Chapter Text
PART VI : STEALING GOLD AND...HEARTS?!
After saying goodbye to Milan, Martín had transformed into Palermo. The co-creator of a plan to steal 90 tons of gold and the one who will lead them during this heist.
When he had made his dramatic introduction to the hostages, he would admit he enjoyed it more than he should have. He was basking in the chaos when Estocolmo came in saying they had a problem.
*
The problem was in the form of Gandía. He and his minions had their guns pointed on Tokio and Nairobi and Palermo was getting him to stand down by threatening to kill his son and wife.
As Gandía and his minions started surrendering, he made eye contact with Berlín who gave him a nod of acknowledgement while pointing his own gun at the guards.
That's when he heard a shot and felt some pieces of glass entering in his eyes.
*
Despite having severe pain in the eyes, Palermo heard and felt many things happening around him.
First, he was lifted on a gurney and then Berlín checked his eyes and whispered reassurances while barking orders to the gang.
Second, in the vault, the governer refused to go so Denver knocked him out and Bogotá used explosives to get the boxes.
Third, Gandía and his minions refused to go out of the Bank so Denver himself went out. After that, Helsinki started removing the glass from his eyes.
*
When the bandage was removed, Berlín stood in front of him and checked the vision of his right eye.
"I can see your ugly face," he said with a slight smirk which Andrés returned.
"And what about this one?" Fuck. His left was fucked. Then, a mask was put over his eye making Andrés smile cheekily.
"You look like a pirate," he said while handing Martín a cane. When Palermo got down, he looped his arm in Berlín's and went to face the hostages.
*
Now, Martín Berrote wouldn't usually care for anyone getting insulted from the gang but the hijo de puta Gandía was insulting Nairobi and Milan would bite off his leg if Martín let anything happen to his human mamá (when or how that happened is beyond Martín, but moving on).
So Martín, whose resolve got stronger by Gandía's insult to him, started hitting Gandía like a piñata. He managed to land a few hits (he couldn't see but hey, his efforts were honest) when he was dragged away by Denver, Helsinki and Bogotá.
Nairobi had just started lecturing him on hitting hostages when he stood and snapped at her. "You want me to let him insult you?! You?! Who is my niño's mamá?! Not on my watch!"
And walked away. After a few steps though he heard her screech.
"I am Milan's mamá?!"
*
Thankfully after that, things became slightly easier for them all. Sure, the police who tried to enter were sent out humiliated, but they got Rio back. The kid literally looked like a puppy and damn, if that didn't make his chest feel tighter. He took a breath and transformed into Palermo and went to hug the kid with puppy eyes.
However, trouble came in the form of Arturito, who Berlín had the pleasure of introducing. Estocolmo took him away and when she came back alone, she looked slightly disturbed. On demanding enquiring, he found out that the bastard had tried putting his hands on her.
So, when Arturo came back, Palermo shoved a gun in Arturito's mouth and told him to stay away from his baby's godmother. When Estocolmo heard about it, instead of thanking him, all she said was,
"When did I become Milan's godmother?!"
Like, hell if Martín knew. That being said, he hated all of them.
*
But, unfortunately, he had started hating Andrés less. Yes, Andrés de Fonollosa of all people. They had started meeting up as an excuse to talk about the plan but in reality, they just wanted each other's company.
Hours of being stuck in one place can do wonders in repairing a relationship. They were now friends (much to Martín's surprise) and slowly, it seemed that Andrés was looking for an excuse to either touch Martín or at least stay close to him. With time, Martín had also started reciprocating.
During plan Alcatraz, Martín Berrote forgave Andrés de Fonollosa.
*
Then, Palermo comes to know that a pregnant woman with a teddy bear is coming.
"Is this a fucking circus?!" He yelled, which made Berlín chuckle. Then, all he knows is this:
The bear is scanned, Nairobi points a gun at him and takes off with Estocolmo following her. However, in the chaos of the situation, Berlín stands quietly and Martín knows that Andrés knows something they all don't do. Then, as if a realization had struck him, Berlín ran off in Nairobi's direction.
(Berlín had a hunch that the snipers would try to take a shot at Nairobi as soon as she was distracted and near a window. He was proved right as she was near a window and distracted.
Ignoring Estoclomo's shouts, he covered Nairobi with his own body and the shot that was meant for Nairobi, hit Andrés in the chest.)
*
Palermo heard shouts for help and went to the room where Nairobi was in. His blood ran cold as he saw Andrés shot in the chest and blood rapidly flowing out. During this, Profesor radioed him to say Lisboa was executed and DEFCON 2 was to be initiated.
With tears in his eyes and fear of losing Andrés, he gave the command to Tokio and Rio.
"Fuego!"
*
Then, disaster after disaster was happening and everyone started arguing whether Berlín should be sent outside or treated here. (Despite Berlín's insistance he wanted to stay in the Bank.)
At one point, Tokio tried taking command from him. God, Martín hated her so much. Thankfully, Milan hadn't chose her as his mum, so he had no obligation towards her. But….
"Fine, if you want the command, then consider your Milan rights provoked," Palermo said, pointing his gun at her. Tokyo spluttered at the thought. "I am giving you a choice. The command or Milan."
"I don't want to the command this shit plan either," she scoffed, making Palermo smirk. "But do try not to kill us all," She finished with a sneer, as she started preparing for the operation with Helsinki assisting her.
In the meantime, Martín helped Sergio deduce Raquel was alive and probably held in the tent, while Sergio negotiated for a 48 hour truce.
*
When Andrés was rolled in a room after his surgery, Martín would sit on a chair next to his bed.
Things had slowed down for now and the melting of gold was sped up. Nairobi would come to the room often, feeling guilty of being the reason Andrés was lying on the bed and he would reassure her.
At one time, he was alone in the room when he heard shouts coming from outside. He saw Estocolmo and Denver arguing and (Seriously?! He was tired of this lot already and would ditch them as soon as they all got out) waved them both over in the room.
After an hour of them trying to explain stuff (of which 15 minutes were spent on telling them to lower their voice) Palermo came to know the root of all the problems.
*
Arturito was tied to a chair and with his most deranged cackle, pushed him out of the Bank.
But it seems that Estocolmo and Denver had decided Palermo was capable of solving all of their problems and he unwillingly became their marriage counsellor. Life couldn't get worse.
*
Because Palermo was now listening to Rio's experiences. It seemed that the idiot couple had referred Rio to him. Palermo did not sign up for this! But the kid looked like a kicked puppy (Milan, oh niño!) And he was forced to listen to him.
"I feel…" Rio said, while Palermo sat there, nodding along. "I want to...get out." Rio opened his mouth to say something else when Palermo heard a very faint whisper.
"Martín?"
*
Andrés. Andrés had woken up! He kicked Rio out, those puppy eyes be damned!
There was finally something good happening in this hell hole of a mess.
"Hey," Martín softly said. Despite having a mask on his face and hooked up to machines, Andrés was smiling at him. Martín immediately ordered Tokio and Paquita in the room.
Then, everyone showed up because every single one of them was a gossip monger. Including Sergio who didn't radio him for the past 18 hours, but did it as soon as Andrés woke up. He was going to let Milan bite Sergio again.
*
Few hours later, when everyone (apart from Tokio and Rio who were on guard) was asleep, Martín brushed off some hair from Andrés forehead who was sleeping. This action stirred Andrés awake and he tried to remove his mask while Martín helped him.
"I like this," Andrés said, his voice still a whisper. Martín smiled, unsure as to what he meant. "You, staying with me, even when I don't deserve it."
Then, as if a switch had flipped, Andrés started saying a lot of things. He started by apologizing to Martín for leaving him.
"I have made a lot of mistakes," he rasped out, speaking with pauses. "But the biggest one was breaking your heart."
Then he talked about getting a diagnosis for Helmer's Myopathy.
"But weren't you tested negative in 2011?" Martín asked, remembering when Andrés got a diagnosis which was negative. They celebrated the results with a lot of champagne.
Andrés said a result came in 2014 which showed him positive. He wanted to help Sergio with the Mint Heist, thinking he would sacrifice himself for the success.
"When Inspectora Murillo came into the Mint, I went to a room when Nairobi came in saying Sergio wanted to talk to me."
He described how a hostage named Ariadna wanted to talk to him, but was interrupted by Nairobi. Turns out, Sergio was suspicious about his results so he went in depth, only to find out his 2011 diagnosis was correct and his 2014 one was misdiagnosed. Sergio's words made him determined to get out alive. The tremors he had were psychosomatic and saw a therapist for that.
"Then why didn't you ever try to see me?" Martín asked with tears in his eyes. "You were fine, you had everything you wanted. Why didn't you even try?"
"Because I was a coward," By now, even Andrés was positively crying now. "Because I didn't deserve someone who loved me so selflessly. Because you deserve perfection and I couldn't give you that."
"Shut up!" Martín choked out, " You don't get to decide what I want! Even if you are hooked to some machines looking half-dead, you are perfect for me. Because I love you, Andrés, te quiero mucho. "
Hearing that, Andrés asked Martín to kiss him. When their lips met, it was as if everything had clicked together perfectly.
" Te amo, Martín."
*
Everytime Martín thought life had hit rock bottom, he was proven wrong.
*
Palermo was sitting with Nairobi asking for updates on the gold, when Tokio and Denver came running to inform him of Gandía's escape.
"Who was on guard?!" Palermo barked out, though he could see Rio's guilty expression. Palermo then figured out what had happened.
Gandía was biding his time, studying the gang for 3 days. He must have figured out Rio's PTSD and used that to his advantage to escape.
"Can anyone tell me wher-" Palermo started asking when Tokio's machine started beeping rapidly.
"Berlín!" She yelled and Palermo took off with her and Denver on his heels.
*
When they reached the room, Berlín was gasping for air which Tokio quickly helped out by putting the mask back on.
"I will be right back, love. Stay strong" Palermo whispered to Berlín.
"Tokio, Denver, come with me!" He started barking out orders. "Nairobi, Rio, you stay with Berlín. Estocolmo, I need you to take over the charge for melting for now. Helsinki, Bogotá, gather the hostages in the library. Everyone put on your radio!"
He said and left with his troop to find Gandía.
*
After searching everywhere, Profesor radioed him to say the cameras were off and they were on their own now. Palermo had set low expectations, but it seemed that even they were being broken.
He then heard something get hit, a feminine grunt and a thud. Tokio. As he tried calling out for her, he realized that Gandía had now taken her, confirmed by Profesor and finding her radio without its owner.
*
Much later, Palermo found himself being trapped in gunfire with Helsinki, Rio and Denver. Gandía shot at them and they returned fire. Nairobi fired from the back, Bogotá eventually joining them but the fucker escaped through a vent which led to the bathrooms.
*
Barely minutes later, Gandía had shoved Andrés' head through the door and called every single one like a roll call. Soon, everyone was outside the door planning the next move.
He heard footsteps behind and Manila came in asking for a gun. After a split second decision, he gave her a gun and shooed her away. Palermo went through various scenarios as to what would happen whe-
He got a brilliant idea and whispered something in Estocolmo's ear. Her eyes widened but did as told.
*
"Come on, faggot," Gandía said to Andrés who was in a chokehold. "Let's dance."
"Enough of this shit, Gandía," Palermo said, "Let him go."
"Okay," Gandía said, too smug for his own good. Berlín took off the rope from his neck and started walking slowly towards them.
"Hey, faggot," Gandía told Andrés who kept looking at Martín. But at that moment, Andrés needed Palermo, not Martín, so what happened next was in slow motion.
Andrés slowly mouthed " te amo, Martín" while Gandía said, "I told you, I was go-"
Palermo closed his eyes and heard a gunshot.
*
"Oh, fuck" a feminine scream pierced his ears. "I killed him?!"
*
That's when Martín opened his eyes. Andrés was walking towards him, very uncomfortable but alive. Behind him, Gandía had a gaping hole in his head while Manila stood there with a hand on her mouth.
Denver was consoling Manila while Palermo held Berlín in his arms. "It's okay, he's dead. He's dead now."
*
(Time didn't wait for anyone and their truce was coming to an end. So, Rio, in a moment of bravery, recorded his entire experience, unprompted, on video and released it on the internet in an attempt to buy them time.
It worked wonders as Profesor took this chance to free Lisboa and deliver her to the Bank.)
*
Plan Paris was done using one of Gandía's minions and when Lisboa came in, they all celebrated.
"We will win this war," she declared, "For what they did to Berlín and Rio. Por Berlín y Río ."
Loud screams and cheers filled the air with the chanting of Por Berlín y Rio.
*
With Lisboa, came plan Roma. And with the plan Roma came Sagasta and his minions. Honestly, Palermo only wanted to get out and cuddle with his baby, but alas! He had no choice.
So, he cheered up his minions the gang and tasked Tokio with her own team and put Berlín in a room with Estocolmo to guard that room and to shoot any enemy who came through it.
*
Then Helsinki gets injured and Palermo is begging him to stay alive.
"I will personally pay for your date with Marseille if you don't sleep right now."
Estocolmo was now tasked with looking out for two people.
*
Later, Sagasta and his team lock Palermo and his gang out and trap Tokio, Manila and Denver in the kitchen. Palermo tasks Nairobi and Rio to create a hole in the kitchen floor so Tokio and her troops can jump in, while Palermo, Lisboa, Bogotá, Matías and the miners work to open the door from outside.
The hole in the kitchen floor is successfully created but Tokio is shot with five bullets and refuses to jump in. So, Palermo tasks Rio with getting the claymore mines and spreading them throughout the kitchen floor.
When all is done, Nairobi and Estocolmo are tasked with treating Tokio, while Rio blows off the claymore mines from below hole, killing six of Sagasta's minions.
*
Tokio's bullets are at least removed while Sagasta requests for medical aid. The medics then treat Tokio, Helsinki and Sagasta's injured minion.
*
The gold gets out and everyone is celebrating by singing Bella Ciao. Martín then takes out the dog-tag he was wearing with Milan's name written on it.
"I am coming back home, niño." He whispered.
*
Then it all went to hell.
*
Turns out, one of the minions was still alive and the half-naked chick disabled all the bombs. Only moments later, they were attacked and everyone was pushed to their knees and tied up.
At Least they dragged Tokio along with her bed which was the only silver lining that happened.
*
The rest of the heist went like this: Sergio surrendered himself, Berlín (fake) betrayed the gang and they were being carried out in body bags but alive.
*
At the airport, everyone hugged Rio. When Andrés came out, Martín ran out to him, scooped him up in his arms and kissed passionately.
(Which made everyone gasp. Including Alicia Sierra and the soldiers. Martín carried Andrés in a bridal style all the way to Sergio.
"I am lifting weights now, you know" Martín simply shrugging at his alpha display his newfound strength.)
PART VII : TIME FOR THE EPILOUGE, FELLAS!
As they all reached the monastery, Martín felt tears pricking his eyes and let out a whistle. When Milan ran out to him, Martín scooped him up in his arms and squeezed the life out of him.
"I am back!" He said, in between kisses to Milan. "Papi's back and he's never leaving you again."
Milan then ran out to his mamá, godmamá 1 and godmamá 2 (yes, Raquel was Milan's godmamá number 2, and no, Martín still doesnt know how or when that happened.)
Milan quickly became friends with Pamplona, Manila and Rio. However, he still growled and bit Sergio in his uninjured ankle.
*
It was decided that everyone would live together in the same city to avoid getting caught.
Martín knew it was a bullshit excuse since they were all dead on paper, because everyone wanted to kidnap his baby from him. Nairobi topped that list.
Nairobi and Manila were now dating and they had got a small pug for themselves named Ibiza. Tokio and Rio followed suit and got a cat named Havana. Helsinki and Marseille decided to rescue Sofía and raise her together.
Paula had begged for a pet and for now, Raquel had gotten her a red parrot fish named Palawan. Denver stole Raquel's idea and got a goldfish for his son named Perth. Bogotá and Pamplona got a black labrador named Madrid for themselves.
*
"It seems that everyone has gotten a pet," Andrés said to him, as they laid in their bed. "They all were inspired by you, mi amor. "
Andrés said as he placed a kiss on his lips which Martín deepened. Martín would have gladly moved on to other activities but was interrupted by a growl. Milan. Oh shit!
Milan was slowly coming towards them and Andrés tried to put on a brave face while Martín tried to control the situation.
"Milan," Martín sternly told him, "No."
However, Milan had other ideas and jumped on the bed and on Andrés. Martín caught him on time and pulled him away but Milan struggled and got out of his grasp.
Milan licked a very surprised and shocked Andrés sweetly on the face. The only thought that ran through Martín's head was,
When and how the fuck did this happen?!