Work Text:
Wolfwood came into town the same as always. Punisher over his back. He was searching for someone. Normally it wasn't hard for Wolfwood to find people, but after July, Vash had completely disappeared. Sure, there were rumors, there were mentions of Vash the Stampede. Even just a few years after the event, some people were starting to doubt the man ever existed. It was strange from a man who had known the guy personally.
Wolfwood sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. It was quiet, barely past midday. Most people probably wouldn't be here until much later. "Have you seen a guy with spiky blonde hair in the last few years? Typically wears a red coat." He sipped his drink.
"Sorry, I haven't seen anyone with spiky blonde hair."
Wolfwood nodded. He expected as much. Searching for someone as long as he had, he was starting to wonder if Vash really had died. There was no body to be found, no explosions, no signs of his life. Vash had always lived loudly. This much silence for so long was concerning.
Still, it was hard to believe. Not only was there no body, but Wolfwood knew how hard it was to keep Knives down, Vash had to be at least that durable if not more so given all he'd been through. Wolfwood had to keep up hope. It was all he had left to return to. Too damaged to return to the orphanage. His hands were drenched in so much blood, Miss Melanie would not recognize him and he didn't deserve to help kids. Not someone who had done all he'd done. No. Wolfwood had to find Vash. It was all he had left.
"Come on Eriks! Please don't do it."
"You know I have to."
Wolfwood turned around. He recognized that voice. Wolfwood walked towards it. There. It was no doubt. Even in different clothes and hairstyle, Wolfwood would recognize that man anywhere.
"But Eriks, you're still not healed from last time."
"I know, Lina. I'll be fine." Vash was giving that smile he gave when he was in pain.
"Needlenoggin, if you don't get your ass back in the house and rest I'll make sure you have to."
The kid Vash was with did a little squeak of fear.
"Eriks? Do you know him?"
Vash turned around, it took a moment before he recognized Wolfwood. He hadn't taken too many vials. Wolfwood was sure he looked reasonably similar to the last time they met. "Oh."
"Well, Spiky?"
"Give me a gun. We'll go together."
"What part of rest don't you understand?" Wolfwood was finally close enough to poke Vash. There was so much more he wanted to say. Why was he here playing house? There wasn't even a note! He didn't say anything! Why didn't Vash say anything? Did he hate them? Did their care mean nothing?
"Someone has to protect them and you don't know what's going on."
"Knowledge be damned. You're injured!" This was the last straw for Wolfwood. If the idiot wanted to get himself even more hurt at this point he could be his fucking guest.
"Let me do this Wolfwood."
"Fine." He reached into his bag and pulled out a pistol, handing it to Vash. "At least go in armed. It's already loaded."
Vash nodded appreciatively. "Go inside Lina. With Wolfwood by my side, I'll be fine."
The girl looked at Vash for a moment before deciding to duck into the house.
"So, you're going by Eriks now?"
"In my defense I didn't remember anything until recently. Don't get too worked up."
"Two years Vash. You were missing for two years. Don't you ever think about us? You're normally a very considerate guy."
"I told you I only just learned. Anyways, don't you want to know who we're shooting?"
~~~
Of course Vash got shot. He always seemed to. Wolfwood wasn't allowed in the room while the doctor worked on him. They didn't really blame Wolfwood, but didn't trust him either. After all the showed up and followed Vash into a fight and is forcing him to leave. Anyone would be sad about losing their neighbor Wolfwood didn't have much of a choice. Knives had been on the move for awhile and they needed to catch up before he gained any more ground.
Finally they let Wolfwood in.
"Shut up."
"I haven't even said anything yet."
Vash pouted, "I already know you're going to lecture me. I don't need to hear it."
"Well you did do something stupid Needle Noggin."
"We saved them. The town. A gunshot is nothing compared to that."
Wolfwood sighed and sat in a chair. "You did. That was a brave thing to do. Stupid but brave as always."
"Thank you."
They sat there for awhile in silence. It had been years. There was so much to say and yet where to start? Vash looked the same as always. Sure it was only two years but Wolfwood couldn't remember Vash ever looking different to how he did now. Sure he had a few new scars but that was all.
"Wolfwood, you look old."
"Ouch, Spiky. You really know how to be kind to someone doncha?"
"You look at least 5 years older than the last time I saw you. It wasn't that long. What happened?"
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it. I'm fine Spiky. Not a mark on me." What would he tell Vash? That his serum that prevented him from dying was also speeding up his death? That Wolfwood didn't know how old he was anymore, only that time passed and he was older than he should be? No. Wolfwood didn't have to tell Vash anything. Vash probably had some hypotheses that weren't entirely wrong, but that didn't mean Wolfwood had any reason to confirm them.
"What did the doctor say about my healing?"
"You're gonna need a few days after he dug that bullet out of you but you're gonna be okay. You need to take it easy. You will be coming with me right?"
Vash was silent for a moment and looked away. "You know, I was having a nice time here. I'll need to say goodbye to Lina." He started to get up and out of the bed.
"Stay put. You will have time for that. You should heal before we start, anyhow. Can't have to pause because you ripped the stitches out of your stomach and are bleeding out again."
Vash grumbled but moved back to laying in the bed. "Fine. Okay. I will."
"Good. Thank you."