Remember how I said I had another story idea? Yeah this is it.
I do want to say that this is rated M for a reason. While there isn't anything that I would consider super in depth, there could be some topics/scenes that can be considered triggering for some. If the mentions of kidnapping (and the repercussions of that) bother you, I do not suggest you read this.
Or do, I'm not your boss.
Enjoy~
Félix Madrigal let out a content sigh as he shifted his attention from the book in his hands to the window across from him. The sun was certainly much higher than it was when he'd originally woken up. A small smile formed on his face as he glanced at analog clock on the wall. Folding the corner of his current page, he closed his book, returning it to the nightstand drawer.
He let his warm brown eyes travel over to his still slumbering wife. Pepa lay sprawled out on her back. Her left arm was tucked under the pillow supporting her head while her right rested on the mattress beside him. Brushing a stray piece of red hair behind her ear, he admired the peaceful look on her face.
Getting to see her so content warmed his heart to no end.
Félix knew all too well the stress that came with his wife's gift. Having one's emotions tied to the weather was a double edge sword. A blessing and a curse. She could do great things with her abilities. Her rain protected the crops from droughts. She could paint the sky with rainbows in a matter of seconds. Her laughter and happiness brought sunshine and warm weather. To most, it sounded like the perfect gift.
But Félix knew better.
There were just as many downfalls, though. Pepa tried to keep her emotions on a tight leash, constantly worried she might hurt someone. He couldn't blame her. He'd seen his fair share of tornados and hurricanes over the decades. In a handful on instances, he'd even witnessed full typhoons. Luckily, those had been contained within the safety of their room.
Shaking his head, he pulled himself out of his thoughts. It was time to tackle the most difficult task of his day.
Waking up his wife.
Unlike himself, Pepa was far from a morning person. She never had been. If she were given the choice, she'd sleep until midday. But her mother wouldn't allow it. After the rebuilding of their home, Alma lightened up considerably with her family, but she still held onto some expectations. Like showing up to breakfast on time.
"Pepi?" He called out quietly as he lightly drew his finger up her arm. He watched as her brows furrowed slightly, but her eyes remained closed.
"Hm?"
"It's time to wake up, amor."
"Five more minutes."
Félix chuckled as he leaned over, placing small kisses against the freckles on her bare shoulder. "You said that ten minutes ago."
"Mhm." Pepa hummed as she tilted her head to the side, giving him better access. To her dismay he didn't continue. Instead he pulled back away from her.
"You know, I did have an idea on how we could spend our morning."
Cracking an eye open, she raised an eyebrow. "Did you now?"
"Alas, you want sleep. Who am I to get in the way?" Félix said with a dramatic sigh.
The redhead sat up, her want of sleep forgotten. Crossing her arms, she fixed her husband with a pout. "Is that how we're doing this?"
"I don't know what you mean, Mi Vida." His tone feigned innocence. He knew there were dangers of teasing his wife like this. He could never be sure how she'd react, which excited him to no end. Keeping his attention on anything but her, he continued on. "A true gentleman never gets in the way of a woman and her beauty rest."
"Are you sure you don't want to change your tune, Mi Sol?" Pepa questioned as she moved to straddle his lap. A devious grin spread as she watched his eyes darken. Lifting her hand, she traced her index finger along the side of his face. Not giving him the choice to answer she shrugged as she moved off of him, standing beside their bed. "No? That's okay. I'll go help Juli-"
Pepa let out a surprised yelp as she felt his hands around her waist, throwing her back onto the bed. Félix was instantly over her, pinning her down. He held her wrists firmly above her head as he nuzzled his nose into her neck, breathing her in. He moved upwards, leaving feather light kisses along the way. "Ay. You are so beautiful."
"Félix." Pepa breathed.
Félix moved to hold both her hands with one of his own. He placed a finger over her lips, silencing her. He knew from the rising temperature what she wanted. And he intended to give her just that. "It's my turn, Mi Diosa."
"You're in a decent mood this morning. More so than usual." Julieta chuckled as she eyed her sister. Pepa shrugged placing the plates from their breakfast beside the sink. Turning on the water, she watched while the sink filled.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure, you don't."
"Pep, it's ten in the morning. Why is it so humid?" Bruno's voice whined as he entered the kitchen. He looked to the redhead, watching as she bit her lip awkwardly. Realization dawned on him. Scrunching up his nose, he shook his head. "I really, didn't need to know that."
"You asked."
He did, but he really wish he hadn't. There was nothing worse than hearing about either of his sisters' bedroom activates. He'd heard his fair share in their younger days. The youngest triplet hoped with age, his sisters would mellow out. As far as he could tell, Julieta had.
Pepa on the other hand...
"Why's Casita so quiet?" Wanting to change the subject the seer leaned against the doorway. On any normal day Casita would be filled with the sounds of their family. Granted, most of the sounds came from the six children that ran amok, there were still a surprising lack of noises.
"Mamá and the kids left for town already." Julieta explained, packing up a plate of leftovers to take into town.
"And you two stayed behind because?" Bruno raised an eyebrow. Julieta was almost always the first one out on the town, wanting to get a jumpstart on anyone who needed healing. Luisa being the exception. Even though she took her own time now she, just like her mother, liked to get an early start on her chores.
"Félix and Agustín are working on the Lopez's new house today." Bruno didn't have to be looking at his sister to see her roll her eyes. Her tone was enough, like her answer was obvious. Bruno just blinked at her.
That didn't answer his question, at all.
Julieta must have picked up on his confusion, shaking her head slightly she spoke. Gently, she slid some plates into the sink. Pepa bumped her sister as Julieta flicked some drops of water on her. "Pep stayed behind to help me clean up before I leave for class today."
A small group of young girls approached the oldest triplet a few months prior, asking for help with cooking lessons. One thing led to another and Julieta decided it would just be easier for her to start from the beginning. Twice a week she could be found with the group, teaching them all the tips and tricks she'd learned in her years of cooking.
"Oh okay. How's that going?"
"Great." The healer gave a soft smile. She'd always loved cooking, but the classes awoke a new love in her. One for teaching. "Everyone seems to be catching on fairly well. You both are always invited. Heavens know that you two could use some extra cooking skills."
Rinsing off the soapy plates, Pepa stacked them on the drying rack to the left. "Yeah Brunito. Why don't you go with Juli? Maybe you'll be able to make something edible for once."
"Like you have any room to judge, Pep. May I remind you of the brownies?"
"That was one time!"
"The what?" Bruno chuckled. He winced as a sudden pain shot through his head. He'd hoped that neither of his sisters would see it, but he wasn't so lucky. Julieta's brown eyes narrowed as she focused in on him.
"Everything okay, Bruno?"
"I'm fine, Juli. Just a headache." It wasn't technically a lie. After the first initial pain, it would just turn into a dull pounding against his skull.
This time, Pepa turned around. "That's the fourth one this week. What's going on, hermanito?"
Reaching up, he pinched the bridge of his nose. The sensation was all too familiar. A vision was trying to surface. To make itself known. But he didn't want to see it. His family was happy. He was happy. Everything, and everyone, would be better off if he didn't use his gift.
"It's nothing." Bruno assured. "Seriously. This isn't the first time. It actually happened a lot when-" His eyes widened as he realized what he almost said.
One night Antoino let it slip that he was living in the walls for the ten years he'd been missing. Both his sisters, and their mother, had been devastated by the news. Since then he avoided the subject, not wanting to see the hurt that remained in their eyes. The pain of knowing he was within reach the whole time. The guilt of all the words they'd exchanged prior to his disappearance.
"Never mind. It'll pass. They always do. It's nothing to worry about."
He watched as his sisters had a whole unspoken conversation with the single look. Julieta stepped forward, giving him a leftover arepa to help with the pain. Bruno reached out, taking the offering. Julieta didn't release his hand right away. She covered it with her own, patting it a couple times. "You know we're here if you need us, right?"
"I know. Gracias." He nodded, giving them a sincere smile. "Now, will you tell me about the brownies?"
"Don't you dare. I will strike you down." Pepa warned, shooting the healer a pointed look. Julieta only grinned, unphased by the threat.
"Apparently, they can be barbequed."
A middle age man walked into the all too familiar meeting room. His olive-colored skin complimented his short jet-black hair. The man crossed the room in less than a minute, ignoring the five pairs of eyes that watched him. Coming to a stop in front of the alter he knelt down, bowing his head.
"What is it, Dante?" Questioned the old man that stood behind the alter. The white military haircut contrasted with his darkly colored skin. A jagged scar stretched down the length of his face, starting just above his eyebrow ending just below his cheekbone.
"A letter from Carlos, sir." Dante said, pulling out a small white envelope from his back pocket. Raising it up, he offered it to the man.
"Sit." The man ordered as he took the envelope. Carefully, he tore it open, pulling out five sheets of paper.
Dear Santos,
I'm writing you this letter to let you know of the miraculous discovery I've made during my recent travels. While traveling with some merchants, I stumbled across a small village. Inside of the village, lives a family. A gifted family. Blessed with magic. Each of the family members has their own unique gift.
But there's one that will interest you the most. In my time here, I've witnessed the power she wields first hand. There's no denying she's the one we've been searching for all this time. I'm certain with her, we'll be able to finally reach our goal.
By the time you arrive I will have everything ready. I've already started taking the necessary precautions to move on with our plans.
Inside I've attached some basic things you should know about the villagers along with the family. Be warned, you must read over these notes carefully and share the information with everyone. If you don't, I fear our plans will be ruined.
"He's finally found her."
"Does that mean?" A young girl perked in her seat. She was no older than sixteen. Her short dirty blonde hair framed her face as her brown eyes lit up with excitement.
"Yes, Zara." Santos nodded. His eyes continued to scan the paper in his hand.
"In his letter, Carlos says our window of opportunity to get into this village is small." Santos returned his attention to the group that sat scattered in front of him. All eyes turned to him, waiting. Holding his hands out into the air, he spoke. "Everyone, gather your things. We leave at dawn."
Zara stayed behind, bouncing with excitement. Turning to the old man she clapped her hands together, intertwining her fingers. Santos placed a hand on the top of her head. "What do they call her, Father?"
His grin turned feral as he reread the name scribbled on the letter.
"Pepa. Pepa Madrigal."
