CTTO: monoul
chameleon || camilo madrigal x reader
pairing: camilo madrigal x reader
tags: fluff, secret relationship, shyness, meeting the parents
he/they for camilo, she/her for reader
prompt: "camilo's family spot him with a girl, and make it their mission to get them together after seeing his love-struck face. only problem? you're already dating, but have been trying to keep it a secret until he tells his family."
Camilo was known to pull pranks and tease their family, but rare was the occasion when his family could tease him.
Dolores noticed it first-hearing his pacing in his room and muttering before they headed down into town, nervous expression she had never seen on her sibling making her pause. Before she could even open her mouth to ask about it, he disappeared through the doors.
She could still hear his beating heart.
Mirabel discovered something was different next, when she was walking the halls and stuttered over her steps when she saw an unfamiliar girl in the house.
She doubled back, only to be met with a sheepish looking Camilo, who only offered a hasty goodbye before retreating into his room.
Hell, even Isabela had noticed something up with her younger cousin. He never seemed to be in the house much anymore, and he couldn't have that many chores lately.
The trio's conclusion? Camilo had a crush on a girl, and was sneaking out everyday to see her.
Camilo was looking for her.
The stands advertising products and goods seemed to surround him as he searched for a particular head of (hair color) hair, weaving through the crowd with the talent of a man on a mission.
Music was playing cheerfully, and in the colorful twirls of people dancing, a familiar figure was spotted by the curly haired teen.
You were dancing with a group of energetic kids, bouncing around and swinging off your arms. You were laughing, (eye color) eyes positively glowing in the afternoon sun.
Camilo felt the familiar butterflies.
You spotted him across the crowd, offering a wave cut short by a little boy tugging your arm and pulled you along with his uncoordinated dance.
You were beautiful, face slightly flushed and screaming kids hounding for your attention.
Camilo made his way over to you, fond smile written across his freckled face.
"Camilo!" You said, seemingly glad for a distraction. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
"Abuela had another chore for me," he said apologetically.
You waved your hand, children thankfully becoming distracted by the dessert cart rolling their way. "Don't be sorry, you're here now and that's all that matters."
He was sure Dolores could hear his heart skipping as he looked at you with the most adoring face. "I absolutely do not deserve you, mi vida."
"Few people do," you respond cheekily. "Now come on, you promised me a date."
Across the plaza, Mirabel was staring wide-eyed. That love-struck look-her poor cousin was absolutely smitten.
She got a determined look on her face, pushing up her glasses as she started to rush back to the house. She would help her cousin get together with their crush, it was her duty as both Camilo's friend and family.
A few of the Madrigals were going into town for decorations for Antonio's ceremony, which would take place in a few days. Camilo was excited for his little brother, make no mistake, but he was worried about accidentally running into you while in town and not being able to spend time with you or even properly acknowledge your existence. It made him feel gross inside, not being able to just adore you in the open without fear of Dolores or someone spotting them.
Pepa had a checklist of the things they were still missing, rushing back and forth between shops and stalls. Felix tried his best to soothe his wife's nerves, noticing the cloud forming above the ginger's head.
Dolores noticed her brother looking around anxiously, concluding he was looking for his crush. She wanted to coo, also trying to follow Camilo's eyes in search of this mystery girl.
She heard the slightest intake of breath from her brother, spotting a girl who looked her sibling's age in a pretty blue and yellow dress, the fabric twirling around as the girl herded a group of kids through the streets.
Camilo didn't know you were working today, or he wouldn't have come on the outing with his family. You helped out as a sort of nanny for kids in the village who's parents had to work during the day. It was how you two met, actually, one of the kids recognizing Camilo and rushing over to talk to him, a slightly frazzled you after them.
Now you were here, his family was here, and his sister was looking far too close in your direction for his comfort.
"Hey Mama, I'm pretty sure I saw those streamers you liked over there," Camilo said, tugging on his mother's elbow.
"One second, Camilo. I need to pick out table toppers," she replied, holding up two different patterned fabrics.
A child squealed, and all of a sudden a group of kids were running up to the Madrigals.
"Hey, she can control the weather!"
"I heard he can shapeshift into anything!"
"Sorry!" Your voice sounded, the familiar melody making Camilo's head snap up. "They got really excited, I don't want to..." you trailed off, eyes wide as you made eye contact with Camilo, who shook his head minutely.
"..bother you," you finished.
Dolores was watching the whole exchange with slightly narrowed eyes, fighting the urge to tell her brother to just talk to her already! It was sad, watching him try to conceal his pitifully obvious crush.
While Pepa said hello to the kids and you worked on rounding them back up, Camilo was pointedly looking anywhere but you. Dolores thought she was going to get gray hairs.
Wait till Mirabel and Isabel hear about this, she thought.
Camilo had noticed his family was acting odd when they got back.
His mom had tried to subtly (and failed) ask him about his trips down to the market. Look, he knew he wasn't the most slick about it, but he had gotten better. These past few days he had slipped out completely unnoticed. Antonio even had a deal with him that if anyone asked where Camilo was, he would put them on a wild goose chase in exchange for (Y/n's) special desserts.
Isabela had been strange, too. They didn't talk much as they weren't the closest, but lately she'd been trying to give him unprompted fashion advice. You should try this color, or your hair could really use this. After some reassurance from you that they didn't need to work on their appearance, Camilo was just confused at the random encounter.
He had no time to waste thinking about his family's strange behavior, though. Today he was going to introduce you to his family. He was confident they would love you, but there was still a nagging worry.
"Hey," you said, running your fingers through his hair as you both lay on a picnic blanket. "What's wrong? You're never this quiet."
Camilo chose to let that jab go. "Worried about tonight, I guess."
You hummed. "We can always wait, there's no rush."
Camilo frowned. "But I met your parents ages ago."
"And they love you, mama's asking when your coming over for lunch again, by the way."
"See!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands up dramatically. "Everything feels so, so perfect right now. I don't want to mess it up."
"Oh, mi amor," you said. "It's not going to get messed up. I'm going to meet your parents, thats it. It's not like we're announcing our engagement," you joked.
Camilo nodded, invisible weight being soothed off his shoulders by the methodical fingers still brushing through his curls.
It would be okay, because you were by his side, and really that's the greatest blessing he's ever received.
When Camilo told Pepa and Felix he had someone important for them to meet, they were excited.
When Dolores told Mirabel and Isabela what she overheard, they knew it was their chance.
They helped set up dinner with so much determination Abuela was most definitely suspicious of something, but didn't get a chance to question it before Camilo emerged into the dining room.
He wasn't alone. Behind him and looking shy but sweet was a beautiful girl with (hair color) hair and (eye color) eyes. She held a basket of baked goods and fresh fruit, offering it to Abuela with a kind smile. Dolores recognized her from somewhere, she was sure of it.
"Thank you for letting me into your home," she said.
Camilo let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when his Abuela accepted it with a returned smile.
"Well Camilo, introduce us," Pepa said, wasting no time in shaking your hand.
"Mama, papa, this is (Y/n)," he shared a smile with her. "My girlfriend."
Isabella, Dolores, and Mirabel's jaws dropped. All the love-sick glances and sneaking around, and he was already dating the mystery girl? Dolores snapped her fingers, where she saw you from finally coming back. You were the girl from the market, the one Camilo seemed so shy around.
Dolores groaned, catching everyone off guard. "And here we were trying to come up with a plan to get you together."
Camilo tilted his head. "Huh?"
"I saw you at the market," Mirabel confessed sheepishly. "I thought you were still in the 'just friends' stage."
"I thought you were hopeless at the shops yesterday," Dolores said, defeated slump to her posture.
You concealed laughter behind your hand as Abuela looked at her granddaughters with an exasperated expression.
Camilo seemed scandalized. "So you were trying to set me up?!"
You placed a hand on his elbow, leaning into his side slightly. "I think it's cute."
After the initial...introductions, dinner commenced. Seeing you talk to his family, and get along so well with his mother and sister, made him wonder what he was so scared of in the first place.
You belonged here, with him and his family in the casita.