sticksandbones | Back Up The Stairs Again

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Back Up The Stairs Again

Who: The April Fool Himself, Vash the STampede
What: Vash returns to the Grove
When: Early, early morning, April 1st.
Where: Around the Grove
Warnings: Sibling death, Vash related Vashing, gradual mentions of corruption. Brief mentions of eye changes possibly verging on eye horror?

i. Running in Shoes that Shine — Outside the Church, OTA

[When Vash emerges from the woods, it’s well past midnight. Most anyone in the grove would likely be asleep, and he wouldn’t blame them for it. In fact, he’s counting on it. The last thing he wants is to be disturbed like this. He has a task to complete, and the last thing he wants is to field questions.

Nai’s body is laid down beside the grave that holds Wolfwood. He doesn’t yet process that space has collapsed in on itself, too focused on making sure his brother is properly secured. His jacket is removed, and set to the side. The knife tendrils are laid out like wings behind him. It almost looks like he’s sleeping in the moonlight. Almost.

The conversation he has with Heimr is quick. Just a shovel, please don’t ask any questions. He’s sure the shopkeeper knows he’s been gone for weeks. He doesn’t want to hear any of it. He takes the shovel and trudges back to the church.

Digging the grave takes ages. It’s slowed by the wounds still clinging to Vash’s body. The newer ones, ones that cropped up when he strayed too far from the path in his exhaustion, tear themselves open anew. His already torn thermal becomes wet with blood and sweat. But still he digs.

By the time the sun rises, Nai has been placed into the dirt and covered up anew. Vash stares down at his work with an unreadable expression. He still wears Wolfwood’s glasses. He refuses to take them off. It means his vision is darkened to an almost crippling degree. If someone approached, he wouldn’t know it.]

ii. With Blood that isn't Mine — Inside the Church, Closed to livlaughlove and lupusxylem

[At some point, Vash shakes off whoever has approached him. He enters the church, movements stiff, pained, and robotic. He kneels before the cross, his head bowed low. He’s never believed in this particular god. In a lot of ways, it feels wrong to kneel and pray to Him, when he’s already cast his faith behind a different divine. But Nick did believe, as far as Vash knew, and Nai had at least seemed interested in the teachings of this faith. And so to this God he prays.

Forgive them. Let them rest peacefully. Let them find comfort.

It’s short, all things considered. He doesn’t want to linger here overlong, not after everything that’s happened. Not when he still isn’t ready for questions. But when he tries to rise, he finds his legs locking up on him. All at once, his body feels weak. Instead of standing, he collapses against the cold ground. He stares up at the cross, wondering if this is spite somehow.

And then his vision darkens.]

iii. A Stinging Trophy — Around the Grove

[A few days and reunions later, Vash at least seems capable of walking around the grove on his own. Wolfwood’s glasses have been replaced with his own. These aren’t quite as capable of hiding the changes that the darker lenses might have. His eyes have shifted, almost as if the sky blue hue of his iris had begun to bleed into the sclera. The faint, pastel blue hint might even be imperceptible at first glance.

If you’re caught staring, Vash will simply look away, waving anyone off with a half-smile.]

It’s nothing. Just picked up a little something while I was lost in the woods. It’ll fade, I’m sure.

iv. Of the Battles I've Survived — Wildcard

[Vash is going to be throwing himself back into the Grove like nothing happened. Feel free to encounter him anywhere around the town. Or, reach out to me and we can plot something out!]

v. SUPER SECRET BONUS PROMPT

[A few days after his arrival and subsequent chat on the Netbook, something new appears in the grove. Where once Beiwe's statue stood alone, now a second statue joins her. Which means over the next few days, Vash can be found trying to make sure she's well-cared for in her new home. He brings a cutting from his Geranium, still growing strong, and tries to get it to root within the dirt there. A few other flowers are gathered for her as well.

Anyone on the Netbooks will find a short note in their pages. "Ourania is home. Please come say hi!"

More importantly, he can be found sitting in front of her every evening, just as the moon reaches its highest point within the sky. He isn't sure if he's praying so much as he is just talking, but Vash can be heard speaking to her all the same. It's usually casual conversation, but there's plenty of praise being heaped on as well.

He's new to this! Don't judge him!]

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[Every second Vash lingers in their pseudo-embrace without reciprocation just seems to wound him further. Even if he knows he doesn't deserve better, it still smarts. Even holding his hand feels wrong after awhile. He sets it down just as gentle as he picked it up, returning to wrapping his arms around himself.

He can take a hint.

His shoulders do droop with the faintest hint of relief when Livio accepts his apology. It's a step. One he doesn't deserve, but a step nonetheless. For the first time, he tries to smile. It's small, wobbles at the edges and fades completely as grief takes him, but for a second it was there.

He nods along with Livio's words. He can at least get behind shouldering a burden with someone, even if he thinks he should take the lion's share. That, he knows they'll never agree to, though.]

Liv- ah, I mean... Livio's got a point. Better if we all try to take ownership, yeah?

[In his heart, he knows he should say more. But above anything, he's exhausted. The last few days, weeks if the others are to be believed, lay heavy on his shoulders. He's done his best to be strong and not favor his own wounds when he's hurt so many other people, but it's getting harder the more time that passes. And, more than anything? Trying to pretend to be okay with the distance, however earned, is beginning to wear on him.]

Look, I should... probably get some rest. And I'm sure the good doctor's gonna come around with more needles soon enough. You two should probably head out. Don't want either of you to get uncomfortable.

...Blondie.

[Wolfwood interjects, his gaze still focused on Vash. There's a reason he's been so still, simply accepting the gestures and watching without reciprocating, and it isn't out of coldness, no matter how it may seem. He needed to give Vash the time to speak his piece. Livio time to, as well. He cannot claim to know exactly the status of Livio and Vash's relationship, but as far as Wolfwood himself is concerned, they're a trio in his heart. And to hear that Livio harbors no ill will speaks volumes.

Not that he ever assumed such, of course. It's clear that Livio, for all of his time in the Grove, has been a lot better at managing his anger than Wolfwood has. It...says a lot, considering.

He exhales heavily, having seen the way Vash let go of his hand to draw back into himself. So, instead of reaching for it again, Wolfwood will push his chair a fraction closer until the arms touch the mattress, close enough that he can reach out and rest his palm- rough and calloused- against the side of Vash's face. Fingertips ghosting over patched up cuts and scrapes, both old and new. Looking at his eyes more than anything, clocking the way they aren't right.

Wolfwood brushes his thumb over Vash's cheek, as if contemplating.]

You're an idiot. And I'm still mad at you. [...] But you're an even bigger idiot if you think I'm gonna leave when we just got you back.

[Then, his hand moves, shifting around to more along the back of Vash's head, the edge of his thumb skating over his sideburns.]

...I missed you. Alright?

[It's stupid, the way he effectively whimpers at such a fleeting touch. His head cants, pressing further into the hand that cradles his head. He treasures the roughness, callused palms that feel just right against his skin. It's like this that he can truly grasp how much time has passed. There's no way he'd miss the touch like this after just a few days.

Unfortunately, the whimper isn't the worst thing that could have happened to him. It doesn't take long for his breath to hitch. He still tastes the despair he'd felt at the hands of the monster in the lighthouse. He'd been so afraid of not making it home, of not having this ever again. Now that it's all at least begun to work itself out -

He's always been good at biting back his feelings. Unfortunately, he's felt so much over the last few days that he can't swallow it all down. His composure begins to fragment, then shatters completely with a very wet, very desperate sob. He leans forward, pressing his face down against Wolfwood's shoulder.]

I didn't think - I was so - [He tries to will himself to get it together. He's not supposed to cry. And even if he did, the least he could do was sound like a damn grown adult about it.]

I thought I was gonna die out there. And all I could think is how much you'd both worry. That I'd ditched someone I cared about and - [He sniffs, wet and pathetic.] I didn't want to lose either of you. Wanted to see you both again.

[Honestly? Seeing Vash finally, finally allow himself to show just an iota of emotion takes a huge weight off Wolfwood's shoulders, because he was expecting full well for Vash to just internalize this and beat himself up about it for the rest of time like he does with everything else. Like, he gets it, it isn't like he isn't guilty of his own share of this, but...at this point, Livio is right. There's blame to be shouldered on all parties (though he'd argue least of all with Livio, but he would never say that aloud), and there won't be any real solution reaching or catharsis to be found in continuing to take responsibility where it's not warranted. Even if it feels justified.

So, as Vash sinks forward again and buries his face into Wolfwood's shoulder, not only does he keep his hand cradling what is now the back of Vash's head, he'll reach his other arm around and actually embrace Vash fully, for the first time since either of them have been back. It's a lighter hold at first, almost tentative...but then he redoubles his efforts, his fingers digging into the back of his thermal as he grips Vash to his chest like a lifeline as the Independent starts to cry even harder.]

Hey....hey. I know. [He murmurs against Vash's ear, his fingers pushing through those blonde locks.] I'm...I'm just glad you made it back to us.

[He didn't miss those injuries. There's a reason he refused to speak to Vash until he was certain he'd get himself looked at.

And now he has...and now he's here. And as he sits there holding Vash, he sort of turns his head a bit against his shoulder, angling himself so he can look back across the room at Livio. It's a silent invitation, given how much Vash has been peppering in those "both of you"s.]

We're gonna be alright now. Shhh.

["we." "either of you." "both." "us." all of these words confuse the fuck out of livio in context. it has never once occurred to him that he matters to vash at all beyond being nicholas' friend. if anything, he feels like he may be a thorn in the other man's side. or at least he did, before vash gave them his blessing. but to liv, even that is still... nebulous.

to hear that vash thought of him when he was out there getting beaten to hell and back...

he's never seen vash cry. and nick is looking at him for... help? or just... inviting him to allow himself to be included, when they've both basically been saying it the entire time?

well. he's nothing if not practiced in shoving things down, so his mixed emotions can wait. vash and nick's distress are far more important right now. liv moves to the bedside and sits at the edge of the mattress, enough to wrap an arm carefully around vash as well. his free hand finds wolfwood's head, stroking over his hair in a motion meant to soothe both of them.]

[It's everything he wants, to be held like this. He'd missed Wolfwood, had half-expected to never experience it again. In many ways, it makes his own outburst worse. The sobs briefly grow in in volume before he reminds himself that he barely has the right to cry.

And he would have been fine with just this much. The truth was, he hadn't even been expecting the return of affection from Wolfwood; he certainly doesn't expect it from Livio. He had begun to entertain the idea of affection from the larger man, that much is true. But he would have thought that bond, and whatever trust Livio had in him, to be broken. Certainly, it was damaged to the point that a few tears shouldn't have been enough to mend it.

And yet he feels the hospital bed shift beneath them as Livio takes his seat. He feels that firm grasp twine around him and — yeah, he's crying all over again.]

Thank you - [He chokes this much out. His head lifts, just long enough to twist and press against Livio's bicep. Just for a second. Or maybe a few seconds.]

'm sorry. And I'm... really glad to be home.

[The more Vash cries- or allows himself to, really- the more tension ebbs from Wolfwood's shoulders. And it isn't just that. The fact that Livio felt comfortable enough to come sit with them, and share in their embrace? It just adds to that feeling of relief. It's not without its notes of bittersweetness, what with his frustration at the whole ordeal still simmering beneath the surface, regret for his own choices made, and struggles with his own self-esteem following what the Forest took from him. It's all a lot to have to deal with, and he's only been back for a week and some change.

But that much, at least, he can push aside for now. He can focus instead on both Vash and Livio, exhaling deeply now that he's enveloped in the embrace of the two most important people in his life. He'll even turn his head, leaning it back into the curve of Livio's palm as he threads his fingers through dark locks.]

Good. And I think...the last person you need to apologize to ain't a person at all. Ain't that right, Livio?

[Poor baby Angelina. She was ecstatic enough when Wolfwood finally returned home for the first time- Like!! she told Livio!! She told him he'd be back!!- so imagine how hyper she's going to be when Vash comes home, too.]

Glad you're home, too, Vash.

[his voice is quiet, but he means it. hopefully, vash has known him long enough to realize that livio doesn't ever really lie, not even to spare feelings. he would rather not speak at all.

he nods at wolfwood's insistence. liv is so, so glad angelina is going to have both of her papas back, when he wasn't sure either of them would ever come home. but... the idea of going back to his room at the inn, of leaving her does make him incredibly sad.]

Yeah. Uh... You want me to help you guys home, or... do you want space? [sir what have they been trying to tell you all day.]

[Though Wolfwood hasn't quite let go of either of them yet, Livio's question does prompt him to huff on an incredulous laugh.]

Livio. Have you been listenin' to a word we've been sayin'?

[He glances back up at him out of the corner of his eye, and since he opted to remove his glasses, his gaze won't be so easily avoided.]

I ain't gonna speak for Vash or nothin', but. I think he'd agree with me in sayin' your place is with us.

[The reminder of Angelina, both her sweet little face and the apology he owes her, causes a fresh wave of emotion from Vash. His shoulders tremble under the wave, and all three of them are damn lucky he doesn't outright wail their little Pup's name. Thankfully, they only have to deal with the increase in pathetic sniffles.]

You're right.

[He's still sniffling as he lifts his head, urged by Wolfwood's own words. After rubbing at his eyes, he gives a very firm, emphatic even, nod. He does his best to come off as stern, even though he's still very misty-eyed. A hiccup escapes him, before he finally finds his words.]

He's right. Can talk to Heimr 'n' everything to get you a proper place.

[Not that he feels Livio should sleep separate from them. He's just a big guy, and needs a proper amount of space!]

Belong with us.

Edited 2024-03-28 00:42 (UTC)

[it isn't that liv is avoiding wolfwood's gaze, necessarily, just that he's growing more confused by the second, and staring helplessly back at him. and then at vash, for good measure.

a proper place.]

"With us?" What -- what're you sayin'? [congrats, y'all broke his brain.]

[Granted...this is something he should have talked with Vash about a little more seriously before just saying it aloud just now. Wolfwood phrased it in a way that meant more like "you don't have to leave" while leaving the particulars open ended. So.

Having Vash bookend that with "Heimr can get you a place" sort of underscores that they were, in fact, on the same page.]

We're sayin' that you ain't goin back to the inn.

[...]

Not unless you want to, anyway.

[Even if Vash and Livio jsut remain friends, Vash is proud to consider him a close one. And why wouldn't he want to keep a friend that close? Okay, maybe now that he's thinking it in his head, it's a little weird. At the end of the day though, it's as they say. No Ragrets.]

'sides, Imagine Angelina's gotten all attached to you. I - [For the first time, he manages a smile.] - just couldn't break her heart again.

[He knows the little pup pretty well, he'd like to think. Definitely well enough to know that if they didn't have Livio with them, she would be constantly begging to go see him anyway.]

[well, it's about time that it's livio's turn to tear up. the idea of removing himself when vash came home was a no-brainer to liv from the start... but to hear that vash wants him around as much as nick... well. he has to fight back the urge to cry. somebody's got to get these boys home safe, after all. can't do that all blurry-visioned.]

Y-yeah. If that's what you two want. [maybe he does choke up, just for a moment.] Shit. I don't wanna leave her either. That's a good girl y'all got. [of course, it isn't just about the dog, judging by the way he squeezes them both ever so slightly in their makeshift hug.]

[Wolfwood huffs under his breath, wishing he could just stay enveloped in their arms for much longer. But leaning forward while still sitting in his chair is a bit difficult, and he doesn't want to keep them both trapped if they're feeling similarly.

...he will, however, stop long enough to give them both a kiss where he's able to reach, which ends up being Vash's temple and Livio's cheek.]

Hell yeah it is.

[Wolfwood looks back over at Vash now, pulling back one of his hands to quickly scrub at his eyes with the heel of his palm before the two of them notice he's been teared up this entire time.]

Is Add makin' you stay longer? Or can you come home?

Honestly? [Vash scratches his head a little nervously.] Even if he wanted me to stay, I don't think Iwill.

[The statement hangs in the air for a few seconds, before he really considers what he's said. His hands lift up, trying to assuage the doubts of the two other men.]

That ain't me trying to not take care of myself! He just got real weird about my eyes, and I'd rather not see what he has planned for them.

[Unfortunately, he has not been made privy to what people have seen there. Other than struggling to see when he first woke up, they've been fine. A little itchy, but that's just because he's been crying, right? Normal stuff.]

Let's just go home. See our girl.

[livio is inclined to agree, as he straightens up.]

Not a bad idea, all told. I -- appreciate what he's done to help, but, uh... [he feels like he maybe shouldn't say this to wolfwood, for fear of him trying to rip add a new one, but...] ... he's real fond of needles, and not fond of askin' permission.

[Luckily for Livio, Wolfwood is assuming he's talking about when Add needled him right before he died, so as long as he doesn't mention Add trying to steal his blood...

He does huff though, rolling his eyes as he draws back a little from the edge of the bed.]

Yeah. With varying results.

[Or no results at all. He's still not even sure what it was Add injected into him, back then. It seemed to delay the inevitable, but even still...]

Let's get outta here, then. I'm sick and tired of bein' in this clinic.

[He's grateful, if nothing else, that the men don't ask any further questions. Even Vash doesn't understand Add's specific interest, but he doesn't want to explore it any further until he's well on his lonesome. For now, he wiggles to the edge of his bed, and then looks down at Wolfwood's lap.]

Think I could hitch a ride with you? [He looks to Livio.] If we're both not too much combined?

[He can walk, no issue. But he's also tired, and someone made the dipshit decision to put his house as far from other people as possible. Who could have done this.]

If it's alright with Nick, I got it, no problem.

[the river is an issue they can cross when they get to it. literally.]

...tch. Yeah, yeah. S'fine.

[He can't exactly make room for Vash in his chair, but...Vash can sit across his lap, bridal style. Assuming the seat in question won't be bothersome.]

[He's not waiting for any more permission than that. He scrambles, yes, absolutely bridal style, over Wolfwood's lap. His arms loop around his neck, then his forehead comes to rest against his temple. But while his posture might be wrapped around Wolfwood, his gaze slides sideways. A hand is extended in offering.]

C'mon. Let's get going!

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Back Up The Stairs Again

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