#pepa is having a middle child moment

[yellowcry]

It's just that everyone else is too small

The fact that Luisa was tall wasn't a big secret. But, uh... usually she wasn't this tall.

Not like she has any problems with it tho

At first, Luisa didn't feel anything strange. Her powers came back after the rebuilding, stronger than even before. Filling up her muscles with solid metal energy. Just now, Luisa could finally realize how much she missed it. As if a part of her that was ripped out by the brute force, leaving neomg a gaping hole returned to its legal place.

It took a couple of days before things became strange. When the doorways were getting smaller and leaner. Extent of which Luisa didn't realized to the full extent. Blaming her mind for playing tricks.

Mirabel was the first one to notice. Of course, observant as a smart cat, with big eyes always looking for clues. Maybe to even worrying extent now. "Luisa, you look... bigger." She muttered, as the middle child cuddled her sister in her arms. Looking up, still tensed from worry. Ah, sweet girl, there's no cracks, Luisa made sure about it back at the rebuilding.

Isabela rolled her eyes, chuckling against the door. "Luisa always looks bigger if you didn't notice, sis."

Yes, Luisa was towering over everyone in the village for years now. This wasn't a big secret that for the most part everyone looked small next to her. And it was ever more evident if she talked about her tiny baby sister who was smaller than almost any adult Luisa saw.

"Well, maybe I have an unexpected growth splash in my twenties!" Luisa laughed, lifting Mirabel in the air.

It took a bit more time for the others, including Luisa to realize that something was really off. If she felt that doorways were strangely small before, now she straight up couldn't enter them standing in full height. Her different belongings, clothes, plate, or heavy dumbells were getting bigger too. Forks looked more and more like flagile toys between her fingers rather than something useful. As Luisa grew over ten sentimetres of her previous height, the idea of just getting a late chart of growing became less normal. Tía Pepa had said that she was drowing until she was twenty once before. But it was barely a centimeter during the last three years of this. And Luisa was adding height to her already big frame too fast to be concidered normal.

"You are really growing, Lulu," Agustín noted, fixing his glasses. Not like it was something he needed to say. Even if her family didn't say it much, it was obvious Luisa's strange size was too much even to her normal standards. "We need to get you to the seamstress before you ran out of clothes."

"I think it's growing with me." Luisa shrugged, looking at the confused looks of her family. Of course, her being even more of a giant was possible to explain by genetic. Inanimare objects hovewer weren't the same. By logic, her clothes should've been too tight for long time at this moment. But everything was just as comfortable as it was back when Luisa only got her gift back. And, thinking about it, the magic became way stronger after the rebuilding too.

By the end of the year, Luisa wasn't just tall. Her entire height was almost as tall as Casita. A freaking house. The magic had made a separate building next to it, which lied all the way to the mountains. This was strange. Her family now looked like little kittens compared to her. Encanto felt like a childing playground with the little ants running inside of it. And Luisa had to admit she found it strangely comfortable. Aleays looking over everyone with a guardian eye. Everyone was so funny down here. And, oh, family meals now were something. Outside, it usually contained Luisa sitting nearby with a plate in her hand. Because, well, ths table now could as well be a backless stool. Except for the fact that it was too small to be one. And inside meals were spent at Luisa. And damn, her family was hilariously bug-like on a stupidly big towers of books placed against the table.

But Luisa also had to admit, she couldn't really fit anywhere anymore. Literally. Her height did cause problems sometimes even before, but just rarely. Separate outbildings sometimes were too small, usually old ones, which were made before Luisa's birth. Right now, aside from her new house, there was no way these tiny toy doors would allow her to enter buldings half of her size. And she had to be careful too. The fact that it wasn't immediate growth helped her, but Luisa still preferred to be aware of what was underneath her feet. Abuelo knows she would merge somebody with the ground if she stepped on them by accident. And it was better to spent an addictional second to check the street than deal with very likely a lethal accident.

And chores... Oh, the same amount than was breaking her before the magic have died now was nothing. Even those tasks that Luisa had promised to never do because of how long and unnecessary they were. Collect the donkeys? She barely had to move from the place where she stood. Reroute the river? Just one finger and it's done. And, maybe she caused an earthquake once, but who didn't? It seemed pretty normal for her. So now all this was free time left. (And if somebody was too annoying, Luisa could always gently put them on the opposite side of Encanto )

"This is so damn unfair!" Isabela pouted her lips, sitting next to Luisa's feet. Her voice so far away. But audible enough to know. "You were, like, ernomous. Why the hell did you decide to make yourself fucking giant?"

"Aww," Luisa babbled, mockind her sister, placing her to sit on her palm. "Is my hermanita jealous?" The opposite finger gently bumped Isabela's belly.

"Go to hell, oversized Ladder." Isabela smirked, grabbing a big finger. Probably tight, but Luisa could be held by a dragonfly with the same effect. Not like it would really work even if Luisa was her normal height, but at least Isabela had a chance to something bigger than this.

And if Luisa wanted, she could always just pick up Mirabel and held her tiniest sister inside her palms like a jewerly. Or place on her shoulder in a little parrot speaking next to her while emboidering. Apparently, being held inside warm space where nothing could hurt you was a good way to deal with anxiety.

"It's been three hours," Mirabel groaned, looking between the fingers. "I am fine, please..."

"Nope." Luisa pat her head. "I still wanna hold you for a bit longer."

[waitingonavision]

🌙 Moon's Encanto Fics: A Master List! 🐀

Hello~ Here are all my fics in one place! They're rated G unless otherwise noted. Content warnings and potential triggers are marked in this post and on AO3. Last updated: February 26, 2024

Have a chibi chubby Bruno:

"VIVA LA PANCITA DE BRUNO" SERIES

Bruno heals, gaining a soft belly in the process (see above). 😌 This is my main series of fics. Set after the events of the film.

⏳ "Pancita" on AO3 & Tumblr

In which a year passes, and Julieta notices that her and the family's efforts to get a malnourished Bruno healthy again have finally paid off.

fluff/angst; Bruno and Julieta centric, with Pepa and the family

3,175 words; complete

content warnings: references to malnutrition/starvation and associated issues

⏳ "The 'Pancita' Interludes" on AO3 & Tumblr

A collection of one-shots (there's only one so far lol) that take place during "Pancita” and chronicle Bruno’s recovery process and reunion with his family. AKA, the middle section of “Pancita” that I hadn’t planned on fleshing out, but here we are!

mild hurt/comfort; Bruno and Julieta centric (so far)

805 words; ongoing

content warnings: stomach aches, indigestion, mention of past malnutrition

⏳ "Tangible Proofs" on AO3 & Tumblr

Bruno comes to terms with the weight he's recovered. (Companion piece/prequel to "Comfortable Truths")

mostly fluff; it's a self-acceptance piece

660 words; complete

content warnings: mention of past malnutrition/starvation; Bruno is taking stock of his body (belly) but in an Affirming way

⏳ "Comfortable Truths" on AO3 & Tumblr

Healthy physical changes are afoot for Bruno Madrigal. But what does he think of them? A follow-up to "Pancita."

mostly fluff; another self-acceptance piece

570 words; complete

content warnings: mention of past malnutrition/starvation

⏳ "Duerme bien" on AO3 & Tumblr

Listen to the six-year-old. Antonio has the only correct idea. Or: Someone on Tumblr requested a sleep pile with Bruno and his niblings. This is the result. 🥹

fluff, featuring Bruno and his chaotic niblings

1,160 words; complete

content warnings: none!

⏳ "Juntos en las costuras" on AO3 & Tumblr

The one where Bruno is given a gift.

fluff; Bruno centric, the rest of the family appears!

610 words; complete

content warnings: none!

⏳ "¡Bailamos!" on AO3 & Tumblr

Requested by @glitternightingale! Julieta finds herself stressed, and her sweet, goofy little brother is there for her.

fluff; Julieta and Bruno centric

1,215 words; complete

content warnings: none!

WORKS WITH CHAPTERS

💚 "The Belly Shirt" on AO3 & Tumblr NEW!

The tale of an old ugly shirt (The Shirt, in fact), once lost and now found, and how it fits (but not really) a healthier Bruno Madrigal… to his sisters' great amusement and joy. Written with Ash (@empty-cryptid)! No content warnings. Just sibling fluff.

"Part One" - written by me (1,005 words)

"Part Two" - written by Ash! (990 words)

💚 "Bruno in June-o!" on AO3

Written for the @wdtajn event!

Table of contents below (links go to the respective Tumblr post):

"One Fear" - Bruno, with Antonio and Pepa; horror prompt (745 words); cw for body horror, but only really from the perspectives of the characters

"Ladino Lullaby" - Bruno, with Mateo (Dolores' son); fluff (1,035 words); cw for reference to a major character's death

✨ "Seeing, & Being Seen" on AO3

This is my main drabble/ficlet collection! No major content warnings. Status: ongoing.

Table of contents below (links go to the respective Tumblr post):

"Nothing, & Everything" - Julieta and Bruno (191 words); a quiet moment following the fall of Casita 😭

"Telling, & Time" - Bruno and Antonio (431 words); story time!

"Rise, & Fall" - Bruno and Alma (382 words); the original golden child and his relationship with his mamá

"Full Hearts, & Full Belly" - Dolores and Bruno (298 words); Bruno vs. (too) many snacks

"Good, & True" - Bruno and Julieta (164 words); there's home, and then there's home

"KUGGIS, & FESTLIGT" see below

"Water, & Sand" - Bruno (158 words); angst and arena movediza

"El Ratón, & la pancita" - Bruno and Antonio (280 words); pancita-plushie!

"Lost, & Restored" - Bruno and Julieta (215 words); hug a sister

"Gained, & Denied" - Bruno and Paquito the rat (78 words); rats are judgmental af

"Spiders, & Butterflies" - the Madrigals and Peter Parker (427 words); Peter meets the Madrigals

"Apples, & Honey" - Bruno and Antonio (606 words); a sweet new year and a Rosh Hashanah tradition

"Softness, & Strength" - Luisa and Bruno (217 words); Luisa likes that the weight makes her tío more substantial

"Leftovers, & Love" - Bruno and Julieta (125 words); love is stored in the belly

"Small, & Shaped" - Bruno and Julieta (242 words); smol bean-shaped bean

✨ "Uno, dos, tres" on AO3

A collection of three-sentence, AU fics based on prompts I received from Tumblr! Status: ???.

Table of contents below (links go to the respective Tumblr post).

You can also check the tag #three sentence fics. Some of these are accompanied by artwork from @junosaccount 🥺

Camilo and Isabela, Superhero AU

Julieta and Pepa, Modern AU (1)

Julieta and Agustín, Modern AU

Antonio and Félix, Canon-Compliant

Bruno and Pepa, Bakery AU (bg Bruno x male OC)

Isabela and Dolores, Hogwarts AU

Bruno and Alma, Canon-Divergent (1)

Agustín and Dolores, Modern AU

Julieta and Pepa, Modern AU (2)

Bruno and Alma, Canon-Divergent (2)

Dolores and Isabela, Future Fic (feat. baby Felicidad!)

Camilo and Mirabel, Canon-Compliant

Luisa and Isabela, Actor AU

Camilo and Bruno, Canon-Compliant

Antonio and Camilo, Canon-Compliant

Pepa and Julieta, Celebrity AU

Bruno and Luisa, Canon-Compliant

Camilo and Julieta, Canon-Compliant

Camilo and Antonio, Spider-Man AU

Camilo and Antonio, Future Fic

Mirabel and Camilo, Actor AU

Dolores and Isabela, Canon-Compliant (cw: menstruation)

Mirabel (and the Family), Werewolf AU

Isabela and Camilo, Princess AU

Luisa and Bruno, Gift Swap AU

Félix and Bruno, Modern AU

The Triplets, Modern AU

🍞 "Insaciable" on AO3

Bruno x male OC. Emilio Castaño, who belongs to @seanettlles, is a baker and Encanto resident who loves Bruno Madrigal and wants him to be healthy and happy. Also, Bruno loves Emilio, and together they make the softest couple. Bruno is chubby in all of these. Status: ongoing?

Table of contents below (links go to the respective Tumblr post):

"Whatever You Knead" - Bruno and Emilo making out; rated teen (195 words)

The Reverse "Shovel Talk" - Julieta would like to speak with Emilio about his intentions; three-sentence fic

Mermaid AU (1) and (2) - (1) getting together and (2) being soft boyfriends; three-sentence fics

ONE-SHOTS

🐝 "I'm Sew Taken With You" on AO3 & Tumblr

Agustín's made Julieta a present, but because he's Agustín, he sustained some injuries along the way… Pre-canon fic!

fluff, romance; teen!Agustín x teen!Julieta

1,125 words; complete

content warnings: mild injuries because Agustín

🫓 "KUGGIS and FESTLIGT" on AO3 & Tumblr

Requested by @glitternightingale! What do you get when you cross a trip to IKEA in Bogotá, a BabyBjörn, a good Tío Bruno, a babbly baby Mirabel, and a purposeful Julieta?

modern AU fluff/slice of life; Julieta, Bruno, and baby Mirabel

1,005 words; complete

content warnings: none, except for my dubious memory of IKEA store layouts ;;;

🌺 "¡Feliz cumpleaños, Isabela!" on AO3 & Tumblr

Just a little ficlet I wrote for Isabela's birthday, featuring the two former "golden children": Isa herself and her Tío Bruno.

fluff/slice of life

285 words; complete

content warnings: none!

🌿 "A Time for Building" on AO3 & Tumblr

The Madrigals celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot for the first time after discovering that they are descended from conversos (Spanish Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity beginning in the Middle Ages). Encanto Big Bang fic.

Jewish Madrigals fluff/slice of life; triplet-centric ensemble piece!

2,725 words; complete

content warnings: none!

[toaverse]

I don't think Camilo helping Pepa is such a big deal, she was visibly having a panic attack.

Also I think her behavior is caused by Alma's abuse, don't get me wrong she done some shitty things, but considering the fact that her mother was forcing her to be constantly happy from when she was five years old while not letting her feel other emotions caused her not to grew up emotionaly, what isn't something you can learn yourself, you need adult to teach you how to deal with your emotions in healthy way and Alma turned her daughter into a wreck which is snapping at others and lack control of her emotions, because her own mother never learned her how. Her anger at Mira was slightly justified as it truly looked like she was trying to sabotage Antonio's ceremony and proposal.

The things like anger at Bruno and Camilo calming her down are caused by the fact that her mother was scolding her for feeling angry or panicking because villagers wouldn't be happy of the weather, even when she is 50!

While this doesn't excuse her completly it is still hard not to understand why she is like that.

While Bruno was black sheep when they were adults what was confirmed by creator as Bruno at first was Encanto favorite so this strongly imply that Pepa was first scapegoat and victim of her mother's abuse.

Also Agustin and Julieta aren't as good parents as many think they gave her eldest daughter away and had no problem when Alma turned her into her trophy child(what is one of the worst things you can do to child), don't seem too close with her middle child, having no problem with her being overworked, the only child they seem to be truly close to is Mira.

I do have to disagree regarding your points about Pepa, for the most part.

Yes, you're absolutely right about Pepa's emotional instability being caused by Alma. 100% agree.

However, that doesn't excuse her from gossiping about Bruno, and for snapping and being mean to Mirabel.

No, Pepa's anger at Mira wasn't justified in my opinion. That woman was being mean to a child she was never there for, a child who was only trying to help in both Antonio’s ceremony and Isa’s proposal (which was Dolores’ fault, not Mira’s). If Pepa thought Mira was ruining both events (which she clearly didn’t), than she hadn’t right to get angry at a child.

Camilo shouldn't have to comfort and take care of his own mother when it should be the other way around. Yes, I often bring my parents their tea, but I don't I don't comfort them like you do with a toddler. It also doesn't help that we barely see Pepa be an actual mother.

Yes, Bruno made a joke he shouldn't have made because it was Pepa's wedding, and was in the right to be pissed in the moment, but not gossip about it for 21+ years like a mean girl! That woman is 50!

Where did you get the information that Bruno was Alma's favorite at some point? Because I don't think that was the case when Bruno was having (negative) visions at 5 years old as well. Can you give me a source?

I 100% agree that Julieta and Agustín weren't good parents either. They let Mirabel sleep in the nursery even at 15 years old, Julieta left Mirabel right after a house almost killed her for whatever bullshit Pepa called her for, and She and Gus didn't believe Mira when she talked about the cracks. Their relationship with Isabela was never even addressed in the film, which I find extremely weird.

Thank you for giving me your opinion. I'll answer your second ask later, but I hope we're still good :)

[genderlessjacky]

⚡ scared of thunderstorms

aight!! one encanto cousin bonding coming rightt up

-------------

Abuela had told the Madrigals to take a day off due to the horrid storm happening in the encanto , it's so strong not even Pepa's magic could stop it and it didn't help that Camilo and Mirabel pranked her earlier today by putting a fake cockroach in her tea , they did apologise after but Pepa was reasonably still angry at them.

The thunder cracks and roars outside of the casita , rattling its windows as the living house tries to keep it stable . Dolores Madrigal , the child who has been blessed with the gift of super hearing, did not take this well.

She sat cross legged on the couch with her chatting siblings and cousins while her Tio Agustin played soft piano in the background . The middle child tried to focus her listening on her Tio's piano music but it didn't work , the sounds of thunder kept disrupting her , so she decided to go to her room , maybe it would be more silent there.

She gets up from the couch and quickly speed-walks to her room without saying another word.

Luisa Madrigal caught sight of Dolores abruptly going to her room , she was slightly concerned for Dolores since she couldn't control her super hearing and the thunder in itself was already really loud , she assumed that Dolores would put on some noise cancelling headphones.

But that was before she quickly realised that last week , one of antonio's birds chewed up her headphones and he never told her due to him being scared that Dolores will be angry at him so She assumed that Camilo took her headphones and they both argued for a while before Antonio told her but that's another story for another day.

The strong madrigal very lightly nudged her younger sibling who was loudly talking to Camilo and whispered to her

"Hey Mira , should I go check up on Dolores?

After Mirabel finishing laughing at one of her primo's stupid ideas she said back to her :

"Maybe , what happened to her?" she replied with a hint of concern in her voice

"I saw her going up to her room"

"Wasn't she already in her room"

"what- no she was with us , she just wasn't talking much"

"ohhh if that is the case you probably should check up on her just in case , do you want me to join you?"

"hmm , no need Mira you can continue to talk with camilo as long as it's not another prank"

"ughhhh fineee" Luisa stood up from the couch and briskly walked to dolores’s room and softly knocked on the door as to not disturb her

“Hey Prima , its Luisa , can i come in” she asked

There was a moment of silence before her cousin replied in a hush tone

“Sure..come in”

When the older sister came in , she found Dolores sitting on her bed with a distressed face with her curly hair untied , covering her ears and shoulders while the red ribbon was lazily threw on the nightstand beside her cosy bed

Luisa sat beside her

“Prima , are you okay? I didn't see you in the living room …” she asked with worry in her voice

“Y-yeah im fine its just-”

Dolores turned her head away from Luisa

“Too loud for my gift to handle”

“Don't worry prima!!! Luisa is here for you”

She straightened her back and pointed her thumb towards her chest

Dolores chuckled before an idea popped into Luisa’s head “Prima , can you turn around and close your eyes?”

“Hmmm.. whyy?”

“I think I might have an idea!!”

Dolores turned around her bed when Luisa covered her ears with her soft but rough textured hand , she made sure to be gentle with it as to not accidentally hurt her Prima

“Sooo do you remember the time Papa got his head stuck in a beehive?” the more muscular madrigal started Dolores didn't know what her Prima was doing but it felt nice..all the noises around her were muffled except for her Prima’s

“Haha , yeah!! Mama was so worried , you had to help crack open the beehive!! Poor Tio” she recalled fondly

“Right?? Camilo was laughing so hard when he tried to help , and didn't Tia Pepa scold him for that?”

“HAH she did!! , he got in so much trouble , Mama berated him so badly he looked like a kicked puppy after that happened!!”

The two Madrigal happily chatted the night away , recalled fond memories and asking about eachothers day

The both of them don't usually get to be cousins and bond like normal cousins do due to the chores they have to do but since Abuela changed they have so much more chances for times like these and times like these are what La Familia are for

[megslovesbooks]

Well. I'm not going to get this little ghost story finished tonight, I'm feeling kinda bad so it's going to have to wait, which sucks because I really wanted to post something fun for spooky day. Alas. As an apology a new snippet. Hopefully I can finish it in the next day or two.

Hope you are all having a good spooky time.

“I think there’s a clearing at the top of this next ridge. Maybe we could see better from there.” Cara says, staring off toward the summit maybe half a mile above them, her gaze is focused on something specific, but when Eddie looks all he can see is a hazy wash of trees. It's as good a plan as any though, so he just nods and pushes away from the tree on unsteady legs. It's probably not the best plan, his head still swims and there’s a dull fire in his side that tells him something is wrong beyond bruises, but he still isn’t really sure how Cara is doing and if she’s bleeding internally and he can’t get her help she’ll die. They both might. 

“We better hurry.”  He says, keenly aware of how fast the light is leaving. 

The first few hundred yards are something like OK. The next are harder. The terrain is beginning to slope steeply upward and Eddie can feel his body threatening to quit even though they’re still so far from their goal, his breath coming in painful ragged gasps. Cara is silent, which worries him. Even though she seems to be managing far better than he is, her face is passive and the lines of her body seem relaxed. Still, he should get her talking, make sure he knows what’s going on with her.

“Where were you going today? Before our detour?” He means it like a joke but it just comes out like a wheeze. Cara glances over at him, confusion pulling her brows together. 

“Going?” She asks and Eddie feels a wrongness begin to creep up the back of his neck, but he’s not sure if it's for him or her. 

“Yeah, in the car.” He says around another labored breath “Were you driving to work or school or–”

“Oh.”  She says vaguely, and that sense of wrong flairs hot, “The car–”

“It's alright.” He says, worry and nausea waring in his gut, “You don’t have to tell me.”

“I was going to my mom’s” Cara says, and the strange timber of her voice is gone. “I have a long weekend off school and promised I’d come visit. We’ve been…clashing a bit lately. It seemed like a good chance to clear the air.” She pauses for a moment and then adds “I’m all she’s got.” 

The words stab something hot and painful through his chest. 

“Yeah.”  He says, then has to clear his throat. “I know that feeling.”

“Only child?” She asks. He’s too busy watching his feet over this patch of uneven terrain to look at her. The agony in his body is beginning to ebb. It doesn't feel like a win. 

“No. Two sisters. But my kid is, and he lost his mother a few years ago, so I’m all he’s got.” 

They’re old words, spoken and thought so many times he knows the shape of them by heart, but they aren’t true are they? Maybe they’ve never been true…not really, but now…now…well now his son is surrounded by more love than Eddie knows what to do with, Pepa, and Carla, and Karen and Hen and Bobby and Athena and Chimney and Maddie. May and Linda and his school friends and their parents and his teachers. Eddie’s parents and his sisters, who he may not always see eye to eye with, but who he knows would move heaven and earth for his son if they had too. And Buck Buck who has given and given and given. Buck who has put his actual body between Chris and harm, who loves Eddie’s son like his own and never expects any recognition for the things he sacrifices for him over and over again. Buck who’s name is typed neatly on the legal paperwork tucked carefully in the middle drawer of Eddie’s desk, who will fight for Christopher until his last breath. No. Eddie isn’t all his son has. It's the other way round, isn’t it…

“Eddie?” Cara’s voice seems to come from too far away, as if they’re on different tiny boats and are drifting apart on the tide. He blinks, realizes he’s stopped moving and is leaning heavily against one of the Gray Pines that cover the mountain side in droves. 

“Yeah,”  He says, the word is far shakier than he’d like, and the severity of their situation is really, truly beginning to settle over him.

[lunathekahuna]

Encanto Sonia AU: Introducing the first 2nd- gen child of the Madrigal family, who never came to be. Felicitas Carla Méndez-Madrigal, or Felicia for short. First born daughter of Sonia & Bruno Madrigal.

(Tw:Misscarrge/Loss of Baby)

Two years After losing her mother, Sonia had to dealt w/ another loss. Her unannounced baby's door was barely forming & Sonia was only 14 weeks along when it happened. She was taking a Day off after Bruno noticed how she was more sluggish,fearing it was a cold or stress.

Enjoying her day off by reading in bed, she started having an off feeling, a sharp pain inside of her. She ran out Bruno's room to the kitchen to look for a meal to heal the pain, but as she passed the doors,she noticed the wall was bare. The edge of the upcoming glowing door was gone, that meant only one thing...Sonia had lost her baby. In shock, Sonia walked back their room & slid down the floor as she finally came out from shock. Sonia sobbed in pain, in denial & in grief. Her baby was gone & it was so sudden, Was it her who failed or was it just not meant to be?

All she knew, she couldn't tell Bruno or the family. Sonia spent weeks in their room,thinking & grieving for the child her husband never to got to know about. Bruno,Juli,Pepa,even Alma & Ciel tried to get Sonia to talk to them on why she was acting the way she was,nothing worked.

Fortunately,there was one person who had an idea why Sonia was depressed. Over the next few days,he visited Sonia. He carefully convinced her that her behavior was worrying Bruno. In time,She told Felix about the miscarriage. Sonia got to go thru the stages of grief & started to go back to her usual self but still had the missing part of her. Sonia kept it a secret from everybody but Felix until she was ready. The two happiest moments she got to experiences were when Felix announced that Bruno & Sonia were Dolores's godparents & when Sonia was safe to say of her pregnancy with Miles. Years of raising her son, nieces & nephew, Sonia still thought about her 1st baby & the Wat if's.

Felicia's gift would've been the Power of Luck, both good & Bad. She can give people small amounts of Good luck when they need it or Bad luck when they deserve it. She also gets to experience both as well. You can tell by her dress, She has small four leaf clovers to present Good luck as for the white sprinkles scattered around the Middle is symbolizing salt to ward off bad luck.

(Encanto Ocs is Mine)

[aeoneri]

[What We Don't See] Chapter 48: Lo Que No Vemos

Summary:

Fast forward to five years, the family is preparing themselves for a new change. Gabriela and Bruno look back and beyond to the future, with hope and love in tow. – Written in Gabriela’s POV.

++++

“Gabriela, amor?” I hear Bruno looking for me, despite the noise. “Little help here?” 

Today’s the day.

I nod at everyone bustling about as I make my way to the living room. The house is busy with activity. There are flowers and streamers and the occasional stray cacti decorating the halls. Julieta’s in the kitchen, and Pepa’s making the weather nice. The other Madrigals with the help of the townsfolk prepare for the night that’s to come.

It’s been five years, and married life is hard, but I’m grateful to wake up every morning and end every day with Bruno by my side.

The sound of shrieks and giggling grows louder when I turn the corner. My lips twitch in amusement when I see the love of my life letting our children crash on top of him. “You rang?” I call out to catch their attention and they all turn to look at me. “Óscar. Bubo. Mariela. What in heaven’s name are you doing to your father?”

I barely got the words out before the three youngest Madrigals almost knocked me down to hug me. “One at a time! One at a time!” I squeak. “Oh, you three are getting so big…” 

When Bruno had a vision of my future so many years ago, it had shown us that we would have a baby. The only catch was that it didn’t specifically specify how many. He was initially thrilled when I became pregnant a few months after our wedding…that is, until Dolores sent her poor Tío into a panic when she revealed she could hear three heartbeats in my belly.

Triplets. 

Julieta had to practically shove a buñuelo into his mouth to revive him.

Bruno watches us with a fond smile while I squeeze our children in a tight embrace. “We were just playing with Papá,” Our eldest, Óscar, quips. Beside him, his siblings bob their heads in agreement. “Were we making too much noise, Mamá?”

“No, not at all. Though, I think you’ve forgotten something. It’s very important.”

Their eyes widen when they remember. “Is Abuela looking for us?” Our middle child, Roberto, whom we lovingly nicknamed Bubo, asks. He pushes his glasses up his nose and blinks owlishly. “Can we skip it…?”

I shake my head and he groans.

“Come on,” I place my hands on my hips. “We’ve talked about this. While it’ll be different from what everyone before you had experienced, you know it’s an important rite of passage for every Madrigal grandchild.”

“But…”

“I’m sure it’ll go swimmingly,” Maria Elena, or Mariela, assures her older brother, patting his hand. I once teased Bruno that he has a favorite. He would vehemently deny it, but there was no question. I knew the moment I placed our única hija in his arms that she had captivated him forever.

“How sure are you?” Bubo fidgets. Without even realizing it, he’s like his father in more ways than one. “It’s so much pressure!”

“Mariela knows, hermanito. Plus, it’s our birthday, and you know what that means…we’ll get cake!” Óscar beams. “And prima Mirabel would take care of us, right, Mamá?”

“Exactly,” I proudly state. “Now before you even begin to think of doing anything else, you three go upstairs, okay? Your primos and primas have been waiting for you to help you dress up. I’ll take care of your Papá.”

“Yes, Mamá!”

Óscar quickly runs out of the room, half-dragging his poor brother with their sister following close behind their heels. I hear light arguing between the two boys. I swear they’re the cause of my new gray hairs. Pepa was right, being a parent is hard.

“No pushing!” I yell before I turn my attention to my husband still sprawled out on the floor. “I’m getting too old for this.” Bruno groans. “Thanks, mi vida , for that.”

“What game were you playing?” I gently chide as I help him up. “You’re not as young as you think you are, you know. You’re making me worry, Bruno.”

“They asked me to lift them in the air, so I did.” He answers while rubbing his sore back. “I just didn’t expect them to pile on top of me.” 

I roll my eyes. He knows I can’t stay mad at him for too long. “Mmmhmm,” I hum. “For someone who can see the future, he’s very clueless when it comes to his mischievous children. Looks like they inherited something from their Papá, don’t you think?”

“It’s not just me. They got something from you too.”

“What is that?” I smirk. “Do tell.”

Bruno throws his head back and laughs. “Stubbornness?”

“Oh, shush you. Come on, we only have a few hours left. Let’s go get ready.”

I let him wrap his arm around my waist and lead me out of the room. I feel like the future is limitless. We walk quietly side-by-side, content in each other’s presence. “Hey, do you think this is what Mamá felt when she was raising you and your sisters?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

We look up at the three new doors that are right beside ours on the third floor.

“I don’t know. Nervousness? Happiness? Stress?”

“Mi amor,” Bruno murmurs. “Are you worried about what their gifts will be?” 

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t sharing Bubo’s worries. “Maybe a little bit,” I confess. “I mean, this is going to be the first of many. There are no more boundaries to what they can achieve. It’s a bit of a terrifying thought, to be the ones ushering a new era for the family.”

“Lucky for Dolores. She wouldn’t have to worry about something like this for a few more years,” Bruno squeezes my hand. “Don’t worry. Our children are more than capable. They’re me and you. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re able to keep everyone out of trouble.”

“Is that a vision of the future, Bruno Madrigal?”

“Maybe,” He says, kissing the top of my head. “Does it matter?” I contemplate this for a quick moment. “No. I guess not.”

“Then you have your answer.”

“Bruno?”

“Hm?”

Life isn’t perfect. Seasons change and turn, but here we are, where we’re supposed to be. Our eyes shine with so much hope for the past, present, and future, and I wouldn’t exchange this moment for the world. “I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for us.”

He grins, knowing what I mean. Whatever happens, we’ll weather through it all. For the Encanto. For our families. For our miracles.

What we don’t see isn’t that scary when we have faith.

“Tempting the seer, are we?” Bruno murmurs when fireworks light up across the sky, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. “After all…between us both, what don’t we see?” 

++++

Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text): Buñuelo - a fried dough fritter found in Spain, Latin America, and any other regions with a historical connection to the former. Única hija - only daughter

Back to main | Previous chapter

[badwaves]

when you’re three glasses of wine deep and your clairvoyant brother starts getting philosophical

(bruno’s hot takes sourced from this post lol)

[beanswrites]

"Encanto" is one of the best Disney movies ever, and here's why

1. Representation of mental health in a children's movie

This movie so brilliantly showed mental health issues in many of it's characters. Mirabel thinks that she isn't good enough because of Abuela, which is a good sign of Avoidant Personality Disorder. Luisa obviously has crippling anxiety from the weight that's been put on her shoulders, and Bruno is showing hints of depression and anxiety as well.

As the oldest sibling of my family who had severe anxiety all my life, never have I ever related to Disney songs as much as "Surface Pressure" and "Waiting On A Miracle". I think it's beautiful how Disney made not one but two songs about mental illness, and dealing with it. It teaches kids to not hide their feelings!

2. Showing diversity by having a Colombian family as the main characters

This movie is one of the rare ones which don't have a white protagonist. I noticed that in the last few years Disney started showing more and more diversity with non-white female leads (Tiana, Moana, Raya, and now Mirabel), and I especially love how it's a family! A great detail that needs to be recognized is that even tho they do look alike (because they are a family), none of the characters look the same. I feel like in the older movies, even when there was some diversity, all people of color would look the same. It shows how much Disney has improved!

It also shows toxic family relations in Latina families, like how Abuela favorited others over Mirabel, especially because Mirabel is a middle child. This movie is on all levels so realistic. Besides the magic.

3. Having a strong female lead with realist proportions and an actual personality

Since the beginning of 2000 up until now, Disney and Pixar have been doing a great job at making characters with realistic, complex personalities, and it really shows. They really went from having white princesses being saved by a prince charming to strong, diverse women who have enthusiasm and take charge by themselves. Don't get me wrong, I still love the older white princesses, but I'm glad that nowadays every little girl can look at the screen and see a princess that looks like them! Disney still has a long way ahead of them when it comes to diversity (would it KILL you to make an LGBTQIA+ character?? Or a Muslim character??), but we gotta appreciate how far they came!

I also loved this movie for it's lack of small waists, for it's realistically sized noses and actual hips on characters. Feels good to have realistically proportionate people in cartoons, it reminds kids that all shapes and sizes are gorgeous!

4. Awesome plot and great animation

The plot and even the idea of "Encanto" is really interesting, and it isn't one of the classical, overused tropes. The story is very original, and it isn't the classical family cliché.

I loved the animation, it's really raw and full of emotion. There were some scenes I didn't believe were actually animated because of how good they are, like Abuela crying.

5. Having an amazing soundtrack written by the legend Lin-Manuel Miranda himself

Name one bad song from this soundtrack. I'll wait.

From the beat to the lyrics and even the placement of the songs in the right moment, everything about this soundtrack is awesome! The tunes are so catchy (everybody has "We Don't Talk About Bruno" stuck in their heads) that it still reminds you that it's a Disney movie, but the lyrics are so deep and meaningful and clever and touching. The way Dolores smugly hid the fact that she can actually hear Bruno thru the walls in "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and then asked Mirabel "Do you understand?" was brilliant.

Also, "Dos Origuitas" is 2021's version of "Remember Me" from Coco. It has the same sad but also beautiful vibe.

Bonus:

Pepa and Felix being the best married couple ever

I- They are seriously the cutest. Pepa is so interesting and weird, and Felix is such an awesome, supportive husband that it's practically impossible to not love them. Felix is the type of a guy that would cause an unexpected rain all over the Encanto just and only because he tickled Pepa so hard that she started crying (brb gonna go write a fanfic like this). They are awesome partners, and even more amazing parents.

If you say that you don't simp (or at least love them) for Dolores or Camilo (or in my case both), you are lying. I don't make the rules.

--

All in all, Encanto is an awesome movie, in all aspects. I can just tell that one day, in like 30 years, kids are gonna be watching and loving this movie like we love "Beauty And The Beast" today. This one is gonna be one of the classics.

[zafirosreverie]

The sun in your hair (Pepa x reader)

a/n: I feel like Pepa is ooc here, but I did my best. Hope you like it!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

“Y/N!!!” 

You turned around to see Pepa running to you, with a huge cloud above her head. You felt your heart racing and your cheeks getting red, but you forced a smile on your face. She was your best friend! And she seemed like she needed you at the moment. You had to keep your feelings for yourself and focus.

“Hey!” you said, blinking when she threw herself into your arms “whoa…what’s wrong?” 

The redhead just shook her head and hide her face into your neck. You were shorter than her so she had to crouch down a little, but none of you minded. You felt her shaking and sniffing, trying to get comfort from your scent.

“One of those days, uh?” you asked softly, rubbing circles in her back.

Pepa just nodded and squeezed you tighter. You could see some people staring at you, and your blush deepened when some of them smirked and others started to throw silent kisses at you. Little shits. 

Look, you weren’t stupid, you knew everyone in the Encanto knew about your not-so-subtle crush on Pepa Madrigal. They all loved to tease you about it, making suggestive faces when you and the redhead would walk together, or making bets on when would you confess. Hell, even Alma and Félix, Pepa’s goddamn mother and husband, teased you about it! 

Félix was a good friend and you thought he would be mad about you crushing on his wife, but the man really was a blessing to the world and told you that he saw how much you cared about Pepa, being one of the few people able to calm her down. He said he was fine with it and even offered to help you confess. You couldn’t look at him for a week after that. 

And Alma wasn’t any better. It was a huge surprise when the matriarch had approach you to ask you about your intentions with her daughter. She was trying to be a better mother (better late than never, right?) and had noticed the way her middle child seemed to look out for you more and more, finding comfort in your mere presence. She wanted Pepa to be happy (so did Félix and the rest of the family) and that started a war between the whole Madrigal clan and the entire town. 

Everyone wanted you to tell Pepa how you felt and would come up with the weirdest plans you’ve ever heard! Camilo even tried to shapeshift into you to confess to her, but Dolores convinced him it would be wrong and weird. You’d thank her if she didn’t threaten you to tell everyone your secrets. Little rascals, all of them!

“And that’s what happened” Pepa said, snapping you out of your thoughts.

Oh no. You hadn’t paid attention. Damn it!

“I-” you started but she stopped you by grabbing you by the shoulders.

“Do you think my hair is that weird?” she asked, almost begging you to differ.

You blinked “What? of course not! You have beautiful hair!” 

“Then why isn’t it dark like my siblings and parents?!”

Oh, so THAT’S what this was about. You knew exactly who’d put this question in her precious head and already made plans to break some bones. You’d tell Julieta too, so they wouldn’t have a chance to heal with her food. But first things first.

“Pepa, you have the sun in your hair” you said, making her look at you confused “your mother and siblings can be the stars, but you’re the sun. And there can only be one. You have a fire within you that could never be quenched” 

The redhead thought about it for a moment before she sniffed and gave you a tentative smile. You always knew how to make her feel better. She hugged you again, the cloud above you disappearing. 

You decided to act as if you didn’t hear the “awwws” coming from the people around you.

___________________

“Oh! Hola Y/N!" Julieta smiled when you and Pepa entered the house

“Hola Juli, cómo estás?” you smiled back

“Fine thanks. You?”

“they’re with Tía Pepa. I’m sure they’re amazing” Mirabel smirked, winking at you

You coughed and felt your cheeks burning once again. Thankfully, Pepa only laughed, not really getting the meaning behind her niece’s words. You better get out of there before the rest of the family joined the youngest.

“Yeah, well, I just wanted to accompany her to be sure she was fine, but I better go now” you said quickly, turning to leave

“Oh, aren’t you gonna stay for dinner?” Julieta asked with a knowing smile on her face.

“I-” 

“That would be lovely” Pepa smiled, looking expectant at you.

“What would be lovely?” 

You all turned to see Alma. She smiled when she saw you, your arm still wrapped into Pepa’s. Damn.

“Y/N was saying they’d love to have dinner with us, mamá” Julieta said before you could react 

“I didn’t-”

“Oh, wonderful! It’ll be nice to have all the family together” the matriarch said

“I’m honored, Mrs. Madrigal, but I’m not a Madrigal” you whispered

“Yet, my dear” Alma said and winked. 

You saw Mirabel and Julieta trying to hold back their laughs while Pepa, bless her heart, only smiled at you and dragged you to the kitchen with her.

“Traitor” you whispered to Julieta when you walked past her.

___________________

Pepa watched in silence as her family kept acting weird. All the dinner was full of jokes that only they seemed to get, and they all kept telling you things that made you uncomfortable. What the hell was wrong with them? All she wanted to do was to have a nice dinner with her family and her best friend. Was it too much to ask for?

She felt a little bad when the dinner ended and you practically ran away. She didn’t want you to be scared of her family. She actually wanted you to stay! Because she needed you and nothing would make her happier than have you around all day!

It was a normal feeling for best friends…right?

___________________

It was not. 

Julieta had told her that maybe, she felt something for you, something deeper than just friends' love. The redhead thought it was a joke, but Julieta would never tease her like this. Bruno, Félix, even her own children (especially Camilo) would, but not Julieta. Never Julieta. Which meant that she was serious about it.

And the more she thought about it, the more scared she was. Because it was true! She didn’t think she’d love someone else after Félix, but he told her it was fine! But what if you didn’t feel the same? What if you didn’t like her like that? What if she loses your friendship? And why was everyone laughing about it? As if it was a silly thing to think. It was not silly, was it?

“Pepa!”

She knew that voice. The redhead turned to see you trying to get close to her. When did the tornado appear?! She didn’t even notice her family trying to keep things from falling and breaking.

“Hey, it’s ok” you spoke again, making her focus on you “Just look at me”

She did as you ask and locked eyes with you. It was easy for her to lost in your eyes, and now she knew why. You smiled as the wind around you started to calm. You didn’t know what happened but after all the teasing you had to endure last night, you couldn’t help but smile when you heard Camilo cursing when a jar broke on his foot. 

“There. We’re fine” you said

“i’m sorry” Pepa sighed “I just-”

“There’s no need to apologize” you interrupt her “you know I’m always here for you”

Pepa smiled and looked down. You frowned when a cloud appeared above her head, meaning she wasn’t fully fine. You were about to ask when you felt something warm and soft in your lips. It took you a moment to realize it was hers. Pepa didn’t know what was she doing or if it was the right choice, but you always told her to embrace her emotions, to not bottle anything up. You always made her feel safe. So, for once in her life, she did what her feelings told her. 

A small rainbow replaced the cloud when you returned the kiss and wrapped your arms around her. 

The sun doesn’t need words for you to feel its warmth.

____________________

You flinched and felt your cheeks burning when you and Pepa walked outside just to find the whole town there, with banners and screaming their congratulations. You looked at Camilo and Dolores.

At least they had the decency to look guilty.

[yellowcry]

Deeper through

chapter 3 past chapter

Isabela drummed her fingers on the table, her heart racing as she waited for her parents to return. The sun had set long ago, and Luisa had been gone for two whole days now. It was much longer than Mirabel's absence, and Isabela couldn't shake off the worry in her heart. There was still no sign of Luisa, and the darkness outside only added to her anxiety. For Abuelo's sake, what was with the members of this family and sudden disappearance? It was their Tío Bruno for ten years, then Mirabel, luckily for just one night. And now Luisa. There was an awful, heavy feeling in her chest. Isabela was afraid. She usually never worried about her sisters. Sure, Mirabel liked to get into trouble, but she was smart and dodgy. And Luisa was... Luisa. The idea of her being in danger looked like some sick dream. 

But now... without magic, Luisa was... a human. Realizing this was so strange. Luisa wasn't this strong rock on which everyone could lean anymore. It was awful.

Isabela's anger boiled inside her. She was frustrated with Luisa for getting lost, with Mirabel for vanishing after Casita's collapse, with Abuela for bringing them here, and with herself. Isabela took on the burden of being the perfect child so everyone else could enjoy their lives and be free. Just to learn that Luisa wasn't strong enough. Never enough.

And it made Isabela's guts twitch. Because she was the oldest. And she thought that maybe everything was great. She was the only one locked in the golden cage. Just so everyone else would be happy.

But Mirabel wasn't happy. Luisa wasn't happy. If you think about this for another minute, was anyone in this family happy? Maybe Antonio, but he just turned five, so it barely counted. 

"It's late." Camilo examined the window apathetically when the streets started to get darker.

Mirabel mumbled. "Luisa... will come." She kept staring out of the window like a princess waiting for a prince.

Isabela's hands clenched tightly into fists, her worry growing more intense with each passing moment.. How dare Luisa leave them! Right after Mirabel disappeared... What was she even thinking? "I hate her!" Isabela screamed, throwing her hand up. Luisa is just... so shameless!

"Isa, what the hell?" Mirabel grumbled, stepping closer to her. . Isabela could see how watery Mirabel's eyes were. "LUISA MIGHT BE IN DANGER!"

Isabela's body started to shake like a leaf. "What was she thinking?" She hissed through her teeth, clutching her fists in rage.

Dolores sighed, grabbing both of them by their shoulders. "Isa, Mira, you have to calm down." She sounded calm yet strict. Between of all of the grandkids, Dolores was the sane one, as much as the word 'sane' applied to this family. Luisa might be on the same level as Dolores, but she couldn't sit straight for three minutes, which lowered her score a bit. But this seemed to be a middle-child thing since both Tía Pepa and Camilo shared the same level of activity.

"H-hey, kids, how about we do something else?" Bruno smiled awkwardly; he was the only adult who wasn't allowed to be part of the search for Luisa. Isabela guessed that it was because of how he disappeared for ten years. 

"Easy to say; you weren't the one who lost his sibling." Isabela barked, crossing her arms. Bruno recoiled, staring at her with a really hurt face. Deep inside, she knew that her actions weren't right. But she couldn't help her anger. Isabela wasn't sure how she felt. She was mad at everyone, upset because her second sister was gone, tired, and sad. It was just too overwhelming.

Isabela wished she could hate Luisa; she really wanted to. She desired to stop sitting here almost at midnight, unable to go to sleep. She didn't even rest normally yesterday because the blowing wind outside sounded like someone's snoring breath.

Mirabel looked like she wanted to scream again, but before she could say anything, the door creaked open. All the kids winced and jumped off their seats to run to Pepa and Felix.

"Is there anything yet?!" The cold sisters screamed almost at the same time. Please say that Luisa was with them. Isabela couldn't stand another night with this awful expectation. But... As she could see, her hermanita wasn't with their tios. Isabela's face drooped in disappointment.

Mirabel sighed, looking down. She adjusted her cloudy glasses and reminded herself unsurely. "W-well... Mama and Papa could still come back with her."

Yes... Maybe their parents will. Because Isabela really needed to shout at one certain hermana that made her even more tense than Mirabel.  Pepa and Felix gave Mirabel a surprised look, as Dolores explained. "They would go deeper into the woods if they didn't find Luisa."  Isabela rolled her eyes in annoyance. "And why would you know what they are going to do?"

"They were talking about this in the morning while packing their backpacks," Dolores explained, and Isabela growled quietly in anger. How come she didn't hear it? Why was Dolores the one who knew what was going on in her family? Because Mirabel seemed to be as shocked as Isa. Of course! Isabela buried her willingness to hit her own forehead. Dolores wasn't the one who spent the last two, or three in Isabela's case, nights unable to stop worrying for her sister. Dolores didn't lose her brothers; Camilo and Antonio were here, completely safe and sound. Part of her wanted to yell at Dolores and blame her for how unfair it all was. Instead, Isabela shouted for another reason. "Are they serious?" Her voice was so loud that the lamp shook. "At first we lost Mirabel, then Luisa! Do they want to disappear too?" Her entire body was shaking in rage. What were her mom and dad thinking? How... How could they leave them too?

Felix put his hand on Isabela's shoulder supportively. "Gus and Juli want to make sure Luisa is safe."

Isabela put his palm away. "They left us!" Her breathing was getting heavy. Was it bad that Isabela wanted her mom to assure her that everything would be alright?! "And what if Luisa would return by herself?" Everyone winced; it seemed like they realized a mature problem in this plan. "Will they be searching for her forever?"

"Isa..." Tía Pepa began, trying to explain everything, but Isabela immediately cut her off.

"You know what? I don't care!" She snapped, rushing up the stairs at an insane speed, muttering. "I'll be in our room." 

Isabela angrily slammed the door shut. Maybe it wasn't right; it wasn't her house, but she couldn't care. This small room was nothing compared to Casita. Somehow, in this tiny space that was even smaller than the nursery back home, there were crammed six beds. Isabela wanted to shout in despair from this stuffy, small chamber where they were supposed to stay. She sat down, leaning against the door. Antonio snorted in his dream, hugging a plush jaguar. Another reminded her that Isabela was the one who lost her hermanas. She growled quietly, hugging her knees. Isabela wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, throwing things around to destroy this tiny bedroom. She wanted to hug both of her sisters just like Dolores hugged her brothers, knowing that Luisa was safe. Isa wanted to revert the time and change something, not letting Luisa scour for Mirabel. Maybe if Isabela had watched over her, then Luisa wouldn't have disappeared. If Isabela just considered that Luisa could make a mistake, be hurt, and be all alone.. 

She threw her bedsheets on the floor in rage. "Can't everything just be okay?" Her cracking voice was shaking.

"Isa?" She winced at the quiet voice and looked around. Antonio got up slightly and stared at her with big brown eyes.

Isabela groaned, trying to hold her feelings in check. "Go back to sleep." She muttered, getting her pillow up and squeezing it tightly. 

Antonio pursed his lips and looked at the little plush in his hand. "Do you want a parce-youngest for tonight? He's good for nerves." If it weren't for her emotions and inability to hold herself together, she would melt away with delight. But instead, Isabela shook her head. "I am fine," Her voice was still growling. She extremely wanted to be alone, but right now it was something impossible.

The door opened gently. "Isa?" Mirabel asked quietly, looking from the doorway. "How are you doing?"

Isabela rolled her eyes, stomping her foot. "I am fine!" She sat on her bed with a harsh sigh, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

"You don't seem to be fine." Mirabel came closer to her and put her hand on Isabela's shoulder. "I know you are worried..."

"Mi hermanas are idiots." She mumbled through her teeth. 

Mirabel chuckled awkwardly, not trying to disprove this statement. "I am sorry... I..." She never thought that her own running away would drive to something like this.

"I shouldn't have let her look for you alone" Isabela's voice pierced the silence of the night. She took a deep breath, looking at her arms. "You know, at the night when you disappeared, I had to drag Luisa home by force." Isabela knew that Luisa would never stop looking for Mirabel, even if it would cost her safety. And yet, she allowed her to go alone in the next day. Isabela couldn't even describe all the guilt she felt. Luisa was too stubborn for her own safety. Isabela knew how much her sister adored to help everyone; it felt like Luisa lived just to make everyone satisfied.

Mirabel looked down, biting her lip. "I'm sorry... I didn't consider anyone would go after me..." Isabela sighed, holding back the desire to slap her youngest hermana. She didn't think her family would be worried. Hell, how could she even think of something like that?

"You are brainless. Thinking that we'll just allow you to vanish? Really?" Isabela raised an eyebrow.

Antonio interrupted them with all his childhood love. "I didn't want to disappear! It was so sad!" He sniffled, wiping his nose with a sleeve. Mirabel pursed her lips unsurely. "I'm sorry, Tonito. I love you." She sat on her knees next to the young boy's bed. "But I'm home. And I'm sure Luisa will be too in no time!" God, Isabela really hoped so.

[acewithapaintbrush]

I just thought about this.

What if Pepa saw Dolores In her room in distress and couldn't take no more noise, Dolores wanted her mom to sing her a song like she did when she was younger.

Later the both were found sleeping together by the family.

I combined these two asks and it's not 100% exactly what you two wanted... Hope it's still okay

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bruno taps her on the shoulder. It's a light touch, nothing more than his fingertips brushing her dress. Pepa knows what that means. Usually he is much louder when he's trying to get her attention. He will give her braid a short playful tug or he will snip her temple with a finger. Despite the heavy burden his gift has left him with, her brother is and will always be a little brother first, with all the brattiness that comes with that. And Pepa will always be the big sister first and make sure to deliver that outraged squawk and retaliate in style by kicking his shin.

But not when it's the soft touch to the shoulder. She knows what that means and so she turns around carefully, making as little sound as she can, holding the skirt of her dress so it rustles a little bit less than it normally would.

There is Bruno, standing at her back. In his arms he is holding Pepa's most precious treasure besides the one just beginning to grow inside of her.

Dolores, so small, so vulnerable, buried into his chest, her small hands pressed to her ears so hard her arms are quivering. Her face is squished against his ruana and Bruno keeps hold of Pepa's gaze while at the same time constantly whispering into his sobrina's left ear. Any other child wouldn't have heard him over the hands and the folds of fabric. But Dolores is not like any other child. She is a Madrigal. She is Pepa's daughter. She is blessed. 

She is cursed.

Pepa has to strain her hearing to make out the words, the soft and rumbling whisper whose only purpose is to drown out all other sounds. 

"And Maria is not actually Maria, she is Carmen, the evil sibling. At least everyone assumes she is the evil one, but she is just misunderstood, you know? She was just dealt a bad hand. She is not so bad, people just need to give her a chance."

Pepa wants to smile. His silly Telenovelas. She wonders where he gets all those ideas from.

She doesn't smile. Her baby is overwhelmed and in pain, how could she smile right now?

Instead she steps closer, putting down her toes first and rolling the balls of her feet with the utmost care. Lolo still winces as if her Mama had stomped her foot. 

Pepa catches Bruno's eye. 

'Bad day?' she mouths. 

He doesn't stop his tale, just nods and widens his eyes. A very bad day, then. 

Pepa sighs noiselessly (not for Dolores, nothing is ever without noise for Dolores) and winds her arms around her daughter. Her arms entangle with Bruno's for a second. For just a second, the three of them are joined in a hug, the vulnerable child trapped in the middle. But then Pepa pulls away and Bruno let's go. 

Dolores whines for a heartbreaking moment, clearly reluctant about the change of hands, but then Pepa starts to hum and her baby latches onto her instead, pressing her face into Pepa's hair. The woman is so glad that she's chosen the lavender shampoo that morning. The smell always calms her daughter down and now Pepa does smile after all as she can hear her child take a deep breath, audibly sniffing her hair. 

Bruno is still standing there, his arms hanging in the air. He looks a little bit lost, she thinks. Misplaced. Helpless. 

Pepa doesn't stop her humming and instead brushes her foot against his calf since her hands are full. Her brother snaps out of his daze. His eyes focus and he nods at her. 

'Tea?' he mouths and she simply smiles. She doesn't want to nod, doesn't want to disturb her daughter who has stopped shaking, but he knows her. 

Her brother glides away on bare feet, almost soundlessly, and Pepa follows his example and slips off her slippers. The tiles are warm against her feet and she silently thanks Casita. 

****************

When Bruno finds them later in Pepa's room with the tea, Dolores is much calmer already and the two of them sandwich her between them on the sofa and start to sing a song for her to distract her. It's mostly Pepa who sings, with Bruno humming along. 

Dolores has her head pressed against Pepa's mostly flat belly, listening to a heartbeat only she can hear at this point, and has her feet up on her Tio's lap. 

Felix and Julieta find them like that, hours later. Dolores has long since fallen asleep listening to new life, and Pepa and Bruno are sitting side by side on the sofa with her. Also asleep. Their heads are resting against each other, Pepa's one arm curling around his bony shoulders, while her other hand rests on Dolores' head. 

Julieta and Felix share a smile and retreat. Felix will just have to sleep in Dolore's room tonight. 

[aurelia11fan]

Inspired by the wonderful @julietashealing-child for her writings about mama bear Alma.

Three out of Three

Julieta can’t lie

Agustín can’t stop talking

Alma needs a long vacation

When you’re a single mother of triplets, you don’t sleep and if you do, it’s not deep sleep. Alma Madrigal had always been a light sleeper, but at this point in her life, her children were young adults and the teenage years had given her even less of a reason to relax. So she was up now at 11:30 at night because there was a faint noise downstairs and it had woken her.

She took her candle and shawl and was down the stairs when she heard more shuffling and then a thump as the cabinet door slammed and she entered the kitchen a minute later to find her eldest standing in the middle of the room, looking as if she’d just run a marathon from Bogotá through the mountains.

Julieta was breathing quickly and her face was flushed and her hair was messy, with large strands falling out of her carefully placed bun. Her forehead glistened with sweat and her blouse was slightly off center. She took a deep breath upon seeing her mother and moved to shuffle things around on the counter as if it was the most important task in the world.

“Mamá?! You startled me!”

“Julieta, what in the world? Are you alright? You’re completely flushed.”

“Fine! Fine! Really I’m fine!”

“It’s almost midnight! What are you doing still awake?”

“I need to finish baking something.”

Alma looked around the kitchen, but there were no supplies, ingredients opened, and the oven wasn’t even warm. A smile pulled at the corner of her mouth, but she kept silent.

“And whatever this is can’t wait until morning?” Alma asked. Julieta worked hard, but she had a tendency to overdo it.

“Uh no…I…was looking for the sugar. I forgot there was an order I needed to take care of before tomorrow and…well…”

“You mean this sugar?” Her mother asked dryly, pointing to the large bag that sat in front of Julieta.

“Oh! Thank you, mamá…wow…I’m extra tired I guess.”

“Well, then you need to get to sleep, my dear,” Alma said, straightening herself up and motioning towards the staircase. “You mentioned at dinner that you wanted to make a few house calls in the morning and you usually start those before breakfast.”

Julieta nodded. Her fingers nervously twisted the pleats of her skirt. “Right.”

“And you wanted to go with Pepa to the fields to get new herbs for propagation…”

“Mhmm…” Julieta nodded calmly. Alma smiled at her.

“You’re a hard worker, mi amor. I think tomorrow might be a good day to take the afternoon and rest for a bit.”

“Sure, I’d like that.” Julieta answered, somewhat distracted, eyes darting to the pantry. Alma’s smile turned up further as she followed her daughters gaze. None of her children were as subtle as they thought they were.

“But let’s get you to bed now.” The older woman draped her arm around her daughter. “I’ll walk upstairs with you.”

“Thank you mamá, but I just need to finish down here. As soon as I find the flour, I’ll go to bed.”

“I thought you were looking for the sugar.”

Julieta’s eyes widened. Shit

“I need both.”

“Well, I’ll give you a hand then.” Alma set her candle down and leaned against the counter, looking at her daughter. “Where should we start?”

“Mamá, really. I can manage.”

“Julieta you’re so tired, you’re forgetting which ingredients you need, cariño. Now let me help.”

“But…” Julieta clasped her hands in front of her and clenched her fingers together.

“Oh, Agustín!” Alma called in a sing-song voice. “Have you seen the flour?”

For a moment, the tension in the room lifted just slightly before crashing down heavy on mother and daughter as Julieta’s eyes grew wider than an owl’s as she stared at her mother in disbelief with her mouth open and heart pounding in her chest.

“Mamá, what ?”

“Of the three of you…” Alma began, placing her hand in the pantry door. “You, Julieta are the worst liar.”

Alma unceremoniously pulled the pantry door open and Agustín fell out as the door gave way and he crashed into a heap at the older woman’s feet. Alma’s arms were cross and she looked at him with a bemused expression and raised an eyebrow. Julieta cringed and buried her head in her hands. Scrambling to stand up, Agustín adjusted his glasses and stuffed his tie in his pocket. The top few buttons of his shirt had been opened and he looked just as jittery as Julieta. She gave him an “I’m so sorry” look and he looked at the crucifix on the kitchen wall, praying God would take him quickly.

“Well, well…” Alma said after letting them squirm for a few minutes. “Good evening.”

“Uh, good evening, Señora Madrigal.” Agustín brushed his hair with his fingers, desperately trying to hold onto any dignity he had left. “Look, I…”

“Got lost on your way home? And ended up in our kitchen? Is that what you were going to say?”

Agustín cleared his throat and quickly shook his head. “No, no!”

“Well, you were helping Julieta look for supplies then? And the door just randomly shut behind you?”

“Señora…” he looked over to Julieta for help, but all she could do was shake her head helplessly.

“Now then, let me guess.” Alma continued. “Your tie has been removed and your shirt was going to be taken off because of the heat, is that right?”

Agustín raised his hands in a show of innocence.

“No, no! I would never…I was the one who insisted it stay on even though…Julieta was the one who wanted to…”

“Will you SHUT UP?!” Julieta shrieked. She had been hoping Casita would open a hole in the floor and bury her alive, but now she swore she could’ve killed Agustín in that moment.

Alma gave a strange look to both of them before pinching the bridge of her nose and sighing deeply.

“Alright then,” the matriarch said briskly. “Visiting hours are over. Agustín, say goodnight and I’ll walk you out.”

“Mamá, I can do it,” Julieta insisted. She could have cooked an arepa on her face.

“Julieta, you need to find your flour, remember?” Alma said sweetly. “I’ll see Señor Rojas out. Young man, say goodnight to my daughter and come with me. If you give her a kiss, please make it one that is kind to my eyes.”

Gulping, Agustín gave Julieta a fast peck on the cheek and left her in the kitchen to follow Alma out to the front hall and to the door. He braced himself as Alma stood before him and spoke. He was considerably taller than her, but she currently had an air about her that made him feel about two feet tall. For a moment, Agustín could have sworn that he even saw Pedro Madrigal’s portrait glower at him.

“Agustín, look at me.”

“Señora.” he whispered.

“Ive known you a long time and you and your family are held in high esteem by mine. I’m sure you’d like to keep it that way. Our house is much livelier and brighter during the day so until you and Julieta are wed, let’s limit our visits to then, yes? Nine o’ clock in the evening will be a reasonable time for you to leave and the same goes for Julieta leaving your home. Just in case you were considering defiling your mother and father’s pantry as well. I’m glad you are courting Julieta, but these are my rules and I don’t negotiate.”

Agustín nodded at her as relief flooded him and the realization that Alma wouldn’t strangle him began to take hold.

“Marriage is my plan, I promise.”

“I assumed marriage was your intention,” Alma said, nodding.

“Yes! Lo siento…that is. I love Juli with all my heart and yes I want to marry her someday.”

“When the time is right.” Alma said with a smile.

“With your blessing, señora.”

“Good. Alright then,” Alma said, opening the door. “Give my regards to your parents.”

“I will.” Agustín began to walk down the stairs but in a sudden burst of courage and relief decided to ruin the moment. “Señora Madrigal, I promise I wasn’t going to take my shirt off…or anything else! Or DO anything else. I didn’t and won’t …I mean I absolutely wanted to, but I won’t! Not in your pantry anyway and definitely not before we get married. Julieta’s clothes stay on too! No matter what she keeps telling me!!”

Dios

Alma gaped at him and her mouth hung open. As the words he just spoke floated in the air, Agustín seemed to register just what he had said and wished badly that he had a window next to him so he could put his head through it.

“Casita?” Alma’s voice was deadly calm.

With a swish, Casita’s stairs became rubber and tossed Agustín into the air and onto a patch of moss a few feet from the house.

“Goodnight!” Alma called out. Pulling her shawl around her shoulders, she re entered the house and seriously thought about a hard drink before she went back to sleep if only it weren’t for the headache that was starting to form. That’s three out of three for the week, she thought. Pepa and Bruno had both given her migraines at the beginning of the week with their antics and now Julieta rounded out the trio. Walking back to the kitchen, she glanced with a huff at her late husband’s portrait.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”

His brown eyes seemed to wink back.

-End

[velvet-wishes-candy-dreams]

I don’t know which fandom to request for 👀 uh, how about Camilo and Dolores (separate) with an S/O who’s ability is being randomly super lucky or super unlucky depending on the day? ☘️ Make it c h a o t i c . Gender neutral reader please :D -🐀

I mayyy have gotten a little too excited for this concept~

Warnings: None

Gender: Gender Neutral

Dolores

You know that one meme of the puppet monkey doing a side eye and then looking away? That's what every day feels like when she's with her s/o.

Don't take it in a wrong way, she adores this little quirk of theirs! However, it makes for a very eventful day.

Every day is a daily 50/50 raffle. Is it a lucky day or is it an unlucky day? Who knows!

Well, Dolores does get a headstart. At the moment she opens her eyes and gets out of the bed, if she hears a loud 'THUNK' or a very ecstatic cry of joy, then she'll know what kind of day it is.

That and also the rather foul weather outside is her next hint.

The first time, she thought it was her mother having another one of her moments. But after confirming it was indeed the working of mother nature, the view of her poor s/o slipping and falling on their butt because of some conveniently placed mud confirms her suspicions.

Think of Dolores as their guardian angel! If it's a super unlucky day, she'll try to help limit bad things from happening by putting her enhanced hearing to good use.

However, sometimes her gift can be her own weapon of destruction if she's giving her s/o directions on which way they should go, incidentally causing them to fall down a flight of stairs in Casita or accidentally upsetting one of the Madrigals because they might have said something that rubbed any of them off the wrong way.

With a little squeak, Dolores will try her best to explain it's just their ability acting up again.

....Only for her to see them somehow fall out the window because they wanted to look at a particularly pretty flower at the corner of her eye.

Their very lucky days are her days of rest. Dolores doesn't have to running left and right trying to restore peace in the world, and the sun is shining especially bright with it's comforting breeze every now and then!

Whether their luck benefits themself or others, Dolores will always be interested and equally delighted.

They found that one piece of jewelry they lost on an unlucky day? Wonderful!

They learned a game in less than 2 minutes? Terrific!

There are days that their super lucky days can get as equally chaotic as their super unlucky days, though. All they wanted to do was help the Madrigals find the toucan Antonia befriended, and they ended up with a dozen toucans perched on them. With the price of getting attacked by bird poop when they traveled to them. Dolores has never laughed any harder, and it's a story always told at the dinner table!

No matter what happens on a certain day, Dolores never sees it as a chore to keep them out of trouble.

If anything, it gives her an excuse to give them just a little bit more love and care than usual.

"This is not how I expected my day to go, but every day is an adventure with you, mi amor!"

Camilo

It didn't take the gorgeous, sunny weather to confirm it was going to be a lucky day.

It took the rather large jar filled with plenty of coins being handed to them by a very moody Pepa, lecturing her middle child and her husband for placing many bets on what kind of day it was going to be for them to know.

Yep, it was true!

Both Camilo and Felix stood there, taking their lecture about how wrong it was to place bets on something as childish as this, but that sly grin on Camilo's face proved that this wasn't their first rodeo.

In all honesty, Camilo sees his s/o's ability as a blessing more than a curse, especially their very unlucky days.

There was one time Mirabel caught the two in the act about to terrorize another poor, unsuspecting villager on the rooftop of an old home. If it weren't for Dolores hearing their plans and blabbing them Mirabel, they would have gotten away with it. Of course, when she got their attention, Camilo's poor s/o was so spooked, they almost fell down the roof it weren't for Camilo having an already tight grip on them, causing them both to fall in a frightened, tangled heap.

The two will get into some everyday mischief, and if their bad luck causes an issue where they get caught, they both will just blame it on their horrible luck.

Of course, this doesn't happen all the time.

Camilo will always look after his s/o on their unlucky days! He'll try his best to keep preventable incidents from happening like warning Pepa what kind of day it is so she doesn't storm on them or tidying up the simplest messes so they don't have to break their back trying to get a nice cup of water.

On their worst days, Camilo will help ease his s/o's neveres. The last thing he wants is a freak accident to happen while they're not in the right headspace.

"Easy, mi vida, easy. It's gonna be alright, it's over now."

Now saying Camilo gets excited for good weather is an understatement.

He takes after his father, he's totally whipped about his s/o, so their very lucky days are his best days! He'll stick by their side so he can see their eyes brighten at something good that happened.

Always hypes them up, even when the littlest sparks of luck work their magic in his s/o's day. Of course, as he always swears, the best luck they've ever had was "scoring the best Madrigal" as their lover, but sometimes they don't buy it if they don't play along.

Camilo enjoys the good moments, but sometimes the chaotic lucky days are what makes the days so good.

He's a troublemaker, so when he can't get away with blaming his s/o's bad luck on the consequences of his poor choices, he'll do whatever he can to make their day as wacky as possible.

Of course, not too wacky to put anyone in danger, but just wacky enough to know that there is some Camilo in it.

Even though the betting jar filled with coins from the previous bet wasn't planned, it still was a nice surprise for his s/o to be given on their glorious, lucky day.

Every day is a new adventure for them both. Their energies mix well with each other, and having someone like Camilo by their side always makes the baddest days seem brighter. After all, he's never one to stop until he makes everyone smile~

[toaverse]

I had an au thought. Like what if Mirabel got time travel powers. And one day when testing them she and camilo ( they are the ages they are in the movie) accidentally travel to the past just before pepa's wedding. And everyone thinks Camilo Bruno's son and Mirabel is pepa's daughter. And also Mirabel and camilo are stuck in the past. And Camilo doesn't have the heart tell bruno he's not his child and that bruno was kicked out of the family

Oh shit-😬

(Though I’m changing a few things if you don’t mind😅)

Okay, so Mirabel wore a golden/yellow dress she had sewed herself to suit the whole yellow butterfly ordeal and all, 'cause why not. It was okay with Julieta and Agustin, so it was fine.

Until Camilo ran up to her, as if he had the best idea ever.

And Mirabel immediately noticed something.

"Why are you wearing Tío Bruno's ruana's?" She asked.

"Because I can!" Camilo answered. "Does it look good?"

"You look like you're wrapped in a blanket." Mirabel said.

"Hey!" >:(

Well, yeah, the green ruana was way too oversized, but that didn't mean that it looked bad!

Both cousins just blinked for a second, only a second, but in that time, the nursery had...changed?

There where now multiple beds in the room instead of one, as if multiple kids where staying there. What?

Then, Camilo and Mirabel heard the door open.

“There you are, mija!” It was Pepa, apparently talking to Mira. “Where have you been?”

“Uhm, in the nursery?” Mirabel answered, a bit confused. “What is it, Tía? Do you need me?”

“Oh por favor, Mariana.” Pepa fussed a little. “It’s time for your quince!”

Wait, Mariana? That’s her middle name…

Mirabel and Camilo look at each other for a moment. What was happening??

It was then that Félix stormed into the nursery.

“How does my mija look?” He asked upon entering the room. “You look beautiful, Mari!”

“Look at you, all grown up!” Pepa remarked, hugging Mariana Mirabel, a cloud forming above her head before Félix waved it away.

Both Mira and Camilo couldn’t be more confused…

“Carlos, what are you doing here?” Pepa then asked, turning to Camilo.

The shapeshifter just stared at his mother with confusion. Carlos? That was his middle name!

“I’m sorry, mami…” he simply said, looking down at the ground to avoid eye contact.

“Oh goodness…” Pepa then turned to Camilo, gently putting both hand on his shoulders. “We know this must be hard for you ever since…” But Pepa didn’t finish the sentence, as she gasped, her gaze shifting to his ruana. “You’re wearing your papá’s ruana…”

Something in Camilo’s brain then clicked. He gazed at the ruana he was currently wearing, Tío Bruno’s ruana, and then it clicked.

No. No no no no! No!

If Mirabel was suddenly Pepa and Félix’s kid because of the yellow she was wearing, then he must be-

Camilo couldn’t help but look horrified…

He then remembered his mami’s sentence again. Since your papá left.

Bruno still left? Why??

Camilo and Mirabel then share a look, both asking themselves the same thing.

What. Just. Happend??

[sundaybee]

Lost (Pepa x Fem!Reader) Pt 4

This was written as part of a trade with @hotdiggitydammit​ so go check out her art! She requested Pepa pining and angst and a reader who didn’t know the language so I hope it is angsty enough for those of you that like that!

Part 4 of 6

Pt 5

I can not find the original gif so this one will work!

As always I am not a native Speaker so if I have a word or phrase wrong let me know so I may fix it!

The rain was heavy and you could barely see between the storm and your tears. You weren’t even paying attention to where you were going, your thoughts were held hostage by Pepa and her words. You had no idea what you had done to warrant such things but hearing them come out of Pepa’s mouth hurt on a whole different level.

As you ran you found yourself beside the roaring river. It was loud but not as loud as the booming thunder overhead. Your brain comprehended enough to warn you that you were too close to the edge and you had to move. As you turned there was a crash of lightning, the gunshot sound of the tree that was struck startled you and you twisted in the soft ground.

Your arms flailed as you fell backwards and into the river you went. The panic that went through your body was severe. Your body was thrown around under the water and you were powerless to gain control. As you clawed your way back to the surface your head bashed into a rock and your sight went hazy. Your final thought was Pepa’s face before everything went dark and your body was swept downstream into the forest.

——

Throughout the night Pepa was able to calm herself. The more she thought about what she said the guiltier she felt. She was just venting, she never meant those words. She stayed awake thinking of you and imagining how you felt hearing those things. She vowed tomorrow she’d make it right and that declaration eased the storm and by morning the storm had ended.

One by one the Madrigals entered the dining room to have breakfast. As they ate Alma took note of the tension in the room. Her eldest kept shooting daggers at her middle child who seemed to cower under her gaze. Before she could question it a loud banging could be heard echoing through the house. 

Alma hummed before rising and seeing who was possibly gracing her door this early. Opening the door she saw your mother. Her hair was wild and her face was stained with tears.

“Señora Y/L/N what can I do for you?”

“Is my daughter here?!” She frantically cried out. Alma was taken aback by her energy.

“No, I haven't seen Y/N this morning.” Alma stated. When the triplets heard your name they exchanged a look and quickly made their way to the doorway. 

They found your mom leaning against theirs trying her best not to collapse and speaking quickly and frantically. Something was wrong.

“Have any of you seen Y/N? It seems against her mothers wishes she ventured out into the storm and hasn’t returned.” Alma said. Pepa felt her heart race in fear.

“Please. She…she snuck out. She said she was going to find out why it was storming so badly and…and I could only think that maybe that meant she came to see you Pepa.” Your mother said and looked at the redhead pleadingly. The worry and fear she wore was evident and Pepa’s voice was caught in her throat. 

“She came here last night.” Bruno said, causing your mothers gaze to go from Pepa to him. 

“Oh thank God. Where is she?!” Your mother wailed.

“She left.” Julieta stepped in, drawing the attention to herself.

“She overheard my sister and I speaking and ran out.” She said and glanced at Pepa. The redhead had never felt smaller than in that moment.

No longer could your mother hold back the tears and she collapsed into Alma’s arms. 

“Julieta, get her something.” Alma urged and helped her into the house. 

“No…no I need to get back out there and search. My boys and I went out as soon as the storm subsided.” She cried but didn’t fight being put into a chair. 

Julieta was quick to return with an arepa and a coffee for the frantic woman. With shaky hands she accepted the food and felt the tension and achiness leave her body.

“Gracias Julieta. You are a godsend.” 

Julieta nodded and stepped back in line with her siblings. Alma watched them carefully and the triplets hadn’t felt so small under their mothers gaze in years.

“You three have some explaining to do, but who knows what condition Y/N could be in. We will put a pin in it for now, but rest assured once we find her the four of us will be having a long conversation.” Alma stated firmly. They all lowered their gazes and nodded.

“We will find her.” Alma said confidently to your mother. For a moment she seemed hopeful and nodded. 

Pepa felt sick to her stomach, and in that moment she prayed to whoever was listening that you would be okay.

——

Your eyes fluttered open as you laid washed up on the riverbank. You were caked in mud and as soon as you attempted to sit up a splitting headache shot through you. The pain in your head was nothing compared to the pain in your ankle. 

You had to resist emptying your stomach when you saw the state your ankle was in. It was bent at a terrible angle and in your haze you swore you saw the white of bone. 

‘Get out of the water.’ You thought and with the little strength you had you dragged yourself from the water and under the shade of the closest tree. 

Propping yourself up you glanced around. You had absolutely no idea where you were. You remembered going to the Madrigal house, running out into the storm and falling into the river. This river could run for hundreds of miles for all you knew, and even if it didn’t you had only been in this country a month. You would never recognize any sort of landmark if there even was one. 

“Stay put. That’s what they say when you’re lost.” You said, your voice horse. Your mother came into the forest daily for hours, if anyone would find you it would be her. 

But when the sun began to set your fear came creeping back to the surface. 

“I’m going to die in this forest.” You whispered to yourself as the tears began to fall. You were injured, starving, and lost in a foreign country. Your hope was fleeting.

You didn’t have the energy to do anything, other than to lay down and attempt to sleep through the night. The sounds the forest made were amplified in your state and you were terrified. Every rustle made your eyes dart around. Every animal cry had you praying to see the morning sun. It would be another long night in the forest.