For the past few days, La Muerte felt... ill. Not that much, it only consisted of stomach flippings and fainting spells, but nothing more, no matter how many times Xibalba begged her that they consult a physician, she always said it wasn't necessary. Besides, if it were something grave they would already have realized. There was one thing that worried her, though. Lately, Xibalba had been going out more often on his horse; sure, he fussed over her due to her state and sometimes had to go to his realm to work, but when he was not doing those things he went somewhere else, and he had not mentioned to her where he went, and what he did when he was away.

But in her heart she knew he was not seeing another woman, she saw it in his eyes, he had not that guilt that unfaithful men had when confronting their wives. She could tell it was something else, and personal, since he always looked for ways to avoid the question. Tonight, she decided she had to know what was going on. As soon as Xibalba galloped away on his horse, she subtly teleported after him, though not too close to avoid him noticing her. She was surprised when he teleported to San Ángel and took human glamour, La Muerte wondered what business he had here. The goddess followed her husband as he trotted through the town, coming to a stop in San Ángel's hospital house; now that caught her off guard. Xibalba was not precisely charitable and couldn't care less about the sick and injured, let alone humans whose lives hung from a delicate thread. There had to be something…

La Muerte hid behind one of the higher rooves as she watched Xibalba dismount Medianoche, and tie his reins to the pole, before checking on the saddlebag and taking out a small paper bag. Then he knocked the door, and was received by a nurse, who let him in without a word. When she was certain Xibalba was out of earshot, La Muerte teleported to the doors of the hospital, Medianoche noticed her and snorted in greeting, bringing his ears forward. La Muerte smiled at him and patted his head softly, then she proceeded to subtly take a peek through the windows to find where Xibalba had gone.

She came to a stop on a window on the ground level, one with a boy of about nine years old with dark hair and blue eyes, his waist wrapped in bandages. Although invisible to humans, La Muerte knew Xibalba would easily see her or sense her presence, so she tried her best to remain out of sight as he walked into the room, though she still could see what was going on inside. Luckily Xibalba's attention was solely on the child.

What she did not expect was the little one's face beaming when he saw who had come to see him.

Alejandro's face lit up when he saw a familiar figure coming through the door. "Hi, Mr. Sevillo…" he let out a cough.

Despite the state he found the boy in, Xibalba gave him a smile to reassure him as he sat down in the usual chair next to the bed. "Hi there, Alex." He said gently, calling him by the nickname he had come up with. "The doctor told me you got fever last night."

"I'm okay, señor, really…"

"By the way, I brought something for you."

Alejandro accepted the paper bag and looked inside; once again his eyes lit up as he searched inside and took out a burrito. "How did you know I liked burritos?"

"Lucky guess." Xibalba grinned, watching fondly as the boy devoured the meal. He had talked with the doctor, apparently Armando hadn't showed his face around to even inquire about his son's wellbeing, it made his blood boil. What kind of father was he? Sighing, Xibalba crossed his arms. "Say, Alex… The doctor told me your father hasn't come see you."

Alejandro finished his burrito before speaking. "He has not. Maybe he is too busy…"

"I know that, but a father should be worried about his children whenever they get hurt. Even if he were busy he could at least pass by and ask how you've been."

"I guess so…" Alejandro shifted in bed and thought for a moment. "Señor Sevillo… Do you have a family?"

The disguised god sighed at the question, and rubbed his arms. Maybe… it wouldn't hurt to talk about his Muertita's human visage. "A wife. But she is back home, on a neighboring town."

"How's she like?"

"For me she's the most beautiful woman in the whole world. We've known each other since childhood, but even then I knew I loved her. She is the kindest, sweetest and most charitable woman you will find, she goes out of her way to help whoever needs it, but she is also a strong woman that will stick to her beliefs no matter what, and defend those close to her."

"She sounds nice."

"I bet she would try and coax me into taking you home." Xibalba chuckled at the thought. "She has never liked when children are mistreated, she has a soft spot for them."

"You don't have any babies?"

That question was always like a stab in his heart, he had never liked to be reminded of the child he lost. He usually snapped at whoever dared to ask him that, but on this occasion he stiffened and looked down with a sorrowful gaze. "… We… We had one, but… he became an angelito soon after he was born." He had no better way to explain a stillbirth to a nine year old without ruining his innocence. "We weren't able to kids afterwards."

Alejandro realized the topic was very hurtful for him, and tried to think of another topic. "Sorry, I didn't mean…"

"That's okay, boy. It's in the past…" blinking his forming tears away, Xibalba turned to see the boy. "How about you? The nurse also told me social services has paid you a visit a few times, but you never told them of your situation."

"It's just…" the boy looked down. "I don't want to leave my papa alone…"

"You can't stand by and let him mistreat you, boy. No matter how much you wait, he won't change his ways, men like take their frustration on those who can't defend themselves."

"Maybe he will when he sees I love him…"

"No, believe me when I tell you, I went through the same."

Alejandro glanced at Xibalba in shock. "You?"

Xibalba sighed with closed eyes as he stood up and removed his trench coat, placing it on the coat stand temporally, before lifting the back of his shirt. Alejandro barely managed to contain a gasp as he saw gruesome keloid scarring on the black rider's flesh, probably from whipping. Even in human shape, the scarring would never disappear not even for masking purposes. For a while, Xibalba glanced back at his scars with melancholy, before pulling his shirt back down and putting on his coat once more, concealing them from view yet again. "My father was just like yours. He didn't care for me, he punished me mercilessly when I disobeyed, or simply if he was on a bad mood." He sat down once more, this time on the edge of bed, glancing at the boy sympathetically. "So I know what it's like. That's why I'm telling you, things won't change. You're young, you're still on time to get away from it, believe me. You don't deserve to be mistreated over something that happened long ago and wasn't your fault, you deserve much better." He grabbed Alejandro's hand. "Don't worry, I'm not letting him hurt you-"

Xibalba was caught off guard when out of sudden Alejandro wrapped his arms around his waist and sobbed into his chest. Although the disguised god was taken aback for a few seconds, soon he returned the embrace and pulled Alejandro closer to him, stroking his hair. For the first time in his life the boy knew what affection and love was like, after years of neglect and mistreatment. Xibalba finally knew what was like to have a child, at least temporally, as he comforted the boy and cooed at him, whispering soothing words at him.

Outside, La Muerte was smiling with tenderness at the scene, and her eyes were glossy with tears of endearment at how her Balby had bonded with such a wonderful child. She wanted to surprise him, but he would know she had followed him and she didn't want him to think she didn't trust him.

She'd have to talk with him about this later.