#I don’t talk about abuela or the tios

[feyhunter78]

Pink Pastels Pt 31

Description: Miguel and Gabi have a little discussion, Miguel gathers info on your mother.

Pt 32 here!!!

"Papá?” Gabi’s voice is soft, hesitant, her face illuminated by the warm glow of the nightlight in the hall.

Miguel looks up from his computer, shoulders heavy, eyes burning from the harsh blue light of the three strategically placed screens.

Gabi is lingering in the doorway, hand on the doorknob, Oso under her other arm.

“Yes, mija?” He pushes back from his desk, chair wheels rolling smoothly over the rug as he turns his body towards her, his free hand minimizing his open tabs.

She shuffles in, mindful of staying away from any computer equipment, until she curls up in his lap, resting her head on his chest. “Why was Abuela being mean to Mamá?”

Miguel wraps his arms around her, silently cursing himself for not thinking about how she might’ve inherited his enhanced senses. “What do you mean?”

“She wouldn’t let Mamá go shopping with us, and then she said she was going to plan my quince, but I want you and Mamá to do that.” Gabi says, dropping her chin atop Oso’s fuzzy head.

“Your abuela is just having a hard time accepting Ms. y/n over your mother.” He says carefully.

“Why?”

Miguel says nothing for a moment, gathering his thoughts before he speaks. “Because she loved your mother very much, and she doesn’t like the idea of losing people.”

“Like Tio Gabriel?” Gabi asks quietly.

A wave of grief washes over him. He misses his brother desperately, even when they were at odds with each other they were still brothers. This universe his brother died long before Gabi was born, and his mother could never quite get over it. She clung to anyone new who came into his life, attempting to force them to fill the hole Gabriel left behind. Ava seemed to fit the mold for his mother, well enough that she was willing to put him and his family in peril for the chance to reconnect with her.

He was aware his mother loved his brother more; Gabriel was a shining, golden thing. The example of the perfect son, the one who didn’t come from an affair, who looked enough like the man Miguel called father for most of his life that no one questioned him. Miguel didn’t hate his brother, he never could, but he resented him for leaving him alone with their mother, for caving time and time again in every universe. He loved him deeply, protected him, counseled him, cried with him, cried for him at his funeral, he carried a part of Gabriel with him everywhere he went. They were of the same blood, he would never truly lose that part of his brother, and that was enough for him.

“Yes, like Tio Gabriel.” His voice falters for a moment, and he clears his throat. “But that doesn’t mean it’s okay for her to be mean to your mamá.”

“Is Mamá okay? I thought I heard her yelling while Uncle Brett was taking me back to the sheep.”

Miguel chuckles. “Your mamá was just very passionately defending us, that’s all. She’s okay.”

She nods and snuggles closer to him. “I don’t want to go shopping with Abuela if Mamá can’t come.”

“You don’t have to go shopping with your abuela for any reason if you don’t want to.” He reassures her.

“Okay…” Gabi says, stroking Oso’s ears.

“Is there something else bothering you?”

Gabi sticks out her bottom lip in a puppy dog pout. “I wish Nanna Nancy was my only grandma. She really likes Mamá. Why can’t Nana Nancy, Auntie Mon and Uncle Brett be our only family? Everyone else is mean.”

If Monica were here, she’d been over the moon at Gabi’s words.

He chuckles. “The only other family that’s here is your abuela.”

“And mom.”

“You don’t have to worry about her, she’s not going to bother us anymore.”

“Okay good.” Gabi huffs. “Now, if Abuela would stop being mean, everything would be perfect.”

He loves how simple some solutions seem to her, how if just one person would change, everything would fall into place. He wishes that were true.

“If only she would stop being so mean.” He echoes.

They stay up for a while longer talking, until sleep finally overtakes her, and he carries her back to her bed, gently tucking her in before slipping back into his office and locking the door behind him.

“Lyla?” He calls out, bringing all his tabs back up.

She flits into existence, heart-shaped sunglasses pushed up on her head. “It’s like two AM, why are you even awake? Don’t you have a fiancée to join in bed?” She teases, stretching her arms above her head with a yawn.

“She’s asleep. Now find me everything you can on Tiffany Robins.”

“Thinking about your next victim?” Lyla drawls, scrolling through her superhighway of information.

“Thinking about ensuring my fiancée is happy.” He replies, skimming the information as she flicks it onto his computers.

“Okay Ms. Tiffany Robins, lives in Nueva York, divorced, two children, y/n, and Leon, never been remarried, a lot of custody issues, a restraining order requested by Mrs. Rosaline Y/L/N, high level official at Serenity and Wellness, a company that sells wellness products, and self-help programs. It’s pretty successful, but they definitely don’t believe what they’re selling.”

“Can you get me her phone records?”

She gives him a pointed look.

“Please?”

“Already done.” She says, a Cheshire Cat grin tugging at her lips.

Tiffany: Y/N let’s get together soon; I want to make up for all the pain I’ve caused you.

Y/N: You said that last time.

Tiffany: Don’t be so stubborn, I’ve been seeing someone, and it’s really been helping.

Y/N: I don’t know, I’m really busy with work.

Tiffany: You can’t make time for your mother? I gave you life, and this is the thanks I get?

Y/N: Ok, ok, I’ll think about it.

Tiffany: I’ll be on your side of town in a few weeks, I’ll let you know when I’m there, we can meet then.

Y/N: I said I’d think about it.

Tiffany: I’ll make sure it’s not during school hours don’t worry, now I’ve got to go, I have a meeting to get to.

Miguel massages his temples. Obviously, your mother still believes she’s owed access to you, that she’s still in control of you.

There’s a call logged, from this morning, while he and Gabi were out getting donuts.

“Y/N I need to push back our meeting, I have to meet with a potential client that day, can you do a Wednesday instead?” Your mother’s voice is smooth, pleasant, and controlled.

“I can’t, I work on weekdays, I’m a teacher, remember?”

“Just put on a movie for them or something, I doubt it’ll be much different from your normal teaching.”

Miguel hears your voice tighten, can feel your hackles rising through the audio.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh my—saints above y/n, you’re so sensitive. I just mean that…well we both know how you struggled in school, and I mean they’re still so young, I doubt they’re really learning anything.”

“The only thing I struggled with was math, but I doubt you’d even know that considering you weren’t allowed in my life while I was in school.”

“That wasn’t my fault, it was your father and his whore, they stole you and your brother from me.” Tiffany complains, a hint of hysteria in her voice.

He can only imagine the rage flowing through you at Tiffany’s words.

“She’s not a whore.” You snap.

“You just can’t see it; you’re blinded by it all. But don’t worry, I know one day you’ll wake up and see that she’s not your real mother, and she’ll never be.”

His stomach drops.

“You’re not her mother, and you never will be.”

His mother had unknowingly repeated the words said to you about your own mother.

“You’re such a bitch.” You hiss, venom dripping from your every word.

“Me? You’re just a spoiled brat who abandoned her mother.”

“Aband—you know what? I’m not doing this with you, not today, not now. Goodbye, Tiffany.”

The call ends and Miguel continues to scroll through your mother’s information, a plan formulating in his mind.

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[im-just-a-br0adway-baby]

Encantober 2023 Day 29: Mask

One of the hardest things for Pepa and Bruno since they were younger was unmasking. Their mother drilled in their heads about how important it was to present oneself in a way that was appealing, and unfortunately, most of the village never found either of their behaviors to be appealing at all. They had to train themselves to pretend to be something they were not just so they could be accepted.

After Pepa and Julieta had their children, they did not want to tell them to please others like Alma told them. However, Alma insisted on making sure all of her grandchildren presented well to others like her children. That gave all the children mixed messages, but especially to Dolores, Mirabel, and Antonio. While Alma was telling them to make sure most of the village liked them, their parents encouraged them to be themselves, and the two were complete opposites of each other.

One sunny day in the Encanto, when Mirabel got home from school, she dropped her books on the couch in Casita’s living room and laid on the couch, on the verge of tears. She laid there for a half hour until Bruno walked into the living room to notice his youngest niece about to cry with exhaustion.

“What’s the matter, sobrina?” Bruno asked as he sat on the couch where Mirabel’s feet were.

Mirabel opened her eyes and looked at Bruno while still laying down. “Bruno, I want to ask you something.”

“Sure; what is it?”

“Do you remember when you were my age, and you had to mask yourself for an entire week? Was it exhausting?”

Bruno scooted closer to Mirabel. “I will tell you right now, it was. I remember when your mama, your tia, and I were your age, guiding adolescence was difficult enough as it was. But for Pepa and I, it was a lot more difficult. For a while, we didn’t know what was wrong with us, we tried so hard to fit in because our mama told us to, but we just couldn’t.”

“That sounds like how I’m feeling right now.”

“But you want to know something? Your mami was the one to give us a safe space to unmask. She would take us to the park and we would have an open space to be ourselves and let all of our emotions out.”

Mirabel sat up from the couch and gave her tio a hug. “Were you able to give Dolores a safe place to unmask when she was my age?”

“Si, Pepa wanted her daughter to not worry about her image the way she and I had to, so she would take her to the same park that Julieta took us to so she could let her own feelings out like she and I did.”

Mirabel scooted closer to her tio and gave him another hug. “If you don’t mind me asking, can we go to the park together? And maybe ask Antonio if he wants to go? I think he would appreciate the space too.”

“Sure, Mira; I saw Antonio go up to his room when you all got home. We can go get him and ask him right now.”

Mirabel and Bruno went upstairs to see if Antonio was in his room. They saw him in his bed playing with Parce and Mirabel waved to signal him. Antonio stopped what he was doing to notice Mirabel and Bruno by his door.

“Hola, Mirabel and Bruno, what’s up?”

“We want to know if you want to go to the park with us,” Mirabel replied.

“I would love to! Let’s go!”

-----------------------------------------------

Once Bruno, Mirabel, and Antonio got to the park, they sat underneath a tree that the triplets sat under together, and later Pepa and Dolores together. They sat in a triangle together so they could talk together.

“This is where your tia used to take your mami and me when we were younger, Tonito. Your abuela would often make sure we were being presentable to the rest of the village, and it made us feel stressed. So, Julieta took us here as a space for us to be ourselves without the fear of being judged by the rest of the village.”

“Mami told me a little bit about that. She also said she took Dolores here when she was younger too?”

“Si.”

“So… what do I do here?”

“Anything you want. It’s your space to be yourself and let your feelings out in any way you see fit.”

Mirabel then laid on the grass and screamed at the top of her lungs. She felt like they were far enough from the village that nobody but Dolores could hear her. Antonio laid down on the grass and also screamed at the top of his lungs. Bruno decided to join in with his niece and nephew and laid down on the grass to scream with them. It turned into a screaming match until they felt like they were losing their voices.

“Didn’t that feel so good?” Bruno asked as he sat up.

“It felt amazing. I feel so much better already,” Mirabel replied.

“So do I,” Antonio added.

“That was how we felt when Julieta took us here for the first time. We felt like we finally found a place where we could be ourselves and we were so grateful that Julieta brought us here to give us that space.”

“What were some other things you did together?”

“We also found a big empty space to dance around together. Julieta would join in with us all the time too.”

Bruno, Mirabel, and Antonio stood up and ran from the tree to an empty space in the park where no one was and they held hands together. The uncle, niece, and nephew pulled each other in a circle and laughed together until they got dizzy and fell to the ground laying down, laughing together again.

“That felt so good!” Mirabel said as she sat up.

“Gracias, Bruno, for taking us here,” Antonio added.

“De nada, Mira and Tonito. But we’re going to have to get going. Julieta is probably cooking dinner as we speak and she’s going to wonder where we are,” Bruno said.

Bruno, Mirabel, and Antonio got up from the grass and started walking back home. Like Bruno and Pepa when Julieta brought them there, and Dolores when Pepa brought her there, Mirabel and Antonio were more than grateful that Bruno brought them to the park to help them find a space to be themselves and let their feelings out.

“Can you take us every weekend, Tio Bruno?” Antonio asked.

“Absolutely, Antonio; I’m so happy you and Mirabel had a great time today and I could have some fun with you both.”

[hurt-comfort-lover]

Mirabel AU / Mirabel Angst / Mama Mirabel / Part Ten

“Ah! Sorry- sorry I didn’t mean to- uh-” He stops not knowing what to say. Mirabel was so surprised that she stopped shaking and her breathing slowed. 

“Tio Bruno…? What are you doing here?”

“Well- um, I kind of live here? Unless you mean like- like in this area which is because I heard someone in the passageways, and then I saw my vision and you know uh, yeah.”

“Oh.. um, what do you mean live here? How?”

“It’s a bit hard to explain, it might be easier for me to just show you.” He says offering his hand, Mirabel takes it, pulling herself up. He takes her through the passageways to his “room.” Mirabel walks by and sees cracks that are covered in cement.

“Are you patching up the cracks?”

“Oh! No no no no no, I don’t go near those. All the patching is done by Hernando.”

“Who is Hernan-” Bruno puts up his cape and says,

“I’m Hernando and I’m afraid of nothing!” he pauses, “It’s actually me, I say my real gift was ‘acting,’ haha.” Mirabel looks at him and she can’t decide whether to find it funny, charming or concerning.

“I’m Jorge, I make the spackle,” Bruno says. Mirabel decides she should probably be concerned. They make it into Bruno's room. It’s filled with rats messing with his stuff, and his room is small and covered in small things he’d collected over the years. 

“You never left?”

“Well, I left my tower- a lot of stairs you know. It’s kitchen adjacent, and-” He goes over to the television, “free entertainment! Telenovelas!” He says as he flips through different cutouts for the rats. He sits down on his red chair.

“Their love could never be.”

“I don’t understand, why did you leave, but not actually leave?”

“Well, free food, and uh ya know.” He just shrugs. Mirabel looks through a hole in the wall to see the dining table, and then looks at a small table that’s labeled with his name, showing that he uses it to pretend like he’s still a part of the family. Bruno stands up and walks behind her.

“Yeah, my gift wasn’t really helping the family, but, I love my family, ya know?” Bruno says. Mirabel nods and looks at the vision in her arms.

“Nobody was ever meant to see that vision.”

“Why- why did you take the vision?”

“Well, after you didn’t get your gift Abuela was worried about the magic and asked me to take a vision. When I saw the vision I knew how it was going to look, because I’m Bruno and everyone always assumes the worst, so.. So I left.”

“You left… for me?”

“I mean not just that, but yeah I guess. You are my niece after all.” Mirabel smiled sadly, just happy that he cared that much.

“Thank you, Tio.”

“Ah- no don’t- I uh, you don’t need to,” he stumbled.

“I feel like I should though. I messed up Isabella’s proposal and now I’m hiding in here instead of facing Abuela. I know I don’t have a gift but I love my family and I just want to help.”

“You are helping.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do know sobrina. I still know a little about what goes on in the Casita. You’re doing fine. Whatever is happening with Isabella, it’ll be ok.”

“Gracias Tio,” Mirabel says as she hugs him. He awkwardly hugs back,

“Anytime, kid.” 

“I think I know what I need to do. I need to apologize to Isabella.” She says as she goes to leave but Bruno stops her.

“Wait, before you go, if you save the miracle, could you visit sometime?”

“When I save the miracle, I’m bringing you home,” Mirabel says confidently. Bruno smiles and then knocks on a bunch of wood as Mirabel leaves. 

Mirabel walks up to Isabella’s door, and a lot of emotions run through her, debating if this was the right decision. She goes into the room anyway to see an angry Isabella.

“What are you doing here?!” She says irritated.

“I came to apologize.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m sorry for ruining your proposal, I’m going to talk to Mariano and try to fix this.”

“Don’t bother.”

“Why?”

“It’s not like he’ll change his mind.”

“You don’t know that- Do you… want to marry Mariano?” Isabella looks surprised at the question and thinks.

“I- I mean yeah. It’s good for the Ecanto, and Abuela-”

“I’m not asking about that, I’m asking if you want to marry Mariano.”

“I don’t know. I mean, I thought I was fine with it, but now- now that I have a chance out… I don’t know.”

“Why would you marry someone you don’t love?” Mirabel asks.

“Well, I don’t really want to get married, but Abuela just seemed so happy when Mariano and I started getting along. When she suggested getting engaged, I-”

“-Wanted to make her proud?”

“Yeah. I don’t know why I’m even telling you this. You know Abuela is livid right now? Mami and Papi were arguing with her and everyone’s looking for you.”

“Oh… well, I’m sorry. For all of this. I hope that you can get the ending that you want. I think I need to talk to Abuela,” Mirabel says. Isabella nods,

“It’s fine I guess. You kind of gave me a chance out, so thank you.” Isabella says. Mirabel walks out of the room and goes to talk to her Abuela, though she runs into her mami first.

“Mirabel! There you are!” she says as she pulls her youngest daughter into a hug.

“Hola mami.”

“I don’t know what’s going on. Your Abuela is being unreasonable and there are cracks littered around the house. I don’t understand.”

“I think it’s the miracle mami. I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet, but I need to talk to Abuela,” Mirabel asserts. Julietta just nods and lets her youngest go. Mirabel goes to the living room to see Abuela talking with Senora Guzman. She goes up to both of them, and Senora Guzman sees her first.

“Mirabel,” she says. Abuela turns around to see her youngest granddaughter, anger written all over her face.

“You need to fix this,” Abuela says.

“Lo siento Abuela. I won’t. Isabella-”

“What?! Don’t disrespect me.”

“I didn’t mean-”

“No, you listen to me. I don’t know why you weren’t given a gift but it is not an excuse to hurt this family.” Abuela says with venom. To Mirabel, it feels like a stab in her heart. Senora Guzman looks shocked. Her Papi comes to see what’s going on while Dolores and Camilo were sitting on the couch nearby. Tia Pepa and Felix were near the kitchen.

“I will never be good enough for you… will I? No matter how I try- No matter how hard everyone tries! Luisa will never be strong enough! Isabella will never be perfect enough! Tio Bruno left because you always saw the worst in him!”

“Bruno did not care about this family!” Cracks begin to form on the walls and ceiling.

“He loves this family, I love this family, we all love this family! You’re the one that doesn’t care.”

“Don’t you ever-!”

“The Miracle is dying because of you!” As Mirabel finishes her sentence the house begins to fall apart. Mirabel runs straight for the candle, while Casita tries to help her while also pushing everyone out of the house. Everyone is yelling at her to stop, telling her it’s not worth it. She continues though. As she goes up she sees her Tio Bruno escape the house with a bucket on his head, and she smiles slightly to herself. She makes it to the candle but the house is too far gone. Casita’s last efforts are covering Mirabel with furniture to protect her. The Casita was gone, all that was left was the rubble of what it once was. Mirabel holds the unlit candle as her Mami runs over to her.

“Mirabel! What were you thinking?! Are you hurt?” Julieta says while checking her, Mirabel is despondent, still looking at the candle. Julietta looks at her daughter, who had dropped the candle on the ground, and then back out hearing her hermana call her. 

“I’ll be right back- don’t move,” Julietta says as she runs towards her hermana. 

When most of the fog clears and most of the familia is together, they realize that Mirabel is gone. They call out to her but there’s no response. Everyone goes looking for her, including Abuela. After hours of searching it just so happens that Abuela ended up finding her, she found her holding her knees to her chest while crying next to a lake she knew too well. She walks up to Mirabel and sits beside her.

“I’m sorry, I- I just wanted to help. Instead, all I ended up doing was hurting us.” Mirabel says as she cries into her knees.

“No, it’s not you. Mirabel, this is on me. You are a child, I’m an adult. Ever since we got our miracle I’ve tried so hard to give back to the world. Why out of all people did I deserve a miracle? Instead, I’ve been so focused on the miracle that, now that it’s gone, I can see clearly. Mi familia, they are the most important thing. Not the candle, mi familia. So truly, I’m so sorry Mirabel. I don’t deserve forgiveness yet, but I’ll do my best.” Abuela says as her hand glides against the current. Mirabel looks over to Abuela and pulls her into a hug.

“I could never stay mad at you, of course, I forgive you. You’re mi Abuela, you’re one of the bravest women I’ve ever met.”

“Gracias Mirabel, you’re too kind.” They break from the hug as Bruno jumps through the bushes with a horse, and jumps off.

“Don’t blame her! I gave her a vision-” he says before his mami pulls him into a hug.

“Oh mi Brunito, I missed you. I’m so sorry I pushed you away.” She says as she squeezes him tightly. He wheezes, 

“I think I missed something.” He smiles sheepishly as all three of them jump on the horse.

“Mirabel! Mija I was so worried!” Julietta exclaimed as she pulled Mirabel into a tight hug. 

“Lo siento Mami,” Mirabel says while muffled by her mother’s arms. The familia gathers, happy that Mirabel was found and the entire familia was together. After Mirabel was released from Julietta’s death grip, Antonio jumped on her, Mirabel caught him and hugged him as well. From behind the horse came both Abuela and Bruno. Julietta and Pepa both look to see their brother, Pepa goes up to him first and slaps him in the face, and then pulls him into a hug.

“Don’t you ever do that again pendejo,” she says. Bruno awkwardly hugs her back.

“Lo siento hermana..” he says, not sure if she’s happy he’s back or angry he left. Pepa let him go and then Julietta hugged him as well.

“Welcome back hermano,” Julietta says.When the familia was reunited they realized they needed to figure out a plan as to where they were staying, and how they were going to rebuild their home. Despite earlier events, the townspeople all came to help including the Guzmans. Multiple people had guestrooms for the family to stay, Senora Gabriela had two guestrooms that Mirabel and Bruno took, the Garcias had a guest room that Julietta and Agustin stayed in, the Lopeses had one spare bedroom with two beds that both Isabella and Luisa too, the Guzmans had two extra guest rooms, which Pepa and Felix shared one, while Antonio took the other, Lastly the Gomezes had two extra bedrooms that Dolores and Camilo stayed in. The family was really grateful to all the townspeople, but they insisted because the Madrigals had helped them so much over the years. Plans were made for the next day of clearing the rubble from the area, while also planning out the blueprints for the Casita. That night though, the Madrigals got some much-needed sleep, at least most of them. Mirabel couldn’t sleep no matter how hard she tried, despite the apology from her Abuela, which she was elated about, her negative thoughts still flooded her brain. It was almost as if they got worse. Did she deserve to be apologized to? Does she deserve forgiveness? The more she lay in a bed that was not her own, the louder the thoughts became.

[gwenandy]

Hello! I’m new to the Carlos madrigal fandom and I realized everyone’s version of his is sorta different.

if you don’t mind me asking version and sorta back story of him?

anyway love your art, it’s amazing!

AAAAAA YESS I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THE SILLY?!? I love getting questions *sob* And also thank you so much omg ?!?? 💗💗💗

Okay so first let’s talk about his child self lmao. Carlos was a troublemaker obviously, he caused small troubles, but nothing too major (yet). And after getting his gift following with his two other twin brothers, he would end up using his gift to burn paper, flowers, and anything flammable. Which made Ceceilo, Ross, and Dolores’ older sibling role harder.. following with Pepa, Felix, and Abuela, making them more stressed then usual.

Carlos, even as a child gets into small fights, insults kids his age, and makes your mom jokes. Not much people liked him, some didn’t mind or cared about him, Carlos was the person who would love to be by himself 24/7. (GUYS DONT WORRY, NOT EVERYONE IN TOWN HATES HIM)

Carlos was 7 when a so called miracle happened to him (which he claims to be a miracle). He met his first friend, her name was Lily. Lily Fernod. For being the same age, lily was 2 inches taller then him.

Carlos was rude and annoying when he first talked to lily, but that never stopped her. She tried everyday, and eventually they became great friends.— until when they hit 13, lily had to move out of encanto, which took a great big impact of him I guess. She never knew if she was coming back or not, which made carlos worry more. Before she left that day, they gave eachother small things.. like, lily gave carlos a flower bracelet that had her name on it, and carlos gave his favorite wooden skull ring that was crafted by his Tio Agustin. And like that, lily left.

Just a few months after that, carlos basically distanced himself from others more, but he was still a big dickhead </3. He was, and still is a cold, cocky teenager who gets into physical fights almost everyday. Despite all that, he has a chill side. He adds small insults whenever he talks, but it’s normal. He also plays guitar and sings some songs to himself when he’s alone.

Now, like. Two years later and when lily and her family moved back to Encanto so her father can start his new small pizzeria business. Carlos was more then happy, the two caught up with things, and Carlos was basically having a soft spot for her mostly.

Now uh, let me talk about his appearance and facts I guess.

Carlos looks like the usual, not sure if it’s the same description on how he looks from other people, but here. Carlos has dark brown curly hair, him using his hair to cover the left side of his face, he wears a pastel yellow buttoned up shirt and a maroon ruana with pastel red zigzag type of design on it, dark brownish redish pants, something close to Camilo’s. And brown slippers.

Carlos may have a crush on lily.. (best friends to lovers>>)

He covers his eye for a reasons, one being is that he thinks he looks cool, and because of a small burnt mark on his face from playing with his gift a lot as a child. But don’t worry, his left eye isn’t damaged, only like the forehead and cheek area. (It’s just like a faint, burnt mark. Nothing too major)

Carlos plays guitar, like I mentioned before. He usually sings love songs, and probably some *cough cough* metal. He has a slit eyebrow on his right eyebrow, and a scar on his cheek. He also has a few, healed but visible scars on his knuckles because of the fights he’s been in.

Now about his gift. Carlos’ gift is obviously fire, and he uses it often to entertain others or himself. He can make like fireballs that he can balance on his fingers, fingertips, palm, and anywhere on him. And when ever he’s flustered, he basically catches on fire. Example, like whenever you kiss his cheek, you can see small fire growing on his hair— but don’t worry, his hair doesn’t burn away or something, it’s like fireproof I guess lmao.

Carlos is like the cold, cocky guy that hides his emotions from others to keep up his tough image. Like whenever he is flustered or something, he covers it with a cocky, confident look— but he is actually screaming internally inside.

In my AU, Carlos is like his father, basically like a dark skinned Colmbian boy.

Anyways, there might be more info, but here’s basically all of it. There might be a lot of parts where shit doesn’t make sense or grammar errors. Just let me know and I’ll fix it </3

[writing-my-healing]

I Need To Let You Go, Mom

You know, i don’t have many memories of my life before moving to the US. My therapist tells me that when people live through traumatic events, your mind can often forget them, so that we can cope each day. I tried to look at this as rationally as she was, but in the back of my mind I’m saying to myself; “what could she be talking about, i didn’t have it that bad. There’s no way i can have a mental illness!. What even is that?!. However, here I am being told that i had PTSD due to all the shit I’ve been through.. shit that could have prevented, if you just loved me enough.

I resent you, Mom…let me help you understand why..

You abandoned me... All that i know in this life is to survive. I go through life constantly waiting for the other show to drop. Never fully able to let go and be myself. I may not remember everything, but what i DO remember left me feeling isolated for most of my life.

I remember the times you would leave me with abuela to go party with your boyfriends and live your life, while leaving the child that you decided to bring into the world in the hands of other people.

I remember how much i missed you and how hurt and disappointed i felt when you would promise that you would come to visit soon and you never came. I would always wait out in the porch looking for you.. waiting for you. Abuela often saw me and would try to comfort me as best as she could.

Mom, i never stopped waiting for you. I have been waiting for you all of my life.

Through your actions, though, you taught me a valuable lesson - you taught me that i can’t trust the people closest to me. You taught me that the people closest to me can lie to me. Their words are not sincere. Mommy, who can i trust if i can’t trust you?

For most of my life, i only trusted myself.

What you didn’t know was while you abandoned me with abuela, for sometimes weeks, or months at a time.. Tio Jorge was taking advantage of the little kid that could only trust herself.

Mommy, without you there i was alone, and i wanted a mom.

While you were gone, Titi Ivette pretty much became my mom. I wanted to be around her all the time. It made me feel good to be with her and i felt happy. Happiness for me never seemed to last very long, because when she would leave the room, he would come close to me and sit next to me, just so that he could put his hands down my very-small-panties-at-the-time. Some days he needed to take a little bit extra of me and would sniff his fingers after he was done with me. I wondered why he did that. After all, sexual interactions seemed to be a very taboo thing and , definitely, not something a 7-year-old should be talking about.

Do you want to know why it was so easy for him to do this? It was so easy, because i didn’t have anyone to protect me. Abuela

had 9 kids and was busy taking care of the household, kids, and grandkids. Titi Ivette worked, and when she didn’t work all she seemed to care about was Jorge and having a baby, and my siblings seemed to hate me.

I remember worrying that the baby would replace me and she would not snuggle me the way she always used to.

I remember being on her bed my tummy, while she took one of her usual trips to the bathroom, and

i remember his hand going down my panties again, try to push his fingers just a little farther in this time.

I remember the moment he grabbed my tiny hand and placed it over his blue pants, so that i could feel his erection.

I remember when he used to walk close to me, just so he could touch my butt when he saw me in the house.

I remember, I remember, I remember…

I remember feeling shame! Mommy, you always told me to not let anyone touch my privates, because that was bad. I didn’t want to be bad, but you didn’t tell me that someone in the family could do it. I mean, surely if they’re in the family they’re not doing it to be bad, right?!

I felt so afraid. I didn’t know if i was supposed to tell anyone, or if i was going to get in trouble for letting someone touch me. I wasn’t supposed to do that! I was so scared, because you had taught me my first life lesson.

I remembered you taught me that i’m not supposed to trust anyone! Im not supposed to trust people around me, because they lie and that really hurts.

Mom, i was so afraid.. I didn’t know what i was supposed to do, think, or say. In my heart, it really felt like what was happening was wrong, but what can a little girl know about being able to defend herself!

So much time passed, of me waiting in hopes that you would come see me.. that everything turned into a routine of sorts. My uncle has his time to touch me and sniff me and taste it, and all i have to do is just sit here and pretend nothing is happening until he’s done. Everything in life started feeling like something that was happening externally, while i was safely tucked on the inside of my mind, and away from this thoughts.

Mommy, your little girl was disassociating.. and as long as i do, i don’t feel afraid. That lesson.. was taught by him.

2. You used me.

Do you remember Francisco? I suppose you do. I suppose it would be hard to forget someone you found so lucrative. I really disliked you for this! I knew stealing was wrong.. my grandmom had said so.. and she didn’t seem to lie to me, so she must be good. I told you I didn’t want to do this, but you would still make me help you and i really just hated you for it. After much arguing and deliberation, you decided that you’re better suited for stealing money, and I as a distraction. I wonder if you knew what could happen and didn’t care anyway? I wonder if you really trusted him enough to leave me with him in a room by ourselves. i tried to keep my distance while i attempted to do a job well done. After all, it wasn’t often that you took me out to places, much less a fancy hotel, so I sure didn’t want to disappoint you!

I thought it might be a good idea to play and pretend the fun is out here. After all, every time i play i’m distracted with my game, so surely this is how it works for grown ups too! I loved playing pretend. I used to pretend to be a horse and walked on 4 legs. They always seemed so strong and defiant. Growing up, my town used to have huge Cabalgatas and hundreds of riders would parade the town with their mounts. It always seemed to me that the riders were just a proud bunch who felt powerful by being able to ride such a grand beast. But i was mesmerized. I saw something else. I saw an animal strong enough and large to overcome his rider. I saw their perkiness and their unwillingness to fully listen or cooperate I admired this feistiness. I wanted it! So i decided to pretend i was a horse. I walked around on my four legs and pretended to use chair as a cave. As i went under the cave, i felt a hand on my back and go down to my butt.

I didn’t have time to think, but in a split second, my mind knew what it had to do. My body is supposed to sit still and wait for it to be over, while i’m safely tucked away inside of my own mind. This time, though, i was really confused. Why would he touch my butt like that. Poopy comes from there, so that would probably smell really bad! I felt really grossed out about myself. I didn’t want him to touch me with hands that were going to smell like poopy. They never understand though. They never seem to know that i don’t want to be touched.

As I write this, I remember having a really bad vaginal infection around the same age. I hurt so much and i felt so irritated. Everything felt swollen. I wonder if the two events were related.

I didn’t know how to say anything. I didn’t know how or with who i was supposed to have this conversation. I was scared to disappoint you, but most of all, i was scared that you would hit me. You were always hitting me and leaving marks on my legs, and i was afraid that i would make you angry. Angry mama means a bad beating. I quickly learned that i couldn’t be imperfect. I must walk right, i must sit right, i must chew right, i must say what is right, i must be agreeable… the list goes on.

Im sorry Mommy, I was weak. I let them touch me where i wasn’t supposed to. I didn’t tell them to stop and i didn’t tell you that it’s happened so many times. Please don’t be angry at me. Please don’t hit me.

For year I blamed myself. I said to myself that i have no room to complain, because i never said anything. I never said “no”, “stop”, “Don’t touch me there”. I was the person responsible for what happened to me.

I want you to know, that you shouldn’t feel remorse over having stolen money from him. I paid that debt for you many years ago. Despite not being there, you sure were teaching me important lessons. This lesson taught me that i can’t count on anyone to protect me. In the end, people only really think of themselves. You taught me that i had little value - little value compared to all of the money and luxuries you could get from someone else. On the contrary, i had nothing to give. Who am i if i have no value? The truth is that i’ve been asking myself that question for 20 years.

3. You physically abused.

Every day that i had to live with you felt like i was walking on eggshells. I had big responsibilities there! I was tasked with the most important thing of all. I needed to make sure that you were always happy! As we know, angry mama means a bad beating! So i became an expert at reading your cues. I knew when you were angry and frustrated, so i made sure to stay out of your way. If we slept together I needed to make sure to not move to much, because it always made you mad when you had to wake up early. This one was really hard, time seemed to pass so slow when i can’t move and i get fidgety when i’m not doing anything! ADHD brains, right!

But it didn’t matter. No matter how hard i tried, little screw ups always happened! And my punishment for imperfection was pain. I didn’t like pain. It didn’t feel good and it made me really scared of you.

I remember that we would walk everywhere when you didn’t have a car. I was constantly distracted while we walked. I liked looking around and seeing everything. Walking made me feel good. But i had to make sure to pay attention, because if i fall for not paying attention i’m going to get hit. It’s a nuisance to walk with people who fall, so i should know better!

I remember i loved to draw! I loved drawing dinosaurs and horses - my two favorite things in the entire world! If i can’t be a horse, i will definitely chose to be a dinosaur! I remember seeing my cousin draw a picture. They wouldn’t let me see it or tell me what it was, so i decided to draw the shape that i glanced at while she held it away from me. If they’re not going to tell me what it is, then i guess i’ll find out on my own. Mommy, i didn’t know it was a bad picture and i was not supposed to draw that. I just drew what i saw. I didn’t know you were not supposed to draw certain things. You still beat me for it. You beat me so hard you left bruises on my legs.

I remember not being able to talk too loud, out of fear that you would think that i was talking bad and you would beat.

I remember the first boy i liked. I wrote his name in my hand. I tried to hide it from you, but when you saw it you hit me on my head with a plate. I was not allowed to like or be liked by anyone.

I should’ve know better, but i remember my first boyfriend. He was so special to me. Up to that point, i had never been treated with the care and respect that he treated me. He was the perfect first boyfriend. I knew i was not allowed to be with anyone, so i tried my best to hide it. But when you found out, you decided that you had to do something about it. After all, i should only have eyes for you. So you went to the school and embarrassed me enough that other kids my age wouldn’t let me forget it. After that day, i couldn’t pretend to be tough. I let you insult me in front of the school and all i did was shrink. I had the respect of no one.

Through all of this, there was one new lesson to be learned. You taught me that i must be perfect, at all times and in every way. I am not allowed to fail for any reason. You taught me that i must never be vulnerable. When you open up to others and share your truths, they have ammunition that can be used to hurt me.

4. You didn’t come back for me.

You know, despite everything, i loved you wholeheartedly. You were my hero and you still had time. You had time to go back in time and create a new family. You had time to unite your children.. you had time..

I waited.. I waited my whole life. I waited for you to be the mom that i needed.

When you left us for your first girlfriend, Fernando and I had to go through a lot together. We never really got along when we were younger, but having to take care of me really brought the big brother out of him. We were all we had. You left us with no food and no expectation about when you would come back. Abuela tried to help where she could, but she was getting sicker and sicker. Many times all we had to eat was a little riced mixed with an egg or the left over hot dog sausages with a little ketchup on top. Finally, when there was nothing more, Fernando made me call my dad, so that i could leave the island and be better. I loved him for wanting me to do better, i loved him for pushing me to be brave, but i hated that he didn’t see that it was so hard for me to leave.. Now that we were finally getting along. Having him live with my mom, for the little time that he did, felt like the closest i had felt to having a normal family.

I knew that there was nothing else for me there, so i decided to leave. I didn’t even get a chance to start my sophomore year, and here i was, living with a man that i had really only seen a handful of times.

Do you have any idea how afraid i was? After all of those lessons you didn’t give me any other options. I had to trust what felt like a complete stranger.

He didn’t know me either. Not really. Honestly, i don’t think he wanted to make any attempts to anyway. I was a box in his Responsibilities Checklist and as long as he checked it then he was good.

I came to a home that wasn’t mine, to a country that was not mine, with a family that wasn’t mine, to a school that wasn’t mine, and a language i didn’t know. I had to be strong. I had to learn to be alone. I was the only person i truly had.

Did you know, i was the only one of my friends who didn’t have their mom during their graduation ceremony? I felt so jealous and hurt! All i had were my dad and Patricia and they didn’t really seem to enjoy being around me. It always felt forced.

I really needed you, Mommy! I needed you at the hospital when i gave birth, I needed you when Nina started walking, When she started talking, when Justin would mistreat me, when i separated from him, when i met Darryl, when i married him, when i graduated from college…

You robbed me of so many moments. For many years I didn’t trust anyone. I allowed them to treat me how they wanted and I allowed them to take what they wanted from me, because that is what i learned from you!

My entire life i have been living like a hamster on wheel. - just chasing and chasing to try to the next step, but the next step is just never good enough.

In 2020, even though life had stopped for many, it was the time where it should have began anew for me. I had finally done it. I had bought my first house and this means that i would be free. I would be free of all of these people who keep hurting me and treating me like i am nothing. Like i’m a burden…

It was definitely a new life for me. I realized then, that my life had never been playing. When i purchased the house I became safe, and that feeling of safety was the Play button for me. Everything that i didn’t dare to feel growing up came back rushing full force. Suddenly, you were all i thought about, i was angry, irritable, i started having panic attacks, and could only function if i was high.

There’s no high in the world that could dissipate what i was feeling. It became so much rush all at once, that last year i had a mental breakdown. I wasn’t a big believer in mental health/therapy, but i knew i couldn’t continue to live like this. Surely there’s more to life than my constant panic attacks or flashbacks!

I have spent many nights crying, many nights not being able to be touched, and many nightmares. Here i am, a year after starting my therapy journey and still on this healing journey Bearing myself open for all to see is not easy, but i know that i need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I want to break the cycle with me. Nina deserves to have the best of me without any ties to my past.

I always hoped that our relationship could one day become what it never could. When i visited PR back in 2021 I had so much hope that you would give me some sign that suggested that you wanted the same, but i know now that things can never be different. You have no idea how much i cried that day that i picked you up. You told me that you wanted me to come get you, and i thought that meant for you to spend time with me. But all you wanted was a ride.

Maybe i don’t have the value in your life that i always wanted, but i’m ready. I’m ready to live my life. I’m ready to let go of these chains.

I no longer hope to have a different relationship with you. In reality, we are two strangers. However, I hope with all of my heart that you are able to find peace in your life and that you are able to find someone who can bring you (even if just a little) light.

Natalie

[casitafallz]

Stray AU | An Innocent Set of Glasses P2

Mirabel lay on her bed thoughtfully as she mulled on what Señora Rojas had suggested. The glasses remained unwrapped on her bed side in her indecision. What did her mother have to do with these glasses? Did she know the Rojas son? But he’s been gone for 16 years so why—

Mirabel’s mind paused.

Her father had been gone for 16 years, just about… not dead on but anyone would round the months up smoothly… She knew her father’s first name was Agustín… Agustín Rojas. Agustín Madrigal…

She jumped off the bed, her heart hammering but she grabbed the glasses and shoved them into her bag then shot from the room and down to the dining room and stopped at the family tree. Next to her mother was the faded picture of her father. It was hard to make out any of the features aside from the darkest colours, which was the blue suit, a pink flower that was clearly from Isabela over the chest pocket.

Mirabel lent closer, examining the faded colour of his face. A simplistic design but…she could make out the shape of glasses. Abuela clearly did little to touch up on its design; Tio Bruno had more colour... Her fingers traced over the faded paint. Dolores’s picture was still small; her 6 year old self in the ageing family. It looked odd to see the contrast. While Abuela did like to do this; such a change to the family tree was Casita’s doing, like to make space for a new baby.

No care for her father’s picture. If… if they truly were the same man, then… he was dead. Not lost. Not a kidnapper. Dead.

“Mirabel, what are you doing?”

Mirabel jumped out of her skin, whipping around to see Camilo standing in the doorway with a raised, somewhat amused expression.

“You scared me!”

Camilo shrugged, though he stepped closer before he looked to the family tree and scowled. “Him? Seriously.”

Mirabel’s jaw clenched with a wash of anger at the venom and hate in his tone but she felt her eyes prickle. “Shut up.” She snapped, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Camilo scoffed, his arms folding across his chest. “Don’t I? If it wasn’t for him, I’d still have my sister. Don’t defend him, Mirabel, not to me.”

Mirabel’s back straightened. “Then respect the dead, Camilo.” She bit back and walked off, not noticing how he blanched for a moment then frowned uncertainly at the picture but as she went up the steps, her head towards the steps up towards the tower.

Tio Bruno had disappeared after her gift ceremony.  Felix told her a little about him when she had found his door… Mirabel knew he had the gift to see the future, so why…why didn’t he foresee what happened to their family?

Curiously led her feet to the steps.

Would he have any visions there.. if he left any physical trace of them. Mirabel suspected so Tio Felix had mentioned ‘vision-tablet’ before so that seemed to suggest so.

His room was the…obvious place to keep it.

Her eyes flickered about, making sure she wasn’t spotted before she padded up the steps and through the door.

 -

The steps, Mirabel found, was horrible to climb and the definitely signs of decay that bordered deadly before she had even swung across to the other side. Mirabel’s eyes ran over the stone décor but there was no mistake the unease as she clutched the bag she had closer. A peek in had been a comfort reminder her father’s glasses were safe in there.

Inside, the chambers it was much cooler, a wind tickled across her skin as she peered into the darkness before the doors slammed shut. Her teeth dug into her lip, taking a second to compose herself in the dark before she noted the sprinkles of green within the centre pit of sand. Her eyes turned around but there were other green glows from the side. What was in the pit was probably too recent to be relevant; by 5 years.

So to the other tablets, she drifted to and began to pick up them and examine; one showed…her birth.

Julieta on her bed with Pepa and Abuela at her side, staring down at a bundle on her mother’s near-bared chest with clear sight of her new-born ass; cord attached and all on display. Mirabel set that down before Camilo’s birth vision was underneath….a few more visions bore images of woodlands… before she notices one that she was putting to the side that shifted as she tilted it away.

The image shifted.

Mirabel frowned.

It was of the same woodland area but… low to the ground to face up towards the back ground with a distinct shape of a jaguar; one with markings of a fresh kill on its claws. But it was tilting it that Mirabel felt her gut turn to ice.

The delicate frames…a little broken doll that was...tainted with red splodges and smears. It’s implication was clear as anything.

Her eyes closed before she felt the weight settle in her chest…

Her father was truly gone then. Tio Bruno would have had no reason to just…see this; he must have been looking. Couldn’t have seen the attack if he was asleep, he could only see the future; not the past. Too late to see…

The sounds of cracks pulled her attention away from the growing grief before she realised the danger, hugging it to her chest before she darted from the room.

Slowly buried under the sand as the room caved in behind her was the shattered vision of Mirabel standing in front of a cracking Casita; a set of glasses in hand in a way that was held up to be seen. No tilting would change the image.

 -

Vera Rojas hated walking, more so in her increasing age that ached her limbs and joints but she knew this was important as she let her husband and daughter led the way through the trees with a tense atmosphere between them.

Just them.

What they expected to find, Vera didn’t know but her granddaughter had delivered them a terrible truth that needed to come to the surface. An unsaid belief after her son’s disappearance because there was no way to leave Encanto… if it was designed to keep people out then those leaving would not be fortunate without magical guidance.

Sofia had been the one in denial, and Vera was sure her daughter still was but it had taken a lot to persuade her to come and leave her husband and son for this trip. She had lost her brother and they had lost a son; they needed this.

The factor of Dolores Madrigal also was taken in account; the missing Madrigal child wouldn’t have survived if her son hadn’t. A terrible news that would leave a cloud over the magical home in more ways than the literal one. They also had to prove that too. A child wouldn’t have survived long in the woods if she didn’t make it back to Encanto. Super hearing was no plant gift and no super strength. No defensive gift.

Pepa Madrigal’s hate of her son was well known for her belief. Vera never believed the rumours that her child would do this but now they’d never know the true reason why they were both gone… but they needed to bring closure to the families. Pepa Madrigal would finally know what happened. No more wondering. No more hate for her son.

“Looks like the stone formations Mirabel was on about.” Ruben spoke, drawing their eyes up to the distant clearing.

Upon getting there, Vera was the first to spot a colourful, loose thread; proof Mirabel had been here. It certified this was the right spot.

Vera slipped off her bag and pulled out her flash for a sip of water and passed it around, though Ruben was already occupied and pulling a stick to pull away at the tree undergrowth; dirt and leaves. Vera checked her pocket watch for the time before she put her flask away to help.

 -

It took hours before they were able to find anything but soon, remains of…things buried began to come to the surface as they switched from sticks to the borrowed trowels; digging away 16 years of build-up and decay.

A dolls head with a crack had been recovered before the rest of its porcelain body parts were found but while the cloth was gone, a nauseous dark reddish strain lingered along the cracks that not even the rain had washed away nor the rot that had consumed the doll’s clothes and strings.

Sofia had been the one to find the bag.

Leather took decades to decompose; but Vera recognised the bag; she had made it for him for his 15th birthday. He had kept it.

Seeing it dirt encrusted ached so painfully that it brought tears to her eyes, her hands shaking as she pulled it from Sofia’s to open it up, barely noting the slashes in its shoulder strap.

Inside were rotten clothes mostly, his pocket watched that looked to have stopped… surprisingly clean as they laid each item out. There were books, half rotten but Vera couldn’t help herself as she opened the most intact one, but from inside fell out a black and white photograph of her son and Julieta; their wedding photo…

Ruben pulled out the rusty tent rods; the tent itself gone…

“He’s really gone…” Sofia breathed, running a hand though her greying hair. “I… wanted to believe he was happy elsewhere.”

Clink

Her eyes flickered to a small glass jar had been unearthed where the bag had been found, but inside she could see the white.

Sofia sniffled as she reached over first, dusting off the encrusted dirt before she began to attempt to open it but…it didn’t come loose. Her hands shook as she pressed her finger tips in but her grip just kept slipping….

“Hija,” Vera reached forwards, taking it from her reluctant grip. “Let’s take this home.”

“What…what if he’s here?” her hand guesting to the ground and soft soil around them. “the girl too…. We can’t just leave them… him behind….not after 16 years…”

“We can come back tomorrow…once things have been sorted. We have all the proof we need to confront Alma on what prompted him to go...” Ruben spoke, “I’ll talk to the priest about a memorial. He deserves that.”

The chances of human remains were few and far between and with how long it’s been Vera had little hope but she’d allow her daughter to stay with her husband; she didn’t want to be here any longer.

Her son was dead. Now she had to…find a way for her granddaughters to rightfully know their father’s fate; that he hadn’t just walked away…and that he didn’t simply kidnap a child…why he even left Encanto was beyond her but he surely left with a reason. She intended to know why it cost his life to do so.

 -

Mirabel sat solemnly at dinner, picking at her plate and not listening much to Abuela but she couldn’t help but shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong very quickly. But…it felt far away.

Why did her father have to go? Why did… why did Dolores go?

Just…why?

Mirabel’s eyes turned to her eldest sister thoughtfully, watching her as she sat next to Mariano and talked. 6 years old when he left. She knew him.

Mirabel felt the slither of jealously. She knew Isabela didn’t display much of an opinion after their Papi but… she knew him.

“Mirabel,” Abuela’s voice turned her head before Mirabel faced her with a cool expression, “Can you pass the cream.”

Silently, Mirabel reached over and pushed the pot down the line.

“Are you alright?” Tia Pepa asked next to her, “You’re very quiet.”

“You don’t like the answer.” Mirabel replied glumly. “You hate talking about him.”

Tia Pepa’s posture stiffened a fraction before a low clap of thunder but her eyes turned sad. How could they explain to Tia that Dolores didn’t make it? She knew Tia hoped Dolores was out there… clawed onto that.

“No mention of that man over dinner, Mirabel.” Abuela spoke, “We don’t talk about him.”

“Why not?” Mirabel scoffed, stabling at her plate, “you don’t even know what happened to him…I didn’t even know his last name was Rojas. I had to learn about him all by myself!”

“Mirabel.” Julieta warned, “Not now.”

“It doesn’t matter…”

“Is it about the glasses you found?” Antonio’s little voice echoed, drawing the attention to his end of the table, “the ones with the jaguar markings on. Are those Tio Agustín’s glasses?”

Outside, there was a dull knocking on Casita’s front door.

[tucosalamancaofficial]

ooc i just want to write a whole fanfic about tuco. his struggle with meth and anger issues, his relationship and protectiveness of his family, my headcanon of his dad khs...

he was just so surface level and used for shock value i just want to see this very lonely man hanging on to his tio that he keeps dissapointing and his abuela he keeps his real job from

his abandomnent issues and how he values loyalty and respect are clearly linked, does he consider his dad’s death a betrayal? has he been betraued by someone else? what happened to his mom?

the rest of the salamancas is either scared of him or don’t like him because he’s "crazy". what if they shut him out because of that? what if they don’t trust him? does he feel left out?

idk why i think about his life so much but I think it’d be interesting to talk about him more

the brba and bcs teams really made beautiful characters man

[swynlake-rp]

PLOT ROUND-UP! 

PROM 2024 / CASS, MOON, AND HIRO

Characters and Muns Involved: Cass Hamada & Moon Butterfly-Johansen [ft. Hiro]

Plot: 

Cass and Moon attend Prom together as Besties. Hiro still thinks Moon is dating his Aunt Cass. Cass and Moon remain oblivious to this idea...

In an effort to make a good impression on her best friend's nephew,  Moon offers to host Hiro, along with Cass and Tad, for dinner at her apartment... Which Hiro agrees to???

Meanwhile, Moon has her own prom night thoughts regarding her friendship with Cass.

DEVYN & VEE’S PROM SAGA

Characters and Muns Involved: Devyn Morey & Vee Carrero-Noceda

Plot: 

Devyn invites Vee to Prom with a Promposal at the Opening Bonfire! They have a great time, dance, spend time together. At Prom, Vee reveals that they've started learning BSL, much to Devyn's excitement. Vee decides that they might try to take BSL classes at the Community Center. They get separated shortly after getting snacks together.

Each end up having to handle a separate family situation and aren't able to reconvene.

Vee texts Devyn back after prom, apologizing profusely.

PAPER THIN

Characters and Muns Involved: Toulouse, Hades, Belle

Plot: At their anniversary dinner, a night before their actual anniversary, which landed on the full moon this year--Hades, Belle, and Toulouse tried to enjoy a nice meal. However, Toulouse was in a bad mood and accused his partners of being obligated to celebrate instead of actually wanting to. This blew up into an argument, with Toulouse storming out. However, when Remy tried to stop him at the door, he turned into a werewolf in the middle of the restaurant before fleeing into the night.

LEARN ME RIGHT/HARRIS DUNBROCH’S DAY OUT

Characters and Muns Involved: Elinor, Merida, Harris, Hubert, and Hamish

Plot: 

(takes place: week of April 9-18,,, listen time is relative)

Elinor and Merida go on a cross country road trip to bring Hubert home. Along the way, they fight each other and their enemies, together. Elinor also learns about Merida's gender identity. At the end, they rescue Hubert from the clutches of the Order. (He is not happy about this turn of events.)

While their mum and older sibling were gone, Harris and Hamish stayed with the Acherons. Hades and Belle received a phone call from the school, saying Harris was acting out. It was immediately obvious this was due to his magic. (He's a medium.) Hades tried to offer help, but Harris rejected him until the ghost that was haunting him attacked Hamish. Now, Harris is taking lessons from Hades and learning to control and embrace his magic.

WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO: THE SECRET LIVES OF TIOS

Characters and Muns Involved: Isabela, Félix, Bruno

Plot: After Isabela finds her tío Félix acting strange, he confesses that Bruno is alive, in town, and currently out having a secret meeting with her mother and tía. Isabela is not happy with this information, but promises not to tell her abuela or the other kids…

SHORTEST RELATIONSHIP EVER

Characters and Muns Involved: Evangeline, Remy, Cora, Mitte

Plot: At prom, Remy asked Evy to be his girlfriend and, of course!, she said yes!! And then--immediately introduced him to her girlfriends, Cora and Mitte. Whilst talking, Remy realized that Cora and Mitte were Evangeline's ~~girlfriends~~ (in a gay way). The next morning, Remy and Evy met in the park, where Remy broke up with her--citing different expectations. Both were sad. :(

GASTON’S GIRLS

Characters and Muns Involved: Gaston, Annie, Georgette , Madellaine

Plot: (all on discord) At prom, while Annie was in the bathroom, Gaston approached Georgette, flirted and danced with her. She encouraged this, intent on showing Annie that Gaston was a sleaze and not worth Annie's time. However, Annie took out her embarrassment and jealousy on Georgette, who was citing Girl Code as her defense--whilst Gaston was giving very much "I would like to be excused from this narrative." He and Annie left together, though he was seen later coming back into the dance hall and then leaving with Maddy…

ANATOBY’S CONFESSION

Characters and Muns Involved: Annie and Toby

Plot: After arguing with Gaston, Annie said she was going home alone… but ended up taking a detour to Toby’s apartment to vent about the situation. As he comforted her, Annie confessed that she had feelings for Toby, and he admitted he felt the same, and had for a long time. The next day, Annie suggested they date in secret— ostensibly because of their relationship as coworkers, but more honestly because Annie was afraid of people’s judgment.

MY HEART IS A HAUNTED HOUSE

Characters and Muns Involved: Snow, Gem, Bones, Elliot, King, Sophie, Ting-Ting, Wolf-- more minorly: Belle Hades

Plot: 

Snow has been possessed!

Lady Miracle has become the ruthless mistress of the Hauntley Manor Inn, bossing around the staff and renovating the building. The Inn is currently closed, with no one, even staff allowed in and out. Gem pissed off Lady Miracle breaking into the Inn--in retaliation she destroyed the sun room he built--but not before Snow broke through and gave Gem an important piece of information: speak to the Captain, another ghost that haunts the inn.

Recruiting Elliot, Gem comes back the next day to be met with an unhappy Wolf and Bones. While they are speaking, Hades--who sensed the disturbance in the force the night before--comes to warn them they must act fast or Snow will be lost to them forever…

NEW HEARTS ARC

Characters and Muns Involved: Raksha, Dhaumya, Babette, Tibbs Buster, Doc, Hera, Remy, Dian, Annie, Vixey, Toulouse, Belle, Félix

Plot: Due to Dhaumya's symptoms getting worse, Raksha takes him to see Hera and Doc. They tell her that Dhaumya is very sick. She cannot go to the hospital. She must leave work early to deal with Dhaumya when Babette calls. The next time this happens, Tibbs makes the call to take Dhaumya to the hospital--where the staff find out that he is a werewolf. Dian and Vixey refuse to work on him. Tibbs takes over to do the surgery. CPS is called on Raksha and Belle comes in to threaten to sue. An article about the staff that wouldn't work on Dhaumya circulates, leading Toulouse to publish a letter to the editor. At the end of the day, Dhaumya got his surgery and is on the path to full recovery. <3

PUT ME IN, COACH!

Characters and Muns Involved: Lightning, Doc, Cruz

Plot: After months of trying to change, Lightning begins to reconnect with Cruz. After consulting with Doc, Lightning decides to run one last race— and ask Cruz to coach him. Cruz says yes.

BRUCE SWIMS AWAY

Characters and Muns Involved: Bruce, Gil, Snow, King, Herc , Finn, Maddy, Arista, Ariel, Luca

Plot: Bruce decides to return to the ocean. He says goodbye to many friends, including Snow, whom he finds out from King is possessed and therefore all he can do is write her a letter to read later. Gil helps him reach Samoa which is close to where he was originally taken from the ocean and therefore where he will find his pod. Thanks to a member of his pod having a gift for speaking to sea creatures, word travels around the world and eventually to Luca that Bruce has made it home safely— and he has a son!

GO FOR THE GOLD!!! #TEAMSWYNLAKE!

OTMS

MUN: L Milo broke his curse, the Phillies are #1 in the league, and Lauren is killing it! We’ve loved to see all the big moves L is making lately! CHARACTER: EILONWY! We would just like to point out that this is the second year in a row Eilonwy received MULTIPLE nominations for June Character OTM! Yes, that’s right, the Summer Solstice arc is always that good. We’re so happy we get another year with the sunshine queen! THREAD: MY HEART IS A HAUNTED HOUSE THREADS! Members are riveted by this complex plot and all the moving pieces. Hauntings! Heartbreak! Sentient houses! This plot really has it all. Special shoutout to the Hauntley break-in thread where Gem fights the house— epic stuff! TASK: GEM’S QUEER AWAKENING! Props to C for creating an in-universe book! This was so creative and we love when people build out the world of SwynRP like this!

BOARD UPDATES 

None!

TASKS

POSTCARDS FROM YOU!: Make (or find) a graphic that represents a postcard your character has sent! Write the letter that they’re sending. This is totally open to turn into a multimedia thread, or a self-para moment. Like we always say, the rules are but guidelines! The minimum you need is a postcard and the words your character writes <3  GO FOR THE GOLD!: The Olympics kicks off this month! Write a self-para of your character doing a sport. Check out the list of Olympic sports for inspo! (600 words)

EVENTS

JULY 3 - 10: FAIRY FLOATILLA! Ahem! After a few hiccups… the Floatilla is here to usher in midsummer! Watch the talented fairies lead performances out on the lake! Canonically on July 6. 

JULY 10-17: SHANG’S HOUSEWARMING PARTY - Shang is celebrating his new home ownership by hosting a party! Everyone over 18 is welcome! Come on over and eat, drink, swim or dance the night away.

JULY 17 - 24: LANTERN FESTIVAL! A Swynlake tradition! Gather around the lake to send lanterns off into the evening sky with wishes written inside. Canonically on July 20. 

JULY 24 - JULY 31: CASINO NIGHT AT THE COURT OF MIRACLES! Come out to the Court of Miracles for a themed casino night! Want to get involved? Reach out to Jasper (Gigi) or Jessica (Lins) if your character wants to perform or be a dealer! Canonically on July 28. 

JULY 24 - 31: BOARD MEETING! A lot has happened this past month! Come out to Town Hall and talk to the Board! Canonically on July 25. 

BIRTHDAYS

Characters:

Fawn Tumbleclaw – July 5

Luisa Madrigal – July 6

Amity Blight – July 7

Angelo "Ronno" Spiridakos – July 12

Raksha Bhediya – July 13

Isaac Morey – July 21

Julieta Madrigal – July 23

Pepa Madrigal – July 23

Bruno Madrigal – July 23

Errol Woolf – July 25

Hercules Kouros – July 26

Benjamin Drakken – July 27

Luz Noceda – July 28

William "Bullseye" Stoddard – July 29

Tinker Bell – July 30

Al McWiggin – July 31

[herroyalhighnessqueenmomo]

My Best Friend's Uncle | Bruno Madrigal x Reader Pt. 3

You grabbed one of Dolores' pillows and threw it at Camilo. It hit his face. "Hey what's that for tía?" He asked as he held on to the pillow. "Shhh! Don't call me that." You whisper shouted. "What? That's what you're going to be if you marry tio Bruno." He said nonchalantly.

"Why are you okay with this?" You asked him. He shrugged. "Nothing surprises me anymore with this family." He crossed his arms. "Well if you could I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention anything until Bruno and I decide when to let everyone know." You stated.

Dolores looked at him confused. "Camilo why did you come up here as papa?" She asked her younger brother. He just shrugged. "Papa asked me to let you two know that everything is almost ready outside. Mariano is already at the church. The girls are just getting dressed since they finished. I was hoping to catch you freaking out. I mean I did but for a different reason." He explained as he leaned on to the door frame with a smug face.

Both Dolores and you glared at him. He cleared his throat. "I sense that I'm in danger so I'm just going to head out." He stated and shut the door slowly. Dolores put her face in her hands. "Ugh. My wedding is doomed isn't it?" She asked. You rubbed her back trying to calm her down. "Nena its not doomed. As long as you both say nothing I think it should be fine. Hopefully you don't freak out again like you just did with Camilo."

Meanwhile outside the casa de Madrigal a tent was set up with multiple tables inside for the reception after the formal ceremony. Abuela was overseeing the family members that remained who were setting up the tables. Camilo made it outside and joined his family to help. "Camilo did you talk to Dolores and let her know its almost time?" Felix asked him. Camilo nodded. Pepa was sitting down and was moving her hands up and down her braided hair. She might be even more nervous about this wedding then her own daughter. Julieta handed her a mug of tea. "Toma hermana try and relax a little. Everything will be fine." Pepa looked up and gave a slight smile to her sister. "Gracias hermana." She took the mug and took a sip. She took a deep breath and smiled.

Antonio was outside with the animals and playing with them. His giggles were heard throughout the Encanto. Since he was still very young no one bothered to ask him to help. Camilo walked over to the table Bruno was setting up. “I just had an interesting conversation with my tía.” He stated. Bruno didn’t look up as he placed down another plate. “I thought Julieta was outside this whole time.” He replied. Camilo shook his head and smirked. “No. My other tía.” Bruno almost dropped the entire stack of plates that was in his hands. He then frantically looked around to see if anyone was listening. No one was within an earshot. So no one could hear. Well except maybe Dolores but she was inside and she wasn’t the current problem. 

Everyone did kind of stop what they were doing when they heard the clattering of the plates that Bruno fumbled with. He gave a nervous smile. “Uh...sorry guys. I got it. My hands are just a little sweaty.”  

“Brunito why don’t you give the plates over to Camilo then? Just in case?” Abuela suggested. Everyone went back to the work they had. Bruno nodded and turned to look back at Camilo only to see you standing there instead. That caused him to jump a bit. Camilo quickly shifted back to himself and took the plates he let out a chuckle. Bruno looked around again to see if anyone was paying attention. They all stopped to look. Everyone shared a similar look of concern and confusion. “Don’t worry...Camilo’s got it.” Bruno said clearing his throat. No one said anything and they just practically shrugged it off, chucking it to Bruno being Bruno. 

He turned back to Camilo who had a smug grin. “Alright kid, what do you know?” He asked. “Oh nothing. Just that you apparently had a vision where you married Y/N.” He admitted. “Shhhh! Do you want everyone to hear you?” Bruno tried to keep Camilo quiet. “What? You asked what I knew so I told you. Did you want me to not say anything?” He asked and started to place the plates around the table. “I just don’t want anyone finding out.” Bruno stated. Camilo moved to the next table while Bruno followed. “Why? Are you ashamed of Y/N?” Camilo asked his uncle. 

Bruno shook his head. “Not at all. Y/N is beautiful and I would be lucky if I get to marry her but she is half my age. I think the rest of the family would freak out.” He replied as he nervously scratched the back of his neck. His nephew shrugged. “That may be, but even father has a young bride. No one batted an eye at them.” Camilo stated. “That’s because father runs a church. Of course no one is going to say anything about it.” Bruno retorted. 

“So what’s the big deal if you marry someone as young as her?” Camilo moved on the next table. “I’m Bruno Madrigal. Everyone thinks the worst about me. I make fish die and young women marry me. I can hear it now.” He explained. “I thought we moved past this stuff. We’re more than our gifts. We have hearts too. You should have love in your life just like everyone else. Even if its to your niece’s best friend who is half your age.” Camilo said in a very matter of fact tone. “You know kid, you had me, and then in the end you made me feel not good.” Bruno responded to his small speech. “Eh. You get the point.”

“You’re surprisingly wise Camilo.” He smiled at his uncle. “Thanks. I know I mess around with everyone a lot but as someone who can literally walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, I’ve kind of learned to be more understanding towards people.” Camilo explained. Bruno smiled at his nephew. “You’re a good kid.” He said. “Thanks.” “Now please don’t say anything to anyone until at least after the wedding. This is your sister’s big day and I don’t think your mother would forgive me if I managed to ruin her daughter’s wedding too.” Camilo let out a slight laugh. “Alright fine tio Bruno. I promise I won’t say anything but you’ve gotta tell the family at some point.” He nodded he knew that Camilo was right but he was going to cross that bridge when he got there. 

“I think that’s all of the tables.” Camilo placed down the last plate. Abuela came by and clapped her hands together. “Perfect. Mariano is already waiting in the church. The ceremony can finally begin. Go on inside and have a seat. Felix!” Abuela called out. Felix who was beside Pepa rubbing her back looked up to his name being called. “Si Abuela?” He asked. “It’s time. Go get the girls inside the casita” He nodded and went inside. 

In the meantime you were still in Dolores’ room talking to her. “I can’t believe you’re getting married. I’m happy for you.” You smiled at her. “I can’t believe it either but here I am.” The two of you heard a knock on the door and it was opened by Felix. “Camilo if you’ve come in here to tell me that you told everyone out there that Y/N is marrying Bruno I will make sure tia Julieta will never make arepas for you ever again.” Dolores stated. Felix looked visibly confused. “Y/N is marrying Bruno?” 

You leaned towards Dolores. “I don’t think that was Camilo.” Dolores squeaked. “Wait Y/N is marrying Bruno? I didn’t even know they were seeing each other.” You heard the voice of Mirabel behind him. You face palmed. You peaked out to see Dolores getting increasingly stressed now. “Bruno had a vision that he and Y/N get married in the future but no one is supposed to know.” Dolores spoke quickly. “Great. Who else needs to know?” You asked sarcastically. 

“Sorry.” Dolores apologized. You got up and exited the room walking past Felix and Mirabel. “I’m not talking about it. This is Dolores’ wedding we’re going to pretend everything is normal and that you know nothing.” You began to walk down the stairs. “For the sake of this wedding, we do not talk about Bruno.” You reached the bottom and turned around to see everyone still staring at you from upstairs with wide eyes. “Well what are you waiting for? Weddings don’t just start themselves. Casita help me out.” The floors underneath them moved on its on and got them downstairs. “So we’re supposed to ignore this crazy thing we just found out about you and Bruno or-” Mirabel began. “We don’t talk about Bruno.” You snapped. She put her hands up as a sign of surrender. 

You began to walk out of the casita as if you were going to run everything. “What just happened?” Felix turned to look at his daughter. “I think she might be on the verge of some kind of crisis.” She squeaked. He took his daughters arm and walked her out of the casa de madrigal. Mirabel followed behind. “I knew I should’ve just gone with my sisters outside.” She muttered to herself wishing she hadn’t just heard this information that she was now forced to keep quiet about.

Once you all arrived at the entrance of the church you had all lined up the way you had practiced at the rehearsal. One of the little girls from the town volunteered to be the flower girl and she was first in line. Then it was all of the bridesmaids and groomsmen side by side. You were lined up last beside Mariano’s best friend Enrique. Behind the two of you was the ring bearer which was Antonio. At the of the wedding party line was Dolores and Felix. Abuela was outside with all of you making sure you were lined up in the correct places. The church doors was cracked open just a little so that Abuela could peer in to give Augustin the signal. Augustin was sitting at the piano ready to play the familiar tune of ‘Here Comes the Bride’. Abuela smiled at all of you. “I am so proud and happy that all of you have joined to be here for my granddaughter's wedding day.” She then walked over to Dolores and kissed her cheek. “Felicidades princesa.” She then walked back over to the door and gave Augustin the signal.

The piano was heard throughout the church. Abuela opened the doors. Everyone was standing as they awaited for the wedding party to take their places. The flower girl walked in with her basket. After some time passed and you took all of your places Dolores was walked in by Felix. Upon seeing her Mariano began to tear up. The man sure did have a big heart. You turned to look at all the people sitting down. The Madrigals were all sitting in the front, including Bruno. He had his eyes on you and so you gave him a smile which caused him to blush. 

Everything had thankfully went just fine during the ceremony. Now all that was left was the reception. Everyone had walked out of the church and began to travel to the tent that was set up. Dolores had her arm linked up to Mariano. She seemed so happy and you were glad that things were going well. As you were walking you ended up beside Bruno. You turned to look at him. "So far so good." You stated.

"Seems like it. So far its only two people who know." He said. You tilted to the side. "Eh...make the four people." He looked at you confused. "Dolores mentioned it to Felix thinking it was Camilo and Mirabel was hanging around behind him." His eyes widened. "Don't worry I don't think they'll say anything, I didn't give them time to react." You said hoping that it was true.

Antonio ran up beside you and grabbed your hand. You looked down at him and smiled. "Make that 5 people. The rats told me everything." He stated and looked up at you with an innocent smile. You turned to Bruno and saw a rat climb up onto his shoulder. Bruno looked at the rat. "Amanda how could you let this happen?" He asked her. The rat just stared at him and squeaked. "She says she didn't think it was a big secret." Antonio translated.

"We've been trying to keep everyone from finding out until at least after today." Bruno said. "Ohhh...why?" Antonio asked seeming confused. You looked down at him. "Because everyone might be a little shocked and confused that we are supposed to be together. You see your tio Bruno is the same age as your mama and I am about the same as your sister. Everyone might think its weird." You explained.

"Okay. I can keep a secret." Antonio replied. He ran off to go sit with his mother. You were really hoping he would. "I feel like everyone is slowly finding out about this." You said to Bruno. "I'm sorry." He apologized. You turned to look at him. "For what?" You asked. "I didn't mean to drag you into this you weren't even-"

"Bruno don't even apologize. This isn't your fault. You should know more than anyone else that these things are just supposed to happen. You will eventually be my..."You looked around. "You know what." You whispered. "And everything that you have to deal with I will too. I will step in and stand by your side. No matter what. Because that's what marriage is about." You explained. Bruno was looking at you wide eyed. You weren't sure what his facial expression meant. He then just pulled you into a huge hug. "Thank you Y/N. That means a lot to me." He said. "Of course."

You pulled away and sat down on the other side of Dolores. She leaned towards you. "That was really sweet. What you said to tio Bruno." You smiled and shrugged. "I was just being honest. I don't want him to get worried about upsetting me in anyway." You replied. "I think you'd be really good for him." She said. "Do you mean it?" You beamed and she nodded. "Of course. And you will officially be a Madrigal once you marry him."

Thankfully everything was going smoothly the whole town was laughing and enjoying themselves as they ate dinner that Julieta had cooked. After dinner everyone began to dance. Once a slow song came on you decided to pull Bruno to the dance floor with you. Of course he was sitting the whole time but you were going to have none of that.

"Y/N what are you doing? Everyone's going to see." He whispered as you continued to pull him. "Its just a dance Bruno. Let them see." You replied. He relaxed a little and swayed with you to the song. "See. Its not so bad." You stated. "Everyone is looking at us." He said softly. "They're probably not used to seeing you dance." You responded. He let out a small chuckle. "You're right. I don't dance." You smiled at him. "Well you seem to be doing a pretty good job right now." He smiled back at you. "Thank you."

Suddenly Abuela announced that Dolores was going to be throwing her bouquet. All of the unmarried women were expected to gather around and attempted to catch it. A lot of the girls your age quickly gathered around seemingly prepared to fight each other for the bouquet. Isabella was walking past you and getting in the back of the crowd. "Come on Y/N all of the unmarried women need to join." She said smirking. "Oh its not a big deal. I don't care about catching it." You said waving her off. "Its not a big deal. Its just for fun. Even Luisa is participating." You turned to see Luisa in front of the crowd looking as if she was ready for a fight to the death. Your eyes widened. "Umm...I think she is a lot more in to it than you are letting on." You stated. "Oh just come on." She grabbed your hand and dragged you to the crowd. Abuela started a countdown. Dolores bent her knees a little and threw it. All of the girls in the front began to jump up trying to catch it but it went past over their heads. It was heading right towards you and you caught it.

Everyone turned around and was staring at you while you were eyeballing the bouquet in your hands. Everyone began to clap and cheer but the other girls looked disappointed. Dolores smiled at you as she clapped with her index fingers as she usually did since the sound of her own clips were too much for ears.

Antonio was clapping with a lot of excitement. "Yay tía Y/N is going to get married to Bruno next!" Pepa who was sitting next to him stopped smiling and clapping a cloud appeared over her head.

"Oh no." Camilo said. Felix looked terrified and Antonio looked like he was trying to hide. "I've said too much."

Tag list

@fanlovedlt

@abbygraceasd

@kyriekurokami

@httpakasha

@luisamadrigalsgirlfriend​

[rebellum]

okay but I think its hilarious that Dolores heard Bruno in the walls for YEARS

like just imagine her trying to tell people

“uh, mami, so, I think tio br--” “WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO”

“Abuela? I can hear tio br--” “WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO”

“tia julieta? theres a man LIVING in the WALLS?” “what? who? what are you talking about?” “tio br-” “WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO”

after a while she must have been like *shrugs* well if they don’t want to talk about him.. *squeaks and walks away*

[bakulova]

That One Girl 2:

Pairing: Camilo Madrigal x Reader

Type: Fluff

NOT Proofread!

A/N: Back with part 2! I’m really happy that you guys liked the last one and I hope I make you excited with this one ENJOY! 

- It’s been a couple of days since you ended things. It feels surreal. As if the light is simply not there anymore. Camilo continues to put smiles on others faces but the one smile he really wants avoids them as if he’s some disease. That hurts them so bad. All he wants is for you to be in their arms. To hold you and give you all the affection in the world. 

- When you run into each other, there’s definitely a split second of eye contact before you push past them. Lately there’s only have a sad/empty look on your face. I should preface that Camilo would totally run to you and try to talk to you if he wasn’t being push and pulled by everyone.  

- “Y/-...” He would whisper as he hold their hand out to your back as you walk the other way. He looks down at the ground before their name gets called by someone and of course duty calls and he puts on a fake smile. 

- As for Mira, her family was ecstatic at the news and immediately tried to push for a marriage again...At this point the Madrigal family is annoyed by them. They become disgusted with Mira and her family. It’s embarrassing how much they push and want to be associated with the Madrigals. 

- Y/n had been reading for a little while on a bench alone. That wasn’t until Mira showed up with some weird ring on her finger. She stuck it in your face.

- “see this? Yeah, Camilo gave it to me” She continues to boost about the fake ring. In the corner of your eye you see a familiar boy lurking. You both make eye contact, it was like the day you broke it off. The pain and love building up, festering, waiting to be let out.  You two must’ve been staring at each other for so long because at one point Camilo dropped a bucket of water which he forget that he was filling causing Mira to turn around and grin like a wolf as she skips towards them.

- “Camilo! I was just telling HER about our engagement!” He looks at Mira weirded out. “Please get away from me” she doesn’t falter and instead tries to hold their hand. Luckily he pulls away quick. He looks at you for help. You get up to go over but stutter questioning if you should that’s when you felt a gentle push on the back and you stumbling forward towards them. You grabbed Mira’s arm and drag her off to her house. Camilo looks at Isabela who had pushed you, 

- “What? You needed help and they need to stop being stubborn” She says exhausted of hearing Mira harass her primo. She misses seeing the two of you together and happy. The balance she saw between you two was amazing. Reminded her of her Tia Pepa and Tio Felix. 

- Back with you, you dragged Mira all the way back to her home. “Leave Camilo alone.” 

-Mira smirks “You can’t tell me to stay away from my fiance” You deadpan her “That ring was on some travelers table, don’t think you’re fooling anybody.” with that you left the girl. 

- Speaking of Pepa and Felix, they make sure to pay extra attention to their eldest son. Antonio hugs his brother and tells him that Y/n still loves them even if you keep running away. Then adds that he hears you talking about how you regret doing this. When Camilo hears that he feels hope for the both of you. It had been a few days since you had protected him and Camilo was gripping to any information about you. He missed you to much. He felt like he was getting physically ill. He felt that the world was against you two. 

- Abuela was trying her hardest to get Mira and her family away but they always had some excuse to show up at la casita’s front door. At this point La castia knew not to let them in. The house is tired of these people trudging in and spreading their lies and desperateness. Abuela comes up to you when she finds you alone. She talks to you about her and Abuelo all the time. Sometimes when make looks back at you, she finds you smiling down sadly. She knows why. She totally comes up with a plan on getting you two back together. She wants you both to be happy. She see’s you as her grandson’s one and only true love and she is very assured considering she see’s her and Pedro in you both. 

- Once the rest of the family hears of the plan except of course Camilo.  Any chores that were set for Camilo were erased and placed onto Dolores and any town person who bothered Camilo were immediately taken care of by Mirabel. After some point it finally got to people’s minds that ‘oh I see’ and poof no more distractions for the day. 

- You had been in you and Camilos hang out spot. Reminiscing on old times. You had been beating yourself up this entire time. Wishing you hadn’t done this. Wishing that things were normal again. You were so lonely with out Camilo. Little did you know Antonio had sent a little bird to keep watch over you and what you’re doing. The adorable wingman told his grandmother about where you were and she sent Camilo to go pick some fruit with a basket. He didn’t question his Abuela but did wonder why the basket was heavy. He went to go look but was stopped. “Camilo please hurry your tia needs them very much” He nods and off he goes. 

- Once he gets up the hill, his arms hurt from lugging up the basket. He goes to take a break at his favorite spot but see’s someone sitting there. Once he get’s closer he pauses almost dropping the basket. Their eyes wide as he creeps up closer. He hears you sniffling and mumbling to yourself. 

- “Y-Y/n?” You gasp, whipping around. 

- “Camilo!?” You start to get up but he rushes 

- “N-no please stay” He says as he holds their hands out as if he’s going to chase you... which he totally will. You sigh and move to sit back down. You both sit/stand there for a few moments until he whispers 

- “May I sit next to you?” You don’t do anything knowing he wasn’t going to take no as an answer. He grunts as he finally can l drop the basket. You look at it with a questioning look. He shrugs his shoulders and lifts the cloth covering it, you both stare in awe at the food perfectly wrapped and ready to be eaten by two people. You both look at each other nervous. 

- “I... I guess my family planned this” He nervously laughs, scared of what you’ll say. 

- “Yeah I guess so...” It was silent until your stomach growled, giving you away. Camilo smiles and takes a sandwich out of the basket, unwraps the top of it and hands it to you, blushing and smiley. You gently reach out, unsure of what to do with the situation but nonetheless you take the sandwich and start eating it. After a little you notice he isn’t eating just staring at you. You huff and wiggle the sandwich in his face gesturing for them to eat. 

- “Eat Camilo” He looks at you surprised and gladly takes a bit feeling tons better being able to share food with you again. Just being in your presence again without you running away. He felt at peace. Out of no where he blurts out 

- “I miss you... mi vida” He’s testing the waters. 

- “ I miss you too Camilo... I- I don’t know what I’m doing, why I did it.” 

- “It’s ok Mi Amor” 

- “No it’s not... I shouldn’t have folded against her... I shouldn’t have let us go so easily” He sadly smiles and cups your cheek turning your head to look at them. You sadly look at him fresh tear sprouting and slipping down your cheeks

- “Mi Vida, I understand why you did it. You felt the pressure and cracked” (lmaoo Surface pressure) He slides closer towards you and wipes away your tears and leaves kisses all over your face. You giggle and hold their hands and move closer so your noses are touching. 

- “She won’t bother us anymore I promise. I can’t let you go. You are my true love, Mi Vida. Be mine again?” He looks directly in your eyes with so much love and adoration. You blush, 

- “Mi Amor...” You nod and soon you two are so close to kiss until two are interrupted by the sound of yelling from multiple people. You both get up, you bring the sandwich with you and continue eating while offering him some which of course he wants some just to be doted on by you. All of a sudden you see Mira booking it up the hill towards you guys, face red. 

- “You!” you and Camilo look at each other and he shape-shifts into Luisa, carefully grabs you while jumping high into a tree. Once you two land on a solid branch you both look at each other and start laughing. While laughing he pulls you in softly and lays a sweet kiss to your temple. You both cuddle and ignore the debacle happening below. At one point you question if you both should go down there and take care of it but Camilo stops you and pulls you on top of them and cuddles into you. 

- “Mi vida...” He whispers and he drifts off. You are flabbergasted by how easily he fell asleep. Must’ve not been sleeping well. After a little while the yelling stops and you hear rustling of tree leaves and see a familiar face, 

- “Oh there you two are? Are you guys back together? Is everything okay?” says Mirabel who is being helped by Luisa who smiles at you two. You laugh and nod. Everyone celebrates while you wake up Camilo and tell them that you both should get out of the tree. He nods but doesn’t let you go once you both get down. 

- Dolores comes up with Mariano “I’m glad you two got back together. Mi hermano would not stop moping around” Camilo gasps and shakes their head “How dare you” you all laugh and continue celebrating. But there’s one thing that stay on your mind, 

- “What happened to Mira?” Camilo nods, Abuela come forth and responds 

- “I told her and her family to leave you both alone at once and if they continue they can find another town to live in. They have been harassing you two for too long.” You smile and look at Camilo and give them a big kiss on the cheek. He smirks, “See what did I say, she’d never bother us again.” you playfully roll your eyes... 

- For the rest of the night you both celebrated, having fun and making up for the lost time. 

[hurt-comfort-lover]

Mirabel AU / Mirabel Angst / Mama Mirabel / Part Thirteen (The End)

The next day was one of the worst for Mirabel in a while. It was a break day, Abuela decided that since the rubble was cleared that everyone deserved a day to just do whatever they wanted. Mirabel was excited because she wanted to spend time with Antonio and the village children as she used to almost every day. That morning during breakfast Antonio practically jumped on her, telling her how excited he was to spend the day with his Mira like they used to. Antonio had scarfed down his breakfast, which his mami wasn’t too happy about, and then begged Mirabel to hurry so they could go play. She finished and Antonio dragged her to town. They had gone to the park, and she had let Antonio run off to play with his friends while Mirabel stood by a tree and watched him. She smiled as he and his friends played football(soccer) together. Her time had been interrupted, as a kid that looked about two years older than she had scoffed at her. He was slightly taller than Mirabel. His fluffy dark brown hair covered his face slightly. His two friends were behind him, smirking.

“I can’t believe you have the gall to just walk around town as if you did nothing.” He said with venom in his voice, he crossed his arms.

“We know that you're the reason Casita broke, everyone knows that you were the one who couldn’t get to the candle in time.” One of his friends commented. Mirabel sighed,

“Why does it matter to you?”

“Seriously?! The whole town has had to make accommodations for your entire family! Now that their gifts are gone, our parents have had to work tenfold just to keep food on the table. My dad has even been working on rebuilding the house instead of the farm. You’ve messed up everyone’s lives,” he spat. Mirabel felt guilt heavy in her chest, but she couldn’t change anything she had done either.

“I’m sorry. I never meant for this to happen.”

“Do you really think sorry does anything? NO!” He pushed her against the tree. “I don't know when and I don’t know where, but you’re going to pay for this,” he said as he walked off with his friends. She was relieved that they were gone, but her heart felt heavy in her chest. They were right. She hated that they were right. Her thoughts consumed her, as she stared at the ground. She kept her tears at bay, as she didn’t want to cry in front of Tonito. She was brought back to reality when Antonio tapped her.

“Mirabel? Is everything alright?”

“Sorry, Tonito. Everything is fine I promise.”

“Who were those kids? What were they doing?”

“They were just talking to me, that’s all. Why don’t I come play with you guys? I could be the referee.” She said changing the subject. Antonio didn’t entirely believe her, but he agreed and they played. After a couple of rounds, Mirabel and Antonio had to go back to have lunch with their familia, so they left.

Mirabel felt numb as she sat down at the table playing with her food. She didn’t feel like eating, and she was barely paying attention to the conversation her family was having. She was caught up in the negative thoughts swarming her head. They hadn’t been this bad since the day Casita fell after she had ruined her sister's proposal dinner. After she put together the pieces of Tio’s vision. Camilo happily talked as he ate when he looked at Mirabel. He hadn’t seen her look like that since Antonio’s party. She looked so.. sad. Something had happened, and he wanted to figure it out. It’d been pretty nice without his powers, he didn’t have chores anymore. He had dealt with enough crying babies for one lifetime. With the new schedule, he felt like he had more time to relax. His Mami was doing better without constantly having to regulate her emotions. Life was great. Yet, there Mirabel was. He couldn’t figure out what she was thinking about. Luckily, today was a break day. He had plenty of time to investigate. 

As lunch came to an end, and Camilo shoved as many arepas as he could find into his mouth, Mirabel had disappeared into the crowd. He hadn’t worried too much about it, since he knew that Mirabel would probably be with his hermanito. After he ate, he scanned the area until he found Antonio, who was carrying his worn out zebra print backpack, heading towards the forest. Camilo quickly ran up to him and then creeped up behind him.

“BOO!” Camilo yelled as he jumped in front of Antonio. Antonio jumped and then whined.

“Camilooooo! Don’t do that!” Camilo chuckled,

“Sorry little bro, it’s my job to be the annoying hermano mayor.” Antonio crossed his arms and pouted. 

“Ok ok, lo siento. Have you seen Mirabel?”

“Mira probably went to Senora Gabriella’s shop. Why? Is everything ok?”

“Si, of course. I just wanted to ask her something. Gracias Antonio.”

“No problem.” Antonio said with a bright smile before heading towards the forest. Camilo headed straight into town, the streets were full of children playing around, and townspeople shopping or socializing. He never realized just how bustling the Encanto was. He weaved his way through carts and children, until he made his way to Senora Gabriella’s shop. He walked through the door and was met with a smiling Gabriella, she waved at him.

“Hola Camilo, what brings you here?”

“Hola Senora, I’m just looking for Mirabel, is she here?”

“She came here earlier, but I haven’t seen her since this morning unfortunately. Why is everything ok?”

“Si! Of course! I just wanted to check up on my primita is all..”

“Ah, of course. Well, do you want some pastries before you go?”

“Si, muy gracias.”

“De nada.” They sat down for a little bit before Gabriella had to get back to work. After Camilo had finished his pastries and left the store, the sun was beginning to set. The day was almost over and he still hadn’t found her. With determination he walked around town, looking for his younger cousin. 

During lunch Mirabel’s anxiety spiked. She wasn’t sure why, though she guessed it was because of the older boy’s from earlier. She didn’t want to be a bother, so she decided that the rest of the day she could crochet by a tree near the outskirts of town. After lunch, she grabbed her supplies and headed there quickly. She felt bad not going to Senora Gabriela’s, but she normally visited her on break times throughout the day, so it would probably be fine. The day went by faster than she expected, before she knew it the sun was setting. As she put her supplies in her bag, her thoughts betrayed her, as they usually did. Spewing all the nasty things it could come up with, using the boy’s words as fuel to her self-hate. As she got up, she took a deep breath, trying to shake away any thoughts that flooded her mind. As she walked they were still in the back of her head, and unfortunately it wouldn’t get much better. Mirabel roamed the mostly empty street of town, most families were home by now, probably preparing dinner. It was quiet, yet it was nice. She headed towards the construction site since dinner was approaching. While she was walking though, she saw a familiar face. The older boy from earlier, was leaning against a tree chatting with his friends. As soon as she spotted them she attempted to quietly squeeze by, but no avail. 

“Hey! It’s you again!” One of his friends said while pointing obnoxiously. A panic coursed through Mirabel, but she wasn’t sure whether it would be wise to run. As she debated the boy walked up to her while looking at her menacingly. He cracked his knuckles and his other friend laughed.

“Oh you’re going to get it this time kid, no grown-ups around to save you. Right Marco?” He rolled his eyes.

“You know a young girl like yourself shouldn’t be roaming the streets alone this time of night.” Marco said with a glare.

“I was just leaving-” Mirabel said as she tried to walk away, but one of his friends stepped in front of her. She turned to her back to see that the other one was behind her. A wall blocked her side, as she faced Marco who smirked. He leaned his arm against the wall, getting into Mirabel’s face.

“Admit it. Admit that you’re the reason the Encanto is suffering. Admit that you’re the reason my Papi barely sleeps, why my Mami is stressed trying to take care of my home without my dad.” Marco spat coldly. Tears welled in Mirabel’s eyes as she looked down.

“I’m sorry.” she said as her voice broke.

“You’re pathetic. I can’t believe you think you're good enough to be a Madrigal.” He said. Tears had begun to stream down Mirabel’s face, she choked out a sob before yelling was heard. She leaned against the wall as she slid down. She held her knees as she continued to cry. Everything was blurry, and she felt like she could barely breathe. A gentle shake brought her back to reality, her primo wiping her face with his ruana. 

“Camilo?”

The sun had almost set, and Camilo was about to give up. He assumed that Mirabel was already with the rest of the family. As he defeatedly walked back towards the construction site, he heard crying and talking. He walked towards the noise, and when he saw his heart fell into his stomach. His fists clenched, as he stormed over. Mirabel was crying being surrounded by older boys. They were smiling. What the hell did they think they were doing?! Camilo’s vision had turned red as he stormed over, pushing one of Marco’s friends onto the ground. Marco had turned around to see Camilo, his heart dropped.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Camilo practically screamed.

“Mind your business will ya?!” Marco yelled back. Camilo hadn’t realized what he was doing until his fist had collided with Marco’s jaw. The impact from the punch had Marco falling down, scrambling on the floor. That’s all it took for them to run away. He turned to Mirabel, she had fallen on the ground and pulled her knees to her chest. Tears were streaming down her face, her eyes squeezed shut as she struggled to breathe. Guilt swelled in his chest as he called for her, but she didn’t answer. He crouched down in front of her and gently shook her. As she revealed her face he grabbed a part of his ruana and began wiping tears off her face.

“Camilo?” she whimpered. He gave her a gentle smile.

“Si, are you ok? Well I mean obviously you’re not ok- sorry dumb question.” Camilo said awkwardly. He felt better when she saw her smile at his dorkiness, chuckling through tears. 

“Did you get hurt anywhere?” Camilo asked.

“No, I’m ok.” Mirabel said quietly. 

“Good. If they had laid a finger on you I don’t think they would be able to walk tomorrow. Definitely not because of me though, you have no proof.” he joked, she chuckled at his antics. He held out his hand and helped his primita up. 

“Gracias, Camilo.”

“Anytime, as the favorite cousin, it's my job to take care of you.” He said cockily.

“Who said you were the favorite cousin?” Mirabel said jokingly. Camilo gasped dramatically and held on to his chest.

“You wound me!” He said. It made Camilo feel better to see Mirabel joking around. Thinking about the look he saw on her face when those boys were messing around made his fists clench in anger. They walked back to the construction site, with a worried Pepa and Julietta panicking that Camilo and Mirabel still weren’t back yet, dinner had already finished. They were cleaning up the table next to the church. The town let the Madrigal family use the community kitchen and eat outside at the patio table. After the table had finished being cleaned, Abuela was the first one to see both Camilo and Mirabel walking towards them. 

“I found them!” Abuela yelled as she motioned everyone to come over. La familia met the pair in the middle. 

“Thank goodness you two are alright.” Julietta says as she runs over to her hija and sobrino, pulling them into a hug. As she released them Pepa's eyes shot daggers at them.

“Where have you two been?” Pepa asked expectantly while crossing her arms.

“You both missed dinner, and it’s way past curfew.” Abuela added. Mirabel looked down in shame, Camilo smiled sheepishly. 

“Lo siento, it’s not Camilo’s fault, he was just trying to help me.” Mirabel said quietly.

“Help you?” Isabella questioned.

“I would do it again too! That boy was asking to get punched in the face.” Camilo said. Dolores snickered at her hermano’s shenanigans. Abuela’s mouth practically gaped, and Pepa looked confused and angry.

“Hijo, I’m going to try to say this nicely.” Pepa said calmly as she took a deep breath. “WHY in your right mind would you punch anyone in the face?!” She yelled. 

“Because they were messing with Mirabel.” Camilo responded, acting proud of what he’d done.

“I’m not upset about that.” Isabella said with a surprised grin while crossing her arms. Dolores smiled as well, glad that her hermano was a good primo.

“Camilo, I understand why you would want to defend your prima, but you should’ve come to an adult first. It’s not ok to punch anyone in the face.” Abuela said.

“Wait-” Mirabel tried to say.

“Maybe he has a point. He’s like his mama after all, back when I was his age I would’ve given a good left hook to anyone that messed with Brunito.” Pepa argued.

“The townspeople are putting in a lot of work to help us rebuild our home. How do you think it’ll look when it gets out that someone in our familia punched one of their children in the face?!”

“Our reputation doesn’t matter more than our family's well-being Mami! I’m sure that Camilo did what he thought was best in the moment,” Julietta added.

“Actua-” Mirabel tried to add.

“NO. We shouldn’t condone violence, that’s not how we solve our problems. Camilo should know better.” Abuela says sternly.

“They were practically surrounding her! She was so upset- what was I meant to do?! Run to the church to get an adult and then come back? By then the boys would’ve run away!” Camilo argued.

“That’s not-” Mirabel tries to say before being interrupted again.

“Pepa, handle your son! I don’t care how upset you are, it’s no excuse to be disrespectful, especially to an adult.”

“Mami!-” Pepa said. Mirabel had had enough at that point, panic and guilt had set in. It wasn’t Camilo’s fault, it was her’s. If she would’ve just left the miracle alone none of this would’ve ever had to happen. The boys were just upset because it was Mirabel’s fault their parents were stressed.

“STOP!” Mirabel shouted. Everyone went silent, Mira took a deep breath before continuing.

“It’s not Camilo’s fault.”

“See!” Camilo said.

“It’s not those boys’ fault either.”

“HUh?” Camilo muttered.

“I didn’t know the other two’s names, but the big one is named Carlos. He was just upset because well.. me. The rebuilding of Casita has put a lot of stress on the townspeople. Suddenly they had less help and then they had added work on top of that. Carlos was another victim, being stuck taking care of his familia. They were right, it’s… well it’s kind of my fault we’re here in the first place.” Mirabel said timidly. 

“Hija, what happened to Casita was not your fault, I don’t know what those boys told you, but they were wrong.” Julietta said gently as she gave her daughter a sympathetic look. Mirabel just darted her eyes, avoiding her mother’s gaze. Mirabel had already made up her mind, she felt terrible that everyone had to suffer because of her.

“We should stop arguing, it’s getting us nowhere. Lo siento Camilo, I should’ve waited for you to explain in detail your side of the story.” Abuela apologized.

“I’m sorry too, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that.” Camilo said.

“We should go sit down, then you can explain what happened hijo,” Pepa said.

Everyone sat down on the grass, it was dark out, the sun had already set. Camilo stood up and started to explain his side of the story.

“Well, I was looking for Mirabel earlier because she looked upset, so I asked Antonio where she was. He said she might be with Senora Gabriela, so I went to her shop, she gave me a pastry. She’s really good at baking pastries.” 

“Focus Camilo.” His Papi said. Mirabel chuckled, she knows from experience just how fantastic Senora Gabriela’s pastries were.

“Lo siento, anyway so I was looking around town for her, and it got late so I went to head back and then I saw three boys surrounding Mirabel, and she was crying. So I ran up to them and yelled at the tallest one. If I had to guess, that was Carlos. He yelled back, I punched him in the face and then all of them ran off.” He finished with a proud look on his face. He obviously had no regrets. 

“That makes more sense, Camilo you did the right thing.” Abuela said.

“Really?” Both Camilo and Pepa said in unison. Like mother, like son. Abuela chuckled,

“Yes, I can’t expect you to know exactly how to handle a situation like that, you’re just a child. You protected your prima, so that’s what matters most. I’ll figure out who this Carlos boy is, and get everything sorted out. Otherwise, it’s getting late, so I think it’s about time we all headed to bed, si?” Everyone agreed and went off to their separate “rooms.” Mirabel wasn’t completely convinced of what her Mami said. She was stubborn in that way, regardless of what anyone says. If she had just listened to her Abuela and stayed out of the way then the Casita wouldn’t haven’t collapsed. 

The construction had been going well, the foundation of Casita was being built. There was a good amount of progress. More than a month without their home or their gifts was difficult, but they were managing ok. Dolores and Pepa were thriving without their gifts. Dolores was finally becoming used to not hearing everything all the time. Pepa felt like she could finally feel emotions without constantly having to regulate them. Antonio was disappointed at the loss of his gift, but his love for animals never faded. Even if he couldn’t understand them anymore, didn’t mean that his bond with them had faded. Camilo felt like he could finally be ok in his own skin. Bruno was relieved that he could be back with his familia without having to worry about people expecting him to take visions, and then take it out on him if they went wrong. Julietta and Luisa finally had some time to just relax, Luisa decided to take up reading while her mami decided to spend more time with her hijas. Isabella was learning how to garden from local townspeople she had helped in the past. She learned about new and interesting plants, and also realized that she could’ve grown vegetables, or something even bigger. Abuela had changed the most, she felt closer to her family than she had felt in a long time. She didn’t know of her children and grandchildren, she truly knew them for who they were. Mirabel, out of everyone, hadn’t been doing as well as she led on. She was always very helpful, even during her breaks she would go around the village to see if anyone needed help. Carlos had actually gone and apologized to her, though at first he didn’t do it willingly. After she had offered to help him and his family, he had a change of heart. Everything was going great for her, yet the smile she plastered on her face faltered. She couldn’t help but feel terrible. Her bad thoughts were becoming more out of control as time went on. 

‘You don’t deserve to be happy.’

‘How dare you act like all of this isn’t your fault?’

‘The town would be better off without you.’

‘You don’t deserve your familia.’

‘You don’t deserve to be loved.’

‘You don’t deserve to live.’

It didn’t make any sense to Mirabel, life was better than it had ever been before. Her family was acting like they cared about her, and she was contributing to the family. She was finally, truly, a Madrigal. So why wasn’t she ok? Why couldn’t she just be happy? 

Isabella runs up to her sister and practically jumps on her, making Mirabel stumble a bit. 

“Mira! I have SO much to talk to you about!” She said as she squeezed her hermanita. Mirabel hugged back, though she struggled to breathe under Isabella’s grip.

“I-Isa, I need to breathe-” She mumbled as Isabella immediately let go.

“Ah! Sorry Mira-”

“It’s fine, what were you going to tell me?”

“Oh yeah! I was working with one of the farmers, Senor Hernando, and you won’t believe what happened! Well you will because I’m telling you but Mira I grew a cactus! From scratch! It started as a little seed and then I took care of it and now it’s getting bigger- it’s so cute Mira! You need to come see it like RIGHT NOW!” She exclaimed enthusiastically as she gently tugged her sister towards Senor Hernando’s farm. Mirabel chuckled at her sisters antics, shaking her head as she followed her. Isabella led her to a greenhouse that Senor Hernando owns. There were plants in practically every corner, vegetables and spices. Anything you could think of. Over in the corner, in a small ceramic pot, is a small little cactus. Isabella showed it off to her sister, she was smiling so hard it looked like her mouth might fall off. Mirabel smiled at her hermana mayor, 

“It’s beautiful Isabella, this explains why I keep having to mend the bottom your dress.” She joked. 

“Si.. I was actually thinking about that.” Isabella said nervously.

“What is it?”

“Well… do you think you could maybe help me make a new dress? This one is just so long- so the bottom of it get’s all dirty- and since I’m working with plants it already stains easily on it’s own and-”

“Of course Isa, I would love to help you create a new dress.”

“Really! Muy Gracias!” She said happily as she jumped onto her sister, pulling her into a huge hug. Mirabel hugged her back as well of course. She smiled, the hug was warm. It reminded her of when she was just a kid, before she found out she didn’t have a gift. Before her familia gave up on her, back when her sister made her flower crowns and told her about all the plants she grew. 

After a couple of days of discussing, designing, and sketching it Mirabel finally decided it was worth showing Senora Gabriella, to which she excitedly agreed for Mirabel to make it. Mirabel was very thankful that Senora Gabriella provided all the materials she needed, and finally she was able to work on it. Isabella at first asked for a slightly shorter and darker dress, because it would stain less and it’s less likely to rip. After some more discussion Isabella decided she wanted it to be a short dress, about knee’s length. She decided to get rid of all the extra flowers, because those flower designs were added by her gift. Mirabel decided to use thin but durable fabric. It was stretchy though, so that way it would be comfortable. Isabella went back and forth on what colors she wanted. First she wanted it to be green like cacti, then she wanted a rainbow so she could represent all plants, then she decided that was too much. Mirabel and Isabella still hadn’t decided on a color went they went to Senora Gabriella, so then they looked through all the different colored fabric to see which looked best on her. They eventually found a forest green fabric and a royal blue fabric that Isabella liked. Isabella said she wanted most of the dress to be royal blue, and only a little green. Mirabel colored her sketch, having the entirety of the dress be blue except for the hem of the dress, that had green lacing on it. It was a short sleeve dress that was mostly plain except for the lacing on the hem. Mirabel finally finished the design and began measuring and making the dress. It took about a week for her to measure all the fabric and then sew everything together. She used the sewing machine for most of it, but there were a couple of parts that she had to hand sew. Mirabel finished the dress and put it in a small white box, similar to the one she got for her birthday. Isabella was so excited for the dress, she could barely take the anticipation, constantly trying to peek in on Mirabel when she was working on the dress. When Mirabel finally finished though, Isabella wanted to open it in front of the family. Isabella had announced that she needed to show the family something and gathered everyone to the church near the patio table. Abuela had arranged for everyone to take a break before lunch for Isabella’s surprise. Everyone sat down at the patio table, and Isabella motioned for Mirabel to come sit next to her. Isabella took a deep breathe.

“I brought the familia together today because I asked Mirabel to make me something, and I wanted you all to see when I opened it. She wouldn’t let me see it until after she finished, and now it’s done!” Isabella said excitedly as she pulled out the delicate white box. 

“So you brought us all here so we could see you open a present?” Camilo asked, to which his Papi elbowed him in the side.

“OW-! Sorry! Jeez..” He grumbled.

“Why don’t you go ahead and open it, hija?” Julietta said.

“Si mami,” Isabella said as she gently opened the white box and pulled out her dress. The royal blue and the green complimented each other nicely, it was soft and breathable. It was perfect, Isabella nearly teared up as she smiled. She put the dress back in the box to tackle her hermanita with a hug, which caused the entire table to laugh. 

From then on Isabella wore the dress Mirabel made her instead of her old one. It was a lot easier to maneveur around in, and was less likely to get stained. Day by day Isabella looked happier, she wasn’t perfect anymore, she was crazy, almost manic sometimes, but she was happy. Mirabel was happy for her sister, but at the same time, she felt jealous. Jealous that Isabella was able to heal and be happy. Jealous that she’s able to finally discover and express her true self. Jealous that Isabella deserved to be happy, and she did not. 

Bruno had always been quiet, ever since he was a child. Julietta was always the calm rational triplet. She was level headed and kind. Pepa was a hyper and reactive child. She was bold and stubborn. Bruno was the quiet one, the one that blended into the background. He was shy and reserved. When he got his gift, he was suddenly forced to interact with a lot of people who practically begged him to take a vision for them. It was overwhelming, and he struggled to communicate properly. This led to many misunderstandings, especially as he got older. His gift felt more like a chore than anything else. His mama would always tell him that his gift helps the community, that he should always be generous and kind. He was constantly giving to others without consideration for himself, it was taxing on him. It was even worse when people would react negatively to his visions as if he could control them. When Bruno left, he hated leaving his familia, but he secretly enjoyed not having to take visions anymore. He enjoyed the solitude from the townspeople who would blame him for things out of his control. When he came back, after Casita fell apart, he sort of faded into the background. He did spend time with his familia, but in general a lot of the townspeople would forget that he came back. He didn’t mind it though, in fact he was happy. Without his gift, he was free of his curse, free of the pressure and negativity. His thinking shifted when he noticed a change in his sobrina, Mirabel. He believed that Mirabel was a miracle, that she saved him and the familia from falling apart. So when he noticed the emptiness in her eyes, and the forced smile on her face, his stomach twisted into knots. At least when he had his gift he had the option to see what would(or could) happen. He could take a vision and he would either be panicked or relieved, but he would know. He didn’t have his gift anymore, so he couldn’t check. His worries gnawed at him, he could tell something was wrong but he wasn’t sure how he would help Mirabel. Could he help Mirabel? What if his interference somehow made things worse? He couldn’t risk it, yet it bothered him. As time went by, most of Casita had been rebuilt. The roof was being tiled and the floors were being installed. The walls were almost completely painted. Soon Casita would be finished, which was great! Yet, the more progress they made, the more he saw his sobrina faltering. He couldn’t just ignore it anymore, it was becoming too concerning. It was worth the risk, because he couldn’t just sit there and watch his sobrina suffer any longer. On a long work day after dinner, Bruno asked Mirabel if he could talk to her for a little while. Of course Mirabel said yes, she was always willing to listen to her familia. They met at a tree near the house they were staying at. Bruno was nervous, fidgeting with his sleeve. Mirabel smiled warmly at him, which made his chest tighten up. His sobrina didn’t need a gift, she was already one. 

“Hola Mirabel,” Bruno mumbled.

“Hola Tio, what did you want to talk about?” Mirabel asked.

“... I wanted to check on you.”

“.. me? I- There’s nothing to check. I’m fine.” 

“Mirabel, be honest. It’s me, I won’t judge you. You know how much I struggled with coming back to the familia. So please, I can tell that something is bothering you.” Bruno said sincerely. Mirabel's smile faltered, and formed into a frown as her eyes became glossy.

“How- how could you tell..?” Mirabel asked quietly as she stared at her feet.

“I- W-well..” he thought for a moment, “I guess I could just feel it? You just, you looked so sad. That smile, it wasn’t like the smile you have when you watch Antonio play with his friends, or when you see Luisa taking care of herself.” 

“Oh.. I’m sorry to worry you.” Mirabel said disappointedly.

“Don’t be sorry- I just- I don’t want you to feel sad. You- you helped me feel like I belong in this family. I want to repay you if I can.”

“You don’t ever have to repay me for that Tio.” She said, a weak smile present on her face. Bruno saw right through her, the bags under her eyes becoming more obvious to him. Even before Bruno left he had a special connection with Mira compared to his other sobrinos. When she was younger she was never scared of him, for a young child she was quite intelligent, at least emotionally intelligent. Bruno debated on trying to give her a hug, or pat her on the shoulder. He was awkward with any form of comfort, in addition he didn’t want to pester her, but he didn’t want to just sit there and watch his sobrina wither away. 

“Mira, if you need me I’m here, yeah? I- you don’t have to worry about bothering me, just- if you need me I’ll be here.” Bruno said sincerely, making Mirabel genuinely smile. 

“Si Tio, Gracias.”

Finally, after all that hard work. Casita was finished! The familia felt so accomplished, and they did it together. Abuela even managed to work it out so Mirabel got her own room. There was just one thing missing.. Mirabel smiled contently as she leaned against her Papa, seeing at what her familia accomplished. Her face scrunched up when she realized that something was missing.She turned to her Pa to ask where the door knob was, but he was with the rest of the family, everyone stared at her smiling. Her heart began to race as her Tonito came up to her, handing her the door knob. Mirabel felt her eyes become watery and her breath quicken, but she wouldn’t dare cry. Antonio grabbed her arm gently as he led her to the front door of their rebuilt Casita. Her familias eyes felt like lasers burning into her skin, she held onto her primito for support, completely silent. As she made it to the door, her hands became shaky, but her sweet Antonio gave her a toothy grin and she couldn’t help but smile back at him. She slowly put the door knob into its place, locking it in. She slightly jumped back as magic flowed through the house. The familia and townspeople looked in awe as the house came to life. The entire familias portrait was on that door, including Mirabel. Mirabel smiled,

“Hola, Casita.” Mirabel said with a slight wave

The familia piled into the house, Camilo began to shapeshift into a cluster of different people. Isabella danced as she grew different plants, not just flowers but Cacti and Honeydew, covering the new Casita in beautiful vines. Dolores smiled as she listened to everyone around her. Luisa picked up the couch, just to put it down and lay on top of it and relax. Antonio’s animal friends gathered around him as he jumped on to Parce. Rain and the Sun appeared causing a rainbow to form over the Encanto. The townspeople were bustling in delight around the Casita, and everyone lined up together and took a family picture, with everybody. It was perfect, life was perfect. It was a happy ending to a happy story.. That’s how it was supposed to be.

Mirabel’s heart raced as she stared at the door of her room. It wasn’t a nursery, it was hers. Nobody could tell her what to do with it because it was hers. She should be happy, no she should be ecstatic. A room of her very own just like she had dreamed about when she was a child. Yet she felt numb, and her heart was heavy. Why did she want to roll up into a ball and cry? It was bustling, everybody was getting used to having their gifts back, everyone was excited for the future of the Encanto. Yet here she was standing in front of a door utterly petrified and yet unbearably numb.

“Mirabel,” He said as he put a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes landed on him, a look of understanding on his face. She knew instantly that he was aware of what she was feeling. Yet that only made it worse as emotion bubbled up in her throat as her eyes darted back at that damn door.

“I.. I don’t understand..” She choked out, tears welling in her eyes.

“It’s.. ok- ok not to understand why.” He says quietly. “This is new, scary even.”

“I- I should be happy right?”

“Nobody expects you to feel anything, just feel.”

Tears streamed down her face as she practically fell onto the floor as her legs buckled under her own weight. Her Uncle Bruno right beside her, catching her as she fell. Holding her as she cried- wailed into his ruana. Rubbing her back soothingly as he told her she was ok. What she was feeling was ok. 

Bruno knew what it was like to feel alone. He had been alone for ten years, but he had also been alone most of his life. Lonely while being surrounded by others. That kind of loneliness is different. It’s heavy weight to carry on your own, he wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. He wouldn’t allow his niece to carry this weight alone as he once did. The cycle is ending.

The End.

AN: I couldn’t figure out a way to end this story properly. I have rewritten this too many times to count. I think however, this is the closest I can get. Mirabel will always have the damage from her childhood, she will always feel the weight from her self-doubt. But she’s no longer alone, she has someone to help carry the weight and together they will have their happy ending. The rest is just up to interpretation I suppose.

I hope you know I read all the comments and I appreciate all the support, this was something I wanted to write for a while and honestly I’m so happy with how it turned out. You can tell just how much I’ve improved from beginning to end. So from one random stranger on the internet to another, thank you so much, and I genuinely wish the best for you.

[solarwindswriting]

Visions of Wedding Bells p.2

Part 1 // Part 3

Pairing: Bruno Madrigal x GenderNeutral!Reader

Word Count: 1019

Summary:  Bruno and Julieta go into town to buy some things and end up at Y/n's parent's flower cart.

A/N: I’m thinking the last part will be the lunch. Unless these to parts do oddly well.

Tags: (Cause you showed interest. I can take you off if you’d like) @cynochilde2​ @ghostwith​

The tile folded and shifted beneath Y/n’s chanclas as they were pulled into the kitchen, something Y/n hadn’t gotten used to even after all these years of La Casita pulling them around. The door to the kitchen was pulled tight by La Casita. Across the kitchen was a confused Bruno Madrigal, arepa shoved halfway into his mouth. He hadn’t paid attention to who or where La Casita was moving. Walking to the other side of the table from Bruno, Y/n picks up an arepa, inspecting it closely.

“Are your visions fate? Nothing will change it?” Y/n asks, not looking away from the arepa in their hands.

A soft mmhm across the table and slight frantic chewing are heard.

“Well, my friends will not be calling me tia,” Y/n looks across the table at Bruno, a small smile on their lips. They used the arepa to gesture towards him, much like how Julieta used to when they were young, “and you’re going to actually court me. None of this Abuela fast passing it. I’m going to make you work for it.”

Bruno’s eyes grew wide with every word that fell from Y/n’s smile. He had expected them to fight it, tell him he’s wrong, that he was just some weirdo tio in town. But no, they weren’t fighting it. Bruno didn’t dare move other than the slow head nod at Y/n. He hadn’t looked them, or anyone really, this long in the eyes before. Y/n did a short nod in response the Bruno, taking a bite out of the arepa, turning towards the kitchen door. The door slowly swung open to reveal Isabela, Dolores, and even Julieta each with an ear against where the door was. Y/n chuckles, stepping over the three Madrigal women.

Swallowing the last of their arepa and waving, Y/n turns and calls to the Madrigals, “I’ll be back around noon tomorrow with my parents for lunch!”

Burno now stood in the doorway of La Casita, watching Y/n bound down the hill towards the Encanto. His cheeks burned red on his tanned skin. Alma takes her place next to Bruno, also watching the young adult getting lost in the crowd below. After a moment, Alma lets out a small humph, turning back into La Casita, approaching Julieta to quickly talk about lunch tomorrow. Bruno quickly caught up to his mother as she ascended the stairs toward her room.

“Mama,” Bruno sounded small, scared to address the women now above him.

Alma stops halfway up the stairs and slowly turns to her youngest, a small considerate smile on her face. “Go help your sister prepare for tomorrow’s lunch since she now has to make something for four more mouths in mind. I’m sure Y/n’s younger sister will be joining us too. Y/n and their mother like begonias. You should get their mother white ones, her sister pink ones, and Y/n red ones.” She stares down at her son. How he reminded her of when he was young right now, her nervous and kind Brunito.

Bruno shook his head with determination, turning and following behind his sister as she left for town to buy more ingredients tomorrow. He took one of the wicker baskets from his sister as they went into town. The two walk around Encanto buying anything they’d need for tomorrow.

“Mama says I should bring flowers for them and I don’t think they should be grown by my niece.” Bruno chuckles out, looking over to Julieta.

“Well, there is a florist in town.” Julieta starts, a mischievous grin forming. “But only if you’re sure you don’t want Isabela to grow them for you.”

Bruno shakes his head quickly, “No, I should buy them.”

The two walk-in silence to the florist, stopping every so often for Julieta to stop and help treat someone’s injury or illness. Finally, they arrive at a stall nearly completely covered in flowers, some Bruno hadn’t seen before. A small woman comes around the cart, waving off someone on the other side.

“Yes, we’ll talk about this later… Hola! Would you like to buy some flowers?” She finally looks at her visitors, slight shock appearing on her face, “Oh! The Madrigals! Y/n come!” The women waved around the back of the cart.

“Oh? Is Isabela and Luisa here?” Y/n questions, coming around the cart and looking at who the visitors were. “Oh. Hola.”

Bruno gives Y/n a small wave with a crooked smile, which Y/n returns slightly confused. Julieta speaks for her brother.

“We are here to get flowers for some guests we will be having tomorrow,” Julieta smiles, caressing a rose, and looking back at the woman. “I’m sure your child has told you, Mrs.Lopez?”

“She has,” Y/n’s mother smiles now at Bruno, who is shaken back to reality by a kick from his sister.

“Oh, I am Bruno Madrigal, ma’am. It’s lovely to meet you,” Bruno bows slightly, reaching out his hand and gently shaking hers.

“Hello, Bruno. What kind of flowers can I get you today? Y/n, gather paper wraps in a cone for me.”

Y/n disappears back behind the cart as Bruno showed what flowers he wanted from Y/n’s mother. Y/n’s breathing was slightly labored as they prepped the paper cones for their mother. They did not want their parents to encounter Bruno for the first time outside of La Casita. There were too many variables at play out here.

“Y/n! Paper cones?” Y/n’s mother called out.

Y/n was quickly next to their mother, helping her wrap and hand them off to Julieta and Bruno, who then give Y/n’s mother coins. As quickly as they were there, they were gone again. Y/n lets out a breath they didn’t know they were holding, leaning back onto the cart, causing it to roll slightly. Y/n’s mother chuckles, as she puts the coins into her purse.

“He seems kind,” Y/n’s father no stood next to them, causing Y/n to jump.

[biographydivider]

More Bruno Fanfic!

I have this stupid headcanon that Bruno would LOVE a TikTok book. Like a really tortured, melodramatic mess of a book. So I wrote this dumb, short thing on the train today. Enjoy! And read more of my fanfic here.

Someone was crying. Multiple someones.

           Bruno discovered a puddle of nieces at the foot of the steps, all of them with tears streaking down their faces. Dolores was sniffling, Luisa was openly bawling and Mirabel was dabbing the corners of her eyes with the edge of her dress.

           “Girls?” Bruno asked, tiptoeing around his sobrinas and perching on the bottom step. “Wh-what’s happened? Do I need to kill anybody? Because if I do…I mean, I can’t do that, look at me, I’m a twig. But I could make up some terrible prophecy and…”

           “No, Tio,” Mirabel said, her voice hitching as she steadied herself enough to talk. “It’s just…we just finished the Family Book Club book, and…”

           All three girls held up copies of the same paperback; a red background with a blonde woman in a green dress, looking beguilingly off into the distance.

           “The Eight Paramours of Petra Lansbury,” Bruno read, squinting at the title. “Wait…there’s a family book club? And you didn’t tell me?”

           Luisa nodded. “We wanted a reason to get together once a month and chat. You know, so we don’t, well…”

           “Fall back into old habits." Dolores blotted the last of her tears away with her pinky finger.

           “Again, though,” Bruno said, plucking Mirabel’s book from her hands and flipping it over to read the blurb, “y’didn’t tell me about a book club? Haven’t had anyone to talk about books with for years.”

           All three girls looked at each other. “Well, Tio,” Mirabel started, taking off her glasses to clean the lenses, “at the minute it’s just us three. Because, well, um…”

           “Well,” Luisa continued, “we know you like, um, Shakespeare, and Don Juan, and all this high-brow stuff that, you know…and this isn’t…it isn’t like…”

           “We didn’t want it to make you cry,” Dolores finished. Luisa and Mirabel turned to glare at their prima. “What? It’s true. No point in lying to him. Petra Lansbury is a sad book. We didn’t know if you could handle it.”

           Bruno felt the colour rising in his cheeks. “Is that what you girls think? That I-I’d just be, like, mentally scarred by some dumb book?”

           Luisa gasped. “It’s not dumb Tio it’s beautiful.”

           “Yeah, but I’m not like, y’know, that fragile.”

           Mirabel rose to her feet, looking contrite. “Look, Tio. We’re sorry. How about we let you know what next month’s book is, and –”

           “Nope!” Bruno jumped to his feet and held the paperback in his hand aloft (as if Luisa couldn’t snatch it from his hand without even standing up) “You all think I’m so, so fragile, and so delicate. Everyone’s always like; ‘oh, poor Bruno, poor sad Bruno, he’s too emotional, he can’t handle it.’ Well, y’know what? I’m gonna read the whole thing. Tonight. Then you’ll see.”

           Bruno stomped back up the stairs – making it about three steps before whirling on his sobrinas again, giving what he hoped was a haughty, disapproving glare. “And I’m not even gonna buy my own copy. Just gonna take yours, kid. So…so there.”

...

           “Tio?”

           A lot had happened in the last few months at La Casa Madrigal. But one thing that was would never change was that the only acceptable excuse for missing Morning Briefing was if, somehow, you’d broken all your bones in the night. Hence, at five past nine, Mirabel was sent away from the table to fetch her Tio. She rapped at his door – Bruno's room was a mess of corridors, nooks, and crannies, if he was in there he could be anywhere.

           “Tio Bruno? It’s time for breakfast. Abuela says you need to be downstairs in five…minutes…”

           Bruno was laying widthways in his red, leather chair; hair hanging down almost to the floor, feet dangling. He didn’t start as Mirabel opened the bedroom door wide, stepping inside – didn’t even look up. The fire had long since sputtered out into nothing, and the remains of last night’s coffee sat, barely touched, beside the chair. In his hands, Bruno held Mirabel’s copy of The Eight Paramours of Petra Lansbury.

           “…Tio Bruno…?”

           Bruno lowered the book and stared balefully at Mirabel, still upside down. Mirabel felt a short, sharp pang of worry as she realised his cheeks were flushed, raw, and wet with tears.

           “Are you…”

           “Their love could never be, Mirabel….” Bruno choked out miserably, holding the book out towards Mirabel as if she could take his despair away just by confiscating the book. “She…Petra loved Violet so much. And she never forgot her first love; not even when she married that oil baron; you know the one?”

           “I do, Tio. I’ve read it.”

            “Ay Dios, a-and the scene at the end, with the newspaper? Why didn’t you warn me?!”

           Ah. He was on the last page. That explained everything.

           “I know, I know. I did tell you it was sad,” Mirabel sighed, sitting beside her uncle’s head. Bruno groaned.

           “Now I’ve got a headache.”

           “Did you literally spend all night lying here reading?”

           “Uh-huh. And crying.”

           “Well. That was dumb.”

           “Uh-huh.”

           “Come have breakfast. It’ll help.” Mirabel half-pulled, half-extracted Bruno from his seat. “So,” she huffed, helping him to his feet, “Book Club is a no from you?”

           Bruno rolled up through his spine, flicking his hair out his eyes. “Oh, no,” he scoffed, smearing his ruana sleeve across his face to get rid of the worst of the tears, “never said that. Says in the back of this one there’s another book by the same person?”

           “Lavendar Lee and the Quartet. Yeah.”

           “Have you got that one?”

           “Somewhere.”

           “Will it make me cry?”

           “Probably.”

[lilyclawthorne]

After Mirabel gets her little hair curled babies have

Little Isa going to her mom crying: Mami! I want a puff just like the rest of the family!!

Julieta:...a puff?

Isa: YEAH, like you have a puff! Mirabel has a puff, when Luisa puts her hair down she has a puff!

Julieta:...what?

Isa: Tio Felix has a a puff, Tio bruno has a puff, Camilo does, and Dolores has a very pretty puff I want the same one!!!

Julieta: What are you talking about?

Isa: I DONT WANT TO BE LIKE DADDY AND ABUELA ANYMORE, I WANT A PUFF IN MY HAIR!

Julieta: ....HAHAHA AW BABY YOU MEAN CURLS???

Agustín: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Abuela: excuse me what do you mean you don’t wanna look like me huh???

[thornology]

just an indulgent short fic for myself, where tio bruno and dolores bond. not sure if i’m too late for this but here you guys go anyway. :)

***********************************************************************

when tio bruno leaves, dolores is confused about why her mama’s face is twisted with anger while a dark rain cloud hovers over her head. what do you mean, mama? tio bruno is still in the house. he’s still here!

shush, dolores, tio bruno left. shush, they say, we don’t talk about bruno. 

eventually, dolores learns. she learns not to speak of her nervous uncle, with his incredible, humbling gift. shush, dolores, don’t speak of tio bruno, she says to herself. shush, dolores, they’ll get mad. 

but dolores knows tio bruno is still there. she can hear him muttering to himself, knocking on the wood, talking to the rats, throwing salt from tia julieta’s kitchen over his shoulder. he’s harmless, dolores learns. he’s just a little man who’s scared of everything and himself. 

dolores lets it go, she stays quiet but sometimes, she can hear his stomach rumbling after days of going without food. sometimes, she can hear him tossing and turning at night. sometimes, she can hear him pressing against the wall when he hears one of the kids laughing. sometimes, she can hear him crying for his mama. sometimes, she can hear him calling for his papa. 

one night, after everyone has gone to sleep, dolores goes to the dining room wall where she knows tio bruno is living. 

“tio bruno? it’s me, dolores,” she calls softly.

his breath catches and his heart begins to thunder.

“i know you’re there. i don’t know why you’re hiding. come back. everyone thinks you’ve left.”

dolores waits, listens to him shift nervously. 

“i can’t,” he finally whispers. “i’m not. . . no one will want me back. not after what i’ve seen.”

“i don’t get it.”

“i know. . . my gift. . . it’s not- i’m not helping, dolores. i’m only going to upset everyone if i come back. do you understand?”

dolores frowns and shakes her head. “no but if you don’t want me to tell, i won’t.”

there’s a pause where she hears him take a tremulous breath. “thanks.”

a few days pass where tio bruno and dolores don’t talk. mostly because tio bruno is busy patching cracks or something. she attempts not to listen to him for the sake of privacy, and tries to keep up with her chores. 

“hey dolores,” tio bruno’s voice calls over the din of the family working. 

squeaking, she hurries to the dining room, ignoring camilo’s confused stare. looking around to make sure no one is near, she mutters, “hi, tio bruno.”

he laughs softly and dolores smiles. “how’s mirabel? y’know after her ceremony.”

dolores sighs, shaking her head. “she’s trying to be brave for tia julieta and tio agustin, but she’s been crying all night for weeks.”

“has abuela been hard on her?” he asks, voice meek. 

“she hasn’t spoken to mirabel. she hasn’t spoken to anyone at all. abuela. . . she’s really sad that you’ve left. she keeps asking abuelo where you’ve gone and why you left. she’s really worried, tio bruno.”

he takes a shaky breath. he leaves to sit with his rats. dolores lets him. he’ll call her when he wants to talk again. dolores spins and hurries back to where her brother is, who is now playing with mirabel instead of doing his chores. 

time goes by. mirabel accepts she will not get a gift. luisa and isabela vie for abuela’s attention so mirabel will not fall under her scrutiny. bruno gets more and more anxious. abuela becomes stricter. antonio is born. 

tiny, sweet antonio is born and dolores realizes that tio bruno hasn’t met him. horrified by the thought, one night dolores steals antonio away from the nursery. thankfully, both mirabel and antonio stayed asleep.

“tio bruno.”

startled, he shouts, knocking things as he jumps two feet off the ground. dolores wonders how tio bruno managed to hide for so long without anyone else in the family knowing.  

“huh, dolores?” 

“hi, tio bruno.”

“what are you doing here? it’s the middle of the night.”

“i know, but i wanted you to meet someone,” she whispers. holding antonio a little higher, she moved closer to the wall. “tio bruno, meet antonio.”

dolores smiled when she heard the man gasp in delighted shock. 

“antonio?” he asks and dolores can hear the emotion clogging his throat. 

“yeah.”  

“pepa chose that name?” he asks.

“yep.”

“can i tell you a story, dolores?” he suddenly whispers after several long moments. antonio snuffles, his tiny hand curling over a ruffle of dolores’s nightgown. she nods and tio bruno inhales a long breath.

“you know, when we were younger, pepa and i liked to sleep in julieta’s room. we used to stay up all night, gossiping about everything like little girls. we talked about agustin and felix and they used to bug me all day and night, asking if i had somebody.

“one night, pepa asked if i could give her list of names for her future babies. i couldn’t decide on any so i went to my vision room and i saw the names she gave you three. dolores, camilo, and antonio. i gave her those three names and she smiled so wide, it was like the sun had come out to greet us.

“i always thought she would break my streak and name you guys something else.” he huffs a sad laugh. 

“i like my name,” dolores declares fiercely, her voice resolute. “i wouldn’t ask for a better one.”

there’s a long, long moment of silence. she hears tears splashing gently against her uncle’s cheeks. 

“thanks, nena.”

dolores leaves, cradling her little brother closer to her chest. as she walks into the courtyard of casita, she glances up at the candle, glowing softly in the window. she presses her lips into a thin line before opening her mouth again. 

“abuelo pedro. please, please, find a way to bring tio bruno back to the family,” she whispers. 

she stares a little longer, before heading to the nursery. as she walks away, she hears a soft voice say, “i will.”

and dolores smiles.