You've never been more happy to see a familiar face than now. "Mirabel!" You shouted, relief flooding you in waves. The girl flashed a small smile, her glasses a bit foggy, she looked down at you from up above.

"Hold on!" Mirabel exclaimed. "The guys will be here in a sec – we'll get you out soon, don't worry."

"Mirabel!" You heard her sister shout, though she was nowhere in sight. "Back away now, I don't think the ground there is stable!" 

Mirabel looked up, glancing to her left, before quickly looking back at the two – she hesitated but took a few careful steps away from the opening. "How are we going to get them out, Isa?"

"I'll handle it!" 

You glanced towards the shapeshifter, who placed a hand on your shoulder, giving it a small squeeze, as he sent you  a reassuring smile. "Guess, our alone time is cut short."

You laughed, shaking your head slightly. "I think I've had enough of you to last the entire year." 

Carlos hummed, raising an eyebrow. "Lying again? – you know you can never get enough of me." 

"Oh." You looked around, feigning fear. "Careful. You must cause the cave to collapse with your massive ego." 

He leaned down, grinning widely. "You're not denying it though." Hijueputa. He was right, and you couldn't start denying it now either, that would only egg him on further.

You rolled your eyes. "Dios mio - shut up." 

He laughed.

"Okay, love birds. Who's getting out first?" A voice broke through, causing the two of you to look up. Isabela stood above, a vine wrapped tightly around her waist seemingly tied off to something - before you can even think about her question - hands clasped around your shoulder, pushing you forward, as the shapeshifter said your name. 

"Uh, I-" All of a sudden there's a vine wrapping around you. You resisted the urge to scream, the feeling was foreign. "Hold on." Isabela said sternly, before stepping away. Of course, you didn't need to be told twice, hooking your arm and practically your whole body around the thick vine, while it roped along your legs, giving support. 

Soon enough, it started moving – up. You took a chance and glanced down. Carlos looked up at you with a smile, you managed to smile back, but instinctively shut your eyes as dirt started falling, opening them slowly – you looked up, almost reaching the top. 

A hand reached out to you, one you quickly took. You were pulled up, an arm wrapping around your waist - making sure your feet were firmly planted on the ground before finally letting go. 

You sighed in relief, the vines unwrapping around you. "Thanks, Al." 

He took your hand, and gestured for the two of you to get further away from the unstable opening. You hesitated, peering over your shoulder where Isabela stood, maneuvering the vines back down - a second that felt like an eternity passed, before you nodded. 

You made your way towards the treeline, where Mirabel was, she jumped into your arms as soon as possible –  you wanted to comfort her, clearly she had been  worried, you really did but your mind was too focused on the person still underground. 

You pulled away from her, but grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly, as you  looked back towards the hell you just escaped from. 

Your eyes widened –  Isabela tumbled back, the ground that surrounded the opening cracked and fell, hurtling down into the cave. "Carlos!" A  shout that ripped from your throat, body already acting on its own, you took a step forward only to be held back, by both of the people beside you. 

"--I."

"I'm fine!" A faint voice shouted.

Your voice shook as you breathed in a sigh - heart still racing. Isabela stood up, uncaring of her clothes that were now caked with mud and dirt, she tugged at the vines around her, ones that connected her to a far off tree and glanced down towards the cave, eyes filled with determination. 

You feel yourself almost jump when you feel a hand on your shoulder. 

"Mirabel." Alfonso said, looking over towards her. "Give them something." Mirabel raised an eyebrow, giving you a once over, before her recognition flashed in her face, she quickly rummaged through her bag and pulled out a pandebono, gently handing it to you with a small smile.

You nodded, and inspected the snack, and took a small bite – after being trapped underground for hours upon hours you expected your appetite to be a bit more, but you had a hard time getting even a small piece down. 

Your eyes stayed focused, watching as the shapeshifter was finally pulled up, with the help of his cousin, who quickly grabbed his hand and tugged him forward - they wasted no time and quickly stepped away, the ground still crumbling.

Carlos glanced over towards you - his right eye closed, a horrid looking fresh cut across his forehead, blood dripping down his face, still when your eyes met, he managed a smile. 

You walked towards him, shoving the pandebono in your hand into his mouth. His eye widened in surprise for a fraction of a moment, before he smiled - "You missed me that much already, Hermosa?" 

You sighed. "Eat it." You said with narrowed eyes, pressing it against his lips further. "Before I kick you back into the cave myself." 

He chuckled. "Alright, hmm, didn't know you were such a worrywart, but maybe that's just what love does. " Before you could respond he took a bite, grinning as he looked at you - he swallowed; the injuries slowly faded into nothing. 

You pulled away, angrily munching on the snack. You weren't exactly sure if your appetite had returned, or you just needed to put energy into something that wouldn't be punching Carlos in his newly healed face. 

"I'd love to scold you both for running off, but I'll save it for later, come on, it's already getting dark." She said, and began walking, you took a step forward to follow after her but found yourself taking a quick glance towards the shapeshifter, eyeing him for a moment but when his eyes looked back at you - you quickly turned away and continued, walking a few steps behind Isabela, unable to explain why your heart raced.

You feel someone walk beside you, causing you to  look over your shoulder.

"Are you alright?" Alfonso asked.

No. You wanted to answer. You definitely weren't okay, not even in the slightest, but, there was no need to worry anyone else about you, if anything that would make you feel worse.

"I'm okay." You said with a small smile, though of course, he didn't seem convinced. "I'm all better now, see?" You held up your hands. "-- healing food and all." 

Alfonso shook his head, saying your name softly. "That's not what I meant." He sighed. ". . . I understand if you don't want to talk about it, though I am here if you want to."

You let out a sigh, shoulders slumping. "Thanks for the offer." You flashed him a smile, more genuine than the last. "At the moment though, all I want to do is take a really long nap, where I only wake up to eat then I sleep again."

The man held back a laugh. "Are you saying you wanna hibernate?"

You nodded. "Yes." 

"Hm, not sure if I can exactly help with that." Alfonso chuckled. "-- but if you'd like, I can carry you home, and you can sleep till then." 

You raised an eyebrow, crossing your arms, looking at what was ahead of you - a slightly padded down path, before glancing back at him. "That's a pretty generous proposition – what's the catch?" 

He hummed. ". . . I get sore arms?" 

You laughed, shaking your head. It was a tempting offer, really, afterall your legs were pretty sore but just thinking about someone carrying you felt rather embarrassing, you weren't exactly a kid anymore. 

"It's going to be a 'no', but thanks, really, it's a nice thought." You laughed, eyes drifting over your shoulder; Mirabel and Carlos trailing after a few feet away from you -  and from themselves. Mirabel kept her gaze on the ground ahead of her, nervously fiddling with the strap of her bag. 

Carlos was the first to notice your gaze, raising an eyebrow,  he grinned - mouthing something that you couldn't get even if you tried. 

Alfonso's voice  broke the  brief staring contest you and the shapeshifter had created. "Just tell me what I can do to make it up to you. . . . I feel a bit guilty about getting you into this, this whole thing was my idea."

You snapped your head back towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault, hell, I should be the one to apologize – because of me, this whole was for nothing, or  did you guys find a place - please tell me you did." That would lessen your own guilt.

He shook his head.

You groaned, pulling away, feet dragging slightly as you continued to follow after Isabela. "--sorry." 

"Don't worry about that now." He said, giving you a smile. "Our top priority now is getting the two of you  home safely and I swear I'm not saying this to scold you; I'll leave that to Isabela, but do be more careful, even as. . .  charming as you are – I don't think miracles can be given twice."

". . . What?" You asked, a nervous laugh escaping from your throat. You eyed him, steps slowing down. 

Alfonso raised an eyebrow, seemingly as confused as you were. "Do you not know?" 

"I don't know what?" You were unaware of the intensity of your gaze; eyes dilating - worry, confusion, anticipation all mixed in a strange odd feeling. 

"I," He struggled. "When you were born; your heart was .  . . slow. They were afraid you wouldn't be able to make it, and for a moment it seemed like you didn't. Your heartbeat had faded but by some miracle – it came back." 

You stared blankly, processing the information. The man continued saying something along the lines of  'not being the appropriate person to tell you', muttering an apology – you paid it no mind, one question repeating in your head like a broken record. 

I died? 

_____

You couldn't sleep, physically you wanted to. Your body was almost screaming for  rest; but no matter how hard you had tried  - your mind was too occupied; thoughts swirling, uneasiness dripping from you. 

You stared up at the ceiling, laying almost motionless from your bed. The clock ticked, displaying the time; a quarter or so past two. The sound of cicadas filled the night air, a constant, familiar reminder that was only a  faint noise against the loudness of your own thoughts. 

You had questions, a lot of them, but you held no answers, not even one. It would have been easier if Alfonso had lied, while it wouldn't have made any sense - it still would have been easier.

But the way your parents had reassured you that you were a blessing, that they were given their own miracle; that was your life, when you had hesitantly confronted them about it – it was no lie. 

Magic. Was the first thing that came into your mind, not that it solved any questions, if anything it brought more. "Magic in you." – the strange girl's  soft voice whispered in your head. 

You abruptly sat up, breathing heavily, fingers raking through your hair. Why can't someone just be frank with you – explain, in detail, whatever's going on. You were thrown into another world, the least the universe could do for you was provide some decent information.

You glanced at the palm of your hands, before digging your face against it, muffling a scream – your ears perked up, a sound, a knock. With a hesitance and confusion you pulled away, eyes instinctively glancing towards the door, there was another knock but now you're sure it wasn't from there. 

You snapped your attention towards the window - closed. You paused, eyebrows furrowing down. You pulled yourself off the bed, slowly, walking towards the window - gingerly you unlocked its hinges, pulling it open.

A small, almost unnoticeable gasp escaped from your lips as you found yourself staring at the one person you weren't expecting to see. 

You watched as his chest heaved up and down, as if he was trying to catch his breath. He stared at you, eyes so soft, no - broken. The way he looked, illuminated by the night sky, moonlight softly caressing his face. 

It was safe to say you've never seen Carlos Madrigal so vulnerable.

You blinked at him, confused, wondering to yourself if what you were seeing was real or was it your mind finally cracking and playing tricks on you, before you could utter a word - he lifts his hand, gently, as if he was afraid you'll move away or suddenly disappear, he brings it up to touch your face, fingers tenderly brushing against your cheek. 

Oh. Oh. You felt heat rise to your face, a small shiver going down your spine. Real - definitely real. You stared at him, eyes a bit shaky, the sudden gesture took away the words from your mouth, as if rendering you speechless.

He moves, and suddenly, his arms around you – embracing you tightly, head resting on your shoulder, his breath warm against your neck. In any other situation, you would have spared no time in shoving him off you, muttering profanities as you did, but now, it was different.

You wrapped your arms around him, returning the embrace, feeling the way his chest rose and fell, uneven, shaky. You opened your mouth, struggling on what to say. ". . . Carlos?"

He hugs you tighter. "Please." His voice is strained, almost breathless. "--tell me this is real." 

So, he was questioning the situation himself, but for what reason ? Surely, he was conscious of the fact that he seemed to run here, of all places. 

"It's real?" You said, though your unsureness made it seem more like a question instead. You hesitated, lightly patting his back, movements more awkward and rigid than before - the intimacy of all of it finally seeming to dawn on you. "I, uh, Carlos –" the stress and fatigue did not make you a great conversationalist. 

Your arms unwrapped around him, as your hands  went to cup his face. His eyes glanced at you, scanning you for a moment before slowly pulling away, though your touch remained. 

You let out a cross between a sigh and laugh, long and breathless, shaking your head. "I'm not exactly sure what's going on, but this probably should be a conversation held inside." You prompted, finally pulling away, and moving the window shutter further back. 

There were people who were night owls in Encanto, if anyone saw even a glimpse of the two of you in each other's arms, exchanging such soft touches, then there was absolutely no doubt rumors of love affairs would arise, and unfortunately, gossip travels fast around town and like a cockroach doesn't die off quickly – needless to say, you didn't want to take any risks. 

"Come in."

If anyone had told you that one day Carlos Madrigal himself would be sitting in your bed, in the middle of the night no less – you would have called them crazy, laughed in their faces and been offended – not exactly in that order, but as the world would have it, that was exactly was happening right now. 

The two of you sat together, so close your shoulders almost brushed together.  Your fingers tapped against your knee, leg nervously going up and down against the cold floor. 

You should say something, you wanted to say something, but nothing came out, everytime you tried, you found yourself backpedaling. 

". . . I had a dream, a nightmare." His voice broke the silence. You merely stared at him, and nodded, unsure of where this was headed. Carlos let out a sigh, he avoided your eyes, looking off into the corner of the room, hand curled into a fist, fingers digging into his palms. "It was back in the cave – I, I couldn't save you." He laughed, pained. "No matter how much I fucking tried." 

For a moment, you don't know how to respond.

"You died while hating me." 

"I-" You breathed out, unsure of what you were about to say; saying you  didn't hate him, would be a lie, but admitting you did hate him, wouldn't be the truth either.  "I'm not dead." – seemed to be the only comfort you could offer, too many doubts in anything else you could say.

For once since you found yourself stranded in this world - you had no clear answer on what you felt about Carlos Madrigal, a week or so ago if you would have asked yourself this question, it would been simple – it was anger and spite  – and while those feelings weren't gone, they're unclear, blurring, being chipped away by some unforeseen force. 

You sighed, and took his hand, inspecting the damage his fingernails had done, tears on his skin, blood starting to come through. 

"I don't want you to hate me."

Your hand lowered, slipping from his, you looked away from him, unable to stop the frown  that  formed  on  your lips. "Then maybe stop making it easy for me to." 

You feel him tense, a silence over takes the room, heavy - almost suffocating. 

"I'm sorry."

You waited, letting the words sink, before standing up and stepping in front of him - looking down. " A sorry alone doesn't do anything, it doesn't erase all the shitty things you've done." He looked up at you, clearly wanting to say something but was silenced when you held up your hand. "But–" You sighed, crossing your arms together. 

"It's a start." You said, giving him a small smile. It was. it was a small step, one of many he would have to go through if he even thinks of wanting your forgiveness. Maybe, you were being too naive in accepting  his apology, but you know it in yourself that deep down, Carlos wasn't such a bad guy – but by all means, you weren't gonna go easy on him.

If he wants forgiveness, he's going to  work hard for it. Carlos will have to go through tears, sweat and blood – and you were going to enjoy every second of it.

________________
Hii, hope you all enjoy this chapter >3
Thank you for reading!! ♡

Me, to Carlos: buckle up buttercup, you're in for a ride :))

Also Carlos, going through the window? Dreadful etiquette, you know!

Also since from the comments from the snippet, I've decided to extend this story --

to one more chapter, hahah, so still two more.

I wanna say thank you so much, all of your support makes me cry ahhhhh, love you all so much, sending hugs and kisses to all of you  (*˘︶˘*).｡*♡

If you want more stuck with you content, or just Encanto in general, feel free to follow me, I'm planning on a companion book that will explore Carlos' pov and with a boat load of extra scenes, and a sequel, perhaps.