eidxiety | Sticks & Bones // IC Inbox

[Well, if the owldog wants to come along, Wolfwood isn't going to stop him. Though, he's not sure how much he'll enjoy the bath house. Do Dachies like water? He has no idea.

Anyway, he is- as of right now- oblivious to Ain's struggles. He does feel kindof bad for foisting this on him in specific, but...he felt like Ain could help him with both his clothes and the wounds, and then he wouldn't have to bother the clinic about it. It's a win-win.

And also maaaaaaaaybe he wanted to see Ain again. Just a little, but you can't prove anything.

Anyway, he showers and scrubs the blood off himself, then takes some time to soak because he's learned this is a thing he can do and greatly enjoys, actually. It helps work some of the tension out of his muscles, to the point where he nearly just fucking falls asleep in there...but Dachie probably barks and wakes him up, at which point he'll dry off, put his pants back on because they're the only thing that survived, and then head to the church.

When Ain comes in, he'll notice that all of the church pigeons are congregated around where Wolfwood is sitting in the pews, either pecking at the floor or loafed on the pews and other objects nearby, some of them up in the rafters. Quite a few are circled around Dachie preening him, and Wolfwood...

Well, have you ever seen a shirtless Priest hunched over a pew as if in prayer, when in reality he's just kindof? Sitting??? Cause that's where he's at.]

[Ain briefly wonders if Wolfwood doesn't own any other shirts... why is he here shirtless.

(Dachie loves water, to answer the question, and he will bark if Wolfwood falls asleep and he will let the pigeons preen him.)

The signal to Ain entering the church before Ain himself has even said anything, other than the door creaking, is Zinnia flying in and circling and cooing before she lands right on Dachie's back. Then, there's a breath, and he calls out:]

Mr. Fa— [—ther Daddy Priest, but it doesn't finish leaving his lips even as a joke, because he still has bees in his brain and they're still horribly, terribly loud.] ...Haha, you must only own this shirt. You know Mr. Shopkeeper sells other shirts, don't you?

[Comes around the pews and sits down next to Wolfwood to plop clothes in his lap. Here you go! They're repaired, with only a very thin stitch line to indicate they were ever torn and burnt in the first place. There's a single pink hydrangea tucked into the pocket of the blazer, a little hidden and lumpy. Wolfwood might find it now, he might find it later, and maybe he recalls their conversation about flower meanings the other day when they went on their not-date.]

Ah, well. Don't got many others I like as much, really.

[It's both that he probably only owns this pair (mostly) and because...while he DOES have a couple other articles of clothing because he's not insane, they're all back at the house and he doesn't really want to go there right now. So: shirtless Wolfwood is here. He is stupid.

He is, however, impressed by Ain's stitch-work. He had prepared himself for a bunch of ugly scarring (not much unlike his body, these days), but instead it's almost as if it was never damaged to begin with. He lets out a soft, impressed huff as he lets his fingertips brush over the stitching.]

You did a damn good job. I wouldn't'a even known it was ripped if I didn't know where the holes were.

[As for the flower...he'll find it later, when he's rummaging around for his cigarettes or lighter or something. He'll pull it out and know it's from Ain, and then be too dumb to remember exactly what that one means. He'll ask Ain about it one of these days though, don't you worry. Wolfwood will remember this etc etc.

Anyway, he's pulling both undershirt and blazer back on now, buttoning the undershirt up halfway before tossing the blazer on overtop. There. Now he looks like a professional slob instead of a complete one.]

...thanks, Ain. Sorry I, uh. Kinda...just came and bled all over your shop like that. I can come back and clean your floor later, if ya want.

Oh, I already cleaned it. It's fine. I'm... glad you came to see me anyway. This is gonna sound bad, but I...

[Bite back your feelings bite them back eat them swallow them kill them—]

...I like being the one you come to first when you need something. [Whew, that was almost extremely gay for a second. Could've said something like "the other healers don't need to see you shirtless". What would Harque think!! (Probably "oh god this man is hurt" honestly.)] I guess you really only needed me for my ability to sew, though, so... haha, nevermind.

[Kill him kill him kill him.]

...did you really wait in here all day for me to finish all that?

[MMMM I dunno Ain that was still pretty gay...

But Wolfwood seems to take it in stride as he sits back against the pew, letting his arms rest along the back of it.]

I mean, y'kinda also patched me up. That counts too, I think.

[Otherwise he'd probably have bled out long before now, so!!!

He tilts his head back a little, looking forward at the front of the church ahead of them. The confessional is there and growing dust because nobody uses it (Wolfwood is NOT the person you want to come confess to right now, his brain is too full of shit for it so he gets it), and his Punisher sits at the pulpit like a proper cross, even though it's anything but.]

Hah? Mm...I guesso, yeah. Wasn't tryna' rush you or nothin'.

[Ain doesn't want to ask the elephant in the room question: "You didn't go home?" If Wolfwood went home, he would've said he was going home. If he'd gone home, he'd probably have another shirt. Despite Wolfwood saying this is essentially his favourite fit, Ain isn't dumb: He's sharper than he lets onto. He knows Wolfwood has other shirts because he's seen the guy in other shirts. That beach fit didn't just disappear into thin air.]

You still could have come by if you wanted to just hang out, haha. You must be... lonely in here. It's been hours.

[...scoots... like an inch closer... it's not gay if their knees touch shut up.]

Mm...yeah. Didn't wanna bother ya, though.

[Something something ruining his concentration etc

As Ain comes closer, Wolfwood allows it. He's Manspreading(tm) as he does, so Ain really won't have to go that far at all to be in touching range.]

But it's alright. I'm used to it, I guess. Used t'spend long weeks in the desert, just me and my thoughts. I didn't have a car, so I just walked where I needed t'go.

[Because Stamp HATES ME where is Angelina if she doesn't show up in S2 I will throw hands at Orange]

And...been a long time since I've spent this much time at the church. I guess I felt like I was startin' to neglect it.

[He's...not sure when, or even if, he'll ever tell Ain about what happened here. About the book burning, Elsword's subsequent possession, and the fallout of the aftermath. Elsword was Ain's friend, so...he can't imagine Ain would enjoy hearing about it. But that's why he's been away for so long. The associations were still too fresh. At least now, he has something else occupying space in his brain just a bit more.]

Because you don't seem to get it, I like when you bother me.

[Mmmm we are not EATING OUR FEELINGS are we!!!]

I must not be making that obvious enough for you, haha. I even sat in your lap and everything and you still don't get it!

[Well, Ain, it's not like you say anything, mister runs from his feelings and avoids saying words. Like way to go dumbass this is your entire fault.]

If you think this one is neglected, you should see Elrian churches. Humans don't really use them anymore, and all the angel statues they have left are all offensive. We don't have big, feathery wings, and we're not even really humanoid to a point. We all start out as little balls of light and do our things like that. I dunno why you're all obsessed with images of humans with wings.

...those're seen as offensive?

[Haha, oh. Whoops-

WELL Wolfwood isn't the one who decided angels would be depicted that way, so whatever. He settles back a little more, carefully crossing his good leg over his other knee.]

I dunno where it all started, exactly. I just know that there's other depictions, like...the more biblically accurate, that are literally just huge balls of tons of wings and eyes and interlockin' halos. Not quite as kid friendly, those ones.

[He'll reach over and rummage in one of his other pockets (not the one with the flower) until he produces.........not a cigarette, but a lollipop. Two of them, in fact, held by the sticks between his fingers as he offers one to Ain. Should he take it, he'll keep the second for himself, peeling off the wrapper so he can pop it into his mouth.]

N'if that's the case, I'll just come stand around your place whenever I wanna smoke. How's that?

Ooh, I like the not-kid-friendly ones~. We don't look like that, but the other angels have masks over their eyes and I know you heard how my voice gets when I'm in the other form. There are other things that are probably surprising, but those are for some other time.

[He will take the lollipop, though, it is going in his mouth immediately. Om nom nom.]

Deal, but if you choke out my flowers, I'm going to use you as fertilizer for them.

[Beams like he didn't just threaten murder... but y'know after today's incident? He's pretty sure he won't have to worry about it.]

You should come over more anyway. [hhh] I normally sleep at the inn, though. [stop talking] You can come see me there, too. [please stop talking]

Hah. Fair enough.

[He thinks using him as flower fertilizer might just kill them faster, but shhhh.

He rolls the lollipop from one side of his mouth to the other, the candy clicking against his teeth as he sighs and looks up into the rafters again.]

We'll see if they let me in the Inn any time soon. I kinda...shot at the outside of it, when I fought that guy.

[Oops!!! Nobody was on the other side of that wall, so legally he cannot be held accountable for the damage caused. The Inn can repair itself, it's fiiiiiiiine.

Ain did mention his other form, though, which prompts Wolfwood to kindof look over at him sidelong without moving his head.]

...but sure. Maybe I can be convinced t'drop by. But only if you show me that form again when I do. I wanna get a better look.

[The way Ain is gradually becoming more like 👉👈 as this goes on... Embarrassing. He wishes he could get a grip, but it's real hard when all of their interactions are so charged. He's pretty sure he can't even read one of his romance novels now without thinking of Wolfwood kissing him and aaaaaa—]

Aww, you mean you wouldn't just drop by because I'm cute and you wanna spend time together? And here I thought you liked me!!

[Dramatics aside...]

Are you really itching to see it again? I could show you now, you know... We're alone. It's just us here.

[But the unholy, gay things Ain wants them to do are probably not for church, are they?]

Hah. Wouldn’t you like t’know?

[They absolutely the fuck are not!! But the mention of Ain showing off his Angel form again does pique Wolfwood’s interest, prompting him to sit forward slightly and actually look at him directly instead of out of the corner of his eye.]

You ain’t worried the flash bang in the church is gonna make people suspicious?

[Its kindof getting late, so most are probably indoors by now…but you never know. Also it’s not like half the grove doesn’t already know anyway Wolfwood-]

The lights are on, aren't they? I don't shine that brightly!

[Hm hm...]

Unless you want me to pop into the confessional booth. That's all dark, isn't it?

[And realistically, how many people come in here... Ain's pretty sure he's one of like three people??]

Up to you. It’s gonna be all dusty and cramped in there though. Your pretty wings will get all squished.

[But judging by the look on his face, it seems like Wolfwood is all for it. Like sure, fuck it, why not? He wants to see him Angel again. Let him see Angel please-]

They're light and wispy, they'll be okay.

[They're not actually used for flight, that's what Ain's magic is for. No sweat. Although, yeah, they're gonna bend a bit.

He's quick to finish that lollipop first though. It's not huge, he gets through it easily in a few minutes and then tosses the stick in the trash before he hauls himself into the confessional. It'll help to not get flashbanged anyway... He knows he's bright. Like the last time, there's a brief flicker of light — hidden mostly by the booth doors — and then Ain steps out in his angel form again.

The ribbony wings get a little caught up in the environment as he steps out, tail swaying, and then leans casually in the doorway.]

You really like this form, huh? Is it 'cause you're religious?

[Wolfwood watches as the inside of the confessional floods with light, and just a moment later, Ain steps out in all of his angelic glory. And it truly is something else, for Ain to speak and seem like he’s coming from everywhere at once. It makes him feel some kind of way, that’s for sure. He is more than a little interested, let’s just say.

But now that the immediate danger of the light show has passed, Wolfwood is able to take a good look, gesturing with a nod of his head.]

Y’could say that, yeah. Now c’mere so I can see.

[Well!! If Wolfwood is gonna be (playfully) demanding, Ain will just have to come over then! He stops right in front of the man, looking down at him...

Ugh why is he pretty.]

Haha, should I do a little twirl for you? Should I start posing?

[... He's gonna do the little twirl actually. Whee!!]

Hah, well, looks like I wasn't gonna be able t'stop you anyway.

[Wolfwood smirks as Ain twirls around, showing off his shimmering wings, long tail (??? TAIL?????) and other little wispies included in the package of being an angel. He stops in front of him, looking down at him, and...

Ough. Wolfwood is very suddenly met with this feeling he hasn't felt before, and that's "oh, god, I am being looked down upon by what is essentially a deity and that is making me feel things I was not expecting".

So. Without thinking, he finds himself reaching up with a gesturing hand, encouraging Ain to come even closer.]

You're somethin' else, like this.

[Yeah, Wolfwood, it's the same tail that was sweeping under your chin the night you were sad. Except now you can actually see it is indeed a tail in all the ribbony, fun glowing bits and not like, a bit of wing or anything. It is full stop just a tail.

Ain steps closer until he is standing between Wolfwood's manspreading legs.]

Haha, really, I'm just "me". I guess you can see the scar over my eye clearly in this form too, though. It's not anything super special.

[Don't say that to the xenophile Ain—]

[Now...normally Wolfwood would just ask before reaching out and touching someone, especially unannounced. But he assumes that Ain's wings, light as they are both physical and literal, will not feel his touch at all. He assumes his fingertips will go right through like reaching through a sunbeam, which is why he reaches up to try to touch the edge of one of them as he replies.]

I dunno if I'd say that. Seems pretty special t'me.

[They are not, in fact, something Ain doesn't feel. They don't look like they have much of a presence other than taking up space and folding along the edges of obstacles that are in the way like thin sheets of paper, but they have sensation to them, both for Wolfwood and for Ain.

For Wolfwood, they feel like touching sunbeams coming in warm through the window during summertime, something a cat would want to lay against. They're comforting, they're smooth and slick like satin, and based on touch alone they're very likely waterproof. Wolfwood could, in fact, take everything from the metal bases of them and up through his fingers and it would feel like running a length of ribbon over his palm. There's a give to them. They can fold over, they can be squeezed.

For Ain, he cannot hide the way his eyes suddenly widen and his cheeks flare a shade of pink that doesn't otherwise exist on this form, green and white as it is. Any lower on that particular wing, or any firmer a grip, and he might've been making noise about it.]

Aha... well, if you say so. You humans tend to like things that are holy.

[Okay, wow. That's surprising. He isn't expecting the way it feels at all, his brows raising as his fingers curl lightly against the soft warmth of them. They are warm, just as he'd imagined, but he didn't think they'd have this sort of give to them. It's a fascinating sensation, and he's not sure if he's really ever felt anything like it before.

...and yeah, he absolutely notices the look on Ain's face as he's touching them. He isn't telling him to stop, and it doesn't seem like it hurts, so...

He traces their length, from where he first started, down their length just a little bit further. It's like running your fingers along a piece of fabric fresh from the dryer.]

Wow. I didn't think they were...there. Your wings, I mean.

[Ain's logic brain is going "hey girl! you better say something!! better tell him that's an erogenous zone!!" and meanwhile Ain's whore brain is winning and going TOUCH TOUCH TOUCH TOUCH loudly like the horniest digeridoo known to mankind. He opens his mouth to try to warn anyway, and then Wolfwood's fingers glide across the surface of that wing down almost too close to his back and Ain instead lets out the most embarrassing, bitten-back moan a man can muster. Oops—

Shakes it off. Okay. Uh—]

Y-yes, they're quite there. [And because his voice becomes omnidirectional and they're in the church, to say that the noise he just made sort of echoes around the space is an understatement. If you've ever had the son of a deity moan into your ear before, it's that but tenfold.] I can't use them to fly with, but that's what magic is for. An angel's wings are mostly a status symbol. Mine didn't used to be this large, they changed as I grew and learned new things.

[Okay, there comes a point where blissful ignorance can only take you so far, and Wolfwood could not possibly miss that sound Ain just made, bitten back or not.

...he does not STOP touching, because he is an asshole, but his touch does not linger any lower. He's realizing that this is Doing Things to Ain, but he still wants to explore for a second okay-]

So what you're sayin'...

[Traces his fingers back up the way they came.]

Them bein' big means you're real fuckin' smart.

Sticks & Bones // IC Inbox

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