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It's looking like a beautiful Sunday morning at the Rivera-Claver household. Gelo and Mikki groaned as they felt a heavy weight resting on each of their shoulders.
"Daddy. Papa. Wake up!" the little voice shrieked.
"Five minutes, baby," Gelo mumbled almost inaudibly.
It has become a habit for their cute-as-a-button five-year-old son to barge in their room on Sundays, at as early as six in the morning to repeatedly remind them that it's family day and they need to take him out on a date.
Mikee was the name they so lovingly chose for their little one, which is short for Michael Angelo, their first names combined. Right when they first saw him, they already knew that the name belonged to him, like missing pieces of the puzzle that fit together.
The little kid finally got off of his fathers' bodies and proceeded to shake them awake.
"It's family day! It's family day! Wake up, please!"
Mikki finally budged, feeling more awake with each move Mikee made.
"Kiss Daddy first," Mikki said, with only one eye open to look out for their adorable son.
Mikee willingly obliged, leaning down to give Mikki a kiss on the cheek. He then did the same thing to Gelo, who tackled him into a bear hug, refusing to let him go despite his protests.
"Papa! You're so heavy po. Ihh!"
Mikki sat up, laughing at the scene happening right in front of his eyes. His heart melted at the sight of two of his favorite people in the world.
"Daddy, help!" Mikee screeched, one hand trying to reach out to Mikki.
"Akala niyo kayo lang ha," he grinned.
He dove towards the two, further crushing Mikee into a sandwich. He blew raspberries on his tummy which made the boy giggle uncontrollably. The family erupted into fits of laughter and he could swear it was the best music his ears have ever heard.
Mikee managed to squirm out of their grasp but Gelo single-handedly grabbed him again to pepper kisses all over his face.
"Good morning, anak," he chirped.
Mikee was beaming and chuckling, clearly overjoyed by his Papa's show of affection. Meanwhile, Mikki pouted and pretended to sulk, when deep inside his heart could burst anytime with the thought that they had really built a lovely family together.
"May favoritism dito ah."
At that, Gelo extended his arms to him, rolling over to his attention-deprived husband. They didn't even notice Mikee marching out the door.
"Selos naman agad ang big baby ko," he cooed as he pecked him on his forehead, nose, chin, and lips before working his way around to his ear and nibbled on his earlobe.
Mikki sighed, scooting closer to Gelo. "Can we stay in today?" He asked, tangling their legs together.
"Di pwede. Mas malala magtampo ang anak mo. Ewan ko lang kung kanino nagmana."
Mikki couldn't deny this. Once something has been ingrained in Mikee's mind, it would be difficult to convince him otherwise. That's why they value the importance of being true to their word.
"He's so excited. Kagabi pa niya bukambibig 'to," he said, giggling slightly.
"Kaya bumangon na tayo bago pa ulit sumugod yun dito."
Gelo gave him a parting kiss on the forehead before rolling out of bed to officially start their day.
Mikki followed suit, glancing at himself in the mirror to fix his hair.
"I'll go prepare breakfast na, babe."
"Sunod ako."
***
Mikee was obviously in high spirits, utterly pleased with his Dad's cooking. He specifically requested for bacon and eggs which Mikki happily granted. The family started eating all together, bonding over stories shared mostly by the kid, who couldn't stop rambling about how excited he was to get that new sword he's been eyeing for quite a while now.
"Finish up na so we could go get your sword, okay? But before that, may bibilhin muna kami ni Dad mo. Then we'll go buy your toys and then we'll eat wherever you want. Okay ba?" Gelo laid out all the details to which Mikee intently listened to and agreed with.
"Wait. Toys?" Mikee's eyes lit up.
Mikki made an amused face while gathering their plates to bring to the kitchen sink.
"Lagot," he commented.
***
They each held Mikee's hands as they shopped for a vacuum cleaner. Between the two of them, it was Gelo who loved cleaning and maintaining their home, so Mikki left the choosing to him, only giving comments every time Gelo showed him a certain brand.
It was during moments like this that he's reminded how lucky he was for choosing the best life partner and father he could've chosen for their son. His husband is now a full-fledged lawyer, having passed the bar exam three years ago, while he's also making a name for himself as one of the fast-rising filmmakers of the Philippines. Despite being busy with their respective careers, Gelo makes sure to prepare some snacks both for Mikki and Mikee right before going to work. Mikki, on the other hand, loves giving Gelo massages after a long day and helping Mikee with his homeworks.
"Mikki. Nakikinig ka ba?" Gelo's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Yes, sorry."
Gelo squinted his eyes at him. "Anong iniisip mo?"
Mikki shook his head, and then pulled him close and kissed his cheek. "Swerte ko sa'yo."
Gelo's lips curled into a smile, his fingers caressing Mikki's own.
It was only when they looked down that they realized that Mikee had somehow managed to escape from their grasp.
They looked startled. No. Horrified. Mall of Asia was huge. And it was a huge place to get lost in.
Panic started to take over them as they began to frantically search for their son. He's quite a handful, and they both knew this, so Mikki couldn't help but blame himself for failing to look after him.
"Fuck fuck fuck. Gelo. Shit."
Gelo shushed him, reassuring him that Mikee mustn't have gone far from where they are yet.
They looked around the toys section, fervently hoping Mikee was just too excited for his sword instead of the unacceptable possibility of him getting lost.
The couple thought they heard familiar voices, so they followed the source.
Akira and JL were at the cashier paying for what looked like a long and sharp-pointed item and cradled in Akira's arms was none other than Mikee. At that, they both heaved a sigh of relief.
Nevertheless, Mikki still greeted JL with a good-humored smack on his back.
"Aray ko! Binilhan ko na nga ng sword 'tong anak niyo, hahampasin mo pa' ko," JL complained.
"Mikee, what did we say about asking permission?" Gelo chided their five-year-old, whose head was now resting in Mikki's arms.
"Sorry po, Papa. Ang tagal niyo po kasi," Mikee reasoned out, his puppy dog face displayed in full effect.
Akira cracked up, nudging Gelo.
"Manang mana sa asawa mo oh," he remarked.
"Ang galing mambudol ng anak niyo, pre. Nakita lang kami, tinuro agad samin 'to," JL added, referring to the toy he just bought for his and Akira's godson.
"Tama lang yan. Nakalimutan mo namang bigyan ng pamasko 'to nung nakaraan," Gelo joked.
"December din birthday eh. Isahan na lang."
Mikee covered his ears and blurted out, "Noisy."
They exchanged glances in amusement and a wave of laughter filled the air.
"Dasurv." Mikki stuck a tongue out at JL.
"Anak mo nga 'to," JL tut-tutted, jokingly shaking his head.
Gelo caressed Mikee's hair, gently asking him if he said thank you to his ninongs.
"Yes po. I said arigato and Tito Aki understood because he's half-Japanese," Mikee answered.
"Pati yung pagka-hilig niya sa anime nakuha niya kay Mikki ah. Kabahan ka na, Gelo," Akira teased Gelo while giving Mikki a high-five.
Gelo just laughed it out and asked their friends to join them for lunch.
"Wag na. Diretso na tayo kina Nate," Akira said.
Gelo and Mikki shared a confused look.
"Ano, punta tayong Chicago?" Mikki scoffed.
JL slapped Akira on the back of his head, giving him a pointed look.
"Char." Akira smiled sheepishly, flashing a peace sign in panic.
"May alam kaming bagong restaurant dito. Tara," JL diverted.
He led everybody to the parking lot, instructing the Rivera-Clavers to follow them, but suddenly Gelo remembered the main reason why they were at the mall, so he went back to get the vacuum cleaner and paid for it quickly.
When they were settled inside the car, Mikee clapped his hands together. "Finally!"
Mikki glanced at him from the rear-view mirror. "Finally what, love?"
He shook his head and mumbled something under his breath.
Mikki raised an eyebrow at Gelo, who could only manage to shrug as he was just as clueless as he is.
The rest of the drive was quiet. Mikee fell asleep hugging his octopus plushie. And Mikki was still driving, following JL and Akira to God-knows-where.
Gelo figured it was going to be a long ride so he played some music to keep them entertained.
He looked at Mikki and asked him, "You okay, baby?"
Mikki squeezed Gelo's thigh with his right hand and then laced his fingers through Gelo's.
"Mhmm. Hungry lang," he replied before pressing a soft kiss to his hand.
Gelo found this so sexy — Mikki driving with one hand on the steering wheel, all while driving him crazy with his other hand firmly holding his.
This was one of Gelo's favorite romantic gestures. He loves how his husband, by force of habit, toys with his fingers while driving and he especially loves red lights because it means stoplight kisses, and stoplight kisses means butterflies in his stomach.
This has been going on for almost ten years now and it never fails to do the trick. He just falls in love with him more and more every single day and Gelo never thought it was possible to hold that much love inside a person's heart. But Mikki's here and he married him and sometimes he still couldn't believe it.
JL and Akira's car finally came to a halt and it seemed like they had reached their destination. Mikki parked the car properly, while Mikee climbed to the front and asked to be carried by Gelo as he was probably a little bit groggy from sleep.
As soon as they got out, they were met by two tall figures standing by the dark blue gate, waving at them. They couldn't believe their eyes at first, but it only took a moment to recognize who they were.
"Uncle Nate! Auntie AC!"
Mikee shimmied out of Gelo's arms, asking to be put down as he ran his way to his parents' college best friends.
"There goes our favorite boy!" Nate had his arms outstretched for Mikee, and Mikki couldn't help but notice how much buffer he had gotten.
"Buffcalla!" he called out to him, and Nate laughed at the nickname he had coined for him way back when they were in college.
"Sorry. It's Buffercalla now," he grinned.
They all exchanged hugs and pleasantries. Nate and AC left for the US right after graduation to take up some master classes on dancing. Although AC loved her course which was public health, dancing is where her heart is. And to share it with someone she loves makes it all better.
"We missed you guys so much! Buti na lang little Mikee right here could keep a secret," AC said, pinching Mikee's cheeks. "Unlike Aki na muntik na raw madulas."
Nate shared how they video-called Mikee to tell him about their plans and to strictly keep this a secret from his parents.
As soon as they entered the house, they were surprised to see tables adorned with exquisite centerpieces and beautiful hanging flower baskets. Jazz music filled the air but one distinct voice stood out, and it belonged to none other than–
"Bestaes!"
Jao rushed to greet them, giving both Gelo and Mikki side hugs. He then proceeded to give Mikee a piggyback ride, whom he specifically taught to call him tito bestae.
Gelo looked around the house and he realized that everybody was there. The girls, Aiah, Mikha and Colet, were busy preparing the food, grilling some barbecues, burgers and hotdogs.
Taneo was busy lifting some chairs and arranging them per table, but stopped to say hi and exchange handshakes with the new arrivals.
Seated comfortably while chugging on a bottle of beer was Vince, and sitting beside him was his boyfriend, Franz.
"Ang aga aga, inom agad," Mikki commented as he pulled a chair to join them.
"Teka ano bang meron? Ba't may pa-party na agad?" Gelo asked everybody.
AC handed him her phone which showed a group photo of them inside a bar around BGC.
Gelo frowned in confusion. Sure it was a photo of their college barkada – him, AC, Vince, Mikha, Akira, and Jao, but he didn't quite understand the context.
"Now zoom in and look carefully," she instructed, and he did as she said.
He squinted his eyes, and slowly, like adjusting the focus on a pair of binoculars, he found Mikki in the background.
"September 11. It was the night we first met, babe," Mikki said, smiling.
"10 years na yun?"
Mikha placed a plate of barbecues on their table and patted Gelo's back.
"Naku. Mas matagal pa sa 10 years yung sa kanya no. High school pa lang crush ka na nito eh. Ano nga ulit tawag mo sa kanya?" she teased.
"Cute curly boy!" their friends said in chorus.
Gelo's gummy smile effortlessly came out and he covered his ears in embarrassment.
"Napaka cheesy talaga," JL remarked as he began to set up the karaoke machine.
"Says the one who used to simp on Aki." Taneo was quick with the comeback, earning a collective roar from the group.
After a series of jests and banters, the group finally gathered together to eat with Mikee leading the prayer before meals.
Mikki looked at his best friend, Colet, who was still busy cooking for them. He noticed she was alone and they hadn't spoken with each other much, so he went to join her and talk to her.
"Coletskie," he started.
"Oh?" Colet only gave him a perfunctory glance, as she was too preoccupied with layering her lasagna.
"You need help?" Mikki offered.
She shook her head, saying she's almost done anyway.
"Musta? Di mo na ako niyayayang lumabas ah," he joked, to which Colet snorted.
"Kasi naman direk, masyado ka nang busy sa life. Pero hayaan mo, bisitahin ko kayo sa bahay niyo minsan."
Out of all of them, Colet has always been the independent one. The ever self-reliant and reliable friend. But it dawned on Mikki that sometimes even the strongest ones need somebody to lean on.
He squeezed her shoulders reassuringly, a silent reminder that he would always be there. Her eyes brimmed with tears, as this was something she needed today of all days, seeing all their friends coming in pairs except for her. Either that or she was just on her period.
Back at their table, songbooks were being passed around. One can always count on Jao to start the ball rolling, so he started the karaoke session with his favorite Dua Lipa classic.
He dragged his shy boyfriend with him to the center and asked Taneo to dance for him.
They were all dying of laughter by the time he started singing. Franz grabbed the mic from his brother midsong and challenged him to a dance battle.
My love is like a rocket, watch it blast off
And I'm feeling so electric, dance my arse off
And even if I wanted to, I can't stop
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Next on the list was definitely Vince's song. As soon as the instrumental started, everybody rose from their seats and raised a bottle of beer, swaying to the beat of the music.
Nais kong magpakalasing
Dahil wala ka na
Nakatingin sa salamin
At nag-iisa
Gelo took a moment to explain to Mikee that beer wasn't good for kids and that only adults like him and his aunts and uncles can have one.
"Just a sip, Papa!" He tried to persuade him.
"No, baby. Only water and juice for you, okay?"
Mikee pouted, but soon relented without persisting. He raised his glass of water instead and enjoyed the song without understanding the lyrics.
The mic was then passed to Mikha, who chose Aiah's favorite old song. The latter's knees were wobbling and she was laughing uncontrollably. That's how you know she's tipsy.
Mikee had a concerned look on his face. The concept of getting drunk was still completely new to him, so he asked Gelo if his aunt was okay. Gelo reassured him that she was just having too much fun.
"I love you guys so much! As in talaga. I just can't believe how far we've.. come." Her voice trailed off and then she started sobbing.
"Na unsa man ni oy?" Mikha held her waist to keep her steady.
"Magpromise talaga kayo. Kahit saan man tayo mapunta in this world, we'll always be together! At dahil diyan, love, music please!" Aiah shrieked and set aside her beer to gear up for what would be the performance of her life.
We'll always be together
However far it seems
We'll always be together
Together in electric dreams
"Everybody dance!" she jumped up and down, like the life of the party she always had been.
Because the friendship that you gave me
Has taught me to be brave
No matter where I go
I'll never find a better prize
The lyrics did make sense. As Gelo took the time to gaze at each of the people surrounding him, he realized that he had all that he needed. That sometimes the love we have with our lifelong friends, the ones who are with us through every change, every milestone, breakthroughs and joys and heartbreaks — sometimes these are the greatest love stories ever written.
A couple more songs were sung and one too many drinks had been had. But it only took a few yawns from Mikee to know that it's time to go home.
Mikki used to be the party animal back in the days, but now that he has more responsibilities — responsibilities he gladly took upon himself, he knew better than to get plastered. The boys teased him for it, but being a father was a role that he took seriously. Sure, it may not be as fun as boozing and partying and everything else from their college days, but it was rewarding.
The "Taft Kids", as they liked to call themselves, said their goodbyes before going their separate ways. They thanked Nate and AC for hosting a surprise party despite being the ones who should be welcomed back as they had been sorely missed.
Mikki thought this day was extremely incredible and the best part is that it's still far from over.
Back home, when Mikee was already fast asleep, Gelo and Mikki decided to grab some midnight snacks and spend some time together. Just the two of them.
Quietly, they tiptoed down the stairs, careful not to wake him up.
While life has been so much better since Mikee came into their lives, their private and intimate moments had become rare, so much so that even though they just spent the entire day together, Mikki still misses Gelo.
His yearning was matched by the man across the room, who had just pulled out a tub of ice cream from the fridge. He must have noticed the intensity of Mikki's stare, cause he wasted no time pacing closer to him. The hair on the back of Mikki's neck bristled as he felt Gelo pressing a soft kiss on his shoulder, then another on his neck, then another behind his ears.
Mikki sighed heavily. "Can I have your undivided attention now?"
Gelo tucked his stray hair behind his ear. "Kamukha mo si Mikee, babe. Tama nga sila. Sa'yo nga talaga siya nagmana."
"We've raised such a good child, haven't we? Lalo na ikaw. Sumusunod talaga siya sa'yo. He looks up to you, babe. I do, too. You've patiently instilled moral values in him at kahit na may pagkapasaway siya minsan—"
"Thanks to you," Gelo interrupted.
"— thanks to me," Mikki echoed. "You know how to calm him down."
He smiled, utterly touched by Mikki's words of affirmation.
"Naaalala mo yung sinabi mo dati? Na if people who have loved each other for 25 years could easily change their minds and walk away, pa'no pa kaya tayo?"
Mikki nodded. How foolish was he to ever doubt their love like that? He remembered being so afraid that what they had was too good to be true, and that it was nothing but a fleeting love affair.
"Well? Ten years down?" Gelo blushed, sparing a glance at Mikki's beautiful face, the picture of absolute perfection.
"Hmmm. I don't mind another ten," Mikki suggested.
"Only ten?"
"Fifty, then?"
"Baka magsawa ka na sakin niyan," Gelo pouted.
"Try me," Mikki challenged, smirking at him.
He made sure to let his stare linger as he tried to memorize his every feature, counting every mole he has on his face, tracing the bridge of his nose to its tip, before leaning in to capture his lips in a soft, sweet kiss. He reveled in his low hum of pleasure, grateful to have finally shared a moment with him alone.
Suddenly they heard a scurry of footsteps coming from the stairs. Mikki immediately retreated as Mikee stepped into the kitchen.
"Daddy? Papa?" he drawled, rubbing his eyes.
"Hi, love. Why are you awake?" Gelo asked, kneeling down to face him.
"You left," Mikee deadpanned.
Their son's brown eyes darted across the room and Mikki was careful to not let him see the flush on his cheeks. They almost got caught!
Gelo went back to their kitchen counter, taking out an ice cream scoop from the drawer.
"You want ice cream, baby?"
"Yes, please!" both guys answered, and Gelo and Mikki couldn't help but share a secret laugh.
"I love you," Mikki mouthed.
"I love you more," he mouthed back.
Mikki shook his head and stuck a tongue out at him. "Not possible."
Something fluttered alive in his rib cage, and Gelo bit his cheek from the inside to stop himself from smiling so hard. Mikee has a habit of prying into them and Gelo just didn't have the energy for it tonight.
Sitting and being with them in silence was enough for him. And that's how he knows he's home.
He's finally home.