[ he's grateful that they're trying to be honest with one another, at least. as slow as it is, vie can piece together some things that become clearer the longer he thinks about it, and when he looks at jaejin, he thinks he really sees him for the first time. how had he missed this? how had he never realized that everything boiled down to something that seemed so simple? it makes his chest hurt, and he squeezes his fingers around jaejin's wrists, refusing to let go of him. ]

Talking is the only way I know how to understand what's going on. [ so of course it doesn't defeat the purpose. ] And with you – I want to take care of you. I want to help you the same way you've been trying to help me. I just don't know where to start. [ though jaejin's already offered some honesty, and vie's glad for it, loosening a hand to lightly caress the length of his forearm. ] Could you try? I mean, not right now. But while we're here, could you try asking? It doesn't matter what it is.

[ he could care less about the content of the request. as long as jaejin's willing to communicate with him, they could work through this. maybe they could even get back to the place they'd been before all of this. it's that hope he'll cling to, knowing he shouldn't press too much all at once or risk backtracking too far to recover. ]