Chapter Text
The sun shone brightly on a warm Saturday morning as Axel stood in her front yard, Her family bustled around her, making last-minute preparations for the journey to Venezuela to visit her abuela.
The air was filled with excitement, not just for the trip, but for the time she would spend with Ripper
With a twinkle in her eye, Axel spotted Ripper’s familiar car pull up outside.
He stepped out, his chubby cheeks glowing with delight as his eyes landed on her. Axel couldn’t contain herself she ran toward him, leaping into his open arms.
He caught her effortlessly, twirling her around as she giggled, the warmth of their connection palpable.
“Hey, beautiful,” Ripper said, beaming. “I missed you!”
“I missed you too!” Axel replied, her heart fluttering. She felt so lucky to have Ripper in her life.
As they made their way back to the car where Axel's family eagerly awaited, Ripper raised an eyebrow.
“How are we all going to fit in this car? There are eight of us, and there are only six seats!”
Axel laughed, “Oh, you’ll see! We’re resourceful!” She knew her family was accustomed to close quarters and making the best of any situation. Ripper shook his head but couldn’t help smiling; he loved the spirited energy of her family.
Once everyone was settled and the car was filled to the brim, they hit the road. Axel sat next to Ripper in the back, the two of them enveloped in a bubble of laughter and inside jokes.
The soundtrack of their adventure played on the radio, and Axel felt at home, knowing Ripper was by her side.
“Axel, how do we get to Venezuela?” Ripper asked playfully, trying to suppress his curiosity but failing miserably.
“We’re taking a plane,” she announced, grinning. “You’re in for quite the ride!”
When they finally arrived at the airport, the bustling scene was a stark contrast to the cozy car ride they’d just shared. Families rushed by, travelers checked in, and the smell of coffee wafted through the air.
Axel felt a thrill of anticipation. She loved the idea of Ripper experiencing her culture and heritage.
As they flew over the progressive landscapes of the Caribbean, Ripper felt the weight of the journey lift, buoyed by Axel's enthusiasm. He turned to her, curiosity piqued. “So how are we getting to Venezuela?”
Axel pivoted towards him, an infectious grin spreading across her face. “We’re taking a plane! Can you believe it?”
As they approached the airport, Axel’s family gathered their belongings. Her four brothers were a chaotic mix of energy, teasing each other, while her parents exchanged light-hearted banter. Ripper stood slightly apart,
feeling welcomed but still a bit shell-shocked by the whirlwind of Axel's family dynamic.
At the check-in counter, Axel’s dad turned to Ripper, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “So, Ripper, have you ever flown before?”
"Yeah, only once when me and my family visited Italy a few years ago," Ripper admitted, scratching his head sheepishly.
Axel's dad laughed. "So, you’re basically Axel’s emotional support human? She’s afraid of flying!"
"I am not!" Axel retorted, though she couldn’t help but laugh along with them. "I stopped being afraid when I was ten!"
With the banter behind them, they found their seats on the plane. Ripper sat next to Axel, his presence comforting. As the engines roared to life
“How often do you visit your abuela?” Ripper asked, tension momentarily forgotten.
“Once a year, usually during the summer and then again for Thanksgiving" Axel replied, her voice laced with warmth. "She’s the best! You’re going to love her!"
“That’s cool,” Ripper nodded, envisioning the vibrant family gatherings, the laughter and love that must unfold under Abuela's roof.
Before long, they had landed in Venezuela, the bustling energy of the city greeting them. As they exited the terminal, Axel’s eyes scanned the crowd, and then she burst into laughter, pointing excitedly.
“Look! There’s Abuelo!”
An elderly man in his seventies, robust despite the years, waved enthusiastically. Axel rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him,
while Ripper watched, warmed by this joyful reunion. He saw the love radiating between them—a bond forged by countless stories and traditions.
“Abuelo!” Axel called out, her heart racing as she rushed toward the older man. Even in his seventies, he was in remarkable shape, and his laughter echoed through the air like music.
“Ay, mija!” he exclaimed, catching her in a warm embrace. Ripper couldn’t help but smile at the scene. Axel’s happiness was contagious.
After the reunion, they piled into the family car, the laughter of Axel's brothers bouncing off the car's interior as they teased each other.
The drive to Abuelo and Abuela’s home was filled with stories, remembrances, and the occasional spill of snacks as Axel’s youngest brothers showed off their clumsiness.
Axel couldn't contain her excitement. “You’re going to love this place!” she told Ripper, her voice filled with the spontaneity that he admired.
Driving through the vibrant streets, Ripper observed the world around him—the colorful buildings draped in vines, vendors selling tropical fruits, and children playing happily. It was a stark contrast to his own quiet town, and he felt a rush of exhilaration.
When they finally reached Abuela's home, Ripper was struck by its charm.
Despite being an older house, it brimmed with character—painted in bright colors, adorned with flowers everywhere, and filled with the warmth of a loving family.
The aroma of Abuela's cooking wafted through the air, enveloping him like a comforting blanket.
“This place is amazing,” he remarked, his voice filled with wonder. Axel smiled, feeling pride swell within her chest.
“Just wait until you taste her arepas,” Axel teased, slipping her hand into Ripper’s as they approached the door.
As they stepped inside, abuela greeted them with open arms, her warm smile illuminating the room.
“Look who finally brought home a boyfriend!” abuela teased, wagging her finger at Axel with mock disapproval. “I was beginning to think you’d never find someone with your weird obsession.”
Axel blushed, throwing her head back in laughter. “Abuela, that’s not fair!” she playfully protested.
Abuela, with her silver hair tied neatly in a bun, turned her attention to Ripper.
“And you must be the one my daughter has been telling me about! Come here, let me see you!” She pulled him close and scrutinized his face, deciding quickly that he was a good fit for her granddaughter.
Curiosity sparkled in Abuela's eyes as she noticed Ripper's surprised expression taking in their colorful home. “You are hungry? I made your favorite, Axel,” she called, already bustling toward the kitchen.
Ripper’s eyes lit up as he took in the treats laid out before him. “What is it?” he asked breathlessly, his mind racing at the thought of food.
“Arepa with queso, and empanadas filled with meat!” Abuela proudly announced, placing a plate in front of him.
"This is amazing! You have to teach me how to make these," he declared, grinning at Axel, who couldn’t help but beam with pride at her grandmother’s cooking.
“Oh, Ripper, I will teach you, and then you can surprise Axel with a feast,” Abuela laughed, already planning out her cooking lessons with a spark of competition in her eye.
As they sat down together, laughing and sharing stories, Ripper couldn’t help but think of his own Nonna back home. “I think your abuela and my nonna would get along swimmingly,” he mused,
“Oh, they would! Just imagine,” Axel smiled, picturing the two boisterous grandmothers cooking side by side while exchanging stories in a blend of Spanish and Italian.
While waiting, they sat in the cozy living room, filled with laughter and banter. Axel’s abuelo regaled them with stories of his youth, while abuela occasionally threw in anecdotes about Axel’s childhood.
“I remember the time you fell into the cactus bush, my little chica,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with delight.
She was trying to prove she could climb that tree faster than her brothers,” she said, a nostalgic smile creeping onto her face.
Ripper burst out laughing, looking at Axel with mischief in his eyes. “Really? You fell into a cactus?” he teased, feeling comfort in the jovial atmosphere.
“Thanks for reminding everyone about that,” Axel said, laughing nervously as Ripper burst into laughter, picturing her smaller self covered in little prickly spines. “It’s a painful memory!”
Ripper grinned, leaning closer to Axel. “I wouldn’t mind if you fell into a different type of bush. You know, like a rose bush."
Axel laughed, shaking her head. The playful teasing and connection between their families made her heart swell with happiness.