A/N: Got a sudden inspiration. Still, don't expect a regular update for a while. This inspiration might be only because of the gin and tonic was downing lmao.
The morning started almost peacefully—if "peaceful" meant Marco blasting reggaetón from a portable speaker while Malik and Javier debated whether squirrels were secretly government drones.
Alex, still half-asleep, sipped her coffee as Marco slung an arm around her shoulders. "Mami, today's the day—Strawberry Peak! Views so good, you'll forget I got us lost that one time."
Valeria, already lacing up her hiking boots, snorted. "Which 'one time'? There've been several."
"Details!" Marco waved her off before pressing a kiss to Alex's temple. "You ready for an adventure?"
Alex smirked. "With you? I've learned to expect disaster."
"That's the spirit!"
———
The first half of the hike was surprisingly pleasant. The trail wound through dense pines, sunlight filtering through the leaves in golden streaks. Diego led the way, his natural sense of direction keeping them on track, while Rosa and Lucía chatted comfortably behind him.
Marco, of course, couldn't just walk—he had to make it an event.
"Okay, mira, this tree?" He slapped the trunk of a massive pine. "This is definitely haunted."
Javier frowned. "How do you know?"
"It feels judgmental."
Alex rolled her eyes but snapped a picture of Marco posing dramatically against the "haunted" tree.
Malik, ever the realist, shook his head. "Man, you'd think a ghost was hiding behind every rock."
"You don't know that it's not," Marco shot back.
By midday, they reached a small clearing with a stunning overlook. The group sprawled out on rocks and logs, unpacking sandwiches, fruit, and—because Marco insisted—an entire bag of chicharrones.
Alex settled next to Marco, who immediately stole a bite of her apple before handing her his water bottle. "Sharing is caring, mami."
She smirked. "You mean stealing is easier than opening your own food?"
"Same thing."
Rosa, watching them, shook her head but smiled. "Ay, mi hijo. You're lucky she puts up with you."
Marco grinned, mouth full. "Súper lucky."
———
When they finally reached the summit, the view was stunning—rolling mountains, endless sky, the world stretching out beneath them.
Alex immediately pulled out her phone. "Marco, pose."
"¿Yo? Always." He struck a ridiculous flexing stance, and she laughed, snapping the shot.
"Okay, now a normal one."
"Boring." But he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as she held up the phone for a selfie. His lips brushed her temple right as she clicked—perfect.
Javier and Malik photobombed the next few, making stupid faces. Valeria and Diego actually managed a nice, normal picture (a miracle). And Rosa, Lucía, and Isabel posed like they were in a telenovela, dramatic and fabulous.
For a moment, everything was perfect.
Then Marco opened his mouth.
"Alright, team! Time to head back—I know a shortcut."
Alex's stomach dropped. "Oh no."
Diego frowned. "Marco, we should just go back the way we—"
"Nah, nah, trust me." Marco waved him off. "This way's way faster."
Valeria groaned. "We're gonna die."
An hour later, they stood in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by identical-looking trees, no trail in sight.
Malik crossed his arms. "Alright, genius. Where's your shortcut now?"
Marco scratched his head, squinting at the sun like it would give him answers. "Uh… It's around here somewhere."
"We're lost," Javier deadpanned.
Alex sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I can't believe I let you navigate."
Even Diego, the human GPS, looked stumped. He scanned the trees, turning slowly. "Okay… If we go this way, we might hit the trail again."
"Might?!" Valeria snapped.
Rosa, surprisingly calm, just pulled out her phone. "I'm calling park rescue."
"NO!" Marco gasped. "Mamá, please, I can fix this!"
"Fix what? The fact that we're in the middle of nowhere because you don't know what a trail marker looks like?"
Marco pouted. "…They're sneaky."
———
It took two more hours of wandering, backtracking, and Diego finally deciphering the position of the sun before they stumbled back onto the actual trail.
By then, the sun was dipping low, casting long shadows.
Alex, exhausted, leaned against Marco as they trudged back to the cabin. "I swear to God, if you ever suggest a 'shortcut' again, I'm leaving you in the woods."
Marco grinned, unrepentant. "But then who would keep life exciting?"
"Literally anyone else."
Valeria, ahead of them, muttered, "Next time, I'm leading the hike."
Diego chuckled. "Good luck getting him to follow."
As they finally reached the cabin, Rosa turned to Marco, hands on her hips. "You. Are never in charge of directions again."
Marco sighed. "…Fair."
Alex collapsed onto the porch steps, groaning. "I need a shower, a meal, and zero more surprises today."
Marco plopped down beside her, grinning. "So… movie night?"
She shoved him. "Only if you don't talk during it."
"No promises, mami."
Somehow, despite everything, she couldn't even be mad.
******
After the disastrous hike, a long, much-needed bath together (which involved more laughter than actual washing, thanks to Marco's inability to take anything seriously), and a hearty dinner with the whole chaotic family, Alex and Marco finally retreated to their room.
Alex flopped onto the bed with a groan, still sore from the day's misadventures. "I can't believe you got us lost in the woods."
Marco, grinning, pulled off his shirt and tossed it onto the chair. "Hey, we made it back, didn't we? That's a win in my book."
"Barely."
He chuckled, then—because he was evil—suddenly held up Ava right in front of Alex's face.
Alex yelped, flinching so hard she nearly rolled off the bed. "MARCO!"
He cackled, gently placing Ava into her secure travel enclosure on the dresser. "Relax, mami, she just wanted to say goodnight."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't." He leaned down and kissed her forehead before heading to the ancient DVD player in the corner. "Alright, movie time. Pick your poison."
He pulled out a stack of DVDs from his bag—some scratched, some missing cases, all clearly well-loved.
Alex raised an eyebrow. "You brought physical movies?"
"No Netflix in the woods, corazón." He winked. "Gotta be prepared."
She shuffled through them—classics, comedies, a few questionable action films, and, of course, at least one telenovela box set.
"How about this one?" She held up a rom-com she vaguely remembered from years ago.
Marco smirked. "Aw, mami, you tryna get all cuddly on me?"
"Shut up and put it in."
He laughed but obliged, setting up the DVD player while Alex burrowed under the covers. Once the movie started, he climbed in beside her, immediately pulling her close, his arm wrapping around her shoulders.
Alex sighed, relaxing into him as the opening credits rolled. His warmth, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the shampoo—it was perfect.
Halfway through the movie, Alex's eyelids grew heavy. The exhaustion from the hike, the comfort of Marco's arms, the soothing rhythm of his breathing—it all pulled her under.
She didn't even realize she was drifting off until her head slumped fully against his chest.
Marco glanced down, smiling softly. He shifted just enough to pull the blanket up over her a little more, then pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"Buenas noches, mi amor," he murmured.
He meant to stay awake—really, he did—but the warmth of her against him, the quiet hum of the movie, the exhaustion of the day… it was too much.
By the time the credits rolled, Marco was out cold too, head tilted back against the headboard, Alex still curled against him.
———
Downstairs, Rosa noticed the unusual quiet.
"Those two went to bed early," Lucía remarked, sipping her tea.
Rosa smirked. "That hike must've really worn them out."
Valeria rolled her eyes. "Or Marco finally ran out of energy. A miracle."
Rosa chuckled, then—because she was a mom and couldn't resist—she quietly made her way upstairs.
The door was slightly ajar. She peeked in, and her heart melted at the sight.
Marco, fast asleep, still holding Alex protectively against him. Alex, completely knocked out, face buried in his chest. The TV's dim glow cast soft shadows over them.
Rosa pulled out her phone.
Click.
She smiled to herself, tucking her phone away before gently closing the door.
Some moments were too precious not to keep.
******
The next morning, Alex would wake up to a text from Rosa:
"You two are adorable. Don't tell Marco I sent this."
Attached: The photo.
Alex would groan, hide her face in her hands—then save it to her phone anyway.
Because, honestly?
It was pretty perfect.