[ He turns his face up to hers with searching eyes again — a look he hit Bruno with constantly, like he was desperate for any hint of wisdom the man would drop, hanging on his every word, like everything he said was solid fact. It was a little much, admittedly. Bruno was a real trooper... But it's how he holds all the adults in his life — like these infallible beacons of truth... He doesn't even realize he does it still, despite how many times he's been disproven. But Pepa's words have that exact same resonance, plus still the profundity of her simple motherly mannerisms like stroking his hair or holding his hand. It emotionally disarms him every time. He stays quiet a long moment, visibly deliberating whether he does want to talk about it or not... He knows he can — Pepa understands more than anyone — but he's never... not grieved alone...? It takes him a moment to figure out how to talk about it, even if he wanted to, staring up at her with wide eyes. All that flashes across his face in those subtle series of expressions he makes — just as emotional as Pepa or Bruno or anyone else in the Madrigal family, but with way less practice hiding it... ]
1/2
It was a little much, admittedly. Bruno was a real trooper...But it's how he holds all the adults in his life — like these infallible beacons of truth... He doesn't even realize he does it still, despite how many times he's been disproven. But Pepa's words have that exact same resonance, plus still the profundity of her simple motherly mannerisms like stroking his hair or holding his hand. It emotionally disarms him every time. He stays quiet a long moment, visibly deliberating whether he does want to talk about it or not... He knows he can — Pepa understands more than anyone — but he's never... not grieved alone...? It takes him a moment to figure out how to talk about it, even if he wanted to, staring up at her with wide eyes. All that flashes across his face in those subtle series of expressions he makes — just as emotional as Pepa or Bruno or anyone else in the Madrigal family, but with way less practice hiding it... ]