The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Trust

CW: 🔞 just to be safe 🫣

*

The bouquets and gifts are already piled up on the gang's usual tables, of Off's and Tay's, when Win finally arrives, two huge bouquets that look glaringly similar to Gun's in hands. He congratulates the two seniors, takes pictures with them with the help of Bright, then makes a beeline for Gun, Off notices.

They giggle and whisper around, soon lost in their own world. Mix even sulks because they just wouldn't let him in on their little secret.

Not only once or twice does Off get called out by girls, confessing or just saying goodbye in general, but Gun looks perfectly unbothered.

It bothers Off instead.

New comes last, giving Tay a smack in the butt and nothing else. They bicker immediately, those dorks.

Finally, Earth does a quick headcount and says, "Guys, let's get going before it gets dark."

"Um, I think we need to take care of these first ...." Krist glances at the pile of gifts and bouquets on the tables.

"Don't worry, I've asked Nanon to come fetch them. Just take the perishable ones." New tells Tay, which earns him a grateful look, then turns to Off. "What about you, Off?"

"I'll bring my car over." Off turns to Gun. "Teacup, you'll ride with me, right?"

"Aw, of course, Papii!" Gun giggles, finally detaching himself from Win. "Should I drive? Um, but it's yours ...." He hesitates, but not for long. "Well! It can't be that hard, can it—"

"No need, just come with me is fine." Off drapes an arm around Gun's shoulders, herding him to the parking lot.

"Ah, wait. Kit!" Gun stops and waves Krist over.

The nong comes over grinning. "Hey, Phis. Mind if I ride with you guys?"

"Of course! I promised you!"

As always there's New to laugh at Off's look of betrayal. "Well, technically, we're riding with Earth-Mix, and Win's car is two seater. So that leaves yours, Off. Unless you want to take Nong Bai?"

"No!" Gun and Win object loudly, surprising the rest.

"Aw, why?" Bright jokingly complains.

"No reason!" They exchange cheeky glances back and forth.

Gun stares up at Off grinning, "Let's go with Kit. Na, Papii? Hehe."

Off groans. "Ai Teacup, consult with me before promising anyone anything ...!"

*

"Who drove you here?" Off asks not even a minute into the long ride.

"Oh, Win offered to pick me up. I got off first because he needed to drop by his faculty building. Why?"

Off groans internally. Win again?

"What's with you and Nong Win nowadays, Phi?" Krist chuckles from the back seat.

"Nothing, just suddenly hit it off I guess?" Gun giggles at his own words. "He's adorbs. And I love me some dad-and-son bonding."

"Then, shouldn't P'Off be there as well?"

"Papii can bond with Win separately." Gun grins at Off. "Just make sure to give him lots of fatherly love."

Krist guffaws. "That's so cringe, Dad!"

Gun glares at him. "You're not my son!"

"And? Anything else I should know?" Off presses on.

"Huh?"