Chapter Text
Music and laughter fill the large room. You look on in joy as the people of the Encanto drink and dance at another one of the family Madrigal’s extravagant parties.
You sip on your wine and take in the sight of it all. You see Luisa showing off her incredible strength to the children, Camilo shapeshifting into one person after another, you even spot your friends chatting away with Isabela and Dolores. Finally, your eyes come upon him: Bruno Madrigal.
It had been months since everyone came together to rebuild Casita for the Madrigals, and you were happy to see that Bruno had been welcomed back into the community again. It was slow at first, but people soon got over their fear of the eccentric uncle who could look into their futures.
You had spoken to him a few times before. There were days when he would be out on the town for a walk by himself or running errands with his niece Mirabel. He was a bit soft spoken and shy, but he always spoke to you with such kindness. You wondered if there was anything more to that…
No, you shake your head and take a long drink, he’s just a sweet and charming man. He’s only being nice. Besides, he’s over 20 years older than you. You’re just letting your feelings get in the way again.
But you couldn’t help it, especially when you noticed how handsome Bruno was. You look at him now and watch as his soft green eyes twinkle, his curls bouncing on his shoulders as his body shakes with laughter.
You begin to wonder what exactly his sisters had said that made him laugh so hard just as his eyes lock with yours. You quickly look away and hope that he didn’t catch you staring. Your little crush on Bruno Madrigal might be more noticeable than you thought.
Bruno’s sisters, Pepa and Julieta, are soon whisked away by their husbands to dance to the festive music and he is left standing alone. You think about approaching him… Just the thought makes you finish all of the wine left in your glass. But when you look back up, Bruno is no longer standing where you last saw him.
He’s actually right in front of you.
“Would you like me to get you another drink?” he asks with a smile.
Your mind instantly goes blank. You were not expecting him to come to you. He must have noticed you staring at him! It feels like all the blood in your body rushes to your face as you look back at him in embarrassment. “Oh… uh no,” you stammer, “I’m fine, but thank you.”
“Well, just let me know if you need anything.” Bruno gives you another sheepish smile. “How are you enjoying the fiesta?”
Having gotten over the initial shock of being approached by him, you begin to relax and ease into the conversation. “I seem to have lost my friends that I came with, but I’m having a great time. Your family always manages to throw the best parties. Is that another one of your magical gifts?”
He laughs. “Not mine. I can only see the future.”
“Only?” you retort. “That’s one hell of a gift… Don’t sell yourself short.”
Bruno blushes and it seems like he’s about to say something else when the jovial music winds down and is replaced by a slow ballad. He freezes and it seems like a wave of nervousness has rushed over him. Was he thinking about asking you to dance? Was he scared that you might say no?
Rather than wait for Bruno to make up his mind, you take his hands. “Dance with me?”
His eyes widen and he quickly nods. You giggle, starting to feel just a little tipsy from the wine, and lead him to the center of the room where other couples are already slow dancing. Your heart skips a beat as he places his hands on your hips and you wonder if he feels the same when you lace your arms around his neck. You both gently sway to the music, letting your foreheads touch for just a brief moment.
Bruno looks around. “Every guy in this room is staring at you right now.”
“Maybe they’re staring at you,” you whisper into his ear.
He shakes his head but gives you a nervous laugh. “They’re not…”
“Maybe they’re jealous of you.” Your words drip with flirtation and you feel his body stiffen. Is he really just now realizing how you feel?
“No, I’m just…Bruno,” he mutters. “Just the weird uncle of familia Madrigal who sees the future and hid in the walls for ten years. Not a threat.”
“Ay Bruno,” you push a lock of his curls away from his face and behind his ear. “I think they should be terrified of you.”
His big green eyes look into yours and you know you can’t take another second of dancing around it. You lean into him and press your lips onto his. Bruno’s breath hitches in his throat and you worry that you might have gone too far, that you might have ruined things. Your fear is suddenly alleviated when he returns your kiss, pulling you in closer and tighter. His lips move against yours in a passionate display until you’re left out of breath.
When you finally pull away from his kiss, you look back into his eyes again. “See? I told you. They should be terrified.”
A beautiful smile spreads across Bruno’s face, and you can’t help but start to fall in love with him.