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i am robbing bakerstreet again

PET PERSON MEME

>> premise

Hello, and welcome to The Care and Keeping of Your Pet! As you surely know, a pet is a big responsibility, and we're so glad you've decided to be a concientious master. A safe pet is a happy pet, and this handbook is certain to keep your precious lifelong friend as content as can be.

The history of the animal person is a long and difficult one, with their origins not being known even to this day. However, scientists believe that despite our common appearance - most animal people have humanoid forms except for the ears, tails, and sometimes teeth - we share no common ancestry, even if the ascent of this species corresponds with that of the homo sapien. We gained dominance over each breed thousands of years ago, beginning with the dog type, who have long been considered "man's best friend." Most breeds these days are docile and perfect for owners of any speed.

Of course, it is our duty as the superior species to take care of these animal creatures, and this is inherent in their genetic makeup. Everyone knows that an animal person, when matched with their correct human master, is loyal for life - a true "soulmate," if you will. Far be it for us to turn this away! Ever since the Great Domestication, these intelligent and loving animals have served us as friends, workmates, guardians, servants, and sexual companions and will for years to come. Despite recent hubbub from so-called "Pet People's Rights Activists," this way of life is wholesome and good. Scientific research shows that the natural desire of the pet person is to be owned and cared for by a human.

So, it's your first pet. What do you need to know?

As previously stated, pet people come in as many breeds as you can possibly think of. By far and away the most popular are the dog and cat types, but exotic birds and lizards have been gaining popularity among trendsetters from L.A. to Tokyo!
All pet types are best suited for certain jobs, and when hunting for one, it is best to search for a type that suits your needs best.
However, a "True Match" - when a pet person bonds with you and only you for the rest of their natural lives - comes naturally, and sometimes takes time before you can find the pet you will be able to give a forever home to.
According to all current research, pet people are completely sentient and like us in many ways. However, it is important to remember that they have many animalistic and feral characteristics. Do not be foolish and think that your pet is a person, despite the facts that many are clothed and may be allowed to read, write, and have "hobbies." Some traditional pet owners may eschew these frivolities, and that is within their right.
Pet people age more quickly than humans, at least physically, and many types have long lifespans. It is not uncommon for pets to be passed through the family. When getting your child their first pet, it's important to keep in mind that just because the pup is tiny now, a grown pet can be jumpy around a small child.
It is important to train a pet. Discipline will be necessary. This does not make you a bad owner. Failure to train early will result in a rebellious pet. Training is especially important if you want your pet to serve as a household servant.
Remember, your pet will be extremely protective of you, especially if you are Truly Bonded. It is best to socialize them early. A socialized pet is a perfect family pet.
These days, unowned and unbonded pet people are allowed to live as strays or "Frees" in certain designated areas. Some even hold "jobs." This is against their best interest, and owners who adopt these strays are to be rewarded. Still, the best place to get pets are from liscenced kennels or breeders.
Some masters find it beneficial to participate in activities with their pets, such as shows and other competitions.
Finally, much has been made about the sexual relationship between pet and master. This is a normal facet of the bond, and humans are sure to find pet people sexually alluring. But beyond that, it is only responsible and prudent for owners to care for their pet's needs. It is a well-known fact that the libidos of pet people are remarkably strong, and when they go into heat, it is usually more convenient for a master to relieve them. There is no risk of pregnancy. All rumors of hybrids are urban legends.
Despite this, masters must remember to not view their pets as romantic partners. Humans should stay with humans.

With that said, thank you and welcome to your first day as a pet's master!

>> how to play

Needless to say, The Care and Keeping of Your Pet is a bit biased and full of propaganda, but it gives a good idea of the world your character is now AU's into. They are either a pet person or a human master, and what that means for them varies.

So are they a devoted pet or a rebellious animal person looking to buck the system? A generous master or a cruel sexual sadist? Just a normal pet owner? Most likely they're something in between, but when you're raised in this world, it's difficult to see anything different on the horizon.

Rules

Comment with your character and say whether they'd be a master or a pet. Ideally, they could be played as both. Mention what kind of each they'd be and what they'd be like, (ie: "Xx-chan is a bunny girl who is happy to please her master" or "Asterothia is a cat boy who is aloof but loyal to his true master"). For pets, be sure to include features ("wolf ears, tail, teeth).

REMEMBER, pet does not automatically equal submissive and master automatically equal dominant. This is not a BDSM setting though BDSM can be included. How far you want to go with the actual "pet" aspect is up to you, as well. Your pet could just be your slightly-furry roommate or soulmate!
Comment to others.
Play out the scene.

>> prompts

This by no means an all-inclusive list, but it should get you going in the right direction.

First Time Pet/Owner: Usually, pets are gotten at a young age; you're an old dog. Can you learn new tricks?
True Bond: What all masters and pets yearn for...the pet's loyalty and adoration for life.
Love: It's expected for masters to love their pets, but to love them? Romance is strictly forbidden.
Old "Couple": Master and pet have grown together and know each other. You know, know each other.
Loss of Master: The pet has lost their master, perhaps even their True Bond. Is it possible to move on?
Young Master/Older Pet: Pets age quicker than masters, so it's possible to end up with a bit of an "age" difference.
Family Pet: This pet's been raised as part of the family. What happens when their feelings for a family member get more than platonic.
For Your Protection: You don't want to be a master, but you have to take in a pet for their protection lest they be in danger from the general public.
Stray: You're a stray or a "Free." Can you live like this with your biology screaming for you to make a match?
Servant: You're more servant than pet.
All Sex, All the Time: The only purpose for this pet is to service the master, and not in a way that means cleaning their house.
Guard: You're a loyal bodyguard, a service pet. You'll do anything for your master. Anything.
Pet Play: This is for those who prefer to keep their animals on leashes, have them eat from bowls, and keep away from clothing.
Breaking In: Training is important with any pet.
In Love with Another Master...or Pet: To lust after another's master is no better than treason, and to wish to be with another pet just cruel!
Punishment: Bad dog, no nookie!
Heat: All pets go into heat, and it's the responsibility of the owner to take care of this problem. After all, unchecked dry humping kills thousands every year.
Breeding: Breeders know the best qualities in each type and mate the cream of the crop together to continue lines. It's a hobby for some, a calling for others.
Territorial: Hey, hey, other dog person! This is your apartment. Stay the fuck out!
Kennel: Kennels are where unadopted pets are kept. They're generally agreed to be depressing places. Why not volunteer at one, keeping the pets healthy and happy with the kind of affection only humans can show?
Rebelling Against the System: Damn the Man! Pet people are people, too! Just be careful not to get talk. You know what happens to bad pets.
Instant Attraction: You ever just look at someone and know they're the one? That they're...your master? But what if you've been trying to fight it? Well, don't try!
Dominant Pet: You might be the pet, but you call the shots, at least in the bedroom.
Pet Show: Everyone wants to show off how perfect their animal is. Look at that ass! And you'll never believe their special skills...
Therapeutic: Pets, especially those bred for their kindliness, are perfect therapy for those who've been through trauma and heartache.
Jealousy: Who's that around your master? Oh, hell no. They better not be touching them!
Petting: Pet people are absolutely gaga for being touched. Even the most steely ones turn to mush for rubs.
Games: Playing with your pet and giving them exercise is a key to happiness. Of course, with a pet person, you might want to use other toys instead of a ball.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Fortunately for Ain, that's exactly what happens. Because while he's also a Plant, Vash is also part Golden Retriever, you see.

He smells the food, and it's enough to get him stirring, rolling over onto his stomach until he's face-down on the bed, mumbling something incoherent into his pillow before lifting his head. He blinks over at Ain blearily, looks at the sandwich, then back up at him.]

Hiii...

[Blinks his eyes out of sync like a lizard

Vash pushes himself upright with a comically loud yawn, stretching his good arm over his head as he sits back against the headboard of the bed, picking the sandwich up in his other hand.]

Haha, sorry...fell asleep again.

[Ain chirps.]

It's alright. I was debating on if I should wake you or not. You never get to sleep like this...

[It's nice, to come back to base and find Vash just... snoozing. Relaxed. This is what Ain wanted to happen when he railed the man half to death, kind of. He really wants Vash to relax without having to be turned into a sobbing mess first, but at least there's a surefire way to do it now. And for the time being, they're safe, and it's... it's just nice, okay. It feels good. The vibes are fantastic.]

You really are like a dog, though! [say goodbye to the cute moment it's gone.] You wake up to the smell of food!

Haah? A dog?

[Vash...tilts his head. Much like a dog. It isn't really helping his case much as he unwraps his sandwich.]

I'm going to take that as a compliment.

[Dogs are cute! Everybody loves dogs! So he doesn't mind being one.

He'll take a bite of his sandwich though and, boy. They had dinner last night and it was really good, but there's just...something that can't quite be beat with a nice sandwich that's warm. Vash is smiling before he even realizes it, taking two, three more bites in quick succession before he's even finished the first.]

Mmmh! This is really good! Where did you get these?

[Maybe Vash should be the one who wears the collar in this relationship, good god.

He's too cute. Ain's glad he likes the food — it's not that he wasn't sure he knows what Vash likes, but rather that he was anxious on if he'd prefer cheese or not as if he doesn't already know the answer — and the way he just goes to town on that thing makes the cuteness aggression rise. Lord, he's gonna have to figure out a way to suppress that. If it were up to him, he'd spend the day curled up in Vash's lap, but.

Money.

Money, and he wants to do something nice for the guy for once. Grr. Damn you, responsibilities.]

There's a breakfast place pretty close by. We probably missed it yesterday because it was past noon when we went out. [Ain didn't look at the hours, but he'd guess this place is the sort that's open from 6am to 12pm. One of those "old people restaurants" since old people are always up so early.] Haha, it was nice and quaint inside, like everything else here, and the line wasn't too bad. I bet I missed the morning rush.

[Vash is not only the Humanoid Typhoon, he's also a Black Hole. He will eat anything everything handed to him, he is no stranger to trying something once, even worms he found in the desert. Sometimes you just have to not be picky when you don't know what your next meal might be...but even beyond that, Vash is just naturally curious about these things. He always has been.

So while Ain explains, Vash just eats like a wolverine who hasn't had a meal in days, and at the very least Ain won't have to worry about there being anything leftover. Vash will see to that.]

Oh, maybe we can go there one morning before we leave? If we get up early enough.

[Vash...may be tempted to just sleep in the longer they stay here...]

We can. We can even sit down and eat inside. We never get to do that, do we?

[For good reason. Dumb reason also. Ain wants to just... veg out for once, so that's what this week will be. Eating food in public like people. Snowball fights and snow angels (snow birds?) and slushies that Ain will refer to in German because he forgot the name again. Gross ale and late-night kisses.

It's kind of the ideal. One could argue that if Ain wants to have a normal life like that, he can just leave and find someone else... but he doesn't think he'd trade security for Vash.

Ain eats. Not as fast as Vash does, but he eats his share of the four sandwiches he brought, or... well, he eats one and a half, and shoves the other half at Vash like the man's a fucking garbage disposal. Here honey eat this. :)]

Before I go, [he starts when he's finished,] I'm going to take the comforter from last night [that they got cum all over] and throw it into the laundry cart in the hall. Room service won't interrupt you otherwise, and we can get that cleaned and get something fresh on the bed next time they come by.

Oh! And I'm going to use the bag to hold any money I get, [he doesn't own a hat for tossing money into so the bag will have to do,] so I'm going to empty it out for now. [As if they have much.]

[They never do, because slowing down is a luxury neither of them can afford. It's why their time here is finite. Vash doesn't want to waste a single second, already committing to memory how long they've spent here. Today will be their second morning in this town, third day overall.

He nods as he takes the other half of Ain's sandwich and polishes it off like he didn't just eat a whole one for himself, though perhaps they should at least TRY to save the other two sandwiches for later just in case...]

That's fine. We'll pack it back up when you get home.

[They might need to use it again but, like. Vash will refuse to go to bed without that bag packed. They need to be capable of jumping up and leaving in the middle of the night if they have to, and he's had to leave all of his meager belongings behind before on more than one occasion. With Ain with him...he'd like to avoid that, if at all possible.]

We can probably buy a little bag for money, at some point.

[Like...a fanny pack, or something. Hell, they need another BAG really, like a backpack, but Vash is pretty set on traveling as light as possible.]

Haha... we can see what they have later.

[They don't need too much. They've never needed "too much", but it would be nice to have more than a few sets of clothing and a pocket to put money that's not buried under everything else, even if money is impossible for them to come by most of the time.

Ain leans forward and kisses Vash, on the lips this time. It's chaste, but he lets it linger, momentarily brushing their hands together before his brain for some reason thinks better of it and he draws back.]

I'll be back. Make sure you rest... and if something happens, I'll be at the fountain. I won't crawl into it this time!

[He swears. But with that, he gets up, and after emptying out the bag, he's off. This thing sure does feel like fucking Nothing when there's not a single thing in it.

By now, it's around noonish, give or take. The lunch crowd is out in force, and that's the perfect time for Ain to gun it to the town square toward the fountain (do not get into it, do not go into the fountain, do not splash) and set the bag down right in front of it, open so that people get the general idea of Put Money There Thanks. It's been a while since he's had to do this, but he's always been proficient at finding the most populous spot and just going for it. If people want him to leave, they'll throw rocks at him.

...but they don't. Of course they don't. Ain is a songbird, and songbirds are always welcome to sing out in public. Birds are loud, needy pets, and few people actually want to own one — but there's hardly a person out there who will turn down a song from a mockingbird. He was quite literally bred to sing, and sing he will. Loudly, beautifully, letting his voice carry on the wind as he stands up on the edge of the fountain so that he becomes the day's spectacle. The crowd is slow to gather, at first. Some simply walk on. Others stop for brief stints before moving on. But it's when one or two people stop — really stop — that herd mentality kicks in. Where does that voice come from, who is that pet?

It takes only one person stepping forward to give a tip before others fall into the pattern, and at that point, Ain is trying not to smile a bit self-aggrandizingly about it. Yes he is VERY pretty and VERY good at singing so you should give him money because he wants it, thank you.

Ain stands out in the wind and snow for four hours, only sometimes hopping off of his fountain perch to remove accumulated snow from the bag and shuffle somewhere else. Facing north, then east, then south, then west. Walking around the immediate epicentre of the town so that his legs don't freeze off and so that more people can hear him. Doing small dances to attract attention, but never anything more than a little jig or pulling someone from the audience in. At one point, another bird joins him in song.

It's nice. It's good. And four hours later, Ain is freezing half to death, feels way too hot (definitely because of exertion and nothing else), and it's closer to dinnertime than it is to lunch. But he has money. They're not loaded now by any stretch of the imagination, but they have enough, and instead of heading right back to base... Ain veers toward the jewellery shop he saw yesterday, because he has plans, dammit. He makes a beeline for the necklaces, trying to find something that's particularly... like... he doesn't know, Vash-ish, when the cashier walks up to him and asks if she can help him.]

I want to get something... [and he shrugs, because he doesn't know,] nice for someone important to me.

["How important?" She asks, "A friend? A sibling, a parent? Someone you love?"]

"Love"... [He echoes, weighing the word on his tongue. Vash said it this morning. He loves Ain's wings, he said. That word is heavy, and there's a lot Ain doesn't understand about it, how people use it.] Haha, I don't know. Miss, what does "love" feel like?

[Maybe she pities him, or maybe she thinks he's stupid. He can't tell from her gaze, especially as it swivels back to the display. "Love is complicated, sweetie. It can be a lot of things. For me and my partner, it means we can't live without the other one. It feels light and fluffy, but it's also stressful. I think about our future together all the time, if we're going to have kids or move away from this town or stay as we are. Things like that. For you... I'm not you, so I wouldn't know, but I heard you singing earlier. Who inspires you to sing like that, then come in here with your tips and buy something?"]

Mm. [...] I sing for him nowadays. Or maybe that's not quite accurate. Because of him? I told him yesterday I'd save my best songs for him, actually. Is that love?

[Ain "loves" things, too, like apple pie and getting into fountains and snow, but those are things he can always live without. If people use the word "love" on people when they can't stand to be away from them... if people use that word when they're thinking about a future together, if someone being your reason to do the things you do is "love"... ah. Shit.

She pats his arm with a knowing smile, reaching out for a particular necklace — a gold chain with a green gemstone charm on the end of it. It's not expensive enough to be real, real gemstones are outside their means right now. "Your eyes are green, so if he loves you, too, this should remind him of you. What do you think?"

Ain doesn't have the willpower to resist thinking about this anymore, so he simply nods and shuffles along to the front, where she rings him up and boxes it and sends him off. This woman has the energy of a bartender who knows a bit too much, he thinks, and maybe that's why she works in a jewellery store. From one gossip mill to the next.

He drags his feet a bit, holding the box in his hand and running his thumbs over the velvet, before shoving it into the bag. Before going back to base, he stops off at a fast-food joint to get them burgers and fries and milkshakes ("in the middle of a snowstorm?" yeah), and then makes his way back. And boy, when he comes into the room holding food and a bag of money with a fucking gift inside of it, he looks distracted as hell. Frazzled, almost. A deer caught in emotional-revelation headlights.

This is very bad for his blood pressure.]

[Four hours is a long time to sit and occupy yourself, yet Vash is unfortunately used to spending long stints of time by himself. He used to do it for days, weeks, months on end out in No Man's Land, so it's not going to be much different here, save for the fact he's waiting on someone to return. There's not really much to do in the room, though for the first hour Vash decides to stay where he is. He's still too sore to fucking move, really, so he'll spend the hour looking over his arm. It's still very broken- not unusable or shattered beyond recognition- but it's as he feared. The cracks have indeed spread, now no longer localized to only his hand. They've reached his wrist, now, and are likely going to keep spreading if left unchecked. After some fiddling and turning it over in the light, Vash decides that he can't worry about it right now. Either they'll make it to Ain's hometown, or somehow they'll be able to circle back around to Vash's "home". He doesn't know.

The next two hours Vash spends laying in bed, actually trying to get some rest. He dozes a little more intermittently, but for the most part he just lays there, trying to relish in the feeling of not needing to go anywhere, or do anything. He doesn't need to escape to the next town, and he doesn't have to look over his shoulder. For once, he's not thinking about Nai. At least, not in the forefront of his mind. That will always be in the back of it, just forced very, VERY far back.

He'll be ready to run, of course. Just not today.

On the fourth hour, Vash has exhausted his ability to stay still. No matter how sore he is, he has to get up for a bit. So he does, managing to drag himself out of bed with some difficulty. ...only to stumble and fall to the floor when he gets up, eventually managing to right himself so he can put on some real clothes. Clean clothes...and then, he decides to visit the inn's lobby for a little bit. No real reason other than to just exist in the space, to see the world go by.

There are quite a few people in the lobby at this time of day, either checking in or relaxing after a long day visiting the town. Since it's snowing, there are a lot of people drinking hot chocolate, he's noticed...and come to find out, the hot chocolate is being given out for free to guests. Vash helps himself happily to some before sitting by a window to just...watch the snow.

For once, nothing happens. Absolutely nothing exciting or interesting goes on, and it's amazing.

By the time Ain returns, Vash is already back upstairs with a second cup of hot chocolate with a lid on top, having gotten some for Ain to have when he got back. He's sitting cross-legged at the foot of the bed, dressed and looking for all the world like a dog who was waiting for his master to get home. Again, who is the pet here-]

Ain! Welcome back!

[:> :> :>

...oh. He notices, just as he's leaning forward with his hands resting at his ankles, the distant look in Ain's eyes. It prompts him to tilt his head questioningly.]

...What happened?

...haha, nothing. I'm just cold.

[The snow picked up a lot after about two in the afternoon, and it's about four-thirtyish now. Ain has snow in his hair and on his shoulders, not to mention he's generally just sort of wet because he's been out so long getting snowed on.

The heat is a lot worse, too. Probably because he's indoors? He shuffles over with their food and the bag, though. The food is set on the bed, Vash gets a milkshake, and Ain sets his own on the nightstand next to that hot chocolate before he sets the bag down. There's a brief consideration that they should re-pack it, but he wants to give Vash the necklace first, only after they eat. So.

Ain takes his coat off and puts it just. Elsewhere. For now. He hadn't noticed before, but his hands are so cold that moving them is painful.]

I got us food, too. I'm sorry that we skipped lunch. [He sits down, and if Vash hasn't already gotten into the food yet, Ain will.] I made a lot of money, though. More than I thought I would. We're not rich, but I think we'll be alright for a while. At least until the end of the week, if not a little longer.

[He's still very out of it. This whole "love" thing is
... Bad? Good? He doesn't know. It's just dangerous, because Ain knows being in love can ruin a lot of things. He's heard about it before. And maybe Vash just wants to stay friends with benefits, because it's easier that way. Maybe Ain's dumb for getting him a gift even though his instincts are screaming at him to go back and get more. Cover Vash in gold, kiss him, et cetera.

Ain shoves a fry into his mouth. Maybe if he eats, he won't think.]

[Vash was definitely ready to jump onto the food he brought back like a ravenous animal- burgers? fries?? MILKSHAKES??? it's like Ain is trying to spoil him- and immediately goes for his own fries first as soon as Ain takes everything out of the bags. He looks so happy, look at him.]

Are you? They just got a fire going in the fireplace downstairs, if you wanna sit down there for a little while later?

[It might help Ain to warm his frozen body a bit. And, Vash likes the thought of curling up with Ain on the big couch they have down there, all wrapped up in his wings......that's not weird, right.

Anyway, more fries get shoved into his mouth as he leans over a bit, listening to Ain explain how the day went.]

Mmh, really? That's great! I wish I could have heard you...

[What Ain really wants to do is cuddle up to Vash, and maybe that's not too weird on the surface, but Vash is also covered in hickeys and they did bang very very loudly last night, and even if people have no way of knowing it was Actually Them or not, Ain doesn't want to add to the suspicion. He doesn't care if it's for his sake, but Vash's... that's important to him. So.

Maybe.

He doesn't answer the fireplace idea, instead just eating this greasy-ass burger while he watches Vash become the black hole he was destined to be.]

I told you I'd save my best songs for you yesterday. Did you forget?

[Munch.]

Besides, it was cold, and you needed to rest. You usually have bags under your eyes, but you look better now.

I didn't forget! But I still would have liked to hear it!

[Vash, of course, has no idea what's going on in his bird's head. He's just still riding off the high of last night, and also just being in Ain's company again. As he eats, he gently nudges the cup of hot chocolate a little closer to him.]

Well, I brought back some hot chocolate for you from downstairs. It might help a little!

[If Ain can't go downstairs right now, at least.

Inhales more fries, he might finish these fries before he inhales his borger.]

I feel a lot better. Still sore, but nothing I can't get over.

[He looks happy, going to town on food like he's never seen it in his life. Ain has a fleeting, distant thought that if they ever get to settle down for real, he'll learn to cook for Vash and maybe that'll be his love langu...age... hhhhhh bad bad bad emotions are BAD.

Ain's anxiety is screaming at him to quit while he's ahead, but he can't stop looking at Vash with this stupidly soft expression, a far cry from how frazzled he was when he entered the room.]

Haha, sorry. [And he reaches for the hot chocolate, putting aside his milkshake for now. There's a vast difference in temperatures here. Maybe he should not have gotten cold drinks, but also... milkshake...] I'll give you a massage some time.

[Munch, munch... sip...

...

Whenever they're done, or nearly done eating, Ain speaks up again, leaning over to dig into the bag.]

Close your eyes for me?

Mmhh? [Hang on his cheeks are Full of Borger, but after a sip of his milkshake he fixes that.] My eyes?

[No, your mouth. After a moment of owlish blinking, though, Vash sets down the last quarter of his burger (somehow there's SOME LEFT) and dusts off his hands, making sure to screw his eyes firmly shut.]

Okay, they're closed!

[This is dumb. You're dumb, Ain tells himself, as he holds the velvet box in his hands and runs a claw over the surface. This is so stupid.

Being stupid never stopped him before, though, so Ain opens the box up and pulls the necklace out, unclasps it, and shuffles so that he's reaching out to enclasp it around Vash's neck. It's a brief gesture, and Vash will probably feel the heavy pendant clacking against his collarbone long before Ain pulls away.]

...I got you a gift, with some of the money I made today. It's why I was out so long. I wanted to make sure I could do something nice for you.

[His "decorating" thing. But worse, now.]

[Vash opens his eyes again as Ain starts talking, having felt him put something around his neck. He can feel the weight behind it, the way it lays against his skin, aware of it long before he reaches his good hand up to touch it. His breath catches, and he feels his heart flutter.

"This is for you, Vash! It's from everyone on Ship Three!"

A gift. A gift, Ain says. His eyes dart briefly, from Ain down to his fingertips that are brushing over the pendant, lifting it slightly off his collarbone so he can actually look at the stone there. It doesn't go amiss that it's the color it is, all deep and green.

I wanted to make sure I could do something nice for you.

So very rarely has anyone gone out of their way to just do something nice for him. The other times have been few and far between, left with this sense of owing him in some way, or tainted by the misfortune to inevitably follow. None of those memories are positive ones anymore, save...for that one. This jacket he's worn for nigh on a hundred years, now. The only thing from those days that's remained.

Home. It's home.

And as Vash sits there rubbing the pendant with his thumb, that's what he realizes this is, too.

It's why, after a pause that seems both too long and short, Ain will suddenly find himself swept up in Vash's arms, in the most massive bear hug he can manage. He squeezes him tight (but not too tight) to his chest, pressing his nose against his shoulder.]

...Thank you, Ain. I love it....it's perfect.

Edited (cries about the extra space) 2023-07-01 03:06 (UTC)

[Ain isn't sure what to make of the initial silence. Maybe he offended somehow, maybe he shouldn't give gifts that are so obviously him wearing his heart on his sleeve. Or rather, him wearing his heart around Vash's neck. Either way, it's so incredibly obvious he's pining and maybe Vash figured it out and that's Bad Now.

He's sure his anxiety is showing on his face up until Vash pulls him into a hug, at which point, his shoulders relax and he sighs out a breath he didn't know he was holding. When he reaches out to hug in kind, his fingers curl into the fabric of his owner's shirt and he squeezes like he doesn't want to be let go.]

You love it... [he echoes, because there's that word again, that "love" word being used on objects and random things that, as far as he understands it, is love but a different sort than what was just explained to him.] I'm glad. You're very important to me, so I... I just wanted to show you, somehow.

[If Vash only knew...right now, he doesn't understand the weight of his words, instead only concerned with how he feels in the moment. It's why he'd just surged forward to pull Ain into his arms, the same way he wrapped himself around the jacket when it was given to him.

Ain makes him feel so...warm inside. Like nothing bad could ever happen, even if logically he knows that could never be true. Yet, he clings to the hope anyway, just like he clings to his bird as he turns his head a little, his face pressing against his neck now.]

I'll treasure it...and keep it safe. I promise.

[If anything happens to it, or the ribbon he wears on his good hand, he will explode. Same goes for his jacket, he just has so many material Things to protect because of the meaning attached to the.

And while he would say this means he should get AIN something...well. He has something, doesn't he? It jingles softly around his neck even as they speak. Even as Vash leans back just a little so he can look Ain in the eye, leaning back in a fraction to kiss his lips.]

It's going to be a good luck charm. I can feel it.

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...

Ain is... dying. It's like suddenly he became aware of emotions, and it's no longer a slight "teehee, wow, I sure do feel fluttery around Vash". It is, in fact, a full-blown torrential fucking downpour of emotions of all kinds. The aforementioned anxiety, the obvious affection, wanting to be possessive over him and the realisation that he could ruin this at any moment. That someone else could take Vash from him, whether because Vash falls in love with someone and not Ain or because someone hurts him beyond repair.

Ain's feathers fluff up in what can only be described as some sort of possessive irritation, which is entirely his brain's fault. Then, with an audible snap, they whip around Vash and he tightens the embrace. He kisses him again, on his lips and then the corner of his mouth and then to his cheek, where he stops. He's not going to wreck Vash tonight, he's going to be good.]

The necklace and ribbon both, right? That means you'll be safe for a long time. I have a lot of dumb luck, you know.

Y-yeah! Yeah, both!

[Vash isn't crying, he's not. If his voice sounds a little wobbly when he speaks, that's your problem. He's just smiling this hard because Ain kissing him tickled, nothing more. And the wings wrapped tight around him definitely hasn't brought back that worrying burn in his chest that makes him wonder if he's dying.

As if to distract himself from this, he lifts Ain in his arms a little, perching him up on his hips so Ain is at a higher angle, looking down at Vash instead of directly across from him.]

I've never felt this lucky in my whole life. Like...everything will go right for once.

[If Ain hadn't seen happy crying before, he'd genuinely think he like. broke him. But luckily... luckily, he knows better. This is the second time he's made the guy cry though he's sorry—

He reaches out for Vash's face, drawing the backs of his fingers over his cheek. There's a stray bit of hair he brushes away as he goes, letting his claws brush against the strands.]

I'll make sure it does. I told you that I would keep you safe, didn't I?

[And everything going right really is contingent upon them staying safe. Ain doesn't want them to be in danger, even if danger seeks them out constantly. Right now, he feels like he'd destroy anything that crossed them, which...

...well. That's how Ain normally feels, but it's worse now. It's far, far worse than usual, and that's because his anxiety riled him the fuck up and now he's thinking of all the things that could go wrong. His obsessiveness is kicking his ass.]

As long as I'm here...

[He trails off, but it's easy to guess what he was going to say.]

[It's a dangerous, terrible thing to promise. As long as I'm here...

They've only been together for a few short months. That may as well be seconds for Vash. Ain...has not yet stood the test of time. Neither of them have.

But, for once? For once, Vash can just not think about that. He can cling to Ain and sniff past the tears, cuddling him close until he's laying back against the pillows with Ain in his arms, laying against his chest that way more or less.]

You make me...so happy. You know that?

[Since they're laying down, Ain can't hug as tightly, but at least he can let his wings stretch out on either side of them, and at least he can bury his claws in Vash's shirt, just at the shoulders. Those will have to do for now. These sorts of emotional conversations aren't his forte; he can call Vash pretty and cute and tell him he's really good at bottoming, but he can't actually say "you make me happy too" and "hey I just had a deep emotional revelation today and I'm kind of dying every time you say things like that".

Since Ain can do approximately none of those things, he simply makes a strained noise in the back of his throat, closing his eyes and trying to relax. The longer he lays here, the hotter he gets. Why is it so hot in here...]

I'm glad, truly. I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't. I think I'd stick around anyway, just because I... ["think I'm in love with you, help,"] ...mm. I just want to. Haha, is that weird?

[Now that they're pressed so close together...well, even closer than they were previously, Vash can tell that the warmth between them is a touch warmer than usual. He doesn't really think much of it in the moment though, because everything feels a little too warm to him right now, and he's chalking it up to the fact that his heart won't stop beating so fast.

He chuckles, high in the back of his throat, as he brings his prosthetic up to gently brush back Ain's hair, watching as his cowlick bounces back into place.]

I don't think so. I...thought it, when you gave me this pendant, but...

[He tilts his head a little, his smile broadening.]

I haven't had a proper home in a long time. I can't really stay anywhere, but...you know that. But it...doesn't really matter.

You're home. So it goes with me, now.

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