WHEN YOU YEARN, AND FINALLY EARN!
synopsis: a trip to the Philippines for 3 months with your boyfriend (odd-ball) bunny iglesias, who's Spanish. something your grandparents aren't particularly fond of, throughout the whole reunion he's constantly surrounded by people as though he were a tourist attraction!
"Do you know what you are, ยฟhermosa? You are a goddess." Bunny states as he ate the food you cooked, he didn't really eat rice but once you kept cooking it with the most delicious side dishes he could not help himself!
And the portions you made? Everything looked like it came from an all-you-can eat buffet with plenty of plates filled with the most delicious things you could think of placed on one table โ it was all his favorite Filipino cuisines too.
Bunny could almost die happy, for once in his self-proclaimed miserable life.
"Afritada to me always tasted the same but you managed to make it taste different, and I found typical sinigang too bitter when we went to Manila but you make it taste bitterly good! I hate, hate how you manage to make that happen."
He swallowed as you shrugged and ate your own portion, continuing to list down the criticism he has about the food he's come across throughout the trip to your home country.
"Hermosa, it's so hot I feel like I'm gonna die and get cremated on the spot."
"Iglesias this is normal temperature heat for my country."
"Nothing about this is normal, mi vida. Do you wish death upon me?"
"Di naman kasalanan ko kung bakit mainit, eh!"
"Mi bella, quiero volver a Espaรฑa."
"Dun, pumunta kana sa airport at uwi ka sa Spain. Palagi kanalang nagsasabi kung gaano kainit na parang di ko naman alam."
That conversation still remains in his memories, and in yours โ you later apologized to him once the both of you headed back to the hotel; saying that you got a little heated.
Bunny honestly sees why you're quite... short-tempered at times, he asks himself if the heat has affected you that it's been embedded in your mannerisms. But ultimately he doesn't mind, in fact he finds it kind of.. attractive?
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It was a date vacation, or whatever you would call it. Bunny was fine for the most part; until you told him that the two of you are going to officially meet his parents.
Now, he has nothing against your family. It's just โ he's kind of aware that your grandparents aren't so particularly fond of him. You didn't notice but he did, especially when your family went to Europe last time.
"Mi vida, ยฟno deberรญa preocuparme por tus abuelos?"
"Just don't speak Spanish in front of them, and maybe they'll let you off easily."
"Sounds like I'm in a trial for my life."
"You most certainly are, they don't like you because apparently you took me away from them. They're not happy about me living far in Europe, and blame you."
"Haces que parezca que voy a morir en su presencia, ayuda a tu marido."
"Don't say that, or else my grandfather will really grab his 'espada' and chase you down."
He's pretty used to threats, because he's aware that most people who have told him such things don't go through with it. Mainly because they're scared of his height.
Your grandfather knows no such thing, he claims he has fought a demon with no exorcist around; therefore he's only afraid of God's righteous hand.
If only he knew that Bunny believed in no such thing, would probably add onto the list of reasons why your grandparents disliked him.
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For about an hour, the two of you were basically walking left and right just to greet family members. If he was more direct, he would've said he's gotten bored but that would mean he'd get a smack from you.
You were putting on a performative look, he could tell. He barely listened to the conversations; only staring at you.
"Opo, nangaling ako nang Spain kasama siya." You gestured to him, and he waved.
"Ahh, gwapo nya! Chada. Napakaswerte mo naman."
"Matalino eh, kagaya nang mama nya."
"Dinaman, mali ka. Mas matalino siya kaysa sakin." Your mom responded.
Bunny felt a little hungry, if anything he's just gazing at you and the food. He can't wait until he finally has to meet the last few family members meaning that everyone could eat โ goodness gracious.
Both of you met your grandparents last, he keeps himself calm and puts on a neutral expression as you approached first while he follows.
"Is this the Spaniard? The little Conquistador? He has grown." Your grandfather said, "Anong pinapakain mo sakanya, bat parang tumatangkad at lumalaki siya? Dimo alam baka kaya payan para sakin." He laughs as he ruffles your hair.
"Eh.. diko rin alam, para bang lumalaki sya palagi, yan talaga pag espanyol guro." You shrug then smile, your grandmother approached you and took you elsewhere to talk โ leaving your grandfather and Bunny alone.
Your grandfather immediately changes expressions, from happy to terrifyingly serious; almost quite uncharacteristic if it wasn't for the fact that Bunny got used to it.
"Hello, Iglesias? Yun ba ang pangalan mo?"
"Makakaintindi ka nang Tagalog, pero bakit hindi ka nagsasalita ng Tagalog?"
"I'm afraid I will mispronounce."
"Yung apo ko, alam mag Spanish dahil sayo pero dimo naman alam kung paano magsalita." Your grandfather huffs, crossing his arms.
Bunny has no choice, he's trying to be nice because you told him to be nice; but it seems that your grandfather wants to challenge him. "Alam ko magsalita, ayaw ko lang magkakamali." You've been teaching him a bit โ and even though his accent is still very evident it's much better than the last time your family talked with him.
Your grandfather nods, "That's the spirit, you speak our language in my presence and my granddaughter speaks your language in your family's presence no? It is basic manners." He stated before proceeding to walk away.
Bunny โ finding himself surprised as to how he managed to keep himself calm, waits until you come back. He sits on a chair scrolling on his phone before he is approached by a kid, who asks for an autograph on his Barca jersey.
After that, a family-friend who's around your age approached him; two of them actually. One is your supposed 'childhood best friend' and the other is your 'highschool friend'.
"Congrats, I heard you're going to be engaged with [Name] soon."
"Thank you, she's an amazing girlfriend and I'm very lucky to be with her."
Anyone could tell this was quite a tense conversation, he did hear that this childhood best friend of yours garnered feelings for you during highschool while this highschool friend has always tried stealing anyone you gained a crush on โ this almost seems like a telenova if it wasn't for the fact that Bunn just walks away after that.
He needs to look for you, but it's hard โ you're literally moving from one place to another and the only way he'd be able to find you is if prayer starts or you all start eating; which for some reason isn't happening yet. And he's hungry!
Hours later and prayer finally starts, he can look for you as people will be standing still โ that also means dinner will start. Great!
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You're very aware, it's the sort of thing that happens when you've been around your own 'family and friends' โ aware about the fact that your old friends who were in this reunion (because their parents are related) are trying to hit on Bunny.
You're also aware that they're very.. backhanded with compliments towards you, it's kind of irritating but you know it'll be over soon. And you're also sure that he'd tell you all about it; something along the lines of...
'I don't ever wanna come here if they continue to do that to me. It's kind of annoying, I just want to tell them outright what I think.'
You sigh, maybe telling him to hide his bluntness and act performative was a good idea โ you don't want your parents to be embarrassed. Even more so get Bunny kicked out.
Most of all, you don't want to start a fight. Bunny knows that. He's trying his hardest, but his patience may waver soon so it's best you both go home early tonight.
You get up and tell your parents that you're heading back to the hotel, due to exhaustion โ something about Bunny needing to go back to Spain (lies).
As you said your farewells, you walked to him.
"C'mon, let's go back to the hotel now. I'm feeling a little tired." You interrupted their conversation, asking him loads of things about your relationship and such. Bunny's eyes glimmer and he walks past them, grabbing your hand and kissing your palm.
"Sรญ, me encantarรญa descansar en el hotel. Estoy de acuerdo contigo en mi vida." He said, a small smile on his face afterwards as the both of you left the place.
"Your family, handful bunch. Your friends, old friends, handful!" Bunny murmurs, you giggle โ "That's how it is for me every day." You remarked and he sighs.
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The rest of the trip wasn't as stressful for both of you, island hopping and visiting other destinations you wanted him to see for himself โ like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
As a kid you thought they were really made of chocolate, so you were disappointed upon learning that it isn't.
You both went to Cebu, and other places; he remarked that the Philippines is beautiful indeed like people say; he enjoyed the visits.
But all things come to an end, and the both of you are back in Manila again โ waiting for your flight back to Spain.
You bought some snacks as he saves you a spot, covering himself so that no one would really recognize him (he doesn't want to be swarmed with fans again).
Once the announcements considering the flights were declared, you both moved to the lines as the plane landed.
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"Ah. ยกHogar dulce hogar! Mi vida, amo tu paรญs pero tu familia me ha irritado demasiado." Bunny starts as the both of you settle back down in his apartment, you sigh โ "We just got home, and you're ranting already."
"Apologies, but I felt like I needed to say it, they were always around me like they wanted to steal me and keep me for themselves! Those girls, touching me everywhere, absolutely disgusting!" He continued, you expected it but you're still a bit tired so mid-rant, you fell asleep.
Bunny notices and smiles a little, maybe you make his life a little less miserable.
He still doesn't know how you manage to handle family gatherings though, but he'll ask that later.
a/n: little something before i sleep... tung tung tung sahuuurr,
as for why Charles Marc Herve Perceval Leclerc is apart of the header: ignore it. he's there for decoration ok. ignore the little monagques monaques monagues. Guy living in Monaco, guy born in Monaco
taglist: for the filipinos!! @tamashithe2nd @feirunee
