sticksandbones | Backdated before Vash's post

Who: Wolfwood and YOU
What: Wolfwood has come back from the grave and is not making it anyone's problem
When: Week of the 24th oocly roughly, icly who knows
Where: Clinic/Grove outskirts
Warnings: Will edit if needed

A)

[For a while, Wolfwood is relegated to the clinic, unable to leave due to needing time to recover from his near-death experience with the Forest immediately after reviving. He can't exactly leave, nor is he going to try to refuse anyone who tries to come visit, whether it be to yell at him for what he did, or just to see him for whatever reason.

Judging by the way he's half-sitting in bed staring away from the door, he doesn't particularly care either way. His missing leg, obvious by the empty space where his leg would be under the sheets, is a permanent eyesore.]

B) Netbook

[Though he has been alive for almost a week, but it isn't until he finally leaves the clinic that he addresses the Grove proper. A simple message in his usual messy scrawl appears in everyone's notebooks.]

its wolfwood
yall were right
sorry

[Actually finding Wolfwood to speak to him might be a bit of a harder task. He isn't actually at or around the Church at all right now, seemingly avoiding it for the most part. Not hard to imagine why.

There will be, however, an evening just before sundown proper where Wolfwood will ask Livio to help him out by the river. He won't try to venture any closer to the Grove, keeping on the side of the river where Vash's house is instead.

There he will sit in his wheelchair by the softly rushing water, watching the bio-luminescent seaborn bloop along near the shallows.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's only half sure of what to expect as Pure Vanilla reaches for him. He's definitely expecting a headpat- that's just what he does, what he's done to him before- but it's the lingering touch that catches him off guard. He stays very still until he goes a step further and presses a kiss to his hairline, that being what finally prompts him to shift his head a little to look up at the other. He doesn't pull away, instead watching him as he fixes his hair and back away, leaving him feeling...

Warm. Just...warm.

He remembers the times when he was little, and he'd get in trouble and Miss Melanie would scold him, and he'd angry-cry about it because he didn't know how to bottle up his feelings yet. She would make him sit in time out or whatever it was, but eventually return to him with an embrace and a kiss, telling him she loved him no matter what, even if he still felt upset.

Weird, how much this feels like that.]

T'tell you the truth, I don't really know what I need right now.

[ A heart full of love that will never dim. The comment makes him smile softly, and he nods gently. ]

That's understandable, my friend. What we need often gets muddled or lost in such moments. Instead of thinking of your needs - allow others to do that for you if you cannot - what would you want? What does your heart desire the most right now?

[ Other than giving up, that is not on the table. Pure Vanilla won't allow it. He's been down that path before, and it hurts worse than putting one foot in front of the other. ]

Right now?

[...

Wolfwood's expression turns...sad. Not even grave, or angry. But sad.]

To not be maimed in this hospital bed. To be back home.

[Not No Man's Land. But just...back to his house, here. It's as simple as that.]

[ Oh Wolfwood. Though he backed off to give the other room, the expression and words pull him right back in. He sets his staff aside and moves to sit beside Wolfwood in the bed, so he can reach out and take the other man into a hug. Pull him against a shoulder and hug him. ]

I'm sorry, my friend. I am sure you will not be here for much longer.

[ There is technically nothing wrong with Wolfwood except the missing leg, and he knows the two who have knowledge here will fix that when they can. If Pure Vanilla had the leg maybe he could... but alas, there's no regrowing what's missing.

Well there is but he's not going to think that.]

[Normally, Wolfwood might not be so receptive to hugs. But right now? He just lets it happen. Accepts it as it comes with his head bowed slightly.]

Yeah. Other than that...I dunno.

Got a lotta people to apologize to, somehow.

I am sure they will forgive you, as I know they will understand. We are all in this together, tormented by this being equally. You could not have known the reaction would be so vitriolic, as there had been no forewarning.

[ The hug is supportive, but not restrictive. If Wolfwood desired to pull back, he would find Vanilla's arms let go readily enough. But until then, they support the man against him, an offering to just take comfort. ]

Mmh. I can promise you one thing. I'm...done.

[He says that with a certain note of finality in his tone, his shoulders still slumped even with Pure Vanilla's embrace.]

The Forest can do whatever it wants. I ain't gonna get involved.

[Maybe he can be pulled out of this mindset in the future, but for now? Never again. He's been thoroughly humbled.]

[ Oh, Wolfwood. It breaks his heart to see the other so subdued, after being so passionate about humbling the creature. Now his hug does tighten, turning his head to carefully rest it against Wolfwoods, rubbing his back gently. ]

I do not blame you, my friend, and it is all right to step back. Rest, recover, find your balance and harmony again. Rely on your friends, we are here for you.

[ He won't push him to recover that fire, not yet. For now, Wolfwood needs to rest. Reset his mind and let his body heal. ]

...thank you. Really.

[He trusts Pure Vanilla will never speak of this, so it's fine. It's fine for him to be vulnerable, just a little bit.]

It's funny. I was never afraid of dyin', because of the way things were for me back home. I dunno why I was so convinced it'd be the same here.

[ His secret is safe with him. ]

You were not expecting to have something worth living for.

[ And he understands the feeling. To have something shift so drastically that an option is no longer viable. He sighs gently, his hand still moving in slow circles. ]

Always remember, my friend, if something is worth dying for, it is also worth living for.

...yeah. I guess you're right. Ain't like who I'm livin' for would appreciate it if I went and died on 'em.

[Not that him dying this time was intentional. He knew what he was doing when he broke into those vials, of course, but...that was a last resort. It was either that, or die before he could make sure Elsword didn't raze the Grove to the ground alongside everyone else in it.]

People don't really appreciate the whole "noble sacrifice" schtick as much as you'd think, I've found.

[See: him, he is one of those people.]

[ That makes him smile a little. He can truthfully say no, he doesn't think Vash and Livio appreciated it. ]

Indeed, and they will scold you most thoroughly after.

[ Though... Pure Vanilla would be a hypocrite if he condemned those who chose that route. Considering what he himself did. He sighs gently and pulls back finally, but doesn't move to move away entirely. ]

I am glad you have returned to us.

Yeah. Me too.

[Wolfwood sinks back against the pillows once Pure Vanilla has let him go, lifting a hand to run his fingers through the top of his hair.]

...thanks again. For comin'.

[ Sir- he had JUST fixed that. Automatically he reaches out to fix the strands of hair again. The thanks makes him slam Wolfwood with the Peepaw smile, blasting that beam of energy at him. ]

It is truly my pleasure, my friend. If you ever require anything of me, never hesitate to send me a journal note.

[God. He's gonna step away from one of those smiles blinded, one of these days.]

Yeah yeah...go on. Don't let me keep you.

[ The dismissal makes him chuckle and he stands, grabbing his staff up. ]

I will come check on you later, my friend. Rest. Eat.

[ He will know if you haven't. :)

But he will now leave to let the other do just that. Love the little wool kitten too. ]

Backdated before Vash's post

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