Fairy Tales // Camilo Madrigal X Reader

[8] Bittersweet

Camilo stood with his plate in his hand. Casita bounced the spoon back as Camilo sighs,

"You didn't sit beside me." He frowned and walked past me to set his plate in the sink. He leans his back on the sink counter and Casita creaks its cupboards. I laughed nervously and rubbed my arm,

"Yeah, about that--"

"I told you, I saved you a seat." He reminds gloomily. I bit my lip and thought about Mirabel who had also wanted me to sit next to her.

"I'm sorry, but--"

"You really don't like me, do you?" He cut me off and the emotion that I thought he was faking, had been real. I stared up at him in shock and saw how hurt he was because of my action. I stepped forward and shook my head,

"Camilo, that's not the reason. Mirabel and Isabela saved me a spot at the table too, and I just didn't want to have to choose between you guys." I explained and he stared at me, his eyes observed my face for the longest moment, trying to detect any lies. He closed his eyes and exhaled through his nostrils,

"Gosh, I hate that you convince me so easily." He groaned and rubbed his face with irritation. I stood in front of him surprised by his comment. Camilo opened his eyes to look up at me and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Fine, next time, you sit with me. I called dibs, anyway." He pointed out, leaning his face towards me in a mocking manner. I scoffed,

"Dibs? I'm not an object." I shook my head and he shrugged,

"No, you're not. But you're everyone's favorite, so that means you gotta divide your attention to everyone equally." His throat growled and I rolled my eyes as a small smile formed at my lips.

"I think I gave you enough attention today, don't you think so?" I asked and stepped away, from him closing in the space between us. He furrowed his brows together and placed a finger to his chin,

"Hm, last time I recall... I was your favorite Madrigal, no?" He grinned at me and I let out a laugh,

"Keep dreaming, Camilo." I sighed and turned back around to head out of the kitchen, but he caught my wrist.

"Dreams do come true, ya know?" He says, and I looked at him over my shoulder. He held my gaze for a moment, letting the moment sink in. "Also, it's almost 9." He reminded softly. I felt an unsettling feeling in my stomach about the fact that I had to leave. I guess he saw it through my expression. He smirked when I didn't say anything,

"Aw, don't cry. You'll be back on Friday." He cooed sarcastically and this made me smile. I yanked my hand out of his grip,

"I'm not crying." I crossed my arms and he nodded,

"Mh-hm, sure. Anyway, shall we say our goodbyes, or do you hate goodbyes?" He asked, pushing off the sink counter and I glared up at his mocking face,

"Shut it." I huffed and turned around, choosing to say goodbye.

• • •

Camilo and I stepped out of Casita and into the moonlit sky.

"Tell me," I said, holding the white flower that he gifted me, in my hand. "How are your family so kind?" I asked and he threw me an odd expression which then escalated into a small laugh. The moon casted a shadow on Camilo's face-- shading the right features and enhancing his eyes.

"Well, we weren't born perfect, Y/n." He admits as we made our way into the silent village for the second time today.

I shrugged, "I'm just saying." I thought about what my parents would be like. I shook the thought away and Camilo caught on. He suddenly took my hand in his, not in a flirtatious way like he would've done, but instead as a comforting gesture.

"We argue like how you and Marco argue. We cry like you do with Mrs. Perez that other day." He lightly swung out hands between us and I couldn't help but stare at his beautiful features.

"And if you've been paying any attention to my stories," he eyed me and I giggled, "We've gone through so much to get where we are." He summed and I recalled the story he's told to the kids of when Casita crumbled apart. I smiled and nodded,

"You guys have, haven't you?" I asked quietly and he squeezed my hand in his.

"Hey, just because we have gifts doesn't mean we're better than anyone out there, in fact, you're way prettier than Isabela." He scoffed and I laughed,

"What do you mean? She's gorgeous!" I argued back and he swung our hands a little higher with excitement the fact that he was able to lift the mood.

"But have you seen your smile--" he cuts himself off and looks up at the moon. Confused I watched as he averted his attention back to me, gasping, "The moon just told me, the sun is jealous of your bright smile." He whispered as if it was a big secret. I laughed and took my hand out of his just to push him in a friendly manner.

"Oh, Camilo." I shook my head and he chuckled, taking my hand back into his. This time in a flirtatious way, interlocking our fingers together. My heart raced since this was literally our first time holding hands with this type of tension.

"Y/n," he says and slowed down our pace so that we could be out in the night a little longer. I looked up at him but his eyes were glued to our hands. "I... I really am in love with you." He confesses, but this one, however, hit me like his very first attempt. It made my stomach flip, my heart jerk and my head spin... Just like the first time.

Maybe it was the crescent moon that hung loosely in the sky, or perhaps the cool spring breeze? Whatever it was, I was convinced to admit my emotions as well.

"Look, I know it's not the right time," he said in a defensive mode, "But I just wanted to let you know... I will be waiting." His eyes traveled up to my eyes and I could literally hear my heart pumping in my ears. We approached the steps to the Orphanage and decided to stand outside the door a little longer.

"I'm just scared you might fall for... Someone else." He admits with a single shrug. A small sympathetic smile crept at my lips, watching him get all flustered. I shook my head and squeezed his hand in mine,

"I can't imagine who else would be this determined to get my attention, Camilo." I laughed and he stole a nervous glance at me. He relaxed at the sound of my giggle and smiled,

"Yeah?" He breathed and I nodded. He stared at me with a wave of relief that had washed over his face. I glanced up at the orphanage door,

"Anyway, I should head in." I sighed and slipped my hand out from his. He frowned,

"Do you have to?" He asked like how the kids would when they didn't want to sleep. I nodded,

"I'll see you later--"

"Tomorrow." He corrected and I laughed,

"Yes, tomorrow." I agreed and he smiled, stuffing his hands in his pocket.

"Okay," he sighed, "tomorrow."

I watched as his mind wandered off, probably planning something out to do with the kids the next day. Saying goodbye didn't settle right, I didn't want to leave Camilo's side and I knew he didn't want to leave mine. Despite that we would see each other tomorrow, it still felt off. I stepped forward toward the Madrigal boy and gently wrapped my arms around his neck. I tipped-toed to pull his head to my shoulder and with that, I simply hugged him.

"Tell your family I said thanks, I really enjoyed today." I said softly into his ear. His body stiffened at my action. The curls of his hair tickled my face and I smiled, taking in his scent. I pulled away before he could even wrap his arms around me to keep me from escaping. I threw him a grin, just as his fingers grazed my waist. I stepped away and opened the door to the orphanage.

"Goodnight, Camilo." I waved and, standing there all stunned, he nodded.

"Y-yeah, night." He managed to breathe out unevenly, I let out a small laugh and caught his eyes once more before closing the door behind me. I leaned against the door because little did he know, that took my breath away too.