Just Before The Dawn [DaeJae]

Twentyone

„Hey Youngjae, we're going to my cousin's birthday party tonight. Do you want to come with us? I think it would be a nice last night here." Daehyun smiled at the younger through the mirror. He was in the process of changing into clothes for the party, while Junhong was in the bathroom.

Youngjae looked up from the book he was reading. „Um...I don't know... Are you sure that would be okay?"

„Of course, it's not a family party and Junhong is coming, too and I'd hate to leave you here all alone the whole night." 

Youngjae ran a hand through his hair. „Actually... I don't like being with many people..." 

"There won't be that many, my cousin prefers smaller parties, and I am with you, I'll take care of you. If it gets too much, you can still leave. Trust me, I know most of his friends, they're super nice." 

The younger thought about it for a while, before he eventually nodded. "Alright, I'll come." 
He was a bit scared of going to the party, but he was more afraid of being alone in an unknown environment with Jumin and his friends near by. A look at Daehyun's face told him the older must be really happy with his answer, he grinned like a child on Christmas. 

"Cool! We're leaving in half an hour, so you should get dressed. But no need to hurry." 

... 

It was raining when they secretly left the hotel, so the three boys were lucky Daehyun's cousin didn't live too far away. The house wasn't hard to find, the music could be heard outside on the street. 

When they arrived, they saw three young men standing at the front door, smoking. One of them noticed the newcomers, immediately approaching them with a grin on his face. "Dae, good to see you again. It's been a while." He hugged the blonde tightly, before looking at the younger two. "These are your friends I suppose?" 

"Yup. The tall one is Junhong, I've told you about him last time we met. And this is Youngjae, I don't think you know him yet." 

His cousin nodded. "Nice to meet you, my name is Seokjae. If you need anything, just tell me. Oh, and the toilet on the ground floor isn't working so you have to use the one upstairs." 

Daehyun nodded. "Alright. Then see you later, I'm cold I need to go have a drink to warm up." 

Seokjae smiled. "Do that. Oh, Dae..." he suddenly said as the walked past him, "Here... if you want to chill later." He stuck something in Daehyun's pocket and the latter nodded, then they eventually entered the building. 

"What did he give you?" Junhong asked curiously, but the older just shook his head, grinning. "Nothing for minors." 

Youngjae watched how the younger hit his friend's shoulder, grumbling, and he wondered what it could have been. Obviously it had to be some kind of drug, otherwise Seokjae would not have done it that secretly. Youngjae had never tried any drugs - well, except of alcohol of course, but that did not count, since it was not illegal... well, since he was only seventeen he in fact was not allowed to drink, but somehow he always managed to not being asked for his ID, but alcohol still was something completely different from generally illegal substances. 

They went to the living room after putting their shoes and jackets aside. Daehyun had been right, there weren't too many people, but still too many for Youngjae to feel comfortable. He decided to just stick to Junhong for the rest of the evening, since the boy also seemed a bit lost. Daehyun on the other hand seemed to know everyone and suddenly ran towards a smaller guy, who looked a bit confused and spaced-out. 

"Jongup! You little liar, why have you told me you wouldn't be here when I asked you?" he yelled and hugged the boy, who  started smiling. 

"Sorry, I forgot Seokjae is your cousin..." he mumbled, making Junhong, who had overheard the conversation, laugh. 

"I think he had a  bit too much weed already" he said to Youngjae, who smiled. He had been thinking exactly the same, at least until Daehyun came back to them. 

"Nope, he's always like that" he said, checking his phone. "Guys, we should get something to drink. What do you want?" 

"You should try the cherry beer, it's good." Jongup said, taking a sip of his own. 

"Alright, I'll try it" Junhong said, "What about you, Youngjae?" 

The boy nodded in agreement. He didn't really care what got to drink, he just needed alcohol. The last days here in Busan without a single drop of alcohol had driven him crazy, which was another reason why he had agreed to come to the party. He hated the withdrawal effects. This morning, his hands had been shaking so hard, he had almost dropped his cup of tea at breakfast.