Chapter Text
Bruno stared tensely at the door of the nursery with a heavyweight that settled in his thundering heart and he could feel the anxiety pump in his veins but action had to be taken. Sooner, rather than later and though he could feel the regret in his lungs, the little girl inside needed this way out.
He knew she’d love her family unconditionally. He knew she’d be forgiving too for all of what was to come but…no child deserved to grow up being shamed for their gift like he had, nor shamed for not having one at all. He hadn’t been able to stop Mama from seeing the vision of the cracked Casita, hadn’t been able but watched as the few months after Mirabel’s ceremony as she was pushed more to the background despite the little girl’s fire to remain and her efforts. Lost favour with Abuela. Her sister kept her to an arm’s length. Luisa’s time was thin that she simply didn’t have the time.
He had heard her crying and talking to Casita, asking for a door… asking her mother to fix her in case she was sick and that was that she didn’t get a gift.
It was far enough now. He didn’t need his gift to see that this wouldn’t change.
His bag was heavy, filled with food for the journey, all the money he had found, and his clothes. Right now, it’d be so easy to pack her things and take Mirabel and be gone long before morning and before they’d be found. He knew with the horse he had…technical stolen that they wouldn’t have to worry about being too slow either.
Julieta would kill him if he ever came back. He could handle Pepa and he could handle Mama but… Julieta had a different rage that he had only ever seen once. The rage of the kind souls were never to be tested.
Under his arm, he carried his latest vision. One that he felt would secure his decision that this was the best course of action; one that horrified even him but he hadn’t been able to look at it without feeling nauseous.
For Mirabel’s sake, he had to do this to avoid that.
He turned from the door, moving down, passing Pepa’s door and his mother’s before he stopped to the last: Julieta’s door.
He knocked once, rested the urge to do it four more times, his thoughts just repeating ‘knock-on wood’, his fingers twitched but held back, letting out a breath as the door opened suddenly.
Julieta was dressed down, looking mildly dishevelled and most likely was about to go to sleep.
Her eyes widened as she saw him before pulling in in concern, as she noticed his bag and thicker ruana.
“Bruno, what’s wrong?”
He looked past her shoulder, noting her husband was fast asleep before he nodded her out.
“All I have is bad news.” He admitted anxiously, though her eyes followed down to the glass.
“What did you see?” she reached for it but he caught her wrist.
“I… I’m leaving. Tonight.” Bruno spoke, “I… I think that…for Mirabel’s sake, she comes with me”
“You want to take…” Julieta repeated, “Bruno…” her tone warmed up dangerously, “you better not be serious.”
Bruno felt the guilt twist in his gut shying away from her beginning blaze but it only took her pulling his vison from his hand for it all to melt away into a silent horror.
And older Mirabel was curled up, arms wrapped around something bundled in blankets but the image was of a frozen second. Her face was screwed up, hunched over the blankets but in the background gave clear context; the walls of casita cracked and falling and crumbled and above was the still-falling remains of his tower; its clear path was directly down straight onto her.
Julieta’s face drained of all colour
“Dios…” she looked faint but her eyes welled with tears. “mi hija.”
Bruno reached forwards, his hand coming to her shoulder, “I...have enough money to get us settled… there are plenty of villages outside Encanto… She’ll be happy.” He promised. “She’d not happy here, la Hermana. She’ll never be enough for mama’s expectations, no matter how hard she tries. I know that experience.”
Julieta’s breath still raged but she took a sharp breath. “Take her.” Her voice caught, looking down to the tablet with regretful eyes that almost changed his decision but she pushed past him swiftly, heading towards the nursery.
He followed, watching as she grabbed a bag and began to grab a handful of Mirabel’s clothes, her toys, Casita’s titles giggling sadly as she packed up her daughter’s starter sowing kits and then lastly, the family photograph off the side.
Bruno took it wordlessly as she bend down, coaxing her youngest up.
“Mami?” Her words slurred with tiredness.
“Mi hija,” Julieta kissed her cheek softly, “come on, get dressed.”
“Why? Mirabel’s confusion lingered as her mother helped her into a skirt over her pjs, and a coat, Casita’s floor rattled her shoes to her feet.
“Tio Bruno’s had a vision. One that shows you in danger and you need to be safe.”
“What about you, Mami?”
“We’ll be strong. I love you so very much.” She kissed her daughter's face over, putting on her glasses. “The idea of you being safe is all that I need to know.”
“What about Isa and Luisa?”
“They’ll be strong with us. But don’t worry, we’ll think of you every day and when your Tio Bruno brings you back, it’ll be with open arms.”
Bruno’s heart tugged pulled as Julieta walked them down towards the doors. Mirabel’s still sleepy but complied.
“Am I leaving because I don’t have a gift?”
“Oh no, sweetie. You’re special with or without one.”
Bruno clicked his tongue, his hand coming to pull the stolen horse’s lead and attached their belongings onto the saddle, before Mira was lifted up, Julieta whispering into her daughter’s ear before reluctantly pulling back, the vision he had given her still tucked under her arm.
But they knew why; a bad thing for a good cause. Mirabel needed this. The hardest decision Julieta would very have to make but… anything to avoid that future, they’d take it. Never seeing Mirabel or waiting for decades was better than pulling her out of rubble.
What Julieta would say to her husband, to her other two children, he didn’t know nor did he want to. Mirabel though waved as they departed and promised to write letters that they’d never get, he only turned back once before the trees observed their past.