Chapter Text
“Eh?” You ask, looking up from the rocks in your arms, and Bruno pauses.
He has your full attention now, and in the fashion of how you heard of him, the older man struggles at your gaze.
Bruno looks a bit wrecked, to say it nicely, he was always so skittish, but you found that charming of him. Everyone has their quirks, but his were just special, in a way. You even found yourself knocking on wood at times, or taking a pinch of salt and tossing it over your shoulder, and got in the habit of holding your breath while you quickly raced over the small bridge from the Madrigal house and into the village.
Truth be told, you had no idea how you wormed your way into the heart of the beloved family of Encanto, maybe you just looked like a kicked puppy and the cousins couldn’t help but want to spoil you with friendliness. They were sweet, their parents even better, and you were blessed with the best food they could give you.
Finally, you dropped off the gravel near the back of Castia, Isabel having asked for your help to make her garden look even more beautiful. Vines instantly wrapped around them and they were swept away without another glance.
“You can ask me, whatever you need to ask, Bruno.” You poked, hands on your hips and looking back to the man.
He still hadn’t spoken, seeming to wrack his brain over the words of what to say to you. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence, it seemed he had trouble speaking to most people outside of the family, even when you had been invited in so nicely.
You didn’t blame him, he needed his time, and you were more than understanding.
“S.. Salt..” Bruno drew out the words, almost like he was tasting them, “I mean– Would, uh, would you help..”
“I can run and get some bags of salt. Julieta needs things, too, actually.” He reminded you of the list she gave you earlier, “I wouldn’t mind at all to help, Bruno. I’m grateful to even be asked to help.”
The words seemed to stun him, making his shoulders stiff up in what could be described as a shrug, but it was more taunt. He looked as though you were some alien from another planet, large eyes staring right through you.
“Really?” He asked, head tilt and eyebrows knitted together.
You giggled, “I get wonderful friends, a second family, and all the free food I could ask for. Of course I’d like to help!”
Saying that, you knew you meant it.
Though, you were ever curious why Bruno came to ask you, of all people. It had been months since the rebuild of the beloved Castia, and you haven’t so much as spoken a real conversation to the seer. He wasn’t rude of course, greeting you back when you said hello, or meeting your wave with awkward enthusiasm.
“Did you want to come with me?” You asked, now, being a bit more daring.
Bruno’s body shot inward for a moment, and seeing him cringe, you had to hold back laughter. It looked like he just bit down into a lemon, rine and all, and his tongue darted out between his lips to wet the dry skin.
But it surprised you when he nodded.
“Yes. I’d like to.. help, too.” He said, voice becoming more indignant, and you could see the scowl he had while trying to fight off the bad thoughts that went through that man's head.
“Perfect. Vamos!” You lead with your head, hinting towards the back doors.
He followed without another word as you headed inside, Castia springing into life again and tossing open the closet door. It happily sprung along the tiles and rolled out your bag, before flipping it into the air. You caught it, and felt accomplishment while securing it over your shoulder.
“We’ll be back soon, Julieta!” You called out, passing the archway of the kitchen.
“We?” The woman’s voice rang sweetly.
Her soft steps echoed out into the main room of the house, glancing just around the corner of the wall. She stopped entirely, seeing her brother next to you, hopping from one foot to another. A sort of recognition ran across her face, and the soft, loving smile you grew to adore shined brightly against her red cheeks.
You were lost at the look, but it was towards Bruno, you must have guessed.
“Be safe, but por favor, apresúrense a volver! I’m already starting dinner.” Julieta hummed in her sweet way, before disappearing once again.
“Sí, sí.” Bruno mumbled to himself, more than to his sister.
He knocked on the wood frame of the door as you two left, and you absent mindlessly followed suit with your own rhythm. Bruno caught it, and looked at you with surprised eyes, but you paid no mind while walking down the path that stretched in front of you two.
It seemed to have caught him off guard in the same sense when you held your breath and sped walked over the bridge, the same as he’s done what must have been a million times. You wondered if it was weird, picking up on his tics and following suit with them, but you had done it with other family members, too.
Julieta’s worrying at her apron came with you worrying your ruana at stressful news. Camilo’s loud yips of surprise matched with your own, now. Even Isabel’s twirling of her hair grew on you.
At the market, you were on the hunt to get exactly what Julieta wanted. She told you it was fine if you couldn’t find everything, but you were determined to make her proud. Though, as time went on, the last item was escaping your grasp.
Lulo was such a popular fruit, and came in abundance, but you couldn’t find it anywhere. This had to be the universe trying to spite you, and you were sure of it. You grumbled and pinched the paper between your fingers.
“What's wrong?” Bruno’s voice caught your ears, making you turn.
You watched as he dragged over two bags of salt on a small wagon that must have been from the vendor, and it made you smile a little, but it quickly fell with a sigh from your chest.
“I’m trying to find lulo for Julieta, but I haven’t seen one person selling the fruit– Which is weird, right? It’s popular!” You groaned, running a hand down your face for dramatics.
His eyes were scanning you intently once you peeked back at the man, staying in silence. He glanced away once again meeting your gaze, and a blush perked at Bruno’s ears. You tried to apologize, but he waved his hand quickly before you got the chance.
He started off on a one track journey, slipping around the crowds with styled ease. You followed him, eyebrows knitting as vendors became more sparse, but it wasn’t long till you wandered into view of a few lonely fruit stands.
“Bruno!” An elderly woman’s voice called out, clapping her hands.
The man before you relaxed his shoulders so drastically, you wondered if she had the gift of healing words.
Her hands found Bruno’s cheeks, squishing them as he spoke, “Hola, señora.” His voice was suddenly like honey.
“It’s so good to see you, mijo,” She practically sang, fingers gracefully falling down his cheeks, “I’ve saved you some wonderful picks from my stock! Please, choose what you want.”
With that, she brought up a wooden basket that held all kinds of fruit. You couldn’t name all of them, that's for sure, but you saw what you had been trying to hunt down for a good hour now. Bruno glanced back at you, and you met his stare with your eyes sparkling, and he quickly drew forward and held onto each side of the container.
“I’ll take it all off your hands, por favor.” Bruno said with a wide smile.
He swiftly brought that box down and placed it on the wagon, before digging in his pockets and placing the payment onto the counter.
The woman beamed so lovingly, softly grabbing Bruno’s hands in her own.
“Gracias, Bruno. Your patronage is a light to my business.” She said with her whole heart, and it sounded so sweet.
“Debería dar las gracias, señora,” Bruno’s laugh was gentle as he spoke, “Have a wonderful night.”
He slipped away from the woman, and you walked at his side with a small wave to the elder. You were hopping in your step, happy to cross everything and more off the list.
“How do you know her?” You asked Bruno, finally, stuffing the piece of paper back into your bag with the rest of the shopping.
Bruno hummed for a long moment, thinking, “I met her when I was younger, she would give me free fruit as a treat after a long day. It really helped keep my mood up.”
It seemed to say that even now, Bruno walked more proud, braver than he had been from a few minutes ago. She worked her magic like the rest of the family did, and you are definitely going to stop by her shop next time you come looking for fruit.
The same expression from earlier crossed the seer’s face as you fast paced your way over the bridge once more, cheeks puffed out in haltered breath. He did the same, and smiled once you both made it to the end.
After getting home, and the groceries put away, Julieta wrapped you up in her signature mom hug that you cherished, thanking you high and low for getting everything she needed, and when you insisted that Bruno helped you immensely with the fruit, she trapped him in the same type of embrace.
At dinner, Bruno even built up the courage to sit next to you, shy smile and cheeks red while you ate.
Camilo told his usual jokes, Mirabel exclaiming her excitement at all the new yarn she got along with the request she got from the villagers to fix their clothes. Her delight washed over you, leaving you bouncing your leg to contain your energy.
A hand slipped over your knee, stilling your movement, and you turned to the man. He was trailing his eyes on you again, until he was actually looking at you. His green eyes shined in the dusk light, and you couldn’t stop the dopey smile falling over your lips, it was even better when he matched it with his own.
Giggling fell over the table and all was brought to a full stop. Isabel was whispering something into Mirabel’s ear, and you raised a brow as they both looked at you, then away again, continuing as if nothing happened.
Dinner was over hours ago, and you lay spread out on the couch, flipping through the pages of a book you long since forgot the plot of. Words were starting to flip and twirl in your tired vision, but as you closed the novel, a slight movement caught your eye.
“Huh?” You sat up, staring at the figure.
Bruno stepped out into the soft light, twirling his fingers anxiously in the strings of his rauna. You would’ve done the same, if yours wasn’t thrown across the back of the couch in favor of pajamas that the family let you borrow from time to time.
“Oh, Bruno. It’s nice to see you,” You grinned, placing the book off to the side on the arm of the sofa, “Again, I mean.”
He chuckled, so tenderly that you relaxed fully. You leaned back into the cushions, shifting your legs so that your feet were on the floor as he wandered cautiously up to you.
“Uh– Can.. Can I sit with you, for a little bit?” Bruno asked, voice so quiet, but caring.
“Of course, is something up?” Asking, you tilt your head slightly, “Oh, and thank you again, for helping me find the fruit. I wouldn’t have ever gone that far..”
Bruno had slipped on the couch right next to you, his thigh touching yours. You looked at his leg brushing yours, his hand coming into vision and shakily grabbing at your knee, just the same as from dinner.
Raising your head again, his look was intense, eyes practically shimmering that beautiful green you’ve grown accustomed to relating to him.
He looked determined, and as his free hand slipped over your cheek, you leaned into the touch automatically. The man was so warm, and it melted all the anxiety your brain had been building up out of nowhere.
Then, he bowed his head forward, catching your lips in his own.
The kiss was slow, but full of such affection, and you didn’t stop yourself from giving all of that back. You wrapped your fingers around the wrist of his hand that was holding your face, and tangled the other in his beautiful locks of hair. Your fingers pressed into the back of his scalp, and he sighed against your mouth.
His hands wandered and pulled at your middle, pressing into you perfectly. Your arms now hang loosely around his neck, digits rubbing at the side of his neck and making him squirm in his spot.
After pulling back from you, Bruno carefully lolled his head till your foreheads touched.
Opening your eyes, he gazed back, mouth half agape in panting breaths.
“I like you.” He muttered, regaining his breathing and dipping down for another kiss.
Faintly, you tasted something citrusy on his tongue, a faint memory of those sweet lulos’.