Y'all ever seen that meme where it's like:

"Call an ambulance"

*Pulls out gun*

"But not for me."

Enjoy~

Bruno wandered through the streets of Encanto, trying to find something to do. Originally, he and Julieta had plans to go grocery shopping, but their mother needed her help with some men who'd been injured in a mining accident. Pepa and Félix were on a date, and while Félix had invited him, he didn't want to intrude. Or watch them.

The pair never stopped. Constantly touching, kissing, giggling. It weirded him out.

He could stop by the theater. He heard whispers around town of a new play being performed. The writer, one of the teachers from his school, told him to come by one night so he could try out for a part. He wanted to. He really did. The appealing idea of being someone you're not. Even if it was just pretend.

His sisters had encouraged him. Telling him he should give it a try. But, between his duties at home and to the village, he hardly had the time that would be needed to devote himself to a role. If he even received one.

What if he could though? As they'd gotten older, their mother gave them more freedoms. Mostly because she grew tired of the constant bickering between the trio. Not that he was complaining. Any freedoms were better than none.

So, he changed his course, making his way to the theater.

"I said I'm sorry!"

Bruno was pulled from his thoughts as he heard someone yell out. Looking around, he tried to find out where the noise was coming from. He spotted them instantly. Five boys stood in a circle. He recognized their faces from school, but couldn't place their names. Then the seer noticed a younger boy, being pushed around within the circle.

"You better be sorry!"

Bruno hated bullying.

He and his sister were constantly targeted throughout their first years of receiving their gifts. Even though they had proven themselves more than enough, most of the kids still avoided them or talked about them. Granted, as they grew older, more and more of the kids started to understand, but there were still a fair number that didn't like the Madrigals.

The boy yelled again, begging the teens to stop.

He should do something.

He knew he needed to help the boy, he just had to figure out how.

What would Pepa do?

Fight them, obviously. She would walk right up to the leader and punch him. But that wasn't him. He wasn't a fighter, or violent in any way. But... Maybe he didn't have to be. All he had to do was pretend. Act the part of the savior. That's it. If he managed to convince them, then maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't get beat up.

"Hey! What's going on?"

The boys didn't even bother to look at him. Instead, they continued on, pushing the kid in the circle. "Go away, Fish Killer. This doesn't involve you."

"You picking on some little kid does."

The boys moved out of the way as one of them gave the younger boy a final push, knocking him to his hands and knees in front of Bruno. The oldest one took his place in front of his friends. "Check it out, chicos. Little Brunito thinks he can pick a fight with us."

No. That was not what he thought at all. He couldn't fight a wet paper bag. But this wasn't about him. It was about the boy they were bullying.

"Hey, you okay?" Bruno said as he knelt down, offering a hand to the crying boy. Helping him to his feet, he put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, giving him a kind smile. "What's your name?"

"Christian." The boy sniffed, wiping some tears from his cheeks.

"Everything's going to be okay now." The youngest triplet assured as he gently pushed the boy behind him. Turning his attention back to the others, he fixed them with the best glare he could muster.

Be the hero.

The leader of the group came forward, snatching the front of Bruno's green poncho in his hands. "You can talk as tough as you want. By the end of this you'll be crying for your sister's food."

He struggled to remain calm. He needed to stay in character. If he didn't? Well, it wouldn't end well for either him or Christian. All he had to do was think. To figure a way out of this situation.

He doubted talking to them would do anything at this point. Or… Maybe if he bought enough time someone would see them. Hopefully before he got beaten to a pulp.

Lady luck shined down on him. His bravado restored itself as he noticed the pair that silently approached the group. "Oh, we're going to need Julieta's arepas alright." Bruno said with a wide smile as the leader raised his fist into the air. "But not for me."

Thunder roared behind him, shaking the ground. The boy turned around and paled.

Pepa stood behind them. A large angry thundercloud hung above her head. Félix was beside her, completely oblivious to the possible danger. Instead, he just stared at her dreamily.

"I- uh." The boy released Bruno, holding his hands up quickly. He straightened Bruno's poncho, hoping to appease the thundering girl. "We didn't mean anything buy it. We were just messing around. Right, hombres?"

"Y-yeah."

"Scram." Lightning flashed above her. Immediately, the boys scattered.

You see, Pepa gained a new reputation over the years. After meeting Félix, she became more comfortable. The confidence he gave her helped with her with her ever growing power and abilities. Somewhere along the way, she took up the role of protector. For the most part, everyone knew better than to mess with anyone she held close. Every now and then someone would forget, or try testing the waters to see what they could get away with, but Pepa gladly reminded them of the dangers they faced.

"You look very beautiful when you're threatening someone, amor." Félix took his girlfriend's hand. He walked his fingers up her arm, pulling her close as he did. The thundercloud instantly disappeared, replaced with a large rainbow. Leaning down, she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Bruno made a gagging noise. He was happy for the pair, he really was. But sometimes, they were just so... affectionate. "You should have just let them beat me up. At least I wouldn't have to see that."

Pepa rolled her eyes as she leaned into Félix, who held her waist, keeping her close. "Don't be so dramatic."

"How did you know I was in trouble, anyway?"

"Oh, I didn't. It was a complete accident." Pepa explained. "We were walking down the alleyway and Félix seen you were in trouble."

He had to admit, Félix had good timing. "Gracias, Félix."

"No thanks needed. Getting to see my Pepi use her powers is all the gratitude I need." Félix said as he wiggled his eyebrows at the redhead.

Bruno turned to Christian. "Please, knock me out. I can't deal with them anymore."

"I- Uh." Christian's eyes grew wide, unsure what he should do. He'd heard the rumors from the older kids. The Madrigals were mean and horrible people. Bruno brought nothing but bad luck. Pepa destroyed everything at the drop of a hat.

But he just didn't see it. Bruno stood up for him. He saved him, or at least tried. They weren't the scary monsters he had been told. They were just normal kids, like him.

"He's joking." Pepa laughed at the boy's wide eyes.

"I'm not." Christian laughed as Pepa punched her brother in the arm. "Ouch! Pep, that's gonna leave a bruise."

"Anyway, we're heading to the baseball field. Diego and the guys wanted to play a few rounds before it gets too dark. We could use a couple more players. Do you two want to join?"

Bruno shrugged. He doubted that he would be able to make it to the theater by now. Not to mention, he actually enjoyed playing games with Félix's friends. "As long as you two actually play this time and don't make mushy eyes at each other."

Pepa laughed. "You're just mad that you lost."

"Whatever."