Bruno Madrigal

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

accident-prone-agustin​:

Community Outreach || open

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Agustín wasn’t quite expecting the man to mention Avaloran refugees, but boy, if there was ever a subject he was equipped to discuss, it was Avaloran refugees. Considering he was one.

Wait, did the man say us?

“Wow, are you from Avalor too? What island? I’m from the capital originally, but I lived in Encanto on Isla Silvia for over twenty years with my wife’s family.”

Encanto was such a tiny town, he doubted this man had ever heard of it…but everyone knew Isla Silvia!

“I’m actually an Avaloran refugee, myself, my name’s Agustín. InterPride is instrumental in getting Avalorans - mostly magick Avalorans - to countries not in armed conflict, and helps them find working and housing. I previously worked in Avalors’ government resettling refugees there, and now I help translate and facilitate services for Avalorans settling in Europe like I had to.”

His question did exactly what he had hoped it would do; even if it seemed as if the sudden onslaught of information had surprised him into a shocked silence. In reality, Bruno was doing his best to contain the smile that wanted to play at his lips. It had been some time since he’d been the recipient of Agustin’s rants. Something he hadn’t thought he would miss but had actually missed dearly.

As much as he missed the walking accident standing in front of him. 

“It’s a pleasure, Agustin,” he smiled as he offered the other man his hand. “My name is Hernando and I do know of Encanto. I visited it once a long time ago. It was a lovely place. It is... more than a shame what happened.” He honestly couldn’t put into words just exactly what he felt about his second home being destroyed. There was that layer of grief that he was unable to pierce due to his lack of understanding of his own visions that could have easily prevented it had he been able to see it the way he was intended. 

“I should thank you, however, for the work you are doing. It’s comforting to know that our people have places that can help them. Nicer still knowing that some of these programs are run by displaced people like us. It makes it feel less like we are just cogs in the machine? I think that is the right phrase.”

[oh-phineas]

Lost in the Sauce | Phino

Phineas was bored at Pizza Planet. What else was new? It was a slow Tuesday night, and there were a couple of uni kids messing around at the front of the shop, but nobody Phineas knew, and there weren’t even any delivery orders. Phineas was intensely jealous of those kids– even if he was them three nights a week. So he stayed in the back, letting Hollis take the orders while Phineas did dishes.

Eventually, though, he finished that, and he didn’t want to start another job, so instead he wandered over to where Hernando was making pizza. “Yoooo,” Phineas said, picking up a bottle of sauce and tossing it in the air, flipping it. “Think I could juggle these?”

[outfit]

@wedonttalkabout-bruno​

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

Bruno was thankful for the quiet of a Tuesday night. It was relaxing to be able to make the pizzas that were ordered without the urgency of a busy Friday or Saturday. He could work the dough just that little bit longer, allow himself to get lost in the motions of it. There was just something therapeutic about it. It also meant his co-workers could do their jobs easily without having to come to him for help or feeling too bogged down. 

All in all, the quiet of this Tuesday night gave the place a much more relaxed feel that could be appreciated by all. 

Until Phineas started flipping sauce bottles. Bruno could see the mess that was bound to happen should the boy start juggling things. A mess he did not want to have to clean up. “While your catching skills seem to be decent, I doubt your ability to juggle multiple bottles.” He smiled kindly at Phineas, trying to appear to be more teasing than judgmental. “Are you truly that bored?”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

In the moment after she spoke, she waited with her breath tangling in her chest, although she tried to pretend that their future didn’t hinge on his answer. He was telling her she could leave, and she was asking him for a reason to stay. 

But then he took her hand. He stepped closer. It felt like her breath stopped entirely as she stood listening to his words. 

He gave her exactly what she wanted in that moment. Or even more importantly, he gave her what she needed. Over and over again, they had been told what to do. Told to marry, told to move in together, told to navigate a life and told to make an appearance. But here, he was asking her for a choice. For her to choose him separate from all of that. And in the asking, she knew the answer. 

Stepping that last little bit closer, she reached up to brush away a stray piece of his hair that had drifted in front of his eyes, fingers whisper soft as she let them trail down the line of his face before dropping to rest it against his chest. 

“There is nowhere else I’d like to be. i want to stay.”

The moment was so intimate, so gentle. Around them the soft sounds of another waltz drifted; giving their personal moment it’s own soundtrack as Bruno stared at Jessica. There was no hiding from her gaze, her eyes bore into his as if she could see straight down to the heart of who he was. It terrified him yet he could not turn his own gaze away. Time felt suspended in that moment, her hand pressed gently against his chest like an anchor to keep them both moored to the same place. 

The desire to pull away, to be proper and formal once more, was gone. Instead those thoughts were replaced by a desire to, just this once, be informal and improper. To let loose her hand solely for the purpose of using that hand to pull her closer. For all their silences and avoidance, for all the subtle hostility and disdain they had show each other, this was the complete opposite.

As the waltz shifted so did Bruno. For once he acted upon impulse; that hand leaving Jessica’s to slip gently around her waist to pull her closer to him. The other hand cupped her cheek gently, thumb brushing lightly over it as he looked down at her. 

“I am glad we can agree on this one thing,” he murmured as he shifted closer. 

Carefully and slowly he inched closer to her, lips hovering over hers just slightly as the music around them built to a rousing crescendo. With one last look to ensure that he was not doing anything that was against her will, Bruno closed the short distance between them, his lips brushing against his wife’s in the first kiss they’d shared since their wedding.

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

twentytanya​:

The Night Shift | Tanyo

There was nothing actually wrong with that corner. Tanya had been hoping Jorge would just go investigate it. But he didn’t, so Tanya had to take another tact. She reached into her backpack and produced her trusty spitball gun, which she’d had for at least ten years at this point. Nobody really did spitballs anymore, but Tanya still thought they were simple and effective. If a little vintage.

“There,” Tanya said, after firing a few little wads of paper in the direction of the corner she was talking about. “Turns out I’m not just a ghost, I’m actually psychic, too. I can predict the places you’re gonna have to clean!”

Bruno sighed lightly as Tanya fired her spitballs. He supposed this was par for the course for having a teenage ghost hanging around. But part of him wondered if there was something else going on as well. Not that Tanya would tell him anyways. She much preferred her quips and taunts. Which was also just fine. 

Everything was just fine. 

Picking up the broom and dust pan for the second time, he shot a glare at the younger girl and moved to clean up the mess she’d made. “Well, can you use your gift to predict places that I haven’t already cleaned? It would make my work so much easier. However, your fun may just have to suffer a bit for it.”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

boointhenight​:

wedonttalkabout-bruno​:

In the Woods Somewhere || Boono

“You are rapidly becoming one of the most interesting people I’ve met in town.” If nothing else, the situation was weird enough for curiosity to tae over caution and her innate playful nature to begin to rise. After all, he had every reason to just turn around and run away. Instead, he was still here trying to make friends. 

She’d almost never had someone who cared enough to try and stay, especially once they’d begun to be clued in to how truly weird she could be. 

So she shrugged, sliding her hands into her pockets. “I go running out here most nights. My knives usually keep me company just in case something happens, but they only come out of the sheath if something does happen.”

Bruno couldn’t help but laugh at her statement. He most certainly was not interesting. He was probably the most boring person in Swynlake. All he did was work and live inside the walls of his family’s home. Never mind the multiple faces he wore just so he could exist around his family without them knowing. (Okay, in retrospect maybe he was an interesting person. But he still didn’t think he was, nor did he want to be.)

But he supposed he understood exactly why she had the knives now. Even though he still did not understand why she was running alone at night in Enchantra. Maybe this was fate or kismet or divine intervention. Maybe they were supposed to meet and that was why he also was out walking through the forest at night.

“Like someone also walking through the woods at this time.” He smiled, though his tone was slightly playful. “I suppose it is good to have protection out here. Though, again, I promise I am not here to hurt you. I simply enjoy the serenity of this place.”

[twentytanya]

The Night Shift | Tanyo

Sometimes Tanya got bored of her usual nighttime routine. And now that Jorge knew who she was, and knew she was a ghost, and hadn’t actually tried to exorcise her, sometimes Tanya followed him while he did his cleaning. 

It had started as a few classic hijinks– knocking over trash bins just as Jorge was about to empty them, or dumping the mop fluid all over the floor– but lately, she wasn’t doing that so much. She didn’t know why. She didn’t care about Jorge or anything. He was a totally easy target! It was just– okay, it was really late at night, she could take it easy. Stick to the easier stuff.

“I think you should probably redo that corner,” Tanya commented from the other side of the room, lounging with her feet up on the desk.

[outfit]

@wedonttalkabout-bruno​

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

After their initial meeting, Bruno had gotten used to Tanya sort of appearing when he was working. She could be a nuisance at times but part of him took comfort in it. It was nice knowing that he wasn’t alone. At least for a few hours of the night.

Even if his company was often troublesome and created more work for him to do.

“And why is that?” He asked as he looked back towards Tanya, one eyebrow raised as he rested lightly on his broom.

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

If Jessica thought she had been off balance in this conversation before, it was nothing compared to the effect his words had next. He had been…jealous? But to be jealous implied that he cared, and he had never given her any indication of that at all. But then he was going on to say things like she deserved kindness, which implied it wasn’t about her as possession but her as a person and she didn’t…

Annulled. He was offering to get their marriage annulled. If she wished it. 

Her first thought was the practical one. No, she did not want to get the marriage annulled, because marriage was difficult enough for her as it was. Few people wanted to take on a widow and a child, especially with no dowry attached. It was why this marriage had been arranged in the first place. Plus she did not wish to uproot Vivian yet again, right as she was settling in and beginning to blossom. Vivian was happy in this home, she would have cousins to play with and grow with, and Bruno could provide for her education. Jessica could endure any discomfort in the world for her child, and so every reason of practicality told her to say no. 

But just behind that was the tangled emotional reasons that she didn’t fully understand herself. This evening alone, he had made her laugh. He had teased her and been kind, and she had felt herself opening to him in a way she hadn’t imagined possible. He had been distant, but then he would have flashes of kindness and insight that left her grateful and moved. She didn’t know what this was between them, but the idea of it ending seemed…sad. 

Just as quietly, she said, “I think this is the first time you’ve ever touched me because you wanted to. Not because it is expected for our image or because society dictated it. Do you want to? Do you want me here?”

“I think this is the first time you’ve ever touched me because you wanted to.”

At her words, Bruno looked down at where his hand covered Jessica’s. She was right. It was such a simple gesture that most could pass off not recognizing. But so much of their marriage had been terse. They hadn’t been friendly or loving. Even in their bedroom there had been little touching. He stayed on his side of the bed and she on hers. They were extremely unfamiliar in this aspect. Even his touches on the dance floor and within the hall had been chaste, subtle as husband and wife should be. 

But this... This was Bruno reaching out to her. Wanting to reach her with more than just his words. 

Instinct made him want to pull his hand back from hers at being caught touching her but there was a louder part of him that made him curl his fingers around her hand, the motion gentle as he took a step towards her.

“I-- I would like for you to be here. But you must want to be here too. I cannot hold you prisoner if there is elsewhere you would like to be,” he spoke carefully. He stared at her, watching the lines of her face, his own dark eyes boring into hers as he searched for any indication that he had gone too far. “I cannot and I will not ask that of you, Jessica.”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

Jessica wasn’t sure what to expect from him, so she was braced for the worst. After all, he had made it clear how important their image was, and so perhaps he had asked her out here to continue to scold her in private before they went inside to keep living the lie that they were a loving couple. It was easier to expect that than let herself get hurt by wishes of what could be. 

But the actual words he spoke rocked her and knocked her off balance. In truth, the last thing she had expected was an apology. She was left with the feeling that there was something else going on, but she couldn’t begin to understand what it could be. Hadn’t he made it clear what he thought of her and what he wanted? So what had changed?

Confused, emotional, and starting to become exhausted from the night’s wild spins, the only thing she could think to say was the simple truth. “Of course I came. You asked.” 

She took a step closer, one hand resting on the balustrade to try and ground her through whatever was to come. 

“I accept your apology. I understand that conversations about my previous marriage are…uncomfortable. I only brought it up tonight to explain the previous familiarity with Lord Wilde. But if there are better ways to communicate this in the future, I will listen.”

He watched as she took a step closer to the gazebo and tried not to get his hopes up. After all... she said she’d come because he’d asked. Not because she wanted to. But because he requested her to come to him. There was an obligation. Because it was her duty as his wife.

Which was fine. It was to be expected.

Only he wanted more. He wanted her to come to him because she wanted to. Not because society said she should listen to her husband and follow his every whim. 

“It is not your previous marriage that was uncomfortable.” He admitted it carefully, quietly. It wasn’t uncharacteristic to who he was as a person. This, perhaps, was the truest to the real him Bruno had been with Jessica. But that did not make it easy. To let his walls down just a bit to get out this confession was taking so much energy from him. The whole evening was a test to his will and his ability to attend such tedious affairs. 

Taking a step forward and reaching slowly for her hand that rested upon the balustrade, Bruno let out another soft sigh. “I admit that seeing you so care free and happy with Lord Wilde was the cause of my discomfort. I know... I have not been kind in our marriage and... if--- you deserve someone who can make you laugh and smile the way Lord Wilde does. You do not deserve me, nor do I deserve someone as care free and kind as you are. And... And if you wish it... I will have our marriage annulled. So that you may find the man deserving of you.”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

As Bruno made his speech, Nick looked at him with an expression that was somewhere between amused and too knowing. “Someday, you’ll maybe deserve what Jessica can give you. I’ll be curious to see if you do.” With that, he gave a small bow and backed away. 

Jessica was unaware of anything that was said, having retreated to the powder room and sinking onto one of seats in there. it didn’t take long for the whispers to begin, but she couldn’t care about any of that now. Not when it was taking all of her strength to hold herself together and stop herself from breaking down in tears - a scandal she truly wouldn’t live down. 

But God it was hard. It was hard when everything here reminded her of Roger and the life that she’d lost. It was hard when Bruno was right in some ways - her husband had had questionable companions. If he hadn’t, they wouldn’t have been broke, and he wouldn’t have died, and she wouldn’t be sitting in this room having this debate. But Bruno was also so wrong in that Nick hadn’t been part of that. But for some reason, he had done his best to make her feel guilty and ashamed of one of the few good connections she still had. One of the few ties between old and new who could actually understand. 

She only gave herself a few minutes before she retouched her makeup and neatened her hair - the easiest explanation for being here. It was only as she exited that she saw Nick lingering near the doorway. 

“Haven’t you done enough?” she sighed, not sure what this was. 

“Lord Madrigal requests that you meet him in the garden when you are ready,” was all he said in response. She could feel the understanding in his gaze, but she also knew he didn’t regret what he’d done in the least. So all she could do was sigh.

“Very well. Tell Isaac hello.”

With that, she turned toward the gardens of the estate. As much as she didn’t want to be there, she didn’t know what else could be done. At the end of the night, they still needed to go home together. 

It took her a few moments to find him, but finally she made it to the gazebo where he stood, and she stopped just inside, staring at him in the dimly lit shadows. “I believe you requested my presence.”

Bruno didn’t think that Jessica would meet him in the gardens. He wouldn’t blame her if she rejected his request. He had behaved unbecoming for their first outing as husband and wife. There were sure to be whispers and gossip about what had happened. His mother would be doing damage control without a doubt. And he and Jessica would have to do work to repair their image. 

But at the moment he didn’t care about their image. Maybe it was the champagne but he wanted to work on their marriage. It had been a month and it still felt as if they were strangers, entering and leaving rooms with the awkward politeness of a couple just starting their courting. If it made him feel this miserable he couldn’t imagine how it was making his wife feel. A feat that he would have thought impossible on his wedding day. Actually thinking about Jessica’s feelings, about how these actions affected her as well as him. 

So when she did approach him, it took him by surprise as he turned to look at her. Even in the dim light she looked ethereal. Like an angel that he had no right being in the presence of. Maybe Lord Wilde was right. Maybe right now he did not deserve what she could give to him. Maybe it was time he started to attempt to be the husband she deserved. He could never be Roger but... he could try to be better for her.

“I did not expect you to come. I did not expect Lord Wilde to deliver my message,” he spoke softly, hands wringing slightly behind his back. “I... apologize for my behavior. It was most unbecoming. And-- you did not deserve my harshness.”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

Jessica was trying to think of how to diffuse this situation that was rapidly getting out of hand. Nick had a habit of pushing and pushing until things happened, and she didn’t want to be the center of any sort of drama in a ballroom like this. Already she could see that they were attracting more than a few looks from those nearby and she didn’t want to make it any worse. 

She was just opening her mouth to encourage Nick to leave again when Bruno instead aimed his dart. It hit home quite effectively. 

In that moment, the grief that lived just under the surface, that she had been trying so hard to control and ignore as she found a place in her new life exploded back to the surface and overwhelmed her. 

For a moment as she looked in Bruno’s eyes, the shock and the hurt were clearly visible to anyone who looked at them. Then you could almost see the inner walls snap up to shield her emotions as she drew herself upright, spine stiffening and hands locking together. She didn’t know why she thought he could be different than he had been before, why for a moment she had thought there could be something between them, but she had learned better now. 

“My late husband surrounded himself with people who brought joy into his life. May all of us be so lucky as to do the same,” she said coldly. “Now if you both will excuse me, I believe I need to refresh myself.”

Without waiting for an acknowledgement from either man, she turned and swept away towards the ladies room. 

Before he could stop her, Jessica was walking away and he knew that the damage had been done. He’d known it as soon as the words had left his mouth yet he couldn’t stop himself from saying them. The dig wasn’t even meant for Jessica. It was meant for Lord Wilde. But it had not only missed its intended mark, it had hit the wrong person entirely. There would no doubt be damage control that needed to be done as soon as he was able to do it.

His attention at once turned towards Lord Wilde and he narrowed his eyes at the other man. “If you’ve intended to drive a wedge between myself and my wife then you have certainly succeeded.” Bruno didn’t care that they had garnered a crowd with their less than subtle display. “I can say that I do not appreciate it. Jessica and I are just getting to know each other as married partners.”

For once the truth came out even if he was unaware of how much of it was true. But that is what alcohol did for everyone. It let out the truths you couldn’t face while sober. It gave words to the feelings that Bruno couldn’t figure out before. It shed light on what he’d felt when he watched Jessica dance with Lord Wilde and what he felt when he’d danced with her. 

“If you see my wife tell her I would greatly appreciate it if she met me out in the gardens.”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

Perhaps she should have known that was something was wrong as soon as she had approached. But the truth was, she hadn’t considered it. She and Roger had never spent all of the balls together. They danced together often, but they chatted with their separate groups of friends, they danced with other people, and all that mattered was that they went home together and regaled each other with the stories. Why should this have been any different?

As they approached, filled with the joy of the dance, she had assumed he had spent the time talking with one of his own friends until they came back. But it was clear from his expression and the way he clutched the champagne that it wasn’t the case. 

Nick, of course, being the playful trickster that he was, stopped in his effort to turn and leave, and instead leaned in towards Bruno. 

“I was just complimenting your wife on how charming a conversationalist she is. Wouldn’t you agree? There are few who can manage an interesting conversation and dance at the same time, but she seems to be an expert in the art.”

“Lord Wilde,” Jessica said warningly, not liking the glint in his eye. That coupled with his previous comment left warning bells going off. “I’m sure we’re keeping you from some of your friends.”

“Lady Madrigal,” he said in response, copying her tone exactly. 

“Lord Wilde was a friend of Roger’s,” she explained to her new husband since apparently he had decided to make himself a problem. 

Again, Bruno did not like Lord Wilde. There was something about him that made him feel... inadequate. The ease in which he spoke with Jessica and how he teased her, how the two of them floated effortlessly across the dance floor. He was sure that everyone thought they would be more suited for marriage. They certainly made a prettier couple than she did with Bruno.

But that was self-depreciating. At least that is what he could hear his mother and sisters saying if they could have been privy to his thoughts. And it was. He knew it was. But he couldn’t help it. With the champagne he’d been drinking and the way he had watched the two of them interact.

Even now as Lord Wilde teased him about his wife, Bruno felt that rage burning within him. He wanted to lash out. To become territorial of the beautiful woman that should be at his side. But Bruno was not that man. At least, he had never been that man. And perhaps that was the exact reason why he was married to Jessica now instead of his beautiful Analisa. Except Analisa was never his to begin with and he wasn’t sure that Jessica would ever be his too. So was there even a point in letting this man get him riled up so easily?

(His mind said no but his heart screamed a resounding yes.)

“Yes. She is quite the lady.” He agreed easily and more than a little clipped. “I see. It seems your late husband kept... questionable company, Lady Madrigal.”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

Jessica was torn. On the one hand, the way he held her, his cool tone, all of it told her that he wanted her to say no. But his words, and his acknowledgement of her joy in the dance, made it sound like he was fine with her saying yes. 

If he hadn’t closed her out so quickly after their waltz, perhaps she would have said no. Perhaps she would have explained their relationship or told Nick another time, or teased him into coming out to dance with her again instead. But with the confusion and the hurt of his quicksilver moods lingering so close to the surface, she needed something that was just fun. Just for a little while. 

“I would be delighted. It’s been far too long since we spoke last Lord Wilde. And I’m sure you have friends you would prefer to speak to without me my lord, I hate to keep you pinned to my side.” She smiled up at him as she spoke, but her typical polite shield was in place. 

Nick didn’t wait for much beyond her agreement though before taking her hand and whisking her out to the dance floor. 

It only took her moments to relax into the familiarity of the relationship, one that had a comfortably teasing but entirely platonic tone that had last years by now. He had been one of the few of her husbands’ friends to stand by her in the wake of his death and their reversal of fortune, and she’d never forgotten it. 

“So, how long until you think that husband of yours challenges me to a duel?” he asked with a wicked twinkle in his eyes.

“You’re a bad man Wilde.” she said with a laugh as he led her around the floor in the fast paced dance.

“Just need to make sure he properly appreciates the jewel he stole away from me.”

The words were teasing, but she knew the sentiment wasn’t as she gave his hand a squeeze. The dance itself was fun and she found herself relaxing all over again, soothed by the company and the dance with no mystery and no expectations. She was sure he would stop by to visit before long now that they had publicly reconnected here, if only to see little Vivian. But for now, even those few minutes of conversation was enough. 

At the end of the dance, he led her back to where her husband was standing, watching them, and then he gave her an elaborate and ridiculous bow that made her laugh again. “Until next time my lovely lady.”

Jessica did not deny this Lord Wilde his dance. It shouldn’t have bothered him but there was something about it that did. He couldn’t tell if it was the glib way with which he spoke to her or the familiarity that they shared. But there was something that he didn’t like about it. She agreed so easily, too, that it surprised him. Even if it shouldn’t have. Hadn’t she just told him that one of her greatest passions was dancing? 

But still, as Lord Wilde whisked her away onto the dance floor, Bruno’s stomach clenched tightly. 

The change in Jessica was visual. She looked so care free and happy. He’d never once seen her this happy. Not even with Vivian. It was a good look on her and it pained Bruno to know that he had been depriving her of that feeling. He wasn’t a good husband, probably wouldn’t ever be. But marriage was until death and he was in good health. He didn’t believe in divorce. It was shameful. 

As they danced he finished one glass of champagne and then another and then another. It was enough to dull the senses and allow him to not think about the way Jessica’s smile seemed to light up the room as she laughed or the way it’s sound drifted above the orchestra playing. 

He wasn’t even aware of the dance ending as they made their way back over to him. Barely paid any attention to the overly superfluous way he bowed to Jessica. All he could hear was the laughter that fell from her lips. All he could focus on was the fact that it was this Lord Wilde who was giving her reason to laugh. Something that Bruno could not adequately do himself.

Clearing his throat, he plucked another flute of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it easily. “Well, I believe I shall leave you two to your games. I wouldn’t want to interrupt the fun you seem to be having.”

[incorrectly-encanto]

Mirabel: I don’t know why everyone is so scared of you, no one’s ever treated me as kindly as you do!

Bruno: ....That’s.... actually really depressing.... I hope you understand that I am now legally required to keep you.

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

Just like that, he touched her with the one thing that would always sneak past her defenses. Before, Vivian had been too young for tutors and Jessica hadn’t wanted to let her go. Then they had been too poor to even consider it, so all of her lessons had to be things Jessica could teach her, mainly her letters and some simple songs. 

But he didn’t even think about it, didn’t question the rightness of finding a tutor for the child he’d never expected to have. She knew of no way to truly thank him for it. 

In the moment that the dance was ending, Jessica felt something akin to hope and a simple happiness for what she had been given. So attuned to touch, so starved for it, she could feel the slow way his hands slipped from her waist. She curtsied smoothly, bowing her head to him as she did so for the first time in their marriage. 

But it only took that length of time for him to draw up his shields and close her out again. And she felt that hope freeze inside her. 

“Of course, my lord. That would be lovely.”

With that, the magic of the waltz ended like it had never been. The only change was that Jessica knew it had happened. Knew that for a moment, he’d been there with her as she had been vulnerable with him. So how could he pretend it had meant nothing at all?

They gathered their drinks and joined the crowd, beginning to speak with acquaintances and catch up on the gossip of the Season. She expected that would be the pattern for the rest of the evening. 

Until Lord Wilde, an old friend of her husband’s joined the group. And he asked her to dance. Looking up at Bruno, she raised an eyebrow to ask what his decision in this would be. They’d never discussed it after all. There was nothing to say she couldn’t, except for the fact she wasn’t sure she should. She had no idea how he would feel about it.

Bruno, while an expert at it, did not enjoy the idle gossip and talk that came along with these galas and balls. It was trivial and menial. It was too tiring to appear appeasing to people he did not care for. It was the main reason he did not typically interact with his clients outside of the court room. He just... was not a people person. He enjoyed standing towards the back and observing.

Something he couldn’t do with his newly wed status and the curiosity surrounding his and Jessica’s union.

But when Lord Wilde appeared, all smiles and teasing banter, something ignited in his chest. He did not like this man. Nor the glib way he interacted with his wife. His arm slid almost protectively around Jessica’s waist, the gesture subtle to the naked eye and it’s meaning almost unknown even to Bruno. He wasn’t familiar with the feeling of jealousy, especially when it came to his wife. 

However, he kept his tone cool when addressing Lord Wilde. “If my wife wishes to dance with you that is her decision. I won’t begrudge her her passion. And I must admit that I am not as well versed in these faster paced dances,” he gave a tight lipped smile, eyes never leaving the other man’s. “Do you wish to dance with him, Jessica?”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

notbad-justsungthatway​:

As he teased her, Jessica let out a quick delighted laugh. (Later, she would be able to look back and realize that this was the moment when things changed for her and the heart she thought would never love again began to open. But she didn’t register that just yet, too caught in the moment itself.)

“Oh no, I wouldn’t do that to you. If I did, you’d be forced to try and compliment it and perjure yourself most terribly,” she said lightly, although there was a small clutch under her heart at the simplicity of the words ‘our home’. “My needlework is at least passable, but there are only so many handkerchiefs and cushions one needs.”

In the back of her mind, she knew that there were other dancers on the floor with them, but she wasn’t aware of any of them. There was only the warmth, the dance, and the arms that were holding her. If she had seen the sharply critical eye of her grandmother following her journey, she might have stiffened and pulled away, reluctant to reveal so much of herself to a woman she had such a complex relationship with. Later was soon enough to return to reality and its questions, for now she danced. 

“I’ll admit, I hadn’t thought to start her on drawing lessons or even getting her a sketch pad yet, but I suppose anything is possible. I’m sure there was a competent artist somewhere in her family tree.”

Her laugh was distracting. He hadn’t paid much attention to it before. No. Actually, he’d never heard it before. Maybe briefly in passing as she played with Vivian but never because of something he’d said. He was not a cause for laughter. At least not with Jessica. 

Part of him wanted to hear it more now that he’d be truly blessed with. 

“I am sure it would be no trouble to find a tutor,” he commented easily as they moved. The music swelled around them; almost mimicking the way their relationship thus far was. The distinct swells and the melodic harmony... If one knew the ins and outs of their marriage it would make sense. And maybe that was why it was so easy to waltz with Jessica. As the music flowed so did the nature of their relationship, their world. Changing subtly and without notice. 

Their movements slowed as the music did and Bruno took a moment before he released his hold on Jessica. And even as he did it was with reluctance. This moment, whether it was for show or purely for them, was one he did not want to let go of easily. There were so few moments in which he was able to feel at peace and at ease. So few that he wanted to cling to this because he didn’t want to go back to how things were between them. The stony silences and entirely too polite conversation. While brief he enjoyed the banter and the playful quips. 

But that wasn’t what their marriage was. It was one of necessity, of propriety. It wasn’t meant to be happy. No matter how badly either of them wanted it. At least that is what his mind said.

In a fluid motion he bowed to his wife once more before offering his arm to her as he stood straight again. “Shall we get a drink now? I think we both more than worked up a thirst with that waltz.” 

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

boointhenight​:

wedonttalkabout-bruno​:

In the Woods Somewhere || Boono

Now see, that was the kind of comment to make her feel a little suss all over again. People didn’t usually say that unless they wanted something, but she couldn’t figure out what his angle was. 

(It could be he was just a nice guy. She understood that nice people existed. She ran into them periodically. It was just that she didn’t usually run into them in the middle of magical forests in the middle of the night while she was thinking about how to make a demon talk to her. You know. Context is everything and whatever.)

“You know, most people don’t try to become friends with people who have pulled a knife on them. Well, did make a friend that way once, but he was into knife play so it was a whole thing and you really don’t strike me as the type for that. You come out to the forest looking for friends a lot?”

Okay. She made yet another point. His approach wasn’t ideal or normal. But what Mary didn’t know was that she knew him. Or at least a version of him. She wasn’t a stranger to him. But he was to her. This version of him was one she had never seen before. He just... needed to remember that.

“Well, not particularly. But when someone greets me with a knife, I think it’s a good idea to try and make friends with them,” he stated plainly. “Definitely not someone who is into knife play. It sounds very unpleasant.” His attempt at a joke, though the laugh was just a little hollow.

“Do you come out to the forest with knives a lot?”

[wedonttalkabout-bruno]

boointhenight​:

In the Woods Somewhere || Boono

Well. She supposed it was reasonable enough. Better than the last time someone had followed her here when they had been trying to write a story on her and find out her secrets. Plus, a look at the guy and she really didn’t think he was that threatening. More like a stiff breeze would blow him over - so she could probably take him in a fight if necessary. She slid the knife back into its sheath which was hidden under her clothes a moment later as if it was never there. 

“I’m not a hunter, and the creatures here are safe from me as long as they don’t bother me. But a girl’s got the right to some self defense when she’s out at night, doesn’t she?” It was said in her customary teasing tone, as if she was talking about anything and not weapons. Sure the forest messed with her more than it didn’t, but she didn’t mind that. It hadn’t stopped her coming back, and the forest was going to have to learn to accept it eventually. 

Bruno supposed that she was right. Everyone was entitled to their own protection. Especially in Swynlake. This town was... special. It could be very welcoming and kind to those with good intentions but it could also be unfriendly and cruel. Not to mention not everyone had their own agendas and you never knew who was friend and who was foe. 

And unfortunately in this situation Bruno was the only one that knew he was more friend than foe. But maybe... 

“Of course she does. But I can assure you... I am no danger to you. Not here nor ever,” he smiled again as he held his hands up. “In fact, I dare say you’ve found a friend.”