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Bruno was never an early riser, especially when he was within the walls. Today was different, his old flame had returned the night before and they had a lot to catch up on. Bruno looked at himself as he brushed his teeth, he looked alive. It struck him just how sad he looked when he was within the walls, how the pressure to conform had broken him down. He sighed as he tried to shake the negativity off as he threw some salt over his shoulder. Positive thoughts today, no spiralling he chastised himself as he went to get ready before the rest of his family woke up. He loved them but he knew if they caught a wisp he wouldn’t get the privacy he needed for today.
He soon found himself dressed, hair brushed and oiled with a basket in his hand by the front door. He could only smile as he got his shoes on. He felt a tile tap his foot as he looked back at Casita, he gave his home a small but genuine smile.
“I’m not running away, don't worry I just need some privacy today. Please keep the other busy so they don’t follow me.” The tile tapped down twice giving him the all clear and Casita’s approval. Bruno nodded and gave the door a pat as he left.
Dolores hid behind a pillar and hummed. She heard all about Bruno’s plans and reunion. It wasn’t intentional, but with her gift it was inevitable. She hummed as she slipped back in her room to plan on how to distract everyone to give her uncle the space he needed.
Mirabel hummed awake in her new room, slamming the alarm off. She knew it was a busy day today, everyone was needed to build up the new part of Encanto. The elders had wanted them to move a bit more into a slope in order to grow more food and build more homes for the expanding community so they agreed to help. She started her routine feeling the music of her family run through her veins as she got ready. The song started off as a hum until she threw open her door and her song formed lyrics. She went knocking on each door, greeting each relative until she reached Antonio’s door where Spots jumped on her giving an affectionate lick. She giggled as her baby cousin called the Jaguar over as he climbed onto his back. She continued to sing as she made her way to her uncle’s tower. She ran up the stairs and swung open the door.
“Morning Uncle Bruno! Bruno?” She walked in, stopping immediately. He was gone.
Walking in she felt her stomach drop. The room looked the same from when he returned but she was worried. He never usually goes anywhere without leaving a note or telling anyone. She looked around for any clues as she made her way to his bathroom. She was about to start looking until she heard someone call her.
“Mira! You in there?” She spun around and quickly left the bathroom only to find Dolores in the middle of the room.
“I’m here! Dolores, did you hear uncle Bruno leave he isn’t here-“ Mirabel looked at her cousin who looked calm as she nodded.
“Yes he went ahead, he wanted to get a head start. Don’t worry he’s ok.” Mirabel was about to push for more questions until she felt her cousin pull her out of the room, shutting the door behind them.
Mirabel wanted to ask more questions but she didn’t want to worry her family as they began to eat.
“Mirabel, Dolores, where's Bruno?” Abuela asked with a look of worry on her face.
“He went ahead Abuela, don't worry!” Dolores chimed as Mirabel felt herself forced to her seat. Mirabel looked at her cousin in disbelief as she began to eat. She side eyed her cousin as she felt a kick to her shin. She bit back a curse as her sisters and cousin looked between the pair. She gave a nod as each quickly finished their food ensuring they’d leave when Dolores tried to.
Dolores felt eyes on her as she tried not to sink in her seat. She finished her meal as she quickly tried to excuse herself only to find her cousins and sibling on her tail as she went to walk to the construction site.
“Dolores!” She bit back a sigh as she spun around.
“Yes?”
“Where is Bruno?” Mirabel yelled only at her, she shushed the teen as she eyed the door.
“Keep it down!”
“Where is he? You can’t cover for him if he ran away again!” The younger seethed, earning a nod from Luisa.
“He’s safe, ok! He needed some space to catch up with someone without us or Abuela breathing down his neck.”
“With who? Why wouldn’t he tell us?” Camilo asked, pushing his cousin aside. Dolores sighed as she gestured everyone back. She looked at them, feeling guilt ripple through her before she spoke.
“He didn’t tell us because it’s likely romantic and the man he’s seeing isn’t from Encanto…” Luisa looked the most shocked while Camilo and Isabel looked embarrassed. Mirabel nodded as she looked back at her cousin.
“Do you know a name?”
“Matteo, he never said a surname but Uncle seems to know him well. He mentioned some old events we’d be too young to remember.” Mirabel nodded as she let out a sigh.
Dolores smiled as she felt the tension leave her body until she saw her mother storm over.
“Dolores! You lied to us!” She flinched and nodded. She felt her cheeks heat up. “Why? Who knows if Bruno will come back! I can’t lose my little brother again!”
“He will!” The pair bickered until Abuela came over as she looked at the pair, her gaze stiff.
“Dolores, you will take me to Bruno. I want to make sure he’s okay myself.” The young woman nodded as she bit back a sigh mentally apologising to her uncle.
The pair walked for a while before Abuela could hear the distinctive sound of her son laughing. She stopped for a moment. It had been years since she heard her son sound so care free. She lightly shook her head as she went to catch up with her granddaughter who kept away from the opening.
“Aren’t we walking closer?” She questioned as her granddaughter put a finger to her own lips.
“No they’ll see us…” Abuela hummed as she moved to her side to see her son.
In the clearing next to the river she saw Bruno sitting along with an unfamiliar man. He seemed freshly shaven and well kept which allowed her to give some approval. He also was around her son’s age which was good. She noticed the small meal between the pair and the soft voices. She looked back at Dolores who looked embarrassed which was when it clicked. She quickly nodded and left the pair letting Dolores lead the way.
Matteo looked back into the jungle behind them and noticed the two fading figures as he let out a soft chuckle.
“Is something there?”
“No my love, just thought I saw something.” The blonde hummed as he listened to his love return back to their discussion.