Like Emeralds [Bruno Madrigal x Reader]

Ch. 2

". . . Y/n?" Bruno's cautious voice wavered, his head tilting to the side ever so slightly as the rat that was with him looked back to you with perked ears. You nodded a small bit, your hands gripping the bottom of the hole so you can lift yourself beyond tippy toes to see him better, or for him to get a clearer sight that it was indeed you. At the confirmation that it was you, Bruno seemed to relax slightly, letting his rat friend down so he could get up. You watched as he stood up, looking back to you with a nervous gaze, "H-how did you.. find me here?" You gave a tiny shrug, "I saw the painting move a bit. What are you doing in here?" Bruno paused, his lips pursing together as he tried to think of an answer. Why did he come in here? Was it because he was nervous for the celebration? That was a stupid question, of course he was- he was terrified! He looked away from you, rubbing his arm a bit. "BRUNOO!" Pepa called from downstairs, spooking the both of you- more so the belonger of name she was calling.

Bruno quickly headed to the hole, you moving back as he clambered over and out into the open once again. Shutting the painting as fast as possible, Bruno turned back to you- back leaning against the wall with a sigh, possibly one of relief? Fear? Perhaps a mixture of both. You looked downstairs, then back to Bruno- wondering if you should let the girl know Bruno was found. Bruno took a moment to meet your gaze, and with a short pause he nodded- starting to brush himself off of any possible dust that was clinging to his white clothing. You looked back down, "He's right here Pepa!" Pepa snapped her head towards you, eyes a bit wide. Before she could move, your mother and Alma came inside- still chatting away. Bruno slowly moved towards the railing beside you, looking hesitantly as Pepa gave him a look. More of an annoyed 'where the hell were you' kind of look. Juliette poked her head from round the corner upstairs, looking across the way to you two.

Alma looked to everyone, unaware of what had happened. Your mother was too unaware, smiling up at you kindly. She always seemed happy that you were playing with other kids, or seemed too. You spent way too much time inside, purposefully avoiding playing with kids due to your nerves. Making friends was.. hard for you, so it truly was surprising to see you sticking close to the Madrigals, the magical family that lived in a living house. You didn't even remember how you had managed to befriend them. One day, Pepa just walked up you- and how an extrovert adopts an introvert- you were suddenly playing with the triplets just outside of the Casita. After that, that's how most of your days were spent, playing tag with Pepa- baking sweets with Alma and Juliette, and watching Bruno fan over plays and even try to act out some scenes he had seen. He would grab a long stick, and pretend to swordfight someone to protect the 'Princessa', which was almost always you when watching his act. Though you didn't do anything but sit on the grass, you loved how he took the role seriously, as if he was actually fighting someone for you. He was really good at acting!

Lost in thought, you barely noticed that Alma, Juliette and Pepa were already up the stairs standing before their doors. Bruno went to join them, standing at the very last door among his sisters. Alma was to the side, holding the magic candle with a soft but stern gaze towards her children. Hurriedly, you went to join your mother as the triplets reached out their hands to each doorknob.

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As the years flew by, Pepe was soon smitten with a charismatic man named Felix, and Juliette talked fondly of a man that frequents her stand in town- where the villagers line up to be healed by her magical food. Bruno was the same for the most part, though.. he didn't like going into town very much. When he did, it was normally to deliver bad news of his prophies to the people who had asked him to look into their future. Or to visit you when you haven't been to the Casita in a little bit. And truth was, sometimes you really didn't go outside very often. Your time was spent caring over your sick mother, who had grown increasingly ill over the past years. It was unclear how and what she was sick with, but now she was too weak to leave the bed very often without the help of a cane or you keeping her steady. Her once beautiful features was sunken, her skin paled into an almost translucent state; where her veins were clear and marked throughout her arms and legs under the skin. But, she was a stubborn woman, and tried her best to keep you from helping her all the time. "You are a young lady, Y/n, you should be living your life." She would always say, "I feel a bit better today, I can do it this time."