The Mysterious Dancer ( Camilo Madrigal X Reader )

Wait, Really?

You waited for Camilo alone the next day. He was running late. You sighed. Was he not coming? A few more minutes passed, and you were about to call it quits.

Camilo came running.

" FINAL-" But Camilo tackled you before you could finish. Your street smarts kicked in as you rolled across the ground. Camilo had his hand over your mouth. You kicked him off of you, using your core strength to jump up feet first. Camilo landed on his back on the ground. You looked down at him, about to fight him.

Camilo pressed a finger to his mouth, telling you to be quiet. His other hand was raised in the air in surrender. You looked at him, confused. Camilo stood up, giving you a notepad.

Can't talk here. Dolores will hear. I know a place to practice where she won't hear though. Follow me?

You read his note, looked up at him and nodded. Was Dolores really suspicious of you enough to not want her brother to hang out with you? Camilo nodded and motioned for you to follow him.

Camilo led you through the tropical vegetation, taking you farther and farther from the Encanto.

Eventually, you reached a small clearing. Trees circled the clearing, creating a wall. Tree branches were spiderwebbed above, protecting you from the sky. The space was very comfortable looking. A small stream went over rocks, creating the calming sound of rushing water.

It was like a small wonderland.

" We can talk now, it's far enough from the Encanto that Dolores won't hear. Meaning I won't get in trouble." Camilo told you, leaning on one of the trees. You noticed books and notebooks scattered in the small place.

" Do you come here often?" You asked.

" Yeah, kind of like a hideout I guess. So.. got any of that dancing advice?" Camilo asked.

" Right," You cleared your throat.

" Well first, dance is all about passion." You said. You looked Camilo in the eyes.

" What are you passionate about?" Camilo stared blankly. He scratched the back of his head.

" Well... i- um... I don't know. There's not a whole lot of problems in our family or anything. The only thing I could've drawn any emotion from was my uncle Bruno. But he's back now and we're all fine.. But I guess I could draw into my passion for dancing into it?" He said. You thought for a second.

" Hmm, no problems in your family that bother you? Something you secretly struggle with on the inside?"

Camilo looked down.

" Well, I guess there is one thing..." He started. You looked at him, he seemed a bit flustered and embarrassed. All of a sudden, a wave of guilt hit you. You walked up to him, you needed to put away the act for a minute and be sincere.

" What is it?"

Camilo hugged himself.

" Well... You know how I'm a shapeshifter?"

You nodded.

" My family always needs me to shapeshift a lot, to help do something around the house. But, they never want me just for me. It's kinda hard, y'know? I wish I could just be who I really am. And still be helpful." He sighed.

" It's hard to look at myself and see who I am sometimes." He looked at his reflection in the small stream. You had never known he felt this way. Gloriosa had always described the Madrigals as such a perfect family. You should've known better than to believe her.