“In every way that I could”
Note: Johnny learning a new language for Filipino!Reader.
Hi! Ever since I watched Fantastic Four: First Steps and saw Johnny learn an entirely new language in, like, a week, it literally inspired me to write this. And yup, I’m Filipino, so… here it is.
As always, a quick reminder: I’m still very new to writing, and English isn’t my first language. Thank you! lovelots!
“Wait,” you said, staring at him. “So you understand what I’ve been talking about you?”
“You learned my language?” Your voice dropped. “A completely new dialect in just a week?”
“Well,” he said, lips curling into a small smile, “in just two and a half days of meeting you, babe.”
You shook your head, still stunned. “Wow. Why?”
“So, I could understand you in every way that I could.”
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ
You met Johnny Storm in the least Johnny Storm place imaginable — the library.
What surprised you wasn’t that he was there, but how naturally he fit into the space.
You only caught a glimpse of him then — his table layered with books on math and astrophysics, stacked neatly, like he knew exactly which one he’d reach for next.
You went back to your task, skimming shelves in search of a specific comic book. You weren’t even sure it was here. You walked past aisle after aisle until you finally found the section.
The book you wanted sat on the top shelf. You stretched, fingers brushing the edge, almost— almost—reaching it before frustration hit.
“Bakit kasi sa taas nila nilagay,” you murmured under your breath.
Why did they put it on top
You didn’t notice him move at first. The chair scraped softly against the floor somewhere behind you, footsteps approaching just as you dropped your arm back to your side.
“Here,” a voice said, close but not startling.
The book slid free from the shelf above you, placed carefully into your hands.
You turned to find the same guy from earlier — the one with the stacked books and quiet focus — looking at you like this was the most normal thing in the world.
“They really don’t think about height when they do this,” he added.smile slightly tugging at his lips
He glanced down at the cover before letting go completely.
“That one’s good,” he said. Not like a promise. More like an observation. “Or at least, that’s what people say.”
You huffed softly. “I hope so. I’ve been looking for it.”
“Yeah?” His eyes flicked to the shelf, then back to you. “You new here?”
You nodded. “Just started coming around.”
“Thought so,” he said. “I haven’t seen you before.”
There was a small pause before he added, “I’m Johnny. Engineering.”
You told him your name, shifting the comic under your arm. “Law.”
He repeated your name softly and made a double take “Law?” brows lifting slightly.
“What?” you said, smiling as you nodded toward your own table, stacked with codals. “I can’t do some light reading?”
A soft laugh left him at that, quick and genuine. “Fair enough.”
He shifted the books in his arms, already turning back toward his table. “Guess I’ll leave you to your light reading.”
“Yeah,” you said, smiling to yourself. “I guess.”
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ
You didn’t see Johnny again until the next week.
The library was busier than usual, voices low but constant, every table already taken by groups and solo students alike. You walked through the rows once, then twice, realizing there wasn’t a single space left where you could fit yourself in.
That was when you saw him.
Johnny stood near the tables, books balanced in his arms, scanning the room with the same quiet focus you remembered, only now it was edged with defeat. His shoulders sagged just a little when he realized what you already had.
Neither of you had a table.
His eyes found yours across the room, and he closed the distance between the two of you, books still tucked in his arms.
“Still two weeks till finals,” he said quietly, glancing around, “and it’s already this busy?”
You sighed, shifting your own books. “Tell me about it.”
Johnny looked between the packed tables, then back at you, like he’d already made up his mind. “Do you wanna go to the coffee shop instead?”
You blinked, surprised then nodded. “Yeah. That sounds good.”
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ
It started as a routine before either of you named it.
The library when it was quiet. The coffee shop when it wasn’t. Johnny with his engineering books spread out, you with your codals stacked neatly beside you. Different programs, different buildings, different deadlines — somehow always the same table.
Some days you left first, law readings heavy and unforgiving. Other days he packed up early, muttering about labs and problem sets. You never kept score. You just adjusted.
One afternoon, you were halfway through a case when you realized Johnny wasn’t reading.
He blinked, like he’d been caught. “Nothing.”
You squinted, tilting your head. “Buti na lang gwapo ka.”
good thing you're handsome
“What?” Johnny smiled, amused.
“Oh—” you said quickly, waving it off. “I meant, you’ve been staring for a while.”
He held your gaze a second longer than necessary, smile still in place, something thoughtful passing behind his eyes before he looked back down at his notes.
“Yeah,” he said lightly. “Sorry.”
He smiled, “We’re never in the same building. We don’t even have overlapping classes.” He gestured between your books and his. “Different programs. Different schedules.”
“I was wondering,” he continued, voice steady but careful, “if I could stop pretending this is just studying.”
Your heart skipped. “And do what instead?”
“Ask you out,” he said simply. “Officially.”
The noise of the coffee shop faded into the background. You closed your book slowly.
“Like a date,” he confirmed. “No notes. No deadlines.”
You smiled before you could stop yourself. “I’d like that.”
His shoulders relaxed, the smallest grin breaking through. “Good. Because I already had a place in mind.”
You gathered your things, standing beside him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Different programs. Same table.
From then on, meetings like this became your thing.
Not by chance. Not because there was nowhere else to go. But because you liked the way it felt — sitting across from him, sharing space, trading quiet looks over open books. Different programs, different buildings, different schedules, all somehow bending toward the same place.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ
You underestimated how heavy the stack was until it started slipping in your arms.
“Okay— wait—” you muttered, shifting your grip. “Grabe, ang bigat!” Its so heavy!
Before the books could slide any further, Johnny was there, hands steady as he lifted half the stack from you.
“Careful,” he said, easy. “You trying to break a record?”
You sighed in relief. “Law school is trying to break me.”
He smiled, then glanced down at the titles in his arms. Codals. Tabs. Notes peeking out.
You pointed toward the far table. “There.”
As he walked beside you, he glanced over, just once, at you.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ
You dropped into the chair across from Johnny with a sigh, toe nudging his foot under the table as you settled in.
“Bad day?” he asked, already sliding your coffee toward you like a habit.
“You have no idea.” You twisted the lid open, shaking your head. “Recitation today.”
“The worst kind,” you groaned. “I knew the answer. I knew it. I just—” You gestured helplessly. “I couldn’t find the right words in English.” slouching your shoulders.
Johnny leaned back, eyes on you, giving you his full attention.
“I swear,” you continued, frustration slipping into your voice, “do you know how smart I am in my language?”
“If I could’ve answered in tagalog, I would’ve gone on forever.” You paused, then muttered, “Ang dami kong gustong sabihin, tsaka alam ko yung tamang sagot, eh” pouting
I could've said a lot, and i know the right answer
You sank back into your chair, fingers tapping against your cup. “But instead I froze. And the professor just moved on.”
Johnny reached across the table, thumb brushing against your knuckles before leaning in, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead — slow, familiar.
Hey,” he murmured. “Knowing it still counts. Even if you didn’t say it perfectly.”
You smiled, leaning into him just slightly. “Yeah.”
But you still went on, words spilling out like you hadn’t finished emptying the frustration yet. “I got an eighty-nine. Isang point na lang, ninety na sana.” You groaned, dropping your head forward. “But no. Nakalimutan ko pa talaga.”
One point, and I could've gotten a Ninety. But no. i forgot
Johnny just smiled, amused.
“You’re telling me you’re upset about missing one point?” he said. “That’s… kind of impressive.”
You shot him a look. “You don’t get it.”
“Oh, I think I do,” he said lightly. “You’re mad because you almost nailed it.”
You sighed dramatically. “If I’d answered in tagalog, I swear—”
“—you’d be top of the class,” he finished, teasing.
He laughed, soft and warm. “Relax. I’m just saying — you did great.”
You huffed, shaking your head. “Bwisit. Buti na lang mahal kita.”
Annoying, it's a good thing that I love you.
The words left you before you could stop them.
“Still cute when you’re annoyed,” he murmured. Johnny tilted his head. “Hm?”
Your heart stuttered. You cleared your throat quickly, waving a hand. “Nothing. Just— me being dramatic.”
He studied your face for half a second longer than usual, like he was replaying the sound of it in his head. Then he smiled, easy, familiar.
“Yeah,” he said lightly. “I figured.”
You let out a quiet breath, shoulders relaxing when he went back to his notes, pen tapping against the page.
He didn’t ask what it meant.
Didn’t tease you about it.
But the smile stayed just a little longer than it should have — like he was holding onto something precious, something meant just for him.
And you, thinking you were safe, leaned closer to him without a second thought.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
You didn’t notice the way Johnny went quiet after that.
You walked back to your dorm together, talking about nothing important — classes, deadlines, which coffee place stayed open the latest. He made sure you got inside safely, waited until the door closed behind you before turning away.
It wasn’t until he was halfway back to his place that he realized his face hurt.
Not the easy, teasing kind. Not the one he wore without thinking. This one was slower, settled, like something had finally clicked into place.
“Bwisit. Buti na lang mahal kita.”
The words replayed in his head, clear as day.
Johnny shook his head to himself, huffing out a quiet laugh as he unlocked his door. He set his books down, ran a hand through his hair — still smiling like he’d been given something precious he wasn’t supposed to have.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
You were both sprawled on his bed, notes abandoned between you, the room lit only by the glow of a desk lamp. You were venting again, words tumbling out in a familiar mix of English and Filipino, hands gesturing as you spoke.
“…and then he just moved on,” you finished, exhaling sharply. “Ang unfair.”
Johnny hummed beside you, absent-minded.
“You’ll get it next time,” he said easily. “Hindi naman ikaw yung may kasalanan.”
He froze. Just for a second.
“I—” He exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. “Okay.”
Your heart started to race. “Wait,” you said. “So you understand what I’ve been talking about?”
“You learned my language?” Disbelief crept into your voice. “A completely new dialect in just a week?”
“Well,” he said, lips quirking, “two and a half days, babe.”
He reached for your hand, thumb brushing over your knuckles.
“So I could understand you,” he said quietly. “In every way that I could.”
You were still staring at him when he added, softer this time—
“And yes,” he said, meeting your eyes, “mahal din kita.”
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
You met the Fantastic Four before the world ever knew their name.
Reed was all restless brilliance, already thinking three steps ahead. Sue was warm in a way that felt intentional, like she was making space for you on purpose. Ben had laughed easily, clapping Johnny on the shoulder like this was just another adventure waiting to happen.
And Johnny—
Johnny was still yours.
That last meeting was cramped around a table that didn’t quite fit everyone, cups sweating onto scattered papers. Johnny’s knee bumped yours under the table, familiar and grounding.
“Space,” he’d said, like it was nothing. “Just a quick mission. In, out.
You rolled your eyes. “You make it sound like a group project.”
He grinned. “Basically is.”
He walked you back to your dorm that night. Slower than usual. Like he was memorizing the route. He kissed your forehead before you went inside, lingering just a second longer than necessary.
“Wag mo ako kalimutan, ah” you teased. Dont Forget me
“As if I could,” he said.
The accident changed everything.
Maybe what altered his genes altered his memories too.
Because Johnny stopped calling.
Stopped writing.
Then he just… stopped.
Time moved forward without asking your permission. News reports filled the gaps where his voice used to be. The Fantastic Four became legends. Johnny Storm became something unreachable.
And somewhere along the way, saving the world introduced him to Shalla-Bal.
Now you sit in front of the television, watching a live broadcast. Johnny stands in front of her, easy but focused, posture all intent and responsible. When she speaks, he listens carefully, answers her in a language that isn’t English — not soft, not intimate, just precise. Measured. Necessary.
The commentators call it diplomacy. Cooperation. Another miracle of the Fantastic Four.
You know better than to mistake it for anything else.
Still, your chest tightens.
You thought that was your thing.
Him learning your language for you.
For the way your thoughts made sense there.
But it turns out, it was never just yours.
Somewhere in the universe, Johnny Storm learned a new language to save the world.
And forgot the one he learned to love you.
And you were a language he no longer remembered.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ
