A/N: What's up, everybody! Paul Crew here again with another Encanto writing challenge for you. This idea has been floating around in my mind for a little while and I figured that I'd share it with y'all.
The story idea is a "What if?/AU" - where Mirabel is the Eldest child of the Madrigals. Like in canon, she doesn't receive a gift, but still retains her loving & caring personality; so much so, her sisters and cousins look up to her as a mother and Mirabel herself sees them as her own kids as well. As an older sibling myself, I can see them as being Mirabel's lifeline for not giving up on herself and life in general.
In this universe: Mirabel is 25, Dolores is 18, Camlio is 17, Isabela is 16, Luisa is 15 and Antonio is 5. Mirabel also owns an embroidery shop in the village as well as her own little house not far from the Encanto. Her house also serves as an escape from the emotional/mental abuse caused by her grandmother; she'll sometimes let her siblings and cousins chill there from time to time.
The main plot of this story is this: After seeing how Alma has treated Mirabel over the years, the younger Madrigals stand up for their "Mami" and declare that - If Alma and their parents don't start treating Mirabel better, they'll leave Casita and not help the village at all. Alma calls their bluff, so the kids move out in the middle of the night and move into Mirabel's house.
While living at Mirabel's, the kids experience freedom for the first time in a long time - meanwhile the village devolving into chaos, the Older Madrigals are working way harder then ever and Casita's candle is melting, however, a new candle starts burning bright at Mirabel's house and the tiles start fluttering.
A/N: Originally, I was going to write a "Older Sibling Mirabel" one-shot - where Mirabel (age 10) comforts her baby sisters, Isabela and Luisa, during a storm and sings to them, but sadly, I don't have the time anymore. Well, that's about it, y'all. I'm looking forward to seeing what you guys write. ;)