It Was Always You [BxB]

"Joaquin!" Lina gasps, her eyes brimming with tears, as she strides over to the doorway and wraps him in her arms. He's grown so tall, looking strong and healthy. Lina's heart is full of gratitude; all her prayers are finally answered.

Now, she can peacefully sleep at night.

"T-Tita Lina..." Joaquin whispers hesitantly, his hands trembling with hesitation. But as Lina pulls him closer and caresses the back of his head, he relaxes into her embrace, letting himself be held.

How comforting it is to be welcomed as if everything's just as it was, as if he hadn't shut them out. She's still the mother he never had—compassionate and nurturing. Unwavering.

It's also comforting to see that time has favored her. She looks just as youthful, with negligible fine lines beneath her eyes. Joaquin is overjoyed to witness her aging gracefully.

Behind them, Julian shuts the door, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, observing the reunion. Much like him, his mother would often bring up Joaquin, wondering how he was doing. He'd shown her photos online, but those weren't enough.

Just then, Julian's stepdad, Randy, emerges from the living room. "Oh, hello!" he greets merrily as Joaquin and Lina separate. "I'm Randy," he says, offering a hand.

Julian hadn't mentioned much about him, other than a few vague anecdotes and how he made Lina cry (as noted in the old letter). But he came back for her... And even secured Julian and Lina a lovely big house in a subdivision. Alright. He'd give him a chance.

Done with his hasty appraisal, Joaquin takes Randy's hand with a firm shake.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Joaquin. I'm—"

"Lina's favorite student!" he chimes in, grinning and clapping once. Are he and Julian really unrelated? "I've heard so much about you. Lina and Julian talk about you all the time. Especially Julian. When they first moved here, he was relentless about searching for you—"

"Alright, alright!" Julian steps in, flushed. Joaquin's already privy to that information, but he doesn't need to hear the nitty-gritty, such as when Julian pestered his Tito Randy to visit Joaquin's father's office back when he was a congressman. It was not exactly a standard practice for Randy's little construction business at the time, so it didn't pan out.

"I'm starving. What did you guys make?" Julian changes the subject, making a beeline for the dining area.

"All your favorites, of course," Lina replies, guiding Joaquin along. "And don't worry. There's plenty for you to take home."

"No can do. I only have a mini fridge, and the one by the dorm's kitchen's usually full," Julian replies, sniffing. "Smells good!"

The four of them gather at the table. Joaquin's eyes roam over the space and takes comfort in how it resembles the warmth of their old home in Romblon. Lina absolutely reigns in this household; it's as it should be.

"I wish you two could stay the night," Lina says, piling a serving of rice onto Joaquin's plate before passing the bowl to her husband.

"We've got midterms starting on Monday," Julian explains. "We've barely got time to squeeze this dinner in, you know. Been busy these past few weeks."

"Sorry, Tita," Joaquin adds, smiling appreciatively as she now heaps veggies for him.

Lina winks, patting his back. "Well, if you're really sorry, you'll come more often. Julian, bring Joaquin every time you visit home. If it's just you, don't bother."

"Ma!" Julian groans, laughing, while Randy chuckles beside him. Joaquin can't resist joining in.

"I'm kidding," Lina replies, gently tapping Joaquin on the shoulder. "I'm happy to see you're doing well, Joaquin. How's everything? School? Your Dad?"