altimit | ›› 3rd round

[ Brambles shakes his head. ] No. Don't say that ... we couldn't have known.

[ It's an awful situation. But, what's done is done. ]

There's no point in either of us dwelling or regretting this. Because ... it's terrible, and I'm scared, but I don't regret it. Nothing would've stopped me from logging in here to see you again.

[ There's no point, he says, but Joonghyuk can't shake off the guilt. He could have offered to play a different game with Brambles, but no other company has such advanced technology at its disposal. Even if they found a different game, it wouldn't be the same. ]

Bramley...

[ He takes a deep breath, his body feeling very heavy all of a sudden. ]

If we get out of here... let's meet again as soon as possible.

[ The word "if" makes his stomach tighten with anxiety. Brambles shakes his head. ]

Not "if" ... it'll be "when."

[ He clings tightly to Joonghyuk. ]

I ... I'm not going to believe in anything else. [ At least until he loses his memories and will to live but, you know. Joonghyuk must hold him accountable. ]

When.

[ He repeats quietly, belatedly realizing that he allowed his own worries to show. ]

Let's meet as soon as possible when we get out of here. I can fly to England again.

[ It's almost as if he wanted to make up for that slip from before. Still, he really wants to see Brambles again in the real world. ]

Please do. I want you to see my Dad ... I want you to see Brush. My best friend ...

[ The two most important people in his life (apart from Joonghyuk, of course), that he is going to unceremoniously forget about in the future. ]

I wanted to introduce you last time, but didn't get the chance.

I will meet them both. You won't mind if I take Mia with me again, right?

[ Mentioning the people they left behind tears his heart apart, but it's not like they can forget about them (they can and they will). ]

Do you think I'll get along with Brush?

Of course not. I love Mia.

[ He smiles fondly at Joonghyuk's question. ]

I think so. Brush is very particular with who he chooses to be friends with ... you could say he's like my opposite. But because I like you, I know he will like you too.

[ That description of Brush makes him wonder about something. After a little while, Joonghyuk decides to put these thoughts into words: ]

If he's like your opposite... then he might be similar to me.

[ And that doesn't bode well, he thinks. ]

[ And Brambles, seeing absolutely nothing wrong with this simply looks up at him and says: ]

Is that a problem?

[ Well... somehow Joonghyuk can tell there might be a clash of personalities, especially if they both care about Brambles. ]

We'll see about that. [ Joonghyuk lets out a soft sigh. ] I'll try to be on my best behavior, though.

[ It's comforting to talk about this. Brambles will fight away every doubtful thought that they won't achieve this one day. (When he stops this, it's time to worry.) ]

I promise it'll go just fine. Besides ... I've been gushing to Brush about you for months anyway.

You've been doing what?

[ Joonghyuk had no idea that talking about people they're close to and whom they left behind in the offline world would be so comforting and distracting. He relaxes a little bit, even though thinking about Brambles gushing about him leaves Joonghyuk flustered. ]

Gushing about you, of course. You really think I'm going to not tell my best friend all about the guy I've fallen madly in love with?

[ This is quite a confession on Brambles' part - his heart is pounding wildly in his chest. It's the full truth, though. He is very much madly in love with Joonghyuk. ]

Madly, huh...

[ If he had a friend, he would at least try to tell them about Brambles. However, since his closest circle is limited to Mia who knows that he's head over heels for the Englishman anyway. ]

And Brush... never had feelings for you?

[ Asking for a friend he never had!! ]

[ He almost looks offended by this question. ]

What? No...? We're just friends.

[ Joonghyuk gotta Joonghyuk, Brambles. Forgive him. ]

I see. It's a shame I couldn't meet him, then. [ A pause. ] But I will. Sometime soon.

[ He will forgive him many times over. ]

You trust me, right? I don't want you thinking that I have something else going on with my friends ... or that I'd ever cheat. I wouldn't dream of it.

Of course I believe you. [ Joonghyuk blinks, surprised by both the question and the statement. ] I didn't ask because I was thinking you'd do it, just...

[ Seriously, how come people didn't notice how warm and brilliant Brambles is? ]

Are people in the UK blind or something?

[ Joonghyuk is really sweet to him. Brambles always just considered himself to be an average and uninteresting person, really. Although ... ]

I did attract some female attention in university, but never reciprocated it ... for obvious reasons. If any men liked me, I never would've known.

Got it. [ Joonghyuk nods. ] So only men are blind. Well, that's better for me.

[ He's still going to be jealous, no worries. ]

[ He just (gently) bunts Joonghyuk in the chest with his head. ]

You're silly.

Am I?

[ He cups Brambles' chin and tips his head up. Rather than looking him in the eyes, Joonghyuk's gaze lingers on Brambles' lips. ]

Am I really?

[ Brambles smiles up at him, his pretty dark eyes sparkling with amusement. ]

Yes!

I guess I don't mind, then.

[ If Brambles wanted to say something to that, it'll have to wait considering that Joonghyuk's lips are pressed against his in a kiss now. ]

[ He kisses back, lingering for a moment, before he buries his face in Joonghyuk's chest shortly after, voice soft in a whisper. ]

... I'm really scared.

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regressive - 2023-10-31 14:19 (UTC) - Expand