matador (manolo sanchez x reader) ₊˚

i love you too much

You and Maria barge into her childhood bedroom, where several suitcases and bags remain from earlier this afternoon. You harshly close the door shut, while Maria breaks off from you to greet Chuy

"Chuy!" The both of you exclaim, kneeling down to pet him while Maria presses a kiss to his head. You chuckle as Chuy excitedly bounces like an energetic dog, as he follows Maria around.

During your time in Europe, you thought General Posada would set aside your old bedrooms for other usages. But to your surprise, he kept them the same as the day you left, furniture and all.

"Well, that was a disaster." You say, and Maria sighs in agreement.

She sits herself down on the bed, Chuy hopping onto the mattress as if he was ready for Maria to start ranting. You saunter towards her old vanity, tracing your finger against some old pictures of you, Maria, Joaquin, and Manolo.

"Ugh! I never expected him to be so..." Chuy raises his eyebrow.

"Traditional?" You ask with air quotes, still standing by the vanity. Maria instantly nods, and so does Chuy in understanding.

You sigh, thinking back to how Joaquin was as a child. "It's unfortunate, but that's how a lot of men are these days."

"Ay, I never expected Joaquin to be one of them."

You shrug. "Y'know, you could probably beat him up if you wanted to. You with your Kung-Fu and Muay Thai."

Maria chuckles, smoothing down Chuy's head. "Pfft- we both could, but I wouldn't do that. It's not customary."

You smile. "I could do it for you. Remember all the noogies I'd give him when we were younger?"

The two of you laugh in unison, thinking back to how feeble and young the boys used to be. Moments pass where you and Maria start getting comfortable, reminiscing old times together, inspecting old photos, and gossiping with Chuy until the sun starts to set. You sprawl out against Maria's mattress, while she lays on her side with Chuy by her head. Eventually, the topic of Manolo and Joaquin started to re-sprout.

"Don't think I didn't see the way Manolo literally wrote your name into the arena!" Maria teases, and warmth spreads to your cheeks.

"Ay, but you were sitting with Joaquin the entire time!" You exclaim with a laugh, and she playfully rolls her eyes.

"I thought you always had a thing for Manolo."

Her words bring you back to multiple memories of your youth, when Manolo would try to show you a new tune he learned, or when he'd gift you a flower he'd found. You would gladly listen to him anytime he asked, or put his hair into a little ponytail for fun.

Maria intently stares at you.

"Yeah, I guess I have."

"I knew it!"

You glance outside the window, noticing the sky shifting from gold to a shade of purple.

"I'll get to my room. You and Chuy can plot to beat up Joaquin." You say with a chuckle, slowly rising up from the bed, and dusting off your dress.

"Will do!" Maria jokingly says, patting Chuy. "Goodnight, (Name)."

You pause by the door, peering back at your best friend.

"Goodnight, Maria." You say, gently closing off the door.

Your own bedroom is on the opposite side of the hallway, quaintly tucked away. Initially, you and Maria used to share a room as kids, when you were first getting used to staying at the Posada's for so long. But after a while, General Posada granted you a spare room.