who knows if i’ll ever finish a piece of writing, but here’s a snippet of a lil something:
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He interrupted, “what were you at the end of your wits about?”
Bruno felt like he was seeing something so rare, like a comet passing by once in a decade, like the planets aligning, like a double rainbow - he watched as Vineeta began to turn red in the face and avert her eyes. She was acting all nervous and embarrassed.
The calm and stone faced Vineeta was blushing.
Now he was REALLY confused. It was as if their personalities swapped, the way he gave her an amusingly shocked but confused look.
Following the fall and rise of Casita, the Madrigals had set into place a few practices that helped grow and strengthen their relationship with one another. There were nights where each member got the chance to choose how the family would spend their past time together, they would do “family check-ins” whenever someone feels like they haven’t spent enough time with a family member(s), and finally - good night hugs/kiss. This particular practice was introduced by none other than little Antonio, soon after the magic was restored and their long lost tío had returned into the family. The young boy wanted nothing more than to figure out who exactly this mystery man was that the rats in Casita spoke so fondly of. For a while, tío Bruno seemed skiddish, like a wild animal that had been cornered. He seemed quite worried, constantly glancing at the townspeople every time he took a step into town like a prey being cautious if it’s predator. He seemed sad, every time his family sat down for dinner and laughed while he sat at the end of the table not saying a word - like a puppy who was forced to sit outside while the family was inside.
If there was one thing Antonio knew, it was that anytime he felt worried or sad, a good hug and kiss from his mama made him feel a million times better. If it worked for him, it was bound to work for his Tío. So every night, anytime either Antonio or his tío was about to leave the dinner table and head to their room, Antonio would say goodnight and go in for a hug and goodnight kiss. The first few weeks of newfound affection left his tío speechless - or rather petrified. Bruno would question if this was a game or if he was being pranked. He’d shake his head, knowing that was more of Camilo’s territory but that didn’t seem like the type of prank he would pull. Antonio would quickly run up to him as he tried leaving the table quietly and hug his legs tightly, looking at him with doe eyes asking for his tío to hug him back. Awkwardly, as stiff and ridged as a wooden board, he would hug his youngest nephew back. Every time Bruno tried his best to quietly leave the table, Antonio would call out to him and yell “GOODNIGHT,” followed by asking for a hug and kiss before leaving. Bruno, no matter how sneaky he thought he was being, would always be caught by Antonio - it was almost like he was keeping an eye on his uncle.
Bruno was not the only one who took notice of Antonio’s antics, Mirabel began to take notice of how her reclusive uncle was constantly wrapped up in Antonio’s affection so she decided to ask her younger primo about it herself. Antonio confessed what he had been doing and told her how this was a way for him to be closer to his tío - he noticed how his tío Bruno was starting to smile more when Antonio asked him for a goodnight hug and kiss, how relaxed he seemed when Antonio squeezed Bruno as tight as he could. How happy and proud Bruno looked when he kissed the top of Antonio’s head and Antonio smiled back. Mirabel immediately wanted to be a part of this - if her tío would grow to feel more open and comfortable around her family, she would do anything to show how much she cared for him as well!
Family dinners began to end with both Antonio and Mirabel asking for a goodnight hug and kiss before heading to bed - their other primos beginning to catch on and asking for the same. It soon became a habit where anytime Bruno would excuse himself from the table, he would plant a small goodnight kiss on top of each of his nieces’ and nephews’ heads as he left the room. The habit began to make Bruno more comfortable sitting at the table with his family. He began to feel more open and loved as he sat at the table. He began to feel at home at the table.
~ Skipping about a year or so ~
A few months following the fall of Casita, the magical Kuravilla family had made a permanent home in the Encanto but their family business of trade had them traveling back and forth between the town and the cities outside the mountains for days at a time. Vineeta, although an honorary member of the family business, preferred to settle within the town and travel less often so her and her daughter Bina would stay behind in the Encanto. The Kuravilla’s had taken in Vineeta when she was pregnant with Bina, and when her daughter received a gift from the Kuravilla family’s miracle (a glowing compass rather than a candle) it solidified their family relationship. Despite this, Vineeta had faced a lot growing up - enough to know that she had to pull her own weight and not take the gift her daughter received or the home she was sheltered in for granted.
It was at times like this where the Kuravillas would be traveling that the Madrigals had Vineeta and Bina over for dinner so they wouldn’t be as alone when their family was away.
It wasn’t everyday the magical Madrigal family would meet another magical family - even if it was just the extended side of the family. It soon became a a habit for them to share meals and spend time together, the routine having the families grow closer to one another.
The families soon fell into a comfortable routine where Vineeta would assist Julieta in the kitchen when preparing dinner for the family. Bina would join the other Madrigal kids and help them with their chores during this time, and when dinner was ready they all set the table together and enjoyed each other’s company. They would end off the night with Vineeta and Bina making plans with Señora Alma for the next time they would have dinner together. One by one some of the family members would leave the table - Bruno often being the first and kissing the top of each of his nieces and nephews heads and waving to Vineeta, Bina and the rest of the family goodnight.
This night in particular, Vineeta and Bina stayed a bit longer at the table as the conversation kept going. Bruno, feeling too tired to stay up decided he would excuse himself. Exhaustion kept Bruno’s eyes heavy as he bid his family goodnight and went down the line of children, kissing each of their heads. As he went down the line, he didn’t realize how Vineeta was sitting where Dolores usually sat. For whatever reason, they had decided to switch seats that night and Bruno ended up planting a kiss on top of her head before leaving the room. The adults may have not noticed as their conversation continued, but the kids? Oh, they noticed. Vineeta didn’t know what else to do but sit there in shock. She wasn’t really upset by this, but her brain didn’t function for the rest of the night. Her face was growing warmer her pounding of her heart grew louder in her ears. She tried to ignore the avalanche of emotions stirring inside her, but the looks that the kids were giving her didn’t help her. Especially when Bina began to quietly tease her mother
(I wanna do a part 2 but that really just depends if i can write one out in time - I’m new to writing stuff like this so if y’all have suggestions, don’t be afraid to let me know! I’d love the feedback☺️)
That evening he walked by his family telling them he had something to do before dinner, doing his best to avoid the intense staring Mirabel was doing and the snickering from Camilo. His plan was to stop by Vineeta’s place and ask her to talk- if she listened to his apology and accepted, they could pretend that kiss never happened. If Vineeta didn’t accept, Bruno would understand and may or may not sulk in his home for a while. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the person in front of him as he bumped into their side and almost fell. Hands reached out and grabbed his arms, stabilizing him before the fall could do him any real damage. As he began to apologize fiercely, he was cut off by the sound of their voice, “Usually, you use your eyes to see where your going, not to stare at your feet while you walk. That kinda defeats the purpose,” Bruno looked up to see Vineeta smirking. Bruno felt his face grow warm as he took a step back and rubbed his arm where Vineeta had caught him. “Sorry,” he awkwardly laughed. Vineeta raised an eyebrow at him - her face was so expressive nowadays, it sometimes surprised Bruno and he couldn’t help but stare. “What are you doing out this late?” she asked him, “I’ve never seen you take a walk during this time.” Bruno froze for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts and his rehearsed apology. “ I was… I was actually going to come see… you,” he began to internally panic but Vineeta’s eyes grew wide and she began to smile. “Well lucky for you,” she began, “I was taking an evening stroll and just about to head home. Why don’t you walk me to my house?” Bruno smiled and nodded, silently thanking her for not questioning him as to why he was looking for her right away. As far as he could tell, she didn’t avoid him like the plague, and actually seemed excited to see him. Bruno still felt the need to address what had happened.
As they walked, Vineeta began to tell him about her day and the errands she had to run. By the time they reached her house, Bruno silently gathered up his courage, “Actually, Vineeta,” he said, slowing down. She stopped speaking and stopped walked when he did, “I wanted to…talk to you about something. About what happened last night.” Vineeta stared at him with a blank expression on her face, and Bruno’s pulse began to quicken. Maybe it was a mistake to bring it up. She didn’t seem to mention it at all throughout their walk but he had to - it felt like it was going to drive him crazy if he didn’t. Mustering up the last of his courage he stepped closer to her, “ Vineeta, I’m sorry about last night. Every night I kiss my sobrinas and sobrinos good night. It’s silly but this was something Antonio had me do and it just became a habit,” he laughed nervously and carried on trying not to make too much eye contact, “I was tired and you happened to sit by them so I ended up doing it to you too but I realize that might have been too far and I’m sorry, it was an accident.” Vineeta stared at Bruno, not saying a word the entire time. He began to regret ever bringing it up and was ready to walk away in shame when he heard her chuckle. Looking up at her, he saw her smiling at him with a look that made him weak in the knees.
“I understand Bruno, I’m not mad or anything,” she shrugged, “it’s actually pretty sweet of you to be thinking about my feelings like that. Even if this was an accident.” Bruno sighed and a wave of relief hit him and he smiled back at her. “Your important to me,” he said rubbing his arm, “I just…don’t want to make things weird because of something I did.” Vineeta took a moment like she was lost in thought, then slowly nodded, “I know, and your important to me too. And we’re good Bruno, everything is good between us.” His face grew warm as she smiled one last warm smile before thank him for walking her home and bidding him goodnight. As he watched her start to walk back into her house, Bruno felt relieved everything was resolved but his heart was still beating like crazy. He couldn’t understand why. He didn’t realize Vineeta had stopped walking toward her house until she spoke, “I forgot something,” she said. She turned around and began taking large strides towards Bruno, looking determined. “W…what did you forget?” He tried asking but thoughts of her saying that everything w them was actually NOT good were popping into his heads. Before he could spiral any longer, Vineeta placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him towards her “Oh no, she really did hate me after all - she’s so angry she’s gonna punch me in the-“ His thoughts were cut short when she placed a small kiss on his cheek. His face may have been warm before, but Bruno was sure he looked like a tomato now. His heart was beating out of his chest and he couldn’t get a word out, but thankfully Vineeta did the talking for him. “I know what your going to think but I’m stopping you before you get any further,” she looked Bruno in the face, her cheeks almost looking as bright as his, “it may have been an accident before, but THIS wasn’t an accident.” Vineeta smiled and looked at him, waiting for a response out of him. He nodded fiercely trying to agree as the words yes kept fumbling out of him. She giggled, satisfied with his answer “Goodnight Bruno,” she squeezed his hand before turning back towards her house. “Goodnight Vineeta,” he said as she entered through the door.
The night before, he was restless thinking about how she may have hated him, but tonight he felt like he wouldn’t be able to sleep for other reasons. Maybe these goodnight kisses would be a good habit after all.
