[... Sousei's quiet for a long moment, expression a little shuttered--and then, simply:]
If you expect me to believe that you landed face down in the dirt and did not even make a token attempt to defend yourself or even see who your attacker was, then I believe you do not think I have come to know you here at all.
[Jae-ha isn't a pitiful person, and never has been. Sousei refuses to believe that he died pitifully--that he died in a way that wasn't at least a little beautiful--as well.]
If you do not want to tell me who killed you, tell me so straight.
Of course he's like that. Jae-ha's expression falls as he seems to take a second to think. Contemplate. Turn those words over in his head.]
... you know, there could have been alternatives. If they were waiting for me to fall, they could have worked too fast for me to see. Something like that.
[ . . .
He sighs.]
I'm not lying about not being able to see them. Even when I turned, there wasn't anyone there.
[His hand in Sousei's tightens - before he forces it into relaxing again.]
... I have a guess, but I'm not sure what it means yet.
[... Well. He relaxes at that as well, shaking his head to himself a little, breathing out a soft sigh in return.]
... Fine, then. You're not ready to discuss it, and that is plain. Keep it to yourself until you are. You are not beholden to sharing any part of an experience like that with me.
[It's Jae-ha's pain, not Sousei's, whether they're partners or not.]
[He'll keep it at that - but he figures it also provides an explanation for why he's still not feeling his best. He runs his free hand through his hair.]
But regardless... it was on Thursday, so perhaps I should've known better - but I didn't make it back to the room. So whatever you saw there was an illusion.
No, the Fuuma ninja would have just tried to stab me in the back while I was going about my business.
And it was not a duel challenge, but rather a series of noises that were clearly intended on drawing me away. I followed because I felt as though he may have targeted another if I did not.
[But now he thinks mysterious invisible man just had it out for him.]
...Well, not that it matters now. [THEY'RE BOTH DEAD INSTEAD...]
Regardless, I would have killed him if not for the circumstances. [Fucker.] As I said, it was hardly a fair fight. That he was an invisible opponent did not bother me, but how was I to know he could take a sword to the lung and keep fighting? [FUCKER]
Yes. I assume it was another ability granted by the Crafters. Due to that, I was able only to figure that he was male, skilled in hand-to-hand combat but not so much with a knife, of average weight but slightly taller than me.
And two.... Jae-ha's expression shifts into something quietly horrified. He knows the person that fits that description, he knows and he didn't think that he would be a problem because they were allies, he knows and he didn't tell Sousei because he didn't think it was his business to share and.
[And that's what drives him so crazy - he's known since he arrived that Zelos and Sanji were the ones to kill him. Zelos, maybe, he can possibly see stabbing him in the back, but Sanji?]
We are - [and he hesitates, as if he's not sure if he needs to change the word to past-tense] .... friends. He hated to admit it, but he relied on me. The two of them could barely function in the earlier weeks if I didn't translate for them, because they both have problems with honesty so—
[Quite frankly, there's...so much they can't know. Betrayal, treachery--those things sting more than anything, and Sousei knows it to be true. After all... that was what killed him so much the first time, with Tenka.
But for now? He just huffs out a breath, and:]
It could have been anything. Perhaps they were made an offer they could not refuse, and instead of going after the children, they chose us. Perhaps they felt it would be more fair because we were capable of putting up a fight.
[Though like, the entire set of circumstances for both fights were unfair as shit.]
We will not be able to know until we see them and ask them for ourselves.
[A beat, and he drags Jae-ha a bit closer by the hand, expression settling into something a bit more Sousei.]
But so long as we are functioning, so long as we are still here, it is not over yet. We still have time to get our answers.
Jae-ha doesn't resist when he's drawn closer, momentarily snapped out of wherever his thoughts went - out of the gut reaction of anger and then the settling thoughts of betrayal - and he meets Sousei's eyes with a raise of his brow.]
... Always looking forward, aren't you?
[Though if Sousei is going to pull him in, Jae-ha's also going to close the rest of the distance with a kiss. He doesn't pull all the way back, but there is a hint of amusement in his eyes that at least offers a spark of something that isn't simply being upset.]
Ah, I'm not giving up, in case you got that idea from somewhere.
... we said we'd take care of this together, didn't we?
[It's hard to shake everything immediately. It was too much all at once - and even now, knowing that Sanji went to kill Sousei afterward is even more aggravating. Even as much as he wants to be able to shrug it all off and move on, Jae-ha knows that he can't.
Especially not when Yona is so close, but so far, every single second.
But Sousei's words provide some stability, something he can hold onto. It's everything he already knew, just repeated and from the mouth of someone he trusts.
Someone he knows he needs to do better be.
He takes their joined hands and brings them up, pressing a kiss to the back of Sousei's hand. It's not that he needs physical affection in order to make up for words he doesn't have - he's rather sure he has all of the ones he'd like to use, but there's no need to say them aloud in this moment.]
[It is a lot for someone to cope with--for anyone to cope with, regardless of how strong Jae-ha is. Sousei knows this, and he's unbothered... but he's also the sort of person who truly is always looking forward. That's how he is, and he'll never change.
Which is why, while he nods, what he ultimately says, quirking an eyebrow over that kiss to the back of his hand:]
Obviously, you may take the time you need to put yourself back together--but do not leave me waiting too long. I will be expecting you to stand at my side, as ever, when the time comes to move forward.
[And he knows--he's certain of it--that when that time comes, Jae-ha will be there and be ready.]
There's been an understanding that this sort of thing isn't going to last forever - they both have people an places they must return to after everything concludes, after they win. But that sort of thing...
I will be expecting you to stand by my side, as ever -
It doesn't sound as bad as it could.
Which is probably why Jae-ha has to glance elsewhere.]
... you really choose the strangest times to be honest.
[Congratulations Sousei, you've flustered the flirt trash dragon - he's going to drop Sousei's hand that he's holding onto then, and his hand forcibly relaxes in their other joined hands, as if he's ready to slip away at any moment.]
[Hm. That's impressive. With all of the ridiculous shit Jae-ha says, Sousei's pretty sure he's never seen him actually flustered. It's pretty obvious that he is now, though, and in response (entirely to be a little shit), Sousei tightens his grip on Jae-ha's hand.
Nah.]
"The strangest times"...? We have both just died. I believe that is the most logical time of all.
[Please stop messing with him in a way that fucks with his heart, Sousei.
Jae-ha tries to pull his hand away for a second - before he seems to think better of it and relaxes again. Fine! Whatever! He'll move to adjust his hair with his free hand, huffing.]
... I suppose I can't say anything. Since I—
[ - left messages for people in the event that anything were to happen to him.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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However - I couldn't see who did.
[Said with a sigh.]
I'd landed face down in the dirt, unfortunately. Regardless... it does imply that there were two after me.
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If you expect me to believe that you landed face down in the dirt and did not even make a token attempt to defend yourself or even see who your attacker was, then I believe you do not think I have come to know you here at all.
[Jae-ha isn't a pitiful person, and never has been. Sousei refuses to believe that he died pitifully--that he died in a way that wasn't at least a little beautiful--as well.]
If you do not want to tell me who killed you, tell me so straight.
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Of course he's like that. Jae-ha's expression falls as he seems to take a second to think. Contemplate. Turn those words over in his head.]
... you know, there could have been alternatives. If they were waiting for me to fall, they could have worked too fast for me to see. Something like that.
[ . . .
He sighs.]
I'm not lying about not being able to see them. Even when I turned, there wasn't anyone there.
[His hand in Sousei's tightens - before he forces it into relaxing again.]
... I have a guess, but I'm not sure what it means yet.
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... Fine, then. You're not ready to discuss it, and that is plain. Keep it to yourself until you are. You are not beholden to sharing any part of an experience like that with me.
[It's Jae-ha's pain, not Sousei's, whether they're partners or not.]
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Right.
[He'll keep it at that - but he figures it also provides an explanation for why he's still not feeling his best. He runs his free hand through his hair.]
But regardless... it was on Thursday, so perhaps I should've known better - but I didn't make it back to the room. So whatever you saw there was an illusion.
[Which - also bothers him.]
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I was not in the room for long, for what it is worth. I was called out before curfew, at the very least.
[So at least they weren't like. Dealing with each other's illusions that much? Very small favors.]
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[realtalk
he'd totally believe sousei would just follow that]
Was it Shirasu?
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No, the Fuuma ninja would have just tried to stab me in the back while I was going about my business.
And it was not a duel challenge, but rather a series of noises that were clearly intended on drawing me away. I followed because I felt as though he may have targeted another if I did not.
[But now he thinks mysterious invisible man just had it out for him.]
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It's a reasonable Sousei thing to think. If someone went out to follow the noises, and it could've been someone else like - who, Souji?]
... that's still so overconfident of you.
[Just saying.
Regardless he'll just manage a huff.]
Imagine if I'd actually woken up to that. I certainly wouldn't have accepted your apology.
... not that I don't understand, but you're still quite awful.
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[A beat.]
...Well, not that it matters now. [THEY'RE BOTH DEAD INSTEAD...]
Regardless, I would have killed him if not for the circumstances. [Fucker.] As I said, it was hardly a fair fight. That he was an invisible opponent did not bother me, but how was I to know he could take a sword to the lung and keep fighting? [FUCKER]
It is ridiculous.
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There is so much wrong with everything that Sousei just said.
So much so that Jae-ha stops walking.]
- Invisible?
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Yes. I assume it was another ability granted by the Crafters. Due to that, I was able only to figure that he was male, skilled in hand-to-hand combat but not so much with a knife, of average weight but slightly taller than me.
[SOUSEI???]
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Well one, that's entirely too much.
And two.... Jae-ha's expression shifts into something quietly horrified. He knows the person that fits that description, he knows and he didn't think that he would be a problem because they were allies, he knows and he didn't tell Sousei because he didn't think it was his business to share and.
Now they're here.]
... It was Sanji.
I'm sorry.
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Why are you apologizing? Because you knew of his ability and did not tell me?
[A shrug.]
It would not have made any difference. You owe me no apologies.
I do not believe he was in his right mind, but... I am not sure how or why. I could not see his face, after all.
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[It was Jae-ha's mistake to not have given Sousei the same that Sousei had been giving him - information without question.
. . . ]
That guy... I thought I could trust him.
The wolf was giant - it had red fur and one blue eye... the same eye Zelos has been missing since he went into the maze.
I didn't see who stabbed me... so it must've been Sanji too.
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So that's how it is.
[He thinks it's probably the case, but then that means--
Sousei's free hand slowly clenches into a fist.]
How arrogant of them to think they could simply remove both of us from the equation that easily.
[WHICH...THEY DID...BUT HE'S STILL PISSED ABOUT IT.]
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[And that's what drives him so crazy - he's known since he arrived that Zelos and Sanji were the ones to kill him. Zelos, maybe, he can possibly see stabbing him in the back, but Sanji?]
We are - [and he hesitates, as if he's not sure if he needs to change the word to past-tense] .... friends. He hated to admit it, but he relied on me. The two of them could barely function in the earlier weeks if I didn't translate for them, because they both have problems with honesty so—
Why?
Why us?
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[Quite frankly, there's...so much they can't know. Betrayal, treachery--those things sting more than anything, and Sousei knows it to be true. After all... that was what killed him so much the first time, with Tenka.
But for now? He just huffs out a breath, and:]
It could have been anything. Perhaps they were made an offer they could not refuse, and instead of going after the children, they chose us. Perhaps they felt it would be more fair because we were capable of putting up a fight.
[Though like, the entire set of circumstances for both fights were unfair as shit.]
We will not be able to know until we see them and ask them for ourselves.
[A beat, and he drags Jae-ha a bit closer by the hand, expression settling into something a bit more Sousei.]
But so long as we are functioning, so long as we are still here, it is not over yet. We still have time to get our answers.
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Jae-ha doesn't resist when he's drawn closer, momentarily snapped out of wherever his thoughts went - out of the gut reaction of anger and then the settling thoughts of betrayal - and he meets Sousei's eyes with a raise of his brow.]
... Always looking forward, aren't you?
[Though if Sousei is going to pull him in, Jae-ha's also going to close the rest of the distance with a kiss. He doesn't pull all the way back, but there is a hint of amusement in his eyes that at least offers a spark of something that isn't simply being upset.]
Ah, I'm not giving up, in case you got that idea from somewhere.
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(It's good to see Jae-ha looking more like himself.
That's what Sousei had been counting on.)]
I did not expect you to. [Quite frankly.] You would not be the person you are if you folded at hardship, even something like this.
[A beat, and:]
I...will be counting on that, as well.
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[It's hard to shake everything immediately. It was too much all at once - and even now, knowing that Sanji went to kill Sousei afterward is even more aggravating. Even as much as he wants to be able to shrug it all off and move on, Jae-ha knows that he can't.
Especially not when Yona is so close, but so far, every single second.
But Sousei's words provide some stability, something he can hold onto. It's everything he already knew, just repeated and from the mouth of someone he trusts.
Someone he knows he needs to do better be.
He takes their joined hands and brings them up, pressing a kiss to the back of Sousei's hand. It's not that he needs physical affection in order to make up for words he doesn't have - he's rather sure he has all of the ones he'd like to use, but there's no need to say them aloud in this moment.]
Just give me some time, and I'll be of use again.
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Which is why, while he nods, what he ultimately says, quirking an eyebrow over that kiss to the back of his hand:]
Obviously, you may take the time you need to put yourself back together--but do not leave me waiting too long. I will be expecting you to stand at my side, as ever, when the time comes to move forward.
[And he knows--he's certain of it--that when that time comes, Jae-ha will be there and be ready.]
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There's been an understanding that this sort of thing isn't going to last forever - they both have people an places they must return to after everything concludes, after they win. But that sort of thing...
I will be expecting you to stand by my side, as ever -
It doesn't sound as bad as it could.
Which is probably why Jae-ha has to glance elsewhere.]
... you really choose the strangest times to be honest.
[Congratulations Sousei, you've flustered the flirt trash dragon - he's going to drop Sousei's hand that he's holding onto then, and his hand forcibly relaxes in their other joined hands, as if he's ready to slip away at any moment.]
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Nah.]
"The strangest times"...? We have both just died. I believe that is the most logical time of all.
[1/2]
Jae-ha tries to pull his hand away for a second - before he seems to think better of it and relaxes again. Fine! Whatever! He'll move to adjust his hair with his free hand, huffing.]
... I suppose I can't say anything. Since I—
[ - left messages for people in the event that anything were to happen to him.
.... that includes Sousei.]
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