Work Text:
A mother’s intuition, or a pack of lies.
It was both, sudden and always known.
Even when in their toddler years, if one of them fell, Julieta would be the first to waddle over and wipe any tears.
She didn’t think too much of it then, obviously.
But she does the know the specific moment it set in.
The specific moment where she, as the older sister, understands that she’s the one who will be their when their Mama couldn’t.
Their only five. Six months into having their strange and new gifts.
And her sister, her poor little sister, is sobbing her little heart out.
Julieta immediately knows what’s wrong, Pepa’s security blanket, the yellow one that she was swaddled in when they found their house, is missing from her teeny grasp.
They each had their own blanket. Bruno’s being green. And Julietas blue. And they each were some level of comfort to the little kids. But It was Pepa who couldn’t be separated from hers.
But now she couldn’t find it. And it was breaking her little teeny heart.
“Pepa Please!” Her mother begged, “You need to stop crying. Your going to flood not only this house. But the whole town!”
Pepa continued to cry in earnest, making grabbing motions with her hands.
Alma scooped her up, even though her face was weary, “I don’t know what’s wrong. You won’t tell me.”
In her exhaustion, she didn’t know that her daughters cries lessoned as soon as she was enveloped in a hug.
“M-mama?” Julieta piped up quietly from where she was ducked behind a banister, “I-I think she just wants bubu?”
Their Mami scrunched her brows, “Well I don’t know where she left it? This house is huge. I have to get your sister to stop crying first.”
-“SEÑORITA MADRIGAL!” A random villager burst through the door, “Someone slipped from the rain and broke an arm! We need some of your miracle food!”
“I’m on my way!”
Alma rushed to grab their emergency stash of Julietas food, setting Pepa down despite her many protests.
“Pepa!” Mami turned around with a stern look, “Look what your emotions have done. You need to learn to control them! Clear skies!”
And with that, she had left Casita, all but abandoning her sobbing five year old child.
Julieta was quick to run over her sister, wiping fat tears with short pudgy fingers.
“It’s ok Pepi,” she whimpered, “Im here! I won’t leave you.”
“M-mamis gone!” Pepa wailed, “S-she’s mad a-and I don’t know where Bubu is!”
The older girl wrapped her sibling in a tight hug, small arms not quite reaching all the way.
“Don’t worry! I’ll find Bubu!”
The redhead momentarily paused, hiccuping slightly, “Y-you will?”
“Yes!” She nodded with a smile, “I’ll find Bruno. And we’ll find Bubu!”
Pepas lip wobbled, “D-do you think it’s ok? H-he must be so scared and lonely. Oh Bubu I’m sorry!”
She promptly burst into fresh tears, the clouds above them increasing in intensity.
It scared Julieta at first, but she shoved that thought to the back of her mind.
This was her little sister! Pepa wasn’t scary! Just scared!
Mama had left them.
It was up to her to help out!
She hugged her sister tighter, “Don’t be sad! Bubu isn’t mad! T-their not scared or lonely! They miss you too! I-I’ll find them ok?”
Pepa inserted her thumb into her mouth, glancing up with watery eyes as she sucked tersely, “Y-you promise?”
“Yes!” The brunette rapidly shook her head, “Pinky promise!”
The youngest held up her other free hand, entwining it with Julietas in a everlasting oath.
“Um ok t-then. Im gonna go look. It will be ok!” Julieta gave her sister one last look of apprehension. Before breaking off into a sprint.
She climbed casitas steps as fast as her little legs could carry. Mindful of the rain, and ergo, slippery cadence to the staircase.
First she had to find Bruno. Bruno could help!
Maybe he had seen this happening and knew where Pepas blanket was!
She knocked rapidly on his door, not waiting for an answer before heading inside.
“Bruno!” She yelled, “Bruno I need you!”
Her must have sensed the urgency in her voice, for their was a quick “IM COMING!” And seconds later, tiny Bruno fell from the sky. His weight cradled safely by the large amounts of sand. Breaking his fall.
Julieta was used to this, but she still couldn’t help but chuckle slightly, “Mama said not to do that anymore.”
His head popped through the sand, quickly squiggling out and dusting his Ruana off, “Yeah but this ways faster. And it would take forever climbing down all those steps!”
“Your gonna get an ouchie,” she chided with a smile, “What if the sand isnt soft enough.”
Bruno shrugged, “We’ll you can make me feel better.”
He had a point. But it still worried her nevertheless.
“What’s wrong?” Her brother fidgeted nervously with loose threads on his trousers, “Is Pepa still upset? Her storms kinda loud.”
Julieta nodded sympathetically, “It is. But Mamas gone now. So we need to make her feel better. And find butterfly.”
Bruno twitched, “Mamis gone?”
She didn’t like it any better then him. The fact that their mom so blatantly left them in a time of need. Made her want to curl up in a ball and cry alone with her sister.
B-but she couldn’t. She was now the oldest in casita. She was the adult.
She had to help.
“Yes.” Julieta answered softly.
Her brother shuffled over, giving her a hug, “S-sorry Julie. You look sad.”
“I’m not!” She denied immediately, quick to snap back to her original point, “But Pepa is! And she’s lost butterfly. So we have to find it.”
“B-butterfly?” He squinched his eyes in question.
“Bubu?” The girl replied, “Pepas blankie?”
She was speaking of that famous swaddle of cloth. One that their Mama said Pepa originally wanted to name butterfly. After seeing a matching one of the same color.
But she was just a baby, and her Ts and Ls were hard to say. So she ended up saying ‘Bu-er-fwy’ and eventually, ‘Bubu’ for practical ease.
“Oh!” Bruno snapped to life, “Did you look in her room?”
“No. Wanted to find you first.”
“Oh. Ok.” He looked at her with wide eyes.
“I kinda, wanna see if you had a vision,” Julieta swayed nervously, “See if you could find it.”
Bruno looked a bit nervous, “I didn’t get one. A-and it won’t work. I only see the future. This was now.”
“Oh. Ok. So, Um. We should look in Pepas room.”
Her brother seemed surprised she wasn’t hassling him for a vision. And after a moment of shock, quickly nodded along.
The two stumbled outside. Bruno covering his ears immediately as Julieta winced.
The storm was even louder then before,
Apparently leaving Pepa all alone had been the wrong decision.
Julieta rushed to the banister, peeking down at her miserable sister. Who had curled into a little ball, rocking back and forth gently.
“It’s ok!” She called out as loud as she could, “I’m still here Pepa! We’re looking for Bubu now!”
Pepa twitched slightly, returning her gaze slowly, eyes blinking owlishly as thick streams of tears dribbled down her cheeks.
“C-can you bring him fast?” She whimpered heartbreakingly.
Bruno bristled beside her, “Were on it Hermana! Don’t worry! We’ll go super fast!”
Their sister nodded sadly, “O-ok.”
Bruno and Julieta shared a worried look. Before running to Pepas door.
Their was a brief pause. As they contemplated if the door would work for them if they weren’t the right madrigal.
“I-it should work right?” Bruno questioned softly, “It’s worked for us.”
“Yes. It will work.” Julieta replied. Even though she had no idea if that was true.
She didn’t want to scare her brother. And risk having two siblings in pain.
Hesitantly, they pushed opened the glowing door, sighing in relieve when the familiarity of their sisters room was revealed.
It was rudimentarily basic, so to say. It had a large bed, numerous weather tools, and many weather themed appliances.
But this room was catered to Pepas emotions, so that whatever weather she was producing, it would act as the opposite. Ergo, if she was getting rained on, the room would activate a tarp like warm that would bull any sort of water.
What they liked the most was the ceiling. Which could change from the most beautiful sunset, to a sky of puffy clouds.
The triplets found amusement in the shifting, as well as the bed itself. With its waterfall canopy and cloud shaped mattress.
And their, positioned innocently next to her pillow with the sun and clouds pillowcase, was Pepas beloved Bubu.
“I got it!” Bruno screeched, shoving Julieta aside playfully before sprinting towards the bed. Flopping on top with an excited giggle.
“Bruno! Stop acting silly, Pepas sad!” Julieta meekly scolds with a giggle of her own.
“I’m not being silly!” He raises the blanket gallantly, a over dramatic serious on his face, “I’m super serious!”
She eventually joins him on the bed. Pausing just for a second to take in the cloud like softness of the sheets, before tugging on his Ruana.
“We gotta get goin. Pepi needs Bubu.”
He nodded, actually serious this time. And the two make their way back outside. Flinching at the instant darkness and rain. They had seemingly forgotten about how wet it was in Casita, the inside of Pepas room offering them a small reprieve as someplace dry.
“PEPA!” Both siblings squeal, as they race down casitas steps. Barreling towards their distraught sister.
Pepa is still sobbing. Knees hugged her chest while one hand pulls at her braid. The other firmly rooted by her lips. Relying on her habit as the only means of comfort.
“C-clear skies,” she’s sadly choking out, “C-clear s-k-kies.”
“Pepa it’s ok! We’re here!” Julieta murmurs gently, wrapping her sister in a tight hug, “And here! We found Bubu!”
Pepa pauses, eyes doe like and innocent, “B-Bubu?”
Bruno beams, taking out the precious blanket from where he’d tucked it in a belt loop to keep dry, “Here you go Pepi!”
“BUBU!” Pepa launches herself to grab her comfort item, sobbing quietly as she brings it to her cheek. Silently taking in its soothing fabric, as if it would disappear if she let go.
“Oh Bubu! I’m so so sorry! I’ll never let you go again! G-Gracias Hermanos!”
The two madrigals smile wide, quick to hug her once again. Waiting out the rapidly decreasing storm together.
They may have not had their Mami. But they had each other. And apparently. That’s all they needed.
It’s not much longer that they hear a swift knock at the door, their Mami peeking in immediately after. A dazed expression on her face.
“Oh my little Ninos and Ninas! Your alright!” A relived smile bursts onto her face as she rushes to hug them all.
She breaks apart. Looking incredibly stunned, “H-How did you make it stop raining?”
Julieta grins, “Y-you were gone. So I went and found Bubu! And now Pepas all better!”
She feels mixed emotions as she says this.
On hand. She’s proud of what she’s done. What she managed to do.
But on the other hand. She only had to do it cause their Mama had left. She had left them all alone. For the town. When one of them was crying.
It still made her sad to think about, as she gazed at her mother. Who’s face remained impassive, nearly searching for something.
Alma glances at Pepa. Who’s still clutching her blankie to her face. Sucking on her thumb rapidly, coming down from her emotional high.
“Oh my little Nina,” she frowns with a sigh, scooping up the toddler into her arms, “I’m so sorry I had to leave you. But town needed me you see? A man got hurt on his arm. And he needed your Hermanas food. So I had to go?”
Pepa whimpers, pausing to remove her thumb, “I-I’m sowy. I d-didn’t mean too?”
Mamas eyes flicker, but she’s quick to set an affirm smile, “I know you didn’t. You’ll have better control on your emotions soon enough. Oh won’t you mi pequeña gota de lluvia!”
She tickles the girls stomach, Pepa giggle jauntily at the sensation.
Julieta stands with Bruno. Wondering if she’s been forgotten.
But then Mama glances at them, such a proud expression on her face, “My little Julieta. You were a great big sister today weren’t you? I’m so proud!”
Julieta is tingling, to know she had her moms direct pride, completely aimed at her. It made her happy. It filled her with warmth and courage. It was almost enough to squander any of her previous thoughts.
Almost.
She couldn’t get it out now. It’s their forever.
Julieta knew it before. But it hadn’t sunk in till now.
She was the oldest.
She would take care of her siblings when her Mama couldn’t.
Her five year old brain couldn’t comprehend the length of what that meant, she just knew that it was up to her.
She could help her siblings. She could make her mom proud.
She could do anything!
She had too.
——-
Another common occurrence that solidified Julieta as the eldest, and therefore the caretaker of her siblings, happened during the night.
A night not unlike this one.
Julieta jolted slightly, eyes stinging as she blearily opened them to the harsh atmosphere before they were ready.
Another light knock sounded through the room, alerting her to the origin of her rousing.
She shifted with a gentle groan, squinting at her doors general direction.
“Ju-Julieta?” A familiar voice whispered, “A-are you awake?”
Even in the middle of the night she could recognize her brothers raspy voice, nodding to herself before her tired brain remembered he couldn’t see her.
“Yeah Bruno,” she made an effort to sound less dead, moving so she was sitting upwards, “I’m awake.”
Bruno cracked open her door, eyes wide and doe like, holding his favorite rat stuffie tightly.
“I h-had a nightmare,” he whimpered, toeing the line gingerly, “I didn’t want to wake Pepa, c-could I sleep with you?”
“We’ll you already did that, so you don’t have to worry anymore.” Julieta replied drily, more then she normally would due to her exhaustion. Gesturing to the space next to her.
Bruno looked confused, until the seemingly empty covers wriggled, and out popped a 8 year old Pepa. Thumb lazily placed between her lips as she grumbled in irritation.
She squirmed around a bit more before passing out once more. Bruno nodding and looking to Julieta for answers.
Julieta glanced down at her little sister with tired eyes, the inevitable concern peeking through.
“Pepa couldn’t sleep. Came in about an hour before you.”
Even at the raw age of 8, the redhead had developed a case of insomnia. Some nights not getting a wink of sleep unless she shared the bed with her siblings.
Bruno nodded again, looking at her with needy and begging eyes.
Julieta felt something soften inside her, and even with her painfully tired mind, jerked her head in invitation. Arranging herself so her brother could sleep in beside her. Making sure not to shift her sleeping sister, who had annoyingly taken up nearly all the bed.
It was a tight squeeze, but if they cuddled close, all three triplets could fit on the lone mattress.
Julieta couldn’t help but sigh quietly,
To say she was tired was an understatement. Her eyelids felt like led, and her body sagged with exhaustion. Her eight year old body struggling to keep up with with demands of the town.
She had cooked nearly all day, and was looking at a very similar course of action tomorrow. The knowledge of multiple birthdays coming up always forcing her to cater to people’s joyous whims.
But one shiver from Bruno’s thin frame, and all thoughts of sleeping were banished. As she gently stroked his messy head of curls.
“Do you wanna talk about it?” Julieta cooed gently. The warm of Bruno’s head on her chest soothing in a way.
“N-no.” He answered with a shudder, “It won’t do any good.”
“Are you sure? I think it will.”
Her hermano was silent for a while, enough time passing that she almost managed to nod off into some much needed rest.
“I think it was a vision.”
His voice startled her, her body tending up as a spark of adrenaline coursed through her veins.
Julieta looked down weakly, “Hmm?”
“I think it was a vision,” Bruno murmured once again, “My nightmare seemed too real.”
“Nightmares always seem real.” She mused quietly.
“But this one was too real.”
“Ok,” the girl sighed, “What was it about?”
“I don’t know,” he rumbled with the button on his pajama top, eyes faintly glowing green, “But I was very very cold. You and Pepa were with me. I think it was raining. She had my Ruana on.”
Her eyebrow raised sluggishly, “And you classify that as a nightmare?”
“Someone was sad.” Was all Bruno replied with, “Or mad? I couldn’t tell.”
“Ugh, you two are so loud!” Pepa whined miserably, lurching upward with a tired moan. Thumb glistening as it balanced precariously on her lips.
“Mama said you gotta stop that.” Julieta scolded lamely. Even tho she personally didn’t see the harm.
Pepa narrowed her eyes, “Well she can’t make me. You can’t either.”
“I guess,” the eldest mused, a teasing twinkle in her eye, “Well don’t come crying to me when your teeth turn out funny.”
Her sister frowned, “Your mean!”
She promptly shoved her thumb back in with a ‘Harrumph!’ Plopping back down on the bed. And immediately falling asleep.
How her sister had that capability always boggled Julietas mind.
Bruno and her shared some teasing giggles, partially trying to quiet down for Pepas sake.
“W-we gotta get to bed soon,” her brother smirked coyly, “We might wake grumpy over their.”
Julieta smiles back, but her brows furrowed, “But what about you? Are you still scared?”
Bruno seemed to consider this, glancing back at Pepa, and then snuggling closer into his other sisters embrace.
“No…not really. W-when I’m with you guys. I feel safe.”
It was mumbled, with the hope that Julieta didn’t hear. But she did, and could see the blush ringing his cheeks.
“Awww Hermanito!” She cooed teasingly, trapping him in a tight embrace.
“Juli!!!” He whined, “We’re the same age!”
“Yeah but me and Pepa are older! So your our Hermanito!”
Bruno grumbled a bit, before eventually settling into an easy position, drifting off peacefully.
Julieta looked at her siblings with a kind smile, but worried eyes.
They were just 8. And already had so many problems.
Pepa, who could never be sad or upset, had sleep stolen from her while she struggled to calm her rapidly anxious thoughts. Clinging to the childhood she had lost by still sucking her thumb, trying to find security in the constant.
And Bruno, who struggled with visions he couldn’t understand. Who already felt like he couldn’t go to Mama with these thoughts. Who had nightmare after nightmare, only finding solace in his sisters arms.
And Julieta, well, Julietas problems were stupid. So what if she felt tired. Her siblings were obviously suffering more. As the oldest she was the one they went to when they couldn’t go to Mama. It was her job to be their for them.
It was her job to be perfect, so she could be her siblings rock. Be the one constant in their hectic lives.
With this tired promise. She finally collapsed into a restless sleep. Eyes rolling with the worries of the future.
————
“But what if he doesn’t like me?!” Pepa cries from where she’s sitting at the table.
“Then it’s his loss, and he’s a jerk.” Julieta hums back with endless patience.
Moving around the kitchen with a carefree, but mastered, touch.
As making breakfast for the past 9 years would ingrain.
Kneed the dough, kneed the dough.
Flatten with the heel of your palm. And place within an inch of each other. Careful not to place them too far, or else they won’t cook evenly.
It’s as if she’s on a schedule, effortlessly frying Arepas and listening to her siblings woes simultaneously.
“Uh, where’s my-“
-“Your salts by your plate,” she states softly, “As it always is.”
Bruno hums greatfully. Shuffling over to his chair, sparing a few glances at his anxious sister uneasily. Clearly trying to remain as small as possible.
“B-but what if I make a fool of myself?” Pepa worries, thumb teasing the edge of her lips.
Julieta smoothly glides over, grabbing her sisters hand and pulling it down with essence of practiced ease. Even if she knows it will just as quickly drift back upwards.
“If he’s a kind fellow, he won’t mind.”
The redhead frowns, “But what if he does mind?!”
“Thumb Pepa.” She reminds even with her back turned, “And if he does, then he’s definitely not for you.”
Pepa growls, “I wasn’t even doing it that time!”
“She was.” Bruno contradicts neutrally, withering under the glare she shoots him, “What? You were!”
“Yeah but your not supposed to say it!” She blushes, “Your never back me up!”
Her brother raises his hands in deflection, “I’m not choosing sides here!”
“Theirs no sides too choose.” Julieta bites out, tone barely changing. Even as her eyebrows furrow at the implications.
“Great, now you think I’m being irrational! Go ahead and judge Señorita Perfecta!” Pepa snarls. Cloud growing moodily.
Julieta whips around, eyeing her sister for a moment. Lips pressed into a thin line.
“I’m not perfect.” She tries to offer.
Pepa just looks away bitterly. And Julieta won’t deny the pain in her heart when she does.
It always bothers her when her siblings think she’s so much better. She’s not. If only they knew.
She takes a deep breath, flips the Arepas, and walks back over to her sister. Making sure to get eye contact.
“I’m not perfect,” she repeats kindly, “And I’m not judging you. I don’t judge you, or your habits.”
Pepa’s lip twitches, and she sighs heavily, “Gosh, sorry Juli. I’m just all amped up because of the date Mama set up.”
Julieta tilts her head with a smile, “I know. You shouldn’t worry. I’ll help you with whatever. Bruno will too.”
Theirs a pause when she looks over, patiently waiting for her brother to agree.
He jolts when he realizes the conversation has halted, stumbling over his words to reciprocate the support.
“Y-yes! I-uh. Yes! I’ll help! You. Pepa.”
Pepa snorts, rolling her eyes fondly, “You guys are knuckle heads.”
“Yeah but you loooove us,” she teases lightly, tugging at one of her sisters stray curls, “Stormy girl with a heart of sunshine!”
Pepa attempts to remain aloof and brooding, “I do not have a heart of sunshine! You know I don’t like when you say that!”
“Oh but you doooo!” Julieta continues. Messing up her red hair even more.
“Yeah!” Bruno chimes in with a grin, “Your just an old softy!”
The Latina scowls, “Call me soft again and you’ll have a lightening bolt coming your way!”
Their brother pretends to be worried, winking with a giggle, “You almost said that seriously enough for me to believe.”
Pepa crosses her arms again, cloud forming to show her actual annoyance.
Julieta can’t help but chuckle to herself, her sister was never one for patience.
“Oh come on Pepi, we’re just teasing.” She assures, smoothing Pepas curls back in a pacifying manner.
Pepa let’s out a pleased hum, the feeling of hands touching her hair a guilty pleasure of hers.
“Oh alright. I’ll spare Bruno the bolt for now.”
Bruno makes to reply, when his nose scrunches oddly. Sniffing the air a few times.
“Juli?” He questions, “Something smells funny?”
Julieta jolts, “Meirda! The Arepas!”
Oh no. Oh nonononono. This can’t be happening.
She rushes over to the stove, yanking the dough off the cast iron plate, barely even registering the small burns that singe her fingers.
Her face molts into one of distress, the Arepas were ruined. One side perfect while the other was charred.
“It’s just a couple of Arepas,” Pepa tried to call out comfortingly, “You can make a new batch in seconds.”
Julieta doesn’t respond. Mind racing to calculate how this would affect her daily chores.
This put her back by one batch.
She’d have to make another for breakfast now, and then rush to make up for lost cakes. If she let this effect her too much it could quickly spiral into a problem.
She scrunched her eyes tightly, ignoring the way tears pricked at the corners.
Their couldn’t be a problem. She couldn’t get behind. She wasn’t allowed to be behind. She wasn’t allowed to make a mistake.
Making a mistake might mean someone who’s injured doesn’t get food in time.
If someone doesn’t get food in time that could have fatal consequences.
She could be responsible for the loss of lives.
Dios mio, was someone going to die today for her lapse in focus?
Would someone take their last breath because no one got to them in time?
Would a girl be ridden of a father, or a wife a husband because of her?
“Oh Dios.” Julieta could feel the ground sway below her. As she took a step back to stabilize herself on the counter.
“Julieta?” Bruno called out. Sounding so close, yet so far.
When did he get so close? Why was the room spinning? Why couldn’t she take a proper breath?!
She felt something touch her, jumping nearly a foot, she whirled around only to see Bruno standing with a concerned expression.
“B-Bruno?” She spluttered.
“You looked a little uneasy,” he murmured worriedly, “Wanted to remind you to breath.”
“I-I’m fine. Thank you. No need for concern.”
Her brother shifted nervously, “Pepas right. It’s just a few Arepas. No one needs them right now.”
“But what if they do?” Her voice cracked with unwanted emotions.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, “Juli, no ones gonna die cause you burnt some Arepas.”
She winced, “You don’t know that!”
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?!” Pepa cut in anxiously, “Did you have a vision?! Was I in it? Did you see my date? Did it go ok?”
Her hand automatically started to drift upwards, the other rooted firmly by the edge of her braid. Tugging anxiously.
Julieta itched to bring them down again, to fix something again and slip back into the comfort of perfection.
“What is going on here?”
The triplets jerked, starting at the voices Origin.
“Mama!” Julieta gasped, “Your awake! I’m sorry we’re we too loud?”
“No, no, you were ample quiet,” Alma waved off, head turning sharply at the stove, “It was the smell of something burning that alarmed me.”
Julieta could feel her hands tremble, forcing her nerves down and plastering on a well practiced smile.
“S-Sorry Mama, I just got distracted and-“
-“Pepa!” Alma barked, “Did you do this? You know your not supposed to go near the kitchen. That’s for Julieta only!”
Pepa shrunk in on herself, sending Julieta a crippling glare, “No! Mama I didn’t do this I swear!”
“Mama it was me who-“
-“No.” Alma effectively cut her off with a raised hand.
“If it wasn’t Pepa who burned them, it was her who distracted you in the first place.”
“We’ll how do you know it wasn’t Bruno?!” Pepa glowered, cloud forming.
Alma chuckled, “Ha! Your brother is as quiet as a mouse. And your obviously riled up.”
She pointed to the rapidly shifting cloud with a pointed finger. Pepa gulping and hastily trying to calm herself down.
“Clear skies. Clear skies. Clea-“
“And what did we say about your thumb?”
Pepa froze, shamefully glancing down at her hand, which had unconsciously wedged its digit between her teeth.
“T-That Um. That I shouldn’t do that anymore?”
“Only infants and toddlers suckle a thumb,” Alma admonished, “Your much too old to be doing so.”
“I-I know Mama. Im sorry.” Her sister nodded in embarrassment. Cheeks heavily flushed as a warm wind swept through the kitchen.
Bruno winced from behind sympathetically. Fingers twitching to throw some salt or knock on some wood.
Julieta was fighting with herself, desperately wanting to defend her poor sister. But absolutely terrified of being called out for her mistake. For having her Mama realize that she was the one in error.
Mama lived for the miracle. For helping the town. And between the three of them, Julietas gift was the easiest.
Which also meant it was the most appalling when she messed up.
If Mama knew she had risked their miracle, as subtle and unlikely as it was. She’d be furious. Or worse, disappointed.
“And look,” Mama waves over to her, even as she quietly begs her to move on, “Now your sister is behind on cooking. She’ll be late for her rounds. You must apologize for distracting her.”
Julieta hates it. Hates it with every fiber of her being. Hates that she’s perfect and Alma can’t see any other way. Hates that pressure that locks her in tight. Hates the way Pepas eyes betray her as she turns to look at her sister. Jealousy and resentment burning in the hearth of her pupil.
“I’m. Sorry. Julieta.” She forces out. Grasping her braid tightly with both hands.
“Your fine! It’s fine, Theirs really nothing wrong Mama, I can make these really quickly and-“
“Nonsense,” her mother smiles gently, “You have an amazing gift Julieta. This Encanto would be lost without your talent of healing. That’s why it’s so important you make your rounds on them.”
She nodded quickly, “Yes. I understand. Thank you Mama.”
Alma leans in, cupping her face and pressing a kiss to her forehead. Oblivious to the sad and deprived looks her other two kids give her. Both oh so desperately wanting to be noticed and cherished the way Julieta is.
Julieta forces herself not to quake, to take deep breaths and force a smile until it isn’t painful anymore.
She doesn’t like how it is. Practically wants to shove the excess Love Mama gives her right back at her siblings.
‘Take it! I don’t want it! She’d say with relief. Desperate to fix her siblings breaking hearts.
She’d have to make it up to them. Have to find time to bake something extra for each of them.
It’s the least she could do. The least she could do with the least problematic gift. The least she could do when she gets the affection they deserve.
She could do it.
She could fix it.
She could fix everything if they just let her do it.
Because if she fixes everyone else, she wouldn’t have to worry about fixing herself.
————-
Julieta is fivety now. Casita has collapsed. And Mirabel is missing.
Apparently whatever she had done to try and fix things failed miserably. If the destroyed family wasn’t something to go by.
Julieta grits her teeth, and tries. Tries desperately to find that limbo she’s lived in her whole life. Ignores the way her familia is crying, and the town looks on in despair. Ignores the stabbing, agonizing pain that her girl, her sweet beautiful mirabel is missing. And hurting inside.
She ignores it all, because she can fix it all.
She’ll find Mirabel, she’ll rebuild a house if she has to.
She’s Julieta, sh-she has to be able to do something, to fix something.
It is then she finally takes a good look at her surroundings,
Luisa, her brave strong girl who always put others wants before her needs, is trying to lift Casita back up.
She can see her muscles tremble. Can see her face twist in agony as she pushes her body farther then it can go.
Not too far away is Dolores, who was in the throes of a meltdown, unused to a world without sound. She’s rocking back and forth, viciously slamming her hands over her ears repeatedly. As if she could hit the sound back into them.
Julieta gulps. She’ll fix it. She’ll calm her down. She’ll stop her dangerous hands.
She’ll do it later.
Her gaze falls to her sister, who was in a matching spiral of her own. Trembling violently, and yanking on her hair. For once completely ignoring her Mamas gaze and sucking on her thumb for all it’s worth.
After all these years, they’d never managed to kick her off the habit. It feels endearing somewhere. Or at least it should. An echo or fondness rattling in her empty rib cage.
Felix is right by Pepas side. Desperately trying to calm down his wife.
Camilo sits a few feet away. Close enough to be symbolically close to his Mama. His knees are brought to his chest. And he stares out blankly. Eyes not focused, as his pupils glaze over.
Little Antonio is in Isabelas lap respectively, Felix making the smart decision of moving him away from his mothers inevitable breakdown.
Her other daughter, looks like she’s barely clinging on. Gripping the youngest like a security blanket and anxiously rubbing her bare feet in Casitas crumbled remains. As if to get as close to the earth as she could.
Her own Mama looks lost. Gazing at everyone with an expression unimaginable. As she clutches the withered candle to her chest.
That’s fine. It’s all fine. Julieta can fix it.
She can fix it. It’s fine. She can fix it. She can fix everything. Just give her time to fix it. Give her time and she can fix it all! Just give her time, just-“
-“Amor.” Agustiń places a supportive hand on the small of her back. And she can’t tell if it’s from the small gesture, or finally seeing the situation for what it was. But it’s the tipping point.
Julieta crumples to her knees with a shrill wail. Heart breaking as any hopes of fixing it are deemed null.
She can’t fix this. Who was she kidding?!
But she’s Julieta. She has to fix it. Who is she if not a healer. A helper. The one who’s always calm and patient?!
Agustiń pulls her close, murmuring soothing nothings as she cries into his chest.
And as much as everything feels like too much, finally just getting to a point where she can’t fix something….
It’s more freeing then she’d imagine.
And maybe this is why, maybe this is why Casita collapsed truly. Because everyone is really just scared deep down. So scared to fail someone else. To not live up to expectations.
It’s by no means a start.
But for once in her life, as least she knows theirs a beginning.