#and I guess that’s why I like vashmeryl so much

[alexiethymia]

If I could gif, I would probably gif three scenes. The ‘what rope’ scene where Vash calls Meryl and Roberto his friends so that the townspeople of Jeonora Rock don’t lynch them, and then the scene where Vash says Meryl and Roberto aren’t his friends to Wolfwood when they separate on the Sand Steamer and Wolfwood calls him cold, and finally the scene where Luida definitively calls Meryl, Roberto, and Wolfwood his friends when he first wakes up.

It’s such a nice progression of his bonds in such a few number of episodes. For all that Vash is a nice guy, and has people he helps, and even family in the form of the people in Home, it’s possible Meryl, Roberto, and Wolfwood are his first friends. It’s only when the three stick by him even after Monev and finding out that he’s a Plant, that it really dawns on him that huh in his hundred years alive, he may have finally found his first friends.

Vash isn’t naive. He knows the capacity of people to betray his trust. He’s resigned to it in a way. But he still extends that trust to people. The plan to stop the Sand Steamer wouldn’t have worked without Meryl. But Vash still leaves the task to her without any assurance that she would do her part. At the same time, I get the feeling that he wouldn’t have blamed her if she did decide to run away, same as Roberto was telling her. And it’s such a wonderful thing that through the friendships he formed with Meryl, Wolfwood, and Roberto, the trust that he freely gives is finally reciprocated. (And of course he would always have faith, what with his experiences with Rem, Luida, Brad and the people in Home).

In the same way, Vash saves what was precious to Wolfwood which was the orphanage, Wolfwood eventually gets to return the favor in saving Meryl. Even though it was out of order, you can also look at it as Meryl saving Vash, who saved Wolfwood at the Sand Steamer, who eventually ends up saving Meryl. Even Roberto, cynical as he is, does end up advising Vash on occasion.

People get hurt. People die. It’s a dangerous world they live in. But it’s nice that Vash who always asks if people ‘need a hand’ eventually meets ordinary people who also ask him if he ‘needs a hand’ sometimes too.

#trigun #trigun stampede #taggin #vashmeryl #because fave always #but really it’s the friendship that gets me #vash eventually comes to trust the three of them #not because of their words but because of their actions #and I guess that’s why I like vashmeryl so much #because of the friendship and trust #I really loved the dynamic of the four of them #rip roberto gone too soon #I really liked the touches of ordinary heroism #like how rosa was trying to help meryl even though the bombs were attaching themselves to her too #or that one julai soldier who made sure he was far away from the others when he was about to blow up #like nebraska jr. too #or how heartbroken that one julai soldier who shot vash was because of his friend #which makes it heartbreaking when they turn away from vash because these are good and decent folk #but survival forces them to be cruel #nicholas wolfwood #roberto de niro

[lilaccoffin]

@wheredidigetthismuffin HI! Hope it's okay to respond with my own post! :0 It's the subtlety that works so well for me!

I like that they aren't given a bunch of on-the-nose romantic moments, and instead, they have subtle, yet intimate, scenes that mean so much to each character. Like, from the get go we see that Meryl is fascinated by Vash! Especially when she realizes he's nothing like the rumors say he is. Personally, I also like that the manga doesn't make her so adamant that he isn't Vash and she just accepts he is the "legendary outlaw." (not rlly sure why the 1998 anime went with that tsundere route, but I don't like it! <:D;;;) Her progression from being fascinated with him to genuinely caring about him also makes me giddy. I like development in relationships, platonic or romantic! Also like yeah sometimes Meryl put that lil "it's my job!" excuse to follow Vash, but even that develops into her accepting she's following him because she cares about him. Milly could see right through that from the get go though, lol.

Anyway, a lot of the scenes between Vash and Meryl that make me clench my fist come a lot later in the story, sure, but her grabbing his hand and telling him he isn't fighting alone and the way Vash softly thanks her for trying to face her fears regarding her seeing his past in vivid detail just...aaaah...I'm very touched by those moments!

Tbh Vash's relationship with most of the characters can be a bit rough 'cause he's got that mindset of his that he's a danger to everyone and that he doesn't deserve this love and care until he's righted a wrong that wasn't entirely his fault. (July) LIKE, even his relationship with Wolfwood can be rough at times despite him being the character that gets closest to Vash. I guess if I had to be honest it is a bit frustrating that Meryl and Milly don't get as much time with Vash in the middle of the story and I would have liked for them to! But the time he does get with Meryl is still good and makes me, aaaah!!

Also Meryl just cares about him so dang much in Trigun and Trimax, and I'm sooooo glad Stampede has also taken note of that and reflected it in a way that works better than the 1998 adaptation.(imo) I personally see VashMeryl being Meryl pining for him and Vash being so wrapped up in his chaos that it takes him a while to fully realize and come to his own feelings, but he clearly cares about her too, considering how he reacts to Meryl being afraid of him after she sees his memories.

He's so sad that he elicited such a reaction from her. He also promises to return to her, which he said himself, isn't something he does!

OH AND OF COURSE, HOW SHE GOT MARLON TO MAKE him a new gun and how he reacts to this.

Like ugh...her suppoooort...and how she knows he's out there and wants to help him...

And then the rescue arc...chalk it up to Vash's tendency to wanna save everyone but these panels still strike a chord with me. Maybe it's how Vash is crying thinking if he fails Meryl will be gone...

But aside from moments they had in the story, I like how their personalities come together! Meryl is hardworking and believes in the truth and doing right by others. She also shares Vash's distaste for murder as shown when she thinks back to the first time she had to fire at someone.

(I also think it's just *chef's kiss* that Meryl is so visibly shaken at the thought of having to kill in order to ensure her own safety, but Vash shows her that that isn't the case.) She's a capable person all the while being silly in her own ways and I love it! I really love that about her character! It's nice when paired with Vash's. Like, I love how the manga handles her irks with him because, yeah, Vash can get on her nerves just like in the 1998 anime. BUT- I always felt like the 1998 anime made it much more mean spirited.

Like, right here. She's going off about him but it's in a totally loving way. I can tell that even though she's listing these characteristics of his as a means of highlighting his flaws, she loves all of that about him, too. She believes in him. She cries so much over Vash later on because of just how much she cares. WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT POINT-

Something I love with ships is when the characters bring out the best in one another or help them develop in some way, and that's present with these two. Someone brought up once how Meryl seems to open up more emotionally after getting to know Vash better. She definitely cries more and it's something Vash himself points out and gently teases her about. We see in the chapter/episode regarding Badwick and his parents that Meryl regrets being so reserved at times. Having folks like Vash and Milly around her have helped her to let her walls down and aaaaaaah God, it's so good.

Vash also gives her hope for a kinder future and has brought something new into her life. The way he shows up in that last panel of this page is like. *Clenches fist*

I mean, yuh, anyone wouldn't like being put into dangerous and life threatening situations, but Vash has impacted her life in such a positive way that Meryl can look past all the wild ass scenarios she's put into and appreciate what she has gained from these experiences.

Like, damn, this french fry haired freak in a red coat has made such an impact on her and vice-versa. He is so grateful for her help, even if Vash had expressed irritation over her and Milly following him. Clearly it's just because he doesn't want to put these girls in danger, but it can still be rough seeing him try to shake them off at times lol. STILL he does acknowledge how much Meryl and Milly have saved his scrawny butt too.

BUT YEAH, I can understand why someone would read Trigun and come out of it wondering why ppl ship VashMeryl when the source material is so subtle, but I like that subtlety! It isn't like Nightow just had Meryl be the only one expressing care here either. Vash definitely cares about Meryl, but I think in a post-Trimax world he would get more opportunities to spend time with her and fully realize how special this 5'0" woman is and fall for her completely.

Like, IT'S KINDA TOUGH to imagine Vash in an established romantic relationship during the height of this story because sooooo much is happening. He's dealing with so much guilt and trauma and feelings of unworthiness. It musta been a lot for him to accept that he wanted to spend his tomorrows with Wolfwood and even then, Nicholas dies so it's...hoo boy. It's not easy for dear ol Vashy. It's why a lot of my VashMeryl art tends to be post-Trimax, 'cause realistically, I see it coming full circle once Vash is allowed to relax better after dealing with Knives.

SO UH TL;DR: I like VashMeryl because it isn't in my face, but they impact each other in ways that really capture my attention.I like the complexities thrown in, the conflict of Vash's stubbornness and his own setbacks that have him pushing Meryl away, but she refuses to let him, because she cares about him so much. She doesn't give up on him! There's a trust there that means a lot to them both.

I've gushed at random on my blog about certain panels and moments including how his face softens when he recognizes Meryl in front of him during a messy scene near the end of the last chapter.

He's so happy to see heeeer.

Also the knuckle kiss............

Like okay like I said, I think Vash just needs time to fully realize his feelings, and this right here? C'mon...he def feels some kinda way! He just has to sit down with himself after all this mess and be like "Hmm...yes...yes, I do like Meryl. A lot." ANYWAY, YEAH. THAT'S MY RAMBLE. THANK U FOR LISTENING.

#I HOPE THIS IS COHERENT LMAO #I'm very bad at putting my thoughts/feeling to words but!! I tried!!

[needle-noggins]

[20 Question Fic Writer Game]

I'm so so sooo sleepy but @madnessmadness tagged me and <3

How many works do you have on AO3? 6!

What is your AO3 word count? 26,652

What fandoms do you write for? Trigun only so far, who know where the wind will take me if/when that dies down (at this rate... Trigun is forever)

What are your top five fics by kudos? Bluebells, Funeral Rites, Learn to Count on You, Cigarettes and Saints, and Freaks of Nurture

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? I try to! I love talking to people about my work!

What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? Tie between Freaks of Nurture where Vash wonders if getting vivisected maybe was a for the greater good, and Funeral Rites, which is... just canon Vol 10.

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Meet in the Middle is so far the happiest. Bluebells will hopefully be happier later, but uh. it's all angst right now.

Do you get hate on fics? This one comment on Bluebells wrecked me. Way to misinterpret the text and be an asshole. Blocked.

Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Yeah! It's uh. I've only written a little because it's difficult. But it's fun. So far I've only written vashmeryl and mashwood, but we'll see if i ever branch out.

Do you write crossovers? Nope! Not really my vibe/I'm too anxious about Sticking to Canon for that kind of thing. But I love reading a good crossover.

Have you ever had a fic stolen? No????

Have you ever had a fic translated? Nope

Have you ever cowritten a fic before? Not exactly, but @frappeflamingo and @scoundrels-in-love wrote companion pieces to Ch 7 of Bluebells, and it was a ton of fun to compare our works and wtrite hem alongside each other.

What's your all-time favourite ship? Look at my longfic and take a wild guess.

What's a WIP you'd like to finish but doubt you ever will? My Knives + "The Scarlet Ibis"-inspired character study. It's got great angst potential but Knives POV may be too powerful for my tiny emotional brain.

What are your writing strengths? I take my writing very seriously, lmao. I also love writing characters' inner thoughts and dialogue.

What are your writing weaknesses? Right now, tapping into how a character feels/writing dialogue with enough around it to make the text still flow. Also internal consistency is hard with complicated characters.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic? Did it for Wolfwood a little bit. My Wolfwood has got some Mexican heritage in honor of a dear friend of mine. Also I HC that Vash is a menace in French sometimes - it came up in Freaks of Nurture and it'll come up again in Bluebells.

First fandom you wrote for? LOL Pirates of the Caribbean in 2008. On FF.net.

Favourite fic you've ever written? Bluebells may be my baby, but I'm sorry... it's Freaks of Nurture. It's unlike anything I've written before and I got to lean into the weirdness and flex my irl knowledge. It came together mostly in one night and was so so so much fun and a huge confidence booster to write and publish completely by myself with no beta/other input.

okay I'll tag @scoundrels-in-love, @ladymaliwan, @frappeflamingo, and @mydetheturk have fun! or don't, i'm not your mom.

This was fun!

#my fics #bluebellposting