The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Chase

'Papii, I'm sorry I can't make it to our movie date tonight, rain check?'

'Papii, work runs late, they'll send me home. See you.'

'I'm so tired today sorry, can I move our plan to next week? I'm flying to Phuket for the weekend to shoot the special episode.'

'I'll tell you when I have time? I'm sorry I've no break these days.'

Off rereads his chat with Gun and for the umpteenth time, sighs. Nowadays all Gun does is making excuses. It's not like he hasn't realized that Gun's been avoiding him. It's just he's not really into making a scene, especially when Gun's still swamped with work.

But it's killing him, too.

'K. I'm not going anywhere, anyway. Just LMK when you're done ghosting me, I guess.'

Gun shows up at his door the morning after.

"Wow, come in, uh—didn't expect you to be here. Aren't you working?" Off steps aside to let Gun in. His hand, out of habit about to touch Gun's head, hangs in the air, hesitant.

"Papii, I'm really, really sorry I ghosted you." Gun buries himself in Off's chest.

Off sighs, taking in the warmth his little arms bring and the smell of Gun's shampoo he's missed so much. "It doesn't matter now, baby. How have you been?"

Gun shrugs pulling back. "Okay. Busy. But we're wrapping things up, so it's only until the end of the month, at the latest. Ughhh, what are we doing here talking pleasantries?" He grumbles, scolding himself. He then looks up to Off, whimpering, "Papii, what have I done to us?"

Off sits Gun down in the kitchen, eyes taking in the state Gun's in worriedly. The small guy looks like he hasn't been sleeping for days. "I don't care anymore. I really don't, so please don't overwork yourself. I shouldn't have sent that message in the first place. Have you eaten anything? Or do you prefer to catch some sleep?"

"It's okay, I need to go in a minute but I just want you to know that I'm sorry. And I've missed you, and I care. I just need some time to ... take it all in, I guess." Gun gets up, eyes heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry. Let's put a temporary stop to this thing between us for a while. I swear I'll come back to you ASAP. Hopefully we'll be different that time. A good kind of different." He stands on tiptoe to give Off's cheek a farewell kiss.

"Gun, I ...." Off exhales, preparing his heart for the worst, "If you don't want to keep going, just give it to me straight, I can take it."

"No, Papii! I swear, it's between me and myself. Please, hold on just a little bit longer?"

"Just ...." Off runs his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Until this month. Okay? What's the point of keeping me hanging if you're just gonna say goodbye?"

"No! No goodbyes!" Gun pouts. "Papii, have a little faith! I really, really like you, okay? Really."

"OK, OK ...." Off smiles eventually. "You take care, okay? Can I keep texting you like always? You don't have to answer if you don't feel like to."

"Aw, then what's the point of—you know what, sure. We're going back to the beginning, no?"

Off smirks, eyes glinting mischievously. "Exactly. Just pray you don't fall for any of my lines."

"OMG, can't wait." Gun giggles getting up, walking toward the door. "I really need to go now but I'll be waiting for your corny pick-up lines, Papii."

"Oh, Teacup, you're so on."

*

'Good morning, Nong Gun! So, aside from taking my breath away, what do you do for a living?'

'Good morning, Papii. And did you just accuse me of being a murderer for a living?'

'You brat, don't take it too seriously!'

'5555 sorry.'

*

'Quick question. If you're here, who's running heaven?'

'IDK, God?'

'...I swear it sounded better in my head.'

'Heh. Better luck next time.'

*

'You know what you would look really beautiful in? My arms.'

'Aww. This one is cute, I like it. Can't wait to be back in your arms.'

'😳😳😳 Damn, it backfired.'

*

'Hi, my name is Off, but you can call me tonight.'

'Eh, I'm good.'

'Aw, why?'

'I'm gonna go with Papii—else I'll wake the lion.'

'YOU LITTLE.'

'But am I wrong though?'

'I'm outta here.'

*

'Geez, Teacup, do you ever get tired from running through my thoughts all night?'

'Damn, that must be why I've been waking up exhausted these days. You've overworked me, Papii. 🥵'

'Don't turn this into sexting, FFS!'

*

'Good morning. Don't forget your breakfast!'

'Morning, Papii. No pick-up lines today?'

'Yeah, shame, nothing worked out so I'm thinking about trying a different approach.'

'Good luck! Ugh, there's something wrong with my front camera. Try video calling me?'

Off's call comes within seconds.

"Oh, it works."

"Like my first try." Gun smiles triumphantly.

"Ai Teacup, you ...!" Off laughs, speechless. "You know what, I'll give it to you. I can never stand a chance against you."

Gun giggles. "Oh, right. There's something wrong, too, with my doorbell. Mind ringing it for me tonight?"

"Yes! I mean! No! Haha, of course not! What about your ride home? Are we 100% sure there's nothing wrong with that, too?"

"Don't push your luck, Papii." Gun chuckles. "See you tonight, okay."

"Yeah ...." Off sighs contently, checking the date on his phone. Just two days until next month. "Huh, does this mean our break is over? You're finally coming back to me?"

"You're the one coming to me though."

Off smiles softly. "At first chance, Teacup. At first chance."

"Let's just say you're on probation."

"Back to square one?? Ha! Bring it." Off says without a hint of hesitation.

Gun falls silent for a good minute. "...Why?"

"Why, what?"

"Why do you try so hard?" Gun's voice is barely a whisper.

"IDK just ... why not?" Off shrugs, contemplating about downplaying his feelings. But then they'll be getting nowhere. "All I know is that I've long stopped doing this just for fun."

"...You really love me, huh." Gun's voice is especially quiet.

"Yeah. That I do." Off nods firmly. When Gun stays quiet, he prompts, "Um, that okay with you?"

"Actually ... yeah." Gun slowly breaks into a soft smile. "I think I'm beginning to warm up to the idea."

Off laughs in relief. "I promise you, I'm passing this with flying colors."

"I sure hope so, Papii. I sure hope so."