[ it's a lot to take in, and even the kiss jaejin gives him seems so distant now in comparison. how had he not known about this? perhaps he'd never really asked, not exactly. how they had met, what jaejin was doing before this. what he was doing now. none of that had mattered to vie, and now, it's like a jarring part of who they had been together, history there that he might never get back. it's also something that jaejin doesn't have any recollection of doing, trying to think back to a time he should know and feeling the beginnings of a headache creep up behind his eyes.

he holds onto jaejin for a moment, trying to steady himself, and then, he takes a step back, slipping his hand down to grasp his wrist and navigate him towards the sofa. after rearranging the cushions, he sits and draws jaejin with him so they can both sit comfortably. and talk, hopefully. it's much easier than trying to force himself to remember and potentially passing out. at least, this way, he can touch jaejin as much as possible without crawling on top of him. ]

I wish I could tell you what happened that day, Jaejin. I wish I could tell you a lot of things that I must know some place in my mind. [ he wants to ask if they've talked about this before, to some degree, but he pushes that thought aside. ] But wishing for those things isn't going to help what's going on now. If someone is looking to hurt either of us or even kill us – I don't know. It would make sense to stay together. I wouldn't have to worry then.

[ but vie knows himself, and he will worry regardless. his ambitions suddenly seem minuscule in comparison, which prompts him to wonder if they'd even mattered that much since he'd met jaejin. vie draws jaejin's hand in, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. ]

You said you wanted to work alone, but that will only give those responsible a more accessible target.