[ he wants to hold onto him, and it hurts when he realizes he can't. jaejin pulls away, and vie lets him, unsure what to do with his hands once they're not touching. he rests them on his thighs and then tucks them under his arms like it will help keep him from falling apart. it's probably for the best they don't talk about this when they're so close, but it pains him nonetheless, turning his head away to look across the opposite side of the apartment. it feels empty the same way he feels empty. ]

I could – [ vie swallows again, trying to clear his throat. he doesn't want to do this. he doesn't want jaejin anywhere near chul. ] I could introduce you. Or arrange it, I suppose. Sometimes he likes to... well, that part doesn't matter. But at least you wouldn't be alone in the room with him.

[ as if that makes any of this better. he tries to look back at him. ]

You don't have to do this for me. I could do it myself. [ if he wasn't a coward. ]