Bonded

"Would you quit trying to kill yourself?!" Wolfwood shouts.

They're fighting. It's the typical fights where Vash does something reckless, almost gets himself killed. This time, Vash walked away with barely a scratch, only because Wolfwood saved him at the last second. Frankly, Vash had the situation under control, and he knew Wolfwood would be there to save him. Always.

Flashback to an hour ago, Vash was minding his own business, browsing a food stall that had freshly baked donuts when he heard yelling across the town square. Seconds later, shots were fired. Vash mournfully looked away from the treats to run in the direction of the commotion. Pulling up to the scene of the crime, hiding behind a crate, he met Wolfwood, as expected. The other also dropped whatever he was doing to see what the fuss was about. "Fancy seeing you here," Wolfwood said.

It was your typical run-of-the-mill robbery. The target: alcohol from a poor saloon. The shots fired were only a warning, telling everyone to stay back. The thugs had a hostage—a scrawny man close to wetting himself—to prevent anyone from stopping them as they loaded their truck with barrels of booze.

Vash ignored Wolfwood's hushed voice to get the fuck back here when he left their hiding spot, hands up. "That's an awful lot of alcohol for you four. Do you mind sharing?"

The men pointed their guns at him. Vash heard Wolfwood unwrap the Punisher.

One of the men's eyes sparkled in recognition. "Well, I'll be." He threw the scrawny man to the group and gave him his full attention. "Vash the Stampede."

That's one less problem, Vash thought, seeing the hostage scurry away and hide. Vash wiggled his fingers in hello. "You don't think you can leave some booze behind? Some people have to make a living."

The man sneered. "No can do, there's a score to settle. But maybe you can help with that with your head."

Vash didn't expect a yes, but he also didn't expect the machine gun in the guy's hand to start firing at him without warning, giving him a second to dash away. They weren't the chatty type.

It became a game of hide and seek, with Vash running through alleyways while Wolfwood complained behind him, getting chased by the men on their truck across town. Vash tried to direct as much attention as possible to himself and move to a less populated area. However, the men soon got fed up with the little game before he could do that and took matters into their own hands by seizing an innocent bystander, forcing him to confront them in a standoff. He wasn't willing to chance it if they were bluffing or not.

Vash was back with his hands up again as he stared at the men. One of their guns was pointed at the hostage's head.

"Come forward, and no one has to get hurt."

Vash slowly walked up, calculating what to do next. He had no intentions of getting caught or anyone getting hurt.

"Drop the gun."

His gun was in his left hand. He can easily shoot the machine gun's barrel to disable it and use the distraction to take out the others' guns. There were enough bullets in his cylinder if he counted correctly.

In one motion, Vash aimed and fired. That's when his prosthetic decided to malfunction. He's been having issues with it lately and was supposed to get it fixed after stocking up on supplies in this town. The momentum of swinging his arm and firing with his finger was off by a fraction of a second. He narrowly missed hitting the machine gun's mechanism, and thankfully, the hostage. There was a split second when Vash froze, his brain trying to catch up on what he was seeing versus what he expected from his flawless aim. He snapped out of it when Wolfwood yelled and shoved him aside so that the Punisher would get pelted by bullets instead of him. After reorienting himself and clutching his gun in his right hand, Vash was able to hit his target seconds later and take out the men with Wolfwood's help. Wolfwood was able to incapacitate the machine gun with one of his handguns.

In the end, no one got hurt.

Wolfwood is furious at him once the men are subdued. His tone was clipped while they helped the owner of the saloon get his alcohol back. On the way back to their inn, Wolfwood is barking about him being reckless again and imagining scenarios about getting killed.

Vash brushed the other off. He doesn't understand why Wolfwood wanted to fight about what-ifs; maybe it's the adrenaline, maybe it's the need for a shower. Vash is on the defensive, of course. When the two mix, a fight is bound to happen.

When they're in their room, their hushed argument turns into shouting.

"I had it under control!" Vash snaps.

"Under control, my ass," Wolfwood grits through his cigarette. He drops the Punisher against the wall with more force than necessary. "You can't keep trying to do the impossible."

Vash throws his hands up. "I'm fine!"

"You can't rely on dumb luck or me to save your ass each time!"

Vash really appreciates Wolfwood's help whenever he's in a pinch, but he can't help but glare at the other. "I never asked for a babysitter!"

"You think I want to be a babysitter?" Wolfwood hisses.

"You sure nag like one."

Wolfwood scoffs. "Well, lucky for you, I'll be out of your hair for a while."

Before all this, they talked about going their separate ways for a bit while they ran errands. Vash wanted to stop by the ship to see Luida and fix his prosthetic, while Wolfwood wanted to meet with an old friend and see a renowned mechanic who could help run maintenance on the Punisher and maybe get some upgrades. They'd meet up at one of the towns that they had agreed upon. It'd be a week and a half of being separated, at most.

Wolfwood picks up the Punisher. "Might as well get a head start." He opens the door. "Don't get yourself killed," Wolfwood says over his shoulder.

Vash rolls his eyes. "Yeah, whatever," he says when the door shuts.

With Wolfwood gone, Vash sighs. He has a headache after that argument.

He has a quiet rest of the day, examining his prosthetic before freshening himself up a bit in the bathroom and grabbing a bite to eat from the nearest bar. His red coat is taken off in exchange for wearing something casual. He's not in the mood to be recognized. With his hunger taken care of, Vash heads back to the inn and reads one of the books he has on hand until it's time to retire for the day. With the entire bed for himself, he happily spreads his limbs and falls asleep.

The next morning, Vash wakes up feverish. He brushes it off and gets ready for his trip, hitching a ride on a bus to the next town. Spending a night in this other town, Vash wakes up feeling even worse, like he's coming down with something. He's antsy and can't sit still. Worst of all, heat pools in his abdomen. Stupid, Vash thinks. He does not already miss Wolfwood, or his stupid body, or his stupid mouth that nags and teases him constantly.

Vash groans. Now he's thinking about Wolfwood's mouth on him.

They've fucked a couple of times, and each time, they don't talk about it. After not saying anything the first time, and Vash chickening out on spilling his feelings, he's grown content with this.

He's lying about being content with it, but beggars can't be choosers, and the heart wants what it wants. And what the heart wants right now is to soothe his little problem.

Vash throws the bedsheets off with a huff and spreads his legs as he sneaks a hand under his pants. He rubs at his clit to work himself up and before burying two fingers into his cunt to stroke his walls. There's no finesse. He just wants to relieve himself as soon as possible and go about the rest of the day.

It works for a bit. His cunt pulses when he gets close to climaxing. Vash whines when it doesn't happen and picks up the pace, almost reaching overstimulation as he switches between grinding his clit and fucking himself on his fingers. He tries to imagine it's Wolfwood's fingers buried inside him to help tip him over the edge.

It doesn't work. Why isn't it working?

Vash wishes he had put on his prosthetic. His right hand is starting to cramp from jerking himself off. Vash soon gives up with a groan when minutes go by with no success, and flops on the bed, defeated. He lies there in his misery, worsening when he feels the cooling wet spot on the sheets between his legs. Cursing at himself, Vash takes a quick shower to wash away the shame and sets off to the next town. The burning want that calls for Wolfwood comes with him as well.

Vash attempts to get off again, but this time, in the shower. Maybe somewhere more private, under the safety of the spray, can help whatever is blocking him from coming. This time, he has his prosthetic on to help. With one hand in his cunt and the other on his clit, Vash huffs and puffs to get himself to come under the shower. It doesn't work again. He leaves his cunt red and aching.

Vash turns off the water after cleaning himself and moves on. He swears it wasn't this hard to get himself off before, before Wolfwood. Instead of cursing at himself, Vash curses Wolfwood.

His third attempt has him trying a toy that's buried deep inside his travel bag. He hasn't used it in a long while, didn't need to use it. After charging the vibrator, Vash settles on the bed and starts what he has set up to do, and hopes it works. With the toy turned on to the medium setting, he presses it against his cunt, smearing slick all over it. He slowly pushes the vibrator between his folds while using his other hand to rub his clit. The vibrations easily make him pant and throb for release. Vash puts on the highest setting and works the toy inside him, begging to come. This also doesn't work. The highest setting leaves Vash hissing when the toy overstimulates his insides. He takes it out and lies on the bed, unsatisfied.

Tears prickle at the corner of Vash's eyes. He feels silly for being frustrated, but he's more frustrated about whatever is burning inside of him that's giving him a mental block. As the days go by, he's going a tiny bit more insane when nothing is working.

Vash is miserable when he arrives at the SEEDS ship. He masks his mood as he greets everyone on the ship. Luida sees through his expression and asks him if he's feeling sick.

Maybe he is sick. Sick of what, he doesn't know, but he wants it gone.

Before leaving, Vash greets the Plants on the ship. One of his sisters beckons him over, sensing his mood. Vash presses his hands and forehead against the glass.

There's something troubling you, brother.

Vash reddens from his sister noticing his predicament. It's nothing to worry about, sister.

She ignores his attempts to placate her. You should rest. I sense you are unwell.

Unwell?

She continues, Something is festering inside you.

Do you know what it is? he asks.

She hums. I sense a longing inside you. Please, take care of yourself during the next couple of days.

Vash leaves the ship feeling worse for wear and makes the trek back to the meeting point he and Wolfwood agreed upon. He flops onto the bed after checking into an inn, face-first into a pillow. The running around in circles on what's itching beneath his skin and why he can't seem to scratch it leaves him exhausted. While moping into the pillow, he hears noises coming from the open window, conversations too far to discern what the townspeople are saying. He does hear the word bar, though.

An idea pops into his head. Maybe he can bring someone to his room to help with his problem. Sure, he hasn't done it for a while, but he still has the charm to get someone interested.

Vash dresses into something casual, going for a loose long-sleeved shirt and his usual tight pants, and leaves his hair down and messy. He doesn't want to be identified, nor does he have any pride left to hold up the Vash the Stampede persona.

When night falls, Vash finds a bar across the street and waltzes in. It's loud with music and dozens of conversations. He takes a seat at the bar, chatting loudly with the barkeeper as he orders a drink, something sweet. Once he has his drink in hand, Vash leers at the crowd to find someone who is on the same wavelength as him. Someone who is looking for a quick fuck.

He finds someone when they walk up to the bar a few feet away from him and orders a drink. Vash eyes the man: he's got brown hair and light eyes, toned as he wears tight black pants and shirt, and maybe an inch or two shorter than him.

The guy looks nothing like Wolfwood.

He will do.

The man notices Vash gazing at him and smiles. Vash shoots a smile back. He's rewarded with the guy taking a seat beside him.

"It's rare to see a pretty thing like you here," the man tells him.

Vash laughs. It's fake, but no one here knows that.

They make small talk about their lives. Vash claims to be a nomad who wants to visit all kinds of places and meet all kinds of people, which isn't entirely untrue. The man tells him he's travelling to one of the big cities to start a new life after leaving his old life behind. Vash doesn't question what his old life was, only complimenting him in searching for a better life.

At some point in the conversation, the guy rests a hand on his thigh and squeezes it every now and then. It's unsettling with the way his skin prickles underneath the touch, but Vash ignores it and manages to relax.

When it's time to head back to his room, Vash dramatically sighs and says he has to leave.

"Would you like some company, darling?"

Wolfwood calls him darling sometimes. Vash smiles sweetly. "Sure."

The man rests a hand on his lower back as they make their way to his room. His skin still crawls at the touch. When the door closes behind them, the man crowds Vash against the wall and holds his waist. Vash wraps his arms around the other's neck.

This close, Vash's first thought is how different he looks compared to Wolfwood.

Vash cringes. It's okay. He can close his eyes and play pretend.

"Gorgeous eyes," the man remarks.

Vash hopes the smile he gives is convincing. Seems like it is when he's kissed right after. The kiss is rough, his mouth quickly invaded by the other's tongue. Hands squeeze his waist as he pants into the man's mouth. He's a good kisser, but it does nothing for Vash. It does the opposite. The kiss makes his stomach roll. Vash whimpers, hoping it doesn't give himself away. His heart jumps when the man pulls away, only to press kisses to his neck. Vash bares his neck to give him room.

The kisses don't feel like Wolfwood's.

Vash shoves down the panic bubbling underneath his skin and holds back the instinct that's telling him to run. He's done this before. Maybe he's just a little nervous since it's been so long since he had sex with anyone that wasn't Wolfwood. The more kisses he receives, the more nauseous he gets. They also burn, causing Vash to hold back from flinching.

The man slides a hand between his legs and rubs his cunt through his pants. Vash's breath stutters.

"This okay?" the man whispers against his neck.

Vash arches into the touch and hums in hopes it encourages the other to continue. The stimulation gets him wet enough to roll his hips into the foreign touch. If only he could turn his brain off and relax, maybe this could be enjoyable.

Vash freezes when teeth scratch his skin.

He isn't Wolfwood.

Vash can't hide the panic anymore, nor the queasiness that's making his throat stiffen. His breaths come out in a rush, and his limbs are numb, mentally checking out of this escapade. He wants to throw up.

The man pulls away from his neck and groin with a frustrated sigh. Vash's arms fall and hang by his side.

"Is something wrong?" the man asks, eyes narrowing.

Vash chokes on his words, swallowing back the nausea, "No, I—"

"You're obviously not into it."

Vash shuts up. Waves of shame and disgust roll out of him from being caught by a stranger. Perhaps he can't play pretend like before.

The man heads for the door. "This isn't going to work out."

The mood is killed, there's no salvaging this.

"Sorry," Vash blurts.

"Whatever. Don't waste people's time."

After the man leaves, Vash rushes to the bathroom. He heaves over the towel bowl and jerks when he coughs up bile. The sickness doesn't disappear when he finishes. It won't disappear.

Vash wraps his arms around himself and sits on the cold floor. Something white catches his eye. He lifts his arm to look at the feathers standing up from his skin, sharp from his distress. The sight triggers a recent memory.

Not too long ago, the same feathers broke through his skin while Wolfwood was buried deep inside—one of their many quick fucks that turned into not-so-quick fucks. Vash didn't notice until Wolfwood had stopped to look at them, which frustrated and embarrassed Vash who was close to the edge. "Pretty little things," Wolfwood said with a fond voice, before going back to fucking him.

Vash was lost in that moment, from Wolfwood's words and his hips snapping against his own, staring up at the man he loved so much. Wolfwood stared back as if he were saying the same thing.

Back to the present, on the cold bathroom floor, Vash buries his face in his hands when he realizes he's doomed himself.

He needs to find Wolfwood.

It's been days since he saw Vash.

Not that Wolfwood is counting. Except it's hard not to notice the lack of a spikey-haired idiot yapping into his ear or the lack of a warm body next to his when he wakes up in the morning, making him grumpy when he wakes up alone.

Vash is also late. Wolfwood arrived two days ago at the town where they agreed to meet up. He isn't too concerned by it, but he can't help feeling a little bit worried. There's never enough worrying when it comes to Vash's absence.

Well, whatever. He'll kill some time by strolling around town to see if he can help anyone and maybe make some quick cash.

Wolfwood wanders around the busy plaza, eyeing the crowd in hopes of seeing a familiar red coat and blond hair. Huffing when he doesn't spot Vash, Wolfwood grabs a quick bite to eat at one of the food stands and goes back to strolling around without direction. He leaves the crowded area and heads towards the outer districts. While passing through an alleyway, Wolfwood hears gunshots and a cackle. Time for business.

Wolfwood peeks around the corner to see what the commotion is all about. He finds a group of men drawing their guns towards a bunch of crates, likely pointing at whoever is hiding behind them. Some bystanders look on with fear or run away from the scene.

Bunch of bullies, Wolfwood thinks.

He hides back in the alleyway and mentally prepares himself to make an entrance. While readying the Punisher, he hears one of the men taunting.

"C'mon, Vash the Stampede! Come out nice and slowly."

Great.

Wolfwood leaves his hiding spot and fires bullets at the men's feet. The group yelps in surprise, turning their attention and drawing weapons towards him to return fire. Wolfwood easily blocks the bullets.

"Who the fuck are you?" one of the men shouts.

"Someone who's looking to cash in on the same bounty." Wolfwood takes out one of his handguns hidden underneath his jacket and shoots from behind the Punisher, making quick work of hitting the men's arms and legs. They curse at him and scramble away, clearly no match for him. Wolfwood walks over to where Vash is hidden behind the crates.

Sure enough, Wolfwood finds a dishevelled Vash on the ground, staring up at him in disbelief with his mouth hanging open.

Wolfwood eyes the blood leaking out of Vash's leg. "Shit, they got you." He moves the crates out of the way and kneels to get a better look, gently touching Vash's leg. "Can't leave you alone for a second without getting yourself hurt," Wolfwood grumbles without heat.

The touch brings Vash out of his daze. He scrambles onto his knees and throws his arms around Wolfwood's neck. The throbbing in his leg is an afterthought as he buries his face into Wolfwood's neck and nuzzles him.

Wolfwood yelps, "What the hell are you doing, you idiot? Your leg!" He attempts to push Vash away, but the other tightens his grip around his neck and continues rubbing his face into his pulse point. "Oi! Are you trying to strangle me?" Wolfwood tries to move Vash again, but stops when the other whines. He gives up with an exasperated sigh. Now that Wolfwood is no longer shoving him, Vash melts against him.

Wolfwood pats Vash on the back. "Hello to you, too." He expects Vash to move away after finishing rubbing his face all over him, but the man stays where he is, quiet as he hides in his neck. Vash's silence bothers Wolfwood. "Spikey?"

Vash hums, but doesn't say anything.

Wolfwood wraps his arms around Vash to soothe whatever is going on in his head. “What's gotten into you? You couldn't have missed me that much.” He pats Vash on the back before he lifts him into his arms, mindful of the wound on his leg. “Let's get you fixed up.” He's talking to himself at this point.

Vash continues to nuzzle while Wolfwood hauls him and the Punisher to the inn he's staying at. After dropping his gun by the door, Wolfwood attempts to set Vash down on the bed, but the other fights him again, constricting his neck with his arms.

“Will you let me check your leg? I'm not going anywhere,” Wolfwood chides.

It gets Vash to loosen up. Wolfwood leans back to see Vash staring back at him. He has deep eye bags on his face, and his serious expression causes Wolfwood to sober up and get to work on fixing Vash's leg. Wolfwood kneels and lifts Vash's leg, turning it to get a good look. The bullet is wedged into Vash's skin. He looks up at Vash. "Take off your gear."

Wolfwood leaves Vash's side to grab a towel and rummage through his bag to search for the medicine kit while Vash removes his belts and pants. He finds the kit and returns to Vash, inspecting the wound now that his legs are bare. Wolfwood wipes the blood away with the towel before sterilizing a pair of tweezers. Vash winces when Wolfwood digs into his skin to pull out the bullet. Tossing the bullet into the garbage, Wolfwood pulls out a needle and thread to stitch up the wound.

"I tried sleeping with someone."

Wolfwood's hand stills at Vash's blunt honesty.

"I couldn't do it," Vash rasps. "And the guy left me."

Wolfwood doesn't want to have this conversation while poking Vash with a needle. Actually, he doesn't want to have this conversation at all. "So, what? You'll have no problem finding someone else." It's not the first time Vash has slept with someone. It doesn't stop him from feeling bitter about it, though. Just because they had sex a couple of times doesn't mean Vash can't fuck off with someone else.

"I can't."

"Course you can," Wolfwood scoffs. He can't stop the irritation from seeping into his words, and he doesn't understand why Vash is upset about someone bailing. "Gotta find someone who meets your standards."

"You don't understand."

Wolfwood clenches his jaw as he pokes Vash one last time to sew the wound shut. "Humour me," he hisses.

"You," Vash spits.

"Me?" Wolfwood sputters, glaring at the bullet wound as he closes it shut. "You're blaming me?"

"I couldn't pretend it was you," Vash laughs in a dull tone.

Wolfwood shuts his mouth and stares at the closed wound.

Vash continues droning above him, "Everything felt wrong. I couldn't stomach it, quite literally. I—"

"Hey, hold on." The pretend it was you rings in his head. "You couldn't have sex ‘cause of me?"

Vash pauses. Wolfwood chances a glance at Vash and sees his eyes are red, staring into the distance.

"There's more to it than that. I…" Vash holds back his words with a swallow. Then, he hugs himself. "Sorry, you can forget this happened."

Wolfwood chucks the needle away into the kit—he'll clean it later—and wipes his hands using the towel he left aside. He then sits next to Vash, who is curling further into himself, head hanging low. "Vash, what is it?"

Vash's harsh breaths fill the silence. "It's you, it can only be you. Because—" Vash trails off. "Because of the way I am." He gestures with a wave of his hand.

Plant, Wolfwood guesses.

"I'm sorry,” Vash says with a miserable smile. "You probably weren't expecting this."

Vash is digging his grave before Wolfwood can answer. Wolfwood sighs. He didn't expect Vash to lay his heart out, given how evasive he is when it comes to these things, when getting him to say his buried feelings is like pulling teeth. Wolfwood can't complain when he's the same way. Scratching the back of his head, he thinks about how he can hash it out for Vash to understand that his feelings aren't unrequited. He reddens at the thought. For a pair who can fight together without a word, they sure don't know when the other has feelings of affection beyond companionship. Denial makes one blind.

Wolfwood finds Vash sporting tiny feathers on his cheek, like freckles. He reaches over to touch them.

"Anyway, you don't have to do anything about it, and I know you're going to worry, so please—" Vash's babbling is cut off when he flinches back, the back of Wolfwood's finger making contact with his cheek. He turns sharply to stare at Wolfwood with wide eyes and reaches to touch his cheek where Wolfwood touched, feeling the feathers.

"That doesn't sound so bad," Wolfwood tells him.

Vash's brows furrow. "What?"

"You just need me, right?"

Vash flushes. "But that's—"

"That's fine."

Vash shakes his head with a pained expression. "No, you don't have to do anything for my sake."

Wolfwood huffs at Vash's denseness. He reaches over to cup Vash's jaw, watching the other's eyes grow wide.

"Wolfwood—"

Wolfwood looks into his eyes. "If you want something, say it properly."

Vash almost takes the bait, mouth hanging open as he stares. "But—"

"It's rude to confess to someone half-assed."

"You," Vash answers. His eyes water. "And I'm not half-assing. This is embarrassing, and you're being mean."

"Yeah," Wolfwood responds. He cups Vash's cheeks with both hands. "I'm being mean."

Wolfwood grins when Vash lets out an ugh. The tears threatening to spill over finally drip down Vash's cheeks, which Wolfwood wipes away with his thumbs. Wolfwood wants to kiss him. He's avoided kissing Vash plenty of times before to not give himself away.

Vash closes his eyes. "Can you kiss me?"

"Greedy," Wolfwood scolds.

Vash makes a face, lips parting to complain, but he doesn't get a chance to say anything when Wolfwood does what he's told, pecking him on the lips. Kissing before has never felt this intimate.

Vash chases after him when Wolfwood pulls away. He leans closer to wrap his arms around Wolfwood's middle and buries his face into his shoulder. Wolfwood wraps his arms around Vash and rubs his back. Vash soaks up the contact by melting against him.

"This week was awful," Vash mumbles.

"Couldn't have missed me that much."

"You don't even know."

Wolfwood sees Vash's tired expression when he leans back. "Get some rest, you look like you're gonna fall over."

Vash whines before they reluctantly separate. Wolfwood wraps Vash's leg in a bandage and puts away the med kit. Vash changes into loose clothing and flops on the bed while Wolfwood drags the other's blood-stained pants and red coat to the laundry room down the hall. After leaving the clothes in the washer, Wolfwood comes back into the room to find Vash dozing away on the bed. He sits on the bed and runs his fingers through Vash's hair. Vash stirs from the touch and clings to him, wrapping his arms around Wolfwood's waist and pressing his face into his leg.

"Can you stay?" Vash mumbles.

"Only for a little bit, and then I gotta get your clothes."

Vash wraps his limbs around Wolfwood when he lies down, easily dozing again as soon as he settles down. After Wolfwood easily removes his prosthetic, he falls asleep.

Vash wakes up to something—someone, trying to shuffle away from him. He whines and grips the fabric that's trying to escape from his grasp. A hand rubs his back to soothe him. He's quiet for a couple of seconds before he whines again when the warm body next to him moves away.

Wolfwood laughs above him. "I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

Vash curls up in the space where Wolfwood's body heat lingers on the sheets. A minute later, Wolfwood is back next to him, and Vash is back clinging to him. Wolfwood scratches his nape, making him purr. Vash dozes off again.

When Vash wakes up sometime later, he's still clinging to Wolfwood, feeling refreshed after days of restless sleep. And warm. He nuzzles into the exposed skin of Wolfwood's neck, purring when a hand pets his hair.

"Sleepy head," Wolfwood chides next to him.

Vash hums as he lifts his head to look at the other. Wolfwood smiles at him for a second before his brows furrow as he stares at something on his face. "You still got the Plant stuff on your face," he says while pointing at his own cheek.

Vash touches his cheek before he finds what Wolfwood is talking about on his exposed arm. Plant lines and tiny feathers decorate his skin. "Sorry, don't know why that's happening." Now that he's up, his head feels fuzzy.

"Well, as long as it's not from you stressing." Wolfwood pecks him on the forehead. "Nothing to worry about."

Vash doesn't hear what Wolfwood says after the other's lips touch his skin. He takes a deep breath when a wave of heat hits him. The ache he felt during his time away from Wolfwood returns, wanting more.

"Spikey?"

Vash grips the front of Wolfwood's shirt while he trembles. "I'm fine," he rasps. He buries his face in Wolfwood's neck again to force the yearning to dissipate, hoping the proximity is enough to make it go away, not wanting to ruin the sweet moment.

"Could've fooled me," Wolfwood muses. "What's gotta into yeah?"

Vash fidgets while trying to calm his racing heart. He's hot all over, but the brunt of the heat is concentrated in between his legs. Being so close to Wolfwood, the other can feel his every movement.

"I see now."

Hands touch Vash's waist, easily making him pant from being sensitive. Wolfwood separates their bodies to get a good read on him. Vash feels a bit pitiful under Wolfwood's scrutiny, with his skin flushed red and body shaking.

"Do you need help?" Wolfwood asks.

Vash cringes from Wolfwood knowing what's wrong with him. The question gets him wet at the thought, though.

"It's fine," Vash grits out. "It should go away eventually."

"And watch you torture yourself?"

"It wouldn't be the first."

Wolfwood gives him an unimpressed look.

Vash deflates. "Okay, fine."

Wolfwood beams. "C'here." He pulls Vash by the hips to move him onto his lap. When Vash sports a pensive look, Wolfwood presses a thigh between his legs and leans up to whisper into his ear. "Take what you want."

The encouragement makes Vash's hips move, his grip on control loosening as he settles his weight on Wolfwood's thigh. Wolfwood rubs his flanks with a pleased hum, nipping his ear and tugging on his earring. Vash trembles while rubbing his clothed cunt on Wolfwood. He leaks through his clothes, wetting Wolfwood's pants.

Wolfwood cups Vash's jaw. "Need help, angel?"

Vash bites his lip. "Yeah."

Wolfwood's hands slide down to the hem of his pants, tugging them down. Vash lifts his hips and kicks them off. Wolfwood lifts his shirt to look between his legs, humming at the sight. "Look at you."

Vash's skin heats up at the gaze, burying his face into Wolfwood's shoulder. He sits back on Wolfwood and rubs his cunt against the other's thigh, the bittersweet friction of the fabric against his entrance driving him to move faster. Wolfwood's hands slink under his shirt, squeezing his thighs, mindful of the bandages for his wound that's likely closed by now, before palming his chest, making Vash gasp. His rough hands roaming his skin leave Vash shuddering, body growing hotter, and cunt pulsing as he chases for release. The press of Wolfwood's hard length poking against his leg makes him whine for more. "Wolfwood," Vash pants, gripping the other's shoulder.

Wolfwood makes a noise, telling him that he hears him, but makes no effort to help. Vash hisses when he starts chafing, reaching over to yank Wolfwood's hair in frustration. He's been edged all week. If Wolfwood doesn't do something, he might go insane.

Wolfwood chuckles before pressing a kiss to Vash's sweaty hairline. "Okay, I'll give you what you want."

He stops his movements to let Wolfwood tug his pants down, gaze narrowing when his cock springs free.

Wolfwood strokes Vash's nape. "Go ahead, sweetheart."

Vash hurries to position himself with the help of Wolfwood guiding him by the waist, and sinks on his cock. Wolfwood stops him when his head breaches his entrance, making Vash fuss.

"Go slow," Wolfwood instructs.

Vash grumbles but does what he's told, holding onto Wolfwood's shoulder with his one arm as he goes down inch by inch.

"Just a little more."

When Vash bottoms out, he holds his breath, clenching around Wolfwood at the way his length stretches his walls. He looks up when Wolfwood makes a strained noise, sporting a pinched expression. Wolfwood cups his face, thumbing the tiny feathers. "Relax."

Letting out a breath, Vash leans into his palm, loosening his grip on Wolfwood's cock and slumping on his lap. It earns him a pleased hum and scratch behind his ear.

"You can move," Wolfwood murmurs.

Vash begins to rock his hips, relishing the way Wolfwood fills him up. He squeezes around Wolfwood's length before lifting his hips. When the tip of Wolfwood's length is left inside, Vash slides back down, moaning at being full. He does it again, and again, fucking himself on Wolfwood's cock. Vash meets Wolfwood's gaze. The other looks content at watching the show.

"Wolfwood," Vash pleads.

Wolfwood has a bruising grip on his waist, but he doesn't help at all, letting Vash do all the work. He smiles at him. "So desperate," he teases.

Vash circles his hip faster to get Wolfwood to do something. His legs are burning, his desperation is making him sloppy, and Wolfwood is just watching him. He knows Wolfwood is enjoying seeing him like this. "Wolfwood," he groans. While he's close to full-on begging or crying, he can't help the way Wolfwood watching him makes him wet.

Wolfwood leans up to place a kiss on his lips. One of his hands trickles down from his thighs to between his legs, making Vash jolt when his fingers find his clit. "What do you want?"

Vash digs his fingers into Wolfwood's back. "Please, please, fuck me," he babbles on the verge of tears.

Wolfwood says, "You got it, angel," and he flips them over, pulling out to kick off his pants before shoving his cock back inside. Vash gasps, only getting a second to adjust to the new position until Wolfwood starts fucking him in earnest. He stares at Wolfwood, mouth hanging open to breathe as he's given what he wants. Wolfwood looks at him fondly, like he's something precious, a contrast to his movements, before leaning down to nose his temple where feathers are poking out. A sharp thrust has Vash writhing. The heat pooling in his groin is threatening to burst.

Wolfwood moves down to suck a bruise on his neck. "Come on, sweetheart, you can do it."

Vash thrashes, aching for release. "I—I can't."

"Yes, you can." Wolfwood sneak a hand between their bodies and gives his clit a few tugs just as he grinds his cock.

Vash cries out before seeing white. A rush of heat and slick spills out of his cunt, wetting their thighs. More feathers cover his skin when he comes. Wolfwood peppers him with praises through the waves, thrusting a few times before coming inside. Vash moans through the haze at the newfound heat spreading inside. Wolfwood pets his sides while Vash melts into the bed, satisfied that he got the release he wanted for so long, and purrs at the contact.

When Wolfwood moves to pull out, Vash wraps his limbs around him to hold him still, not wanting to feel empty just yet. "Stay," Vash utters.

Wolfwood huffs. "I'll move us into something more comfortable." He carefully switches their positions, letting Vash lie on top of him. Some wetness slips out of Vash and falls between their bodies, but neither of them moves to clean it up. Vash buries his face, purring while he rubs his face on Wolfwood's exposed skin.

"Your feathers are tickling me," Wolfwood fake-complains, rubbing his back.

Vash continues rubbing his face like a cat.

Wolfwood laughs at him. "Someone's feeling better."

With a soft hum, Vash couldn't agree more.

A couple of minutes pass before Wolfwood ruins the silence. "So, you couldn't come without me?"

Vash pinches his chest. "You're an ass."

The movement from Wolfwood's snickering makes his length jostle inside Vash. It causes Vash's hips to jump, the friction awakening the heat inside him again. They both groan.

Wolfwood stills him with his hands on his hips. "You okay?"

"Yeah." Vash plops back down into Wolfwood's neck. "I wanna stay like this for a little while."

Wolfwood gets comfortable on the bed, mindful of his movements, and leans his head on Vash's head. "I got all day."

Enjoying the skin contact, they both doze off until Vash wakes up needing Wolfwood's help again.