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[viliorate]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, ZOLF J KIMBLEY FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 200.14.230.21 crimson has joined 200.14.230.21 <crimson> i dont know who would want to talk to me <crimson> but if you want to let me know and ill get back to you as soon as i can <crimson> has anyone actually figured out how to use this thing

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[viliorate]

[Somehow, Kimbley hadn't been expecting that. He looks surprised, his ears immediately jerking upright for a split second before they flatten back down, his tail twitching. It's lucky he doesn't have a heartbeat; if his heart still worked, he'd probably be faintly red.]

"Us."

[He sounds pretty hesitant.]

Okay. What do you want to talk about?

[sadisticwarfare]

Well, we need to discuss our... feelings on that subject.

[This is awkward and Archer's looking anywhere but at Kimbley.]

Would... Would you care to start? I'm assuming nothing has changed since then but it's... best to get everything out there.

[viliorate]

[Kimbley can't look at Archer. He immediately turns away to stare at the wall.]

You're the one who wants to discuss this!

[It's extremely defensive.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Yes, and I want to make sure that this goes as smoothly as possible. You've already told me once, what's the harm in saying it again?

[viliorate]

[Kimbley makes a tch noise, still not looking at Archer; tail beginning to swish defensively.]

I said it was fine if you like me. It's not a big deal.

[sadisticwarfare]

That's not it though, is it?

[He knows Kimbley doesn't like this, but he's going to have to press a bit to make sure he's not mistaken.]

[viliorate]

What's not it?

[He's being overly defensive about this and he knows it. This isn't like him; Kimbley isn't the sort of person to get defensive about something unless it's both true and something he doesn't want to discuss.]

[sadisticwarfare]

That's not all you have to say about this, is it?

[Sorry, Kimbley. He knows this is awful.]

[viliorate]

[Kimbley shakes his head.]

What else do you want me to say? That you're my closest... that we're close? That I like being around you?

[This is awkward and uncomfortable. He doesn't know what he's supposed to say, or even how to say it.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[...he's just going to have to ask it, isn't he?]

Do you love me?

[He's not a subtle man.]

[viliorate]

[His ears immediately shoot up at that. He's startled as hell, takes a step back. If he had a heartbeat, his face would be red.]

W-what?!

Where'd you get an idea like that?

[At the same time, it's not a no. Kimbley's too blunt blunt for his own good; if it wasn't true, he'd say so.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[If it wasn't true, Kimbley would never let him live it down. Archer finally looks at Kimbley then, studying him carefully.]

...That's what I needed to know, thank you.

[Even though technically Kimbley didn't tell him anything.]

I've finally determined how I feel about you. It wasn't easy. Your friendship is valuable to me, and anything that might pose a threat to that has been dismissed without a second thought. I've been able to convince myself that the only thing I feel for you is friendship, but that's not accurate.

[So naturally he's not going to come out and say it either.]

[viliorate]

[It's fine if Archer doesn't come out and say it, Kimbley knows him well enough to know what he's trying to say. He laughs darkly, his ears droops down, looking nervous.]

Are you honestly trying to say you find me attractive like this?

[Completely unlike his usual cockiness, he sounds nervous. It's probably the closest Kimbley's ever come to sounding incredibly worried.]

[sadisticwarfare]

I do.

[Archer's words are simple and while his expression is still sort of blank, he sounds confident.]

A lot has changed since we were in Amestris. Our appearances, obviously, but the one thing that has remained constant is you. You're still Kimbley regardless of what you look like. You're still the best friend I've ever had.

The changes you went through weren't good, but they haven't changed who you are. That's the important part.

[viliorate]

Oh.

[For some reason, he hadn't been expecting that answer. He smirks, his ears still twitching, but he looks more pleased than he did a moment ago.

Kimbley's still a little uncertain, but he knows Archer well enough to know Archer isn't the sort to mess with him.]

Yeah?

[sadisticwarfare]

Of course.

[He kind of smirks, though the expression is very awkward.]

It's not like you to be so concerned about your appearance, Kimbley.

[viliorate]

[Kimbley looks away at that, the smirk vanishing.]

I can't recognize myself anymore. I hate it, but...

[But if Archer can say with a straight face that he finds Kimbley attractive, it's an ego boost.]

You willing to prove it?

[It's a challenge, but it's not meant to be aggressive from the smirk and casual tone.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[The smirk fades at Kimbley's words, but it seems like Kimbley's content to move on quickly enough.]

How would I prove it?

[viliorate]

C'mon, use your imagination. I'm not asking for much.

[He'll be blunt if he needs to be, but he isn't going to be blunt at the moment.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[You're asking the least creative person around to use his imagination??]

If you've got something in mind, you should tell me.

[viliorate]

[He hesitates despite the smirk.

There's still a part of him telling him he's incredibly unattractive, that this is a bad idea-- that he's a freak now, who the hell in their right mind would want him?

But if there's one person Kimbley desperately wants attention from, it's Archer.]

Kiss me. If you really think I'm hot, you'll do it.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Archer rolls his eyes.]

Well you certainly don't waste any time.

[He moves forward before something occurs to him and he stops.]

...My fangs are going to get in the way, Kimbley.

[He can keep them hidden, but they're still much longer than any normal human's.]

[viliorate]

[Kimbley smirks, showing off his own fangs with a casualness to mask how incredibly tense he feels about this.]

Mine will make this interesting, too, don't you think?

[This isn't a situation he's found himself in before. He's found people attractive before, sure. On a physical level, he's found it very easy to find people whom he considers pretty. Love, by contrast, is something utterly foreign to him.

He's not even certain that "love" is the right word for this, but to be honest, he doesn't have a damn clue what to call it. This is certainly something he wouldn't do for anyone but Archer. If that's love, it's... intimate, but as good a description as any.]

If I didn't know better, I'd wonder if you're stalling on purpose.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm not stalling, I just don't want to cut you.

[Because with his luck he will and that won't end well. Archer can't exactly be a sane person around blood, after all.]

But if you're willing to risk it then...

[He edges a bit closer. "Stalling" isn't exactly the right word, but he's certainly hesitant.]

[viliorate]

Well, it's not like I bleed.

[It's said in a teasing manner, but he's pretty serious. He can't exactly be hurt by Archer if he doesn't have a heartbeat, can he?]

Come on, don't hold back. It's not like I'm fragile.