the die has been cast (alea_iacta_est) wrote in 2145ic, @ 2018-05-26 17:21:00 |
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Entry tags: | vaughn, vic |
mo money
who: vic & vaughn
setting: central park
Vaughn waited til he was positive that Piph was asleep and asleep hard at that, before he turned back to his brother and nodded. Now they could talk. He sat on their ‘floor’, and tried to get comfortable. Why exactly are you hurt? he asked first before launching into the explanation about what the fuck was happening with him and his crazy object of affection. It wasn’t like he didn’t notice that his brother wasn’t moving right. He kept a lot closer eye on that than anyone would assume, even Vic. He knew Vic didn’t want special treatment or anything, didn’t want to feel like an invalid, but that didn’t mean that Vaughn didn’t worry.
Vic felt equally pulled between having a lot to tell his brother and having a lot to take in. He wanted to focus on Epiphany and why she looked like death, but Vaughn didn’t seem to want to start there. And he knew that his brother worried, but this time he didn’t need to. Comes with the job, Vic explained, a little grin on his face as he explained. Which we need to talk about but can we start with her? She seriously just sliced open her body in hopes that she’d feel, I don’t know, rejuvenated or something?
As much as Vaughn worried about Vic’s injuries, Vic worried equally about Vaughn’s obsessions. In the past, while none of his objects of affection had seemed to respond the way Epiphany did, at least none of them had sliced open their skin and came bleeding and exhausted into their home.
Vaughn saw the smile but didn't look super impressed with that. Pretty sure sex isn't supposed to make you fucking limp around like that, he pointed out, worry settling in his gut. So, yeah, not sure it does. Unless there's shit you aren't telling me, he added. When he said more about Piph, Vaughn looked over at her again. Something like that, yeah, he said. I don't necessarily understand it all. Apparently it's been a practice for them for a long time. Which I told her doesn't make it okay, and who the fuck is looking after her? Why is there no one there who thinks this is fucked? And don't answer that, I know. It's a fucking cult, and cultists aren't big on questions.
He paused and looked back at Vic for a long moment. Apparently it's my fault, too. People there do not like me. And I'm giving her... I don't know. A crisis of faith or some shit because she likes me.
Vic exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. Let’s just get this part out of the way first. This kind of sex made me sore. It was my first time trying it. How graphic do you want me to get?
Then he looked back at Epiphany and frowned again. So she was crazy and the cult was crazy. Talk about the blind leading the blind...literally. Turning back to his brother, he scrunched his face up again. Wait, she blamed you for this? That’s fucked up, Vaughn. How the hell is this your fault? You can’t be responsible for her insane delusions…
I don't need details, just... I get being tender but maybe take care of yourself. You already have a business, you don't need the money that bad, Vaughn commented, then shook his head. Not like that. It's just what it boiled down to. She's used to being their god and only worrying about the good of them, and then I crashed into her life and she's finding that she wants things for herself so that's throwing her for a real hard loop, he explained. ...I feel like I have to keep going with this. Get her out of there, away from them more. Get her to see that life isn't whatever she's been put in the position to make it so far. Get her away from a place that thinks it's fucking a-okay to have her slicing herself up like this.
Vic considered switching topics back to his business and his money but he needed to stay on topic with Vaughn for now. They could always get back to him and how well his business was doing. Okay so...let’s say that works. You get her out into the real world, I feel like one of two things happens. She either starts to realize it’s amazing and wants to be up here all the time, or she hates it and retreats back to her hole. How are you going to deal with angry cultists who basically see you as the reason she left, or losing her back to the cult?
Vaughn gave his trademark shrug. I don't fucking know. Vaughn was not known for his planning skills. They pretty much extended to him working out the best ways to stalk people. The rest of his life was lived moment to moment. Planning was for people who expected to be around longer than he did. You suggesting that I need to have it all figured out right now? Because you know I don't. Right now I'm still dealing with the idea that she participates in bloodletting like it's normal.
Not everything but maybe a couple scenarios, just so you’re not hit with something you’re not expecting. But he knew that wasn’t how Vaughn worked. Looking back over at Epiphany again, he sighed. Maybe for now, her resting here and healing will help her see how not normal that shit is.
Looking back at his brother, he cleared his throat. It was a weird thing to do when they weren’t actually talking, but it was just something that Vic had always done when he was about to change the subject. So..about earlier, when you were talking about my business. Times are...they’re okay, but they’re not doing as great as they had been. And the credits I got from that video… There was really no way to explain it other than sharing a screenshot of his credit balance with Vaughn, which he did; fully expecting Vaughn to see that the number there was more than Vic had ever had to his name before. Ever. Chase had called it life-changing money.
Vaughn blinked. “Holy shit,” he swore softly aloud. And yet it didn’t quite quiet his concerns. But he also knew that Vic was going to do what Vic was going to do. They were both stubborn assholes. Though his mind did skip briefly to wondering what Mommy Dearest would think when she found out. Because people paying that kind of scratch were definitely up in the sky with her. He looked to Vic’s eyes, then away again, not sure what to say. He gave a belated congratulations.
They’re not just my credits, Vic stated, feeling like Vaughn had to know that. Everything they did, they shared. All of their successes and all of their dark days, they shared. But this next part he still wasn’t sure about how to bring up. Chase had mentioned using the credits to buy a place outside of the park, somewhere with a door that locked and maybe had bathrooms included inside it.
He turned to look at Epiphany to see if Vaughn speaking had woken her but that weird chick was still out cold. Biting his lip, he reached up to scratch his ear and finally added. It’s money we could use if we ever wanted to leave the park.
Vaughn had a flood of different feelings, none of which were awesome. No, they’re not, they’re yours. I have nothing to do with that shit. Our other stuff - we share that, but we share a business. We both do our thing to keep things up and running. This is all you. And if you want to get a place with your shady new boyfriend, go ahead. It’d be better for your health. Vaughn wasn’t the most emotionally stable person at times. And he sounded angry, but at the same time he did actually mean that he thought an apartment for Vic would be good. Steady temperatures, a safer place, access to shit that they just couldn’t manage where they were - that would only be beneficial for him. And one thing that Vaughn never quite stopped feeling guilty about was that Vic suffered and he didn’t. It was something he never had mentioned to anyone, barely even acknowledged himself, but was in there, very deep down. They weren’t far apart but Vaughn still knew he was the big brother.
Okay, first off, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s a business partner. Maybe if he told himself that enough times, he’d remember it. And secondly, they are our credits. You are my family, period. That’s it. We’re not fighting about this. Exhaling again, he caught Vaughn’s eyes after a moment. He knew how his brother could get, and he heard what the sentiments were under his words, but that didn’t matter as much to Vic right now as ensuring Vaughn heard his own. Business is okay, but...I’m losing contacts. I still have enough to keep my side going, but I don’t want them to dry up on us and we’re stuck with our asses in our hands...or whatever. And you know I’m not going anywhere without you so just don’t even try that. I’m not saying we need to or have to or should leave. I’m just asking a question.
Whatever. Does it matter if you apparently let him fuck you til you can't walk when you already have fucking trouble with that? Vaughn shot back. So maybe he had more than one issue with whoever this guy was. And you know what? Tell yourself whatever you want. You hit a jackpot, fucking go with it, okay? Take the money, get a place to live, and do what you want. It's probably time we stop living like we're kids anyway, he said, not looking at his brother. It was kind of the way of life in the Park, family units often stayed together far past what they did in higher society. Don't shoot too high, get someplace you can keep up with without trouble, then trick it the fuck out. Live the good life.
Vic’s expression hardened and he had to remind himself that Vaughn didn’t mean it. He could still hear what he thought Vaughn was trying to say - that he needed to get a place and take care of himself, but apparently Vaughn couldn’t hear him. “I am not going.” He said out loud, voice deeper than usual and gruff with trying to keep his emotions in line. Vic was a little too quick to wear his emotions out on his sleeve around Vaughn. He knew better than to let anyone outside of his brother see him falter, but with Vaughn it had always been harder. Not sure how what I’m doing is any different than you letting that crazy woman over there drag you around. Maybe she’ll be carving you up next… Vic spat, and then closed his eyes.
We leave together or not at all. Period. I’m with you forever. We made a pact.
Vaughn looked back when Vic spoke out loud. Vaughn's emotions tended to rule him completely and they were unchecked most of the time. Vic was better at keeping it together in general, but yeah. They could get to each other. Technically I'm dragging her around, but maybe it isn't. But so far she hasn't hobbled me. He felt an itch under his skin, because he had angry energy now that he wanted to walk off but they didn't have the space for it. They didn't have to be in the same room to keep talking but he felt like this wasn't the time to walk away, either. So he kept still but started twisting the loose thread he'd been pulling at tight around his finger then releasing it, only to repeat the process.
Pacts break, people grow up. That money will go a hell of a lot farther if it's only floating one person, and you know that. Dissolve the business. Might as well now anyway because of the crackdowns. Porn isn't illegal. You can go legit, get out of here and take care of yourself. I'm good. Thanks for the concern but I don't need your charity. You made it, don't fuck it up for yourself because of sentimentality. He didn't add the last thought, which was that their mom didn't. And guess who had had a better life? Who never worried about freezing to death in the winter? Who never went hungry? Their bitch of a mother. She'd never looked back, and her life was probably fucking awesome. It's not like you'll never see me again.
Vic set his jaw and tried not to clench down on his teeth but it didn’t work. They hurt when he did that, sure that some of the teeth probably needed fixing or just to be pulled altogether, but he’d never had the credits to afford that before. He probably still wouldn’t go get them checked out even now.
If you want me out of your life, you’re gonna have to fucking kill me yourself because I am not leaving you. I don’t care what you think these credits are for or who they belong to, They. Are. Ours. You are my brother and I don’t care about any of this other bullshit. I definitely don’t care about your isolation bullshit right now, so just knock it off. I’m sorry I even brought this shit up.
I didn't say I wanted you out of my life! Vaughn immediately snapped back. Just that you should go! Jesus christ, I'm not going to abandon you, but you also shouldn't have to take care of me like I can't do it myself! Pride, oh it was strong right now. And his little brother had found a cash cow for a while, apparently. He was good. Meanwhile, Vaughn had found an insane girl he was obsessed with who he might have to rescue from a fucking cult. Who were cool with bloodlettings. Sacrifice didn't seem far off. Yeah. It's stupid if you don't find a place, and you've never been fucking stupid, Vic, don't start now.
You’re not gonna get me to go by calling me names, Vaughn. I’m not leaving. I thought we’d figured that out when, you know, we spent our whole lives together. People leave us, we don’t leave each other. I know you can take care of yourself, I got that a while ago, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to share this with you. Something good is happening and I want you to be a part of it with me. Then he made a face. That sounded wrong. Well, not like that, but you know what I mean. But it’s settled now. We’re staying. End of story.
“And what have we got to show for it, Vic?” Vaughn said aloud. He kept his voice quiet, but he was emotional right now and out loud was happening. “Nothing. The answer is nothing. And thank you for wanting to share, I appreciate it, but I just... I don't want that. What I want is for you to take care of yourself. Maybe find a real doctor. I'll be around. You know I will.” Because even if Vic did leave, he wouldn't abandon him. He looked away a second then back to his brother. Honestly I don't like the idea of people being able to get to you right now. I just basically kidnapped this girl from a group of nutjobs who have eyes everywhere and are happy to watch people bleed, I don't exactly want anyone looking into me and finding you.
“Then let’s go and get a place with a door and a lock. Where you have a room that you can bring her to, somewhere safe that they can’t get to her...with heat and first aid shit in case she does all that again,” Vic said, trying to keep his voice low and away from a pleading tone but it wasn’t quite working. He didn’t want to go back into writing out his feelings so he just kept talking. “Why do you have to be here alone when we can be together, both of us safe? It doesn’t make sense. I love the park as much as you do. It doesn’t mean we can’t still be here too. But we can have a safe place to go when we need it.”
“Because we'd still be together. It'd still be fish in a barrel. What's wrong with you getting out on your own?” he posed in return. At least some of his anger had started to simmer down, in unconscious reaction to Vic's tone. He made eye contact again. “There's nothing wrong with that.” People live like we do because we have to, and you don't anymore, okay? There's nothing wrong with you taking your step up when you can. Please, man. Don't do this. I'm your brother, I don't want to drag you down with me.
Or people live like we do because there’s not a single person in the world who means more to them than their brother. You aren’t dragging me down, Vaughn. It’s not a thing you could ever do. But I’m not moving out or leaving you or living without you. It’s not how we work. It’s how they work, but not us. He typed, waiting for a moment before adding another bit just to make sure that Vaughn really got what he was saying. That their parents were the ones that left them, but he never would. I don’t want to be out on my own and I feel like I shouldn’t have to keep reminding you of that.
Getting someplace better won't change that we're family, and won't change how important we are to each other. You do need to get out of here since you can. You need a place that will help your health. We'll figure it out. And maybe you don't want to be on your own because you never have been, but you'll love it, you don't know. I don't want to leave here, don't...don't make me. And don't make me feel like complete shit about it because if I don't go it means that you're going to stick around here getting worse and worse just because of that. Find. A. Place. Vaughn felt sick to his stomach at this point, and he hated sort of the whole word. But he knew he didn't want his brother to stay here when he could move on and by default take better care of himself. He could get a real bed, real furniture and that was just the start.
You’re gonna need to figure out how to not feel like shit, then, because I’m not going. If you don’t want to leave, then we stay. My health is fine. Stop worrying about it today. This part of it will ease up and it’ll just be my leg, like usual. Don’t make me feel like shit for wanting to stay with you.” Vic had a feeling neither of them were going to be happy with this conversation right now. And honestly, he’d played the brother card and the obsession card and Vic really wasn’t sure what other cards he had to play here. We’ll both think about it, okay? Really think about it, both options. Promise me.
“Fucking awesome. Emotional blackmail,” Vaughn snapped. I'm not worried about today, I'm worried about long term, dickhead. And don't tell me you haven't figured out that if you did have an apartment, you could use that to your advantage with your new line of business too. And guess what doesn't fit into that equation – a brother randomly walking through the shot while you're jerking off for some rich twat up in the clouds.
“Oh, fuck off. You’re doing the same shit back to me. Emotional blackmail my ass… And apartments can have more than one room, idiot,” Vic snapped back. He wanted to get up and hobble out of this god damn tent but if he left now it would go against everything he’d just said. I don’t need the apartment for business. I have a business partner for that. I don’t even need the fucking apartment. Just drop it, okay? Vic said, pushing himself up and heading to the ratty, torn beanbag chair to sink into it.
Vaughn would have left if Piph wasn't still there asleep. He knew they'd have to come back to this, they were both digging their heels in. I'll think about it if you swear to me that you'll think about getting a place without me. They were probably both the worst parts of their parents, just remixed a little. He loved his brother but wanted to strangle him right now. And give me the contact information on this ‘partner’ of yours.
Why, what are you gonna do? Try to get him to prove to me that I need a place? He’s already tried. Even as he typed it, though, he sent Vaughn the information he knew about Chase. Exhaling, Vic ran his palms over his eyes and just sat there, quiet, for a long moment. We’ll both think, really think, about the options.
Something like that was exactly Vaughn's intention. Okay. he answered. He didn't like any of this. Right now his life seemed like it had taken a really fucking hard left turn he wasn't prepared for. Both with Piph and now with Vic. He hadn't seen the Vic one coming. Piph...well, he had inklings of what he was getting himself into, but yeah. He felt lost. I'm gonna go see if I can spot any of her followers, you okay here with her for a few? it was an excuse to give both of them a little space, though not the worst idea ever.
He knew what Vaughn was doing, and honestly he was thankful for it. It gave him an out of not going back on his word and got them both a little breathing room. Nodding, he glanced at Vaughn before turning his eyes back to the sleeping girl in their hammock. Yeah, I’ve got her. I’ll let you know if she wakes up.
Vaughn nodded and got up to head out, just wanting to clear his head - even if he knew it was going to take a hell of a lot more than a walk to accomplish that.