maskormenacelogs | Love Is All Around [Semi-Open]

Newton had been the one to suggest a trip to the aquarium, but it was Manolo who couldn't pass up the chance to visit a bunch of sea creatures he'd only ever seen in books or heard about from travelers.

He was, however, surprised to learn there were no actual sea monsters -- either inside or outside of the aquarium. Not in this world, at least. That was probably for the best, though, and it certainly didn't detract from Manolo's fun. When he wasn't pressed up against the display window, brimming with curiosity about the animals on the other side the glass, he could be found petting some sting rays or watching a biologist feed the penguins. At one point, he discovered sea salt ice cream at a concession stand, and was pretty insistent when he held up his treat to whichever friend was nearest, encouraging them to try a bite.

All throughout their outing, however, Manolo's gaze inevitably wandered toward Joaquin without his realizing it. Part of him was still riding high on their time together in Mexico, and he had to admit that Joaquin's presence still brought a sense of reassurance that Manolo didn't take for granted. The cut of his jaw, his striking profile...all very familiar to him, but there was something picturesque about that face when framed by the deep blue water behind them. Yes, he decided with a quiet smile, coming out here was an excellent idea.

Hermann hung back and let Newton do the talking. A biologist with a keen interest in marine life was unquestionably qualified to lead their little expedition through the aquarium and Manolo seemed fascinated. He followed at a sedate pace, not extraordinarily interested himself. They'd gone to an aquarium for Newton's birthday last month and the glow of blue in conjunction with the floor-to-ceiling tanks gave off the eerie impression of being on the ocean floor. Not a feeling he could properly appreciate any longer.

At the end of Newton's speech about the intelligence of the octupus, Hermann found himself standing with Manolo, and Newton and Joaquin were ahead looking at some other species that had caught the man's eye. Squid? Not important, as it suddenly occurred to Hermann that he'd barely said a word to Manolo through their entire visit so far. He fiddled with the handle of his cane.

"You know, I- I never did thank you for everything. The both of you have done so much for us these past several weeks. I don't know that Newton's said as much, but we do appreciate it."

Newton's enthusiasm was infectious, and Manolo couldn't keep the grin off of his face as their friend regaled them with all of these cool facts about whatever creature they happened to be looking at. Both Newton and Hermann were so brilliant, it was really no wonder Joaquin loved keeping company with them despite his loner tendencies.

Maria would love being here with them, he realized, and the thought brought a pang to his chest. But Manolo was starting to learn how to wear that dull, ever-present ache like an old sweater. He was watching Joaquin and Newton with a sad smile when Hermann's voice gently shook him out of his reverie.

"Believe me," he assured him, "after you and Dr. Geiszler took me in last month, it was the least I could do. I may not be good for much, but I'm happy to help however I can, even if it's just playing some music. Besides, you've both been such good friends to Joaquin. I'm really grateful for that."

Good friends? Newton moreso than himself recently. He'd gotten rather short with Joaquin despite the man's good intentions during Newton's kidnapping, and then that disagreement of sorts before.. Well no matter, this wasn't about that.

"You took excellent care of Liebling in our absence- on both counts. She may only be a cat, but I- well, I am very fond of her and it was a great relief not to be distracted while we were on vacation or while I was.. working." He winced, because he'd really pushed himself too far and inadvertently forced Joaquin and Manolo into looking after him.

"And I don't know that there's a greater gift than your music. Perhaps it lacks strength, but it still brought everyone listening a great deal of comfort during the kidnapping. Easing both pain and panic on a grand scale- there's not many capable of such a feat."

His eyes softened when Hermann admitted to how much he cared about Liebling. Though, really, after finding out what that particular name actually meant, there hadn't been any doubt in Manolo's mind. Still, he'd already made himself clear about how much he loved taking care of her (and quite frankly, it felt a little like she'd taken care of him during his fight with Joaquin), so he refrained from repeating himself on that point for now.

Instead, he gave a lopsided smile at that next remark. "Well, I just meant...you, Dr. Geiszler, and Joaquin all have passions that revolve around saving lives. Solid hero work, you know? Music can't bring a hostage home, but military training and science certainly can."

And, really, people wouldn't have been suffering in the first place if people like Hermann and Newton hadn't been forcibly separated from their loved ones.

"Music is still my life," he added with the self-assurance of someone who had already wrestled with some of these issues. "Becoming a musician, though...it wasn't exactly the mark of a respectable man where Joaquin and I are from. So, I'm happy to hear you say that."

And truly, he was. Hermann and Newton were both people he'd come to respect on many levels since he'd first met them.

Hermann bit his tongue on the sharp response he wanted to follow up with, instead focusing on the floor and his cane. Manolo didn't deserve his self-directed ire, and it would surely draw Newton's attention.

"Yes." Science did save lives, his own personal failings aside. "Some believe that a hero is simply one that inspires strength in others, however. It's why charisma is so important in leaders. Speaking as one that lacks much in way of physical strength, I believe your music can be that sort of inspiration. In terms of respectability, well it's said that no one should judge a fish by its inability to climb a tree. In essence, that's not a standard you should hold yourself to."

"Judging a fish by it's inability to climb a tree..." Manolo hadn't heard that phrasing before, but that accurately summed out how he'd felt back home. "That makes sense. Scientists and soldiers and musicians think pretty differently from one another, but...I guess they have to in order to be any good at what they do."

And maybe those differences are things people were innately born with too. Manolo didn't know enough about biology, genetics or psychology to understand it, but he knew there were things about himself that simply were, like his ease of movement in the bullring, his obsession with music, and his refusal to grow a mustache or a beard.

"You're right," he said with a small smile. "Inspiration is important. Music may not save lives, but it has the power to save someone's soul if it comes from a sincere place. I've seen it happen. I think...if my music can be that inspiration for even just one person, then I am happy."

Newt was brimming with information, most of which was vocalized loudly and excitedly, like he was giving his own private tour, and he relished in the attention of both his actual companions and other aquarium goers. For being a kid himself, he didn't claim to much like children, but managed to captivate the attention of one or two--inadvertently dragging them away from their parents--while giving an impromptu info-dump about the jellyfish and explaining how an octopus has three hearts (one pumps blood through the body and the other two pump blood through the gills) and that they might well be the most intelligent invertebrates (as smart as a the cats humans keep in their own homes).

He clearly favored the odder creatures, the 'monstrous' or 'alien-like' ones, though Newt was happy enough to talk about turtles and otters and penguins and game fish (he had a few Big Fish stories). But he really liked the jellies and the octopuses and was eager to show Joaquin in person a type of anglerfish that he had once sent him a picture of ("I told you, the stuff of nightmares, dude"). He did not bore easily when talking science, and could talk about the more mundane/less glamours topics(digestion, for example) with the same excitement and wonder as he did the more generally interesting trivia.

But for all his attention on the exhibits (and on Hermann...god, he looked really pretty awash in the swimming glow of some of the larger tank displays, and with the backdrop of the jellies? it was like he was adrift in Space), Newt could not miss that unmistakable look in Manolo's eyes, if only because he knew he was looking at Hermann almost the same way.

He leaned up against one of the pillars beside a tank and side-eyed Manolo before tapping his arm. "You know," he offered by way of lead-in, "the deep sea squid Octopoteuthis deletron is totally bisexual."

The light tap on Manolo's arm broke his thoughts, making him jump a little out of sheer reflex. When he turned toward Newton, though, he laughed under his breath and inwardly wondered if he ought to feel embarrassed for letting his eyes wander away from the exhibition he was supposed to be looking at. Newton didn't tease him, thankfully. Or maybe he was too busy giving impromptu lectures to notice? Either way, Manolo quickly relaxed, although he couldn't stop himself from giving Newton and inquisitive look.

He glanced over toward the tank that contained the creature in question, as if that ought to somehow clarify what bisexual actually meant, before focusing his full attention on the man in front of him. "What, so...like, they're both male and female at the same?"

The world was a big place, and he was quickly learning how diverse underwater creatures could be, so that seemed like a reasonable guess to Manolo.

Edited 2016-02-13 05:30 (UTC)

Newt let out a snort and had to remind himself that Manolo wasn't intentionally playing clueless...probably. He and Joaquin just came from a time predating the term.

"No, that's hermaphroditic--possessing both the male and female sex organs. For example, clownfish will change from male to female if the female of the species is removed--Hamlets will... You know, not the point. We'll save that for later." He shook his head and eyed Manolo closely as he defined the term at hand. "Broadly speaking, bisexual means having an interest in either gender...romantically, sexually--" Oh, to hell with it. What did he have to lose? "--Someone who is bisexual might, for example, love Maria, but also think Joaquin's pretty hot stuff, too."

Oh, so there was a word for being both male and female, just...not that one, apparently. Clownfish, though! Who would have thought. Come to think of it, one of the kids at the hospital drew him a clownfish, hadn't they? Did she learn about that in school? Wow, he had a lot of catching up to--

Maria's name, like a dog whistle, snapped his attention back to the conversation at hand. But it was the bit about Joaquin, combined with the look in Newton's eye, that derailed his thoughts, triggering a mental trainwreck that almost made Manolo choke on his own spit.

"Wait, there's a word for that too?" he blurted, trying to desperately ignore the heat crawling up his face. "Well, that's...I mean, uhhhh...!" Oh god, Newton knew. He knew. "That's not really normal, though, right? For people? It's more of an octopus thing, right?"

He was an octopus.

With the way Newton talked about them, though, it sounded like there were worse things to be. At least an octopus was supposed to be smart. (His parents would be so proud.)

"You'd be surprised how many things there are words for." He felt some sympathy and put a steadying hand on Manolo's arm awkwardly. That was not the most gentle way to be 'outed' but at least Joaquin and Hermann were busy and it was just between the two of them. "And define 'normal.' I think I recall reading somewhere that a little less than 2% of the population identifies as bisexual. Hermann will hate my math, but let's round up and say two people in a room of one-hundred would be like you--So you're a minority, if that's what you're concerned about, but minority doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong. The point is...it's not just octopuses."

He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, found it impossible to talk with them in there and pulled them out again, toying with an old receipt. Well, okay, now that he'd opened this door, he had an obligation to Manolo to at least help, or something like it. And shit. He was not cut out for the 'you're gay and that's okay' speech, but-- Yeah, no, he could do this.

"Look: there are people who like chocolate. There are people who like vanilla. There are people, like you and Hermann, who like both, and people, like me, who honestly don't care if it's chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or whatever, because ice cream is ice cream. And some people don't even like ice cream...at all! ...Okay, no, that analogy was crap--who doesn't like a couple of flavors of ice cream--but the point is, you love who you love, and if Joaquin's a flavor you love, well, I can't blame you--even if he is a bit of a dipshit sometimes."

Edited 2016-02-13 07:43 (UTC)

Two percent. Manolo winced at that number. Honestly, that was probably the percentage of adult men without facial hair back home. So it kind of made sense, in its own way. That was a pretty lonely statistic, though, even with the relief of learning that he apparently knew at least one other "chocolate-and-vanilla" person (and someone as great as Hermann, at that). If there was anything he knew about minorities, it's that being one was the best way to get pelted by garbage. Or worse.

Of course, the more rational part of him realized that he didn't have to carry that kind of baggage with him here. ImPorts were open to befriending whatever weirdo happened to cross their path, and they currently lived in a surprisingly open, accepting society.

The dig at Joaquin's expense drew an unexpected laugh from Manolo, which helped ease some of the tension and anxiety coiling in the pit of his stomach. Soon, though, he grew more subdued, and he pursed his lips as he tried to sort through his thoughts.

"It feels greedy," he finally said in a quiet voice. "No one wants to be with somebody like that. I shouldn't even be feeling this way. If either of them knew..."

"A. If loving people is being greedy, I think we should all be greedy. There's no shame in loving people, right?" He ticked off a second finger as if counting his conversational points. "B. I am with a person who is bisexual and I WANT to be with him. I don't care that he thinks women are also attractive. First off, I do too, and secondly, I don't need him to be attracted to women, too, for me to get jealous." Which made him almost trail into a related but entirely different point. Did Manolo know about Joaquin's conversation the other day? Probably not. Better he didn't know. "Now, if you mean no one wants to be with someone who they have to share, that's still incorrect. Some do. I wouldn't want to share Hermann, but then I've NEVER shared Hermann. I feel like what Hermann and I are is a dynamic that works between the two of us and has no room for a third party. But it sounds to me like you and Maria and Joaquin have always sort of shared each other."

It actually sounded to Newt like the problems arose when they grew old enough and clearly (social rules and all) could NOT share each other anymore and then it had to become a competition. Or maybe it was always a love triangle, what did he know. And, okay, maybe, given the chance, Maria wouldn't want to share, or Joaquin wouldn't be interested (the idiot was kind of competitive), but that didn't mean the idea was dead in the water. It was a discussion the kids should actually have, because Newt had met a couple of threesomes in his time and it was not an impossible solution.

"So, okay. Okay, finish that sentence, Manolo. If they knew, what? They'd what? Have trouble wrapping their heads around the unconventional relationship? Maybe. Come around eventually, also maybe. What's the hang-up?"

No shame in loving people? It sounded almost reasonable when Newton worded it like that. The shame he carried was a different matter, but...Manolo was often pulled by the current of his emotions, regardless of the consequences. No matter how frightened he grew of losing his friends, it was only a matter of time before he slipped, saying or doing something that would give him completely away. Newton already had him all figured out. His feeling were probably painfully obvious to anyone who paid attention to him and Joaquin for more than two seconds.

"I've never met anyone who did the, the whole sharing thing," Manolo confessed. "Most people find the one person they want to spend the rest of their life with, and they don't even look twice at anyone else because they're just so incredible...right?" He suddenly sounded uncertain of that now, though. "I mean, my father never remarried after my mother died because no one could compare to her in his eyes. So I just always thought..."

That was how it was for everyone. That somehow he was doing Maria, one of the most amazing women in the world, wrong by letting his heart beat faster when he looked at anyone else. (But Joaquin wasn't just anyone, a voice in the back of his head insisted...)

"Maybe...they'd think I'm unfaithful or...or promiscuous, I don't know," he said, hushed, as if speaking those words too loud would bring that awful fate raining down on him. "I mean, normal people don't...do this. And, okay, I was never normal to begin with, I know that. But Maria and Joaquin have always been my friends despite that, and...I'm scared this will be the last straw."

"Manolo, listen to me," he pulled the other man by the arm, so they sort of huddled in, like they were plotting. He hoped Hermann and Joaquin didn't get too curious and come over and ask, because he wasn't up to explaining to EITHER what it was he and Manolo were talking about, and having to explain might just put Manolo off the idea forever. Just in case, he sent a glance their way, and they were still engaged in discussion by one of the larger tanks. "For the record?? You have a horrendously limited worldview. Just because you personally haven't met someone who does something doesn't mean it isn't done and done well. And I don't think you know what either unfaithful or promiscuous mean.

"The bisexual octopus? They're promiscuous. But NOT because they're bisexual. Bisexuality doesn't MAKE them promiscuous. The octopus is promiscuous because if they screw everything they run into, they stand a better chance of passing along their genetic material. It's biology; it's genetic survival. But 'bisexual' is an orientation; it's a...filter, showing you the things you MIGHT like--chocolate and vanilla. Now, just because you like vanilla and chocolate doesn't mean you're eating out of everyone's bowls--or, or, okay, here: if you let just anyone through your door--regardless of which way that door swings--that's promiscuous. But you want to give Maria and Joaquin keys and lock the door to anyone else, right? That's being faithful, Manolo. That's you telling them: you are who I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I won't look twice at anyone else because you two? You're just SO incredible. And that's a pretty potent statement."

Well, it wasn't like he had the chance to meet anyone who was openly in a healthy relationship with two people at the same time, not in a town like San Angel. But that was precisely Newton's point, he realized, and Manolo felt simultaneously giddy and nauseated, like he was free falling, when he considered what all this meant for him. What it might mean for them.

His eyes burned with unshed tears because it was all true, what Newton said was absolutely true. He would do anything for the two of them. He would die for them without a second thought, he'd crawl to hell and back if that's what it took for them to be happy and safe.

It took a moment to find the right words, so all Manolo could do was wordlessly nod at first. Finally, he manged to say, "You're right. I just...you have to remember where we're from, Dr. Geiszler. I don't want either of them to think that about me." Because, really, their opinions were the only ones that mattered when it came to this issue, and one of them wasn't even here to give her input.

"Just take Joaquin for example," he added with a frown. "He knows I'm...kind of, you know, like that, and he's fine with it even if he doesn't totally understand it." Maria, he was fairly certain, would be accepting too...even if he wasn't exactly looking forward to bringing it up if, by some miracle, she ever came to Heropa. "But can you imagine how upset he might get if he hears the whole story? He's still in love with Maria, and I'm the man she chose. He won't understand how I could even let myself fall for anyone else when I'm the lucky one. I wouldn't be surprised if he resented me for it."

The lucky one. The chosen one. Manolo wasn't someone anointed by the divine. He was just the guy whose crush the girl ended up reciprocating. Maria probably deserved sainthood for dealing with these numbskulls, but she wasn't the shining example of all that was good and awesome in this world. They needed to get her off that pedestal before she fell. But that wasn't Newt's concern. Or it wasn't something he could coach out of them.

Coach. What the hell was he doing giving life suggestions to anyone? Especially on love? When did he think he turned into an expert. And yet...and yet here he was.

"If he resents you, he's an idiot--and if he resents you for loving him, too, he's an absolute moron. Why is loving her AND him a problem? You're not leaving her for someone else. Or cheating on her. You're not lying to her. You're loving her AND someone else, with their blessing, I hope." Joaquin was a...piece of work. And Newt felt he could say that because he himself was a piece of work and knew it. But the man needed to stop thinking of this as losing. "He wants to 'win'--to feel chosen, I'm sure."

For Newt, that win had been his friendship with Hermann, back when they were pen-pals, when they truly connected and got along, and then it was Hermann again, choosing to go with him into the Hivemind, to save the world and to carry the load. It was that feeling again and again that, out of all 7.4 BILLION people in the world, someone picked him. He belonged. Someone liked him BEST. But it couldn't be a competition (even if Newt felt pretty sure he liked Hermann best out of everyone ever, and hoped Hermann felt the same) because there would always be better in one area or another enough to make him feel LESS. It seemed like Joaquin was ranking his love, or ranking theirs for them, and it was unfair to everyone involved. But, even so, there was some need to feel that 'I am number one' that Newt couldn't entirely fault him for. His thoughts weren't entirely sorted, but Newt was still talking, so...he hoped it didn't come out in too much of a jumble, for once.

"We ALL want to feel chosen, even when we THINK we don't, and Maria didn't choose him. So he's hurt, but she made her decision, neither you nor him should ask her to change it. And now you're making YOUR decision. ...So YOU will have to choose him. And Maria--choose her too--but make sure he knows you choose him?"

Joaquin was trying his damnedest to do right by Manolo and Maria now that things were different, and Manolo didn't want to push that good will to its limit, to somehow rub salt in that wound by bearing his own heart to him.

He listened to Newton's words, fidgeting with nervous energy now that they were talking about this out loud. We all want to feel chosen. No one wanted to feel lonely, but that was exactly what Joaquin was going through. Would Joaquin actually be receptive to a love confession from his best friend? Not just that, but also the man who "defeated" him at something that shouldn't have been a game in the first place...

"Dr. Geiszler," Manolo quietly said. "Do you really mean...I should tell him? Everything?"

"Yes?"

Well, he and Hermann weren't great at that yet themselves, but they had the Drift going for them, and several very emotional, volatile conversations. Newt had learned, was learning again, that if you didn't talk to your partner and tell them things, it generally caused you problems down the road.

"If you aren't wholly honest with him, it could come back to bite you in the ass. Pace it? But...yeah. Tell him--maybe even say what worries you, too. And if he needs time, give him time?"

Newton's advice was sound, maybe even the type of words a trusted family member might have offered (if they weren't too busy wrapping their mind around this problem in the first place, anyway). But for all of Manolo's optimism, he couldn't quite shake the self-doubt and uncertainty that lurked in the back of his mind.

"He told me he has feelings for...someone who isn't Maria," he said. It was okay to mention if he was vague about it, right? Manolo didn't want to betray his confidence, but, as long as he was getting advice, he couldn't completely ignore it either. "They're taken, it's never gonna happen, he knows this, but...is it not too soon? Telling him such a thing..."

Manolo was nice, trying to guard rather awkward bit of information. Newt chewed his lower lip, glanced Hermann's way, then leaned in.

"Yeah, about that. Look, I'd support you anyway, so I don't want you to think I'm doing this just to--you know. And no, I don't think it's really too soon unless there's something more you know about this than I do. But do you honestly think he's in love with Hermann?" The question was laced with both doubt and worry--doubt that anyone could be in love with Hermann Gottlieb after only three months--and worry that someone could. "Or is it just fondness? I know he says he's not going to do anything--but he wanted me to marry Hermann, to get him off the market... If I don't...?"

Manolo raised his eyebrows as the other man moved closer, surprised and a bit guilty that he didn't have to say anything more before he caught onto what he meant. Was there anything Newton Geiszler didn't know?

As it turned out, yes. The uncertainty in Newton's voice was apparent. Manolo empathized with him and did his best to project reassurance into his own answer.

"It doesn't compare to what you and Dr. Gottlieb feel for each other," he said. "That, I do know." How could it? The history they shared, the passions they pursued together, the way they seamlessly moved around each other in their lab, a well-practiced dance in its own right.

"The year twenty-fifteen has helped change his mind about some things," Manolo added, "but Joaquin is an old-fashioned man in many ways. More old-fashioned than me, even. Courtship leads to marriage, and he's got marriage on his mind for a lot of reasons."

He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "He needs to understand that the rules from back home mean nothing here. What did you even tell him?"

Newt did not know a lot of things, but he had the good fortune (or bad) to be in a position to get told things, or be nosy enough to get people to tell him things, and sometimes he did wish he was less well-informed. Ignorance was probably bliss, but Newt actually...didn't like being ignorant, so maybe it wasn't so blissful depending on disposition. But god, sometimes the information he had was not something he liked.

The reassurances didn't quite do it for him, because Newt didn't put a ton of faith in their history, really, not with how rocky it was. They had the Drift, though, now. Maybe that would tip the scales in their favor.

"What did I--? I, uh, don't...remember. I know I got kind of pissed because he sounded like he wanted to steal Hermann if I didn't marry him. Pissed and panicked, honestly," Newt jiggled his leg nervously, shifting weight. He wasn't sure why he was telling Manolo this, but Joaquin didn't count, he couldn't tell Hermann, and it felt weird to involve Qubit in this drama. Which left Manolo and Hiro and Hiro was still just a kid. Besides, Manolo could possibly offer insight and at least he wasn't betraying Joaquin's trust, making it more awkward and awful for himself, and spreading this around. "I'm not--I wasn't prepared to make that kind of decision so soon if it meant keeping Hermann or having someone else vie for his attention. I might have ranted--it was off the cuff, okay--but I guess I told him to shove it and then said sorry, and he sort of convinced me to talk to Hermann...and think about it."

That was a fair reaction. Hermann and Newton were already in a relationship. Meanwhile, Joaquin was coming from a place of intense loneliness, he seemed to love the idea of marriage, and he had no experience over how relationships actually worked. (Not that Manolo was that much more experienced, but he'd at least grown up with a family, while Joaquin had basically lost his at a young age.)

"He is very competitive, it's true," Manolo admitted, "but he's not going to try tearing you two apart if you don't marry. Joaquin isn't that kind of man. The fact he encouraged you to talk to Dr. Gottlieb about it at all...I think that means he's honestly trying to put the both of you first. Whether you're wearing a ring or not won't change that."

"Yeah, I... I don't think he's really that big of an ass. But how long do you think his restraint can hold up,? I mean, Joaquin has only known us since the end of October, and I've only been dating Hermann since the end of November, and he's already pushing this, well, sort of ultimatum. He says he knows he doesn't have a shot, but when's that stopped anyone? Is he going to lose patience and start on this again in another couple of months? What if Hermann and I have a fight...?"

Newt swore he wasn't insecure, and he should not be dumping this on Manolo while they're in public, if at all, but...he wasn't entirely certain that someday, somewhere down the road, Hermann wouldn't say yes if Joaquin made an offer. Newt's own parents had cheated on marriage, and though he thought the world of Hermann, thought him very devoted, the man was human and Joaquin was hot. It scared him to think he might not even be able to keep the love of the man who mattered most. He fidgited, attention drawn to the tank beside them, to some tiny fish among the main display.

"He believes enough in the sanctity of marriage or some shit to actually stand down if I put an engagement ring on Hermann? Or does it have to be a wedding?" He twisted his pinky ring. "Because... I really want to spend my life with Hermann, but these things take time."

Manolo wasn't sure if he ought to become indignant on Joaquin's behalf. The man was a lot of things, but he wasn't an animal, and honor actually meant something to him. He refused to believe that Joaquin would take advantage of his friends like that, even if they hadn't known each other long. On the other hand, he realized a lot of this likely had more to do with Newton's own insecurities than Joaquin himself. For years, Manolo himself had felt inadequate next to Joaquin's large presence and the ideal image he projected. The image, of course, was simply that - an image. But it could be a very convincing one, especially when the person looking at it already feared they weren't strong enough, big enough, manly enough...

"I've known Joaquin my whole life," Manolo said, his tone certain yet gentle, "and I'm telling you he wouldn't do that. He really likes you, Dr. Geiszler, maybe even more than you realize, which means he wouldn't be happy if he did something that made you unhappy."

The sudden role-reversal in this conversation wasn't lost on Manolo, but it was only fair to help Newton out in return.

"If you're not ready to propose to Dr. Gottlieb, that's okay," he told him. "Don't rush into it just because you're afraid of what Joaquin might do. How you two feel about marriage is far more important than that."

He'd deliberately avoided the word marriage when talking to Maria underneath that tree, for fear that he'd come across as overbearing, especially when people were already pressuring her to become Joaquin's wife. Instead, he'd simply been honest about his feelings. Besides, marriage was more of a formality, wasn't it? The important factor was love, and that didn't hinge on some ring.

It was fun, lots of fun, actually. Looking at fish was hella more fun with the scientists in tow and Manolo jumping from tank to tank with all that wonder on his face, listening to Newt drone on about various marine life while Hermann hobbled along behind them at a slower pace. It wasn't much, but it certainly made up for the nonexistence of Manolo's actual birthday. It was nice to be among friends.

It struck Joaquin when they passed a young family that this was perhaps Manolo's first time to have a birthday without his father beside him. That had to be hard for him. The Sanchezes were a close-knit family and family was important. Joaquin would know.

When he had a moment to just himself and Manolo, Newt having run off with Hermann to find the bathrooms and grab some water bottles for parched throats, Joaquin sidled over and came to a stop next to his friend. Manolo's eyes were fixed on the tank before them, a huge one that went deep, full of cohabitating fish. There was even a large turtle in there, bigger than most dogs could get.

He didn't have much to say, but he'd figure it out. They had time, all the time in the world. "... It's pretty. This was a good idea."

"I know!" Manolo readily agreed with a bright smile. "We really should thank Dr. Geiszler for suggesting this. And his time! I don't think I've ever learned so many facts about the sea before today..."

He turned to Joaquin, his dark eyes warm with affection. "I'm glad you came too. Maybe this is silly, but standing next you feels like I'm home, no matter where we are."

The way Manolo just lit up warmed Joaquin's heart. After last month, and skipping his actual birthday, Manolo deserved to have a good time. "We should. I'm sure he'll say it's not a problem and no thanks are needed."

Newt was just that kind of guy.

The total affection in Manolo's gaze took Joaquin aback and after a pause, he reached over and clapped Manolo on the shoulder. "Hey, I'd not miss your birthday for the world. I'm glad I could be here. And.... I'm happy you're having fun."

"Hah, yeah, you're probably right, but still..." He wanted to express his gratitude. Birthdays were a great time to appreciate all the good people in one's life, after all.

"Oh, yes, this is great!" he said emphatically, leaning into Joaquin's touch. "If anyone had told me that in a year's time I'd be living in the year twenty-sixteen with my best friend, getting to look at all of these amazing creatures in a gorgeous aquarium, I would have laughed in their face."

"Or you would have needed to tell someone, because they would probably have seemed crazy," Joaquin snorts. The hand he has on Manolo's shoulder tightens in a gentle squeeze. "But yeah, I'm glad it happened, even if it is crazy."

He shakes his head and chuckles. "This could all be a dream, but it's a nice dream for the most part. I'm glad you're a part of my life here, too."

Joaquin wouldn't have stomached this place alone quite so well. Yes, he would have survived, but it would have been pretty grim just living on his own without Manolo there to cheer him up.

"'Crazy' doesn't even begin to cover it, amigo," he said with a hint of laughter in his voice. "But a little crazy never hurt anyone. I'm sure a super macho soldier like yourself needs it to keep him on his toes, eh?"

His joking belies the way his heart swells these days, especially whenever they're together, but Manolo's feelings are reflected in the way he claps a hand over the one resting on his shoulder.

"I mean it, though," he added. "I'm lucky to have you here with me. Not just today, but everyday. As long as we have each other's backs, we'll find ways to make our lives here even greater, I am sure of it."

Well, that was... Joaquin gives a short, mild chuckle. Totally nonchalant. "Sure, sure..." Not touching that whole 'crazy' thing.

Joaquin instead focuses on what Manolo says next, continuing to feel touched by his friend's words. The backdrop of the tank reflected blue light off of Manolo's face, and something about that look just seemed so... Joaquin felt a sudden need to protect Manolo from everything and everyone. God, it was so hard to not want to just tell him to always stay home and stay safe, so they could keep having days like this forever.

"You're right. I'm sure you're right, even." He turned away to look back at the tank, contemplative. "... I didn't really get you anything for your birthday."

"That's alright," he easily answers. "You don't need to get me anything. Besides, Christmas wasn't so long ago, and your present was a very generous one." That refurbished iPod was one of the nicest things anyone has ever gotten him, actually, right alongside his traje de luces and precious guitar.

"Honestly, you've spoiled me a lot since we've been here," Manolo remarks with a quirk of his lips. His eyes follow Joaquin's gaze until he's watching the exotic, brightly-colored fish again.

"I guess so," Joaquin mumbled, though he wondered if it was enough. Even if he did spoil Manolo a little, it didn't seem like much of a price to see him smile so often. "... you're easy to spoil. You like everything."

His thoughts turned towards animals. Not exotic fish but pets. Manolo would like one, Joaquin was sure, but he didn't want to just get his friend a dog or a cat without his input. Maybe later they could stop by a shelter or something. Just the two of them. Maybe not even today, but someday.

"I do not like everything," he said with small laugh. "You've just known me for so long that you know exactly what I like. Give yourself at least a little credit."

With a playful smile, Manolo lightly bumped his arm against Joaquin's. It was hard to believe that they'd gotten into such a big fight a little over a month ago. As far as Manolo was concerned, the fact they could easily pass the time together in spite of all that said a lot about the strength of their friendship.

"Hey, if I'm going to take credit then I can't just take a little. I'm taking it all!" And he laughed, bumping Manolo back gently. That was just the kind of guy he was, really. All or nothing.

As far as salvaging friendships went, Joaquin counted himself as lucky. He really didn't believe he deserved to be cared for quite to the extent that Manolo seemed to care, or that Newt and Hermann cared, even. He was a pretty terrible person, but he was a terrible person that Manolo was willing to like despite his flaws. That's all he needed to know.

"You should think about what you want for dinner. I'm sure we could convince Hermann and Newt to hang around long enough to eat afterward, at least." A pause. "... I'm glad you became friends with them, too. It's nice to have friends we both enjoy and share."

"Then by all means!" He had no qualms with openly acknowledging the generosity of a man who gave so much time, money and care all for Manolo's benefit.

As for what he wanted for dinner, he grew thoughtful when he pondered the question. "We could bring some food home from our favorite Mexican place. Neither of them have eaten there yet, have they?" It made him happy to share a little bit of something from home, even if it wasn't entirely the same.

"I'm glad I became friends with them too," he said with a grin. "That's something else I should thank you for. I'm not so sure I would have gotten to know them if you hadn't lured them into our trap with your charm and good looks."

Give him an inch and he'll take a mile! But at least he was honest.

"I don't think they have. As far as I know, they've never lived in Heropa." He shrugs. "I don't know where they go when they do visit here, but probably not that specific restaurant. I'm sure they'll like it." It was like a little slice of home. Joaquin wanted to share a lot with Hermann and Newt. They were, in a sense, family as well.

Joaquin rolled his eyes, releasing a puff of air. "Well, I can't take all the credit for that. Newt was the one who first hit me up on the communicator. A joke went out of control and we just..." He shrugs, chuckling. Now some of that joke had become reality, but they both still lived to tease the heck out of each other. That's what made them such good friends.

Well, then, they would have to fix the lack of Mexican food in their lives. Since he and Joaquin knew the good stuff from cheap imitations, Manolo was happy to be of assistance.

This was the first time he'd really heard much about how the three of them actually met, though. Curious, Manolo arched an eyebrow at his friend.

"Oh really," he said, intrigued. "What made him decide to contact you?"

The shift in conversation was not the most comfortable topic to settle on, but if anyone deserved to know the whole story it was Manolo. Joaquin glanced around. Newton and Hermann had returned but they seemed to have drifted off together, looking over another tank some distance away while Newton chatted on and Hermann humored him by listening to... well, whatever it was he was saying about marine life. They were far enough away that he doubted they would be eavesdropping.

"... It's funny, it was an announcement for the calendar sign-ups. You know, the one I volunteered to get pictures done for?" That calendar. "Well... he sort of used it as an excuse to set me up on a date with Hermann. And it was a joke but it kind of..." Joaquin shrugs. "We ended up at the masquerade Ambassador Urquhart thew back in October, and we just... hit it off."

"Oh, yes! The Halloween Masquerade." Slowly, everything was starting to fall into place. "Dr. Gottlieb told me you asked him to dance a few times."

Still, something about that story confused him. Wrinkling his nose a bit, Manolo scratched the side of his head. "But...why would he set you up as a joke?"

Romance was no joking matter, after all. A man should only set his friends up if he thought they might make a good pair. And anyway...Newton must have been in love with Hermann as early as back then, right? The more he thought about it, the less sense everything made.

Joaquin nodded, still a little disappointed Hermann had never taken him up on the offer. Dancing probably wasn't easy for Hermann but it would have been fun...

He shrugged. "You might have to ask Newt about that sometime. I think he just thought it would be funny to take the guy boasting about being great for the HimPorts calendar down a peg. And I think he believed I wouldn't take up the offer, or else I'd just make a buffoon of myself. Or..." he hummed, shrugging again, "I dunno. I'm pretty sure I... match Hermann's type as far as looks are concerned. Maybe he just wanted to make his friend have a little fun?"

A third shrug. He really wasn't sure anymore. "... I ended up scolding Newt later that night about it. It wasn't very funny in the long run, as far as jokes were concerned. I think he was just lucky things worked out well instead of turning sour."

Manolo did his best to digest this piece of information, although he struggled with whether he ought to get indignant on Joaquin's behalf.

Take him down a peg? Sure, Joaquin could be pretty full of himself, and that confidence could definitely be grating to someone who was already insecure about themselves. But he'd been making a genuine effort to put other people first since coming to Heropa, and no one deserved to have their heart played with in such a way. Besides, what if it had been someone else, someone who wasn't an upstanding gentleman like Joaquin? Would Newton have allowed a near-stranger to hurt Hermann somehow?

Really, though, these were just Joaquin's guesses. Maybe it was true that Newton was looking out for Hermann, and he simply wanted him to have a good, handsome companion while they were stuck in this world. Asking Newton, Manolo realized, probably was the only way to know for certain.

"You can say that again," he muttered. "You've got a pretty thick skin about a lot of things, but Dr. Gottlieb doesn't seem like the type who appreciates being the butt of someone else's joke..."

"No, I'm sure he's not," Joaquin agreed but he couldn't let Manolo get all down about it. He smiled and tugged his friend closer, angling him so he could get a better look at Newt and Hermann down the way.

Newt had gotten an arm around Hermann's waist and there was just the slightest upturn of Hermann's lips. "But just look at them now. I don't think we need to worry about Newt making that mistake again."

They were really cute together, really. Sometimes Joaquin felt angry in his envy but today he was just a little wistful.

Manolo blinked as Joaquin directed his attention to the happy couple. Although “crabby couple” could work just as well, depending on the day, there was no doubt in Manolo’s mind that the two loved each other very much. Sure, they fought, and he got the feeling their history was checkered by some pretty heavy conflict. But, in some ways, the same could be said for him and Joaquin.

“This is true,” he admitted. At the very least, Newton wouldn’t be setting Hermann up on any “joke dates” anytime soon, that much was obvious. Manolo gave a soft smile before turning to look at Joaquin. “I’m really happy for them.”

Eventually, it was time to leave the aquarium. The celebrations didn't feel quite finished, though, so the odd little group made their way back to Joaquin and Manolo's home. The porch was particularly inviting on such a pleasant Florida evening, and soon they found themselves sitting together, sharing drinks, and swapping stories. Manolo, of course, had his guitar on hand, and he idly picked at it with a quiet, content smile, just enough to lighten the mood, but not so overbearing as to steal the conversation.

Love Is All Around [Semi-Open]

At the aquarium!

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i see what you did there...

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Heropa #15