*BREATHES* Here it is, the new chapter fic ;w; If you're someone who's read my fics before welcome back! This is a lot lighter than my last chapter fic but... I guess still not that light HAH I'm sorry. I hope you guys still enjoy this u_u Thinking I'll be doing some side stories to go along with this but they'll be in a separate thing sooo Anyway off you go.
Joaquín took a long relaxed breath as he tugged on the reigns and made Plata slow down to a trot. The horse almost seemed to protest at this and he laughed.
"Don't worry girl we'll get there. It's just..." He turned his head a bit.
María was asleep behind him. Her head rested against his back and her arms hung loosely around his stomach. The warmth radiating from her skin was far greater than the sun, but he had become used to it.
It had been two years since she snuck into his house at night and begged him to take her with him across Mexico. He had tried to protest but in the end gave in. Instead of leaving with his usual fanfare the pair of them stole into the night leaving nothing but a few notes. They wrote home, of course, but it was hard to get any letters back as they darted from town to town. He helped her hone her fighting skills, taught her how to live out on the road and made the mistake of taking her drinking on more than one occasion.
He was certain he'd be getting an earful from everyone in San Angel but he wouldn't trade it for the world.
In fact, he was kind of sad it was coming to an end.
Up ahead he could see the giant tree that rested on the outskirts of town. It wouldn't be long now before they reached the bridge.
"María," He whispered and nudged her. "Come on wake up."
She groaned and sighed, ever the heavy sleeper. Her arms slid further around his waist and she tightened her grip. The sensation shot further down and he shook his head to get rid of it. It was something he had gotten much better at the past month.
"How far." She mumbled into his jacket.
"Five minutes, or less."
María sat up this time. Her hair, which she let down to fly around in the wind, was now a mess of curls that covered her face.
"Guess I should at least try to look presentable huh?" She blew some of it away.
"You really should put it up while we ride."
"Tell you what, you grow the long flowing locks and I'll show you how it feels to let it flow in the breeze." She leaned over and dug around in the saddle bags. One of her hands rested firmly on Joaquín's shoulder.
"Hm, maybe the long hair would match my mustache." He tugged on it, making sure it was still perfectly in place.
"Oh gods I was kidding." María pulled out her hairbrush. "You'd look scary with long hair."
"Aw, you don't know that. I could look at good as Manny."
Her only response was a slap on the back of his head. He laughed and focused back on riding again.
However after only a few moments he heard her growling in frustration. "Damn, did we go through a windstorm?"
Joaquín craned his neck as he turned to see her gripping her hair in one hand and trying to brush it with the other. The curls seemed even more wild than before.
"Need help?" He smiled.
"No."
"If I don't there's no way you'll be done by the time we get there."
She pouted at him but finally held out the brush.
Joaquín pulled on Plata's reigns. The horse snorted but halted on the desert sand.
He pulled his feet out of the stirrups and threw one leg over the horse's neck as he turned to the side. María did the same and twisted her head enough so that he could reach all the hair that had amassed into a blanket over her back.
"So," she decided to speak as he lightly ran the brush through her hair. "What's the battle plan?"
"María we're just going home."
"Exactly. My dad's going to throw a fit. And Manolo, what's he going to say?"
"He'll be thrilled to see us." Joaquín ran his fingers through some of the untangled locks before he moved on. "At least I hope he will be. We didn't write to him much."
"Well I didn't want to make him even more jealous." She sighed. "You know how he would get sometimes."
Joaquín just laughed. "Only because he knew how easily I could sweep you off your feet." He leaned closer to her.
"You know that's not how it was back then."
He sighed and pulled back. "Trust me, I know. I was kidding."
When she put her hand on his knee he considered pulling away but just focused on her hair.
As he got to the last few knots María pulled out the sash she used to tie her hair.
"How are we doing it this time?" He asked.
"Braid, thinking of putting some medals in my bangs too."
"I told you before they're not accessories."
"And yet I continue to wear them." She pushed back her hair to show the ones in her ears.
Joaquín rolled his eyes as he got to work braiding her hair.
It took a lot longer than he would have liked but when he was done she tossed it over her shoulder and nudged him.
"Well? Let's go then we can't keep them waiting."
"As the lady wishes." He grinned spun forward. He barely had time to snap the reigns before Plata took off toward the town, in a gallop this time. María squeaked and clung to his chest so tightly he almost lost what air was left in his lungs.
"Plata," He scolded, but the horse didn't slow down.
"Oh, it's fine." María laughed. "Honestly it's a relief she puts up with me riding on her half the time."
Joaquín couldn't argue with that. They had almost woken up the whole town in their pursuit to escape. Plata had been almost impossible to tame when he was little but Joaquín had refused to give up. He had the medal, after all, and no matter how many times that horse sent him flying he'd get right back up.
Now she was his life long friend, but that didn't mean she played nice with others. Often times he could persuade her with a treat or a few kind words but it wasn't a guarantee.
Plata's hooves clattered against the wooden bridge and he could feel his heart pick up with excitement. He couldn't wait to see everyone again, to tell them all of his tales. Sure he did that in any town he visited but here, these people had seen him grow.
He couldn't wait to tell Manolo everything.
Well, not everything. He had to swallow as he pushed that memory back.
The second Plata burst onto the streets people took notice. What started out as hushed whispers evolved into excited shouts. Many adults ran off to spread the word while the children tried to run and keep up with the horse. Joaquín gave them a grin and a wave which brought on more cheering from them.
Plata didn't stop galloping until they reached the plaza. Joaquín stared up at the statue of his father. It was still just as daunting as ever but it seemed smaller this time, if only a little.
He jumped off the saddle and extended a hand to María. She just smirked at him and stood up before she leapt over him. He turned to watch her land on the edge of the fountain. Her boots almost slipped on the damp stone but she managed to catch herself.
"And you call me a show off." He crossed his arms.
She just flipped her braid back over her shoulder.
The towns people started to flood the square now, but none were faster than the children.
"Big brother!" A few of the orphans shouted in unison.
Joaquín crouched down and opened his arms. "Hey kids. Man look how much you've- oof!"
One of the kids flung themselves onto his chest. Before he had time to recover another latched onto his shoulder and one climbed up his back.
"Oh no, they've got me." He made a mock shout as he fell over. The kids continued to swarm on top of him, giggling. "Help." He managed to extend a hand upward.
"Not a chance." María laughed.
"Por qué María." He tried to shout but the sound was becoming muffled by this point.
One of the kids hovering over his face grinned at him.
"Did you lose a tooth?" Joaquín raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah." The little boy shouted. "I lost another one last year look." He pointed to the one on the bottom that was starting to grow in.
"And how did that happen?"
He gave Joaquín a blank look for a moment before he smiled again. "By fighting bandits!"
"Really? You have to tell me that story."
The child looked like he was more than ready to begin but just then the nuns started to pull the kids away.
"Come on dears," Sister Valentina insisted. "We have to let them get settled back in."
"No." One girl shouted and wrapped all of her limbs around his arm.
"Aw don't worry," He smiled at her. "I'll be visiting you guys before you know it."
"Promise?"
He nodded.
The girl finally let go and the rest of the kids climbed off. The nuns shooed them to the edge of the square as Joaquín sat up.
"Need a hand?" María smiled at him.
Before he could take it a gravely voice shouted across the square. "María!"
Joaquín scrambled to his feet and straightened up as he saw General Posada emerge from the crowed. María looked afraid for a moment but that faded as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
"What did you think you were doing?" He stood in front of them now.
"Going to see Mexico."
"Just wandering the country with a boy, even Joaquín, are not the actions of a proper lady."
"I don't care." She turned her head away. "I care even less than I did before I left."
"I- I'm sorry sir." Joaquín cut in. "I took her with me. I should have-"
"Oh no, you're not taking the blame for this one." María pointed at him. "I was the one who pressured you to do it. Besides, does it matter? It's all done now. I'm home. Punish me if you like but it won't change what happened." She tossed her braid to her other shoulder.
Posada looked like he was about to explode. Joaquín wasn't sure he was ready for it. This man could potentially banish him from the town.
"If he does that then I'll go with you. I promised, remember?"
María's words buzzed around in the back of his mind and his shoulders relaxed.
"We will be having a talk later young lady." Posada growled but then sighed. "But, in the meantime, we should celebrate you making it back safely."
"What?" Her and Joaquín said at the same time.
"Of course. I'll see you at my house this evening Joaquín, right?"
"I-"
"I'd love to hear about how you won most of those medals."
Joaquín opened his mouth and noticed the scowl on María's face. His gaze darted to her own medals and immediately understood her frustration.
"Certainly, but I wasn't the only one who-"
"Now come along María." The general shoved his daughter in the direction of their house. "We at least have to find out a new outfit."
Joaquín could practically hear her fuming as she clutched at the tattered, dusty skirt around her legs. He wondered if she'd ever admit to her dad that she had been wearing pants on more than one occasion.
María shot him a look that was a mixture of desperation and rage but she merely started walking faster than her father to get away from him.
"You two kept well when you were gone, yes?"
He turned to see two of the nuns still there. Many other towns people still hovered around him.
"Don't you worry ma'am. We're both fine."
Plata smacked him in the shoulder with her nose.
"Ah, I'd love to tell you all about our heroic endeavors." He managed to plaster on a grin. "But my horse is pretty worn out and I'd better get her home."
"Of course dear, I'm sure we'll see you this evening."
He gave the towns people a wave before he shouted his name and hopped back onto the saddle. Plata gave him a snort of disapproval but she galloped off anyways. The streets had barely changed at all since he had last visited, his house even less so. But he rode past it to the nearby stable.
As soon as the doors were open Plata trotted inside and stuck her nose in a water bucket. He stroked her neck as he got to work unloading their bags. He'd worry about taking them inside later, she deserved a good brushing.
However as he finally got down to undoing the straps on the saddle he heard a familiar sound.
"Bleh."
Joaquín spun around to see María's pet pig, Chuy, laying down on some hay.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
The pig just stared at him with lazy eyes.
María had gotten the animal after letting a bunch of the animals loose on the town. It was a miracle her dad let her keep that one with how angry he got. The fact Manolo kept rescuing it thought probably had something to do with it.
But Manolo, they had told him to keep an eye on the pig while they were gone. María would have loved to take him with her but it just wasn't possible.
"Didn't think you could get any bigger." He tried to make a joke as he lifted the saddle off his horse's back. "Manolo fed you a lot of table scraps I take it?"
The pig made a strange noise and roll over onto his side.
Joaquín frowned as he dusted some of the sand stuck in Plata's coat.
Where was Manolo?
It was taking everything in María's power not to explode.
She had been forced to take out all of her medals, had her hair redone into an, honestly messier, pony tail and fitted into a new dress. She was at least glad it was easy to move in but it felt uncomfortable.
It was so clean.
The clunky boots she had gotten used to were now replaced with heels which she at least knew how to walk in, but that didn't make them anymore comfortable.
She gave an aggravated sigh as she stared at the mirror. Her fingers trailed over the empty holes in her ears.
This was stupid. She wanted to show off her medals and achievements too. She wanted to show everyone in the dining hall what she had accomplished while away from home. Did they honestly think Joaquín defeated all those bandits by himself? Like hell.
And her father, he hadn't changed a bit. She was certain she was in for another hour long lecture about being a "proper lady". It just didn't make any sense to her. Why couldn't she have nice manners, look pretty, and still enjoy a life of adventure.
She was already wishing she and Joaquín could go riding back out into the desert.
It was a miracle her father hadn't tried to lecture him but then again he had somehow managed to become the favorite. She still wasn't sure if she was relieved or angry about it. A part of her was afraid her father would forbid her to see Joaquín ever again but...
Since when the hell did she obey his orders.
Besides, she made a promise and she was going to keep it.
"María." Her father called from the hall. "Almost everyone is here, hurry up."
"Coming papá." She stepped away from the mirror but snatched up at least one of her medals before she made her way to the door. She placed it over her chest, hoping at least someone down there would take notice of it.
They didn't.
It was astounding, with the amass of people crowded downstairs that no one bothered to ask her. All they would really talk about is how much she had grown, how pretty she looked, and how glad they were that she was safe. She had half a mind to punch a couple of men who were standing far too close but thought better of it.
At least the nuns had asked about her experiences on her travels. She gladly told them, but just as she started to get into a story about how she and Joaquín raided a bandit camp her father dragged her away to talk to someone else.
Those moments when she would tune out someone's repetitive compliments she'd see Joaquín, usually on the other side of the room. He was surrounded by young women and soldiers who seemed to be asking about each and every one of his medals. His chest was out, a smirk on his face and every now and then he'd fix his mustache as he told his tales.
But she couldn't be angry at him. She knew why he did that.
She just wanted to join him.
But nope, her dad was dragging her across the room again.
When dinner was finally ready she was more than relieved to sit down, especially when Joaquín sat next to her. For the first time in the entire evening she felt at ease. She even scooted her chair a bit closer to him and away from her father.
When the food was served she was about to dig right in until she saw everyone giving her a strange look.
Right, manners.
She straightened herself up and tried to be more delicate with her silverware.
"So how long will you be in town, Joaquín?" Her father finally spoke up.
Joaquín had to take a moment to swallow all the food in his mouth. She couldn't blame him for stuffing his face. It had been almost a month since they had any kind of fine dining.
"Um, well, probably only a few days."
María almost choked on her food but managed to pass it off as just a small cough. This was her first time hearing anything about this.
When she shot him a firm look he just shrugged.
"That's too bad." Posada took a sip of his wine. "If only there was something that could make you stay, like a special girl."
When he glanced her way María already felt her anger boiling under her skin, but she bit it back. For now.
"Ah, I don't know about that General." Joaquín still had his grin up but she could see his fingers tapping against the table. "There's still a lot to do out there."
"I don't doubt it, but this town could use it's hero."
Joaquín's fingers stopped. "But you have María."
Her heart glowed at that, but the moment didn't last. After a pause of silence all the men in the dining room burst into laughter.
"Good one Joaquín." A soldier next to him nudged him.
He pulled his grin back up but she could see his eyes were wide. His fingers tapped against the table again before they curled up. "Aha, um, I wasn't... that..."
"You want to find out if it was a joke." María spat.
Everyone fell quiet.
"María." Her father warned.
"What?" She spun around. "Two years out in that desert and you still don't think I'm capable at handling something like this?"
"That is not the point." He argued back. "A proper lady doesn't get into fights, much less wander through the desert getting into... who knows what."
"Excuse me?" She crossed her arms. "What are you implying?"
Joaquín's tapping against the table returned.
"Nothing, nothing at all." He took a sip of wine. "Just that it could be impossible to find a man who marry a lady who might have done something behind closed doors."
She could feel Joaquín completely freeze up next to her.
Her hands slammed into the table as she stood up. "Is that what you think I was up to that whole time?"
"Of course not mija! It's just-"
"Even if I was," She pointed at him. "It's none of your damn business. It's none of their business either." Her glare spun onto the snicker soldiers who straightened up under her gaze. "If anyone has a problem with it they can fight me."
"María!"
"I don't care papá. Honestly did you never wonder why I ran away in the first place? Maybe you should have sent me to Spain back then."
Her father glared at her like he was still considering the idea but she didn't give him the chance to comment.
"Now then if you'll excuse me," she straightened up. "I think I need some fresh air."
Joaquín shifted in his seat.
"No, no, please, stay seated. I'm sure I won't be long." She headed to the door but turned back. "All of you have a lovely evening in your... stew pot of stupidity."
María ignored the whispers of the towns people as she slammed the door behind her.
It was colder outside than she had expected. She folded her arms together as she stepped into the night. Her heels felt awful on the cobblestone streets but she got used to it soon enough.
One of her hands trailed up to the medal on her chest and she sighed. Not capable of fighting? Did all of them just assume this medal belong to Joaquín?
And did her dad really think that's what she had been up to those past two years? Honestly, she couldn't be called a proper lady but assuming that was going too far. Of course she hadn't done anything like that.
For the most part.
She bit her lip and tried to push the lapse in judgment out of her mind.
The sound of boots against stone alerted her and she spun around with her arms out.
It was Joaquín, equipped with his sombrero and his cape again.
"What are you doing?" She put her hands on her hips.
"The same thing as you, avoiding the awkward crowd."
She studied his face for a moment. He didn't break eye contact.
"Yeah, you're telling me." She growled. "Can you believe that's what those guys think I was doing the past two years? Does it really not cross guys' minds that women can do something else?"
"Probably not." Joaquín rolled his eyes and pulled his cape off. "Here."
"I'm fine."
"I can see your goose bumps, just take it."
María scowled at him again but snatched the cape and tossed it over her shoulders. "Well, now what do we do?"
"Go for a walk?" He shrugged. "We haven't been here for two years after all."
"Doesn't seem like the scenery has changed all that much."
"Ah, wait. Let's go to the bull ring."
"Huh? What for?"
"Well, I didn't see Manny or his family at that dinner."
That's right. None of the Sanchezes had been there, or in the plaza when they arrived. They hadn't see Manolo at all since they got home.
"Let's go." She jumped up and grabbed Joaquín's arm. "I hope he's not asleep."
"What, Manny? The guitarist who would be wandering the town drunk with me at three in the morning?"
"Maybe he finally kicked that bad habit."
"As I recall you were doing the same thing in a few towns." He smiled at her.
"A foolish moment."
"Oh it was more than once."
María shoved him and he laughed.
But after a moment his laughter faded along with his smile. "But you know, I found Chuy in my stable."
"What?" She wanted to slap herself for forgetting to find her pig as soon as she got home. If only her father hadn't dragged her off right away.
"Yeah, he was just sleeping in there. I don't know if that's where Manolo usually put him but..."
"Why didn't he just use the barn in the bull ring?"
There was a long awful silence between the two of them. She couldn't help the weird chill that swept over her and she pulled the cape tighter around her shoulders.
Joaquín's arm was around her in a second. "Hey don't worry about it, I'm sure it's fine. Who knows maybe your pig is just as rebellious as you and went wandering in there."
She pressed against his side. "Yeah, you're probably right."
"Hey... María?"
"Hm?"
"I just..."
"That's right." She suddenly snapped and pulled away from him. "What's this about you leaving in a few days?"
"I-"
"Don't you dare lie to me. Were you planning on taking me with you or just sneaking off."
His eyes darted to the side and he folded his hands behind his back. "I figured you would... that you would..."
"That I'd what?" She stopped walking and turned toward him.
He didn't respond and swayed back and forth on his feet.
"Joaquín, talk to me."
"I figured you would want to stay here with Manolo."
"Oh, that." María sighed. "Well, yes, kind of. I figured you would too after two long years."
"That's not what I-"
"I'm not going to make you stay here but try sticking around for a bit yeah? And besides I have a promise to keep."
"María-"
"Joaquín." She crossed her arms and stared at him.
He sighed and his arms dropped. "All right, fine, I'll stay longer. Damn it how come you always win?"
"Because I'm always right." She smiled and nudged her way back under his arm before they continued on their route.
The rest of the walk there was filled with laughter as they told stories about Manolo. María had been sort-of dating him at the time and although Joaquín had heard the stories before she brought up all the embarrassing date moments. Joaquín discussed a few drunken tales as well as some events when they had gone exploring or sparing. María wished she could have joined them but she had been trapped instead instead taking lessons.
When they reached the bull ring she was more than excited to see Manolo again. She tore out of Joaquín's grip and bounded up to the door. It took her a moment but she did knock and hopped on her toes while she waited.
"Relax," Joaquín suddenly took the cape from her.
"You say relax, I can see you tapping your fingers again."
"What? Come on that doesn't mean-"
The door opened and they both snapped to attention.
Carlos Sanchez stood there, seeming worn out based on how he leaned against the door. But those tired eyes suddenly widened as his gaze darted between the two of them.
"Ah, good evening Señor." Joaquín took his sombrero off. "We were looking for Manolo."
The man didn't respond at first. He just kept glancing between them. Then his eyes suddenly narrowed and he straightened up.
"Manolo's dead."
