The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Arrogant

"You idiot!" Is what Tay says when Off picks up the call. And heaven knows it's always the other way around. Always, no exception. Because reckless is Tay's middle name, and nowhere near Off's person. Or 'used to be'.

"Ha?"

"You just gave the ex permission to hit on Pet!"

Off's tongue-tied for a good minute before string of curses leave his mouth. 'Idiot' is right.

"What happened to you, Peng? You're not usually like this." There's a hint of disappointment in Tay's voice, and frankly, Off deserves that.

"I'm losing myself ...." It becomes true the moment Off says it.

"If this is the price of you settling down, I wish you never fell in love with Nong Gun." The sadness seeps in and it makes Off's throat close up. "I miss the old Off."

"I'm still me, Tay."

"No, you were content with yourself. Arrogant, even, without a care in the world."

"Do you prefer me negligent?"

"Better than constantly feeling the need to prove himself. You are enough, Peng. Even Nong Gun can see that. Why can't you?"

"Because apparently two billions other people don't think the same."

"They don't know you, nor Pet, Peng."

"...."

"Delete the tweet before it turns into a mess. Before Nong Gun sees it."

"I have to carry through with my words, Tay."

"Is your ego that important?"

Off's lips are pressed into a thin line. "You're out of line, Tay."

"Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you." Tay hesitates for a while before adding quietly, "I'm no expert but our fights often push me and Hin dangerously close to the edge, I learnt to read the signs. I'm just afraid ... you wouldn't survive this, Peng."

"You seem to forget that I'm the arrogant Off Jumpol. Don't worry, Tay. I'll make it out alive."

*

'Papii?'

'Baby.'

'Delete the tweet now?'

'Aw baby, why? Don't you have faith in us?'

Don't you, in me? Gun erases it and tries again, 'Please, for me?'

'They'd just call me a coward, Gun.'

'You don't have to stoop that low, Papii.'

'I know. Not my best move, but I can only get on with it, can't I?'

'No Papii, my managers can still fix it. Just delete it. Please.'

'For once let me fight for us, Gun. Please.'

That night, Gun stops replying, but Off is too caught up with himself to care.

*

Off doesn't say a thing. He's still as flat as stone, but Tay is not his best friend since high school for nothing. Though he can't express his feelings as good as Tay, his constantly-furrowed eyebrows and slumped shoulder serve as an obvious proof. That the matter with Gun's ex is taking a toll on him.

Pak doesn't even need to lift a finger. Gun's fans are more than glad to provide reasons why Off doesn't deserve Gun (and funnily, Pak does). It mostly consists of Off's past mistakes, treating girls like playthings and disrespecting their feelings. Or how he's a party animal. Then there's the fact that he used to be straight. But what hits too close to home is how they describe Off as arrogant and short-tempered, because he actually is. Though it wasn't such a sin before Gun.

If Tay thought Gun and Oab's vacation was tough, by the weary look of Off, this is definitely worse. And Tay knows why. Because after pushing his boyfriend away, this time Off is fighting alone.

So when Bright suggested an intervention, Tay immediately said yes. And in result, here they are with Earth—and Singto on standby—showing up at Off's place unannounced.

"Uh? My birthday isn't until January?" Off asks confused. Tay lets himself in, Earth and Bright in tow.

"Wow okay, make yourself at home I guess."

"How are you, Phi?" Bright asks lingering beside Off as Tay and Earth wander further into his condo.

"If it's about Gun I don't wanna talk about it." Off shrugs closing the door.

"We're not here to blame or judge you, Peng."

"You sounded pretty condescending the last time we spoke." Off barks back.

"I'm sorry ... but you needed to know that you're in the wrong."

Off takes his time answering. "...I do, now." He then says quietly.

Earth attempts a hug, which is immediately turned down. "Sorry! I sometimes forget how you hate physical touch, with how much Nong Gun clings to you."

"He's an exception." Off says without hesitation.

"So do we address the elephant in the room or should we wait a little more?" Bright eventually asks.

Off leans against the wall and scoffs. "Finally. Go on, call Singto. I have a confession to make."

"No! What confession?? Peng, please don't be reckless!" Tay gets up to approach Off as his pengyou keeps his distance.

"Alaiwa, go back to your seat! I'm not breaking up with Gun, not a chance!"

Tay stops abruptly. "Ai Peng, don't scare me like that!"

"What's me breaking up got to do with you??"

"Because ...!"

"And after you made it clear that you prefer me losing Gun to me losing myself, too."

Tay is lost for words. "Sorry, sorry! I was worried about you okay. Hin said I tend to blurt out shits when I'm upset."

Off scoffs. "I know."

"Anyway, so what's the confession?"

'Yeah, I'm listening.' Singto greets from Bright's phone screen.

"Yo." Off nods at Singto, before looking up to everyone, "I'm thinking about calling a truce."

'Go on ....'

"I'm tired of making wars with Gun's fans. The truth is, we share the same interest, which is Teacup. So I thought, why don't I make them my ally instead?"

"Whoa ... nice." Earth nods in awe. "And how do you do that?"

"Well ... it's a long process but, being more open about our relationship, for one. Stop being defensive when it comes to Teacup."

"I'm with you on this, Phi." Bright says without hesitation.

'Me too but are we 100% they don't call you out for being weak or having no backbone instead?'

"Hey." Off glares at Bright's phone. "Get the fragile masculinity away from here. Being aggressive isn't going to show them who's the boss here. Who lasts until the end will." He smirks dangerously, "And I'll make sure the ex won't."