Legacy

Spain had been out on campaign for months and he hadn’t even hinted at a return in his letters. Spain chuckled like he was proud of himself for the little surprise and said, “Did you really believe that I would miss your birthday? I wouldn’t miss it for anything. War can wait.”

He pulled New Spain closer as he spoke, using his hold on his waist. New Spain smiled, glad that Spain had prioritized coming home to him, even though he felt like the day he was baptized wasn’t as important as Spain thought it was. He was not going to complain that Spain was home after so long being alone.

He replied, somewhat sheepishly, “You should have sent me a letter. I would have prepared a party.” He had planned to spend the day quietly, and he knew Spain would be satisfied with that. He leaned forward to brush his lips lightly against Spain’s as he added, “I don’t mind if it is just us though.”

Feeling Spain’s body so close to him reminded him how much he had missed physical touch. He had been good while Spain was gone, and that meant keeping to himself. The feeling of Spain’s stubble against his cheek was thrilling, so different from how clean shaven he usually kept himself.

Spain understood his signal and kissed him on the lips for a long moment. New Spain deepened the kiss; his body had been practically aching for touch. After he broke the kiss, Spain said, “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. I have planned something for you.”

One of his hands moved from New Spain’s waist down his hips and trailed across his thigh, and he added, “And presents of course.”

New Spain said, before kissing him again, “You coming home is enough of a present.”

He shifted into the touch. He knew he was being needy, but he felt entitled to be if Spain was going to spoil him for his birthday.

Spain smirked and replied, “Don’t lie to me. I know you want more than that.” His thumb was working soft circles on the inside of New Spain’s thigh as he continued, “I brought you back so many presents. Jewels and silks and books.”

New Spain was trying to listen to what he was saying, but the touch on his thigh was making it hard to concentrate. He didn’t care about more books half as much as he cared about being touched in the moment.

Spain seemed to be teasing him as he asked, “Do you want to see your presents, or is there something else you want first?”

He said it playfully and still wrapped his arm around the boy’s waist habitually. New Spain nuzzled his neck and said, “I had riding lessons, Latin tutoring, and then dance lessons. And I just finished sitting for a portrait for hours.”

Spain chuckled, “I know your schedule, angel. I made it.”

He had put a significant amount time into making sure that New Spain had a well-rounded education, even if it filled all of the hours in the day. New Spain whined in his ear, “I’m far too tired to endure another court event. It will be so long that I will fall asleep at the table.”

Spain couldn’t believe that the boy was really complaining when he had the same schedule nearly every day. While it was not every day that there was a court function, it was not unusual either. The reason felt like a little lie.

He had the strong suspicion that the issue was not the exhaustion at all. He felt New Spain lightly kiss his neck as he said, clearly trying to be persuasive, “Why don’t we just have a nice quiet dinner together.”

His lips were touching Spain’s ear as he added, “Then we can have a lovely night together. Just you and me.”

Spain was tempted to do as he asked, but it was far too important to simply abandon. He also suspected he knew the reason that New Spain was trying to avoid court. As much as he enjoyed having New Spain curled up in his lap trying to tempt him into private time together, he needed to say what he suspected.

He asked, “My angel, is it really that you are tired or is it that Rodrigo will be there?”

He knew that it was the first time that Austria had returned to court since the last explosive fight with New Spain. He felt the boy tense in his arms, which told him that he was right. New Spain was quiet for a long moment before he said, “I slapped him. He isn’t going to forgive me for it, ever. He is going to make me suffer all night.”

Spain couldn’t imagine what Austria could possibly do that would be more than just being unpleasant to talk to. He had no doubt Austria would still be stewing on the argument, but he was not the kind of man who would do more than stew.

But, he supposed, that New Spain was sensitive to rejection.

Spain rubbed New Spain’s back to comfort him, feeling the warmth of the skin beneath the thin undershirt. He replied, “That is cowardice, my dear. You are trying to avoid him so you won’t be uncomfortable, and you cannot live like that. If you are going to be bold enough to lay hands on him, you have to stand your ground.”

New Spain groaned, “But he is-“

He bit back whatever he wanted to say, deciding that it was too harsh for a man who was still legally Spain's husband. His tact stopped him from bringing an insult to his lips.

Spain reached up and ran one hand through his hair and said, “It doesn’t matter what he is. I am going to tell you what you are going to do: You are going to go dress and look beautiful. You’re going to be proud. I will not have you hide when you could show him that you don’t care what he thinks.”

He planted a soft kiss on New Spain’s cheek and added, “If you can do that, I will reward you later.”

The young man was half-asleep and not paying attention. Mexico cleared his throat loudly to get his attention. The soldier jerked awake and looked around. He met Mexico’s gaze and said, without Mexico prompting him, “Oh right, food.”

He scrambled to get up and leave the room. Mexico sighed as he was left alone again. He knew the guards had been Santa Anna’s idea to make him feel safe and to make sure that he was not left wanting. Mexico was well aware that every time he got out of the bed it ripped open his back wound. He had bled out and woken up in bed enough times to know it was a bad idea. But he felt like an invalid.

He gingerly sat up and tried to prop himself against the pillows. It had been months since he was wounded, months he had spent as a prisoner. He was used to being healed from anything no matter how grievous, but it seemed that having territory ripped from him had stalled the process entirely.

He thought to himself: Even if I was human, I would have healed by now. The agonizing pain in his back told him that it wasn’t healing, and that he had no way of knowing how long it would take.

The door opened and the soldier reappeared with food in hand. Mexico was more interested in the figure leaning heavily on a cane behind him. He looked so unsteady on his feet since the Americans had taken the prosthetic leg that fit. Yet, Mexico was still glad to have someone familiar there.

Santa Anna sat down in the closest chair, and then seemed to wait for the soldier to leave. Mexico started picking at the food as soon as it was placed in front of him. He said, “How much longer are you going to stay, Antonio? I thought you said you were leaving.”

Mexico wasn’t sure how he felt about the concept, but Santa Anna had promised that he was ending the war by leaving.

Santa Anna looked at him with something like concern and said, “Do you know how long you’ve been asleep?”

Mexico shook his head. To him it felt like it had been unending time in the half-lit bedroom.

His stomach growled gladly as he started to eat. Answering the question, he said, “I have no idea. How should I know? I’ve been asleep.” Santa Anna sighed and replied, “It’s been days. We were worried that you'd stopped breathing.”

Mexico simply responded by saying, “Huh, it hasn’t felt like it.”

To himself he added that if he was going to sleep so long, it should have actually healed him.

There was a pained crease appearing between Santa Anna’s eyebrows as he tried to find words. He opened his mouth and then reconsidered. Mexico ate quietly while he waited for Santa Anna to speak. Eventually the man settled on, “I intended to leave immediately. I cannot in good conscience leave you alone when you are still healing. Not when I can't be sure that you'll be taken care of.”

Mexico felt a twinge of guilt followed by a stronger twinge at the absurdity of feeling guilty. If he could have made himself heal, he would have done it already. He didn’t want to say it out loud, but he appreciated that Santa Anna was concerned.

He said between bites, “You don’t have to stay. I am sure other people will make sure I don’t die.”

Santa Anna took another deep sigh and ran his hand over his forehead. He said, “I don’t believe that. I don’t know what will happen to you if I leave.”

Mexico sighed, “Why is it that you think you are the only one who can save me?”

He froze and met Spain’s gaze. Spain looked incredibly pleased with himself that he had won. Mexico’s heart sank. He knew he couldn’t stop Spain from doing as he pleased.

Spain’s voice came out smooth and self-satisfied as he said, “I have you now, dear.”

Mexico’s mind ran through all the ways he could possibly escape, but he didn’t have the time to act on any of them. So, he swallowed his rising anxiety and met Spain’s lascivious gaze. He replied, “Do your worst, bastard.”

Part of him hoped that Spain would immediately cut him down, though he knew that it was not likely. Spain stepped closer, with a glimmer in his eye that made him look distinctly like a predator. He was practically purring as he said, “I intend to.”

He drew close, never removing his sword from Mexico’s throat. Mexico could feel his heart pounding in his chest, anticipating whatever was coming. Spain used his free hand to grab Mexico’s chin and tilt it so that he was looking in his eyes. His fingers felt firm, making clear that he was not letting go, and he said in a hiss, “I will cut you if I need to and let you bleed. You can come home unconscious if you decide to be bad.”

Mexico bit the inside of his lip to keep himself from saying something. He didn’t like the idea of being unconscious and at Spain’s mercy. Spain was so close to his face that Mexico could practically taste him. Spain added, “But I know you will be good, my angel.”

With that, he leaned in to press their lips together. Mexico’s first impulse was to bite Spain’s lower lip, but he repressed the urge. In the moment, he considered whether it might not be better to play along.

If he let Spain have his kiss, then maybe he would loosen the hold on the sword. Then Mexico could grab his sword. So, he leaned into the feeling that was all too familiar. He even parted his lips in a way that he knew would be enticing while closing his eyes so he could focus on grabbing the sword.

Spain seemed quite pleased. He pressed his tongue into Mexico’s mouth. His free hand was slowly tightening on Mexico’s chin in his usual possessive way. Mexico wanted to back away, to make space between them, but he knew he had a reason for playing the role.

With his eyes still closed, he felt around for the hilt so that he could twist the sword out of Spain’s hand. It was difficult with Spain pressing himself closer and pressing his tongue further into his mouth. It was stifling.

Mexico’s fingers found the pommel. But, Spain anticipated what he was doing and Mexico felt the lightest bite of the blade against his throat. He felt a drop of blood running down his throat. Spain broke the kiss to growl in his ear, “Clever idea, but not clever enough. You're not going to stop me.”

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

Mexico woke from the dream with a start. He put his hand to his throat to feel if there was a wound there. He was relieved to find the skin undamaged.

Guerrero stirred next to him and put a hand up to caress his shoulder clumsily, “Were you having a nightmare? It sounded like a nightmare.” Mexico nodded and said, “It was about Antonio.”

He didn’t want to say more, not to the man he loved. But he felt himself start to tremble as he thought where the dream was going before he woke up. Guerrero said, softly, “Come here.”

Mexico obeyed and laid back down with his head on Guerrero’s chest. He listened to the man’s steady heartbeat as Guerrero spoke to him soothingly, “I’m going to keep you safe. He isn’t here and I’m not going to let him near you again.”