𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛 / 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

S2 ch 45

The car ride home was painfully silent. Jiwon sat in the backseat, his head resting against the window as the city lights blurred past. Minho’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his jaw clenched. Jisung, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced back at Jiwon every now and then, concern etched into his features.

As soon as they arrived home, Minho turned off the engine and exhaled sharply before turning to Jiwon. His eyes were hard, his voice clipped. “You’re grounded. No going out, no phone, and definitely no Rafayel.”

Jiwon stiffened. “What?”

“You heard me.” Minho’s tone left no room for argument. “He let you drink. He let you smoke. He let you act like an idiot, and I’m not letting it happen again. You're 15 Jiwon.”

Jiwon’s hands curled into fists. “It wasn’t his fault—”

“He didn’t stop you,” Minho cut in. “Which means he’s not looking out for you the way a real friend should.”

Jiwon bit the inside of his cheek, frustration and something deeper—something painful—bubbling up inside him.

“You’re not allowed to meet up with him. End of discussion.” Minho got out of the car, slamming the door behind him.

Jiwon didn’t move for a moment, his chest tight. When he finally got out, he went straight to his room without another word.

---

Days passed, and Jiwon barely spoke.

He stayed in his room, barely coming out except for meals, and even then, he ate in silence. He didn't argue with Minho. He didn’t try to sneak out. He didn’t even try to reach out to Rafayel, though every part of him wanted to.

At first, Minho thought Jiwon was just sulking, but as the days stretched on, Jisung began to worry.

One evening, Jisung knocked softly on Jiwon’s door before stepping inside. The room was dim, the only light coming from the soft glow of the window. Jiwon sat on his bed, hugging his knees, his expression unreadable.

Jisung sat down beside him. “You haven’t been yourself.”

Jiwon didn’t respond.

Jisung sighed. “Look, I know you’re mad. And I know you miss him.”

Jiwon swallowed, gripping his sleeves. “I don’t care.”

Jisung gave him a look. “You do. And that’s okay.”

Jiwon exhaled shakily, staring at the floor. “Minho doesn’t get it.”

“He’s just worried about you,” Jisung said gently. “We both are.”

Jiwon let out a hollow laugh. “Yeah? Then why does it feel like I can’t breathe without him?”

Jisung hesitated. “Because… you care about him more than you want to admit.”

Jiwon clenched his jaw, his chest aching. “I hate this.”

Jisung didn’t push him to explain. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Jiwon’s shoulders, pulling him into a side hug. “Your birthday’s coming up,” he said after a moment. “Sixteen. You should be excited.”

Jiwon sighed. He should be. But all he could think about was how much he wanted to see Rafayel—how much he missed his teasing, his warmth, the way he made Jiwon feel like the most interesting person in the room.

And that want—that need—was only getting stronger.

On the other side, Rafayel was now being home schooled. Not being able to see the younger man made him mentally go insane inside. He didn't want to admit he had an unhealthy obsession with Jiwon already.

He wanted to run away with him and hide him away from everyone.

But he knew he was dead by Jisung and Minho before he could even touch him.

Knowing jisung is a famous past criminal and was insane in his prime would create a war between their families if Rafayel and Jiwon ever get closer than friends.

Rafayel was lost in his thoughts, thinking about how he would be able to get the other a birthday present as his birthday is getting close. How can you basically hang out or gift a present to someone you're forbidden to see and talk to.

He kept thinking hard until his father came into the room.

"Rafayel, get dressed properly. You have shooting practice,"

"Alright, I'm on my way."

To be continued.....