Chapter Text
track sixteen
December 2014
“Hey,” Off whispered. “I’m sorry about last night. I was in a bit of a bad mood.”
“Yeah, I can tell,” Gun replied through his phone. “Did you ate with everyone yesterday?”
“Yeah,” Off responded. “Alice cooked for everyone. It’s really nothing much. Just a little celebratory dinner.”
“That’s nice,” Gun commented. "So, have you been talking again with Tay and Arm?”
“Not much,” Off admitted. “I can understand why they don’t want to talk with me. I betrayed them.”
Gun pursed his lips, “How about Chimon?”
“Hmm, he’s trying,” Off closed his eyes as he rested his head on foot of the bed. “He’s very much disappointed with his P’Off. I am, too. I am disappointed with myself.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” Gun softly said. “Sure you did some mistakes. But you’ve been repenting, right?”
“Yeah, at least I think I am,” Off said. “So, when are you gonna spend the New Year?”
“Actually, I don’t know,” Gun sighed. “Though our next stop is in Tokyo.”
“That’s a nice cold place,” Off mentioned. “Your nose’s gonna be all red and shiny.”
Gun chuckled, “Don’t worry, P’Kwang and P’Nook won’t let me freeze to death.”
There was silence.
“Let’s travel together,” Off declared.
“What?” Gun was surprised. “What do you mean?”
Off laughed, “I wish I was travelling with you, discovering hidden places and absorbing the rich culture of the countries you’ve visited. But we can’t do that right now. So maybe next time? Let’s travel together. Next time.”
“Of course,” Gun smiled. “Let’s travel together next time.”
“Do you like it?” Joss asked as Gun opened the man’s gift to him. It was a keychain made of clay which were molded as the letter ‘G’.
Gun hugged Joss, “Of course. I like it so much.” He handed the man a box. “Open it.”
“When did you ever had the time to do these?” Joss asked in amazement when he saw three framed sketches of him.
“Sometimes I wake up before you,” Gun stuck his tongue out. “I don’t know if we’ll ever meet again.”
Joss’ eyes glistened, “But I’m glad we met.”
“I’m glad we met, too,” Gun repeated as he kissed Joss’ tears away.
January 2015
“Happy new year, dad,” Gun said over the phone. “I’m so sorry I can’t be with you to welcome the new year.”
Gun’s father laughed, “It’s fine, son. Besides, we’ve been welcoming new years since you were born. One year wouldn’t hurt.”
“I love you, dad,” Gun sniffed. “I’m coming home soon. I promise.”
“See you then,” his father replied. “I love you, too.”
“Have you received the postcard I sent you?” Gun asked.
Off smiled as he thumbed the said item, “Yep. How’s Japan?” He stared at Gun’s handwriting at the back of it:
‘Let’s build a snowman here. I can’t wait to travel with you soon. Gun.’
“Cold,” Gun answered. “I think my pee would freeze.” They both laughed at that.
“Drink some tea,” Off suggested. “I sent you some, didn’t I?”
Off had managed to ask a friend of Arm’s father who was flying in privately over the States to hand Gun their gifts. Luckily, that friend of Arm’s father had booked at the same hotel Gun and the exhibition team was staying.
“I’m already boiling the water,” Gun replied. “Thanks again. The gifts really cheered me up.”
The gifts included short letters from everyone back at home saying how they’ve missed Gun. Tay included a photo he took of a sunrise in Bangkok with a note behind the picture ‘In case you’ve already forgotten how the sun rises in Bangkok’. Arm gave him one of his boutique’s sweater while Alice sent in pictures with people back at home with some notes at the back of it. Off on the other hand gave him a pack of chamomile tea.
“You know I’m thinking,” Off started. “We should’ve done that before.”
“It’s the thought that counts,” Gun laughed softly. He poured the tea on his cup, “The tea smells so nice. Have you been drinking this, too?”
“I’m trying,” Off stared at the ceiling. “I realized beer’s not the only thing that can help me sleep, you know.”
Gun nodded, “I’m glad you realized that.”
“I’m gonna be 24 soon,” Off said. “But my bones are as fragile as a 50-year old man.”
“You should start drinking those milks for senior citizens,” Gun laughed. “You know I remember, you didn’t like drinking milk back when we were kids.”
Off joined in on the laughter, “Yeah. My body really said it’s payback time.”
“I have so many things to tell you,” Gun quietly said.
“I can’t wait to hear the stories you want to share,” Off replied. “See you.”
“See you,” Gun repeated.