"Then why are you still keeping the ring, Gun?"
Gun stilled as Off reached out to touch the ring that was hidden under his shirt.
"This is the ring I gave you, right? Please tell me it is."
Gun sensed a tinge of desperation and hope in his voice.
He made a step backward to distance himself from Off.
"I-It's from Jaylerr."
"Oh, really? Come on Gun. Can you drop the act. I know nothing's going on between you and Jaylerr."
Gun's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at Off who was smiling from ear to ear.
"Don't be so full of yourself, Off."
"I am not. You're even the one who told me that right, on the night I picked you up from the bar."
He mentally cursed. So that explained Off's treatment towards him the next day.
He only remembered bits of what happened that night, but he couldn't remember Off picking him up.
"You don't believe someone who's drunk, Off."
"Drunken words are sober thoughts, Gun. I believe people let out everything they want to say when they don't have inhibitions."
"I-I broke with him! Yes! We just broke up. We broke up that day! That-that was why I got drunk, yes. That was why," Gun defended himself, stuttering as he scanned his mind for some excuses.
Off advanced forward, getting closer to him while he took a step backward, trying to widen the distance between them.
"What are you doing?" Gun asked as he continued stepping back while Off approached him.
With one long stride, Off closed the gap between them.
Soon, he found himself wrapped in a hug, a very tight one.
"Off, hey, wha-what are you-"
"I miss you, Gun. Please don't ever leave me again. I don't know if I can survive if you leave me again."
Off buried his head in the nook of his shoulder.
"Off, I-I can't breathe," he complained as Off tightened his arms around his waist.
But Off didn't budge. He just continued wrapping his arms around Gun's waist silently.
No one was saying a word between them.
They just stood there in the middle of the beach, with Off hugging him.
He lifted his hand, wanting to embrace Off, but he hesitated.
As much as he wanted to cave in to his feelings, he was afraid, afraid to face another uncertainty, another disappointment.
"Off we-we have to go back. Mild might be waiting for you."
But Off just giggled as he pulled Gun closer and Gun almost lost his breath when he felt his hot breath on his neck.
"Off-he-hey."
"Please, just let me hug you. I miss this. I miss you."
Gun bit his lips and sighed in surrender.
He slowly lifted his hand and hugged Off back, finally breaking the walls he built and forgetting all his inhibitions.
_____
"I ran away on the day Mild and I were supposed to get married," Off said as they sit down by the beach, the waves softly hitting their feet.
"I went to look for you but you already left."
Gun remained silent and just watched the birds flying around.
"Where have you been all these years, Gun?"
"I-I went away to heal and to find myself. Jaylerr was the one who helped me."
Off didn't answer him. Instead Off just hugged his knees and started drawing random shapes on the sand.
"Do you love him?"
Off's question caught him off guard. Not that he had feelings for Jaylerr but the sadness in Off's voice just melted everything he built to protect himself from another heartbreak.
"No," he whispered as he hugged his own knees and buried his toes in the sand.
"But what about...Mild. Aren't you going to be married...again?"
Off didn't answer him and just chuckled.
"You know what, you should come with me," Off said and stood He then held out his hand to Gun.
Quite confused and hesitant, he just stared at Off's hand and when he didn't do anything, Off just grabbed his hand and helped him stand.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To the person who can answer all your questions."
_____
"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
Gun was startled as soon as he opened the door of Off's unit for he was welcomed by Mild who immediately flung her arms around his neck.
"Off texted me about you coming so please don't get mad at me for invading your love nest."
Gun could only look at Off who was standing behind him, his hands inside his pockets.
"I have sooo many things to tell you because Off has been nagging me ever since I told you about our 're-engangement.'" Mild said as she made air quotes upon saying the last word.
She then dragged Gun and made him sit on the sofa.
"Off, get us water and some snacks. Stop standing there looking viciously at me. I'm not gonna eat him if that's what you are afraid of. Go!"
"Tss," Off replied and went to the kitchen.
"So where do I start?" Mild said as she settled on the sofa and fixed her hair.
"Uhh. Wh-what do you want to tell me?" he asked hesitantly.
"Okay, here's the thing. I just wanna clear the air between you and Off. I'm not gonna beat around the bush because it's not my thing so I'm gonna give it to you straight to the point.Off and I are not engaged and you should believe me, most importantly you should believe him."
He didn't say anything. He just kept staring at Mild. Not that he didn't believe her or Off. He just didn't know what to say.
Mild then reached out for both of his hands and held them tightly.
"I know what I did in the past caused you so much pain but I just wanna say sorry. On the night you called, nothing happened between us. And how could we even have sex when he wouldn't look me in the eyes or hold my hands! When Off knew about what I did, he went berserk. He even almost hit me in front of my parents, luckily Tay was there to calm him down. He still loves you, Gun. I know it because I've seen it with my own eyes. He left me at the altar to chase you. He almost had an accident on his way to find you but that bastard's a lucky one because the truck missed his car by an inch."
Gun swallowed the lump in his throat and bit his lips to stop the tears that were starting to well up in his eyes.
"I know you still love him, Gun. And I know you'll be happy in each other's arms. I've never seen Off that devastated because of a breakup. He drowned himself in tears, in alcohol. He even learned how to smoke, something he hated the most. So please I'm asking you. Give your love for each other a chance, so you could both be happy again and so I could find my peace as well...because Off's been nagging me non-stop to talk to you and explain things! Gosh, even my sleeping hours are disturbed. He just won't stop!"
Gun chuckled and wiped the tears on his face.
"What did your family say about your wedding?" he asked out of curiosity.
"It was Off's family who decided to completely call off the wedding. And of course, they would definitely! His mother almost had a heart attack when she saw the footage of the truck barely missing Off's car. He even locked himself in his unit after that. Even Tay couldn't get through him. It took us five months to completely get through him and talk to him without him breaking down."
"I-I don't know what to say."
"His father was the tougher one though. He still insisted of pushing through the wedding. I bet Off told you about his father."
"Wha-what did his father say?"
"Well, his heart softened the moment Off broke down in front of him and I couldn't help but be guilty seeing him in such state. He practically begged his father to let him go. Even go as far as disowning him as long as he will let Off be with you. It was a good thing his brother was there. I could still remember how his brother backed him up and supported him. You know, his brother went through something worse and he didn't want Off to suffer the same thing."
Gun remained silent as he listened to Mild. His tears continuously flowing down his face.
"I-I didn't know Off could do such thing for love. I've known him since we were young but I never saw him in such state. He was so vulnerable. He was so weak. It was as if he lost all his reasons to keep living. He was-he was literally dying, Gun. Especially when he knew that you left without a word."
"I-I,"
"You don't have to say anything. I know everything is hard to process yet. I just want you to know that Off's love for you has never wavered and I am sure of that. I know you may not be ready to give it another shot, but try to look inside your heart Gun. Love and pain have always been together, for it isn't love if it doesn't hurt once it's lost, right?"
Gun could only stare at Mild who was also teary eyed.
Mild pulled him into a tight hug, slowly caressing his back like she was comforting him.
"I gotta go. Remember Gun, love is something worth trying again no matter how many times it is."
______
"Oh where's Mild?" Off asked as he went back to the living room.
Gun just snickered.
"I thought you went to the Amazon river to fetch water."
"Sooo?" Off asked as he sat down on the sofa while placing a glass of water and a plate of cookies on the table.
Gun grabbed the glass and finished its contents in one go for his throat was dry from what transpired earlier.
He noticed that Off was fidgeting with his fingers, obviously nervous.
He just smiled and scooted closer to him as he enwrapped Off in a tight hug.
"G-Gun?"
He didn't say a word and just buried his head in Off's neck.
He was tired, tired of suppressing his feelings for Off so with all the strength in him, he broke down the walls he built through the years and threw all his inhibitions away. He just wanted to feel Off in his arms again.
Off wrapped his around him and pulled him closer.
"I miss this so much. I miss you so much," Off whispered before placing a kiss on his shoulder.
_____
"P'Ooffff. I can't breathe," he complained, pushing Off away as the latter was hugging him tightly.
They were currently in Off's room, in Off's bed specifically as the taller man just practically dragged him inside leaving him with no choice.
But instead of letting him go, Off just tightened his arms around his waist.
"No. I'm not letting you go. You might disappear again if I don't hold you tightly. And I just love the way you're calling me P'Off again though love sounds much better."
Gun stilled at the mention of their endearment.
"I-uh, are-are we back together?" he asked. His voice slightly faltering.
"Huh. It's up to you. I never broke up with you in the first place," Off replied and pulled him even closer.
Gun just smiled and reached out for Off's back.
"What are you doing?" Off asked as he started writing on his back.
But he didn't respond. He just continued tracing letters on Off's back.
"What are you writing on my back? AY?"
He chuckled and retraced the letters on his back, slower this time.
"O-K-A-Y. Okay?"
He couldn't help but laugh when Off grabbed his arms and broke their embrace to properly look at him.
"Okay? As in okay? Like you mean you're getting back with me??"
"It's up to you on how you give meaning to the word okay," he replied and turned his back to Off.
"Wait! You don't just turn your back after saying that, Gun Atthaphan."
He giggled as Off grabbed his shoulder and made him lie on his back.
"Yah, I already told you my answer. What else do you want?" he replied with a big smile on his face as he pointed his finger at Off.
But Off just hugged him for the nth time, even tighter this time.
"Oh shit, you just don't know how happy I am, Gun," Off exclaimed in his ears.
"Yaah, you're heavy. Get off meeee," he complained as he felt Off's weight on his body.
"No. I'm gonna stay on top of you forever!"
"P'Off! You're so gross!" Gun squealed as Off placed a firm kiss on his cheeks.
"Wanna do it right now?" Off said with a naughty look on the face.
"Seriously Off? We just got back and that's the first thing on your mind??"
"I just missed you so muuucch," Off whined.
"But-but I haven't cleaned it," he whispered as his cheeks turned red.
"Then let's go clean it!"
Gun muttered a curse as Off once again dragged him towards the bathroom.
"My goodness Off. The sun's still blaring outside!"
"Who gives a damn about the sun?!" Off responded with a laugh.
______
"You okay?"
Gun shot Off a dangerous glare as they waited for the takeaway food they ordered.
His bottom still hurt from all that they did earlier. Off didn't even change one bit.
He was still insatiable, a beast in bed and Gun couldn't help but get worried on how he was gonna cover up the marks on his body, especially the ones on his neck.
"You almost broke my hips and the bed and you dare ask if I'm okay?!" he replied as he slowly sat down on the sofa.
Off just grinned at him.
"It's your fault too for making me miss you this much. I have been making myself happy on my own for the past five years. You can't blame me if I got too excited."
"You liar. I know you wouldn't last a week without sex."
"Hey, I'm telling the truth. I haven't touched anyone for the past years."
He just gave him a judging look.
Off sat down on the floor beside him and clung to his arm while pouting like a small child.
"I have been loyal to you jaaaaaaa. You can ask Tay if you want to. I'm a good boy okay? Yours is the only body I wanna hold in bed."
"You're crazy," Gun giggled and ruffled Off's hair. "Fine, I believe you."
Off beamed at him, completely showing his teeth.
"I love you."
Gun stilled as he was caught off guard by Off's words. He hadn't heard it for the longest time from him and hearing it again somewhat stirred something in his heart.
"Hey, why are you so silent? It's okay. I can wait until you can say it back," Off smiled and got up as the buzzer sounded signifying that their order had arrived.
"I-I love you, too."
It was a whisper but it was enough to make Off stop in his tracks.
"Wha-what did you say?" Off exclaimed as he went back to where Gun was.
"I'm not saying it again."
"Oh come ooonnn. I heard you! You said it back!"
"Then I don't need to say it again. You already heard me."
"Please say it back naaaaaa. Pleasssee. I wanna hear it clearly naaaaa."
"Aren't you gonna open the door? The delivery man's about to break the buzzer."
"No. Not until you say it again."
Gun bit the insides of his cheeks to prevent himself from giggling as he looked at Off who was clinging to his arm, shaking it profusely.
"Don't shake me too much. It still hurts," he complained.
Off stopped shaking his arm and pouted.
"Fine," Gun surrendered. "I. love. you. I love you, Happy?" he said, putting emphasis on each word.
"Oh shit! Happy is an understatement!" Off exclaimed before putting a loud kiss on his lips.
Gun could only smile as he watched Off skip his way towards the door to get their food.
He felt happy and relieved at the same time for this time, he was sure, he was more than willing to give their love another shot.
"Here's our food jaaaaaaa," Off said as he placed the food on the table and opened them so they could start eating.
Off handed him the disposable spoon and fork but stopped.
"Huh? What's wrong?" he asked as Off returned the spoon and fork to the container.
"We forgot something."
He watched as Off scooted closer to him and reached out to his neck, carefully unlocking the necklace he was wearing.
Off then removed the ring from the lace and smiled at him.
"This looks better in your finger," Off said and held his left hand.
Gun couldn't help but smile as he watched Off slid the ring in his finger. A drop of tear fell from his eyes as Off gently kissed his hand, and he couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the emotions he had been trying to hide ever since they met again after so many years.
Off reached out to wipe the tears on his face and Gun could only stare at the man in front of him, the only man he had loved ever since he knew how to love and the only man he wanted to spend an eternity with.
"Thank you for giving me another chance to fulfill the promise I made to you years ago. I love you so much, Gun. I promise not to waste the chance you gave me. We may have been separated for years but I spent all those years thinking of you, loving you. I swear, I'm not letting you go again, not in this lifetime, " Off said as he crossed the gap between them, pulling Gun into a deep kiss.
_________________
Hello guys. I'm sorry for the late update. Just got busy with work lately because this pandemic has been too much pain in the ass we literally have to juggle several tasks at the same time to cope with the current situation.
Btw, I'm just here to squeal and be giddy over Theory of Love Special Episode. I just got in the Babii fam earlier this year but the amount of happiness OffGun has given me is astronomical. Like seriously, if they are not together, why aren't they?? Anyway #OFFGUNMarried. OffGun lang malakas. ð
Keep safe guys. Till next chapter.