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The day brought with it rain. Droplets lashing against the window of the quaint bookstore. The rain, coupled with the fact it was a weekday, meant that it was going to be quiet. Any person with common sense would take the day to stay inside, or at least, Wolfwood would if he had the choice. Unfortunately, victim to capitalism as he is means he needs to be here.
It was only a short shift today – four hours – but he was closing. Meryl informed him it had been a slow morning before taking off for the day, but also left a list of jobs for him to complete. The list wasn’t long, only including five things and so, he had finished them all with an hour left of his shift. Registering books and then putting them out onto the floor wasn’t too time-consuming. So, now all he could do was wait, serve the few customers who entered the shop and pretend to tidy the floors. Wolfwood would have gone for a smoke at some point, but he didn’t want to stand in the rain so elected to suck on a lollipop for a bit, chewing the stick when the sugary confection was all gone.
It was when he was five minutes away from locking up that the door opened, a gust of wind and rain breaking through the shop until the door closed. Wolfwood cursed, closing his eyes and wondering why people decided last minute to browse fucking books of all things. He was about to tell the customer that they were actually closing but stopped when he realised who entered.
Vash pulled his red hoodie down, shaking his head and trying to fluff up his wet hair. He looked like he was going to shake the rain off like a damn dog, but then remembered he was in a bookshop and stopped, grinning sheepishly at the unimpressed clerk.
“Hey, Nick!” He greeted with a wave of his prosthetic, bounding over to the counter where Wolfwood stood. His glasses fogged and he frowned, before taking them off and giving them a wipe.
“Needle-noggin, if you get water damage on any of those books Meryl will kill you. And then I will kill you because she will complain at me.” Wolfwood warned, rolling his eyes when Vash waved his hands in apology. He glanced at the clock on the wall before shrugging and going to lock the door. It was three minutes until close and Wolfwood couldn’t be bothered to deal with people who thought three minutes was ample shopping time. “Weren’t you closing today, blondie?” He asks over his shoulder.
Vash had stopped whatever he was doing. Glasses perched on his nose and his hands stuck into his pockets, he grinned. “Didn’t I tell you? My shift was only until 6 today. I don’t have to stay until 6:30 like everyone else.”
Did Vash tell him that? He can’t remember. Oh well, it didn’t particularly matter. Normally he would be here until 6:30 as well, but since he did all the jobs around the shop he could leave early. He could see it was still raining through the window, not as heavy, but enough to get him soaked. He forgot his umbrella and Vash had left before him, so there was no one to remind him.
He heaved a sigh then turned to walk back to the counter, only to be stopped by something hitting him in the chest. He looked down with a confused noise, only to see the butt of an umbrella pressing against his shirt. Wolfwood followed the length of it before meeting Vash’s hand and dazzling smile. “I bought one at the shop today because I knew you would forget.” He explained, grinning proudly. Wolfwood smirked to cover his blush and took the umbrella. “Thanks, darling.”
Now it was Vash’s turn to blush a pretty pink. The blonde-haired man laughed, giddy on affection. Wolfwood knew he had a thing for nicknames and the like, and of course he used them whenever he could. It was something he discovered quite early in their relationship, when they were under the covers. An exchange passed between them in the dark of the night, the cotton of the quilt bordering on stifling, but Wolfwood wouldn’t have changed a thing as he held his darling.
“Do you want take out tonight?” Vash suddenly asked, following his boyfriend to the back of the shop. Like a lost puppy, Wolfwood mused with a smile. “Sure, what do you have in mind?” Grabbing the handle, he held the door open, motioning for Vash to step through, which the man did with a curtesy and cheeky smile. Wolfwood shook his head, following with a fond expression that he hid as he turned to lock the back door.
Vash had pulled his hoodie back up, hair falling in front of orange tinted crystalline eyes. “I was thinking of burgers.” Wolfwood dropped his keys into his pocket and opened the umbrella. It was quite a big one that could easily cover two, so he grabbed Vash by the hood to stand beside him, hand moving down to cup his waist. Vash squeaked at the pulling but fell in step beside Wolfwood anyways as they walked out of the alley and out into the main street.
Town was slowly becoming quieter, people piling onto buses to make their way home and employees of different shops shuffling out with coats and umbrellas. Across the way, the shop that Vash worked at still had the lights on, and Wolfwood could see two employees bustling to clear the last of the clothes left in the fitting room. Vash looked to where Wolfwood was looking and grimaced slightly. “Maybe I should have stayed behind...” The dark-haired man snorted, tearing his gaze away from the shop and instead to the road to crossover. “You started at 9 o’clock this morning. You deserve to leave when your shift ended.” Vash smiled, fiddling with his sleeves. “Were you busy today, spikey?”
“Not really. It was quite boring actually. But there was only three of us and we forgot about clear rail.” He laughed nervously, rubbing his arm. Wolfwood knew from past discussions that clear rail could be a real bitch when ignored for the better part of the day, so he didn’t envy Vash who often got put in charge of that job. He knew he was not cut out for clothes retail – people are lazy bastards, leaving clothes on the floor of the fitting room and not bothering to hang them back up. He didn’t have the patience for it. The bookstore fitted him much better. It was usually quiet and small enough that the clientele didn’t make too much of a mess.
“Sounds like a team effort of a fuck up,” he mumbled, causing a laugh to startle out of Vash’s chest.
Before taking a turn into the street that held their apartment complex, they stepped into a small diner. Many diners closed around this time of the day, but this one stayed open to catch all the workers going home. Wolfwood had to admit it sounded like a good business strategy, but Wolfwood didn’t know much about that sort of thing. The owner, Roberto, was an old friend of Vash’s family too. Wolfwood thought he was a crazy bastard, but he sometimes tossed him a packet of cigarettes with their order if he was in a good mood.
The diner was quiet. Milly, another friend of theirs, was staffing the counter with a friendly smile on her face. If possible, she brightened even further at seeing them waving excitedly.
“Hello, Mr. Vash and Mr. Wolfwood!”
“Hallo, Milly!” Vash replied, waving happily.
They walked to the tills, not even bothering to look at the menu. They knew what they wanted after all, and at this point, Wolfwood thought Milly did too. “Hey, big girl.” He said, as a way of greeting, gesturing with his hand holding the closed umbrella.
“What can I do for you two today? Just your usual?” Milly had a hand poised ready to punch in their order. Vash looked at Wolfwood, who just nodded, then smiled and turned back to Milly with an affirmative. The brunette tapped the screen, hardly even looking. “How have you two been? Meryl said the bookstore was quiet today.”
“We’ve been doing good. Daily grind and all that shit, right, sweetheart?” Wolfwood directed that last part to Vash who tried to hide a smile. “How have you been, Milly?” Vash asked, shifting in Wolfwood’s grip to reach for his wallet that sat in his coat pocket.
“Oh, I’ve been doing great, thank you! Meryl and I are apartment hunting,” she giggled, hitting one last button, “your total is $$15. All the nice apartments are so expensive and then the cheap ones are so run down.” Vash retrieved the money while Wolfwood nodded in sympathy. Luckily, Wolfwood had already owned the apartment before he and Vash were together, and the latter moved in. Both of their jobs paid well so they could easily split the bills, and if Vash was ever in money trouble, his brother was only a bank transfer away. Not that the blonde would ever ask, choosing to struggle rather than impose on his twin. Wolfwood, however, had no qualms about telling Knives if Vash and he were having money troubles, even if it hurt his pride just a tad.
“Me and Wolfwood could help sometime. And we could go IKEA shopping!”
“Hey, don’t rope me into this,” Wolfwood grumbled, then a teasing note entered his voice. “IKEA shopping? Didn’t you cry when you saw a white couch last time, when we were looking for furniture?”
Vash spluttered, a little too loudly while Wolfwood cackled. He remembered the day quite well – their old sofa had seen better days and they both decided it would be best to get a new one. Wolfwood had pointed out a white double seater, only to notice Vash’s eyes watering and nose sniffling. To this day, Wolfwood still has no idea what caused Vash to just burst into tears for no reason, and according to Vash, he himself didn’t even know. "I just got really sad all of a sudden,” he said. Wolfwood wasn’t sure if he completely believed him. In the end, they settled on an ugly blue one, and afterwards they stopped by a bakery for donuts to cheer up the blonde.
“Thank you, Mr. Vash, for the offer! I’ll make sure to tell Meryl tonight!” Milly didn’t seem to notice, or maybe care, that Vash was trying to justify his reaction to the infamous sofa. A ding sounded through the space, and a rough, “order for Vash and Nicholas,” came from behind the pass. Milly grabbed the bag with thanks and passed it to the couple. “Here you are! Thanks for stopping by today. I’ll see you two later!”
Vash took the brown bag while Wolfwood tried peeking to see if there may be a pack of cigarettes inside. “Thanks, Milly! Have a nice night!
And with that, the two left the diner. The scent of the burgers carried on the wind causing Vash’s mouth to water. The rain had stopped too, so Wolfwood wrapped the umbrella back up properly. The walk back to their apartment was a short one, the conversation centered on work and annoying customers. Wolfwood didn’t have many annoying customers today, but Vash did. He animatedly told Wolfwood about the lady who tried returning an item that was fifteen days late and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Again, Wolfwood thanked the God he may or may not believe in for saving him from having to work in a place full of annoying people.
Livio, Wolfwood’s brother, also worked in retail, as a grocery store worker. But he mainly stayed in the warehouse, unloading truckloads of groceries. Sometimes he would drive to people’s homes and deliver them their shopping there, but someone had shouted at him for the substituitions – that he had no control over. Despite being a big guy, Livio was surprisingly emotional and did not take being yelled at well, so his bosses let him stay in the warehouse where he was happiest. Vash and Livio bonded over their retail experiences, Vash lamenting that he wasn’t allowed near the warehouse of his work after the last incident. Let’s just say that clothing rails are not meant to be climbed.
They stepped into their apartment with a huge sigh. The weight of the day lifting from their shoulders. Wolfwood left the umbrella by the door, making a mental note to not forget it tomorrow. Vash was already in the small kitchen, shucking off his coat and hanging it on the back of his chair. Wolfwood followed suit, grabbing drinks out of the fridge while Vash took out their dinner.
“Hey, needle-noggin, take off your legs. You’ve been standing on them all day.”
Sometimes, Vash forgets that he needs to take off his prosthetics. Before he got with Wolfwood, he would hardly take them off, only doing so when it truly hurt to stand on them. Wolfwood may have shit memory with everything else, but he would always remember when Vash last removed his prosthetics. Last time he forgot, the skin was so red, inflamed, and angry. He wouldn’t forget again. Though, it would help if the man who wore the damn things remembered.
“Oh, yeah. Thanks, Nick.” The smile he sent him was so gentle and soft, Wolfwood found he couldn’t look away. Vash used to be full of empty smiles, false platitudes that grated on his ears, but when he was truthful, when the smile was genuine, Wolfwood found himself falling in love with Vash Saverem.
Vash sat down with a hiss through clenched teeth and Wolfwood took the seat across from him. He angled his chair so that he could easily stand up if Vash needed a hand. Vash rolled his pant leg up, revealing shocking blue that was modelled to look for the skeleton of the leg. Wolfwood wasn’t completely confident in his abilities to remove the prosthetics – Vash had only shown him once or twice – so he watched with rapt attention, watched as his hands cupped the bottom of his left knee before turning. The hydraulics let out a hiss, like Vash’s one earlier, then the leg fell away, leaving a slightly red stump. Good, it looked like Vash had taken them off before it started to damage the rest of the limb.
The process was repeated with his right leg. Then Vash was settling them down gently to lie beside his chair. He shuffled to face Wolfwood, a smile coming to his face. “You know, you could have started eating.” He picked up a chip, chomping on it eagerly, face lighting up with literal stars. Holy shit, Wolfwood thought, I really do love this idiot.
“I was raised with manners, unlike some of us. We didn’t start eating until everyone sat at the table.” Wolfwood then took a bite of his burger, careful not to let any sauce escape the carefully constructed bun.
“I have manners!” Vash protested, talking with his mouth full and contradicting his point in a way only Vash could. A raised eyebrow made Vash swallow his food before reiterating his point. “Nai made sure I have manners.” Nai? Manners? Now that made Wolfwood laugh, a loud guffaw echoing throughout the space while Vash tried to defend himself and now his twin.
That was how dinner proceeded – bickering and laughter, and sometimes embarrassed sputtering. Roberto must have been in a good mood, because there was a half full cigarette box at the bottom of the bag. Wolfwood finished his food before Vash, so he stood beside the window for a quick smoke. His first of the day, which he was happy enough with. He had been trying to cut down, after seeing the sad eyes Vash would give him when he thought he wasn’t looking.
Even with the window open, smoke filled the kitchen quite quickly. Vash wrinkled his nose, popping the last of chips into his mouth. “I need to tell Roberto to stop giving you cigarettes with our order. It’s like a depressing Happy Meal.” Wolfwood shrugged one shoulder, turning to exhale smoke. “It’s helping me save money. Don’t need to buy a pack a day anymore.” It probably also helped that he wasn’t smoking a pack a day anymore.
Vash stretched like a cat in his chair, back arching and letting out a sigh that could have been mistaken as a groan. Wolfwood looked at the line of his back with interest. “Looking good, sweetheart.” He smirked when Vash flushed, tittering with a flustered giggle. You would think that after two years of being together, he would be used to Wolfwood’s displays of affection. But Wolfwood wouldn’t trade it for the world; he relished in Vash’s reactions to him. His obnoxious laughs and flailing limbs, his teary eyes and pouting lip.
Wolfwood finished off his cigarette, flicking the stub out the window then closing it. Vash was clearing the table, grabbing their rubbish and stuffing it into the brown paper bag. Wolfwood took the bag when the trash was cleared then dumped it into the bin. The clock read that it was 8, close enough to bedtime to justify going straight to their bed. Vash was humming a song as he bent down to retrieve his prosthetics and Wolfwood rolled his eyes, stepping in front of his dearest.
“Alright, blondie, up you go.” Without any preamble, he scooped Vash up in a bridal carry, leaving the prosthetics against the chair. The man was light, most of his weight in the three metal limbs. Vash sighed softly, turning his head into Wolfwood’s neck. “My princely Nick,” he teased. “Careful, blondie. I’m not above dropping you.” Wolfwood quipped back, walking to their bedroom.
Vash narrowed his eyes. “You wouldn’t- Nick!” Wolfwood took that moment to buckle his legs slightly while throwing Vash a bit. He made sure to be gentle, but he chuckled as Vash gripped his neck with one arm in a panic. “Nickkkkk....” Vash whined, thumping him on the back.
“Sorry, sorry, princess. Won’t happen again. Cross my heart, swear to God.” Vash was not impressed, lower lip stuck in a pout as he turned away from him with a huff. “Oh, come on, blondie. Would giving you a kiss make you forgive me?” Wolfwood puckered his lips, moving his head towards Vash who laughed and shoved him away softly.
They reached the bed, and instead of setting Vash down, Wolfwood sat, scooting until his back hit the headboard. Vash hummed as he settled against his chest, turning his head to nuzzle Wolfwood’s collarbone. “Hey, needle-noggin, take off your arm too. I know that if you leave it on too long it hurts too.” He nudged his shoulder gently, then with delicate reverence held the skeletal prosthetic. Vash sighed tiredly but complied.
“Okay but watch me do it.”
“Can’t help if I get distracted, darling.”
Yet, Wolfwood watched as Vash removed the arm. He paid attention to the way he twisted it, what buttons he pressed, he looked at it all. The technology of the arm amazed him every time – it felt like something out of Star Trek or another one of those sci-fis Vash watches. Wolfwood took the arm when it detached, reaching over to set it on the nightstand. With that, Vash was able to settle properly, comfortable at last.
The room was dark, streetlamps outside illuminating the small space. Yet, Wolfwood could see the small details on Vash’s face – the mole, the very light freckles that dusted his nose, even the remnants of worry lines. He noticed the crow's feet, made from how much smiling the other man did. It was at times like this where Wolfwood wondered how – how did someone like Vash fall for Wolfwood? How did an angel fall for a demon? Did God decide he was worthy? Was the universe playing a prank on him? He wanted to hold Vash so tight, never let him go lest some higher power ripped him away.
“I can hear you thinking.”
The mumbled statement causes Wolfwood to jump, but he relaxed. “Thought you were asleep, needle-noggin?” He pressed kisses to the crown of Vash’s head, fingers mapping Vash’s back. “Don’t wanna fall asleep in work clothes.” Vash replied, stretching and pressing against Wolfwood’s chest, but he didn’t give any indication that he actually wanted to move. And to be truthful, Wolfwood didn’t want to either.
So, they lay there. In their work clothes, on top of the duvet and streetlamp light casting orange shadows across the bed. The quiet breathing of Vash filled the air as Wolfwood waited for sleep to take him as well. His eye lids grew heavy, his hand rested on the curve of Vash’s back feeling the careful rise and fall of his breaths. He shimmied down so he was no longer leaning against the headboard, because he did not want a crick in his neck tomorrow, careful not to jostle Vash too much to wake him.
When his eyes grew so heavy to rival lead and he could feel the delicate coaxing of sleep, he allowed himself to confess to the quiet of the room.
“I love you, Vash.”