[It's on impulse that he grabs the other by the wrist. He doesn't even realize he had done it with his body reacting before his mind even registered the movement. He doesn't have it in him to let go either.

He should. The other, lying or not, obviously wants them to part ways. Joonghyuk can't accept it though. And maybe his mind is screaming at him anyways. He had felt the man disappear right through his fingertips with his sword through their chest. He had woken up to the man gone and waited three years for now for their return.

He couldn't just willingly let go, he realized. If he let go, would they disappear again? He didn't want that. And Dokja's shaking voice and the refusal to look at him; it would be a mistake to let them go.]

I can't. Do you think I can ignore the signs when you sound like that? [He sighs.] I'm not going to ask about the particulars and you can be mad at me, but it would be foolhardy not to try and stay together while we're here. Endure it for the time being.

[Joonghyuk sounded tired. Worst, it seemed that he was going to graciously take the blame for things he hadn't even done if it meant that they could reach a truce.]