Fly High, Butterfly

Chapter Ten

Bruno had been welcomed back home for many days, many weeks now. But when you have been feeling alienated from your family for many years, it's hard to fall back into the groove of things.

The prophet often just stood around, smiling and waving awkwardly as he watched his nieces and nephews play, as his sisters cuddled and kissed their respective husbands. He watched as some villagers still flinched when they saw him but they were getting better. Just the other day he was offered free fruits as an apology gift. He wasn't gonna lie, it did make him smile and only felt a little awkward afterwards though.

He remembers leaning against Casita, finding comfort in its shade, casually eating his orange slices as he kept an eye out for his nieces and nephews. Two Antonio's were riding on Parce, the Jaguar, both howling with laughter. Luisa was using two kids from the town as weights, lifting them with absolute ease. He recalls seeing Dolores smiling and laughing along to whatever Mariano was saying, arms linked. He smiles. Young love..

"What's so funny, tío?"

Bruno jumped, nearly dropping his orange as he turns to the voice. He lets out a breath of relief, grinning softly at his eldest sobrina.

Isabela swung down from the upstairs balcony via her vines. Lovely, bright colours were nicely splashed all along her blue dress, a strand of her hair also having a colourful streak.

"Ah nothing mi sobrina," Bruno hums, tilting his head to the side as a way to brush some hair away from his face. "I guess I just got lost in thought, haha.."

He looks at Isabela again and is startled, trying to hide the little fear he had by the way she looked at him. She too looked like she was in thought, looking at his hair specifically, in a judgemental manner.

"Hm.." she hums, fingers tapping against her cheek. "W-What?" With a free hand, Bruno tugged at some spots in his hair. "I-is there a bug or-"

"Tío, when was the last time you.. had your hair touched up?"

The question made Bruno furrow his brows together, completely taken back by the question. "Ah.. I'm sorry?"

"It just seems like your hair gets in the way," Isabela comments, gently combing her fingers through Bruno's thick curls. His hair was surprisingly in good condition, she thought. "Hey, have you ever thought about putting your hair in a ponytail, or braid?" She asks with a wide smile, clearly excited now.

"Uh.. I-I mean, not recently..? But you don't-" before Bruno could even finish his sentence, Isabela used her vines to hoist her back up to the upper floor of Casita. Bruno nervously chewed on his lip but stood still. He thought it would be rude if he were to just leave without a word..

It wasn't long before Isabela came drifting back down, a little basket in her hand and still a wide smile on her face.

"Ah Isabela, you really don't.." Bruno chuckled awkwardly as he thought back to when he last let his sobrinas brush and braid his hair.. he was left with knots that took hours to comb out. "Oh hush now tío, I think you're in need of some care," she says simply before sitting down on her knees, motioning for her uncle to sit in front of her. Bruno just sighs, sitting down crossed legged in front his oldest niece, inhaling sharply as he gently laid himself down on the cool grass.

Bruno was still tense as he listened to Isabela hum, pulling out a brush out of her little basket. She put a hand on his shoulder and he tried not to flinch. "It's okay tío." Isabela chuckles softly, gently running the brush through his curls. Bruno slowly exhales and closes his eyes as he tries to relax.

Soon, a small smile found its way to his lips as he found peace with the brushing.

Ah yes. The last time he let Isabela and Dolores do this, they were just children, seven or so years old. Now they're both in their twenties. Young adults, young women.

"How do you feel tío?"

Isabela's voice brought Bruno back to reality. He let out a soft hum. "In the moment? Quite peaceful.."

".. in general?" Isabela's voice was hesitant, her brushing feeling slower now. Bruno just sighs. "Sobrina, I shouldn't push all my issues onto you, especially not when we're having a moment.."

"Tío Bruno, I'm always here if you ever need someone to talk to.." Isabela let her free hand rub at her uncles shoulder. Bruno felt like he could just sense her sad smile behind him. ".. I remember how close we used to be before you.. disappeared.." her voice went quiet and soft towards the end of her sentence, finishing her brushstroke before suddenly stopping. "I don't honestly remember a lot but.." she lets out a sigh before continuing. "You used to sneak me snacks without a word to not alert Dolores, you'd always hang my flowers on your door til they were all withered, you'd even let me braid your hair."

They both laugh softly. "I remember it all very well mí sobrina, I remember having to eat atleast five of your mothers arepa's while brushing out all the knots," Bruno hums as he thinks of the memory, one which almost caused him to flee out of fear. He had to remind himself constantly that all his nieces and nephews weren't children anymore. Well, except maybe Antonio.

"Well you don't have to worry about that anymore.. unless you got Camilo to do it, then he'd probably ruin your hair on purpose." Isabela huffs, which just caused Bruno to stifle a laugh. It seemed like Isa spoke from experience but Bruno didn't push.

While Isabela continues to brush Bruno's hair, he just sat there, back hunched over, eyes closed as he hummed some old tune he heard years ago. It honestly has been a while since he felt this.. relaxed..

"How do you feel about a simple ponytail for today?" Isabela asks, rustling around in her little basket to find a ribbon. "Mm.." Her tío just hums in response. She giggles as she takes that as a yes, pulling out a dark green ribbon to match his colour scheme.

"Okay.." Isabela tied a small knot after pulling back Bruno's hair, some bangs still framing his face as the rest of his hair was held back by a pretty ribbon. Isabela quickly moved herself so she crouched in front of her uncle, whom looked up at her with his usual big eyes. Isabela hums, tapping her chin for a moment before she finally figured out what was missing.

Bruno flinched as he felt a slight weight was added to the top of his head. A flower crown was added with a flick of Isabela's finger. She smiles widely and claps her hands together. "Ah tío, you look good!"

The compliment made him blush. Any type of attention that was finally positive always got him flustered for a moment. Bruno chuckles softly, adjusting the flowercrown and his posture with a kind smile. "Gracias Isabela."

Isabela smiled at her handiwork, holding her hands together. It looked like she wanted to say something, but was cut off when she heard someone in the distance call out her name. She huffs as she stands back up, but still looked at her uncle with a sweet smile. "Tío, I meant what I said earlier.. my doors always open if you want to talk about anything." She gave him a sweet look before dashing off where she was needed. He just smiled and gave her a nod before she left.

Afterwards, Bruno took his time getting back up, groaning as he stretched out his back (he winced as he heard a few bones pop. 'Not that old, not that old..') and sighed. He smiled to himself as he felt the ponytail and flowers tickle his fingers. He really has to find time to spend time with his nieces and nephews more..