Solo Panicking

A Winter Night

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The warmth of the bakery wrapped around you like a cozy blanket. The faint hum of holiday music filled the space, blending harmoniously with the sweet aroma of gingerbread and cinnamon. Strings of twinkling fairy lights illuminated the counters and shelves, casting a soft glow over the cheerful holiday decorations. A garland of evergreen adorned with tiny golden bells framed the front windows, and outside, snowflakes lazily drifted down, blanketing the world in white.

It was a rare day off for Jinwoo, and somehow, you'd convinced him to join you at the bakery for what you promised would be a "relaxing afternoon." for him, you decided to actually go in verses send an illusion. He stood near the counter, awkwardly holding a piping bag, looking very much out of place among the pastel-colored aprons and festive decor. His dark coat was slung over the back of a chair, and you caught a glimpse of his rolled-up sleeves, exposing his forearms yummy as he focused intently on decorating cookies.

"Jinwoo, that's supposed to be a snowflake," you teased, glancing at the glob of icing he was spreading unevenly on a cookie.

"It is a snowflake," he protested, squinting at his handiwork.

"Right. If snowflakes melted under a heat lamp," you replied, biting back a laugh.

He looked up, arching an eyebrow at you. "Let's see you do better."

Grinning, you picked up a piping bag and expertly outlined a tiny christmas tree on your cookie. You filled it in with green icing for the branches and pines and dotted it with colorful sprinkles for lights. "Ta-da!" you announced, holding it up.

Jinwoo shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You have more practice than me."

"Maybe," you admitted with a shrug. "But it's not a competition. It's about having fun."

He glanced back at his cookie, then at you. His usually serious expression softened as he leaned closer. "I think I'm having fun," he said quietly, his voice warm.

Your cheeks heated at the proximity, but you quickly turned away to hide it, focusing on adding more details to your cookie. "Good! That's the spirit of the holidays," you replied, trying to sound casual.

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As the bakery settled into a peaceful lull, the evening light casting warm shadows across the cozy space, you returned to Jinwoo's side, brushing a stubborn streak of flour off your apron. "How's it going over here?" you asked, leaning on the counter beside him.

Jinwoo glanced at you, his expression calm but the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Not bad. Just observing the master at work," he said, his tone teasing but light.

You raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Master, huh? Didn't realize you were such a fan."

He shrugged, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Well, someone has to keep an eye on you. Can't have you getting too full of yourself."

"Please," you shot back, crossing your arms. "You wouldn't last five minutes doing my job."

"Five minutes?" Jinwoo repeated, leaning closer, his voice dropping playfully. "You're underestimating me."

"Oh, am I?" You tilted your head, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Do you even know how to use a register? Or how to deal with kids who change their minds five times about what they want? And let's not forget the rush hour crowd."

"Sounds easy enough," he quipped, his smirk widening. "I fight monsters for a living."

"Exactly," you countered. "Big, scary monsters? Sure. But try handling Karen and her twelve complicated coffee orders while the line grows longer. That's the real nightmare."