𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛 / 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

S3 ch 77

The soft hum of machines was the only sound filling the room. The moonlight slipped quietly through the blinds, silvering the edge of the white hospital sheets. Rafayel lay back against the bed, propped up by pillows, bandages wrapped snugly around his torso from the bullet wound. He winced faintly every now and then, but he didn’t complain.

His gaze was on Jiwon.

Jiwon was curled up gently against him, lying halfway on his side with his head resting on Rafayel’s shoulder. One of Rafayel’s arms was wrapped around him protectively, his fingers absentmindedly brushing through Jiwon’s hair, trying to soothe him to sleep.

Rafayel: (softly, brushing his thumb behind Jiwon’s ear)
“You’re still awake?”

Jiwon: (mumbling sleepily)
“Barely. You’re warm.”

Rafayel chuckled quietly.

Rafayel:
“I could say the same about you. I could get used to this.”

Jiwon hummed, burying his face a little closer into his neck.

Jiwon:
“You better.”

Slowly, his breathing evened out. Rafayel smiled faintly, still watching him. There was something peaceful about seeing Jiwon like this—finally at rest, finally safe.

But that peace didn’t last.

---

Nightmare

It started with a twitch.

Then Jiwon flinched—softly at first, then more violently. His hand clenched into Rafayel’s shirt. A soft whimper escaped his lips, then another. His legs shifted restlessly beneath the blanket.

Jiwon: (murmuring in sleep)
“No… don’t… please… Rafayel…”

Rafayel’s smile faded.

Rafayel: (gently shaking him)
“Jiwon. Wake up. It’s just a dream—wake up, baby.”

Jiwon didn’t respond. Tears streamed silently from his eyes as he turned his head away, still locked in the dream.

Rafayel: (voice tense now)
“Jiwon. Please—wake up, love.”

He shook him a little harder, panic creeping into his tone, watching his lover break down in his sleep, unable to pull him out.

Then—suddenly—Jiwon jolted awake with a sharp gasp, chest heaving. His eyes darted around, wild and unfocused, until they landed on Rafayel.

Jiwon: (whispering shakily)
“I remember…”

Rafayel: (softly, eyes wide)
“Jiwon?”

Jiwon: (looking into his eyes)
“I remember… everything.”

Silence fell between them, heavy like a weight in the chest.

Jiwon:
“You kidnapped me. Locked me away. You said you loved me, but I didn’t understand it then. I was scared. I felt like a… like a thing you wanted to keep.”

Rafayel’s expression cracked, pain flooding his face.

Rafayel: (quietly)
“I know. I was… obsessed. I was broken back then. I didn't know how to love right. I just knew I needed you near me, no matter what it cost.”

He looked down.

Rafayel:
“I’m sorry, Jiwon. I truly am. I changed. I swear I changed.”

Jiwon: (gently)
“I know you did.”

Rafayel looked up, startled.

Jiwon:
“You’re not the same man who locked me away. That Rafayel was cold, lost. But this version of you? You would take a bullet for me. You did.”