[ jaejin eases back against the cushion of the seat once vie pulls his hand away, relief washing over him immediately despite the loss of contact and space between them. he wraps his arms around himself, careful and in a way that lets him try and take stock of how bad the damage is before the rest of the adrenaline wears off. it's what leads him to shake his head at vie's question.

there are so many other places he'd rather go than brave a doctor right now — even an amber approved doctor. ]

Please don't apologize. [ looking back at vie again, he knows his expression softens regardless of what he wants, maybe even crumbles around the edges. ] I'm not sure I could have gotten us out of that alley. I had trouble enough getting out of the club.

[ and if vie hadn't come to fetch him, he's sure he'd be dead in that alley right now. ]

I should have been smarter about it, but I let him bait me. I shouldn't have fallen for it. I'm sorry I put you in that position.