›› 3rd round

[regressive]

Who ■ Joonghyuk & others
What ■ Catch-all
When ■ Third month
Where ■ Everywhere
Content Warnings ■ YJH as usual

Comments

›› closed to brambles // October 1

[regressive]

[ An hour later after seeing the news, Joonghyuk rushes into Brambles room, hoping to find the man there. His face is a little bit pale, but other than that the expression he wears is the usual one, not betraying what happened and what is going on inside his heart. With his eyes locked on Brambles, Joonghyuk declares in a commanding tone: ]

Don't go outside until I get back no matter what.

[ Technically, he could have messaged Brambles and asked him to stay in, yet he had to see him, even if just for a few moments. Instead of stepping closer, Joonghyuk turns on his heels and storms off without saying where he's going. Fully aware that he's being stupidly reckless, he doesn't even realize that he's sprinting towards the Chaos Gate to access one of the dungeons. Ever since the conference, he's been avoiding those, however, in light of the recent news, there's no way Joonghyuk can just sit and wait.

It takes him a few hours to clear a couple of dungeons and yet Uta is nowhere to be found. Since it's getting late, Joonghyuk decides to retreat for today, recharge and continue tomorrow. Besides, he doesn't want to worry Brambles, especially after that dramatic exit of his.

When he walks into his room again, the exhaustion shows on his face no matter how hard he tries to hide it. ]

I'm back. [ All things considered, this might be a good moment to apologize for his behavior. Instead, Joonghyuk pulls the other man into an embrace and leans against him. ] Are you okay?

[dapples]

[ Ever since Joonghyuk left abruptly, Brambles has been worried sick. How could he not be? They're stuck here now, in this game, and one of their friends has just been allegedly reported dead. Brambles liked-- no, likes Uta lots, and he refuses to refer to her in the past tense. But he does know that Joonghyuk was especially close to her. He can only assume that he's gone in search of answers - but no single part of him wishes to stop his efforts, despite his anxiety over what may transpire when he goes out investigating. Keeping Joonghyuk cooped up will not help him at all, he's the type of man who must go out and find answers.

He's alerted to the sound of him returning, which immediately sweeps him with relief. Brambles lets out a small noise when Joonghyuk lifts him up off the ground into an embrace, before holding him tightly. He slackens his grip enough to look up at him. ]

I should be the one asking you that question.

[regressive]

I'm fine. [ He answers immediately, even if his tired eyes might suggest otherwise. ] I hope you're not mad I didn't take you with me. I...

[ I can't lose anyone else.

The tightness in his throat makes it impossible to say these words. Uta isn't lost. How could he even think of saying something like that? These news might as well be fake and Uta will message everyone back. Joonghyuk tries not to question the logic because it doesn't really hold up. If it's all fake then why did he rush to the dungeons in the first place?

Instead, he just presses against Brambles, needing his warmth more than ever. ]

I'm sorry.

[dapples]

Of course I'm not mad, sweetheart ...

[ In retaliation to feeling the other man tighten his embrace, Brambles holds him closer, cradling his head with one arm wrapped around his middle in a protective gesture. Joonghyuk may say that he's fine, but Brambles knows otherwise. ]

I've got you. I'm here.

[regressive]

[ His embrace is already pretty tight, but his response to that I'm here is just squeezing Brambles harder. ]

I will protect you with everything I have. [ After a moment, he adds in a whisper. ] I won't be useless.

[dapples]

[ That sentiment makes his eyes glassy. There really is no one in his life who has ever made him feel as loved and special as Joonghyuk. ]

You could never be useless, even if you tried.

[regressive]

[ His eyes open wide for a moment as Brambles' words take him off guard. ]

If something happened to you, I would tear this game apart.

›› closed to brambles // memloss

[regressive]

[ When Joonghyuk finds Brambles crying in his own room at the guild, he closes the distance between them right away and wraps his arms around his shoulders from behind, crossing them on Brambles' chest while pulling him closer.

It feels foolish to ask what's wrong when so many things are wrong. Still, he won't allow Brambles to carry the burden alone, no matter what it is. ]

Tell me what's going on or I won't let you move anywhere.

[ Well, to be fair the moment he's heard the soft sobbing sound he decided to stay the night here, so he's not leaving Brambles to his own devices either way. ]

[dapples]

[ He doesn't know how to explain why he's crying. Brambles felt his memories slip away, one after the other - giving him a sense of loss that he cannot place. It's like grief, but ... over what? He's not aware that the memories of his father and his best friend have been taken from him. His life is now one empty gap, an empty space. They're trapped in this game now, but does it even matter? There's no one in the real world for him to go back to. ]

...

[ Brambles sniffs and wipes his eyes, sitting in silence for a moment before speaking with a cracked voice. ]

Why does it matter that I'm stuck here? There's ... no one waiting for me in real life.

[regressive]

[ While Joonghyuk couldn't shake off the feeling that he forgot about something—someone—important for quite a while, he shoves that concern aside for now because Brambles has just said something very nonsensical. ]

That's not true, though. [ He sits next to him and cups Brambles' cheek with his hand. ] Your dad and Brush must be worried.

[ It's strange, why would Brambles say such a thing? How could he forget about his beloved parent and cherished friend? ]

[dapples]

[ He almost looks annoyed when he hears this. Joonghyuk should know that Brambles has no family - at least, that's what he believes now. And who on earth is "Brush"? ]

My dad?

[ His surprise is delivered with conviction. To him, this isn't a joke. ]

I don't have a dad. I never have.

[regressive]

[ Something is very, very wrong here. The somewhat irked look he receives is one thing, but Brambles words are concerning. ]

Your dad is waiting—

[ Joonghyuk pauses for a moment, feeling as if he just said something he shouldn't have. After shaking his head, he continues. ]

He's waiting outside for you. I met him when I visited you.

[dapples]

If this is a joke, then it's not funny. Of course I remember you visiting me, but ...

No one else was there. You, me and Mia. And the empty house I grew up in. No dad ... no family.

›› closed to brambles // ΘBright Fluffy Expedition.

[regressive]

[ On the one hand, going on a date when they're trapped in a game sounds silly—to put it mildly. At the same time, however, Joonghyuk realizes that it might be a good idea to distract Brambles and himself by proxy. There are a few areas great for that.

After coming to ΘBright Fluffy Expedition through the chaos gate, Joonghyuk squeezes the other man's hand and looks around. It looks as peaceful as it was the first time he's been here to check the area out. Carrying a blanket and a basket filled with food he's made earlier as well as drinks, Joonghyuk starts looking for a nice spot for them. ]

It looks like we won't be alone.

[ A black pomeranian has sent a request to join the party! He's rolling close to Brambles' feet, showing off his belly. ]

[dapples]

[ This was a really good idea. Being trapped in a game leaves them with two options, really - dwell on it and be miserable, or try and find some comfort. Even though Brambles doesn't have that usual happy sparkle that Joonghyuk may recognise, this suggestion has certainly brightened him a little, even if it is slight.

When the small black pomeranian makes itself known to Brambles, the brunette chuffs out a small lap and rubs its belly. ]

Awwww! Hello puppy!

[ He picks the dog up with both hands and smooshes it against his own face, giggling when the pooch licks his cheek. ]

Haha, hey! [ Come to think of it ... he holds the dog up to Joonghyuk. ] He kind of looks like you! Don't you think?

[regressive]

[ As much as Joonghyuk misses seeing that spark of his, the situation they found themselves in is hardly something to be happy about. It's tempting to just stay in and brood, but nothing will come out of it in the end. Besides, they deserve to experience some happy moments even while being trapped in a game—at least that's what Joonghyuk would like to think. ]

Does he? [ He frowns while looking at the puppy. ] I can't tell.

[ The puppy barks at Joonghyuk because he's clearly wrong. ]

[dapples]

Yes! That's right, puppy! You tell him!

[ Brambles cuddles the pooch and the dog sticks its tongue out a Joonghyuk. Is this dog blepping? Or being a menace? ]

[regressive]

You're getting along so well already. [ He turns his gaze away, pretending to be sulky. ] Maybe I'm not needed here.

[ The dog is indeed cute and Joonghyuk just can't take it. ]

Maybe there's a puppy that looks just like you, too.

[dapples]

[ His expression softens. He knows that Joonghyuk is playing, but ... ]

I need you now more than I ever could.

[ The doggies are cute. But the situation still is what it is. ]

›› closed to brambles // horny amplified (nsfw)

[regressive]

Brambles, there's something—

[ He wanted to ask Brambles about something important but as soon as he opens the door to Brambles' room in the guildhouse, Punisher completely forgets about the question. With his eyes fixed on the other man who's currently wearing a maid dress, Joonghyuk swallows audibly as an inexplicable desire to be close to Brambles takes over him. When he walks closer, it's something akin to a hungry animal about to pounce on its prey. Brambles should be able to see the hunger in his eyes in the mirror's reflection. ]

[dapples]

[ Whether it was boredom or curiosity, one can only wonder what motivated Brambles into deciding to slip into his maid outfit today. Ever since he obtained it, he repeatedly expressed his unease with the garment - arguing that an outfit like this would be much better suited for a woman rather than himself. In (what he assumed was) the privacy his own room within the Bookwyrms guild, a simple inventory check of his in-game attire sparked a curiosity which has now doomed him to this current situation: His boyfriend, standing there, having just walked in on him while wearing a maid outfit.

Brambles jumps and squawks in surprise as if he has seen a ghost, a bright red colour immediately flooding his cheeks. He appears panicked, frantic, eager to explain himself over what is clearly a huge misunderstanding-- oblivious to the fact that Joonghyuk is approaching him with hunger in his eyes. ]

It's not what it looks like! [ He stutters, adorably flustered. ] I-I was just--! Trying it on, I--!

[regressive]

[ He can hear Brambles' response loud and clear, but the meaning behind his words is lost on Joonghyuk who closes the distance between them and wraps his arms around the other man's waist so he can't escape. ]

It's your room, you can do whatever you want. [ His answer is followed by a neck kiss. Is he hoping to melt Brambles defenses? Maybe. ] You look adorable.

[dapples]

[ Adorable...?! Perhaps Brambles is very stuck in his ways, but 'adorable' is something he would expect to hear while describing a cute girl. He's never really considered himself good looking, just more or less existed, so the prospect of being called 'adorable' (in a maid outfit, no less!) has certainly thrown him for a loop.

He casts a bewildered look up at his partner while his cheeks are still stained rosy pink, making a soft noise of surprise when Joonghyuk's lips land on his neck. ]

But, this is-- [ Weird, he wants to say. Why won't he allow himself to enjoy wearing it? ] Y-You really think I look adorable...? And not ... odd?

[regressive]

I really think that you look adorable and not odd.

[ Shortly, he raises one of his hands and grabs Brambles' jaw as gently as possible to make sure that he's looking into the mirror. With every passing moment it's becoming more and more difficult to hold himself back from just pinning Brambles against the mirror and raising his maid skirt. ]

Can't you see it? You're cute and hot.

[dapples]

[ At first, Brambles squeezes his eyes shut from embarrassment when forced to confront how he looks, but he eventually relents and opens them. When his gaze settles on himself standing here with his partner, it just ... doesn't feel as scary as he imagined. He trusts Joonghyuk wholeheartedly - and in this moment, he realises that he trusts him enough to see him looking like this. It feels very vulnerable for him, especially since Brambles has repressed every single potential feeling of interest in cross-dressing that he may have had in regards to his maid outfit. Part of his concerns were, "what if I like it?" But ... well. What if he likes it? What if Joonghyuk likes it? ]

I dunno, it's just ... [ And yet, the doubtful thoughts sneak in: ] Are you sure? You're not just saying that to make me feel better, right...?