DAY 3: November 2

"Are you suuuuure we can't eat them?" Rex asked for the fifth time, protectively holding the basket of empanadas. César sighed.

"Rex, they've been out on the table all day and night, and they're filled with meat that's most likely spoiled by now. We're throwing them away."

"But they smelled so good yesterday!" Rex whined. "And besides, White keeps it like a freezer in here all the time. They're probably better preserved than if they'd been in the fridge!"

"Rex," César said sternly, holding out a hand for the basket. Recognizing defeat, Rex pouted and reluctantly handed over his prize.

"Buzzkill," he grumbled.

"No, I'm simply being smart. Now come on, we want to get to Abuela's before the sun sets there." The brothers hurried down the corridor towards the hangar. For better or worse, it was just the two of them; Six and Holiday could not afford to leave their duties, Bobo was too lazy, and Noah had school.

"Maybe we can get into the air before White notices," Rex said hopefully.

"Or maybe he's wondering why exactly you two are abandoning your responsibilities again." A nearby screen flickered to life with White's stern face glaring at the Salazars.

"Where do you two think you're going?" White asked with a scowl. Rex rolled his eyes.

"Chill, White, we're just visiting Abuela. We're celebrating Día de los Muertos." White raised an eyebrow.

"Since when?"

"Since now." And Rex strode away without another word. César and White blinked after him.

"Was this your idea?" the older man addressed the scientist. César shrugged.

"I figured it was time for him to learn more about his heritage. And remember our parents." White groaned in exasperation and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Clearly I won't be able to stop you two, but I expect both of you to be alert and on call should anything happen. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," César responded cheerfully before bounding after his brother. White shook his head.

"Those Salazars," he muttered.

Unlike the last time they came, Abuela was ecstatic about the surprise visit.

"¡Niños!" she exclaimed when she opened the door. Before either boy could get a word in, they were overwhelmed by sloppy grandma kisses.

The barrage finally stopped once César managed to say that the two weren't merely paying a social visit. When he explained why they had actually come, Abuela's smile dimmed.

"I see," she murmured. "Well, we do not have graves or memorials for your parents, but their room is untouched. In a way, it has become their shrine. Perhaps you can visit leave your offerings there?" César smiled.

"That would be wonderful, Abuela."

"Hmm, but first we should clean it up. Oh! I can ask the family to help me decorate and make it beautiful for your parents. And the muertos! Do you have muertos?"

"Sí, I have them here." César held up a small paper bag. Abuela nodded approvingly.

"Muy bien. Now, I'll round everyone up and we can all go and -"

"Actually, Abuela," César interrupted. "Would you mind if Rex and I just went in alone first? I… I just, well…" he trailed off, unsure or unable to finish. Abuela studied him carefully.

"Of course, mijo. Come out when you two are ready. Then we can celebrate their lives as a family."

Muertos in hand, the two Salazar brothers stopped before the closed door to the room. Their parents' former room. Both regarded it silently for a moment before César reached for the handle.

"César," Rex asked quietly. "Should… should I really be doing this?"

César frowned. "I already told you Rex, it doesn't matter that the bread is storebought -"

"No," Rex interrupted. "That's not what I meant. I… should I really be honoring them? Your - our parents?" César turned to really look at his little brother.

"What do you mean, mijo?" César asked, confused. "Of course you should. They were your parents, too."

"But I don't remember them!" Rex burst out. "I… I'm not even sure if I miss them, because how can you miss something you never had? Er, don't remember having?"

"Rex -" César began.

Rex laughed bitterly. "Some son I am. What the hell kind of kid doesn't remember or miss his own parents?! I don't remember doing this for our grandparents, I don't know what Mom and Dad's favorite foods are, I didn't even know what Día de los Muertos was! They don't even feel like my parents, it feels like I'm the awkward onlooker celebrating yours. How… how can I properly honor them when I never even knew them?" Rex's voice cracked at the end of his rant. César put his hands on his shoulders, prompting the younger boy to look down.

"Rex," César said. His brother's eyes refused to leave the ground.

"Rex, look at me." The younger Salazar hesitantly looked up at his older brother.

"You don't have to remember our parents to honor them. In fact, you are honoring them in the best way possible by using their work to save the world. You could have chosen to use your powers for selfish gain. It would have been easy to break off from Providence and leave - I heard about how they treated you in the beginning. But you chose to stay and do good. Mamá and Papá couldn't ask for any more than that," César said seriously. "I know they would be proud of the person you are today."

"But how can they be when they're not even here!" Rex cried. "If I'm supposed to be a hero, why didn't I save them?!"

"You were ten, mijo, and the world just blew up! You can't blame yourself for that!"

"Maybe, but I saved myself, didn't I?" Rex argued. "And not only did I fail to save them, I can't even remember them!"

"It doesn't matter that you can't remember -" He held up a hand to stop Rex's undoubtedly furious retort. "You are here now, and you are making an effort to get to know them again. And even if they were here and you forgot, they would still love you because you are their son. Besides, your condition is not your fault. Never forget that."

"But still -" Rex started.

"Shush, mijo, and just listen to me. Mamá and Papá will always love you, even if they're not here anymore. And they would hate to see you beating yourself up over something you can't control." Rex looked dangerously close to tears.

"I… I just wish I could remember them," he whispered. César hugged his brother tightly.

"I know, mijo, I know," he murmured, rubbing Rex's back soothingly. The younger boy was shaking silently.

"It's not fair," Rex mumbled into César's shirt.

"No, it's not," César agreed, squeezing his eyes shut. He sighed and pulled back to look Rex in the eye. "But there's no use in dwelling on the past. Let's leave our offerings and give them our prayers, yeah?" Rex gave a thin impression of his usual bright grin.

"Sure." César gave him a slightly brighter smile in return before opening the door.

When the brothers emerged from the room, they found Abuela waiting outside. She smiled and motioned for the two to follow her.

"I have asked everyone to start preparing a special meal in honor of this day," she said. "Come, we should help with the cooking too."

"Are there going to be empanadas?" Rex asked in a small voice. His honorary grandmother grinned.

"But of course, mijo! What kind of celebration would it be if there were no special Salazar empanadas?" Rex brightened slightly at that and trotted after the elderly woman. César lingered behind, turning back to stare at the closed door longingly before slowly following his brother.

Things were not meant to be this way, and I'm sorry that I haven't behaved as a big brother should. Or a son, for that matter, he thought silently. Despite his love of logic and facts, he couldn't help but hope that his thoughts would reach his parents, wherever they were.

And I'm sorry I couldn't save you that day. If you'd only… If only I'd been able to get you both to my lab, maybe… César shuddered but quickly wiped at his misty eyes.

But there is no point in looking back now, is there? I promise, I will take care of Rex. You would be so proud of the person he has become. He is a true hero, just like you two. César smiled fondly.

And his nanites! It's fascinating, what he is capable of. And the control he has over them! Simply unbelievable! He is living proof that we were doing the right thing. I just… I just wish you did not have to die for it. César took a deep breath.

Thank you for everything. I love you.

"Oi, César!" Rex hollered, disrupting the older Salazar's train of thought. "Hurry up, man, everyone's waiting!"

"Sí, sí, I'm coming!" César called back. He shook his head at Rex's enthusiasm but obligingly picked up his pace.

Adiós, Mamá y Papá.

Author's Ramblings: And that's the end! First independent multi-chapter story down (even if it was short), woohoo! I normally avoid doing multi-chaps because I tend to lose inspiration halfway and abandon the story for a while… Oneshots are so much nicer. Again, I sincerely apologize for any inaccuracies regarding Día de los Muertos or any of the recipes used in this story.