Chapter Text
It’s been a few hours, and Wolfwood has a plan.
He isn’t sure that Vash is going to like it, though. He’s not sure he likes it.
At least Milly will. Probably. Hopefully.
It might be stupid of him, honestly. It probably is, given everything that led him here and his choices so far. But he’s tired of feeling helpless, and he’s tired of having no control.
Well, he’ll have less control with this decision, more likely than not. He’s not sure exactly what he’s signing up for, but he knows what he’s heard. And yeah, he’s made the mistake of placing his life into undeserving hands before, but here with Vash…
He might be the only person Wolfwood would trust with that kind of control.
He’s going to become Vash’s familiar and hopefully give him some kind of magical stability, whether he likes it or not.
Because, yeah, maybe Vash made the dumbass choice to try and use some spell to make Wolfwood able to talk to him all on his own. But like hell Wolfwood’s gonna stand by and watch him make more mistakes and wither away without at least trying to do a damn thing. Milly said that Vash might not have reached that point if he hadn’t done that spell alone, and Wolfwood was right there . He could have helped if Vash had let him.
Though he can’t say he regrets refusing Milly’s suggestion when she first brought it up. Hell, it had almost seemed like a joke at the time, even if it got under Wolfwood’s skin. And if it were real, he would have resented them both if they forced him into that role. But he’s come to the conclusion on his own, damn the consequences moving forward.
It’s kind of hard to do anything right now, though. Vash has been asleep in his room since Milly put him there early in the afternoon, and Wolfwood’s been lying right outside his door for just as long. Milly cleaned up the disaster downstairs a little before spending some time sitting in the hallway, talking about nothing in particular—the weather, the garden, even taking some playful bets on how long Vash would sleep. But Wolfwood could see her fading long before she said that she needed to rest and that she’d probably be gone for a while. She said to call if he needs her, but it might take a bit to reach her—which, if nothing else tells Wolfwood something needs to change here, that would do it.
And then he was left alone to sit and watch the shadows shift and move until darkness descended. The only light source left is a dim trail along the edges of the hallway, making it so that no one will trip at night.
Wolfwood glares at the lights that come from no source. He knows he’s outside Vash’s room, but he still feels a little weird being so close to someplace he should not be. The door is open behind him, and even being able to look inside feels like an intrusion. For the thousandth time, he considers going downstairs.
He doesn’t, though.
With a great sigh, he shifts to try to alleviate the ache in his bones. The hard floor isn’t kind on his joints, but Vash was onto something with cats sitting on hard surfaces. This would kill him as a human to sit on—even at his much younger age in human years—but it’s just more annoying than usual as an old cat with creaky joints.
He could have asked Milly to bring up the little bed Vash got for him, but he can’t stand the thought that the gift may have been destroyed in everything that happened. Its fate can wait until morning.
“Nicholas?”
Wolfwood jumps to his feet, claws extended, tail fully poofed out… and then it registers who exactly is calling his name so gently. The only person in this house that could call his name right now.
Wolfwood considers running. He could slink downstairs and pretend he wasn’t sitting out here or just that he didn’t hear Vash. It’s not like he was technically doing anything wrong , but he still feels like a weirdo just lying out here.
But if Vash wants him, he’s not going to walk away. He could need help with something. Not that he’d ever ask , but a cat can dream.
Wolfwood turns around, peering into the dimly lit room without crossing the threshold. “Yeah?”
It’s quiet for another moment, just long enough that Wolfwood starts to question if he heard anything. Then, just as soft as before, “C’mere?”
Wolfwood’s first instinct is a firm no, absolutely the fuck not. He can’t trespass in there again.
But Vash established that rule in the first place, and he’s the one inviting him. Asking him, really. It still feels like an intrusion, though, especially with how tired Vash has to be.
Things quickly devolve into the world’s most awkward conversation as Wolfwood takes far too long to respond. “Are you sure?”
Vash didn’t get the memo about making things uncomfortable though, saying with no hesitation, “Yeah.”
It takes another second for Wolfwood to take a deep breath and wander into the room.
The place is cleaner now—or, well, clean has no right to be used in describing this clutter. It’s still a mess. But it’s an organized one, with some things stacked neatly and others tucked away. Probably because he needed to clean up a whole bunch of dirt.
Wolfwood almost turns around at that thought. He’s not that much of a coward, though. He pads a bit closer to Vash’s bed, finding that familiar face peering over the edge of the bed at him.
It’s hard to see too much in this light, even with Wolfwood’s eyes being sharper in this body, but it’s still a relief to find Vash’s irises their normal shade of blue. Not glowing, not white, no eerie lines wrapping around them. Just Vash.
Though maybe that’s all a part of “just Vash,” too.
“Come up here?” Vash’s voice is so soft even in the quiet, as if he’s trying to confess something.
“What, you want me to cuddle with you?” Wolfwood shifts on his feet, kinda wishing Vash would cut to the chase so that Wolfwood could get out of there.
But reality dawns on Wolfwood when Vash doesn’t answer.
Wolfwood won’t get out of here any time soon if Vash has his way. He doesn’t want Wolfwood to leave.
Not only is it just awkward to think about, but a slimy wrongness settles in the back of Wolfwood’s mind. Bathing together was enough of a line to cross when Vash has no idea he’s a human.
Or… does he? Vash called Wolfwood by the same name he did when he was a human right before he passed out. He’s either forgotten Wolfwood’s name, doesn’t remember what he said while he was sprouting vines, or… another situation entirely. Vash clearly knows something’s up with Wolfwood as a cat, but he would have said something if he knew about him being human.
Right?
“Are you sure? You need to rest.” Wolfwood should just say no , but for the second time in a day, Vash is actually asking for something. And Wolfwood is, predictably, weak.
“Yeah.” There’s a beat as Wolfwood still can’t bring himself to jump up. “Unless you don’t want to. I’m sorry, I just assumed it would be more comfortable than the hallway, and I wanted— Well, I assumed. It’s alright, you can leave. I’ll just— Oof .”
Wolfwood jumps up onto the bed, using the momentum to headbutt Vash’s chest. “If I don’t want to do something, I’ll say no. I don’t put up with anyone’s bullshit, especially yours.”
“Thank you, Nico.” There’s a smile in Vash’s voice as he scoots aside to make room for Wolfwood to settle beside him, patting the mattress in front of his chest.
Wolfwood grumbles and mutters as he settles in beside him, up against the warmth of Vash’s ribcage. He may complain about the whole ordeal, but honestly? Yeah, the bed is nicer than the floor. It hurts less, the circulation to his limbs is better, and it’s warmer against Vash.
Then Vash starts petting him and, much to his horror, a sputtering rumble starts in his chest.
Vash hums in a contented sort of way, curling around Wolfwood. “You have the best purr I’ve ever heard.”
Wolfwood is once again grateful that he’s a cat and no one can see how his ears heat up. “And how many have you heard? Should I be jealous?”
Vash snickers a little. “Oh, a few. But they don’t compare to you, so you’re fine. No jealousy needed. I would never seek out any other purr when I have yours right here.”
Wolfwood’s eyes drift shut as Vash continues to stoke him. He does his best to stay awake, but he knows he won’t last long. It’s been a long day—he’s not sure he’s spent this much time awake since he was last in a human body.
“I’m sorry.”
Vash’s voice jolts Wolfwood back to full consciousness.
He blinks a few times, trying to figure out what Vash means, but he’s coming up empty. “What?”
“I hurt you. I scared you. I’m not… I’m not safe ,” Vash whispers, as if he’s afraid to even utter the words.
Wolfwood sighs. “You calmed down the second I started purring on you. If you’re some big bad monster, I sure don’t see it.”
Well, that’s kind of a lie. Wolfwood would be blind not to see what Vash had become, or not to have an idea about what happened in Julai. But he does know he doesn’t want to leave despite all that, which counts for a lot.
And it also means he’s an idiot for thinking about staying after all that, but that’s not exactly news.
“You’re still hurt.” Vash’s fingers are so gentle—and that’s exactly it, isn’t it? His branches had torn into Wolfwood’s skin, and while the scabs aren’t comfortable , he’s not in any danger. Even if they get infected, it’s not like Vash would let him suffer through it. Even in that form, even when not himself, Vash is still gentle.
It would be easy to just bluff right through this concern, same as Wolfwood did with the last, but that doesn’t seem to be bringing Vash much comfort. “I’ve had way worse from people far crueler than you. I doubt I’ll even have scars from this. If you did it on purpose, if you knew , I’d hate you. But you didn’t, and I don’t.”
For a second, Wolfwood wonders if that was too much, too fast for Vash to catch. He’s gotta be too drained from the day to be able to understand Wolfwood well. And there’s no way in hell the spell worked with how it ended. Wolfwood isn’t an expert, but he’s pretty sure a minor catastrophe isn’t a good sign.
But the way that Vash’s voice shakes when he next speaks says enough. “Then how about a thank you?”
Wolfwood snorts. Vash wouldn’t be in this situation if he hadn’t been trying to work magic for Wolfwood , there’s no reason for Vash to thank him. But sure, he’ll bite. “What for?”
“For saving me. You didn’t have to. You shouldn’t have, honestly. Most people would know better.” There’s a slight mumble to his words, his exhaustion shining through.
“Well, you saved me, too. If you didn’t take me in when Milly dragged me out of the woods, I don’t think I would’ve survived.” It’s hard to even imagine being out there alone when he’s warm and held right now—but the terror of being lost and alone always lurks in the back of his mind right alongside Chapel. “So we’re even.”
“Mmm, I don’t think so. It was easy to let you stay. It wasn’t easy to try and save a monster.” Vash sighs. “I don’t know what I’d be doing if you weren’t here.”
“Well, you probably wouldn’t have tried that shit in the first place. You’d also have more freedom if I were even a regular cat. No needy, elderly jerk to take up so much of your time.”
“Sounds awful.” The grimace is obviously in Vash’s voice, even if Wolfwood can’t see it. But the worst part is that it sounds earnest .
“Sounds a whole lot easier,” Wolfwood grumbles, shifting a little.
“You really want to believe you’re so unlovable, huh?” Vash ruffles the fur between Wolfwood’s ears, ignoring his offended attempt at a growl. “Well, you’re not. So there.”
Wolfwood? Lovable ? He’s grouchy, he’s distant, he takes up too many resources, he spends most of his days sleeping now—and that last one’s the only new one with this different body. Wolfwood was a piece of work before, too. Chapel made that very clear, and he could see how awkward he made Livio feel sometimes. Even his coworkers kept their distance.
“I’ll accept that when I’ve earned it.” Wolfwood does his best to dismiss Vash, but it’s undercut by his purring. He could stop, but…
Vash sighs, his hand moving slower and slower with each stroke. “You don’t have to stay in bed with me, by the way. It’s just… nice. To not be alone. So thank you for indulging me for a bit.”
Wolfwood doesn’t shift his weight uncomfortably and absolutely doesn’t feel a slight sting at the change of topic. “Even though I’m invading your space and breaking your one rule again?”
“You’ve already been in here before, so it doesn’t matter anymore.” And before Wolfwood can think about what that means, he continues, “Besides, are you going to knock over my geraniums again?”
He stiffens, even as a part of him breathes easier to know for sure that they aren’t dead. “No.”
“Then we’re fine.” Vash stops petting him, removing his hand. “If you want to stay, of course. You don’t have to. You have a bed now— Well, if it survived…”
“I do. Want to stay, I mean.” The words are out of Wolfwood’s mouth before he considers them, wanting to stop Vash’s mind from taking that route. And now that they’re out there, he can’t take them back. Not because he physically can’t leave, because Vash would let him go. But he doesn’t want to. “I mean, you have a nice bed.”
“Good.” And then one of Vash’s arms wraps around Wolfwood, dragging him in close and yet gentle as he holds him. He’s probably taken off his other arm, and that’s a good thing or else Wolfwood would be smothered .
A small noise escapes Wolfwood, but he doesn’t fight it. If anything, he settles into Vash’s chest, tucking himself into his arm. He came in here to comfort Vash, but something is soothed in Wolfwood at the embrace. It’s not a touch that’s demanding or expectant, it’s not asking for anything. It’s just giving, and it’s almost too much for Wolfwood to take. The warmth that builds inside of his chest feels like it will crack through his ribcage.
It doesn’t, though. Instead, the only thing that happens is Vash’s breathing begins to even out, and Wolfwood finds himself drifting more and more with it. But not yet—no, he has one more thing he needs to say.
“Hey, you awake?” Wolfwood croaks out, poking a paw at him.
Vash gives a sleepy hum of acknowledgment, and Wolfwood almost puts it off.
But he doesn’t want to chicken out. Not for either of their sakes.
“I want to be your familiar.”
Vash goes stiff as a board against him, sucking in a deep breath. Silence stretches, and it’s smothering . Too late, Wolfwood remembers that Vash also shot down the offer to take Wolfwood as a familiar when Milly mentioned it.
But it’s worth talking about at least, right?
Eventually, Vash’s muscles go slack—save for his arm as it draws Wolfwood even closer, threatening to smother him.
“We’ll talk about it in the morning, okay?”
He doesn’t sound angry or even upset. Just… tired. Maybe it just caught him off guard.
“Yeah.”
This time, Wolfwood doesn’t interrupt as Vash drifts off again. He’s pressed so closely to Vash that it’s clear as day to feel and hear as his heartbeat slows down to a steady, calm rhythm.
Wolfwood lets his purring peter out, but his own heart seems to take its sweet time calming down as he sits there, trying—and failing—to not think too much about everything . He’s noticed his heart beats a little faster in general with this body, but this is just annoying. He wants to sleep, and needs to sleep if he’s gonna push Vash on this tomorrow. It might not end up being a fight, but knowing him…
Finally, the warmth and the steady heartbeat against him drags against his eyelids, pulling them down—
Until something on Vash’s nightstand catches his eye.
The surface isn’t smothered by books anymore, even though there are still a few piled there. But there’s only one little knick-knack placed in front of them. He wants to say it’s too dim for his sharper eyes to make out the shape, but he knows it far too well from holding it and running his fingers across it for years, maybe over a decade.
Perched far enough from the edge to keep it safe from harm is Wolfwood’s carved bird that he gave Vash the first time he saw him.