PSL for arkfall

[goldenglasses]

[Vash was getting use to his life in the city. Some of it has been pretty bad, but for the most part he really can't complain. He always had enough to eat. He had stopped pouring sand out of his clothing. Could have all the water and shower for however long he wanted. No one had tried to shoot him in months. The people here even didn't care about his scars. In fact some people really liked them!

He was currently without a dominate, but he didn't mind. A small grace period to find another one and he wasn't in a rush. Which is why he was taking a moment to enjoy a bit of people watching in the Down. Munching on a donut and enjoying the day.

The only problem was in times like these his mind tends to wander to thoughts of home. Worry starts to settle in. Hoping that his friends were alright without him. Things certainly looking good when he left. Of course, there wasn't much he could do for them here so he tries not to think too much about it.

Besides, this donut was really tasty. Right now he just wanted to sit and enjoy them. Nothing bad could happen on this day, right?]

Comments

[arkfall]

Very well. I'll buy you doughnuts and I won't hurt others except in self-defense.

And you will stay with me and help me find people I can stomach touching me to meet my quota.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash is surprised to find that this upsets him a little bit. His last two contracts had let him live on his own in his apartment. He liked having a roommate. Even if they were always coming and going. Moving in and out. That little apartment with its leaky shower had started to become his home.

He doesn't do a good job keeping his disappointment out of his face at the thought of having to live with his brother.] Fine. I'll move in.

I also get to fill my own quota however I see fit. [He's going to keep having sex with humans. He just won't bring them home.]

[arkfall]

[Knives makes a face.]

Does that mean you'll bring humans home? If that's the case then forget it, you can still live on your own. [And maybe he felt just the tiniest bit guilty over that disappointment in Vash's face and found this a good excuse to backtrack.]

But you have to come to me to get the doughnuts.

[goldenglasses]

You'll let me live on my own? [The shock is obvious in his voice. Probably pretty clear that Vash had thought that part was a non-negotiable item. He really thought it was more because Knives wanted a way to keep easy tabs and control over what he did each day.

Could it be that Knives just didn't want to stay in an empty apartment on his own? Suddenly Vash starts to rethink that living arrangement.] Of course I wouldn't bring anyone home. [He doesn't want Knives to know what any of his friends look like or who they were.] I just need you to not come looking for me if I don't come home every single night.

[Just as Knives tried to give Vash a chance to back out he tries to put himself back in. If there was one thing Vash understood it was not wanting to be alone.] Just... tell me if you're having someone over so I can find something else to do for awhile.

[arkfall]

[Knives makes a face.]

Let's make a deal to leave what we share just between the two of us.

[Because then neither of them have to worry about walking in on something they wouldn't want to see.]

I haven't looked at the apartment yet. Did you want to join me? [Maybe then he can put actual clothes on.]

[goldenglasses]

I'm good with that. [He's really not interested in his twin's sex life. Just thinking of finding people to have sex with him is hard enough. Maybe he could take out a personal ad?

Egotistical maniac seeks someone to fill a quota. Anyone will do. Humans need not apply.

Hm. Maybe.]

Might as well. [If it was to be his new home. He'll head towards the elevator. Waiting for the doors to shut and for the lift to start moving before he'll speak again.] Are we-- or, are things really okay between us back home? [It was hard to picture their century long feud coming to an end.]

[arkfall]

[Knives leans against the wall of the elevator as it moves to their new floor.]

Do they seem okay between us right now?

[goldenglasses]

[Were they? If he was being honest with himself Vash was still waiting for this to all come crumbling down. For Knives to prove this was all an act of some sort.]

A bit. [He sighs knowing it's probably not fair. This resentment he was holding onto.] I want things to be okay between us again. [He hopes he doesn't live to regret saying that out loud.]

[arkfall]

You do? [Knives doesn't seem as if he's sure that he believes that. Vash's memories of him can't be very pleasant.

And he had backed away from being touched.]

[goldenglasses]

I need a bit more time before we're good. [Possibly harsh. Maybe not fair to this new Knives, but it was the truth and that seemed important.] I apparently don't have the same memories that you have and I need... time. [It was the easiest way to say: I still don't know how to completely forgive you for killing Rem, locking me away in a prison, experimenting on me to destroy a city, cutting off my arm, and generally making my life hell, but I still love you.] You've hurt nearly everyone and everything I've ever cared about. How am I suppose to trust that you're not about to do that again here?

[arkfall]

[Knives is quiet for the rest of the elevator ride. He seems to be really considering that question, giving it the thought that it deserves.

By the time the elevator doors open he has an answer.]

You shouldn't.

[goldenglasses]

Well, doesn't that just make me feel great about signing a contract with you. [Vash sighs dramatically. Waiting for Knives to exit the elevator first before following.

Still, despite his sarcasm an honest answer was nice. He also hopes that this means Knives will understand any uneasiness Vash might show towards his brother.]

You know, without our sisters here, maybe you could use this as a second chance to get to know humans a bit better? [He doesn't sound very confident, but Vash has always been a hopeless dreamer.] I don't mean to go so far as to sleep with them. But, what do you have to lose by trying here?

[arkfall]

[Knives gives Vash an expression that is a cross of 'are you fucking kidding me?' and 'ew gross.'

But he has to admit, Vash isn't the only one of their siblings who tried to get him to see humans in another light. He doesn't share anything about that, though. Instead, he finds the door to their new place and opens it.

He isn't sure what he was expecting, but somehow the luxury here wasn't exactly it. He blinks and then steps in before stepping aside to let Vash in.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash makes a noise that's somewhere between a groan and a sigh. Yeah. That's probably the best answer he could have hoped for. At least Knives wasn't reacting violently to the suggestion and cutting off his other arm.

This was going to be a long three months. Maybe longer if the contract renews, but to keep the people here safe it would be worth it.

Vash doesn't seem as surprised by the luxurious apartment. He's stayed the night at a few different apartments in this building now. Instead of gawking he moves straight to where he knows the kitchen should be. Wondering if maybe they have those pre-stocked for newly arrived dominants.] Pretty swanky, huh?

[arkfall]

[Knives sighs, because there's a part of him that just wants to make a comment about how much humans use each other. This show of wealth is contrasted so starkly with poverty and abuse. But he doesn't.

Instead, he looks through the living room and checks out the bedroom. Then finds some clothes to change into.]

These were mine. From home.

How is that possible?

[goldenglasses]

Don't ask me. [Vash calls from the kitchen. Pleased to find it was already stocked and helping himself. Grabbing out what he needs to make a sandwich.] Oh! You usually get an item or two from home too. [If Knives had given Vash's gun at his hip a close enough look he would have noticed that it was a familiar looking one. Just like his red coat. Although it wasn't the coat he wore for their final battle. It was an older one that he use to wear.]

Did they leave you anything like that?

[arkfall]

[He comes out of the room after pulling his clothes on.]

You mean something like your gun?

[He narrows his eyes just a moment.] My weapons usually walk around on two legs, remember?

[Or, you know, he creates them from his body. He does that too.]

[goldenglasses]

[The fingers of his artificial left hand curl tightly. Squeezing the jar of mayonnaise in his hand little tighter than he intended to. Laughing without any humor to it.] Oh gee. How could I forget?

[He also slams and starts spreading the glob of mayonnaise with a bit more force than intended onto the bread he found.] There's more in life than the people who worked for you. [They're people. Not tools. He won't let Knives forget that.] Did you not have... I dunno. A favourite book or something?

[arkfall]

Vash, don't be stupid. [Knives says as he comes nearer and settles at a chair in the dining area where he can watch Vash easily.]

There was only ever one thing I wanted to keep, and I lost that a long time ago. [There is that note of regret again.]

Everything thing else was about what I wanted to destroy.

[goldenglasses]

You lost something? [Vash seems honestly surprised. His brother seemed to care about so little besides killing and making his own life hell. He hadn't ever stopped to think that his brother might have things he had lost and missed.]

And see; that is what you should focus on changing. [Vash lectures and even swings his handful of meat at his brother to punctuate his point.] You can't have a happy life when it's focused on destroying things. Focus on creating this time! Take up painting or something! [He slaps a mountain worth of meat and cheese onto his sandwich before reaching into a jar of sliced pickles.]

[arkfall]

[Knives stares blankly at Vash. Because, wow. He doesn't even know where to start with this right now.

So instead, he takes a moment to actually consider what his brother is saying.]

Gardening?

[goldenglasses]

Yeah! Gardening is an option! I've started to grow some fl--[Vash's happy mindless chatter finally stumbles as a thought dawns on him.

Was Knives... listening to him? Actually listening? Taking the suggestion to heart?]

Wait, or is this a Plant joke? [Knives making a joke might be just as good as his brother actually listening to him.]

[arkfall]

[Flowers. Of course Vash would want to grow flowers.

Knives shifts his body out of irritation, mind dragged too far down memory lane, and then says, perhaps a bit too forcefully,]

Why don't we grow something useful. Like apples.

And it's not a joke, I told you that was the last thing I did.

[goldenglasses]

You could try growing herbs for cooking or healing too. [Vash saw the way his brother had seemed uncomfortable for a moment, but decides not to comment and moves on. Putting the finishing touches on his sandwich. It's nearly the size of his head now.]

The Down has a few parks that could really use more plant life in it. I think if you were the one looking after it then someone would grow there.

[He takes a giant bite from his food. His cheeks puffing out with how much he stuffs into his mouth.] Plus! Apples means extra food which is a plus! [Yes, he's talking with his mouth full. ARE YOU READY FOR LIVING WITH YOUR BROTHERS TERRIBLE EATING HABITS, KNIVES?!]

[arkfall]

[Knives doesn't seem too grossed out with his display. He just seems a little frustrated by the way that Vash keeps trying to make him be a better person.]

Fine.

I'm not sure how much I can do. I don't have much power left.

I honestly don't even know how this body is remaining in one peice.