[ as soon as jaejin says it, he knows it isn't true. he owes him so much that he's lost count of exactly what, and if vie tried to bring it up, it wouldn't gain much traction. especially not with the way jaejin has been carefully dodging his questions and trying to turn it back around towards him, as if he would ever want to willingly discuss chul and this situation he's gotten himself into. but there's something else more important than that staring at him, and slowly, carefully, he pulls his hand free so he can use it to lean back against the counter.

once again, it hurts. a raw wound pulled open that's never going to heal. ]

Part of what? [ there's a slight edge to his words. ] Part of being with me? Because you believe you have to kill someone to make me happy? Or is it because you think I want more than being with you? [ he needs clarification, needs to stop feeling confused with all of these half-answers. ] I know... I know I did the wrong thing. I know I made a mistake by not leaving with you, but it doesn't mean I want everything to stop being the way it was.

[ he reaches for jaejin then, taking his hand once more and drawing himself close enough that he can flatten it against his chest. ]

Even if you think the worst of me, I'm still yours. I will only ever be yours.