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#bruno madrigal angst
daisies-daydreams · 1 month
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Hello, I hope ur having a lovely day. ^^ (I have a fic request for Encanto, 22 yrs old btw)
May I request, Bruno Madrigalxfem!reader, in which they have a couple dynamic similar to Roger and Jessica rabbit. The reader is one of the most beautiful and sought out woman in all of the village, villagers constantly ask for her hand/show interest in her, not knowing she’s already in a relationship with Bruno. 🥰 If it were up to her, she would gladly and proudly display their relationship to the village but Bruno told her to keep it a secret for now since he feels like he’ll ruin her reputation 🥺
Maybe one day the madrigals are having a family dinner together and Bruno decides to tell his family about his gf but no one believes him, they all think he’s lying about being in a relationship 😭 even Mirabel struggles to fully believe him even though she tries to be optimistic about it lol. Until his gf actually shows up one day and the whole family is shocked 😂 not only is he in a relationship but he scored the most sought out woman in the village. 😂
The villagers to the reader: “What do u even see in that guy!?!?” 🤨
Reader: “He makes me laugh 😏”
Bcuz of this experience, reader decides it’s time to no longer hide their relationship. And proudly shows off her man to the village, lots of pda with a very flustered but happy Bruno. 😊💕✨After all that, Reader and Bruno have a picnic date together, where smut ensues~👀✨
(BONUS POINTS if reader is taller than Bruno 😭🙏🏻✨)
(Sorry for the long request. I tried to be specific as possible, no worries if u can’t write all of it ^^)
Thanks again and have a good day. ❤️
Mi Vida (Bruno Madrigal x F!Reader)
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Pairing: Bruno Madrigal x F!Reader Category: Fluff/Smut  Warnings: PDA, Secret (not so secret) Relationship, Unwanted Flirting, Hand Jobs, Oral Sex (M! and F! Receiving), Delayed Orgasm, Sub!Bruno Madrigal, Unprotected P in V Sex (You Know to the Drill), Cowgirl Position, Semi-Public Sex, Cumming Too Quickly, Cum Eating, Swearing, Pet Names   Word Count: 6.5k+ A/N: OMG Bruno is literally my favorite Disney character! 😭🙏🏻💗 Thank you so much for your sweet request and I hope you enjoy!
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“¡Muchas gracias, Señora (L/N)!” Mirabel chirped as she took the box of fresh Aborrajados from you [Thank you very much, Ms!]. You smiled and gave the young woman a short nod, some flour still caked on your face after rushing over from your bakery.
“De nada, Mirabel,” you smiled warmly [You're welcome]. You caught a glimpse of Bruno slinking behind one of the newly reconstructed pillars of Casita, his eyes soft and lips drawn into a sheepish smile. You giggled softly and leaned down to Mirabel. “Tell your familia I said hello,” you grinned warmly [family]. She hummed before following your line of sight. Bruno tensed and quickly tried to shift back into the shadows…only to trip over a large potted plant.
You gasped and nearly rushed to his side before he stumbled back to his feet. Bruno’s eyes were as wide as saucers as his cheeks flushed with pink. The dark-haired man flashed you a toothy grin and gave you a small wave. You giggled and waved back. Mirabel looked between the two of you and gave a small smile.
“Thank you again for the treats,” the young woman beamed. You blinked.
“Hm? Oh, you’re welcome,” you said before stealing another glance of your beloved…only to find him gone from your line of sight. "Buenas noches, Mirabel," you sighed while giving her a tired smile. The young girl gave a quick nod before you saw yourself off. A soft sigh left your lips as Casita slowly closed the front doors with a light creak. You bit the inside of your cheek as you turned on your heel, the sun already starting to set over the crest of the tall mountains surrounding the Encanto.
Suddenly, a high-pitched squeak resonated through the air. You froze in place before hearing it again, this time followed by a soft rustling of leaves. You slowly took a few steps closer towards a bush nearby, your heart pounding beneath your chest as you hesitantly pushed the branches back. You gasped when a baby capybara suddenly poked its head out; it's button eyes sparkling as it titled its head curiously. You cooed and bent down, your large, colorful skirt billowing around your legs as you picked up the tiny creature.
“Aw, que linda,” you murmured [how cute]. The little, furry pup tilted its head to the other side and sniffed your hand before squeaking happily. You laughed softly as it rubbed its head against your palm and flicked its ears. You looked up when you heard Alma Madrigal and the others gathering around in the dining room, their voices filtering through the open window just above your head.
"What are those, mi vida?" Julieta asked her youngest daughter as she carried the box of treats into the room.
"Aborrajados. (Y/N) brought them from her bakery just now," the young woman piped up. You smiled as you stroked the capybara's soft fur while it cuddled up in your lap.
"(Y/N), eh?" Felix asked. Mirabel hummed in reply as she took her seat. "I remember when your Tío Bruno had the biggest crush on her when we were teenagers," he chuckled. You cover ed your mouth and giggled as you recalled the first time you caught Bruno staring at you in the marketplace; his hand picking at a loose strand of his ruana as he gave you a shy smile.
"Aha, yep," you heard Bruno chuckle nervously before he started to drum his fingers on the table. The sound of silverware clinking filled the air as the family began to feast on their meal.
"She's always been such a sweet girl. Remember when she danced with you at Julieta's wedding?" Alma piped up. You could imagine your love tugging at the collar of his brown shirt as cleared his throat.
"S-Sí, Mamá," he muttered. A giddy smile crossed your features as you recalled him constantly muttering apologies for stepping on your feet...only for you to hush him with a quicky peck on his cheek. You've never seen someone blush such a deep shade of red in your life.
"I always wondered why she never married. She's the most beautiful woman in the whole village," Félix stated nonchalantly. You felt a gust of wind explode from the room as a low rumble of thunder reverberated across the walls. "That is…the most beautiful woman after you, mi amor," the man's voice wavered nervously. You could only imagine the look of irritation on Pepa's face.
"You know, I always wondered why she never found a husband, either," Mirabel said. You tucked your bottom lip beneath your teeth as you shifted your gaze to your beloved. His face was drawn with a tense expression as he sucked in a sharp breath, his fingers almost vibrating against the table as he bounced his leg.
"Probably because we've been seeing each other this whole time," Bruno suddenly blurted out. Your jaw dropped as the whole room went dead silent.
For so long, he refused to confess your relationship to the village...let alone his own family. You understood why - even after he “returned” to the Encanto and helped rebuild his home, quite a few villagers were still weary of the prophetic Madrigal. Despite the countless times you've reassured him that you didn't care what everyone else thought, he refused to allow his reputation to "ruin you".
You were pulled back to the present when you heard the Madrigal's whisper amongst themselves.
“Really?” Bruno’s brother-in-law, Agustín, bluntly asked.
“Agustín,” Julieta chastised her husband with a loud whisper. You peeked through the window as you cradled the pup in your arms, your fluttering as you waited for Bruno to continue. The whites of his eyes nearly swallowed the two pools of hazel resting within them as he gulped. Your beloved eventually took a deep breath and puffed out his chest a little.
“S-Sí,” he answered while knocking on the wooden surface of the table. A long pause remained as your heart skipped a beat. You anxiously held your breath as you studied the faces of everyone in the room. The family members exchanged glances before a low rumble of chuckles filtered through the dining room. You furrowed your brows as amused smiles washed over their faces.
"That's a good one, bro!" Félix chortled before slapping his hand on the table.
“B-But it’s true!” Bruno stammered as he frantically looked around. Your heart burned as you clenched your jaw and narrowed your eyes. His gaze locked with his youngest nieces as he furrowed his brows. “You believe me…right, Mirabel?” your love asked with pleading eyes. His niece tensed in her seat, her lips drawn in a tight line.
“I…I don’t know, Tío,” she sighed while looking down at her lap. Bruno's shoulders slumped as he wrung his hands together. “I mean, it’s not impossible…but how come you never really mentioned it until now?” Mirabel questioned. The chatter suddenly broke when the youngest Madrigal, Antonio, gasped.
“Where did Sofia go?!” he cried. You squeaked and ducked your head as everyone began to scramble around the dining room. You looked down at the baby capybara and raised your brows while it sniffed your palm.
"I'm guessing that's you," you whispered. You flinched when someone suddenly poked their head out the window. You instantly relaxed as Bruno met your gaze.
“Hola, hermoso,” you murmured [Hello, handsome]. Bruno blinked, his cheeks still dusted with scarlet as he gave you an uneasy expression.
“Hi…” he quietly replied as his eyes trailed down to your lap. "You found Sofia," he muttered. You giggled and nodded as you handed him the pup...but not before you stole a quick kiss on his cheek. Bruno's eyes widened as you let your lips linger against his stubbly skin.
“I could come inside there right now and prove them wrong, you know,” you said as you twirled one of his thick, curly locks between your fingers. You leaned forward a little more, your warm breath falling against his lips as he nearly dropped the young pup. "I've missed the feeling of your lips against mine," you purred. Your love swallowed thickly as he stared at your mouth with his deep, hazel eyes.
“Is she out there, Bruno?!” his sister, Pepa, suddenly shouted nearby. He tensed and shifted his gaze between the dining room and you. Bruno squeezed his eyes shut and sighed heavily.
“Lo siento, mi corazón,” he murmured while giving you an apologetic look [I’m sorry, my heart]. You reached out as he dipped back inside, leaving you kneeling on the patch of grass below. You sighed while everyone rejoiced in the dining room, happy to have found Antonio’s little friend. You smoothed your hands over your skirt before slowly rising to your feet. Your heart ached for your beloved as you began to walk away from Casita, the house shutters groaning and waving at you as if beckoning you to return. You simply shook your head before turning back to the stone path ahead of you.
The sky was painted with a collage of orange and blue hues as you stepped into the village. Streetlights flickered overhead as your footsteps echoed down the pathways. You scoffed and rolled your eyes when one of your many “suitors” suddenly stepped into view.
“I was wondering where you’d run off to, Señora,” the tall, muscular man lilted as he flashed you a blinding grin. You tried to pay him no mind as you walked past him. You gasped when he suddenly rushed forward and stood in the way of your abode. He held a single red rose towards you as his eyes flickered with desire. A bitter taste washed over your tongue as you crossed your arms.
“And I wondering when you’d learn to take a hint, Sebastian,” you huffed, venom laced in every word that fell from your lips. The man placed a hand over his chest as if cradling a fresh wound.
“Oh, mi mariposa. When are you going to realize that no one else in this village is fit to be your husband except me?" he cooed [my butterfly]. You rolled your eyes again before pushing past him. You muttered to yourself as you yanked your key out of your pocket. You sighed as he slid his hand against the wall of your home while hovering over you.
"You know I'm one of the second richest men in the entire Encanto. And I could provide for you...in more ways than one," he purred while going to tuck some hair behind your ear. You scoffed in disgust as you yanked on your doorhandle. You quickly stepped inside and blocked him from entering, your fingers white-knuckling the threshold of your precious bakery.
“I’ll never realize it - you know why? It’s because of three simple words: I’m. Not. Interested,” you spat before slamming the door in his face. You huffed and quicky locked the door behind you.
"¿Dios, alguna vez me dejará en paz?" you groaned while running your hand down your face [God, will he ever leave me alone?]. A small pang echoed inside your chest as you gazed around the empty room, the last sliver of golden light fading from the walls as the sun dipped past the ridge. You sighed as you lit a candle and stepped towards the back of the bakery where you resided.
You frowned as you shuffled into your personal kitchen - a plate of arepas waiting on the slightly chipped surface of your counter. You sighed and slowly pulled the towel back before snatching one from the plate.
Your eyes suddenly lit up just as you took a small bite from the pastry. A playful smirk stretched across your face as a wicked idea crossed your mind.
You refused to allow Bruno’s family to accuse him of lying...and you knew just what to do.
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Mirabel blinked when she opened the door for you the next morning.
“¿Señora (Y/N)?” she asked as she eyed the stack of boxes in your arms. You gave the young woman a bright smile.
“Buenos días, Mirabel,” you grinned ear to ear [Good morning]. She tilted her head and pursed her lips.
“I don’t remember us ordering anything else from you this week,” Mirabel said. You laughed, the boxes bouncing a little as you gave her a shrug.
“Sí. I just wanted to show my…appreciation for la familia Madrigal, so I whipped up some breakfast pastries for you all,” you chirped. She raised her dark brows.
“Well, thank you! That’s very thoughtful. I’ll just-“ you pulled the boxes away and shook your head.
“Oh, no need, my dear. I’d be more than happy to carry the boxes wherever you need them,” you said. Mirabel blinked.
“Uh…okay,” she said before pushing her green glasses up the bridge of her nose. You followed her inside as she led you towards the back. “This way: we usually eat breakfast outside,” Mirabel commented as she held the door open for you. You saw the family setting the table as you walked through the threshold.
“Thank you, Mirabel,” you beamed. The young woman nodded as she watched you walk over to the long table. Everyone except for your beloved were preparing for the first meal of the day.
“¡Ah, Señora (L/N)!” Alma called with a bright smile. You reflected her expression as you walked over, Julieta coming to your aid and helping you set the boxes down. “To what do we owe the pleasure?” the matriarch of the family asked. You maintained your bright smile as you held your hands out in front of you.
“Oh, I just wanted to stop by and show my appreciation for La Familia Madrigal,” you motioned towards the boxes. You watched as Isabella opened one of the boxes to sneak out a pastry…only for the real Isabella to clear her throat with a raised brow. Camilo sighed as he shifted back to his original form and slipped the treat back inside.
“How thoughtful,” Alma said while clapping her hands together. “Would you like to stay for breakfast? We simply have too much food now,” she offered with a chuckle. You placed a hand over your chest.
“Oh, Señora, you’re too kind,” you said. Alma grinned ear to ear.
“Please, I insist,” she replied while motioning towards an empty seat Casita was already nudging across the tiles. You pretended to think about it for a moment before shrugging.
“Mmm...okay!” you said with a large grin. Alma’s eyes lit up as she smiled.
“Excellent! I’ll have one of the boys get a plate for you,” she grinned with a nod. You smiled before making your way over to an empty chair. Antonio’s eyes lit up as you sat next to him. Sofia slept soundly in his lap as he gave you a toothy grin.
“Thank you for finding Sofia yesterday,” he whispered. You chuckled softly.
“You're welcome, Antonio,” you whispered back. You thanked Agustín as he brought you a plate while the rest of the family filed in. You turned when the little one tugged on your sleeve.
"Everyone said that Tío Bruno was lying, but Sofia told me he wasn't," he said. You smiled when Sofia perked her head up at her name.
"Muchas gracias, Sofia," you whispered gently. Bruno suddenly came stumbling out the door, his hair bunched up in a mess and clothes disheveled as he leaned on the doorframe. You pursed your lips when you saw his pupils blown wide as he panted heavily.
“Forgive my son - he’s always been a late riser,” Alma smiled. Bruno straightened his green ruana before locking eyes with you. You gave him a warm, genuine smile as he froze.
"Mi vida..." he muttered under his breath [my life]. Everyone at the table watched as you rose from your seat and sauntered over to your man. You saw the shock grow in his eyes as you approached him, your lips parted as you dusted some sand from his dark, curly hair.
“I’m so happy to see you…darling,” you said aloud. The whole family gasped when you dipped your head down and kissed his cheek, letting your soft lips rest against his face as you slid your palms onto his thin shoulders. Bruno flapped his hands as his eyes widened even more, the rest of his body as stiff as a statue. You cooed and cupped his cheek as his face flushed with red.
“M-Mi cielo…” he whispered while nervously glancing back and forth between you and his family [my heaven]. You smoothed your thumb across his stubble as you smiled.
“Hermoso…it’s time,” you murmured. Bruno gulped as you slipped your hands into his and squeezed them gently. He straightened his shoulders as much as he took a deep breath and nodded. You beamed before turning to the barrage of shocked faces. Bruno cleared his throat as he clenched your hands.
“Mi familia, this is mi amor...(Y/N),” he smiled sheepishly while motioning towards you [my love]. You smiled and waved at the family.
“It’s nice to be properly acquainted with you all,” you giggled before tucking a strand of loose hair behind your ear. The table quickly erupted into utter chaos.
“Are you for real?!" Félix boomed.
“Are you sure this isn’t an elaborate prank?!” Isabella gawked.
"I knew this whole time," Dolores shrugged with a quiet whisper.
You and Bruno turned to each other, his face turning red once again as he shrank and winced under their rapid-fire questions. You placed your index finger and thumb against the corners of your lips before whistling loudly. The entire family quickly came to a halt as they whipped their heads towards you.
“I'd be happy to answer all of your questions…if you’ll still have me for breakfast, that is,” you said with a twinkle in your eye. They all slowly sat back down in their chairs while Alma cleared her throat.
“Of course,” the matriarch said with a small smile before motioning towards two empty seats.
A Few Days Later…
“Are you sure about this, mi vida?” Bruno asked nervously as he kept his hood up. You gave him a gentle smile as you pulled his hood back down. The two of you stood in the dimly lit foyer of Casita, a picnic basket slung around your free arm and a quilt over his.
“Absolutely,” you replied with a firm nod. Bruno swallowed thickly as he tugged his hood over his curly locks once more. You sighed and gave him a patient smile before flipping it back over.
"Mi amor, I don't want to spend the day with Hernado, or Jorge, or any other persona of yours...I want to spend it with you," you cooed. Bruno perked his head up as he finally let his hood remain draped over his shoulders. You giggled as he suddenly nuzzled his face against your collarbone, the top of his head brushing against your chin.
“Gracias, mi amor,” he said with a hushed whisper. You smiled brightly as you pecked the crown of his head.
"You're welcome," you replied. "Now...let's go show the village who I belong to," you winked while playfully bumping his hip with yours. Bruno chuckled softly as the two of you stepped outside hand-in-hand, the mid-afternoon sun hanging high above your heads as you began to stroll through the front yard of the Madrigal estate.
You felt Bruno's grip on your hand tighten as you approached the village.
"I'm right here," you reassured while brushing your thumb over his knuckles. Bruno nodded and took a deep breath. You grinned before stopping in your tracks and kissing his temple. You giggled as his cheeks grew red as you moved your lips to his nose.
"(Y-Y/N)," he muttered before going to pull his hood over his eyes. You giggled at his bashful behavior and placed your hands over his wrists.
"What? I'm just letting the village know how much I adore my Bruno," you beamed before peppering his face with more kisses. His cheeks burned even more as he white-knuckled the hood of his ruana.
You chuckled before quietly continuing your walk alongside him. Several villagers turned their heads as you passed by. You swayed your hips side to side, flaunting your beloved as you slung your arm around his.
Bruno immediately stopped when you suddenly stooped down and pressed your lips against his. You gasped when he suddenly reached up on his tip-toes and kissed you back.
"Bruno," you said with a breathless look while he pulled away. You heard a few young girls giggle nearby before their mothers shooed them away. The two of you shared a quiet laugh before continuing through the bustling market. Bruno seemed to relax with every step he took, his tense expression softening as he sighed. The sun peeked out from the parted clouds, the golden rays beaming down on your face as you inhaled deeply.
The two of you exchanged smiles as you made your way out of the small town and towards the lush, serene forest. You sighed as the two of you hiked through the dense brush before coming upon a familiar opening. Bruno wore a goofy grin as the two of you began to unfold the quilt and set the food out. You hummed a little tune while grabbing a bottle of wine before Bruno cleared his throat.
“Here: let me get that for you, mi amor,” he grinned. You raised your brows and handed him the bottle and opener.
“By all means, hermoso,” you giggled. Your love winked before he screwed the opener on. You watched as he fought and struggled with the cork, his elbows flapping wildly as he muttered to himself. You gasped when he fell back, the bottle flying out of his hands and into the brush. He flinched when the sound of glass shattering echoed through the forest, several toucans and other birds flying out afterwards. The two of you exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
“It’s okay: I prefer the taste of your lips anyway,” you purred before pecking his lips. Bruno chuckled as he cupped your face.
“And I yours,” he murmured and brushed some hair out of your face. The two of you enjoyed the next hour as you fed each other the delectable treats you packed.
You eventually found your head in his lap as he slipped a plump grape past your soft lips. You closed your eyes as you savored the sweetness of the fruit and slowly. A gentle breeze swept over the forest as you sighed happily.
"Do you remember what happened the first time we came here, hermoso?" you lilted while opening your eyes. Your lover's breath hitched as he nearly choked on a piece of fruit. You flipped yourself over and rubbed Bruno's back as he cleared his throat.
"I-uh-I do," he flushed while picking at a blade of grass. You smiled and bit your lip, your breasts peeking out from beneath your lacy, white blouse as you wiggled your hips.
"We were both so nervous," you said as you slid your hand over his thigh. Bruno's gasped as you rested your chin between his ankles, your eyes locked on his crotch as he gulped. "But you did so well…made me the happiest girl in the whole world that night," you purred while sliding both of your hands up his legs and beneath his ruana. Bruno swallowed thickly as he fell back on his forearms, his legs spread out as you pounced on him like a lithe jaguar. His breath quickened as you hovered above him, your barely covered breasts grazing over his chest.
"Would you like to relive that moment?" you whispered as your lips brushed over his. You swore his eyes nearly shot out of his head as his face burned a bright red.
"B-But mi amor...what if someone sees us?" he muttered with a shaky breath. You chuckled before pecking his lips while rolling up his ruana, revealing his scruffy happy trail that led to the bulge growing beneath his slacks.
“Don't worry, we're far enough in the forest," you whispered into his ear while tracing your fingertips down his lean stomach. "No one will see or hear a thing," you said as your lips curled into a seductive grin. You felt his muscles tense beneath your light touch as you hooked your fingers around the band of his pants and tugged them down his lean thighs. Bruno gasped as his semi-hard cock sprang free, his tip growing flush as his shaft twitched in the exposed air.
You smiled as you dipped your head down and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. Bruno moaned softly and gripped your hips as your lips caressed one another in a heated embrace. He gasped as you slid your hand all the way down his stomach before wrapping your fist around the base of his burning, veiny shaft. You panted against his mouth as you gently squeezed his length.
"Pobracito...you're so pent up," you cooed before swiping your warm tongue along his bottom lip [Poor thing]. Bruno's eyes rolled back as you began to slowly pump your tight fist around his dick. Quiet moans fell past his parted lips before you slipped your tongue inside his wet cavern. He squeaked and bucked his hips forward as your tongues entangled with a wet squelch. You groaned into his mouth as you continued to rub his aching cock, each noise and shift of his hips causing the damp spot in your panties to grow wetter.
“Mmmm-mi corazón,” Bruno whined when you pulled back for air - a thick string of spit connecting your swollen lips as he breathed heavily. His cock twitched as you smeared a hot bead of precum across his flush tip. You cooed and kissed along his jaw as he arched into your touch.
“Would you like to feel my warm, tight mouth wrapped around your cock, Papi? Hm?” you husked into his ear as you continued to stroke his now rock-hard shaft [Daddy]. Bruno released a guttural groan as he writhed against your body.
“S-Sí…por fa, Mami,” he panted while desperately trying to gain any friction against his dick [Yes…please, Mommy]. You grinned and nipped at his ear before trailing your lips down his jaw and neck. Bruno's eyes grew half-lidded as he watched you create a painting of hickeys and small bite marks across his skin, goosebumps rising wherever your lips landed.
“I love all the cute noises you make, Brunito,” you chuckled against his collar bone before lashing your tongue against his bare skin.
“(Y-Y/N), por favor. Te necesito,” your lover begged while rocking his hips into your tight, warm grip [I need you]. You grinned and licked over the tiny bite mark before shuffling down his body. You swiped your tongue over your lips before letting your hot breath fan over his dick. Bruno's eyes grew clouded with lust as you pecked his bulbous tip, the salty taste of his precum leaking over your tastebuds while you moaned. Your beloved groaned as you swirled your wet muscle around his tip in sloppy, wet circles.
“M-Mierda,” Bruno hissed between gritted teeth as he watched you wrap your lips around his head before shallowly bobbing your mouth up and down his throbbing shaft [Shit]. You moaned and hollowed your cheeks, a wet slurping sound reverberating through the air as you took him in deeper with every dip of your head. You relished in the way your lover trembled as you cupped his balls in your free hand, tenderly massaging his sac as you fluttered your lashes. His dick felt so heavy as it glided along your tongue, the texture making your pussy clench and ache for the familiar drag of his shaft.
“God, (Y/N),” he moaned and bucked into your slick cavern, drawing a small gag from you. You gazed into his eyes when he gasped and shifted back, leaving your lips wrapped half-way around his sex. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t-“ his jaw went slack when you grabbed one of his hands and placed it on top of your head. You tilted your head to the side and began to quicken your pace, your spit now smearing down his balls as you squeezed them in a loving grip.
“A-Ah!” Bruno yelped as he grabbed your luscious hair, his nails digging into your scalp as you eagerly sucked him off. You squealed when he gripped your hair and guided you along his length, his eyes half-lidded and lit with pure desire. “S-Sí, Mami - tan buena,” he rumbled [Yes, Mommy - so good]. You smiled and kept your cheeks hollowed as you took him deeper and deeper. You moaned as you felt his cock twitch inside your mouth, his tip now soaking the back of your tight throat with salty precum.
Bruno's grunts and cried grew more desperate before you suddenly pulled off of his length with a slick “pop”. His eyes snapped open as he looked at you with a mix of confusion and yearning.
“(Y/N),” he whined and desperately thrusted his hips up. You immediately stole his attention the second you shuffled out of your white bloomers and skirt, the fabric falling onto the blanket with a soft thud. Bruno’s face turned cherry red as you pulled your shirt above your head, revealing your supple breasts to his hungry eyes. You giggled at his dumbfounded expression as you slowly sank down onto your knees and straddled his waist.
"Lo siento, Papi...but I need to feel you inside me," you sighed as you slowly grinded your hips against his. Bruno's eyes rolled back as your wet pussy lips caressed the sides of his cock with every stroke of your hips.
"Fuck, Mami," he whined as he wrapped his hands around your waist. You sighed and smoothed your palms over his slightly hairy chest as he dug his nails into your supple flesh. You moaned as the weeping tip of his cock glided over your puffy clit - pulses of pleasure sweeping through your empty heat as you gazed into his eyes.
"You feel so good beneath me, Brunito," you murmured while cupping his cheek. Bruno's bottom lip jutted out as he gulped.
"Mi vida, please," Bruno grunted as he gave you a soft, pleading look. You grinned softly and laid your hands on his stomach while you adjusted your hips. He gasped when you wrapped one of your hands around his dick, rubbing his head against your entrance teasingly before deeply gazing into his eyes.
You released a heavy sigh as you slowly sank down on his hard cock, his length deliciously gliding against your gummy walls with a wet squelch.
"Oh bebé," you moaned as you arched your back. You shivered as you buried yourself down to the hilt, a rush of heat swelling through your core as his dark bush gently brushed against your bundle of nerves. You paused for a few seconds, relishing in the feeling of his dick stuffing you to the brim while he panted beneath you. You swallowed thickly before you raised your hips and brought them back down.
The forest was filled with your combined grunting and moaning as you bounced on his cock. The sound of wet slapping between your hips made your legs shake as Bruno sank his nails into your hips.
"You stretch me so good, hermoso," you whispered as you leaned forward, your breasts now pushed against his chest while you captured his mouth in another sloppy, heated kiss. You smiled as you felt his cock twitch inside you, his head kissing your soft cervix each time you gracefully brought your hips back down. He gasped for air when you pulled back.
“Mami, I-I’m so close,” he said through gritted teeth as he dug crescents into your perfect hips. He shivered as you kissed along his scruffy jaw, your walls sucking him in and sweetly caressing his swollen dick. You soon sat back up on your knees, your breasts bouncing as you sped up your movements.
“Go on, Bruno: claim this pussy with your cum,” you moaned. You squeaked when he shoved your hips down as he released a deep, guttural groan. You trembled above him as you felt streams of his thick, hot cum paint your gummy walls as he stiffened beneath you.
“Sí, Sí,” Bruno mewled like a broken record as he writhed with pleasure. You moaned as you felt the sticky mess between your two bodies, a few beads of his thick cum leaking from the seam of your stretched out hole.
“Mmm, Papi,” you sighed as you rubbed your hands over his chest. Bruno slowly opened his eyes - his hazel pools glossed over with pleasure as he heaved.
“Did you…” his voice trailed off as he furrowed his brows and gazed at the space where your sexes were snugly joined. You chuckled softly and shook your head.
“No, but it’s-“ your eyes widened, the world around you passing in a blur as Bruno suddenly laid on top of you. You blinked as he cradled the back of your head with his soft palm, his long fingers smoothing through your locks as he panted above you.
“Por fa, mi princessa…déjame mimarte,” he rumbled while pressing soft kisses to the junction between your jaw and neck [Please, my princess…let me spoil you]. You moaned as he peppered your sensitive pulse with kisses as his hands smoothed over your breasts. A soft sigh escaped you as he gently rubbed his thumbs over your perky nipples, his mouth suckling on your exposed skin as he slowly pulled the rest of his soaked length out of you.
You mewled at the emptiness, prompting your love to coo and lick a bold stripe over your pulse.
“Bebé,” you keened while stroking your fingers through his thick, dark hair. Bruno’s eyes sparkled as he gave you a sheepish smile.
“What I want to do is a bit…different, if that’s alright,” he said as his cheeks tinted with pink. You chuckled softly and kissed his forehead.
“You know I’ll still enjoy it,” you said while smoothing your thumb over his cheek. Bruno’s smile grew before he took a deep breath. Your body trembled with anticipation as he traced his lips between the valley of your breasts and down your soft stomach. Your jaw went slack when he slung your legs over his shoulders, his warm breath falling across your dripping sex as he licked his lips.
Bruno flicked his eyes back to you, hesitantly waiting for your response.
“It’s alright, Brunito,” you reassured him with a soft whisper. Your beloved snacked his lips again before delicately tracing the tip of his tongue around your swollen clit. Your legs shook around his head as he moaned against your sex, the vibrations of his voice sending ripples of pleasure through your core.
“God,” you moaned as Bruno swiped his tongue along your drenched slit - his wet muscle collecting your combined juices before he hungrily slurped it up. You gasped when he teased your weeping entrance, shallowing pumping his tongue inside your cunt as his nose rubbed against your sensitive bundle of nerves.
“S-Sí, Papi. Sigue adelante,” you breathed as you tugged on his dark locks [Yes, Daddy. Keep going]. Bruno grunted as he closed his eyes, savoring the flavor of your cunny while flattening his tongue over your folds. You moaned and rolled your hips against his face, his stubble lightly scraping over the inside of your thighs as he swayed his head back and forth.
Your eyes nearly crossed when he suddenly puckered his lips around your engorged bud, a cry of bliss escaping from your throat as the tension in your lower belly swelled.
“B-Bruno,” you gulped for air as he spread your labia apart with his nimble fingers. Both of you shared a quiet gasp when he teased the rim of your entrance. His lips curled and suckled on your clit as he slowly pushed a digit inside, causing the thick cream stuffed inside your cunt to come pouring out.
“Mi vida,” Bruno whispered, his lips dancing over your mound before he dove back in. Stars began to spark in your vision as he curled his digit against your plush g-spot while he slowly worked another one inside. Your legs trembled as he steadily pumped his fingers in and out of your fluttering hole; every dip and curve of his digits perfectly massaging your walls.
“Sí, p-por fa,” you moaned as he sloppily made out with your clit while thrusting his fingers deeper with every stroke. Your lover groaned as you raised your hips, his grip around your thighs tightening as he rumbled lowly. You screwed your eyes shut as you felt the delicate surface of his warm tongue caress over your slit. Bruno continued to moan as he savored the sweetness of your juices while spreading your hole open with his digits.
You suddenly came with a final long drag of his tongue against your clit.
“Bruno!” you screamed his name as you snapped your hips forward, his face completely buried against your cunt as you cried and thrashed in his grip. Your melodic moans cascaded through the forest as you heard him slurp up your thick cream, his eyes rolling back as your gummy walls pulsed around his fingers. You mewled and fucked yourself on his digits as you came; completely soaking his hand with your arousal.
You whined and babbled incoherently as your body shook with pure bliss, jaw slack and eyes nearly crossed.
“God, yes,” you swallowed thickly as tears of pleasure rolled down your flush cheeks. You slowly blinked your eyes open as the overwhelming pleasure began to fade. Bruno’s nostrils flared as he exhaled through his nose, hid eyed glowing with pure admiration as he laid a soft kiss over your puffy cunt. You flinched as you felt him smile against your folds.
The two of you simply gazed into each other’s eyes for several moments before he slowly placed your hips down on his lap.
“That was…amazing,” you said breathlessly. Bruno chuckled as another sheepish smile crossed his features.
“I’m glad I made you feel so good, mi amor,” he beamed, pride glowing in his eyes as he slipped away. Your face burned when you saw how soaked his chin was as he licked his lips. Bruno cooed and patted your hip as he slowly pulled his fingers out of your tenderly fucked pussy. You smiled and kept your arms open as he crawled on top of you, his soft, soaked dick slipping against your sex as he planted a sweet kiss on your lips. You sighed and brushed your fingertips through Bruno's hair as he laid his head on your chest.
"Te amo mucho, mi vida," your lover whispered as he laid his head on your chest [I love you so much]. You smiled warmly as you placed a soft kiss on the crown of his head.
"Te amo mucho, mi corazón," you murmured.
____
Thank you for reading! 💚
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5foot-frame · 9 months
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10 Years is a Long Time 🥲
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5footframe · 1 year
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Whumptober Day 20: Dont touch me!
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acewithapaintbrush · 2 years
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No, but seriously @junosaccount s little humorous comic about Hernando and Jorge helping bury a body while Bruno is like "What have I done" is giving me mad ideas for a thriller/horroresque story.
Because imagine Bruno waking up one morning and there is mud on his feet and trousers and he can't remember how that got there, and his arms and shoulders hurt really badly and he doesn't know why. And Jorge's bucket got some spackle in it which is weird, cause he hasn't needed spackle since the rebuilding of Casita.
How weird.
And then he hears that that very unpleasant guy has gone missing. The guy that always insults Bruno, always calls him el brujo and tries to pick fights with him. No one knows where he is but everyone knows the last person he was seen with.
Bruno Madrigal.
And the longer that guy stays missing the louder the whispering gets.
And Bruno stares at his muddy sheets and the spackle in his bucket and no, of course not! Of course it doesn't mean anything! He went to sleep that night and he stayed asleep.
Didn't he???
And of course he (or Jorge or Hernando) didn't do anything, I'm not gonna turn my Brunito into a murderer! But the potential for angst, juicy wonderful angst! As Bruno slowly starts to doubt himself, wonders if he is a danger to others, if his harmless acting isn't really acting, has never been acting but he didn't notice. As certain family members maybe start to wonder, just a teeny tiny bit, if there could be any truth to the rumors, and no one knows how to act or deal with all of it. And then Mirabel and Camilo, the disaster twins, the self-proclaimed detectives determined to solve the mystery and clear their beloved uncle's name!
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Oh god thinking about Encanto again and I am going feral
Bruno, who is depicted as so sweet and kind and doesn't enjoy raising his voice, getting in an absolutely ear-splitting, throat-destroying, all-out screaming match with Alma because "what, you think apologizing and calling me Brunito is going to erase 45 years of trauma?! I was completely ostracized! My sister grew up in the kitchen! My other sister doesn't know how to emote properly because she's had to fight to suppress them her entire fucking life!! And you're fucking sorry!?"
Somebody give me a Bruno that's finally unleashing all his pent-up anger issues on those that wronged him, a Bruno that is nearly sobbing from anger and grief at how good it felt to be giftless, to be a normal man for once in his damn life, before the Miracle was restored and be came right back to square one.
I wouldn't have come back to the family. If I were Bruno, now that the mountains had split and were traversable, I'd pack my bags.
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Co written with @optimistic-violinist
Summary: On the last day before they reach the gates Bruno teaches Mirabel a spell and confides in Isabela and Dolores. 
~~~
It was disgustingly early when someone shook Mirabel awake.
“Hm? Wh—”
“Sh, it’s just me,” Bruno whispered. “Come on, wake up. It’s time for another magic lesson.”
While that did pique Mirabel’s curiosity, she felt like she was entitled to complain a little bit more as she grabbed her glasses and got to her feet. “Did it have to be before dawn or is that just, like, a personal preference?”
“I don’t sleep. You should know this by now. Now come on.”
She followed her uncle into the forest and watched as his eyes gleamed for a brief moment as he looked around.
“Perfect. This will do.” He took a seat on the ground and gestured for her to sit across from him.
“So,” she said, rubbing her hands together eagerly, her earlier grumpiness quickly evaporating. “What are we learning today?”
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hourglass-dreams · 1 year
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So... I’m going to write a Bruno angst fic but I need some advice on things I want to add. 💚⏳
I know this has been brought up numerous times but I know it’s a complex topic that many people have differing opinions on. I want to depict Bruno having OCD that goes along with depression and his own trauma. I would like to state that I do struggle with mental illness but not OCD specifically and I am doing my own research (reading articles, watching testimonials, etc...) to make sure that I can understand the basis of the disorder along with its subtypes. Another thing I want to say is that I am not Latin American so I don’t have personal experience with the culture or how this disorder may manifest in said culture. I understand that superstitions are prevelant in Latin American culture and OCD and superstitions are not one in the same whatsoever. That isn’t why I have this headcanon. I just feel like it would make sense for him to have OCD because of the trauma he has endured and the anxiety he’s depicted as having in the books and somewhat in the film. I also know that culture can impact how a certain disorder presents. And I’m very aware that OCD, along with other mental illnesses are not “quirks” meant to be taken lightly. I want to show the character actually struggling with these intrusive thoughts and compulsions. I also want to add the element of not being completely aware of the illness since I know so many people (especially those from other cultures) go undiagnosed and are either misinformed or unaware. 
I know that the family’s reactions along with original characters play a part as well. I also want to make superstitiousness be prevalant in other characters but not to the extent that it is distressing to showcase the difference. 
I just want to hear thoughts and advice from people with the disorder and Latin Americans with it as well. How can I portray both mental illness and the culture in a respectful and realistic way? 
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beanie-beebo-writes · 2 years
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All Along [The Casita]
Summary: Just one of the days of the life in the walls of Casita...with a twist.
Category: Genfic, Pre-movie
Warnings: Angst, Abuela being an ass
~~~~~~~~~~~~
10 years. 
It had been almost 10 years living alone in the walls of Casita. And despite being housed in a magical paradise, the years weren't kind. 
The bags under his eyes had grown deeper and darker, his hair growing more and more unkempt, his eyes losing the light they once held. 
And yet no one knew. 
Or at least he thought. 
Just like every other day, he lay haphazardly across the crumbling recliner catching some much needed z's. An annoying crack of sunlight shone through a gap in the boards, disturbing his slumber. Bruno groaned and buried his face into the old fabric of the chair. It was too early. But yet again, time was only an illusion. 
A rat scampered up from the floor, giving a small squeak once it reached Bruno's sleeping form. Not receiving a response, it lightly nudged the side of his face and earned mumbled gibberish in response. It tried again, harder this time. Bruno turned his head, eyes squinting in the bright morning light. The small mammal motioned its head to the boarded mural from where the sun had been peeking in. 
Bruno slowly blinked, trying to process the nonverbal cue. To reinforce the rat's message, a soft clatter of porcelain dishes could be heard beyond the walls. Bruno's stomach grumbled in anticipation. 
He slowly sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, sending the rat back to the floor. Too tired to notice, he swung his feet to stand and sent the poor thing flying across the room. He opened his eyes widely upon realizing his clumsy mistake. Bruno's eyes shot to his small companion and he carefully made his way over to the other side of the room. With extra caution, he picked up the dazed rat. 
"Oh mi dulce Rosalita, ¿estás bien? Lo siento mi cariño. I'm so damn clumsy." Bruno said softly. 
Rosalita blinked and wiggled her nose before giving a small squeak in response. Bruno sighed in relief. 
"What on earth was that clatter? I heard that all the way from my room, Juli. Everything okay?" 
Bruno froze. Of course he had to give himself away to his family, again. It's not like this hadn't happened before. It's bound to happen in a quiet community when you live inside the guts of your house, literally. But over the years, he had grown to be more careful. Especially after he had almost been caught a few times. He was lucky there always seemed to be a distraction right after to cover him up. 
"I have no idea. Maybe some kids rough housing nearby?" He heard Julieta reply. 
Bruno peered through the gap in the boards, giving him a small glance into casita’s kitchen. Julieta was just finishing up breakfast, as she did every morning. It was Agustín who had come to check in on her. He made a face and shrugged, seeming to agree with Julieta's explanation. It was a quiet enough town, so it wasn’t illogical.
“Everybody almost ready?” She asked, beginning to clean up.
“I think so,” Agustín said. “I can check though if you’d like.”
“Would you, cariño? That would be great.” Julieta said.
“Sure, no problema amor.” Agustín replied.
As he left to check on the others, Mirabel came rushing into the room towards the family plates.
“Good morning Mira, sleep well?” Julieta asked.
“Sí, a little too well. Lo siento, mamá. I guess I slept in.” Mirabel said.
“It’s quite alright, everyone needs it every once in a while. I would take care of setting the table if needed.” Julieta said.
“No má it’s fine, really. I have to help somehow..”
Bruno looked on with a heavy heart. The whole reason he had left in the first place was to make Mirabel’s life easier. Even if it was a little bit. But even with his disappearance, he could see that it apparently wasn’t enough. Mirabel still felt pressure to live up to his mother’s impossible expectations, and still felt like she wasn’t enough. She was still the scapegoat, the one everyone blamed when things went wrong. The thing Bruno had been trying to prevent. It’s obvious his prophecy would have made things much worse, but he thought that his mother would have been at least a little more forgiving of her granddaughter. Apparently not.
Julieta’s voice brought him from his thoughts. “Did you happen to see how everyone else was doing upstairs?”
“Everyone’s pretty much ready. It’s just..” Mirabel scoffed. “Señorita princesa Isabela is hogging up the bathroom for some reason this morning. Can’t she just grow a waterfall or something to wash up? It’s not like everyone else needs to shower or anything.”
Shower.. ¡Mierda! He forgot to shower! And if he didn’t keep up with his rituals.. Well. He didn’t want to think about it. Bruno rushed to the small cracked basin at the other side of the room and quickly splashed water onto his raggedy face. He blindly reached for the soap and began scrubbing himself as quickly as he could manage, knowing he didn’t have much time before his family came down for breakfast. Even though he knew no one would see him or notice his presence, Abuela had always made it known how important it was to have a specific routine. And what the consequences were if you didn’t follow it.
Bruno Madrigal was a grown man. He washed his own clothes, he knew how to make a meal if he had to. But what Abuela said, you would follow. And if you didn’t? Well may God bless you. And even when Abuela was long gone, Bruno was sure the family would still be mindlessly following these habits. They just stuck with you.
As quick as Bruno had begun to bathe, he was already finished. And just in time for him to join his family at his usual place behind the mural. He made a sign of the cross as he sat down and bowed his head in prayer alongside his family. Everyone listened in silence to Abuela’s prayer, waiting in bated breath to dig into their meal. After a brief moment of silence, Abuela sat at the head of the table, signaling it was okay to begin eating. 
For a few minutes, all that was heard throughout the dining area was the clanking of silverware and soft sounding of eating. One would think the absence of talking would be unsettling, but it was actually quite comforting for Bruno. It reminded him that words weren’t needed to bond, that the family was still there; without all the usual chaos. He himself had begun to dig into his half of the bunuelo, saving the other half for his small friends. He exhaled in amusement. He could already hear his sisters and his mother if they saw the sight before him. Rats nibbling away at leftovers, on the table. ..And Bruno eating scraps from the night before.
He frowned and looked back at the family through the openings in the mural before glancing back at his “meal”. His stomach growled from the lack of food, causing him to look down. Before his thoughts could spiral deeper, Mirabel’s voice brought him back to reality.
“Hey mami, is it okay if I help out again in the village today? Like I did the other day? I was hoping maybe-”
“Mirabel, you know Julieta needs to focus on helping the community. You should know better than to interrupt that.” Abuela interrupted, void of much emotion.
Mira’s face fell. “I know but, it worked last time! I promise I won’t get in the way-” She said. 
Abuela held a hand up, interrupting her again. “That’s enough.”
Bruno helplessly looked on with a fiery, heavy heart. If he wasn’t such a coward, maybe right then and there he would break through the mural and tell his mother off right there. But just like when he left, he just watched in silence. He kicked himself hard in the shin and held back tears.
“Má.. leave Mira alone. She is free to help as much as she wants. She’s never in the way.” Julieta said, placing a hand on her daughter’s shoulders.
“But Juli, you mustn't be distracted-” Abuela began.
“I won’t be.” Julieta said firmly.
There was a brief, tense silence before Abuela sighed and resigned to Julieta’s request. It was a while before the usual chit-chat resumed at the table.
Bruno felt absolutely horrible. He was glad at least someone stood up for his sobrina, but maybe if he had been there… maybe if he lied ten years ago and took responsibility for the vision.. He couldn’t help but think that maybe things would be different. He punched his arm in both frustration and as a punishment of sorts.
Tu idiota estupido.. You really thought you leaving would make things better for your sobrina? Now look what you’ve done, you’ve made it wor-
“What is that noise? Did you all hear that?”
Bruno froze in place and smacked a hand over his mouth. He was muttering his thoughts out loud. Again. His heart hammered in his chest; he didn’t dare take another breath.
“Oh, it was Mariano. I think he’s at the door.” Dolores said.
Bruno slowly lowered his hand from his mouth and swiftly moved to the space in the mural boards, furrowing his eyebrows and squinting in the morning light. And sure enough, Dolores was going to the front door. No.. she wouldn’t-
But she didn’t stop there. She went outside and closed the door behind her. The family looked on in silence for a long moment before slowly resuming their previous conversations.
Bruno blinked. What just.. happened? Did that really happen? 
After a few moments Dolores returned, silently closing the front door behind her before she came back into view. The family turned attentively in her presence.
“Is everything okay?” Julieta asked.
Dolores squeaked and nodded. “Sí, he just wanted to know when Isa would be available later. I let him know we will all be headed out al pueblo soon.”
“Perfecta!” Isabela said, excitedly standing up from her seat to hug Dolores. “Gracías prima!”
Isa stopped for a moment and recomposed herself, smoothing out her dress. 
“I’ll take care of my plate, Abuela.” She said calmly, returning to the table.
“Thank you Isabela; much appreciated.” Abuela said, finishing up herself. “We have another big day ahead of us today, I want everyone downstairs and ready within a half an hour.”
A mixed chorus of “Yes abuela”’s and “Yes mamá”’s filled the dining room before everyone slowly trickled out one by one to clean their dishes. It wasn’t long before the only one remaining on the lowest floor of Casita was Dolores. She had been sitting timidly, playing with her leftover food. Once she finished chatting with Mira and made sure the coast was clear, she wordlessly turned to the family portrait.
Bruno receded into his ruana and inched backwards, as if she could see right through the painting. He again waited in bated breath. After a few tense moments, she broke the silence.
“You have to be more careful tío. I don’t know how long I can keep covering for you. I won’t be long before they.. you know.” She said quietly.
Bruno’s eyes widened at the realization. All this time, she knew. I mean, yes there was the food she brought to him occasionally, and she always had seemed to cover for him, but she never really said anything. Not until now. He just figured she thought he was lingering around somewhere or something, not that she knew he was still there, within the walls. His heart swelled, despite it hammering anxiously in his ribcage.
“And yes, I knew. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. Just be more careful? Please?” She answered quietly.
Bruno nodded before remembering she had super hearing, not x-ray vision. “Sí.”
She squeaked quietly before hurrying off to take care of her plate and catch up with the rest of the family. Bruno lingered for a moment before turning back to his cuartito. For the first time in a while, Bruno felt loved in his own four walls.
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nellycanwrite · 2 years
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okay so!!! i just caught up with lmfe and I! AM! LOVING! IT!!! I CANT EXPRESS MY UNDYING LOVE FOR THAT FIC!!! THE WRITING??? THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT??? THE ANGST???? CHEF'S KISS I TELL YA!!! i love how you write reader!!! she's not the stereotypical kind mom who went through trauma, but she's unconsciously projecting it to her kids (not that it's a good thing irl, but some write characters as strong people who just gets over the trauma, yknow?? we actually see reader going through trauma so subtly that you cant even tell it's there!) there's something about the way you write that really brings me in and it's just so poetic!!! I LOVE IT!!!
i have a few theories up in my mind about whats gonna happen, and im not sure if theyre all right but it's worth a shot! it's okay not to answer because you know, spoilers and stuff (but i hope you do answer!!!)
Mateo's going to die (I HOPE NOT). if not dead then maybe just sick???? I DONT KNOW NELLY. YOU FORESHADOWED SCARY SHIT IN THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS ABOUT MATEO AND IM SCARED
And THIS chapter!! i handle tarot cards before and I just know that these are tarot card descriptions!!! i never would have thought about it until i saw this line "he sits in all of his glory with the keys of Heaven at his feet" and i immediately knew this was The Hierophant! WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING HERE NELLY?? IF YOURE SUGGESTING ONE OF THE KIDS WILL BE REBELLING THEN IM GOING TO GO WILD im still figuring out the other descriptions of the vision because i just had to come here IMMEDIATELY before i can make sense of them!!
Also i think Encanto is?? going?? TO WAR?? YOUVE BEEN FORESHADOWING SO MANY SHIT EVEN IN THE BEGINNING CHAPTERS THAT I FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN SOON???
i still have so many theories in mind!!! im rereading all the chapters as we speak because i am deep into this story.
(also i didnt realize that this became super long because i just went on a ramble. I AM SO SORRY!! I LOVE LMFE SO MUCH THAT I JUST WENT ON AND ONE WITHOUT KNOWING)
Okay first of all, oH MY GOD ANON. GODDAMN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ENJOYING AND SUPPORTING THE STORY💖💖💖 I REALLY APPRECIATE IT! I never expected this much love to go into the fic since it’s frankly my first time writing something so long and detailed! Your support really just warmed my heart in all the right spots💖
Super glad you noticed the details I put into writing! I didn’t want to write the reader as this perfect mom who just had trauma then moved on. I wanted her to try to move on but unconsciously internalized her fears until it became a part of her, therefore projecting it to her kids as she raised them. It’s unconscious and frankly unnoticeable, at least, I hope I wrote it subtly enough that it’s implied. I didn’t want to outright say it, so I wrote it through the reader’s interactions with Bruno and the kids.
The general idea of the reader's character is based on Alma’s own, as I had intended for the reader to be a mirror of Alma’s ways. @cheesy-cryptid and I joked about how the reader is an ‘Alma kinnie’, but those lines ring true; Reader is—in a way—Alma’s counterpart. Reader has been under Alma’s wing since she was a baby, and she desperately wants her approval. The way Alma raised her also influenced her way of raising the kids. If you look at it in another way, Reader is what the Madrigal grandkids would be like if they had listened to Abuela’s every instruction without fail (generational trauma amirite). This will especially be proven true in later chapters. And I think you know when it’s going to happen if we follow through the film’s timeline.
Now for your theories💖 I want to tell you everything I have planned, but you already know that a big red SPOILER is going to greet you on the face😭 But I can at least answer some of your theories!
First off, you are correct! Chapter 47 did imply tarot cards! And you got the part where one of the kids is The Hierophant! I think you already know based on the description that it’s our lovely boy Javi💖 I’ll keep the other two tarots hush hush for now until you can figure it out😏 All of the tarots have meaning to them that will foreshadow the future of the story, so do your best on deciphering them!
About Mateo…I’ll leave that to your imagination until I can reveal it in future chapters XP But u h , let’s just say it’s not going to end well for him.
And about Encanto going to war…well, the truth is— //[REDACTED]
Thank you thank you THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading Love Me for Eternity! It really means a lot to me to see you all so invested! Keep those theories coming, even how long it’s going to be! I won’t mind at all (in fact, I really enjoy the long asks and messages!) I really love to read everything that you can think of!💖 I really do take pride at the fact that none of ya’ll can anticipate my next move for the story, especially when we reach post-canon *evil chuckles* But maybe I’m wrong and someone can actually figure it out, who knows XP
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laynore-x · 6 months
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"No lo nombren, no lo nombren no" 🎶
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calicoyo · 1 year
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do you ever think about how terrified bruno must have been when his tower was falling on mirabel? how his heart must have constricted in his chest, convinced that his favorite niece was going to be crushed under HIS tower because HE gave her that vision and told her how to save the miracle and it was going to be. All. His. Fault. as if he might as well have killed her himself. 
because i do. 
i think about that a lot.
(when he learned mirabel was safe, i like to think he was so relieved that he cried harder than he had in years. but then it was time to pull himself together, be the tio she deserved, and find her.)
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junosaccount · 2 years
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Original post from @lilisouless​ - thank you so much for letting me turn this idea into a comic 💚
Bonus
At breakfast the next morning
Pepa: Why so small last night, Camilo? Too tired for the seven-foot-frame?
Camilo: ??? (mouth stuffed, can’t speak)
Dolores: Oh, Camilo slept really fitful - I even heard him sleepwalking, hm!
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mozart-the-meerkitten · 11 months
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Welp. I rewatched Coco so all four of them are back in my head now, all at once this time
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this feels dangerous somehow
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5footframe · 1 year
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Whumptober Day 20(again): Fetal Position
This is what I get for doing them at random out of a box 🤷🏻‍♂️
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snakeskins-world · 5 months
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Picture Perfect...?
The Madrigals were all doing their own things today.
It had been 3 months since the Casita crashed, and the rebuild. They had all become closer than ever! Feeling like they've truly reunited properly.
Of course, they still had secrets...
Dolores, was sat in the main room, next to Mariano. Dolores was listening with excitement as Mariano spoke, his voice like music to her ears.
Camilo, was with Antonio, upstairs. They were running do the halls, Antonio was riding his Jaguar, parce, as Camilo tried to keep up.
Isabela was sat on her vine swing, decorated with new plants. She was tripping up Camilo every now an again by growing random plants.
Luisa was relaxing in a hammock, a drink in hand, her donkey-unicorn stuffie in the hammock next to her. Both laying in the sun.
Pepa was stood with Felix, both were charring by the bottom of the stairs, their conversation going unheard by the other Madrigals,
but it was clearly happy and loving, since Pepa's cheek were practically painted pink, and the sun was shining above the town, and Felix was sporting his loving, flirtatious smile at his wife, speaking to her in Spanish.
Bruno was sat in his bedroom, redecorating.
Julieta was sat outside with Agustìn, both enjoying the nice weather.
Alma was sat in the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee as she read a book, a romance. But she wouldn't admit that.
And Mirabel was setting the plates for dinner.
"Mirabel, dinner isn't for a few hours yet?" Alma says, her head tilting up, her eyes going from her book to her granddaughter who had just finished setting the plates.
"Well, I like getting ready early, this way we don't spend time putting the plates out during dinner." Mirabel explains.
"And we repaired Tio Bruno's old plate! We wanna surprise him at dinner!" Mirabel smiles excitedly, her usual cheerfulness, radiating from her like light did from the sun.
"He'll love it, Nieta. How about you go play with your cousins? Or sisters?" Alma suggests, but it was more like an order.
"But I need -" Mirabel's excuse was cut short.
"No. No, I won't hear any of that, go enjoy the nice day -"
The sound of glass shattering filled the house, everyone jumped.
Pepa picked up thr photo, it was of Antonio's ceremony.
"Camilo! Antonio! You both need to be careful!" Pepa scolded her younger children, a cloud growing over her head.
"Mi Vida, look." Felix whispers, taking the picture, showing his wife. "Where's Mirabel? She isn't in the photograph."
At this, the entire family started to crowd around, peering at the picture.
"Mirabel?" Antonio asks, looking up, the entire family copied. They looked at Mirabel, who was stood at the entrance of the kitchen, her hands clasped infront of her, a nervous look on her face, as if she had done something wrong.
"Mirabel, why aren't you in the picture?" Pepa asks, her voice carried confusion and a hint of sadness.
Mirabel looked away, her fingers interlaced before her hands moved to her to her side.
"W, well, you all were really excited, a and I wasn't included, I don't have a gift, I guess you all just forgot to include me, but I get why, I mean, you need to have a gift to be a Madrigal!" Mirabel says quickly, her hands moving as she spoke, moving with her voice.
As Mirabel spoke, the look on the Madrigals' faces slowly turned to stunned sadness.
Pepa's clowd turned dark and a light drizzle started to pour down.
"M, mirabel, we forgot you?" *Julieta asked, staring at her daughter. "Why didn't you say? We could've redone it." She says. Walking up to her daughter.
"Well, you were all really happy, a and I didn't wanna be a bother, so I just...stayed quiet." Mirabel says.
"Oh Miraboo." Agustìn says lovingly and sadly, using her nickname only he could say, he hugged his daughter tightly.
"You could never be a bother. You're a part of the familia Madrigal!" He smiles, trying to lighten the mood.
"This won't do." Alma says firmly, her hands clasped together, the entire family looked up to their Matriarch, waiting for her to continue.
"Next week. We will have a party, for Mirabel's sixteenth birthday." Alma says, then looks directly at Mirabel "And Mirabel, you will be the centre of the photo." Alma says firmly but kindly, showing she genuinely meant her words. "We missed your gift ceremony, and your Quinceara. We will have to fix that."
"You really don't have to!" Mirabel tried to change their minds, but the family was already brainstorming.
"Out! The future birthday girls cannot hear the plan!" Camilo says, ushering Mirabel to the kitchen.
Mirabel chuckled. She knew her family was trying to make up for it all.
Familia Madrigal was healing. And it would take time
But they'd slowly heal the cracks.
49 notes · View notes
alexthebordercollie · 3 months
Text
To Love at all is to Love Entirely
Chapter 1: Homecoming
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Warning contains masturbation scene
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ If you wish to skip the smut look for the rats. They appear and the start and end of sexual scenes. ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
︵‿୨ - March 10 1951 - ୧‿︵
“Félix stop!” Pepa whined playfully.
They would do this every now and again. His sisters and their husbands. They would get out the playing cards and a bottle of aguardiente and play poker into the late hours of the night. A sort of double date night. Loser takes a shot. He used to play with them sometimes. Unfortunately not having a partner always left him feeling like the odd man out.
This time he really was the odd man out.
“Escalera real mi vida.” Agustín purred.
Bruno took another swig from the bottle of rum that sat on a crate next to him. Every time his sisters lost he took a shot. A show of solidarity. Or maybe just alcoholism. He’d managed to swipe the bottle from a party and had been nursing it for close to a month. Tonight seemed like a good enough excuse to indulge a bit as he lay on a ratty twin-sized mattress on the floor. He set the bottle back down on the crate and rolled over to face the wall. Listening passively to their game night.
It sounded like they were having fun. He wasn’t missed. He wondered if they would act any differently if they knew he was there. He was happy for his sisters. They found good men who loved them dearly. Still… he couldn't help the bitterness in his throat. Lying there alone. Listening to their drunken flirting. He knew full well how their night would end. When he used to play with them they were a little more subtle. A little less shameless.
Maybe it was because he was the only bachelor in the room and they pitied him. Or maybe it was just the family treating him like a child again. Like they were under some delusion he was too fragile to process such mature information. He wasn’t a child though. He wasn’t naive. Far from it.
He heard the roars of his sisters and went to take another shot. Empty. That figures. It sounded like their game was wrapping up.
He sat up in bed clutching the empty bottle for a moment as he listened to them drunkenly shuffle up the stairs. A few of his rats stared up at him expectantly.
“Sí, sí, I know!” He hissed as soon as his sisters were out of earshot.
He tossed the bottle half-heartedly. Listlessly watching it bounce off the back of his armchair before rolling back towards the bed. The floor was slightly uneven. Of course it was. He hadn’t thrown it with enough force to break the glass but the clatter as it hit the floor was enough to scare off the rats. He had promised himself he’d make it last at least a month. He didn’t need his pets' judgmental eyes on him right now. He knew he was a failure. He didn’t need to be reminded.
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
He flopped back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. His mind wandered to the couples upstairs. He could feel his body tensing against his trousers.
“Meirda.” He groaned as he rubbed his eyes violently with his palms. He propped himself up on one arm and reached down to adjust himself so as to get some relief from his waistband. He was already so hard he winced at his own touch. He’d not been paying attention to his growing condition till now. Now he couldn’t ignore it. He tried to get his mind on something else, but the intrusive thoughts wouldn’t leave him. Floating circles in his brain no matter how much he protested.
He knew he shouldn’t think about his sisters like this. Imagining what it was like to be them. To be loved, touched, consumed…
He was already touching himself. Any semblance of self-control was out the window tonight. What was the point? It’s not like anyone would know. Dolores went to bed ages ago. Just him, god, the devil, and the rats.
He muttered faint profanities to himself as he ran his palm along his flesh. So engorged it hurt. He sat up a moment and pulled the crucifix he wore from his neck. If he was going to sin tonight it might be best to put it away. He’d hate to feel it burning into his collarbone all night.
He placed his necklace in the top drawer of his dresser for safekeeping. Leaving his pants and poncho on the floor before returning to bed and curling up under the covers. He gripped the covers over his shoulder with one hand as he lubricated the other with precum. Again he winced before letting out a deep sigh.
He’d been jealous of his sisters for years. He was sure no one really knew just how much. He’d been in denial himself at first. This repressed teenage boy staring longingly at the boys his hermanas courted. No woman had ever made him feel the way a man did. Not for lack of trying. He knew what other teenage boys could be like. The things they would say when one of the Madrigal women walked by. He’d tried to admire women's bodies the way they did. Even got caught once by a girl in town who slapped him hard enough to leave a mark. He’d rather he could have been a garden variety pervert over a degenerate sinner.
He put a hand over his mouth to muffle himself as he shuttered. He thought of the gruff working hands, the smell of cologne, sweat, and cigars. He bit down on his fingers. The thought of all the things a man could do to him. He was gripping himself tighter now. His movements were frantic and desperate as he shivered and jerked about under the covers.
He pulled his fingers into his mouth. Gnawing and sucking on them. He barely paid any mind to the wet rabid sounds that escaped his lips. He suckled frantically on his hand till his fingers began to swell from the abuse. He was growing increasingly tender and frustrated as he kept edging close to some kind of relief but never quite reaching it. He was growing lightheaded. He wanted more.
Curling in on himself he reached down with his abused fingers and began to probe himself. This wasn’t the first time he’d done this. So desperate to cum it stopped mattering how. He would slide his fingers in with little effort though his breath still caught in his chest for a moment. He stopped stroking his dick as he curled his fingers inside himself. He was seeking out that sweet spot that would let him cum.
He let out a startled gasp as he felt the sharp jab of his fingernails against his favorite pressure point. He was gasping for air now, panting as he returned to stroking himself while his fingers went to work massaging his warm velvety insides. He wondered what it would be like to be penetrated by a real man. Someone unlike himself, the scrawny, cowardly, midget that he was. He felt his face go numb. He grew dizzy as he struggled to breathe. That pressure kept building but to no relief and his dick was getting tender and raw.
“Carajo!” He shouted in bitter frustration as he released himself. He collapsed onto his back and gasped out for air. “Por favor, Dios, Satán.” Whatever ethereal creature it was who saw fit to torture his every waking moment. “Just let me have this.” He whined as tears streamed down his hot, flushed, face.
He calmed himself enough to reach up and wipe the offending tears from his cheeks.
“Santo Dios, why am I like this?” He whimpered between fluttering breaths.
He just wanted some relief tonight. Anything to ease this pain. He didn’t care if it was sin. He didn’t care about hell. In this moment he just wanted to feel some pleasure. To feel something besides empty soul-crushing pain.
He looked over to the empty liquor bottle on the floor and a wicked thought struck him. A devious, rebellious thought. The neck of the bottle was a bit shy of an inch across two maybe three inches long. He wasn’t seriously considering this was he? He thought of his precious hermanas enjoying their night upstairs and that bitter resentment bubbled up in his gut. He’d already committed to being a degenerate tonight. What did it matter? He’d worry about his immortal soul tomorrow when he wasn’t drunk, horny, and angry.
He reached out for the bottle without leaving the somewhat comfortable confines of his bed.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” He muttered as he turned the glass bottle over in his hands. He spat into his palm and stroked the neck of the bottle. It wasn’t close to the real thing but it was closer than his fingers ever could be. He kicked off the covers and felt his face flush with a humiliating heat as he reached down to line the neck of the bottle up with his entrance. Still puckered and tender from the abuse he’d done to himself earlier.
He took a shaky nervous breath and pressed down. This was a new low for him. He’d never done anything like this before. He wasn’t even sure he could take it, but he wanted it so badly… To be filled up by something, anything. The glass was cold and made him shiver. His body put up some resistance but he persisted.
“AY!” He let out a pained cry as the lip of the bottle made its way in and shot ripples of pain through his flesh. He clasped his free end over his mouth in a panic. He startled himself with his own girlish shriek. For a moment he lay there silently listening for any sound of human life. All he could hear was his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.
He kept his mouth covered for fear of the sounds that might escape him. Slowly he began to press deeper in. He ground his fingertips against the stubble on his cheeks as he muffled a moan. Eyes closed. His head rolled back into the mattress as he made it all the way down the neck of the bottle. The glass was cold but silky smooth and it warmed gradually to his skin.
His hand started to slip loose from his mouth as he moaned from the sheer satisfaction. It felt so good. He’d speculated for years, but this was better than he’d imagined, and it wasn’t even the real thing. Imagine how that would feel. He started slowly, gently pulling back and pushing back in. Before long however that frantic hunger began to build again as he picked up speed.
He let go of his face and gripped the covers so tight his knuckles went white. He found himself bucking forward with each thrust. His legs trembled and his whole body rocked. He arched his back. Panting like a dog in heat. His movements were clumsy. His hand kept slipping on the smooth glass. The angle was difficult. It felt so good though, clumsy and rough though it was. That fullness, that feeling of being properly violated. The thought of strong hands on his body as he grew dizzy again.
As much as he loved this feeling it became apparent he wasn’t going to cum like this. He pulled the bottle out and rolled over onto all fours for a moment to catch his breath and collect his thoughts. He was sweating now, heaving. His arms were shaking as he struggled to support his own weight. He needed a new strategy. He needed some way to maintain a consistent angle and rhythm. He thought for a moment before bringing the bottle to his face and slipping the neck into his mouth. The glass was warm and tasted sweet and metallic. With a fresh coat of lubrication, he sat upright on his knees and placed it between his ankles.
He leaned back till his palms hit the mattress. Supporting his weight on his arms as he lowered himself down onto the bottle. This time there was no pain, no resistance, it slid in effortlessly. He let out a grateful sigh.
“Joder eso es bueno.”
For a moment he just rested back on his hands enjoying the feeling. This was it, one last try, and if he couldn’t manage it this time he’d just have to cut his losses for the night. He was slower this time as he started practicing rocking his hips up and down. His feet crossed each other. Toes curling. Calves flexing as he pulled his legs as tight around the bottle as he could manage. This was much smoother, more controlled. He moaned softly and his head rolled back.
He considered stroking his cock one more time but decided against it. It was still tender and the pressure inside him sent a pleasure that radiated through his cock. This was enough, for now, this was all he wanted. Just this slow even pace. Just enjoying the feeling. Listening to his body.
Eventually, that pressure began to rise again causing him to pick up the pace. This time his movements were precise and deliberate. It got harder to maintain that smooth fluid motion the faster he got but with some focus he could manage it. He just had to keep that stable rhythm going. Just a little longer. His cock ached and trembled. He grew light-headed again. Worried that sweet release would illude him he brought one of his hands up to his dick and stroked himself gently. Just the slightest touch was all it took to finally send him over the edge.
For a moment he couldn’t breathe. His whole body tensed as he felt the hot sticky substance dribble down his fingers. He came in deep shuttering waves. The throbbing satisfying stretch of thick cum pulsing through his cock. When it finally stopped he waited to catch his breath for a moment. His eyes fluttered open. He looked down at himself…
He was disgusted with what he saw. His hideous filthy body. Why would anyone love someone so repulsive? Much less another man? He awkwardly dislodged himself before collapsing on the bed. Avoiding the puddle he’d left on the mattress.
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
What had he just done?
It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. He was sweaty and winded and tired. So tired. He knew it was wrong. For a man to want the things he did. There were a lot of things wrong about him. This was just another defect to add to the pile. Why should this matter more than any of the other humiliating mistakes he’d made in his life? At least no one knew about this. This was a defect he could keep all to himself.
There was something oddly comforting in that.
︵‿୨ - October 17 1950 - ୧‿︵
Bruno lay on his mattress for a while, muscles sore, eyes still glued shut from sleep. He’d been awake for some time just listening to the sound of falling sand, the little paw steps of his rats. A few of the little creatures were still snuggled up along the length of his body for warmth. It had been a five months since he moved back into his old room.
The rest of the family had wanted to refurnish the room for him after they saw its sorry state but, to their dismay, he’d chosen instead to cram all his tattered belongings into a little cave in the wall of his tower. It wasn’t always so bad. One would think it would have been good as new after the house had been rebuilt, but no, that was just his luck. It was all the same to him in any case. He wasn’t quite yet ready to part completely with the little home he’d made for himself in the walls.
It wasn’t much, but just moving back to his old room alone was stressful and surreal. To Casita's credit, he’d forgotten how soothing the curtain of sand was at night, all the nights it helped him fall asleep as a child.
Juanita began to nuzzle at his scruffy cheek and when that proved fruitless started lapping at his skin, her little teeth grazing his face.
“Alright, alright, I get it, I’m up.” he groaned though he couldn't help the grin that her persistence brought to his face.
No doubt she was pestering him for her breakfast. He’d been keeping rats for years, ever since he was a child. It started with a single mated pair. He took them in after Pepa kicked one of them across the kitchen and broke its leg. It was just going to be temporary, just until they were well enough to be released. He couldn’t help but get attached. It took a lot of cajoling when Mamá found out to get her to let him keep them. No doubt she never expected the population to explode like it did.
It took a bit of limp, half-hearted, flailing to get the feeling back in his limbs and shake off the sleep. A good yawn and a stretch to get fresh oxygen to his brain. As he craned backward he heard a loud crack that echoed off the walls of the tower and sent a brief shiver down his spine. That got his eyes open. He rubbed a palm along the sore spot in his lower back and cleaned the sleep from his eyes before cracking his neck, then his knuckles. He stared down at the old mattress on the floor. Maybe it was time to get a new bed at least.
Climbing up to his feet he watched as the rats started poking their heads out of every nook and cranny, eyeing him expectantly. A few sleeping rats tumbled off his poncho onto the bed. He chuckled as he watched Carlos wriggle on his back only to sink deeper into one of the mattress's many dents.
“Easy mijo I got you.” he reassured and reached down to scoop up his pet. Carlos lay contentedly in his arms like a baby and Bruno gave his belly a tickle. The rat squealed playfully and scurried up his arm to his shoulder and made a nest in Bruno’s mat of curly black hair. Their little claws still tickled after all these years, their shiny eyes and twitching noses filled him with a comforting warmth. As he turned to leave others poured from their cubbies and started to pool about his ankles. Walking down the stone steps and carefully avoiding tiny, eager tails he started to wonder if he may have become somewhat of a crazy cat lady. He dismissed the thought, surely not, these are rats, it’s completely different. Rats actually love you back.
As he made it to the bottom of the steps he looked around the cavernous room. Every morning it seemed to look a little different than the night before. It had grown very empty and deteriorated over the years. It was starting to look a bit better. The sand curtain now fell into a working grate in the floor, you could actually see the floor. A decorative tile floor was slowly creeping out from the center of the room, consuming the dull wood planks, and a few more of the steps had grown back. He couldn’t spot anything too noticeable today, but this house was always full of surprises and he was sure he’d spot something by the end of the day.
Poking his head out into the hall he could hear a commotion in the courtyard. The house was usually pretty noisy but this was something else. He padded down the steps to the catwalk. Careful to avoid his many sobrinos as they scurried past. He still walked softly out of habit so as not to make any sound that might disturb the peace.
A sudden roar shook him. Reverberating through his blood and jolting a very primal fear into action. Whiping around to spot the source of the danger.
There was Antonio with one of the worlds most dangerous predators. His heart was beating a million miles a minute. His brain failing to keep up with his instincts as he bolted forward. No thoughts on what he'd do only afraid for his littlest sobrino. His racing heart stopped dead as he watched the boy dive over the balcony to the floor below on the back of a jaguar.
Seconds passed that felt like years.
Then laughter.
“Vez! Vez!” Antonio cheered to his terrifying pet.
Bruno gasped with relief. Freeing the breath he'd been holding. He never much liked cats. Didn’t trust them. Esspecially a cat like that. Antonio looked alright though. Maybe he was worrying to much. Antonio could talk to animals, the animals all seemed to like him well enough. So what if Parce was a nearly four-hundred-pound killing machine. Everyone else seemed to be rolling with it.
“Me asusta terriblemente también.”
Bruno yelped as he jumped back from the railing.
He turned to see Pepa leaning over the guardrail next to him. She sighed as she watched her son playing with his jaguar in the courtyard. Parce bolted back up the steps and rushed past them in a flurry of spots.
“I don’t know how you manage.” Bruno breathed. Rubbing at the aching dent in his chest.
“Lo juro el niño is going to give me a heart attack” She agreed before shifting the weight of a basket she carried on her hip.
“To think. You used to be scared of rats.” Bruno teased.
“You’re never going to let me live that down are you.” Pepa grumbled a gray cloud forming over her adorable scrunched face.
“Eh, lo justo es justo hermana.” He grinned and shot her finger guns. His sister groaned and rolled her eyes.
“Between you and Tonito I’ll be lucky if I make it to forty.”
“But you’re fifty.” Bruno replied awkwardly. Admittedly it felt a little weird to say it out loud himself. Sometimes he forgot just how old he was, it was truly uncanny to him how fast time flew.
“Fifty-one as of today.” Mirabel chimed as she skipped up the stairs to plant a kiss on her uncle’s cheek.
Bruno froze up at first from the gesture. He'd grown so unaccustomed to human touch over the years. He only took a second to recompose himself before ruffling his sobrina's hair. She smiled brightly back at him. She really was a miracle. This bright beautiful girl who brought him out of his cave. She reminded him how it felt to be loved. So many years he’d watched her grow through the cracks in the walls. Now he could finally feel the warmth of her skin and gaze lovingly into those beautiful brown eyes.
“No, not yet!” Pepa curtly corrected, accented by a low rumble of thunder. “Until nine forty PM, I’m still fifty” She huffed. Her husband Félix crept up behind her and tickled the back of her neck with kisses that made her giggle like a schoolgirl. Wrapping his strong arms around her petite waist he reassured his wife.
“Fifty or five hundred mi vida you’re still as beautiful as the day we met.”
“Eres un gran coqueto.” She chided playfully as she ran her free hand along his jawline.
Bruno pretended to vomit over the railing, loud enough for his sister to hear. Pepa shot daggers at him as Félix and Mirabel laughed. It felt good, making his family laugh. It was one of the few things he was good at growing up. Even if Mamá didn’t always appreciate it.
“Did you find the decorations Tía Pepa?” Mirabel chimed.
“They were in Mamá's closet, I had to clean them up a bit but they’re in pretty good shape all things considered.”
Pepa passed the basket over to Mirabel. Bruno pressed himself against the railing to make space for them and noticed as it passed by him, a familiar lime green fabric he hadn’t seen in ages. When they were young his mother had sat him and his sisters down to stitch birthday banners the three of them had used for years. As they got older the banners were used less and less. But there was his. The poorly stitched character smiling back at him.
“Honestly I don’t know why she wanted to use these, they’re embarrassing.”
“Come now Pepa, today is special. I wanted to do something special.” Their madre insisted as she stepped out into the hall. She reached up instinctively to wave away the small cloud above her daughter's head before stopping herself and patting her cheek instead. Bruno felt a dozen tiny paws clamber up his pant legs and cling to his shirt to hide beneath his poncho.
Pepa sighed and her brother had to agree. “S-she’s right Mamá these are a bit silly don’t you think?”
Bruno’s voice cracked awkwardly and made him feel like a child.
“Well I think they’re adorable” Mirabel grinned as she pulled the banner out to inspect her uncle’s childish doodles. Bruno reached out to stuff it back into the basket. “Ay, don’t look too closely at that!” He sheepishly insisted.
“Ma if I’d remembered it was our birthday I would have gotten up early to help everyone set up.”
“Nonsense Brunito, it’s your first year back. We wanted you to relax and enjoy your special day.” His mother cooed as she brushed a lock of unruly hair out of his face.
It was strange seeing her so soft and doting. He heard his sister grumble though their mother didn’t seem to notice. It had been like this since he properly returned to family life. His mother had been doting on him more than she ever had when they were kids and he was sure everyone was starting to notice.
“A big party like this? I dunno, I think I should just sit this one out.” He stammered out, wringing his hands close to his chest, small.
“I get it,” Mirabel piped up. “You’ve not got the best reputation.” She drastically downplayed.
“We were gonna do a small little family thing but somebody had to go and blab to the whole town.”
She chastised her cousin who poked her head out one of the many doors to call back indignantly. “You shouldn’t have sent me to pick up the groceries. You know how Señora Florez is with the chisme tax. What was I supposed to do?”
Mirabel shook her head as Mamá put a hand on Bruno’s shoulder. His mother lifted his chin to face her with a gentle touch.
“Go get something to eat then talk to Isabela, see if she can’t do something with your hair.”
“Uh, sure thing Ma.” He replied awkwardly before slipping back out of her orbit and nearly tumbling backwards down the stairs. Mirabel caught him and propped him up with the basket before nodding down to the kitchen.
The kitchen smelled like heaven. His sister's cooking always did. He used to joke that God gave him a big nose so he could better appreciate her food.
“There you are.” Julieta chimed as she turned from rolling out dough to greet him.
Bruno smiled and gave her a little wave. “Sí, mis niños were hungry.” he chuckled shyly.
Juanita poked their snoot out of his sleeve to sniff around hungrily.
“Alright guys you can come out now la señora atemorizante’s gone.” He shook his poncho to agitate the rats who flooded out into a pool on the floor around him. Mirabel stepped back sucking in her lips awkwardly as she admired the hoard. Julieta jumped a little as she turned around to clean her hands on her apron and saw the battalion of furry creatures on her clean kitchen floor.
Bruno wasn’t oblivious. “I can keep them in my room if they’re in the way.” He scratched his face. “I guess I didn’t think too much about it before. They like to follow me around but usually, it was just us in here at night.”
A flash of sadness crossed his sister's face. Bruno could only imagine how that must how sounded. The images it conquered up. He'd largely avoided thinking too much about what he looked like from an outsider's perspective. He couldn't bring himself to self-reflect… it took his mind to dark places. Thinking on it now though as he saw the look in his hermana's eyes? The image of him scowering the kitchen in the dead of night with the rats.
Julieta quickly collected herself as if the thought hadn’t occurred to her.
“Oh, it’s fine, as long as you keep them off the counter.”
Bruno reached back with his foot to subtly pull Rossa down from the knob of a cabinet with his toes.
“Oh sí, no problema.” He smiled nervously.
“I always wondered where all my food was going. Felt like I was feeding an army, turns out I really was.” She laughed and her warm voice soothed the growing tension in his chest.
Julieta reached into a warmer on the counter to pull out a couple of arepas to toss to her brother. Bruno fumbled the catch slightly and thanked her. As he went to take a bite Juanita climbed up on his shoulder and reached out to give it a sniff. She looked up at him with big round eyes and he caved immediately.
“Alright, I’ll let you have the first bite. Only cause you’ve been good lately.”
Leaning back against the table he started to pull a piece off for her only to jump at the sound of Julieta’s scolding.
“Oh no you don’t!” She stopped him and scooped Jaunita off his shoulder. She held the rat awkwardly far from her body. Doing her best to be gentle. “That’s your breakfast you eat.” She said, holding Juanita as if she were a loaded gun. “I’ll find something for… tus niños.” She put Juanita down on the floor and went to wash her hands before leading the rats to the pantry.
Mirabel watched the tiny parade in mild astonishment. “That’s a lot of rats.”
“You think that’s a lot.” Bruno muffled through a mouthful of food. “These are just the more social ones. A lot of them are still too shy to leave my room.”
“How many do you have?” She queried as she set the basket down on a free patch of countertop. Casita carried off the embarrassing banners to god knows where.
“Fifty three… no fifty eight since Beatrice had her litter. Speakings of, I should check on them later, see if she needs new bedding. Bring her something to eat.”
Mirabel was stunned silent for a moment and Bruno could feel her eyes on him as he stuffed the last bite of arepa into his mouth. After a few agonizing seconds of owl eyes staring Bruno couldn't take it anymore. He wiped the crumbs from his mouth and hurried to defend himself. Stammering as he looked for the right words to say.
“Look I-I know not everyone gets it, b-but rats are great, they’re smart and affectionate, and…” he realized he’d been leaning in a little too close and was slightly hovering over Mirabel in his enthusiasm. Instinctively he shrunk back down.
“I mean, I get why people, you know, just…”
Mirabel put a hand on his to steady him as he started dissolving in front of her.
“They love su familia, you know.” He explained, looking back into her eyes. He’d never stop being amazed by the understanding he found in them.
Mirabel gave him a knowing smile. “Don’t worry about it. You're not the only one with weird pets. Antonio has a whole jungle in his room, I’m sure he’d love to get to hear all about them.” She patted his hand before pushing off the kitchen table and lacing her fingers behind her back.
“You should go clean up. The guests should start showing up soon.”
“Ah caray, is it that late?”
“Tío it’s six in the afternoon” She laughed. Bruno blushed as he realized just how late he'd slept in. He was laegly nocturnal for the last decade and adapting to a normal schedule had been difficult. He really didn't intent to sleep the day away. Why couldn't his mother have woken him up?
Bruno hurried off to look for Isabela.
“Finally,” Isabela tutted as she led him to the washroom. “I wanted to wake you up earlier but Abuela said to let you sleep in. We’re running out of time and I’m not letting nuestro cumpleañero look like un indigente.”
“Little harsh mija” he whined as she shoved him into a chair propped up against the bathroom sink.
He remembered how sweet and spunky she was when she was little. The world around him may have been fast and loud but he couldn’t help but reminisce. He remembered helping his hermana clean paint from Isabela's hair when she was four. The frantic rush to contain the mess before their mother got home. She was so small then. This little ray of sunshine and mischief trying to spread beauty wherever she went. Nowadays she had developed a much sharper tongue and a spiteful temper that could be a bit scary up close.
“I’ll see if I can’t work my magic.” She cracked her knuckles and circled around him inspecting his hair.
“EEEK!” She squealed as she uncovered Carlos still nesting under his curls.
Carlos leaped out in fear and scurried off. Bruno tried to reach for him but he was off and around the corner before he could say anything.
Isabela took a deep breath and rubbed at her temples. “Tu y Antonio… está bien, perdón, no pasa nada.” She paced for floor before retreating to the edge of the tub. She had a few different bowls of sweet-smelling goo he couldn’t quite identify. He could see the gears turning in her head as she formulated a plan of attack.
“This seems like a lot don’t you think?”
“Oh this is just the start, I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me to recover that duty rats next you call hair. At least for tonight, I think I can get it presentable.” She warned ominously as she brought a bowl over to set by the sink and called out to her father.
“Eh Papi! Poca ayuda por aquí.”
Agustín, who was chatting with his wife in the kitchen, stopped to call back. “Oh, we’re doing this now?”
“Sí ahora!” His daughter snapped back.
“Doing what? Excuse me, what exactly did I agree to?”
Isabela shoved her tío back in the chair and pushed his head back into the sink to rinse his hair.
“Don’t worry about it. Just relax and let me handle things okay?”
Bruno tried hard not to recoil at his sobrina's touch as she raked her fingers along his scalp. Someone else might have found it soothing but he could help but feel anxious getting this much attention. His cuñado came in with a shaving kit and started setting up.
“Ey, gracias, p-pero no. I can do that myself, you know.”
“No time Tío Bruno. This is faster, just let Papi help you.” Isabelle chided as she shifted her weight to the side to make more space for her father and smeared something under his eyes before scrubbing his scalp. Whatever it was it smelled of aloe.
Agustín inspected the razor, seemingly oblivious to Bruno’s discomfort as he squeaked out a “Cómo no?” through grit teeth.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
The following half-hour felt like centuries as his nails bored grooves in the arms of the wooden dining chair. He tried his best to make idle small talk and avoid making Agustín laugh with a razor pressed against his throat.
Once all was said and done Isabela tied his hair back into a short ponytail and he got a good look at himself in the mirror. Despite his misgivings, considering Agustín’s usual clumsiness, he’d never managed such a clean shave himself. Perhaps it was a byproduct of growing up in a house full of women. His hair looked a lot cleaner and softer, shiny even, and he could swear Isabela must have done something to cover up some of the gray streaks while she was at it. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Whatever gunk she had smeared on his face earlier had brought a bit of life back to his skin and the dark circles under his eyes were less intense now.
It almost felt as if he'd been robbed of something, though he couldn't quite articulate what had been lost.
He almost couldn’t recognize himself in the mirror as he prodded gently at his face. Isabela smirked confidently behind him as her father scurried off to put the supplies away.
“Sometimes I amaze even myself.”
“You did a great job.” he muttered softly.
Isabela’s face softened as she seemed to notice how small he shrunk the more he looked at his reflection. She wrapped her arms around his scrawny neck.
“Happy birthday Tío Bruno.” She smiled meekly. Isabela was anything but meek. “Between you and me, this was my idea.” She admitted. “I just wanted you to feel good on your birthday. I thought it would help.”
Bruno could feel a knot form in his stomach as he heard guests start to funnel in. Isabela had been hoping to boost his confidence using her most familiar means. He turned to hug his oldest sobrina. She smelled of succulents and even after all these years she still felt small in his arms.
“Me hiciste falta.” she whispered softly.
“Me hiciste falta también, cariña.”
“Come on, the party’s starting.” Agustín ushered them out into the courtyard.
Already the Casita was filled with life and music. Antonio was impressing the neighbor kids with his many exotic pets as they darted outside to play in the yard. He could see Luisa and her mother resting with some cold lemonade and having a laugh. Camillo had filled the corner with kids his own age who all seemed enthralled with whatever tales he was spinning. He watched as his sobrino briefly shifted into an intimidating caricature of him only to change back the second they made eye contact. Pepa was dancing with her husband and Mirabel supervised the folks cued up to grab food from the table set up along the side of the courtyard.
Bruno had seen a great deal of Madrigal parties but this one felt different. Usually, the Madrigals would all be on their feet entertaining, but most of the family seemed to be taking it a bit easier this time around. The decorations were less intensely curated, more chaotic, and casual. The music was… He turned to see Dolores and her new novio on the piano. Ah, that explained it. She looked utterly enthralled with him though as she sat next to him drinking in his baritone voice and questionable lyrics.
Isabela recognized a young man in the crowd and flagged him down while Agustín went to help Mirabel in the kitchen leaving Bruno alone on the sidelines. He knocked anxiously along the wall behind him, took a deep breath, and crossed his fingers. Everything seemed to be going alright so far but he couldn't be too careful. As he released his breath he was grateful for the space he’d now been afforded. It was nice to just sit back and watch without being the center of anyone's attention. He hoped it would stay that way and he wouldn’t have to make idle chit-chat with his neighbors. More than anything he hoped he wouldn’t find some way to make a scene of himself.
He felt little paws skitter up his pant leg.
“There you are Carlos.” he scooped up the gray white-bellied rat and looked him over to be sure he wasn’t too shaken up. “Lo siento por Isabela. Va a dejarse convencer, tal vez…” He stroked the top of Carlos’s head with his finger and sighed. “Oh, a quién engaño?” He didn’t know what would possess him to lie like that. Carlos was a rat, people hate rats, there was no changing that.
“Bruno!” Boomed a cheery voice.
“Dios me dé fuerza.” he muttered under his breath as he tucked Carlos under his collar. Portly Osvaldo waddled up to give him a friendly slap on the back that nearly knocked him over.
“It’s good to see you. Looking good mi amigo you clean up nice.”
“Hola Osvaldo.” He forced out with an exasperated sigh. “How’s that diet working out for you?” Bruno asked dryly as observed a belt fastened two sizes too small. Not that he cared but he felt obligated to try and make conversation. He didn't mind a man's weight. He could care less if he was fat, but this man's insecurities had added to Bruno's bad reputation in the past. He had very little sympathy for him.
“Am I meeting my goal this year?” he asked excitedly.
“It wasn’t a vision, just a guess…” Not that Osvaldo was even listening.
“No never mind, don’t tell me. Yo no quiero mala suerte.” Osvaldo put his hands in his pockets and beamed proudly. “I’ve managed to commit to it all month.”
“Well good luck with that.” Bruno replied as he tried to scoot away. Only to have Osvald put a hand on his shoulder and keep chattering with total abandon.
“Did you do something with your hair? You look ten years younger.”
“Yeah, you can thank mi sobrina for that. Isabela she uh…” He trailed off as he noticed Mirabel had returned to her post and caught her eye from across the room with a pleading look.
Much to his relief she recognized his discomfort and hurried over to distract Osvaldo with some sweets.
“Hey Senor Ortiz. I know how much you love my mom’s desserts. She’s been trying out some new recipes. You’ve just got to try them,”
Mirabel winked back at Bruno as Osvald blabbed on about his diet, giving Bruno the green light to flee. Bruno hated relying on Mirabel like this but he wasn't ready to deal with these people just yet and he knew she wouldn't mind, being the social butterfly she was.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Most of the night carried on in a similar fashion as various neighbors made awkward attempts to chat with him. Some stumbled out awkward half-hearted apologies for past mistreatment. Others would try to be friendly and supportive out of a sense of obligation and chew his ears with idle chatter. Petty small things that didn’t interest him. One woman nearly choked on her drink when she spotted one of his rats chewing at his hair tie. Still, others largely avoided him and cast him occasional unsure glances between whispers. Unsurprising. He wasn’t expecting the town to change overnight. He knew most of the people who tried to make a show of being friendly only did so to appease his mother. Not that he could blame them. In the end, he probably would have spent the night in his room if it weren’t for her.
There were a few times in the night he found himself suppressing the urge to try and ward off any possible hiccups in the night but knew that would draw attention to him. The best he could do was silently hope and pray, much as it killed him worrying over the consequences of denying his rituals. That uncontrollable gnawing urge to knock and throw salt. Fortunately, as the night wore on he did relax a bit. It seemed everyone else was a bit less wound up than usual and as he managed to survive more and more awkward encounters he slowly became more convinced that the night might actually go off without a hitch.
Eventually his mother announced cake and gifts from the top of the stairs and everyone started shuffling outside. He wasn’t thinking about gifts. He hadn’t had a birthday gift in a long time. Of course, he dreaded being the center of attention but at least he was sharing the spotlight with his hermanas so that did help a bit.
Mirable dragged him outside by his sleeve to catch up with the rest. He groaned inwardly when he saw the old birthday banners had been hung on the wall outside. Nested proudly above the table where the cake and gifts had been set up. Three chairs all in a row with those silly banners above each one.
Pepa was already seated and seemed as embarrassed by her crude childhood monstrosity as he was. Clouds of fog obscuring her face in shame. The whole thing was covered with crooked rainbows and smiley faces, and many of the stitches had long come undone leaving small holes in the embroidery.
Julieta seemed to be taking it with grace though. That was no surprise, at least her banner had been made with some competence. Little smiling dough balls and cooking tools danced along the baby blue banner around her name.
They were turning six and it had been their mother’s idea to make banners together to bond and teach them a new skill. She was so charmed by the stupid things that they used them every year for the next eight years. The smiling cartoon rat on Bruno’s banner stared back at him tauntingly. He’d been pretty fond of the illustrations in his children's books so tried to recreate his favorite character holding an hourglass. It was a testament to his handiwork how few people could actually recognize the character.
The cheery banners were pretty bittersweet. They certainly didn’t portray what it was really like growing up alone with Alma. Behind closed doors? Strict routines, high standards, harsh punishments. He still vividly remembered the sting of his mother’s chancla.
Bruno took his seat between his sisters and the town and family all gathered around as candles were lit to sing cumpleaños. He may have been anxious about the crowd but being surrounded by his familia like this, seeing all his sobrinos gathered around the table, he thought back to so many birthdays alone in the walls. Singing along, wishing his sisters well. He kept shifting his weight about, tapping his foot. He smiled wide and hung his head laughing as he tried hard not to let it show. He wasn't going to cry. He couldn't. Not in front of so many people.
“Time to blow out the candles.” His mother chimed as the few stragglers in the back finally stopped singing. Bruno looked side to side at his sisters who seemed to be wearing the same melancholy smiles as him. He could see that sad shine in their eyes that reassured him he wasn’t alone.
Mamá held up a hand and the crowd chanted all along.
“Tres, dos, uno.”
Bruno leaned in with his sisters to blow the candles out together and for the first time, it felt real to him. He was home.
SPLAT!
He felt a hand jerk his head forward into the cake as soon as the candles were out. Stunned for a brief moment he lifted his head slowly as his hermana's laughter filled his ears and he tried to blink the frosting from his eyes.
Now he was home.
He let out a chuckle and stuck his tongue out to lick the cake from his face. It tasted… different.
“Hey Julieta, did you do something different with the recipe?” He started to ask tentatively.
“I made that one.” Mirable who was leaning on the table next to her mother chirped.
“Oh, well I mean it’s still good,” he reassured, stuffing more cake into his mouth “It’s just different.” He muffled through a mouthful of cake.
“I made another one so there’d be enough to go around.” Julieta explained as she got up to take a much larger cake from Lusia and find a good spot for it at the table. Only to turn and see her brother shoveling another bite of mutilated birthday cake into his mouth with his fingers.
The rest of the night was full of laughter. His unease finally lifted. He properly enjoyed opening gifts with his hermanas. Secretly grateful the cake had helped him save face in front of the crowd. Each of the kids had gotten a gift for him this year.
Some homemade shampoo from Isabela who playfully threatened him if she didn’t see him using it. Luisa had made little wooden sculptures for the three of them, a new hobby she’d taken up. She wasn’t very good at it yet though the gesture was sweet. Dolores had wrapped one of Julieta's empanadas as an inside joke which made him beam though his sisters were clueless as to why. Camillo got him a pair of stilts as a gag gift and all he could do was stare sarcastically as his nephew nearly fell over laughing. Little Antonio made some crude climbing toys for his rats to play with.
His cuñados even brought something over much to his surprise. “Félix and I picked this out for you together.” Agustín explained as he passed Bruno a large flat box that hadn’t been wrapped.
“Oh you guys didn’t have to.”
“Trust me you need this.” Félix assured as he gestured to the box.
Opening the box revealed a simple three-piece suit, it was mauve and a bit plain yet still felt like a bit too much. It even came with a decent pair of loafers. Do doubt his cuñados caught the bewilderment on his face.
“Hey I wanted to get you something more casual but Agustín over here just had to make a big deal out of it.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a good suit, you want to go more casual, you just wear the shirt and trousers. This is more versatile than what you wanted to get him.”
Bruno just stared down at the baffling gift.
“We had to guess a bit on the measurements but Julieta and I can make adjustments if you need.”
Finally roused from his daze he stumbled out. “Oh, uh, no this is… it’s… I’ll try this on later.” He smiled back.
“Nonsense.” His mother insisted. “You should go get changed, show everyone how handsome you look.”
Some folks in the crowd got a good laugh at that. A few tried to cheer him on. Cheering or jeering. He couldn’t always tell the difference.
“Oh no Ma, I mean I don’t wanna hold everyone up waiting on me.”
“Difícilmente es una imposición mijo.”
Mirabel came to his rescue yet again as she whispered something to her Abuela. Bruno could see the disappointment in Mamá's face but she quickly plastered on a smile. He felt a pit form in his stomach. He hated to disappoint her, hated that Mirabel had to come to his rescue like he was an anxious child.
“You know, you’re right. You can show it off tomorrow after we’ve had a chance to take it in a bit.” assured him.
A chubby hand pushed a brightly decorated gift onto the table in front of him as he tucked the suit away on the floor. The gift was soft with colorful scribbles all over the wrapping paper and a big bow on top. He looked up to see Mirable had saved her gift for last. Her eyes glittered from the twinkling lights.
“That just leaves mine, Tío Bruno.”
Bruno unwrapped it slowly, doing his best to preserve her lovely drawings. Neatly folded inside was a green ruana not unlike the poncho he’d worn for years. The pattern was similar but the fabric was new. Mirabel's signature scribbles danced along the hourglasses, they were small but the little pops of color gave the old pattern some new life. She was really trying her best to break him tonight wasn’t she?
He took off his old poncho exposing the rags he wore underneath and put it on. He didn’t care about the other guests. It was so warm and soft.
“How do you like it?” Mirable asked.
He pulled her in for a hug and held her close for a moment. “It's perfect mi vida.” he breathed.
“I thought you’d like it.” She held his hands in hers as they separated. Stretching out that moment of contact just a few heartbeats longer. Pouring so much love into her touch.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
After the gifts were all done the party slowly died down. In the late hours of the night as folks were starting to clean up Dolores came to tap him on the shoulder as he helped sweep crumbs and confetti from the patio. Mamá wanted to speak with him in her room. Unsure what this was about he shrugged and passed the broom off to her before heading upstairs to see what she wanted.
Her door was open and he could see her sitting on the foot of the bed as he peered inside. He tapped the frame of the door with his knuckles to get her attention. She looked up like she had been lost in thought. Without thinking he knocked on the doorframe compulsively. Worried about what her distant expression could mean. Worried about all the things that could go wrong when he spoke. Knocking kept the thoughts at bay. If only barely.
“You wanted to talk?”
“Sí, sí, come sit.” She patted the bed next to her, pulling her shawl tight over her chest.
Bruno closed the door behind him and sat down by his mother. He slumped forward with his hands clasped between his knees and waited to see what she had to say. Mamá wrapped an arm around him and stared at the floor but said nothing. She opened her mouth once or twice like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Eventually Bruno worked up the courage to break the silence.
“Soo, nice party. I managed to make it all day sin arruinar nada. That’s something, right?”
Mamá wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in close. The gesture was sudden and while small managed to knock the wind out of him. She rested his head on her shoulder and stroked his hair. Gripping him tight. Slowly he lifted his hands to hug her, patting her back gently. The silent candlelight of her dim room was deafening. A mix of tension and warmth and grief and comfort…
“Eh, Ma did you need something?” He asked softly. He froze and fought back the heat in his eyes as he was met with a sharp intake of breath.
“Just let me hold you, Brunito.” Her voice quivered. Bruno looked up to see the tears spilling over. Streaming down her cheeks and leaving dark tracks on her flushed skin.
Hurriedly he pulled himself up to her face. “Oh no, don’t cry, Mamá don’t cry. If you start crying then I’m gonna… Whatever it is I didn’t mean to…” He couldn't breathe. Please stop. He prayed she would stop. It hurt. He could feel the twisting pain in his chest. He tried to form words but grief ripped a hole in his throat. All his pained loving words bleeding out onto the floor. Never to be heard.
“P-perdóname.” She choked out. Bruno starred. Quietly awestruck by words he never thought he’d hear. Words that burned his ears. Drilled into his skull. “I never meant to push you away.” she sobbed.
He hugged her and held her tight. Her fingers boring into his back as she held on like she feared he’d evaporate in her arms. He could feel his eyes threatening to betray him as her body shuddered with near-silent sobs. He couldn't do this. He couldn't accept her apology. Not after he hurt her so. This was his fault. He was a bad son. All she ever did was love him. She worked so hard to give him a home, a life, to build a safe place for him and his hermanas. It was all he could do to fight back the tears. He had to be strong for her. At least this once he could hold her and be a good man.
“Está bien Mama.” He rubbed small circles on her back like she used to do when he was very small. “Está bien Mamá, I never left.”
He didn't know how long they stayed together like that. He held her as she sobbed and clung to her long lost hijo. So many thoughts spiraled through his mind. So many memories. Good and bad. Pain and joy. Love… Love that hurt so much to remember. Despite the pain he kept it inside. He refused to overwhelm her with his grief. For all her faults. For all the days they'd fought. He still loved her. He still missed her every day. Missed her touch. He missed the way she would hold him when he was a boy. He was a man now. He needed to be there for her. To take care of her like his father never could.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Bruno only returned to his room in the early hours of the morning. Long after everyone else had gone to bed. Fatigue seeped into his bones as he hobbled up the steps to his bed. He moved like a ghost through the quiet desert. He stopped at the entrance to his cubby and leaned over to open Beatrice's nesting box. An old jewelry box which sat on a small table by his “comfy” chair. He'd emptied it out and filled it with scraps of tissue paper and old rags. A small blue doe gazed lovingly back up at him. Wide shining eyes as her pups nursed from her chubby belly.
“Sorry I didn’t get around to it sooner.” He muttered as he dropped a small piece of cheese into her box and watched as the grateful young mother nibbled greedily while her five pink little beans suckled.
He turned to his bed only to stop in his tracks.
The old floor mattress that had plagued his aching back for years was gone. In its place, a full-sized bed sat waiting. Simple dark wooden frame, green sheets with patterned trim. He stood by it a moment brushing the covers with his fingertips. He didn't know why his room changed when it did. Casita didn't seem to have answers to give him. He didn't think these changes were Castia's doing. This room was his and it seemed to have a life of its own. Right now though? He didn't care where the bed came from or why. He couldn't care less. He was too empty to care.
His legs gave out from under him and he flopped face-first onto the bed. His eyes burned as he soaked the fresh new sheets. Too tired to fight it. Too tired to move. Eventually, he fell asleep. The best sleep he’d had in a long time.
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