[ Stop being gay in a self-destructive way, homosexual. The answer Wolfwood says that, Vash's expression instantly flickers to confusion. It goes against the timeline logic, but the more Vash thinks about and the more absurd and funny it is. He supposes he did try in the Underground, even though he was uncomfortable with it.
Tilting his head, his lips quibble into deciding to frown or smile in bewilderment. He thinks it's funny, yet comforting... Sweet. And he just leans into Wolfwood with a little bonk of his head. ]
Still worried about me? [ Hehehe. ] All's good, I promise! Is there something I have to do or say to get you to believe me?
[ It's not about self-destructiveness!! Usually. As long as his mental perception doesn't get back into that mindset again, which fortunately does feel like it'll be rarer now that they're out of hot water. Unfortunately he trusts Vash with his whole stupid life and soul.
Stop just because he lets Vash have most of his honestly doesn't mean he's not going to white lie or mince words occasionally, he's nicer than he comes off. More realist than Vash, but not above this. ]
With the way you sigh, knowingly, right before you walk right into an argument where there's obviously a loaded gun? Yeah.
[ That has nothing to do with the topic, but he's deflecting by making it general. He is suffering (lite) thinking about how in the end, he's still Vash's babysitter somewhat, but for himself now. ]
[ Vash is just here, snuggling with Wolfwood's arm, thinking he's very adorable despite his appearance. He pouts a little, eyebrows knitted into a childish scowl as his cheek stays firmly pressed against the point of Wolfwood's shoulder. ]
How is that relevant?
[ He's alive, isn't he? And he believed he would have been able to dodge any bullet they shot at him. Okay. Maybe he could have gotten shot once, but not more than that. The Gung-Ho Guns were the closest to giving him real trouble. Even then, they wouldn't be able to stand as his equal. They were still scary though, walking death wishes in their own right. In the end, not as scary as him! One of the two biggest death wishes in No Man's Land! Or... Was.
...
How is he supposed to show him? This is "I want you to want to exist" conversation all over again. Vash wracks his soupy brain for something, squinting once he lands on something. ]
... I'd place your hand over my heart, but my grate would be in the way.
[ You win some you lose some. Wolfwood knows this dumbass water bottle would take a bullet for a civilian. ]
It was about you talkin' about your powers.
[ He knows the idiot's alive, and although he's still tentative, he's taking Vash's word for it that he's still healthy, that his black hair doesn't mean he's now frail and death encroaches. He wouldn't lie to Wolfwood like that, not after making him promise to find him -- in a sense, live for him. He reaches over and prods Vash in the chest where the grate is. ]
It's about here, isn't it. Feel it diggin' into me sometimes. [ METAL. Funnier thinking his default outfit is weird almost skintight leather when he's got all these bolts and stuff in him. ] Your heart's closer to center than that, isn't it?
[ Unless plant physiology is like 'my heart is in fact behind my jailed nipple'. He looks at Vash like. Is it?? ]
[ He's just wearing a slightly oversized dress shirt, so it's very easy to feel the grate past the linen cotton blend. It's metal! It's clingy clangy metal! ANd it is funny... Being made up of mostly metal, he layers up with an undersuit under a bulletproof trench coat.
How does he survive, I don't know. But he does. As Wolfwood keeps prodding, Vash looks down and simply watches. ]
It is, but the grate does take up a good portion of my chest and edges the area, so...
[ Wolfwood may find a pulse if he presses here and there, beating at a normal rate. ]
[ What is it even protecting anyway, he really has that thing just because. Wolfwood gives up the prodding around early anyway, slouching and letting his weight sag back onto Vash instead with his head leaning a bit on top of the other's. ]
There's other things than a pulse to go by. And it ain't the only place you can feel one.
[ The wrist, the neck, even if he put his ear to Vash's back instead of his front. It doesn't have to be from the front. ]
Those places would be awkward to demonstrate with—[ Considering their position and how Vash's hands being occupied with holding Wolfwood's and clinging to his arm.
But he instantly shuts up when Wolfwood rests his head a bit on his. Quietly, he squares up to make sure he can support him. ]
I wasn't sayin' I was gonna go and do it, I was just making a point.
[ Having your wounds doesn't mean you don't still have a heartbeat, etc. He just grunts a little as he feels Vash adjust a little bit, a small response of acknowledgment. ]
[ Suddenly, he's nervous. Why is he nervous?! He knows Wolfwood was scared of him before—he knew most humans would be. Even members of his colony family found him freaky. None of that escaped him, but they accepted him, anyway... Sometimes, he wondered why, but also indulged in their kindness.
SO WHY IS HE NERVOUS. CALM DOWN. Maybe he wouldn't be as nervous if there wasn't the smallest fear that love will be taken away... And Wolfwood's in particular is a different kind of love. He reassures himself that it won't change. ]
You don't need to ask if you don't want to. It's fine.
[ He makes another grumbled noise of acknowledgment, even if he's internally like so why'd you make it sound like you could still do stuff? Is his nervousness palpable. Either in aura or physical tension. He's right here he'd be able to tell.
Either way, he's slightly annoyed at the rapid backtracking. Wolfwood rarely, if ever, does anything outside of his comfort zone (since his entire life is already basically outside his comfort zone, why add to it), so he wouldn't be asking if he wasn't A, committed to trying to learn everything he can proper after so many months of avoidance and lying, and B, if he wasn't at least a little curious.
He just socks Vash in the thigh, grinding his knuckles into the meat of it. Lightly. ]
I don't ask questions that I don't want to hear answers to.
[ He didn't imply that!! He just wanted to touch on it because... It had been a topic that he avoided for so long, likewise Wolfwood had to leave it untouched. Those plant powers are gone now, but he still wanted to tell Wolfwood what he was able to do—that he progressed. Made it his own.
I'm sure that Wolfwood can tell there's tension, even if it's contained, though it unwinds with the punch to his thigh. After he winds up tighter from surprise and lets out a yelp, of course. ]
Plants draw in energy... That's how they procure resources. In comparison, I expel and neutralize energy—think black hole? [ Wait. That's scary. ] But! When I still had power and could control it, I learned how to decrease the scale and hone precision. When some bandits were getting rowdy in the city while we were preparing to tackle the ark, I swallowed up one of the guns.
[ He's unsure if this is... Cool, but at least it isn't destructive like Wolfwood has seen! ]
[ That's sad. It's kind of a complicated feeling, somewhere there between not wanting to see out of fear of the unknown, and having wanted to see in a way that's better, understand those feathers that are burned into his memory somewhat like a halo. He doesn't know shit fuck all enough about black holes go understand this other analogy. ]
Where'd it go?
[ You swallowed up a GUN?? How does that work. He's just here still leaned against Vash, his fist also still on his thigh though no longer with pressure. ]
[ He's been just looking at the horizon. Unfortunately when he feels Vash stiffen again, his expression automatically shifts to being closed and hard to read, just an automatic response and defense just in case, but he doesn't move off. ]
...
[ That's wild. Wacky, even. His eyes glance down to where he was bullying Vash's thigh earlier, trying to comprehend this a little, but it's the same as usual. It's out of his scope, far beyond him. But he can be certain of just one thing, and that thing is that if anyone was going to have that sort of power, thank God that it was Vash. ]
[ Now he makes a different face, pinched and unhappy. He's never known anyone who can read him that well, even worse in times when he's trying not to feel. ]
It's 'cause you got all, stiffened up and shit -- I figured I asked a bad question.
You didn't... Sorry. [ Genuinely apologetic. He lets go of Wolfwood's face. ] It was reflex.
[ Vash prepared for the worst and, while he thinks he can hide when his defenses come up, he's aware that it's difficult to do that when Wolfwood is not only intuitive... He was right against him. ]
[ HELPFULLY, as a reminder. Shoving his hand back at him and going in to reclaim his position using Vash as a lean-to, thanks. Stubbornly.
Vash can push him away all he likes if it's how he really felt, but Wolfwood is making a point in that he won't stand for it if it's because Vash thinks it's what's good for him. He's an adult, damn. He can make his own choices. ]
[ He laughs a bit, taking it in stride, and lets Wolfwood lean against him... There was no intention of pushing him away, no. Just nerves and worry he'll close him off, which he knows isn't going to happen. It's something to get used to, a little bit more permanently now that they're outside of MURDER GAMES. ]
Well, I'm your dumbass. [ Leaning back against him, he clings onto his arm more securely now that both hands are unoccupied. ] ... Thanks.
[ There's a slow blink as he tries to warm himself using Wolfwood... Oh, he wasn't expecting that. It settles, then sinks, and hits him harder than he thought it would. Despite whatever good he has done, his public image is far from favorable and positive. He's fine with that, accepted it, not needing any acknowledgement in return.
... But being blatantly appreciated is nice, too, and he hugs Wolfwood's arm a little tighter. His chest tightens, tears threatening to form, damn. ]
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Tilting his head, his lips quibble into deciding to frown or smile in bewilderment. He thinks it's funny, yet comforting... Sweet. And he just leans into Wolfwood with a little bonk of his head. ]
Still worried about me? [ Hehehe. ] All's good, I promise! Is there something I have to do or say to get you to believe me?
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Stop just because he lets Vash have most of his honestly doesn't mean he's not going to white lie or mince words occasionally, he's nicer than he comes off. More realist than Vash, but not above this. ]
With the way you sigh, knowingly, right before you walk right into an argument where there's obviously a loaded gun? Yeah.
[ That has nothing to do with the topic, but he's deflecting by making it general. He is suffering (lite) thinking about how in the end, he's still Vash's babysitter somewhat, but for himself now. ]
They say seein' is believin'.
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How is that relevant?
[ He's alive, isn't he? And he believed he would have been able to dodge any bullet they shot at him. Okay. Maybe he could have gotten shot once, but not more than that. The Gung-Ho Guns were the closest to giving him real trouble. Even then, they wouldn't be able to stand as his equal. They were still scary though, walking death wishes in their own right. In the end, not as scary as him! One of the two biggest death wishes in No Man's Land! Or... Was.
...
How is he supposed to show him? This is "I want you to want to exist" conversation all over again. Vash wracks his soupy brain for something, squinting once he lands on something. ]
... I'd place your hand over my heart, but my grate would be in the way.
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It was about you talkin' about your powers.
[ He knows the idiot's alive, and although he's still tentative, he's taking Vash's word for it that he's still healthy, that his black hair doesn't mean he's now frail and death encroaches. He wouldn't lie to Wolfwood like that, not after making him promise to find him -- in a sense, live for him. He reaches over and prods Vash in the chest where the grate is. ]
It's about here, isn't it. Feel it diggin' into me sometimes. [ METAL. Funnier thinking his default outfit is weird almost skintight leather when he's got all these bolts and stuff in him. ] Your heart's closer to center than that, isn't it?
[ Unless plant physiology is like 'my heart is in fact behind my jailed nipple'. He looks at Vash like. Is it?? ]
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How does he survive, I don't know. But he does. As Wolfwood keeps prodding, Vash looks down and simply watches. ]
It is, but the grate does take up a good portion of my chest and edges the area, so...
[ Wolfwood may find a pulse if he presses here and there, beating at a normal rate. ]
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There's other things than a pulse to go by. And it ain't the only place you can feel one.
[ The wrist, the neck, even if he put his ear to Vash's back instead of his front. It doesn't have to be from the front. ]
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But he instantly shuts up when Wolfwood rests his head a bit on his. Quietly, he squares up to make sure he can support him. ]
... Point is I'm okay.
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[ Having your wounds doesn't mean you don't still have a heartbeat, etc. He just grunts a little as he feels Vash adjust a little bit, a small response of acknowledgment. ]
So what kinda stuff can you do?
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[ Suddenly, he's nervous. Why is he nervous?! He knows Wolfwood was scared of him before—he knew most humans would be. Even members of his colony family found him freaky. None of that escaped him, but they accepted him, anyway... Sometimes, he wondered why, but also indulged in their kindness.
SO WHY IS HE NERVOUS. CALM DOWN. Maybe he wouldn't be as nervous if there wasn't the smallest fear that love will be taken away... And Wolfwood's in particular is a different kind of love. He reassures himself that it won't change. ]
You don't need to ask if you don't want to. It's fine.
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Either way, he's slightly annoyed at the rapid backtracking. Wolfwood rarely, if ever, does anything outside of his comfort zone (since his entire life is already basically outside his comfort zone, why add to it), so he wouldn't be asking if he wasn't A, committed to trying to learn everything he can proper after so many months of avoidance and lying, and B, if he wasn't at least a little curious.
He just socks Vash in the thigh, grinding his knuckles into the meat of it. Lightly. ]
I don't ask questions that I don't want to hear answers to.
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I'm sure that Wolfwood can tell there's tension, even if it's contained, though it unwinds with the punch to his thigh. After he winds up tighter from surprise and lets out a yelp, of course. ]
Plants draw in energy... That's how they procure resources. In comparison, I expel and neutralize energy—think black hole? [ Wait. That's scary. ] But! When I still had power and could control it, I learned how to decrease the scale and hone precision. When some bandits were getting rowdy in the city while we were preparing to tackle the ark, I swallowed up one of the guns.
[ He's unsure if this is... Cool, but at least it isn't destructive like Wolfwood has seen! ]
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Where'd it go?
[ You swallowed up a GUN?? How does that work. He's just here still leaned against Vash, his fist also still on his thigh though no longer with pressure. ]
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... Out of existence...?
[ His eyes shift to try to see Wolfwood's expression, even though he would be able to feel if Wolfwood were to add distance between them. ]
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...
[ That's wild. Wacky, even. His eyes glance down to where he was bullying Vash's thigh earlier, trying to comprehend this a little, but it's the same as usual. It's out of his scope, far beyond him. But he can be certain of just one thing, and that thing is that if anyone was going to have that sort of power, thank God that it was Vash. ]
Crazy.
[ Innit. That's pretty objectively true. Gun... reduced to atoms... ]
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... Without a warning, he reaches up to pinch his nose. ]
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What?!
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[ Pinch pinch. ]
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I ain't makin' any face -- quit pinching me!
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[ Vash straightens up to squish Wolfwood's face by the cheeks, both hands. Idiot sandwich. ]
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It's 'cause you got all, stiffened up and shit -- I figured I asked a bad question.
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You didn't... Sorry. [ Genuinely apologetic. He lets go of Wolfwood's face. ] It was reflex.
[ Vash prepared for the worst and, while he thinks he can hide when his defenses come up, he's aware that it's difficult to do that when Wolfwood is not only intuitive... He was right against him. ]
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[ HELPFULLY, as a reminder. Shoving his hand back at him and going in to reclaim his position using Vash as a lean-to, thanks. Stubbornly.
Vash can push him away all he likes if it's how he really felt, but Wolfwood is making a point in that he won't stand for it if it's because Vash thinks it's what's good for him. He's an adult, damn. He can make his own choices. ]
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Well, I'm your dumbass. [ Leaning back against him, he clings onto his arm more securely now that both hands are unoccupied. ] ... Thanks.
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[ He will accept this. For now, bitch. He lets it get quiet for a moment. ]
You did good.
[ Ultimately, right? The world, and its peaceful status now, is thanks to Vash gaining control over said powers. ]
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... But being blatantly appreciated is nice, too, and he hugs Wolfwood's arm a little tighter. His chest tightens, tears threatening to form, damn. ]
You should praise and compliment me more often.
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