The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Finale

"Teacup!" Off calls out as he closes in fast.

Gun turns around and offers his hand, smiling. Off takes it without hesitation.

"So, let me properly introduce you guys." Gun turns back to the girls. "Papii, my girls. Girls, it's P'Off (limits) for you."

Off chuckles, eyes fixed on Gun the whole time. "Possessive. I like it."

"A bit too late for that, no?" teases one of the girls. "Pity. Many of us have crossed said limits."

"Pity. None of you will ever again." Gun smiles wickedly.

"Ever." Off stresses on the word, wrapping an arm around Gun's shoulders to emphasize.

"Gee, we get it. You're settled and all loved up." Another one scoffs. "You've changed so much, P'Off."

"Well I'm glad I have." Off snaps back without missing a beat.

"Whoa! I just mean, you used to be so chill. Now you won't even take your eyes off of Nong, like he could disappear any minute."

"That's what happens when you found the right person." Off beams at Gun, not minding the collective groans caused by his cheesy, borderline cringe line. "More importantly, why do you finally decide to make up?"

"Well, it's true that we felt cheated when we found out he snatched you, P'Off, having clearly told us to stay away from you. But after what went down last night, it became clear that the bond between you runs deeper than we thought. And it's making our clash seem shallow, you know? So we came here tonight with mending things in mind."

"What went down last night, it's your doing?!" Off snarls.

"Papii! What's with the aggression? No one's inviting anyone on purpose, P'Pak just kinda happened to know of yesterday's party through some of their ig stories! Please, guys, can we just leave it and move on?"

"Only if you promise us, chicks before dicks."

"Hey—" Off's protest is quickly drown by Gun's unexpectedly cold voice.

"We're done here."

Gun turns around to leave, but Off's not having it.

"That was not cool. When we finally fucked after three months, he cried because he felt like he wronged you, his so-called friends who shut him off without any chance to explain, for lusting over me, his own boyfriend. He never needed to feel that way because far as I understand, the reason he told you to stay away from me is because he pitied me, the same reason he agreed dating me in the first place. Not some underhand shit to 'snatch' me."

"Papii ...!" Gun complains. "I don't just date anyone I pity!"

"I know baby." Off kisses Gun's temple to reassure his boyfriend. "What I'm saying is, if you can't see how much your friendship means to him, then good riddance because one thing I learn from him is that when you lose someone that cares deeply about you, it's your loss, not theirs." Off pauses letting his words sink in. "And, FFS humble yourself! For you to make such a fuss, not like I meant anything to you in the first place!?? Stop acting like the main characters of this story, sheesh!" He starts to pull Gun away, but a familiar voice stops him.

"Cheers, Off." Best appears from behind the girls clapping. "You've just passed your initation."

"I ... what???" Off gapes at her.

"With flying colors." Beside him, Gun beams at Off. "That was one beautiful speech, Papii, thank you."

"Teacup??? You're part of this scheme???"

"It was all P'Best." Gun stares up at Off innocently. "And an impromptu on my end!"

"But, you ... from the start ...?" Off is having difficulty grasping the situation.

"He's an actor, Off. The best there is." Best smirks. "Let this be a friendly reminder that with him, things are never as they seem."

"You evil!" Gun glares at Best before hurriedly turning to Off, genuine worry in his eyes. "Don't let her words get to you! I'm not playing you, promise! It's just, we already sorted things out before you came."

"Yeah, that was your initiation, Nong Gun." Best deadpans.

Off glitches some more before shaking his head. Eventually, he returns Gun's gaze, mind made up and looking dead calm. "Play me all you want. Just look only at me."

"Even among a sea of people, I will always look only at you." Heart eyes locked on Off, Gun states without hesitation. "The best impulse I've ever done in my life."

"It's true. You don't wanna know how many times he got hit on, before you." Best tries again. But Off never really looks away from Gun, and vice versa.

"Do you know how many times I thank the stars that brought me to you that night at the library?"

"Do you know how many times I imagine a future with you?"

"I can't promise you that far ahead. But one thing I know for sure. It's gonna get better, from here on out. I promise, Gun." Off takes Gun's hand and kisses it gently.

"With you, Pii? Never doubted it for a second."

"Oooi! Why are you turning this into some kind of wedding vow ceremony??? I'm shuddering all over!" Best finally loses it.

"Yeah! That's too much, you two!"

"Seriously, just get a room!"

Apparently, everyone else shares her concern.

"I said," Off growls, but Gun beats him to the rest of the sentence, "You're not the main characters of this story! And we already got one!"

Off laughs as his fiery little Teacup and the girls banter some more. Taking his sweet time watching the boyfriend giggling and throwing jokes around, totally in his element. Savoring every rare minute of it.

Gun is a headturner everywhere he goes but tonight, at his favorite place, surrounded by love and friendship. He looks radiant. Like that of a mini sun. And Off has decided, he'll give his all to keep his very own sun shining. Even if it might break him.

Their journey might be far from the end. And truthfully, the future scares him. Because there's no way to know how this goes. But then the giddy boyfriend catches his gaze—two wide eyes full of trust and wonder, with a hint of cheekiness—and that's when Off realizes. Even if someday they end up walking different paths, and each have a life of their own. Gun will always be the greatest love ever happened to Off.

The love of his life.

Fin

A/N Back-to-back update! Happy #OffGunStay7ogether to all of my babiis! Everyday I thank the stars that brought them together seven years ago, and to my FYP two years ago! OffGun aren't just biases or idols, muses or comfort persons, they're my home 🏠💚

Anyway thanks for sticking out until the end, really appreciate it! I know I've been slow on updating lately, but I'm glad I pulled through! Writing about the five pillars was a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Don't miss the BaiWin special! Cheers!

P.S. Can you spot the Break Me and Better's lyrics I hid between the lines? 😉 Killing Not Me's trailer's soundtracks right there 🔥