A Stranger's Advice

[Adrian's POV]

Giggles and whispered noises woke Adrian from his awkward slumber. Opening his groggy eyes, his gaze met two guys—err—gay guys wearing bright and stylish clothes across the seat he and Johan occupied. They had a silly smile on their faces, and one even gave an interesting wave towards him.

Adrian pushed himself up, groaning at the muscle strain on his back. The hand resting on his chest fell to the side. It seemed Johan had fallen asleep as well; head leaned on the glass window, messy bangs curtained his closed eyes, and a black face mask covering his face. Adrian suppressed a yawn and shifted Johan to sit properly on the chair.

"Is he your boyfriend?" the guy sitting next to aisle asked, pointing at Johan.

The question caught Adrian off-guard, and he's unable to respond right away. He wanted to say yes, but he realized Johan never confirmed the label of their relationship. The last time he asked, the response he got wasn't satisfactory. And he feared to ask again.

'What are we?'

'We're happy.'

Forcing a smile, Adrian said, "Friends. We're friends."

"Oh~ Friends." They didn't sound convinced, but the smile was still present in their faces. "Does that mean you're single?"

"And ready to mingle?" the other guy sat beside the window chirped. He giggled and reached a manicured hand to introduce himself. "I'm Mariah, by the way."

Out of courtesy, Adrian returned the gesture and shook the offered hand, raising an amused eyebrow at the girly name. "Adrian."

"Richie," introduced the one sitting close to him. Richie pointed at his friend with his thumb. "He's Mario during the day."

"Shut up, Ricardo."

Adrian snorted a laugh when 'Richie' playfully pulled the hair of his friend, resulting in a hushed banter that was too funny to watch. The two friends continued talking among themselves using Gay Language. And while Adrian didn't understand a thing, he kept listening to them.

Johan shifted in his sleep, head falling on Adrian's shoulder as he stretched his limbs. "Fuck. Can't feel my legs."

"Want some massage?" Adrian reached for his thighs, but Johan only shook his head. He settled back on his shoulder and linked their hands together instead.

"I thought you're just friends?" Richie commented, raising an eyebrow at their joint hands.

Adrian paused, unsure if he should continue entertaining questions from the two strangers. Technically speaking, he's still in a relationship. And with the way things were with Johan, he couldn't affirm they're just friends. But they're more than that.

"Let me guess," Richie continued. "More than friends, but less than lovers?"

"Complicated," Mariah said, trying to get a glimpse of Johan's face. "Is he awake?"

Johan remained unmoving. Bringing a hand to brush his bangs away, Adrian leaned a little to see his eyes closed. A pat on his shoulder averted his attention from the sleeping man beside him.

The two friends continued conversing with him until they reached the terminal. They seemed enthusiastic to know their story, asking questions he's not comfortable to answer because he didn't know how to explain himself. Despite the discomfort, talking with Richie and Mariah gave him a lot of insights.

"Not sure what's stopping you two from being official," Richie said, standing and grabbing his things. "Unless you're both okay with this setup, then keep at it. Otherwise, make up your mind because pseudo-relationships normally don't end well."

"Speaking from experience, Sis?" Mariah kidded and received a playful smack on the head. He pouted before turning to Adrian and winked. "Well, nice meeting you, Adrian. Adios!"

"Yeah. Thanks for keeping us entertained." Richie waved as they walked to the door.

Adrian waved back and smiled to acknowledge the two. He squeezed Johan's hand. "Han? Let's go. We're at Sta. Cruz now."

Johan yawned through the mask he's wearing and grabbed his belongings. Adrian fetched the travel bag above them and they transferred to another bus.

One more hour before they reached Alaminos City.

"Han?"

"Hmm?" Johan looked at him sideways as he munched on a large banana.

Adrian hesitated. They were at the back of the bus again, but the vehicle was more packed with passengers compared to their earlier trip, leaving Adrian's hand itching for the warmth.

"Is something wrong?" Johan asked and peeled another banana.

The advice he received had him thinking. Gulping, Adrian opened his mouth to ask. "Would you—"

The sweet softness of the banana prodded his lips, cutting his speech. Johan fed him, urging him to eat the rest. "Did you know that banana is called the happy fruit? Eat it so you'll stop stressing yourself."

"Is that so?" Adrian smiled, shaking his head as he accepted the offered food. He rested his hand at the small of Johan's back. He heard no protest. Johan only pressed closer. Throughout the rest of their journey, Johan occupied his mouth with foods he bought in a convenience store back in their home city.

However, every time Adrian wanted to open a certain topic, Johan seemed to sense it and would shove a random food in his mouth. Maybe it's not yet the best time to ask it?

'Would you like us to become official?'

———

By the time they reached the hospital where Aaron was confined, it was already sunrise. And his mother met them at the parking lot, along with a uniformed police officer he guessed was an acquaintance of his brother.

"Mom." Adrian dropped his bag on the pavement and circled his arms around her in a tight hug. Relief flooding him as if he hadn't seen her in a long time. "How's Aaron's condition? Where's Audrey and Abigail?"

"He still hasn't regained consciousness. Your sisters are resting in a nearby hotel." Adelia said with a sigh. She looked restless with her puffy eyelids, worsened by the lack of sleep. He would have been in the same state if it wasn't for Johan keeping him in check. When she pulled away from their embrace, Adelia's gaze drifted to his companion. "So this is your friend?"

Johan shifted on his feet behind him, flashing an awkward smile after he bowed. "H-Hello, Ma'am. I'm Johan."

"Thank you for coming, Johan." Adelia approached and clasped his rigid hands. "Although this might not be the most convenient time, but I have wanted to meet you since Adrian started hanging out with you."

"U-uhm..." Anxiousness danced in his irises, and Johan's gaze flickered towards him, which Adrian returned with an encouraging smile. "It's... an honor to meet you.. Ah, sorry, I... didn't know you wanted to meet me."

"You haven't told him?" Adelia turned to Adrian, but she dropped the subject with a shake of her head. "Well, we can discuss it some other time. Have you two eaten breakfast?"

"We had something while on the bus."

"Okay." Fishing a key on her purple blouse, Adelia handed it to Adrian. "Go get some rest at the hotel for now then."

Adrian shook his head. "You're the one who should get some rest, Mom. You look terrible."

"I've been telling her that since yesterday evening," the young officer said, earning their attention. He cleared his throat and offered a hand to Adrian and Johan. "I'm SP01 Rafael Tolentino, Aaron's close friend in the force."

After a brief introduction with Rafael, his mother ushered them to book a room at the hotel to get some rest, but Adrian insisted to see his brother. Even just a glimpse, even if Aaron hasn't gained consciousness yet.

It must have been a sibling thing.

The distinct smell of antiseptic assaulted his senses as they ventured inside the hospital's peach-colored corridor. Adrian scrunched his nose as memories of his father resurfaced, but he pushed them to the back of his mind. Not the best time to reminisce.

They were led to the ICU's huge glass-window, where they can only take a glance from the outside. Several police officers were also present, some having apparent injuries, but not as worse than Aaron's.

A nurse parted a portion of the curtain, and grief crushed Adrian's heart at the sight of his brother lying on the bed with medical apparatuses attached to him, barely alive.

Aaron's only a year older than him. And while they had a rough rivalry in various things, they grew up being each other's support. Adrian wasn't the kind to shed tears, but to see him in such a state, it broke his heart.

"This is what I don't like in your brother's profession," Adelia said, walking to his side. "But what can I do? This is what he wanted."

"He'll pull through, Mom," Adrian assured, more to himself than his mother. "Aaron's strong."

A hand stroked soothing circles on his back, and he melted at Johan's silent support. Fatigue and brooding anxiety quaked his body. And with his heightened emotions, Adrian forgot to watch his action. He enfolded his arms around him in a tight hug.

"Adrian?" Johan murmured against his chest, hand continued kneading his back. "You don't look good. How about you take a seat?"

"A minute, Han." He received no protest but a slight jolt when he buried his face in Johan's hair. Adrian needed him to hold on to.

He could feel his mother's eyes on them, but she didn't question him. Adelia only rubbed his upper arm, and they stayed like that for a long time.

Suddenly, there were movements inside the Intensive Care Unit. Nurses and doctors rushed to Aaron's side. Adrian pulled away, alerted at the beeping noise inside. And they all crowded at the small opening before a nurse closed the curtain.

Adelia was once again hysterical, and Adrian's breath almost left him.