what the future holds.

anything better to do

(Quick heads up! Bruno and the reader are about 16-17 in these few chapters!)

The crunching of leaves was the only thing Bruno heard while mindlessly walking through the thick woods. His eyes were blurry with tears and tree branches scratched his skin harshly. He hissed, rubbing his arms, red lines now dotting his skin. He decided to stop in front of a small pond, falling onto the grass. He scrubbed his tears away as hard as he could but the waterworks started up again. 

How was his fortune-telling a gift!? If anything, it should be considered a curse. He hated the look on people's faces when he gave them the bad news. It wasn't his fault—he can't change their fate. Why couldn't he have gotten a gift like his sisters, Pepa or Julieta? Why did his gift only give others misery!?

Bruno's sorrow now turned into anger, his eyes a jade green as he stared at his reflection in the rippling water. His course, curly hair was frizzy from constantly grabbing at it, and his eyes were red from crying. His jade eyes glowed brighter, baring his teeth before raising a fist to hit the water in anger. A yell of frustration that's been stuck in his throat for far too long, echoing throughout the woods.

Too bad his balance was shit. Bruno put so much force into that punch, his whole body lurched with him. He fell into the shallow pond. When he resurfaced, his whole attire was soaked. His curly hair was now flat and heavy, falling in front of his face. The green poncho he wore stuck to his skin uncomfortably. His anger rose again, kicking and stomping at the water. 

Today was not a great day. 

"Hey! Are you alright?" Bruno whipped his head around, his eyes were still bright green. Coming towards him was someone that looked around his age. 

An old basket was grasped in your hands. Bruno's blood ran cold, did they watch his meltdown!? He held his hands up to his chest and walked up to the shore of the pond, trying to show the person he was perfectly fine. 

"Uhm- sí! Sí! I just fell into the pond, it wasn't that deep luckily, I'm okay!" He called out, giving you a not-so-convincing smile. Bruno took more of their features in as they stepped closer, now at the edge of the pond. You had an old orange poncho on with...various stains, they looked permanent. You also did not wear shoes, bare feet against the grass. You waved a hand in front of Bruno's face, making the boy flinch. He must have been staring.

"I asked what you were doing out here! Are you lost? Do you live in Encanto?" You constantly bombarded the young man with questions. Bruno nodded frantically, his voice caught in his throat, he gulped, finally opening his mouth. "Uh- yes. I live in Encanto. I was just...getting some fresh air..." He slowly pulled the hood of his wet poncho up, covering his face in embarrassment.

You raised a brow, "It didn't- look like you were getting some fresh air..." You gestured to his wet body. "You don't seem alright." You reached out to Bruno's face, making him flinch back. You withdrew your hand quickly, a sympathetic look on your face. "Your eyes...Are they always glowing green? They're pretty." You commented, tilting your head to get a better look at Bruno's covered face. 

Bruno could feel tears brimming in his eyes again, he hated this feeling. He blinked hard, trying to prevent his tears from running. "I said I'm fine! Okay?" He shuffled to the side, getting ready to head home. "Bye." He waved awkwardly, turning on his heel and speed walking back to the path he came from. 

He wasn't expecting you to follow him, his eyelids fell in annoyance, turning back to you behind him. "Don't you have anything better to do?" He grumbled. You only gave him an eyebrow in response.

"I have to go this way too! I need to head to the bakery to get bread for the month." You retorted, crossing your arms. Bruno looked down at the old straw basket in your hands, no wonder you had that. He furrowed his brows in embarrassment. "Oh." He swiftly turned around again, his footsteps leaving wet prints along the path. The boy could hear you trying to catch up with him. 

"So, can I get your name?" You asked, your hands rubbing against the basket handle. Bruno gave you a tentative look, staring back at the path. "...Bruno Madrigal." He mumbled, hoping you heard him. 

You seemed to since you gasped in realization. "Wait! Madrigal? Like those magical people in that big house?" Your eyes shone in amazement. Bruno nodded sadly, you probably already knew about him. Now you were going to stay away and—

"I haven't heard much about them. I live a mile away from Encanto...Do you have a quirk, or gift, per se?" you asked, moving closer to Bruno. His eyes widened, looking back at you, "You don't know about my gift?" he murmurs, stopping in his tracks altogether. He turned his wet body completely, watching your look.

"Is your gift the thing with your eyes? Changing colors, or something? Because they aren't green anymore." You gestured to his eyes. Bruno could feel sweat form on his body. You didn't know about his unfortunate-fortune telling? "Uhm," He gulped, "that's not really my gift but-"

"BRUNO!?" Pepa's voice echoed throughout the woods, large dark clouds now rolling across the skies. He flinched, turning to where her yelling resided from. "Oh man..." he mumbled, turning back to you. "I need to...go?" He pointed a thumb to the exit of the woods, now walking backward. "Bye." He waved shortly. You smiled, watching Bruno depart, you waved back eagerly.

"Adíos, Bruno Madrigal!! Come visit the pond again!" You shouted, still walking in the same direction, but slower this time. Bruno waved again with more energy before bolting off to meet his sister and apologize for disappearing. 

(YOOO HI THIS IS MY FIRST STORY I HOPE ITS GOOD! feedback would be great!)