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Wolfwood unthinkingly gets into Vash’s space a lot, is less reserved about touching him. He's a very friendly guy, especially kind to kids. He’s polite. He’s just good with people, really. Good at being friendly with strangers but staying respectful. And Vash sees all of that. And then sees the way Wolfwood will turn back to him and the welcoming-polite smile is replaced by a relaxed grin as he tells Vash they should make one last stop before they skip town, bumps his shoulder into his as he takes the lead. Hip checks him if Vash is too in his own head while they're walking. Grabbing his arm to pull him away from little messes that Vash can and will walk away from. A flick to his nose or ear. A joking pat on the cheek. Throws an arm around his shoulders as he gestures grandly with the other. It comes very easily to Wolfwood, when it’s him, and Vash notices.
Wolfwood has a tendency to lean toward Vash, too, even if he doesn't make contact. Tilts his head in his direction while he's driving and Vash is speaking, angles his body toward him when they sit next to each other at a bar. Leans his whole upper half into him when they're standing around, looking at a map, hands in pockets, until he goes to point at a place, turning his head to ask Vash’s opinion. And Vash is very aware.
He's too conscious of Wolfwood, and he knows that, and knows Wolfwood isn't doing any of this for any other reason beyond… have they ever called each other a friend? But after everything they've been through together, there is trust, even unspoken, and their unnamed relationship is something that's become important to them both. Vash knows this well. And knows Wolfwood doesn't mean any of it as Vash’s heart interprets it. The sparkle in Wolfwood’s eye is because he is happy, yes, but it is not for Vash. Not alone, at least. Wolfwood is kind, and good; even if he doesn't see it in himself, this is fact. Vash sees this, too, and tells him whenever the opportunity arises. And Wolfwood will scoff, and then he will turn away and wave him off, and not agree. But maybe knowing Vash believes–knows this to be true, that can be enough for now. He will convince him of this one day.
Wolfwood also cooks. Vash doesn't ask where he learned, or when, but he does accept the food. Wolfwood also gets strangely fussy about his eating habits randomly. He eats enough to live, but Wolfwood glares at him and says it's not enough. So when they happen upon a town and help someone who's willing to share their kitchen, Wolfwood drags Vash in there with him. And he’s stirring some sauce and saying what seasonings he’d normally put in, but what's available isn't bad either. And he's turned a bit toward Vash all the while, while Vash stands there almost dumbstruck by Wolfwood wearing a borrowed apron, and Wolfwood clicks his tongue at him. He grabs a spoon and dips it in, and then grabs Vash’s chin and is only just saying to him “here, try it.” And Vash does, and it's good. He gives a thumbs up with the spoon still in his mouth, and Wolfwood looks proud of himself, and sends Vash off to chop up that last topping, because surely he can't screw up cutting something.
They share a bed, sometimes, while on the road. Gotta take what you can get, or afford. Wolfwood is a light sleeper, so Vash lays very still, and looks at him, lying on his back and far too at ease for who his company is.
They share a bed, sometimes, and Wolfwood tends to wake up first. Vash is a messy sleeper, and often throws an arm or leg over him, and he always has to carefully extract himself, lest he wake him up. Vash is a lonely guy, he knows, and for all that he likes people, loves people, he never lets himself get too close to anyone. It’s a pity, when he has so much love he’s all but bursting to give, but life is clearly anything but kind to him. Still, he removes himself from Vash’s embrace each time, because he doesn't want to hear the apologies. There's no reason to embarrass him, and even if it's idiotic, he’ll let himself live in this delusion alone. Vash usually wakes up when Wolfwood is already stepping out of the bathroom, and that’s perfectly fine.
He doesn’t get too much about Vash, doesn't understand how such a worldly man as himself can't even appreciate real food. Or, he can, but just doesn't bother to. As if food isn't a pleasure of living, and a necessity besides. The chances to get him in front of a stove are few and far between, but he’s determined to make sure Vash can make a few things for himself. Even if he is a bit of a poor student, he can usually be bribed to stay focused with tastes as they go, so that’s good enough.
Vash loves everyone. He knows this very well. Sees it in the way he plays with random kids in the street, lets himself be tackled to the ground and laughs with them. Sees it in the longing looks and stifled sighs as they have to leave yet another town. Vash
is
love, and it's cruel that he is denied such basic things as returned affection. He can't be the one to give that to him, though. His love would not be enough, and he knows this too. But he can tell him stories, and jokes, and smile back for every victory he earns in the form of Vash’s own. He wants to keep by Vash’s side for as long as he possibly can, and he will. Be there like his shadow, even as Vash keeps to himself, pulls away from others before he gets them hurt, Wolfwood will stay.