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It had been a few months since Bruno’s old love returned and had settled into Encanto. He was still viewed warily by the community due to his thicker than any local town accent, odd fashion sense compared to locals as well as his affinity for magic despite not having a clear blessing, still his love made it work. This rang true in their relationship, when his vision’s were at their wildest he was there to ease him back to the present, when he felt homesick Bruno would lend an ear and listen to Matteo’s childhood tales of the vast warm seas he called home. He also managed to form a relationship with his nephew across the sea with weekly calls and slightly more frequent letters.
Still despite all his positive qualities he still fretted about today. He had talked to his family about his relationship and they all insisted he come over for dinner, some more loudly than others. He ditched his usual hooded poncho for something a bit more formal, a nice shirt along with a green jacket. He found himself nervous as he tapped away in his usual mantra as he tried to remain positive.
“Silenzio my dear Bruno..” He heard his love mumble as he felt a kiss to his temple. Bruno gave Matteo a nervous smile and nodded. He looked up at his love and kissed his cheek as he nodded taking in his reflection. Gone was the coiled beard, now his jaw was cleanly shaven, the only remains of it being his moustache that was well groomed for the evening. His honey coloured coiled hair pulled back letting his green eyes shine in the candle light. His brown skin glowed healthily as he pulled the other man close. “Tonight will go well.” Bruno could only nod and hope he would be correct as not vision would calm his nerves.
The walk up to Casita was jarring; he felt his body stiffen as Matteo held his hand. He threw some salt over his shoulder for good luck as he walked in.
“Family I’m home!” Camilo and Dolores were the first down the stairs as he guessed she had used her gift to listen for them.
“So you must be Matteo, I’m Camilo!” The brunette introduced before transforming into the man in front of him. Matteo let out a chuckle which soothed some of his nerves. The other man affectionately ruffled the teens hair as Dolores inspected him.
“So you’re Matteo, I’ve heard all about you…” She hummed as she looked him up and down before giving her uncle an affectionate wink before nodding.
“I approve of him. But Abuela needs to approve of him.” She hummed again as she dragged Camilo into the dining room.
“Two down, nine to go.” Matteo chuckled, his nerves seemingly washed away, though Bruno knew better from the glint in his eye.
“Mira and her sisters shouldn’t be too hard to win the approval of but Mamá definitely will be hard to win over.” Bruno half groaned as he heard the happy chatter of the sisters along with their father. Bruno held the other’s hand to help ground him. Matteo smiled and kissed the other’s temple as they waited for the other’s to descend the stairs.
Isabela was the first one down, sliding down her vine letting her gift spread flowers along the walls of Casita.
“It’s nice to meet you Matteo, I’m-“ Bruno had to bite back his laughter as Mirabel raced down the stairs followed by Luisa as she groaned.
“Isabela! We agreed to all meet him together!” Matteo could only awkwardly rub his neck as the sisters started a bit of bickering.
“It’s ok, there will be plenty of time to get to know me.” He promised which added a sparkle to Mirabel’s eyes. Luisa nodded as she stepped up to introduce the group.
“You’ve met Isabela and Mirabel and I’m Luisa, and let’s get this on the table, break his heart we’re fighting. Other than that I hope we can get on.” Bruno could feel Matteo stiffen as he nodded at his niece as the girls’ mother poked her head out the dining room.
“Luisa, don’t threaten our guest!” Her head quickly retreated back into the room as her husband chuckled, mouthing an apology as he tried to usher the girls into the kitchen much to Mirabel’s disapproval.
“Do you think anyone else is upstairs?” Matteo questioned as the casita’s tiles shook no in response to his question.
“That seems like a no, my guess everyone else is already waiting for us.” Matteo squeezed the other’s hand and nodded.
“It’ll be ok Matteo, I know it…” He kissed the other’s cheek as he helped his love out of his jacket ignoring the peaking eyes that watched them. Casita swooped in, taking them away to hang them on the wall.
The pair made their way to the dining room, Matteo stifled his chuckle as he heard the younger members tried to return to their seats as Abuela chastised them for their behaviour, though it was clear she was slightly amused by their antics. Sitting down Bruno could practically see the daggers his family were sending Matteo’s way as the man tried to ignore the awkwardness and thank his Mamá for hosting him. Mirabel was the first to start the family interrogation as her sisters and cousins nodded at her.
“So Matteo, where did you travel from? Dolores told me she heard you were a traveler originally.” She started as Dolores acted coy as Bruno tried not to tap the table. Matteo just smiled as he looked at his niece and answered.
“Originally, a small town in northern Italy it’s not much but it’s a nice place.” He stated, Bruno held back a sigh as the group nodded amongst one another and moved onto the next question.
It didn’t take long for his sisters to join in with the questioning, Pepa being the more enthusiastic one of the two even out questioning Dolores which surprised him. The meal was largely forgotten as his family questioned Matteo to the moon and back until the subject of family came up where his love stiffened trying to not seem bothered by it.
“So Matteo, how's your family? Bruno told me you have a nephew, how is he and what about his parents?” Pepa asked. Bruno’s hand found his and squeezed it reassuringly. Matteo gave him a smile but went to answer the question.
“My nephew is well, he’s working hard with his guardian fishing, my brother I haven’t seen in a long time, he left and his wife left before him.” He stated as the room grew quiet with awkwardness, Matteo quickly added as to not spur the mood. “My nephew I speak to frequently, he loves his life and his friends. He also wants to visit when he’s older. He said he wants to travel here with a friend, he’s got to wait for that friend to finish school and to save his money despite the fact I’ve offered to bring them both myself.” Pepa nodded and the mood lightened a bit as everyone began to lay off Matteo much to the man’s relief. Looking over at his love he could tell the question weighed on him as he felt like a disgrace for not being there for his nephew sooner. Bruno gave his hand a squeeze for reassurance and much to his surprise Matteo squeezed back. He smiled as he watched his love start to enjoy his meal.
Bruno couldn’t help but smile as his love talked to his family and entertained them. It was clear he’d fit in which steadied his nerves greatly. Even little Antonio perked up and spoke as he mentioned a story of him befriending a shiver of sharks, he told his nephew about the group and answered any questions he had even promising to get a picture of them for him. Bruno couldn’t help but feel at ease as his nerves subdued slightly.
The meal soon ended and the younger family members were ushered out much to their behest. Bruno bit back a chuckle as Antonio begged to stay despite nearly falling asleep standing. His Mamá looked at Matteo and smiled, giving a polite nod of approval as she looked at him.
“You have good taste Bruno. Matteo I would like to welcome you into the family. I hope you bring this family joy like you did your own.” She stated as she stood up and gave an approving nod as she left followed by Julieta and Agustín.
“Bruno, can you help me with something?” Félix asked. He hesitated but Matteo gave him a nod and he left the table and followed his brother in law.
Pepa eyed the man in front of her as she watched her brother leave the room. She waited for a moment to ensure her brother was out of earshot before she spoke.
“Matteo I’m sure the girls already spoke to you.” She started gauging the man’s reaction. She could see him still and nod, she guessed he took the talk literally, smart man. “Since the girls already set the ground rules I’ll simply reiterate them. Hurt my brother, my storm you witnessed the other day will seem like a shower and best know no one will find your body.” She stated as she took a sip of her drink before offering her hand. “Other than that Matteo I’d like to welcome you to the family. It's very rare for my son to click with someone new so quickly so you’ve earned some of my respect.” He took her hand and shook it.
“I have no plans of hurting Bruno and no desire to. I only want to make him happy. Also Pepa , thank you for accepting me, accepting us.” He took her hand and gave her a smile. The doubts she had washed away as she smiled at her potential brother in law.
It didn’t take long for Bruno to hear the whispers of his niblings and for him to realise why he was asked to leave. He bit back a curse as he raced back to his lover just as Pepa left the dining room. “You chose well Bruno.” She hummed, giving a pat to his shoulder as she left for her room. Bruno let out a sigh of relief as Matteo left the room definitely ruffled but unharmed.
“Please tell me she didn’t threaten you as well.” The blonde chuckled and nodded his brown skin awkwardly flushed.
“She did but it was done out of love.” Bruno could just bite back the groan of embarrassment, they were treating them like they were in their twenties.
“Sorry about her and the others.” He mumbled only to receive a kiss as Matteo put on his jacket.
“It’s fine love. I expected it, if anything it makes me feel like part of the family.” He chuckled, seeming unphased by the night’s events. The pair walked to the door and kissed goodbye for the night as Matteo left home for the night. Before he could even close the door he heard doors slamming shut making it obvious they’d had an audience.
“Casita get them back for me in the morning.” He whispered as he made his way to his room feeling lighter.