♝ i . c. i n b o x

[ofmisfortune]

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action;

[individualized]

[Echo opens the door on Vincent's side of their adjoining rooms. She's quiet, but that's more out of habit than mindfulness. With so little to the room, he isn't hard to spot. Echo takes another step or two in his direction.]

Yes, Master Vincent?

[ofmisfortune]

[ Following Vincent’s text to Echo, he had been expecting her.

The room is dark, save for the daylight that filters between tears in the window curtain. It illuminates his golden hair - though it appears far messier than usual, and partially stuck to his face. In fact, his entire demeanor is out of sorts, as he sits, hunched over, at the edge of his bed. ]

Echo.

[ A simple greeting, but strain can be heard in his voice. Indeed, he does not appear to have been exaggerating, when he said he was ill. Some sweat is visible on his skin, having affected him enough that his shirt is open and partially hangs from his shoulders. The discoloration under his eyes is prominent, and he may have even lost some weight these past few weeks. ]

I believe that I’ll need you to stay with me today. [ Peering up at her from beneath that messy fringe, he… almost looks glad that she came. ]

[individualized]

[Forgive her if she's skeptical of any authenticity on his part, but she's dealt with him long enough to know it's rarely the case. Still, she can also see that he doesn't look well, and in spite of everything she actually has a conscience.]

I see. What shall I do first?

[He gives the orders, she follows them. That was the original set up.]

[ofmisfortune]

[ Lids falling to close, Vincent takes a steadying breath to get his thoughts in order. ]

Dampen a washcloth for me. The first aid kit should stored next to the towels; I will need that, as well.

[ A rack beneath the sink stores these supplies, and he’s never bothered moving them, so it should be easy enough to find, he thinks.

In the meanwhile, he will begin to remove his shirt. Jaw clenched, he stiffly peels his arms from the confines of its sleeves. Without much sense, he balls it up to grasp between his hands, as he slumps to rest his elbows atop his knees.

Visible on his back now, there are two bony growths protruding on either side of his spine. Their sharpened points appear to have just pierced through the flesh there, muscle stretched, skin inflamed, and wet with serosanguineous drainage. ]

[individualized]

[Without another word, Echo goes to collect the requested items. She runs the cloth under the sink until it seems damp enough to be of use for a good while.

By the time she's done, Vincent has finished removing his shirt. Echo freezes for a moment when she notices the unusual feature on his back. Her eyes are a bit wider than usual, otherwise her expression is its typical default.

She soon takes another step or two and hands him the towel while placing the first aid kit on his bed.]

What else?

[ofmisfortune]

[ Dropping his shirt to the floor, he favors taking the wet cloth. Perhaps a little too eagerly. ]

Please place the medication bottle and sick bag on the stand. I will then need you to help me clean my back.

[ The idea of even touching his back brings him dread, and that might just seep into his words. But, for now, he wipes down his face and neck.

While she does as he’s instructed, he will additionally pull back some of his hair, to gingerly press at a temple. It seems that he is experiencing something similar there; the beginnings of horns. ]

[individualized]

[He gives the orders, she follows them. Once she's placed the items, she hesitates for a moment.]

What am I to do about—

[Echo awkwardly trails off. Figuring out how he wanted her to wash his back was one thing, but with those unusual growths on it, she really didn't know what he expected.

She wasn't supposed to try to get them off, was she? She'd probably need her swords for that...]

[ofmisfortune]

[ There’s a lingering moment of silence, as Vincent weighs his options. Pressing the cool cloth to the other side of his head, his sigh drawls into a hiss. ]

Tempting as it is to remove them, I don’t entirely know what corruption has in store for me… [ For all he knows, he might require his wings to function, at some point. For now, they’ll need to stay, even if removing them could lessen his pain in the long term. ] Just… clean them. We will wrap it.

[individualized]

Yes.

[She remembers seeing wings on him when she first encountered him in Kelesis, though she was compromised at the time.

Echo pulls some antiseptic wipes out of the first aid kit. Then she kneels behind him on his bed and starts running the cloth down his back. It's awkward when she gets to the growths, but given that they're the source of a lot of the fluids, she takes her time making sure it's all clean. If the solution on the wipes is bothering him, she isn't letting that affect how quickly or efficiently she does this.

So long as nothing else comes up, once that's done she shoves the wipes back into the packet they came from, wrinkling her nose. This was probably far from the grossest thing she'd had to handle around him, but it was still icky. She'll fish the bandages from the kit next unless she hears otherwise.]

Action

[bleude]

[Sometime after the kidnapping business, their little dalliance with Aether, and whatnot, Vanitas finds himself puttering about Vincent's room in a restless manner. He's not really doing anything but tidying up. Picking up things, wiping everything down, and generally making the place look utterly spotless. Every surface shines after he gets to it.

Only once he's done that and has nothing left to vent his frustrations on does he finally pause, gripping the back of a chair in order to regard Vincent like he wishes desperately to say something yet the words aren't coming. So he stands there, obviously staring, thoughts dancing behind his eyes and feline ears perked forward, giving him the impression of a typical judgemental cat. Only the way his tail lashes from side to side now and then betrays his annoyance with himself.

It's so unlike him to hesitate over anything, yet the two subjects he wishes to discuss are... sensitive, in a way.]

[ofmisfortune]

[ When the bed shifts, Vincent comes to from dozing off, sighing with some protest at the absence of his lover. Yet, he doesn’t demand that Vanitas come back to bed; rather, he is too curious to deduce what unsettles the other, and observe how he behaves in all of his nervous energy. It is with some affection that he watches, cheek rested atop his arm curled beneath, lashes dipped low.

When Vani stands there, commanding his attention yet hesitating to voice it, Vincent cannot help himself - the corners of his mouth pluck up into a smile. ]

What is it, my kitten?

[ Shifting to prop himself up onto an elbow, he pulls back the blankets to the empty space beside him, offering his embrace. ]

[bleude]

[At the sound of his pet name, Vanitas opens his mouth to speak but again stops himself, biting his lip briefly before accepting the invitation first. He comes around the chair and eases himself onto the bed beneath the covers, scooting close to nestle up against his lover's chest, where he heaves another sigh.]

I wish to speak with you on a couple matters. If you'd permit.

[He doesn't doubt Vincent will, it's more how he'll react to at least one of them he's worried about. Something that comes through as his tail twitches against the other man's leg.]

[ofmisfortune]

[ It is evident that Vincent is highly entertained by seeing this uncharacteristic hesitation out of Vanitas; one who speaks his mind, and acts without fear of consequence. Though the matter must be dire, it would seem clear that he values how it might affect him, in some fashion. That much speaks volumes about how far they’ve come.

With the younger man nestled against his chest, Vincent combs back those silken black tresses while being mindful of his ears, patiently waiting for him to speak. ]

My, how serious. [ Chuckling, he leans in to peck a tip of one feline ear. ] Of course, you should feel comfortable with speaking to me freely.

[bleude]

Don't mock.

[Vanitas' ears twitch and flick irritably as he scowls, the faintest hint of red upon his cheeks. He knows Vincent isn't really making fun of him, but he can't help being partially on edge despite how far they've managed to come in the short time since their little... spat, as it were.

For now though, he lets out a sigh meant to relax himself, though it doesn't seem to help a whole lot. It takes some effort to not get distracted by Vincent's caresses and kisses, but he manages for now.]

...you said you and Gilbert didn't always have the best relationship, yes? I take it that means there must have been things from home that needed discussing here. How... How did you broach such matters with him? Were there things neither of you dared speak of?

[ofmisfortune]

I would never.

[ Playful, but not meant to be mocking, certainly. The sass on Vanitas’ part was to be expected, really, and doesn’t faze him. Though, he will offer him some gentle scratches behind the ears to ease him ever so.

At the mention of his brother, Vincent’s head tilts inquisitively. It’s clear to him rather quickly that this isn’t truly about their sibling relationship, however. ]

Neither Gil or I are any good at that, if I’m to be honest. We’ve only approached such subjects under duress, after it’s taken a great toll on both of us. [ An apologetic smile. ] I may still be able to offer you perspective, having experienced it.

[bleude]

[Somehow those scratches to his ears manages to curb any lingering annoyances and in turn allow Vanitas to lean heavily against his partner while he gets his thoughts in order.

He listens, nodding one or twice to Vincent's explanation. It makes sense to him; he can easily see the pair of brothers struggling to communicate properly just as he is now.]

I see... I suppose that makes sense. Nobody likes to broach such matters if they can at all help it.

[Although he's trying to keep things vague for simplicity's sake, it finally becomes apparent that perhaps the conversation may flow more smoothly if he explains where he's coming from and why.]

I-- ...back home, at the point in time I'm from, Noé and I were fighting. To the death. Neither of us seem able to mention it here. I don't even know if he's experienced that event yet. I don't know whether I should leave things as they are or attempt to speak with him about it.

[ofmisfortune]

[ Now, that has the blond raising his brows in intrigue. It’s not at all what he expected to hear, and inspires more than a few questions… They could wait. ]

—Ah. I can see why you’re so troubled, now.

[ There’s a mixture of jealousy and wrath simmering within him, yet he is plucking the bow from Vanitas’ hair to play his fingers down its length. Simply focusing on the task at hand, which is comforting his lover. ]

You might begin by asking what he last remembers. If Noé hesitates to say, that could be indication enough. [ Idly, the twists the long ends about his fingers as he speaks. ] If it’s bothered you this much, it is worth approaching, I think.

[ Is it what he himself would do? Likely not. Is it what he would want Vanitas to do? Selfishly, no. Resolving tensions between the doctor and his companion could prove to be troublesome in maintaining Vincent’s interests; however, he has been imparted with this information, and it seems only fair to offer his lover a similar trust. Unexpected of him though it may be. ]

text, un: traveler, some time after the Vani Vince thread

[startraveler]

Hello, Vincent.

How are you feeling? Are your wings giving you trouble?

text;

[ofmisfortune]

Aether, it’s a comfort to know that you’ve thought after me. My wings have been faring a bit better these days, though I suppose that can’t be said for the rest of me. Such as it goes for those of us with a Spectral soul.

Which leads me to ask, how have you been?

[startraveler]

You do realize that I worry about you? Can I come over?

I've been... well, physically not that bad. Emotionally, I think it could've been better, but then again, too much has happened.

And that's one more reason why I'd like to see you. There are some things I wanted to talk to you about.

[ofmisfortune]

It wasn’t my intention to suggest otherwise. I’m honored, truly.

Yes, of course you may visit. If I could relieve you of your troubles in any way, I would be content to.

[startraveler]

Alright, then expect me to appear there soon.

[That said, Aether makes his way over to where Vincent lives. He arrives pretty fast and knocks on the door.]

> action;

[ofmisfortune]

[ When Vincent answers the door, he appears a bit surprised! Perhaps he had been moving especially slow today, but his shirt is still only about half done up, and he’s yet to reply to the other’s text message. ]

Aether, it’s good to see you.

[ With a chuckle, he steps aside and gestures in invite for the other to enter.

Once the door has been closed, he will take the other blind by his shoulders, kissing atop his head. ]

Please, sit wherever you’re most comfortable.

[startraveler]

[He can't help but grin at the surprise on Vincent's face. His smile warms when the kiss is pressed to the top of his head. After everything that happened between them, it feels... just right. He's missed it, too.]

It's good to see you, too.

[Nothing much changed about Aether, though the single smaller wing opposite from the two big ones seems to have grown a bit. The process is hardly comfortable, but it's still better than getting his back thorn apart.

Upon closer inspection however, two puncture wounds can be spotted on Aether's neck, hidden somewhat by the traveler's scarf.]

Well, sit with me? [He takes Vincent's hand and leads him, so they could both settle on the couch.] I really wanted to see you... [He says with a small sigh. So much has happened, he has a lot to talk about... but for now he wants to enjoy the other's presence.]

[ofmisfortune]

[ Well, Vincent is nothing if not observant. He doesn’t shy away from looking at the bite, while they stand face to face, but says nothing about it. Instead, he allows himself to be tugged along, his hand wrapping about Aether’s smaller palm.

Unfortunately, in his tiny room at the Valentia, there is only the bed to share, but that shouldn’t be any issue between them. ]

I’m glad to hear it. I’ve missed you.

[ Placing himself closer to the wall, to make it slightly more comfortable for the Aether, he drapes an arm around the other’s back. It gives him an opportunity to run his fingers along the growing wing with some appreciation, now realizing why he had empathized so greatly with the pain he’d been experiencing in his own. ]

Tell me what weighs on your mind.