The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Fæn

It's three in the afternoon when the yatch finally sets sail again. The group lazes around in the lounge drinking light wine as Bright speaks up, "So may I know what exactly did we miss?"

"Uh ...."

"Singtuan's leaving next week, for one." Off starts, instantly gaining a glare from Krist.

"Back off, Phi! Only I can call him that." Head laid on Singto's chest, Krist snarls.

"Poor Kit's feeling lonely so he threw a fit." Off continues, doesn't in the slightest look threatened.

"How about we throw hands instead, Phi?!" Krist growls getting up, but Singto effectively stops him with a warning of his own, voice deep and final, "That's enough, P'Off."

Off chuckles cheekily. "Okay, okay, I'll stop. Earth, your turn."

Earth looks up; his hands, about to tickle Mix, stop midair. "Huh?"

"Just catch nongs up or something."

Earth sidehugs Mix and grins to the guys, "We've made up! Thanks for your support—"

"He's on probation." Mix cuts in, correcting him, making Earth sulk as the other laugh at him.

"Sadboi Earth." Tay giggles.

Earth scowls, then grins as an idea's formed in his head. "What about you, P'Tay? Heard you wanted to date Newwie."

"Wha—no—I—where did you hear that from?" Tay stumbles over his words in embarrassment.

"Your own mouth and spit, idiot." Off sneers.

"Going back on word is a turn-off, P'Tay. Just saying." Mix says matter-of-factly. The rest now laughs at Tay.

"No, I! I just ...." Tay trails off, desperate to find the right words to say.

Seeing that, New swiftly sweeps in, "Actually, we agreed dating. But can we ask you guys to keep it between us?"

"Awww yes! I'm happy for you guys!" Gun cheers, pulling them in a hug. The rest quickly piles up and takes turns congratulating them.

Somewhere in the chaos, Tay shoots New a surprised, curious look. New smiles and nods encouragingly in answer, eyes showing nothing but genuine trust toward Tay's friends. Let's just say, it takes everything in Tay not to jump him on the spot.

Witnessing that, Off snickers. "Might want to up your game a little, my friend ... you're dating now."

"Peng ...!" Tay blushes, muttering his answer in a volume only for Off to hear. "No but we're both men. He wouldn't want to be called cute, right?" Tay sighs. "But he's so cute, I can't help wanting more."

Still, New hears that. And replies with no subtlety at all, "Seriously, Te? I have yet to make an actual effort and you already can't help yourself? Sure you can afford more?"

"Don't say such nonsense!" Tay hurriedly dismisses him. "You don't need to do that for me, Hin."

"Aw but I want to be called cute." Tay blushes at New's sudden charge. "I was just saving you the embarrassment, since you get embarrassed easily." New winks, making the latter blush all while proving his point. Everyone laughs.

"Careful what you wish for, my friend." Off snickers.

"But New, you said—"

"Not a word to the public. I said nothing about how to behave, right? As long as we admit nothing I think we're in the clear." New grins, blowkissing a very red Tay.

"Now I'm having second thoughts. Not about you, of course! About flirting in public." Tay's an awkward, blushing mess.

"I know, P'Tay." Tay blushes yet again at New calling him properly. "Heh." New smirks arrogantly, fully aware of the effect he has on Tay.

"Newwwww!" Tay buries his burning face in New's shoulder, one hand resting naturally on the younger's waist. Gun sighs adoringly at the sight, oblivious of how Off watches him with the same heart eyes.

But someone catches that. "How about you, P'Off? I saw your little interaction with P'Gun this morning and I must say, it's a side of you I didn't know exists. Or have your wild, insatiable days come to an end?" Krist winks playfully.

Off shrugs, looking extremely pleased with himself as he says, "I'm all his. All Teacup needs to do is say the word."

Gun smiles sweetly at him and replies, "No."

"Aw!" Off's smug face falters. "But yesterday you said—"

"Don't trust a drunk guy's words too much, P'Off." Gun says, smiling all the while.

"Now we're back to 'P'Off'??!" Off nearly shouts in shock. "What did I even do??"

Gun glares at how a fact so obvious could still escape Off. "You weird me out that's what."

"Um, what's it supposed to be if not 'P'Off'?"

"...Papii." Gun answers Earth, missing a beat.

"Ee, tell them." Off nods approvingly.

Krist laughs. "You're desperate, Papii."

Gun glares at Krist. "Only I get to call him that. Any more of Papii-calling and I'm calling your Singto Singtuan."

Krist holds up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay! Point taken, duly noted, my bad to even think of crossing you, P'Gun!"

"You can be territorial but won't try dating me?" Off pouts, eyes peer up cutely at Gun.

"Quit it, Papii!" Gun giggles, pushing away Off's face away from him.

Off turns to Tay and New. "Back me up here, friends!"

New chuckles, humoring Off. "You said you'd date if we date, Nong Gun."

"P'New, don't just casually take his side!"

"Aw, just repeating your words from last night."

Gun chuckles. "Sat."

"I have nothing grand to say to you, Nong Gun. My friend's as ... wild and insatiable as the rumors say." Tay pauses to chuckle at Off's protest. "Just, I never saw Peng giving in to anyone, until you."

Gun frowns. "Giving in in what way, exactly?"

"In putting you before anyone else, even himself."

"But I tend to have that effect on people!?"

Off bursts into laughter at Gun's blunt words. "You never fail me, Teacup. Let's try dating, na? Just for fun is fine. You can cut me off anytime. A chance is all I ask."

"Seems like something you'd say to make that gay guy fall for you and win a bet with your friends."

Off gets up and denies in a hurry, "I swear it's nothing like that! Look, my friends are all present here, with their boyfriends no less," He gestures to everyone, "If I was to have any hidden agenda, they'd be the first ones to out me!"

"What is it, then?" Gun frowns, muttering confusedly under his breath.

"Yeah, actually, I'm a bit lost myself. You're usually never this persistent. What makes it different this time? Care to enlighten us, Phi?" Singto speaks up, then turns to Gun. "I give you my words, P'Gun, that it's as odd to me as it is to you."

Off frowns, thinking. "I don't know .... To be honest, I also just kinda go with my guts. But if I don't try now, I know for a fact that I'll forever regret it."

"Because I'm different? Are you feeling adventurous right now?"

"Actually, I am. Not because you're gay. But for once I wanna try dating someone who doesn't see me as a mere trophy."

Gun is at a loss for words.

"Nong Gun, na? If it didn't work out then we can go back to being friends, no hard feelings. Promise."

Gun sighs eventually. "Don't get too attached, now, okay?"

Off gapes at Gun, eyes wide. "Really? Just like that?"

"Just keep your words to keep it casual."

"As you wish, boyfriend!"