Chapter 13: Drunk and Hickey

The weekend arrived, and with it, the much-anticipated game night. Jihoon had spent all Saturday morning preparing, carefully strategizing how he would handle the increasing presence of Yuna in their lives. He thought about everything—from setting up the gaming console to ensuring there were plenty of snacks available. But all his planning couldn't quell the knot that had formed in his stomach.

When the evening hit, Jihoon was a flurry of nerves, second-guessing every decision he had made. Finally, as the clock struck seven, he heard the doorbell ring. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to find Seungmin and Yuna standing there, both of them grinning widely.

"Hey! Ready for an epic night?" Seungmin called out, his excitement palpable. Yuna waved with her usual brightness, beaming at Jihoon.

"Absolutely," Jihoon replied, pasting on the best smile he could muster. He stepped aside to let them in.

The living room quickly transformed into a gaming battlefield, with chairs gathered around the console, snacks piled high on the coffee table, and energy drinks lining the side. It felt overwhelming, but Jihoon was determined to make this work.

As they dove into the games, Jihoon tried to focus on the competition and the dynamics of their banter, but it was impossible to ignore the chemistry between Seungmin and Yuna. They kept exchanging playful glances and laughter, pulling Jihoon further into his feelings of insecurity.

Hours passed, and laughter echoed through the room. The night was shaping up to be a whirlwind of competitions, cheers, and playful taunts. After a particularly heated match of "Galactic Quest," they took their first break, collapsing on the couch, panting and exhilarated.

"Okay, everyone deserves a reward for that epic battle!" Jihoon announced, feeling a momentary surge of confidence. He went to grab a bottle of whiskey he had hastily tucked away for the occasion and returned, plopping it down on the coffee table.

"Whoa, whiskey? Are we really going for it?" Seungmin raised an eyebrow, excitement surfacing.

"Why not? Just a few shots to level up the night!" Jihoon grinned, feeling the tension ease just a little as the trio rallied together for drinks.

As the whiskey began to flow, so did the conversations, becoming more animated and, in some cases, more embarrassing. Jihoon found himself laughing and enjoying the moment, the alcohol serving as a temporary balm to his insecurities. They shared goofy stories, shared games, and debated ludicrous strategies. Yuna fit in seamlessly, and Jihoon found it easier to engage, even as glimmers of jealousy flared within him.

Eventually, they reached a point where the drinks had loosened inhibitions. Jihoon could feel the effects hitting him, the warmth of the whiskey mixing with the laughter bubbling around them. Seungmin's laughter filled the room like music, and Jihoon couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude—he cherished this friendship, even if it felt complicated at times.

"Okay, next game!" Yuna declared, swaying slightly in her seat.

"How about we play 'Truth or Dare'?" Jihoon suggested, the alcohol fueling his courage.

"Sounds great! Let's do it!" Seungmin laughed, his eyes glimmering with challenge.

They formed a circle, with Yuna taking the first turn. With a little coaxing, she chose dare and ended up doing a silly dance to a pop song blaring from the speakers, the laughter erupting so loudly that Jihoon's sides hurt.

They went around in turns, weaving through dares that ranged from wacky to ridiculous, all while enjoying the whiskey and the lighthearted atmosphere. Jihoon's heart raced as he watched Yuna and Seungmin together. Somewhere deep in him, jealousy fought to resurface, but the fun of the game pushed it aside, at least for now.

When it was Jihoon's turn, he was feeling bold. "I choose dare," he declared, looking directly at Yuna, feeling a spike of adrenaline that he couldn't pinpoint.

Yuna grinned, her mischief palpable. "Okay, I dare you to take a shot of whiskey and then give Seungmin a hickey!"

Seungmin's eyes widened, surprise mixed with laughter at the absurdity of it all. Jihoon's cheeks flushed, the alcohol coursing through his veins, blurring his better judgment. "Alright! I'll do it!" Jihoon said, fueled by liquid courage.

He took the shot, feeling the burn and heat circulate in his chest. The room turned slightly fuzzy, and his heart pounded with exhilaration. Facing Seungmin, who was both amused and slightly nervous, Jihoon leaned in.

"C-come here!" he slurred playfully, trying to manage the absurdity of the situation.

Seungmin leaned back, laughing. "What are you doing?"

"I'm giving you a hickey!" Jihoon declared, laughter erupting around them. He leaned in closer, trying to channel excess bravado.

As he pressed his lips against Seungmin's neck, he felt a wave of warmth wash over him—not just from the whiskey but from the human connection. He wasn't just crossing a line; he was cementing a bizarre moment that would be remembered long after the night faded. Jihoon could feel the soft skin beneath his lips and, perhaps, something deeper inside him stirred as he applied gentle pressure.

"Oh my god! It's happening!" Yuna squealed, erupting into a fit of laughter, which only made Jihoon more confident. He pulled back, inspecting his handiwork and erupting in laughter himself.

Seungmin was blushing, a mix of embarrassment and amusement shooting through his features. "I—wow. Okay…" he stammered, running a hand through his hair, a smile threatening to spill over.

"Not bad for a first try, huh?" Jihoon grinned, fueling a moment of bravery he couldn't fully grasp. Laughter echoed again, and slowly but surely, Jealousy was shoved to a corner, overshadowed by the ridiculousness of their situation.

"Okay, maybe next round, we skip the dares?" Seungmin suggested, still red in the face, though his eyes sparkled with laughter.

They made it through a few more rounds, the atmosphere buzzing with energy, until it became clear that fatigue, alcohol, and laughter were taking their toll. Finally, Yuna stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "I think I need a break from all this craziness! Maybe we should call it a night?"

Reluctantly, Jihoon and Seungmin agreed. They had created a night of chaos and joy that settled deep within their hearts, lingering like the ghost of a good memory—one that wouldn't be forgotten easily.

As Yuna gathered her things, Jihoon felt a flickering mix of emotions. Despite his jealousy and fears from earlier, he could appreciate the beauty of their friendship. His mind briefly flickered to the hickey he had given Seungmin, a strange boundary crossed in the haze of fun. It felt like a joke to him now, but it also hinted at deeper feelings he had yet to fully acknowledge.

"Let's do this again sometime, alright?" Yuna suggested as she headed toward the door. "This was so much fun!"

"Definitely!" Seungmin agreed, still flushed from the events of the evening.

As Yuna walked out into the cool night air, Jihoon turned to Seungmin, unsure of how to navigate the sudden shift in their dynamics. There was an energy between them that hadn't been there before, one that paired with the intoxication lingering in Jihoon's system.

"Hey, I'm sorry about the hickey," Jihoon started, suddenly serious. "I didn't mean for things to get weird…"

Seungmin brushed it off, his expression softening. "Honestly, it was funny. Just part of the night, right?"

"Right," Jihoon agreed, though a part of him felt that their friendship had shifted, and the night wasn't over just yet.

As Seungmin smiled, the moment lingered in the air, a silent understanding passing between them. The evening had offered more than just fun or jealousy; it had peeled back layers, revealing the vulnerability of friendship.

Maybe the night was a step forward—a step into the complexities of their relationship that both excited and terrified Jihoon. But for now, he pushed aside every uncertainty. They had turned an ordinary game night into a vivid tapestry of memories, showcasing just how tangled friendship and emotions could become.