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MexPiri Drabble - The Best

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The year was 1667.

New Spain and Philippines were two of Spain’s many colonies back then. They had been introduced to one another just over a century ago, with the former acting as a friend and caretaker of sorts to the latter. What helped keep their connection stable during those times was the inauguration of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. Usually it was New Spain who visited the female archipelago, but this time he decided to switch it up, bring her back to his.

The two, young teenagers in appearance, were walking hand in hand throughout Mexico City. Philippines wasn’t familiar with what the city used to be. Tenochtitlan. Only New Spain would ever understand the beauty of what this city was like before he was struck by colonialism. He could only offer Philippines a smile as she admired the new architecture that spread through the land.

Still, it was great to watch her smile. He knew there was a lot she missed also. They both had family they’d been separated from because of Spain. There were mutual feelings between the two, mostly unspoken. Both of them were expected to be grateful for all this. The teachings of Catholicism, the ‘introduction of civilisation’, the new names for each of them... those were only some of the things they had in common.

Their relationship was quite odd though. New Spain was never completely sure of how to treat Philippines. She was kind of a like a little sister, but she was also special too. The Pearl of the Orient... and whenever she smiled, New Spain could understand that nickname, why it was the name for her. When her happiness was evident, it quickly became infectious. During the dark times he’s lived through, such a light was needed. He couldn’t help but feel he was a bit like that to Philippines as well.

A mutual understanding? Something more? He was never totally sure.

The two of them stood outside the construction site of a cathedral. Philippines’ chocolate eyes widened, and then she turned to give New Spain’s hand a squeeze.

“The completed version of this will be amazing, Kuya Nueva!” she told him, a cheery smile on her face.

“Si,” New Spain nodded, returning her smile. “Jefe said that while the construction’s going to take a long time, but once it’s finished, it’ll be standing for many, many centuries. There’s going to be bell towers and tons of chapels dedicated to the different saints. Most of the interior’s complete though.”

“May I take a look?” Philippines asked, an expression of curiosity adorning her face.

New Spain reached up to ruffle her hair. She made a face at that – he’s often ruffling her hair, even when it’s been pulled back neatly into a bun. “Si, you may.”

They stepped inside the cathedral, going into one of the many chapels. And the feeling of doing so washed over them as they took in the view. The religious ornamentations, the feeling of spirituality in the air as the two of them made their way down the aisle. Both colonies understood their connections to God and could feel it strongly, even in the unfinished place.

He didn’t realise it, but Philippines was watching him carefully. She saw hints of sadness in his eyes. Even though he was smiling and trying hard to be happy for her, she couldn’t help but grasp the feeling that what used to be here was something more special to him. A temple perhaps, one belonging to the family he parted from? She gave his hand a squeeze, trying to think of words of reassurance.

“This is really beautiful, Kuya!” she blurted out. He turned his gaze to her. “M-Maybe you’ll get married here someday!”

“M-Married?!” New Spain stammered, with the two colonies blushing at the sudden subject. He took a few moments to recollect himself. “Hm... I’m too young for that. And I’m sure Jefe would complain if I went for someone he didn’t approve of.”

“Same here...” Philippines giggled awkwardly. “But that’s why I said ‘someday’... we don’t know what things will be like when we’re older. I mean, Jefe Espana is really old! And he’s super tall too! And I think one day you’ll get as tall as him, and then you can marry!”

“I’ll grow waaaaaay taller than him, and then I’ll squish him like a cockroach!” New Spain smirked, bringing out laughter in the other. She could imagine her kuya turning giant mode and stepping his foot down on their coloniser, oh yes. “And once I’ve done that, we can both be free to do whatever...” he pondered this some more. “...Marry whoever,” he added as an afterthought.

Philippines went silent for a bit. Freedom, she’d pondered that. She’d pondered that for a long time now and so have her people. So much of her culture had been suppressed and there was so much she wanted to do but couldn’t. It was exactly the same for New Spain.

New Spain eyed her up and down. He was thinking about the same sorts of things. And when the both of them gained their freedom at last, what would they do? It seemed like such a long way before that could ever happen. But it wasn’t impossible.

“Heh, you’re much better than most of the girls Jefe has also colonised...” New Spain suddenly spoke up with a grin. Philippines raised an eyebrow at him, her cheeks pink. “...What if we married here?” That pink quickly turned to red and he laughed. Her response was flustered and she’d let go of his hands in favour of flailing about uselessly for a comprehensible sentence. “Relax, I was kidding. You brought up the subject first, you know!”

“Yes, but-”

“Did you bring it up because you wanted to marry me, hermana?”

“Kuya!” she clenched her fists and stepped right in front of him, pouting slightly. “You’re being silly...”

“Am I?”

She nodded and then she skipped further along the aisle. “Besides... you’re kuya. If I get married, it’ll have to be to someone who really proves themselves... and I want to be equal to them too! It’ll be a true love...” she glanced back at him. “I wouldn’t want anything less!”

New Spain laughed, jogging over to her and ruffling her hair once more. “Si si, the best for mi Filipinas...”

“The best!” she echoed him.

And as they turned to keep exploring the rest of this chapel before moving towards the others, New Spain couldn’t help but think one thing.

He wanted to be the best for her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The year was 2013.

New Spain was now Mexico. He declared independence from Spain on the 16th of September, 1810. Not long after that, the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was severed between him and Philippines. She didn’t leave Spain until many decades later, but then Mexico’s neighbour America colonised her instead. He didn’t see much of her until the latter half of World War Two, when he helped America and Australia free her from Japan’s control.

The two re-established their relations again, but the bond they shared during their colonial days seemed so far away now. He was never able to tell her how he felt, or grasp a single clue of her feelings either.

He’d lost his chance.

And he could see it when he looked at it. He sensed that that guy, Brunei, could probably understand where he was coming from. In the world meetings, Philippines was often paying attention to America, who she also listed as one of her Kuyas; or South Korea, who has been visiting her so often these days. She didn’t often interact much with Spain, but the two were friendly whenever they did. She had come so far from the days that were now like distant dreams to him.

Philippines had become more beautiful. She recognised her strength and that determination for independence. Her fighting spirit and hardworking nature shone through. And her smile still reminded him: Pearl of the Orient, Pearl of the Orient.

Just once he’d like to compliment her, but would his words mean as much to her now? Even if he said such things, he’d still lost that chance.

Mexico stood outside the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, otherwise known as ‘Catedral Metropolitana de la Asuncion de Maria’. In 1667, the construction of the interior had been completed for the most part. He showed Philippines the inside of it and they talked. They talked lots. But it was that first conversation they had, walking down that first chapel aisle that resided in his memory the strongest.

Sometimes he wonders if Philippines remembers that conversation whenever she visits him. He brushes it off as wishful thinking, just to not get his hopes up.

He’d lost his chance.

But even so, Mexico wanted the best for her.

He wanted to be that best.
IDK I just wanted to write some MexPiri junk because the pairing won't get off my mind. I love the idea of MexPiri being the 'love that never took flight'. Like, they had feelings but never told them and now they've moved on but there's still that feeling and guhhhh

rofl I tried to go for some historical accuracy, try and make this something that could've happened, but yeah. I wrote this with :iconadannaya:'s Mexico and my Philippines OC in mind, whoops.

Comments and junk would be appreciated!
© 2013 - 2024 melondramatics
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LotusDragonof5000's avatar
That last line.....that last line....that was the clincher. I have put one foot on this ship, and the rest of me is sure to follow.