♕ NINTH COMMAND | ACTION [OLIVINE CITY] | FOURTH WALL

[determinator]

[If you happen to be exploring Olivine City today, you may run into Archer. That's really not all that unusual - contrary to popular belief, he does spend some time outdoors (some being the key word there) - but what's striking about it is... well, the insane number of cats following him.]

Where did you all even come from...?

[They're all the little cats rather than the larger ones. That means there's a herd of wild Meowth, Glameow, Skitty, Shinx, and Purrloin following Archer around. He loves cats, sure, but this is a bit much!]

[...He may or may not have started carrying around one of those Purrloin though. It's only because he doesn't have one, it's not like he actually likes it or anything...!!]

Comments

[determinator]

[Archer isn't sure what to do with any of that. Kimbley looked up to him? Kimbley thought he was capable of anything? Really? That's not the point he's choosing to focus on though.]

Do you really think I haven't done anything here? You know how I am - I have to work. I've been promoted twice within Team Rocket. I've gathered six of the eight Gym Badges. I've raised six Pokémon to the maximum level here, and I'm raising quite a few more.

I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. I've been working, Kimbley.

[Archer flips the pocketwatch open and closed, looking at that rather than Kimbley when he continues.]

Yes, I've missed you. And yes, I've spent some time focusing on that rather than what I can do here. I know I'm capable of more. This isn't something I can just ignore, Kimbley. I can't just shut this off and move on.

[He doesn't want to move on. But he suspects Kimbley doesn't want to hear that.]

...Thank you. I didn't realize you thought so highly of me.

[Archer's voice is soft there, though he's still focusing on the pocketwatch rather than Kimbley. He isn't sure what to do with it. This isn't the same sort of thing he does with Kimblee; this isn't compliments for the sake of ego-stroking. This is genuine and he doesn't know how to handle it. Kimbley - the person he cares the most about - genuinely looks up to him and what the hell does he do with that? What does he do with the fact that he's disappointed him?]

[He finally does glance up, expression firm.]

I have no intention of spending all my time pining. I have things to do here. When you do return, I'll be in charge of Team Rocket. I'll have this damn world kneeling before me. I'll make whoever is in charge here bring you here permanently.

[And then everyone wins! Except Johto.]

[alchemicals]

[Kimbley's grip loosens a bit as Archer talks; he lets him take his time through all of that, letting him work his way through it rather than trying to demand any sort of answer or direct him to any specific point.

And by the time Archer finishes, Kimbley's grip has shifted a bit, kneading his fingers lightly into Archer's shoulder in a manner that's almost affectionate.]

I know you will.

[His tone is genuine there; he knows you will, Archer.

He laughs a bit after it's out there, but it isn't through any sort of genuine pleasure or amusement; the sound is soft, but cold. This is so fucking stupid.]

Guess you're pretty fucking important to me, too, asshole.

[determinator]

I'm glad to hear that.

[And he is. He's spent months working through all this - if Kimbley could tell him he loved him right away, he'd probably smack him. Seriously, why wouldn't he have said anything back in Amestris? But that's not the point; the point is that Kimbley does care.]

[Archer's expression is much softer than usual, and when he continues, so is his tone.]

I'm sorry for all of this. It would have been much easier not to say anything and to ignore it. I know I would have regretted not saying anything, however.

[alchemicals]

I can't say I'm too thrilled with you for making me deal with it, no.

[Just the same, he doesn't seem too mad, either.]

But still. Nothing's changed; next time you have something to say to me, don't spend hours going around in circles about it, that's annoying as hell.

[determinator]

[Archer stares for a moment, wide-eyed. Then he laughs. Nothing has changed. Everything's fine. He was worried about nothing.]

I won't. I can tell you anything, after all.

[You don't mind if he latches on again, right? Too late~]