Fueled by Solar's Adrenaline (Vincenzo OST) - feel free to listen to this alongside the chapter

It totally has a James Bond feel...

The following week was hell for both of them.

They acted as they normally did around others, caring for each other whilst performing their respective duties, and Byul had even driven Yonghee to the airport with Solar.

Except it felt different. 

They had kept to their word and had not engaged in anything remotely ual, and even refraining from hugs or holding hands. 

They also tried to avoid situations where they were alone together.

And they thought they had succeeded in pulling back subtly.

Except they hadn’t.

Yonghee was first to notice something was off during her journey to the airport but made no comment, needing time to reflect on exactly what was different, before she messaged her co-conspirator.

Wheein was therefore next to notice thanks to Yonghee’s warning flag. 

She caught the much more subdued interaction between her two unnies; the hesitance to even sit too close to each other (when last week they were practically all over each other whilst play-fighting) and the lingering looks and touches in lieu of a hug or holding hands, like they would normally have done. 

It really hit home when Solar had managed to leave a rice grain on her cheek and instead of casually brushing it off with her thumb, Byul handed her a goddamned tissue .

What the hell had happened? 

Hwasa was unfortunately busy due to multiple fittings and rehearsals for upcoming fashion shows and could not add her thoughts on the matter, leaving Wheein to mull over it alone.

Wheein and the rest of the entourage tried to create situations where Solar and Byul would end up sitting next to each other or left alone in a room together, but found that one or both of them would always find an excuse to escape. 

And of course the pair of them casually denied that anything had changed in the meantime.

     An unexpected glimmer of hope appeared in the form of a company dinner that was being held in honour of Solar, to not only celebrate her birthday but also her nomination as “Best New Actress” at the upcoming Korean Acting Awards for her first ever role in a movie. When the news came in, the whole of Nam Entertainment was abuzz and Solar was flooded with congratulations from all the staff and trainees. 

So, it was no surprise when Eric announced a few days later that he had booked out a restaurant for the entire company to have a celebratory dinner.

And Manager Jung saw an opportunity.

After escorting Solar to her seat, Byul moved to stand guard by the door but was stopped by Wheein asking to come in and eat with them. 

“Please? Yongsun-unnie wouldn’t be happy if you just stood by the door all night.”

“It’s my duty, Wheein-ah.”

“Yes, but I asked Eric and he said it was fine.”

In reality, the CEO hadn’t really replied and that technically wasn’t a refusal…

“I should still keep an eye out for trouble.”

Wheein huffed and pulled out her superpower. 

Byul wavered at the legendary puppy-dog-eyes but fully crumbled when a small pout appeared.

“O-Okay… I’ll join you guys after I’ve done a few rounds and if I’m happy everything is safe.”

“Deal! But definitely don’t miss the cake, okay?”

The bodyguard couldn’t help but smile at Wheein’s infectious grin.

“I won’t.”

True to her word, Byul had secured the building and been on a few rounds but made it back before they brought out the cake. Wheein had saved her a seat beside her and Byul was touched to find that the younger girl had asked the catering staff to set aside a plateful of the main meal and keep it warm for her. Just as she sat down, her eyes caught Solar’s (who was seated on the other side of Wheein) and the two shared a small smile in greeting before the idol’s attention was returned to the conversation she had been engaged in with Jihyun.

She noticed that Solar’s cheeks were flushed and actions louder and more exaggerated, which meant that she had probably been handed a few shots of soju by the senior staff at the company.

“I’m letting her enjoy the moment.” Wheein spoke quietly so that only she could hear, knowing that the ex-soldier had noticed. “If anything happens, we can just take her straight home.” 

The cake was brought out before Byul could reply, along with some raucous singing and speeches after the cake cutting.

The night ended with Solar undeniably tipsy but not completely drunk and Byul was able to bundle her into the company car with Wheein’s help. She heard Wheein giving Driver Lee some instructions (probably asking him to take them straight to Solar’s) before the younger girl jumped into the back with them, seamlessly harmonising with the idol happily singing away.

Byul silently decided that Solar was cute when she was tipsy.

She didn’t realise she had been played until Driver Lee pulled up and she immediately recognised Wheein’s apartment building. 

“Wheein-ah, wh-”

“Thank you, Driver-nim! Bye Yongsun-unnie! Thanks for agreeing to her home, Byulyi-unnie!” Jung Wheein rapidly said her piece as she scrambled out of the car and slid the door shut, grinning maniacally at the bodyguard’s nonplussed expression.

‘ Wheein, you sly little fox …’ Byul thought (not for the first time) albeit begrudgingly affectionately.

“Byul-ah, did Wheeinie make you take me home?” The idol asked after waving at her manager.

“No, unnie. It’s my job, remember?”

“But I’m fine!” 

“I know, I’m just making sure you get there safe.”

“Okay, but I’m like, so totally not drunk.”

“No, of course not.” Byul pressed her lips together to squelch a grin.

Once they had arrived at Solar’s apartment block and after her spectacular solo attempt at alighting from the car had involved a lot of flailing limbs and not a lot of progress, Byul ended up walking her into the building with her arm around the idol’s lithe waist to steady her. 

Driver Lee had merely given her an amused smile as he bid them a good night and drove off.

They managed to get into the elevator and then Solar’s flat without too many issues but then the older girl flatly refused to let Byul release the straps on her heels, saying that she could manage.

“Unnie, just let me help.”

“Nope. I’m telling you, I’m not drunk!” Solar declared as she released Byul to lean heavily against the wall whilst undoing said straps and then triumphantly stepped out of them and onto the floor of her apartment.

Maybe Wheein had planned exactly this.

Maybe Solar was just clumsy.

Maybe the universe wanted to push them into a scene worthy of a K-Drama.

Whatever it was, the alcohol in her system had her not quite clearing her shoe and almost landing on her face. 

...if it wasn’t for Byul stepping in front of her and catching the stumbling girl.

There was a brief awkward silence.

“Unnie…”

“I’m okay… Just, give me a sec.” Solar mumbled as she tried to take stock of where she was.

She had landed safely in Byul’s arms but in such a way that ended up with her arms around Byul’s neck and Byul’s hands on her waist.

Much like the hugs they had studiously avoided for the past week or so.

It had felt like forever.

She slowly adjusted her feet so that they were both now firmly planted on the ground (and not tangled in a shoe) but kept their upper bodies close.

Emboldened by the mere fact that Byul hadn’t pulled away, Solar settled into the embrace and closed her eyes.

She had missed this.

The warmth, the comfort, the scent that was unmistakably Byulyi.

God, she had really missed this.

“Byul-ah…” She murmured as she moved only to press their foreheads together, “I-I can't take this anymore. I missed you…” 

She felt more than heard Byul’s breath hitch.