Inbox

[matadorable]

If you're hearing this message, I am probably not here. Or I am furiously pressing every button I can because I forgot how this thing works. One of the two! Either way, I will get back to you...eventually.

Comments

[medalsome]

[It isn't until Manolo repeats what he said that Joaquin realizes his words were a little weird but hey, they were drinking, it wasn't about thinking. He just laughs, downing his drink once he's calmed enough.]

Oh man... Maybe we should slow down. [But almost as soon as he says that he burst into giggles.]

[matadorable]

Slow down? The great Joaquin Mondragon? [Manolo sounds scandalized, but his act crumbles apart the moment he catches the giggles from his friend, and his shoulders start shaking with laughter.]

[medalsome]

[Fuck, now they're both laughing and Joaquin has to be careful not to knock the bottle over when he sets his glass down on the nightstand. God, what a mess, what a glorious, hilarious mess.

About that time an interesting video starts up to signal the countdown to true midnight for the east coast... and there's something there that seems to sober Joaquin right up.

Manolo of course, loves it, but for now, Joaquin is just going to text some responses because... holy jesus...]

1/2

[matadorable]

[Don't mind Manolo, he's just generally being loud and obnoxious and occasionally dipping into the tequila even though he probably shouldn't at this point. When he finally puts his communicator down, he's shaking his head in awe.]

Wow. Wow. I didn't see that coming. I mean, I kinda did? But I didn't imagine it would be like that, hahah. But good for them!

[matadorable]

[A pause, and it's then that he notices Joaquin has been unusually quiet.]

Hey...you okay?

[medalsome]

[Joaquin finishes up texting with Newt and finds himself feeling pensive despite the mildly numb feeling that drinking usually gives him. His good cheer wasn't present any long, anyway.

But then Manolo turned to him and he chuckles nervously.] Me? I'm fine I'm... I guess I'm just a little shocked is all.

[Manolo saw it coming but Joaquin... he didn't. He pauses.]

... They fight a lot. Like... a lot a lot. I hope they'll be okay...

[matadorable]

I don't know, they kinda...[He squints, trying to find the right words for this. It's hard enough when he's sober.]...remind me of some old married couples I've seen. Like...the type of people who know each other so well, that they can say whatever they want to each other, and it still somehow works out in the end. [He looks at Joaquin, almost like he expects him to understand exactly what he's talking about.] You know?

[medalsome]

Heh, maybe you're right. [He shouldn't worry. But Newt also said some things that made him think more about himself and he would rather not do that ever, so it was time to change the subject.]

So it's... really the New Year now. Good ol' twenty sixteen.

... Time for another shot?

[matadorable]

[He's still not convinced Joaquin is okay with everything, but Manolo doesn't want to push him, least of all when they're supposed to be having fun together.]

Uh, yes? The first toast of the twenty sixteen. The twenty-sixteen toast. Has a nice ring to it!

[medalsome]

Twenty-sixteen... [Joaquin shook his head even as he pours out the next shot. He's almost afraid to hand the bottle over to Manolo but he's gotta trust his bro won't spill alcohol all over the bed.]

There isn't anything like knowing we're basically a hundred years in the future and drinking good future alcohol and still alive here in twenty-sixteen.

[matadorable]

[A snort.] There isn't anything like knowing we're a couple of old grandpappies, you mean.

[Manolo grows quiet as he intently focuses on getting the alcohol into Joaquin's glass without spilling even a single precious drop. Then, after handing it back over with a proud look, he adds in a more serious tone:]

But, no, you're right. I never would have dreamed this, not in a million years.

[medalsome]

We are kinda old men compared to everyone else here that's our age, huh? [Sometimes it was exhausting keeping up with all the new tech. At least he had his motorcycle to keep him feeling young.

He takes the glass and returns the sentiment just as seriously.]

Same here. So how about we drink to that, then. Not just twenty-sixteen, but to dreams beyond our dreams?

[It was stupidly sentimental but it encompassed quite a lot.]

[matadorable]

Just a little. [He's laughing a bit about it, though, cheeks rosy and eyes twinkling with amusement.]

To dreams beyond our dreams...[Manolo's voice takes on a softer tone at Joaquin's words.] I like that.

[He lightly taps his glass against Joaquin's.] Cheers, amigo.

[medalsome]

[This whole place seemed like a fever dream sometimes. It wasn't inaccurate.]

Hey, cheers. [A small sound came from the meeting of their glasses, and then they toss them back.]

I'm going to start seeing stars before the night is over.

[matadorable]

Hah, then we're probably doing it right.

[Manolo sets his glass down and leans back against the headboard of the bed, closing his eyes and unable to hide the dopey smile on his face.]

Any big plans for the year? Besides all that super-macho training of yours, I mean.

[medalsome]

[Joaquin chuckles and leans bad next to Manolo, releasing a long puff of air.]

Nah, not really. Training's the most important I think.

[He turns his head and reached up, giving Manolo's cheek a poke with his index finger.]

What about you? You got a big plan other than following me around when I train?

[matadorable]

[When Joaquin pokes him, he closes one eye and chuckles.]

Well, I've been working on some songs. Kind of like an album? I thought it would be kind of interesting to try. You know, just for fun.

[medalsome]

An album? Of your music?

[Joaquin blinks, then tries to sit up a bit so he can reach for the bottle.]

Well we gotta drink to that too, yeah? S'only right!

[matadorable]

[Manolo laughs.] Like we wouldn't just drink to everything already...

[medalsome]

Hey, it's an excuse to keep drinking!

[Not like they needed one; it was Joaquin's bottle that he was gifted so he would drink it if he pleased! But he would rather share it with his friend. It was a great occasion to indulge.]

[matadorable]

It's New Years! Literally everything is an excuse, hahah! [He holds out his glass for Joaquin.] But, okay. Here's to music, excuses, and excuses to make music!

[medalsome]

All the excuses... ever! [He laughs and pours the shot. It's a little messy but hey, they don't really care all that much at this point.]

Maybe I'll pour for myself this time...

[matadorable]

[As long as their glasses are full, that's all that matters!

Manolo snorts.]

What, you don't trust me?

[medalsome]

I hardly trust myself not to spill it! [And he's laughing at the same time, which isn't making pouring all that easy.

He raises the glass again, somewhat shaky.]

.... To whatever we decided! It's all the for the same result!

[Their bottle was nearly gone already but man, what a way to ring in the year!]

[matadorable]

Hahah! I like your tenacity. Let's drink to that too! [And he knocks the glass back, smacking his lips afterward.] Good stuff!