The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Papii

Later on when the group has settled into a fun card game, Off comes over. He places a palm on top of Gun's head and hands the little guy a drink.

"P'Off ...!" Gun swats his hand and quickly fixes his bangs. But the guys have other concern.

"Aw, P'Off! We're thirsty, too, why only P'Gun gets a drink?" Krist teases his senior.

"You're not here with me, aren't you?" Off shrugs indifferently. Gun jokingly raises the glass at Krist before drinking it, a smug smile painting his face.

"Where's Te?" New asks.

"Rescuing Earth." Off glares at Mix. "Are you sure he's your boyfriend and not your dog?"

"I just can't stand him sometimes." Mix chuckles. "Anyway, he'll live."

As if on cue Tay and Bright walk over, as Earth runs ahead of them to pull Mix in a hug. "Mix ...! I'm really sorry ...!"

Witnessing that, the guys finally understand the meaning behind Mix's words.

"Ai Earth, get off me." Mix sighs tiredly.

"Ai Mix ...! I'm really, really sorry, na? Won't you forgive me? Na, Mix ...."

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Mix hisses, peeling himself off Earth's embrace. "They're all watching!"

"I don't care, na? Na na na? I won't do that again, I ...." His words gradually become inaudible as Mix drags him out of everyone's earshot.

"Aw. The show is over?" Krist's the first to speak up.

Gun chuckles. "Earth's so cute like a puppy."

"I don't want to hear it from you!" Off scolds him.

"Aw, why?" Gun immediately protests.

"Because Nong Gun's just as cute? Oh, ooh! I'll do you one better—because he's cuter?" Tay winks teasingly.

"Because you're also a puppy, Teacup!"

"Puppy this, teacup that! If you like them so much just be one yourself!" Gun fumes.

"Yeah, Nong Gun's my baby chick!" New adds, siding with Gun.

"What?" Off and Tay turn to New, looking well confused.

"What?" Gun too, apparently.

"What?" New asks back cheekily.

Krist stands up, pulling Singto with him. "This is getting confusing. Come, Tuan. Let's check out the jacuzzi or something."

Win giggles. "Is that a code to—?"

"Yeah. Yeah, Nong Win." Bright cut him short. "No need to finish the sentence, thank you very much."

Off raises an eyebrow. "'Nong'?"

"He's my nong, no?" Bright snaps immediately, making Off hold up his hands in surrender.

"I think I'll go swim. Anyone?" Gun abruptly says.

"Yes! Meet you there, Phi!" Win's face immediately lights up, already on his way to his room to change. A ghost of a smile paints Bright's face, and New smirks knowingly.

"Heh. 'Nong'."

Bright makes a shushing gesture at New.

"What? What?" Tay tries to catch up, though in vain.

Meanwhile, Off hits the back of Gun's head. "Yeah, well, no swimming for you, young man!"

"Aw, why??"

"You said it yourself, that you're not feeling well just this morning!"

"It's already afternoon!"

Off touches Gun's arm with the back of his hand. "See, you're fucking hot!"

"Well thanks but I know that much!"

"I mean you're burning, you brat!"

"All the more reason why I need to cool down in the water!"

Off growls at the stubborn guy. "I said no swimming for you, or do I have to lock you up myself like Mix did Earth?!"

Gun looks at him in disbelief. "Don't be such a papi! I'm teacup-sized but I'm still an adult!" He pauses as everyone laughs at his words. "Seriously, I must've been crazy to trust your reputation! Heard you're a party guy—didn't see one since I arrived. All I get is scolding, boo." He pouts.

"You wanna party? I'll give you one if you promise to behave all afternoon. A sick person should just take it easy."

Gun stares at him in horror. "Are you sure you're the playboy of the gang? You're not at all fun, Papii!"

"It's because you're always tired when I see you and I'm the one who invited you over, so I'd feel bad if you come out even more worn out by the end of the trip!" Off pauses as he realizes the way Gun calls him. "And what's with the nickname?"

"Jesus, will you ever stop? Even my grandma doesn't nag me this much!" Gun grumbles, getting up to leave. "And Papii stays, your fault!"

"Teacup! Hey, wait!"

Off goes after Gun, leaving the rest of the guys speechless and very much baffled.

"Um, what did I just see?" Tay asks after a while, speaking for everyone.

"Never thought I'd see the day Off changes for anyone." New adds.

"Hum, karma caught up to him faster than I expected." Bright nods.

"LOL. Good for him."

"Heh. 'Good'."