To Love at all is to Love Entirely

by alex the bordercollie

"Cada parte de mí está equivocada. My mind, my heart, even my gift, it's all wrong." Bruno spat bitterly as he hugged his knees. Tears were streaming down his face now. "I know it feels like the world has no place for you. Por favor, Te lo ruego, don't ever give up looking for one. If you can't find a place then makeone, pero nunca te rindas."

17. Equilibrium

︵‿୨ - March 22 1951 - ୧‿︵

"Ojalá la mitad de las estrellas brillaran tanto como tus ojos." Jacinto crooned. Adjusting the ruana he'd wrapped around his neck like a scarf.

He'd been practicing his handsome smolder in the mirror for hours. A tweak to the corner of his lips. Shifting his brow higher or lower. Calculating just the right amount of teeth to show when he smiled. Dropping the pitch of his voice.

He tried to find the right words to express his love. To describe the beautiful scholar who stole his virginity. No. Nonsense. Jacinto was no virgin. His love was not stolen but freely given. His body was a prized work of art. Slender not scrawny. His shadowed green eyes were dark and mysterious, not sad and tired. The gap in his teeth was… well, hard to spin into a positive but he was trying.

"Si la belleza fuera pecado tu no tendrías perdon de Dios."

Jacinto was a smooth operator. A confident casanova who could work with any body he was given. A new friend of Bruno's. Determined to help him seduce his charismatic lover. In truth, Bruno was anxious. He was insecure. He felt small and awkward and clumsy.

The previous night had been a kind of magic that far surpassed Bruno's greatest fantasies. Wilfredo was confident and charming. He had proceeded with such skill and grace. Every touch was calculated and tender. He made Bruno feel beautiful. Made him feel precious and desired. That was no easy feat. Wilfredo made it look easy. He made it look so easy to enrapture a man with a smile. With a word. To make a man come undone with a touch.

Bruno couldn't help but wonder if every man Wilfredo slept with felt that way. If every man was made to feel so special and loved. Surely it wasn't just Bruno. Wilfredo was simply like that. Tender and adoring. A master at his craft. The art of seduction was to him as natural as breathing. If Bruno wanted to impress, if he wanted to be remembered among Wilfredo's conquests, he would need to do better. He needed to return that magic in kind. To master the craft, or at least figure out how to fake it.

That's where Jacinto came in. Bruno's newest persona. A character he could play. A character who would strip him of his inhibitions and insecurities. Confidence was key. If he could master that he could master the art of seduction.

Bruno caught sight of one of his rats watching him from the corner of his dresser. Rodolfo. An older buck. The father of Beatrice's litter and quite a few others over the years. If any of his rats was a smooth operator it would be him. Suffice it to say, the skilled lady's rat wasn't impressed.

Rodolfo was perched up on his hind legs. Fluffed up and chittering irritably.

Bruno groaned and propped one hand on his hip. Leaning against the dresser with the other. "Oh, sí? I'd like to see you do better." He snarked back.

Rodolfo squatted back down to lick his paws. He ran them through his scruffy old pelt and squeaked indignantly at Bruno.

"Lamento not all of us can be donjuáns, okey?" Bruno snarked. Leaning forward to argue with the old man. His ruana slipped down from around his neck to hang in front of him again. "Besides all you ever chase are does. What would you even know about seducing a man huh?"

He huffed and tossed his ruana back around his neck once more. Striking a fresh pose in the mirror. "Es como aprender un lengua-AH!"

Bruno shirked. The heavy fabric he'd carelessly swung about knocked over the statue of Guadalupe on his altar, which in turn shoved the offering plate, which knocked over a candle, and so on. He rushed to snatch up the candle as it rolled onto his bed. The covers caught fire. He swiftly wrapped his hand in his ruana and beat it out before it could spread.

He let out a strained wheeze as the momentary jolt of adrenaline subsided. "That could have been bad."

The sound of chittering caught Bruno's attention. He turned around to watch Rodolfo's eyes boggle as he hopped around on the dresser. The rat was laughing at him. Bruno spun around and pointed a finger at Rodolfo. He was about to chew him out for his mockery. For insulting the man who fed and housed him all his life. That is until his foot landed on something smooth that slid across the floor. Bruno was flung onto his back. The hard sandstone knocked the wind out of him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in, held it for a moment, then released it slowly. Looking back up at the roof of his cave. Dark and dusty. Smoothed and rounded.

The rat was still laughing at him.

"Are you coming down for breakfast, or what?" Pepa's voice echoed through the tower.

Bruno sat up and rubbed the back of his aching head. "Ay, sí! Me vengo!" He called back. Of course, it was Pepa. Holidays or not anyone else would have just let him waste the whole morning away. People generally tried not to bother him too much.

Bruno wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. On the one hand, it was nice to have his space respected. On the other, maybe being alone wasn't always the best thing for him. He wasn't really sure.

He stood up and collected all the things he'd knocked off the dresser in his fumbling. He caught a glimpse of his face reflected in the metal offering plate he kept on the altar. Or rather Mamá placed on the altar. His reflection in the plate was distorted and ugly. His nose was far too big. His eyes too close together with deep dark bags under them. His hair had come loose again. Refusing to stay tied back or obey him in any way.

He put the plate back. The candle. The offerings he'd scattered. The statue of Guadalupe. He hadn't kept an altar in many years. He used to, before the wall. He used to go to church with Mamá every Sunday. He used to consider himself a spiritual person. At least he tried to be one. God always helped him feel closer to his mother, his father.

Last night when he came home for dinner Mamá surprised him with a new altar. She'd guided Bruno up to his room with his eyes covered. All the way up the long stairs just to make a show of it. She set it up in his room while he was out.

Bruno picked up the rosary that once belonged to his father. It was something Mamá had for years in a box of keepsakes in her room. She admitted that she'd all but forgotten about it. It belonged to his father, and his father's father before him. Mamá always meant to pass it down to him but said it, "never felt like the right time." Whatever that meant. Bruno wasn't sure what was meant to be the right time. When exactly he was meant to live up to his father's legacy. Looking at himself in the mirror he wondered if he ever would. He wasn't much like Pedro. He wasn't strong and handsome. He wasn't charming or brave. He wasn't a martyr. He wasn't even a good person. Not really. As much as he tried to pretend. Bruno had a suspicion Mamá meant to give it to him when he married. She finally seemed to accept that was never going to happen.

Bruno considered replacing the black crucifix he normally wore with his father's rosary. He looked over the wood and red amber beads in his hand. The cross had a shining heart in the center. It felt unnaturally heavy in his palm. Weighed down by his father's blood. His father loved him. Bruno knew that. His father died for him. What greater gesture of love could there be? He wondered if his father still felt the same. Seeing the man Bruno was now. Would he love a weak man? A coward? A sinner?

Bruno placed his father's rosary back on the altar and turned to leave. Glancing one last time back in the mirror. He didn't look as bad in the mirror at least. Wil loved him. He'd never said it but Bruno was certain he did. Wrong as it was, despite the guilt, Bruno would still savor every minute he could with him. As long as Wil was in his life Bruno would continue sin. He could repent later. When Wil was gone and he was left to face reality again.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

"There he is!" Pepa jeered playfully. She waved to Bruno with a book in her hand. Standing beside her husband who was resting in one of the hammocks. Félix reached a hand out to snatch Pepa by the waist and yoink her into the hammock. Her shrill giggling filled the courtyard as the hammock swung under their shared weight.

Bruno grinned and shook his head. As much as he made fun of them for their constant displays of affection, he did love seeing his hermanas happy. He loved that they had men in their lives who made them happy. It felt different this time though. Watching them snuggle and snicker together in the hammock. Watching Félix smother her in kisses. Bruno tried to look away like he usually did. He couldn't. He wanted that. He was just starting to get a taste of it for himself and he was already craving more. He pulled his gaze away to take in the rest of the family milling about the courtyard.

Julieta and Agustín were sitting on the steps feeding each other fruit from their bowls. Another happy couple. Bruno felt warm watching them. He wished he could tell his sisters. Wished he could show off his new love to them. Share all the bubbling excitement in his chest with someone, anyone. Especially his sisters. They'd be so happy for him. If only…

Julieta looked up with a mouthful of fruit squirreled away in her cheeks. She picked up a bowl of fruit salad beside her and held it out to him. "Mamá was worried you'd never wake up." She teased. Politely covering her mouth with her hand.

Mamá rolled her eyes. Sitting off to the side in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee. "I said no such thing."

"I thought you said you were worried he might be sick again. That he was gonna miss out on Semana Santa." Antonio replied innocently. Seated on the tiles beside his abuela feeding fruit to a couple of coatis. "The sick that Tía Julieta can't fix." He clarified.

Mamá nearly choked on her coffee. Bruno could feel the heat rise to his face. Remembering the tender innocence with which Tonito had approached him after his last depressive episode. Asking if he was feeling better. That must have been how Mamá explained it to him. Not the worst way to describe it. Bruno certainly felt sick in those moments. He felt like he was dying. They never lasted forever though. It always felt like an embarrassment after the fact. When he returned to normal those emotions were hard to understand in retrospect. He imagined they must have been even harder to explain to a child from an outside perspective.

"Tío está bien Tonito." Julieta soothed. "Abuela's just a little worried that's all."

"A little worried?! She's been fussing over him ever since he got back!" Pepa pouted from across the courtyard. She opened her book and flopped back onto Félix's chest.

Bruno could feel the embarrassment and shame forming a sinking pit in his chest. He wanted the quicksand in his soul to swallow him up. To hide away and never see the sunlight again. Pepa was right of course. Everyone knew it. Bruno didn't get to come home without being a spectacle. People were adjusting to having him back. Trying to act like everything is normal. It wasn't though. He wished things could just go back to normal.

He felt bad for Pepa. She was always somewhat overlooked out of the three of them. Julieta was Mamá's pride and joy. The perfect woman. Demure and caring. She never broke rules or caused trouble. Bruno was a problem. He knew he was, he always was. Pepa was too but one that was more easily ignored. She could be sent away to calm down when she got too worked up. Bruno though? Mamá was always looking for ways to cover up his many oddities. The older he got the more he struggled to function.

He felt bad that Pepa was slipping back into the background as Mamá focused her worries on him again.

"Ay, be patient mi vida. He's been gone a long time." Félix soothed. Stroking her cheek with his hand. He turned his attention back to Bruno. "Eh Bruno, you sleep alright mano?"

Bruno was leaning down to accept the bowl of fruit Julieta had offered. Félix calling out to him tore him out of his trailing thoughts. The question startled him and he fumbled. Nearly dropping the bowl. Sergio lept down to his hand and managed to grab the rim of the bowl in his teeth. Preventing the fruit from tumbling down the stairs.

"Oh, ah, sí, just lazy." Bruno laughed in reply. He held the bowl securely in the crook of his elbow and thanked the powerful young buck. Petting the top of his head with his finger. Sergio seemed to puff up and stand tall on Bruno's arm. Clearly proud of his achievement. Bruno was lying of course. He was up late last night. He'd snuck out of the house after everyone went to bed to make love in the cabin.

Wil cried when they were done...

Bruno still wasn't totally certain what to make of that. The experience meant a lot to him. It was exciting and wonderful. Flooded with emotion Bruno told Wil he loved him. That made his lover cry. He wondered if that was a rare thing for Wilfredo to hear.

"Something's not right." Luisa bemoaned.

The kids were finishing up a statue of Guadalupe for tonight's procession. It was the largest wood craft Luisa had worked on so far. A deeply ambitious project she'd been working on is secret for some time now. She'd wanted to surprise everyone with it but the deadline was fast approaching and she was running out of time. She seemed so defeated last night when she admitted to it over dinner. Naturally, Agustín had insisted she show them what she had done. She hemmed and hawed for a bit. The face wasn't finished yet and she'd been struggling with it. That and the hands.

Bruno understood that one. He liked to draw. Hands were never easy. He didn't imagine carving them out of wood to be any easier.

Eventually, Agustín managed to convince his daughter to show them what she'd made. Everyone had funneled into her room. Gathered on the beach while she pulled a life-sized sculpture out from behind some rocks where she'd been working on it in secret. The sculpture was fantastic. Bruno was biased of course. Anything his sobrina made would be. Still, despite his lack of credentials Bruno couldn't help but consider it impressive for someone who'd only been at this hobby for half a year.

"Es magnífico." Agustín swooned.

Luisa frowned. She stepped back to stare at the face again. "I don't know... The eyes still don't look right." She whined.

"Es guapísima." Isabela tutted. Testing out different flower arrangements. She'd taken it upon herself to decorate the platform Guadalupe would be carried on. "You're overthinking this." She insisted. Dismissing her sister's worries.

Mirabel and Camilo were helping paint the statue from the base up. Leaving space for Luisa to finish the face in time. Mirabel looked up from where she sat on the floor. She pushed up her glasses and squinted at it.

"Maybe they need to be a little rounder? Bring them out a little more?"

Luisa scratched at her head. Her chisel wedged between her fingers. "That's what I was thinking but in order to do that I'd have to take off the bits around her eyes and I'm worried they'll look sunken in."

"So she'll look like tío Bruno." Camilo grinned. "I don't see the problem with that."

Mirabel swatted his face with her paintbrush. Leaving a streak of blue across his nose.

"Ay!" Camilo shrieked.

"Basta ya!" Mirabel scolded.

"No, no, chico's right." Bruno disputed. Tapping his finger against his bowl as he descended the stairs. Agustín and Julieta scooted to make space for him to pass. Bruno circled the statue inspecting it. He set his bowl down on the floor and held up his hands to frame Guadalupe's face with his fingers. Humming thoughtfully.

"How bad is it?" Luisa asked him anxiously.

"Es maravilloso." Julieta corrected.

Bruno held out a hand to stop his sister. "Ahp, bap, bap, I'm the resident artist." He insisted with a dramatic, self-important, flourish. "I'll be the judge."

Bruno was the only one out of his siblings who liked to draw. He had some talent for it. To call himself an artist, admittedly, felt like an exaggeration. That didn't matter. Luisa's anxieties weren't going to be quelled by simple praise. Bruno knew that all too well. He knew what it felt like to stare at a drawing for hours trying to pinpoint what was wrong. How it felt to have his sisters blindly reassure him it was fine when his gut told him otherwise.

Bruno leaned in. Carefully examining the statue's face. He stroked his beard as he thought of something to change. Some small change she could make that would bring out the eyes more. "Eyelids." He answered after giving it some thought.

Lusia tilted her head. "Eyelids?"

Bruno stood up straight with a proud smile. He nodded and crossed his arms. "Sí." He gestured to Guadelupe's face as he explained. Tracing the future details with his finger. "Just cut some lines over her eyes and then you can carve the eyeballs in a little deeper to make them rounder but leave the rest of the face alone."

Bruno saw Luisa's eyes light up. "Oh!" He stepped back and watched as she started carefully carving thin lines above the eyes with her chisel. "Desmond's been teaching me about different techniques, but he mostly makes furniture. He's never carved a face before."

"Desmond huh?" Bruno tugged faintly at his ruana. He leaned down to pick up his bowl. Trying not to sound as anxious as he felt. "D-Duilio's hijo sí?" Beatrice crawled up onto his shoulder to lap at his neck.

Luisa stopped herself for a moment. Seemingly having remembered Bruno's awkward relationship to Duilio. "Oh, uh… sí"

"H-how's uh, how's he b-been doing since the uhm…"

"The divorce." Mamá finished Bruno's sentence for him.

There was a harshness to her words. She sipped her tea as though she'd not spoken. She wasn't mad at Bruno in particular. He knew that much. Mamá was still cross with Jacqueline. Jacqueline had finished working off her punishment from the council. Officially the punishment was for starting a fight, though Dolores had confirmed that Elena had started the fight. Jacqueline didn't even fight back. She just let that woman beat her. Bruno almost didn't believe it but he trusted Dolores. She had no reason to lie in recounting the incident. Still, the council was furious with this outsider for seducing one of their men and ending a marriage. Disturbing the peace in their otherwise largely quiet community. It wasn't against their laws to cheat. Jacqueline never hurt anyone directly. It didn't matter. They found an excuse to punish Jacqueline regardless. That said Bruno understood their frustration. He knew Jacqueline well enough by now. He knew she set up Duilio to get caught on purpose. Why Jacqueline felt the need to harass married couples was still beyond Bruno. It was a pattern of hers that he was growing familiar with.

"Lo está haciendo bien." Lusia answered simply. "He hasn't really talked to su papá since. They're living with su mamá's familia. He still works at the woodshop with Duilio. They work together but they don't talk. Elena's been happier though so that's good I guess-"

"Ha! Es fenomenal, bien por ella!" Isabela crooned triumphantly. "Duilio es un pendejo. Elena is better off without him."

"Isabela!" Mamá scolded.

"What? It's true? Elena's too good for him. Everybody knows it."

"A sacred vow was broken Isabela. This is not something that should be celebrated." Mamá insisted. She sighed and stared down at her cup. "Seeing una familia fall apart like this is always a tragedy." She lamented.

Bruno drummed his fingers on his bowl before awkwardly shoveling fruit into his mouth. He was still friends with Jacqueline. He knew she had a part to play in all of this. Still, he had a hard time holding her responsible. Duilio was a bully who'd made Bruno's childhood miserable. It was hard for Bruno to extend him much sympathy. He did feel bad for Elena though. Jacqueline didn't seem to care about the pain she caused that woman. Elena didn't deserve any of this. It was nice to know she was doing better.

Bruno was trying to think of something to add to the conversation when a loud crack of thunder shook the courtyard. Casita rattled their titles in a startled frenzy. Antonio's animal friends scurried off to hide.

"Perra!" Pepa blurted out. She had shot up in the hammock. Griping the book in her hands like she wanted to strangle it.

Félix hurriedly grabbed hold of the pillar the hammock was hung from to stop the violent swinging. "Calma mi amor." He soothed.

"Pepa lenguaje!" Mamá barked.

"Disculpa, disculpa." Pepa hand waved. Her eyes still glued to the pages.

"Los niños can here you." Julieta warned.

Pepa looked up from her book. She caught sight of Antonio trying to coax the coatis back out from under the furniture. Pepa's face turned bright red once he remembered he was in the room. A dark cloud creeping slowly out overhead.

Bruno swallowed a bite of fruit and laughed. "Está bien hermana." Bruno soothed. "It happens to the best of us.

Mamá grunted irritably but didn't argue.

"What are you reading anyway that's got you tan caliente?" Bruno prodded.

"It's just some book Wilfredo recommended." Pepa flopped back onto Félix's chest again. Making the hammock swing under their weight.

"Wil's been recommending books to you?" Bruno replied curiously. Almost a bit too slowly. There was an odd kind of insecurity that came across in his voice.

"Sí. We swap books back and forth." Pepa answered casually. "He already finished the last one I gave him. I'm trying to catch up to him today."

"I didn't know you were reading buddies." Bruno tried to steady his voice this time and sound less suspicious. He felt weird imagining her spending time with Wil. He knew it was an irrational feeling. Pepa was happily married. Wil wasn't interested in women. So why did Bruno still feel strange? He knew logically that Wilfredo had a life outside of him. Knew he was popular around town. Outgoing and friendly. Yet somehow actually seeing him making friends with other people brought out a faintly jealous streak. Bruno had never had a lover before. There was a small part of him that wanted to have Wilfredo all to himself. He knew that wasn't reasonable or fair. The heart was rarely reasonable or fair.

Camilo laughed at Bruno's awkward reply. "You would've known if you paid attention to anything." He teased. He stopped painting the trail of Guadeloupe's shroud and popped up to check on the face. Looking to see if Luisa was done messing with it.

"I pay attention to things." Bruno protested indignantly. He meant to anyway. He'd never had an easy time keeping track of his surroundings. Always a bit too fixated on one thing or another. He could remember some things with perfect clarity. Never anything useful. His attention never seemed to be directed at anything productive despite his best efforts. It drove his mother mad. He couldn't explain why he was like this. He just was. Still, he didn't like being called out by his sobrino of all people.

"You do spend a lot of time in your own little world." Julieta conceded.

Bruno spun around to shoot his sister a look. "Who's side are you on?" He interrogated. Snatching another bite of fruit from his bowl and making a show of aggressively crunching it.

Agustín let out a warm laugh and waved a hand submissively. "Es no problema Bruno." He soothed. "Eres un soñador. It's just how you are." Bruno's cuñados never were very bothered by his quirks.

It was one of the things Bruno liked about them. One of the things his hermanas liked about them. They didn't mind that Bruno was odd. That he was obsessive, and distracted. That he did strange repetitive things or was occasionally entirely too emotional for a man. They were warm loving men and they always extended that love to Bruno. Even when they struggled to understand him.

"He'd spend less time in his own head if he wasn't busy thinking about su nueva novia." Camilo mocked. Shifting into Jacqueline and tossing her high ponytail over his shoulder. He shifted back, sat back down, and mixed more blue paint for Guadeloupe. Blending in just a bit of black and yellow to give it a faintly teal tint.

"Cómo?!" Bruno barked back in disbelief. He recalled Camilo's warnings before in the plaza. The boy thought Bruno had caught feelings for a woman who was well beyond Bruno's capacity to handle. He still couldn't understand how or why anyone thought the two of them were an item. Even Pepa had believed the rumors.

Dolores let a small squeak escape her and Bruno flinched. Dolores knew better. Isabela too.

"She's not su novia." Isabela corrected irritably.

"Verdad?" Camilo challenged. "Marco said his papá caught Bruno and Jacqueline rolling around in the fields last week."

It was Bruno's turn to squeak as he remembered that Marcos had a son Camilo was close with. Marco was Camilo's best friend and they shared everything. Not like Bruno would remember a detail like that off the top of his head. Camilo was only five when Bruno left. He'd seen Marco visit from time to time through the walls. It wasn't something Bruno gave much thought to. The boys mostly hung out outside. In a world, Bruno had been largely disconnected from for years.

Bruno choked on his fruit when he noticed his mother's eyes boring holes into him.

"Estás bien tío?" Luisa fretted. Dropping her tools to smack him on the back. Dislodging the rouge chunk of melon with a smack that nearly sent him tumbling face-first onto the floor. His rats scurried under his ruana to cling to his clothes in a panic. Bruno scrambled to catch himself before he fell.

"Ey Tío Bruno, are you gonna join the procession tonight?" Mirabel chirped. Clearly, eggar to change the subject. That girl really was a blessing.

"Hm, I uhm," Bruno croaked. He knocked his fist against his chest for a moment as he steadied himself. Luisa stood beside him with a nervous hand on his shoulder. He patted her hand and smiled up at her.

"Ah sí, correcto!" Mamá beamed. She set her coffee down and got up. Clearly having completely dismissed her frustration with the salacious rumors about her son's love life. "I still have your robes in my closet. I'll go get them for you. It's going to be so wonderful to see you representing the community again!"

She had the biggest smile on her face as she reminisced over previous years. Bruno was always a part of the procession. For as long as he was old enough to help carry the saints. Even before then. When he was a little boy his mother would let him walk in front carrying incense. Bruno grew more and more disconnected from the community the older he got. He was always deeply involved in the holidays. He felt guilty seeing Mamá so happy. Bruno knew he was about to break her heart with his answer. It couldn't be helped. He knew he wasn't ready. He just had to work up the courage to tell her.

"Actually Mamá…" Bruno hesitated for a moment. He drummed his fingers on the bowl he'd only barely picked at. "I, I don't think I'm going to be in the procession this year." He admitted.

Mamá stopped halfway up the stairs and turned to look down at him. The disappointment on her face was palpable. Bruno could feel it in his bones.

"Oh?" Mamá replied. Her voice sounded hollow and numb. She pulled her black shawl closed in front of her. "Is there something wrong?" She asked Bruno slowly. She was trying not to be angry with him, or sad. Trying to hide the hurt in her voice. He could still hear it. Mamá felt betrayed and rejected. She couldn't hide that from Bruno. He was always finely attuned to her emotions.

"No, no, nothing's wrong Mamá." Bruno hurriedly reassured. He set his bowl down on the end table by the chair Mamá had been sitting in. Tugging on his ruana as he tried to find the right words. "It's just, I'm not sure if I'm ready to be the center of attention like that." He fumbled out. Taking a timid step closer to the stairs. Looking up and scanning his mother's face. Hoping to find some understanding.

"I don't get why." Camilo whined. "You preform all the time. The tablas, story hour at the library." He rembled them off as though Bruno had somehow forgotten the many times in a week he spoke in front of a crowd.

"He's right mano. This is even easier, you don't even have to talk. Just carry stuff. No es gran cosa." Félix agreed. It was clear from his tone he was trying to be encouraging. Bruno wasn't surprised an extrovert like him would struggle to understand the difference.

"Sí, sí." Bruno replied patiently. "But the tablas are different. I'm used to entertaining los niños. It might not seem like much, b-but the whole town is going to be there and I'm just not sure if, if…" Bruno started to stammer and trailed off as he looked back up at his mother.

He was hoping to find some understanding in her eyes. Her expression was hard to read. Mostly she just looked faintly hurt and confused. Of course, she didn't understand. How could she? Camilo and Félix were right. Bruno was being silly. Overthinking it. He should just agree to participate. It would make Mamá so happy…

"No te preocupes." Julieta soothed. She smiled up at Bruno from her spot on the bottom steps. Such a warm and gentle smile. Tired loving eyes. Julieta always looked so motherly, even when they were children. It seemed to simply be in her nature. That profound tenderness. "If it's too much for you then you can just sit and watch with the rest of us. Está bien, lo prometo." She assured him.

"We're just glad to have you back this year." Isabela chimed in. She blew Bruno a kiss that planted a wreath of flowers in his hair.

Bruno felt the flowers. He didn't recognize the species right away. Reaching up to pluck one from behind his ear he blushed when he realized they were pink hyacinths. He looked around to Dolores who snickered and looked away. She overheard his practice in the mirror, didn't she? The realization that she must have told Isabela about Jacinto made Bruno groan. Thankfully the exchange seemed lost on the rest of the family.

"Isabela's right. Just being home for the holidays is more than enough." Luisa praised him sweetly. It felt strange to be praised just for being present.

"We missed you Tío Bruno." Dolores reminded him. Such a simple statement. An obvious one. Yet, it didn't feel simple. It felt far from obvious.

Beatrice scurried up to nibble on his cheek. Pulling Bruno out of the warm fussy daze his sobrinas had lulled him into. He stepped out into the foyer a moment to check the nearest clock and returned in a hurry.

"Ah, lo siento, bible study is starting soon. I have to go." Bruno rushed up the stairs and took his mother by the hands. He gave her a timid peck on the cheek. Felt his chest lighter when he saw her smile.

"Sí, sí, anda mijo." Mamá chuckled. She held Bruno's cheek tenderly. "Make sure to come home in time for the procession. I want to walk with you to the plaza." She requested sweetly.

Bruno kissed her hands. "Lo prometo Mamá."

He turned to Camilo and Mirabel as he made his way back down the stairs. "Are you two coming?"

"No." His sobrinos replied in unison.

"I wanna stay and help Luisa finish her project." Mirabel answered simply.

"Same." Camilo agreed.

Bruno nodded. "Bueno, on my own I go." He replied before turning for the door.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when Dolores popped up beside him. He hadn't heard her approach. Yet there she was. Suddenly holding him by the arm.

"I promised Mariano I'd celebrate this here with his familia too." She chirped sweetly.

"Ah, sí." Bruno replied. Not entirely sure what that had to do with him.

Dolores smiled wide back at him. "Let's walk together."

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Bruno paused as the gears turned in his head. It took him a second before he realized what it was Dolores actually wanted from him. Once they left the house she immediately confirmed his suspicions.

"So how was he!?" Dolores bounced excitedly once they were a safe distance out of earshot.

Bruno was still reeling from his sobrina's support. It felt so strange and alien. He never would have expected to be accepted by… well, anyone really. Much less to have ever shared this side of him with his sister's babies. Dolores was a grown woman. When he looked at her, he still saw that tiny baby girl. The one who was scared of loud noises and loved when he'd read her fairytales. That sweet innocent baby.

Now she was asking him about his love life.

It felt indecent. His face turned hot and his mind immediately went to the worst possible scenarios. He tugged at his collar and made a half-hearted attempt to squirm out of her grip. "H-how much have you overheard?" He asked her slowly.

Dolores giggled and swatted his shoulder. "I hear you two flirting at the schoolhouse yesterday. Don't worry I've not been spying." She reassured him. Though her coy grin and sharp gaze didn't fill Bruno with confidence.

A lot of people mistook Dolores for quiet and demure. For a gentle, timid, passive woman. She was anything but. She was cunning and mischievous. The brains behind at least half of Camilo's schemes. She could wrap the whole town around her finger if she felt so inclined. Bruno still wasn't entirely sure she hadn't already.

"I know you snuck out to see him last night." Dolores challenged. "Soooo, how did it go?"

Bruno popped his lips a few times. Trying to find an answer. The nagging voice in his head told him not to dare speak a word of last night. That it would be a disgusting and vile thing to share with her. That he was corrupting his precious sobrina. A thousand worst-case scenarios cycled through his head and triggered the familiar itch in his skin.

He pulled away from her and rushed to a passing tree to knock.

"Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood." He chimed. He had to. He needed to ward off the bad luck. He needed to give Dolores the best chance he could at heaven. Beatrice fled Bruno's pocket as he reached in for salt to toss over his shoulder. Sergio squeaked irritably and nipped Bruno's ear, making him jump.

Bruno heard the clicking of Dolores's tongue and turned back to face her. She stood there with her hands on her hips and shook her head.

"Tranquilízate." His sobrina soothed. Dolores came and took him by the arm again. Gently guiding him back to the winding footpath that lead into town. "You don't have to tell me everything." She teased. Rolling her eyes as though it were obvious. "I just wanted to know if you two had fun together. What's he like? Is he as romantic in person as he is in his poems? Is he confident or gentle? Does he make you happy?"

Bruno could see the excitement in Dolores's eyes when she started rattling off questions. The same eggar glee with which she would badger Isabela when she was courting Mariano. The same lovesick expression Bruno saw in her eyes when he told her stories of epic romance. There was something so simple and pure in those eyes. Almost like this, like Bruno and his love, was something simple and pure.

Bruno smiled softly and pulled his ruana closed in front of them as they walked. "Bien, he likes to tease and play games. Th-they're good games though." He stumbled out. Quick to defend anything that could possibly be misconstrued. "H-he's witty, and he's gentle, and he's beautiful, and he… and he made me feel so…" Just looking for the words made Bruno feel like he was walking on clouds. His chest felt so light. Like he'd shed some terrible weight he'd carried around for so many years. It was a hard feeling to describe in a way that didn't sound childish. It still felt so important. He wanted to bottle up this feeling and never let it go.

"Me hizo sentir querido…" Bruno finally answered softly. It felt like such a silly thing to say. Such a sincere thing to say.

There was a brief quiet between them. When Bruno looked back up at Dolores her eyes were glassy. She had the warmest smile on her face. He could see the tears she was fighting back. Sweet happy tears. Tears nonetheless.

"Oh, oh, mija…" Bruno stopped dead in his tracks. Reaching a hand up to wipe the tears away. "Querida." He couldn't help but apologize. "Está bien. No es importante. No llores por mí."

Dolores choked on the laugh that escaped her. She held Bruno's hand against her cheek. Fat, round, cheeks like a little girl. She was so precious and warm in his hands. "Don't apologize Tío Bruno." She chided him. "I'm happy for you." She insisted. She squeezed his hand. He could see so much weight in her smile. There was joy there. Sadness too. "I know you haven't been happy in a really long time. Te amo tío. I like seeing you happy." She stated simply.

It was so simple. It was all so simple to her. She wanted to celebrate his joy. Nothing else mattered. It was just love. It was all just love.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Wil was quick to ask about the flowers in Bruno's hair when he arrived. Bruno brushed it off. Assuring Wil it was some game of Isabela's and nothing important. Though he defensively protected his sobrina's gift when Wil playfully tried to steal one.

Bible study with the senior class was mostly uneventful. Much of the same as the previous day. Bruno couldn't really add much to the conversation. In truth, he wasn't used to discussing the bible this way. These conversations were simply never had. Sometimes, on occasion, Wilfredo would raise a question Bruno had once considered but never pursued. There was a faint discomfort with the ease with which Wilfredo would question this sacred text. It felt eerie, sacrilegious. It made him worry for his lover's immortal soul. Then again, Bruno was fairly convinced he wouldn't be seeing his family in heaven. He wasn't entirely sure why exactly. Certainly now for sodomy if nothing else. That didn't seem to be quite it though. Bruno had felt like a sinner since he was very young. Like there was something deeply wrong with him. With who and what he was. Like he was some kind of mistake. God didn't make mistakes though. It must have been something Bruno did. Somewhere along the way he let some evil into his heart. Something made him broken and he didn't know how to fix it.

At least if he was going to hell… maybe it might not be so bad if he had someone to greet. Maybe he could endure an eternity of fire if it was with someone he loved.

Bruno did wonder though. He'd occasionally speak up to keep the peace if a couple of kids got into an argument. He usually didn't need to. Wilfredo had his own way of peacefully settling disputes. The way Wilfredo encouraged the children to question and doubt… Bruno did worry if they weren't steering these kids wrong. What if that was where Bruno went wrong? What if it was his doubts? He let the devil in with his fears, with his questions, he paid the price. He was still paying the price and he would well into the grave. Perhaps he should have cared more. Perhaps he should have told Wilfredo this was wrong. For some reason, he couldn't. It was strange. He found himself knocking more than once to ward off some spiraling fear or another and yet… some part of him struggled to see what Wilfredo was doing as truly evil or wrong. Maybe it was his warm comforting voice? The way he smiled? The brilliant glitter in his eyes when he watched the gears turn in a child's head? Maybe it was just because it was him. Maybe Bruno was a bad person…

Maybe for today… Maybe just this once none of that had to matter. Maybe he could be a devil, just for a bit. Maybe…

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Wil took a break to make lunch after the senior class funneled out. Bruno knew Wil didn't plan on eating whatever it was he was making. He'd cook for his sister and Robledo. Not for himself. It was a shame. Wil seemed a wonderful cook. Bruno wondered if he should try to get Wilfredo to eat. He watched Wil drape his cardigan over one of the kitchen chairs and roll up his sleeves. All thoughts fled Bruno's mind as he watched Wil collect firewood to heat the stove. It was such a small thing. Just a little bit of skin Bruno wasn't used to seeing. It didn't matter. Anytime he saw more of Wilfredo was exciting. The man dressed rather conservatively. Even making love last night he remained mostly dressed. Bruno could see the slight flex in Wilfredo's arms when he stoked the fire. He watched him boil water and chop potatoes. Set them to simmer.

All the while Bruno remained frozen in the hallway. The warm smell of burning wood filled the kitchen. Now would be the perfect time to bring out Jacinto. To turn on the charm and make his lover swoon while it was just the two of them. Don Diego was napping upstairs. Probably wouldn't wake until lunch was ready. The kids were gone. It was the perfect opportunity… and Bruno was hung up on bare forearms.

Eventually, Wil oiled a skillet and started chopping onions. Sergio bit Bruno's ear and snapped him back to reality. Right, he only had maybe an hour, an hour and a half. If he was going to try and make a move he needed to do it now.

Bruno took a deep breath and cleared his throat. He threw his ruana around his neck and slipped into character. Wilfredo turned to look at him but Jacinto approached from the opposite side. He pulled himself up onto the counter beside his target so he could look down at him. He put a hand on Wilfredo's chin and tilted his head up to meet Jacinto's eyes.

"Hola, soy el Señor Correcto. Me buscabas?" He cooed. Jacinto's voice was smooth as silk. Trailing his slender finger's along Wilfredo's jawline.

Wilfredo paused and blinked up at him for a moment. His hands froze on the cutting board. A faint peach spread across his cheeks. He let out a small scoff and shook his head. Returning his attention to the onions. "Muy lindo Bruno." He chuckled. He made his way through the onions quickly and easily. Skilled and precise. Experienced. He slid them off the cutting board into the pan and set about simmering them. "Mind telling me why you waited so long to pull that line out? I could see you standing in the hall the last fifteen minutes. I'm not blind." He teased.

"Ha." Jacinto laughed. Confidently covering up for Bruno's embarrassment. He perched on the counter. One leg swinging playfully as he rested back on his hands. "You must have me mistaken for some other hombre muy guapo. Me llamo Jacinto. El donjuán definitivo." He boasted.

"Oh, de verdad?" Wilfredo raised his eyebrows in disbelief. He continued stirring though there was a bright glitter in his eyes. A familiar mischief Bruno had come to adore. There was a playful challenge in Wil's voice. "I don't know about that. Bruno might give you some steep competition."

"Who is this Bruno?" Jacinto challenged. "Who could dare compare to el gran Jacinto." He blustered.

Wilfredo hummed thoughtfully as he fried vegetables in the pan. "Bueno… es hermoso, es gracioso, creativo…" The corner of his mouth curled up into a wicked little grin. Coly watching the pan as he bragged about Bruno. "Y muy, muy, sexi…" He purred.

Bruno could feel the steam rising behind his ruana. That audacious grin sent a shiver down his spine. Made his stomach boil. "W-well, I, uh, I, I'm uh-" Bruno stripped over his words. Struggling to stay in character. His brain was fried.

Wil looked up at him and smiled sweetly. The kind of smile that made his nose crinkle and brought out the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes. "Ah, there you are Bruno. I've been looking for you." He leaned away from the stove to place a hand on Bruno's cheek. Pulling him in and leaving a small peck on his lips.

"Si besarte es un pecado, caminaría feliz por el infierno…" Bruno breathed. The air thoroughly ripped from his lungs. All it took was a few words and the lightest touch.

Wil shifted back to the cutting board to chop tomatoes while the onions simmered. "Your new character might still need some work. The name is perfect though. Jacinto, hermoso." He swooned.

Bruno chuckled awkwardly and pulled one of the flowers out of his hair. "I figured a flower name would be fitting." He muttered bashfully.

Wil looked over at the flower in Bruno's hand curiously. "You do know the story behind el Jacinto don't you?" He asked. His inquisitive gaze flicked up to meet Bruno's eyes.

Bruno furrowed his brow. He looked back down at the pink flower in his hand. Unsure what it was Wil was getting at. "What story?"

Wil chuckled and leaned against the counter once he was done with the tomatoes. Watching the onions cook while he regaled Bruno with his tales. "There's an old Greek myth about the creation of those flowers. The hero Hyacinthus was a lover of Apollo, god of the sun. He was talented and beautiful and Apollo would abandon the sanctuary of Delphi to be with him."

He was beautiful. He was a lover of the god Apollo. Those words stuck out in Bruno's mind. He stared intently at Wilfredo as he finished the story. There was a kind of wistful tone to the way he spoke.

Wil shifted the tomatoes into the pan and seasoned it with cumin, thyme, salt and pepper. "Sadly one day when Apollo was teaching his lover to throw a discus he accidentally threw it so high that when Hyacinthus ran to catch it, it hit his head and killed him."

Bruno bit his lip. Hugging the little flower to his chest.

Wilfredo stirred the pan as the tomatoes softened. "Apollo was overwhelmed with grief. Unable to save his life he transformed his dying lover into a flower as beautiful as he had been." Wil poured the contents of the pan into a bowl he had on standby and scooted Bruno off the counter so he could get to the sink to set the pan aside.

"A-and that was, th-this flower…" Bruno asked timidly. Holding up the pink hyacinth in his hand and pointing to it.

"Sí." Wilfredo replied as he brought a loaf of bread to the cutting board.

"A-and th-they were both… men?" Bruno asked in stunned disbelief.

"Sí…" Wilfredo replied slowly. "There are many Greek stories of men loving men. Roman too." Wil stopped dividing the bread. He paused and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Cantos del corazón may have been smothered and obscured by people who'd like to make us ashamed of what we are, but we've always been around." He told Bruno gently.

He turned to look at him with a soft sad smile. Leaning against the counter with his fingers interlaced in front of him. "In ancient Greece or Rome, love like ours was commonplace." He explained. He looked away. He combed his still-damp fingers through his hair. He was nervous. The bashful blush on his face expressed something warm. Something tender and pure.

"Mi abuela materna is from Italy. I was always very close with her growing up. It was Nonna who first introduced me to the Greek gods, though she liked their Roman names. Those stories were a great comfort to me when I was young." He laughed and shook his head. Clearly embraced. "In college, I like to imagine some distant ancestor of mine. Living happily with a male lover in Sicily. They had a lovely little house on a hill overlooking the sea. A few dogs…"

He had the smallest, most innocent, smile. "It's silly. I know they weren't real, these characters, but they gave me hope."

Wil's words felt so warm. This small little candle flame. Bruno could feel that warmth and light in his chest hearing Wil speak, and yet… A creeping thought snuck in. Claws digging at the back of his mind. A cold chill threatening to creep in and snuff out that light. He gripped tight to the pink flower in one hand, while the other came to rest on the crucifix around his neck. Bruno looked down at the floor as he felt the air sucked out of his lungs.

"They were pagano, they'd be in hell now." He muttered softly. A profound sense of grief in his voice he hadn't been expecting. It was like Wilfredo said. These men weren't real. It was silly. Nevertheless, the thought of them burning brought forth very a real grief that caught Bruno off guard.

Wilfredo looked back at Bruno. He nodded slowly before replying. "I mean, if such a place exists then I suppose so." Wilfredo's expression was unreadable. Contemplative but it gave nothing else away. He returned to his cooking.

Bruno stared silently at first. Frozen in place. Watching Wilfredo finish dicing the bread and put it in another bowl. Retrieving a bottle of milk from the icebox and pouring it over the bread. Did he really just?

"W-what do you mean, if such a place exists ?" Bruno stammered in shock. Unsure if he'd properly understood Wilfredo. No, he was confident he understood what had been said. What else could Wil have meant? Questioning little inconsistencies was one thing, but this? Hell itself? How could anyone question something so fundamental?

"Y-you shouldn't talk like that Wil." Bruno warned. Reeling from such a statement. Wil was so confident questioning the bible. He didn't know how much danger he was in. He didn't know, he wasn't choosing hell.

Wil looked back at Bruno. He rinsed his hands in the sink and fixed his glasses. "I understand your concern Bruno, but I'm quite alright. Te lo prometo." He replied gently. He watched Bruno closely before returning to his cooking. He grabbed the pot off the stove and started draining the potatoes.

"I really don't think it's as big a concern as you think it is." He admitted. His voice relaxed. Shifting into the casual tone of a scholar. The voice he often used when rattling off from his extensive pool of knowledge. "Our modern conception of hell didn't even really come about until the medieval period. Hebrew old testament texts never even described such a place, and the earliest examples of what we now translate as hell in the new testament were likely influenced by Hellenistic Greek philosophy. Even then Dante's Inferno is largely responsible for the image of hell we have today and that was an overt work of fiction written in the fourteenth century."

Bruno watched as Wilfredo greased a ceramic baking dish and started layering the sliced, boiled, potatoes along the bottom. Bruno was speechless. He didn't know what to add. What to say. He didn't even know where to begin.

After an awkward moment of silence between them, Wil stopped to look back at Bruno and wait for his reply. Beatrice seemed to notice Bruno had locked up. She crawled up onto his shoulder and nibbled at his beard. Tugging at his hair to jolt him into moving again.

"Perdón? You wanna run that one by me again?" Bruno asked. Rolling his forefingers back in front of his chest. Attempting to physically recoil the conversation. Utterly amazed that Wilfredo could challenge his beliefs so casually. Like it was nothing. Like hell and the fears that had plagued him all his life, were just a fairy tale.

Wil was quiet at first. Like he was looking for the right words. He spoke slowly and carefully. "I'm a history professor Bruno." He prefaced. "An avid researcher. As someone who enjoys the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake naturally, I had to research the belief system I'd been handed. People told me to live my life by these rules, by these stories, I had to know Bruno. Had to know where they came from. To read them for myself." He explained.

There was a faint plea in his voice. His eyes urged Bruno to understand. Scanning his face and searching for understanding. Wilfredo turned back to his cooking and spread the fried vegetables over the potatoes. "Truth be told, the bible is far from an unchanging infallible text." He stated bluntly.

Something suddenly clicked in Bruno's mind. "You… You're not an atheist are you?"

Wilfredo went and retrieved a small bowl of boiled eggs from the icebox. Leftovers from whatever he'd made for breakfast that morning. He started slicing them on the cutting board. Never looking up as he spoke. "Vaya…" He smiled awkwardly and blushed. Almost as if he were retroactively embarrassed by some gaps in his understanding of the world. "After living in El Encanto for months I think it'd be pretty hard to be an atheist." He chuckled. "As it stands I've been observing your family for a while and I'm still at a loss for any scientific explanation." He shrugged and looked back at Bruno. Smiling timidly. "I'm still not sure what I believe exactly, but I don't put overdue stock in holy books or preachers."

There was something in Wil's expression. Something Bruno recognized all too well. That desire, that need to feel understood. To not be judged or cast aside. That desire to be seen.

"B-but, you go to church. Every Sunday. You never miss a week." Bruno was still struggling to understand. He was trying to. He wanted to.

"I go to church because I like to engage with the community." Wilfredo replied simply. He looked away again. His smile faded. The mask was back. He layered the boiled egg over top of the vegetables. "It's not like I don't enjoy it." He clarified. "I love engaging with the culture around me. I like feeling like I'm part of a community. Even if it isn't real…"

Somehow Bruno knew Wil wasn't talking about religion itself. He couldn't explain how he knew. If religion wasn't real it would mean very little to Wil. He wasn't clinging to that fantasy. He was clinging to the fantasy of being a part of a community. Of being loved and accepted.

Wilfredo was popular, he was charming. People liked Wilfredo. Wil was different. He was lonely. That was an emotion Bruno certainly understood.

"Does that bother you?" Wil asked softly.

Bruno felt like perhaps it should, and yet… "No, not really."

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Wil finished piling on potatoes and soaked bread and put his concoction in the oven. It wasn't a recipe Bruno was terribly familiar with but it smelled lovely. The rest of the conversation after that shifted to more mundane things. More casual flirting. Bruno was still really bad at it. Even Jacinto struggled to compete with Wil's witty comebacks. Somehow though Bruno didn't mind it. He was still a bit awkward and insecure, but he loved that about Wil. Loved how playful and coy he was. How easily he could make Bruno's heart flutter.

It didn't last long. Only about half an hour before Wil had to go wake Diego. Bruno still wasn't sure how to talk to Diego. He didn't want to leave, however. Especially when Wilfredo offered him a plate of papa turmada. As Bruno has suspected Wil didn't serve himself a plate. Only peeled and ate a grapefruit while the others complemented his cooking. Bruno was thankful he didn't need to talk much. Jacqueline came home for lunch and was plenty loud enough on her own. Bruno loved watching the three of them. The way Fontana siblings would banter back and forth. The way Don Diego would snark back. For a short time, Bruno felt like a little boy again. Swinging his feet under the table and arguing with Carina over the latest book he read. He remembered the way Deigo would challenge him. Not unlike how Wil challenged the students he tutored. Wil was certainly a gentler teacher. Never overly stern. Always finding ways to keep the peace with a bit of wit and a lot of kindness. Señor Robledo would threaten little misbehaving children with the business end of his cane. He used to laugh though, to smile.

Bruno hadn't realized just how much he missed that. He was only a passive observer. Still, watching the three of them felt so comfortingly familiar. He loved seeing one of his father's best friends so happy. The closest Bruno ever knew to a father growing up.

Bruno regretted that they'd grown so distant.

Diego returned to his room after lunch for a little extra sleep. Jacqueline stuck around after lunch for the junior bible study. Bruno wasn't sure if he was grateful or frustrated to have her. The junior bible study was much easier. Bruno had no problem taking over, singing songs, playing games. Jacqueline would intentionally get the words wrong and send the group into fits of laughter. She would cheat in their games or mess up in ridiculous ways. She was annoying and funny. Despite her constantly undermining everything Bruno tried to do, he couldn't help but laugh along. Maybe he should have been annoyed. Maybe it didn't matter as much as he thought. Maybe it was ok to let the bible be silly. Maybe it was ok, just to have fun. Maybe he could just let god be a source of joy. Everything else could wait. At least for today.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

"Wil?"

Bruno looked over to find his love slumped over the desk. Wil had opted to take the desk when Bruno took the lead. He'd grown slowly less engaged as the games persisted. Bruno hadn't noticed right away but Wil hadn't spoken in a bit. He had his face rested in his hand and seemed to have dozed off. Strange given he was usually so invested in story hour. He loved teaching. Loved engaging young minds. He must have been exhausted if he was falling asleep at a time like this. Bruno hadn't noticed until now. Wil hid it so well.

"Wil?" Bruno asked a bit louder.

"Eh hermano wake up!" Jacqueline shouted. She chucked the ball they'd been playing with at her brother's head.

Wil's eyes shot open. Startled by the light thunk to his head. His arm slipped out from under him causing his chin to slam on the desk.

"Ay! Are you alright!" Bruno jumped up over the crowd of little ones. Rushing to make sure Wil wasn't hurt. Grabbing hold of his lover's face. Checking for bruises, making sure his teeth were ok.

"Hm?! Despierto, estoy bien!" Wil bolted upright. He spotted Bruno inches from his face and turned red. Waving him off in a fluster.

It was only then, as Bruno pulled his hands back, that he noticed the laughter of the children. Hunched over the desk like some woodland creature. His hands were frozen in the air where Wilfredo's face had been. It was then he realized how overblown his reaction was. Bruno looked back at the giggling children and felt heat rise to his cheeks.

A sudden nip to his ear made him jump and shriek. Sergio was apparently displeased with his lack of self-control. He'd been nipping Bruno's ear all day and it was getting old. He reached up to try and swat Sergio away but Beatrice who'd been resting in his pocket beat him to it, leaping up to scuffle with her offending sight of Bruno scrabbling to get a grip on his mischievous rats only made the kids laugh even louder. Beatrice had been getting better at keeping her boys in line. Bruno only wished she wouldn't do this on top of him. The rats hoped down to the floor and proceeded to scurry off between the bookshelves.

"E-espera, Beatrice…" Bruno whined but sighed and hung his head in defeat. Oh well, they'd come back to him later. He turned back to Wil. "L-lo siento." He apologized softly.

Wil groaned. Embarrassed and tired. "Can we just get back to the game?" He pleaded.

"Ah, s-sí." Bruno replied bashfully.

"Aw, what's wrong hermano. Embarrassed you need tu amigo lo bese mejor?" Jacqueline taunted.

"No me pruebes." Wil snapped back. Pointing a stern finger at her.

He had a right to be annoyed. They needed to be subtle. Bruno was frankly not very good at that. Wilfredo tried to be patient with him. Bruno knew he needed to reign himself in more. Jacqueline wasn't making this any easier.

"Who's next Tío Bruno?" Cecilia's sweet voice snapped Bruno back to the game. Thanks to Antonio's influence a lot of his friends had started calling Bruno, tío. It was sweet, it did make him worry though. He really needed to get better at hiding his perversions. These children were the last people he needed to expose himself in front of.

Bruno slinked back to his chair shamefaced. Wil was watching him with a raised eyebrow. Drumming his fingers on the desk. Jacqueline was staring at him curiously too. It seemed their minds hadn't gone to the same place Bruno's had. Maybe expressing a bit too much affection in front of the class wasn't as egregious a slip-up as he worried it was. It still felt wrong, loving another man like that in front of children.

Wilfredo was frustrated, sure. Seeing Bruno hang his head in shame seemed to confuse him more than anything.

"Oh, p-pues, Wilfredo caught the futbol." Bruno grinned sheepishly. "It's his turn isn't it?"

Wil raised an eyebrow at him. "I wouldn't exactly call that a catch but okey." He chuckled. He scooted his chair back and reached down to collect the ball under his desk. He hummed thoughtfully as he turned the ball over in his hands.

The game was Bruno's idea. A way of celebrating Jesus. They'd throw the ball back and forth and each person would say why they were grateful for him. It was a nice easy little game to wind down as the hour was coming to a close. It seemed to take Wil a moment to think of a sufficient answer. He pushed his glasses back up his nose before he finally replied. "I'm grateful for Sunday mass. For holidays and weddings. I'm grateful for a place to celebrate life with my neighbors and loved ones." He answered sincerely.

"Boooo! Boring! No one likes church." Jacqueline whined. She flopped back in Bruno's lap. Draping herself across Bruno's body without asking.

"Do you mind?" Bruno snarked. "Get your own chair."

"Aw, don't be boring too Bruno you two are killing me." Jacqueline protested. Sitting up on his knee and pouting like a child.

Wil chucked the ball across the room and nailed Jacqueline in the head. Returning the gesture. The ball bounced off her temple with a tinny thunk that knocked her off Bruno's lap. It was an exaggerated pratfall of course. More performance for the children.

"Hey! She already got a turn." Antonio protested while the rest of the kids burst out laughing.

Wil replied with a cheeky smile and a shrug. He was about to say something before a voice suddenly cut through the chatter.

"Wilfredo!"

Wil jumped a little as the library door swung open. Pepa stood in the doorway. A slight lingering cloud over her head.

"Ah, Pepa, cómo estás?" Wil greeted her warmly.

"Why didn't you warn me?" Pepa accused.

Wil furrowed his brow and ran his hand through his hair. "Warn you?" He replied in confusion.

"The book you recommended." Pepa tossed the book she was holding onto his desk and propped her hands up on her hips.

Wil looked down at the book, adjusted his glasses, and chuckled faintly. Not condescending just amused. "Lo siento, I know it can get rough in places. You Madrigal woman all seem so strong, I guess I didn't stop to consider tus sentidos. Mis disculpas."

Bruno watched as Wil flipped through the pages thoughtfully. His eyes flicked back up to Pepa. A coy little grin spread across his face.

"You did still read the whole thing, sí?"

Pepa blushed a little. The air around her grew foggy.

It was so alien watching the two interact. Bruno knew full well that Wil was very active around down. He made friends and made a habit of doing so. Bruno still felt weird watching Wil tease his sister. The same bubbling feeling that had stirred in Bruno that morning. Wil could be a lot of things, polite, respectful, kind, even stern at times, but watching him direct his coy, playful, ribbing at someone else brought some strange emotions out of Bruno. It felt wrong. Like that smile was supposed to be for Bruno and Bruno alone. He knew Wil wasn't flirting, knew that was just how Wil was. Bruno teased his own sister much the same way. Still, it felt strange being reminded that Bruno and Jacqueline were in fact not the only people in Wil's orbit. He wondered if other people in town were as pulled in by his gravity.

"I-it's a good book." Pepa crossed her arms and relented. "I just wasn't ready for…" She stopped and looked around the room.

"Hola Mami!" Tonito beamed as he waved to her from the floor.

"Hola niño." Pepa smiled back. The fog lifted when she greeted her son.

"Ey! Es Doña Bárbara!" Jacqueline beamed. Pulling herself off the floor to prop up her crossed arms over the arm of Bruno's chair. Seated at Bruno's feet. Her fiery red skirt sprawled out along the floor. "Esa es mi esposa, ella es una inspiración." She swooned playfully.

"Doña Bárbara es una monstrua!" Pepa whipped back around, thunder and lightning crackling in the small library.

"Uh… Jac?" Bruno tried to warn. Shrinking back in his seat. Trying to weigh the pros and cons of trying to intervene.

"She is the antagonist." Wil replied to Pepa's bluster rather evenly as he sat back in his chair, flipping to some passage in the book, likely from memory. Every book Wil read he read at least twice. "Pero ella no es un monstruo."

"Wil..." Bruno winced. Wil wasn't listening. Reluctantly, Bruno decided to leave their Fontana siblings to their fate.

"How can you say that? After everything she did! Y a su propia hija!"

"She was a deeply wounded woman." Wil replied. "She let her pain consume her. In the end, the best she could do was sacrifice her own happiness to end the suffering she caused." Wil paused a moment as he closed the book. "Maybe in another life, she could have been happy, but she never could get out of her own way, could she?"

Wil set the book down and sat back in his chair again. He laced his fingers over his stomach and looked back at Pepa thoughtfully. "I think there's a tragedy in her character, don't you?"

"Pepa the books!"

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

The ensuing storm was been brief, a flurry of shrieking children rushing out the door. Wil desperately trying to salvage his latest research project which he'd left sitting open on the desk. Pepa darted outside to try and soothe herself, but the damage was done. She kept trying to poke her head back inside to apologize or offer to help which, counter-productively, only made her more upset. Making the problem worse.

"Fuera! Fuera! Está bien!" Wil insisted as she shooed Pepa out the door again. "We can discuss the story more later if you want." He smiled sweetly. Bruno knew full well how frustrating the damage to the library must have been for Wil. "Somewhere more waterproof preferably." Wil added.

Pepa apologized again, leaving and the Fontana siblings alone once the door was closed.

Wil slumped back against the door and took in the damage with a frustrated groan.

"Lo sietno amor." Bruno rubbed his shoulder with a soothing hand.

"Está bien, it's nothing I can't fix. Thankfully she only got half the shelves." Wil looked up sadly at the dripping shelves, then back down to the sitting area. "I'll need to dry out the rugs too, and the cushions…"

Jacqueline shrugged as she wrung more rainwater out of her ponytail onto the soaked rugs. "It's just some books hermano. Don't act like someone died."

Bruno shot her a look. A gruff voice cut through the air before he could speak.

"Qué diablos sucedió aquí!?"

Bruno immediately jumped away at the familiar sound of Don Deigo's harsh barking. He turned to see the befuddled old man in the doorway that led into the house. "P-Pepa happened." Bruno explained sheepishly.

"Who let her in here!?" Diego griped.

Bruno hadn't thought about it, but Pepa was banned from the library years ago. He just sort of assumed Wil had given her permission and didn't consider whether or not he'd ran it past Diego. Wilfredo really needed to stop doing that.

"Not it!" Jacqueline chimed. Quick to shove past Wil and bolt out the front door.

Wil raised a hand like a schoolboy being scolded.

Don Diego glared at the both of them as he approached before his eyes settled on Wil. "Fix this!" He demanded.

"Sí, señor." Wil replied obediently.

Diego snapped his angry glare back to Bruno. Bruno could feel all the color leave his face.

"Y tú! You should know better!" Diego reprimanded. He wasn't wrong. Wil was still new, still getting used to magic, still getting used to Pepa. Bruno knew full well how his sister could get. She'd always been a very emotional reader and he knew she was banned from the library for a reason.

Bruno hung his head in shame. It had been years since Robledo scolded him like that.

Wil noticed a bag in Diego's hand. "Are you going somewhere?"

Robledo looked down at the bag he was carrying then back at Wil. "Sí, de hecho, I'm leaving early to help Alma with the procession. I wanna make sure we get good seats.."

"That's wonderful!" Wil said.

Bruno felt a bit guilty. He knew his mother would be waiting for him. She'd save him a seat. It was strange though. Bruno couldn't remember the last time he saw Diego and his mother together. Or the last time he saw him at a major public gathering for that matter. Not since Carina died.

"Cállate, you're still in trouble chico!" Don Diego snapped. He waved his cane in Bruno's face. "You're staying here till this place is spotless, Comprendes?"

"S-sí, señor." Bruno stammered. "B-but the procession?"

"I'll let Alma know what the hold-up is. You can apologize yourself for being late when you catch up." Diego grunted. Shoving past the both of them to leave. Slamming the door on the way out.

"Uh… Books or rugs?" Bruno asked, unsure where to start.

Wil looked around again rubbed his hands together. "I'll start on the books you get the fabrics." He decided.

Bruno nodded and hurried over to begin collecting the soggy rugs and pillows. He turned to watch as Wil examined the affected shelves before taking off his soggy cardigan and leaving it to dry on the counter by the windows.

"It's weird seeing Señor Robledo so active." Bruno admitted absentmindedly. He returned his attention to the rugs and tried to plan the best way to dry out the pillows. "I'm surprised he would help out with a major festival like that."

Wil hummed playfully. "I might have had something to do with that."

"Que sí?"

Wil began collecting the damp books. "Robledo needs company and I won't be here forever. I want to know he'll be looked after when I'm gone. He and Alma are old friends, I'm hoping they can reconnect." He explained. The affectionate way Wil spoke of Diego made Bruno smile. It was bittersweet. Bruno was once close with Diego. He never really had a father and his school teacher turn town librarian was the closest he ever had. He was happy to see someone looking out for him. Bitter he never had the courage to do that himself.

"He agreed to go if I went with him." Wil drummed his fingers on the heavy damp stack in his arms. Looking around at the many other books he still needed to gather. "I'm glad he's still going anyway." He sighed.

"Hey, don't be like that. We'll get this done in time." Bruno insisted.

Wil winced back at him skeptically.

"We have to." Bruno insisted. "I promised mamá."

"Bruno you don't have to stay." Wil apologized. "I can handle this myself-"

Bruno cut him off. "Ah! I don't want to hear it. Robledo told us to clean this up together so that's what we're doing. Besides, you made a promise too. I can't let you disappoint him." Bruno smiled confidently up at Wil.

Wil still seemed to doubt their abilities but succeeded. "If you insist."

"Bien." Bruno asserted. He hurried off to start collecting the damp cushions. "I take it you have some master plan in mind for Pepa too?" He teased. Trying to make casual conversation while they cleaned.

"Oh no." Wil laughed. "Not yet anyway." He seemed amused by Bruno's assumption that he was some kind of schemer.

Truthfully it was only a half-joke. Wil was a bit like Dolores. He always seemed to have some sort of bigger picture in mind.

"Pepa stopped by with Antonio a few weeks ago regarding an overdue library book. The two of us got talking, turns out we have some overlapping tastes. We've been swapping books back and forth." Wil explained.

"You seem to get along with a lot of people." Bruno grunted as he compiled the rugs into a large heavy roll and attempted to hoist it over his shoulder.

"Are you jealous?" Wil teased. He looked back at Bruno with a curious glint in his eyes. That mischievous grin that made Bruno want to kiss it off his beautiful, smug, face.

"I'm not jealous." Bruno rolled his eyes. He made another attempt to lift the rugs up and nearly fell backward.

Wil caught him this time.

He'd fallen over, or nearly fallen over, many times in front of him. This time Wil caught him.

"Maybe we should switch?" Wilfredo offered.

Bruno looked up at him. The heat in his face burned his tongue and all he could do was nod.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Drying the books was at least a less physically strenuous task, if highly tedious. They each had to be laid out open on the counter. Once the pages dried Bruno would flip each book to the next one and wait again. They couldn't fit all of them on the counter at once so Bruno had to mop up the floor to make space to dry more books. It got dark eventually. Wil returned with the dry rugs. His vest had been discarded and his button-down was soggy. Bruno couldn't help but stare curiously as Wilfredo's wet clothes revealed more of the contours underneath. Bruno had never seen Wil properly naked. He wanted any excuse he could think of to take that shirt off of him. Unfortunately or fortunately, Don Diego arrived home just as Bruno's thoughts were beginning to wander.

Diego observed the progress they had made before offering them both an approving nod and trusting they would both keep at it after he went to bed. They both promised they would and he retired for the night. Diego had left the festivities early. He was old and didn't have the energy to stay out late with the rest of the town. The fact he'd gone out at all was impressive. It left a bit in Bruno's gut, however. It meant Bruno had missed the procession. He could still celebrate with his family if he left now. Looking around at all the drying books he knew he wouldn't be getting home till well after everyone went to bed.

Bruno sat on a stool by the counter. Waiting to turn the pages again. Watching Wil close his eyes as he sat back to catch his breath. The sight of his semi-exposed body. The way his hair clung to the sweat on his brow. It distracted Bruno from his lingering guilt and the mind-numbing boredom.

Quiet and cautious Bruno crept across the room. Tip-toeing over still recovering reading material. Inching closer to the chairs. Wil didn't even seem to notice as Bruno came to stand, lightfooted, in front of him. Bruno hovered over the object of his affection for a moment. Wringing his hands in front of himself. Taking in the sight of Wilfredo. The way his wet shirt clung to him really made clear just how broad his shoulders actually were. His arms were weighty. Bruno could make out the contours of Wil's breasts. The curve of his stomach. There was a certain way that he carried his weight that was fundamentally more appealing to Bruno than any woman he'd ever seen. Seeing Wil like this made Bruno resent the way he always layering his clothing. Bruno and Felix didn't even bother with undershirts. He was lucky most days to see Wilfredo take off his cardigan. Getting excited over exposed forearms.

Without letting himself overthink it, Bruno carefully climbed up into the chair to straddle Wil's lap. They were lovers now after all, right? Bruno could touch his lover if he wanted to, right?

Wil looked up at him a little drowsy and confused. "Perdón?"

Bruno cut him off with a kiss. He leaned into him. Running his hands over his lover's breasts. Squeezing gently at soft flesh and probing the muscles underneath. Rubbing little circles around Wil's nipples with his thumbs. Wil let out a low tired groan though Bruno could feel his cock twitch before Wil pushed him off.

"Basta ya!" Wil scolded.

"Lo que pasa los maricones!"

Bruno shrieked like a startled rat and lept into the chair beside them. Swaddling himself in his ruana to hide the growing bulge in his pants.

It was just Jacqueline, thank god.

She stood in the doorway. Shoes in one hand and the remains of one of Vicente's cigars in the other. Her hair was a mess and she had a wide half dazed grin on her face as she tried to get one last puff out of the stub between her fingers.

"You're home early." Wil replied dryly. He looked so tired. Clearly not in the mood for her antics.

"I can leave if you want." Jacqueline teased. "I see you two are busy, I'd hate to interrupt."

"Busy cleaning the library." Wil explained. "After you ran off and left us with the mess.

"Oh, sí, cleaning. That's what that was." Jacqueline snorted. She looked around like she had only just now registered the army of books drying on the floor. "Hmm… Still not my problem." She replied confidently.

Wil groaned and let his head fall back in the chair

Jacqueline laughed at his frustration. "You let Pepa in here." She chided playfully. "Hermano es tu culpa."

"Sí, sí, it's very funny." Wil griped. He got up to start flipping pages. Beginning with the books he'd laid out before they switched tasks.

Bruno would have gotten up to help flip pages but was still too embarrassed to move. Jacqueline was clearly drunk. Tonight was a holy celebration. She really shouldn't have been drinking. Yet there she was, flushed-faced and swaying slightly.

"I know why Robeldo came home early. What's your excuse?" Wil asked.

Jacqueline let out a displeased grunt. "You two were taking too long. Someone had to cover up for you." She explained. "I'm sure you'd be done by now if you two weren't so busy besuqueaste." Her lazy eyes wandered back to Bruno who still hadn't moved. "Aren't you gonna help clean up tu hermana's mess or is tu culo glued to the chair?"

Bruno opened his mouth to speak. All he could manage was a strangled wheezing sound.

"Go to bed, Jacqueline." Wilfredo bluntly insisted.

Jacqueline stuck her tongue out at him. "I was gonna do that anyway." She mocked.

Wil rolled his eyes and returned to flipping pages. Bruno stayed bundled in his seat. Watching Wil's soldiers flex ever so slightly as he moved. Gnawing on his lip as he was once again mesmerized by the other man's body. The gentle tap of Jacqueline's hand on Bruno's shoulder made him jump.

"Ey, come here, I wanna show you something." There was a mischievous glint in Jacqueline's eyes that made Bruno nervous.

Bruno looked back at Wil hesitantly. He didn't seem to notice Jacqueline's whispering or didn't seem to care.

"I-I don't know, I should help-"

"Oh sure you will. Follow me." Jacqueline instructed. Gesturing towards the door to the house.

With one last glance to Wil, Bruno followed Jacqueline up the stairs to their shared bedroom. All the while Bruno kept fully cocooned in his ruana. He stopped outside the door when Jacqueline opened it and stepped inside. To his surprise, she stumbled over to her brother's side of the room to search his nightstand for something. After a moment of rummaging, she tossed Bruno a corked glass bottle. Bruno let go of his ruana long enough to catch it. It took a second for him to register what she'd given him. It was the bottle of coconut oil. Solidified at room temperature but it would melt easily. Bruno's face burned as he stared down at it wide-eyed. He looked back up at Jacqueline who winked at him and clicked her tongue.

"Trátalo bien, okey?" Jacqueline told him as she shoved the dividing curtain aside to grab a blanket and pillow from her pallet on the floor. "I'm gonna go sleep on the roof tonight." She stated as though that were a perfectly normal statement.

Bruno stood there frozen and dumbfounded. His brain tried to catch up to what Jacqueline was saying. "Y-you do that often?" He asked finally as he watched her balance on the window sill and wondered if she was sober enough to be climbing around like that.

"All the time." Jacqueline replied. "I like sleeping under the stars. Besides, figured you'd like to keep your options open."

Bruno was about to protest but Jacqueline managed to grab hold of the library roof, which was level with the second-story window, and swing herself up before he could say another word. Bruno's face continued to burn as he stood in the middle of the room holding the bottle. Jacqueline and Wil had a very strange relationship. That wasn't really his business to unpack though. Discomfort aside, he was still hard. That didn't mean he had to do anything about it, necessarily. He didn't have to do anything. He could just put the bottle away, finish drying to books and go home like he was supposed to.

He could have done that…

Instead, he found himself rubbing the bottle between his hands to try and warm it up as he nervously crept back down the stairs. He held the bottle tight to his chest. Peering past the still-open door. Wil had already begun collecting up the books that were finished drying and stacking them on the desk.

"What did mi hermanita want?" Wil grunted without turning to look at Bruno.

Bruno swallowed a little. No lies. He'd be a hypocrite if he didn't hold himself to the same standard he asked Wil to. That said, some questions were better left unanswered.

"Looks like the shorter books are mostly dry." Bruno observed as he tucked the bottle under his belt to let it warm against his skin.

Wil paused a moment. "They are…" He looked up to count the rows of larger books which were still drying.

Bruno crept up next to him and reach up on tip-toe to kiss his cheek. Sliding his hands over Wil's arm and shoulders.

Wil sighed. "Bruno, it's late, I'm tired."

It was a little past ten, not terribly late, but Bruno picked up a while ago that Wil usually went to bed early. Besides ringing out the soaking wet rugs was a tiring task. A bit easier for Wil, considering Bruno could barely lift them, but Wil seemed to tire easier. Bruno scooted around Wil to lift himself up onto the desk. Seated in front of him. Bruno kicked his legs like an impatient schoolboy as he held Wil in place by the collar of his shirt.

"I know." He replied. His eyes wandered down Wil's chest before returning to his face. "Tal vez quiero cuidarte esta noche." Bruno said sweetly. He watched Wil's silver eyes intently. "You did say you're not particular either way, sí?"

There it was, that wonderful curious glimmer. A pair of silver coins glitering in the dim light. Staring back at Bruno intently. He couldn't help the mischievous grin that consumed his face. It was rather fun, learning how to push Wil's buttons. Most of his flirting today had been a bust. Now he was finally making headway. Bruno was pretty pleased with himself at this point. The more he learned, the more confident he felt. No wonder Wil loved learning so much, it was quite thrilling indeed.

Wil looked like he might ask a question before looking back at the stacks of books that needed reshelving. He sighed, wrapped his arms around Bruno, and rested his chin on top of his head. Bruno found himself thoroughly squished as Wil leaned on him. His arms were like tree trunks. A sweet gesture, not terribly sexy, but sweet.

"We need to get this done." Wil lamented. His tone was tired but not irritated like before. The was a sort of exaggerated disappointment that suggested some kind of play was afoot. Wil liked to play coy. Bruno didn't mind playing along.

Bruno freed his arms to wrap them around Wil's neck and began kissing up the side of it as he spoke. "I know, but, you're tired, and frustrated…" He argued between tender kisses. "Y tengo muchas ganas de tocarte." Bruno breathed softly in Wil's ear.

Bruno felt Wil shudder faintly. The sensation made his toes curl. He bit his lip trying to control the overly pleased grin on his face.

Bruno took Wil's face in his hands to push it back enough to kiss his lips. Wil made some small token protest but quickly melted under his touch. Bruno loved kissing. He adored tasting his lover. Loved sucking on those plump lips. Loved the way he made Wil hum. That lovely, dazed little hum that reverberated in Bruno's mouth.

ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

God, he was so hard. It was starting to hurt.

Didn't matter, Bruno was going to try and take his time tonight. He'd been greedy before. He wanted to please his lover.

Once Wil was good and dazed, his grip thoroughly loosened, Bruno shoved him back into the chair behind the desk. Wil landed with a clumsy little thud and stared up at him wide-eyed. Bruno hopped down from the desk. The little bottle of oil slipping loose and clattering to the floor in the process. Wil noticed of course. He leaned over to prop his elbow on the armrest and hold his teasing grin in his hand.

"You had a plan I see." Wil teased.

Bruno blushed as he collected the bottle. Still not fully melted yet. He tucked it back into his pants. "W-well, uh, not really a plan so much as an idea." He confessed awkwardly.

Staring up at Wil from where he crouched on the floor the man look much more imposing. He was already a good foot taller at least and considerably broader than Bruno. In the position he looked like a giant. Bruno swallowed. The confidence he'd been building, very briefly faltering.

Wil chuckled and shook his head. "Bruno lets just-"

No, no, no. Before Wil could even finish his sentence Bruno was already unbuckling his belt. He wasn't going to let this mountain of a man, and his dumb, smug, handsome face, talk down to him. He wanted this, he could do this. Still, he froze once he actually got it out. Wil wasn't even fully hard yet, though he was getting there. Seeing it up close like this really made it sink in just how girthy Wil was. That was inside him. That thought made Bruno shiver and his loins ache. He gnawed on his lower lip as he examined it. Salivating at the memory of how it felt.

Bruno looked up to gauge Wil's reaction. He hadn't bothered to finish his sentence. His fingers stretched across his face, obscuring his mouth very slightly. He continued to hold his jaw in his hand. There was a faint blush creeping into his face. He didn't look nervous, only intently curious. He stared down at Bruno passively waiting to see what he'd do. His eyes shimmered with that signature fascination again. Bruno adored being the object of Wilfredo's fascination. It made every inch of him burn.

Bruno took a deep breath to steady himself as he looked back at his prize. He could do this. All he had to do was try and copy Wil. It couldn't be that difficult.

With some faint hesitation, Bruno licked at the head before taking it into his mouth. Wil smelled a bit musky, tasted salty, still a bit sweaty from cleaning all afternoon. Bruno didn't care. He loved the way Wil filled his mouth. Plump and succulent. In this half-hard state, Bruno could fit the whole thing in his mouth. Burying his nose in the soft scruffy pudge around the base. He relished in the breathy sigh it awarded him. Wil leaned back, sliding his hips forward just a bit and letting his legs fall open just a little wider. Offering better access to his body. Bruno brought his arms up to rest on Wil's thighs. He slipped his hands under Wil's shirt to grip at his love handles.

Not quite sure what to do exactly Bruno tried massaging Wil's cock with his tongue. This did seem to get the desired response as it grew firmer and firmer in his mouth. As it extended he found himself being pushed back. Determined not to be beaten, Bruno found himself trying to force it back past his soft palate. This only made him gag and his eyes water. His throat convulsing in protest at the intrusion.

"Tranquilo! Tranquilo!" Wil gasped. His plump fingers gripped Bruno's hair and gently pulled him back. "Don't choke yourself!"

Bruno looked up at Wil. Frustratedly drolling around his lover's cock. Wil smiled down at him. Not smug this time. He looked a tad embarrassed. Perhaps Bruno glaring daggers at him made him second guess his urge to stop him. Wil's hands came down to hold Bruno's face. Smooshing his cheeks in the process.

"That trick… takes a bit of practice." Wil admitted. He looked away when he said it. He looked ashamed... Wil was afraid it made him sound like a whore.

Bruno lept up to his feet to kiss Wil's mouth. Wet and sloppy and savage. Bruno tried to devour him. He wrapped one arm around Wil's neck, while he jerked his wet cock with his free hand. Climbing up to sit on Wil's thigh. Bruno pulled back just slightly. Rubbing his face against Wil's cheek and listening to the arousing sounds that pooled in the air between them.

"E-eres tan agresivo." Wil gasped once Bruno gave him a chance to breathe.

Bruno loosened his grip and slowed to a gentle rhythm. Wil let his head drop into Bruno's shoulder and sighed.

"lo prefieres suave?" Bruno asked.

Wil let out a little dazed hum as he thought of his reply. "It depends, agresivo está bien, if you know what you're doing."

"Que así?" Bruno mused. He planted a kiss on the top of Wil's head. Combed his feathery hair with his fingers. Wil purred into Bruno's shoulder when he did that.

God Bruno wanted to fuck him. He hadn't really thought too hard about what he wanted to do. Just knew he wanted him. Wanted to touch him. Thus far he'd only gotten to see such limited glimpses of Wil's body. He wanted to strip him bare, to ravage this man. He'd need to start slow, gentle, careful. Bruno's hands were clumsy and inexperienced. He was certain he could learn. Carefully he slipped his fingers lower, caressing Wil's balls and probing at the flesh underneath.

Wil grabbed Bruno's curious hand and pulled it away. Bruno pouted in protest but he could tell from the exasperated smile on Wil's face that this wasn't a no.

"If you're going to do that this isn't the best position to be in." Wil observed.

A fair point. Again, Bruno didn't really have a plan.

Wil patted Bruno's lower back and gestured for him to get down. Bruno did, reluctantly, and had to grab the bottle again before it slipped out onto the floor. He examined it a moment. Most of it had melted by this point. When he turned to look back at Wil his face burned as he watched Wilfredo drop his pants. Wil kept his back to Bruno and leaned over the desk. Bruno started to salivate again. His dick throbbing. A part of him was rabid, screaming, it was quelled momentarily, however. One curious thing caught Bruno's eye. Wil was combing his hair back into place with his fingers. Preening. Adjusting the mask. No, no, surely Bruno was reading too much into it. Wil wouldn't… Wilfredo would bring out the mask, not here, not now.

Before Bruno could stop himself he compulsively knocked along the wooden frame of the chair and pulled salt from his front pocket to fling onto the floor behind him.

Wil laughed. "Nervous? You're usually so determined?" He teased.

That put Bruno's mind at ease. Enough to shake the demons away for now. The subtle sway of Wil's hips brought his mind back to the present moment.

Bruno hurried to remove his own pants. Falling back into the chair as he fumbled to free his ankles. His sandals slipping off with his pants and undergarments. He pulled off his ruana and hung it over the arm of the chair to keep it out of the way. He let out a relieved sigh once his tender anatomy was no longer being suffocated. Looking back at Wil again Bruno paused. The burn in his face made its way down his neck and up his ears. Without thinking he brought his hand up to chew on his fingers. Gnawing so hard they grew sore and swollen in his mouth. Gripping the bottle of oil in his other hand as he contemplated his next course of action.

Wil's had wider hips for a man. A round plump ass and thick thighs. Bruno could probably get off just fucking Wil's thighs alone. He had such soft skin. Bruno hadn't even had the privilege yet of properly taking in all the softest parts. He would probably have looked hairless had Bruno's eyes not already been dilated as far as they could go. He could just barely make out the light reflecting off of thin blond peach fuss on Wil's legs. There was one thing. One thing that almost made Bruno hesitate to touch him. Something Bruno wasn't expecting.

Wil had scars. Hard to see in this light, but they were there. Sharp, straight, lines across his rear and down his thighs. They were very old scars. Only slightly darker and redder than the surrounding skin.

"Bruno?" Wil didn't turn to look at him. He did run his fingers through his hair again.

Bruno jumped up to touch him. Running his empty hand over the curve of Wil's ass. Without thinking he found himself tracing one of the scars with his thumb. Wil raked his hair with his fingers. Leaving his arm this time wrapped over his head. He let out a displeased groan but said nothing. Bruno almost wanted to ask Wil about it. The way he responded made the question die in Bruno's throat. Instead, he uncorked the bottle Jacqueline had given him and dripped some into his hand. Coating his fingers in the slick substance. He set the bottle on the desk. His dry hand slid up Wil's side to hold him gently.

Wil gave him another one of his happy little hums when Bruno slipped his slick fingers between those soft mounds of flesh to caress his entrance. Bruno was loud. He knew this. Years of living alone made him acutely aware of how noisy he could get if unrestrained. He could keep quiet if he needed to, certainly, but it was always a struggle.

Wil was naturally quiet. The sounds he made were soft and subtle. Bruno was still learning them. That sound, that little hum, that was a good sound.

Bruno slipped a finger inside and heard a faint breathy sound he was fairly certain was another good sign. Wil's fingers seemed to grip ever so faintly at his hair as Bruno probed at his insides. He was so warm and soft. The feel of his velvety insides made Bruno's legs tremble and his cock ache. He sighed in frustration as he reminded himself to be gentle, take it slow. God, he wanted to fuck this man. Bruno peppered kisses along Wil's ass and lower back. Sliding his shirt up with his free hand. Wil shuddered slightly at the touch and gripped tighter at his hair. Bruno could catch just the faintest hint of red on the tips of Wil's ears.

"Amor?" Bruno asked curiously as he looked for Wil's sweet spot. "Can you turn your head? I want to see your face."

Wil hesitated for a second. His body subtly tensed before relaxing again. He turned to look back at Bruno. Despite Wil's initial reaction, his expression was level and calm. "I hardly see why it makes much of a difference, but I suppose I can oblige." He mused. Wil laid his head on the desk, looking back at Bruno. There was something oddly distant about Wil's expression that Bruno couldn't quite place.

Bruno didn't have long to dwell on it though. He found what he was looking for. Wil's eyes closed. Sucking in his bottom lip he moaned softly. His face grew redder. Bruno slipped in another finger to stroke his lover's insides and watched as a pleased little grin spread across his face.

Bruno leaned over the desk to kiss Wil's plump red cheeks.

Wil opened one eye. Glittering silver staring back at Bruno. "Bueno, eres muy dulce." he teased.

Bruno took Wil's hand from his hair and set it down on the desk. Gently pinning it in place. "I'm trying to be gentle for you." He pressed down with his fingers again. A bit firmer this time. Watched Wil's reaction. His eyes shut tight again. Another lip-eating grin. Another soft moan.

"Puedo ser más… agresivo, si quieres que yo sea." Bruno offered as he massaged the rim with a third finger. Testing to see how receptive Wil would be.

Wil hummed thoughtfully. "Whatever you what to do mi amor." he replied.

"Quiero hacerte sentir bien." Bruno insisted as he peppered more kisses along Wil's neck and jawline.

Wil opened one eye again to glint mischievously back Bruno. "I know what you want to do."

Bruno spread his fingers and watched Wil tense up. His eyes flutter closed again. "One time, y crees que ya me tomaste la medida, eh?" Bruno slipped in a third finger. Pressing down firmly and massaging Wil's taint with his thumb.

Wil muffled a moan into his arm. He was getting louder now. That was nice. Did he keep quiet intentionally? Or had Bruno simply not been pushing hard enough?

Wil open his eyes again. Shooting playful daggers though his words were shallow breaths now. "Me equivoco?" He challenged.

Bruno pulled back a bit then thrust his fingers in hard enough to make Wil gasp. "You think you're so smart." he chided as he continued to fuck Wilfredo with his hands.

Wil tried to pull his hand up to his hair but Bruno grabbed them both and kept them pinned to the desk. Wil whined faintly before he replied. "I know I am." He huffed.

That was it. Bruno couldn't handle any more of this. His cock was throbbing and Wil's smug grin was driving him mad. He abruptly pulled his hand away and snatched the bottle off the desk. It felt shockingly good. Gliding his greased hand along his shaft. He'd have to remember to stash some coconut oil in his room later. But no, now he had better plans for his throbbing cock. Bruno was short. Too short to get a good angle just standing like this. Luckily, he was anything if not creative. He pulled the chair closer and climbed up into it over the side. Wil looked back at Bruno curiously. Head now propped up on his hands. He looked confused if a bit amused once he realized what Bruno was trying to do. Bruno propped himself up on his knees. Wrapping his feet around the back of the chair for purchase. He grabbed hold of his partner as he got a feel for the position. It felt stable enough.

"Necesita un poco de ayuda mi pequeño corazón?" Wil teased.

Bruno slapped Wil's ass. It made Wilfredo wince very slightly but didn't quite net the reaction Bruno expected. Wil only stuck his tongue out at him like a schoolyard taunt.

"Cállate!" Bruno scolded. "Let me focus."

Wil merely shrugged. "Lo que necesites maestro."

Bruno tried to block out Wil's snark as he lined himself up. His brain momentarily flickered out of consciousness when he slipped between Wil's cheeks. Even like this, Wil was so plump Bruno found himself fully enveloped in warm soft skin. The oil let him slide smoothly. He could probably get off just like this, but no, he was on a mission. He needed to focus. He pulled back again till he could feel the hole against the head of his cock and tried to push in. Only to slide right past.

"Having trouble?"

Wil really had a smart mouth, didn't he?

"I can-" Bruno went to protest as he tried again, only to slip in much deeper than intended. His whole body fell forward for a second as he tried to catch himself and regain his balance.

Wil let out a shocked little cry that hurt to hear.

"L-lo siento!" Bruno winced.

Maybe Wil was right. He was too aggressive, too unskilled.

"Está bien." Wil panted. He ran his fingers through his hair again in that way that made Bruno worry. After Wil collected himself he smiled back at him reassuringly. "I can take a lot. Don't feel like you need to hold back for my sake."

"Are you sure?" Bruno replied hesitantly.

"You just surprised me is all." Wilfredo insisted.

Bruno paused a moment to think. To evaluate the situation. Any analysis of Wil's reaction was quickly overridden by the new sensation. He was so hot and tight. Nothing Bruno could ever do to himself compared to this feeling. He loved feeling Wil inside him, but this was just as wonderful. Bruno stifled a moan. His toes curling. Fingers digging into Wil's sides. This man did things to Bruno. He didn't care what they did together. As long as he got to touch Wilfredo. To feel his body, every inch. Bruno would explore every inch before they had to part ways. He'd be sure of that.

Bruno slid in slowly as deep as he could go. Wil purred beneath him. A low throaty sound he could feel sent vibrations through Bruno's body.

When Bruno opened his eyes again he realized something. Wil was burring his face again. This wouldn't do.

"Wilfredo? Amor?" Bruno leaned in close. "Look at me, por favor."

Wilfredo turned his head again and looked back at Bruno with a sharpness that took him by surprise. The bitter pout was trying to be playful but something in his eyes was off. Bruno wasn't quite sure what to make of the expression. He decided to try and trust Wil enough not to demand some explanation.

"Sé bueno." Bruno soothed. He reached a hand up to stroke Wil's hair and watched his expression shift. His eyes closed. Face flushed. He instinctively tried to turn away only to stop himself and bite his lip instead. His brows knit together in this sort of silent whimper.

Bruno wasn't sure what to make of that either.

Bruno pulled back and tried to find the best angle. Sliding in and out slowly a few times until he got a reaction he was satisfied with. An audible moan, louder than anything he'd managed thus far. Wil's eyes hung open slightly. That misty-eyed gaze told Bruno he'd found the right spot. Bruno gripped Wil's hips and continued to hit that angle. Slowly at first. Trying to master the movement. It drove him crazy. The slow gradual build-up. He fought hard against the greedy fog that tried to consume him. He wanted to do this right. Tried to focus on other things. Focus on Wil.

Wil had stretch marks along his hips and lower back. These scars didn't bother Bruno like the strict dark lines did. These were pale and natural. He liked the way they felt as he slipped his thumbs into the shallow groves in Wil's skin. Like he was made to be held like this. Wil's breath had grown shallow. His eye's hazy. Lips parted to reward Bruno with sweet little huffs with each hump. Wil's face was a lovely rosey color now that stuck. Bruno wanted to kiss him. Unfortunately, he was too short to reach from this position. Instead, he settled for resting a hand on the back of Wil's head. Massaging his scalp with his fingertips.

"Eres tan bueno." Bruno soothed.

Wilfredo audibly whimpered this time. A broken desperate sound as he flinched like he wanted to turn away again but couldn't.

"Lo digo en serio." Bruno continued to pet him gently. "Eres hermoso, y inteligente, y encantador."

Wilfredo wimpered and gasped. Shivering under Bruno's touch and struggling to face him as the rose color in his face reached a violent hue.

"P-por favor, solo cogerme, por favor." Wilfredo almost sobbed.

Bruno pulled his hand away. Gripping wil's hips firmly again. That wasn't quite the reaction he expected. He would be worried, perhaps he should have been, but that lustful fog was setting in again. All he could do was oblige. His cock ached and he desperately wanted to cum.

Bruno's eyes started to glaze over as he picked up speed. Salivating and soaking in the beautiful sounds Wil made as he thrust into him. He certainly wasn't quiet anymore. Wil let out loud desperate gasps with each thrust. The pitch in his voice a few octaves higher than normal. Wil whined and panted. Bruno could hear his nails scrape against the wood of the desk. Bruno ached. He grew light-headed. So close. If he could just… Just a little faster…

Wilfredo tried to gasp out some kind of warning but Bruno was too intoxicated to register it. He gasped as Wil's body tightened around him. Shuddering violently and squeezing him tight. Bruno didn't stop. Not when he was so close. Just a little longer. It took effort as he fought against Wil's convulsing body. He never heard Wil so loud before. The shocked cries were almost enough to pull Bruno out of his haze. Almost.

Finally, Bruno's breath caught in his throat as he pressed down as deep as he could to empty himself. HE curled tight around Wilfredo. His dick pulsing which every wave of pleasure that escaped. Drool escaping his open mouth. Mingling with the sweat that dripped down his face. It was only as Bruno came down from the high that he registered Wil trembling in his hands. His face was buried again. Faint shuddering sounds escaped him.

ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

Bruno started to panic. He did it again, didn't he? He stopped paying attention. He hurt Wil. He didn't mean to.

The chair shrieked against the floor as Bruno shoved it back in his rush to stand beside his lover. He almost fell over at first, his legs having cramped up from the awkward position. He managed to right himself in time to fall onto the desk instead of the floor.

"Lo sietno mi vida, Estás bien?"

Bruno placed his hand in that soft feather down and desperately tried to nudge Wil's head to the side to see his face. Wil turned slightly. Still half buried in his arms at first. His eyes were wet and hazy. Face red as rose petals. He didn't look upset. He looked dazed, but not upset.

"Sí, señor." Wil replied softly. Señor? His tone was distant. Off.

"Seguro que." Bruno asked. He tried to keep his tone gentle. To not sound as uncertain as he felt.

Wil's eyes seemed to light up like he snapped out of some odd trance. He stretched his arms out and laid his face flat on the desk. His expression settled into something sleepy, content, and familiar. "Más que bien." He teased gently.

Bruno smiled at the familiar teasing. He continued to pet Wil's head and watch him close his eyes and pur softly. A contented smile on his face. He seemed pleased. Tired.

"Do you want to take a bath?" Bruno asked.

Wilfredo looked back at him curiously. "That probably wouldn't be a terrible idea." He admitted.

Wil propped himself up, wincing slightly as he shifted his weight. He looked around at the cleaning still left unfinished.

"You go get a bath running." Bruno instructed him. "I'll flip the pages."

Wil grunted awkwardly when he tried to move again. He stepped out of his pants which had been left around his ankles. He picked them up and pulled his handkerchief from his back pocket. Passing it to Bruno.

Bruno choked from the shock. "Oh, oh no, eso es desagradable." He tried to refuse.

"It's already had your blood on it." Wil reasoned. "Better than your clothes."

Bruno sheepishly took the handkerchief and proceeded to clean himself while Wil lumbered off to the bathroom. Bruno didn't bother putting his pants back on. He scurried out flipping the pages on the larger books which still remained. They'd need flipping again, and the others needed reshelving. He'd get back to them in a bit. He scooped up his discarded clothing and made his way to the washroom. He stepped inside just as Wil was lowering himself into the bath.

Wil seemed to startle when he heard the door click.

"It's just me." Bruno assured. "I figured I could use a wash too, está bien con usted?"

"Uh, I-I guess so…" Wil replied. The way his eyes narrowed and brow furrowed as he stared at the wall suggested otherwise. Bruno watched Wil shrink awkwardly deeper into the water. Almost up to his neck. His knees and belly still broke the surface. Wil crossed his arms over his torso. Robledo's bathroom was small and cramped. The bathtub, doubly so.

Bruno didn't quite understand why Wil was so shy. Bruno wasn't much of a looker himself. It was a little awkward taking his shirt off the first time, but the fact Wil still seemed so shy after everything seemed a little extreme to him.

Bruno took off his own shirt and necklace and set everything on the bathroom counter. He crept over to the bathtub and knelt down beside it at first. Wilfredo looked back at him. Trying to figure out exactly what he was doing. Bruno gently took Wil's hands and uncrossed his arms. Bruno wanted to look at Wilfredo, to take him in. He kept his eyes on his love's face.

"Can I join you?" Bruno asked. Smiling sweetly. Trying his best not to rattle the man more than he already was.

Wil still looked deeply confused but nodded. Bruno climbed into the tub and laid on top of him. Wil very easily took up the whole tub on his own and Bruno mostly rested above the water. That didn't matter much to him.

"Now I can't see anything." Bruno teased.

Wil blushed and opened his mouth a few times to speak but no words came out. Clearly frustrated at his insecurities being so accurately diagnosed. Bruno couldn't help but laugh.

"You're not funny!" Wilfredo protested irritably.

"No, but you are." Bruno teased.

Wil returned Bruno an irritated smirk and squeezed him with his big strong arms till Bruno pleaded for mercy.

While Wil still seemed a little apprehensive and confused by the affection he did seem to enjoy it when Bruno washed his hair for him. Massaging his scalp and letting him lean back into the touch. Wil offered to return the gesture but Bruno insisted he had his own products at him. He was, in fact, very sweaty the bath did do Bruno some good, but this was mostly for Wil's sake. Bruno wasn't ready to leave Wil alone just yet. He wanted to snuggle him. To show him tender love and care.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Once they both were clean Bruno insisted Wil retire for the night. He returned to his full attire while Wil only put on his undershirt and boxers. Making sure to face away from Bruno as he did so. He asked of course again about the cleaning which Bruno insisted he would finish for him before pleading with his clearly fatigued lover to go to bed. Wil was stubborn. He didn't take kindly to affection and care. It took some cajoling to get him up the stairs to his room. By that point, it was clear just how exhausted Wilfredo was. He swayed a little in the doorway as Bruno hurried over to pull back the blankets on his bed. He gestured Wil over with a little nod of his head.

Wil raised an eyebrow at him. "What? Do you intend to tuck me in too?" He asked incredulously.

"Just get in bed." Bruno scolded.

Wil shook his head with an exasperated smile and did as he was told. He laid down on his back and tucked his hands behind his head. "Contento?" He snarked.

"Muy." Bruno replied. He tucked Wil under the cover and climbed into bed. Sprawled out on top of him. Wilfredo's body was more comfortable than any mattress. The perfect temperature. The perfect firmness. He wouldn't mind falling asleep like this. He couldn't though. He had chores to do. After that, he needed to go home. He couldn't sleep here. Couldn't wake up in Wilfredo's bed. As much as he wanted to.

Bruno stared lovingly into Wilfredo's silvery eyes for a moment.

"Is there something I can do for you?" Wil teased.

"Oh, no, te amo es todo." Bruno replied sweetly before kissing Wil's forehead. "Te amo, and I'm going to keep saying it until you say it back." He explained.

Wil looked like he was trying to maintain his playful smile. The tone that came out was a bit more serious than he probably intended. "And if I never say it?" He asked. Painfully earnest for him.

The question hurt to hear. Not because Bruno needed Wil to say it. He could go the rest of his life never hearing it and it wouldn't matter. It hurt because he was starting to get a sinking suspicion as to why he could never say it.

"Está bien. All that matters is that you hear it." Bruno told Wilfredo. He kissed his lips one last time. "Buenas noches, mi amor."

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Bruno hated having to leave. He lingered in Wil's bed. Watching him fall asleep. Listing to the beat of his heart. Watching the rise and fall of his chest.

Bruno couldn't stay. He couldn't stay and hold his lover. Keep his bed warm. He couldn't love Wilfredo the way his sisters loved their husbands. He wondered if Wil would sleep well. If his dreams would be pleasant. If he would still feel Bruno's love after he was gone. These thoughts kept spiraling in his mind as he finished drying the rest of the books and putting them away. He was still fretting over his love when he left the library. It was late at night. Far too late. He missed the procession completely. Everyone had gone home and the town was quiet. He should have felt guilty. Should have seen the dark streets as an omen. A shameful reminder of the promise he broke. Instead, he wondered if Wilfredo would miss him when he woke. Bruno worried if his love would stay with Wilfredo as he slipped through Castia's front door.

It wasn't until a familiar voice cut through Bruno's thoughts that the weight of that betrayal collapsed on top of him.

"Brunito?"

Bruno turned to see his mother leaving the bathroom. She stood in the front all for a moment watching him.

"Did you… did you finish cleaning the library?" Mamá asked. An uncharacteristic timidity to her voice. She was hurt. Bruno had hurt her. "Diego told me about what happened."

"Oh, no pasa nada." Bruno dismissed with an awkward smile. "It just took longer than expected is all, then Jacqueline showed up and she was being rowdy and like, we, uhm…"

Bruno could see the disappointment and grief in his mother's eyes. She didn't say it. She didn't need to. The sight of her standing there in the dim light. Her grey hair loose around her shoulders. Stripped of her makeup and fineries. During the day she was always performing. Always putting on that mask of strength. At night? She was his mother. Nothing more. Nothing less. Loving, vulnerable… hurt.

"I hope you still had a good day today. I know how much you love working with the children." Mamá made some meek attempt to make small talk. It felt like a knife had been twisted in Bruno's chest.

"Ah, s -sí." Bruno replied. "Today was a good day."

"Me alegra." Mamá replied softly. "Buenas noches, mijo."

That was it. She turned to the stairs and returned to her room. Leaving Bruno alone in that dark. Standing by the entrance. Feeling cold.