Chapter Text
Encanto woke up with the sunrise, slowly becoming more active as the sunlight slipped into the little valley. It was time for people to start their days, to go about their work to keep the village running as it should.
Bruno hated this part of the day.
He adjusted his hood, pulling it lower over his face. A few of the townspeople had requested his service today, to see into their futures, and he knew it was going to be rough. They were never happy with him afterwards. It didn’t even matter what the news was anymore, unless it was absolutely, completely positive all the way around, they would find something to be upset about. It was almost a self fulfilling prophecy at this point.
But today was going to be even worse. Before his requested visits, he had a rather dour errand to run.
Even with the town only just starting to wake, there were enough people in the streets for him to hear their whispers as he passed, their tone always harsh or conspiratorial. He didn’t have to make out the words to know they were talking about him. Again.
It was fine, though. He had gotten pretty good at ignoring them.
He stopped at the town bakery, the smell of fresh baked goods warm on the morning air. He took a deep breath, enjoying the peace it brought for a moment before he would surely ruin another innocent soul’s day. He sighed, but opened the door regardless of his misgivings. The smell was even stronger inside, lovely and warm. He wished he could enjoy it properly.
Luckily, there was only one other person in the shop, the woman working behind the counter. Laila, he believed. He had never really talked to her before. It wasn’t like the Madrigal’s had any reason to visit the bakery with Julieta’s cooking, especially him. He didn’t go into town anymore when he didn’t have to, and she had never asked him for a vision or anything of the sort. She had thick black hair tied back into a tight bun on her head and was wearing a simple dress and apron.
It took her a moment before she noticed his presence, busying herself by placing some pastries on display. She paused when she did notice him, recognition igniting in her eyes as they widened slightly in fear when he slid his hood off. That was to be expected, so he tried not to let it get under his skin.
“Bruno Madrigal.” She said as way of greeting. “... Do you have something to tell me?”
He nodded, debating with himself if he should stand closer to the counter or stay where he was. It hardly mattered as the woman put down her tray and walked out from behind the counter to stand in front of him.
“Go on then.”
Right. He had to actually tell her, not just stand around like an idiot.
“I had a vision early this morning and you were in it. You were at your mother’s bedside and … “ He paused, debating how best to put this, but he didn’t have to. She seemed to know what he was going to say before he said it, like he was just confirming what she already knew.
“Do you know when?”
“Tonight.”
She nodded and he could see her deep brown eyes start to go glassy with unshed tears just before she rushed off, back to the counter, and started putting the pastries back on their tray.
“I’ll have to close up for the day, then.” She said, forcing a cheerful tone that landed hollow. She worked quick, having all the baked goods put away in only moments and the ovens shut off. She ushered him out the door, locking it behind her, and running off into the streets, vanishing from sight quickly.
There were already far more people out than there had been when he had first started his journey to the bakery, and all their eyes were on him. He winced, pulling his hood back up to cover his face. Even as he left to continue on with his visits, he felt the eyes on him and he knew what they were saying now without having to hear them. Poor Laila, she got a visit from that Bruno! Surely her poor ill Mama won’t make the night now, and come the morning they will be proven right and it will be all bad luck, evil Bruno’s fault!
He forced himself to just get through the morning. He did his visits, met with the usual disappointment when his predictions weren’t good enough for them. Luckily, it wasn’t anything too bad and he could continue on his way from each visit without any further trouble.
It was a relief when he finally got home. He could run off to his tower and forget about all of this until the next morning.
-
It was just as Bruno said. That night, Maria Moreno passed away in her bed with her daughter by her side. The funeral was held a few days later, a properly somber affair. Maria had been rather popular in the small town, revered as the best baker they ever had, and all the town was in attendance. They all wished to properly say goodbye.
All of the Madrigal’s attended, of course. It was practically their duty as carers for the town and its people.
Even if some of them didn’t want to be anywhere near the ceremony.
Bruno could feel the crowd's eyes on him, their stares weighing down on his shoulders. He pulled his hood over his head, trying desperately to block out some of the gazes he saw at the corners of his eyes. He took a deep breath to calm himself, searching for something else to focus on. He ended up focusing on the only person there that wasn’t throwing him glances when they thought he wasn’t looking.
Laila Moreno stood at the front of the line of well wishers, slowly making her way through them with quite a few nods and murmured thank you’s. She looked exhausted, eyes red from crying, but despite everything she had managed to keep herself together for the whole ceremony. He did not want to force her to see him, not after he had given her such terrible news. She probably blamed him, too. But there really was no avoiding it. When Alma stepped up to offer his own condolences, he stood by her side with his sisters, doing his best to avoid eye contact.
“Laila, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your mother will be missed by everyone.”
Another automatic nod and thank you. Julieta and Pepa took turns giving the other woman a hug and murmured words of comfort.
“Bruno?” He jumped, blinking at Laila and meeting her eyes. She was smiling at him, small and sad but grateful, and the look in her eyes was warm. “Thank you for telling me. Otherwise I would have been at the shop when she passed. It means a lot that I could be there.”
He felt his face heat up, staring at her with wide eyes.
No one had thanked him before, not in a long time. It has been even longer since anyone had meant it. He wasn’t sure what to do with his hands, settling on picking at the edge of his ruana.
“Of course. That’s what I try to do.”
“And you don’t get enough credit for it.”
He couldn’t meet her eyes anymore, looking down at his hands as they picked, picked, picked.
“Thank you.” He mumbled. He cursed himself silently. He was a full grown man, well into his twenties, and here he was acting like some child faced with a compliment they didn’t know how to handle.
Thankfully, he didn’t need to stick around. With a nod from Alma, the family left, returning to their own home. He could hear his sisters whispering and giggling on the walk back but he tried to ignore them. He was sure they were planning something or were going to tease him. Sure enough, once they were home they were on him.
“Well, what do you know? Our little brother has an admirer.” Pepa had said with a giggle, forcing herself at Bruno’s side. He frowned at her, about to retort, but then Julieta was on his other side with a warm smile.
“It has to be nice to be appreciated by someone. She was so kind!”
“Did you see his face? He got so red.”
“Said the woman who can’t even talk to Felix!” Bruno shot back playfully, managing to remove himself from between the women. Julieta giggled and Pepa looked offended.
“At least I can admit I like him!”
“Dios mio, I’ve only talked to her twice! And they weren’t exactly the best circumstances. What makes you think I like her?”
“People bond over tragedy all the time.” Pepa waved off.
“You just need to talk to her some more, about better things.”
“Maybe you could visit the bakery more.”
“Maybe you could leave me alone! No, but that would involve not butting your nose into your brother's business for once in your life.” Pepa swatted at Bruno’s shoulder.
“I’m your sister, it’s my job!” A thunder cloud was starting to form over her head, which was their signal to stop the teasing.
“That’s enough.” Their Mama said. “We need to prepare for dinner. Everyone to the kitchen.” She ushered them away and they dutifully obliged, each helping to make dinner even though it was mostly Julieta who did most of the cooking.
Bruno frowned as he worked, mind running off to places it probably shouldn’t. His sister’s teasing had really gotten to him if he was actually thinking about Laila like that. He huffed at himself and pushed the thoughts away. It was all nonsense, they hardly knew each other and the likelihood of anything happening was so low. It was better to just forget about the whole thing.
Though, it had been nice, to feel appreciated by someone. He could cling to that, at least.