Photo Credit : Maine's Snapchat Post

Ok, I will admit, the caption of "annoying kuya" bothered me a little. Hahahaha. Far from being a one-sided fan, I so ship these two and I want them to end up together. I pray for them because I wish they'd realize how perfect for each other they are, and letting each other slip away would be a big mistake.

But who are we to decide for them, right? If, just a big IF, they decide not to be together, what would the likely reason be? That's what this one shot is all about. Sometimes love is not enough, and sometimes, it's all that matters.

This is my first attempt at writing SPG so please be kind :) Hope you guys enjoy reading this. Please feel free to comment and share which parts you like best. Looking forward to reading your feedback :)

WARNING : THIS STORY HAS SPG CONTENT BUT IS FICTIONAL, KATHANG ISIP LANG PO.

Alden took a last glance at the mirror and slicked back his hair, but changed his mind and let it hang in wisps from his forehead, the way Maine wanted it. Maine requested for dinner with him, just him, no fans, movie crew, co-stars.

Their days in Italy were almost over. Throughout their stay , they were always surrounded by people, much as he wanted to have quiet time with her alone, it was impossible with all the people who recognized them. Finally, she found a way to have this time with him and he was flattered that she took all this trouble to arrange everything.

He stepped out into the cold evening air, savoring the fresh smell of flowers and grass. Maine wanted dinner by the lake and there she was, waiting for him, dressed in a black pullover and jeans. Her hair was in a ponytail, her face devoid of make-up save for some lip gloss. His pace quickened, he just had to hug her close, smell her hair, kiss her cheek.

"Bango mo naman," She said appreciatively, squeezing his arm affectionately. With a last kiss on her forehead, they separated and sat across each other.

"Excited ka na umuwi?" He asked her in between bites of succulent prosciutto ham and Parmigiano Reggiano.

"Medyo. Pero ang sarap din dito eh, ang layo sa Manila. Ang babait ng tao, di magulo mga sasakyan sa daan. "

"Tutoo, pero wala eh, kailangan natin umuwi." His phone suddenly vibrated. His dad requested for a viber call after their dinner. He was about to put his phone down when he saw a notification from Snapchat, Maine's latest post.

It was a picture of him, Maine, Thiey and Leysam, captioned "annoying kuya + sibling goalz." He laughed at the caption.

"Napost mo na pala yung pic natin. Kuya talaga ha," He said smiling. He looked at her, expecting to see her smile or laugh at her own joke, but Maine stopped eating, looking uncomfortable. She avoided looking at him.

"Maine, what's wrong? Are you ok?" He stood up and was about to approach her, but she motioned for him to stay in his seat.

"Alden, I.........Please...." She faltered, grasping for words to say.

Alarm bells rang in his head. Why is she calling him Alden when they have progressed to RJ, Baby, Love? She was close to tears, choking on what she wanted to say.

"Baby, what is it?"

She stood up, walking away from the table and faced the lake. The moonlight cast a perfect silhouette of her slim frame, a moment he would have captured if it weren't for what she was going through right now.

"Maine, you're scaring me. Anong problema?"

He went to her and pulled her to him, attempting to hug her but she refused and pushed him away.

"Stop it. I'm sorry...I'm so sorry.... I can't do this anymore." She collapsed on her knees, her face in her hands, crying.

His heart drummed against his ribs painfully. He felt the heartbreak coming in, not only for him but for her as well. As always he put her first, setting aside his feelings, taking her in his arms and pulling her to the nearest park bench. Hearing her cry hurt like hell, but he let her release the tension, he rubbed her back as she sobbed quietly.

When it was over, she leaned against his chest, exhausted. He felt her inner battle, the struggle to find the right words, to probably lessen the pain of what she was about to say. But it was too late, she already hurt him even before she said anything. They were that attuned, he knew instinctively she was going to say something painful.

"Baby, I love you," she began, her eyes tearing up again. "No matter what happens, believe me when I say that I have never loved anyone as much as I love you."

"Then what's the problem, babe? It's been a great shoot, we had the time of our lives here. Why are you like this?"

"Yes, we were happy here. It was like an escape from reality, and to be honest, I dread having to go back. Di ko ata kaya harapin ulit lahat ng bashing, the lack of privacy, the crazy working hours. Na-miss ko pala maging private person, na-miss ko maging ordinary."

"But I will be here! Di kita papabayaan, remember? Ikaw at Ako, tayong dalawa. Tayo lang, Maine." His voice broke, despite his control.

"RJ, di mo naiintindihan eh. I need to find myself. Hindi ako buo, nararamdaman ko, kinakain ako ng showbiz, I am getting swept away by all the attention, all the things we do. Nakakalimutan ko na kung sino ako talaga. Being here reminded me of what I was before all the showbiz craziness. I miss the old me."

"I want to share my life with you. Get married, have children, grow old together. But not this way. Not with millions of people watching our every move, na kahit anong salitang bitawan natin nilalagyan nila ng kahulugan. May analysis agad, may interpretation na kadalasan mali. I'm sorry RJ, hindi ko pala kaya."

"Are you breaking up with me? Yun ba ibig sabihin ng snapchat update mo?" She didn't reply. He set her aside from him, he leans forward, hiding his face in his arms. His back heaved, as he absorbed the pain of what she was saying. She attempts to comfort him, awkwardly rubbing his back, but he refuses, and gets up, as though her touch burned him.

"So that 'Kuya' thing is meant to friendzone me, ganon ba? Maine, what have I ever done to you to deserve that? Para san ang dinner na to? Kung hindi ko binanggit ang putanginang snapchat post na yan, magiging maayos ba tayo?" He looked at her with angry eyes, and he saw her shrinking away from him, her tear-stained face twisted in pain.

"Babe, please calm down..."

"Tangina calm down? Wag nga ako Meng. Listen to you! Hinihiwalayan mo na ko pero babe pa rin tawag mo sakin. Mahal mo ko, pinakamahal mo ko sa lahat pero hihiwalayan mo ko? What were the past few days all about? I don't understand, Maine, make me understand." He grabbed her arms to force her to look at his eyes, closing the distance between them, their foreheads touching. He hugs her tightly and she hugs him back. They look at each other that way, forehead to forehead, tears falling, noses rubbing, reminding them of happier days.

He cannot help himself, he kisses her with a passion and need that she welcomed, their tongues sliding and rubbing against each other's mouths, hands urgently groping for each other. He would never tire of how she tastes like, the sweet smell of her breath as she sighs when he touches her in her secret places, the way her graceful hands squeeze his arms with surprising strength and aching gentleness when she touches his face.

Wordlessly, he leads her to his villa, hand in hand they slip into the night, carefully ducking among the trees to avoid being seen by the crew and friends who were celebrating their last night here in Milan. He locks the door and pulls her to him slowly, his hands running over her back, cupping her bottom to pull her closer against his arousal.

She weaves her arms around his neck, her lips trailing kisses on his jawline and neck, licking at his day-old stubble, loving the roughness that grazes against her tongue. Whatever they started talking about was tentatively forgotten, their need to be together defeating the need for clarity. She unbuttons his white shirt, kissing the skin that every opened button exposes, until she reaches the edge of his jeans. Kneeling, she unbuckles his belt and opens his pants, he kicks off his loafers and lowers his pants. She rests her face against his boxers, feeling his arousal, loving the familiarity of his body with hers.

He pulls her up gently,dragging her body against his, freeing her hair from the band that confines it, running his hand through the lush waves that fall down beyond her shoulders. Wordlessly, she raises her hands, prompting him to remove her top, her lacy bra, exposing her perky breasts. He palms one of them and rubs his thumb against the pebbly tip of the other, taking her mouth, backing her against the wall to deepen the kiss.

Her eyes closed at the feel of his hand on her breast, savoring the sensations only RJ can arouse from her. Somewhere along the way, her underpants and jeans join her top and bra. He kicks off his boxers as well, his hand traveling south to delve into her folds, to caress the sensitive nub beneath. With a moan, she opens her legs to give him more access, but he instead lifts her to straddle him, carrying her across the foyer and into the bedroom, their lips and tongues giving and taking pleasure.

He sits on the bed with her still straddling him, raising her slightly, looking at her questioningly. She hugs him in response, lowering herself into his shaft, both of them feeling the full impact of pleasure from the warmth of her opening against his member. Slowly, they begin to move, her slow thrusts rubbing her core against his hardness, quickening, as she pushes him down the bed, and his hands reach for her breasts, alternately palming her globes and pinching her nipples. He gets up to lick the pain away, reverses their position so he is on top, thrusting deeply against her. At the height of their climax, she holds his face in her hands, making him look at her as they moved in sync.

"I love you RJ," She whispered, wrapping her legs around his waist, raising her hips to meet his thrusts.

"I love you too, Maine," He gives one final deep thrust before the climax hits them both, their moans heard in the stillness of the night.

Spent, he kisses her forehead after, pushing away the wayward strands of hair from her face, marveling at the softness of her body, her beautiful afterglow. They lay quietly, cuddling, caressing each other, each occupied with thoughts of tomorrow and coming home.

A little later, he carries her to the shower, washing their bodies together. He lathers the sponge, wiping it through her body lovingly, kissing her here and there as he went along. Under the shower they hugged, gently swaying, eyes closed.

With just a blanket covering them, Maine falls asleep in his arms. He spoons her, she snuggles closer to him, her bottom snugly tucked against his groin. His arm hugs her protectively, one hand possessively claiming her breast.

It's not over, he tells himself with conviction.

For as long as she loves me, I will be strong for both of us, I will protect her even against her pessimistic self.

He falls asleep, at last.