The sound of the river was like music to their ears. Both made haste to cross the water, thanking the animals that stayed behind to finish their task. In silence, they walked back to the Madrigals who greeted them with smiles of relief.

- Safe and sound. As promised. - Said Faustine a few steps behind.

Faustine smiled at the scene… only if her family was this warm in the past. Only if her brother didn't try to kill her, maybe she could experience that. With tears in her eyes, Faustine turned around, ready to leave the family. Camillo noticed the archeologist leaving and Dolores heard her sniffling.

- where are you going? - asked Camilo.

- I… - She cleared her throat. - I need to go… I can't stay in Encanto. - She said, drying her tears.

- Corazón. - Bruno called. - What are you saying?

- I just killed my brother… What if someone else dies because of me? I love Encanto, that is why I am leaving… to keep you all safe. - She said crying.

- Yeah… no, mi vida. I don't know a lot of killers, but I don't think that they cry as much as you have cried in the past few days. - He held her tightly. - And after all the preparations you made, I hardly believe that you really want to leave. - Bruno said, trying to sound strong.

Alma held Faustine. She understood her pain. It wasn't only for her brother. She knew she was in pain for feeling betrayed by her own family and the thought of leaving Bruno behind. Neither of them wanted to be apart. Like her and her Pedro. Casita closed its doors and windows, as if trying to embrace the crying archeologist.

- I've seen killers. And they don't cry. They rejoice, they go after the weak until there is no one left. Like your brother would do to us. That is why Encanto exists. To protect and to heal.

- But- - Faustine kept crying, hands over her eyes.

- There are men my age that had to fight to bring us here. To help us escape the war. They had taken lives as well. I cannot judge, you fought for us like we did many years ago. You are still welcome.

- I need some time alone. I'll be by the river.

Bruno took away the backpack and Faustine left after Antonio gave her his stuffed jaguar, leaving the clairvoyant to tell all what he had seen while he was out. And so he did, hour after hour, lunch and dinner, Bruno told stories of what he had seen, heard and eaten. All the places he went and all the Telenovelas he watched… and what had happened in the whole situation of Faustine's brother.

All Madrigals saw that he had changed a little. He looked and sounded more confident of himself. He was more joyful, only occasionally worrying about Faustine. Dolores could hear her cry by the riverbank, as she said she would be.

Bruno sat all night by the balcony, waiting for her to come back while the others slept. He had changed back to his normal clothes, to occupy him to make time pass faster. However, only at dawn, he saw her walking towards the house, head low. He ran to meet her halfway, tightly embracing her.

- Corazón….

- I'll get better… I am getting better… - she held him. - Maybe… I just need one of your sister's arepas. I have a really nasty headache. - Faustine said, drying a few more rouge tears with the back of her hand. - I promise I'll go home to let you rest.

- Querída. Don't worry about it. Why don't you stay here for the night?

Bruno kissed her softly, taking her hand to bring her back inside. The Madrigals greeted her in silence and Faustine returned Antonio's toy. After breakfast and one or two arepas, she was feeling better. A day of hard labor was all she needed for a good night's sleep.

Days passed, as promised she was getting better, her cheerful and daredevil self were coming back. Bruno had had a few more spontaneous visions that he did not understand, all of them having the ropes Faustine had bought.

Now, even the town kids were starting to call her Tía Faustine, since their relationship was made public. The entire town talked about how they were an unusual couple, yet, fit perfectly with each other. Not once they saw the two having a big argument. They had their disagreements, of course, but they would always talk. Most were judging them on how unlady-like it was to always face her man, but they were all envious of how well their relationship worked.

Alma was the one who took notice of their dynamics. As a traditional woman that she was, the matriarch wasn't very pleased of Faustine going inside her son's room, now that they were enamorados. However, the archeologist was the only one who could stabilize and bring Bruno back to a calmer state after he had a bad vision. She knew that she was dealing with two grown adults and she was also satisfied that they knew too.

Bruno and Faustine, when alone at night, would always hang on an open space, either the living room of her house, with windows wide open, the kitchen or the patio of the casita. Even if they were in his room, they would leave the door open, to be very clear that nothing was happening.

One day, Faustine was looking at Pedro Madrigal's picture, when Bruno found her. They stood in silence, side by side. Until Faustine held Bruno's hand.

- have you ever tried to look into the past? - She asked.

- The past?

- Yes. Aren't you curious?

- A little bit? But I never tried. Even if you turn the hourglass upside down, time always moves forward. - He said, without looking at her.

- It makes sense… - She looked at him. - Should we try it?

- …. Sure. Why not? - Bruno shrugged, guiding her to his room.

Alma was about to stop them when Dolores updated her grandmother on what she had heard. How neither of them had thought of looking into the past. It was a real possibility and if Bruno could do it… what new possibilities could unfold?

Inside the room, Bruno was preparing the sand circle in his Vision Cave, Faustine was already in it, waiting for her boyfriend to sit. He took a deep breath before his eyes started glowing and his vision began. It showed that exact moment. The sand rising and falling, she holding his face and them hugging.

The green plaque fell to Bruno's hands as the sand stopped to swirl around them. Faustine looked at Bruno and smiled, only to come closer and see the image in the green slab.

- too nervous? - She asked

- A little bit.

Like in the vision, Faustine cupped his face and hugged Bruno. The clairvoyant let himself drink the care, to feel protected. This feeling of acceptance was still foreigner and, yet, so much addictive. The woman kissed him, making him hold her tight.

- I want to try again. - He said, his forehead touching hers.

- Absolutely, caro mio. - She kissed him one more time. - No matter what happens, we will have our answers.

Once more, Bruno prepared the sand circle. His eyes glew, the sand domed, green sparked everywhere around him, but no images. He was confused and the sand started to blow out of control. Faustine went to Bruno, made him lie on the floor while pulling his hood up to cover him and holding it down from under his huana. Bruno held his girlfriend close to protect her. She soothed him and soon the sand was back on the floor. Both were half buried on the ground when they got up to shake their clothes clean.

- I've never noticed how hot the sand gets hot when you have a vision. - She said, touching a small dune on the floor.

- Well… this was a disaster. - Bruno said, defeated.

- Absolutely not! - Faustine held him for a kiss. - This was perfect!

- How can you say that? We didn't see anything. - He said, shaking some sand off of her hair.

- argh! Pfff! - Faustne choked with the sand. - On the contrary, caro mio! - She said excitedly. - we just found out that you can use your power with intention to look into the past! That is a great deal! If you choose to try again. I am here to support you…!-

Bruno kissed her. He loved that woman so much that it was unbearable. She never saw a single bad thing in his visions. She had shown him so much love and support to him in a few months than he had felt his entire life. And how she kissed him back! Her world must be so much more different than he thought, for her to be so open and so forward with her feelings. Not hiding her intentions of pretending to be chaste like she never was.

Faustine backed away. She was almost crossing the line. Her hands wanted to wander down, but she knew that she had to be patient with him. Bruno looked at her confused and held her hand to his chest making her smile. His other hand slithered to her lower back, pulling her close.

- Corazón… -He said lowly, eyes closing to kiss her again. - no te vás, mi vida.

- Bruno… - her heart skipped a beat. - you have no idea what you make of me when you talk like that.

- Corazón…

- Silenzio, Bruno. - Her hands went to his hair. Grabbing his messy curls between her fingers. - Silenzio, Bruno… - Her breath was becoming raggedy. - Or I… - Her hand had slipped to his throat, giving a gentle squeeze, making him groan.

Faustine backed away, almost running out of the door. She shook most of the sand she could before grabbing her things to go clean herself for dinner. She knew that now wasn't the time to reveal that side of her yet. It was too much for a man from the beginning of the XX century. How she wanted, maybe she could reveal just a little. A party, to reveal just a little. It could absolutely backfire like the last time… but for Bruno, she was willing to risk it again.

The next day, when everyone was next to her house, Faustine arrived late to work. Bruno discouraged himself from talking to her, so much that the entire family noticed. When she approached them, Bruno was about to go back home when she held his hand and smiled.

- Hi everyone… I don't know how to say this, so I'll be direct. I would like to propose a party.

- A party. - The family beamed and Bruno watched in silence.

- Yes! - Faustine beamed together. - I've heard that Colombian parties are the best and I have been dying to participate in one… so what do you say?

- It has been quite a while since the last one… - Isabella agreed.

- you will come, right? - Dolores asked Mariano.

- wouldn't miss it for anything.

- Yeah! - Celebrated Antonio.

All the family members joyfully discussed the party plans. Bruno held Faustine's hand, both smiling to each other and brightening the mood. The rest of the family watched the small gesture and remained silent, just in time to let them lower their guards.

- you are holding hands! - Antonio smiled.

- we are. - Faustine, went on her knees to talk to him. - Do you like that?

- of course. Now we can play with tio Bruno without making him sad.

- that's great!

- yeah! But when are you getting married?

- married? We never talked about it…. But why do you ask, bambino? - Faustine gently held Antonio's little hands.

- Because I want to know if you are going to give your half of the apple to him.

- Ok! That's enough, Antonio. - Felix said.

- But, papá! - Antonio protested as he was picked up by his father.

- Other side of the apple? - Faustine asked, confused.

- Si! So I can have a cousin to play with me and my animals!
- oh! - Faustine Faustine laughed, trying not to blush. - How can I explain… - She looked at Félix and Pepa to see if she could answer the small child.

- don't worry, you don't need to answer him. - Pepa said. - Antonio!

- I believe that no question should go unanswered… if You allow me… I can… - she asked permission again and the parents nodded. - You see, piccolo. .. To ask someone or to give your side of the apple… isn't something that simple. You must really like the person you are sharing your apple with.

- Why?

- Because you need the other person's permission to make the ritual.

- Ritual?

- Yes! A kiss on the cheek, a kiss on the hand, a kiss on the other cheek, a really tight hug and the secret words.

- What are the secret words?

- It wouldn't be a secret if I told you. - The Madrigals let out their breaths that they didn't know they were holding. - Besides, it is something so powerful that only grownups know. Having a baby is a lot of responsibility, you have to be sure you will love them forever.

Antonio stretched his arms to hug Faustine and she held him tight before releasing the boy to run away and go play with his friends. After the boy was distant enough, Mariano approached the family and Dolores was in charge of the situation.

- So… what happened yesterday? - Dolores asked.

- Nothing much. Why?

- With all the gloom that was Tio Bruno…

- You didn't hear the sandstorm? - Faustine asked, finding it odd.

- I can't hear from or inside the rooms… - Said Dolores not realizing not realizing how important that information was.

- Knock knock knock, knock on wood. Bye. - Bruno fled.

Faustine held a laugh and told about their little experiment that ended in a sandstorm. Adding the detail of how much sand she had in her hair and Bruno must have misinterpreted. With everything explained, all of them went to work in the village.

The word got around and a party was arranged by nightfall. Guests started to arrive, music was being played, conversation was soaring all around. Everyone was having fun and the party was a success. Almost everyone. Faustine saw Bruno watching the party from the balcony, without interacting with anyone. He got nervous when he saw Faustine walking to him. With nowhere to flee or to hide, he walked in small circles until they arrived. The guests that were close walked away to give them both privacy.

- Bruno. - Faustine called. - What happened?

- I… I'm sorry for yesterday.

- Why are you apologizing? - Faustine was genuinely confused.

- I didn't want to make you run away.

- Bruno. I have no idea what you are talking about. - She giggled.

- Of what happened in the vision cave.

- the vision cave…. ? When we… I didn't run because of that… It was because of me. Of what I was thinking… if anything.. - She got a step closer to him. - I loved it. I thought of it the entire night

- So you aren't mad?

- In the slightest.

- so… ¿Continuas siendo mi corazón? - He pulled Faustine close.

- Bruno… caro mio… absolutely… take me for a dance?

- It may not look so, but I am an amazing dancer. - He smiled confidently once again.

Still slightly concealed, Bruno and Faustine started dancing. He was shy at first, but with her provocations and discreet grinds on his body, the desire that he showed the night before slowly took over, showing that he meant what he said. A few times they went closer to the crowd, just to participate a little with the others.

When the party ended, Faustine took Bruno to his room. Behind the closed door, she trapped him between her and the wall, making him anxious. She twirled a lock of his hair on her finger, kissed him, trailing to his ear.

- Maybe, from now on, I'll show you what I mean when I say "Silenzio, Bruno". Buona sera, caro mio. - she said, leaving him behind.

- Buenas noches, corazón. - He said to a fleeing girlfriend. - amo-te con todo mi corazón, mi vida. - He confessed to an empty room.

The next morning, Faustine was humming and dancing to herself alone in her room. She twirled and smiled before snapping back to reality.

- Stai zitto. Sei una donna di 30 anni. Non puoi comportarti come una principessa. - Faustine looked at her bundles of ropes. - Besides, you have a secret to talk about. - she took a deep breath and slapped her cheeks.

Mirabel watched the entire scene in silence from the window, startling Faustine when she turned to leave her house. The teenage girl smiled satisfied in being in possession of such a secret, wanting for her to step outside.

- so… you and tio Bruno make quite a pair…

- why do you say that, Mira? - Faustine asked, stumbling on her own feet.

- you two are very strange and secretive…. - faking an evil glare, making Faustine relax.

- oh yeah?

- yes… and you are talking about revealing something.

- talk about a revelation! - Camilo barged into the conversation. - Who knew Tío Bruno could dance like that! - he said, shape-shifting into his uncle to mimic the dance moves.

The rest of the family arrived a little behind, laughing at Bruno-Camilo dancing. Even the clairvoyant himself had to admit that it was fun to see his dear nephew having fun and not being scared of him anymore.

Maybe today wasn't the day to reveal such a big thing to Bruno. They had yet so much to learn about each other yet before she jumped to more intimate matters. Perhaps today would be a great day for a date. It was harder to hide it back, but it was necessary. Until she was sure that he would accept her regardless of what she could reveal, it was best to keep the subject away for the moment.

Somehow, work wasn't short in Encanto, keeping Faustine busy throughout most days. Two weeks later after the party, Bruno had an increase in requests to see his future. It wasn't a bad thing for him, but it left almost no time to go on dates with his beloved.

One rainy day, Bruno found her inside the church, restoring the paintings on the ceiling. The next mass was about to happen so he knew she would have to come down eventually. He walked down the aisle when a group of young women approached him.

- Brunitto~~ - one of them called.

- the most amazing of the amazing Madrigals~~ - another said.

- Miranda, Julia… What are you doing here? - Bruno asked, Bewildered.

- we came to pray and to set a date for our wedding… - another girl held Bruno's arm.

- it isn't a little early to set a date? None of you have been promised yet. - Bruno tried to escape, walking quickly to the stairs Faustine was on.

The archeologist was on top, finishing the section for the time being when she saw the commotion down below. Faustine trusted Bruno. For years they have ignored him, now, for whatever forsaken reason, he was all popular amongst the ladies? This was a show she would pay to watch. Resting on top of the stairs, she watched the scene unfold.

- ¡ay! - he complained. - one at a time. What do you want? And I can't see it here. I need my vision cave.

- I just need to know when the wedding day is. - a third one held Bruno.

The girls squealed, giggled and held his hands. It was all still fun and entertaining. When they started to go to his huana, hands on his torso, a hand a little more sneaky than needed, made Faustine go down the stairs holding one of her trusty ropes.

- Bruno. - She called, looking at the girls.

- ¡Corazón! - Bruno fought to get away from their grip.

- ¡cállate, extranjera! - one of them said. - We are trying to figure out village business.

Faustine was surprised with the girl's audacity. She twisted the rope on her hand, ready to jump at the girl when help came her way.

- what is happening? - asked the priest.

- no… wait.- Bruno said, looking at the woman holding him. - What did you just say?

- We are figuring out the town's business.

- no. Before that. - Bruno said seriously, making Faustine baffled. - did you just call my compañera an extranjera?

- Brunitto… - Said the woman.

- Hernando ~ - Faustine called when Bruno pulled his hood up.

- Señor Flores. Keep Faustine's belongings for the time being. We will be back to pick it up. - ¡vámonos, corazón!

Bruno took Faustine out of the church, protecting her from the rain with his huana, back to the Madrigals. Inside the casita, they dusted off the water from their clothes. Taking her hand once more, Bruno felt protective over her girlfriend.

- since it is a little chilly today… Why don't we go grab something warm to drink in the kitchen?

Bruno scurried them away to the kitchen. He held her tightly before gathering two mugs and a plate of food, all in silence. Faustine watched Bruno's stern expression, amazed that he could muster the courage to face locals because of her. Typically, that kind of event was ill seen, meaning a big disagreement between townspeople.

Faustine prepared some hot chocolate for both of them, sitting in the chair at the end of the table. She waited until Bruno calmed down, rolling the rope she had with her in a bundle and leaving on top of the table.

- I am sorry you had to hear that. - He finally said.

- I am fine. They are not wrong, you know?

- ¡Corazón!

- caro mio. I can pretend all I want. I will never be a local. I am someone from outside. That is true. I was only lucky enough to be accepted here.

Bruno kissed Faustine. He wanted to show her that she wasn't a burden, like she was feeling. He wanted to show her that he truly loved her. The man was almost pulling Faustine to sit on his lap when she broke the kiss.

- It is not the first time I am told to be quiet for being an outsider. And there is a high chance that it won't be the last.

- ay, mi vida… you are too nice…

They kissed once again, only for her to back away and tell him a story where she was called a foreigner. Bruno listened attentively, to later share some of his own adventures. They laughed at some of the events finishing their little sack. Moving to do the dishes, Bruno gathered the courage to ask the question he was trying to ask for a while.

- why… did you grab a rope to argue with them, corazón?

- to scare her a little. - she winked. - I know….- she stopped mid sentence, to rethink her words. - I know my way around ropes. - she sighed. - both professionally and…. Personally. I guess the sooner I talk to you about this, the better… - she lowered her head.

- what do you mean? - he asked, concerned.

- well… as an archeologist… you have to climb or rappel down safely. Sometimes you do not have modern climbing equipment, so you need to know how to tie a… waist… harness… - she cleared her throat and dried her hands.

Bruno watched her attentively. He had never seen her so unsure of something as she was talking about this. She was distressed, choosing her words carefully, making him a little anxious. How bad could it be the truth for her to hand pick what to tell him.

- and to tie stuff around the site, pretty standard. - she released a long breath. - personally, it is like you saw in your vision… like the one…. - she frowned to herself. - when I am feeling an emotion too strong, that I feel that I can't handle…. I use them. To have a sense of complete control.

- what…? How…?

- do you… - she squeezed the sink until her knuckles turned white. - can I….? Do you want to try it?

Faustine closed her eyes and lowered her head. For the first time, she was too afraid of someone's reaction to her secret. Still not looking at him, she got the bundle from the table and started to walk away. Bruno held her. Her back against his chest, he kissed her temple.

- I want to try it. - he said.

Faustine delighted in his words. A goosebump ran through her entire body before she took his hand for him to accompany her. Back at her house, from her belongings, she gathered a small ball of a leather sting. It was somewhat thin, but sturdy enough for what she had planned.

Both went to his room. That was a conversation that she didn't want others to hear. Occulted by the sand curtain, Faustine sat Bruno on his red chair before he pulled her to his lap. This time she couldn't run from him, at least what Bruno thought.

They had been kissing for some time when Faustine walked away, to get another chair and a table. He prepared the leather string and asked for his arm to be on top of the table.

She rolled his sleeve higher on his arm.

The leather strip started to be tied up his arm. It went down, the pattern countering his muscles, knots placed carefully and in specific positions. It was almost a ritual for her. She had gotten a little lower down his arm, when she untied it, changing the pattern for him to be able to hide it under his shirt.

- so… you feel safe with this? - Bruno asked.

- not necessarily safe… but I like the dynamics of control.

- what do you mean?

- Silenzio, Bruno. - she moved to brush her lips on his. - not now. You can untie yourself before you sleep… but keep it for now, to see how you feel.

They spent some more time kissing, the sensation of the leather strip on his arm against her body exited her mind. Bruno noticed the change on her, he wasn't sure why or how it worked, but his girlfriend was more daring, grabbing fistfuls of his clothes, before fleeing away for dinner. Bruno went to the meal after he calmed himself. That night, he left the binding on his arm, thinking and processing what she had told him.

The next day, the rain transformed into a tropical storm, keeping everyone inside.

- Pepa! You are clouding up the weather even more. - Alma complained.

- Well, it isn't me! - Pepa said, getting angry. - I am fine. - she said, making the storm thunder.

- It is about Mariano. - Camilo whispered, to Bruno. - He and Dolores had a fight.

- Camilo! - Pepa reprimanded.

- I tried transforming into Mariano to calm her down, but she only threw stuff at me. "How could you?! It's my tio you are talking about!"

Bruno watched Camilo impersonate his sister, making his mother even angrier. For years he heard his family cry, but never knew how to comfort them. His disappearance was because he wasn't good with his words. Since he was the problem, he had to do something.

The clairvoyant went to Faustine's. She was using the day to study a few broken pieces of clay she found in her many expeditions. She was taken from her work by the hushed knocks on her front door. She opened the door a little startled, letting a soaked Bruno in. Faustine quickly got him a towel, for him to dry himself.

- no need, corazón, I came to see if you can help me with Dolores.

- what is wrong with her?

- Apparently she and Mariano had a fight. And I was the problem.

Bruno repeated to Faustine the story Camilo had told him. Faustine gave it a thought for a second before going back to casita. She took Bruno's hand and both went to Dolores' room after they noticed that the girl wasn't in the group. They knocked on the door and softly entered the very silent room. She was crying, head on the pillow. Both sat close to her, making Dolores lay her head on her uncle's lap. Both waited for her to want to talk.

- Mariano has been impossible lately. - She cried again.

- why is that, hija? - Bruno asked.

- he thinks it is unfair the attention you two are getting and has been avoiding me. - she raged.

- he's jealous? Of me and Bruno? - Faustine softly laughed. - well, that is something. - Faustine caressed Dolores lower back. - this attention we are getting will fade away eventually.

- but aren't you angry?

- why? - Bruno asked.

- ¡tío! You spent too much time hiding! You need to enjoy this attention.

- ¡ay, hija! - Bruno smiled. - I have all the attention I need. From my family and Faustine.

Dolores sat down, holding and being held by Bruno. The couple comforted the girl, until she felt that he had cried and raged enough. Faustine gently dried Dolores' tears and held her hand.

- Do you need me to teach Mariano a lesson? - Faustine offered mischievously. - I can call Isabela and we can have a very real talk. - She said, making Dolores laugh.

- No… thank you, tía. - Dolores said, making Faustine blush.

- Do you want to talk to him?

- yes, but I'm not sure if he will talk to me.

- Do you want me to look into your future? - Bruno offered.

- I am afraid… of what you might see… - Dolores confessed.

- can we look? We won't tell you when or what we see… but for us to be ready for whatever happens?

- ok…

- You are a strong woman, Dolores. And strong women take action. - Faustine hugged her. - anything you need, we will be here for you. For now, how about you wash your face, we get you an arepa for the headache?

- sounds perfect.

- great, we will wait for you outside. - Faustine walked to the door. - and in Italy, if someone won't talk to us, we make them regret not wanting to. - she winked.

Bruno and Faustine left the room to let Dolores get ready. Both waited patiently for the young woman. Some time later, she got out and the three went down to the kitchen. Pepa was relieved to see her daughter not crying, embracing her tightly and subsiding the storm a little.

Once fed and hydrated, Dolores went to Mariano's house to, hopefully, give him an earful. While she was out, Bruno and Faustine went to the Visions Cave, to take a peek at what would happen to the young couple? The vision showed them happy, Dolores throwing orders left and right, being adored by her suitor. Satisfied with the outcome, they left the vision safely stored in a stone niche.