[ It takes a couple of moments to catch his breath, let his heart settle, Blue's arm around him and the soft press of lips to his forehead keeping Yzak grounded in the moment. He shifts ever so slightly to pull out of Blue and more comfortably press his body to his, squeezing his hand in a content response to those kisses and tilting his head into it. ]
... as if I'd forget.
[ He murmurs back with that tone of assurance he's always so good at putting forward. Because it's the sort that he actually feels assured about. How could he not remember something like this? Something so nice ... with someone like him ... with these feelings that only keep growing.
Shifting once more so he can nuzzle gently into Blue's hair, Yzak's eyes drift shut as he inhales deeply, taking in his scent...
When he exhales and blinks his eyes open again, he's still there embracing Blue, under the covers of the bed of the inn. His eyelids feel heavy, as if he's just waking up, but ... he's been awake in here, hasn't he? Both of them...
Sleepy blue eyes focus on the frail, beautiful form next to him, as dreams and reality still feel intertwined, only starting to unravel. ]
[here in the waking world, Blue's body's shifted and curled into the embrace Yzak had sleepily reached for. he's still warm - both of them, still warm - and Yzak's breath against his neck is a soothing tickle.
he can feel it: the working of Yzak's mind, that Coordinator cadence that's so distinct from others, working to fit pieces together. to guess...and second-guess. no wonder doubt is such a familiar resident of his heart.
to that end, Blue stirs, untucking his hand from under his pillow to seek out Yzak's hand at rest around his waist, to rest on top of it. even at the threshold of whatever conclusions and reevaluations Yzak's waking mind will start to concoct, Blue can't help but feel grateful. he remembers.
but...will remembering only lead him to fear? such an intimate, unknown circumstance...]
I was there, too. [just to cut off any illusion that Yzak might think it was his own wishful dreaming.]
And what I had said...I meant it.
[slowly, he opens his eyes, still fighting his body to wake up with his mind. slowly, his head turns a little so he can see Yzak there.]
[ Everything still feels so warm and comfortable that Yzak naturally wants to hold on to that feeling. Waking up next to someone like this ... is something so new for him that there's a part of his mind that's glad about what happened the night before to bring them here.
But waking and clarity is something that comes quick to someone like Yzak, and despite the soft hand over his that he doesn't want to pull away from, things start to click together. It was a dream. It was a dream. A dream so hot and intense that his body still feels the phantom tingle from it, and...
I was there, too.
Instant realization because Yzak is well aware of the things Blue can do where dreams are concerned. That...
Does that mean...
He was...
There's also the fact that Yzak is realizing the dream turned him on in waking. And, he's a man, he's woken up like this plenty of times before, that much isn't surprising. But after a dream like that, with a dream-hopping psychic who was there- who ... joined him? Usually he wakes up alone like this, not with his arms around that very subject of his desire. ]
W - wh - huuuuuuh!?
[ Panic comes quickly and reflexively. He's too modest, too embarrassed when it comes to this sort of thing that it's not even doubt or fear that causes him to react like this. Yzak jolts, sitting upright as he turns redder than he did even in those moments of passion in the dream. ]
[ah-- there it is. there's really no buffering for that, is there? especially not in such a...unique circumstance. Blue just has to brace and bear it, squeezing his eyes shut and tensing up against it.
should he apologize, he wonders? was it something...to be sorry about? crossing that boundary, even though they both thoughtlessly pursued a shared want... he did realize it first...and didn't stop.
[ Sorry, Blue, for the onslaught of a million things running through Yzak's mind. He remembers the dream so vividly ... which he'll come around to be lowkey glad for as well, as Blue hoped for him. But Blue was there, too. Like, there there ... does that mean he scored? Does it count if it's like that? Does it matter? To someone who's always cut himself off from simple feelings of affection who's now here, it's something that jumps into his mind whether he wants it to or not. The way Yzak's body seems to reject the way he sits up because it didn't want to move, wanted to remain where it was in that warm embrace, somehow it feels like he's quickly approaching a line he won't be able to easily cross back from. And that's frightening too in its own way.
He notes the way Blue reacts, he instantly feels confused, guilty for causing it, because of how gentle, how reassuring his words were just moments before. He knows, he knows and yet, that can only do so much right now in this very reactive moment.
He needs a minute. He needs a couple of minutes to get his head on straight. Not just get his head on straight, but to calm down because to have this kind of wild reaction with an erection is really weird. ]
I ... I need to go and take a shower really quick...!
[ As he scrambles to his feet. At least Blue can tell why he needs a couple of minutes, that he feels apologetic himself right now. The shower will help.
[Blue doesn't stop him. distance...weird as it seems to him, can help, especially when it comes to matters of disentangling one's feelings that were so tightly woven together with someone else's in such a strong way. such a...visceral way, even; Yzak's not the only one left bodily wanting, after all.
the Mu sits up slowly, taking account for the regular discomforts ever-present on top of this residual feeling. it's...stronger than it was when embracing Jim, when dozing with Finn... the connections bodies make are more complex and layered than he'd have given them credit for; he's more conditioned by the sterile, edgeless society he was born into and ultimately cast from than he is consciously aware of. people...really gave this kind of raw connection up...?
again, he asks himself: should he apologize? does he want to? does he regret...?
...no. no, he doesn't regret it. not right now. not unless...he's really hurt Yzak irrecoverably. right now, the buzz and fluster from the washroom is...it's concerning, yes, but...did he hurt him?
slowly, he turns to sit up, legs dangling over the edge of the bed, grimacing with a jolt of discomfort - new discomfort. it's as if...Yzak hadn't finished him off at all... that tensed-up feeling is terrible, but he bears it while changing into dayclothes - not the skirt, not the blouse. it'd be too heavy a hit, he thinks, given the way Yzak had dreamed him up.]
[ There sure is a lot of buzz coming from the washroom. All about thus easily able to picked up by Blue - Yzak recalling that dream over and over, those images, the words spoken, how real everything felt and how good it was. He has similar thoughts to the ones Blue has ... a worried second guessing, should he apologize for how god damned horny his subconscious is? Does he regret that, dream or not?
He doesn't. He doesn't regret it either. If anything it's the flustered, awkward excitement of a first time (??? is it a first time though) and all that comes with it.
(including that self conscious wonder of, was he good at that? If it was a dream, probably. But would he be able to cause those sorts of reactions in Blue in waking?
He tries not to indulge in that thought too deeply, because he's trying to calm down here, not get more excited)
The shower does help calm him down some, lets him focus a little better. And when he finally comes back out into their room he's in his fancy doctor wear sans the vest, hair damp. He looks over to Blue, opens his mouth, ]
Ah- um...
[ He's quickly going red again, pressing the back of his hand over his mouth. What the hell can he say right now?
What happened to that cool guy from the dream? Bring him back, this one sucks. ]
[it's comforting that in some ways, they have similar minds about it. the curiosity, the strange little thrills of reflecting on it, knowing they were in sync the way they were. maybe Blue's a bit too happy to know Yzak's not repulsed...
when focus is back on him in the present, not just those recollections, he turns his head and looks over, his own face still a little flushed, but...lucid. aware. even a little uncertain, because...well. it's Yzak. things can pivot in unexpected ways without warning.]
Is it...something you want to talk about? Or is it too soon to say.
[ He sucks in a little breath. Blue can read him either way, even if he says something else outloud, tries to make something sound more or less important than he feels it is. ]
Look, it's - embarrassing enough, okay? Just to have a dream like that! And then to have it...
[embarrassing? Blue's eyebrows lift, but he doesn't offer a comment on that, instead just answering Yzak's question while turning his head away, facing the window.]
I've been in a dream of yours before. [...] You likely don't remember.
Either way... When there's enough emotional resonance, it seems...I find myself there. With others.
[....AN ADDENDUM:] Not in that specific sense. That...was new.
[ Embarrassing for him and his horny ass with too much shame.
Enough emotional resonance. Hearing that, Yzak feels a lightness in his chest. That's a good thing, right? He idly wonders what other dream Blue saw. But he files that away for now, because when Blue adds that addendum, he becomes even more aware of his own face burning slightly again. New for him, huh. ]
So it just - happens?
[ He feels some awkwardness rebubble up in him. ] And of all the things to have to end up seeing...! [ Then, half stammered: ] Or not just ... seeing?
I don't have...precise answers for you from here, Yzak. I never...physically connected with anyone before...to that scale. [...] It wasn't just...embracing a feeling alone. There was more to it.
[because they wanted more to it, because it wasn't just about feelings.]
It's fine. [ He asks because he's still feeling a little thrown. Overwhelmed.
His eyes shift down to the ground, and then up over to Blue. ] I've... never done that before, either, obviously! Even like that. [ As in, even his dreams usually aren't so focused, so full of desire for someone else, so ... much.
He breathes out a breath he barely realized he was holding. ]
Was it just mine?
Or did you actually ... want to dream that yourself, too?
[it's a little hard to be in this position, where Blue wants time to really think out his answers and what's behind them, but feeling Yzak's struggle to come to his own conclusions - ones he'll make rapidly whether he means to or not, given his nature, and any hesitation or silence from Blue would inevitably inform some fresh doubt.
in a way, it's good though, isn't it? teaching him to trust his instincts in the moment, instead of quiet rumination.]
I don't know if I could want...what I didn't know how to want. [he looks over his shoulder again.]
I do know...I wanted to kiss you again. That must've been the thru-line.
...Because it wasn't...truly physical. I see. [he turns away again, contemplative. this time, he does let himself have a moment to think about it, once again aware of that painful strain he's sitting with right now.]
Maybe...it doesn't...but it's left an effect. Understanding...feeling. [a whole lot of wanting.]
Now at least... I understand...what I was wanting.
[Blue lets out a quiet, affirmative sound, eyes on the window, squinting a little as one of the suns glares at the upper corner of the glass. it must be framing him a bit radiantly unbeknownst to him.]
Physical connection... It's stronger than I ever understood before. The society I came from...it's so...limited, so distant...
[he pauses to draw in a deeper breath, sighing out shakily.]
It's a little frightening...to realize...there was part of me I didn't even know until now.
[ That's right. The world Blue is from is what Yzak's might have if their last war ended differently. He still lacks every little detail, but the simple concept of a world with such little free will ... he can see why a society would become so limited, distant, loveless.
Hm. In a way, Yzak's done that to himself a bit, hasn't he? A strange thought to have in this moment.
The way that light frames Blue is very knownst to Yzak. He shifts his weight and tilts his head a little, staring. ]
Frightening ... in an entirely bad way?
[ There's an honest curiosity there. Some empathizing, too, because it's not to that extent, but these feelings for Blue have been similar, opening a part of himself he didn't know was there. ]
[that's easy to answer quickly, even if the followup takes a moment.]
If it were...myself alone, then it would be. But the way you're feeling...is a lot like how I am now. I'm relieved for that.
It's frightening...to strike out somewhere unknown alone, isn't it. Even if it's...something about yourself that's unknown. Especially if it's something like that.
[when he exhales, there's something of a weak laugh in his breath.]
But the person I am in dreams...that body of mine... I suppose that is a better impression than reality. [because he's quite sure this feeble form of his is a poor comparison.]
[ He crosses his arms, thoughtful as he takes a couple of steps toward Blue. At least... talking about it like this is a little easier. ]
You have a point there.
[ About that first thing. Hearing Blue talk about if it were himself alone ... this urge he feels trigger inside to not want to let him be alone in any capacity makes him glad he isn't, either.
He frowns when Blue says that second thing, though. Sure, he couldn't help but be concerned at that weak form of his... the one he's gazing at now, just as attracted to it - to him, as he was in the dream. And then his voice dips the tiniest bit, a bit sheepish. ]
I'm pretty sure I didn't have a dream like that ... because I care about what your body looks like.
[that compulsion to be nearby...being the type of person he is, how can Blue not notice it? it stirs up a very similar feeling, and as Yzak steps over, Blue looks up with a more flushed expression because of it.
looking at Yzak now, it's impossible to not think of his lithe, strong body against his own, to want to be held again, to feel his breath... the ache remains, and it grows, coloring that expression of his with clear-to-see longing.]
And I didn't...find my way to that dream...by accident. We wanted the same thing, Yzak... We still do.
[ The look in his eyes, and the way the sunbeam hitting him brings a glow to the edges of Blue's light hair and soft features make Yzak feel like this is as much of a dream as earlier. We still do. The statement hangs in his mind as he closes the distance between them.
The way his arms quickly snap out almost makes it seem like he's going to just grab Blue, but there's that focused, controlled care when they envelope him, one arm sliding around his shoulders, the other around his waist. The embrace is full, but gentle when Yzak pulls him up against him, careful as he can manage not to cause him any pain, but not so careful to overdo it and offend him or something. (can't give those lackluster hugs, after all)
The sunlight manages to somewhat wash out the color on his own cheeks, but it's still clearly there, as much a sign of the nervous rush of excitement as the way pulling Blue close to him lets him feel his racing heart. ]
[there's a soft sound in reaction while Blue shifts in turn to accommodate the embrace, one arm pressed between them while the other wraps around Yzak's shoulders. doing so might coax Yzak to settle on a knee or pull Blue up from sitting - either way, they're not letting go for a bit, so they may as well get comfortable.
the safety and comfort Blue feels in being like this together can't be understated; he could try and explain it and fail, because words are only the effort to explain a feeling, a state of being. it gives him permission to feel a little weaker without having to explain himself; he's always got to find some means to apologize for his shortcomings, it seems...except right now. right now he can draw in a shaky breath and breathe in a comforting scent, resting his head on Yzak's shoulder, fully embraced by an earnest and caring heart whose want is for him.]
[ Yzak is more than willing to accommodate here, so gets down on a knee when Blue's arm wraps around him. Such a familiar feeling from that dream, yet so different. The first time what he came to expect to feel when holding Blue's delicate body like this, he didn't. And now this time around that feeling from earlier is still so fresh in his mind he has to readjust again. He doesn't mind, of course, how could he so long as he gets to do this? ]
Hey. [ Muffled, because he doesn't want to pull away from him. ] What did you mean before? When you said 'someone like you'.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
... as if I'd forget.
[ He murmurs back with that tone of assurance he's always so good at putting forward. Because it's the sort that he actually feels assured about. How could he not remember something like this? Something so nice ... with someone like him ... with these feelings that only keep growing.
Shifting once more so he can nuzzle gently into Blue's hair, Yzak's eyes drift shut as he inhales deeply, taking in his scent...
When he exhales and blinks his eyes open again, he's still there embracing Blue, under the covers of the bed of the inn. His eyelids feel heavy, as if he's just waking up, but ... he's been awake in here, hasn't he? Both of them...
Sleepy blue eyes focus on the frail, beautiful form next to him, as dreams and reality still feel intertwined, only starting to unravel. ]
no subject
he can feel it: the working of Yzak's mind, that Coordinator cadence that's so distinct from others, working to fit pieces together. to guess...and second-guess. no wonder doubt is such a familiar resident of his heart.
to that end, Blue stirs, untucking his hand from under his pillow to seek out Yzak's hand at rest around his waist, to rest on top of it. even at the threshold of whatever conclusions and reevaluations Yzak's waking mind will start to concoct, Blue can't help but feel grateful. he remembers.
but...will remembering only lead him to fear? such an intimate, unknown circumstance...]
I was there, too. [just to cut off any illusion that Yzak might think it was his own wishful dreaming.]
And what I had said...I meant it.
[slowly, he opens his eyes, still fighting his body to wake up with his mind. slowly, his head turns a little so he can see Yzak there.]
no subject
But waking and clarity is something that comes quick to someone like Yzak, and despite the soft hand over his that he doesn't want to pull away from, things start to click together. It was a dream. It was a dream. A dream so hot and intense that his body still feels the phantom tingle from it, and...
I was there, too.
Instant realization because Yzak is well aware of the things Blue can do where dreams are concerned. That...
Does that mean...
He was...
There's also the fact that Yzak is realizing the dream turned him on in waking. And, he's a man, he's woken up like this plenty of times before, that much isn't surprising. But after a dream like that, with a dream-hopping psychic who was there- who ... joined him? Usually he wakes up alone like this, not with his arms around that very subject of his desire. ]
W - wh - huuuuuuh!?
[ Panic comes quickly and reflexively. He's too modest, too embarrassed when it comes to this sort of thing that it's not even doubt or fear that causes him to react like this. Yzak jolts, sitting upright as he turns redder than he did even in those moments of passion in the dream. ]
no subject
should he apologize, he wonders? was it something...to be sorry about? crossing that boundary, even though they both thoughtlessly pursued a shared want... he did realize it first...and didn't stop.
was that wrong?]
no subject
He notes the way Blue reacts, he instantly feels confused, guilty for causing it, because of how gentle, how reassuring his words were just moments before. He knows, he knows and yet, that can only do so much right now in this very reactive moment.
He needs a minute. He needs a couple of minutes to get his head on straight. Not just get his head on straight, but to calm down because to have this kind of wild reaction with an erection is really weird. ]
I ... I need to go and take a shower really quick...!
[ As he scrambles to his feet. At least Blue can tell why he needs a couple of minutes, that he feels apologetic himself right now. The shower will help.
Nice cold cold shower. ]
no subject
the Mu sits up slowly, taking account for the regular discomforts ever-present on top of this residual feeling. it's...stronger than it was when embracing Jim, when dozing with Finn... the connections bodies make are more complex and layered than he'd have given them credit for; he's more conditioned by the sterile, edgeless society he was born into and ultimately cast from than he is consciously aware of. people...really gave this kind of raw connection up...?
again, he asks himself: should he apologize? does he want to? does he regret...?
...no. no, he doesn't regret it. not right now. not unless...he's really hurt Yzak irrecoverably. right now, the buzz and fluster from the washroom is...it's concerning, yes, but...did he hurt him?
slowly, he turns to sit up, legs dangling over the edge of the bed, grimacing with a jolt of discomfort - new discomfort. it's as if...Yzak hadn't finished him off at all... that tensed-up feeling is terrible, but he bears it while changing into dayclothes - not the skirt, not the blouse. it'd be too heavy a hit, he thinks, given the way Yzak had dreamed him up.]
no subject
He doesn't. He doesn't regret it either. If anything it's the flustered, awkward excitement of a first time (??? is it a first time though) and all that comes with it.
(including that self conscious wonder of, was he good at that? If it was a dream, probably. But would he be able to cause those sorts of reactions in Blue in waking?
He tries not to indulge in that thought too deeply, because he's trying to calm down here, not get more excited)
The shower does help calm him down some, lets him focus a little better. And when he finally comes back out into their room he's in his fancy doctor wear sans the vest, hair damp. He looks over to Blue, opens his mouth, ]
Ah- um...
[ He's quickly going red again, pressing the back of his hand over his mouth. What the hell can he say right now?
What happened to that cool guy from the dream? Bring him back, this one sucks. ]
no subject
when focus is back on him in the present, not just those recollections, he turns his head and looks over, his own face still a little flushed, but...lucid. aware. even a little uncertain, because...well. it's Yzak. things can pivot in unexpected ways without warning.]
Is it...something you want to talk about? Or is it too soon to say.
no subject
[ He sucks in a little breath. Blue can read him either way, even if he says something else outloud, tries to make something sound more or less important than he feels it is. ]
Look, it's - embarrassing enough, okay? Just to have a dream like that! And then to have it...
... with you.
Does that ... happen often?
[ Asked more as a curiosity. ]
no subject
I've been in a dream of yours before. [...] You likely don't remember.
Either way... When there's enough emotional resonance, it seems...I find myself there. With others.
[....AN ADDENDUM:] Not in that specific sense. That...was new.
no subject
Enough emotional resonance. Hearing that, Yzak feels a lightness in his chest. That's a good thing, right? He idly wonders what other dream Blue saw. But he files that away for now, because when Blue adds that addendum, he becomes even more aware of his own face burning slightly again. New for him, huh. ]
So it just - happens?
[ He feels some awkwardness rebubble up in him. ] And of all the things to have to end up seeing...! [ Then, half stammered: ] Or not just ... seeing?
no subject
I don't have...precise answers for you from here, Yzak. I never...physically connected with anyone before...to that scale. [...] It wasn't just...embracing a feeling alone. There was more to it.
[because they wanted more to it, because it wasn't just about feelings.]
no subject
His eyes shift down to the ground, and then up over to Blue. ] I've... never done that before, either, obviously! Even like that. [ As in, even his dreams usually aren't so focused, so full of desire for someone else, so ... much.
He breathes out a breath he barely realized he was holding. ]
Was it just mine?
Or did you actually ... want to dream that yourself, too?
no subject
in a way, it's good though, isn't it? teaching him to trust his instincts in the moment, instead of quiet rumination.]
I don't know if I could want...what I didn't know how to want. [he looks over his shoulder again.]
I do know...I wanted to kiss you again. That must've been the thru-line.
no subject
That was a lot more than that...
I mean - I think. Does that ... does that even count!?
no subject
Count...?
[...]
...Because it wasn't...truly physical. I see. [he turns away again, contemplative. this time, he does let himself have a moment to think about it, once again aware of that painful strain he's sitting with right now.]
Maybe...it doesn't...but it's left an effect. Understanding...feeling. [a whole lot of wanting.]
Now at least... I understand...what I was wanting.
no subject
[ He just kind of blurted that one out, but it would have been on his mind anyway. Especially with Blue's unique dream related abilities. ]
What you were wanting...?
[ He feels his heart do a little flip, hearing him talk about this. ]
no subject
Physical connection... It's stronger than I ever understood before. The society I came from...it's so...limited, so distant...
[he pauses to draw in a deeper breath, sighing out shakily.]
It's a little frightening...to realize...there was part of me I didn't even know until now.
no subject
Hm. In a way, Yzak's done that to himself a bit, hasn't he? A strange thought to have in this moment.
The way that light frames Blue is very knownst to Yzak. He shifts his weight and tilts his head a little, staring. ]
Frightening ... in an entirely bad way?
[ There's an honest curiosity there. Some empathizing, too, because it's not to that extent, but these feelings for Blue have been similar, opening a part of himself he didn't know was there. ]
no subject
[that's easy to answer quickly, even if the followup takes a moment.]
If it were...myself alone, then it would be. But the way you're feeling...is a lot like how I am now. I'm relieved for that.
It's frightening...to strike out somewhere unknown alone, isn't it. Even if it's...something about yourself that's unknown. Especially if it's something like that.
[when he exhales, there's something of a weak laugh in his breath.]
But the person I am in dreams...that body of mine... I suppose that is a better impression than reality. [because he's quite sure this feeble form of his is a poor comparison.]
no subject
You have a point there.
[ About that first thing. Hearing Blue talk about if it were himself alone ... this urge he feels trigger inside to not want to let him be alone in any capacity makes him glad he isn't, either.
He frowns when Blue says that second thing, though. Sure, he couldn't help but be concerned at that weak form of his... the one he's gazing at now, just as attracted to it - to him, as he was in the dream. And then his voice dips the tiniest bit, a bit sheepish. ]
I'm pretty sure I didn't have a dream like that ... because I care about what your body looks like.
no subject
looking at Yzak now, it's impossible to not think of his lithe, strong body against his own, to want to be held again, to feel his breath... the ache remains, and it grows, coloring that expression of his with clear-to-see longing.]
And I didn't...find my way to that dream...by accident. We wanted the same thing, Yzak... We still do.
no subject
The way his arms quickly snap out almost makes it seem like he's going to just grab Blue, but there's that focused, controlled care when they envelope him, one arm sliding around his shoulders, the other around his waist. The embrace is full, but gentle when Yzak pulls him up against him, careful as he can manage not to cause him any pain, but not so careful to overdo it and offend him or something. (can't give those lackluster hugs, after all)
The sunlight manages to somewhat wash out the color on his own cheeks, but it's still clearly there, as much a sign of the nervous rush of excitement as the way pulling Blue close to him lets him feel his racing heart. ]
no subject
the safety and comfort Blue feels in being like this together can't be understated; he could try and explain it and fail, because words are only the effort to explain a feeling, a state of being. it gives him permission to feel a little weaker without having to explain himself; he's always got to find some means to apologize for his shortcomings, it seems...except right now. right now he can draw in a shaky breath and breathe in a comforting scent, resting his head on Yzak's shoulder, fully embraced by an earnest and caring heart whose want is for him.]
no subject
Hey. [ Muffled, because he doesn't want to pull away from him. ] What did you mean before? When you said 'someone like you'.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)