Indeed they did end up seeing more of Agustin.

When Julieta returned from her date she was one big wide smile. There was no need to ask how it had went. The evidence was all over Julieta's face.

And soon Agustin started to visit the casita, and even help around sometimes. Then eventually he was invited for family dinner and was more than eager to agree.

Bruno found himself honestly surprised… That he didn't mind Agustin coming to the casita. It was kind of weird. Normally Bruno wasn't really a fan of people who came to visit and intruded on his safe space in the house.

Agustin though as it turned out was very easygoing and acted genuine. He was a bit of a walking disaster just like Julieta had said. Giving even Bruno a run for his money when it came to tripping over… Everything.

But Agustin always got right back up with a big smile on his face and continued with whatever he was doing. Sometimes it was playing the piano. Agustin as it turned out. Was incredibly skilled at the piano.

As it turned out though… This wasn't news to Julieta or Pepa who informed Bruno that Agustin usually played the piano at any town parties, birthday parties, or holidays. And he would play at the local tavern every Friday and Saturday evening. It was his job.

Bruno had never gone there himself wanting to avoid townspeople. But Julieta and Pepa would sometimes go in the evening to hang out and drink when their mother wouldn't catch them.

All in all… Agustin did brighten up the casita with his visits. And he hadn't asked for any more prophecies after the one about him asking Julieta out. Finally, Bruno worked up the nerve to outright ask.

"You don't want a prophecy to see if your date tonight is going to be okay?" Bruno asked honestly curious.

And Agustin laughed. "Njah that's okay! I'll probably fall down from my chair. Or trip in a puddle. Or get stung by a bee. That's just what happens when it's me."

Bruno was not sure how to respond to that. He just looked just as stunned at the taller and slightly younger man.

"You know I'm playing at the tavern tonight. You should come." Agustin smiled at him. "I'll buy you a drink!"

"Yeah erhm… I'm not so sure that's such a good idea that I come." Bruno scratched his neck. "I don't want to ruin the evening for everybody else."

"Surely you must be joking!" Agustin said. "Julieta and Pepa are always saying they wish that you would come! It would make them so happy if you came."

"Oh." Bruno blinked. "Well erhm… I guess maybe." he hesitated. "I have to think about it." he then said.

Agustin exhaled a little exasperated. "Julieta keeps talking about how she wishes you would go out more you know."

"Riiight." Bruno sighed.

"Maybe we could sit down for a drink! Just us the guys!" Agustin grinned.

"Is this just what Julieta wants?" Bruno asked starting to get a little enjoyed.

Agustin blinked. "No… I just thought. Maybe we could be friends."

"If not for Julieta. Why would you want that?" Bruno asked. "You live in town. You know what they say. I'm bad luck!"

"Hah! Well I got plenty of bad luck on my own. So maybe we'll cancel each other out." Agustin smiled amused. Then his smile faltered. "Look… yes. You are one of the most important people in the world to Julieta! She adores you. And I want you to like me so she doesn't get mad at me." he admitted. "But also… You seem like a good guy," he said. "The times we have eaten dinner together here. It has been fun! And I think we could be good friends! And I hope we could be."

Bruno looked at Agustin. "Well…" he hesitated. "Look I'm sorry," he said. "It's just aside from my sisters I never really had… You know… Friends."

"Really?" Agustin. "But you're one of the Madrigals. Surely everyone wanted to be around you," he said.

"No not really," Bruno said. "The parents would always tell the children to stay clear of me."

"Ah." Agustin looked at Bruno. Then finally Agustin cleared his throat. "Come to the tavern tonight. I insist," he said. "Have you ever had a Refajo? You have to try it. It's great."

"I can't say I have," Bruno admitted.

"That settles it then!" Agustin stated. "I'll get you a refajo at the tavern! Tonight!"

And finally, Bruno couldn't find any way out as he exhaled deeply. "Okay then." and Agustin smiled.


That night Bruno approached the tavern and he sighed deeply as he tried to gather courage. He could hear the piano playing in there already and people chatting and he swallowed as he stood in front of the door. Sweating.

Well… If he just kept his head down maybe people wouldn't notice. And then finally Bruno bowed his head and opened the door to see a room full of chatting people and Agustin playing in the corner.

And no one really seemed to notice Bruno at all making Bruno exhale relieved as he glanced over the tables to see if he could find his sisters.

And finally found a collection of red curls easily recognizable in the midst of all the dark hair all around the place. And she was not alone. Black curls were with her. His sisters were sitting together at a table drinking a few drinks together with…. A couple of other young people.

Bruno closed his eyes…. Of course. They went here to hang out and have fun. This had been a mistake… He should leave… yeah. Just leave. And Bruno was just about to turn around to leave as suddenly a big scream followed by a gust of wind came.

"BRUNOOOOO!" Bruno's eyes widened as a whirlwind of a yellow dress and red curls ran straight for him and then just hugged him.

"WOAH!" Bruno fell down with his sister right on top of him. "Pepa!" he gasped.

"Oh my god, I can't believe you're here! You never come here!" Pepa gasped not moving away from Bruno's body.

Wide-eyed Bruno looked up at his sister. "Well…. Agustin invited me," he admitted then glanced up at Julieta who was standing above them.

And Julieta smiled warmly. "Did he really?" she asked and then send loving eyes at the man at the piano.

"You gotta meet everyone! Come on! Come on!" Pepa beamed as she stood up and pulled Bruno with her. And then put him down at the table.

Only for all of their friends to wide-eyed look at Bruno in stunned silence… They were not the only ones. The entire tavern seemed to have gone quiet as they looked at Bruno.

"Erhm… Hehe." Bruno laughed nervously. "Hi." he waved.

"HEY! Matilda!" Agustin suddenly shouted from the Piano. "A refajo for my compadre Bruno. Put it on my tab Por favor." he asked. "And for the next number. A Classico!" he beamed and started to play again and that finally made people turn away from Bruno as they returned to their chatter and Bruno exhaled deeply as he sank down in his seat and knocked three times under the table. As quietly as he possibly could so no one would notice. Soon after a drink was placed in front of him.

The other young people at the table soon started to smile and talk again too… Not with Bruno though. They just ignored him to talk with each other instead and Bruno was left sipping on his straw in an odd solitude at the table where people were talking right above his head…. And Bruno started to honestly wish he hadn't come. And then of course… His eyes flashed green. "Agustin is going to fall down from his chair," he said.

And then… Agustin fell down from his chair in a surprised yelp.

A dark-haired girl glared at Bruno making Bruno's eyes widen… yup… he had just fucked up. Now, these people thought Bruno had been the one making it happen.

A second after though Agustin laughed loudly as he jumped right back up. "Well I guess that's that from me tonight then!" he laughed and everyone did the same amused as Agustin headed right to their table just as all of Julieta and Pepa's friends left.

"Bruno! You came!" Agustin beamed.

"Erhm… Yeah." Bruno said. "And I predicted that you would fall down… Sorry."

At that Agustin laughed. "I always fall!" he admitted. "Isn't that right Julieta?"

"How do you always manage to fall down your Piano bench anyway?" Julieta asked amused as she pulled out a cookie from her bag and handed it over.

Agustin shrugged. "The floor isn't entirely straight."

"Heh." Bruno smiled amused taking another sip of his drink while Agustin waved the waiter over to order a drink for himself and a refill for Bruno and then… As the evening went on. Bruno actually started to relax and then started to talk.

Their table was ignored by the others but all in all. This was actually a pretty good time and as they walked him. Bruno and Agustin had their arms slung around each other's shoulders as they slurred.

"You know… I really thought… You didn't like me" Agustin blurted. "And that would be soooo bad."

"Don't tell me you were scared of me," Bruno said.

"Of course I was!" Agustin said. "Julieta is just all like… Bruno is so fun. Bruno is always there for me. Bruno is aaaaalways ready to help. How am I supposed to compete with that huh?" he asked. "I ask if I can help and it's just like… No! Bruno said he would… Bruno is so amazing! I can't live up to that! So I am so glad. Soooo glad that you! You are a good dude." he said.

"You're a good dude," Bruno replied in an equal slur.

"So let's be good dudes together!" Agustin said.

"YEAH!" Bruno yelled just as his eyes shined green. "Oh no." he groaned.

"What is it?" Agustin asked.

"Mama is going to be maaaaaad." Bruno said as they stepped through the gates to the casita.

And there was one Alma Madrigal standing in the door. Her eyes widened at their clearly beyond drunk state and then she shouted. "BRUNITO MADRIGAL!"


The next morning. Bruno and Agustin were laying on the couch. Both having a brutal hangover while watching a Telenovela.

"I really should have seen this one coming," Bruno commented as he groaned.

"Yeah… Me too." Agustin sighed deeply.

"Oh! Watch this!" Bruno pointed at the screen. "This twist is incredible!"

And Agustin nodded as his eyes were glued to the television just as Julieta came in carrying a tray with coffee and biscuits. "Having fun?" she asked.

"Sssssh!" Was the immediate reply from both men.

Julieta halted and then she smiled amused. Not saying another word as she put down the tray on the coffee table so they could pour for themselves. Then kissed Agustin on the cheek before she left. In a way that almost looked like a thanks. If not for her kiss. Her eyes looked beyond grateful.