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The Philippines has always been one of the more extroverted nations. He can talk to anyone and maintains good relations with every nation he interacts with, like a best friend to many. He can assimilate into different environments easily without needing a long adjustment period — he can always make friends and create a home no matter where he goes.
The Philippines has always been one of the more extroverted nations — that’s why it’s easy to tell when something is going on with him.
It was glaringly obvious during the meetings conducted by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), but something about these meetings causes the Southeast Asian to act a lot more differently. It could be because of the presence of nations outside of Southeast Asia, whom the Philippines is already comfortable enough to consider as family, yet it doesn’t quite match it either, since he’s shown himself to be very comfortable even with the nations from other regions, especially the ones present in APEC.
During these meetings, the Philippines, the mood maker of Southeast Asia who usually had no qualms about being polite and would rather be frank and upfront, strangely becomes quiet.
At first, it was concerning for everyone present. Usually, before a meeting starts, The Philippines would be starting conversations with everyone, perhaps even asking everyone to take a picture with him as a ‘remembrance’. Yet right now, his eyes were wandering all over the vicinity as if frantically searching for something, yet nobody was quite sure of what he’s looking for. He’s seated on his assigned seat with his back straight, his fingers tapping the polished wooden surface of the meeting table.
People have asked him if he’s okay — ranging from Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, to even New Zealand and Russia. It was completely different from the Philippines that they’ve interacted with during so many other meetings and events to the point it was unnerving.
Yet some nations were unfazed by this behavior, particularly America. He would come to where the Philippines is and chat with him like normal, not even commenting on how out-of-character the nation is acting. It was as if he was already used to the way he behaved, or perhaps he just didn’t really bother commenting on any changes, or maybe he didn’t even notice at all. It was hard to tell with America.
However, there are times where the American mentions about the changing scent of the Philippines. Small comments like “hey, you sprayed too much on yourself this time!” or “dude, maybe tone down the perfume?” of which the Asian only responds nervously, asking if it was too overwhelming or irritating to the nose. The Philippines becoming so self-conscious about how he smelled instead of exuding confidence is a complete 180 from how he usually presents himself.
The man has always smelled good — it came with his love for vanity, thus he kept a collection of perfumes and even attached a Jasmine flower to his uniform, known for its strong and sweet fragrance. Yet, during these times, he seems to turn it up a notch, most likely spraying more perfume on himself than usual. It was difficult to ignore, as the scent enters your nose even if you’re more than a meter away from the Southeast Asian nation. While it was pleasant, at times it can get too strong.
And then, when the meeting starts, as if a miracle has come upon them, the Philippines holds back on his strange ideas. Whenever he spoke, every word that comes out of his mouth is articulate, all of his suggestions were sound — as if thought up for a really long time — a contrast to the Philippines who suggested anything that his heart wants, like conducting meetings in a relaxed environment. He looked as if Germany possessed him, which was unnerving as that was definitely not the Philippines they were all used to. It was difficult to figure out whether the carefree version of himself was just a facade and this was him actually taking the meetings seriously. They had no idea which version they preferred.
And when their break comes, he usually ends up being the topic. The mystery of why the Philippines acts so strange in some meetings is the subject of gossip among nations, especially those who are close to him.
“He had light makeup on today,” Thailand says as he fills up his cup with water, hanging out with the other Southeast Asian nations by the water dispenser. Indonesia and Malaysia were with the Philippines, meanwhile.
“I wonder why he doesn’t exert that much effort in ASEAN meetings?” Vietnam comments, eyeing the figure of the Philippines who laughed at something Malaysia said. “Remember that time he appeared in the meeting while wearing a weird shirt? The one that had a cartoonish drawing of a torso in a swimsuit?” she recalls, putting a hand over her mouth as she suppresses a giggle because of the memory.
“I’m sticking to the theory that he’s out to impress someone. I just have no idea who,” Singapore says, eyes staring at the ground in deep thought, a hand under his chin. “I actually thought it was America at first, but with how he talks it doesn’t look like it’s him, but he might know who it is.”
“You’re giving the guy too much credit,” Vietnam scoffs. “But yeah, I don’t think it’s going to be him either.”
“Oh, looks like there’s a discussion going on here?”
The Southeast Asian nations raise their heads at the speaker, only to be greeted by a smiling Mexico, holding an empty mug that bore the colors of the Mexican flag in one hand. “Looks like it’s serious,” the nation says, his voice sweet and friendly. “Am I not being too intrusive? I just wanted to escape Chile and Peru since they’ve been teasing me for the entire day,” the newcomer sighs, and the Southeast Asians’ eyes immediately fall on to the South American nations watching from a distance, devious grins on their faces. ”Only if you don’t mind,” Mexico adds, rubbing the nape of his neck sheepishly with his free hand.
“It’s fine,” Singapore says. “You might even contribute something to the discussion. We’re just talking about the Philippines.”
This caught the attention of the North American nation, whose eyes widen at the mention of the name, yet was quick to recompose himself into plastering a friendly grin on his face, although it was visibly more cautious than the smile he wore previously. “What about the Philippines?”
“Oh, so you haven’t noticed?” Thailand’s eyes widen a little in genuine surprise. “He’s been acting strangely in some meetings, though none of us have any idea why.” He adds, and both Vietnam and Singapore nod in agreement. It was well-known among the nations that the Philippines was also particularly close with Latin America due to colonial ties, and with Mexico specifically, as he was once the Philippines’ caretaker. The Philippines hangs out with them a lot, even joining them in events like Reina Hispanoamericana despite not even being part of the Americas, so everyone just assumed they would know the Philippines’ personality as well, wouldn’t they?
“Oh, is that so...?” Mexico says, his voice becoming more like a nervous whisper, with his eyes frantically wandering to other places, reminiscent of the Philippines' searching for something with his eyes before the meeting started. “Sorry. I think I need to use the restroom for a bit.”
As the North American retreats and leaves the Southeast Asians alone by themselves, they all eyed each other, as if confirming with each other that what happened really did just happen and that they all had the same idea about what it meant. It was Vietnam who breaks the silence to voice out the conclusion they made from the very brief conversation with Mexico.
“He knows something.”
Singapore drinks from his cup, eyeing the back of the Mexican who was definitely walking in the opposite direction of where the restroom is.
“Hmmm... Menarik,” he says as he puts the cup down, a scheming smile forming on his lips. "I think this is what detectives call 'a lead'," he adds, which both Vietnam and Thailand nodded to in agreement.
Shortly after, the group joins Malaysia and Indonesia who were having animated discussions in a corner about flowers that don’t smell good, which everyone assumes stemmed from the Philippines retouching on his perfume earlier — floral-scented, The Philippines’ favorite scent, it seems.
“Hey, Philippines,” it was Thailand who speaks, a seemingly harmless smile etched on his face. “How come you’re not hanging around Mexico this meeting?”
This catches the attention of all the Southeast Asians present, even Malaysia and Indonesia who weren’t there by the water dispenser when they had the brief interaction with Mexico. The Philippines completely stops in his tirade about how each flower smells different, spluttering in his last words as he turns to face Thailand with a panicked gaze.
“Excuse me?”
Thailand only shrugs, but Singapore and Vietnam can easily tell that the nation was enjoying the rare opportunity of getting the Philippines flustered instead of the other way around. “Was just wondering. You always hang out with everyone during meetings but I haven’t seen you hang out with Mexico today. Are you two having trouble with each other? He seemed avoidant earlier when we mentioned you.”
“He was...?” All of a sudden, the panicked gaze of the Philippines softens into something sadder — disappointment. Vietnam and Singapore share an alarmed look with each other. Indonesia stares at the three of them with suspicious eyes, to which Singapore only mouths ‘I’ll explain later’. Malaysia doesn’t seem very fazed by what is happening around him. “Did he say anything about me?”
“Nothing, really. He just looked... um... Flustered? Embarrassed? When we mentioned you,” it’s Vietnam who answers this time, slightly elbowing Thailand for his choice of words. “Nothing wrong is going on between the two of you, is there?”
“Nothing,” the Philippines says, uncharacteristically giving a weak smile, which did very little to reassure everyone. “Nothing is going on between us at all,” he says, in the typical Philippines fashion which felt like there was something more to that sentence.
“Don’t worry, Philippines! I know how that feels when you really want someone to look at you but instead, they avoid you!” Malaysia simply states, obviously unaware of the grim atmosphere surrounding the conversation but more aware of the topic than expected. It was able to lift the mood nonetheless, with Singapore, caught off-guard initially, puffing his cheeks and giving him a disapproving stare. The topic has been dropped temporarily, shifting to the conversation of trying to make Singapore call Malaysia his ‘abang’.
The break wasn’t very eventful except for the usual shenanigans. Eventually, they had to go back to the meeting table to resume discussion, and when it was finally Mexico’s time to talk, there were definitely pairs of eyes trying to observe anything amiss with how the Philippines reacted, particularly from the Southeast Asians present in that discussion with Mexico earlier in the day.
It wasn’t much at first — the Philippines staring at the presenting nation intently instead of his usual commentary, a role which America assumed instead, giving out the weirdest ideas involving superheroes, for some reason. The Philippines took down notes attentively... perhaps almost too much, which is a huge contrast with his tendency to not take notes at all, relying on ‘stock knowledge’ to retain every information from the meeting. But the most telling difference was the way his eyes just melted as the presenting nation laid out his report.
Warmth radiated from the Asian’s purple eyes, and the way his lips curl up definitely shows his pride, as if he was genuinely proud of Mexico just standing there and presenting, which would have been more understandable if Mexico wasn’t used to public speaking or hosting major conferences in the first place.
And for a while, as he stands in front, Mexico’s eyes catch the Philippines’, and Singapore blinks his own as Mexico messes up his words before turning his gaze away to the opposite direction, his cheeks and the tips of his ears turning red. It was easy to miss, but not when you’ve been eyeing the way both nations interact with each other. There’s been some chuckling in the background from where the present South American nations sit, and Mexico of course cannot escape commentary from his loud northern neighbor.
“Dude, you’re red as a tomato!”
“Dios mio, shut up!”
Pieces of the puzzle start to click together within Singapore’s head, but perhaps the final piece that completed the picture was the little glimpse he had of the Philippines’ notebook, which he initially thought to be filled with notes. Instead, the pages were filled with little doodles, particularly of the Mexican standing in front, with little sparkles on the sides, and words that seemed to form lyrics. Singapore couldn’t help but snicker at the realization of what was happening all this time.
Unfortunately, the Philippines seemed to have heard the snicker and immediately turned to Singapore’s seat right across from him. Upon realizing that the smaller nation’s eyes were on the pages of his little notebook, the Philippines covers them immediately with his hands. The effort was futile, however. Singapore has already seen enough, and the nation makes it known by flashing him a knowing smile, which the Philippines only responds to by gesturing zipping his mouth to tell him to keep quiet.
Singapore knows the Philippines has always been quite of a hopeless romantic. He’s witnessed how the man was like when in love before Spain took him away from Brunei, but he’s never seen him quite as in love as before when he finally gained independence. Singapore knows little of the exact events when he was locked up in Spain’s house, not allowed to have contact with anyone but Mexico. All that he knew were the details that the Philippines told them about.
It made sense to conclude that he’s fallen in love with Mexico during the time they were together, and the Mexican was aware yet both seemed to have not acted upon any of those feelings. It must’ve been why the Philippines writes so many songs where he yearns for love. Perhaps there’s some bitterness in his heart about it, and that’s why he keeps insisting to everyone that ‘forever doesn’t exist’, which felt like an unusually cynic stance for someone like the Philippines, who led a positive outlook in life despite the calamities and tragedies that have hit him time and time again.
No wonder why it felt like America is aware. He’s neighbors and good friends with Mexico and is also really good friends with the Philippines.
The difference in how the Philippines is acting right now from the usual — such as him obviously dressing up to impress but not being upfront in approaching Mexico, choosing to watch from afar in admiration — now that Singapore thinks about it, reminds him of a word that some of the Filipinos he talked to in his place mentioned at one point.
Torpe. When a person gets shy whenever around the person they admire, no matter how extroverted or loud they usually are. He remembered wondering at the time if the Philippines would end up like that if he ever falls head over heels for anyone.
It’s all confirmed now, however. The Philippines is a torpe and very much in love with Mexico. And based on how Mexico reacted to meeting eyes with the nation, then he’s aware and gets flustered by the affection.
It didn’t take long before the meeting officially ends. Usually, the nations would hang out in groups with their closest friends — some would loiter around the area and catch up on each other, and others would immediately leave the conference venue to go sightseeing. But for every meeting that the Philippines is in, there is something that is almost a tradition already.
“Everyone, let’s take a picture!”
Some nations groan, and some of the nations who were already used to this part of a meeting immediately stood up from where they sat to gather around the Southeast Asian Nation. The Philippines is already setting up his phone on his selfie stick. As usual, it’s the Southeast Asian Nations who stand directly beside the selfie-loving nation, but as Singapore eyes the corner of Mexico from the back of the group alongside Peru and Chile, an idea pops up in his head and he proceeds to walk towards where the nation was standing. This is something the Philippines has done for him and Malaysia before — it’s only right to give him a taste of his medicine, of course.
“Singapore, you’re small, you’re not supposed to go to the back!” The Philippines says, a little scolding but not seriously mad — more confused, having no idea what the younger nation was going to do.
Small hands grip the arm of the Mexican, who only looked at Singapore with wide eyes, like a deer caught in the headlights. The man tilts his head and asks, “Is there anything you needed from me, Singapore?”
“Want to trade places?”
This seemed to have caught attention from the other nations — some who were aware of the thing going on between the two former Spanish Colonies, like America who cheered and Chile and Peru who whistled; some who had no idea about what was happening, just watching things unfold with curious eyes. Eventually, Mexico was being led by Singapore to stand beside a red-faced Philippines, who couldn’t even look at the man.
“Stop getting all shy all of a sudden and let’s take a picture!” America demands, but with a teasing wink at the Philippines whose hand was shaking as it held the selfie stick.
Due to his unsteady grip, the pictures ended up a little blurry and not at the same quality as the usual selfies he took — and it was obvious that the Philippines was very disappointed by how the pictures turned out, pouting at the screen as he scrolls through the pictures, some of the nations already dispersing thinking that the photo session is already over, discussing where they would go next and what places to go around the area for sightseeing together. The Southeast Asians themselves, sans the Philippines who was busy looking at the photos, were already having their own conversation to try out some food nearby.
Sighing, Mexico took it upon himself and wrapped his warm hand around the Philippines’ hand that held the selfie stick, raising it in the air again at an angle that captures only the two of them.
“I will help you,” Mexico said in a gentle and reassuring whisper, an angelic smile adorning his face.
Still red-faced, the Philippines lets the other nation wrap his hand around his own, maneuvering the selfie stick together and taking the pictures without letting go of his hand. The two of them were very close. The Philippines could feel the heat emanating from the Mexican’s body, with Mexico’s breathing tickling his ear. The loud beating of Mexico's heart betrayed the calm facade that he had.
The two nations were seemingly stuck in their own world where it was only the two of them inside the conference room.
“Oh wait, you guys didn’t say there’s a second photo session!” America cheers before jumping in between the two, eventually bursting the bubble of alone time Mexico and the Philippines thought they had as he grips the shoulders of both nations, his excited yell capturing the attention of all the nearby nations.
“Jusko, why is it always you?” The Philippines whines — yet he still put the selfie stick up regardless. Due to the commotion that America caused when he yelled, everyone is back to taking pictures once again. But this time around, Mexico’s hands wrapped around the Philippines as they both held the selfie-stick. The smirks on the faces of the nations who have been aware of what’s happening between the two and the Philippines' rare flustered expression are now immortalized in a photo.
When the session was over, a smile etches itself on the Philippines’ face — a more familiar satisfied cat grin. One that looked a lot closer to the smile he wore whenever he’s in his usual loud and confident self.
“That’s better, isn’t it?” Mexico says.
The two nations lock eyes and are immediately lost once again in their own world. Mexico tightens his grip on the Philippines’ hands, not intending to let go of his hold on them. He traces his thumbs over the back of the Asian nation’s palms, and the Philippines feels a calming tickle overwhelm his senses from the sensation. His tense shoulders relax, and the Southeast Asian feels the desire to just be wrapped in a warm embrace by the man holding his hand.
Suddenly, he’s not nervous anymore while being so close to Mexico. It’s the most comfortable he’s been in years — like those days when Mexico would accompany him to sleep back when they were both in Spain’s house. The Philippines would cry every night, missing his family that Spain cut off from him. It was Mexico who was there, rubbing soothing circles on his back — the one who the Philippines felt was his only family during those dark times.
“Yeah. Better,” the Philippines whispers, nodding as warmth about the memories of the old times they shared spread through his chest.
“I think it’s better too,” Mexico comments before chuckling. “Just interact with me normally, like how we used to.”
And with those words, the red flush to the Philippines’ cheek returns. He knows he hasn’t been himself much during the meetings where Mexico is present. Ever since he realized that his feelings for the other were more than brotherly and a lot more intimate, he had no idea how to act about it. He’s always been quite the shameless Asian nation, yet somehow, he only wants Mexico to see the only good parts of him.
Somehow, his usual perfume wasn’t good enough anymore. His usual looks weren’t going to make Mexico fall in love with him if it hadn’t done that already before. And of course, he wasn’t going to impress Mexico if all he shows of himself is his carefree personality, giving out random ideas that he didn’t really think anything deeply about. His weird t-shirts make other nations laugh, but he doesn’t want Mexico to only see him as a clown with a strange fashion sense. He can definitely be stylish too.
The Philippines didn’t feel like anything about him felt enough to be admired by someone like Mexico. And yet here is the North American nation, telling him to interact with him normally — like how they used to do. He wonders if all of the changes he did just annoyed the other nation and made him like him less. Thailand did mention earlier that he was avoidant when he was mentioned, so he may have made the nation uncomfortable, didn’t he?
“Would you like me better if I did that?” The Philippines asks, taking in a deep breath in anticipation of the nation’s answer. He already had a few ideas about what the other nation would say, from kind rejections (‘I like it better, but not the way you want it to be’) to out-of-character and mean rejections, just to prepare his heart (‘as if I will ever like you that way!).
But nothing prepared him for the answer of the Latino.
“I already like you very much,” Mexico says. “I don’t know if it’s possible to like you more than I already do.”
The world that the two created where it’s only the two of them immediately crumbles upon the cheering of America, who punches the air as he yelled ‘Finally, they said it!’ Mexico only laughs awkwardly at him, not having realized they had an audience.
The Philippines looks around, finally realizing that they captured the attention of some of the nations who still didn’t leave the venue after taking the last photo. His eyes fall towards the Southeast Asian Nations, particularly Singapore — the boy who was the reason why Mexico ended up standing beside him in the first place.
‘You’re welcome,’ Singapore mouths before winking at the other Southeast Asian. The Philippines doesn’t know whether to be annoyed or to thank the other. He decides that maybe he can thank the nation after he hit him with his tsinelas.
“We ended up getting attention. Your fault for acting so weird whenever we meet lately,” Mexico sighs, no malice laced in his voice.
“Not my fault I’m popular,” the Philippines says with a proud smile, his usual sass finally making an appearance around Mexico once again. The Latino rolls his eyes but then also smiles at the familiar tone of voice.
“Anyway, Chile and Peru went off on their own already. I don’t really feel like hanging out with America. Wanna run off somewhere together? I know a place around here that I think you’ll love,” Mexico suggests, completely ignoring the background protests of the American in the vicinity.
“Are you... asking me out on a date?” The Philippines raises his brows, unsure about the speed of how everything was happening. But Mexico put to rest all of his doubts when he placed the Philippines’ hand closer to his lips and left a small kiss on the back of his hand.
“A date?” Mexico chuckles. “Seguro.”