When the world is too dark

[anthophilia]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[anthophilia]

[ 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. ]

[spiculatus]

[ 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.) ]

[anthophilia]

[ 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.

[spiculatus]

[ 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!

[anthophilia]

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. ]

[spiculatus]

[ 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. ]

[anthophilia]

[ 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.

[spiculatus]

[ 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.

[anthophilia]

[ 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. ]

[spiculatus]

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. ]

[anthophilia]

[ 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? ]

[spiculatus]

[ 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 --

[anthophilia]

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. ]

[spiculatus]

[ 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?

[anthophilia]

[ 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.

[spiculatus]

[ 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.

[anthophilia]

Rigorous, huh?

[ Sounds like an invitation to Nick! He starts trailing his mouth lower, a line of kisses dragged down over Vash's belly as he hums at that scritch. Pauses just above the waistband of Vash's sweats, hooks his fingers into it, and looks up with a wicked and hungry glint in his eye. ]

I can do rigorous.

[spiculatus]

[ oh. ohhhh.

vash had mostly been imagining more kissing! but wolfwood slides a little further, hooks his fingers in the waistband of vash's sweats, and proceeds to look up at vash like he's dinner. it makes vash's head spin with arousal, hips giving a helpless little twitch.

still, it's almost kneejerk to squeak out a little: ] ... are you sure?

[anthophilia]

[ It's not a wait or a stop, and maybe he should ask Vash if he's sure... but his hips are doing some pretty effective communicating for him, so Nick just flashes Vash a wild grin and peels those sweats off and away. It's easy, then, to hook an arm under Vash's thigh, lift it a little so he can kiss a slow line up along the inside of it (and the skin here is unmarked, soft, and he hopes that means Vash feels every little touch) until he reaches his destination.

He doesn't know what Vash wants him to call it. That's a conversation they can have later. Right now, he's mostly focused on the far more critical task of getting his mouth on it, and he licks a long, slow line up over the soft folds of him, delighted to find him already wet. ]

[spiculatus]

[ for the record, the sight of wolfwood grinning up at him from between vash's thighs is also going to live forever in his brain.

and then those sweats are off, and wolfwood is pressing little kisses up along the underside of vash's thigh, and it's a gesture so sweet that it makes vash ache. he's so caught up in it that he forgets to be self-conscious about where this is headed, but --

wolfwood licks up over him in a long, slow line, and vash is biting down on his knuckles of the prosthetic to stifle the sound he makes before he even thinks about it. his other hand tangles in wolfwood's hair, trying to pet instead of pull. ]

[anthophilia]

[ Oh, fuck. Vash is so responsive already, and it jolts through Nick in a bloom of heat. He repeats the motion, lapping over him slow and lingering, draws the soft folds of him into his mouth so he can suckle at them. He is, basically, in heaven; nestled in between some of the longest legs he's ever seen, the scent and taste of Vash filling up his senses, Vash's hand petting at his hair interspersed with little tugs that let him know he's doing his job.

He hums low, drags his tongue up to sweep gently over the bud of Vash's clit, Just soft, for now - he doesn't know how sensitive Vash might be there, whether he needs more buildup to it, but he aims to find out. ]

[spiculatus]

[ there is still a (very small) part of vash that worries that this feels a little one-sided -- he doesn't want to give off selfish pillow princess vibes!!! but it's also tough to string together much in the way of a coherent thought when wolfwood's mouth is on him, hot and wet and good. vash whines a little sound around the prosthetic he's still got shoved against his mouth, trying to herd his few remaining brain cells together long enough to remember the important things. don't squeeze his thighs around wolfwood's skull! don't pull his hair! don't try to grind himself down and smother him!

and then wolfwood flicks his tongue over vash's clit, and he yelps at the bright flare of pleasure. breathing out a little overwhelmed: ] Shit.

[anthophilia]

[ Well, the yelp sounded like it might be too much, but the cursing sounds like he kinda likes too much. So he decide to split the difference, goes back to slow licks that drag up over Vash and a little curl of his tongue over his clit at the top of each stroke. Starts pressing on those upward laps, too, letting the tip of his tongue delve into Vash. Just goes ahead and hooks his other arm under Vash's thigh as well, reaches up and so he can rub his hands over Vash's sides and hips and he laps greedily at him. ]

[spiculatus]

[ it's definitely a positive yelp! kind of an i've touched myself there plenty and it's never done that reaction, but the critics are raving up here.

especially when wolfwood adds a little more pressure, slow licks of his tongue up along vash's slit that tease over his clit each time he reaches it. vash is practically writhing underneath him, past the point of remembering to try and hold himself still, one leg hooking up over wolfwood's shoulder like he's trying to give him more room to work. he's panting, drooling around where he still has the prosthetic pressed hard against his mouth, making a bunch of muffled mewling sounds of undeniable appreciation. ]

Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick -- Ah, please, that's -- [ the words are a little hard to make out, but the intent behind them is more than clear. ]

[anthophilia]

[ Wow. Vash is squirmy. He's pleased to see it's a recurring thing, something that Vash doesn't quite seem to be able to help. The little chant is encouraging, and the way Vash hooks a leg up, like he's inviting more?

You'd have to be made of stone not to get a kick out of that.

So more is obviously what he goes for; brings one of his hands around so his can use two fingers to gently spread Vash (it helps to have a little guide, too, with all the wriggling he's doing) and just goes for it. Dedicates the motion of his tongue to flicking over Vash's clit, now, curls it soft before he just closes his lips there and sucks. Gently, at first, a little pressure followed by another curl of his tongue, then back to sucking. He's so turned on he can feel that his dick is leaking in his underwear already, but since it's Vash causing it, he forgoes doing anything about it in favour of lavishing Vash with attention. ]