It was a tough flight home, JB and JR had cut short their schedule and decided to return after 2 days instead of a week. Although they worked well together, they knew that there was something they had to trash out between themselves to get the tension out of the way. Any self-respecting younger brother would know better than to go after the girl his hyung was after, but it was a coincidence this time, since it was a mutual friend they had - You.


“Hyung…” JR put down his earplugs and turned to JB who had his eyes closed while waiting. He briefly opened them behind his sunglasses, “Uh, wae?” JB asked without moving.

Shifting uncomfortably JR approached the topic with much caution. “There’s something I need to say to you…”

Sensing the tension, he took off his shades and gave JR his full attention. “What is it?”
Their eyes met and instantly JB knew what it was about, and sighed. “You like her isn’t it?” He spoke directly and maintained his firm gaze on JR.

‘What should I do?’ JR thought to himself while looking at his Hyung of many years. ‘What should I say?’ JR simply couldn’t admit to JB, after knowing that he too, was more than interested in you. He could only stare blankly at JB.

“I know you do.” JB said, and looked away to give JR some space and time to react, while he quietly started folding his scarf and doing miscellaneous things.

Flustered, he tried to regain his composure and starting again, “Hyung…..actually, I…….I ……. think she…. likes you better.”

Frowning at the absurdity of what his younger counterpart was uttering, he slammed head against the backrest of his seat and let out a long sigh that he had held.

“Jinyoung ah, hyung knows what you want to say and I know you have been fond of her since the day we met at the reunion. But it doesn’t matter and it doesn’t need to turn us against each other or make either one of us give up. It isn’t our choice Jinyoung, it’s hers ultimately.” With a pleading look on his face, he turned to JR, hoping to have cleared the air tactfully, without letting his jealous emotions get over his brotherhood.

“Hyung………” JR finally smiled a sign of relief and bashfully appreciated the meaning behind what he heard.

“Yah- but did she call you at all in the days you were away?” JB asked casually.

“Not at all… not even a message..” JR didn’t even bother hiding the disappointment this time. “Did you get her calls?”

JB took out his phone, and flashed his screen at JR, “Look, she didn’t even reply me when I told her I was leaving for a week, haha.”

Both the guys fell back in their seats and silently took the flight home. When they landed, JR wanted to know if you truly had any feelings for him or did you like JB instead.

“How about, we both call her to come to the airport to pick us separately… and see who she decides to come for? Hyung… I know my place in this and if she doesn’t see me like how I do, I’ll accept it and wish you the best.” It sounded incredibly cheesy but it was what JR felt, being the loyal romantic at heart, he rather settle it now than later.

JB thought about it for a moment, “Ok cool. I’ll wait at the other terminal, let’s text her then. But what if she doesn’t come at all?”
Realising that it was a possible scenario he never thought of as well, JR said “well then, things are fair and square!”

---

At work, it was another busy day that left you no time to rest. Mark had wrapped up the project both of you were working on and decided that he wanted to find some time to have a quiet dinner with you. The last 2 days of late nights at work with your team mates made him long for the privacy of some time with you even more.


He swivelled his chair over and clashed into your side playfully. “Tired?” he asked.

“You bet. I can’t wait to crash on my bed for 24 hours straight.” Leaning back, your head was just an inch away from his and you could smell his fragrance. “24 hours?” he turned to face you, “You took leave tomorrow!?”

“YEAH!! “ you proudly showed him your approved leave notice pinned on your wall.

“Darn!” he pouted “Why didn’t you tell me!”

“Why???? Is there something on tomorrw??” Frowning back you asked him.

“Nah. That leaves me to work on my own… I should have taken the day off too…” he muttered audibly with a slight pout.

“Ohhhh………. you such a cutiepie…!!” you reached and pinched his cheeks with your fingers and swung his head side to side, “You miss me already? HAHAHA”

Wondering why you would say that, he reacted without thinking “Won’t you?” and looked straight in your eyes.

An awkward silence came between you and him, your hands still on his cheeks.
At that moment, you saw a something else in his eyes, a look that you knew was a game changer. He wasn’t joking or flirting, he was serious - not just serious but dead serious all of a sudden.

“W-w-what’s with that, Mark…” you dropped his gaze and let go of his face carefully to turn back to your desk.

Just when you thought you could pretend nothing was happening, he leaned into your imaginary bubble, stopping you from turning away.

He spoke in a soft voice, low and husky almost like a whisper, just inches from under your nose

“I asked if you would.”

“Would what?” you whispered back and instinctively had to move closer.
“Miss me.” he whispered this time with a smile.

“…………………(stunned)……………………. Mark! don’t try to be funny with this sort of thing alright…” you resumed your normal volume and tried not to entertain weird thoughts of your friend and co-worker. You pushed his face away. Deep inside your heart was racing from the sudden move he made, the recent happenings flying around your head in lightspeed. He wasn’t the kind to make moves on you for fun, in fact he never did.

Seeing that you were blushing, he decided not to pursue things today. Smiling at the back of your head as you turned away, he reached out instead and tousled your hair.

“Arraseo-yo, let’s pack up and head home, you must be tired, I’ll drop you.” he said as you felt a strange vibe come from his touch.

“Uh..uh okay..” you managed.

As you checked your phone you saw 2 messages:

JR: Hey princess, why did you leave me waiting so long? I really want to see you today, can you come? I am waiting for you at the airport… <3

You choked on your breath and scrolled up only to see that he sent you a message nearly a week ago which you didn’t reply to. Hardly believing your eyes that he was already addressing you so fondly, you could only giggle at the way JR was. Truly like a romantic prince charming, and whatever he did just made you feel like a little girl again. Although you weren’t sure what those feelings were yet, he was still a friend you very much enjoyed being with.
You quickly replied him.

You: You’re so cute Jinyoung-ah, but sorry I don’t know why I only saw your messages now! Mianheyo ^^ I’ve just ended work and I’m really dead beat and super tired… do you really want me to go to the airport??

With a smile you went on to check the other message, from the other waiting man.

JB: Mandy-ah there’s something I need to tell you. I came back earlier and if you feel the same, just come.

What was it that sounded so serious? and come.. where?

You: What’s up Jaebum, I don’t understand you?

At the airport, JR and JB had gone to collect their luggages and headed to opposite ends.
“OH OH she replied!” JR fumbled with his phone excitedly, unlike his composed demeanour. When he read the message, he couldn’t bear to make you come, knowing that the airport was a distance away from your place. Instead he decided to surprise you and head to your house.

JR: You know what? I was being stupid to make you come. I’ll go to you instead, just wait for me.

Excitedly, he rushed with his luggage and headed over without a care in the world, not even bothering to wait for your reply.
JB on the other hand, had sat down calmly, thinking how to give a reply that wouldn’t make you feel obliged. Just then his phone rang and it was you on the line.

JB: Uh, hello?
You: Yah……… what are you saying…… I don’t understand a word of it? What do you need to tell me that I don’t already know??
JB: (taken aback) I … erm… just ignore me, it’s okay it’s nothing…
You: Wait, are you… at the airport?
JB: (suddenly realising that he didn’t say where he was) OH Yeah, AHAHA… at the airport yes… but er, my car.. is erm… at home.. so I… was wondering if…
You: Oh? Then aren’t you with Jinyoung? He said he’s at the airport too!
JB: Oh REALLY?? Okay then I’ll call him, heh. (totally flustered at a failed plan)
You: Okay, bye!

Feeling totally foolish to play along JR’s plan, JB sighed at what a fool he must have looked, and decided he had to step up his game, fast. Getting to his feet, he went straight out to hail a taxi with his destination in mind.

---

“Mandy, you done?” Mark’s voice came from over your shoulder. You slipped your phone back into your bag after the call ended. “Yup let’s go!”

In the car, the mood was lively as you knew you didn’t have work the next day, plus, the sudden attention of JR, JB had made you feel a little more … wanted? You were in a happy mood and Mark seeing you this way, only made him happier as well.

He turned on music you liked and let you sing along all the way home.
Occasionally you made him sing with you and he did, shyly.

The wind blew your hair in all directions but you couldn’t care less and it made Mark laugh, wondering whether he could hold all his emotions in for another day to pass. He knew you were not ready from the way you reacted to his small advances but couldn’t help himself.

At the junction, the wind stopped and you were still engrossed in your live singing show. He gazed at your hilarious expressions and carefully raised his hand to move your stray hair away from your face.

You blinked and smiled back at him. “I missed the crazy times we had and it’s a good thing we still work together now.”

“Me too, I couldn’t be happier to see you everyday.” It was like so naturally coming out from his mouth without thinking that he only realised what he said after he heard it himself.
Again the quiet awkward atmosphere came over both of you.

“UHhhh………………. haha Mark… what’s up with you today? You’d better stop watching those teen dramas on TV, heh.” you joked and poked his side.

He quietly drove ahead without reply. He knew it was a bad, BAD move, putting more than just friendship on the line, his helplessness kept him silent.

Approaching your house, you saw another car turn in before Mark.
“Oh? You’ve got a visitor?” he said.

“But I’m not expecting anyone today? My brother is out of town too…” you curiously looked on from the back.

“You mean you’re home alone tonight!?? “ Mark suddenly sounded shocked.

“Yeah, it’s no big deal, you’re always home alone too.” you said.

Just then JR came out of the car and walked to your door, with his phone in his hand, and your phone started to ring.

“Wait a min, do you know this guy?” Mark stopped you with his hand, holding your wrist from reaching the phone.

“Yeah, he’s JinYoung, I do know him. What’s wrong?”

Mark instantly remembered it was the guy that sent you the message while you were asleep at his house. Feeling the urgency, he knew he had to get his feelings across to you before you stepped out of the car or answered the call.

“Wait, babe.” Mark took the phone from your bag and silenced it.

“Mark? What…??” You reached out with your other hand, across Mark’s body to get your phone. Crossing both your arms unknowingly over yourself.

To your surprise, he took you into his embrace, instead, with his other arm still holding onto your wrist, you were locked in the position and immediately froze.

“Uh??????” was all that came out of your voice, muffled by his shoulder.

“Babe.” Mark whispered breathily in your ear.

“…uh..huh?..” Weakly, you responded, not quite sure what was going on.
He moved slightly away from you, while you froze in place, wide-eyed in shock, looking up at Mark’s face. You saw his eyes turning gentle and almost watery, as he didn’t say anything. it was an expression of pure helplessness that you didn’t understand the reason for.

Instinctively, you found your hand moving towards his face, caressing his pale cheeks, which were a little chilly to the touch.

“What’s wrong??? You okay?” you asked in a small voice, aware that his arms were still around you.

“Everything.” he said.

“What do mean?” stroking his face in comfort at his sudden change, he held your hand in his, and pressed it against his face warmly.

“Everything’s wrong. It’s just… wrong to let you go..” he uttered urgently and his eyes fell.
You laughed, never seeing this strange side of Mark. You could see clearly now that Mark definitely liked you very much but didn’t know how to express it. He was usually a guy of few words and swallowed most of them.

You lifted his face and cupped his cheeks with your hands.

“Don’t be silly, I’m just going home!” you tilted your head to a side and smiled for him.

“No that’s not what I meant, babe…… I……” he looked at the vibrating phone in his other hand, and then to JR who was now peeking into your window. “I meant you going to some other random dude out there!”

“Ahhhhhh….. I see, so…………. what should I do now? Shall I just let him stalk me?” You playfully said, as you took your hands down from his face.

“NO!!!!! I’ll go.” Mark unbuckled his seat belt wanting to open the door.
“Wait wait wait chill Mark CHILL !! He’s harmless, Mark… look at me.” You tugged at his arm and pulled it to you.

“It’s okay silly… I know what you mean. I heard it all that night, you don’t need to say anything else.” Trying to calm him down, you took his hand in yours and brought it to your chest.
“Here. Feel this.” you said. As he felt a pulsating beat that was so obviously racing a 1000x more than normal. He blushed as it was really near your *ahem*. Seeing him go red, you slowly moved it lower and watched what he would do.

“YAHHHHH~~~~~!!!!!!!” he snatched his hand away quickly and turned to the opposite side.
Seeing that he was sufficiently distracted, you opened the car door and ran out to JR.

“JINYOUNGIEEEEE~ how come you-” you called out to him, expecting him to be pleasantly surprised to see you. Instead, he turned around and dashed straight to hug you.

“I missed you so much, why did you make me wait for your answer for so long?” he said as he held you by your shoulders.

“Answer? What answer?” you didn’t remember owing him answers.

His expression went from happiness to shock in an instant, “I… … … thought you said you needed time to think about things…. weren’t you…thinking about me?”

“Ah~ that..” you said bashfully, remembering the nearly overheated date you ended up having with him in the car.

“Jinyoung ah, I treasure your friendship more than anything and wouldn’t trade that with anything, you’re special in your charming way and I hope you know that’s the way things should be.” You took a step closer and gave him a friendly kind of hug.

“I missed you too my friend!” you said as you released him from your light embrace, with a warm smile.

Perhaps it was because of your affectionate brother, you didn’t see much in giving hugs to guys or being friendly with them that way. It really didn’t mean anything more than a warm hug of comfort. You were sure of that now that you had tried it with JR. You were sure that it wasn’t the same racing feelings when you were with him.

You spoke with him a little longer to make sure he was alright and sent him going along his way.

Through all these, Mark had been sitting quietly in his car, waiting and ‘chilling out’ as you would call it, since he couldn’t see what was going on. He knew you would come back since your keys were in your bag. Soon, he saw the car drive out, and verified that you weren’t in it. Quickly he got out, taking your stuff with him.

“Hey, why’d you take off just like that huh…?” Mark frowned as he held out your belongings. But instead of claiming them, you only took your key and opened the door.
Standing there, he speechlessly held your bag.

“Come on in~! Why you looking like a dumb ass with my bag??” you smirked and held the door for him. It was the first time he actually went INTO your house, after sending you to the door countlessly. He didn’t quite believe you would let him in.

Seeing that he seemed dazed and rooted to the ground, you pulled him in quickly and shut the door behind you.

“Ww-w-hat..” he stuttered.

“Shush!” You pushed his back against your door to shut him up.
He pressed his lips together almost submissively and clutched your bag to his body.

“I thought someone was SO concerned that I was gonna be alone at home tonight?” you asked with raised brows and closed the gap between your body and his.

Slowly, a smile crept up on his face.

“AH. Of course. Just tonight.” Mark replied.

Notes