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Destiny twisted that day, against all odds, Wolfwood's chest rose with a breath that wouldn't be his last. A heart beat that kept his soul intact. A hand clenching his shirt so hard it could've torn at the seams.
He should've died that day, Vash was sure of it. He wasn’t sure why or how, but he knew this wasn't how it was meant to go. Wolfwood wasn't supposed to open his eyes that night, and Vash didn't believe that he had.
Even as Wolfwood gripped his hand tighter, even as he looked up at Vash with eyes that promised life, even as he let out that snarky little one liner. Vash knew his heart wasn't meant to be beating. Yet it was.
Miss Melanie had to practically pry Vash away from Wolfwood to move him. Vash's weight is nearly impossible for her to move, rooted strictly next to Wolfwood the way a loyal dog waits for a waking sigh from its owner in the morning. The gloved hand rooted over Wolfwood's chest, the steady beat felt fake under his palms. It was a trick of his love-smitten desperate mind.
“Please, please Melanie. Please tell me I'm crazy. Tell me, I can't handle losing him twice to my own mind.” Vash sobbed as he hunched over and pressed his head to Wolfwood's stomach. The leather of his coat poked and folded uncomfortably where his hips had bent, meeting his chest with his knees, but he couldn't seem to care.
Melanie stepped forward slightly, he didn’t actually want to be consoled, he just wanted Wolfwood to hold him, to wrap his arms around him and promise that everything was going to be okay.
It was at that moment that Vash felt it. The slightest, almost pleading squeeze of a hand against his wrist.
Vash broke down into tears.
If it wasn't for the relief on Melanie's face, he would've called the contact an illusion too. But he saw her. He knew he wasn't crazy, because she knew Wolfwood was alive too.
He didn't know how or why he was alive, didn't understand what made him feel he should be dead. All he knew was that he had Nicholas, and his body was alive, and Vash could feel the evidence of a working soul under his lingering fingers.
After a bit he finally stepped aside to let the clinic workers make their way to his love below him, trusting fully in the men and women who swore he'd be back in one piece. Watching as Wolfwood was lifted onto a stretcher equivalent and quickly transported somewhere more sterilized along with Livio. It made Vash panic, not feeling the soft thud against his hand now that Wolfwood wasn't under it. But he knew he couldn’t intervene for his own selfish desires. He'd have even more blood on his hands than he already did if he did that.
For now he had to trust that destiny wouldn't twist in a cruel and unforgiving manner. The way she always seemed to be around Vash and the wind that followed him. He just had to pray she'd show him mercy, even if just this once.
Vash didn't remember when Wolfwood got out of the clinic. Didn't know how quickly they moved him to a guest room. He didn’t even recall when or why he got into the bed with him. He didn’t register much of anything in fact, not until he felt a stirring underneath his hand that currently resided on the man's chest. The stirring quickly knocked him out of the trance he had trapped himself in.
Wolfwood woke up slowly, clearly exhausted from the procedures and fight, much like any normal person would be in a situation like this. He looked older now, hair more gray than the man behind the saloon bar in this town that was nearly seventy. The sight made Vash cringe a little inside.
Vash didn't- or rather- couldn't move until Wolfwood slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes drowsily before grabbing Vash's wrist gently and moving it away from his chest, clearly more than a little confused at the seemingly random connection.
“I didn't realize you liked them that much.”He mumbled looking down at his own chest. Wolfwood wore a teasing smirk and a quirked eyebrow, even in his now old appearance, his dramatic expression hadn't changed. Vash would've scoffed at the comment, maybe even a quick laugh under different circumstances. That's why Wolfwood paused when he saw nothing but sorrow in Vash's returning gaze. A look that said so much but revealed nothing about what was running through that spikey head. Eyes that were filled with grief. Wolfwood knit his eyebrows together upon registering the expression.
“Hey, Needles, what's wrong?” His voice dripped down to a soft murmur, his hands finding Vash's own. The cold metallic of his prosthetic didn't deflect Wolfwood from tightening his grip.
Vash immediately looked like he hadn't wanted to have this conversation. His eyes dropped to the sheets under them, always a sign of discomfort in the man. The sight made Wolfwood frown harder, he wanted Vash to be open with him. If something was bothering him, Wolfwood wanted to know.
Vash forced his eyes up again when Wolfwood gripped his hands harder. His eyes darted around as if he were scanning Wolfwood's face for information. After seconds passed Vash finally spoke.
“I was scared you wouldn't wake up.” He said after a moment of hesitation. His voice shook as he mumbled the words. The moment the words left his lips he could see the flash of sadness echo across Wolfwood's face.
“Spikes, I'm here. I've always been here, and I always will be-” Wolfwood exclaimed, dumbfounded at the blonde's idiocy.
“Don't lie.”
“I'm not-”
“You're not immortal.”
“May as well be.” Vash gulped.
“I'm not going anywhere- not for a while-”
“How much time do you really think you have left?”
That caught Wolfwood off guard. The comment seemed hard for him to answer because he really didn't know either. While it was true he was alive, he could feel the wear of the way he lived ache against his bones.
“...” Vash sighed. “I'm- I'm sorry I just…” Wolfwood could see the way his throat bobbed as he struggled for words. The way his eyelids twitched like they always did when he was far too deep in his own mind. He finally sighed again and continued. “I had a strong sense that you should've died last night, Wolfwood.” He finally said. “I just- I needed to make sure that you were still breathing. I know it sound ridiculous and I-”
“It's ain't stupid, Needles.” He mumbled, hands fumbling for his cigarettes on the bedside table, Miss Melanie must've taken them out before throwing his clothes in the wash.
Vash couldn’t watch as he moved around, it felt like a trick. This was all too normal, and like a crow, death followed Vash nearly everywhere he went. Why did he expect Wolfwood to be the exception?
Wolfwood could feel Vash's hesitant shifting behind him as he lit a smoke. The feeling of the nicotine entering his lungs gave a little relief, not a lot though. Not when he didn’t know what to say to Vash in this state.
“Vash, quit thinking so hard, I can hear it from here.” He muttered as he leaned back in Vash's direction. His hand moved back just next to Vash's knee, the soft cushion making Vash shift with the new weight. Wolfwood felt his heart clench at the face Vash was still making. The pain behind those beautifully soft blues is almost too much to bear.
Vash doesn’t respond for a bit, and Wolfwood doesn't rush him to. He understood that whatever was eating at Vash may have been too much to express immediately. It took a few minutes to gather his words. When he finally composed himself he spoke.
“M’ sorry.” He replied simply. He looked less distressed now, maybe seeing Wolfwood act like his usual self helped heighten his stability. That and the few minutes of comfortable silence between the two of them. Wolfwood quickly moved his hands back to Vash's, a tender gaze shared between the two of them. A million words in the span of two seconds with nothing but their eyes. It was a common ritual between the two these days. Whether it was from the back of Meryl's beat up vehicle or across a flaming campfire.
“Nothing to be sorry for, Angel.” Wolfwood huffed as he smiled softly, his right hand lifting to Vash's cheek, gently caressing the skin there. The soft skin of Vash's face contrasted from the rough calloused finger tips and palms of Wolfwood's, but neither of them had ever really cared. The clash between the two always seemed to draw the men further into each other.
“Angel.” Vash scoffed softly. “You love calling me that..” Vash muttered. The air from his lips ghosted over Wolfwood's own.
Wolfwood's heart filled with love and tenderness in that moment. The kind banter between the two of them had always brought him a sense of peace and belonging. He felt at home in the presence of Vash's smile and soft laugh. He would crawl into those eyes and live there happily for the rest of his life if he could.
Despite the tender moment, Wolfwood knew a little nickname wouldn't be enough to slow the brain of the Humanoid Typhoon. It never did in moments like this.
“Vash, talk to me.” Wolfwood muttered. Hand falling from Vash's cheek back down to his thigh. He didn’t want to force an answer out of the blonde, but he was more than a little concerned now.
“...Nico.” Vash finally met his eyes. “I- We-” His voice caught in his throat.
“We…?” Wolfwood was worried. Vash almost always told him anything that was on his mind. So the fact that he was reluctant now made him worried. And something told him this would be harder than some of their past conversations.
“...Nai isn't just gonna let me go.” Vash hated bringing Nai up in moments like this. Hated ruining tender moments between him and Nicholas with his own past.
Wolfwood knew it of course, that Knives were still very much a threat that could blow their world upside down without a moment's notice. And it hurt knowing how much it still ate at Vash.
“And with that in mind…” Vash rested his hand on Wolfwood's shoulder. “I don't think I feel comfortable with you following me anymore.” The words were nearly impossible to push out. He didn't want to let him leave. But if he saw Wolfwood suffer further because of his own pain, he wouldn’t be able to live with himself.
“Wha- Vash what are you talking about?” Wolfwood's face contorted in slight confusion. “I'm fine-” Wolfwood rested his hand on top of Vash's.
“You're not in a state to fight anymore, you can't use your vials, you shouldn't even be traveling long distances in this condition.” The words were true and Wolfwood wouldn't deny that. The fight between him and Razlo had done horrible damage to Wolfwood's body. He was in no state to keep up with Vash. But the idea of not being at his side after he just got him back… that was horrifying. Vash had too much blood on his hands already, he couldn't even begin to imagine if the love of his abnormally long life was added to that stain.
“I can't- Vash… After JuLai, when I lost you for two years… I almost lost myself too.” He bit back a sob. “I can't lose you again… I can't let you leave without knowing when… or if you'll come back. Not again…” Wolfwood pressed his face into Vash's shoulder. Hiding the way tears formed from sight but not from feeling. Vash's heart clenched at the display. Wolfwood never cried in front of anyone but Vash. And even with Vash it was rare for it to be an occasion.
“Hey hey, Nicholas, I'm not going to be gone forever. I just need to take care of what I need to and then I'll come right back into your arms, just as I promised. It won't be like JuLai again… I swear.” He gently ran a hand into Wolfwood's hair, a motion that always seemed to calm the man in times of distress. Vash had always found that trait cute in Wolfwood. “I'll come back.” He promised. He promised it to both of them. Swore it to himself just as much as he had to Wolfwood.
They sat in that comfortable silence for a long while. Vash gently stroked Wolfwood's arms before moving to his back then arms before continuing the cycle. It felt like routine to them, even if it wasn't a common occurrence. The last time Vash remembered a quiet movement like this was the night after he and Wolfwood reunited. When he still wore long hair and tattered clothes. Wolfwood had looked so lost then, even if he hid it behind a cocky grin. He and Vash weren't so different in that regard after all.
The silence dragged on for a bit longer. Time passes by like a cool breeze on an autumn night. It was peaceful. It was pleasant. It was just for them.
“I'm gonna miss you.” Wolfwood sighed simply. Vash wanted to hold him tighter and tell him he'd stay, but lying never did him any good in the past. Vash tightened his hands over Wolfwoods. His eyes caught the other man's as his prosthetic snuck into his coat pocket.
“Nicholas… I will miss you everyday that I am gone. I will hold you in my mind and heart every step I take. Not a day will pass where you won't have all my love.” His words were powerful coming out, confident even. But when he looked at Wolfwood's beautiful gray eyes, he suddenly found himself flustered. “I uhm-” He coughed into his shoulder, face nearly painted red. “I had a more dignified speech ready for this but uhm…” He finally moved his eyes back up to meet Wolfwoods. And suddenly he knows why he waited a hundred and fifty years to mutter these words to anyone until he met Wolfwood. “I guess after the whole kidnapping thing my plans got a little mixed up…” He finally pulled the small ring out of his pocket. Wolfwood nearly froze at the sight of it. “Nicholas, I love you with all my heart, and I'm sorry I don't have a whole thing planned out for a moment like this but…” Vash held the ring up to Wolfwood “Nicholas D Wolfwood, I promise to stay by your side for as long as we live. Through every bullet and every questionable sibling I will come back to you. It is for this reason that I finally ask… Will you marry me… Nico?”
Wolfwood was at a loss for words. He was ready for nearly anything but this. The glint of metal in between Vash's fingers looked more magical than any extravagant piece of jewelry he'd ever laid his eyes upon before.
“Vash- I- you're serious?” Vash nearly laughed at how ridiculous that question was. Vash had never been so serious about something in his life. And he knew Wolfwood knew that. “I- Vash, oh my god.” Wolfwood choked back a sob. Only this time it was from joy and not sorrow. It was a sob of pure unfiltered love.
“Ive never been more sure of something in my life, Nicholas… I want to spend my tomorrows with you. I want to come back home and be greeted by your loving arms. I want that more than anything, Wolfwood.” Vash gently inched closer to Wolfwood. Waiting for the answer he truly knew he'd get.
“Yes- yes of course you dumbass!” Wolfwood suddenly launched forward, wrapping his hands around him and kissing him all in one. Vash immediately melted into it of course. The soft graze of lips against his own sent sparks throughout the both of them. “I love you so much, Vash. “ Wolfwood nearly sobbed trying to get a few words out.
“I love you too, old man.” Vash tried his best to stifle the grin that spread across his cheeks as the words hit Wolfwood's ears.
“Old- old man?!” He quickly pushed away. Mock offense written all across his face. “Who are ya callin old, Needle Noggin?!” He shoved his shoulder gently.
“You-! You expect me to call you young?” Vash damn near cackled.
“You're the one pushing two hundred, not me!” Wolfwood squirmed out of his arms.
They continued like that for a while. Meaningless banter without any real heat behind the words they spoke. Vash forgot everything that was bothering them, even if just for a moment.
He wasn’t sure how it happened, but they eventually ended up in a position that more closely resembled cuddling than play fighting. They giggled in each other's arms for an extended amount of time. Wordlessly adding onto whatever silent joke they'd made to one another. Vash's prosthetic hand gripped the back of Wolfwood's shirt as his flesh hand cradled the back of his head with the tenderness of an old married couple…
They sat like that for a while. Silently holding each other in peace and quiet until they eventually found themselves falling asleep in each other's arms. The night had gone quiet, the room was dark, and they were so very in love.
The morning brought a little more reality to Wolfwood's feet. They weren't immediately going to live happily ever after. Of course not, Vash had told him that before even proposing. But when Wolfwood cracked his eyes open and saw the silhouette of Vash fastening his combat boots at the front door, it suddenly became too much. The idea of losing him again came rushing back, the fear that he wouldn't make it back at all. It was all too real.
Vash didn't look all that happy about it himself. His eyebrows were deeply knitted and the way he was tying his shoes could be described as overly aggressive. Wolfwood knew that this separation was eating Vash up just as much as it was himself.
Wolfwood sat up with a creek from the bed. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he planted his feet on the ground with a quick and a little clumsy of a swing. Vash stared slightly at the sound of Wolfwood's step, most likely deep in thought. Anyone would be in his shoes, really.
The morning sun beamed in, giving quite misleading warm light against the arguably depressing conversation Wolfwood knew they were bound to have. He wanted to just pull Vash back to bed and fall asleep with him for the rest of his life. He wanted to stand at that altar and watch as Vash walked his way towards him… Wolfwood wished for Vash's sake that Rem could've seen it. He would have to make sure to include those red flowers from Home Vash had always seemed to like… just to include some memory of her. Wolfwood was lucky enough to still have his family, it was the least he could do for the man he loved who was less fortunate.
Wolfwood was dragged out of his own thoughts when he blinked at the sudden movement of Vash kneeling in front of where he sat on the bed. He watched as Vash gently raised his flesh hand, which was now decorated with his own matching ring. He gently laid it on top of Wolfwood's, a calming motion. Throughout the entire exchange, Vash didn't dare break eye contact.
“Ive made a lot of promises to you over the years, Nick… and I haven't kept all of them.” He started. Wolfwood could tell he'd been planning this speech out. “And- And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared this one wouldn't come true either…. But deep down… deep down I know I'll come back to you once This is all over, Nick. You have my word on that.” Wolfwood blinked as he felt Vash's thin fingers gently curl around his palm, slowly raising his knuckles to his bottom lip as he continued in a soft whisper. “I will come back, Nico… and when I do, I'm gonna marry you.” He sealed the promise with what may have been the most tender kiss Wolfwood had ever been blessed enough to see, and it was in his name.
“Angel…” Wolfwood's face was crimson as Vash grinned against his knuckles, but even through Wolfwood's flustered state, the words Vash spoke hit somewhere deep in his heart. Tearing through the hard exterior that had only ever been softened by Vash before.
Vash slowly stood up after gracing Wolfwood with one last peck of lips to rough skin, gently easing his hand out of hold. The look on Vash's face was anything but unfortunate. It was full of love and even more so care. It was the face of Wolfwood's love.
“I need you to promise me something too, Wolfwood.” Vash had suddenly added, hand rising to rest on his hip as his gaze was pointed downward to make sure his eyes were still locked onto Wolfwood's own. “Promise me you'll stay here with the children… and don't let them forget about me while I'm gone.” Vash smiled warmly, “And if I don't come back, promise me to refrain from violence if possible, yeah?” Vash’s hand had gone to Wolfwood's cheek now in a tender hold. Wolfwood wasn't shocked by any of these promises, they were all so very Vash.
“I promise, Vash. I promise with all my heart.” And that was the truth. Wolfwood would make any vow if it was for his angel.
Vash's eyes filled with gratitude as he pulled Wolfwood up into a kiss. Wolfwood immediately melted into the soft exchange of lips against lips. It was never rushed with Vash, he liked to savor the moment. To savor Wolfwood.
They danced around like that for a minute or so, panting heavily when they broke apart. Vash's eyes had begun to dart around Wolfwood's face, passing every nook and cranny as if he were trying to memorize every small detail. And maybe that's exactly what he was doing.
Eventually the time came and Vash and the girls had to announce their leave. Vash looked no where near excited, but his expression softened the moment he saw Wolfwood.
Wolfwood came up to him at the door, grabbing his hands gently like a veterinarian picking up an injured bird. “Come home safe, Angel… please.” Wolfwood had tears in his eyes as he spoke to the love of his life.
Vash met his eyes with his own tears and said quietly, as if a prayer only meant for their ears, “I can't wait to be able to call you my husband.”
Time passed like an old memory. And with it, the hope of Vash coming home stayed strong in Wolfwood's heart. There were whispers amongst people, they all thought he had died or disappeared at the least. Wolfwood wasn't convinced. He'd never blame the others for their assumptions, the time had been great.
Days felt slower now. He had no one to wake up next to, no person to hold from behind as the clink of a stirring spoon to a mug echoed through the room. He had no one to enjoy the simple pleasures with.
But he would. Any day now, Wolfwood knew that he wasn't waiting for a miracle, that Vash would come back just as he promised, even if no one else would believe him.
There was one group of people who still believed him though, the children. The children loved hearing Wolfwood's story about the “Humanoid Typhoon” that was a big softie in all reality. They would ask for different stories from him all the time, Wolfwood still had to cut out the less than family friendly parts of them of course.
It was one of those days again, Wolfwood found himself telling a story of his fiance once again for the children. Showing off his now iconic dramatic acting skills.
“Tell us about Vash and the bug person again!” a boy named Eli called to Wolfwood who stood in front of a group of kids. They had him telling stories for hours by now, but he was happy to continue… especially since most of them were about Vash.
“That bug person's name was Zazie the Beast…” Wolfwood explained with dramatic flair. “And when we found them, they had pretended to be a kid like you all to trick us!” The kids all gave their own dramatic performance of exclamation as Wolfwood grinned. “And so… that's when Vash the Stampe-”
Wolfwood's performance was cut off by Melanie's rushed entrance. She didn't barge in, she didn't want to startle the children of course. But she did make a straight path to Wolfwood, an almost too excited grin plastered on her face.
“Someone is here to see you!” She exclaimed before hastily taking hold of Wolfwood's hand and tugging him forward. He hadn't had a moment to even register what it was she was talking about before his legs were scrambling to keep up with the woman's quick pace. He scowled slightly when he realized she wouldn't be giving him more of an explanation than that.
It wasn't long before she came to a halt, Wolfwood had to scramble to prevent not colliding with the woman. She looked back at him with excitement.
He was about to grumble some questions about what this was all about before his eyes lifted behind her. His words turned to lead on his tongue. His eyes caught the back of a bright red coat, it was a little tattered but the shape was not left recognizable. Even if it wasn't, the messy mop of spiked hair could define who this man was to Wolfwood almost instantly, even if the gold color was now drained from it.
Wolfwood felt tears gather in his eyes at the sight. The sight that he'd been waiting for god knows how long.
“Vash-” His voice caught in his throat. No words able to skirt their way past his lips in a moment like this. What could he even say?
Vash turned around quickly upon hearing the shaky Voice. He too felt his face contort upon seeing the man. Tears free falling with just a glance at Wolfwood.
They didn't say anything before they practically jumped each other into a hug. Hands desperately clawing at backs of cloth like cats clinging on for life. Wolfwood could feel Vash's tears soak into his jacket as he pressed his face into the nook of his neck. Wolfwood chuckled in a tearful way before they both collapsed to their knees, still holding onto one another.
Melanie looked down lovingly at the two boys before her. They both obviously had so much love and care for each other it hurt. And she found that beautiful.
“I missed you so much.” Wolfwood choked out as he pressed a kiss to the side of Vash's neck.
“I missed you too, Nico” Vash sobbed out, gripping harder as he shook.
They stayed like that for a long time. Both afraid to let go. They finally had each other again, and nothing, not even death, was going to tear that from them. Now all they had to do was plan the wedding.