He stood up abruptly, pulling her up with him thanks to the handcuffs, and pinned her against the wall. His grip on her wrist tightened.
Ni-ki leaned in closer, his voice a cold whisper. "You're playing with fire, angel. Don't think for a second tha...
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12:45AM, and most of Rhaine's family had left, the lingering scent of food and spilled drinks still hung in the air. The living room was a mess of empty bottles and discarded plates, the remnants of a vibrant gathering now replaced by a sense of calm.
Only a few adults remained, sprawled across the floor in various states of drunkenness, including her mother, whose soft snoring punctuated the stillness.
Rhaine and Ni-ki sat on the couch, their bodies tired from the evening's festivities. They had just carried the sleeping Jian to her room.
His arm was casually draped around her shoulders, a comfortable weight that made her heart race in a way she didn't want to fully acknowledge.
Rhaine shifted slightly under Ni-ki's arm, trying to gauge the mood. "No one is awake, you know. You don't need to keep your arm around me."
He admitted, "I'm too lazy to move."
"How thoughtful of you." Another moment of silence stretched between them, the fatigue from the night settling in.
After a while, Rhaine broke the quiet, trying to sound casual. "So, how did you feel about meeting my family? I know they were a bit skeptical at first."
Ni-ki chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "They warmed up to me pretty quickly, didn't they? Can't say I'm surprised. Who wouldn't want to hang out with me?"
Rhaine raised an eyebrow, partially amused but also concerned. "Yeah, but it's still a big deal. They don't usually trust kumihos."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Let them talk. I'm not here to win a popularity contest."
"I get that," Rhaine replied, her voice steady. "But you know, with the human vs kumiho history..."
Ni-ki's expression turned serious for a moment. "You think I care what they think? They're just stories to me."
Rhaine frowned, unsure how to respond. "It's not just stories for them. They've heard things, and I know how discriminatory it is for you guys."
"Maybe they learnt something new tonight," he replied, leaning back with an air of confidence. "Or maybe they'll just have to deal with it."
Suddenly, with a casual expression, Ni-ki pulled out his phone.
"Let's get a picture," he said, holding the camera toward them.
Rhaine hummed, caught off guard. "Really? Right now?"
"Yeah," he said. He tilted his head, snapping a quick photo without waiting for her response. "Done," he said, glancing at the screen as if it was no big deal. "You look decent, I guess."
Rhaine glanced at the photo, slightly satisfied without she looked. "Thanks, I guess?"
Just then, the sound of the front door unlocking was heard, and Ni-ki instantly unwrapped his arm from around Rhaine, adopting a more composed posture as if nothing had happened.
Rhaine's dad entered the room, his expression a mix of fatigue and amusement as he surveyed the aftermath of the gathering. Unlike most of the other adults, he had managed to stay sober, and it showed in his clear eyes and steady demeanor.
"Hey, Rhaine," he said, noticing her and Ni-ki. "I need a hand waking everyone up. Your mom and the others are completely out cold."
"Sure, Dad," Rhaine replied, immediately rising up from the couch.
Ni-ki, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, nodded as well. "I can help too," he offered, his tone surprisingly earnest.
"Appreciate it," her dad said, heading toward the living room where the adults lay sprawled across couches and chairs. "Let's start with your uncle over there, Rhaine. I think he's claimed the best spot for himself."
"How about Auntie?" Rhaine queried.
"Oh, you know her. Once she's out, she out." Rhaine couldn't help but chuckle. "Let's focus on Yoongi first."
Rhaine followed, with Ni-ki close behind. Together, they approached her uncle, who was snoring loudly. Rhaine's dad gently shook him. "Hey, wake up! Time to go home."
With a groan, her uncle stirred but didn't fully wake. "Five more minutes..." he mumbled, rolling over.
"Not a chance," Rhaine's dad replied, his tone firm but lighthearted. "Let's get everyone up before we turn into a late-night comedy show."
Rhaine and Ni-ki shared a knowing look as they joined in, each taking turns nudging the other adults awake.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
Finally, everyone went home, leaving Rhaine and Ni-ki standing outside, the cool night air wrapping around them. They gazed up at the stars, the silence comfortable but charged with an undercurrent of tension.
"I can't believe how crazy tonight got," Rhaine said, shaking her head with a laugh. "I thought Uncle Yoongi was going to start dancing on the table."
Ni-ki smirked, leaning against the car. "Surprised that he didn't. That would've been cool."
She chuckled, imagining the chaos of her family. "Yeah, but it's probably for the best. I'd rather not have to explain that to my friends."
"With how everyone was drinking, you might have to deal with some wild stories tomorrow," he said, his tone light.
"True! And let's not even mention the awesome food. I'm glad they didn't serve mint chocolate for dessert. Can you believe people actually like mint chocolate?" Rhaine said. "It's like eating toothpaste."
"It's fucked up," Ni-ki replied, shaking his head. "My Sunoo hyung loves that stuff. I get he's a germaphobe, but he really doesnt need to eat toothpaste to prove that. Just waiting for the day when he adds mouthwash as topping."
Rhaine giggled, picturing Sunoo's enthusiastic face as he devoured mint chocolate ice cream. "That's a red flag."
They chuckled, the moment lightening the mood between them. Rhaine felt a sense of ease, forgetting the complexities of their situation, if only for a moment.
Just then, Ni-ki's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting as his brows furrowed. The playful demeanor faded from his face, replaced by a hard, serious look.
"I have to go," he said abruptly, turning away as he started to walk toward his car.
"What's wrong?" Rhaine asked, her heart skipping at the sudden change in his tone.
"I can't explain right now," he said, not looking back at her. His expression turned icy, and so did his voice. "I have to leave."
Before she could respond, he got into his car and drove away, leaving Rhaine standing there, confusion swirling in her mind. She stared after him, wondering what had just happened and why he hadn't told her more.
