The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Change

Being in the spotlight is nothing new to Off. He's not a public figure or something, but F5's well-known across the university. But he never really appreciates the personal space the gang's infamous reputation gives him until Gun.

The fans—they can be very loud and intrusive. Still, Gun responds patiently and attentively to each and every one of them. Off observes the small guy with both respect and annoyance.

"Are you settling down for real? What's the story, P'Gun?"

"Let's keep it a mystery for now." Gun winks. "It's more exciting this way, no?"

The collective squeals pretty much answer it.

"But, P'Gun, isn't he straight?" A petite girl whispers gingerly to Gun, all while stealing terrified glances at Off.

"None of your business." Off snaps. The nerve of this woman, to blatantly ask in front of his face ...!

"I prefer it if you don't harass my boyfriend, guys." Gun swiftly takes over. "You might scare him away, you know? Do you want to make me sad?" He makes the cutest pout, gaining fond sighs from the fans.

"B-but ... I only want you to be happy and appreciated ...!" The petite girl says again with trembling voice.

"I very much am, I assure you." Gun smiles at her gratefully, then looks up to address the crowd. "Anyway, we'll continue eating, okay? Else we'll be late for class. Now be good and pray only for our happiness, everyone!" Gun shoos them away, and after one more session of signing and picture taking, they're finally left alone to eat their already-gone-cold food.

So much for a lunch date.

"You're so cunning ...." Off shakes his head in awe when it's finally the two of them alone.

Gun winks. "Wouldn't be an actor otherwise, no?"

"Aren't you tired?" Off asks, curious.

"Nope! They can be a little meddlesome at times but they're harmless. And cute. Unlike the netizens." Gun pouts. "And I already told you what to expect eating out, Papii. By the way, I'm meeting Kit later on. He's recording his own song, can you believe that?"

"Oh, huh? When did you become buddy-buddy with Kit?"

"Keep up, Papii!" Gun chuckles. "We're from the same agency. And we're in the same circle now! Oh, hey, P'New!"

Off looks up and finds New walking by their table, seemingly endless pile of books and papers on his hands.

"Oh, hello guys."

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah, I'm meeting Te, actually. He's waiting at the canteen."

"Let's go together! We're finishing up here, right Papii?" Gun smiles at Off, already turning to New before the senior could answer, "Have you had lunch yet?"

"Te already bought us food." Despite his answer, New sits down beside Gun and takes a bite of Gun's salad. "Mm, this is good."

"Right? Hey, are you coming to Chiang Mai this weekend?" Gun asks excitedly. "Let's go on sour-spicy food hunt around the town!"

"I don't know ... my assignments from last week have yet to be done ...."

"Just bring it over! We can do them together, what about that?"

New chuckles. "You do know we study different majors, right?"

"There must be something me and P'Tay can do, like ... doing the research? C'mon P'New, it'll be fun!"

Off is completely lost at this point.

A notification distracts New. "Mm, okay. I'll see what I can do." He smiles getting up. "Anyway, Te asks me to buy some green juice. I'll see you guys at the canteen?"

"K! Bye, P'New!" Gun waves happily.

"You haven't gotten out of your ... uh, facade?" Off notices.

"Persona." Gun supplies, smiling apologetically. "It happens, sorry, please bear with me."

Off blinks at the unexpected answer. So he's aware, huh .... "Never mind, you're going to Chiang Mai this weekend?" He asks as they're getting up to pay.

"Yes! I have a job there. I'm staying at P'Tay's since his grandma's been asking for me."

Off frowns. Tay does have a ridiculously close bond with his grandma, but even he, Tay's closest friend, is not that close with her. "And how did the two of you meet?"

"It was last summer's faculty field trip to P'Tay hometown! P'Tay's one of the committee so he invited us to visit his huuuge family mansion." Gun explains excitedly. "You must've been there, too, Papii?"

"And why is this the first time I heard about this weekend's trip?" Off crosses his arms, refusing to keep pace with Gun.

"Aw, did I make plans with you? I'm sorry! I'm such a scatterbrain sometimes."

"No." Off answers curtly.

Gun gives him a long look, but then decides to play it as a joke. "Papii, are you jealous of your own friend? And he's taken, on top of that! By your other friend! Heh!"

Off doesn't laugh along with him.

"You can come, y'know, I'm sure P'Tay and Grandma Nart won't mind." Gun tries again. "I've invited P'New, too. We can double date?"

Off sighs as he feels his whole being's easing to giving in. "Okay, okay. I can't come but you have fun."

"That's more like it!" Gun grins. "Now, can I get a smile while we're at it?"

Off tsks. "Don't be silly."

"Aww, are you shy? Is my boyfriend shy?" Gun coos. "Smile for me, please Papii?"

Knowing it's just teasing, Off still forces a smile.

"Charming! Now let's go!" Gun flashes his dimpled smile, intertwining their fingers as they cross the street toward their university building.

Knowing it's just sweet nothings, Off still has to walk a step behind to hide his blush.