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]

How can I not worry about how you feel? [He's not sure he could do it.] But, if you think you'll be okay? [He sighs.] I trust you not to let things go too far.

[arkfall]

We should talk through what kind of punishments they would accept if you want to do that. It will be easier to ensure that I don't if we have a plan.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash considers this.] Some sort of mix of embarrassing, painful, and... ah... sexual. But being brothers I would hope they don't expect you do anything like that. [Although Vash remembers when a friend of his had been stripped naked and forced to orgasm in public. The crowd had been set on his friend. Would that happen if Knives refused?] Or you could just give me to the crowd if they demand something like that.

[arkfall]

[The idea of that really sets Knives on edge. He clenches his fists.]

Tell me what to do, Vash.

[goldenglasses]

Well, um, you could tell me to get naked and bark like a dog? [The ease of how he says that might upset Knives, but Vash also knows he's done that before with no problem in front of a crowd.] Naked might be enough for this place's sex drive problem.

[arkfall]

[Knives does twitch a little at the situation but he's being very, very careful not to respond violently to any of these suggestions.]

Do they need... [A pause.] Theatrics?

[goldenglasses]

For public stuff? Yeah, the more theatrical the better.

And it might be good for them if you hit me. Or at least knock me down a little. They want you to make me regret talking back. Maybe... I don't know. Focus on my mouth? Gag me or at least give me a punch to the mouth? [He shifts his weight on his feet. God, this was so awkward to talk about.]

[arkfall]

[Awkward, but necessary.]

Gag you, hit you, force you to cower...

[He sighs and rubs his forehead like he's getting a headache.]

It's almost like all my greatest hits coming back to bite me.

[goldenglasses]

Then you should be able to put on a good show for them. [There's a little bit of actual humor in there along with the heavy sarcasm. He had to make a joke. If he didn't he feels like his own mind might break. Then Vash relents with a sigh.] I'm sorry, Knives. I should have known better. [He had been here months compared to the day Knives had been.] I'll be sure the next time I want to argue with you I'll wait until we're inside. [That's a joke. He's joking.]

Dinner should be ready in probably the next ten or twenty minutes. [Vash sets down their citation down on the table and heads back to the kitchen. Acting like they had simply been discussing the upcoming weather instead of an upcoming lesson in his own personal humiliation.]

[arkfall]

Vash, there's really no need for you to apologize here. That fight wasn't one-sided.

But, you're right. There are some topics we should never talk about in public now. It gets both of us too heated and then it takes a crowd gathering before we realize we should stop.

[Like Rem.

Actually, Knives would be happy if they never talked about her at all. Ever again.]

[goldenglasses]

And what you mean by that is any topic from back home?

[arkfall]

[He makes a soft, darkly amused sound.]

Yes. That.

I guess we'll just be talking about the weather when we're outside.

[goldenglasses]

We'll think of something. Like if we're a dog or cat person!

[arkfall]

What are you talking about?

You'd probably get teary-eyed over having to choose and pick both.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash actually chuckles at the teasing.] Yeah, I probably would if I could have a pet!

[He pour the cooked noodles into a strainer.]

[arkfall]

Why can't you?

[goldenglasses]

Moving around like I did back home? I couldn't do that to an animal. Better that they have a steady place to call home. [Although there was this one cat.] And here? I guess because of how people just vanish without warning and returned home. I'd hate to suddenly vanish and leave a dog or cat behind with no one to look out for it.

[arkfall]

[Knives shrugs at that, accepting that reasoning.]

I'd probably be more interested in having a cat.

[goldenglasses]

Really? I thought you'd be more of a loyal dog companion sort. [Although. Vash wonders to himself. Maybe Legato is enough of that.] But I suppose you've always had in interest in those who are incredibly stubborn once they make their mind up on something.

[He dumps a can of premade sauce onto the noodles. His desire to make something from scratch long gone.]

[arkfall]

[Knives thinks pretty much the same thing when Vash says 'loyal dog companion' as his thoughts rest on Bluesummers.]

I like the fact that it would be able to take care of itself. Dogs can be so needy.

[goldenglasses]

I have heard that about dogs. But I like how they love their owners unconditionally and just want to please even if it is a little needy sometimes.

[There was no mince in the fridge so he experiments and shreds up a bit of the sandwich meat into the pasta before he plates it.] Food's ready. Come get your plate.

[arkfall]

Now I feel like you're doing it on purpose. [Knvies says as he gets up to get some of the pasta.]

You do realize that you're describing Bluesummers don't you?

[goldenglasses]

Maybe a little. [Vash slides over a plateful of pasta. Red sauce with bits of sliced sandwich meat in it. He frowns a little bit as he does.] I wish you would treat him a little better. That's another reason we need to get you back home. I don't think I want to know what he'd do hearing that you're gone.

[arkfall]

[Knives considers the plate of pasta. He frowns at what Vash says.

Then, after a moment, he says softly.]

He's dead.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash looks shocked. Someone beat Legato? It didn't seem possible. Even after his back was shattered it was only because of that man that Vash had been unable to escape for so long.] Wolfwood...? [Did he find some way past Legato's ability? It must be when the priest was rescuing him. How else would they have escaped?] Unless... [There was ONE person Vash knew could actually hurt Legato.] Please don't tell me you killed him because I got away.

[Legato was a monster, but especially now after hearing about his past, Vash didn't want him dead. It was a strange mix of sorrow and relief to hear that he had died.]