The next morning...
He paused outside the door, listening intently. All was silent within.
Not wanting to awaken the sleeper, but expecting to have to knock to gain entrance, he twisted the doorhandle. The door opened without a sound, and Wolfwood scowled.
You idiot! You're far too trusting...
Wolfwood stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him - then stopped and gazed at the sight before him, his heart suddenly filled with warmth, tears pricking at his eyelids.
Vash lay on his stomach, stretched out, peacefully sleeping. His hair a soft, fluffy mass over his forehead. Scarred body hidden under a soft, baggy sweatshirt and pants. His face - what could be seen of it under the hair - serene, calm...
Beautiful.
Wolfwood smiled, gently, lovingly. He sleeps like a child.
How long has it been since I was able to sleep like that?
The priest quietly deposited the box of doughnuts on the table and sat carefully on the edge of the bed, stroking very lightly at that soft, soft hair. Vash sighed and shifted slightly, making it easier for Wolfwood to see his face. And, almost without conscious volition, the priest leaned down and gently kissed the smooth pale forehead...
As he pulled back, a pair of sleepy turquoise eyes smiled up at him.
"H'llo."
"Well, good morning! How are you feeling today?"
Vash rolled over, yawning, and ran a hand through his hair, blinking up at the priest.
"Hungry."
Wolfwood grinned. "Just as well I brought plenty of doughnuts, then..."
Vash bolted upright, eyes wide in anticipation, and twisted to look at the table. Wolfwood laid a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"...but before I let you near them I want you to promise me you'll lock your door in future."
Vash gazed up at him, eyes wide and innocent.
"Why?"
Wolfwood cuffed him - very lightly and affectionately - across the head.
"Because it's dangerous not to! Anyone could have come in! You could have been murdered in your sleep!"
Vash pulled his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, resting his chin on top and regarding Wolfwood as though he were some interesting new lifeform.
"I'd have heard them."
"You didn't hear me!"
"Yes I did. But I knew it was you. And you'd never hurt me."
Wolfwood stared into those beautiful, ingenuous eyes for several startled moments before snorting with exasperation.
"Is there any use at all in arguing with you?"
Vash suddenly grinned, his eyes full of mischief.
"Not really..."
Wolfwood gave up and went to make coffee.
Halfway through his fourth doughnut, Vash paused and glanced towards the window.
"What is it?"
Vash gave the priest a lop-sided smile. "The children."
"Huh?"
But seconds later he heard the shouts from outside.
"Vash! Hey, Vash!"
"Aren't you awake yet?"
"C'mon! We're waiting for you..."
The gunman stuck his head out of the window.
"Be down in a minute!"
As he resumed his seat, Wolfwood lit a cigarette.
"What's all that about?"
Vash waved the remains of the doughnut in the air.
"Well, I thought perhaps they could do with some lessons. Y'know, the meaning of love. And peace."
Wolfwood grinned. "Uhuh."
Vash blushed slightly. "What?"
"You, teaching."
"Well, why not? They enjoy it..."
"You like being beaten up by kids?"
Vash stared at him, then frowned accusingly. "You've been watching!"
Wolfwood took a leisurely drag of his cigarette. "Yup. You're not very good at it, are you?"
"You think you could do better?"
"Sure! Got an orphanage full of 'em back home. I'm used to it."
Vash grinned. "OK. I'll help out in the restaurant - you teach the children the value of love and peace."
Wolfwood stared at him. There was a definite challenge in those sparkling eyes, mischief in the face. He stubbed out the cigarette and ruffled the soft blond hair, faintly surprised when Vash didn't object.
"You're on."
The shouts from outside had started up again, louder this time. Vash sighed. "Better get ready, I guess."
But he made no move to get up from the table, leaning back and watching Wolfwood instead. It took the priest a few moments to realise the gunman was waiting for him to leave before getting dressed. He smiled to himself. There was something very touching about Vash's shyness. If that's actually what it was... He hauled himself upright.
"See ya downstairs in ten."
Vash was there before him. Damn! How did the man move so fast? Wolfwood grinned and lit another cigarette.
"You ready?"
Vash looked a little uneasy. "I guess so..."
"Ah, it's easy! Just ask Clair if you need any help."
The gunman flashed him a smile as they walked into the sunslight...
And a good few hours later Wolfwood slumped on the porch of the restaurant, worn out and bruised from the horseplay. The kids had shown no mercy.
Little buggers! Dunno about love and peace - a little respect wouldn't do any harm!
A light step from the doorway and Vash had joined him, shoulders sagging.
"Guess my job is done..."
"Yup, sure looks like it." Wolfwood gazed up at him, tiredly, and held out his hand.
"For love..."
Vash took the hand. "...and peace."
"Drink?"
The gunman smiled wearily. "Please. I never knew cooking could be so - tiring!"
Chuckling, Wolfwood dragged himself upright - then froze as five evil little faces appeared as if by magic before him. Laughing maliciously.
"Aw, c'mon guys! Haven't you had enough?"
Grinning widely, the children advanced...
"Oh, that hurts."
Vash leaned back in his chair, rubbing his neck: Wolfwood sympathised, his own shoulders and back sore from the treatment the kids had doled out. He'd almost forgotten how vicious kids could be, especially when they knew you were bigger and tougher than they were, and weren't supposed to fight back...
Nevertheless, he was not about to let this opportunity go to waste. He positioned himself behind Vash and caught his shoulders firmly, anticipating the gunman's startled jerk forwards and pressing strong fingers into the aching muscle between shoulder and neck.
"...what...?"
"Quit complaining." Wolfwood began kneading rhythmically, pleased when, after an initial tensing, the body under his hands relaxed, Vash's head slowly rolling backwards until it was resting against the priest's abdomen.
"That feels good."
"Be even better without this coat in the way."
For a moment he thought Vash would object - then the blond sighed and undid the buttons, pulling away from Wolfwood momentarily as he shrugged out of the red fabric then leaned back again. Eyes closed. Face peaceful.
Wolfwood continued kneading, smoothing his hands firmly down the chest then back up to the nape of the neck, stroking gently at the fine soft hair there then repeating the circuit. Vash lay back against him, a slight smile on his lips, breathing slow, at ease.
The priest pressed the lightest kiss to the top of his head, then frowned to himself.
"Vash?"
"Mmmm?"
"How much of this can you actually feel?"
The blond head tilted back, turquoise eyes meeting thundercloud blue. The gunman half-smiled, wryly.
"Not as much as I'd like to."
Hiding his delight at the admission, Wolfwood frowned thoughtfully.
"Take off your shirt."
Without argument, Vash complied. Wolfwood ran his hands down the gunman's chest, concentrating, trying to feel the difference in the reactions of the small areas of smooth, sensitive skin and the far larger mass of rough, dead, unfeeling scar tissue.
And those areas somewhere in between, where Vash still felt the echo of pain altogether far too often...
Wolfwood's eyes widened. Where had that come from?
He shook his head, ignoring it for now. Trying to learn Vash. Trying to learn what gave him pleasure. Without thinking, he kissed the gunman's neck gently, just below his ear - startled when Vash moaned almost soundlessly and inclined his head to the side as if inviting another gentle touch...
Wolfwood kissed him again, slowly, tenderly, suddenly conscious of his own state of arousal...
It was too soon. He had to slow down. Reluctantly, gently, he pulled himself half upright and wrapped his arms around the broad scarred shoulders from behind, hugging lightly. Vash sighed and snuggled back into his arms: Wolfwood kissed his ear.
"Vash? You OK?"
Better than in more years I can remember...
The priest stared down at him, absolutely still, eyes huge. I heard that... What the hell was happening here?
One gentle turquoise eye half-opened and smiled at him - and he decided he really didn't give a damn when it felt this good. Instinctively, protectively, he hugged the gunman harder.
Vash smiled drowsily up at him. Wolfwood swallowed hard.
"Better get some sleep."
The gunman sighed.
"I guess so."
Wolfwood held him still, waiting breathlessly for the next words, somehow suddenly powerless. Wanting so desperately to stay. Somehow knowing it wasn't yet the right time.
Vash shifted gently out of his arms and swivelled to gaze at him.
"My turn to bring the doughnuts?"
Not knowing whether he'd rather burst into tears or hit the aggravating - beautiful - creature in front of him, Wolfwood grinned weakly and nodded.
"Your place or mine?"
Hands cupping his aching groin, hours later Wolfwood was still staring wide-eyed into the dark. Still unsure of exactly what was going on. Angry and confused. And wanting...
Would morning never come?
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