Too Late *SPOILER WARNING*
Miguel Rivera watched as the sun rose over the horizon, letting out a strangled sob. He buried his face his Papá Hector's ribcage, not wanting to cry.
“Hey.. Chamaco..” Hector muttered softly, holding the newly deceased 12-year-old close. “Let it out, Miguel… It’s better than keeping everything in…”
The boy’s body was racked with sobs which echoed throughout the cenote, loud and clear. They made Hector’s metaphorical heart ache. Miguel was far too young to die. He hadn’t had the chance to grow up. Miguel cried for a solid ten minutes, slowly calming down and exhausting himself. Hector continued to hold him close as they sat in silence.
Suddenly, a loud roar shook the cenote. Miguel’s eyes shot open, and he looked up at the opening of the massive pit. Pepita came into view, carrying Imelda on her back. “Miguel!” Imelda called out. “Hijo-” She paused when she saw Hector, a dangerous glare appearing on her face. “YOU! How many times have I told you to stay out of my life?!” She snapped.
“Imelda, we are NOT doing this now! Ernesto De La Cruz just killed our great great grandson!” Hector’s voice echoed off of the walls of the cenote. There was a moment of silence.
“Just get up here.” Imelda snapped.
“We can’t mama Imelda, there’s no way out..” Miguel muttered, wiping the tears from his face.
Imelda thought for a bit, before sending Pepita down to help them out of the cenote safe and sound.
----
After a few minutes of flying and loud shrieks of terror from Hector, the massive alebrije landed a safe distance away from the cenote and Ernesto’s mansion. Hector slid off of Pepita, looking around. Now that he wasn’t fearing for his life, now was the question: What are we going to do with Miguel.
Imelda looked at Hector, then glanced at Miguel. The boy had his arms wrapped around himself as he trembled. He sat next to Pepita, pulling his knees up to his chest. Imelda let out a sigh and picked Miguel up, before looking at Hector again. The skeleton was pacing back and forth, thinking intently.
“Hector.” Said man jumped at the mention of his name, snapping out of his thoughts. “Y-Yes?” He glanced at Imelda, who handed Miguel to him.
“Bring Miguel to your house while I go get the others.” She mounted Pepita, who stood up and spread her wings. “And please do NOT fall down into another cenote.”
With that, Imelda was off. Hector let out a defeated sigh as his eyes shifted down to Miguel. The boy was half asleep, holding onto Hector as if he was his only lifeline. “Alright, mi hijo, let’s get you somewhere you can rest..” Hector began the long journey to his shack on the other side of the city.
//And thus begins @zephyrartz and my AU, Padre!Hector! I can say from both of us, we hope you enjoy everything that comes out of this! ^^//
~Cherry