Jieqiong can't stand the taste of alcohol.

She hates its putrid odor that reminds her of abandoned inhibitions; she hates the scorching sensation it leaves in its wake as it dribbles down , and she hates the bitter sting that lingers on her tongue afterwards. She'd only drink alcohol for celebratory occasions, for social events, and for those times when she feels like she needs something equally bitter to drown her miseries in. Aside from these circumstances, Jieqiong does her very best to avoid alcohol.

The only other exception is when Minkyung offers her a drink. (She only offered it once actually, on her birthday. For all the other times, it is Jieqiong who insists that they drink together.) The best part about drinking with Minkyung is, well, drinking with Minkyung. Another good thing about drinking with Minkyung is the complete lack of regret she has the following morning, even with an obnoxious hangover. Siyeon calls it an obsession, Sungyeon calls it self-destruction, and Eunwoo calls it stupidity. Jieqiong, on the other hand, would rather not call it anything and just leave it as it is. Labels are troublesome anyway.

"So Jieqiong," Minkyung says after setting her shot glass on the bar counter. "Has the alcohol gotten to you yet?" She knows Jieqiong is a lightweight, and Jieqiong knows she's a lightweight. They're only a few shots in with the weak stuff but the truth is, is constricting from nausea, her head is starting to feel clouded, and the lights in the bar appear far brighter than they did when she first stepped in here. As usual, she doesn't mention any of this to Minkyung. The best part about drinking with her is the way her body feels when she looks into her eyes, how she thinks her body could drift far, far away, like her mind does - but she knows that Minkyung would be there to hold onto her and keep her steady on her feet.

"I'm good. Let's have another shot." 

"Alright. How about something a little stronger?" Minkyung suggests as she turns her h