The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Hearing

"You're going with P'Bai." Mix repeats the information Win just shared through the phone in disbelief. "Why?"

"Just because. I kinda only know him—aside from you guys, but you're gonna come in couples, no?"

"I mean, we kinda agreed to go as a group since P'Tay and P'New are not together together and we assumed Bai had no date ...." Mix glances at Earth who's just entered his room, all suited up safe for his undone tie.

'Who?' Earth gestures to the phone.

"It's Win. He's going with Bai."

Earth stops dead in his tracks. "Huh?" Right at that moment, his phone rings.

"Hello, Phi? .... Yeah, he's charging his phone downstairs, what—no, no, calm down. He turns you down because he's going with Nong Win .... Yeah, Mix just told me ...." Earth looks at Mix apologetically before taking the rest of the conversation outside.

"Um, was that ...?"

"P'Tay calling Earth, yeah." Mix says impatiently. "And? When were you gonna tell me, if at all?"

Win chuckles weakly. "I'm sorry. You seemed busy these days. Also, Mix ...." He pauses, unsure. "Uh, let's just talk there, okay?"

"Win, so help me God, if I find out from others that you're dating or something along the lines ...." Mix growls. "Just start praying for your life."

"No, nothing like that! Just ... okay, can we meet before the award real quick?"

Gun barges in and with loud voice, says, "Is that Win luk on the phone?? Oh, I swear, he's got some explaining to do!"

Mix rolls his eyes and tells Win, "You'd better be here in fifteen. I'm gathering the squad."

Already, Gun calls an emergency meeting in the group chat he formed with New, Krist, and Mix, 'Bangna. Now.'

"Um, what squad?"

"The looks-like-cinnamon-roll-but-could-actually-kill-you squad."

Gun nods, lips quirked into an approving smile.

"OK ... but like figuratively, right?"

"Just come already!"

"Yeah, yeah! Heading there now with P'Bai."

"Fly, if you must."

Gun can't help laughing at the cranky Mix.

*

The gang and their boyfriends have all gathered at Earth's condo when Bright and Win finally arrive.

"Upstairs, Nong Win." Earth points Mix's room with his chin as Off, Tay, and Singto are getting ready noisily behind him.

"I sometimes wonder how you survived before Newwiee." Off gestures to Tay's shirt, laughing until he's out of breath. "We do this shit everyday. How do you still manage to miss a button??"

"Aw, P'Off! Your shirt's also buttoned wrongly!" Singto points at Off's own shirt.

Off looks down and laughs. "You're right! Alaiwa, I do this shit everyday!"

They start to all cackle wildly, struggling to fix their attire between laughter. Singto fetches his phone to record the mess but drops it instead, hitting his toes. He whines in pain, as the rest laughs even louder at his misfortune.

From upstairs, someone clears his throat. "Guys, we're having a hearing over here. Be quiet or something." Krist says dryly.

"We're sorry, baby!" Singto hurriedly answers, sending his signature wink his mad boyfriend's way. Then, turning to his friends, scolds, "Guys, behave!"

Off and Tay exchange a glance and scolds back in unison, "Simp!"

They burst into laughter once more, which quickly dies down under Krist's death glare.

"Ahem." Singto tries again. "Win the case for me?" He smiles sweetly.

Krist looks intrigued. "How do you know I'm not the judge?"

"Oh baby, you're too soft-hearted to pass a chance to help a nong in distress." Singto winks knowingly.

"Huh. That unexpectedly accurate." Krist mutters.

"And you'd be fools if you don't elect New as the judge." Tay smirks proudly. "Logic's my BF's thing, no one's more suitable for the job."

"OK, you have my attention." Krist leans on the railing and addresses the guys downstairs. "Who's next?"

"My baby Gun would be the plaintiff because 'family'." Off airquotes in sarcasm.

"And Mix's the prosecutor because 'best friend'." Earth chuckles, copying Off's tone. "And he's savage. So it suits him."

Krist laughs, mood considerably lifted. "OK, you guys are unexpectedly good in this guessing game."

"Or you guys are just too easy to read." Bright chirps in, which immediately earns him collective glares from the rest.

"How dare you—I'm fighting for your nong's right!"

"OK, OK, my bad!" Bright looks around in confusion, hissing. "What is it? Speak, I can't read stares!"

"Oh, I'll show you what's difficult to read." Krist glares at Bright. "Look forward to it." And with that, he takes his leave.

"Aw, Kit!"

Tay waits until Krist closes the door before scolding Bright, "You've lost the battle, no need to lose the war."

"Huh?"

"Ai Bai, we worked hard to earn his forgiveness and you'd just cancel us??"

"I was just providing an alternative??"

"Which he didn't need to know nor hear atm." Singto smiles patiently. "Do you want to come to the award in peace or constantly second-guessing your whole existence?"

"Um ...."

"So here's the thing." Off pats Bright's shoulder knowingly. "First of all, I'm sad to inform you that we failed to stop them from forming some kind of squad of their own. And though New's the oldest, and Teacup could practically start a religion of his own, it's clear as day that Kit's their leader." Off points upward with his eyes and continues, "What happens right now is none other than Win's initiation. So you'd better catch on fast on our first and only rule—under no circumstance should Kit be triggered."

"All hail Kit!" Earth chuckles. "And don't worry, you'll learn as you go. Let this serve as a lesson."

Bright shudders. "Let what serve as a lesson??"

"Oh you'll see. You'll see."

*

Meanwhile, upstairs.

"Order! Order in the courtroom." New bangs Mix's desk repeatedly, as the four others gradually grow quiet. "Now for the final judgment." He looks around to build suspense. "The defendant, Win Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, is found guilty, with the punishment of banned interaction concerning Bright Wachirawit Chivaaree, his date. For four days starting tomorrow, Win is to not meet Bright under any circumstances and let us take over his LINE conversation with Bright. Court's adjourned."

"Objection, Your Honor!" Win raises his hand. "He's not my date."

"Potahto, potayto." New rolls his eyes.

"Chicken newgets." Mix grins cheekily at New.

New scoffs. "Brat."

"Objection, Your Honor!" Gun raises his hand. "It should be 'for the rest of his life'."

"Eii, do you want me to be a monk??" Win stares at Gun wide-eyed.

"OOP—"

"WHAT DID I JUST—"

"Baby, you're supposed to avoid a certain Bright Wachirawit, not the entire human race." Gun smirks. "Oh, Win luk. Dada is proud. P'Bai's just too smooth, isn't he?"

"Wait—no—that's not what I mean—"

"Potahto, potayto."

"Chicken newgets!"