04 ⸸⸸ july+ catch-all

[livlaughlove]

Who: trigun polycule (and friends. feel free to make toplevels)
What: catch-all for july and until i make a new one
When: july (lol) and beyond
Where: wherever
Warnings: discussion of canon-typical violence/death, vashwood-typical relationship drama, etc. anything more will be warned for as it comes up in threads.

Comments

the school, a few days into july - closed to vash and wolfwood.

[livlaughlove]

[given that livio has spent more time in this particular place than either vash or wolfwood, he hopes that it's a neutral enough spot for both of them. he's been trying to juggle spending time with them separately as promised, coping with the knowledge of injuries and death the false god has caused, and becoming a bit of a recluse, himself.

all in all, a worse time couldn't have come for him to have to deal with all this new information. but... it needs to be addressed. after all, he hasn't spoken to either of his partners yet about why he looks and sounds a little different, and he can only imagine how concerning that is.

so finally, after getting them to agree to this little meeting, he sits the three of them down in a room smaller than a classroom but bigger than an office. all the furniture is adult-sized, and livio has strategically placed chairs on either side of him at a round table, so that vash and nick don't have to be close to each other if they're not comfortable with that right now. as for livio, once he sinks into his own chair, he hunkers down and stares straight at the table, turning his hat around in his lap and only glancing briefly at either of them as he tries to figure out how to start.]

... Thanks. And... sorry. I got somethin' important to tell you both, but I – I don't think I got it in me to do it twice.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood hasn't brought it up, but Livio has been...worrying him, lately. He knows that he's been having a hard time, just as hard as any of the rest of them, between what's gone on in their relationship, down to what went down with the attacks that ultimately claimed Mizuki's life. They are all drained and struggling to keep their heads above water, knowing that things have been set along a path to only get worse from here.

...so why does it feel to him like Livio is about to deliver to them something even worse?

When he asks if both he and Vash can meet to speak to him, he doesn't argue or ask what it's for, he just agrees. He highly doubts it's going to be a situation of Livio putting them both in a room and demanding they make up or something, because he just wouldn't do that. No, this is about something else...and he's trying really hard not to think too hard about what it might be.

Now that they're all here, Wolfwood is stonily silent from his end of the table. Livio has the floor as well as his complete attention, though...he'd be lying if he said he didn't occasionally glance over to Vash. Though, if their gazes should happen to meet, he'll look away to stop the way his heart immediately begins to ache. He hasn't seen or spoken to Vash since their argument on the beach, and...it shows.]

[oleaeuropaea]

[Likewise, Vash has also grown worried about their dear Livio. Though his head has been twisting over other matters, he hasn't been so far up his own ass to have not noticed what was happening with the other man. He hates to see it, truly, but he hasn't been able to properly address it with the man.

Until now. Now, in the same room as his... ex? boyfriend? It's hard to say.

Vash, to his credit, doesn't look any worse for wear than usual. His eyes are still the same, normal hue and shape. He doesn't look like he's been running himself ragged, or getting into trouble. There are likely shadows under his eyes, but it isn't for lack of trying to sleep. It just doesn't come easy when you're used to sharing a bed with three people and a dog.

In any case, when Livio sits, Vash promptly sits up and looks to him. It's the first time he's really looked at anyone, preferring to keep his gaze on the floor. It's not that he doesn't want to see Wolfwood, he just knows he won't be able to stomach whatever is there. Anger. Revulsion. Sorrow. Joy. None of them paint a particularly happy picture in his mind.

He does now, though. Briefly, just for a second, when he's sure that Nick will be distracted. And just as quickly, he looks back to Livio.]

Liv. Before you get started, I just want you to know. Whatever it is... We - [He has to remind himself that there is no we. Not right now.] I'm here for you.

[livlaughlove]

[at vash's stumbling over his words, livio frowns. it isn't that he feels some type of way about whether it's "we" or "i." he'll leave that to nick to decide. it's... the sentiment that he figured vash would have, but... doesn't know if it'll last. his shoulders draw further in, and he tries to swallow the lump in his throat.]

I -- went back. To No Man's Land. I was tryin' to sleep one moment, 'n the next, I... woke up at Hopeland. [this is one part of many that he's dreading vash in particular hearing. his voice, already shaky, grows even quieter.] It was like -- all my time here'd never happened. I didn't remember a thing, while I was back.

Vash

[purevanillacookie]

[ It will occur a little bit after Vash made himself Worse by sucking the corruption out of a tree. And only slightly past Pure Vanilla's own attempts to draw the souls out of the corruption to see if it heals.

Alas, on a non-living subject there is nothing to heal, so he needs someone whose corrupted. And while he would rather simply corrupt himself to test it on, he can't do that. Not to himself; he won't give Suri that satisfaction and it would upset his loved ones. So he needs someone whose Corrupted. Which he hems and haws on because he doesn't know if it's going to hurt.

But eventually he tracks Vash down, his ears twisting to try and listen for him while wandering the Grove, his Staff's eyes swiveling. He's unsure if he's made up with Wolfwood yet and gone home, but he will try there too eventually... ]

[oleaeuropaea]

[It won't take long to find Vash. He currently has his faced pressed up against a.... surprisingly normal tree? Like, eye peering into a bird hole close. He's currently searching for any additional signs of corruption and... currently coming up empty.

He doesn't notice the two vines beginning to creep from under his shirt, not yet at least. Those are.. apparently attached somewhere. Which is weird that he hasn't noticed but he's also still getting used to the weight of his wings so... Oops!

He does straighten up when he hears some footsteps approaching. His head turns, then cocks.]

Hm? Pure Vanilla? What's up?

[purevanillacookie]

[ That certainly is a sight, Pure Vanilla stopping to observe Vash scrutinizing the tree. It makes him glance towards the tree as well, head tilting as he tries to figure out if something is off about it, but it seems like a normal tree?

And while Vash may not notice the vines, Pure Vanilla does, and his shoulders stiffen momentarily. The Corruption? But surely Vash wasn't that badly gone before? Hadn't the rain eased his symptoms??

The Staff blinks as Vash turns towards him and for a moment he seems to have forgotten the reason he was out here. ]

Ah, my dear, forgive me, but I was wondering if you could help me with something? Before you say yes, please hear me out, and know it is not something to say yes to lightly.

[ Yet... if Vash's corruption is worse, wouldn't this be the perfect time to try it? ]

[oleaeuropaea]

[Vash tilts his head in the slightest. There's something off here, something that goes beyond Pure vanilla. It isn't hard to draw the conclusion that something has shifted as a result of his efforts with the tree, but his mind doesn't yet settle on increased corruption. After all, it had come with a lot of pain the last time, hadn't it? Surely he would notice some of the changes.

In any case, Pure Vanilla knows Vash all too well. he's alraedy opening his mouth to say yes to the request when he's cut off. The request doesn't really change Vash's mind too much, no matter what it is, he can't imagine denying the man.]

Alright. What is it?

[He flashes a little smile. Whatever is bothering Pure Vanilla, he'll at least put the man's mind at ease as best as he can. Nothing to worry about here. Totally!]

Closed to Livio/Vash, just before Subnautica

[lupusxylem]

[It's so good to be home.

Since he and Vash finally talked, finally found common ground again, and have made massive steps towards better understanding of one another in their now-repaired relationship, suffice it to say that everyone has returned home full-time. And suffice it to say, there is no one happier about this arrangement than Angelina, but honestly Livio ensured she had time with everyone enough that it's likely she never really knew what happened to begin with.

For a good couple of days, Wolfwood just lets things be. He enjoys his time with the two, staunchly not letting himself think about his future beyond the Grove. What matters to him most right now is that he has them, here, and nothing can take that away. Not even the shitty Creature, who can't seem to kill them off permanently. Wolfwood wiles away the days waking up either sandwiched between his boyfriends, or laying on top of one and half under the other, or vice versa. Sometimes it's all three of them under Angelina's entire bulk. Whatever it ends up being, for the first time in over a month, his ass is not thinking.

Of course, his ass can't not think forever. In fact, it's going to start thinking a little too much pretty soon here, as he remembers the last conversation he had with Ain, where he left him...he's made things right with Vash and Livio, and now he has to make things right with him, too.

It's evening as he lights up a cigarette on their front porch, taking a few deep drags to get it started before exhaling the smoke over the balcony. Since the Brand is gone, it's safe for Angelina to run around their front yard, running up and down the river and getting herself nice and wet for coming indoors later, he's sure. Both Vash and Livio are with him in whatever configurations they find most comfortable, and if it weren't for the looming ordeal of existing in this world, it would seem normal.

You don't get this on No Man's, that's for sure.

Wolfwood seems thoughtful- more than usual- as he clicks his lighter closed and puts it back in his pocket.]

...so uh. I've been thinkin'.

[That's a first-]

[livlaughlove]

[liv is just about as pleased about their domestic bliss as angelina is. matter of fact, he's sitting on the porch steps, tossing sticks for her to chase and forget about in two seconds. maybe even plopping his big ol hat on her adorable lil head when she has the patience to actually sit down in front of him for a few seconds.

of course, nick gets his full attention when he speaks. livio leans back to look at wolfwood even as he's fluffing up the fur on angelina's cheeks.]

Yeah? What about?

[oleaeuropaea]

[Unlike the other two, Vash isn't currently on the porch. Instead, he's flopped out in the grass, staring up at Wolfwood and watching the tendrils of smoke curl upward into the sky. He is just about as cozy as can be, with his eyes half-lidded and dangerously close to drifting off.

Until Wolfwood speaks, that is. Vash can't help the faint pit of anxiety that rises in his gut. Considering everything that's happened over the past few weeks, there could be plenty for Wolfwood to want to talk about. They're not topics Vash has been avoiding, but he isn't exactly eager for them, either.

Nevertheless, Nick deserves his full attention, so Vash sits up and shakes his head a few times, trying to free the spikes of his hair from the dead grass and leaf litter that cling to it.]

Yeah, what's up?

[lupusxylem]

[Not to worry Vash, it's nothing so dire as what you're thinking. It's certainly causing Wolfwood a lot of mental turmoil, granted, but for once it isn't your doing but his own.

He takes a moment to take another drag from his cigarette, blowing the smoke above him with his head tilted back after holding it tight in his chest for a few moments.]

So, uh. Ya'll remember when I said, back when Vash told us about Pure Vanilla, that I prolly wouldn't be catchin' feelin's for anybody else in the same way?

[He ashes his cigarette into an ash tray nearby before folding his arms on the balcony and dropping his head into the crook of his elbow. He would have kept smoking it until it was nothing but the butt left, but he didn't want to catch his sleeves on fire.

He groans.]

...well that was a fuckin' lie.

For Livio

[oleaeuropaea]

[For some time after Vash is gifted the El Fragment, things seem to remain the same. Optimistic as he is, nothing immediately seems to change on his person. The corruption is still extremely evident within his body. Nevertheless, he doesn't lose up. And while there aren't any physical changes to show for it, some of his natural behaviors do begin to shift. He eats more than usual, and sleeps far longer. These are things he doesn't quite pick up on.

Until one late morning, after both of his partners seem to have risen for the day, Vash sits up. And as he does, he feels something... fall. It's only after he wipes the sleep from his eyes and scratches at his forehead that he realizes just what it is.

His antennae lay on the bed, now fully severed. There's no blood to indicate an injury, more that they simply shed. More surprising still, a single wing also sits beside them.]

Uhh - [He isn't sure if it's panic or elation rising up in his voice. Either way, he calls out:] Anyone home?!

[livlaughlove]

[the pitch of vash's voice has livio instantly to attention, even from across the house. given only a couple seconds, he's inside, looking the room and vash over for any sign of danger. the only thing out of place he sees is that... vash looks far more normal than he's been for a while. his normal, at least.

that isn't cause for immediate celebration, though. he can't imagine losing body parts is painless -- not even extra ones. as a matter of fact, he already knows it hurts. so he steps up to the bed and starts, then hesitates, as usual, to actually lay a hand on vash.]

Hey -- y'okay? Are ya bleedin'? Hurt?

[oleaeuropaea]

No, no, Nothing like that. I feel great, honestly.

[It's not a lie. There might be a residual level of stinging in his shoulders, but for the most part he feels good. Normal in a way he hasn't felt in months. Maybe he'd even begun to forget the feeling.]

How do I look? Is anything else missing?

[He's already squirming this way and that, trying to get a good look at himself.]

[livlaughlove]

[okay, well... that's a relief, then.

livio observes the rest of vash for a moment, his face easing up all the while.]

... Not missin', but -- yer arms. They're... proportionate.

For Wolfwood

[oleaeuropaea]

[After Vash and Livio both determine that he isn't losing parts willy nilly, and that it's solely the corruption being impacted, Vash promptly halls ass into the Grove proper. He isn't sure where Wolfwood has gotten off to, but he tries the most obvious place first — the church.

Which is why Wolfwood will be treated to Vash throwing open the doors, and then promptly swearing as another wing falls off behind him. It doesn't hurt, but he sure as hell knows what this sort of thing looks like.]

Nick - wait don't panic, I'm fine - Just come look!!!

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood is, indeed, at the church. Given how much it's been raining, he's been having to keep an eye on it to make sure it's not flooded in his absence. The roof is managing to hold for the most part, save for the occasional leak to patch here and there...and of course he's still got that lingering cold, all sniffly and miserable. It sure has been a month of all time, that's for damn sure. Even the pigeons have vacated, retreating to the dry warmth of the barn for the time being.

Still, since he's outdoors and out of the rain, he's got a cigarette lit and clutched between his teeth as he tilts his head back to look up at the ceiling with his hands on his hips, craning his neck to try and make sur-

Vash explodes through the front doors and Wolfwood damn near swallows that cigarette, sputtering and coughing briefly on the smoke as he whirls around.]

Wh- what do you mean don't panic-

[What did you do NOW--

He halts, taking a moment to look Vash over. His gaze darts over his frame, and immediately he notices the differences. The lack of antennae first and foremost, then the fact of there being a severed wing abandoned on the ground behind him.

His shoulders slump a little, his expression a mingled mix of confusion and disbelief.]

Wait, what's happenin' to you-?

[oleaeuropaea]

I think it's working!

[Vash is... not at all specific about this. He instead throws himself toward Wolfwood, arms around him. If they're lucky, they won't fall over from the force of the impact, but when have they ever had that much luck.

Notably, it's probably the largest outward display of unabashed affection that Vash has offered in some time. He's been doing his best to not shy away when they do share more intimate moments, but he's still been hesitant to show affection outright. Never mind the fact that he's also still been a touch distant since the incident with his memories.

(He hasn't talked about what he remembered yet, either. Don't think he has).

All that is to say, it's probably a surprise when, whether they're on the ground or still standing, Vash presses a massive kiss to Wolfwood's lips.]

closed to jade leech: at the inn, august

[livlaughlove]

[livio must have picked a Very bad time to exercise his baking skills, because he can't seem to get... pretty much any cabinet in the inn's kitchen open? he's got one single mixing bowl, somehow, but after that, everything seems to be stuck shut.

while he doesn't want to break anything, he uses a little bit of extra super-strength to pull a drawer open for a whisk. maybe the wheels and hinges just need oiling?

as soon as he sticks his hand in the drawer, though... well. suffice to say, the yelp that follows is so loud it carries throughout the common areas as well as the upstairs hallway.

anybody who ventures in to see what the ruckus is about will just find livio clutching his bruised hand and staring at the drawer as if betrayed, wibbly-lipped and everything.]

[myceelium]

[ And downstairs Jade comes! Seemingly drawn to the sound of shenanigans like a moth to a flame. Not expecting to go anywhere today, he happened to be up in his room when the ruckus began. Naturally that means potential entertainment awaits. Walking into the kitchen, he spots poor Livio holding his hand. ]

Oh my. Are you alright?

[livlaughlove]

[... ah. maybe he was a bit loud, huh? now that liv has an audience, he lets go of his hand, choosing to wave it around and act like it's fine, even though it's bright red from the impact.]

Oh, yeah, all good! Sorry if I -- uh, interrupted anythin'...

closed to wolfwood: vash's house, late august

[livlaughlove]

[wolfwood, vash, and livio spend a lot of their time together. which is great! but livio also thinks some private quality time with both of them would be really great. so after asking them both out separately (still as nervous as any schoolgirl with a crush), he and nick end up at home late one morning while vash is otherwise occupied.

while livio cooks, wolfwood is Forbidden!!! from entering the kitchen. it's a surprise, and all! in less than a half hour, though, as he carries everything outside onto the porch, he calls back to the bedroom.]

Meet me outside, hon!

[wolfwood will find that livio has pulled out a couple of chairs for them, and lit a few candles he bought from the shop. with all the rain, the covered porch is the closest he can get to a picnic...

as for food, there's a whole pot of fresh black coffee -- the way nick likes it -- as well as a couple plates of cheese arepas and eggs scrambled with tomato, onion, and green peppers. nothing too fancy, but savory and pairs well with the coffee! dessert is just the sheepish grin on livio's face and the red in his cheeks. you're welcome, woowoo.]

I took me a big nappy after work hi

[lupusxylem]

[It's funny. For as much as they're together, and obviously love spending time together, it's hard sometimes to find the time to do things as just "them". There's a lot going on, half the time. Between shit going sideways (it very often goes sideways) and trying to keep up with the aftermath of shit going sideways (see: Wolfwood still trying to dry out the Church as it flooded with water, endlessly), there seems to be little time to just...exist. To just be. Wolfwood feels bad about it, but it is what it is. They manage to carve out what little time where they can, but...

He isn't expecting Livio to be Doing something. It's suspicious enough that he's been forbidden from entering the kitchen, but far be it from him to ruin the surprise. He'll wait in the living room, playing with Angelina as he tosses a ball across the floor for her to chase after and bring back. Probably shouldn't be doing this inside but whatever it's fine, not like she isn't running around in here at top speed normally anyway.

He's being called after soon enough, and by then Angelina is well and tuckered out, happy to hop up on the couch for a nap in his absence. He ruffles her ears before slowly trudging outside...and you know what?

He is surprised. Genuinely. His brows raise past his hairline as he looks over the spread, heading out a bit further as the sound of the rain pitter-pattering atop the roof sort of dully echoes around the porch. His gaze shifts from Livio to the candles and back, and even he can't help but crack a smile.]

What the hell...so this is what you've been schemin', huh?

ur so valid

[livlaughlove]

[liv's hands raise up and wave a little as a nervous laugh jumps out of his throat.]

Aw, c'mon, "schemin'" makes it sound bad! I just wanted t'treat ya...