Tacenda || Carlos Madrigal x Reader

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"Thanks a bunch, Camilo." You sighed and practically collapsed onto the couch on your living room, rubbing your eyes as a yawn fell past your lips.

   "It's not a problem," Camilo slipped into the empty spot beside you. His eyes never left your younger siblings that ate at the dining table that wasn't too far from the living room. "I know you're stressed and if there's anything I can do to help you out, I'll do it."

   You two just finished cooking dinner for the younger ones, and your appetite wasn't present after making food and cleaning up. You just wanted to rest. You wanted to have a break and sleep.

   "If you want to eat, then eat." You glanced over at Camilo, meeting his emerald eyes. "I know you eat like a horse. You made half of the food on that table."

   "Thanks," Camilo gave you a shy smile and scratched the back of his neck. He hopped out of his seat and jogged over to the table, taking a plate and packing it with food. You could hear your siblings fight him over who could have the last slice of meat. You couldn't help but laugh, watching from afar.

   You love your family. But you wished that your parents didn't work so much and helped you at home. Just because you're the oldest doesn't mean you should have the pressure of keeping everything in order. You shouldn't be living the life of a parent at the age of fifteen.

   You snapped out of your thoughts when the weight on the couch shifted. Your eyes gazed over Camilo's plate of food before looking away.

Camilo's green hues averted to study your face. He couldn't help but smile and shake his head and scooted closer, crossing a leg over the other as he placed the plate of food in between you two. "I know you're hungry." He grabbed a scoop of rice and held it up to your lips.

"What?" You met his eyes for a moment before looking at the spoon that was centimetres away from your face. Your cheeks began to glow a vermillion red while you took a shaky breath, giving into his gesture and opening your mouth as you leaned to take the spoonful of food.

"You listened, good job~"

You practically choked at those words, leaning back on the sofa and covering your mouth as you coughed. Camilo knew he shouldn't laugh, but the sight was so amusing. He cracked, bursting out with laughter as he patted your back.

   "Camilo!" The moment you stopped choking, you gave him a light smack on the head. "That was uncalled for!"

"Lo siento, lo siento." Camilo patted your back as he took a spoonful of rice for himself.

There was awkward silence for a moment before you spoke up, "oh, I met your twin brother earlier today."

   Camilo's eyes widened in shock, hitting his chest as he choked on his food. His gift expressed his shock, shape-shifting into Carlos and Dolores before back to himself. "Carlos?" He quickly swallowed the rice, giving you a shocked expression.

   "You seem surprised." You couldn't help but laugh at the mention of the boy. Stupid Carlos Madrigal... the first and only interaction you'll ever want with him.

"I told him not to talk to you."

"Really?"

Camilo nodded admittedly, turning away as if he had some sort of shame. He didn't want to be a bad friend and brother. He didn't want it to sound like he wanted you to himself even though he didn't want his brother to have any kind of relationship with you.

   "Is that bad?" He asked, breaking the silence.

   You didn't see anything too bad about it. From what has happened, you didn't exactly like Carlos either. "No, I don't think so."

Camilo let out a breath of relief, taking a few bites of the food on his plate. He was polite enough to chew and swallow properly before speaking. "Thank you. The last thing I want to be is toxic." He shuffled closer to you, bringing a spoonful of food to your mouth once again. "What did he do?"

You took the food into your mouth, savouring the flavour and letting the silence linger before you spoke. "He was super weird. He followed me home. It was almost like the only thing he wanted to do was bug me. He had no other reason to approach me."

"He followed you home?"

"Yeah, he was just being a bitch about it." You didn't think anything serious about what happened. You were creeped out, that's all.

   "I apologize on his behalf if he did anything weird. He's... yeah. Carlos is a real piece of work." Camilo muttered his name under his breath like it was venom.

"Are you staying the night?" You didn't want to talk
about that boy, anymore. He bothered you but you tried to push the episode aside. It happened in the past and you want to keep it in the past. You want to keep him in the past.

"I wish." Camilo gave you a soft smile that was soon replaced with a small frown.

"It's okay," you looked down as you let out a sad laugh. "You're really busy. Being a Madrigal and all. I don't... I don't know why I asked." You felt a rush of embarrassment, slowly scooting away from him. You knew he was busy, but you were holding on to that small sliver of hope that he may have been free.

   You didn't want to spend the night alone with your siblings. Your mother returned from work at sunrise and your father came back at midnight. You didn't want to do this on your own. It's hard.

"No, no. Don't apologize." Camilo placed the dish down on the coffee table, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and pulling you close. "I'm sorry you have to do this." He ran his fingers through your hair. "It isn't fair to you."

The way he empathized with you made you feel validated and finally seen. "It's like I'm some sort of parent." You rested your head on his shoulder. "I'm just a kid."

"I'm sure anyone in my family is willing to help you out if you ever need it. I'm just busy tonight." Camilo's schedule was always filled. Every time he was free and his schedule was clear, he would always spend time with you.

"Thank you, Camilo. But I want you."

That's what Carlos hated the most. No, he wasn't jealous because of you. He could care less about you. You were nothing but an annoying little brat. An annoying little brat that couldn't leave his thoughts and mind.

But everyone wanted Camilo.

Everyone wanted him instead of his twin brother. Camilo was always the most loved and Carlos never understood why. Carlos did everything he could to stand out. He did just best to help around the encanto but nothing was ever enough. He never got recognized as Carlos.

Camilo's twin brother.

The other shapeshifter.

Carlos was never recognized. His family was already known for doing good deeds, so if he does the same, it'll be seen as normal and he doesn't stand out.

So he caused a little bit of trouble one day.

One day turned into two, two turned to three, and three turned into weeks. Carlos didn't remember the last time he ever did a good deed. Nor did he ever care.

Now people know him.

Carlos Madrigal, the selfish and arrogant twit who cared for no one but himself.

   But still, no matter how different he is, or how much he stands out, it's always Camilo's twin brother.

"Thank you." Camilo never asked about his twin brother's change in behaviour. He never checked up on him, nor did he ever ask if he was ever okay. He had too much on his plate to focus on anyone but himself. He wasn't selfish, he's stressed. "I want you too."