sticksandbones | And if I believe you [OPEN]

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]

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[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?

[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.

[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...?

[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?

...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.]

[Even the faint reference to the Eye makes Vash's grip tighten all the more. He knows he's up against a hefty challenge when it comes to "freeing" Wolfwood. But maybe this world would give them a fighting chance in the end. As long as Nai was separated from No Man's Land and fettered by the Forest, he was approachable.

There was a chance that they could put things to rest even before they made it home. A snowballs chance, but a chance nonetheless.]

We'll figure it out, Nick. Not just for me, but for the orphanage. And for Livio, too.

[Not just Livio they've come to know, but the one back home. After all, the existence of this other man would imply that there was still more to the story, right? Hope that what they had seen back home wasn't all of the truth.

He was grasping at straws, but at least it meant keeping that hope alive.]

[...]

Yaknow...I think you're the only person on the planet who could tell me that, and have me actually kindof believe it.

[Wolfwood turns his head a bit- the angle is a touch awkward, since Vash is still behind him and he has to look over his shoulder a little- so he can press his lips to the underside of the blonde's jaw, kissing him there.]

And if anyone could actually do all of that...it'd be you.

Then you do believe me?

[He makes a small sound under his breath. It's somewhere between relieved and grateful. The boundless optimism Vash wields hasn't always been appreciated by Wolfwood. That there isn't immediate backlash for turning it on the Punisher is incredibly surprising, in and of itself.]

Because it's true, Nick. After everything we've been through... [The hand of flesh drifts, seeking out one of Wolfwood's own. Vash shifts himself to the side just enough to be able to comfortable bring it to his lips. A kiss is pressed to the back of it.] I can't go back to the way things were. Can't imagine being without you.

Hey, I said kindof...

[But...it is true. Even if it's just the tiniest bit, Wolfwood is starting to believe the drivel Vash constantly spouts. It's hard not to eventually get caught up in it, especially now that they've chosen to be a more direct part of each others' lives.

...god. He's so sappy. Even here, in this cramped bathroom, he's still being so soft and gentle with him.

His fingers flex just a bit, and after a moment of consideration, Wolfwood uses the grip Vash has on his hand to suddenly tug him closer. With Vash moving to the side, Wolfwood is able to snake his way out of his arms, not to pull away, but so they're facing each other. So Wolfwood can kiss Vash on the lips proper, like he's been wanting to ever since he came in here.]

Then...I expect you to deliver on that. I don't put my trust in anyone lightly.

I won't let you down.

[Once again, he doesn't promise, but it doesn't change the resolve that tints his voice. The intent lingers in every bit of his expression, his brows drawn low and his mouth set into a firm line. Light and tender though the energy has been, he won't even chance downplaying this.

Nevertheless, he does go willingly into Wolfwood's tugging. He shifts so that they're chest to chest, Vash steadily becoming aware of how unclothed his partner is comparatively. His eyes drift downward over the span of his chest, mapping out the detail almost as if in slow motion. Every detail is committed to memory all over again.

And then his eyes swipe upward once more.]

Wanna - ah - head to bed?

[There is a very obvious implication in his tone. He isn't talking about sleeping.]

[Wolfwood would have to be blind to not notice his own boyfriend looking him over. Having someone rake their gaze across you like you're a slab of meat to be devoured is possibly the most attractive thing he can think of, he thinks. Though, maybe he's just a bit biased in that regard...

He isn't going to get tired of these perks. Not any time soon. Especially not when it turns into Vash propositioning him. He can't help but smirk, teasing but gently so.]

Hell yeah. You got Angelina down for the night?

I did. Gave her a good snack and everything.

[He sounds a little proud of himself for that. Like somehow putting the dog to rest for the night was the greatest accomplishment ever. And for someone who doesn't always take the best care of himself, maybe he is.

In any case, he's taking hold of Wolfwood's hands and taking a few steps backward. He's familiar enough with their little home to be mostly comfortable navigating like this. Mostly as in, he only stumbles once or twice along the way.]

[Honestly, Wolfwood thinks they'll be lucky if Angelina stays in the living room. Most of the time one of them wakes up with her on their face...but it's still cold and snowing, so as long as the fire stays lit, she'll stay right next to it he thinks. They can't compare to fire-lit logs, after all.

As Vash nearly stumbles a couple of times trying to back his way into the bedroom, Wolfwood snorts, ready to catch him if he starts to slip and fall.]

Good boy. [Oh-] So that means I get you all to myself, huh....

And if I believe you [OPEN]

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