Work Text:
“¿Are you feeling good Hermano?” Julieta had subtly asked her brother at the dinner table.
Bruno had been coming to the table every night since it was revealed about him living in Casita’s walls.
Usually, he was overly excited, every night had been entertaining albeit a little hard to listen to as he recalled his favorite memories. Of course, a lot of them had involved his beloved rats and… Not really any family members.
So for him to only be nodding along to the others' conversations and giving light answers, this was far unusual from the Bruno she knew.
He didn’t even appear to be eating the food she’d spent a long time making. Did it sting a little? Yes, because her food was meant to be healing . It was meant to taste finer than any five-star meal.
But , then again… He could always be full.
Bruno had finally looked to her after she’d asked the question.
“Huh?” He asked, is if he had just registered what his sister had said to him.
She made sure that the rest of the table's attention was elsewhere before replying. “You look like you have a headache, your eyebrows are creased.”
Bruno looked a little surprised. “That’s… Perceptive.” He stated simply.
“Please Querido, Of course, I would notice that. Besides, you haven’t answered my question yet.”
Breaking eye contact with her, he instantly found his food a little more appealing. Or rather, finding anything more appealing than meeting her eyes.
“I feel… Alright. Just a little bit of a headache.” He hummed.
“Well it has been busy for you this week.”
“You could say that again.”
Bruno had come to them nervous as ever as he finally admitted about wanting to try using his gift again. Everyone could tell why he was worried, last time he was blamed for the inevitable.
But they’d still supported him, allowing him to predict for those in town. And if Luisa slipped a secret death-glare to those who tried to insult him, Bruno wouldn’t need to know.
The rest of dinner had went off positively, slowly but surely the rest of the family members leaving the table until it was Bruno and Julieta left, who said they would stay behind to clear up.
A simple way of saying that they wanted to be alone.
As Julieta gathered plates within her arms, she grimaced slightly to her brother. “Do you think It’s a migraine?” Of course, he wasn’t immune to them.
Well, he was prone to them, seeing future memories that weren’t yours was… Stressful.
“Nah, I don’t think so.” Standing up from the table finally, realizing that his sister was doing all the work.
At the way he swayed, Julieta shifted the plates over to one hand and reached out to the back of his Poncho hood. “Bruno!”
“It’s okay, I’m alright Hermana.” He spoke low, the knowledge of his a certain niece who was able to hear him at any moment.
“You look unwell. ” Julieta fretted, still holding onto her brother's poncho until he lightly swatted her off.
“I’m just tired, surely you are after baking all day.” Julieta would’ve believed him if he hadn’t always had eyebags. She was positive that he had them even in birth.
“I didn’t predict for all the town's children today.” She couldn’t compare to him in the slightest, it must be exhausting having to hold other people's future- memories, as well as your own. “Surely you should get some rest.”
As much as Julieta pretended they weren’t, she could feel the occasional glance the children sent as they conveniently continued to walk past the door. She knew what they were doing, if they wanted to eavesdrop, she didn’t understand why they didn’t just go to Dolores.
The plates had been long since-abandoned on the table, this was more important.
“Alright, Let’s go lie you down in a bedroom.” Leading his hand, just like when they were younger.
Julieta had lead her brother into her bedroom, she couldn’t possibly imagine making Bruno climb all of those stairs, especially in his condition.
Casita could probably help get them to the top quickly, but she wasn’t sure he’d like that either. She knew what he needed, a proper night's rest in a proper room.
Dolores' room was usually good if you got overstimulated and everything was just… Too much, but she couldn’t imagine barging in there and telling her to let Bruno rest there. And even if she could manage, Bruno would certainly object.
So they went to the second best place and entered her own bedroom. By the time they had actually reached it, Bruno had looked a lot more worse off. His eyes squinted from the clear pain in his head.
“ I’m not feeling so great..” He choked out, the whole walk she’d given a supporting hand behind her brother. Giving anyone a look to anyone who passed them letting them know this wasn’t the time.
“I’m sorry Bruno.” She apologized. “We’ll put you to rest real soon.” She was a little worried, her healing only extended far enough to heal the wounds of town. Not perfectly either, that being one of the reasons Mirabel still had to wear glasses.
Another thing she couldn’t heal was sickness, and judging by the fact that even after eating just a small amount at dinner and was still showing signs of pain? She just hoped whatever this was would pass quickly.
Her room was… A pretty regular room, aside from the fact it gave an almost hospital vibe. The bed was normal, thankfully. But anyone who entered or awoke there would definitely think they were dying.
“Could I go and bring you anything?” Even if her healing didn’t seem to be working, her preparing some tea wouldn’t hurt him.
“Hhh…” He huffed slightly, looking away from the room's bright lights. What Casita had thankfully dimmed immediately after seeing. “Just… Head H’rting bad.” He groaned. At least he was on a bed now, which he’d practically sunk into after she’d sat him down.
As she nodded, about to leave to prepare the tea anyway, she felt a grasp on her arm. “Could you stay with me? Just for a bit.”
“Of course, Bruno. I’m not going anywhere.”
As Julieta stared at the ceiling, a thousand thoughts flew past her mind. Would cooking him something be the best thing to do right now? Or maybe comfort? She hadn’t exactly asked if her brother was comfortable. He probably wasn’t - Since he had a migraine-
“Stop thinking so loud.” Her brother teased, sensing how still she had gone.
“Right, Right. Sorry Hermano”. She spoke softly. “I’m just a little worried, that’s all.” Bruno quietly reached out and patted Julieta on the shoulder.
“I’m going to be fine, Thanks for this.”
“Are you really comfortable though? I realized I didn’t ask-”
“Just lay down with me.” He mumbled, eyes still closed uncomfortably. “ Please? We’re both worn out today.”
She smiled.
“Alright, Bruno.”
“Julieta! Bruno! I thought you were clearing the table? Why are there still-”
Pepa paused, she had come into her sister's room to complain about the many plates sprayed across the dining room when she had spotted them.
Bruno and Julieta both lying on the bed, softly snoring.
“I’ll just leave you two to sleep.” She whispered, shutting the door.