When he was a teen, Bruno discovered quite a useful perk to his gift. The first one that was actually beneficial to him. Unlike the other features of his foreseeing abilities, which made him generally disliked. By his family, his friends, and even total strangers.

The more he thought of it, the more Brunito was proud of himself. Proud to finally see an advantage to this miraculous curse, as he used to call it.

He remembered this day well. During a break, he was approached by Carlos – his once close friend, whom Bruno had recently caught laughing at him behind his back. Still too hurt to listen to the boy's excuses, the young Madrigal told the boy,

"I had a vision that we're going to break up soon. This surely won't work. I'm sorry. It's best we end it now."

Brunito didn't know it at the time, but this marked the birth of his new avoidant technique. Whenever his relationships – first platonic, then romantic – were becoming too uncomfortable, he would say something similar to what he'd once told Carlos so many years ago.

He didn't resort to this often. Only when the relationship was progressing too soon, not in the direction he wanted it to progress. Also, when he felt betrayed or backstabbed. And sometimes because the idea of being intimate with another person terrified him.

Because, hey, what if they didn't like what they saw? Not many people did, after all. What if they belittled him for not living up to their expectations? It was surely better to end the relationship on his own terms.

People's reactions differed but not that much.

"You're gonna break up with me? I don't wanna be friends with you anymore."

"I knew it! Whatever you predict ends up a total disaster. Screw you, Bruno."

"You mean I've just wasted my best months with you?! Gah, I hate you!"

Therefore, the next time his relationship developed too close for his personal comfort, he used his trusted phrase again. However, the reaction he received was like nothing he'd expected.

"Oh, I see… Well then, let's enjoy it while it lasts, shall we?"

Mirabel's cheerful words resonated in his ears.

Bruno blinked in confusion. What was his niece saying? How was such an answer even an option? Huh. He wouldn't have guessed… But wait, how was he going to dishearten her now?

His mind was going on full speed – until he noticed the soothing smile that Mirabel was giving him. The love and honesty that beamed from her face seemed to calm Bruno's unwanted, invasive thoughts. Her lips on his made him forget what he wanted to say.

When he felt her hand in his, the man couldn't help but smile back. He was still scared, sure – but at least he wasn't scared alone.

As they walked side-by-side, another thought occurred to him.

Maybe Mirabel's idea wasn't so bad, after all? Everything ended at one point, but this was no excuse not to cherish the moment. With another look into her eyes, he made up his mind.

If she truly wished to give them a chance, he wouldn't deny her that opportunity.