[ For Wolfwood's information: no, no it does not, but after enough practice his texting finger is as good as his trigger finger. ]
THAT! isn't true...
you know what we can talk about it another time
[ It's a little true, but Vash isn't going to think too hard about how they're two of a kind when Wolfwood obviously needs an assist.
He finds him in the back as expected, sprawled out on the ground and looking significantly worse for the wear than last time Vash saw him. He kneels, touching his flesh-and-bone knuckles to the side of Wolfwood's neck, and even though his own temperature runs a degree or so cooler than the average human he still thinks this is too hot. ]
You're on fire, stupid, [ he murmurs, brows scrunching together in concern. ] How long has it been like this?
[ Man and he wastes all that time texting Wolfwood of all people... ]
ffine. dpn't think you'r. e gettimg out of it thoufh
[ If there ever was a hint for Vash to hurry, there it is.
Lying down back here seemed like a great idea, at the time. He went from being very cold to very hot and there's really nothing cooler than the dirt at night. Colder than his stuffy room, at least. But now he's starting to feel chilled again-- a little shaky-- and he wants to be in a bed. Or at least on a real floor. He realized a half hour ago that fine motor skills such as... uh, standing up, are beyond him. ]
Oh. Blondie. [ Vash kneels next to him, presses his knuckles to Wolfwood's neck, and he flinches.] Huh. You're really here.
[ Actually, there are two Vashes here if he's not squinting, but he gets the feeling it'd piss him off if Wolfwood said anything about it. ]
Crack of dawn, just about. You've been out here all night, I bet.
[ Exasperated but fond, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. If the full-body tremors Vash can feel beneath his touch are any indication, the experience hasn't helped with whatever mystery illness has taken hold of him.
Vash makes an executive decision, one Wolfwood is welcome to complain about—later. He shrugs off his jacket and throws it over Wolfwood's prone form, patting it down to make sure he's fully shielded from the cold.
Then, and with a lot less effort than it should take, Vash gathers Wolfwood up in his arms and simply—lifts him. He's no less heavy than any average grown man, but the extra weight doesn't seem to phase Vash in the slightest as he climbs, effortlessly, to his feet with Wolfwood in his arms. ]
Gonna take you back to your room now. [ He cocks his head to one side, frowning at Wolfwood's head lolling atop his shoulders. ] Or my room. You don't happen to remember your room number, do you?
What, you think you get a prize for figurin' that out?
[ Well, at least whatever's ailing him isn't enough to stifle his attitude. He watches as Vash shrugs off his jacket, recalls blearily how hard he'd fought for it at the bar. It'll be easier to repress that memory when he kicks this shitty fever. Right now? Wolfwood's traitorous lungs let out a little sigh of content when Vash throws the jacket over him and pats it down. Not exactly a bed, but he's warmer now.
Peace lasts all of two seconds, before Vash scoops him up with as much ease as a sack of flour. ] Hey-- hey. [ This is terrible. Probably. He's supposed to be combative about this, he thinks, but maybe the jacket is like a thunder blanket or something because the most Wolfwood manages is a very displeased scowl. ]
It's.... some number.
[ Except he does remember. He knows he's in room 4, because when he put his stuff in there the night before, the number on the door was flipped upside down, making it look like room h. If he was a better person, he'd tell Vash that. If he weren't spineless, he'd tell Vash and admit that he'd rather go back to his room anyway, because he really doesn't want to be alone right now.
But he's a terrible coward, so instead he keeps his mouth shut and tucks his face against the red fabric covering him. ]
Gonna be here a whole 'nother night if you keep dawdling.
[ Vash rolls his eyes, but his smile doesn't falter for a second. ]
Guess it can't be all that bad if you still remember how to run your mouth.
[ There's hardly any heat in it at all, though. It doesn't even occur to him to question if Wolfwood is telling him the truth, and it wouldn't matter, anyway—Vash would have stayed to look after him in whichever room, regardless. Smart mouth or not, he looks... diminished, and too vulnerable like this, and Vash doesn't like the idea of leaving him by himself.
He takes a second to adjust his grip so Wolfwood is secure, and then it's back to the hotel they go. Early as it is, there's no one minding the front desk to see them sneak in, but Vash thinks he may have to come back later to beg a favor from the manager.
It takes some maneuvering to get the door unlocked with his hands full, but Vash's room is exactly as he left it—gun disassembled with the cleaning kit on the table, bag against the wall, and the bed barely rumpled. He dumps Wolfwood there—carefully—before going to switch on the lamp in the corner.
He'll let him keep the jacket, for now. ]
You could've just told me why you wanted my clothes off so badly in the first place, [ Vash quips, the mattress dipping beneath him as he settles on the edge of the bed. He stretches his hand out, pressing his fingers to Wolfwood's forehead this time. He tuts softly. ]
[ Even if he's not in a fever daze, he's definitely making use of the excuse. Wolfwood is all but curled against Vash when he carries him into the hotel, selfishly taking advantage of this small comfort. When was the last time he was hugged? Or enjoyed any small measure of physical intimacy from another person? He would have considered himself beyond that kind of thing, before Vash.
There's a small part of him that hates what Vash has made him. The rest of him? He'd rather not think about it.
The bed is near untouched, and the sight of it makes Wolfwood angry. So it's nearly dawn, and Vash hasn't even tried to put head to pillow. There's no opportunity to pick a fight about it-- Wolfwood is deposited onto the mattress, with the jacket, and he instinctively wraps his arms around it. Vash couldn't take it away even if he wanted to. ]
Hah? I had a fever. Give me a break.
[ He's not strong enough to call Vash out on his phrasing-- wanting his clothes off. If only he knew how to be so forward with his emotions when he wasn't four degrees from his brain melting out of his ears. ]
...Still have a fever, [ Wolfwood amends. He exhales softly, and his eyes shut with Vash's fingers pressed to his forehead. They feel cool against his skin compared to the fever, and he welcomes the relief, however small. ] Think this's the first time I've been sick since-- before the Eye of Michael.
[ Hard to get sick if you've always got superhuman worm juice flowing through you. ]
[ Hopeland... no wonder Vash didn't recognize it. He's feeling some kinda way at the thought that Wolfwood felt comfortable bringing him home, though. ]
Well maybe if you weren't so hard to find! Try wearing something more conspicuous next time. like red. red works pretty well
let's see...
water storage guy selling toma eggs ooh, a pizzeria!
[ He's helpfully sending a picture. The place is called Mona Pizza, complete with a very, ah, generously interpreted mural that makes Vash suspect neither the owner nor any person on this planet has laid eyes on Mona Lisa herself. ]
[ They were nearby, and where else was he supposed to bring Vash? He didn't have a choice.
(It's a bold-faced lie. Wolfwood probably knows every motel and hostel in this area. There are plenty of places he could have brought them, maybe could have even gotten them out before Vash realized how close they were to the orphanage. He doesn't bring just anyone here. More accurately-- he's never brought anyone else here with him. And maybe he's not really ready to look that fact in the eye. Easier to lie to himself and act like there was no other option.) ]
wear red? fine. then hand over your jacket again.
[ Wolfwood squints at his phone in disbelief. (Any failings in artistic replication are lost on him.) ]
how did you end up at mona's? i'm gonna tape a compass to your glasses.
i was out gettin shit to make for breakfast. you want pizza instead?
[ Hold up, hold the phone. He's swiveling around and squinting to see if he can spot Hopeland in the distance, seeing as how it should be the most obvious landmark around. ]
why would I want pizza when I can have a Wolfwood Culinary Masterpiece... if I can find my way back, at any rate
i was gonna make breakfast. i mighta let you have some.
[ He was going to make Vash breakfast at his childhood home, and no matter what he says, it's pretty difficult to minimize that. ]
you're seriously gonna get lost getting out there, and then get lost again going back? i'm not that far. i'll come get you for the culinary masterpiece if you agree to carry the bags back.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tfln overflow // graveresemblance
Date: 2023-04-08 01:13 pm (UTC)oh no
did my bounty go up? please don't tell me my bounty went up. i might bury myself in the sand and stay there
its bc we're so great
Date: 2023-04-09 02:42 am (UTC)oh no, no this is personal, vash t. yolanda stampede.1/2
Date: 2023-04-09 03:04 am (UTC)2/2 *chuckles* he's in danger
Date: 2023-04-09 03:07 am (UTC)...
ME???? I didn't do anything!
...did I?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-09 03:36 am (UTC)you totally did. you stepped in it big time, manno subject
Date: 2023-04-09 03:29 pm (UTC)or should I start running now
no subject
Date: 2023-04-10 02:37 am (UTC)start runningi'm gonna noogie you bald
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From:tfln overflow // clericus
Date: 2023-04-23 12:07 am (UTC)[ For Wolfwood's information: no, no it does not, but after enough practice his texting finger is as good as his trigger finger. ]
THAT! isn't true...
you know what we can talk about it another time
[ It's a little true, but Vash isn't going to think too hard about how they're two of a kind when Wolfwood obviously needs an assist.
He finds him in the back as expected, sprawled out on the ground and looking significantly worse for the wear than last time Vash saw him. He kneels, touching his flesh-and-bone knuckles to the side of Wolfwood's neck, and even though his own temperature runs a degree or so cooler than the average human he still thinks this is too hot. ]
You're on fire, stupid, [ he murmurs, brows scrunching together in concern. ] How long has it been like this?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-23 04:13 am (UTC)ffine. dpn't think you'r. e gettimg out of it thoufh
[ If there ever was a hint for Vash to hurry, there it is.
Lying down back here seemed like a great idea, at the time. He went from being very cold to very hot and there's really nothing cooler than the dirt at night. Colder than his stuffy room, at least. But now he's starting to feel chilled again-- a little shaky-- and he wants to be in a bed. Or at least on a real floor. He realized a half hour ago that fine motor skills such as... uh, standing up, are beyond him. ]
Oh. Blondie. [ Vash kneels next to him, presses his knuckles to Wolfwood's neck, and he flinches.] Huh. You're really here.
[ Actually, there are two Vashes here if he's not squinting, but he gets the feeling it'd piss him off if Wolfwood said anything about it. ]
Ugh. Shit. I'unno... What time is it?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-23 01:25 pm (UTC)[ Exasperated but fond, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. If the full-body tremors Vash can feel beneath his touch are any indication, the experience hasn't helped with whatever mystery illness has taken hold of him.
Vash makes an executive decision, one Wolfwood is welcome to complain about—later. He shrugs off his jacket and throws it over Wolfwood's prone form, patting it down to make sure he's fully shielded from the cold.
Then, and with a lot less effort than it should take, Vash gathers Wolfwood up in his arms and simply—lifts him. He's no less heavy than any average grown man, but the extra weight doesn't seem to phase Vash in the slightest as he climbs, effortlessly, to his feet with Wolfwood in his arms. ]
Gonna take you back to your room now. [ He cocks his head to one side, frowning at Wolfwood's head lolling atop his shoulders. ] Or my room. You don't happen to remember your room number, do you?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-24 12:11 am (UTC)[ Well, at least whatever's ailing him isn't enough to stifle his attitude. He watches as Vash shrugs off his jacket, recalls blearily how hard he'd fought for it at the bar. It'll be easier to repress that memory when he kicks this shitty fever. Right now? Wolfwood's traitorous lungs let out a little sigh of content when Vash throws the jacket over him and pats it down. Not exactly a bed, but he's warmer now.
Peace lasts all of two seconds, before Vash scoops him up with as much ease as a sack of flour. ] Hey-- hey. [ This is terrible. Probably. He's supposed to be combative about this, he thinks, but maybe the jacket is like a thunder blanket or something because the most Wolfwood manages is a very displeased scowl. ]
It's.... some number.
[ Except he does remember. He knows he's in room 4, because when he put his stuff in there the night before, the number on the door was flipped upside down, making it look like room h. If he was a better person, he'd tell Vash that. If he weren't spineless, he'd tell Vash and admit that he'd rather go back to his room anyway, because he really doesn't want to be alone right now.
But he's a terrible coward, so instead he keeps his mouth shut and tucks his face against the red fabric covering him. ]
Gonna be here a whole 'nother night if you keep dawdling.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-24 01:52 am (UTC)Guess it can't be all that bad if you still remember how to run your mouth.
[ There's hardly any heat in it at all, though. It doesn't even occur to him to question if Wolfwood is telling him the truth, and it wouldn't matter, anyway—Vash would have stayed to look after him in whichever room, regardless. Smart mouth or not, he looks... diminished, and too vulnerable like this, and Vash doesn't like the idea of leaving him by himself.
He takes a second to adjust his grip so Wolfwood is secure, and then it's back to the hotel they go. Early as it is, there's no one minding the front desk to see them sneak in, but Vash thinks he may have to come back later to beg a favor from the manager.
It takes some maneuvering to get the door unlocked with his hands full, but Vash's room is exactly as he left it—gun disassembled with the cleaning kit on the table, bag against the wall, and the bed barely rumpled. He dumps Wolfwood there—carefully—before going to switch on the lamp in the corner.
He'll let him keep the jacket, for now. ]
You could've just told me why you wanted my clothes off so badly in the first place, [ Vash quips, the mattress dipping beneath him as he settles on the edge of the bed. He stretches his hand out, pressing his fingers to Wolfwood's forehead this time. He tuts softly. ]
You're still burning up.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-27 03:10 am (UTC)There's a small part of him that hates what Vash has made him. The rest of him? He'd rather not think about it.
The bed is near untouched, and the sight of it makes Wolfwood angry. So it's nearly dawn, and Vash hasn't even tried to put head to pillow. There's no opportunity to pick a fight about it-- Wolfwood is deposited onto the mattress, with the jacket, and he instinctively wraps his arms around it. Vash couldn't take it away even if he wanted to. ]
Hah? I had a fever. Give me a break.
[ He's not strong enough to call Vash out on his phrasing-- wanting his clothes off. If only he knew how to be so forward with his emotions when he wasn't four degrees from his brain melting out of his ears. ]
...Still have a fever, [ Wolfwood amends. He exhales softly, and his eyes shut with Vash's fingers pressed to his forehead. They feel cool against his skin compared to the fever, and he welcomes the relief, however small. ] Think this's the first time I've been sick since-- before the Eye of Michael.
[ Hard to get sick if you've always got superhuman worm juice flowing through you. ]
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From:@clericus
Date: 2023-05-21 11:23 pm (UTC)[ Hopeland... no wonder Vash didn't recognize it. He's feeling some kinda way at the thought that Wolfwood felt comfortable bringing him home, though. ]
Well maybe if you weren't so hard to find! Try wearing something more conspicuous next time. like red. red works pretty well
let's see...
water storage
guy selling toma eggs
ooh, a pizzeria!
[ He's helpfully sending a picture. The place is called Mona Pizza, complete with a very, ah, generously interpreted mural that makes Vash suspect neither the owner nor any person on this planet has laid eyes on Mona Lisa herself. ]
tyyyy for overflowing
Date: 2023-05-30 06:08 am (UTC)(It's a bold-faced lie. Wolfwood probably knows every motel and hostel in this area. There are plenty of places he could have brought them, maybe could have even gotten them out before Vash realized how close they were to the orphanage. He doesn't bring just anyone here. More accurately-- he's never brought anyone else here with him. And maybe he's not really ready to look that fact in the eye. Easier to lie to himself and act like there was no other option.) ]
wear red?
fine. then hand over your jacket again.
[ Wolfwood squints at his phone in disbelief. (Any failings in artistic replication are lost on him.) ]
how did you end up at mona's?
i'm gonna tape a compass to your glasses.
i was out gettin shit to make for breakfast.
you want pizza instead?
no subject
Date: 2023-05-30 09:04 pm (UTC)[ Hold up, hold the phone. He's swiveling around and squinting to see if he can spot Hopeland in the distance, seeing as how it should be the most obvious landmark around. ]
why would I want pizza when I can have a Wolfwood Culinary Masterpiece... if I can find my way back, at any rate
no subject
Date: 2023-06-09 05:14 am (UTC)[ He was going to make Vash breakfast at his childhood home, and no matter what he says, it's pretty difficult to minimize that. ]
you're seriously gonna get lost getting out there, and then get lost again going back?
i'm not that far.
i'll come get you for the culinary masterpiece if you agree to carry the bags back.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-10 09:40 pm (UTC)[ Yeah so he's still feeling some kind of way about pretty much all of this. Breakfast? At the orphanage? He's touched. ]
should I just stay here? I mean, how hard can it be to find a big building up on the tallest cliff in the area?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-23 10:51 pm (UTC)and don't make promises you don't wanna keep
cause i will make you carry me.
[ Don't go feeling any kind of way. This is nothing. This is so normal. He'd do this for anyone. ]
not hard for a normal person maybe.
just stay there. how're you gonna carry the bags if you try to get back on your own
you like tomas eggs?
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From:@petitejournalism
Date: 2023-05-22 04:20 pm (UTC)[ Her texts are radiating exasperation, he can feel it from here. ]
I don't do it on purpose!!! It just kind of... happens...
just like learning how to break out of handcuffs! I should show you sometime!
no subject
Date: 2023-05-23 04:15 am (UTC)learning to break out of handcuffs just kind of happens for you??
[ ... ]
is it really that easy?
[ curiosity: acquired. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-23 09:40 pm (UTC)[ Now that he thinks about it, he really hopes she never has cause to use this knowledge, but... ]
A hair pin or a thin piece of metal is easiest, but in a pinch you can break em just by twisting at the right angle! They're not that sophisticated...
no subject
Date: 2023-05-23 11:54 pm (UTC)there's no way i could break them just by twisting them though. that one sounds a little more specific to you and you only.
[ compare her arms to yours, vash. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-24 05:29 pm (UTC)but still!!! You can find a lot of things lying on the ground if you know what you're looking for!!
Although I guess you don't have to worry about ending up in handcuffs anytime soon
[ Honestly, this whole dilemma is specific to Vash and Vash only. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-25 03:04 am (UTC)[ ... ]
but i'm pretty sure if i keep sticking with you, i'm going to need this knowledge at some point. so it's probably best i keep this in mind, i guess.
[ she'll at least have an idea of what to do on that fateful day??? ]
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