𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛 / 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

S3 ch 75

The storm had died down, but tension still clung to the air like mist. The house had gone quiet. The others gave them space—no one dared speak too loudly, not after what happened. The news, the truth, the silence… it all still echoed in everyone’s minds.

Rafayel sat on the edge of the bed, still in the clothes he wore when he left. His shirt was damp, clinging to his skin, streaked with dirt and the faint smell of gasoline and metal.

Jiwon stood by the door, watching him. The room was dim, lit only by the soft bedside lamp.

Jiwon: (quietly)
"You haven’t said a word since the news played."

Rafayel: (still staring at the floor)
"What’s left to say?"

Jiwon:
"I don’t care about your father. Or the mafia. Or what you were born into."
(pauses)
"I care about you. You scared me tonight."

Rafayel finally looked up. His eyes were tired, but there was something fragile in them—something unspoken.

Rafayel:
"I did what I had to do. To protect you."

Jiwon: (stepping closer)
"And who’s going to protect you?"

Silence. A beat passed. Jiwon crossed the room and knelt in front of him, resting his hands on Rafayel’s knees.

Jiwon: (gently)
"You always carry the weight for everyone else. But you're not invincible, Rafayel. You’re allowed to fall apart."

Rafayel’s hands trembled slightly before he curled his fingers into Jiwon’s.

Rafayel:
"I don’t know how to be anything else. Every time I close my eyes, I see him—my father, the guns pointed at me. Aaron’s face. I keep thinking… maybe I should’ve let them kill me. Maybe that would’ve been easier."

Jiwon: (voice firm but tender)
"Don’t you ever say that."

He stood up, gently guiding Rafayel up with him, and wrapped his arms around him. Rafayel stood stiff at first… then melted into Jiwon’s embrace, head dropping to his shoulder.

Jiwon: (softly)
"You chose me. You chose us. That means everything. That means you live. With me."

They stood like that for a long time—silent, heartbeats pressed close. Then Jiwon leaned back slightly, brushing Rafayel’s hair out of his face, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jiwon:
"Come here."

He guided Rafayel gently onto the bed, fingers undoing the buttons of his damp shirt. Not rushed. Not hungry. Just soft, and careful, and reverent. As if Rafayel might break if touched too fast.

Rafayel looked up at him, eyes shimmering in the low light.

Rafayel:
"You’re the only thing that feels real."

Jiwon: (smiling faintly)
"Then hold on to me. I’m not going anywhere."

They lay down together, bodies tangled in warmth, limbs wrapped tight. Jiwon pressed soft kisses to Rafayel’s shoulder, his neck, his chest—no words, just presence. Rafayel clung to him like he was the only safe place left in the world.

-----

The morning after the storm felt quiet—too quiet.

Jiwon had gone out to the garden behind the house to get some air. He needed space, just for a second. Everyone was finally breathing again after the chaos. But when ten minutes passed... then twenty... and still no sign of him, unease crept in.

Jisung: (glancing around)
“Has anyone seen Jiwon?”

Felix:
“He said he’d be back in five. That was nearly half an hour ago.”