#Michael Alvarez

[hyperallergic]

“I want to share the things I appreciate in my world,” Michael Alvarez tells Hyperallergic, “places I fell in love with for different reasons.” These are the liminal spaces of Los Angeles: the rail yards, freeway underpasses, and public parks that act as the city’s connective tissue. As a skateboarder and graffiti artist growing up in the neighborhood of El Sereno, a few miles northeast of downtown LA, these were Alvarez’s playgrounds, where he found community and honed his craft.

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - Part 42

PREV

There are things that change a person.

Moments where after they happen they simply cannot un-happen. Things that a person hears that they cannot un-hear. Promises that a person makes that they can’t, and perhaps even wouldn’t, un-make.

Jeremy’s moment came over winter break the previous year. Jeremy heard things that he could never un-hear in the middle of the night. Jeremy made a promise that he would never break while in the guest room of his parent’s house holding one Jean Moreau tight as he talked about the Nest.

Jeremy was different after that night.

Not wildly different. Not to most.

The only ones who knew had also had a moment, had also heard things, and had also made promises that they intended to keep.

Jeremy is on his way back from the bathroom with a freshly washed handkerchief from the Fox’s most promising Freshman when it all happens. 

He watches Richard throw a glass on the ground and go for Caleb’s throat which in all honesty he had been anticipating since he’d seen the seating arrangements. Sitting the Jackals with the Terrapins? After Caleb seduced Alyssa during the Fall Banquet? Who thought that was a good idea?

Jeremy sees FF and sees that he is alone and wonders where Michael had gone off to. He’s glad that FF has stayed put, the guys quiet but he’s not bad company. Jeremy thinks he would have gotten along pretty well with Jean if he hadn’t flubbed the recruitment.

“He just got a restraining order against that step-brother of his.” Aaron Minyard says explaining the awkward air after Jeremy had spoken. “He’s a Fox.” he adds and Jeremy had felt foolish in that moment.

It should have been obvious.

He hears a scream and sees that one of the Terrapins has joined in the brawl and he has one of the steak knives.

What was the point of that when they had pre-sliced tenderloin anyways? He looks over and sees Anita Flores watching the evening start to go down in flames and all he can think is that she’ll probably do better next time. It’s the first banquet she’s run on her own since Claire retired in the fall.

His eyes go to Jean when he hears another scream.

He can see Laila with Jean and Kevin. He can see Alvarez making her way to the two of them. The Trojans know better after last Winter Banquet. They come together and don’t make it obvious that Jean is at the center of their formation.

He sees Melissa get punched when she tries to get between Richard and Caleb. He’s sure she probably just doesn’t like having this kind of violence at her stadium but getting directly between Richard and Caleb wasn’t her smartest move.

Oh Jacob took exception to that. Well Jeremy can hardly blame the guy when his girlfriend and Captain gets punched like that. Caleb’s just lucky that she’s not dating Malcolm any-

Oh Malcolm is getting in on it. I guess he does still have feelings for Melissa. They had been real cute until he cheated on her. He thinks Melissa is better off with Jacob but who knows.

He looks to Jean again and sees that Kevin is leaving the Trojan encirclement and can see the other Foxes start to head for the exit as the fighting grows more intense. He sees Andrew holding Neil’s hand in a vice grip and-

Oh, of course they’d be anxious here. Of course the Foxes were on edge.

He looks and FF is still sat at the table seemingly unbothered by the chaos erupting around him. He watches as the Foxes make their way to the table where FF is sat. Sees them gathering their belongings and sees FF remain seated, eyes on them and then on the chaos.

Ah, the rearguard.

He nods and diverts his attention back to the mess at hand. Honestly Caleb shouldn’t bait Richard and Richard should be glad that he didn’t propose to someone who’d cheat on him. They’d talked about it and it wasn’t like he had customized the ring or anything so he got his full deposit back. He thought Richard was feeling better about the whole thing, had even been dating Erika and-

Ohh yeah there’s Erika with a Terrapin’s jacket over her shoulders and a hickey that he’s pretty sure Richard hadn’t left on her neck.

Man Caleb what the hell, what did Richard even do? Caleb you don’t even like girl-

Ohhhh.

Caleb….bro. There are better ways to handle a crush.

Now fully understanding the situation Jeremy can’t help but think that it’s actually a pretty simple solution. Well, not simple. Richard is pretty straight but like a firm talking to with Caleb will probably-

“Hey, back off!” He hears Alvarez and his head whips around back to Jean where it shouldn’t have left.

Ravens.

Those Ravens.

Jeremy made a promise.

Jeremy had taken lessons over the summer and-

God it felt good to slam his fist into Johnson’s stupid awful ugly chin. The only thing that was even sweeter was sinking his fist into Reacher’s gut.

“Knox what the fuck?!” he heard Jasmine exclaim and they’d been buddies at one point but it was hard to feel anything positive for a girl who watched.

“I warned you guys during the Fall Banquet didn’t I?” Jeremy asks with a smile as he shakes out his hand. He looks to the side and sees that the rest of the team has now fully encircled Jean. Nothing was getting through them to-

It’s too late that Jeremy sees a younger Raven meatball in hand. He tries to stop it but his arms are too short and it nails Jean right in the forehead. 

He looks at the marinara roll down Jean’s forehead as he blinks in surprise. Laila lets out a scream and has him cradled in her arms and out of sight before Jean even seems to fully understand what is going on.

“Jean, it’s going to be okay.” Jeremy hears Laila assure.

“Laila, what in the world are you freaking out about?” Jean asks. “I’m French, not Italian. I would not bleed marinara sauce.” Jeremy hears him say out of sight and if Jeremy wasn’t so mad he’d laugh.

“That’s it!” Alvarez exclaims and slugs the sophomore who had lobbed the errant meatball and from there it was an all out brawl between the Trojans and the Ravens. They were all defensive over their frenchmen especially against his old team and Jeremy thinks about the investigation he’s been pushing the ERC towards. Thinks about all the little things he has questioned and put into the heads of all of his friends throughout the Division.

He makes his way to Jean as Ned and Jim have taken on the task of handling Reacher and Johnson.

“God, first the sparse wine selection and now this.” Jean says from where Laila was trying to wipe sauce from his face.

“Here, use this.” he offers FF’s handkerchief and thinks about getting a few himself.

Laila takes the handkerchief, “I thought you said there was a lot of wine.” she says.

“No, I said Kevin was doing a lot of whining.” Jean corrects eyes closed as Laila cleans his face off. Jeremy looks towards the Fox table and wonders how he’ll get the handkerchief back to FF and sees FF rising up from the table and quickly put on his jacket before heading out the door after the rest of the Foxes.

What bothers him is the security guards following them. Everyone should know that security guards + the Foxes + Binghamton = Andrew might start stabbing people.

His concern only grows greater when he sees Michael and a few other Ravens follow.

***

There are things that change a person.

Experiences that you never want to experience again. Words that can never be spoken again. Feelings that can never be carefully locked away not that they’re out in the open and known.

Andrew’s experience happened two years ago. Andrew had heard words that he never wished to hear again in his entire life for the last time in Binghamton. Andrew had felt things staring down at a cell phone that he had never let himself feel before.

He looks at Neil safe and sound on the bus after a different fight, a different riot, in Binghamton and it’s hard to be upset. He hadn’t let his Junkie out of his sight the entire night and the moment that he saw security moving in he had grabbed Neil by the hand. His focus had narrowed down at that moment and no amount of Neil insisting that it was fine would stop Andrew’s determined march out of the stadium.

He only felt like he could breathe when he had ushered Neil into the bus and into a seat. He felt his shoulders ease but he didn’t let go of Neil’s hand, he didn’t know if he would until they were back in Palmetto.

The rest of the team filtered out of the stadium quickly and soon enough Wymack was calling out to make sure that everyone was there. “Smith?” Wymack called.

“He’s right here!” a voice calls out and Andrew thinks it’s one of the other Freshmen.

“Let’s get out of here.” Wymack says.

The team gets on the bus and soon enough they’re putting Binghamton in the rearview.

Andrew exhales.

***

He’d heard Michael call out for him and he’d stopped. With all the distraction and the upcoming loading onto the bus he hadn’t felt the need to be exceptionally low presence.

It’d been a mistake as it usually was.

FF looked at the security guard standing in front of him and out the door to the stadium where the Foxes were loading into the bus.

“Will you meet the Master now?” Michael is asking him and FF doesn’t quite get why he’s asking when it’s obvious that FF doesn’t have a choice.

“No.” he says because Michael did ask which means theoretically he could just be misreading the situation.

“You said you’d meet him if the banquet ended.” Michael says.

FF furrows his brow, “I said I’d get up.” he reminds and Michael looks nervous.

“Please?” Michael asks and FF blinks.

“I need to get on the bus.” FF points and the security guard merely steps into his line of sight as if that erased the fact that the bus was there and he was not on it.

“We’ll get you back to where you belong.” Michael promises.

“I belong on the bus that is going back to my campus where I keep all my stuff.” FF says matter of factly.

Michael looks at him utterly bewildered.

“Enough of this.” The guard says and goes to grab him.

FF moves out of the way.

The guard goes to grab him again and FF backs up and out of the way again.

The guard goes to grab him and FF steps back out of his reach again.

This process continues until they are back into the main stadium where the brawl has taken over all of the teams. FF sidesteps the security guard, and he’s near positive this isn’t a real security guard Binghamton really needs to work on their hiring practices. Only this time he side steps out of the way and the guard crashes like an enranged bull into the punch table.

FF’d feel bad about it but there was no way in the world he was going to meet someone named ‘The Master’ when he has spaghetti pants. Absolutely no chance. Whoever it was probably was important enough to deserve dry clean only pants.

“I need to go.” he says to Michael and heads back for the exit, hopeful that maybe just maybe the bus hadn’t left yet. Nicky was pretty drunk though and he knew that the rest of the team would have a singular focus on Captain Neil.

“No, wait!” Michael pleads and FF stops seeing the other player with tears in his eyes. FF stops and unzips his jacket slightly to reach in and grab the handkerchief he had refolded as his pocket square.

“Sorry, I really can’t stay.” he says and offers the handkerchief to Michael, “You can keep that one or hand it to me the next time we play against one another if you remember.” he says. “Tonight isn’t the night for me to talk with your Master.” he says.

Michael looks at him with wide eyes and accepts the handkerchief.

He walks out back into the exiting hallway and there is an older asian man there. He has a cane and he is standing between FF and the door.

He approaches quickly and the man hits his cane against the ground once, “You will join the Ravens.” he says with authority.

Oh great.

“I'd actually rather not.” Smith responds and makes sure to keep a wide berth from the crazy old guy who’s made his way into the Stadium somehow.

He gets out the stadium doors and-

The bus left.

He sighs thinks about the crazy guy right behind him and lets his presence fade into something only Jeremy Knox could see (APPARENTLY).

It’s pretty cold out as he gets as far away from the entrance to the building as possible and reaches into his pocket for his phone. He dials Nicky.

***

“COACH, YOU FORGOT SMITHY. AGAIN.” A drunken shout from the back of the bus startles Wymack as he lets out a loud string of curses before getting into a lane to make a U-turn.

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

NEXT

[simbargifs]

top 10 simbar scenes (as voted by our followers)

5 ♡ 3.60 Simón finds Ámbar sad, sitting on a bench, he kisses her, takes her in his arms and they stay there in silence./Simón encuentra a Ámbar triste, sentada en un banco, la besa, la toma en sus brazos y se quedan ahí en silencio.

[broiderie]

Curiosity...

Alright Mayans M.C. fans. Here's my question. Who do you think is the worst villain in the show? Which person just... pisses you off by coming on screen. I know mine. Just wondering how close I am with everyone else's ideas.

[luvrsctrl]

can we talk about how even in a different AU they’d still prob be together like javi and isadora fit so well and not even saying this cus i love simbar i’m being for real on a side note can we talk about how much i hated how they did michaels hair in control z 😭

[bullet-prooflove]

The Ask Box is EMPTY

The ask box is empty and would like feeding please!

Prompt Lists - If you should need any - it doesn't have to be off this list if you already have one in mind. Don't forget to put the full prompt instead of just a number.

The Rules:

- Only pick people off this character list for each fandom.

- I don’t write things like Voight’s daughter/Hondo’s friend/Adam’s sister

- I also don't write really specific asks eg: reader is a firefighter/doctor/cop who has this/does this. They meet and do this/and this and say this... it is way to stifling creatively for me as a writer.

- I don't write other people's stories. If you have a story idea, do not bring it to me.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to give me a shout!

[sonhosquebrados]

Bishop is alive and playing golf with Alvarez. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[hephaestuscrew]

Michael Tate was introduced in Greater Boston as someone mourning his best friend; his grief after Leon's death is a key part of his character arc. Four seasons later, in his farewell letter to Louisa, we hear him thinking of himself as a best friend who someone else would mourn - a kind of tragic role reversal. In that letter, Michael refers to both Leon and Louisa as his "best friend". As he faced the prospect of death, he thought about how it felt for him to lose Leon and he used that experience to empathise with the grief and anger and regret that Louisa would feel at losing him. He tried to ease the pain that Louisa would feel at his death while knowing that he couldn't. There's something so powerful to me about that potential cycle of loss. Michael, whose narrative has been so shaped by grief, had to confront the idea of someone grieving for him with a similar intensity…

[burningtacozombie]

taken from Emily Tosta’s instastory.

me too, girl. me too.

[heartandflowerball]

I've made some insta au about Simon and Àmbar.

This is what I think her Private Instagram would look like (because I'm sure her public instagram would've been more aesthetic.)

part 1 / part 2

(please don't steal my work thanks)

[zhoufeis]

SOY LUNA Argentina, 2016-2018.

[athletic-collection]

Sammy Alvarez (left) wrestles Michael Blando

[meep-meep-richie]

‘‘ You’re not a f*ckin Mayan.’’

[simbargifs]

top 10 simbar scenes (as voted by our followers)

6 ♡ 2.51 Ámbar is sad and Simón tells her she's not alone and they almost kiss./Ámbar esta triste y Simón le dice que no esta sola y casi se besan.

[sophs-style]

Michael Kors presented his Spring/Summer 2024 collection during New York Fashion Week on Monday (11th September 2023) in Brooklyn, with a host of celebrities in attendance.

Blake Lively, Anitta, Ariana DeBose, Camila Alves McConaughey, Coco Rocha, Ella Balinska, Ella Hunt, Ellen Pompeo, Elsa Hosk, Halle Berry, Hayley Atwell, Jenna Dewan, Kaitlyn Dever, Kelsea Ballerini, Olivia Wilde, Rita Ora, Vanessa Hudgens, Tiffany Haddish, Frida Aasen and Olivia Holt.

[broiderie]

Lost Princessa: Meet the Reaper 18

Phew... this one is a doozy. I typed too much at once. Guess you'll just get to see a little more than planned in this chapter. Oops... not really. Enjoy!

Warnings: cussing, talk of gun running, talk of weapons, talk of illegal transport of goods, some mild make-out session... Let me know if I missed anything. I'm too tired to think about what I typed lol.

After a quick pit stop to buy burritos from Mama’s favorite food truck, they pulled in to the driveway at her house. She was waiting for them on the front porch swing.

Hank got out and came to let Megan out too, taking the paper bag of food from her. Then he sat her seat forward to let Rex out. Megan had put his new harness and leash on him before they left the house, and she led him up the steps to meet Mama.

“Hi Mama,” Megan greeted with a smile. “Meet Rex.” She knelt to introduce Mama to the big dog who watched her with a doggy grin.

“Oh Cariño, you look so much happier. I’m glad the trip was good for you.” The older woman smiled and offered her hand to the big dog. “And this fine boy- Rex did you say? He’s beautiful, mija.”

Rex sniffed Mama’s hand politely, but his cropped tail never stopped wagging so hard his hind end moved.

“And so polite! Where’d he come from?” Mama stepped up to hug Megan.

A friend of Hank’s up north rescued him. He thought he’d suit me and he was right.” Megan giggled and accepted the hug

Hank came up the stairs shaking his head and laughing. “No welcome home for your own son, Mama? I even brought food.”

“Oh- you! Don’t tease your Mama!” She kissed his cheek when he bent to offer it.

Hank smiled and kissed her hair. “Te amo, Mama. I’m just joking.”

“Let’s go inside to eat,” Mama suggested. “I made some lemonade and tea. We can introduce your big baby to Chi-Chi.”

Inside, Megan warily introduced Rex to Chi-Chi. She wasn’t sure how he’d do with the small dog. She shouldn’t have been worried. Rex was terrified of the chihuahua. He hid behind Megan’s legs until Chi-Chi laid down. 

After they caught up over lunch, Mama smiled. “I’m so glad you’re better out of that cast, Cariño. And your color is better too. Are you staying ahead of the pain with your medicine?

“Yes, ma’am. Hank makes sure of it.” Megan smiled at Hank who was sitting back in his chair just listening with a grin as the two most important people in his life chatted.

“Good. Now - I know you didn’t want a big deal for your birthday. I also know that Che and Hank didn’t exactly go along with that idea.” Mama winked at Hank. “But I have something for you too.”

“You didn’t have to do that Mama…” Megan started.

“Maybe not, but I did.” She reached behind her and retrieved a leather bound book. She handed it to Megan with a smile. “Feliz Cumpleaños, hija.”

Megan took the book carefully and opened it. It was very old. It was a recipe book. A handwritten one. Megan ran gentle fingers over the pages. “Is this…”

“My copy of the family recipe book. You love learning to cook new things - and you’ve shared recipes with me. Now it’s my turn.” Mama smiled gently at her and patted her hand. “Besides - there are tricks in there. Ones that will help you as you learn your culture from the ground up.” Mama flipped to the back to show her blank pages. “And this is where you add your own.”

Megan’s eyes teared as she saw where Mama had penned her name at the top of the page. “Are you sure?” she sniffed.

“Very. And that ring on your finger says my Hank is sure too.” Mama stood to kiss Megan on the forehead. “Eres familia. Always.”

Megan leaned into the affection from the older woman and closed her eyes. “Thank you, Mama.”

“De nada.”

Hank smiled gratefully at his mother as she cuddled the love of his life. He petted Rex and let them have their moment.

Soon, Mama patted Megan’s hair and went to take her seat again. “Now - what did Hank get you, Hija? It better have been good.”

Megan giggled and wiped her eyes before she began listing things she’d received as gifts. Mama admired her earrings and her charm bracelet.

“St. Agnes was also my patron saint as a young woman,” Mama explained. “I have her story somewhere around here. I’ll find it for you. I think I still have a rosary and some jewelry too…”

Hank’s phone buzzed and he checked it. “Alright, mi reina. That was your papa. Your guests should begin arriving in the next half-hour or so. We should get to the clubhouse.”

“Yes. Don’t be late for your own party, Cariño. I’ll see you in a few days.” Mama kissed her cheek. “Go. Have fun.”

“Thank you, Mama.” Megan stood and Rex came to heel. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Te amo, Cariño.” Mama kissed Hank as well. “Te amo, hijo. Take care of her.”

“I will, Mama. Te amo. Call if you need us.”

Megan carefully placed her recipe book in the glove box to keep it clean.

“Are you happy, mi amore?” Hank asked as he helped to buckle her seatbelt.

Megan smiled brilliantly at him. “Very. I got a Mom for my birthday.”

Hank chuckled. “I don’t know how I’ll top that next year.”

Megan kissed him softly. “Me either.”

They pulled up to the clubhouse and found Taza waiting for them outside. They could see a lot of movement through the windows, but other than that, the yard was very quiet.

Megan left Rex’s harness on and stuck his leash in her thigh bag before they got out.

“Ah. There you are, Chica. The Reaper should be here any minute with Oakland right behind them,” Taza said as he opened her car door. “Did you enjoy your visit with Mama?”

Megan hugged him tightly. “It was great. She gave me the Loza family recipe book.”

Taza eyebrows hit his hairline and he looked to Hank with a grin. “Really now. That is great.” He kissed her forehead. Rex bounded up to greet Taza too, so Taza scratched his ears for him.

“So - is the plan the same as it was last night? Templo and then party?” Megan asked him.

“Yeah. The same. There will be so many people there for Templo that it’ll probably be senior officers only at the table.” Taza explained, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and guiding her towards the stairs.

“Oh. Guess I’ll stand with Coco or Creeper,” Megan said with a little shrug.

Hank chuckled. “You are a senior officer, Princessa. Especially when it comes to the guns. They’re going to be YOUR specialty.”

Megan paused and looked to her father. “Really?”

Inside was swarming with activity as finishing touches were put on the food and decor. Vickie paused on the way through to the bar to tell Megan happy birthday. Gilly was holding the ladder for Coco who was hanging what looked like a giant banner. EZ was stocking the reserve coolers behind the bar and Angel - well he seemed to be flirting hard with a pretty blonde who was wearing way less than the weather called for.

“Really, Chica. Santo Padre Armorer. That puts you at the table.” He paused and opened the door to the clubhouse.

“Where are the tíos?” Megan asked Taza as Rex went to investigate his new dog bed in the corner.

“Templo. I think they’re hiding so Vickie doesn’t make them clean something.”

Megan giggled at the thought. “Alright. I’m going to go say hello.” She kissed Taza’s cheek and then gave Hank a kiss as well before turning to go to the sliding glass door. She knocked as was granted entry - sliding the door closed behind her.

Taza smirked at Hank. “So the family recipe book already?”

Hank smiled and stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets. “Yep. She didn’t even scold me over Megan’s ring.”

Taza laughed. “Why would she? It’s a promise ring, not an engagement ring.”

Hank chuckled. “Same thing to Mama. Though I’m sure she’ll have plenty to say if I don’t replace it with something larger eventually.” He shrugged a little. “What can I say, Taza? Mama knows when my mind’s made up.”

That made Taza nod and smile. “Good. She needs that stability. Just don’t fuck it up and make me shoot you, Hermano.”

“I won’t.”

There was a rumble of bikers in the distance that made everyone pause. The temple door slid open, and BIshop walked out with an arm around Megan’s shoulders followed by Marcus. Megan was much more relaxed on her home turf. 

They all headed outside to greet their visitors. Megan slipped over to stand between Hank and Taza as the gate opened.

Five bikes rolled through the gate that was manned by Creeper at the moment. None of the bikes had the signature look of Mayan bikes. They were all Dynas and one of them carried double. The Reaper had landed.

The dust cleared as the riders dismounted and started stripping off helmets and riding gloves. Megan recognized Chibs, Tig, Venus and the big guy that they called Quinn, but the other two riders were only vague memories. She hadn’t actually met them, but she’d seen them at the lodge. One of them had a prospect patch. The other, she thought, was T.O. He was the only black man she knew of who wore the reaper patch. 

The Samcro delegation came forward to greet everyone. Marcus - as ranking member greeted Chibs first. By the time the greetings got to Megan, she’d already accepted a big hug from Venus.

“There’s tha’ lass! How’s ya arm?” Chibs asked, hugging Megan gently.

“Better now that the cast is off. It was causing most of my issues.” Megan said as she hugged the tall Scotsman back. “Still in the soft cast and sling, but not for as long as before.”

“Good ta hear. And… what’s this?” He took Megan’s good hand and spun her slowly so he could see her kutte. “Bylaws changed?”

Bishop laughed. “Nah. Loophole.”

Marcus nodded. “She’s a non-voting officer for the SanPad charter.”

Tig whistled, impressed. “Armorer, huh? Can you handle a weapon, Little Bit? More than your pistol, I mean.”

Megan grinned a little wolfishly. “More than you’ll ever find out.”

“At least you better hope so,” Taza said with a chuckle.

The thunder of more bikes interrupted their conversation. Bikes poured in through the gate, followed by Diana’s Escalade, and then a few more bikes.

Marcus chuckled. “Gentlemen, Poquito, Venus - excuse me. Mi Reina and mi princessa have arrived.” He patted Tig’s shoulder and started towards the large car, only to have the back door fly open. Two steps later, he grunted as a small purple blur collided with him chattering a mile a minute. Megan giggled as Diana got out at a much more sedate pace.

Marco and José went to greet their brothers.

After all parties had refreshment and Tessa had a chance to talk to her prima and tíos, Marcus nodded at Bishop. Even though Marcus technically out ranked Bishop - they were on Santo Padre turf, so Bishop would lead this odd version of Grand Templo.

A shrill whistle cut through the air, and all the members of all three charters filed into the temple. A second chair was at the head of the table and similar on was at the foot. Marcus and Bishop took their positions and Chibs took his place at the foot of the table. The current president of the Oakland Charted and his officers - as well as Marcus and José took seats on the side of the table where Marcus sat. Taza took his place beside Bishop, then turned to smile at Megan. There were curious whispers throughout the room when they realized Megan was in the temple. Hank ignored them and escorted her to the chair next to her father before taking his own between her and Riz. Everyone settled quickly when the gavel fell, and all eyes turned to Bishop.

“Alright. Now that we’re all here, let’s get started. There’s one hell of a party waiting on us out there.” Bishop sat forward with a grin. “Now, some of you have noticed the addition to our table. La Princessa de los Mayas has taken her place as a non-voting officer of the Mayans Motorcycle Club, Santo Padre Charter. Megan will be our Armorer and be responsible for all weaponry that passes through SanPad. She’ll work closely with the officers to assure inventory is kept.”

He paused to glance around the table. “Megan has unique training in multiple weapons and their maintenance. Training we’re going to need as we take on the True IRA contracts.”

Chibs looked to Tig and grinned before he returned his gaze to Bishop. “Found a port, have ya?”

Bishop nodded. “We have. At least if the vote tonight goes the way we hope.” He chuckled again and gestured to Megan. “Alright, Poquito. It’s your action. Bring it to the table.”

Megan swallowed hard, but nodded as she adjusted in her chair to hide her shaking hand. Hank laid a gentle hand on her knee under the table in support. “Santo Padre recently had a meeting with the head of the Galindo cartel. Long story short - to combat the DEA, he has found himself in alliance with Los Olvidados.”

One of the Oakland Mayans standing against the wall interrupted - “But isn’t the LO who you’ve been hunting for months? The same people who took his kid?”

Megan nodded. “Exactly. They decided they needed a third party to mediate and keep everyone honest. That third party is us. It comes with many advantages. One of which was an introduction to Adelita, herself.” She paused to take a sip of water. “At that meeting it occurred to us that an alliance on our own with Adelita comes with even more advantages. Los Olvidados is a vast organization. They control large amounts of government officials on the other side of the border. They are also two thousand soldiers who are used to storing and protecting supplies and weapons at all times.”

Bishop grinned. “And an alliance with the LO protects the M.C. from even more issues when we have to cross over.”

There were nods around the table.

Megan took a deep breath. “So - we met with Adelita - alone, away from Galind. She has agreed to supply the port of entry for the Irish guns, assemble them, and store them on their side of the border. The M.C. handles the buyer and transports. And - she agreed to do it for the twenty percent we had already factored in for the Vatos in the original deal as well as first option to buy when they have a large operation in the works.” Megan smiled and looked around the table.

“At how steep of a discount?” asked the Oakland President.

Marcus chuckled. “That’s the best part… at full price.”

There were surprised mumbles around the table. Men talked quietly among themselves until Bishop sat forward again. “So - any questions?”

“What’s to stop the LO from just taking what they want?” one of the Oakland members asked.

Chibs answered. “Same thing that stopped us - havin’ a club member at tha’ exchange to inventory at the drop to the LO. This does solve things nicely, I will admit. Do we know what port?”

Megan shook her head. “Not yet. We will by the end of the week…”

“If we vote it tonight,” Riz added. “The longer we seesaw - the more likely they are to decide we aren’t worth it.”

Marcus cleared his throat. “It’s a good plan. Solid. It gives us the gun deal with the True IRA and fulfills Jax Teller’s final wishes. It puts Mayans M.C. at the forefront of the two biggest money making trades in the M.C. world. I say we vote it. Now.”

“Seconded,” said the Oakland VP.

“Third,” came from Riz.

“Alright. Every man votes. Oakland or Santo Padre. Do we take on the True IRA gun deal with Los Olvidados as our ally?” Bishop said, looking around the room. “All in favor…” 

Hands went up. Some were slower than others, but they went up. Bishop looked around. He couldn’t see any man with his hand still down. 

“All opposed?” he asked. Again he scanned the room. He didn’t see any hands. That was really to be expected. Every Mayan had known and planned for the day SoA would hand over the gun trade. Bishop looked to Marcus.

“Unanimous decision. Vote carries,” Marcus stated. Bishop banged the gavel and Megan slumped in relief. Cheers and whoops broke out throughout the temple. 

“Good. Now - let’s party!” Bishop stood with a grin.

The celebrating Mayans scattered out the door to claim fresh beers or food leaving only Taza, Bishop, Marcus, and Hank at the table along with Megan. Megan laid her head down on the table and focused on her breathing for a moment.

“Beautiful work, Chica. Beautifully done. A unanimous vote from two charters on your first club action!” Taza laughed gently, patting her back. “Proud of you.”

Hank rubbed her leg under the table letting her calm down.

Marcus and Bishop just laughed with Taza.

Megan finally lifted her head from the table to meet the eyes of the four men who loved her more than life itself. “I really did that, didn’t I?”

“Yes, Poquito. You really did. And I’m just as proud of you now as when you took on Adelita yourself in that meeting,” Bishop assured her.

“Me too, Poquito. You really are proving just how much you love this club,” Marcus said.

The three elder men each stood. “We’re going to go make sure they don’t bring the clubhouse down on top of us. You - take your time. Decompress. Then come join the party,” Bishop said smiling. He dropped a kiss to Megan’s hair. “Proud of you, Poquito.”

Marcus followed his example with a kiss to her forehead. “You deserve that kutte, Bebita. Now come show it off.”

Taza pressed his own kiss to Megan’s temple. “Whenever you’re ready, Chica. See you in a minute.”

They left the room and slid the sliding, stained glass door closed, cutting out some of the noise in the process. Megan breathed a sigh of relief. 

Hank chuckled. “They’re right, you know. You were perfect.” He lifted her hand to kiss her ring.

Megan shrugged. “Maybe, but if it all falls apart, they don’t need to look far for who to blame either.”

Hank tugged ehr to her feet as he scooted back from the table. He guided her to stand between his knees so he was looking up into her face. “Mi princessa - if it falls apart, it won’t be for anything you did.” He slipped his hands down to rest on her hips and smiled. “I love you.”

That made her smile. “I love you too.” She leaned down to press a kiss to his lips. 

He kissed her back with a chuckle. “Mm. We should probably get out there soon.”

“Yeah. But I think the only ones waiting on us are probably Tessa and maybe Venus.”

Hank laughed again and pressed another kiss to her lips before pulling back. “Maybe so - but if we don’t get out there soon, I might forget that I’m supposed to share you tonight.” He grinned up at her. “You have no idea how sexy it was watching all my brothers realize why you are la princessa.”

Megan rolled her eyes. “I’m le princessa because Taza’s my dad and because of who my tíos are. I had nothing to do with it.”

Hank squeezed her waist gently. “Bullshit. You are A princessa because of your papa and tíos. You are THE princessa because you make this club better. Because you see what we don’t. And because you can use your brain and hold a room full of bikers in awe of you, mi amore.” He nudged her chin with his nose. “Straighten that crown, Princessa and own it. You just saved a lot of lives today. You deserve to be la Princessa de los Mayas.”

She smiled a little. “We’ll see.”

He shook his head. “Alright. You ready?”

“I’d be much more comfortable behind the bar. I’ve never really been to a party before…”

Hank chuckled. “You’ll be alright. He stood and took her hand in his. “Let’s go.”

Out in the bar, Megan laughed as she realized that Tessa had been waiting patiently for her to exit the temple. The little girl immediately attached to Megan’s side. “You okay, Prima?” she asked.

“I’m alright. Just nervous about my first party,” Megan explained to her. “I’m glad you like your jacket though.”

Tessa did a little spin to show off the purple leather jacket Megan had chosen for her on her birthday shopping spree. “I love it!” She showed Megan her little purple Doc Martens. “And Papa bought me boots to match!”

Hank laughed. “Now your prima needs to have matching Docs, huh?”

Tessa squealed and clapped. “Yes! They have SPARKLE ones too! Papa said I could have them if I scored an A on my science test and I know I aced it. Maybe he’ll buy us both a pair!” 

Megan laughed at the excited little girl. “I’m not sure sparkle docs will stay very sparkly if I wear them on the bike, Tessa.”

Tessa paused in thought, “So… don’t wear them on the bike…” she stated with a shrug.

Venus overheard her and laughed. “The little princess is right, honey. Some shoes are just for show.” She winked at Tessa. “And I agree with your little cousin - sparkle docs sound perfect for you.”

Tessa nodded decisively. “I’m gonna ask Papa. Be right back!” She scurried off.

“Wait!” Megan tried, but Tessa was already across the room. She groaned and narrowed her eyes at the innocently smiling Venus. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Venus put on her shocked face and pressed a hand to her chest as if offended. “Bless your heart - I never!”

Hank grinned and sipped his beer with an arm around Megan’s waist. He’d just taken a drink when Megan rolled her eyes again at Venus. “You know - I recognize a Southern ‘fuck you’ when I hear it, right?” she said.

“That’s what makes it so much fun,” Venus said with a wicked grin.

Hank snorted in laughter and choked on his beer.

Tig wandered up with a grin. “Are you ladies trying to choke Hank to death or is that just a kinky thing?”

Hank sputtered and coughed until his airway was clear enough to laugh.

Megan giggled and Venus grinned. “Now Alexander - we would never…”

EZ wandered by with a coke for Megan, which she gladly accepted. Tig noticed. “Little Bit, you okay or just pacing yourself?” he asked, indicating her bottle.

Megan sipped and nodded. “I’m fine. Just not a big drinker.”

Hank guided her back so she could lean against him.

“Fair enough.” Tig smiled.

Megan mingled with Hank, smiling her company smile and accepting happy birthday wishes until Creeper came to her side. Rex had stuck to her like glue and was currently sitting across her feet accepting idle ear scratches, but he perked up as the bald biker approached. “Hey Little Princess, you eaten yet?”

Megan shook her head lightly. “Nah. Been busy being hostess.”

Creeper scoffed. “Girl. You’re supposed to be enjoying your party - not playing nothin’.”

“I’m alright, Creep. I promise,” Megan said quietly, but the strain around her eyes was visible.

Creeper nudged Hank, who had been in a conversation with Marco. “You better get your girl, man. She ain’t eat yet.”

Hank glanced at his watch. “Shit. And she’s over an hour past due for her pain meds,” He looked at Megan. “Mi Reina, I’m sorry. You’ve got to be hurtin’.”

Megan smiled up at him a little shakily. “I’m okay.”

“Brother…” Creeper warned.

“Yeah, I hear her.” Hank said. He excused them from the group they’d been with for a while and led her to a couch in the corner with Creeper following. Hank guided Megan to sit and slid a pillow under her arm. “Now, I know you’re hurting, mi amore. I wish you had said something.” He handed her two pills which she obediently swallowed. “Now - do you want me to make you plate while Creep stays with you or do you want him to do it?”

Megan sighed. “I promise, I’m okay. We can go back to the party.”

Creeper nodded. “Alright. I’ll go get her a plate.” He slipped off, stopping to have a word with Taza on the way by.

Taza turned so that Megan was in his sight as he talked, just in case she needed him, but kept his distance. He didn’t want anyone to see her as weak because he babied her.

Hank squatted in front of Megan and slid one of his hands up to cup the side of her neck gently, guiding her chin up to make her look at him as Rex laid himself across her feet holding her down. “Princessa, you’re shaking and your breath is hitching like before you have a panic attack. What is it?”

Megan leaned into his hand a little and closed her eyes. “We should get back. That’s all.”

Hank leaned forward to press his forehead to hers. “Do you want to go home? If you’re unhappy, we don’t have to stay.”

Megan gave a watery chuckle. “Leave my own birthday party? No. I’m okay.”

“You need to eat, mi amore. Creeper will bring you a plate. We can eat it here, or we can go outside to the picnic table if you’d rather.” He kissed her gently. “Either way.”

“But - I haven’t talked to everyone. I haven’t been a good hostess. I need to be…”

“You need to be sitting your ass down and letting them come to you like the princessa you are, Poquito,” Bishop said, coming up behind Hank. “They come to you. You aren’t the bartender here tonight.” He sat in the armchair nearest her.

“But-”

“No fucking ‘but’.” He lit a cigarette.

Creeper showed up with two plates loaded with food. “Here, Little Princessa. Eat somethin’ Then decide how you wanna spend the rest of your night.” He sat them on the coffee table as Hank moved to sit next to her and pull it closer to her.

Megan hesitantly reached for the fork he’d laid next to the plate. Hank pressed a kiss to her temple. “That’s my girl,” he muttered as she started to nibble.

Bishop stayed planted and people filtered through to talk to him and to those around him as a consequence. Soon, Megan realized her tío was right. If she stayed put, people came to her.

Tessa flitted back and forth from their group and wherever her papa and mama were. Letty came and sat awhile, but she eventually got up to go dance with a few of the younger girls from Vickie’s.

About an hour later, Taza walked over smiling. “Are you ready for cake, Chica?”

Megan smiled up at him, more relaxed. “I guess so.”

“Good. Your tía wants to take Tessa home and put her to bed, but the little demon refuses to leave until after cake,” Taza laughed. 

That made Megan giggle. “Should have just cut it, Papa. She’ll be even worse after sugar.”

“Can’t cut the birthday cake without the birthday girl, Sweetheart.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll get them to bring it over here. After cake - I think you have a few more gifts to unwrap.”

“But I already opened my gifts!” Megan protested as Taza walked away.

Hank chuckled. “That was before you made your birthday a diplomatic event, mi amore.”

Bishop grinned. “More gifts, Poquito, from new friends.” He sipped his whiskey with a chuckle.

Taza returned to perch on the arm for the couch next to her as Creeper carried the cake towards her with candles lit. A toy motorcycle stood in the center. Megan giggled as she saw the Mayans patch and rocker decorating the icing. Tessa started singing happy birthday and Vickie’s girls picked it up. Before the end of the song, Megan’s face felt like it was on fire.

Marcus smiled at her from the crowd with one arm around Diana and one around Tessa. “Blow out your candles, Poquito. Make a wish.”

Megan smiled and leaned forward before blowing out the candles to the applause of those watching. Taza pressed a kiss to her hair as Hank gave her hand an encouraging squeeze.

Vickie took the cake from Creeper so that the girls and EZ could serve it. 

“Well, now that the cake is being cut - Present time!” Venus announced. She bustled forward with a large box wrapped in blue paper. “Here, sweetheart. This one’s from me,” she said with a wink.

Megan laughed and took the box. “Thank you.” She opened it with a smile to find something that she didn’t expect from the first lady of Samcro. Inside were two pairs of cowboy boots, a brown pair and a black pair, along with an off white wool cowboy hat. Megan’s jaw dropped. “Venus - “

The dark haired woman smiled softly. “That night at the party, you mentioned that you rode in rodeos. I looked you up. Then I realized that you would have had to leave all your gear behind…”

Megan stood quickly to wrap her in a tight hug. “Thank you so much.”

Venus sniffed a little and smoothed Megan’s hair. “Southern Belles stick together.”

That made Megan giggle and pull back. She went back to her spot on the couch with a little smile before putting on the hat. Hank beamed and straightened it for her.

“Alright. Now that the missus has given her gift -” Tig presented Megan with a small, but heavy box. “In light of your new position, I probably should have gone bigger.”

Megan unwrapped it to find a handgun cleaning kit with a built in field kit to go in her saddle bags. “Thank you!”

Tig chuckled. “You impressed the hell out of me at that meeting, Little Bit. Never seen a chick - well a youngster anyway - so prepared to defend yourself. Thought I’d help you do that.” He shrugged awkwardly. “And Venus wouldn’t let me buy you another gun.”

Venus huffed out a “I swear, Alexander…” as Megan giggled.

Chibs smiled a little. “Aye. My turn.” He sat down his whiskey and smiled. “‘Ve got two. One frum me - and one frum Samcro.” He laid a small box on the table - about as long as his hand. Then, he waved T.O. forward. T.O. also laid a box down - this one much larger.

Megan opened the larger box, which was from Samcro, to find a custom stitched seat for her bike. The beautiful stitching in the black leather picked out the design of a crown. “Oh! It’s beautiful. Thank you!”

T.O. grinned. “It’ll fit. We called your uncle to make sure of it.”

“Thank you. And thank your club for me.”

Chibs smirked. “Little un is frum me.”

Megan opened the box to find knives. Three of them. They were made to be worn on the inside of her belt or inside her kutte the way Chibs wore his. He’d provided sheaths for them as well. The short blades were made for street fighting and the green composite handles fit in her smaller hands nicely. “Oh they’re beautiful. I love them! Thank you.”

“Aye. MY Kerrianne overnighted them to me from the same shop in Ireland where I got mine after I met you at the party. They’ll serve you well, lass.” He smiled as Megan immediately tucked on into one of the straps of her thigh bag which held it perfectly. “Your tío can find you someone to teach you to use ‘em. I’d do it, but ‘m too far away.”

Megan stood and hugged the gruff biker. “Thank you.” 

He patted her back awkwardly. “Welcome, lass.”

She sniffed a little and smiled as she sat back down. Hank grinned as she turned to show him her new blades. He examined them carefully and then showed her how to fasten them inside her kutte to conceal them.

Marcus offered Chibs a handshake. “Beautiful blades, my friend. I’ll find her a teacher when she’s ready.” 

Chibs chuckled. “Got a boot knife back ordered fur ‘er too. Should be here by ‘er big party.”

Coco was passing by and snorted a laugh. “La princessa’s gunna be armed to the teeth.”

Marcus laughed. “All the better.” He waved the president of the Oakland charter forward to present the gift from the other charter.

A leather binder with the Mayans patch embossed on the cover was laid on the table in front of her. Megan ran her fingers over the cover before glancing up at the Oakland officers. At their smiles, she flipped it open to find a copy of the charter and bylaws of the Mayans Motorcycle Club. “Oh! Is this…” 

“A copy for you to keep and study as la Princessa de los Mayas, Princessa. All the bylaws, from every charter. All the history of this club.”

Megan’s smile was blinding. “For me?”

“For you, Princessa. Happy Birthday.” He smiled and gave a little bow before going back to the party.

Megan ran her fingers over the binder again and smiled before looking up to meet the eyes of both Marcus and Bishop.

Marcus smiled. “Now you’ll get to read our story, Poquito. The history of tu familia.”

“Thank you.”

Diana came over after a few minutes to say goodnight. She was taking Tessa home to bed. Apparently, the energetic little girl had finally run out of steam. Marco had found her nodding off at one of the table and was carrying her to the car after bringing her to Marcus for a goodnight cuddle. The Queen of the Mayans pressed a gentle kiss to Megan’s forehead. “Sleep well, Princessa. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Things got a little wilder as it got later, but not much. A few guys got in the ring for fun and Bishop went to watch. Soon, Megan and Hank were left mostly on their own in that little corner of the clubhouse. Even Rex was asleep in his dog bed nearby. Megan was curled into Hank’s side, resting comfortably.

Hank smiled down at her. “Have you enjoyed your birthday party, mi amore?”

Megan tilted her face up towards him. “I actually have. At least once we moved over here.”

He shifted so he could reach to kiss her. “Good. We just need to remember to put you in a corner. I’ll try to remember, mi reina.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“Sorry I freaked out,” she whispered.

Hank shifted her carefully to his lap before guiding her to straddle him. “Mi princessa, you absolutely did not freak out. You were so anxious you were shaking, but you kept going. You didn’t freese. You kept your panic in your control. You were so brave and so  strong. You amaze me, Megan.” He cupped her face in both hands and pressed his forehead to hers. “No apologies, mi amore.”

Megan smiled and nodded a little. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” He grinned and kissed her again.

Megan kissed him back and shifted closer to his body. His hands rubbed gently down her back until they came to her hips. He slid them under her tunic so he could feel her skin. Megan wrapped the fingers of her good hand in his shirt to pull herself closer, pressing her hips into him. 

Hank groaned and broke the kiss, dropping his head to rest on her good shoulder. “Not fair, mi reina. You know what the doctor said.” He pressed kisses to the skin of her throat and chest where he could reach.

Megan whined until Hank lifted his head to kiss her again. “I’m sorry, mi reina. No strenuous activities of you could end up back in a cast. A week, mi amore. At least a week.”

Megan collapsed against his chest growling and frustrated. Hank kissed her hair. “Please, Hank?”

He closed his eyes and winced. “I don’t want to hurt you, Megan. Please…”

She sighed. “I know.” She lifted her head to kiss him softly. “I’m sorry. I know.”

Hank smiled softly and returned her kiss. “Just… be patient a little longer, mi reina.” 

Megan nodded and cuddled close. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask.” He kissed her again.

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