Chapter Text
Agatha leaned back against the plush cushions of their sofa, letting the comforting silence of their condo wrap around her like a warm blanket. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the distant sounds of the city outside were the only things filling the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere that perfectly mirrored the contentment she felt in her heart.
It had been two years since Clover had asked Agatha to write their story together, and in those two years, their lives had intertwined in ways Agatha had only dreamed of. The condo they shared was nestled in a quiet neighborhood near the university where Agatha worked—a place both of them had grown to love even more as they built their lives together. The walls were adorned with memories, each picture frame holding a moment of joy, laughter, or quiet reflection. Their home was a sanctuary, a testament to the love and partnership they had cultivated since that pivotal moment when Clover had decided to stay in the Philippines for good.
Agatha’s gaze drifted to the bookshelf that lined one side of the living room, her eyes settling on a familiar spine. To Someone from a Warm Climate by Hozier. The book Clover had gifted her when they had taken that first leap into their shared future. Agatha smiled softly, recalling how she had savored each passage, how the words had echoed the deep connection they had felt even then. It was more than a gift; it was a symbol of their commitment, a promise that they would face whatever the future held together.
Her thoughts wandered to the day Clover had told her she was staying. It had been a day like any other, yet the weight of Clover’s words had changed everything. They had been sitting in a cozy café, the kind they both loved, with warm wooden tables and the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the air. Clover had been quieter than usual, her eyes thoughtful as she stirred her drink. Agatha had sensed something was on her mind, but she hadn’t pressed—she knew Clover would speak when she was ready.
“I’ve been thinking,” Clover had begun, her voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of emotion that made Agatha’s heart skip a beat.
“About us. About the future.” Clover added.
Agatha had nodded, her hand reaching out to cover Clover’s, offering silent support. She had known that Clover had been grappling with the decision of whether to stay in the Philippines or return to the U.S., where her career had been flourishing. The uncertainty had weighed on both of them, but Agatha had never pressured Clover, knowing that this was a choice she had to make on her own.
“I don’t want to regret anything,” Clover had continued, her gaze meeting Agatha’s with a clarity that took her breath away.
“I don’t want to look back and wish I had stayed. I don’t want to lose you, Agatha. So... I've processed my transfer. I’m staying here, for good.”
Agatha had felt a rush of emotions—relief, joy, love—all mingling into a single tear that had escaped down her cheek. She had squeezed Clover’s hand, her voice barely above a whisper as she replied,
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like you’re giving up anything for me.”
Clover had shaken her head, a soft smile playing on her lips.
“I’m not giving up anything. I’m choosing you, us. I can’t afford to let you slip away again. I want to be here, with you. This is where I belong.”
Those words had cemented the bond between them, a bond that had only grown stronger over the past two years. They had built a life together in the Philippines, one that was filled with shared dreams, quiet mornings, and the kind of love that felt as natural as breathing. Agatha’s career at the university had flourished, and Clover had found her own path, transitioning her work to fit their new life without losing the passion that had driven her.
As Agatha sat there, reflecting on all they had built together, she realized just how content and comfortable their life had become. The condo was more than just a place to live; it was a home filled with warmth and love. They had found a rhythm that suited them both, balancing their careers with time spent together, exploring the city, cooking meals in their small but cozy kitchen, and simply enjoying each other’s company.
Their weekends were often spent exploring the neighborhood, trying out new cafes, or simply enjoying each other’s company at home. Agatha would work on her lectures, while Clover would sit nearby, reading or working on her own projects. There was a quiet contentment in these moments, a sense that they were exactly where they were meant to be.
Tonight, however, Clover had gone out to pick up some food from a new Japanese restaurant that had opened nearby. Agatha missed her already, the apartment feeling a little too quiet in her absence. She picked up her phone and sent a quick message, the words a mix of affection and playful longing.
“Love, where are you na? :( I miss you already. Come home naaa,” Agatha typed, her heart warming at the thought of Clover’s inevitable response.
She didn’t have to wait long. Her phone buzzed with a reply.
“Pauwi na po, love,” Clover texted back, followed by a picture of herself wearing a cap, her face slightly flushed from the evening air. Agatha couldn’t help but smile at the sight, her heart fluttering at how effortlessly Clover could make her feel giddy.
“I’m close na sa condo,” Clover added.
“I bought you some sushi. May new Japanese resto near us pala.”
Agatha’s smile widened, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She felt a surge of affection for Clover, who always seemed to know exactly what would make her happy.
“So pogi na nga,” Agatha replied teasingly,
“nanglilibre pa.”
Clover’s response was quick, playful as always.
“May bayad ’to.”
Agatha chuckled softly, enjoying the banter.
“I thought it was libre,” she texted back, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed.
“Kiss,” Clover replied, her message as cheeky as her grin probably was in real life.
Agatha felt her heart skip a beat, the playful exchange filling her with a warmth that only Clover could evoke.
“Hmm,” she typed, pausing for effect before adding,
“Then you should probably walk faster, Ar. Velasco, if you want me to pay up.”
There was a brief pause, just long enough for Agatha to imagine Clover picking up her pace, before the final message came through.
“Open the door.”
Agatha’s heart swelled with happiness as she got up from the couch and walked towards the door. This was what their life had become—a series of small, meaningful moments that made up the larger tapestry of their love. They had built a life together that was comfortable, content, and filled with the kind of joy that comes from knowing you are exactly where you belong.
As Agatha reached for the door handle, she couldn’t help but think back to all the choices that had led them here. Clover had made the brave decision to stay, to choose love over ambition, and in doing so, she had given them both a life that was more beautiful than either of them could have imagined. They were living a love story that was still unfolding, chapter by chapter, in the place they both loved so much.
She opened the door, and there stood Clover, a bag of sushi in one hand, and that familiar, loving smile on her face. Agatha’s heart swelled with affection as she stepped forward to greet the woman who had become her home. Clover’s eyes softened, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other, the world outside fading into insignificance.
Clover gently set the bag down on the small table near the entrance, her full attention on Agatha. Without a word, she reached out, cupping Agatha’s face in her hands, her thumbs brushing softly across her cheeks. Agatha closed her eyes, leaning into Clover’s touch, feeling the warmth and tenderness that always accompanied Clover’s presence.
When Agatha opened her eyes again, Clover was leaning in, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. Clover’s gaze was filled with a depth of love that made Agatha’s heart flutter. Slowly, Clover closed the distance, pressing her lips to Agatha’s in a kiss that was sweet and lingering, yet held a quiet intensity that spoke of everything they had been through together.
The kiss deepened, Clover’s lips moving tenderly against Agatha’s, savoring the connection that felt as vital as the air they breathed. Agatha’s hands found their way to Clover’s waist, pulling her closer, wanting to feel as much of her as possible. The warmth of Clover’s body against hers, the softness of her lips, the way Clover’s fingers gently tangled in her hair—it all combined to create a moment that felt both grounding and transcendent.
When they finally parted, they were both breathless, their foreheads resting against each other’s as they soaked in the closeness. Clover’s thumb traced the curve of Agatha’s jaw, and she smiled softly, her voice a whisper in the quiet of their home.
“I’m home,” Clover said, her words carrying the weight of all the love and commitment she had poured into their life together.
Agatha’s heart overflowed with emotion, and she smiled back, her eyes shining with unshed tears of happiness.
“Welcome home.” she whispered, her voice filled with all the love she felt for this incredible woman who had chosen her, who had chosen them.
She closed the door behind them, sealing in the warmth and love they had built together. As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, Agatha knew that this—this love, this life, this shared journey—was more than she had ever dreamed of. And she was endlessly grateful that Clover had chosen to stay, to build this beautiful life with her, one kiss, one moment, one day at a time.