game time.

mrforceupdate:

"I could buy the medicine myself? Or you could, but I’d advise against that." Some might the idea Kevin is too soft, or something, too giving. And that wouldn’t be good.

He listens, quiet and patient。 It wasn’t as though he hadn’t thought of these things himself, but just as Steven speaks, he cannot do these things himself。 People would think he not be suited to be a King, and would no doubt rebel。 Wars would rise and because of what？ He wanted to help his kingdom？

But he does have an idea。

               ”I could give you the money to buy the medicine, and we could say you did it for the public。 Our little secret。”

It’s calculated, even。 Solicitous。

Get calculated, kid.

"That could work. But then again, I'm sure they could figure out  I would never be able to own that much on my own. It's worth a shot though, I probably won't get but a few strange looks from the merchants themselves." Steven gives a small nod; he likes this idea, honestly.

mrforceupdate:

But he is happy, possibly the happiest he’s been in a very long time.

Pride。 Pride is what he feels when Steven visibly shines。 He gets satisfaction from making his townsfolk happy, and his servants。 He is a very powerful man, and this is but a simple way to show it。

               ”Is there anything else I can do to help？”

Soothing, he thinks。 Because hearing that he’s kind sparks something in him。 Something joyful。 He wants to hear it more。

Steven thinks on this for a moment, wonders what else these people need. A food drive solves one problem, kind of, but there are also plenty of people who are sick and dying because they're unable to afford medicine for themselves and their family when they need it. It's saddening, really.

"Some of the people are still sick, so maybe we could give them medicine. Though the people that actually make and sell the medicine, that would hurt them too, wouldn't it? The people need medicine, but it doesn't change the fact that the other people need to make a living, too. It sucks, it absolutely does, but maybe there's some way around it...

mrforceupdate:

Maybe there’s not much Kevin can do about it, but Steven likes to bring up things like that anyways. He feels bad for some of the commoners, specifically the ones who are unable to keep themselves healthy.

Kevin remains silent for a few minutes, before he raises his eyes from his plate up to his servant。 Steven’s good at his job, but sometimes he worries that his heart will run him to the ground。 It isn’t that he doesn’t feel concerned for his people, of course he does, but he cannot be there for them all the time。

。。。Still。

                         ”I’ll set up a food drive for them tomorrow morning。 I’ll make sure they eat for as long as I can。”

It’s not like he doesn’t have enough food himself, he’s a new King, sure, but he has seen the townsfolk himself。

Everyone should be better off, really。

Steven's face when Kevin says that. It's just, that literally brightens up his morning so much. His motives are dark, but he has a good heart. He wants the best for the people because he doesn't feel anyone should live that way. Going to die from sickness because they can't afford medicine. Can't afford food.

"Thank you, Sire! It means a lot to me and I'm sure it will to the people as well. You're a kind man." Or, you know, only one part of him feels that way, sadly.

mrforceupdate:

This is going to be a lot of fun, to be honest.

He chews on a bite of pizza as he waits for the other, letting him soak in what he’s asking for in return. He wouldn’t ask for such a thing if he didn’t exactly need the help and couldn’t trust anyone else. He’d rather it be Steven than anyone he knew immediately from ‘work’, per se.

Aleks does take note of the facial expressions that the other takes on from time to time, watches carefully without meaning to as he unfolds the paper after some time. He figures it were easiest to lay the terms out and then talk them over, because quite frankly? Aleks would confuse the fuck out of himself if he didn’t do such a thing. Although, to many people that he knew, that wouldn’t be much of a surprise to anyone at this point— confusion is somewhat of his middle name. Or more so, his entire name when it really boils down to the point of no return for him.

"Yes, essentially. My line of work creates hazards that often aren’t the most reliable of people, as well." It’s sadly the truth because oftentimes, if they get a good enough deal from the police, they’d be more than happy to rat a wanted man out. He’s sure that he’s no exception to this well known law in the underground system. He wishes he were but that’s just not how the world works and Aleks knows better.

"Either or both, because one way or another, it will get done." Aleks can promise that because he knows how important some things are to others and that sometimes, you just really need to get those things done and out of the way. Especially when they’re for other people.

It takes him a moment to wipe his fingers off and begin looking through the sheet of paper that Steven has given him. Aleks likes how straight to the point it seems to be— everything laid out for him and nothing out of place, or so he hopes. It’s a good paper and he’s sure he’s going to end up holding onto it, simply for the fact that it’s a good reference and now, a contract to him.

This was a fantastic idea from the get-go, he decides.

Honestly? If this weren't for his own benefit, Steven would absolutely consider turning him in once he's gotten enough information. That old twinge of greed that got him into so much trouble before, made him feel so guilty. Stole various amounts of money from people and even certain things at one point. It wasn't his highest point, and honestly it wasn't his lowest either. These are the kind of things he's going to keep to himself. The ignorance people have on him is one of his strong points, it's how he gets away with some of the things he does. Gets away with plotting without the slightest bit of suspicion because no one really expects anything out of him.

But these aren't thing kinds of things to be thinking right now. His facial expression isn't the best while doing so.

So back to business.

Steven pulls a pen from his jacket pocket and sets it aside for when they're each ready to sign the things. The contract-y things.

"I see! You can trust me, though. You know that." Mhm, okay. "But, really, I'll take this as serious as I possibly can. If something happens, I'll be there." And he actually means this. No Aleks means no reliable worker for him. And, you know, this is the closest thing to a real friend he's going to get, he feels. He'll have to be careful and take this seriously.

"I'll do both. That'll be fun for me." He takes the pen and clicks it before moving it towards Aleks. But then he stops himself and takes it back, because he actually forgot something.

"Also, not sure if I said this already or not, but most of the stuff will be done in my apartment. Like, ninety-percent of the time, if you're doing stuff for me we'll e at my place. It makes things easier, especially if you find something really interesting. I'll want to see it myself."

mrforceupdate:

Steven looks up from his food for a moment and to Kevin himself before responding. “I slept well, thank you. And yourself?”

Appeased, Kevin returns to his silence for a few more minutes, enjoying his breakfast as he should。

"I would answer, if I could recall the dreams I may or may not have had。"

An honest answer, because lately his dreams haven’t been transferring over to his waking mind so who even know if he’s dreaming in the first place? Certainly not him。 Or perhaps it’s a fluke。 Though this certainly isn’t the first time he hasn’t been able to remember his dreams, and he doubts it will be the last。

Steven only nods, returning to his food himself. Thinks for a second that that was kind of awkward, as he doesn't know how to respond. So he doesn't. Just continues to eat his food.

Actually, it occurs to him maybe he should bring up some things.

"When I go out for things, I see beggars, mostly children. They don't look very well." Of course, Steven being himself, he did give a buy a few things for them, even if he's probably not supposed to.

It’s something he says every day, just to remind Steven。 Because they both forget to feed themselves correctly sometimes。 More inclined to just snack, here and there。

"Yes, sire." He says this with a small nod.

How did he sleep? Like he always does. Though, if he recalls correctly, he did have a weird dream. Nothing really important, though.

mrforceupdate:

He doesn’t speak, at this moment. Waits until he’s spoken to, as per what he’s used to.

Kevin doesn’t immediately begin a conversation。 He never does, as he’s one to enjoy his silence just as he’s one to enjoy speaking to others。

The yoghurt was nice, as per usual。 As were the frozen banana slices。 Though he’s always been fond of those, he cannot hide that fact。

Additionally, he always tends to leave the slices for last. To savour them, maybe？

Steven on the other hand is highly picky of what he eats and is kind of just poking at his food at this point. Ends up only eating the slightly toasted bread because mmm toast. Best breakfast food.

He's still waiting and hoping Kevin is going to speak because the silence makes him nervous. It always does, honestly. He doesn't like silence at all, really.

If asked what he thought of his servant, Steven; Kevin would comment on how he’s a fine worker, if not a little odd。 But honestly, who isn’t a little odd these days？ He humours him, at least, and there are days when he actually looks forward to spending time with the quirky little man。

Today was one of those days, as they were enjoying breakfast together。

Sometimes Steven wonders why Kevin even bothers, considering their places are far from the same. You don't usually see people like him, eating and chatting with people like him. The king. It's so strange, but it does make things easier for Steven.

You know, the whole, overthrowing the king idea. It's not something he wants to do, but more so something he feels he needs to do.