Chapter Text
Year 2020
Uno doesn’t mind — he doesn’t mind the sweat running down his forehead. He doesn’t mind the sand filling in his favorite shoes. He doesn’t mind if he can’t see properly as the fog covered his glasses. He doesn’t mind if he is out of breath. He doesn’t mind at all if his smooth, milky skin stings because of the sun.
Because the only thing he cares about is finding his brother.
So, the moment he saw him sitting alone under the mangroves, face hiding behind his palms, trying to protect himself from the rays of the sun, Uno immediately ran — without hesitation, even if he could feel the numbness in his legs, which he earned from non-stop running, for he didn’t care how far.
“Red.” He called while gasping for air, and just like a natural reaction, Red quickly wiped the tears from his cheeks, got up from his seat, and ran towards Uno, who’s patiently waiting for him with wide arms.
“U-uno…” Red said, stuttering between his sobs. The other immediately caresses his head up to his back, trying to give comfort to his crying brother.
“What happened?” Uno asked gently, but the latter answered him with nothing but sobs. He just nods, immediately understands what his brother needs at the moment, so he tightens the hug to simply let his brother feel that he’s there.
For Red, Uno is always that someone he can count on, his brother is always that someone he could call when things didn’t go as planned, he is always that someone who will run a thousand miles just to save him, he is always that someone who will always make him feel that he won’t ever be alone — He won't hear any word from him when he messed up, Uno is that someone who would listen without any judgment at all, that someone who will sit with him in a chaotic and busiest streets but also that someone who will shout with him on a silent starry night.
Whilst for Uno,
Red is always and forever the person he’s willing to run a thousand miles for. So, Uno doesn’t mind — he doesn’t mind watching the man he loves look fondly at his twin brother. He doesn’t mind seeing how the man he loves takes care of his brother. He doesn’t mind looking at the eyes of the man he loves and only sees the warmth it has only for his brother. He doesn’t mind smiling in front of them even if it aches every piece of his heart. He doesn’t mind taking a step back even if he badly knows how much he loves the man who holds his brother. He doesn't mind keeping all his feelings to himself. Because Red, for Uno, is always and forever will be the person he’s willing to sacrifice everything for. Nothing matters to him but his brother and brother alone. So, Uno doesn’t mind anything as long as he has his brother. As long as his brother is happy. He doesn’t mind at all.
“Hey,” the younger immediately looked back, only to see Sho walk towards him with a big smile on his face. “Hey,” he whispered, but enough for the older to hear.
“How was it here? Nage-enjoy ka ba?” The older asked, and Uno chuckled before nodding his head. He bit his lower lip as soon as he felt his heart beating faster than it should. The silence surrounds them, and the only thing that they can hear is the crash of waves towards the shore. The moment Sho seated beside him, the younger immediately moved slightly, scared that even with the noise of the ocean in front, Sho would still hear how his heart beat for him.
“I have never seen you this happy,” Uno started, not taking his eyes off the rock in his hand. He heard the older sigh, which made him look at its perfect side profile.
The only thing that lights up the older’s face is the bonfire in front of them, but it still manages to define Sho’s features. From his perfect hairline, down to his long eyelashes, and perfectly curved, thick eyebrows. The mole on his nose, which helped to make it look taller, and his pinkish, plump lips. The way the wind tried to mess the strands of hair sitting on his forehead. The way his lips curved with a smile. The way the light of the flame reflects on his eyes like stars twinkling on a midnight sky. Everything about him is so perfect, he thinks. And I am so scared to ruin it.
He doesn’t know how long he’s been staring at the older’s face while Sho babbles excitedly with lustrous eyes. But Uno knows that it's not because of the fire in front of them, he knows it too well, he knows that the sparkles in his eyes scream love — love that he knows will never be meant for him.
“Uno! Sho!” They both heard from afar. Sho looked back, whilst Uno looked at his feet buried under the sand before letting out a deep sigh. He was playing with it when he felt Sho’s arms around his shoulders, its minty breath passed through his nose, and the sweet fragrance of its cologne immediately gave him goosebumps.
“Thank you for always listening, Uno.” The older whispered before patting the side of his shoulder. Uno smiled weakly, nodding his head slowly before he took a glance at his brother, who was effortlessly perfect, standing not so far away from them, “Sure, ano pa’t naging bestfriend mo ko, ‘di ba?” Uno answered, immediately tasting the bitterness in his tongue.
He felt stupid.
He felt the cold run through his system as the side of his eyes felt warm from tears trying to break out from it. He felt like the bonfire was slowly burning his skin, the soothing sand was starting to hurt the soles of his feet, the crash of the waves and the sounds of cicadas were slowly hurting his ears — everything hurts that he wished at the moon hiding behind the dusky clouds to make him go numb and less dumb for not stopping to love. Everything hurts, and he feels like his heart is trying to get off his ribcage.
But, Uno never wished for something in return because he knows deep in his heart that he treasures what he and Sho have. The peace in him, knowing that there’s always a deep connection between the two of them. That even though Sho couldn’t see him the way he sees Red, even though Sho couldn’t love him the way he loves Red. He knows, and he’s very much content that he can be there when Sho needs someone who will take care of him.
For Uno, it was enough, because that’s what love is for him.
For Uno, Love is seeing someone you love smile even if you weren’t the reason. Love is writing love letters, but not sending them off. Love is writing him a book of poetry, but also choosing not to read it out loud. Love is encouraging, and it can not be forced. Love is unconditional. Love is something you shouldn't earn. Love is always his bestfriend, Sloane Holt and his brother, Rye Elliot.