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Maybe one day me, you, and Ralph can go to dinner together. We're all friends and could have a small celebration or something.
Knives isn't sure how he can trust that suggestion and Vash can probably feel his skepticism radiating even with the distance between them. But he doesn't make a sarcastic comment, and that's probably a sign of growth.
Then there's a knock at his door. He's here. Might not want to eavesdrop now, brother.
Because he is going to at least tease Vash a bit - even if he has to use his own sex life to do so.
Then there's a knock at his door. He's here. Might not want to eavesdrop now, brother.
Because he is going to at least tease Vash a bit - even if he has to use his own sex life to do so.
Edited 2019-09-10 05:10 (UTC)
Knives has probably never felt Vash shut their shared connection as fast as he just did. Not even while Knives had him imprisoned.
[Vash paced back and forth in his shared room with Laurent. The contract had expired by V had said Vash could stay for as long as the city allowed him to. His mind was swirling. He could lie and tell Knvies his contract hadn't ended yet. Buy himself a little more time. He could also change his mind and refuse to contract with Knives. He could keep living not under his brother's rule that this city would give him.
Only he knows that he can't. He could never bring himself to give up the chance to keep people safe by contracting with his brother. Finally he dials his brother's number and waits for him to pick up. He knows Knives is close enough that he could reach out to mentally speak with him, but Vash preferred it this way.]
Hey. It's me. My contracted has ended so I'm free to sign one with you now.
Only he knows that he can't. He could never bring himself to give up the chance to keep people safe by contracting with his brother. Finally he dials his brother's number and waits for him to pick up. He knows Knives is close enough that he could reach out to mentally speak with him, but Vash preferred it this way.]
Hey. It's me. My contracted has ended so I'm free to sign one with you now.
I think that would be good. As I'm assuming you've seen Legato has arrived?
Not yet, but it changes what I would like in our contract.
Where would you like to meet?
Where would you like to meet?
One of the parks. They have tables we can sit at. I'll text you the address.
[Vash is waiting with a box of donuts. Having shown up a bit early and munching away. Just enjoying the scenery until his brother arrives. When he spots Knives he's quick to put the donuts away and actually have a serious discussion. He was basically about to sign his life and freedom away after all.]
I'm assuming you've contracted with Legato? And that he'll be living with you? [He saw the mark under Legato's chin when he had run into the psychopath earlier today.]
I'm assuming you've contracted with Legato? And that he'll be living with you? [He saw the mark under Legato's chin when he had run into the psychopath earlier today.]
Yeah, I'm not surprised. It only makes sense that--
[Wait. Knives did not just say what Vash thought he was going to say.]
You mean he's from earlier than us, right? He's from before you broke his back.
[Wait. Knives did not just say what Vash thought he was going to say.]
You mean he's from earlier than us, right? He's from before you broke his back.
[Vash sits and stares for a moment. Trying to decide if Knives was lying to him for some reason.] He mentioned to me that he had been in another world. Is that what you mean? [Alternate reality? That seemed hard to believe. Travelling to a different world was a little easier to wrap his head around.]
No.
[But that's... curious. He'll have to ask Legato about it later.]
Listen to what I'm saying, Vash. He is from an alternate reality. This means that his version of our planet is similar but not the same to ours.
For example, his ability has nothing to do with strings. He has telepathic abilities.
Oh, and the version of me from his world transplanted your arm onto him.
[But that's... curious. He'll have to ask Legato about it later.]
Listen to what I'm saying, Vash. He is from an alternate reality. This means that his version of our planet is similar but not the same to ours.
For example, his ability has nothing to do with strings. He has telepathic abilities.
Oh, and the version of me from his world transplanted your arm onto him.
[Vash is listening, but it's hard to fully understand or at least believe. An alternate reality? How could that be possible? Then again how could a city like Duplicity be possible?
He's just about ready to accept this when Knives helpfully adds the bit about Vash's arm.]
Uh, what? I think I misheard you. You say he has my arm?!
[Ew. Deep down Vash knows this is true. There had been something off but familiar about Legato when he met him. He just hadn't thought it was his arm. After all, Legato was too young to have been alive when Vash lost that arm of his.]
He's just about ready to accept this when Knives helpfully adds the bit about Vash's arm.]
Uh, what? I think I misheard you. You say he has my arm?!
[Ew. Deep down Vash knows this is true. There had been something off but familiar about Legato when he met him. He just hadn't thought it was his arm. After all, Legato was too young to have been alive when Vash lost that arm of his.]
Why are you making me repeat myself over and over?
[Knives asks, but he sounds bored more than annoyed.]
I, that is to say, the version of me from his reality, turned Legato into my masterpiece. Having your arm enhanced his superhuman abilities and made it possible for him to do great and terrible things.
It was... beautiful.
[Probably not the right word to use with the person he's trying so hard to convince that he's changed, but it's true. Watching Legato's memories had been like watching a beautiful symphony.]
Though I relied a bit too much on a human, I think. My plan back home was to protect our sisters. In his world... I was far more directly focused on you.
[Knives asks, but he sounds bored more than annoyed.]
I, that is to say, the version of me from his reality, turned Legato into my masterpiece. Having your arm enhanced his superhuman abilities and made it possible for him to do great and terrible things.
It was... beautiful.
[Probably not the right word to use with the person he's trying so hard to convince that he's changed, but it's true. Watching Legato's memories had been like watching a beautiful symphony.]
Though I relied a bit too much on a human, I think. My plan back home was to protect our sisters. In his world... I was far more directly focused on you.
Edited 2019-09-22 05:36 (UTC)
[Vash runs a hand down his face when Knives calls anything Legato does 'beautiful'. Allowing it to hover over his mouth as he tries to muffle his sarcastic reply under his breath.] Poor-other-me.
[Continuing on quickly and deciding to get back to the topic at hand.] Does this mean Legato will be living with you? Or are you getting him his own place? He can still live in the free housing in the Down. Submissives don't have to live with the people they're contracted with.
Or I can move to the Down. If you can't afford two places. I actually don't mind the shared apartments they have. The roof garden makes up for it.
[I don't want to live with Legato. Which is what he's really saying should be easy enough for Knives to pick up on.]
[Continuing on quickly and deciding to get back to the topic at hand.] Does this mean Legato will be living with you? Or are you getting him his own place? He can still live in the free housing in the Down. Submissives don't have to live with the people they're contracted with.
Or I can move to the Down. If you can't afford two places. I actually don't mind the shared apartments they have. The roof garden makes up for it.
[I don't want to live with Legato. Which is what he's really saying should be easy enough for Knives to pick up on.]
[Knives narrows his eyes and be briefly does seem annoyed.]
I knew it. [A pause, as he looks away from Vash and considers the greenery around them. He knows before this would have turned into much stronger anger, but now he still feels more irritated than anything.]
I knew you'd figure out some excuse not to hold up your end of the deal...
I knew it. [A pause, as he looks away from Vash and considers the greenery around them. He knows before this would have turned into much stronger anger, but now he still feels more irritated than anything.]
I knew you'd figure out some excuse not to hold up your end of the deal...
Can you blame me?! [Vash snaps back. Throwing his hands up in exasperation.] He kept me prisoner in a dark hole for months under your order, Knives. Do you really expect me to be happy about now having to share a bedroom with the guy?!
[Vash has gone ahead and made assumptions. Like how he didn't think Knives would be willing to share a room with a human. Plus an added bonus of a loyal person keeping and eye on Vash all night long.]
[Vash has gone ahead and made assumptions. Like how he didn't think Knives would be willing to share a room with a human. Plus an added bonus of a loyal person keeping and eye on Vash all night long.]
[Vash leans back and crosses his arms over his chest with a huff. He clearly still wasn't happy with the arrangement, but it was better.] Fine. I'll still live with you. [He'll just try to tell himself it's best that way. That he can keep an eye on the two of them by living together.]
But, I want you to tell Legato not to kill. He'll listen to you.
But, I want you to tell Legato not to kill. He'll listen to you.
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