[ it's all part of the process ok trust. despite the typos, wolfwood does recognize the address at least, and he manages to arrive shortly after vash gets out of the uber, pulling to a smooth stop in front of him.
he flips the visor from his helmet up, leveling vash with the flattest stare before he tosses an extra helmet at him. ]
Get on. We're getting food and it'll be on your tab.
[ Uh oh. Vash flashes a smile at that flat look, but it's wiped off his face as he scrambles to try and catch the helmet. He actually, gracelessly, manages to grapple it.]
Just don't pick anything too expensive, I'm not made of money...
[ He climbs onto the bike behind Wolfwood, managing to sway minimally despite himself. However where he might have been more conservative if he hadn't had drinks in him already, he fully wraps his arms around Wolfwood's middle, his chest flush against his back. He doesn't want to fall off!! ]
Maybe you should've thought of that before taking an Uber to the wrong location.
[ there's no real heat behind it despite what he says, giving vash time to climb on and settle behind him. mostly he's just glad vash didn't actually get himself into trouble—this shit he can handle even if he feels like vash's antics will make him go gray early.
vash wrapping his arms around his torso brings wolfwood out of his thoughts, and he lowers a gloved hand to rest over vash's, pressing down as if to reaffirm his grip. it's brief, almost on instinct, before he leans forward slightly and pulls down his visor, shifting the bike into gear to pull back out onto the street. ]
[Honestly, he'd complain more, but they're already off and it takes every last drunken braincell he has to keep his grip around Wolfwood, let alone have any to spare to argue through a helmet and the wind whipping around them.
He'll pay this time, because... well Because. The uber was Wolfwood's idea anyway, couldn't he have just stayed?! It makes sense to his brain, and the longer he thinks about it as they head off to wherever Wolfwood has decided they're going to eat the more sure he becomes.
He doesn't say anything though, his arms just squeezing a little tighter until they get to wherever they're going and they come to a stop. It's THEN that he spares a hand to lift the visor on his own helmet, the put on pout very clear on his face.]
[ it was wolfwood's idea, yes, only because vash had insisted that he'd be fine, stubborn to the last until wolfwood eventually gave in. he should have just called the uber himself—he should have done a number of things, really, and maybe a part of him had wanted himself to chill the fuck out. vash doesn't need him, he's perfectly capable of taking care of himself. and yeah, maybe when they were younger, they'd watch out for each other all the time and wolfwood would always chase off the bullies, but. well. old habits are hard to break.
in any case, wolfwood takes them to a mcdonald's because it's late and nearby, and he figures it'd be easier on vash than for him to have to hold onto him for longer than he needs to in his drunken state. he cuts the engine, tugging his helmet off and turning to look over his shoulder, getting the full effect of vash's pout. ]
Don't look at me like that, [ he says with a huff, (gently) shoving vash's helmeted face away. ] Stop getting yourself into trouble all the time.
[He makes a big deal about Vash paying for food, and then goes to McDonalds. Vash won't complain, more than happy to stuff his annoyingly empty stomach full of junk food. Even as his head gets shoved, he's laughing. A moment later he pulls the helmet off of his head, his messy hair even somehow more mussed than before.
It's not my fault ALL the time! [He complains as he carefully dismounts from the bike, quite nearly tipping over when his balance is off, but he holds onto Wolfwood's arm to keep that from happening. It's really just him pinching the sleeve of his jacket as he teeters himself back into place.] Just this time I guess...
What do you want? [He's patting himself down for his wallet, eventually fishing it out of his back pocket. He's buying.] I'll get you whatever you want. Because I like you.
Yeah, and you said it wasn't your fault too, last time. [ he reaches out a hand to steady vash as he gets off the bike, his arm curved around his back to cup his waist. ] When you gonna take responsibility, huh?
[ there's an incriminating lack of harshness to his tone as it says it though, and he staunchly ignores that last bit in favor of tucking their helmets away and pocketing the keys. vash is drunk and wolfwood is stupid; for as much as he calls vash an idiot, he should honestly start including himself. ]
Famous last words. [ listen, he can wrack up a hefty mcd's bill if he really wanted to. ] Let's get you to the counter in one piece first.
[ here begins the slow journey across the parking lot... at least he parked relatively close. but he keeps his hand on the small of vash's back just in case. ]
It WASN'T my fault last time...! [This time? Yes, his fault, he will own that. He fusses a little, arms splaying out in front of him like he's trying to convince the world and not just the man who's currently keeping him from stumbling all over his stupid feet. He almost trips up the curb, but thanks to Wolfwood's gentle guidance he doesn't. Small miracles, acknowledged with a thank you and a laugh.]
I'll take responsibility after we eat.
[If it were any other time, he might have been too stuck on the feeling of Wolfwood's hand on his back, the way it's so much warmer than the rest of him despite the alcohol still in his system to even walk a straight line sober. Instead, he just lets himself be lead, his brain deciding to file that for later. He manages to be useful and get the doors open as they walk in, and once he's pulled far enough away he grabs the hand that had been at his back and pulls Wolfwood towards the counter.]
Hello! Good morning! [It's close enough. The cashier looks less than enthused, but it doesn't stop him from ordering, using his free hand to point at things as he lists them. It's more than enough food for TWO people, but again, he isn't stopped. What does stop him though is when he looks over at Wolfwood, his expression expectant.]
[ vash's protest is met with another flat look and a muttered watch it, idiot when he nearly trips on the curb. it's the same song and dance they're used to and wolfwood knows his part well enough by now—no matter how gruff his exterior is and how much he gripes about it, vash always gets away with basically everything. it's almost pathetic, honestly, but wolfwood has resigned himself to it at this point.
especially when vash just grabs his hand out of nowhere, pulling him along to the counter. wolfwood tenses briefly, but it leaves him as quickly as it came, shifting his hand in vash's hold to slot his fingers in between his. he tells himself it's to make sure vash doesn't fall, or run off and get himself into more trouble, but it sounds weak even to himself. it's fine; vash is drunk and he'll likely forget about all of this in the morning.
anyway, while vash orders enough food to feed two people, wolfwood stares at the overhead menu and partially disassociates until he feels vash's expectant gaze on him. right, his turn. to be fair, coming here was mostly for vash's benefit so he could sober up, but no one needs to know that. so he picks the first thing his eyes land on— ]
[Is that all? Vash shrugs a little and without missing a beat he turns to the cashier to shove a mess of bills at her. She sighs, but like someone who's used to this sort of nonsense in the middle of her shift she takes the money and starts to count it out. Sure enough there's a number of bills she starts to hand back to Vash before instead turning and handing to the responsible party -- Wolfwood with a 'his change. and receipt.' Vash, to his credit mostly just looks amused, his attention in the moment shifting back towards where their fingers are twined together.
It's almost like he doesn't remember doing it when he tests their grip, his fingers flexing a little before he hums a rather amused sort of sound. Apparently, current Vash still agrees with past Vash's impulsive actions. When they're left to their own devices (to wait for their food) he sways a little.]
That's really all you're gonna order huh? I'm not sharing. [He says this, but he absolutely would, what's his is Wolfwoods, as far as he is concerned, what's a fry or two between them?]
[ the cashier hands him the money and the receipt and wolfwood takes it wordlessly without a second thought, as if he's done it before. and he has, not too frequently but enough times that it's almost instinctual by now. he shoves the receipt in his jacket pocket and takes vash's wallet, tucking the change in and sliding it back into vash's pocket. he's limited to one hand, but he makes it work somehow. all this happens in front of the cashier, who only raises a brow in response before turning away and getting their order ready.
it's as if he doesn't even really register the fact that they're still holding hands, tightening his grip a little when vash starts swaying. ]
So I pick you up and take you all the way out here and that's the thanks I get? [ he shakes his head but doesn't bother to hide the chuckle, a lazy grin on his face. ] I should be getting half of what you got.
[ considering he ordered enough to feed two people?? ]
[He ordered that much food because he can EAT that much food. Have you met him? He purses his lips a little, stepping closer to Wolfwood in order to lift his free hand to prod at him with his index finger. It's meant to be angry but it mostly just comes off kind of silly because there's no pressure behind it and he just winds up gripping onto the collar of Wolfwood's jacket instead. He's slowly starting to sober up with time, but it's a slow process when you start off as drunk as he was earlier in the night.]
You can't just take half. I'll give you some french fries. [He sways again, but this time he rocks forward on his toes a little, his head drooping down to rest on Wolfwood's shoulder. This is comfortable. What WOULD he do if Wolfwood didn't come to his rescue all the time even over the most benign things? If he didn't take him to McDonalds for shitty food to stave off drunken behavior (he definitely knows that's why, he's always been able to read Wolfwood, but it's better not to act like it).] You always help me out, Nick....
[That's muffled, a little slurred considering he's currently shoving his face into Wolfwood's neck basically. He smells like tobacco and leather and cherry candy somehow. It's a weird combination but— he likes it. It's comforting and so much more obvious when they're not riding down the street on his motorcycle.] You smell nice.
[ it's silly and it's kind of cute, honestly, like watching a kitten throwing a tantrum. wolfwood doesn't move away from the fingers that curl into his jacket, nor does he stop vash from resting his head on his shoulder; so maybe he's using vash's drunkenness as an excuse to savor all the extra physical contact, no one needs to know. ]
Wouldn't have to if you stop getting yourself into trouble.
[ it's meant to be scolding but there's no heat behind it, shifting his posture to accommodate vash now that he's clearly made himself comfortable. it takes a lot of effort to not tug him closer, to press his face into vash's soft hair and breathe him in like he's always wanted to. this is more than he should be allowing himself anyway—after all he'd told himself to bury his crush and his feelings, you'd think he'd be better at establishing boundaries and keeping his distance. he can't refuse vash anything, and they both know this by now.
he swallows thickly, mouth suddenly dry when vash presses his face against his neck, telling him dangerous things like you smell nice. he feels incriminating heat in his face and he's so glad when the cashier calls their order number, saving wolfwood from attempting to figure out a response to that. ]
Hey, come on. [ he gently nudges vash in an attempt to get him to stand upright. ] Go find a table, I'll get the food.
[Vash exhales a sigh that's partially a groan, partially a whine -- he's comfortable where he is, and he doesn't want to do anything about changing that. He's at least somewhat aware they're in the middle of a McDonald's, and maybe that plus the sudden growl in his stomach that has him lifting his head up and pushing himself upright. His hands linger on Wolfwood's clothes though, before they too, retreat.]
Okaaaay, alright. Gotcha. [He even more reluctantly lets loose of Wolfwood completely, taking a step or four backward before turning to more or less plant himself at the nearest table for 4 people. Not two. 4. Mostly because half of it is a booth and he wants to shove himself into the corner to prop himself up.
While he's waiting (and it probably isn't long?) he pulls his phone out to thumb through messages but doesn't have the concentration to actually text anyone -- for the best really. When Wolfwood approaches with the veritable drunk food bounty he visibly lights up, turning his openly excited look full on at his best friend, the love of his life, the moon to his sun the...]
[ once vash pulls away completely, he feels like he can breathe a little easier again, like his heart isn’t permanently lodged in his throat. wolfwood watches vash meander to the table just to make sure he doesn’t fall over before turning to grab their food. it’s two trays, one significantly more full than the other—at least it makes it easier to tell which one is whose. the cashier probably had a hand in that, who knows.
but once he brings the food back to the table, that same feeling from earlier immediately comes back again, and he almost feels like he has to squint a little from how brightly vash is beaming up at him. a thousand watt smile trained just on him. wolfwood pointedly looks away, taking a large sip of his coke as he places vash’s bounty in front of him. ]
[ Vash nods, the way he does it is so emphatic and excited he practically does it with his whole body. He immediately arranges his food in a way that makes sense to him, all of it still staying on the tray but in an order close to how he plans to eat things and then he pauses, glancing up at Wolfwood with a quizzical squint. ]
Sit. You're making the food nervous.
[ No he isn't. But as if he's trying to make a peace offering he picks up a little box of nuggets and pushes it forward with the fingers of both hands until the box touches Wolfwood's tray on the opposite side of the table. Drunken offering. ]
[ he was going to okay don't @ him. he tosses his backpack down and then slides into the booth opposite vash, accepting the drunken nuggets offering and also stealing a fry. ]
You coming to my place after this or am I takin' you home?
[ not that wolfwood minds either way; vash has a toothbrush and a change of clothes at his apartment now. that probably says something but wolfwood has chosen to ignore it then and he will continue to do so. ]
[ The fry stealing. He juts out his lower lip in a half pout, but then decides to reach out and take a huge sip from Wolfwood's drink via straw. He puts it back down before Wolfwood can even react, like some kind of McDonalds ninja. He looks awfully pleased with himself as he opens up another pack of nuggets and shoves one into his mouth immediately.
He's still smiling at Wolfwood as he chews, the expression mostly in the crinkling of his eyes. When he swallows, he looks like he's considering the question. ]
Yours. I don't want to go home after all. [ He likes it better there; when Wolfwood permits it, he much rather prefers waking up tangled in sheets that smell like his best friend. It's somehow better than his own lonely little apartment. ]
[ or he can just steal wolfwood's drink; that's fine. wolfwood's first secret (that's admittedly not so much a secret) is that vash can literally get away with anything when it comes to him. he'd hate it if he hadn't already resigned himself to the fact since the beginning.
his second secret is that he likes having vash over. but it's not like he's going to just say it. ]
Fine, but I better not find you eating all my cereal in the morning.
[ He blinks at Wolfwood like the concept of arresting him hadn't even crossed his mind, but it certainly sounds like a legitimate possibility. He COULD arrest Wolfwood, it makes drunken logic. ]
If you keep eating my fries I might. [ But to make a point he stands up in his little seat in the booth and leans over the table, one hand planted palm down to support himself, and then he just. Bites off half of the french fry hanging from Wolfwood's mouth. He retreats, climbing back over into his seat with what is quite possibly the most smug someone can look while chewing and swallowing a french fry. ]
'm not gonna touch your weird grandpa cereal. [ He gestures at the bounty in front of him like that's going to tide his stomach and frankly terrifying appetite over by the morning. It won't. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
he flips the visor from his helmet up, leveling vash with the flattest stare before he tosses an extra helmet at him. ]
Get on. We're getting food and it'll be on your tab.
no subject
Just don't pick anything too expensive, I'm not made of money...
[ He climbs onto the bike behind Wolfwood, managing to sway minimally despite himself. However where he might have been more conservative if he hadn't had drinks in him already, he fully wraps his arms around Wolfwood's middle, his chest flush against his back. He doesn't want to fall off!! ]
no subject
[ there's no real heat behind it despite what he says, giving vash time to climb on and settle behind him. mostly he's just glad vash didn't actually get himself into trouble—this shit he can handle even if he feels like vash's antics will make him go gray early.
vash wrapping his arms around his torso brings wolfwood out of his thoughts, and he lowers a gloved hand to rest over vash's, pressing down as if to reaffirm his grip. it's brief, almost on instinct, before he leans forward slightly and pulls down his visor, shifting the bike into gear to pull back out onto the street. ]
no subject
He'll pay this time, because... well Because. The uber was Wolfwood's idea anyway, couldn't he have just stayed?! It makes sense to his brain, and the longer he thinks about it as they head off to wherever Wolfwood has decided they're going to eat the more sure he becomes.
He doesn't say anything though, his arms just squeezing a little tighter until they get to wherever they're going and they come to a stop. It's THEN that he spares a hand to lift the visor on his own helmet, the put on pout very clear on his face.]
no subject
in any case, wolfwood takes them to a mcdonald's because it's late and nearby, and he figures it'd be easier on vash than for him to have to hold onto him for longer than he needs to in his drunken state. he cuts the engine, tugging his helmet off and turning to look over his shoulder, getting the full effect of vash's pout. ]
Don't look at me like that, [ he says with a huff, (gently) shoving vash's helmeted face away. ] Stop getting yourself into trouble all the time.
no subject
It's not my fault ALL the time! [He complains as he carefully dismounts from the bike, quite nearly tipping over when his balance is off, but he holds onto Wolfwood's arm to keep that from happening. It's really just him pinching the sleeve of his jacket as he teeters himself back into place.] Just this time I guess...
What do you want? [He's patting himself down for his wallet, eventually fishing it out of his back pocket. He's buying.] I'll get you whatever you want. Because I like you.
1/2
he's drunk. don't fall for it, nicholas, don't fall for it— ]
no subject
Yeah, and you said it wasn't your fault too, last time. [ he reaches out a hand to steady vash as he gets off the bike, his arm curved around his back to cup his waist. ] When you gonna take responsibility, huh?
[ there's an incriminating lack of harshness to his tone as it says it though, and he staunchly ignores that last bit in favor of tucking their helmets away and pocketing the keys. vash is drunk and wolfwood is stupid; for as much as he calls vash an idiot, he should honestly start including himself. ]
Famous last words. [ listen, he can wrack up a hefty mcd's bill if he really wanted to. ] Let's get you to the counter in one piece first.
[ here begins the slow journey across the parking lot... at least he parked relatively close. but he keeps his hand on the small of vash's back just in case. ]
ah, the html faux pas... apology
I'll take responsibility after we eat.
[If it were any other time, he might have been too stuck on the feeling of Wolfwood's hand on his back, the way it's so much warmer than the rest of him despite the alcohol still in his system to even walk a straight line sober. Instead, he just lets himself be lead, his brain deciding to file that for later. He manages to be useful and get the doors open as they walk in, and once he's pulled far enough away he grabs the hand that had been at his back and pulls Wolfwood towards the counter.]
Hello! Good morning! [It's close enough. The cashier looks less than enthused, but it doesn't stop him from ordering, using his free hand to point at things as he lists them. It's more than enough food for TWO people, but again, he isn't stopped. What does stop him though is when he looks over at Wolfwood, his expression expectant.]
So? What do you want?
shhhh i didn't see anything
especially when vash just grabs his hand out of nowhere, pulling him along to the counter. wolfwood tenses briefly, but it leaves him as quickly as it came, shifting his hand in vash's hold to slot his fingers in between his. he tells himself it's to make sure vash doesn't fall, or run off and get himself into more trouble, but it sounds weak even to himself. it's fine; vash is drunk and he'll likely forget about all of this in the morning.
anyway, while vash orders enough food to feed two people, wolfwood stares at the overhead menu and partially disassociates until he feels vash's expectant gaze on him. right, his turn. to be fair, coming here was mostly for vash's benefit so he could sober up, but no one needs to know that. so he picks the first thing his eyes land on— ]
Big Mac and a coke.
oh i am saved, thank u
It's almost like he doesn't remember doing it when he tests their grip, his fingers flexing a little before he hums a rather amused sort of sound. Apparently, current Vash still agrees with past Vash's impulsive actions. When they're left to their own devices (to wait for their food) he sways a little.]
That's really all you're gonna order huh? I'm not sharing. [He says this, but he absolutely would, what's his is Wolfwoods, as far as he is concerned, what's a fry or two between them?]
no subject
it's as if he doesn't even really register the fact that they're still holding hands, tightening his grip a little when vash starts swaying. ]
So I pick you up and take you all the way out here and that's the thanks I get? [ he shakes his head but doesn't bother to hide the chuckle, a lazy grin on his face. ] I should be getting half of what you got.
[ considering he ordered enough to feed two people?? ]
no subject
You can't just take half. I'll give you some french fries. [He sways again, but this time he rocks forward on his toes a little, his head drooping down to rest on Wolfwood's shoulder. This is comfortable. What WOULD he do if Wolfwood didn't come to his rescue all the time even over the most benign things? If he didn't take him to McDonalds for shitty food to stave off drunken behavior (he definitely knows that's why, he's always been able to read Wolfwood, but it's better not to act like it).] You always help me out, Nick....
[That's muffled, a little slurred considering he's currently shoving his face into Wolfwood's neck basically. He smells like tobacco and leather and cherry candy somehow. It's a weird combination but— he likes it. It's comforting and so much more obvious when they're not riding down the street on his motorcycle.] You smell nice.
[What a fucking weirdo.]
no subject
Wouldn't have to if you stop getting yourself into trouble.
[ it's meant to be scolding but there's no heat behind it, shifting his posture to accommodate vash now that he's clearly made himself comfortable. it takes a lot of effort to not tug him closer, to press his face into vash's soft hair and breathe him in like he's always wanted to. this is more than he should be allowing himself anyway—after all he'd told himself to bury his crush and his feelings, you'd think he'd be better at establishing boundaries and keeping his distance. he can't refuse vash anything, and they both know this by now.
he swallows thickly, mouth suddenly dry when vash presses his face against his neck, telling him dangerous things like you smell nice. he feels incriminating heat in his face and he's so glad when the cashier calls their order number, saving wolfwood from attempting to figure out a response to that. ]
Hey, come on. [ he gently nudges vash in an attempt to get him to stand upright. ] Go find a table, I'll get the food.
no subject
Okaaaay, alright. Gotcha. [He even more reluctantly lets loose of Wolfwood completely, taking a step or four backward before turning to more or less plant himself at the nearest table for 4 people. Not two. 4. Mostly because half of it is a booth and he wants to shove himself into the corner to prop himself up.
While he's waiting (and it probably isn't long?) he pulls his phone out to thumb through messages but doesn't have the concentration to actually text anyone -- for the best really. When Wolfwood approaches with the veritable drunk food bounty he visibly lights up, turning his openly excited look full on at his best friend, the love of his life, the moon to his sun the...]
no subject
but once he brings the food back to the table, that same feeling from earlier immediately comes back again, and he almost feels like he has to squint a little from how brightly vash is beaming up at him. a thousand watt smile trained just on him. wolfwood pointedly looks away, taking a large sip of his coke as he places vash’s bounty in front of him. ]
Eat up.
no subject
Sit. You're making the food nervous.
[ No he isn't. But as if he's trying to make a peace offering he picks up a little box of nuggets and pushes it forward with the fingers of both hands until the box touches Wolfwood's tray on the opposite side of the table. Drunken offering. ]
don't look at the timestamp
You coming to my place after this or am I takin' you home?
[ not that wolfwood minds either way; vash has a toothbrush and a change of clothes at his apartment now. that probably says something but wolfwood has chosen to ignore it then and he will continue to do so. ]
i see nothing
[ The fry stealing. He juts out his lower lip in a half pout, but then decides to reach out and take a huge sip from Wolfwood's drink via straw. He puts it back down before Wolfwood can even react, like some kind of McDonalds ninja. He looks awfully pleased with himself as he opens up another pack of nuggets and shoves one into his mouth immediately.
He's still smiling at Wolfwood as he chews, the expression mostly in the crinkling of his eyes. When he swallows, he looks like he's considering the question. ]
Yours. I don't want to go home after all. [ He likes it better there; when Wolfwood permits it, he much rather prefers waking up tangled in sheets that smell like his best friend. It's somehow better than his own lonely little apartment. ]
no subject
You gonna arrest me?
[ or he can just steal wolfwood's drink; that's fine. wolfwood's first secret (that's admittedly not so much a secret) is that vash can literally get away with anything when it comes to him. he'd hate it if he hadn't already resigned himself to the fact since the beginning.
his second secret is that he likes having vash over. but it's not like he's going to just say it. ]
Fine, but I better not find you eating all my cereal in the morning.
no subject
If you keep eating my fries I might. [ But to make a point he stands up in his little seat in the booth and leans over the table, one hand planted palm down to support himself, and then he just. Bites off half of the french fry hanging from Wolfwood's mouth. He retreats, climbing back over into his seat with what is quite possibly the most smug someone can look while chewing and swallowing a french fry. ]
'm not gonna touch your weird grandpa cereal. [ He gestures at the bounty in front of him like that's going to tide his stomach and frankly terrifying appetite over by the morning. It won't. ]
I'll be nice and leave you some milk, though.