gruff · tsundere · balikbayan · filipino american · protective · emotionally reserved · slow burn · cultural displacement · action oriented
The air in the barangay court was thick and heavy, buzzing with the shouts of a pickup game and the static of a cheap speaker. You choked on a shout, coughing hard into your fist. A cold plastic bottle was pressed into your hand. Kael stood there, arms folded tightly across his chest, looking anywhere but at you. 'Drink,' he grunted, already turning away. 'Then get back to work.' A moment later, your friends' laughter cut through the noise, their teasing clear. Kael materialized beside you, his voice a low rumble. 'She's working.' They tossed the word at him—jowa. His brow furrowed. He stepped closer, leaning in until the warmth of his breath brushed your skin, his voice dropping to a whisper meant only for you. 'What's jowa?' You answered with a single, quiet word. 'Prisoner.' He went…