After the storm [Finished]

24- Jealous-y

Marcus ended up staying a whole week and since I was at home most of the time, we were able to talk quite a lot. He was a cool guy, and he knew a bit about everything so we had a ton of things to talk about.

It was the fourth day of Marcus staying with us when Ryan had a little jealous scene. The three of us were having dinner together, Marcus and I were talking about good old times at college when Ryan threw a huddled napkin into his half-empty plate.

"Can you cut that out?", he said almost screaming. It startled us.

"What's wrong with you?", complained Marcus.

"I'm full. Thanks for the meal". He stood up and made his way to his room shutting the door behind him. Marcus and I exchanged a confused glance.

"Did we say something that bothered him?" I wondered out loud.

"He's so childish sometimes", Marcus rolled his eyes. "Just let him be. He will come to talk things out when has calmed down".

Marcus said that, but that night he had to sleep on the sofa and Ryan didn't talk to us a single word the next day even though he stayed at home the whole morning.

Marcus was settling the blankets to sleep on the sofa again when I adventured to knock at Ryan's door.

"Can I come in?" I asked, but there was no answer. I took the handle, the door was unlocked. I stepped in. "Ryan, what's with you?". He was lying in bed. "Are you sleeping?" I approached him and he side-eyed me. "Can you answer me?"

"I don't want to".

"What are you sulking about? You look like a child!"

"Get out and keep talking to the adult in the living room then".

"What-". Then I realized what was going on. "Are you jealous of your brother?" He glanced at me. "What? Really?"

"You two have had me third wheeling since he set foot in the apartment".

"Ryan, he's your brother".

"And?" I sighed.

"It's obvious that I want to get along with the brother of my boyfriend. You could have joined our conversations any moment too"-

"You two talk about things I don't know much about".

"Talk about something else then". We stared at each other for a few seconds. "Are you not being a bit too dense?"

"Dense?"

"Yes, dense. You're making a scene because I get along with your brother". Ryan remained silent. "Fine, that's it. Talk to me when you realize you're overreacting". I turned around and left.

"Did you talk with him?" Asked Marcus from the sofa, he was watching a movie.

"Not really.".

"He can be stubborn as hell, just let him be".

"It seems like it", I sighed. "Well, I'm going to sleep. Good night".

"Sleep well". He turned to the TV and I went to my room.

I was already sleeping when I felt someone at my side. I turned around just to see Ryan getting comfortable in my bed.

"Did I wake you up? Sorry".

"Why are you here? Weren't you mad at me?" I asked still sleepy. He bit his lower lip.

"I'm sorry. You were right, I overreacted".

"What were you thinking?" He was staring at me in silence. I frowned. "I won't cheat on you, even less with your own brother". I sighed a bit mad.

"I know. I'm sorry. It just... brought me memories and I got mad". He was referring to Alex again.

"Sometimes...". I stopped midway to think well about what I was about to say.

"Sometimes?" He repeated. I got afraid of speaking my mind.

"Did you apologize to your brother?"

"I will, tomorrow". I nodded.

"Ok. Then, let's sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow".

"It's nice to settle things out". He hugged me with a smile on his face.

"Will this count as our first fight?"

"Should be?" I giggled.

"Don't know". I remember him saying something afterward but I was falling asleep so I didn't get what he said.

The next morning I woke up with Ryan sound asleep next to me. I prepared to go out, poured some coffee, and left the apartment. When I returned home in the afternoon, Ryan and Marcus were playing video games in the living room as if nothing had happened.