𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛 / 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

S2 ch 72

The next few days felt… charged. Like the air in the house had thickened with something invisible but undeniable. Every glance between Jiwon and Rafayel lingered too long. Every accidental brush of hands, every shared silence, even the tiniest smirk from Rafayel sent Jiwon spiraling internally.

The others noticed.
They didn’t talk about it openly—at least not in front of them—but behind closed doors, whispers passed between rooms.

“I swear they’re gonna kiss or kill each other,” Jeongin muttered while drying dishes with Seungmin.

Seungmin chuckled. “Or both.”

---

In the living room one evening, the tension reached a boiling point.

Jiwon was laying across the couch, head propped on a pillow, scrolling through his phone. Rafayel walked in, fresh out of the shower, towel around his neck, hair still damp and tousled, wearing nothing but low-hanging joggers and that same smug confidence.

Jiwon looked up for one second too long.

“You good, kitten?” Rafayel asked, noticing the stare, using that nickname he knew got under Jiwon’s skin.

Jiwon sat up fast, scoffing. “I’m not your pet. Don’t call me that.”

“Funny, you purr like one when I touch your neck,” Rafayel replied casually, walking past him and grabbing a bottle of water.

Jiwon’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?!”

Bangchan, who’d just walked in, paused mid-step with popcorn in hand. “…I’ll come back later,” he mumbled and backed out slowly.

Jiwon stood up, clearly flustered now, pointing a finger at Rafayel. “You think you’re so smooth, don’t you?”

Rafayel took a sip of water, leaning against the kitchen counter. “I don’t think, Jiwon. I know.”

“You’re insufferable,” Jiwon hissed, cheeks now visibly red.

“And yet you can’t stop looking at me.” Rafayel’s voice was lower now, teasing but tinged with something more serious. His green eyes locked with Jiwon’s, like he was daring him to say something—anything.

Jiwon opened his mouth, closed it again. His throat felt tight. His heart was pounding in his ears. “T-Take a damn shirt next time,” he muttered, turning and stomping off toward the stairs.

As he reached the steps, Rafayel called after him.

“Maybe I will. Or maybe I’ll wait ‘til you finally admit you like it.”

Jiwon paused on the third step. His fists clenched.

“…Asshole,” he whispered under his breath.

But the heat rising in his chest had nothing to do with anger.

---

Later that night, Jiwon was pacing in his room, hand over his face, trying to shake the butterflies in his stomach.

In the hallway, Minho leaned against the wall beside Jisung.

“Are you just gonna let this continue?” Jisung whispered.

“I’m watching everything,” Minho muttered, eyes cold. “If Rafayel crosses one line… just one…”

“Relax, Min,” Jisung said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Jiwon’s not stupid. He might actually be… happy.”

Minho didn’t respond. His eyes stayed fixed on Jiwon’s closed door.

---

Inside, Jiwon leaned against the wall, exhaling.

“Why do you have to be so damn hot and annoying,” he muttered to himself, sliding down to the floor.

He didn’t want to admit it out loud yet.

But Rafayel had him completely wrapped around his finger.

So he decided to take revenge!

The next morning, Jiwon stood in front of the mirror with a devilish grin on his face.

If Rafayel wanted to play games, fine. He could play too.

He picked out an oversized off-shoulder sweater that hung just low enough to show his collarbone and part of his chest, paired it with loose grey shorts that just barely covered enough, and let his hair stay slightly tousled. A little lip tint. Subtle perfume. He looked like casual sin.

He stepped out of his room and headed toward the kitchen—barefoot, legs on full display. The reactions were instant.

Jeongin, mouth full of cereal, choked. “What the—Jiwon?!”

Seungmin squinted, raising a brow. “You look like you're trying to seduce the whole house.”

Jisung, casually sipping tea, smirked and gave a low whistle. “Damn, someone woke up feeling dangerous.”

Jiwon just smiled sweetly. “What? It’s hot today.”

And then—Rafayel walked in.

Still groggy from sleep, hair messy, black hoodie slung over his shoulder. His eyes locked on Jiwon for two seconds—and his body visibly tensed.

“...What the hell are you wearing?” Rafayel asked, voice low and gruff.

Jiwon turned slowly, giving him the most innocent look in the world. “This? Just something comfy.”

“Looks like something you borrowed from Satan’s thirst trap wardrobe,” Rafayel muttered, eyes flicking away—but not fast enough to hide the way he glanced again.

Jiwon walked past him, close enough for their arms to brush. “Don’t act like you didn’t stare,” he whispered with a smirk, brushing his fingers just slightly against Rafayel’s stomach before heading to the living room.

Rafayel stood frozen. Jaw clenched. He turned to look at Minho, who was glaring murderously from across the room, eyes flicking between the two of them.

“I didn’t start this,” Rafayel said defensively.

“Don’t finish it either,” Minho warned.

---

Later, in the backyard, Jiwon purposefully walked over to Rafayel, who was doing push-ups shirtless—of course. Jiwon leaned against a tree, slowly licking a popsicle and staring.

“Need help, golden retriever?” he teased.

Rafayel huffed. “You’re playing with fire, Jiwon.”

Jiwon leaned closer. “Guess I wanna see if I get burned.”

Rafayel stood up, wiped his sweat with a towel, and stepped toward him. “Are you flirting with me or trying to kill me?”

Jiwon smirked. “A little bit of both.”

Later that night, Rafayel cornered Jiwon in the hallway. Not angrily—more like someone who finally snapped after being teased too long.

“Keep doing that,” he said, voice low, “and I’m gonna forget you’re the one who started this.”

Jiwon’s heart thumped in his chest. “Maybe I want you to forget.”

They stared at each other for a long second.

Then Rafayel leaned in, lips brushing Jiwon’s ear. “Careful, kitten. You tease me too much, I might bite.”

And just like that—he walked away.

Leaving Jiwon standing there, flushed, speechless, and very aware that this game was far from over.

To be continued....

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