[ vie, on the other hand, is returning to his own apartment with a sense of dread hanging over him. he'd just come from a meeting with several other families in the city, members who have hinted that they might be interested in an alliance with him rather than those currently running the amber house, but it hadn't quite gone the way he'd liked it to. if he wants to do this, he's going to have to strong-arm some of them or kill them, and honestly, he doesn't want to think about too much of that right now. he rubs at the back of his neck and slowly begins to undo his tie, glancing at his phone when it buzzes on the stand he'd placed it on.

the relief and happiness he feels reading jaejin's name is immeasurable. at least, it is until he answers and hears that question. then, he's standing still in the middle of the foyer and frowning at nothing. ]

We could go anywhere you'd like. You know that. [ a softer pause, and he sighs. ] What brought this on? We haven't discussed running away in quite some time.

[ not since he'd proposed to him, he thinks. ]