Bruno's Stray (Bruno/Reader)

Awareness

Alone in the bathroom, you change into an outfit similar to your normal one. A skirt reaching the tops of your knees. Yours has two high slits on it allowing more agility and movement, this one being more modest. You wore a light undershirt and a cowled poncho, this time being Bruno's green poncho that he lent you. You catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, not recognizing it at first. Reaching a hand to your features, you notice how tired you look, the stress and isolation had taken a toll on you.

Thoughts of Bruno began to consume you. Initially, you were happy just flirting with him and teasing him, but something in you wanted more. There was a comforting feeling about him, and you noticed how your normally confident demeanor flickered. You felt absolutely ridiculous having just met the man. Coming to the conclusion it was just infatuation and that he would eventually get bored. It hurt to think about, but you found it hard how whatever was going on could be genuine.

Exiting the bathroom door, you spot Bruno to the side. Sitting, back against the wall, his arms wrapped around his knees. You notice his lost, tired expression gazing into the sky at a far window. Sitting down next to him, mimicking his posture;
"Hey"
"Hey, you" Bruno smiles for a second before dropping to a frown.

A minute of silence passes.

"Where is your family?" speaking softly,
"There's a party far downtown, I didn't wanna go" his somber tone hits you hard.
"The town never really liked me, and I've kind lost my touch with, you know, people" chuckling awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
You let yourself fall too his side, head resting on his shoulder. He jumps lightly at first but rests his head against yours.

"Thank you for taking me in tonight" eyes at his hands watching them fidget.

He smiles in his usual awkward way. There's a certain charm to his endearing smile. The left side of his lip raises higher showing his teeth. He licks his lips to speak.
"Believe it or not... I haven't had this much fun in, a long time" Bruno says so matter of factly, it makes you blush, exhaling as you fall deeper into his shoulder.
"Me too"
He places an arm around you to pull you closer. Being in such close proximity, you catch his smell. Almost like pine, but not quite, there's a subtle sweetness to it, like burning cherry wood.

After a couple minutes of looking at the sky together, he stands abruptly,
"Mierda, i almost forgot! I warmed up some food downstairs" he takes your hand in his running you down the stairs.

He finally notices what you're wearing, he pushes away a blush, loving the way you look in his green poncho, and how the skirt hangs on your hips slightly exposed.

You sit at a small table where he brings some covered food. Serving a plate for you and him. He watches as you scarf your food down, realizing it may have been a while since eating a proper meal.
You catch his eyes glancing and cover your mouth with the back of your hand mumbling what sounds like an apology with food in your mouth. He snickers saying nothing, but continuing to eat smiling hard.

"I think it's been like, three days since I've eaten anything" you giggle awkwardly.
He looks at you with wide puppy like eyes. "Wow I'm, really sorry" he pauses for a minute bending forward, close to you.
"Kinda wish I'd met you sooner" he places his hand on your cheek, using his thumb to wipe an almost invisible crumb.

For some reason, you're shocked at his approach for affection. The past couple hours you've been the one initiating contact. Part of you believed he was just playing along in the banter. But whatever is going on , feels genuine. You melt into his touch, hopeful.

"Hey, sleep here tonight, quédate" he says gently, secretly hoping you'd stay.
You turn to look up at Bruno smiling. But frown quickly,
"What are we gonna do about your family when they come back?"
"Ahhh you're right" he places a hand to his beard groaning. "How do you feel about meeting them?"

You swallow hard, "I-," you stutter, peering up at him waiting for a response,
"I'd like to stay with you a little longer first, if it's possible"
Bruno smiles widely blushing,
"I-um, yeah i can do that! I'd have to work some things out but I can worry about that tomorrow." Speaking with his hands as if shooing away his thoughts.
You nod at him, yawning and stretching.

"Come on, let's get you some rest" he gets up from his chair putting your plates away, before scooping you up into his arms, earning him your flustered mess of a face. You never allowed yourself to be man-handled but you don't fight it, with Bruno.

He catches your shocked stare and smirks. "Don't worry I can carry you just fine."
You let yourself calm down as he Carries you to his room, spotting the glowing engraving of him on the door.
"My rooms a little weird so grab on tight" immediately you wrap your arms around his neck, a little scared.

His door opens to reveal a thin wall of falling sand, he backs up into it, holding his breath. Letting you both fall backwards, still holding you tightly, sliding down a small sand dune he somehow graciously catches himself standing back on his feet never dropping you. Bruno places you gently letting you Stand on your feet, dusting off any sand. Then he notices your frightened expression. He tugs your hand and takes you to a room beneath a large tower. Entering you see rats scampering towards Bruno and you.

Bending down to pick one up in your hands. Bruno stares at you surprised.
"You're not scared of them?" Once again wide eyed.
Laughing, "why would I be, I've eaten them" you say with an evil grin, the rat in your hand dramatically feigns fainting. Bruno's jaw drops, dramatically shielding the rats in his arms away from you.
You laugh some more, "Uy no te preocupas, I'm just pulling your leg, I could never hurt them"
he sighs a breath of relief, chuckling.

He shows you around his room briefly before setting up his bed for you to sleep in.
"Bueno, you should be all set!" You sit down on his bed, removing the green poncho from you and handing it to him.
"Here you can have this back, and thank you for doing all this for me" warmly looking into his eyes as you place the clothing in his hands.

"It's no trouble at all cariño" you blush and look away from his words. He starts to walk away when you grab him from his wrist,

"where are you going?"
"Oh I've got a coach right over there, so you can have the bed to yourself, if you need anything or get cold, wake me up I'll get you some more sheets"
You tug at his arm, head down. Slowly sliding your arm down to his hand holding his fingers, making him whimper.

"Quédate, stay", this seems to convince him rather easily. Watching ad Bruno's face reddens intensely and swallowing a non-existent knot in his throat. You lift the sheets enough for him to get in, settling to face one another. He looks you deeply in your eyes, eyelids falling heavy from exhaustion. You decide to graze a hand on the side of his face, feeling his beard and playing with his skin. Bruno closes his eyes at the comfort, placing a hand above yours.
"Buenas noches Bruno" muttering so gently as your breathing slows, matching his, slowly drifting to deep slumber.

Translations:
"Quédate" = stay
"Mierda" = Shit
"Bueno" = in this context, the definition is like saying, "well,"
"Uy no te preocupas" = oh don't worry
"Buenas Noches" = good night, and speaking of which, I am going to sleep, later skaters and thx for your interest in my story so far 🙈