Always and Forever | Carlos de Vil x Reader

D2 | Chapter 4

"We think Mal's going to take a little more time," Evie stated.

"How long do you guys think?" Carlos asked.

"We're not sure. But the longer she takes, the worse it means," Jay said.

They waited in silence for a while. Eventually, they heard footsteps clank against the metal staircase, and Mal entered the hideout, her face fallen.

"Mal, what happened?" y/n asked worriedly.

Mal sighed. "It's a long story," she said before she started to narrate the events of her meeting with Uma.

***

"There's no way we're gonna give Uma the wand. We can't just let her destroy Auradon," Evie stated once Mal finished her story.

"If Uma doesn't get the wand, then Ben is toast, guys," Carlos sighed.

"Great, so, we're gonna give Uma, of all people, the wand," Evie exclaimed.

"Do we have another choice?" Carlos asked.

Mal sighed. "Y/n, what do you think?"

Y/n, who hadn't spoken since Mal told them the dreadful news, glanced at her. "I... I don't know," she said fearfully.

"Y/n, are you okay?" Jay cautiously asked her.

"I'm fine," she replied in a small voice. "I just... I need some air."

Y/n got up from the couch and walked to the staircase.

"Wait, y/n," Carlos called, getting up from the couch too.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," she assured him. "I'll be on the balcony."

"Okay." Carlos relaxed and sat down again.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," she said before climbing down the stairs.

When y/n reached the balcony, she gripped the railing and looked out into the dull sky.

The truth was, she was lost. Lost in a world which was unknown to her and lost in her mind. For the first time, she felt completely helpless, and for the first time, she felt completely alone.

Although her friends and Carlos were with her, there was never a moment in her life when she did anything without Ben. Now that he wasn't there, she felt clueless, and most of all, hopeless.

Meanwhile, the VKs continued discussing their present situation and what they should do to get Ben back.

"I hope y/n's okay," Evie said.

"She will be," Mal assured her with a wavering voice.

"How can you believe that? I've never seen her so lost before," Evie sighed.

"Look, we just need to think of something to get Ben back," Jay said. "I'm sure she'll come around at some point."

"Yeah," Carlos said, staring at the staircase which she just left from. "But what if we have no choice?" he asked the group.

They were all silent, the tension heavy in the air. However, Mal's voice broke the silence as an idea struck her mind.

"Wait! You guys! Your 3D printer." She pointed at Carlos.

"A phony wand," Carlos realised.

"Yes!" she exclaimed.

"In my sleep," he said with a relieved sigh.

"Yeah, but the second Uma tests it, she'll know it's fake," Evie pointed out.

"Well, okay, so then we just get Ben out really fast. We need some kind of diversion," Mal said.

"Smoke bombs!" Jay suggested.

"That's perfect. I'll get the chemicals I need from Lady Tremaine's place," Mal stated.

"That could work," Evie said. "Oh, and sick hair, by the way," Evie complimented Mal. "Evil Stepmom seriously stepped up her game."

"Okay, do you want to know something? Dizzy did this."

"Little Dizzy? Shut up!" Evie exclaimed.

"I know. I'm, like, loving it. It's, like, a lot lighter," Mal said while brushing through her hair with her fingers.

"Really proud of her," Evie said.

Jay cleared his throat and nudged Carlos, who said, "Hello?"

When the girls looked at them, he gave them a look which said, 'Seriously?'

"Right," Mal said, refocusing on the plan. "Carlos, Jay, you guys take y/n to Auradon with you and meet us at Pirates Bay no later than noon. And, you guys, losing– not an option," she told them "'Cause we're rotten..." she started.

"To the core," Evie, Jay, and Carlos finished.

"Let's do this!" Evie exclaimed.

"Carlos, get y/n, and leave at once. We cannot risk delays," Mal instructed.

"Got it," Carlos replied, already making his way to the staircase.

"We'll see you guys at noon," Evie said.

Jay nodded in response before following Carlos down the stairs.

They stopped at the balcony, where y/n was still leaning against the railing, lost in thought.

Carlos wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her closer to him. The gesture took her by surprise, but she quickly relaxed into his touch.

"We have a plan," he said to her softly.

"You do?" she asked.

"Yeah. I'll explain everything in the car. Come on."

He let go of her and took her hand, leading her down the stairs. Jay followed behind them, his footsteps thumping against the metal stairs.

"The car? Are we going back to Auradon?" y/n asked.

"Yup," Jay replied.

"Why?"

They reached the garage where the limo was parked. "We'll explain in the car," he said as he tapped her shoulders with his hands before unlocking the doors and getting in the driver's seat.

"After you," Carlos said, opening the door for her.

She quickly got in, and he shut the door after he took a seat next to her. Jay started the car and drove to the barrier.

While Jay continued driving, Carlos turned to y/n. "Okay, so the plan is..." he started.