#vash after getting scolded like:

[greebgrub]

just a mini comic bc i cant stop thinking about them :/

[demonsfate]

there's a way to properly depict pacifism and controlling your emotions.

bloodline failed this.

[h4venpha]

i think i find comfort in vashwood because of their unwillingness to say outloud how they care and love for one another. like CANONLY, theres so, so much they dont say, yet their actions reflect everything.

i’m pretty sure i’ve spoke on this before but i like to think that they never say more than they need to because of the world they live in, the type of people they are, the type of upbringings theyve had. it all stems back to them not really feeling worthy of the love they are offered.

wolfwood who only thinks of himself as some fucked up modified killing machine and that he believes theres no chance someone as kind hearted as vash would see the good in him, or what little there is left of the good in him. he’s done nothing but kill, he could never redeem himself, and yet vash isn’t scared nor shuns him for it even with his pacifistic ideals.

vash who has seen the brutal truth of wolfwood’s being and still decides he loves him to the very end.

vash who doesnt believe he deserves any ounce of love or commitment because he only hurts those he gets close to. it’s happened before and itll happen again, like hes a walking time bomb and everything will blow up again and the people close to him will die no matter what he does. and wolfwood who canonly sticks beside him until the end! literally calls himself his guide.

vash who has never had true companionship in his 150 years of living, and wolfwood who follows him to the ends of gunsmoke.

just up until vol10, theyre still toeing the line of the relationship theyve created. but the exact moment vash shows up and chooses to prioritize wolfwood over going after knives (the fucking thing he’s been working towards since the big fall, over a hundred years ago) is the moment he steps past that line. its so extremely open and explicit, even wolfwood asks him ‘why are you here?”

while what he says here is true yes, it also sounds like “you cannot die, i’m here to ‘save’ you because i want to live.”

then to this when wolfwood knows and accepts he will die— the sheer HORROR on vash’s face when he realizes wolfwood wont allow him to save him.

few pages ahead, vash’s monologue starts and these old panels come up. “deep down, he had become very close to me.” basically implying that back then, during the ‘shoot’ moment, they weren’t really close. and when vash accused him: “you’re the coward here.”, “you give up all hope so easily”, it was almost surface level in a way? talking to him at surface level

but now, so many chapters later when wolfwood really does give up hope, vash, with all of his developed love through out the story realizes how differently he feels now. wolfwood made him put a fucking gun to his head (giving up hope), and vash who only scolded and accused him, vs vol10 where when wolfwood gives up hope, vash feels straight terror, that he’s really going to lose him. (also the inverted panel is just so gorgeous.)

the whole “isnt that right, wolfwood?” just proves my entire point that vash’s presence here in this fight steps over the line of vulnerability they had created. he knows how he feels, and he knows that wolfwood feels the same, even if hes speaking to him indirectly.

[vashs-turtleneck]

Preen.

Rating: T

Pairing: Vash the Stampede x Reader Summary: Caring for Vash when his wings sprout. CW: angst, fluff, blood, mentions of self-harm, Trimax Vash coded. Word Count: 1.4k A/N: man oh man do I love bird men.

Vash normally stays huddled up in his room on days like this. There's times where he's had to spend nights on end locked inside until his feathers would painstakingly slowly go away. He'd sit on his bed (if he even had a bed at the time) and wait until he was back to normal. He wouldn't leave, he wouldn't eat, most of the time he wouldn't even sleep. He'd just sit there, alone, with nothing but his thoughts to keep him company. When it was all over, he'd be in a nest of dusty sheets, surrounded by smears of blood and ripped feathers, with crimson dripping from his back from where he had agonizingly plucked at himself.

A monster, huddled away from sight.

Inhuman.

He would never dare go outside like this.

But of course, when you came around, following closely at his heel at all times, you never allowed him to hide away from you like that. You once came looking for him after his prolonged silence, and you had found him in a pitiful state – eyes rimmed red, bloody nails clutching at his own flesh like it wasn't meant to be on his bones, and most notably, white feathers sprouting from his face and wings spread out from his shoulder blades. 

He was mortified, embarrassed, scared.

This is it. You're going to see what he really is, and you're going to leave.

He went through all the stages of grief when he saw your eyes widen and your steps come to a halt. He was ready to hear your screams of terror and then never see you again. As much as he wanted to hide, he didn't look away. If you were going to run, he wanted to get one last good look at your beautiful face.

But you didn't leave him that night. You stayed awake with him, talking to him, and you had no flicker of fear or disgust when you looked at him. You didn't get too close, you didn't try to touch him, you didn't stare at him too intently (though he's sure you wanted to), and in the morning when his feathers were gone, you took him out to breakfast like it was any other day. Like nothing changed.

It took a long time to build up into letting you see him like this. Apart from that first night when you refused to leave his side after you saw the scratches on his back and the blood under his nails, he only allowed your gaze for brief moments, like when you insisted on bringing him food, and when you'd come back to scold him for not eating it. 

Eventually, you started sitting with him. You wouldn't speak. You'd simply sit in the same space as him, often in a chair in the corner, sometimes on the floor by the bed as you read a book, doodled in a sketchbook, or took a nap. No touches, no words, but still offering him a presence he's never had before when he's felt the furthest from human.

He was the first one to break the silence when he saw you using one of his shedded feathers as a bookmark of all things. You simply responded, “I like it. It's pretty,” like it was the simplest thing in the world. 

It's safe to say that nowadays, if he isn't there to greet you when you come down for breakfast in the mornings, you'll be knocking on his door within the hour.

Tonight, you're sitting on his bed, his back facing you as he sits with his knees to his chest, hiding the cracks in his face from your gaze. Your fingers gently run through his sprouted wings, picking out bits of lint and grains of sand caught in his feathers with a tenderness you always grant him, even when he's like this, when he doesn't even have the heart to look you in the eyes.

“I'm sorry, mayfly.”

“Hush. Don't be silly.”

His wings shift, slowly unfurling from around himself the longer you touch them for, as if trying to nudge into your hands for more. A part of him feels bad for liking the attention, but he doesn't want you to stop, even though the feeling of anyone touching the plumage along his back still feels so foreign to him.

“So soft,” you hum, and he feels the heat rise to his face, his cheeks dusting pink under the cracks and feathers. Something about you saying that makes his chest feel warm, despite how much he hates the part of himself you're referring to.

“You know,” you start to say, pulling his attention back to you as your gentle fingers pluck the dirt from him. “I'd like it if you stopped hiding from me whenever this happens.”

Vash winces at your words. “I don't… like it when you see me like this.” 

Don't look at me.

Don't leave me.

These wings, these feathers, these marks along his face and body – they all feel like some curse. It's not something you should be seeing, but he can't help wanting you here. It almost feels like he has to keep his wings from reaching towards you, like they have a mind of their own.

“I know, and I'm sorry, but I'm not leaving you alone,” you say back, your hands carefully running along the lengths of his wings, your palms smoothing over the feathers, and the feeling sends an involuntary shiver up his spine. “Is it bad if I like seeing you like this?”

“Heh. I don't see why you would. It's… strange. I would never blame you if you wanted to run away.” And he wouldn't. He knows this, and he knows you know this. He's told you far too many times that you should leave, that you shouldn't be around a monster like him, and sometimes he was much meaner than he ever intended to be with you. It's something he'll regret regardless of how many times he's apologized and how many times you've forgiven him. 

He just… doesn't feel like himself when he's in this state. He wants you far away, but he wants you close. He wants to scream and cry and curl in on himself until he disappears, but he wants to wrap himself around you and keep you with him in a nest of feathers until he forgets the outside world exists. His skin crawls and prickles where his feathers sprout from, and sometimes his flesh feels like it's burning, but he aches for the feeling of your hands running through his plumage. It's gotten so, so much worse since you've been around, and he doesn't know why, but he'll keep that bit to himself. No point in making you feel bad for his alien biology when he himself doesn't understand it all.

“I would never run away from you. Hell, half the time I'm struggling to keep up with you,” and his breath hitches when he suddenly feels your arms wrap around his midsection, your head resting against the bed of feathers on his back.

“I think you're beautiful, Vash. With and without wings.”

‘Beautiful.’

What a strange way of describing him.

“You like them…” he mutters quietly, more to himself than to you, like he's trying to wrap his head around what that could possibly mean. He doesn't even notice the way his feathers fluff up and bury your face in his down.

“I do, but I'm more fond of who they're attached to.”

You care, inhuman and all.

He was ready to never see you again after that first night, but you're still here, and you're preening him of all things. You've stitched his wounds, comforted him during his nightmares, held him when he's cried, but this? This is a level of intimacy he's not familiar with. It's vulnerable and selfless and loving and… so much more than he deserves, but you’re doing it for him. He has no way of repaying all the ways you've healed him. His wounds are still there, and they're far too deep to ever hope for the scars to completely fade, but your presence alone is a soothing balm he doesn't think he could ever live without again.

One day, maybe he'll look you in the eyes when you take care of him like this. Maybe he'll turn around and let you card your fingers through the feathers on his cheeks. Maybe after that, maybe when you're taking a nap, he'll hold you close in his arms like he wants to and envelop you in feathers, and he'll show you, despite how much he wishes they weren't there, how warm his wings can be.

divider source.

[orcelito]

ok, i cant resist the urge to make a post about it after all, especially since it's related to a post i made prior

one of my favorite moments in trimax is By Far this part in chapter 35

[ID: Two pages from Trigun. The first starts with Wolfwood thinking, "Now that I think 'bout it, it may be one of the major differences between our species." That deep rooted dear I felt on the ship…" He thinks of Vash crying blood and, swearing, wonders, "Is he the one who can save humankind? That monster?" Wolfwood is briefly shown in resolution before someone calls, "Hey, Wolfwood!" and he looks up with surprise.

Vash sits with a smile at the edge of a rooftop, backed by the Fifth Moon and its prominent crater. Vash asks with a smile, "Just coming back now? You're a bit of a night owl, huh?" Wolfwood looks taken aback and wary. End ID]

Right Here. Vash is just sitting there, smiling like normal, but he's got the backdrop of the damage he caused on the moon set Perfectly behind him. it's a glaring reminder to Wolfwood of who exactly he's dealing with here, and that TERRIFIES him.

& the fact that Wolfwood still remembers that moment of crying blood as a moment of true fear. because for all the cheer Vash shows in the average moment, Wolfwood just recently saw him nearly lose control Again (at the Dragon's Nest). the second time he witnessed it, & the third time he would know about.

Vash is a walking atomic bomb with multiple charges. even with how cheerful & kind he is, he's shown Multiple Times that he does not have full control. he is decidedly something different, something Hazardous to humans, and Wolfwood knows this very very painfully.

for all that Wolfwood loves Vash, he is also terrified of him. and at this point in the story, that terror is potent enough to nearly eclipse his affection for Vash.

leading to some of the next most iconic pages:

[ID: The next page starts with Wolfwood standing behind the sitting Vash, his expression hard and the moon bright behind him. Vash seems sad and has one eye open. A close-up focuses on Wolfwood looking down.

Wolfwood thinks, "So easy to pull the trigger. So easy to remove half the problem." Another close-up with bright lighting obscures his face but for one eye. Then Vash turns around curiously and asks, "What's up?" Wolfwood sits behind him and says "Nothin'. Come on. Let's go." Vash seems surprised as Wolfwood scolds, "Don't get yerself tangled up in every little skirmish ya see. It'll be pointless if ya get yerself killed before ya meet him." End ID]

the manga frames it like Vash doesn't know Wolfwood was pointing the gun at him, but I think he did know. he's freakishly perceptive over and over again throughout the story. he HAS to be in order to survive like he has. he'd hear the movement of the gun & sense Wolfwood behind him...

he'd know. i really think he knew.

but he doesn't do anything about it. there is zero fear in his face. he turns to look at Wolfwood curiously, a bit confused, but not afraid. he never once thought that Wolfwood would shoot him. there's full faith and trust there in that moment.

Wolfwood pretends that nothing happened, & Vash lets him. they both move on, not talking about it, because they never talk about Anything of substance like this (not until much, Much later).

overall, it's just such a great example of their relationship's development. Wolfwood's fear & Vash's trust that he won't act on it... it's just. Man.

(EDIT: people have made some good points about how Vash's expression when Wolfwood points the gun at him shows that he probably did know and YEAH that's a good point! & probably why I was so certain he knew lol, I just hadn't realized it myself)

[anyasathenaeum]

Hey! I love your writing! So I'm excited you're opening requests :)

How about for Vash, something along the lines of either reader or Vash is trying to work on something, but the other keeps distracting them with kisses?

A/N: OMG WAIT HI I LOVE YOUR WRITINGS TOO (SERIOUSLY)!!! I'm so sorry it took me so long to get to this - thank you so much for your request! It's super cute :') I decided to opt for cuddly Vash for this one so he's distracting the reader hehe

"(Y/NNNNN)!"

Vash's soft whine of your name made you giggle softly, but you continued your work steadily, not giving in to his attempts to distract you.

"I know, my love," you cooed back to him softly, "Just let me finish what I'm doing and then I can give you my full attention."

"B-But, what if I want your full attention now?"

The pout on Vash's lips and the way he pulled his puppy-dog eyes on you made you groan playfully, your heart fluttering slightly at how cute Vash was when he wanted you to pay attention to him. Despite being a wanted man with a bounty of 60 million double-dollars on his head, the "Humanoid Typhoon" had nothing but love and affection to give you.

You sighed dramatically, putting down the bag you had so carefully been packing and rearranging, before turning to face him as he lay on your shared bed for the night.

"Patience, Stampede. Or else, you'll get nothing at all," you scolded him, trying hard not to let yourself smile as you did so.

Vash simply let out another soft whine, his pout deepening as he sighed dramatically and covered his face with a pillow, letting out an exaggerated yet muffled cry of "My Mayfly doesn't love me!"

You scoffed quietly before letting out a small chuckle, "I love you very much, Vash. Just let me finish getting my stuff organized and then I will happily cuddle you until the suns rise tomorrow morning, okay?"

With that, you turned back around and continued to organize your bag, working in silence as you tried to focus. After a few minutes of peace, you faintly registered the sound of Vash shifting on the bed and then his footsteps coming up behind you. Without a word, you felt Vash wrap his arms around you from behind before feeling him resting his chin on top of your head.

You let out a small sigh, "You really couldn't wait?"

"How could I possibly wait to cuddle the love of my life when they're right in front of me?" Vash replied, and you could practically hear his smile.

"Alright, fine," you chuckled softly, glancing up at Vash, "I'll allow this. But don't push your luck, Stampede. I'll be done soon."

You could've sworn you heard Vash let out what sounded like a contented chirping noise, but you brushed it off as just being a plant thing. You felt him nestle himself against you, his head resting on top of yours as he hugged you tightly from behind.

However, even this didn't last long, because before long, you felt Vash gently beginning to press soft little kisses to the top of your head. He started with just one before nuzzling his nose into your hair, inhaling your familiar and comfort scent, but he couldn't stop himself at just one kiss. Shortly afterwards, you felt another gentle kiss being pressed to another part of your head, then another to your temple, and another to the nape of your neck that sent shivers down your spine. Each kiss was slow, with Vash taking his time and caressing your skin, showing just how much tenderness and love he felt towards you each time his lips pressed against you.

"Vaaaaaash!"

Now it was your turn to whine - the heat had risen to your face and you could feel your heart beating frantically in your chest at Vash's tender kisses. Despite having been with Vash for as long as you had been, he still somehow managed to fluster you with ease. But now, it had gotten to the point that you were so flustered that you couldn't focus on the task in front of you.

"What?" Vash cooed back, his tone light and teasing, his breath ghosting over your ear and sending shivers down your spine once again. "Something wrong, Mayfly?"

"Not fair!" You whined again, turning so you could look at him properly, pouting at him just as he had done so to you.

Vash couldn't help but let out a laugh at the sight of you pouting at him - how could somebody so adorable possibly be his? And yet, here you were, pouting at him in all your glory and making his heart swell from sheer love of you.

"I'm sorry, Mayfly," Vash whispered softly, smiling down at you almost wistfully, "I know I'm distracting you. I just... miss you whenever I'm not holding you. My arms miss you, my body misses you, my heart misses you."

"And now you're gonna make me cry," you replied, your voice shaking slightly as you took in his words. You had never felt more loved than you had when Vash was with you, and his words touched you in a way you hadn't expected them to.

"No... no tears, my love. They don't belong in your eyes."

You could feel Vash's fingers, both real and prosthetic, gently brushing over your cheeks before he cupped your face in his hands, tilting your face upwards to look at him. You would have melted into a puddle had it been physically possible from the warmth and love evident in his gaze. Suddenly, the fact that he had distracted you seemed to fall away, and you let go of your bag, instead opting to place your hands over his on your face, intertwining your fingers with his.

"I love you, Vash."

The words escaped you in a whisper, meant only for Vash to hear them. The moment they did, he leaned down and pressed a final, gentle kiss to your lips, holding you as close to him as possible.

As soon as he pulled away from you, Vash grinned playfully, "I love you, too, Mayfly. So, does this mean that you forgive me for distracting you?"

You pondered his words for a moment before answering with a smirk, pulling him back down, "If you give me another kiss, I might consider it."

[lost-technology]

SEEDS Security Codes and Why They Matter

So, I've been thinking about one of the details in Trigun: Stampede that was not present in either '98 or the manga. In '98, Knives just hacking into the SEEDS codes was left as-is. He walked up to Captain Joey and shot him and apparently took his pilot's seat. Did the Captain have the navigation open at the time? Was it closed and Knives had to do some hacking? Anyway, there, he did it on his own. Now, in Trigun Maximum, which treats Vash and Knives' childhood differently (just Rem there raising them), there is a foreshadowing of what is to come. In Volume 6, Rem is depicted waking up to an emergency signal in the middle of her sleeping-hours. (Aw, she sleeps in her regular clothes, mom-jeans and all...). Panicked, she yells at Knives for him and Vash to lock themselves in their rooms and not to come out or speak up for ANY reason, even if they hear voices outside. She tries to handle the situation, but it goes from bad to worse and the automatic crew-wakening protocol goes into effect, which she is very concerned about (for reasons that we who have read the manga know about)!

In the beginning of Volume 7 the crew wakes up, there's a situation-update. The ships are going off-course and will collide if things are not corrected. They're working through the issues and suddenly, there's an unknown factor that kicks in to correct the course. Rem then gets the crew all settled back in again for nappy-time... And proceeds immediately to Vash and Knives, where she scolds Knives with (Rem's angry mom-face, my beloved)! Knives was playing around with the ship codes and systems. He'd apparently hacked his way into the system and was curious about SEEDS' functions. (One would assume that Rem changed some of the codes after this, but I bet they were in some kind of hacking-war, with her trying to stay one step above curious Plant-twins). Knives did not mean to nearly cause a catastrophe, but this shows that he can and is a foreshadowing to when he DOES mean to cause one later. Now, in Trigun Stampede, it is stated by Nai / Knives that Vash gave him the ship-codes, also that he spent a lot of time and trouble changing the codes for every human ship. (The manga lists the ship they are born on as the Mothership, presumably guiding the entire fleet, in Stampede, it is just Ship 5, which implies multiple guides with multiple navigators). I am wondering where Studio Orange is going with this. Will it be a situation like the manga where the kids are just playing around? Little prank-war with Rem? Maybe Vash is sharing a ship code innocently, as part of their games? Or is it going to be darker, more sinister? I wonder if Vash was originally of the thought of "maybe we need to crash the ships and kill all humans (except Rem) because they're scary and dangerous because of what happened to Tesla" and then had a change of heart and backed out of it? - I can see that happening... him having his cathartic alone-time with Rem as in the manga and then talking things out with Nai and thinking that they weren't going to go through with it. And then Nai betrays him. I've been wondering about the guilt Vash carries over the Big Fall in Stampede. Is it an unnecessary, undue guilt like he seems to have about a lot of things? Or is there a guilt born from "I had originally planned disaster / we had originally planned disaster" and it came true even after he'd backed out? It's just that... in both '98 and Maximum, he does carry his cross (that is not Wolfwood's), but he seems to feel less specifically guilty over this (the Big Fall). He's really more like "Knives, how could you do this to everyone / Rem?!" He just seems more guilt-ridden in Stampede than in the other media and I am wondering if there is a dark secret behind it. I can see it going either way.

[beanibon]

vash and wolfwood when they're drunk AND jealous?

Drunk & Jealous Trigun Boy x Reader

TW: drinking & smoking, drunk behaviour, vomiting (Vash), Wolfwood getting a bit handsy

I coded this oddly 98/BLR versions, but Roberto is mentioned so feel free to translate however you wish!

When Vash drinks, he drinks. Not even Roberto can keep up with Humanoid Typhoon as he chugged pint after pint of beer, sighing in content as he slouched over the bar.

The poor guy had forgotten why he began downing alcohol like it was the end of the world, until your form appeared in the corner of his eye.

Your smile was addictive, even more beautiful in his drunken stupor. The way your shoulders bounced as you... laughed?

Vash raised his head slightly, oblivious to way his body protested the action, eyes squinted to catch what pulled such reactions from you. Wolfwood leant against the bar, cigarette hung loosely from his lips as he spoke, shirt unbuttoned just that one button more. The way you teased Wolfwood back, hand placed against his chest as you playfully shoved him away, had Vash pouting.

A bitter taste that overpowered the flavour of alcohol rose in his throat, coating his tastebuds as he watched the scene unfold. Hands forming fists as Wolfwood leaned in close, just that little more daring than before.

Without even realising he had moved, Vash slumped against the unaware priest, nonsense spilling from his lips. Wolfwood reacted fairly, struggling to claw the blonde off him while threatening to kick his ass.

The scene was extremely humorous, causing you to giggle. Such angelic sounds had Vash frozen, eyes lovesick as he drank up every noise you made, only to snap out of it when Wolfwood landed a punch to his jaw.

"Ow ow ow! That was uncalled for!" Vash cried, rubbing the swollen jaw.

"You asked for it, Needle Noggin." Wolfwood seethed, leaning back against the bar with a fresh cigarette. Vash witnessed as he passed you the lighter, shamelessly asking if you would do the honours.

Dignity thrown out the window at this point, Vash clung to your legs the moment that small flame flickered, eyes wide and begging. The way he was acting surprised you, face rubbing against your leg as you became unbalanced.

Thankfully Wolfwood caught you, scolding the blonde gunman once more. But the moment Nicholas stopped speaking, waiting for some kind of sign that Vash understood, his face turned a worrying shade of green. Both you and Wolfwood panicking as Vash emptied the contents of his stomach on the floor.

As expected you were kicked out. Wolfwood was livid, urging you to leave the borderline unconscious Vash on the side of the road, which you politely refused.

Hauling Vash to the hotel he had booked, you couldn't make sense of the nonsense he was mumbling. Every step he'd murmur something quiet, shifting his weight against you just that bit more.

It was weirdly strange, not to mention concerning. Perhaps he was trying to apologise? But what for? Sure you were kicked out because of him, but you couldn't find it in your heart to blame the poor guy.

Once inside the room, you awkwardly dropped Vash onto the bed, cringing at the way it creaked under his weight. As you were making sure everything was sorted for the next morning, Vash called for you, reaching out while making childish grabby hands at you.

You'd be lying if the sight didn't make you laugh, Vash could be incredibly sweet when he wanted to be. Obliging you sat besides him, giggling as this giant man child wrapped himself around you, nuzzling into your side.

"I'm sorry," He mumbled against your waist. "Wolfwood-"

"I know Vash, you were jealous weren't you?" The answer was obvious, Vash tended to act a fool when jealousy consumed him, and at times it took you a while to catch on. "You don't have to worry about me, I'd never leave my favourite gunman for a priest."

Vash could feel himself getting all giddy, warmth spreading all over his chest at your words. Sounds akin to purrs echoing inside the room as your fingers combed through his hair, humming as it lulled Vash to sleep.

Wolfwood tends not to over indulge in things such as alcohol consumption, but he will let loose once in a while, finding solace in a good drink. Besides drinking with company was his preferred option, and what better way to relax than alcohol poisoning and cards?

He was convinced Vash was cheating at this stage, throwing down yet another royal flush with a victory cheer. Damn blonde bastard was good after a few drinks, leaving Nicholas taking another shot of foul tequila at his loss.

The insurance girls were dutifully keeping score, simply enjoying the scene of Wolfwood losing his winning streak to a drunken Vash the Stampede.

As Meryl began shuffling the card deck once more, a sweet laugh brought his attention to you.

You were suppose to be ordering your coworkers drinks, yet it appeared someone had distracted you. The lawman had you enraptured in every word spoken, putting on ridiculous theatrics so your attention remained on him.

Wolfwood was focused on you despite the room constantly spinning, so he wasn't paying attention to the game, frustratingly losing once again due to his negligence. Vash once again rubbed it in, pouring him his next shot. Nicholas downed the foul liquid, grimacing as it burnt the back of his throat, coughing into his fist.

More drinks were placed before Meryl and Milly, the priest noticing that you'd finally broken away from the lawman, who watched you from his place at the bar. Once you approached Wolfwood, now back in charge of pouring the shots, he made sure everyone knew what was rightfully his.

The moment you bent over, carefully pouring the disgusting tequila into their respective shot glasses, Wolfwood cupped your ass. Relishing in the way you squeaked at his advances, spilling the alcohol onto the wooden bar table in your flustered state, his hand squeezed the soft flesh.

"Wo-Wolfwood!" The way you stuttered his name was satisfying, face red as he forced you onto his lap.

Vash childishly cheered, making embarrassing comments in regards your predicament. It had you hiding behind your hands, silently begging for your mentors to rescue you from the drunk, touchy priest. Yet both Meryl and Milly dared not get involved, flashing apologetic glances your way.

You stayed there for the remainder of the night, Wolfwood playfully towing reactions from you every chance he got, shooting smug glares towards the lawman who watched on. Yet he wasn't satisfied there, no Wolfwood needed to make it clear that no one else was allowed to touch you.

He purposefully lost, throwing his cards down in faux defeat. Yet as he reached for the glass of slightly tinted tequila, Wolfwood brought the glass to your lips, tipping the liquid into your mouth before smashing his lips against yours.

Everyone at the table gaped at the sight, Meryl dropping the pencil she used for scoring, Milly who sooned gasped in delight, and Vash staring on in complete shock.

Peeking from behind his shades, smirking against the kiss the moment that pathetic bastard left in an embarrassed rush. Only then was Wolfwood satiated from his drunken jealousy, releasing you to return to the game as if nothing happened. Leaving you in flustered, embarrassed state to make heads and tails of what just happened.

[scoundrels-in-love]

Do you (do you, do you, do you) wanna be a distraction, baby?

After his partners have been reckless once more, Wolfwood attempts to have a serious conversation. Unfortunately, both Meryl and Vash are easily distracted. | Mashwood | Wolfwood tit appreciation | Also on AO3 |

“How many times do I have to tell you-” Wolfwood spreads his arms wide in a desperate gesture to convey how often he's tried to instill an ounce of self preservation or simple urge to pause to think things through in the two, fairly unashamed, individuals sitting on the edge of bed. It is fairly hypocritical of him, but at least he can say he sometimes tries to consider his options, favorite of those being “none of my business, walk away”, and then gets dragged into action by Vash. Or even Meryl.

 “To let locals sort out their shit on their own!” 

He runs his fingers through his thoroughly messy mop of hair in frustration. Awaits the usual rebuttal, the sort he already heard on the way to this hotel room, like ‘they let us stay for free because we found the stolen Thoma!’ and ‘I know you wanna take part of the race, too, Wolfwood, don't act all indifferent’.

But it doesn't come and for a brief moment he wonders if he's finally gotten through to the pair, but that feels more unlikely than second coming of Jesus (one could argue that has already happened, that he is sitting primly in front of him and Wolfwood is -).

“Are you even listening?” He snaps, pointing an accusing finger at the pair and earns a mhm and a mumbled I’m sorry in return.

It takes Wolfwood a second to track what has distracted his partners (partners! It still feels foreign, impossible, achingly beautiful and even more scary) so thoroughly. Their gazes are glued to his chest that is quite exposed on the best and worst of days, but his shirt’s buttons seem to have lost the fight against his wild gesturing earlier and popped open almost all the way to his navel.

“You are not listening!”

The two nod in agreement to whatever scolding they think they're receiving, all faux humility, while their gazes leave a hot path down his stomach, following the trail of dark hair. It is only when he flexes his pecs that Meryl and Vash look back to his tits and then face in an ideally synchronized move, like cats who have been enamoured by a bouncing toy.

Oh, he will give them a bouncing, alright.

Wolfwood crosses arms across his chest, blocking the view and the two have some sense to look a little bashful.

“I am sorry, but it all ended well and we only got shot at once,” Vash puts on his best pout and Wolfwood thinks that he could stay angry, but it feels like a lot of effort compared to personally checking the two people he loves are fine and take advantage of the room they'd been given for the trouble as Meryl had pointed out.

So he drops his arms, flexes his pecs again and watches both of their eyes widen and darken, Meryl's pretty pink tongue darting out to wet her lips, as he steps closer, the overflowing energy of his worry sliding lower in his abdomen, turning to simmer there as Wolfwood reaches for them.

[annaofaza]

Inspired by this lovely fanvid by @uynumeotp <3

He wakes up on a white couch.

Vash's first instinct is bury his head in his hands. He can't go through this. Not again.

But when he looks up, it's... different. The orphanage is bustling, as it is now, with the shouts of children playing tag; he can even hear Miss Melanie scolding someone for not helping sweep the yard. A grove of trees surrounds them, laden with tiny white flowers.

And when he blinks, there's a table, absurdly set for two, draped in a white cloth with all the things Vash loves: a box full of doughnuts, a plate heaped with spaghetti, pint glasses bubbling over with foam. He's seated in one of the rickety folding chairs that they drag out of the closet for visitors, underneath the umbrella he's had close on his hand more than once.

And in the middle of the table, a bottle, with a familiar label...

"Tongari."

Vash closes his eyes.

"It's impolite to ignore someone right in front of you, spikey."

Slowly, slowly, he opens his eyes, and sees Wolfwood seated across from him.

There's no blood on his suit, no feverish gleam in his eyes, no sweat on his brow, no cross in sight—he looks as neat and pressed as he's always infuriatingly been in the middle of nowhere. Vash drinks him in, going back to the little details he'd already forgotten: the way his buttons have been stitched and restitched on, the tiny crosses standing out stark white on his wrist like cufflinks, the almost delicate way he holds a cigarette between his fingers.

"Tongari," Wolfwood repeats, "I guess I can't call you blondie now, can I?"

"No" is all he can say. His eyes go to Wolfwood's—and stay there. He's not wearing his sunglasses, now, and that, of all things, makes his throat close up.

"I hardly recognize you without your coat, either. What did you do with that thing?"

"I... put it away," Vash manages. He remembers Meryl giving a song and dance at not having it for tonight's show, the exclusive interview, Vash shoving her away, laughing, when she (half) jokingly told him to strip to make up for it. You'll ruin me! They'll get us for false advertising! and him howling, You shouldn't have made promises you couldn't keep! and her shrieking, Milly! Milly! Hold him down!

"Your glasses, too?"

No more hiding, he'd told them. Everyone knows who I am anyway. Nai wore them, sometimes, with his cloak. Sometimes Vash would get the shivers, looking at him, his twin a ghost from long ago.

Vash watches as Wolfwood takes another drag, smoke escaping from his lips. "After all this time," he finds himself saying, "you haven't stopped smoking?"

Wolfwood chuckles. "It's not like it'll do anything here."

Vash's eyes fill with tears.

"Come now," Wolfwood says, more gently. "I've missed your smile. I never did get to see it one last time."

"You were dying," Vash retorts, before he can think, Wolfwood even now knowing how to push his buttons. "Did you want me to stand up and cheer, too?"

Wolfwood's eyes soften. He really does look different without his glasses; Vash wishes he could have seen more of his eyes. "It was bound to happen at some point, tongari. I'm surprised I made it that long, frankly."

"You should have—" Vash chokes; he's thought this over countless nights, alternatively raging and breaking down into sobs, even once destroying a hotel's box fan. It wasn't fair, it wasn't, it had been the only thing he'd asked whoever was up there, whoever Rem believed in; he wouldn't have even asked Wolfwood to stay by his side. If he could have just been, without having to have so much on his shoulders, had the blank ticket all his life. But because of Vash... "I should have—"

"Ah, tongari," Wolfwood says regretfully, "have you been carrying this around all this time? If anything, I shouldn't have left you. But I thought it was my mess, my burden, and... so many things, really." He takes another puff, breathes it out, reaches for a shot glass.

"If I had been there..."

Wolfwood shakes his head. "You don't know that, and we can't change it." He downs his drink in one gulp, slams the glass down. "Tongari, you've saved the universe. You did what I didn't think was possible: making peace with Knives. And I think without having to run all the time... You're just getting started."

Tears are blurring his vision, now. "But I don't..."

"Tongari. You promised Meryl. Milly is there, Livio is there, you have so many damn people who love you, spikey, for a good reason." He smiles. In the distance, white petals begin falling from the trees. "I'm not going to be mad at you for living. You'll see me again, in time."

He's right, damn him. Vash wipes his eyes, trying to hold in Wolfwood's image for as long as he can, to erase the warmth of blood soaking through his coat and the sound of dirt thudding on a too-still body.

"Nicholas..." he whispers.

Across the table, Wolfwood places a hand on his, squeezing gently, and Vash knows there's nothing more to say.

[tomatoswup]

Love, Vash

summary: one last letter to the love of his life

warnings/tags: angst, hurt no comfort, except for kuroneko comfort, yeaahhhh

pairing: vash x reader

A/N: oh yall gonna hate me for this one,,,,,,

Dear love,

I'm writing this letter as a goodbye.

Well, I already know you've said yours those few years ago but I couldn't accept it. How could I?

I could practically hear your voice scolding me for not feeling better even though you said to continue on without you.

Remember our little wooden house? After you passed, I had rebuilt it with a little help of a few friends! You'd be proud to see it with fresh paint and all!

Times are changing, and all this new stuff and tech is coming out I can barely catch up! Kinda wish that things were like the old days but change is good!

I remember you telling me that.

I still visit Meryl and Milly when I get the chance, and reminisce about back then. Their grandchildren are a handful though! The youngest great-grandchild kept pulling my hair as if it weren't spiky enough! But they're good kids :)

Well, after visiting them, I traveled all around No Man's, and on my little adventure, I found a cute black cat! I have decided to call them Valentinez!

Just kidding! I decided to call them Kuro, cute name ey?

I think you would've like it.

I got the chance to visit and leave flowers on Wolfwood's grave like we use to every year on his birthday. Even got him a pack of cigs to put next to the flowers! I think he'd like that alot..

I miss you.

I miss the little dances we use to do in the kitchen, I miss hearing your worries.

You always looked beautiful, no matter back when you were young, or when you would look down at your wrinkled hands.

You never ceased to take my breath away. Remember our last dance? Sure I had to help you get up from bed but I didn't care about that. Sorry I was still a bit too tall, and you knoww, you shrunk a bit but I leaned down just for ya!

Small steps and small breaths but you held on tight.

I don't think you realized how much it hurt though, it hurt so much. I wanted to dance with you forever.

I don't wanna be a plant, I should've passed with you. I wanted to leave this planet with you.

It hurt to watch you pass, that you took your final breath, and it pained me for so long I couldn't stay in the house alone.

Whenever the house was silent and empty, I left. I didn't care where, I had to just get away.

It took a while and I had alot to think about, but I got the courage to come back again. I neatly put your things away because I know you weren't a big fan of a messy home, but I kept some things you had untouched. Remember the necklace you left on your nightstand? I kept it there just how you left it.

The cat's been a big help with keeping me company, he's a trickster sure but it keeps me active!

I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise and move on. But you never ceased to leave my mind.

I'm glad I had all of these beautiful memories with you in this little worn down house, on those adventures that I first met you on, and the 60 years we've spent together that went by like a blink of an eye.

But I'm going to go on my last adventure before I come back home.

Give me your strength to face my foes and continue in peace as I take my final steps towards the end of this chaos.

Love,

Vash

[nanomooselet]

Oh. I was too distracted by Roberto dooming himself by drawing a derringer to realise. The reason he gets much more hostile toward Wolfwood after searching the tunnel? To the point of drawing a weapon and openly accusing him of being an assassin, when before he mostly just seemed wary and to find Nick and his Nick-names irritating (understandably)?

Because there's no sign of Meryl's return, even though Vash and Wolfwood are already back. Roberto thinks he left his newbie alone too long and this stranger, whom she only tried to help after hitting him by accident, could have taken the opportunity to either get her killed, or to ambush her himself.

Roberto is genuinely worried about Meryl. He also later seems earnestly concerned that Vash might be too trusting about this guy. Wolfwood, by all appearances, may actually have murdered a tiny, unarmed twenty-three-year-old out on her first job in cold blood. An uptight pain-in-the-ass kindhearted scold of a girl who was Roberto's personal responsibility.

Wolfwood reacts not with alarm or horror to the accusation but by smugly daring Roberto to try and take a shot.

And then Vash abruptly just… says Wolfwood seems like a good guy? Based on nothing???

Hilariously, that instantly punctures the growing tension because both Roberto and Wolfwood have to shut down and reboot at the non-sequitur. Zazie takes the opportunity to swipe Roberto, but I bet they thought it was funny too; enough to bring it up again with Wolfwood later. Vash really is a lot cannier than he seems. No wonder Zazie likes him.

And Roberto really does care about Meryl and take protecting her seriously. Just for her sake, he was getting ready to try throwing down with a professional killer whom he knows has some kind of inexplicable extra-humanness and a weapon bigger than he is. Man, the more I think about it, the less surprising it is that Meryl was brave enough to go after Vash. She and Roberto had more in common, deep down, than either one of them ever guessed.

[hikennosabo]

random knives thoughts (trimax vol 7)

my vol 7 post is getting long and i have so much to say about knives that i think he deserves his own post, lol. and this got way longer than i expected it would.

not sure how to structure this though. i guess i'll just... go in chapter order.

this volume is a LOT to take in, in general, but also with regards to knives specifically. we see past and present versions, and the difference is night and day.

^ i love this scene of rem scolding knives so much, because it's just so... normal. a normal mother and son interaction. he was just a normal kid.

i also love this next scene, and i want to go through it slowly.

knives is so worried about conrad's reaction to them. he can't make eye contact. his face is red. he's trying to talk politely. he's trembling and sweating. compared to vash, who looks a little concerned, but relatively nonplussed.

i love how this is the only question conrad asks, and the two of them immediately answer. that's all that's needed.

i love the panel of knives crying so much. i can't imagine him crying like this as an adult... he's so emotional about all this. and i love vash comforting him by putting his arm around him. vash has to say "thank you" because knives is crying so much he can't even speak. knives was such a sweet kid, y'all.

and then there's this. now conrad is scolding knives like a parent, too. it's just. everything about this interaction is so sweet. it almost paints a picture of what could have been. things could have been different in another timeline. ugh ugh ugh

knives being the sensitive one, and the one with so much hope and confidence that plants and humans can get along, it hurts. it's almost hard to believe that the twins basically swapped in their outlooks and attitudes from being kids to adults.

^ that being said, put a pin in this.

^ not posting this one for any particular reason other than i think that knives being a little hackerman is so cute

^ i NEED to include these panels, though, because it's such a sibling moment. if you couldn't tell (lol), i love the bits of normal familial interactions we see, and the twins' scenes specifically just serve to emphasize how wrong everything is in the present day.

"since when have we been so different?" ...the line in tristamp which kills me the most. (if this line appears in a future volume i might actually just climb right into the microwave.)

and then we get the tesla scene. it's already been discussed at length, but knives being so traumatized that he passed out is just. so much. it broke him. it broke him!! and he slept through everything after that. it seems like a small mercy, compared to vash's self-starvation and suicide attempt, but in the long run... it wasn't. he wasn't able to work through his emotions with rem like vash did. he didn't hear the blank ticket story, or see rem cry.

aaand then he wakes up and immediately pretends to have amnesia. i'm gonna be honest, i wasn't actually sure at first if he was lying or not. but his anger and grief and fear are too extreme for it to be a reaction to simply "rem calmly explaining what happened." although i also thought the twins Forgetting Traumatic Events could be like. a running thing here. maybe.

also his "?" face is so cute. (somehow i forgot to include this one in my knives baby pictures post...)

the chapter 3 title kills me btw.

"i thought it would be better if he still knew the truth." i wonder if vash blames himself for knives's breakdown because of this. (he would've had a breakdown anyway...) and there's something to be said here about vash thinking this when he's the one who ends up blocking out traumatic memories in the future. thanks to knives, no less.

his conversation with rem kills me, also. "are you trying to bear all of this by yourself?" "yeah. i am." he just. admits it. and his expressions are so muted now compared to previous chapters. rem is trying but unfortunately she didn't try hard enough.

the mom-son hug... :( the way he clings to her. he's thinking about revenge, but it's so clear that he still loves his mom.

and that leads right into this. it's still a little while in between this and knives making the ships fall, but, i don't know, with the way he breaks out of the hug, then turns away, then turns back to say thank you, it feels like this is knives's goodbye to rem. like this is when he steels his resolve, almost. maybe i'm reading too much into it, idk. plus he looks so tired. he looks more like his adult self now.

it's more like he's telling himself this, rather than telling vash. he's choosing to be angry instead of afraid. (or acting like it, at least.) and with his face in shadow like in the flashbacks earlier in the story...

^ PAGES THAT KILL ME. the last sense of normalcy right before disaster. knives's expressions don't seem insincere here. maybe he was allowing himself some happiness before the execution of his plan.

and then, of course, we see him having a fucking breakdown.

they hurt to look at, but i love these pages so much. his face divided in two by shadow, tears on one side, blood on the other... he's. conflicted about his actions, to say the least.

but when he succeeds, he has no choice but to lean into it, yknow? no time for regrets.

^ me when i lie. honey, you don't look rational.

and then we smash cut to the present day.

i love this panel. knives looks so small here.

and i ADORE this page so much. it's gorgeous; poignant, even. and we've never seen knives kneel like this before. man, this volume has such good knives images. (also i was rereading this chapter with my music on shuffle and 'take me to church' started playing while i was looking at this page. interesting experience)

there is. so much in this scene. knives expresses regret for killing plants in the big fall. knives saying - STILL saying - that he's angry rather than afraid.

a lot has been said about knives's hypocrisy already, but there's something to be said about knives criticizing humanity, and saying that humans will selfishly consume plants "like parasites"... and then essentially doing that himself. absorbing other plants so he can use their energy instead of his own.

i think the phrasing he uses is interesting, though. it's almost as if he's asking the plant rather than using force. the gentle way he puts his hand on the glass, too. showing more respect to her than to his own brother. i mean, i guess it doesn't really matter because non-independent plants don't have free will anyway(?), and maybe that's exactly why he's acting like this(??), but. idk. it's interesting.

^ including this page for no reason other than it fucks severely.

and then finishing the chapter and seeing the chapter title again is just. ugh. like, so much happens in between the start and the end that you kinda forget what the title is and then it hits you like a truck. king of loneliness.

^ another page i'm including for the sole reason that it fucks severely.

^ yet ANOTHER spread that i absolutely adore, but i have more to say about it this time lol. i'm obsessed with how beautiful this page is, it's a renaissance painting to me. it's just the contrast of it all. knives, the villain, in a delicate pose, juxtaposed against the body horror, sleeping peacefully with fabric draped all around. the majority of the spread being white creates a sense of purity and also contrasts beautifully with the use of black in the other two knives spreads i posted above. instantly one of my favorite pages in the manga. and he's absorbed, what, three or four plants by now? making his aura so powerful even when he's asleep. which makes this image of him snoozing even more uncanny in context.

...now that i think about it, knives sleeps a lot, doesn't he? he's essentially "asleep" at the beginning of the manga until he gets resurrected, he passed out from trauma as a child, there was that time in volume 4 when he was soooo eepy and yawned in legato's face, and now this...

:( it's been said already, but knives has turned tesla into a symbol, much like vash with rem. if tesla had this power, what would she have done? we'll never know.

"i won't let you," he says. knives. honey. some self-reflection, please. whose fault was it that he ever used those powers at all. i'm begging you. LOOK INWARD.

^ more like millions guns lol. but actually i just wanted to point out he manifests 13 guns! thirteen, like the ghg! or it's just a coincidence.

knives insisting that this is a war... things to say when you're definitely not afraid of humans you swear. and then we get the dialogue from tristamp episode 12 from the scene that kills me the most.

at this point i said to myself (which isn't the first time i've had this thought reading trigun, and won't be the last), "why can't they just talk to each other like normal people?" LOL yeah so we're taking that pin out from way earlier in this post: "we can work through a few little differences if we just talk to each other." but if knives was capable of doing that, well the story wouldn't be happening at all, now would it? the concept of talking it out became impossible to him the moment he and vash discovered tesla.

also damn that post about knives seeing vash as an extension of himself wasn't kidding! i don't think i can add anything else to that, just. yep, it's literal!

aaaand anything else i have to say will have to be in my volume 7 post proper because i've hit the image limit LMAO. i just. wow. knives. what a character. what a villain. i'm rotating him in my mind like a rotisserie chicken.

[ghost-rule0]

"You are important to me Vash"

warning. This hasn't been proveread at all since I am on lunch break rn and wanted to write down some dynamic ideas for my upcoming Vash x Reader fanfic.

Enjoy!

Leaning back in the comforting plush of the backseat they exhaled. The otheres where out trying to find a hotel that was still open at this time while Vash and Y/N had to stay back. For one Vash was basically grounded so that Maryl could make sure he doesnt accidently attract more trouble than they already had while Y/N was a walking disaster, similar size as the human typhon himself.

The group had picked them up not long ago as the (h/c)nette was cluelessly walking around the dunes, covered in dirt and dried blood. Funny enough Meryl had almost ran them over, thinking it was a walking corpse just in time before roberto took over the wheel.

The situation was comedically similar to the moment they had picked up Wolfwood some weeks prior but the funerul palor worker just ignored their presence by completly oversleeping the encounter. The blond gunslinger on the other hand was uncomfortably and nervously sitting beside the practically half dead person beside him.

Asking time and time again if they were ok or if they needed anything. Y/N found it adorable that the stranger was so concered for themselves telling him its just a scratch while Meryl was screaming at them that they was practically dying on their backseet as the reporter slammed on the gas, racing to the next town to get them medical assistance.

Back to the current time it had passed a week since that accident and Y/N had to still wear mutiple layers of Bandages all over their body. Leaving a hurt stranger and Vash the walking danger attraction Stampede in the same car might have been not the best idea but for the sake of Merlys dying nerves it was the best option they had.

Over the past week Vash and Y/N seemingly got along very well making the silence between them almost comforting more than arkward. Both of them tho had deep shadows under their eyes, showing neither of them had a good sleep in a while.

"When did you last sleep Vash..." the bored voice of the walking mummie broke the silence as the blond man looked at them in confusion. "Yesterday? This morning? What do you mean...". His opposite hummed at the question before asking one more "I mean a good eight hours of sleep. Not your naps you take in the car". The man pressed his lips in a flat line as he starred outside. "Dont worry about that. Its more important that I am awake in case something happens"

"Why do you think that?" they replied, pressing further as the gunslinger started to drown in his thoughts. "To....to protect you all? Why else...?"

The answer didn't seem to satisfie Y/N as they turned to him. "Thats not a valid answer. We can look after ourselfs so you don't need to sacrifice your health over that"

The walking plant chuckled "don't think about it I really don't need so much sleep. As long as you all are ok I am fine too-"

Silence. This time not comfortable to as the blond nervously chuckled at the suddenly quiete mummie beside him.

"Vash" they spoke up, starring at him. "Y-yes?" he nervously looked at them, expecting some sort of scolding as he was used to from Meryl for not sleeping enough.

"Your well beeing is important to me. You are important"

The human typhon himself just starred blanky at his hands. Subconsciously fidgeting with his fingers as he didn't know how to answer.

It had been a long since he was told something like that. Last time probebly by Rem back when he and his brother were still young.

He didn't even react when his companion sighed and softly pulled his head on their shoulder, softly playing with his hair.

"How about we take turns, and you sleep first as I look out for danger ok? Let someone else protect you for once blondie..."

He didn't really react, just nodded as his mind was still clouded with questions. But his eyes just slowly closed as the sleep deprivation he was on started pull him in, knocking him out almost imidiently.

Y/N carefully took off his glasses and put them away so they wouldn't break from accidently laying in them as they grinned and leaned against the window. Thinking to themselves.

'I am such a good liar' before falling asleep themselves. Both finally getting a good rest for the first time in a while.

Extra:

Roberto let his ciggerette fall down into the sand before he stepped on it. He, Wolfwood and Meryl finally had found a hotel that still had enough rooms avoidable for the group so he was assigned to get the walking distaster duo out of the car. But as he saw trough the window that both insomaniacs were knocked out cold he decided to just smoke a cigarette, waiting if they would wake up before putting a blanket over the two and walking back to the in. Smiling faintly to himself as he shot the two a last glance.

[greetingfromthedead]

C15: Resemblance of Normality

For more information on the series (tags, CW, etc) click the banner!

Series Rating: 18+ / Explicit

Chapter: 15/84

Words: 2k

No particular warnings for this chapter.

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A light touch on your forehead is what stirs you awake. You are slow to comprehend everything; the sleep is still clouding your mind. You are bundled up in two blankets like the night before, but there is more restricting you than the fabric. As you start to comprehend more, you realize that Vash's leg lays between yours across the blanket, his arm over your body, his hand resting on your back. Your arm is laying upon his side, as you had been sleeping toward him, face against his chest. The touch on your forehead is his lips.

"Good morning!" his sleepy voice says quietly as you stretch out. When your arm moves back towards your body, you leave it on him, feeling his side through the cloth. You realize he is still wearing his regular clothes, as he never changed, even though you are staying at a hotel. You don't imagine he had a very comfortable night. He had fallen asleep first as he held you in his arms, insisting that you needed both blankets that he had rolled you into. You were left trapped under his arm and leg, not able to do much without waking him up. You had decided you would wait for him to turn away and then tuck him in, but you had gotten bored of waiting and decided to nap. Still, he has remained in a very similar position to the one he started in, so you had no hope of succeeding in your mission.

"Good morning," you answer him as you turn your face upward. He is so close to you that, for a moment, all you see are his blue eyes. You remember his face next to yours from last night, covered by the darkness of the room, but now the sunlight shines through the window and leaves nothing to the imagination.

His hand travels from your back to your shoulder and neck, his thumb stroking over your cheek, and his fingers lift your chin a bit more for him to place a kiss on your lips. Feeling like you're melting into his touch, your hand on his side pulls your bodies a bit closer together.

"I don't want this to stay a secret in the dark. Call it an old man's wish if you will." His hand strokes your face. Eyes closing to his touch, you snuggle closer again, and his arms wrap around you to keep you against his chest. You hear his heart beating, and his pulse is elevated. "Oh, Iris, it's like I've waited my whole life for you to come along."

You realize it hasn't been long at all since he found you in that coffin, but it feels like you've known him your whole life.

"I'm glad you saved me," you say, still pressed against his chest.

"Me too."

The day went by in mostly a happy daze. You finally felt some resemblance of peace; you had been accepted in every way by someone who understood you and wasn't afraid. The insistent noise was still present in your head, demanding to be heard, but your heart was too light and your mind was too filled with a peaceful fog for it to bother you.

After you two finally got out of bed, you suggested that Vash go get breakfast for himself while you patch up your clothes enough to be able to leave the room. He seemed reluctant to head out but agreed in the end. You picked up his sewing kit and got to work on your shirt; somehow it came to you so easily, like you had done it a million times before. Quickly, the holes were stitched together, and you got dressed. You even took the time to fix up some of Vash's clothes that you had noticed needed attention. The man returned while you were in the middle of mending one of his turtlenecks, and a displeased frown was slapped onto his face as he noticed.

"Why do you seem to take on too much work for yourself? You don't have to go out of your way to do things for me." He seemed to scold you.

"What else was I supposed to do?" You answered in a light tone and looked up at him. "Was I supposed to sit around and stare at the door till you return?"

He let out a sigh and came closer. His hand went to the back of your head, and he pulled you closer to give your scalp a kiss while his other hand took the needle and shirt away. After that, he took you to the woman who was trading clothes for food and money. There were piles of clothes on tables to sort through. You felt exposed mingling around other people, but they didn't seem to pay you much attention, as Vash was the one who stood out with his bright red coat, orange sunglasses, and prosthetic arm. He chatted away with the shopkeeper, casually browsing some items too. You were very happy to have him with you, and you tried to get the stuff you needed quickly: some underwear and more clean clothes to wear both in the desert and indoors. Vash pulled out a simple bag; it's smaller than his but seemed to be a perfect fit for you, so he was waving it at you, and you gave him a thumbs up with a shy smile. The last item you came across was a simple leather scabbard that, to your approximation, seemed to fit the knife you had taken from the last town. When you went to pay, your total came in to a lot less than you had expected, and you managed to pay it off with the money you had earned on the toma farm. You aren't sure if the prices have changed so much in the last century, or maybe Vash had something to do with it. Either way, you pack the stuff into the bag, and Vash insists on carrying it for you.

"So where to now?" Vash asks as the two of you leave the little market.

"Eh, I don't know what the plan is. Back to the hotel to drop off the stuff and then odd jobs?" You think to yourself. The odd jobs are still making you nervous.

"Solid. I was thinking the same thing. We truly are on the same wave length, Sweet Pea!" He gives you a little nudge. "Probably should ask the hotel people or perhaps check at a saloon for what they have to offer."

You follow the plan, not getting any useful information from the hotel clerk, so you head to the saloon. Even for late afternoon, the saloon seems empty, but you step in anyway. The bartender greets you cheerfully and offers a menu. Vash asks for two waters and gets to chatting while you sit next to him, mostly staring at the counter and your glass.

"If you're looking for jobs, then we could use some help. If you, lad, can cook, then the kitchen needs a hand. The girly would probably find great success with our ladies if only she looked up and smiled a bit more. The bartender seems to inspect you, and you look away to see women in very short skirts and overall revealing outfits smoking on the front porch and beckoning passersby to come closer.

"Oh, no, no, that's not the kind of employment she's looking for!" Vash says, laughing nervously.

"Well, she wouldn't be much use as a waitress if she can't get a single word out." He still looks at you, and you feel like you're burning up. "Would be a shame to hide this beauty away; look at that perfect skin, young and tender; she probably hasn't seen a worry or a day's worth of hard work in her life."

"Hey, this is enough! Can't she help out in the kitchen, maybe?" Vash sounds a bit stern to you, but the bartender doesn't seem to notice that tone.

"Hilda will eat her alive if she can't speak up for herself. How about she cleans the rooms upstairs after our girls are done? We're expecting to have a busy night tonight. The steamer is coming!"

"We can also keep asking around," Vash says quietly to you, but you shake your head and look up at the bartender without moving our heads. "I can do that."

There's a fire in your eyes once more, and it startled the unexpecting man, and he takes a step back, pausing the polishing of the glass in his hand.

"Very well, missy. The both of you can start immediately. Hilda is already preparing for the rush of tonight, and I believe the girls haven't cleaned up the rooms yet either. Come, I'll show you everything."

The bartender shows Vash to the kitchen and introduces the two of you to a ferocious-looking woman called Hilda, who is chopping vegetables like she has a vendetta against them. She immediately takes to commanding Vash around with a booming voice that leaves no room for arguments, and within moments, Vash has been forced to take off his glove and wash his hands. You notice the scars his glove has been hiding all this time. While Vash is at the sink, Hilda decks him out with a white, frilly apron and a hairnet. All you hear from Vash is nervous laughter as he is sloshed around by the big woman and set to chop some toma meat. He shoots you a slightly nervous smile while cutting the meat, and the bartender calls you to follow him.

You are shown to the upstairs area, where there are four small rooms for the guests. Currently, all of them look like a mess. A fifth door leads to a staff area that you are also allowed to use, and it houses all the cleaning supplies and spare sheets.

"The rooms don't need to be spotless; most of the patrons have other things on their minds, and the lights are off anyway. Just make them presentable for the next customer. That's all." He seems nonchalant about it all, and you just nod. "Just keep an eye out for when the girls get out; don't get in the way and don't be seen too much, or the guests might get ideas, and if there's a problem, then Mike, our bouncer, will take care of it."

He looks at you up and down and seems to be thinking. You just stand there, feeling very uncomfortable, and the only thing keeping you from running away is that you don't want to make Vash worry or think that you're weak.

"These clothes won't do. You look like we just picked you up from the street; your pants have stains on them, and the shirt is patched up. I run a better establishment than that, and I'm expecting some high-end customers." He goes to a different closet and digs around in it, pulling out a black dress with white frills on it and adding to it a ruffled apron. "Those should fit you; they are left over from the better days when we had an actual maid on the staff. There are some shoes here too that the girls don't currently need; hopefully you'll find your size. I'll come and check your work before the big rush!"

You keep standing in the room, holding the clothes, as you watch the bartender leave. For a moment, you are dumbfounded. You understand his reasoning, but it still makes you feel weird. You decide you don't want to be a burden on Vash in any way, and you need to pull your own weight. So you get changed and find shoes that fit you well enough. In the closet, you find a ribbon you can use to tie away your hair to avoid it getting in your eyes as you work. You had taken the scabbard and your knife from your room, and now secure the sheath to your leg, hiding the knife under your skirt just in case. You roll up your proverbial sleeves and get to work on the rooms.

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[betty-primrose]

I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!

Remember how I said I was gonna get caught up my tabs during @trigunfanfic's Trigun Fanfiction Appreciation Week? Notice how I missed the last two days? This is how I end up with all the tabs!

So, anyway.

I did manage to finish reading two short little pieces!

First, beelzebby666's take what you will, a tight 400-word drabble showcasing how absolutely bizarre Knives and Legato's relationship is. Its a sultry, debauched little scene, but so succinctly summarizes the pairing's weird hang-ups.

Second was Do you (do you, do you, do you) wanna be a distraction, baby? by ImberReader. Another snug 500-words about Wolfwood scolding his partners, but Meryl and Vash are too distracted by his cleavage to care. Adorable, sweet, with just a hint of sexy!

Those are obviously powerful, but petite, pieces, so please allow me to serve you something a little more substantial:

seidrade's meaty Substitute Teacher is a heaping, hearty platter of bloody, angry, salacious Kniveswood set shortly after Wolfwood delivers Vash to July in Stampede. It's follow-up companion, Come As You Are, is a delightful Plantcest dessert to its predecessor. Can't recommend both stories enough!

Lastly, MarionetteFtHJM offers up their own incredible two-parter with Let me wrap my teeth around the world and i wear the king of the wasteland's crown, a Vashwood and Kniveswood piece, respectably, but both with indulgent monsterfucking. If you like our Plant brothers somewhat spooky, a touch threatening, and horribly horny, boy, have I got the tales for you!

I swear, I'll be on time tomorrow, but until then, happy reading!