Theory of Friendship that goes deeper than Love

Never bored and Never Alone

The filming was about to start on Monday and it was Saturday, so Off was nervous. But positively nervous, more like excited and honestly just couldn't wait. He's read the Theory Of Love book, he just didn't have a time to read the special chapters yet, but they were not going to be in the series, so he left them to read when he would be bored. Now chilling at home in the afternoon he was not able to stop smiling to himself, because Gun kept texting him about this new idea he had about his clothing line. The younger boy kept making the cutest misspellings ever, because he was so excited and wanted to write as fast as possible. Then Off just called the boy, because it was easier and it seemed they will have a lot to discuss anyway.
When he finally hung up, because Gun's grandma was calling him for dinner, he saw the time of the call they have made. It was almost three hours. How the hell did that happen and why didn't they notice? On the other hand it was always like that with Gun. Off was never bored with him and has never had enough of the younger boy too.

***

- Hello, my friend! How is it going? - Tawan yelled in Off's phone.
- Well, great, my friend. How about you? Haven't seen ya in over a week.
- I knooow and I wanted to catch up. - the other boy answered. - Where are you? I hear some noises.
- I'm driving, that's why.
- Where are you headed then?
- Home. Tomorrow is the first day of filming, so I'm calling it a night a bit earlier. Just dropped Gun at his house.
- Where you out with Nong? - Tay asked as if it wasn't clear already, but Off knew he wanted to hear more about it, hence the obvious question.
- Yeah. - Off smiled and Tay could hear it in his voice too - We went shopping and then went to spa and then had dinner and then I drove him home around 6 pm.
- Off, it's 8 pm now, just how big the traffic is that it takes you so long to get home?? - Tawan said incredulously.
- Uhm, well - Off got a bit coy - Actually, I've just left a moment ago, because we were sitting in my car singing songs along with the radio.
- You were what? - Tawan giggled - You mean like, you were in front of his house in the car?
- Yeah...
- Oh god, Off... - Tawan laughed.
- What? Why are you laughing?
- Nothing, it's just so cute. And aren't you ever tired of each other?
- What? No way. - Off protested - I'm never tired of Gun. Actually, I want more...
- My friend, are you saying what I think you're saying right now. - Tay asked cautiously.
- Depends what are you thinking I'm saying.
- Something about Gun and your feelings for him?
- Then I guess I'm kinda saying what you were thinking I was saying.
- Wait... Are you serious? - Tay was astounded - I mean... Wow! Finally!
- What do you mean 'finally'? - Off huffed.
- Come on, mate, you're like the best match for each other and literally everyone already hopes that you're involved one way or another.
- I know that fans ship us, Tay...
- I don't mean the fans, idiot! I mean all of your friends.
- All of them? - Off asked absentmindedly.
- Pretty much. - Tay confirmed.
- Yeah, alright. - Off sighed - But we're not involved like that, so if someone asks, you know nothing, I haven't said anything, okay?
- Okay, but... - Tay hesitated - I don't think you're the only one.
- Only one?
- Having feelings... like that. - Tawan explained.
- Well, I really have no clue. - Jumpol answered in a defeated voice.
- But I have and seriously, sometimes to have a better view, you have to look at things from the outside.

***

Off saw how happy Gun is when he was taking care of him and indulged him and it seemed he was surprised that Off suddenly is always there, not disappearing after work like it happened when he wasn't single. Work was already keeping them apart sometimes with solo projects, even though it was equally keeping them together with OffGun projects too. The point is, they always missed each other and there was no reason to be away more than necessary. He thought about all those times before when some of their friends actually admitted that on occasion Gun would call them saying he was bored or lonely. Off was feeling guilty now for staying in a relationship that was in a dead point for too long anyway. He kind of promised himself to do everything so Gun would never feel lonely anymore. And the weird thing was, that he knew he wants more, but on the other hand, just knowing he can make Gun smile every day and take care of him was enough. Somehow there was so much more to their relationship than just... Well, just thinking about it Off felt overwhelmed, because it was not possible to compare what Gun is to him with anything else he has had with people in his life before. It was easy to recognise that what he have with some people is 'friends', with other it's 'work', or 'family'. He could easily label that it was 'lovers' with someone else before, but now... It was impossible to label Atthaphan! He was just all of those mentioned above and more! And he knew Gun considered him best friend, a family and work partner already too, so he wasn't really pining and unhappy with some kind of one sided love, because everything about the younger boy made him happy and even if Gun wouldn't be into expanding their relationship to the physical side (well, more than they already are with the skinship), Off thought that it would be okay, because Gun is already more than anyone else has ever been to him. Just staying together like that is wonderful already.

***

- Papii, you seem happier and more carefree these days.
- That's because I don't try to be someone that someone else wants me to be anymore, you know?
- Then, who do you want to be? - Gun asked intrigued looking at the older boy from his lying position on the sofa in Off's apartment. They were hanging out and running through some lines for another day of filming tomorrow.
- Let's see. I want to grow as an actor for sure and continue my career the way it's going now. I want to work with you. I want to act together and make some more designs with you too. I want us to have fun, support and take care of each other. I want...
- What about your private life? - Gun asked quietly not looking Off in the eyes.
- What about it? - the older boy frowned.
- Don't you wanna meet someone?
- Like who?
- God, Papii, someone to fall in love with? Or something. - Gun got embarrassed.
- Oh... - Off caught up - It's too late for that. - he said matter-of-factly with a serious face.
- You're not too old, Papii, you know. - Gun smiled cheekily.
- Shut up. - Off smiled back - I didn't mean it like that.
- What did you mean then?
- I mean, I've already met that someone.
- Uh...? - Gun got up abruptly, shocked.
- Why are you so surprised? Everyone knows about it and you don't? - the older boy grinned.
- Everyone?? - Gun gaped.
- Yeah. Ask our fans who is my special person and they will tell you. - Off stuck his tongue out at Gun.
- Papii!! - the boy punched him in the chest half heartedly, but Off just used it to pull Gun into his arms laughing. He decided to make it seem like a joke, although it wasn't.
- Ask them who I can't live without. - he laughed tickling the younger boy's sides.
- Papii, we're not at a fan meeting. - Gun couldn't help but giggle being ticklish. - And it's not how you should hit on someone. Try harder. - he wriggled trying to escape the tickling. He went along with the joking and hoped Papii would think the blush on his face was from being tickled.
- How should I hit on someone I like then? - Off huffed amused.
- Maybe do something you don't usually do?
- Like what?
- Like trying things you have never done before, but the other person enjoys? Or like, spoiling that person a little? That would be cute.
- Okay... sounds nice. What else? Like bringing flowers..?
- Depends if that person likes romantic shit like that. - Gun scrunched his nose in distaste. Off kinda knew that already, that the younger boy is not into sappy romantic things and it was more than fine, because he himself when he'd tried being romantic he always ended up just being awkward.
- You know what? Let's go back to rehearsing some more scenes from the script. - Off said suddenly, because he could see in Gun's eyes that he is convinced Off is planning to go and flirt with someone else. It was probably stupid to start that topic in the first place. Off wanted to jokingly hint at his feelings for Gun, but in the end the boy was now almost convinced Off wants to date someone else. Off was shit at expressing feelings, he knew it. He should've just leave it to avoid more misunderstandings.