#bruno the matchmaker

[the-flaneur]

matchmaker pets (lh44) | pt1

pairing: lewis hamilton x fem!reader

summary: in a world where one's furry best friend is secretly their cupid, the drivers' love lives are sure to be entertaining for everyone (written from the pov of the pets!)

warnings: none (i think)

wc: 975

a/n: after finishing one miniseries, we go onto another (well sorta, hehehe) - hopefully with better updates, now that life is slightly more relaxed. also massive shoutout to @/giuseppe-yuki whose work has inspired this series (ur amazing queen!!!) - go check out her amazing series here!

[masterlist] [requests]

young!roscoe who has been with lewis since 2013 after being adopted by his bestest dad's into the hamilton family. he's also soon joined's by his little sister, coco.

young!roscoe who loves attending races with his dad's and meeting everyone; the mercedes team, his dad's bestest friend, the other drivers on the grid's and best of all's, the fans.

young!roscoe but's his favourite person on the grid's is actually none of these people (besides his dad's).

it's actually you :)

you're mercedes' main social media admin's, and he thinks that you're the best's thing since crunchy watermelon's.

young!roscoe loves following's you around the paddock, watching you snap photos of the drivers and the team's, as well as snapping's the best pics of him.

young!roscoe watches you and dad's get really close - afterall's, you wouldn't be the admin without being super close with's the drivers.

but, roscoe hates that you aren't close enough.

older!roscoe who frustratingly watches for five years. there are small smirks and flirts, and you and lewis tiptoe's around each other but...

nothing happens.

he's fed up, and now he's taking's things into his own hands (or paws in his case).

scheming!roscoe who "consults" sebastian, lewis' next closest friend after dad's bestest friend sadly left the grid's.

scheming!roscoe who learns about sebastian's doggo, bruno, who's never at races, but stays at home with hanna.

scheming!roscoe who tricks dad's into letting him meet bruno.

scheming!roscoe who finds out’s that bruno actually is a cupid! cupid dogs can help’s their owners get with anyone they want. but the love only lasts if it’s their one true’s love.

scheming!roscoe just knows that you and dad’s are meant to be’s. he asks bruno how to become’s a cupid.

dreaming!roscoe that night has a very weird dream - he's taken away from dad's home and sent up into a fluffy cloud.

another dog cloud speaks to him’s.

“are you sure you she will make your owner happy?” the dog cloud booms, the air trembling’s around him.

dreaming!roscoe who nods and barks furiously; you and dad’s would be the happiest people’s on earth if you were together. 

dreaming!roscoe feels a small swirl of wind’s around him, before he falls back asleep’s.

cupid!roscoe who can now see the bright beating hearts hoving above your's and dad's heads at the silverstone circuit.

cupid!roscoe who takes out his favourite tennis ball (now fashioned into a cupid's bow and arrow) and chucks it towards your heart.

cupid!roscoe who sees the tennis ball pass directly through the heart.

he frowns - this wasn't how bruno said it would go?

the ball must be broken - you're meant's to be together

desperate cupid!roscoe who tries again and again,

and again

and again...

tossing the invisible ball above your head, but each time's it passes with a small puff of smoke.

desperate cupid!roscoe who tries pulling you towards dad's by tugging your mercedes shirt, but you gently pull him off of you, before walking away's from him.

desperate cupid!roscoe who tries making's dad's follow him into the media pen, where even he's isn't normally's allowed just to see you's.

but dad's knows what roscoe is trying to do and walks away when dad's sees you.

desperate cupid!roscoe who realises that you have spoken directly to dad's in the past two weeks.

you're avoiding him's.

heartbroken cupid!roscoe who now maybe realises that you and dad's maybe aren't supposed to be together?

maybe you aren’t true love's?

heartbroken cupid!roscoe who pouts and whines the whole's night in the hotel room, but dad's in the bathroom, showering alone.

heartbroken cupid!roscoe who later finds out, cuddled against dad's wet cheeks, that you and him had a big fight.

heartbroken cupid!roscoe learns that you and dad's had a big fight about his photos with's other peoples. specifically, other women's.

heartbroken cupid!roscoe who learns that dad's who was meeting up with an old friend's got a photo taken of him kissing her cheek's in greeting, but the media's made it seem otherwise.

heartbroken cupid!roscoe learns that you yelled at dad's for the first time.

heartbroken cupid!roscoe learns that your stormed's out, not wanting anything else to do with dad's ever again. never again, you said's. you hadn't even tried's to listen to dad's.

heartbroken cupid!roscoe who sees dad's fall asleep sad, big wet tears painting's his cheeks that night.

he never wants you or dad's to be sad ever again.

determined!roscoe who finds you hiding in a corner's of the press conference room during's interviews with the drivers.

determined!roscoe who, despite his small's size, manages to pull you's next to lewis.

determined!roscoe who waits until dad's finishes his interviews (cause he's a good boy), begins barking. loudly.

his barking is so loud's, that you and dad have to both take him back's to the mercedes motorhome.

determined!roscoe who keeps' barking until his throat his sore's, but at least he managed to get you and dad's alone.

determined!roscoe who butts his nose against's your knees, pushing you two's together.

determined!roscoe who huffs up at you and dad's when you both laugh at him, watching him's make his moves.

happy!roscoe who finally gets to see dad's get the chance to explain what actually's had happened.

happy!roscoe who finally gets to see you and dad's reconcile...

oh and now you're making's out.

in front of him...

happy!roscoe who saunters out of the little room to find bono; at least's he would keep him company whilst you and dad's were together in there...

happy!roscoe who finally gets to see his family together at the hungarian's gp. there's a very nice photo of the family.

it's him, dad's and mum's.

all perfect together.

© the-flanuer || do not copy, rewrite or translate any of my work on any platform.

[nyoomfruits]

osctober day five

prompt: teacher pairing: charles/oscar word count: 900

“Seriously, Ames?” Oscar says, when he rounds the corner and finds her sitting on a chair just outside the classroom.

“It was for love, dad!” Amelia exclaims, jumping up when she sees him. “I can’t just not do it if it is for love.”

Oscar has conflicting opinions on that. It is, sweet, of course. He’s glad Amelia still believes in the concept of love at all, seeing as her own father is so completely shit at it. But like. He really wishes she would stop hosting flashmobs. Or serenades. Or that time she and that boy from her Spanish class that was really good at programming tried to make a matchmaking app.

“Right, yeah,” Oscar says, ruffling her hair. She’s too old for that now, and he knows he only gets away with it because she knows she’s in trouble. “Just. Maybe find a more quiet avenue next time, yeah? How about a good old fashioned love note?”

Amelia’s eyes light up in a way that the unexperienced eye would find adorable, but that fills the person who has been raising her for the past fifteen years mostly with dread. “Yes,” she breathes out, and then grabs for her bag, probably to retrieve a notepad.

“Okay, well, I guess while you go plan your next ‘disruption of a calm learning environment’ I will go speak with Mr. Leclerc yeah?” He says, hand on the doorknob. She barely glances at him and he sighs as he pushes open the door.

“Ah, Mr. Piastri,” Mr. Leclerc says, looking up from his desk with a wide smile. “You made it.”

Oscar thinks, generally, that he would have a much better time coming to the school to talk about his daughter’s behavior if her teacher wasn’t so goddamn pretty. With bright, sparkling eyes, and a lazy smile, and the kind of artfully tousled hair Oscar couldn’t even achieve if he tried.

The horribly baggy pants and oversized button up combo don’t even ruin the look. Somehow it makes him look cool. Oscar hasn’t looked cool since, well. Possibly ever.

“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Oscar says, sitting down in the chair Mr. Leclerc gestures at. “Again. I don’t know who he has it from.”

“Not you, I presume?” Mr. Leclerc says, eyes twinkling. He doesn’t seem mad, so that’s. Good. Amelia’s previous teacher consistently got their panties in a bunch about the well. Singing. And dancing. And everything.

“No, god no,” he hasn’t tried in a while, but he doesn’t think he could dance. Or sing.

“Her mother, perhaps?” Mr. Leclerc asks, flipping through some folders on his desk.

“Maybe,” Oscar says. “She hasn’t been around for a long time, so. Yeah. I think she mostly gets it from Lando? I mean not the singing and the dancing but this. Need to perform? He’s a DJ, so.”

“Ah, your partner?” Charles asks, looking up at Oscar now, curiously.

“Oh Christ no,” Oscar says, trying not to pull a face, remembers he’s talking to his daughter’s teacher, and schools himself into a more neutral expression. “No, uh. Lando’s just a friend. Of the family. He’s not. He has a boyfriend.”

“Ah,” Charles says. “Alright. Well, I mostly summoned you here because-“

“Because my daughter upheaved your class by performing a perfectly choreographed flashmob to Bruno Mars’s ‘Just The Way You Are’? Yeah, I uh. I heard. And I apologize, again. I’ve been trying to talk to her about it, but it’s-“ he pulls a face. “It’s just me and she’s just uh. Very different and sometimes I just. I don’t really know how to get through to her?”

It’s the most honest he’s been in a while. He doesn’t know why he’s suddenly blurting all of this out to Mr. Leclerc of all people. He’s blaming the big sparkly eyes. Stupid eyelashes, too.

“Hm, I can imagine. All parents kind of feel like that when they reach this age, though, don’t worry. No, I was actually wondering if you were aware of our after school theatre program? I think she would do wonderfully in there. If it’s more the dancing she’s into, or the singing, there’s also a dance team and a choir.”

Oscar blinks. Process. He’s so used to hearing Amelia’s teacher admonish her behavior he wasn’t really expecting anyone to. Well. Encourage her.

“Oh,” he says.

“They’re free, school funded programs, if that’s a concern,” Mr. Leclerc continues. “But I do think it might be a nice outlet for her.”

“Yeah,” he says. He knew, vaguely, that there were clubs. But Amelia had never expressed an interest, and he’d been too busy juggling his demanding job and raising a teenager to ever properly look into them and. Yeah. He takes the folder Mr. Leclerc hands him.

“Thak you, Mr. Leclerc,” he says. Mr. Leclerc stands, and so does he.

“No problem. That was all, really. I do some of the musical accompaniments for the theatre and choir programs so if you have any questions feel free to ask.” By the door, Mr. Leclerc takes his hand. Oscar shakes it a little dazedly. “And please. Call me Charles.”

“Oscar,” Oscar says. Charles hands are soft, and his smile is gentle, and his eyes are still so incredibly stupidly sparkly and fuck. Fuck.

“How did it go?” Amelia asks, when he steps back out the door.

‘I think I might be in love with your teacher’, he thinks. “We’re enrolling you into the school’s theatre program,” he says.

[hpowellsmith]

I was already having a rough day. And this is really sad.

Working on Love Island the Game wasn't always easy in a variety of ways, especially at the end, but even after most of us were laid off amid dramatic circumstances, more than two years ago now, it was nice knowing that some people enjoyed our work that was still out there.

The Season 3 episodes and scenes, and the ones I edited, were my first experiences in a game studio team (shoutout to the scenes with Tai, Rafi, and Lily that were the first pieces of writing I did on the game!). I learned so much from that, from The Wedding, Chelsea's Murder Mystery and The Boat Party, from all the prototypes and ideation that never went anywhere (that wonderful Regency-era Noah art... sigh...), from how the characters and storylines came together for Season 4 aka Bombshell (I loved coming up with the original concepts for Bruno, and Oliver, and Juliet, and Lexi, and Tiffany, and Valentina, and Kobi, and Hazeem: absolute joys to write and to see other writers bringing them extra sparks of life, and to do the same with helping bring other writers' concepts to life, and to start doing all sorts of exciting senior role stuff). It was very sad and stressful when it turned out that we couldn't be there to complete Season 4 in as polished a way as all of us wanted.

I'm still friends with many of the people I worked with on Love Island the Game and our other projects, and the things that didn't end up going out there, and I've worked with some of them since which was an absolute pleasure. I saw a lot of them earlier this month, and chatted with one on a video call just this morning. The way it ended for us was very painful, but a lot of it up to that point was so much fun.

There will still be some of the work I did for Love Island the Game out there in Season 4/Bombshell and Matchmaker. But what a shame that a huge chunk of the work we all did, and the work before my time that got the studio its audience in the first place, turns out to be so ephemeral.

Thank you to all the people who played and enjoyed the work we made.

[mrworldwideshoulders]

i choose you || reader x knj

When your best friend abandons you at a wedding with a bunch of strangers and the guy she’s trying to set you up with is just not that into you, you decide to have some fun instead of sulking in the corner, which earns you the attention - and the affection - of a stranger named Kim Namjoon.

✓ Pairing: reader x Namjoon (very briefly feat. Jin) ✓ WC: 4.5k ✓ Rating: rated T / PG-13 ✓ Genre: mostly fluff, smidgen of angst, strangers to lovers-ish, love at first sight-ish ✓ Warnings: alcohol consumption, foul language, minho slander (he’s choi minho, he can handle it), seokjin is drunk, loud, and in love, bad descriptions of making out, dimple descriptions, reader is a hoe for namjoon’s forearms, namjoon is a big awkward cutie ✓ a/n: hehehe it's another wedding fic sorry lolololol. this is the prequel to where love finds us and the way you look tonight, if ya wanna check those out afterwards. i meant to have this out last month but oh well, here it is in july :) i like this one a lot because it's a lil bit goofy and i hope you enjoy it too! as always beta’d and bannered by teh amazing april (@onmypillow-onmytable)! thx! ly - robyn ✓ P.S. I do not own BTS or their likenesses, nor do I own the music of Bruno Mars (lol), they just inspire me.

part of the 24k magic collection (masterlist)

“Remind me again why I’m here?” you complain as your best friend, Ji-eun, pulls you by the arm into the reception hall. “When you asked me if I wanted to do something this weekend, crashing someone’s wedding reception was not what I had in mind.” 

“It’s not crashing if you’re invited,” shrugs Ji-eun. “I was invited. And then I invited you. Ergo, you were invited.”

“That is absolutely not how weddings work. Who invited you, anyway? I don’t recognize anyone here.” 

“The bride?” says Ji-eun, as if it should be obvious. “We’re co-workers, or something. She invited everyone from our department.” 

You roll your eyes and sigh. “I’m totally underdressed.” You eye all of the women around you dressed in semi-formal gowns and you elbow Ji-eun in the ribs. “Why didn’t you tell me there was a dress code?” The strapless cocktail dress you thought was such a good idea earlier suddenly seems like the worst decision you ever made, and you didn’t even bring a sweater to save face either, all because the only instruction Ji-eun could bother to give you when she texted this morning was “wear a dress” and “something with lots of cleavage.” Ji-eun, you’ve decided, is bound and determined to drag you into trouble at every opportunity. It’s a wonder you’re both still alive – and not cellmates in jail – with all of the questionable situations she’s been pulling you into since middle school.

“You look hot,” she says. “Don’t even worry about it. You’ll blend right in.”

“Did you just say ‘hot’ and ‘blend in’ in the same sentence?”

“Ugh, you’re so self-conscious. You are hot. I think it’s time you embraced that.” She pouts at the look on your face. “Come on, y/n,” she wheedles. “Minho will be here, and I’ve been wanting to introduce you guys for ages. He’s such a great guy. Did I mention he’s hot? And dying to meet you? Please let me play matchmaker. Then later when you’re happily married to the love of your life, you can say it was all thanks to your best friend in the entire world who loves you enough to set you up with her hot guy friends.”

“Yeah, well, the position of ‘best friend in the entire world’ might be opening up sometime soon if you keep setting me up with these duds.”

“You’re so mean!” she whines. “I told you the last one was just a misunderstanding.” 

“He ditched and left me with the check, Eun. It was not a misunderstanding. It was a calculated move.” The guy even had the audacity to call you later that night to see if you wanted to go out again, claiming “bathroom trouble” as the reason for sticking you with the check. As if you were dumb or desperate enough to fall for that – especially since he’d conveniently been hit by “bathroom trouble” once he was mostly done eating, not to mention your waitress had been kind enough to let you know that she’d seen him slipping out through a side door – apparently completely fine. 

“Stop complaining. Come on. Sparks are going to fly between you two, I just know it.” She resumes tugging on your arm and you reluctantly allow her to pull you along as she weaves through the crowd, finally stopping you in front of a man who must be the fabled Minho. “Oppa!” coos Ji-eun. “This is y/n. You remember, don’t you?” She shoots him a knowing look. 

“Ah, Ji-eun!” he greets her. “I remember. The one you were telling me about, right?” Minho glances at you. “Eun, she’s gorgeous. Where have you been keeping her?” He takes your hand and plants a kiss on it. “Choi Minho.”

“Y/n,” you reply, somewhat taken aback at his outward display of affection. “I’ve heard a lot about you, so it’s nice to finally meet you.” 

“Have fun, you two,” teases Ji-eun in a sing-song voice. “I’m off to snag myself a drink or a handsome groomsman, whichever one comes first.”

“She’s really something else, isn’t she?” you say, looking to break the awkward silence that falls once Ji-eun is gone. “So how do you two know each other? I don’t think she said.” 

“University,” says Minho. “We were in the same major. Same year, too, but she insists on calling me oppa.” He shakes his head and chuckles. Minho says it like it’s something that bothers him, but it clearly doesn’t, or else he would have corrected her before now. 

“Oh, I guess you were a business major, too.” You nod. “Explains why we never ran into each other. I barely saw her the whole time, and we were roommates.”

“We went to the same university?” Minho seems surprised. “I never would have guessed. What major were you in?” Something about the incredulous look on his face rubs you the wrong way. 

“Uh, yeah. We did.” You narrow your eyes. “I was a graphic design major.”

“Graphic design. Wow.” Minho inhales sharply through his teeth. “How’s that going for you? I hear it’s pretty competitive. You know, if you’re ever looking to change fields I’m sure I could find something for you at my company. A favor for a friend of a friend, yeah?

“Oh, um,” you say, “I…have a job. And I kind of like it, so I’m not really planning on moving any time soon.”

“Well, you let me know if you ever change your mind.” He winks and touches your bare arm. “Any friend of Eun’s is a friend of mine. And I’m sure we could take much better care of you than wherever you’re working now.” Minho’s eyes wander from your face down to your chest and then somewhere over your shoulder, where something – or someone – else seems to catch his eye. 

“Uh…thanks,” you say, unsure how else to respond, feeling a little uncomfortable. You wish you had a drink to settle your nerves and a sweater to cover your chest. Why did Ji-eun have to leave? you curse internally. She knows I’m not good at this. “So,” you say brightly, hoping to steer the conversation in another direction. “What does your company do?” 

“We’re in transportation, mostly,” he says, his eyes still somewhere behind you, “but we’ve got our fingers in a lot of pies.”

A few more minutes of conversation with him pass, and it’s already obvious that you and Minho don’t exactly have a lot in common – nor does it seem that you’re really his type, because he keeps glancing at a pretty bridesmaid in a lavender dress somewhere behind you. You’re beginning to wonder what exactly Ji-eun expected the two of you to talk about, because the two of you are polar opposites, and not in the endearing, meet cute, opposites attract sort of way, in the way that even if you did decide to date you’d probably end up butting heads over anything and everything. You steal a covert glance the next time Minho’s eyes wander away from your face and over your shoulder. The bridesmaid is chatting animatedly with what looks like another bridesmaid, cutting glances every so often in your direction – or Minho’s direction, more like. You sigh internally and try to hide your frown. Of course. Minho looks like he could be an idol or an actor; it only makes sense that he wouldn’t be interested in you. He probably only even agreed to meet you as a favor to Ji-eun. Well, if he’s not even going to pretend he’s interested – then why should you? “Minho?” you say sweetly. “I’m going to go get a drink.”

“Don’t miss me too much while you’re gone.” He grins. 

“I’ll, uh, do my best.” You find your way over to the bar and watch as Minho approaches the bridesmaid he was making eyes at, any thoughts of you surely already forgotten. You shake your head and sip your wine. He’s probably better suited for her than he is for you. You blow out a long breath and order a glass of white wine from the bartender. Why does it have to be like this? Every guy, every date, every time you even attempt to put yourself out there – it just never works. Sure, part of it is probably your fault for having unrealistic standards. And part of you doesn’t even really want a relationship, not after watching your parents tear each other to pieces every time they set foot in the same room together. It’s not like it’s always been your dream to fall in love and get married, either. The only thing you’ve ever wanted for yourself is to be happy. If that’s with a man in your life – then so be it. Everyone always says that you’ll know when the right one comes along, but you’re starting to think that has about as much likelihood of happening as you becoming president. 

You throw back half of your wine in one gulp. Ah, should I just leave? you wonder to yourself, scanning the room for Ji-eun. There’s no point in me staying if Minho isn’t interested and nobody else is either. What else am I here for other than that? You debate slipping out the front door, flagging down a taxi, and going home, but eventually decide against it, feeling a twinge of guilt at the idea of abandoning Ji-eun at this wedding by herself – even if she did technically do the same thing to you. Really starting to question who’s putting the most effort into this friendship, you gripe internally. 

You finish the rest of your wine and request another from the bartender. What am I doing? you think suddenly, the first glass of wine beginning to hit you as you start on the second. Am I really just standing here drowning my troubles at a wedding, of all places? This is so dumb. You scan the room. The dance floor is crowded, with people moving back and forth, dancing, reveling in the moment, the music pounding all around. Instead of lingering by the bar, feeling pitiful and alone…the realization dawns on you that you should be out there, having fun. Or, at the very least, keeping your mind occupied enough to forget the disappointment of yet another man having no interest in you. 

“Dance like no one’s watching, right?” you say to yourself, downing the rest of your second glass of wine and hopefully, washing away the nerves that normally plague you, the fear of being perceived when it comes to doing anything in social situations. As the wine hits you, you begin to feel pleasantly warm and tipsy, and you move toward the crowd, the lights bouncing off the lacquered wood floor. Before you can talk yourself out of it, you close your eyes and feel yourself start to move with the beat of the music. You don’t even know the happy couple, but you silently thank them for hiring such a good DJ. 

Minutes pass, though it feels much longer, with you tossing your hair, moving your hips and head back and forth to the beat of the music, forgetting about the fact that your best friend is a terrible matchmaker, and the fact that it feels like she’s genuinely trying to set you up for failure, making you question everything about yourself, forgetting about the fact that you couldn’t even hold a man’s attention for longer than ten minutes, even in a stupidly revealing cocktail dress that your friend made you wear under false pretenses. And in those moments, it’s just you, and the music, remembering that you are pretty, and one guy’s stupid opinion of you doesn’t matter. Love will come, or it won’t, and you’re determined to be happy with your life either way. 

The strappy heels you’re wearing prove to be your downfall, and you eventually decide to extricate yourself from the throng of wedding guests, limping back over to the bar. Your cheeks are flushed, and you’re exhausted, but there’s a sense of exhilaration pumping through you, feeling somewhat revitalized by making yourself do something you wouldn’t normally do on your own. You steady yourself against the bar, standing on one foot while you rest the other, and request another glass of wine from the bartender. 

“Looks like you were enjoying yourself out there.” A low voice materializes next to you. Your head swivels in the direction of the voice to find a man standing just feet away from you, holding a bottle of beer and watching you with interest. He’s much taller than you, but not intimidating, with an approachable air about him, and warm brown eyes that remind you of autumn. A dark blazer is slung over one shoulder, leaving him in a simple white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, the folded cuffs tugging at his muscular forearms. His friendly smile accentuates the dimple in his cheek. 

“Oh!” you say, cheeks flushing. You put your other foot back on the ground in surprise. “Yeah. I guess. I don’t normally do that kind of thing, but my friend dragged me here because she wanted me to meet this guy, but they both disappeared, and then I was just standing here all alone feeling sorry for myself.” You lift one shoulder in a shrug. ”I don’t even really know anyone here, but I figured I might as well make the best of it and have some fun.” 

“Looks like we’re in the same boat,” he says with a chuckle. ”I sort of got dragged here too.” 

“Well, from one wedding crasher to another, let me introduce myself.” You hold out a hand jokingly for him to shake. “I’m y/n.”

“Y/n,” he repeats, taking your hand. “Nice to meet you, y/n. I’m Namjoon.” 

"There, now we both know at least one other person." You smile, taking a sip from the glass of wine that the bartender has just set in front of you. 

“So this guy your friend wanted you to meet,” he says. “You didn’t like him?” 

"No?" You make a face. “I mean, he was all right, I guess, but I don't think we had very much in common. Besides, he was making googly eyes at some bridesmaid the whole time I was talking to him." A rueful sigh huffs through your lips. "I’ve got to stop listening to Ji-eun. She means well, but one thing she doesn’t have is a talent for matchmaking.” 

“Sorry to hear that," says Namjoon. "About the guy.” 

“It’s okay. At least we didn’t waste too much of each other's time.” You smile. “Anyway, why aren’t you out there? Isn’t everyone supposed to be dancing? It’s a party, after all.” 

“Oh, no.” He chuckles. His laugh feels affable and warm, just like his smile. “I’m a terrible dancer. It's better that I don’t. I’d probably end up breaking something, or someone. I’m just here for the atmosphere.” He sets his bottle down on the bar top. “Besides, I was having more fun watching you.” His brown eyes twinkle.

Your heart flutters in your chest and you find yourself trying to hold back a laugh. 

“Not buying it?” he says teasingly. You shake your head, still smiling. “Sorry. I’ve never been very good at this. Whatever this is.” 

“I’ll give you a point for trying.” 

“Ah, good. That means I didn’t fail completely, right?” 

“Right. Something like that.” You laugh. “So who dragged you here? Are your friends equally as annoying as mine?” 

"My friend, Seokjin, who's been bugging me to get out for weeks. He claims to know the groom or something. No, wait, it was the best man…or maybe it was the best man’s friend? I’m actually not sure.” He scans the crowded dance floor and points. “Him, right there, with the shoulders.” You follow his line of vision over to a tall, broad-shouldered man, flailing his arms and virtually towering over his dance partner, who, come to think of it, looks a lot like…Ji-eun? "He might actually be more dangerous on the dance floor than me.”

“Funny,” you say. “That's my best friend he's dancing with.” 

“Really?” Namjoon looks at you, then back at them. “Wow. I guess it’s only right that our annoying best friends found their way to each other.” 

“No offense to your friend, but I don’t think it’ll last very long. Ji-eun’s not known for committing long-term. She’s a walking contradiction. Convinced she’ll be the one to introduce me to my one and only, yet has no interest in finding one of her own.” 

“As luck would have it, neither is Jin. They’re a perfect match.” 

You raise your glass. “In that case, may the Seokjins and the Ji-euns of the world always find their way to each other.” 

He clinks his bottle with your cup. “Hear, hear.” 

Namjoon is easy to talk to, and he's especially interested in your job illustrating book covers for a publishing house. "It's nothing special." You wave your hands. “It’s a really small company. And I’ve only been doing it for about a year, so I’m not very good at it yet.” 

"Are you kidding?” he says, awestruck. “I’ve never met anyone who does that. And you must be good, or you wouldn’t be doing it professionally.”

“Well, it pays the bills,” you say, dipping your head modestly, “and it gives me plenty of free time to work on my own art.” 

“Really?“ Namjoon looks intrigued. “What medium do you prefer?” 

“I’m a painter. Mostly. But I like to experiment with a little bit of everything.”

“Wow. She designs book covers. She paints. And now I’m wondering where you’ve been all my life.” A tinge of pink colors his cheeks. “Uh…I just meant…” He rubs at his neck self-consciously. “Anyway.”

He’s awfully cute when he’s flustered. 

The conversation takes a slight turn, and you find yourself listening with interest as he tells you about his work as a grad student, his dissertation on the intersection of art and philosophy, his plans for the future after he finishes his doctorate. Tenure, professorhood, the papers he wants to write. The art he'd like to buy if he had the money. If it were anyone else, you know you'd be starting to zone out by now, but there's something about Namjoon's low, even voice that draws you in and keeps you paying attention. Like a documentary narrator, or a radio host. 

"You're staring at me," he says, his tone light and teasing. 

You were listening so intently that you didn't even realize what you were doing. "Was I?" You turn away slightly, hoping to hide the blooming patches of pink on your cheeks. "Sorry." 

"It's okay." Namjoon's eyes crinkle into a smile. "It's all I can do to get the freshmen in my courses to look at anything other than their screens, so trust me, I don't mind it at all. I'm just glad you don't think I'm boring."

"Boring?" you say, surprised. "Are there people out there who think you're boring?"

"Oh, definitely. You'd be surprised. Jin, for one. He swears up and down that he doesn't think so, but a few minutes in and his eyes are already starting to glaze over. You, on the other hand…well, I've been monologuing for ages, but you've just been standing there with that mesmerized look on your face the whole time."

"Mesmerized?" You chuckle. "I don't know about that."

"No, it's true," he insists. "Admit it. I fascinate you."

"And?” you ask. “What about it?” 

“What do you say we get out of here?” he says, barely blinking an eye. The corner of his mouth quirks. “This party’s almost over anyway. We can continue this conversation somewhere we can actually hear ourselves think.” 

You hesitate. You barely know this guy. But he likes you – you can tell. He’s the first guy in a long time to express genuine interest in you or your job or your personal life in general. It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy to look at, either, with his striking brown eyes and easy, dimpled smile. There’s just something about the way he looks at you that makes your palms tingle and you heart feel like it’s about to explode. And what is it about rolled up sleeves and exposed forearms that just drives you absolutely insane? Maybe it’s the alcohol talking, or the letdown from Ji-eun’s unsuccessful attempt to set you up with Minho – but you have to see where this goes. “Okay,” you say finally. “Where should we go?” 

He’s about to speak when Seokjin and Ji-eun stumble up, arm in arm. “Namjoon-ah! My best friend!” Seokjin exclaims drunkenly. He throws his long arms over Namjoon’s shoulders from behind, pink-cheeked and grinning. “I think I’m in love.”

“Oh, really?” Namjoon eyes his friend with a dry expression. “Who is she, then?”

He looks at Ji-eun blankly, then back at Namjoon. "Ah, well, her name isn't important. What matters is…I'm in love." Seokjin pokes a long finger into Namjoon’s cheek. “And I’m going to marry her.” 

“Oppa!” squeals Ji-eun, pulling him back toward her. “Really?” 

“Uh-huh. I’ll bet.” Namjoon’s gaze cuts in your direction. “Sorry. Normally he’s better at holding his liquor than this,” he whispers. “I should really get him home before he gets any louder – and gets us uninvited from future events.”  

“Same here,” you say apologetically. “If we can manage to split them apart again.” Seokjin and Ji-eun are once again furiously making out, hands in places you’re not even sure you’re supposed to be looking. 

“They’ll have to come up for air sometime. I think we might have a chance then. You grab yours and I’ll grab mine?”

“Deal.” The second Ji-eun pulls away from Seokjin to take a breath, you take her firmly by the arm and pull her toward the door of the reception hall, ignoring her protesting about being separated from the love of her life, while Namjoon tugs Seokjin along behind you. There’s a line of people outside already waiting for taxis, given that you’re in the middle of the city, so you join the queue behind another couple, still trying to prevent Ji-eun and Seokjin from devouring each other whole on the sidewalk. 

“Nicely done,” says Namjoon, the dimple in his cheek reappearing alongside his grin, while he maintains a firm grip on Seokjin's arm. “I take it you have experience with this?”

“Only every Saturday night since university.” You chuckle. “Between the two of us I’m definitely the responsible one.” 

“Eonni!” whines Ji-eun. “Don’t tell him that! He’ll think you’re boring!” 

You plant an elbow firmly into the side of her ribs, sending her into silence. 

"That's okay." His smile doesn't waver. "I'm a little bit boring myself, so what's one boring person to another?"

Boring? you think. You're not boring at all. You’re passionate about what you love. You’re the first man to look at me that way: like I’m the most interesting person in the world to you, when really it’s the other way around. You’re sweet. You’re adorably awkward. You’re bad at flirting – but something about you draws me in anyway. And I know we’ve only just met…but I want to know everything about you. What makes you happy, what inspires you, what intrigues you…I want to spend hours listening to you tell me all about it.

The crowd waiting for cabs disperses until it's just you and Namjoon. "I guess this is it, then,” he says as a taxi finally pulls to a stop in front of you. “We should do this again sometime. Minus the drunk people, of course. Not that I don’t enjoy dragging a hundred and thirty pounds of dead weight around with me, but it does put a damper on things, doesn’t it?” 

“Yah, you bastard! I’m not that heavy!” Seokjin bellows, as he's struggling to stay upright, his words still slurring together. 

“Yeah,” you say. “I’d like that. Maybe we can actually finish that conversation we were having before we got interrupted.” You nudge Ji-eun, who seems determined to make herself as unwieldy as possible, not so gently into the cab, sending her tumbling into the backseat, and turn back to him. “By the way…I really appreciate it. You talking to me. It made me forget how totally out of place I was.” 

“Ah, it was nothing.” He ducks his head sheepishly. “As a fellow wedding crasher, I’m happy to have helped. Thanks for putting up with me rambling all night.” 

“Please.” You smile, waving your hand. “Nothing to put up with. I had a good time.” 

“Well…good night, y/n.” Namjoon closes the car door after you. “Get home safe. Until next time?”

“Until next time.” You look up at him. “Good night, Namjoon.” You sit back in your seat, allowing the flutter of excitement that’s been slowly building in your stomach to take flight. This guy…he likes you. He really likes you. You’re going to see him again. And for the first time, in a long time, if not ever…you’re excited. Really excited. Your hand goes to your mouth, barely concealing the grin that’s forming on your lips. 

As your taxi pulls away from the curb, a hand suddenly appears in the half-open window, causing it to jerk to a stop. Namjoon appears next to the car, shaking his hand ruefully and wincing. "Damn, that hurts. Guess that'll teach me, won't it?" He leans down, bringing his face closer to yours. "Sorry about that. You were just about to disappear when it dawned on me that I forgot to ask you for your number, and I knew I had to do something before I lost you."

“Oh! My number.” Your heart flutters again. “Yeah, you’re going to need that, aren’t you?” 

Namjoon watches as you tap your number into his phone. “Good thing I remembered when I did. That could have been a disaster.”

“A disaster, huh?” you ask, handing his phone back to him.

“Catastrophic.” He laughs, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “How else would we have found out if we were meant to be if we didn’t go on an actual first date?” He gazes down at you with a teasing grin. “Anyway – I’ll call you?”

“Soon, I hope.” You smile. “I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll try not to keep you waiting too long.” Namjoon’s eyes meet with yours momentarily before he turns away, letting out an awkward chuckle. “Well…good night, y/n. I mean it this time. Really.” 

“Good night,” you say, stifling a giggle. “Get home safe.” 

The taxi finally pulls away from the curb, and you can’t help looking out the window after him as he walks back toward Seokjin. He’s handsome, even from behind. Ji-eun flops against you, and you shift her to a more comfortable position against your shoulder. “I knew dragging you along was a good idea. Did I call it, or what?” she mumbles proudly. “You know, I saw the way you were looking at that guy just now.” She pokes teasingly at your arm, eyes half-closed. “Like you wanted to dive right in and take up residence in his dimples. And sparks like a fireworks show. It’s so obvious! You are smitten.” Ji-eun sing-songs the last part.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you say, pressing your lips together to hide your smile. Ji-eun might not have introduced you to the love of your life – but it’s the first time in a while that you’ve felt this way about anyone – and you suppose you do have to thank her for that. 

©2023 by mrworldwideshoulders || series masterlist || collection masterlist || my masterlist ||

[prophetic-hijinks]

Weaponized Cuteness

This comic is set soon after their engagement. This is a little bit of matchmaker rats weaponizing Antonio. But Antonio does like how Elena and Bruno read stories. I imagine they both are very dramatic with the voices.

Also I assume there is a very irritated Hugo somewhere in the city wondering where the heck ‘Bambi’ is.

Master comic list

Start from the beginning

One shots

[heliphantie]

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Dolores!

She happens to appear in my fanart quite frequently… Hardly underrated character, and I can see why. She’s an expressive, fairly “toony” character, very Disney kind of supporting heroine (while not as significant, I’ve compared her to Charlotte La Bouff once). Though, as with many Encanto-related things, she’s more interesting due her potential and conceptually, than what we got of her in completed movie. For one, she was supposed to be a wallflower and lot weirder than she appears in the end, but it was, presumably, toned down to not take from Bruno’s status as misfit, for him to stand out more drastically, I guess? Even then, I’ve found things to appreciate about her with that little material that is out there.

To be honest, I’ve never found convincing that popular fan theory of her covering Bruno all that time, it always appeared to me she was just genuinely startled with being able to hear him somehow (or having impression of such), as a sign of his mysterious supernatural presence, nothing more (naturally, it was debunked by director eventually – too big misconception to leave it vague, it seems). Heartfelt idea, probably, but there is other thing in canon to judge her good will: she is briefly shown to be friendly with Isabela, and even despite having valid reason to keep grudge against her – she *was* actually about to take away from Dolores something she cherished – she never seems to act hostile to her cousin, openly or not, or was hinted scheming against her, or badmouth her, even though she seems to have taste for a gossip. Compare to our protagonist. (Every time I have to address Encanto, it has to come down either to subject of Bruno, or Mirabel dissing.) Nevertheless, I like hypothesis I’ve seen once, about Dolores using the secret of prophecy to her advantage, as means to (somewhat justified) sabotage Mariano’s proposal, as it become the last straw to hold onto in the face of terminal loss of faint hope. You can’t blame her, as what was awaiting her is much worse than regular failure in love: not just getting unable to recover and move on, but oversee (and overhear) her beloved one set in relationships with another before her very eyes for the rest of foreseeable life. Enough to drive one crazy, and being doomed for it, she seems even more benevolent and humble toward her rival. But what with said sabotage and that small scene of her little addendum to Mariano’s words she quotes about him wanting “five kids”, just to see Isa losing face for a moment upon hearing it? This, I think, is evidence she knows her cousin far better than younger generation does (again, Mirabel who’s in the dark for beginning of the story), and aware about her keeping façade at all times and having lot of bottled free will and emotions. She, most likely, knows or realizes reluctance on Isa’s part in all that situation with marriage, even as it’s not clear if either of them has been open about it. So, she occasionally attempts to crack that façade and get Isa to deal with her honest feelings. And compare the messed-up proposal with the story of Pepa’s wedding (which recalling, probably, not by accident precedes the matchmaking dinner and leads to it). Even natural (well, kinda) disaster wasn’t enough to call off marriage arranged out of true love, and Mirabel (in honest case of fair reasoning) wisely notes the ruined engagement is *not* a legit reason to state Isa’s chance for marriage is failed. It’s just forced interruption in predetermined process that launched her powers out of control, and then they manifested her denial to go through with it, for once confirming she lives a lie. That way, actions of Dolores seem to come across as these of trickster, not unlike ones by Bruno (judging by Pepa’s story, anyway), ultimately setting record straight and for better. (And, as it’s hinted and ultimately confirmed by director, the strength of miracle is fueled by unconditional love, so one can wonder what a damage an involuntary marriage based on unrequited love may occur.)

The romance of Dolores herself is something I wasn’t looking deeply at originally, as it seemed to be a footnote to me, last minute hook-up to tie all dangling ends together in record time. Mariano himself is something of “McGuffin” character, and a joke on archetype. The development is brief, and we get just a short summary of it (I assume as with all musical numbers, it’s an artistic license and in “reality” there was more time for relationship to blossom). So, nothing really of substance to chew on. Until I realized the love match does, in fact, not need much of development because it’s foreshadowed by another one shown through the movie. As many noticed, there is certain semblance between Isa and her Tía Pepa: powers of both are influenced by their emotions, both are bottling up their emotions to keep said powers under control and maintain pleasant façade, both have thorny relationship with younger sibling… But it seems, if we look at Dolores, she also has personality similar to that of her Tía Julieta: she’s soft-spoken, caring, gentle, and both niece and aunt have heart symbol somewhere in their costumes (Julieta’s apron embroidery and Dolores’s earrings) to signify their empathetic personality. And their respective love interests both are men of tall stature, implied to be quite intelligent, well-mannered, and somewhat accident-prone. Maybe, comparison is subtle (and arguably not even intentional, to be fair), but can be used to justify one match over another as more natural, fateful one. At last, it’s also implied that Dolores is only one who sees value in Mariano’s good qualities (hence her empathetic core), his kindness and intelligence, while at first it seems only the status of his family and his looks do matter for anyone else (we don’t get proper impression, but it’s what can be taken from what is shown). And probably, she, as somebody to whom vision is not main or trustful canal of perception, doesn’t even care what he looks like, but who he is on inside, which falls into the central theme of the story: looking deeper with your heart to find true connection with loved ones.

[takhesis]

Plotbunny, again and again...

In the course of a discussion with the co-autor came up with this idea, in the spirit of anime by Hayao Miyazaki.

Something about a weirdo uncle living in the highest tower, who keeps dreaming of making wings and flying in the sky, and his niece, who comes to him despite the family's "Ah, let's not talk about this weirdo who tarnishes the respectable image of our family". And as she looks at the drawings, and Bruno tells her how birds fly, how the shape of the wings affects the speed and type of flight, and she comes to him every day, and no longer looks at the wings, but at his hands, his face, eyes that sparkle with dreams, listens to his voice. And then there seems to be a good boy matchmaking, and on the day of an important dinner, Mirabel forgets about it, and instead of sitting at the table in the company of the suitor for her hand and heart, spends the whole night in Bruno's tower because they are watching night butterflies and bats fly. And the ending needs something so magrealist. Bruno makes wings and Mirabel volunteers to try them out. And so she puts on this device and jumps from the tower, and Bruno's own wings grow out of terror and he picks her up at the very ground. And they soar together into the sky and fly in fluffy clouds.

[yen-sids-tournament]

Roger and Anita v Pepa and Felix

Propaganda submitted:

Roger and Anita 101 Dalmatians

~First of all, the meet cute is ADORABLE (doubly so bc it was the dog matchmaking for his owner). They are so sweet and cute together. Roger is a goofy musical man who waltzes his wife around and is very fond of his little family. Anita is a bit bland but she's also very supportive of her husband and plays along with his goofs and has fun with it! They're just really cute. ~Cutest Disney couple ! ~their dogs’ love is the focus of the movie but they’re really sweet too, especially the meet cute

Pepa and Felix Encanto

There are so many small moments between them throughout the film. His backup in “We don’t talk about Bruno” is legendary.

[alexthebordercollie]

To Love at all is to Love Entirely

Chapter 4: Transients

Warning contains homophobic slurs.

︵‿୨ - January 14 1951 - ୧‿︵

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Wilfredo stiffened up as he straightened his bowtie. Jacqueline’s snickering brought a grin to his face despite himself. Stop that! Don’t laugh, don’t encourage her!

“It’s not like you were gonna make a move. Still need your hermantia to play matchmaker for you, eh? How sad.” She teased.

Wilfredo shook his head and sighed. “No one is making any moves Jacqueline.” Much as he liked what he’d seen of Bruno, an attractive, funny, creative man... He had no expectations. “This is a small town. We can’t afford to be causing trouble. If we get kicked out we’ll be stuck on the streets for the next three months. We need to save our money for travel expenses.”

“UGH!” Jacqueline groaned loudly.

Wilfredo shoved aside the curtain that separated the tiny guest room. He pointed a stern finger at his sister. “I mean it, Jacqueline. Sin travesuras.”

His sister leaned back on her elbows on the mat that had been arranged on her side of the room. She glared up at him indignantly. “If no eres atraído, why are you getting all dressed up?” She complained.

“Cállate.” He blustered before scurrying back behind the curtain to collect his coat.

He wore a tweed suit. It had been tailor-made many years ago. Once it had been a perfect fit. He looked quite dapper in it. He’d gained some weight since then and the way the seams rode up slightly too high on his shoulders bothered him. He’d have to see a tailor again once he got his first paycheck. He was still a stocky fellow though so perhaps it was a fool's errand to try so hard. In truth, he wasn’t trying to impress the attractive man who’d caught his eye. Rather he hoped he could win over the town's stern matriarch after his clumsy introduction. Besides, he preferred to maintain some presentability.

“Apúrate! The festival’s already started and I’m not going to bed tonight til I’m good and drunk.” His sister griped as she burst through the curtain to get him.

︵‿୨ - January 6 1951 - ୧‿︵

Wilfredo was in no hurry to be back on the road. Not after Jacqueline's affair with a local politician got them run out of the last town. Three years. They managed three years this time before needing to move. Ever since leaving Bogotá they never could settle in one place for too long. There always seemed to be some reason or another to leave. This time Jacqueline was caught by a wealthy man's wife. The kind of family more than capable of screwing them both over. They were in quite the sorry state when they found El Encanto. Trudging through the jungle with all the possessions they had left in a rickety wooden cart. They’d lost their horse a few miles back. A horse Jacqueline stole no less. Most of their money had been seized in an unrelated incident. If Wilfredo saw that wretched banker's face again he was sure he would send the man home with a black eye and few missing teeth.

Despite being mostly responsible for their current predicament Jacqueline wasn’t slow to complain. Whining all the way as they dragged their cart along by hand. She suggested dumping their things on more than one occasion though Wilfredo was in no hurry to be even more broke than they already were. At least some of their possessions could sell for decent when they made it to another town. If they made it to another town. After a day and a half with no clean drinking water, Jacqueline drank from a stream. Very much against his advice. Suffice it to say it didn’t help their situation. Wilfredo was nearly on the verge of setting up camp somewhere for his hermanita and running ahead to try and find the road they’d lost track of. That's when he’d caught a glimpse of light on the horizon. Civilization. They hiked all night before reaching a crack in the mountains that overlooked a valley and its vibrant little town.

Wilfredo wasn’t sure he’d ever been so grateful to see other humans as he and his hermanita made their way into town. Still pulling their cart behind them. Folks in town gave them odd looks as they passed.

“Necesito un baño.” His sister groaned as her face grew a sickly color.

Wilfredo kept looking around for signs of anything that might signify a place of business. Everything looked residential or at least unmarked. “I know, I know.” He was really starting to worry.

Before he could bring himself to break down and ask someone for directions, a local family stopped them in the streets. A man, his wife, and teenage daughter by the looks of it.

“Ey, you two alright?” The man asked with genuine concern and a bit of surprise.

Wilfredo hadn’t really thought about how rough they looked. He suddenly became very self-conscious. His clothes were filthy. He'd stripped down to just his pants and a now very sweaty undershirt. His hair was matted and he was covered in all manner of scrapes and bruises. Jacqueline had navigated the woods a bit better though she looked like she would vomit at any moment. She was barely conscious of the worried bystanders.

Wilfredo adjusted his crooked reading glasses. “Oh, uh. We’ve been walking a while and could really use a place to rest for the night.” He was hesitant to ask because he knew his wallet was light, but Jacqueline needed somewhere to rest. It was unavoidable at this point. “I don’t suppose you folks have un hostal or something?”

Jacqueline groaned as she hobbled to the edge of the street to vomit in the family's flower bed. The woman let out a worried shriek and he couldn’t help but mutter curses under his breath.

“I told you not to drink the river water!” He scolded. This family certainly wouldn’t be in a hurry to help after an introduction like that. The locals surprised him.

“Oh, pobrecita.” The woman cooed as she held his sister's hair back while she wretched. “Come with us. We have someone in town who can help.”

Wilfredo felt a pain in his wallet. He pulled it from his back pocket to double-check their funds. They had a doctor? How much would a doctor cost in a small town like this? Surely not that much? They really couldn’t afford more than a bed right now. “I don’t think that’s necessary. She just needs to rest for a bit.” He attempted to dismiss. Looking at his hermanita... he didn’t sound as confident as he would have liked.

He nearly jumped as the strange man put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “It’s no trouble hombre. We’ll heal you guys up. No charge, bueno?”

Wilfredo turned to see the wife heading down the street supporting a very sick Jacqueline.“I’m taking her to see Julieta.” She explained to her husband.

A woman. So not a doctor. A curandera... great. He highly doubted a few rituals and prayers were going to treat his hermanita's dysentery. These people were trying to help so he bit his tongue. It would do him no good to insult their superstitious practices. Wilfredo looked back to the man then to his daughter. The girl was watching them both intently. She looked both fascinated and terrified. As if Wilfredo were some rare specimen.

The man gave him a kind smile. The whole family seemed kind if a bit... fearful. It was subtle but Wilfredo didn't miss the undercurrent of apprehension under their generosity. This town probably didn't see outsiders very often.

“Oh, you don't have to do that.” He fumbled out. He meant to sound more cherry, more grateful. To decline them politely. He was running on fumes and the words came out more frazzled and worried.

“You said you need a place to stay for the night?” The man asked.

“Uhm, sí. That is what I said.” Wilfredo replied as he took his glasses off to clean them. Realizing his shirt was entirely too damp to be of any use. His vision wasn’t the worst but he couldn’t help resenting his current sorry state.

“Let me take you to see the council. Estoy seguro pueden arreglarlo con un lugar para dormir.”

The man gestured for him to follow. Wilfredo was about to grab his cart again. The friendly stranger called out to his daughter.

“Ayla can watch your things. You look like you could use a break.”

Wilfredo looked back at the dark-haired teenager. He was deeply anxious about the prospect of leaving all of his worldly possessions in the hands of strangers. They had just whisked away his hermanita... With the current state of affairs, it hardly seemed like the bigger problem.

“The council?” Wilfredo inquired.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

The man led him to the plaza. He explained how the town's founders still ran the place and oversaw all of the town's day-to-day logistics. Thankfully it didn’t take long for his new acquaintance to flag down a group of elders overseeing some sort of construction project.

“Señora Madrigal, perdone.” The man got the attention of a stern elder woman in a black shawl.

Wilfredo stood just far back enough he didn’t hear exactly what all was said. He could feel his blood run cold when Señora Madrigal looked his way. He was quick to straighten up as the woman approached and put on his most marketable smile.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had an outsider in our community.” The woman opened sternly though not incurious. It was clear from the way she carried herself and the finery she wore, she was someone of influence in this town.

“We don’t mean to intrude.” Wilfredo explained smoothly. Despite the exhaustion that had seeped into his bones. He was going to fold his arms behind his back before realizing that an overly straight poster would draw attention to his filthy shirt and unsightly belly. He settled instead for tucking his hands in his front pockets in an attempt to look relaxed. “My sister and I got lost and this is the first town we’ve come across in days. I was hoping we might find someplace to rest for the night.”

He watched as the old woman's face softened a bit. She eyed him up and down with an unmistakable hint of pity in her eyes. Pity was the last thing he wanted. At least it was better than hostility or suspicion.

“You certainly look it.” She waved to the other council members. “Let’s move this conversation inside. Arturo, could you get this man a glass of water.” An older man took off his hat and nodded to her as he led the way into a large stone building. Some kind of town hall by the look of it. The interior had a collection of tables and chairs filling a large open space with a vaulted ceiling. A podium was set up on one end and there appeared to be some doors leading to other spare rooms though Wilfredo couldn’t tell what their functions were.

The inside was thankfully cool and Wilfredo was immensely grateful for a drink of clean water. He hadn’t realized just how dehydrated he was until he found himself chugging the glass in one swig. He looked back at the elders who had sat down with him around one of the small round tables. They looked confused and worried. He almost felt too embarrassed to ask for another glass.

“I’ll get you a refill.” Arturo offered gently as he reached for Wilfredo’s glass.

“Gracias.” He replied sheepishly.

He could feel all the eyes in the room boring holes into him. Especially the Madrigal woman.

“I feel as though I’ve intruded.” Wilfredo apologized.

The Madrigal woman stiffened for a moment. “We don’t see outsiders here often. No obstante, it would be wrong not to help considering your condition. Do you mind explaining to us how you found this place?”

Arturo returned with another glass of water and Wilfredo thanked him. He sipped slower this time while he considered his answer. Wilfredo was sure a full explanation of how they ended up in this predicament would certainly not charm this guarded old woman. He’d have to tread carefully. “Mi hermana and I were traveling to a neighboring city when there was an accident on the road. Our horse got spooked and we got lost in the woods. I saw the light of your village through a crack in the mountains last night.”

The elders exchanged worried glances. A woman with silver braids whispered something to the town's matriarch and was reassured with a whisper.

“Cómo te llamas.” She asked him.

“Wilfredo Fontana Alfaro.” He answered. “Mi hermana Jacqueline was taken to see your curandera.”

The matriarch cut him off with her hand. “Julieta, my daughter. She’ll see to it your sister is well. Will you be ready to leave when she is?”

Wilfredo thought for a moment. “Well…”

“Do you know where you are going?” She asked sternly. What kind of a question was that? He felt like he was being scolded. Who was this woman to scold him?

“If we had a map, I’m sure we could find our way back to the main road.” He replied calmly despite his indignation. The last thing he needed to do was offend the people offering him assistance. Even if it meant swallowing his pride.

“What were you doing traveling the forest on foot?” She asked.

Tread carefully. “I lost my job, Señora.” That was technically true. “I have a new job arranged in Cali, but I don’t start for another three months.” He sipped his water quietly.

"And you didn’t think to take a train?” The woman asked skeptically.

Wilfredo nearly choked on his drink for a moment. How stupid did this woman think he was? “With all due respect, mi hermana and I have fallen on hard times as of late. We were hoping to conserve our funds.” Also partially true. Though he would probably have taken the train had a vindictive mother not hunted down his sister with a shotgun.

The woman rubbed the bridge of her nose irritably as though she’d been struck by a migraine. He could swear he heard her mutter “Idiota”, under her breath, but made no comment. This woman seemed to be the one running things here. She asked every question while her companions regarded him with worry and suspicion.

“What is it you do?” She asked.

“Me?” Wilfredo was a little surprised by the question. It hardly seemed relevant. “I’m a teacher. University level usually. I have taught children before.” A bit of an overstatement. His experience teaching children was very sparse but he was in the habit of saying whatever would expand his job prospects.

The elders whispered amongst each other again for a moment before the Madrigal woman waved him away. “Take him to see Julieta. This man could use something to eat.”

Aurturo offered a hand to help Wilfredo to his feet. He really was exhausted and it was definitely sinking in just how obvious it was. Arturo spoke softly and seemed like a gentle, kind, old fellow. A pleasant contrast to the cold woman.

He brought him to a little stand on the edge of the plaza. There was a bar with a little television where a few people sat. None were watching it however, their eyes were elsewhere. A woman in a blue dress was talking with his sister who seemed to be in much better spirits.

“Wilfredo you have to try this!” Jacqueline gushed as she ran up to him bright-eyed. Attempting to shove an arepa into his face.

Wilfredo waved her hand away in frustration. “I’m not hungry.” Of course, Jacqueline had been exaggerating. Why was he surprised? What had he just agreed to? Was that humiliating inquisition all for nothing?

“I’m serious hermano this food is amazing.” She insisted.

The old man Arturo laughed. “She’s right you know. You should have a bite. You’ll feel better.”

Wilfredo grumbled as he took the arepa from Jacqueline. He somehow doubted a bite to eat would heal his wounded pride. He didn't need food right now he could do without. It wasn't the priority.

He found an open seat at the bar by the television and took a bite of the as his sister watched on with suspicious enthusiasm. He usually was very careful and particular about what he ate and when. That said given their two-day trek in the woods he could afford to be a bit careless today. “Why are you-” He stopped as a wave of relief washed over him. He swallowed the fried bread and stared down at his bruised and battered forearms. Watching the marks disappear from his skin.

He adjusted his glasses and examined himself more closely. The old man laughed again. “Bienvenidos a El Encanto.” He beamed as he took in the newcomer's astonishment. “El pueblo de los milagros.”

“Ciertamente.” Was all Wilfredo could say as he sat in utter bewilderment.

Arturo bid them a friendly farewell before leaving to return to the council.

He looked around as if expecting some explanation to present itself in his environment. The town looked ordinary at first glance. As if the lifted fatigue had sharpened his mind, he only now realized the exceptional feats that surrounded him.

The woman in blue he learned was Julieta Madrigal. She could apparently heal any sickness or injury with her food. Apparently, all the Madrigals were magical as far as his hermanita told it. Though she was easily carried away so perhaps there was something she was missing.

“There has to be some kind of explanation.” He argued with his sister who groaned in frustration.

“It’s magic, it doesn’t need an explanation.” She insisted. She gestured his attention to a puppet theater in the center of the plaza. He only just now realized that was what the adults around him were watching. A gaggle of children sat on the cobblestone laughing at what looked like rats in little costumes. Strange. He watched a curly-haired boy pop his head out from behind the stage only to transform into a middle-aged woman.

Wilfredo sat dumbfounded.

He squinted through foggy lenses. “That’s an impressive trick I’ll give them that.” He mused as he tried to think of how such a transformation could be achieved. He took another bite from what he was quickly realizing was the best arepa he ever tasted. Though perhaps he was just starving. He'd have to factor it in if he had dinner later. Some kind of mask change? Though he could spot no seams or devices that might be used to remove it so quickly.

“Magia! idiota! Why do you have to overthink everything!?” His hermanita whined. Why did she have to act like such a child? This is how he enjoyed things. He liked seeing how things work. Discovering the hidden mechanisms behind the world. Not everyone needed to be as whimsical as her. Perhaps she should have been more grateful for his pragmatic approach to life. It was what kept them both alive all these years.

Wilfredo was quickly distracted from her complaints however as he spotted a new face. When the rats on the stage hit their marks two actors would emerge from either side of the stage to deliver lines. The boy whose face kept changing, and an older man.

The older man looked about his late forties. He had a short scruffy beard and his hazel eyes glimmered with mischief as he delivered his lines. He mostly seemed to play the male characters while the boy played the women. Every line he delivered was enthusiastic and eccentric. He seemed to relish his role as the cartoonish villain of the story they were enacting. He didn’t recognize this story, something original perhaps? He couldn’t help but smile as the man slipped in little jabs no child would have caught onto. The adults around all got a laugh, but there was one joke he wasn’t sure anyone else caught. He felt a kind of childish glee in that moment. A little joke just for him.

“Enjoying the show?” Jacquline disrupted his thoughts with a playful nudge.

He looked over to see a wry grin on her face. Oh no. Was he really that obvious? Or did he really smile so little she could think of no other reason for him to enjoy the presence of another human?

“The jokes are clever.” He retorted stubbornly. He took a large bite of food so as not to have to talk anymore.

The play came to an end with the villain's very melodramatic death and he couldn’t help but resent Jacquline for distracting him from the ending.

“Oh, es bastante gracioso bien.” she agreed.

They both watched as the two performers took a bow. The rats all clambered up onto the older man's shoulders. He bowed low and rewarded his actors with pets and treats from his pockets while the boy began deconstructing the stage.

“Is that it!?” Whined one of the children.

“Hey take it up with Tío Bruno.” The boy replied with a grin. The gaggle of little ones proceeded to bombard the man with questions.

These performances were apparently a weekly occurrence and the kids were used to longer shows. Bruno, the writer, had been short on ideas as of late. He didn’t say as much, but it was easy to infer from his timid half-answers. He really was a small man by the look of it. Amazing how much he could shrink in the face of such juvenile confrontation.

“That’s enough niños.” The healer lady shooed the children away. “Go play. There’ll be plenty more shows in the future.”

Wilfredo couldn't help but find the whole affair endearing as he watched Bruno smile sheepishly at his sister. What an adorable little grin.

“You should go talk to him.” Jacquline whispered to him.

“What? No!” He spun around and scolded his sister in hushed tones. “You’re still in trouble you know! Don’t think you can distract me.”

Jacqueline feigned innocence. “Who me? I was just trying to encourage mi hermano hacer amigos nuevos. We’re in a strange place. It's not a bad idea to be friendly.”

He knew full well what she was really insinuating. He certainly wasn’t engaging with such indecent impulses at a time like this.

He was about to say something else but a stern voice cut him off.

“Señor Fontana?”

He turned to see Señora Madrigal approach with the rest of the council. They seemed to be of mixed emotions. At least kind old Arturo offered a friendly wave as they approached.

The matriarch still lead the conversation.“We’ve been discussing your unfortunate situation.” She looked his sister over. “We thought given the circumstances we might make an offer. We are willing to arrange a place for you to stay for the next few months. Just until you’re ready to start work.”

Wilfredo was deeply put off by the unexpected proposition. “Oh, oh no, no gracias. That isn’t necessary really. We can’t really afford-” The woman cut him off again. All it took was a wave of her hand. The authority she emanated was palpable.

“Save your money. You will work for your room and board. You can save for a train ticket.” There was an edge to her words. He was certain he was being scolded this time.

“That’s a very generous offer.” He replied. Frustrating as it was to be talked down to. “but I would hate to be a burden.”

“YES!” Jacquline insisted enthusiastically. “Tu pueblo is so beautiful! It would be a privilege to live here. Even if it’s just for a little while.” She gushed. Pulling out her polite voice for once.

“Jacqueline!” Wilfredo hissed. He pushed his sister off his shoulder. She had a habit of perching there. “Con el debido respeto, I think this is something we should consider carefully before rushing to a decision.”

The Madrigal woman seemed somewhat pleased with his caution. “Desde luego. Take your time. For now, you two can spend the night with Señor Robledo and inform us of your decision tomorrow morning.”

“I suppose if it’s no trouble. That is very kind of you.” Wilfredo replied. Maintaining a calm friendly smile despite screaming inside. This wasn't part of his plan. None of this was. Jacqueline had thrown a wrench in all of his plans yet again. At least this was better than being homeless.

As the Madrigal woman turned to leave he realized she hadn’t actually told him where he could find her. “Will you be coming by to ask or-”

“Call for Dolores. She’ll relay the message.” The woman replied over her shoulder before nodding to Arturo who led them off.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Señor Robledo as it turned out was the town's very aged librarian whose home was a narrow two-bedroom attached to the library. The second bedroom had belonged to his late daughter. Wilfredo and Jacqueline had quite a time on that first night squeezing all their belongings into the small space. They set up a pallet on the floor and a curtain down the middle of the room. Wilfredo was going to take the floor himself, but his sister volunteered. She insisted she wouldn’t get much use out of the bed once she got acquainted with the town. What was he going to do with her?

︵‿୨ - January 14 1951 - ୧‿︵

“I’m telling you el hombre es un mariposón.” Jacqueline insisted as they made their way toward the town center.

“Baja la voz!” Wilfredo hissed in frustration. “You can’t let people hear you talk like that.” It baffled him sometimes his sister’s lack of situational awareness.

“The Madrigals are magic. They’re obviously the most influential family in town. Pero Bruno? I don’t see a ring on that man’s finger. At his age?”

Wilfredo straightened his cuffs irritably as they walked. No matter how often he tugged at them his sleeves fell slightly short of where they should rest. “There’s a lot of reasons for a man to stay single, Jacqueline.” He was growing increasingly impatient with this conversation. His sister was a promiscuous type and seemed especially committed to roping him into her antics ever since she caught him staring.

“I don’t know why you’re playing dumb.” Jacqueline insisted.

“Because I don’t want to sleep in the woods.” He replied dryly as they approached the bustling plaza.

Wilfredo rolled his eyes as his hermanita trotted off ahead of him. She could have her fun. He wanted no part of it. He took the opportunity to enjoy the momentary quiet and take in the town. Most of the games and music and food were further down the road. Every house was decorated with candles in windows and on doorsteps. They all had patterns carved into them. Some detailed and carefully crafted others had crude children's drawings. It was charming. He couldn’t help but smile a little as he leaned down to get a closer look at a candle that had been decorated with little stick-figure donkeys. At least they looked like donkeys. As someone who never really got to be a child, he was always so endeared by childish things. He envied those who knew how to embrace life's pleasures with reckless abandon. As much as his sister could be a pain, his life would be so much emptier without her in it.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been taking in the scenery when a timid voice called out to him.

“Oh, there you are.”

He looked up to see the man who’d captured his fascination on his first day in this town.

Bruno was short and lithe. His dark curls flecked with salt and pepper were tied back in a small tuft of a ponytail at the nape of his neck. The ruana he wore was colorful and filled with a childish spark though his soft eyes had a faintly haunting look to them. Almost as if he were some specter trying his best not to frighten people. The tender smile on this man's weathered features was something he hadn’t been prepared for.

Wilfredo pushed himself up from the crouch he was in and put on a polite urbanite smile. A relaxed, practiced, posture that concealed the embarrassing way this man's face affected him.

“You were looking for me?” He asked. Flattering as it was, he hoped the answer was no. He hoped he was of no special interest to Bruno. Bruno was a good man. A good man shouldn't be interested in him.

“Oh, uh, no I mean, well… Sort of?” Bruno started pulling on his ruana as he took a step back. Wilfredo froze up a little in place. He hadn’t meant to frighten him. Had he given something away?

“Tu hermana already stopped by to say hi and told me to see what was taking you.” He explained finally after a rat emerged from his collar to nibble at his cheek. Bruno took the rat down from his shoulder and stroked its back gently before looking back up at Wilfredo. “You said you didn’t mind the rats.” He smiled awkwardly. As though he felt the need to justify enjoying his pet in public.

Wilfredo adjusted his glasses before composing himself. Finally taking a step closer. “Por supuesto que no. Don’t neglect your furry friends for my sake.” He laughed in the hopes of disarming the delicate creature in front of him. “Mi hermanita’s always in such a hurry to party. We should try and catch up to her before she causes any trouble.”

“Trouble?” Bruno inquired.

Wilfredo cursed himself for his choice of words. “Don’t tell Señora Madrigal, but mi hermanita has a bit of a history. I’m sure la matriarca would be less welcoming if she knew.” Bruno seemed like someone who would be a bit more understanding. He wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was his eccentric nature that led Wilfredo to assume he was no stranger to misunderstandings.

“Oh, mi madre. Sí, she’s a strict woman. I wouldn’t worry too much. Mientras la trates bien you should be fine.” Bruno seemed awfully quick to reinforce Wilfredo’s assessment of the woman. Bruno looked back up at him as they walked along. Still slouched terribly. “So what held you up?”

“I was just admiring the decorations.” He explained.

“Right. Every year people like to create their own little miracles. Almost makes the town feel like family for a night.” Bruno mused as he doted on one of his furry creatures. Wilfredo noticed a couple more rats hiding out on his person but chose not to draw attention to them.

“Miracle candles?”

“Oh, sí. Mi familia, we were given a miracle. An enchanted candle that gives us our gifts. It’s uh... m-maybe that doesn't make that much sense to an outsider.” Bruno seemed to grow shy at the mention of their “gifts” as he put it. Wilfredo wondered if it would be imprudent to press further. He was curious of course. No, curious was an understatement. He recently discovered real magic! Deep down he was dying to know. It was eating away at him but the need for self-preservation exceeded his thirst for knowledge. If asking too many questions could risk his security in this place then he would refrain as best he could.

They walked along in silence for a moment before Bruno peered up at him again. His eyes shimmered a vibrant emerald green whenever the warm candlelight hit them. He gave Wilfredo an awkward smile. Clearly trying to keep the conversation going. “Really making the rest of us feel underdressed huh?” He laughed awkwardly as he set the rat he was holding scurry back up his right shoulder.

Wilfredo folded his arms behind his back as he walked. He flashed a confident smile. “I’ve not gotten a chance to properly introduce myself to the town as of yet. I thought it best to make a good impression. I pride myself on such things.”

“Ah, sí. That makes sense. I mean what would I know about that?” Bruno rubbed his arm and looked away. He looked insecure. “Mi hermana Pepa says I look like un vago. I can’t exactly say she’s wrong.”

Bruno’s self-deprecating remarks hurt to listen to. Even if it may have been partially true. Admittedly Bruno was a rather disheveled person. Clean though they were, his unruly curls refused to stay in his ponytail and still hung in his face most of the time. Wilfredo wasn’t sure if that was simply their nature or perhaps his clumsy flailing was so commonplace as to make maintaining a proper hairstyle near impossible. If their meeting at the library was anything to go by, it seemed a distinct possibility. His scruffy beard also looked less like an intentional style decision and more like he struggled with a razor. He was tempted to suspect the latter as he noticed slightly uneven patches in the salt and pepper that flecked the man's jawline. His clothes were nice, though it looked like he never ironed them. His ruana was covered in chaotic, colorful, doodles. A cacophony of seemingly disparate imagery. Animals, butterflies, rainbows, flowers, herbs, and geometric patterns all danced around the hourglasses that made for the only uniform pattern.

“I think your sister lacks gusto.” Wilfredo replied after giving it some thought. “Some people lack an eye for beauty.” Bruno really was beautiful. Disheveled and timid, but he was perhaps the prettiest man Wilfredo had met. Sure he'd seen more conventionally attractive men. He'd been with more conventionally attractive men. Non that captured that same fragility. He had a keen awareness of just how little men tended to read into such statements. Perhaps it was a gamble to be so forward, but he highly doubted he’d given anything away. This man could clearly use the confidence boost. Even if a part of him knew such words would have meant more had they come from a woman.

Bruno nearly tripped over his own feet and face-planted into the pavement.

Wilfredo couldn’t help to reach his arms out to catch him. thankfully Bruno managed to steady himself just shy of making contact. He felt a panic creep in as seconds felt like minutes. Had he just made a mistake?

“Estoy bien.” Bruno let out a nasally honk before clearing his throat and regaining his balance. “Estoy bien.”

Wilfredo stayed frozen as he was. Awaiting some sign he was safe.

Bruno seemed to fumble backward a bit. Making eye contact and he seemed suddenly aware of the close proximity between them.

“I think beauty might be a bit of an overstatement don’t you think.” He chuckled awkwardly. The same anxious laugh he’d heard multiple times now. The laugh he gave when he was looking to defuse a situation. That laugh put Wilfredo a little at ease. Only a little.

Wilfredo straightened up and brushed a few creases from his suit. He replied cautiously. “I am rather fond of the arts. I appreciate creative people.” That wasn’t what he had meant. Looking at those glittering emeralds that stared back at him... He knew that wasn’t what he had meant.

“ah s-sí. That makes more sense.” Bruno grinned sheepishly as he rubbed his arm.

“What did you think I meant?”

“Oh hey look, a distraction!”

Wilfredo stood dumbfounded as Bruno darted off into the plaza. Waving back for him to follow. Despite himself, Wilfredo darted off after him without thinking. Why were they running? What just happened?!

Bruno was surprisingly quick on his feet. Wilfredo had to stop to catch his breath once he caught up to him. Bruno looked around the plaza excitedly and Wilfredo tried to compose himself enough to get a sentence out. The plaza was filled with laughter and music and dancing. Twinkling lights and colorful decorations.

“What are we looking at exactly?” He finally asked. Trying his best to mask his confusion and irritation.

“Oh, uh, I thought I saw Jacqueline, but I guess not.” Bruno replied awkwardly.

Had Bruno known what he meant? How was he meant to interpret this distraction?

A pair of children darted between them. Covered in some colorful substance and squealing wildly.

“You think you can escape?!” Came raucous woman’s voice.

Wilfredo turned to see a young woman bombarding laughing children with bright mists of color. The cobblestone had been consumed with succulents and flowers where she stood. The colorful woman laughed maniacally before her eyes locked onto the two men.

“What’s this? A new challenger approaches.”

Bruno held his hands up in front of him in surrender “Ey sobrina, you seen Jacqueline?”

The girl's hands filled with what looked like seed pods though Wilfredo couldn’t identify the species from the distance she was standing. The foliage at her feet expanded outward. Roots and vines creeping over the cobblestone. More magic. Don't ask. Just accept it.

“All I see is mi Tío in need of a new coat of paint.”

Wilfredo adjusted his glasses as he took in the sight. Attempting to formulate a response. It had been a little over a week and he’d seen shapeshifting, healing arepas, a child who could talk to animals, a woman carrying buildings and beasts of burden all while hardly leaving the library. Still this would take getting used to. He straightened up and attempted to introduce himself.

Before he could open his mouth to speak he felt a soft slightly clammy hand grab hold of his own as he was yanked violently to the side. A massive cloud of blue erupted from the ground where he had been standing. It took a moment to register what just happened. He'd been spun around to the opposite side of his scrawny companion.

“Ten cuidado con él.” Bruno requested gently.

“NO! SIN PIEDAD!” She cackled before bombarding them with more explosions of vibrant color.

Wilfredo barely had time to register the chaos. He found himself being dragged, pushed, and shoved about the plaza as Bruno dodged his niece's attacks. Eventually, Wilfredo found himself unceremoniously shoved into a stand full of firecrackers. The two Madrigals seemed to lose track of him completely and ran off without him. The man at the fireworks stall laughed heartily while Wilfredo tried to collect himself.

“Struggling to keep up?”

Wilfredo grumbled as he cleaned a bit of stray pollen from his glasses. He looked around for the infamous rat-man. “Are all your festivals this chaotic?” He grumbled despite his usual propensity for self-restraint.

The pudgy mustached man walked over to pick up a few sparklers that had fallen on the ground in the collision. “Didn’t use to be this wild. Isa’s really been letting loose these days. The kids love it though.”

Wilfredo finally spotted Bruno. He managed to swing up onto a nearby balcony to taunt Isabela. He was somewhat astonished by the man's athleticism. Not something he would have expected from such a shy clumsy person. Amazing how much his demeanor seemed to change under the right conditions.

Bruno blew farts with his tongue down at the frustrated girl. “Is that the best you can do? I’m falling asleep over here.” He gave an exaggerated yawn. “At least give me a challenge.”

Isabela stomped her foot. “Get down from there. Abuela says I’m not allowed to aim too close to the windows.”

“Well that sounds like your problem, doesn’t it?”

Wilfredo sighed with relief. He ran his hand through his hair and considered his options. It looked like whatever moment the two of them had shared earlier was over. Perhaps that was for the better. Bruno would forget about their awkward interaction and he could go back to babysitting his hermanita. Speaking of, they were supposed to be looking for Jacqueline. He figured he should probably find her before she got into some sort of trouble.

He made his way over toward the bickering Madrigals to inform his new friend of his departure. “I think I should go find Jacqueline and see what she wants.” Isabela turned to smile at him wickedly before he could finish the thought. It didn’t take a genius to see what she was thinking.

“Oh, no it’s fine I was just leaving.” He attempted to decline politely. Taking a tentative step back.

PFSHH!

Great. Who knows how long it would take to wash the stains out? When he opened his eyes, however, Wilfredo found he was surprisingly clean. Bruno as it turns out had jumped down to block the attack and was now coated in purple.

Bruno stood there with his arms still extended as he blinked the purple plant matter from his eyes. Letting loose a little puff from his mouth.

“HA! I win.” Isabela chirped as she trotted up to them gleefully.

Bruno dropped his arms and rubbed more pollen from his eyes.

“Only because you cheated.”

“That sounds like your problem.” She retorted as she grinned back at her tío. She looked past Bruno and made eye contact with Wilfredo. Her manic glee seemed to die down as she properly registered his personhood. “So you’re the new guy huh?”

“Oh, yes. I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself.”

“This is Wilfredo.” Bruno interrupted. “We were trying to track down su hermana Jacqueline. Now that you’re done using me as a canvas, I don’t suppose you’ve seen her around?”

Isabela seemed to think for a moment. “Hmm, she’s the blue-eyed woman in the red skirt, right? I think I saw her head towards the bridge with a couple of cabrons earlier.” Isabela didn’t sound impressed with her first impression of Jacqueline.

Typical. Leave it to his sister to sour the opinions of the most powerful people in town.

“I’ll see if I can’t track her down.” Wilfredo turned to Bruno. “I’ll let you two enjoy your night. It was nice seeing you again.”

Bruno looked hurt. It surprised him a bit. He figured this wild distraction had just been an opportunity to put some distance between them. He was wrong. Why was he wrong?

“W-we can look together. I didn’t mean to get sidetracked.” Bruno attempted to brush the purple pollen from his face only to smear it around. “I kind of assumed I’d be showing you around town.”

Bruno began to stumble over himself. “I-I mean if you j-just, if you don’t want to…”

Isabela prodded her tío’s back forcing him into an upright posture. He had begun to shrink again.

“Tío already told Camilo he was spending the festival with his new friend and wouldn’t have time to do a show together. Mi primo’s gonna be real disappointed in him if he doesn’t follow through.”

Was this girl seriously talking about her uncle like he was a shy little boy? Bruno looked embarrassed but just let that slide. Wilfredo would never let a child talk to him that way.

“Vamos, en camino.” Bruno gestured towards a bridge that left the plaza.

Isabela teased her tío playfully as they made their retreat. Returning to a few little ones who caught her attention once they were out of range.

“I didn’t mean to get distracted.” Bruno said once they were out of Isabela’s earshot. “She’s been expressing herself a lot more lately. I’ve been doing my best to be supportive. You know how it is.”

“That’s very sweet of you.” Wilfredo watched as Bruno’s rats licked at the purple mist only to screw up their faces.

“Not really. That’s just what you do for family.” Such a simple answer.

Wilfredo looked around till he spotted a table with drinks for folks who wore themselves out dancing and playing games.

“Hold that thought.”

Bruno looked a bit confused as he went to fill a paper cup from a pitcher of water and searched his front pockets.

He quickly found his handkerchief and gestured Bruno over towards the bridge. He hoisted himself up onto the wall to keep out of the way of foot traffic. After setting the water down he gestured to the spot beside him. Bruno did as instructed and sat on the wall next to him. He clasped his hands together between his knees and looked up at Wilfredo expectantly.

Despite his apparent age, he looked almost childlike. His eyes were round as dinner plates. The lights were dimmer here and his hazel eyes turned a warm brown. Wilfredo cleared his throat and reached down for the water. He’d have to minimize eye contact if Bruno was going to look at him like that.

“I thought we were looking for Jacqueline?”

Wilfredo dipped his handkerchief into the cup. “Between you and me, I have a sneaking suspicion she won’t be missing our presence.”

Bruno let out a charming little half laugh half snort.

Wilfredo reached out towards his face with his now wet handkerchief and Bruno pulled back in surprise at first. Wilfredo pulled back as well. He was about to ask. To his surprise, Bruno, seemingly having registered what he was trying to do, leaned in closer.

“You can do it yourself if you want.” Wilfredo offered. He felt a little ashamed of himself for being so eggar to touch this man’s face. He'd have to restrain himself. He could look. That was all. He couldn't let himself forget that.

“It’s fine. It’s not like I can see what I’m doing.” Bruno made a fair point. Or perhaps Wilfredo couldn't resist the selfish urge to touch him.

Despite his consent, Wilfredo couldn’t help but notice how Bruno would flinch under his touch. Every time it felt like a thorn pierced his chest. One of Bruno’s rats scurried into his arms and began receiving absentminded pets. It seemed as though the animals could sense their owner's distress. He did his best to be gentle and try to make conversation in the hopes of easing the awkwardness of the situation.

“Miracles huh?” He asked.

Bruno looked up at him with a pensive expression. “I guess you’ll want to know the whole story?” He asked.

Wilfredo was curious, but Bruno’s timid demeanor earlier had caused him pause. “This is the celebration of the town's founding.” He said carefully. “Maybe you could tell me about that?” Bruno didn’t seem to want to discuss the magic and Wilfredo didn’t want to push him any further out of his comfort zone than he already had.

Bruno chuckled. “Pues, milagros, El Encanto, it’s all the same thing really.”

Of course it was. Wilfredo pulled back as he finished cleaning Bruno’s face.

Bruno nuzzled the rat in his hand before he spoke.

“I should probably start with introductions.” Bruno smiled proudly as he pointed to various family members scattered about the plaza and down the busy main street. The girl assaulting the town with color was Isabela as he’d already learned. Bruno’s oldest sobrina could grow plants and “has a real wild streak in her.”

The boy putting on a one-man show down the street with his many faces was Camilo. Bruno had introduced him before. The little one who flooded the space around his stage with animals was his hermanito Antonio. Wilfredo met him once before when he came to visit the library. According to Bruno, he was a very sensitive and kind child. Camilo seemed deeply supportive as he managed to work his hermano's animal friends into his improv routine.

A large woman, who he’d seen doing manual labor around town a few times, was trying to learn a dance from a woman in yellow. Luisa and Pepa. His hermana and sobrina respectively. Bruno was quick to clarify she was not Pepa’s daughter however but his other sister Julieta's daughter. Luisa was the strong one, Pepa could control the weather “When she’s in the mood.” and Julieta could heal the town with her cooking as Wilfredo had learned on his first day.

Bruno seemed to beam when he talked about his family and their amazing talents. He pointed to a dunk tank where a smartly dressed man had his suit ruined much to the amusement of a stocky fellow in yellow. “Those are mis cuñados.” He explained. The stocky one Félix was married to Pepa and Agustín, the clumsy one, had married Julieta.

“Then there’s Dolores of course who’s…” Bruno looked around curiously for his sobrina. “Actually I don’t know where she is right now.”

Wilfredo did his best to listen attentively and try to remember every Madrigal. He wanted so badly to pull out his notebook and write it all down but he'd left it at home. Besides, he was well aware of how dehumanizing it would probably feel to have someone taking notes on your family like a science experiment.

“Tío Bruno!” Came a voice that cut through the night like a beam of sunshine. That must be Mirabel. Bruno had mentioned her multiple times amidst his rambling. He seemed to love all his sobrinos but Mirabel somehow made it into every anecdote.

Wilfredo looked up to see the curly-haired girl trot over. She hugged her tío and smile at him from behind green round-rimmed glasses.

“This must be tu nuevo amigo.” Her smile was infectious. Wilfredo couldn’t help but smile back and give her a gentle little wave.

“Uh, sí. Mirabel, this is Wilfredo.” Bruno introduced him awkwardly.

Wilfredo offered her a hand to shake. She seemed a bit surprised by the formality but took his hand with a surprisingly firm grasp.

“Su tío speaks very highly of you.”

Bruno and Mirabel both looked away from each other shyly. He wondered if he’d said something inappropriate.

“Is that so?” Mirabel gave her tío a cheeky smile.

“I was just telling him about la familia.” Bruno clarified.

“Before you ask. I didn’t get a gift.” Mirabel intruded.

Wilfredo wasn’t going to ask but that did send him reeling with more than a few questions. He opened his mouth as if to ask a follow-up but closed it when he couldn’t think of where to start.

Mirabel gave Bruno a gentle punch on the shoulder. “Abuela is going to want to talk to you both before the night is out.”

“Oh, estoy seguro.” Bruno sighed.

“Just making sure you're ready for that.”

“I’m fine.” Bruno insisted before playfully waving off his sobrina. “Now go, shoo, go play, have fun while you still have the time.” He insisted.

Mirabel chuckled and rolled her eyes before returning to the festivities.

“So what was that about? If you don’t mind my asking.” Wilfredo inquired.

Bruno looked out at the twinkling lights and thought for a moment before he responded. “Mi Madre… She's a difficult woman. I don’t make many friends so mi familia’s made somewhat of a spectacle of me. It’s no wonder she wants to talk to you. Don’t feel too bad if she’s not impressed.”

Wilfredo looked back at Bruno. His eyes traced along the subtle age lines on the man's face as he stared into space with a stoic expression. That explained a lot. A domineering mother. A timid son. Bruno wasn’t so timid when he spoke of the things he loved. Wilfredo loved seeing that light in his eyes. Hearing the cheer in his voice. The mention of his mother dimmed that spark so quickly.

Wilfredo didn't make many friends either. His mother wouldn't have allowed it. He has many acquaintances. People who might have called him a friend, but no one stayed in his life for long. It was how he preferred it anyway. Life was easier that way.

“She seemed friendly when last we spoke.” He still recalled the Madrigal woman. His introduction to the council the day he and his hermanita came to town. The woman seemed condescending and cold that first day. He wasn’t going to tell Bruno that.

“She is.” Bruno corrected anxiously as if he thought he might have given the wrong impression. “She’s just strict is all.”

“Then I better be on my best behavior, eh?” Wilfredo laughed as he nudged Bruno playfully.

Bruno rubbed at his arm with an awkward smile. He struggled to maintain it though. “She’s the reason this place exists.” He explained.

For all his enthusiasm bragging about his family Bruno had yet to explain how the town was founded. One of the few questions Wilfredo had actually asked. He suddenly suspected the answer might not be a pleasant one.

“Guerra de los Mil Días.” Bruno spoke softly. “They lost their home, everyone did. I was just a baby when it all happened. I lost mi padre that day.” He paused for a moment as he looked down at the cobblestone below their feet. “The miracle was born out of his sacrifice, mi madre’s prayer…”

“Lo siento.” Wilfredo was at a loss for anything better to say. He had so many questions in the back of his mind. The academic in him was reeling at the evidence of honest to god divine intervention. Unfortunately he revelation had to wait. The pain in his companion's eyes drowned out all other thoughts.

“Oh, no pasa nada. Estoy bien. It’s not like I knew him right? You can’t miss someone you never knew.” Bruno didn’t seem very convinced by his own words. A cold shiver seemed to overtake him for a moment as he hurried out a stipulation. “Don’t tell Ma I said that.”

“I would never.” Wilfredo purred. Bruno smiled back and it felt so warm.

Bruno seemed to regain his focus and gestured around the space. “The miracle gave us all of this. The mountains. The magic. Our Castia…” Bruno stopped and his eyes lit up as though he was about to launch into another familiar introduction “You haven’t seen Casita yet have you?”

Wilfredo had already lost track of his thoughts. His mind had wandered somewhere unexpected. “Tu padre debe haberte amado realmente.” He couldn’t help the words that tumbled out.

Bruno froze. His hazel eyes grew glassy in the low light. Wilfredo immediately regretted his lack of self-control.

“I-I didn’t mean to..” It was his turn to stutter for once. He'd surprised himself with his own sincerity. He wasn't expecting Bruno's story to hit him the way it did. He wasn't prepared for the places his mind went.

“No, no te preocupes.” Bruno replied gently.

There was an odd silence. Almost deafening before the sensation of tiny paws on Wilfredo’s hand nearly made him jump. He lifted his hand to find a small rat clinging to it. The little creature examined him as he lifted it up to eye level.

“Oye vaya!” Bruno exclaimed as two other rats stared Wilfredo down from either shoulder. “Beatrice is usually very shy. She must really like you.”

Wilfredo eyed the little rat curiously. She sniffed at his nose. He gently reached a hand up to pet her with the tip of his finger. She ducked first and he was about to pull away before she reached her head out to receive his pets. It was oddly soothing. She was small. Almost blueish in color.

“You’re lucky. My parents never let me have any pets. I'm pretty sure a rat in the house would have given mi madre a heart attack.” He replied sadly.

“Why didn’t you get one when you moved out? A pet I mean, not, like, a rat specifically.”

“Oh, we weren’t in a good place at the time. It’s never really been a good time.” Wilfredo felt a bitterness rise in his chest. “You have a good life here. A stable home with good people. Never take that for granted.”

“I don’t.”

Bruno’s reply was surprising. Not what he said, but how he said it. Bruno had this oddly intense look in his eyes for a moment as he looked him over. There was something bitter in that gaze. Bruno was often timid and unsure of himself but this was something else. It looked like he might have been considering his words before he looked away and returned with something that seemed unrelated.

“H-Have you ever felt... out of place, in your own home?” He asked as he looked up at the stars. His tone was shockingly cold.

Beatrice the rat leaped down from Wilfredo's hand and ran back to Bruno. She snuggled into him agressively. The rats on his shoulders seemed to grow similarly affectionate all of the sudden.

Wilfredo considered those words carefully... “Everyday.” He finally replied. He wasn’t normally one to open up too much about himself. Something about those words struck so close to his core. He couldn't help but give this man something. Something of himself, if only just something small.

“I attended a boarding school.” He explained. “My parents didn’t live far but they weren’t very interested in seeing me most of the time. Whenever I was home it was mostly for show.” He paused and contemplated how best to share. How much. “Leaving was… The best and the worst thing that ever happened to me.”

Bruno looked back to stare into the river bitterly. “So they just let you leave?”

Wilfredo was hesitant to answer. “Something like that, sí.”

Bruno took a deep breath in before tucking Beatrice back into his front pocket. He hopped down off the wall. “We should go see what Mamá wants.”

Wilfredo felt a little sad the conversation was over so soon. It was for the better. Best to keep things breezy after all. Best not to dwell on the painfully familiar bitterness that had passed over his companion like a specter.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Bruno led him down the road to a more open space where the town bordered the woods. Tables had been set out for people to eat and drink. It was quieter here than in the noisy plaza where people danced and played games. It didn’t take long to recognize Julieta and Señora Madrigal chatting by the buffet table.

“Bruno there you are.” The elderly woman called out.

“Sí Mamá. You wanted to talk to me?”

Señora Madrigal patted some of the purple dust from her son’s clothes as he approached. “I just wanted to see how you and the newcomers were getting along.”

She looked over at Wilfredo. “You clean up well, Señor Fontana.”

Wilfredo gave her a courteous nod. “You caught me on a bad day, Señora. I’d hate to miss a chance to correct any misgivings you may have had.”

The elderly woman eyed him up and down skeptically.

“Your son’s been teaching me about the town and its history. The way he tells it you sound like a truly incredible woman.” Wilfredo smiled confidently. Feeling a slight twinge of pride as he watched her face soften. She straightened her shawl as she smiled back.

“We all do our best.”

His flattery had the desired effect. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help but notice Bruno’s expression out of the corner of his eye. This confused wide-eyed look. Just subtle enough his mother didn’t seem to notice. Bruno had caught him being just a tad dishonest. He wondered if that would hurt Bruno’s impression of him. No matter. This woman ran the town and impressing upon her was of greater importance. It still hurt though, knowing Bruno would know he was a liar.

Wilfredo reached out to grab a snack from the table. He didn't intend to eat more than a bite or two. Just to share in the festivities. He felt a slight anxiety as he caught snickering from his new companions. He tried not to second guess himself and took a bite. He turned to shoot Bruno a confused glance before the taste hit him. This was not the wonderful food that had healed his bruises. This was something else entirely. Something entirely rotten and foul. A creatively horrible assault on the senses that boggled the mind. He cleared his throat slightly as he struggled not to make a face and risk insulting the cook. Julieta was standing right there, and she was... laughing? It was slight as she tried to hide behind her hand.

Bruno burst out into roaring laughter. Julieta joined in shortly after. Even frigid Señora Madrigal seemed to stifle a snicker.

“I don’t get it.” He choked out as politely as he could manage. “What’s so funny?”

“That’s not Juileta’s cooking hombre.” Bruno managed to compose himself enough to get the words out.

Julieta passed him a pastry from a different tray. “Here these are mine. I wouldn’t recommend you taste the other contestants' food unless you’re muy valiente.”

“Contestants?” He repeated cluelessly as he took a cautious bite of her offering. The delicious coconut flavor was an amazing relief.

“We have a cooking competition every year, but Juileta kept winning so folks started competing to see who could make the worst dish.” Wilfredo couldn’t help but notice the adoring look he gave his sister. Bragging lovingly about her skill.

“I think it’s all very silly.” Julieta blushed as she adjusted the bun at the top of her head.

Señora Madrigal cleared her throat. “Agreed. Sino the town seems to enjoy this silly tradition and there’s little harm in it.” She looked around for a moment curiously before changing the subject. “Where is tu hermana? I keep hearing whispers about her around town. I’ve yet to check in with her.”

Whispers. Of course. Why did he expect any different?

“Whispers huh?” Wilfredo hid his anxiety with great expertise.

“She does seem to leave a strong impression on people.” Señora Madrigal was difficult to read.

Sensing the tension Julieta was quick to interject. “I heard from Antonio about your work on the library. He really likes the reading space you set up.”

The littlest madrigal had come to visit him in the library before looking for books on animals. Wilfredo had been making some quality-of-life changes to the space once he’d finished organizing the place. He refurbished some old chairs and set out some rugs and pillows in the corner of the library. The boy had come by looking for something to read to his pets. He spent the whole afternoon cleaning stains out of the rugs. Still, he had to admit the child was rather charming.

“I’m glad. I’ve not had many kids come by the library. He seems like a bright child.”

“Oh, he is. He came up with half the stage commands we use in our shows.” Wilfredo saw that light in Bruno’s eyes that prepared him for an exciting ramble. Turning vibrant green under the lanterns as he bragged about his sobrino. It was terribly sweet how much he beamed over his sisters' children. Tragically, before Bruno could launch into an explanation of rat dances, a loud crack ripped across the space and disrupted his rambling.

The sound of thunder was startling absent any natural context and drew Wilfredo's attention to the end of a residential street. There she was. Jacqueline had finally rejoined his night. He felt a pit in his stomach as he watched her rush over with her hair standing on end.

“WILFREDO! ESTA PERRA LOCA!”

And there went any attempts at endearing himself to the town's matriarch...

Jacqueline rushed over and grabbed him by the arm. She was barely shorter than him but hid behind him all the same. Hissing back in the direction she came. “This woman’s trying to kill me hermano!”

Wilfredo let out a deep exasperated sigh. He pulled his arm away and turned to look his sister over. He took her arm aside to find burn marks. When he pulled her pouty face to meet his it was clear she’d been drinking.

“Jacqueline, what did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.” She replied indignantly. “These people are completely unreasonable.” She pouted. She turned to notice the matriarch standing beside her. “Oh, hola Señora Madrigal.”

Señora Madrigal leaned in slightly to get a look at the burns on his sister's arm. Wilfredo was about to apologize for his sister's misbehavior only to be surprised by what came next.

“This looks like Pepa’s doing.” She remarked.

“Here.” Julieta passed Jacqueline one of her confectioneries, “Perdón, mi hermana has a bit of a temper.”

“Sí, she threw me into a tree once with a hurricane. Took Ma all day to get me down.” Bruno chuckled.

Wilfredo watched the burns on his hermanita's arm heal and slowly released his grip on her. He hadn’t meant to grip her so tight. The reassuring smiles from Bruno and Julieta were a relief. Their mother groaned as she recalled the tree escapade.

Then there she was the woman in yellow herself. Pepa stormed up to the group in a rage. A dark thundering cloud followed overhead and a delicate girl in a red bow followed behind.

Jacqueline nearly dropped her snack as she let out a terrified squeak and hid behind her brother’s ample mass.

The girl in the bow tried to soothe her mother but to no avail.

“If you ever go near el novio de mi bebé again I’ll make sure you regret ever setting foot in this town!” The enraged mother stormed. Pointing a judgmental finger at the offending woman.

Jacqueline nibbled at the pastry in her hand and glared back at her over Wilfredo’s shoulder. “How was I supposed to know he was spoken for?”

Pepa looked flabbergasted as she stammered, grasping for words, “He’s a baby you should know better tu puta!”

“Pepa! Language.” Her mother chided.

“He’s twenty-three Pepa.” Her brother corrected. It was obvious Pepa wasn’t being literal but Bruno seemed frustrated with her exaggerations.

“Sí! And he’s too young to want anything to do with la solterona!”

“Oh really?” Jacqueline was clearly offended as she emerged from her brother’s shadow to confront Pepa.

Wilfredo impulsively took his sister by the shoulders, “Tranquila hermanita.” He soothed as she growled under his grip. She let her hackles down a bit. Eying her aggressor up and down. “If I’m so old and ugly then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about right?”

Jacqueline was thirty-eight and she was far from ugly. Not that Wilfredo was the best judge of female beauty. He didn't have to be. He was well aware of the dark magic she cast over every man within a ten-mile radius.

The two women stared each other down. The electricity crackled around them. Pepa was tall but only an inch or so taller than Jacqueline. She may not have had any magic but this insult to her womanly wiles had given her newfound confidence.

“Pepi, mi amor, what happened?” The husky fellow Wilfredo saw at the dunk tank earlier came over with a worried expression and a gentle tone.

“This-” Pepa cut off as she looked back at her mother who shot her a stern look. “Chica!” she spat out finally. “Was trying to flirt with Mariano.”

Félix chuckled as he took hold of his irritable wife. Gently brushing a clump of stray curls from her face. “Easy mi vida. It’s a party. I'm sure she didn’t mean any harm.”

Wilfredo quickly cupped a hand over his sister's mouth before she could reply. “Jacqueline’s an overly friendly person. It’s not the first time there’s been a misunderstanding like this.” He glared down at her. “And I’m sure she’s muy arrepentido.” He warned. Jacqueline glared back at him but got the message.

“Perdóname.” She sighed once he released her face.

“Sí, don’t let it happen again.” Pepa huffed before allowing her husband to lead her away to calm down.

The girl in the bow watched her mother leave then looked back to the rest of the group.

“Dolores I assume?” Wilfredo offered her his hand. “Lo siento. We didn’t mean to disrupt your night.”

Dolores eyed him for a moment with a look that was difficult to read. Then it dawned on him.

When they had made up their mind to accept the council’s offer Señor Robledo had dismissed his concerns over meeting with the council. He simply asked, “Dolores, did you get that?” Seemingly to no one in particular. At first Wilfredo had thought the old man might have been a bit senile. That was until he explained to him. Dolores hears everything.

She took his hand gingerly. “It’s no trouble. It’s good to finally meet you both. You two have been the talk of the town lately.” She glanced back over to her tío for a brief moment.

Did she know?

[magici-if]

Why flings are so cute I'm going to cry

aww tbh it's important to me to have flashed out characters in the story even if they aren't romanceable or part of the main cast. im curious as to who ur specifically talking about though heh <3

imo a character doesn't have less value simply because they aren't romanceable, thats why I've decided that while you're able to casually flirt with for example Bruno, he isn't an RO and he has his own love interest and eventual drama that comes with that (which you can help him with!). idk, I think it's cute that the MC + the ROs aren't the only people potentially finding love on the show :)

so I'm excited to see you guys' reactions to being able to become really good friends (and even play therapist matchmaker) with the rest of the cast !! there will be drama, heartbreak, friendship, and your actions will impact how people both in and out the show feel about you. (a really fun dynamic to write for me is an MC who plays a huge villain on the show but is actually a cinnamon roll irl LMAO)

[kitsune024]

Crossover

Centaurworld

The King of The Forgotten by Sliced_Moon_Martini I Chapters: 1/1 I Oneshot Au Fantasy, Dark fantasy, Bruno & Mirabel, Villian Bruno, sad and sweet, monsters and magic

-

The Werewolf of Colombia by @addaxus I Chapters: 4/? I Werewolf Bruno, Bruno leaves after Mirabel ceremony, Body Horror Golden Halos by @c-rose2081 I Chapters: 9/? I Mirabel has a gift, teacher & apprentice, Dark & Light trope, Family fluff, Bruno & Mirabel Bruno's Peaceful Life by @sunny-days-and-warm-mournings I Chapters: 18/? I Runaway Bruno, Bruno leaves after Mirabel ceremony Among the Emeralds by @thecrazyashley-blog I Chapters 25/36 | Bruno x Fem oc, Slow Burn, Eventual Smut, Failed Matchmaker Alma, Emotional Hurt/ Comfort, Angst, Bruno being a Bamf I am the fire and I am the forest and I am the witness watching it by @strobingthingsfoundindumpsters I Chapters 13/16 I Kidnapping, bruno has uncontrolled visions, Organized Crime, Lesbian Isabela

Completed Fics

The Eyes Have It by Sinclaironfire I Chapters: 53/53 I Bruno Suffers, Kidnapping, Blind Bruno, Imprisonment, misuse of gift, torture, slavery, soldiers, Bruno x Fem oc, Slow Burn Clumps In The Sand by theothersideofparadise | Chapters 17/17 | Villian Bruno- not really, Alma Tries

Oneshots

The In-between by Gozzer I Chapters: 1/1 I Inspired by Bruno's Peaceful Life, Canon Divergence, Deity Bruno, Immortal Bruno, Eldritch Creatures, Bruno leaves after Mirabel ceremony, Isabela leaves Encanto, Bruno & Isabela Set in stone by WhistlingWolf13 I Chapters: 1/1 I Hurt/Comfort, Bruno has visions, Bruno & Mirabel

[the-illiterate-pirate]

I came back to add more on my isekaid villainess au

Redaer and og fl are best friends due reader playing matchmaker and setting dates for her and Bruno. Bruno in return treats reader like a sibling because they playfully bicker.

On the other hand La Squadra seemed to can't stand Bruno and his group of knights due rivalries and a little jealous of Bruno on how close he is with Reader

AWWW THAT'S SWEET I LOVE SEEING BRUNO AS THE PROTECTIVE BIG BRO. And the rest of his knight squad taking care of Reader and doing all the fun stuff La Squadra wants to do with her while they FUME. Having lunch "dates" with Giorno in the royal garden... Narancia playfully guiding you through busy city streets.. tbh I don't even want a romantic relationship with LS I just want a series on doing sweet stuff w platonic bucci gang

[miyamorana]

August Fic Recs

Here are the fics that I’ve really liked this past month. All of these are complete. Enjoy!

Fandoms: Boku no Hero Academia (4), Boku no Hero Academia/Encanto Crossover (1), Hades/Harry Potter Crossover (1), Harry Potter (1), Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms (1), Sense8 (1), Stranger Things (1)

Find July’s Recs here or browse my fanfic recs tag.

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia Title: Matchmaker Matchmaker (Gonna Match Him A Man) Author: RayShippouUchiha Pairing: Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead/Midoriya Izuku Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 5,083 Summary: “You did what?” Naomasa eventually rasps once he can breathe again.

“I don’t want my boy to make the same mistakes I did,” Toshinori explains. “But he’s a great deal shyer than I was at his age. So I’ve taken it upon myself to reach out on his behalf.”

“No,” Naomasa practically gasps, some strange mix of horror and glee in his expression. “Toshinori, tell me you’re joking. You’re trying to matchmake Izuku?”

Naomasa doesn’t wait for Toshinori to actually answer him.

Instead, he just breaks out into loud braying laughter, uncaring of the way everyone around them has stopped to stare.

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia Title: How To Decipher A Midoriya's Mumbles  Author: whatagoodegg  Pairing: None Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 5,459 Summary: step one: have a hearing quirk step two: try to resist the urge to tell everyone about the wild shit he says step three: profit?

aka: midoriya is in the habit of talking shit under his breath. its cathartic. he didnt think it was necessary to break the habit. too bad he forgot about the girl in their class with a hearing quirk.

aaka: five times jiro kept quiet about what she heard, and one time she didn't.

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia Title: Multilante  Author: Starlight (Fandom_Eclipse) Pairing: None Rating: General Audiences Word Count: 13,660 Summary: Izuku was debating the merits of seeking out the new vigilante group that was on the news when he heard the list of known members. He knew those names. Specifically, he knew those because they were assigned to six of his hoodies.

He knew he should come clean. Maybe just stick to one costume, or stop being a vigilante altogether. Groups were treated much more seriously than lone entities, and he could get in serious trouble if they sent heroes after him expecting backup that didn’t exist.

A week later, he had characters designed for every hoodie he owned.

In which Izuku becomes a one-man organization, and everyone has to deal with the consequences.

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia Title: Foresight Author: akcugrai Pairing: None Rating: General Audiences Word Count: 66,396 Summary: Izuku's quirk is simple, it tells him exactly what he needs to do. It tells him to grab an umbrella and that afternoon it rains unexpectedly. It tells him to bring cash and it turns out the card reader is out of order. His quirk tells him to rob a bank. Well, might as well. - - - Does the name All for One mean anything to Izuku? Nope. Will he tear down the empire of a powerful villain who has been terrorizing Japan for over a century anyway? Sure.

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia/Encanto Crossover Title: Of Quirks and Miracles  Author: Starlight (Fandom_Eclipse) Pairing: None Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 7,280 Summary: Mira-bella

So dinner was a total disaster and I ruined Isabela’s engagement, but on the plus side I found Tío Bruno!

He apparently spent the last decade living in the walls of Casita with the rats. So that's a thing.

Midori129

I’m sorry, he *what*

When Abuela's quirk starts to fail, Mirabel asks for help on an online quirk forum. She receives it in the form of a certain Midoriya Izuku. Neither are entirely prepared for what's about to happen, but at least they'll have a friend with them.

Fandom: Hades/Harry Potter Crossover Title: Littlest Master Author: The_Dark_Elf Pairing: Thanatos/Zagreus (background) Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 10,416 Summary: Prophecy was an odd thing, and the Fates not as all knowing as they had once seemed. Still, Thanatos was finding it difficult to believe this child would one day be his Master.

Or

Thanatos isn’t entirely sure how he got a mortal son.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: Left of the Line  Author: JoWithTheFlow Pairing: None Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 18,646 Summary: It started, as many things did, with Cedric. They had been stronger when they worked together, a Hufflepuff and a Gryffindor, embodying the best traits of their house each and using them to fight and win against the spider in the maze. It had been the seed of an idea that bloomed in Harry’s fifth year—the Houses were stronger together. To survive, he needed not just bravery, but hard work, wisdom, and resourcefulness too.

It wasn’t just about him, either. They all needed each other. 

Fandom: Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms Title: if you need, come build your home in me Author: yrbeecharmer Pairing: Nico di Angelo/Will Solace Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 326,495 Series: Part 1 of so collect your scars and wear them well (Words: 344,991 - Works: 4) Summary: Even though the world keeps falling down around him, Will Solace can't seem to help but keep growing up.

(A series rewrite starting with the events of Titan's Curse)

Fandom: Sense8 Title: I'll settle for the ghosts of you Author: FunkyinFishnet Pairing: Wolfgang Bogdanow/Kala Dandekar/Rajan Rasal Rating: Mature Word Count: 8,894 Summary: When Rajan witnesses Wolfgang and Kala embrace, Wolfgang lifting her up off her feet while smiling more broadly than Rajan has seen so fat in the few hours that he has known the man and with Kala’s happiness seeming to make her face sparkle, he thinks, “Oh, I *see*.”

Rajan thinks Kala really doesn't love him in the same way that he loves her, and there’s no way that Wolfgang can love him at all.

Fandom: Stranger Things Title:  Never Look Back (A Breath Away from Heaven)  Author: breakaway71 Pairing: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Rating: Mature Word Count: 5,000 Summary: Eddie summons a traumatized demon to his bedroom. It was an accident, but it might also turn out to be the best thing he's ever done.

[tenthgrove]

Do any of the vampires miss being human?

I feel most of La Squadra would either miss being human or more generally resent immortality. Things can get quite broody but they make the most of each other’s company to cope. Prosciutto and Risotto, the dramatic bitches, are by far the worst on the brooding front. Give them an opportunity and they’ll talk for hours about everyone they lost from their human life. Even with darling reader they can’t help themselves.

As for who *doesn’t* miss being human, you’ve got Melone and Ghiaccio who are still pretty young and have plenty left to explore (Melone sometimes resents his matchmaker gift but that’s something specific) and Sorbet and Gelato, who have come to associate being vampires as immortality with each other, of which they will never tire.

And let’s not forget the Bucci gang running around too. As a whole these guys have a more positive attitude about their nature, even Bruno who is one of the oldest vampires in the world. Abbacchio is the exception here and could easily join Risotto in his complaining. I wonder what it’s like to be goth even by the standards of vampires?

[whatisreggieshortfor]

Wanted to He Would

For @rebelrayne MERRY CHRISTMAS

Inspired by If He Wanted to He Would by Kylie Morgan

Youcef x MC

Cameron struggled to move past toxic relationships. It was a big flaw, and according to her hypercritical but dramatic best friend, the only one she had. Youcef tried so hard to help her realize why her ex was bad for her. So she knew her ex was a piece of trash. Misogynistic, hypocritical, condescending, arrogant. Selfish, rude, greedy, manipulative. Just a few terms Youcef has used to describe her asshole of an ex.

But he loved her. Right?

Whenever she would get a notification on Instagram that he liked an old picture she had posted, Youcef would shake his head and tell her that just because she was stuck on the past didn’t mean he was.

Her brother would get annoyed when he got messages, usually asking if he’d seen the latest game. Oliver wasn’t that kind of sports fan, and he would never tell Cam he got the messages, afraid she’d take it as a sign he was still attached to her because he talked to her brother.

Whenever she was making progress to move on, Youcef would say it was his duty as her best friend, and he would take her out for the night with Angie and Bruno to celebrate. Those nights always seemed to end with drunk texts from her ex asking how she’s been. Youcef would take her phone and remind her not to read into it. It didn’t mean he wanted her back.

“But he loved me, didn’t he?” Cam had asked him one night, tears spilling over her waterproof make up.

He took a tissue and wiped them up, “If he did, he would have told you, Mon Cher. If he missed you, he would call. Not text you in the dead of night.”

Youcef had been her best friend for years, but when he asked her to visit France with him- to meet his mother she was struck with a deep fear even as she said yes. She didn’t voice that Dylan had never offered even though his mum lived much closer than Youcef’s did. But she was afraid because she desperately wanted his mum to like her, more than she had ever cared that Dylan’s would.

Eventually she had healed enough, thanks to Youcef, that she was able to help others that were stuck.

When she met Jen at the bar she worked at, she reminded the girl that her ex wasn’t Mister Misunderstood. Levi wasn’t the right guy for her, but that was okay and she would find the one that was. And then Jen met Tim, and even though Cameron could tell they were total opposites, they worked well together.

When she met Thabi, it happened to be the girl’s birthday. But instead of celebrating with her friends, she was staring at a happy birthday text she’d gotten from a hot and cold ex. And Cameron reminded her not to waste her wish on him. A few months later, Thabi was head over heels for Cam’s good friend and coworker, James, and Cam winked at him and called herself a matchmaker.

When she met Marisol, the girl was trying to delve into the psyche of a boy that had tried to talk to her behind his girlfriend’s back, like she was hoping to find the hidden secret to make him admit he fell in love with her. Cameron just shook her head, “Don't psychoanalyze him or make it more than what it is.He won't suddenly be the somebody you wish he always was.

If he didn't, then he doesn't. If he wouldn't, then he wasn't.” It was simple advice, advice that her own best friend had repeated to her so many times, and she was finally understanding it.

Youcef had always told her that Dylan set the bar low, but she needed to keep her standards high. And it was something she reminded herself of every day.

But she never told any of her friends the real reason she stayed hung up on her ex for so long. That she was distracting herself from being in love with her best friend.

But could she do when Youcef’s words rang in her ears all the time?

Every time he would be gone for Paris Fashion Week and he’d call her every night he was there and lie about the reason, but she could tell it was because he missed her already.

Every time he would tell her he loved her, in friendly terms, even though it was a word she knew he didn’t throw around lightly.

Every time he got a call from his mum and he would roll his eyes in exasperation, but she could see the fondness in them when he told her that his mum missed her.

Angie and Bruno could tell how Cameron felt, claiming she wasn’t as subtle as she had tried to be. It took them months after she had started distributing Youcef’s wisdom to other list girls to convince her to make a move.

And she could only thing of his own advice.

She was sat on his couch, watching him flip through headshots that his agency needed a decision on- he refused to ask for her opinion after he showed her two that only had different shirt colors and she couldn’t decide which was better. (She maintains to herself that it isn’t her fault he looks good in every color.) Clearing her throat, Cameron tucked her knees up to her chest, “You always said that if you love someone, it doesn’t matter unless you say it. Right? If you love them, you’ll say it?”

She could see the way he tensed and wondered if he already knew what she was going to say and was bracing to reject her, to tell her to leave. He carefully set the photos down, directing his full attention to her, no matter how stiff his body language was, “Yes, Mon Cher. Why?”

“Because…” She took a deep breath, mustering up every ounce of courage her body contained, “Because I love you, Youcef. I always have.”

She would’ve laughed in any other situation at the way his eyes widened and his jaw fell slack before he regained his composure, “Are you certain, Cameron? This could simply be-“

“There’s nothing simple about it,” she huffed a laugh, “If you don’t love me, that’s fine. But I needed to finally tell you, seriously and honestly. I love you.”

His eyes bore into hers, like they were searching for any sign of deception and coming up empty, before he finally let his signature smirk cross his face, “Do you really need to hear me tell you again? Je t’aime, Cameron. I love you.”

Masterlist

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Time twins

When the triplets were five they were blessed with magical gifts

Pepa the ability to control the weather with her emotions and Julieta and Bruno the gift of prophecy

When they combined their power it grew much stronger allowing them to see many possible futures

They grew close because of their shared gift which left Pepa feeling left out

It didn’t help when rumors spread about her legitimacy due to her different looks and gift

Pepa soon met a boy named Felix and they quickly fell in love

Julieta fell in love with a boy she often saw in her visions pining after him from afar

Pepa Felix and Bruno teamed up to play matchmaker

Bruno on the other hand started a slow burn enemies to lovers Drama with Ozma Pezmuerto

Soon Isabela and Dolores and then Luisa were born

After the girls ceremonies Dolores was quickly overshadowed by Isabela

Pepa understood and this helped them bond

Isabela on the other hand felt isolated because of her abuelas expectations

When Mirabels ceremony came around she got the gift of healing with food

Luisa felt a bit insecure and often compared herself to her sisters with their feminine looks and gifts

Eventually after an arc where Ozma gets an annulment with her old husband (he got her best friend pregnant) she and Bruno get married

Soon they had twins Alejandra and Juancho

A year after that Pepa had Antonio

And three years after the twins came Ezmereldo who was the spitting image of his abuela

The twins recieved the gifts of gravity control and superspeed

On the surface everything was perfect but cracks alwease start beneath the surface