So much had happened over those few short days.
There had been two deaths, a ressurection, and an almost-marriage. A battle had begun. Another ressurection, and the dead had been raised- the battle had been fought and won. There had been hearts broken and entire families erased, hearts mended, hope restored, and an actual wedding. A trio cut from three down to just one, and then restored.

The ruins of the belltower still lay at the foot of what remained of the church, a monument of rubble to stand testiment to the carnage that had swept through the town in only one evening, scattered like the petals of a discarded bouquet. The sight was not, however, one of tradgedy as you might think. Far from being a somber reminder of what had almost been, the industrious attitude that had fallen into place in the days after the Great Battle had the wreckage buzzing with life and the hearty laughter of workmen and volunteers as stones were passed from shoulder to shoulder, carried away from what had been the gates of the city where they had been flung and carefully piled in great stacks, ready for the restoration that was to take place.

The sun had returned in all it's glorious triumph as if in celebration, and it's warmth caressed the skin of those below like the soft touch of a loved one.

So much had happened.

Manolo hadn't allowed himself to think on it too hard, throwing himself mind, body and soul into the restoration of the town. There would be time to think about it when the town was restored. Maria too had hitched up her skirts with that smirk of hers, and was busily organising the workers over by the church with an energy and enthusiasm that seemed contagious. He caught a flash of her smile as she laughed in the distance, throwing her head back while her hair fluttered in the blessed breeze that cooled the sweat on his skin. A more beautiful wife he couldn't have wished for.
Another hunk of rubble was coaxed from it's shallow crater with a little bit of grunting, and the torero heaved it to the next man in the human chain, passing it onwards with a bright smile and a warning of it's weight.

His back had begun to ache more persistantly in the past hour, and although he was left in only the lightest trousers he had , the heat of the sun and the exertion that the work required had left Manolo sweating bullets and desperately thirsty.
Pressing his hands into the small of his back in an attempt to massage away the pain there, he allowed his eyes to slip closed for a moment, taking time to breathe the air that was carried on the breeze. The smell of bread from the bakery on the other side of the square was heavy and delicious, rolling in with the sharp tang of spices and the rich scent of pork, roasted slowly over the fire that had been set up across town. Maria wouldn't be thrilled at that. Chuy would be furious. He let himself linger on the pleasant scents for a while, becoming still and calm, enjoying the brief respite.

"You still here, mi hermano?"

Opening his eyes with a start, Manolo found himself eye to- well, eye, with San Angel's self-appointed protector, the laughing quirk of his lips under a perfectly-maintained moustache making him roll his eyes at his oldest friend as he waved a hand in an exaggerated gesture in from of his face.

"Ah, there you are, my friend!"
"Ha ha, yes, you're so funny amigo."
"I should hope so, i've been practicing. Here-"

With a startled yelp, Manolo caught the flask that had been thrown more out of reflex than deftness, and when he noticed what he held he barely paused to flash a grateful smile at Joaquin before almost ripping out the stopper and tipping his head back, relishing the effect the cool water had on his dry, parched throat.

"-yeah, you looked like you needed that."

Resurfacing with a gasp, he passed the flask back and dragged the back of his hand over his mouth before kneading at his back with his knuckles with a sheepish smile.

"Muchos Gacias."

The clap on the back that came next almost knocked the air from his lungs as the Soldier laughed and began to shepard him towards the battered cobble path that led to the square.

The bullfighter let himself be led, ready to take a break. Glancing around, he realized with only a small measure of embarrassment that they were the only ones left in the work site, the others having deserted the rubble in favour of grabbing some food and a siesta as the sun became too hot to work in. As the friends made their way into the centre of town (where the Sisters would be handing out food for the volunteers), they laughed with one another, shoving at each other playfully as they walked, both shirtless and tired, but well pleased to be in each other's company.
"After all, it isn't everyday that you both lose and regain your best friend, ey brother?"
"I couldn't bear to leave you all alone, you wouldn't last the week."
"Hey!"
Joaquin chuckled, but somehow it seemed halfhearted, lacking it's usual energy.
"Joaquin? Is something wrong?" They were rounding the corner and nearing the square now, and the scent of cooked meat and fresh bread was enticing and overwhelming, the promise of a rest and a good meal thick in the air.

The arm around his shoulders tightened, and the fingers that rested near his collarbone clenched into a loose fist, tapping gently on his skin.

Concern began to creep in as he saw an unreadable expression settle onto his friend's face, a joyful smile now suddenly tight-lipped and thin.
Stopping dead in his tracks and forcing Joaquin to do the same, he turned to fully face his friend. The soldier stared resolutely at the cobbles and the toes of his own boots, steadfastly avoiding looking at the other.
"Joaquin."

"Joaquin!"
With a sigh, the taller of the two lifted his head and met Manolo's bewildered stare, then his own eye darted away, unable to look at him in the face.
"Are you...crying?"
"What? No! Of course I'm not crying are you serious-"
"I've known you since birth, don't lie to me."
"I'm not crying! It's just the..uh... smoke from the fire, yeah! I only have one eye left you know, it's pretty cut up about it-"
Arching one eyebrow, Manolo levelled his most unimpressed look at the babbling hero.
"Okay, alright! I was crying a little tiny bit."

Before he could react, Manolo found himself pressed against a broad, solid chest, wrapped in muscular arms that shook ever so slightly.

"My God, I'm so glad to have you back. I'm so glad, you enorme idiota."

Trying to ignore the chest hair that was tickling his nose, Manolo gently patted his friend on the part of his shoulder he could actually reach from where he was crushed against his torso. The strong reaction surprised him and he'd lost his bearings on the situation for a moment. But feeling the shudders of aborted sobs wracking the frame of his oldest and best friend, Manolo just sighed heavily through his nose and he looped his arms around him and held him close. Joaquin gripped him like a drowning man grips flotsam, burying his face in soft, dark hair and squeezing his eye tightly shut in a last-ditch effort to stop the tears from falling.
He wasn't sure how long they both stood there in the cool shade of the buildings, but after what felt like hours (and could really only have been a few minutes), a heeled foot tapping on the stone filtered in through the sound of slow breathing.

His eyes snapped open and the two men sprang apart immediately, faliling to keep their balance and brushing imaginary dust from themselves in a display of forced nonchalance.

Maria threw her head back and laughed at their mumbling explainations, her long tresses swinging behind her as she reached forwards and seized both of her boys by the hands, slender fingers sliding between large and calloused ones as she began to sweep them into the square, brooking no argument or hesitation as she bore them on.
"Hurry up, Lovebirds, or all the food will be gone already."
Tripping and laughing as they ran to keep up, Manolo reached out quickly and took hold of Joaquin's wrist.

"I'm so glad to be back with you both."

And the three friends ran like children again through the streets of San Angel, whooping and singing long into the night.