#and camilo slept outside casita that night

[miracles-and-butterflies]

Dolores: Are you lot even listening to me?

Mirabel: Absolutely, Lola. I was taking notes on how wrong you are because the real tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is the fact the family’s feud got innocent people killed. You people who feel romance are some of the most clueless—

Isabela: Haha, no. I’m trying to feed rats to my carnivorous plants.

Luisa: Not really, I’ve got a new construction blue print I need to finish.

Camilo: Nah, I’m busy designing me and Marco’s kids’ rooms.

Antonio: And I’m trying to stop Isa—

Dolores: Hold on, I’m sorry, you’re doing what? Why are you already planning for kids with Marco? You’re fifteen!

Camilo: And?

Dolores: You haven’t had your first kiss yet!

Camilo: Okay, well, you haven’t had yours yet so

Dolores:

[zzzzzzzzzzoom]

Au where Mirabel is the avatar of the casita.

Encanto AU: What if Mirabel is Casita's avatar?

yooo this just gave me another idea, so thank you for the ask! from my interpretation, mirabel being casita's avatar is like, she's still her own person, but with casita's desires and actions for the family occasionally seeping into mirabel's subconscious. "when casita notices something, mirabel just knows and does something about it without actually being there" kinda thing.

It starts when Mirabel is around 8. She's accepted that she will never get a door nor a gift, and her family is so busy helping in town that she spends her childhood talking to the house instead. It's just like talking to a mirror, but... somehow she learns things she shouldn't exactly know.

Luisa is the first recipient.

As she watches her 12 year old sister run outside to do her village chores, a voice in her head goes, Oh, and she was breaking down in her room last night with all the things she has to do. Poor girl. Mirabel doesn't remember even entering Luisa's room these past few months.

But she can't do nothing, not when the concern feels so vividly real.

She thinks about talking to her, but decides against it. Gift-giving is her love language, and if Mira wants to show love to her hermana, she'll do it in the way she does best.

She embroiders a throw pillow, with calming and smooth wave designs instead of Luisa's trademark barbels. She tries to convey, You need some rest. She adds some sleeping donkeys for good measure.

(It feels somewhat maternal, but Mirabel is the youngest grandchild for now, so it's certainly strange.)

She slips it into Luisa's bed, carefully avoiding Abuela's view (she's always hated it when Mirabel would enter the magic rooms without permission), and hopes Luisa will feel better.

The next morning, Mirabel catches Luisa looking at her thoughtfully from time to time, and she's somewhat embarrassed, so she avoids her gaze. But something settles within her, and the voice in her head says, Ah, she slept so soundly tonight. Thank the stars for Mirabel's talent.

(But... she is Mirabel?)

This continues on for months. Camilo's insecure about himself again, the voice says, and Mirabel slips a Camilo doll into his bathroom mirror, to show him how fond she is of Camilo, not anyone else. Julieta's burning out from cooking, the voice laments, and Mirabel wakes up early to pick up her mom's favorite herbs and hides them in the cupboards. Oh, Dolores' earmuffs broke and she's too scared to ask for another one, and Mirabel's walking up to her, pushing some personalized earmuffs into her cousin's hands, muttering something about an early Christmas, even though it's August.

Isabela's making new flowers and killing them, again. A shame, I think her blue jacarandas are lovely, the voice says one day, and even though she's a little miffed (and surprised) at having to make a gift for Isa, she still slips into her flower-filled room with a purple and blue sash. (She adds some orange highlights, thinking to annoy Isa with the clashing colors, not knowing that it's exactly what she wants.)

Oh, Pepa's remembered Bruno again. When will he come back, I wonder... the voice says another day, quiet and sad, and Mirabel sighs. No wonder it's been raining since this morning. She wishes she could help, but she knows nothing about Tío Bruno...

He loves rats, she thinks, except the memory doesn't feel like her own. But now she knows what to do. Later that day, she sneaks a little stuffed mouse into Pepa's bedroom drawer, and hopes she finds it. (She does, and she smiles wistfully at it for a solid 30 minutes. Felix lets her.)

This behavior doesn't go unnoticed by the family. They know it's Mirabel, because who else can make dolls and pillows and designs as well as her? They just chalk it up to her being uncannily observant, inadvertantly causing themselves to distance themselves from her, just a little bit. They need to be strong, they shouldn't need her concern.

(Little do they know, their problems are not seen by her eyes alone. The very magic that flows through their house sees them too.)

It goes to show how much Abuela hides from them when the first thought Mirabel hears about Abuela is 2 years later, when Mirabel is 10 and playing with newborn Antonio. The thought is so wistful, so longing that it makes her forget about the giggling baby in the crib, the green walls of her nursery, the entire Casita.

She feels like she is Casita.

Another 5 years have gone by, haven't they, Alma, since the last gift ceremony? Another Madrigal grandson is born, and you think of your husband. Your children are 45 years old now, and you still won't allow yourself to grieve for their father. Let me help you, please.

...

..........

Of course, I won't, because you say you're strong. I'll follow you. You are mi vida, but...

And suddenly Mirabel is back in her own head, unfamiliar tears falling down her face. She opens the nursery door in a flurry, and stares at the still-glowing door of her Abuela, directly across her. Something's off, and she should help, but her feet are glued to the ground.

Of course, I won't, I'll follow you.

Those words ring in her head like a warning, like she's not in control of her own body, and she doesn't understand. She wills herself to step forward, but a baby's cry distracts her.

She turns to the crib, where Antonio is grabbing at air and whimpering. Mirabel rushes back to him, wipes the tears from her eyes, and picks him up.

"Sh, shh..." she murmurs, patting his back. As she rocks him to sleep, she spares a glance at Abuela's door.

It shines and Mirabel falters. She shouldn't meddle with this.

And so, she turns around and kicks the door shut behind her.

[chameleon-madrigal]

Hi! Another Camilo x GN reader request if you please <3

I find it very hard to sleep, so maybe do something with a reader who has insomnia, and Camilo would help them sleep. Sometimes, when he isn't there for the night, he leaves a note before he returns to Casita.

Thank you! Have a good day, Author!

-Elle/Elis

XVI | Cuentos de Camilo

(Stories of Camilo)

Title: Ikaw ang aking pahinga

Genre: Fluff

Pairings: Camilo x GN!Reader

Warnings: None

Summary: Insomnia, one word but has a lot of effects on you. You don't know why but you tried everything by waking up early to be able to sleep at night but nothing happens. Luckily for you, Camilo is there to help you rest unto which he does a great job and you are more than thankful.

He/him pronouns for Camilo

They/them pronouns for Reader

Note: AGAIN SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT HUHU. But this is nice tho!! I usually write stories 12-2am which really affected my health and my morning class so I kinda relate to having a hard sleeping schedul so I hope you like the story!! Thank you and enjoy mwa <3

MASTERLIST HERE!

12 am. The sound of clock ticking and the soothing night wind tingling to your ears as you tried to go to sleep, but failed to do so.

You would experience insomnia from a daily basis, which you hate because during the day where you have things to do you get tired and just wanted to sleep when you can't do that at night where a good sleeping schedule should be.

"Uhhh.." You sighed as you sat up to your bed, just to let your body laid down again. "Dear self, Why is it so hard to sleep?" You groaned as you put a pillow to your face forcing your eyes shut.

Little do you know, your constant sighs and groans was heard by Dolores the moment she went outside her room to go to the bathroom at midnight. She felt bad for you, as she carefully and quietly opened the door of her brother, who was sleeping peacefully with a weird position like he was about to fall from his bed.

"Milo, heyyy" She slighlty shook her brother, but he just groaned and continued sleeping. Dolores rolled her eyes, as she knows how hard it is to wake up Camilo at times.

"Hermanito, I know you can hear me so get your eyes open up!" Dolores said shaking Camilo more aggressively. As Camilo sat up rubbing his eyes as a frown is visible on his face. He sleepily looked up at the clock beside his bed, he turned to his sister as the frown in his face was even more evident.

"Its literally 12 am, if you want food then get some no one will know anyways, that's what I do"

"Okay first of all, I will tell Mamá you are sneaking late night food and second I heard your novia/o could really use some help right now" Dolores said crossing her arms.

"Huh? But its the middle of the night"

"Exactly and they haven't slept a wink, yet. So if you wanna save your ass by me not telling Mamá and Abuela about the snacks you get, you should go and help them sleep"

"As long as you will help me sneak out right now" Camilo said as he stand up and get some ruanas to wear.

"Don't worry, Casita is ready to help" Dolores said as Casita's tiles move careful not to make a sound.

Camilo then went to his window, only for Casita to guide him down. The moment his feet touched the ground, he thanked Casita and waved to his sister. As Dolores went back to sleep chuckling at her brother.

"Such a lovesick chameleon"

~•~

You are still struggling to sleep as the moment you shifted to the side of your bed, you suddenly saw a shadow sitting on your window. You blinked your eyes at first, thinking you might be hallucinating from being sleepy and tired. But the shadow of the person suddenly waved at you, which cause you to lose your mind immediately. You took your pillow as you went to the window practically hitting it with your pillow, hard.

"Hey—wait, ouch!!" You stopped the moment you heard the familiar voice. You went up to switch on the lights and noticed it was Camilo, who was rubbing the back of his head on where you were hitting him.

"What the heck, amor?! You scared the heck out of me. What are you doing here!?" You said putting a hand on your head, as all the tiredness rushed away from your body for a moment.

"Lo siento, Dolores heard you not being able to sleep. And since I am your mejor novio, here I am" He said smiling being proud of what he just did.

"Well a mejor novio doesn't shows up in his novia/o's window without a warning and acting like a ghost or some 'akyat-bahay' person" You said as he chuckled and went up to you putting a hand on your waist.

"I'm sorry, okay? I thought it would be a nice surprise" He jokingly said as you slap his chest as you both chuckled softly at what just happened.

"Ahora dime, why aren't you sleeping already?"

"Believe me I want to sleep but I can't must be having insomnias again" You said groaning putting your head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat as he caressed your head.

You both just stayed in that position, as he started swaying which you let it happen. He started humming the first verse of...

He placed your hand on his shoulders as he tightly secured his hands on your waist. You looked up at him curious on what he is doing but he just smiled at you, as he turned off the lights letting the reflection of the moonlight shine from your window.

So then I took my turn

Oh, what a thing to have done

And it was all yellow

He started singing as he spun your around gently, as you admire how his smile is much more brighter than the moon's light.

your skin, oh yeah, your skin and bones

(Ooh) turn into something beautiful

(Aah) you know, you know I love you so

You know I love you so

You started singing along with him, as after you both dance he suddenly held up your waist as he flop down to your bed, with you falling on his side, head on his arms.

"Thank you, mi amarillo" You said and kissed him to which he smiled kissingly in return.

"I love you, mi corazon"

"I love you too, mi amor. Ikaw ang aking pahinga"

"What does that mean?"

"It means that you are my rest, you are willing to be my side even if its already in the middle of the night"

"Wow it rhymes, and you know I would always be here for you, I promise" He said as he continued humming to the song which eventually made you feel sleepy because of how soothing his voice is, you didn't notice both of you falling asleep cuddling each other.

~•~

It was around 5 am when Camilo woke up with no reason, as he noticed you sleeping beside him. He looked at the clock, cursing to himself that he need to go back soon or else he will be dead with his Mamí.

He stood up careful not to wake you up as he adjust your position and put the covers into you as he kissed your head. He put a note beside your the table on your bed and climbed back down to your window, going back to Casita. Luckily for him, no one was still awake at that moment.

Hours passed as you finally wake up, sighing contently as you felt you had a good night sleep. You didn't see any trace of Camilo in your room, thinking it was just a dream but you saw a note, smiling as you read it.

'Hope you got a good sleep, mi corazon. Sorry I had to go back since I don't want Mamí to cause a hurricane if he noticed I am gone. Anyways, see you in town! I love you'

- Iyong pahinga, Camilo

You chuckled at how he remembered the thing you said to him, as you stood up getting ready for the day.

It was almost night time again, as you felt anxious about having an insomnia again. When suddenly a Camilo Madrigal with a small bag of his clothes, burst into your room.

"Why are you here??"

"I AM GOING TO HAVE A SLEEPOVER WITH YOU" He said as he hugged you, which you got shocked at his word.

"I made a deal with Mamí, so yeah I worked hard for some chores so they can allow me to. And your parents were okay with it so..." He said and kissed your cheeks.

"You really are my pahinga, aren't you?" You said chuckling as he just smirk at you.

"I keep promises, amor. So now sit down and watch me" He said guiding you unto your bed.

"What are you gonna do?"

"Tío Bruno provided me with some skits to act out with right now and you will be my audience" He said dramatically as you laughed at him but still anticipating on what he will do.

The night went fast as you two had fun and did some stuffs together, which tired you two out. As you had a good sleep again with him cuddling you. You can feel your smiles in your sleep as you are thankful to have the best boyfriend in the world.

[lucanto-fandom]

How did Oscar get into the Madrigal family?

Simple.

He was adopted into the family.

How, though? Visualize the following:

A seven-month-old Oscar sleeping right next to the front door of the Casita.

Luisa finding him outside and bringing him in, subsequently being woken up.

Oscar immediately purring in her gentle grasp. This also being the first warm place he's actually slept in.

The kitten waking up to all of these unfamiliar but friendly faces. He was more excited and curious than he was nervous.

He was passed around to each Madrigal so they could get to know each other (Isabela didn't like him very much, nor did she handle him very long). "Aww's" could be heard when he licked Mirabel and Camilo's faces. His reaction, as well as everyone else's: "Can we keep him?"

To be honest, Abuela was about to say yes, until it occurred to her that he might belong to someone. Regardless, he let him stay in the Casita for the night.

Oscar got a glimpse of everyone's rooms (except Bruno's room, unfortunately), but he decided to sleep in Isabela's room, of which she didn't take very kindly to. She gently shooed him out.

Unbeknownst to her, and I forgot to mention this in my last post, Oscar can open doors. So Isabela woke up to the cat in her room (again), specifically in her bed, but with a tree branch of jacarandas in his paws.

"Is this... For me?" She asked. The kitten nodded, purring. Isabela no longer disliked him. She wanted him in the family.

It didn't start out as his best day. Nobody in the Encanto wanted him. Nobody wanted a pet in their home. Oscar sprang out of Luisa's arms, crying, sprinting as fast as his legs could take him, back to Casita.

Everyone notices him bolting into the house crying.

He hides and continues crying under Mirabel's bed.

She finds him and hears him sniffling (This part right here is inspired by that scene in the beginning with Mirabel and Antonio). She goes under the bed with him and comforts him. It goes something like this:

"Nobody wanted to adopt you, huh?" She asked him. The kitten swallowed the lump in his throat back before nodding. "¿He hecho algo, he dicho algo (Have I done something, said something)?" He whispered, trying his best not to break down in front of Mirabel.

She slung her arm around the kitten and pulled him close. "I'm sure you didn't say or do anything to hurt anybody." She said, stroking his back. "Some people... Don't want a gato. Not everyone can own one."

The kitten's ears seemed to wilt as he signed through his nose. Perhaps Mirabel tiene razón. It was estúpido of him to think that a small comunidad like this one might want a gato to be a part of their lives. Let alone a gato like him.

"But..." Mirabel said, snapping the gatito out of his thoughts. He looked up at her with a hopeful glint in his dewy eyes. "There is this family who could really use an animal in the house."

His left ear folded on its own. "Which one is it?" He asked. Mirabel smirked, but didn't answer. "Meet me in the courtyard and you'll find out. I have a surprise for you~."

Ah, yes. The courtyard. Where the entire family could see him. And they did.

The entire family saw them.

They watched him look at Mirabel with curiosity in his eyes.

They watched Mirabel kneel down to his level.

They watched as Mirabel told him to close his eyes and hold his head up...

They watched as Mirabel put a bright red collar around the kitten's neck.

And they watched with heartfelt smiles as he took everything in. She just put a collar on him. And everyone in this family seems to love him. So... Could it be?

"Mira... Does this mean...?"

"Whaddya say? You wanna be a part of this family... Oscar?"

His breath hitched. Tears welled up in his eyes once again. "You... Wanna adopt me?"

Mirabel opened up her arms for a hug. Slowly, it all came together. She wouldn't have put a collar on him if they didn't wanna keep him.

For months, since he had to go his separate ways with his parents and twin sister, he has yet to find a home. One with company, food, water, warm shelter... It appears as though he just found that home.

With that said, Oscar Madrigal lunged into his new prima's arms, accepting the crushing embrace that followed.

From this day forward, he would be known as Oscar Madrigal.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

In case anybody wanted to know, it was Antonio's idea to name him Oscar.

His middle name is Silvio. So his full name is Oscar Silvio Madrigal.

He gets his gift when he turns one year old.

I'm REALLY hoping you enjoyed this little drabble I conjured up!

[crucgone]

I wanna talk abt Vales gift day for a moment

She was so nervous about it that she barely slept the night before. Even at age five she had the tendency to worry herself into a panic

Her and Camilo spent most of the night trying to guess what her gift would be, most of them were over the top and there to make Vale less scared

Because everyone considered Bruno’s gift bad, she thought her gift was gonna be bad too

She got to wear a dress for it and she was so happy, she kept staring at herself in the mirror 🥰

Everyone being so frantic and trying to get casita ready left her even more freaked out than before and she hid in the kitchen with Julieta eating snacks to calm down

When her gift manifested, she wandered away from her door and over towards Abuelo Pedros portrait. Definitely confused a lot of people and when she started talking to it, it was a lot to handle for the family. Especially Abuela

Alma got super emotional about it and Vale thought she did something wrong and freaked out again, thinking her fears of getting a ‘bad gift’ came true

She wasn’t creeped out by her room but the rows and rows of portraits of dead people left the tone of the party much more somber than Antonio’s

Most of the music and festivities were outside of her room and people in her room were looking at their dead relatives portraits

[miracles-and-butterflies]

For @time-for-a-grandkid-round-up, based on the prompt: “camilo cheering up his family.”

I’m only going to do one person as doing everyone would take forever. And as Camilo cheering up his (side of the) family is a little overdone at this point, I’m going with his favourite cousin. Enjoy!

~~~~~~

Throwing Away the Dry Petals

“I win.” Dolores exclaimed, placing down her ace card.

Camilo groaned. “You win every time. You’re clearly cheating.”

“I’m better and smarter than you, Camilo, that’s hardly cheating. You can’t be mad just because I wasn’t dropped as a baby.” She said.

“Hey! I wasn’t dropped as a baby! Tío Bruno caught me! He just let go for a little…” Camilo trailed off. “Besides, Tía Julieta would’ve healed me. I’m her favourite.”

“You’re nobody’s favourite. You’re a pain.”

“Not true! It’s Mirabel whose nobody’s favourite.”

Casita’s front doors swing open almost hitting both the siblings as Isabela storms through, barely noticing them at all.

Dolores is unfazed, she no doubt heard Isabela coming. She doesn’t even flinch. And Camilo would be lying if he said he wasn’t amazed by how well his sister can keep herself so poker face, even when she hears everything. And almost got hit by a door.

“Hey, Bela! You wanna play with us?” Camilo asked.

There’s no response. Isabela just continued walking away.

“Isabela? Hello? You okay?”

Still nothing. Though, to be fair, she’s probably go far down the path to town to hear him now.

“What’s wrong with her?” He turned to his sister. Her gift was annoying most of the time, but it did mean she knew everything about everyone and it came in handy.

“Ramona broke up with her last night.”

Camilo was speechless.

“Isabela, Isabela Madrigal, was broken up with? But she’s always the one that breaks up a relationship!”

“Exactly,” Dolores said, dealing the cards. “She’s been distant all morning. I don’t think she’s slept either.”

“I really liked Mona. She use to give me and Toñito sweets.”

“Isabela did too.”

“But… why? Things were going well, right? It wasn’t like Viviana, who just flirted with Luisa the whole time, right? Or Sola, the one who just wanted to date a Madrigal? Or—” Camilo cut himself off with a gasp. “Tell me it wasn’t like Gabriela who didn’t like cacti.”

Dolores sighed. “No, it wasn’t like Gabriela. Gracias a Dios, ella no quería tener que lidiar con eso otra vez. Well… Ramona didn’t really give a reason. Just something about Isabela not meeting expectation.”

“Sounds like something Abuela would say.”

“Why do you think Isabela has been acting this way?”

Camilo stood up.

“Wait, where are you going? Don’t you want to play?” Dolores inquired.

“I’m gonna cheer up our cousin,” he answered, determinedly.

“If it’s egging Mariano’s house again, I swear to God I will tell Abuela—”

Her statement fell on deaf ears as Camilo was already sprinting away and laughing at the thought. It was always a good idea and it did always brighten Isabela’s day.

However, he really doesn’t wanna have to deal with Abuela or his parents making him clean the entire Guzmán house again. That thing is huge!

They always could throw eggs at Ramona’s house. Or anyone of her other exes. They could plant cacti outside of Gabriela’s. But he suddenly had a different idea in mind as he began searching for her in town, amongst all the chaos and people.

Camilo found Isabela sat by herself on a bench, staring off into the distance.

She watching a group of young adults, laughing and having together - though Isabela didn’t seem to be looking at them at all. Rather staring straight through them.

“Hey, Isabela? You doing anything?”

It took a moment, but Isabela did turn to him. Shaking her head, as though she’d been pulled from some vision like Bruno.

“What do you want, Camilo?” Isabela asked, not sounding angry but not friendly either.

“You know Eduardo Rodriguez? My age, plays football? Anyways, his older brother, Miguel, is getting married today.” He said.

Isabela blinked. “Um, congratulations? What does this have to do with me?”

“I promised Eduardo that I would go to the reception with Dolores, but she has a date with stupid Mariano and I don’t wanna go alone. So I was wondering if you wanted to go to La Hora Loca with me?”

His cousin didn’t immediately reject the idea, even looked to be considering it. A wedding wasn’t Isabela’s ideal way to get over a break up.

However, Camilo was nodding his head eagerly and encouragingly that she couldn’t bring herself to disappoint him again. Why Dolores didn’t just take Mariano to the wedding, she didn’t know - wouldn’t a wedding be a better date than dinner with the family? Never mind, this would be a distraction for Isabela and it wasn’t like she had any plans of her own.

“Okay, I’ll go. But you better change. You’ve split something on your ruana.”

“What? You of all people can’t seriously be complaining about stains! Have you seen your dress? It’s covered in who knows what!”

“Alright, I’ll change too.”

Camilo smiled, satisfied. He was going to get his cousin to smile too before the night was over. Isabela got up and grabbed him by the shoulder as he turned to walk.

“Insult my dress again and I will plant belladonna in your stomach.”

“Noted.”

~~~~~~

An hour or so later, having changed several times over based on the other’s complaints, they finally arrived at the wedding reception of Miguel and Vanessa Rodriguez.

The lateness was definitely the fault of them both considering themselves style experts.

It was times like this that made Isabela realise how many people were in Encanto and how few she actually knew. There were a few faces she recognised but she couldn’t associate them with any name or memory. While Camilo was effortlessly smiling and waving as he pulled her through the crowds of people.

He hadn’t really conversed with anyone though or even congratulated the bride and groom, but she didn’t really think about it. There was plenty of time for that.

Camilo was distracting her with a story of the last wedding he had attended - an old school friend of Félix’s. An event he ruined by sneaking off into the kitchen and eating the entire cake.

They’d been laughing and drinking for almost two hours at the bar when Isabela hopped out of her chair and extended a hand to him.

“Right, let’s go. We’re not sidelining this party, we aren’t Mirabel. Introduce me to Eduardo and the rest of your friends or the random people you know here from babysitting.”

“I don’t know ‘em. We’re crashing.”

Isabela stumbled backwards a little. From shock, not the cocktails she’d been enjoying.

“You don’t know anyone? I thought you knew Eduardo. You said he’s your age and plays football.” Isabela demanded, whispering.

“Yeah, he’s in my class and on the other football team, but I don’t know him.” Camilo shrugged in response.

Isabela raised an eyebrow. Then she snickered. “That’s a lie. You’re just trying to piss me off.” But Camilo’s signature smirk, usually one given to Dolores, made its appearance. And Isabela paled.

He wasn’t joking. He had invited her to a stranger’s wedding.

She quickly started downing a series of shots that some other guest had ordered and regrettably left unattended.

Camilo was all but losing it, clearly enjoying himself. Though he did lean over and say, “We can leave whenever. Just have fun and relax. What’s wrong with your cousin trying to cheer you up?”

Though Isabela wasn’t yet drunk enough to completely abandon her moral compass, she grabbed Camilo’s hand - a little tighter than necessary - and dragged him to the dance floor.

They weren’t hurting anyone or ruining anything. They were having fun. And goddam, they were good drinks.

So as long as they kept to themselves and nobody caught on, it was okay.

For the next few hours, the pair danced and definitely outshined everyone in the process. Pepa was an excellent teacher.

They took breaks every so often to return to the bar - Camilo did keep Isabela from getting herself totally drunk, which was just as challenging as Dolores complained it was. Though Isabela’s alcohol tolerance was impressive. In turn, Isabela did her best to keep Camilo from drinking alcohol altogether.

They partook in the snacks and cake, and even several photographs. Quickly heading to the bathroom when someone started to question them.

It wasn’t until Camilo ended up chatting with the groom himself that their plan had totally fallen apart.

“You must be a friend of Vanessa’s, how did you meet?” Miguel had asked, innocent enough.

“I’m not. I don’t know her at all.”

Camilo hadn’t meant to say that. He might have been able to save himself, claiming he was someone else’s child, but the way he flushed red and his eyes widened with guilt, there was no chance.

Meanwhile, Isabela had found herself chatting with the younger sister to the bride, Elena.

So when Camilo suddenly sprint by and pulled her away by the hand, she was confused but not particularly surprised. It didn’t take long before she matched his pace and they ran out the building, with several angry family members chasing after them.

They continued running until there was no sound of footsteps and shouting, and they were safely hiding in nature. They stumbled along a clearing overlooking their town under the moonlight.

For a few moments, they were just panting and laugh every time they caught each other’s eyes.

“We got kicked out of a stranger’s wedding,” she wheezed.

“And we had fun while doing it,” Camilo retorted. “Don’t tell the adults though.” He added, just to be sure.

“Why?”

“Why? So we don’t get in trouble?”

“No, I mean, why did you take me? You could have taken one of your actual friends.”

“Because you were upset and I wanted to cheer you up. Dolores told me about Ramona.” He admitted, gently. “You wanna talk about it?”

Isabela just returned to being distant at the mention of her ex-girlfriend. She had almost forgotten about her. The memories of last night resurfacing as she watches the stars.

Ramona had liked stars, was planning to go study them abroad. Isabela had ransacked her Abuelo Sancho’s collection of books to find some about constellations and astrology to impress Ramona with facts and things, and it had worked.

But she hadn’t changed or hidden any part of herself. Ramona was dating the Isabela she had always known.

Which is what made the comment about her not meeting expectations rough. They hadn’t discussed any expectations for each other - relationships didn’t require them. So how on earth did Isabela fail to meet something that didn’t exist?

Fuck. Dating Mariano was simpler than this. At least Isabela knew where she was screwing up: hiding herself.

She gasped when Camilo threw himself into her arms in a hug. Immediately, she pulled him tighter.

“What’s this for?” She asked.

“For you, duh.” He mumbled. Camilo was trying not to cry, laughing as a cover. “Fuck Ramona. It’s her loss, you’re brilliant. And you don’t deserve to be sad because she’s a loser.”

“Poetic.” Isabela said, sarcastically.

“I try,” Camilo flipped his hair dramatically. “I mean it. Fuck Ramona and her expectations, whatever they were. You don’t have to meet expectations. Expectations are just stupid. You’re you and you’re amazing. You’re one of my closest friends and role models—”

“That’s concerning.”

“Stop making me laugh. You’re ruining the moment.”

“Can’t help it.”

“I’m trying to be serious right now.”

“Good luck with that.”

He almost laughed, genuinely, that time. But he wasn’t going to let himself be distracted - this was too important. For good measure, he put a hand over Isabela’s mouth. She was smirking underneath; he could feel it.

“I know things about perfect expectations are still kinda hard for you, but don’t let this one idiot bring you down. Ramona doesn’t know you like we, I, do. There’s nothing about you, on the inside or outside, that needs changing or hiding, just because some random decides it’s not good enough for them.”

Under his hand, there’s a muffled, “There’s nothing wrong with my outside. I’m gorgeous.”

“Great! So apply that same logic and confidence to your inside. You can’t really believe that someone knows how you should act better than you do. Trust me, I’m an actor.”

“I can’t. It’s different.”

“Why’s that?” Camilo asked, removing his hand. Isabela was no longer smiling. He wasn’t asking to catch her out or tell her she’s wrong, but just willing to offer an ear— God, he’s more of Dolores’ brother than he realises, isn’t he?

“I don’t know. It just is…” she shrugs a little. “My inside was the part I changed, the part I believed was wrong. People are forming real connections because they like or dislike me, not my appearance. I’m not bothered…” she sighed, turning away. “We were doing so well and it just came out of nowhere. Mona couldn’t even give a reason. If it’s something I’ve done, how am I suppose to fix it for my next partner?”

Camilo nodded in understanding.

He couldn’t relate to his cousin, but what she was saying made sense. He could see why it upset her and why she blamed herself.

“You can’t,” he said. “You can’t fix it. Someone will come along and maybe they will like you or maybe they won’t. Not everyone likes everyone. I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. If you had then Ramona would have an actual reason to break up, right?”

“I guess.”

“So whatever it is, it’s on her and it’s out of your control.”

Isabela nodded. She smiled a bit.

“Do you feel any better?” Camilo asked. Admittedly, a little hesitant.

She snorted. And for a minute, she looked like she was about to say no. Then she softened, “Yeah, I do. Thank you, Camilo.”

“Good, I’m glad,” he said. “It’s my job to make people happy, but I care about you. So it’s from a place of love, not work, okay? But, uh… Did you have fun tonight? Or last night? I’m not sure what the time is.”

From the grin covering Isabela’s face, he could already guess the answer, but being pulled back into a hug was the real confirmation.

“The most fun I’ve had in years.”

An idea crept into Camilo’s head, just as they started making their way back home.

“Hey, are you tired yet?” Camilo asked. He stopped and Isabela looked at him, strangely. “I’m not tired and I’ve got an idea how we can make this night even better.”

“I’m listening.”

When the pair awoke the next morning, they were instantly questioned by the adults of why they had been out so late and why there were several angry townspeople waiting outside Casita. They shrugged it off and laughed, claiming they had no idea. Ultimately, nobody worked out it was specifically them who had crashed the wedding. But the town was ripe with gossip about two infamous wedding rashers, and Dolores seemed to be suspiciously glancing their way.

And, well, watching Ramona clean eggshells off her roof was just the icing of the cake.