[ it's said with fondness, humming under his breath with the music just before it ends and shifts into something else. the lack of intimacy in the song doesn't go unnoticed, but vie doesn't wish to part from him just yet, enjoying the closeness and the way all of this makes him feel. if only jaejin had been part of the amber house. if only he'd met and married him instead, though that might have led to far more different struggles than the ones they face now. still, it's nice to dream, and all he can do is nod at his request.
he's too in love, and that feeling is going to cloud his judgment if he lets it. ]
After this is over. [ a breath, and he parts from him slowly. ] I promise.
[ vie's smile, then, is stern and much too hard to really be directed at jaejin, glancing behind him ever so slightly at whoever approaches to flock to jaejin. it only gives them a brief window of time before he needs to depart, and he steps in close so he can murmur in his ear with more purpose than before. ]
[ it's such a frightening thing and jaejin willfully ignores the way his heart painfully lurches in his chest in favor of nodding, giving vie a tight smile before they untangle from each other — before he leaves to do what he needs to do. if jaejin's eyes linger on him for a beat too long, he hopes it isn't too noticeable, his gaze flickering to the people he was looking at before, shifting to take them in.
the smile he gives them is far more shallow, surface deep and slight, never quite reaching his eyes. he doesn't recognize a soul among them and there isn't anything surprising about that, but he knows that even if vie doesn't often attend these parties, it's surely with his husband when he does. but any questions about him are so easily diverted, even if they still circle back around to them.
he isn't so blind as to not see what it looks like, the two of them. a few light touches to an arm or two and a coy tone only encourages that. besides, it's only for an evening, only for as long as it takes vie to safely kill the man he has his sights on. ]
[ he does his best not to make a scene, even going so far as to stop at the edge of the dance floor and gesture vaguely in jaejin's direction when someone inquires after him. it's not what he wants, but they'd discussed it beforehand, hoping that it doesn't take long to do what he'd planned.
his target, a fool like all the rest, had always harbored a strange fascination with him. perhaps because he's amber, or perhaps because, deep down, they're the same. dragon doesn't hesitate to allow him into his private party, encouraging him to have a seat, to mingle. vie truly cares little for this, but he plays his part perfectly—as always. he talks and touches dragon's thigh, leans too close so he can whisper into his ear. just before he's worn out his welcome, he turns his head to press his lips to his jaw, the corner of his mouth, and then, he's excusing himself for some air.
he wipes away the gloss he'd applied shortly before entering the room with the handkerchief in his pocket and meets with jaejin in the hall. vie's hands shake as he reaches into jaejin's jacket for the vial he'd tucked in there, drinking it quickly and then resting his forehead against his shoulder. this poison would work quickly but not in a way that would seem suspicious to anyone at this party. he sighs. ]
How many of them want you in their bed? [ a soft tease, whispering to him in the quiet of the corridor. ]
[ jaejin doesn't like touching people, not so nonchalantly, not when it isn't for work when he needs to take what he's been told to. he does his best to mingle, to offer polite smiles at questions he doesn't want to answer and hope it comes off as teasing more than anything else, like he's some great enigma they should want to unwrap. it frays near the end, when the too light touches become things he shyly eases away from, when he struggles to push the confidence he needs to the forefront, thinking back to his boss.
this isn't anything like a club, really. he didn't expect it to be. clubs are simple to navigate, simple to lose people he doesn't crave the attention of in.
finally, he makes a show of thanking them for their company, speaking in dramatic length with a smile about how lonely he would have been otherwise, and refusing any offers of talking with whoever would like to later, much more intimately. when he slips away into the hallway, he doesn't have to wait too long for vie, letting him take what he needs to from his pocket as he relaxes considerably. ]
A handful. [ he knows the looks, has always known the looks, but he's more concerned with vie. he brushes his hand against his in something of a fleeting touch, needing the brief contact even with him resting against his shoulder. ] Are you alright?
[ a handful, he thinks. no, that isn't right. he'll surely hear about it tomorrow when sunni decides to flounce his way into his presence, frowning at the thought and forgetting that he shouldn't chase after jaejin's touch no matter how much he might want it right now. it's comforting enough that it quells the slight tremor still in his hands, and he leans back, offering him what he hopes is a reassuring smile. whatever else happens tonight, at least the difficult part is out of the way now. ]
Yes. [ not a lie. ] The poison will take some time to completely leave my system, so I'm sorry for that. But he'll be dead by morning.
[ he wants it to be placating, but vie can't be convinced that it is. what he hopes hinges on others seeking dragon's company, wondering what little tart might have crawled into his lap after he'd gone. it's an absent thing, tilting his head to admire jaejin's beauty once more. this is what he would like to focus on, his gorgeous lover who's risking far too much by being here, but they still have some work to do.
vie reaches out, steadying his hands by gently smoothing jaejin's lapel. ]
Would you like to dance again? [ maybe not after having done it with everyone in the room. ] Or we could step out for some air. There's a private balcony just behind us.
[ vie's smile isn't as reassuring as it should be, especially not paired with the apology, but he's presence is more than enough. as needy as it night be, jaejin thinks that if they can somehow stay within arm's reach of each other for the rest of the evening, everything will be okay. there's nothing particularly intelligent about the thought. he lets his attention linger on him, tries not to think about what he puts himself through to achieve his goals.
something about it always breaks his heart, piece by piece. ]
Air. Let's get you some air before we sink back into the deep end. [ his tone is soft, gentle. he doesn't bother smothering the small smile that curves his lips courtesy of vie's touch. ] We can dance again after we've taken a moment.
[ after he's had that moment to really ensure vie is just fine, even if he's not able to touch him like he might if they were truly alone. it doesn't stop him from reaching out to curve a palm over vie's elbow, more of a casual touch to guide him to that balcony he mentioned. ]
[ he thinks it's charming and sweet that jaejin does this for him. vie knows he doesn't have to, watching him the entire thirty second trip to the balcony doors and even as they step out onto the veranda. this is something he could never tire of, wishing he had more than words to compliment him. he'll have to take the time later to ask how he really felt this entire time, unable to perceive the pieces that might tell him how uncomfortable he is or how much he dislikes the atmosphere. there's something quiet about parties like this that vie has found himself seeking from time to time, but he's had years to grow accustomed to things like this.
vie wishes he could protect jaejin from all of it. ]
I would like to leave, [ he admits once they reach the railing and he can lean against it. the view from this high is both beautiful and terrifying. ] But there's etiquette to everything here. We should stay for another hour, at least.
[ he glances at jaejin and smiles, this time genuine despite the slow pull of his mouth. ]
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[ it's said with fondness, humming under his breath with the music just before it ends and shifts into something else. the lack of intimacy in the song doesn't go unnoticed, but vie doesn't wish to part from him just yet, enjoying the closeness and the way all of this makes him feel. if only jaejin had been part of the amber house. if only he'd met and married him instead, though that might have led to far more different struggles than the ones they face now. still, it's nice to dream, and all he can do is nod at his request.
he's too in love, and that feeling is going to cloud his judgment if he lets it. ]
After this is over. [ a breath, and he parts from him slowly. ] I promise.
[ vie's smile, then, is stern and much too hard to really be directed at jaejin, glancing behind him ever so slightly at whoever approaches to flock to jaejin. it only gives them a brief window of time before he needs to depart, and he steps in close so he can murmur in his ear with more purpose than before. ]
If you need an exit, call me. I'll see you soon.
no subject
[ it's such a frightening thing and jaejin willfully ignores the way his heart painfully lurches in his chest in favor of nodding, giving vie a tight smile before they untangle from each other — before he leaves to do what he needs to do. if jaejin's eyes linger on him for a beat too long, he hopes it isn't too noticeable, his gaze flickering to the people he was looking at before, shifting to take them in.
the smile he gives them is far more shallow, surface deep and slight, never quite reaching his eyes. he doesn't recognize a soul among them and there isn't anything surprising about that, but he knows that even if vie doesn't often attend these parties, it's surely with his husband when he does. but any questions about him are so easily diverted, even if they still circle back around to them.
he isn't so blind as to not see what it looks like, the two of them. a few light touches to an arm or two and a coy tone only encourages that. besides, it's only for an evening, only for as long as it takes vie to safely kill the man he has his sights on. ]
no subject
his target, a fool like all the rest, had always harbored a strange fascination with him. perhaps because he's amber, or perhaps because, deep down, they're the same. dragon doesn't hesitate to allow him into his private party, encouraging him to have a seat, to mingle. vie truly cares little for this, but he plays his part perfectly—as always. he talks and touches dragon's thigh, leans too close so he can whisper into his ear. just before he's worn out his welcome, he turns his head to press his lips to his jaw, the corner of his mouth, and then, he's excusing himself for some air.
he wipes away the gloss he'd applied shortly before entering the room with the handkerchief in his pocket and meets with jaejin in the hall. vie's hands shake as he reaches into jaejin's jacket for the vial he'd tucked in there, drinking it quickly and then resting his forehead against his shoulder. this poison would work quickly but not in a way that would seem suspicious to anyone at this party. he sighs. ]
How many of them want you in their bed? [ a soft tease, whispering to him in the quiet of the corridor. ]
no subject
this isn't anything like a club, really. he didn't expect it to be. clubs are simple to navigate, simple to lose people he doesn't crave the attention of in.
finally, he makes a show of thanking them for their company, speaking in dramatic length with a smile about how lonely he would have been otherwise, and refusing any offers of talking with whoever would like to later, much more intimately. when he slips away into the hallway, he doesn't have to wait too long for vie, letting him take what he needs to from his pocket as he relaxes considerably. ]
A handful. [ he knows the looks, has always known the looks, but he's more concerned with vie. he brushes his hand against his in something of a fleeting touch, needing the brief contact even with him resting against his shoulder. ] Are you alright?
no subject
Yes. [ not a lie. ] The poison will take some time to completely leave my system, so I'm sorry for that. But he'll be dead by morning.
[ he wants it to be placating, but vie can't be convinced that it is. what he hopes hinges on others seeking dragon's company, wondering what little tart might have crawled into his lap after he'd gone. it's an absent thing, tilting his head to admire jaejin's beauty once more. this is what he would like to focus on, his gorgeous lover who's risking far too much by being here, but they still have some work to do.
vie reaches out, steadying his hands by gently smoothing jaejin's lapel. ]
Would you like to dance again? [ maybe not after having done it with everyone in the room. ] Or we could step out for some air. There's a private balcony just behind us.
no subject
[ vie's smile isn't as reassuring as it should be, especially not paired with the apology, but he's presence is more than enough. as needy as it night be, jaejin thinks that if they can somehow stay within arm's reach of each other for the rest of the evening, everything will be okay. there's nothing particularly intelligent about the thought. he lets his attention linger on him, tries not to think about what he puts himself through to achieve his goals.
something about it always breaks his heart, piece by piece. ]
Air. Let's get you some air before we sink back into the deep end. [ his tone is soft, gentle. he doesn't bother smothering the small smile that curves his lips courtesy of vie's touch. ] We can dance again after we've taken a moment.
[ after he's had that moment to really ensure vie is just fine, even if he's not able to touch him like he might if they were truly alone. it doesn't stop him from reaching out to curve a palm over vie's elbow, more of a casual touch to guide him to that balcony he mentioned. ]
no subject
vie wishes he could protect jaejin from all of it. ]
I would like to leave, [ he admits once they reach the railing and he can lean against it. the view from this high is both beautiful and terrifying. ] But there's etiquette to everything here. We should stay for another hour, at least.
[ he glances at jaejin and smiles, this time genuine despite the slow pull of his mouth. ]
You did wonderfully tonight. Thank you.