Best Friend's Brother (Seungjin)

Chapter 6: From Friends to More

"So, we still have to hang out today, so why not make it a date?" Hyunjin asked, his nerves tinged with excitement.

Seungmin couldn't help but tease him in response, "Really? That's how you ask me out after making me wait for months?"

"Months? Wait, you liked me for that long?" Hyunjin's surprise was evident.

Seungmin nodded, a hint of bashfulness in his expression. "Well, I realized I liked you when we binge-watched 'Nevertheless' together, but I guess I kinda had a crush on you even before that, probably."

Hyunjin's eyes widened, and he chuckled, "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I think that's also when I started to have a thing for you."

Curiosity getting the better of him, Seungmin asked, "What changed? What made you see me differently?"

Hyunjin leaned back, reflecting on the turning point. "You were always my type, but I was so sure that you were going to be my brother-in-law that I always dismissed it, I guess. And then, that night when you affirmed that your relationship was strictly platonic and the rest of the night... It kinda made me see you in a new light."

Seungmin's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Wait, you thought I was going to be your brother-in-law?"

Hyunjin laughed, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, I mean, the way Yeji talked about you, I thought you two would eventually end up together. It just seemed so natural. "

"You are dumb. I treat Yeji like you treat her, just nicer," Seungmin stated playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

Hyunjin chuckled, but then he turned serious. "Hey, you must know by now that I'm a romantic, and as a sucker for best friends to lovers trope, I thought that by the time you were 30, you guys would be married. How was I supposed to know you were gay?"

Seungmin sighed, realizing that their assumptions and misunderstandings had led them to this point. "You couldn't have known because I didn't even realize it myself," he admitted.

"Huh?" Hyunjin looked puzzled, wanting to understand.

Taking a deep breath, Seungmin decided to share something he had never openly admitted before. "This is embarrassing, and I won't tell you this ever again, but you were kinda my gay awakening."

Hyunjin's eyes widened in surprise, but then he burst into laughter. "Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. It truly is an honor. I mean, I knew I was hot, but wow," he teased, trying to lighten the mood once again.

Seungmin rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Well, I should thank you, I suppose," Seungmin said softly. "For a while, I thought I was incapable of love."

Hyunjin's expression softened with empathy. "You? Incapable of love? Come on, Seungmin, you're one of the most caring and compassionate people I know. You've always been there for me and Yeji, supporting us and being our rock."

Seungmin let out a small sigh. "I know, but... when it came to romantic feelings, I felt like something was missing. I dated people, tried to find that connection, but it never felt right. It was like I was going through the motions, pretending to be someone I'm not."

Hyunjin placed a comforting hand on Seungmin's shoulder. "It's okay. Sometimes, it takes time to figure out who we are and what we want.

"I guess you're right," Seungmin admitted, a hint of relief in his voice. "I just never expected it to be you, of all people."

"Oh, trust me, the feeling is mutual," Hyunjin retorted with a playful smirk. "I mean, who would have thought that Mr. Serious and Responsible over here would turn out to be secretly pining for me all this time?"