We were made for each other (Camilo x Mariano)

Sunshine

Mariano didn't know what he was supposed to say.

"I'm sorry, I just don't like you and I've been faking for both our families this entire time?"

"Oh, and on an unrelated subject, your middle cousin is really attractive to me by the way."

Yeah... he didn't see any of that going down very well, all things considered. But it wasn't as if he could avoid it forever, especially if he ever wanted to publicly share their current relationship.

Which would be far better than being discovered by someone else entirely, or ratted out by the shifter's older sister...

No. He had to do this.

When he had eventually worked up the courage to talk to Isabela, he spent a few moments explaining his plan to the shifter.

He then left the chameleon to get himself ready for the morning, stopping by his own room to clean himself up before finally confronting the floral Madrigal.

He found her on one of the balconies on the upper floor, humming to herself as she grew plants along the railing.

There were Venus flytraps, deadly nightshade and an assortment of other dangerous plants thriving before her, as she smiled down at them fondly; the expression on her face was the happiest one that he had ever seen her wear before...

Not wanting to interrupt her, he cleared his throat, alerting her of the other male's presence in the hallway.

She noticed him and in a heartbeat a large cluster of flowers had bloomed through the previous assortment of dangerous flora, choking them all at the root.

"Mariano!" She said sweetly, turning on the charm. "I was just sitting here growing a few roses and daffodils..!" She said innocently, batting her eyelashes and flipping her hair.

Mariano smirked slightly at this, moving to join her on the balcony, leaning up against the opposite railing before speaking.

"A few common roses and daffodils?" He asked, meeting her eyes with an unimpressed look. "I much preferred the poison ivy and thistles you were growing before..."

He said this casually, though her eyes widened drastically at the knowledge that the other seemed to possess about her concealed growing habit.

"I-uhhhh..." she began before being interrupted, "let me guess," Mariano began, "You don't know what I'm talking about..?"

He said this with an understanding element in his gaze, one that helped to crumble her walls and barriers... one that made her want to share...

She sighed. "No, I know exactly what you're talking about..." she said quietly, nervously fondling her hair. "I-you see... I was just..." she continued, stumbling over her words.

Then she quieted, breath shortening as she mumbled her next few words. "I'm not supposed to be growing those... please don't tell anyone..."

At this, Mariano's expression softened, reflecting his understanding of her impossible situation. Wanting to simply be; without any outside hindrance or inhibition.

He could definitely relate...

"Well, in my opinion..." he began, as he settled his arms more comfortably onto the edge of the balcony. "You can't truly deny anything that's a part of you; not for long anyway..."

He smiled fondly as he resumed his explanation. "Like you and your plants." He grinned, eyes glazing over dreamily as he continued. "Or me and your cousin.."

He attempted to mention this last part nonchalantly but the lavender Madrigal still threw him a shocked glance before looking away furtively, embarrassed.

"You never did like me then..." she said quietly, though she seemed rather relaxed about the entire situation, a fact of which he was very grateful.

"So it's Dolores then is it?" She asked, turning towards him to meet his gaze. "She's who you feel you belong with..?" She questioned, head tilted slightly.

"No! Nononono..." Mariano chuckled lightly at this mix-up. "Actually, it's Camilo that I was talking about..." he said, fondly tracing an invisible pattern onto the surface of the railing.

At this admission Isabela's eyes widened, though she didn't look all that surprised, staying silent as the other male continued to speak.

"He's like the sun itself personified..." Mariano nearly whispered, his tone fond. "He's so warm and comforting that he just brightens everything around him...".

Isabela watched quietly as he spoke, his love for the shifter was visibly discernible through his speech... blooming freely from every word used to describe him.

He really did love him...

"He has this... pull on other people... where everyone he meets is automatically drawn to him; as if he's the center of the universe..."

Mariano laughed slightly at the recognition of how obsessed he was. "And for me... he is..." he whispered, turning to face the other.

"Camilo Madrigal is the Center of my universe." He said confidently, pride flooding through him as he did so.

There was a moment of silence following this speech as Isabela carefully considered the other's confession, breaking out into a grin afterwards.

"Wow. So you prefer Camilo, huh? Is it because he's prettier than me?" She jokingly asked. They both laugh lightly at this, any animosity or awkwardness that he'd pictured didn't seem to exist in the slightest.

Mariano smiled at this, glad to have cleared the air between them so easily.

Now he just had to convince the rest of the family of his affection for the chameleon...

He was just about to ask the graceful Madrigal if she knew where Abuela was when they both heard a slow clap coming from the hallway, causing them both to freeze.

Then, out from the shadows of the corridor stepped their unexpected visitor.

"Well. I guess you're not a complete dick after all." Said Dolores, as she approached the pair, arms crossed in an unconvinced fashion.

"Yeah, I guess not." Isabela agreed, giggling.

"Hey!" The male protested, jokingly elbowing her. "I thought you were on my side." He smirked as the other two laughed.

Maybe this whole confession thing wouldn't be so hard after all...