Summary:

Bruno and Gabriela finally get to know each other without any interference from family. He doesn't expect what happens next.

-o-o-

Written in Bruno's POV.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

I sigh a breath of relief as I leave the nursery. That took longer than I expected. The moonlight sheds a little bit of light as I make my way down the stairs to meet up with the rest of my family and our guests. I can hear music and some laughter coming from the living room. They seem to be enjoying themselves.

As I cross the courtyard to go to the other side of the house, someone grabs me from behind and covers my mouth to shush me. I yelp in surprise, my voice muffled behind their hand. My eyes start to adjust to the dim light and I see…Gabriela.

"Do not try to make a scene. I just have some questions for you." She says as she removes her hand from my mouth. Santa mierda, what was that? I blush so hard that I start to think she could see it, even if we're in the dark.

"Uh…sure, what is it, Señorita?" I ask, fidgeting with the edge of my ruana. I hope it's not about yesterday.

"How are you walking around without a ton of bruises and a cut on your head?" She eyes me, moving a little closer, maybe too close. "I mean, I'd like to apologize for…you know, inflicting them on you. You caught me off guard."

I laugh nervously. "Ah, no! No, I understand the reaction yesterday. I had also said some pretty stupid things. Lo siento, Señorita. I mean, if I were you I would have done the same thing to myself."

She smirks. "No need to be so polite, Señor Madrigal." I make a face at her. "I get it. I won't call you so formally. Please don't call me Señor Madrigal, it sounds as if you're talking to my Papá."

She laughs. "I'm just joking. We're around the same age, so I think it's okay for us to be informal with each other since we're now properly introduced by your Mamá."

I scratch my head. "Sorry about that. I hope my family didn't make you feel uncomfortable."

"Hm? Not really. I mean, to be fair, I wanted to strangle my hermanito to death for throwing me under the bus like that, but you don't have to worry since I'm not interested in anyone at this time." Her voice falters. "I'm…it's…very complicated. I'm pretty sure you're plenty nice though, despite our awkward meeting yesterday."

I wince, the memory of my embarrassment replaying in my mind. "I'm very sorry for that."

"Yeah, well, you haven't answered my earlier question. You took quite a fall."

I blink at her. "Didn't mi Mamá or Julieta tell you about our gifts earlier?" She shakes her head. "I don't think they did. I was too busy enjoying your sisters and their significant others teasing you to bits." I cover my face with my hands, a groan escaping me. She giggles. "Julieta did mention your house is magical though when we first got here, and I did notice Pepa had a rainbow above her head when she got excited."

"Ah, well, that has something to do with the candle over there." I point my lips over to the direction of Mamá's windowsill, and Gabriela's gaze follows. "It's a magical candle whose flames never go out."

"Wow, really? Have you tried blowing it out though?"

I laugh and Gabriela puts a finger to her lips. I try to stay quiet and whisper. "Sorry, sorry. Yes, I've tried, back when my sisters and I were ten. Pepa dared me to do it."

"How was it?" I blow a raspberry and make a thumbs down. "Didn't work. I almost lost consciousness trying."

"So how does the candle over there connect to you having…gifts?"

"Ah, well, you see, that candle is a family…and the entire Encanto's…miracle. I don't know how it exactly works, but when we were five, my sisters and I were blessed with special gifts, each unique to us three. Julieta's the oldest triplet, used to mothering Pepa and me, so she has the gift of healing anyone with food. Pepa's the middle child…if you could call it that…and has always been so emotional and loved attention, so she can control the weather based on whatever she's feeling at the moment. When she gets excited, she shoots rainbows."

Understanding flickers on Gabriela's face. "I was wondering why the weather here was so odd. It's all Pepa's doing, huh?"

"Eh, most of the time it is. I may have played some part because I like to annoy her a whole lot. The weather was much worse when we were younger, but it's better now, thanks in part to Félix. That man is completely unfazed by her storms."

We look at each other. She's trying to suppress another giggle. "I could completely see that. He adores her. And you, Bruno, what's your gift?"

"Eh…well, it's nothing special…" I begin, but she stops me. "I'm genuinely curious. Tell me."

I don't know if it's the way she says it that boosts my confidence, but I end up telling her. "Well, Gabriela, I…can…see the future."

Her face softens. "Oh, that's interesting. I didn't expect that. It must be hard for you when you get visions of something you don't want to see. I bet it's much worse when it's about someone else."

My heart skips a beat. "Yeah. People ask me for visions all the time but they never thank me for it. It's indeed difficult. How'd you guess?" She shrugs. "Well, let's just say I know the feeling."

I stare at her, wondering what she meant by that statement. "Um, I think I better get back. I'll see you there in a bit?" Gabriela turns and waves at me. "It was nice talking to you, Bruno. And again, I'm so sorry about yesterday. I'm glad Julieta fixed you up."

I stand there, frozen, my heart in my throat as I watch her leave.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Brunito, so nice of you to finally join us," Mamá says to me as I enter the room. I look at everyone apologetically. "Lo siento, looks like I've missed quite a lot. The girls wouldn't let me go until I told them a bedtime story. Took me a while to come up with something they wanted."

"No, not at all!" Félix grins as I take a seat. "You're just in time for the grand finalé."

"What grand finalé–" Agustín begins before Félix shakes his hand, signaling 'no' at him. Agustín shuts his mouth. "Anyway, as I was saying, since we have a family of musicians here, I'd like to ask if Señor Mauricio and Señora Elena can perform a song for us?"

Everyone looks at the two older Álvarezes. "I'm not sure…" Señora Elena begins, hesitant, but her husband takes her hand. "For old times sake, mi amor? What do you think? I think we owe this much to the Madrigals for a very lovely evening."

"I haven't heard you sing, Mamá," Julián says, urging his mother to go for it. Señora Elena looks over to Mamá, who nods in approval. "Si, the Madrigals would be very honored to hear La Encantadora Mirabella sing."

Señora Elena smiles and relents. "Alright. Mauricio, let's play our favorite."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Everybody's holding their breath as Señor Mauricio picks up the tiple and begins to play. He plays a very playful tune, and Señora Elena begins to sing.

Sin saber que existías, te deseaba

Antes de conocerte te adiviné

Señor Mauricio sings along with his wife, their voices perfectly complementing each other.

Llegaste en el momento en que te esperaba

No hubo sorpresa alguna cuando te hallé

As they continue their song, I glance over at Gabriela. She's staring at her parents, her mouth slightly open in wonder at hearing them sing.

El día en que te cruzaste

Por mi camino

Tuve el presentimiento de algo fatal

Something stirs in me. She looks over in my direction and our eyes meet.

Esos ojos, me dije

Son mi destino

She smiles before turning back her attention towards the song, swaying to the music. My heart's pounding so much it's a miracle they don't hear it. Que carajo.

Y esos brazos morenos son mi dogal

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):

Santa mierda- Holy shit
Hermanito- little brother

The following are the lyrics of Presentimiento by Trío Los Panchos
Sin saber que existías, te deseaba - Without knowing that you existed, I wanted you
Antes de conocerte te adiviné - Before I met you I guessed you
Llegaste en el momento en que te esperaba- You arrived at the time I was waiting for you
No hubo sorpresa alguna cuando te hallé- There was no surprise when I found you
El día en que te cruzaste- The day you crossed
Por mi camino- on my way
Tuve el presentimiento de algo fatal- I had a premonition of something fatal
Esos ojos, me dije- Those eyes, I told myself
Son mi destino- are my destiny
Y esos brazos morenos son mi dogal- And those brown arms are my noose