the void stares back

For lack of a better word in Vinnie's vocabulary, this little quirk of Elio's was…. annoying.

Vinnie had noticed when they first moved in together. Him and Elio had been sitting in on the couch when he heard a soft hitch. Looking over, Elio was still staring at his phone, but was definitely not paying attention to the screen. The expression he was wearing was very cute. He kept scrunching up his nose, and appeared to be holding his breath. That's when Vinnie wondered if Elio was trying to not sneeze. This was even before they knew each other's fetish. When Elio slowly let out his breath, it appeared his technique had worked.

Now, nearly a year later, Elio still fought every time there was a chance someone could potentially hear him. Vinnie had been getting ready to go out, while Elio dusted a table near the entry way. Maybe it was the dust that had gotten the aspiring musician in this predicament? "Cute." Vinnie had thought as he purposefully placed himself next to his roommate, and used the mirror above the table to mess with his black hair.

Crinkling his nose, a rub of his knuckle, and then the breath holding. It was all very endearing in a way, but Vinnie wished the other would just let it out! They've shared more things than roommates should have, a platonic relationship without the ties of the term 'partners' held. Yet here was Elio, self conscious and trying to fight off a body's natural defense.

Vinnie went and started putting on his shoes, and saw Elio's shoulders relax a bit since he assumed Vinnie was now leaving. That's when an idea struck.

"Oh! I forgot something." Vinnie then proclaimed as he turned towards Elio, who was looking at him now. The taller male took a few steps to close the distance, a teasing look on his face as he seemed pleased with the idea he had formed moments ago. Elio now stood in front of him, and Vinnie only bent a bit to quickly place a tiny kiss on the side of Elio's nose he knew was more sensitive, before turning and heading back for the door.

"Heh-Hh'xtshehh! - 'xchu!" The quick double was punctuated by a sniff.

A surprised gasp came from the other man, breaking his concentration on trying to hold back his sneeze. "Hh!" A hitch escaped, and Vinnie knew the fight has been lost.

Vinnie raised a hand in a backwards wave as he started out the door. "You're welcome, Pinkie!" He didn't have to look to know Elio's cheeks were pink, and even Vinnie felt a sort of static in his chest as he shut the door behind him.

The two exited the inn they had stayed at last night. Vash leading the way, and Wolfwood following close behind. A part of Wolfwood knew what he was doing, but he was still in denial about MOST feelings he felt towards the spikey haired fool.

Annoyance, yes. Protective, vash was a walking hazard, so yes. These were feelings he could accept, but this? This was something he was not trained for.

And now here he was walking behind the humanoid typhoon because Wolfwood knew what was going to happen, and a selfish part of him wanted, needed, to watch it unfold.

Vash stepped down the stairs into the morning sunlight. It was quick. A rushed inhalation of breath and he bent at his torso. “heh’kshu!”

Wolfwood didnt realize he had stopped breathing. A warm feeling in the pit of his stomach, an urge to say something, but some kind of nerve made him silent to it all. Wolfwood's cheeks felt hot, and he wanted to punch the blonde for doing this to him.

“Ik'shu!” Vash let out again, now bringing a hand to his face as if this caught him off guard and he didn't do this nearly everytime he stepped out into sunlight.

Vash turned to look at wolfwood, who was frozen on the last step. He smiles that bright smile, a finger rubbing the underside of his nose. “Bless me!”

It had begun that morning. Three soft, hidden sneezes as he was getting in the car. Wolfwood had noticed, he always seemed to notice, and gave a halfhearted blessing before claiming his seat in the sand crawler. Vash had smiled sheepishly before getting in as well.

But the itch never went away.

It settled in his sinuses, deep, stuck. It was making his head ache. If he didn’t know any better he’d think….. no, no… when was the last time he had a cold? 5 years ago? 15? Denial swam through his veins. No way he was getting sick, and worse there was no way he was going to bother the company he had. It wasn’t Vash’s place to have others worry about him. Honestly, he should just leave at night and not look back. Danger stuck to him like the heat from the suns, and everyone around him would be burned eventually.

Vash sighed and looked out the window. Blue eyes peering above the rim of his sunglasses at one of the suns- oh no-

Vash’s breath hitched with the photic reflex, and he didn’t have time to stifle

“H’RASHU!” Vash doubled over from the force

Meryl panicked and slammed the break. Roberto dropped his flask and gripped the glove box, and Vash and Wolfwood slammed into the back of the front seats.

There was a beat of silence as everyone collected themselves.

Vash sat up, about to apologize, but he found himself suddenly in a headlock.

“Did you do that on purpose, Needle-noggin?” Wolfwood rubbed his knuckle into the top of Vash’s skull.

“It was a sneeze! A sneeze I swear- ow ow ow!” Vash didn’t put up much of a fight. He probably deserved this.

Meryl turned in her seat. “A sneeze? I wouldn’t expect it to be so….” She couldn’t find the word. “It’s almost like Roberto’s, but louder.”

Roberto made a gruff sound, but didn’t comment.

Vash was let go finally. “I’m sorry. Someone must be talking about me.” He laughed nervously. It seemed to set everyone at ease for the time being, and soon enough the car was moving again.

—

They traveled a few more hours before finding a place to camp. The next town was still hours away, and everyone was getting tired.

The camp was simplistic. A fire, sleeping bags, and sandwiches they had bought in the last town. Vash had walked away from the group when he thought no one was paying attention. He went behind the car and

“Hpt'shu ‘echu!” He let a double hide in the crook of his elbow.

“Bless you.”

Vash let out a surprised squeak as he turned to see Wolfwood eyeing him.

“Not coming down with something, are you Blondie?” Nicolas was closing the distance, and Vash took a tentative step back. His head hurt, his throat now hurt, and he hoped it wasn't obvious.

“I’m okay, really!” Vash waved a dismissive hand.

Wolfwood cocked an eyebrow. “Why is it getting harder for me to believe that? You’ve uttered the same words while bleeding. But I won’t press the matter.” He took a long drag of his cigarette before stomping the butt. “Come on. Let’s eat and get some sleep.” The undertaker turned and led the way. Vash followed obidiently.

Vash’s appetite was left somewhere in the last town. The sandwich only made his stomach turn. He stared at the food. Turned it over and over trying to will it to be appetizing. No luck. He set it back in the cooler.

No one commented on the uneaten sandwich. Knew better than to start a battle no one was ready to fight. Instead everyone bantered back and forth until most were yawning and ready to sleep sitting up.

Each crawled into their sleeping bags, thankful for the clear weather. Still, Vash shivered. It was a chill locked in his bones. Everyone around him was breathing softly. Were they cold? Lifting his head he surveyed the group one by one. No one else seemed bothered. WHY WAS HE SO COLD?

Shivering, he pulled his knees to his chest and burritoed himself as best as he could in the sleeping bag. Then the itch in his nose came back full force. He wiggled his hands out and smashed them against his nose and mouth. “H’xtch! ‘xtchu!”

Blue eyes shot open once he could. No one seemed to notice. Thank god.

Vash tossed and turned most of the night. By the time he felt himself start to fall asleep a congestion was settling in his nose. Great, just great.

—

Vash was awoken with a rough nudge.

“You’re snoring loud enough to alert everyone that’s looking for you!” It was Wolfwood.

Vash groggily sat up. Still cold, his head swimming. He breathed through parted lips, but something caught and he started to cough. This got everyone’s attention.

Wolfwood raised his hand, Vash flinched, but he was met with something much gentler than he expected. A calloused hand that bore a heavy cross gently lifted Vash’s bangs and placed a palm on Vash’s forehead. A few seconds, then Wolfwood let out a low hum. “You need to tell people if you’re getting sick. The fever is going to fry the little brains you have left.” The sentence was rough, but there wasn’t any bite behind the words. Only soft concern.

Meryl made her way over to assess the stampede. Her hand replacing Wolfwood's, and Vash hopes the blush on his cheeks wasn't obvious. He was not used to this much attention.

"For someone that's so good at running, you managed to get caught by a bad cold … or worse." Meryl retracted her hand.

"Let's get to the next town and let him rest before we all catch it." Came Roberto already packing up his things.

Vash raises his hands. "Please don't worry about me- hp'schu!" He sniffled, which only added to the worry of his traveling companions.

—

They were all piled back into the car, and the current mission, get to a town so they can hopefully find some kind of medicine to help Vash. The car bumped and rattled over sand with a bit more than the leisurely speed they were driving the other day.

Vash was sitting up, his head leaned back, and was pinching the bridge of his nose. A headache was forming from his sinuses. All he wanted to do was sleep, but this was proving to make that nearly impossible.

Wolfwood had enough of watching. Without warning he yanked Vash by the arm and pulled the blond down.

Vash made a yelp of surprise not expecting the attack.

Meryl looked into the rearview mirror. "You guys okay?" She slowed the car down some.

"Don't worry about it, shortie." Wolfwood called out. He settled back in the seat and forcibly placed Vash's head in his lap.

"Rest, needle-noggin." Wolfwood was trying to be caring in his own way. Even back at the orphanage he wasn't known to just be 'sweet' to someone. It wasn't in his nature. He started running his hands through Vash's hair, hoping it was soothing. "You really are burning up, christ."

Vash chuckled a bit and decided to humor Wolfwood's show of kindness. He knew if he tried to argue the moment would be gone, and the undertaker probably wouldn't try this again. And strangely, this was comfortable. The car's bumps and jostles felt more like a rocking motion now.

Something dislodged in his sinuses and he couldn't help but sneeze pathetically into Wolfwood's lap "H'RASHU!" It was loud, he never had control of the volume. Wolfwood jerked a bit in surprise, he placed more pressure on the sick man's head. Trying to soothe. "H'ptschu! 'extschu!" Vash let out a soft whine.

"How did you survive this long, germinoid typhoon?" Wolfwood chuckled, which made Vash twist his head and give him a look. Wolfwood pushed his head back into his lap with a demanding "sleep!"

Wolfwood didn't stop mindlessly running his fingers through Vash's hair and scalp. Even choosing to suck on a lollypop instead of blowing smoke. Afraid it might mess with Vash's sickness somehow. The congested snoring filled Wolfwood's chest with success.

Roberto turned in his seat to see the scene. "Maybe undertaker isn't your true calling?"

"Shut it…"

—-

They managed to arrive in the next town. Vash was sadly woken up and forced to trudge his way to an inn. Roberto was securing a room and Wolfwood went to buy smokes. It was Meryl's job to babysit Vash, who looked so pathetically stuffed up and sick it was tearing at her heart. She wanted to help somehow!

Then an idea came to her.

"Hey, Vash?" Meryl slid into the booth beside him. So close their knees touched.

Vash raised his head from the table, wanting to be polite he raised the remainder of the way to sit up straight. He smiled at her and opened his mouth to say something-

"Can I try something?" Meryl blurted out.

Vash tilted his head and gave her a look. "Um, sure Meryl?"

Meryl smiled as if she had won a prize and got onto her knees. "Okay your head hurts because you're congested, yeah? Let me try a massage."

Meryl started to move her hands towards Vash's face, but waited for permission.

Vash wasn't sure what this massage intelled, but his head hurt, everything hurt. Why not give it a shot? He leaned towards her so Meryl's fingers grazed his porcelain skin. The heat made her frown

"Okay I've only read about this so…" Meryl began massaging the middle of this forehead above his nose. Working in slow circles. Vash's brows knit together, then seemed to relax. He let out a little hum as his eyes closed.

Meryl took that as a sign it felt nice. She worked over the forehead, then moved onto his cheeks. Vash sniffled but didn't tell her to stop. Then came the nose. She pinched the bridge and rubbed.

Vash's breath immediately hitched. He gently grabbed her wrist as he ducked away. "Hih- hih!" And nothing. Vash sniffled loudly and turned back to Meryl. "False alarm." He said with a little laugh.

"That can't feel comfortable though. Let me try again." Meryl started to rub at his nose again, but it didn't have the same effect. Then she got an idea. She took her finger and lightly ran it up his nose. Vash's breath hitched and he suddenly turned.

"H'RASHU!"

The other patrons jumped at the volume.

"Sorry-" Meryl started but was met by Vash's finger signaling her to wait a moment.

"H'ptschu! 'ptschu! h'- …'exshu!"

By then Roberto came over, room keys in hand.

"The hell are you doing, newbie? Trying to attract the whole town's attention?" Roberto eyes Meryl who was still on her knees inches from Vash.

"I was just trying to help." She pouted.

"Yeah, helping yourself to catching a cold." Roberto rolled his eyes.

Vash recovered and had a napkin pressed against his nose. "I do feel a bit clearer!" He chimes in.

"Really?" Meryl seemed pleased.

Roberto places the keys on the table. "Go get yourself tucked into bed, kid. I spent a pretty penny securing this for you."

—--

Vash felt horrible in more ways than one. Sick, aching, fevered, tired, and then there was also the mental side. A burden was the best way to sum it all up.

He shivered under the blankets. Everyone had gone to get food, and said they'd be back soon. The silence of the room was too much. He missed them, then Vash felt selfish for even thinking that. He buried his head under the covers and wanted to cry, but he didn't deserve it.

He didn't deserve any of this.

The door to the room clicked and Vash peeked out from his blanket cacoon. He didn't expect Roberto.

The older man made his way over, pulling along a wooden chair and setting it next to the bed before plopping down in it with a grunt.

They met eyes and Roberto reached into his inner pocket, Vash was sure it was a flask, but he procured something else. A medicine bottle. "Sit up, Stampede."

Vash obediently sat up. "You didn't have to get medicine-"

Roberto cut him off with a stare. He portioned out the liquid and handed Vash the medicine. "Drink up. Sure it taste like death. It should help with the fever at least."

Vash downed it like a shot of alcohol. His face grimaced, which made Roberto smirk.

"Now lay down." Roberto ordered again and Vash listened without fuss.

The two then sat in silence. Vash had expected Roberto to leave after the medicine, but he didn't. Instead he pulled out a cigarette and lit it while getting comfortable.

"You know, kid." Roberto started, and Vash looked over at him. "There are people that care about you. I know damn well your heart is filled to the brim with love and peace bullshit, but let others repay that kindness."

"I'm sorry." Vash spoke quietly.

"You have no reason to be sorry. Just get better. Newbie, and even the undertaker are worried sick. And hell, even I miss your energy. Just get better soon. I'm paid for stories not nursing." Roberto ruffles Vash's hair. "Sleep. I'll keep the other two occupied."

"Thanks Roberto." Vash smiled.

"Anytime, Vash."