LOCKED TO viliorate

[sadisticwarfare]

[It's been a little over ten years since the two of them arrived here. Ten years is an awfully long time to be stuck here, but returning home isn't an option anymore. It hasn't been an option since they first started changing, and that wasn't all that long after they arrived. Kimbley had grown a tail and ears and Archer's eyes had turned red. It's amazing to think they had been so scared by those changes back then.

Things are different now. They aren't human, but there's no reason for that to bother them. Archer is a vampire (something that he found painfully ironic in the beginning, but he's adapted quite well to it, if he does say so himself). Not much has changed about him, appearance-wise. His nails are much longer and sharper, his eyes are red, and he has the stereotypical vampire fangs, but aside from that the only difference is the slight point to his ears. It's not like he could get any paler anyway.

Archer enters their shared apartment after work, shrugging off his coat and hanging it up before proceeding into the living room.]

Kimbley, are you home yet?

Comments

[viliorate]

[He puts his hands on Archer's shoulders, but doesn't do anything else.]

I couldn't do this without you.

[He's not talking about taking over the city.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Well, you'd probably be in a world of trouble if you attempted anything on your own.

[...Wait, this isn't about taking over the city, is it?]

Ah, you meant...

[He suddenly looks very awkward, glancing away. He doesn't properly blush anymore, but the way he hesitates and his shoulders rise a bit and he seems to pull inwards should be enough of an indication of it after all these years.]

Yes, well, I certainly couldn't handle this without you.

[viliorate]

[He can't help it. There's a split second of awkward staring before he clings to Archer. His skin is cold, it's always cold no matter what he does, but sometimes Kimbley has to shove aside how much he hates touching people because of it.]

We'll make it a safe place for us. For people like us.

[sadisticwarfare]

[You're not the only one, Kimbley. Archer hesitates for a moment before he awkwardly wraps his arms around Kimbley's back. He doesn't touch the fur, but he's tempted to.]

I know. Of course we will. We'll become the normal ones and they'll be the pets.

[viliorate]

[...you know, after all these years, if Archer were to pet the mane, Kimbley wouldn't complain.

At least the spikes on his shoulders and back aren't sharp enough to cause any damage?]

That's right. They'll pay for this.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Yeah he's... looking out for those...]

Of course they will. Don't worry about that.

[viliorate]

I...

[He cuts himself off, shaking his head.]

You're not afraid of me, are you?

[sadisticwarfare]

Why would I be afraid of you? I wasn't afraid of you back home and I'm not afraid of you here. We've both changed, but I know you'd never hurt me.

[It's entirely true of course, though in retrospect it was kind of stupid to think that Kimbley wouldn't hurt him back home. They scarcely knew each other back then.]

[viliorate]

Because I look like this.

[He's looked like this for years, and he's long since gotten used to it, but...]

[sadisticwarfare]

So? It doesn't matter what you look like, you're still you.

[...That was pretty sappy, wasn't it...]

[viliorate]

[....there's really only so many ways a person can take that. Kimbley hesitates for a long moment before wrapping his arms around the back of Archer's neck.]

I didn't think I'd hear sentiments like that from you.

[sadisticwarfare]

Sh-Shut up.

[And as usual, he gets defensive. He doesn't resist the hug any, though he's pouting and glancing off to the side as he usually does when he's flustered. It's obvious he doesn't mind that much though, since he still has his arms around Kimbley's back.]

[viliorate]

[It's not as awkward as it used to be, but Kimbley'll always like seeing how awkward he can make Archer feel.]

There's no need to be defensive, Archer.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm not defensive.

[He's very defensive. No matter how many years pass he'll never stop being defensive about this sort of thing.]

[viliorate]

[You really should consider trying to stop, because if there's one thing for certain, it's that Kimbley really likes seeing Archer flustered.]

It's just a hug. What are you so flustered for?

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm not flustered either!

[Dammit, Kimbley.]

[viliorate]

Then what's the problem?

[...if you think he's going to stop...]

[sadisticwarfare]

You're being a pain.

[Dammit, Kimbley.]

[viliorate]

[He lets out a laugh, a very low one, smirking.]

You say that all the time.

[sadisticwarfare]

Yet it never stops you.

[But maybe this time...]

[viliorate]

Frankly, you've never given me enough of a reason to stop. It's always "you're being a pain" or "you're irritating me." I like being the one who gets away with annoying you.

[But he pulls out of the hug after a minute, leaning into the couch heavily.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Congratulations, you're the only one. So knock it off.

[He folds his arms once Kimbley's drawn back, glaring off to the side somewhere, though he still isn't that upset.]

[viliorate]

When you act like that, it makes it sound like you like me.

[Kimbley lets out a slight laugh.]

We should go out tonight. I could use a drink.

[sadisticwarfare]

Are you asking me on a date?

[He's being sarcastic, but he does finally look at Kimbley.]

...I suppose going out wouldn't hurt.

[viliorate]

Why would it be a date?

[At least Archer is giving him shit back. That's always a good sign.]

We both do better at night, anyway. It might even give us a chance to discuss things. Like our plan of action.