#mateo at the start:wtf was this kids name again

[needs-to-stop-looking-at-valves]

...okay look. We need more Mateo bonding with the kids like....you know what fuck magic or any bullshit like that I'm going to be the BEST uncle for all the brats.

And one of his siblings is like Mateo being a good uncle isn't a competition and he's like The Hell it isn't! You just watch I'll be their favorite!

Aw? You guys genuinely liked Mateo huh? Alright, let's have some Mateo (Félix's younger brother)and Julio (Felix's older brother) content!

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Mateo couldn't get one fucking day off around here. He got up from the couch, beer in hand, and went to open the door. His older brother, Félix. And every booger eater in the house.

"Mateo, hey, listen, I need mami to watch the kids, something came up and-"

"Shit outta luck then, its Wednesday. Date night, remember?"

Félix groaned into his hand. His brother was usually pretty chill, so whatever this was had to be pretty important if it stressed him out.

"Is ANYONE else here?"

"Just Julio, he got back from the market a second ago."

"Dios Pepa is gonna kill me- can you guys watch the kids?"

Mateo was about to respond when Julio, who was walking down the steps, did it for him.

"Sure, we can watch them."

"Fuck you- all this 'we' bullshit."

Mateo was always mami's favorite, taking responsibility and shit. Julio walked up to them, and he HATED how much taller he was than him, a good three feet at least.

"WE will watch them, yes."

"What if I don't fucking want to?"

"Then I will."

"...oh I see- you think this makes you better than me? Screw you, I can out uncle you anyday."

"Babysitting isn't a contest."

"LIKE FUCK IT AIN'T. You know what, we'll watch your little snot rockets for you, and they'll see who's the better uncle!"

Félix looked around wildly, as if he wanted to trust a stranger with them, before groaning.

"Okay. Fine. You guys can watch them for like, two hours. But we need rules."

"Fair."

"Lame."

"No more cussing in front of them. Camilo called Dolores a 'fuckhead' the other day and Pepa was going to kill me."

"What makes you think that was ME?"

Camilo pointed at Mateo, and loudly yelled.

"FUCKHEAD!!"

"HEY FUCK YOU-"

"RULE TWO. No threatening to beat up the kids. These are children, not a guy at the bar. You cannot fight them, and I WILL give you a barriga rosa."

Mateo folded his arms, and scoffed. Asshole. Julio nodded in understanding. Félix held up his fingers after every rule. Some of which he actually paid attention to, but he knew Julio was always paying attention.

"...five, no yelling, Dolores's ears are sensitive. And six, make sure Camilo keeps stuff OUT of his mouth. Hes been getting into licking stuff. You guys got all of that?"

"Yeah yeah we get it. Go do your thing bro."

Félix hesitated, before he knelt down to the kid's levels.

"You guys be good, okay? I'll be back in a bit, I PROMISE."

He gave them all their due kisses and hugs, before leaving. Then the kids turned to them. Fucking hell, five whole ass kids. Mateo stared at them, unsure of what to do. Julio, the jackass, was always way better with kids, even though he was boring as a bump on a log.

"Would you all like something to drink?"

Camilo immediately ran into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and held up one of his beers.

"This one!"

"Alright let me get a bottle opener-"

"Mateo these are children."

"Listen if he wants to get black out drunk, thats on him."

"Yeah! Besides, I'm an adult!"

Camilo turned into Mateo, and he gave himself a once over.

"An ugly adult, but an adult nonetheless."

"Listen here you little-!"

"Can I have juice?"

"I want lemonade!"

"I want hot chocolate!"

Many of them scrambled into the kitchen, while a couple ran into the living room. Mateo immediately went to the living room while Julio went for the kitchen. One of the girls lifted the couch clean off the floor, while Dolores picked up something off the floor.

"Oh. We found a peso!"

"Hey- put that down!"

She put it down harshly, and the sound made Dolores cover her ears, and cry. This made the other one cry too, attempting to comfort Dolores, while only making it worse. Meanwhile you had one kid throwing flowers around, one turning different adults and trying to avoid getting caught by Mateo. And you had one of them, the one with glasses, standing in place, drinking her juice. She had no 'gift' to use to contribute to this mess. That was when it clicked. He waited until 'Pepa' dashed past him, before he caught him in his arms, before Julio stomped on the floor, loudly, forcing them all into silence (save for a whimpering Dolores). Julio was holding flowers in his arms, and both her and Camilo stared up at them in curiosity. Mateo sighed.

"Okay, okay. How about we play a game?"

"I like games."

Muttered Dolores.

"Great. We're gonna play 'act like'...uh...Julio, remind me what that one's name is?"

"Did you seriously forget your niece's name?"

"You...forgot my name?"

She started to swell up in tears, and both Flowers and Muscles shot him a mean look. God women were scary.

"No no no! I just wanted to uh...see if Julio did! Julio, what's her name?"

Listen, his brother only brought over Camilo and Dolores, how the fuck was he supposed to know? Julio sighed.

"Mirabel."

"Right! Mirabel. We're all gonna pretend to be like Mirabel! So, everyone's gonna calm down, and everyone's gonna knock off the magic stuff."

Camilo stuck his tongue out to make a fart noise.

"Sounds boring."

"But the PRIZE isn't."

"Keep talkin' short stack."

Mateo flicked his forehead before continuing.

"The person to last use their powers gets to have the stash of candy I keep...somewhere. The whole bag, no sharing."

Flowers raised her hand.

"What about Dolores? She can't control hers."

"Then she can just knock off the damn tears."

Mirabel tugged on his shirt.

"But...I'm Mirabel. I act the most like me. Don't I win automatically?"

She had him there. He stammered for a response, before Julio came in to save him.

"Mirabel gets the second prize. Ice cream."

"Yay!"

"Great, we're all excited. So no shape shifting, no lifting heavy shit, and no...f...flowers-!"

He sneezed into his elbow. God he REALLY hated this particular power. The kids looked at each other, before nodding. Julio put her down, before leaning into his brother's ear.

"How are we going to play this if you don't remember their names?"

"Uh...that's...how we start the game! Everyone gets to make nametags!"

They got the kids to sit down, gave them crayons and papers (from Julio's last kid. Not something they talked about too much in the family), and they all made their own little nametags. Julio and Mateo watched them from the kitchen, appreciating the beers, and moments of silence.

"We're fucked. So fucked. These kids are fucking nuts."

"Don't swear."

"Why are you so CALM?! Jesus fuck FEEL SOMETHING."

Julio just glanced at him blankly. Mateo was about to go off, so tired of his shit, when someone threw a paper ball at his head. The little shit stain, Camilo.

"Oye- we're done! You don't even have fun stuff like glitter!"

"Glitter makes messes."

"Your face makes a mess."

Julio didn't laugh at such an insult, but even Mateo felt himself grinning. Kid was funny sometimes.

"How about we go play ball? Burn some energy outta you runts-what, Dolores?"

Dolores put her raised hand down.

"Kicking the ball is loud. Can I stay inside?"

"Can I stay inside too? I feel like I'd kick it too hard. And my shoes are new, I don't wanna get them dirty."

Julio shrugged.

"I can watch Dolores and Luisa. I don't like sports anyway. Can you handle three out of five?"

"Duh. That's how much better at babysitting I am than you."

Julio shrugged, before plucking a few books from the shelf, and sitting down with the girls. That left three. Camilo, Isabela, and Mirabel. He could handle three, totally. Even though flowers over here made his fucking nose run. He walked them outside, and from the storage shed, pulled out a ball. He let it fall to the ground, before holding it still with his foot.

"Alright, teams of two. Camilo, you're with flowers, I got Mirabel. Goals are there, and there. Whoever gets to three wins."

"Wins what?"

Mateo shrugged.

"You guys get to say one swear word, and I won't tell your parents."

THAT got them excited. He almost wanted to let them have one for free, just in curiosity. He thought about asking Camilo to come on his side instead, but he sorta...well. Felt bad he forgot Glasses' name here. He passed the ball to Camilo, but upon seeing him transform into some tall dude, he grabbed him by his collar, stopping him.

"No magic, none of you. Remember, the game?"

Camilo pouted, before turning back to normal.

"Ugh. Right. Fine. Do over."

Mateo didn't wanna count it, but he supposed the powers were more of a reflex for them at this point. They started over, and Mateo pushed the other two away from Mirabel, letting her run. And this girl could BOLT. These two tried to chase after her, but it was too late. She scored a goal, and Mateo grinned at the opposite team.

"Wow you guys just LET her have that. This is gonna be easy."

They started again. Mirabel took the lead, Camilo tried to steal it from her, and Mateo wanted to laugh as she fucking sent him to the ground. Isabela stole it from her though, and was about to hand it to Camilo, when he stole it (fuck going easy on kids), and made the winning shot. Mirabel lifted her fists in the air in triumph, and Camilo grumbled as Isabela helped him up. His shirt was dirty, but clearly he was more mad about his winning streak. Or lack thereof. Mirabel kicked over the ball, gesturing for him to lean down.

"Think we should let them have a point?"

"Fuck that mess, I say we cream these kids."

"Imma say the biggest bad word ever."

He gave her a little high five. He liked this one. They assumed their positions, and Mirabel was on it like flies to shit. She would've made it, honestly, had she not fallen flat on her face. Isabela took it and brought it to their goal, scoring a point. He would've stopped it, had he not immediately ran to Mirabel when she didn't get up. He helped her to her feet, and winced at the scratch on her forehead.

"Shit- kid you okay?"

"Mhmm. I'm sorry I lost the point..."

"Fuck the point- I thought you cracked your damn head like a nut."

He tried to figure out what to do, when there was suddenly a band aid in his face. Isa was holding out a band aid, covered in a flower pattern. He took it from her and carefully put it on her forehead.

"Better?"

"Mhmm. Thank you tìo. Gracias Isa."

Isabela and Mirabel shared a good squeeze, before they all turned when Camilo whistled. He had his foot on the ball, and he looked short as hell.

"We gonna see who wins or what?!"

Mateo grinned, fist bumping the two girls.

"Let's get it. Bonus points to whoever makes him eat shit."

-------------------

She looked up at him as he wrote in his sketchbook. She didn't know how long they had been here, but it had been long enough for them to play outside until it got dark, and enough for Luisa and Dolores to make MANY paper flowers for Isa (she had been sad that she couldn't make any during their game). Enough for them to have their bellies full with food (it wasn't very good, since it was 'shitty leftovers', but they were all hungry), and to have everyone but her asleep. Luisa, Dolores, and Isabela were asleep with Julio, while she and Camilo were with Mateo. It was quiet, especially since tìo Julio was asleep too.

"Tìo?"

"Hey kid. Thought you were asleep."

"I didn't wanna. What are you writing?"

"...it's a song for someone."

"Who?"

"Someone...I like."

His cheeks were red. Usually they got like that when he was angry, but he was also...smiling. Mirabel giggled.

"You LIKE someone. She cute?"

"Uh...yeah. Really cute. Don't go telling people, alright?"

"I won't. If I get to hear what you have so far."

"Blackmail eh? Alright you little cunt, deal. It's not much though. Uh...'At this point it's pretty gratuitous, to say that I love you I think that is obvious that you had something to do with it. I hope I don't ruin it, hope I don't accidentally throw it all away! You make me feel some kinda way, my heart isn't pumping it booms, inside of my stomach's a tiny apartment'. Kinda lost it th-"

"What if butterflies lived in the rooms?"

She didn't look at him from her piece of paper, but she heard him scribbling.

"'And butterflies live in the rooms, but only when I look at you. Uh...'Our time spent together is like planting a flower, and I think it's starting to bloom'. How's that sound?"

"It's pretty. I'd like it if a boy wrote that for me."

"Heh. You're a bit of a different kid, ain't you?"

She nodded, looking at the final folded result.

"That's what mi mami says. But I kinda...liked that about me today. Thank you."

"What for?"

"For msking it cool to not have a gift. To be...Mirabel. Everyone wanted to BE me for once. It felt nice. So, gracias, tìo. You're the best."

"Better than Julio?"

She looked at sleeping Julio, and whispered, as if he'd wake up and hear her.

"Yeah. He's kinda boring. You're way cooler. Though neither of you can cook."

"No, no the fuck we can't. But thanks kid."

She put the folded butterfly on his notepad, and snuggled into his side. He was a short man, but his arm around her as he hugged her, felt like a tidal wave of warmth and affection. Even if he smelled like grown up soda. She was about to drift off into sleep, when her and Dolores woke up upon hearing the door being knocked on. Mateo picked up both her and Camilo as he went to open the door. Félix and Pepa, looking very tired.

"Hey, there you are! Wow you got him to sleep. They didn't drink anything they shouldn't have, right?"

"What kind of adult do you think I-"

"He said 'if he wants to get black out drunk, thats on him'"

"Dolores you fucking snitch."

Tìa Pepa was trying to keep herself calm, probably because he just swore in front of Dolores.

"Never again am I leaving you with any of these kids."

"Shit bitch, they're alive ain't they?"

Félix had to hold his wife back, chuckling awkwardly to try to diffuse the situation. The thunder was so loud, it woke every else up, most with a cry of surprise.

"He's KIDDING! He knows if he isn't, I'm beating him up. Now come on, let's take the kids home, we've had a long day."

Mateo scoffed, turning away from them.

"Fuck that. Let her go, I'll throw hands with god for these kids, I'm not scared worth a shit."

Camilo leaned forward, falling into his mother's arms, softening her, just for a moment. Julio walked over with the other kids, letting Félix hold them. Félix chuckled at the paper crown on his head.

"Let me guess, Luisa?"

"Mhmm. I'm the pretty princess of unicorn city. Neigh."

Tìo Julio was never really happy or sad, and his face looked bored, but something about Félix's smile said he was happy.

"Beautiful bro, beautiful. Now come on, one more for the train ride home."

Félix held his arms out to her, and she hesitated. She gave Mateo one good squeeze, muttering 'thank you' against his jacket, before letting Félix take her. Félix was about to turn around, when Mateo stopped them.

"Wait wait- settle the bet, who was the best uncle. Raise your hand if it was me."

Mirabel and Camilo raised their hands.

"Okay, who's got their vote for stupid Julio?"

Luisa, and Isabela raised their hands.

"Great, now I know who's dead to me- wait. Dolores didn't vote."

"I like Tìo Bruno."

"Tìo Bruno can suck my left n-"

Julio patted the top of Mateo's head.

"You're just mad because we tied."

"I A M MAD. THIS SUCKS. I'M BETTER THAN YOU. That's it, these two get nothing in my will."

Félix gave him a look over, brow raised.

"You own a banjo, and a pair of socks."

"TWO pairs, pandejo."

Félix rolled his eyes, before wrapping up the kids in his arm with his shirt, keeping her and Camilo warm from his body heat. It WAS getting cold.

"Uh huh. Anyhow, I'll be seeing you guys, thanks for watching them."

"Yeah yeah. See you and your crotch goblins later."

The door shut, and Félix smiled down at her as they startedbto walk home.

"So, how was it?"

"Good. Tìo Mateo is funny. I like him. Can we come back?"

Félix hesitated upon seeing the glare from Pepa.

"I'm...gonna go with a hard maybe. But I'm glad you had fun. Now, mimis, it's past your bedtime."

Mirabel shut her eyes as she snuggled him. Her vision slowly filled with visions of a world where being her, was gift enough.