Chapter Text
Diego lay in the grass next to Lolita following a hard day of work. After she found out about the man behind the mask, everything suddenly made sense. These two completely different people were really just the sides of the same coin. As the two identities merged, so did their actions. Zorro found himself both lying around just as Diego would but also helping out like the sword of justice. It provided a balance which he enjoyed, and gave him the life he always dreamed of. For both of them, this time of peace after fighting was well deserved. It was ok to embrace each other and do nothing else for a couple of hours. After the engagement both spent more time together than ever, growing as a family and as lovers. They made up for lost time in whichever way they could.
"You know Diego, I never thought just lying around would be this much fun!"
Lolita's warm laugh filled Diego's heart with joy.
"Oh I told you! But you never listened to me! All of you thought I was stupid for relaxing."
Diego couldn't contain his laughter either, it was as if for the first time in forever he could sit back and feel childlike joy.
"Well that's because it was all you did! Or at least what we all thought you did."
She came closer and allowed Diego to put his arms around her. He breathed in her sweet scent and enjoyed his lovers embrace.
"Lolita, I have something I want to tell you."
The girl instantly opened her eyes in worry, Diego's tone was serious and filled with anguish.
"I'm going to go see Gabriel as zorro."
"But why would you ever do that? I thought you were done with cleaning up the town."
"I have some unfinished business with him and dont worry its not like he knows I'm really Zorro. So if he escapes he won't come after us or father."
"Oh Diego you know I trust you, but please no more secrets.
Tell me why you're going."
She paused and small drops fell from eyes, Lolita couldn't bear seeing Zorro put himself in danger anymore. A brave man was good but a dead man just wasn't worth it. She was so very tired of thinking she'd wake up alone for the rest of her life not knowing where her lover's body was.
"Please Diego, tell me the truth."
"I want to let him bury Raymond or what's left of him anyway."
Diego's somber tone assured Lolita that he fully intended his words.
"What? But whatever for? I know Gabriel was his second in command but they weren't family or anything. Besides, the ex-lieutenant is already going to be shot for treason, is there really a point to this?"
"Well, I think a proper burial for any human is necessary and me doing it wouldn't exactly make sense."
Diego stopped and contemplated what he was about to say next for a second.
" I also don't really believe that they were just compatriots. In fact I know it was more than that."
At this point the blonde girl's head spun around in circles as new information filled it.
"Zor- er Diego, do what you have to do. Just come home alive. BUT when you come home I want you to explain everything."
"I promise I will, but um what exactly is it you want to know?"
The boy's face returned to the dazed look he often used when putting on his act.
"Oh don't play dumb with me again! You can't just go around telling me that you suspect something romantic from those two and just expect me to leave it at that."
"Oh that! Yea. Let's just say Bernard and I saw some things while sneaking around army headquarters."
"But didn't Gabriel go after me? Commander Raymond even told him off for it! Now that I think about it he did sound pretty hurt when he yelled at Gabriel."
"I dunno, he must have been jealous or something. "
He enjoyed seeing the instant change in Lolita's attitude. That sweet laughter was what he lived and fought for. Zorro places a hand on her cheek and kisses it. Lolita returns the gesture and claims his lips. She places her head on his chest and says a prayer.
Diego leaves for his costume and says goodbye, promising once again to return home safely.
"One more time, one more time with my mask of the past."
As Zorro rides into the night he is uncertain if he is making the right choice. Diego knows that deep down, Lolita doesn't approve of this. He understands that she probably thinks they aren't deserving of the honor of burial. If the roles were reserved Raymond wouldn't even think twice about allowing a burial for Zorro. He'd burn the body and never look back. But Zorro isn't Raymond, Zorro fights for justice for ALL. Evil, good, dead or alive all deserve justice and dignity.
"Sancho... Father too. They all would have agreed. The sword of justice always prevails."
His thoughts and morals powered through and gave him the final reassurance that this choice was the right one.
Only one last question stirred
Where would Gabriel bury his commander?