Chapter Text
It had been a couple of days since Casita had been repaired and their gifts restored. Camilo was still trying to get used to the layout of his room.
After spending months sharing a room with his familia it was a bit odd to be back in his brightly coloured room, with the draping tapestries and looming mirrors.
He missed it. The quaint little room, simple and cosy and with no mirrors in sight. He missed being kissed goodnight by his mama, hearing the soft snores of his papa as he drifted to sleep.
He even missed Dolores elbowing him every night claiming that he 'took up too much of the bed hermano'.
But it couldn't last. Just like that his magic was back and the Madrigals were back to lending their services to the wayward villagers of Encanto. And even though Abuela had assured the family that things were going to change and that their gifts weren't going to define them anymore, Camilo couldn't help but think it was too good to be true. He remembers his Gift ceremony like it was yesterday. He remembers the proud smiles of his mami and papi. The light in Abuela's eyes as she had smiled at him.
Will you use your Gift to support our Encanto. Will you serve this community and strengthen our home?
A young Camilo was bouncing excitedly on the balls of his feet as his Abuelita held the candle out towards him. He gave a quick sideways glance at his mama and papa who were both smiling proudly to the side before nodding enthusiastically. He battled with himself to keep quiet, childlike wonder filling his eyes as he approached his door.
This was it. He was finally going to get a gift as great as his hermana’s. He'd be able to go out with the rest of the family and help the villagers just like a proper Madrigal should.
But the villagers didn't want Camilo.
Camilo had spent all of the next day helping out in Casita, shifting to be exactly what his familia needed him to be. Then he would put his skills and free time to good use, entertaining the villagers.
Abuela had been so happy back then.
She would smile at young Camilo and congratulate him for being so useful to the Encanto.
Your gift will be used to bring joy to the village and to help those around you mi nieto.
And he did.
Everyday Camilo would use his gift more and more. Shifting into a plethora of different people making even more people happy.
It was tiring. Camilo couldn't remember ever eating so much in his life, but with the physical toll his gift took on his body it soon became normal for him to pile his plate high and even try to sneak seconds when his papi wasn't looking.
Over the next few weeks Camilo was finding it harder to stay as himself. Everyone wanted something and after his prima's failed gift ceremony it was becoming harder and harder to please his Abuela.
Camilo you have to stop playing around. You have a duty to the Encanto. You are not a child anymore mijo. I do not want you to end up like your Tio Bruno, I will not have another...
Alma had looked down at her grandson, his eyes big and round as he looked up at his Abuela. She had sighed and looked so tired in that moment that Camilo dared not argue.
What followed tore his little heart to pieces and quite literally defined the rest of his life.
I cannot let you hurt our Encanto mijo. I cannot lose any more of mi familia...
She sighed again, tucking a stray strand of hair back into her trese.
Now go see if your mama and papa need help then go make your errands in the village.
Camilo had nodded.
Where he had been helping out before, Camilo doubled his efforts. It hurt every time his mami or papi said they needed a Juan or Luisa, or Isabela. It seemed they needed everyone except for him.
Dolores got so busy she had no time for him. It seemed everyone in his family were moving on with their gifts while he was stuck playing the same character. Or multiple characters in his case.
That was how Camilo came to realise at that young age that he wasn't good enough. His gift made it abundantly clear. After the first few weeks of excitement and amazement had worn off he came to the realisation that the most special part of him was his ability to not be himself.
Nobody wanted Camilo. They wanted José or Julio or Manuela. Someone taller, slimmer, better.
He didn't mind of course.
He had to be useful.
And he could only do that by being someone else.