The woman at the stall watches in mild surprise at yours and Vash's exchange. You've just come down the market's street from several previous vendors.
"What did you think of - ?" Vash starts.
You sigh and brush a hand through some of the necklaces she has hanging out. "It was gaudy, right?"
Vash nods enthusiastically. "There was too much – "
" – and the colors?" You turn to him and widen your eyes. "Not that I think – "
"No, of course not – "
"It's just that..."
"It's too..."
"Yeah, you're right."
She watches you tap at a longer necklace with a blue stone as the centerpiece. Vash watches closely, but you shake your head. He pulls at a pair of earrings rimmed with red plastic gems, glances at you, then hums and turns toward the vendor. "Hello," he greets, "we're wondering – "
You tap his shoulder. "Vash," you whisper, and give him a look.
He glances back, winks, and says, "I'm not, don't worry."
The woman smiles, watching you sigh and turn away. Vash brings his attention back to her. Before he can say anything, she can't help but blurt out, "You two remind me of myself and my husband!"
A red flush overtakes his cheeks. "Pardon me?"
Your attention is back on her now. She brings a finger to her lips and winks. "Always know what the other's gonna say. I'd say that's the peak of marriage, wouldn't you agree?"
Vash can only sputter. You gape, then stutter yourself. "Oh, we're-we're not, um – "
"Yeah," Vash says, "we get it a lot, but we're not – "
The woman tuts and waves her hands. "Ah-ah, I know a good pair when I see it! Communication is key, after all. Here, on the house for the two of yous." She hands over a pair of fake pearl earrings to Vash. They look a bit dented and scuffed. "I see you two wearing the matching earrings! Good couple, good couple."
A few awkward laughs and thanks are exchanged. As you two walk away, she overhears your conversation again.
"Do you think she's...?" Vash starts.
"Maybe. A little. But – "
"Yeah, they're nice. We should – "
"But I still need to – "
"Yeah, you do."
She smiles. Just like her and her husband. "Keep it up love birds!" She shouts, and chortles when your sheepish waves finally send you off.
YOU ARE READING
150 Bullets
Fanfiction150 years. 150 bullets. 150 drabbles of your relationship with Vash the Stampede as it grows, wanes, forms, shifts, and transforms. Inspired by "150 Bottled Fairies" by BlueMoon_Cafe, a work near and dear to my heart for years now. Take a lo...
