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Eddy walks into the surprisingly clean hotel room, sighing as he walks across the plush carpet. his coat is hung up on the rack, shoes placed neatly by the door.
he runs his hands through his hair, nerves alight. Wolfwood had agreed to meet him here in an hour, and that hour had passed. where was he?
Eddy shakes his head, leaning back against his bed. no matter. it’ll be fine.
a shiver runs through him, the breeze against his chest hurting as it runs against his exposed, flat nipples. he covers his chest subconsciously, nervous of an intruder seeing himself so exposed. the open windows blow thick curtains wildly. Eddy tilts his head in caution.
it wasn’t open before.
he steps back quickly, lunging for the gun tucked securely in his coat pocket. he grabs the cloth wrappings that serve as a makeshift binder, throwing them on haphazardly as well. the window has him frazzled enough.
a soft feather lands on his sternum, and Eddy turns quickly; breathing heavily as he raises the gun towards nothing.
“show yourself, you dickhead!” he raises his voice, clicking off the safety.
no answer. he feels a claw digging into the back of his neck, and blood pooling against his nape.
“fuck-!” his voice cuts. he feels invisible hands wrapping against his torso, something plush and soft wrapping against his back. Eddy tries to scream, but he feels something earthen (bark? maybe a vine?) slide over his mouth. he bites down on the appendage, but it does not give.
Eddy thrashes, but his limbs weaken with each shove and kick. his eyes water, but they flutter dangerously close to shutting weakly.
he feels a hand petting his head as his eyes close.
——
Vash’s emotions were frazzled when he had carried Eddy’s limp body out from the hotel the brunette had been renting. questions ran through his mind rapid fire.
where would Vash bring him?
he ran through possible options, each more dangerous than the others. he eventually settled on a secluded beach house he had gone to when his wings had needed care.
what care would Eddy need? he could pick up personal items for sure, and grab food when the other was sleeping. it wouldn’t be an issue.
the elephant in the room was clear. would Eddy be able to see him? Vash shuddered, wings fluttering down from his back as he flapped them harder, furrowing his brows.
the decision was final as Vash hurried to the house surrounded by nothing but sand and water for miles.
——
Eddy stirs with a weak groan, stomach revolting at the small motion. his mouth feels like sandpaper, hands shaking and twitching. he can barely open his eyes lest the light give him more of a headache then he already has.
he tries to move his head, but he only manages to loll it to the side. spit pools in his mouth, and bile rises in his throat; and Eddy’s dinner comes out with exhausted tears.
the wracking motion continues until his stomach feels like a pit of lead, nothing left but acid eating away. he carefully rolls his head back, sweat dripping down his forehead.
god he could use some water.
——
a slam of a door rouses Eddy, who feels the vomit sticking to their mouth and clothes. he feels his stomach rile again, either from hunger or in protest of the grotesque smell surrounding him.
Eddy grimaces. his choice was made before he set foot in this damn place.
he slowly, carefully, rises to his feet, hanging onto the bed that he was propped up against for balance. he swears under his breath, cursing his kidnapper for the cruelty to his back in the morning.
he meekly walks to the (assumed) assailants kitchen, where he can hear humming and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.
how far was he taken? his fucking long has it been?
Eddy feels the headache returning.
the humming stops as Eddy enters the precipice of the kitchen, blue eyes meeting Eddy’s Exhausted yellow ones. he shivers, the being looking straight up ethereal.
but it looks at him as though he’s a god. when it has angel wings.
what the fuck.
“oh, you’re awake!” the chipper voice comments, walking over with a simmering plate of food. they eye over Eddy, remarking his sorry state. “..and you probably need a bath. or a shower. sorry about that!”
Eddy waves his hands in front of him, still staring in awe at the being in front of him. “explanation? what the fuck is going on?”
the being chuckles, small wings falling off from the motion. “oh, right! forgot about that.” the being sighs, running a hand through their hair.
“my name is Vash. i don’t particularly know how humans address each other linguistically, but you can refer to me with he / they pronouns. i believe that’s how that works.”
Eddy scoffs, pointing an accusatory finger at Vash. “well, Vash, that’s all well and good; but how did i end up in fuck nowhere with a supposed angel as my only companion?”
the ‘supposed angel’ sucks air through his teeth, biting their lip. “well, you were about to be in a dangerous situation, and i’m your guardian angel, so..”
the other glowers at Vash. “you’re saying Wolfwood would harm me?!” his voice raises, weakly moving to confront the angel.
said angel quickly raises him arms in front of himself, waving them frantically. “no! no! of course not- well- knowing how he is-“
“how he IS?! how both of us are?! oh my god.” Eddy sits down in the chair, running a hand down his pallor face. “i’m stuck with a maniac angel-“
“guardian angel!” Vash corrects.
“stuff it! not the fucking time!”
“-who kidnapped me. i don’t know where i am. Wolfwood doesn’t know where i am. oh my god. i’m going to die or go insane or-“ Eddy slaps his face, gripping his arm.
“no. i’ll get out of this stupid place.”
Vash winces. “..do you want some breakfast?”
Eddy turns slowly, trying not to disturb their stomach. “fuck do you mean breakfast?”
“it’s uh. been 2 days since you got here.”
Eddy feels his stomach rumble in protest. he feels his head get foggier every minute without food. he knows humans can go weeks without food but 3-4 days without water. “no. eat rocks.”
Vash sighs. “okay. but i made-“
Eddy turns from the angel, scrunching in on himself. he raises his voice. “i don’t care what you made! i want to go home!”
Vash hears small sniffles rise from the man. “i know.”
Eddy curses Vash under his breath. “then why won’t you let me?”
“i can’t.” Vash replies softly. his voice is genuine, and Eddy tears up even more.
“go to hell.” his voice breaks, hopelessness wracking every thought.
“already been. the foods not that great.” Vash mutters. he sits adjacent to the chair Eddy is in, leaning his head back against the frame.
the waves crash against the sand, dark clouds gathering over the water.