The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Awakening

"Hey, P'Tay! Hey, everyone!" Gun lets go of his hold on Off's hand to give Tay a back hug around the shoulders.

"Hi. You seem to be in a good mood, Nong Gun." Tay looks over his shoulder at Gun, smiling.

"...If I'm not wrong, it's his persona." Earth speaks up. At his boyfriend's words, Mix studies Gun in awe.

"Hey!" Off snaps, stepping in front of Gun to block the view.

"Aw, sorry, Phi! I didn't mean to be rude!"

"Are you okay, Nong Gun? Do you need help switching off?" Earth asks worriedly, making Off's head snaps at Gun.

"What? Are you having difficulties—"

"I'll be fine, thanks guys. But where's Kit?" Gun asks the gang.

"He just left for some song recording." New answers.

"Already? Then, I'm going, too, Papii." Gun pulls up his phone to text his manager. "Everyone, see you next week." He waves to the group absentmindedly.

"Huh, next week? But it's still Wednesday." Mix prompts.

Gun reads something on his phone and fastens his pace, "My ride's here. Ask Bright for details, okay? Byeee!" And just like that, he's gone.

"Err ... Bright's not even here." Mix states after a long pause.

"Come to think of it, where's the brooding boy?" Earth asks. "He has no friends outside of us." He chuckles.

"He's going to the beach today." Tay pauses, then grins mischievously, "With Nong Win."

Earth's eyes widen. "Just the two of them??!"

Tay laughs. "Actually, he invited me yesterday, but I couldn't come. He's catching sunset for our photography club's upcoming exhibition."

"I sometimes wonder how such an antisocial guy can be in that many clubs." Earth shakes his head, amused. "But, how does Nong Win fit into the story?"

"Because he needs a model and apparently Nong Win also has no class today, aaand the rest is history." Tay grins.

"Wow, he's smooth." Mix mutters, impressed.

"Right?" Tay laughs agreeing. New nudges him and with his eyes points at Off, who at some point has turned into stone.

"Uh ... Peng, okay?" Tay calls out to Off, which is completely ignored.

"Off?" New helps, to no avail.

"P'Off, what's the matter?"

"Peng! You're scaring me!"

Off blinks out of his trance as they gradually getting noisier. Then, without so much of an answer, turns around and chases after Gun.

Leaving the boys exchanging glances in confusion.

"Um, WTH just happened?" Tay says, speaking for everybody.

*

"Gun." Off grabs Gun's arm to stop him, blood boiled. "Hey, wait!"

"Papii?" Gun turns and meets Off's gaze, oblivious but calmer. Seems like he finally succeeded in getting off his persona.

Off growls. First the sudden weekend trip with Tay, then Earth's knowledge about Gun he completely has no idea about, and now Bright? How come the brat, who's not even present, knows more about Gun's schedule than his own boyfriend?

"What is it? My manager's waiting." Subtly, Gun wriggles his way out of Off's grip.

"Where are you going tomorrow?"