You might have answered this before but is there any aus or routes where Machete doesn't get assassinated, and he and Vasco get to live somewhat happy lives together? Or is the heartbreak and tragedy always set in stone?
I think in order to avoid the bad ending he’d have to resign from his position and find something less distressing to do with his life. I’m not entirely sure how that works though, I believe relinquishing cardinalship for example is extremely unusual and a big deal even in modern times, usually you hold these titles until death, retiring isn’t part of the plan. And since he’s had to fight tooth and nail to get where he is and his sense of self-worth is tied to it, I find it hard to believe he’d have enough sense to just leave everything behind. Besides, he was saved, raised and trained by the church, in some way he must feel like he owes his life to it.
I feel like the modern au, not that such thing exists at the moment, would be relatively happy and free of drama and tragedy. Now that I’m thinking about it, the root of Machete’s problems must be health issues. In present times he wouldn’t get left behind for being weak and ill so he wouldn’t have any specific reason to pursue ecclesiastical career. I don’t know what job he’d land but I don’t think he’d be a priest. Having access to modern medicine and diagnostics would certainly help a ton, no more bloodletting, valerian root and laudanum for him. I see no reason why he and Vasco wouldn’t be happily married. They’d probably travel a bunch and have a habit of frequenting snobby little bistros and overpriced restaurants. Machete would drag Vasco to museums, theatre and opera. He’d still be workaholic but with the additional boost of very strong coffee. Vasco would own some sort of garish Italian sports car. He’d be good at cooking and baking. He’d still ride horses. Maybe he’d be an avid football fan even.










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