[ God, let's just leave Youngjae out of this equation. That's something Chihoon doesn't want to deal with at the same time, really - they'll have their hands full with Muyeol, he's sure, no need for an impulsive coward to be there as well to make stuff harder.
Besides, he knows Mireu's issue isn't what he's saying. He might be oblivious as hell to some stuff, but this is one thing he's caught onto. ]
That's why I said I'll be there too. I can't guarantee anything [ especially with how unpredictable this place is and all.. ] but it might cancel some of it out, at least.
[ Since even if Muyeol is like a whirlwind of emotions, Chihoon is like the big black hole that voids any sort of emotion. He doesn't think it could deal with all of the emotional ravage Muyeol could potentially cause, but it might be enough to at least keep the two of them out of the worst of it.
It's a little odd, and he's still not entirely used to it, but.. he does feel a sense of responsibility towards the others after what they've all been through together. Enough to offer this much. ]
[leave it to chihoon to be able to come up with a plan so calculated and pragmatic that mireu isn't sure whether he wants to be impressed or incredibly pissed off about it.
on one hand, it makes the most sense. chihoon is the least reactive of them—he may be the least reactive person in the entire city, for all they know. he probably could offset muyeol's outburst with his own neutrality to minimize a good portion of the damage. it's not something mireu can do himself, and youngjae can't be trusted with even tasks for preschoolers, so there isn't anyone else to do it. but chihoon's failing is tactfulness... mireu isn't really any better in some ways, but one of them is definitely much more well equipped to handled social situations and interactions better than the other. logically, they make a solid team even if it agitates mireu to his very core.
but the flipside of that, of course, is the fact that chihoon thought of it first. mireu's been one-upped again, and for all the things he may have been forced to let go thanks to the events of christmas break, there's still a lot to hold on to. especially at times like this, where he wants and needs to figure out ways to have the upper hand, even as they work towards the same goals. he just doesn't want to be second or third to choi chihoon. even if muyeol ranked above them, it would be fine as long as he could be above chihoon. it's quite the complex, isn't it?]
So you want to bank on something with no guarantees. That's how it is. [he lets it sound sarcastic and disdainful, but it's not as if mireu doesn't know that they can't predict how things will happen. even with trying to practice manipulating his own emotions to pull off cool tricks, the thing with emotions is that they spike and waver, and even when they can control themselves, they can't make those guarantees for others.]
There's probably no other way, huh? Not without Park Muyeol causing more damage than we can afford to pay back right now.
[ It's a good thing that Chihoon never takes those sort of tones personally, huh. Then again, there's always the question of just how much of it he understands with his limited perception of things.. life is hard when a part of your brain only barely functions, really.
So he replies just as calmly as ever to what the other is saying, although there's a hint of some gravity to it. Chihoon understands fully well just how terrible this situation can end up, but like Mireu said--
There's no other choice. ]
Not any I can see. [ And probably nothing he'll be able to figure out in the future either.. or at least, not before it's already too late to inform him anyway. And then shit will already be hitting the fan.
.. a small pause, and-- ]
My leg only just healed. I don't feel like getting it broken again either.
[ It's.. sort of an attempt at some levity, maybe..?? Or a joke that doesn't quite hit the spot.. Who knows, Chihoon is still fucking terrible at stuff like this, but he's been trying at least a little bit to be more socially capable after the whole incident. It just isn't easy when you've never been that way before and have a hard time putting yourself into anyone else's shoes thanks to limited emotional capabilities. ]
[well, this is a surprising turn of events! and definitely enough to cause mireu to veer off the track of the very serious conversation they're having. which... well, may be for the better, even if only for a bit. things were a little too real and too serious there for a bit.
and mireu doesn't really like that all too much, especially not when he's dealing with chihoon. sure, they're in the middle of a pretty serious situation that they need to deal with, and he's not going to avoid that much... but still. they need to break it up a little. or at least, mireu thinks so.
but he doesn't really care if chihoon disagrees. he's going there anyway.]
Did Choi Chihoon just make a joke? Wow, this situation must be pretty serious!
[ Don't you make fun of his attempts at trying to be a slightly more normal functioning social individual, Mireu.. he's trying, okay. In his own stupid emotionless way.
Which means that small pause that falls might actually have a slight hint of self-consciousness in it. So. Yeah. Stop that. ]
When you get serious, someone else might have to start joking to restore the balance. [ .. that's actually more serious than a joke. Mireu's like a volcano, when you can't see it errupt, you can only wonder when it's going to happen... ] I'm the only person talking to you right now.
[okay, no. it's still really strange to see chihoon actually joking around a little. even if it's in his own strange, deadpan sort of way. if this was anyone but mireu, they'd probably be a bit endeared by the attempt.
but it is mireu, so while he's definitely amused, it's definitely not changing his opinion of things anytime soon.] I didn't know you worried so much about how I would take things! There was a time when you'd barely remember who I was.
[which was the worst. how dare you??? everyone needs to know and remember kang mireu, dammit.]
[ It's a little more serious. And it's not even really a promise or anything sappy as much as it's just a statement of the facts. He won't say out loud why, since he knows Mireu gets it too. After going through what their whole group went through.. well, you don't just easily forget those people anymore.
Besides, considering one of them is already dead now.. it'd feel cruel even to Chihoon to forget anyone by now - even if it was his original "sin". ]
So for the situation concerning Park Muyeol, won't you at least trust me? [ To not bail on Mireu when shit gets tough, that is. It's just something they both have to do, even if it's going to be a pain. People who kill together, stick together.. or something like that. ]
[of course, he has to say it like that. sure, now he won't forget, not after all they've been through. even chihoon couldn't deny that it's something that had changed them, because to go through that totally unfettered would really make them the monsters yohan hoped for.
it's annoying, of course, that chihoon even has to ask this of him. despite the sour feeling his harbors, the situation had changed him too; even mireu had shreds of caring towards chihoon that he hadn't really realized until things got bad. when they though he was dead, when he was suffering as a hostage with that broken leg—it managed to get under mireu's skin and eat away at the deep-seated hatred. of course, that makes him bitter in some ways, and he's not keen to admit any of that aloud...
but he does have trust in chihoon and his intentions.] Did I say I wouldn't? Dealing with Park Muyeol's not going to be easy.
[ It's sort of indirect and abrusive, but he's come to expect that sort of thing from Mireu by now.
So Chihoon knows that even if he's saying it this indirectly, Mireu will trust him on it. Which is something they'll at least need if they want to make this whole dumping the truth on Muyeol thing work even remotely.. there's already enough things that can - and probably will - go wrong with it that they don't need to add that factor to it as well.
So there's just a mental sound of confirmation. Yeah, it's not going to be easy. Sucks to be them, etc, etc. ]
[it's not like he really has all that much more to say on the matter. it wounds his precious dumbass pride enough to have to admit (even indirectly) how much trust he has in chihoon's plan. he wants to be the mastermind himself, he wants to be making the rules and not taking orders.
but chihoon is right here, and mireu isn't stupid enough to try and fight that when they have a much bigger, more explosive problem on their hands. when they're the only ones that really know how destructive muyeol can be, that leaves them in a situation where he's got little room but to do just that. not that mireu has to like it. so of course, he doesn't want to keep discussing it any longer than in necessary.]
[ See, this is about as much of a cooperation as they need going here.. even if there's still no full plan, since Chihoon doesn't see the merit in telling Muyeol this quickly when he's still getting accustomed to the idea of being stuck here at all. Just let him settle a little bit more, and then they can risk it--
.. not like he knows though that all this shit is going to get in their way of actually telling him for a while, but.. hey, they're geniuses, not fortune tellers. ]
Yes. I'll tell you when the opportunity comes.
[ That's as much of a "Chihoon outtie" as there could be. ]
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empatheias
no subject
Besides, he knows Mireu's issue isn't what he's saying. He might be oblivious as hell to some stuff, but this is one thing he's caught onto. ]
That's why I said I'll be there too. I can't guarantee anything [ especially with how unpredictable this place is and all.. ] but it might cancel some of it out, at least.
[ Since even if Muyeol is like a whirlwind of emotions, Chihoon is like the big black hole that voids any sort of emotion. He doesn't think it could deal with all of the emotional ravage Muyeol could potentially cause, but it might be enough to at least keep the two of them out of the worst of it.
It's a little odd, and he's still not entirely used to it, but.. he does feel a sense of responsibility towards the others after what they've all been through together. Enough to offer this much. ]
It's the best we can have in this situation.
no subject
on one hand, it makes the most sense. chihoon is the least reactive of them—he may be the least reactive person in the entire city, for all they know. he probably could offset muyeol's outburst with his own neutrality to minimize a good portion of the damage. it's not something mireu can do himself, and youngjae can't be trusted with even tasks for preschoolers, so there isn't anyone else to do it. but chihoon's failing is tactfulness... mireu isn't really any better in some ways, but one of them is definitely much more well equipped to handled social situations and interactions better than the other. logically, they make a solid team even if it agitates mireu to his very core.
but the flipside of that, of course, is the fact that chihoon thought of it first. mireu's been one-upped again, and for all the things he may have been forced to let go thanks to the events of christmas break, there's still a lot to hold on to. especially at times like this, where he wants and needs to figure out ways to have the upper hand, even as they work towards the same goals. he just doesn't want to be second or third to choi chihoon. even if muyeol ranked above them, it would be fine as long as he could be above chihoon. it's quite the complex, isn't it?]
So you want to bank on something with no guarantees. That's how it is. [he lets it sound sarcastic and disdainful, but it's not as if mireu doesn't know that they can't predict how things will happen. even with trying to practice manipulating his own emotions to pull off cool tricks, the thing with emotions is that they spike and waver, and even when they can control themselves, they can't make those guarantees for others.]
There's probably no other way, huh? Not without Park Muyeol causing more damage than we can afford to pay back right now.
no subject
So he replies just as calmly as ever to what the other is saying, although there's a hint of some gravity to it. Chihoon understands fully well just how terrible this situation can end up, but like Mireu said--
There's no other choice. ]
Not any I can see. [ And probably nothing he'll be able to figure out in the future either.. or at least, not before it's already too late to inform him anyway. And then shit will already be hitting the fan.
.. a small pause, and-- ]
My leg only just healed. I don't feel like getting it broken again either.
[ It's.. sort of an attempt at some levity, maybe..?? Or a joke that doesn't quite hit the spot.. Who knows, Chihoon is still fucking terrible at stuff like this, but he's been trying at least a little bit to be more socially capable after the whole incident. It just isn't easy when you've never been that way before and have a hard time putting yourself into anyone else's shoes thanks to limited emotional capabilities. ]
no subject
[well, this is a surprising turn of events! and definitely enough to cause mireu to veer off the track of the very serious conversation they're having. which... well, may be for the better, even if only for a bit. things were a little too real and too serious there for a bit.
and mireu doesn't really like that all too much, especially not when he's dealing with chihoon. sure, they're in the middle of a pretty serious situation that they need to deal with, and he's not going to avoid that much... but still. they need to break it up a little. or at least, mireu thinks so.
but he doesn't really care if chihoon disagrees. he's going there anyway.]
Did Choi Chihoon just make a joke? Wow, this situation must be pretty serious!
no subject
Which means that small pause that falls might actually have a slight hint of self-consciousness in it. So. Yeah. Stop that. ]
When you get serious, someone else might have to start joking to restore the balance. [ .. that's actually more serious than a joke. Mireu's like a volcano, when you can't see it errupt, you can only wonder when it's going to happen... ] I'm the only person talking to you right now.
no subject
[okay, no. it's still really strange to see chihoon actually joking around a little. even if it's in his own strange, deadpan sort of way. if this was anyone but mireu, they'd probably be a bit endeared by the attempt.
but it is mireu, so while he's definitely amused, it's definitely not changing his opinion of things anytime soon.] I didn't know you worried so much about how I would take things! There was a time when you'd barely remember who I was.
[which was the worst. how dare you??? everyone needs to know and remember kang mireu, dammit.]
no subject
[ It's a little more serious. And it's not even really a promise or anything sappy as much as it's just a statement of the facts. He won't say out loud why, since he knows Mireu gets it too. After going through what their whole group went through.. well, you don't just easily forget those people anymore.
Besides, considering one of them is already dead now.. it'd feel cruel even to Chihoon to forget anyone by now - even if it was his original "sin". ]
So for the situation concerning Park Muyeol, won't you at least trust me? [ To not bail on Mireu when shit gets tough, that is. It's just something they both have to do, even if it's going to be a pain. People who kill together, stick together.. or something like that. ]
no subject
it's annoying, of course, that chihoon even has to ask this of him. despite the sour feeling his harbors, the situation had changed him too; even mireu had shreds of caring towards chihoon that he hadn't really realized until things got bad. when they though he was dead, when he was suffering as a hostage with that broken leg—it managed to get under mireu's skin and eat away at the deep-seated hatred. of course, that makes him bitter in some ways, and he's not keen to admit any of that aloud...
but he does have trust in chihoon and his intentions.] Did I say I wouldn't? Dealing with Park Muyeol's not going to be easy.
no subject
So Chihoon knows that even if he's saying it this indirectly, Mireu will trust him on it. Which is something they'll at least need if they want to make this whole dumping the truth on Muyeol thing work even remotely.. there's already enough things that can - and probably will - go wrong with it that they don't need to add that factor to it as well.
So there's just a mental sound of confirmation. Yeah, it's not going to be easy. Sucks to be them, etc, etc. ]
We'll deal with it then.
no subject
[it's not like he really has all that much more to say on the matter. it wounds his precious dumbass pride enough to have to admit (even indirectly) how much trust he has in chihoon's plan. he wants to be the mastermind himself, he wants to be making the rules and not taking orders.
but chihoon is right here, and mireu isn't stupid enough to try and fight that when they have a much bigger, more explosive problem on their hands. when they're the only ones that really know how destructive muyeol can be, that leaves them in a situation where he's got little room but to do just that. not that mireu has to like it. so of course, he doesn't want to keep discussing it any longer than in necessary.]
You just tell me when, and we'll make it happen.
no subject
.. not like he knows though that all this shit is going to get in their way of actually telling him for a while, but.. hey, they're geniuses, not fortune tellers. ]
Yes. I'll tell you when the opportunity comes.
[ That's as much of a "Chihoon outtie" as there could be. ]