Archive of Our Own ^beta

What a surreal situation to live in.

In one of the couches - her beloved son, Machete. Tall, broad-shouldered, with his four hands anxiously fidgetting more than a demigod like him should do.

On the opposite side - Ernesto de la Cruz, her boyfriend. Definitely shorter than the two of them, but he was, at the end of the day, still a human skeleton. He was clearly nervous as well, his hands grasping the fabric of his pants in handfuls.

Both of them, avoiding each other's gaze, yet looking back at her, as if begging for help.

Sartana sighed and pinched the bridge of her former nose. "I know that... The way our family came to be isn't exactly normal. Nothing in this situation is normal. But..." She reached out to touch Machete's shoulder. "Mi niño... I know that his reputation might not be the best, but I can promise you - Ernesto cares about us."

"About you, probably. But me? I'm a grown man, mamá..." Machete rubbed a hand over his face. "Not to mention... I'm someone else's son..."

The musician jumped at that affirmation, as if such words hit him like lightning. "That doesn't matter, Machete!" Ernesto leaned forward to touch his shoulder. "God knows that your mamá told me so many stories about you! And the more I heard, the more I wished I had been around for the two of you..."

Machete flinched at such words. "Even if such words are true... I struggle with the idea of my mamá having a new flame. It's nothing personal against you, Ernesto. I just... Well. My mamá has been pursuing my... biological father for many decades. It's just..."

Sartana lowered her gaze. "Machete..."

The demigod gave her a little smile. "Mamá, it's okay. I'm not saying that I don't like this. In fact - I am very happy for you two! It's just... Deep down, maybe I'm afraid that..." Machete turned to look at Ernesto. "Afraid that you'll get bored of us... Afraid that you'll leave, too..."

The mariachi squeezed gently Machete's shoulder. "No way. I could never get bored of the two most interesting people in the whole world. Also me, leaving? Hah! The gods would have to crush me to keep me away from your mamá! And even so, I'm sure that I would find a way to come back to you two."

Machete's face lit up at such words.

"Do you mean that? For real?"

Ernesto nodded, smiling. "I do. Your mamá saved me at my worst. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't do the same for her?"

Sartana blushed at his words. "Aw, stop it, you two..."

A soft smile appeared in Machete's face. "Honestly... This is a weird family situation to live with. But... I could get used to it. Normalcy is overrated, anyway."