︵‿୨ - March 30 1951 - ୧‿︵
"Buenas tardes Señor Fontana. Buenas tardes Tío Bruno." The children chirped as they paraded out the door. The last of the junior class spilling out alongside Antonio.
Bruno was still getting used to Antonio's friends calling him tío. It was a far cry from how he was used to being treated by the town, however deeply sweet. They were sweet kids. Antonio found himself good friends. Bruno was proud of him. He was always a quiet shy little boy from what Bruno could see from his place on the periphery of Antonio's life. School had done him good. Put Bruno's worries to rest.
"Buenas tardes." Wilfredo called back. Resting his weight on the door handle as he leaned out to call after them. "And remember to get that book back tomorrow Juancho. Other people have been waiting on it."
"I'll remember next time." Juancho promised as he ran off after Antonio and Cecelia.
Bruno savored the sound of Wilfredo's voice as he turned to clean up the reading area. Tucking the throw pillows into a stack in the corner, straightening out the chairs he and Camilo jostled about in the throws of performance.
"Feet off the seat." Wilfredo scolded lightly.
Camilo uncurled from the creature-like ball he'd formed around the book in his hands. Rolling out of the armchair and hopping up to his feet. Freeing the seat for Bruno to fluff and straighten the cousins. Sergio spotted the crumbs that scattered to the floor as Bruno brushed them aside. Scrambling out of his hiding spot among the books to gobble up as many as he could. Quickly stuffing his face before Bruno could snatch him up and scold him.
"Spit that out." Bruno hissed quietly. Holding Sergio by the scruff in one hand and patting his back with the other. "That much sugar is going to make you sick." All Sergio did was swallow the stash in his cheeks and squeak irritably at Bruno. Nipping him and scrambling off when Bruno dropped him. Distracting him from whatever it was Wilfredo and Camilo were talking about.
"Are you sure this book is right?" Camilo asked Wilfredo. "This doesn't sound like what Ayla taught me."
Bruno spun around to try and spot where Sergio ran off only to catch sight of Wilfredo at his desk and stop. He was straightening out his papers. Nothing special. But, for a brief moment, the evening sun glinted off his hair and glasses. The warm backlight streamed in from the window. The afternoon sun turned him to mesmerizing gold. Bruno was stopped dead in his tracks watching him.
It didn't hurt when Wilfredo bent over to reach something that slipped off the other side of the desk. Bruno felt the blood rush to his cheeks once he realized what he was staring at. He hurried to grab a broom and swept up the rest of the crumbs. Hurrying to gather up the sweet remnants before Sergio came back and ate himself sick. Bruno tried to focus on the cleaning. To think about rats, but it was too late. His mind kept wandering to intrusive thoughts of how soft and round his lover's body was. So squishy…
"It's likely not all the details will be the same." Wilfredo explained. "There's little recorded proof of the supernatural and every culture has their own beliefs about ghosts and the afterlife. It's hard to say exactly how it all works with so little verifiable research to go off of." Wilfredo straightened up and adjusted his glasses curiously. "Well… Castia not withstanding…" He admitted.
Bruno turned his head to try and pay attention to the conversation at hand. Anything to distract him. He caught that curious glint in Wilfredo's eyes. That light that Bruno knew meant Wilfredo had a thousand questions racing through his head. Curiosity he was too polite to express for fear it would all spill out and drown whoever was listening should he allow that dam of propriety to burst. Danm propriety. His ass was so soft…
"Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood!" Bruno blurted out. Rushing to throw salt over his shoulder in such a hurry he nearly chucked poor Beatrice along with it. Thankfully the little doe scurried out from his pocket before his grasping fingers could nab her along with the loose table salt.
Wilfredo and Camilo both turned their attention to Bruno. Bruno froze up with the broom in his hand. "Perdona." He coughed awkwardly before diligently sweeping up the salt he spilled.
"Pues nada…" Wilfredo replied slowly to no one in particular. He turned his attention back to Camilo. His eyes lingering on Bruno a second longer after he started speaking before they caught up with the rest of him. "You can take that with you to Ayla's house. Make sure she's got everything she needs packed for the overnight."
"Do you just have a book on everything?" Camilo asked mockingly. Flipping over the book in his hand to examine the back cover. A ratty old paperback Wilfredo had pulled out of his crates in his room.
The fact Wilfredo had dragged a whole wagon full of his books with him through the woods was a baffling testament to his love of academia. Bruno almost wished he'd seen Wilfredo the day he first showed up in town. Ragged and sweaty and lugging his cart behind him with everything he owned. Bruno wondered how much Wilfredo and Jacqueline left behind. From what Bruno could see, it seemed like Wilfredo mostly just had clothes, books, cigars, and a handful of antiques he seemed to hold onto more for their monetary value than anything else.
"No, not everything." Wilfredo chuckled warmly. Tucking his hands into the pockets of his cardigan. "I just have a lot of passing interests. Ayla's research is quite fascinating though. I look forward to seeing the rest of her findings. Let me know if you get permission from Alma to interview Casita. I'd love to take part."
Bruno looked up from his sweeping to bask in that glitter in Wilfredo's eyes. There it was again. That curiosity and passion. Bruno knew Wilfredo had a thousand questions in his mind about the miracle, Casita, and their gifts. The only thing stopping him from asking was a sense of politeness. Part of Bruno wished Wilfredo would just ask him outright. Bruno could always permit Wilfredo to unload all his curiosities onto him. He wanted to, but something held him back still. Truthfully he wasn't sure how comfortable he would be discussing his gift and his family's miracle in the sort of fine detail he was sure Wilfredo wanted.
That said, perhaps Bruno was being paranoid. Wilfredo loved him. It was unlikely there was anything Bruno could reveal about himself at this point that would put Wilfredo off. He already knew some of the most embarrassing and shameful things Bruno had to share.
"I'm working on it." Camilo replied. "Abuela's not super thrilled about bothering Casita but Casita seemed chill about the idea. Or at least Mirabel thinks so, she understands them better than I do."
"She does?" Wilfredo replied curiously. Shifting his glasses again. He snapped out of it and shook his head. Waving Camilo off. "Go on, Ayla is waiting. I'll catch up with the two of you in the square once I'm done closing up the library."
"Hasta luego." Camilo waved before heading out. "Oh and Tío Bruno, Abuela says she wants you home in time to help set up the party tomorrow." He warned.
Bruno flinched and jumped up from his sweeping. Bumping into the armchair behind him and knocking it into the end table. Scrambling to prevent the remains of the snacks from falling off. "I'll do my best." He called back to Camilo.
Wilfredo stood patiently by the desk and waited for Camilo to leave before he spoke up. "Nervous about the camping trip?" Wilfredo asked gently.
Bruno shot up from his clumsy flailing. "Oh, no, ah, si?" He wrung the broom in his hand as he considered his answer. "A little." He admitted. "But that wasn't what the knocking was about."
Wilfredo crossed his arms thoughtfully. His brow knit with a faint worry. "There's something else on your mind?" He asked.
Dirty thoughts. Thoughts Bruno definitely shouldn't have been thinking with his sobrino in the room. Think. Wilfredo would think Bruno was a deviant pervert if he answered honestly. He couldn't lie to him-
"Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood!" Bruno chanted. Rapping his knuckles against the furniture and his own skull before chucking more salt over his shoulder.
Bruno winced at his own nervous compulsions. "L-lo siento." He awkwardly apologized and bent down to sweep the salt up into his dustpan.
"Tranquilo Bruno, estás bien." Wilfredo soothed. Kneeling down beside Bruno. His presence felt before his touch as he cast a shadow over Bruno in golden streaks of sunlight. His warm, heavy, hands found a perch on Bruno's shoulders before guiding him to his feet.
Wilfredo gently coaxed Bruno up from the floor and straightened out his clothes. Hands brushing against skin through layers of fabric. The slight touch was electric and made Bruno stifle a faint whimper.
"It's alright if you don't want to talk about it." Wilfredo stated evenly. "There's no pressure." Wilfredo took Bruno's face in his hands and their eyes met. The backlight of sleepy sunlight formed a halo on the edges of Wilfredo's feathery hair. His eyes cool stones in the shadows of the library. Calm but a bit worried despite the soft smile on his lips. "Are you sure you're going to be ok tonight?" He asked.
Bruno furrowed his brow. A bit taken aback initially by the question. Momentarily pulled from his fantasizing. "Perdona?" He asked for clarification. Unsure he understood Wilfredo correctly.
Wilfredo dropped his hands back into his pockets and took a small step back. Looking aside for a moment. "I know you had a vision when Vicente asked. I'm assuming it was related since you agreed to go."
No, Bruno understood him right. The was about the camping trip. Wilfredo was worried Bruno couldn't handle one night with a handful of loudmouths. He'd known these brutes since childhood. They were generally unpleasant but they weren't any monster Bruno wasn't already well acquainted with.
"It's just one night, we're not even leaving the valley." Bruno replied indignantly. The golden glow of the library breaking its spell over Bruno.
Wilfredo's eyes widened slightly as he registered the offense in Bruno's tone. He raised his hands in surrender. A bashful guilt on his face enphasized by a faint rosy blush. "I know." He replied apologetically. "I didn't mean to imply anything, it's just… Last time by the river? You were pretty seriously hurt. I'm just not confident they're good company." He reasoned.
Bruno sighed. He wasn't angry with Wilfredo. Not that he felt could ever truly be. It was a natural concern for his lover to have and Bruno would probably be just as worried if the roles were reversed. He set his broom down. Propping it upside down by the door to Diego's home. Silently praying the old man wouldn't interrupt their conversation.
"I did have a vision about tonight, si." Bruno replied softly. He returned to Wilfredo and took his lover's hands in his own. Rubbing little circles into Wilfredo's palms with his thumbs. "I know you care mi amor but I'll be fine. I saw us drinking and laughing. That's all. Nothing to be worried about." He insisted.
Truthfully Bruno was still confused and anxious despite the vision. He'd spent hours last summoning up the same vision over and over again to see if there was some trick he was missing. He still highly suspected his old bullies might have some hidden agenda. Every vision seemed harmless. They all just hung about in the woods laughing and chatting.
For all his misgivings, Bruno wanted to go anyway. He wanted to try to take risks, put himself out into the world more. It had been paying off for him so far. He made up with Diego. Reconnected with Etelvina. People around town we talking to Bruno. Smiling when they saw him.
Wilfredo let out a relieved breath and smiled softly. He clasped his hands around Bruno's and stared down at them as he held them. "I'm glad to hear you so confident. I know I would certainly have my own reservations in your situation." He admitted. His eyes floated back up to meet Bruno's. "I'm proud of you." Wilfredo told him.
Bruno laughed. A deep hearty laugh. He pulled back to toss half his ruana over his shoulder like a scarf. "El Gran Conquistador Jacinto has no reservations." Jacinto boasted confidently. Pressing his body into Wilfredo. Pushing him back against the desk. Walking his fingers playfully up Wilfredo's chest. "This tamer of hearts fears no man." Jacinto boldly crooned.
Wilfredo let out a deep belly laugh. Shaking Jacinto like an earthquake as he lay strewn across his lover's chest. Jacinto stared adoringly up at that vibrant smile. At the crow's feet that accented Wilfredo's eyes as they screwed shut out of pure joy. The adorable way his nose creased when he laughed. The little snort and hiccups that sputtered out as Wilfredo tried to stop.
Wilfredo wrapped his arms tight around Jacinto. Nearly smothering him in his mass. Hugging him close and kissing the top of his head. "Ay, Sí, sí, perdóname, how could I forget?" Wilfredo trilled brilliantly. He squeezed Jacinto again and rubbed his sides before his hands slithered up to Jacinto's face. Wilfredo squished Jacinto's cheeks in a way Bruno knew full well was painfully unflattering. "El seductor hermosos, almost as charming as mi amor Bruno." Wilfredo cooed.
Bruno melted and leaned into Wilfredo's touch. Momentarily dizzy from the soft smell of coffee and tobacco. Bruno loved the way Wilfredo smelled. Loved the soft scratch of dyed wool under against his throat when he rested his chin on his lover's chest. He loved how full his arms felt wrapped around his lover. Bruno could just reach his arms around Wilfredo. His hands migrating down. Slipping into Wilfredo's back pockets. He nudged his hands under the small leather journal in one pocket and Wilfredo's wallet in the other. Gently gripping the soft flesh underneath through a couple of layers of thin fabric. So close to his body. Bruno could feel Wilfredo's heat.
"Poor Vicente won't know what hit him." Wilfredo teased. Massaging Bruno's jaw with his fingers and combing Bruno's beard flush against his skin.
"Hm?" Bruno hummed drowsily. Just barely registering what Wilfredo said. Lulled into a drunken haze by lovely little chin scratches. Drunk off his lover's affections.
"Vicente?" Wilfredo asked as though he were trying to remind Bruno of something. He raised a brow at him curiously.
Bruno furrowed his brown in turn as he looked up at Wilfredo's face. Trying to figure out what Wilfredo was getting at. "What about Vicente?"
"Bruno, you do realize why he invited you don't you?" Wilfredo replied in some mild astonishment. "You know he's-"
A sudden rattling jolted Bruno up in a panic. He lept back from Wilfredo. Ripping his hands away and holding them up like a criminal who'd just been caught. "I was- I, here, we were, uh, I'm-" Bruno's panicked stammering strumbled out his mouth before the door was even open.
Diego furrowed his furry caterpillar brow once he poked his head past the doorway. "What the hell's gotten into you this time?" He snarked irritably.
"Disculpa." Wilfredo apologized. "You caught him in the middle of cleaning up spilled salt." He lied.
Wilfredo lied so confidently it still made Bruno's head spin sometimes. The way his lover spoke without skipping a beat. Without dropping the warm friendly smile on his lips. Bruno supposed it was still partly true. There was a dustpan Bruno had left on the floor mostly full of salt and crumbs. Looking down Bruno caught Serigo again trying to sort sweet cookie crumbs from the salt.
"Ay! Stop that!" Bruno snapped. He rushed to scoop back up the broom he'd set aside and shooed Serigo away. Diego was left with little time to consider that Bruno wasn't currently holding said broom when he came in. That the broom had been propped against the wall upside down, something Diego knew Bruno did to ward off unwanted guests. Something Diego sometimes did to ward off unwanted guests.
Diego let out a grumbling sound that seemed to confirm he bought the lie. What to Bruno seemed like a very obvious lie. "How much salt do you keep in those pockets?"
Bruno could feel the old man looking down at him as he scooped up the rest of the mess into the dustpan. "Oh uh, I, well, y-you know, uhm…" Bruno stammered. He righted himself. Holding the dustpan up in front of him. "I uhm-" Bruno cut himself off. Realizing he wasn't going to get any words out. He shyly slunk off to the waste bin behind the desk to dump the contents of the dustpan.
Diego shook his head and sighed. He pointed his cane at Wilfredo. "Don't you have obligations tonight?" He croaked.
"I know." Wilfredo chirped. Pushing off from the desk he'd been leaning against and calmly sifting through some papers. "I just need to take care of a few things here then I'll be heading out to help Ayla with her research." He answered.
Bruno watched Wilfredo sort through his notes. Every day at story hour Wilfredo took notes on every child that came in. Each child had a file filled with observations about their reading skills. What they excelled in, what they struggled with, what sort of books interested them most. What sorts of questions or techniques held their attention best. Bruno always noticed when Wilfredo would scribble something down at his desk during story hour. He was such a dutiful teacher. It felt almost mesmerizing standing behind Wilfredo's desk and watching him sort his papers. Momentarily caught in the little bubble Wilfredo lived in when he was absorbed in his work. His passion. This was Wilfredo's little world and Bruno adored being a part of it. Even if only for a moment.
"You packed what you need for the overnight, Sí?" Diego asked.
"Sí, sí." Wilfredo hand-waved. "I've got everything we could need. It's only one night." He dismissed as he finished sorting his notes into the appropriate folders.
"You packed protection?" Diego challenged.
Bruno noticed the smile on Wilfredo's face falter ever so slightly. This brief flicker of tightness at the corner of his lips. A faint irritation he was doing his best to suppress. Just a twitch. Wilfredo stood back up after putting his files away and combed his fingers through his hair. "We'll be fine Señor." He insisted.
"I thought so." Diego snapped back. Clearly, the two of them had already discussed this prior. Whatever it was Wilfredo didn't seem to think it was important. Diego reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a string of beads and a small glass vial to pass to Wilfredo. "Take these. If you're going to be sleeping in that cursed place you need the lord with you." He insisted.
Bruno saw the items more clearly when Diego held his hand out to Wilfredo. The little vial was an old perfume bottle filled with what Bruno assumed was holy water. The beads were a rosary that dangled from Diego's old bony fingers. A mix of pastel green and watermelon pink that looked eerily familiar. It was one of Carina's old rosaries. Bruno knew Diego still wore one under this collar his daughter made for him years ago. This looked like the one Carina used to wrap around her wrist.
"I don't think-" Wilfredo held up a hand to attempt to decline.
"Isn't that Carina's?" Bruno blurted out curiously. Pointing to the beads in Diego's hand. Bruno recoiled self-consciously as soon as he realized he'd interrupted their exchange. He turned to put the broom away in the corner behind the desk where Wilfredo liked to keep it.
Diego held up the beads slightly to look more closely at them. "One of her's, sí. She had a few. Figure they're of more use shared." He reasoned. Pushing the rosary and the vial into Wilfredo's hands.
"Oh." Wilfredo took the rosary and turned the beads in his fingers. Pushing his glasses up his flat nose with one finger. The bottle clasped in his hand as he did so. He examined the rosary in his other hand in a brief sort of daze. "Gracias." He thanked Diego softly. Wilfredo seemed to snap quickly out of his momentary trance and looked back up to the old man's face to offer him a warm smile. A sincere one. Though Bruno could see a hint of something heavy in Wilfredo's eyes. Like the gesture was meant more to him than he let on. "I'll make sure to return it in perfect condition." He promised.
"I know you will." Diego gripped back. Lifting his cane to poke Wilfredo's stomach playfully. "Reliability's in your blood." He teased.
The genuine chuckle that got out of Wilfredo was sweet. Some people might consider a comment like that a bit backhanded. An accusation of being a comically boring sort. Wilfredo seemed to take it as a sincere compliment, however. He somewhat, though not obviously, self-consciously brushed away the spot where Diego prodded him and straightened his sweater vest. Hanging the rosary around his neck and tucking it under his collar for safekeeping.
"So you're helping Ayla with her ghost hunting right?" Bruno tugged a bit at his ruana as he thought. Diego seemed to think whatever Wilfredo and the kids were doing came with some sort of risk. It had Bruno running through a list of the different places in town with supernatural rumors around them.
"Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood." Bruno blurted out compulsively. Reaching for his pocket to throw salt only to stop himself.
His hand formed a grasping claw that pawed eagerly at his breast pocket. No, he already made a mess with the salt. He just cleaned it up. He tried desperately to fight the urge. To distract himself from spiraling worried thoughts. If he could just throw his salt then everything would be ok. No, he could wait, he could save it for just a second. Beatrice returned from wherever it was she had fled earlier and scrambled up Bruno's pant leg to get to him. Seemingly noticing his tension. Beatrice gave Bruno's unruly hand something to hold onto for the time being.
Wilfredo and Diego were both staring at him now.
Bruno awkwardly cleared his throat as he stroked Beatrice's back with his fingers. "I was wondering where you three were going to be investigating tonight. I don't think you ever mentioned it. Camilo's been too busy with Ayla to fill me in on much."
"Oh." Wilfredo chirped. Confused if a bit relieved that Bruno's knocking was over something Wilfredo thought was small. "We were just going to spend the night at-"
"Ey Bruno!" A teasing voice called from outside.
Bruno turned to look out the open window and spotted Marcos' taunting smile. "Vamos we're losing daylight." He teased. For once he didn't greet Bruno as Bad Luck Bruno .
Bruno screwed up his face. "Vicente said you'd wait for me." He replied as he took in the group crowded outside. Bruno poked his head out the window to see Duilio and his gang. All carrying bows or backpacks.
"That was before the engagement party was announced." Vicente replied apologetically. Rubbing at the back of his neck.
"We all know tu mami's gonna make you come running home first thing tomorrow morning." Duilio stated gruffly. He looked a bit haggard since the last Bruno saw him. He had deep circles under his eyes and his receding hair was unusually unruly. Like it hadn't been brushed in a while. "Vicente wanted to invite you so I figure we might as well start early and get time in while we still can." He reasoned.
That was… weirdly considerate for Duilio. Maybe he was having an off day. Maybe the separation had left him in a more accommodating mood. Hard to say.
"Uhm, gracias?" Bruno replied curiously.
"You know how to hunt?" Elonzo held up one of the bows they brought.
Bruno stroked Beatrice anxiously. "Not really." He replied awkwardly.
"Then you're going to learn." Andres stated dryly.
The thought of hunting made Bruno's stomach churn a bit. He ate meat but he never killed his own meals. He never much had the stomach for it as a boy. Sergio seemed to notice Bruno shrinking in on himself and shying back from the window. That or he was still cross with Bruno for denying him sweets. Either way, the rowdy buck scrambled up Bruno's pant leg to nip his shin.
"Ay!" Bruno yelped and shook the buck out of his clothes. Sergio scrambled back up the outside this time to find a perch on Bruno's shoulder.
"Hurry up bad luck." Nacio rushed eagerly. There it was. Bad Luck Bruno. Bruno knew he wasn't going to go all night without hearing it. That was more the sort of teasing he was expecting.
"Go on ahead." Wilfredo reassured gently. Waving Bruno off. "You can tell me all about your night tomorrow at the party." He suggested.
"Ah, s-sí, sí." Bruno stammered out. Squeezing past Wilfredo and Diego to get out from behind the desk.
Bruno nearly leaned in to peck Wilfredo's cheek but stopped himself. It was a small gesture. An unconscious one. He wasn't sure when the impulse had formed but something felt distressingly natural about a kiss goodbye. Especially after reassuring Wilfredo's anxieties. Nevertheless, Bruno caught himself as Wilfredo pulled away from him. Awkwardly swerving as though he had tripped on something when he jerked his body away. "See you then!" He blurted out a bit louder than he needed to before rushing out the front door. His face burned as he hurried to evade the suspicious closeness being noticed.
Once Bruno was out the door he quickly knocked one last time on the old green wood behind him. Throwing salt that he wouldn't have to clean up this time and darting up to the group.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
The walk to the woods was surprisingly pleasant. Men joked and teased each other. Shoved one another around like boys. Despite this, no one seemed to be singling Bruno out. If anything half the crew barely registered his presence. Barring Vicente who hung close to Bruno as they walked. Striking up casual conversation. Not anything terribly interesting. Just talking about his kids and asking Bruno how things were going for him these days. It was a bit uncanny. Bruno tried to answer his questions and be friendly but in the back of his mind, he still kept picturing the bully who drowned one of his pets so many years ago.
Vicente didn't look like that bully anymore. He was so much older now. They all were. He was still a bit gangly but he'd filled out a lot since they were kids. His light brown hair was grown out long and hung limply around his shoulders. He always had a slightly scratchy beard he only shaved periodically. Not that Bruno could judge. His own laziness having shifted to utter neglect as Wilfredo distracted him from basic functions. Bruno had a full proper beard now without it having ever been a conscious choice. Vicente didn't carry the same tension in his shoulders he used to. That school bully was a ball of irritation and nerves. Easily offended if still a bit less so than Gideon. The Vicente that was talking to Bruno now seemed utterly unbothered. A relaxed, happy, man with few cares to speak of.
"What gave you the idea por las tablas de ratas anyway?" Vicente asked curiously when the topic came up.
Bruno was a little surprised by the question. Everyone always regarded Bruno as at least somewhat strange. As a result people often didn't ask why he did the things he did. Usually just chalking it up to Bruno being Bruno.
"It was Mirabel's idea." Bruno admitted. Cradling Beatrice in his arms like a baby while they walked. Rubbing her belly with his fingers which elicited a small, pleased, chattering sound from the little doe. Sergio remained perched on Bruno's shoulder watching the other men intently. His beady eyes narrow and his head swaying slightly to focus his vision.
Vicente chuckled and shifted the strap of his backpack. "That makes sense." He replied. "She's a weird kid." He stated simply.
Bruno furrowed his brow defensively. "What do you mean weird?" He argued. Mirabel was a wonderful young woman. He wouldn't accept any slander. He wouldn't tolerate them talking bad about Luisa and he wasn't above picking another fight over Mirabel if it called for it.
"Es un encanto." Vicente replied sweetly. "She's just, y'know, weird. She gets weird ideas." He explained. He nudged Bruno in the arm with his elbow. "A bit like her tío eh?"
"Like painting smiley faces on every mirror in town?" Elonzo teased. Calling back over his shoulder from his place in the pack beside Duilio.
Bruno felt the heat rise to his face remembering that fiasco. "I was trying to befriend the spirits." He defended. "The spirits in the mirror suck people's souls and bring bad luck. I figured if they could do all they'd be powerful amigos."
Elonzo laughed and turned around. Walking backward to face Bruno. "So that's why you put out the bread and naranjilla." He replied. It finally dawning on him after years why he ended up cleaning ants from the schoolhouse washroom. Bruno had to do most of the cleaning but Elonzo made the mistake of laughing when Bruno got caught and Señor Robledo was a strict teacher.
"Pobrecito Brunito was so bad at making friends he had to bribe the mirror people with treats." Gideon cackled heartily.
"I mean he has a point." Marcos replied with a crocodile grin. "The spirits are much stronger than Bruno. Not that that's an accomplishment."
Bruno felt a lump form in his throat. His face was burning. He reached a hand up for the hood of his poncho only to remember he was wearing Mirabel's rauna. He wanted to curl up and hide under a rock as the men around him mocked him for his childish ambitions. He thought back then he could get good visions by doing things that would bring him good luck. He knew mirrors were bad luck and heard spirits lived in them. He thought maybe if he befriended the spirits they could give him good luck instead. It made sense to him at the time
"Aw Bruno don't be like that." Elonzo chided playfully. "We're just having fun."
"Todo el mundo hace estupideces cuando son niños. Niños son estúpidos." Gideon dismissed gruffly.
"Like smashing their head against a rock to see which is stronger?" Marcos taunted. Mocking Gideon for his own childish impulses. The notoriously short-tempered little man was sufficiently, irritably, flustered. The gang broke out into another round of laughter at his expense as he tried to justify himself.
"I'm pretty sure the rock won." Bruno chuckled awkwardly. Attempting to join in the banter. "Cause you never seemed to run out of dumb ideas." He teased.
Gideon glared and Bruno red-faced. There was a brief pause among the crowd as everyone registered what Bruno had said. For a moment Bruno feared he'd overstepped a boundary. That he wasn't friendly enough with this crowd to get away with making jokes like that.
"Oooooh!" Nacio's childish jeering cut through the silence. He shoved Bruno's shoulder with enough force Bruno went tumbling sideways. Struggling to catch his footing again on the uneven terrain of the thickening woods. He hadn't even noticed at what point they'd strayed off the beaten paths. "You gonna let him talk to you like that?" Nacio taunted. It was only then Bruno realized Nacio wasn't even looking at him. Only grinning ear to ear at Gideon waiting for him to respond with some kind of witty comeback. Unfortunately, Bruno knew full well Gideon wasn't smart enough for that.
"Cállate Nacio, it wasn't even that funny" Gideon grumbled irritably through grit teeth. Clearly at a loss for a comeback.
"I thought it was funny" Vicente grinned back mischievously.
"It doesn't need to be funny if it's true" Duilio grunted bluntly without looking back.
Elonzo laughed but Bruno was offput by how little Duilio was talking. This was the first thing he'd said in a while. He hadn't been laughing with the others or making fun of his friends. He wasn't even making fun of Bruno. Something that used to be a favorite pastime for him. Andres wasn't talking either. Leading the pack and looking for some sign of decent game. That was typical operating for Andres. He was never a very talkative person, even as a child. Duilio's quiet however was noticeable. It was uncanny seeing him so quiet. Bruno didn't mean to eavesdrop but couldn't help getting a bit distracted trying to listen in on the quiet chattering that followed between Elozno and Duilio. The laughter and banter of the others fading out of focus for a bit as he strained his ears. Sergio was staring at them too. Clearly, Bruno thought it was worth paying attention so his rat companion followed suit. Beatrice however remained a cozy bundle in Bruno's hands.
"You're funny when you want to be. You'd be the life of the party if you spoke up more often." Vicente's compliment jerked Bruno out of his distracted thoughts, or more so his playful elbow to the rib did.
"Oh, hm?" Bruno replied blearily as he turned to look back at Vicente.
Vicente looked away sheepishly. Seemingly realizing Bruno hadn't been paying attention to what he was saying. He didn't seem offended by it, more embarrassed and possibly… disappointed? "Las tablas?" Vicente prompted. Smiling down at Bruno. "They're really funny."
"Ah, sí…." Bruno replied slowly thinking of a funny reply. He tossed his runa up around his neck like a scarf and placed an offended hand on his chest. Holding Beatrice up proudly in his other hand. "I see you're one of the plebos who lacks the intellect and passion to understand my work." Jacinto mocked. "Only a fool would reduce my art to mere comedy." Bruno puffed up his chest and he bocked indignantly.
Vicente's slight tension melted away and he broke into a warm chuckle. "Perdóname. I didn't know I was talking to a genuine artist." Bruno liked the smile on Vicente's face. It suited him. Not a wry smirk, but a genuine toothy grin. Vicente's had a very slight overbite that made his smile seem just a little bit bigger. It was cute. "En serio, the plays are funny." Vicente insisted. "I didn't know rats were so smart." His smile flattered a moment and he looked down at his feet.
Bruno shrunk in on himself a bit but tried to keep Jacinto going. He pet Beatrice's back slowly with his fingers. "Sí. Very clever animals." He replied more confidently than he felt.
Vicente chewed some of the skin from his lip as he looked for the words. Staring down at his feet. "Lamento que." He sighed. "About that rat, the big black one with white spots?" Vicente prompted as if Bruno wouldn't remember. Of course, Bruno remembered. He couldn't forget.
"Morena." Bruno stated flatly. His eyes locked on Vicente. Tense and looking for any sign this was a joke or a trick. "Her name was Morena. You drown her in the creek." Bruno reminded him.
Vicente's face fell when he looked back at Bruno. Shameful and guilty. "She didn't deserve that." He told Bruno. "I shouldn't have dragged your pets into things. Perdóname por ser un pendejo?"
Bruno frown trying to figure out how to respond to that. His ruana slipping off his shoulder and hanging limply once more in front of him. He wasn't expecting an apology. Not after so many years. Vicente seemed sincere, though Bruno wasn't convinced this was something that should be forgiven. Not that he had the time to make up his mind before the loud squawk of an angry guan interrupted the two of them.
"Maldita sea!" Nacio cursed as he lowered his bow. Watching the fat bird dissapear into the trees.
Marcos raised a hand to child his eyes from the dying sun and peering off in the distance the arrow had disappeared. Squinting to spot it lodged in a neighboring tree. Letting out an impressed whistle. "That wasn't even close." Marcos taunted.
"I don't see you catching anything." Nacio whined.
Duilio turned back to pat Nacio on the back. "Ay esta bien chico. I'll take you out hunting later and we'll practice your aim. Besides, Andres'll find us something good to catch he always does."
Bruno still found it uncanny seeing Duilio be warm with people. He was mean and insecure and petty but he still had his moment. These moments of kindness were simply never directed at Bruno. At the very least it was less offputting than Duilio's uncharacteristic quiet. Whatever Elonzo had said to him seemed to cheer him up a bit.
"Maybe I would have found us something already if the rest of you would stop cackling and scaring off all the wildlife." Andres grumbled back at the group from his spot at the front.
"Perdona senor." Nacio replied cheekily.
Elonzo waved him off. "Don't be so serious we're out here to have fun." He heckled.
Andres sighed. His bow drawn at his side.
"Don't worry about it amigo we'll find something." Vicente assured him.
"I already found something." Andres told him. He drew the group's attention to a set of tracks that had gone largely unnoticed by the rowdy crowd. "Cappybara came through here. The tracks lead to a tributary up ahead. They should be settling down for the night. We can bag a few. Have one for dinner and send the rest home with Bruno to put in storage." He reasoned.
Bruno swallowed thickly. He liked capybara as well as any animal. The thought of killing one himself made him feel a little ill.
"I'll go on up ahead and find us a good vantage point." Andres told the crew. "When I get back I expect everyone to keep their mouths shut for once." He narrowed his eyes at Nacio. "And no one fires till I say. Comprende?"
Nacio sighed. "Sí Andres." He replied begrudgingly.
Bruno could feel himself going pale watching Andres disappear into the brush.
Gideon seemed to notice the reservation on Bruno's face and slapped him hard on the back. "Mira el lado positivo, at least you're a better shot than Bruno." Gideon told Nacio. "Mano looks like he's gonna be sick." He teased.
Beatrice ran up Bruno's arm and scurried into his pocket when Gideon nearly knocked him over. Serigo puffed up his chest and screeched irritably and the small stocky man. Ready to square up and defend Bruno's honor if need be. Bruno scooped Sergio up into his hands and tried to pat down his bristling pelt.
"Estoy bien." Bruno replied awkwardly. Trying to hide his discomfort. "I don't have my own bow anyway. You guys can have all the fun I don't mind." Not that killing things sounded like a fun way to spend the night to Bruno.
"Probably for the better. The last thing we need is Bad Luck Bruno taking someone's eye out." Marcos dismissed.
"Ay, go easy on him." Vicente argued.
Gideon turned to Bruno. "Have you ever even shot a bow before?" He asked. Emphasizing his point.
"Oh, uh me? I uhm, well, uh-" Bruno stammered awkwardly trying to think of the right answer. Sergio lost his patience with Bruno's anxious petting and squirmed out of Bruno's grip.
"Be nice." Vicente dismissed. He came over to rest his elbow on Bruno's shoulder. Placing his tall lanky frame between Bruno and Gideon and pushing Gideon away with a hand to his forehead. A gesture that turned Gideon red in the face. "It's not his fault he didn't have his papá around to teach him. That doesn't mean he can't learn. Never stopped Duilio."
"I wasn't ever a bad luck, little, coward." Duilio huffed. Annoyed at being compared to Bruno in any capacity.
Bruno winced slightly at his words but Vicente still looked down at him with a friendly smile. "Here, let me show you how to shoot." He offered. Holding up the bow he'd had slung over his shoulder.
"This should be good." Duilio grumbled. Pulling a flask out of his backpack as he sat down on an old fallen tree and taking a good swig.
"Don't listen to him Bruno." Elonzo encouraged as he sat down beside Duilio. Leaning back against the tree behind them and crossing his hands behind his head. "I'm sure you'll do fine."
"Just don't shoot your own foot." Gideon griped. Crossing his arm and glaring up at Vicente. "I didn't pack any bandages and no one wants to send you limping home to tus hermanaa. Last time Pepea nearly lit Duilio on fire."
"Wouldn't be the first time." Duilio chuckled. Passing his flask over to Elonzo for a drink.
Elonzo accepted the flask and took a swig. Marcos, Gideon, and Nacio found places to sit on rocks, logs, or a smooth patch of dirt. Bruno could feel all their eyes on him as he hesitantly accepted the bow Vicente offered him.
"I guess I can try…" Bruno replied hesitantly.
"Bueno." Vicente chirped. He set his backpack and quiver down and rifled through it. Pulling out bowie knife in a leather sheath. He stomped a few feet off the beaten path over dense underbrush to a nearby tree. Unsheathing his knife to carve off a chunk of bark and cut an X into the wood he'd stripped.
Bruno could see the wirey muscle flex in the farmer's arm with each forceful strike of the knife. Bruno's own grip on the bow in his hands growing tight and anxious. Vicente didn't look like much but most of these men could beat Bruno senseless if they wanted. These were working men. Farmers, Vicente, Marcos, and Elonzo, Duilio was a carpenter, Gideon a minor. Nacio was probably the only one Bruno could beat in a fight but with how young he was that wouldn't exactly be an accomplishment. Watching Vicente carve into the tree brought back flashes of Andres and Gideon pinning Jacqueline back, Duilio kicking in his ribs…
Bruno glanced anxiously back at Duilio who looked bored as he took another swig of his drink. Bruno almost didn't notice Vicente trudging back until he felt the playful slap on his shoulder.
"There you go, show us what you can do." Vicente offered. Gesturing towards the target he'd carved into the tree. Bruno stared at the target wearily.
"Uhm, o-okey…." Bruno stammered. The target wasn't far. Maybe ten feet roundabout. The target Vicente had carved was pretty sizable. He just had to try and hit somewhere in the striped section that had been carved out for him.
Bruno turned to pull out an arrow from the quiver on the ground and fumbled it. Knocking over the quiver and spilling arrows out onto the dirt. "Lo siento, lo siento!" He blustered. Scrambling to scoop the arrows back up into the quiver and pulling his hand back to suck on it when he pricked his palm on one of the arrowheads. "I can do this." He muttered more to himself than anyone else. Shaking off his sore hand and plucking up and arrow to fire. He could feel the gang laughing at his ineptitude. Nevertheless, Bruno picked up his arrow and his bow, straightened up, brushed the stray curls from his face, and attempted to pull his bow. His first attempt was… less than ideal. The bow was surprisingly heavy and hard to pull back. Multiple attempts and yanking back the bow string barely stretched it more than a few inches. His bow hand pointed down at the ground and struggling to lift up where he wanted it.
Duilio and Gideon's loud cackling echoes through the trees. Marcos slapped his knee. "Dios mio what is that?"
"You need a hand Brunito?" Nacio teased. The nerve on that kid. Bruno shot him a glare and was half tempted to take one of his sandals to the backside of his head.
Vicente's laughter was warmer, gentler. "Ay, here, let me help." Vicente offered. He stood behind Bruno and pushed Bruno's legs apart with his foot. "For a start, you want to have your feet level with your shoulders. Pointed in the direction you want to aim." He explained. Bruno's breath caught in his throat as Vicente pressed his hand into his back. "Straighten up."
Bruno nodded awkwardly and tried to steady his breathing. Vicente wasn't going to hurt him. He was just trying to help. Still, the closeness made Bruno's heart pound in his chest. Vicente shifted Bruno's bow hand with some difficulty. Bruno had a death grip on it and it took a slightly forceful nudge to move it down slightly. "You want to hold your bow here." Vicente explained with a grunt once Bruno loosened his grip. "Then you'll hold the arrow and string like this." Vicente took Bruno's other hand and positioned his fingers. Three fingers on the string. Two fingers under the arrow. One over.
Bruno felt a similar buzz when Vicente took each hand in one of his and pulled Bruno's arms and shoulder back into the right position. He could feel Vicente pressed against his back. Their arms lined up and brushed against each other. Bruno's hands in his. It was an old buzz that died a long time ago and now left a swirling sick feeling in Bruno's gut. Maybe he never really grew up after all. That uncomfortable flustered feeling that sat somewhere between fear and attraction was still something he had the capacity for after all. It was mild mind you. Nowhere near the intensity he felt as a confused teenager. Still there though. This old bully could still make him feel it.
Bruno was barely registering what Vicente was saying anymore. Acutely aware of the tension in the bowstring as he pulled back. It was difficult and heavy and he wasn't sure he could even manage it if Vicente wasn't helping him.
There was a time briefly as a kid, when Bruno thought maybe things might change between him and Vicente. He'd had a moment of personal connection with his school bully after Vicente had a blowout fight with his parents and Bruno found him hiding out in the woods for a while. Vicente was hostile at first, shoving Bruno into the dirt, but he broke down that night. Bruno thought they made some sort of connection. It was one of his more shameful childhood crushes. Pining for some hint of that night when Vicente continued to bully him in public alongside his friends. There were still brief moments of warmth between them when no one else was around to see.
That all ended when Morena died. Vicente did well to drown that little hope with her.
"Just shoot already mariquita." Duilio heckled.
"Keep your pants on. We've got time to kill." Vicente snapped back unbothered by Duilio's insults. Together Vicente and Bruno let the arrow fly and it lodged itself in the tree near the center of the target but still off by a bit.
"Good shot." Vicente praised as he pulled back. The warmth of his body finally dissipating and leaving Bruno feeling cold.
"Sí, 'cause you actually know how to shoot." Gideon snarked.
"And Bruno's going to learn." Vicente replied patiently. He passed Bruno another arrow with an encouraging smile. "Try doing it on your own this time."
Bruno nodded numbly. Still a bit dazed and more frustrated by the heckling than he'd like to admit. He lifted his arms and made another attempt to pull the bow back. He tried to follow Vicente's directions this time. Attempting to copy his form. It was still heavy though. It took all the strength he had to try and pull by the string. His arm was trembling from the strain.
More snickering from the gallery.
"Ay, you want to pull with your back, not your arms." Vicente corrected.
Bruno looked back at him and furrowed his brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Vicente pulled Bruno's shoulders again and pressed his knuckles between Bruno's shoulder blades. "Right here, You should feel it here, not in your biceps." He explained.
Bruno felt his face flush again at the touch and swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. He nodded again and looked back at the target. It somehow looked further away without Vicente's hand to guide him. Bruno pulled back like he was taught and released. He heard the whoosh of the arrow flying past his cheek. The string whipped against his arm and made him flinch. Bruno rubbed the sore spot on his arm and hurried to spot where his arrow had landed only to realize it never made it to the tree. Looking around it took a moment to find it before he looked down and saw it lodged in the ground about five feet away. A limp pitiful shot that barely covered any ground.
The whole crew erupted into a chorus of laughter at Bruno's measly attempt.
"Try again. You'll get it. Try and keep your shoulders level." Vicente encouraged.
Bruno sighed, threw salt over his shoulder, took a deep breath, then pulled another arrow from the quiver. He shot another arrow. Then another, and another. Each shot got a little bit better. A bit closer to the target. It felt like more time than had actually passed by the time Andres got back.
"Vamos." Andres called out to the crew. "I found us a good spot. Cleared the path up ahead."
Andres deep melodic voice cut through Bruno's concentration. Ripping his eyes away from the target just as he loosed his arrow. In his distracted state he whacked himself again with the bowstring as the arrow flew and jumped back. "Ay!" He yelped. Nearly dropping the bow and rubbing aggressively his his tender forearm.
"Alright chicos let's go catch us some dinner." Duilio grunted as he got up from his seat. His face already a bit flushed from whatever he'd been drinking.
The clearing was filled with the shuffling sounds of people collecting their things and readying to move again. Bantering before Andres hushed them. Then Nacio looked aside and started shoving Marcos' shoulder excitedly. Shaking him back and forth and pointing to the tree Bruno had been shooting. "Ole! Look, look!" He blurted out.
Bruno turned with the rest of the group to look at the target. His eyes widened when he saw what Nacio had pointed to. There, in the dead center of the X, was his arrow. Lodged straight and firm. The rest of the group erupted into excited hoots and hollers. Shoving Bruno around and congratulating him on his shot. For a brief moment, despite all his misgivings, Bruno felt like he was among friends. There was an ecstatic pride that came from seeing his success after so many failed attempts. The sincere encouragement from the group was surprisingly warm and genuine. Men who'd teased or doubted him were now praising him for his achievement. It wasn't much. More dumb luck than anything. It was still a big accomplishment for Bruno and people were willing to grant him his win.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
The actual hunting was a less pleasant experience. Thankfully Bruno was given an easy out. After hearing Vicente's report on Bruno's target practice Andres decided they wouldn't let Bruno shoot. He was still clumsy and unskilled and Andres didn't trust him not to accidentally shoot prematurely and scare off the herd. Nacio was still allowed to try though. Granted he did have more practice than Bruno even if he was still a weak shot.
Andres silenced the group and led them to one of the river tributaries where a small herd of capybara were swimming and lounging about. It was twilight by this point and the large rodents were settling down for the night. Bruno did his best to move carefully and quietly so as not to disturb the ambient peace. He was silent when he wanted to be. Years of practice skulking about and hiding from people made him especially talented at moving through the woods without disturbing the wildlife. He felt guilty watching the capybara herd. They looked so content and comfortable. Many were snuggled up on the shore already dozing or had fallen asleep floating in the river. Thankfully there weren't any pups with them this time of year. It probably wouldn't be long though. They were only a month away from the start of the rainy season. Not that Bruno knew a lot about capybara but Tonito loved to tell him things he learned from his animal friends and mentioned that capybara have their babies during the rainy season.
Bruno tensed watching the other men draw their bows. Not everyone was expected to land their hit but each found a spot to perch and picked a target. The first shot would likely starttle the rest off so whoever landed the first shot would have the easiest pickings. That said Andres seemed to be taking point. Directing the others with hand gestures. Bruno perched close behind Andres and watched him line up his shot. Bruno followed the line of Andres' bow to a chunky male on the bank.
It took Bruno a moment to notice but he was glad he did. This male had a distinguishing scar on the side of his face that crawled up to a tear in his ear. One of Antonio's close animal friends was a capybara named Chispi. While she spent a lot of time around Casita she would still wander off to be with her herd from time to time. Bruno had seen the male with the torn ear before. He'd been sent out one night to collect Antonio and bring him home for dinner and found him distracted with a capybara Bruno hadn't met. Antonio called him Vito. Apparently, he and Chispi were something of an item. The scared male was skittish of humans and not fond of Bruno interrupting their conversation but seemed to like Antonio well enough.
Bruno winced once he saw Andres shoulder pop back into place. The slight flex of his arm as he loosed his arrow. Bruno jumped forward without thinking. Landing squarely on Andres back and knocking him down. Sending him tumbling over rocks and ferns into the clearing below and scaring off the other capybara as a flurry of arrows whizzed past overhead. Andres cursed and grunted as they hit the dirt in a messy tangle. Beatrice let out a pained squeal as she was squished between them and Sergio held onto Bruno by his hair. Bruno covered his head as the thunking sounds of arrows hitting the dirt and splashing into the river echoed off the trees mixed with the panicked squeals and warning barks of the capybara.
Bruno glanced up in time to catch a glimpse of Vito rounding up his herd and ushering them off into the trees.
"What was that for?" Andres snapped. Shoving Bruno off him into the first.
Bruno sat up and tugged on his ruana. "L-lo siento, I, I, uh-" Sergio cut off Bruno's rambling with an irritable nip to the ear. "Ay! Basta ya!" Bruno snapped at Sergio. Scooping him up off his shoulder only for the buck to squirm out of his grip to scramble to his pocket where Beatrice was hanging her head out in a daze.
"I got one!" Nacio shouted excitedly.
Andres had his palm pressed to the side of his head when he heard Nacio. He looked up and scrambled to his feet to bolt through the shallow river. Drawing the knife he had strapped to his hip. Bruno looked over to see a squealing capybara struggling on the other bank with an arrow lodged in her shoulder. The other capybara had mostly fled though Vito was still pacing rapidly back and forth. Barking and trying to coax the injured female up the banks towards the bushes where the others had fled.
Vito saw Andres approaching and froze. Staring up at him a moment before finally turning and fleeing off into the bushes. Bruno tensed as Andres caught up to the wounded female. She watched her herd flee without her and Bruno's heart broke. He screwed his eyes shut and looked away as the frightened squealing was suddenly cut off by the deafening squelching sound of a blade cutting through flesh.
Bruno sat there in the first staring down at the rats in his hands.
"Wooo! Who's a bad shot now?!" Nacio hollared excitedly.
Bruno could hear the others playfully praising Nacio. Teasing each other. Shoving each other about. He felt numb.
"Estás bien?" Andres called out from across the small shallow tributary.
Bruno finally looked over. The capybara's blood was flowing down the bank and being carried away by the river. Andres had slit her throat. She was dead now. It looked like it had been quick. Her eyes still open wide but glassy and blank.
"I, uhm… e-estoy bien." Bruno replied stiffly.
Andres looked back down at what he was doing. Closing the capybara's eyes and muttering some sort of prayer before pulling her up from her back legs to drain her blood into a bucket Elonzo brought over.
"You lose your footing?" Elonzo called out. He set down a basket with a clean cloth spread out inside.
"What do you think? Pendejo trips over his own feet on a clear street." Duilio mocked gruffly.
Vicente grabbed the bag Andres had set down by his perch in the brush and brought it across the river. Pulling out some stilts and ropes and stapping the forked sticks into the ground. Placing the third across them and passing Andress the rope so he could tie the capybara's back feet to the spit to let her hang and her blood drain into the bucket.
"Who cares. We still caught something. This one's big enough to feed everyone." Vicente reasoned.
Andres stared intently back at Bruno once their prey was secure. Bruno looked around if only to escape Andres' eerie gaze and found his bow and broken arrow on the ground. Bruno picked them up and hopped across some of the exposed stones in the creek so as not to get his pants wet. He passed Andres back his bow once he approached and looked away from the dead animal hanging beside him.
"Here. Perdón." Bruno replied shyly.
"You shouldn't eat meat if you don't have the stomach for death." Andres scolded as he took his bow.
Bruno frowned but didn't have anything to say to that. Vicente thumped his hand onto Andres' shoulder and rubbed little circles into him. "Don't be so serious amigo. It's his first time."
"It's not really about me. I recognized that male with the torn ear." Bruno admitted. "He's one of Antonio's friends. I couldn't let you shoot him."
Andres seemed to ponder this answer a moment. It was hard to read his expression. He watched the capybara's blood gradually slow to a trickle and started slicing her down the belly to skin her. "Antonio can talk to all animals." He observed. "Predators and prey. He's going to experience his amigos eating each other sooner or later. He'll have to learn to make peace with that."
Bruno took in a slow breath to steady himself and nodded.
"Aren't you just the life of the party?" Marcos replied sarcastically.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Bruno was quieter on the walk back. The capybara had been skinned and her organs, skin, and the rest of the divided-up carcass were wrapped up separately and packed into the large basket Elonzo brought over. They had brought more than one basket but with only one kill under their belt, they didn't need more than the one. Andres washed his hands off in the creek but kept the bucket of blood. Intending to boil and dry it into blood meal to fertilize his garden.
Andres was the local grave keeper and it showed in how seriously he conducted himself. He took hunting seriously. He wouldn't waste anything that was left of the life he took. Bruno had visited the town's graveyard on a few occasions though a fear of the spirits usually kept him away. That said Andres' house on the edge of the yard was always overgrown with lichen and moss while the graves were kept in pristine condition. He had a little garden where he grew flowers and always kept small offerings out for the dead.
Unfortunately, the blood he planned to feed his flowers with ended up going to waste despite Andres' best efforts. Another round of jokes and roughhousing on the way to their campsite shoved Gideon into Andres and knocked the bucket into his chest. Splattering him with the capybara blood. There was a round of laughter and playful apologies though Andres was less than amused.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Eventually, the missionary house came into view. The abandoned old estate that was hear before the town was. The house was wide and two stories. A bit plain and falling apart. Chewed up by the years and overgrown by the wildlife. Bruno felt the memory of being locked inside come flooding back. The taunting laughter of the group as he panicked and banged on the doors begging to be let out.
"W-we're not really going to stay the night in there are we?" Bruno stammered out. He knew the gang liked to hang out here at the old house to play cards and drink. He didn't know they spent overnights here. When he was told they were going camping this wasn't what he'd been expecting.
"Why not?" Marcos shrugged.
Gideon nudged Bruno's forearm. "Ey, you spent a whole night in there and you were fine. If the ghosts don't mind Bad Luck Bruno then it's gotta be safe." He teased.
"I was terrified!" Bruno protested. "I nearly had a heart attack!"
"So?" Elonzo chuckled. "You're scared of everything."
"Relájate, mano." Vicente soothed. "We've been camping out here for years."
Andres grumbled as he trudged towards the house with his half-empty bucket of blood and the backset of animal bits. "Someone get some firewood. I'll skewers together." He told the group.
"Bueno." Duilio grunted. Taking a swig from his flask before setting his backpack down near the fence that surrounded the old estate. He pulled up the small ax he had tied to the back of his bag and went to chop some branches for their fire.
Bruno stared at the house and tried to steady his nerves. Sergio and Beatrice perched on either shoulder watching the dark boarded up windows as well. Bruno thought for a moment he saw a light flicker in one of the upstairs windows. Just barely peaking through the rotting wooden board. No, no, it's not haunted. This place is fine. Bruno was fine the last time he stayed here. Right? He wondered what this old missionary was like when it was operational. How long ago was it abandoned? Why was it abandoned? Why had it been built so far out in the jungle from any major town or city? His mind began to spiral with grim thoughts of the dark deeps that could have gone down in a place like this and it wasn't long before he was knocking on a nearby tree and throwing salt over his shoulder.
The crew laughed at his knocking. There was some banter Bruno could barely make out through the tense haze of his anxiety. They were talking about him, talking over him. Bruno didn't care. That wasn't new. The chatter was suddenly disrupted however by a loud shrill scream.
Bruno broke out in a cold sweat as he recognized a familiar voice. That was Camilo. A blood-curdling shriek of terror. Bruno bolted for the front door. "Camilo!" He called out once he slammed passed the rotting wood into the dark empty foyer.
"I'm up! I'm here! What happened?" Wilfredo gasped out as he made it to the bottom of the stairs. Rushing behind Ayla red faced gasping for air.
"Did you find a ghost!" Ayla cheered excitedly. Carrying her notebook in one hand and a lantern in the other.
The dim foyer was only barely visible from the faint slivers of moonlight that pooled in through the cracks in the boarded-up windows and the open door. Once Ayla lifted her lantern however the warm light landed on a rather confused Andres and a frightened Camilo sitting on the dirty tile floor.
"I, h-he, b-blood-" Camilo stammered pointing up at Andres with a shaking hand. Andres was towering over him. His eyes were shadowed by the dim light and his shirt covered in capybara blood but it was still clearly the local gravekeeper. Camilo looked back at Ayla and saw the irritation and disappointment on her face then turned to look at Andres again. Recognition seemed to finally dawn on him as Camilo blushed awkwardly up at Andres.
"Qué pasa?" Elonzo called out as the crew collected by the door.
"Someone in here?" Gideon asked. Craning his neck over the group to see what was going on.
"Just a couple of kids. I gave the Madrigal boy a scare. That's all." Andres dismissed their concern.
Bruno hurried over to help Camilo up to his feet. Dusting him off. "Por Dios! what are you two doing here?" He lectured. Checking his sobrino for any bumps or scrapes.
"Looking for ghosts." Ayla huffed irritably.
"Like I said we were going to." Camilo chided and pulled away from Bruno's worried fussing.
"You didn't say you were staying the night here. Don't you know this place is dangerous?" Bruno chided.
"Todo está bien." Wilfredo panted. Holding up a finger for a minute as he braced himself against the wall to catch his breath. "I've been watching them." He puffed.
Bruno raised a brow at his struggling lover. " Estás bien?" He asked skeptically.
"He fell asleep an hour ago." Ayla taddled.
"Wilfredo!" Bruno barked.
Wilfredo snapped upright and fixed his glasses. As the flickering lantern light hit his face the dark circles under his eyes and his disheveled hair became obvious. "I'm awake!" He blurted out. He anxiously tried to fix his hair and corrected himself. "I've been awake. I wasn't sleeping. Just resting my eyes."
The crew broke out into amused cackles. "Ay don't worry amigo you can get your nap now. We'll watch los niños." Duilio teased. Smacking Wilfredo on the shoulder as he shuffled in with a bundle of firewood under his arm.
Wilfredo let out an exhausted sigh as the other men funneled in.
"Who said we wanted you here?" Ayla huffed. "You're going to scare away all the ghosts!"
Marcos laughed and ruffled Ayla's hair. "There's no ghosts here mija. We've been hanging out here since we were your age. It's just an old house. Nothing to it."
"What!?" Ayla whined. "Mis padres said they wouldn't take me here 'cause they were too scared."
"I thought this place was off limits." Camilo argued. "No one comes here."
"That's why it makes such a good hideout." Elonzo explained.
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear chicos." Gideon told them.
"You two go get your supplies and bring them down here. You can hang out with us tonight." Vicente offered.
Ayla sighed. "I'll get it." She trudged back up the stairs leaving CAmilo still confused in the foyer. He gestured to Andres and his bloody shirt. "Okey, so what's with all the blood?" He questioned. "If Tío Bruno wasn't here I'd think you came out here to bury a body."
"What does me being here have anything to do with it?" Bruno questioned.
Wilfredo stifled a snicker. Pressing his knuckle to his lips to hide his grin. Camilo put his hands on his hips and raised an eyebrow at Bruno. "En serio? You couldn't even squish a roach." He challenged.
"You don't know my life." Bruno argued indignantly. "I could be a cold-blooded killer. You wouldn't know."
"He almost ruined our hunting trip because he didn't want me shooting a capybara." Andres corrected as he sat down on one of the old logs sitting in the foyer. There were a couple of them surrounding the fireplace in the front hall that the friend circle had dragged in years ago and used on overnights like this one. He set down his basket, pulled up a crate, and brought a cutting board and some skewers from his backpack.
Bruno felt his face heat up again. "It was one of Antonios amigos." He argued.
"So that's where the blood came from." Camilo reasoned.
Andres nodded and brought out a cut of capybara meat to slice into small chunks he began skewering. Duilio loaded up the fireplace and squatted down. Pulling some matches from his own bag and some tinder to get a good fire going.
"Lo siento we didn't find any ghosts para tu novia." Wilfredo teased lightly. Placing a hand on Camilo's shoulder.
"She's not my- uhg, whatever." Camilo groaned.
Wilfredo looked over at Bruno with a tired smile. "I hope your night's been going better."
Bruno sheepishly tugged at his ruana. "Oh, ah, sí. Bueno en realidad. I learned out to shoot a bow." He told Wilfredo.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Bruno found a seat on one of the logs next to Wilfredo to tell him about his target practice. The others enthused about his lucky bullseye and everyone was pretty friendly with the kids. They hadn't planned on having their night crashed but didn't seem to mind. Answering Ayla's many questions about the various ghost stories that surrounded the place. They even admitted to being the perpetrators of a few of those myths with their teenage hijinx.
Wilfredo was less than enthused when he heard about the time they locked Bruno inside overnight. Bruno tried to downplay the experience. A bit too ashamed of just how terrified he had been at the time. They all cooked capybara skewers over the fireplace. The kids seemed to appreciate them even though they'd packed some arepas for themselves. Wilfredo didn't partake in the arepas but with a bit of coaxing, Bruno got Wilfredo to try some capybara meat which he seemed to enjoy. The meat was tender and very slightly sweet. Seasoned with a bit of salt and chili powder.
As the night wore on people started passing out. The kids were the first to go. Falling asleep mid-conversation on the blankets they had brought. It didn't escape Bruno's notice the way Ayla gradually scooted closer to Camilo in her sleep. Wilfredo wasn't much better. Leaning against Bruno's shoulder and staring into the fire. Trying his best to stay awake.
People passed drinks around and talked about their day-to-day stressors. Family drama, work. The men were more affectionate with the kids asleep and a bit of liquor in their systems. Nacio sat on the floor between Marcos's knees and leaned back against him. Vicente sprawled out on one of the logs with his head in Andres' lap. Gideon even offered Duilio a sympathetic side hug when he lamented his children not wanting to talk to him. He admitted it was nice getting to hang out with Ayla and Camilo. It had only been a little over a month and he was already missing his boys.
Elonzo was sympathetic but reminded him the affair was his own fault. A few men seemed to be of the opinion that cheating wasn't the problem so much as getting caught. Every one of them except for Nacio and Elonzo it turns out had slept with Jacqueline at least once. Andres was unmarried so no problem there and Vicente's wife apparently gave him her blessing which the other men were jealous of. Vicente and his wife had a strange relationship and hearing him brag about their sexual escapades together was more than Bruno ever needed to know about the man.
Gideon used to sleep around when he was young and just wanted to feel young again. He had no feelings for Jacqueline. She was just a conquest and most of the rest seemed to feel the same. Gideon was a small man. The shortest in down with a trunk slightly too long for his limbs. He always seemed to be trying to compensate for it and his prowess with women and short temper were part of how he did that.
Marcos had only ever slept with his wife and just wanted to know what it was like with someone else. Reasoning that Jacqueline would leave town soon and it wouldn't matter. He'd likely not get another chance like this any time soon and he had no intention of doing it again.
The way the other men talked about Jacqueline made Bruno deeply uncomfrotable They discussed her body in such vulgar ways. The only person who had anything to say about her that wasn't sexual was Elonzo who was teased for it. His friends joking that he liked when women bullied him and the only reason he wasn't sleeping with Jacqueline was because Maria would stab him. Duilio seemed to find it less funny. Casually suggesting Elonzo should divorce his wife though Elonzo quickly dismissed him.
People asked Bruno about his experiences with Jacqueline. Bruno clammed up but decided to play along with the rumors by simply insisting he wasn't one to kiss and tell. Of course, this also got laughs from the group who reassured him he didn't have to be so prudish around them. Bruno still declined.
He wanted to call them out for saying disgusting things about Jacqueline in front of her brother, Wilfredo didn't seem to care though. Or rather, he was half asleep for most of the conversation and didn't seem to be listening. Just staring aimlessly into the fire contributing very little. Maybe he was listening and just didn't feel inclined to speak up. Either way, Bruno knew if he heard these men talking about one of his sisters like this he'd punch them in the jaw. Still, Jacqueline preferred to speak up for herself and Bruno knew that. Wilfredo didn't seem inclined to say anything and no one else here was bothered by the conversation. So Bruno kept his mouth shut.
︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵
Eventually, Bruno, Vicente, and Andres were the only three left awake. Bruno almost hadn't noticed until Vicente caught him off guard with a sudden question.
"How are things with Wilfredo?" Vicente asked. Gesturing towards the snoring man on Bruno's shoulder with his lips.
Bruno had been drinking with the rest of them and was really starting to feel it at this point. It took him a moment to process and understand what Vicente was asking. Bruno looked over at Wilfredo who's cheek was smooshed up against him. His glasses crooked. Lips faintly parted. His chest heaving with each slow noisy breath. Bruno felt that same warmth he had at the theater. Wilfredo looks so beautiful in his sleep. So calm and genuine. Bruno looked back over at Vicente and Andres as he registered what was being asked. "W-what do you mean?" He stammered shyly. A knot forming in his gut as he prayed to god Vicente wasn't asking what Bruno thought he was.
"We know which Fontana you've been sleeping with." Andres told Bruno bluntly. He was resting back. Propped up on one arm. His other hand gently combing through Vicente's hair. He's been doing it for a while but none of the other men had drawn any attention to it. "It's pretty obvious. You're lucky most of the town are blind."
Vicente snickered and filled the air with puffs of spicy cinnamon smoke. "Ay, you don't have to be so tense with us." He teased Bruno. The smile Vicente offered Bruno was strangely reassuring. "Andres and I figured it out a while ago. You're not the only mariposo in town you know."
Bruno stared at the two men in stunned silence for a moment. Watching Andres combing fingers come to a stop as he stared blankly back at Bruno. Waiting for a response.
"I, uh, you two are-" Bruno pointed from Vicente to Andred and Andres to Vicente.
Vicente nodded. "For about… what," He looked up at Andres. "Thirty years now?" He asked.
"Thirty-one." Andres corrected.
"Does your wife know?" Bruno asked. Vicente said she knew about Jacqueline and it sounded like Vicente had been with Andres longer than his own wife. That was a long time to keep a secret like that.
"Clemencia found out early on." Andres replied.
Vicente grinned ear to ear. Beaming pridefully. "Mi amor es la esposa perfecta." He boasted. "Clemencia was surprised at first. Thought for sure she'd want nothing to do with me, but we worked it out. She likes Andres. Like's having him around. He's a good tío. I let her have her own amantes too." He explained.
Bruno stared at them owl-eyed and wondered if he had too much to drink. "How? Why?"
Vicente shrugged. "I don't know, it just works for us. Honestly, I love her even more knowing she's happy sharing me." He admitted. "I like sharing her too. I like seeing her happy."
Bruno stared down the dwindling fire. It was reduced to embers at this point. The faint orange glow the only light in the room. "Is anyone in this town faithful?" He asked in disbelief.
Andres let out an amused huff. "Don't rope me in with them. I never married for a reason. Too much drama."
Vicente laughed and reached up to pat Andre's cheek. "Ay, mi amore you couldn't keep a wife if you wanted to. Women talk too much for you." He teased playfully.
Andres rolled his eyes but smiled faintly. Bruno didn't see him smile often. Andres kissed Vicente's palm and it reminded Bruno of his intimate moments with Wilfredo. The thought of Wilfredo's skin against his fingertips sent a shiver up Bruno's spine. He reached an arm out and wrapped it around Wilfredo's waist. His sleeping lover shifted slightly and nestled his head deeper into the crook of Bruno's shoulder.
"I guess it's nice knowing I'm not the only one." Bruno admitted.
Vicente took a slow puff from his cigar as he watched Bruno intently. He blew smoke into the air again before he spoke. "Is he your first?" Vicente asked.
Bruno bit his lip. Looking at Wilfredo's sleeping face out of the corner of his eye. "S-sí." He replied. His face felt hot and he could feel that same burn in his chest. The buzz of alcohol gave him a bit more confidence to speak openly. "I thought I was the only one." He admitted. "That there was something wrong with me."
Vicente frowned and Andres' blank expression was back. The two exchanged a look before Vicente took another puff from his cigar. Seemingly contemplating what he was going to say next. "I know what that feels like." He looked back at Bruno and chuckled awkwardly. "Solía estar muy enamorado de ti." He admitted.
Bruno looked back at Vicente stunned again. "En serio?" He challenged. "You killed one of my rats because I wouldn't help you manipulate a girl into dating you."
"I was scared!" Vicente blurted out in hushed tones. Waving his cigar. "You know what mi padre would have done to me if he found out I-"
Andres placed a hand on Vicente's forehead and brushed his long brown hair back again. "Tranquila." Andres soothed. "You'll wake the others." Bruno had never heard Andres speak so gently before. His Caribbean accent almost hypnotic in the moment.
Vicente sighed. "Perdóname Bruno." He looked back at Bruno genuinely apologetic. "I was a stupid kid. I just… I wanted to convince myself I wasn't… you know…"
Bruno's heart sank. It didn't make what Vicente put him through ok, but Bruno understood that feeling. Feeling broken and confused and alone. He nodded. "Comprendido." He sighed.
"I wanted to invite you out here with us to try and make up for picking on you." Vicente admitted.
"And because he wanted to ask if you'd be interested in sleeping with him." Andres stated bluntly.
"Qué!?" Bruno nearly jumped off his seat and hand to scramble not to drop Wilfredo who grumbled in his sleep. The larger man wrapped his arms around Bruno and clung to him. Nearly squishing him as Bruno tried to right himself.
Vicente choked on his cigar smoke and shot up. Shoving Andres' shoulder. "Ay! pendejo you can't just drop that on him like that. You gotta ease him into it."
"I was just getting to the point." Andres defended dryly.
With some effort Bruno managed to push himself upright against Wilfredo's weight. He rested Wilfredo against his chest. Wrapping one arm around him as Wilfredo snuggled into him and resumed his snoring with a grunt. "I uh, gracias pero no." Bruno replied awkwardly to Vicente's offer. He looked down at Wilfredo and brushed some of his golden feathers down from his face. Cradling him in his arms. He looked so precious and soft like this. Bruno loved this man so much it hurt. "I'm happy like this. I don't need anyone else." He told them.
"You sure?" Vicente asked. "He's moving out in a month. You sure you won't get lonely?"
Bruno shook his head. "I don't mind being lonely."
"Vaya, if you ever change your mind you can always come talk to us." Vicente reassured him. "Even if it's just so you have someone to talk to about this stuff."
"Gracias." Bruno replied. Looking back at the other couple. It meant a lot knowing he wasn't alone. Even when Wilfredo left he still wouldn't be completely alone with these feelings.