Chapter Text
A/N: Hope everyone has had a nice holiday season and a Happy New Year to come!
Ricardo wakes up to warm sun on his face, twitching quietly as he squints out at it. Batting the sheets away from his body, he yawns and stretches, grumbling when he finds the bed empty next to him, long cool. He groans and sits up, scrubbing at his face and brushing his hair out of his eyes. "Alberto," he mumbles sleepily, finally pulling himself out of bed and collecting some clothes- jeans and an old merch shirt of Alberto's, slipping his feet into old, reliable sneakers before leaving the bedroom.
He follows the sounds of voices to the kitchen and smiles, leaning against the doorway to watch his mom, sister and Sofia working quickly and efficiently at putting together tamales. "Hola," he says after a moment, grinning almost bashfully as all three of them look up at him.
"Ay, Feliz Navidad," his mother exclaims, rushing to hug him.
"Feliz Navidad," he echoes, hugging her back. She shifts aside and his sister hovers, waving her flour coated hands around. "C'mon," he laughs, motioning to her. "This shirt has seen much worse than some flour."
She rolls her eyes and hugs him tightly. "Feliz Navidad, Jesus," she says cheerfully, kissing him on the cheek before moving back to finish the tamale she'd been in the process of filling when he'd spoke up.
Sofia smiles at him and graces him with a hug as well, eyes gleaming as she stares up at him. "El Patron is outside," she offers. "With the children."
He doesn't move, however, casting a quick glance over the busy, messy kitchen. "Would you all like some help in here?"
"Ah, no, no," his mother says. "Go, shoo, save Senor Del Rio from the children. We're fine."
"Si, he's been out there long enough with them," Ricardo's sister says with a slight laugh, glancing out at where her children are playing, Ricardo's dogs barking and chasing around excitedly as the children throw balls and frisbees for them to catch.
"If you're sure," Ricardo says, eyes widening when all three women start to shoo him away. "Fine, fine," he grumbles, heading outside. The sun is bright, the wind is crisp, but it's a beautiful, clear day, and he breathes it in for a few moments before walking towards where Alberto is slumped on the top step of the patio. "Did the children tire you out?" he teases, kneeling down to sit next to him.
"Si, they did, the monsters," Alberto says with a huff, laughing softly when Ricardo nudges him. "I was chasing them and the dogs around and... Hm, I think I'm getting too old for this silliness."
Ricardo scoffs. "Ay, please, you are not old." He pauses, mulling it over. "Perhaps middle aged, hm?"
Alberto rolls his eyes at him but before he can say anything in response, Ricardo leans in and kisses him, slow and soft and warm. "Hmph," he settles for, reaching up to cradle Ricardo's face in his hands. "Ridiculous man."
Ricardo chuckles, resting his head on Alberto's shoulder. "Like you have room to talk," he teases, reaching up and curling his hand around Alberto's. They sit quietly for awhile, watching the kids and dogs chasing each other around. "This has been one of the best Christmases I've had in awhile," he shares. "I wasn't eager to move again so quickly after going to Mexico City, but to be able to see my mother and sister, and the kids, this holiday without a ton of travel for any of us... it's been nice."
Alberto smiles and presses a kiss to his forehead. "Si. It was a good decision, I am glad it all worked out."
"Me too," Ricardo sighs, closing his eyes and enjoying the warmth of the sun on his skin and Alberto against his side, listening to the children laugh and shriek while the dogs bark, the smell of his mother's tamales rafting out of the door behind them. He smiles.