Chapter Text
Sometimes he hated the nursery, even in the dead of night, all sound seemed to penetrate it’s walls and Mirabel’s turning and twisting always made it hard to fall asleep. Camilo pouted and allowed himself to sit up. The room was a mess, their toys scattered all over the place and blankets were piled all around his bed, but it was okay, it made it look cosy at least. A noise brought him out of his mind. There was a murmur outside and some shuffling before it fell silent again. Camilo let his eyes wander the ceiling for a short bit before deciding he will probably not fall back asleep anyway. Sliding out of his bed and over the mound of blankets he quickly made his way across the room making little to no noise.
Stepping outside the room his eyes quickly met with the shocked eyes of his uncle who stared at him like a wild animal caught by hunters.
“Camilo!” Bruno whispers in what might be shock but maybe also relief.
“Tío?” Camilo asks, rubbing his eyes, seemingly sleepy as he heads towards the stairs.
“Ah- what are you doing up Camilo? It’s really late.” Bruno fumbles with his shirt whilst talking Camilo notices, his hands never stop moving it seems but it's okay, he thinks it actually cool, always moving and not getting in trouble for it.
“Mira kept moving, I couldn’t sleep” He replies earnestly, eyes still locked on his uncle's dark form which seemed to move towards the deepest shadows.
“Maybe you should try and sleep again?” Bruno asks, “Yo-you know you shouldn’t be out at night talking to me.” Camilo lets his brows crinkle, Mami said that alot, not to talk to Bruno that is. It has always been like that, since he can remember, Mami would shoo him away from Bruno, even when the man’s eyes held nothing but sorrow. He didn't think it was fair, when Dolores was sad and had similar eyes everyone was there around her trying to fill her gaze with the brightest sunshines. His uncle should smile more he thinks, he has a good face for smiles Camilo thinks. So he points out “You never smile.”
Bruno does a double take, eyes focusing on his Nephew as he descended the stairs so silently he doubted Dolores could even hear his footfalls. “Are you lonely Tío?” Camilo continues, drawing a slow sigh from Bruno.
“I think I am Sobrino Mío, but it is quite alright, I am okay being alone.” He says with something he hopes could be counted as a reassuring smile, but judging from the scrunched up face of Camilo probably not.
“It’s alright Tío” Camilo smiles a far more believable smile “ I am lonely too I think”
“You’re .. Lonely?” Camilo hums in agreement letting himself dance around Bruno to a tune played in his mind.
“Ah- You shouldn’t be lonely -”
“I think some people are just meant to be lonely Tío, don't you agree? You said it is okay to be lonely.” Bruno tried to catch the eyes of the dancing boy but it seemed impossible with the gentle sways and swirls keeping him safe from whatever battle fell upon his brain.
“Mira-” Bruno starts.
“Mirabel is nice, so is Mami, and Lola. but I don't think that’s how loneliness works, because i feel it sometimes even around everyone. And it’s always in your eyes Tío.”
Bruno froze as the little dancer finished in front of him, they stood face to face, with casita silent around them and the night sky burning bright above them with the light of all the stars. Funny how it was always children that seemed to see the most, even now when his gift brought the clearest vision to him, he was still blind to the wild and untamed eyes of his nephew.
“How about some tea?” He breaks the silence, yet keeps the wonder burning. Camilo tilts his head slightly before nodding and extending his hand, waiting for something. And it was only when his wide eyes glanced down to Bruno’s fiddly hands did he realise what was being asked and let the boy claim one of his palms with his own two smaller ones before they twirled and started to head towards the dark kitchen. The small being on his side kept a tight hold yet let himself be moved by the wind, as if he might float away, with a hidden smile all for himself, blind to his Tío watching him play with the night gale. An expression graced Bruno's face, one he had lost memory of how it lay upon his lips, a gentle smile, a calm deep within his heart and a glow deep within him. He almost missed Camilo's quick glance at him before the boy let go of his hand with a bright smile and danced over to the table where he sat. A little face full of baby fat propped on two arms and legs kicking, watching over as his uncle moved around his sister's domain.
Usually only Tía was allowed here, no one else, one day when his Mami tried to make something there was smoke everywhere mixed so deep into the thundering clouds that he could barely see anything for the full day. But Bruno was different here. He was quiet and moved around like a river around rocks, a natural motion with a trained ease. Camilo smiled wider and he caught a glimpse of the curl still present on his Tío’s lips, he was right again, his Tío really did have a good face for smiling. He let his mind wander away as he began kicking his legs about, trying to see if his toes could scrape the bottom of the table. He almost missed Bruno joining him at the table and extending a cup with tea like an olive branch across the table.
He reaches across, accepting the cup and lets his palms eat up all the heat the ceramic would spare as he watches Bruno's finders drum a song into his own cup. There is peace in the Madrigal house, With the candle burning brighter than ever, and the nocturnal animals singing a lullaby to the world. Camilo watched it all and listened like his sister taught him. Until Bruno sighed again, he seemed to do it alot, when thoughts seemed to fill his brain and wouldn't leave his mouth, so he just exhaled and let it start to simmer once more.
“If we’re both alone.., then are we alone?” Bruno asks.
“I don't think we’re alone Tío, too many things live for us to be alone, that’s what Lola says. She also says that big mice live in the walls.” Camilo scrunched up his face at the memory, he didn't like mice that much, and did not want them in his walls, what if they pooped. Bruno released a bit of a startled laugh, it was as silent and gentle as its owner Camilo decided, he liked it alot.
“ I am sure there are no big mice in the walls Sobrino ,” he said, taking a sip out of his cup.
“If we’re not alone.. Do you think .. maybe..” Camilo watched his Tío's face fold and bend in weird ways before he took a big breath of air and looked at him wide eyed, which Camilo instantly mirrored, why? He didn’t know, but they stared at each other for a while until Camilo finally blinked in defeat.
“How about this Milo” Bruno finally said, a smile seemingly laced into his voice. “ Every time we feel lonely we find each other?”
“So we can be lonely together?” Camilo gasped out
“Ye!” Bruno Beamed at him.
“ So we can never be lonely by ourselves ever again hm?” Bruno’s eyes crinkled when he really smiled, Camilo noticed then, and his teeth showed a little, and little Camilo smiled the same, maybe his teeth showed a bit more, but that’s okay. If he would look as bright as his Tío then he would smile just like him he decided.
“Promise?” Camilo looked deep into Bruno's eyes, sharing their light.
“Promise.” replied Bruno with a smile that filled the room with warmth.