Chapter Text
Chapter I: Bruno Madrigal vs the forces of Socializing.
"Pero mamá, Pepa can go pick up Antonio from school herself!" Bruno Madrigal whined as his mother dragged him from his little writing corner in Casita Madrigal. He put his feet down, trying to stop his mother but it was unsucessful, nothing beats a Mother's firm decision, he even lost one of his sandalias in his efforts!
"I know Brunito, but you haven't been out of Casita since Mirabel and Camilo went to buy groceries. And you went because they tricked you into going to that shop where you buy your notebooks!"- Alma insisted holding his by his ruana as if he were 5. Casitas' tiles at Bruno's feet started moving making his efforts impossible.-"Gracias Casita"-Alma smiled, as Casita saluted.
Bruno groaned as he lost his other shoe and heard the door open for them.
"At least they made good on their promise and I could buy a new notebook for my next novela"- Bruno smiled, his nephews where great kids...
"Brunito, THAT WAS A MONTH AGO! You are going out sí o sí."
The man groaned as his mother embarrasingly pushed him out of the house, he pouted looking at Alma but peace was never an option.
"Don't make puppy eyes at me Bruno Madrigal, I swear for el milagro you are going out willingly or else-"
"OkAY-okay!" Bruno got up, dusting his new green ruana -Courtesy of his sobrina Mirabel, she said he needed a new one, she was right.-" I'm going for Antonio! But-" Alma shoot him a look that made Bruno put down the finger he always held up when about to rant. Mother's glares were scary. He swallowed and fixed himself, his naked toes touching the rocks that made the pavement towards Casa Madrigal.
"At least give me back my shoes!!"- He yelled as his mother walked in about to close the door, Casita's tiles sent his shoes his way, almost hiting him in the face.-"CASITA!" -The brown haired man said, evading being hit. -" YOU ALMOST HIT ME!"
The windows moved in an apologetic motion, Bruno sighed as he sliped them back on his feet anf hummed looking at the town.
What a great start of the day.
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"Adios Señorita!"
"Hasta mañana, Profe (y/n)!"
"¡Hasta luego,niños! Remember to bring some object important for you tomorrow! We'll keep talking about emotional intelligence!"- You smiled as the kids joined their families waving back at them.-"ByeBye!"- You smiled as the last child left, You moved your shoulders back hearing a satisfiying crack and moved inside the classroom to pick up your stuff, seeing Antonio Madrigal sitting still in his seat.
"Oh Toño, your grandma hasn't come yet? She's never one to be late..."- You said as you moved closer towards the little Madrigal.
" I think today mamá and abuela wanted my tio Bruno to pick me up"- Antonio smiled purely, you smiled back and sat in the chair in front of his desk.
" Oh, is that your tio who helped to write the story of the Snake and the rat? It was a lovely story of friendship."
"Yep!! He likes to write a lot!! He sometimes reads them to us too! His rats love performing them too"- Antonio said animatedly.
" Oh that sounds so cool!! I wish I could attend one performance!"- You smiled at him, petting his curly black hair, making him giggle.
"I'll ask mamà and Abuela if you can come to dinner one day!!"- Antonio smiled, rising from his seat excitedly, making you chuckle.
" Ay, Toño there is no need-"
" But they're really really good!!! And you're my favorite teacher!"- The child smiled wider, jumping slighty in his seat in excitement- " And I can show you all the cool animals that live with me! You've never meet Parce! He will love to give you a ride! And-And Tia Julietas' food is the best ever!!" -The boy rambled excited as you nodded enthusiascally, his happiness was really contagious.
"Fine, fine! BUT only if your family agrees."- you bit your lip in worry-" Besides I've just met your grandma, and your family is really important for the town and I've never met them ugh-"You facepalmed in shame. You definitedly needed to bring gifts if they agreed to invite you to dinner, it was the polite thing to do!
A toucan flied inside the classroom, sitting in Antonio's shoulder.
"Aha..Aha-aha! Tio Bruno is outside! He's just too shy to enter! I should go"- The child excitedly picked his bag and looked at his friend- Has he brought José & Fernando?- The toucan nodded and Antonio's smile brightened.
You got up from the chair and fixed your blouse and skirt. I was the third Madrigal you were gonna meet and you wanted to look presentable.
"I'll walk you out, Antonio! I can't wait to meet the mysterious writer of the family!- You smiled at the child, pushing some stray hairs away from your face and holding your hand out which Antonio took imediatedly.-" By the way, who are José and Fernando?"- You asked as you two walked outside
" Two of his best Rats!"
"OH!"
Just outside the school Bruno was trying to gain the courage to enter the big house.
"C'mon Bruno! You can do this! Remember what Juan de Dios did when he had to dance in front of the whole town to prove to Maria Jose he was the one she danced with at the town's masquerade!!!"- The man keep talking to himself, walking in circles in front of the entrance. " You can do this!! Remember what Antonio David did for Juanita-" Suddenly he felt something tackle his legs- "AAAH!"-He yelled in fright until he looked down to see his sobrino looking at him with a bright happy smile that he couldn't help but return.- "Hola Toñito, you gave me quite the fright you know?" Bruno smiled as he brushed back Antonio's curls and gave him an soft paternal kiss on the forehead.
"Sorry Tio Bruno!"-The youngest Madrigal smiled innocently.
"It's okay, just warn your tio next time, vale? C'mon, we have to go home, your mother probably will start thundering in worry if we are too late."- Bruno smiled, relieved he didn't met anyone on the way here. If Lady luck was smiling at him he didn't wanna risk it.
"But Tio! I wanted you to meet my teacher! Señorita (y/n)!!" Antonio said pointing at you, who was standing a few feet away with a little sweet smile on your lips. Bruno jumped as his eyes connected with yours.
"Hola Señor Madrigal"- You politedly said, nodding at him in respect.-" It's a pleasure to meet you."
Bruno felt weird, was it him or had gravity dissapeared?? He really felt as if he was floating, your bright eyes had made his breath stop and his heart start hammering like crazy. You were so pretty...He had never seen you before...Did you knew about him? He hoped not-He felt like your smile had stole his heart-and he wasn't sure if he wanted it back- and your pressence made him feel like floating. Was this love? Love at first sight? He had writen about it but never experienced it... It was a weird experience for sure, and also could the butterflies in his stomach just stop for a second? He couldn't think!!
Antonio, seeing how his uncle had freezed in place, looking at his favorite teacher with his eyes big as saucers and sparkling tugged at his ruana to snap him out of this trance he was in.
Bruno felt Antonio's little tugs and snapped back to Earth, his cheeks darkened and burned, he pleaded to god he was not blushing.
"I-It is?"- He asked dumbly making the younger Madrigal tug his ruana again- " I mean-Of course it is-No wait that came out way to wrong! What I meant to say was-Hola...?"-He said-more like asked- lookig up at you with the biggest most beautiful eyes you had seen, making you blush slighty and smile back.
"Hola, Señor Madrigal-"
"BRUNO!"-He yelled, making you jump a little and look at him with big eyes before smiling again, brighter than before.
"Hola Bruno, my name is (y/n), I'm Antonio's teacher."- You smiled as Bruno's blush spread down his neck and ears.-"It's really a pleasure to meet the writer of the family! I told Antonio his story was just plain lovely! It even made me tear up a little bit!" You chuckled as Antonio puffed up slighty by the praise.
Bruno looked at you in pure confusion, that was all you knew about him?! THAT WAS PERFECT! WAIT-HAD ANTONIO TOLD YOU ABOUT HIS TELENOVELAS?!
"H-Hola Señorita (y/n)-"
" Oh please, (Y/n) is fine!"-Bruno swallowed the big lump in his throat and smiled shyly.
"Hola (y/n), I-it's really a pleasure to meet you" He stended his hand to shake yours, on cue you took his hand-He hoped he wasn't TOO sweaty- As your hands touched he felt an electric shook go though his whole body. From head to toe.-" I've never seen you around before...are you new?"- He tried to fish for information, maybe you were new and didn't know about his old bad reputation!
"Yes, I moved here a few years ago. It's such a lovely town, I just fell in love with it." You brushed a hair out of your face making Bruno blush harder, you were so nice, he felt as if your hand just fit like a puzzle on his and your eyes made him sweat-woah was it warm here right? it wasn't just him...right?-
"NEAT! I MEan"-He coughed on his free hand, still shaking yours." I'm glad you find our town so lovely, it's not as lovely as you but-he suddenly slapped his hand on his mouth, blushing harder- He hoped he didn't passed out, please god!-
You blushed brighter and giggled shyly-"Thank you, you do have beautiful eyes, I must admit."-Bruno looked at you like a deer in highlights, he was cute you weren't one to deny facts.
Suddenly two rats ran from under his ruana and up towards your shoulder, Bruno let out a yelp, trying to catch them fearing your reaction. But it was to late, as he let your hand go both rats where on your shoulder, he closed his eyes hard waiting for your screams of horror...
But they never came.
"Oh! I guess you're José and Fernando! Antonio told me about you two!"-You smiled at the two rats as they nuzzled your cheeks and you let out a giggle,- Aw, I think you're cuties too, boys-You smiled while petting one you looked at Bruno, seing him eyes closed tight and hands on his ears. You looked at Antonio who just looked as confused as you. "Bruno? Are you okay?"- You asked, touching his shoulder.
He opened one eye, seeing a blurry figure-who he guessed was you- and wait were you touching his shoulder- "You're not...afraid? disgusted?"- He asked in disbelief as he coughed and stood back up, trying to look confident although his eyes betrayed him.
"Afraid? Of these cuties? No! Absolutely not!"- You smiled reasuringly, making Bruno give you a small smile in return.-Besides, I've heard they are great actors!-You smiled at the two rats that ran back to your hands, wanting pets from you.-" I hope I can see you two perform one day!"- Bruno looked at you in awe, then looked at Antonio who smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
"I-I...I would love to show you one of my stories"-Bruno brushed his messy curls in embarrasment looking down. His gaze flew back to you and he couldn't help but smile a bit seeing your starry eyed look.
"I'd love that!"
Bruno did a little victory dance in his head, had god finally heard his prayers? Was it because today he woke up and put the right foot down first?? He didn't know but he hoped it never stopped.
"Yeah! That's why I invited her to have dinner at Casita!!! So she can meet mami and papi as well as the others! And try Tia's cooking too! And see your performances tio!!"- Antonio interrupted, smiling bright as the sun.
Bruno felt his breath stop at his throat. Oh my God. Oh my God. ¡OH SANTA MARIA MADRE DE DIOOOOOOS!
"Antonio! I told you that I would go only if your grandma and family don't mind"- You reminded the younger Madrigal.
He needed to pick his best story, and should he look for a better outfit? nono that would make everyone suspicious and his sobrinos were amazing but also amazingly nosy.
"I'D LOVE IF YOU CAME FOR DINNER!"- He yelled abruptly, surprising you and making Antonio look at you with a "Look!-it's-fine!" look.
You blushed and looked at the rats on your hands who looked at you expentantly.
"Okay...Okay I accept the invitation" -You blushed looking at both Madrigals.-"But everyone has to agree as well! I don't want to impose!"
"YAY!"-Antonio cheered and Bruno high-fived him when you were looking at Juán and Fernando.
"Now, You two better go back with Bruno or I'm afraid I'll end up adopting you two!" You smiled at the rats, petting them as they let out soft happy squeaks.They crawled from your hand to Bruno's shoulder and under his Ruana. Both of you shared direct eye contact and you couldn't help but giggle as he looked down and blushed smiling.
"You like rats too?" Bruno asked shyly as he fixed his ruana.
"Yeah... I love animals really"-You smile fidgeting with your skirt.-"Since I was little honestly, they are my soft-spot"
"That's great, me too..."-Bruno smiled dumbly and as Antonio saw that clouds began to look darker he took his tio's hand. Bruno looked at his nephew and then at the clouds.- "Oh shoot- We have to go or my sister is gonna get very mad..." Bruno said soflty, truly he didn't want to go. he wanted to sit with you in a quiet place and keep talking with you... maybe telling you about his new idea for a story! But he didn't want his family to worry about Antonio and him.
But there was hope, he was gonna see you again in a family dinner and that gave him plenty of time to pick his best story, his best clothes...should he get a haircut?? He would ask Mirabel about that, he really wanted to impress you.
You looked up at the clouds and frowned-" Yeah, it looks like it's going to storm soon. You both should get home safe! I don't want either of you catching a cold because I held you both for too long!"- You worried, pulling Antonio's pañuelo so it covered his neck and he wouldn't get cold, then you fiddled with Bruno's ruana making sure it was snugly against his body so he woul'd get cold either.- Now sho!sho! You both have to get home safe!!- You smiled as Antonio waved and ran, pulling his dumbstruck tio along with him.
"See you tomorrow, Toñito!! Hope to see you soon too Bruno!!"- You smiled waving goodbye.
"Bye Señorita (y/n)!!"-Antonio waved.
"B-Bye!" -Bruno said as he stumbled on a rock but keep running, looking at you dreamily.
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"OH TOÑITO I WAS SO WORRIED"-Pepa said hugging Antonio as cloud rained on both of them.
"Pepi, amor, you're getting the both of you wet!"-Felix said, shooing the cloud away from his wife and son.
"We were just 5 minutes late, mami!"-Antonio comforted his mom, higging her back.-" Besides, Tio Bruno invited Señorita (y/n) for dinner!!!"- Antonio said enthusiastic.
" W-Wha- Antonio!"- Bruno said, blushing hard.-"You invited her first!"
"Is...Are you blushing Brunito?"-Pepa asked, the cloud dissipating entirely and a rainbow appearing. "Did you ask Toñito's teacher..for dinner?"- Pepa asked, a big devilish smile on her freckled face.
"I-I-yes, I asked her- but- It was Antonio's idea I swear!!"- Bruno said, ears and cheeks bright red, hidding his face under his green ruana.-"But yes..I did invite..her"-Bruno blushed harder.
Pepa gasped in happiness and as if being summomoned by a call-probably Dolores had told everyone by then what he just admited- all the family looked from the second floor, with big grins.
"BRUNITO IS GETTING OLD JULIETA!! OUR HERMANITO PEQUEÑO HAS A GIRLFRIIIIEENNNNDD!!!!!"- Pepa yelled at Julieta who also gasped and smiled bright.
"S-SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND! I JUST MET HER!!!"- Bruno defended, to no avail as his sister were already planning his wedding,probably.
Alma smiled-"Ah yes, la señorita (y/n) is very sweet and has been of great help since she joined the community."
"MAMÁ APPROVES!!!"-Pepa and Julieta Gushed.
"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!" -Bruno said blushing fiercely but whispering under his breath -"yet"
"HUM!"-Dolores looked at her Tio with big eyes and Bruno saw how she whispered to Mirabel, Isabela and Camilo. They suddenly turned to him, big grins on their faces.
Bruno felt cold sweat run along his back.
"Bye"
Was the last thing the male said before booking it to his room, his sobrinos hot on his tail.
As Bruno closed his door and sat on the floor, he remembered your warm,kind eyes and that beautiful radiant smile you gave him and his rats.
"She's the one, guys"- He whispered to José and Fernando that peeked from under his ruana.
Today was a GREAT day in Bruno's humble opinion.