𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚙𝚒𝚝𝚢 | Isabela x Reader

Pick Your Poison

Pick your poison:
A.) Continue bleeding from a past love you can't move on from on your own without worrying about hurting anyone around you.
B.) Become dependent on a new love that could 'fix you' despite the possible toxic and messy aftermath.

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"So, what are your favorite flowers?" Isabela asks as she lies on the bed she produced in the shelter, wondering all the smallest things about you. She wanted to know everything and didn't try to hide her interest in you at all.

She was quite convinced she had a shot with you, but at the same time, the minor context clues she got from you convinced her otherwise. Something was holding you back, and you hadn't said a single word about it.

"I never really had the chance to learn about flowers. But I love every flower and plant you make, Isabela." You say as you shoot a smile at her, trying your hand at embroidering on your own like how Mirabel had taught you when she first visited.

You were a mystery; how you said such flattery so easily and spoke as if you were a poet that shook Isabela's heart with each word, somehow still unaware of your effect on her.

Every suitor had only told her that they loved her favorite flowers just to please and gain her favor. Your honesty was refreshing to her.

Just as Isabela's about to speak, you prick your finger with the needle and yelp in pain, cutting her off and making her rush to your side immediately. She takes your hand quickly and places a bit of pressure to make blood drip little by little. This was done in order to get rid of any bacteria from the needle.

You had at least expected embroidering to come naturally to you, but then again, you were always better out in the field with your expertise than doing such tasks.

"Alright, that should be enough. You should wash it just in case. It'll stop bleeding after a while since it wasn't too deep." She states as she stands up, pulling you alongside her and out to the river. "But we can go get mamá if you'd like."

You smile as you see worry cross her features. It instantly reminded you of your past lover whenever you went back to her bruised and battered from training.

"I'll be fine, this is nothing. Stop frowning or you'll grow worry lines on your head." You say as you poke her forehead playfully with your other hand, making her roll her eyes with a smile in response.

She giggles, her shoulders shaking while doing so. "You should see Dolores' worry lines, they're adorable."

Just as you look into her eyes, you suddenly lose what you were about to say as you get hypnotized by her eyes; the way they smiled along with her lips. Her long eyelashes were curled at the tips and her beautiful hazel orbs glowed under the sun.

When she turns to look back at you only to find you staring, she starts feeling conscious. She had only hoped she didn't look like a maniac by the way she was giggling to herself.

The sound of leaves getting crunched by footsteps nearby catches both of your attention. Turning in the direction, you find Dolores and Camilo emerging from behind several leaves and trees. "I heard that, Isa. But I'll forgive you this time since you called it adorable."

You snort, making the bun-haired woman raise an eyebrow at you playfully. "Do you have any objections?" She asks as she places her hands on her hips.

"Nope, not at all ma'am." You state, fixing your posture under her gaze, playfully acting like the soldier you were as you salute.

Camilo stands in front of you, proudly puffing his chest and saluting in an exaggerated way. "You have permission to head back home with us, soldier."

You lower your hand in confusion. "What? I was just getting ready to leave." You state as you turn to Dolores in question of Camilo's proclamation.

"Isa bought us enough time to persuade Abuela and make you stay while doing so. She finally said yes to welcoming you back." Dolores explains, walking ahead of everyone else back towards the shelter Isabela had made you. "You've proven yourself by respecting her wishes for an entire week."

"But are you absolutely certain she'll be alright with all this?" You ask as you find Luisa waiting outside of the shelter, waving at the four of you with a proud smile.

"Don't worry, we promised to properly communicate things. If there's something she dislikes, she'll immediately voice it out." Luisa states as you welcome her inside, admiring her respect for your privacy even if the shelter didn't have some kind of lock to keep her out.

She instantly grabs the few stuff you had, not bothering to let anyone lift anything. While making your way back into the Encanto, Isabela wraps her arm around your shoulder, stroking against your clothing gently.

"You don't have to worry, you're amazing. She's sure to love you." She cooes gently while the two of you walk a few steps behind the others like last time.

As if sensing what was going on, Camilo turns back to look, a smirk slowly forming on his lips. You instantly groan in your subconscious, just knowing he was about to tease. "When's the marriage?"

Those few words had instantly reminded you of Elena, your last conversation with her echoing in your mind. "Let's elope... we'll be happy."

The desperation in your voice that night was uncanny, it was nowhere near how you'd usually act. But because you were bound to your love for her, you threw your pride away and begged her.

Just remembering it left a bitter taste on your tongue, feeling shame as the scene suddenly couldn't stop replaying in your head. You didn't get an ounce of what you deserved in love. She was nowhere near even giving you the bare minimum.

You were an embarrassment because you were so blinded by your love that you couldn't see that hers was slowly getting dripped dry. She was your poison, and yet you kept drinking, not caring if you get intoxicated. You continually gave so much for her until you had nothing left, empty and withered.

The only good decision you ever really made was getting out of that village for good, cutting off the source of that poison before it fully contaminated your entire being.

It wasn't like this for the two of you in the beginning, but it only left you with regrets about what could have been.

Flashes of the past stop as you're grabbed on the shoulders by the familiar reassuring warmth. "Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?" Isabela asks as you suddenly start acknowledging where you were again.

"I- I'm sorry, I'm fine." You murmur as your head recovers from the spinning of your past. You tried to keep it at bay, but every single time something would trigger it, you relapsed.

You were looking at La Casa Madrigal once again right in front of you while Isabela supported your weight.

If anything could define that woman, it would be 'comfort', or maybe even 'home'.

You had always wondered what it felt like to find home in someone's arms. You didn't want to force that kind of idealization on Isabela as you'd just met her, but you knew... She gave you more reassurance than anything else in this world; she understood you despite not knowing all the details.

And if she kept pushing you to open up even further, you were bound to give in to her. Even if you knew how unhealthy it would be to rely on her presence while grieving for another.

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A/N: I wanna faaaallll in loveeeee. Writing sappy shit like this makes me want to experience it even further damn itttt. Anyway, I hope y'all liked this.

If you haven't yet, comment your chosen poison in the first part of the chapter!

Please vote <3 it motivates me a lot!