The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Exhausted

'Getting off work yet?' Off stares at the deserted chat room, sighing. It's almost nine in the evening and still no news from the small boyfriend since this morning, and even then it's merely a good morning. These days, they barely talk, much less have an actual conversation. Off can't even remember the last time Gun showed up on campus.

It's tiring, huh? Keeping up with my life?

Had Off knew it would be this draining, he would've not been so quick to deny it. Fuck, he misses the little guy so much, he's losing himself ....

As if on cue, his phone rings. Off reads the caller's name and freezes.

"Gun? What happened??"

"Papii, I just finished my last Q for today! Yay!"

"Oh .... Good work, baby." Off lets out the breath he didn't realize he's holding. "Heading home now?"

"No, your place."

"Oh, ok—come again??"

Gun giggles. "You home?"

"I am, but—"

"Then, Papii, treat me to a big feast! I'm staaarving—and besides, I've been a good boy and worked hard haven't I!"

Why does Gun act like he didn't neglect him for ten days straight, and why can't Off say anything about it? If anything, he's just happy Gun went out of his way to look for him.

This is bad. Gun always has a way to win his heart. Or he's just a simp to a fault, either way. "I mean this is definitely out of the blue but, aren't you tired? You've work tomorrow, too, no?"

"Aw, you don't wanna see me? Don't you miss me, Papii?" Off can practically hear the baby pout.

"Hey, of course I do! But if you have time to see me might as well use it to rest, baby."

"NO! I miss you! And I wanna cuddle! Please, Papii, can I come? Can I? Can I? Can I?"

Off chuckles quietly, realizing that he has lost. Oh, who is he kidding? Against Gun, he never had a chance to begin with. "Then, what do you wanna eat? There's this new sushi place ...."

*

"So ... a little bird told me that your thesis defense is this Friday." Gun starts, devouring the sushi Off bought for him. The bags under his eyes are concerning to say the least, but Off knows better than to scold his little boyfriend. Gun's a bit sensitive tonight, most probably because he's been exhausting himself.

So he'll let it slide, just for tonight. "Is by any chance this little bird called Tay Tawan?" Off chuckles. "I mean ... his birdie is little alright."

"I don't need to know that!" Gun glares from across the table. "So no one else knows?"

"About his little birdie? I'm sure New does."

"Papii ...!"

"Haha, well I told the gang earlier today. But knowing Tay, he'd make sure you know."

"He's such a dork." Gun chuckles agreeing. "Susu, Papii! Can I pick you up and drive you to campus for a change?"

"I didn't know act of service was your love language." Off teases.

"Papii ...! I'm trying to make up for my busy schedule here ...!" Gun pouts.

"Haha ... so no work for Friday?"

"Oh, I've cleared my schedule for the weekend." Gun beams proudly. "Tomorrow's my last day. I promised myself I'll see you by then, but I just couldn't wait for another day, sue me."

But, see, Gun's not the only one who's exhausted. Off's been under a lot of stress, too, what with Gun missing and his thesis defense fast approaching. So it ticks him off just as easy. "Gun, what? Don't tell me, you've been working overtime for this?"

Gun frowns at Off's disapproving tone. "Papii, what's wrong?"

"Gun," calls Off with a warning tone, "Answer me."

"Yeah, it's true. What about it?" Gun claps back inmediately.

"Why would you do that??"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I said, if you have time to see me might as well use it to rest."

"But I wanna use it with you!" Off feels a pang in his chest seeing the hurt in Gun's eyes. "I've even booked a beachfront villa for us. Thought it'd be a perfect getaway (to celebrate or to cheer you up, either way) but if you're not up for it, then—"

"Hold up, what?? Why haven't I heard about this??" Off frowns. "Gun, what if I already made plans?"

"Oh, no you didn't." Gun winks, switching back to his cheerful self in a flash it's borderline disturbing. "I already asked P'Tay and your mom."

"My ...." Off trails off, speechless. At this point, he doesn't know why he's still surprised. Gun has always had the quirkiest way of thinking. But knowing that Gun and his mom are on speaking term ... it instantly melts his heart.

"We promised to go to the beach, didn't we?" Gun tries again softly.

Off sighs, chuckling in defeat. "Ah, seriously this kid. What am I gonna do with you? This whole thing frustrates me. You frustrate me. I'm damn worried, you know."

"I know." Gun shoots him a grateful look and leaves it at that.

Off sighs again, hiding his smile. Though it caught him off guard, the gesture wins him, no doubt. "Looks like I've no choice but to go along with your grand plan huh. Then, pick me up at seven? That okay with you?"

"Yes."

"And stay the night, while you're here."

"YES! Thought you never asked!"

TBC

A/N I'm back! Sorry for the late update. Who's excited for Safehouse SS3? 🤩