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]

[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?]

[viliorate]

I'd get a lot more rest if I could nap in your office.

[Nope! Sorry.]

[sadisticwarfare]

No you wouldn't, you'd just go through my things.

[...Dammit.]

[viliorate]

When you're in the room?

[Come on, he's smart enough to snoop around when Archer's not around.]

I'll take a nap on the floor. It's not a problem.

[sadisticwarfare]

No. Stay home and stay in bed. You'll get better faster if you're comfortable.

[...This is totally how medicine works, shut up.]

[viliorate]

[You know, it would probably help if Kimbley would stay put in bed, and truthfully he's the sort to do what he's told when it comes to most things Archer tells him.

But he shakes his head.]

I'm sure I can find a blanket and pillow in one of the tents. I'm not going to stop you from working. You won't even notice I'm there.

[Except that Kimbley will be snoring on the floor.]

[sadisticwarfare]

The floor isn't comfortable, you'll never be able to sleep on it, which means you'll just be complaining the entire time. Stay home, Kimbley.

[viliorate]

[...this is going in circles.

He huffs, closing the book to stare at Archer.]

I'm not going to be sleeping well alone in the house either.

[sadisticwarfare]

You'll be perfectly fine here. We're in a safe neighborhood and no one's going to bother you.

[...That's totally what you were worried about, right?]

[viliorate]

That's not what I'm talking about.

[But he's going to be stubborn and not come right out and say what he's talking about, either.]

[sadisticwarfare]

What are you talking about then?

[Sorry, you're going to have to spell it out.]

[viliorate]

We've been together for nearly ten years. I don't sleep well when you're not with me.

[At least he can admit it? But then he doesn't see the point in denying it after so long.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[...That's kind of cute...]

I suppose I can get a cot to put in my office.

[viliorate]

[It's not cute.]

Really? That'd be nice. Beats sleeping on the floor.

[He's pretty confident that he's won this one so no more complaints from him!]