But Souji is here, and Souji is healthy, and Souji is absolutely delighted to see Jae-ha again now that the stress of the trial has ended. Being dead for 2 seconds apparently hasn't dampened his enthusiasm much, since he just fucking launches himself at this stupid man the second he sees him.]
because once everything is over and they're restored - Jae-ha is absolutely going to open his arms and sweep Souji up into a a crushing hug, no longer worried about squeezing him too tight, and spinning him around in his arms with a laugh to go with the momentum]
We did - we did...!! Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?
[STOP DON'T SAY YOU'RE SCARED THAT MAKES ME SCARED!!!!!
Souji just laughs right along with him, though, for once not having to worry about the air getting tripped up in his lungs on its way out. There's no blood on his lips, no sand in his mouth. Jae-ha is whole again, no longer lying still inside of a glass case.]
I don't think death has changed me that much. [His two seconds of it.] You look the same as ever, too.
because Souji's just going to stand here and not move away at all, resting against Jae-ha and keeping his arms looped around his neck even after they stop hug-spinning.]
Someone was kind enough to give me a reprieve, it seems.
[THOUGH HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO! OR WHAT THEY WISHED FOR!! And he's honestly still terrified that once he returns home his tuberculosis will return with him, or it'll be like it never left at all and he'll have to re-acclimate all over again - but those are tomorrow worries.]
...I've been fortunate to meet such wonderful people here.
[ . . . hah. Jae-ha laughs faintly at that - and he doesn't hesitate then to simply pick Souji up in his arms given the fact that he doesn't seem to have an issue with being closer.]
Shall we go somewhere?
[A rhetorical question because he's walking already anyway :/ but regardless....]
... it's difficult to be mad at everything, isn't it? Given who we've been able to meet along the way.
[UP HE GOES, APPARENTLY. Having been set back to a point before tuberculosis touched him, he's definitely not as frail and sickly-thin as he'd been the last time Jae-ha was able to carry him around. He still settles into the arms carrying him without much fuss, though... It's nicer when it's not out of necessity because he's dying, okay.]
It looks like we already are.
[PUNK. But that aside, he quiets down into something more contemplative.]
...I can't say that I regret it, even now. Being able to meet everyone here has been one of the best things to ever come to me.
[tfw murdercastle is still better than your actual life]
[Jae-ha is honestly far too comfortable carrying Souji - and his footsteps naturally guide him outside, as if they're simply meant to be under the stars.
But at that... Jae-ha laughs faintly, offering a soft smile.]
[It's nice, being able to breathe in the crisp night air without it making his whole chest ache. His eyes are drawn upward as soon as they're outside, mapping out the stars - unfamiliar at the start, but things he'd certainly grown more used to.
They drift back to Jae-ha at that, though. This lil shit...]
Mmm... I don't know about that, really. That's something I'd have to think about a little more. It's a very difficult question, you know?
[Congrats, Jae-ha, you've reached the tier of affection where Souji just becomes a godawful bully.]
There's a little raise of his brow at that - and he definitely lifts Souji up in his arms while at the same time bending his head closer so that their faces are most certainly closer than they really need to be.]
What's this?
Did your good health suddenly make you want to play hard to get?
["jae-ha loves bullies" is going to be the statement that condemns us both
Anyway, as per usual for these two HORRIBLE PEOPLE, Souji isn't at all bothered by Jae-ha just dipping right into his personal space. If anything, the spark of amusement in his eyes seems brighter, even as he trains his expression into a theatrical look of innocence.]
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by that? I've always been this way.
[NOT UNTRUE... This is the Souji beneath the TB ballerina, god.]
[He hums faintly at that, his lips curling into a contemplative smile. The stars are probably judging them from far above because we've swung into every single genre of kdrama and have apparently ended up right back in dumb flirting.]
... maybe that's true. It would explain my interest in you since the beginning, after all.
[There's a little quirk of a smile at that, and Souji shifts his hand a little so that he can cup the side of Jae-ha's face and the corner of his mouth.
Then, in a brief break from the stupid flirting:]
I've never heard as many nice things as I've heard here... About me, I mean.
[It's still a shock to him like 8 weeks later when people claim to be his friend, okay. This is a lot for one little Souji to take in...]
[They in particular seem to have a sour reputation, but it's not like he hadn't come to accept it long ago. His expression shifts from the bright amusement to something a little softer.]
Mm... I wouldn't say that it bothers me, really. We expect people to treat us as they do. But I think-- I'll miss it, at least a little. I can use my old name in town so I'm not as recognizable when I want to make friends or enjoy the shops, but it's not the same.
[They're probably somewhere closer to the gardens by now. Jae-ha's walk honestly slows as he looks over the selection of blossoms all throughout the area, his expression growing contemplative.]
... I've had to wear a few different hats during my trials. Pirate, bandit, traveling entertainer... but I can never really reveal all too much, since the importance of who I'm traveling with and their safety means more than anything else.
It was nice being here... and only having to be Jae-ha.
[DON'T CURSE US IN THIS WAY like i started it but don't finish it
There's a little contemplative sound. It's similar enough, really, that he knows Jae-ha really does understand. A sad thing, but... well. Not much to be done for it in the end.]
That's exactly it. [...Except he still held a lot of things close to his chest - things he's afraid would push even the people here away if they knew of it. That's also a bit of a scary thing to live with, honestly.]
...I suppose I'll miss it. But I think I'll just miss the people here most of all.
Jae-ha manages a little laugh at that and he shrugs lightly - he can't move his shoulders entirely too much while Souji remains in his arms, but he hopes the nonchalance of the movement manages to get across.]
If we're lucky you might not miss me for very long.
Though I suppose you've made it clear that I'm merely a small, meager piece of the puzzle...
[It sure does get across, even if his attention anchors on his words instead of the gesture. Is it possible? With the ink they have, or perhaps the coins, he wonders if they really can create some way to visit each other - or at the very least, to keep in touch.
But he doesn't voice any of that because he's too busy being stupid instead.]
Oh? You almost sound like you're troubled by that.
[hates being tied down but loves being tied up.......]
It's a little late for that, don't you think?
[His tone pitches upward; a light and teasing lilt. His voice does have a musical quality to it that was kind of buried under... tb gunk before... but it sure does shine in moments like this when he's being extra punkish.]
But you can have my attention now. ...Until it needs to go elsewhere, anyway.
[it's so bad that this is jae-ha's idea of a good time
but he hums and - like a punk, he'll stop by the nearest bush that seems to be growing red roses. gently, he'll set souji back down on his feet, though it's not like he'll let him go far either. one arm easily snakes around souji's waist to keep him close, as jae-ha's other hand moves to tuck any stray hair behind one of souji's ears
and he hums pleasantly
so innocently]
... and if I'd like to steal your attention away for as long as I can?
[He regains his balance easily once he's set back down - a far cry from how delicately he had to be placed before. Still, he doesn't even bother trying to move far, and curls himself into Jae-ha's side. With an apparent fuckin 6 inches of height difference he probably has to crane his neck, but he'll do exactly that so he can reach Jae-ha's jawline to press a kiss there. It's brief and light, and seems to be more a matter of where Souji can reach with the greatest ease.
Then, mock-thoughtful:]
I suppose you could try to steal it, if it's something you'd like.
[There's a stupid mischievous twinkle in his little punkass eyes though, and in the next moment, he's squirming to slip away from Jae-ha's grasp and reach for one of his hands instead, pulling at his fingers and doing a half-spin step down the path.]
There are songs to sing, aren't there? Under the stars, like you asked for.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 7, post-trial
But Souji is here, and Souji is healthy, and Souji is absolutely delighted to see Jae-ha again now that the stress of the trial has ended. Being dead for 2 seconds apparently hasn't dampened his enthusiasm much, since he just fucking launches himself at this stupid man the second he sees him.]
We did it—!
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because once everything is over and they're restored - Jae-ha is absolutely going to open his arms and sweep Souji up into a a crushing hug, no longer worried about squeezing him too tight, and spinning him around in his arms with a laugh to go with the momentum]
We did - we did...!! Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?
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Souji just laughs right along with him, though, for once not having to worry about the air getting tripped up in his lungs on its way out. There's no blood on his lips, no sand in his mouth. Jae-ha is whole again, no longer lying still inside of a glass case.]
I don't think death has changed me that much. [His two seconds of it.] You look the same as ever, too.
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I hardly see a reason to change when already happy and beautiful.
[thank jae-ha. but regardless he's humming]
You, on the other hand, only seem all the more radiant.
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because Souji's just going to stand here and not move away at all, resting against Jae-ha and keeping his arms looped around his neck even after they stop hug-spinning.]
Someone was kind enough to give me a reprieve, it seems.
[THOUGH HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO! OR WHAT THEY WISHED FOR!! And he's honestly still terrified that once he returns home his tuberculosis will return with him, or it'll be like it never left at all and he'll have to re-acclimate all over again - but those are tomorrow worries.]
...I've been fortunate to meet such wonderful people here.
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Shall we go somewhere?
[A rhetorical question because he's walking already anyway :/ but regardless....]
... it's difficult to be mad at everything, isn't it? Given who we've been able to meet along the way.
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[UP HE GOES, APPARENTLY. Having been set back to a point before tuberculosis touched him, he's definitely not as frail and sickly-thin as he'd been the last time Jae-ha was able to carry him around. He still settles into the arms carrying him without much fuss, though... It's nicer when it's not out of necessity because he's dying, okay.]
It looks like we already are.
[PUNK. But that aside, he quiets down into something more contemplative.]
...I can't say that I regret it, even now. Being able to meet everyone here has been one of the best things to ever come to me.
[tfw murdercastle is still better than your actual life]
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But at that... Jae-ha laughs faintly, offering a soft smile.]
.... Do I get to be counted among that number?
[don't dig for compliments you dumb slut]
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They drift back to Jae-ha at that, though. This lil shit...]
Mmm... I don't know about that, really. That's something I'd have to think about a little more. It's a very difficult question, you know?
[Congrats, Jae-ha, you've reached the tier of affection where Souji just becomes a godawful bully.]
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Jae-ha loves bullies.
There's a little raise of his brow at that - and he definitely lifts Souji up in his arms while at the same time bending his head closer so that their faces are most certainly closer than they really need to be.]
What's this?
Did your good health suddenly make you want to play hard to get?
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Anyway, as per usual for these two HORRIBLE PEOPLE, Souji isn't at all bothered by Jae-ha just dipping right into his personal space. If anything, the spark of amusement in his eyes seems brighter, even as he trains his expression into a theatrical look of innocence.]
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by that? I've always been this way.
[NOT UNTRUE... This is the Souji beneath the TB ballerina, god.]
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[He hums faintly at that, his lips curling into a contemplative smile. The stars are probably judging them from far above because we've swung into every single genre of kdrama and have apparently ended up right back in dumb flirting.]
... maybe that's true. It would explain my interest in you since the beginning, after all.
[he loves what he can't have
wow]
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Are you sure that wasn't just because I enjoyed a good drink and could tie your hair up nicely?
[But it's said on a little breath of a laugh, as Souji reaches up to gently tug on a small pinch of Jae-ha's hair as if to make his point.]
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[shameless!
but he's also going to turn his head just to make sure that he can press a kiss against that hand now that it's reaching up so close to him
because
why wouldn't he]
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Then, in a brief break from the stupid flirting:]
I've never heard as many nice things as I've heard here... About me, I mean.
[It's still a shock to him like 8 weeks later when people claim to be his friend, okay. This is a lot for one little Souji to take in...]
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even as Jae-ha will automatically lean his head into the touch, closing one eye lazily as the other continues to look down at Souji]
... that does sound like a soldier's type of problem to have.
[he should know, as a pirate who typically has issues with soldiers]
Does it bother you to think about that when going back?
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It is, you're right.
[They in particular seem to have a sour reputation, but it's not like he hadn't come to accept it long ago. His expression shifts from the bright amusement to something a little softer.]
Mm... I wouldn't say that it bothers me, really. We expect people to treat us as they do. But I think-- I'll miss it, at least a little. I can use my old name in town so I'm not as recognizable when I want to make friends or enjoy the shops, but it's not the same.
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Yes, I can understand that.
[They're probably somewhere closer to the gardens by now. Jae-ha's walk honestly slows as he looks over the selection of blossoms all throughout the area, his expression growing contemplative.]
... I've had to wear a few different hats during my trials. Pirate, bandit, traveling entertainer... but I can never really reveal all too much, since the importance of who I'm traveling with and their safety means more than anything else.
It was nice being here... and only having to be Jae-ha.
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There's a little contemplative sound. It's similar enough, really, that he knows Jae-ha really does understand. A sad thing, but... well. Not much to be done for it in the end.]
That's exactly it. [...Except he still held a lot of things close to his chest - things he's afraid would push even the people here away if they knew of it. That's also a bit of a scary thing to live with, honestly.]
...I suppose I'll miss it. But I think I'll just miss the people here most of all.
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Jae-ha manages a little laugh at that and he shrugs lightly - he can't move his shoulders entirely too much while Souji remains in his arms, but he hopes the nonchalance of the movement manages to get across.]
If we're lucky you might not miss me for very long.
Though I suppose you've made it clear that I'm merely a small, meager piece of the puzzle...
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But he doesn't voice any of that because he's too busy being stupid instead.]
Oh? You almost sound like you're troubled by that.
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[A WISTFUL SIGH - that's not even remotely actually unhappy, for the record. Rather, he sounds like he enjoys the idea of being rejected....]
... well, I suppose that maybe I ought to just try harder to earn your attention.
[hm
bad]
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It's a little late for that, don't you think?
[His tone pitches upward; a light and teasing lilt. His voice does have a musical quality to it that was kind of buried under... tb gunk before... but it sure does shine in moments like this when he's being extra punkish.]
But you can have my attention now. ...Until it needs to go elsewhere, anyway.
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but he hums and - like a punk, he'll stop by the nearest bush that seems to be growing red roses. gently, he'll set souji back down on his feet, though it's not like he'll let him go far either. one arm easily snakes around souji's waist to keep him close, as jae-ha's other hand moves to tuck any stray hair behind one of souji's ears
and he hums pleasantly
so innocently]
... and if I'd like to steal your attention away for as long as I can?
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Then, mock-thoughtful:]
I suppose you could try to steal it, if it's something you'd like.
[There's a stupid mischievous twinkle in his little punkass eyes though, and in the next moment, he's squirming to slip away from Jae-ha's grasp and reach for one of his hands instead, pulling at his fingers and doing a half-spin step down the path.]
There are songs to sing, aren't there? Under the stars, like you asked for.
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