Hi hi! This chapter goes to my beta reader, Marytr! Thanks, dudeman! XD
~Part Four~
Bleary consciousness roused Vash from his rest, bringing with it a throbbing headache and an extremely sore side. He blinked several times, trying to gain his bearings in the unfamiliar setting he had been placed in.
There was a small lamp with a blue shade, casting a warm yellow glow about the dark room. It was on a mahogany table at the foot of what he was lying on, a comfortable black couch made of some kind of leather-like material. Glancing upwards, he saw what appeared to be a darkened hallway, leading off to several other rooms. Besides that, the room seemed pretty plain, a dark rug attempting to cover the dully shining hardwood floor. Even the walls were simple and painted a calming off-white color. A rather large window stood curtain-less and offered a great view of skyscrapers and dimming lights.
Taking a deep breath, Vash yelped in surprise, his side immediately sending volts of shocking pain throughout the rest of his body. Letting his eyes slide shut, he reminisced about the merciless gang that had attacked him... when had that been? How long had he been out?
Attempting to sit up was a bad idea, he discovered. The poor blonde could only prop himself up on his elbows and lean back against the pillow that had been put behind his head. Even that caused him an undue amount of pain. Gritting his teeth and bearing it, Vash sat up more fully and sighed, letting his suffering subdue.
*That's as far as I'm going to be able to get...*
Vash took a slightly deep breath in through his nose, catching a whiff of something very good. He sniffed again, wondering what the delicious smell was.
*Kinda like chicken noodle soup... or something like that...*
The blonde hadn't even given a thought to where he was. Blinking, he turned his head to look behind the couch where another door was closed. There was a scuffling and a banging before he noticed the light shining out from the crack beneath the door.
He raised a slim eyebrow in curiosity, wondering what all the racket was about before the door creaked open and out bustled a flustered looking Wolfwood, apparently busy.
He was wearing a loose black tank top and jeans that had seen better days, judging by the numerous holes around the knees. His dark hair was matted to his head and beginning to dry as he had only gotten out of the shower recently. Balancing a bottle of pills, a light blue bowl filled with delicious smelling soup, and a clear glass filled with water on his long, lean arm, he tried vainly to shut the door behind him quietly in hopes that he would not disturb Vash.
Thus, he was startled when he noticed the blonde sitting up on his elbows wincing in pain then grinning at the other man.
"Tongari! You're awake!"
Forgetting the door, he let it slam shut behind him as he rushed over to Vash, miraculously not spilling a drop of the water or the soup. He settled his load on the table with the lamp and dropped to his knees, smiling widely at him.
"How're you feeling?"
Shaking his head back and forth, Vash replied.
"So-so. My side is killing me and I think my head is going to split open any minute now..."
He reached up a shaky hand and slowly ran it through his sleep-tousled hair, the spiky strands falling beneath his touch and going limp before his eyes, long strands of gold shrouding his vision.
Wolfwood chuckled light-heartedly.
"I should say so. You have two cracked ribs in your side where some thug's boot slammed into it. You also had some minor kind of head injury, concussion or something like that..."
He trailed off as Vash paled considerably.
"C-Concussion?"
"You'll be fine. The doc said so."
The worry left the blonde's face slightly as he grinned nervously. He coughed, regretting that he did so as another violent wave of pain shot through his body.
Wolfwood hit himself in the forehead, muttering before reaching out and gently grabbing Vash's forearms with his strong hands.
"You're not supposed to lean like that. It can't be good for you. Do you want to sit up?"
Red bloomed in Vash's cheeks at the contact he was receiving, strange sensations leaping through his veins as he nodded weakly. He was sent another thrill as Wolfwood reached down and grabbed him by his small waist. Vash squeaked in surprise and protest that made the other man stop.
"W-What're you doing!?"
"What? I was just going to raise you up a bit more. I could hurt you if I grab you by your arms and pulled up and I'm certainly not going to grab you by your side. Just relax. I don't bite."
Wolfwood grinned deviously.
"Well, at least not hard enough to bring blood."
He laughed loudly at the expression on Vash's face. The blonde also laughed, but it was a bit too high-pitched to be natural. He held his breath and tried to take Wolfwood's advice by relaxing, but his damn body just wouldn't stop.
*What the hell is wrong with me lately? I spazz out every time I'm even near him! I really need to get a grip...*
Wolfwood looked for Vash's approval before reaching back to the blonde's slender waist and gently pulling him up, propping him more fully against the pillow behind him. The blonde sighed and shifted slightly as he got comfortable in the spot, feeling better now that he could sit up properly.
"So. I want to know what happened."
Looking startled, Vash turned his blue gaze onto Wolfwood's gray one, trying to decipher what was lurking in his strange look. Foremost, he looked highly pissed that someone had come by and beaten up his pupil, his friend. But there was something else lingering in the back of his stare that was giving Vash a weird feeling...
*Ah well... I never was good at telling people's emotions.*
He proceeded to ramble on and tell Wolfwood the exact events of his terrible evening. His superior's face never changed and he hardly even blinked as Vash continued with his story. When he was finished, Wolfwood looked down at the blonde's side, rethinking what had happened to his friend.
"That's pathetic. Low-life punks!"
Vash looked worried at how angry his friend had become, the rage eminent in his stormy eyes while he held an unfocused stare on the floor. But when he turned his face back to his wounded companion, his face softened and his demeanor changed remarkably.
"I'm sorry that this happened to you, Tongari. I'm just glad you're not hurt seriously."
"Me, too."
"So... You lost your wallet and your keys in the same night, huh?"
"Hm? I didn't lose my keys. They only took my wallet."
"You did lose your keys. That's why I was coming back to your apartment building. They must have fallen out of your pocket sometime and I found them lying in the seat. When I drove back to your place to return them to you, I found you bleeding on the sidewalk, half dead. I'm just grateful I got there in time. "
"So am I."
Conversation reluctantly shifted to a halt, the air in the room becoming slightly awkward as Vash tried desperately not to stare at Wolfwood. Said man, noticing the change in the air, stood and dusted his pants off, even though there was no need, and took a step to the table at the head of the couch where he had put the bowl of soup and the glass of water.
Some of the ice had melted and the soup was slightly colder, but it was still warm and Vash loved the smell of it.
"Here you go. This is why I came in here in the first place."
Wolfwood grinned, handed Vash the food and drink and promptly plopped down on the ground, leaning back against the couch and resting his head on the leather cushions in the small space near the edge where the blonde's leg wasn't resting.
While Vash ate the soup, Wolfwood decided to answer any questions his friend might have had in mind.
"I suppose you wonder why you're resting at my place."
Vash paused in the eating of his soup and nodded when the dark haired man leaned his neck back and looked at him.
"Well, when I took you to the hospital, the doc fixed you up real nice and then suggested that you go home and get a good deal of rest. I had your apartment keys and your apartment number, but I didn't think it would be appropriate to leave you near the scene of your assault. I think you need to move away from that building. It has some pretty shady characters hanging around."
The blonde nodded, still gulping down the warm liquid in an attempt to satiate his roaring hunger. Which brought another question to mind. He stopped the bowl halfway to his lips and asked.
"How long have I been out?"
Wolfwood furrowed his brow and pursed his lips in thought. Reaching up and scratching the back of his neck, he closed his dark eyes before leaning his head back to rest on the couch.
"I'd say about three or four days. They knocked you pretty good."
"Three or four days!?"
Soup forgotten in his panic, Vash almost made a move to stand, but Wolfwood twisted around and placed his warm hands on Vash's long legs.
"Stop. Don't worry, I called in for you and you've been to work so much, you have a couple of weeks worth of paid vacation."
Vash relaxed, and pulled his legs back, sighing and regaining his composure. But his face was still laced with worry.
"But what about you? Have you been going to work?"
Wolfwood snorted and laughed.
"Of course not! Why would I leave you here by yourself? That would be highly irresponsible of your current nurse."
Vash immediately got the strange mental image of Wolfwood in a short, white nurses' dress and little white hat, holding a bowl of jello in one hand and a shot in the other. He began snickering violently, clamping his hand over his mouth to subdue his laughter.
Wolfwood, his head still on the cushion of the black couch, watched the change in Vash's face and frowned when he heard him trying to cover up his snickers.
"What're you laughing about?"
That set the blonde off into smothered giggles.
"What's so funny? What'd I say?"
It was taking a lot of effort for Vash to not burst out laughing in Wolfwood's face, his cheeks turning red when he grabbed the pillow from behind him, leaned forward and buried his face in the soft material, doubling over in laughter and ignoring the pain that rippled through his side.
Wolfwood began to pout and pulled slightly on the corner of the feather pillow.
"Tell me."
Laughter.
"Tell me, Tongari, or so help me, I will tickle you and that won't feel nice with cracked ribs."
Vash slowly released the pillow, trying his hardest to quiet his amusement. His cheeks were still flushed a bright red from containing his joke and tears were beginning to leak out of the corner of his beautiful eyes. Wolfwood stood and glared imposingly down his nose at the giddy blonde.
"Fine then."
He reached down and took the half empty bowl away from Vash and the still full cup of water before snatching the pillow out of his friend's hands and tucking it behind the surprised blonde. Placing a gentle hand on Vash's shoulder, he forced him down with not quite enough pressure to hurt him. He took a step towards the dark table and the lamp, all the while still glaring at the puppy-eyed Vash.
"Aw, come on... I was just laughing..."
"Nope. You've gone and hurt my feelings now. Painkillers are right here if you need them. Goodnight."
Wolfwood twisted the knob and the lamp turned off, leaving them both bathed in a blue light from the cityscape outside. Vash whimpered as his friend's footsteps died away going down the other hallway, but he decided there was nothing he could do while he was awake if the other man was going to bed. Settling down in the dark cushions, the weary blonde began to catch up on his sleep.
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The light from Wolfwood's bedroom spilled down the narrow hallway. Poking his dark head out of his door, Wolfwood listened for a few moments to see if he could hear Vash's snoring. All he heard was a heavy and contented breathing, which he thought was acceptable, so he began to tread down the hallway with padded feet carrying the dirty bowl and the now empty glass with him.
He tiptoed past the couch and tried his hardest to keep his kitchen door from squeaking so he wouldn't wake Vash. Of course, when you try to keep things from squeaking, they let out their loudest noise ever, which is exactly what the door did to mock the cursing man.
Despite all the noise he thought he was making, the dark haired man managed to reach the kitchen and place the dishes in the sink. Opening the door with another loud squeak of protest, he scurried into his living room and let it shut behind him. As he was making his way back to his room, he had the sudden thought to check on his charge. He back-stepped and let the soft light from the window illuminate the area for him.
He caught sight of Vash, hair even more disheveled in sleep and face peaceful in slumber. The blonde looked like he was having a nice dream and Wolfwood was glad that his sleep wasn't filled with the sadness he sensed Vash had a lot of his waking hours. The blonde sleeper shifted, strands of hair falling back down to brush his cheeks and hover above his closed eyes.
Wolfwood noticed no blanket on his friend, even though he was sure he had put one on him a while back, before Vash had woken up. He frowned softly, dark eyes scanning the room for the thin throw blanket. The maroon cloth was on the floor at the end of the couch, there by some miracle because there was no way Vash could have kicked it there.
Shaking his head, Wolfwood sighed and took a step towards the object, not even trying to guess how it had gotten so far from the blonde. He picked up the blanket, dusted it off, and gently laid it over Vash, leaving his chest partially exposed in case his friend wanted to move in sleep.
Smiling, Wolfwood made to go back to his room for the second time, but something caught his eye.
*Wow... he has really long eyelashes.*
Curiously long. And as Wolfwood bent to examine more closely these long eyelashes, he began to ponder how a man could have such a delicate nose, his cheeks high and slightly defined. Perfect, light pink lips and a curved chin, free of any stubble. But Wolfwood's gaze lingered on the blonde's eyes, remarking to himself how he half-heartedly wished they were open so he could examine the color of Vash's soul.
*But his hair's in the way...*
Before he knew what he was doing, Wolfwood reached out and gently brushed away the stray hairs, his fingers straying on Vash's cheek for just a little too long. In slumber, the blonde's head turned instinctively towards the mysterious hand, causing Wolfwood to jerk back and nearly stumble over himself in his haste to get away from his friend.
Placing a shaking hand over his pounding heart, Wolfwood stared at the blonde and then at his hand, wondering what the hell had just happened.
*What was I thinking?! He could have opened his eyes at any second!!*
//But isn't that what you wanted?//
A small voice in the back of his head tweaked with his rational thoughts.
*Of course not! He would have seen me touching his face! I was sitting there staring at him!*
Wolfwood quickly raised to his feet, a bit dizzy from his heart beat going so fast, and stormed to his room down the hallway, leaving the sleeping blonde in peace.
//But what would you have done if he had woken up?//
*I would have apologized and said ... And said... And said there was something on his face and that I had come in there to give him a blanket.*
//But you would be lying to yourself and to him.//
*What would it matter!? I would have apologized for invading his personal space!*
//But you wouldn't have meant it, would you?//
Wolfwood stopped in the middle of his hallway.
*No... No, I don't think I would have... Strangely....*
He turned, looking back at the black couch at the end of his hallway.
*I wouldn't have.*
Reaching up and ruffling his hair, Wolfwood bit his bottom lip, his face worried and confused as his mind mulled over the recent information it had obtained from itself. He reached his room and spread out on his back, clicking off the light quickly and letting his tired body relax.
*Why would I not have been sorry for him waking up? Why would I not be sorry for... for.... *
"Goddammit...."
Wolfwood growled at himself some more as he continued to think about Vash, his body feeling strange.
//Warm and fuzzy.//
*Warm... and fuzzy...*
He was slowly drifting off to sleep. As his eyes drooped heavily, his thoughts slowly began to drift into dream.
*Warm... and fuzzy... Vash... He ...makes me feel warm... and fuzzy...*
Wolfwood wasn't even listening to himself anymore as his normally startling revelation went unnoticed in his need for sleep. He finally cut himself off from the waking world and dreamt of nothing, a peaceful sleep that left him strangely warm and fuzzy.
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A painfully short chapter, but it's the most I could put out right now. I'm a very busy little lady and I'm still trying to squeeze in fanfiction along with everything else I'm doing! ;.; The call of my computer..... It beckons me to type...... The next chapter is in the workshop. So is my other story. And a new story I'm working on... Hm. Maybe I should just finish this one first and not feed the plot chickens anymore.. ^^;; Nevermind. Review, please!
~Part Four~
Bleary consciousness roused Vash from his rest, bringing with it a throbbing headache and an extremely sore side. He blinked several times, trying to gain his bearings in the unfamiliar setting he had been placed in.
There was a small lamp with a blue shade, casting a warm yellow glow about the dark room. It was on a mahogany table at the foot of what he was lying on, a comfortable black couch made of some kind of leather-like material. Glancing upwards, he saw what appeared to be a darkened hallway, leading off to several other rooms. Besides that, the room seemed pretty plain, a dark rug attempting to cover the dully shining hardwood floor. Even the walls were simple and painted a calming off-white color. A rather large window stood curtain-less and offered a great view of skyscrapers and dimming lights.
Taking a deep breath, Vash yelped in surprise, his side immediately sending volts of shocking pain throughout the rest of his body. Letting his eyes slide shut, he reminisced about the merciless gang that had attacked him... when had that been? How long had he been out?
Attempting to sit up was a bad idea, he discovered. The poor blonde could only prop himself up on his elbows and lean back against the pillow that had been put behind his head. Even that caused him an undue amount of pain. Gritting his teeth and bearing it, Vash sat up more fully and sighed, letting his suffering subdue.
*That's as far as I'm going to be able to get...*
Vash took a slightly deep breath in through his nose, catching a whiff of something very good. He sniffed again, wondering what the delicious smell was.
*Kinda like chicken noodle soup... or something like that...*
The blonde hadn't even given a thought to where he was. Blinking, he turned his head to look behind the couch where another door was closed. There was a scuffling and a banging before he noticed the light shining out from the crack beneath the door.
He raised a slim eyebrow in curiosity, wondering what all the racket was about before the door creaked open and out bustled a flustered looking Wolfwood, apparently busy.
He was wearing a loose black tank top and jeans that had seen better days, judging by the numerous holes around the knees. His dark hair was matted to his head and beginning to dry as he had only gotten out of the shower recently. Balancing a bottle of pills, a light blue bowl filled with delicious smelling soup, and a clear glass filled with water on his long, lean arm, he tried vainly to shut the door behind him quietly in hopes that he would not disturb Vash.
Thus, he was startled when he noticed the blonde sitting up on his elbows wincing in pain then grinning at the other man.
"Tongari! You're awake!"
Forgetting the door, he let it slam shut behind him as he rushed over to Vash, miraculously not spilling a drop of the water or the soup. He settled his load on the table with the lamp and dropped to his knees, smiling widely at him.
"How're you feeling?"
Shaking his head back and forth, Vash replied.
"So-so. My side is killing me and I think my head is going to split open any minute now..."
He reached up a shaky hand and slowly ran it through his sleep-tousled hair, the spiky strands falling beneath his touch and going limp before his eyes, long strands of gold shrouding his vision.
Wolfwood chuckled light-heartedly.
"I should say so. You have two cracked ribs in your side where some thug's boot slammed into it. You also had some minor kind of head injury, concussion or something like that..."
He trailed off as Vash paled considerably.
"C-Concussion?"
"You'll be fine. The doc said so."
The worry left the blonde's face slightly as he grinned nervously. He coughed, regretting that he did so as another violent wave of pain shot through his body.
Wolfwood hit himself in the forehead, muttering before reaching out and gently grabbing Vash's forearms with his strong hands.
"You're not supposed to lean like that. It can't be good for you. Do you want to sit up?"
Red bloomed in Vash's cheeks at the contact he was receiving, strange sensations leaping through his veins as he nodded weakly. He was sent another thrill as Wolfwood reached down and grabbed him by his small waist. Vash squeaked in surprise and protest that made the other man stop.
"W-What're you doing!?"
"What? I was just going to raise you up a bit more. I could hurt you if I grab you by your arms and pulled up and I'm certainly not going to grab you by your side. Just relax. I don't bite."
Wolfwood grinned deviously.
"Well, at least not hard enough to bring blood."
He laughed loudly at the expression on Vash's face. The blonde also laughed, but it was a bit too high-pitched to be natural. He held his breath and tried to take Wolfwood's advice by relaxing, but his damn body just wouldn't stop.
*What the hell is wrong with me lately? I spazz out every time I'm even near him! I really need to get a grip...*
Wolfwood looked for Vash's approval before reaching back to the blonde's slender waist and gently pulling him up, propping him more fully against the pillow behind him. The blonde sighed and shifted slightly as he got comfortable in the spot, feeling better now that he could sit up properly.
"So. I want to know what happened."
Looking startled, Vash turned his blue gaze onto Wolfwood's gray one, trying to decipher what was lurking in his strange look. Foremost, he looked highly pissed that someone had come by and beaten up his pupil, his friend. But there was something else lingering in the back of his stare that was giving Vash a weird feeling...
*Ah well... I never was good at telling people's emotions.*
He proceeded to ramble on and tell Wolfwood the exact events of his terrible evening. His superior's face never changed and he hardly even blinked as Vash continued with his story. When he was finished, Wolfwood looked down at the blonde's side, rethinking what had happened to his friend.
"That's pathetic. Low-life punks!"
Vash looked worried at how angry his friend had become, the rage eminent in his stormy eyes while he held an unfocused stare on the floor. But when he turned his face back to his wounded companion, his face softened and his demeanor changed remarkably.
"I'm sorry that this happened to you, Tongari. I'm just glad you're not hurt seriously."
"Me, too."
"So... You lost your wallet and your keys in the same night, huh?"
"Hm? I didn't lose my keys. They only took my wallet."
"You did lose your keys. That's why I was coming back to your apartment building. They must have fallen out of your pocket sometime and I found them lying in the seat. When I drove back to your place to return them to you, I found you bleeding on the sidewalk, half dead. I'm just grateful I got there in time. "
"So am I."
Conversation reluctantly shifted to a halt, the air in the room becoming slightly awkward as Vash tried desperately not to stare at Wolfwood. Said man, noticing the change in the air, stood and dusted his pants off, even though there was no need, and took a step to the table at the head of the couch where he had put the bowl of soup and the glass of water.
Some of the ice had melted and the soup was slightly colder, but it was still warm and Vash loved the smell of it.
"Here you go. This is why I came in here in the first place."
Wolfwood grinned, handed Vash the food and drink and promptly plopped down on the ground, leaning back against the couch and resting his head on the leather cushions in the small space near the edge where the blonde's leg wasn't resting.
While Vash ate the soup, Wolfwood decided to answer any questions his friend might have had in mind.
"I suppose you wonder why you're resting at my place."
Vash paused in the eating of his soup and nodded when the dark haired man leaned his neck back and looked at him.
"Well, when I took you to the hospital, the doc fixed you up real nice and then suggested that you go home and get a good deal of rest. I had your apartment keys and your apartment number, but I didn't think it would be appropriate to leave you near the scene of your assault. I think you need to move away from that building. It has some pretty shady characters hanging around."
The blonde nodded, still gulping down the warm liquid in an attempt to satiate his roaring hunger. Which brought another question to mind. He stopped the bowl halfway to his lips and asked.
"How long have I been out?"
Wolfwood furrowed his brow and pursed his lips in thought. Reaching up and scratching the back of his neck, he closed his dark eyes before leaning his head back to rest on the couch.
"I'd say about three or four days. They knocked you pretty good."
"Three or four days!?"
Soup forgotten in his panic, Vash almost made a move to stand, but Wolfwood twisted around and placed his warm hands on Vash's long legs.
"Stop. Don't worry, I called in for you and you've been to work so much, you have a couple of weeks worth of paid vacation."
Vash relaxed, and pulled his legs back, sighing and regaining his composure. But his face was still laced with worry.
"But what about you? Have you been going to work?"
Wolfwood snorted and laughed.
"Of course not! Why would I leave you here by yourself? That would be highly irresponsible of your current nurse."
Vash immediately got the strange mental image of Wolfwood in a short, white nurses' dress and little white hat, holding a bowl of jello in one hand and a shot in the other. He began snickering violently, clamping his hand over his mouth to subdue his laughter.
Wolfwood, his head still on the cushion of the black couch, watched the change in Vash's face and frowned when he heard him trying to cover up his snickers.
"What're you laughing about?"
That set the blonde off into smothered giggles.
"What's so funny? What'd I say?"
It was taking a lot of effort for Vash to not burst out laughing in Wolfwood's face, his cheeks turning red when he grabbed the pillow from behind him, leaned forward and buried his face in the soft material, doubling over in laughter and ignoring the pain that rippled through his side.
Wolfwood began to pout and pulled slightly on the corner of the feather pillow.
"Tell me."
Laughter.
"Tell me, Tongari, or so help me, I will tickle you and that won't feel nice with cracked ribs."
Vash slowly released the pillow, trying his hardest to quiet his amusement. His cheeks were still flushed a bright red from containing his joke and tears were beginning to leak out of the corner of his beautiful eyes. Wolfwood stood and glared imposingly down his nose at the giddy blonde.
"Fine then."
He reached down and took the half empty bowl away from Vash and the still full cup of water before snatching the pillow out of his friend's hands and tucking it behind the surprised blonde. Placing a gentle hand on Vash's shoulder, he forced him down with not quite enough pressure to hurt him. He took a step towards the dark table and the lamp, all the while still glaring at the puppy-eyed Vash.
"Aw, come on... I was just laughing..."
"Nope. You've gone and hurt my feelings now. Painkillers are right here if you need them. Goodnight."
Wolfwood twisted the knob and the lamp turned off, leaving them both bathed in a blue light from the cityscape outside. Vash whimpered as his friend's footsteps died away going down the other hallway, but he decided there was nothing he could do while he was awake if the other man was going to bed. Settling down in the dark cushions, the weary blonde began to catch up on his sleep.
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The light from Wolfwood's bedroom spilled down the narrow hallway. Poking his dark head out of his door, Wolfwood listened for a few moments to see if he could hear Vash's snoring. All he heard was a heavy and contented breathing, which he thought was acceptable, so he began to tread down the hallway with padded feet carrying the dirty bowl and the now empty glass with him.
He tiptoed past the couch and tried his hardest to keep his kitchen door from squeaking so he wouldn't wake Vash. Of course, when you try to keep things from squeaking, they let out their loudest noise ever, which is exactly what the door did to mock the cursing man.
Despite all the noise he thought he was making, the dark haired man managed to reach the kitchen and place the dishes in the sink. Opening the door with another loud squeak of protest, he scurried into his living room and let it shut behind him. As he was making his way back to his room, he had the sudden thought to check on his charge. He back-stepped and let the soft light from the window illuminate the area for him.
He caught sight of Vash, hair even more disheveled in sleep and face peaceful in slumber. The blonde looked like he was having a nice dream and Wolfwood was glad that his sleep wasn't filled with the sadness he sensed Vash had a lot of his waking hours. The blonde sleeper shifted, strands of hair falling back down to brush his cheeks and hover above his closed eyes.
Wolfwood noticed no blanket on his friend, even though he was sure he had put one on him a while back, before Vash had woken up. He frowned softly, dark eyes scanning the room for the thin throw blanket. The maroon cloth was on the floor at the end of the couch, there by some miracle because there was no way Vash could have kicked it there.
Shaking his head, Wolfwood sighed and took a step towards the object, not even trying to guess how it had gotten so far from the blonde. He picked up the blanket, dusted it off, and gently laid it over Vash, leaving his chest partially exposed in case his friend wanted to move in sleep.
Smiling, Wolfwood made to go back to his room for the second time, but something caught his eye.
*Wow... he has really long eyelashes.*
Curiously long. And as Wolfwood bent to examine more closely these long eyelashes, he began to ponder how a man could have such a delicate nose, his cheeks high and slightly defined. Perfect, light pink lips and a curved chin, free of any stubble. But Wolfwood's gaze lingered on the blonde's eyes, remarking to himself how he half-heartedly wished they were open so he could examine the color of Vash's soul.
*But his hair's in the way...*
Before he knew what he was doing, Wolfwood reached out and gently brushed away the stray hairs, his fingers straying on Vash's cheek for just a little too long. In slumber, the blonde's head turned instinctively towards the mysterious hand, causing Wolfwood to jerk back and nearly stumble over himself in his haste to get away from his friend.
Placing a shaking hand over his pounding heart, Wolfwood stared at the blonde and then at his hand, wondering what the hell had just happened.
*What was I thinking?! He could have opened his eyes at any second!!*
//But isn't that what you wanted?//
A small voice in the back of his head tweaked with his rational thoughts.
*Of course not! He would have seen me touching his face! I was sitting there staring at him!*
Wolfwood quickly raised to his feet, a bit dizzy from his heart beat going so fast, and stormed to his room down the hallway, leaving the sleeping blonde in peace.
//But what would you have done if he had woken up?//
*I would have apologized and said ... And said... And said there was something on his face and that I had come in there to give him a blanket.*
//But you would be lying to yourself and to him.//
*What would it matter!? I would have apologized for invading his personal space!*
//But you wouldn't have meant it, would you?//
Wolfwood stopped in the middle of his hallway.
*No... No, I don't think I would have... Strangely....*
He turned, looking back at the black couch at the end of his hallway.
*I wouldn't have.*
Reaching up and ruffling his hair, Wolfwood bit his bottom lip, his face worried and confused as his mind mulled over the recent information it had obtained from itself. He reached his room and spread out on his back, clicking off the light quickly and letting his tired body relax.
*Why would I not have been sorry for him waking up? Why would I not be sorry for... for.... *
"Goddammit...."
Wolfwood growled at himself some more as he continued to think about Vash, his body feeling strange.
//Warm and fuzzy.//
*Warm... and fuzzy...*
He was slowly drifting off to sleep. As his eyes drooped heavily, his thoughts slowly began to drift into dream.
*Warm... and fuzzy... Vash... He ...makes me feel warm... and fuzzy...*
Wolfwood wasn't even listening to himself anymore as his normally startling revelation went unnoticed in his need for sleep. He finally cut himself off from the waking world and dreamt of nothing, a peaceful sleep that left him strangely warm and fuzzy.
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A painfully short chapter, but it's the most I could put out right now. I'm a very busy little lady and I'm still trying to squeeze in fanfiction along with everything else I'm doing! ;.; The call of my computer..... It beckons me to type...... The next chapter is in the workshop. So is my other story. And a new story I'm working on... Hm. Maybe I should just finish this one first and not feed the plot chickens anymore.. ^^;; Nevermind. Review, please!