𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛 / 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

S3 ch 83

Sunlight filtered in through half-closed curtains, casting soft light on the messy apartment floor. The cats were already up, pawing at Jiwon's hoodie-draped legs. He didn't move.

Rafayel came out of the kitchen, sipping coffee. He looked at Jiwon curled on the couch again, in the exact same position he had been in yesterday... and the day before that.

Rafayel:
(softly)
"Ji... you've been cooped up in here for days. You need air. Just a little."

Jiwon didn't respond.

Rafayel:
"I'm not asking you to do anything big. We can just go on a drive. We don't even have to get out. We can go look at the lake. Or the cats in the pet store. I'll even buy you one of those jelly drinks you like."

Jiwon:
(quiet, muffled)
"No."

Rafayel:
"Ji..."

Jiwon:
(firm, low)
"I said no."

Rafayel set his coffee down and walked over, crouching in front of the couch. His hands rested lightly on Jiwon's knees.

Rafayel:
"Baby. I know it's hard. I know. But you're starting to fade. I can see it. I feel like if I blink too long, you'll disappear."

Jiwon looked away, tears brimming in his eyes but refusing to fall.

Jiwon:
"You should let me."

Rafayel:
(sharply)
"Don't say that."

Jiwon:
"I don't want to see people. I don't want the light. I just want everything to stop."

Rafayel pressed his forehead to Jiwon's knee, holding back the burn in his own throat.

Rafayel:
"And I want you to live. I want you to breathe. Just come with me today. You don't have to speak. You don't even have to look at anyone. Just... be there. With me."

Jiwon didn't move.

So Rafayel stood, walked behind the couch, and in one swift, decisive move-he picked Jiwon up, blanket and all.

Jiwon:
"What the hell-?! Rafayel! Put me down!"

Rafayel:
(grunting as he carried him)
"You leave me no choice. Blanket burrito it is."

Jiwon:
"I swear to god- I'm going to bite you-"

Rafayel:
"You can try. I'll just call it affection."

---

Jiwon sat slumped in the passenger seat, hood pulled low, blanket still wrapped around him like armor. His jaw clenched tight, fists digging into his thighs as the city rolled by through the windows.

Jiwon:
(mumbling)
"I hate this. I hate people looking. I hate the noise."

Rafayel:
(quietly, eyes on the road)
"They're not looking at you, love. And if they are? I promise you, I'll tell every last one of them to f*** off."

Jiwon said nothing, staring at his reflection in the window. His breathing was shallow, heart racing with no real trigger other than existing in public.

It was too bright. Too open. Too crowded.

Jiwon clung to the sleeve of Rafayel's jacket with white-knuckled fingers, hood shielding most of his face. His legs trembled with every step.

Jiwon:
(through clenched teeth)
"I can't. I can't do this."

Rafayel:
(stopping and holding his hand)
"You're okay. Just keep breathing. We'll get those chips you like and we'll leave. You're doing good. I've got you."