[ it takes a lot of restraint not to lean into the way he touches him. his elbow, of all things. jaejin's fingers graze his damned elbow, and there's a desperation that fills him, muted by the way jaejin continues the conversation like nothing else is more important than that. maybe it isn't. maybe he's just too lost in his own head to see what he really needs to focus on, and he's a little frustrated with himself that it's come to this. their relationship feels scattered and broken, and he has to try to do something about it. ]

That's not what I'm worried about, [ he murmurs, almost too quiet, and then, he shifts a bit on the counter to angle himself towards jaejin. ] I don't know if killing him is going to make any of this better, but doing it alone is too risky. At least, if I'm there, I could distract him. I'm not – [ the frustration is there again, curling tight around his throat. ] I'm not completely helpless. I want him dead just as much as you do. I promise I do. But if something happens to you, I could never forgive myself.

[ vie reaches out then, gripping lightly at his forearm. ]

My feelings for you haven't changed. You are not some person in my life who's disposable. I need you.