Inbox for sticksandbones

[lupusxylem]

I will not make this look pretty later, don't believe me it's all a lie

====

INVENTORY:

-The Punisher: Wolfwood's cross gun, normally covered in wrappings.
INFO from the mods on use so I don't forget: The cross-gun will be able to fire regular bullets (regains of these can be handwaved; silvered bullets can be purchased in the bonus AC store) just fine, without any special nerfs. The laser feature will be usable a max of 3 times a month.

-4 Vials of his Drugs(tm)
Info from the mods on use so I don't forget: Wolfwood can start with up to 5 vials of his Lab Drugs. More of these can be regained for the price of a Small Item (a maximum of 5 at once), but they will not work on other player characters for obvious reasons. Their healing ability will also be slightly nerfed to not heal anything instantaneously, but rather over a few minutes.
3/7: All Vials have been used. Will need to purchase replacements if he wants to use them again.
???: Forgot to put the date here but he's purchased more Vials, one has been used to he has 4 currently.

-A lighter

-A carton of cigarettes, more can be purchased/handwaved

-A winter coat that Heimr bullied him into purchasing

-A matching pair of boots for the coat

-A little knit wolf with sunglasses from Elsword.

-A blanket from Livio.

-A handgun with a wolf engraved on the handle.

-A black husky named Angelina

-A belt pouch to carry his regeneration vials with a cross emblazoned into the leather.

-Authentic rosary beads, with beads made from black glass and a heavy, silver cross pendant

-A black leather choker with a silver cross pendant, similar to the rosary

-A whole church(tm)

-A wool knit cat plushie from Pure Vanilla

-3 tomas chicks that currently live in Kiera's barn

-3 londonites

-Wolf skull shaped cufflinks

-A dagger for his "birthday" from Gnosis

Comments

[oleaeuropaea]

[Vash pulls it back at the last second, offering a very offended squawk on behalf of the celery. You know, before proceeding to cut that up too. RIP little celery man.]

I get it. I... kinda shared a bit of a moment with a few people too. [His feet shift back and forth a few times.] Mostly I was thinkin' of one specific incident.

I shared a space with Livio.

[lupusxylem]

[...ah.

Wolfwood pauses as he dumps a cup or two of water into the pot, looking over at Vash out of the corner of his eye.]

Oh yeah? [...] I'm guessin' it wasn't a fun time.

[oleaeuropaea]

It wasn't the best, but...

[He exhales, knife hand shaking just enough to scrape against the hand holding the celery in place. It's a lucky thing that it's his cybernetic at least. If anything, it damages the knife more than his own body.]

He went out of his way to comfort me. Didn't need to, when I was making things worse and throwing a fit, basically. But he still did it.

He's a good guy, huh?

[lupusxylem]

[For what it's worth, he doesn't notice that. He's too busy staring into the pot as he tries not to accidentally add a shit ton of pepper because he isn't paying attention.]

...of course he is. He always has been.

[He murmurs lowly, switching on the heat to the stove.]

The Livio you saw...well. You know the story already. It wasn't him.

[Vash was the one to convince Wolfwood to try snapping him out of it anyway, for all that got them.]

He's got a huge heart. He just got dragged into the same shitty hellhole that I did.

[oleaeuropaea]

I can tell.

[He finishes the celery and moves on to the garlic. At this point, he's avoiding the onion. Not because he doesn't want this to be a romantic tryst, but because he's already going to tear up talking about this. Everything he picked up from that space they shared had been devastating. Someone like that deserved better.]

It's just... I think... [He holds the knife in place over a clove of garlic and pounds his fist against it. Easier to peel this way, and a nice distraction to boot.]

I think he needs someone to bring that out of him again. Remind him that he's good and worth being treated good.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood's own work slows to a near crawl as he listens to Vash speak. He doesn't have the advantage of vegetables to toy with chopping and mincing, having pretty much finished everything he can until Vash starts handing him vegetables to begin adding to the pot. He keeps his back turned to him though, unsure what his expression must look like right now.

He remembers, very clearly, when he and Livio were sitting on the inn couch together, both equally fucked up by the chocolates.

I don't wanna come between you, he'd said.]

Yeah. You're right, he does. Dunno how much it gets through when I try tellin' him that.

[oleaeuropaea]

Maybe it's not just about telling him.

[He's treading into dangerous territory here, and he knows it. Saving himself the onion for now, he gathers the rest of his vegetables onto the cutting board and brings it over to the pot. It's mostly a ploy to get Wolfwood to look at him, and to meet his eyes in kind.]

I think... maybe it'll take something more direct. Contact, maybe. And a reminder that he's loved no matter what. And I can't think of a better guy to do all of that than you.

[He sets the cutting board aside and... leaves his hands hanging there. He isn't sure if he should reach out and try to hold Wolfwood's hands, or if he'll try to pull away at a moment's notice.]

[lupusxylem]

[It does work, at the very least. Wolfwood looks up and over at Vash past the rim of his shades. He isn't entirely sure what Vash is getting at, at first. At least not until he brings him into the equation, and now Wolfwood isn't avoiding his gaze quite so much anymore.

Though he doesn't reach for Vash's hands himself, he wouldn't pull back if the latter did so first.]

...what are you saying?

[oleaeuropaea]

He's a good guy. Kind, and sweet. Which means he needs another kind and sweet, but also stubborn and bullheaded, guy to bring him around to being loved.

[Since Wolfwood hasn't quite shied away, Vash takes the chance to reach forward. He holds his hands delicately, still smiling all the while. He brings one hand up to his lips, kissing the back of it, even.]

I know he isn't your Livio, but he's still important to you, right? And if he was that important to you, I wouldn't want to stand in the way of the two of you. [And before Wolfwood can accuse him of falling on the sword for someone, he tacks on - ] You know me, Nick. My whole spiel is Love and Peace. Far be it from me to say you can only love one person.

[lupusxylem]

Vash-

[Wolfwood does start to interject, but shuts up as Vash continues and takes his hands, his lips brushing over the back of his knuckles. Genuinely, in this moment, he doesn't know how he's supposed to tell Vash that he's already had this thought cross his mind. That, not just for a fleeting moment, he's looked at Livio and thought the same thing that Vash is telling him right now.

Except that isn't a line he'd dare cross on his own, but how is that something you bring up with your partner without them feeling...some kind of way about it? At least, that's what he thought, until Vash went and did it for him. Now he's standing there with his mouth slightly agape, trying to figure out what to even say.]

Hang on. What about you?

[oleaeuropaea]

Me?

[Just like Wolfwood, the thought had crossed his mind. Livio was sweet, a warm heart buried beneath a cold life. Naturally, that meant he was absolutely Vash's type. And besides, who wouldn't try to steal a look at a man built like that.

However, Vash knows that his relationship isn't quite what Wolfwood has with the man. He won't assume he has any chance, even if he might really want to hope for it. If anything were to come of it, he'd have to work for it.]

I won't pretend I haven't looked. But I also don't want to push him any, either. It's not off the table, not as long as you don't mind, but it's gonna take a little more time on my part, I'm sure.

[lupusxylem]

[...okay, give him a minute to turn the stove down to low so he doesn't have to pay attention to it. The last thing they need is the water boiling over and burning them while they have a moment in the kitchen.

Hopefully Vash has the patience to wait for him to think through what he wants to say though, because it leaves him standing there silent for a few long moments as he brushes his thumbs over the backs of his knuckles, both skin and prosthetic.]

Give me a sec. Sorry, I just...I don't wanna say the wrong thing.

[...]

I'm gonna be honest with you, alright? Since you're...bein' honest with me. I've...definitely thought about it. But it's always been a passing thought. I never was gonna do anything about it without you knowing about it. You understand?

[He tightens his grip on Vash's hands, looking at them now rather than his eyes, like he can't quite meet them suddenly.]

I love you. I'd never do that to you. So I guess it's....a little surprising to have you bring it up first.

[oleaeuropaea]

Nick -

[Vash doesn't expect this confession, not quite in this regard. He isn't at all surprised by Wolfwood's apparent affections for Livio. That was only to be expected from almost-kind-of childhood friends in a weird, temporally fucked way.

If anything, he's struggling not to laugh at this point. He doesn't, because he can tell how bothered Wolfwood seems to be by it. The last thing he wants is to make it worse. But all of the stumbling and mumbling is so endearing when Vash isn't the least bit bothered by the idea.]

Baby. Shh. [With his hands currently occupied, there isn't much he can do except lean forward and steal a kiss.] I know you. How many times am I gonna have to call you a good man before you believe it? You wouldn't do anything like that without asking. You wouldn't hurt me.

[Okay, maybe he does laugh. Just once.]

That's why I've gotta be the one to say go for it. I'm not hurt. And I'm giving you permission, so you don't have to worry about asking.

[lupusxylem]

[It's clear by Wolfwood's expression that he's thinking about this a lot more severely than Vash is, having not realized that Vash is...okay with all of it. Like, completely okay. It probably makes sense that Vash would be, given his penchant for love and loving people, whereas Wolfwood...isn't that type, and he isn't quite so open with his affections for anyone, even people he's come to know well. Vash and Livio are the sole exceptions to that rule, and with how difficult of an uphill climb he and Vash's relationship has been thus far...

It's a relief, at least, when Vash leans in to kiss him and assure him that it's okay. Even moreso when he's laughing about it, because he knows Vash wouldn't lie just to spare his feelings.

Everything he says, he means. It's just hard for Wolfwood to believe. That it could be this...easy.

It shows in his face, actually, as he squeezes Vash's hands again, eyes darting like he's struggling once more to find the words he wants to say.]

Are you sure, Vash? Like, absolutely sure.

[He knows they've both said before that they weren't interested in sharing, in the heat of the moment. And there are times, he feels, that he isn't. But...he loves Livio. He loves him so much, and Vash knows this. It extends further than the simple kind.]

[oleaeuropaea]

I am, Wolfwood. I promise.

[They've made binding promises and sworn up and down that they were only for each other, and in many ways, it still remains true. Vash couldn't stomach the idea of most anyone with their hands on Wolfwood. A stranger or a fling would sit uncomfortably on his shoulders. But real love like this? How can he deny it. In many ways, Vash thinks it might be a deeper bond than the one they share.

Not that he's at all interested in making comparisons.]

I know you'll be happy with him. With us. And I know I can trust him to take care of you. Everything else, we'll figure out as it comes.

[lupusxylem]

[With us. That's the part that sticks with him the most, he thinks. That Vash isn't completely pushing himself out of this picture. He said it himself, it's not off the table...it just may not happen right away, if at all. That part doesn't bother Wolfwood- it's honestly not his business (until it is)- he's just glad that he's willing to talk about it, and be so open about it.

Hopefully Vash is okay with Wolfwood moving in closer with the intent to Hug Him, because he is. It does mean he has to let go of one of his hands, but.]

You're really somethin' else.

[He murmurs that into Vash's shoulder, holding him close.]

I'll...talk to 'im. I know things were kindof tense between us when we were all eating that chocolate, so.

[He wagers Vash would understand his meaning, there.]

I really ain't sure what he's thinkin' right now. I don't wanna push him into anything either, but...I'm pretty sure the thought is there.

[oleaeuropaea]

[If anything, Vash practically swells forward to meet Wolfwood. His arms tuck low around him, wrapping around his waist. He pulls himself inward even as the other man steps forward. He isn't upset, he's just not going to pass up the chance for affection. Especially the kind of affection that might just prove to put Wolfwood's mind at ease as well.]

At least now you don't have this holding you back. [He pauses, then shakes his head.] Not that I think you think I'm holdin' you back. One less thing to worry about, I guess.

[He kisses in the hollow between Wolfwood's collar bone, then nuzzles there. The skin beneath his lips is warm and smells just as he'd expect it. It's home.]

You'll let me know how it ends up going, yeah?

[lupusxylem]

[Vash folds into his arms easily, like a perfectly fitting glove. It’s honestly silly they ever thought they couldn’t be together, for whatever arbitrary reason that might have been. He exhales slowly, lifting a hand to gently scrub his fingertips through the shorter hair at the nape of his neck.]

I promise. You’ll be the first to know.

[As if he’d be shouting the news to everyone in the Grove, or something.]

…and. Thank you, Vash. I don’t really have the words for it, but the fact you trust me like this means…a lot.

[The fact Vash would so openly seek Livio’s happiness like this means even more.]

[oleaeuropaea]

[Somewhere in the back of his mind, Vash feels almost giddy. Not because he feels content being bundled up like this (even if he does), but because he's already imagining Livio receiving the same attention. If anything will help open the former assassin up to gentle touch, it's a solid hug from one Nicholas D. Wolfwood.

Or so he hopes.

His head tilts backward, just enough so that he can stare up at Wolfwood with that entirely too sweet smile on his lips.]

I've always trusted you, remember? Never had a reason not to. [He pushes up on his toes to give him a quick kiss.] Almost always, at least. Don't know if I trust you not to ruin the soup at this point, though.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood will return that kiss of course, his stubble no doubt tickling Vash as he does, and for just a brief moment he’s actually smiling back at him-

Then that smile turns into something a little more sarcastic, which is more like the Wolfwood everyone is used to.]

Hey. Campfire food is my specialty. What’s more campfire than fuckin’ soup, haah?

[oleaeuropaea]

You can still ruin campfire food if you're too busy ogling at men, Nicholas.

[Yes, Vash is fixing him with the most toothiest of grins. He flits away before Wolfwood can protest, going back to cutting the last of the vegetables. Unfortunately, this means the onion.]

[lupusxylem]

And whose fault is that, Mr. Stampede??

[Since Vash already pirouetted out of his grasp, all Wolfwood can do is scowl after him before he grabs a chunk of already chopped carrot and flicks it at his head. It’s going to get eaten by Angelina immediately, so no worries there.]

[oleaeuropaea]

Yours, for getting so distracted!

[He does squeak as the carrot collides with his head. He pouts as he gets to cutting, which is only made worse by the onion making him tear up. Look what you did, Wolfwood.]

[lupusxylem]

[The Punisher shakes his head with another low laugh as he turns back to his station, even though he’s still practically done. He’ll turn the heat up now that he isn’t super distracted from cooking. Last thing he needs to do is start making out with Vash and get his ass set on fire.

He works in silence for a time, though there’s a lot still rolling around in his head. Vash has given him a lot to think about.]

Guess this place ended up being good for something after all. I get you and Livio outta the deal.