Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Guided Steps ❯ Departure ( Chapter 11 )

A small, somber group met near the lift down to the planet's surface. For all of them, the morning had come too quickly for comfort. Milly and Meryl were the only ones seeing off the three who were leaving in the false pre-dawn light.

 

Whatever goodbyes Livio and Milly had for each other had already been said; a tender hug, some whispered words of love and a gentle touch were all that remained. Meryl surprised herself by keeping her eyes dry when she told Vash very simply, “be careful. And don't get carried away.”

 

It was only when Vash leaned down to hug her that she allowed one tear to fall as she held him fiercely close.

 

At Wolfwood's insistence no one had said a word to Melanie. She would wake in a little while to find them gone and a note on her pillow with a single line:

 

A good son protects his mother and his family.

 

Said priest stood apart from the other two for a couple of minutes, but he still hated goodbyes and couldn't bear to see the ones being exchanged in front of him. He withdrew quietly to wait by the lift.

 

He took the opportunity to light up the cigarette Livio had snagged for him. After a few slow drags he grimaced. The harsh chemical smoke no longer had the calming effect on his nerves that it once did. He pitched the thing to the pristine metal of the deck and ground it to death underfoot. He studied the pile of ash with a short-lived smirk. The nicotine hadn't helped him any, but at least dirtying the ship made him feel a little better.

 

Vash and Livio finally joined him several minutes later and the long trip down to the planet passed in silence. On the ground they found a jeep waiting for them in a small locked and guarded warehouse. After they packed it with supplies and a large helping of ammunition, a quick game of `rock, paper, scissors' decided Wolfwood as the driver. He took the job without a word or grumble of complaint and Livio thought that was odd. Maybe he, like Vash, was just too focused on what they had to do to worry about the small stuff now.

 

Maybe, but he didn't think so.

 

When they were ready to go he climbed into the backseat and to his surprise Vash took the seat next to him. “Gotta get some rest while we can,” he said with a tight smile that faded just as quickly as it had come. He agreed and Vash turned his attention to the window as they left the town, the last stand of humanity on this desert world. The stony quality to his gaze was unnerving and Livio decided that enduring the silence was better than having it directed at him.

 

That was the plan until a chance glance saw Wolfwood's hand clench so hard on the shifter that his skin stretched pale across his knuckles. At seeing that his concern grew into outright worry. It would have been a completely understandable sign of stress on anyone else, but Wolfwood normally cultivated a calm exterior at times like these. A quick flick of his eyes confirmed that Vash had missed the small movement. He put his head back on the seat and grimaced. If it went on like this he'd risk Vash's intensity, for Nicholas' sake. For now though, there was nothing he could do.

 

The miles flew by and the constancy of the harsh landscape lulled him into sleep. He dreamed of Milly's sweet smile, of holding her with such tenderness he hadn't known he'd even possessed.

 

Next to him Vash dreamt of fire, death and destruction. Wolfwood was grateful to be spared the particular terrors of his own dreams.

 

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Wolfwood slowed the jeep down and finally came to a stop, rousing his two dozing passengers. It was late afternoon and though Luida had seen to it that their vehicle was fairly spacious, the boulder-laden terrain required a lot of fancy driving and repetitive fiddling with the clutch. His muscles were beginning to cramp up.

 

“Why are we stopping?” Vash asked sleepily.

 

“I need to stretch my legs.”

 

Livio frowned at that. As they got out of the car there was no yelling, no demanding that one of them drive next time, no nothing but a casual refusal to take off his shades or look either one of them in the eye. “It's getting late anyway. This is as good a place as any to stop before it gets dark. You hungry?”

 

There was a slight hesitation before he answered. “Nah. I'm gonna go have a look around.” Being alone with his thoughts wasn't a pleasant prospect, but it was better that than idling around Vash and Livio before he could get a grip on himself.

 

“What's there to look at? Nothing out here but medium rocks, big rocks and really big rocks,” Livio grumbled, digging a meal bar out of his bag.

 

Wolfwood snorted and walked away, disappearing among the boulders. Livio watched him go and in that moment he would have gladly throttled either one of his traveling partners if he thought it would net him any answers. Nicholas' `Move along, nothing to see here' act was fooling Vash only because the other blond had blinders on to all but his coming fight with Knives. Hell, Nicholas had probably fitted the blinders on personally, and for good reason.

 

`But what's the point if we don't all make it out of this alive? If Nicholas can't get his head together Legato will kill him.' He looked over at Vash, straight-backed and silhouetted against the coming sunset and sighed heavily. If Vash didn't beat him to death for disturbing his focus, Wolfwood would just do it later for saying anything to Vash.

 

`Well, no time like the present…'

 

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`Knives… I know he's up there, I can feel him. This will all end between us soon, brother. Soon…' Vash closed his eyes and wondered if it were possible to communicate with Knives, if he could just concentrate, push hard enough if-

 

“What're you doing?”

 

Vash leaped several feet in the air with a startled squeal as Livio materialized next to him out of thin air. “Why are you always sneaking up on me?! You just like to see me jump, don't you!”

 

It was almost enough to fool Livio, but Vash's response to him felt like a well-rehearsed act. He recognized then that the real Vash was still off in his own head somewhere and Livio would have to break through this facade before he could accomplish anything.

 

“Look, I know you're preparing yourself for some really horrible shit, but that's tomorrow. For today, I'd say you oughta pay a little more attention to what's going on right under your nose, if you get my drift.”

 

Vash's response was a non-committal hum and something that resembled a smile before he turned his attention back to the blue sky. Clearly a dismissal, but Livio gathered his courage and refused to let Vash turn him away. He motioned back in the direction Wolfwood had disappeared with a sigh. “I mean him. I thought you cared about him. How long are you going to let him suffer like this?”

 

That did it. Vash's piercing stare turned fully on him and he had the urge to squirm under his scrutiny. “What are you talking about?”

 

He swallowed hard and pushed on. “You really don't see it, do you? He's two steps away from falling apart.”

 

“I would know,” Vash replied, but doubt crept into his expression.

 

“Not if he didn't want you to. Man, he must've really done a number on you. Think about it.” Before Vash could dispute him, something sprang to his mind. He thought back to the morning, waking to find Wolfwood already dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed. Before Vash could say anything his guide had held his revolver out to him. “I can't protect the kids. Not from him. You're the only one who can.”

 

His hand had shaken slightly when he reached out to take it from Wolfwood's hand. “Are you ready?” He took a deep breath and his fingers closed around the cold grip, steady now in his certainty. “Yes. I'm ready.” He hadn't been able to think about anything else since.

 

“You're right.” Vash muttered. `Dammit Nick, of all the times to be hiding something from me…'

 

Livio was relieved to see that the unnerving chill in Vash's eyes was fading. Concern was rapidly taking its place. “I figured he had you turned around.”

 

Vash blinked widely at him for a moment. “How did you know that?” he blurted in surprise. “I dunno,” Livio shrugged. “Gut feeling, I guess.”

 

“That's it,” Vash grumbled. “You and Milly are not allowed to have children. Between your genes and hers your kids will come out some kind of super-race of mind-reading empaths, and I have enough trouble with just the two of you!”

 

“You're just mad `cause I noticed and you didn't.” Vash refrained from comment and Livio was about to make another joke about it but one glance at Vash killed it. It hadn't really occurred to him before that Vash the Stampede, the hundred and fifty year old Humanoid Typhoon could be out of his depth with a lover, just like anyone else.

 

But if anyone could trip up Vash, it would be complicated, bull-headed Nicholas.

 

Vash looked so torn that Livio searched for a gentle way to at least push him in the right direction. “Well? Are you going to go after him or what? I think that's what you're supposed to do in this sort of situation, at least that's what I'd do anyway.”

 

Vash graced him a self-deprecating smile and Livio took it as a `thank you.' He pushed away from the car and headed off in the direction Wolfwood had disappeared. “Yeah, but I'll bet you'd tell him what he needs to hear. I can't do that.”

 

Livio rolled his eyes and yelled after him. “Can you tell me something at the end of a conversation that doesn't sound cryptic, for once? Good grief,” he muttered.

 

Livio watched Vash's retreating back for a while, trying to figure out what could possibly shake Nicholas D. Wolfwood. He knew Wolfwood was keeping him in the dark about something big and it was frustrating as hell. Eventually he forced himself to think of other things, deciding that it was enough that he was helping Nicholas, at least for now anyway.

 

To occupy his time, he fantasized about dropping all of his and Milly's future children off at Uncle Vash's house for babysitting. The thought produced a malicious laugh that drifted into the hot desert air.

 

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Wolfwood was a difficult man to track when he didn't want to be found. It took Vash almost ten minutes to pick up his meandering trail and catch up to him, and even then he suspected it was just pity on Wolfwood's part. He was in the shadow of a large outcropping of rock, standing there with his hands in his pockets as if he'd just stopped to wait for him to catch up. “What do you want, Tongari?” he sighed.

 

`I want you to stop protecting me from yourself,' Vash thought grimly. “Livio seems to think there's something really bothering you.”

 

Wolfwood snorted. “We're out here looking to pick a fight with the two nastiest pieces of work ever to curse the face of this planet. Nothing to worry about there.”

 

Vash said nothing and silence reigned for a long moment. When Wolfwood finally spoke he had to strain to hear him.

 

“Kiss me.”

 

Vash blinked widely a couple of times. “…Huh?”

 

The priest just growled in irritation. “You heard me!” Even in shadow, even with those dark sunglasses on Vash could see the blush across his cheeks. For a moment he forgot the seriousness of the situation and had to fight the urge to smile. Wolfwood could seduce him and reduce him to monosyllabic begging on the nearest flat surface without losing his smirk, but just asking to be kissed had him blushing.

 

“Quit looking at me like that!”

 

“Sorry! You just… ah… surprised me, that's all,” Vash answered truthfully. “Are you going to tell me why?”

 

“I want you to. Isn't that enough?”

 

“It would be, but we both know this isn't like you.” Wolfwood grimaced when Vash said nothing further.

 

“If things go bad I just wanted to have…” He managed to click his jaw shut to stop any more words from escaping and his mind raced furiously. `What the hell is wrong with me?!'

 

When Wolfwood stopped talking a nasty thought began to take root in Vash's brain. “Nick?” he asked shakily. “Kinda important that you finish that sentence.” When he didn't answer Vash crossed the distance between them, raising his hand and touching his fingers to those all-concealing shades. Wolfwood's hands jerked out of his pockets to make a move to stop him but he froze at the last moment, unable to complete the movement. Vash waited and he made no further movement, so he pulled the shades away from his eyes.

 

Wolfwood immediately regretted his lapse. Vash's eyes, so focused and determined until now took on that shade of sadness that he hated seeing. And as if that weren't bad enough, there was understanding there too. Cursing to himself he took a step back. With some physical distance between them now, he was able to use words to widen the gap. “I don't know why I said that,” he muttered gruffly. “All that driving must've fried my brain.”

 

“Is that what you need to get you through this?” Vash asked, ignoring his attempts to back away from the situation. “Something to hold on to in case you can't stop Legato?” He saw surprise and pain flash in the dark eyes before Wolfwood started shutting down. Wolfwood finally remembered to shove his shades back into place and Vash reached out in alarm. “That's it, isn't it?” he breathed. “Nick, please! Whatever is going on in your head, let me in! I can handle it!”

 

“I know. But you shouldn't have to. It's not time for me - I mean, for us. Not yet.” Vash started to try again and Wolfwood cut him off with a sharp gesture. With a few careless words he'd managed to bring Vash's attention fully onto himself, and now he had to do some serious damage control to get him turned around again. “Look, we've got a long way to go. Don't get distracted just `cause I'm too tired and cranky to keep my big mouth shut. So just forget what I said. You'll be doing my ego a big favor.”

 

He glided past Vash on his way back to the car before the blond could get a single word out. “Break's over Tongari. Let's go.”

 

Vash watched him go in stunned silence for a moment before his eyes narrowed. Fine. If Wolfwood wanted to be the immovable object, so be it.

 

The irresistible force was not above cheating.

 

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Vash took a few minutes to think, and then managed to navigate himself back to the car and his waiting traveling companions. Livio glared at him as soon as he came into view and though Vash felt some pity for him - after all, Wolfwood had probably just ripped him a new one for interfering - he did his best to ignore it.

 

Wolfwood moved to take the driver's seat once more but Vash beat him to it. “I'll drive,” he said cheerfully. The priest's eyes narrowed for a moment as he tried to figure out Vash's angle, but the blond wasn't giving anything away. Eventually he blew out an irritated “fine,” and got in the back seat.

 

Vash barely waited for the other two to get seated before he sped off so fast they jerked in their seats. Immediately Livio noticed a slight difference in direction. “Hey! Where are you going?” he demanded.

 

“Change of plan.” Livio just crossed his arms and scowled at him and he bristled. “I know, I know! I'm working on it, okay!?” In the backseat Wolfwood closed his eyes behind the shield of his shades and leaned back into the seat for a rest. Whatever the two blond idiots in the front seat had to argue about was none of his business so long as they left him out of it.

 

With any luck he'd be able to sleep lightly enough to stay clear of the worst of the dreams. A brief, bitter smile twisted his lips. `Nothing says “I'm fine” like waking up screaming…'

 

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Wolfwood stirred just before nightfall to the sound of more arguing. He straightened to see where they were and was more than a little taken aback to see they were approaching a town. “What the hell are we doing here? We're supposed to be avoiding these places!”

 

The images of corpse-lined streets sent back from the cities and towns first hit by Knives were gruesome to say the least. He had no desire to experience something like that firsthand, but Vash shook his head. “The towns and cities closest to the ships got word early. All the people evacuated in plenty of time; there won't be any nasty surprises. It's fine, see?”

 

Vash slowed the car down as they drove down the empty main street, and there were no desert-ravaged bodies littering the ground as he'd feared. He groaned as Vash unerringly found the bar, pulled in front and turned off the car. “Don't tell me we came all this way just so you could have a drink.”

 

“Nope!” Vash replied cheerfully. He hopped out, forcing the other two to do the same. “There's a really nice inn upstairs, I've stayed there a few times. Can you fend for yourself for a while, Livio?”

 

After a few seconds of being puzzled Livio's annoyance with Vash quickly faded. “Oh. Oh, yeah!” he grinned. “Good luck!”

 

“…Huh?” Wolfwood added.

 

“Thanks. I have a feeling I'm going to need it.”

 

“Okay, I give up. Are you two idiots gonna let me in on- hey! Put me down!”

 

Without another word Vash turned and strode into the building, past the bar and up the stairs with Wolfwood struggling and bellowing bloody murder at him. Vash didn't really blame him though. Being unceremoniously tossed over someone's shoulder and hauled off tended to annoy some people.

 

Vash kicked open a door in the middle of a hallway, wincing at the sound of cracking wood. He dumped Wolfwood off in his chosen room and the angry priest had to take a few steps back before he could recover his balance. “What the hell are you doing Tongari? Livio's too far away; how're we gonna know if anything happens to him?!”

 

“You heard him. He can take care of himself until morning,” Vash replied smoothly, closing the door and sitting down on an ornate wooden chair to tackle the complicated task of taking his boots off. Wolfwood just watched him, wondering if he'd finally gone off the deep end when he stood and stripped off his trademark red coat.

 

Vash finally looked at him and he sucked in a breath. The blond rose and took a few steps toward him and his heart raced at about ninety miles a minute. While he was distracted with questions of why? and how the fuck do I get him turned back around? Vash plucked his sunglasses off and tossed them over his shoulder before Wolfwood could protest.

 

“It'd be real nice if you'd stop kidnapping me.” Wolfwood bit out between clenched teeth.

 

“You're off balance.” Wolfwood opened his mouth to say something but Vash just waved him off. “The cat's out of the bag, Nick. If you want me to stick to this insane plan like a good little boy you're going to have to convince me that you can handle this.”

 

Wolfwood eyes narrowed coldly. “I can do my job, Tongari. Just remember. This all rides on you, not me. If you can't hold it together on your end, this is all for nothing. Now if that's all you've got to say, I'd like to get the hell out of here now.”

 

That should have done it, should have pissed Vash off enough to make him turn angrily on his heel and leave him alone, but it didn't work. Instead Wolfwood found himself face to face with the last thing he wanted to see: Vash's concern, his sadness. Knowing that he was the cause of it made his resolve to stay silent begin to crack, just as easily as that.

 

He could only stand stock still as Vash reached out and touched his face, tracing along his cheek to cup his jaw. Caught off guard he leaned into it before he could stop himself. “Please, Nick. I'm asking you to trust me.”

 

He opened his mouth to say `Get lost,' or something similarly offensive, but he couldn't get the words out. After two more tries he sighed, defeat laced audibly into the sound. Vash stayed silent through all this, knowing that patience would get him further with Wolfwood than anything else right now.

 

“When I first got back from… after Legato… My hands would shake. Other times I felt like I couldn't breathe. Things would freak me out or scare the crap out of me for no reason and the nightmares…” He stopped, took a deep breath and Vash held perfectly still, waiting. “I got it under control; at least I thought I did. Now the closer I get to facing him all that shit is starting to pop up again. With everything that's happening I should be able to block it out, but… I can't, no matter how hard I try. I don't… know what's wrong with me.”

 

If Wolfwood hadn't been too humiliated to look at Vash he would have seen the blond's jaw clench in anger. He really didn't understand, but Vash could see it all too clearly. For the first time - maybe in his life - his guide was afraid. Not for his family or friends, but for himself; terrified of dying face down in the sand with Legato buried inside him.

 

Vash forced a long, slow breath before speaking. “There is nothing wrong with you, Nick. Being afraid for yourself isn't selfish, and it sure as hell isn't something to be ashamed of. Do I have to explain the meaning of the word `trauma' to you?” he asked softly.

 

He chuckled bitterly, speaking more to himself than Vash at first. “Some great guide I turned out to be. Sniveling in a corner when I should be ready to fight. I don't have time to be a victim, Tongari. I have to get past it right fucking now or I'm just going to end up getting Livio killed and being another burden on you. I have to be stronger than this!”

 

Wolfwood's words dripped with self-loathing and Vash felt he couldn't listen to it any longer without losing his mind. He closed the short distance between them then and their lips touched a heartbeat later, soft and warm and all Wolfwood's protestations and good sense failed him. His eyes slid closed and a small, desperate sound loosed itself from his throat. Vash's other arm encircled him and he latched onto the contact like a drowning man. The blond had been right yet again. It was what he needed: something to hold back the tide of fear and pain.

 

After too short a time Wolfwood pushed away from him, clearly surprised and embarrassed by turns at his actions. “Okay, so you kissed me,” he muttered. “Mission accomplished. Are we through here?”

 

“Not even close. You can't keep going like this. If this is what you need, let me do what I can to help you.”

 

Wolfwood's eyes flashed sharply. “And if I tell you to shove it?”

 

Vash met his gaze with equal intensity. “If you won't let me help you face this on your own then I'll deal with it for you. I will knock you out right here and now. By the time you wake up Legato will be long dead. Dealing with Knives will have to wait until I'm done with him.”

 

Wolfwood had to stomp on the part of himself that had really enjoyed hearing that. “You'd kill Legato. And enjoy it.”

 

“Yes,” Vash hissed. “He'd never touch you again. Nothing is more important to me than protecting you.”

 

Wolfwood had the sudden urge to slap his forehead and groan. `How can he say that with a straight face?!' Even in his bloodthirsty moments Vash was still possessed of that innocent naiveté. “You say the dumbest things. Forget for a second what that would do to you. If you put yourself at risk like that everyone on this planet could burn. Don't you care about that?”

 

“I'll save them.” Vash lifted a hand to his cheek again and gently made him look him straight in the eye. “But I'll save you first.”

 

No one else in the world, Wolfwood mused, could combine the romantic and the ridiculous and produce sheer beauty. No one but his Tongari.

 

He couldn't fight any more after that. He didn't even pretend to try. “If you play around with me or do anything weird, you should know… I just might kill you,” he breathed.

 

A slight smile warmed Vash's eyes further. “Consider me warned.”

 

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A few hours later the moonslight that peeked through the window found two sweat-slick bodies that had very recently been joined as one. Vash held Wolfwood closely to him, rubbing slow circles on his back. Their breathing had finally slowed to something near normal, but small shivers still trembled through Wolfwood's body.

 

Vash made a mental note to try this again when they could do it for fun and not necessity. Making love to Wolfwood, never once touching him with a rough hand or movement had turned his guide on incredibly. Of course his obvious and enthusiastic response to being treated so gently had also added to his embarrassment at first, but only until the pleasure of it had burned away any other thoughts.

 

Wolfwood felt relaxed in his arms and he smiled, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Though he wished they could stay like this forever, strangely enough the moment felt like enough for the both of them.

 

“Tongari?” Wolfwood asked softly. Vash wasn't expecting it and it took him a moment to answer.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Why did you do this?”

 

“Because you never ask me for anything. If I go all out when you do ask, maybe you'll do it more often in the future.”

 

Wolfwood snorted. “I ask you for stuff all the time. Watch your back. Don't be so damned reckless. Think before you jump into the middle of trouble. You always ignore me.”

 

A small smile from Vash at that. “Okay, let me rephrase. You never ask me to do anything for you. If anyone has the right to make demands on me, it's you. So start doing it already.”

 

“I'll think about it.”

 

Vash was quiet for a while, just enjoying the comfortable silence between them. When he finally spoke again, Wolfwood could hear the pleading in his tone. “Leaving aside the obvious, there's a lot about this I don't like, Nick. Hear me out. Please.”

 

“All right,” Wolfwood said with a sigh.

 

“Is Livio really up to this? I know he can fight, but… how can he protect you if he doesn't know what happened to you?”

 

“We've got this planned out, Tongari. He doesn't have to protect me. That's not his job.”

 

“No, it's mine,” Vash snapped, unable to stop himself. “But you won't let me do it.” He regretted it immediately, but thankfully he could feel Wolfwood's small smile against his chest. “No fair getting riled up when I'm this relaxed.” Vash thanked his lucky stars he didn't have to contend with his lover's temper, took a deep breath and tried again. “He's still in there, you know. Razlo, I mean.”

 

“I know, Tongari. I'm not blind.”

 

Wolfwood felt Vash suck in a breath and he winced in anticipation. “How the hell does going into a fight with a man who hates you for cover make any sense?! You can't trust him!”

 

“I don't trust Razlo. I trust Livio.” Wolfwood said with an unshakable finality in his voice. Vash knew he couldn't break that infuriating circular logic.

 

Not that he wouldn't complain about it. “What if I promise not to do anything flashy, and not to kill Legato? Can stay with you? Pretty please?”

 

“Nice try, Tongari.”

 

“I'm serious! I don't trust anyone to watch your back but me!”

 

“Don't you usually watch my ass?”

 

“Nick, I'm serious!”

 

“Livio and I have the same training. He's good at what he does, and working with him is easy.” He could feel Vash scowling above him and added, “With you it's natural so don't get all pissy on me. You know I have to be the one to do this. I have to, for me as much as for you.”

 

Vash sighed, nodded once and held Wolfwood even closer. “Okay. I won't push it anymore, but… damn it all.”

 

Wolfwood was by far the most worldly priest Vash had ever met, and his answer to Vash's problem didn't disappoint. “If you're pissed off, go take it out on Knives.”

 

Wolfwood hadn't really expected a response to that, and was surprised when Vash pulled away and looked at him. The cool light of the moons caught his blue eyes and Wolfwood gasped at the intensity in them. “I intend to. I won't kill him. But I will make him hurt for you. And I will make him understand. You have my word.”

 

“I believe you,” Wolfwood whispered.

 

“But if I die-”

 

“Tongari…”

 

“No. Just let me get this out. If I… don't make it, I want you to find a safe place with the kids. Live a good life. Just live, okay? Promise me that much.”

 

After a long silence Wolfwood said quietly, “No dice. You die and I'm coming after you. And don't take that as a suicide confession. I intend to beat the shit outta you for making me worry.”

 

Vash felt his heart skip a beat, but it only strengthened him further. “Well, I guess I'll just have to live then,” he said with a wry smile.

 

“Guess so. And Tongari? If I die… Coat a landmine in fire ants and shove it up your brother's ass.”

 

“Not funny, Nick,” Vash snickered.

 

“Then tie his leftovers to a bike and drag him through steamjet country.”

 

“Nick!”

 

“Whatever bits are left after that go to feed the rats.”

 

Wolfwood watched and smiled to see Vash laughing so hard tears leaked out of the corners of his eyes.

 

“Then again, never mind that last part. Not even the least of God's creatures deserves that kind of indigestion.”

 

Vash's laughter set him off and Wolfwood joined him until they were both clutching their sides. As they recovered, Vash realized that Knives, Legato… no matter who came between them he and his guide had always managed to find their way back to each other. They would both do everything they could to see that this time would be no different.

 

He dragged Wolfwood over to him and sought his lips, Wolfwood answering him with a tenderness that was reserved only for him in these moments. After too short a time they broke apart with a sigh, Wolfwood returning his head to the crook of Vash's neck to rest.

 

“Tongari,” he murmured.

 

“Yes Nick?” came Vash's sleepy reply.

 

“I hate being dirty.”

 

“If I promise to scrub you down in a nice, warm shower first thing in the morning will you shut up and let me sleep?”

 

“…Okay. Deal. But just this once.”

 

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Livio loitered in the street, finding this or that excuse to stick close to the building Vash and Wolfwood had entered. He wasn't so much spying as making sure there weren't any explosions, gunshots or strange bursts of energy. It was all about concern, really.

 

So when the angry yells and shouts died down and the threat of violence had passed, he was glad for it. He took a bag out of the car and set off to find a nice, warm place to spend the chilly night. He was too honest with himself to deny a twinge of jealousy, but he didn't want to think about who he was really jealous of, or why.

 

There were many homes along the streets of the small town, and most of their front doors were left open. He peeked inside them as he walked. Finally he found a small house off the main street that suited his liking. The furnishing were old but well cared for, and it looked and felt like a family lived there. Whoever they were they'd left a bit of a mess in their haste to flee the town. Livio set about straightening up a little, deciding it was the least he could do for barging in uninvited. When his task was complete he found the biggest bed in the house and flopped himself down in it.

 

Why won't you tell me what's going on with you, Nicholas? Why do you trust him and not me…?

 

He stared at the ceiling for a long time before sighing deeply.

 

I miss you, Milly. Please be safe tomorrow, please…

 

Sleep was long in claiming him.

 

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Stay tuned for a bonus.