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

[sadisticwarfare]

You know how I am; I won't forget about something that important.

[viliorate]

[He leans into the touch, looking pretty content.]

I know. I can't imagine you'd forget.

[sadisticwarfare]

You don't need to worry about that, at least. Just focus on resting for now.

[viliorate]

Mhm.

[That's an instruction he's more that willing to follow.]

You make a pretty good pillow, you know.

[sadisticwarfare]

Do I? Get some sleep, Kimbley.

[viliorate]

[Way ahead of you. It's not going to be the most restful sleep he's ever had, but he does fall asleep eventually.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[That's good. He'll play with Kimbley's hair for awhile before gently settling him on the pillows (hopefully not waking him up in the process), then proceeding to go into the study to work on the budgets he brought home with him.]

[viliorate]

[He doesn't wake for several hours, and when he does he sits up, but doesn't try to move from the bed right away. It's not like he's hurt his legs, but his arm hurts like hell and his side hurts, too.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Well unfortunately Archer's hearing isn't that good, so he doesn't come rushing to Kimbley's aid immediately. Instead he's still working out in the study, but he should be pretty easy to find if you want to look for him.]

[viliorate]

[Archer had better not yell at him for getting out of bed, even if he looks a little uncomfortable and is holding his side fairly gingerly.]

Still working?

[sadisticwarfare]

[He doesn't yell, but he does look up when he hears footsteps.]

You should be resting, Kimbley.

[He gets up and attempts to usher Kimbley back to the bedroom.]

Do you need more ice?

[viliorate]

[He spends half a minute making a series of indignant noises.]

Can't I stay in the room with you?

[He's not going to turn down ice, however.]

[sadisticwarfare]

The bed is far more comfortable than the couch. I can bring my work in here if you promise not to interrupt me.

[Good man, now come on, go lie down.]

[viliorate]

[Kimbley's still going to complain, but he nods after a moment.]

Alright, alright.

[He hurts all over, but he's not that injured, Archer. He's capable of sitting up. But he's also not going to argue, getting back into bed. Kimbley mutters under his breath, but he follows the instructions, so that has to count for something.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Archer leaves only after he's sure Kimbley has settled down. It doesn't take him long to bring his work in and set up. He flips through the pages and occasionally jots down notes, but he spends a good amount of time sneaking glances at Kimbley, just to make sure he's not in too much pain, of course.]

[viliorate]

[Kimbley is, thankfully, being quiet. He doesn't want to interrupt Archer's work, so being a little awkward it is. He has a book to read, so he's not awkwardly watching Archer the entire time, but he does look up once in a while.

Kimbley isn't in pain at the moment, but there is that awareness that he's going to be watched like a hawk until he's healed completely.]

I'm going to be fine, you know. A few days from now, I'll be preforming again.

[...He really shouldn't be, but he's going to do it anyway.]

[sadisticwarfare]

...Those burns look pretty serious. Are you sure you're going to be alright? You should take more time to heal before you attempt to do anything.

[viliorate]

I really have had worse.

[Sort of anyway.]

....at least I didn't re-injure my leg. That would have been a disaster.

[sadisticwarfare]

Well, yes, but you shouldn't take this lightly just because you've "had worse".

[viliorate]

[He shrugs to try and deflect the concern.]

It's been a long time. Back during the war, before I met you.

[sadisticwarfare]

Then you shouldn't be brushing this off. That was a long time ago.

[Kimbley isn't twenty anymore, after all.]

[viliorate]

[Kimbley laughs at that, quietly.]

Probably not. I nearly died back then. I couldn't fight anymore so they dumped my ass back in Munich.

[sadisticwarfare]

...That's all in the past now. Just focus on getting better.

[Is it obvious he has no idea what to say to that? Because he has no idea what to say.]

[viliorate]

[It was a little bitter, even for Kimbley when he's unhappy. He doesn't add anything to it, though. It was a long time ago.]

I'll be back on my feet in no time.

[...]

You'd better not expect me to stay home tomorrow. I won't be practicing, but I'm not staying here alone all day.

[sadisticwarfare]

You need to rest. You shouldn't be moving about so much while you're recovering!

[...He's not going to win this fight, is he?]