agora | HOMOPHONIC PSL ✦ JUST ONE YESTERDAY

Last I saw her, she was kind of totaled, but Brad said it's nothing he can't fix, so... Maybe better?

[ Won't know until they stop by, but that's exciting, isn't it? ]

[ Immediately wilts back into the bed, his life leaving him.

He will believe Vash about this even if Brad is meh to him. If Marlon can fix the Punisher though, and Brad is a studier under Marlon, he can hope...

BUT... TOTALED... ]

[ THE COLONY IS FULL OF ENGINEERS. Vash pats Wolfwood's chest a couple of times. ]

She'll be fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.

[ Sighs. ]

...

I miss takin' her out to ride.

[ It'd been a while since her last crash, urgency of getting to the Ark much more important. And then the better part of a year on said Ark. And then two months in the UG...

Joyride... ]

[ Vash drums his fingers against Wolfwood's chest in a rhythm, a pause between each chord. ]

Sounds like we might pay a visit soon.

[ He was never that partial to cars or bikes himself, but... He enjoyed being on the attachment seat. Not so much driving himself and some dread weighs on him when that may be part of his life again.

... It's worth Wolfwood's joy. ]

Having a ride makes things a little more convenient, anyway.

[ He hums low and slight, a most subtle vibration underneath his heartbeat in response to the drumming.

He really thinks Vash should learn. He doesn't get what the big deal is!! It's just driving, so why is he so bad at it. ]

If you don't crash, yeah, it is. Ass hurts way less than if you take a toma, and less people to deal with than a bus.

[ Cheaper than a sandsteamer. Not that he knows where they'd go, but... somewhere. ]

What're you doin' these days anyway? Other than runnin' from the girls and hunters.

I think I can drive well enough for the amount of hours you sleep.

[ Vash tried to learn... He ended up still bad at it, but he could last long enough not to crash. Have we ever considered that people may just be bad at things?

The drumming eventually stops with the hand rested atop his heart. Sometimes... Vibrations nice. Heartbeat is soothing. ]

Odd jobs like usual, but I also held a part-time at a cafe for a little. That town was rural. Barely received visitors, likewise rumors. I don't think I'd be able to do the same thing anywhere bigger.

[ Made it easier for him to linger for a bit before ditching. ]

Drinking with locals. Listening to their stories.

[ It's steady, a normal amount of beats per minute. Okay, maybe a little fast, but it shifts around here and there. ]

With the amount of times I was thrown out of sleep by you tippin' over a dune?

[ He tucks his free hand now without cigarette behind his head, extra slight leverage. ]

Assumin' you were paid proper this time. [ Hmm. ] Maybe you should consider a disguise.

Heard anythin' interesting?

Think of it as your alarm?

[ Usually, Vash is dying by the time he crashes... Well, it's a 50/50. Sometimes he crashes because he's just bad at it.

The heartbeats comfort him more than Wolfwood will ever know, allowing him to sink into the bed truly lazy and content. Shifting a bit, he comes a little closer just for the sake of being close. ]

Worked for pay unlike my short time at McDonald's. [ LET IT GO ] You don't think my new look is enough to elude people? I have a new name now, but I don't think Valerie out there would be happy about it.

Mostly guys complaining about work... Sometimes they talk about me like I'm some folktale. When I hang out with the wives, it's neighborhood gossip. Saw people get into fights over affairs; I stayed out of it and didn't take sides. [ Hums. ] People are interested in the new technology—the one the colony and earth forces are prototyping from Kaveh and Nahida's schematics. They're not optimistic, but a little hopeful this will make life easier in No Man's Land while people wait to board a ship back to earth.

That's exciting!

If it doesn't put Angelina in danger.

[ That is very important. He slouches here, half-tempted to make a comment about how Vash is slowly encroaching to practically lie on top of him, burrowing as if he intends to nest here, but he doesn't want him to stop and put distance either. ]

I was gonna ask about it. Val, seriously? It's not actually short for Valerie is it?

[ She can deal with it, but he does think it'll be a bit weird if Wolfwood has to call him Valerie in public.

He falls back into silence, quiet and ponderous about this new planet. Building and architecture will take years, obviously, but it'll likely be faster with what resources Earth has brought and might continue bringing.

Man. ]

I'm gonna need a job too.

It's short for Valentin.

[ So not Valerie... And, listen, Vash is just pressed close to Wolfwood's side. He hasn't clambered over yet and doesn't plan to. He mimics a loving dog which includes nesting against his favorite person.

They're going to see new age of technology soon, which is going to be an interesting turnaround. ]

You're not a bounty hunter?

Sounds pretentious.

[ Define 'soon'. Wolfwood doesn't think he'll be out of hot water quite yet. Idyllic life is far off in a planet like this though they can idle and pretend. ]

Only when I feel like it. [ It's easy and nice enough, tracking down a criminal and busting their alleyway ring. He's still ready to fire and kill if it really came down to it, but he's been turning the few ones he's picked up so far unharmed to the police... aside from a couple bangs and bruises. He doesn't admit that here though. ] I'll have to think about turnin' it into a full-time career, since I'm out of a real job position.

[ Hand traveling up from Vash's waist up to his hair, running fingers through it idly. ]

Sadly, things cost money, needle-noggin.

[ Soon is within their lifetime!!! Relative, but they can expect to see change themselves rather than consider it to be something after their death. ]

I'm open to suggestions if you have any.

[ Vash is used to picking up names and being named, so why not? When he feels fingers in his hair, he closes his eyes and enjoys the sensation. Very soothing. Every once in a while, the thumb of his resting hand massages over fabric on Wolfwood's chest.

This really is so weird of them to be able to relax this much. Vash knows it, but he doesn't hate it. ]

There aren't a lot of jobs you can do on the road, so... Bounty hunting and doing odd jobs will have to sustain you for a bit.

[ Unless they settle somewhere. ]

[ There's nothing immense waiting over their heads like a heavy cloud, not right now. It's the first time either of them have been able to take a break since they first met.

They need money to settle somewhere too. Even if the colony would house them for free, Wolfwood can't quite settle there comfortably. It'd be a nice place to visit often though, especially for Vash. ]

I like "Vash".

[ He doesn't use this name enough yet to have it feel worn out, like it's time for a new one. ]

So, basically the same as before, with jobs. You lingering around this town long?

[ Got business? ]

Didn't get your fill saying my name yet?

[ Some harmless snickering as he reaches to poke Wolfwood's cheek because he knows the guy barely ever says it. Vash seldom uses Wolfwood's first name, too, but drops it here and there in private now. ]

Sorry to say until the bounty's lifted I'll have to go by another name around other people. Nicknames are free game, at least.

[ Poke poke poke. ]

Been here a week and things have been fine since I stick to the less populated area, so I might stay a little longer. I got a short gig at a bakery, too. Interested?

[ make bread ]

[ It's less about not using it much before more than it was that he never used it because of his shit habit. He's let Vash get that close and now meet him halfway.

Leans POINTEDLY AWAY from the poking. ]

I'll think about it.

[ It'll be easy enough he supposes, even though blondie and Vash are both off the table. ]

The hell is a short gig? You gonna go through the ropes of learnin' how to bake bread for a week's worth of pay?

[ He'll obliterate you in the baking department twink (who is not actually a twink). ]

[ Vash's hand chased after. He scritches his chin and jawline to check how smooth he is after a shave. I assigned razor there in the bathroom. ]

Short because it's a temporary position.

[ Gig because temporary, too. We get it thought. ]

I knew how to bake before! [ ... ] In theory.

[ He knows better now, though. ]

[ It's as good of a shave as a really quick pass with a motel razor gets. Smoother than not? But you can still feel the slight roughness if you go out of your way to feel.

He's going to bite you if you keep this up motherfucker. Still conversing while dodging hand. ]

In theory doesn't sound real confident-like. What exactly have you baked before, huh?

... Cupcakes? A cake...

[ So, generally, these could be extremely easy step-by-step recipes.

As Wolfwood tries to dodge again, Vash settles with running a few fingers through his hair, tucking some strands behind his ear in the motions. ]

I've baked more now! [ In addition: ] Your hair has gotten a little long.

[ Finally freed from poking fingers, he allows this sweep before he turns his head so he's facing the hand, half-kiss and half-not, speaking against his fingers while peering at Vash. ]

I'd say I wanna see proof, but we'd have to nail down a place with a kitchen. Bakery won't sell it if it's not good.

[ A rent room with a kitchen... definite rarity unless they're staying over at a Numbered City and have some extra cash to sink in for a more luxurious stay. Imagine that, them and luxury. ]

Yeah, it's kinda hard to cut it on the road. I can give myself a trim but I'd rather have a mirror, but I usually can't be assed to.

[ The phenomenon of thinking you need to get it cut, but you forget to grab a pair of scissors, and only remember once you're glancing at yourself in the mirror, and by the time it's too late and it's not like he cares THAT much, so he goes 'I'll do it next time', and then rinse and repeat... ]

[ Watch him list the ingredients for a cake. Does this mean anything? No. Does Vash think this will prove anything? No. But he's hoping Wolfwood would fall for it. ]

I was taught how to laminate for croissants and I'd say I've mastered it! It took me a whole day of training... And everyone had to eat my bad croissants, but it worked out.

[ HE IS A CROISSANT MASTER. With the mention of a kitchen, Vash does imagine them renting or buying a place with one and settling. It's a strange concept, but he has been dreaming something similar for some time now. The back of his fingers stay gently pressed to Wolfwood's lips before he flexes them a bit, brushing ever so slightly. ]

We can go to a salon, if you want.

[ Offering this must mean he has some extra double dollars. ]

[ Okay, croissants are out of his purview because that's fancy people baking and he doesn't do that. He's thinking quietly to himself for a moment on what the hell laminating means in a baking context. ]

Then I'll drop by your shift and buy some.

[ Show off for him, and all that. ]

Could just grab a pair of scissors and give myself a trim.

[ It doesn't have to be a SALON... he definitely at best goes to those ten dollar quick chop places. ]

They do croissant sandwiches there, too. [ Vash sifts through Wolfwood's bangs before running his hair back. Forehead. ] Positions are open for other stuff, by the way. Like picking up ingredients, cooking stuff for these sandwiches, and making other pastries.

[ A gentle ruffle added. ]

Don't you think after all the screwed up stuff we've been through you don't deserve a nice trim from a nice place?

[ Wolfwood, after traveling with Vash for a while, should know Vash doesn't mean an actual luxurious salon. Just a local one, quick and easy. So, yes, a ten dollar barber, maybe. ]

[ Sneaks in a quick kiss to his palm while the hand travels up to his hairline. Forehead. ]

You don't need to advertise your workplace to me, spikey. Tell me the pay per hour.

[ That will usually motivate him way more than whatever the job actually entails. ALSO LOOK THE TEN DOLLARS CAN'T BE CALLED A SALON. IT IS SIMPLY A BARBER SHOP. ]

You don't think I can give myself a shop-level quality haircut?

[ Running the hand that's been resting on Vash's head through the hair, fucking with his fringe. ]

What about you, huh?

[ Thinks about whether Wolfwood looks good showing his forehead or not in order to avoid feeling charmed (he feels charmed)... Vash tells him the the pay per hour! And it being about 3-4 hours in the morning. The pay is above average and rather sizable, but... Again. Early morning hour shifts, then making some pastries is Difficult.

Don't make me equate the pay to real double dollars.

also, listen here, some barbers are expensive ]

I think there's a chance things are uneven here and there. [ So, yeah, and with his fringe being screwed up he blows some air upward.

Which does nothing. ] I got a haircut not too long ago. Don't like how it looks?

[ A good sign that he's taking care of himself... Rather than letting it grow long and also growing a stubble, a show of disinterest in living. ]

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