Eleteo Day 2 // Angst
“She was never meant for you, mijo.”
Her tone was soft, apologetic even. But in the quiet of the room it seemed to have a gentle echo, reverberating off the bottles and potions of his basement workshop.
His back turned to her, hands leaning on his desk, he blinked and felt the first salty tear trail it’s way along his cheek.
He swallowed and tried to find a normal tone of voice, “Mama, it’s ok. I’m ok. I’m happy for her. I’m happy for Avalor.”
There was silence again. He wanted to turn around and show his mother he was fine. But he felt his strength dissolving, and his eyes slowly beginning to cloud.
He hadn’t meant to worry her and keep her in the dark for so long.
It had been a week ago, that he had come home suddenly, locking himself away in his workshop. He refused to explain why he wasn’t working in the palace.
But then the news had broke that morning. The official announcement of the engagement of the crown Princess of Avalor and the crown Prince of Córdoba.
Rafa had put the puzzle together. And it had hurt her heart that there were somethings a mothers love and effort could not fix.
“No me mientas, Mateo.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Sì, pero...”
“Just go! Please!” His voice cracked, and suddenly Rafa felt she was intruding on something she didn’t want to see.
“I love you Mateo. I’m so proud of you. Everything you’ve done. You’re a true hero of Avalor. You’re the Royal Wizard. Son, you should be proud of these things. No one can take that away from you.” She made her way to exit, taking one last look at the back of her son. “Focus on these things instead.”
Half back up the steep basement steps, she jumped at sound of glass crashing and shattering. She sighed and clucked her tongue, “Aye Mateo, you’re so much more like your father than you know.”
~•~•~•~•
It was past midnight when a loud knocking awoke Rafa from her sleep. Luckily she had fallen asleep on her rocking chair instead of heading to her bedroom. It was done in a hopeful attempt to catch Mateo in the kitchen to convince him to sleep in his own bed.
‘That is something that has not happened in a long time...’ she thought to herself.
Another round of harsh knocking jostled her thoughts. “I’m coming!”
She pulled her rebozo around herself tightly and unlocked her door revealing a very wet Princess Elena.
“Your Majesty! W-what are you doing here?!”
Elena stepped forward inviting herself in from the pouring rain, “I’m sorry to bother you Señora de Alva, but is Mateo home?” Elena lowered the cloak from her head and peered around the sala.
Rafa pursed her lips, feeling her defenses rise. She took Elena’s cold hand into her own drawing the princesses gaze to her stern eyes. “Elena you should not be here.”
Elena retracted her hand like a wounded animal. A look of shame crossed her features, “I’m sorry to disturb you this late at night. I... I know I shouldn’t be here. But I just need a few minutes with Mateo.”
~•~•~•~
Mateo’s homemade workshop was darker and smaller than she had envisioned. Walking down the steps, she could hear the clinking of glasses and the shuffling of papers.
The peculiar scent of herbs and unfamiliar elements tindered excitement in the pit of Elena’s stomach. She rushed her last few steps nearly falling on her face.
“Elena?” Mateos voice called out in the dim candle light.
Elena looked around until her eyes settled on a slouched figure half concealed in the dark. “Mateo!”
She rushed to his side, her hands immediately reaching out to tangibly confirm his presence. It had been so long since she had been near him, and she had longed to caress his face.
But as soon as he was within her reach, he pulled away.
A pang of embarrassment hit her and she found herself standing at an awkward distance from him, eyes searching his face. His rejection stung her more than she ever thought possible. How could she have expected him to welcome her with open arms?
“You’ve been crying?” she asked quietly changing the subject.
He swiveled away from her gaze pretending to be preoccupied with a stack of old spells. “Why did you come here?”
“I needed to see you. You never gave me a chance to talk to you. You never gave us a chance to figure things out.” She rested her hand on his shoulder grateful he didn’t flinch away.
Mateo sighed, “There’s nothing to figure out.” He no longer attempted to hide the dejection in his demeanor.
Abruptly Elena spun him back in her direction and placed her lips on his. Her hair was cold and wet, her skin icy to the touch, but there was still that undeniable warmth that blossomed between the two of them when they were together.
Mateo wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her closer and Elena happily followed his lead. She straddled his waist unconcerned whether the stool could support both their weight. She ran her hands through his curls and breathed him in.
Nothing compared to the feeling that Mateo’s presence instilled in her. It gave her a new found confidence that made the rest of the world disappear. Like there was no limit to what they could reach, that nothing was impossible. Her highest high and her safest place, all in one.
She hesitantly pulled away and rested her forehead to his. Crystal like tears sparkled in the corner of her eyes, “I’ve always believed in you, Mateo. Can you trust me? Can you believe in us?”
/////
AN: a snippet of a story idea where the two of them had been sneaking around as a couple, when suddenly she had to get engaged and then needed to find a loophole to get her out of it. I think Mateo is a little OOC here but like angst right ?? Lol 💕 also Rafa is on their side, she’s just trying to help her son heal, which sometimes means being brutally honest. Even though she was wrong lol!
