The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Villain

"Now talk." New demands soon as he closes the door to their dorm room.

"Huh?" Tay turns around to look at his boyfriend—lips pursed and arms crossed, eyes fierce and demanding.

"Don't act dumb, Te. Why Earth? I've never seen him outside of your gang's get-together, not even before we got together, so give me a clue here."

"It's not you, Hin ...." Tay's voice is quiet, making New deflate immediately.

"Oh. Of course ...." New sighs, taking Tay's hand in his. "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusion. It's you, huh? God, how I wish you could see what I see."

Tay looks up to New, waiting.

"You're shining, Tawan, all the time, it's impossible to look away." Eyes piercing into Tay, New stresses on every word.

"Hin ...." Tay buries his face in the crook of New's neck. "I'm thankful but you're exaggerating."

"Am not." New gives Tay's temple a light kiss. "Now, ready to tell me what is it?" He asks with the softest voice.

"I just ... I feel like I've wronged you. Everytime I'm reminded of your history with Earth, the guilt's eating me. I ... if only I didn't strongly deny the kiss. If only I didn't make a big thing out of it, just to prove you wrong. Maybe you didn't have to go through all that with Earth. Or maybe, given a fair shot, he would actually stand a chance."

"He would not." New growls. "Seriously, what's the use of regretting it now? So it happened. Can't say you're completely innocent but for turning to the some dude—who happened to be your high school friend—just to get back at you, I guess I wasn't, too. Admit it, we both were kinda immature about it. It's not something I'm particularly proud of too so let's just move on, okay?"

"But Hin, I feel like I ruined his chance back then."

"So what? Say it's true, what then? You'd give me up for something like this?"

"No!" Tay denies hurriedly. "Never, Hin! I'd be the villain if that's what it takes to make you mine, so please don't say that so easily."

"Then stop wasting your time wondering how it'd play out had you done the right thing. Te, you see yourself too replaceable for my liking. You're not."

Tay sighs eventually. "Okay ... I'll be holding on to that."

New smiles. "Please do."

Tay sits down at his bed but perks up when another thought bugs him. "But Hin, why Off-Gun?"

"Because we hang out at every chance we get, so with your overthinking tendency, I thought it's only a matter of time." New shrugs chuckling.

"Don't worry Hin, I know Peng wouldn't do that to me."

New smirks. "Just because you wouldn't do that to him doesn't mean he'd do the same for you."

"Ai Hin ...! Don't give me ideas!"

New laughs. "You dummy, instead of attraction, it's more like rivalry between us."

"Aw why?"

"He's the first person you'd call when there's trouble. Right? Admit it, you count on him more than you count on me."

"I-I mean ...." Tay stutters. "It's true but Hin, ew! I don't see him that way, never! Ugh, I think I'm gonna be sick ...."

New laughs even louder. "And Nong Gun may look devil-may-care, except when it comes to his Papii, he's been treading very carefully. So don't even think about it."