♕ 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

[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~]