#obviously he yearns for the day the occupation ends but he was taught certain mannerisms and superstitions

[roxyteal]

This started as a funny silly musings shitpost, then stopped. Oops

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Gonzalo does his best to remember the cultural norms of every country he travels to. But sometimes, he forgets or his instincts kick in.

After a only few weeks of knowing Bob, he accidentally greets him with one of his patented bearhugs, kissing both his cheeks with a laugh like all is well. Bob is frozen in place.

Then Teresa comes barrelling out of the house, and punches Gonzalo so hard he is sent spinning vertically until faceplanting into the pavement.

"Dear, you can't punch someone just because they… Well, did that." Bob manages, once he composes himself.

"They learn faster that way." Is her only response, dark green eyes coldly observing her target.

"But he's my client, he's probably going to cancel on me now-" Bob cuts off when Gonzalo finally reacts. Instead of outrage, as would've been expected, he's. Laughing. Like someone just told the best joke in the world.

"By God! That was amazing! I think she fractured something! How did she do that?!" He's also making a ton of noise.

"Mixed martial arts. Started in first year of secondary school."

Meanwhile, from inside, Billy tearfully dials the Shy household's number, voice and body shaking as he blubbers to John, "Mother attacked the Spanish man!!!" He meant to say "Spaniard", but he can be forgiven.

Luckily, for a while, things settled down.

---

Months into building the submarine, Bob is able to tell Gonzalo about how terrible the occupation of his country is.

He takes the well-made builder gingerly by the hands and says, sounding genuine, "You should run away with me to Spain!"

And gets punched clear out into the tide, Teresa's brunette hair flowing behind her.

"Dear, he wasn't serious!" Bob pauses, unsure. "I don't think… Or perhaps he meant all of us…" Trying to be charitable.

He's laughing again. That amused, almost prideful laugh of his.

"Mother, why do you hate Mr. Gonzalo?!" Billy tries not to cry, while John sits there, jaw slack at what they just witnessed. Moments ago, the two children had been attempting to sculpt something in the sand.

"Little Bilis," She coolly says, "He thinks he can say whatever he pleases. He isn't above consequences."

"At least visit sometime! Like a vacation! ¡Trae a la familia! It'll be fun!" Gonzalo's words are difficult to parse through his mirth, but it clarified enough.

"See? He's only trying to be kind…" Teresa sighs at her husband.

"You won't really move away to Spain, will you?" John is unnerved by the idea.

"And lose you? Never!" Billy immediately says, then looks at his parents again, for assurance. "Right…?"

Bob tries to answer, but Teresa beats him to it. Her voice is much softer now, as she approaches them and pats their heads with tenderness. "It is unthinkable. Do not fret."

---

"So!" Gonzalo brings up suddenly, while he and Bob are having drinks, alone. "Mrs. Lė…"

"Oh, no, not 'Mrs. Lė'. She prefers 'Mrs. Teresa'."

"Why is that? I don't know what else to call her! She never told me her maiden name…"

"We don't speak of them."

"What?!" It sounds incredulous to Gonzalo. "How come?!"

"It's not my story to tell," Bob is muffled by his shot glass, "All I will say on the matter is this: She didn't add mine to hers - as is tradition - because her family would find out. Then, they'd beg for everything I earn. Not quite like leeches, but she opposed regardless." He meets eyes with him, then adds, as if to bury the topic, "Į sveikatą. You're up next."

He downs it. Afterwards, the glass is put down.

Gonzalo is surprisingly quiet, frowning as the gears turn in his mind. However, he does follow Bob's lead, but doesn't return the phrase. "What about your familia?"

Bob had said too much. He wasn't going to be let off the hook that easily. He sighs. "Never would've approved of anything I did - our marriage, our livelihoods, our child. Especially since he has�� Special needs." He grimaces, hating the way it sounds.

"Frankly, we do too, but only up here," He continues, pointing to his cranium briefly. "Young Billy's case is more obvious, more physical. They would've hated him. Why, I'm convinced that when I was his age, they despised me too. 'Difficult' was their favorite complaint."

This time, Gonzalo has to process the information for a short while. He cannot fathom coming from a homelife so wretched and unloving. What's even the point of having kids and parenting them if they're going to be so heartless about it? But for once, he doesn't say these things aloud. Despite the alcohol he's consumed in the past two hours, he calculates his next response more sensitively.

"Lo lamento," A pause. "I'm sorry, Robertas. I had no idea."

"Don't pity us."

"No!" A small glare forms on his face at the thought. "It's not pity! It takes great strength to blaze your own path! Much will! Lots of patience! To endure!" He jumps from his seat, grabbing Bob's shoulders. "You were all built from nothing, with no one! And here you stand, resilient and defiant against the hand you were dealt! This is not pity, this is empathy! Do you hear me?"

Bob doesn't know how to reply. Gonzalo's grip hurts, but it doesn't deter him or make him want to flee. Accompanied by his words, the stinging instead makes him feel… Alive.

Still, all he can think to do is nod. Gonzalo notices what he's doing, and releases, sitting back down. "Sorry, again. But my point is: All of you are very courageous. I hope that one day, you won't need to be anymore."

As the moment passes, the remnants of the pain sets in, and Bob is unable to suppress the urge to nurse one of his slightly harmed shoulders. "Then, in that case, thank you."

Meanwhile, he is pouring another round of shots. Mirroring what Bob did earlier, he proclaims, "Don't mention it! Now, as you say… Į sveikatą!" His pronunciation is off, but he's only heard it a few times, so it's a decent try.

But Bob appreciates that earnest attempt. He manages a grin, and follows suit. He's starting to finally understand Gonzalo, he thinks.