#preymend.

The moment they'd all gotten wind of contact with an outsider being made, they all gathered around the common area. Diego sat on the bottom stairs leading down to the common area, his hands preoccupied by a smaller pair. While the others were buzzing around in excitement, he stayed a short distance with Ezekiel who was busy treating his father as his own personal jungle gym. He was curious. But they've gone so long without contacting others across any distance around the world, that his need to play around with his kid was stronger than wanting to know what was up. He tuned everything out ----- suddenly lifting Ezekiel within his arms and attacking the kid in bearded tickling to his face.

Before he knows it, Clara's returned to them. He sets Ezekiel down on the step beside him before standing, question written in his eyes. And an answer is given in the form of a pair of arms around his neck, a kiss to his lips, and those three words he could never get tired of hearing.

His arms slip around her waist and the moment their lips part, he's about to ask her of what's going on; question quickly forgotten as he overhears others passing on by about some cure. Brows quickly begin to furrow, but the look on Clara's face and her entire demeanor keeps him from shooting down the possibility. Instead a new question forms.     ❝     You think it's really legit?     ❞    

They've only been here a few months. And so far, things look promising. For the first time in a long time, Diego feels like maybe, just maybe, they may have found a home. Los Hermanos aren't exactly the crowd they may have hung around while growing up back home. But Diego finds himself accepting their way of life rather quickly. They've sheltered himself and Clara. They've fed them. And now Diego is stepping up, proving his worth.

And sometimes that means tapping into that male ego and talking shit to show he's not playing games. He's here for the LONG HAUL.     (     He's gotta make this last. He won't allow another day where Clara lives in fear or goes the night hungry.     )    

    ❝     Don't hate me, but I ate the last Tootsie Roll since you were mouthing off earlier.     ❞     Being petty comes with the territoy of married life.     (     Or maybe that's just him trying to justify his actions.     )         ❝     And I know there's a candy shop in town that still got some goods, but I promised to take a nap with Zeke. So you're shit outta luck.     ❞    

    ❝     Y'know, Pops was healthy, right? ----- Miguel murdered 'im. So I killed Miguel.     ❞    

    ❝     Shit. Shit. SHIT.     ❞     He should be keeping calm. He should be strong for her. But this situation has left him confused; scared beyond imagination. Bodies have been rising left and right. Innocent people attacked by others who hold insane strength and determination to bite into human flesh.     (     This is a NIGHTMARE. It has to be.     )     He sees the body walking into the road they're travling along; clearly sees it's not like them. This is one of those freaks who bite.     ❝     Keep driving. Don't stop. RUN HIS ASS OVER!     ❞    

The moment she entered the room after having tucked their little one in bed, he finds himself sitting up in the couch and scooting over to give her room.     (     He's come to expect it and looks forward to the moment her body joins his side; an arm always comes around her shoulder to welcome the warmth.     )     The moment he places his arm around her, his lips meet her temple and silence falls between them. But unlike a not-so distance past, the silence is welcome. There's no awkwardness; no tension. It's merely contemplative silence as they bask in one another's presence.

Eyes follow hers and he watches her trace his scar. He doesn't speak of it much. Sometimes he forgets it's even there. But before a mirror or when Clara begins observing and tracing them out, he's reminded of those dark times. He almost died. And in a sense, he kind of did. The moment he lost his family, he wasn't the same. Slowly beginning to find himself once more but it's still a work in progress.

Picture perfect moment. The Alvarez family lazily lounging about in bed and Diego has the honor of walking in on his family like this. The moment his eyes meet Clara's, a smile takes over his expression. A smile that even reaches his eyes. Not too long ago, that seemed almost an impossible feat. Now it comes so naturally.

Just as he heads over to the bed, kicking off his boots and read to join them in some relazing times, Clara's words stop him in his tracks. He's just reached the foot of the bed and the question catches him off guard. The smile that had been there widens and a brow raises in question.

    ❝     Mom,     ❞     he whispers, picking back up where he'd began and slowly climbs into the mattress. Body crawls its way over to the two laying back and Diego presses a kiss to Zeke's forehead, followed by a kiss to Clara's belly. Though, that kiss lingers a moment longer until his head lifts and nose nuzzles against hers.