The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Tea

"Oh, you're back together? That explains the annoying grin on his face." New remarks, opening a bag of chips.

"Chubby, stop eating!" Tay scolds him, snatching the chips from New's hand.

"Alai, give it back, Tawan!"

They get into their bickering routine in no time, as Gun just keeps eating his somtum in peace.

"Hey, baby." Off appears with two drinks, giving Gun's cheek a light kiss before reprimanding his friends loudly, "You two, get a room already!"

"And you, get a PH to sell your drama-packed story already." New sneers from on top of Tay.

"Oh trust me I can. I just don't feel like to." Gun grins cheekily.

"Little brag!" New chuckles. "It's good to have you back though. Off stops being grumpy and we get to see you more often."

"Aww, P'New."

"I agree, but, Hin. Can we continue the conversation after you get off me, please?"

"Nah, I'm comfortable here." New chuckles.

"No, but people may see." Tay's voice is quiet.

"So let them see." Gun shrugs, confused. "So long as you admit nothing, no?"

"Tay's groupies have been talking behind their backs." Off tells Gun. "Accusing New of giving him mixed signals."

"Not you calling them 'groupies'." New laughs, getting off Tay and adds calmly. "It's the uni's Dispatch. They're at it again."

"You seems ... unbothered." Gun studies New.

"Oh, because I really don't care but then they start attacking Kik." New growls, glancing at Tay. "I don't play favorite but that's seriously uncalled for. Kik's still my girlfriend—and she doesn't even study here."

Off nods. "Agreed, that's just out of line."

"And how is she handling it?"

"She's holding on, that's all I can say." New shrugs. The atmosphere turns tense within seconds.

"Oh." Gun sighs, but recovers quickly. "I have an idea, it's a bit tricky but let's see if we can pull it off."

"Let's hear it!" Tay beams eagerly.

"Give 'em more tea to tweet about." Gun says matter-of-factly, making both's jaws drop.

"Nong Gun ...!" Tay whines.

"No but hear me out. Fans tend to like what their idol likes, right? I've been flaunting our relationship so much, Papii starts to grow on everyone."

"I know! The P'Off-was-bad-but-Papii-is-good hashtag, right?"

"Now do the same, but under the BF label. Case closed." Gun grins.

"Huh ... when I think about it, Off doesn't receive as many hate comments as the first time you got together." New pauses, thinking. "So the idea is to make them like me, as the BF. But I don't think we can just jump from romantic to platonic as we please. I think it's faster to have Te hitting on you and divert their attention away from my relationship."

"Hey ...!" Off quickly protests. "Do what you like but don't disturb mine!"

"Oh shut it Jumpol, if Te was to hit on Nong Gun for real you wouldn't stand a chance." New sneers, gaining a death glare from Off.

"Rude, P'New." Gun giggles.

"Hey, deny it or something!" Off jokingly scolds Gun.

"But Papii, I wouldn't know. P'Tay didn't really hit on me."