Work Text:
Teo, usually busy with the work of keeping Quetzlan in order and helping Huemac, is doing a good job in not thinking about his mum too often. But, during late night hours when he isn’t texting his boyfriend or friends, his thoughts wonder off to his mum. He thinks about all the memories they had together. Quetzal was busy as a diosa, but she always made time for her son.
Diosa Quetzal would sometimes fly Teo above the city so he'd get a better view of his home and he wouldn't stop giggling. She never wanted to go very high because of her worry for him, but when he asked her to fly him up again after they’d landed, she’d never deny his request. They’d make cookies on Saturday nights and watch silly movies. Dance at festivals. Sang awful karaoke. Laugh at stupid jokes. Talk to birds. Pull pranks on Huemac, who would look annoyed but smile when he thought nobody was looking.
They used to have late night talks. Quetzal was one of the rare people Teo could confide in. She was also the first person he'd talked to about his gender. She helped him through his self-discovery and helped him all the way through.
Not all of the memories are good. There were fights and tears. Quetzal never yelled at Teo, but they had disagreements occasionally. Then there was the time after Aureli stopped talking to Teo when they were kids, and Quetzal held Teo through tears for nights in a row. She always helped him through any kind of trouble, but she isn’t here now to help him with this trouble.
And, of course, their last weeks together. The Sunbearer Trials. The apocalypse. Sol's return. The gods having to leave the mortal world.
On nights like that, when the memories come over him, Teo scrolls through pictures of his mum. He cries, tears falling down his cheeks. He presses Tuki to his chest.
Huemac is quick to notice these night. Quick to notice the pattern. He brings Teo cookies, the kind he used to make with his mum. He hugs him, rubs his back and tells his memories of Quetzal, first the ones Teo was there for but couldn't remember, that older stories, too.
"What’s wrong with me?" Teo whispers one night. "She's been gone for only eleven weeks. I'll see her in a week for her holiday. She isn't even dead."
"Oh, Teo. It's normal to miss your mum. You used to see her every day and now, that time is down to only a few days a year. She was a vital part of your life and that has changed suddenly. Nothing is wrong with you. If anything, you're acting more normal, more human than most," Huemac says gently, patting Teo's back. After a while, he adds, "You should rest. It will do you good."
"Thanks, Huemac. I really appreciate this. And you I should probably be telling you that more often."
"I know, I know. Don't you worry, troublemaker."
°•○•°
The following week is hectic. Preparations for Quetzal's holiday occupy Teo's mind, he barely has any time for texting or calling his friends. He invites all of them to join him, but only Aurelio and Niya confirm they'd come. Auristela, Ocelo and Atzi are busy in the Academy, Xio has a lot of research business in Los Restos (though he already promised he’d clear his schedule to come to the bird show in three months), Xochi has an interview for her styling business and Marino and Dezi are busy helping in their respective cities.
When the morning of his mum's arrival comes, Teo almost oversleeps simply because he forgot to turn on his alarm. Hueamc, bless him, wakes Teo up just in time.
Teo and Huemac find Quetzal in the observatory. When he sees his mum, Teo runs to her and tackles her in a hug. She wraps her hands and wings around him.
"Mum!" he yells, burying his head in her shoulder.
"Teo," she says, her voice just as soft as always. It is good to hear it.
He releases Quetzal from the embrace and looks at her. She looks just the same as she did when he last saw her, her feathers rustling in the soft breeze. He tries to memorise her face as best as he can. "I missed you. So much."
"I missed you, too, Pajarito."
They spend the day together, with Huemac occasionally joining them. Of course, Quetzal has to give out some blessings, attend a ceremony and give a speech, but other than that, they never part. They walk through the festival together, help the humans, laugh, dance, sing, bake cookies, talk. Teo fills his mum in on her life though she was able to watch over him anyway. Everything they used to do before. It almost feels like old times, except the looming knowledge that she will have to depart eventually.
Niya and Aurelio show up and they spend some time with Teo and Quetzal. Teo's mum always liked Niya very much. Aurelio also quickly warms up to her, as she see Teo was happy with him. The two boys held hands the entire time they are together, and Aurelio wouldn't stop smiling. Niya is also noticeably happy, energetic and chatting. Quetzal looks at Teo with Niya and Aurelio and smiles softly. She also takes time to talk to both of them. At some point, as the evening draws close, Niya and Aurelio wonder off somewhere, and it’s just Two and Quetzal again.
"Quite a boy you're dating," Quetzal says with a smile. "You like him very much. And he looks head over heels for you, too."
Teo blushes. "Yeah."
"I'm glad. Does he treat you right?"
"Of course!" Teo is slightly offended. "My taste isn't bad!"
"Yes, yes, I know," Quetzal says. "I still had to ask, as a parent. But I trust Niya would've already done something if he wasn't good for you."
They walk in silence for a bit.
"I'm so proud of everything you've done, Pajarito," she tells him. "I'm so, so proud of you."
Teo smiles, wishing he could say something, but the lump in his throat makes it impossible for him to speak. Tears glisten in his eyes.
She cuppa his cheeks in her hands. Teo manages a small smile for her. "My baby boy," she says, smiling. "I love you so much."
Teo makes himself speak. He won't regret all the things he could've said now, like he did right after his mum was gone. "I love you, too, mum."
"I wish I could be here for you more in the future. To watch you grow to be the great man you're going to become."
"We'll have to do with what we've got. I'll make sure you don’t miss out anything. And I've got Huemac. And Niya and Aurelio."
Diosa Quetzal is crying. Teo has never seen her cry before. "I know, Pajarito."
She is able to stay the next day, too, because it was a two-day holiday, and it is just as good as the day before. Teo never once leaves her side, clinging to her like a small child. Niya had to go to the Academy, but Aurelio is able to stay with Teo and his mum.
After amazing another day with his mum, she and Teo stand on the observatory again, fingers interlocked.
"Take care, okay?" she asks. He nodds wordlessly. "And remember—I love you so, so much, Pajarito."
"I love you, too, mum. A lot," his voice breaks.
They hug tightly and Quetzal kissed her son's forehead.
”I don’t want you to leave,” Teo whispers.
”I know. I don’t want to leave, either.”
When the clock strikes midnight, Teo's mum disappears. Teo starts crying silently.
Aurelio comes up to him and takes his hand. They don’t speak, watching the stars in silence. At some moment, Aurelio's finger starts tracing circles on Teo's palm. It makes him feel a bit better.
He doesn’t have his mum for most of the year, but he does have Aurelio and Niya and Huemac. And Xio. The others, too. Xochi, Dezi, Marino, Atzi. Even Auristela and Ocelo. He isn’t alone.