And if I believe you [OPEN]

[lupusxylem]

Who: Nicholas D. Wolfwood and YOU
What: Wolfwood gets a [nondenominational but it's also definitely Catholic] church
When: Throughout January after the event
Where: The Grove
Warnings: N/A will edit if needed


[A new building has appeared in the South part of the Grove.

It's small. It's exterior seems dilapidated and old despite its newness, and- at least for the first day it's around- every window is shattered and decrepit looking. This is the building that Wolfwood had asked Heimr to build for him, and honestly he was not expecting it to look this bad. It's actually kindof impressive. Like, dude, you have...magic, how could you not have made it look less shitty than this-

But, well. If anybody is wondering what it is, the shape of its steeple and the fact its topped with a little cross would clue anyone in who has familiarity with such iconography that this is, in fact, a Church. A Church that has little by way of entertainment to offer guests, but should you wander inside...

It's just as run down as the outside, though mostly because there's plant life growing everywhere. It's structurally sound otherwise, mostly, and it's clear given how some of the vines have been torn away recently that someone is trying to clean it up. It's...depending on when you find it, either empty, or there's Elsword watching you from the rafters because Wolfwood hasn't figured out how to remove him yet. He may just live here now.

Other than that though, there are books that you can pull from behind the pews to read. Bibles- "Bibles"- that don't seem to conform to any religion so much as it talks about a strange sort of religious order surrounding "Plants", so that probably isn't suspicious at all.

At the head of the sanctuary is a pulpit where a pastor might presumably give a sermon, and off to the side of it is a confessional box. The confessional box has a piece of notebook paper taped to it that reads "5 shells for 15 minutes. Confess all of your sins. -W"

The pulpit itself, if this building's owner wasn't clear enough, has a little plaque on it that reads, as if sarcastically: Saint Nicholas]

Comments

[lupusxylem]

Vash the Stampede? Not in the mood for affection? I didn't think that was possible...

[He leans back on his heels, watching as Vash starts to back away...and as if predicting what he's going to do, like a predator waiting for a deer to startle and start running, Wolfwood immediately takes off after him too.

Of course, this also means he's going to very nearly bust his ass on the way because, oh yeah, the snow is slippery and has packed into ice in some places, watch out!]

[oleaeuropaea]

[Likewise, Vash nearly eats it in the snow a few steps later. Between his lack of balance and the laughter throwing him off all the more, it makes him extremely wobbly and ridiculous looking. And naturally, it only makes him laugh all the more.

He has to outright stop and steady himself as he reaches the edge of the river. The last thing he needs is to be giggling as he tries to step across.]

Y'comin' Nick?

[lupusxylem]

[It is...incredible, how joyous hearing Vash do something so simple as laugh makes Wolfwood feel. He genuinely started to think that Vash might not get back to this point ever again, and that...is not a world he's sure he wants to live in. He's maybe a bit too focused on that as he comes up to the water's edge, actually, because while it may no longer be frozen, that doesn't mean the water isn't fucking freezing.

Wolfwood may have normal shoes, but that sure doesn't mean he's used to crossing these slippery rocks yet.]

Faster than you think-!

[oleaeuropaea]

[Oop! The second Wolfwood draws close, Vash steps onto one of the stones, then another. He grins back at Nick from across the way, motioning him forward almost teasingly.]

You sure about that? I mean... I'm still waiting!

[Another bout of giggles before he hops to another stone.]

[lupusxylem]

[Grrrr...

Wolfwood takes a cautious step onto the first stone. Then another...]

I'm gonna get y-

[Just as he goes to shift his weight to step onto another, his foot just kindof.

Slips out from under him, with little to no warning. He lets out a sound that sounds more like a cat got stepped on than a wolf of any kind, his arms briefly windmilling before he unceremoniously falling straight into the river on his ass.

It is three feet deep here, meaning he is plunging in all the way up past his waist at the very least, with the icy cold water immediately soaking into his clothes as thoroughly as it can race into them.]

Shit-!! G-God damn it-!

[oleaeuropaea]

Nick!!!

[The game they have going ends immediately, the second Wolfwood falls. Vash bounds forward, landing on the stone he'd only just slipped from. It's a good thing he lands on his feet, at least, rather than the current taking him. Nevertheless, Vash hovers above him with a hand outstretched, ready to grab Wolfwood the second things might take a turn.]

Jeez, you gotta be careful! Don't you know how cold it is in there -

[He crouches down, a little closer to Wolfwood's eye level. His hand remains outward, but the longer he watches, the more it becomes clear that current isn't quite strong enough to upend Nick entirely. At least that's one good thing.]

Do you need help up? Or are you gonna walk the rest of the way?

[lupusxylem]

[It's kindof hard to be too mad when Vash is so stupidly sincere, even though he's like "Don't you know how cold it is" and that makes Wolfwood want to push him into the water actually-

He doesn't do this, thankfully, and instead reluctantly takes Vash's hand and pulls himself stiffly up to his feet, immediately wracked with tremors because holyyy FUCK it's cold.]

I-I'm...g-getting in the shower...

[oleaeuropaea]

[It's a small miracle that Wolfwood makes it up onto the platform without any issues. Vash is quick to ease back, giving him space to get his balance. He doesn't go far though, not before he shakes off his jacket and hands it over. It isn't much farther to their cabin — he'll survive whatever chill builds up.]

Probably a good idea.

[Which, speaking of, he quickly sprints ahead once Wolfwood is well and truly up on his feet. The door is quickly opened, though certainly not far enough to let the rambunctious Angelina out. He motions his partner forward, quick as he can.]

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood follows after Vash...slowly, because he's pretty sure his pants are trying to freeze to his body. Fortunately it's not cold enough anymore for them to ACTUALLY freeze, but it sure does feel like that...and it isn't helped by him having to awkwardly step over and around Angelina as she comes flying from their bedroom when they come into the house, barking and running around their ankles happily.]

Th-that didn't happen, by the way. Say a w-word and I'll deny everything.

[It's okay Zahliya and Moder probably saw it lbr-]

[oleaeuropaea]

[At least Angelina is swiftly removed from the equation by scooping her right up. Vash cradles her like a baby, cooing under his breath and kissing all over her silly puppy face. It's a good thing he has a weird amount of strength — he'll be able to keep doing this forever, even as she gets bigger and bigger.]

Sure, sure. Tell everyone, got it!

[He grins and dances a few steps backward, still holding onto Angelina.]

I'll take her out and get her fed, alright? You get yourself warmed up.

[lupusxylem]

You do that and I'll make you sleep on the c-couch.

[ >:|

He's grousing and grumpy, but honestly, this is just Wolfwood's baseline. He's still practically sparkling compared to how he's been the rest of the month, so it's something to be thankful for even as he marches off towards their bedroom too get changed.

...but not before he stops by said couch just long enough to grab and lob one of the pillows at Vash's head.]

[oleaeuropaea]

You can't make me sleep on the couch in my own house!

[He tries to delicately pirouette out of the way of the pillow, but it hits him in the back of the head hard enough to dislodge his glasses. Thankfully, Angelina catches them within her little puppy jaws without even batting an eye. Great. Wonderful. Drooly.]

C'mon baby girl, let's ditch this guy!

[He quickly skirts out of the door before anything else can be lobbed at him. And you know, maybe he'll take his glasses down to the river for a good scrubbing while he's at it.]

[lupusxylem]

[...okay, wow. Angelina, you're a traitor. How dare you.

But also, that was a pretty nice catch. Damn. At least he managed to hit his target-

Wolfwood huffs as he watches Vash dart outside with the puppy in tow, though at least he won't be able to see the slight smile that Wolfwood cracks just before he disappears into the bedroom.

He needed this, whether he knew it or not.]

[oleaeuropaea]

[Vash doesn't spend too terribly long sprinting through the snow. Once Angelina has done her business, he runs up and down the span of the riverbank a few times, both chasing the pup and having her chase him back. It's a rigorous little game to make sure she's well and tired out. At least then, once she's had her food, she'll be more likely to crash out for a few hours.

Eventually he makes his way inside, pup trotting behind. She takes her seat by the fire to groom her paws, while Vash heads into the kitchen to get her some fresh food. A finger his held up to his lips conspiratorially as he slips a few slices of cheese into her kibble. Their little secret.

Eventually he heads toward the bathroom door. Is Wolfwood still in there? If so, Vash will try and let himself in quietly.]

[lupusxylem]

[Don't worry Vash, giving Angelina cheese will become everyone's problem later! For now though, she gobbles it up happily, her tail wagging so fast it's a blur. Wolfwood and Vash will at least have privacy for a little while after she eats, since she typically passes out in front of the fireplace anyway.

Wolfwood is still in the bathroom, but the door has been cracked to vent some of the steam from the shower, indicating he's out by now. He's not fully redressed yet, standing in front of the mirror in his boxers with a towel around his neck as he peers at himself in the reflection. Whether Vash decides to sneak a peek through the door or not, Wolfwood will bring a hand up to run his fingers along the scar across his shoulder. It's a near perfect impression of a rose hound's mouth, each tooth visible where they'd punctured through the skin. He's got scars, plenty of them, but none of them are this deep and prominent. Back home, the drugs would simply heal it over before the scars could take hold.

Not so, here. Even the bruising from where the bell from the church tower fell on him is still on his abdomen, though it's light and mostly faded by now.]

[oleaeuropaea]

[Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), Vash decides to do more than sneak a peek. He takes a step in to the bathroom, gingerly clearing his throat. He doesn't want to alarm Wolfwood by sneaking up on him, but he isn't exactly waiting for permission, either. Slotting himself behind Wolfwood, he allows his hands to wrap around the span of his waist, then pull backward.

With the man secured against his chest, it's easier to allow his lips to wander over the stretch of his shoulders. Eventually they meet where those fingers have come to rest, then pause. He waits for a response but, if given permission here at least, he'll pepper kisses along every tooth mark.

His hands don't sit idle either. One lifts, thumbing carefully over where the bruise lingers, before sliding up higher to lay over his heart.]

You should be more careful with yourself. [Pot, meet kettle indeed.]

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood lifts his head a little when he hears Vash announce his presence, tracking his movements through the mirror as he steps into the bathroom with him. His tense posture relaxes somewhat as Vash comes up behind him, chest-to-back, his head lolling towards his uninjured shoulder. The kisses that march along the skin do at least encourage him to close his eyes and stop staring at his own reflection for a moment, exhaling on a rumbling sigh. He doesn’t pull away or tense, nonverbal permission to touch granted.

Wherever Vash touches the edges of the scar, he can’t really feel much. That’s something new. The way the deadened nerves there kind of make it feel like his body in that spot has fallen asleep, even though it’s only surface level. He can still feel the pressure of Vash’s lips though, even a bit of sensitivity when he moves a bit further from the edges.

He huffs, something of a scoff really.]

What, this? S’just a bruise. Bet you’ve seen much worse.

[oleaeuropaea]

Doesn't mean I want to. [He noses at the hair curling at the back of his neck, then flares his nostrils as some of the stray dampness clings to his poor face. It all culminates in a gentle, breathy laugh.] Not on you.

[Vash is well aware that it's little more than a fantasy, the idea of a world where Wolfwood doesn't have to bare the bruises and scars of the world around them. It doesn't mean he can't cling to it in these quiet moments, when the Forest doesn't whisper so loud, and when they can pretend they both didn't just go through hell.

His hands drift, touching against the side of his thighs with one, while the other strokes over his torso.]

[lupusxylem]

[He exhales heavily again, eyes opening to slivers. He can tell what Vash is trying to do, and honestly, he isn't at all against it. It's actually reassuring to have Vash initiating the contact, after spending a prolonged amount of time...not doing that. Little response to most things, apathy towards everything else...he'd been doing his best to manage it, but when Vash is usually the wellspring of optimism, it had been difficult. Now, though...

Wolfwood groans under his breath, leaning back against Vash's chest.]

God...I'm really glad you're back. [He reminds him lowly, bringing one of his own hands up to linger over Vash's prosthetic, his fingertips passing over the grooves in the metal along the fingers and hand.] ...not that I doubted you, or anything like that. But I'm not sure how much the clinic can do for Plants.

[oleaeuropaea]

We're kind of on our own here, when it comes to this stuff.

[He doesn't like to admit it, but even the passing knowledge of Luida and Brad would be welcome right about now. Realistically, Nai probably had his own wellspring of information regarding plants and their survivability, but it wasn't the kind of thing he was willing to bet money on.

It was better for them both that Vash was on his feet. Best to leave it at that.]

I'm not going anywhere this time. Not if I can help it. [No promise, not when he knows he can't make it, but an assurance nonetheless. He seals this affirmation with a kiss to the back of Wolfwood's neck.] Can't leave what's most important to me behind, you know.

[lupusxylem]

[The way those words make him all warm and gross inside is disgusting. How dare you, Vash. He tries, he tries really hard not to smile after that, but...he can't stop the way the corners of his mouth twitch upward, a sputter caught behind his teeth.]

Come on, blondie...

[He leans back against him a little more heavily, threading his fingers with Vash's prosthetic ones.]

How are you able to just say shit like that with a straight face, huh?

[oleaeuropaea]

[Those fingers squeeze down around Wolfwood's. It's a very measured gesture, Vash always feels that he has to be careful with those digits, but it's a long practiced motion. He even manages to finagle his hand enough to brush a thumb over the other man's skin.]

You act like I'm making it up! I'm not! [He huffs defiantly, though the pout can also be heard in his voice too.] I'm being honest with you. Right from the heart!

[A wistful sigh leaves him.]

You're all mine. And I won't be leaving you behind.

[lupusxylem]

[Ough. Vash? Being possessive? He can't quite articulate how he feels in that moment other than...hot. It shoots straight south and he's not sure he could have resisted it even if he wanted to. Even with Vash pouting and being all goofy about it.]

Am I? You ain't gonna let anyone else have me...?

[oleaeuropaea]

[The hand over Wolfwood's heart almost seems to clutch on instinct. His nails just barely bite into the skin of his pectoral, before loosening once more. Vash doesn't make a point of being possessive, but there are certain things he's protective of. It should be no surprise that Wolfwood ranked chief among them.]

No. [His voice is hushed, but there's a distinct undercurrent of determination there. If he has his way, no one else would ever stake a claim over Wolfwood.]

That a problem, Nick?

[lupusxylem]

...nah. Not at all. Just think you might have some fierce competition, s'all.

[He looks up at the two of them in the mirror, suddenly struck by the image he's presented with. Vash, with his arms wrapped around him from behind, just barely peeking over his shoulder. Their hands entwined. It makes him shudder, inwardly.]

But if you could figure out a way to unclip my leash, I'm pretty sure I'd go with you anywhere.

[Like...he knows he'd do that now, but he thinks Vash understands what he's alluding to. The two of them doing this is going to complicate things, should they ever escape this world. Even more complicated is the elephant in the room known as Nai, who is just...here now, too.]