LOCKED TO viliorate

[sadisticwarfare]

[Profits have been way down in the last three months, and if things keep going this way, they won't last another three. Archer has the papers out in front of him, scouring everything to see where he can make cuts, yet again. He knows no one's going to be pleased, but they're going to have to remove another act. He's been told that cutting people from the circus is like throwing out a family member, but the fact of the matter is that the money he's making won't support everyone. It's not as though Archer is hoarding all the money for himself - though he's not exactly as generous to the others as he could be - but he's never really felt like part of the circus "family". They're the family members, he's the landlord.

Archer twirls his pen between his fingers as he examines the numbers again, finally selecting a couple of sheets with acts that he could possibly cut. He'll have to get Kimbley to look over them before he makes a final decision. Kimbley isn't his partner or his adviser, but Kimbley is his friend, and he'd rather have a second opinion on all this.]

Comments

[viliorate]

[It really doesn't work on his face...]

I know you will.

[That much isn't a lie at all. He trusts Archer with things like this.]

....I should go to bed, huh? You're going to fuss at me if I fall asleep here.

[sadisticwarfare]

Of course I am. Get some sleep; you need all the rest you can get to heal from your injuries.

[viliorate]

Yeah, yeah.

[He'll go to bed. You'd better not be up all night working.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Do you really expect anything else from him...?]

[viliorate]

[He's going to whine at you to come to bed if you're in the office all night.

So you'd better not be.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Sorry, Kimbley, but you know how he is. When he's stressed, he works, which stresses him out, which makes him work more. It's a vicious cycle and his insomnia really doesn't help any. He'll be in here all night if you don't come get him.]

[viliorate]

[It's a few hours before Kimbley wakes up to find Archer still not in bed. This doesn't surprise him at all, but it's still annoying.

He enters Archer's office without knocking as usual and stands behind him, looping his arms around Archer's shoulders.]

Work can wait, you know.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Archer smirks a bit, reaching up absently to brush his fingers over the back of Kimbley's hands.]

I know. I didn't want to wake you, but it looks like I failed in that endeavor.

[viliorate]

Come to bed.

[It's a request more than a complaint, but he means it.

You'd better come to bed.]

[sadisticwarfare]

...I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep.

[He glances back at the papers he's been sorting through and sets them aside.]

I'll try though.

[viliorate]

It'd be better than having you out here all night long.

[Besides, Kimbley can't sleep without Archer in the room with him.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Do you really miss me that much?

[Well, he saw a chance to tease Kimbley, so obviously he had to take it!]

[viliorate]

[He grumbles at that, but doesn't let go.]

Come on. Get up.

[sadisticwarfare]

That would be easier if you weren't draped on me.

[viliorate]

[...you win this one.

He pulls away, watching Archer expectantly.]

I'll find a way to get you to sleep one of these days.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'd like to see that.

[He's still smirking though and he finally gets up and leads the way back to bed.]

[viliorate]

[It'll end in failure, but he's going to try.

As long as Archer actually stays in bed tonight, he won't get too grumpy.]

You think I can't?

[But the banter's going to have to wait until tomorrow because he's going back to bed as soon as his head hits the pillow.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[He knows. He'll mess with Kimbley's hair for a bit before finally settling down and managing to get some sleep.

...Don't assume that you're going to be allowed to sleep in, however.]

[viliorate]

[Is he ever allowed to sleep in?]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Only on weekends when they aren't doing anything!

...Though if you're not up by ten he usually wakes you up.]

[viliorate]

[See?

No fun at all.

Fortunately Kimbley is pretty good at waking up at reasonable times. Probably not reasonable enough for Archer, but we can't have everything.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Well don't worry, he'll wake you up in time as usual!]

[viliorate]

[But why.

The bed is comfortable!]

...morning.

[He's not awake yet so excuse any grouchy looks shot in your direction.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Get up, Kimbley. We have work today.

[He's already up and getting ready, of course.]

[viliorate]

Yeah, yeah.

Does this mean you have something you need me to do today?