Falling In Love With My Brother-in-law

Two

Jihoon wakes up with the most terrible fact in mind. It happened again. He's here on Daniel's bed with Daniel's clothes on. The luxury fragrance mixes with the fabric softener, both rush into his nostrils as he takes a deep breath. How many times has it been since last year?

Daniel is wearing his clothes at the closet to the right of the room, getting ready to go out somewhere. Jihoon slowly sits up, massaging his throbbing temples, as if a strong heavy man is standing above him, smashing a large hammer onto his head.

"Did anything happen?", asks Jihoon.

"No. You slept on my bed, I slept on the couch." Daniel answers calmly, as he tightens the buttons on his navy shirt.

Jihoon emits a soft sigh, which he isn't sure as a relieve one or a regretful one. He doesn't know whether he hates which one more: Daniel not sleeping on the bed or Daniel sleeping on the bed. He can't really tell what is going on. Maybe that sudden meetup at a café turning into an unexpecting date. Maybe that one night at the Club, Daniel saved him from a terrible fight. Maybe it was that first kiss at the quiet beach. Or it can be that night when Jihoon, with the drive of alcohol, kissed Daniel so roughly that it led to a steamy night with two sweaty bodies and tangled limbs.

But... what is it?

Daniel never once rejects him, but he never accepts him fully too. He has never confirmed what he wants Jihoon to be in his life.

Daniel takes his jacket off the hanger, sliding it over his broad shoulders. As soon as he heads to the door, Jihoon breaks the silence again.

"Are you seriously doing this to me?"

"Doing what?"

"Why are you not saying anything about it?"

"About what?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Okay", Daniel hurriedly opens the door as if he is chasing by a ghost.

"Fine. You are going to marry my sister anyway."

Daniel stops at that. His fist clenches tightly on the knob. There is something about that sulky voice that makes him want to turn around, running to the bed and giving its owner a sweet kiss on the lips. He hesitates for a second before stepping out and closes the door behind him.

Jihoon wants to cry. He can feel that. The built-up feelings are going to spill out. Too full. He needs to tell someone. He needs his best friend.

Dialling the number, he whines to the phone, "Guanlin, I need to talk to you..."

Jiyoo and Daniel met at the school library. The first time his eyes noticed her was when the little girl trying to reach for a book on the top shelf, where she could barely touch. He offered the help with his height, then they talked. Properly, the beginning for the conversation was that they realized they were in the same course thanks to the title of the book, since Daniel was also looking for it. Two foreign students struggling with their studies and life alone in a strange place. Sure, enough they got close very quick that way. The connection between them was as simple as friendship. Two students from the same home country, helping each other out with assignments and projects. None of them thought of anything further. After the first breakup in her life, Jiyoo swore to herself that she would never let a guy control her. While Daniel was focusing on exploring his new adventures and building a career.