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pepa-brainrot · 7 months

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Encanto Oc Appreciation week two! Relationships ✨️

@encanto-extended-edition

It's my beloved sunshine trio! I finally drew all of them together (took me long enough I know)

Some more of Armida's relationships summarized below the cut 💛

(I am so terribly bad at summaries Im so sorry- If I could write out the extent of all of their relationships I would- sadly I dont have the time..)

Alma: Her relationship with Alma pre movie is strained- mostly because she fears the older woman. Armida is riddled with anxiety and intrusive thoughts over what her mother in law may think of her, and often fears Alma thinks she got into the way of her daughter's relationship- or that she isn't a "real" madrigal. Basically.. it's a lot of assumptions on how Alma feels about her.. but they are not always truthful.

Armida also tends to disagree with Alma's ways. But between her being passive by nature and having a fear of speaking up, she never says anything. Rather she does her best to help by being there for other family members the best she can be.

Julieta: She was the first of the triplets that Armida became close to. Armida had visited her stand often, and at first Julieta thought the younger woman was accident prone like Agustín.. Over time it became clear that wasn't the case, but Armida was always super polite- despite lying about why she needed to be healed. She always made sure to thank Julieta - not just for healing her but for everything she does. After that it was surprisingly easy for the two of them to talk- and making friends with Julieta naturally got Armida talking to Bruno and Pepa. Although out of the triplets Armida is the least closest to Julieta now, she still feels incredibly safe with the woman. Armida is set trying to lessen Julietas work load. The only issue being- she really can't cook- all she can really do is help with preparation when needed. So instead she settles with going out to town when Julieta needs anything. It's not a lot, but it's something at the very least, and it's appreciated more than Armida will probably ever realize.

Bruno: While obviously Armida is closest with Pepa and Félix, she also shares a really close bond with Bruno. The both of them being pretty bad insomniacs, they bonded a lot over sleepless nights- She'd tell him about the stars if the sky was clear enough and he'd talk about his rat telenovelas or sometimes about his gift- and she'd comfort him. She's a fan of his telenovelas- she loves the rats, and he's actually a really good writer. She offers to help make small costumes and even jokes about background music for suspense. All and all their relationship is very cute- I like to say they are like platonic soulmates. Obviously after Bruno disappears and comes back things aren't the same.. while he was in the walls some nights she'd sit and talk with his door instead, not knowing he was actually listening. Things are a bit awkward when he comes back- Armida having a lot of feelings about him "leaving" when he hurt his family so badly, but in the end she understands his motivation.

Isabela: When Isabela was little, the girl loved getting her hands dirty. so naturally - Armida loved taking the girl out with her in her nature walks, because even at twenty seven she herself still loved to explore. It was something they bonded over, Dolores never really being as interested. But of course fell apart after Isa was pressured into being the golden child. Now they aren't nearly as close, but the both of them still remember digging for worms near Casita, or going looking for different types of plants in the jungle. Sometimes Isa still takes walks- taking the same paths they used to when she was little- when she knows no one is looking for her. It helps clear her head. Of course after the movie the two begin to grow close once more, Isa being quite excited to show off all the new plants to her supportive tía.

Dolores: I think the majority of the fandom has agreed that Dolores is a daddy's girl- and I completely agree. However she of course loves each of her parents. Mida specifically doted a lot on her when she was younger- having been their first child. She'd often sing to her- writing her own little songs for her daughter. After Dolores got her gift it was a nice thing for the young girl to focus on- her mother singing. Unfortunately getting her gift, like with many of the madrigals, forced Dolores to grow up too soon. She's often a bit protective over her mother, due to things she's heard over time. Armida mostly dislikes the fact that Dolores feels the need to protect her- as she should be the one protecting her.

Little bonus- Armida despises Mariano at first. She disliked him when he was with Isa, not because she knew Isa didn't actually want to marry him (though she has suspected maybe something was up, if she had known that straight up I don't imagine she'd be able to keep quiet about it.) She's- in general- overprotective when it comes to any of the kids dating. She does, however, come around to him.

Luisa: With Luisa there isn't too much to say. Like Pepa and Félix, Armida treats each of Julieta's girls like her own kids,and Luisa is no exception. She used to read or sing to her each night as a kid, as she did with all of them. Each grandkid grew up with at least one song or story before bed, and sometimes even as adults or teenagers they still request it. But as with most of the kids, as Luisa grew up she stopped having time for things like that. Still Armida is always ready to sing or read to her once again- no matter how old she is.

Camilo: Camilo and Armida have very similar senses of humor at times, which means they make for quite the pair. The two of them sometimes pull little pranks around the house, nothing too much of course- after all she's still his mother and won't let him get away with everything, but he still gets away with more with her then he does with Félix or Pepa. Though being fifteen he doesn't spend as much time with his mom as he did at one point in his life- he still won't deny he loves her very much.

Mirabel: Pre movie, Armida would try her best to make Mirabel feel just as special as the rest of the family, but being busy and slightly stressed she could only do so much for the girl. Still, she did what she could when she could. She started to teach Mirabel embroidery after her failed gift ceremony to try to distract the little girl and make her feel better, she didn't expect her to pick up on it- but she's very proud of how far she's come. She's quite proud of the young woman in general.

Antonio: the baby of the family, he is absolutely Armida’s weakness. She has the hardest time saying no to him, much like others in the family. The fact that he looks so much like Félix really does not help- luckily Pepa and Félix are a bit better with saying no to him. She worried a lot about him, and his gift. Part of her had hoped that maybe he wouldn't get a gift, since she's seen how sometimes the gifts the family have can really feel more like curses, and he's only five- but luckily he gets a gift he really enjoys, one that she herself had wished for a lot as a child, one that doesn't seem like it will put immense amount of pressure on her baby boy. She enjoys learning what some of his animal friends are thinking, and reading them all to bed. (Sometimes she spoils some of his animals.. she can't help it)

#encanto oc appreciation #encanto oc event #strawberry art #encanto #encanto oc #pepa madrigal #felix madrigal #encanto x oc #pepa x felix x oc #oc x canon #art #armida madrigal

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oncexinxmyxdreams · 8 months

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Encanto OC Event Week 1: Mercedes Reyes

I can't draw at all and read that picrew is okay. Does DollDivine count? 😅

Moodboard for Mercedes. 🎨

Full Name: Mercedes Yarisel Cordova Reyes.

DOB: October 20th, 1899. Died June 26th, 1935.

POB: Bogota, Colombia.

Likes/Hobbies: Painting, long walks, exploring, rock collecting, swimming, dancing, and reading romance novels.

Dislikes: Arguing, being bored, her mother’s dismissiveness and people mistreating others.

MBTI: INFP

Height: Exactly 5 feet tall though she was an inch taller than Bruno at one point.

Hair Color/Style: Dark brown. Mid-back length and no bangs. She'd like changing the hairstyle every day and wear a pretty sunhat when outdoors.

Eye color: Jade green.

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual.

Voice: Zulay Henao.

Positive Traits: Compassionate, loyal, idealistic, easygoing, romantic and a dreamer.

Negative Traits: Self-conscious, overly private and a bit too unrealistic. Is very hard on herself when she fails.

Habits: Nibbles pencils while writing.

Talents: Skilled in watercolor and dancing.

Pets: Two donkeys named Diego and Eliana.

Favorite Food: Arroz de Lisa (rice, vegetables and salted fish, preferably mullet.)

Career: Wanted to be an artist but worked for her in-law's cantina while living in Villavicencio.

Family: Her father, Vicente Cordova, passed away when she was 3. She has very few memories of him. Mother, Maria Reyes, who is controlling and manipulative. Armando Zaragoza became her stepfather when she was 14. She didn't like him at first but got along well with him. Half-sister Desideria was born when she was 15.

Eventually was forced into an arranged marriage with Pablo Salazar. They had twin girls, Francisca and Alejandra. Mercedes became close to her mother-in law Perla, but not with her father-in-law Arturo who's not the most sensitive person.

Backstory: After her dad died, Mercedes moved to different cities with her mom. At some point, they met a group of people who were traveling for new starts. They joined and miraculously arrived to the Encanto! Upon the first day, 10-year-old Mercedes met most of the Madrigals. She was getting used to a new home, but desired to find a library or bookstore. She wanted to find a book to a series she'd almost completed. A couple days after moving, she found one and searched for her book. The only copy she found was being read by a nervous looking boy: Bruno.

I'll save it for the Relationship week, but they were best friends. Some would say soulmates with how well they got along. Mercedes was friends with Julieta and Pepa, but she clicked with Bruno. Even when his reputation became worse and he was mistreated, she remained loyal. Bruno was grateful to her and devastated when she was forced to leave for the arranged marriage. The last time they saw each other, they were almost 20, and sadly, they won't meet again.

The marriage wasn't bad. Pablo had to leave his girlfriend due to the arrangement. He and Mercedes both understood each other's situation which led to respect and empathy. They really liked each other, but there wasn't true love. As a teen, Mercedes had always imagined different scenarios with her true love: exchanging love letters, dancing under starry skies and kiss in the rain. She had to leave the dreams behind, but her twins were the best part of her life.

When the twins were 13, Pablo and Mercedes annulled their marriage realizing they weren't content anymore. (Also Pablo was having an emotional affair.) After that, Mercedes took her daughters to Cali and secretly hoped she'd find the Encanto again. With the movie's timeline, Mercedes already passed away from a severe case of malaria. She was only 35. She left her daughters behind with no other family support. Though she's gone, her story isn't over because her children will find the Encanto and meet the Madrigals.

@encanto-extended-edition

#mercedes reyes #encanto #encanto oc appreciation #encanto oc event #Miracles Come in Pairs #oc #doing one of the twins tomorrow

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rightsforbrunomadrigalonly · 2 years

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I'm not sure if you've done it but could you write a wholesome one for yours and Bruno's wedding day?

He's all nervous and you're excited and you both are experiencing different things until the actual ceremony happens and you're both happy to be together.

Thank you ❤

{A/N: I love this! It's super cute and I haven't suprisingly enough done anything similar to this before!}

{Word Count: 1983}

{Warnings: Extreme fluffy content}

Throughout the small Encanto, church bells rang, their sweet tones marking the beginning of a monumental moment for the village. There would be no room for misintentions, everything was required to run smoothly and according to the predetermined plans set forth by the head of the Madrigal family. “Everything HAS to go perfect! The entire Encanto is relying on this wedding to go on without a single hitch,” the town's fearless leader preached, her hands gently brushing down the front of her son’s guayabera.

Bruno's body shifted uncomfortably under his mother’s fingers, his neck craning back as he tried to avoid the contact of her knuckles against his cleanly trimmed face. He felt vulnerable and exposed without the faded green of his ruana to hide behind. “Mama, please. I-I know this has to go well…It will go well.” a sharp breath sucked between his lips as he broadened his chest, palms resting against Alma’s shoulders. “I-I can finish getting myself ready on my own, I’m 50 years old. W-why don’t you um- just, go see if Pepa needs some help getting Antonio ready?”

The tension in Bruno’s body seeped into the open air of the room, the respected elder sighing in response. “I know I am putting a lot of pressure on you my Brunito…but I just want this all to go well for you. Y/N is so very good for you mijo, I want you both to have such an amazing special day to remember.”

His mother’s sentiment was something he cherished deep within his heart. The two may share a complicated emotionally draining relationship at times, but their love was still strong. He loved his family with everything in his being and he couldn’t wait for that sentiment to extend out to you as you finally merged into the mixed bag of Madrigals. His head was clouded with an array of emotions as he watched his mother press her time worn hands on either side of his face, lips blessing each cheek. “I’ll give you your space.”

A twinge of pain pulled on the strings of his heart as he watched his mother exit the room, the nerves inside his chest beginning to build as he was left alone with his thoughts. Admittedly while his mother’s nagging was grinding his patience, having her presence close by did take his mind off the overwhelming monster that began too bare down on his brain. What if things didn’t go to plan? He didn’t want to ruin yet another wedding. What if he said the wrong things to you, somehow swayed your mind and left you questioning your choice? Would you leave him then and there? What if he messed up the vows, made a huge fool out of himself in front of the entire Encanto? Everyone's perspective of him was already askew, what would they think if he embarrassed not only himself but you as well.

The tides of uncertainty thrashed against the lining of his stomach, as his brain began to forge fake scenarios and unlikely what if’s. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t-

“Aye there’s the man of the hour!” Agustin smiled, fingers fidgeting with the cuff links at the edge of his sleeves. “Only an hour left until you and the love of your life create a bond set in time. Dedicating yourselves solely to each other for the rest of your days” he dramatically spoke, slinging an arm around his brother-in-law's shoulder.

“Y-yeah….about that. What if I- What if she- What if I Bruno this entire wedding up, ya know? What if I say something and mess her whole day up and she regrets ever saying yes to me” Bruno panicked, hands wringing around each other anxiously.

A laugh bounced around in the taller males throat, he shaking his head amused. “Ah, the wedding day jitters. I remember those. I got myself so worked up on my wedding day, filled with a whirlwind of emotions, that I accidentally burned myself practicing my vows. I was so busy focusing and panicking over what to say that I wasn’t paying attention. I let my hand get too close to the flame. Caught my sleeve on fire and everything.” He nodded, lips pressed firmly in thought as his index and thumb cradled his chin. “I thought to myself, there’s no way such a beautiful graceful woman would still want to marry me, but I was wrong. Julieta loves me for who I am, and…..I’m sure Y/N feels the same about you.”

Bruno couldn’t fight the way his lips tugged up ever so slightly in the corners, his body relaxing under the others words. “I just- I don’t want to let anyone down I guess.”

“Just be yourself. This is your wedding day too amigo. Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks, you’ve got nothing to prove to anyone. Just worry about you and your wife. Trust me..”

It was crazy to think that the love of your life, the man you were about to betroth and confess your undying love for, was grappling with the idea that you could so easily change your mind. How could this man ever think for a second that you could ever just choose to not love him, as if it was a choice you had free control over. Your heart had been stolen many months ago, the idea of just taking it back willingly seemed entirely fictional. As you sat with Pepa’s hands strategically placing pins throughout your hair to hold selected strands in place, you couldn’t help the content puff of air that slipped past your lips. As your mind wandered and reveled in thoughts of your soon to be husband, you hardly even noticed when your bridesmaid finished with her handy work. “There! All done, que linda!” Pepa smiled, her arms wrapping around your shoulders as she gave your body a gentle squeeze. “Do you love it?”

A small hm bubbled on your lips as you turned your head in various directions, trying to admire the beautifully styled do from various angles. “I think it looks absolutely perfect. Do you think Bruno will like it?” You ask, a shimmer of teenage excitement and giddy lighting up the room.

Pepa couldn’t help the way her heart clenched, a cloud forming above her head. “I think he’s going to love it. I know how much he cares about you, I think you’ll take the breath right out of him.”

A ripple of thunder echoed through the room, Mirabel gently grabbing her aunt’s arm with a chuckle “Tia pepa, your cloud? You're gonna get Tia Y/N all wet and Delores just finished her makeup.”

Sniffling, Pepa ran the back of her palm against her eyes with a smile. “I’m sorry I’m sorry. I’m so happy for you and Bruno, you’re the perfect fit for my brother.”

Warmth spread over your cheeks as Pepa clutched her hands tightly to her chest, tears in her eyes as she glanced you up and down. “When Bruno first brought you home, I was skeptical. I was so quick to judge you and I didn’t even know a single thing about you. Now…I can’t imagine a second in my life where you aren’t here as part of the familia Madrigal. You’ve been there for each one of us, not just Bruno. You give the best talks in the house, and I speak on behalf of all of us when I say having you as part of this family is a blessing.”

Tears formed in the ducts of your own eyes, your fingers fanning your face in an attempt to wick them away, denying them their right to fall. You let your arms snake around Pepa’s torso, two more sets of arms wrapping around both of you as both Mirabel and Delores overlapped their bodies on top of yours. You were so excited. You loved this family so much. You had grown to love each member individually for who they were, not just for the gifts they held. You loved Bruno, and his family held no exception, they were just as valued and adored. As time ticked on, you couldn’t help the way your heart swelled with excitement knowing that any minute you’d be face to face with the man of your dreams.

When the moment finally came, your bodies face to face with each other, the sensation of mariposas fluttering through your rib cage pulled a smile across your lips. You’d been waiting all day to see him, and now that he was in your sights, you couldn’t dare pull your eyes away from him for one second. As the ceremony proceeded, you could sense a wave of unease flush over Bruno’s body, his fingers clutching his candle for life as beads of sweat formulated on his brow. Nonchalantly you let your upper arm rest against his before glancing up at him, the look in your eyes speaking a thousand words. Reassurance between the two of you had become more than words and praises. It became looks and silent gestures that the two of you could exchange publicly without causing attention. This was one of those gestures. “With these two candles, both husband and wife shall step forward and exchange their vows. Let the love you both hold individually ignite the flame of the candle you shall both share as the fires of matrimony carry you through the remaining years of your life. Bruno, step forward.”

Swallowing the wad of saliva and nerves that had gathered in the back of his throat, you watched in anticipation as your soon to be husband moved forward.

He could do this, he could do this. Closing his eyes, Bruno gently touched the flame of his candle to the fresh virgin wick of the beautifully decorated white candle on the altar in front of everyone. “Yo, Bruno, te tomo a ti Y/N, como mi esposa. Prometo serte fiel en lo próspero y en lo adverso, en la salud y en la enfermedad. Amarte y respetarte todos los días de mi vida.”

Your palms grew moist as you realized the collective crowd was longing to see you repeat the same steps. Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you took Bruno’s hand with your free one, stepping up onto the altar along side him. Without hesitation, you touch the flame of your candle to the newly burning one, the flame growing stronger and brighter. “Yo, Y/N, te tomo a ti, Bruno, como mi esposo.Prometo serte fiel en lo próspero y en lo adverso, en la salud y en la enfermedad. Amarte y respetarte todos los días de mi vida”

A wave of thunder crackled through the church, you trying your best to suppress the giggle building up in your chest. The minister lifted the candle from the table, gently placing it in both of your palms, before smiling. “With the power I have, I now pronounce you two husband and wife. May the bonds of your marriage forever burn as bright as the flames of this candle. FELICIDADES!”

The church erupted into celebratory jubilation, Bruno’s body suctioning against yours as you both walked out of the church, candle happily placed in your hands. He was over the moon, enthralled to be by your side. The feeling was mutual as you leant up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, forehead gently grazing against his as you whispered out. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together mi amor.”

He smiled, lips pressing to your ear as he lowly whispered back “and I can’t wait to take you home tonight, mi vida. Don’t get too tired at the celebration, we have our own after party tonight.”

Your cheeks tinted a pale rose, you couldn't wait to see what your husband had in mind for the two of you later.

#bruno madrigal #bruno madrigal x oc #bruno madrigal x reader #encanto bruno #bruno encanto #bruno #encanto #bruno x reader #encanto bruno madrigal #pepa madrigal #disney #bruno Madrigal encanto

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space-ghost-with-the-most · 2 years

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For the twin au both versions of the family leaving is interesting. On one hand you can explore the consequences the village and family faces when the three come out of the walls while the moving to the coast can show the village how wrong their treatment of the three where when seeing the other village interact with them. It's tough to choose!

Oh definitely! That's why I can't choose! On one hand, Dolores would be losing her mind hearing the three of them live in the walls, but she wouldn't say anything. And! One very fun sad take is, The Family would ask Bruno's in-laws if he went to Luciana's village and be devastated to find out they nothing and Bruno and his twins quite literally vanished, and could be completely gone or unalive. Once they do come out of the walls, we get our canon fight Casita falls, family faces more severe consequences because three members of their family literally lived in the WALLS.

On the other hand! Living in Luciana's village is a really happy take, Bruno finds out Maribel is the miracle when she brings Casito to life, the villagers know Luciana's family and are delighted to know she had kids and a husband. Camilo and Maribel grow as normal kids with some extended family, on the coast living breezy, sometimes visiting their dad's side of the family. (Or not at all, to make it more sad.) Eventually that village would even discover their gifts and accept them far better than The Madrigal Village did, which says a lot.

Decisions, decisions...

#papa of two au #papa with twins au #papa bruno au #papa bruno #encanto #encanto disney #disney encanto #bruno madrigal #disney #camilo madrigal #encanto camilo #au #bruno encanto #encanto au #maribel madrigal #encanto maribel #answered

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anais-jengibre · 2 years

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Bruno Madrigal is an amazing storyteller in control of his own narrative and he hasn’t been living in the Casita’s walls all 10 years

Bruno Madrigal is an amazing storyteller. Don’t be fooled, this is not about the rat telenovelas. Bruno is in control of the narrative, especially his own narrative. His real gift is acting, well not really, but he can pull off convincing stories and different personas. He has been doing this for most of his adult life.

Acting Jorge and Hernando

Ever since he was little he didn’t like all the attention his gift gathered, so whenever he could tell anyone that didn’t know him as part of La Familia Madrigal, he would introduce himself as Jorge, or Hernando, or any name that would provided him with a hide in plain sight. Also, as a way of being helpful to their community and not being scalded by his mother. Doña Alma doesn’t need to know that it was Jorge being paid with bags of corn flour, or coffee instead of Bruno having visions of the future.

Hernando is not afraid of anything, so he’s the one in the heights fixing roofs, up in the trees collecting honey, he would carry sacks of food for horses, donkeys and other animals around in the community.

Jorge is meticulous, he mainly works in mills grinding corn for the arepas, grinding coffee, and occassionaly helping Hernando in construction.

when Bruno went away he tried to get away, he didn’t went so far, so he returned and started working full time as Hernando / Jorge

the original chameleon was Bruno, as a coping mechanism for dilutting the pressure and attention of being a Madrigal who doesn’t know how to make his gift as useful to the community as his sisters.

Bruno is very happy and proud about the depiction of Camilo, he loves this and wishes it doesn’t goes away now he is again part of Los Madrigal

Bruno is indifferent about how people want to perceive him: he’s an outcast, he’s seven foot and has pet rats, he’s an hermit, he’s a hard worker, he’s the bearer of bad omens.

When reconstructing la Casita, Jorge is helping Jose (maybe Jose trust Jorge, but not Bruno; maybe Bruno doesn’t want Jose to know he is Bruno?)

We don’t talk about Bruno

the community as a whole “don’t talk about Bruno” in part because of the bad omens that he constructed around the visions, in part because they know drama and fall out happened within the family

if people in town dare to ask: Doña Alma will give a death stare or shut the door in your face, Pepa will thunder, and Julieta, Agustín and Félix were still trying to trying to talk about him without ending up criyng.

Within time and years people don’t ask anymore

At least, 15 years ago, Bruno started spreading a mantra “we don’t talk about Bruno” left and right, first he was tired of this personna, and needed a break from the demands (both physical and emotional) so he began exaggereting the “bad luck visions” of the one and only Bruno Madrigal with key people that would spread the hot gossip: Señora Pezmuerto, gossip king Osvaldo, the shopkeeper, and the balding priest.

His sisters and brothers in law know Bruno is somewhere in the town, I refuse to believe Bruno didn’t had friends!! (hey, we didn’t get to know the extended family and friends, not even the people that clearly helps around in Casita)

The magic is strong... and it can happen everywhere, not just in a cave

Bruno is fatigued when he has to see the Future (years ahead), but he can intuitively sense a few minutes ahead, so he never runs into people he doesn’t want to (aka his family).

The cave and the rite for the visions are also a defense mechanism so people stop being all over him, all the time

Now, if you’ve made it until here: just as Five from Umbrella Academy learns to jump into the past a few seconds at a time, Bruno has anxiety and hipervigilance that comes from a life changing decision of leaving your family in order to protect them, so he is aware of them. All the time. Sure its not difficult because they’re notorious and everyone greets them, or ask something from them. But, if he can avoid ackward stares and ‘“bye”, he will use his power to avoid them.

Eventually, they know he’s around but hurt that Bruno doesn’t want to talk and be a part of the family

Trauma and living in the walls

from time to time, especially at nights, Bruno returns to Casita living behinds the walls, he’s ashamed, conflicted, sad, anger, fear and he’s lonely, with a lack of emotional tools to confront or engage with his family

I refuse to believe Bruno is a hermit, without any friends or social networks. Yes, generational and personal trauma is mostly deposited and explored by Bruno being a scapegoat or black sheep. We definitely see that Bruno is a bad mental state when Mirabel found him, but we also see that he is not always in the walls (behind Dolores in WDTAB)

Mirabel and Antonio are the cycle breakers. In every big change both Mirabel and Toñito were there next to Bruno.

Sorry, I got tired

this started as a one shot, but ended half a list of headcanons

so, half assing this post, just like Bruno living in the walls

TLDR: Bruno is so much more complex than we got to see. Yes, he’s a shy, anxious, lovely tío, but he has self mythologized his narrative in many ways as a defense mechanism.

#familia madrigal #we don't talk about bruno #bruno madrigal #encanto

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fanficsandfluff · 2 years

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A New Miracle - Bonus Vignette 5

A/N: I wanted a little angst in my very fluffy story. And I honestly like this release of inner character feelings. I also really enjoy how it's never fully resolved. Like there's still uncertainties about the future. It's okay for the moment, but not everything is fully addressed. I feel like that speaks to real life. That a lot can be going on under the surface when at face-value things are swell.

I hope you don't mind the angst and panic and crying. Love you guys.

TW: Angst, anxiety attack, crying/sobbing

Fandom: Encanto

Characters: Bruno Madrigal x OC Alexa, Isabela Madrigal, Luisa Madrigal, Julieta Madrigal, Pepa Madrigal, Casita, OC baby Pedro

It's been about two weeks since baby Pedro came into the world. And all the Madrigals had been so helpful and wanting to be near the baby and Bruno and Alexa. They all meant well and they loved their new family member. And Alexa appreciated all the love. She really, very truly did. Because she never experienced love and a closeness like the ones the Madrigals brought to her.

But being with this family for approaching two years at this point, it was tiresome. It was like always having to be 'on'. Like you couldn't feel sad for an extended period of time. Which thankfully Alexa never felt. But it was getting overwhelming.

On this particular morning, her sister-in-laws as well as Luisa and Isabela were in Bruno's room to check on Alexa and the baby. And Alexa sat back as her very well-equipped family rocked the infant and soothed him and talked to him. A wave of emotion washed over Alexa and she didn't like the feeling. It was similar to the feeling she had right when she knew she was pregnant. It was a fear, an emptiness. These four women in the room with her right now could raise a child better than she ever could. Two of them had many years of practice.

"D-Do you guys mind if I step out for a sec? You're doing such a great job with him," Alexa pushed a smile onto her face.

"Yeah, of course, tía. Take all the time you need," Luisa answered, very much enjoying her turn to hold little Pedro.

Alexa sped herself out of the room and it felt like she was suffocating, even though she was now standing in fresh air. There was nowhere Alexa could immediately think of as a spot in casita that was free from others or to avoid being run into by others. The bathroom was her best bet, but what if someone needed it? Alexa looked up at the candle and had an idea.

"Casita," Alexa whispered, "Could you get me to the roof?"

In seconds, the bannisters shifted and made more of a step-stool for her than a ladder. She appreciated this change since her body was still recovering from giving birth.

Alexa climbed her way up and propped herself against a ledge. She stared out at the nature and took a slow, deep breath. Today was cloudy. Huh. She didn't think she could remember a noticeably cloudy day at the encanto. But she also supposed even paradise needed some breaks.

Alexa tried taking another deep breath but she got caught up in her head, and the breath was cut short.

She hadn't spent much time being sad at the Madrigal house. Everyone was just so loving, and Bruno, of course. She never felt the feeling enough to where she needed a moment like this.

And now with the newness of a literal baby; it was getting to be a lot to handle. And the doubt would creep back in. She wasn't motherly. She liked children well-enough--- actually, scratch that, she really liked kids. It's probably part of the reason she got along with her now nephews and nieces so well in the first place. She did love being with kids and hearing them and experiencing the world from their angle. But now that she had her own... a whole new life to take care of and not screw up...

Alexa pushed both her hands into her chest, hard. She was gasping on her shorter breaths and felt hotness in her cheeks and behind her eyes.

Julieta or Pepa or even Félix and Agustín... they would all make for better 'moms' than her. Bruno could do it all by himself, she was even more sure of that. What purpose did she have now other than pushing Pedro out of her body? She couldn't handle it. She didn't even know how to breastfeed properly. The triplets had to teach her, to get Pedro to want to attach himself. There were methods and ways to touch and not touch an infant.

And Pedro. The name was unfamiliar to her. Unfamiliar in the sense that it was so Madrigal-entrenched, she didn't think she could argue when it was brought up in conversation with Bruno about it. Alexa read that Pedro is another name for Peter, in a language more familiar to her own. And she really liked Peter. She never voiced this to Bruno, nor has even addressed her baby in that way. She would like to... it just wouldn't feel right. That he would be hers, and not Bruno's. Everything was getting twisted...

Alexa let burning tears stream down her cheeks, not holding back. And for a while she was silently crying, just taking the deep breaths and sniffles when her nose started clogging. This might have been an anxiety attack, she could sense that much. Though in her youth there was a lot more lack-of breathing which turned to vomiting. She wasn't feeling that... yet.

Alexa hunched forward and moaned. Not so loudly that she would alert those in the house. No, she wasn't ready for anyone to come looking for her. But she needed to verbalize some negative feeling, to expel some of it from her soul. She folded her knees up to her chin and buried her face in them, her arms wrapped tightly around the shins to keep her balled up. The crying continued, feelings of worthlessness and fear and inadequacy throttling her.

~~~

"Did she say where?"

"No. Just that she needed a minute," Julieta answered Bruno when he came back to his room to see his sisters, nieces, and not Alexa.

Bruno took Julieta for her word and continued as normal, engaging with his family and loving how much love they were showing Pedro. But after an inordinate amount of time passed, Bruno went in search for Alexa. He checked outside, knocked on the bathroom, even asked Camilo and Mirabel when he saw them in the house. He couldn't find Dolores, otherwise he'd go to her first. No one had seen her.

When Bruno was getting nervous, he heard a squeaking of wood and tiles behind him. He turned to casita, who had pointed to the roof and made him his customary ladder to go up. With a raised eyebrow, wondering what Alexa could be doing on the roof, Bruno climbed up and looked around. He almost didn't notice Alexa at first, her shirt being the same rusty orange as the roof tiles, and because of how hunched over she was.

Bruno approached with a smile and was about to greet her with the same happiness, and relief that he knew she was okay... when he paused, physically and mentally. He heard her sniffling and whimpering.

"Lexi..." Bruno barely spoke above a whisper.

Alexa jumped and she glanced Bruno's way to make sure it was really him she heard and then hid her face again, "G-God... hi," she began feverishly wiping her eyes and nose with her arms and the knees of her pants.

"Hey," Bruno said again. He was honestly frozen. Should he not be here? Did he invade on some private moment she was having? Why was she crying?

Alexa had her head turned away from Bruno's direction completely. It was pointless. She knew he knew she was crying. It just felt humiliating.

Bruno walked across the rooftop with ease and placed himself a foot away from Alexa. He sat far enough to still give her space and close enough to show he was there for her.

"Is there... Do you want to talk about it?" was the first move Bruno made.

Alexa huffed and she shook her head, feeling more tears burning at her eyelids. She stuffed her face into her arms now, propped up by her knees.

"Should I-- Maybe I should just go. Do you want me to go?" Bruno asked.

He watched and saw Alexa's shoulders shrug.

"Alright. I'll just sit," Bruno said out loud, not needing to, but needing to let Alexa hear. He knew whatever she was upset about didn't concern Pedro or his health and safety, since he just left him with his sisters. That was his main reason for concern upon finding Alexa like this, but he knew it wasn't that.

Bruno did sit quietly as he waited for Alexa's soft breaths to slow down in speed and severity. But he couldn't help his anxious mind wandering on possibilities of what could have caused his love stress.

"Did I do something?" Bruno asked, fearing the answer.

"No," Alexa gasped out. Her voice sounded nasally.

"Should I be doing something?" Bruno tried next, now thinking he hadn't done something he was supposed to.

Alexa shook her head in response.

"I really wanna start telling you 'it's okay' and 'it'll be okay' cuz that's what my family always did for me when I was upset... but I don't know if that's how you roll... I should shut up, right? Yeah, I should shut up..." his voice dropped down to mumbling as he was regressing into his much more anxious self.

Alexa lifted her head from her knees and turned it to face Bruno slightly. She was glad her hair had fallen over her eyes to cover some of her shame.

"I'm just--" he sighed heavily, "I'm honestly not sure what to do right now... You're freaking me out a bit, Lex-- and it's nothing you're doing wrong! Not trying to invalidate your feelings, of course not! Just-Just--- I'm struggling here. I've never seen you so..."

"Shh," Alexa shook her head again.

"I'm sorry--"

"Don't say sorry," Alexa cleared her throat, her voice thick and raspy, "It's okay."

Bruno stayed silent for a bit longer, looking at Alexa. She stared at the horizon, so he couldn't quite get a good look at her face. Bruno scooted himself closer to her.

"You can talk to me," Bruno spoke softly and lovingly, "I know you know that. Just... yeah. You can talk to me."

Alexa nodded her head subtly.

"Or, you know, I might just have to go down and see into the future now to see you telling me about what's wrong anyway a few minutes from now because I'm dying to know what I can do to help--"

Bruno cut himself off when he heard Alexa sigh and take a few more sniffles, dragging her wrist underneath her nose.

"I'm sorry for worrying you," Alexa began her apology.

But she paused there. Of course she knew she could be open with Bruno. That's probably what half those vows they took meant. But there was a part of her that really did not want to bring to his attention how she was feeling. This was her not feeling right with Bruno's family and Bruno's child... it may come off offensive.

"Have you ever... felt like you're not going to be good at something? Something that is really important and you know you have to try and do it but you feel nauseous even thinking about doing it for too long?"

Okay, not very subtle.

"Yeah," Bruno answered easily, "Singing. Like in front of people."

Alexa looked over at Bruno and Bruno could see that she wanted to smile but whatever was hurting her was too strong in the moment. He was just glad to see her face. He smiled instead.

"You're not going to end up traumatizing our kid, if that's what you mean."

"I don't think I'm cut out for this," Alexa was starting to feel that vomit-y feeling she was referencing earlier. Her arms moved to cinch around her stomach.

"Hey," Bruno shifted himself once more, now directly next to Alexa, "I see how nervous you are. I've seen it even before you gave birth."

"Oh great, so you know I'm going to completely fail at--"

"No, no. Hang on. You didn't let me finish," Bruno appeased, touching his shoulder to Alexa's as a gesture of intimacy without holding her hand or something more extreme. He heard her letting out another preemptive sob during her little sentence, "This is all so foreign to you. I saw that for a while now. Like the day after you let me know, I think. I could see it in your face."

"Bruno, I-I don't think you're good at making me feel better about this," Alexa rubbed snot onto her arm and brushed it off on her pants.

"Would you just-- I have a point, I promise!" Bruno leaned forward so he could try and get a better look at Alexa's face, which she was continuously trying to hide from him since he was covered in snot and tears and red and flushed.

"And despite alllll that! You went through with it. You're here, I'm here, and Pedro is here. You have a support system, hon. You've barely experienced anything to do with children, am I right?"

"I've babysat... and met kids. But not babies."

"So I'm right. You don't do babies. And all I ever did was babies, just not my own..." Bruno's whole face crunched in on itself, "Yeah, wait, let me reword that, that's--wow--"

Alexa watched from her shifted eyes Bruno recover from himself and he continued, "Don't feel... I don't know, how are you feeling?"

"Horrible. Inadequate. Not prepared."

"Don't feel inadequate, then! There's a first time for everything, Lexi," Bruno urged, "You don't need to be so upset like this... I am here. We're in this together."

"Yeah," Alexa sniffed extra hard and stuffed her fingers into her hair, scratching at her scalp, "I know."

"I don't think I helped much."

"Yeah, no, not really."

Bruno had to smile, even if it was a sad smile.

"I would leave..." Bruno spoke in a gentle tone again, "But I made a promise to you to never let you feel alone."

Alexa let the comment sit there, in the silence between the two. And she decided to lead the next thought, "It's so much responsibility. I've always just had to look out for one person my entire life. Now it's a whole new person. A whole seven pounds eight ounces person," she held her hand out in front of her to mime a blob of some sort, presumably Pedro, "And you."

Bruno chortled to himself. He scratched his bearded cheek a few times, waiting for Alexa to go on since he didn't have much response to that. She was right. It was a new responsibility.

"And there's so much love in this house, that I can't compete..." she started to let her emotions well again and shifted her seating so more of her back was facing Bruno, "He'll be more cared for by you a-and your family than me... it's not right..." she was crying all over again and her eyes were starting to ache.

Bruno frowned deeper. He thought she was feeling better about everything but now seemed to nose dive for the worse.

"G-G..." she gulped down a sob, "God, I'm so sorry..."

Bruno lifted his arms and placed his hands on Alexa's arms from behind, slowly rubbing them. He rested his chin on her left shoulder, letting his weight be felt on her.

"Every little bit of love you have shown me..." Bruno spoke, "I've felt it equal to the love I've felt from my family. And you're one person versus, like, eleven. You thought I was weird and goofy, but you let me be me. You didn't think my gift was bad. You wanted a future reading since the moment I met you, and a lot of people stopped asking for that... I can't speak for the love you are going to show Pedro, but I can speak for that love you've shown me. You have so much love to give, Lexi," he felt her crying really start to mellow out, "And I definitely cannot hog all of it, no matter how much I want it all. You got it. You got it and you're going to sprinkle little bits of it to Pedro. Anything you can give, even if it's not a lot. And hey," Bruno pulled gently on Alexa's shoulders to make her look up. She lifted her head and moved more of her eyes than her face to appease him, "I know my family can be a lot at times," he dropped his voice down to an extra soft whisper, "I'll let them know we need some more alone time. They'll understand."

Alexa was sure Bruno couldn't just see the future. He had to have been a mind reader. Did she complain about his family out loud to him like that? Had she really? She didn't think so.

"Y-You didn't see them for ten years. You can't tell them that--"

"Oho yes I can. You underestimate me. Ten years still doesn't remove the other forty I've spent with them. They're a bit much."

A smile forced its way to Alexa's lips for a split second. She needed some of this. She needed Bruno to let her know personally that she is worth it, she is worth being here in the home, she is worth being with him. She didn't need to hear about Pedro and motherhood and all those anxieties. She needed this boost of self-reflection.

"I love you," Bruno whispered and kissed Alexa's shoulder where his chin resided.

Alexa nodded, "Say it just one more time."

Bruno smiled, "I love you," he repeated but much slower and just as sincere, "I love you. I love you, I love you--"

"Okay," Alexa heard the teasing in his tone.

"I love you I love you I love you loveyouloveyouloveyou--"

"--Bruno!"

"Mwah mwah mwah," Bruno was trailing kisses over Alexa's shoulder, neck, and cheek.

Alexa was smiling again and she held Bruno's cheek to keep him at bay, pushing it a little. This was the first time Bruno was fully looking at Alexa's face since being on the roof and his whole face softened with more love. He brushed his nose against hers and pecked one more kiss to the tip of her nose.

"Estúpido," Alexa moreso mouthed than even spoke.

A smile bloomed on Bruno's face and he hugged Alexa tight, "Ah, there's my esposa. I've missed you."

The couple remained on the roof for an extended few minutes before Alexa felt comfortable enough to go back into casita.

"Alright, you all! Beat it! We need some one-on-one time," Bruno announced when he and Alexa went back into their room. Alexa held a fist up to her mouth while she let her hair fall in her eyes to disguise her post-crying face.

"You could've said it nicer and less scary, Bruno," Pepa huffed, jabbing Bruno in the ribs when she stood up.

"We just got him to nap," Isabela said in a whisper, "Maybe don't yell, tío."

"Oh," Bruno immediately felt regret, "Sorry. Good to know. Thanks for all your help," he said to all the women in the room.

"Enjoy, hermanito," Julieta patted Bruno's cheek with a smile before her and the rest of the ladies left.

Alexa went to get a tissue paper and she blew her nose into it. She also threw water in her face from the small sink and basin they had in their room.

Alexa felt an arm wrap around her waist just as she finished and Bruno spun her around, picking up one of her hands in his own. He guided her with the hand on her waist, haphazardly dancing around.

"So, he's asleep. Anything you would like to do?"

Alexa still had the hint of a smile gracing her features and she shook her head, "Don't think so."

"Okay, then we keep dancing," Bruno settled for and he began humming in exaggerated notes while he pulled Alexa around in a makeshift waltz.

"Bruno," Alexa huffed, ducking her head to hide a smile and to watch where their feet were heading.

Bruno let Alexa go, spinning her from his fingertips. And Alexa curtseyed for him when he finished. She made her way over to Pedro's crib and looked inside. There was no way she couldn't love this boy. Just by looking at him she was filled with a feeling unlike any other she'd ever had. And she felt this way when she first held him in her arms. Pure love. Undying love that stood for protecting that child until her own last breaths.

Pedro opened his eyes on his own. And what normally accompanied his abrupt wake-ups was loud screaming and crying. But not this time. Alexa made eye contact with her boy. Bruno came up behind her and also looked down at his son.

Alexa reached into the crib and lifted Pedro into her arms. She held him close and pressed a gentle kiss to his small forehead.

"I love you, little Pedro... little Peter," she tried her hand at whispering the name to see if it felt right on her tongue. It did. Much more natural than saying Pedro.

"Peter?" Bruno heard and inquired.

"It could be a nickname," Alexa tried, not wanting to explain.

"Sure. Sure, of course," Bruno agreed immediately, knowing he had plenty of his own nicknames for his son in his back pocket, and all of them Spanish. He figured calling Pedro 'Peter' would make Alexa more comfortable, her own personal nickname.

Alexa cradled Pedro in her arms and didn't look away from him. His dark eyes were open and staring straight back at her.

The baby wasn't squirming around in her arms, not crying or whining or making noises. He was just looking at his mom with his big eyes. And Alexa smiled. The more seconds passed like this, the bigger her smile got. Hey, she was maybe okay at this. She was going to be okay. Things were alright... pretty good, if she were to be so bold.

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astoryinred · 2 years

Text

When Gifts Don't Seem to Work (growing up with a pack of cousins, and still feeling like Mirabel despite all the talents)

Although "Dos Oroguitas" is the most painful song in "Encanto", the one that makes me cry more is "All of You". I think it's because the song goes into some things that some part of me still wishes I could hear...even with all the generational trauma.

It all goes back to my grandparents and even beyond. My grandmother grew up feeling rather forgotten in her extremely large family, and only really came out of her shell when she was a married woman. My grandfather had a stellar career and was poised to really make a mark on his field (before tragedy struck). When my grandmother was left to raise her kids alone, she made sure that all of them would find a niche, a profession, a "gift" of their own. No one would simply become idle and bank on the extended family's food business. No one would walk around expecting a trust fund or inheritance in the form of land or goods. Everyone had to work their way to the top, in some way that would still help the community. It's pretty much like the Madrigals, but in a family of professionals living in a growing city.

That became the norm too for me, my siblings, and our eleven cousins. We were all pushed to excel in whatever field of our choosing and become productive in our communities. Then of course there were all the expectations placed on us: everyone hoped that the boys would grow up handsome and popular, and that the girls would grow up beautiful and gregarious.

Yet somehow all of this still ended up producing me: the grandchild who learned to read early but could never get a grip on her emotions or her physical health, the kid who talked too fast but ended up awkward, the girl who wound up too short and too asymmetrically proportioned to match her cousins' renowned beauty, the woman who'd put herself through grad school but would still have to live in the shadow of her illustrious relatives working in her field. A lot of these difficulties, I understand now, rose from conflicts in parenting and grandparenting especially where my father, my mother and my grandmother were concerned. Old issues and sibling rivalries really didn't help much. In the end no one really knew how to parent a neurodivergent child --- which explains a lot about me and maybe a few others in my generation.

There's a photo I really detest looking at, and it's of me, my sister, and all our girl cousins. Everyone is taller and prettier, with proportions to die for. Then there's me, standing at five foot nothing with a bad case of baby fat to shed plus hair that had yet to really nicely curl. I could assign an achievement to every woman there: one is a brand manager, one is a polyglot and a teacher, one has travelled the world, one designs games, one is a fashion blogger, one is a dancer, one is a kickass therapist, one does content for mass media, my sister changes the world...and what am I?

Just a doctor. And one who is expected to "serve the family", but that's turning out to be a disappointment since I prefer health systems and community health, instead of specializing as an internist or pediatrician.

I'm not the granddaughter who inherited the family's bread recipe since my grandmother said I was too skinny to knead the dough. I'm not the woman who is pretty enough to make an upward marriage and bring home a gregarious and handsome son-in-law (I brought home the boy next door type who is studying law). Maybe it seems as if my gifts do not work.

But I'm the one who brought a bouquet of carnations and a diploma to my grandmother, who by then no longer could speak. I gave her the flowers and told her that I'd kept my promise to her and finished up as a doctor. I'm the one who still remembers the stories of my grandmother's siblings. I'm the one who is learning to make the old recipes. I'm the one who spent a year serving the same hospital my grandmother loved to help out.

And maybe those are the gifts that do work. I just wish that even in my dreams, my grandmother would look at me the way that Alma Madrigal looks at Mirabel: seeing all of her, and not just what gifts can do.

#encanto #personal #tw: a lot of self loathing

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