Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A harsh jolt startled Vash out of his dreams. Not willing to open his eyes just yet, Vash shifted around in his spot to drift off once again. Just as he was comfortable, another jolt bounced his head off the back of the seat thrusting him into full wakefulness. A soft apology came from somewhere in front of him. Vash groaned rubbing the back of his head. He sluggishly took in his surroundings.

An endless beyond of sand surrounded them on all sides. With no landmarks in sight, the horizon passed by slowly even though they were certainly driving at a fast speed.

Vash moved his gaze forward. Roberto sat directly in front of him spinning the dial on the radio. He frowned every time faint voices came through only to then disappear into the static. He soon gave up in favor of taking a sip from his flask.

Vash found Meryl to be diligently scanning the horizon to try and avoid further jolts to the vehicle. Understandably, it was hard to see such obstacles when the obstacles were mounds of sand that blended into the horizon. She softly cursed when seeing one too late sending a harsh jolt through Vash's spine. He sighed. This trip would not end anytime soon. Vash closed his eyes only to hear light snores beside him. He glancing to his left.

Wolfwood had his arm stretched across the back of their shared seat, head tilted way back legs splayed in his relaxed state. A small smile spread across Vash's face. He scooted closer running his prosthetic hand across Wolfwood's knee. Wolfwood's snores faltered momentarily before continuing on. Vash slotted himself into his side resting his forearm comfortably along Wolfwood's leg.

Wolfwood’s neck lay bare to Vash. An easy target for sudden affection. By the time Vash thought better of it was too late. Wolfwood stirred to soft lips pecking his neck.

"Spikey?" Wolfwood mumbled clearly still in the clutches of sleep.

"Sorry Nico. I couldn't resist." Vash said sheepishly. Wolfwood blinked a little too long before pulling his arm down to wrap around Vash's shoulder. Vash found himself being pulled impossibly closer into Wolfwood’s chest. A kiss landed softly into the spikes of his hair.

"Stop apologizing." Wolfwood mumbled. Vash chuckled at Wolfwood's fading gaze. He would not last much longer.

Nuzzling deeper into Wolfwood’s shoulder, Vash lightly held the hand laying over his chest. The weight leaning against Vash's head increased over time with soft snores. Vash realized he no longer felt the jolts of the car so violently leaning against Wolfwood's chest. He smiled before being lulled back into the comforts of sleep.

Chapter Text

The camp fire licked and spit at the night sky. Wolfwood sat mesmerized watching the very tips split and flicker away. It was begging for more kindling but he had just run out. He could get up to retrieve more if it didn’t involve waking the typhoon nestled in his arms. Meryl and Roberto had chosen to sleep in the car rendering waking them up instead useless. He grunted. Looks like he would watch the fire slowly die for the time being. There was no way he would wake Vash with how content he looked.

It was obvious that Vash didn't sleep well for the majority of the trip. Dark circles lined his eyes as Wolfwood watched him gingerly eat his sandwich. That is when he decided to slam the punisher down into the sand and use it as a backrest. He had then beckoned Vash over with open arms. Vash quickly accepted the offer falling asleep shortly after making Wolfwood promise to wake him up for his watch. 

That is how he found himself here with Vash's head thrown over his left shoulder and his back flush against his chest.

Looking for something else to do beside watch the fire, he tilted his head down smiling. He couldn't help the urge to move his hands to gently clasp Vash's slack ones. Vash's flesh hand responded immediately twitching to lace around his fingers. The prosthetic however remained still not receiving a strong enough signal to move in his slumber. Wolfwood fiddled with it all the same making sure each hand received the same amount of attention as the other. Even if it could not be felt. 

Thirty minutes had passed since he had started fiddling with Vash's hands. Vash had only mumble and shifted in his lap in that time. In an effort to gently rouse Vash for his turn for watch, Wolfwood softly whispered Vash's name. Vash moaned lulling his head closer to land in the crook of Wolfwood's neck. Wolfwood took this opportunity to gently kiss his pointed nose. Brows furrowing, Vash shifted to lay on his side and wrap his arms lazily around Wolfwood’s torso. He laid a little bit lower now head resting near Wolfwood's collar bone. 

Once Wolfwood was sure Vash had settled he wrapped his arms loosely around Vash's embrace. He found he didn't have the heart to enforce his end of watch. Another hour wouldn't hurt.