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Stell sat on the hood of his car that was parked on what used to be his and Paulo's favorite lookout point in Antipolo. He usually never let anything touch the surface of his car, but this was a special occasion (he'd smirked at himself at that thought) so he had a large Coleman cooler full of drinks right by him, scratches be damned. His car could take a little damage when his own heart was crushed. Stell pulled out a can from his cooler, opened it, and began to drink.
Josh's familiar voice distracted Stell from his absent-minded observation of the Metro Manila lights below. "I thought I would find you here," Josh opened.
Stell gave his oldest friend a small smile that didn't quite reach Stell's eyes before handing Josh a golden can.
Josh took the proffered can but sharply admonished the other man. "Tarantado ka talaga. Huwag mo sabihing balak mong magdrive pabalik ng QC ng lasing,"
Stell rolled his eyes and ordered, "Turn the can around, Binibining Pilipinas Judge Number Ten,"
Josh did as he was told and the words VANILLA COKE ZERO immediately met his vision. "Sorry naman,"
Stell merely grunted in response.
Josh opened the can and took a sip from it before going, "Ang tagal na nating wala sa Esbi, no? Coke na itong iniinom natin,"
Stell just nodded again.
"Parating si Justin," Josh volunteered.
"Ayaw ko syang makita," Stell declared.
Josh looked hurt. "Bakit ayaw mo makita yung asawa ko?"
Stell's tears started to flow down his cheeks but he left them unchecked. "Alam mo kung ano namin sya ni Pau,"
Josh nodded. "Anak,"
Stell nodded as he wiped his tears. "Nakakahiya man aminin, pero inggit na inggit ako kay Justin. Si Justin, binalikan. Si Justin, pinakasalan pa sa New Zealand kahit tarantado ka rin noon,"
Josh took another drink from his Vanilla Coke Zero and sighed. "I knew I wouldn't find anyone better. You know my story. I'm Mr. Fuck-Around-and-Find-Out,"
Stell nodded in acknowledgement. "Inaalagaan mo ba ang anak ko?"
Josh smiled at him. "I'd rather die than hurt him again,"
"Good. Not even your connections can save you pag sinaktan mo ulit ang baby ko,"
Josh nodded, his face suddenly paling. He changed the topic. "Anung balak mo?"
Stell took another swig. "Babalik sa New York. Dumaan lang naman ako sa wedding church nina Pau kanina to see him one last time. Ngayon I can move on. Trabaho na ulit. I will be the first male lead of WICKED,"
Josh clapped his hands. "Oo nga pala! Congratulations! Grabe, they reversed the genders of the cast just to have you as Elphaba,"
"Elphabion," Stell uninterestedly corrected.
"Elphabion," Josh agreed.
Stell smiled into the distance. "I think I'm ready to see my son now. It will be good to see Justin before I leave tomorrow,"
The one voice Stell loved above everyone else's spoke up from behind the two friends. It was Pablo and he was still in his wedding finery. "Take me with you,"
Josh tapped Stell on the shoulder. "That's my cue to go,"
Stell belatedly realized Josh was dressed as a best man. "Hayup ka,"
Josh chuckled, "Ah, but a loved animal with a beauty for a husband waiting in the car. Ayusin nyo ha, Stell," Josh then nodded at Pau. "It'll be weird to call my oldest friend my father-in-law but I've seen stranger things happen,"
Stell glared at Pablo. "Like a gay man trying to marry a girl,"
At this point, Pablo and Josh had switched places on the hood of Stell's car.
Pablo scratched the back of his head. "I deserved that,"
Stell handed Pablo a Coke from the cooler. Pablo's was a Diet Coke.
Stell bit out, "Black ang lata, parang puso mo,"
Pablo put the can down. "I'm sorry,"
Stell took another swig from his now-room-temp drink. "I should punch you,"
Pablo lamely attempted to joke, "But you love my face too much,"
Stell closed his eyes and got another can from the cooler just to cool his brow. "What do you want, Pau?"
"I wrote a song about that five years ago,"
"And what? You expect me to roll over and cater to your every whim after you nearly married someone else today?"
"I'll make it up to you for the rest of my life,"
Stell rolled his eyes. "Ligawan mo ako ulit,"
Pablo smiled and took Stell's hand. "Make me wait. Make me work hard for it like our son did to Josh,"
Stell ran a hand over his beautiful face. "They're already sucking face in Josh's car, aren't they?"
Pablo chuckled before visibly paling when they heard Justin's telltale moan and some suspicious wet sounds coming from the direction of Josh's car, Azkal II.
Stell held out his hand to Pablo. "You rode with them, right? Let's get out of here, "
Pablo smiled and answered. "I thought you'd never ask."