. Didn't...really seem like her parents? But
then, considering, maybe it did. Kaede unfortunately went on to detail that all
she had to do was blink to 'seduce' Steiner...
“Why didn't you bring this gentleman to Christmas, might I ask?”
Sachiko sighed, glancing at her nails, “He was working most of the break. I'm
kind of an enigma for celebrating it amongst this crowd.”
“Well, we all are, believe me” Kaede snickered. “Well, if it gets serious, we
do want to meet him. I haven't told your father yet, of course.”
“Thank goodness” Sachiko laughed. That was a meeting she was prepared to wait a
bit for, the one between Vaughn Blythe and Yukina Steiner. It didn't seem like
it'd be a pleasant.
“...Oh, so, uh, did you get an excuse from Skye why he didn't show up or why he
didn't answer any of my calls?”
Kaede was quiet for a moment before murmuring, “He's...Skye.”
Her itoto. When he was born, her father said she had this confused expression
on her face like she thought she was being replaced. Alas, her mother told her
it was her sacred duty to watch over him. And, well, she did. If she were so
bold she'd say he was just as much her baby as he was their mother's. Her and
Skye were always close, always talking.
Then his beloved girlfriend broke up with him.
Grimacing, she rubbed her brow. She told him, after all his years of just
philandering and friendly benefit cases, to settle down with a girl. And he
did, with one of his old childhood friends, and they'd been happy. Until they
weren't, apparently, because she broke up with him for no foreseen reason. It
was hard to fight her seething, recalling the frantic call from her mother
that, once again, he was in the hospital. This time it wasn't a car accident.
No, it was something far darker. It was her fault. Her baby had never been the
same.
The doorbell interrupted her bleak thoughts. She knew it was Vaughn, he'd told
her he'd be coming over after he had a drink with Denny. Exhaling, she stood
and smiled some. “Well, nothing to be done for it then. I have to go though.
Give papa, grandpapa, and everyone my love.”
“Will do, sweetie...don't worry either, he'll get over it.”
“...Yea.”
Clicking off after parting, she rushed to answer the door. Vaughn was on the
other side, his cheeks flushed from the cold, his teeth chattering. “H-hi.”
“Hi” she cooed, “My poor cowboy-chan. Let me get you warmed up.”
He shivered as he walked in, stiffly taking off his boots. “C-can I stay here
so they don't find my cold corpse on the road to my house?”
“Of course, baby” she scoffed, walking into the kitchen to turn on the kettle.
“I wasn't going to let you walk home in this temperature. Is Thunder okay
though?”
“Y-yea, he was smart for once and stayed in the stable.”
Returning to him, she was startled to find he was almost paper pale. “Oh my
God, what were you doing?”
Vaughn waved a hand as if it were inconsequential. She just sulked before
resigning. “Go take a nice hot shower so you can get a skin tone back...I'll
have something warm for you to eat when you come out.”
He nodded and stumbled off into her bedroom. Silly boy... going to prepare his
trademark porridge, she started to think maybe she should go see Skye herself.
He'd had a lot of problems and his current biggest one was his drinking. She
knew he'd always drank. Frankly, she drank with him. But to the degree he did
it? It was scary and she was just dreading the idea that one day someone would
call with the news he'd had too many...
Okay. So she'd visit him on the next break an--
“Why are you so weird?”
Sachiko squeaked when the back of her tank top was suddenly hiked up. Leering
back, she was incredulous to find Vaughn there...half...naked. Running his
fingers against the vine tattoo she acquired with Felicie on her Christmas
visit home, he scoffed. “You getting all tatted up and listening to crazy
music. I thought you were a pop princess.”
“Hardly” she laughed shyly, hoping he'd stop touching her soon if he weren't
going to go any further.
Oh no, not likely. He rested his chin on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around
her waist as she tried to keep her mind on Skye or cooking but pretty close to
failing. She inhaled sharply when suddenly he actually pokedher nipple...
“Why they showing so hard like this?” he demanded.
“I-I'm not wearing a bra, baka” she huffed, flushed.
“Oh...”
Those were essentially 'we're screwing' words with any of her other boyfriends,
whether she wanted them to be or not. Alas, with Vaughn it was just like he'd
gained some knowledge before he wandered off to watch television.
...There were a lotof frustrating things occurring right now. One of them being
her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Okay...complication.
Yukina Sachiko was sitting on the couch, curled up with the pillow rather than
him. Fine, that was okay with him...except the reason was because she was
irritated with him? It didn't make sense!
Last night they'd ate a small snack before heading to bed. Sleeping with her
definitely was something he was used to. However, sleeping with her when she
kept clinging to him...which was also okay, snuggling and stuff he was used to.
But her rubbing his stomach and stuff, it was...
There was a little burn in his stomach, maybe. She kissed his ear, nibbling,
stroking his thigh. The burn got hotter and he felt distinctly uncomfortable.
Elbowing her away, he mumbled that he didn't really like what she was doing.
Well...maybe that wasn't directly correct. He just didn't know the purpose.
But Sachiko pulled away, turned over, and completely moved away from him. He
didn't understand it! Why was she upset?! And she was still upset with him even
though it was two in the afternoon! Glowering towards her, he tapped the arm of
the chair. Maybe she wasn't that upset, really. She made him breakfast and
everything. But she'd barely spoken to him and she pulled away whenever he
tried to hug her. He didn't need to hug, he was just trying to be affectionate
for her!
“Sachiko.”
“Hmm?” she murmured, sounding dazed.
“The hell you mad at me for?”
His girlfriend sulked, “What do you mean?”
“You've barely said nothing to me!” he snarled, “What? Is this about last night
in bed?”
“Of course not” she answered shortly...which, even to a newbie like himself, he
knew was exactly what was wrong.
Leering, he clicked the television off and glared at her, “Sachiko--”
“I feel bad. I feel awful, in fact” she suddenly interrupted, slouching, “I
don't want to be one of those people and you told me you didn't like it...but
if I get close to you, I don't know if I could stop myself.”
Vaughn was utterly confused. “If you get close to me? What are you on about?
You're always close to me.”
“Forget it, Vaughn.”
Completely annoyed with this vagueness, he got closer to her and pulled her to
him. “Say what you mean, woman.”
Sachiko stared at him...before leaning in close and kissing him. Confused, he
kissed back. Okay? Is that what she wanted...? Closing his eyes, he went along
with it...but opened them, startled, when her tongue slid between his lips
hard.
All that met him was total loss as her tongue raveled around his, making weird
suckling sounds. What the f—k? He started to stop her because the burn was
slowly appearing. What was with her and making that happen?
She pulled away and he was about to demand what that was about...except she
started kissing his neck, the little spot beneath his ear. Why was she...? He
was unsure why his lips parted some, his eyes shutting against his will.
What...?
Again, they popped open when her finger moved to unsnap his pants. He turned to
look at her, wide-eyed, as she unzipped...what was she--? She kissed his jaw,
stroking...it through his pants. W-wait, did she mean...?
“Sachiko, wait--” he almost blurted.
Vaughn almost choked as she rubbed his length through the cloth of his boxers,
moving to nibble his earlobe. Wait, it...it wasn't just his stomach, it
was...his...?
Her hand slipped up his shirt before sliding down underneath the band. He
inhaled as she pulled it from underneath his pants, stroking him up and down,
cradling his balls with her free hands tenderly. His cheeks flushed deep. What
was this? What did she think she was doing?
Biting her lip, she stunned him when she gazed at him with those eyes...f—k if
that didn't destroy all his need to question. That and when she leaned over.
Yea, he was completely dumbfounded.
She...kissed it at first, licking at random. Covering his mouth with his hand,
he trembled as her tongue raveled around the head of his penis before taking
more than half in. The sound that came out of him wasn't him and it was
actually frightening. The sheer sensation of her action was puzzling to him. It
was puzzling because she was doing this random thing and...
...And it...felt...
Sachiko continued to massage his balls, her tongue curling against him.
Vaughn's mouth fell open as he moaned, shocking himself. No, no, this...
Catching her breath, she pulled away to continue pumping and started kissing
the head. Speechless, he felt his body react. It wasn't any tension before but
now it felt like something was coiling inside of him. He folded his knees,
squirming uncontrollably as she seemed to go in for the kill. Yea, he had body
reactions, he got hard in the morning like he heard most guys did. Thing was he
couldn't recall getting an erection over something like this and he...he didn't
even know what to do with this.
“N-nn” he rasped, his head falling back over the chair as something began to
unwind.
He thrust his hips forward, an unconscious reaction that led him to yet another
something he didn't know what to do with. It shot out so hard, spraying against
her face as she'd jerked away with his movement. Blanching, horrified, he
stared at her for a long minute, watching the fluid drip off her cheeks before
he yelped. What the f—k?!
Jolting to his feet, he quickly grabbed his things as he zipped up and
practically sprinted from the house in a tizzy. Sachiko called after him but he
didn't return. What did she- what did he--?
...Complicated.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Denny Walker stared at Vaughn Blythe as he sat in Nick's, his chin rested
against the counter. It was lunch time on a Thursday and Denny couldn't recall
the last time he'd seen the cowboy during such a time. At least not without
Sachiko...
...Uh oh.
Observing him, Denny felt a bit of trepidation, noting that he looked weary,
like he wasn't sleeping. Folding his hands, he smiled nervously before looking
to Will. The blond had also been out of it lately...
Sabrina probably just assumed Will was a man and would be instantly taken with
Sachiko as, of course, she was an attractive woman. Thing was, Will actually
seemed to have grown infatuated with her. They did share a lot in common and if
Denny hadn't considered and needed Vaughn out of the way they probably would
have been fine together. Of course, it didn't really go to either Sabrina or
Will's favor. Really, he'd have hoped Sabrina would have considered that before
she got her poor cousin hurt but...
“So, uh, Vaughn...where's Sachiko?”
His purple eyes widened and he swiftly sat up. “Where's Sachiko?!”
“Uh...not here. I was asking whereshe was.”
Vaughn groaned, burying his face in his hands. Denny wasn't liking this.
“What's wrong?”
“I...been avoiding her.”
“Why?”
Vaughn glanced over his shoulder before his ears turned bright red. Denny's
eyes widened, startled by this reaction, before leaning in. “...Dude, what
happened?”
Looking around swiftly, he cleared his throat. “...Sachiko...we was...we was
sitting on the couch and she was huffy 'bout something. Then she...”
Will looked up sullenly before Vaughn breathed out, “...Started...she
started...suckin'...it.”
Denny and Will gawked as Vaughn twiddled his fingers, gazing off. “It...it was
weird. I don't...I don't know why she...I...I don't know. I haven't been able
to talk to her all week. It...it was...”
“...Um, Vaughn, if a chick like Sachiko gave me head, I'd definitely not be
avoiding her.”
“'Head'?”
Denny stared at him. “...The action that Sachiko did to you.”
Confused, Vaughn shrugged some awkwardly, “...I don't...really know how I felt
about it. I was... shocked.”
“...You didn't...wanna nail her too?”
Will's face started to flush as he looked away. Alas, Vaughn did seem
bewildered. “...Nail her?”
Denny was disgruntled. “Dude, head is usually foreplay. That, or something done
on the fly to please you but that doesn't sound like the case! She wants you.”
Vaughn had that deer in the headlights look. Yep, this was bad. “So...what? Are
you upset? Has her pleasuring you changed your perception of her?”
“...Pleasuring...?”
Denny frowned. Wait... “You didn't...like it?”
He seemed sincerely surprised by this question...like it never occurred to him
that he was supposed to enjoy it. Ugh! Damn it, Vaughn... Will mumbled
something under his breath that was probably jealous and disparaging. Vaughn
sulked at him before shaking his head. “I...”
Before Denny could get the full story, whispers surrounded them from the people
in the diner. Denny frowned, glancing towards the door where he noticed the
people were watching. Even he gawked though when he saw the subject of the
sudden scrutiny.
Whoever he was, he was gigantic. Like 6'3”, 6'4”...wandering in, his hands in
the pocket of a thin hoodie not very appropriate for the cold temperature, he
looked around wearily. He had short brown hair, a wisp of white in his bangs.
There was something...familiar in his eyes, fit with deep black sacks, his face
pale.
Walking to the end of the bar, he sank down on the stool a little away from
them and rubbed his brow. He seemed peaked, annoyed. Nick went to him after a
moment of observing. The guy stared at him before pursing his lips. “...Can I
get a tall shot of Goldschläger?”
“Oh, uh, sure.”
Nick went to the bar, despite it being, oh, two in the afternoon and pouring
the shot. Carrying it back to him, the fellow pressed it to his lips and took
it hard. Denny almost recoiled from watching him. Goldschläger was nasty
business...
The giant looked groggy for a second prior to saying: “...So have you...met a
woman? Her name's Yukina Sachiko.”
Vaughn's attention came straight to and he quickly looked to the guy. Uh oh,
another ex? Well, the guy may not know if he enjoyed sex with the lovely
Sachiko but he had jealousy down tight. He opened his mouth...
“Vaughn Blythe!”
Vaughn froze and quickly looked to the door where Yukina Sachiko marched in,
looking quite irritated. Yep, this was about to be some kind of circus. Denny
looked to the possible ex. His brows furrowed when the stranger quickly shoved
the shot glass down the island. Eh? Vaughn looked prepared to jump out a window
or something...
...Alas, Sachiko's green eyes widened. “...Skye-chan?”
They all looked to her before looking to the monstrously tall fellow as he
stood. He gave her a vague forced smile. “...Hey, Sachi.”
“Ah! Sweetie, why didn't you tell me you were coming?!” she gushed, sounding
absolutely ecstatic as she rushed past Vaughn to embrace the fellow.
'Sweetie'? Vaughn looked like he was prepared to fight, leaping to his feet.
Oh, there was the jealousy again. Sachiko squeezed 'Skye-chan' tight, gazing up
at him. “...You're...kind of thin there, baby.”
“Uh...haven't really been eating to full capacity” he shrugged absently,
patting her back.
Sachiko pouted and Vaughn had probably lost it at 'baby'. “Who the hell is
this, Sachiko?”
Well, even though Sachiko seemed prepared to rail on him a mere few seconds
ago, she looked back at her boyfriend as if she'd put him on the way back
burner. Blinking languidly, she responded: “This is my baby brother, Skye-
chan.”
...Oh yea. Denny blinked as well and could see it...yea, wow, they did look
alike. Except for him being a certified basketball player. Vaughn still was
leering darkly. “What's 'chan' about him?!”
Sachiko gave him a sulky look before turning back to Skye with a smile. “I'm
happy to see you, sweetheart. But what does bring you by?”
“Mom expressed you were upset I didn't return your calls or anything...”
Sachiko pouted. “It's not like that. I was just worried about you, is all.”
“Mm.”
Their personalities already seemed at odd with each other. Her “baby” brother
seemed rather sullen and apathetic compared to her bubbly zealousness. Strange.
Her smile broadened all the same. “Why don't we go back to my house and I'll
make you some bourbon chicken?”
“...Can I have some of the bourbon?”
Sachiko gave him a look. “...Maybe later.”
“Awesome.”
Vaughn just watched after them wordlessly as they exited. Denny shook his head,
sipping a glass of water. “Well...I guess that'll give you time to figure out
if you've got the hots for her or not.”
The cowboy sat once more and rubbed his brow. “...This is damned complicated,
Denny.”
“Then will you yield Sachiko-san?” Will questioned in a rather sweet tone.
“You keep your sights off her, pretty boy” Vaughn leered, slamming his palm
against the table. “I...I dunno.”
...Ugh. Denny was starting to feel bad for Sachiko being with Mr. Awkward. Of
course that was the plan. Too bad it was starting to unravel...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“You're banging around with a cowboy, Sachi? That's kinda...gay?”
Sachiko snickered, watching the flames erupt from the wok as she prepared one
of her brother's favorite meals. The fellow was sitting at the table, turning a
glass of bourbon in his hands. Oh well, as long as she could watch him...“I
don't think it works like that.”
... “He, um...ran off recently. While...I was coming on to him.”
“Again, gay.”
Sachiko smirked at her little brother, going to check the rice in the maker.
“He's...weird.”
It was strange. All of it was beyond anything she'd ever experienced.
Everything she'd done with Vaughn would have been enough for any man to want
to. But not only did he stop her, he ran off in a hurry, shocked. She
understood he was shy. She understood she was being way too aggressive. But...
But she wanted some acknowledgment that he at least considered intimacy with
her desirable. Okay, they didn't have to have it. She could get by but...Vaughn
didn't even seem to like her touching him and that...
...No, you knew that man would be a challenge, Sachiko. He didn't have that
kind of affection in his life. Of course, she thought she could at least
expect...human desires?
“As many guys that want to have sex with you, Sachiko? You're really going to
deal with somebody who runs from cooties?” Skye scoffed.
“...He's really sweet sometimes” she mumbled shyly, dipping some rice into a
bowl. “And...well, I think I'll just forget this happened.”
...But could he? Actually...she probably couldn't either...
This was...difficult.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Vaughn Blythe was...attempting to sleep. And failing. Had been failing for some
time.
'Apparently you skipped puberty.'
Vaughn groaned, turning over on his small bed for the thousandth time. In his
head, in his dreams, that single moment was just prevalent. His body wasn't
used to that, wasn't used to...pleasure? As Denny said, Vaughn had just...never
felt that drive, that 'arousal'. Nobody had ever...made that burn in his
stomach before and...
He just...didn't know what to do with it?
Apparently Sachiko had been in this place before, she...seemed to know quite
well what she was doing. He wasn't exactly sure how to feel about that but
whatever, she could help him work through it. Normally she would.
'Skye-chan'.
Well damn, he had no idea he'd become her second priority if her dick brother
came around. Every time he blinked the guy was sitting in Nick's, nursing a
bottle of some crazy liquor before starting on another. He got rowdy and crazy
when Nick cut him off and usually ended up passing out on the floor for a few
before wandering off back to Sachiko's place. Talk about polar opposites. That
was her precious baby?
...It'd been about a week and he hadn't had any alone time with her, to...work
through the issues. Sure, he was running before because he was so unsure about
what the hell this whole thing meant. Now he knew.
He liked it.
Flushed, he pressed his hands to his face, in agony. Who thought of that? Who
thought, 'y'know, I bet it'd feel real nice to have somebody start...sucking
down there'? They were kind of gross, whoever they were. But damned if he
wasn't very intrigued.
Was this what he needed in his life?
He enjoyed time with Sachiko, was learning to be a more affectionate person but
all he'd thought since it began was 'this is complicated'. It was
complicatedbeing involved with another person in this manner. He ain't never
thought about kissing or snuggling. And he'd certainly never considered
relations outside of random hormonal occurrences that went away.
He was wandering out of his zone of solidarity. It'd be difficult for anybody
but was he really going to turn back now...?
Vaughn jolted when a knock came at his door. Sitting up, he frowned and stood.
Swallowing, he found his hand reaching for his chest. Sure, he was startled,
his heart was just pounding.
...Was it Sachiko?
Opening the door, he almost groaned with disappointment. Somehow he held back,
Sabrina smiling shyly at him. “Uh, hello, Vaughn!”
“Hey, Sabrina...you need something?”
“Huh? Oh no! I just...haven't seen you quite as often since you've been with
Yukina-san. I was just checking on you” she assured.
Vaughn simply nodded, allowing her in and walking over to his kitchen. “You
want somethin' to drink?”
“O-oh, that's okay. We just had dinner...”
Pouring himself a glass of milk, he sipped it gingerly, hoping to fall asleep.
Sabrina took a seat on his couch and looked around. “I, uh, saw Yukina-san with
some rather tall fellow...”
“Yea” Vaughn grunted, “That's her little brother, 'Skye-chan'.”
“Oh! I...I couldn't tell they were related.”
Truth be told, he couldn't really see it either but pressed, he could see the
similar attributes, he supposed. Didn't help when one was a busybody angel and
the other a jerk alcoholic. Vaughn paused, suddenly startled. Wait...angel?
Sitting at his small table across from his guest, he frowned. “...You ever like
somebody, Sabrina?”
“E-eh-h-h?”
“Well, you know, like Sachiko and myself. We're together but...”
The black haired woman bit her lip and looked away, smiling after a moment.
“I...I do.”
“You don't think it's complicated?”
“It's...very complicated, actually. Are...are things complicated for you
though?”
Before he could respond that it was beyond complicated at present, another
knock came at his door. What the hell? When did he get visitors like this? Not
sure he appreciated all this attention suddenly, he went to answer. Oh. Denny
was a little bit of a normal visitor, at least.
“Hey bro, did you res...”
The fisherman trailed off, his brown eyes widening as he looked to the couch.
Vaughn followed his gaze and cocked a brow. “Sabrina came over to visit since
I've been real preoccupied with Sachiko...well, up until her 'baby' got here.”
“Ah...” Denny smiled some, walking in, “I was going to see if you'd resolved
anything with her but I guess not...”
Vaughn shook his head and slumped, rubbing his brow. He could go over, couldn't
he? They could at least talk for a few damn minutes between her and her time
with 'Skye-chan'. Maybe she could make this...less complicated. She...she
seemed pretty good at that too.
Sabrina seemed to be addressing him but he was already out of it. He had to see
Sachiko and get some sleep.
Standing up, resolute, he nodded at them and stalked out to go see her, putting
on some loafers she got him... He tilted his head towards Thunder who was
standing around with Sparkles outside her home before reaching to knock.
Sachiko opened the door first.
They both jumped, startled. Her green eyes widened as she gazed up at him,
clearly surprised. “Vaughn?”
“...Hey.”
“What...brings you by? I'm going to go look for my brother, I haven't seen him
since earlier, so--”
Vaughn grunted, grasping her wrist and guiding her back in. She squeaked,
“Vaughn--”
“Don't worry about your brother” he muttered, closing the door behind her,
“...I...I need to talk to you for a spell.”
Sachiko stared at him for a moment before sighing heavily, taking her shoes
off. “...For a moment.”
Taking off the leather moccasins, he stuffed his hands in his pockets as he
followed her. She paused, her back to him. “Just...say what you need to say...”
“Don't rush me” he sulked, “I...I ain't never...look at nobody and
thought...that about them. I don't much think about that neither.”
Sachiko had a blank expression on her face when she turned to him. “Eh...?”
Vaughn was prepared to continue...but something happened to his brain. The girl
was, for most purposes, seemingly immune to the cold so sometimes she'd just go
out in these thin coats and...she had one of them too short red coats on with a
white tight...top of some sort, a leather black skirt fitting too close...
He wasn't really sure exactly what his head was thinking but it was very
confusing. Their whole relationship, even prior to the romance, he ain't think
a thing about her physique. Sure, her eyes were enough to bring him to his
knees but...
Bewildered, he gaped a little at her. “...Is this...really what you wanted?”
“What are you talking about, Vaughn?”
He stared at her, feeling his lids get a bit heavy. “I think...I might know
what 'xactly those men were thinking when they ogled you...it...won't like that
before.”
She gawked a bit herself and he got a bit closer. At first she backed up and
probably would have continued if there wasn't a wall right there. Just like
when they first kissed, he wasn't precisely or really even close to knowing
what he was doing but he braced his hands on either side of her head, leaning
in hard and kissing her. Tongue just...felt funny but then it...kind of
reminded him of what she did to him down...there. The same thing he'd been
dreaming about night after night...
There...was more, wasn't there? She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling
him closer. Groaning a little, he rested his hands on her hips. Was it...it
because he was just...touching her all the time to keep her happy? Did he
ignite something...? This was complicated...there wasmore. Could...
Could she... show him more?
His shoulders squared when the door opened and Sachiko squeaked, flustering and
releasing him. “U-uh, Skye-chan!”
'Skye-chan' blinked at them, his pale skin a questionable shade of green, his
matching eyes bloodshot. Staring a moment longer, he snorted and staggered,
swaying insanely, “Dun...dun lemme interrup'...”
Sachiko squealed, rushing to him as he almost tumbled over. “Skye, for God's
sake--”
Against his better judgment and the arousal he wasn't used to, Vaughn helped
drag the behemoth to the guest room. He pursed his lips as Sachiko worriedly
settled by her brother's side before rushing off to collect a bucket. Oh yea,
he'd be puking shortly, no doubt 'bout it. Ugh.
A little annoyed his girlfriend was putting up with the kind of family member
he recalled having, he followed her as she gathered a few other things like
water and medicine. Could you medicate 'drunk'? Vaughn cleared his throat and
she turned to him, wrinkles around her eyes. She was exhausted too, just...not
for the same reasons. She didn't have time to uncomplicate this right now...
Alas, she set down the things and came over to him. Pressing her face to his
chest, he could even feel her weariness. Awkwardly tangling his arms around
her, he kissed the top of her head, hoping that was a comfort. “...Sorry. Guess
I'm the last thing you need right now.”
Sachiko gasped, looking up, “N-no, that's...that's not true at all. I...I'm
just confused.”
“You and me both.”
She frowned at that and he sighed, sleepy now, “...You want me to stay wit'
you?”
“You can” Sachiko murmured, “But I doubt I'll be going to sleep...”
A part of him said 'go on home' but something else that he didn't recognize
said at least be there in her bed in case. “...I'll, uh, go crash in your bed
then. You really should sleep, you looking a little green yourself.”
She pouted, “You're mean...but promise, I'll come rest in a bit. And...and
we'll talk tomorrow, okay?”
All he could do was nod as she grabbed her supplies to nurse her alcoholic
brother and rushed away. Watching after her, he grimaced and went off to her
bedroom.
...Complicated.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Vaughn groaned, rolling over in bed to stare at Sachiko sleepily. What a long
ass day...
God help 'em, he was ready to rip her brother apart. Bastard started getting
real wily there for a spell and ended up knocking Sachiko back. He'd woken up
to the turmoil and, had she not stopped him, probably would have thrown the guy
through a window. Hadn't really struck him he really hadn't said a word to the
only relative of hers he'd met yet but they'd sure shared some good glares.
Having assisted her into pinning the guy down so he'd go to damn sleep, he'd
wanted to teeter on back to bed but she was just sobbing uncontrollably then.
'This didn't have to happen to him' and 'this is all my fault'. Kind of bull he
ain't want to hear from somebody who had nothing to do with somebody else
poisoning themselves. Vaughn rubbed her back and didn't offer any words.
Somewhere deep inside, locked away so deep he forgot it existed, he might'a
understood where she was coming from. Thankfully she went to sleep around nine
in the morning or something, crying herself out while he embraced her.
Her brown locks were pressed against her cheek as she breathed, paced. Reaching
out, he awkwardly stroked her brow. She really was something...if she had this
kind of brother that she actually loved to deal with, why would she take on a
project like him? He ain't even know how to cuddle or be affectionate with her.
Then on top of that she had a drunk ass sibling who was swinging on her when he
was intoxicated. Definitely was taking far more abuse than necessary, that was
for sure.
...He...didn't need to complicate this no further, he thought wearily.
Standing, he gazed at the clock that read two in the afternoon. Nah, they could
settle this mess in good time. If they had to, really. It...it was
unnecessary...maybe?
Vaughn started to walk out the door and call Thunder. He'd ride home and start
to prepare for his venture out to collect stock. That was his job, his
livelihood. Adding a girl was just...'complicated'. He needed a new word.
Pausing, he jumped when he found 'Skye-chan' standing outside of the house with
his backpack of luggage on his shoulders. A cigarette was hanging between his
lips as he took steady puffs before looking to him. Vaughn swallowed hard, a
little stunned. They...did have mighty similar eyes, he could say that much.
Thick billowing smoke filtered from his mouth as he withdrew the cigarette,
gazing at Vaughn emptily. “...Don't tell Sachiko I'm smoking.”
“...Sure.”
“And don't go ratting that I'm leaving either” he uttered, replacing his vice,
“I'm done with this s—t.”
Vaughn felt his own eyes narrow. “What s—t? Your sister being worried over you
being a little drunk ass prick?”
Weirdly enough, he was expecting a completely negative reaction but 'Skye-chan'
appeared peculiarly thoughtful. “Yea...sounds about right.”
... “Because you're a bastard.”
“Believe me, I get enough of that from my family without my sister's boyfriend
lecturing the hell out of me too” he scoffed briskly, “I'd think you'd be
happy. I can stop cockblocking you.”
He recoiled. 'Cockblocking'? Was he... flushed, he muttered, “I...I don't know
what you're talkin' about.”
'Skye-chan' snorted, “I think you do. Just know my sister can have any man she
wants with the snap of a finger so you better live up to her.”
Vaughn's brows furrowed. Honestly...that sounded almost backwardly protective.
“You not going to stay and make sure I do?”
“I can't even f—king take care of myself” he mumbled, “...Though I've got my
own issues, I will tell you if you do a thing to her I'm likely to kill you.
She...she needs something. I'm...I'm nothing. Nothing she needs to fret over.”
Crossing his arms, Vaughn stared at him. Actually lookingat him instead of
standing back and observing him, there was something really odd about the guy.
He seemed like a troubled young man, that was for sure. Snuffing the cigarette
out against the railing of the porch, he shook his head. “...I need to go
before she wakes up. Tell Sachiko something came up at school and I'll call her
when I get a chance.”
“...You f—kin' better. I'mma...try to be as good as possible to your sister.
But she been awful good to you too, letting you push her around and run her
ragged being a troublemaker for the past week. You better be good to her too.”
'Skye-chan' looked at him with a level of apathy even hecouldn't fathom before
shrugging. “Later, cowboy.”
Something told Vaughn he should have stopped him or went to wake Sachiko up to
stop him. But...well, it wouldn't do no good from what he could tell. Very
troubled young man indeed. Stuffing his hands back in his pockets, he wandered
back into the house and crawled back into bed with her. Figured he'd have to
live up to his promise when she woke up and found she'd have to worry again.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
She'd been in class when Hayato text her: 'We were in a bad car accident.
Skye's in a coma'.
She was in the library when her father called, in shambles: “Your brother tried
to kill himself.”
Sachiko hugged her knees as she sat on the couch, dazed. It felt like, inside
that shell, her baby brother was somewhere, trapped. He was just buried beneath
the alcohol and the pain and no matter how much digging she did, he was in too
deep for her to find. When she was trying to calm him from a frantic violent
spell of thrashing, he knocked her back into the wall. Vaughn just happened to
appear and he wanted to beat Skye's skull in. No, she understood. That was just
the rubble pushing against her, is all.
There was just so much of it though...
Vauhgn being there was such a surprising comfort. To think this man that barely
put any stock into emotions allowed her to cry herself to sleep in his arms. He
probably didn't 'figure' but she could forget about their lack of intimacy if
he wasn't going to back away in a situation that, for all purposes, he would
have, but didn't. She...she wasn't used to support anymore.
Waking up, finding Skye gone, she'd just told herself to endure it. She smiled
as Vaughn slept beside her and walked off to the kitchen to make a late lunch
for them. 'Don't let me get a third call', she whispered to anything listening
before letting go. Skye was buried under there but she couldn't dig him out
alone. There was just only so much she could do, only so much she was allowed
to do. She...she had other responsibilities as well.
“...You wanna...jabber to me about it?”
Sachiko jumped, startled. Looking to her side, she quickly smiled, having
forgotten Vaughn was there. He'd come out after a shower to eat with her and
they hadn't said a word before settling on the couch. Right now he was staring
at her, rather unreadable. Oh, she...she didn't want to worry him. He'd...he'd
already been so good to her...
“No, no, I'm fine!” she gushed, taking the remote from him, “Let's watch the
show you like.”
The cowboy's violet eyes narrowed before he reached out and took the device
from her, setting it on the coffee table without pressing a button. “...I
reckon you better start talkin', missy. And if you don't, I most certainly
will.”
Sachiko pouted, “...What do you want to talk about? What we started last
night?”
He opened his mouth but faltered. She was sincerely startled when his cheeks
pinked and he gazed away shyly. “...Oh, uh, I...won't...really thinkin' bout
thatbut...I guess we can talk 'bout that later too--”
“It's weird, I thought you were going to break up with me” she laughed softly,
tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Vaughn sulked. “Why would I do a thing like that?”
She pursed her lips. “You ran out after I gave you head and didn't talk to me
for days after. I figure if it weren't for Skye you'd still be avoiding me.”
“Who the hell thought of this 'head' name? What's that even...oh.”
Sachiko couldn't help stare at him in bewilderment just over this question. How
had he not heard of... Vaughn gazed off lazily before rolling his eyes. “...Did
it...not occur to you, Sachiko, that I may not be like...most guys and not have
had...relations before?”
“...Oh...oh my God” her eyes widened as she gaped. “...You're... a virgin.”
He nodded sullenly, looking off to the side. What the hell, Sachiko? Gawking as
the wheels started turning smoothly in her head, everything fell into place.
Well duh, he was completely oblivious to those sorts of things and duh, he
would kind of freak out if just suddenly she went down on him! Absolutely
ashamed of herself, she found herself flushed and choking out apologies. “I-I'm
so sorry, I took advantage of you an-and I didn't even ask if you wanted it--”
“Nope” he agreed, interrupting, “Cept probably wouldn't have accepted no way
anyhow without your...demonstration.”
Blushing even more, she covered her face, “Oh my God...”
Vaughn pursed his lips and idly tapped his fingertips together before clearing
his throat. “I was, uh, figuring that whenever you touched me and I got a
little antsy it was...for the same reasons you ain't like me touching 'cause
it's...kind of a...odd feeling. And...and when you gave me this...'head', I
got...I got a little weirded out 'cause nobody's ever made me feel like that
and...I won't real sure how to think.”
“...Oh?”
Swallowing visibly, he nodded. “I liked it.”
“O-oh” she laughed, her ears getting hot now, “I-I'm glad you liked it.”
“There's...s'posed to be more though, ain't it?”
“Eh?”
Vaughn scowled, “More than...'head', that's just...that's just kind of a start
up, ain't it? That's...that's not complete relations, right?”
Sachiko's pulse was kind of racing. Oh yes, a mere five minutes ago she was
fretting over her brother and now she was already back on how much she wanted
to nail Vaughn. She certainly was her father and mother's daughter. “W-well,
no...”
Trembling as he slowly reached out and grazed his thumb across her lips, he
murmured, “...Well...you going to finish your demonstration, missy?”
Sheepish, she dropped her chin a bit, “...If...if you'd like.”
...She was used to difficulties somewhat. They usually were something to thrive
on, really, in order not to let them knock you down. Between her sick brother
and this internship, she had her rather innocent boyfriend. Maybe he was a bit
of a handful in ways she wasn't used to but considering, it was refreshing...
Sachiko was...glad for that much.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“U-um, what is it that you and Yukina-san need to resolve, Vaughn-san?”
Denny grimaced, knowing the last thing she needed was ammunition to blow up a
pretty rocky relationship. He knew Vaughn wasn't the average guy, thinking
about sex more than necessary if at all, but he didn't think Sachiko would have
to be that dominant to get him to try it. Additionally, he ran out after she
'pleasured' him? Sabrina had a good landmine either way she played it.
Lo, the cowboy went into ignore mode and was gazing off into space as Sabrina
talked at him. Randomly he just stood, nodded at them...and left. Sabrina had
gawked after him and even he found himself a little floored. “...Did he just
leave us in his house?”
“W-where do you think he's going?” Sabrina rasped.
“...I dunno. Maybe Sachiko.”
Sabrina pursed her lips tightly, balling her fists in her lap as she gazed down
at them. “...Oh.”
Denny swallowed and looked around for a moment before taking a breath. “U-uh,
don't...don't fret so much over that. You're...you're a great person, Sabrina,
you...you have more options than Vaughn.”
“But I don't want more options” she whispered, “I...I just wanted him and now
it's too late.”
“That's...” He paused. He wanted to say 'that's not true' but that didn't help
him in the least. “I...I think you're just caught up on your first real crush.
Once you start moving on you'll...you'll see other guys that maybe you'd want
to date as well. You can't just give up.”
Sabrina was just silent on that. He didn't feel like he was making any head way
in this game. Clearing his throat, Denny stood and reached out a shy hand. “U-
uh, how about we get Will and...you know, have some tea at Haila's? You guys
can gush over books and you'll feel a little better.”
She looked up at him with those dark amethyst eyes and he thought, really, knew
she was going to reject him. Alas, she gave him a week smile and took his hand.
It was so small and pale in his own, a kind of clash of tones. He felt dazed
before releasing it once she was on her feet, giving her a dizzy smile. Sabrina
gave him a resolute one. “I won't give up.”
“...Oh. Okay.”
...Talk about complicated.
***** Entirely *****
Chapter 6: Entirely
Author's Note: OMG, LIFE IMPLODING WITH AWESOMENESS AND NOT AWESOMENESS.
(I'll answer the super ultra old reviews I got months ago next chapter. For
now, enjoy XP SOME SMUT)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It felt so good.
Somehow every moment of Denny's whoredom behavior over their whole friendship
made sense. It was an amazing experience, made him almost want to chatter about
it too. His...'first time', she was so...hands on? Mighty...swell.
However.
Vaughn Blythe wandered into the bedroom, Yukina Sachiko lying on her stomach,
falling asleep. She'd made dinner and he'd volunteered to wash the dishes.
After the first time, they had it almost...daily for close to three weeks. He
told Denny and Will this...well, they both just kind of leered at him.
Whatever. But, well...
Crawling across the bed, he nudged his girlfriend, clearing his throat. “Hey,
Sachiko...”
“Hmm?” she murmured sleepily.
“Um...it's...been a spell...since...you know.”
Her pretty green eyes opened momentarily, half way, before she yawned, pulling
the blanket over her shoulder. “Oh. Sorry, baby, not tonight.”
Vaughn sat up on his haunches and pouted a bit. He wasn't going to necessarily
press or beg or nothing but he was going to...complain. How was she going to
get him all into it then leave him waiting for two weeks? A little cross, he
fell back into bed, pulling the covers over him. Spring was keeping him busy
too, he could barely spend time with her like he had during the Winter. A lot
of people wanted their animals brought in now and he was on the road often. And
Sachiko was helping Mirabelle frequently too so...but she was always turning
him down, even when they were watching television or something. Ugh...
Complication two.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Denny Walker wandered into Nick's as usual, humming some. He loved Spring...it
made the fishing industry just a wee bit easier to deal with when he wasn't
sitting by a water source bundled up in a snowsuit and hoping not to freeze to
death. Sure, it was still cool but at least it was comfortable now.
...Wish he could say the same of other matters.
Taking a seat, he ordered sashimi, feeling like that would just make his day.
Rubbing his hands together, he blinked back when Vaughn wandered in. Sometimes
he wondered if that guy stalked him to see when he came in here...
...Uh oh. The resident cowboy was sulky, it seemed. Denny smiled some as he sat
beside him, glowering about. “Uh, hey. Something the matter?”
Vaughn sucked his cheek, nodding to Nick and muttering 'ramen' before
grumbling. “Sachiko.”
Ugh. “Again? I thought you two were all hot and heavy” Denny snorted. Fine, he
wasn't interested in a relationship with Sachiko but he had to admit to some
sexual attraction for her. And Vaughn with his obliviousness just threw it out
there they were banging every day. Lucky ass.
But no, Vaughn just tapped his fingers against the counter, gazing ahead.
“...Not sure what that means but if it's got anything to do with sex we ain't
having it no more.”
Oh goodness. “Really? Did you upset her or something?”
“I dunno HOW!” he snapped a bit, “It was all swell and dandy for her to get me
into something I ain't know a thing about prior then she don't want to
anymore!”
Denny snickered. “Welcome to relationships, my friend. I mean, sometimes your
partner just isn't in the mood for it. It's rough but you can't be forceful.
She'll be in the mood when the time's right.”
“Three weeks though? She ain't even mention it in three weeks!”
Denny frowned. Huh...while that may have just been how Sachiko operated...he
wasn't sure about that length of time. And sure, it was still her right...and
she may just have been burned out after three weeks of daily screwing. The
equation lined up. “Give it a rest, dude, she might just need a break.”
Vaughn just seemed cross. The fisherman rolled his eyes, sipping his drink,
“That, or you just don't impress her sexually.”
“What's that even mean?” Vaughn scowled.
“Like, you know, you not keeping it up for her or touching her well or
something” he found himself explaining, really just out of pure sarcasm.
...Vaughn was staring at him with an absolute blank expression. Like...this was
news to him. Denny stared back before disbelief started to creep into him.
“...Like...you know, you...kissing her...other places besides her lips or...you
know...stroking her...?”
Denny seriously hoped he was just confused because it was ridiculous to suggest
otherwise. 'Um, dick, yea, I touch my girly, shut the f—k up'. In fact he
just...knew.
“Why would I do that?”
His turn to look at Vaughn, in hopes the fellow just had a poor sense of humor,
Denny had to gawk when he realized he was completely serious. “ Dude.”
“What!”
“Of course Sachiko doesn't want to have sex with you!”
“What!? Why?!”
Denny bit his lip, burying his face in his hands for a moment before...breaking
this down. “...Vaughn, um, Sachiko, does she...you know, do things to you?”
“Things like what?”
“Like, you know, touch you?”
Vaughn frowned, blinking. “...Well, sure. She rubbed on me when we were having
sex...and she gaveme head.”
“I'm glad you figured out a verb goes there” Denny smirked some. “But Vaughn,
why do you think Sachiko, um, performs these actions?”
“Because she wants to have sex?”
Denny groaned. “...Well, you're...not completely wrong.”
He was getting disgruntled. “...Are you telling me that you have yetto cop a
feel on her chest?”
“Why would I do that!?”
“You are a disgrace to mankind, Vaughn!”
Increasingly exasperated, Denny pinned him with an irritated expression.
“Vaughn, I want you to be totally serious with me right now. What do you do
during sex? Like, what are the order of events?”
Vaughn puffed his chest. “She'd come over, start touching all over, givingme
head. Then she'd start undressin' me and she...you know, bonds with it.”
Denny was almost speechless. “...Do you...just lay there?”
“...Yea?”
Holy snap. Scratching the back of his head rapidly, he had to go over exactly
where to begin. There were so many ways and possibilities he just was getting
lost though. Taking a deep breath, he 'fwooed'. “Vaughn.”
“What?”
“When...Sachiko is...'touching all over you', as you put it, she is, yes, doing
this because she wants to have sex. However, there are...steps to follow
leading to sex. Can we agree on this much?”
Vaughn nodded some. Denny nodded as well. “So...tell me, how...does your body
react when she's touching all over you? I mean, you get a little...stiff,
right?”
“Is it not supposed to do that?”
“...Yes, yes, it is. That is not the issue at hand, however. You get stiff
because she has been...manually arousing you, yes?”
Vaughn rubbed his chin. “...Yea.”
“Additionally, Sachiko...rides you?”
“'Rides me'? What the hell that......oh.”
The man's eyes widened as if more terminology had entered his dictionary. Denny
just wanted to cry. “Well, yea, she... rides me.”
“So, essentially, she's...doing all the work?”
Vaughn just gazed at him, doe-eyed. “...I...I suppose.”
Denny clenched his eyes shut, feeling a migraine for all of womankind.
“Vaughn...are you honestly telling me you thought...you had to contribute
absolutely nothing to this union?”
“Well, I-I...didn't suppose...”
“You didn't supposeshe'd want you to, oh, touch her? Because, you know, it's
not like only YOU can get aroused, Vaughn, she can be turned on too. And
she...should be aroused.”
“...Why...?”
“So you really...think she's just having sex with for your sole benefit, huh?”
“...Maybe?”
Denny leered. “Dude!”
“I don't know!”
“You know... that thing you do when, you know, you're satisfied?”
“Am I not supposed to do that?”
“Yes. And did you know that shecan do that too?”
“...Ew?”
“What 'ew'!? It's not like ours, but it means she can be satisfied! Are you
getting where I'm going with this, man?! Sachiko isn't having sex with you
anymore because you're not satisfying her! You're making her do all the work
and she's not even getting aroused!”
With that continual deer in the headlight expression, Vaughn said in a horribly
innocent tone: “Am I going to lose my girlfriend?”
“Yes, Vaughn, yes you are.”
Vaughn shook his head before looking away, actually kind of...sheepish.
“She...she ain't never said nothin'...”
“Yea, well, she must have hopedyou would figure out that she's got needs too.
Needs that aren't being met!”
Vaughn pouted, squirming as he pointed his fingers together. “...How do I...fix
it?”
“You turn her on, Vaughn.”
“What does that even mean, 'turn her on'?”
Denny sulked. “When she gives you a blowjob--”
“A what?”
“HEAD. When she gives you head,you getting hard is you getting 'turned on'. You
get me?”
Vaughn's eyes widened before he seemed strangely thoughtful. “...So it's
like...a sex light switch?”
“If that helps you, Vaughn, then yes, it's a sex light switch.”
“...My switch's getting flipped, hers ain't...and she's doing all the
flippin'.”
Finding he really had absolutely nothing to say for this analogy, he could only
watch as the wheels started turning in this man's slow ass brain. “So...how do
I...'turn her on'? I can't really do the stuff she does to me, right?”
“More or less. Some of it may be far too advanced for you” Denny remarked
dryly. “But first, we'll have to work on getting her to even concede to having
sex with you again after this disgrace. And...well, we'll...get visuals for
things you can do. It's not realistic but I can't really walk up to a woman and
ask her if I can give a demonstration.”
“This is too complicated” Vaughn muttered.
“Um, yea, it's complicated to make her at least semi-happy doing something you
clearly have started to enjoy. Tell me more.”
Vaughn winced and sighed absently. “...I guess I'mma not be special to her any
time soon then.”
Denny frowned this time before patting his shoulder. “Well, don't make it sound
like that. I know she still cares about you, at least.”
...Thing was, how did he just neglect her like that? Sure, he knew Vaughn had a
bit of a selfish streak, he just wasn't used to having to think of other
people. At the same time, he had a bit of a selfless streak too so it was
just...confusing. Hell, Denny wasn't sure if he wasn't just trying to learn
what to do so he could get laid again.
...Was this going cold too?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He was a trifle bit mad with Sabrina.
Will Regison wandered onto Mirabelle's land, pausing just outside the gates to
watch her for a moment. Yukina Sachiko was curled up on the bench, holding a
book, and eating an apple. Her silky brunette tresses were pulled back in a
ponytail, wearing a pair of brown knee length boots and a leather jacket.
Yea...he was definitely mad with Sabrina.
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he absently walked over. “Shouldn't you be
working, milady?”
Sachiko looked up, surprised, before smiling. “Hi, Will! I actually finished up
early today! I'm just waiting for Vaughn to get back from one of his runs. I
didn't get to spend much time with him before he left, he seemed rather
preoccupied with something with Denny.”
Ugh. He...wouldn't be preoccupied with Denny. Sitting beside her, he smiled,
having to change the subject to keep himself from yielding to inappropriate
irritation. “Sounds nice. What are you reading?”
“Ah, The Sun Also Rises. It's an interesting book. Kind of sad in a way.”
“Ah yes, poor Jake and Brett” he murmured, gazing outward. Of course it wasn't
for the same reasons but he felt like him and Jake may have been able to
empathize somewhat...
Rubbing his hands together, Will bowed his head and smiled. “I presume that, in
spite of the potential risk Denny will take him away, that you and Vaughn are
doing okay?”
Sachiko giggled at that before she sighed, “It is different from most of my
relationships. I'm not used to my boyfriend working so much or being
so...deadpan. Course I've felt really bad lately because I've been so tired
from my own work and probably being poor company to him. I guess it's just
preparing me for the real world.”
“Not necessarily” Will drawled reluctantly, “I would hope relationships are
based on the need for contact at least somewhat.”
“Oh, naturally! But I think we're doing well considering...Vaughn” she laughed
some, “He's so bad at affection but he tries so hard. I can't be upset with him
or anything.”
Will looked away, sucking his cheek. He didn't like it...he was mad with
Sabrina. She...she set him up.
He'd been set to travel to Bangkok when she called and asked him to come to
Verdure so they could 'discuss books'. And they did, of course, but that wasn't
why. Sabrina introduced him to Sachiko rather soon into his visit. Even then he
could tell her and Vaughn had a bit of a spark. But he hadn't really even
started thinking of her that way yet. She was just someone to discuss
literature with that wasn't Sabrina.
Sachiko was the sort of woman he read about in those books that he couldn't
honestly believe existed. Sure, he hoped, they all hoped, but they knew better
to some extent. But no, she was educated, genuinely fun to be around, caring,
and sweet. And oh, she was beautiful. He'd overheard Vaughn once, even that
boorish cowboy gushing over her eyes. They could agree on that much. He could
write poems about her eyes.
Sabrina wanted him to distract her...or something. She wanted him to start a
spark with Sachiko as well so she could continue to ogle Vaughn and possibly
get up the nerve to finally claim him, as it were. But, well, she didn't. And
he tried. No, Sachiko liked Vaughn, Vaughn liked Sachiko, and it was currently
history.
He drank the night that cur came to the dinner he was having with her and
actually swooped her away. Like Lancelot stole Guinevere from Arthur. Tristan
fell in love with Isolde and solidified her away from Mark. Paris and Helena...
Will had never felt that defeated.
Looking to her, he smiled. Just for her sake because he wasn't that type of
man. Yes, he had feelings. He adored her. But she was in a committed
relationship and no matter how much he desired, how much his feelings bloomed
every time he saw the way she smiled reading a book or talking with friends, he
was never going to damage that.
Though in that teeny place in a black hole in his heart that he didn't want,
he'd hope they'd break up so he could try again.
Will blinked as her eyes brightened at something that appeared ahead.
'Something', he thought. He didn't even have to look to know. God, he was mad
at Sabrina.
“Hey, baby!” she greeted, waving as Vaughn trotted in atop Thunder.
Lord of Ultra Surly Cowmen pulled Thunder's reigns, 'woahing', to bring him to
a stop. Patting the animal's neck for a second, he dismounted, taking off his
gloves. Will could only watch as she walked over to him, wrapping her arms
around his waist. He sulked as Vaughn kissed her forehead. He...had to leave...
“Don't get too huggy on me” Vaughn grumbled a bit, leering at Thunder, “Your
devil horse decided he wanted to buck me off into the dirt a few miles back.”
Thunder snorted and Sachiko laughed, nuzzling the horse's nose. “Don't be mean,
Thunder-chan.”
Perhaps a little surprised, Vaughn looked up and actually nodded in
acknowledgement at him. Used to be that he'd be outright jealous of Will...now,
he just was accepting and somehow that just pissed him off.
Sachiko turned to him and smiled that warm smile that just made him feel like
melting. “I'm going to try to finish this book up in a few days. We should have
tea over it.”
“It'd be my pleasure” he nodded.
Vaughn did give him a bit of a look on that. Yes, he supposed when it came to
things like that he did one up the fellow. Feeling mistakenly smug, he waved at
them, walking away to mope on his yacht a little bit or take Arthur for a ride.
Maybe the fresh air would clear these feelings...
Somehow he doubted it though. He wasn't used to being irritated with a maiden,
especially his own cousin.
...He also wasn't used to being so distraught over one either.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Plan “Fix This, Moron” was...in action.
Sachiko was beside him, curled into his side, as they watched television on her
couch. He'd fixed dinner, something she'd been a little nervous about. With
some irritation, he steamed some buns and spring rolls, a little fish...
“Try to woo her a bit. You know, impress her.”
“Oh, it's so yummy!” she'd expressed, startled, “I'm surprised, you just eat
so...simply.”
Yea, it took about a dozen tries to get it right. Denny never wanted to see
taro again. “Don't underestimate me, woman.”
She'd winked at him. They had cake and after he did the dishes, they were
snuggling on the couch.
“We don't do it on the couch though.”
“...Look, let's just consider it first, second, and potentially third base. And
possibly fourth if you want but you can always move to the bedroom, you're not
stuck there but it's a good place to leisurely turn on...her sex switch.”
Vaughn frowned. “...But...we can havesex on the couch?”
“...Yes, you can. You can generally have sex about anywhere.”
Huh, news to him. But here goes...
“Rub her shoulder? Why?”
“To start, Vaughn.”
He raised a brow at her before absently reaching out, rubbing her lower back.
While Denny said shoulder, she was always saying her lower back hurt from all
the work and excess sitting at Mirabelle's ranch. He wasn't really sure he
understood the rubbing part anyway.
She gazed at him, blinking, before resting her head against his side once more.
Well, that...didn't tell him a whole lot. Sucking his cheek quietly, he reached
down and rubbed her thigh over her sun dress. This seemed questionable, but...
He gawked as Denny showed him porn on a computer. The fellow smiled awkwardly
and shrugged. “Porn is so unrealistic, dude, but...I mean, it's just over
exaggerated. In essence, it's...sort of slightly correct.”
“I...I mean...what's...what's he doing to her...?”
“That's a little too advanced for you right now, buddy, as I said before. Let's
just say you can...indeed give Sachiko a version of her own treatment.”
WHAT? “Look, let's just get some basics down. And...try not to get turned on,
this is weird enough as is.”
Sachiko shot him another look, more questions in her green eyes. This was a
whole bunch of pressure right here, he thought, almost feeling anxious. No, no,
he...he could do this.
She giggled when he nipped at her ear. Luckily she'd done that to him so he
could at least just turn it around and not need...Denny's demonstration. “What
are you doing?” she mock-pouted at him.
“Nothing...” he drawled.
“Nothing indeed, mister” she smirked.
Pouting himself, he blushed as he leaned in, kissing her cheek. Man, this so
wasn't him. Nothing about this relationship was him. But...she was so soft.
Sachiko 'mm'd' as he kissed her, gentle at first. Denny said to spell out his
intentions clearly but, well, they ain't never went straight into it like that.
At least when she was in control so why should he?
She circled her arms around his waist. Oh dang. Nervous, he clenched her
stomach, near her...
“...Don't get angry or jealous or any other stupid emotion you'd feel for this
particular topic but...how have you not touched her boobs yet?!” Denny demanded
loudly.
“They're just lum—”
“NO. No, they are not. You WORSHIP every woman's body, you disgrace, but you
especially worship hers!”
Vaughn had to roll his eyes, leaning down to kiss her neck. Fine, tits. 'Don't
squeeze them too tight'. He reached out...casually and gave them a gentle
little...squench. She squeaked.
“Vaughn!”
“What?!” he yelped, alarmed.
She crossed her arms over the topic in question, giving him the sulkiest little
moue. He leered. “What? Do you not like me touchin' them?”
“You've never touched them before” she whined. “You just think they're lumps of
flesh.”
Vaughn bit his lower lip, gazing off. Damn his big mouth. “...That's
not...always true.”
“What?”
Damn it, Denny, how'd he get out of this one? “I...I thought I could...try to
appreciate them?”
Sachiko simply raised a brow and he reluctantly reached to unbutton whatever
support system she had going...
“...Don't you normally wear bras?” he demanded.
“It has a built-in one...usually they don't support me at all but this one does
fairly well.”
A bit flustered, he just tugged them down under the swell and she quickly
covered them. “H-hey--”
“I've seen 'em by now, woman, whatcha' gettin' all shy over?” he questioned
Sachiko seemed rather embarrassed for whatever reason. “B-because we don't
usually get undressed in the light and with you on top of me...”
Vaughn's brows furrowed. Sounded like a whole lot of worrying over nothing, he
thought before absently moving her arms aside to continue with his plans.
“A-ah” she rasped as he licked her nipple.
“Just...imagine you're licking something? Or...sucking something, I guess.”
He groaned and kind of trembled when she pushed herself up against his crotch.
It'd sounded sketchy at best but...she did seem to like it? Admittedly,
something about her little croons were sort of...turning him on too. Biting his
lip, he squirmed uncomfortably, jittery as he reached to undo his zipper. Felt
like it was pushing against his pants. Just what exactly was she doing to
him...?
Sachiko pushed him back, sitting upright as they had been before except sitting
face forward in his lap. His eyes widened some as she tugged her dress over her
head, just down to her underwear before putting him in the same state. No, no,
he was doing the work, he thought with a hiss as she started kissing him hotly.
About to shove her back down to continue his project, she reached down,
gripping him over his briefs. Lips parting, his eyes opening in a daze, he
shivered. But...she just did it so much better...
No! Not having skill was not going to be used against him, damn it. Feeling
awkward regardless, he gripped the side of those lacy panties she always seemed
to wear and dragged them off.
...He didn't want to exactly hurt her. He knew he wasn't exactly the softest
touch and some of those videos Denny showed him, they were being mighty rough.
All the same, he turned her over, her back to his chest, and continued the
kiss. Pleased with that rather fluid motion, he slipped his fingers down her
stomach. Sachiko inhaled softly, arching against his touch. He...honestly kind
of had to search out his target, he was a bit confused.
“Nn” she whispered, her hips gyrating as he ran his fingertips down her flesh.
She...she was getting excited? This was actually working?
Like...like damn, what was wrong with him? She...she wasn't touching him, why
was he getting excited? Swallowing as he moved to nibble her ear more, he
reached down, gripping himself in the vain chance of relieving the tension.
What? Why was his switch getting flipped too?
Sachiko bit her lip and suddenly pushed away from him. He almost thought he'd
lose his mind if she just decided she was tired right now, he wanted it that
bad. But...no? She was tugging him out, resuming her face forward position,
and...
Wait, they could do this? He gawked as she slid down on him, sitting up with
her arms around his shoulders. She moaned...riding him. In a tizzy, he
frantically reached up to clench her hips, to try to add on his own movements.
This was possible though?
“What's wrong, cowboy?” she rasped.
“N-nothing” he stammered, breathing out brokenly. “J-just didn't figure...or
thought about doing it in this position.”
His girlfriend smiled, giggling as she leaned in to breathe into his ear:
“There's a lot of positions I can show you.”
Vaughn grimaced, pretty...'turned on'. The meaning was getting clearer and
clearer as this continued. “S-Sachi. We...we ain't had sex in three
weeks...and...and was it...because I don't really...flip your switch?”
“You don't wha?”
“'Turn you on'” he rephrased. “Or...participate, I guess.”
She stared at him, still bucking her hips, surprised. “Sweetie, it wasn't
anything like that. I've just been so tired after work, I just haven't had the
energy to. I mean, I don't expect you to be a stud after a couple of weeks,
what gave you that idea?”
Stupid Denny, he didn't know nothing! Vaughn moaned, grabbing her ass in his
hands. Well...he couldn't actually say that, this was shockingly a lot better
when he was involved. “Nothin'...”
“Uh huh” she smirked, hugging his neck as she started rolling her hips a little
faster, “Mmph...but my poor cowboy-chan, you got all worried because you
weren't getting any. I'll make it up to you...”
“Don't tease me, woman” he managed to get out without losing it to the ecstasy.
It was interesting, the differences. Whatever happened, whether it be because
he touched her or something, she clenched up around him and it felt kind
of...nice. And the fact that she did seem to be pleased was good. He'd...he'd
wanted to make her happy. Also apparently she was willing to do something else
he figured was a thing which was to go for seconds.
...Well, that was one decent complication.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Will turned a glass of wine in his hands as he sat in Nick's bar, staring off
into space. It was a super late dusting of snow, Spring was already starting to
settle back in so the precipitation was almost unwelcome. Kind of like his
current feelings on things, he thought grimly.
Denny was beside him, drinking a beer, anxiously looking to the door before
shaking his head and taking another shaky sip. The fellow had been skittish all
evening but neither of them had exchanged any words. What was there really to
say?

Staring at his glass, surprised to find he had drank all the contents, he
nodded as Nick came back by with the bottle. The gent filled the glass once
more and went along his way. Normal bar fare, he assumed. Alas, Denny blinked
towards him, a distraction from his nervousness. “You're drinking a little more
than usual there...”
“...Ever feel like you just let something slip through your fingers? Like
sand?” Will mumbled almost to himself. “...Vaughn caught it.”
Denny stared at him for a moment before setting his drink down, wiping his lips
with the back of his hand. “...Can I tell you something, man to man?”
Will looked up, confused and frankly surprised by this request, before nodding
slowly. Denny nodded as well. “I want your cousin.”
“...Wha?”
“I don't mean want as in a possession. She's far from some object I want to
attain for no good reason. I want to be with her. I want to try and become
something to her. She brought you in to get Sachiko away from Vaughn, we both
know that. But no. I...needed him out of the picture. I apologize that it came
at your expense but unfortunately? I really, really don't want them breaking up
just yet.”
Feeling light-headed, Will gazed at him blankly before his eyes narrowed.
“...You all are playing a lot of games. Sabrina wanted to pair me with Sachiko
to keep her away from Vaughn and you wanted to pair Vaughn and Sachiko to get
Sabrina's mind off of Vaughn. Don't you realize you're both meddling?”
Denny smiled darkly. “Might be a sign.”
Will's eyes widened before he sighed, “...Godspeed, I guess...but don't be too
surprised if I don't take advantage of whatever situation arises from your
plots for them. If it was forced--”
“Are you kidding?” Denny snorted, “Forced? Force that idiot introvert into a
relationship? You give me far too much credit.”
Perplexed, Will tilted his head...true. Sabrina's plan failed on the mere fact
that she'd been ogling Vaughn for close to five years now and never got the
nerve to act on it. What did she expect when someone else showed up and they
shared a mutual intrigue with one another? Yes, Denny was right. Vaughn was
clueless on all social bounds, just flat out uncouth. But had the man wanted
Sabrina, he'd have pursued her. He very actively pursued Sachiko, a deviance
from who they knew him to be. Denny may have assisted, may have told him to
think over his feelings, but forcing? No...no, all the meddling and forcing in
the world wouldn't have moved the Lord of Surliness. It had just worked out to
hisfavor.
Didn't mean he had to like it one bit.
The door opened behind them. Denny glanced over his shoulder and a bit of scowl
marred his face, his brows furrowing. Will frowned at his expression before
looking back himself.
It was one of those things you thought you shouldn't find out occurred, like
your parents still having relations after your conception or incest
or...prostitution. There was something so bewilderingly disturbing about it one
would almost have to bleach their brain to be able to function. Vaughn was
grinning.
Denny's eyes narrowed sharply as the fellow swaggered in, dragging out a chair
beside the fisherman. Nick came by, paused, and stared at him with the
fascination of watching some strange anomaly as the cowboy gestured for beer,
the smile remaining.
Finally, Denny sucked his cheek as Nick wandered off in amazement, Vaughn
almost growing more gleeful. “So-o-o...I guess that...lesson we constructed
worked out, huh?”
Vaughn looked off, almost deliriously content. “You know you can do it sitting
up?”
“...I...”
“Oh, and that you can do it not once or twice or three times in a row, but
four? Fourtimes” he said with unabashed amazement.
Will groaned loudly, chugging the rest of his glass, as Denny just...looked at
the delighted herder as he continued to gush. “And you was wrong, you know? She
was just tired, Mirabelle been working her hard so she just didn't have the
energy for it. But it was mighty good regardless so it won't a waste. I'mma try
to convince her to let me try it but she also said she likes 'being on top'.”
NO. No, he did...he did not need that image, Will groaned in dismay, burying
his face in his hands. Denny just continued to gaze blankly at him before
smiling, tight and forced. “Well, isn't that just swell?”
“Isn't it?”
“I-is that all you want out of Sachiko?” Will snapped, slamming his glass down.
“B-because if you're just using her for sex now--”
Vaughn stared at him emptily for a minute. Will suspected he might get beat up
at last but he wouldn't back down. He...he wouldn't stand for such abuses.
Shocking him and Denny as they recoiled, Vaughn's smile returned as he closed
his eyes. “You should find you a girl, Will. I know Sachiko's probably still on
your mind but she's my girl.”
Ah yes, there was the Vaughn they knew, Will thought, as the cowboy's eyes
darkened. “And I'd neverusenobody, especially her.”
Will just couldn't have much of a response to that. What he'd suggested was
uncouth to begin with and he would have apologized had this not been his rival
in love. Looking away, partially at Denny, he wanted to express to the fellow
he had no chance. No, not because he wasn't a good guy or anything but because
he suffered from the same state as his infatuation: he wasn't doing anything
about it. Seems like he'd done more in getting his rival out of the way than
pursuing Sabrina. Had Denny not told him, Will wouldn't have even imagined that
was the case.
Ha. So they did have a lot in common, the zealous fisherman and the falsely
hopeful librarian. Vaughn actually smiled the most sincerest smile Will had
seen on any being as Sachiko meandered in, yawning and giving her boyfriend a
pout, remarking on something about him running off to get ramen at his
convenience. Vaughn just shrugged and pulled her next to him. Sabrina walked in
and gazed at them sadly...Denny invited her to sit between them. She obliged
but only because she had to if she wanted a place here.
...Where'd that...leave him exactly?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Television won't real. It was just a bunch of real folk acting like what they
was doing was real. He understood that much, of course.
Thing was, though it won't real, it was really showing stuff that real folk
would do. He'd been lying on the couch with Sachiko, both of them particularly
lazy after a long day of working, watching some sitcom as she napped. A guy
asked a woman on 'a date'.
Mm kay, so him and Sachiko went on dates. Went horseback riding or on walks or
to Nick's. As of late she'd been coming with him on his hauls and they'd have
sorta dates with them in the tent. They'd talk or play cards or board games
with dinner...and yea, sex, that was...that was fun.
But it seemed like he was, quite frankly, missing the ball, going off
television.
These people went dancing and out to nice restaurants and movies. Some went to
resorts or the beach and clubs. Sure, what they did was portrayed too but
he...did want to give her a little more.
Sitting atop Thunder, his arms crossed as he frowned out over the distance at
the spans of sparse land between him and the area of Wasuredani, he couldn't
help ponder. Should he take her to the city? That was a long ass trip. But
that'd be the best, she was from there and from what he could tell there were a
lot of 'date' things to do there. That just wasn't him though, those cramped
busy spaces with more people than should be legal nowhere...
...He wasn't really the type to go out of his way to try something different.
He'd lived at the orphanage in Okinawa for a while before leaving when he was
of age and coming here. Started as a barn hand then heard about the money to be
made shuffling livestock about from farm to farm and, well, here he was. Hadn't
really gone nowhere else.
Sucking his cheek, he looked at his watch. He was at least a good forty miles
from Sachiko, he expected to stop for the night since it was getting late. But
she'd be leaving early tomorrow to go back to her school. With a sigh, he gave
Thunder a gentle tap before moving him across the plains. Boy, he was being
crazy...for a woman?
Thunder could almost triple his speed if he noted they were getting closer to
Sachiko and Sparkles. Before Vaughn could really think about his pondering,
they were outside her door. She was outside, talking to...
Will wanted his woman. He won't usedto that, somebody pining after a
relationship he'd honestly bothered to build. Sachiko didn't act like she knew,
just treating the guy as her buddy. Which was fine...he could accept that,
but...
Sachiko looked up from the porch, sipping a cup of some warm beverage, before
smiling, surprised. “Baby? You're back so soon! I swear you were another day
out.”
“Why?” he snorted, “Carousing about without me?”
She pouted and punched his stomach lightly after he dismounted. “Don't be an
ass. I thought I wouldn't see you for a while.”
Vaughn wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her. She always felt so nice
for some reason, like it was relaxing to be hugging her. Sachiko rubbed his
back for a moment before pulling away...and turning back to him! Grr!
Alas, Will stood and smiled a little weirdly. “Well, I suppose I'll take my
leave then.”
“Ah, okay, dear!” Sachiko clasped her hands, “We're reading Absalom, Absalom!,
right?”
“Of course! We'll have tea over it when you get back. Have a nice home visit!”
Vaughn glanced at the guy as he just seemed to meander away. Swallowing, he
felt a little tightness in his chest. They still had...so much more in common,
like, damn. “...Won't...that David's son or somethin'?”
Sachiko frowned at him, petting Thunder's nose as the horse neighed lightly.
“Hmm? Oh! Yes, it was the son that David's army had to kill.”
Well, at least he won't completely lost. All the same. “'Dear'?”
“Dear?”
“That's...that's what you called Will.”
His girlfriend crossed her arms, wandering towards him, “It's a term of
endearment, Vaughn...you're not jealous, are you?”
“Of course I'm jealous!” he grunted, “My girl calling some other man
affectionate stuff, who wouldn't be?”
Sachiko just rolled her eyes, wandering towards the house. “It's not a big
deal, Vaughn. Why are you always so concerned about Will? He's just a good
friend and we like books. And that aside, what are you doing back so soon?”
A little frustrated, he entered the house with her, stuffing his hands in his
pockets. “...I...I wanted to surprise you.”
The smile returned to her face as she turned around, grasping his belt buckle,
“Well, that's sweet of you. Sure there wasn't something elseon your mind,
cowboy?”
He scoffed, flustering, “N-not particularly at this...second.”
Sachiko laughed and kissed his chin, “I'm teasing, you. I'm always happy to see
you...”
Scratching his ear, tilting his hat backwards, he cleared his throat. Okay,
here goes. Before Will came into the picture he had another goal in mind.
“I...I was wonderin' if...if maybe you'd, uh, lemme escort you to the city for
your home visit.”
Startled, she looked up at him in bewilderment. “You want to go to the city?”
“Well...sorta.”
Sachiko seemed thoughtful. “It's a little...not your style, baby. Lots of
people, crowded, loud...industrial...”
He sulked, “While I'm more than certain I will hate it, I was just wanting to
spend some time with you in a new place. I'm sure all our dates are stale now.”
“Not at all!” she gasped, pressing her fingertips to his chest as she gazed up
at him, “I love our dates.”
“If that's the case then...just humor me. I reckon I just wanna see your life
too a little. I know for a fact you don't live like this” he gestured the
simple little house she was residing in for the time being.
Smiling slowly, she nodded some. “That's...sort of true. But if you want, of
course I'd absolutely love to have your company, baby. And I'm actually glad it
worked out this way because...well, anyway, it'll be a short visit anyway.
Papa's away in France right now.”
Oh thank God. He won't ready to meet nobody's parents, 'specially hers. But she
squealed a little, “Oh, this is exciting though! I dunno how much you'll like
it though, it's very modern and the dating you're imagining is pretty modern
too...”
“I'll make it” he assured dryly before giving her another kiss. “I'mma go take
a shower, okay?”
“Okay. I'll make us dinner then we can crash. I'll have to leave early enough
to meet my teacher for a bit” she gushed, “Oh, and I should get an awesome
hotel since I don't have an apartment at the moment!”
He only watched as she rushed off, now in an excited tizzy. Shuffling his feet
a bit, Vaughn felt a little anxious now. Oh man, this was going to turn into a
complication, he could feel it.
...Thing was, when did those complications just start turning into bumps in the
road to work around?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
If he didn't take an anxiety pill before they arrived he knew he'd be curled up
in a corner by now.
Vaughn gazed, wide-eyed, as he rode the subway with Sachiko. At first he was
severely nauseous, the thing moving faster than sense called for. But Sachiko
had them move a bit and it got a little better. Still though...he anxiously
grappled her arm, closer in proximity to absolute strangers than he'd been to
her just a few months ago.
Course, she was hugging his waist, looking up at him with a pout. “I knew you'd
hate it...”
“W-whatever. I'm a man, I can take...people.”
Sachiko giggled and looked up when they, thankfully, came to a stop. “We can
get off here and just take a taxi to the mall then.”
Vaughn took a relaxed breath as they exited to be with a whole other group of
lots of people. How DID people tolerate this? Sachiko held his hand, ducking
and dodging like that sort of thing was natural. Well, as long as he had her...
He blinked at her as she excitedly dragged him store to store...naturally they
didn't have any sort of clothing store in Verdure, folks just kind of got
clothes from the general mercantile. Somehow he had to smirk as she pressed
things against him, talking about how the color would look nice on him.
Probably bothered her something silly. He didn't care, of course. And weirdly
she did note, after a moment of scanning the selections, with a giggle that he
looked best in what he always wore. Snorting, he shrugged and picked up one of
the dark blue shirts she'd been looking at. Thing was, he just ain't...ever
have choices, he reckoned. He wouldn't mind some new stuff...
To his utter horror, she told him to sit outside for a moment before rushing
off into some frilly pink store. At first he was quite disgruntled that she'd
do such a thing but staring at the place she ran into he might have to thank
her for the mercy...
Skipping out with a pink bag, she smiled broadly. “The rest of the night's all
yours, cowboy. What would you like to do?”
Vaughn hesitated. He didn't really know what was actually logical going off
television but... “The...the movies?”
“Oh! I haven't been to the movies in forever!”
Getting into a taxi, thankfully a place of solitude between him, her, and
whatever grungy man was driving it, they zoomed dangerously to a big behemoth
of a spot. He gaped at the large building, crowds of teenagers and adults
outside, talking in large groups. On the walls were glittering bright posters
of, well, he was guessing movies. Sachiko held the crook of his arm as they
perused the selections. All of it kinda looked the same to him, save for the
cartoons...
Oh...a guy and a horse in some action tale. “Oh, that's Kirk Kana. My Aunt Rosa
and Uncle Max love him.”
Well, seeing as he knew nothing about anything on this topic he just agreed and
hope it didn't bore him too crazy. Vaughn could've coughed up blood on how much
they spent on popcorn and soda and probably would have demanded 'what the hell
gold the stuff was made of?' if she ain't drag him off to the theater room...
It was weird, that was for sure. Had a whole lot of commercials for something
they paid a lung for. This was that good dating they talked about? Paying out
the mouth for so-called 'entertainment'? While he was prepared to voice this,
Sachiko curled into his side, resting her ear on his shoulder as she munched
the popcorn. Gazing down at her, he slowly reached for a bit of popcorn and
tossed it into his mouth...well, be damned, that was some mighty good popcorn.
For certain, the movie was pretty good. He could feel that actor was very
attached to his horse. Kind of made him jealous in a way, actually, considering
his turncoat steed. He squinted as the lights turned on after the credits were
done. Sachiko sat up and stretched, yawning. “That was really good! Did you
like it?”
“Won't bad.”
She smirked, rubbing her eyes, “I guess that's the best I'll get out of you.
What else did you have planned?”
“Well, since I had to fight a certain missy over the popcorn...” he remarked
dryly, pinching her side as she laughed, “I'm feelin' real hungry so let's grab
somethin' tuh eat.”
Sachiko clasped her hands, bright-eyed, “Tenshiya?”
About to demand just what the hell was that, he was able to catch himself with
the reminder that that was her daddy's pride and joy restaurant. Well...
“...Yea, I guess. So I can see what you always gushing over.”
She was delighted all the same which was about what he wanted. What he didn't
want was to walk like she had them doing, about ready to elbow somebody's face
off if they kept running into him. This was what she called home, huh? Kinda
made him question though how she came to be milking cows and riding horses when
she was in this concrete jungle...
“Sachi?”
Sachiko jumped, startled, before looking over her shoulder. He frowned, his
brows creasing as a group of people that looked very much like her appeared, a
man and two women. The guy with red eyes gave him a very weird look...jeez!
Didn't she say her dad was away? How'd they run into family in this huge place
anyway?
“Mama, what are you doing here? You didn't go with daddy to France?” Sachiko
addressed the woman with brown eyes.
...Mama? Vaughn stared, a little surprised, at Sachi's...mama. She was a short
little thing, almost shorter than Sachiko it seemed. They had the same face,
definitely, but not the same eyes. And he could certainly see where she got
that body from...but that won't good, ogling his girlfriend's mama. The woman
blinked, shaking her head, “I had to see to the gallery. Besides, he'll be back
soon regardless...”
“Who's your friend, Sachi?” the sole male finally spoke, crossing his arms.
Sachiko groaned. “Mama, Uncle Kei, Aunt Celi, this is my boyfriend, Vaughn
Blythe. Vaughn, this is my mommy, Yukina Kaede, her brother, Yagami Keiji, and
his wife, Celia.”
Oh Lord. “Pleasure.”
“So this is the Vaughn I've heard about” her mother smiled warmly, an
expression she'd clearly bestowed on her daughter. “Glad to finally meet you.
Sachiko's been reluctant to bring you around with her father and all.”
“Oh, well...” he drawled some.
“Ah! Were you going to take him to Tenshiya, Sachi? We just left there so there
should be some nice tables left” Kaede smiled, “We have to go home to see to
your grandfather, he's being sick and cranky.”
Sachiko frowned worriedly, “Grandpa Koji? Is he okay?”
“Oh, he'll be fine” Kaede waved a hand, “But you should come see him tomorrow
before you head back to Verdure. I'm sure it'd be a pick me up.”
“I will” she nodded resolutely.
Kaede nodded and bowed towards him, “Well, we'll take our leave. Nice to meet
you, Blythe-san! C'mon,Keiji.”
Her uncle scowled a bit and kissed the top of Sachiko's head. Her aunt
whispered something to her and they both giggled before the trio disappeared
into another crowd. Vaughn was a little confused...it won't actually THAT bad.
“Thought you'd say they'd pry something fierce?”
“Well, grandpa nor daddy are here so you'll be fine...” she sighed softly,
taking his hand. “Just hadn't expected to introduce you like this. And we'll
definitely have to bail out of here tomorrow, I'm more than certain Uncle Kei
will inform my papa and he'll jet engine back here at the next chance he gets.”
Vaughn sulked a bit, “Sounds like a whole lot of fussing over something that
ain't have a whole lot to do with them. You're a big girl.”
Sachiko laughed, having them stand behind some customers already waiting in the
wide lobby, a kind of silvery bright entry. “I know, right? But I dunno, it's a
papa and sometimes mama thing.”
Yea, that'd explain it. “I wouldn't say I'd have the little rascals but if I
had kids I wouldn't so much mind them having somebody.”
“It's not that they don't want me or any of the others to have someone...” she
drawled, “Just there's a lot of bad seeds out there, you know?”
“Well, am I a bad seed?”
She smiled that pretty little smile at him. “No.”
Kind of breathless, he looked down, sheepishly in thought as she brightly spoke
with the hostess. After a moment he found them seated in a private corner of
the restaurant next to each other. Yea, this was starting to look more like
television. Nervously, Vaughn picked up the menu and cocked a brow.
“This some mighty fancy stuff.”
“Don't worry, I'll order you something yummy” she assured.
Not so sure about that, he relaxed his arm behind her head on the nicely
leather padded boots. A waitress appeared and he cocked a brow as she ordered
him 'honey glazed spare ribs with Julienne potatoes' and a 'passionfruit
sangria' while ordering herself crab cakes with sriracha mayonnaise and her
trademark Cosmopolitan...but um. “Um, what?”
Sachiko giggled, kissing his jaw, “Trust me!”
Sighing with a quick eye roll, he just nodded. Yea, he was totally out of his
element. What was this fancy foreign stuff? He just wanted some damn ramen and
he was getting ritzy French-sounding food. But again, that's what she was
raised up on, won't it? They were just two different folks...
He listened to her chatter, inserting a few words when he had anything to
input. Recently Sabrina asked him when he was getting a fast lunch at Nick's
what he felt about that, that Sachiko had so much to tell him and didn't give
him much time to say nothing.
“...What I really have to say? I'm not that interesting, you know? She got lots
more stuff to talk about 'cause she's lots more interesting. She don't cut me
off, she'll listen to me talk when I got something to say about what she's
saying.”
She looked like she wanted to say something but thankfully Denny came and
invited her to tea at Haila's. He didn't really know why Sabrina asked so many
questions about him and Sachiko. She won't really a busybody before...
Straightening up when the waitress returned, he kind of gawked when she set
down a massive tray of ribs. When they ordered stuff on television, he almost
cried 'bs' just watching them eat them tiny ass plates. But won't the case
here, that was for sure. Swallowing as he was a bit intimidated now, Vaughn set
the white napkin in his lap and carefully picked up the outer fork. Television
had taught him some etiquette too.
Sachiko grinned. “Baby, we're alone over here. You don't have to eat your ribs
with a fork.”
Oh thank God. Setting them down, he ripped off a piece and had to keep himself
from ravenously tearing into it. Whatever, if it won't good...
Or...just absolutely unbelievably amazing.
Sachiko ate a corner of her crabcake with a fork, blinking at him, “You like
it, baby? The sauce is a little sweet, I just recalled...”
Vaughn found himself groaning. It was damn melting in his mouth. “It's...fine.”
“Are you sure?” she frowned, turning to apparently signal the waitress. “I can
get you something else.”
Vaughn leered, licking his lips before bumping her hip with his as she
squeaked, “I'll break somebody's arm if they take my plate, woman.”
She snickered, shaking her head, “I'm glad you like them then.”
Be damned, that girl's ranting about her daddy's restaurant's food was true. He
could sit here and order plates for an hour. Wiping his hands and lips of
barbecue, full satisfied but at the same time wanting to eat for the flavor, he
looked to Sachiko as she looked through a dessert menu. “...Eh, eff it, let's
get banana cake.”
That girl knew he hated dessert. But nope, ordered TWO plates of it meaning
he'd have to eat one, along with a 'macchiato'. Did nobody have nothing
Japanese around this place?
...What in the hell? Was this food spooked or something? There was no amount of
magic that should make him want seconds of damn cake. And the coffee was sweet
but he liked that too? Perturbed that he was liking stuff out of his comfort
zone, he scowled at her as she smiled. “Told you it was yummy.”
“Yea, yea” he grumbled, elbowing her and reaching for his wallet.
Sachiko shook her head, “We don't pay, baby. I'll leave a nice tip for the
waitress though.”
Vaughn raised a brow. So not only was the food delicious, it was free? Hell,
that was almost enough to hook him into putting up with all these folk. He'd be
fat though...
After Sachiko secured a tip, she took his hand and led him back onto the
street. Well, he...assumed it was a hotel she was going into. Looked like a
effin' castle to him but sure. They did that stuff bigger here, he'd found.
Vaughn gazed around in amazement at the giant gold lobby, watching bellhops
push luggage and stuff into giant elevators. Figured nothing like this existed
though...
Turning back to Sachiko, his brows furrowed when he found the guy at the front
desk ogling her as she signed something. Too bad he was too busy staring at her
chest to see the death glare he was giving him as it would soon lead to actual
death if he kept it up. Alas, Sachiko turned and smiled at him, taking his arm
and leading him to the elevator.
Vaughn glared at her as she pressed against him, pushing him against the wall.
“You know that guy was eying you? Eying your...ladies.”
“My ladies?” she cocked a brow with a smirk. “Well, sorry baby, it wasn't the
first and it won't be the last time. They're kinda noticeable, you know...?”
“I don't care if they were the size of beach balls, nobody should be staring
that hard.”
Sachiko sighed, kissing his neck playfully. “You're right, just...society
doesn't work that way.”
Before he could remark on society screwing itself, the doors opened. They were
on the second to highest floor which was apparently fifteen floors up. She led
him to one of the doors, sliding in a card, and...
It won't like the country side, with rolling hills of grass and sometimes wheat
or flowers. You could see for miles and miles the spacious landscape. He liked
that, yea....
It won't like he liked it here but from up here, he felt like he could see the
entire city. Miles and miles and miles of buildings lit up like candles. To a
country guy like him he didn't think it ever ended but he could see endless sea
nearby...
His eyes widened when Sachiko's arms wrapped around his waist, breaking him out
of his daze. “You've had a long day, baby. Why don't you take a shower and
we'll lie down?”
“U-uh, yea.”
Picking up his things, a simple satchel with a few changes of clothes, he
wandered to what he hoped was the bathroom. Damn, this hotel room was bigger
than his house, he noted as he closed the door. Facing the actual bathroom, he
found that may have been bigger than his house too. Vaughn gave in and...well,
he had to fool around for a second in here. All these buttons...
The water was nice. He had no idea he was so sore but setting the temperature
precisely, it made a world of difference. Now that was kinda nifty. His shower
at home had two settings: cold and slightly colder. Wrapping one of the towels
they provided around his waist, he meandered out. Sachiko was folding things,
humming, before she looked back at him. “You have fun in there?”
“Meh.”
She snickered and picked up her things, setting all the other articles on top
of their luggage. “Well, I'll be right back from 'meh' then.”
He watched after her, rubbing his hair with the towel before pulling on some
night clothing. Finally he looked at the bed...was that bigger than his house
too? Vaughn stared in utter astoundment, sitting on the edge slowly. It was so
soft too...he lied on his back and stared at the ceiling, basking in the
comforts as he listened to the shower run. Guess there was perks to
everything...
Jumping when he heard the sound of her phone's ringtone, he frowned and hunted
it out to turn it off. Finding the device on the nightstand, he picked it up.
'Denny'...? Glowering, he managed to figure out how to press 'send'. “Why you
calling her?”
“Because I was worried about you, assface! You just vanished without a damn
word! Maybe you need to consider a cell phone too!”
Vaughn sighed gravely, falling back to where he'd been lying previously. He'd
thought about it. Just seemed to be a hassle though...all the same, he did have
a girlfriend he couldn't really communicate with all the time. And... “Will you
stop calling her if I get a cell phone?”
“Vaughn, I do not want your girl.”
“Dunno, you said you wanted to touch her tits.”
“Wh-I-wh-wh-I never said anythingof the sort!”
“I do recall you did” Vaughn remarked solemnly.
“Well you recall wrong,pal. Where are you?”
“Hondo.”
“Wha?? You're in the city with her?”
“Yep” Vaughn yawned, turning on his side.
“Wow, that's...an intense step, bro. Have you met any of her folks?”
“Her mama, aunt, and uncle.”
“You've met her mother?”
Vaughn shrugged, “Yea.”
“Oh my God! What'd you say?”
“...Nothing, really.”
“Oh my God...”
Vaughn sulked, shutting his eyes. “I mean, she didn't really say much of
anything to me either!”
“Dude, you have to get in good with the parents! If you see her again tomorrow,
say something insightful if possible.”
That made Vaughn groan with dismay. Great, another reason to hate the city: he
had to impresspeople for no good reason. Why? Why should he impress them?
Sachiko was really the only thing that mattered, right...?
Vaughn opened his eyes when the door opened, about to demand if he really had
to say something to her ma tomorrow. He paused before a word got of his mouth
as she walked out, wearing a pair of them skimpy little...panty things and a
matching purple bra. She smiled, “Hi. Are you too tired?”
“...I gotta go.”
“Wait, Vaughn--”
Hanging up before Denny could finish whatever his thought was, he stood.
“I'm...not 'xactly too tired...”
“Oh really?” she purred as he got closer, wrapping his arms around her waist as
she hugged his neck, “Well, that's good then...because I heard it was a certain
someone's birthday and I thought we'd celebrate.”
He stared at her, confused. “Wha?”
“March 3rd? It's your birthday, right?”
...Well, be damned. It...was his birthday. Sachiko kissed him tenderly, “I was
going to have a nice dinner made for you when I got back. I felt so awful
having to do these stupid check-ins right on your birthday but I'm so glad you
came with me. Now I can treat you...”
Vaughn swallowed before giving her a faint smile. “...How'd you know it was my
birthday? I dumb forgot myself.”
“Mirabelle mentioned it. I was wondering why you didn't say anything though. Do
you not usually do anything on your birthday?”
“Not typically...”
Sachiko pouted, sucking his neck, “That's no good...”
Moaning, he wrapped his arms around her more. “...You gonna fix it for me?”
Her smile returned as she pulled away, leading him towards the bed. “I'll try.”
...Okay, fine. Her parents probably knew they had a special daughter and they
weren't going to just let any old somebody hook up with her if he won't going
to do her right. With Sachiko he could understand that...so...if...IF they met
up with her mother, he'd try to make a good impression. As long as her old man
won't here it sounded like it'd go fine.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Well, guess I can't say he looks like a yakuza thug.”
“Yea, you might instantly incline me to like him if you say that.”
Yagami Keiji smirked, his phone pressed to his ear as he sat in his office.
Celia was in bed and he was a little too wound up to join her. “It's just
so...surreal. It feels like I was just giving my baby sister away and now my
first niece...”
“You think it's THAT serious?” Steiner demanded. “I mean, Sachiko's dated
before, those weren't that serious. I can put up with not serious.”
“I'm just getting a vibe, I guess? Maybe I am overthinking it but they seemed
rather close somehow. Though he definitely reminds me a little of Chihaya.
Guess there's something about that tsundere type...”
“...Chihaya?” Steiner intoned quietly. “...Is he a combination of him and me?”
Keiji raised a brow, “...Sorta? At least somewhat appearance wise. He's got
white hair, as I was saying.”
“...Damn it” he huffed. “I guess I'll cut this trip short then. Try not to let
them leave, I want to meet this someone she 'just kind of knows'. Also I'm
about to call my lovely wife and demand why SHE wasn't the one to call me.”
“Well, she knows what's about to go down.”
Yea...at this point, it was just one of many of the family traditions. He
wondered though...Sachiko had rarely ever brought any of her beaus to Tenshiya.
And sure, she brought this guy when he wasn't there but still...
Ugh, he didn't want this yet. It felt like, in so many words, he'd had to let
one daughter 'go'. Now his Sachi...?
...Whoever he was, he better be damn close to perfect.
Vaughn Blythe murmured absently as he snuggled deeper into the downy sheets.
Yea, they definitely did beds better here, he won't sure he ever wanted to
move. But no... had to get up. Opening his eyes, he froze.
A woman maybe? A chick that wasn't Sachiko was staring at him, her chin propped
in her hand as she leaned on the bed. He sat up, alarmed, quickly covering his
nakedness and about to demand who the hell she was.
“Oh thank God. If his eyes were green this would just be too creepy, Sachi.”
“I mean, he kind oflooks like daddy but dad's got that Euroasian vibe going and
Vaughn's technically American. Right, baby?”
He scowled, leering towards Sachiko whom was already dressed and apparently
cooking something in the kitchen. “What the hell's going on?”
Whoever the stranger was stood up straight...and he was almost disturbed
because he was expecting a lot more of her, it looked like she was all of five
feet tall. She was completely washed out, white long hair and pale fair skin,
even wearing one of them sundresses Sachiko wore a lot with pink flower prints.
About to leer into her face, he was able to solve the mystery. Those eyes.
“I'm guessing you're her sister.”
Sachiko giggled, holding her shoulders, “Yea, this is my baby sister, Felicie.
She just swung by for a second. Felicie, this is my grumbly cowboy, Vaughn.”
Trying not to grumble, he rubbed the back of his head, “...Pleasure.”
“Same” Felicie nodded.
“Come to the balcony with me, Felicie, so Vaughn can get himself situated”
Sachiko remarked, carrying a silver tea set.
Felicie sighed, rolling her eyes, “I am so uninterested in men's junk right
now, Sachi, you have NO idea.”
Laughing, Sachiko reached out...and, shocking him once again, rubbed against
her semi-plump belly. Wait, what?? How old was she?! “Are you sure you should
be moving around though, baby doll? I heard it's been very tough for you.”
“Ugh, I have to move sometime. Besides, I had to get out of Mineral for a
second, they're all hounding on me.”
“I know” Sachiko pouted affectionately, petting her hair, “C'mon, I'll make you
some hot chocolate.”
The two siblings chattered as they walked onto the balcony...Vaughn stared
after them, very puzzled. He was a trifle bit jealous though...standing, still
a little shy despite them facing away from the window, he covered his bits and
scurried towards the bathroom after snatching up the new bag of clothes. He
tried not to think about it because if anything caused him insurmountable pain
it was thinking about Emme.
She would have been a real pretty girl, he knew that much. She was blonde like
their mother with real big amethyst eyes. She might've been fifteen or sixteen
now, raising hell. Maybe he wouldhave had to try to chase impressionable boys
away.
Things would have been so different. He couldn't live like this if he had to
take care of his little sister. He'd have tried to have a stable home for them
by now, made sure she at least got schooling. He would've known how to be an
affectionate person...swallowing, wiping the suds of soap away, he shook his
head. He...he didn't like thinking about Emme.
A little depressed after a pretty amazing 'celebration' last night, he wandered
out. Sachiko was carrying a nice big bowl of porridge with an omelet. Smiling
despite himself, he tilted his head. “That for me?”
“Of course. It's still your birthday” she smiled back, standing on her toes to
kiss him sweetly.
Kissing back, he followed her out onto the balcony where Felicie was sitting,
eating heartily. “I'm glad your appetite is better, baby doll, you were always
such a dainty eater.”
“I'm just fat and preggos” Felicie huffed, taking a heavy sip of her orange
juice.
...HOW OLD WAS SHE? Vaughn stared wordlessly, just wondering if she were
extra...petite? Was that that word? Bewildered, he started eating the porridge.
Mm, it was all falling into place now why she cooked so nice. Licking his
spoon, he blinked absently. “...Think we can go to your old man's place 'fore
we head back to Verdure?”
Felicie laughed. “You guys have been here all of a day and you've already got
him hooked?”
“Daddy's is the best” Sachiko grinned, “But definitely, baby. The lunch menu's
really good too.”
He ain't know about all that, he was okay just with the ribs. Listening to the
girls chatter, he was getting a little conscious as he heard that Sachiko was
going to escort her sister to her mom's gallery or something. He supposed he
should call Denny back for advice first...
Packing up their things, just barely making something called 'checkout', Vaughn
just noted what she was wearing on the way out. The top was some blue and black
striped thing with her back all showing in a scoop with a tight mini skirt. Her
tattoo was showing off...and her sister had a matching one on the opposite
side. Mm...
Sachiko held his hand as they climbed into a tiny car...honestly he was a
little shocked Sachiko could drive, pulling out into the insane traffic like a
pro. All the same... “Where'd we get a car?”
“Well, mama will let Felicie drive short distances so she drove over from the
gallery...”
Ugh! “Um...can I use your phone for a sec?”
His girlfriend frowned, confused, “Uh, sure.”
Felicie handed the phone back to him and he called Denny...but damn, no answer.
Meaning...he'd have to wing this and he had no confidence in winging social
interactions. Kneading his fingers, they stopped outside of a brick building
with a few available spaces. Sachiko pulled into the back where one was labeled
'Yukina Kaede'. It just struck him really, really hard but they must've been
some kind of rich.
In agony, he tried to set his mind straight as they headed towards the door.
Fine, her mama seemed nice enough. He'd just trade a few words, say he was glad
to be involved with their daughter...that was fine, right? Hell, he could deal
with that.
“...Daddy?”
Vaughn's eyes widened, staring at a man leaning against a marble counter near
Kaede's mama, his arms crossed. He had white hair too, probably what Felicie
was talking about when she was assessing him in his sleep. Thing was, he could
see exactly why Skye was so tall now, the guy was a damn behemoth. And...he'd
given his children his eyes.
Yukina Steiner or something gave a tight smile, standing up straight though his
arms were still crossed. “You sound surprised, Sachi.”
“Well, I guess I shouldn't be” she huffed, pouting towards her mother who was
sitting on a stool, painting. “Why didn't you yell at Uncle Keiji not to
squeal?”
“Like it'd have worked” Kaede snorted.
“Sweet mother of Jesus, I CALLED it.”
Oh God, there were more of them. Of course, Vaughn almost did a double take
when the owner of the voice appeared with...his double. He ain't never actually
seen twins in real life before. Sachiko's face was melting into dread. “You
too, Grandpa? Uncle Nelly?”
Grandpa? The paler of the two yawned, waving a hand, “We're just swinging by
curiously, is all...don't you worry, princess, grandpa's too fatigued for
mayhem.”
Sachiko smirked, “I guess I'll be grateful for that...but fine. This is Vaughn
Blythe, my boyfriend. Vaughn, this is Yagami Koji, my grandpa, and his twin
brother, Nerimaru...also known as Nelly. And this is my papa, Yukina Steiner.”
“...Uh, pleasure.”
Felicie quietly wandered around Steiner to stand by her mother, whispering
something to her. Kaede smiled and kissed her temple. “Papa, will you be
heading back soon? Feli's a little sleepy.”
“Of course. Come on, baby doll, grandpa will get you some ice-cream on the way”
Koji responded, holding out his arm, the tiny lady waddling over to him.
Vaughn wasn't sure what was going on but Steiner glanced towards her before
looking away as they left, the girl waving...huh. He glanced towards
Sachiko...and was surprised his usually very gleeful girly looked
rather...angry.
The mama stood suddenly, “Um, Blythe-san, why don't you come for a little walk
with me!”
Unsure whythat actually seemed like a good idea, staring at Sachiko wide-eyed,
he nodded and let the woman take his arm and drag him towards the back. She
sighed, rubbing her neck. “...I'm not sure Sachiko would want you to see that.”
“...Don't...really seem like she was going to be her pleasant self.”
The older woman laughed wistfully, “Not at all. Not that I can blame her, he's
being ridiculous.”
Sachiko's mother sat, gesturing for him to do the same. Oh God, this. Sitting
awkwardly, he twiddled his fingers, awaiting some kind of lecture. He ain't
never been lectured 'cept by the folk running the orphanage for being such a
cold child. Whatever...
“Sachi talks about you all the time. I feel like I know quite a bit about you
already” she said, resting her chin on top of her raised hands. “She's very
taken with you.”
He flustered. Oh? “...I, uh, didn't really figure...”
“Why is that?”
“...Well, guess nobody's really been taken with me before...she's just a
busybody.”
Oh damn! He was supposed to talk nice about her! But Kaede actually laughed,
“Yea, a little bit. She has a bit of a savior complex. It's a Yagami trait if
anything.”
“I-I mean, I...I do really like her though. Ya'll...ya'll raised a caring
daughter. I'm...I'm not so much...used to that.”
She stared at him and he figured he said something right stupid and was almost
prepared to flee back into whatever tirade Sachiko was busy with. Alas, the
woman smiled warmly. “I'm glad. But you know, she's not without her flaws.”
Somehow he won't expecting her parents to badmouth her to him. In fact, he
kinda...bristled. “How so?”
“Sometimes, when she needs to be the most, she's not very assertive. Don't let
her be wishy-washy with you, Blythe-san. She's just...very quick to think of
others when it's not always the best thing.”
Vaughn considered that and had to nod. Her running out to save Thunder at her
own expense, running off to be with Will when she thought she'd made him too
uncomfortable and won't interested, and the sex thing... “True. Just hope it
don't come up too much.”
“Oh, hopefully” Kaede replied off-hand, before smiling again. “I was a little
worried though, honestly. Sometimes the way she described you, you seemed like
a bristly type.”
“Guess I sorta am, ma'am.”
Kaede chuckled, “Well, that's fine, as long as you acknowledge it to some
extent...”
Leaning forward, she tilted her head, “She's my first baby, you know? Steiner
and I lost a child before we had Sachiko so she's very special to us. Well, all
of our children are but she's the first niece, first grandchild...all our kids
are first in our hearts. I know it sounds ridiculous, the interrogation, but
it'll always be because we care too much.”
“I...understand. She's...she's special...I...I figured that out early” he
managed to breathe out softly.
Before Kaede could respond, the door swung open and Sachiko burst in. Her face
was red and she looked close to tears. What? Kaede frowned, “Sweetie--”
“I-I'll call you later, mama” she sputtered, “L-let's go back to Verdure,
Vaughn.”
“...Okay.”
Standing, he slowly bowed to her. “...It was a pleasure meeting you, ma'am.”
“Same, Blythe-san. I do hope to see you in the future” Kaede smiled some,
returning the gesture.
Vaughn allowed Sachiko to grab his arm and drag him out, wanting to question
why she was so flustered. When they entered back into the room they'd been
previously, Steiner was nowhere to be found. Weird. Didn't he just come back to
make sure he won't some kind of miscreant?
He halted her manic escape, grasping her hip gently and pulling her to face
him. She was starting to heave and choke, tears escaping her eyes. Hmm. Hugging
her tightly, Vaughn kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. “Don't be
getting so worked up, girly. Here I was thinking you was gonna introduce me to
your old man and you getting into fights with him.”
“H-he's such a j-jerk” she choked.
“So am I” he assured, “Just seems to be the men in your life. Poor thing.”
She laughed shakily, clutching his shirt, “M-maybe. You're...you're not so bad.
Th-thanks for coming with me. I'm sorry we'll have to miss your rib visit.”
“What? You ain't going to bring me back again?”
Biting her lip, stilling the trembling, she nodded rapidly, “I'd-I'd love to
bring you back.”
“Good” he nodded firmly, “...Maybe next time your daddy won't be a jerk...and
neither will I...somewhat. Then I'll prove I'm not some ass off the street
trying to cozy up to his girl.”
She smiled softly, rubbing her eyes, “You-you're perfect as is.”
“Don't even lie, woman. Ain't nothing about me perfect” he scoffed, grabbing
their luggage out of the car, “...But I...I figure I don't gotta be as long as
I try.”
Sachiko curled into his side as they wandered up the street towards the ferry
station. “...Don't worry, Vaughn Blythe. You're actually a lot for a girl to
live up to as well.”
He looked down at her, surprised, before flustering a little, tilting his hat
down and grumbling incoherently. This...this won't even just complicated
anymore...
This...this was something else entirely now.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
End Notes:
The Sun Also Rises is by Hemingway.
Absalom, Absalom! is by William Faulkner.
Will mentions some people from various literature I don't own either XP
Wasuredani is where Lay With Me takes place so I guess Verdure is a little
nearby?
Sachiko mentions that her Aunt Rosa and Uncle Max love the actor “Kirk Kana”
who apparently bonds very well with his horse. Note that this may seem random
but was involved in a chapter of Yume where Max and Rosa made an after work
'date' to watch a movie with Kirk in it XD
The “yakuza” thing is a shout out to Yuki where Keiji claims that Steiner looks
like a yakuza thug for his white hair upon initially meeting his sister's first
boyfriend.
It's a spoiler that's already sort of been spoiled a while back but it was in
Jewel in the Rough (Chapter 14), I do believe, what Nelly's talking about when
they see Vaughn.
***** Wicked Game *****
Chapter Summary
     Man, those Author's Notes
Chapter 7: Wicked Game
Author's Note: Uh, nothing really to say except it's been a long while. I've
been editing Lessons in Life over on AO3 and lemme tell you, that biotch needed
some work. It's sad, really.
I'm going to be posting Chika's short soon just because I love it and it's been
on my mind. It's got a bit of an 'all-star cast', if you will. Probably one of
my first fics where nearly everyone's from the same game. I'll try to have that
up in the next three days.
So this is going to feel rushed because I really can't see much of a bridge.
Like it really happens without any in between exactly like this in my brain
drafts. The next chapter will be longer and we're nearing “the end” in two to
three chapters. There is smut in there so beware.
Enjoy!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Denny Walker had been so excited. Sabrina called him in the afternoon and asked
him to escort her somewhere. 'Finally', he'd thought.
He hadn't been the one to notice Vaughn's absence. She put together all the
blanks that he wasn't on a run, being that Thunder was there and he wasn't in
one of the four places he went. His house was empty and even Mirabelle reported
he'd completed the order. Sabrina had gushed that he was missing. Denny hadn't
believed her but realized if anyone could fall off the map and be dead
somewhere without anyone noticing initially it was Vaughn.
Luckily he had a girlfriend that kept up with at least base technology so he
called her and Vaughn answered. Denny was shocked that he'd gone on a bit of a
vacation with her into the city of all places. Man, that was getting serious
and he gladly told Sabrina that. Of course she was crushed. He asked her to go
for a walk with him to get it all out...
And...and they talked. They hadn't really talked since they were small children
and...and he did enjoy it. She was such a vivid person. Once she got out of her
funk about Vaughn being off with Sachiko, she told him about the library and
her books and going places with her father. He nodded and told her how much he
liked traveling on the boat to new lands sometimes. He got to see some pretty
neat stuff at sea. He'd almost froze when she looked up to him and smiled.
What...? “What do you think of Sachiko?”
“Uh, she's a pretty girl. I'm glad she's making my buddy happy.”
“Mm.”
So yea, that was the only mention and they just chatted. He was happy he'd
finally made a little progress. He thought he was making substantial progress
when she asked him out.
If only that had been the case.
Sabrina was wearing a black sweater and a gray dress, probably her stealth
gear. Denny was just idly following her, miserable. Somehow, somehow,she came
to the spectacular conclusion he was into Sachiko and was just accepting it for
Vaughn's sake. Where she came up with this evidence, he had no idea, but he
could only imagine it was due to her own goals. Now? They were going to watch
the two in action so they could learn to properly infiltrate the couple.
Ugh.
“Sabrina, I have to say...stalking's not exactly legal.”
“E-eh! We're not stalking; we're observing!” she protested, turning to him,
“Don't you want Yukina-san?”
Denny rolled his eyes, “No, I don't.”
“You don't have to deny it, Walker-san. It's noble of you to accept it for
Blythe-san's sake but--”
Ugh . Prepared to leave just on principle, he looked up at the couple. They
were outside Sachiko's house, gazing into her open windows, so they could
already be arrested for that. Vaughn and Sachiko were eating and talking at the
table. All they could really see were their gestures so he wasn't sure what
insight there was to even attain. All the same, Sabrina said there was a piece
of information she 'had to confirm'. Ugh.
After an hour of dinner and conversation, they went to snuggle up on the couch.
The only thing he was confirming at present was Vaughn was definitely lucky.
And, well, he did look happy. That was the most shocking point of any of this.
Denny figured there was chemistry, that they'd get along, but for Vaughn to
actually be...happy?
When they returned from the city about a week ago, they were so...cuddly? If
Denny imagined anything riling the cowboy up it'd be him having to visit the
urban jungle. But no, asking him when he finally parted from his beloved at
Nick's, Vaughn shrugged. “Wouldn't make it a habit but won't too bad. Too many
people but guess in the end it won't about that.”
So it was about Sachiko, huh? Worked for him. Now he just had to convince the
source of his interest to stop finding people to snatch Sachiko away and just
accept that maybe Vaughn was in a happy relationship. Watching them wasn't
going to cue them into anything.
Prepared to just give up on this attempt, he jumped when Sabrina grabbed his
arm, her eyes narrowed. He frowned at her before looking through the curtains.
...Oh no.
Going almost numb, he watched in shock as the two started kissing pretty
passionately. Vaughn had certainly amended his ways, reaching up Sachiko's
shirt and removing her bra. Denny flustered, quickly ducking down when the
cowboy started stripping off her shirt. Yea, that might have been too much of a
betrayal, him...staring in a window and ogling his friend's girlfriend's
impressive chest.
Sabrina stared on heavily until the lights went out. To his horror, she
actually tried to peer into Sachiko's bedroom where they apparently moved.
Okay, this was too much. First off, an ultra serious violation of privacy.
Second, he kind of...didn't want her to see Vaughn's junk.
Thankfully she gave up, crossing her arms as they finally departed. The woman
seemed to be deliberating before nodding heartily. “It's the sex.”
Denny stared at her, bewildered. “What?”
“That's how she keeps his attention!”
Oh lord. Denny shook his head, “Sabrina, Vaughn didn't really even want to.
Sachiko had to coax him into it and now they're enjoying the intimacy.”
“So she forced him?”
Yea, he was done. Not sure why everything had to be construed into something
bad like that, Denny shrugged again awkwardly. “I...don't know. Let me walk you
home, Sabrina.”
“Alright” she frowned, gazing at him before looking straight ahead. “Thank you
for escorting me. Why don't you come in and have tea before you head home?”
Denny looked up, wide-eyed. “...Uh, sure.”
This was on difficulty mode extremebut he could still make this work. All he
had to do was get away from trying to sabotage Sachiko and Vaughn's
relationship.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“I'll definitely prove there's no substance to their relationship!”
Kill him now.
Day, oh, three of this forsaken mission, Denny groaned, dragging himself up the
street in the late noon towards Sachiko's place. Vaughn had been at Nick's
before Sachiko called him on the cell phone she got him. Shockingly he was
doing a lot better with it than Denny thought. Not to mention he was actually
using it. Currently he was playing retro games like Angry Birds and Denny heard
him often on lunch break cursing 'them damn pigs'.
Well, after Sachiko's call, he disappeared and Sabrina got really upset. Of
course. Finally, she came to the natural conclusion to follow them, to prove
'to him' they were just in it for the hardcore banging. Mr. Oblivious told him
and Will recently while they were having a beer, Sabrina shyly toddling in,
that he was 'riding Sachiko from behind' and accidentally got her hair caught
up in his arm or something and that she... liked it. Of course Vaughn was just
questioning the logic behind such things but Will almost died and frankly, so
did he. Sabrina had just been appalled. Hearing it only aided her theory.
Ugh. Why couldn't she just let them be? She'd drive this until she either
'proved' it or something else came up. Personally he hoped they were getting it
on. It was neither their business nor was it an issue. This was just silly.
Alas...
“'Dis...dis sunnuva bitch is...is spooked” Vaughn slurred.
Sachiko laughed, shaking her head as she took another shot. This was his fault,
really. He said it was a disgrace he couldn't hold his liquor like his
girlfriend after she invited him over to go riding with her. They went on a
quick ride and came back here. While she wasn't in a drinking mood and thought
it strange he wanted to, she figured she'd suggest something insane like Jenga
with booze. He went with it and, sure enough, no matter how many blocks they
pulled from the bottom, it would not fall. It was about two blocks away from
hovering.
Vaughn swayed, squinting into the bottom of his glass. “I swear if this thing
don't fall...”
Sachiko nodded in agreement, pouring herself and him a shot of the rum before
very casually and actually pretty roughly jerking out a prominent portion of
the base of the tower. She squealed when it just bounced a little but did not
tumble. Vaughn gestured towards it. “We dun found the Antichrist.”
She laughed heavily, clinking her shot to his and taking it down the hatch.
Shaking her head, she whistled. “Yea, we might have to let this one win. I'd
have never thought this could possibly be a hardcore drinking game.”
Vaughn batted the tower over with his hand, leering. “Take 'dat, Satan.”
Laughing again, she stood, a little wobbly, “Well, let me go get a hangover mix
going because we'll definitely need it. I can't imagine having a hangover in a
tent for three days.”
Vaughn stood and hugged her waist, kissing the back of her head. “Hey, Sachi?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
He closed his eyes, resting his head on top of her head. “It was Emmeline's
birthday today.”
Sachiko's eyes widened as he pulled away, teetering a bit, “Wan-wanna see a
picture of her?”
“Of course. I'd love to.”
Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew his wallet and opened it. Out of a hidden
pocket, he pulled a frayed picture and showed it to her. She gasped softly, the
image not only of a tiny blonde baby girl but of child Vaughn. They were
sitting in a lawn chair and, despite them being adorable, one of the most
notable things about the picture was how absolutely miserable they seemed.
Vaughn hiccupped, replacing the picture and stumbling over to the couch. “We
was at one of my aunt's bonfires all damn day. I remember every last one of 'em
being drunk as they could possibly get, bunch a' kegs and liquor everywhere.
One of 'em took our picture and they sent it to me when I was at the orphanage.
Only picture I have of her.”
Sachiko stared at him in disbelief before sitting beside him. He curled into
her side, resting his head on her shoulder. She swallowed, rubbing his knee.
“Vaughn, I...I don't really understand why you have family and no one took you
in. Not only that, they left you in a country you have no ties to.”
Vaughn shrugged, infuriatingly calm about something that honestly angered her
quite a bit. A five-year-old boy's entire family is killed in a car accident
while he has grandparents, aunts, and uncles thousands of miles away and they'd
never even come to see him? “Not everybody's family quite as close as yours is,
Sachiko.”
“I know” she mumbled, “But just...just common decency.”
“They don't know nothing 'bout that” he assured, “Don't worry about it.”
Growing irritated, she calmed when he kissed her softly. “Don't get yourself
all tied up in knots over 'dem. I can't imagine I'd a' done well in Wisconsin
either, growing up with 'dem being downright negligent. I'd a' just been them.”
Startled, she sighed after a moment of considering that. “...Perhaps.”
Standing up, relaxing him back against the pillow, she kissed his forehead.
“I'll make us some soup and the hangover potion then we can go snuggle in bed
and watch a movie. Sound good?”
“Maybeh. If I don't go intuh a coma sleep” he groaned, covering his eyes before
standing. “Nah, lemme come sit up with you or I won't be waking up until we
leave tomorrow.”
Before she could remark, there was a knock at the door. Sachiko frowned. Who
could that be? Vaughn gave her a rather sweet kiss on the lips and used her to
push himself off towards the door. “You go get that potion brewing, woman. I
can tell I'mma need it real bad.”
“Okay” she chuckled.
Deciding egg drop soup was probably a yummy idea, she went to the fridge to
remove eggs first before getting some ingredients for the 'family' recipe of
the anti-hangover mix. Apparently her grandpa and Great-Uncle Nelly had
perfected it.
“What the hell do you want?”
Sachiko squinted, looking up when she heard Vaughn utter those words. Really,
she shouldn't let him answer the door drunk orsober. Sighing, she walked back
towards the entry to see who it was and apologize to them.
Denny and Sabrina though? With a frown she came to Vaughn's side as he leered
at their company. “Hey guys, what's up?”
Denny quickly smiled, Sabrina twiddling her fingers, “Uh, just seeing what you
two are up to. I hope we're not interrupting.”
“We're eating then snugglin', you, so get lost” Vaughn pointed shakily,
teetering a bit.
“Vaughn, be nice” she pouted, pinching the surly cowboy's side before smiling
at them, “We are going to be eating soon so why don't you join us?”
Denny opened his mouth but Sabrina blurted, “I-if it's not too much trouble!”
“Jezus” Vaughn grumbled, walking away to sit on the couch, “Might as well
invite golden boy too since it's gonna be a damn party now.”
“Vaughn, you shouldn't be so rude” Sachiko scolded with a pout.
Sabrina laughed shyly, “I-it's okay, we are the ones intruding but, um, we
wanted to make a request.”
Sachiko blinked, Denny also giving her a bewildered look. “Oh really? What's
that?”
“U-uh, we can discuss it at dinner! Shall I help you?”
“Oh, it's okay. You two can have a seat. I'm sure Vaughn will open up to
nicerconversation, won't you, cowboy?” she called expectantly.
Vaughn simply grumbled and she smiled, shaking her head as she made her way
back to the kitchen. “Dinner will be out in a jiffy!”
Returning to her task, she frowned, glancing over her shoulder as she heard the
hum of talking in the other room. She was hesitant to point it out whereas
usually she wouldn't be. It happened all the time in her past and present and
each time she was more than happy to address it. This time though she didn't
really know if she believed it was the case or not but if she didn't know any
better, Sabrina was trying to intercept her and Vaughn.
Thing was, she really was a nice girl. She worked at the library and she would
always have little readings for the kids on the island and organized
environmental events to keep the area clean. Sachiko was always aware, alas,
that the girl liked Vaughn. Hell, Sabrina tried interfering the day they hooked
up but she really did just expect her to kind of bow out gracefully.
Vaughn was oblivious. 'I ain't never known her to be a busybody like this
before' was about the extent of what he recognized of the matter. Pursing her
lips as she adjusted the ingredients to accommodate their larger party, she
wondered what he'd do if she told him that the librarian actually liked him but
was too passive to admit it.
Maybe he'd flounder a bit. Their natures did complement each other a little
better. She knew things about her confounded her boyfriend, things that,
frankly, at least to her, were pretty normal. Like having a few different
outfits or not eating ramen and porridge everyday. While she would admit that
these factors about himwere rather complexing, she just recognized that was who
he was and he'd seemed to recognize that was just who she was. Thing was,
compared to Sabrina, who better complemented him?
Sachiko squeaked, startled out of her thoughts when arms wrapped around her
waist. Vaughn kissed the nape of her neck, grunting, “What you so jumpy for?”
“You just surprised me” she pouted.
“Mm hmm. Well, I just thought uh' something. Think you can make me something?”
Sachiko smirked at him, “Ramen?”

“No”, he actually made a face, “Gyudon.”
“Why, my sweet cowboy, are you telling me you have other loves outside of ramen
and porridge? Here I was thinking you were just a two dish man” she teased.
She giggled as he tickled her sides, “I like food, woman. And you are taking me
back to your old man's place for them ribs since I missed 'em.”
“Will do” she smiled, “And I'll try to see if I can make you some gyudon. I
think I have beef left.”
She'd never know what it was about the fellow but where some of her old
boyfriends might gush 'you're the best' or 'knew I liked you for a reason',
he'd just squeeze her a little tighter and silently go on about his business.
That was perfectly fine though, she didn't really need to hear that but it
was...special he could depict it without uttering a sound.
Going back into the refrigerator to find some beef, she gnawed her lip.
Funny...was she getting serious?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Damned torture, that's what this was.
Vaughn Blythe swallowed as he laid in the sleeping bag close to Sachiko, her
back facing him. What in the hell was wrong with Denny and Sabrina? Who told
them they wanted to make this some little friendly thing where they could come
on his trips too?
Ugh, God, once the liquor started dragging him down and telling him 'go the
hell to sleep before I make you black out right here', he demanded what they
wanted so they could leave after dinner. Sabrina was beating around that bush
like she expected a snake to spring out so he finally just snapped that
whatever it was, 'yes'. Be damned if it won't inviting her and Denny on the
trail with them.
They were like a half-turn away from him, Denny in one sleeping bag and Sabrina
in the other. He ain't like snuggling up with nobody but his woman and here he
was a breath from cuddling Denny. Damn it! But that won't the real torture.
It'd...been a couple days.
Sachiko smelled so good. He ain't know much about that flowery frou frou junk,
he couldn't pinpoint what it was but it was mighty nice. Swallowing slowly, he
started to suck his cheek, leaning in closer to her body. She had on those damn
little panties, he just knew it. The pink ones with some negligent amount of
lacy see through fabric. Gnawing on his lip, looking over to Denny who was
snoring along with Sabrina, he whispered: “Sachi, you 'sleep?”
Vaughn breathed out when she shook her head 'no'. Licking his lips, he got
closer, flush against her curvy body. “I...I can't take it.”
She'd probably say just how uncouth it was and under all other circumstances he
mightagree. Nah, he was unraveling at the seam. Hooking his thumbs in the band
of her pajama pants, he tugged them down, careful to keep the rustling and
movement to a minimum. As he expected, she rasped softly, “Vaughn--”
Well, if they won't the pink ones they was another pair he liked her in.
Sachiko inhaled sharply as he ran his finger down the fold of flesh, arching
into his touch. He didn't know a helluva lot on this topic or what 'sexy' was
but to him it was Sachiko and the way she reacted to him. Peering over her
shoulder, seeing their guests hadn't woken up, he started nipping her ear,
rubbing his fingertips across her sex. He could feel her heart racing, her lips
pursed tightly as she thrust her hips.
Vaughn was startled and very confused when she took his hand and covered her
mouth with it. What? He won't trying to suffocate her, why? Alas, she slid her
free hand down to his administering one and guided his fingers...oh. Ohhh.
Biting his lower lip, he nodded and pumped his fingers inside of her. A few
months back he'd been concerned about his 'abilities' as she was screaming
mighty loudly and he won't sure if that was a good or bad thing. She'd told him
thoughtfully that, well, he was pretty rough at 'fingering'. He'd questioned if
that was a bad thing and she'd just stared at him before answering 'no'.
He exhaled a moan as she started to tremble, groaning into his hand. Damn, he
was hard. He rasped it into her ear and she looked back at him, also briefly
turning her attention to Denny and Sabrina. Nothing? Good.
What? Wait. Vaughn felt baffled as she started to turn upside down in the
sleeping bag. Not like he could question her, really, he just—oh.
That girl and that tongue, he thought deliriously. He almost choked as she
grabbed his ass, seething as she pulled him further into her mouth, pacing.
What in the world has she done to you, Vaughn? Here you were, getting it a hand
reach away from two other people. His eyes rolled back as he licked the corner
of his lips. And hell if he cared either.
Opening his eyes, he stared at her sex. 'Too advanced', huh? He just had to
lick it, right? He could do that.
“Mmm--” she squealed, actually stiffening as if he'd surprised her.
Oh wait, this was weirder than he assumed. Well, why not? All of it was weirder
than he assumed and it was the best damn thing ever. Oh, her little body was
shaking uncontrollably. She liked it? That was good. And a distraction from
shooting it all over her face.
He yelped silently as she suddenly pulled away, shifting away from his task as
well. Vaughn almost gaped as she grabbed his hand and as quietly as possible
dragged him from the tent. Yea, f—k that. Relieved she came up with the idea of
them climbing into his cart, he grasped her ankles and pushed inside. She
purred, contently hugging his neck. Unaccountably relieved, Vaughn leaned over,
rasping. “Sorry I let them come.”
“It's okay, I wasn't expecting that either...” she breathed.
He gaped lightly as she kissed his neck hard, closing his eyes. “S-Sachi...”
It was just a faint moonlight peeking in through the cover but her green eyes
were just as piercing as always. Feeling around for her face, he ran his
knuckles against her cheek and his finger against her lips before leaning down
to kiss her. She moaned into his mouth and he continued pumping his hips
against her. The woman reached up, entwining their fingers.
He couldn't say why or how but in his entire life his heart had never felt so
free. There was always a heaviness in his heart that was forever present
before. Yesterday was the 22nd anniversary of his family's death. Yea, he
commemorated it with drinking, the source of the grizzly affair in the first
place. Ever since he got together with her though, all he could think about was
how things could've been different for him and Emmeline. How she was with her
siblings made him realize that he could have hated his parents with all his
being but just having that one portion of family could have made all the
difference.
But, at the same time, Sachiko had accomplished that too.
“Vaughn...?”
“Yea?”
She gazed up at him with those eyes that made him turn into just stupid goo,
her lips softly parted. “...Never mind, baby.”
He frowned slowly. Wha...?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Denny Walker groaned groggily, sitting up in the tent abruptly and looking
around wearily. Milky sunlight was streaming in through the tent flap. Glancing
at his watch, he grimaced. Seven am? Didn't Vaughn usually start moving at
six...? Looking to his right, he found Sabrina starting to stir.
What the hell was she thinking? Not only did she invite herself, she invited
himtoo without even asking? Ugh, he was fond of his buddy but sleeping in a
tent with him for whateverreason wasn't high on his list of things to do.
Rubbing his face of the lingering sleep, Denny leaned over Vaughn and shook his
shoulder. “Dude, aren't you usually up by now?”
Vaughn didn't stir so he tried Sachiko next but met with the same lack of
reaction. Weird, they all went to bed fairly early. Trying Vaughn again, he
finally got a disgruntled grumble out of the man. “Dude, wake up.”
The cowboy's purple and bloodshot eyes opened, turning on his back away from
where he was hugging his girlfriend. “What in the helldo you want?”
“Aren't you usually up by now?” he questioned again, “It's seven am.”
Vaughn planted his hands on his face, groaning loudly. Denny was about to
demand why he was so tired...before noting the man had hickeys all over his
neck that had not been present before they went to bed. Staring at him in
disbelief, Denny demanded flatly: “Did you have sex last night?”
Cheshire Cat Vaughn kind of appeared, a smile appearing below his hands. Denny
leered. “Do you know what a man code is, Vaughn?”
“Can't say that I do.”
“Well, man code says you do nothave sex within a grope away from your other man
friend.”
Vaughn finally dropped his hands, folding them over his chest, appearing
thoughtful before saying rather amiably: “I regret nothing.”
Denny's eyes narrowed as the fellow started to smile deviously again, seeming
proud of himself. “And it won'ttoo advanced for me.”
The fisherman had to gawk. “You got it on like that?”
“Yup” Vaughn answered simply before pulling the sleeping bag back up to his
chest, “That's why I'm going on back to sleep now. You go fish or something.”
“Man, I want to leave” Denny hissed.
“For the love of God, please do.”
Denny stared at him quietly before remarking: “You just want to get us out of
the way, don't you?”
Smiling again! “Had crossed my mind.”
Shaking his head, Denny flopped back down and turned on his side to suggest to
Sabrina that maybe they should head on back. Whatever she was trying to
accomplish wasn't going to work while new-to-sex had sex on his mind.
His eyes widened, shocked. Naturally she didn't wear her glasses to sleep
but...something about glasses almost changed the whole face. She was cute with
them but she was also very cute without. Not to mention the ribbon wasn't
holding her hair so it was all curled against her pale skin. Watching her bare
shoulder that had escaped her pink pajamas, he could barely swallow as he
turned over and clenched his eyes shut.
Well, that lucky bastard wasn't the only one, he guessed.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Will Regison gazed out the window in Nick's absently, his mind aflutter in the
warm weather. He could have taken his yacht out and sailed away to new
destinations but something was keeping him here. Something? Oh no, he knew: it
was still that faint hope. Especially as it grew stronger with a realization
only he and Sabrina had been able to have as of yet. Sighing wistfully, he
wondered why his heart longed to such lengths. It wasn't like him.
He blinked slowly as the cowboy sauntered in as he usually did for his lunch
time snack. He imagined when people got so caught up in the joy of it all they
didn't recognize all the finer details. That's what the desperate people did:
find the finer details. It meant they had a chance.
“Will” Vaughn nodded, sitting at a stool at the bar.
“Hello.”
Vaughn ordered a serving of spaghetti, shocking enough. Deviating ever so
slightly from ramen? Tapping his chin, Will's eyes narrowed. “Spaghetti?”
“Just wanted some. Nick's is pretty good until Sachiko gets back from her visit
to make some” he shrugged.
Ah, yes, Sachiko. Will pursed his lips, looking to Vaughn seriously. “Vaughn.”
“What?”
“Do you love Sachiko?”
The man had been drinking a beer but paused, the lip of the bottle to his own.
His purple eyes moved to gaze at him slowly, a weird kind of blankness present
in his glance. After a long few moments, when Will wasn't sure if he was going
to bother to answer, the cowboy set down his drink and folded his hands.
“I don't know what that means.”
Will stared, wide-eyed. “...What do you mean? Surely you've loved something or
someone.”
“Not that I know of” Vaughn shrugged, “Why? Sachiko say somethin' to you?”
“No. I was just wondering.”
Vaughn looked over his shoulder, out the window, before a smile crossed his
face. Will wondered if the fellow knew how at odds that expression was with his
very nature. For a man with no grasp on emotions or feelings to smile like
that? Will didn't even have to turn around to know what the source was. Didn't
he know that was a sort of love?
“Hi, baby! Hi, Will!” Yukina Sachiko cooed as she entered, approaching them.
What would he know about affection? Except that he was the one to hold out his
arm so the woman could slip into them and against his chest, kissing her back
gingerly. Didn't he realize? Or truly was that not the case? Was he just being
humanized and sensitized? Was this him or just conditioning? He could fathom
that too. If it weren't for that smile.
“You're back early” Vaughn expressed, his arms still around her waist.
“Oh yea, I had less to talk about with my teacher and my parents were pretty
busy.”
Vaughn glanced down by her side for a moment before cocking a brow. “Ain't you
take some stuff with you?”
Sachiko nodded, “Yea, but it was just easier to leave it there.”
“Oh.”
Will waited for him to get the implication but if the herder did, he didn't
remark upon it. Shaking his head and excusing himself to some fresh air, he
wondered about the next month. This was probably the true test though. What
would he do now?
...What would hedo after?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Denny snored, relaxed on his back as the gentle late spring rain fell against
his window. He'd been watching television on the couch when he went to sleep,
everything around him soothing his unease. It'd been a few weeks since that
camping debacle and he wanted to put it far behind him.
He knew it was bad. As he aged, he gained more sense and sensibilities, he
felt. Women just weren't always going to be interested and that was the simple
of it. As a human being he had to learn to accept that not as a slight against
himself but just a part of living. Sure he could feel offended, that they just
didn't give him a chance, that they judged him for something when they didn't
even know him but that wasn't his fault, per se. He couldn't press someone to
like him.
But had he ever felt like this about someone?
It's not like one day he woke up and decided to pursue her. For her to go from
the nerdy girl he teased in elementary school to a young woman he liked wasn't
some twist of affairs. He could recall people wanting to confront their former
bullies to show them 'what they missed' or 'how hot they were'. It wasn't even
that, really. Sure she grew up but Sabrina really did look about the same. He
hadn't missed much except that he was wrong to push his own inadequacies on her
when he was a child. He just didn't live in a house that big or dress the way
she did.
What he'd grown past was being superficial about things that frankly just did
not matter. His heart could forget everything that set them a part when he saw
her walking down the dock of the fisherman's port to read or sitting in the
park, smiling as she got lost in some written adventure. He wasn't sure why
she'd never held any animosity for him like those people that wanted to show up
their oppressors but she hadn't. When he decided not to be a prick anymore and
was nice to her it didn't seem like she'd ever questioned it. He appreciated
that, really, though it made him feel awful. He wanted her to have some
vindication.
He also wanted her to see him too.
Sitting up, wearily rubbing his eyes, he shook his head. He wanted her to see
him and think the way she did of Vaughn. She'd go to these crazy ends for
someone who frankly seemed really into someone else and hadn't even realized
her affections. Perhaps it did go back to that issue, that he truly hadn't
gotten over being rejected but that was just it: she'd never rejected him.
Thing was, he'd never had the nerve to ask, had he?
Denny jumped, startled, when their was a knock at the door. Eh? Standing,
rubbing his arms, he made the small trek over to answer. He inhaled a little
when he found Sabrina on the other side. Eh?
The small woman smiled shyly, shaking out her umbrella. “H-hi, Denny.”
“Hey. Uh, wow, it's pretty late. What are you doing out here?” he questioned,
backing away to allow her in.
“Well, something has been on my mind for a few days. I thought you could help
me” she frowned, taking the seat he offered on the couch.
Sitting a little beside her, he nodded slowly, “You name it.”
She hesitated for a moment before squaring her shoulders, her hands demurely in
her lap. “Sex is an important part of relationships, isn't it?”
Dumbfounded, Denny stared at her for a moment. “...What?”
“Sex. It's...it's in a majority of relationships, right? I was thinking of
Sachiko and Vaughn and...well, they're not that different from everyone else,
right? It's not like Sachiko's using Vaughn for sex or vice versa” she
sputtered.
“Well...no. It is an intimate part of most relationships, definitely.”
She nodded, “I thought so.”
She went silent and he felt ultra nauseous. Why was she bringing this up
though? “Uh, well--”
“I want to experience it.”
He could have died right there. “O-oh really? Well, it's pretty overwhelming
the first time” he laughed awkwardly. “And that aside, you need someone to--”
“Won't you?”
“...What?”
Denny gaped at her as she voiced this so absently, like she didn't just say
'let's have sex'. “Sabrina, I-I-wecan't! I-I mean, you should have your first
time with someone you at least like--”
She seemed perplexed. “Who said I didn't like you?”
His heart started racing a bit. “...R-really?”
“Of course” she smiled. “You've always been someone I knew I could turn to for
help.”
Oh. “...Oh.”
“And I'm sure you'd...make it a fulfilling experience, right?” she asked,
looking at him pleadingly.
Hot damn. “I...I suppose” he choked.
Sabrina nodded rapidly. “So how do we...start? Is it just undressing or?”
“It's a lot more to it than that” he rasped. A lot more. A lot lotmore and he
wasn't certain what was happening or why. How could she come in from the rain
and ask him to be intimate with her? How could she say she liked him because he
was reliable? What was he supposed to take this as right now?
What happened to his sensibilities?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Do you love Sachiko?”
Vaughn sat outside on her porch, staring at the daylight sky. Miles and miles
of clouds tumbled aimlessly in a sea of blue, lost without any direction but
some dry earthy wind. He felt he could kind of relate, he guessed.
“You're leaving, ain't you?”
Yukina Sachiko had been pulling out all her suitcases recently. At first he
hadn't noticed it enough to question it but as her house became more and more
sparse of her things and she was leaving more of her stuff at home on her
visits, he'd finally realized.
The brunette had been packing her shirts, looking up to him before smiling
wistfully. “Yea. My tenure is almost up.”
“When were you gon' think about telling me?”
She stood up straight, stroking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I was,
really. Just everything's been going so well between us lately. I didn't want
to muddy it.”
Vaughn had simply pursed his lips, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his
jeans. “Still.”
“I know” she sighed softly. “I-I mean, I can still come visit you every
weekend! It wouldn't be daily like it is now but it's something, right?”
Somehow he felt that wasn't what she meant. It was a peculiar feeling, like he
knew what she was thinking or something. “What is you mean to say?”
Sachiko looked surprised before blushing, rubbing her elbow, “A-ah, well...”
“I hope you ain't going to ask me to come with you. It's too much to ask of me”
he shook his head.
“O-of course. I wouldn't...”
They fell silent. He wasn't really sure what else to say. Well. “You probably
going to be right busy once you finish schooling so I doubt you'd have time to
be crossing the sea every week.”
“I...I suppose that's...that's true...”
She was looking away from him. What? It wasn't like it won't the truth. There
was really no reason to dally around it so. Pursing his lips, he kicked his
foot a bit and shrugged. “I don't mean to say it like I won't miss you though.
Every day's been nice.”
Sachiko smiled. 'Cept it won't really a Sachiko smile like he knew. More like
one of them she had to give because she was a happy child. Sucking his cheek,
he walked closer to her. His arm kind of hurt when she backed away a little.
“W-well, I'm glad. Really.”
Turning away from him, she went back to her task quietly. Vaughn attempted to
talk to her but she really won't saying much.
What he'd always learned was holding onto broken straws won't going to help
nobody. He couldn't hold onto Emmeline's memory too tight else he'd just be an
alcoholic depressed lush right now. He really couldn't hold onto why he had a
family that forgot he existed. Sachiko would probably go to the city and be so
buried in work she'd forget he existed too. There was no reason to have that
stress in either of their lives so why delay the inevitable?
Did he love her though?
He looked up absently as she came out the door. She looked a little lost.
Glancing down at him, she smiled that fake smile he didn't care much for.
Folding her arms behind her, she cleared her throat, “I'm probably going to
leave tomorrow.”
What? “Why?”
“Oh, well, I need to start looking for a place to live and stuff so I probably
can't be too lax” she explained, looking all around her. Anywhere but him.
Annoyed, he stood and grasped her cheeks, making her look at him. “...Them
houses aren't going nowhere. Just stay 'til you're ready to go.”
“I...I'm ready now” she expressed no louder than a whisper.
Vaughn was admittedly a little confused when she pushed his hands away. It
won't like his mother who avoided all affections and slapped away his own but
it still felt so cold. Grasping her wrist as she turned away, he grumbled out
quickly, “L-look, Sachiko--”
“I understand, Vaughn, honest” she fake smiled, “Really I do. It's...it's true,
this shouldn't have gotten so serious. I should have realized there wasn't
really any future to this unless I asked you to do something I shouldn't or
stayed here. It's okay.”
He stared at her for a moment as she pulled away from his touch. So wait,
that's what it meant, didn't it? He won't allowed to touch her like that no
more, huh? She won't going to make him porridge no more and he won't get to
sleep beside her or nothing. It just went back to the way it used to be.
...That...seemed broken too.
“Well, I best be getting to my 'good-byes'” Sachiko murmured before laughing
softly, “Oh, and I have to say good bye to Thunder-chan too.”
Could he not come by to see her anymore? What did he say when he saw her
outside of Nick's now? Who was he going to talk to?
“Well, I'll see you later, Vaughn.”
Who'd call him 'baby' now, even though that was weird? Who'd he snuggle up with
when he was tired? Who'd he go riding with?
Who...who took that spot now that she made it?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It'd take some getting used to. She could feel the intimacy but she just wasn't
sure she'd liked it. She just hoped it was because it was someone she felt no
romantic inclination to and not because she disliked the whole affair. He
seemed to be really into it with her so she figured if she was going to play
this correctly she'd have to like it.
Will had brought it up when she was discussing how Sachiko could so simply come
in here and lure any man she wanted. He'd said give it a few months and she'd
have to go back to Mineral anyway. Oh. Oh yes, yes, she forgot. She hadn't
moved here, it was merely a work study program. It was perfect. Vaughn would
never want to leave his position and life here and there was nothing here for
her to do aside from assist Mirabelle. She'd be gone soon. They'd be over.
She'd prepared for that.
Kneading her hands anxiously when she found Vaughn Blythe sitting near where
the ferry left, she swallowed the lump in her throat. Sachiko had passed
through the mansion last to bid them 'adieu' and had asked if they'd seen
Vaughn. No, but apparently they'd met up one final time. In the back of her
head, she thought maybe they'd just come up with a way to make it work long
distance but even then she couldn't let that dissuade her.
No, she'd read in many a book to not let the finer details set her back. Never
give up, make it work, get what you want. It was the message in many a tale and
she was inclined to agree. This had worked out well.
Taking a seat beside the distant cowboy, she cleared her throat, “H-hi, Vaughn-
san.”
He looked to her and simply nodded. Smiling, she twiddled her fingers, “Did you
get to say good-bye to Sachiko?”
“...No.”
“No?”
“No.”
She frowned, “She actually left without saying good bye?” She wasn't going to
mention the woman had been looking for him.
“I let her leave without saying good bye” he amended.
Confused, she smiled again, “Oh. It's too bad it didn't work out though.”
“Yea.”
Yes. Perfect! They had broken up. Turning to face him more, she rasped, “U-uh,
Vaughn-san?”
“Mm?”
“I-I know Sachiko justleft but-but I just wanted you to know that I'm here for
you too” she blurted, “I-I know I'm not as pretty or fun as she is but I-I care
about you too. I-I've always been too shy to say anything but now that I have a
chance I just have to take it. I-I like you.”
He stared at her for the longest few moments. The air around them felt so thick
and she had absolutely no idea what was going on in his head. His thick lashes
lowered a bit before he murmured, “Something...feels empty now. Can you fill
it?”
Her heart racing, she rapidly nodded. “Y-yes!”
Vaughn looked off across the ocean for a moment before nodding once. “Thanks.”
She'd...she'd finally done it.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Denny Walker lost the game.
Was it awkward? Definitely. He hadn't slept with many virgins in his life and
as much as he'd like to say there wasn't much difference there was definitely a
space in experience. That didn't mean it hadn't been so absolutely perfect in
its own way. She was so timid at first but it felt like she opened up to him.
Her body had pulsed, relaxing as she finally touched him a little. Shy and
sweet, he'd been so happy. It went on for about four or five days, her coming
in the night to 'gain experience'. The more it happened the more she seemed to
express herself to him. It felt intimate.
He hugged his knees to his chest and pursed his lips tight, trembling. F—k was
he going cry for. Women got used all the time. He never said he wanted anything
but a one night stand when he had his flings but that wasn't to say men didn't
pretend to want something they didn't. Why wouldn't he get used too?
God, he'd been confused when Sachiko came by that day. She told him she was
leaving and smiled a wistful smile, giving him a hug and kissing his cheek.
He'd been so dumbfounded he'd barely sputtered out 'what about Vaughn?'. The
girl had just told him plainly 'he'd broken up with her'.
What? How? Vaughn was absolutely crazyabout her, how did he break up with her?
There had to have been some kind of mistake! In a tizzy, he'd ran off to look
for the guy. He wasn't at his house or Nick's or anywhere he'd usually be. By
the time he gave up, he came back and found Sabrina at his doorstep.
He'd been concerned, prepared to tell her he couldn't today because he had to
find Vaughn. He was worried for the guy, the man just wasn't used to these
things and maybe Sachiko had just misunderstood.
“Hi, Denny.”
“Hey, Sabrina. I--”
“Um, Denny, I want to say 'thank you' for helping me with the experience
matter” she blushed, “It was pretty insightful.”
What? “Oh, well--”
“You heard, right?” she smiled brightly, “Vaughn and Sachiko broke up! Now you
can pursue her!”
...What? “Why...would I want to pursue Sachiko?”
“Aren't you interested in her?” Sabrina frowned, “Well, either way. I confessed
to Vaughn today finally though. He agreed to go out with me. Isn't that great?”
It was like someone had sucked the absolutely breath out of him, as if the
spirit of some terrible curse came and inhaled his soul out through his
nostrils. Standing there, breathless, he'd sputtered out in confusion.
“It's great. I've finally had the nerve to tell him and everything should be
perfect now” she gushed, “I'll-I'll make him happy, just you watch. Then we'll
get married and everything will be just as I wanted. Isn't it perfect?”
“I...I just...”
“Also Denny, I...I know you and Vaughn are pals but...can you refrain speaking
from him often?” she bit her lip, “I-I don't want what we did to fall on his
ears. I don't want him to think badly of me. And you were so friendly and
helpful with him during the Sachiko period, I don't want him to constantly be
reminded of her. Do you mind?”
He laughed, emotionless. So she uses him for sex then she tells him not to talk
to his best friend. The same best friend that decided he'd leave the girl he
was head over heels with to jump right back into the ring and rebound with the
object of hisaffections. What was the meaning of any of it? What had it all
meant at all? Sachiko risks her life to save his horse, they practically live
together, she takes him to meet his parents, and then bam! Over!
He should have expected as much, that asshole. Sachiko was hurt. How could she
not be? It was probably for her own good anyway, Vaughn never thought of
anything but how it affected him in the end. He probably never even thought how
Sachiko felt. Clearly, actually, he'd made a turn around in absolute record
time. Better still, Sabrina jumped on it so fast the oven was still hot.
And here he was, the loser. He thought he'd won...but it was a pretty wicked
game anyway, he guessed.
***** Wait *****
Chapter 8: Wait
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! Yea, I truthfully did absolutely no
checking on that last chapter so there were probably a load of mistakes. Sorry
for that! This one had a little more editing but the last part I just completed
and if I didn't have work in like...six hours I'd reread it really fast. It
shouldn't too bad, I hope x.x
I didn't even really realize it but that last chapter was totally a stumbling
block. As mentioned I was trying to draw it out with something to make it less
short and rushed but I couldn't think of anything. After I put it out, this
chapter just came to me so easily. The next chapter should be of the same
nature. After THIS it should be about 2 or 3 chapters but definitely no more
than that. One of my shorter gigs definitely, lol.
Yea, thing with Vaughn is I can't fathom the monstrous break ups I have had in
prior stories, it just would go against his character. And it will definitely
be fleshed out in this and the next chapter. Last chapter wasn't for telling XD
I have posted the first chapter of Chika's story within Yume. I've retitled it
'Otome' for 'reasons', as I put it on tumblr. The next chapter of that is
like...a fifth written but I may end up wrapping this up first before anymore
progress is seen. Probably about a fifth was written of Miru's story as well.
Enjoy! (Also, I posted my inspiration for Will's yacht in this universe on
tumblr. I might post it on my harvest moon blog as well. Hmaucrossovers dot
blogspot dot com-zy).
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He hadn't had much of a childhood. How could he? All he did was vie against all
the other orphans for just the basic functions of life. No, they never fought
for food or necessities. Just there were things a young child needed that they
couldn't get when no one cared.
“This is the stupidest thing I dun' ever watched in my entire life.”
Yukina Sachiko laughed, the two stretched out on the floor eating cereal. She
was eating some fruity candied craziness and had luckily just gotten him
Cheerios. “You speak blasphemy! This is an absolute classic.”
“I'm watching a fourteen-year-old girl fight anything from plant aliens to soul
stealin' maids in a tutu guided by talking cats and her pedo boyfriend. If this
is classic, I can't say much 'bout our society.”
She punched his hip playfully, “There are so many life lessons in this show!”
“Don't listen to them cats about being a moon princess. Got it.”
Sachiko laughed again, shaking her head as she crunched. “You 'av 'ated ev'ry
cartoon U'v shown you. 'Ow you can 'ate Pokemon--”
“I didn't hate it. I just ain't understand how that boy could see with his eyes
closed all the damn time.”
“I could understand disliking Dragon Ball Z--”
“If you just going to come back to life five minutes later, there ain't no
point in dying.”
“We loved Gundam Wing growing up--”
“Where have you seen massive robots fighting each other, Sachiko? Where? I
would've been more excited if they was fighting Godzilla.”
She smirked, resting her head against his shoulder, “You are impossible.”
Kissing the top of her head, he continued to eat his cereal, watching the show
continue. He guessed this was childhood stuff right here: sitting up and
watching cartoons. Truthfully he ain't really mind any of the stuff she'd shown
him, he just really ain't know how to take it. It was very imaginative stories
and he never had much imagination. Hell, right now he was wondering why Tuxedo
Kamen won't in prison. Maybe age of consent was some stupid low number but
c'mon, man.
Vaughn looked at Sachiko and smiled. She was absolutely enraptured though, like
her imagination was in overload. Nah, she ain't never had trouble with that,
had she? She'd giggled when he kissed her neck with as much playfulness as he
could muster before she started wrestling with him. After, she hugged him tight
and told him they could watch some of his 'serious westerns' if he wanted.
'Nah, what 'bout this Trigun?' . That he was into. He told her he was going to
name maybe his son or cat 'Vash' and she'd groaned in horror.
Vaughn Blythe opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling of the Ellison mansion.
For a long few moments he just lied on his back, blinking absently. It never
failed, did it? Every moment when he closed his eyes was filled with her. Those
moments when she was his girl.
Finally looking to his side where Sabrina was still asleep, he pursed his lips.
What could he say, really? Nothing was bad with Sabrina. Everyday was a normal
function where she got up and went to work then he'd get up and go to work.
They'd come back together and talk or eat together but that was just about all.
They ain't really have much to say to one another, silence their main mode of
speech. Dinner was a bit stiff too.
Vaughn sighed heavily, rubbing his face as he sat up to start his day. At least
last night's dream won't as raunchy as they usually were. If it won't him
remembering all the little things they did together it was him remembering
allthe 'little things' they did together. Girl had his mind right twisted, he'd
have to say.
Sabrina was a squeamish lover. He could understand being shy or maybe even a
bit timid but she ain't really give a hoot about sex, did she? He supposed it
was like taking him to watch somebody else's favorite movie where the genre
couldn't appeal to him even on a base level and expecting him to enjoy it.
Fine, he won't really crazy about the idea of sex in the first place either
before Sachiko introduced him. 'Cept Sabrina would actually instigate this sex
where she ain't care neither way if she was enjoying it or, essentially, if
hewas enjoying it. Sad to say, if he could think of a possible way of having
sex with a robot, that might describe her. She didn't have to lie about liking
it, he wasn't going to force her or nothing.
Course that may have been her way of making up for all the stuff she expected
him to stop liking since she was his girl. It was mysterious the way that
renter called and told him somebody'd bought out the land his house sat on.
Real mysterious, seeing as Regis Ellison had a golf course up on it in no time.
Fine, he ain't have to live nowhere. Something had only twanged a bit when he
recalled Sachiko'd picked it out for him but whatever. Nah, nah, respectable
folk lived in houses, she'd insisted, so here he was living with her.
It was small parts of his life she was trying to pick to pieces. Tried to get
him to work in her daddy's company but he told her flat out 'hell no'. Still
was pushing it after all these months. Only thing that made her drop it was he
got real riled up. She pressed him to stop going to Nick's too for some
confounded reason but who was she to tell him what to eat? And boy was she
pushing it when she tried to get rid of Thunder.
Oh Lord, Thunder. That blasted horse hated him so much now, letting his woman
go away. Sure, he tolerated him because he was used to him but Vaughn could
tell it wouldn't be the same as before. Thunder probably felt they had a good
thing going before and here they was suddenly living in this fancy pants
mansion. Sabrina insisted she could get him a docile horse. His horse, despite
all his faults, was fine in his sight.
He wanted to talk to Denny about all this. As far as that went though, he just
could never get in the same room as him. Glancing at Sabrina a moment, he
quickly showered and got dressed for work. He left her a note and went on his
way to do the only consistent thing in his life which was herding.
Mirabelle wasn't too swift on Sabrina either, he thought absently, having
gotten Thunder saddled up and prepared for the ride. Girl looked down on their
job choice, no doubt. Sure, she seemed to love reading about pastoral life and
stuff but actually living it was lowdown dirty. Naturally nobody wanted to hear
that. Mirabelle often remarked that 'Sachiko was a nice girl'.
Yea, she was, he thought, deciding to get some breakfast at Nick's before he
headed out on the trail. Yea, she...she definitely was.
Entering the restaurant, he was a little surprised to see Denny there. Denny
seemed to have forsook the place in his stead, not coming for lunch or dinner
or even just a cold one. So he was coming for breakfast? Vaughn sauntered up to
him, taking a seat, “Denny.”
The guy stiffened, looking up with a bit of astonishment in his brown eyes.
Sucking his cheek, he nodded at him silently before continuing to drink his
coffee. Seemed like he was in a rush now though. Clearing his throat, Vaughn
remarked, “If you'd hold your horses for a sec, I kinda needed your help with
something.”
“What?”
Twiddling his fingers idly for a moment, he shook his head, “I'm...I'm happy
with Sabrina--”
“Look, Vaughn, I really need to be--”
“--but my every waking thought ain't 'bout her;they're about Sachiko.”
“--goin...what?”
Vaughn rolled his eyes around, sighing miserably, “When I sleep, I'm thinking
about her. Lately I've been so out of sorts and bored I dun' started
daydreamin' and those daydreams about her too. Every little thing in my head
has been 'bout her, Denny, and I almost never think 'bout Sabrina 'cept how to
keep her happy. That just ain't how it's supposed to be, right?”
Denny stared at him for a few moments as if something was working in his head
and he won't sure how to say it. Opening his mouth a couple of times, he
finally clamped his lips shut and gave out a rather deep sigh. “I...I mean,
Vaughn, it's bound to happen. Sachiko was your first relationship and it'll
probably always be something you remember. There were a lot of 'firsts' there.
You still care about Sabrina, right?”
“Well, sure.”
“Then they'll come to pass when you start replacing memories you have of
Sachiko with memories you'll gain with Sabrina. I wouldn't let it concern you
too much.”
Denny stood before he could remark on that, putting down some gold pieces. “I
should be going though. I'll see you around.”
Vaughn glanced over his shoulder as he left without much more, Nick appearing
to take his order. Getting the porridge he knew wouldn't taste a bit like hers
with that sludge Nick called coffee, he shook his head some. Denny was usually
right, won't he? Over time he'd just be thinking about stuff with Sabrina and
not Sachiko. That made sense. Maybe it'd been seven months but it was probably
just a matter of time.
Yea. He could get over her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Vaughn, darling, you got all your affairs sorted out for the next few days,
correct?”
Vaughn pushed his meal of something or the other around his plate, looking up
at Sabrina drolly. “I did. What are we doing this time?”
“I told you! We're going to go visit Will!”
Clenching his eyes shut for a moment, he rapidly shook his head. “I ain't ever
said I wanted to see that boy for nothing.”
“Don't be so mean!” Sabrina chastised, “I heard he's super happy right now and
I told him I'd swing by some time. I thought it'd be a great surprise.”
Vaughn didn't care Will was 'super happy'. He was super happy golden boy was
far away from him. He didn't want to go see him for no reason whatsoever. “And
you're not getting out of it either, Vaughn! You can't just let me go by
myself” she pouted.
He sulked and grunted out 'whatever'. “Where is he now?”
“Oh, Mineral.”
Mineral? Looking up, he raised a brow. Mineral. Why'd that sound familiar?
“What's there? I felt I dun' heard of it before.”
“Hmm? Oh, well, I'm not preciselysure but I have a good hunch. I don't want to
say anything until we get there though” she smiled some, “Anyway, he's so
happy! I'm glad, he'd been so upset about it here.”
Mineral. Mineral, Mineral, Mineral. Wracking his brain to give him an answer on
why that sounded so darn familiar, he gave up with a shrug. Whatever. He
guessed he'd see soon enough.
Vaughn was exhausted when he lied down in bed that night. Sabrina had honestly
tried to start sex because it'd been a while or something. He told her simply
he won't interested, turning over on his side and going to sleep. Well, he
guessed he wasinterested, just not precisely in...her.
He'd just gotten out of the shower, he remembered, walking into the bedroom as
he patted his hair dry. That girl, he'd thought. Sachiko had been looking for
something over the edge of the bed in just them frilly lacy panties and a t-
shirt, her butt in the air. Sucking his cheek for a moment, he stared for a
long few moments.
Logistically speaking, he could do it, right? He could see all the usual parts,
maybe. They were doing all the other angles so this one should work too.
Wandering over to her, he slapped her rear to get her attention. She squeaked
loudly, looking over and back at him with a pout. “What are you doing?”
“That 'nother one of your kinks?” he'd questioned dryly, having noted she'd
sort of quivered like she did when he did something she liked.
She huffed, blushing but not denying it as she returned to her task. “I have to
find this book to put in the box, Vaughn. I'll pay attention to you in a
second.”
Sachiko squealed when he started rubbing against her, having climbed up on the
bed as she spoke. Closing his eyes, he raised a brow, “So I could...”
“Oi, perv” she grunted.
“I don't want to hear that from you, missy” he remarked simply, smacking her
rear again.
“Ah! Stopppp” she'd whined.
Alas, that girl probably'd let him do just about everything and anything to her
which won't really good but it certainly made for a good time. It won't like he
was going to use that against her. Nah, she'd told him about them boyfriends of
hers that took her for a ride and let her go like it won't nothing.
He woke up in the middle of the night, sticky, sweaty, and hard. Glancing to
Sabrina, a woman he ain't never had these feelings for yet and grimaced. Funny,
though he won't really one to think that deeply about anything, that certainly
did sound kinda like him in a way, didn't it?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was still pretty crowded. They won't far from the city he'd visited with
Sachiko at all. All the same, it was a pretty cozy crowded. Nobody was elbowing
or rushing like they'd been in the city. Vaughn looked around at all the folk
near the dock and wondered why he thought he knew this place.
His hands in his pockets, he looked to Sabrina who was going on about something
about Will which he'd summarily tuned out. Thanks, but he won't looking for the
guy's life story.
There were quite a few yachts in the yard so he figured this might've been a
pretty rich fancy pants place. That didn't help him in the least, he ain't know
nothing about 'rich places'. Groaning as they found Will Regison's boat all too
soon, he crossed his arms as Sabrina daintily knocked, looking back to him with
this weird hopeful look. What? Fine, he'd behave himself as long as the guy
ain't talk to him. Which was probably fine, Will ain't say a word to him when
he took off spontaneously one day some months back.
The sound of footsteps echoed somewhere on the other side before getting
louder. The door opened and Will appeared, confused, on the other side.
“Sabrina? ...Vaughn?”
“Hello, Will! I told you I was visiting soon, right? I hope it's not too short
notice” Sabrina gushed, giving him a hug.
Will smiled slowly, “U-uh, a little. But welcome. If I'd heard I would've
gotten a dinner or lunch compiled for you.”
“Well, I wanted it to be a surprise” Sabrina insisted, entering the small
corridor which spread into a massive open living space. Vaughn almost gawked as
he looked around, having never been in the man's yacht. This damn thing looked
fancier than almost any house he'd ever been in. Why?
“Well, of course. Surprises are nice but...” Will drawled, sending a look in
her direction.
Vaughn was about to remark that if it was a bad time he'd be more than happy to
leave.
“Will, what did you--”
His eyes widened as, out of what may have been the kitchen space, Sachiko
appeared.
Will's grimace was most apparent as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Sachiko
was apparently shocked as well, having frozen before she reached them. The only
one with any sort of composure was Sabrina who smiled quickly at Vaughn.
“What's wrong?”
'What's wrong?' What the hell was she doing on this bastard's boat? Why was she
here? Didn't she go home? Then it dawned on him at that second: Mineral was
where she said she was from.
...That son of a bitch followed her here.
He felt his body tense with growing rage and he didn't know why. Sachiko
cleared her throat, catching their attention. She smiled that polite smile and
bowed. “Hello, Ellison-san...Blythe-san.”
Vaughn almost had a conniption. Sachiko must've seen it because she smiled a
little less. “Or Vaughn. Sorry.”
She'd cut her hair, the brown locks layered around her neck with a ribbon on a
random portion in the front. He won't really sure if he liked it or not or if
the confusion over whether he liked it or not was because he wanted to demand
just what in the living f—k was going on because he knew for a fact he ain't
like that.
Sabrina looked at him with that little wary look of worry but having to save
face. “Vaughn, I told you that Will came to Mineral to see Yukina-san. Don't
you remember?”
Well, be damned, he hadtuned out something important. Looking to her, more
aggravated than he'd been in a long time for reasons he ain't understand, he
pursed his lips. “...Hello, Will. Hello, Sachiko.”
Sachiko rubbed her arm, looking away, “Um, I can go, Will. You have company.”
“E-eh? No, no, we hadn't meant to interrupt” Sabrina insisted, waving her
hands, “We can come back later.”
The absolute hellthey could. What and why were they leaving them alone for?
What was even going on here? Will gnawed his cheek momentarily before turning
back to Sachiko. He was going to explode when that bastard touched her shoulder
and leaned over, whispering something into her ear. Why the hell was hetouching
her?
Sachiko's smile softened a little and she shook her head. Will frowned some
before smiling himself, looking back at them. “We were going to have lunch. The
vegetables Sachiko's Uncle produces are excellent and she was going to prepare
us something. You're more than welcome to join us.”
'Us'? What the hell did 'us' mean? Sabrina clapped, “That sounds wonderful! Oh,
Will, did you get the novel I sent you? Oh, wait, you probably haven't had much
time to read.”
“Dear, I always have time for reading” he laughed before looking to Sachiko who
was making her way into the kitchen, “I'll come help you, Sachiko.”
She shook her head, “That's fine! Go on, I'll have it out in no time.”
“Alright...” he frowned some.
Vaughn stood there, his brain doing spirals and twists and threatening to
combust. Sabrina requested he come sit in the fancy living room with him and
her damned cousin but Vaughn refused. He needed to get a glass of water. They
seemed apprehensive but he ain't care a lick.
Walking into the kitchen, he watched Sachiko get things out of the cabinets for
a minute before clearing his throat. She jumped, yelping a little in surprise.
Turning to him, she gave him a faint smile. “Oh, hi. Did you need something?”
His eyes narrowed, cutting towards the living room before back at her. “What in
the f—k's going on?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“You know exactlywhat I mean” he grunted, stalking over to her, “What's going
on with pretty boy? Last I checked he was just your 'good friend' and you seem
a little more 'friendlier' than I remember.”
Sachiko shook her head, turning back towards the vegetables, “It's really not
your business, Vaughn, even if you think it is.”
“And what the hell does thatmean?” he snapped. “I ain't say nothing about it
being my business, I just want to know what you're trying to pull.”
“What I'm trying to pull?” she wheeled, anger dashed across her face, “I'm not
trying to pull anything, Blythe-san.”
“Stop calling me that!”
His pulse was through the roof as he tried to calm down. It won't working.
Sachiko inhaled sharply before pursing her lips tightly. “Look, Vaughn, Will
and I had been talking after I left Verdure and I guess he was worried about me
so he sailed here. He expressed interest in being more than a 'good friend' and
I'm not in a place where I want anything like that buthe insisted he was more
than happy for us to be 'open' so you can cool your jets.”
What did 'open' mean? “Open? What are you telling me?”
“That'snot your business or for you to know.”
“Why are you treating me like this?” he demanded, frustrated as he walked over
and grasped her wrist, turning her to look at him.
She jerked away like he was hot or something and glared at him. His heart
skipped a beat and he quickly covered his mouth. He...he forgot...how pretty
her eyes are.
Quickly looking away, remembering what Denny told him, he rapidly shook his
head. “...Never...never mind. Um, I'm...I'm gonna go get some fresh air to get
my head straight.”
“...Okay.”
Starting to escape, he paused. Giving it some thought, he glanced back over his
shoulder. “...Sachiko?”
“Yes?”
“...I like your hair like that. I mean, I liked it better longer but I...I like
that too.”
Sachiko stared at him before murmuring, “Thanks.”
He nodded once and made his way to the exit. Sabrina called after him but he
didn't wanna hear it. What did 'open' mean?
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“I'm so sorry.”
Sachiko jumped a little when Will appeared behind her not much later after
Vaughn departed. Smiling, she shook her head. “For what? Your cousin just came
to visit you. It's fine.”
Will was quiet before walking over closer, his blue eyes closing a bit. “What'd
he say to you?”
“Nothing, really. He just wanted to know what was going on with us and that was
about it” she shrugged simply.
The blonde pressed his lips in a tight line before kissing her forehead.
“You're being very wonderful about this. I'll try to get them out of here as
soon as possible, okay?”
“No need. I'll probably leave after lunch.”
Will looked off, pouting a bit. “I mean, you're always so busy. I was looking
forward to getting a little extra time to talk with you too.”
Sachiko smirked a bit before sighing, “I supposeit doesn't matter.”
“Good” his smile returned, “Call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Alright.”
When he returned to speak to his cousin, Sachiko continued dicing vegetables.
Huh, that caught her off guard. She really hadn't expected to see him again.
Her return to Mineral was completely marred by that break up. Never had she had
a break up affect her quite like that. All the other guys yelled or screamed or
did something completely wrong, so much so that she didn't care either way. But
Vaughn was so calm in giving her up she had absolutely nothing to say. It was
matter of fact, like the months of their relationship had meant utterly
nothing.
She wasn't...used to that. Sure, she hated when guys fretted over her or made
the end of the relationship more difficult than the duration of it. But there
was something bitter about realizing she'd meant nothing to him. He didn't
consider anything to prolong it either. No long distance, no her trying to see
him or him trying to see her. No, she wasn't going to suggest him moving to
Mineral. No, that'd be insane but he didn't even want to attempt the small
steps? Didn't he say he wanted to be special to her? Was she not special to
him, just even a tiny bit?
Yukina Steiner was enraged as if he'd not been angry she was with a guy anyway.
How dare someone break his baby girl's heart? It wasn't like that, she'd
assured when she didn't want to leave bed for a few days. She'd just been
really tired.
Her mother had come and asked what happened. She told her and, surprisingly,
her mother shook her head. 'You're so quick to not think of yourself' was all
she'd said. What? What was she supposed to do? She couldn't stay in Verdure,
not for a man. And he'd seemed resolute there was nothing to be done so
whatever.
Scraping the veggies into a pot for curry, she sighed softly. Will called her
one day after a month to check on her and she told him she was absolutely
miserable. He'd asked 'why?' naturally and all she could come up with was she
probably let go of one of her favorite relationships. Will had insisted she
didn't give up anything. It didn't really help much and he told her he was
coming to see her.
She couldn't say she was surprised when he confessed. No, she was just
sorrowful because he probably would've been perfect before she got together
with Vaughn. Why though? Vaughn wasn't anything close to 'perfect'. He was
pretty selfish and self-centered and naïve.
But then, even when he was selfish or self-centered or naïve he wasn't really
trying to be. He always tried to expand his world for her and he never even had
to, really. She thought he'd...try harder to be with her too but she was wrong.
Will probably wanted to show her she could have better and had given her a
kiss. She told him if she had anything right now it'd be entirely not serious
and open. The blond surprisingly accepted. Sachiko groaned as she rubbed her
face, horribly thinking of how she was breaking in quite a few virgin men. It
was refreshing all the same and he was a very caring lover. Nonetheless, she
couldn't help but feel she'd end up hurting him and she didn't want that. He
was the sweetest man she'd ever met and she didn't want to break his heart too.
Gulping hard when her eyes creased with annoyance, she tried hard to focus on
preparing the rest of the dinner. She was more than certain this was all a part
of some larger plot of Sabrina's. What was the turn around rate according to
Will? She left and that same day Vaughn was dating Sabrina? Oh, great, thanks.
First he didn't even tell her 'good-bye' then he was already on the rebound
within an hour.
Biting her lip, she set her spoon down and willed away the burning tears in her
eyes. Stop it. You'll get over this, Sachiko. You had more important things to
focus on. Your job and Skye were more important than any of this.
Twirling a strand of hair on her finger, she trembled. But then, what had her
mother said?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“You couldn't wait to come here and get your hands on her, could you?”
Will Regison glared irritably towards Vaughn. Sabrina had asked him to come and
tell the guy it was time for dinner while she was freshening up. He'd just been
sitting on the deck on one of the chairs, seeming rather calm and dozing off.
For a singular instance Will thought it was going to be okay. Apparently not.
“That's not your concern anymore, Vaughn, what she does or who comes after
her.”
“Ya'll gonna stop telling me what myconcerns are” Vaughn hissed, suddenly
holding up his phone. “An 'open' relationship means that there isa
relationship.”
Will glared at him before smiling darkly, “So what if there is?”
Vaughn snapped, “You son of a bitch, who said you could bewith her?!”
“I have news for you, Vaughn: you ended it. Not her. Notme. You. It might
strike you as peculiar but as youare the one that said there's no more future
and no more relationship you know what that means? That means she can move on
with whomever she so pleases, just like you moved on with Sabrina while the
ripples were still in the water from Sachiko's departure. She doesn't belong to
you, Vaughn.”
The cowboy gaped, his eyes wide as if this were inconceivable. Maybe it was.
Will had sat with Sachiko one night when she got super drunk, worried she'd do
something foolish. She told him rather boisterously about Vaughn's life. No, it
didn't make Will too sympathetic but it certainly explained a lot. His mother
adored him, as did his father. Having parents that didn't care a thing about
his life? What parent would knowingly get into a vehicle, completely
intoxicated, with their children? They killed one of them and left one far
behind. And then, the rest of the family never even tried to see him again? Why
should Vaughn care about anything? Nothing had ever cared about him. No. No,
Sachiko had cared. And he let her go. “It's time for dinner.”
Someone needed to explain to Vaughn that just because Sachiko was once his
girlfriend didn't set her off from the rest of the world. That was all there
was to it. Perhaps Vaughn didn't understand if he got something he cared about
he was supposed to hold onto it. He could've found ways if she meant anything
to him. No, instead he gives her up as if it were just a large inconvenience to
begin with then hooks up with another woman seconds flat. Will honestly didn't
think much of his cousin's participation in that either but whatever. If it was
a game, him and her weren't currently the losers. He would try for as long as
he could to convince Sachiko to forget Vaughn and move on with him. Sabrina
should try to convince Vaughn of the same.
Probably a lot easier said than done though.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Vaughn loved Sachiko's curry. She joked over all the dinners when they had it
that it was a secret family recipe. Whatever the case, it was delicious and
about the only thing he'd go for thirds for.
He was so ill he couldn't eat a spoonful of it.
Will, Sabrina, and Sachiko were conversing leisurely and he just wanted to
throw up. 'She doesn't belong to you, Vaughn'. He knew that. F—k, he knew that.
She ain't belong to nobody. He knew that! Son of a bitch prick. Motherf—king
girlfriend snatching...
“...You mind if I lie down for a few?” he mumbled, his voice so weak he barely
recognized it.
Will and Sabrina looked up, surprised. “What's wrong, darling?”
“I don't feel well. I can lie on the deck if there ain't any beds.”
Will shook his head, “No, there are plenty of beds.”
Sabrina fretfully followed as Will showed him to a bedroom door down the long
corridor of rooms. Bitch was bigger than his entire house that Sabrina had
plowed over. Nodding his thanks, he stumbled over and fell face first into the
massive bed.
'I have news for you, Vaughn: you ended it.'
He screamed into the pillow, so uncertain what to do with all this rage. F—k
it, he KNEW he ended it! There was no point in trying to stretch it out, they
couldn't have managed to make it work! But that ain't mean he wanted boy wonder
to come over here and start TOUCHING her.
Frustrated, he turned over on his back and stared at the ceiling for a few
hours. Sabrina came and fetched him to go on a tour of Mineral via Sachiko.
Prepared to say he still won't feeling better, he relented because she told him
it'd be 'rude' otherwise. Whatever.
Sachiko showed them the island, fit with every land geographic possible.
Somehow he was absolutely shocked when they walked maybe ten minutes and ended
up on miles and miles of farmland. She pointed to one in particular with herds
of cattle and sheep saying that was her Uncle Nelly's place. So that's how she
knew how to help with the animals.
He ain't know a whole lot about her, did he? Here he was thinking she was a
city girl and she was essentially just from everything. The mountains, the sea,
the country, the suburbs. That's why she was just so open to everything. Vaughn
looked to her as she spoke, pointing things out that they passed along the way.
Did she ever think about him the way he thought about her? Did she wake up in
the middle of the night in a hot sweat? Did she remember them falling asleep
after watching cartoons for hours like he did? Or that time they stayed up all
night just talking? It was crazy, he ain't like talking but they talked until
the sun came up 'bout absolutely nothing. Did she remember that?
Or was it just him?
It was dinner time before he knew it and this time Will declared he was going
to fix it. Sabrina was trying to curl all up against him and he just won't in
the mood. Sachiko had went to keep Will company and it just pissed him off so
much.
When they sat down to some Beef Wellington, he watched Sachiko speak. She was
talking about her current job situation and how she was between things but had
some good leads. He listened, sure, but he kept getting lost in her eyes and
caught up in a gaze with her lips. His mind drifted to safe places and dirty
ones alike. She used to kiss him so good. It was like silky wet caresses, sweet
and tender, soft and passionate. He swallowed, his eyes closing partially. And
then the kisses in other places were mighty fine too, weren't they?
Something was wrong with him.
After dinner, Sabrina was ready to settle down for the night. While he'd
agreed, he'd been prepared to ask if Sachiko needed to be walked home. He was
certain she'd try to get out of it just because she hated his guts but he
needed to ask her, he had to know.
“Well, we'll be retiring as well. Good night” Will remarked, resting his hand
on her hip.
Vaughn stared at the fingers curled carefully on her thigh. What? Looking up,
he felt something get sucked out of him as they walked down the hall. Wait,
where were they even going? That won't the exit.
His mouth went dry as it dawned on him, as the door clicked shut. No.
Sabrina dragged him to the guest room because he'd gone almost dead in the
brain. Why? Why was she in his room? Why ain't she go home like she was
supposed to? What were they doing in there? Were they...
Wait, were they having...?
He almost tossed and turned to death with that realization. Sabrina was fast
asleep and he couldn't even fathom the idea of resting with them in another
room together in the same bed doing God knows what! Sitting up, breathing out,
he quickly got out of bed. No, he...he had to know.
Silently creeping down the hall, Vaughn sucked his cheek when he heard Sachiko
giggling. No. God, no. Standing outside their door, he gulped quietly and very
carefully pushed it open.
He ain't feel a bit better to find the two just stretched across Will's bed,
completely dressed and just seeming to be talking. They did that too, didn't
they? It still could turn into more. It was more than capable of being more.
Not shutting it back, he slowly wandered back to the room with Sabrina and sat
on the edge, staring at her.
Lying down after a good hour, he stared at the ceiling again and couldn't
sleep. She always gave him sleepless nights. Always.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Denny Walker was completely and absolutely miserable.
It wasn't like he couldn't move on. He'd had other girlfriends or interests so
it wouldn't be hard to find another. Except in the back of his head, he
remembered his nights with herand he couldn't help but ache. Being used never
actually got that much easier to accept.
To top it off? Well, sad to say but Vaughn was his friend. He didn't realize it
but losing that guy was pretty much the death of his social life, as sad as
thatwas. Sure, he drank with the other fisherman or talked with his coworkers
but that wasn't the same. But no, she'd told him to stay away and she was
right. Nothing was healthy about what happened and he realized that now.
Still, did she have to take everything from him?And God, the man hardly even
noticed! Was he dispensable to him too? Or so he'd thought until Vaughn
requested his advice. That's all he was really good for, he assumed. No, the
man had been troubled and shockingly it was because he couldn't forget Sachiko.
Good lord, he'd wanted to declare he go get her back then. It was true love!
They could be happy together again and everything would be perfect. Except then
he went over it in his head. Even if Sabrina accepted it, why would Sachiko
take Vaughn back? He dumped her in such an apathetic nature that Denny almost
cried for her. And as impossible as that was, what was more impossible was
Vaughn not hurting Sabrina. Maybe she hurt him but...he didn't want to see her
in any pain. So he just told Vaughn what sounded most logical and hoped the man
listened and absorbed it. Good luck to them.
Denny took a sip of his beer before looking to his side. In all his dreary
thoughts he hadn't noticed that Vaughn Blythe had taken a seat beside him. What
the hell? Was he a ninja? He hadn't even felt him come that close! Clearing his
throat, about to excuse himself, he stopped when Vaughn murmured:
“You was wrong.”
“What?”
“You was wrong. I can't forget Sachiko 'cause I don't want to. I don't want new
memories with Sabrina. I just want her back” he whispered, his voice almost
frail, “Maybe it's not that you're wrong but I'm broken. I don't want her in
another man's arms, I don't want Will touching her—I want more memories with
her. I-I ain't think she was going to affect me like thisbut I can't even get
her out of my head an-and she got such-such pretty eyes and I wanna hug and
touch and talk to her but she can't stand me and I just want to make it all
stop.”
Denny stared at him, wide-eyed, as Vaughn dropped his face into the counter,
covering the back of his head with his arms. Vaughn might've said more in that
sentence than the entirety of the time he'd known him. Wincing, Denny absently
reached out and patted his back. “Vaughn, you broke up with Sachiko--”
“I knowthat but there's gotta be some way for me to get a do-over or something”
he insisted, sounding exasperated.
Raising a brow, the fisherman slowly shook his head, “Vaughn, relationships
don't usually work with 'do-overs'. What's this all about anyway? I thought you
were going to try with Sabrina. What's this about Will?”
“That-that pretty boy” he spat, his voice tinted with anger, “He went and
snatched her up when he saw his first chance!”
Denny was confused but Vaughn told him about the visit. Sounded pretty crazy.
“Vaughn, honestly, it sounds like you must've really hurt Sachiko.”
“How?”
“How? Vaughn, if you actually have feelings for someone and you've actually
been in a committed relationship with them you'll at least attemptto make it
work. You told her flat out, 'well, screw that s—t. Later'.”
Vaughn groaned, “Because it was the truth! Won't she have made me move with
her?”
“No, I doubt Sachiko would ask you to do something like that so fast. That
aside, what did you think of Mineral? If she had asked and you actually went
and saw it, could it have been a feasible location for you to take your show?”
The cowboy twiddled his fingers before pursing his lips. “...There was a lot of
nice farmland. Tons of places I could've herded from or even started my own
ranch. I mean, I won't start from scratch easy but it won't that hard to
imagine.”
“And yet you still gave her up like she meant nothing to you. Can you at least
slightly understand how that feels?”
“...Yea. Yea, I can” he whispered.
“And you told her you wanted to be special to her. What? Was she never special
to you?”
“...She is. She is. I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't do nothing since I saw
her. All I can think of is getting her back and tryin' to make her stop hating
me.”
Denny stared at him for a moment before groaning, in disbelief he was doing
this, contradicting what he'd just thought about keeping Sabrina happy.
But then, it wasn't all about her, was it? He sent Sachiko a simple 'hey, babe.
How's it going?' text.
After a few minutes he got a standard 'pretty good' with some passing remarks
about what she was doing before asking how he was. Just to go along with the
idle conversation he continued before finally writing that he'd heard Vaughn
had come to visit her and how tough that had to have been. For the sake of the
topic he told her how, since he'd started seeing Sabrina, the man wasn't really
allowed to speak to him.
Denny looked to Vaughn as the despondent fellow rested his chin on the counter,
swirling the beer Nick had given him around a bit against the wooden surface.
Ugh, why'd the guy have to be so socially destructive? Things could've been a
lotdifferent now.
A little afraid to look when she responded, he opened the text...oh.
'It was tough. He never said goodbye and I guess I expected to never see him
again. I was so pissed with him, oh my God. And he seemed so confused about me
moving on like it was so impossible. He's with Sabrina, right? It can't be that
hard. And really? Ugh. I hated myself but I couldn't stand how they were
together. She's probably right for him but I just didn't like it.'
Well, at least they were on the same wavelength. Pursing his lips, he made a
confession. 'I know what you mean. I like Sabrina but she chose him over me so
I don't like it much either. I can't stop liking her. Do you still like
Vaughn?'
Not surprisingly, Sachiko avoided the question and gushed that she had no idea
and how awful and awkward it must be. Yea, no kidding, he grimaced. Staring at
the device, he took a breath. 'Yea. You should just come and steal him back so
I can get another chance. He probably wasn't confused about you moving on so
much as ultra jealous. I bet he still likes you a lot'.
He didn't get a response so maybe that was completely dead. Sighing, he shook
his head, “I tried, man. She's probably a shut case.”
Vaughn stared at him blankly before sitting up straight. “I ain't say 'bye' to
her because she was walkin' out my life just like everybody else. Thing was, I
won't sure how I felt about that this time.”
Denny's eyes widened as Vaughn looked resolute. “But she's still alive and I'm
still alive so I ain't gonna give up. I ain't care that my family never wanted
me, that was their business. And maybe I dun' worked my way outta Sachiko's
business too but I'mma do all I can to make it right again. She's...she's my
girl, Denny. Maybe Sabrina was the 'smart' choice but she ain't never made me
feel anything but normal. Sachiko made me feel so many things I ain't felt
before and I...I'm gonna get her back.”
“Vaughn, she...she might not wantto though. You can't force someone to feel
something they don't, it doesn't work that way and if it did it would be wrong”
Denny insisted, trying to be practical but somehow swayed by his friend's
resolution.
“I'm not going to force her to do nothing” he assured, “But it ain't gonna
change if I don't tell her how I feel.”
Well, that was true. Probably would not work out but it was true. Vaughn took a
deep breath. “First thing first: gotta tell Sabrina the hard facts and break up
with her.”
Denny flinched and scratched the back of his head, “What are these 'hard
facts'?”
“Just that we dun' tried it and I don't think we gonna work.”
That was a lot better than Denny imagined. Letting out a breath of relief, he
smiled. “If you need a place to crash then my home is totally open.”
Vaughn nodded some and stood. Denny nodded as well. “Good luck.”
As he walked off, Denny thought of the turn this was taking. He wasn't certain
what Sachiko would say. Chances were she was too hurt to accept Vaughn back.
The cowboy had snubbed her and their relationship pretty hard. Two women down,
he thought as he shook his head, drinking his beer.
The future was looking up though, all the same. He wasn't sure if he could
actually forgive Sabrina either. Maybe he was oblivious and naïve and
lovestruck but she still somehow thought it was okay to implement him to get
sexual experience to 'seduce' Vaughn.
Denny sighed, now feeling miserable that he was somehow like Vaughn and hopeful
about something he shouldn't begin to feel hopeful about.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He was so confused.
Vaughn Blythe had waited until morning, that way he could go to work after and
have some time to himself to reflect. Sabrina had woken up and stared at him as
he mangled his way through a more careful break up. His situation with Sachiko
had taught him not to be careless this time.
He'd met the woman years ago, a quiet meek woman that was almost always near
her daddy. He ain't really think nothing of it except she was the mild sort of
woman he'd want if he wanted to do that type of thing. She won't about
surprises or complications, just a well-mannered girl. Figures he won't really
into that now after Sachiko. She had changed him a bit.
Vaughn sat on the top of the steps of the Ellison Mansion, knowing that behind
him Sabrina was staring out the window to make sure he was there. Pursing his
lips tightly, he looked over his shoulder occasionally before looking back at
the almost smoggy rain falling. Maybe it just felt like everything was on fire.
He told her. He told her real sweet that she was a real nice girl, real normal,
real usual. At one point in his life, that was what he would've wanted. There
won't nothing wrong with her but that when he surveyed everything with their
trip he realized that she won't the one. He felt that after half a year it was
time for him to move on and for her to do the same. Overall he thought he'd
done fine.
Sachiko was so quiet when he broke up with her all willy nilly. She barely
wanted to talk to him but acted all graceful and calm. She could've yelled and
screamed like Sabrina did but she didn't. She ain't make him feel awful right
then and there.
He'd tried to calm Sabrina down, tell her again it won't nothing personal just
he didn't think it was right for him. He reasoned that if it won't right for
him it in turn won't right for her. His relationship with Sachiko, the parts
before he thought it was stupid to fight for lost causes, was almost about them
having similar feelings. Sure, she showed him new things and got him out of his
comfort zone but it was always for his benefit. She'd even taken small steps so
he'd feel safer. She understood him. He might not really understand her a whole
lot but God, he'd try if he could get another chance. With Sabrina, it just
wasn't 'bout that at all.
Lord knows he was too uncaring sometimes. Hell, he wouldn't be in this
situation if he'd just tried a tiny bit harder. But when Sabrina sobbed and
cried and ran to the bathroom and grabbed his razor to cut her arm open he did
most certainly freak out.
He ain't neverthought about hurting himself. He didn't even really understand
folk that did. It was like life handed folk lemons and they decided they'd
spray the juice in their eyes. What was that going to accomplish? Life won't
going to say, 'oops, shouldn'ta gave you that lemon'. But that was fruit and
this was a girl he'd given credit for having all the sense in the world
threatening to cut herself open 'cause he was breaking up with her.
Or he thought he was. She shrieked that she'd croak if he walked away and left
her. They ain't been together long enough, basically, not long enough for him
to know whether they were soul mates or not. Soul mates? He was so bewildered
and flustered with the circumstances he told her fine, he'd take it back. Put
the razor down, he won't going nowhere. She did and was panting, looking at him
frantically. Vaughn was simply speechless. It won't a matter of he ain't have
nothing to say or felt it unnecessary to say anything but that he was so fried
he ain't have a word to say for it.
Awkward. So that's what awkward was. He ain't never even notice. It was like
something was hanging upside down in the room staring at them real hard but for
no real reason. Rubbing his arm, now in some understanding why folk did it now
as it felt like that something was blowing cold air all around 'em, he told her
he was going to go sit outside to get some air. He'd been there ever since,
about four or five hours. He was hoping to at least go for a ride but she'd
proclaimed she'd kill herself once more when he tried to leave the stoop.
The world suddenly looked like a different place, Vaughn thought absently. He
wanted to run away and go back to Sachiko before she turned the 'open'
relationship to 'closed' with Will. It'd be fine if it was shutting down, yea,
but closed meant nobody else was coming in. No, he still had things he needed
to do, to tell her, before he lost the time.
He breathed out, exasperated, as Sabrina just stared at him desperately. What
in the hell had he gotten himself into?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Denny should've seen this coming. The fisherman stared out the window as Vaughn
was dragged around by an exuberant Sabrina. Thing was, the guy looked drained
and pretty unsettled. Figuring Sabrina had rejected his request to end the
relationship, Denny just shook his head.
He'd been out on the boat, fishing for some freshwater fish when just out of
the blue he got a random text. Looking at it, he was a bit confused to see it
was from Sachiko.
'He didn't even say good-bye.'
A little confused about the statement, he looked at his previous message and
had a revelation. Yea, what did you say to that? Vaughn hadn'tsaid good-bye.
Instead he went and hid after breaking up with her and telling her it was
pointless to try to maintain the relationship and even managed to find another
woman in seconds flat.
Denny had stared ahead, just a few miles of water on every side of him.
Finally, he text back: 'do you still love him?'.
Again there was a delay. He was sitting within Nick's having a beer as usual,
watching Vaughn in whatever he'd gotten himself into and wondering if there
were such things as second chances. In his heart, he'd hope. But second chances
were like miracles almost. It entailed that someone could forgive and or forget
how another had messed up in the first place. Vaughn may have been oblivious
but that wasn't going to fix the fact he was wrong.
His eyes widened when his phone chimed. Thinking it was his mother or uncle, he
was frankly quite shocked when Sachiko sent back a reply. 'What if I do? What
can I do for it now?'.
Denny gazed at the message for a long time before biting his lip. Sabrina and
Vaughn were making their way back now to the mansion and Vaughn looked quite
depressed considering he always looked so deadpan. Sabrina thought she'd
attained him, that this was it. Now it was all marriage and babies and happy
things. She wasn't going to let him go. That, or Vaughn had wussed out.
He felt awful for it later but he did respond to Yukina Sachiko with: 'wait'.
***** Hostage *****
Chapter 9: Hostage
Author's Note: Okay, she should be fine for the most part. I would like to note
that I do have issues shifting with Sabrinaand Sachikosometimes so let me know
if you run into that issue. I think I fixed most of those issues XD
Ah, yes, Sachiko. I will say she did get a minor lecture from mama Kae, despite
it being small and frank. It'll pop up here quite a bit (as for resolution,
ehhhh...). And indeed, those were the best! I got in some minor Gundam Wing and
DBZ in my youth but totally Sailor Moon and Pokemon. Admittedly I've only read
a little bit of the Trigun manga but there was a point to that in this story,
actually XD And indeed, I was super apprehensive writing for Vaughn when I
started this because I just did not understand that character (or why everyone
loved him, lol). But as I finally thought about him more, I'd say I've
definitely enjoyed writing from him, somewhere on the level of Chihaya. He's a
pleasure. Secretly I must be a jerk, right? XP
Bear with the characters, dear readers. Oh, and I was going through Third
Generation..that is a massive ass story. I was like, woah, every chapter is 30-
46 pages! And this one is like...17-20. Truly a short story for me, lol.
Anyway, if you haven't read Third Generation there are a few spoilers here. I
THINK the chronology works out but I could've sworn Skye was 29 by the end of
Third Generation but...kay. Anywho, there's some minor smut and character
stupidity. Enjoy!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Yukina Sachiko sat in the hospital room, idly playing with her phone while her
little brother slept. Gauze was still wrapped around his head from the surgery
he undertook a few days back. That made sense. It wasn't like it just happened,
that Skye went on this downward spiral right after Saioji Meryl left. It was
the accident, something altered in his brain chemistry. For the first time in
five years, she saw him give a smile that looked like he was her Skye-chan
again.
Skye yawned suddenly, surprising her as he woke, his green eyes gazing at her
languidly for a moment before his brows creased. He stretched and groaned a
bit. “Sachi, I really hope you have more of a life than to be sitting here and
watching me sleep all the damn time.”
“Of course I'm going to be here while you recover!” Sachiko pouted, “I'm just
so sorry I didn't notice...”
Skye rolled his eyes around thoughtfully. “It really isn't anyone's fault but
mine, Sachi. I was insane and, well, I didn't try to seek any help. I just feel
awful about the way I've been treating everyone...”
She held his hand and shook her head, “It's okay, dear. We should've made a
better effort to help you in the first place.”
Skye didn't really say anything to that but he blinked towards her. “So what
happened with you and the Lone Ranger again?”
“Eh? Oh, nothing really. Just another break up” she quickly forced a smile.
“Doesn't look like it. What'd he do? I told him I'd beat his ass if he hurt you
and at least that much of my crazy days remains true.”
Groaning, Sachiko leaned back, unraveling her fingers from his and stroking
back her hair. “In your mind, even your injured one, you were waiting for
Meryl, weren't you?”
Skye seemed a little surprised. Squirming a bit, he actually blushed and
shrugged, “Well, maybe a little. I mean, I thought I hated her but as it turns
out I could never hate her. She'd broken my heart and before I even knew what
happened I was still falling more and more in love. I mean, you'd think after
that much time I'd have gotten over her, right?”
Sachiko nodded some, staring away when he seemed to be dozing back off. Opening
the messages on her phone, she looked at the texts she got from Denny Walker.
The final one had struck her as somewhat odd and stupid and even bizarre.
'Wait'.
Wait? As in 'wait' for him? 'Wait' to see what happens? 'Wait' to find out why
he dumped you so easily? That sounded absolutely ridiculous. She didn't 'wait'
for things, did she? She just left them behind.
But it was like everyone, wasn't it? Everyone in the family waited and ended up
happy. In the end, she shouldn't though. Vaughn was a very practical guy. Maybe
he did just expect her love life to end after him and he'd been astonished when
she moved on. However, he'd probably come to accept it, right? She didn't have
to 'wait' for anything to occur, especially when it wouldn't. He was with
Sabrina now. Everything was as it should be.
...Though, if she were to 'wait' and see what happened, what Vaughn would do,
just how long would that take?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Vaughn Blythe was so tired.
Sitting in the Ellison Mansion, a place he was forced to call home, he sipped a
glass of bourbon. Damned people made him like drinking too, he thought gruffly.
Was the only way to make it through his day aside from his job which he could
do less and less of.
In his head, it was hard to reckon that it'd been this way for three years. He
ain't never thought it'd go on like this but it ain't never end. For three
years she threatened him with her life. A year back he called her bluff and was
met tenfold. She jumped off the second floor balcony and luckily only broke her
leg. He ain't really tried too much after that.
He told Denny. The fisherman had seemed so appalled and expressed that it won't
right. She couldn't use her life to hold him hostage. Denny was kind of like
them philosophers or something some time, what he said made so much more sense
than he could figure. That was exactly what Sabrina was doing though: using her
life to keep him hostage. He won't happy, he won't enjoying himself. Nah, he
was simply in this because he was keeping her alive.
Thing was, when was he supposed to stop being responsible for her life?
Somehow he thought maybe she was right, that if he held onto this long enough
something would happen between them that would make her his 'soul mate'. Nah.
Sachiko actually came back some time after he first tried to split from
Sabrina, visiting Mirabelle with two children in tow. When he first saw her
with that little tyke he almost lost his mind. Thing was he was pink haired
with purple eyes so he won't sure who she could've had that baby with. Turned
out it was her cousin and Mirabelle's great-grandbabies. He met 'Chika' by
accident bringing in a herd. Mighty fine company for a little girl. He couldn't
help ask if she knew anything about Sachiko.
“Will? I think she brought him to dinner night once. Did you know that's
something they do? Have dinner every Monday night?”
“They?”
“My family. I mean, we don't go every week but I think it's special people have
such steadfast traditions in a world without such commitment.”
Good Lord, seven-year-olds made him feel dumb. Maybe he should'a went to
school. But if she took Will to this tradition that must'a meant something.
“Uncle Steiner didn't really like him much. Aunt Kaede thought he was nice but
that Sachiko was copping out.”
Copping out? He ain't really sure what that meant and Chika didn't neither.
Whatever the case, the only way he was surviving was getting strength from
hearing Will and her won't married yet.
But at this rate he might be. Sabrina kept telling him they was 'engaged'. He
ain't never ask her and she ain't never asked him. Sorry, he won't 'engaged' to
nobody all one-sided like that. She could pick out all the cakes and dresses
she wanted but he only wanted to be with one person and that ain't changed one
bit in three years.
Biting his lip, he shook his head. He'd tried everything. He'd tried to ask
Ellison himself to talk some sense into her. Sure, he was her daddy and would
probably instantly take her side. Surprisingly he ain't find the whole thing
particularly healthy himself. And he'd told her to let up but Sabrina was
shockingly good at playing the distressed mistreated maiden. He ain't like it
one bit when she talked about Sachiko being some demonic seductress that had
control of his and all malekind's minds. Certainly she did have his mind and
every other bit of his thoughts but that won't because she was some floozy.
Sabrina seemed a helluva lot better at getting her way. Sachiko won't like that
at all.
He could also say he liked that Chika because she arranged a little meeting for
him and her.
“Oh...hi.”
“Hey.”
Sachiko didn't seem in much more of a place to forgive him than before, keeping
away from him as they stood in Mirabelle's barn. “Sachiko, I'm sorry for
leaving you like that, okay? I...I ain't that good at seeing the big picture. I
guess everything just dun' been straight in front of me.”
She'd just stared at him with those pretty eyes and nodded once. That won't
really the reaction he wanted. “What? I'm serious.”
“I know you're serious. But what am I supposed to do with that?” she questioned
absently, “Maybe it'd mean something if you weren't committed to another person
but as it is it just sounds like I'm meant to be your mistress or something.”
Mistress? He was a little confused about that word for a while but be damned if
that Google thing she showed him really ain't answer everything. While it took
him some to grasp what that term meant in regards to her, it really struck him
what it simply meant to him: that she was in second place and his dirty little
secret.
Ugh. He was so riled up after that he went and told Sabrina they were through.
He'd tried careful and sweet a dozen times by that point. Apparently gruff was
the only other way. Or apparently not because, again, she jumped out the
window.
Exasperated, he chugged down the rest of his bourbon. Damn, he understood her
brother so much now. That guy had issues and obviously he had issues so
drinking was a good way to forget 'em when there won't nothing to be done for
'em. He grimaced and absently took out the picture he had of Emmeline. Only
thing that kept him from drowning himself was remembering it was the same thing
that took her life.
“Vaughn, what are you doing?! We have to be at the gala soon!”
He looked up at Sabrina, wondering how many galas she was going to take him to
to show him off before she got sick of it. This month alone they'd been to five
and he was sick of it years ago. Shaking his head, he shrugged. “So?”
Sabrina looked exasperated, like she was the one that had all this on her
shoulders, all this stress. Better yet, she was causing it. Standing when she
announced the limo was outside, he felt faint as they walked out the front
door. He'd told Sachiko that he wanted to end it, that he ain't want to be with
Sabrina. Reaching out, he'd grasped her shoulders and kissed her. He told her
he wanted her back. That was a year ago.
His worst nightmare was that one day he was going to hear she'd given up on him
and was marrying Will. Just how much more of this could he possibly take?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was funny Denny Walker lost infatuation points with Sabrina over one factor:
Vaughn. That guy was his friend, wasn't he? Good ol' 'bromance'.
But God, who wouldn't feel sympathetic? At first Denny thought Vaughn had
wussed out or simply was pulling his leg saying he wanted to end things with
Sabrina. One fateful day, alas, he crossed the couple when Vaughn was
attempting to break up with her. It was almost alarming how gentle the blunt
herder was with her. It really played her up and he kept it so sweetly honest
that Denny felt that Vaughnrestored his faith in mankind. There was nothing
there to criticize and Denny was proud of him.
Sabrina lost her s—t. It was like a ferocious bear yelling at a bunny, it just
didn't make sense. Her reaction was overkill and frankly the epitome of
immature. And to top it off, he'd been stunned cold when she proclaimed some
horrible way she was going to kill herself if he kept bringing this up. This
spelled a couple things to him. One, this wasn't the first or even second time
Vaughn had attempted this. That meant he'd tried to break up with her on
several occasions. Two, it also meant that she had been poignantly rejecting
him. And three, she was making him recant because she was threatening suicide.
At least that was the case in this instance as Vaughn quickly retracted and
numbly continued along with her.
Okay, maybe Vaughn wasn't the greatest for giving up on Sachiko. However, that
did not in any way, shape, or form give Sabrina any right to treat him that
way. Worst of all, she was holding him captive by threatening her own life. Who
wanted to be responsible for such a thing? Who could knowingly hold someone
accountable for such a thing? No, no, Vaughn had done absolutely nothing to
deserve that and, against all his apprehensions, he was going to talk to her.
Vaughn hadbeen trying. He'd come and talked to him about it and everything and,
well, apparently an outside source had to step in since her dad wasn't doing
anything either.
Walking into the library, he looked around and found Sabrina putting some books
away. Glad the place was empty, he wasted no time in walking up to her.
“Sabrina, we need to talk.”
She looked to him, her eyes wide behind her large spectacles, before quickly
turning back to her task. “I can't speak to you. I have a boyfriend.”
“Sorry, having a boyfriend doesn't mean you don't talk to guys anymore” he
stated flatly, coming closer to her side. “You've changed.”
“I don't know what you mean. You really should go.”
“Why?” Denny demanded.
Sabrina gave him a sharp look. “Vaughn won't like it.”
It was actually kind of mean how that almost made him keel over with laughter.
“Sabrina, I have a bit of news for you: Vaughn won't give a damn who talks to
you, least of all me. He's told me about your situation--”
She gawked, her face masked with horror, “I told you not to talk to him!”
“And who are you to tell me anything of the sort? I can talk to anyone I want
to because, like it or not, Vaughn was my friend long before he was your
hostage!”
“Hostage?”
Denny glared, “That's what you call someone being held against their will,
Sabrina. That's precisely what you're doing too: holding Vaughn against his
will. I've heard you guys, when he's trying to break up with you. You have not
a single right to do what you're doing, Sabrina. You shouldn't force someone to
be with you by telling them you're going to kill yourself if they don't.”
She glared back, shoving a book back into place. “It's none of your business!”

“Sabrina, this isn't a novel” he explained, annoyed, “This isn't where you get
the guy by doing everything in your power and expecting him to become so madly
in love with you that everything'll be okay. Sorry to say it but not all guys
find it endearing to say 'I'll seriously die without you' because that doesn't
mean he actually wants to be with you but because he doesn't want you dead.
Yet, at this rate.”
“You don't know anything! Vaughn will get over her” she hissed.
Denny groaned. “Sabrina, it's been three years--”
“So!? We've been together for three years so that means it's a serious
commitment! We're engaged, you know? That means we're going to get married soon
and-and I'll have his baby! A man like Vaughn would never leave the mother of
his child and then he'll completely love me and completely forget Sachiko!”
He was alarmed. Baby? “Sabrina, are you--”
“I barely can get him to have sex with me. But I'll convince him! Then I'll
keep trying until I get pregnant. We haven't been using birth control anyway so
it should be easy.”
“You haven't been using protection?”
This was insane. Absolutely and utterly insane. Gaping at her, he rasped, “What
is wrong with you? Sabrina, this isn't the way life is supposed to be. I know
it's hard to accept but Vaughn doesn't want to be with you. That doesn't mean
he thinks anything's wrong with you either, it just means you aren't the one.
Vaughn hasn't told you anything about marriage or children and you're presuming
he wants that with you. He's been trying for three yearsto break up with you,
Sabrina. You need to get this through your head.”
“I'm busy, Denny. If you're not going to take out a book, please leave.”
Pursing his lips, he huffed and walked out the door. This was going to turn
into an absolute and utter disaster. It was already bad enough but by the time
she sprung a surprise pregnancy on Vaughn it wouldbe over. Either Vaughn would
bail in horror or, disgruntled, accept they had a child.
Denny had finally given up. The woman was so far beyond reason that even though
he loved her to some extent he knew there was no way to break that shell. Funny
how you think you know a person. She uses him for sexual training and now she
was planning on getting herself pregnant to lock and bait a guy that had no
interest in her.
Pausing, he scratched the top of his head over his bandana. Something had to be
done. Looking up, he saw Vaughn trying to brush Thunder with minimum success as
the animal kept trying to bite him. Sheesh, Vaughn was having a tough time.
Walking over to him, Denny sighed, “Man, I have to tell you something--”
“It'll have to wait” Vaughn droned. “I gotta go get fitted for a tuxedo.”
Tuxedo? Denny gaped. “Surely you haven't caved to her marriage demands, dude.”
“Dunno if I care anymore, Denny. You know what she done now? I got contracts
with other shippers that I dun had since I was seventeen years old, Denny.
Thirteen damned years. She dun called uncles that bought out my contracts. I
ain't got no more business, Denny, meaning I ain't even got a job anymore.”
No way . “Vaughn, man, you have to get out of this. This isn't good for
anyone!”
He was just silent before shrugging. “Don't matter anymore. I gotta go get
fitted for a tux. There's some gala in Soyokaze she going to with her daddy and
I need to be there for no damned reason.”
The former cowboy parted without anymore, his shoulders drooped and his head
down. The guy had given up, huh? Frustrated, he whipped out his phone and
started going through his contacts. So he thought he had to give up on
everything, huh? If he'd stayed longer, Denny would have asked him if that
extended to Sachiko too.
He'd fix this.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Denny, I dunno if this is a great idea.”
Denny Walker was surprised how windy the city was. It definitely had 'kaze' in
the title for good reason. It was destiny that she was there, that was all
there was to it. She was visiting her first niece, she'd declared. Funny how
her brother transformed from drunk jerk guy to family man. No, he needed her
though. He asked her to accompany him to this ball if she had the time. Yea, he
was a poor fisherman but his Uncle also had people in high places.
He glanced at her, a little shocked that he was turned on. She was wearing this
interesting white dress with a massive slit in the middle showing off her chest
and a slit way up her legs. The heels made her 5'4” height seem taller too.
Maybe he was just horny...
“Why's that?” he asked, tugging at the purple tie he'd chosen, hating stiff
clothing like this.
“I'm sure that Vaughn and Sabrina will be there” she said silently.
“Oh, well...”
Better she not know that quite yet. She'd definitely back out if she knew his
plans but this would be the best thing for everybody. Holding his arm, she
looked up at the massive hotel conference building. Denny checked in, relieved
they were on the list, and they made their way through. He already felt
insanely out of place in this crowd of affluence. Sachiko seemed entirely
comfortable though. He'd heard her family was pretty wealthy. In fact she waved
and called to her 'great grandma' who was in the corner with a bunch of other
people. The pretty woman waved back and waved her over.
While she was off doing that, Denny decided he'd track down his targets. It was
pretty crowded in this room so he'd be lucky if he did.
Finding his goal, he smiled faintly. Vaughn looked like he was ready to jump
off the balcony, squirming in his suit and avoiding eye contact with everyone
Sabrina was talking to. No, this wasn't Vaughn's thing at all. Sabrina probably
thought she needed to get him over his discomfort but Vaughn wasn't the only
person in the world who was socially anxious. Throwing him in with a bunch of
strangers certainly wasn't going to help in his case.
Denny yelped when he was suddenly halted, someone grabbing the back of the
curly ponytail he had styled. Not surprisingly, Sachiko was behind him and she
looked pissed. “You knew they were here, didn't you?”
He groaned, waving his hands, “Sachiko, really, it's for a good purpose.”
Her green eyes narrowed at him and he quickly explained the scenario, leaving
out the baby part. As far as he was concerned, that was still very avoidable.
Sachiko was stunned. “...And you're not just making this up for Vaughn, right?
You're absolutely serious that Sabrina's got him trapped because she's willing
to kill herself?”
“Unfortunately.”
Sachiko looked aghast. “...What can I do then? Vaughn won't want to leave if
he'll feel responsible. That's...that's just the kind of person he is. You say
she's already jumped off a balcony? Why hasn't anyone tried to have her
committed or helped then?”
“As far as Ellison-san is concerned she just had a very peculiar mishap. And
naturally Vaughn doesn't know much about that and even if he did, well, she'd
probably just threaten suicide again.”
“This is crazy!”
Denny glanced over his shoulder. Oh, perfect, Vaughn had noticed them. The man
was gaping, actually. Ah ha, so it wasn't true, he hadn't resigned his feelings
for Sachiko. As long as he had a little fight in him, this should work. Sachiko
still seemed pissed about Sabrina's behavior. Denny slowly reached out and
stroked some of her hair back into her messy bun. “Sachiko, this is for his and
yourgood so please don't smack me. I'm sure he'll be more than ready to kill
me.”
Before she could question what he meant, he leaned in close and gave her a
kiss. She'd froze up as he got a few caresses in to make it look genuine. Huh,
Vaughn did say she had the softest lips. He could agree.
Pulling away, aware the woman was capable of beating his ass, he jerked back.
He hoped he knew what was coming else this whole plan was a bust and he
probably wrecked his friendship with Sachiko too. Either way, it wasn't going
to be too good but he was confident that...
Relieved when the back of his collar was snatched, he watched Sachiko's shocked
face as he was slammed straight into a nearby wall. Vaughn looked enragedas he
held the front of his shirt. The guy was almost frothing as he spat and
sputtered out: “Y-you! You of all peopleI thought I could trust!!”
That did make Denny grimace. That wasn't the firstreaction he wanted from him.
Sachiko squeaked and rushed up, grabbing his arm, “Let him go, Vaughn!”
Sabrina was quick to follow, appalled. “Vaughn, what are you doing? You're
making a scene!”
Sure enough, people were already whispering, aghast. Denny glared back at
Vaughn, taking a deep breath to get his thoughts in place.
“You can trust me, Vaughn. Sachiko's a good friend of mine--”
“Oh, so another'good friend' that's kissing up on her, huh?!”
Denny leered, “She is a good friend of mine and so are you. This is to wake you
up, Vaughn. You have endeavors you're prepared to give up on, endeavors you've
been forcedto give up on. Both of you have given up and it's time to set your
asses in motion because I've got news for you: one day I bet Sachiko will get
sick of waiting for you and kissing anyone she so pleases. She certainly will
be soon with you not caring anymore what happens.”
He turned to glower at Sachiko whose face was pale, “And Sachiko, he's not
going anywhere or going to keep going anywhere without a push. Yea, he gave up
on you but that wasn't what you wanted, right? Seems like everyone else can
keep him in place telling them what it is they firmly want so I'm sure you can
accomplish it with a lot more class.”
She gawked. Vaughn was wide-eyed as he stared at him before suddenly releasing
his shirt. Denny took a breath and looked between them. Either he did just
destroy both friendships...
“...I need to talk to you” Vaughn suddenly rasped, grasping Sachiko's arm.
“E-eh? Vaughn! What are you doing?!” demanded Sabrina as Vaughn pulled Sachiko
out into the hall.
“I'm talking to Sachiko. You stay out my way for once.”
“Vaughn! Vaughn, I'll--”
He glared back at her, his eyes narrowed sharply, “Idon't care anymore.”
Sabrina was shell-shocked as the cowboy escaped. Denny let out a breath of
relief. Maybe they weren't his friends anymore regardless but at least they
were on the right track now.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He was pretty speechless when he saw her, like something had snatched out his
tongue. Sachiko always came before him dressed in white like that. Vaughn had
been so confused when it won't Will she was with but Denny. And then Denny
leaned in and gave her a kiss? Why was everybodywith her but him?
Yea, for that second he flipped his lid. Denny. Denny was the one he could
depend on for generally everything and even he was kissing on Sachiko? The
world was madness. Yea, he was going to kill that bastard. Then he went all
philosophical Denny and everything was right as usual. Ain't mean he felt the
kissing was necessary but whatever.
“Vaughn, where are we going?” Sachiko questioned, exasperated, as he led them
towards a room. He'd asked where they could get some privacy from the front
desk people and they'd just handed him a card for some reason.
Glowering at the device, he shoved it into the slot on the designated door,
remembering that was what she did when they went to visit the city that once.
Pushing it open, he pulled her inside...expecting to get right to talking, he
noticed this was about the first time in a long while they were just all by
themselves completely. The door was locked too so nobody could get in.
He felt so damn relieved.
“Va--”
She gasped as he wrapped his arms around her, resting his ear on top of her
head and closing his eyes. It was a wonder but she ain't even say anything. He
really didn't want anything to be said at that second neither and it was like
she could feel that. She'd always understood him...
“Vaughn, stop...” she murmured finally after those long comforting minutes of
quiet, “L-look, I've heard you've been going through a lot but it's still not
changed that you're with her--”
“I ain't want to be with her for yearsnow, Sachiko. Tell me what I need to do.
I-I don't want her to hurt herself but I certainly don't want my life going
this way either and the way she's made it I can't have both. I want you.”
Sachiko blushed for some reason and tried to get away. Why? He held her tighter
and she mumbled, “Vaughn, I...I know. I know I wouldn't know what to do with
that circumstance either since you've tried everything. You told her just now
though that you don't care anymore so...so I guess that's the right step. But
that's still not saying 'we're over'.”
He'd paid a little attention to what she said but inevitably got lost in her
gaze like he usually did. It won't even natural how pretty her eyes were, how
pretty she was, really. His eyes slowly closed as he leaned in, kissing her
cheek down to her jaw. “Vaughn, please, you're not listening to me--”
Vaughn didn't realize how it felt. That was the problem with him, he didn't
realize a lot on his own. It took her to realize how it felt being one with
somebody else. The function made him realize how nice it felt, her body molded
against his. She inhaled sharply as he grasped the back of her thighs, pulling
her against him even more. He knew she wanted to say more, to say how wrong
this was, that she won't gonna be his mistress. She won't his mistress though.
She was his first choice.
“Mm, Vaughn, stop” she whispered as he kissed her hard, his tongue lashing into
her mouth.
“No...” he answered, nibbling down her neck.
This was a damned complicated dress, he thought, trying to figure out exactly
how to get it off her. He won't entirely sure how it got on her at this point,
there were holes in all sorts of places. Sachiko grasped his hand, notably when
it was on the only zipper he could find on the confounded thing. “Please,
Vaughn, I don't...I don't want to do this, at least not while you're with
Sabrina.”
How was he supposed to break up with Sabrina? She won't letting him! It was all
well and good to want him unattached but it won't well and good that he seemed
permanently attached when he ain't want to be. As far as he was concerned, he
was leaving the situation alone. She won't his mistress.
Vaughn rasped as he kissed her hotly, tracing his lips across hers clumsily as
he finally got the dress off her. Satisfied, he grappled her legs, pulling them
to straddle his waist as he frantically got off his shoes. It won't even the
same with Sabrina. She wanted something from him he ain't understand at all. It
was so complicated and this was so simple and pure. All they had here was so
simplistic...
Sachiko was saying things like 'this is wrong' and 'we should stop' but she was
kissing him back now, undressing and touching him too. For a moment he thought
of Will and how she must'a touched him the same way. He growled and kissed down
her chest, flicking his tongue at her nipple. He'd fix that. She was his
girl...
“W-w-wait, Vaughn!” Sachiko sputtered, sounding almost horrified. He was
throbbing and ready to put it in. Wait why? He made sure she was ready.
Aww, she was probably just freaking more because of that mistress nonsense, he
reasoned, guiding his penis inside of her. She squirmed, yelping, “Vaughn,
wait--”
“I want you. Why are you asking me to wait?” he questioned, his eyes closing as
he thrust his hips.
“W-we have to find a condom--”
Vaughn scowled. A condom? For what? They ain't wear one when they were together
and he certainly ain't wear one with Sabrina. It really didn't even seem that
necessary in the scheme of things. Hushing her with his mouth, he kept up the
pace. She was pushing and pulling him against her, fighting and trying to knee
his hips away and wrapping them around her to bring him closer faster. And he
thought he was confused, damn.
He heard her breathe 'no' as his body stiffened, ejaculating inside of her as
her back arched and her head fell back, moaning passionately. 'No' what? Why
was she even being like this? Did she not want him anymore?
Wait...was he the mistress? What if she had found somebody, God forbid? Biting
his lip, alarmed, he grabbed her again for another go. No, no, she was his
girl.
Vaughn Blythe fell asleep that night and woke up all by himself. It won't a
feeling he'd wish on his worst enemy. Staring at the space beside him for what
mighta been days or hours, his mind only came back together to answer the door.
Oh, her.
Sabrina looked ill but smiled at him nervously, kneading her hands. “...U-uh,
rough night?”
This was all her damn fault. “Something like that.”
“I-I don't mind, you know? I'm...I'm sure you just needed to work out the rest
of your temptations. That's it though, right?”
Denny was wrong. He ain't care no more. “Yea, that's it.”
It was over.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“And Sachiko, he's not going anywhere or going to keep going anywhere without a
push. Yea, he gave up on you but that wasn't what you wanted, right? Seems like
everyone else can keep him in place telling them what it is they firmly want.
I'm sure you can accomplish it with a lot more class.”
'You're so quick to not think of yourself'...
Sachiko sat up in bed and stared as Vaughn slept sweetly. Her eyes stung with
tears as she curled up, hugging her knees and burying her face into them. She
tried. She tried to think about what she wanted and what she needed. But it was
always looming in the back of her mind like some phantom shadow that she had to
consider other people too.
It was such a mess though. She was torn into so many places with what happened
last night. Yes, Vaughn told Sabrina that he didn't care anymore what her
threats meant but there was still no 'we're over', was there? Yea, he'd said it
over and over to her and been halted by her cruel declarations. But he had said
one part and he still neglected the other. Maybe it wasn't intentional but he
couldn't just leave Sabrina hanging on like that. She seemed just crazy enough
to claim he'd not broken up with her because he verbally hadn't after he
basically told her to jump off a bridge if she so pleased.
So them not being broken up? Intentional or not, that made her the girl that
slept with somebody else's boyfriend. She tried to stop him a little but even
she knew she hadn't put her heart into it. She'd wanted him. She'd wanted his
touch and his intimacy. In her head it cycled between wrong and right and
before she knew it he was inside of her. To top it off, she didn't even truly
stop him from coming inside of her. Oh, terrific. She'd stopped taking birth
control when she stopped needing it so yea, that's great.
Tears rolled down her face as she breathed out. And she let herself become
second place again, hadn't she? That was always the place she was in, it
seemed. Men cheated on her all the time and even in this case when she was
guilty of being the mistress it was because she wasn't actually his girlfriend,
she was still second string.
Vaughn hadn't resolved himself without Denny's push to get out of it so...maybe
there was something between him and Sabrina? Maybe she was just a hindrance to
his happiness...
If...if he could just forget her. If she could forget him...
Gazing beside her, her heart ached. 'You're so quick to not think of yourself',
her mother had said. If only that were the case, she thought weakly. Leaning
over, she kissed Vaughn's lips and whispered into his ear that she loved him.
She wouldn't stray again.
She'd forget about this. What she wanted was for him to be happy. He was never
happy with 'complicated' and that's all she brought into his life. She'd be
okay.
“Vaughn! I have fantastic news!”
Vaughn Blythe stared at her carelessly. There really couldn't be any 'fantastic
news' anymore as far as he saw it. Everything was gone from his life at this
point and he couldn't even fix it. No job, no herding, and especially no her.
But that was her fault. He wanted her and she decided she didn't want him.
...But then, he thought real hard about it. Three years was a really long time.
Three years they won't even together. She could'a had somebody else in her
sights and in real life reality? He'd have to see that as logical. He was kinda
with somebody no matter how much he wanted out and that was a mighty long time
to wait for somebody, won't it?
Looking to Sabrina, knowing whatever 'fantastic news' probably was going to be
more trouble, he dryly responded: “Wha?”
“Well, I got a call from Will yesterday and I saw the doctor today too. Seems
that both of us are expecting.”
“Expecting what?”
Sabrina smiled widely, “We're going to have a baby, dear! Aren't you happy?”
...A baby? He stared at her, puzzled, before it slowly dawned on him. A baby?
She had a baby in her? His baby? How?
...And what that have to do with Will? “Oh, sure. Happy as lock. But I don't
think Willexpecting no baby.”
“No, of course not. Him and Sachiko.”
She might as well stabbed him in the chest.
Gazing at her for a long time, he was utterly wordless. His mind was so
confused and so lost and he was so hurt and so choked up he had to stand up to
sit back down.
“That's great for them too, right?”
“What's so great about it?” he spat.
Fuckin' Will! Putting his goddamn baby inside of her like that, where the fuck
did he get off?! First he ran off to be with her in a blink now he was putting
his children in her like that?! He was a second from melting down and stood to
pace a bit before taking a hard broken breath. Three years was a long time.
She'd probably been sick of waiting.
Taking a seat by Sabrina, he gave her a watered down smile because he didn't
feel it but knew it was appropriate for this situation. As it was he was a
hundred times more responsive to the fact that Sachiko had Will's baby than the
fact Sabrina had his. That won't right. “I'm happy for us.”
Sabrina brightened. “Me too! I'm going to tell daddy when he gets back after
dinner. Oh, but I want to start eating healthily so the baby's healthy too,
okay?”
He just nodded dumbly and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. He needed a walk.
“Okay, but...but don't be gone long, okay?”
Whatever. Losing himself to his mindless wanderings, he found himself at
Nick's. Sorry, Emme, he might need to drown tonight. When he walked in, he
almost stiffened when he saw Denny. Figured he might've put too much faith and
pressure in the guy. He really ain't have too much to do with any of this, did
he? Slamming down beside him, Denny jolted, staring at him in astonishment. “O-
oh. Hey, man.”
“Hey.”
“Uh...wow, I didn't think you'd want to speak to me again after what happened.
It's been a few months.”
Vaughn just shrugged. “Figure you did what you thought is best.”
“Yea. I...I'm sorry it didn't really work out. Guess you're in for the long
haul with Sabrina, huh?” Denny smiled wistfully.
“I guess so. She's pregnant.”
Denny's head shot to him quickly as he told Nick he wanted tall shots of
everything he ordered between now and the time he passed out. “ What?”
“She's having my baby.”
Denny looked utterly aghast. “Dude, no. No, no, why-why weren't you using
protection, man?”
“Protection? Like the condoms? Why bother?” Vaughn shook his head.
“To keep a girl from getting pregnant!”
Vaughn was confused. “...Sachiko ain't make me wear a condom. I just thought
they was for them diseases.”
Denny just stared at him for a long time before slowly looking away, drinking
his beer. “...Kay.”
“But I ain't get Sachikopregnant. Explain that.”
“I'm guessing she was on a pill that covered her reproductive cycle while you
two were together.”
Vaughn gawked. “She was on a pill with mebut she won't on a pill with Will?!”
Denny was clearly confused. “Whaddya what what?”
“She's pregnant with Will's baby!”
“What?”
Denny looked like his mind broke or something and he rapidly shook it,
scruffling up his curly hair a bit. “What the...I mean...what? Willknocked
Sachiko up?! What's even happening here?!”
“My thoughts exactly” Vaughn remarked gravely, “...I can't think nothing 'bout
her anymore, can I? I gotta woman with my child in her now so I can't think
about leaving them. I won't...I won't be my parents, so help me. I won't.”
He wasn't really sure why but Denny almost gave him this heartbreaking
expression, like he knew what he was going through. Pursing his lips, Vaughn
wasn't sure how to feel except that it felt like his life was completely and
absolutely broken. Denny ordered two shots of Everclear which sounded like a
joke in the midst of all this. Holding it out to toast, like he did with
Sachiko on their random drinking game nights, they both took the shots and the
rest of the night was a blur. He managed to get home next to Sabrina at least.
Staring at her stomach as she slept, he promised his baby that he'd love it
like he was denied. It didn't really matter that he won't ever love the woman
it was inside like he should.
He'd thoughtlife was complicated.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Yukina Skye sat at his sister's bedside, a little annoyed, a little frustrated,
a little old him where he wanted to go bust someone's face in for hurting his
beloved nee-san but having to ultimately think of his wife and baby. Things got
twisted while he was out of his mind.
Sachiko was weeping, burrowed under her covers as she cried endlessly. Skye had
been alarmed to get her call at work some months back, absolute panic and
crying the only thing he heard on the other end. To their family's utter shock,
she was expecting.
His mother and father assumed Will Regison was the father. His dad was simply
of the thought that that bastard better take care of his daughter while his
mother seemed dreadfully disappointed. Well, him and Felicie were the only ones
in on the gig.
Skye sighed softly, reaching out and stroking her hair. He tried to be here for
her as much as he could like she'd been there for him. He really did but...it
was hard. He had a wife, a full-time job, and his beloved Meru and tossing in
seeing her every day when she was at least 85 miles away wasn't easy.
But she was just so unhappy so often. When she called she was crestfallen and
just so angry with herself. Skye really tried to convince her that a baby was a
blessing. He'd been scared to death too when him and Meryl had Meru. They were
poor and living paycheck to paycheck but they got their
s—t together and he'd never been happier in his life. Sachiko could reach that
too. Maybe it wasn't the best circumstance but this was the same girl that was
mothering him since she was barely two. As far as he was concerned she was
going to be an absolutely amazing mama.
Just time to get her on board. “Sachi, you really need to eat something, okay?
I know you, you'll be even more depressed if something happens to the baby
because you're not feeding it right.”
Sachiko sniveled, finally surfacing from under the covers. Her face was all
puffy from continual crying, her shirt having worked up her extended belly.
“I'm an awful person, Skye-chan.”
He scoffed, sitting on the bed and hugging her to him as she wept into his
shirt. “You are not. Where the hell do you get this complex from that
everything is utterly your fault and you have to accept whatever happens to
you?”
“But it is.”
“Is not. Take that from an actuallyawful person.”
Sachiko clenched his shoulder, shaking her head miserably. “You're not an awful
person...”
“If you think that, you're a saint” Skye smirked, kissing the crown of her
head. “Now really, are you going to let only me and Felicie be excited about
this baby? I'd be a sad baby if my mommy wasn't happy about me.”
She finally smiled yet ever so softly. “I'm...I'm happy about him, really.”
“So happy I can convince you to eat some of our dad's awesome ribs and banana
cake?”
“Maybe” she laughed a little.
Skye smiled and helped her up. She waddled over to her closet to get a sweater
and suddenly paused. “What's wrong?”
Resting her hand on her belly, Sachiko sighed heavily. “...What do you think of
the name 'Vash', Skye?”
“Like, from Trigun? That it's f—king awesome? But seriously, I can't really
imagine you deciding to name your kid after an anime character, Sachi-nee, it's
a tad left field.”
“I know” she murmured. “But that's what his daddy chose.”
Not ultimately thrilled about that, Skye's eyes narrowed. “Dunno how much I
like it now then.”
“It's not his fault.”
“Fine, he couldn't break up with his psycho girlfriend because she was
threatening to kill herself. If it stopped there, my heart would weep for him.
Hell, I could even forgive him having sex with you because apparently someone's
too much of a bitch to let someone break up with them. But um, if you asked him
to use a condom and he was just like, 'uh, no' and went and shot a jizzload
into you not once but twice, sorry, he lost sympathy points.”
Sachiko seemed exasperated. “I was on the pill when we were together. He
probably wasn't aware what condoms are for.”
Skye gave her an absolutely incredulous look, “Has this guy lived in a box on
Mars for a century? Who the hell doesn't know what condoms are for?”
“We thought they were balloons when we were little” she defended.
“When we were five. Give me one valid excuse why a thirty year old man doesn't
know what condoms are supposed to accomplish?”
She groaned. “He's...not like most of us.”
Skye could only groan as well, reaching out and gently rubbing her belly,
“Here's to hoping you know what condoms and sex are before you're three decades
in, kid.”
Sachiko swatted his hand, pouting. “That aside, why didn't you bring my Meru
with you?”
“She was having mama-baby time with Gogo” he sighed before smiling again,
wrapping his arm around her shoulder as they exited her apartment for Tenshiya.
“I hope Meru takes care of him like you took care of me.”
Laughing, a warm sound, she hugged his side. “I feel Meru might be more
possessed to poke him than anything but we'll see.”
“Yea...Sachi?”
“Hmm?”

“...You sure you...want to do this like this exactly? I mean, don't get me
wrong, I don't like what this guy has done in this particular instance with the
condoms and stuff but you've told me about his past and...I feel like he
mightwant to be a part of his child's life.”
“I promise, Skye,” she murmured wearily, “That I'll do fine on my own.”
Will broke the news to her first before she could tell him about her bundle of
joy: Sabrina was pregnant.
In a sense, she was so happy that that would provide adequate distraction away
from her child. Will had been stunned by the knowledge of her own pregnancy but
he knew. Despite knowing, he even asked if he could be a figure in its life. He
was so sweet but that wasn't fair to him. She wanted him to have his own child
to cherish and love. While he'd been upset about it, Sachiko expressed that she
did love him. It just wasn't the kind of love he wanted. If anything, she
learned that someone needed to be honest with themselves in this fiasco. She
was still an awful person though.
Bless his heart, Will just smiled and told her he loved her too. He conceded
that perhaps it wasn't really the right type of love or at least by the time he
initiated it it would have been impossible to get on track. Not after him. It
made her feel like scum when he gave her baby gifts. He told her while he'd
like to be around for her ninth month he did have to tend to something in
Thailand with his mother. He really was too good to even consider something
like that...
No, she'd gotten herself into this mess alone. She could've stopped Vaughn but
she didn't. Will wasn't to blame at all so she wouldn't let him get trapped.
Her and Vash, they'd be fine by themselves.
...Daddy didn't really have to know.
***** A Whirlwind *****
Chapter 10: A Whirlwind
Author's Note: Second to last chapter, my dears! Lots of craziness as always
but next chapter will be the end. I forgot how long this one took me, honestly.
I usually can measure by the school days I'm in but without that
anymore...sheesh.
Anyway, yea, Carrie and Kurt...eh, they're 'in the works'. I started the third
part of that dramafest. I suppose like I shaped this one around Felice's story
without giving a whole lot away I could shape that one around Emma's but
preferably I'd release her story first. It's not even really that long in my
head but we'll see. The conclusion of that one is far down the line in this
legacy. Pretty much at the dead end, in fact.
My central focus is probably going to be on Otome next along with TRYING to
finish Miru's. That poor lad. It's no different than anything else I write but
I have to be in such a weird mood for Max. I love him to death though. That and
Felice and I got my work ahead of me XD
There are all sorts of former story nods abound but it's not groundbreaking if
you haven't read them XD Enjoy!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
God, why didn't Yagami Koji kill him?
Yukina Steiner smiled some as Sachiko opened presents, the family all gathered
for her baby shower. She was very insistent that there not be a fuss so they
just integrated it into dinner night. Course, the turn out was almost
unprecedented in the scheme of things but she probably was pretending not to
notice.
He should be used to this. He was already a grandfather twice over and one was
even with his absolute baby girl. But nope, when it was announced with Sachiko
he almost flipped the table over and started to hunt down the bastard that did
it. Why didn't Koji kill him? He'd impregnated his daughter not once but twice
pretty randomly. Hell, it was Keiji who had the most striking reaction of
breaking a glass. Koji just kind of gave him a death glare. Hewanted someoneto
suffer!
Whoever the prick father was wasn't here. He wasn't around. He wasn't there for
his daughter. It'd taken every ounce of his imploring to get Sachiko to reside
with them for the final part of her pregnancy so they could take care of her.
No one had been there to rub her feet or feed her or anything for the first
seven months. It was horrendous and though he knew that wasn't a given in
pregnancy, it was a given in thisfamily. And just like his daughter, she
accepted it.
Pretty much done when she opened a present of a nursing bra, he wandered into
the kitchen to find his father-in-law. The man was at the stove, humming as he
made something. The kitchen was packed and he probably should've helped but
Kaede insisted he stay with Sachiko. Ugh...
“Get outta here, Chef Boy-Ar-Dee One” Koji remarked, sipping some of his rather
popular spaghetti sauce.
Steiner sulked, standing to the side of the man as he leaned against the
counter. “How'd you not...you know, kill me?”
Koji smirked incredulously, “I don't know?”
“I mean, you know what I mean, right?”
“Of course.”
Throwing a dash of sugar in, Koji sighed heavily. “I have to say this is
entirelydifferent from what I had to deal with from you. Yea, you were into
illicit activities and knocking my daughter up every other year but at least
you were here.”
Steiner groaned. Illicit activities. Lord knows he'd have had a heart attack if
his daughters declared they were dating a phantom thief but hey, Koji was cool
with it. “She won't even tell us who the father is.”
“And that's her business” Koji replied, stirring the zesty sauce, “What really
made me come to term with you and Kaede or Rosa and Chihaya is the fact that I
did raise them both to adulthood. I raised them and I raised them well enough
that I hoped they knew what they were doing. Whether they're making the best
choices at that time is always up to question but I've always been certain they
will come to the right decision. If Sachiko doesn't have this gentleman in her
life I figure it's because she doesn't want him there or she just hasn't gotten
around to it yet. And with her Uncle's conception in mind, I do hope it's not
the latter...nor really the former but y'know.”
Yea, exactly. Nothing about this was right or made sense. In fact, this was the
exact same thing that happened with Felicie. He expected the father would just
show up when it was important after being absent for the duration. That s—t
just pissed him off. He still wasn't a hundred percent happy about Felicie's
deal either.
“Steiner! What are you doing in here?” demanded his wife, the woman stomping
into the kitchen.
Before he could answer, she leered, “If you're in here chatting with my dad
then it means you are up to absolutely no good.”
“Why, I can't speak with my beloved father-in-law cordially?”
Koji snorted loudly and Steiner couldn't help snicker. Kaede smirked at them
both and took his elbow, dragging him back towards where the festivities were
taking place. “Can you pleasebehave? I know you've gotten all crotchety and
cranky in your old age but this is still your daughter's baby shower.”
Steiner pouted at the 'old age' thing but sighed gravely. “...Has she told you
anythingabout the father? Is he ever going to show up?”
Kaede looked to him, surprised, before sighing herself. “...Not if she won't do
anything about it.”
...Wha?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Oh, how splendid!”
It was a wonder they didn't have booze at this thing. Probably ain't want to
show the daddy of the 'splendid' baby was growing a problem. Sorry, Emme. Guess
he was getting some of their daddy's habits.
Wearing some stuffy ascot and tuxedo, Vaughn Blythe held a glass of water as he
stood behind the very pregnant Sabrina. Oh, it was mighty out of order, they'd
declared. You're supposed to get married first, they chastised. Sabrina just
gushed that they were engaged and marriage would follow. Whatever, it won't his
life anymore.
The stuff these ritzy uppity folk got weren't anything he wanted for his son.
Diamond encrusted pacifiers? A fancy silk sling for Sabrina to carry him in?
His own private island? This was stupid.
Crossing his arms, aggravated, he wandered off to take a seat in the room over
that was filled with more stuff a baby probably wasn't aware it'd need. He'd
wanted to get him something or make him something but his idea of a rocking
horse was somehow shunned by Sabrina. Nah, not because she thought it was too
poor but because it'd remove him from the house too long.
Mirabelle was absolutely and positively enraged to learn about his deal with
the contracts. Sabrina ain't think about how that might affect folks 'round
here and sure enough there were shortages in dairy and produce since Mirabelle
and a few other farms were dependent on his restock. Nope, what he did won't
important. Just meant their baby would have to get some expensive imported milk
but he was sure that was the case anyway.
Luckily the woman was mighty nice and gave him a job as a hand. He ain't really
need it 'cept for his sanity and wellbeing. He thanked her every day.
He tried for his son to love his mother. Honest, he tried but she made it so
damn hard. He won't running when he wanted a little time to himself, he just
wanted to get away a little bit. Nah, she made a damn prisoner outta him and he
ain't love her. He didn'tlove her. She told him he needed to be a bit more
'educated' for their son. Fine.
Vaughn leaned his head back over the couch, closing his eyes. Soon. Soon she'd
have the baby and they'd be one happy family where the daddy was drinking to
make it through his mama's insanity and they'd think everything was hunky dory.
Sounded like that was a bit of a personal problem.
Not oncehad he stopped thinking about her.
When she overcame his thoughts, he tried to tell himself they ain't really been
together that long for her to alter his mind like this. But what did time mean
exactly? She changed him so much in a year's time it was ridiculous. He knew
that girl meant so much to him. And he'd meant something to her, didn't he?
She'd...she'd done a lot for him. Now it didn't matter though. She was having a
baby with Will and he was having one with Sabrina. Won't nowhere to go back to
now.
“Oh, brother! Niece! Congratulations!”
Ugh, somebody else to meet. Standing before Sabrina called and chastised him
for leaving, he stepped back into the main hall and resumed his place behind
her. To his horror, there stood a blonde woman...and Will Regison.
Somehow he was speechless to see the guy that had impregnated his woman. Hell,
a good part of him wanted to knock his face in but frankly he couldn't and
shouldn't do that. He'd really just hoped he ain't ever have to see him again.
Will gave him a daunting expression as well as his mother hugged Sabrina and
Regis. Wait...
If Will was here, Sachiko was too, right? Vaughn's eyes widened as he swiftly
looked around for her. What...what did she look like all fat and plumped up
like this? Was she happy like Sabrina? Was she...was she happy at all?
“Oh, is this the father?” questioned the lady.
“Ah, yes, this is the father. Vaughn, darling, this is Aunt Selphy, Will's
mother. Aunt Selphy, this is Vaughn Blythe, my fiance.”
“Uh...pleasure.”
Selphy simply smiled and nodded, sitting beside Sabrina and Darshan. “Oh, I'm
sure the pregnancy has been rough on you. I heard your mother hasn't come to
see you at all!”
“Oh, no. She doesn't really have to” Sabrina shrugged absently.
“Still...” pouted Selphy, “I hope I get to see your baby before we go though.
Will and I are going with his father to see to some estates in Thailand for a
few months.”
This caught Vaughn's attention. What? Was it good for a woman to be traveling
that close to the expecting time? Regis blinked, “Well, that sounds nice. Who
else is going?”
“Oh, it'll just be me, Will, and his father and a few of our servants” Selphy
gushed, “Oh! I can't wait to have reading time on the boat, it'll be so
exciting!”
What? They...they weren't taking Sachiko? Will smiled somewhat and patted his
mother's shoulder. “I'll get you some cucumber sandwiches, mother.”
“Thank you, dear!”
Wait. Vaughn glared after him for a moment before finally just following. Hell
no. As Will piled a few sandwiches on a fancy porcelain plate, Vaughn grabbed
his shoulder and wheeled him around. Will glowered at him, snarling, “Something
the matter?”
“What's this bull 'bout going to Thailand with just you, your mama, and daddy?
What about Sachiko?”
Will leered, “I'll have you know I did ask Sachiko to go but she refused. Now
if you'll excuse--”
Vaughn hissed, grabbing his arm and leading him somewhere in the chance he had
to beat the living crap out of him. “Don't you think you need to stay with her?
Sabrina ain't too swift at this stage and you need to stay and take care of
Sachiko, not dally off with your mama for some months—hell! You're gonna miss
your baby?”
The blond stared at him, very bewildered, “My...my what?”
“Your baby, you idiot!”
Will stared at him for a long moment before slowly shaking his head.
“Vaughn...I assure you that it's not really your business but in a way it
ultimately is. However, if it were mybaby, I most certainly would not be off
'dallying' with my mother in another country. In fact, even though it's not
mine I offered the same but Sachiko rejected me.”
“...Whaddya' mean?”
“Who even told you the baby was mine? There was never any confusion about that
fact. Sachiko and I haven't been together like that for at least a year and a
half which is a lot more time than nine months.”
…It...it won't Will's baby? They won't together? Then... “If...if it ain't
yours then whose is it?”
Will didn't say anything and in fact turned to walk away. Vaughn quickly tugged
him back, “Whoseis it?”
Giving Vaughn a rather daunting look, Will snarled, “Do the math, Vaughn. Who
'slept' with Sachiko unprotectednine months ago?”
His eyes widened as Will stomped away. Like, what? Standing there, he slowly
counted on his fingers. Nine months...nine months ago, that was that damned
party, won't it? Unprotected? What did...
Vaughn's brows creased. Wait. That won't...that won't right. What was...was
Will saying...?
...What?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Skye! Felicie! What on Earth are you doing?!”
Skye blinked, Felicie sitting on his shoulders as she painted the ceiling.
“Wha?”
“That's dangerous!”
“No more dangerous than Short Stuff standing on a ladder” Skye snorted, “How
the hell you two both got the short gene is beyond me.”
Felicie kneed him in the cheek, earning an 'ow!' before smiling towards
Sachiko. “Don't worry about it, sis, we totally told you we'd help you get this
place all spiffied up.”
Sachiko sighed gravely. Leave it to her dad... it wasn't like she wasn't fine
with the apartment on the mainland. She could've upgraded to a two bedroom and
if that wasn't an option then Vash could've just stayed in her room. A nursery
was for more...deserving parents.
Alas, Steiner bought her this little cottage place close to them. The fenced
area around her reminded her of Thunder. That made her smile and hope he was
still being semi-nice to Vaughn. In her head she knew it wasn't great she was
thinking about him at all.
It was nice but it'd come completely unfinished. Apparently whoever bought it
only paid enough to get the walls and plumbing and other amenities in before
the aesthetics then bailed to another country. Her siblings decided they were
going to come over and help...her siblings?
She squeaked as she ended up bumping into her Uncle Keiji who was carrying some
of her boxes. “Hey, hey, what are you doing standing? Go sit down.”
“But Uncle Kei--”
He kissed the top of her head, “Sit. We've got this.”
Skye grinned as she pouted deeply. “She'll never be happy sitting on her hands,
Uncle Kei, even if she is carrying a bowling ball. How about you whip up
everyone some curry for lunch?”
Oh yea! They probably were hungry! Clapping her hands, she nodded, “That's a
great idea!”
“I won't argue against curry” Keiji chuckled, walking towards her bedroom.
Waddling towards her admittedly adorable kitchen, she couldn't help laugh as
her grandpa and great uncle raced, painting the front room with Mediterranean
accents a cream color. Her grandmother smirked at them as she carried in boxes
as well. Uncle Chihaya was giving her Aunt Rosa a mock-pouty look as the woman
laughed at him while they painted the side not occupied, apparently both having
a similar issue to Felicie. Even Chika and Shinji were in on it, carrying in
boxes along with her other cousins.
Rubbing her belly, she smiled softly. It was more than mama could feel she
deserved, Vash, but she knew he'd always be surrounded by love and kindness.
She thought about it and knew she was robbing her child of a father but...
She would have told him if Sabrina weren't expecting as well, she thought as
she started to make some rice. He'd fathered two children and one of them
wasn't with who he was committed to. The hierarchy in her head and perhaps
society told her he'd have to devote all his attention to hers. If she'd told
him, Vash would still only be second. She bit her lip as she shook her head.
She didn't want to force Vaughn to split time. She didn't want it to negatively
impact Sabrina's child either. And maybe her son would ask where his papa was
but it wasn't to say he wouldn't have a male figure in his life...
Well...maybe not exactly a step-father or surrogate father but he'd have plenty
of Uncles and grandpas. Sighing faintly, she started for the carrots and told
herself to forget it. There was nothing to be done for it now. She hoped the
best for everyone.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“...It's your kid?”
Vaughn was wondering if that was the case if Denny had come to that conclusion
as well.
Sitting on the dock with Denny, having slipped away while Sabrina was napping,
he shook his head. “Will said the kid won't his, you know? I don't really gotta
believe him but I figure he ain't have no reason to lie, as crazy as he is
'bout her.”
Denny nodded slowly in agreement as he continued, “But...if it's my baby why
ain't she even told me yet? She gotta know I'd want to be there for its life.”
“Well, you do have an upcoming child with Sabrina too.”
Vaughn grimaced, pursing his lips. “I know that but that don't mean I gotta
neglect one child. I'm both their father's so I'd find a way to be there for
both of 'em.”
“Can't tell you, man. I mean, Sachiko might think it'd just be better without
you.”
“Why? Am I that damn awful a person?”
Denny sighed, shrugging, “I don't know, Vaughn. I didn't particularly have a
dad myself growing up. The closest thing I had was my Uncle Kai and I mean, I
feel I turned out okay. Maybe she's got enough of a support system around her
that she doesn't want you to have to split time.”
Vaughn bowed his head, resting his chin against his chest. He won't real good
at articulating things but. “You ain't have a daddy and neither did I. Not
really, anyway, not one that was worthy of being called such. If you found out
you had a kid and the mama had tons of people in her life that could be a
'support system', would that make you feel like you ain't have to be there?”
The fisherman had stared at him a long time before smiling wistfully. “...No. I
guess because I...didn't have a dad I'd be more sensitive to the aspect of
being there.”
“And she'd know that. Sachiko...Sachiko would know that” he mumbled,
“Unless...unless it's not mine, right?”
“...You said you counted it back, right? That it was the month of the party in
Soyokaze?”
“Yea. Why?”
“...No reason. Look, I mean, aside from the fact Sabrina would never let you go
to verify if the woman you actually love has your child three hours from here,
I wouldn't worry about it. Yet. But anyway, I'm probably going to be leaving
for a while to this other island to get some fishing in with the crew. You
might not be able to contact me for a while. I'm leaving in three days.”
Vaughn scoffed. “Lucky.”
Denny stared at him before remarking, “...It was Sabrina who told you it was
Will's baby, right? Maybe...maybe you need to question her a little more.”
...Yea. Wait. She was the one that said Will had told her directly it was his.
Will said right from the beginning there won't no question because they, thank
God there were some miracles, hadn't been together for over a year and a half.
That ain't make sense.
Why'd she lie to him?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He said...it was a sexist horse, that it didn't like men. She'd tried to get
him to get rid of the confounded thing but he was adamant that he stay.
Kneading her hands, Sabrina Ellison walked outside toward where Thunder was
tied up. He was grazing absently. She could just...start to pet him. He
wouldn't know any better.
She came to his side and shakily reached out to rub his back. This was Vaughn's
possession that he was hellbent on keeping. Fine. But he had to like her. He
liked Sachiko...
Thunder snapped at her, neighing shrilly. Sabrina squealed, quickly backing
away. The beast huffed and trotted further away. Trembling, she felt tears well
in her eyes. Why couldn't he just let her buy him a new nicer horse...?
“Sabrina, what are you doing?”
Yelping, surprised by Vaughn's sudden appearance, she turned with a smile. “Wh-
what do you mean?”
Vaughn looked annoyed, getting closer. “Why you messing with him? He don't like
you.”
“Ugh! And you say that so bluntly like it's not a problem! I can get you a nice
thoroughbred well-mannered horse to ride! Thunder--”
“Is just fine” Vaughn snarled. “I got something more important to talk to you
about than getting rid of my animal. Why the hell you tell me Sachiko's baby
was Will's?”
“Because it is!”
Vaughn glowered, “Is not. Will told me at your party that that baby won't his--
”
“Isn't.And that's awful! How could she do that to him?”
“They haven't been together for a year and a half, Sabrina, it isn't like she
cheated on him. I'm just trying to figure out how you ain't know that.”
“Didn't. And I thought they were together. I suppose that's how the city girls
are.”
“Don'tgo there.”
She looked at him as he gave her a blank expression, like if she decided to
jump off a bridge right now he wouldn't blink. Why was it only her? What was so
good about her? Why couldn't Will have made it work? She was...she was just
holding on now.
“You aren'tbeing honest with me, Sabrina, I'm not that dumb. Whatever it is
you're hiding you need to get it off your chest now.”
Sabrina stiffened, “I-I'm not hiding anything! How could you say these things
to the woman carrying your child?”
Vaughn sucked his cheek and shrugged. “You're right. Go lay down.”
“Alright.”
Scurrying away, admittedly thankful for the dismissal, she pressed her hands
against her extended stomach and whispered out a prayer that he look just the
way she imagined. Anything else was going to ruin everything.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Sweetheart...I know you're an adult, I know it's your life...but I think
you're making an awful mistake here.”
Yukina Sachiko glanced over her shoulder as her mother appeared from inside the
house. She'd been over at her parent's house for dinner when she got a text
message...it was from Denny. He remarked that Vaughn had come to talk to him
today, saying he heard it wasn't Will's baby.
Who even said it wasWill's? Sure, Will offered to be the father but that didn't
make Vash biologically his. No, she knew. It was Sabrina trying to put yet
another wall between her and Vaughn. Whatever, she didn't have to worry as much
as she did.
'You know he loves you, right?'
Why did they tell her these things she couldn't do anything about? Okay, he
loved her. He loved her and he was with a woman he was committed to, despite
the insanity, that was also pregnant with his child. It wasn't like she could
take precedent, it wasn't like he could just 'follow his heart'. She knew
Vaughn and she knew he was going to go with his responsibilities. As long as he
didn't know about thisresponsibility and his parentage in it then he could just
devote it all to Sabrina's baby. She hadn't asked for any help.
Having sent Denny a truncated version of her thoughts, she had to get some
fresh air on his response: 'But don't you love him too?'.
What exactly was he saying there? That if she loved Vaughn, she'd tell him? If
she loved him, why would she do something like this to hurt him? Didn't she
want him to be the father of her child too?
Of course she did. Of course she wanted him here with her and Vash when he
came. He'd probably be such an awkward daddy and unsure of himself but she knew
in his own way he'd be an absolutely perfect papa. And if there was one thing
she didn't regret, as terrible as it was as the 'mistress', it was that it was
his child. It was just...she knew his feelings. She didn't want to complicate
things for him.
“Probably” she finally answered her mother, rubbing her belly. She smiled as
Vash started doing somersaults. Soon, angel.
Kaede stood beside her, gazing out into the warm summer night. “...Remember the
thing with Ryuji?”
“Mm.”
“I didn't...tell your father about him either” she smiled regretfully, “I
should've. I should've told someone but I got caught up in my own emotions.”
Sachiko looked to her sympathetically. She really couldn't imagine having lost
a child. If anything were to happen to Vash right now, they may as well bury
her, she'd be dead inside. Alas, Kaede frowned at her. “You're the exact
opposite though. You're caught up in everyone else's emotions. This whole time
things could've been a lot different if you surveyed what it is that you want.”
“It can't only be what Iwant, mother” she murmured.
“Of course not” Kaede scoffed, “But everyone else certainly has made their case
clear, made what theywant perfectly obvious but you won't even throw your hat
into the ring. You're so worried about everybody else. You're letting yourself
get hurt.”
“Someone will get hurt regardless!”
“You don't have to be a martyr, Sachiko. You are not responsible for what
Vaughn does or what happens to Sabrina as much as you think you are. Vaughn
might stillstay with Sabrina for all you know but you don't because you've
never made it clear what it is you desire out of him. Sabrina has done that and
if you had too all it would have come down to is his decision.”
Sachiko was exasperated. “That's so much pressure for him to endure, mama.”
Kaede gave her a look. “Sachiko, Vaughn apparently was the one to initiate this
little tryst that got you pregnant in the first place. You told me a little
while ago he said he wanted to leave Sabrina, that he wanted to be with you.
Maybe he didn't act much on his words but you fell out even giving him a little
push. Now he probably thinks you just don't care enough when in all honesty you
care quite a bit.”
Rubbing her face, Sachiko murmured, “Maybe I'll tell him after Sabrina's baby
is born. At the very least I don't want to overwhelm him.”
Her mother naturally was dubious but leaned up to kiss her forehead. “Don't
think I'm saying you won't make an excellent mama, sweetie. You will be
absolutely fine. Just don't live with any regrets.”
Watching her walk back into the house, Sachiko let out a breath. Regret...
Maybe.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It won't really something that came with a warning. Sabrina'd been upset about
something again while he was busy wondering if Sachiko was carrying his child
when she suddenly got all quiet. He'd wondered if she was gonna finish wailing
on him when she suddenly whispered 'my water broke'.
Stupid him, he ain't know what that meant. Sure, he went to them classes with
her and learned how to hold and feed the baby. He was pretty sure he got that
much but all the technical aspects was always a mystery. 'My water broke'?
Well, it won't...pleasant, if he could actually find some use outta that word.
Vaughn sat beside her as she sobbed and cried, clenching his hand as she huffed
and puffed. Part of him wondered if this won't just theatrics but another part
of him realized she was pushing a human being outta her. Normally nothing that
big went or came out down there.
During the long time it took, he looked around the hospital suite. It was awful
nice for something she won't going to stay in long. He thought she was going to
have him at home but Ellison thought it'd be better at a hospital. In the back
of his head, he remembered being at the hospital when Emmeline was born. It was
cold and it stank like chemicals. Won't really a place he thought was welcoming
to a newborn.
He smiled a tad though, looking down towards where the doctors were. It'd been
a long journey. Nine months made him realize more and more how much Sabrina
won't the person he wanted in his life but his son would make it worth it.
Probably the only thing that'd make this worth much of anything.
“You...you know, you...you never smile, really.”
Vaughn glanced towards Sabrina, her purple eyes peering at him from beneath her
glasses. A servant was on her other side, wiping away sweat. Pondering, he
realized he ain't felt the need to smile. Not since Sachiko and him were
together anyway. And his son. That was enough. He just shrugged.
One of the doctors said they saw a head and to get ready. Sachiko must've
thought it won't his. Maybe Sabrina in her own backwards way was right, that
her baby had another father. Otherwise she would'a told him. She'd have to
understand he'd wanna know if it was his baby.
Whatever the case was, he couldn't let it bother him no more. This child, Emme.
This child would have it so much more different than they had. He'd made a lot
of mistakes but his son won't going to suffer for them.
The little shrieks that came were mighty loud for as tiny as he probably was.
Peeking down, he tried to see but the doctors were holding him up really slow.
Vaughn couldn't help notice his hair as they quickly toted him off to clean him
up probably. Looked kinda...brown.
Sabrina's eyes widened as they brought over the cleaned up bundle after some
minutes. Probably was just seeing things, he told himself, as the nurse smiled
very carefully at the two of them. He wanted to ask what the problem was but he
guessed he really ain't have to when he laid eyes on the new addition.
He was a pretty little thing. Had light brown tresses and curls pressed against
the crown of his tanned head. His big golden brown eyes were full of tears, his
whole face sleepy looking. Vaughn stared down at the baby for a moment before
looking to Sabrina who looked absolutely horrified.
...That...won't his baby.
The color was already missing from Sabrina's face but now she was near
transparent. Wait. Wait, what? That won't hisbaby. In fact, it looked like...
“Is that...is that Denny'sbaby?”
“W-what do you mean?” she quickly forced a smile.
“I meanthe baby bears a rather striking resemblance to Denny. He definitely
ain't mine. What the hell is going on here?” he demanded, his ire rising very
quickly.
She pursed her lips tight, trembling, “I-I can't believe this. All my prayers--
”
“Sabrina!”
“If-if he'd at least looked like me! Now-now what am I supposed to do?!”
The nurse gaped as Sabrina sobbed, “Get him away from me! I didn't want
hisbaby! This is all your fault, Vaughn!”
His fault? “How is you sleeping with Denny and having his baby my fault?!”
“If you'd just-just forgotten about Sachiko and just-just had a baby with
melike I planned—g-get it out of here! I don't ever want to see him again!” she
choked out, gesturing the woman sweepingly to take the baby away.
Vaughn stared at her. “...Don't you daretreat him like that. That's your
child.”
“I don't wanthim!” she bellowed, turning over on her side and curling
underneath the sheet.
The baby started to weep and he wanted to punch Sabrina in the throat. Maybe
that won't his son but he'd be damned if he saw that child treated this way.
How dare she? How dare she give up her child a minute after he was birthed?
What kinda parents was there in the world? Clenching his fists tight, he
hissed, “Iwant him. I'll take care of him since his mother's a f—king bitch.”
Sabrina looked up, shocked, as he took Denny's son from the flabbergasted
woman. He was crying real sourly and he figured he would too if he was greeted
like this outside the womb. “...Don't you worry. I bet your daddy will take
mighty fine care of you since your mama don't care.”
Demanding another room to be away from Sabrina, he allowed them to take the
baby to the nursery to check him over. Falling on the bed hard, he was so
peaked and upset and confused, his mind was in shambles. Nine months and...and
the baby won't even his?
And Sachiko's baby won't his either?
Staring off, he slowly shook his head and took out his phone. No time for that
now. That boy needed help first. Calling up Denny, he was glad he answered
because he knew the man was getting ready to go.
“Hey, dude. What's up?”
“When'd you get a chance to knock up Sabrina, Denny?”
“...What?”
“You heard me. Nine months ago ring a bell? When'd you have sex with Sabrina?”
He was met with silence and could hear the crashing of waves in the background.
“...Vaughn, what are you telling me right now?”
“I'm telling you this is yourbaby that popped up outta Sabrina!” he snapped,
“You could'a told me it could'a been yours! You know how much hell this has
been?!”
Denny let out a hard breath, “D-dude, look, I...I mean, she was upset at the
party and-and I thought you were hooking back up with Sachiko so she...she
begged for it, okay? I...I guess she must've used me to get herself pregnant so
she could play it off as your kid.”
Vaughn's brows creased. Yea, that girl was mental. Denny and him won't the same
complexion, have the same eye color, or hair color. She said as much, hoping it
looked like her but she really think he was that dense? Kneading his forehead,
he shook his head rapidly, “She dun disowned him, pretty much. I'm hoping you a
better parent, Denny, or I'mma be right mad.”
“Disowned...? ...Oh.”
Tapping his knee, he listened to Denny breathe on the other end before laughing
weakly. “Dude, I'm...I'm not ready to be a dad. I haven't mentally prepared
myself to be a father, especially a singleone.”
“Well, time's up. Unless Sabrina magically get a heart, you and Junior are
riding solo.”
“D-dude! I don't know how to-to feed a newborn baby or-or burp it or bathe it
or-or anything! I don't have anything ready for him! My-my God, my house is a
ticking time bomb for a child! He needs a crib, he needs a car seat, he needs
food, he needs a college fund!”
Vaughn listened to Denny rant on and on about stuff. Well, at least the junk he
was listing off was more practical than that island he had. Thing was, that
won't even the issue. “Denny, shut up. He needs you.”
The fisherman stopped mid-sentence and was silent for a moment before rasping,
“You're...you're right. I...I know the other stuff is important but...”
Mirabelle raised a young'n. She probably knew what a baby needed. “I'll call
Mirabelle. She probably can track down stuff for him to help out. She can show
you all the stuff and I guess I learned a few tricks too. Just baby proof your
house as best you can and we'll go from there.”
“Is he...is he okay?”
“He's a'right. I'll take care of him while you get everything straight.”
“Vaughn, I...I don't even know what to say. Th-thanks? I'm just-I'm just so
sorry, I...I wasn't expecting this.”
Yea...neither was he. But Lord knows he was out of it now. She ain't have no
hold on him anymore because quite assuredly he hoped she did go jump out a
window now. Treating her child like that, ain't she have a soul? Jaw taut, he
huffed. No, that was over. He won't nobodies slave or fiance or nothin' now.
...Funny how he still ain't feel much better about that.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
If it were him, Sachiko might forgive him. Anyone else, she might be angry with
forever. But him? Her beloved Skye-chan? She'd get over it. This was for her
own good.
“Mouw, mouw, dada?”
“Meow, meow, precious.”
Yukina Meru sat against his shoulder as he walked through Verdure. They were
getting some looks, probably because he was ginormous and holding his tiny
sweetheart. He smiled as Meru gave him kisses against his cheek. And fine, he
should hate the guy that didn't know or care what condoms were but frankly he
felt bad for him too as a father. He wasn't avoiding the responsibility, he was
robbed of it. Just here to let him know.
Walking into the bar he had some five years ago almost, he smiled at the
barkeep. Nick or something stared at him weirdly as he asked, “Hi. Do you know
where I can find Vaughn Blythe?”
“Oh, he's down on the dock at Denny's place. It's got a purple roof. Can't miss
it.”
“Thank you” he bowed a little.
The man suddenly cleared his throat, “How's Sachiko?”
“Hmm? Oh, she's doing great. Just had her son, Vash.”
The man issued his congratulations and reported Sabrina had her baby a few days
ago before Skye went along his way. Struck him as a little odd though that the
man was already chilling with his pal a matter of days after his son was born.
Maybe this wouldn'tgo so well...
Going down to the water, sure enough he saw the rather small abode and slowly
walked up the steps on the rickety porch. Knocking, he cocked a brow. He heard
yelling from inside...
“What you trying to do, choke him? Feed him slower!”
“Ah! He decided to take all that in though!”
“Give him a break!”
Uh huh...knocking again, Skye's brows creased when he finally heard someone
approach. “Like damn it, man, I thought Iwas bad with babies. Maybe you was
right!”
Skye was very confused when the door swung open, revealing his sister's cowboy.
The man stared at him for a long moment before slowly mumbling, “...Hi?”
“Hey.”
Vaughn's eyes narrowed, staring him over as if something was strange about him.
“...You look different.”
“I've laid off the booze a bit. Can we talk?”
The man's purple eyes closed even more before he nodded once, looking back into
the house. “You keep practicin' with him. I fear for that child now.”
“Shaddup, Vaughn!”
Shaking his head, Vaughn closed the door and stared at Meru for a second.
“...She yours?”
“Yep. This is my Meru.”
Meru surveyed him before giggling, hiding her face against his neck. Vaughn
just kind of looked before glancing away. “...What was it that you needed to
say?”
“Not so much 'say' as 'ask'. My sister had her baby.”
“...So?”
“SoI think you should come see her for some closure.”
Vaughn snorted loudly, stuffing his hands into his jean pockets. “What I need
that kinda closure for? I bet that baby looks just like his dad.”
“Certainly does. Has whimsical eyes though.”
“I ain't gonna see nobody” Vaughn stated bitterly, “This a whole load of mess I
ain't ever need in my life and I'm saying 'good riddance'.”
Skye leered. “...You know, I don't know what set of circumstances paired you
and my sister together but the universe decided to find two of the most
avoidant people possible and say, 'you're a couple'. She's not ready to say
what she wants and you're just going to run away.”
“I ain't running from nothing! You know my 'fiancee' been pretending to be
pregnant with my child for the last nine months then turns out it's my best
friend?” Vaughn snapped, “That's not running; That's being fed up .”
Ouch. “Wow. Yet you're helping your best friend with this kid?”
“He needs all the help he can get, frankly. The mama decided since she couldn't
pass him as my baby she going to abandon him. Hoped she'd get some sense once
she got her wits about her but sure enuff she signed him right over to Denny. I
ain't dealing with no more complications or craziness. Tell your sister I wish
her the best but it ain't got nothingto do with me.”
Vaughn started to walk away. Skye sucked his cheek. “You sure about that?”
He paused. “What?”
“You sure it has 'nothing' to do with you? Figured you'd have at least a little
fight in you for her.”
“Why should I fight? She don't need me, she's got--”
“She's got family, she's got friends, she's got a baby. That's all, cowboy.”
Vaughn looked over his shoulder at him before hissing, “And if I believed you
I'd have to believe that Sachiko ain't think much of it to tell me.”
“Sachiko's a guilty type. Make it better, Vaughn. Or at least, that's all I can
ask. She needs that much and I think you need it too.”
Walking away to start back to Soyokaze, he rather hoped the guy would go. It
really was a toss up, unlike all the other men inducted into the family. He
didn't seem like that loving caring type and he really didn't seem to believe
Sachiko even wanted anything anymore. Well, not that he could blame him.
Sachiko tried not to want anything.
Everyone needed a little push sometimes and really, he knew that best.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He was the prettiest little thing she'd ever laid eyes on. When they set him in
her arms, she burst into the happiest tears. Her great-grandpa, present as he'd
actually just coincidentally been visiting the hospital, had smiled, a little
surprised. “I think he's the first in the family with heterochromia. Odd. I
hope it's just genetic.”
Probably on Vaughn's side, Sachiko had thought, holding her baby boy. He had
white whispy hair pressed against his soft skull, looking up at her with his
green and purple eyes. Skye had joked that Vash definitely seemed like a
fitting name now, he wasan anime character. To her delight, Meru was actually
taken with him and tried to feed him. Oh, precious babies.
Sitting in the window bay seat, she couldn't help smile. Admittedly, during
this entire pregnancy, there were days when she wanted to just cry. But it'd
been a few days since Vash came into her life and she hadn't stopped smiling
yet. Yes, she was overjoyed. Everything would be perfect. They were going home
soon and she was ready to take on her new challenge in life, even alone.
“...Hey.”
...What?
Sachiko thought she was hearing things. Surely that voice and that accent
couldn't be present here. Surely hewouldn't be here. Slowly she looked over her
shoulder, gawking in disbelief. Sure enough, like some unwelcome miracle, there
stood Vaughn Blythe.
He looked exhausted, she couldn't help note, like he hadn't slept in ages.
Dressed all in black, it was like he was bringing in doom and gloom. That may
have been the case. She quickly jumped to her feet, alarmed. Vash was napping a
few feet between either one of them. No.
“V-Vaughn? What are you doing here?”
His eyes narrowed a bit, shrugging absently as if it didn't matter either way.
“Heard you had your baby. Thought I'd come and give him a look.”
Swallowing hard, she quickly came to the baby's side so she could...hide him?
What? “...You really shouldn't have.”
“Why not?”
“You havea child you should be tending to right now and you're here!”
Vaughn looked apathetic as usual. Or the usual before they dated. It really was
striking because he was always so deadpan and vacant prior to them being
together and she hadn't even noticed but he started getting a lot more
expressive during the relationship. Wasn't he happy though?
“That baby won't mine. He was Denny's.”
“I--...what?”
The cowboy scoffed, “It won't my son. I guess her and Denny got frisky when we
was at that party and she tried to pass it off as mine. Don't help when the
daddy is Denny.”
What? Was Sabrina that desperate? She didn't even know whether it was Vaughn's
child? In fact, she seemed to know it was Denny's? Sachiko could only gape.
“...Where...where's the baby? Sabrina's owning up to it, right?”
“Nope. Disowned him right then and there. Denny 'dun took him in.”
...Disowned? Disowned him over what? Her deciding to sleep with someone else
and being upset when he looked like that someone else? What did that have to do
with him? Balling her fists, she grew angry as a new mother. What a selfish
human being! “Poor...poor thing...”
“He'll be a'right. Denny ain't...great, which is somethin' for me to say but
he's at least got a heart” Vaughn remarked.
Sachiko bit her lip, heartbroken all the same. For his mother to reject him so
new to life? It was awful. “Anyway, lemme see your rascal so I can be on my
way.”
This was getting pretty bad too. She quickly came back to the issue right at
hand and rapidly shook her head. “V-Vaughn, I didn't really inviteyou to see
him.”
“You ain't but your brother did.”
Sachiko's eyes widened...damn it, Skye! That's where he ran off to, ugh! Biting
her lip, irritated with his intrusion, she shook her head. “He shouldn't have
done that either.”
“Why you acting like this? Your baby Denny's too?”
“How is that even feasible?”
Vaughn snorted acerbically, “Ain't nothin' feasibleanymore, Sachiko. I dun' put
up with psycho nonsense for years now and got looped into more nonsense
thinkin' I was 'bout to be a daddy but nah, it's Denny'sbaby. I dun' had my
house taken away, my job taken away, and I ain't got a damn thing to show for
it. So if it's Denny's baby or anybody else's baby, I certainly don't care no
more. Just gimme some 'closure' as your 'Skye-chan' put it and I'll just go
start over again.”
Sachiko stared at him. In his own Vaughn-like way, he seemed terribly...broken.
No job, no home, not even the child he was expecting? Then he had to
practically stay in a relationship he'd not even wanted because Sabrina told
him she'd kill herself? His life...
...Must've been very complicated.
Biting her lip, tears stinging her eyes, she trembled. “...Alright.”
Moving, not sure why she was so willing to concede, she accepted whatever he
would say. He'd have no reason to be involved because all these complications
started when she entered the picture. Sabrina might've been a whole different
situation if she'd never been involved. He might be so overjoyed right now but
instead his life was in shambles. That wasn't what she wanted and if Vash could
give him closure to start over, so be it. She thought she'd been helping him.
At least she could give him this much.
Vaughn had moved to the side of the little crib container, his face
expressionless. She looked and was confused when it transformed into...shock.
For a long few moments, he just stood and stared down at Vash blankly, as if
something wasn't computing in his head. After she felt a growing sense of
unease, she cleared her throat. “His...his name is Vash.”
Vaughn looked up at her quickly before his eyes returned to the crib. Opening
his mouth a few times, he ultimately faltered before saying just barely above a
whisper: “He's...he's beautiful.”
Sachiko could barely swallow the lump in her throat as he slowly removed his
gloves, stuffing them in his pockets and reaching down. Carefully he lifted the
newborn and cradled him in his arms. Unbeknownst to her, Vash had woken up and
was currently staring up at Vaughn with sleepy fascination. “You...you do got
some funny eyes there, Vash. Couldn't decide which one you wanted more, huh?”
She couldn't help smile, feeling a few tears escape as Vaughn carefully walked
over to sit by the window. He looked absolutely enraptured before he visibly
gulped, finally glancing up at her. “...Why ain't you tell me he was mine?”
And there was the tell-tale question. Rubbing her arm, she shrugged absently.
“You were having a baby with Sabrina--”
“That ain't mean nothin'. If that baby had been mine, that won't have changed
that Vash is mine too! I would'a taken care of both of ya'll!”
“I didn't want that” Sachiko insisted weakly, “I-I slept with you when you were
still with Sabrina! My-my baby wasn't...wasn't legitimate--”
Vaughn glared angrily, “He's just as legitimate as Sabrina's baby would'a been.
Prolly more so because I only wanted to ever be with you! But-but everybody got
me thinking you wit'-wit' Willor-or any other slicker from 'round here and-and
you don't think I would wanna be there for my son? I thought you understood
me!”
Choking, she sobbed, “I-I just didn't want him to be second.”
“Second?” he demanded harshly, “He would'a been equal. I understand, you think
I'da had to split time between here and there with Sabrina. You'da been right
had that been the case but you know what? It's downright insultin' you don't
think I wouldn'a been there for both my boys the best I could'a. And it
wouldn'a been no burden or even a responsibility but my honor.”
Sachiko shivered as he stood, getting closer to her, “How you think I would'a
felt findin' out 'bout him down the road? What if he was six or twelve or,
dang, eighteen? You think I'da wanted my son to look at me and not know who I
was? Do you think I want to be myfather? If that man came back today I couldn't
pick him outta a line up. I thought you understoodme...”
Covering her face, she rasped, “I...I know.”
“Gotta funny way of showing it.”
Vash started to whine loudly. Vaughn glanced down at him before curling him a
bit more against his chest. “You don't like me yellin' at your mama, do you? I
know. You been the man of the house for a few days now and you can't have no
strangers coming in here yelling at the one that's been lovin' on you. You're a
lucky baby, Vash. Your mama's gonna love you silly.”
Sachiko smiled in spite of herself and slowly rasped, “If...if you need a...a
place to crash for a little while, you can...you can always come home with us.”
“Duh. I won't looking for no invitation, I was gonna do that anyway.”
She pouted at him and inhaled when he leaned forward, kissing her tenderly.
Pulling away softly though not breaking the proximity, he licked his lips.
“Maybe I should stay outside for a while though. Vash might end up with a baby
brother or sister mighty quick.”
“Vaughn!”
Sachiko groaned, a little flustered, as he pulled her to sit with him and Vash
on the window sill. A little anxious, she rested her ear against his shoulder
as he counted Vash's toes and fingers, pushing his tiny little nose. She stared
at him as a smile started to grow on his face, their son responding to the
actions with little gurgle sounds.
...Maybe she was wrong. Maybe...noweverything was perfect.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“...You.”
Vaughn Blythe looked up languidly, sitting on the hospital bed. Sachiko had
rested her head against his thigh, saying with a yawn that her back hurt. He
started rubbing it for her and she seemed right confused. It won't like he
ain't try with Sabrina as she spent her whole pregnancy in pain but she really
ain't want him touching her that much. Nah, she had servants and masseuses for
that. Sachiko went in all by herself...
“She has a bit of a savior complex. It's a Yagami trait if anything. Sometimes,
when she needs to be the most, she's not very assertive. Don't let her be
wishy-washy with you, Blythe-san. She's just...very quick to think of others
when it's not always the best thing.”
That's what her mama told him, won't it? She really thought that being the only
parent for their boy was the best because she was his 'mistress'. Thing was,
was he what she'd wanted? He won't exactly sure but she named him Vash. She
ain't even really like that idea but she still kept his random wish. She
must've thought of him a little even though she clearly ain't realize that he
was capable of caring for two children. Silly woman.
His eyes closed slightly as her father glared darkly at him. He won't certain
but he assumed the guy won't too thrilled he'd been missing this whole time.
Won't like he knew or anything though. “...I was told it was Will's baby.”
“I'd like to think my daughter doesn't sleep around quite as much that it'd be
unthinkableyou were the father” Steiner snarled, his fists clenched like he was
ready to go a few rounds.
“Probably so.” Sachiko never struck him as that type of girl. “All the same, I
ain't know what I ain't know. I'm here now regardless.”
Steiner gritted his teeth and took a step forward before stopping. “All of you
bastards step in and out of my daughters' lives at your own f—king convenience.
It's not very impressive.”
“I won't really out to impress you” Vaughn assured before sitting up a bit,
“I'd be right mad too though. And I am. I would'a made it work. I would'a took
care of your daughter too but she ain't really give me a chance. Now that I
know? I might not 'uh been 'round during the pregnancy but I will be here for
her and my boy a hundred percent. I'm not going to 'conveniently' let her guilt
herself outta my life this time. I should'a fought harder for her to begin with
but hindsight's a bitch.”
“Your bluntness on the matter super pisses me off.”
“Ain't gotta time machine on me.”
Oh Lord, would her father actually beat him? Vaughn was almost a little
surprised when the giant's jaw started to tick. He was a little taller than
him, won't he...?
He let out a breath of relief when her mama came in. She caught sight of him
and looked positively relieved. “Oh, thank goodness!”
“'Thank goodness'? You knew?” Steiner demanded loudly.
“Honey, you're the only one that didn't quite put two and two together” Kaede
drawled slowly. “And we didn't need you going on a manhunt. It was something
Sachiko had to do on her own.”
Which she stillfailed to do. In his head, he could imagine it. One day he just
would'a happened to come through Mineral and have saw this boy or teenager that
probably'd look a mighty lot like him. He'd uh' stared at him for a while and
Vaughn's heart would'a broke because the kid probably would'a just asked 'what
he was looking at?' and walked on away. His son. That was protecting him?
Pursing his lips, he gazed down at the woman. But then, he really had no
intention of coming here no way, did he? Thought she'd found herself a nice
city man and started a nice family with him here when Will told him it won't
his. He ain't want nothing to do with that. Four years later though and kissing
her still made him light-headed and happy? She won't with nobody and she had
his baby so as far as he was concerned she was his again. No distance was gonna
come between them like it had again. He looked to Steiner who seemed quite
heated. And no parents either.
“I'mma take care of your daughter and grandson. I promise.”
Steiner's green eyes narrowed before he just marched out. Kaede smiled softly.
“I know. And so does he.”
“Sorry. I still ended up letting her get away from me” he found himself
murmuring.
“But you found your way back” Kaede replied, “Just hold onto her this time. And
make sure she holds on to you too.”
The woman exited and he took a breath. Yea, as long as she'd have him, he'd
hold on. Looking at Vash who was fast asleep, he smiled. Taking out the picture
from his wallet, careful not to wake Sachiko, he whispered. “That's your
nephew, Emmeline. It worked out in the end though, Emme. I promise I'mma be
better than our daddy. Promise.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Yagami Koji sighed as Steiner paced. It was dinner night and he wondered why
his son-in-law thought he was the perfect sympathizer. Didn't he put him
through enough hell? “I should kill him. I mean, maybe Sachiko won'tneed him.
She wasn't in any rush to find him for nine months so maybe he's useless. I
mean, sure, maybe I'll go to jail and stuff but he hasn't been here for nine
months. Then he nonchalantly tells me he can't find a time machine. Son of a
bitch, I wanna smack that kind of...curtness!”
Koji shrugged. If one son-in-law wasn't bad enough, Chihaya was chilling with
Rosa nearby. The Duke of Curtness itself, Chihaya blinked languidly. “I mean,
if he didn't know, he didn't know. He's right: unless he's got a time device
somewhere he's not getting those nine months back. I really don't see why
everybody freaks so much over this anyway, Sachiko isan adult. She's been
capable of kids and the like for a while now.”
“Oh really? Well, I got news for you, brother-in-law, Chika was already onto
the scheme of things when she was in kindergarten.”
“That's--”
“One day it won't be a treehousebut an apartment with...Matt, was it?”
“Steiner--”
“And you know what's in an apartment, Chihaya?”
“I still like you but you're pushing it--”
“A bed. You know what happens in beds, Chihaya?”
“Don't you say it--”
“Sex! That's right, Chihaya, Chika's going to get an apartment with Matt or
some other heathen man and they're going to have sex !”
Koji just squeezed the bridge of his nose, shaking his head as Chihaya almost
flipped over the coffee table. Rosa bit her lip and seemed to be fighting a
laugh, shuddering, “S-Steiner-nii, please stop antagonizing my husband. He was
just trying to say that Sachiko made a decision not to tell this fellow Vaughn
and that was her choice to make as an adult. Now that he's found out though he
has decided that he will be around for Vash's life. That's actually quite
special considering some men would still be possessed to leave.”
Steiner glowered, muttering, “Yea, well, if he leaves again I will go after
him. Leaving my daughter in the first place was stupid, damn him.”
Rosa smiled, rubbing Chihaya's back as he was now quite disgruntled. “Give him
a chance.”
A chance? Did he deserve a chance? Koji smirked lightly, leaning against the
chair, “Nothing's ever gone exactly to plan in this family, Steiner. It's an
unnatural miracle that somehow at some point it all comes together. Like Rosa
said, just give the guy a chance. If he doesbail then we'll join you for the
hunt. Right now, let him be.”
Steiner let out a breath and glared out the window. He'd never forget holding
her the first time. Never had he seen anything more beautiful and perfect in
his life. His angel. And as his angel, he wanted to know that everything would
be at its best for her. Hearing a man that apparently did sleep with her have
doubts it was his child so he 'didn't know' was notat its best. Maybe Koji was
right, this family was prone to more problems than he'd ever featured and that
was considering his life but that didn't mean he had to like it.
...In the end, he knew though. As long as it was good for Sachiko and Vash,
he'd have to accept it. If this bastard could prove he was worthy then so be
it. Whatever his ideals were, they didn't matter. In the end, he'd just wanted
all of his angels to be happy.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lord, what was wrong with him?
Sachiko was carrying Vash all bundled in her arms, chattering to the little boy
warmly, as they walked into the house. It was a nice house. He noted the stable
and remembered...
Thing was, aside from that thought, he was thinking about things he probably
ain't have no business thinking about. Vash's tiny hand rested against his
mama's bosom, admittedly probably one of the only holds he could find.
Sabrina's got bigger too. Sachiko's ain't really need to get bigger but
they...definitely had.
As much as the incident with not knowing about his son was on his mind, sex
definitely was a close second.
He paused as Sachiko turned to him, a bright smile on her face. “What do you
think of the house, cowboy?”
“It's nice” he quickly responded, smiling a little weirdly in her face.
She held his hand suddenly, pulling him through the hallways. “Let me show you
Vash's room!”
Oh man, she was so perfect. She'd been talking something stupid about how much
weight she'd gained. He ain't really even notice. She just looked like Sachiko
to him. He wanted her.
“See, baby precious? This is where you'll probably sleep one percent of the
time” Sachiko cooed.
Vaughn looked around the room. The room Sabrina had set up for their baby was
mighty big and ritzy but there was something homey 'bout this one. She had a
nice wooden crib and a blanket hanging over the side and one of them tables to
match. Staring, he cleared his throat. “...Can...can I make him something?
Like...like a rocking horse?”
Sachiko turned to him, surprised, before smiling with a pretty blush. “That'd
be so perfect.”
“G-good” he blurted, quickly tipping his hat down. Those eyes. “Show...show me
the rest of the house.”
It won't really like this with Sabrina at any point. He ain't ever desire her
at all. But nah, Sachiko pissed him off with keeping Vash secret and he wanted
her even then. She really was his girl. Clearing his throat when she showed him
the bedroom, he nodded once more. “I like it.”
Sachiko seemed pleased. No, stop thinking dirty, Vaughn, damn it! Swiftly
shaking his head, wide eyed, he leaned forward and gave her a kiss. “Think you
can hold down the fort?”
“Wha?”
“I'm going back to Verdure.”
He didn't miss the brief look of horror on her face. Why didn't these women
trust he could come back? But then, stuff did seem to go awful wrong. All the
same. “I need to get my stuff. And check up on Denny. I'm not playing, he don't
even understand a basic fundamental 'bout babies. Poor things been in backwards
diapers every day.”
Sachiko laughed, her face softening before she looked sad, “...I feel so awful
for him. For him to be treated that way by his own mama...”
Vaughn just shook his head and took Vash into his arms. He was honestly pretty
happy his boy had taken a shining to him. Kissing him on the lips, he stroked
his cheek. “You the man of the house for a couple days while I get things
straightened out, Vash. You take care of your mama.”
She was trying to hide her worry and he was simply going to prove she was
worrying over nothing when he got back. “Tell your daddy I ain't running
neither. I can't live off a pair of clothes.”
“Okay” she giggled softly, “Have a safe trip.”
“Mm.”
Weirdly it was hard to leave them at the door. He ain't wanna go. Glancing back
as Sachiko stood there with a smile, he took a breath. Just had to be quick
about it, was all. Funny how his life felt as if he had already started over.
He already felt...refreshed.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“You're going where?”
Denny Walker sighed gravely, holding his son in his arms. “I'm going to my
sister's in Hondo. I need all the help I can get.”
“Good. Then I won't have to worry you dun' gave him too much formula.” Vaughn
pushed a few strands of hair off the boy's forehead. “You know, he's getting a
little old now. 'Bout time you named him.”
“I have named him! Shea.”
Vaughn was a little confused but nodded slowly. “Shea...you know Sachiko named
my boy Vash?”

“You told me that when you walked in” Denny smirked some, walking over to throw
some more of his things in a box after handing Shea to Vaughn. “
“He's a pretty little thing” Vaughn nodded, sitting on the couch.
“That too.”
Leaning back, thankful all his stuff was packed up anyway, he jabbed Shea's
hand. “You know, I was right mad with Sachiko, keeping my child from me like
that. Weird thing is I wanted to jump on her too.”
“'Jump on her'?” Denny echoed.
“Well...y'know...”
Denny raised a brow before it must've dawned on him. “Wow, really? You guys
haven't seen each other in forever and you wanna jump her is the second thought
you had?”
“She's gorgeous” Vaughn nodded.
'Mm', Denny nodded, taping up one of the boxes. “You're lucky, man. At least
you have a woman that cares about you, despite how much of a wreck that was,
andher child. I'm batting zero in both areas. You think you know a person,
huh?”
“Why ain't you ever tell me you liked Sabrina?”
The fisherman paused. Silent for a long few moments, he finally shrugged.
“Guess I didn't figure I could ever compare to you in her heart so what was the
point? In the end, I was right. She rejected Shea because he wasn't yours and
couldn't even be passed as yours. She slept with me just for her own self-
interests. Guess I have to figure I can do better.”
“She won't the girl I imagined neither” Vaughn muttered, “Girl I thought I knew
was right sensible and calm. She won't none of that.”
“To her defense, she felt like she had a lot to live up to against Sachiko”
Denny countered.
Vaughn scoffed, rubbing his face. “She should'a just been herself. I'da
appreciated that more. Unless that washerself then I can't appreciate that at
all. I can't really stand the fact she used her life like some kinda bargaining
chip then got herself pregnant with what she played off as mine knowing full
well it won't. Then the eye of it all is she going to pass on her child like he
ain't nothing to her. I wouldn't want that woman to be the mama of my child
even if it was mine. Somethin' won't right and I'm glad I got Sachiko to go
back to now.”
“Yea...” Denny agreed sadly before smiling gravely, “Why are you here then?”
“You said you movin' to Hondo, right? Figure I may as well help you get all
this stuff going, we only gonna be an hour apart” Vaughn shrugged, “Sachiko'll
understand that. She right heated about this situation wit' Shea too.”
Denny stared at him before pursing his lips, looking away. “Dude...you are
ridiculouslynice to me. Half this crap is my fault.”
“How?”
“I-! ...I...I only wanted you with Sachiko so it'd free up Sabrina for me. And
when it didn't work out like that, I was still always trying to sabotage you.
Then to top it off, despite how much you wanted to break up with her, I
did...sleep with your girlfriend.”
Vaughn gazed at him for a couple moments. “...You're right. I should hate your
guts.”
Denny grimaced but Vaughn slapped his back. “You ain't cause no real harm,
Denny. You made sense of stuff I couldn't make sense of during all this and I
reckon you ain't know Sabrina was having your baby like I ain't know Sachiko
was having mine. I'd say no harm, no foul. We dun' made it through.”
“Yea...” Denny smiled wistfully, “Yea. We did, huh? Guess it was a rough couple
of rounds but we did win the game. Or...you did. I won by some series of awful
defaults that may as well be defeat.”
“Reckon so. But you came out on top with your boy. You'll probably find some
woman that'll be willing to mama that boy senseless since his real mama can't
be bothered. It ain't really a defeat.”
Nodding slowly, Denny laughed, “You make more sense than you'd think, Vaughn.”
Scratching his nose as Shea started to doze off, Vaughn shook his head, “Dunno
'bout that, Denny. But I'm just glad that after all this I can start over. But
enough yakking. I wanna get back to my girl and my son.”
“Ay, captain” Denny saluted lightly.
Settling more on the couch, still a little drowsy from the whirlwind they was
in for the last couple of days, Vaughn pondered. Had he grown from this? Had he
realized anything or changed or...anything? Sure. He'd had more bad days than
good and more downfalls then uplifting moments but fact of the matter was he
did make it to the top of the mountain.
And to think it all started when he wanted to be special to some girl from the
city.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
End Notes:
This story was originally titled 'City Girl' but not really all that relevant.
Steiner and Kaede are mentioning a few plot points from Yuki and Third
Generation between the phantom thief stuff and Ryuji. Koji mentioning Keiji's
birth is from Step Towards the Future and Keiji's curry thing is recurring
since his birth as well. Chihaya and Chika's treehouse is from Yume and Otome.
Meru is also from Third Generation.
Ah yes, more insane crossover times, loveys! Selphy is probably the BEST fit
ever when you think about it. A character from Rune Factory Frontier, she loves
books and apparently she's a princess so she's perfect to be Will's mama XD Oh,
and breaking some continuity, Shea might be modeled after Shea from Sunshine
Island.
Also, I'm sure someone was like, oh God, here goes the two different eye color
character. You know how big the Yagami/Yukina/Izumi/Whatever family is? There's
got to be SOMEONE in that mass with some kind of different attribute.
***** Epilogue *****
Epilogue
Author's Note : As much as I'd like to say more, I really need to sleep. It's
been an outrageous week with my grandfather passing Sunday and a whole lot of
illness.
This is something I see an infuriatingly large amount of on tumblr and it's
genuine unhappiness. God knows I have so much I'm unhappy about right now. But
there's so many posts detailing waking up to being angry over anything from
school to outrage over the actions of others and I wanna tell a lot of people
to 'stop'. My grandfather has lived with my family for eighteen years. My
grandmother left him one day out of the blue, admitting to having an affair,
and that absolutely destroyed his life because they'd been together for almost
fifty years. She felt she was a young woman and he was older and at that point
all five of her children had grown up so now she should be able to freely live
her life. Sounds like one of my stories? Nope, real life. If you ever see me on
tumblr reblogging stuff about how women hurt men just as much as men hurt women
it's because of this.
My grandpa taught me to gamble before all that. At six, I was pretty amazing.
After that, he declined into this person that didn't want to talk to anyone or
do anything he once enjoyed. Eventually he just became another person in the
house to feed without any personality or anything. It pissed me the hell off
that he never wanted to eat and decided it was best to waste away. He either
just sat and slept and eventually just lied in bed all day. He deteriorated for
almost twenty years and lived in absolute unhappiness. He never stood up and
said 'I'll get back on my feet' or 'she didn't define what I was'. He wasted
away and when I came back from getting my mother dinner for mother's day to
find he'd finally passed, I cried not because this was someone that had made
some striking impact in my life but because he died unhappy and alone and for
what? Because someone decided he wasn't enough and because he never got past
that.
The next day though, my mother and I were speaking while we were waiting for a
meeting. I told her how I saw my father look at my ailing grandfather and
seeing how his father had drifted away in the same manner. My mother told me
that, despite him not being able to talk anymore, that he kept mouthing to her
'I love you' and she was so confused because he'd not said that in almost
twenty years. She said her and her sister said 'I love you too'. They were
talking though and laughing and speaking jovially while they sat in his room,
my mother expressed, and they didn't see until a few minutes after that he'd
passed away.
I would sincerely like to think that in those last few moments he saw his
daughters laughing and happy in front of him. The family has been splintered as
hell since what my grandmother did and he was never himself again. But I want
to think that there is always some small happiness somewhere. Don't always
think what's wrong in your life and find something to live for. There's still a
tiny part of me that thinks he spent twenty years living for absolutely nothing
and it breaks my heart.
Anyway, I have something protruding out of my jaw right now and I have no idea
what it is. That and the funeral are going to keep me wrapped up for a while so
I'll let you know what I release next. I'm thinking it'll be Chika's chapter
because...yea o.o That's all, enjoy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Four days. Going on five, really, Yukina Sachiko sighed, lying in bed after
another long day with Vash. Diapers and crying. She loved him to death, of
course, but it was definitely better when he was smiling or giggling and not
poopy. She smiled despite herself. Ah well.
Turning over, the mattress creaking a little, she looked out the window in her
room. The curtain was peeled back a little to let the night sky in. It wasn't
quite midnight yet. Then it'd be five days. He hadn't called. She wasn't really
sure if he even still had a cell phone but...he could've contacted her somehow.
Funny how adamant she was to keep him out of all this but now she felt like she
didn't want to lose him. Clenching her eyes shut, she turned over once more
with her blanket wrapped around her and told herself to go to sleep. Either
way, life would go on.
She almost jumped out of her skin when she heard loud neighing followed by a
hissing 'hush!'. Heart beating fast, she gaped a little before jumping out of
bed, grabbing her robe and rushing for the front door.
Vaughn Blythe was standing there, closing the gates to the small horse pen that
had been originally constructed on the land. She was so unsure for a moment but
her heart was relieved and she almost wept. He came back.
Looking over his shoulder, Vaughn scowled, “What are you doing up? Devil horse
ain't wake you, did he?”
Biting her lip and rapidly shaking her head, she rushed him, hugging his neck
and kissing him square against his mouth. He stiffened like he was confused.
She pulled away to bury her face into his shoulder, overjoyed. “...Welcome
home.”
“W-what's all the blubbering for?” he stammered, carefully hugging her waist,
“I'm a filthy mess 'cause of your Devil horse, you shouldn't be rubbin' up on
me.”
Wait, devil horse? Eyes widening, she looked up and squealed, “Thunder-chan!”
The horse neighed a bit as she skipped over to him to rub his nose. “Oh, I've
missed you, boy!”
Vaughn sauntered up beside her, nodding towards the back, “As...as a present, I
brought you Sparkles too. And their bundle a' joy.”
Eh? Looking, she was delighted to see her horse of choice standing further back
in the pen. What shocked her was the foal standing underneath her, a white
horse. “Oh! Sparkles, you're a mama now too?”
“Not right sure how that happened but I guess ol' Thunder here's a daddy too”
he sighed, leering at the beast, “Hoped it'd 'uh gave him a better personality
but some miracles are too much to ask.”
Sachiko giggled before gazing at him shyly, “So everything went well?”
“Yea. I was gonna be back two days ago but Denny's movin' to Hondo so I decided
I'd help him and his son, Shea. I was gonna call you but it was busy for a
while there.”
“Oh, that's fine” she blurted, feeling bad for doubting him. “Ah, but he's that
close? I wanna see his baby!”
“I figured you would. I told him to come on by after he got himself settled in”
Vaughn nodded.
Happy about that, she reached out and gingerly grasped his fingertips, “Why
don't I run you a nice hot bath and make you some porridge, hmm?”

He stared at her, that weird expression like he was thinking something but
she'd really never know what. Finally, he smiled a bit and mumbled, “Sounds
fine.”
Life would go on. But in a way, she hadn't realized that, in some cases, it
could go on the way she wanted. To a new life.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
When in the world was his last good consistent night of sleep?
Vaughn lied on his side, wide-eyed, as he watched Sachiko sleep. Occasionally
she'd sigh or stretch a little, her back arching, breasts all in the air. When
they got together at first she wore some little cutesy night stuff. Plaid
shorts and a shirt. Now, whatever circumstances had led her to wearing like a
tank top singlet thingy. It worked up her naked thighs and to the best of his
knowledge that thing won't made with breasts in mind.
She turned her back to him which really won't much better. She was wearing them
same slinky panties though. Biting his lip, he had to grasp his hand not to
reach out and do something downright kinky. Denny told him he was 'horny',
whatever that might'a meant. If it meant he wanted to bend her over every time
he saw her then hell yea, that's what he was.
Swallowing, he closed his eyes and told himself to go to sleep. He couldn't see
it staying like this for long though. The boy was only a month and a half old,
it'd be a while before they could have some sex time. Dunno if he could hold
out thatlong but he'd certainly try.
His eyes opened slightly when Vash's cries interrupted. Sachiko jerked awake
like she always did before she groaned, lying there for a moment before sitting
up. He was waiting for the day when she'd take his typical offer. “I can go get
the boy.”
“No, no, you rest” she said sleepily, stumbling off to see to the infant's
whims.
Not tonight either. Like he thought, she was a mighty doting mama.
He met all her family and they were nice folk. The Uncle with the farm got him
talking with some nearby farms and he was well on his way to herding again. He
won't too into the idea of going off for days at a time now with his baby and
all but seems like he'd just have to bring 'em in from the other Southern dock.
That was a day's work and it was much better than nothing.
Right now he was fixing up the house. There was a lot of unfinished stuff and
he figured he could at least do that to bide his time. He turned his head to
the door when Sachiko returned, not at all surprised that Vash was in tow. “You
spoil that boy rotten.”
“He's my baby” she pouted, completely rearranging pillows to accommodate him.
Vaughn smirked some, turning on his side and gently squeezing Vash's fat cheeks
between his fingertips. “You better stop takin' advantage of your mama like
that. Sometimes I wanna sleep with her by myself.”
Snickering, Sachiko relaxed her head on one of the 'barrier' pillows and closed
her eyes. It ain't take her much time to get back to sleep when he ain't been
to sleep at all. Stroking her hair back, he kissed her forehead before moving
to Vash's. The baby gabbled something and he gave him his finger to hold as he
tried to sleep again.
Sabrina tried to call him recently.
It was a little confusing. Nothing really made sense and he thought he made it
perfectly clear he never wanted to have another thing to do with her ever. Nah,
she called not once but four times. What could she possibly have to say?
It won't real sane how his life went during his time with Sabrina. It was like
some alien being came in and started brainwashing him and threatening his
existence so all he did was for their benefit. He ain't think nothing about his
own life or how she was tearing it apart. To think he ain't know there was such
thing as 'happy'.
Opening his eyes, he glanced to Vash who was sleeping now too and smiled
slightly. Real peculiar, won't it? How he ain't think nothing like this was
worth going for. Cept now it felt rather nice and like it worked out right well
to his benefit.
Psh, f—k Sabrina.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Good grief, f—k him.
Sitting at the small blue table Sachiko had situated between the kitchen and
the living room, he drank his coffee though his eyes were fixed on the woman.
She was currently lying on the carpeted floor, doing thigh lifts or leg lifts
or something of that nature. Vash was beside her. The boy would stare at his
mama for a bit before randomly starting to kick his leg too like he was trying
to work off his baby fat. Sachiko would just laugh and give him a kiss. It was
giving himquite the view, that was for sure, especially with them shorts...
“And just what the hell are you looking at?”
Jumping, frankly startled, he looked to the door that Sachiko had left open to
let the air in. And her old man, apparently. Steiner glared hotly at him.
“Uh...nothin'.” Won't sure the man would appreciate him ogling his daughter's
lady parts. Or at least positions he could stick his parts. Staring, he slowly
went back to eating his porridge in silence.
Sachiko smirked as she stood, stretching before she reached down to pick up
Vash. “Don't come over here and harass Vaughn, daddy. What's up?”
“Well, I know this is a lot to ask for you as a new mama...I mean, I was pretty
freaked about it when we had you too but your mother and I were spending the
day spoiling the other grandbabies, and, well, we were wondering if we could
have Vash for a few hours?”
Vaughn's head shot up. What? Why'd they want their son? Take him where? How
were they gonna spoil a three month old any more than he was already spoiled?
But nah, Sachiko just blinked. “Of course. I wish you'd called, I would've had
him ready for you.”
“It was a bit impromptu” Steiner assured.
“Okay” she nodded, “Lemme get him changed and his diaper bag.”
What ? Vaughn rose from his seat and quickly followed her. “Hey, what's the
deal? You just gonna let him take Vash like that?”
Sachiko cocked a brow as she set the baby on the table, “Vaughn, he is bringing
him back.”
“I know that but...but!”
While he wasn't certain what he was saying, Sachiko seemed to realize it. She
gave him that pretty reassuring smile and kissed his cheek as she grabbed a
diaper. “Our baby is in the safestof hands. My mama and papa have raised three
children. I learned any crazy self-defense I have from my father and my mom's
no slouch either. And they love our children and they will do absolutely
anything for them. Sure, I'm apprehensive about him leaving me and I'm already
setting in my heart to fret until he gets back but I know he'll be absolutely
fine.”
Vaughn just gaped, still a little frustrated but not sure if he was supposed to
be. After she finished cleaning him up, she smiled broadly at him before
winking. “Besides, don't you want alone time with little ol' me too?”
...Eh? Staring at her, eyes wide, he gawked for words for a moment. “I-I would
killfor alone time with you b-but...we...we can't have sex no more.”
Sachiko looked shocked. “Why not?”
“W-why not? We're parents! That's...that's what Sabrina told me anyway, it
won't right to have sex after a baby.”
Sachiko's eyes narrowed but her smile didn't diminish. Tugging him down, she
whispered in his ear, “She is deadwrong.”
It seemed legit to him, out of anything she said! “How you figure?”
“Because mommies don't stop wanting it just because she has a baby and daddies
most certainly don't want to stop having it either. Besides...” her voice
lowered to that weird but kinda hot voice, “How do you think they get siblings,
hmm?”
...That...was true. It won't like siblings just magically happened. He'd told
Sachiko as much but he reckoned it was some accidental force in nature or
something where they just mysteriously spawned. Gazing at her, he finally
scoffed. “Then get that boy off to spoiling!”
“Will do” she grinned.
Relaxing his arms behind his back as she left the room, he slowly made his way
to the bedroom. Sabrina ain't like sex much to begin with. Was fine but she
ain't gotta come up with half-cocked information to prove to him it won't
supposed to happen. He found himself smiling rather profoundly. This life was
hellabetter.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Hi...”
“You just got laid, didn't you?”
Vaughn Blythe breathed out a sigh of contentment, a weird bewildering sound but
not one he could help under these perfect circumstances. Lying on his back,
sheets coiling around his hips, Sachiko on her side and fast asleep, he'd
happened to get Denny's call before he passed out himself.
“Yep.”
“I'm happy for you” the fisherman said dryly. “Do I hear wedding bells?”
Vaughn was a trifle bit confused. He ain't know what he heard. But after a
second, it hit him. “...Ain't that just complicating things?”
He knew Sabrina made it crazy. She ain't never ask him and he ain't ever ask
her but just because they was engaged. Stuff pissed him off good and he wasn't
certain he wanted to go through that again. Course, he realized that was just
bats—t insanity anyway so it won't like he should ever base anything from that
relationship in this one. Denny seemed to agree.
“Ask her. Well, a little down the road anyway, once Vash gets some age on him.
Right now it'd probably just be overwhelming.”
Nodding some, he thought about something else. With a marked frown, he
murmured, “...I'll have to ask her daddy.”
“From what you've told me, that man hates your guts. I'd forgo the whole
'asking for her hand' thing.”
“'Asking for her hand'?” he scoffed, glancing to her. “I ain't gotta ask
somebody elseif I can marry somebody that got the brain to choose what they
want.”
Denny sighed, “True. But you've also told me she's super close with her family
so you don't wanna cause dissolution.”
Dissolution? He felt it'd take a lot more than himto dissolve this family. Nah,
that's the reason he had to talk to him. “I'll come to that road later. What
was it you wanted?”
“Well, actually, I wanted to talk to Sachiko...”
“Are you doing something wrong with that poor boy again?”
“No! Shea is just fine. He's napping.”
Vaughn sucked his cheek before sighing, shaking Sachiko's shoulder. She 'mm'd'
before opening her eyes, staring at him. Holy jeez, don't do that...lost for a
moment, he gotta hold of himself and handed her the phone. “Denny.”
She frowned, taking the device, “Hey, is everything okay?”
Sachiko sat up a little, the covers falling off her chest. She pouted at him
when he flicked one of her nipples as she listened to Denny ramble, swatting
his hand. “...You do have a penchant for going for hardcore difficult mode,
don't you?”
The woman smiled after a moment, lying back down flat again. “Well, that's
sweet. But still, if she's super religiously zealous, you might...you know, be
kind of celibate.”
She laughed at whatever his response was, staring at her nails idly, “Well,
Denny, if she can make you happy and you think she'll be accepting of you
andShea, go for it.”
Oh Lord. He had some other woman in his sights. Sitting up on his elbow, he
glowered at her as she grinned, running her fingers against his naked chest.
“It'd be absolutely lovely to meet her. Let's arrange a dinner for next
weekend. I'll cook kosher.”
Kosher? Sachiko giggled when he moved on top of her, blowing kisses against her
chest. She did that to the boy, made him laugh something silly.
...Wow, he was missing him.
Looking up briefly, wondering if they should call, he yelped when Sachiko
tugged him down hard, grasping the back of his head and whispering in his ear
and away from the phone: “I haven't gotten enough of grabbing your ass yet for
you to start Vash's rescue mission, cowboy.”
Shuddering, startled he wanted it again so fast, he snatched the phone from
her, “Fine. Dinner with you and whoever Saturday. We'll tell you if you're
crazy then. Bye.”
Clicking off without hearing a response, she squealed, “You're so rude!”
“I'm 'horny', excuse you.”
She snickered and hugged his neck when he leaned down to kiss her again.
Marriage, huh?
...First, her papa.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kaede smiled, Vash cradled against her chest as she fed him a bottle. Aside
from the random purple eye, she was enthralled with the little being that
reminded her of her cranky husband. Smirking, she looked up at Steiner who was
watching them absently.
“...He really looks a lot like that jerk.”
“He looks a lotlike you too.”
Steiner sulked and rested his ear on top of her head as they sat outside their
home. They'd had their fun with the other grandbabies and now Kaede wanted to
get little Vash to sleep before they returned him to his mama. “Who'd have
thought?”
“Hmm?”
“I mean, it still feels like yesterday when I was diving off a building after a
rather rambunctious teenager” he smiled.
She pouted, elbowing him a bit, “It hasn't been thatlong.”
“It's been forever. All of our children are parents now. We're grandma and
grandpa” he groaned in horror.
Kaede smiled and looked to Vash, the boy still rather bright-eyed. “It's been
tough for our children.”
“Tougher than I'd ever wanted for them” he murmured softly, looking off. “I
wanted them to have it so much easier than I did. I don't compare it, I don't
know if you can, but they...they were supposed to have it so much better.”
“And they do” she insisted, “Skye's doing well. Felicie's doing well. Sachiko's
doing well. The journey's the hardest part, you know that.”
Steiner's brows creased before shrugging absently. “I guess some roads are just
bumpier than others.”
“Yup” she nodded before laughing, Vash attempting to sit up in her arms. “You
just don't wanna go to sleep so you can go home and see your mama, right? Silly
boy!”
Vash gabbled as she kissed him dotingly against his chubby cheeks. Steiner
smiled and kissed his nose. “...As long as they're happy. I guess, despite it
all, I am.”
“And like it or not, the cowboy hasn't left” she smirked.
“Don't remind me” Steiner groaned.
It was hard to describe in words how...oh, angry, he was when he discovered the
man had left Sachiko initially. His daughter tried not to show her wavering
faith, saying he just had to get his stuff and he'd be back. Every day he asked
Koji if he was ready to go hunting yet. The man snickered but did indeed have a
countdown. Fortunately, for Vaughn, he got back five days before time was up
and he hadn't left once since.
Aside from the blatant ogling of his daughter, which, to be realistic he
probably should get over as, clearly, the factual evidence they'd already had
sex was sitting in his wife's lap but still, he was a good father. He treated
Vash like gold and, grudgingly, that was half of what he required. He couldn't
accept a father that was negligent to his children, naturally. And yea, Sachiko
was glowing. Whatever, he'd take Koji's wisdom into account: he'd accept it. It
wasn't easy, like it wasn't easy with Felicie because he never had despite that
being the same circumstance.
But he guessed at the end of the line he just wanted it to be just fine. And it
was.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yup, they was mad with each other.
Sachiko had been giving Vash a bath and he was attemptingto fold clothes. Won't
real good because Sachiko would stare at the piles, smile, then when he came
back they was completely different and neat. Whatever, he'd still try.
Anyway, folding clothes and her phone rang. He won't going to answer it but he
did happen to just look at it since it was near him on the nightstand.
Will Regison.
Lord knows it took everything in him not to pick up that phone and demand just
what in the hell he wanted. That boy ain't have no reason to be calling her,
damn it! Nerves coiled to knots, he rushed into the bathroom and demanded right
then and there: “Why is Will still calling you?”
Sachiko looked up absently, gingerly washing Vash's wispy white hair. Raising a
brow, she won't quick to say nothing. “And don't you give me that 'he's my
friend' crap neither! You was 'friends' when we was together the first time
then next thing I know ya'll were 'open'!”
“And just whatare you trying to claim?” she said all too calmly, “Yea, he calls
and we talk from time to time. No big deal.”
“'No big deal'? I don't wantyou talking to him!” She likedWill. There won't no
way to overlook that happenin'. Oh yea, 'we like talking about books' took a
step up to 'we having sex openly'. She had feelings for him and he won't fool
enough to not know he felt threatened. Sachiko just stared at him a moment,
wrapping Vash in a towel hoodie thing she had for him.
He had leered as she sauntered by him but yea, he might've jumped out his skin
when she responded: “Then why is Sabrinastill calling you?”
“And how you know about that?”
Following her to Vash's nursery, sincerely a little troubled, he tapped his
foot. “Well?”
“Same way you know, cowboy. Just kinda happened to cross paths with your phone
ringing while you were in the shower and, lo and behold, there's Sabrina.I
thought you cut ties with her but, oh, there you are getting calls.”
“I didcut ties with her! I-I certainly don't talk to her after what she did!
She-she just calls, I don't ever pick up or nothin'! Youjust admitted you talk
and chat with your-your ex! You say you don't ever have nothin' to do with exes
but I guess Will's 'special', huh?”
Sitting up straight, she pinned him with a rather irritated look. “Vaughn, I
broke up with Will just like any other man. Except he wasn't like any other man
and I still like him. I'm not cheatingon you and I am certainly not going to
hook back up with Will.”
“Then stop talking to him!”
“What gives you the right to tell me who I can talk to?” she demanded.
Vaughn felt the heat rising. “You saying you weren't about to get angry because
you thought I was carrying on with Sabrina?”
Sachiko leered, “What you went through with Sabrina is so incomparable to what
went on with Will and I the situations are from different galaxies. She was a
manipulative liar that gave up her child because her manipulative liesfailed.
Will and I had an amiable relationship and an amiable break up. There's no
reason I have to stop talking to him.”
“What about me?”
“Vaughn, stop. Look, I understand, you don't want me cohorting with other guys,
fine. But you're not going to tell me who I can and cannot associate with. I'd
never do that to you!”
“I don't need to talk to another woman ever again!”
“You're being ridiculous!”
Poor Vash won't sure what to make of all that noise so he started bawling
something fierce. Sachiko sighed, comforting him, before giving him that flat
expression and marching off to the bedroom. He ain't really thought it actually
happened but he'd been on the couch for two days already. Frankly at this point
she could call Will everyday for all he cared. His back hurt.
Groaning and rubbing his face, Vaughn plucked a the blanket he had. It
won't...like it ain't hurt or nothing, seeing her with Will. That guy won't
even over it himself last he saw him, that Sachiko somewhat picked him. And
what'd he say? He offered to father the baby? He was willing to be the father
of a baby that won't his just so they could be together? He guessed he could'a.
He was fine with taking care of Shea when he ain't have nobody. He knew that
feeling. But that was dedication. Dedication from another man to hisgirl.
He understood what she said though. It won't real logical for him to forbid her
from talking to any man when she'd committed herself to him. He won't trying to
be distrustful though he knew that was another mountaintop to get over but he
knew he could trust Sachiko. If he was gonna be that kinda ass he wouldn't let
her talk to Denny or go out into the world where there was tons of men. Nah, it
won't logical and it won't what he wanted.
...He was just a little...anxious, was all.
Staring into blank space for at least an hour, he finally stood and wandered
into the bedroom. She was asleep, Vash surprisingly not present. He was getting
to be a real good sleeper despite the odds. Sachi ain't make it hard for him to
cozy up with her at his own whim Wandering closer, he crawled into bed and
shyly reached out to stroke her hair back. She woke up slowly and looked to him
sleepily.
“I'm sorry.”
Sachiko yawned slowly, turning over to stare at him before sighing, gazing into
his eyes through the pale moonlight. “You...you know I love you, right?”
“...Ain't...nobody ever told me that.”
Her brows furrowed before she sighed once again, sitting up and looking him
straight in the face. “Well, we'll have a lot of lost time to make up for,
cowboy. I love you. If I loved anyone else this way, I'd be with them. Don't
freak, but I do care deeply for Will. But in the end, it wasn't the same as
you. So stop freaking the hell out, jeez.”
He pouted at her, tilting his head down since he ain't have his hat on to hide
his blush. She smiled and closed her eyes. “I guessyou can come back to bed.”
“Good. Your couch sucks.”
She snickered, dozing back off as he wrapped his arms around her. He'd have to
practice that. He ain't never told anyone he loved them to his own
recollection. But he knew in his heart this won't the same. It was something
pure despite the messy way it came about. His life had been filled with plenty
messy impure things.
'I love you too' would take work but at least he knew it was true.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Sachiko, the boy's doing somethin' weird!”
Yukina Sachiko frowned, having gone into the kitchen to start lunch for her,
Vaughn, and Vash when she heard the man's declaration. Setting down the herbs
she was prepared to use, she rushed into the living room, pretty alarmed. He
was just sitting on the floor playing with Vaughn, what could possibly...
She paused and laughed, finding Vash doing mini lunges forward as Vaughn stared
at him, horrified. “What's the matter wit' him? Is he having an attack?”
“You dork” she laughed more, kneeling near Vash and cooing, “Is my baby twying
to cwawl a'ready?
“Crawl?” Vaughn echoed, his purple eyes widening as each of Vash's movements
got him a little closer to whatever he was trying to attain.
Sachiko smirked, “Yes, babies crawl before they walk.”
“That ain't crawlin'. Look like he's humpin' the ground.”
“Vaughn!”
Before she could remark with disdain and mask her horrid amusement over his
word choice, the doorbell rang. The cowboy rose, sighing, “That's probably
another order I been waiting for.”
She nodded, picking Vash up so she could go check on the frying pan. Her baby
just quietly watched her as she threw some things in. He was a bit of a weird
little thing. Yea, he gabbled quite a bit when directly addressed but any other
time he was silent as a church mouse. Definitely his daddy's boy. Turning her
head to look at him, she smiled as he observed her. “You gonna be the next chef
in the family, Vash?”
Kissing his forehead, she exhaled faintly. Eight months, Sachiko. Strange,
really, that you had barely known this man but now he was living with you and
was the father of your child. Even stranger, she wasn't uncomfortable at all
and was happy. Not really the way she envisioned it.
Sachiko smiled as Vaughn sauntered into the kitchen, trying to hide his
pleasure. Probably got a good haul. He said as nice as it was being out on the
road for days on end, he was also satisfied with the way Mineral was set up
too. Leave it to Mineral, it usually had something for everyone. Vaughn kissed
her temple sweetly, taking Vash back. “C'mon, boy, we're gonna teach you to
crawl proper.”
Snickering, she watched her two boys walk back into the living room, Vash
'talking' back at Vaughn's claim. She laughed when she heard Vaughn simply
remark, 'is that so? I beg tuh' differ'. He was still him but he was still a
sweeter parent than she'd thought.
Finishing the sandwiches, she made her way into the room and set them on the
coffee table, kneeling on the floor. Vaughn was indeed trying to teach Vash to
'crawl proper' but he just flopped over. “What your body made of, son? A
slinky?”
“Leave my baby alone” she chuckled, grabbing Vash to give him his bottle.
Vaughn crawled over to his sandwich, giving Vash a look as the baby tipped the
bottle to his own mouth. “That's how it's done.”
Vash's wispy eyebrow rose and he suddenly gazed upward, almost as if rolling
his eyes. “Don't give me sass 'fore you know what sass is.”
Sachiko elbowed him with a growing smirk and turned on the television to watch
one of the shows they both enjoyed. Kind of a hodge podge of genres they both
were into so it was nice. He munched on the massive sandwich, dunking it into
the little sauce she had, as his eyes stayed locked with the screen. She really
hadn't thought much of it except a nice lunch with the father of her child and
her baby.
“Sachi.”
“Mm?” she asked, mouth full of her final bite of sandwich.
Vaughn sucked his thumb a little of the sauce, still gazing at the television.
“Let's get married.”
She turned to stare at him, or, more so the side of his face as he was yet to
have actually looked at her. Not entirely sure he proposed to heror their
favorite television series, she picked up the remote and turned it off. Finally
the cowboy turned to her, sipping his sangria, “So?”
“'So'? What are you...what are you saying?”
Vaughn rested his chin in his hand, gazing at her. “I want you to be my wife is
what I'm saying. I ain't really got a ring yet because I might need to sort
some things out first but whatcha think?”
Biting her lip, she slowly gazed around, a little...shocked? Wasn't quite
expecting to be proposed to quite like that but considering the man in question
it made sense. Thing was, was it what she wanted?
He--
“Wait” he suddenly said, his brow raising, “I ain't phrase it right, right?
Will you marry me, Sachiko?”
Her eyes burned as she teared up a bit and nodded shyly. He smiled and kissed
her forehead. “Good. Reckon I'd be a little sore if you said 'no' but I guess I
was a bit nervous. I ain't really try too hard to be special to you.”
“You've always been special to me” she rasped. “I'm...I'm sorry I might've not
made it seem like that was the case.”
“I think we both equally guilty of a lot of things but now we can leave that
nonsense behind” he assured, staring at Vash as the baby rolled around to get
back to his toys. “Got to. I need to be able to focus on teaching this boy real
crawling.”
Sachiko smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. “What's something you
need to sort out though?”
“Oh. I'll tell you about it once I get it sorted. Kind of a man thing.”
Her nose wrinkled at that but seemed like it was some spirit journey he needed
to go on. She could wait. “Do whatever you need to.”
Squeezing her hip, he gave her another kiss on the lips and murmured, “...Think
we can let him roll himself to sleep then I can get some?”
“Is that why you asked me to marry you, cowboy?” she teased.
“It is a perk.”
She laughed and shoved him, blushing happily as he literally rolled in Vash's
direction to depict to him how 'silly' it was. Even he laughed when it seemed
Vash gave him a gibberish filled mouthful. 'Sass'.
Oh...so she was getting married. Well, after he took care of whatever. She
could only really wonder what it was.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He'd had a bad feeling when he woke up this morning. He told himself it was
nothing as he proceeded to trip out of a bed, rip a shoelace, then almost fall
down the steps. Nah, that could still be fine.
But no. He glowered at Vaughn Blythe whom was currently standing outside
Tenshiya with his arms crossed. Nope, the feeling was quite correct.
The man had called him out here and for some reason he knew exactly what was
coming. Frankly he'd have preferred the progressive thought that this sort of
thing was archaic. Otherwise, given the option, he'd surely say 'hell f—king
no', no matter how good a father and provider he was. Ugh. This was too soon.
Clearing his throat, Vaughn tipped his hat back and gazed around Steiner for a
moment before staring him straight in the eyes. “I figure you know what this is
sorta about.”
“To an extent.”
Vaughn let out a breath and pursed his lips. “...I reckon had my little sister
lived and some random man thought to come ask her to marry him I wouldn't be
right pleased neither. If I saw him falter a second on anything I'd be on him
and threatening him.”
Steiner frowned some, crossing his arms. Sachiko had told them somethings about
the guy's life but naturally she'd been vague as not to tell things that
weren't really their business. But. “And your sister...?”
“My father killed himself, my mother, and my baby sister, Emmeline, in a
drunken car accident when he got shipped over here from the U.S.” he mumbled.
“I only made it.”
“...I'm sorry.” He could say that with sincerity. Considering his life, he knew
that loneliness was suffocating.
Vaughn cleared his throat once more and tapped his fingertips together. “How
would Sachiko say this...? ...Okay. Well, I guess she'd say what I'm 'bout to
ask is 'unconventional'? But I'd like to ask if maybe ya'll would let me marry
into your family.”
Prepared to tell him just to marry Sachiko then, he'd take her down the aisle
and whatever, just don't ask, he found himself faltering. Wait, what? “Marry
into...my family?”
“Yea. I'd prefer it. Blythe means nothin' to me. I ain't wanna prolong it or
nothing neither. The people still living with that name are perfect strangers.
I dun' seen more of your family this near year than I'd ever seen of my
'relatives' in my entire life. To hell with it. I ain't talked to Sachiko 'bout
it yet but I'd much rather be a Yukina.”
That...wasa bit unconventional in Steiner's book. Staring at him, wide eyed, he
was essentially speechless. Marry into their family? Like, Sachiko would still
be a Yukina? That's... “I...I do understand your sentiments, believeme. I
also...really had no use for my father's name. Just...”
What exactly was he supposed to say though? He hadn't seen his relatives?
Thinking about it, why was he an American born child living here in Japan? A
little confused, he slowly remarked, “I don't think I'd be against it that much
but...let me talk it over with the wife then I'll give you a response.”
“Fair enough” Vaughn nodded.
Walking away without much more, Steiner frowned. Obviously as the guy that
knocked up his daughter, Steiner wouldn't be very interested in his back story.
But all in all, it seemed logical that had his entire immediate family been
killed here, why wouldn't they send him to existing relatives? He'd think the
government was requiredto contact the surviving family members.
Very strange, wasn't it? The past was repeating itself a bit.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Skye grinned, Vash trying to climb up his head as he sat on the couch. “Aww, I
wanna little boy.”
“Meru does the exact same thing to you” Meryl, his wife, pointed out.
“Yea, but she's my princess. I want a little knucklehead now” he chuckled as
Vash almost fell off but he caught him at ease, replacing him in his lap once
more.
Meryl just shook her head, Sachiko laughing as she entered with tea, “I'm
guessing Meru's an only child, Meryl?”
“She just doesn't like boys” Skye pouted at her.
“I married you, didn't I?” she smiled teasingly.
Her brother pouted more and Sachiko smirked as Vash started climbing his uncle
again. “Are you doing that because he's tall, silly baby?”
“It's cool” Skye nodded, Vash kneeing his chest as he tried to lift himself to
his shoulder, “It is a good view.”
Meryl smiled, reaching out and petting Vash's hair, “He really is too cute. I'm
still in love with those eyes.”
Skye snickered as Vash stopped to look at her as he generally did. Whereas if
anyone else said or touched him, he'd 'say' something but if it were Meryl he'd
go silent and stare at her until she stopped touching him. “I swear he's in
love with you.”
“I probably scare him to death” Meryl joked, leaning in to give him a kiss on
the nose.
Sachiko couldn't help laugh again as Vash's attention shifted from climbing
Skye to getting to Meryl. “Somehow I doubt it.”
“You have good taste, nephew.”
Meryl grinned, holding him to her chest before looking to Sachiko. “So are you
looking forward to being married soon?”
Skye scoffed, interrupting before she could respond. “It's not official yet.”
“I don't need a ring for it to be official, Skye-chan.”
“Oh, screw a ring” Skye rolled his eyes, “If he's got to talk to dad then he's
probably asking his permission and if he's asking ourdad for permission...”
Sachiko groaned. She prayed her poor cowboy-chan wasn't trying to do that sort
of traditional thing because, well, yea. Her father had resigned a lot of his
animosity towards Vaughn but it was still, of course, entirely remnant of every
other father or male in the family's reaction to new men. And more so since he
thought Vaughn was wrong for not being there. Luckily their dad took off a few
days back so she could try to address it again. Usually the surly man just
changed the subject and told her to start doing all the girly stuff necessary
for a wedding.
She jumped when her phone rang. Looking towards the coffee table, she smiled,
“Well, speak of our papa...”
Pressing it to her ear, she started pouring, “Hey, daddy. How's your trip?”
“Oh, uh...interesting” he answered very slowly. Sounded almost forced,
actually. “Uh, is everything going okay? Your mother's doing fine?”
“She's gone into hardcore art mode.”
“Oh God. Well, I'll be home soon so I'll fix that. I'm sure she's gotten like
four hours of sleep since I left.”
Sachiko chuckled, “Probably.”
“Uh...well, this might be odd but...is...Vaughn there?”
Yep, definitely odd. “Oh, uh, no. He's out herding right now. He...has his cell
phone though, if...you need to talk to him” she responded, not able to help the
furrow of her brow.
“Ah, yes, it's...sort of important. He asked me something and I guess I'm
prepared to give him a response.”
Eh? “What's...what's that?”
Her father was silent for a moment before sighing heavily. “It's not what you
think. I'm sure he'll talk to you about it after I respond.”
Very perplexed and curious, Sachiko slowly shook her head. “I'm...I guess.”
“Can you get me his number though? Kind of want to knock it out before I get
back.”
Relaying Vaughn's phone number to him, honestly she was anxious when he hung
up. What in the world were theydoing? Her father was not Vaughn's biggest fan
and Vaughn really wasn't all that fond of him either so that they were up to
something...
What was it?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It took a while. Truth be told, he didn't really have much to go on except
Wisconsin and his name was 'Blythe'. With Shin's help he'd been able to narrow
it down.
He was born thirty years ago in Potter, Wisconsin, a village in Calumet County.
It was dairy country but seemed like in that small place everyone went outside
for work. Reading about it briefly online, he found that the population was at
a staggering two hundred. Oh sure, old timers in Mineral talked about 'Mineral
Town' and their once population of maybe two dozen but that was definitely
reminiscing of the past. Two hundred people was almost a solemn existence, at
least to him.
Public records showed that Vaughn Landon Blythe and Emmeline Kennedy Blythe
were born to Mason and Piper Blythe. Vaughn seemed to have been born in Potter
to a midwife while Emmeline was born in Fort McCoy. He read the messages people
left for them, something of a compilation, and it wasn't comforting to know
they were known for being the life of the party, at least while considering
that Piper had just turned sixteen when Vaughn was born and Mason was
seventeen. So they were only 21 and 22 when they died.
He thought 'maybe'. Had there not been Sharron or his grandparents, he'd
essentially have no relatives at all. But no, no. Both Piper and Mason's
parents were alive and kicking, Noah and Amelia Coppersmith and Colton and
Violet Blythe respectfully. To make matters worse, they had a whole host of
siblings, about nine between them. Vaughn had grandparents and tons of age
appropriate aunts and uncles by the time his parents passed.
The one that was easiest to find was Colton Blythe. He worked at the local town
hall, doing God knows what, but Steiner would always remember how he stared at
him for a long moment like he was an alien. “I reckon you're not from around
here.”
“No sir.”
The man continued his uncomfortable stare before shaking his head, saying
rather bluntly, “Remind me of a phantom or something. Spook.”
“Sorry” was about all Steiner could manage. “I won't take up too much of your
time. Does 'Vaughn Blythe' mean anything to you?”
The man looked up, his blue eyes expressionless before he shook his head.
“Nah.”
It wasn't like 'nah, doesn't ring a bell'. It was 'nah, it really doesn't mean
jacks—t to me' despite it being the name of his grandson. Why it riled him up,
well, he knew. It just reminded him of all the people that had been in his life
that just hadn't cared. Even when it came down to it, his beloved mother was a
negligent parent too. “How about Emmeline then? Or better yet, Mason?”
“Do spooks come talking about ghosts?”
“Only twoof the people I mentioned are 'ghosts'. One has been perfectly alive
for the last three decades and I was wondering why exactly you guys would leave
him in a foreign country when he has a huge family here.”
Colton tilted his baseball cap back to scratch his forehead. It was bewildering
to him that the man simply shrugged. “Far as I heard the boy didn't want to
come back. We won't going to force him or nothing.”
“But he's your grandson. You couldn't have done anything for him?”
“I don't reckon I gotta explain nothing to some spook stranger that just rolled
into town. What's it matter none anyway? Like you said, boy's gotta be about
twenty, thirty something now so I reckon he's old enough to take care of
himself so what's it matter? He kick the bucket too?”
If he could have gotten away with it, Steiner would have certainly drop kicked
him in the head to at least knock him out. But no, no, this mission required
him notgoing to prison so he left after that to find everyone available.
The Blythe side acted like it was just a topic to scratch their heads to. 'Oh
yea, my brotherthat died and his children? What about that?'. If it weren't
actually Mason's fault for killing his wife and daughter, Steiner would feel
horrible for him too: no one cared.
His mother's side was on a whole new level of sickening. In one sense he was
glad they were more involved, at least trying to find out information about
Vaughn after the accident. However, they had indeed disowned him when they
heard from the psychologists that reviewed him that he had 'no emotional
response' to his parents dying. 'Messed up Piper's whole life. If we'd known
this would've happened to her we would have let her get that abortion. He was a
devil child anyway'. He was five years old.
Sitting in the airport that had taken him hours to drive to and given him a lot
more time than he'd ever want to stew over this madness, he listened to the
phone ring on the other end. He figured Vaughn wouldn't recognize the number
and wouldn't pick up, especially since this was the third time. He just...had
to get it off his chest.
“...Hello?”
Steiner jolted a little, surprised by his voice all the same. “Oh, um, hi,
it's...Steiner.”
“Oh. Oh. Well then, I...reckon you must'a come up with an answer.”
“Yea, I...I did.”
He fell silent on the other side as Steiner inhaled softly, still a little
weirded out that this was happening so similarly to what happened with him and
Kae. It did certainly give him far more sympathy for the matter. “You're
perfectly welcome to become a Yukina if that's what you desire.”
All he heard was nothing. There was no response and for a few minutes he
realized maybe the signal dropped. They were continents apart, after all.
“...I guess they're still horrible people like I'd thought, huh?”
Steiner's eyes widened, actually looking around. No one knew he was here, he
basically told Kaede he was just going on a quick quest to nowhere in
particular. “...I-I wasn't...trying to pry.”
“I'd not call it prying. I guess 'investigating'. Could be some crazy reason
I'd want to take a new name, like I was hidin' or something” Vaughn
surprisingly agreed, “Mighta got mad before I had the boy but I understand.
Gotta do all you can to protect 'em. 'Xactly why I want nothin' to do with them
folk. Blythe's or Coppersmith don't care about their own.”
“I...” he hesitated with a grimace, “I saw that plain and clear. The only one
with an ounce of sympathy was your Aunt Brielle and she's...”
He trailed off but Vaughn drawled, “Aunt Brielle was 'bout my age when my
parents died. Can't say I blame her for nothing, wouldn't 'uh made much sense.”
“She's pretty much disowned the family as well...”
“Might give her a call then. Good to know I ain't the only one who thought they
were scum.”
Steiner glanced at families in the airport. Even within town everyone else
seemed perfectly familial and happy. Why was it always that...one family? Or
maybe it wasn't just them. Yea, he knew better. But still, those people were
with their children at the very least. “...Your family is a little different.”
“If you comparing 'em to other folks, I wouldn't bother. Grandparents were born
in Wisconsin but their parents moved out back to their hometown for a while.
Far as I recall, it was more backwoods nonsense they was acclimated to.
Surprised grandpa stood talkin' to you.”
“He...did call me a spook.”
“You got off easy then.”
Steiner groaned and Vaughn suddenly remarked, “It's weird, ain't it? Being in
one family for so long that might have some stupid issues from time to time but
everything's still mighty swell then seeing a train wreck. Kinda how I felt
meeting Sachiko. I knew Denny ain't have a daddy and a mama that had to work
all the time and...my ex, her mama divorced her daddy when she was young and
don't ever see her. It won't bad but it won't good neither 'cause at least one
person in each unit ain't care a lick. Maybe Sachiko had her brother when he
was a prick but even that won't even really his fault. I knew early on she was
surrounded in something I ain't ever know and that's special. I want my son to
have a name that embodies that. Maybe it is just a name but it's hard to make
it through life without one.”
He remembered when Kaede asked what his last name was persistently. He thought
if she knew she'd pry and pull his life apart to find information, that she'd
find out what he really was. With a smile he recalled her saying that she
wanted to know for their then future children's sake. He told her Ehkenbrich
despite it having never been anything he used. He realized then he'd never had
to use a surname, a family name. Out of his choices, he chose Yukina, his
mother's name. There was something vacant about that at the beginning but only
because it was so desolate. Now it and all it encompassed meant the world to
him. But...
“Sorry. I don't usually talk that much” Vaughn suddenly said absently.
“Oh. Oh no, it's fine” Steiner shook his head, coming out of his thoughts, “Uh,
well, welcome to the family.”
“Thanks.”
Hanging up, he groaned once more, standing to board his flight as it was
announced. Well, he always found it odd that for as crazy as Koji acted upon
initially meeting any of his son-in-law's, he did really actually take them in.
In a weird way, even if Chihaya and him called him such with a measure of jest,
he almost was like an adopted father. He wasn't certain if that was ever going
to be his case. But, well, here he was.
For the way life had played for Vaughn, he could've been like them, could've
been bitter. All in all, he never actually saw that when he was with Sachiko.
He was sparing with showing his emotions but he always had a smile for Sachiko
and Vash.
...The future was going to be okay for them.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“...Eh?”
Sachiko stared, wide-eyed, at Vaughn. He'd just wandered out of the shower to
sink into bed with her and fell asleep. Or so she'd thought. Just as she was
about to get some shut eye, he said: “I asked your daddy if I could take your
name instead.”
What? She was very puzzled until it dawned on her a bit. She had heard of it in
really old times when the family only had daughters and needed to prolong the
traditional name. That...may have been the case in their family, of course,
since Meryl didn't seem committed to the idea of more children. The Yukina name
would die out but...
“Why?”
“Why?” he echoed sleepily. “Because your family ain't trash like mine is. I
ain't giving that name to our son. He deserves better than that.”
Sachiko almost said 'it's only a name' but she realized this must've been
something he had to have thought about quite a bit. If it were 'just a name'
then she would've just been Sachiko Blythe. Still though. Yukina Vaughn would
be quite a change.
His eyes opened some, gazing at her, “If you don't like it though, I guess we
can just keep it.”
She smiled, shaking her head of whatever feelings she had about the idea. It
really didn't matter whose name either of them had. “It'll be perfectly fine,
baby. As long as I'm with you, a name really is just a name.”
Vaughn sighed, pulling her into his arms. “Yea.”
“Shouldn't you be wearing the tuxedo?”
Felicie smirked at Skye who sat in the bay window of their great-grandmother's
shop, his chin rested in his raised palm. Sachiko pouted crossly at him,
swaying back and forth in her beautiful gown. She'd wanted to hide her bust a
bit so Yagami Dana created a covering halter style with tons of beaded
adornments. It was gorgeous as expected.
“Don't be mean, Skye-chan.”
“Not gonna lie, I'd be a little disappointed” Felicie sighed, “But I'm really
not sure if that's a result of what's been portrayed to us as tradition or that
you just get to stay what you've always been.”
Sachiko sighed, tapping her cheek, “I did honestly think that but I don't
really mind staying a Yukina.”
“We are pretty awesome” nodded Skye.
Sachiko winked before jolting, hearing some yelling on the other side of the
door. Sounded like...Vaughn? Freaked, she was about to hide but alas.
“What do you think you're doing?!”
“Vash and I wanna see his mama!”
“Vashis welcome to see his mother. Youare not allowed to see the bride until
your wedding day!”
“What kinda nonsense is that?!”
Skye looked amused as Sachiko and Felicie stared blankly at the door, listening
to the conversation play out. “I bet great-grammy loves Vaughn. His arguments
are remnant of grandpa.”
Sachiko snickered at that and quickly went to take off the dress, returning in
time to walk in with Dana holding Vash. She couldn't help but laugh. She
thought that was the most stubborn person on Earth, her future husband, but no
one won against Yagada. Vash smiled widely at her, “Mama.”
“Hello, my little angel” she cooed, walking over to retrieve him. “Did you miss
mommy?”
Glancing towards the door, she was pretty sure she heard grumbling and smirked.
“I...reckon he can come in.”
“I reckon” Dana remarked dryly, patting Skye's back and Felicie's shoulder,
“Come on, dears, let me make sure the fit's okay on your ensembles.”
Sachiko smiled as her siblings exited to another room. Letting Vaughn in, she
giggled at his petulant look. “I alsodidn't want you to see the dress either,
ya' silly. I'm not superstitious, I just don't want you to.”
“Well dang, am I gonna be able to see it on the wedding?” he remarked with a
moue.
She kissed him tenderly, purring, “You'll be the last one to see me in it at
least twice that day.”
“What? ...Oh.”
She smirked as his eyes widened, arms sinking around her waist, “...'Xactly how
much are we going at it on this honeymoon thing?”
“We don't even have to leave the room if you don't want” she whispered in his
ear.
Before he could respond to that bit of knowledge, Vash puffed his cheeks,
giving them a look. Sachiko laughed, hugging him tight, “It's okay, my baby,
I'm going to give you all the attention in the world.”
“Spoiled rotten” Vaughn said simply.
Squeezing his hand, she looked back, “Grandma, we'll be right back! We're going
to go meet up with Denny!”
“Okay! Get him back here soon too!”
“She's a very commanding woman” Vaughn groaned.
“All women in the family are” she winked again, leading him from the shop.
“Don't worry, I'll take it easy on you.”
Vaughn snorted, kissing behind her ear, “I doubt it somehow.”
They made their way near Tenshiya where they were going to be meeting Denny and
Shea and maybehis current love interest. They had met her and she was an
adorable little thing. Vaughn told Denny bluntly she might be too good for him.
She didn't think that but she could tell she was quite a bit more conservative
than Denny. It'd be difficult.
Or maybe not, she smiled brightly as she waved towards Denny, standing on the
dock. The fellow waved back, the dainty woman by his side doing the same. Her
name was Alisa Bialik and she was currently living here while her father
studied. She was very taken with Shea, even holding the little boy now. It
could work but she was pretty sure to go along with her own religion Denny
would have to convert and that was quite the step.
“You guys excited?” grinned Denny, “A wedding in two days, you must be freaking
out.”
“Freaking out?” echoed Vaughn as if the thought were perplexing.
Sachiko snickered, tapping him chidingly, “Not this guy.”
“I'm sure it'll be a lovely wedding” Alisa smiled, bouncing Shea a little bit
as the boy nibbled his fist.
Sachiko cooed, fretting over the little boy a bit. Vash just stared at him as
always as if he were some kind of mystery to him. She'd definitely have to get
him playing with more babies. Vaughn tipped his head to the side, pointing with
his thumb over his shoulder. “Sachiko's great-grandma said we need to get your
suit fit, Denny. We probably shouldn't keep that woman waiting.”
“Ah yes. My sister was impressed you're marrying into such a wealthy family,
dude.”
Vaughn cocked a brow and Sachiko smiled. It really had not struck him because
he probably didn't know anything about anyone in her family nor did he care.
Designer clothes? Celebrity sorta aunt cousins? Renowned chefs? Probably a load
of gibberish to him. He liked her family though which was all she could ask.
Denny jabbed him along the way, grinning more, “Well, that aside, you ready for
tonight?”
“You two better behave” chastised Sachiko before looking to Alisa with a
nervous smile, “Though, uh, as for myparty...”
“It's alright” she laughed charmingly, “I'm going to watch Shea. And if you'd
like, Vash can stay with us as well.”
Sachiko clapped, “That's great! I want him to play more too with children his
age.”
Alisa nodded, “It is good for children to have playmates, definitely.”
“Now wait” Vaughn interrupted, leering between all the parties, “...What
exactlyis happening tonight?”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“I...I...I'm zo drunk righ' now I...I don'-I don' know whaz happenin'.”
Yukina Skye smirked, raising a brow as he sipped a glass of vodka. “You're
definitely a lightweight, 'cowboy'. You only had two shots and it definitely
wasn't heavy proof stuff.”
It was a weird group given Vaughn only knew Denny. Skye tacked on his boys,
Yagami Iori and Inaba Hayato, and a few others. They bought out a bar and were
currently just waiting for that other little addition Denny thought was a good
idea. Somehow he doubted it.
Vaughn Blythe was almost slipping out of the big chair they had pulled out for
him as the groom, clearly pretty intoxicated, glared at everyone present.
“Whaz...whaz the big...big idea, huh? Amma suppose' tuh...tuh sleep
through...through tomorruh?”
“Mm, something like that” Denny grinned, sipping a beer.
Iori elbowed Hayato, snickering, “Let's get an Irish Car Bomb going.”
Skye made a gagging sound. “I'll pass on that s—t, dudes.”
“Don't be a pussy” Hayato grinned, kicking the bend of his knee lightly. “This
is pretty tame as far as bachelor parties go. Let's liven it up.”
Denny smirked, signaling to their personal bartender for the abysmal idea of a
drink. When the man brought it out, Vaughn stared at it absently. “'Dis beer? I
dunno if I can do beer right now...”
“Ah, yes, pay close attention, buddy. The challenge is to drop this in fast
then take it down the hatch fastbefore you get a nasty experience.”
Vaughn pursed his lips, his brows furrowing, “Why?”
“My thoughts exactly” snorted Skye before shrugging, “Let's get 'er done.”
'Cheers' echoed around the room as they clinked them together then dropped the
shot of Irish cream into the bottom. Skye did a lotof drinking when he had the
TBI but the one thing that might've set him straight besides surgery would have
been if they said the only alcoholic beverage in the universe was this. Almost
needing to punch something while he drank it, he came up with a groan of agony.
“Sick.”
They all shuddered and cringed a bit, 'blahing' and 'yucks' all around. But oh,
leave it to him. Vaughn blinked absently once he finished his. “That won't
bad.”
“Your taste buds are officially defective.”
His purple eyes were wide as he tapped the empty pub glass to his lips rather
thoughtfully. Denny leered at him: “No.”
Skye laughed as the cowboy appeared disgruntled. Ready to say they get a round
of jello shots, they all paused when there was a dainty knock at the door.
Vaughn sat up a little straighter, his eyes narrowing, “Who dat?”
Denny smiled, walking over to answer, “Dunno...”
Opening the door, Skye smiled and quickly looked away. Denny discussed this
with all significant others and most importantly Sachiko. Leave it to his Gogo,
she didn't care a lick and Sachiko almost lost a lung over the idea before
allowing it.
Indeed, Vaughn's brows creased strongly as about four women sashayed in. “I
thought this was a man thing?”
“Oh, it can be” snickered Denny.
Skye observed as it went through the normal repertoire of 'who's the husband to
be?' and all that. He had to fight cracking up when Vaughn glared and demanded
'who's asking?'. Oh boy.
Vaughn's eyes were like saucers when the girls giggled and suddenly were
bursting out of their cowboy clothes which apparently wasn't actually suspect
enough to mention. “W-wait, why-why you taking your clothes off?!”
They all cheered, whooping loudly and boisterously as one proceeded to give a
very confused Vaughn a lap dance. He gaped, “Wait, you're-you're not my wife.
Does she know you're doing this?”
Skye bit his lip, his insides starting to hurt as Vaughn proceeded to ask this
long litany of questions that no normal guy getting a lap dance would ask. 'Why
you got frills on your bra? What kind of establishment is this?! I'm calling
Sachiko!'.
He was done when Sachiko was indeed called, currently having her own rendition
of this party with her girls. “Sachiko, some-some naked woman's sitting on me
and-and she's almost naked but I dunno why!”
Skye finally laughed, very amused, as Vaughn's brow lowered, staring at the
woman after Sachiko responded. “...I mean, she's...alright, I guess?”
Denny covered his face and shook his head, chuckling, as for some reason
Sachiko's voice escalated over the phone. While they were going to assume she
was jealous over this very vague compliment, Vaughn handed the phone to his
personal dancer and she looked completely perplexed. “Oh, uh, hello? ...Oh! Oh
no, I've heard much worse, it's fine!”
Leave it to his sister to apologize to the woman dry humping her future
husband, smirked Skye. One of the dancers seemed to have trouble staying in
character and was laughing like the rest of them. 'Not like any party I've ever
done'. Their dad wasn't pleased that a stripper was going to be here tonight
and Skye had actually been instructed to tell him what went down. He wasn't
sure how to describe this but that Steiner probably just received the best son-
in-law ever. His chastity was enough to make a nun wonder.
Of course, at some point he stopped receiving a lap dance, hung up with
Sachiko, and seemed to be engaged in some deep, deep conversation with 'Bambi',
of course. Vaughn's face was suddenly marred with a scowl and he glowered
towards them. “'Ey, is Sachi watching naked men saunter 'round?'
They all played dumb. Apparently there were some male dancers of the exotic
sort at her party and Vaughn had been asked if it was okay to which he
Vaughnishly said 'I don't care', so...
At about four a.m. they staggered out into the night. Vaughn huffed, talking
about how this was the weirdest night he'd had in his life and he still wasn't
sure what happened. Shockingly he gave 'Bambi' and her entourage a rather large
tip. “You were fine company even in your drawers.”
Going to the old house where he was staying and awaiting the wedding, he
grinned when Meryl stumbled in next to him. Reaching out to grasp her hip, he
purred, “Long night, Gogo-chan?”
“I never wanna see a Jello shot again” she groaned, resting her ear against his
side. “Carry me upstairs?”
Obliging his wife, he lifted her into his arms and kissed her sweetly, “I have
neverbeen to a bachelor party like that and I know for a factI will never go to
a bachelor party like that ever again.”
She snickered, relaxing her head against his shoulder as he made it to the top
of the stair case, “I can only imagine with Vaughn, my God. Guy's so straight
forward and clean cut, it's impossible to imagine him with strippers.”
Skye relaxed her on his old bed, starting to unbutton her shirt. Meryl smirked
and swatted at his hand. “I got this. I bet you're horny as hell.”
“I beg your pardon! I'mexhausted as hell” he snorted, kissing her jaw before
starting to pull off his shirt.
She pouted playfully, running her fingers down his bare chest. “But I'mhorny as
hell...”
“Well, I am never above obliging you” he whispered sultrily.
“After, I want you to go retrieve my Meruchi” she commanded, starting to take
off his pants.
He grinned, “Naturally.”
Pressing his forehead against hers, he murmured, “...I was never really
protective of Sachiko like the others. Like, I wasn't going to go beat up a guy
for looking at her. She's got Yukina blood, obviously she's hot.”
“Uh huh” snickered Meryl.
“But I was a little worried and I did threaten this guy before because he just
seemed so nonchalant, like he wouldn't give a single damn about my sister. Then
when they broke up, I thought I'd have to hunt him down but...I think him and
Sachiko are going to be fine.”
His wife nodded, running her fingers down his thighs, “It turned out pretty
good for you all. Well, for everyone. I guess your family motto does have some
merit at least within your family.”
“Yea...”
Everyone had trials in their life though. It was all about how they were
handled, nonetheless, and though Sachiko may have taken a bumpy route with a
lot of walls unnecessarily it did come to the same end. She'd made it to the
finish line. Well, hopefully.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Steiner stood by the door, a little hesitant, a little sad, a little...he
didn't know. It's just he never expected to reach this at any point but here he
was. He was about to give another of his angels away and that was it. Even if
Vaughn was going to be a Yukina, it wasn't the same.
Sachiko smiled shyly, nervously taking breaths as she paced the break room of
Tenshiya that they'd temporarily converted. She looked like she was going to
pass out. Knowing he had to smile for her, he walked over and held her
shoulders. “How you holding up?”
“Oh, I've hurled at least twice today. No pressure!” she exclaimed contently.
“Honey, if Vaughn suddenly gets cold feet, do not worry: we'll kill him.”
Sachiko smirked at him before laughing, “You're right. I really have no reason
to be worried anything will go wrong.”
“No, not really...” he conceded reluctantly, kissing the top of her head,
“Just...just know that you deserve no less than the best, sweetheart. I'm sure
your grandfather gave your mother and aunt better advice than that but I
just...I guess I'm a little emotional too.”
“Oh daddy” she cooed, kissing his cheek sweetly, still having to get on the tip
of her toes. “Maybe we'll have you anotherlittle girl to spoil like grandpa.”
Steiner groaned before having to laugh, the door opening to reveal none other
than Meru. “I guess that's true. I always have my little girls.”
Sachiko giggled, kneeling to pick up Meru. “Hey, beautiful. You come to see
Auntie?”
“I realize Vaughn'll have a tough time getting you out of that one.”
Steiner leered at Skye, one of the groom's men, as he entered, wearing a gray
ascot and a black vest, his hair pulled back. Sachiko snickered, “Somehow I
doubt it.”
“Oh my God.”
Skye grinned saucily and wandered over to take Meru. “Sorry, had to retrieve my
lovely baby. Now I'm going to go remind Vaughn he's got a very pretty wife to
live up to.”
“I suppose I'll do the same” Steiner smiled, giving Meru a kiss, “Your mother's
rushing around but she said she'll be back soon. I guess I'll...be seeing you
soon too.”
Sachiko bit her lip and nodded. The two men exited and Skye snickered, walking
towards the office where Vaughn was anxiously muttering to himself last he saw
him. “Feeling old, old man?”
“I've felt better” Steiner grumbled.
“Ah well” shrugged Skye.
Steiner leered a bit at him. “You'll know the feeling one day. Meru will bring
home some random boy and you won't like it much.”
“I won't like it much if he's a prick, naturally” Skye said at ease,
rebalancing his daughter, “But I mean, it's a kind of natural thing, isn't it?
Not to say everyone finds someone but a lot of people do. The only real
important thing is if Meru does want to be with someone that they're happy.”
“You say that now...”
His only son grinned lazily, “I can't really say that significant others,
marriage, and sex only exist in my universe, dad. I'm not living in that kind
of fairy tale. Now I might not be too thrilled about the bonking but you know,
can't win 'em all.”
“Devil child.”
Skye laughed. Steiner knew he was right though. When he found Kaede, he really
did just think 'what a spoiled teenager!'. She even took it up a notch by not
only chasing him but actually diving towards him. That was dedication to being
spoiled.
But it wasn't like that. He'd taken something important from her and he was the
one that was wrong. In retrospect he needed to be a lot better to her because
that woman he kind of accidentally kidnapped gave him an absolute treasure in
return. Until he met Kae, he'd never known that kind of happiness. And not that
he'd ever want to admit it to his knucklehead son, he was right.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“I should'a just took her to the courthouse” groaned Vaughn, rubbing his face.
“I guess some women would be content with that, Vaughn, but I don't think
that's your soon-to-be wife's style” Denny remarked.
Somehow, just at this moment, he wished he had a daddy alive that could give
him some good ol' fashioned advice. Oh, Steiner gave him some and that was
actually pretty upliftin' but then he recalled he ain't never had a man in his
life like that. But then, had his daddy lived he'd be mighty lucky to be
getting a girl like Sachiko because he prolly would'a been scum. His daddy
ain't never want to marry his mama and Vaughn still had vivid memories of him
kissin' on women that won't her while she was working to support his lousy ass.
Well, the past snuffed that wish out fast.
There was a dainty knock at the door and squealin' that sounded like Shea.
Denny frowned, walking over, “Alisa, is that you?”
“Ah, yes! I was just checking on you all...”
Denny gave a quick glance over of the men and opened the door. Alisa gave him a
smile, Shea sitting up in her arms. “Everything okay?”
“Vaughn's got the shakes but I'm sure he'll pull himself together.”
“Oh!” she rasped, “I wanted to give you a prayer of happiness to your
marriage!”
Vaughn's eyes widened as she grasped his hands, having given Shea to Denny. He
looked around rapidly before quickly bowing his head. He won't real religious
but what she said sounded nice and he agreed. He wanted a successful marriage
and maybea few more babies.
Releasing his hands, she smiled before looking over her shoulder. “I was going
to check on Sachiko but she has a visitor. She seemed very flustered. Oh, and
she kept giving Shea this look.”
...What? Denny and him exchanged a quick look before Denny slowly drawled,
“What'd...she look like like, Lis?”
“Oh, she was pretty. She had glasses and purple eyes and straight black hair--”
Vaughn quickly shot past her. He would be utterly and absolutely damnedif that
woman wrecked this too. Damn it, don't have listened to whatever foolishness
she thought to bring!
Some of the women folk tried to stop him from going in but no. He ain't care
about superstitions or no dress, he just wanted them to be together. That's all
he'd wanted and she was one of the main reasons he ain't have that sooner! She
won't wrecking it now!
Throwing the door open forcefully, he opened his mouth but admittedly was
scared silly when a flash of white disappeared into another corner of the room
where one of them folding dressing things was. Looking around rapidly, very
confused, he found only Sabrina standing there, weeping. Straightening up, his
eyes narrowed. “...So you're gonna pull ninja tricks in wedding gown just so I
won't see somethin' I'm going to see in a minute?”
“You are not supposed to be here, Vaughn!”
Unable to help roll his eyes, he glared at Sabrina. “What do you think you're
doing here? You better not be tryin' to wreck nothin' because I've had enough
of that foolishness.”
She trembled, dropping her chin, “D-don't you have any sense of honor? W-we
were engaged--”
“Oh, f—k no” he interrupted, feeling his temperature rising, “I ain't never
everask you to marry me and you ain't never ask me to marry you. That's the
difference with this relationship: we actually ask each other things before we
decide they gonna happen.”
“You never objected!”
“How I gonna object to somethin' that ain't actually exist? You're right
though: I never did and I should'a. You still got some nerve comin' here to
bitch when you was usin' suicide to keep me around and pretendin' to have my
baby you abandoned. Oh, and you just looked at him, huh?”
Sabrina kneaded her hands, glowering at him, “Don't you see? Sh-she's seduced
you--”
“If you mean 'seduce' as in 'to attract', which, you used this dumb foolishness
enough when we was together that I looked it up, then she sure as hell did.
What of it?”
Sabrina gawked, “You'd-you'd actually be okay, being seduced by a slut--”
“Stop” Vaughn held up his hand, shaking his head, “I feel like I ought to give
you a good backhand but I dun' need the jail time on my wedding day. Before I
change my mind, I think you ought'a leave.”
“Yo-you shamed me!”
“You shamed yourself. I told you more times than there's stars in the sky I
wanted to break up. You made me think you was gonna kill yourself and then you
make me think a baby you knew won't mine was my son. Then you act a fool and
abandon your own flesh like I'd like that. It's a'right though. Alisa already a
better mama than you'd ever be.”
Sabrina gritted her teeth a little bit, whimpering, “You'll...you're regret it.
Both of you.”
“Nope.”
Sobbing, she rushed out and he let out a breath before glancing towards where
Sachiko had stood, silent. “...What she say to you? You're not thinkin' of
breakin' up with me back there, are you?”
“Of course not...I wouldn't give in so easily” she rasped softly.
Vaughn couldn't help smile, walking closer. He felt her jerk back and it turned
into a sulk. “Fine. See if I wanna get cuddly and cute with you again, woman.
And over a dress!”
She giggled and reached between the partitions. He gave her his hand and she
briefly pulled it in, kissing his knuckles. “I love you.”
“...I...I love you too” he got out, his cheeks getting hot. Ugh.
“Um, what the hell, dude? Get up out of here.”
He yelped as Skye suddenly jerked him back, pulling him towards the door. “You
don't need anymore bad luck if your ex just waltzed through here. Go to your
station.”
With a sigh, he looked back to Sachiko's direction. It was weird but he did
feel awful anxious. “Uh, I'll see you in a second?”
“You won't miss me, cowboy.”
What did...that mean?
...Sabrina won't ever going to kill herself but if this went wrong 'cause of
her, he might not be so lucky. She won't be either.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“You-you fiance snatching hussy!”
Sachiko had been surprised, of course. She'd turned around and there was
Sabrina. Gone was the nice girl she'd imagined had to exist somewhere in that
person that did all this to Vaughn. No, she was spewing enough negativity to
create a black hole in that room. She started screaming that if Sachiko yielded
him, it would be for the best, that they'd never be completely happy and that
whatever they had now was just an illusion.
Vaughn's palm had been sweaty when she briefly held it after he got his
mouthful in. He was probably worried that she would've been swayed.
She told Sabrina flat out to go to hell.
“What you had or what you wanted wasn't 'love', Sabrina. You wanted a fairy
tale with Vaughn that went exactly the way you imagined and when it didn't,
when he wanted to leave, you turned it into a horror story. Life isn't always
full of stories and fairy tales, Sabrina, it's sometimes dictated by pure
reality. I do apologize, I had sex when he hadn't completely severed himself
from you but sorry, he'd been trying to do that and I guess he was at his
limit. I'm the mother of his child and I regret absolutely nothing. And no
matter what you want or how you think this book is supposed to play out, he's
going to be my husband. Now if you don't mind, I feel sick enough without you
being here.”
She heard swift footsteps before Sabrina could say anything, the woman choking
on tears. In her head she assessed anyone that would run here in such a manner
and knew right then it was him. He was nervous she'd leave.
Steiner took her down the aisle and she had known she was going to tear up at
her wedding but she gave him the brightest smile she possibly could because
Vaughn was paper pale. As she got closer she could tell he'd finally breathed
after a long time. He was so handsome in his black coat, silver ascot, and
vest, a red rose pinned to his jacket. Walking to stand beside him between the
fountains of Tenshiya, she giggled when he said lightly under his breath that
he supposed it was worth the wait to see.
She never felt she should take what she wanted. It wasn't about 'taking' but
accepting that some things in life weren't meant to slip away. It was the
happiest day of her life.
“Vash!”
Sachiko quickly was frying eggs for breakfast, upset with herself for
oversleeping today. It was all his fault, that darn Vaughn. She flustered,
groaning. Then again, maybe it was herfault too but he was definitely in full
on dirty man mode last night...
She smirked, leering lightly as indeed her husband came down the steps with
that swagger that he indeed got some last night. Smiling broadly, he came over
and kissed her sweetly but smacked her rear. “Good mornin' there, missy.”
“Good morning, cowboy” she stuck out her tongue, “Thanks to you and your, oh,
energy, I'm going to be late for work and I dunno if Vash is up yet.”
“He up” remarked the man, walking over to their coffee pot to pour himself a
cup.
Sachiko was about to remark when the man suddenly yelped, getting moved
backward a little. She smiled as he stared down, shaking his head, “You gonna
be daddy's little linemen, ain'tcha?”
His smile returned with the little surge of giggles, kneeling to pick up their
rather rambunctious two year old daughter. Yukina Tina gave him the biggest
kiss on the lips. He chuckled, hugging her. “Yours and your mama's kisses are
the best in the world.”
Vaughn turned into the biggest sap in the universe once they had their little
girl. Denny said it was pretty gag worthy the stuff he'd say to her and the
fact that the countrified fellow would sing any song the girl desired. Steiner
had snickered and reported that most daddies turned into the biggest saps in
the world when they had a girl.
Sachiko smiled as Vash stumbled down the steps in his little sleepy fog.
Rubbing his mismatched eyes, he groaned, “'Mornin'...”
“Morning, darling” Sachiko greeted, spooning some eggs onto the plate before
handing it off to him.
“Mornin', boy” Vaughn responded, walking towards the table to sit, Tina sitting
in his lap.
“Nichan, nichan” Tina sang.
A little less than five years her and Vaughn had been married. Their wedding
day was splendid and not at all marred by women that no longer were involved in
their lives. The cowboy was a little shy through it all but he danced with her,
unabashed, and even ate cake.
They honeymooned in San Lazzaro, Italy. Vaughn was blown away and said it was
crazy. Course, when they got to the hotel the first two days were definitely
spent inside. That had also blown her husband away. It was so good he turned it
into a qualitative trait of sex. Just last week he came home after a beer with
Denny and asked 'can we have honeymoon sex tonight?'. Oh, that was her hubby.
Other than that luxury, life was pretty simple. He went to work semi-daily and
came home to his scheduled snuggle time with Tina while they watched one of her
'weird ol' cartoons', talked with 'the boy' and taught him to ride Sparks, and
ate dinner. Then after they got the babies settled they'd go for a ride with
Thunder and Sparkles. She was content.
“Dad, you reckon I can go on the ride with you this weekend?” Vash asked,
eating his meal.
Vaughn was buttering his toast, blinking, “Well, if you finish all your
homework and stuff I don't see why not.”
Sachiko pouted at her son. “We were supposed to go shopping this weekend for
clothes. You've ripped through almost everything!”
“I don't really care what I wear, mama. You pick out good stuff for me.”
“Uh huh. Well, I'll make sure to get you a nice pretty yellow My Little Pony
shirt then.”
“...Don't reckon that'd be my color.”
She snickered, shaking her head. Yep, living clone version of Vaughn already.
Tina squealed, grabbing Vaughn's vest to pull herself up, “Pony, daddy!”
“Don't you worry your pretty little head. Once you bigger papa'll get you a
pretty non-devil horse.”
Sachiko smiled and stood, leaning over to kiss the top of Tina's head and
Vaughn's forehead before taking her plate to the sink. “I have to get going,
baby. You're gonna get Tina to daycare?”
“Yea, we'll manage” he assured, watching Vash stand to also put his dishes
away. “I supposeI won't be hearing about no rough housing in the sandbox
today?”
“Yes sir.”
Vaughn nodded, ruffling his hair, “Good boy. Have a good day.”
Sachiko picked up her bag for work, an advisory position in a company not too
far from here, and hugged her son's shoulders as they started for her car so
she could take him to school.
It felt like a typical life but, honestly, considering the life she was
prepared to take on for misguided guilt it was absolutely and would always be
perfect in some way or another.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Sachiko!”
“Will!”
Vaughn used to get a little riled up when they greeted each other so spirited
like that. Reckon he still could but he was always a little placated because
beside golden boy was now a gorgeous dark haired woman. Maybe two years into
their marriage, Will showed back up, flustered. He stammered out that his
feelings for her hadbeen real as if it was in question before citing he had
found somebody he really liked. Lily was from Thailand, something of an
antique's dealer. Will said he'd just found her captivating and Vaughn was
definitely fine with that. The boy was a lot more tolerable not in love with
his wife.
Sachiko cooed as Lily sat beside her, both women bizarrely the best of friends
despite Will having been head over hills crazy in love with her. His wife
reached out and gave her round belly a rub. Will was gonna be a daddy too.
“Hey, sorry we're late!”
Denny had moved to Mineral, renting some land from his Uncle Kai to build Shea
and him a beach house. With some mighty good persuasion, he had gotten Alisa to
agree to marry him. He converted to Reform Judaism which was pretty lenient and
they was...sorta good. Her daddy hadn't been too pleased but she was a good
mama to Shea.
Vaughn sipped a beer, looking around at allof Sachiko's family. Pretty nutty to
him, dinner night on Monday and an annual cookout. The boy liked it something
fierce with the water guns and firecrackers. Reminded him a bit of the place he
ain't call home. At least the good parts.
Tina was scurrying around with her cousins, ignoring his existence. Girl made
him feel like absolute gold. Both did, of course, but Tina was just so
expressive and giddy and he just had moments where his heart wanted to burst
with joy and that freaked him the hell out. Steiner had just stared at him
before laughing. “Don't suppress emotions.”
“Uncle Vaughn, have you ever seen a silkie chicken before?” Meru ran up to him,
her eyes wide.
Vaughn nodded, patting her head, “They right weird looking things but I've seen
'em from time to time.”
“I wanna see!”
Uncle Vaughn. Funny how integrated into this family he was. Had nieces and
nephews and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law. He just won't real used to that
and despite all these years, it was a little overwhelming still.
He smiled as the mother of his children waved towards him to come over.
Swooping Meru up as he walked towards his wife, he informed her that silkie
chickens were aliens and had to be treated real nice or they'd get mad and turn
into bigger chickens. It won't necessarily nottrue. He'd seen some mad silkie
chicken before, they did look like aliens.
Despite all that, he wouldn't trade it for nothin'.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“I wonder how it'd be now if I hadn't taken the work study...”
Vaughn glanced to his side, his wife and him wandering along the beach hand in
hand. She wasn't wearing the white dress they met in but a sunny yellow one.
Gotta go with that child of happiness, he thought some. Tilting his head, he
shrugged. “Reckon it ain't no use thinking 'bout what mighta happened, right?”
“You don't?” she laughed with a sigh, “Sometimes I think if I hadn't gone you'd
have settled down with Sabrina and you'd just be doing your thing.”
The idea was downright rotten. “I don't think nothin' in the entire universe
would make me settle down with that woman.”
Sachiko bit her lip, swinging his arm a bit as the waves hit their bare feet.
“I just wonder if maybe I made her kind of crazy. I mean, I guess no one else
would come in and 'seduce' you but bam, what do I go and do?”
“Woman, I ain't even like you that much when I first met you.”
“Thanks” she smirked at him, smacking his arm.
Vaughn smiled, always a kind of rare action despite the increasing appearances
since Vash and Tina came into their lives. “You was always a little too special
for me, Sachi.”
“What? That's not true at all!” she gawked at him.
“Sure as hell is. Ain't never had no girl that made me porridge every day or
rescue a horse from a tsunami 'cause I might be a little sad. You might be
right: you set the bar a lil' high for Sabrina.”
Flustering, she pinched his side and smiled sadly, “I just...I just always want
everyone to be happy.”
“Yea. Good thing you started to think 'bout yourself too or I'd be pretty damn
miserable.”
Stopping, he pulled her against his chest and leaned in to give her a sweet
kiss. “You're my girl, right?”
“Of course.”
“And I'm special to you?”
“So very much so.”
He nodded solemnly, “And to show my greatest affections, we gonna have
honeymoon sex tonight?”
Sachiko snickered, “If that's what you want, cowboy.”
“Then life is swell.”
She laughed, hugging his side as they continued along up the sandy stretch of
beach in Mineral. They passed Denny and Alisa, both sitting on the porch
chatting when they came by. As they approached civilization again, they saw the
dock where Will and Lily were having dinner on his yacht. Sachiko couldn't help
smile since the two never actually noticed them. She was sincerely thrilled he
found someone that could love him as much as he loved her.
Felicie was sweeping the porch of her house, waving as they greeted her
'hello'. It was always sweet to her but Vaughn admitted she kind of reminded
him of Emmeline. 'Sorta short...white haired Emmeline but Emmeline all the
same'. He always smiled when he thought of her and said he wished she was here
but that he knew he was honoring her memory by doing better than their life had
allowed. For that she was always glad.
She smiled some as they got back to her parent's home. Tina was running Steiner
ragged but naturally he never minded. Vash was sitting on the porch with Kaede
as she painted something. When they saw them, they both were excited and
scurried to their side. Trading some words with her parents, they left for
home. She nodded as Vash asked if he could help her with supper before asking
his dad what route they were taking tomorrow. Vaughn rather proudly told him
he'd leave it entirely up to the boy as he was 'right good at plotting trails'.
“She's not doing so well.”
“Really?”
Will leaned against a tree in her grandfather's yard during the cookout,
shaking his head. “I don't know if we can call it waiting for a fairy tale
anymore. It's more like an utter delusion and I don't think she'll ever believe
everything can go right for Vaughn if he's not with her.”
Sachiko silently digested that. “...Nothing's given in life.”
“No” he agreed before smiling, “But I know for a fact if that louse gives up a
beautiful maiden like you, he will be the only one mistaken. And I also know
you'll never give him up.”
She smiled herself, “Yea, he's my handful, my cowboy-chan. I won't let anything
get between us on my behalf and even if he thinks it's a good idea to split...”
“He won't. Vaughn's probably never thought about loving anyone, Sachiko, and
you opened that door for him. We all know you're special.”
“Am I?”
Will laughed, “Well, Sachiko, you're not the average girl in our eyes. Maybe
others but they just don't see as well as some, you know? I know Vaughn won't
fail to see that again.”
“Whatcha' thinkin' 'bout, Missy? You got that blank look in your eyes. Come
back here.”
Sachiko blinked, startled, to find them standing in the living room. Smiling
quickly, she shook her head, “Nothing, baby.”
He stared at her. That never changed and she wasn't sure it ever would. He was
Master of Awkward Stares and at this point she just accepted that as who he
was. But finally, he reached out and brushed his knuckles against her cheek and
said rather matter of fact: “I love you.”
“I love you too, cowboy” she smiled warmly, resting her palm against the back
of his hand.
He ducked his head, blushing as always before yelping when Tina tackled his
shins. Sachiko giggled as he declared she was definitely playing football when
she was older before throwing her on his shoulders, making all the sounds of a
horse much to their toddler's delight. With a sigh, she looked out the window.
Just an adventure in life, huh? Much more than some game.
She was happy.
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