Imagine Camilo getting jealous when you start spending time with his family because you’re his best friend and he likes having you to himself...while having no idea you’re only doing it because you like him too.
When your house had a fire The Madrigals were the first to offer to help. Party because they were the leaders of your town but also because you and Camilo were best friends. When you need a place to stay while your parents sorted everything out the Madrigals didn’t hesitate and so you temporarily moved into the famous Casita.
Camilo didn't like this for two reasons. 1. Being a part of a big family and a middle child it was hard to feel special but with you he felt like the most wonderful person in the world. You were so kind and positive, it always made him smile and he didn’t really want to share that with anyone else, he’d grown protective of you. 2. He had a pretty big crush on you which he was sure his family would sniff out the second they saw you together.
For these two reasons you never really hung out at Camilo’s, he’d always come to you instead but you were his best friend. When he heard the situation he didn’t even contemplate telling you no. He sorted it all with his family and helped you move in.
The Madrigals were very curious about you, they’d of course met you but they hadn’t been around you a lot so they were excited. So of course the second you sat down at the dinner table they all started grilling you, to find out more about you. Before promptly moving on to the more practical stuff. “Now we have one more thing to discuss” Abuela said “y/n’s accommodation”. Camilo paused “her accommodation? This is it!” he said gesturing to casita. Abuela nodded “yes but we haven’t chosen a room for her”. “Well she’ll be staying with me right?” Camilo asked, He thought it was a no-brainer but apparently not. "Y/n can’t stay with you! I know you're close but we don't want to encourage other things" his Abeula said and Camilo frowned "what do you think we do at hers every time I stay over?". His family all paused misinterpreting his meaning and Camilo rushed to explain he meant he stayed over in your every time he went over. "Yes well Isabela's room is big enough for two so y/n will stay with her. Your room is far too small" Abuela said dismissively and Camilo knew there was no arguing with her now. Camilo turned and looked at Isabela worried. His cousin could be horrible at the best of times, he was worried she'd be cruel to you. He tried to catch her eye but Isabela barely glanced at him and after dinner she rushed off with you before Camilo could say anything.
Your POV You’d just finished the best meal of your life when Camilo’s cousin turned to you “so want me to show you to my room?”. You nodded “yes please” and Isabela led the way upstairs. "You don't have hay fever do you?" she asked turning to you. You shook your head "nope! I also have a really weak sense of smell". Isabela nodded "that's handy" and she pushed open her door. "Woah!" you cried "your room is beautiful". "Really?" she asked "I figured pink and flowers weren’t really your thing considering you’re constantly in dark colours". You smiled "hey I know I'm pretty monotone but I do love pink! It just doesn’t suit me as it does you. Regardless your room is lovely and the flowers...wow. do you have a favourite?". The easiest way to get into Isabela’s good book was to talk about flowers with her. Isabela nodded "It used to be roses but recently I've really been enjoying lillies". "Wow all good choices" you smiled and Isabela looked at you "what's your favourite?". You laughed "it sounds stupid but I really like cacti". Isabela laughed and you nodded "I know right! Crazy". "No I...come on” she said tugging you towards her window at the far side of the room. She threw back her curtains and smiled “ta-dah!”. On her window sill were a ton of baby cacti all potted neatly. "You have a whole cacti nursery!" you cried excited and Isabela smiled, pleased you got as excited as her over cacti. "I've only just started growing them but I'm still working out how to make them flower". You nodded "yeah cacti can be stubborn bastards, I was reading something about that the other day let me see if I can find it" and you dug into your boxes (that Luisa had very kindly brought up) to find a book. "I've read a lot of books on plants so I'm not sure if you'll have anything..." Isabela said frowning. "Ow it's not a book just my grandmother’s gardening notes, she was a great herbologist....here it is!". You read the passage before passing it to Isabela "have you tried altering the sodium levels in the soil?". Isabela flicked through the passage and shook her head "no I haven’t...and she’s given 3 other suggestions I’ve never even heard of, how did she learn all of this?". You shrugged "apparently it was her passion once all her kids were older and she was really good at it. One of those cases where she got into it late in life but still aced it. It's kind of reassuring knowing you don’t have to be perfect from a young age, you can always discover something new later". Isabela nodded "yeah that's a nice thought...can I borrow this? I want to see what else she worked out". You nodded "of course! I'm nowhere near as good as my grandmother but I do like gardening so if you want any help just let me know". Isabela smiled "I might take you up on that". She was beginning to like the sound of her new roommate.
The next morning Camilo had hardly got any sleep last night and he waited anxiously for you at the top of the staircase. He hadn't heard any yelling from Isabela's room and Dolores said you’d been up talking till late but sounded happy. Camilo was nervous though and so he waited to see if you needed saving, he could always beg Mirabel or Dolores to share with you if his Abuela insisted on this stupid no sharing a room rule. Camilo was debating how to challenge her when Isabela's door opened and laughter escaped. Camilo frowned to see Isabela was the one beaming. You were telling a story that was apparently very amusing. "Morning Camilo" Isabela said when she saw him and you smiled "hey Camilo". "Hey...so how was being roommates?". "Great actually!" Isabela smiled "if only I could've had a sister like y/n, I've asked her to trade with Mirabel but she said no". "Because Mirabel is great and you know you love her really" you replied before spotting Camilo’s expression "are you okay?". He nodded "yeah I just remembered I left something in my room so I'll meet you downstairs". You both nodded and walked away leaving Camilo stunned. What on earth was going on? The bonding only continued. You and Camilo hung out all morning but come the afternoon he had chores so you stayed in the living room and did some school work. You were trying to solve a math equation when you heard the door go and Dolores rushed to get it. From the way she was laughing and how high her voice went you figured it was her boyfriend Mariano and he soon appeared proving you right. He said hello to you and you smiled back pleased Camilo’s sister was so happy however it wasn't meant to last. Pepa appeared not long after and told Dolores Mariano would have to go soon as she had to babysit Antonio. Apparently everyone would be out soon and Dolores was the only one free. Dolores tried arguing but Pepa wouldn’t budge and so Dolores sent Mariano away looking very sad. You noticed this and waited for Pepa to leave before going over. "Dolores can I speak to you for a moment?". She nodded "sure I'm stuck here after all". "I think I can help with that...see I'm planning on staying in all afternoon so what if I babysit Antonio for you?". Dolores paused "aww y/n I can’t ask you to do that! My mother would flip if she knew".'" I won't tell if you won’t" you smiled "I really don’t mind! I’ll be here anywhere so it seems cruel to make you miss out on a date with Mariano. I mean how often do you get time to just be with him?". Dolores nodded "good point...you're sure you don’t mind?". "Not a bit" you smiled "go, we'll be fine". Dolores grinned "thank you y/n you’re the best" and she hugged you before rushing out the door.
Camilo’s POV Camilo's day had been pretty good. He’d got his chores done early and so was making his way back home in a great mood. On his way he passed Dolores who told him "your best friend is amazing". Camilo of course knew this but wasn’t aware Dolores had such strong feelings for you. However before he could ask her what happened she’d passed him and so Camilo just carried on home.
Camilo heard laughter as soon as he walked inside and he followed the noises upstairs. Camilo walked into his brother's room to find you dressed as a cheetah. Atleast that's what he thought the dots on your face were supposed to be. It was actually very very cute. You appeared to be playing some animal version of hide and seek and were “hunting” Antonio when you spotted him. "Camilo!" you said jumping and you blushed "hi". "Nice tail" he smiled "so I'm guessing you got stuck babysitting and Antonio wanted to play rainforest?". You nodded "yup but it was actually quite fun! Antonio's room is awesome". Camilo nodded "I get lost every time I come here". You went to reply when a mini cheetah (Antonio) leapt at you "I found you!" he cried and you laughed cushioning him as you fell so he didn’t get hurt. "I was meant to be stalking you remember!". "Yeah but you got distracted by Camilo" he said giving his brother a pointed look as if Camilo was disturbing a very important meeting or something. You smirked looking to Camilo "you're right Camilo did distract me! How rude of him". "Hey I just came to see if you were okay". "Well we are, so go!" Antonio cried "I was to play with y/n and you always get to play with her". You smiled "that is true Camilo" still going along with this. "Well what if I joined in?" Camilo asked. Antonio shook his head "no y/n is better than you, you're too loud". You snorted at the look on Camilo’s face but soon stepped in. "How about we let him play to be nice? I can teach Camilo to do better". Antonio sighed "fine but he’s on your team" and he rushed away. "Teams?" Camilo asked "so who's on Antonio's side?". "The leopard" you replied "so you better do better this time" and with a smile you dragged Camilo off into the rainforest. Camilo could honestly say that was the most fun game of rainforest he’d ever played and his brother seemed to agree. He practically had to drag Antonio away from you and promised you’d all play again soon. You had a big smile on your face and Camilo shook his head "I think he likes you more than me". You laughed "no I'm just the fun friend who’s visiting. He definitely loves his cool older brother the most". Camilo blushed remembering how you always made him feel like this and he smiled "well regardless one thing is for sure". "Ow yeah and what's that?" you asked. "We make adorable cheetahs" Camilo replied wiping a dot on your cheek and you burst out laughing making him smile even more. Your POV
After living with the Madrigals you began to notice some things...like how Luisa did a LOT. Of course all the Madrigals pitched in when their gift would be useful but a gift like super-strength was pretty in-demand and so Luisa was called on a lot. While you were just waking up she was already downstairs, scoffing down a quick breakfast and getting on with her chores. While you were taking a shower and getting ready she’d already been into town and solved a few crises’. When you and Camilo walked through town you heard countless people calling for her or asking Abuela if Luisa could help them tomorrow. You began to feel bad at how overworked Luisa was so you decided to try and help her by taking atleast one thing off her list.
Every day the donkey man would lose his flock. You’d have thought after many repeats of this he’d have learnt to keep a closer eye on them or just get a more secure field but no, it was easier to rely on Luisa so he didn’t. You thought it would be nice if Luisa didn’t have to do this one thing every day, maybe she could use the twenty minutes to relax, read a book or even just sit down and have a meal. So you began watching the donkeys to learn their routine and you spotted something interesting.
Luisa’s POV
Luisa was on a roll. She’d helped rebuild the school, moved some trees around and had done all her family chores and it was only 2 o’clock! If she kept it up she might be able to get some light exercise in before dinner but she was getting too excited. She had to just keep making her way through her tasks and not get ahead of herself. Sometimes the same task could take considerably longer depending on the day so she’d learnt not to get too pumped about any possible free time she might have. So Luisa put a break to the edge of her mind and made her way towards the donkey fields. They shouldn’t have wandered too far so if she could just catch them as quickly as possible...when she froze.
Down the mountain pass was a line of donkeys but they weren’t going away from the farm but towards it. Luisa frowned, utterly confused before she saw a figure at the front. It was you and the donkeys were all following you. Luisa watched as you led them all back to the farm before closing the latch firmly. Luisa ran up to you very confused. "How did you do that?" she asked and you jumped "Ow hey Luisa! I thought I’d try and pitch in with the chores and noticed you do this every day so wanted to see if I could help”. Luisa smiled “that’s so kind of you but seriously how did you get them all to just follow you like that”. You smiled “with these!” and you pulled some carrots out of your bag. “I started watching the donkeys and I noticed something, they really like carrots! Every morning they’d see Mr Hernandez drive by with his produce with the carrots on the very top of the pile. They really like them so they follow him but get lost because their attention spans aren’t that great and then you’d find them and the same thing would happen the next day but it doesn’t have to be this way! If we get Hernandez to choose a different route or just keep them on the stables until he’s passed it should solve the problem...or we could just make the lock more secure". Luisa paused "I...yeah they all sound good. Which one is best?". You shrugged "well a secure pen means they'll never get out if anything else distracts them so I'd vote that one". Luisa nodded "okay secure the pen...well I could carry large stones and put them around d it or dig a moat". "Or we could just put actual locks on the door?" you asked "with this one all they need to do is nudge it and it opens". Luisa nodded "locks, locks are good". You smiled "great, okay I'll go grab some in town and get them fitted". Luisa frowned “do you need any help?”. You shook your head “no i’ll be right back! You just sit here, enjoy the sun and make sure they don’t get back out”.
Luisa nodded “just sit here and enjoy the sun” she repeated to herself “that should be easy enough...right?
When you got back ten minutes later you found Luisa re-arranging the pen so all the water tanks were in the shade. “Luisa!” you cried “I told you to relax”. She froze and dropped the tank suddenly making the donkeys jump. “Sorry!” she apologised to them “I tried relaxing I did, i’m just not good at it! I don’t get what I’m supposed to do”. You smiled “here i’ll show you” and led her to a nice shade part of the field. You brought a chair and eased her into it. You lifted up her feet and got her some water and a random book you found. “Here” you said and Luisa took it from you “okay now what? What should I do to relax?”. You smiled “you’re already doing it!”. “I am?” she asked surprised and you laughed “yep and on your first try too! You’re a natural”. Luisa paused “so I just get to sit here and read?”. You nodded “or nap, or sing, or eat whatever you’d like to do”. Luisa paused “hmm it might be nice to close my eyes and enjoy the sun for a bit. I hurt my back the other week and this feels nice”. You smiled “then go right ahead! I’ll get the lock fitted and let you know when it’s done. Until then you just sit here”. Luisa nodded “okay” and closed her eyes.
That night you and Luisa came home together and she would not stop singing your praises. You brushed off the compliments but all of his siblings and cousins agreed, joining in. Except for one of them.
Mirabel Despite being the same age Camilo and Mirabel weren’t that close. They used to be when they were kids but after Mirabel’s ceremony there had been a divide between them. It wasn’t a purposeful divide but one that existed all the same. It’d gotten worse as they got into their teen years and at school they barely interacted. So when Camilo and you set off to watch a school football match one afternoon he didn’t even think to ask Mirabel who was sitting quietly reading. You however did "hey isn’t Mirabel coming? Our whole class will be there". "Ow I’m not sure..." Camilo answered honestly and you smiled "well why don’t we ask her?" and before Camilo could protest you’d walked over. Camilo had been looking forward to some quality alone time with you at the football match but it was too late now. He saw as you charmed Mirabel and she asked anxiously if you were sure. She looked over to Camilo to check and he couldn’t let her down so he nodded giving her the thumbs up. Mirabel smiled and agreed, you returned arm in arm with her and took Camilo’s other arm "she said yes so now I get two wonderful Madrigals!". Both Mirabel and Camilo blushed but you didn’t notice. You were already leading them out the door.
You had a pleasant walk down to the football pitch and got some good seats not too close but not too far away. You had been a hit with all the Madrigals so far and Mirabel was no exception. Camilo watched as you chatted to Mirabel as if you were old friends and she was soon laughing and grinning widely...a little too widely. Camilo had seen Mirabel like this before and it was always around pretty girls she liked. Now Camilo thought you were very pretty so he was keenly watching the two of you and thought Mirabel was acting more and more suspicious until suddenly she did it! Her go-to flirt which was to compliment the girl while twirling her hair. Camilo completely understood Mirabel’s infatuation with you but he wasn’t going to lose you. Game on cousin he thought and began competing for your attention.
“Hey y/n remember that time a few weeks ago when that dog ran onto the pitch and scored a goal?” Camilo called. You immediately turned to him with a big smile on your face. “Yeah that was the best match of the season!”. Mirabel grinned “I bet! What kind of dog was it?”. “Ahh you just had to be there” Camilo replied before you could respond and Mirabel frowned “what?”. “We also got those nachos that night, remember y/n?”. You nodded “yeah they were really good! I hope they’re here tonight”. “Ow you like nachos? I make the best nachos! My mom taught me the recipe and it’s amazing” Mirabel smiled. You turned to her excited “no way! You so have to teach me that recipe or you know just make it for me sometimes” you joked and Camilo almost gasped when you winked at her. “Hey Mirabel remember that time you gave everyone food poisoning because you forgot to cook the chicken properly?”. Mirabel paused and her smile dropped “that was like two years ago!”. “Yeah but remember how funny it was?” Camilo asked “the vomiting and the way your mom didn’t let you near the kitchen for months afterwards? Good times”. Mirabel frowned “well remember the time you pulled a prank on my dad and broke his leg?”. “What!” you cried spinning to Camilo who blushed “it wasn’t that bad...”. “It was in a cast for months!” Mirabel cried and you frowned “what happened?”. “It was an accident” Camilo tried but Mirabel cut him off “so my dad was coming upstairs when Camilo gets the idea to scare him. He hid and when my dad reached the top he transformed into a huge Abuela and yelled “”Agustin!””. Of course my dad screams and fell right down the stairs”. You winced “ouch that must’ve hurt”. Mirabel nodded “it did, even my mom couldn’t heal him fully. This happened only last year, didn’t Camilo tell you?”. Camilo glared “why didn’t you tell Y/n about the great food poisoning incident before offering her food?” Camilo shot back. Mirabel shook her head “so what anytime we discuss food I have to bring up that once I didn’t cook something properly? What kind of logic is that?”. “Good logic!” Camilo replied and Mirabel raised an eyebrow “are you sure?”.
"Okay!” you said suddenly standing up “I’m gonna go grab another drink, does anyone want anything?” you asked. Camilo and Mirabel answered at the same time “no!” before they realised and glared at one another. You stood up “okay, I'll be back in a sec” and you disappeared. The two Madrigals watched you walk away, big smiles until you disappeared. "What are you doing?" Mirabel asked turning to Camilo who raised an eyebrow "me? I’m not the one who hasn’t taken their eyes off y/n for the past hour". Mirabel blushed "I have no idea what you mean". "You like her!" Camilo cried and Mirabel went even redder "well I...y/n’s pretty amazing okay! Why did you never set the two of us? Way to hold out on a cousin". "Because I want y/n to be just my friend, nobody else’s" Camilo said before he could help it "I don’t want her dating someone else or hanging out with my family I want her all to myself and I know that's selfish but I..." when he realised Mirabel was laughing "what's so funny?". Mirabel smirked "we must have a genetic vulnerability to y/n because you’re doing the same thing as me! You like y/n too!" Camilo blushed "I...she’s my best friend". "Yeah who you want all to yourself all the time...that's just a bit too friendly Camilo". "Shut up" Camilo blushed as Mirabel laughed more "no wonder you were so mad at me flirting with her! How didn’t I see this before? You’re practically in love with her! Well don’t worry I'll bow out but you definitely owe me" Mirabel said and with a last laugh she left the game leaving the two of you alone like Camilo always planned but now he was a lot more nervous.
Of course the second the words left Mirabel’s mouth he knew they were true. The way he felt around you, how he couldn’t help but smile when he saw you, his desire to keep you totally for himself all pointed to the same thing, he’d just ignored it for so long because he was scared. What if you didn’t like him? Camilo was jolted out of his thoughts as you appeared "hey, where did Mirabel go?". "Ow she remembered she was supposed to do something important for Abuela so she rushed home". You frowned "aww that’s a shame" and Camilo couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. "Yeah guess you're stuck with me" he said smiling but you picked up on his tone and knew it wasn’t a joke. "I'm never stuck with you Camilo, you're my best friend. Why wouldn’t I want to spend time with you?". Camilo shrugged "just ignore me sorry I've just been...feeling a little insecure this week that’s all". You frowned and scooched closer "do you want to talk about? The thing that’s making you feel insecure?". Camilo paused and before he could help it he was blurting it out "I like you". As soon as the words left his mouth Camilo was horrified and his eyes widened in terror “I have to go!” he declared.
He just ran for it. Panic seized him and he chose the flight response. However you weren’t letting him off that easily. You followed him and quickly caught up to him “Camilo! You can just take off after saying something like that”. Camilo sighed “I know i’m sorry...I just really didn’t want to do this”. “Do what?” you asked and he sighed “this, wondering what you’re gonna say...it honestly more nervewracking than my gift ceremony”. You frowned “well I’m sorry you feel so stressed but you know you can tell me anything and you don’t have to be scared of my reaction right? I’ll always be here for you Camilo, nothing can ruin our friendship”.
That one word told Camilo all he needed to know. You just wanted to be friends. He tried not to let the disappointment show on his face and nodded “thanks y/n...that’s reassuring”. You could tell he was still upset so you carried on quickly. “Now can you expand on what you said earlier because I like you too Camilo and if you meant it in the way I’m hoping you did then I’d love to date you”. Camilo started “pardon?”. You chuckled “I like you Camilo Madrigal and have for a while, was it really not obvious? Why do you think I was trying so hard with your family? I wanted them to like me! I know how close you are with them so I figured if they didn’t like me that would blow any chance I had with you”. Camilo laughed at the irony “this whole week I’ve been stressed because I thought you liked my family better than me”. You smiled “really? When the whole time I was doing it precisely because I like you”. Camilo blushed “wow I’m an idiot”. “No you’re not” you said taking his hand “I didn’t realise how you felt or that I’d been leaving you out. I’m sorry”. Camilo shook his head “it’s not your fault, I was being overprotective and sensitive...you really like me?”. You laughed “of course I do! Now how about we ditch this sports thing and go hang out just the two of us? No other family members in sight”. Camilo blushed “that sounds perfect” and he offered you his arm. Together you walked away into the bright afternoon.
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Happy National Latino Heritage Month!
I thought I’d post an old Encanto imagine I had written ages ago to celebrate. So if there are any people still not over how great Encanto was, this is for you!
