Death Shot

October 20th, 2023

The bass shook the walls of the crowded house, The Weeknd’s voice spilling through the speakers as costumed bodies swayed and collided. It wasn’t Halloween yet, but nobody cared—this was the big Halloween party, and half the city seemed to have crammed itself inside.

Hyunjin leaned casually against the armrest of a couch, San lounging beside him while Wooyoung perched neatly on San’s lap. The couple bickered lightheartedly over something only they understood, Wooyoung tossing his head back with a dramatic laugh. Hyunjin, as usual, was calm and quiet, his sharp gaze sweeping the chaos in front of him.

That’s when the chant started.

“SEUNGMIN! SEUNGMIN! SEUNGMIN!”

Hyunjin’s head turned instantly. The crowd had circled around a small setup at the edge of the living room: a ridiculous-looking alcohol fountain perched on a table. And there—center stage, cheeks already flushed from the night—stood Kim Seungmin, Hyunjin’s boyfriend.

Hyunjin’s lips twitched faintly. Of course.

The chant grew louder as someone poured a stream of strong liquor into the top of the fountain. Seungmin crouched slightly, tilting his head back, mouth perfectly positioned at the bottom spout. The crowd howled as the liquid rushed down, straight into his throat in one burning stream.

It was reckless. It was ridiculous. And yet, somehow, it suited him perfectly.

The crowd erupted when Seungmin slammed the empty shot glass onto the table, wiping his lips with the back of his hand, a victorious grin spreading across his face. His friends patted his back, shouting his name like he had just won a championship.

Hyunjin watched him carefully, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth threatening to soften.

But then Seungmin’s eyes found his.

Still smiling, still flushed, Seungmin pushed his way through the crowd, weaving past strangers with clumsy determination. His steps weren’t exactly steady anymore, but that only made the sight more disarming. By the time he reached Hyunjin, the alcohol had given his boyfriend an air of boldness he didn’t usually wear so openly.

“Hyunjin,” Seungmin slurred slightly, tugging at his sleeve, his lips curving into a boyish smile that almost melted the cold composure off Hyunjin’s face.

Hyunjin sighed through his nose, but his hand rose, steadying Seungmin at his side as the party roared on.