Finally Grown Up (Aged up Camilo and Y/n story)

Chapter 1-Life with the Madrigals

!Y/n and Camilo are both 21 years old in this story!

I enter the kitchen. Beams of light shimmer through the framed windows, basking the room in warm, morning light. "Good morning, corazon," Camilo smiles, greeting me with a kiss on my forehead. His hair is tied up in its usual messy bun, and he's wearing his favourite button up pale yellow shirt, which is only half-tucked into the waist of his long black pants. "Good morning, hermoso," I say back, wrapping my hands around the back of his neck. He's now considerably taller than me, (Mirabel suspects he used his gift to morph himself taller but he won't admit it). A light stubble lines his jaw and upper lip, and his freckles have faded over the years. "What are you cooking?" I ask, sniffing the air. The smell of something burning slightly wafts up my nose. He still can't cook, I think, laughing a bit as he nods to the stone oven, which is projecting a small cloud of smoke.

"I was trying to make arepas, but it doesn't seem to be working..." He says, scratching his head. "I told you to ask Julieta to help you," I say, raising my eyebrows. "I can do it myself, cooking just hates me." He walks over to the oven, and coughs as he opens the door to look inside. "Aye Camilo," I sigh, pushing him gently out of the way. "You know you need to take them out before they burn right?" I ask him in a teasing tone. Waving away the smoke with a small dry cloth, I pull the tray of charred arepas out of the smoking oven.

"I know, I know," he says nonchalantly, wrapping his hands around my waist and kissing my neck softly. "I think these are salvageable!" I exclaim half sarcastically, giving him a mischievous smirk. "Mi vida you're hurting my feelings," he pouts. "C'mon alborotador," I laugh, placing the tray down on the bench and reaching for the butter. "¡Todos! Hora del desayuno! (Time for breakfast)." I call out to the rest of the house. Camilo continues to hug my waist, resting his chin on my head as I plate up the arepas. A moment later an 11 year old Antonio slides into the room. "Wow, calm down there, hombrecito," Camilo laughs, turning to his little brother. "I'm not little." He says definitely, glaring up at his brother. "Ay, Tonito, sit down and eat your breakfast." I say sternly, placing the plate of arepas onto the table alongside a long platter of cut up fruit.

Mirabel enters the kitchen, hand in hand with her boyfriend Angelo, who had evidently stayed over the night before. Angelo, tall, with short black hair, finally worked up the courage to ask out Mirabel a year ago, after having an obvious crush on her for many, many years. The two have become inseparable, and Camilo never passed up a chance to tease his prima about it. The adults trickle in, thanking Camilo and I for making breakfast and the room slowly begins to crowd.

"Tio Camilo!" A pair of high pitched voices shriek. 2 small girls race into the room colliding with Camilo's legs. "Natalia, Valentina, my 2 favourite sobrinas!" He says, smiling down at his niece's smiling faces. "We're your only nieces, silly tio!" They giggle. Dolores and Mariano had announced their first pregnancy 5 years ago, and soon there were 2 twin girls running around the Casita. "Tomorrow we get our gifts!" Valentina, the one in red, squeals excitedly. "Yes I know! Are you excited to get your cool powers?" Camilo chuckles. "SI!" They exclaim in unison.

"Ninas," Dolores says warningly, entering the room with Mariano. "You guys hungry?" I ask, bending down to their level. Grinning at each other, they waddle off towards the table. Finally, once Isabella and Luisa also join the already over-crowded room, Camilo and I sit down. The atmosphere is loud and lively. Arms reach across each other, grabbing plates and bowls. Camilo's plate is piled high, as usual. Abuela, now looking much older and still wearing her black shawl, stands up at the end of the table to address the family. "I'm sure you are all excited for tomorrow's gift ceremony, but we need to concentrate! There is still a lot to do, so let's get to work, there is lots to prepare!" She finishes, beaming around at the table. "Aye aye Abuela," I whisper to Camilo, who covers his mouth to laugh. "You done, mi vida?" I ask him as I finish my last bite of slightly charred arepa. "Si, amor," He responds, standing up out of his chair. We take our plates to the sink, and rinse them under the cool water, before putting them away. "Vamos, Camilo," I say, slipping my hand into his as we leave the crowded kitchen.

We spend the morning checking off things from Abuelas to-do list; pick up groceries from the market, sweep the inner courtyard, hang up the lanterns, and a few more things. "You excited for your first gift ceremony?" Camilo asks me as we carry 2 bags of food through the village. "Of course, I can't wait to see what gifts Natalia and Valentina will get." I smile, imagining their little faces lighting up as they open their doors. "It's going to be fantastica." Camilo chuckles. I look up at him as we walk, pursing my lips and he leans down to meet them.

"Is that Isa?" I ask as we pass an alleyway between 2 houses. "Huh? What where?" Camilo asks, looking around. "Shhhh!" I whisper, scouting back to the edge of the house and peering around the corner of the alleyway. Down the narrow pass, I see the unmistakable form of Isabella, and beside her, to my incredible surprise, is an unrecognisable man. As we watch, Isabella hugs the man, before giving him a quick kiss. Camilo gasps, a bit too loud, and I nudge him with my elbow. Isabella says goodbye to her apparent lover and begins to walk inconspicuously towards us.

"Well, prima, I wonder who that was?" Camilo exclaims, causing Isabella to jump in fright as she leaves the alley way. "Camilo! Y/n! What are you doing?" She asks, her eyes wide in surprise. "I'm not judging you for having a love life, finally, but may I suggest you find a less, back alley lover?" He says, giving her a quizzical look. "Ugh Camilo, Alberto is not a back alley lover ok?" She sighs, glaring at her cousin, which was hard as he was considerably taller than her. "Ooooo, Alberto? Where did he come from?" I ask Isa teasingly. "You remember when we had that trip to San Andes?" She asks us. "How could we forget," Camilo says sarcastically. Isa shoots him a warning look before continuing. "Well I met him there, he travels around collecting plants from all over. We've kept in touch through letters for a while and he decided to move up here." She tells us. "Oh Dios mío! I didn't know you guys actually kept in contact! That's so cool that he's moved here. Does your mama know?" I ask her, genuinely excited. "Not yet," She says sheepishly. "But please don't tell anyone." She adds, looking pleadingly from me to Camilo. "We won't, I promise," I say assuringly. "Well, I mean-" Camilo begins, a mischievous glint in his eye. "We won't." I repeat, elbowing Camilo hard in the side. "Yep, you can count on us, prima!" He says, wincing a little bit. "Gracias, Y/n," Isa smiles at me, before hurrying off towards the market.

Later that evening after dinner (cus I'm lazy).

I'm lounging on the couch in the living room, reading a book. My legs lay across Camilo's lap, and he rubs my feet gently with one hand, holding an open book with the other. I yawn, letting my book fall onto my lap. "Wanna turn in for the night, corazon? It's been a long day," Camilo asks, closing his book. "Ok, amor, but my legs are so tired I just can't get up," I say dramatically, laying my head back and closing my eyes. "Oh ha ha, very funny," He smirks, standing up. Next moment he scopes me up, planting kisses on my forehead and cheeks. "¡Ay, mi príncipe!" I exclaim, laughing. "Let's go, Y/n," He says carrying me out of the room. The sun has long disappeared below the horizon, and I can see the star filled sky through the large windows.

Over the years, as Camilo began to figure out who he was, and come to terms with himself, his room morphed and changed to reflect that. Instead of the huge stage, with multiple small backstage rooms, there is simply one large room, filled with mirrors and tapestries. In the middle of the back wall is a 4 poster bed, with dark red drapes. Camilo drops me onto the bed, and I welcome the support of the soft blankets. After blowing out the single candle in the room, he plops down onto the sheets beside me, pulling me closer to him by my waist. Nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck he whispers softly. "Buenas noches, amor." "Buenas noches, Cami."