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]

[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!]

[sadisticwarfare]

[You're right. It's very cute.]

Try not to disturb me while I'm working. I suppose it would be best to keep you nearby so I can make sure you're actually resting.

[Yeah, yeah, you won.]

[viliorate]

[No. That's ridiculous. You'd probably have trouble sleeping, too!]

I'm not going to disturb you.

[Come on, you can trust this face.

Actually you probably can't but you know what, he's trying. Sort of.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Well, yes, but he always has trouble sleeping, so that doesn't count!]

...You'd better not.

[You're totally going to bother him, calling it right now.]

[viliorate]

Of course not.

[Oh, he's definitely going to bother Archer. He'll sleep for a while but then it'll turn into can't sit still hour.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Kimbley...

Well, here's hoping tomorrow won't be completely awful!]

[viliorate]

[If it helps any, Kimbley does manage to eventually go back to sleep and sleeps until morning. When he wakes up, he complains about being sore but he seems happy about not having to stay home alone more than anything.

Kimbley didn't quite have restful sleep, but he looks rather content first thing in the morning, so there is that.]

Good morning.

[sadisticwarfare]

Good morning. Do you need any more ice?

[As usual, Archer gets up and immediately begins preparing for the day, though he pauses after he's dressed to ask that question.]

[viliorate]

Yeah. I could use it.

[Kimbley's able to get dressed on his own somehow, though it's done with a lot more care than he usually shows.]

I'm going to be fine, you know.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm sure you will be eventually, but that doesn't mean we should act like this isn't a concern now.

[Archer gets another towel and wraps the ice up carefully, then hands it over to Kimbley.]

Are you ready to go?

[viliorate]

It's just a couple of weeks. You worry too much.

[He takes the ice, giving an awkward smirk.]

I'm ready. I'm not going to cause problems for you, you know. I'll behave.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Archer leads the way to the car, then proceeds to help Kimbley get in.]

You'd better. I need to get as much work done as possible; I really don't want to fall behind.

[viliorate]

We can't really afford it, I know.

[Once he's settled in the car, he's going to stare at his hands for a moment. At least he didn't burn the hell out of them, because then he'd be a bit too helpless for his liking.

It's strange, he's been living with Archer for years but Kimbley still prefers to do things by himself. He shakes his head, but it's not at anything in particular.]

It'd be nice if you trusted me a little more.

[sadisticwarfare]

What do you mean? Of course I trust you.

[He's not looking at Kimbley because he has to keep his eyes on the road, but the confusion is very obvious in his words.]

[viliorate]

Then don't assume I'm going to be spending the entire day bothering you.

[His words are light, so clearly it doesn't actually bother him, especially because one of Kimbley's favorite hobbies is to interrupt Archer's work.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Archer sighs in response. He should have seen that coming.

They arrive shortly and once again Archer moves to help Kimbley out of the car.]

Let me go get a cot; I'll be back in a few minutes. Wait in my office for me.

[viliorate]

[If you didn't expect him to be a pain in the ass...

But he stays put in the office, looking through a few of the books on Archer's shelf. He doesn't normally get a chance to do so, and since Archer never brings these books home Kimbley figures there might be something interesting there.]

Sure, I'll be waiting.

[So we're going to snoop. Sorry.]