Theory of Friendship that goes deeper than Love

Sure (every way and any way)

There was this feeling Off was pondering over more and more recently. A strong one. A crucial one.

- How did you know you want to be with your husband for the rest of your life? - Off asked his sister once after a family dinner they sometimes had.
- I just knew. - she smiled sensing that Off is asking having a special someone for him in his mind.
- Okay, but like, haven't you ever question it? Haven't you ever been unsure?
- Of course I've had thoughts like that, but you can't let yourself be blind to all of the good feelings you have about your loved one. And you have to really see the almost unreal, wonderful things that scream at you that you're wrong doubting. People tend to get pessimistic when too many good things happen.
- Maybe...
- That's a fact. - she raised an eyebrow at him as if she knew exactly what he is going through. - People often get trapped in thinking something is too beautiful to be true. That's wrong. It's rare to meet your true love and that's why that kind of thinking is a danger to your happiness. Not only yours, but also the happiness of the person you love. It's important you don't let that happen.
- Maybe you're right. - he smiled back looking a bit reassured.
- Of course I'm right. - she smiled - Look at me. I couldn't be happier and I'm pretty sure you're on the way to something like that yourself. - she smirked.
- Why do you think that? - Off looked down to his feet bashfully. He didn't tell anyone from his family about his feelings for Gun.
- Come on. - his sister scoffed - You're so obvious. You've been in a quite long relationship before, but something always seemed off. You never looked so happy as you do now. It's obvious who are you thinking about now too, you know? - she looked at him daring him to finally confirm it.
- Um... - Off blushed, but he knew he can tell his sister and she is going to be happy for him, but he hesitated, because it was the first time he loved someone so fully, it made him nervous to admit it.
- It's him, right? - she prompted.
- Y-yeah. - he stuttered and blushed more, because finally saying it out loud, confirming and announcing it to someone from his closest family made him kind of proud yet anxious. - It's him so much, sis. - he sighed with a smile and relief in his voice. Talking about it made it even more real somehow and made him feel all those feelings more too.
- You look like me when I was finally sure. - she grinned - You hold on to this, okay? Never give that relationship up. No matter what. - she squeezed his hand in a supportive way.
- That's what I plan to do. Definitely. But I don't know if it will go the way I hope for. - he confessed looking a bit worried still.
- Does he know? - she asked, because she suspected her brother's relationship wasn't in the stage she previously thought it already was.
- Know what?
- Does he know you love him? - she asked quietly.
- In a way he does, but he doesn't know all of it. We haven't talked and haven't named anything yet.
- Talk to him then. - she encouraged.
- I'm afraid to scare him. - Off admitted.
- Yeah, I know, but if you're sure, then there's nothing to worry about. You're best friends, that's not gonna change, but it can be so much better.
- Better how? - Off asked even though he had a faint idea. - Having him in my life is already more that I could ask for.
- Yeah, but think about it this way. - she thought a bit about how to explain it - If he is the person you need in your life, there is nothing better than to tell him straightforwardly. Because chances are that it's what he wants too. As I said, it's not only your happiness, but his too. And the only thing that is better than truly loving someone, is knowing that they truly love you back.
- Yeah, I can imagine. - Off smiled longingly.
- Trust me. - she squeezed his hand smiling again. - I know.
- Thank you for telling me all this.
- Well, I'm always here to help you not to mess things up. - she laughed. - But seriously. I'm not telling you to rush anything, but you have to have confidence in what you feel.

***

The next day Off was driving to work and stopped to grab some smoothie on the way. He ordered for himself, but reading through the menu a strawberry-kiwi one caught his eye and he immediately thought about Gun. He knew the boy liked it, but he wasn't sure if this would be something he would like to drink today. Maybe an ice cream would be better or iced coffee or chocolate shake? Gun liked many things. There was no time to contact him and ask though, as he was already standing in front of a cashier, line of people behind him.
- And the strawberry-kiwi please. - he decided the first thought was the best.