#the heart wants what it wants || isla & miguel

[xwildheart]

@blndsided sent " are... are these good tears? or bad tears? " for isla

'bad.' she hated this, hated this sneaking around. she wanted them to be free to just be together. she'd never been afraid of her brother and yet here she was, unable to just go talk to him about any of this. 'i just-- i just want to be able to see you all the time. once a week isn't enough.' it was taking it's toll on her.

[xwildheart]

@blndsided / @wynterlanding

[countessofravenclaw]

I really should start mapping out the rest of the S2 AU, because there are events and scenes I have been planning in my head, but still I need to figure out how this narrative fits to S2 as a whole, mostly considering Lutteo and Luna's past.

I really have been tempted to just have the change of circumstances justify cutting the Gastina conflict entirely... but I feel like I can't...

I feel like I can still fix it, so to say, make it make more sense and go how I have always wanted to go. I think Xavi will get cut and maybe even Flor too, because they won't serve a purpose anymore.

I actually recently came up with a scene where Gastón talks with his Dad about Nina when they're in the outs. I don't think he'd tell him what she did, since she knows that his parents would sue her and he doesn't want that to happen. But like kind of have heart-to-heart anyway, because like I feel like I haven't really fleshed Marco out that much.

He and Isla are more often than not a unit because obviously, they are "Gastón's parents" and often viewed as a unit, but I feel like I have made Isla a little more distinct. That's probably because I am a woman, so it's easier for me to write her as a character, and because all the family stuff for Gastón comes from her side because Marco's family is dead outside of his brother.

So, I wanna write little more of Gastón's relationship with him. Although, I don't think Gastón has a specifically closer relationship with one of his parents than the other.

One thing I really like about this AU, is fleshing out the adults (Why is most of my Gastón's parents content in timelines that never happened canonically?). They won't be besties as Monica and Miguel obviously work for Isla and Marco. But they absolutely will stand for people that are under their charge once Sharon tried to cause trouble.

I mean like many people in the fic keep saying that they are good people and they really actually are. I really wanna show that. Gastón has very clearly been well-raised, given how great he is. They might be millionaires now, but came from nothing and didn't always have people looking out for them. And obviously, they take shine to Luna because Luna is pretty loveable and charming and Gastón'a parents emotionally adopt people easily.

[brattyfics]

summary:

❥ "you've been giving me bedroom eyes for the past hour- time to show me what, exactly, was on your mind." in which miguel and his wife spend some quality time alone after a night out. inspired by this prompt.

pairing: miguel galindo x black female reader

tags: explicit content | porn without plot | outdoors sex | exhibitionism (if you squint)

word count: 2.2k

"You've been giving me bedroom eyes for the past hour- time to show me what, exactly, was on your mind." Miguel's fingers slinked across the soft, silk material covering Isla's curvy frame. He squeezed the indent of her waist and then those shapely hips he loved so much, wishing he could grope the cuff of her ass. Instead, he settled for hoisting her into his chest with a low growl.

Miguel had wanted to go straight upstairs when they arrived home from the banquet, but Isla insisted on sharing a nightcap first. The couple slinked through the sliding patio doors with expensive shot glasses full of their favorite amber liquid; liquid that now warmed their chests and bellies, glasses that now sat on the table across from them forgotten.

"Have I?" She moaned as he leaned into her. Isla's palms rested against his suit-clad chest, just barely keeping the beast at bay. Honestly, it was a wonder he'd lasted so long before pouncing. "Sure you didn't just imagine it? You know they say when you want something bad enough, you'll convince yourself it's there even when it's not."

"Really?" He teased, nuzzling his nose against hers. She nodded, reaching under his arms to pull him closer. "Am I imagining this too?" He looked between them, wolfish grin gracing his face, and then those fingers she loved so much went from caressing to tickling.

"Miguel-" She warned. The giggles didn't do much to convey her seriousness, but he was interested in doing more than tickling anyway. Her breasts jiggled in the low-cut dress when she laughed, demanding his attention the same way they had all night.

"Let's get you out of this." He said seriously, tugging at the thin silk ties laced over her shoulders.

Isla grabbed his hands and held them in her own. Men disappeared, dissolved away in a barrel of acid as if they had never existed when Miguel said so, so playing hard to gave her a thrill. "Don't be so presumptuous, dear. Who said I was putting out tonight?" Those big, brown doe eyes portrayed perfect innocence, but he knew better.

Miguel scoffed as she brushed a stray curl away from his slightly sweaty forehead. Determination set in his brow. "There's nothing presumptuous about it. You're mine." He squeezed her hands before letting go. "To touch, to love, to fuck." He pushed until her back rested against the soft cushion. He lifted the skirt of the long gown, savoring every inch of skin as it rose, and with her help hitched a leg around his waist.

Pressed center to center, she was no longer interested in tipping the scales. Miguel could see the fight leave in the way her shoulders went limp as he slid between her legs. But she put on a tough face, always did, even with him. "For some reason, I don't remember those vows." She whispered into the night air, sarcasm falling short.

Miguel's eyes never left her lips. He loved her- for all her complexities, the way they complemented his own. "I remember well enough for the both of us." And he did; remembered the way her stubborn curls fought their way out of her elegant up-do, framing her face in pretty spirals. The way the ivory dress clung to her frame and accentuated her assets, not unlike the blue number she was wearing now. It made his heart squeeze just thinking about it.

Isla could see something playing out behind his eyes, felt the tenderness in her core. Emotion bubbled in her chest, and she had to laugh to shake it. "And do you remember that you're mine? Miss You're-So-Smart-And-Insightful was all over you, laughing at your jokes, touching you here, and you just let her..." She stroked his broad chest and shoulders, pouting. "I love you, honey, but you're not that funny."

Miguel shrugged, barely containing a smirk. "Emily seemed to think so."

"Yeah, well, Emily wants to get in your pants. Been there, done that." Would like to do it again. Like, now.

Miguel snorted, no longer able to contain his laughter. It was always fun to rile his wife up, see her get jealous when she should know better. "So it was Emily you were watching tonight then?" He teased.

"No." Isla scowled. "I was keeping a close eye on what's mine." The possessive lilt in her voice made his groin ache.

"Don't want anyone else getting a hold of this, huh?" Miguel guided her hand to caress his clothed erection.

She bit her lip, looking him in the eyes. "No." She spoke firmly, sure.

"You should probably start laughing at my jokes then-" She slapped his chest, kissing her teeth. "That was a joke, dear." Miguel grinned, smooching her cheek sweetly. She grabbed his face and whispered seriously. "It better be." Then her tongue dipped inside his mouth for a taste.

Miguel welcomed the contact, tasting remnants of the smooth brown liquor from earlier. He was drunk on it and her. Kissing the corner of her mouth, he broke away to tell her what had been on his mind all night. "Looking like this…sin all wrapped up in a pretty blue dress just for me, you don't have to worry about Emily or anybody else. This color on you…should be illegal." He dropped a kiss to her collarbone. "I almost don't want to take it off." He admitted, even as he tugged the material down so that her chest was bare, dress pooling around her midsection.

Her skin pebbled in the cool night air, erect nipples begging for attention. "But nothing could be better than this. You. Just you." Wet heat trickled between her legs as his fingers circled her dark areolas, but he didn't even have to touch her. His tone was always so seductive, sweet whispered nothings luring her into all his traps. Even now, Miguel seemed almost devil-like in the best way, beautifully dark eyes intensely tracking her movement as if he wanted to devour her.

"You too." She whimpered when his hot mouth found her breasts. Instinctively, she arched into his mouth, silently pleading. Don't stop. More, please. The words went without saying. Miguel knew her body like no one ever had before- what every little gasp, moan, look meant.

Fortunately for her, he wasn't in the mood for any extensive teasing. He toyed with the sides of her lace undies for a moment before slowly working them down with the help of her shimmying hips. He stopped when he got them down to her ankles. "I want them on." His teeth glinted in the moonlight as he offered the vague explanation.

A chill ran down her spine as his belt clinked. The panties restricted her movement, kept her trapped underneath Miguel, which had probably been his plan all along. She welcomed it, parting her legs as best she could while he probed her opening with the tip of his penis. He slowly worked the length between her folds, groaning under his breath as she wet him up. Neither his fingers nor tongue were necessary because Isla had been ready for him all night despite her earlier words.

A smart ass until the end, Miguel groaned as he slid home. "Aw, baby. You're so wet." She whimpered underneath him, no doubt creating wrinkles in his suit jacket with how hard she clutched the fabric between her fingers.

Miguel held her neck firmly in his grasp. "You expect me to believe you weren't thinking of me all night? About what I would do to you when I got you alone?When you're this wet?" Only Miguel could make a simple question sound so accusatory, like she had committed a travesty by downplaying her attraction to him. In another life, he could have been a lawyer.

"You're insufferable." She panted, shifting her hips to accommodate his length as he worked himself deeper. On top, Miguel used her hips as leverage to hold her down, groaning with each stroke into her tight heat. With the way she gripped him, he knew neither of them would last long, but he chanced a glance at where they were joined anyway. Seeing them together in that way was his favorite; it was physical proof outside of the sensation that they were one. So was the essence she coated him with, only him.

She was far too gone to care, but somewhere deep inside Isla hoped that none of the guards could hear the sound of their skin slapping together in the quiet of the night. It was probably wishful thinking.

Meanwhile, Miguel's eyes shut tight while concentrated on not coming too soon. The sounds, sensations, and sights were causing a sensory overload. She's first, always first. He repeated over and over in his head.

But then she started mewling his name, pulling at his neck and shoulders and fucking back against him all wild. She rocked into him- once, twice, again and again- sensitive clit rubbing deliciously against his pelvis. "Oh. Oh. Oh." She cried repeatedly before coming with a strangled sob, failing to keep quiet as she covered him in slick.

Miguel cursed, opening his eyes to see the blissed-out look on her face. It was still too much. He wanted to bury himself inside of her even further. He forced himself to look away and caught a glimpse of them in the glass sliding door. The lights were off in the house, so he could make out their shape pretty well. Suddenly, he wasn't ready to finish just yet.

"Turn over." It took a minute for the words to register, and another for her to get her bearings. Miguel helped her up, yanking her panties down and then throwing them off into the abyss, hissing as the night chill touched his wet erection. He pushed at the middle of her back until she was positioned how he wanted, sighing when he was inside her again, dark eyes glued to their reflection.

From his vantage point, he could see everything. The way her breasts swayed forward with each thrust, the way her face scrunched up when he went too deep. It made him pound into her harder, groaning all while she struggled to stay upright. Her thighs and ass caught the brunt of the abuse, jiggling back against him. It was erotic and mesmerizing. He needed her to see. "Look." He grunted, voice shaky in a way it rarely got.

His ego was feed by the fact he rendered it almost impossible for her to do something as simple and mundane as lifting her head while he's inside her, but she had to see the picture the two of them make. It's perfect.

"Look at what I'm doing to you." He said firmly, forcing her chin up. Isla obliged with a lazy sigh, eyes blinking slowly as she took it in. There was something so filthy about her being less than half-dressed while he was still clothed, pants and underwear pulled down just enough for him to get inside her. His greedy hands groped whatever they could, holding her up by the skin between her stomach and pelvis before moving up to clutch her breasts tightly.

She could see the hunger, the desperation for release in his eyes. "You're nasty." She managed to gasp out loud.

"You make me this way." He panted. "And you like it."

"I love it." She moaned, reaching between her legs to rub her clit.

"Because you're nasty." He told her. She nodded her agreeance. He shook his head. "Tell me."

His hips stuttered, toned arms coming down to cage her in as his clothed front resting against her back. Without further instruction, she whispered the words she knew he wanted to hear. And then she reached back further, using her slick to massage his balls until he came with a loud groan behind her, slamming into her with each spurt of his dick.

"God-" He groaned tiredly, settling on top of her heavily.

"-Don't bring him into this." She teased, though she was low on energy herself. Isla grabbed his neck and pulled his sweaty face close to hers. Miguel nuzzled her like he knew she wanted.

She couldn't help but giggle when the cloud of lust faded and reality set in. They had a bedroom- actually, six bedrooms and about ten other rooms with miscellaneous purposes that they could have had sex in. Instead, they'd fucked on the patio furniture that would definitely have to be replaced with the look of the wet patch they left behind. It was honestly ridiculous.

"How am I supposed to make it to the bed after that?" She asked lowly. Miguel didn't respond and she didn't expect him to. He always needed a minute after sex to get his bearings. It was fine, she talked enough for the both of them. While she did, he stroked the skin of her stomach lazily, staring up at the roof of the covered lanai. He didn't seem concerned with making it to the bed- fuck it, she thought, snuggling into his side and rambling on some more.

Her dark eyes blinked lazily into his own. Too often, she found herself deciding to not care about things when they were together. Miguel had a special way of making himself the center of the universe.

"Oh, god." She suddenly realized, sitting upright. "We have to find my panties. I'll die of embarrassment if Maria comes across another pair somewhere it shouldn't be." Miguel watched her bounce around as she searched. She frowned at his lack of concern. "Get up and help me!"

notes: I hate all the smut I’ve written as of late, but I figured I better post this before it dies mid-production like 80% of the things I write. Hopefully, you guys enjoy it.

general taglist: @woahitslucyylu @briannab1234 @sheeshgivemeabreak @breakingnewsin-no-oneasked @angelreyesgirl @blessedboo @glimmerglittergirl @apantherinmypastlife @brownsugarcoffy @marvelmaree @starrynite7114 @scuzmunkie @thewarriorprincessxo @sadeyesgf @pearlkitten33 @imanerdychubbyqueen @literaturefeen @ourlittlesecretsoveragain @everyhowlmarksthedead @yourwonkywriter @trulysuccubus @sparklemichele @luckyharley1903 @thesandbeneathmytoes​ @amorestevens​

mayans m.c. taglist: @cant-decide-at-this-moment

[nisaadventures]

I’m turning 30 in 10 days... yikes.

The last year of my life has sucked... lol. Okay, it wasn’t all bad. I’m exaggerating... but I’m also not. I know there were plenty of nice moments in the last year... but when I think about the last year of my life, its just full of so many firsts... awful firsts... 

First time celebrating their birthdays without them...

First holiday season without them... anyone else miss mom’s turkey? Most people don’t like traditional thanksgiving dinner because the turkey is more often dry... mom’s was never dry... Okay the key people.. Don’t actually cook your stuffing in the turkey. Its just going to suck all the juice life out of your bird... I mean come on. Trick #1 stuff the turkey with fresh cut oranges and yes, you can leave the skin on... #2 do majority of the oven time in an oven bag to keep the moisture in. #3 cook breasts down. Its the part thats usually most dry, so duh... keep it in the juicy, buttery goodness of the pan. I never made the entire meal, I usually just helped mom with everything. These are just some things I’ve taken away in my observations. 

Halloween trip to Disneyland without them... Disney is always a good time, but I’d be lying if I said my heart didn’t feel heavy in some way... and that is saying something because Disneyland is my happy place lol. 

Looking forward to 2020... Hoping that it had so much better in store for us. 

Dear lord... what a joke. 

Going to Hawaii for our “family trip” without them...

A pandemic without them... I mean yes, I’m thankful they aren’t out there with COVID on the rise... I’m glad they’re not stuck at home because COVID. Mom and Michael are both too much of busy bees to be cooped up in the house for too long. 

Not going to lie... picking up where they left has been hard. All of moms plants... The dogs.. Taking care of the backyard, where Michael usually would. Mom would definitely do too much at once. She’d be out in the yard planting something and pulling out something else in her damn UGG boots! wth mom?! Those are expensive! lol. “Oh its fine.. I’ll wash them.” Omg lol. Either that, or she’d be over here trying to move heavy a$$ pots by herself and I’d have to stop her before she hurt her back. Ayiyi. 

Keanu and Aria’s birthdays without them... seeing my babies sad and missing their grandma, grandpa, and aunties has been hard. It will be out of nowhere sometimes... and all the nights of Aria waking up in the middle of the night crying. I feel you baby girl... I get it. I miss them too... Its okay to be sad... Mantras... 

You were her little rays of sunshine. Grandpa and grandma loved you SOOOO much. 

Mom would babysit the kids on Saturday mornings, while Kuya, Vaness, and I went to workout. They’d go get breakfast, pancakes and eggs, at UJs. She’d take them to Target, the dollar store, Walmart, etc. just so they could look and maybe get something to play with together. She always crafted with them. 

Living in this house... especially with COVID... has been hard. I miss just sitting at the dinner table, eating sho mi, and talking about work. Mom and Michael getting all worked up over some crazy manager, or something going down with the union.. yup, that’s where I get it from... advocacy and leadership skills FTW.  One thing they could always talk about for HOURS was work lol. 

I remember when I was a little girl, Mom would let me play in the bathtub until I was all wrinkled. She would let me bring all my toys into the tub. At one point I even had a care bear doll that she, for some reason, let me take in the bath lol. She’d throw it in the dryer for me after I was done. 

I remember going to the grocery store with mom and leaving with two full a$$ grocery carts because we had a full house at all times. I mean it was Kuya, my cousin Jojo, my brother Derric, my cousin John, Bubba, my cousin Jay, me and whoever else was over the house lol. When Kuya was in high school, it was all of his buddies partying at our house and crashing on the floor in the living room, dining room, and all the couches. She was the #1 host for sure.

“Are you hungry? Did you eat yet?” 

Thats love. 

All of Kuya’s high school friends called her Mom. My friends called her Mama Fern. She loved that. 

I remember playing hide n go seek in the dark in our tiny town house.. Later in the bigger house on Glenbriar... where mom actually tripped and broke her arm... But she laughed so hard she peed her pants, so she was a good sport? lol. Needless to say, we sort of stopped playing after that.

I remember making dim sum with mom for the first time. Such a hot mess, flour and food everywhere, but so fun. We definitely didn’t do that again until there were more adults around to help lol. Mom knew how to run through a kitchen like a tornado. Hot mess! but the best cook. 

Mom was always careful. She always wanted to make sure we were safe, that I was safe. I couldn’t go outside unless one of the boys was with me. When I would swim she would get nervous, even though I learned how to swim at a young age thanks to Kuya. One day, we were having a bbq, lots of family over, I was playing in the jacuzzi (drawing on the wall of the jacuzzi with a piece of chlorine... don’t play with chemicals kids lol) and she thought I was drowning? So she jumps her a$$ in there fully clothed and yanks my a$$ out. I was shocked as hell, so I naturally started crying hella hard and complaining about the fact that she scratched me when she yanked me up out of the water lol.

Keep in mind that that was not the first time one of the twins jumped into the pool fully clothed to “save” someone hahaha. 

 Speaking of fully clothed in the pool... The time auntie tripped and fell slo-mo style (that questionable, are you going to catch your balance, speed) into the pool LOL. Mom was dead laughing at her. Most hilarious video. 

Those twins lol. 

Jeeze.. speaking of the twins. They had this crazy connection. Tell me why when mom got sick with suspected viral meningitis and had to be hospitalized... Auntie straight up followed her right into the ICU with viral meningitis... 

Who remembers their 50th birthday? Talk about doing it BIG. So much fun. All the performances. Lani was there... KMA performances and kuya and John getting down for Maglalatik. Who doesn’t like seeing some half naked, buff dudes, bang coconuts together? haha. The twins getting down with their hula performance. Cute!

I remember when Mom and pops were going through their divorce and she would text me after midnight. I was going to Sac State and of course I was team NO sleep at the time. I would be in the AIRC studying. I’d comfort as best as I could from a distance... and then come home on weekends to be there with her when I could. 

She found her footing again. Started going to the gym with Kuya more... Started running all the time... all of her half marathons and finally she did the Nike Women’s Marathon. 

Hiking Half Dome with her. What.a.badass. 

That is really how I see her. She was so badass. When she was my age she had my 9 year old Kuya and I was on the way... She was working and supporting us and then eventually decided to make a better life for us, and went back to school... NURSING SCHOOL. wth. I can’t even imagine doing that right now, but reminding myself of where she has been and how much she PUT IN WORK... That keeps me grounded in the fact that we are responsible for our lives. If you want something, you have to work for it. You can’t just hope for better... you make better happen. 

I guess its that reminder... her strength... her and Michael’s love and hard work... That keeps me going. 

Being mindful... being thankful... acknowledging my own strength... 

But with that said... August has been increasingly hard. I don’t like to think about my birthday. I don’t even want to plan anything. They’re not here... I can’t celebrate with all my loved ones and friends. Thank you COVID... 

We’re just getting closer and closer to the anniversary? Nah.. lets not call it that... anniversary sounds like something nice... something to celebrate... This is NOT that. The day your loved ones are taken is not something to celebrate... I mean honestly, if I had to pinpoint the worst day of my life, that was it.... When I think about that day I can’t breathe. Terrible memories... so many sleepless nights. I’ve come so far. Its still hard, but I’ve come a long way. 

Anyway... this post is sort of random and nostalgic. Things I hold onto. Things that make me happy cry... Things that weigh heavy on my heart. 

Here’s my playlist for grief... reminders of them... collected over the last year:

Aloha for now -Kaleo Vai & Passion 

One day at a time -Jennifer Chung

In the end - Gabe Bondoc, Melissa Polinar, Passion

Round and around -Kolohe Kai

Fade Away -Rebelution

Alive -The Green

New Day -Kimie’

Angels above me -Stick Figure

Memories -Maroon 5

Wish you pain -Andy Grammer

100 -Katchafire

Everyday life -Coldplay

Out of the darkness -Isla vista worship, Bre Reed

Amen -Andra Day

Grateful -13 Crowns feat. Poo Bear

Rainbow Connection -Gwen Stefani

Be okay -ZOE worship 

With you -Eryn Allen Kane

Dont worry -Mesto feat. Aloe Blacc

Just livin’ -Sensi trails, Kbong

Remember me -Miguel, Natalia Lafourcade

Even more -Major

Let it be -Xav A.

Give Thanks -Iya terra, Stick figure

Mr. Sun -Sammy Johnson

Rest easy -Thrive, Nico of Tribal Theory

Sunny Days- Allen Stone

Today’s a new day -Common Kings

Mother’s Love -Jonah Jaxon, Micah G

The bones -Maren Morris, Hozier

Give you blue -Allen Stone

And we remain -Johnnyswim

Yellow -Kina Grannis

Streetcar -Daniel Caesar

Meant to be -Bebe Rexha, Florida georgia line

All you need to know -Gryffin, slander, Calle Lehmann

Like I’m gonna lose you -Jasmine Thompson

[newyorktheater]

Just a couple of plays are opening on Broadway this month — “Choir Boy,” and “True West” — and a handful Off-Broadway, but January is one of the most robust months for theater in New York, thanks in large measure to the January theater festivals.

Together these festivals offer more than 100 shows; most are experimental, often hybrids that redefine what theater is, and are difficult to describe; many run for only one or two performances Below is a selective list of Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway and festival offerings in January, organized chronologically by opening date (or, for a festival show and some Off-Off Broadway, the first performance), with each title linked to a relevant website. Color key: Broadway: Red. Off Broadway: Black or Blue.. Off Off Broadway: Green. January theater festival: Orange. Immersive: Magenta Below that, links to the home pages of five of the festivals. (I’ve created the immersive category more as incentive for the adventurous rather than a warning, although such a show often means lots of standing, and some unusual interaction that some might find uncomfortable.)

January 2

Baba Brinkman’s Rap Guide to Consciousness (Soho Playhouse)

This latest piece by “Peer reviewed rapper” illuminates the neuroscience of human experience, from sensations to hallucinations. I’ve seen his rap guides to religion and to climate chaos; they were packed with information.

January 3

HEAR WORD! Naija Woman Talk True (Under the Radar) The show celebrates women who have broken the culture of silence, challenged the status quo, and moved beyond barriers to achieve solutions.

Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein (Under the Radar) The gothic classic, combine with a biography of its author Mary Shelley, told through the company’s signature handmade shadow puppetry, and makeshift cinematic techniques

Nature and Purpose (Soho Playhouse)

Two shows focusing on the abstract expressionist ​Jackson Pollock and the controversial performance artist ​Chris Burden​.

January 4

Tania El Khoury

Tania El Khoury’s As Far As My Fingers Take Me (Under the Radar) immersive

An encounter through a gallery wall between a refugee and one audience member at a time. The refugee will mark the audience member’s arm by drawing on it.

[50/50] old school animation (Under the Radar)

A ghost story that “flirts with the horrific and dips into the surreal. “

The Cold Record (Under the Radar) immersive A one-man show from the Rude Mechs. “The story of a 12-year old boy who tries to set the record for leaving school the most days with a fever and in the process falls in love with the school nurse and breaks his heart on the punk rock.”

Minor Character (Under the Radar) This kaleidoscopic adaptation of Uncle Vanya collages a century’s worth of English translations into one sprawling, intimate, quietly disastrous evening.

Dueted: What Holds Head (Exponential Festival) immersive  A site-specific, interactive performance on intimacy, fidelity, and desire, comprised of a sequence of one-on-one experiences between a single attendee and a performer.

January 5

Pancho Villa from a Safe Distance (Prototype)

A bilingual cross-border multimedia opera about the enigmatic general, legendary bandit, and hero of the Mexican Revolution. Created by Austin, TX based composer Graham Reynolds, librettists Lagartijas Tiradas al Sol of Mexico City, director Shawn Sides of Rude Mech, two vocalists and six instrumentalists.

4.48 Psychosis (Prototype)

Philip Venable’s operatic adaptation of Sarah Kane’s final play, with 28 fragmented episodes to reveal an individual’s struggle to come to terms with their own psychosis. A production from the Royal Opera.

Real (The Tank)  This play by Brazilian playwright Rodrigo Nogueira, tells two stories that eventually intertwine of two people living in New York 85 years apart — a working mother in 2019 who takes up an instrument she used to play and reassesses her life, and a gay immigrant composer in 1934 who in the process of writing a fugue starts to feel he’s meant to live somebody else’s life.

Ink (Under the Radar)

A mash-up of an art history lecture, personal essay, and electronic music concert, this piece is a love letter to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is performed

January 6

prism (Prototype)

Opera-Theater composed by Ellen Reid about a traumatized mother and daughter who attempt to escape the past by retreating into a single room.

January 7

Blue Ridge (Atlantic) In this play by Abby Rosebrock set in Southern Appalachia, Marin Ireland portrays a progressive high-school teacher with a rage problem retaliates against her unscrupulous boss and is sentenced to six months at a church-sponsored halfway house, where she attends to everyone’s recovery but her own.

January 8

Choir Boy (MTC’s Samuel Friedman)  Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney (best known for the Oscar-winning movie “Moonlight”) and transferring from MTC’s Off-Broadway theater: For half a century, the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys has been dedicated to the education of strong, ethical black men. Jeremy Pope reprises the role he had in the Off-Broadway production as a gay youth whose appointment as head of the school’s legendary gospel choir sparks tension.

January 9

This Bridge Called My Ass (American Realness)

Six Latinx performers – Alvaro Gonzalez, John Gutierrez, Miguel Gutierrez, Xandra Ibarra, Nibia Pastrana Santiago, and Evelyn Sanchez Narvaez – map an elusive choreography of obsessive and perverse action within an unstable terrain of bodies, materials and sound….Clichéd Latin-American songs and the form of the telenovela are exploited to show how familiar structures contain absurdity that reveal and celebrate difference.

Evolution of a Sonero (Under the Radar)

The first full-length show by poet, singer, and actor Flaco Navaja, original member of the Universes and Def Poetry Jam cast

January 10

Chambre Noire (Under the Radar)

Life-sized puppets, broken songs and video-projections come together to illuminate the hallucinatory final moments of Valerie Solanas, the woman who shot Andy Warhol

Wendell & Pan (The Tank)  A play by Katelynn Kenney. Life’s hard when you’re 11, your only friend is the ghost of your 12-year-old dead aunt, your sister wishes she could be on the other side of her cellphone, your parents make every room frigid, and your sick grandpa wants you to kill him.

January 11

Minefield (Under The Radar) Combining theater and film, Lola Arias brings together British and Argentinian veterans of the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas war to share their first-hand experience of the conflict and life since.

January 15

Mortality Machine (Sinking Ship Creations at Wildrence) immersive This live-action roleplay makes each theatergoer the protagonist of the story, assigned an identity as a surviving family member of one of the five people who died in an illegal medical experiment five years earlier. The survivors have now gained access to the laboratory, and through interaction with “peculiar individuals who’ll help you tell your tale using dance and movement.

January 17

Behind the Sheet (EST)

Playwright Charly Evon Simpson confronts the history of a great medical breakthrough by telling the forgotten story of a community of enslaved black women who involuntarily enabled the discovery. In 1840s Alabama, Philomena assists a doctor – her owner – as he performs experimental surgeries on her fellow slave women, trying to find a treatment for the painful post-childbirth complications known as fistulas.

January 23

A Man for All Seasons (FPA at Theater Row)

A revival of the 1961 play by Robert Bolt: “As Sir Thomas More refuses to recognize Henry VIII’s divorce and ascendancy as Supreme Head of the new Church of England, A Man for All Seasons reveals the risk of speaking truth to power and the clash that follows when fierce political will collides with deep moral conviction.”

January 24

True West (Roundabout’s American Airlines) Ethan Hawke stars opposite Paul Dano in a revival of Sam Shepard’s play about the clash between two brothers.

10th Annual 10-Minute Play Program (The Fire This Time)

January 28

Banigold II (Exponential)

“This hybrid puppet-video performance lazily examines stoic philosophy and is live scored by Lucy Hollier & co. with original animations from Unimercial Studios.” One of five short works presented together as part of Exponential Variety 2 at The Glove experimental art space in Bushwick.

January 29

God Said This (Primary Stages at Cherry Lane) An award-winning play by Leah Nanako Winkler about five Kentuckians facing mortality in very different ways. “With her mom undergoing chemotherapy, Hiro, a NYC transplant, returns home to Kentucky after years away, struggling to let go of the demons she inherited.”

January Theater Festivals

For a complete list of Theater Festival offerings, check them out individually

Under the Radar January 3 – 13

The Public Theater’s festival is the oldest (at 15) and largest, and tilts towards international productions.

American Realness January 4 – 13 “Fifty-nine performances of sixteen performance works from seventeen artists over ten days at twelve venues in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx.“ It’s primarily dance.

Exponential Festival January 4 – February 3

Spread out over nine venues in Brooklyn, the festival is “dedicated to New York City-based emerging artists working in experimental performance.”

Prototype January 5 – 13

In its seventh season, it is presenting 12 works of opera-theater

The Fire This Time Festival January 21 – February 2

The festival marks its tenth year of providing “rising playwrights of African and African American descent a platform to write and develop new work.”

January 2019 New York Theater Openings: 2 on Broadway, 100 in January Theater Festivals Just a couple of plays are opening on Broadway this month -- "Choir Boy," and "True West" -- and a handful Off-Broadway, but January is one of the most robust months for theater in New York, thanks in large measure to the January theater festivals.

[bentchcreates]

Secrets and Love Stories by Mina V. Esguerra

Nope, this isn’t a new book by the #romanceclass queen! XD I just read two books from her back-to-back and they happen to have ‘secrets’ as a common theme. I didn’t really notice it until the queue of reviews I had to put out piled up so, haha, here we go. :P

My Imaginary Ex(2017 Edition)

“We share a secret, and that can really bind people together.”

This is the first in her Chic Manila Series and my copy is the latest edition, with two cutiepies on the cover!

The secret shared by the Jas and Zack in this fun novella isn’t the huge love affair typical of secret lovers stories, but more of a chain of white lies that became too convoluted to keep track of. It was messy without feelings but when the truth pinches Jas in the heart, enough for her to realize how much she actually needs Zack in her life, the fun and games end. The kiligs in this one are signature Mina V. Esguerra, and I’m never gonna get tired of it!

I loved Jas’ POV especially when she tries to remember what’s made-up and what’s real. And how the simple, made-up stories she and Zack innocuously came up with in their youth factored to make their love story even more interesting.

I noted Jas’ grand gesture towards the end, because there’s a scene where she’s one woman in a room and then a bunch of other guys in another room (I cannot write this here properly bec spoilersss!) and it made me anxious for Jas. Secondhand anxiety for a fictional character, yay me! Hahaha!

Also, this is my favorite MVE heroine’s debut (LOL) and she’s quite a character even when she’s only shown a handful of times. Mina made the right call to keep Kimmy as villain here as the whole story never would have worked otherwise. This partial backstory also makes me even more excited for the new edition of Love Your Frenemies to come out! (#TeamKimmy5everr)

 The Future Chosen

This one is a little more serious and subtle on the kilig, but it is hot, hot, hot!!! I once told Mina I was planning to write a romance with three different timelines and she said it would have an episodic feel to it and she was right. The three time periods were differentiated well to really show how the characters have evolved internally for a time period, but, as always, MVE pulled it off nicely.

I cannot claim to understand everything on the politics side (I probably need to reread a few times to fully grasp it) but the romance side is ON POINT! I’ve not related to the secret lovers trope as hard as this (except on MM romance books because, obviously), especially in the parts where Lourdes and Andres are working on the schedules and logistics of their trysts. Also when they have reached a point (separately, on their own personal pacing) where they felt they finally needed to decide where to take the relationship to. Should they have an escape plan? Should they stop seeing each other? How to make it work like this???

I also love the powerplay between these two, and especially because Andres recognizes and treats Lourdes as an equal not only because of the circumstances, but because he’s an actual okay guy, with values and principles. And Lourdes’ green dress / armor? THE BEST!!

It is also one of those books where MVE’s wonderful world-building skills are showcased. The whole political structure of Isla is sound enough to ensure the secret romance angle is justified as well as making it workable in real-life, flaws and all.

This ends in HFN and I’m probably not the first one to say this, but I need moar! I want to see their babies and I want to know their lastnames! Haha!

5 of 5 Stars. Perfect score for both because Mina’s stories are always compelling and fun, and is about unique love stories that make so much sense.

My Imaginary Ex (2017 Ed)

Zack and Jasmine never dated, but no one else knows that. That story started in college, because she was being a good friend, and he needed help with something. The friendship and affection that followed were very real, but the lie kept causing trouble.  Years later, after a falling out and real relationships with other people, the lie resurfaces to bother Jasmine one more time--when Zack's exes ask her to stop him from marrying someone they think is totally wrong for him. She's the only one who can help him, they say, because she's his best friend. They also believe that Zack loved Jasmine the most--and maybe still does.  (This is a revised and expanded edition of My Imaginary Ex, the first book in the Chic Manila series. All books in the series can be read as standalones.)

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/My-Imaginary-Chic-Manila-2017-ebook/dp/B073WGPZ4X

Print: http://bit.ly/mvebooks

 The Future Chosen

The nation of Isla has a law: No two politicians from the same family. Two elected officials who marry make their families one; only one can continue to serve.  In the future, Maria Lourdes and Andres Miguel could very well be their country's best and most influential leaders. She could be president one day, like her grandmother. He could be a senator one day, like his uncle. Marrying another politician is against the law, but why should it matter? Today they’re just young people who want to be together. They’ll deal with the rest of it tomorrow.

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Future-Chosen-political-romance-ebook/dp/B01NAMD0N9

Print: http://bit.ly/mvebooks (I got my print copy from Mina back at #AprilFeelsDay2017)

About the Author:

Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance and young adult novellas. She has a bachelor's degree in Communication and a master's degree in Development Communication, put to good use in her work as trainer and content management consultant. Mina lives in Metro Manila, Philippines, with her husband and daughter. She finds inspiration in the lives and experiences of other people, so the answer to "Is this story based on you?" is always, always "No."

minavesguerra.com

[xwildheart]

@blndsided cont. from here

it was always the ones right in front of you the whole time wasn't it? and the way isla stares up to miguel says it all. she's been in love with him for long as she can remember. patiently waiting on the sidelines. until a drunken night changed things for the better. never one regret when it came to him. she could figure it out. some way to tell leo about this that wouldn't make it some terrible thing.

'this isn't me taking a chance on you miguel. ' she wouldn't have dived head first if this was just something she wanted to trial run. the moment she knew that mutual attraction was there she grabbed him and didn't plan on letting him go anytime soon. isla smiled at the pinky promise, silly little things like that that made her love him more an more, and quickly wrapping her own pinky around his. even leaning to to press her lips to them. that was the serious bit. sealing it with a kiss.

'i've always wanted to go there. don't get me wrong i love the beach and stuff, which you already know.' she winks at him. 'but there's something about places like that. just as beautiful in my opinion.' a blush creeps up her cheeks, he always talked so highly of her, and half the time she didn't know what she did to deserve it but-- she wouldn't complain. '

[xwildheart]

@blndsided

[photo credit]

[memoriesofatraveladdictchick]

I spent only some days in Mexico when I was on my roundtrip in November 2016. You can read about it here => BUCKET LIST for a Holiday to New York City – Fort Lauderdale – Playa del Carmen – Havana I asked many who had been in Mexico already which island would they suggest me to visit: Cozumel (the biggest island of the area), Isla Mujeres (nice can be discovered by a golf cart) or Holbox (for bird watching). I listened to what they said, I did benchmarking by myself, I took a conclusion and I went to COZUMEL.

About the Island Cozumel: it is one of Mexico’s largest islands, it is 20 kilometers off the coast of Playa del Carmen. Not only beautiful, quiet beaches can be found there but also Mayan ruins, because it was an important place for worshippers of the sun gods. It was a refuge for pirates and smugglers in the 17-19th centuries. The beaches, the sights to see are in the South. San Miguel is the main town, most of the restaurants, shops, bars and rent a car companies can be found here.

If you are staying in Playa del Carmen, the ferry station is near, at the beginning of the 5th Avenue. There are 3 companies (theoretically): Barcos Caribe, Ultramar, Mexico Waterjets. At the waterjets I never saw anyone…. So I went there with the Ultramar , came back with Barcos Caribe.

    The prices are similar and every 30 minutes there a ship. It is not necessary to book a roundtrip ticket and check your watch by what time you have to be back to reach your ferry. It is enough to just show up and buy one ticket before you want to leave. The ferry costs about 8$ each way and takes 30 minutes to get to Cozumel.

The day was very exotic because it rained in a minute, the next minute the sun was shining, then rain again…and so on. Sunshower = in Hungarian we have a saying to this weather: “The Devil is beating his Wife”.

By the end of the day – when I was going back to Playa – it was nice again… Hmmm, typical, isn’t it? It is a must to have a typical Mexican breakfast, Chilaquiles (corn tortillas – red and green, with cheese on it and scrambled eggs, fresh orange juice).

I rented a car for about 20$ and I left the harbour San Miguel,

driving through the island on the highway. I stopped at some nice beaches.

The lunch at a beach bar was also delicious, tacos, fish, the view was also fantastic

and in the restaurant I bumped into a maximum 10 grams heavy dog 🙂 an extra mini one…

I was driving on the highway to the South, unfortunately the Lighthouse was closed on Sunday so I went to Playa Palacar and spent the afternoon there.

I had a small heart attack at the car rental company because nobody was there when I wanted to give back the car, I wanted to reach the next ferry and not wait for 1 more hour, and the deposit 50$ I also wanted to get back that had been blocked on my credit card. Next to the office nobody knew who I was looking for. If I hadn’t spoken Spanish, they wouldn’t have been able to help. At last the owner appeared, everything was clarified and I could go back to Playa del Carmen.

What I had wanted to see but couldn’t because I didn’t have the time/mood/possibility are:

Stingray Beach – you can swim here with stingrays, you can even hug them ,

The Lighthouse – it was a Sunday and it was closed – I wish I had known, I saw amazing pictures of it

and the Playa del Cielo – you can see in the water big sea stars – you can go there only by boat on an excursion ( I didn’t know it before)

Why to go to Cozumel:

easily reachable from Playa del Carmen

can be visited in 1 day by car

renting a car is cheap

driving there is very easy, there was almost nobody in the streets

there are beautiful beaches – crystal clear water, tranquil, excellent diving/snorkeling spots

Why not to go to Cozumel:

San Miguel, where you arrive by the ferry, is nothing special, I expected more colourful houses or more life (but it was a Sunday, I agree it was also my fault)

At the car rental companies most of the cars are in bad condition

Maybe because of the weather, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had expected it. If you want to visit some quiet beaches without loud music coming from the nearby beach bar (Playa del Carmen) then go there. But if I hadn’t gone there, I would have been sorry for not doing it. The overall impression about this island is very pleasant. Something else than visiting Mayan ruins, what I had been doing in Mexico that far 🙂 Vicky

    The Devil is beating his Wife on Cozumel Island in Mexico I spent only some days in Mexico when I was on my roundtrip in November 2016. You can read about it here => 

[xwildheart]

'miguel,' isla's head snapped toward him as he spoke so poorly of abby. she may not know the whole story but that was low, and it wouldn't sit well with her. 'enough, both of you, this is getting out of hand. the boys--'

this was coming to a boiling point. leo hardly ever got this angry. isla's never seen him like this. even in the past when he and miguel would spat it was never like this. and she felt like it was all her fault in some bizarre way. 'leo please,' she begged her brother one more time but it's in vain. everything that miguel was saying to him was just pushing an already upset and angry man past his breaking point. and when he finally stopped talking, leo took one big step forward, throwing a fist straight into his best friends jaw. ignoring abby's plea for him to back off.

he was upset that his sister was banging his best friend behind closed doors, but he'd not disrespect isla the way miguel was doing to abby. leo hauled back, about to deliver another hit but isla wouldn't have it, quickly side stepping into the way and once more placing hands on her brother's chest to shove him back. 'leo stop!' she shouted, backing up and turning to check on miguel. she's torn in two, wanting to console both of the men in her life. she's at a loss.

the thing was all that shout, all the commotion did wake those boys. having heard their aunt and make shift uncles voices. they stood at the top of the stairs. 'dad?' joaquin questioned softly and both leo and isla turned toward him. it's sadly-- what the man needed to snap him out of his rage. to get him to not pummel miguel into his carpet. 'h-hey buddy.' he stuttered to the little boy.

abigail is appreciative of isla's comforting touch. it wasn't the first time she had her dirty laundry aired out, but probably was the worst. because she respected everyone in that room, and now - who knew what they were going to think of her. probably look at her as if she's a homewrecker, no doubt. which, she supposed she was, but her feelings for leo - they were true and genuine. the most she's ever felt for someone. it was a scary thing, but she couldn't help it.

the men seemed to have forgotten about them both. they were in each other's faces, screaming words they would no doubt regret. if it wasn't tomorrow, it would be next week. if it wasn't next week, it would be next month. however long it took, the two best friends would feel like shit about how they were treating each other right now. looking at one another, as if they were enemies.

" do you hear how fucking stupid you sound right now, pendejo? " he couldn't believe his best friend could stand here and be such a hypocrite. defending how much he cared for abby, frustrated miguel couldn't see it when that's what he was here trying to do - prove to him that he loved and cared for his sister, and didn't want to do anything to fuck it up.

by now though, his emotions were all catching up to him. usually, miguel was pretty good at handling and getting them in order. but right now? all he was seeing was red, and all he wanted to do was punch leo in the face.

" you're fooling yourself, man. she's young. once she gets what she wants from you, she'll be out the fucking door. you really think she understands what it means to love and care about someone? she probably has a fucking boyfriend that she's with anytime she's not here. fucking the both of you. fooling the both of you. "

abby isn't happy about what's being said about her. she's trying her best to stay quiet, though, not wanting to make things worse. that's what she usually did. made things worse. but then she's watching as leo strides over to miguel, and she knows it's not going to end well. they were going to do something they would both regret.

" leo, it's not worth it. just let him go, alright? what he says doesn't matter. " blonde is pleading with him. she looks at isla, unsure of what to do at this point. even if they stepped in, it's not like they could hold the men back. at least, abigail knew she couldn't. she wasn't strong. something sawyer had always picked on her for.

" you think so fucking little of me. it's nice the truth is finally fucking coming out. to think, i spent all these fucking years acting as if you were my hermano, just for you to treat me this way because i love your sister. love, leo. love. she's not someone i'm just fucking for the hell of it. " yet another dig. he puts his hands on the other's chest, giving him a forceful push.

[xwildheart]

isla did take a step back, mostly because she didn't like the look on her brothers face. hated that he was looking at the two of them like they'd committed some terrible crime. why was being in love so terrible. just because it was miguel? she steps back enough that she's right next to abby now, but a deafening silence lands in the living room when miguel starts spewing words. isla turned her head, looking to the young woman next to her but her gaze is anything but judgmental. maybe worried, maybe a bit confused but, never mean. feels sorry for the embarrassment miguel just caused her. goes so far as to reach for the girl, comforting hand on her arm.

'don't fucking talk about her like she's not in the room, jack ass.' leo spat right back. 'i told you this in fucking confidence and that's how to treat that?' both girls though are long forgotten it seemed in both men's eyes. 'i don't care how old she is, i care about her, and she cares about me.' too bad he couldn't actually hear those words he'd just said, because it was what miguel was trying to say all along.

'i don't have to do jack shit, miguel. this is my family your messing with. because guess who's going to have to pick up the pieces when you inevitably fuck her over. me.' harsh words for a man who'd been in his life since he was a kid. calling him a screw up. he didn't mean it. never thought of miguel that way but heated arguments brought out the worst in people. but those words about abby truly--send him over his of edge. two long strides and he's in miguel's face.

'leo don't, please.' isla begged her brother from the sidelines near the same time abby was telling both of them to leave. she couldn't even attempt to step in between them now. 'talk about her like that again man and i'll knock your fucking teeth in, don't think i won't.' defending her honor. it may not be an ideal situation, but leo did care about abigail. more than his wife. she meant more to him than the one he married and deep down he knew maybe that was wrong but didn't care right now.

he isn't mad at isla. she may have blurted out that the two of them were seeing each other before she should have, but that's not what angered him. what angered him was his best friend, looking at him like he was the shittiest person in the world. throwing accusations his way, acting as if a man like miguel wasn't capable of change.

" that's really fuckin' rich dude, coming from you. " letting out a humorless laugh, he ignores abby's attempts to hold him back and away from leo. takes a step forward actually, no longer giving a shit about keeping the peace between the two of them. something inside of him had snapped, and he felt the need to put his friend in place.

abby bites her lip, stepping back from miguel. listening to leo, eyes traveling towards the stair case. the last thing any of them needed were the boys to come downstairs.

free from her grip now, he takes another step forward. " isla, step away from your brother. " because he doesn't want her in the way, either. doesn't want her hurt or caught up in whatever would happen between him and leo. " how can you stand there, acting like you're so fucking rightous, man? when you're fucking the babysitter? talk about a fucking cliche. maybe you should stop worrying about your sister's love life and start caring a little more about yours. " words he'd no doubt regret later. pulling abby into the mess, without even needing to.

the blonde stands there, eyes wide. opens her mouth but then quickly shuts it, not really sure what to say. looks at isla, then to leo. terrified of what may happen now. it was clear the men were refusing to settle, ignoring the pleas of herself and isla. " i guess you told him. " abigail comments, voice quiet. like she was saying it to herself more than anyone in the room. face is as red as a tomato.

miguel isn't done. it's clear he's worked up now, letting all of his pent up emotions get the best of him. " i'm a grown ass man, who's in love with your sister. i love her, leo, and you're going to have to get the fuck over it. this isn't a situation like yours, where you're fucking someone who could be your daughter because your wife ain't doin' it for you anymore. "

abby blinks. she hates the way he's talking about her, like she's not standing there. like she's not in the room. it's how everyone viewed her. just some stupid slut that jumped at every opportunity to sleep with someone.

" i think the two of you should go. " or at the very least, miguel should.

[xwildheart]

well. they should have thought this through a little better. should have waited for abby to leave, should have made leo sit down. maybe should have just waited until tomorrow when the boys weren't home or something. cause now this was a disaster.

the man was starting to see red. he didn't push hard but he was still able to cause isla to take one wobbly step back when miguel shouted back at him. isla whipped her head around, looking to miguel like she could apologize for just blurting it out. she hadn't wanted it go come down to leo practically lunging at him. 'leo stop.' voice raised. 'it's not like that. it really isn't. we love each other. he's your best friend, don't talk to him like that.' god bless that woman for trying to get him to see reason. trying her hardest to keep him firmly where he is. 'you aren't swinging at him, i'm not letting you. not with the boys upstairs.'

'loves you?' the anger is turned down to his baby sister, pressing hands into his chest. somehow leo just can't believe that to be true. he's know miguel his whole life. angry eyes flick back to the other man that abby is now standing in front of 'you haven't taken any woman seriously in your whole life miguel, and you suddenly expect me to believe that its different?' he fumes. 'because it's her? you're out of your mind man.' protective. he watched over isla every day of their lives. she was his world just like the boys were and he'd be damn if he'd let his best friend break her heart.

'abby step back,' he tells her. doesn't want her in the middle of all this. its all irrational words and thoughts that he's spewing. things could have been different if he hadn't had a break down not an hour earlier. it barely even hits him that isla is right. joaquin and nicholas are sleeping upstairs. if they got any louder they'd come running wondering what was happening and recognize isla and miguel's voices.

they should have planned this better, but how were they supposed to? it was something they had decided to do out of the blue. there was no planning on their part, just agreeance that leo needed to know.

when the other questions what was going on, miguel opens his mouth to begin to say something - only to be interrupted by isla. when they had agreed to rip off that bandaid, she hadn't been kidding. she had ripped that thing off so fast, he barely had time to process what was happening.

eyes land on him and as leo strides towards him, miguel steps back. trying to put distance between the two of them, because he had been here before with his friend. many, many years ago, back when they had been younger. scrappier. known to pick fights with one another, and be okay an hour later. punches had been swung, black eyes given. that was the last thing he wanted now.

" amigo, listen to me - " but then his face falls. lips are pursed, jaw clenched. " are you fucking serious right now, leonardo? you really think i would think that little of your sister? you think that little of me? "

abigail nods, not really quite understanding what was happening - until leo's rushing towards miguel. her eyes are wide as the two of them begin to yell, and isla tries her best to push her brother back.

although she doesn't know him very well, she does what she thought would help - goes to miguel, tries her best to hold the man who was much bigger than her, back. the last thing they needed was for a fight to break out. " guys - seriously. reel it the fuck back, and act like adults. "

[xwildheart]

isla can't help but look over to miguel again. god why was this so hard? 'what kind of things,' he shoots back. miguel was never this squirrely with him. shifty gaze, sidestepping around isla. something was trying to click in his mind but it wasn't there just yet, only because it wasn't something he every thought would happen. 'isla what is going on, you're scaring me. why are you so upset?' there's that big brother attitude, eyes scanning her for any unseen injury, the cause for the redness to her eyes and stuffy sounding nose.

isla took a deep breath, reaching for her brother. 'leo... miguel and i-' but she was cut off by the young blonde coming down the stairs. 'hey abby.' she said softly with a tiny smile. 'um- just, hang out for another minute if you could?' leo told her, gave her a look like she didn't need to stay in the room though. he's flustered himself, having had to throw himself together so damn fast. reckless behavior on both their parts. 'leo, miguel and i are together.' isla blurted it out quickly, didn't want to sugar coat anything, just wanted it out in the open as quick as possible. there's silence in that living room as what she'd just said sinks in.

leo's eyes go from isla to miguel, back and forth before they settle---on his best friend. there's no way. this had to be some kind of joke. but both of them stayed silent, miguel almost unable to look at him. 'your sleeping with my sister?' he asks, this indiscernible look coming over his features. surely this was some strange fucking dream. maybe he'd fallen asleep after his cry and this was a damn dream that he couldn't wake up from. 'hermano listen to m--' isla tried, but leo had already tried to take one very large step towards miguel.

'you're fucking my sister?' he asked, louder, harsher this time. 'she's not one of your god damn conquest de leon, she's my fucking baby sister!' harsh, that was too fucking harsh but leo felt this anger running through his system. he was already worked up from feeling like a damn failure as a father, and he certainly wasn't expecting to hear this tonight. isla's hands are pressing into his chest, to keep him standing where he is and to not advance on the other man in the room. 'leo, stop-- just listen to me for one second.'

miguel reaches for her hand, but stops himself at last minute. as much as he wanted to bring her comfort, he knew he couldn't. if leo caught the two of them standing close to one another, he may jump to conclusions.

not that the conclusions would be wrong. he was sleeping with his sister, but it was more than that. isla was more to him than just someone to spend the night with in bed. the love he felt for her wasn't like any other love he had ever felt before. she truly meant the world to him, and he had no intentions on breaking her heart. not now, not ever.

his eyes are instantly drawn to his best friend. he's not as composed as he normally is, but neither is miguel. for the first time in his life, he's nervous around the other. feels as if they're on two different planets. without realizing he takes another step away from isla, creating distance between the two of them. he has a feeling he's going to put two and two together.

except the look he gives him is one that's telling him without any words you better not be the reason for those tears. and he's not. that's why they were here, so the two of them could live together in peace, without worry, without having to hide their relationship.

" we need to talk, leo. uh, about some...things. " his tone is wavering. leo knew miguel better than miguel knew miguel, could probably tell how nervous he was. he takes a deep breath, looking at isla, and then back at the other man. " maybe we should...sit. "

the two of them had been in bed when his sister's voice could be heard from downstairs. abby's quick to sit up, almost falling off the bed for how fast she moved away from leo. " were you expecting company? " she asks, and the older male shakes his head. blonde frowns. at least it's not his wife.

as he makes himself look more presentable (good thing he had stopped crying about an hour ago, or else his eyes would have been red, no doubt), he instructs abigail to go check on the boys. she nods her head, quietly making her way to their rooms.

they were still asleep. she stands in the doorway for a moment, small smile on her face. she had always loved kids, but never pictured herself with any. much like her brother, she had been scared to end up like their parents. useless. a poor excuse of a guardian. the list went on.

once she's sure that they're okay and won't be waking up any time soon, she makes her way slowly down the stairs, not sure what she'd be walking into. she knew isla's voice, but hadn't heard anyone else's - but there was someone else. leo's best friend.

" do you need me to go, mr. vasquez? " she keeps it professional, afraid to call him leo. like they'd know what the two had been doing right before they had gotten there.

[xwildheart]

isla can tell he's trying, but can also see that miguel is nervous. of course he was. he was sleeping with his best friends sister behind his back. not really the best place any guy wants to be. even more so on the cusp of spilling that little detail.

isla nodded. pulling herself together as best as she could and standing. she didn't live far from her brother. made a point to be close enough for the boys sake. it wasn't uncommon for her to show up unannounced either. 'leo?' she called out into the home once they arrived and she let herself in, glancing over her shoulder towards miguel. she nearly reached for his hand, wanted something to hold onto but held back for now. 'leo, you awake?' she called out again, and not a few moments later did she hear her brothers footsteps on the stairs heading their way, having asked abby to quick go check on the boys before coming downstairs as well.

'isa?' he called back, the sweet shortening of her name, rounding the corner and with a confused glance, took in the fact that she and miguel were there. he'd somehow composed himself after his little bout of crying as well. abby making him feel a better about his doubts of being a good father. 'are you alright? i thought you had plans tonight?' that's why he needed abby. instantly he's closer, noticing the red eyes, tell tale sign that she'd been crying and he can help the look he cuts towards his best friend almost instantly. 'miguel?' he questioned.

miguel knew if he suggested waiting until tomorrow, that isla wouldn't get any sleep. once her mind was set on something, that was it. the woman wouldn't get any rest, tossing and turning no doubt, worrying about what her brother might say or do.

he squeezes her hand. presses another kiss to the top of her head. the man's gentle. always gentle when it came to isla. she saw a softer side of him that no one else got to see, besides maybe leo's kids - because even with leo, he was bit of a sarcastic asshole. that was just the relationship the two shared and probably always would.

" no, of course not. best to rip off the bandaid, right? " offers her a smile, although it doesn't quite reach his eyes. for the first time in his life, he's nervous. every time he goes to work, he faces danger. stares into the eyes of it. takes the risk of the wolves attacking. but telling leo? whole other ballgame. whole other sport. scarier than the wolves. there was a reason why he had suggested keeping it to themselves in the first place.

miguel picks up his phone. taps away on it, looking up his best friend's location. home. he's home. shows isla, nodding his head. " let's do this thing then, yeah? "

[xwildheart]

'right.' right. because she'd never known her brother to fly off the handle. even if her was really upset or angry he usually kept a level head about things. 'overthinking, yeah.' she's just repeating him now, trying to make those things sink into her mind. put them out into the universe so maybe they would come true. leo had to be happy for her. he had to be. he'd always been her biggest fan, supporter, everything. if she was happy then he was. this wasn't going to be any different. maybe a bump in the road but still, it would be okay.

she still got butterflies. every time miguel said he loved her she got that silly little feeling still to this day. finally a tiny smile started to for at those words. 'will you kill me if i said right now?' she said softly. she wouldn't blame him if he said no, to wait till tomorrow or something but the sooner she got it over with the sooner she could at least attempt sleep. this had plagued her all day, more than any other day. she wiped at her face, tried to get rid of the rest of the tears, try to straighten herself out. leo would panic if he saw her so distressed.

her lips were soft on his callused hand. the tears were still freely falling. he hated seeing her like this and would do whatever it took to get them to go away - even if it meant ruining his friendship with leonardo. they both meant the world to him, but much like her...he was tired of hiding. tired of only being able to see her behind closed doors, never able to take her out in public. let the world know how he truly felt.

" you're right. it'll be better in person. texting him feels like the cheap way out. besides, it's leo. he can't possibly get that mad, right? i'm sure we're just overthinking this whole thing. we'll let him know, and then we won't have to sneak around anymore. he might not be happy with us at first, but he loves the both of us. and if this makes us happy...well, it should make him happy too. " even as he said this though, he wasn't exactly sure. was this the one thing that could break him and his best friend apart?

other hand reaches up to smooth her hair. " it'll all work out. we won't have to hide, and we'll be able to show the world how much we love each other because isla, i love you. with my whole heart. " he offers her a smile, meaning every word that left his lips. " when should we tell him? "