Page 167 of Espíritu

Painted across the concrete was a mural—huge and bold, full of color and metallics. At its center stood Julian, Yadriel, and Maritza, shoulder to shoulder. Yadriel held his portaje aloft, golden light radiating from his chest. Maritza stood beside him in her layered skirt, arms crossed and defiant, her rose quartz rosary gleaming around her neck. Julian was slightly behind them, chin tilted up, a ghost-like shimmer curling around him like smoke.

Surrounding them were glowing candles, stylized marigolds blooming from the cracks in the wall. A faint silhouette of Purrcaso nestled near the bottom corner. In the background, a swirl of stars and shadows suggested the veil—the space between life and death—with faint outlines of spirits smiling in the dark. Near the bottom corner was a small heart and the name YADRIEL written in Julian’s messy tag style.

Yadriel stared, speechless.

“I finished it early this morning,” Julian said, grinning. “You were still drooling on my pillow.”

Yadriel snorted. “I do not drool.”

“There’s photographic evidence,” Julian teased.

Yadriel slowly stepped closer, eyes wide. “This is…”

“I figured,” Julian said quietly, “every time you came out here—to visit your mom, or do graveyard chores, or just take a breath—you’d have something that reminded you of what you’ve done. Who you are.”

Yadriel turned to look at him, voice thick. “Julian…”

Julian smiled, a little shy now. “You’re not alone. You never were and you never will be.”

Yadriel looked back at the mural. He touched the wall lightly, fingertips grazing over the marigolds.

“You even got Maritza’s nose right,” he said fondly.

“I know,” Julian said before sighing dramatically. “She’s gonna think I like her or something.”

Yadriel laughed. Julian pulled him in and kissed him like the morning sun was rising just for them. Julian closed his eyes as he squeezed Yadriel tight, making a wish he didn’t dare say out loud.

When they pulled apart, Yadriel rested his forehead against Julian’s and let out a breath that sounded like relief. “Thank you,” he said. “For seeing me. For giving me this. For, well, everything.”

Julian kissed the corner of his mouth. He almost made a joke, but instead just held his boyfriend tighter. “Always.”

They stood there a little longer, letting the light settle around them.

“Somewhere, Lady Death is probably rolling her eyes at how sentimental we’re getting,” Julian said, smirking.

Yadriel laughed, the sound soft and full of light.

They started walking back to the Stingray, the mural still visible behind them. Yadriel glanced at Julian, a mischievous glint in his eye. “You did get permission from my dad to paint that, right?”

Julian froze for a split second before shrugging. “Hmm … didn’t think about that.”

Yadriel groaned, but he was laughing as he shoved Julian lightly. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Yeah, but you love me,” Julian said, grinning as they reached the warmth and noise of the house.

“I really do,” Yadriel said, his smile soft and genuine.

“Yo también te amo,” Julian told him before stealing a kiss.