Bruno Madrigal Snippets

The Gift

Loving/not strict Alma

Each bedroom has it's own bathroom (because Casita knows that it is THE Madrigal Home)


Story start

I was feeling anxious as I was waiting to speak to the jeweler.

My boyfriend's 19th birthday was a few months away, but I wanted to do something unique for my anxious rat boy.

"Senorita L/N! What can I do for you?"

"Hola Señor Torres. I wanted to talk to you about a custom item I would like crafted."

I told him what I was looking for and presented the design I came up with.

He liked the idea (He always respected Bruno, despite his reputation among the villagers.) and thought my idea would be magnificent.

I also described to him something that I wanted to add to it when he got to that point. He approved my plans and announced the price for the custom piece.

I left his shop feeling very pleased with how the conversation went. I spent the rest of my day imagining Bruno's reaction.

(Time skip}

It's at long last October 17th, and I'm walking to La Casita a couple of hours early so I can calm my novio down.

The gift was in the pocket of my shawl, and it looked better than I could have imagined.

I had thanked Señor Torres profusely after I reimbursed him for his hard work, even attempting to leave a tip. He politely declined the tip, stating that he was more than happy to assist someone who cared so genuinely for the underappreciated Madrigal.

I grinned as I reached La Casa Madrigal. Casita opened it's door for me before I even had the chance to knock, though I was used to it by now.

I have been over so often to spend time with Bruno that his sisters and his Madre already thought of me as a member of the family.

I think they were surprised when I asked Señora Alma permission to date her son. I was the first suitor (for any of the triplets) to muster up the courage to speak to the somewhat intimidating woman.

Alma Madrigal was very intimidating, at least to people outside her familia. That was simply because she didn't want anyone to attempt to take advantage of her children and their gifts.

That was why she stopped allowing people to try to force themselves on Bruno for a vision.

A few years ago, someone actually assaulted Bruno in a moment of rage over a vision he had.

The man had waited until Bruno was in the village, and away from any other Madrigal and began to strike him.

I was already best friends with Bruno by then, and I happened to be close by so I stepped in, shielding the teen with my body.

I punched the man squarely in the face and yelled at him to leave Bruno alone, and never to come near him again.

My harsh words and the shouts of the villagers around us, must have alerted Julieta and Señora Alma who jumped in as they saw the man try to assault me.

Two men pulled the attacker off of me (Señor Torres being one of the rescuers) while one of the shopkeepers that had been overseeing the fight from inside her shop told Señora Alma what had happened.

I supported Bruno as he tried standing up, asking if he was okay as his sister handed both of us some food.

I think this event seems to be the reason why Señora Madrigal granted me permission to court him.

I greeted Pepa and Julieta who were finishing up the food for the party. I also greeted Señora Alma as she came down the stairs to see who entered her home. She smiled at me and gestured to Bruno's door. I nodded my thanks and walked up to it.

The first thing to greet me upon opening his door was a large hourglass shaped archway with sand cascading down, like a curtain.

It led to a slight platform, similar to a diving board at a swimming pool, which led to a narrow staircase. The sand split down either side of the staircase, leaving it clean and easy to use.

Once inside the room proper, it opened up to a vast cave with a sandy floor, which was where Bruno would perform his visions (He said that the quicker he could get people in, the quicker they could leave, making it less likely for them to attack him in anger.)

On the other end of the cave was an obscure hallway that led to his bedroom and bathroom.

As I made my way down the hallway, I could hear him pacing in his bedroom. I could barely make out his voice as he muttered to himself. I made my way to the end of the hallway. I decided to announce myself by calling out to him, so that I didn't startle the easily anxious man.

I heard the pacing stop and saw his bedroom door open, inviting me in.

(Bruno's pov)

I was pacing around my bedroom, nervous about the party. So many people...too many people.

People that have received grim visions from me, people who loathed me.

Would they ambush me, here in my own home? Would La Casita no longer feel safe for me?

I threw some salt and sugar over my shoulder before performing my knocking ritual, hoping the repetition would soothe me.

It didn't last. A few rats came out to watch me, and I was talking to them about my fears. That led to me imagining the hundreds of ways this night could end in disaster for me.

Would Y/N be here? I scoffed at myself. Obviously she would be here, she loves me (though I don't understand why).

Would she be with me if I was assaulted or would the attacker wait until she steps away?

Would she defend me? What if she got injured defending me? Would she hate me for it? Would her parents hate me? What if she died defending me? How could I survive without my beautiful, wonderful Y/N?

I stopped suddenly when I heard her angelic voice from the hallway. I silently asked Casita to allow her in. I was rooted to the spot near my bed.

She entered my bedroom, looking radiant in her beige dress and olive green shawl. I blushed when I noticed she was also wearing olive green hourglasses shaped earrings.

I couldn't resist the errant thought that she had chosen those earrings to mark herself as mine to any potential suitors, considering everyone in the Encanto would see the hourglass as something that is affiliated me, no one else would use the symbol because of my status as 'bad luck'.

Only my beautiful Y/N would feel comfortable enough to openly use any symbol of mine. She is truly one of a kind.

"I had the feeling you would be pacing in here." She smiled gently as she approached me.

She wrapped her arms around me, and I felt myself relaxing in her familiar embrace.

"That's why I wanted to give you your present before the party starts. Feliz Cumpleaños mi Amor." She said softly, as she held something out to me.

I was surprised when Y/N placed a small box in my hand. The box was about the size of my palm. It was black and was wrapped in a green ribbon.

It was a silver necklace with an hourglass pendant with green sand inside it.

I took a good look at the hourglass when I noticed words etched on the top.

Siempre te amare (I will always love you.)

I gazed up at her with teary eyes, understanding why my novia gave me this before the party.

"I know how anxious you get when you're around people, so I wanted to give you something to help you when you need reassurance."

I put the necklace on and thanked her profusely for such a thoughtful gift. My arms tight around her as I held her close.

It was moments like this that made me feel lucky.