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One thing that Pepa and Camilo have in common, is that they both are bad at hiding their feelings.
Pepa because of the whole 'her mood affects the weather' thing, and Camilo, well, he rarely shows emotion other than being a cheeky bastard that likes to make other people laugh and just a fun guy in general.
So when there is something going on, he can't hide it even if his life depended on it. Maybe just not being good at hiding something runs in the family.
The first to notice was Mirabel, his siblings and, of course, his mother Pepa.
It was like any normal day, Abuela gave out tasks to some of the family members that the town needed their gifts for, and she asked Camilo to take care of the baby of a couple down the street.
"Ugh, babysitting again? Why bother having kids when you can't handle them…"
That was the first red flag.
Camilo loved dealing with kids. Mostly because they would always laugh at his antics and jokes, but he genuinely enjoys caring for them as well.
Abuela didn't notice his comment and continued handing out tasks to the other members, but Dolores, who just happened to hear it from a mile away, got a bit worried.
The next was when noon came along, Mirabel met Camilo at the market and invited him to join a prank she wanted to do on Isabela.
"No, I'm busy," he coldy rejected before stomping away. Mirabel blinked.
Camilo never refuses to do a prank, no matter how busy he is. Especially if it's on Isabela.
The last straw was when they were dining at the table. Camilo, who convinced half of the family that he probably has three stomachs, ate only half his portion that day.
"I'm not hungry," he said, and he finished up his meal quickly and went to his room.
This, combined with Dolores and Mirabels report on his earlier behaviors, made Pepa extremely worried. Antonio also said the animals told him that Camilo wasn't in the best mood. So she and Dolores decided to check up on her little shapeshifter.
Dolores knocked on his door, but no one answered. Pepa called out for him. Nothing. So Dolores straight up opens the door to see Camilo sitting at the edge of the big theater his room provided him. Seems like he was startled by the sight of her by his door.
"Geez! Ever heard of knocking?" he hissed. Dolores furrowed her eyebrows, "We did knock , but you didn't answer us."
"We?" he questioned, then he saw Pepa right behind his older sister.
"Oh, hi mami…" he greeted her bashfully. He could see a small cloud forming on top of her, and he couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Hi, amor… how are you feeling?" Pepa asked softly. Camilo froze a bit, before answering with a strained voice.
"I'm good."
Pepas cloud grew darker. She could clearly see he's not good at all, and seems like small talk won't get her anywhere. So enough is enough.
"Okay, tell me what's wrong." She demanded as approached him, Dolores following behind her.
"What?"
"You've been acting sour all day, mijo . And you’ve been grumbling angrily as well, we just wanted to know if you're okay," Pepa said, crossing her arms and tapping her fingers impatiently as she stood in front of him.
"Nothing is wrong. Now can you both please leave?" he sighed, sounding a bit desperate for them to just go and leave him alone.
"You're lying. I can hear your heartbeat is faster than usual," Dolores stated. Camilo shot a glare at her.
"I said I'm fine ."
"Camilo-"
"I already told you I'm okay! Can't you hear me?!"
Camilo shouted at them. He didn't notice until he heard his voice and a thunderbolt from Pepas cloud echoed through the theater. Then he saw Dolores covering her ears in pain, and his mother's face, hurt . And that hurt Camilo too.
"Ah, mami- I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
He reached out to her. But Pepa quickly sat on the theater edges right besides him, "Well, I can clearly see that something is bothering you. And I can't have that."
Pepa turned to Dolores and tilted his head to Camilo, signaling her to sit besides him. She complied, and she grabbed Camilo's arm, securing them behind him.
"What? What are you-"
"You know, this used to cheer you up a lot when you were little!" Pepa cheered. Camilo had no idea what she was talking about, until he saw her mothers fingers wiggling deviously in front of him. No . Camilo knew exactly what she's talking about.
"You were so cute back then, I wonder…?"
"W-wait!" he protested when her hands got dangerously close as he squirmed in her sister's gripped, "If you do this, I'm gonna scream very loud, do you want that Dolores?"
"Oh don't worry about that," she reassured. She got two earplugs out from her pocket and put them in her ears as Camilo watched in disbelief, "I came prepared."
"Where did you even- no!" Camilo's snarky remark was cut off by Pepas fingers coming in contact with his ribs as they dug in. Camilo couldn't help back the giggles that kept tumbling out of his mouth.
"Ahaha n-nohoho not thihihis! Mami!" he whined, kicking his legs out but trying to not hurt his mother in the process.
"Aww, my little chameleon. Turns out you're just as ticklish as ever!" Pepa cooed, her heart melting as she watched her son laughing brightly. "How adorable you are!"
"Stohohop!" he begged, trying his hardest to shove his attackers off of him to no avail.
"No can do. I won't stop until I make mi rayito de sol laugh and all cheered up!"
"But I'm laughihing now!"
"Hmm, but I'm still not convinced you're cheered up…"
In hindsight, he could've just shapeshifted into someone smaller to escape their grasp. But seeing the bright and excited look from his mom and the way her clouds had disappeared…
Well, how can he if this makes her that happy?
So he can only lay there as he lets out helpless protests, hoping they would just stop on their own. " Dios ! I'm too old for thihihis!"
"What do you mean? You'll forever be my precious little Camilo!" she giggled, laughing when she brushed a spot that made him squeal as he threw his head back. "Oh my! What a cute sound you just made. "
Camilo groaned, but it was soon replaced by more of his laughter. Dolores watches them in adoration, looking at her little brothers grinning ear to ear.
"Huh, I wish I could listen to this right now. But it'd probably won't be good for my ears," Dolores teased, making Camilo grow a brighter shade of red.
"Shuhut uhuhup!" he yelled at her, Pepa let out a fake gasp. "Now, Camilo! That's not a way to talk to your big sister!"
Camilo didn’t care, he could only laugh anyway at this point.
"Hmm, I suddenly remembered something…" Pepa stilled her fingers, which gave Camilo a chance to breathe. Before he felt a cool sensation on his stomach and watched in horror how Pepa had lifted up his shirt. His struggle renewed but Dolores' grip was too strong.
"Wait, wait . No, mami! Not that! I'll die! " Camilo pleaded through his panicked giggles.
"Oh you're always one to be so dramatic," Pepa scoffed, then she put her lips on his stomach and proceeded to blow a big raspberry on it. Camilo shrieked before breaking into uncontrollable laughter, trashing and squirming hopelessly to get away from the onslaught. Pepa continued to blow raspberries on his poor son, before he finally gave in.
"Nononono, stop- please! I give up!!" he managed to wheeze out between his high pitched giggles, tears beginning to form at the corner of his eyes. Pepa stopped, giving him a moment as Camilo gratefully gulped in air. Dolores unplugged her earplugs when she saw her mother stop.
"Now will you tell us what's wrong, cariño ?" she asked. Her voice was soft, concerned. Camilo's heart clenched a bit hearing it.
"I'm just… tired I guess," he finally admitted as soon as his breathing was normal. "Of all the duties we have to do, just because we have something special ."
Pepa and Dolores listened intently, and Camilo continued to ramble his thoughts out.
"Heh, even sometimes I envy Mirabel because she doesn't have that kind of burden. I'm such a terrible cousin aren't I? Knowing what she's been through because of that… I really gotta apologize to her for earlier."
Camilo tries to laugh it off, but they both can clearly hear the pain hidden in his voice.
"Pretty lame huh? My gift isn't even that special…"
"Oh, Camilo..." Pepa broke out, "I understand what you're feeling, mijo. And I'm sorry I didn't notice earlier."
Pepa pulled Camilo into a tight embrace, stroking his curls ever so gently. Camilo breath hitched up, before relaxing in her hold.
"Your gift is extraordinary, amor . But you alone is already extraordinary. Gift or not gift," Pepa pulled back and touched her forehead with his, tearing up herself. Camilo gave her a soft nod, and Pepa roped him into a tight hug again. This time, Dolores followed, making Camilo sandwiched between them as he tried to hold back his tears from falling.
"And don't ever say that you're a terrible cousin, okay? I'm sure that twin of yours won't appreciate hearing you say that as well. You are el mejor hijo, hermano y primo someone could have," Dolores continued, and Pepa nodded eagerly.
"...thanks, mami. Thanks, sis."
Camilo gave both of them a warm smile as he wiped the small tears on his eyes, and the two returned it. Then, Dolores broke into a playful demeanor.
"Well, if you ever feel like this again I'll just do this until you've cheered up!" she sang, grabbing Camilo's side and wiggling her fingers against it. Camilo gave out a surprise squeak before letting out sweet giggles.
"Aahaha w-wait I thought we were dohonee!" he mewled, weakly grabbing his mothers hands. He let out a yelp when he felt his sisters fingers joining in as well.
"We were, but I want to hear more of that cute laugh of yours!"
They stopped for a moment when they heard his door creaking open, and stood there was Antonio, riding his pet jaguar.
"There you are!" the little boy huffed. "Papá was looking for you guys- what are you doing?"
Antonio noticed how tired, but mirthful and relaxed his big brother's face is. And the same cheerful expression was also on his mamá and big sister's face.
"Oh, Antonio!" Pepa greeted him happily, "We're just trying to make your big brother laugh, care to join?"
Antonio beamed.
"Yeah! Parce said he'll help too!" the youngest Madrigal cheered, and soon enough his pet jaguar nuzzled up into Camilo's neck which earned another squeak from him. Antonio joined in with his mother and sister as Camilo laughed like there's no tomorrow.
" Noooooo give me a breheheheak!"