Summary:

Bruno and Gabriela spend a sweet moment during the festival.

-o-o-

Written in Bruno's POV.

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

"Thanks for coming along with me," Gabriela says as we watch Isabela and Dolores play with the other kids. We're sitting by the fountain, taking a short break from walking around. People were staring at us earlier while we enjoyed the festivities, but I didn't mind.

It's hard to dampen the mood when you're in good company.

"Heh. I couldn't leave you alone with mi sobrinas, you know. They're a handful."

Gabriela smiles. "You seem close with your nieces, Bruno."

"Yeah, well, for starters, you can't deny that they're adorable. Plus, they like my stories."

"You're such a good Tío."

I feel a blush creep up on my cheeks. She laughs. "You know, it's been a while since we've last talked like this." I know the feeling. I've been trying to relive the memory every night hoping I'd get to see her in my dreams. It never happens though.

"Sorry. You know how busy I can get sometimes."

"Ay, tell that to Julián. He's been a bit sore since you keep ditching him."

I laugh. I can't imagine Julián being angry. He's too busy trying to romance the baker's daughter, and I doubt he'd want any tips from me. I don't tell Gabriela this though. I look over at her and catch her staring at me. "Hey, why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face? With the way you're looking at me, I'll start to melt."

Her eyes grow wide when she realizes I've caught her yet again. "Oh…um…I was thinking about how you look…nice. It's refreshing to see you not trying to hide in your ruana."

I scratch the back of my neck, a little embarrassed. "Oh. Um…Mamá did ask me to dress up a little bit more appropriate for the festivities."

Gabriela blushes and nods. "Of course." Silence.

After what seems like an eternity, I manage to find my voice. "Thanks…Gabriela." I take a deep breath. Here it goes. "You know, you look really nice too."

She chuckles. "You're just saying that."

"No, I mean it. You look beautiful."

We hear a gasp behind us. We turn around and see Dolores, her hands covering her mouth and eyes so wide. Miercoles.

"Oh, Dolores." I chuckle nervously. How much has she heard? "Where's Isa?"

She doesn't answer my question, instead of asking one of her own. "Tío Bruno, is Señorita Gabriela going to be our Tía?"

Gabriela and I look at each other, then back at the little girl in front of us who's starting to get excited at the prospect. We both get embarrassed and panic. "It-it's not like that, Dolores! I think your Tío was just…responding to my compliment!" Gabriela stammers, at the same time I nod furiously. Way to ruin the moment. "Uh…yes! Ay, mi pequeña ratoncita, what did I tell you about sneaking up on people?"

Dolores quickly scampers off. I give Gabriela an apologetic look and run after my eavesdropping niece. "Dolores, come back here!"

"Isa! Isa!" Dolores is screaming at the top of her lungs. People start to stare at us as I chase her. "I heard Tío say something to Señorita Gabriela!"

"Ay, Dolores," I manage to catch Dolores and tickle her so hard she starts to laugh-cry. "If you tell anyone, I won't get you sweets."

She shakes her head, still laughing. "No more, Tío! Sorry! I want sweets! I want sweets! I promise I won't tell!"

I stop tickling her and set her down. She's still shaking from laughter. I sigh. I hope Gabriela doesn't catch on to my secret crush on her. It's still too soon. "Come on. Let's go get your prima. We'll get whatever you both want."

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

"Thanks, Brunito. I hope Dolores wasn't a handful this time around?"

I shake my head at my sister. "No, she behaved well." Gabriela tries hard not to laugh. We managed to buy Dolores' silence with sweets, and in exchange, we also promised that we wouldn't tell her mother about her sneaking up on us from behind.

Ay, I swear this girl would be blessed with such good hearing from her constant eavesdropping.

Pepa eyes me and Gabriela, trying to detect a lie on our faces. She shrugs and buys our white lie. "Hm, that's good."

"So, are you guys enjoying the festival so far?" Félix asks everyone. Julieta grins. "As usual, Félix, you've outdone yourself."

"Of course! That's to be expected from mi amor." Pepa says proudly. Félix smirks and pulls her a little closer. "Ah, but Pepi, mi vida, wait till you see what I have planned for the finalé."

Gabriela laughs. "Óye, you two. Get a room." Pepa just rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out, and Gabriela gasps.

"Whatever Pepa." She shakes her head at my sister.

"I think we better get these Isa and Dolores home first before the finalé even starts, yes?" Agustín says to Félix. Isabela yawns in her Papá's arms. "The girls are all partied out."

"I think we should. Mamá's also keen to turn in for the night." Julieta chimes in. "Pepa, are you going to stay here a little bit longer?"

"Ay, don't worry. The whole Encanto would be able to see the finalé anywhere. I think what's important is that we get Mamá and the kids home." Félix assures everyone. "How about you, Bruno? Are you coming home with us?"

Everyone's staring at me. I turn to look at Gabriela. She shakes her head. "If you want to go home, Bruno, it's okay with me. I'll be fine." Her voice is soft while she's saying that, but her eyes are telling me something else, imploring me to stay.

The next words that come out of my mouth surprise everyone, including myself. "No, I don't think I've had enough of the festival yet. I'll stay with Gabriela."

Pepa gasps. "Who are you and what have you done to our Brunito?" She squishes my cheeks together, and I roll my eyes at her. My sister, ever so dramatic. "You don't have to worry about me, Pepi. Tell Mamá I'll be home much later."

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

"I didn't expect that you'd stay. I thought you didn't like being seen in public?" Gabriela asks me as we make our way through the crowd of people still enjoying the festivities. Most are a little too inebriated to even realize that I'm there, or they simply don't care. Which is fine, because I feel the same. It doesn't matter to me if they whisper behind my back, because what matters to me is the time I'm spending being with Gabriela.

"Eh, I think I can make an exception just for today. Besides, I don't want to spoil your fun. You seem to be having such a good time yourself."

She laughs. "I am. I'm glad I came today."

We stumble upon a band playing. Everyone's laughing, dancing to the music. We stand there, watching the crowd.

"Hey, Bruno?"

I turn to look at Gabriela. Her eyes are sparkling. "Do you want to dance with me?"

I'm always taken by surprise by her boldness, but it's one of the things I like about her. I hold out my hand. I don't dance in public, but this feels appropriate.

"Si, Señorita. Sería un honor tener este baile contigo."

She laughs at my theatrics but takes my hand. "¡Que Caballero!"

We twirl to the music. For a moment it felt like there is no one else but us, swaying to the rhythm. I whisper to her all of the best jokes I know, and she tries so hard not to laugh. The outside world blurs and all I can see is her.

If I'm dreaming, I don't want to wake up.

A loud noise brings us back to reality and we look up to see fireworks coloring the sky.

"Bruno?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for being here with me today." She smiles at me, our hands still entwined from dancing. I stare at her as she watches the fireworks, leaning against me. I wonder if she can hear my heart trying to escape from my ribcage.

It hits me. I recall the unwanted vision I had on the day we first met. It was all out of order, but there's no doubt about it. That vision was meant for me.

Fireworks. A lively band. Someone dancing, twirling in a beautiful dress. A smile.

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

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

Miercoles - Wednesday (In this context: Bruno changed the wording to make it sound a lot less vulgar in front of Dolores. He mumbles this under his breath.)
Mi pequeña ratoncita - my little mouse
Sería un honor tener este baile contigo - It would be an honor to have this dance with you
Que Caballero - What a gentleman