#elaina writes

Against the burning light, he can push the bucket off, and slowly climbs to his feet again. He has to keep his head down, has to use the bulk of his hair to keep the worst of the sun at bay, but he can see. The green of his ruana pales in comparison to the vividness of the grass under his feet, or the leaves in the trees. He becomes acutely aware of the ghostly pallor of his skin, an unavoidable effect of his years in the walls.

Bruno is shaken from his musings by his sister's voice - close, Julieta's too close, he's not ready to see her yet - yelling for Mirabel. Has she run off? She has nowhere to hide, the Casita is in pieces and cannot shield her the way it did for him.

Before he's consciously made the decision to do so, he's stumbling through the foliage in search of his niece. His heart hammers in his chest, a mixture of panic and concern and exhaustion, god, he hasn't moved this much in so long, it makes his chest heave and his body heavy -

Focus. He has to focus. Mirabel is in trouble, and he won't stand by and let his mother make her feel like he does. He won't let Mirabel become the new black sheep, no matter what happens to him from here.

--

There's hugging. There's so much hugging being done to him, and he was only able to get through one apology.

He remembers the contours of his mother's body as she squeezes him, yet ten years has changed the shape somewhat. The same can be said for his sisters. For his step-brothers. Time has transformed them all, in good ways and bad. Bruno feels out of place, like a puzzle piece trying to fit into the wrong board. His wiggly parts don't mesh with anyone else's, no matter how close he comes to doing so. Every embrace he's given drives that fact home, their bodies familiar and alien all at once.

He's overwhelmed by how much they missed him, by the fact that they missed him at all. No one has wanted to speak his name for years, as though they may invoke the bad luck that swarms him like a plague. Yet here they were, grinning at him in genuine affection for the missing seer.

Bruno feels his face mirror their glee, though much more subdued, but in the darkest parts of his mind, he's bitter that they only now rejoice in him because they fear losing him again.

Why, he wonders, as Mirabel shoots him a confident grin, didn't they look at him like this before he fled? Why didn't his familia worry after him when the visions made his migraines so bad he couldn't see, when the villagers' hostility grew to the point that he feared physical retaliation for delivering a bad prophecy? Why did it take sacrificing ten years of his life to be treated with this kind of care?

Bruno doesn't have the time to dwell on it for the first few days, too busy being split off into different groups as the village worked together to rebuild their fallen home. He hovers near the niece that discovered his hiding place, more at ease when he's grouped up with her. Mirabel doesn't pester him with questions, she simply hunkers down and gets the job done. He likes that.

The others set him on edge. They're very kind, and yet their gazes swim with questions he doesn't even want to begin to answer.

Where have you been? How is he supposed to answer that without coming off as a freak?

What have you been doing this whole time? Years of isolation have rusted up his finer social skills, and yet even Bruno knows that "training rats to perform romantic dramas for entertainment" is not an acceptable answer.

Are you here to stay?

Bruno looks at Antonio, his youngest nephew, after he asks the question. It's simple enough, and he understands why the five-year-old would want to know such a thing, but he doesn't have an answer right off the bat.

"We'll see, kid," he replies, gently ruffling the boy's hair. Antonio giggles, accepting the answer before running off to chase whatever else has stolen his attention.

Bruno wants to stay. Now that he's out of the walls, all he wants is to sit in the sun again. But his reputation precedes him - the whispers had never stopped, only quieted, and with his return they simply kicked back up again.

Those too young to have experienced his miracle first-hand avoid him because the stories their parents told were too frightening to face the real thing. Those who were around to experience his gift avoid him because they still believe that Bruno is the cause of their misfortune, rather than the messenger of what has already been destined.

But the candle has extinguished. Casita is rubble around him. His gift is gone, and though his heart aches for the rest of his family, Bruno could not be happier to be a normal man. There is no one approaching him and demanding a glimpse into their futures, no one capable of snapping at him for giving them less than perfect news. There's no migraines rocketing around his head and shooting down his spine from looking too far into the future or for too long.

He's just...Bruno. The realization makes him smile. It lifts a burden off of his back he's been carrying since childhood. While the rest of his loved ones mourn the loss of their talents, Bruno wants to celebrate his freedom.

His joy carries on through the rest of the new Casita's construction, happy to make spackle for this wall and paint that wall. Happy to install this door and hang that new painting. Happy to delve into skills he was forced to neglect in favor of "earning" his miracle.

Yeah, he thinks, nodding excitedly to Mirabel to install the final doorknob of their new home, he could get used to this.

"Let us in, kid."

-------

"You're David, right?" Some voice said. Davey had been so caught up in his work that he hadn't noticed that anyone was there. When he finally looked up, he saw someone so beautiful it hurt. He recognized Jack from his classes from the past few years. 

He didn't realize he had been staring until he saw Jack sway uncomfortably, "Uh, yeah, sorry. And you're Jack?" He tried to stay calm as if he hadn't been admiring him for the longest time.

Jack sat at the desk in front of him, "Yeah, um, I was kind of wondering-" If I'd date you, yes, absolutely, "If you would be my partner for the history project?" Eh, close enough, right? 

"Yeah, I'm surprised you'd work with me, though."

"I've heard that you're smart, and I need more than just a little help," He chuckled as he spoke, "I promise I will try to actually help, though. I'd say that a lot of people probably try to just get you to do their work, don't they?" David nodded, and Jack smiled. The things Davey would do to see that smile again. 

They sat in the library for a few more hours to get to know each other and get a grasp on how and where they wanted to work on the project.

"We could work at my place but my brother, Race, is really annoying."

"My house is it is, then."

☆*☆*☆

After a week of only messaging each other, they finally went to Davey's house after school. Esther was at the door when they arrived and knew just how to embarrass her son, "David, you never told me your boyfriend was coming over! I would have made something nice for dinner or atleast cleaned up the place!"

"Oh, um, he's-" Davey started.

"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Jacobs," Jack stuck out his hand to shake hers, "And you don't have to worry about cleaning up for me." Both of the Jacobs' looked at him in surprise.

The boys walk into David's room, and he shuts his door. "Why didn't you say anything about the boyfriend comment?" he asks, a little too hopeful.

"I don't know, I thought it would kind of throw her off guard. If it made you uncomfortable I can tell it was just a joke." Right. It was a joke. He'd never want to date me. He's literally the straightest person I know.

"It didn't make me uncomfortable. Just surprised me, is all." Jack's expression changed for a split second, but not long enough for him to tell what it meant.

"Uh, so should we start working?" Davey rubbed the back of his neck and looked away." 

David listed off the requirements of their project; they had to choose a historical to create a presentation for. They shortly got to work and decided, first, to start researching. There was somewhat of an awkward silence throughout most of the night. Neither really wanted to say anything after the boyfriend joke.

"I'm sorry, it was kind of a dumb joke." Jack paused, "I shouldn't have said it."

"It's fine, seriously. It just caught me off guard."

"Okay then," Jack looked at his phone. 8:15 PM. "Oh god, I need to get going, or my ma might worry about me. It was nice hanging out with you, we should do it more often."

"Yeah, we should." David felt a little surge of confidence as Jack was about to leave the house, "See ya later-"

"Yeah see you-"

"- Babe." Either he was imagining it, or he just made the ever-intimidating Jack Kelly blush.

☆*☆*☆

The two boys started to hang out for more than just school projects. They hung out every Friday night just doing whatever they felt: staying in and watching a movie, playing games, going out to eat. In David's mind, they were basically date nights. They continued their flirty banter, though it was clear to Davey that it didn't really mean anything to Jack. 

This Friday, this special Friday, was a year since they started hanging out. But Jack decided to cancel on him. I mean, it's not like he would have remembered. It's a stupid thing to remember when you're not dating. But later, he heard that Jack ditched him to hang out with some girl. Her name was Katherine. It wasn't that David didn't like her; she seemed pretty cool. It was the fact that Jack basically refused to tell him what he was doing that night when he asked.

Davey: hey, can we hang out later?

Davey: i just kinda want to talk.

Jackie ❤️: uh yeah, sure. Where do wanna meet?

Davey: just come over ig

It got a little more complicated than either of them wished it had. It grew into an argument that left both of them frustrated.

"I just don't understand why you couldn't tell me what you were doing! It's not like it would have upset me!"

"I mean, it clearly is now! What difference would it have made?!"

"You lied to me, Jack. You said you were feeling sick-"

"Yeah, and I got better." Another lie. "Y'know, you could just tell me that you don't like hanging out with me anymore."

"Davey, it's not like that." David sighed, "What else could it be? You've been avoiding me at school, and when we're with friends, you treat me like I'm not there."

"It's just more complicated than that, okay? Kath and I aren't dating. She was asking me questions about the girl she liked. And for the other stuff I can't really tell you right now, you'll see in a little while."

"I'm sorry, I just don't have many friends other than you and our friend group. I'm just scared of losing you, y'know?" Davey felt stupid admitting that, but Jack hugged him, knowing the exact feeling.

☆*☆*☆

A few weeks later, it was prom season. It was practically thrown in Davey's face anytime he was in school or with friends.

"Hey Davey, has anyone asked you yet?" Race made sure to be loud enough so everyone heard.

"Uh, no. Not yet. I haven't asked anybody either." He didn't really care if they knew he was just planning on going to hang out with people.

"Really?!" Jack seemed to be more surprised than everyone else. "I mean, yeah?"

"But, you're like really hot? How has nobody asked you yet?" David was shocked, to say the least. He noticed that Katherine was trying to get the boys away to give them some privacy.

"I mean, it's not like I put myself out there or anything. And the one guy that I do like, really does not pick up on hints."

"Oh, who was the guy that you like?" Davey had never heard him speak so quietly, he almost didn't think it was Jack.

"Um, just some guy that was in our history class last year." 

"This is kind of random but will you come over to my house tonight? I wanna show you something." Jack was still quiet. 

"Yeah. Is everything okay?" Jack silently nodded.

A few hours later, Davey arrived at Jack's wearing his regular jeans and a hoodie, but when he saw Jack, he felt he should've dressed nicer.

"Oh, wow," he paused, admiring his friend for a moment, "Should I have dressed a little nicer?"

"No, no, no, you look amazing as is." Jack still seemed out of it. "Come here, the thing I wanted to show you is in my room."

"Is it now?" Davey flirted and Jack just chuckled. 

When they got there the room was dark other than a few lit candles, and on Jack's bed there was a bouquet of orchids and a painting of the two of them. But then he noticed a small card in the corner, 'Will you go to prom with me?'

"Jack, I-"

"I know you said there was another guy you have feelings for but, I already had this all planned so I thought I might as well show it to you." This is the first time that he had truly seen Jack this vulnerable.

"Y'know, I never pinned you as a romantic, Kelly," There was a pause as they finally made eye contact, "Do you happen to know what basorexia means, Jack?"

"Do I look like I know what it means?"

Davey chuckled and continued on, "It means the overwhelming desire to kiss someone. I feel that literally every time I look in your eyes."

"So I'll take that as a yes then?" He said and leaned in to kiss his "friend." That was never really the right word to describe them. Even from the first day, there was always something just a bit more.

"Also, how did you know my favorite flower was orchids?"

"You mentioned it a few months ago while you were on a rant." David smiled that he had remembered something as simple as his favorite flower. He smiled at his relationship being as bright and happy as it was before. 

It wasn’t all that often that Crutchie had to take off from work because of his leg, but today the pain was unbearable. Unfortunately, though, the two of you still didn’t have enough money to pay for doctor’s visits or medicine. You ended up staying with him just to try to distract him from his pain. Even though you didn’t have enough money for the doctor, you both did have enough money to keep living in the lodging house.

You wrapped his leg, set it up on a pillow, and laid down next to him on his small bunk.

“I’m really sorry that I can’t do much for you,” you admitted in a small voice.

“Don’t be sorry, I’m just glad that you’re here with me,” he spoke with a million-watt smile plastered on his face. This boy will literally be the death of you if he smiles like that.

---

You had been sitting in bed there for hours talking about everything, but the conversation ended on something Race wished he could delete from his brain. He wished he would have stayed out with the other boys for the rest of the day.

You had worked in the palace for quite a while, so you had made friends with almost everyone. You had talked with the prince the most, though. Your friendship had been looked down upon by the rest of the royal family. None of them could believe that their son and brother had made friends with "the scum of the city" - as his father had said.

He always defended you. But it always bothered you whenever he referred to you as a friend. It's not like you could be with him anyway. He was to marry someone proper, who knew what their future would hold.

Between the two of you, you regularly complained about the guards.

"What about that one there? What's he like?" He had asked about one of them.

"He has an annoying voice and is all around just a controlling prick." It was only every once in a while that you had a critical opinion about a guard.

"I don't know he seems fi-" he was immediately interrupted by said guard yelling at someone slightly out of line. You both burst out laughing at the coincidence. It took all you had to not stare at him while he had such a giddy smile on his face.

Even passersby on the street could probably tell that you had a crush on him. You weren't the most subtle when it came to your emotions, especially now.

The last few weeks, he hadn't been around as much, but when he was, he had been much happier.

You finally asked him one day when you heard him humming and dancing about in his room, "What has got you all excited?"

"Can't I just be happy?" he asked in response.

"Well, most people aren't up and about, dancing on a hurt leg."

"Maybe they aren't living their life then!" That was the end of that until you caught him sneaking back in the next day.

"What are you doing?" You must have scared him because he suddenly grabbed onto the table closest to him.

"Christ, warn a guy!" You raised your eyebrows in anticipation for his answer, "I was, uh, just with a friend."

"You don't have friends," You noted.

"Thanks." He retorted; you sighed in response, "I only mean that you aren't out of the palace often, and you don't know many people other than your family..." You had trouble correcting what you had said.

"Why can't I have freedom? I don't have anyone or anything even." He said frustratedly.

You were quick to respond, "First of all, you have no room to talk about freedom. I have been working since I was nine, and I have never seen you raise a finger for work. Even then, there are hundreds upon millions in this country alone who haven't seen an ounce of freedom in their life. Secondly, what do you mean no one? Don't you have me?"

He hesitated before responding, "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that; I don't want to be in this room my entire life. And I can try to get you a day off tomorrow, and you can come with me, as long as you swear not to tell anybody where I have been going."

"I guess..."

You didn't speak to him until the following morning when he found you to tell you where you were going. You were wearing a dress than your usual cleaning clothing. He looked at you differently than he usually does this time.

"What is it?" You asked.

"Oh, um, nothing. We, uh, we should start on our journey then!" He cringed after he finished talking, "I mean, we should get going." You nodded while giving him an odd look.

You weren't used to this many eyes on you as you walked down the street. At some point, Leo must have noticed because he wrapped an arm around your shoulder to protect you a little bit more.

There was about half an hour of small talk and walking before you made it to an alleyway.

"Here we are!" He said. All you did was raise an eyebrow in his direction. He knocked on the cellar door, and a woman around your age came out. She was pale with dark hair and freckles all across her face. She gave you a strange look, most likely because she probably wasn't expecting you, but she soon broke out into a smile.

"Hi! I'm Jessie, and you are?" You hesitated a moment before responding, "I'm Y/N, and I'm sorry that I came here unannounced."

Jessie gave a knowing smirk after hearing your name and then responded, "Oh, it's no problem. I love having people over, and I assume I can trust you since Leo brought you along." He smiled and nodded.

You soon stepped down the stairs into what seemed like the sewers. It didn't bother you much, though, as you had dealt with quite a few horrible things while cleaning. You saw two other young men and another woman who all seemed to be around Jessie's age.

All of them were slightly cautious when they saw you, especially the other woman. Leo quickly walked over to them and told them not to worry. He also said that you were a friend, but you tried your best to ignore it whenever he referred to you as a friend. Jessie also tried to help with their worry.

"This is Y/N. I brought her along because she wanted to get out and about with us." He spoke with a smile and nodded in your direction. They all shared a look. You also noticed he had his arm around the woman's shoulders. He continued, "And Y/N, this is Bea, Spike, and Billy."

"It's nice to meet all of you." You stated kindly. Spike responded first, "You too, ma'am."

Soon after the greetings, the six of you sat in a nook and spoke for what seemed like hours. You got along with all of them well, especially Bea, which confused Leo a little bit. Throughout the conversations, you had realized that none of them knew that Leo was the prince.

"So, Y/N," Billy eventually said, "What do you for work?"

"I'm a maid for the prince," You spoke shyly. They all raised their eyebrows in unison, especially Leo.

"What's he like?" Jessie pressed.

"I bet he's a posh prick like the one Bea yelled at the other day," Billy spoke.

"Oh no, he's actually quite kind to everyone working there."

"Surprising," He spoke in a monotone voice before taking another swig of his beer. You noticed a disheartened look on Leo's face, so you decided to squeeze his hand and try your best to change the topic.

Hours passed as you tried to ignore Leo being "friendly" with Bea. You eventually did have to leave, though. You said your goodbyes and made your way back to your house.

When you were near, you spoke, "I understand why you didn't want anyone to know."

"Yeah, because friendships like ours aren't really tolera-"

"You don't want your parents to know that you're courting Bea." You interrupted. He furrowed his brows and looked at you, confused.

"What are you talking about?" He laughed.

"I mean, aren't you? You got kind of lovey-dovey with her back there," you tried to joke, slightly saddened.

He stood, confused, for a few moments before responding, "We just have that kind of friendship it's not like it's how I feel about you." You didn't hear the last part as he mumbled, but you moved on and started walking again.

You started to overthink as you walked, 'of course, he wouldn't like her because she was similar to you.' You eventually let a tear fall, and you sniffed. He looked over at you worriedly, "What's wrong?"

"Oh no, it's, uh, it's nothing," you stuttered out, but he kept prying, "What is it?"

"I'm serious, it's nothing important." You made it to your house as you spoke. You quickly walked to your home and walked in without telling him goodbye. He walked up to the door and knocked with a startled and confused look on his face.

"Please leave." You muttered through the door.

"I'm not leaving until you tell me what happened."

In a moment of confidence, you opened the door, looked him in the eye, and kissed him. When you pulled away, he just looked at you.

"Well, that was nice," he paused, "But that didn't tell me what was wrong."

"You are kind of an idiot."

"Now that's not very kind."

"I love you." He did a slight double-take before asking, "What now?"

All responded with was another kiss. You both stood content as you stood in your doorway, looking at each other.

"Oh, by the way-" you interrupted the silence, "-why did they act like they knew my name?"