spent twenty years trying to get out of this place

[anthophilia]

[ Taking Vash to the orphanage has gotta be one of his best ideas of all time.

He’d warned Vash on the way over that the kids can be wary of strangers. That it’s not like in old movies where every adult who comes in is a potential parent and everyone’s on their best behaviour, hoping to make themselves seem like a good choice. That they test people, they can be withdrawn or outright rude, that some of them probably won’t even look at him. Because more than they remember the kids who were there and got adopted, they remember the tiny handful who got adopted and came back, quieter now, feeling like there must be something wrong with them, something that makes them bad, and they learned too soon that sometimes it’s better never to have something than to have it and lose it. But they’d arrived and there’d been the usual cries of Nico! Nico’s here! and they’d clustered around, and the kids had known exactly what Nick had known: it didn’t take more than a minute to know Vash was good.

As predicted, they’d asked if Vash was his boyfriend. Well, they’d told him. Oooh, Nico’s got a boooyfrieeend, and he’d just looped his arm around Vash’s waist and said yep. A good one, and they’d gone nuts for approximately 30 seconds before dragging Vash off for a guided tour of the bedrooms, the rec room, the animals - a couple dogs who loved Vash just as much as the kids do, the chickens who are so used to little hands that they’ll wander right up for pets.

Best of all had been Theresa. Seven years old, still full of childlike innocence but old enough now to be wary of her differences, to know how cruel the world can be, used to new adults giving her a tight smile and saying hello, sweetheart before their eyes slid right off her, unwilling to look at the prominent scar on her face. She’d been quiet as usual for a good chunk of the morning, but when they’d all sat down for lunch and a small round of bickering broke out about who got to sit next to Vash, she’d skipped the queue with the determined and slightly stilted gait her prosthetic leg gave her and claimed her place at his side.

Nick’d had to excuse himself to go get an extra pitcher of water for the table just to avoid pissing her off with the gooey look on his face.

Later, there’d been games, the kids laughing delightedly as Vash and Nick followed along with little dancing animated characters and then absolutely destroying their scores. Reading, which Nick used as an excuse to show off a little. The Big Bad Wolf got a Clint Eastwood drawl, the three little pigs developed a tendency to call each other pardner, and in a new twist ending Little Red Riding Hood showed up armed with a six-shooter, scared the wolf away for good, and was made sheriff of New Pork. When it was time to leave and the kids tried to make Nick promise to bring Vash next time Nick said he would if he hadn’t scared him off by then, and Theresa deployed the savagery of a child with a good vocabulary and slightly lesser social skills by turning to Vash and saying you know where it is now. You can come without him.

Then as promised, Nick takes Vash to the chapel. It’s small; it doesn’t need to be big, because thankfully the orphanage is never quite full. It’s pretty, though, and built with children in mind. Low pews for little legs at the front, and the stained-glass window is a lamb slumbering peacefully in an emerald field, a lion’s face making the sun in the sky, framed in red roses that are the only visible reference to thorns - no crucifixes here, because Catholic as they may be someone apparently put their foot down about scaring the kids. There’s a little confessional but it’s seldom used; the kids aren’t required to go in there at all, and at least in Nick’s days it was primarily a place to hide and make out. Or other things – Nick’s at least 75% sure he’s the reason there’s a smoke detector in there now. And of course, the little shelves with their little candles, flickering in their jars. It’s probably not the done thing to have open flames anymore, but when your whole organization is dedicated to making a place of peace and healing for children who’ve lost everyone, sometimes tradition is important.

Nick slips his hand into Vash’s as they enter, and he can’t quite hide his affection for the place. He may be very, very lapsed, but good memories last. ]

Huh. I haven’t been in here for years, but it hasn’t changed. Feels like I’m a kid again.

Comments

[anthophilia]

[ Oh, that's good. He rocks against Vash's thigh again, halfway to just riding it - a thought definitely inspired by what's waiting for them in the bag - bites at Vash's lip, lets his hand ruck Vash's shirt up as it travels higher up Vash's back -

and then he pulls back, sits up enough to catch up that fluffy blanket and pitch it onto the floor. He's aware enough that it's a fussy, slightly goofy thing to do, so he tries to make a joke of it and puts on his best tough-guy face and drawl when he turns back to Vash. ]

Don't wanna get come on my blankie.

[spiculatus]

[ his... blankie...!

and okay, that's probably the weirdest thing vash has ever found hot in his life, but maybe he can just blame it on the wolfwood effect. but yeah, something about a tough, cool guy who wants to keep his fuzzy blankie safe and clean? it makes vash want to eat him up, like wolfwood is a fresh glazed donut right out of the oven.

which is why he flips them all at once so that wolfwood is the one sprawled underneath him, leaning down to kiss him, heated and eager. presses his thigh right back where wolfwood seemed to like it, rocking it up against him with a little purr at the way he can feel wolfwood already getting hard against him. ]

[anthophilia]

[ Success! Success better than anticipated, if he's honest, and he makes sure to file that away for future use. For now, he's happy just to give over to that kiss and moan into Vash's mouth at the delicious pressure of that rocking. Grabs at Vash's shirt until he can peel it it right off him, pulling him right back down into a kiss once it's done, hands roaming his skin. He likes it when Vash takes control - it feels like a flash of something Vash keeps hidden or tamped down, something that peeked out that first night in the bar when Vash got tispy and forward. ]

C'mon, professor. Let's do some research.

[spiculatus]

[ maybe vash is just kidding himself, but it almost feels like the moan is something he can taste. and he makes an eager little sound in response, even though it shifts quickly to a complaint when wolfwood breaks the kiss --

oh. shirt off! yes, good plan. and he's tugging wolfwood's off in turn, grinning at him. ]

Nico. [ pressing his thigh back up against him, firm. ] You in a hurry to get my dick inside you?

[anthophilia]

Yeah.

[ That's new to him, too. Not wanting, but being so open about it. With Vash, it feels like it's fine to be needy, like there's no need to try and protect part of himself like he could take it or leave it. He cups a hand at the side of Vash's face as he rocks against that touch, not bothering to hide how much he wants him. ]

Want you inside me. I want everything with you, goddamnit.

[spiculatus]

[ it's like... cute aggression, almost? but instead of wanting to smother wolfwood with a pillow, it turns vash on and makes him want to take care of him all at the same time. is there an opposite of cute aggression?

so he beams in response, swooping down to cup wolfwood's face in his hands and kiss him again, slow and tender this time. only pulling away once he needs the breath, pressing another little kiss against his forehead. ]

I'm gonna give it to you. Whatever you want, okay? Anything.

[ which means it's time to dig into their little bag of treasures! so he's reaching over to fetch the bag, settling himself right on top of wolfwood's hips and dumping out the contents on the bed next to him. dildo, vibrating egg, lollipops, cock ring, harness...

oh, wait. he's holding up the harness for inspection -- it's a kinda complicated-looking tangle of straps and... tubing. ] ... have you ever, uh... put one of these on?

[anthophilia]

[ He believes it. He does, with all his heart, and that's dangerous but it's... comfortable. That's a weird way to feel in the first exhilirating flush of new lust (and love, he can probably admit that), but it's there, and he's grateful for it. His soft smile take on an edge as Vash spills out the collection of treasures, and he props himself up to look as Vash dangles the harness. ]

Nah, but I've seen it done. Not with the ... [ CUM TUBES ] extras, but it can't be that hard.

[ One of the troubled kid camps he got sent on was real outdoorsy, lots of abseiling and shit. It's gotta be similar in theory, right? ]

I've got an incentive to figure it out, at least.

[spiculatus]

[ maybe vash shouldn't have been so bold about claiming to be a professor in this subject. he's going to be an embarrassment to his fictional phd if he can't figure these tubes out! ]

Do you think we... [ okay, it's immature, but he can't stop himself from giggling. ] ... have to mix up the jizz beforehand, or?

[ it's like a craft project for couples! ]

[anthophilia]

[ It's impossible not to snort a laugh at mix up the jizz and even less possible not to laugh at Vash's giggle, but Wolfwood can be task-focused about this! He snags the little bottle of ... jizz, gives the directions a scan. ]

Apparently it's easiest to get it on, then load it up.

[ A pause as he tries to figure out whether he's horrified or impressed. Maybe both, because: ]

And, uh, it's dishwasher-safe.

[ Hey babe, wanna put your dick in my dishwasher? Christ. ]

[spiculatus]

[ vash tries. he really, really does. because he wants to be Very Sexy about all of this, but.

the laughter erupts from him in a bright peal, and he has to flop off wolfwood and onto the bed as it takes right over. ]

Oh man, what a -- hahaha -- relief! That's the -- snnrk -- first thing I always worry about, if my dick is... [ hang on, he's giggling too hard to speak for a good twenty seconds. but finally, he manages to gasp it out: ] ... dishwasher-safe.

[anthophilia]

[ Vash's laughter - snort included - is so bright and beautiful that he can't help laughing along, even if he is a little haunted by the idea of putting a dildo that's been up his ass in the dishwasher. You'd have to do a load (snrk) by itself, right? You wouldn't put it in there with dishes.

Not the important thing! ]

Not the first place I want you to put it.

[spiculatus]

[ oh god. they're absolutely going to have to use wolfwood's dishwasher. if nai finds it in the dishwasher back at their apartment, he's going to ask questions, and --

fuck. it's not helping the giggles. ]

Ass first, dishwasher later. Roger. [ complete with a salute. ]

[anthophilia]

[ ASS FIRST, DISHWASHER LATER

HELP

he tried to stifle a guffaw of laughter, but all that means is it comes out close to a wheeze. But it's... sexy. Being like this with Vash - gearing up (literally, god help him) for sex but still close and laughing? It's sexy, and once the laughter dies down enough for it he grabs Vash and pulls him back in close to kiss him. ]

You're hot when you laugh. Let's get this dick figured out so you can fuck me with it.

[spiculatus]

[ it feels, weirdly, like wolfwood reached into his head and plucked out that brief flicker of insecurity -- that he was being too silly when he was supposed to be sexy -- and waved it away like it was nothing. almost like magic. it makes vash's heart swell in his chest, and he can't resist dipping back in to steal another kiss off wolfwood's mouth. ]

Nick. Nico. [ bumping their foreheads together. ] I like you a lot.

I wanna show you how much. [ and he takes the opportunity to bump wolfwood back down to the mattress, hands already moving to undo his pants so he can tug them off his hips. ]

[anthophilia]

Show me, baby.

[ He lifts his hips cooperatively, trying to make it easy. Reaches for Vash's pants once his own are off - techically Vash doesn't need to be naked for this, but it'll make everything easier to get to when he wants to do stuff for Vash! And they've got that whole strap situation to get him into and figure out, sure, but once they're both naked Nick can't help taking a moment just to run his hands over Vash, stroking over a hipbone, pressing a kiss to the side of his neck. ]

[spiculatus]

[ the nickname makes his breath stutter, arching up into that touch. but! he wants to give wolfwood a turn at being lavished with attention, and that means no getting distracted! which is why he straddles his thighs and presses him back into the mattress again, leaning down to press a kiss to his mouth. slow but heated, making a low sound of want. ]

[anthophilia]

[ Oh, so that's how it's gonna be?

It's... not Nick's strong point, but Vash makes him want to try. He forces himself to go pliant, to sink back against the mattress, but there's no helping the way he arches up to that kiss. Opening his mouth to swallow that little sound Vash makes, echoing it back to him, needy and warm. Hands still roaming over Vash because he can't get enough - but he's trying to behave, at least. ]

[spiculatus]

[ it's nice, feeling the way wolfwood melts underneath him. it feels like trust, and it instantly lights vash up with the urge to prove that he deserves it. he slides his hands down over the other man's body with a low, appreciative sound, finally breaking the kiss just so that he can look at him. ]

Nico. [ trailing his fingertips over the definition of his pecs, down to his abs, then up again. teasing around both of his dusky nipples, lingering until they pebble up for him. ] You're so gorgeous. I told you that already, right?

[anthophilia]

Yeah.

[ On half a laugh, because it's cute and a little embarrassing, but the laugh turns into a hum as Vash's fingers find his nipples. He can't help arching up into the touch a little, loving it. ]

Always nice to hear that from someone as hot as you. I can't remember the last time I wanted someone as bad as I want you. [ And then, a little softer, because it might sound like a line when it's really a confession: ] I don't think I ever have.

[spiculatus]

[ okay, wow. tonight is apparently going to involve learning that there are a lot of ways to feel things, because that's crazy hot but also makes vash's heart do a stutter-step in his chest that's dangerous when it's over a dude he's known for all of three days. three!!! days!!!

it feels like he's going to blurt out something damning if he opens his mouth, so he leans back down to kiss wolfwood again instead. tries to pour out all of it there, all the heat and the sweetness and the rest of the complicated nest of feelings he's not sure it's safe to say out loud. but once he needs to break for air, he starts to wriggle his way downward, kissing a line down wolfwood's throat and then his chest, pausing to give one of those nipples a little extra attention. drawing it into his mouth to suck, then letting it pop free just so he can run his tongue around it.

blowing on it once he's done, because making a Real Cool Guy get all wiggly is cute. ]

[anthophilia]

[ This kiss is amazing. The kind of kiss he could lose himself in, the kind of kiss that takes all of his stupid hopes for them and seems to turn them into promises. He loves it, enough to make a sad little sound when Vash moves his mouth away - but he instantly forgets the loss when Vash starts sucking at a nipple. That's enough to get him arching up, squirmy at the delicious feel of it - good, so good, but in the kind of way that lights his body up and makes him want to demand more - and then Vash blows a little gust of cool air over it and Nick makes a very unmanly little sound in the back of his throat. It's a tease, but the best kind. ]

Vash.

[ A little strained, because by some incredibly unfair magic Vash has apparently learned how to take him from one to one hundred already. ]

Fuck, you're good.

[spiculatus]

Yeah?

[ the praise makes him beam, because he wants to be good. he wants to figure out all the things wolfwood likes, all the ways to make him feel good. it's why he wiggles himself a little lower, kissing a slow trail down his torso, thumbs tracing over the grooves of his hips as he settles properly between his legs.

but! oh, wait. ] D'you have... lube?

[ please say yes. if they went to a sex shop and wolfwood didn't stock up on lube... ]

[anthophilia]

[ He can hear the slight worry in Vash's voice, and honestly it's cute. He's pretty sure the jizz goop would work in a pinch, even if it would detract from the show later on - but luckily, he does have lube. Thick stuff for booty play, even, and he gives Vash a crooked grin. ]

Yeah. It's in the top drawer.

[ He tips his head towards the little dresser next to the bed. Normally he'd get it himself, but Vash seems pretty happy taking the lead on this! And it kinda feels like a little message, too. Such a dumb, small thing, but letting Vash know he's comfortable with Vash rummaging around in his drawer, that he's got nothing to hide... it's nice. ]

Oh, there's a buttplug in there, too. It's in a bag, but the bag's clear. Just so you don't worry you're seeing something you shouldn't.

[spiculatus]

[ oh!! he already has drawer-rummaging privileges, huh? vash can recognize that for the badge of honor it is! it's a shame to have to clamber off wolfwood to go fetch, but lube is kinda an important step if they want to go any further!

but he returns after a moment, triumphant!! and he brought the buttplug with him, because he didn't want her to feel lonely in there. placing her with the rest of their haul, and then settling right back down between the best pair of thighs vash has ever seen. ]

Not your first rodeo, huh? [ not that he sounds particularly threatened. unless wolfwood likes using the buttplug on other people?? but he'd sounded pretty hype when he'd offered to let vash go to town on him with a strap before, so...

ehehe. promptly leaning in and licking a long line up along the underside of his dick. almost like a greeting! hi again, it's me. ]

[anthophilia]

Nah. So you don't have to-

[ worry about being gentle with me, he was going to say, but then Vash leans down and licks a hot stripe up his dick and the rest of the sentence gets lost to a groan. One of his hands moves down to pet through Vash's hair, and he laughs quietly. ]

I gotta stay ready with you around, huh?