𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛 / 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

S3 ch 78

The kitchen was already buzzing when Jiwon wandered in, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He wore one of Rafayel’s oversized black shirts, the hem brushing the tops of his thighs. His hair was a mess, and he looked soft and warm like someone who’d just been tangled up in sleep and arms all night.

The chatter paused when everyone noticed him.

Seungmin:
“…Morning.”

Jisung: (raising an eyebrow at the shirt)
“Nice fashion choice.”

Felix: (grinning, sipping coffee)
“Definitely not his own shirt.”

Jiwon: (ignoring them, opening the fridge)
“Do we have strawberry yogurt or did Hyunjin eat it again like a lying thief?”

Hyunjin:
“Excuse me? I’m a selective thief.”

Minho: (flatly)
“And I’m having a mental breakdown, thanks for asking.”

Jiwon grabbed the yogurt and slid into the seat beside Changbin, who looked up from his toast and gave a small nod of acknowledgment. No one dared say it outright, but the shift in the air was obvious. Jiwon wasn’t shy. Wasn’t awkward. Wasn’t hiding.

He was just… his. Rafayel’s.

And as if summoned by thought, Rafayel walked in behind him. He looked sharp and freshly dressed — all black, collar popped, bandage still peeking slightly from under his shirt. The air changed again.

Jisung: (under his breath to Minho)
“It’s like a mafia K-drama and we’re the side characters.”

Minho: (deadpan)
“Speak for yourself. I’m the tragic gay uncle.”

Rafayel walked behind Jiwon, leaned down, and kissed the top of his head without saying a word. Jiwon rolled his eyes and pushed a spoonful of yogurt into his mouth, but the flush on his cheeks gave him away.

Hyunjin: (mock-gagging)
“I missed when you guys used to hate each other.”

Jeongin:
“They were never subtle.”

Jiwon: (chewing)
“You all still talk like I can’t kill you with a spoon.”

Rafayel: (quietly, just to Jiwon)
“But you’re so cute when you threaten them. Do it again.”

Jiwon: (smirking)
“Later. When you’re not distracting me with your ‘wounded mafia boss’ sex appeal.”

Changbin: (groaning into his mug)
“God, it’s worse than I thought.”

---

Later that night, the group was sprawled around the living room. A movie played in the background, mostly ignored. Jiwon lay across Rafayel’s lap on the couch, scrolling through his phone while Rafayel absentmindedly ran fingers through his hair.

Minho watched from across the room, arms crossed, face unreadable. Jisung leaned into him with a quiet sigh.

Jisung:
“You’re doing better than I thought.”

Minho: (quiet)
“He’s really happy.”

Jisung:
“Yeah. He is.”

Minho: (after a pause)
“I guess I just have to… adjust. He’s not a kid anymore. And Rafayel’s not who he was.”

Jisung: (squeezing his hand)
“No. He’s not.”

Across the room, Jiwon shifted and tilted his head back to look up at Rafayel.

Jiwon:
“You know they’re talking about us, right?”

Rafayel: (soft laugh)
“Of course. They always are.”