›› 2nd round

[regressive]

Who ■ Joonghyuk & others
What ■ Catch-all
When ■ Second month
Where ■ All over
Content Warnings ■ YJH as usual

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[dapples]

[ Brambles is cheerful, optimistic and kind ... at least, that's how he tries to be. But after everything they've learned over the past few hours, that optimism isn't there. Even Joonghyuk's reassuring words are difficult to digest. He breaks away to glance up at him sadly, just as a tear rolls down his cheek. ]

Your messages ... [ He heard that, and he doesn't want to get in the way of Joonghyuk's tasks, despite his current state. ]

[regressive]

[ Joonghyuk can't say that it's not important because there are a few people whose safety he'd like to confirm. Still, an hour or two won't make a difference—they're not going anywhere. ]

It can wait. [ He leans in to kiss that tear away. ] I'm sorry.

[ Technically, none of this is his fault, but... maybe if he didn't log in every day, Brambles would have forgotten about this game and never got into this situation. ]

I'm here with you.

[dapples]

If you're sure ...

[ He buries his face into Joonghyuk's chest again, hugging him tightly. ]

I'm so glad you are. Will you ... lie here with me for a bit?

[regressive]

All night. [ What he doesn't say is that he needs rest, too. ] If you need food, I have lots in my inventory.

[ So they won't even have to move anywhere. ]

I'm sure it's just temporary, Brambles. We're going to get out.

[dapples]

[ Once they're settled on the bed, Brambles resumes hugging Joonghyuk. Occasionally, he sniffs, fighting off the urge to cry again. ]

I ... really hope you're right ... I keep thinking about Mia, and my Dad ... [ sniff ] I don't know what's going to happen. I'm so scared ...

[regressive]

[ Joonghyuk won't tell him not to be scared, even though he wishes he could somehow comfort Brambles. To be fair, it might be impossible as for now, yet he's still going to try. ]

You can cry if you want, Brambles. It's not a bad thing. [ Who knows, maybe he's going to feel a bit better. ] We will return to them. I...

[ He must see Mia again. ]

I will find a way.

[dapples]

[ He reaches out to thread his fingers with one of Joonghyuk's hands. ]

I won't stop believing that we will ... I'm just ... so sad this happened in the first place.

[ Sniff. ]

I thought the game was fun. I tried to be nice, I thought ... I thought Hien was nice ...

[regressive]

Don't come near him.

[ Rather than offering any further explanation, Joonghyuk squeezes Brambles' hand a bit too harder than intended. ]

[dapples]

[ He notices the hand squeeze. ]

I'm such a fool ... [ sigh ] I shouldn't just assume everyone is kind ... I shouldn't just be kind either.

[regressive]

Don't blame yourself for being kind.

[ It's the people who take advantage of this kindness that should be burned alive. ]

I don't know what he might do, so don't get near him.

[dapples]

...

[ He looks up, shedding another tear. Slowly, he nods his head. ]

O-Okay ... [ That usual radiance and warmth he feels just isn't present. If he is a sunflower, like Joongyuk said, he has wilted. Or at least, that's how Brambles feels. ]

[regressive]

[ For a moment, Joonghyuk wonders if he should ask if Hien warned Brambles about anything, but bringing him up in the first place makes him feel a little sick. It might be even worse for Brambles, so in the end he decides against it. ]

I'll protect you, Bramley.

[ From Hien and from every single thing that might put him in danger. Brambles' radiance might be gone for the time being, but Joonghyuk will do anything to see him happy and carefree again. ]

[dapples]

[ He always knew that he loved Joonghyuk - he's known for months. But this moment really cements just how much he truly does love him. This situation is awful, but Brambles doesn't regret playing. He doesn't regret meeting him and allowing him to be part of his life. If this is where it all ends, at least Brambles managed to experience how love truly feels. This is nothing that he ever would've been able to learn from a book.

The smaller man nestles even closer with a sigh. ]

I love you, Joonghyuk. More than anything.

[regressive]

[ These words shake him to the core, both familiar and so different from their other confessions. Joonghyuk takes a deep breath and pulls him even closer, his embrace so tight that it might hurt Brambles a bit. ]

I love you too, Bramley. Nothing can ever change how important you are to me.

[ Joonghyuk hopes that the other man will remember these words no matter what happens. ]

We'll survive. But now you should get some rest.

[dapples]

[ It makes him cry to hear that. But, not a bad kind of cry - he's just overwhelmed and emotional. His body shakes with jagged breaths as he gradually attempts to collect himself, calmed by the presence of his partner. ]

Mmh ... [ He mumbles in agreement, nestling himself even tighter in their shared embrace. ]