A/N: Update days for this fic are going to be Thursdays. Still no actual schedule yet, but when I do update, it'll be on a Thursday.

Again a huge thank you to be betas: thegirlwhowritesfanfic, chaosinourbones and thats-so-rhyan.

Disclaimer: Sutter/FX own Mayans

"¿Cómo se puede sentir

Tantas cosas en tan poco tiempo, y no morir?"

Amor Completo – Mon Laferte

~ Approximately 10 years later ~

I tossed the rag in my hand over my shoulder and began swiping up all my hair, tying it into a messy bun. Nothing fancy just needed it out of my face. I pulled the rag back and wiped down the counter. Circling around to the front of the bar. The majority of the party was happening outside in the lot, which left me the chance to get a head start on the inevitable clean up.

This wasn't my first party at the helm as their bartender but I still wanted to keep up the standard I'd created. I would always be indebted to Bishop. They had no reason to take in a stray like me, but they gave me a break. I chuckled as I recalled when Angel and Coco discovered me living out of my car in a Walmart parking lot.

I'd been in town for about a month and had a few run-ins with a select few Mayans but hadn't a real chance to get to know any of them. Until that fateful morning when I was woken up by a loud knocking on my back window. I remember sitting up immediately, on red alert, to see Angel's face peering in through the tint. Eventually, it was Coco who convinced me to drive down to the junkyard. I wasn't interested in any charity but Bishop gave me the job for 'room and board'.

Thankfully, Bishop was kind enough to allow me to park my car in their compound. That's how the running joke that EZ and I were roommates came about. I wasn't interested in getting a real apartment. Not after my tumultuous past, so I was still living out of my car, but now it was parked beside EZ's trailer. Angel's baby brother, EZ. Angel thought it was hilarious that I had my whole house parked in his brother's back yard.

The jokes were never-ending. I didn't mind. It gave me comfort to know that they weren't questioning my odd compulsion to stay away from the confinement of rental contracts. I guess it was in their nature not to question too much, as they didn't want anyone digging into their own pasts. It was a win-win for all of us.

I wiped down the last few tables, grabbed as many empties I could carry and stacked them away in the cases to be recycled. I gathered up the pool cues, stacking them into their holders and racking up the balls. I hung the triangle back in its place below the table and collected all the chalk, making sure they were neatly placed near the cues. I laughed internally. This was probably the most organized this place ever got. In the morning all my hard work will have gone to shit.

As I was reorganizing the order of liquor bottles, the doors swung open.

"Val." Bishop greeted.

I smiled, "Hey Bish."

He winked my way, "Call it a night, mija. Come enjoy the festivities."

"You already know I'm not going to do that," I shook my head, "I've got a standard to uphold."

Bishop placed his hand over mine and squeezed it, "I'm your boss. You've done enough. Relax. Come and have a drink with the boys."

I rolled my eyes but eventually smiled, "Fine."

Bishop winked. I folded the rag and hung it over the bar, before coming around. Bishop waited for me and when I was close enough, he swung an arm around my shoulders. I leaned into him. Try as I might to not grow attached to this group of men, they embraced me like family, and I was a goner the very first day. It was hard to be anything but comfortable with them.

After near ten years on the run, it was nice to have somewhere to call home. With people who genuinely cared about me. I couldn't deny that I missed the connection. I was human after all. It was our condition. To want to be wanted. To need to be needed. To crave being touched. Even if it was just an arm around the shoulder.

Right from the start Bishop and I clicked. I don't know what it was that he saw in me, but he immediately took to me. Calling me mija, forcing me out of my shell and to socialize with them all. He drew me in, and I couldn't deny his innate need to protect. It was genuine and pure.

I left all thoughts of jumping ship in the back of my mind. There was no need to pack up and skip towns yet. I had peace here. Maybe this could be the last stop. No more running. I didn't want to fall into a routine, but without a conscious effort, it was happening. I was making these men home. This town becoming more than just a pin in my map. There was no danger here.

Together Bishop and I stepped out onto the main porch and I took in the various festivities. There was a bonfire roaring in the middle of the lot, with chairs occupied by both men and women. There was still a food station set up with all the last remnants of the BBQ. As I turned my head to my left and froze. There in the far-left corner was the ring. Their boxing ring. I always forgot about the stupid thing.

Bishop noticed my pause and chuckled, "Sometimes we need to let off a little steam."

I nodded in acknowledgement, knowing exactly how well the ring worked to work out stress. It didn't matter how jarring it was to see, every time it always brought back memories. As I stood on the porch, ancient recollections began flooding my conscience and I wasn't keen on the jaunt down memory lane. I let out a breath, closing my eyes and focused on finding my centre. It didn't work. The second I closed my eyes I was thrown back in time.

~(MMC)~

The sun shone through the narrow kitchen window. It was still early but the bustle of the city could be heard. I reached over to the radio sitting on top of the stove and turned it up. The sizzling of sausages mixed well with the music and I swayed my hips from side to side, a spatula in my hand as my microphone.

"Yo siento que tú me quieres. Como yo te quiero." I sang along.

I moved my feet in rhythm, spinning around and whipping my hair as I went. I looked up to see Nestor leaning against the archway into our tiny kitchen. He wasn't wearing anything except for a pair of black jeans. Which he managed to miss buttoning up. I could see exactly what he wasn't wearing underneath them. I smirked, taking my time to admire his bare chest and arms. When my eyes met his, he winked folding his arms across his chest. Clearly impressed with my impromptu kitchen performance.

I ran one hand into my hair and flipped it over to one side and wiggled my hips in an invitation, before beckoning him forward. He pushed off the wall and outstretched his hand to me. I placed mine in his and he didn't waste any time before spinning me around and into his chest. I landed with my back to his front. His breath cascaded down my back and I shivered.

He spun me back out and we fell into step together. Both of us dancing to the beat of the song, entirely in our own world. Occupied by only the two of us. Our hands wandered at every chance they got. I ran a finger down the centre of his chest, down his abdomen reaching the tip of his pants, only to be stopped as he grabbed my wrist and tugged me into another few steps around the kitchen.

I laughed at him. The tease. He smirked and inclined his head while arching one eyebrow. He let one hand slip down my back to my ass and then he squeezed. I threw my head back, laughing, free and loud. His chuckle joined in and he tightened his arms around me. I reached up, running both my hands through his hair.

I ran them through the entire length of his hair. It was getting so long, and it was beautiful. One of these days I'd teach him how to plait it himself, but not yet. For now, it was my job and one that I adored. It was our special ritual. I twirled my fingers around the ends and tugged his head backwards. I stretched up onto my tiptoes and pressed my lips into his.

He responded in kind, his hands dropping again sliding over my backside and hooking under my thighs. He hoisted me up as I let go of his hair and gripped onto his shoulders for extra support. In our excitement, he slammed me against the wall with a force that shook everything. The momentum causing all our pots and pans to tumble out of their cupboard next to us and clatter all over the floor. Together we flinched but never let go of each other. Our mouths curved into smiles as we attempted to keep locking lips.

A second round of loud banging sound came from behind us. On the other side of the wall. Then we heard old Mrs Chavez cussing us out for being too loud. Her voice carrying out her window and in through ours. Our bubble shattered by the outside world. Together we laughed and shouted our apologies back to our cranky neighbour.

Without a change in our position, Nestor spun around, and I linked my ankles together behind his back, as he reached for the dial on the stove to turn off the burner. I let my arms hang loosely around his neck as he secured me around his hips and turned to leave the kitchen.

"Breakfast can wait." He murmured into my neck, as he pressed kisses down the side.

I giggled, allowing him to carry me back in the direction of our bedroom. The thumping of our neighbour as she continued to pound against our joint wall being drowned out by the distance of our hallway and the music we left playing.

~(MMC)~

The knocking faded as I felt someone nudging my shoulder. I inhaled abruptly and turned to stare up at Bishop. My face fell in an instant. It wasn't often that I had flashbacks, but when I did, I always found myself searching for him.

Anger at myself rippled through my veins. It'd been ten long damn years. I didn't need to be reminded of everything I'd lost. He let what he had go for cash. It never meant anything to him. He played the game well and I was his pawn.

The conflict in my mind must have shown on my face because Bishop's hand circled around my bicep and turned me further towards him. I blinked several times to clear my mind's eye.

"Mija?" He questioned, "You alright."

I faked a smile and lied, "I'm good."

A forced laugh came out and Bishop gave me a confused eye. I waved him off and hopped down the two steps, hoping to appear nonchalant. I concentrated on the sound of the gravel as it crunched under my shoes. It was easier to leave Bishop wondering than to explain anything.

I hadn't meant to walk off in the direction of the ring, but nonetheless, I found myself approaching the fence to peer at the two within its confines. I felt a thrum of yearning course through me. It was as if it called to me. I twined my fingers through the chain linked metal, watching Angel and Riz work off some of their anger.

I used this moment to take some time to gather up my senses. I let the sounds of their breathing and the resounding smacks of flesh on flesh calm my nerves. There really wasn't anything like being inside the ring. There was a quiet peace that came with the violence. Akin to drugs, the actions of boxing released adrenaline that gave a high like no other. I chased after that feeling for years, only to discover the emptiness left behind.

I shook my head, refusing to let another memory of the old days erupt. Enough was enough. Moving on is what I needed to do. Leave the past in behind me and never look back. I sighed, hating that I reminded myself each and every day to let it go. Easier said than done. I scoffed to myself.

The sound of clasping hands caught my attention and I refocused on the fight. A few people around us cheered and clapped, but this wasn't anything official. This was just a disagreement between two brothers. Riz and Angel exited on the other side of the ring. I strolled over, taking my time to assess both men. Thankfully they were smiling and popping the caps off a couple of beers.

Angel slumped down into the nearest chair, flexing his fingers on his free hand. I tucked my hands into my camo jacket and made my way over. I was friendly with all the Mayans, but there were a few that I favoured over the rest. Not on purpose, mind you. It just happened that I got along with them a lot easier than the rest.

"Val!" EZ smiled as I approached.

I gave him a soft grin back, "Hey EZ."

Angel glanced up at the sound of my voice. I offered him a similar smile and he gave me his crooked one. I bent forward, noticing the bleeding injury above his eyebrow. I reached out to press the skin underneath, testing the sensitivity. Angel flinched at the touch but allowed me to continue my perusal.

"Anyone have any Vaseline?" I asked the small group of people around us.

EZ tossed me the first aid kit and some new bandages. Catching the kit, I opened it and found a small container of Vaseline. I flipped it open and ran my fingers through the contents. Turning back to Angel, I smeared the jelly across the bleeding wound to stop it. Angel hissed but didn't turn away.

I stepped in closer to him, following through the motions of disinfecting and patching up his face as well as I knew how. Assuming I wouldn't notice, Angel let his legs hang open. Leaving me room to slide in between them. Catching him off guard, I did as he was hoping and leaned in closer to him, allowing my leg to brush against his inner thigh.

His breath came out in heavy puffs as I nudged myself to fit between his knees. Emboldened by my first reaction, he took a swig of his beer and with his other hand, laid it on my outer thigh.

I smirked, biting down on my lip. I didn't move or use my body to acknowledge his advance. I pat along a scratch with antiseptic cream. Once I cleaned it up, I crumpled the gauze in my hand and began placing a bandage over it.

"Can I help you with something, Mr Reyes?" I casually asked him.

He met my gaze and I pointedly looked at where his hand was resting. There was a tentative expression written on his face. He wanted to know if it was ok. Making sure he wasn't overstepping on any boundaries. He found the answer he was searching for in my face and let a small grin grow.

"Stay." Angel intoned.

His eyes were shining with more than just booze. It gave me hope. A feeling I hadn't had in a long time.

"Oh Reyes," I chuckled, "You couldn't handle me on your best day. Never mind your worst."

He heard the dismissal in my comment. He pouted for a brief moment but wasn't going to push. We had a very specific repertoire. One that worked for us. Neither of us had fully given in yet, and it was a thrilling game to see how far the other was willing to go.

I took that moment as my chance to leave. Call it a night. It was already close to 2 AM and I'd been tending bar most of the night. I was exhausted, and I still managed to put in some quality time for Bishop. I packed up the med kit and snapped it closed, leaving it to sit on the empty chair beside Angel.

I bid everyone a good night and began the retreat towards my car. As if on cue, Angel snapped up. The words of my comment clicking together. I could hear the commotion behind me as he clamoured up out of his chair.

Faking offence, Angel shouted at my retreating back, "Who says this is my worst?!"

I spun around to face him, maintaining walking backwards and shot him a wink. Those around us who heard the comments were laughing and teasing Angel. Our eyes met and he smirked. His way of telling me this was far from over. I shook my head in amusement and turned back around.

I enjoyed the games we played. He kept me on my toes, and we had fun all the same. We were good at this part. The constant chase. It was new and different. I wasn't sure where it was going to lead but looking back at Angel over my shoulder and seeing as he licked his lips and offered me a wink, I could tell it would be good. Whenever we finally broke from all the tension built.