Work Text:
Hey!
Bruno Madrigal was back. That was the talk of the town. And while some of the younger people didn't really remember him, a LOT of the elders did. None seemed quite happy with the news, but Señora Madrigal had welcomed him with open arms, so... The town did too.
Golden, golden, golden
As I open my eyes
Bruno was... An anxious person, to say the least. Anyone could see how he acted. Anyone could see how frail he seemed within. Most of the elders wanted nothing to do with him, so they generally ignored him. The worst Bruno would receive was a glare or scoff, which usually didn't help his nervous shakes.
Hold it, focus, hoping
Take me back to the light
But with every new generation came new ideals, new empathy, new minds to find solutions to ancient issues.
I know you were way too bright for me
I'm hopeless, broken
A few younger people in the village, some never having had the pleasure of meeting Bruno, figured out pretty quickly that he was different from the rest of the elders. Bruno was gentler, his words softer, his eyes kinder. It was obvious to some of the younger people that he had, at one point, shouldered the weight of the world.
So you wait for me in the sky
Browns my skin just right
It came to pass one day that a small group of twenty- to thirty-somethings grabbed him up and included him in their plans.
You're so golden
You're so golden
There seemed to be a 'leader' of sorts, a person with wild hair and deep brown eyes, and a smile so wide it might've split their face.
I'm out of my head
And I know that you're scared
Because hearts get broken
They were the one to take Bruno's thin hands and lead him outwards the forest, an unspoken promise sparkling in their gaze.
I don't wanna be alone
I don't wanna be alone
Bruno was terrified. He was overwhelmed. He didn't know these people, only seen them around the village once or twice before. But... He glanced backwards over his shoulder, towards Casita, and split-second decided he'd rather be kidnapped by a bunch of youngsters than stick around his family's coddling all day.
When it ends
Don't wanna let you know
I don't wanna be alone
He was brought somewhere in the forest, a good distance away from the tiny town, before the group stopped. They all seemed excited, buzzing with a kind of pent-up, secret-y energy.
But I, I can feel it take a hold (I can feel it take a hold)
I can feel you take control (I can feel you take control)
Of who I am and all I've ever known
The person who was guiding him still had his hands in theirs, so they turned him around before shoving him through a wall of brush and weeds.
Loving you's the antidote
Golden
There, a high waterfall surrounded by gorgeous flora poured into a crystalline pond, the sun glinting off the water like shimmering jewels.
You're so golden
I don't wanna be alone
Bruno stared at the scene before him, entranced. He felt something swell within him.
You're so golden
You're so golden
The group was suddenly rushing past him, tearing off their outermost layers before jumping into the water. They all whooped and hollered, one girl screeching about the temperature. Bruno took a few steps forward, thinking that he wanted to join them. But... He wasn't sure if he'd be all that welcome.
I'm out of my head
And I know that you're scared
Because hearts get broken
The lovely person from before came up beside him, wrapping their arm around his, and as if sensing his hesitation, lead him purposefully over to the pond's edge.
I know that you're scared
Because I'm so open
The younger folks cajoled and teased light-heartedly, splashing Bruno with chilly water, and before he could think twice, he tossed his ruana to the side and kicked his sandals away from him. As he plunged into the depths of the pond, he could vaguely hear everyone cheering him on.
You're so golden
I don't wanna be alone
When Bruno resurfaced, he found himself in the midst of an all-out splash war, and he didn't even try to stop himself from joining in.
You're so golden
The group was kind to him, and anything they said was good-natured and funny.
You're so golden
He discovered he really liked them all. Perhaps he could see them again.
You're so golden
He knew in the back of his mind that he couldn't always do this, just up and leave town and do what he wanted without so much as a whispered word for Dolores to hear.
I'm out of my head
And I know that you're scared
Because hearts get broken
But sometimes, he supposed, it wouldn't be so bad to do just that.