Chapter Text
Some things to know:
- Brook still has his sick-ass clock designs because I decided he won. Fuck canon I like his old design alongside not feeling stressed
- Not that this au would stress me out in that regard anyway because I decided to let them be happy and not have to go to hell
- They get to keep their powers tho
- I cut chase out because…i’m sorry I don't have a good reason other than ‘brain/muse/whatever said no’ and I take what writing motivation I can get so if brain says I can write if Chase isn’t in it then I guess that scarlet is going to have to deal
- Sorry scarlet but I don’t have enough brain cells
– - –
Surprisingly, Scarlet woke up first. She looked around, saw the room she was in, and panicked. This was not the room she’d gone to bed in. Next to her was Brook, still asleep. She leaned over and shook him slightly harder than was necessary.
“Wake the fuck up!” she hissed. “I don’t know where we are but this isn’t where we went to bed and I don’t see Chase anywhere!” Brook groaned before processing Scarlet's words and shooting bolt upright.
“What?” He hissed back.
“Look around!” He did.
“Shit.”
“Yep.”
“Ah good. You’re up.” said a new voice. The pair whipped around, shooting to their feet. Pink and black energy was already beginning to swirl around Brook's fists while red and black energy began to form a scythe in Scarlet's hands.
“Who are you and what do you want?” Brook demanded, looking around to see more people gathering the doorway.
“We don’t want anything. We found you passed out in front of our house. As for who we are, we are the Madrigal family. You can call me Alma, and these are my children and grandchildren.” She gestured behind her.
“Do you work for the Red Spades?” Scarlet asked, gaze sharp.
“Who? I’m the only one in the family who’s been outside our home in this valley and I’ve never heard of them.” Scarlet looked at Brook, who nodded and relaxed slightly.
“I think she’s telling the truth.” He didn’t dismiss his demon though.
“If you’re from outside then how do you have gifts?” Asked a little kid. Brook gave a humorless laugh.
“These powers aren’t a gift.”
“Wait,” Scarlet interrupted. “Are you implying that you guys have some kind of-of superpowers?”
“We call them gifts, but yes. Abuela and Mirabel are the only ones in our family who don’t have gifts.”
“How do you have these…gifts?” Scarlet asked, voice only losing a small amount of its bite.
“That is not a happy tale, but I suppose from your reactions to waking up that you have not had happy lives. Sit down, and I will explain.” Alma said, gesturing at the bed. She turned to her family. “You all can go if you wish. I’ll ask Casita to get you if they decide to share.”
– - –
After Alma had explained her story (and introduced her family, their powers, and the sentient house) she asked,
“Do you two feel like sharing now?”
“No, but my name is Scarlet.”
“And I’m Brook.”
“Wonderful. Now, why don’t you two go back to bed? It’s late, and we can talk and figure everything else out over breakfast.” The reaper duo shared a panicked look.
“What time is it?” Scarlet asked, nerves clear on her face and in her voice. In response, the house brought a clock into the room right as it ticked over to show 12:00. The pair tensed, and then looked around.
“Wait. How do we still have our…powers if-” Brook cut Scarlet off.
“Worry about that in the morning.”