[ when they arrive at the party, jaejin realizes very quickly that he's underestimated what it might really be like. vie had done his best to go over the finer details, but the reality of it is edging overwhelming. his boss had made a handful of minor appearances at much smaller parties, but he'd never gone with him, always put aside to work in a quieter, unnoticeable manner. it worked in his favor if only because he isn't one to enjoy drawing focus.
this is much more than that.
his attention keeps sliding to vie, to take him in as he's fully in what element he's spent years crafting for himself. however expensive he thought he looked before is null and void now and he's stunning, in all honesty. no doubt he's the most beautiful person here.
he's taken out of his thoughts when vie turns to him, taking the offered cup. the smile he gives him in return is much more sheepish and he ducks his head to keep himself from leaning into vie's touch, his heart hiccupping in his chest. ]
You make them sound like animals. [ a quiet enough tease, but he flicks his gaze to the rest of the guests, pressing his lips together and tapping one finger against the side of the cup. ] How often do you go to parties like this? I'm not sure how you manage it.
[ there's the slightest lift of his shoulders—more shrug than anything. ]
Many of them are. If you look at them the wrong way or speak too loudly – [ vie's expression softens considerably, stepping even closer so he can gently tap the rim of their cups together. ] But they're easy to navigate if you know how.
[ it doesn't mean he's going to show him because, frankly, vie doesn't even like the idea of involving jaejin in this sort of lifestyle. he'd rather not remain in it for long either, considering what they'd talked about before, and he allows it to marinate as he sips his drink and casually glances over jaejin's shoulder at the people mingling together at the far end of the room. some of them have their attention turned to him and jaejin, a thing that amuses him more than annoys him.
his eyes meet jaejin's with warmth. ]
Not so often these days. I don't think I did as well as I should have in the beginning. [ there's a purposeful pause. ] Would you like to dance with me?
[ vie steps closer still and jaejin is more than happy to keep his attention on him instead of anything else. there are things he was raised to do that he's trying to keep himself from doing lest he ruin the moment — clocking every exit at the party among them. he's not exceptionally shy in public places, truly, but work oriented things have a way of keeping him a livewire. ]
Only minute differences, then.
[ but he hums, quiet in an attempt to smother a small smile. when he takes a sip of the drink, it's only the one sip. he isn't terribly concerned with anyone here, save for vie and the man he'd like to murder this evening. he has no interest in learning to navigate the other guests, either. it helps.
when their eyes meet and his smile widens despite his efforts, he has something relatively clever as a response primed to the idea vie might not have blended so well at these things in the beginning, but it withers at the question. ]
Of course. [ and he reaches out, something closer to a private smile for vie making an appearance as he trails fingers down the curve of his jacket's lapel. ] You did want to incite some jealousy, didn't you?
[ the slightest flick of his eyes, and he knows people are already whispering. it doesn't help that jaejin moves in to touch him, teasing at his jacket and warming him with his voice. if they'd been alone, he wouldn't have hesitated to lean forward and kiss him. it had been nearly impossible to keep his hands to himself when they'd been in the car together, but now? like this?
he does his best to keep his composure as he nods. ]
Having you in my arms will certainly incite something, [ he murmurs, reaching to take jaejin's wrist before abandoning his drink on the tray of a server that walks by. he encourages jaejin to do the same. ] Come with me, my darling. I'll show you the steps.
[ it isn't a long walk to the dance floor, guiding jaejin when he picks the cue from the music. the song is somewhat slow, more romantic and intimate than anything, and though there aren't many people engaged, vie only attunes himself to jaejin and the way their bodies move together. he guides him slowly, arm curling around his waist to hold him close. closer. they're so close that their chests touch, and vie dips forward to murmur in jaejin's ear. ]
I know I've told you how good you look, but you truly are breathtaking. I should dress you like this more often.
[ vie always makes it easy to follow his lead and jaejin abandons his drink along with his, letting him guide him to the dance floor. it's likely he should have more reservations about this, about being so close to him in a setting like this. about being here with him, even. they've tried to be careful and this is really anything but, unsteady ground growing more uneven with each passing glance they attract.
it dissipates when vie pulls him close and they begin to move along with the music, jaejin very quickly realizing that he's a sucker and he's in love and all he can do is hope this doesn't land them in too much trouble. the hand he rests on vie's shoulder is very deliberate, cautious, but he loosens soon enough, falling into step with him. ]
It'll get tiresome for you if you do it more often. Besides, you shouldn't spoil me too much. A treat is still a treat. [ because he has to tease, albeit gently, if only to shake off the shudder that crawls through him from vie speaking into his ear in a place so public. ] I highly doubt I even compare to the man I'm supposed to complement, anyway.
[ what he wants, more than anything, is to drive home the idea that vie doesn't belong to the amber house. he doesn't belong to sunni, even if they're bound in a contract, and as long as he's with jaejin, his heart doesn't belong to anyone but him.
it's a simple conclusion with a lot more complications to it than he could have ever imagined, nuzzling into the warmth of jaejin's temple as they take another few steps together and fall into an easy rhythm. if he closes his eyes, he can pretend they're somewhere else for an evening. they're alone enjoying one another's company, the whisper of the people around them nothing more than background noise. he can pretend that jaejin's swept him off his feet somewhere far away from all of this, lips pressing another kiss to the curve of his cheek. he can feel his breath against his mouth and yearns to truly be alone with him. ]
No one in this room sees me but you. You're the attraction of the evening, Jaejin. They don't know who you are.
[ which had been part of the game. besides, after they part ways, jaejin is going to have to do a lot more mingling while vie slips off to complete his mission. ]
Seduce them all as if you mean to take them home. [ leaning close, he grazes a kiss to jaejin's earlobe. ] But tonight, you are only mine.
[ the role he's supposed to play tonight is one unlike any other he's ever been told to, but they'd gone through the motions before the party. it isn't a surprise. being a distraction is something he's fairly confident he can do, especially when it involves keeping vie safe. he has to believe their evening will go to plan, especially while he's wrapped up in him, closing his eyes against the press of him and the gentle rhythm. ]
You say that as if I'm not yours every night. [ matter of fact, but still sighed out. no matter the reason they're here, jaejin wants to remember how this miniscule moment in time feels, when they're just dancing together. when he lets out another breath, he allows himself to indulge in brushing his thumb against the collar of vie's jacket. ] Don't worry. I'm sure I can be charming enough to keep their attention.
[ even if he isn't terribly thrilled with the idea of vie doing it himself. there's trust there, always, playing in the background like the quietest of white noise. opening his eyes again, he looks over vie's shoulder, trying his hardest to hide the overwhelming fondness he feels for the man he's dancing with from prying eyes. it isn't any of their business, in truth. ]
Let's do this again when I can kiss you like I want to. When I can coax smiles from you and you can laugh freely.
[ 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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this is much more than that.
his attention keeps sliding to vie, to take him in as he's fully in what element he's spent years crafting for himself. however expensive he thought he looked before is null and void now and he's stunning, in all honesty. no doubt he's the most beautiful person here.
he's taken out of his thoughts when vie turns to him, taking the offered cup. the smile he gives him in return is much more sheepish and he ducks his head to keep himself from leaning into vie's touch, his heart hiccupping in his chest. ]
You make them sound like animals. [ a quiet enough tease, but he flicks his gaze to the rest of the guests, pressing his lips together and tapping one finger against the side of the cup. ] How often do you go to parties like this? I'm not sure how you manage it.
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Many of them are. If you look at them the wrong way or speak too loudly – [ vie's expression softens considerably, stepping even closer so he can gently tap the rim of their cups together. ] But they're easy to navigate if you know how.
[ it doesn't mean he's going to show him because, frankly, vie doesn't even like the idea of involving jaejin in this sort of lifestyle. he'd rather not remain in it for long either, considering what they'd talked about before, and he allows it to marinate as he sips his drink and casually glances over jaejin's shoulder at the people mingling together at the far end of the room. some of them have their attention turned to him and jaejin, a thing that amuses him more than annoys him.
his eyes meet jaejin's with warmth. ]
Not so often these days. I don't think I did as well as I should have in the beginning. [ there's a purposeful pause. ] Would you like to dance with me?
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Only minute differences, then.
[ but he hums, quiet in an attempt to smother a small smile. when he takes a sip of the drink, it's only the one sip. he isn't terribly concerned with anyone here, save for vie and the man he'd like to murder this evening. he has no interest in learning to navigate the other guests, either. it helps.
when their eyes meet and his smile widens despite his efforts, he has something relatively clever as a response primed to the idea vie might not have blended so well at these things in the beginning, but it withers at the question. ]
Of course. [ and he reaches out, something closer to a private smile for vie making an appearance as he trails fingers down the curve of his jacket's lapel. ] You did want to incite some jealousy, didn't you?
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he does his best to keep his composure as he nods. ]
Having you in my arms will certainly incite something, [ he murmurs, reaching to take jaejin's wrist before abandoning his drink on the tray of a server that walks by. he encourages jaejin to do the same. ] Come with me, my darling. I'll show you the steps.
[ it isn't a long walk to the dance floor, guiding jaejin when he picks the cue from the music. the song is somewhat slow, more romantic and intimate than anything, and though there aren't many people engaged, vie only attunes himself to jaejin and the way their bodies move together. he guides him slowly, arm curling around his waist to hold him close. closer. they're so close that their chests touch, and vie dips forward to murmur in jaejin's ear. ]
I know I've told you how good you look, but you truly are breathtaking. I should dress you like this more often.
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it dissipates when vie pulls him close and they begin to move along with the music, jaejin very quickly realizing that he's a sucker and he's in love and all he can do is hope this doesn't land them in too much trouble. the hand he rests on vie's shoulder is very deliberate, cautious, but he loosens soon enough, falling into step with him. ]
It'll get tiresome for you if you do it more often. Besides, you shouldn't spoil me too much. A treat is still a treat. [ because he has to tease, albeit gently, if only to shake off the shudder that crawls through him from vie speaking into his ear in a place so public. ] I highly doubt I even compare to the man I'm supposed to complement, anyway.
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it's a simple conclusion with a lot more complications to it than he could have ever imagined, nuzzling into the warmth of jaejin's temple as they take another few steps together and fall into an easy rhythm. if he closes his eyes, he can pretend they're somewhere else for an evening. they're alone enjoying one another's company, the whisper of the people around them nothing more than background noise. he can pretend that jaejin's swept him off his feet somewhere far away from all of this, lips pressing another kiss to the curve of his cheek. he can feel his breath against his mouth and yearns to truly be alone with him. ]
No one in this room sees me but you. You're the attraction of the evening, Jaejin. They don't know who you are.
[ which had been part of the game. besides, after they part ways, jaejin is going to have to do a lot more mingling while vie slips off to complete his mission. ]
Seduce them all as if you mean to take them home. [ leaning close, he grazes a kiss to jaejin's earlobe. ] But tonight, you are only mine.
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You say that as if I'm not yours every night. [ matter of fact, but still sighed out. no matter the reason they're here, jaejin wants to remember how this miniscule moment in time feels, when they're just dancing together. when he lets out another breath, he allows himself to indulge in brushing his thumb against the collar of vie's jacket. ] Don't worry. I'm sure I can be charming enough to keep their attention.
[ even if he isn't terribly thrilled with the idea of vie doing it himself. there's trust there, always, playing in the background like the quietest of white noise. opening his eyes again, he looks over vie's shoulder, trying his hardest to hide the overwhelming fondness he feels for the man he's dancing with from prying eyes. it isn't any of their business, in truth. ]
Let's do this again when I can kiss you like I want to. When I can coax smiles from you and you can laugh freely.
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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.
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[ 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. ]
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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. ]
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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?
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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.
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[ 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. ]
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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.