Why him,not me?

Chapter 2

The three friends were lounging in Off's apartment. Off's place was also nearer to the office so they almost always hung out there. It was bigger and obviously Off had the best taste in everything.

Gun lay on his back with his head on Off's lap and his legs resting on Tay's lap. Off played with his hair while Tay massaged his legs.

"Will you guys be back in time for my birthday party?" Tay poked Gun who playfully writhed as he tried to escape his fingers. Tay knew that Gun was super ticklish.

"I will be done by lunch, I will come pick you up at your place? Don't know about Off?"

Off placed the phone down and looked at his friends.

"Sure, I'm sure Arm's thing will be done by 7 pm."

"Did you have to work today of all days?" Whined Gun as he looked up at Off's distracted face  who was typing away at his phone with one hand .

"Yes and you know this. Those expensive pressies you like don't buy themselves." He playfully ruffled his hair and got off the couch to his bedroom to change.

Gun sat upright and the moment the door was closed he jumped onto Tay's lap and kissed him quickly and resumed his position.

"We are going to have to tell him one of these days. Sneaking like this all the time isn't much fun anymore. I'm tired of the sneaking around.  He's our friend, he will be happy for us."

"P'Tay, I know but can it not be today of all days. I don't want him to ruin my day.  He's likely to be weird and you will be weird, can I just have one more day I can let loose. I just want to get drunk and dance the night away." Tay burst out laughing.

"Fine, but just admit it. You are looking forward to his expensive gifts.  You are afraid he won't give you anything because of us." Gun giggled as he batted his eyes at Tay.

"True. You know me too well. Seriously, you know how short tempered he is and I'm in a good mood."

"Or is it because..."

"Don't say it. We've talked about this to death already. I'm with you now. He's OUR friend. Can we talk about my present at least. What am I getting?"

Tay grabbed Gun and kissed him hard with an eye towards Off's bedroom. He was tired of the hide and seek. A part of him knew and didn't like that the reason Gun resisted telling Off was because he still held hope that his feelings would be returned.

It was stupid being with Gun and all his other friends told him the same thing time and time again but he was in love with the little guy. Despite knowing Gun's feelings he had taken his shot and had not regretted every minute he had spent with Gun. 

Its not like Gun didn't care for him, he did,  just a lot less than he (Tay) did. Tay was in love with Gun and told him all the time, although his Nong hadn't said it back yet.  It's just that Off and Gun's relationship bothered him.

Off and Gun had a relationship only they could understand. They were friends, brothers, father and son and quasi romantic all rolled in one.

They hugged a lot, Gun kissed his neck a lot, Gun sat on his lap a lot and lately Gun had started putting his hand under Off's shirts when they talked.

It had started as fan service, hell Tay been around when it all started, he had took their pictures and posted them online. Everyone called Tay the captain of the ship, but he wasn't so sure anymore.

This latest development bothered Tay the most. Gun almost always denied doing it and was genuinely surprised by picture and video evidence. He always swore it was unintentional and he was absentminded.

He also swore to try and stop it. Why try, he should just stop. The fact that his hand had a mind of its own just touching Off in places it had no business going had him going crazy.

What worried Tay more was Off's new attitude towards Gun. He would be blind not to notice that Off was getting softer towards Gun, more so ever since he broke up with his long term girlfriend. It was as if whatever was holding Off back was gone.

Off now actively sought out Gun's companionship and liked spending time with him whereas they used to hang out for work.

Off had taken a protective stance towards Gun and worst of all Gun liked it. Gun let him. Off's teasing was now becoming more brazen and no longer limited to off cam moments. 

Tay always regarded himself as level headed and rationale but no matter how hard he tried to spin it, he could see he was losing a battle he had no chance of winning.

He loved this guy who affectionately called him his pet and would give him anything if he asked for it. He understood that they couldn't tell the world because their collective careers depended on that illusion but why the hell not tell Off.

A part of him knew that Gun was biding his time with him waiting for Off to realise his feelings and if recent events were a harbinger of truth, Off was most likely getting there.

He looked down at Gun who was on IG and wondered if Gun would ever love him as he did. He decided he was going to tell Off the truth first thing tomorrow morning, get this anxiety off his chest. He hated the waiting and worrying. Gun would be pissed but he knew exactly how to get his forgiveness.

"Why are you grinning like that?"

Before Tay could reply Off came out of his bedroom ready to leave and wasn't able to answer.

"Come here," Off beckoned to Gun. Gun walked towards Off and was handed a small gift bag.

"First of many." Tay's heart broke as he saw Gun jump into Off's arms and locked his legs around Off's waist and started kissing his neck and face saying thank you thank you over and over again.

He watched his best friend spin his love and Off departed soon after. This wasn't the first time he had watched the two do this and he knew it certainly wouldn't be the last. But just how much could his heart take day in, day out?

Gun came and joined him on the couch as he removed the tissue from the bag. It was a Chanel chain with his initials on it studded with diamonds. Gun's bright face stopped him from saying exactly how he felt.

Where these two just friends? Off's gifts got more and more expensive as the years went on and Gun lapped it all.

"What do you think P'Tay?"

"It's nice." Gun immediately picked on Tay's mood and his smile fell.

"I could return it to him...."

"It's custom made Gun. I'm sorry. I'm jealous. How am I supposed to compete with your sugar daddy?" Gun put the gift bag down and straddled Tay.

"I like the gifts I get from him because he gets me in that way but that's just one part of me. 

We both like expensive high end fashion items while you don't care about fashion. He sees me as a kid to give trinkets and protect and I sometimes like that.

But You treat me as an equal, an adult, a man and that's more important. I need your kind of love and respect more. So instead of arguing over gifts we could spend that time in bed.

We both have to leave soon  anyway, we are ALONE. What do you say?" Tay didn't need anymore persuasion  as he carried Gun to the spare bedroom.