The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Old Time

"So let me get this straight. You realized you love him after you made out."

"Yup." Off answers readily, if not a bit proud.

Bright frowns. "Wow, that's ... something. Was he that good?"

"I mean, I've got no other guys to compare to but it was ... eye-opening. I've done it countless times but I never knew ... kissing and ... everything can involve so much feelings. It's overwhelming, in a good way."

"I mean ... good for you." Bright means it. His phi's face is practically glowing from all the talk.

"Yeah, good for me." Off grins from ear to ear. "Teacup's everything I could ever ask for."

"Just don't mess up again, okay?" Tay appears, patting Off's shoulder and taking a seat beside him. "I was so worried when Kit called me."

"Thanks, I'll be careful from now on."

"You know what, about that." Bright grimaces. "I get that you're grateful for the ... second chance, or whatever you call that. But grateful isn't love, P'Off. I think it's a bit unhealthy if you keep that feeling on."

"Noted. I'll get over it somehow, thanks Bai."

"It's unfair!" Earth comes complaining loudly. "You've been keeping a secret from me!"

Off makes sure there's no Mix in sight before waving Earth over. "Hey, sorry. Just didn't want to put you in a difficult position."

"What? How is this about me?"

"Your P'Off here is in love." Tay grins at Earth, making Earth's jaw drop.

"OMG, really? Really really?? That's great news, P'Off! Congrats! Does Nong Gun know? Did he say the same thing?"

"Yes, thanks, yes, no." Off smiles looking down in amusement. "But it turned out okay. So yeah."

"He's on thin ice rn but, well, 'okay' is one way to describe it." Tay shrugs, whispering conspiratorially to Earth.

"Sat." Off chuckles.

"Woohoo! I'm proud of you, P'Off! Should we celebrate it tonight? Drinks on me—oh wait, drinks on my lovestruck brother!"

"Heh. Don't make Mix pap pap you."

"Huh?" Tay and Bright are confused.

"But wait, what's the difficult position that you talked about?"

"Uh, because we don't know where you stand with Mix?" Tay helps out. "Have you said love yet, or ...?"

"Yes! It's how we agreed to date in the first place." Earth beams. "P'Tay, you too, right?"

"...I mean, eventually, yeah." says Tay, flustered. "How did you—actually, never mind. I can't have this conversation with you guys, it's too embarrassing!"

"Because you sting, that's how." Off snickers.

Suddenly, Bright sighs. "We've changed so much, no?"

"I don't wanna hear it from you, Ai Bai!" Earth scolds playfully. "But it's a good thing, no? P'Off, mellowing a little, and you, laughing and smiling more."

Bright chuckles. "What about P'Tay?"

"Well, he's still very much the same. Because New isn't exactly new, amirite?"

Tay nods, then abruptly huffs. "I miss Singto."

"Alai, just video call him." Off shrugs.

Bright does a quick count in his head. "It's two in the morning there!"

"Okay so he's probably sleeping, so what?" Off chuckles. "Should've gotten used to our antics by now."

"Oh! Oh! I know," Tay laughs, already switching into storytelling mode. "Remember when we used to hang in the library before Singto, just the three of us with New everyday throughout our first two years here?"

"What? Everyday??" Earth gasps in disbelief. "You are the dorkest of the dorks!"

"Yeah because all we cared about was studying. Things took a wild turn when Singto came and dragged us away from the library, saying we needed a break. Can you believe that? Our calm and mature Singto, telling this party animal to live a little?" Tay points at Off and laughs heartily, reminiscing the birth of F4.

"Crazy ...." Bright mutters in disbelief. "It's completely different when I came."

Off nods chuckling. "From library to parties. Talk about extreme."

"Oh you want crazy? I'll give you crazy—when I was still with New, back before I even transferred here, P'Tay kept turning up uninvited to our dates with all kinds of excuses. What's even crazier was that New let him." Earth rolls his eyes, making Tay bombard him with apologies.

"The idiot's already developed some feelings for New, I bet." Off says chuckling. "Just hasn't admit to it yet."

"I kinda had a feeling, too, P'Off, but, just ... you know??" Earth shrugs, at a loss for words. "Making me wonder, sometimes, if P'Tay wasn't always there, would we—"

"Don't!" Tay cuts in hurriedly. "Just don't finish that sentence, please."

"Okay, okay ...." Earth chuckles.

"I don't think so, P'Earth. I don't wanna play favorite but P'New has always had trouble prioritizing." Bright smiles, amused. "Still, his gestures can't lie. It takes some observation but he never really keeps his eyes off of P'Tay."

"Making me wonder, sometimes, what would become of Tay without New? Can he survive at all?" Off sneers.

"Peng ...!"

Earth laughs. "True. It was subtle but, IDK, kinda felt like I was the third person back then." He whips his head to Tay's direction as it suddenly hits him. "P'Tay! Don't tell me, you ...! Did something happen between you two, say, right before we hooked up??"

"Err ...."

"It was the accidental kiss you told me about, no?" Off discloses the information ever so casually.

"It didn't even count as—"

"It definitely counted as a kiss." Off dismisses Tay's protest flatly.

"I can't believe this! I was New's rebound! Damn, P'Tay, you're good." Earth laughs heartily.

Tay grimaces. "Can we stop talking about me, please? What's important is that everything worked out well, no?"

"Yes, yes. I was just having fun, P'Tay, don't take it to heart, okay?" Earth pats Tay's stiff shoulder, chuckling. Then, with more serious tone, adds, "I've no regrets. None. I'm with Mix and I couldn't be happier; I'm sure it's the same for New, too."

"And if not for Nong Mix, you'd never end up here." Tay sighs, lips eventually curled into a nostalgic smile. "It's amazing how far we've come looking back, huh?"

Off glances at the bittersweet expression Tay has on his face and scoffs. "Ooi, that's enough. Are you rehearsing your graduation speech or something?"

"Aw, just let me be sentimental in peace!"

"Then, let's go to an open mic bar tonight for old time's sake?" Bright grins, gaining only good responses from the rest. "And someone please invite Nong Win for me!"

"For old time's sake, my ass! I don't remember there's a particular 'Nong Win' back then!" Off scolds loudly. Bright just laughs, not even trying to defend himself.