[ even if he hadn't been attuned to jaejin's body language, he would have picked up on such obvious discomfort. maybe he should have asked what had happened, which is right on the tip of his tongue when jaejin thanks him. there's only the slightest shake of his head in response, easing up on his hold so he doesn't continue to hurt him. ]
You don't have to thank me. I would come regardless of the hour. [ a soft pause, and vie stops short of the mouth of the alley. ] Jaejin —
[ he's cut off by the sound of someone making a vulgar comment, the shadows of two men rounding the outside and pushing them back in towards the alley. vie doesn't get a good look at their faces, but it really doesn't matter considering the exchange between them is short.
it's been a long time, but vie knows what this is. either they've come to finish the job from the club or rob them, and he grits his teeth in an effort to keep calm. turning to jaejin, he murmurs a soft reassurance that's cut from him when the man to his left grabs his hood and jerks him backwards. the unexpected weight nearly chokes him, stumbling with it, but it doesn't slow him down, baring his teeth as he lashes out and punches his attacker hard in the nose. he feels the give, the break, and still, he doesn't stop. there's no time. vie grips a fistful of his hair and knees him hard enough in the head that he crumples, immediately sidestepping the swing that comes at him from his peripheral.
he yanks the man's arm and twists it, instinctively going for his free hand. vie nearly cuts his palm on the knife he holds, but another hard twist while kicking at the back of his knees and the second assailant hits the ground. he brings the blade up into the soft part of the other's throat, pushing in so it keeps him from struggling too much. ]
Tell whoever it is you work for not to touch Jaejin again. If they do – [ vie purposely drags the sharp edge up into their jaw, cutting into flesh until blood runs. ] They will regret every moment of it. [ he shoves the stranger forward and uses the momentum to put his foot into their back, stepping over him to get to jaejin. there's little eye contact as he takes his hand and urges him to follow, out of the alley and to his car. ] Hurry. There might be more.
[ and while two isn't a large number, he's very much out of practice and can already feel it. ]
[ the moment vie gets yanked away is so jarring that jaejin doesn't even think his heart has time to anticipate the way it drops into the pit of his stomach, fear lancing through him immediately. it happens so quickly though, and he's never seen vie like this, so utterly in control of the situation in a way it's unlikely he himself could ever be. he remembers vie describing himself as feral once, how he'd smiled at it, fond.
now he's so inexplicably grateful for every ounce of fight vie has in him because if it were up to him, he isn't sure the two of them would make it out of the alley alive. the knowledge of it digs its claws in, even as he releases a stuttered breath while watching vie with the knife.
no matter how he parses it, he has a lot of questions and every one of them is complicated.
but he doesn't hesitate at vie's urging, pushing through the pain that seems more like background noise for the moment to follow him to the car. he knows once his pulse stops its rampage in his ears that the pain will replace it again. when they reach his car, he still pauses at the passenger's side to make sure vie makes it in before him, following soon after. once inside, he's twisting with a harsh breath to reach for the palm vie almost cut on the knife, checking it. ]
[ the walk back to the car is surprising quick despite jaejin's injuries, and it takes vie a moment too long to realize he's still holding the knife. he drops it before he slides in behind the wheel, feeling himself warm just slightly at jaejin's concern. perhaps he should give him a chance to acclimate, but there really isn't time when they're sitting in front of a club where he'd just assaulted two of its patrons. so, despite jaejin's hold on his hand, vie uses his other to start the ignition. ]
You don't have to worry. They didn't hurt me. [ gently, he pulls his fingers free to place them on the steering wheel. ] Do you need a doctor? I know someone who could help you if you think you do.
[ the perks of being an amber, as always. it's never usually wise for any of them to set foot in a hospital unless absolutely necessary, and by the extent of the damage that had been done for the information jaejin now possessed, vie doubted he would agree to go anyhow. he focuses on where they're going, only turning just enough to look at jaejin when they're at a light. ]
I'm sorry. [ it's almost strained, unsure what to do now. ] I didn't want them to touch you.
[ 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.
[ he doesn't have long to look at him, driving on and following the road in the direction towards his condo before thinking better of it. deviating, he drives to their new apartment instead. it'd be safer there, and he makes a mental note to message someone about delivering first-aid to the doorstep after they arrive. ]
If I'm not allowed to apologize, neither are you. It happened. You don't need to explain or justify it to me, Jaejin. [ vie, for the most part, is surprisingly calm. ] It isn't the first time I've been involved in something like that. I have to say – it's been a while. Years. But I have done worse than threaten a couple of fools in an alley.
[ his past before he'd become an amber is drenched in blood and sweat and some of his own tears. which has him wondering how much he's told jaejin of his life on the streets, of yves. there's a deep pang at the thought of his old friend, but he dismisses it, putting the car in park and pausing for a moment to reach over and rest his hand on jaejin's thigh. he hopes it's comforting, still a little keyed up on the events of the evening. ]
I meant what I said, though. No one is going to touch you.
[ the evening might have been a disaster, but even listening to vie now, jaejin knows the pros far outweigh the cons. he's sure he wouldn't be singing the same tune if he'd been left to his own devices. but with a frown tugging at the corner of his lips, he can't decide if vie is right in that he can't apologize. ]
I still started it. [ and he realizes how childish that sounds, sighing. even with that said, he knows if he had to make that choice again, he would still ask vie for help. he wonders if this is what it means to rely on each other, putting the other in harm's way. the fear from before is still there, just under his skin, but it's far quieter now. ] You surprised me, if I'm being honest. I knew you could handle yourself, but I was still worried for you.
[ letting his gaze stray to vie's hand on his thigh, he tries for a tentative smile, quiet and understated. he can feel the ache setting in already. he knows he'll be in a lot of pain sooner rather than later. ]
And you are the only one allowed to. [ even if that lacks the tease it was meant to have. even if vie hadn't meant it, he's positive he convinced them just fine. ]
[ he can understand that, at least. the worry had been equally mutual, pausing only a moment to send a message about that first-aid before giving jaejin's thigh a gentle squeeze. vie wants it to feel like reassurance, that he doesn't blame him for what had happened and only wishes he could see the positives that have come from this. perhaps it's too difficult now, with everything so fresh, and vie wonders what will happen since there's more information than what they'd had yesterday. ]
You only have to trust me. [ it feels reminiscent of a conversation they'd had before. ] Everything will be alright as long as we lean on one another. So let me help you.
[ which he takes as a cue to exit the car and move around to jaejin's side, opening the door and offering a hand to him. he can feel how tired he is now, but the concern for jaejin is still a higher priority, wanting to get jaejin inside so he can inspect and tend to him. it certainly won't be as thorough as an actual doctor, though he doubts that really matters right now. ]
Tell me what happened while we go inside. It's not far. [ as if he needs to convince him. ]
[ jaejin wants to believe vie when he says everything will be alright, he needs to, in some jarringly vital way. he already trusts him with more than he ought to verbally admit to, more than vie really knows, and the hand on his thigh is greater than just reassurance — it's a gentle point of contact he can steady himself on. even without his memories of him, he's still such a grounding point.
looking away from vie when he gets out of the car, he takes a moment to get an idea of where they are, too caught up in everything before to really do so. it's not difficult to recognize their temporary apartment, even if he wonders if they can really make a home together there. when vie opens his door and his gaze flits to him instead, he decides it doesn't really matter where he tries to unwind because the man holding his hand out to him is his home regardless. ]
They didn't tell me who, they just said he knows about what happened with my old employer and about what happened on my last job. He knows about Busan and has been talking about it. [ in their circle anyway, but it's said once he takes vie's hand and eases out of the car, closing the door behind him. he's a little slower this time, the adrenaline from before having checked out for the night. he tries to be careful about it. ] I guess I've met him before. It doesn't seem like I made a good impression. He's apparently followed us for a good while now.
[ which is very clearly an understatement. jaejin doesn't think the man has been able to get very close to anything amber related, not in a consistent way. but his apartments, both old and new, and everywhere else is likely fair game. he doesn't look at vie, feels the slow creep of guilt. it may not be worth it to go into how and why he got so easily baited, so he doesn't in an attempt to let it go. ]
I still don't quite understand how he got to you. He shouldn't have been able to. It doesn't matter if he memorized your schedule or not.
[ he doesn't know how to help him other than guide him forward, taking his hand and staying close despite how slow the walk might be. once they get inside and reach the elevators, it would be a lot easier. then, perhaps, jaejin would let him see the damage of exactly what had happened.
but the entire time jaejin speaks, he's silent. he listens and tries to make a connecting point to any of the things he says and finds nothing really makes sense. why would it? it's not as if he remembers the details of those nights, and he certainly doesn't recall the face of jaejin's boss—alive or dead. vie can't even bring himself to ask what it was he did for him, though he assumes it had something to do with his ability to alter memories. it's something that's sat with him since he'd learned about it, conscious of why jaejin must be hurt by this and what it's doing to him. of course, he couldn't have done this to vie; so, someone else having done it makes it even more tragic. he props the door open with his foot, fingers tightening around jaejin's slightly. ]
If they're skilled enough, it wouldn't take much from a distance. But given how erratic my schedule is, maybe you're right. Perhaps it's someone who already works in the Amber House. Or has connections there. [ which is another thought entirely, guiding him along but never straying too far. ] It's something to consider. We can figure it out.
[ but right now? his main priority is taking care of jaejin, and finally at the elevator, vie gently eases his arm around him as they wait for the doors to open. ]
Why didn't you wait for me? We could have gone together.
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no subject
You don't have to thank me. I would come regardless of the hour. [ a soft pause, and vie stops short of the mouth of the alley. ] Jaejin —
[ he's cut off by the sound of someone making a vulgar comment, the shadows of two men rounding the outside and pushing them back in towards the alley. vie doesn't get a good look at their faces, but it really doesn't matter considering the exchange between them is short.
it's been a long time, but vie knows what this is. either they've come to finish the job from the club or rob them, and he grits his teeth in an effort to keep calm. turning to jaejin, he murmurs a soft reassurance that's cut from him when the man to his left grabs his hood and jerks him backwards. the unexpected weight nearly chokes him, stumbling with it, but it doesn't slow him down, baring his teeth as he lashes out and punches his attacker hard in the nose. he feels the give, the break, and still, he doesn't stop. there's no time. vie grips a fistful of his hair and knees him hard enough in the head that he crumples, immediately sidestepping the swing that comes at him from his peripheral.
he yanks the man's arm and twists it, instinctively going for his free hand. vie nearly cuts his palm on the knife he holds, but another hard twist while kicking at the back of his knees and the second assailant hits the ground. he brings the blade up into the soft part of the other's throat, pushing in so it keeps him from struggling too much. ]
Tell whoever it is you work for not to touch Jaejin again. If they do – [ vie purposely drags the sharp edge up into their jaw, cutting into flesh until blood runs. ] They will regret every moment of it. [ he shoves the stranger forward and uses the momentum to put his foot into their back, stepping over him to get to jaejin. there's little eye contact as he takes his hand and urges him to follow, out of the alley and to his car. ] Hurry. There might be more.
[ and while two isn't a large number, he's very much out of practice and can already feel it. ]
no subject
now he's so inexplicably grateful for every ounce of fight vie has in him because if it were up to him, he isn't sure the two of them would make it out of the alley alive. the knowledge of it digs its claws in, even as he releases a stuttered breath while watching vie with the knife.
no matter how he parses it, he has a lot of questions and every one of them is complicated.
but he doesn't hesitate at vie's urging, pushing through the pain that seems more like background noise for the moment to follow him to the car. he knows once his pulse stops its rampage in his ears that the pain will replace it again. when they reach his car, he still pauses at the passenger's side to make sure vie makes it in before him, following soon after. once inside, he's twisting with a harsh breath to reach for the palm vie almost cut on the knife, checking it. ]
Are you hurt? Are you okay?
no subject
You don't have to worry. They didn't hurt me. [ gently, he pulls his fingers free to place them on the steering wheel. ] Do you need a doctor? I know someone who could help you if you think you do.
[ the perks of being an amber, as always. it's never usually wise for any of them to set foot in a hospital unless absolutely necessary, and by the extent of the damage that had been done for the information jaejin now possessed, vie doubted he would agree to go anyhow. he focuses on where they're going, only turning just enough to look at jaejin when they're at a light. ]
I'm sorry. [ it's almost strained, unsure what to do now. ] I didn't want them to touch you.
no subject
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.
no subject
If I'm not allowed to apologize, neither are you. It happened. You don't need to explain or justify it to me, Jaejin. [ vie, for the most part, is surprisingly calm. ] It isn't the first time I've been involved in something like that. I have to say – it's been a while. Years. But I have done worse than threaten a couple of fools in an alley.
[ his past before he'd become an amber is drenched in blood and sweat and some of his own tears. which has him wondering how much he's told jaejin of his life on the streets, of yves. there's a deep pang at the thought of his old friend, but he dismisses it, putting the car in park and pausing for a moment to reach over and rest his hand on jaejin's thigh. he hopes it's comforting, still a little keyed up on the events of the evening. ]
I meant what I said, though. No one is going to touch you.
no subject
I still started it. [ and he realizes how childish that sounds, sighing. even with that said, he knows if he had to make that choice again, he would still ask vie for help. he wonders if this is what it means to rely on each other, putting the other in harm's way. the fear from before is still there, just under his skin, but it's far quieter now. ] You surprised me, if I'm being honest. I knew you could handle yourself, but I was still worried for you.
[ letting his gaze stray to vie's hand on his thigh, he tries for a tentative smile, quiet and understated. he can feel the ache setting in already. he knows he'll be in a lot of pain sooner rather than later. ]
And you are the only one allowed to. [ even if that lacks the tease it was meant to have. even if vie hadn't meant it, he's positive he convinced them just fine. ]
no subject
You only have to trust me. [ it feels reminiscent of a conversation they'd had before. ] Everything will be alright as long as we lean on one another. So let me help you.
[ which he takes as a cue to exit the car and move around to jaejin's side, opening the door and offering a hand to him. he can feel how tired he is now, but the concern for jaejin is still a higher priority, wanting to get jaejin inside so he can inspect and tend to him. it certainly won't be as thorough as an actual doctor, though he doubts that really matters right now. ]
Tell me what happened while we go inside. It's not far. [ as if he needs to convince him. ]
no subject
looking away from vie when he gets out of the car, he takes a moment to get an idea of where they are, too caught up in everything before to really do so. it's not difficult to recognize their temporary apartment, even if he wonders if they can really make a home together there. when vie opens his door and his gaze flits to him instead, he decides it doesn't really matter where he tries to unwind because the man holding his hand out to him is his home regardless. ]
They didn't tell me who, they just said he knows about what happened with my old employer and about what happened on my last job. He knows about Busan and has been talking about it. [ in their circle anyway, but it's said once he takes vie's hand and eases out of the car, closing the door behind him. he's a little slower this time, the adrenaline from before having checked out for the night. he tries to be careful about it. ] I guess I've met him before. It doesn't seem like I made a good impression. He's apparently followed us for a good while now.
[ which is very clearly an understatement. jaejin doesn't think the man has been able to get very close to anything amber related, not in a consistent way. but his apartments, both old and new, and everywhere else is likely fair game. he doesn't look at vie, feels the slow creep of guilt. it may not be worth it to go into how and why he got so easily baited, so he doesn't in an attempt to let it go. ]
I still don't quite understand how he got to you. He shouldn't have been able to. It doesn't matter if he memorized your schedule or not.
no subject
but the entire time jaejin speaks, he's silent. he listens and tries to make a connecting point to any of the things he says and finds nothing really makes sense. why would it? it's not as if he remembers the details of those nights, and he certainly doesn't recall the face of jaejin's boss—alive or dead. vie can't even bring himself to ask what it was he did for him, though he assumes it had something to do with his ability to alter memories. it's something that's sat with him since he'd learned about it, conscious of why jaejin must be hurt by this and what it's doing to him. of course, he couldn't have done this to vie; so, someone else having done it makes it even more tragic. he props the door open with his foot, fingers tightening around jaejin's slightly. ]
If they're skilled enough, it wouldn't take much from a distance. But given how erratic my schedule is, maybe you're right. Perhaps it's someone who already works in the Amber House. Or has connections there. [ which is another thought entirely, guiding him along but never straying too far. ] It's something to consider. We can figure it out.
[ but right now? his main priority is taking care of jaejin, and finally at the elevator, vie gently eases his arm around him as they wait for the doors to open. ]
Why didn't you wait for me? We could have gone together.