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The whole family was sat down for dinner, one of many since Bruno's return and Casita’s rebuild, when Isabella stood and said she had an announcement.
It's then when she explains that she is dating a woman.
Everyone is, of course, as supportive as possible. Everyone smiling and telling her they're proud and happy for her, asking questions about who the ‘lucky lady’ is. Even Abuela hugged her and told her she can't wait to meet her.
Bruno was quiet after that. For the rest of the meal, he didn't really say a word. Pushing the food around his plate absentmindedly until everyone else is done. He moves to collect the plates, bringing them to the kitchen. Agustin noticed his change in demeanor, and mistook it for judgement. Feeling protective of his eldest daughter and wanting to nip this in the bud quickly, he follows Bruno to the kitchen.
Agustin enters the kitchen, noticing Bruno's tense shoulders as he stacks dishes. The sound of water running from the sink fills the quiet space.
He clears his throat softly, leaning against the doorframe. "Bruno... mind if I ask you something?”
Bruno jumps slightly, he hadn't noticed Agustin follow him.
"Um, of course."
He smiles at his brother in law, trying to force himself to be calmer. He turns off the water.
Agustin steps further into the kitchen, crossing his arms. His eyes narrow slightly with concern.
"You seemed... off during dinner. After Isabella told us about her girlfriend.”
Agustin tries to broach the topic lightly, but is of course worried about the possibility of his daughter facing any backlash within the family. Especially because it must've taken her a lot of courage to tell everyone after everything that happened with Mariano.
"oh, man-"
Bruno sighs, his smile immediately disappearing.
"Was it that obvious?"
Agustin can't help the wave of protectiveness for his daughter as Bruno doesn't deny it.
Agustin moves closer, his protective instincts flaring. He keeps his voice steady but firm.
"Yes, it was. And I want to know why. Is it because she's dating a woman? Because that shouldn't matter to you.”
"God, no- it doesn't! I- I'm happy for her, trust me. It's not like that, I swear."
He stutters, nervously denying and looking really apologetic.
Agustin studies Bruno's face intently, searching for any suggestions that the smaller man is lying. His jaw clenches slightly.
"Then what is it? Because you clearly have something against it.”
He asks, sounding a bit more standoffish than he means to.
"it's not her, it's... It's my mother."
He sighs, looking tired. He tries to busy his hands by cleaning some of the dishes.
Agustin's expression darkens at the mention of Alma. He moves to stand beside Bruno, taking a plate from his hands- though Bruno doesn't seem to be paying too much attention to the dishes either way.
"What about her? What does she have to do with this?”
"I just- ugh,"
He huffs, his frustration returning as he washes the next plate.
"You saw how she reacted, all smiles and hugs.”
Agustin grabs Bruno's wrist, stopping his movements. His grip is gentle but firm, forcing Bruno to look at him.
"Yes, she was supportive. Like she should be. What's wrong with that?”
"Nothing's wrong! That's- that's what's wrong.."
He snaps, struggling to articulate it, before sighing. He dries his hands on the kitchen towel.
"I just don't get it…”
Agustin lets go of Bruno's wrist, crossing his arms again. He doesn't get what he's trying to say, his voice rises slightly in frustration.
"Don't get what? That your mother can be happy for her granddaughter? That she can accept her?”
He laughs humorlessly, his eyes sad.
"Yeah, basically."
He runs a tired hand through his hair.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm... Happy. I'm happy she's trying to change, and I'm happy the kids get to grow up with this new version of her.”
Agustin watches him carefully, sensing there's more to it than just that. He leans against the counter, studying Bruno's expression.
"But...?”
"but I wanted that version of her."
He admitted, a sad and angry and frustrated look in his eyes.
"I don't understand why she finally changed, after years of me waiting and waiting around for- for something. Anything. And after I finally learn to live without expecting anything like that from her, only then does she change!”
There are tears in Bruno's eyes, but he wipes them before they get the chance to fall. The kitchen feels all too big and all too quiet.
“For years… I waited for her to be different.”
Agustin's expression softens with understanding, the pieces clicking into place. He knows how much Bruno has struggled with Alma's strictness and expectations over the years.
"Bruno... she's still your mother. And she's trying to be better now. But you can't blame her for taking this long to get there.”
Bruno leans against the counter, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"I know... And she already apologised. But I still feel- I just... I don't know what I want from her."
He settled on saying, his gaze at the floor, frustrated simmering with unsaid sadness.
Agustin moves closer again, placing a comforting hand on Bruno's shoulder. His voice is gentle now, understanding the complexity of Bruno's feelings.
"You want her to acknowledge everything she put you through. You want her to recognize the damage she caused. But she's trying to make up for it now, in her own way.”
"I know, I know.."
Bruno mumbles, quietly nodding. He always looks so tired, but he looks exhausted now.
"I think I'm still mad at her."
He admitted after a moment.
"I mean- you can't just say homosexuality's unnatural and disgusting for like, thirty years, and then change and expect everyone to be fine with that."
He huffs.
Agustin squeezes his shoulder reassuringly, his own anger at Alma's past behavior flaring briefly.
"No, you can't. And it's okay to still be angry. It's okay to need time to forgive her for that. But don't let it stop you from seeing the progress she's making with the kids.”
"oh.. I know."
He sighs, wiping his eyes again.
"I'm really happy for Isabella."
He smiles weakly, but genuine.
Agustin pulls Bruno into a side hug, his protective nature still present but gentler now.
"I know you are. And she's lucky to have such a supportive uncle. Just... give yourself time to process everything, alright? Don't bottle it up.”
"right."
He nods, leaning into the side hug.
Agustin keeps his arm around Bruno, offering silent support. He can feel the tension slowly leaving Bruno's body as he relaxes against him.
"And if you ever need to talk about it more, I'm here. Or Julieta is. We both know how complicated family relationships can be.”
Bruno nods, pulling away with a quiet 'thanks', before turning to finish the dishes.
Agustin watches him for a moment, making sure he's okay. He starts drying the dishes that Bruno washes, working in comfortable silence.
The sound of water and clinking plates fills the kitchen, the tension from earlier dissipating as they fall into a familiar rhythm.