[Closed] @eidxiety🐎🌹

[winterbolt]

Angelina is a black horse with white markings on her face in this sorry I can't picture her as being any other color-

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[eidxiety]

No, you're a young man who got railed in the back of a wagon, of all places. Of course you're going to be sore.

[Ain "hahas" as he moves back toward the front, shutting the wagon flaps as he goes. There's a "hup" as he hops up onto the seat, and then the horses trudge on closer to the river. The ride lasts about a minute, but at least they get to get a drink while the boys bathe.

They should bathe, of course, but Ain sort of... spaced it, because he's too zeroed in on the fact that he Must get things done so they can leave, and he's also not the one that got fucking filled so oops. He's sorry.

Anyway, they park, and Ain swings around to the back to help Wolfwood get out of the wagon and into the river. It's deep enough to sit in, but shallow enough to where neither of them will be swept downstream. Yay.]

[lupusxylem]

[If he were any more tired than he is now, he'd just simply let the river take him. That isn't what ends up happening, fortunately, but wouldn't it be funny if it did-

Once they make it to the water proper, Angelina trots over and slurp slurp slurp she'll be schlorping water for a while as Ain brings her master over to the water's edge, who is very much hobbling like an old man over here. His ass is fucking broken, to the point where he is only comfortable again once he's sitting in the shallow water. It's pretty cold this early in the morning, but it's refreshing for Wolfwood when he's still as sticky as he is. He'll get over the cold soon enough, and then it will get miserable and hot and he'll wish he was back here.]

You ain't gonna wash off?

[eidxiety]

You haven't even given me time to undress, love.

[He was helping YOUR ass in here first! But, yeah, Ain will join in, although getting river water in the scratches on his back might be a bad thing so hmm. He will just have to keep his back out of it.

He disrobes, then, throwing his clothes into the back of the wagon before he sits down. He is being... very careful here and it shows.]

...sorry. I know you're in pain. I'm not trying to forget about you, I'm just... I've never actually had a companion on the road before, and I'm on autopilot.

[lupusxylem]

Yeah, well...I don't really do this often either.

[He has companions on the road pretty much constantly. That isn't a new thing. But having someone he's traveling with alone that he's been fucking? That one is uhhhhhhhhhhhh new. Very new.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize just how much Wolfwood fucked up Ain's back. To the point where he's scarred up that pretty tattoo...]

...sorry for scratchin' ya up so bad.

[He drawls, carefully scrubbing his skin in the running river.]

[eidxiety]

Mm-mm, don't worry about it. I did say I liked it. I'm just trying not to get river water in the cuts.

[It'll heal, and if Ain has to get it touched up later to account for any paper-thin scars then oh well, he'll do that. It's not the end of the world to him. He never sees it anyway.]

Between you and me, and I know this is gross, but I usually don't bathe when I'm travelling for short stretches. I just do it when I get back to town, but... I guess last night's activities warrant it, haha.

Let me know if you need help!

[lupusxylem]

Please, that ain't gonna bother me. I've been way longer without.

[Lmao okay just gonna admit that one huh-

Worshing worshing...he glances over at Ain out of the corner of his eye.]

...I'll get your back if you can get mine. I'll be careful, promise.

[eidxiety]

[They're boys, of course they don't bathe.

Hums...]

I don't mind, but... there's a reason I'm trying not to get river water in the wounds. I don't want to risk getting an infection. [Medical care out here is uh... it sure isn't, actually, and Ain hums like he's been down that road before.] Let's just skip it. I'll wash your back for you regardless. You're not the one with cuts.

It'll be fine once we get into town and can boil some water in the bath. Like I said this morning, it's just another day and a half, if we push.

[lupusxylem]

Alright...if you say so.

[Wolfwood, please, Ain is trying to not get an infection and die here. That would kindof hinder BOTH of your jobs if he died.

He rolls one shoulder as he turns around so his back is facing Ain, slumping forward a little with a heavy sigh.]

A bath with hot water ain't a bad idea. My body could use that right about now.

[Well, he'll still have to wait a day, but he doubts the soreness will be gone by then.]

[eidxiety]

[Scrub scrub... as best as they can scrub scrub last minute in a river, anyhow.]

Mm, yeah. [......] I've gotten real nasty cuts on the road before. Went to wash them in the river, got an infection, and I'm pretty sure I nearly died. I'm kind of not interested in repeating that, haha... After that incident, though, I learnt how to do stitches, and I'm pretty good at identifying threats. Better than I was before.

[Local man says this and has not parsed that, theoretically, Wolfwood is an active threat to him. Or he's supposed to be, anyhow.]

[lupusxylem]

[Ain? Ain. Ain please don't be dying.

At least not until he can get you turned in, anyway.]

Jesus. Guess that's one way to learn.

[Wolfwood grimaces, folding his arms over his chest.]

I've needed stitches, but I ain't ever done my own. Guess that's prolly somethin' I should learn eventually.

[eidxiety]

It's useful. I could teach you.

[No, no, you cannot teach him. You're supposed to get rid of him!! Fucking steal his stuff and dip! What the fuck! What the fuck is wrong with him lately.

Ugh. Whatever, he's scrubbin. He's fuckin worshin his Wolfwood.]

Life skills and all.

[Now he has to be Weird because he's realising he's Feeling Weird. Maybe he should just focus on driving today and not let Wolfwood anywhere near him? "Go lay in the wagon sweetie let me drive for 16 hours" sounds real good right now.

Sigh. Whatever. Wolfwood has been scrubbed. He is worshed.]

[lupusxylem]

...yeah?

[Unlike other things, when Wolfwood responds sarcastically, that...sounded genuine, actually. Like, in a way that suggests he may actually want Ain to teach him. It would be a useful skill to have, assuming he ends up stuck by himself again at some point and needs to be patched up in a pinch.

Ain isn't the only one of them feeling weird, if it helps at all. Wolfwood is definitely feeling...something brewing in his chest the longer they talk, and he's fairly certain it isn't being caused by the cold water getting to him.]

I'd...like that. Yeah. If you could, I mean.

[He has been worshed, and now he's no longer sticky and gross. It's not as good as washing with actual soap, but they won't have access to nicer amenities until they reach the next town. They make do with what they got.]

Thanks. I'm uh...prolly gonna need your help gettin' back in the wagon.

[eidxiety]

We can do it after we've had a little time to rest in the next town. You need a suture needle to do it, you can't do it with any old needle. I have a kit on me, obviously, but it's easier to learn when you aren't exhausted.

[But, heard, he will be scooping Wolfwood out of the river and sticking him into the back of the wagon again. It's slow-going, but that's only because Ain cannot carry this man like a princess. Woe is Ain, little guy, blah blah blah, anyway get in the wagon.

He doesn't think Wolfwood needs help getting dressed or drying off, so he'll just take care of those things for himself, and if Wolfwood complains then Ain will help.]

[lupusxylem]

[As Wolfwood allows Ain to help him up into the wagon, he notices that he's gotten a lot less chatty since the night prior. Even since earlier this morning, actually...he's not sure what it is, but the guy seems distracted. He's definitely acting different compared to how he was, if nothing else.

He says nothing about it as he gets dressed, but once he's managed to pull himself back into his clothes and situate himself somewhere decently comfortable in the back, only then will he address Ain where he can see him through the front canopy as he gets the horses hitched back up to the wagon.]

Somethin' the matter? Ain't heard hardly a peep outta you for like a half hour.

[eidxiety]

[Something's the matter yeah! It's called Ain's having weird feelings about keeping you around because you weren't supposed to be around! He was supposed to fuck you two nights ago and steal your stuff and leave before you could find him, you're not supposed to be with him on the road, he needs to get rid of you as soon as possible at the next town and suddenly he's thinking he doesn't want to!

His cheeks colour at Wolfwood's questioning, and he bites the inside of his cheek before he blurts something out. Then, softly:]

Sorry. I'm still not used to having someone on the road with me. I usually get Elria ready silently and set out.

[But he's also too lost in his own thoughts to really... like, think properly.]

I'll be singing as we go, so you don't need to worry about me being quiet forever. I just keep getting lost in all the things I need to do, that's all it is.

[lupusxylem]

[You know, Wolfwood may not be the smartest man, but he still isn't sure he totally believes that. If he had more expressive ears they'd be perking as he settles back against the wagon's wall with his arms loosely folded, letting his hat fall low over his eyes.]

A'ight. S'long as I know you're still alive up there.

[Not that he cares, of course. It's just so he can turn you in alive and get compensated fairly for the bounty money or whatever, it's fine.

It's fine.

Maybe he'll end up taking a nap back here, he doesn't know. Meanwhile, Angelina is nibbling on Ain's fingers and clothes as he gets her all hooked up like :) friend]

[eidxiety]

Aww, don't worry about me, sugar. Just rest for today.

[Angelina nibble :) Ain gives her a kiss on the nose (Elria gets one too) and then he's up in the front of the wagon and leading them on the trail again. He does this so much that all he has to do is glance down at the map once, and he'll be good for the next four hours. His powers of memorization are through the roof.

His powers of dealing with his feelings, though... well, that's fine, he'll just not think about that. It's not like he has feelings! He's just liking the sex, that's all. He's allowed to enjoy having sex with people! That's totally allowed!

(Internal screaming commences.)

Ain spends the trip singing, of course he does, and unless something happens... they're going to go for four hours, take their little break, and then go for another four. He's really trying to get through today, clearly.]

[lupusxylem]

[Well, given the fact Ain has basically voluntold Wolfwood that he's going to steer the wagon himself and let him rest, Wolfwood will just sit pretty in the back and nap for the first leg of the trip. He's still pretty exhausted, but mostly his ass is sore. He does not want to do much with a sore ass, so he'll sleep. Sleep, and maybe not think too hard about how Ain's singing put him to sleep...

He will wake up again when they stop to let the horses rest and have a drink, as well as to let the two of them eat something, and it is...quiet. Awkwardly so. Like, Wolfwood is testing something, so if Ain does not speak up first? He won't, either. It means that things are dead silent between them, and it's starting to get noticeable. But they're back on the road soon enough. Not much else to speak of, here.

Nothing untoward happens, luckily. They don't see hide nor hair of another group traveling. Sometimes they'll come across a roaming herd of buffalo way out in the distance, or buzzards circling something dead across the way. Other creatures like prairie dogs and lizards are common, but nothing to really be bothered about. Really, the only time their trip isn't silent is when Ain is filling that silence with his singing.

It's pretty. Wolfwood knows it could easily lull him to sleep again, but this time he tries to stay awake by smoking a cig as they go, eyeing Ain from behind. Why is his hair so soft. Men's hair shouldn't be like that. Why is his skin so soft? Why is his voice so pretty? It's deep like a man's should be, but-]

You reckon' we'll make it to town by today?

[eidxiety]

[Ain does not, in fact, speak. He sort of just spaces out and does things. He grabs their rations and dips into them. He makes sure the horses are fine. He drinks from the canteen, but Not Really. He tries and fails to think about anything other than the fact that he wants Wolfwood around.

And, to make matters worse, while they're totally silent and awkward? Ain leans against him during their little break, head on his shoulder, like he can't get enough despite the fact he's telling himself he needs to dip immediately. Having someone with him all the time would just hamper him, and he's not someone who's capable of love. So, why...?

...

Either way, they get back on the road, and Ain sings anything but love songs. There's an hour or two where he's not singing simply because his voice would get tired otherwise, but the melody picks back up when he's rested. Eight hours on the road later, it's evening. It's still hot outside, but it'll cool off quickly. Like. Real quickly.]

Mm... it depends. We've probably got another four hours, plus time to take a break first. If we go into the night, we'll get there. What do you think?

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood, meanwhile...doesn't stop Ain from doing these things when they do break, which probably is only making matters worse. Ain is welcome to rest his head on his shoulder. Ain can sit as close as he likes. This is a far cry from the tentative no-homo touches Wolfwood engaged in before. Is he just becoming desensitized to them, or is it something else entirely? Whatever it is, Wolfwood isn't making that clear, so poor Ain is just going to have to stew and agonize on his own.

But, hey. He's not making things uncomfortable. Just...awkward.

While they're on the move, Wolfwood is snacking on some of the trail mix they bought, occasionally offering Ain a handful since he's now sitting closer to the front. He could sit up front with him, but he's so sore he knows if the wagon jostled because the horses got spooked he'd fall face-first off it and get his head stepped on, so let's not risk that.]

Guess it depends on if we wanna just spend the night or try to push it the rest of the way.

[And. Well. They both know what spending the night could mean.]

Doubt the horses care either way since we've been breakin'.

[eidxiety]

[Wolfwood please stop being from the midwest and just say yes or no.]

...I kind of want to sleep in a bed tonight. Your back still hurts, right? We can...

[...]

We can find an inn when we arrive and rest properly. The horses seem to have energy still.

[Elria is tossing her head about like they're on a little trip and not going on something of a rugged, 12-hour long journey. She's vibing. Draft horses, man.]

You can sleep the rest of the way, if you want to. I'll wake you up when we get there. And don't worry, I'll do my makeup before we go to an inn.

[lupusxylem]

[Sorry Ain he's here to make your life difficult apparently-]

Fine by me. I dunno how well my ass is gonna handle sleepin' on hardwood another night.

[It may simply break, honestly. He cannot promise it won't.]

I might doze. If I full on sleep, I ain't gonna get any sleep tonight.

[You know

assuming they aren't spending their time doing something other than sleeping-]

[eidxiety]

[They might be because it seems like neither of them can keep their hands to themselves for two seconds. Ain sure does not know how to do this. He wants to be close and he wants to run away and he wants and wants and wants... ugh.]

Okay. Four more hours, then! I'll probably stop singing when it gets dark. I don't want to attract any wild animals.

[The wolves will hear Ain sing and be like oh? A snack? And like, RIP. They'll take a break for a bit to get water and rest and Ain will lay against Wolfwood again, and they can eat dinner, and Ain will be real weird the entire time before they get back in the wagon and push the rest of the journey.

When night falls maybe an hour and a half later, Ain ends his song, and there's no more music for the night, as he said there wouldn't be. There's the rustle of paper as he unfurls the map and glances at it before it gets too dark to read, and then he lights a couple lanterns mounted on the wagon's sides, and off they go. It's a peaceful, quiet night. Crickets chirp, the world is at peace, it's fucking freezing and Ain is shivering—

They'll arrive at the gates of the next town in one piece, though. Ain is exhausted. He wants to sleep. He's driving them to the nearest inn and he supposes they just Have a fucking wagon now, sure, that'll be parked in the back and hitched up in such a way that no one will steal it back from Ain. It's Ain's now. >:/

He stops to very quickly slap some lipstick on and try to look a little less masculine before they go in, at least. It's late, so it's likely that he'll be perceived as "tired woman who's been on the road for five fucking years", but still.

They're going in. Ain is leading the charge. The horses can rest, the wagon is wagoning, and Ain is carrying most of their stuff and probably Wolfwood too. He pays for room and board, one room by the way, and then takes the key and starts trudging off to their room.]

[lupusxylem]

[Four more hours...that's a lot of time to kill, but somehow it manages to go by smoothly. Wolfwood does end up dozing off a bit as he said he might, but for the most part he stays awake, listening in silence to Ain's singing as they trundle along the lonely desert.

Now, there is one addition that may or may not have happened, depending on if Ain allowed it or freaked out and took it off, but...Wolfwood, upon seeing Ain shivering in the cold of the night, would have removed his coat and sort of haphazardly tossed it over Ain's shoulders, mumbling something about how his scrawny ass needs it more than him.

It smells like cigarettes and whiskey, should he have decided to keep it on. Maybe it would make him look even more like a tired woman, except this time he'd look like a tired taken woman.

Anyway-

Somehow, Wolfwood manages to limp alongside Ain into the inn in a way that doesn't suggest that he got fucked up the ass quite as much as you'd suspect, though it also means he has to be careful with the way he carries himself so it isn't obvious what part of him is aching. Someone on the outside looking in might think he sprained his ankle on the road or something, it's fine, this sort of thing happens all the time.

What he wasn't expecting was for Ain to purchase one room. As in one, single, just one for the both of them. But...he guesses they're traveling together anyway, and it is cheaper...mm.

He ducks his head forwards once they make it to the door, and just as Ain is pushing it open, Wolfwood catches it with the toe of his boot.]

Hang on. You're fine payin' for all this yourself?

[eidxiety]

[Ain did, in fact, accept that coat. He didn't put his arms through the sleeves, at least, not at first. Not until they got into town officially and stopped, anyway. It smells a lot like Wolfwood, yeah, and he's still got it on as Wolfwood stops the door.]

You paid for dinner? [He mutters, tired and incredulous,] It's not that expensive.

[At least the bed inside is big enough for a... married couple. Hmmm.]

There's a bath in here, and we get free breakfast. I think it's worth it.