The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Chaos

Everyone is at the dining area when Off and Singto pass by on their way off. New and Mix are busy stuffing their faces on the dining table as Earth sits opposite of Mix, talking to a housekeeping staff. Tay stands beside the drink station waiting for his coffee, Gun and Krist a little further back by the kitchen door.

Off and Singto wave the guys on the table goodbye and move on, but then Off has a second thought. He tells Singto to wait at the port then hastily walks back and straight to Gun's direction.

"Hey, I'm getting off." Even Off feels weird about himself to use a tone this soft.

Gun jumps, turning around. "Jesus! You scared me."

"Can I have my kiss goodbye?" Off moves closer, playfully puckering his lips.

"Fuck no." Gun lightly slaps his face away.

Off lets out a soft chuckle. "What are you doing back here?"

"We're waiting for our chili oil. What are you doing here?" Gun looks around for a sight of Singto.

Off steals a glance at Krist before saying, "Don't worry, he's waiting at the port. I'm just here to say goodbye."

Gun looks at him weirdly. "Okay? We're not the ones parting ways in a week. Now get lost."

Off lingers around, finding words to convey the dread he's feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Hey, call me sometimes?"

Gun shudders. "Papii, what the hell? It's getting weird."

"It's not." Off pouts, thinking that unlike Tay and New, they'll go on with their respective lives, no longer be able to cross paths post trip.

"We still see each other everyday on campus!"

"I prefer we 'see each other' exclusively, how about that?"

"Papii!" Gun glares at him, feeling awkward by the second. "Singto's gonna leave you for real!"

"Nah, he's obedient. Unlike you." Off glares back at Gun.

"Hey, what about me?"

"How am I supposed to reach you after this?"

"Well you have my LINE, no??"

"I'll want to see you in person!"

"Then come see me in person, what's so difficult about that?? You know where I live, too, for fuck's sake ...."

Off beams at Gun. "Can I?"

Gun frowns. "Why can't you? Just drive me to school while you're at it."

"Really? Then, it's a promise!" Off decides cheekily, jogging away without waiting for Gun's answer. "See you around, Kit!"

"Papii! I said you're making it weird, you bastard!" Gun shouts in protest to his back. Fuming, he turns around and immediately falls silent meeting Krist's longing eyes.

"Kit."

Krist forces a smile. "I-I didn't know you've gone this far with P'Off. You guys remind me of—"

"You can still catch him." Gun says, glancing at Off who's still halfway to the port.

"But—"

"Kit." Gun calls again, scolding in his tone.

"P'Gun ...." Krist whimpers softly.

"I won't say much but, you sure you want to waste your already running out time?" Gun looks at the lost state Krist's in and softens, "I get it, it's hard, to the point it looks impossible—and you're afraid. I think it's normal, when you're levelling up."

Krist chokes back a sob, pulling Gun in a grateful hug before running after the love of his life.

*

In the end, Off and Singto never really leave the yatch. Krist catches up to Singto and dramatically hugs him at the last minute, and the group sees that as a signal to give the two privacy. But it turns out Off can't rest just yet, as both Bright and Win are apparently nowhere to be found. In dismay, he almost calls the police when all of the sudden a fancy SUV pulls over and the two nongs get off from the back seat.

"Well? I believe you two young men owe me an explanation." Off greets, arms crossed and eyes cold.

"We're sorry, Phi! Got carried away playing game with Nong Win's friends and ended up at the other part of the city. By half past two, our friend's too exhausted to drive us back so we stayed the night at a hotel." Bright hurriedly explains.

The front seat's window opens and the boy behind the wheel grins widely at Off, doesn't seem intimidated by his dark aura at all, "Guilty! I guess racing around town could be draining, too. And I was the designated driver so they all didn't hold back drinking. But we won in the end, so don't scold them too much, okay kind Phi?"

"Kin! That'll just make them get scolded more!" The pretty boy beside him hisses.

"It's okay guys, I'll talk to my phi. You two go ahead, thanks for the ride." Bright says. The two briefly say their goodbye then set off, leaving the three in a strained silence.

"So .... Forgive us, na, Phi?" Bright speaks up gingerly.

Off doesn't budge.

"I'm really sorry. Should've borrowed a charger or a phone to keep you updated." Bright tries again, smiling apologetically. Meanwhile, poor Win just looks down in fear.

Off eventually sighs. "If you understand then it's fine. But don't do it again, okay, I almost shit my pants! Moreover, Nong Win's here with you so he's your responsibility!"

"Khub Phi." Bright obediently nods.

"Ah seriously, this morning is chaotic enough without you two disappearing." Off grumbles some more then stops. "Never mind all that. Have you two had breakfast?"

Win's stomach growls in answer. Grimacing, he gingerly looks up to Off's amused gaze.

"Okay, okay. I'll stop scolding you. Now come inside and eat." He relents, herding them inside and to the dining area. There, finding Tay and New both cling to Gun's opposite sides as they have this awkward tension between them, he finally goes off, "Oiii, for real get away from Teacup and face your problem like a freaking man!"

"Peng ...! No but you try talking to Hin then, he's not cooperating—"

"Not my problem! I'm not the one wanting to date him!" Off cuts Tay short, pulling Gun away as Tay catches Gun's other arm. They end up bickering loudly, Gun in the crossfire completely forgotten. Lips pouted and face frowning funnily, Gun wildly points at New—impersonating the two's bickering gestures—and falls into laughter with him.

"What did I even miss?" Bright blinks, muttering to himself, as his gaze glides from Earth and Mix back to being the lovesick duo, to Singto and Krist in deep talk far in a corner, and, finally: the chaotic four.