bub | love, always

i’d risk it all for you ✨

[winri drabble] sherwin had faced countless hearings, debates, and moments where every word he said was measured and scrutinized. but this was different. the title on the paper in front of him felt heavier than any bill he had ever carried. senate president. a role built on tradition, responsibility, and expectations he knew he couldn’t ignore - and for the first time in a long while, sherwin gatchalian found himself nervous. “what if i don’t live up to what they expect of me?” he asked quietly. risa, seated beside him, turned to him - the same way she always did; like she knew exactly what was running through his mind “you will,” she said simply. he let out a small laugh, shaking his head. “ang dali sabihin.” “i know you, sherwin.” and somehow, those four words carried more weight than any congratulatory message he had received. because risa knew the late nights, the pressure, the times he questioned himself when nobody else was watching. she knew that behind the new senate president everyone would see was someone quietly wondering if he could live up to the position. “you don’t have to prove you deserve to be there every second,” she reminded him. “you already do.” he looked at her, searching for the reassurance he was too proud to ask for; and as always, she gave it. a few moments later, the doors to the plenary hall opened and they walked in together. years of sitting beside each other. years of being allies. years of knowing exactly when the other needed a little more strength. but at the front of the chamber, they each had a different place to go - risa turned toward her seat on the floor, sherwin made his way to the rostrum. and just before they fully went their separate ways, he looked back. “thank you ha, risa.” it was soft, almost like a confession. she smiled. “always.” the entire room watched as the new senate president took his place - but only he knew how many times he looked around, searching for the one familiar face that made the weight of the moment feel lighter. and every single time their eyes met, risa gave him the same thing she had given him before they walked in. a smile. a nod. a thumbs up. a silent reminder - you’ve got this. so he stood a little taller. spoke a little steadier. because somewhere in that room was risa hontiveros, reminding him that even when the whole country was watching, he didn’t have to carry it alone.

they walked into the plenary hall together, then at the front they went their separate ways - risa to her seat on the floor, sherwin to the rostrum as the new senate president. after years of being seatmates and magkakampi, him turning to her before stepping up and saying, "thank you ha, risa." it's such a small moment, but it carried the weight of everything they'd been through together. 🥹😭