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Chapter Text

Tay Tawan Vihokratana is holding a large and strangely shaped purple vibrator in front of six different cameras.

“I don’t understand how we can sell this,” he says to his manager, who stands behind Camera 2. “Won’t this be censored? How did we land this sponsorship? What am I supposed to do with this?”

P’Jack waves him off, his face hidden behind his sunglasses. “It’s fine, Tay. Just sell it like you normally do.”

“Okay, but what am I supposed to do with it? This doesn’t make sense,” Tay says. “Why doesn’t this make sense?” The camera lights are fixed and frozen on him, and P’Jack doesn’t move.

None of the cameras move, and that’s when Tay realizes— oh. OH. This is a dream. No way would he receive such a bizarre sponsor request without SOME kind of script, and—

-VRRM VRRM VRRM VRRM VRRM VRRM VRRM VRRM-

Tay wakes up.

His phone is vibrating; his default setting after 11pm is ‘Do Not Disturb.’ Groaning, he lifts his phone.

All trace of sleepiness disappears when he realizes that it’s 3:32am, and the caller is Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat.

“Pet? What’s wrong?”

“Tay?” Gun’s voice shakes. “Can I come over?”

Gun shows up half an hour later, wearing a dark hoodie. He hugs Tay tightly the minute he steps into Tay’s apartment.

The story comes out in between sobs as he cries against Tay’s chest.

Gun has been seeing someone for a few weeks, a one-night stand turned into repeated visits, and he thinks they are starting to get serious because the person he is seeing keeps dropping hints about a future.

Then this morning Gun stops by with a surprise breakfast and realizes that the person that he is seeing is not, in fact, single, and that his paramour’s REAL boyfriend is angry.

Gun leaves, shaken, and goes to work. He texts his clubbing friends, and they all go out with him after work so he can forget his awful discovery.

On his way home from clubbing, Gun notices someone following him.

He manages to lose the stalker, but he doesn’t want to lead anyone back to his home where he lives with his younger sister, Pim, and his grandmother.

He goes to the office instead, and decides to call GMMTV’s security team. That’s when he finally turns his phone back on and then discovers that the real boyfriend is also very vengeful, and has already posted multiple statements online calling Gun a homewrecker and outing him to the public.

Gun then spends the next few hours talking to his manager, GMMTV’s senior public relations specialist, and finally the police. The latter has been challenging—the officer he’s unlucky enough to talk to is an older man who is not a fan of Gun, boys love, or the entertainment industry in general, and it takes GMMTV’s attorneys arriving and intervening before they are able to reach someone who seems more concerned about Gun’s welfare.

Tay slowly steers Gun through his apartment as Gun cries and talks. His apartment is cluttered and he’s not anticipating guests at three in the morning, so it’s a slow, gentle dance to move Gun through the haphazardly piled bulks of sponsored products towards the dining room table which has, thankfully, one empty seat that he has Gun sit in.

When Gun finally finishes his story, Tay has so many questions. He knows that Gun sometimes has one-night stands, but it’s the first time he hears about Gun seeing someone more regularly.

He has always thought that Gun and him have unspoken understanding before, on why they are both perpetually single.

But if that isn’t true…

Well, that doesn’t matter now. What matters now is the upset Gun that is sitting in Tay’s one empty seat while Tay stands next to him. Tay pushes his mental questions away and refocuses his attention back on Gun.

“I don’t want to go home,” Gun says. “I don’t want to lead anyone to my family. Can I stay with you?” And he stares up at Tay with his huge eyes.

And maybe someone with healthy boundaries and strong sense of self-preservation would hesitate before agreeing. But Gun is one of the most important people in Tay’s life, and Tay is almost insulted that Gun needs to ask.

Tay hugs Gun tightly. “Of course,” he says.

Chapter Text

The first time Tay met Gun had at been at a GMMTV gathering. He knew of Gun already—everybody did, everyone knew him as the child tv actor who played Gomin. But it was at the GMMTV artist gathering where Off Jumpol ended up, by sheer fate, standing next to Gun. All the actors did introductions, and Tay’s first impression was that Gun was quiet, and possibly a little shy.

The first time Tay had really gotten a chance to talk to Gun was after Off had landed the role of Rome in Senior Secret Love: Puppy Honey. By then Off and Tay had just started rooming together, and it was not without its challenges.

Off was constantly annoyed by Tay forgetting to put things away, and Tay was annoyed by Off’s domineering and bossy personality. Tay didn’t like arguing, so he’d often agree with Off verbally even if he didn’t actually agree, and so their joint takeouts always tended to be catering to Off’s tastes. Whatever Off craved on takeout night, they ordered it.

Tay assumed that with Off’s personality, most people would just give him what he wanted since he was so bossy.

So it was surprising when Off started to get so annoyed at work that he spent multiple days after work complaining on the phone to his girlfriend and complaining to Tay in person.

Off didn’t like skinship between friends, which Tay respected, but apparently Gun did not. 

“He’s just annoying,” Off said. “I don’t mind him talking to me, but he keeps trying to touch my arm or my hand, or just ugh—I can’t stand him.”

Then one day there was apparently an incident between them at work where they argued openly. Both Off and Gun were given homework—for them to both practice in their own time on their on-screen chemistry together.

Off and Tay’s apartment being as small as it was, there wasn’t much space where Tay could step around in their apartment to avoid the two of them practicing their lines. It was a one bedroom, after all-- him and Off even took different sides of the same bed.

Tay didn’t want to miss their practice anyway, because Gun was NOTHING like Off described.

He was charming, objectively and aesthetically cute, and so professional.

It dawned on Tay within thirty seconds of watching their interactions that the skinship Off was “forced” to endure was definitely at the command of their acting coach and director, and not something Gun did for fun.

“Why do you keep putting your foot against mine?” Off complained.

Gun said in a polite and calm tone, “Our characters’ feet are chained together in the next scene.”

“But do you have to sit so close to me?”

“Our feet have to be chained together. It’s hard to do that while we’re on opposite sides of the room.”

They decided to take a break when Off’s girlfriend called. Off declared that he would be taking a short walk, and left the apartment.

Tay offered Gun some tea.

“Are you okay?” Tay asked.

Gun looked at Tay. “Sorry to bother you while we’re practicing, Khun Tay. Can I ask what you think of our character’s chemistry so far? How do you think we’re doing?”

Tay didn’t know how to respond. Gun spoke his lines like a natural; it was clear that he had years of practice. It was Off that constantly stumbled through his lines, and seemed genuinely annoyed by Gun’s character.

“He’s so frustrating to work with,” Gun said. “I don’t think he likes me, which is fine. His character doesn’t really like mine in the first scene. But then we’re shooting another scene in the same location after that which is supposed to be taking place after they started becoming friends, and that’s the scene that I’m worried about. Khun Tay, do you think you can practice the next scene’s parts with me?”

“Phi is fine,” Tay said. “But I don’t know anything about your characters. And I haven’t seen you and Off practice this scene yet, so I don’t know how it’s supposed to go.”

Gun shrugged. “P’Off knows the characters, has the script, and is struggling.” He passed over Off’s copy of the script. “Please P’Tay, can you try?”

Tay took the script and immediately Gun leaned forward, looking at him with eyes shining in wonder. His foot pressed tightly against Tay’s. He mimed searching a bag. “I think I have some disposable wipes.”

“Hand it over,” Tay read. He pretended to take the imaginary wipes and pat his face.

“Let me help you,” Gun said. Then he leaned closer and gave the corner of Tay’s mouth a gentle poke.

Tay flushed, getting flustered by Gun’s unexpected action. They were, after all, practically strangers. “Can’t you do it more gently?” Tay read.

Gun smiled at him.

Suddenly the room felt hot. Tay was embarrassed by both how corny his line was, and how flustered he was getting from Gun’s simple acts.

No wonder Off couldn’t stand Gun. Gun’s physical presence belied himself-- he radiated charm and innocence and he was objectively, very cute, but he was also someone who knew exactly what he wanted from a scene, and this was a scene where Rome was working his charm on Pick.

Tay knew himself. It had taken a few years, but he had long realized that he wasn’t like most people. He didn’t usually find people attractive unless he knew them, and he didn’t know Gun at all. But there was something intriguing about his demeanor and the way he carried himself that made Tay—well, that made him want to get to know him a little better.

Gun tapped the corner of Tay’s mouth again, this time brushing against Tay’s lips. “Sure,” he said. He pushed his foot closer to Tay’s, and leaned closer, staring at Tay with a dreamy expression.

This is Gun acting, Tay reminded himself. The way Gun was able to snap the emotions on and off on command, as easily as changing into a different shirt. This was the result of acting for over a decade, long before Tay had ever even considered the idea of entering entertainment, Gun had already been stealing the hearts of millions of viewers across Thailand.

Tay wondered if the curiosity he was feeling now was a manifestation of the fact that he felt like he knew Gun from his work, even if he didn’t really know him.

And if Gun was affecting Tay this much in just thirty seconds of acting on a scene—well, Off didn’t have a chance.

Tay felt a stab of envy. Off Jumpol Adulkittiporn had the chance of a life time to work with a veteran actor who could actually coach him on acting, and he was annoyed by THE Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat?

“Tay?” Gun paused, a small frown forming. “Are you—"

“What are you doing?” Off asked. His voice was loud, and he was staring at Tay with the strangest expression, a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

Tay dropped the script he was holding, and instinctively started to shift away from Gun. Then his mind caught up with his body. He wasn’t doing wrong. He had no reason to feel guilty.

“I asked P’Tay to practice Pick’s lines with me,” Gun said. “Since I’m here to practice.” Gun smiled at Tay. “Thank you, P’Tay.”

Off gave an indignant huff. He plopped down between them, and snatched the script from the floor.

“Shove over,” he ordered Tay.

He was acting so weird. Bewildered, Tay obeyed, scooting aside to give them both plenty of space.

While Off was distractedly flipping through the script, Gun met Tay’s eyes. He winked.

You little master manipulator, Tay thought with amazement.

This was the start of how Tay and Gun became friends.

Chapter Text

Gun seems calmer now. He’s wearing Tay’s guest pajamas, which look adorably oversized on him, sitting on Tay’s bed, and toweling his wet hair. Tay pretends to surf his phone beside him so that Gun doesn’t feel rushed to go to sleep, even though it was now 4:17 in the morning.

“The agency will take care of everything,” Tay says.

Gun nods. He puts away the towel, crawls into Tay’s bed, and then snuggles against Tay. They’ve snuggled so often now that Tay is used to it, and so just automatically pulls Gun closer. Holding Gun always gives him a comforting feeling. Gun smells like Tay’s lavender shampoo (free from a sponsor) and he’s very warm.

A wave of affection hits Tay.

While Off has taken a while to get used to skinship between friends, Tay enjoys skinship. This works out for Tay and Gun, then, because Gun is very physically affectionate and likes touching other people. Tay enjoys snuggling, hugging, and cuddling with whatever friends are willing, and both of them have learned that the other is always willing.

They nap for two hours before Tay receives a video call. It’s Off.

“Hey, Peng.”

Off looks anxious and haggard. “Is he with you?” he asks.

Tay angles his phone so that Off can see the covered lump next to him.

Off’s shoulders drop. His expression relaxes, and he exhales.

“He came over a few hours ago,” Tay says. “Are you coming over?”

“I’ll bring breakfast,” Off says.

Chapter Text

The first time Tay had spotted Off was in a stationary store. Tay was still in high school then, and had gone into the store to accompany his best friend in the class, Bank.

It was Bank who elbowed him three times in rapid succession when Off stepped into the store, her face in awe.

Normally when his male classmates talked about different girls being beautiful, Tay didn’t really join in because he could see how someone was good looking, but not really feel it.

This time was no different – but even Tay had to admit to himself that the tall guy in the store looking at poster boards was objectively very handsome compared to the average person. He looked like he could have been a actor wearing a school uniform for a drama.

“Isn’t he handsome?” Bank said, a little too loudly.

The handsome boy glanced in their direction, and then smirked.

Bank buried herself against Tay’s chest, and hid her face. “Tell me when he’s gone,” she whispered.

Tay tried to keep a straight face because he KNEW the handsome boy was watching them now, but Bank was so embarrassed and normally, Bank was a bit reserved. Tay laughed, and the more Bank punched his arm, telling him to stop, the louder he laughed.

Bank sank into a squat behind one of the shelves, out of the handsome guy’s line of sight. “I don’t know you,” she said to Tay. “We’re not friends anymore.”

Over the shelves, the handsome boy caught Tay’s gaze. Tay smiled at him. The handsome guy gave a chuckle, then left to check out.

A few years later, Tay met Off at his new job. At the after work welcome party for Five Live Fresh’s newest crop of hosts, Off approached Tay.

“We’ve seen each other before,” Off said. “Do you remember?”

It was the afternoon, and the first time that all of the new hosts had gotten a chance to hang out together. They were at a bar three blocks away from the office. Everyone was drinking beer, eating chips, and chatting away.

Tay had, in fact, been wondering all day why Off had looked vaguely familiar to him.

“I don’t remember why,” Off said. “But you were laughing really hard in a stationary store. You laughed with your entire body. I’ve never seen someone laugh like that before.”

At the mention of the stationary store, the memory of their first encounter came back to Tay.

“Oh!” Tay exclaimed, slapping the table and startling Off in one motion. “I do remember! You’re the handsome guy!”

Off chuckled. “Handsome guy?”

Tay nodded. “My friend bruised my ribs that day; she was elbowing me so hard. She saw you and fell instantly in love by your good looks. She was so embarrassed when you noticed her looking at you.”

Off snorted. “I noticed you both,” Off said.

“I thought I was going to die laughing! She’s normally very serious, you don’t understand.” He mimed Bank looking surprised, before jumping back into his story. “For her to be so amazed by a stranger—it was hilarious. It’s so funny that we get to meet again, years later, like this. I need to tell her,” Tay said. He pulled out his phone and typed furiously. “Are you single?”

“I just started seeing someone,” Off said. “It’s fairly new.”

“And he’s taken,” Tay said aloud as he typed. “Ok, done! I need to give photographic proof. Here! Take a selfie with me.”

Off leaned over and Tay took a photo of them both. Off had a faint smile, while Tay was grinning so hard that both rows of his teeth showed.

“Is your girlfriend going to be disappointed?” Off asked.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Tay said. “Just a friend.”

Tay’s timing had never been good. Since he didn’t usually find someone attractive until after he had gotten to know them, it made him slower on the uptake when it came to relationships. By the time he had realized he had a crush on Bank and had actually found her attractive, Bank had already asked someone out. She had been with her partner ever since, and the two of them were now living together.

Tay showed the photo to Off, who nodded, looking amused.

“Let’s exchange numbers,” Off said. “Give me a copy.”

And this was the start of Off becoming Tay’s best friend.

Chapter Text

Off brings congee for himself and Tay, and steamed buns for Gun, who is still asleep in Tay’s room. Off gives Tay the plastic bags of congee, and places the steamed buns into the fridge.

Tay pours the congee into two bowls of equal size. He adds green onions and sesame seeds for flavor, and pre-boiled chia seeds for extra nutrients (and also, because he has three packages leftover from a sponsorship deal). He then adds some gourmet soy sauce to one bowl, and leaves the other alone. Off doesn’t like a lot of sauce, so the unseasoned bowl is for him.

Tay tucks two bottles of Oishii green tea into his elbows, and then brings everything to the dining room table. The dining room table has a corner that’s cleared—Off has already moved some of the free stacks of supplements that Tay has onto a neat pile on the floor, and has already emptied a second chair so that both could sit.

“How long do you think we have?” Off asks.

“He took a shower after coming over, and then conked out,” Tay says. “He probably won’t get up until ten.”

Off checks his watch. “Okay. Let’s eat first.”

The first few bites are silent. Off raises his eyebrow at the chia seeds, but doesn't complain. After a moment Off asks, “Did you know about him?”

Tay shakes his head. “Did you?”

Off frowns. “No. Did he say how long?”

“Gun said a few weeks. It doesn’t seem like a long time,” Tay says. “But he said he thought it was getting serious by the way the other person had been talking.”

“A few weeks can feel like a long time,” Off says. “Some people can fall in love in a few seconds.”

At Tay’s shrug in response, Off gives his foot a gentle kick. “Just because you’d never fall for anyone like that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.”

Tay raises an eye brow. “I know people say that,” Tay says. “And it won’t surprise you to hear that I’ve never felt that way about anyone. But I never expected to hear you say something like that. Have you ever experienced anything like that?”

Off gives him an assessing look for a moment, a strange expression on his handsome face. Then he glances away as he speaks. “I’ve met someone before that, for a moment, made me question a lot of things. But I was young, and the moment passed.”

Tay nods. Off doesn’t seem like he wants to talk about it anymore, which makes Tay wonder if Off is thinking about his former long term ex-girlfriend, Mook. Mook is ready to settle down and have kids, but Off isn't. Their break-up happens right before Off starts filming Theory of Love, and Off throws all his energy into Theory of Love after they have parted.

They finish the rest of their breakfast in silence.

“So, is he going to stay with you?” Off asks. 

“I guess so,” Tay says. “It sounds like he’s worried that if he goes home, the stalker will follow him. He’s worried that his sister and grandmother might get hurt.”

Off nods, looking pensive. Tay can guess what he’s thinking, likely the same thing that Tay has been thinking. Off is renting a one bedroom, since he's saving up for a house to be built. Tay has a two bedroom apartment.

Of course, Tay being who he is, his second bedroom is just an extended closet of clothing and leftover sponsored products at this point, so Gun will likely just be taking half of Tay’s bed instead the second room.

“I guess we better get to work then,” Off says.

They spend the next two hours working side by side. Both of their managers have agreed to give them the morning off. Tay logs into his alter ego social media accounts, and does as much damage control as he can, raising doubts and skepticism as he posts as a fairly known Babii.

By the time Tay is done, the Thailand side of Babii fandom seem to collectively decide that the posting is just some crazy guy who wants attention, and that it isn’t worth discussing since all that would do would raise interest on the scandal from on the international side of their fandom.

Off, meanwhile, spends the time sitting beside Tay and calling everyone to reassure them that Gun is fine. First, he calls Gun’s family, and talks to Gun’s sister. Then he calls Gun’s grandmother, and after that, his own parents, to reassure them as well.

“Is that everyone?” Tay asks. “I think I’m done posting.”

“I need to text my sister, and there’s still Arm, New, and some of the other GMMTV people,” Off says. “But there is someone else.” He dials a number, and then says, “Hi, Grandmother.”

Tay mouths out quietly at him, “I thought you already called Gun’s grandmother?”

Off rolls his eyes, and continues talking. “Yes, I’m calling you to let you know that there might be some rumors about Gun going out. Don’t worry, the agency is taking care of it. We’re a little worried about his safety, though, so he’s staying with Tay for a few days.”

“Wait,” Tay says, realization dawning, “Is that my Grandmother?”

In response, Off hits the speaker button, and the familiar sound of Tay’s grandmother’s voice comes in.

“I’m glad he’s staying with Tay,” Tay’s grandmother says. She pauses. “But...”

“I know,” Off says. “I was thinking the same thing, Grandmother, don’t worry. I’ll be staying here as well.”

Tay almost drops the Samsung Galaxy Tab A (slim with a powerful camera and immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound) that he has been using to post all of his social media messages. “What!”

Off smirks. “You want to talk to him? Okay.” He thrusts his phone at Tay. “Here.”

Tay glares at him and takes the phone.

“You sound surprised,” Tay’s grandmother says, still on speaker. “Did you just hear about this? I think it’s a good idea. Your Off is a good boy.”

“Yes, he is, Grandma. But--”

“Both you and Off can protect Gun, and then Off can protect you.”

Off’s leaning against Tay, and shaking with silent laughter.

“I don’t need protection,” Tay says. “I work out more than him. Sometimes I even box! Besides—”

“He has a lot of common sense, that one. More than you. There’s also safety in numbers,” Tay’s grandmother insists. “Besides, you liked living with him before, and you miss it sometimes, right?”

Tay covers his face in mortification. “Grandma, I said that years ago—"

“Awwww, do you miss living with me?” Off asks.

“--then it’s no problem,” Tay’s grandmother continues. “Just move all the junk in your other room.”

Tay protests. “It’s not that easy—”

“Throw out anything that’s expired. Off can help you, he’s better at being organized and clean. Your place is too messy anyway. We got you a two bedroom because you wanted one, but you’re just using the second bedroom for piles of garbage. Why did you want a two bedroom anyway?”

Tay has never spoken faster in his life. “OkayGrandmaImissyouandIwillvisitlaterbye!” He hangs up. “Stop laughing!”

“I love your grandmother,” Off says.

 “You hated living with me,” Tay says. “All you talked about in that OffGun Fun Night episode was how messy I am.” In the years since they’ve stopped living together, Off has crashed over once or twice, but never for more than a night. “Are you sure you want to stay here? You can just visit Gun whenever you feel like it.”

“She’s right, you know,” Off says. “I can protect you both. I’ve protected you before, from that creep.”

There's something about the way that Off speaks that makes Tay aware, suddenly, of how close Off is. Off smells faintly of the herbal shampoo that he uses.

Tay flushes, and then gets annoyed with himself for flushing. “Fine! But you’ll have to help me clean. You know the second bedroom doesn’t have a bed. You can stay on the couch.”

“You know my back can’t handle your couch,” Off says. “Your bed is large enough. We’ll just squeeze in together.”

“You’d hate that,” Tay says, feeling baffled. “It’s a big bed, but it’s not that big. We’ll all be in your space.”

“I won’t mind,” Off says.

Tay sighs. His head is starting to hurt. Off has acquiesced to Gun’s physical expressions of friendly affection over the years, and has slowly, ever so slowly, become more used to skinship between friends.

But even with Off’s acclimation, the Off that Tay knows is not someone who enjoys other people in his space.

Off may bend the skinship rule for Gun, but there’s no way he will enjoy Tay being shoved into his space, in addition to Gun, every night. Three people on a queen means a very cramped sleeping arrangement.

“Do you want to take the bed with Gun instead? Okay, fine, you take the bed, and I’ll take the couch. But you have to help me clear the couch.”

“I’m not trying to kick you out of your bed,” Off says, “But—”

“Papii? You’re here?”

Gun’s voice is rough from sleep, a pitch deeper than usual.

Tay meets Off’s gaze, and they both nod in unison. Their argument can wait. What matters now is Gun.

“Off brought breakfast,” Tay says. “Let me heat it up for you.”

He heads to the kitchen just as Off envelopes Gun into a big hug.

Chapter Text

Six months after Gun's first visit to Off and Tay's shared apartment, Off protected Tay.

It had started like this: Tay had been trying to get to know someone that he thought had potential. Fluke (not related to anyone in GMMTV) was not someone in entertainment, just an engineer that a friend of a friend of a friend had introduced to Tay. They were the same age. He was tall and he had a friendly smile, which Tay had liked. Tay had thought it might have been a sign that they could become friends first.

They had gone on a few dates. On the first date, they had bonded over a shared interest in cameras and photography while checking out a photography exhibit, and Fluke had leaned against him a few times. On the second date they had held hands and gotten lunch. On the third date, they had gone to the aquarium, and Fluke had kissed him that night.

Kissing Fluke had felt pleasant enough, but Tay still didn’t find him attractive yet. He tried to explain on the fourth date, that he needed a little bit of more time as friends first.

The conversation didn’t go well. Fluke had taken his words as rejection. He accused Tay of just using him as an experiment, called Tay a freak, and stalked off in anger.

And that was that.

When Tay came back to the apartment after his date, Off took one look at his face and immediately frowned.

“You okay?” Off asked.

“It’s been a long day,” Tay said.    

“Same,” Off said. “Takeout?”

They settled into the couch, and Off ordered fried chicken and beer without checking with Tay first. Tay was used to this by now, Off was often convinced that his way was the best, and fried chicken and beer sounded great anyway.

“What happened?” Tay asked, turning the television on so that they both had something to look at besides each other. They stayed on the first thing that had appeared -- a lakorn that neither of them kept up with.

Off hesitated. “Gun and I are getting along better.”

Tay nodded. “Okay,” he said. Ever since that time when Gun had come over to practice scenes from Puppy Honey, Off and Gun had fallen into a kind of truce. Off still wasn’t necessarily comfortable with Gun’s hugs and clinginess, but he was actively working on becoming more tolerant of them.

“But sometimes I don’t know,” Off said. “He knows I’m dating a girl, and she’s fine with us playing pretend in the series, but sometimes, I don’t know, I worry that he thinks he has a chance.”

It took everything in Tay to stop himself from rolling his eyes. He knew it was taking a while for Off to get used to Gun. He also knew that Off was just used to people around him always finding him attractive. Privately, Tay thought Off sometimes had a bit of a princess complex.

But rolling his eyes would just anger Off, and Tay was having a bad enough day as it was without also pissing off his roommate / best friend.

“I think we all know you’ve been with your girlfriend for some time now,” Tay said. “And since we all know that, we-- including Gun--, no one would expect anything to happen. Gun’s a professional. He’s not stupid.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Off said. “He’s just acting like that since he’s practicing the way Rome looks at Pick.”

“Exactly,” Tay said.

After all, it could be true and likely was. Gun wouldn’t be stupid enough to fall for someone so obviously straight and taken.

“What about you?” Off asked.

Tay hesitated. He didn’t share this part of himself with many people, but he was sad and tired, and nursing his third can of beer.

“It’s hard for me to date,” Tay began. Off’s eyes widened but he didn’t interrupt. “I’m not interested in most …stuff…until I get to know someone first. It takes time, but most people aren’t that patient. I had started hanging out with someone, but when I tried to explain that, that person took it badly.” He was careful to keep the pronoun gender neutral. After all, Off seemed to be, on some level, struggling with the fact that Gun was – well, Gun.

“What a bitch,” Off said.

Tay relaxed. Off’s reaction was comforting, and much better than he had anticipated. He thought Off would follow up with uncomfortable questions, but Off didn’t.

Instead, they watched ten minutes of a scene where an heiress was crying dramatically in the rain because she could not marry the man she loved. A relationship montage played in between the scenes of her crying.

She had finally stopped crying when they both heard a loud knock on their door. Then, suddenly, Tay’s phone started ringing.

Tay checked the caller. It was Fluke. He ignored it.

“I’ll get the door,” Off said, standing up.

Tay’s phone beeped. It was a text from Fluke. I’m outside. Let’s talk.

Tay sighed. “I can get it, it’s for me.”

Off nodded and sat back down.

Tay stepped into the hallway of their apartment complex, and closed the door behind him. He crossed his arms. “What?”

“Was everything that you said earlier—was that true?” Fluke demanded.

Tay nodded.

“I didn’t—I’m sorry. I thought you were just a straight guy looking to experiment, and then just looking for an excuse to end things. You’re so handsome and I—” Fluke faltered, at a loss. “You really—you really didn’t feel anything when I kissed you?”

Tay hesitated. He tried to think of the kindest way that he could phrase the experience. “It was nice to feel you close,” he said. “It just… it didn’t make me want more. Not yet, anyway."

Fluke took a step forward into Tay’s space. “I don’t believe you.”

Any lingering doubts in Tay’s mind that had started forming promptly shriveled into a husk.

Tay leaned back. “I think you’d better leave,” he said.

Fluke crowded into Tay’s space, and to Tay’s utter disbelief, placed an arm against the wall, trapping Tay.

“Are you—are you trying to kabedon me?" Tay asked, incredulous.

“Tay—”

Suddenly Off was there. He grabbed Fluke by the arm, and yanked him back.

“I think he said you should leave,” Off said. The tone of his voice was icy steel.

Fluke stared at Off for a moment, and then at Tay. He pulled his arm out of Off’s grasp, and then turned and walked away without another word.

“Are you okay?” Off asked Tay, looking concerned.

Tay had always known that Off was aesthetically handsome, but for the first time ever, Tay realized that his best friend and roommate was also extremely hot.

His heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, Tay despaired. I guess I am stupid enough.

Chapter Text

After Gun finishes breakfast, Off begins to ask some questions. Off’s voice is gentle and calm. He doesn’t ask about the guy that Gun has been seeing (who is apparently some kind of doctor). Instead, his questions are focused on the doctor’s boyfriend, the one that has accused Gun of being a homewrecker on social media.

“The last detective I spoke to said they would ask him some questions to see if he might have been the same person that followed me,” Gun says. “But otherwise, there isn’t any evidence.”

“We’ll leave it to the police then,” Off says in a reassuring tone. He glances at his phone. “Looks like P’Kwang gave us both the rest of the day off.”

Tay checks his own phone. He skims through multiple group chats from various executives and individuals at GMMTV, finds the chat with his manager, and then sighs after reading it. “I have a commercial shoot in the afternoon so I can only stay for a little bit longer,” Tay says.

“Do you need anything else from your place?” Off asks Gun. “If not, you can just borrow Tay’s clothes, he has too much of it and won’t even notice.”

Tay laughs. He nods and rolls with the joke, gesturing in direction of his second bedroom. “Anything you want to borrow from the second bedroom is yours, Nong.”

Both Off and Tay know how much Gun enjoys ‘shopping’ from his friends’ closets, and their suggestion pays off.

Gun cracks a small smile for the first time that morning. “Anything?” he asks.

“To borrow,” Tay says, smiling in response. But his resolve for this small boundary crumples the minute he looks at Gun’s face. Gun’s just so cute. “If you want to keep anything after, just ask.”

“I’m going to head back to my place to pick up some things,” Off says. “You can come with me, Gun. If you need anything else, it’ll be easier to find it at my place anyway.”

“Hey!” Tay protests. Off mimes searching and discarding valuables in Tay’s messy room like a treasure hunter, and Tay bursts into laughter.

Gun looks back and forth between them. “Are you staying here too, Papii?”

Off gives Tay a challenging look. “Yes.”

Tay sighs. “Well, you have a spare key. Just let yourself in. I’ll be back right after my shoot.”

After the shoot, Tay stops by to pick up some goodies, and then heads back to the office to make some inquiries. He chats around, nudges a couple of people he knows, expresses concern, and asks what specific GMMTV departmental staff will do next. The status updates from the administration come in quickly after that.

Public Relation’s department head is already paying off the major news outlets to ignore the posting. At Tay’s helpful suggestion, she agrees to issue a stern but vague statement stating that they stand by their artist and won’t hesitate to pursue legal action. She thanks Tay for the box of pastries that he gives their group for their overtime from last night.

Legal’s department head has been following up with the police and demanding that they investigate the stalking incident. Tay asks him if he knows any way to get the police to take the case more seriously, and then mentions that several wealthy families of GMMTV actors would want to know that their actor children are protected by the police. The Legal department agrees to emphasize the message, and is very touched by the extra herbal supplements that Tay provides him and his staff. They are, Tay assures him, very good for the brain.

Transportation’s department head appreciates the extra cups of fresh coffee that Tay brings his team, and agrees wholeheartedly with Tay that Gun’s safety is top priority, and that all of their drivers will be on the lookout the next time they drive Gun.

As a precaution, Security will shift more of their people to the office whenever Gun is scheduled to come in. Security’s head is very pleasantly surprised by the extra iron-fortified vitamins that Tay has brought for his team, which are supposed to be good for building muscles.

It’s evening by the time that Tay is done. He stops by a grocery store to pick up Off and Gun’s favorite snacks, stops by a restaurant to pick up takeout, and then heads home to see the two people that he is in love with.

Chapter Text

Tay fell for Gun soon after he realized his feelings for Off.

After his first visit to Off and Tay’s apartment, Gun started to actively seek out Tay’s company whenever they both happened to be in the office. The first time Gun approached Tay, it was to ask Tay to get some roti snacks with him, and then he asked Tay for advice on how to work with Off.

Tay had tried to be neutral but helpful, and advised him to just try talking to Off and explaining how he felt.

He didn’t know whether or not that conversation went well, but five days later, they ran into each other again, and this time Gun had questions on how to act more naturally in an MC role.

This conversation led to a lunch, which then lead to multiple other lunch discussions. Some were about acting in a show versus playing a persona of yourself on a variety show. Others were just about the latest fashion brands that Gun and Tay were into. Every now and then, Gun would also ask a question about Off to try to understand how to improve their working relationship.

Eventually Tay and Gun developed a comfortable and friendly relationship with each other. Gun always politely listened whenever Tay had a long explanation for something, and on his part, Tay enjoyed Gun’s fun and charming personality.

By the fifth month of their friendly lunches, Tay had gotten word that he might be reprising the role of Pete from Kiss the Series.

“It’s so hard to play someone who is so different from me,” Tay said, as he and Gun shared a plate of shrimp paste fried rice. “Pete is really arrogant and bossy. Even though I already played Pete before, I’d love to hear any tips from a veteran actor like yourself.”

Gun laughed off the “veteran actor” part, even though they both knew it was true.

“I don’t think of acting as work,” Gun said. “It’s just always been fun. I don’t know if I have tips. But sometimes I try to visualize someone I know that has common traits with my character,” Gun said. “Think of the most domineering person you know. An extreme version that person. How would they react to something?”

And because Off was always on his mind, Tay made himself giggle by imagining the meanest version of Off that he could.

Gun smiled. “What’s so funny?”

“I just pictured Off,” Tay confessed.

Gun snickered, and then leaned against him. “You can try to be bossier, then. Like P’Off.”

Tay puffed his chest and lifted his chin, but he couldn’t maintain the pose for more than a few seconds before he laughed. “I can’t.”

“You can,” Gun said, a glint in his eyes. “Do you have pets? You give orders to your pet, right? Just imagine that kind of power and throwing that attitude at people.”

Tay shook his head.

“I’ll demonstrate,” Gun said. He was smiling now, a wide, cat-like smile. “Tay, you’re my pet today. Buy me dessert.”

Tay guffawed. “Okay,” he said, when the laughter subsided. “I’ll buy you dessert. But this is only for today.”

“I can be your pet tomorrow,” Gun said, which drew another laugh from Tay.

“Deal,” Tay said. He pretended to bow like a butler. “Whatever dessert you want today, Master, I’ll buy for you.”

“P’Tay, you’re really funny,” Gun said, his eyes sparkling. “I’m going out this weekend. Do you and Off want to come?”

Tay invited Off, who was reluctant at first. “I really hate clubs,” Off said. “They’re always too loud.”

Eventually, however, he mentioned the invitation to Mook, who had expressed interest. A few days later she met Off and Tay at their apartment, and then they all headed to the club together.

Mook was charming and very laid back. She was a good person. Tay always made sure to do what he could to make her feel comfortable and welcome whenever she visited, and then viciously stamped down all the other mixed feelings he had.

Off and Mook snagged a table, while Tay went to order them drinks.

As he carried the drinks back to the table—beers for Off and Mook, and a glass of whiskey for himself-- he did a double-take when he realized that he recognized one of the other patrons that had already started dancing.

It was Gun, eyes closed, lost in the music. The different colored lights lit his face and swaying form, making him glow like an ethereal creature.

“Hi Nong.”

Gun looked up and beamed. “P’Tay! You made it!” He eyed the multiple drinks that were on the platter that Tay was carrying. “P’Off made it too?”

“Yes, P’Off and his girlfriend,” Tay said.

Gun nodded, his face for a moment unreadable. Then he hooked his arm around Tay’s and smiled. “Let’s go! I want to say hi.”

They re-joined the table and Off introduced Mook to Gun, who wai’d very politely.

“I’m such a huge fan,” Mook said. “I loved you as Gomin, and The Blue Hours was such a great movie!”

Gun smiled. “Thank you for the kind words.”

“When Off told me that he was going to partner with you—I couldn’t believe it! I can’t wait to see you both on tv. He’s really excited for the role!”

“Oh, really,” Gun said, raising his eyebrow at Off. Off took a sip of his beer and stayed silent.

“That’s very nice to hear,” Gun told Mook. Then he leaned against Tay. “Tay, your master wants some of your drink.”

Tay passed his glass into Gun’s direction. Gun’s hands brushed over Tay’s as he took the glass and then a sip.

“I thought I was master next time?” Tay asked.

“I said I would be your pet the day after,” Gun said. “And then rotating every day—today would go back to your turn as pet.”

Tay grinned. “But I didn’t even see you the day after!”

“But you agreed anyway,” Gun countered, which made Tay laugh.

“Why are you calling him master?” Off asked.

Tay realized they had been ignoring Mook and Off. “It’s a long story,” he said.

Gun wrapped an arm around Tay’s shoulders. “We’re master and pet now,” Gun said, winking at Mook.

Mook squealed. “Like in a boys love y-series!”

At the darkened expression on Off’s face, Tay hastened to clarify. “Not like a y-series,” Tay said. “More like…a harmless baby garden snake deferring to a honey badger.”

Mook stared at Tay with a blank look. Tay took another sip of whiskey, the bitter drink giving him a pleasant buzz, and he warmed up to his subject. “The honey badger is small and cute and one of the most dangerous and fierce animals on the planet. It can kill a snake easily. So, if a baby snake came across one, it should stay clear of it. The honey badger sets the stage by doing whatever it wants. The snake would just react to its actions. Since the snake is reacting, you can say that it’s following the honey badger’s actions.”

“That analogy doesn’t express a master and pet relationship at all,” Off said, which made Tay laugh because it was true.

“Who is the snake?” Mook asked, looking confused.

“Just ignore him, he watches too many animal documentaries,” Off said.

“P’Tay thinks I’m small, cute, and dangerous?” Gun asked, grinning.

“I think the small and cute are a given,” Tay said. “But yes, you are probably the most dangerous actor in GMMTV.”

Gun smiled, and took a gulp of Tay’s drink. Then he set it onto the table and stood up. “P’Tay, let’s dance.”

Across from the table, Mook looked at Off in silent appeal. Off nodded, and stood up as well. Mook linked their hands, and lead them to the dance floor.

Tay followed Gun to a different part of the dance floor. But he couldn’t keep his eyes off of Mook and Off. They made a lovely couple. Mook fit perfectly against Off, her head buried against his shoulder.

Suddenly all of the feelings that Tay had been tamping down began to surface into painful stabs of jealousy and grief.

“P’Tay,” Gun said. He put his arm around Tay’s neck, pulling him closer, forcing Tay to look only at him. Gun gestured his head towards Off’s direction. “Don’t look, P’Tay. It only makes it hurt more.”

Before Tay could deny anything, Gun leaned closer and said, “Just feel the music. Don’t look.” His arms held onto Tay’s, and then he swung both of their arms back and forth, timing to the music. “Close your eyes. That’s what I do.”

Tay closed his eyes and obeyed. He swung to the music and decided he would stop paying attention to himself and his stupid unrequited feelings. Instead, he felt the freedom of moving to the music, the joy in it, and the warmth of Gun's arms.

Time paused. The music was an EDM mix from the '90s. The song had a steady beat, and at the beat drop in the song, Gun let go of Tay. The two of them met each other's eyes, and then both started dancing frantically when the faster beat kicked in.

Tay realized, suddenly, that he was having a great time, all thanks to Gun.

“How did you know?” Tay asked.

Gun leaned against Tay’s chest. “I just understand.”

And—oh. It suddenly all made sense, the way Gun kept asking Tay about Off, and Off’s concerns about Gun. It seemed that Off was right.

They spent several songs just dancing freely together. When they were both finally tired, Gun held Tay’s hand as they finally went back to the table to sit and rest for a moment.

Afterwards, when they all decided to leave, Gun gave Tay a tight hug, and held on for a long moment. He smelled like a pleasant mix of sweat, alcohol, and cologne.

“It’ll be okay, P’Tay,” Gun whispered. He pulled back, and his eyes were shining. Tay never noticed before how long Gun’s lashes were. His lips were dark and plump. “We’ll both be okay. Let’s talk soon?”

Tay nodded, and then pulled Gun back into another hug.

The greatest irony about Tay discovering that Gun also liked Off tonight was the fact that he only just realized, with sudden clarity, that Gun Atthaphan was, in fact, startlingly beautiful.

An hour after Tay had already made it home from the club, Off came back to their apartment. By then Tay had already showered and was getting ready for bed.

“I thought you were staying with Mook tonight?”

Off shook his head. “Her parents are home, so I just made sure she got home safely.”

While Off had so far never actually asked Tay to stay somewhere else whenever he wanted alone time with Mook, there had been times when Tay felt like there was an unspoken rule about the apartment space being used on a first come, first serve basis.

There were times when Tay would come back late from work, see the extra pair of women’s shoes by the front door, quietly close the door, and then find another place to crash for the night to give Off and Mook space.

Tonight, however, Tay was tired and besides, he had gotten back first. So, he clamped down on any feelings of guilt that manifested; after all, Off had been the one who asked him to room with him first.

Tay poured them both a glass of water and after they both drank, they collapsed in exhaustion on their shared bed.

“Tell me something,” Off said. “Do you like Gun?”

“I’m not going to break your ship, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m already paired with New.”

Off rolled over and met Tay’s eyes. “That’s not what I’m asking, and you know it.”

Tay thought of how beautiful Gun looked at the club, and he shrugged. “I don’t know,” he admitted.

Off hit Tay with his pillow.

“Hey! What’s that for?”

“You’re frustrating,” Off huffed. He rolled off the bed and stood up. “You already washed up, right? I’m taking a shower.”

It was the last time in their shared apartment that Off asked Tay about his love life.

Chapter Text

Despite the mess, Tay’s current apartment is rather spacious, and over twice the size of the original one bedroom that he has previously shared with Off. Tay has been living in the same two bedroom ever since he and Off decided to stop living together.

Initially, Off keeps their old place and Mook moves in. Then after he and Mook break up, he moves to his present one bedroom.

With all of Tay’s stuff, Tay has gotten used to maneuvering around piles in his apartment. He’s one of GMMTV’s busiest spokesmen and is constantly moving from one shoot to the next. He really doesn’t have a lot of time for cleaning. A maid comes in once a month just to tidy things and keep his refrigerator stocked, but usually by the end of the month his place is a mess again.

Gun understands, since he and Tay are similar in that regard when it comes to organizing and having an excess amount of clothes. Off, on the other hand, is definitely neater.

It’s the third week of the month, so things have started to look messy again. Tay enters his place expecting his usual mess.

To his complete shock, however, the aisle is completely clear when he walks in. It’s so unexpected that he steps out of his apartment, checks his door number to make sure he has the right place, and comes back in.

Even his maid never does anything like this. P’June is a friend of a friend’s mother, and has a bad back so she can’t lift heavy items. As a result, she doesn’t really move the existing piles around so much as keeps them stacked neatly so they don’t fall over. Occasionally she dusts the piles as well.

“What happened?” Tay asks aloud, astonished.

He drops the bags of snacks and takeout onto the dining room table, which is also shockingly empty of sponsored products.

“P’Tay! You’re back!”

Gun rounds the corner and envelopes Tay into a hug. Tay hugs him back tightly and glances over Gun’s shoulder to look at Off.

“How did you—how?”

“You’ve gotten messier without me living with you to keep you in check,” Off says. “Crashing for one day is one thing, but for longer than that—your stuff was a tripping hazard.”

They take Tay on a tour of his own home, showing him the parts that they have cleaned, and where they moved everything to.

“I assembled some shelves in your second bedroom, and Papii moved your stuff there,” Gun says. “We didn’t throw anything out.”

"You assembled shelves?"

“It was a good distraction,” Off whispers. "And he's better at building than I am."

In the second bedroom, Off points to a large bin.

“We did make a box of stuff you should throw out though,” Off says. “I’ll give you three days to go through it. If you don’t take anything out of it, I will throw the whole thing away.”

The only thing that Off and Gun decidedly have not cleaned is the couch. Instead, there are new boxes of old stuff on the couch, making it impossible for anyone to sleep on.  

The message is loud and clear.

“Are you sure about this?” Tay asks. “I can still go to the couch.”

“This bed is bigger than our old one,” Off says.

“It’s a queen, the same size as our old one.”

 “I didn’t hate sleeping next to you, you know.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t like it either.”

“People change,” Off says.

Gun watches their exchange back and forth and then seemingly decides he has had enough. He changes the subject. “I can’t remember the last time I had a day off on the same day as Papii that wasn’t a holiday,” Gun says. “It was fun!”

Tay smiles. It’s good to see Gun in good spirits again. “I bought takeout for dinner,” he says.

Gun grabs beers from Tay’s fridge. “Let’s party!”

Tay has two bathrooms, but the second bathroom is currently being used for storage. For all intents and purposes, he has only one functioning shower.

It’s later, when Off is in the shower and Tay and Gun are alone, that Tay broaches the topic of the doctor.

Gun is lying in the center of Tay’s bed, relax from the alcohol, and playing on his phone. Tay sits on the right side, limbs feeling a little loose but otherwise fine. He leans against the oak wood head board.

“On top of everything that happened after,” Tay says. “Sorry that it didn’t work out with the doctor.”

Gun doesn’t look at Tay, but his hands stop moving.

“I know it must have been disappointing to realize he was with someone else,” Tay says.

“I didn’t…” Gun’s voice trails off. “I liked him, and I thought he was a lot of fun. The sex was fine. But I didn’t…I didn’t feel that strongly about him.” Gun rolls over and cuddles against Tay’s chest, hiding his face. He fits perfectly in Tay's arms. “I just got tired, I guess.”

“Tired?”

“Of always wanting and not having.”

Tay doesn’t know how to respond. His feelings toward both Off and Gun hasn’t really changed over the years. He has mainly settled for ignoring them and hoping that one day he will stop feeling the way that he does. There are some nights when it all seems so unfair, that Tay’s in love with two people that can't love him back - his straight best friend, and his friend who shares the same feelings towards his best friend.

The relationship between Off and Gun has changed over the years, Tay knows. Off has told him once, while Theory of Love was being filmed, that kissing Gun is confusingly good. But Off doesn’t seem interested in exploring further, so Gun and Tay are both stuck in the same place of one-sided feelings for a straight man.

By now Tay’s feelings are just a dull ache that he pretends he doesn’t feel.

“It’s been a while,” Gun continues, “Since—you know. The club." Gun tightens his arms around Tay for a moment. "Aren’t you tired of liking him too, P’Tay?”

“Tired of what?” Off asks, stepping into the room.

Gun scrambles off of Tay. They both stare at Off in silence.

Off sits on the left side of the bed, towel drying his hair, and observing them both for a moment. “Well?”

“We were…both talking about the doctor?” Tay says, but his voice ticks uncontrollably up at the end of his sentence, coming out like a question. He omits the last half of their conversation.

“You’re both terrible liars,” Off says. Gun starts to giggle nervously. “Especially you, Tay. He was asking you if you were tired,” Off says. “Of what?”

“Well, it’s not like I had today off,” Tay says. He feigns a yawn.

Off observes his fake yawn and raises a questioning eyebrow, a non-verbal cue that he knows Tay is faking the yawn. Damn it! Tay thinks. How do we know each other’s tells so well?

“Tay,” Off says. “If you won’t say, I’ll ask Gun.”

Gun buries his face into the nearest pillow. “Tay should be the one to say it, not Gun.”

Tay caves. “We were just talking about unrequited relationships,” Tay says.

Off leans closer and stares at him. “You both like the same person who doesn’t like you back?”

Off's gaze is intense. He smells like Tay's lavendar shampoo. The grey lounge shirt he's wearing hangs off of his shoulder perfectly, and the neck line gives a partial view of his strong collarbone.

Tay’s heart begins beating faster. The room feels hot, and Tay knows that his face is red.

“I just…” Tay’s voice trails off.

“And you don’t know what to say, which is rare,” Off says. “Okay, fine.”

Off turns closer to Gun, and his voice softens. “You wanted me to hear your conversation." Gun doesn't respond. Off tries again. "Who do you like, Gun?”

Gun stares at Off, and his mouth parts. His eyes trace the water dripping down Off’s neck. Finally, when he speaks, his voice trembles. “I think you know, Papii. Ever since we filmed Theory of Love.”

Off nods, a smile lighting up his handsome face. “I guessed, but I wasn’t sure.” He pulls Gun close, and then draws him into a deep kiss.

It’s both one of the hottest things that Tay has ever witnessed, and simultaneously, one of the most painful. The rejection feels like someone has ripped Tay’s heart of out of his chest, and jammed a thousand nails through it.

Tay's vision is blurry and he feels like he's dying. He needs to get away and find a corner where he can die privately.

Quietly he turns to roll off the bed, only for Off to grab his arm.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Off asks. “We’re not done.” He looks at Gun, who nods.

Gun crawls off the bed and pulls Tay back onto the soft bed. Tay falls, and then Off is there, pulling him in by the waist until they're facing each other. Off gently wipes away a tear from the corner of Tay's eye.

He gives Tay a quick, comforting kiss, so quick that it's a peck more than a kiss. His lips are soft. Tay stills, forgetting to breathe.

“Gun confessed at the Theory of Love afterparty that he liked you, Tay,” Off says, staring into Tay's eyes. “He was drunk and he didn’t seem to remember the conversation the next day, but I couldn’t forget.”

Tay sits up, feeling astonished. “What?”

Off continues, “I kept remembering the first time I saw you, and how I intrigued I was by you. You were just glowing while you laughed. It was the first time I had ever noticed myself finding a guy attractive. Before Gun told me, I always thought you wouldn't be interested in anyone. But I remembered how you said you only wanted people you knew, and after hearing Gun... Then I thought of how I’d been denying my attraction to Gun. Suddenly, both of you seemed so precious to me, and I didn’t want to lose either of you.”

Gun nods. “I don’t remember telling Papii,” Gun says. “But I thought P’Tay was in love with Papii, so I never said anything.”

The meaning of everything being said slowly begins to sink in. Tay starts to laugh in disbelief, his heart suddenly light as air, and joy rising through his entire body. He can't believe how lucky he is, that he's sitting in bed with the two most gorgeous people in the world, and that they see and want him back.

“I am in love with Off,” Tay says. “And I rented a two bedroom thinking that I could always offer my place to him in the future if he ever wanted to live together again.”

Tay kisses Gun’s forehead. “But I’m also in love with you. I didn’t say anything because I knew you like Off. Have we been holding ourselves back the whole time?”

“We’re all idiots,” Off says. He cradles Tay’s face and then presses his mouth against Tay’s. It's a demanding kiss this time, nothing like the soft peck of comfort earlier.

When they part, Tay is dizzy with want.

Gun commands, “Kiss me on the lips, P’Tay.” Then he proceeds to crawl into Tay’s lap.

What follows is an uncoordinated effort of tangled limbs and lots of kissing. At one point, Off accidentally elbows Tay in the ribs. Tay gives an unconscious and unsexy squawk of outrage, which prompts them all to stop and fall into a fit of laughter.

After the laughs calm down, they go back to traveling and exploring each other, a new adventure together in uncharted territory.   

The stalker is caught two weeks later. It’s a different individual, completely unrelated to the doctor.

By then Off has declared that they need a king-sized bed, and Gun is suggesting that they combine all of their closets.

They are a clumsy mess together, but Tay likes messes.