Pure Imagination (Solo Leveling)

Peach Tart

Jin Woo and Yuki grew up together. At one point, Yuki was even living with them and sharing a room and bed with Jin Woo. They've had baths together, changed in front of one another, and have even worn one another's clothing. The act of sharing a living space with one another was not foreign. Therefore Yuki couldn't understand why Jin Woo was acting like this.

"I shouldn't use your shower."

"Well, it's the only shower I have. It's not like you haven't used it before."

"I shouldn't use your clothes."

"Well, you only have spare boxers over here and my shorts or elastic so they'll fit you."

"We shouldn't sleep in the same bed!"

"We've done it before and the couch is too small for you."

.

.

.

'What is going on?' Yuki laid wide awake in his bed, Jin Woo a healthy distance away and just as much awake as he was. All evening, Jin Woo was being weird and flushed and Yuki wasn't sure what was going with his composed friend. The normally stoic Jin Woo was trying desperately to not use or touch anything that was remotely Yuki's, and it had the Albino male confused.

'Is he sick?' Yuki glanced over at his friend. A sharp nose bridge and narrowed eyes lost in thought had Yuki's lips pursing, his red eyes taking in the now larger, taller, and mature body of Jin Woo.

"Is everything okay?" Jin Woo asked, noting the stare Yuki was giving him. Red eyes looked like they were glowing in the dark as he gazed at him. Long white lashes framing those large eyes, and his hair reflected the city lights like a blank canvas. The way Yuki would stare at Jin Woo, or space, would have the other reeling and trying to contain his blush. It was a lot harder than Jin Woo wanted to admit, but the stupid System wasn't making this any easier either!

Jin Woo for a good portion of the time was convinced that it was playing tricks on him. When Yuki came out of the shower smelling like he usually does, the System dinged. When he made them drinks it dinged. When he put on his pajamas, it dinged. Ding, ding, ding, and ding! That's all it did and it was driving Jin Woo up the wall!

How can the simplest things be raising that stupid meter thing?!

"Jin Woo, are you okay?" Jin Woo raised an eyebrow, not liking that the question was thrown back at him.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Those red eyes dulled a little, his lips pursed, and he shifted a bit. Rolling on his side that he was facing Jin Woo, the white comforter pulled up to his shoulders and the pillow cradling his cheek and head.

"You just seem kinda off." Jin Woo also shifted, now facing Yuki and propping his cheek on the palm of his hand. He was listening with earnest, wanting to find out what Yuki thought of him now. The other male bit his lip, thin eyebrows furrowing and nose scrunching in either distaste or maybe annoyance.

"It's like, you're closing yourself off." 'Again.' There was one time in their young lives that Jin Woo's and Yuki's friendship almost shattered. It's a sensitive topic that isn't brought up often, and even Jin Ah, straight to the point Jin Ah, dances around the topic. Avoids it like it's a cockroach.

It was when everything was crumbling around Jin Woo. His father gone, his mother in Eternal Slumber, his need to finish High School, and somehow support Jin Ah through her troubles and desires. Everything was breaking around him, and as a result, he shut himself off.

Yuki wasn't spared from the cold shoulder either. Texts ignored, calls declined, and even in-person visits were full of cold gazes and harsh words. Jin Woo refused any help, even shutting down Yuki's attempts to assist financially. Small jabs turned into snide remarks, which turned into insults, and Yuki's temper snapped. Harsh words exchanged on both sides, hackles raised and teeth bared. The end result was Yuki leaving, smoking a cigarette on his way out the door, and Jin Woo alone in the living room with only beer cans for company.