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]

Then you should help me while we're here. I'll try to do as you've asked, but only with non-humans.

And you should contract with me to ensure we fulfill that requirement.

[This might be a test to see just how far Vash was willing to go to protect him and others around them.]

[goldenglasses]

Wait. Are you... Are you asking me to help you find people to have sex with as part of a contract? [He's not sure how he feels about that.]

[arkfall]

You have experience.

And a habit of knowing far too many people. [Look, this just makes logical sense, Vash.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash takes a few minutes to run a hand down his face. Contracting to his brother? Giving him that much power over his life? Wouldn't it just be a slightly more comfortable situation he had left back home? Just instead of being locked away in a dark cell it would be an apartment building?

He lets his eyes wander over the city sprawled out below them. No. It wouldn't be like back on the ark because there would still be something he could do for those people down below that he couldn't do back home.]

Alright, Knives. I'll contract with you under two conditions.

One. You have to buy me donuts at least once a day. [Something small and easy to agree to. Ease Knives into the idea of saying yes before the hard condition.]

Two. You can't kill anyone for any reason. You can't hurt anyone except in self defense. [There were a few violent people out there. He didn't want Knives going around terrifying humans, but he also didn't want to leave him defenseless either.] You can't be the first to throw a punch. I mean only when you have no other option. Walking or running away is an option.

[arkfall]

[His eyes narrow at such a condition.

It seems so stupid, but then Vash was always like this. He always insisted on following the stupid dreams given to him by Rem.]

You want my body to end up as scarred as yours?

[But, hey, Vash isn't saying anything about getting a new collection of knives, a new Gung Ho Guns, and siccing them on others. Maybe he could rely on that, so long as he wasn't lifting his own hands.]

[goldenglasses]

I'm not asking for you to throw yourself in front of bullets for anyone. And I'm also not putting a bounty on your head either. [He gives his brother a look. One clearly trying to sarcastically ask: and who's fault is it that I had that bounty?] You won't get scarred by walking away from a fight rather than rushing into one.

[Vash doesn't think about that loop hole. He may find himself regretting it in the future.]

[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.