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They're having grilled BBQ like usual. It's unusually quiet for a few moments as everyone settles in, and then -
“Does your back hurt, Zo?”
Everyone pauses in their grilling to look at their de facto leader, waiting to hear what follows that non sequitur.
Confused, Zo shakes his head, tilting his head at his boyfriend. “Not at all. Why?”
“Because -” Three grins, “- it must be so hard carrying the weight of the entire world’s cuteness all the time!” He reaches out to squeeze Zo’s cheeks, who just giggles and lets it happen.
Right on cue, Jack and Tub groan, while Cher covers his eyes. “You guys are so gross,” Tub informs them, adding more meat to the grill. “My appetite’s going to die if you keep this up.”
“Mine’s already dead,” Jack deadpans. Three ignores them and keeps cooing over his boyfriend. Jack retches.
Gun laughs, then turns to his boyfriend. “Can I flirt with you like that too?” he says, just loud enough to be overheard. “You’re the cutest, Cher.”
Cher turns to look at his boyfriend, nose scrunched. “That doesn’t suit you,” he laughs. “Stick to your own goofy pick up lines, you -” he accepts the bite Gun holds up to his mouth without skipping a beat, “- don’t need Three’s.”
On the other side of the table, Tub nudges Jack. “Aren’t they cute? I’m so glad they’re together again,” he mock whispers. Jack, attempting to find a non-charred piece of meat, nods grudgingly.
Three pauses in his cooing to turn to Tub, incensed. “Hello? What about when I was flirting?”
Tub raises his eyebrows. “What about it?”
“What the hell actually,” Three turns to his boyfriend. “This is homophobia, Zo. They’re being homophobic.”
“Gun and Cher are gay too,” Zo says, smiling fondly at his boyfriend.
Three blinks. “And?”
Cher interrupts the conversation, holding out a hand. “Guys! I’m trying to eat, stop arguing.”
“You’re going to say that, Laem?” Three says, turning to look at him.
Cher’s mouth drops open, peacekeeping forgotten. “What’s that supposed to m-”
Jack clears his throat, attracting everyone’s attention. “You’re all equally terrible. Every time I come here I leave with gross romantic vibes stuck to my clothes like cat hair.” Holding up a chopstick, he aggressively stabs the air in front of him. “All of you. Get better.”
Grabbing the chopstick in midair, Cher sticks his tongue out. “Sorry I have a boyfriend and you don’t, are y- oh my god -” he ducks behind his boyfriend as Jack lunges across the table. “Save me, Gun!”
Snarling, Jack glares over Gun’s shoulder before sitting back down. “You’re only safe because I value my job,” he menaces. Cher takes his seat again, unbothered.
Smiling, Gun looks at everyone with a look reserved for dramatic goodbyes at the end of drama films. “I’m so glad to know you guys,” he starts. “I never had a friend group until I met Cher.” He turns to look at his boyfriend, and his smile turns even sappier. “I’m happy.”
Everyone stares at him. Tub, piece of grilled meat halfway to his mouth, slowly puts it down. None of them know quite how to react when Gun is so genuine with his feelings - with the exception of Cher, who beams at his boyfriend with the force of a thousand suns.
“We’re glad to know you too,” Zo breaks the silence, voice watery.
Gun nods and goes to pick up another bite before his phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out. “Sorry, I think I have to take this. I’ll be back,” he says, and gets up from the table. Everyone nods, Zo waving goodbye, and they watch as Gun makes it to the door, doubles back, takes Cher’s hand and then walks out, boyfriend in tow.
Three looks at the others. “Did I hallucinate that?”
Sighing, Jack pinches the bridge of his nose. “Gun taking Laem with him outside for a call that’s either business or family? I wish.”
“...they’re going to make out, aren’t they,” Tub says. Everyone else nods. “Okay.”
Grabbing the water jug, Zo pours himself and Three a glass. “We’re almost done too, right Three? We have to drop by our neighbour’s today.”
Mood doing a total 180, Three perks up. “Of course Zo, anything you say.” Pushing his half finished plate of food away, he pats his stomach. “I’m already full on love for you,” he grins. “Let’s go?”
Zo smiles and stands up, reaching down to take his boyfriend’s hand. “Let’s go, Three.”
They’re gone before Jack or Tub can get a word in edgewise, and the two of them are left to stare at the now empty table.
Tub sighs. “I need a girlfriend.”
Jack stabs his chopstick into a bite. “I need better friends.”