Solo Panicking

Have a drink

There is alcohol involved this chapter, feel free to skip if it makes you uncomfortable, but there's that bad

Jin-ah had been buzzing around the apartment all afternoon, packing her things for a sleepover with her friends. Jinwoo had watched from the couch as his sister excitedly gathered snacks and clothes, barely able to contain her excitement for the night ahead.

"You'll be okay, right, oppa?" Jin-ah called from the doorway, her backpack slung over one shoulder.

Jinwoo waved her off with a smile. "I'll be fine. Go have fun."

Jin-ah gave him a playful salute and disappeared out the door, leaving the apartment suddenly quiet in her absence. He sighed, leaning back against the couch and staring at the ceiling. His most recent raid had been rough—nothing life-threatening, but enough to leave him sore and exhausted.

Just as he was about to settle in for a quiet night alone, his phone buzzed.

Y/N:

Hey! Jin-ah told me she's out for the night. Want to come over for a drink?

Jinwoo stared at the message for a moment, his mind flashing back to the conversation he'd had with Jin-ah the other night. Her teasing words about him and Y/N still lingered in the back of his mind, and though he tried to brush it off as just sibling teasing, he couldn't deny the way his heart skipped a beat at the thought of spending more time with her.

Before he could overthink it, he typed a quick response.

Jinwoo:

Sure. Be over in a few.

~♡♡☼♡♡~

Y/N's apartment was cozy, the warm lighting making it feel inviting the moment Jinwoo stepped inside. She greeted him with a bright smile, holding up a pack of beer.

"Rough day?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

Jinwoo chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck as he kicked off his shoes. "Something like that."

"Then these should help a little," Y/N said with a grin, handing him a can as they made their way to the couch. "I figured we could just chill. Maybe watch some dramas, laugh at terrible acting?"

Jinwoo took the can gratefully, popping it open and taking a swig. The cold beer was refreshing, and he immediately felt some of the tension from the day melt away. "Sounds perfect."

They settled in, Y/N flicking through the channels until she found a random K-drama that looked just cheesy enough to be entertaining. As the drama unfolded with its ridiculous plot twists and over-the-top romance scenes, they found themselves laughing at the absurdity of it all.

"Who even writes this stuff?" Y/N said between giggles, her hand clutching her side. "That plot twist made no sense!"

Jinwoo smirked, shaking his head. "I have no idea, but it's definitely entertaining."

After a few drinks, Jinwoo could feel the alcohol starting to take effect. His muscles relaxed, the weariness from his raid slipping away as he sunk further into the couch. Y/N, too, seemed more at ease, her laughter softer but still contagious.

As the drama played in the background, their conversation shifted to more casual topics, work, funny memories, and shared jokes. Y/N teased Jinwoo about his serious demeanor, earning a rare but genuine smile from him.

"You know, you're not as intimidating as you look," Y/N said, nudging his arm playfully. "You're like a puppy when you're relaxed."

Jinwoo blinked, his lips quirking into a sleepy smile. "A puppy?"

"Yeah," Y/N grinned, clearly amused by her own comparison. "Like one of those dogs that try to look all tough but just want to cuddle. You're a sleepy puppy right now."

Jinwoo chuckled, the sound soft and low. He was definitely feeling the effects of the beer now, and Y/N's teasing was only making him more aware of how comfortable he felt around her. His eyelids felt heavy, and before he knew it, he'd leaned a little closer to her on the couch, his shoulder brushing hers.

"You're not so bad yourself," Jinwoo mumbled, his voice quieter than usual.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "Am I being compared to a sleepy puppy now too?"

Jinwoo shook his head slowly, the alcohol making him bolder than usual. "No... you're just... easy to be around."

For a moment, Y/N's teasing expression softened, her gaze lingering on Jinwoo. The playful atmosphere shifted slightly, becoming something more tender. She wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or just the way Jinwoo was looking at her right now, but a warmth spread through her chest.

"You're easy to be around too," Y/N admitted, her voice soft.

They fell into a comfortable silence, the drama on the TV long forgotten. Jinwoo's head lolled slightly to the side, and before he knew it, he was resting against Y/N's shoulder. The warmth of her body and the gentle rise and fall of her breathing made it impossible to resist the pull of sleep.

Y/N glanced down at him, a bit surprised by how relaxed he was. She had never seen Jinwoo this vulnerable before. He was always so guarded, carrying the weight of his responsibilities on his shoulders. But right now, with his eyes half-closed and his body leaning against hers, he seemed... different.

"You really are a sleepy puppy," she whispered with a soft smile, brushing a few strands of hair away from his face.

Jinwoo made a small, sleepy sound in response, too far gone to care about the teasing. Y/N yawned, her own body starting to feel the weight of exhaustion creeping in. The warmth of Jinwoo's presence, combined with the alcohol and the cozy atmosphere, made it impossible to resist.

Without even realizing it, Y/N let herself lean into him, her head resting lightly against his. They stayed like that for a while, the sound of the TV becoming background noise as they both drifted in and out of sleep.

Before long, the pull of sleep became too strong to fight. Jinwoo's breathing slowed, his body sinking further into the couch as he succumbed to the drowsiness. Y/N wasn't far behind, her eyelids fluttering shut as she nestled closer to him.

It was nice, not sleeping alone for once. The position would definitely kill their necks and backs but for now it was peaceful

~♡♡☼♡♡~

Is this short yes, but its the last chapter before the Solo leveling timeline starts so here we go!