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

[goldenglasses]

Really? Well, that's a crime we should fix. Pizza is amazing. You can put anything on it. What's your favorite meat? I bet we could find a pizza place that puts in on pizza.

[arkfall]

[Knives narrows his eyes at the suggestion.]

I'm asking to buy you something you like. You tell me what you want on it.

[goldenglasses]

Oh, me? [He's a bit surprised. Already getting use to the idea that most of his life is going to be focused on pleasing his brother. Making sure that he was happy to avoid possible violent outbursts. Vash had also assumed that is also what his brother would want.

It surprises him a bit to hear that Knives cares about his opinion. Even over something stupid like pizza toppings.] I'm not picky. I like all the toppings. Usually called a supreme pizza.

[arkfall]

Supreme pizza. Got it.

You don't move.

[He orders, but it feels like more out of concern for Vash than anything.]

I'll order it.

[Then he focuses on doing just that. He even manages to be polite to the employees at the pizza place and even asks Vash questions like if he wants any sides or drinks to go with it.

It all sounds so normal, and when he hangs up he seems almost bored.]

They said half an hour. In that time, you should try to rest.

[goldenglasses]

[It was an order, but one Vash is happy to follow and one he can tell comes from a good place. One step at a time.

Vash considers getting chicken wings, but that sounds too messy to eat. Although he does put in an excited request for garlic bread.

This was nice. Except for the pounding ache across his back it was like the day dreams he hasn't dare dwell on too long. Just living a normal and peaceful life with his twin. Ordering pizza because neither of them could be bothered to cook and no threats of death being made. It was great.]

Alright, fine. I'll rest, but don't you want me to go to my room so you can have your bed back?

[arkfall]

No. I can rest on the sofa if needed. You should limit your movement.

[goldenglasses]

You can also use my bed. Ah... you just might want to change the bed sheets first. [Someone has been eating donuts in bed.]

[arkfall]

[Knives shifts uncomfortably at the thought.]

It is...

[He starts, and then refocuses to get the words out. He needs to figure out a way to say this thought.]

It is important to me that you have a space in this apartment that is yours. Someplace you can leave to if I get to be too much to be around.

[goldenglasses]

Oh. [Vash is surprised to hear that is how Knives sees his room as. He had assumed that his brother would just barge in as he pleased. Vash hadn't considered the space truly as his own and more as space Knives was allowing, for the moment, him to use.

Now he feels bad about that joke diary he hid in his room that just says: don't read my stuff Knives!]

Well, I mean, right now is different. It's not like you're taking my space away. I'm inviting you to use it while I use yours. You're just using the bed. You're not going to be going through my stuff or anything.

[arkfall]

Thank you, but no.

[He does appreciate the offer, but he feels like stepping in just once will break the boundary he has set up in his head.]

The sofa is fine.

[goldenglasses]

If you're sure. [For a moment Vash thinks about offering to move to the sofa, but seeing as Knives didn't want him to get up and go to his own bedroom that seemed like a pointless argument.

Instead he's going to try to rest a little bit. Maybe doze off briefly while waiting for the pizza to arrive. Although if Knives turns his back or leaves his twin alone for five minutes Vash is going to try to get up and brush his teeth.]

[arkfall]

[Knives ends up leaving to give Vash space to doze until he hears his brother moving around. He gets up to check on him.]

What the hell are you doing? If you need something, I can get it.

[goldenglasses]

[Damn. He was halfway to the bathroom! Vash decides to risk it and keeps gingerly walking towards it.] You can't really bring me the bathroom sink now can you? I'm just going to brush my teeth real quick.

[He could still taste that man. He wanted him out of his mouth before he possibly ruined the pizza!] And look, since I'm up I can go to my room when I'm done and you don't have to sleep on the couch. [Although Knives's room is much closer to the bathroom.]

[arkfall]

My room is closer to the bathroom.

And what I can do is bring you water and your tooth brush. Even then, how are you planning to brush your teeth? That kind of movement on your shoulders right now is a terrible idea.

Stop worrying about me, idiot, and let me help you.

[goldenglasses]

Uh... very carefully? I did think about that you know! [They should both know that is a bold face lie. He did not think about that.

Knives wants to help. It had been so long since his twin wanted to help instead of hurt that Vash can't stop his heart from swelling a little bit.] Alright. I'll go back to your room when I'm done. [Of course he was still going to brush his teeth. He was trying to be less stubborn than usual when it comes to his recovery, but he wasn't prefect at it.]

[arkfall]

[Knives gives in a little to at least let Vash go to the bathroom, but he's not sold on letting him brush his teeth.

But he can understand why he wants to.]

Let me help you brush your teeth at least. It will be awkward, but it's better than you reopening your wounds.

[goldenglasses]

[The outlaw hesitates. He's gotten so use to doing most things on his own. Yet--] Alright. [A beat.] Use a lot of toothpaste and brush firmly? [He wanted this salty after taste out of his mouth for good.]

[arkfall]

I will.

[Knives follows him to the bathroom and is very liberal with his use of toothpaste. It is awkward to brush someone else's teeth, but at least this way Vash isn't moving his arm up and down like that. He seems very focused on helping his brother the entire time. His expression is almost too serious as he focuses on the task.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash stands and let's his brother brush his teeth and hold his head as needed. Letting his twin take control without complaint or resistance. Although his ears and cheeks do go a little red. This all felt a bit silly, but Knives was right. Pulling at his healing arms would have been stupid.

He makes a soft noise to signal that it was enough. He only tasted the mint of the toothpaste now. It was so much better now.

Once he spits and rinses his mouth he's come to a decision about something.]

Thanks.

[...]

It was to be tied up. That's what they made me want. I didn't care with who.

[arkfall]

[Knives listens and then nods. He feels like there's a rock forming in his stomach.]

And of course that would be a thing that would be traumatizing for you.

Because of me.

[goldenglasses]

Well, I had been free for just over a month when it happened. [He failed his quota his first month then learned his lesson.] But it's also the idea that I got lucky. I ran into a friend I could trust. There are people here... [He shakes his head.] It could have gone a lot worse.

[arkfall]

[Knives looks as if he wants to say something else but thinks the better of it. Luckily, he saved by a knock on the door.]

That's probably the pizza.

[He explains as he goes to answer the door.]

[goldenglasses]

Alright. I'll get myself back to bed. Promise. [This time. Which he will do. Carefully walking himself and laying back down onto Knives's bed.]

[arkfall]

[Knives pays for the pizza and then brings it into his room. He sits on his bed next to Vash still holding it and offers to let them both eat it while in the bed.

It's not something he usually wants to do, but in this case it seems like a way to make Vash stay.

He takes his first slice and considers it.]

That is a lot of toppings....

[goldenglasses]

And all have their own unique flavor! [Vash says with his mouth already full.] If you find something you don't like pick it off and I'll eat it. I like it all.