eyes that shine full of inner light

⋆˚࿔ noel 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

Noel was in the other room when he heard the tune, ears perking at the guitar riff and lyrics that weren't in English.

Then you were singing along with it, every word mixed in with your voice. Naturally, he had to come over and ask, curiosity getting the best of him.

"Good tune that is," He said as he stepped into the kitchen, where you were making some café and playing music. "What's that?"

You furrow your brows. "Soda Stereo?" You say, like it were an obvious answer.

He raised an eyebrow. "Soda who?"

"Ay, no me digas," You roll your eyes, looking at him now. "You don't know who Soda Stereo is?"

He shook his head, making you roll your eyes. For being the musical one between you two, he should've known how iconic Soda Stereo was.

"Get ready to have your ears blessed." You say before repeating the song, the opening riff to De Música Ligera fills the room.

He listened, head bopping in approval, which was rare for him. He could be a little judgmental when it came to listening to something new.

"I've gotta hear more Soda Stereo," He says, once the song finishes. "Are there more bands like 'em?"

"Tons," You reply, thinking about the other Spanish bands. "There's Maná, Los Prisioneros, Juanes, Charly García, Caifanes…"

He was making a note of all the people you were mentioning, making sure to take a listen with you some other time.

"But that's just rock en español," You explain, scrolling through your phone to find another song. "We're also known to have some real heartbreak."

So then you put on Así Fue by Juan Gabriel. Noel watched as you swayed along to the music, humming to the tune of the piano and singing along softly.

He was quiet, listening deeply. He didn't even need the translation of the lyrics to feel the emotion of the song deep within him.

By the time the last note faded out, it was quiet, like the music was sinking into him slowly.

"Christ, you can hear the emotion in his voice." Noel commented, never having heard heartbreak that sounded like this.

"Isn't it beautiful?" You smiled, happy that he liked it. "You better not break my heart or I'm singing this to the whole world."

Noel laughed and shook his head. "Wouldn't dream of doin' that to you, love."

You continued to play some more Spanish music and introducing him to the different genres in it, which he seemed to like.

"There are also some songs you can dance to, but I'm not sure if you're ready to learn that yet." You giggle, knowing he'd be terrible at it.

"What?" He scoffed. "I can dance."

"Yeah, alright," You smirk. "You're too stiff to be dancing to anything." You giggle.

From that point on, he was suddenly an expert on Spanish music, telling everyone about how cool they were, thanks to you.

Now every time you were playing Spanish music in the flat, he'd stop what he was doing just to listen.

"Te gusta, bombón?" You ask, seeing how he would get into the music, sometimes doing a stupid dance, which you always made fun of him for.

He might not have known much Spanish, but he understood that. "Love it. Love you." He kissed you on the cheek, smiling.

⋆˚࿔ liam 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

Liam was going to be meeting your family for the first time, and he decided he was too cool to have you stand there and translate the whole time.

So here you were, trying to teach him some basic sentences days before the family barbecue, listening to him struggle.

"After you say hi, say 'gracias por invitarme.'" You say slowly.

"Grace-as por invi…ehhh…" He drifted off, not able to pronounce the word completely.

"Okay, okay, you don't have to say that," You sigh, trying to think of something simple. "How about, 'mucho gusto.'"

Liam nodded. "Mucha gusta."

You shake your head, repeating. "Much-o gust-o. Where are you getting mucha gusta from?"

"Don't know, sounds better," He shrugs before trying again. "Mucho gusto, eh?"

You sighed. "That's better, at least."

"Don't worry about it, love," He sits back. "I'll get it in no time. Your gran is gonna love me."

Everything came to a head the day of the barbecue. Liam was nervous, unsure about his Spanish, and what your family would think of him.

"Mija!" Your mom calls out, coming over to say hi. She takes a glance at Liam, a little suspicious. "¿Y este, quién es?"

"Mi novio, Liam." You look up at him, giving him the signal to say hello.

"Hola," He put his hand out for your mom to shake. "Er…mucho gusto?" He winced, thinking he just butchered the language.

"Ah, si, she told me about you!" Your mom smiles at Liam before looking over his shoulder. "Mamá! ¡Ven a conocer el blanquito!"

Your abuela then came over, the one keeping this family together. She was shorter than Liam, and yet, he was extremely nervous to meet her.

He watched as you hugged and kissed her, saying hello. You turned to look at him, hoping he wouldn't screw up. "Liam, say hi."

"Hola," He shifts on his feet nervously. "Uh…soy Liam?"

Your abuela nods approvingly, taking both his hands into hers gently. "¿Estás tratando bien a mi niña?"

Liam looked to you for a translation. "She's asking if you're treating me right." You giggle.

"Oh! Um, si…" He tries to think of another reply. "Amor grande. Amor very mucho."

"Ay, que lindo. Dios te bendiga." Your abuela looked delighted, and that was enough for him to know he did a good job.

As you continued to introduce Liam to more of your family members, your abuela pulled you to the side, along with some of your tías.

"Mija, él tiene ojos muy bonitos, tienes suerte," She then grins mischievously, talking lower. "Y los labios…"

Your cheeks flushed pink as the rest of the tías agreed. "Abuela!"

"What'd she say?" Liam asked, not being able to pick up what she was saying.

"Nothing! They really like you." You smile. That was sort of the truth. He didn't need to worry about it.

Your family liked Liam. He said hello to everyone, spoke Spanish the best he could, and even helped to stay and clean up.

"I learned a new one," He said as he came beside you while cleaning up. "Te amo, mi amor."

You smile, going to kiss his cheek. "Te amo mucho, mi blanquito."

"Hey, your mom called me that," Liam had that same grin he did when he was feeling soft. "Don't know what that is, but I like it."