AN: Hello and welcome to my newest fic :) I have absolutely fallen in love with Encanto (specifically the character of Bruno) and decided to try my hand at writing something for the fandom. I do not know any Spanish, any that is mentioned in this fic is taken from google translate so I apologize if I've gotten anything wrong. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this short prologue and the first chapter should be up relatively soon.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Bruno sat alone at his makeshift table, a few rats scurrying about his feet as he watched his familia sit down for dinner. It had been years since he'd last joined them in person, years since he had chosen to leave but not leave. Even now, after so long, he sometimes had to remind himself why he was doing this. Why he'd chosen to live in self-imposed exile. It was times like these where he wished he could tear down the wall separating him from his family, to hug them close and never let go. Then, he saw the look on Mirabel's face when his mamá turned her back on the child once more and his resolve settled back in his heart with startling clarity. This is why he'd given up his former life... to protect is sobrina. The world can be cruel, especially to those it doesn't understand. Better for him to suffer rather than the young girl who had her whole life ahead of her.
Taking a deep breath, Bruno tuned back into his family. Yes, he mainly left to protect Mirabel but that doesn't mean he cares any less for the rest of them. His hermanas, cuñados, and other sobrinas and sobrinos were just as important to him. Even his mother, with all her flaws, held a special place in his heart. Now, as he watched from beyond the walls of Casita, he could tell that no one was happy. There was far too much pressure on everyone's shoulders. Put there not just by his mother, but by the people of the Encanto who rely on the family Madrigal for nearly every aspect of their lives. He hadn't noticed how bad it was back when he'd lived amongst them in the light. Now that he resided in the shadows, he'd been given a new outlook on life. He watched as his family stretched themselves to the breaking point and beyond and still, the citizens were never satisfied. It was these people, along with his mamá's beliefs, that were running his family into the ground and he would not stand for it any longer.
Something had to change but he didn't know how to initiate such a thing, after all, he was living with the rats in the walls. He couldn't risk exposing himself, even if he wanted to. The vision he'd had the night of Mirabel's ceremony always lurking at the back of his mind, ready to remind him what would happen if he were to be discovered. No, there had to be a way to help without letting the others know he was here. It was bad enough that Dolores knew (it had taken days to convince the girl not to reveal his location). Glancing around his room, his eyes fell on the pile of paper he used when writing scripts for the rat telenovelas he'd begun to perform and a smile lit up his face.
'That could work,' He thought to himself, 'after all, a few words of encouragement can go a long way.'
Bruno knew how true that is, being it was something he'd wished for many times throughout his life and never got. If he could give others what he'd been denied, if he could help lighten their spirits even just the smallest bit, then all his suffering would have been worth it. With determination shining in his eyes, Bruno pulled a piece of paper towards himself and began to write.
You are more than just your gift...
AN: I think this is the shortest prologue I've ever written XD Hope you liked it.
