agora | HOMOPHONIC PSL ✦ JUST ONE YESTERDAY

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. ]

[ Eh, not bad. Maybe he will play dishwasher errand boy for a little while until they decide where they want to move next... or if something kicks them out early. He is Considering. ]

Who the hell is gonna be looking. You?

[ Full offense but he can't give a rat's ass about what anyone thinks about a slightly uneven fringe, except for Miss Melanie, who might tell him he deserves a proper haircut as a grown young man.

However. He does leans back where they're laying to facetiously evaluate Vash's haircut, before settling back. ]

Couldn't tell the difference. Definitely got a cut since the UG, I can probably tell that much.

[ When Wolfwood returns, there's a pause... No words. What Vash does is simply watch him before reaching out again to caress his cheek. The touch is gentle, not quite meant to keep Wolfwood still, but he leans in to rest his forehead against his.

Eyes come to a close as he savors this, sprinkled with a little bump and rub of their noses. Just small, shy though affectionate gestures. ]

It'd make me happy if you looked nice.

[ Because Wolfwood deserves nice things and to be pampered rather than it being what Vash wants. No uneven cuts for you.

So, yes, he will be looking. ]

[ Cringe...

No but really. He has to be a little shit so it was just a sassy response, and left no room for such a sincere and tender response in return. He almost goes cross-eyed trying to keep eyes on Vash as the other closes in, eyes falling half-shut at the forehead rest...

...But he wrinkles his nose a bit at the affectionate little bump. It makes his skin crawl, but not in the unpleasant way that he's used to -- it's just... different. And he immediately TURNS AROUND A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE DON'T LOOK AT HIM. ]

-- Fine. I'll get a haircut. Wherever. You know this town a bit better than me so you point me some place if you know anyone that's good.

I'll point you to the place I got my cut done...

[ Despite the favorable response, Vash opens his eyes when Wolfwood turns away a little. Comfortable forehead press broken?! Maybe he didn't like it... Vash has to double check, a bit worried that maybe he crossed some line. While familiar with romance as a bystander, it's entirely different when you're in the fray.

What kind of expression is he making? ]

[ It is embarrassment low-key. He is also trying to keep his face as neutral as possible, closing his eyes for a moment like he's recounting all of his life decisions leading up to this point (again, not bad). How is he going to survive such blatant and open affection. ]

[ Wolfwood's generally good at hiding his emotions behind his expressions, but Vash can normally see through them well. On top of that... Turning around a bit is very obvious already.

This coaxes a smile, shitty and also incredibly fond. Wolfwood can be cute?? ]

Someone's embarrassed?

[ No see. The slight and dull flush warming his skin probably doesn't help. ]

Shut the hell up -- of course I am! Gettin' up all close like that...

That's what happens when we kiss, too?

[ WHAT DIFFERENCE ]

It's different! Anyway, I already agreed!

[ THEREFORE, ]

[ Vash is used to Wolfwood raising his voice, but that paired with the slight color to his face has him so endeared. It's a side... He has never seen. It's something he had dreamed of seeing before, when he thought one day Wolfwood would find someone.

Once upon a time, he thought that someone shouldn't be him, but things are different. They're different and that's why he is snuggling close to Wolfwood and jostling him a bit, face close so he can furiously nuzzle the side of his head. ]

Oooohhhhh, Nicholaaas! You're soooo cuuuuute!

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