fourstrings | When the world is too dark

When the world is too dark

[ The Evergreen has a strong no-assholes policy. This is undermined somewhat by the fact that Nick basically runs it now, but it means he can use himself as a gauge. If anyone’s a bigger asshole than he is, they get kicked out.

Steve is the kind of asshole who should have been kicked out way earlier. That’s on Nick. He was over-cautious, cut the guy too much of a break, because running this bar is the only thing that has him making enough cash to keep up with his responsibilities. He’d worried that word would get around that The Evergreen wasn’t a friendly place anymore, and he’d ruin the reputation Al had carefully built up for it over the years, drive customers away. And it’s not just because Al’s basically promised him the place and it’s his future he’s gambling on, but respect for Al. He built Nick sure as he built up this bar, and the very least Nick can do in return is not tank it. And in fairness, Steve had started slow: the kind of coarse jokes that are mean instead of funny, taking sly digs at people. Way too much flirting with women beyond the point it became clear that they didn’t want to be flirted with, at least not by Steve. Nick finally found his balls the night he’d rounded the corner to check there was enough paper in the johns and seen Steve caging a girl in against the wall, face leaning in even though hers was twisted adamantly away. He’d grabbed the man by collar and belt with no regard for the fact that Steve had a good three inches and 20 pounds on him, marched him out the door, and told him not to come back, ever.

Which means that Steve is now going on the Wall of Shame, and he’d been such a dick about it Nick wants to make it a special occasion. There’s a little florist across the street that’s probably gonna close down any day now, judging by the amount of foot traffic they get, so before opening the next day Nick heads over to give them a little last bit of support. There’s a little bell that rings cutely as he pushes the door open, a blast of welcome cool, fragrant air, and… the most beautiful man he’s ever laid eyes on behind the counter. Blond hair in one of those trendy cuts that look goofy on most people that aren’t pop stars but somehow suits him just right, big eyes shaded with long lashes, a sweet little beauty mark.

Nick stops dead just inside the door, confident that if he takes one more step without preparation he’s gonna trip over his own feet. ]

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Naaaaaah.

[ but he's grinning, reaching up to twine his arms around wolfwood's shoulders all over again. ]

I'm just trying to make a good impression. Once I've got my hooks in you, watch out.

Hate to break it to you, Blondie, but they're already in.

[ Which seems like as good a segue as any to put his hands back on Vash's waist and lean in to kiss him again. Soft at first, waiting to see if Vash suddenly says actually I think I AM processing some trauma here, but he quickly gets carried away with it. Vash's tongue tastes far better than his tears. ]

[ okay, if you'd asked him about fifteen minutes ago, vash would have sworn up and down that there was no way you could improve upon the experience of kissing wolfwood. but kissing wolfwood with the biggest potential hurdles already cleared? kissing wolfwood without having to worry that he's going to put a hand in the wrong place and have a realization that ruins things? it's... somehow, even better.

which accounts for the way vash surges back up against him to return that kiss, not letting it stay soft for long. groaning a little needy noise into the other man's mouth, unable to stop himself from sneaking his fingers up underneath wolfwood's shirt. ]

Mm.

[ He's never thought of the kind of person who mms into a kiss. It's cheesy! But here he is, mm-ing all over the place because it's Vash. Maybe the mms have been locked inside him all along, just waiting for someone who by all accounts kinda likes cheesy.

Vash sneaks fingers up his shirt, and Nick pulls back to flash him a grin and just strips his shirt right off. It's greedy as much as anything else - that touch feels good, and he wants to invite more of it. ]

[ wolfwood pulls back, and vash has about a split second to worry that he's gone a little too far, but. his expression melts into something closer to awe when the other man strips that shirt right off over his head. immediately, his hands are back on him -- sliding up his stomach and over his pecs, mouth halfway open and eyes dark with lust.

there's only one thing appropriate to say about this situation, and it's: ] Wow.

[ This was a good call. That touch is great - and the conviction that the prosthetic is a high-tech, fancy one only grows, because the pressure and movement of it is just as fluid as Vash's natural hand - but the look on Vash's face is even better. Nothing boosts the ego like looking at someone you want and seeing that they want you right back. ]

Thanks.

[ With a crooked little smile, because having someone say wow in response to pulling his shirt off is a little embarrassing - but in a good way, he decides, and he goes in for another kiss. ]

[ vash feels like insisting that he should be the one saying thanks. wolfwood has like what seems like an entirety of tanned skin and just the right amount of muscle, and he's decided he's into vash touching it? thanks barely even cuts it.

but he's sliding his hands down to wolfwood's hips as he dips back down for a kiss, making a low noise as he leans back up into it. kissing is... still wow! but, actually. hang on.

breaking it, pulling away a little. and then, after a fidget or two. ] Are you sure you don't mind if I --? [ tugging at the hem of his sweater, not quite looking up to meet the other man's eyes. ]

I'd like you to. I want to feel you close. I should warn you though, skin-on-skin makes me kinda crazy.

[ That's hardly novel, but it feels fair to give a warning. Not that he won't be able to stop, obviously! Just... that Vash'll probably be dealing with a boner sitting right in his lap if they take it further. ]

It's up to you, Blondie. I know it's only been a day, but I'm nuts enough about you that if you just wanna get back to the movie and hold hands, I can be cool with that.

[ that's sweet! seriously, it is, and vash is absolutely going to take him up on it. ... just, later, when wolfwood isn't being explicit about wanting him and making vash feel like a starving man who's also just burst into flames. (but in a good way. it's weird.) ]

Mm... I kinda wanna see what happens when you get crazy, though.

[ which is the perfect way into stripping off the sweater! boldly! confidently! ... and then getting a little shy once it's done. ] ... this okay?

[ Hopefully he's not holding out for a verbal answer, because Wolfwood just smirks at him and then presses right back in, chest-to-chest, and starts kissing against Vash's neck again. Slow, lightly sucking, tracing little loops with the tip of his tongue. One of his hands starts roaming over Vash's skin and yeah, it's more textured than he's used to, the smoothness of it interrupted by the rise of scars, but it's warm and alive under his touch, and it's good.

And the prophecy of the boner starts to fulfill itself sooner than he anticipated, but it's safely caged in his jeans - probably won't be obvious unless Vash goes looking for it. ]

[ oh. ohhh.

does this count as crazy? vash is a fan. he sucks in a sharp breath at the feeling of wolfwood's mouth on his throat, already tipping his head back to ask for more. he's sensitive there in a way he never really realized, enough that the tease of wolfwood's tongue is enough to have him squirming underneath him, panting.

and it's... weird, the way he almost doesn't think about the easy way wolfwood is touching him. not avoiding the scars, but not deliberately seeking them out, either. like his skin is normal, like his body is the same as anyone else's, and that's such a nice thought that vash almost wants to cry. (again.) ]

[ Sadly, Nick's about to ruin how easy it is with questions. He hooks a hand around to fit in the small of Vash's back, trails those kisses lower to graze teeth over a collarbone - and the lifts his head as the realization hits him that as much as he wants to go lower, Vash might not be about that. Nick's had enough fun with his own nipples to know it's not a lady-exclusive, but it'd fucking suck to kick off a bout of dysphoria. ]

Hey. Is there anywhere you don't want me to touch? [ Another little kiss, pressed against his throat. ] 'cause if you let me have free reign, I'm gonna try and touch everywhere.

[ there's a little hitching breath as wolfwood's teeth scrape over his collarbone, and he's distracted enough by the way that feels for it to take a second to process the question. but once he does...

oh! oh, no. that's sweet. ]

Nah, I think it's all fair game? I'll let you know if something feels weird! [ he can't actually feel that much on the bigger scars, and some of the little ones tickle, but that's about as much exploration as he's ever done. or... had anyone else want to do. ] And, ah... you don't have to touch anywhere you don't want to!

Noted. Thanks.

[ He says it with a smile, because it is a little funny that Vash thinks there might be somewhere he doesn't want to touch. Then again, if he's gonna be asking for limits and boundaries and checking things are okay, it's only right that Vash gets to do that too. If it was one-sided, it'd seem like he thought Vash was fragile. And fuck, that's the last thing he is; to have been through what was obviously a really bad wreck and come out the other side this sunny and bright? Vash might be the strongest person Nick knows.

Still, he gets back to work. Another lingering kiss on Vash' mouth and then he's trailing it back down again, tongue and teeth moving gentle over Vash's neck and collarbone, and this time he rubs the pad of his thumb over Vash's nipple as he nips softly at the skin. With permission given, he gets to move on to the fun stuff - figuring out what Vash likes and doing it until he's jelly. ]

[ vash wasn't actually expecting wolfwood to take him up on the offer to opt-out, but it still feels... good to make sure it's out there. he wants to make sure things stay fair! maybe it feels like wolfwood will be more likely to stick around if he does, like there'll be less of a risk of his body blowing this for him.

of course, he was kinda braced for wolfwood to touch his scars, so. the nipple? vash jolts underneath him, a little groan that pitches up into something keening at the nip.

that's! officially! ... wow, okay.

... huh. wolfwood seemed to know right where to go on that one, which makes vash wonder. he's sliding a hand up between them, high enough to find one of wolfwood's nipples and roll it between his thumb and finger, trying to see if he can provoke a similar reaction. ]

[ Somehow, Nick wasn't expecting Vash to turn it around on him this quick. He does though! That touch makes him bury his face against Vash's skin and moan there, arching into the touch. It's gentle enough, but it sends heat rushing through him in little tingles. It's good, and he ends up laughing against Vash's skin. Once he's finished with that slutty moaning, that is. ]

You got me good.

[ that moan is officially going to live forever in his brain. enshrined in its own sacred hall in his memory, ready to pull out when he needs something for the highlight reel. wow. ]

Yeah? [ this goes beyond just being pleased with himself. he's thrilled about what he just pulled off. it's kind of annoying that he isn't sure whether the prosthetic is worth risking for something like this -- it's pretty advanced, but when the downside is pinching someone's nipple off...

... better to go at this one-handed for now.

so he repeats the motion, more firmly this time, letting the touch linger. ] I really like hearing you like that.

[ turning his head a little, scraping his teeth across wolfwood's earlobe. ] I could spend all day just figuring out how.

[ It's harder this time, and that's enough to have Nick gripping tighter at Vash and the moan trailing off into a shaky little exhale. The teeth at his ear gets a little hum, too, and he licks over Vash's skin, warm and wanting. ]

Sounds good. Next time we both have the whole day free, I'm claiming your time. Can't think of a better way to spend it.

[ It's kinda heartbreaking that he has to dislodge Vash's hand for the next bit, but he'll survive! He scoots back a little so that he can lean Vash back in turn, trails his mouth down Vash's chest until he can close his lips over that nipple. Sucks until he feels it tighten in his mouth and then flicks over it with the tip of his tongue. Gotta balance it out, or he's just gonna start humping Vash like a terrier. ]

Deal!

[ which comes out a little shuddery because of the way wolfwood licks up over a sensitive spot of skin, but it's not lacking in enthusiasm.

a little whine of protest about having his new favorite spot to touch move right out of reach, though. he's almost tempted to see if he can get the upper hand long enough to flip their positions, pin wolfwood to the couch underneath him and --

then wolfwood's mouth closes around his nipple and sucks, and vash jolts like he's been electrocuted. he has to bite down on his lower lip to stifle the way he nearly cries out, his hand tangling in wolfwood's hair just because he needs to hold something. ]

[ Aha!. Success. Kind of a shame Vash stifles that noise, but the hand burying itself in his hair is enough of a clue. It's a little harder to suck a nipple when you're grinning, but he hums warmly and does his best. Circles firmly over it with his tongue, and then scoots right across to repeat the process with the other one. Can't let it feel left out, right? ]

[ he gets more warning this time, and is still somehow less successful at keeping himself quiet. wolfwood's mouth on his nipple sends little electric shocks through his system, and it wrenches a keening whine out of vash, squirming restlessly under the other man's weight. ]

Sh-Shit, Nick, that's --

Yeah? Good.

[ Which is all the vocab he can spare when there's the chance to get Vash to make that sound again. Back to it - sucking, the looping of his tongue, and then - just a little, just to see - a tiny scrape of his teeth as his hand comes up to play with the other nipple. Vash is wriggling around under him but not in a way that feels like he's trying to get away, and it heats him right through and makes his dick strain against the confines of his jeans. Makes him desperate to see what other responses he can get. ]

[ okay, vash never realized that your brain is obviously directly wired to your nipples. because whatever wolfwood is doing to him is zinging straight up to his skull, and it feels like he's gonna short-circuit. the heat is pooling down between his legs -- wolfwood hasn't even made a move to touch him below the belt, and vash is pretty sure he's already soaked.

he moans, arching up mindlessly underneath wolfwood as this becomes a dual assault situation, but.

oh.

oh!

now the wriggling is a little more purposeful -- vash manages to get a thigh between wolfwood's legs so that he can grind it up against him, purring at the feeling of the bulge straining against wolfwood's jeans. ] That for me?

[ Nick's good at staying focused. He's an eyes-on-the-prize kind of guy. But Vash presses up against his dick with one of those long, long legs, and he can't help groaning and rocking against it. ]

Nah. I'm really into the decor, all of a sudden. [ One more grind, and then he nips gently at Vash's skin for petty revenge. ] Yes it's for you. You sound as hot as you look. Makes me think my mouth was made to put it on you.

[ okay, vash was right about to decide that the hard-on wolfwood has pressed against his thigh is the greatest compliment he's ever received, and now that becomes a contender. just hearing it is enough to make vash shiver with a little thrill of arousal, lashes fluttering. ]

We gotta test that theory. [ carding his fingers gently through wolfwood's shaggy hair, giving his scalp a little scritch. ] Rigorous experimentation. For science.

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