matadorable | Inbox

I guess... [He huffs sadly, deflating even further.]

... It's just... they were really pushing for me to try to make up to you when I was upset. Eventually things got across, and I'm thankful for that.

I'd just like to return the gesture. Somehow...

They did? Really? [He'd been pretty clueless about that at the time. He just thought Hermann and Newt let him stay at their apartment to give Joaquin some much-needed space while keeping life bearable for Manolo.

Now he's starting to feel guilty. The situations aren't the same, he knows that, but...]

Did you have any ideas? You've known them for longer than me, so...

Well, yeah. [He said it as if it was obvious. What the hell did Manolo think they were doing, just holding on to him?]

I'm... still not sure. I showed Hermann the video they took on New Years Eve, but he reacted badly. Maybe Newt would be different but I'm... not sure. [He was a little afraid to try it, but then again, maybe that was all he had.] Or maybe, if we can, try to see if there are any conversations on the communicators we have saved that we could show them? I'm not sure how but there's gotta be a way.

[... he sure was shit with technology.]

[KIND OF, YEAH. It didn't occur to him that someone would fight on is behalf, let alone these two brilliant scientists who undoubtedly have a plethora of important things to do.]

He reacted badly?

[Ouch. Manolo gently broached the topic of old communications between the two, but promptly backed off the moment he sensed resistance from Newt. Matters of the heart could be delicate, and he'd feel worse if he somehow ruined their chances of reconciling by going in with a sledgehammer of information they weren't ready to hear.

Do they really have any other options, though?]

I could try to find something...[He turns to search for his communicator. His bedroom is fairly messy, so it might take a minute.] Whether I will succeed, though...that depends on how lucky I get, hahah.

[Now it was Joaquin's moment to cringe. He wondered if he should use the word 'date' but decided against it.]

I was on a walk with Hermann and I showed it to him. He got mad, said I was wasting him time and he use his power to take himself back home. Or I think he did; he hasn't responded to any of my texts since then.

[But hearing that Manolo would help him did lift Joaquin's spirits.]

Thanks, Manolo. I appreciate it.

... I think I am going to send that video to Newt, though. And maybe a picture I took of Hermann for him when he was being held by the Soviets.

Of course. I guess it's hard to make them dislike each other more than the already do, anyway, so it's probably okay. [That makes him feel a little better about meddling in other people's relationship problems, at least.]

Yes, that's a good idea! Newt should know that Hermann was really worried about him when he got kidnapped.

Yeah, that's true.

[Hearing Manolo gain a little more confidence in his voice, Joaquin managed a smile.]

I'm hoping it helps, even just a tiny bit. Better than letting them think they have nothing to salvage.

Yes, you're right. If it were me, I would definitely want to know.

[He finds the communicator tucked inside the jacket that's hanging off his chair.]

Thanks for your help, Manolo. Really... Thank you. And, sorry if I woke you up.

It's okay. Sorry if I was annoyed earlier. I took something to help me go to bed, so I guess I'm still sleepy, hah. [He didn't expect to be up for another couple of hours...]

[~~Nap on your own time, Manolo!~~]

Whatever you took, I might need some of it tonight if you don't mind sharing.

[Four hours of restless sleep isn't hardly enough for Joaquin, but he's got work so he can't dally much longer.]

Alright, I can do that. Just let me know before you go to bed?

[Truth be told, he still like sleeping in the same room, but he knows better than to ask at this point.]

Sure. And you let me know if any attempt to soften up Hermann and Newt goes better on your end.

I will do my best?

Hey, that's all we can do at this point. [And Joaquin reaches out to give Manolo's shoulder a squeeze.]

And what we're trying... it's better than nothing.

[He places a hand over Joaquin's, offering a soft smile.]

...On that we can agree, my friend.

[He still wasn't hanging out with them much but that didn't mean Joaquin didn't like to see Maria and Manolo, and he still cared for them. Just... couldn't stand to be around them when he figured they were doing lovey-dovey stuff. So when he did approach Manolo for his opinion, he made sure he knew his friend was alone before giving a knock on his door.]

Hey, Manny, wanna go on a walk?

[As usual, Manolo is picking at his guitar when he hears Joaquin’s voice. He immediately brightens and is already setting down his precious instrument when he says:]

I would love to. Today’s weather, it’s beautiful.

Cool! I've got something I wanted to talk to you about, otherwise I'd say let's take a ride.

[It was a little hard to speak above the sound of a roaring engine.]

Oh really. [Part of him is afraid that maybe it's related to Hermann, but Joaquin's mood doesn't quite match that kind of talk...]

Alright, then. [Flashing his friend a smile, he casually claps him on the shoulder and begins to lead the way downstairs.] Let's be off.

[No, no Hermann today. Or maybe ever again. But he's not thinking about that, so there's no reason to fall down that pit of despair so early in the day.

Joaquin cheerily follows Manolo down and they exit the house, heading down the sidewalk as if going to the park. Maybe they'll wind up there, or maybe they'll just circle the block and grab an ice cream when the truck comes along. Either way, now is just as good a time as ever to jump into the matter.]

So, I was thinking about quitting my current job and getting a different one.

[Manolo takes a deep breath of fresh air once they steps outside. The sun is pleasantly warm against his skin, and he wears a relaxed smile as they begin strolling down the sidewalk.

He has to admit, though, he wasn't expecting this to be about Joaquin's job, and he can't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise.]

Quitting? I thought you liked your life coach job.

Oh it's fine, sure, but I feel lately that I could... use a job more up to my speed. Like soldiering again.

[He shrugs. Life coaching was fine just...] It's making me soft.

The great Joaquin Mondragon? Soft? [Manolo laughs and lightly punches him in the arm.] I don't believe that.

[But, no, this is serious, and he grows a little more somber when he says:] If you want to be a soldier again, does that...mean you want to enlist in the military?

[Joaquin chuckles gamely.] Hey, it's a whole 'nother world, you know! It could happen.

But no, not in the direct sense. I mean, I wouldn't join up with the United States government's military.

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