The Lovers on the Mountains✔️

Part 5/5

768 words

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"Emilio. Emilio," he heard, feeling a hand on his arm, shaking to wake him up. Along with the voice, the seismic alert rang throughout the city and the ground below him shook.

His eyes shoot open realizing what was happening. Beside him, Emilio saw his sweaty best friend's wide, panicked eyes.

"Hey," he groggily managed to say. Emilio discovered he was sweating as well.

"E-Emilio, an earthquake. I was sleeping by the fridge and... it hurt me. I-I don't know."

Lucas kept rambling but when Emilio's eyes opened wide enough for him to see clearly, he saw small cuts on his friend's face and bare arms. He looked past him to the glass doors of the coolers, seeing the remains of the shattered glass doors on the floor. That was probably what woke Lucas up, not the earthquake.

"Are you okay?", he cut off Lucas's continuous rambling.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," Lucas responded standing up, extending his hand to the other. "Come on", he gestured to the office door.

Emilio grabbed his hand, pulling himself off the ground, yet it was quite difficult to find his balance since the earth wouldn't let him stand properly.

Chips and drinks fell off the shelves. The sound of the collapsing buildings was heard in the distance. Emilio admits to himself, he's terrified. Their building could be the next to collapse...

No, don't think like that. Don't scare Lucas.

"If we stay here, we'll be fine, remember?" Emilio nodded at the other's words.

The pair found themselves on the floor, arms wrapped around each other tightly as they stayed under the doorway.

"Don't worry, Lucas," Emilio whispered when he heard his friend choke on a sob. "It'll be over in a while and then we can go on that adventure and see mom."

"Y-Yeah, I know. Earthquakes are just scary, you know? Can never get used to them."

Emilio understands. His heart was beating rapidly, anticipating for the Earth to stop shaking.

"Emilio."

The older boy hummed, directing his head to Lucas's teary eyes. "I just wanted to say thank you. I'm really glad I met you and I... a- appreciate you." Lucas says with a fond smile.

Emilio replies with a similar grin. For the first time in a while, it feels like a relieving weight being lifted off his shoulders.

BOOM!

The explosion near them startled the kids. On instinct, Emilio grabbed Lucas's head, pulling it close to his body while his other hand stayed around his waist. By then, Lucas was crying hysterically in his friend's neck and Emilio didn't know how to calm him down because he felt his own tears beaming in his eyes. They shook in fear in each other's arms.

"L-Lucas. Thank you for becoming my family, for welcoming me in; for giving me everything I've ever wanted. I... love you and M-Mrs. Rodriguez."

"I love you too, Emilio."

A rumbling was heard in the distance. No matter what, the two did not let each other go nor open their eyes.

This moment reminds Emilio of when he lived in the orphanage. Although most memories of that horrid place were gone, he remembers hiding in the corner alone when earthquakes struck. Although they weren't as common back then, the few times he experienced them were enough to wish he never had to again. Holding Lucas in his arms, he felt okay protecting the person who's come to be like his younger brother.

Although he's said it before, at that moment, he promises to protect Lucas and any other person he'll come to love.

"Emilio, I wanna go to sleep. C-Can we go to sleep."

Emilio hums approvingly. He lies on the floor, still under the doorframe, and waits for Lucas to crawl back into his arms.

"Yeah. L-Let's go to sleep alright?" He caresses the younger's crunchy hair to soothe him. "That'll get us through the night."

"You'll protect me, right?", Lucas whispers, sniffling and closing his eyes.

With no hesitation and a smile on his face, Emilio answers.

"Always."

I told you. The universe is cruel.

THE END

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A/N: I was inspired to write this story when I was in Mexico City. Our tour guide told us the legend of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. The spark was when the tour guide explained the effects of the volcano if it were to ever close itself off and now... here's the story.

I'd also like to credit the Lovers of Valdaro because well... that also inspired me.

I hope you guys liked it! Thank you so much for reading!!