Under a Million Stars

Chapter Eight

"Wait--- is that blood on your lips?"

Off searched every corner of his brain for a possible excuse, a believable one. So, he just came up with a lie.

"Oh, we were eating --- pizza, yes pizza awhile ago. It's just catsup," Off said convincingly while wiping the "catsup" off his face.

"Oh, pizza. So, do youuuu," Arm replied dragging every single word he said, "also get that--- when you eat pizza?"

Confused with what Arm said, Off followed Arm's finger that was now pointing to his crotch, specifically to his boner.

"Holy shit!" Off almost slipped as he quickly went to the bathroom.

"You could have jerked off before opening the door, asshole!" Tay shouted.

Off could hear his friends' laughter reverberating in his living room.

-----

"Soooo, are you two together now?"

This was what Off feared the most as he was doing his thing in the bathroom, his friends' interrogation session. And Tay Tawan would never stop blabbering until he got the information that he wanted.

Off looked at Gun who was now sitting at the far edge of the sofa. His lips were still swollen from their session earlier so no matter how much Off lied about watching porn thus the boner, Tay and Arm wouldn't believe him.

"I told you, we were watching porn awhile ago that was why I had a boner. Why wouldn't you believe me?" Off said frustratingly.

"Okay, okay. If that's what you want us to believe," Arm surrendered. "But as far as I could remember no one gets their lips bleeding by watching porn."

"Shut up will you," Off hissed.

Arm and Tay just laughed and secretly threw glances at each other.

------

8 years ago. First month of Sophomore year.

Off looked at his phone. It was already 10 pm and he was supposed to fetch Gun from his part time, but the latter insisted on going home alone. After their make-out incident, they just acted as if nothing happened and reverted to normal. But he noticed that Gun was not as clingy as he was before. Before he would just randomly cling to him or sleep on his lap, but now it seemed that Gun was putting a certain amount of distance between them. 

He also rarely went to Off's condo now, giving the reason that he was busy juggling work and studies. He also attempted ordering food from the delivery service where Gun worked but unlike before, he would just eventually leave after delivering the food.

*1 message received*

JGH. – Gun

k. Sleep early. G'night – Off

Off waited for a couple of minutes but Gun did not reply. He guessed he'd be sleeping with a heavy heart tonight.

-----

8 years ago. 4 months into Sophomore year.

Gun kept being slightly distant from Off. He just didn't bother confronting him as he was thinking that maybe Gun was going through something and he didn't wanna add more to his burdens. They still go out at night or stay at his condo but not as often as before.

"I haven't asked you. When's your birthday by the way?" Off asked while they were having lunch at their department's cafeteria.

"Why?"

"It's just we have known each other for a year already but I don't even know your birthday."

"October 4."

"It was last month! Why didn't you say anything then?"

"What you want me to enter your condo and say hey it's my birthday?" Gun laughed at his own words.

"Well you could have done that."

"How about you? When's yours?"

"January 24. By the way, do you have work later?""

"Nah, it's my night off."

"Then you're coming with me tonight."

------

Off was whistling while parking his car at the mall parking area. He practically dragged Gun to his car when the latter knew his plans of going to the mall saying that he did not have enough money to spend. But Off was quick to tell him it was his late birthday treat for Gun. Now he was dragging a hesitant Gun Atthaphan to the escalator.

"We don't have to be here you know. We could just spend the night at your unit."

"No. It's my birthday treat for you and you can't say no. So where do you wanna eat?"

Off noticed Gun looking at the store with a huge red bee mascot in front.

"Jollibee?"

Gun just smiled at him and that was enough for Off to know what Gun wanted.

After having a meal at Jollibee, Off once again dragged Gun to a clothing store and shove different branded clothes to him. He practically had to push Gun to the fitting room because he wouldn't even budge from where he was standing. After fitting the clothes, Off selected those that he thought fit Gun and paid the bills.

Carrying the paper bags, Off pulled Gun to a watch store. He noticed that Gun wasn't wearing any piece of jewelry not even a wristwatch.

"Choose what you want."

"Off you already bought so much for me. These are already more than enough."

"What's so much about four pieces of shirt? Come on. Do you know that a wristwatch is very important to let us keep track of time? Excuse me, Miss. Can you give me the same as this." Off showed the saleslady the wristwatch that he was wearing.

"Here it is Sir."

Off slipped the wristwatch on Gun's left hand.

"Perfect. No adjustments needed." Off announced as he handed his card to the saleslady.

"So, you're becoming my sugar daddy now?"

"Well, if you wanna be my sugar baby."

They stared at each other before letting out a loud laugh, making all the costumers in the store look at them.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Off returned the Rolex watch to its box and carefully put it back inside his drawer. He could still clearly remember the night Gun returned the watch to him. He was crying and so was Gun. But as much as he wanted the watch to go back to its owner, the owner didn't want it back anymore.