Chapter Text
Bruno had always been good at watching from the sidelines. It was a skill he’d perfected over years of hiding in the walls, listening but never interfering. Old habits died hard, even now that he was officially back in the family.
But if he’d learned anything from those years of silence, it was how to notice things other people didn’t.
Like the way Mirabel seemed to be everywhere all at once. Isabela needed someone to vent to about some comment Alma made? Who else would offer to listen and give advice if not Mirabel! Luisa needed someone to take up some of her chores? Mirabel was the first and last person to volunteer, of course. Alma needed help emptying out some of Pedro’s old things? Camilo needed help planning 6th Antonio’s birthday party? Dolores needed a new dress?
You guessed it.
Mirabel’s smile always stayed bright, and she seemed to have endless energy, always going from one family member to the other, helping out, solving their problems, being “the miracle of the family”. But…Bruno couldn’t help but notice how her hands were shaking more than usual, how eye-bags were starting to underline her usually bright brown eyes, how her smiles were a bit more wan.
And the way nobody else seemed to notice.
Which was why Bruno found himself standing in front of Mirabel’s door, his knuckles rapping against the wood before he could second-guess himself.
“Come in!” Mirabel’s voice called, muffled but cheerful. Always cheerful.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside, finding her hunched over her sewing table, hands tangled in threads and fabric like she was trying to wrestle them into submission.
“Uh, hey, Mira,” Bruno greeted, rocking nervously on his heels. “Busy?”
“Always,” she replied with a wry grin, not even glancing up. “What’s up, Tío?”
“I...I need to talk to you,” he said, wringing his hands. “About...well, you .”
That got her attention. She lifted her head, one eyebrow arched in curiosity. “Me? Did I break something without knowing it? Wait, did I insult a rat or something?! I was just making random rat sounds yesterday, I didn’t know they meant anything!”
Bruno couldn’t help but chuckle. “No, no. Nothing like that. It’s just... you’ve been running yourself ragged lately. Helping everyone, fixing everything, making sure everyone’s happy. ”
“Uh, yeah? That’s kinda my thing,” Mirabel shrugged, and it made Bruno’s heart clench.
“Yeah, well, maybe it shouldn’t be.” His voice was firmer than he intended, and Mirabel blinked in surprise. “I mean, it’s great that you care so much, but it’s like you’re giving and giving and not...you know, letting anyone give back.”
Mirabel blinked, her eyes darting away. “I’m fine, Tío. Really. Just…trying to be useful, you know? I may not have a gift gift, but my thing’s helping everyone.”
Bruno’s chest tightened. “You are useful. You don’t have to prove it by wearing yourself down to nothing.”
“I’m not wearing myself down,” she protested, but her voice was weak. “It’s just...there’s so much to do, you know? Everyone’s trying so hard, and I want to help. I need to help.”
“Well, too bad,” Bruno said, crossing his arms in the most authoritative gesture he could muster. “Because this week? I’m helping you. ”
Mirabel’s brow furrowed. “What?”
“You heard me. You’re always doing stuff for everyone else. So, this week, you’re not doing anything. I’m taking care of you. ”
She stared at him, open-mouthed, like he’d just declared he was moving to Mars. “But-”
“Nope. No arguments.” Bruno shook his head so fiercely his curls flopped around his face. “I’m serious, Mira. You deserve a break. And if I have to follow you around creepily to make sure you take one, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Her lips twitched, amusement warring with disbelief. “So...you? Taking care of me?”
“I know, scary thought, right?” Bruno joked, scratching the back of his neck. “But, uh, I mean it. You’ve done so much for everyone else. Let me do something for you.”
Mirabel hesitated, her fingers tracing invisible patterns along her table. “I don’t...I don’t really know how to just...not do things.”
“Lucky for you, I’m an expert at doing nothing,” Bruno said with a smug smirk which really wasn't warranted for what he actually said. “So, how about this? You let me handle things for a while. And in exchange, you get to relax. Take a break. Maybe even get some time to yourself.”
Mirabel eyed him with the kind of suspicion she usually reserved for Camilo. “You’re serious.”
“As serious as I ever get,” he replied. “Which...okay, isn’t very, but you get the point.”
A tiny, reluctant smile crept onto Mirabel’s face. “Alright, Bruno. I’ll give it a try. But only because you look like you’ll start crying if I say no.”
“Good enough for me!” Bruno said, clapping his hands together. “Now, uh...wanna start by taking a walk? Away from all that sewing stuff?”
Mirabel sighed, her smile growing just a bit warmer. “Yeah. That sounds...nice.”
She untangled her hands from the colourful threads, stretching them over her head and groaning, straightening out her back.
Bruno held out his hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, Mirabel took it.
He was already planning a dozen ways to make her week easier. And maybe - just maybe - she’d finally understand that she didn’t have to carry the whole world on her shoulders.
Because this time, she had him.
And black sheep stick together.