The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Sappy #2

"Can I propose a toast real quick?" Singto abruptly gets up and addresses the room. Beside him, Krist shrinks deeper into the sofa.

"Ooi not you getting sappy every time you're leaving!"

"No, not sappy, I promise! Just ... this." Singto gestures to everyone, fondness evident in his voice. "Can I just say that I'm really grateful of this newfound family? I'll miss this, honest."

Off slaps the back of Singto's head. "Not sappy, my ass. But appreciate that, man." He clinks glasses with Singto, as the others follow suit. Krist is close to wet his eyes when Win abruptly speaks up.

"Aww, P'Singto you make me blush." He covers his face coyly, earning his own share of slap from Off.

"Oh, no, Nong Win. You angered your Papii." Bright mockingly pats Win's back.

"Are you Gun?" Off snaps at Bright, rendering the latter speechless from the shock. "That's right, you're not. So never call me that."

"So stingy!" Bright protests, hiding behind Win before getting slapped himself.

Mix clears his throat. "While we're at it, I'm happy to announce that me and Earth will be having another kid!" He beams, oblivious of the collective gasps. "It's a 'she'! And we'll be naming her Somporn!"

"My love, you really need to stop calling cats kids and giving them weird ideas!" Earth chuckles scolding his cute little oblivious boyfriend.

"Aw, I can't, huh?"

"Just when it's only the two of us okay?" Earth answers more softly, patting Mix's head without breaking eye contact.

"Ooi even I feel so single around you guys!" Krist complains, voice slightly cracking at the end.

"OK but imagine Tay-New." Gun smirks as Singto shoots him a grateful look.

"Or New-Tay?" Krist plays along giggling.

"Obviously I'll be the one doing the patting." New says matter-of-factly.

"Nope. Not a chance." Tay hurriedly denies.

"You're the oblivious one, Te. Just own it."

"But I'm older! How is it making any sense that you're the one babying me??!"

"Like I said, oblivious." New chuckles amused.

"Hin ...!"

"I swear P'Tay being all worked up around no one but P'New is such a mood." Gun giggles.

"It's called 'flustered', Nong Gun." New pats Gun's shoulder, deliberately provoking his boyfriend.

"Am not! Hin ...! Don't go around accusing people without any proof!"

"Aw! It's called 'observation' Tawan, look it up."

"No, it's called 'annoyance'!" Tay glares at New.

"It's okay, P'Tay, we understand. You're just in denial right now." New stretches out his hand to pat Tay's head, which is immediately swatted. Tay tries for New's head, and they end up wrestling for dominance.

"Hey, hey! Quit it." Off scolds, separating the two. "I swear you two bicker like 5-6-years-olds."

"I'm concerned, though. Are you guys really okay?" Singto studies the two. "This starts to look a bit unhealthy."

"Oh, this is their definition of normal." Off waves dismissively before turning to Tay. "Ai Peng, what's your favorite animal?"

"Huh? Are you trying to read my personality by my spirit anim—"