action winter journey (Yandere!Bruno Madrigal x GN!reader)

Chapter 7

You wake up the next morning to your mother shaking you by the shoulders. "Mamá? Qué pasó?" You ask, concerned at the worried look on her face. "Hugo was found dead in his house this morning!" She responded as you sat up. "Hugo...?" You furrow your eyebrows, not entirely sure who that was. "The jeweler." She responded. Your eyes widened. Oh shit. 

"What happened!?" You get up from bed and your mother takes a step back to allow you to move around your room. "The police think it's murder." The word echoed in your head. Murder? There hadn't been a murder in the Encanto in... well, ever. "Murder?" You asked softly and she nodded. "There's a murderer running around here!?" 

You go to your window, making sure it was locked. "Well– not entirely, Y/N. I'm sure there's an entirely normal explanation for it." "How did you find out?" You ask. "The newspaper." She responds and you nod. "Can I see it?" You ask and walk out to the living room. She follows behind you and gives it to you from off the bookshelf. Your eyes scan the newspaper for the article about his death. Jesus, dude... You hated the guy, he was creepy and a pervert, but you'd never wish death on him. You find the article.

"Hugo Gonzalez, 32, was found dead in his home at 7 this morning after neighbors reported foul stench coming from his open kitchen window. After a police investigation, rat poisoning was found opened and on the victim's counter, as well as traces of the poison in his spilled drink near his body. Currently, a murder is suspected, but the police have no suspects at the moment. Further investigation is being performed. For now, police suggest locking your doors and windows at night, do not answer to strangers, and above all else, lock up your rat poison." You read the news article out loud to yourself. You look up at your mother with slight fear in your eyes. A murderer in the Encanto? 

You shuddered at the thought, and it made your interaction with Bruno that one night a little less wholesome. What if you two had gotten murdered that night? You hated that thought, especially the thought of Bruno being hurt. "Are we opening the restaurante today?" You ask as you set the newspaper down. Your mother sighed and nodded. "We can't afford not to," She says as she makes her way to the stairs. "Your father is already downstairs prepping food, you don't have to come down immediately, but we'd appreciate your help sometime today." You nod in response and make your way to your bedroom, staring out the window, thinking about the newspaper article. God, you hoped whoever this mystery murderer was didn't hurt Bruno.

...Why did you care so much? Was it just because he was your friend? It felt like it was more than that. Every morning you waited for him to show up at the restaurante, and you even seemed to see him everywhere you went. Was it destiny? Who knows. Every time you saw him your heart skipped a beat and your face got warm, something you hoped he never noticed, but with how observant he was you were sure he did. Did you...? No...

Did you like Bruno Madrigal?

Did you...love him?

You almost froze at the realization. You looked around your room, cheeks warm with embarrassment. Did he know? It'd taken you so long to figure it out– is that why he started coming every day? Only left when he had at least one conversation with you? Did he...like you too? You'd found it quite odd when he upped from a weekly regular to a daily regular. You always thought the food was just that good to him. Was there another reason?

No, that'd be absurd. He was just being nice. Goodness, you didn't know how you were going to deal with him coming to the restaurante today with this new realization. Try to act as normal as possible? Try not to hit on him? Yeah, that sounds reasonable. You took a deep breath and got dressed, heading downstairs to get your server's apron on and start working.

It wasn't too busy, since most people were in their homes terrified they'd get rat poisoned. The few that did come only talked about the newspaper, ignoring your welcomes and good mornings, just flatly asking for their order. Each customer that came in you hoped was Bruno, and you were disappointed each time it wasn't. By late in the day, you'd started getting worried. He was normally here by now. Your heart sunk as you remembered your previous thought about the murderer around the Encanto. Your head and heart perked up when you heard the bell at the door signaling the entrance of another customer. 

Your worry melted away at the familiar brown fluffy hair and forest green eyes of Bruno Madrigal. You two lock eyes for a moment and he smiles before taking his usual spot in the corner by the window. You head over, unable to contain the relieved smile on your face. "Morning, Bruno." You said as you took out your notepad to write down his order. "Just the usual, Y/N. Wanna get an order of two and talk?" He asks. You nod before heading off to get some arroz con leche. Since he'd started coming so regularly you made sure your father always made a fresh batch just for Bruno, just the way he liked it. Jesus, why did it take you so long to figure out you liked him?

You come out with two bowls of the delicious sustenance and take a seat across from him. "I'm not trying to kill the mood but did you hear about Hugo?" You ask and his smile fades a bit but he nods. "I heard this morning. Did you know him?" He asked, taking a bite of his food. You shook your head, poking at your own food before answering. "Not personally, no. But I did go to his shop the other day and–" You cut yourself off, taking a moment to decide whether or not to actually tell him what took place. "We didn't have a pleasant interaction. But it's still horrible what happened to him." He nodded in agreement. 

"I can't imagine how someone could just...kill another human being. They're sick for what they did, and I hope they get caught and punished the way they deserve." You scowl before frowning. "I'm just scared someone else is going to get killed...like someone I know..." You mutter, staring down at your bowl. You almost flinch when Bruno touches your hand. You look up quickly and he has a warm smile. "Don't worry, Y/N. You're strong, I'm sure anyone that would try to hurt you would get their ass kicked." He assures.

"Oh, I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about y–" You catch yourself. " –my friends." You finish before finally taking a bite of your food. He takes his hand from yours. "I see," He takes a moment to look around. "I'm sure they'll all be safe." You give him a soft smile, even if you weren't fully sure.
"Can we change the subject now?" He whispers. You nod and laugh slightly. "How was your day?" He asks as he takes another bite. "I haven't been up long, maybe 30 minutes, so it's been pretty uneventful so far. Minus the uh– y'know, murder." You respond and he nods before tilting his head. "Who told you you could sleep in?" He jokes and you both share a laugh. You take a moment to just adore Bruno.

 All you could think about was the realization of your feelings. You didn't want to tell him. You didn't think you could. If he didn't like you back it could ruin one of your only friendships. Play it safe for now, if he was interested he'd make the move eventually, right? You just need to be patient...

"Y/N?" You hear Bruno ask. You hum in response. "Do I have something on my face...? You've been staring at me for a good minute." He asks and you blush in embarrassment. "Sorry, I spaced out I think." You apologize and hear the bell at the door go off. Another customer. "I should take care of that," You tell Bruno. "Nice talking, though, if you need anything call me over." You smile at him before taking your plate of half eaten arroz con leche and heading to the kitchen, greeting the new customer as you did.

Did he frown when you left?

_______________

A/N - I've been obsessively watching Brandon Rogers' Magic Funhouse and I'm so tempted to start a fanfic for that i--

anyways, translations

Mamá? Qué pasó? - Mom? What's Wrong?