The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Winning

The sight of Gun sagging to the floor like a rag doll breaks Off in two, but his composure shocks even himself. "Listen, I can never read you. Let alone catch up to you. I'm tired of having to second guess myself and question my worth everytime. It sucks, Gun. Big time." He winces painfully, his words a double-edged sword. "So as much as I love you, I'm letting you go now. Because I realize now, whatever it is that makes me lose myself isn't worth it."

On the side line, Bright curses under his breath hearing his own words coming from Off's mouth.

"No ...!" Gun gets up, screaming hysterically. "I'm the lousy boyfriend, it's me! You have only me to second guess! I failed to make you feel secure and loved, I ... I have the weirdest love language! But, Papii, I don't let people in! Only you, only with you! Please believe me, please ... see me ...." This time Gun is the one closing the distance, dangerously so.

It takes everything in Off to catch himself. "I'm sorry, Gun ... I really am."

"No! Let's talk conditions! Like before!" Gun cries pleading. "Be selfish with me! Make use of me! Just don't let me go, Papii, please, please, I fucking beg you!"

"P'Gun, no ...." Mix tries to butt in, but Earth stops him in time. No matter how pure his intention, it's between the two of them.

Meanwhile, Oab's words are once again ringing in Off's head.

Gun had always been aware that P'Pak was using his guilt ... because he's just that type, you know? To give his all when he ....

...falls in love.

Fuck.

"Gun ... why are you so hung up on this, it's almost like you're catching feelings." Not being able to stop himself from getting ideas, Off groans in frustration. "Fuck, I don't wanna hope again ...!"

"No! Please do! Because ... because it's true! I'd say I love you, but then you'd just brush it off calling it a convenience, wouldn't you? So please! I'm desperate here! Look, I fucked up, okay? It all started when we met Jing. Something about me, making you genuinely happy ... it moved me more than it should have. But then you decided to have a go at P'Pak—and I got scared. I got reminded of how it ended. Love, it ... it changes us. It poisons us, brings out the worst in us. And I, I don't want us to end like that. I won't let us end like that ....!

"But when you asked for a break. I knew then, that I fucked up." Gun looks up to Off, desperation in his eyes. "Because no matter how scary it is to embrace my feelings, it scares me more to lose you. Ha! I guess what goes around comes around. So this is how you felt when I slipped out of your—" Gun pauses, choking with sobs.

"No, don't go there, Gun." Off whispers, hopelessly standing his ground.

Gun takes a moment to collect himself. "Papii, for making you feel like absolute shit, I will never stop asking for forgiveness, but I won't let you go. Ever." He declares, tone final, eyes full of determination. "We'll change each other, hurt each other, we might even lose ourselves in the process but we'll have each other." And then his voice drops to a whimper, "Just please, please tell me I'm not too late ...."

"Shit, baby—no, not at all." Off pulls Gun in, giving in completely. "Fuck everything else, that's all I ever wanna hear from you." And he means it, Off realizes it with his whole being. Coming back to Gun feels natural, feels ... right, like coming home. The fact that Gun putting up his guard has hurt him in the process doesn't bother him in the slightest. So long as Gun wants this as badly as him .... "I'm too easy, aren't I?" He lets out a weak chuckle.

Gun only tightens his hug in response. "I don't care. Papii is mine. Mine."

"As you are mine." Gun cries harder at the promise in Off's words.