Off gulped down his nth shot of vodka. He was supposed to be home by now, surprising Gun as it was Valentine's day, but when he saw Jaylerr picking up Gun with a bunch of flowers in his arms, jealousy just kicked in him. The loud music in the club was not enough to drown his thoughts. The scene just kept replaying in his mind. He was about to go to the CR when his phone rang. With blurry vision as the effect of vodka had already consumed his system, he answered the call.
"Off? Hey, where are you? Why is it so loud in there?!" Tay shouted at the other end.
"Yow! Myyy frieeeend! OUCH!" Off tripped in his attempt to go to the CR.
"Hey are you alright??" Tay's worried voice could be heard over the phone, but Off was too drunk to comprehend what he was saying.
"Off which club are you at right now!? I'm coming to pick you up! Off!? Hey, bastard!" Tay's effort was just useless as the person he was shouting at had already dozed off, while sitting on the club's cold floor.
-----
Off's head was throbbing like hell. It seemed like he hit his head on something, and he knew something was not right, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He was about to get off the bed when he lightly hit something, --- or someone. There he saw Gun sleeping beside him while hugging the pillow. His eyes landed on the bowl of water with a towel on the bedside table. And then it dawned on him. Gun took care of him last night. He also noticed that the shirt he was wearing had changed. Off smiled as he continued watching the sleeping man.
"I'm glad to know you still care about me, Gun." Off whispered while putting a light kiss on Gun's forehead.
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7 years ago. End of Sophomore year.
9:30 PM
Nervous was an understatement. Hyperventilating --- that was what Off felt as he stared at Gun's number on his phone. He planned to confess to Gun tonight, but he didn't know how. He had never confessed to anyone in his life. Most of his relationships only lasted for a week or two and girls were the first ones to confess to him. The longest one he had was three months, but he then eventually broke up with the girl when she wanted him to meet her parents. He had this principle of making sure not to meet the parents if he had no plans of marrying her.
But this one was a bit different, and he was planning to confess to a guy to top it all. He wanted to ask Tay for help, but he didn't wanna bother him, and he was a bit ashamed to be honest. As a matter of fact, he was hesitant about confessing to Gun as having a relationship with the same gender was something that he wasn't really into, but if he wouldn't tell Gun about what he felt, he might explode one of these days. He hadn't been able to sleep for several nights thinking about Gun and how much effect he had on his system. His mere touch could seep into Off's skin, literally burning Off with so much desire he'd probably ignite every time their skin touch. And those kisses they shared, none of his former kisses could compare to the ones he shared with Gun. It seemed like a flight of butterflies was released into his stomach every time Gun moved his lips and tongue along with his.
With his eyes closed, he sent a message to Gun.
*Gun, I'll pick u after work. I need 2 tell u something.*
"Fck. Let's get this done," he muttered as he picked up his car keys and went out the door.
-----
"What do you wanna tell me, P'Off?" Gun asked as he went inside Off's car.
Off noticed the dark circles under Gun's eyes and felt sorry for him. He should be going home right now, resting after a day at school and work.
"Let's go somewhere first," he said as he revved the engine.
After minutes of driving with a long stretch of silence between them, they arrived at the place where he first took Gun.
"The sky here is still beautiful as ever," Gun whispered while staring up at the starlit skies.
They were now on the hood of Off's car. Gun was lying on his back while Off was just sitting. The only light they had was the light coming from the car's headlight. The moon was hidden behind the clouds so the stars were even brighter.
Off chuckled, "You really do like stars, right."
"Staring at them makes me happy. I don't know but they somehow make me feel good. The feeling's unexplainable. Why? Don't you like them?"
"Nah. Not that much. I prefer the city lights. They're much livelier than the stars in the sky."
"So, what do you wanna tell me?" Gun asked as he got up and sat beside Off.
Off felt his heart beat faster. He looked at Gun who was also looking at him.
"I-I-Well, I kinda- I mean...what is your definition of love?" Off mentally hit himself for asking a stupid question.
"Huh? Is that it? You tryna make me answer a slumbook or something?" Gun chuckled but a hint of confusion could be seen on his face.
"Well, I guess love is when you give a part of yourself to somebody without asking for something in return," Gun replied while staring blankly at the sky.
"How-how about love between the same gender. What do you think about it?" Off asked as he watched the expression on Gun's face. The latter pouted signifying that he was thinking. He later turned to Off and smiled.
"Why? Would gender make a difference in love? Love is felt by the heart, not seen by the eyes, right? So, why would gender matter?"
A long stretch of awkward silence dominated the air as they stared at each other. Gun still had a smile on his face while Off could hear his own heart beating.
"Gun,"
"Hmmm?"
"I-I like you!" Off shouted softly with his eyes closed. He didn't hear anything from Gun and he wouldn't even dare open his eyes to see his reaction.
"I-I didn't know when this happened but being with you makes me so dmn happy. I know you might not feel the same, but I'm taking my chances here because I might go insane if I won't tell you this," Off said without even taking a breath. He still had his eyes closed and opening them at the moment was not in his options. He'd rather have Gun leave him on the spot than see his reaction.
Seconds passed but he still didn't hear a thing from Gun. He was about to open his eyes when something soft landed on his lips.
"I thought you'd never say that," Gun whispered after kissing him. Off opened his eyes and saw Gun's face close to him.
"I like you, too, P'Off."
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*Tay Tawan calling*
Off picked his phone while slowly getting up from the bed. Gun was still sleeping so he went outside the room to pick up the call.
"Hello."
|I'm glad you're awake! Did you know how much my back had to suffer to carry you home you bastard! Good thing New knows how to massage or I'd literally die of backpain! |
Off could see Tay's frustrated face as he spewed out his complaints.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry and thank you, friend. I'm happy you found me last night though. And besides, you've been massaging New's back ever since so it's high time he massages yours," Off chuckled as he took water from the fridge.
|You and your dirty mouth! But, actually I wasn't really the one who found you. |
"Then who?"
|Uhhmm. It was Gun. He was the first to be in the area before I came. But you know what surprised me last night friend? |
"Wha-what?"
|Gun cried. He cried when he saw the blood on your forehead, and you did not respond. You were so drunk you bastard you literally hit your head on a chair. |
Off went to the nearby mirror and saw the Band-aid on his forehead. He immediately ended the call and went back inside the bedroom.