Paving Grey

The End is Near

"Aw shorty, you're going?" Off squinted through Gun's dimmed bedside lamp. Facing the full-body mirror, Gun looked all ready to go (back to sleep in the car).

"Mm-hm. Go back to sleep."

"Nah, I'm already awake." Off got up as he lazily rubbed his eyes. "I'll see you off."

Gun looked at him funny. "What? No need."

"Did P'Tha say when you'll be back?" Off easily distracted him.

"About that, I might not make it today."

"Yeah? Don't get too comfortable around Oab."

Gun rolled his eyes. "Papii, he's straight. And he's already with Alrisa."

"Say that to your ghost ship. I, for one, just need to make sure nobody sinks my ship."

It's too early for this, Gun thought to himself as he rolled his eyes and made his way downstairs, Off in tow.

The living room was unusually quiet and dark, safe for a light on in the pantry. Standing beside the coffee maker, Bright wai-ed the two of them.

"Good morning, P'Gun, P'Off. What are you doing this early in the morning, Phi?" Bright asked the latter, glancing at his watch. Still ten minutes to five.

"G'Morning. Just seeing you guys off."

"Oh?" Bright looked unsure but left it at that.

"Nong Gun? Nong Bright? Oh, good! You're all here." Kwang peeked from the main door. "We're outside. Whenever you're ready, yeah?"

"In a moment, Phi." Gun answered while adjusting a blanket around his shoulders, and that's when Kwang spotted Off.

"Oh-ho, Khun Off! Here to see your nong off? Moment ...." She teased, hand already pulling out her phone to spill.

"Don't you dare." Off growled.

"Okay, okay. Just let me know when you're done saying goodbye. Rak Papii na jubjub!" Kwang laughed as she fled the scene.

"Papii." Gun pulled the hem of Off's shirt before Off took off to scold Kwang. "Can you promise me one thing?" He asked, softly as to not be heard by anyone else.

Off turned around and faced him. "What?"

"Your secret ... if it's your secret that's revealed today, would you tell me what it is?"

For a second, Off looked stunned before he quickly regained his composure. "I'm sure the others are more than happy to tell you even if I don't."

"No, I want to hear it from you."

"What the ...."

"Papii."

Off groaned. "Fine, fine." Catching Gun's gaze still on him, he added, "I promise, geez."

"Okay. I'll be off then. Go back to sleep, yeah?" Gun gave Off's arm a little squeeze and turned. "Bright, all set?"

"Krub, Phi. Coffee?" Bright offered as he caught up to Gun.

"No, thanks."

"Safe trip, you two."

"Thank you, Phi."

"See you, Papii."

Casting several glances upstairs at the direction Off had gone to, Bright asked gingerly, "Does he always see you off, Phi?"

Gun caught Bright's perplexed eyes and chuckled. "Nah. It's just I will be working with Oab today, and he was just being territorial ...." He tightened his blanket on his shoulders as they stepped outside. "...with his ship."