[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.
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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.]
no subject