Chapter Text
A whole 3 years, that's how long it's been since casita crumbled and was rebuilt. The Madrigal family still ruled over the village but less responsibilities were brought to them, especially the 3rd generation as per request of Abuela.
Camilo didn't mind this slight change, more specifically because he now had more time to waste on things he couldn't do before due to his chores. One of those things he began doing was listening to a specific girl tell stories to the children in town every afternoon
Having no guts to talk to the girl, He watched from afar with his heart worn unconsciously on his sleeve. Genuinely smiling in her direction whenever she was in his sight was one indication his family, more specifically his sister noticed.
If you were to ask Dolores about the situation, She would silently giggle as she counted how many times she heard her little brother's heart beat race whenever he saw this girl. It was like even a small glimpse of her could make his day brighter than it already is.
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Camilo, with a little pep in his step, walked to town with his older sister, Dolores and his cousins, Mirabel and Isabella beside him. He was turning 18 in the next week and their abuela wanted to invite everyone in town for an outdoor celebration.
Since he was basically about to be a young adult, he sucked up all the courage he could muster and decided to come along with the three female Madrigals to invite you to the celebration himself. It would be the first time he would be talking to you and his heart couldn't calm down
Dolores, with her brows furrowed, knocked on the door of your house since Camilo claimed that he didn't want his nervous expression to be the first one seen by the person who opened the door, Which he silently hoped was you.
It wasn't you who opened the door. Which disappointed Camilo a bit but he can't always have what he wants, couldn't he?
Your mother opened the door, wiping her free hand on her apron, “Oh! What a pleasant surprise, What can I do for you Madrigals?” she smiled at the sight of the siblings standing outside of her door, “Come in”
Camilo and Dolores thanked her as they walked into their small but cozy house. She gestured to the seats in the living room before calling the name of the person that Camilo was hoping to see
“Y/N! Querida, come attend to the guests while I finish making the empanadas!” She called out to you
“I'm coming Mamá!”
And there it was, the voice that Camilo adored so much, the voice he listened to during afternoons by the bridge. He didn't know when you arrived to the living room but a soft nudge from Dolores was enough to knock him out of his spaced out state
You were sitting right there, in front of him, happily chatting with Dolores. He was getting lost in those beautiful and sparkling [e/c] eyes of yours and the smile on your face was enough to give him back the courage he lost when he and Dolores arrived in front of your door.
“So what brings the oh so gifted Madrigals to our humble home?” You asked, the smile still plastered on your face.
Dolores nudged her little brother, who glared at her in annoyance, once again before gesturing to you. This small interaction made you tilt your head and silently chuckle to yourself
“Well uhm” You heard Camilo speak after a short silent bicker between the siblings, “Abuela wanted to uh involve— I-I mean INVITE you and your family to our casita next week” he blurted out in a panic
Dolores face palmed while Camilo internally scolded himself for that really awkward sentence that came out of his mouth. The dignity he wanted to keep for himself, ruined.
It was silent, Camilo stared at his chameleon decorated ruana on his lap, worried if he weirded you out, cursing himself again before laughter filled the room. He looked up to see you laughing, your angelic laughter making his heart flutter inside his chest.
You stopped laughing after a few minutes of trying to compose yourself, “Of course of course, We'll be there!” You gave them two thumbs up, “Who would decline an invitation from the Madrigals themselves!”
Camilo was relieved, you weren't weirded out by his awkwardness. Dolores glanced at her little brother, a small smile on her face
“We'll be giving you a proper printed invitation tomorrow so you know what’ll be taking pla—” “It's Camilo’s 18th birthday next week isn't it?” You wondered, your fingers onyour chin, unaware that you had cut off Dolores
“Ah! I'm so sorry!” You apologized after realizing what you did, “Please continue what you were saying”
Dolores shook her head, “You're correct with that, It'll be on Thursday next week” standing up from the seat she was sitting on, she walks over to you “I hope to see you there” She shook your hand before turning to Camilo and gestures that he does the same. Camilo shot up from the seat and walked over to you, “I hope I see you there” he smiled but unlike the smile he usually has, it was small and genuine which highlighted the slight blush on his freckled cheeks
You smiled back at the boy, “I'll be there!” You beamed as you shook his hand
And with that, Camilo and Dolores left your house. The smile still on Camilo’s face, “You know, I didn't think it would take you this long to talk to her, chaparrito” Dolores spoke, breaking the silence
“Shut up” Camilo responded, making Dolores chuckle
“I'm kidding, Take your time ‘Milo” Dolores put her arm around her brother's shoulders, “But remember that the world doesn't wait for you. It keeps going, with or without you”
And with that Dolores left Camilo’s side to continue inviting people to his celebration, leaving Camilo thinking to himself as he continued up to the casita