[ 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.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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.