agora | HOMOPHONIC PSL ✦ JUST ONE YESTERDAY

Didn't see a no smoking sign.

And I haven't lit up yet.

[ Like this is a perfectly reasonable answer. He's so used to talking around this thing, it's like it's not even there.

Still carefully watching him. Wolfwood could say the same thing right back, them both carefully talking around it. He's looking for any indication here that this is the same Vash that asked him to come find him. ]

You had something else in mind?

Uh... I guess? Maybe a couple of things.

[ Vash is careful for other reasons... There's no doubt in his mind that this is the Wolfwood from that strange reverie. How would he explain the man in front of him when he watched him die?

Truly, he's mostly feeling awkward, adjusting to the air. And the air is full of tension, careful and nervous. Shoulders drop with a sigh. ]

But I guess I did tell you to look for me, so I should be the one doing something.

[ He comes over to take the box of cigarettes from Wolfwood's hand to leave on the nearby desk. Small and slow steps to make sure Wolfwood doesn't freak out or jump out of his skin. You good, Mr. Tall Dark & Guarded? ]

[ He's fine. He doesn't fight it when Vash takes the carton out from between his fingers, even as his eyes never leave Vash's face like a watching animal. He's definitely on alert but it's not like he's going to suddenly throw a punch or do something insane.

It's really weird to exist in a universe where you died. Where you're supposed to be dead. Weirder when you don't feel dead, like you're supposed to be a ghost but you're not. ]

Broadcast or not, it was still pretty ass to find you. You know how big this damn planet is? You're lucky as it is that it didn't take me another two years.

Good thing you have a knack for tracking. [ He found it annoying back then. ] Even without them, I knew you were going to find me.

[ Less or more than two years, it doesn't matter. He trusted him. He waited for him, despite running. Now they're here.

A hand raises with intention to take the cigarette in his mouth, but it staggers... Fingers curl as he reconsiders something. ]

... Do you still feel the same way about me?

[ Time has passed and some of the urgency that came with the murder game is gone. Wolfwood is not on the brink of death, either... Vash doesn't think things have changed, but maybe it has?

The smile shifts into a shield again to hide the fear and the insecurity. He... Just wonders where they stand now. ]

[ He's the most dogged person anyone will know. Midvalley described him as such, a demon who never stops advancing. The day he really gives up on something is when you know something really is a lost cause to him.

The cigarette shifts slightly with a slight movement of his teeth. His eyes narrow the instant he can see the smile turn fake. Go back. He's always liked the other one more. ]

I've felt the same way for ages. [ He barely refrains from tacking on an 'idiot'. ] So it depends on how you feel.

[ Thinks about it for a minute. ]

Or I guess it doesn't. It wouldn't change anything.

[ Still talking around it a bit, but it's still true. Even if Vash told him he had absolutely zero interest in him, it wouldn't just snuff out Wolfwood's feelings. Those are there to stay forever. ]

... C'mon. Ages?

[ Vash is the old one so hearing this has him chuckle. This is at least real... And nerves subside with it. It's true for him, too, despite the fear of being rejected. What he wants is to stay by his side. That desire conquers all, though he figures he will always love him. Even if he were to be dead, he won't forget. Most likely would have never move on.

But they're here and Vash feels the confidence to pluck the cigarette from Wolfwood's lips. It stays safe between his fingers. ]

Do you want me to say it?

[ Other hand takes the hat now. That's set aside. ]

Ages.

[ Repeats blandly. His life is so short and so ephemeral. A few months is a lifetime, whether that's torment under medical lights, whether that's grappling your feelings in the face of inevitable betrayal.

He glances briefly at the cigarette getting stolen from him, though this is the world's least interesting robbery given how little of a fight he put up (zero). And his attention is back to Vash anyway, dark eyes boring into him from behind shades that are a bit different and newer, but still mostly the same. ]

I'd take a demonstration too if that's easier.

Ages.

[ Repeats it while he takes Wolfwood's sunglasses next. This desk is just littered with Wolfwood's belongings at this point.

They can see each other without any shield or blinds and Vash takes this time to admire him. He always liked his eyes, even though he always found himself at the end of glares and leers, but there's no time to get lost.

A demonstration is a way to put it... But action does come easier, sometimes. His free hand runs along Wolfwood's neck, fingers threading through faded strands on the nape. ]

I love you, Nicholas. [ Hushed, almost desperate. Leaning in, he presses his lips against Wolfwood's, a kiss featherlight and sweet. He parts only a bit to whisper softly. ] And I've missed you...

[ Another peck after, cutely. Vash decides he'll give Wolfwood both types of affirmations—he'll give Wolfwood anything he wants. Though he's unworthy, undeserving, if Wolfwood wants him... Then he can have every rotten and blackened piece of him; Vash believes Wolfwood deserves the world, the galaxy. ]

[ There's the briefest lull, a lean in forward at the fingers tracing against the back of neck before he practically dives in, closing the gap with a hunger and want just barely restrained to match the level of light and sweet that Vash treats him with. Wolfwood's fingers curl, one around the other's wrist and the other grasping the front of Vash's outfit. All here. ]

Yeah. [ Gasped out, chasing after it with a press of his lips to the corner of Vash's mouth before moving to quietly bury his face into the crook of his shoulder as he moves his hand from the front to around Vash's back, pulling him close. ] Fuck. Me too.

[ Fuck the rest of the world and the entire galaxy. Let somebody else tend to that. He never asked for that kind of responsibility and though he will bear it if given, follow Vash through it even if he spends half of it kicking and griping, but he doesn't want these meaningless gifts. He just wants Vash. And his family, the orphanage of course, but semantics aside -- all that matters is right now. ]

[ It seems that they've fallen from the little dance around earlier, but Vash prefers this.

He holds Wolfwood close, remembering how this body in his arms runs hot... It's a nice change from the cold corpse he had to examine and the one he had to bury. The memories have him holding onto Wolfwood tighter, hoping this warmth never flickers and fades. All life ends, unfortunately. The day will come again... But at least not soon.

The hand originally on Wolfwood's neck continues to play with his hair, carding through it while he's buried in his shoulder, the other clasped on his back with cigarette still seized. His heart drums louder, chest filling with warmth, as elation washes over him. Whatever bounty on his head and seek for refuge dissipates—he simply wants to be here, with him. ]

Welcome back.

[ No Man's Land may be a hellhole, but it's still theirs and he welcomes Wolfwood home. Quietly, he noses the side of Wolfwood's head before planting a small kiss on the same spot. He lets them stay in the moment, indulging in the embrace for some minutes, then pipes up. ]

Want to take this to the bed? Or...

[ Did they want to continue hugging while standing? ]

[ He didn't want to fuck it up by meeting a Vash who wasn't actually the same as the one who went through the Reaper's Game with him. It's part of why he was so afraid to fully commit during the game, because at that point he'd already known about the differing timelines, and how Ruby couldn't tell him for sure that their worlds would blend in properly, that all three would be saved if at least one was. He wouldn't know what to do if everything else went well, but when he returned, he'd suddenly be with a Vash who wasn't quite the same. Of course, other reasons like not being sure if Wolfwood himself would be able to return and not wanting to break Vash's heart further like that were also at play, but this was his most selfish one.

So now, the relief washes over so strong that he feels shaky, a slight tremour in his fingers. The one goddamn prayer, heard when it counts. He'll never ask for anything again. His fingers grasp harder into the fabric of Vash's shirt across his back and makes some kind of muffled sound in response to the 'welcome back'. ]

Idiot. You could've made it easier, like wear some red.

[ Nothing stopped him from dressing exactly like his wanted posters back when he was blond. Granted to be fair, not exactly his fault when people on this planet are often so stupid that hunters don't realise they're looking at Vash the Stampede until he's literally standing right next to his own picture. He already knew Vash had different hair from being subjected to it through the Reaper's Game so at least he didn't have to double-take about that.

He does pull back to squint at Vash though when he asks. ]

Phrasing.

[ He thinks. He doesn't know, he knows Vash would literally rather pretend and sleep through somebody hitting on him so. ]

[ Vash, on the other hand, was optimistic despite knowing about the timelines. He didn't ask the reapers if they'd converge... He simply asked if they kept their memories, if they'd return only to die, and he got favorable answers.

Blind faith is hoping the timelines would converge and Wolfwood would find him. Realistically, his heart was resigned and content with the fact that, at the very least, in some universe out there... Wolfwood survived. He'd be fine to wait in his series of events, believing Wolfwood would be searching for him, even if that wouldn't be true. At least he had his chance to love and be loved by Wolfwood. That would have been enough.

Fortunate that God heard them this one time. Vash can squeeze Wolfwood in a hug however many times he wants now. ]

Sorry, my coat is getting dry cleaned.

[ Somehow, despite being wanted and his red coat being a trademark of his, he feels comfortable and safe enough to leave his coat at the dry cleaners like no one will recognize him or the coat. As they both know, No Man's Land has trouble remembering wanted posters.

When Wolfwood pulls away, he can see the confusion on Vash's face. ]

Huh? What do you—[ Oh, it hits him. ] I meant we can snuggle on the bed and talk!

[ Vash is unsure if Wolfwood is even interested in sex, actually. The guy always seemed ace, but maybe that's due to the apocalypse. He's quickly calculating the possibility with quantitative values he pulled out of his ass based on what he has learned about and observed of the other man.

... ]

Are you interested in that?

[ Looks at him, awkwardly. ]

[ Vash hasn't submitted a trademark or patent for his coat, he doesn't OWN wearing red. All the copy-cats trying to steal his drip also help, probably. ]

You can have more than one coat.

[ But Wolfwood will point this out anyway, because he's rude, and also needs to lash out when he's feeling so emotionally unstable. His brows furrow as he just stares at Vash's face... tired. Of course he didn't notice how it sounded. That was exactly why he pointed it out. And that would've been the end of it.

He would've asked for a shower first, because God forbid the weather in this place, because two months in the UG unexpectedly did spoil him, because the forty-degree binary sun heat was a sensation he did not miss, because the notion that he doesn't have constant access to a shower and Laundromat was a concept he missed even less, and then maybe they can just have a well-deserved nap in familiar lukewarm inn beds with slightly scratchy pillows --

But no, he's just closing his eyes briefly. Still holding Vash where he is. ]

Comes and goes.

[ He thinks that's a safe answer, and it's true besides. Even if this is not the topic of conversation he would've chosen on reunion. ]

You don't have to.

[ And also making that clear while at it because he does have the image that Vash is potentially sex-repulsed. ]

[ It's better to pack light in the desert! Much like how Wolfwood chided him about buying those winter coats—can't bring that with them. Vash has very little to his name, little to carry, too. There's no sassy response because he really set them up for this awkward conversation unintentionally.

In Wolfwood's arms he can feel Vash grow tense by each muscle fiber, world-hardened body stiffer than normal. His gaze flickers up, elsewhere, and down as he thinks about it. ]

I'm not against it, I just don't think my body is...

[ Presentable. Desirable. With all of its scars and history, unnatural and monstrous in origin, he finds it hard to imagine anyone would want that with him—except he's stupid because it's always him rejecting prospects. Believing he doesn't deserve intimacy is a running trend.

Body image is genuinely an insecurity, but Wolfwood has seen so many sides to him. He wants him, anyway, and reasoning it through brings a color to his cheeks and tint the tip of his ears. It's a light flush, but present and noticeable on his skin. ]

If you ever want to, later... [ And that flush deepens and spreads as he voices this, embarrassment and regret grabbing him by the throat. His brow furrows as a hand comes to cover the lower half of his face, attempting to obscure and hide. ] I don't know. Maybe we can try.

[ Eyebrows knit together deeply now with eyes flicking one spot to another, back and forth, like he can't figure out where to focus. ]

I feel really stupid.

[ Just so Wolfwood knows. ]

[ It's funny because Wolfwood is like. I don't think Vash has ever actually told Wolfwood he has the body insecurity until now, and logically or empathetically he'd be able to assume respect of someone's body when it's as fucked up as Vash's, but also? At the same time? He's never considered it ugly or undesirable even once, so he can't help but make a slight expression when the other brings it up. Wolfwood understands it logically now that it's on the table, but...

He blinks once, a little slow when Vash agrees to it nonetheless. Or at least offers it out if they're both willing. His first response is caught somewhere between a gruff and respectable 'we don't have to if you're uncomfortable' and an instant lowkey urge to bully him a little due to the flush to draw away from the topic. Instead he's distracted by a near-violent intrusive thought, something about his brain chemistry (and probably expression, too) slipping at the idea of being permitted to worship this body for what it is.

It isn't so much about the sex as it's -- he would take literally anything Vash wants to give him, because Wolfwood is a greedy sinner and wants everything he could be given. He'd say Vash is going to be the death of him if it weren't a sensitive topic. ]

Later. [ He agrees thickly, because he also would've thought now or even anytime today would've been not a great idea. He leans in and presses a kiss to the corner of Vash's mouth again, a repeat. ] Anything you want.

Bed, for just restin', sounds good too.

[ See, he can be helpful... sort of. ]

[ He has not because it never seemed... Important? Wolfwood has seen him bare once and a number of other times. Maybe it isn't too obvious considering most people have different degrees of body dysmorphia and they normally wish not to be seen naked by other people. Whatever. He's sure he can handle it when they get to that hurdle. These are just normal thoughts and shaky nerves from him. "Anything you want" has those nerves quake more and burn alight, but nothing he can't handle.

He can spiral when the time comes.

Vash doesn't see how Wolfwood's expression slips, not when his attention is anywhere but here and quietly he dips more of his face into his hand to cover his eyes. Eventually his fingers drags down at the drop of a sigh, leaving that window to get kissed again. Unexpected. Pleasant surprise. His heart did skip a beat there and that has the ends of his lips reach ear to ear, near giddy. There's just happy old dog who still acts like a puppy energy radiating from him. God, he really feels stupid. ]

Yeah... Yeah, we can catch up!

[ Like a dog, he leans in to nuzzle, trailing after the given affection, but he pulls back again. Bed for rest, bed for rest. Wait. ]

You arrived today, right? Wanna use the shower?

[ He will kiss him as much as it takes to distract him away from such.

Speaking of distractions, he doesn't have much time to bask in the grin because the word shower really is like, sleeper agent activation phrase. ]

-- Christ, yes. Holy shit, I did not miss not havin' one around.

[ Too spoiled by (comparatively) clean city!! He's not even particularly bad off right now, other than being the usual sweaty and sand-dusted, but the sweet relief of washing both off before clambering right into bed. Please. ]

I know! [ GOD. THEY HAVE TO RETURN TO THEIR DESERT STINKY ERA. ] I barely survived when I started trekking again... We were only in the UG for two months give or take, but I really miss having a shower available. It's a perk of settling somewhere.

[ Which, right now, he can't have? Vash is on the run all over again, but at least the earth force butt heads with the bounty hunters, allowing him to escape as long as they aren't causing too much trouble.

Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he motions Wolfwood to the other door in the room. ]

Go ahead and spruce yourself up.

It ain't enough to call sprucing up.

[ But he finally let's go of Vash to run a hand through his fringe with a sigh and step away so he can go scoot into the shower. Underneath the newer black Bloodborne hunter-looking outfit, Vash can see he's still wearing something that's pretty classically him. White button up. Black pants.

He's using your towel unless there's a spare. He'll be quick enough, just enough to wash and scrub away sweat and dead skin, before pattering out with his hair still damp. Pants on, white shirt unbuttoned and loose around himself.

Straight onto Vash if he's already there in bed like when a dog decides to stick to you even though its not dry after a bath yet. ]

Being clean is a luxury, Wolfwood.

[ Vash says as he gets cozy on the twin bed, arms cradling the back of his head and elbows winged out. He does watch him strip because he's curious to know what new digs the guy got... Wondering how he survives in that hunter outfit, but then smiling when he sees the classical gear underneath.

There Wolfwood goes to shower (there are probably two towels) and Vash preoccupies himself with reading one of the filler books in the room. There's little time to react before Wolfwood plops onto him. ]

Hey?! Your hair is still wet!

[ He lifts the book to save it and passes it back onto the nightstand. ]

[ It shouldn't be. Let him have his hygiene. Don't know if Vash keeps a razor in his room but if he did he's also getting a clean shave while at it thanks. At this point no questioning Wolfwood's taste in dark clothes and how he survives on this ridiculous planet in them.

There's only a vague grumble and a definite purposeful nuzzle of his forehead into Vash's front in retaliation. He's rarely much for being affectionate, he will force this on him while he's still feeling it. ]

Toweled it off.

[ So it's not dripping, you see, which is the most important point to make. I really uploaded this icon like four months ago and this is the first time I'm getting to use it. ]

[ Even towel-dried, Vash can feel some of it against his dress shirt. It'd definitely leave some kind of impression, which he groans about before relenting.

He cups both cheeks and forces Wolfwood to tilt his head back up and look at him, now squishing his cheeks a little like you would good dogs. Except Wolfwood is not a good dog, he's a naughty dog. ]

Where was all this affection in the Underground, huh?

[ A laugh as he continues to squish him into chubby cheeks. ]

[ He is manhandled like a dog, as he deserves. He's all sinew, very little for way of fat, but Vash can make his attempts. ]

Sorry that I don't feel like it in a shit place where people are out to kill each other.

[ When death is around the corner, it's hard to settle and be soft. He'll allow it here though.

He's seen their new world while he was traveling, the way the Earth ships are here, how bandits still roam. The planet is still dangerous, but at least it's perfectly human troubles.

No Knives, no end of the world in sight. He still means to ask what happened to his orphanage, where they went since Vash and Livio both said they're safe, but he'll play catchup later. He believes in both of their words that this is something that can wait a little.

Tries to pull away from Vash screwing with his cheeks, though he doesn't bother pulling off the rest of his body weight. ]

[ There's onboarding for those who wish to make a living on Earth, though it will be in waves. No Man's Land is a beast to be reckoned with where the fleet can't easily instate their authority or influence.

This planet has its own culture. People who stay are too accustomed to it, but it's been a little better thanks to modified genshin technology. It's slow progress, though, but surely it's spreading. ]

You could have at least snuggled with me a bit more when we were sleeping.

[ The lowest bar, but he understands. As Wolfwood tries to pull away, he catches him again, but doesn't squish his cheeks. Instead he caresses, smoothing over his skin with calloused thumbs.

Slowly the ends of his lips stop curling, though curiosity colors his features. Wolfwood might think to catch up later, but Vash has his own questions. ]

... How did it happen? Did you suddenly wake up somewhere?

[ How did you come back? ]

Kinda hard when it felt forced.

[ TOUCH WEEK AND ALL THAT. And also grappling with emotions and stuff on the side. Shit was rough. ]

Yeah, something like that. Came to in the sorta wrecks of someplace quiet.

[ Halfway to Carcasses, en route to the orphanage. A medium ground of the place he was last at on the Ark, and where his story theoretically ended in the world. Pretend he said a place. He lets his body weight comfortably sag between the hollows of Vash, dispersing some weight off of him to the mattress below so he can avoid allegations of crushing the other.

Would he mind if he reached over to grab one of his smokes. ]

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