Reminisce
AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39848928
Bruno is playing cards and drinking wine with his sisters and their husbands around the kitchen table. They are teasing each other, as siblings are obligated to do.
When Bruno stands up and leans over the table to grab a card, his belly knocks over his wine glass.
“Oops! Oh no, sorry!” Bruno frantically tries to wipe up the spill before it hits the ground.
“You’re too short! We should have put the cards closer to you, little brother!” Pepa laughs as she helps him wipe up the spill.
“I’ve just done a great job feeding him. That was the cause, for sure!” Julieta chimes in with a proud look on her face. She hands Bruno another cloth.
Felix and Agustin are chuckling at Bruno’s reddening face.
“Ay, guys, please! Stop it and help me!” Bruno pulls down his shirt. He really wishes he had his ruana to hide in, but he’s been wearing it less and less as he got more and more comfortable around his family. The past year had done wonders on his road to recovery from the damage that the previous ten years of hiding had dealt him. His family has done a fine job of nursing him back to health with lots of good food, care, and love.
“Bro, don’t worry, it’s only teasing. You know we love you and are just happy you’re doing so much better.” Felix pats him on the back, pulling him away from the mess and letting his sisters take over.
Agustin comes up to his other side, pulling him in for a side hug. “I remember back when you were around 40. Mirabel sure liked your little gut. It might have been a tad smaller than now, am I remembering that correctly? Metabolism and situational differences, I guess. Anyway, it’s not a bad thing. It just means you’re healthy and eating well.”
Felix nods enthusiastically. “Now Antonio has a habit of making you his personal pillow, following in Mirabel’s footsteps! I saw you reading to him the other day.” He winks at Bruno.
Bruno is a little overwhelmed at the sudden attention to his new softness. He covers his red face with one hand and his belly with the other, hunching over.
Julieta pulls his hands away. “Are we being too much again? Sorry, brother.” She smiles gently at him.
Bruno smiles back, tucked between his bothers. “I-I’m ok…Thank you.” He says quietly.
Pepa appears beside Julieta. “We are just so happy to have you back and healthy again.” She smiles at him. Bruno smiles back.
“I uh… I know what you mean, Agustin. I remember one time Mira sure startled me when she woke me up to go help Juli. When I walked into the kitchen, she ran right into me, nearly winding me and then started that silly name that Juli picked up and used relentlessly for the rest of the day.” He chuckles at the memory.
…
Bruno is napping on the couch after helping Julieta prepare the start of dinner. He usually helps her get all the chopping and other ingredient prep ready before she cooks everything. A 4-year-old Mirabel slaps his stomach to wake him up.
“Ah!! What what who…Oh.” Bruno is startled awake.
Mirabel climbs up onto him and sits on his belly. “Tio, dinner will be ready soon. Mama asked me to wake you up because she wants your help setting the table.”
Bruno moves Mirabel off his stomach and onto his lap so he can sit up. “Thank you, Mira. I’ll go help her then.”
Mirabel squeezes him in a hug, then slides off his lap and runs into the kitchen.
Bruno drowsily staggers after her. He yawns and stretches his arms up. This action lifted his shirt up, revealing his belly.
“Mama, look! That’s my favorite pillow! It’s the comfiest.” Mirabel laughs as she points at Bruno’s little belly.
Bruno pulls his shirt down and blushes, smiling sheepishly. He forgot that he took off his ruana during the nap.
Julieta laughs at her daughter’s observation. “Really, Mirabel? I bet he gives great hugs too.”
Mirabel nods. “Mmm hmm!” She runs over to squish him in a hug. Her head is perfectly in line with his belly, and she smashes her face into it, nearly knocking him over.
“Oof! Haha.” Bruno pets her head after catching himself and regaining his balance in his groggy state.
“I love you, Tio. I’m glad you’re squishy.” Mirabel squeezes him as hard as she can.
“I love you too, Mira. Thank you.” Bruno smiles softly.
“Come on, Squishy. Help me with these pots.” Julieta giggles.
“Hey! This is not going to become a thing! It’s not!” Bruno says as he goes over to help.
“Whatever you say, Squishy.” Julieta teases him and pokes his belly. “Can I have a squishy hug too?” She grabs him and gives him a tight hug. “Wow, your hugs are comfortable.”
“Juliiii…please stop.” Bruno whines. He’s powerless in the strong arms of his older sister. Years of beating dough into submission and stirring thick stews have made her arms very strong. It doesn’t help that he has never been very strong to begin with; being born the smallest of the triplets.
“Oh, that reminds me, I need to get the wine.” She sticks her tongue out at him. “Don’t worry, it’s not bad you know. I just like teasing you.” She squeezes him once more, pats his belly, then gives him a pot.
Bruno glares at her. “I know.” He sticks his tongue out at her too.
Mirabel is amused by the childish adults but feels bad for making up a new name that he may not like. “I’m sorry, Tio. I’ll make sure nobody calls you that anymore.”
Bruno smiles at Mirabel. “Don’t worry, Mira. Your mama is just teasing me. You did nothing wrong.”
Mirabel smiles. “Oh! Ok!” She hugs him again, then runs off to pick out a book for story time with Bruno after dinner.
…
Bruno chuckles at the memory. “I can tell Antonio a bed time story tonight, if you want.”
Felix and Pepa smile at him. “He would love that. Of course, you can.” Pepa encourages.
“You are the best storyteller of all of us.” Felix nods and gives him a thumbs up.
Bruno puts a hand on his belly. He rubs his hand over it and gives it a pat. “I guess it’s alright.” He says to himself.
The others were turning to go back to the table and continue their game when they heard Bruno. They turn around with questioning looks.
Bruno shakes his head. “Nothing, nothing.” He pats his belly. “Everything is alright.”
Julieta and Pepa smile gently at him. Agustin and Felix grin and wave him over to the table.
Bruno chuckles and then joins the table so they can continue their game.
Pepa pushes the cards closer to him.