𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛 / 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

S2 ch 43

As they stepped back inside, the warmth of the house wrapped around them, easing the cool from their bodies. Rafayel made his way toward the kitchen, glancing over his shoulder at Jiwon.

"You want a drink?" Rafayel asked casually, as he pulled out a bottle of alcohol from a cabinet. It looked like vodka, and the way he opened it with a practiced twist made it clear he wasn’t a stranger to drinking. He poured a generous amount into a glass and, without hesitation, took a large gulp.

Jiwon hesitated for a moment. He’d never been much of a drinker—his parents had always been strict about things like alcohol. Maybe it was the atmosphere, the freedom he felt being here with Rafayel. The decision felt natural in the moment.

"Sure," Jiwon said, his voice quieter than usual. He watched Rafayel with a mixture of curiosity and excitement as Rafayel handed him the glass.

"Just don’t drink too fast," Rafayel warned, but his tone was light, teasing almost. "We don’t want you getting too crazy on your first try."

Jiwon nodded, raising the glass to his lips. The strong burn of the alcohol hit him almost immediately, and he winced slightly as it slid down his throat. It tasted harsh, unfamiliar—but there was something freeing about it, something that made him feel a little more daring.

"How’s that?" Rafayel asked, eyeing him with a smirk as he leaned against the counter.

Jiwon swallowed and exhaled slowly. "It’s strong," he muttered, but he gave a small smile. "But... I think I like it."

Rafayel’s eyes flickered with a mischievous gleam. "Good. You’re a natural."

Jiwon took another sip, feeling a little more comfortable now that the alcohol was loosening up the edges of his thoughts. The world seemed to blur around the edges, the buzz from the drink slowly making its way through his system.

A few minutes later, Jiwon felt it—a slight dizziness, a lightness in his head that made the room feel a little unsteady. He took a step and then another, feeling his legs wobble.

Rafayel noticed immediately, his eyes narrowing in amusement as Jiwon stumbled slightly, his vision swimming. He stood up straighter, stepping closer to Jiwon with a steadying hand.

"You okay there?" Rafayel’s voice was soft, but there was something almost playful in his tone.

Jiwon nodded, but his body was betraying him. His head spun a little, and the dizziness made him feel like he was sinking into the warmth of Rafayel’s presence. He reached out instinctively for something to steady himself, and before he knew it, he was leaning against Rafayel, his arm draped across his shoulders.

The closeness surprised him, and for a moment, he just held onto Rafayel, his head resting against his shoulder. Rafayel’s hand was gentle as it found its way to Jiwon’s waist, steadying him.

"You sure you’re okay?" Rafayel murmured, his voice low. There was a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, though his touch remained light.

Jiwon didn’t answer at first—he was too caught up in the sensation of being so close to Rafayel. The alcohol had lowered his guard, and for some reason, he didn’t pull away. Instead, he felt himself getting lost in the moment, in the warmth of Rafayel’s body against his.

Rafayel, still holding him, looked down at Jiwon, admiring the way he looked in the dim light of the room. There was a softness to Jiwon’s features that Rafayel couldn’t help but appreciate—the curve of his jaw, the gentle way he leaned into Rafayel’s touch.

Rafayel’s smirk deepened as his eyes traveled over Jiwon’s face, admiring the way the alcohol made his eyes glisten with a little more vulnerability. There was something in the air, a tension that Rafayel could feel, an unspoken shift between them.