Maria has to laugh a little as she reaches out to toy with the distinctive Sanchez curl, rolling onto her side to smirk faintly at her new husband. Their shared bed wasn't quite big enough for both of them, but it worked well enough for now. Maria wasn't about to stay at her father's home, so they chose Manolo's for the night. "I think this is the first time I've seen this not be a perfect curl."
After a night of partying, the two thankfully had been given a day to themselves. Time to breathe after everything that happened over the past few days.
Manonolo is happier than he had ever been. Nothing, not even the beautiful vibrancy of the Land of the Remembered could compare to how he feels with Maria in his arms. This is everything he had dreamed of, and more. He isn't certain it's even possible to be any happier without exploding.
Exploding would be messy. He doesn't want to die again so soon. Better avoid that. He tries to look affronted at her comment, but only manages a goofy lopsided smile instead. Points for effort.
"I'll have you know, that perfection takes time and effort. It doesn't just happen."
"Mhmm." She toys lightly with the strand of hair, her smirk softening into a more playful smile. She shifts a little so she can lay a little more comfortably flush against Manolo. "So, I stand corrected. And here I always assumed it was just naturally sprung into the signature Sanchez shape."
All of this is still new, a little strange, but Maria can't find herself changing it. Not when they fit together like this. "Any other secrets you want to let me in on?" She teases, "I might tell you a few myself."
"It's a big family secret," he replies in a pantomime whisper. "Now you are a Sanchez, you can know it, but you can't tell anyone else ever."
Ah, there were indeed secrets. He certainly isn't planning on telling her any time soon that he straight up asked Xibalba to kill him after he thought she was lost. That's the sort of thing he's certain she won't take well, at all. He gives a nervous laugh.
Maria laughs at that, miming a cross over her chest. "Cross my heart, the secret is safe with me" Considering the circumstances, she drops the 'hope to die' part. Both of them have enough death to deal with.
The easiness in her fades at that, if Manolo should remember anything, Maria isn't one to lie to. She narrows her eyes looking at him with a slight frown curling across her lips. "...Manolo."
He's glad she avoided that last part. As wonderful as the Land of the Remembered is, he doesn't plan a return visit any time soon. His smile softens, he can't lie to her, he knows that. Instead, he opts to put a hand on her cheek.
"It is nothing, mi amor," the smile fades a touch. "Nothing you would want to know, anyway."
If it had been anyone else, he would have been smacked for trying to brush the topic away. Her own frown softens slightly as she gives a low exhale. She reaches up to rest her hand over the top of his. She pulls it away only to squeeze it encouragingly.
"Sometimes, you have to know those kinds of things, Manolo. Even if they hurt." She kisses his knuckles, eyes closing. "We're in this together, remember?"
He hates the idea of hiding anything from her. She is his world, his existence, the cornerstone around which he has built everything that makes him happy. He exhales, pressing his forehead against hers. The fear is losing her, again, experiencing that horrible, empty void that made him foolish enough to take the offer in the first place.
"You're not going to like this," he murmurs softly, before sitting back a little. "It is about how I died."
The word still feels hollow and awful. A dark truth that he can never get away from. Died.
When he presses close, she offers him another encouraging squeeze. After his death, after his attempt at sacrificing himself, Maria doesn't think she could handle losing Manolo again. He's a part of her heart now.
Unsurprisingly she cringes faintly, but doesn't back down from the topic. "I won't, but- I know you're here now. You're safe with me." It's a comfort to know he's not about to vanish anytime soon.
The woman shifts to sit up herself, blankets falling away for now as she crosses her legs under her. Even with the mid-morning lightly slowly trickling under the curtains, the air is still chilly, but Maria doesn't notice. Her gaze is on Manolo, waiting for him to continue when he can find the words.
At her cringe, he winces a little. Of course this would be a difficult topic for her, why wouldn't it be? And he knows, it's not going to get any better for her. He just hopes she doesn't blame herself for his own choices. He stares down, for a moment, gathering his courage, gathering the words. It's not a time he enjoys remembering, when everything was lost to him, but he needs to do it.
"We all thought you were dead," he remembers, seeing the life drain away from her, feeling as if his own had gone alongside her. He falters, breathes, continues. "Everyone was heartbroken. They'd taken you back into the town, when they found me."
He pauses. He remembers the last words he and Joaquin shared. Angry, horrible words, and he knows he will have to tell this tale one last time, later. To explain to the man he thought of as a brother what drove him to do what he did, and to please, please not blame himself. The last thing Manolo needed was the two people he loved more than anything hurt.
"I was left alone. I didn't know what to do, where to go, I had nothing left to live for," he frowns. "And then Xibalba showed up."
Maria stills herself to listen, wanting Manolo to say what he has to say without distracting him. The past few days had been nothing but a series of misunderstandings and interruptions. It strange and discomforting to think of what her Papa, Joaquin and Manolo did while she had been 'dead'.
'Nothing left to live for' warrants a disapproving frown from the woman, "The black and green god that showed up for the battle?" She questions, only speaking to clarify things for herself. Maria had been out of the loop for many a thing. Playing catch up wasn't her favorite, but Manolo was at least telling her. He wasn't shielding her from the truth.
"What did he do-?" She's more willing to believe Xibalba was the cause than it being Manolo's choice.
He nods in response to her question about Xibalba. Just a few days ago, talking to the gods would have been a ridiculous notion. Of course, his life had taken ridiculous turns since then. The disapproving look stings, but he knows it's likely only going to get worse.
"He made me an offer. To be with you, in death," his shoulders slump. "I took it."
He didn't even think about it. Not even when Xibalba tried to make him understand what he was agreeing to. He still took the offer. He couldn't think of anything worse than living without her, and that offer took that pain away.
"Of course, it was a trap and you weren't there. But I didn't know it at the time."
When the implication of what he says hits her, it knocks the air out of Maria entirely. Her hands fly up to her mouth in shock as her eyes widen.
He killed himself, to be with her.
Maria is naturally speechless for a long moment, before she reaches over to smack Manolo in the shoulder. It's thankfully nothing too hard, but clearly Maria isn't happy. "Don't, don't you ever do something like that again, Manolo. Never again." She wants to yell at him, but she knows that won't accomplish much. He thought she was dead, he was grieving. She can already tell he feels guilty over it.
He winces, expecting much worse, he's fairly certain he deserves much worse. He can only imagine what it was like for her and Jaoquin, finding him dead and cold. He can't find the voice to promise her that he wouldn't do it again. Life without her isn't a life worth living at all, as far as he's concerned.
He accepts the hug all the same, pulling her close and resting his face in her hair, just breathing her in. She was alive, she was safe, these were the things that mattered most to him.
He's alive, he's safe, he's with her- all rattle through Maria as she holds onto Manolo. When the feeling isn't quite as raw, she'll likely prod at him not to be so reckless. To at least promise her he won't value his life so little. Though Maria has a rough idea she won't get much of anything from it.
That was, ultimately, the biggest flaw in La Muerte's blessing. Having a pure and courageous heart meant Manolo did things without thinking them through. Whatever his heart told him to do, he did, unflinchingly. It's a bit of a double edged sword.
He returns the kiss, so glad that he can do so, that she chose him. When he breaks it, he rests his forehead against hers.
"I love you so much, Maria," he says, softly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
It was something that would likely get Manolo in more trouble down the line, with Maria in toe to try and keep her husband intact.
"Thank you- for telling me. I needed to know this." She brushes her fingers lightly across his cheek, through the soft hair of his sideburns. "I love you too. Much too much." Maria does smile a little at that, partially teasing him. But genuinely happy with Manolo. It feels like he understands her, like he wouldn't oppose to any of her ideas, any wild adventures she might want to go on.
He certainly would support any wild idea that took her fancy. He knows, already, that he is writing his own destiny, and he sees no reason why Maria can't do the same. She's smart, fierce and adventurous, and he loves these things about her just as much as anything else. Possibly even more. Besides, she's always been the unspoken leader of their little band, he wouldn't want that to change for the world.
He laughs at her little joke kissing the tip of her nose.
"You try making up lyrics on the spot, mi amor. It's not as easy as it looks, you know."
"You make it look so effortless though," She winks playfully in turn clearly enjoying this. "It's hard not to tease you about certain lyrics when I see the chance." Maria admits she was charmed by the song. Not enough to fully fall for him on the spot, but he was a charmer.
"One of these days, we should see Barcelona together. The music there, Manolo- I know you'd be inspired." The thought dances through her mind so easily. It's too early to make it happen, but Maria can dream of it.
Maria just kisses Manolo on the nose for his admittance, more amused than anything else. She easily moves to sit back up, brushing her fingers through her hair as her husband starts to get excited over the prospect. Her hair no better than Manolo's at this point. It's likely worse considering its length and natural curls.
"I'd be happy to give you a tour of- everything. Barcelona is so beautiful, so much music, so much art- music in the streets and dancing at night." That dreamy look in her eyes is about as much warning as Manolo will get when it comes to new ideas coming to her. "When everything is settled here, we'll go."
Of course, Manolo doesn't even notice. All he ever sees of Maria is her beauty. She could be wearing a paper bag over her head, and he'd still call her incredible.
"It sounds like a dream come true."
And it does, now he can truly embrace himself, the thought of going out, enjoying music, learning all he can about it - it's something to look forward to. His smile softens.
She gives up brushing her hair with her fingers for now, leaving her hair as is. When they're officially up, she'll brush it.
Mention of Joaquin makes Maria's expression soften to something more concerned, "We should see if we can drag him along- give him a break from being the big hero for awhile." She blows out a sigh already guessing Joaquin will come up with a million excuses as to why he can't come with them.
"The three amigos will take Europe by storm. They'll never know what hit it."
"We could always put a bag over his head and bring him that way. He'd never see us coming."
His tone is joking, but the concern is there. It's been too many years since their friend had to live like a regular person does, without the medal protecting him. He really does need time to just...be himself. To write his own story.
"I think it would be the perfect place for a new adventure," he chuckles.
Maria gives a thoughtful sound at that, "It certainly would keep him from saying no." She starts, briefly considering the thought before dropping it. It would be better to ask him normally, even if Maria was sure she could handle Joaquin hand to hand or sword to sword, she wasn't sure if it'd injury his pride any worse. "We'll wait until he's fully healed, then we'll see what we can do."
"The three of us, and Chuy." The pig bleated off to the side at his name being called but didn't move from the cozy spot in the corner of Manolo's bedroom, "We can start by train and work our way to a car when we reach the city." Unlike San Angel, Barcelona was more with the times.
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After a night of partying, the two thankfully had been given a day to themselves. Time to breathe after everything that happened over the past few days.
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Exploding would be messy. He doesn't want to die again so soon. Better avoid that. He tries to look affronted at her comment, but only manages a goofy lopsided smile instead. Points for effort.
"I'll have you know, that perfection takes time and effort. It doesn't just happen."
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All of this is still new, a little strange, but Maria can't find herself changing it. Not when they fit together like this. "Any other secrets you want to let me in on?" She teases, "I might tell you a few myself."
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Ah, there were indeed secrets. He certainly isn't planning on telling her any time soon that he straight up asked Xibalba to kill him after he thought she was lost. That's the sort of thing he's certain she won't take well, at all. He gives a nervous laugh.
"No secrets here. I am now secret free!"
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The easiness in her fades at that, if Manolo should remember anything, Maria isn't one to lie to. She narrows her eyes looking at him with a slight frown curling across her lips. "...Manolo."
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"It is nothing, mi amor," the smile fades a touch. "Nothing you would want to know, anyway."
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"Sometimes, you have to know those kinds of things, Manolo. Even if they hurt." She kisses his knuckles, eyes closing. "We're in this together, remember?"
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"You're not going to like this," he murmurs softly, before sitting back a little. "It is about how I died."
The word still feels hollow and awful. A dark truth that he can never get away from. Died.
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Unsurprisingly she cringes faintly, but doesn't back down from the topic. "I won't, but- I know you're here now. You're safe with me." It's a comfort to know he's not about to vanish anytime soon.
The woman shifts to sit up herself, blankets falling away for now as she crosses her legs under her. Even with the mid-morning lightly slowly trickling under the curtains, the air is still chilly, but Maria doesn't notice. Her gaze is on Manolo, waiting for him to continue when he can find the words.
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"We all thought you were dead," he remembers, seeing the life drain away from her, feeling as if his own had gone alongside her. He falters, breathes, continues. "Everyone was heartbroken. They'd taken you back into the town, when they found me."
He pauses. He remembers the last words he and Joaquin shared. Angry, horrible words, and he knows he will have to tell this tale one last time, later. To explain to the man he thought of as a brother what drove him to do what he did, and to please, please not blame himself. The last thing Manolo needed was the two people he loved more than anything hurt.
"I was left alone. I didn't know what to do, where to go, I had nothing left to live for," he frowns. "And then Xibalba showed up."
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'Nothing left to live for' warrants a disapproving frown from the woman, "The black and green god that showed up for the battle?" She questions, only speaking to clarify things for herself. Maria had been out of the loop for many a thing. Playing catch up wasn't her favorite, but Manolo was at least telling her. He wasn't shielding her from the truth.
"What did he do-?" She's more willing to believe Xibalba was the cause than it being Manolo's choice.
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"He made me an offer. To be with you, in death," his shoulders slump. "I took it."
He didn't even think about it. Not even when Xibalba tried to make him understand what he was agreeing to. He still took the offer. He couldn't think of anything worse than living without her, and that offer took that pain away.
"Of course, it was a trap and you weren't there. But I didn't know it at the time."
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He killed himself, to be with her.
Maria is naturally speechless for a long moment, before she reaches over to smack Manolo in the shoulder. It's thankfully nothing too hard, but clearly Maria isn't happy. "Don't, don't you ever do something like that again, Manolo. Never again." She wants to yell at him, but she knows that won't accomplish much. He thought she was dead, he was grieving. She can already tell he feels guilty over it.
It's why she moves over to just hug him.
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He accepts the hug all the same, pulling her close and resting his face in her hair, just breathing her in. She was alive, she was safe, these were the things that mattered most to him.
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A lot has changed, while a lot hasn't.
She only shifts in the shared hug to kiss him.
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He returns the kiss, so glad that he can do so, that she chose him. When he breaks it, he rests his forehead against hers.
"I love you so much, Maria," he says, softly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
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"Thank you- for telling me. I needed to know this." She brushes her fingers lightly across his cheek, through the soft hair of his sideburns. "I love you too. Much too much." Maria does smile a little at that, partially teasing him. But genuinely happy with Manolo. It feels like he understands her, like he wouldn't oppose to any of her ideas, any wild adventures she might want to go on.
He's her partner, not her keeper.
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He laughs at her little joke kissing the tip of her nose.
"You try making up lyrics on the spot, mi amor. It's not as easy as it looks, you know."
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"One of these days, we should see Barcelona together. The music there, Manolo- I know you'd be inspired." The thought dances through her mind so easily. It's too early to make it happen, but Maria can dream of it.
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His smile brightens, sitting up a little. He still remembers the train taking her away, how he wished he could have gone with her.
"I would love to see all the places you have, Maria. And more besides, we could adventure together, take Europe by storm."
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"I'd be happy to give you a tour of- everything. Barcelona is so beautiful, so much music, so much art- music in the streets and dancing at night." That dreamy look in her eyes is about as much warning as Manolo will get when it comes to new ideas coming to her. "When everything is settled here, we'll go."
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"It sounds like a dream come true."
And it does, now he can truly embrace himself, the thought of going out, enjoying music, learning all he can about it - it's something to look forward to. His smile softens.
"And Joaquin is feeling better."
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Mention of Joaquin makes Maria's expression soften to something more concerned, "We should see if we can drag him along- give him a break from being the big hero for awhile." She blows out a sigh already guessing Joaquin will come up with a million excuses as to why he can't come with them.
"The three amigos will take Europe by storm. They'll never know what hit it."
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His tone is joking, but the concern is there. It's been too many years since their friend had to live like a regular person does, without the medal protecting him. He really does need time to just...be himself. To write his own story.
"I think it would be the perfect place for a new adventure," he chuckles.
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"The three of us, and Chuy." The pig bleated off to the side at his name being called but didn't move from the cozy spot in the corner of Manolo's bedroom, "We can start by train and work our way to a car when we reach the city." Unlike San Angel, Barcelona was more with the times.
sorry this is late my net died a horrible death
No problem! I'm happy to tag forever, haha
Ahaha glad to hear it!
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ach, sorry about that delay. Feel free to timeskip to wherever!
no worries!
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I thought i replied to this >_> feel free it ignore if you want to drop the thread