#Prima Dolores: Dolores Madrigal | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

queenofthedisneyverse · 6 days

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Deceiver Chapter 1 - Villain Camilo au (rewrite)

TW: Some cussing

As always likes, reblogs. and comments are appreciated. Questions are fine as well.

Special thanks to @miracles-and-butterflies and @evostar for the inspiration.

These past several months have been the best fun Camilo has ever had. He bonded a little more with his family and that's the best thing he could ever ask for. Pranking people with Isabela, games with Dolores & Antonio, relaxing/talking about whatever with Mirabel/Luisa, and writing stories with his new Tio Bruno. Ok, well he's not new but still.

Not only that, but he's not forced to perform or babysit some random kid anymore. Don't get him wrong, he loved performing and babysitting but...it was getting a bit much for him.

A few years after his ceremony, it became expected for him to perform. To make people laugh. So much so that people would actively seek him out in hopes for him to make them laugh.

After he turned nine, he was given children to babysit. A few cousins on his papa's side of the family. No biggie. But after that, word spread around the Encanto, and he just became the designated babysitter of the place.

2, 3, 4, sometimes six or seven kids at a time that he was forced to look after. And at the time, he couldn't refuse. The family image was on the line and wanted to make abuela the miracle proud.

So, he dealt with it. All the times he wanted to relax he had to perform to make crowds or kids happy. If you need an extra Luisa you can just go to him. He can’t mimic her build and the strength she would have without her gift to help carry or lift whatever you needed…To hell with his own relaxation.

“Hey, it's Camilo! Tell us a story, we know you have a good one to share”

“I’ve been down lately, say something to lift my spirits”

“Say something funny, I'm so bored!”

Any time he tried to refuse he would be peer pressured into it. Or told how he was supposed to help. Sometimes he would get scolded if he said no too many times.

"You are a Madrigal for god's sake, you can't help me for a couple of hours?"

"Just take Elicia now, I'll be back in a couple of hours!"

"What's with the attitude?!"

"You watch that attitude young man, or I'll tell Alma how rude you've been."

And usually, when asked to go to a certain place, he usually has to be someone else.

"Hey, I need you to be me for a couple of hours. I do not want to go to that wedding"

"Can you be me at my sister's birthday party? I really don't want to go"

"I need you to be me and go on a date with my girlfriend. She's really been getting on my nerves lately and I just need to break"

"You're Camilo Madrigal, right? Turn into Isabela and do something funny"

Just constant pressure to be that happy go lucky town jester, doppelganger, and babysitter. Not to mention that his gift was taxing on his body. Every shift took more energy out of his body but how was he supposed to explain that? To children especially?

All the food he ate would barely even give him the energy he needed because he would be out of it two hours after breakfast or lunch.

There were days where just wanted to pass out from exhaustion, but he couldn't, you know why? Because he was Camilo Madrigal, Alma Madrigal's grandson, a bearer of the Miracle his abuelo died to give.

He was never allowed to be sad, angry, or any version of upset. Just a happy sunshine boy who would make you smile if you demanded asked him to. Camilo can’t even remember when he actually let himself feel anything besides joy.

But after the magic left...that all stopped. And even when someone tried to pin a child on him, one of his parents, sister, or primas would shoo the person away in their own way.

Things were getting so much better for him and the family as a whole. Sure...there are some issues that haven't been said on Camilo's part but...he has all the time in the world to say something right?

He has all the time in the world to tell his family that he has trouble understanding who he is. How he has trouble seeing who the person is in the mirror when he looks at it. When he looks in the mirror he’s too scared to see whether it’s himself or someone else hiding underneath.

How he still has issues letting himself feel negative emotions but…the magic isn't going to come back to distract everyone. So everything is going to go great.

Camilo watched as his hermanito gave Mirabel the doorknob. His smile widened and his heart swelled at the wholesome sight. As she walks up to it, they all come close.

"We see how bright you burn"

He sings with his family. He, his Hermana, and parents smiled warmly at her.

"We see how brave you've been"

"Now see yourself in turn"

Mirabel's sisters and parents do the same. Everyone in the family, including Abuela, looks at her proudly. She finally makes it up to the new family door. Tio bruno now stands beside tia julieta and tio agustin. Man, has he grown since the start of all this. Still a little skittish and scared of people but he’s genuinely trying and making progress.

All of them stay behind her, silently showing that it's her time to shine. She puts the doorknob in the hole and as soon as she does, magic sparks from it. Camilo's heart raced with fear...this isn't happening. He watched as the magic swirled around the house and all over the Encanto. Feeling the magic pulsate through his veins again.

No.

No. No. No. No. No. No! No! No!

NO!

This can't be happening right now. Not after all this time, it can't be. The magic felt agonizingly warm within his body. He never wanted to feel this warmth ever again in his entire life.

"Hola Casita!" Mirabel smiled and waved at the home.

The happy house started making music with its tiles, doors, windows, and anything else it could finally control again. With so much excitement, Casita bounced the stone floor under Mirabel and welcomed her in first.

"Come on! Get in here!"

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Casita did the same for everybody and slid everyone in using the ground they stood on. The joy was ultimately infectious to everyone but Camilo. He was still trying to process what the hell was going on.

"Calm down Camilo, our gits aren't back. It's just Casita, that's all" He thought to himself as everyone was piled in. "Surely, they wouldn't come back...right?"

Boy was he wrong, one by one, gift by gift. Isabela got her flower powers, Antonio could speak to his animals, Luisa got her super strength back. Pepa was happily dancing with small bits hail over her head. Felix cheering her on as always.

That must mean...no, no no no, it didn't. It couldn't have. He's happily gift less.

But he knew his gift was back. He could feel it in his very soul. Camilo was scared, frightened even. Does this mean things will go back to how it used to be?

Was he going to be the town jester and doppelganger and babysitter again? Was he now going to constantly be told to be someone other than himself?!

No, no, he won't let that happen.

Camilo looked around at the scene. Everyone seemed so happy and jovial while he was in a state of turmoil. Milo was feeling overwhelmed. He has to make this stop. He has to-

Suddenly, the tiles under his feet moved him to the center of the courtyard. Snapping him out of his thoughts.

Wait, what's happening?! he thought as his eyes looked around confused. The family all posed as the camera was brought out and bounced over to them with a rat on top of it.

"Everyone together!" Alma said cheerfully

Huh?!

"La Familia Madri-" Everyone was cut by Casita making them all huddle in too close together. Resulting in a funny but cute family photo.

After the family broke apart a little bit, Milo was given some space to think. If you could call it that. His mind was practically racing with all those horrible memories of how things used to be.

Dolores looked at him as she heard his heart racing. To be fair, everybody's hearts were racing but she was the closest to him at the moment.

She looked at his face. He wasn't smiling. He looked perplexed to say the least...and a little scared. Which was odd, this was supposed to be a joyous moment right?

She stepped a little closer to him and put her hand on his shoulder. A small way to get his attention.

"Milo...you okay?" She asked softly and quietly, he was close enough for him to hear but quiet enough for others to barely acknowledge.

There's no candle...nothing to snuff out. Nothing to make the magic go away. It's going to happen all over again. No one is going to want me for me anymore. I have to get rid of it. GET RID OF IT! GET RID OF IT! But how?! Did Mirabel bring it back? no...wait, the doorknob...THE DOORKNOB-

"Camilo?!"

Dolores spoke a little bit louder as she nudged his shoulder. Camilo looked at her in shock and looked around. His heart was still going rapidly.

"Camilo are you alright?!" She asked him while she looked into his eyes. She saw panic in his eyes, and he wasn't saying anything...he must be having a panic attack.

Her concerned voice alerted her parents Pepa looked at her son and stepped a little closer, putting her hand on his cheek.

"Mijo, are you okay?"

Camilo finally snapped out of his thoughts "I- I uh...yeah, I'm just...shocked is all" he chuckled nervously. Which wasn't a lie, he was shocked.

"Your heart was going really fast milo, are you sure-"

"I'm sure Dolores!" Camilo answered with a slightly irritated tone. He didn't mean that. Quick idiota, change your attitude "Heh....I'm okay, I'm happy"

Ok, very odd. He was telling the truth but there was something he wasn't saying. Dolores, Pepa, and Felix could see it.

"Mijo...if there's something wrong you can say it." Felix said sincerely.

"I'm fine papa, really"

The party continued and everything was going well. Camilo joined in on the fun as well. But only to appear just as happy as everyone else was. But on the inside, he was feeling everything but happy.

"The magic is back now" a voice in his head said.

"You know what that means," Another voice said.

"Everything will go back to how it used to" another said.

"You're going to be the villages Mamita and bufón again"

"It'll all go back to everyone never wanting you, just someone who doesn't even act or look like you"

What is happening?! Where are these voices coming from...why are they saying this to me... Camilo thought to himself.

"We're saying it because it's true milo. Everything is going to go back to normal...unless you take that doorknob out of the front door of course."

This was becoming very concerning to him...but he felt like they were right. He didn't want to go back to that, he can't go back to that! He needs that doorknob gone.

When he noticed the attention wasn't on him, he snuck out to the front of the house and stood in front of the door.

It was a happy little door. It had everyone on it as a family. Cami couldn't deny that it was a sweet sight. But he wasn't really in the mood right now for sentimental value. He looked down at the doorknob, staring into it intently. It glowed so beautifully with that 'M' carved into it. Oh, how he hated it.

"Go on!"

"I can't!"

"Just take it already!"

"What if it doesn't work?"

"You want to go back to how things were? At least try it!"

Camilo internally argued with himself for a few more seconds until he reached out and gripped out. He tugged softly the first time, no budge. He tugged harder, still, it didn't budge.

“Puta madre!! Why Mirabel, WHY?! You just have to fuck everything up don’t you?!” Camilo seethed to himself. There was definitely no way of removing the magic this time. That doorknob more than likely wouldn’t budge unless Mirabel herself wanted to remove it.

He wanted to cry, he wanted to scream, to punch something ANYTHING! This isn’t fair. He can’t go back to being other people! He can’t go back to babysitting every kid in Encanto without a choice in the matter.

“I don’t even know who I am at all and it’s all their fault! Those soul sucking ungrateful villagers. I never even got a thank you for watching their kids! Never a “thank you” for pretending to be someone else for them! I'm not going to let anyone force me back into that corner, EVER! I will burn this entire encanto DOWN to the ground before that happens again!”

Camilo’s heart was racing fast as he stared at the glowing door. Those smiles were so adorable…so mocking. He looked at the glowing version of himself “drawn” onto the door. He reached up to it and touched it.

The door felt sickeningly warm to the touch. He could feel the music from inside vibrating off of it. Milo took his hand away with a scowl etched into his lips. He chuckled but there was no joy in it. Only disdain.

Before he could think anything else the door swung open and hit him straight in the face, knocking him down.

“OW!” Camilo groaned as he sat up off the ground clutching his face.

“Huh? Oh sorry Milo, I didn’t know you were there” A voice said apologetically. Camilo instantly recognized it as Isabela’s.

He looked up and saw her. She was completely covered in a variety of pollen colors but the most obvious one was dark blue. She held her hand out and Camilo begrudgingly took it. Next to her was a giddy and bouncy Antonio.

“Did you kick the door open?!” He said as he rubbed his hurt nose.

Isabela shrugged, “Yeah, lo siento. Now come on, Casita said that some of us have new additions to our gifts. Antonio wants you to try something”

Camilo looked down and was met with Antonio’s beaming face, “Cami! Dolores can turn her gift off when she wants too, that’s so cool right?! Isabela can make all kinds of plants now, even poisonous ones! I’m not sure what I or mama or Luisa can do yet but I want you to try something!”

Camilo took in all of that information and reminded himself that he wasn’t smiling, so he pretended that he was just as happy as Antonio, “Oh really? Well, what do you want me to try?”

“Try shapeshifting into animals por favor!”

Milo was taken back by that, animals? He remembered trying that once as a kid and nothing happened.

“I- I don’t know tonito-”

“Pleeeeeease!” Antonio begged with that adorable smile and big eyes. Who can say no to that

Camilo sighed and kneeled down to be at his hermanito’s level “fine, any specifics?”

“A jaguar, like Parce!” Antonio bounced with anticipation and joy.

The teen boy looked up at Isabela, who just shrugged and put a hand on her hip as she waited. He looked back down at Antonio and stood back up.

“Well…worth a shot” Camilo shrugged and closed his eyes.

Milo focused on the image of Parce in his head and breathed a deep sigh. His eyes closed and breathing calm. After ten seconds he opened his eyes. He looked at Antonio and up at Isabela, then down at the ground.

Paws…he sees paws! He tried to circle around but he would just trip over himself seeing as it’s the first time he’s walking in cat form. But that didn’t deter him at all. He was ecstatic.

“I- I did it! I turned into jaguar! I can shift into animals-”

“Pffft-” Isabela snickered and Antonio giggled at the sight. Camilo assumed it was because he was walking funny. Nope.

“You missed a spot primo!” Isabela pointed at her face

“Que?”

“Your head isn’t a jaguar head. And you have a human backside” Antonio giggled. In a quick pace, tonito asked Casita to open the front door. The house obliged and did what it was asked. Before Camilo could get a word out Antonio shouted that everyone come see Camilo in a jaguar form.

“No wait! Don’t!” Milo wasn’t a fan of his weird shifting quirks. They always acted up at the worst times and he hated it. Now was one of those times. The more he tried to shift back into any other animal or just himself he would just shift into a different animal with strange human likeness.

By the time people were outside they saw the amalgamation that was a half donkey, horse, and teenage boy. It caused people, especially his family, to laugh at this shifting quirk. It was causing him to panic and shift more uncontrollably.

He didn’t want this, he didn’t want to be the town entertainment again. Milo stopped to focus on the ground. In this form his legs looked to be a donkey's legs, horse torso, and a capybara face with his normal hands and hair.

Alma came up to him with tears in her eyes as she chuckled, “aye milo, still trying to make everyone laugh I see”

This isn’t happening right now…it couldn’t be. He wanted this to be a horrible dream but all of it felt too real to be. The laughs were so loud and annoying. His heart was beating really fast and all he could do was just look around in embarrassment.

Pepa saw the panic in his eyes and her smile quickly faded, as well as her rainbow. She quickly walked over to him. Felix noticed her expression and followed suit.

Pepa stood by him and patted his head in order to calm him down “Cami, you alright?”

Camilo looked up at her and looked back at everyone else. He was not okay. He needed to not be the center of attention right now. He tried to shift into his human form but that just caused so much more embarrassment for him.

Not to mention that all of this unorthodox shifting was hurting him. His bones and skin just shifted into so many things so many times. It was painful.

Please stop! Please stop! Please stop! Please stop! Please stop! PLEASE STOP! He thought to himself. With a final scream of frustration he finally shifted back into himself. He checked himself over. Normal hands, normal face, normal body, normal feet.

His breathing was quick and uneven. His heart beating a thousand beats per second. And…he was crying. Tears were falling down his cheeks and his body was shaking.

“Camilo” Felix looked down at his son with concern and bent down to pick him up by the arm. “Hey, hey mijo! Breath, look at me!”

The teen couldn’t hear him. In fact, Camilo could still hear and see the villagers laughing at him. Even if they weren’t anymore. The laughter got louder and louder to him, never stopping.

This frightened Camilo and he ran past all of them. Pushing and knocking over whoever he can to get inside Casita. The voices calling out to him were unheard as he rushed up Casita’s stairs and into his room.

It was still the same as it used to be. A large theater with a big stage. The only difference was that the lights were much brighter than they used to be. And they were directly on him and followed his every movement as he ran past the audience seats and on top of the stage.

He moved the curtain back and his old king sized bed was there with all of its yellow, orange, and red pillows, blankets, and sheets. On the right of his bed was a large rectangular mirror with the classic round light bulbs decorating all sides of it.

“Casita…please,” Camilo whimpered as tears fell down his cheeks. Laughter was still echoing in his head. “Make it stop!”

He covered his ears like his hermana used to when noise became too much for her.

Why is this happening to me?! I just want things to be normal! Why can’t I be normal, why can’t this family be normal?! Camilo fell to his knees and tightened his hold on his head.

Why did Mirabel have to touch that fucking doorknob! This is all her fault, her fault, her fault, HER FAULT! Everything was fine before that. My life was going to be normal and now it’s back to how it was! Those people are going to use me again…no…

Camilo’s eyes widened as he stumbled upon a thought, “Those people…those ungrateful ass people! How dare they laugh at me?! After all the turmoil I went through to make them happy…that’s how they repay me”

The teen boy chuckled, then giggled, and soon he started to laugh. Loudly and Maniacally. This was it, Camilo finally snapped.

“I’ll make them pay”

On the outside of his room, Dolores was downstairs at the kitchen table trying her best to listen in on her hermano. But she couldn’t hear anything. She did hear him crying but then it just stopped as quick as it started. The only thing she could hear was his heart beat. There was a thought that he was just doing this to get attention but Camilo would never do that.

“Do you hear anything?” Pepa asked with concern in her voice. The only reason she didn’t barge into his room is because Felix stopped her. He wanted to see him too but didn’t want to overstep a boundary.

Dolores shakes her head, “No, mama his room is soundproof”

Antonio looked up at his hermana and parents, “Is he gonna be ok?”

Felix looked down at his youngest son sympathetically, “He’ll be ok mijo, he was just uh…a little embarrassed”

“A little my ass” Pepa thought to herself as she was stroking her braid. A small gray cloud over her head.

“He was crying though” Antonio doubted and sank back into his chair a little bit.

The table went quiet as everyone went into deep thought. He looked really panicked, hurt (both physically and emotionally), and embarrassed. Most of them thought he may have been having a panic attack but Dolores informed them his heart rate has slowed down. Which was also a calming thing to know for her as well.

“If I was in his situation I would’ve cried and ran off too” Bruno admitted quietly as he fiddled with his fingers.

Camilo breathed in a deep sigh and stared at himself in the mirror. For once in a long time, Camilo saw his face staring back at him. He was sure of himself now…and knowing that put a sinister smile on his face.

He tilted his head as he noticed something…man he needed a wardrobe change.

I need a better style than this. Oh! I know Mami and Dolores would love to help me with that! Tonito and Papi would too. Milo stood up and walked away from the mirror, swiping the curtains out of his way and walked down the stage stairs.

Once he made it out of his room he closed his door lightly and leaned his back on it. A big and chipper smile appeared on his lips. A soft and happy voice to go with it.

“Dolores, can you and Mami come upstairs please? I want a makeover”

@glowing-celesticpetals

@gamerbearmira

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gamerbearmira · 4 months

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Christmas...but...sad...

HEY GUYSSSSS I SAID. ANGST AND FLUFF. WELL HERES THE HURT/COMFORT.

This took me a lot longer because I was also writing the other one, and I did some quick art before I left. Currently??? Its almost done, so I'll post it a bit later. But for now have this <\\\\333

-----

The remaining members of the Madrigal family sat in the now desolate Casita. The snow whirled around outside, and the walls of the house d Wid little to shield those within. The candle was melting, almost on its last leg. Casita had almost no magic, its movements old. Antonio shuddered, his small body shaking as he looked up at his older sister. Dolores pulled him close, wrapping her arms around him in a poor attempt to keep him warm. Isabela and Mirabel were curled up together, trying to keep each other warm. The gifts had long since faded and disappeared, and they were left with nothing. Luisa sat next to Camilo, who huddled underneath his poncho, though he was just as cold as before.

Dolores frowned as she felt Antonio grab her hand. His little hands were freezing, shivering in the cold winter air. They were stiff, and it was clear he had some form of frostbite. He was still so cold.

The six tried to huddle closer, trying to form some kind of body heat. The melting candle offered no warmth, and the little light it gave was dying slowly. It was only a matter of time at this point.

Luisa, not wanting anyone to remain cold, had an idea. Using the last of her strength, she scooped up her hermanas and her primis. Her arms wrapped around them, shielding them from the snow falling through the roof and the cold air that only seemed to grow more.

No words were said as they sat there. Their eyes stayed on the candle, though occasionally they would drift towards each other or the pictures on the wall that were covered in frost. The pictures of the family they once were, that they once had. But it seemed like they were now being punished, and they couldn't do anything about it. All they could do was pray the storm would end, biding their time.

It seemed like it had been hours. It could have been, not that they could tell. Their perception of time was long gone; all the clocks had frozen. Antonio was barely moving, his eyes glazed over. The only thing that even indicated his still being there was his breath in the cold air. But even that was staggering.

"Lola..." Antonio looked up at Dolores, who had been holding him. But it wasn't lost on the other four that Antonio wasn't going to last much longer. They couldn't help but look at him with glassy eyes.

"Yes, Toñito?" Dolores asked, trying to hide the breaking in her voice.

"I'm...so tired. I know you said not to but...I wanna go to sleep," Antonio said, curling closer to the group huddle. His eyelids kept falling, lower and lower, and he was failing to keep them up.

Dolores felt a lump form in her throat, and she looked down at Antonio. As much as she wanted him to remain awake, she knew he was probably in pain, and he wouldn't even last the night had to go to sleep at one point anyway.

"Ok, Antonio. You...you can go to sleep," Dolores said, her voice finally cracking. The others watched on with tears in their eyes that threatened to fall. Antonio looked at them confused, his child's mind not understanding what was happening.

"Why are you crying? I'm not going anywhere," Antonio closed his eyes, his breathing slowing. "I promise...it's only for a little while. Buenos noches."

The other five watched him, his breathing slowing more and more. They hoped he had a good dream, and hoped he joined the rest of the family and got away from the cold.

---

Antonio looked around. He was in Casita. It looked...normal though. Before the storm. Before the magic died.

"Hello?" He called, suddenly feeling a lot warmer. But he felt alone. He didn't know where everyone was. He wondered if his siblings or primas were here. It was over, the storm was over, so...where were they?

"Antonio?" Antonio turned around, hearing a familiar voice. "Is that you?"

"¡Papá!" Antonio exclaimed with a smile, running into Félix's arms. The man picked his son up, smiling, though confused.

"Y-You're here? Already?" Felíx asked and Antonio looked at him in innocence.

"What do you mean?" Antonio asked. Felíx's eyebrows raised as he realized what Antonio had said. He didn't understand. But something in Felíx told him not to tell the small boy.

"Don't worry about it mijo. Why don't we go meet the others while we wait for your primas and hermanos," Felíx suggested and Antonio cheered. He hugged his father close, feeling warm as he was carried away into a strange light.

Dolores didn't let go of Antonio. He was so cold, and so still. And she still didn't let go. None of them did. They refused to let of him, of each other. Now more than ever, they needed to stay. They couldn't let themselves be alone, not now, not ever.

The candle was getting lower and lower. The light was dying. The magic was too, and with it, the snowstorm was only getting stronger. What was left of Casita was falling apart. The wood was falling away, the age showing. More snow piled in, and it was clear the house might not make the night.

"Get closer," Isabela said, and the all got even closer, if that was possible. Luisa's large arms were still wrapped around them, taking the brunt of the storm. Snow piled on her, though she could no longer feel the cold sleet melting through her dress and onto her skin.

Her eyelashes were frosted, and she blinked, her eyes growing blurry. She teared up but didn't let any fall. Not that she could. It seemed like they were freezing on the spot. She knew. But she didn't tell them.

"I love you guys. And I'll always protect you," Luisa said softly, her voice faint, a stark contrast to what it used to be.

Mirabel clung to her older sister's arm. "We love you too Luisa," she murmured, the other 3 mumbling the same sentiment.

It took a moment. Only a moment. But Mirabel realized that she got no response. Usually Luisa, even in their current predicament, would always respond with something about loving them more. But she didn't. She said nothing. Mirabel couldn't hear anything. Though her glasses were covered in frost, she managed to shakily squeeze Luisa's hand.

Luisa's hand remained still.

"L-Luisa?" Mirabel said through chattering teeth, looking up at her sister, who was still hugging them. Mirabel swore her breath left her when she saw Luisa's face. It was still. There was a small smile, but that was it. Her eyes, they were open, low-lidded. But she didn't blink.

"Luisa?"

Luisa blinked away her grogginess, groaning softly as she sat up. She was still on the floor, but her arms were empty. Before she could panic, she caught a glimpse of socks. Socks only worn by one person she knew.

"Papá?" Luisa said unsurely, looking up. Agustín stood there, looking nothing like he did the last time she saw him. He looked like he did any other day. He helped her up, a bright smile on his face as he greeted her.

"Hola mija," he said softly, and Luisa stared at him. She looked around once more before realizing what happened. Tears well up in her eyes, and Agustín quickly pulled her into a hug. She sobbed into his shoulder, apologizing over and over again.

"I couldn't protect them...I'm so sorry..." She said between sobs, and Agustín stood there holding her. After she had calmed down some, he pulled her back.

"Luisa. It's not your fault. None of this is. And you don't have to worry anymore, ok?" He reassured her. Luisa sniffed, looking down before nodding. "You did all you could, and that is more than enough. Now, come on. The others are waiting."

Luisa held her father's hand, and he guided her into the soft and strangely comforting light.

Four. There were only four of them now. And with Luisa having joined the rest of the family, they knew that it was only a matter of time before the rest of them went as well. It was a waiting game, one that they wanted no part up, but had no choice but to play in.

The candle wax melted slowly. So slowly, it was almost painful to watch. But they had nothing better to do. It provided no warmth and barely any light. Because of that, they had no reason to make any effort to keep it lit. Besides, without their abuela, there was no point in trying.

"You know flowers don't last very long in the cold," Isabela said, attempting to laugh, though she failed miserably. "And neither will I. Not for much longer."

"Isa? What are you saying?" Dolores asked, and Mirabel was already crying at Isabela's implication.

Isabela simply smiled at Dolores, before finally speaking. "I mean," she said, leaning against Luisa, the fatigue in her eyes obvious. "I'm going to go to sleep too."

Mirabel did her best to move forward, grabbing onto Isabela's hands. "No, no, Isa, you can't," she said, her voice breaking, the cold tears streaming down her face. "D-Don't leave me, Isa, please, you...you can't."

Isabela cupped Mirabel's face, kissing her forehead. "I'm sorry Mira. But I can't...I can't fight anymore. I love you."

Mirabel desperately tried to get Isabela to wake up. She did. But she just stayed still, her eyes closed as she leaned against Luisa's still body. It took forever to get away, and Mirabel cried, Camilo holding her close in an attempt to comfort her, knowing both her sisters were gone.

Isabela looked around at the kitchen she had woken up in. It was Casota's kitchen. Of course, it wasn't covered in snow, and everything was still intact. Which confused her. And last she knew she was in the corner of the candle room watching the candle die after saying goodbye to her sister.

Isabela's eyes widened as she covered her mouth. "Am I dead?"

Before Isabela could even attempt to panic she felt a warm hand grab her own, and she was turned around. His eyes widened when she saw Julieta's warm smile as she looked at her daughter. Isabela could hardly believe her eyes when she saw her.

"Hola Isabela," she said softly, the same soft voice she had missed so much. "Are you hungry?" Isabela looked down and saw an arepa in her hand. It was warm, fresh off the stove.

She hesitantly took a bite. As soon as she did, tears streamed down her face, and Julieta held her close, guiding her towards the soft light. "Come on mija. It's ok. You don't have to worry anymore."

Dolores watched Camilo and Mirabel. The two were curled up together, Camilo comforting Mirabel. Dolores couldn't help but smile at the memory of her walking into the nursery and seeing Camilo comforting Mirabel right after the ceremony. He refused to leave her side for weeks.

Dolores felt her eyelids falling, and she nodded off for a moment. Though she could no longer do it, she could feel her heartbeat slowing. She wondered if Mariano was ok. Did he get out of the Encanto before the storm started? Or was he gone like the rest of them?

At least she got to confess to him. While they never did get married, or have the kids they wanted...at least she was able to be with him, even if it was only for a little while.

Dolores shifted, her head leaning against Isabela's cold shoulder as she held the still very cold and stiff Antonio. She hadn't let him go and she didn't intend to. She looked at Camilo and Mirabel, still curled up close. Mirabel had long since calmed down now, but behind her frosted green glass, and in the faint light of the candle, she could see her eyes were puffy.

Camilo seemed to notice Dolores looking at them. He stared at her for a moment before he finally realized she had stopped moving. Her breaths were barely coming out, even in the cold air amid the snow.

"Lola? You...you're not leaving too, are you?" Camilo asked in a shaky voice. Dolores's eyes shifted, and she smiled at her younger brother. She reached her hand hand, and Camilo grabbed it. He tried to act tough, but she could see the tears welling up in his already red eyes. "You're hands are so cold...if you go to sleep...I won't stop you. But I will cry."

Dolores laughed at Camilo's attempt at a joke. Even now, he was still trying to make her laugh. "Te amo hermanito."

Camilo smiled, blinking away tears as he squeezed her hand and held Mirabel a little closer. "Te amo, hermana."

Dolores looked around. She was on the stairs of Casita. She looked down and noticed they were still intact. The wood wasn't broken, there were no cracks or splinters. She carefully stepped down, walking down the stairs as slowly as she could, looking around.

"Hello? Camilo? Mirabel?" She looked around, not seeing anyone. "I-Is anyone here?" Dolores was getting worried, and maybe a little scared.

"Dolores, up here mija," Dolores turned around, looking up the stairs. Pepa was standing there, a bright smile on her face and a rainbow over her head. Dolores said nothing, and immediately scrambled up the stairs. As soon as she was close, she met Pepa with a tight huh.

"You're here! You're actually here!" Dolores sobbed, burying her face in her chest. Pepa hugged her eldest, gently petting her hair.

"Of course. I wouldn't leave you alone forever, you know that," Pepa said softly, kissing Dolores' head. She helped the girl up, letting her lean against her. "Come on. The family is waiting for us."

Camilo hugged Mirabel close. His poncho did little to keep him warm, but he desperately hoped Mirabel was warm enough. It was just him and her, just like when they were kids. It was sort of ironic, they spent some of their first moments together, and now they were possibly spending their last together.

"Camilo?" Mirabel asked in a quiet voice, unable to look at him anymore, her glasses completely frosted over.

"Yeah?" He said, his eyes heavy as he stared at the almost-out candle.

"Did you...did you ever think it would end like this?" Mirabel asked. Camilo paused, not saying anything. He looked at the faces of the other family members before he looked towards Mirabel. He could see the fear in her face, and he no doubt knew he also had fear in his eyes.

He was scared to go. But he knew it had to happen.

"No," he said simply. He felt his eyes growing heavier and heavier. The cold no longer hit him, the storm was nothing to his raw and frostbitten skin. He carefully removed his poncho. The fabric was frozen, and he shook it before placing it on Mirabel, who looked confused.

"Camilo? What are you...?" Mirabel asked, looking at her primo, though she considered him a twin.

"I might not have thought it'd have ended like this, but I'm glad you're here with me," Camilo said. Mirabel looked at him, and at first, she looked angry. Angry that he was going, and she couldn't do anything about it. But as Camilo leaned against Luisa, Mirabel just grabbed his hand, leaning against him and sobbing. "This is some Christmas huh?"

Mirabel let out a watery laugh at his poorly made joke. She sniffed, holding his hand. "Yeah, it is."

"Maybe we'll be primos or twins...in another universe," Camilo said, his eyes closing, and he only heard Mirabel's voice.

"Maybe," Mirabel whispered, clutching Camilo's poncho.

Camilo looked around. He was sitting on one of the couches, which was in the same condition it was before the candle and storm fiasco. He stood slowly, and he walked around the courtyard for a moment.

"Uh...hello?" He called out but got no initial answer.

Was he alone? Had he ended up alone, what happened to Mirabel? He wanted to go back if was alone, he didn't wanna alone.

Camilo was panicking slightly, his eyebrows furrowed as he continuously looked around. He suddenly heard the sound of rushed footsteps. Flying around the corner was Bruno, who looked out of breath. Camilo stared in shock, unable to articulate words.

"I...I'm here! Sorry, I'm late," Bruno said standing up. He had an unsure smile on his face as he looked at Camilo. "So uh...long time no see, huh?"

Camilo didn't know what to say, and he simply threw himself into Bruno's arms. The man looked shocked, looking around before looking back at Camilo, who was still hugging him. Bruno hesitated, before wrapping his arms around his oldest nephew.

"I missed you so much," Camilo said, not letting Bruno.

He smiled pulling him closer. "I missed you too kid. I missed you a lot." Bruno hugged Camilo for a moment longer before he pulled away. "Come one. We gotta go meet the rest of the family."

Camilo stopped, causing Bruno to look back. "What about Mirabel? She's...she's still there, alone!"

Bruno gave a sad smile as he looked at Camilo. "She won't be alone for much longer. I promise. Now come on." Camilo paused for a moment before taking Bruno's hand, following Bruno into the light ahead.

Mirabel had nothing in her. She couldn't fight anymore. She was alone, and she didn't want to be alone. She was so cold, she felt hot, but she refused to remove Camilo's poncho. She wouldn't. Refused.

She stared at the candle, which was nothing was a small flame. The wax had melted away, and the wick was barely holding up against the winds, which had only gotten stronger.

"I guess it's time for me to go to sleep too," Mirabel said. She reached over with a tired, heavy arm, and grabbed the candle. She held it close, and for the first time in a while, she felt something equivalent to warmth. She cradled it in her hands, watching the flame slowly die out.

Smoke was left in the place of the flame. Mirabel held the small piece of wax, and her eyes slowly began to close. She felt herself growing more and more tired. She finally closed her eyes, knowing she wouldn't be alone more.

Mirabel opened her eyes, standing in the courtyard of Casita. She looked around, marveling at the fact that the house was almost new, or at least when it first formed. She looked around for anyone but spotted no one.

As she walked forward, she saw something fluttering. She walked closer, slowly. It was a small golden butterfly. She couldn't help but follow it, her eyes light with a gentle glow. She kept walking until she got to the entrance of the dining room. She stopped short, seeing her abuela...and her abuelo. Two people she thought she'd never see.

"Abuela? Abuelo? What...?" Mirabel stopped, and Alma walked closer, cupping her cheeks and kissing her.

"We've been waiting for you nieta," Alma said and grabbed her hand.

"Really?" Mirabel asked and Pedro nodded.

"Yes," he said gently and guided her alongside Alma. Mirabel was confused for a moment, but after entering the soft light, that led into the dining room. Her eyes widened.

The whole family was there. The ones she thought had left her for good. She thought she'd never seen them again, but here they were. Pedro sat her down next to Antonio, who smiled up at her, and Luisa, who did the same.

"You guys are here?" Mirabel asked with a laugh of disbelief.

"Yes. And now that everyone's here, we can start Christmas dinner," Alma smiled, sitting down at her seat at the head, while Pedro sat at the other end. Mirabel paused but didn't say anything. She simply nodded, happy to join her family.

Finally, they were together again. And they didn't intend to leave each other ever again.

-----

SADNESS, MUCH SADNESS :(((

But yeah. Half based on the little match girl and. Some other random crap, idk. I just wanted to write Christmas angst. But I will post fluff later <333

ANYWAY. SORRYBI DON'T HAVE ANY ART THIS YEAR :((( BUT MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!! I hope everyone has a great day ❗❓🗣🗣🗣

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