Harana: Camilo x Reader

CHAPTER FOUR

† 𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌: cursing, slight graphic imagery, self-loathing

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫: 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞-𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞

♫

     The afternoon glow lit the whole room, the orange and yellow hues reached a husband singing to his wife— it would have been magical if the family wasn't so broken; a silent mother, a desperate father, and a neglected daughter. Y/N leaned against the doorframe, her heart weighed her stuck on her spot. It was only in the afternoon where they all simultaneously existed in each other's space; moments where they understood each other, an awareness that they were to drown together in this sinking ship. 

     Y/N's love for her mother was a dagger pierced to her stomach; painful but she won't ever pull it out, she feared the blood. And sometimes she wonders if this love for her mother will ever pay off, a grand gesture to show that she acknowledges her, that she sees her. But the eyes that stared back were dead, muddy, and shallow. As Francisco finished his harana, Y/N had already left. 

     The pitter-patter of her tears, her quiet sobs. She choked and gasped at the cold granite sink. The mirror before she was shattered a long time ago, reflecting only a dis version of her. Her heart sunk when her eyes met her own echo—it felt like it was her mother at the other side, the face of hopelessness.

     She did this to herself, she puffed her life away,  and crushed the cigarette beneath her heel.

     Y/N began hitting her head repeatedly, each time growing weaker than the other. Her mother was human, after all, she loved and it ended her. Her fists dropped to her side, she felt sick of herself, sick of the thoughts that spiraled in her head. Exiting her bathroom, Y/N grabbed her sling bag, cramming a notebook and a pencil inside. She needed to get away so she let her feet lead her.

     The sun had gone down but not completely, the moon was slowly rising and the vibrant city of Encanto felt dull and empty. Her slipper scuffed the dirt, sweat began to form on her brow and she wiped it with her sleeves. Then her feet started moving faster— she was running. She gripped on the straps of her bag through labored breaths, her body was moving on its own. She took twists and turns, jumped over crates, and ducked over stalls. It was freeing that she could be anywhere and everywhere as she pleases.

     And eventually, her legs grew tired, finding herself in the botanical garden. Unlike yesterday, it seemed to be empty. The kids had packed up and returned to their home, it was just her in the middle of it. Y/N dropped her bag, sat on the grass, and took it all in— the sound of crickets, the darkening clouds, and the cold night breeze. The high of her getaway slowly washed over her, the voices in her heads louder than ever.

     She pulled out her notebook and for minutes, the pencil lay against the blank paper. She wanted to write, she wanted to draw...nonetheless she couldn't bring herself to do anything. She wanted to be alone, not lonely. 

     But she can't have either of those things, there was one person left in the garden and his silhouette loomed over her. Camilo was about to leave as well with the other kids until Y/N came, looking defeated. He was reluctant to approach her given the fact that their first meeting wasn't the greatest. But the way her eyes droop and her lips quiver somehow made him stay, maybe just maybe there's more to her?

     "I'm the perfect muse if you ever want to draw." He joked. It was true— he could shift to any person she wants, maybe for a cost but he's willing to give a freebie this time. He watched as her shoulders tensed; he was ready for a remark but instead, she just sighed. She looked over her shoulder and Camilo could only make out the curvature of her nose and her eye that glossed, "Camilo, was it?" Her tone was sincere. Camilo nodded, "The one and only." Y/N wryly smiled; he's a shapeshifter, how one and only can he really be?

     Her back faced him, she pressed her legs against her chest and hugged her knees. The sky is now navy blue, the fireflies float around like the stars had come down to meet the earth. The two stayed there in silence, Y/N had her head between her arms while Camilo contemplated whether to sit beside her or not. 

     Ever since the previous day; Camilo couldn't quite get Y/N out of his head, he didn't know what her deal was. Her judging stare ingrained in his mind, the self-assurance he built up for years was shattered by some random girl who came out of nowhere, and yet here he was, staying behind her without knowing what to say.

     What is he doing?  She obviously wouldn't strike a conversation. She just balled herself up as little as she could, her notebook and pencil were forgotten on the ground. And yet he remained, he waited for her to shoo him away. "Shit." She muttered, her fingertips touched her cheek and it was wet. The tears just continued streaming down, she didn't wipe it, she just let it flow. And for what seemed like forever, she finally turned to Camilo. Maybe just maybe, she didn't want to be alone. 

     Her eyes reflected the fireflies, her lips slightly parted, "I-" She struggled on her words— What is she doing? Yet he patiently waited for her and this scared her, she was enough of a mess. 

     Stay. "Just... just leave me alone." Camilo frowned, what did he expect? For her to suddenly accept his presence? Who was he kidding! This was the same girl he met yesterday. He turned on his heel, he didn't need to be told twice to fuck off. His feet were heavy, he took a step forward but he felt the cuff of his sleeve being tugged. She held onto it with trembling fingers, her head kept down with her hair covering her face. She sniffled, her fingertips centimeters away from his skin.

     "Don't-" This is stupid. She let go of him, her hand falling on the grass, "Nevermind." Her voice was coarse and her face red from all the crying. He exhaled deeply with his lips pressed closed; he was disappointed but unsurprised. He left without turning back.