The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Enigma

"I hate you!"

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry ...."

"You're just ... too cruel!"

"I know, I'm sorry, baby ...."

"You're gonna cook japchae for the rest of the week!"

Gun chuckles, drawing back a little to look her in the eyes. "Isn't that too much? What if I have a job early in the morning?"

"Then I shall starve myself until you come back!" Pim pouts.

"Aww, how could I let my baby girl starve?" Gun coos.

"Because you're cruel like that!"

Gun chuckles some more. "Okay, okay, I deserve that. I'm really sorry, okay? You do know I never meant to hurt you, right?"

"Ungg." Pim mumbles her answer reluctantly. Slowly, they get up from the floor and Gun takes his time wiping his nong's tears, fixing her hair, and finally straightening up her black dress. "There. All ready to go?"

Pim nods sheepishly. Gun gives her arm one last squeeze before turning to Off at last. Or so he thought, until Gun wais and says, "We're going, Grandma."

Off turns around and his heart nearly jumps out of his chest finding Gun's grandma's stare at him from the couch. "Aw, sawasdee krub, Grandma! My apologize, didn't see you there!" He hastily wais her.

"Yes, safe trip. And maybe introduce the man to your mom."

Gun chuckles, approaching Off and placing one hand on his shoulder. "Sorry, didn't know you're awake. Grandma, this is P'Off, my boyfriend. Papii, my beautiful, but savage, grandma."

Off wais again. "Nice to officially know you, Grandma."

"Come more often before saying that, young man. And these kids could use a proper adult in the house for a change."

"A nag, you mean." Gun rolls his eyes, pulling Off outside and away from his grandma. "Yeah, no."

Off chuckles. "Then, we'll be leaving first, Grandma!"

Gun herds Off—and Pim—toward his car.

"Huh." Off stops, realizing something. "You're driving?"

"Yeah, get in."

Off glances at Pim. "Shotgun?"

"Yeah, sorry but you sit in the back, Papii." Gun answers for her.

"No! Khun boyfriend should just sit beside P'Gun. I'm fine sitting in the back."

"Nonsense." Gun waves dismissively. "You sit with me, that's not up for debate."

"P'Gun ...!"

Off looks between the two siblings and steps in, "Hey, hey. How about we take turns? I'll sit shotgun now and Nong Pim on the way back?"

Gun gives him a long look before nodding. "If that's okay with Nong Pim."

"Yes, that would be great, P'Off." Pim obeys easily.

Off chuckles. Grandma's right. These two are really just kids.

*

"Damn, my sleeve is drenched." Gun says, getting in Off's passenger side. It's already six and after dropping off Pim, they only have time to change car and hurriedly drive to the airport.

Now Off understands why Gun insisted on Pim sitting with him. She's practically glued to her brother's shoulder on their way back, crying nonstop. Unlike Gun's collected demeanor throughout the visit, she seemed to still struggle with the fact that her mom's gone.

Until now, Off still doesn't know what to make of Gun's duality. At times he exudes strength and responsibility way above his age, and other times he's just this naughty little kid demanding to be pampered by everyone.

He's an enigma, really. One that Off never wants to stop figuring out.

"I think I have a spare shirt in the backseat."

"Oh, and whatever for, Papii?" Gun does the eyebrow dance.

"Bastard. I'll never live that down, huh? I'll have you know I haven't touched any woman since I met you, Teacup."

"Ha! Did I ruin your standard?"

Off growls. "Just take it and get changing!"

Gun gasps mockingly. "Is this you trying to get me naked?"

"I'm driving, aren't I?!" Off involuntarily raises his voice.

Gun snickers. "Don't blush now, Papii."

Off rolls his eyes. "I won't, you insufferable guy."

Gun studies his clothes and says, "Do you have a spare jacket instead? Preferably that goes well with my black pants."

"Does my car look like a fucking boutique to you?!"

Gun just laughs in response.

*

In the end, Gun takes Off's denim jacket and puts it on top of his partly rolled-up shirt. Off doesn't even want to describe how the sight of the oversized jacket on Gun makes him feel.

"Whose jacket is that, Nong Gun? You look ... drowned in that." Of course Tay Tawan, that bastard, always has something to say.

"It's Papii's."

"Sharing clothes already? What happens to keeping it casual?" Earth chuckles.

"I bet your shirt's ... stained, huh?" Mix smirks wickedly.

"And needed to be covered somehow?" Earth's more than happy to help his boyfriend.

"Err ... you could say that—"

"OH MY—I wasn't expecting—"

"Sorry we're late. And no putting words into Teacup's mouth please, thank you." Off quickly takes over, taking in the sight of the group. Only New's missing. "Aw, where's the boyfriend?" He asks Tay.

"He has night class." Tay shrugs, pretending not to care.

"Poor P'Tay. How are you holding up, Kit?" Gun strokes Krist's arm calmingly.

"As good as possible, I suppose." Krist smiles at him gratefully. "Thanks for coming, P'Gun."

"Of course." Gun grins mischievously. "And drink's on me tonight."

"P'Gun ...!" Singto groans. "Is it too late to second-guess my decision to leave Kit to you guys?"

"Yes, it is." Off chuckles. "And he'll be safe with us, trust me."

"I really hope so." Singto sighs.

"Ooh! Cute!" Gun exclaims, obliviously examining a simple, silver ring in Krist's finger. "Is it from ...?"

Krist blushes hard at the attention Gun unintentionally draws to them.

"Oh-hoo, my friend sure is moving fast!" Off pats Singto's shoulder proudly.

"Does that mean you're engaged now?"

"Honestly, I don't fuss over labels. It's just a token of our commitment, something like that. Like it's not supposed to—"

"Yeah. Yeah, you could say that." Krist chuckles, stopping Singto from going in circles with his explanation.

The gang quickly showers the couple with congratulations.