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sorryiwasasleep · 11 months

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Part of a larger fic, but can stand on its own and I wanted to share it:

Luisa & Alma

The burning in her chest and the warmth in her cheeks made Luisa feel like she was melting, in the best way possible.

Like an ice cube on a hot sunny day.

It was a Friday afternoon and the sky was clear and the birds were singing and she was sitting by a lake with her Abuela, both of them dangling their feet in the water.

They were both high as hell.

It was… an experience for sure for the girl.

Luisa had never even smoked before a few months ago and now she was sitting here with her actual Abuela sharing a joint.

If she thought too long about why she was getting high with her grandmother, Luisa’s chest would start to ache and she would burst into tears again the way she had when they’d first asked her to do this.

Abuela was getting older. It was a fact they all knew.

She was also getting weaker.

Sicker.

And things that used to come easy to her now brought her pain.

They could see it in every step she took, how she was slowing down.

So she coped how she could, and when Mamá’s food stopped helping her, Abuela turned to more natural substances, provided by Isabela.

She was relying on it more now.

But their grandmother also didn’t like to be the only person with her senses impaired, so she often asked the other adult Madrigals to join her.

When none of her children or suegros were available, she had turned to Isabela and Dolores.

Who had then wrapped in Luisa once it became clear she actually enjoyed the partaking of smoke sessions, and wasn’t just attempting and finding it not for herself, or doing so because she felt like she should.

So now here Luisa was.

High with her Abuela.

Abuela offered her the last of the joint and she took it.

As she blew out smoke, her grandmother started speaking.

“My Luisita. I see so much of your mother in you.” When Luisa turned, Abuela was surveying her with affection. She reached out with a shaking hand and patted Luisa on the cheek.

“So strong. So smart and insightful.” Abuela casts her face down, filled with shame.

“So willing to give up yourself for others.” Abuela looks back up at Luisa. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you for so long.”

It’s the first time Luisa has actually gotten a personal apology from her Abuela since everything has happened.

Abuela of course loosened the reigns and things are better now and Luisa has gotten some apologies, but they've been generic or to the family as a whole.

She appreciates this even if it makes her chest ache because well, she thinks Abuela might be trying to cover her bases as she gets weaker and Luisa hates it, because she’s longed for this apology, this remorse, but she also hates how its coming. Hates what she’s now fearing as each day passes.

She's not sure what they'll do when the day comes.

She prays it's not soon.

The apology is a lot.

Tears are immediately in Luisa’s eyes.

Abuela uses her thumb to stroke Luisa’s cheek and wipe away the first tears that fall.

“Abuela I—“

Abuela just shakes her head.

“No, no need to say anything. Unless you want to yell at me maybe.” She shakes her head again. “I don’t deserve forgiveness easily. I almost ruined us.” That last parts slips out as a whisper, but Luisa hears it.

She scoops her grandmother into her arms, which causes Abuela to let out a stunned cry before she relaxes into the embrace.

“Te quiero Abuela.” Luisa lets out through her tears.

She doesn’t forgive her grandmother for what she’s done in the past, but Luisa is more than willing to move forward. She doesn’t want to hold on to bitterness.

Luisa can feel Abuela stroking her back as she starts to hum.

It sparks a memory of when she was five years old and had just gotten her gift.

She’d dropped a brick on her own foot and was inconsolable over it, even though the physical pain was gone in an instant thanks to her madre.

Abuela had taken her into her room and they’d sat in her fancy rocking chair and she’d held Luisa tight to her chest and sang until her tears slowed.

Right now it makes more tears come to her eyes, even as Luisa holds her grandmother tighter.

She wants to cherish this.

Who knows how much longer she can?

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lunaencantada · 5 months

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Look at her smile!!!! Omg, I'm so happy for Isabela :')

And Abuela supporting her <3

#i am not even mad about the lavender dress post canon #she looks so pretty #isabela madrigal #encanto #encanto disney #encanto books #WAIT I FORGOT ALMA'S TAG #Abuela madrigal #alma madrigal #Madrigal family

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thefourchimes · 12 days

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okay, just gonna say this now before i start this post: i have absolutely no problems with alternate universes, go ham with them, go wild, you can have fun, etcetc, they're called alternate universes for a reason, after all

however. HOWEVER.

i have a problem when people say something should have happened in canon, when canon itself disproves or goes against whatever these people want

the reason why im bringing this up?

the whole thing with how some people keep saying mirabel should have [insert the usual things people say here, hate, slap, punch, left, get revenge, etc, take your pick, there's unfortunately a lot to choose from] the family. in the canon movie.

again, i have no problem with alternate universes and seeing them in fanfics or whatever, you do you, could be interesting to see even

but when you start saying this should have happened in canon, its just. no. no.

god, it just frustrates me so much whenever i see these posts and comments, the ones that said she should have gone evil or villain or hate the family and all that stuff

because mirabel herself loves her family. she literally said it outright in the movie!!! its not in her personality and character to just go against them and hate them and want revenge. there will be hurt and hesitance and some resentment after everything she'd gone through, yes, but outright hate to the point where she'll hurt them?? absolutely not.

not with her character, her love and empathy and understanding, the traits we see her show in the movie.

like my friend once said: mirabel "he loved this family. i love this family. we all love this family" would NEVER hurt her family

say it louder for the people at the back!!

and thats not all i want to rant about tbh...the real kicker on this one?

whenever this statement is added on top of it all: "if i were mirabel—"

well, news flash people who keep saying these things, mirabel isnt you. mirabel is her own character who has her own experiences and her own feelings. maybe you'll be able to relate to her, especially with similar experiences, but that doesn't mean you can just copy and paste your own feelings onto her and say this is what she should have done in canon because thats what i would have done!!

we all project onto our favorite characters in various ways, which is completely fine, go at it and definitely not surprising for a story about family issues, but when you start to project so much that you throw away the character's actual personality and characterization in favor of said projection? yeah...no.

thats not mirabel madrigal anymore, that's a completely new character...or dare i say, a self-insert for some people... 💀:////

yeah, im just so frustrated with this AAAAAAA 😭

but anyway yes.

thats it, really. again, AUs are absolutely fine but if someone starts yapping about how canon should have [insert whatever those people keep saying here] instead while disregarding actual canon and proper characters and personalities, im going to become violent

anywho...thats my thoughts on this, went on a bit of a tangent but

yeah

anyway bye—

#encanto #mirabel madrigal #kept going through some comments and posts in the past and i felt violent #and decided to rant #uhhhh hope this makes sense #and that im not being insane or something #but yeah #whoop—#overthinking and doubting again but #i will prevail aaaaaaaaaaaaa #but anyway yes #this is all for the people who had comments on how “canon should have ended like this!!!”#im so done with them pls

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redheadlesbianfreak · 1 year

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I’m really glad that people in the TMNT fanbase have finally started calling out the insistence that 2012 Splinter is irredeemably abusive. As well as how the criticism comes across as racist. The way the character is depicted in the show versus the way he is often depicted in fan content is like night and day. I’m open to different fan interpretations, but I’ve seen an insane amount of fans confidently state that he’s canonically abusive. And this is one of the worst misinterpretations of canon I’ve ever seen in fanon.

2012 Splinter was raised in Japan, and seems to take on a more East Asian style of parenting. He’s stricter with his sons, but usually when they put themselves or their brothers in danger. However, I would say that he’s far more gentle and understanding than anything else. And I would like to clarify that reasonably disciplining your kids and teaching them right from wrong is not abusive. That’s what it means to be a parent. Never correcting misbehavior is another form of abuse, one that borders on neglect.

Another thing to consider is that he’s in a very unique situation. Splinter and the turtles are mutants. They will never be accepted by society and will always be seen as monsters; he knows this. He teaches his sons how to fight so they can defend themselves in a world that will try to hunt them down and kill them. He has nightmares about his sons dying. The show explores the terror he faces as a parent, which is something he’s already experienced with the loss of his daughter and wife.

Splinter is devastated and relieved to find that Miwa is alive. He loves her as his daughter, but that doesn’t mean he no longer sees the turtles as his sons. He views them as being his children just as much as his biological child. He clarifies this to Leonardo. The reason I love TMNT so much as a franchise is because it’s one of the few pieces of media that explores familial love within an adopted family. And TMNT 2012 constantly reiterates that family can look unconventional and does not need to be bound by blood.

Splinter is a realistic depiction of a parental figure. Most parents in media are either abusive or perfect with no in-between. Splinter is the type of parent who tries his best but still makes mistakes. In real life, there is no such thing as a perfect parent. Even the kindest parents are going to make mistakes from time to time. But my favorite thing about Splinter is that he almost always owns up to his mistakes. Rather than doubling down or pretending he did nothing wrong, he admits his wrongdoing and apologizes. And that’s way better than a lot of parents.

I don’t want to get too personal, but I grew up with several abusive adults in my life. I know firsthand what it’s like to experience very violent abuse at the hands of an adult. It fucked me up and I’m still recovering from it. Pretty much none of those adults ever admitted wrongdoing or grew as a person. In their eyes, they were always in the right and I deserved what I was getting. I would’ve loved to have a patient and kind adult in my life like 2012 Splinter.

Abuse looks different for everyone, and I don’t want to imply my experiences are universal. But as someone who did grow up in that environment, it’s upsetting to see people blow Splinter’s actions out of proportion in order to validate their dislike of a him. To me, it feels like fans are using the abuse as a tool to make their opinions look morally correct. As a writer, I understand making alternate universes to amp up the angst potential. But insisting that fanon is canon is where I draw the line, especially when it comes to willfully misinterpreting a character.

#tmnt #tmnt 2012 #tmnt 2012 splinter #i’ve been wanting to make this post for a very long time #and no this is not an invitation to shit on other versions of tmnt #fanon is not canon #and yeah it does feel racist #it reminds me of when people were saying abuela from encanto was super evil #no these two characters are nuanced #and it’s fine to dislike this character #but as i said it’s when people try to make him look morally bad #to justify their opinion as the correct one #idk guys fandom is super weird :/

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greenvillainredemption · 1 year

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Broke: Alma is homophobic

Woke: None of the characters are homophobic

Bespoke: It’s a catholic town in the early 1900s girl everyone is homophobic

#encanto #my words #this is a joke I am bi. or lesbian idk. I’ve always known I like women nbd and I find guys cute sometimes but male genitals make me puke #POINT IS I’m not tryna be homophobic out here lol I just think I’m funny #also there’s a lot of different interpretation when it comes to a kids movie #like yeah it’s in the 50s or something but it’s also disney so like canonically i don’t think anyone is actually homophobic at least not #openly. because disney #but also if ur an adult wanting more realistic fics in real 50s rather than disneyified 50s it feels out of place to hc characters as openly #gay and nobody else says a thing about it #like its all about how accurate u want the setting to be idk #also this post is mostly a response to homophobic Alma headcanons because like why her just cuz she’s old??#pathetic. in today’s time they’re all old (or like dead I’m not doing math)

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spookyhollowart · 23 days

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New Encanto OC: Reina

#encanto oc #new encanto oc #renia #I WAS gonna use the fox mask with the flame in the middle of it but I idk how many people will get upset #HER DRESS IS ORANGE #NOT YELLOW #plz do not compare the dress to one canon in the movie #I’ll probably change the dress in the furture #spookyartist post

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0ruguitas · 1 year

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In light of the news about Moana, how do we feel about the possibility of an Encanto live action? Personally, I’m scared and shaking like a leaf imagining LMM (or any other actor) playing Bruno. 🤡🤡🤡

I think Disney was intentionally mindful about casting Colombians for the voice cast of Encanto so i don't think they would be stupid enough to walk back on that for the sake of putting Lin in a fucking Bruno costume lmao. Not to mention if they got Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho to reprise their roles i don't see why they couldn't do that with other actors.

Honestly though they could cast John Leguizamo himself as Bruno and I'd still hate this trend of doing live action adaptions of their animated movies. Like, Moana came out in 2016!!! What nostalgia is there to even capitalize on there???

#also hey hi this blog is very much still alive i just dont really post about encanto anymore #bc i cant really survive purely off fan content the way yall can lmao (yall are stronger than me. When the canon well runs dry so do i.)#but im always up for taking asks #replies #anonymous

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wikluk · 2 years

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FANFIC IDEA: Angsty? Cracky? Fluffy? Idk. But. Post-movie Isabela decides it’s her duty to make up for years of being a bad sister and become a great older sister instead. She goes as far as asking Julieta and Dolores for advice how to be a good oldest sibling. Her efforts freak both Luisa and Mirabel out because Isabela is trying really hard. And when she’s being stubborn, it’s mildly terrifying.

#encanto #fanfiction ideas #post-canon #isabela madrigal #luisa madrigal #mirabel madrigal #family bonding #fluff #angst #crack #family dynamics #good older sister isabela #cool colours family #the madrigal sisters

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isabela-mad-rigal · 2 years

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what the Madrigals might like to carry around in their pockets

Alma - pocket watch / lipstick / list of peoples' addresses Julieta - various herbs she might find on a walk / gloves (for picking up thorny/poisonous herbs) / small, homemade candies Pepa - handkerchief / nothing (is scared it might get wet from her rain) Bruno - a rat / salt and sugar / little notebook + pen / lucky item Agustín - old bandaid he'd forgotten about / (broken?) pocket watch / lucky item Félix - handkerchief / wallet Luisa - nothing (empty pockets) / small pouch of chalk / ribbon band Isabela - small perfume bottle / handkerchief / gloves / pocket mirror Mirabel - small sewing-equipment box (thread+needle+various buttons, etc.) / harmonica / ocarina / pretty stones Dolores - ribbon band / small candies (not necessarily Julieta's) / lipstick Camilo - lose coins / glass marbles / pocket mirror Antonio - glass marbles / anything from nature that might catch his eye (pretty stones + plant seeds + snail shells, etc.) / crayons (maybe)

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disneysooner · 2 years

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Despite being in two separate Disney 2D and 3D animations, I think these two……..

Should be the canonical parents of her…..

She would’ve inherited Kronk’s strength, Birdwell’s can-do work ethic, and both of their dancing skills. They’d make for an interesting family for sure!

#my post #disney #kronk’s new groove #encanto #kronk #miss birdwell #luisa madrigal #dancing #strength #it would be glorious #I wish it were true #it should be canon #family #surface pressure #let’s groove

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sorryiwasasleep · 1 year

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MadriGALS

_____________

Inspired by them <3

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uwu-scraptrappy · 9 months

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*sobs into a wine glass filled to the brim with milk* no one fucking understands my vision

[Image ID: a digital sketch of Bruno from Encanto and Emperor Belos from The Owl House. At the top framed with yellow stars is text reading "New Ship Dynamic!" Bruno is drawn with big hazel eyes and is blushing pink. Written underneath him is "the warmest, most beautiful brown eyes you've ever seen". Belos is drawn in his cloak but with his hair in a ponytail like in "King's Tide" His eyes are Weezer blue. He's also blushing and there's a red arrow pointed at him saying "I want him dead". "Dead" is also written in read. Underneath Belos is text reading "Blue." Next to the bold text is smaller writing which says "(he is also evil)". "Blue." is underlined and written in bold. Between them is a pink heart with little yellow sparkles, and between the text below them is an X, as they are being shipped.

The second image is the same as the first, except Bruno's face is completely blacked out save for his eyes, which are now the same toxic green as when he has prophecies in the source movie. He is still blushing pink. Replacing the text "the warmest, most beautiful brown eyes you've ever seen" is bold text reading "Toxic green". End ID]

#the owl house #encanto #bruno madrigal #philip wittebane #encanto fans and toh fans seeing this im so sorry #itll never work in canon but fuck its funny #shipping dynamics #shipping eyes trope #my mutuals watching me post this: 👁️👁️

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sailorwritesstuff · 1 year

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Moonlight and Cigarettes

Dolores indulges in her secret vice and reflects on her love life; Pre canon.

Cw: Smoking, (mentioned) drinking, eavesdropping, hopeless pining

For the record this is self-destructive for the record I'm aware of that for the record I've been picturing his body draped over the sofa wearing nothing but his hat

The wind whipped around her softly as she stood on the balcony of her room draped lazily against the railing staring down on the quiet town. The sound of gentle snorting and dozens of staggered breaths filled her ears like the night time's own melodic song for her.

Dolores flipped open the top of her big silver lighter cupping the flame from the winds as she brought it close enough to her face she could feel the warmth brush against her dry lips and freezing nose. She watched in an almost trance like disinterest as her cigarette lit with a faint orange that reminded her of a dress she used to own.

Her ears focused in and out of everything and nothing in particular all at once. Checking on any emergencies the night night may brew. A dirty habit of hers she'd picked up over the years. Keeping tabs on older townspeople who live alone or sick babies in danger of being lost in the night hours whenever she couldn't sleep. But occasionally late night conversations would catch her ear. Mutterings or arguments parents didn't want to have in front of the kids, prayers for help from God, and sometimes the sweet whispers of the boy with the poetry book. She knew him well.

They'd gone to school together with him just a year older. She'd been in utter infatuation since he'd once told her she looked like a shining sun, warm and inviting, in her new yellow dress years ago. And she longed for the day he'd say similar words again.

But instead as they grew old she heard mutters of spring flowers and lavender perfume. Neither things associated with her. She took a long drag of her cigarette, bitter smoke filling her lung with a pinch in the back of her throat. Her head slid back, cheeks puffed with air as she stared at the moon. Listening.

A soft whimper left his mouth as he shifted in his sheets and pressed his face further into his pillow muffling the unholy sweet sound. Finally she released the smoke in her lungs into the night sky and licked her lips.

Her ear twitched as the sound of his soft snores rattled around in her brain. It wasn't a secret Isabela and Mariano were to be engaged in the coming years. It was expected.

But Dolores knew before any other.

Since she was only 10.

It was what originally drove her to smoking in the first place. Hearing whispers of what was expected of her secret love. Thinking about him at late hours of the night. Pictures of his body draped against her bed surrounded in the intricate white ruffles of her bedspread leaving the smell of him on her pillows.

Daydreams of their talks and touches when he would never be hers. Truly hers. Drove her up the wall. But with a cigarette between her fingers a sense of calm fell over her and she could pretend everything was alright. She wasn't in love with her prima's sort of boyfriend. She didn't want to see him either under her fingers.

He whimpers in his sleep and she frowns.

And then the nicotine wasn't enough. But she took another hit anyway.

"What are you doing to me, Mariano Guzman." She groans into the still air.

He sighed.

She smiled.

He was happy. Dreaming of perfect flowers and the smell of lavender and vanilla.

He was happy without her.

And she was happy he was happy.

He slept through the night.

And she took another drag of her cigarette brushing stray curls back into her sleep scarf.

"I need a drink."

#sailor's dreamhouse #sailor's dream house #dolores madrigal #disneys encanto #Dolores Madrigal fanfic #encanto blurb #dolores x mariano #secret vices #warm color family #dolores is best girl #mariano guzman #isabela madrigal #cross posted on ao3 #encanto pre canon

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zordonmlw7 · 1 year

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Encanto OCs

Vidriana and Maricela: friends with Dolores and Isabela and they call themselves "Las Chismosas" Maricela is the shy timid one while Vidriana is the loud headstrong one. Post canon they have trouble adjusting to Dolores no longer wanting to waste her gift gathering gossip and Isabela no longer trying to maintain her perfect social standing.

Los Consejeros: the governing body of the Encanto of which Alma and Señora Guzmán are both a part (with Alma as the unofficial leader.) The body is composed of the heads of the 5 most influential families in the Encanto. Within the Consejeros, Alma butts heads with Doña Espinosa, matriarch to the aggressively self-righteous Espinosa clan who desires to have more pull than Alma who she is quick to remind everyone is not technically their leader.

Petronila: quiet, clumsy, bespectacled girl who growing up, always looked up to Luisa for her fortitude and quickness to help others. Eventually works up the courage to ask Luisa to teach her to be the same way, though Luisa doesn't know how to teach her a thing (but says yes because she's still working on learning how to say no). They start crushing on each other? 👀👉🏼👈🏼

#encanto #shut up zordon #this is Andy's fault for reblogging one single encanto thing #cannot stop thinking about how cool a post canon series for encanto would be

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dragoneyes618 · 2 years

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"Why didn't you tell us what you saw?" Pepa shrieked.

#encanto #bruno madrigal #pepa madrigal #julieta madrigal #alma madrigal #character death #post-canon

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aeoneri · 2 years

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Your Past, My Present, Our Future

Summary:

Living is nothing but change. Ten years had passed for both Bruno and Gabriela, and they are more than ready to leap toward their future. Her sudden reappearance in the Encanto, however, sends the rest of the Madrigal family clamoring for answers.

– A “What We Don’t See” One-Shot. The story events happen between the end of Chapter 45 to the beginning of Chapter 47.

++++

“Come back home to me.”

The words settled in deep within her soul, bringing her back to life. She had never expected in this life that she would be given another chance. There were many moments, and opportunities missed.

Living is nothing but change.

In the ten years that passed since she left home, Gabriela had lost almost all hope. She had felt isolated, desperate, and bitter. She had forgotten what love meant to be.

It was only when he returned did she finally see.

++++

The town was shaken by her sudden appearance in the middle of the celebration, having thought that she had left the Encanto (and her family, by extension,) or taken her own life. For a moment, everyone thought Gabriela was a ghost back to haunt them until Bruno had taken her into his arms in an embrace.

There were a lot of mixed emotions, but perhaps, no one was more surprised than Alma Madrigal herself. She almost fainted right into her sons-in-law’s waiting arms. With a shaking voice, she asked the question that was on everyone’s minds.

“Mija, is that you?”

++++

The room is quiet, save for a few sniffles coming from Pepa. After the shock died down from Gabriela's sudden return, Alma agreed to Bruno's request for the two families to talk.

The celebrations for the rebirth of Casa Madrigal could wait. There are questions waiting to be answered.

"Señora Alma," Gabriela began, her voice a little unsure. The old matriarch watched as her son squeezed his beloved's hand assuringly, and she wondered if anything had ever changed between them both. The circumstances that led to their separation were already acknowledged, but she never expected them to be still this devoted to one another.

But maybe she's not thinking very clearly. After all, Alma was familiar with the feeling. Fifty years may have passed, but her love for Pedro never wavered, not even for a moment, even in despair. She even prayed for help, an answer to save the family.

Mirabel was, and is, in every sense of the word, a miracle.

"Please, Gabriela, mija," Alma nods, folding her hands on her lap to stop herself from shaking. "I know it's been many years since you've disappeared from our sight, but I hold no ill will against you or your family. There is no need to be so formal."

Gabriela exhales a long breath. "I know, and I thank you, but…"

"But…?"

Alma steels herself, like the rest of the family while Gabriela chooses her words carefully. "...I haven't been honest with you and the rest of the Madrigals about myself, save for your triplets, who I had sworn to secrecy. My family hasn't been transparent about it either. We had thought it best to keep it that way for so long, but seeing as how things had turned out in the last ten years, I thought it best for me to come clean."

Secrets? The word made no sense at all. The grandkids shifted uncomfortably in their seats while the Madrigal esposos exchanged questioning glances at their wives. They all knew that it was impossible for anyone to keep secrets with Dolores' gift…

"It was before she even got one."

At that comment, Alma froze. "What?" She blinked. "How did you…?"

"Señora…the truth is," Gabriela's voice almost broke under the pressure. Her earlier bravado was chipping away by doubt and fear but the warmth of Bruno's hands reminded her of the reason she was here. "I have a gift of my own, and even before you say a word about it all…I know. I've always known."

"I don't…understand…"

"Señora Madrigal…Mamá Alma…I have the ability to read people's minds."

++++

About a week before the completion of the house, Gabriela found herself back at the doorstep of her old home. The lights were still on, meaning that her family may still be very much awake.

When she decided to return, she didn't think of the consequences or the reactions she'd get.

Gabriela clutched her throat. The coolness of the metal brushing against her skin made her feel hope, for once. The possibilities are endless, the future, divine. She was ready to storm through Casa Madrigal brandishing her ring and demand Bruno to marry her immediately.

But she just couldn’t do that, even if she wanted to. Not without asking…or possibly begging for forgiveness from her father. There were rules broken, much more pain inflicted than the time she came home broken beyond recognition. This time it was different, and if she needed to fight back she was more than willing to do so.

Gabriela tapped on the door and waited. Moments later a woman answered the door and immediately there was nothing but tears.

"Hey, Lucía, mi hermana, please don't…don't cry so much!" She whispered as she rubbed her sister-in-law's back to soothe her. "You're going to make me cry as well, and it's been a long day…"

"I just can't help it!" Lucía whimpers just as a little jittery boy interrupts their reunion. "Mamá, who is she? And why are you crying?"

Mamá?

"Juancho, go get your Abuelo and Papá, quickly!"

"But…"

"No buts. Now, por favor, or so help me…"

He scrambles away before his mother can scold him and comes back in a minute or two with the rest of the Álvarezes in tow. "Okay, I got Abuelo and Papá here. What's going on?"

The sight of her whole family broke her composure. Gabriela crashes straight into her father and brother's open arms. She had nothing but apologies and words that she wanted to say. They never said anything else, just content in knowing the prodigal daughter has come back home again.

She is more like herself, but life has changed. Her family had grown without her, and she missed a lot of milestones along the way. Gabriela kneeled to meet with Juancho's eye level. "Hello, Juancho."

He squeaks and hides behind his mother's skirt, suddenly shy. Lucía looks apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ella. I swear he's normally not like this."

"I can't blame him…" Gabriela trails off. "I mean, I look after the family from afar, but…it's not the same as being here."

"It certainly isn't," Julián teased, but he's still shaking, emotional over the return of his sister. "Oye, Juancho. Is that a way to greet your Tía?"

"¿Mi Tía?" Juancho's eyes widened. His eyes darted to the picture frame on the wall. Granted, it was an older photo of Gabriela in her late 30s, but she still looks the same despite the gray hairs that were starting to show. "Tía Gabriela?"

"Yes, that's me. Lo siento, mi bebe, I haven't been home as I should…"

Gabriela almost falls backward when Juancho tackles her and begins to talk her ear off. "I have so many questions! Papá said that you were supposed to marry Mirabel's Tío Bruno, but then he disappeared, then you also disappeared, and for a time people thought you both were gone…"

The gravelly tone of Señor Mauricio stops her sobrino's rambling. "Mijo, I'm sure you have a lot of questions to ask your Tía, but let's save them for tomorrow. It's getting late."

There is a hint of displeasure in the way he said it that all of the adults had picked up on. Gabriela tried to brush off the icky feeling. "It's fine, Papá, I'm not that tired…"

A glint in his eye stops her in her tracks and Lucía thankfully takes over. "Nonsense! Pá Mauricio is right. You must be tired from all that walking to get down from the mountains." She hooks an arm with Gabriela's and leads her upstairs with Juancho in tow. "Your room is just as you left it. Welcome home."

++++

It's been a while since she had a nightmare. Gabriela squirmed uncomfortably, her face twisting and turning as her past flashed behind her eyelids.

She woke up in a cold sweat before it could take a darker turn. The world outside was quiet, but her room felt overwhelming with her heart thumping loudly in her ears.

Why was Papá avoiding any mention of Bruno?

There was so much to think about, and Gabriela knew of the challenges she would have to face come morning. With trembling fingers, she opens the window to let the cool night air in. In the distance, she could make out the silhouette of Casita, and high above, her beloved's tower. At the back of her mind, the fears brewed. Will I lose what is left of me if I make this choice, or will I regain what should've been mine in the first place?

She will never admit it outright, but falling for Bruno all over again reopened old scars that never healed in the first place.

++++

"No."

Mauricio stood his ground, though he knew his reasons would not be taken well.

The morning had started innocently enough, that was until his nuera left the house with little Juancho in tow. He had expected it, the same fire that the love of his life had shown in the determination of their daughter.

But it has been years, and he is not willing to go down without a fight, even for a lost cause. There is a side of Mauricio that hoped maybe, just maybe, Gabriela would let it go.

She's the spitting image of her mother. Elena would've been so proud.

If only Gabriela could see his side, could understand what he felt all those years she had to hide away from the world. Their family was given a miracle of their own, but at what cost? He loved her more than anything else, from the moment they brought her into the world.

He's still her father, and that would never change.

"Papá," Gabriela said through gritted teeth. "I have made up my mind. There is no further reason to hate. Please."

It was difficult to take in her composed fury. Her statement was fair, he told himself. Reasonable and justified, but his fears were still there and so he would not be swayed. "No, Gabriela. I don't care if you've made up your mind, the answer is still no."

"Do you know what kind of hell I've been through? To have lost someone so dearly and to see my future falling into pieces?" She trembles through angry tears. "Papá, I LOVE this man. You may not believe it, but I still love him, even ten years later. He has made a ton of mistakes, and I've made mine, but don't you see? He's more than willing to do right by me this time, by his family…for all of us."

"How sure are you? I had lost my daughter once before, I will not lose her again just because of that wretched curse!"

The room fell deadly silent and Mauricio wished he could turn back time. He tried to approach Gabriela, but she moved away. "Mija, I…"

"No, you're right. You're right." For a moment when he blinked, he could've sworn she became someone else. "He is a wretched man, and I surely would be worthless and disgraced if I even push it further."

"Gabriela, I didn’t mean it that way, you're my daughter. I would never think…"

"But you do!" She accuses and his hand goes limp. "You never explicitly told me or even thought about it, but I know. I see it in your eyes when you look at me sometimes, how I'm a pitiful thing for having such a past happen to me. I know what I am, and I was a fool then, but it was not my fault."

"I never said it was your fault."

"Papá, if we were still back home…if we never left, would you have forgiven me?"

The question hung heavily in the air. Gabriela stood up to leave when she didn't get an answer. "I'm done trying to pretend for everyone else. Bruno Madrigal is a mess of a man, but he was the only one who saw through me. All of me…"

"Where are you going?" Mauricio helplessly tried to salvage the situation. "We are not yet done talking, Gabriela."

How did it come to this? Her next words made him feel dread, much worse than the time his daughter was brought home on his son's shoulders, half-dead. Way more than when he found out about her loss and she had changed.

This time, there was nothing in the way. She could walk out for good.

"I am. If we can't get your blessing, then maybe I'll have to find my own way."

++++

All eyes darted between father and daughter. Alma Madrigal cleared her throat, catching everyone's attention. "And how did she manage to convince you, Mauricio?" She asked. "I never knew you felt that way about my children…about my family."

Mauricio flinched for a quick moment, before sighing in resignation. "Your family has been nothing but good to ours, señora, but at that time…I was still dealing with my grief. You would understand, knowing you had your reasons."

Alma pursed her lips. The man had a point. She had held everyone too tightly, causing more pain than she ever realized. The more she held on, the more everyone slipped, just like sand.

Bruno discreetly squeezed Gabriela's hand to comfort her. The action didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of them. "Indeed I had," Alma stated, watching her son with renewed interest. "But I'm keener to know if you still feel that way. Because if you do, then I, too, will refuse."

"What?" Pepa's voice boomed along with her thundercloud, prompting Félix and Camilo to her side. "How could you, Mamá? Do you want us to lose my brother again?"

"Abuela, this doesn't make sense," Mirabel interjects when she notices Bruno sitting still with his eyes closed. Ever since she'd seen first-hand what a mess her Tío became from his years hiding in the walls, Mirabel felt it was her duty to be his champion and protector. "They're clearly meant for each other. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?"

"Don't blame her. She's doing what is right for your family."

Pepa and Mirabel stared in disbelief at Gabriela. "No one would want to agree to a wedding if it'll put the other party at risk." She continued. "I've learned it the hard way."

"Mija," Alma's jaw dropped, finding herself at a loss for words. The gift would take some getting used to. "I know it feels like I'm opposing you, but…"

"It's okay. I have no hard feelings about it, but I wanted to make my truth known." Gabriela's understanding eyes fell on her father. "My being here is an answer to the question Bruno asked me when he returned my ring. Papá and I may not have seen eye to eye on the matter, but I believe that I found the type of love I've dreamed of, just like the one he and Mamá had."

"And what is it?"

As soon as the question left Alma's lips, it dawned on Mirabel that her Tío was not mumbling any mantra. He was eerily calm like he had expected it to happen. "A love that was by chance, something so honest and pure and hard and messy." Gabriela winks at Mirabel who is left speechless by the possibility. "Real."

++++

She had thought it a lost cause and was all but ready to give up when a knock on the door broke her train of thought.

"Gabriela? Can I come in?"

The world would always be terrible and terrifying but she had survived going to hell and back. With a deep breath, she opened the door and gave her father a dampened smile. He quietly shuffles into her room, an awkward silence befalling them before Mauricio steeled himself and spoke. "Mija, I…I wanted to apologize."

There is no worse feeling than hurting the people you love. They knew that sometimes, the only balm is time. "I'm sorry I raised my voice and walked out on you, Papá," Gabriela sighed. "It's just…I got so frustrated and hurt and…"

"No, no. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Gabriela."

At that, she burst into fresh tears. "I don't want to lose my family, Papá, but I can't lose Bruno either. It's tearing me apart."

"I'm sorry I made you choose." He wrapped his arms around her. It feels just like yesterday that she was still young and small, but seeing the beginnings of gray in her hair made him realize that he couldn't hold her forever.

"He's not the perfect man, Pá," Gabriela nodded against his chest. "Bruno is an idiot. An idiot whose fault is loving too much that he's willing to put himself on the line without any care for how everyone else feels."

"But you love him either way, just as he loves you." He said with finality. "Gabriela, when you asked me if we were still back there if I would forgive you for everything?"

She stiffened. She had forgotten that she spewed the accusation in the heat of the moment, but it was what she felt.

What she always thought of herself.

So she was surprised when Mauricio gently brushed her tears and kissed her forehead. "How could you ask me if I hated my daughter, my own flesh and blood? Whatever has happened, mija, I never blamed you or Julián, but I blame myself because I failed to protect my family. I didn't need to forgive you, because you have done nothing wrong. I'm the one who needed to forgive myself."

It was time for him to let go.

"I will always be wary of any man, even the imperfect magical ones that see who you are within." Mauricio squeezed her hands and he was sure he could see his wife smile behind his daughter's eyes. "We will go to see the Madrigals first thing tomorrow morning, mi princesa."

++++

"Do you remember our first kiss? Right at this very spot?" Bruno asked Gabriela while they watched the stars, huddled close to each other on the roof.

"How can this be the same?" She exhales, letting her head rest on his shoulder. "Didn't Casita fall, and you all had to rebuild from the ground up?"

The tiles clacked, making the two of them chuckle. "Casita says she's still the same despite the new paint." Bruno laughs. "And she remembers that night well."

"Who knew, right?"

"Who knew?"

They sat there in comfortable silence, hands entwined.

"Bruno?"

"Hm?"

"Do you believe that we will finally get our happy ending?"

"I certainly hope so." He mused. "I'm sorry you and Señor Mauricio got into a disagreement."

"You would think that me being close to fifty, he'd trust me on my judgment."

"He's just…trying to look out for you. I haven't had the best track record with people."

"We're not exactly the perfect couple either. An awkward seer and a guilt-ridden mind-reader. What an odd combination."

"Is it? But I wouldn't change a thing about you. I love you just the way you are."

"Oh, Bruno Madrigal, you're being dramatic," Gabriela clutched her chest, falling into his lap. "Theatrical, I would say."

"It's true though," Bruno's eyes sparkled with fervent adoration. "Whatever lifetime we find ourselves in, I will forever want to be with you."

Gabriela grinned and her worries disappeared as she pulled him down to her. "Just shut up and kiss me, cariño, te amo."

The world felt right the moment their lips touched. "One week." Bruno hummed contentedly, letting his bride do whatever she wanted. "And it'll be official, mi vida. Your past, my present, our future."

++++

Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text): Nuera - daughter-in-law

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#encanto #fanfiction #one shot fic #one shot #original character has a gift #mirabel madrigal #bruno madrigal #pepa madrigal #abuela alma madrigal #what we don't see #post canon #ao3fic #fluff and romance

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