-A couple days later-

Carmen POV

I woke with a start, my hands flying to check the time on my phone. 5:23 in the morning. Sighing deeply in an attempt to calm my shaking breaths, I flopped back down on my bed, grabbing the pillow under my head and pulling it out in order to stuff it in my face. My tears dampened the cool cover, forming dark splotches as they soaked in.

Last night's nightmare had definitely been one of the worse ones, that much was easy to tell. Dark hands that brought pain and prying, glowing eyes followed by explosions and then a wave of blood, all accompanied with the terrified screams of my friends, my own occasionally thrown into the mix. Just for good measure.

Sometimes I hated my brain. Hated it so much that I just wanted to grab a rock or even my own grappling hook to bash it in with, to stop the terrors from haunting my every waking and sleeping moment. To just halt the constant flow of fear it seemed I could never escape from.

But I couldn't do that. Not when the world needed me-needed Carmen Sandiego.

Taking a deep gulp of air, I flung the pillow aside and rubbed a weary hand down my face. I was only in Buenos Aires for about a week or so after today, and I was determined to make the best of it. Normally I would have Zack or Ivy or even Shadowsan to talk to about how my night went, but they had understood that was I was going to experience in Argentina needed to be mine alone, unless backup was mandatory.

Which it wasn't, not yet, anyway.

I quickly threw off the thin covers and stood, leaning against the wall for support as the blood rushed back to my head. Today was going to be a good day-I hoped. That day in the super market, when I met Y/N, we had explored the stands and their goods together for the entire afternoon, making each other laugh, smile. Oh gosh, his smile was beautiful. That's what I had fallen for, that adorable smile that lit up his entire face-

I stopped. Fallen for? What did I mean, fallen for? Sure, Y/N and I had become fast friends, but we weren't-I wasn't-there's no way that there was anything... between us.

Right?

Then why was I even thinking about him?

"Because you're going on a date with him, Sandiego," I muttered to myself, kneeling down to riffle through my bag for my clothes. It was supposed to be a relatively warm day-even though it'd be much cooler than normal-but I knew how quickly a sudden rain storm could appear in this part of the country, especially during the hot, summer months. Snagging my blue jumper and red jacket, I stood and made my way to the small bathroom for a quick, freezing shower.

Hopefully the cold would wake me up.

Reader POV

You glance around nervously, fingers tugging absentmindedly at your hair as you lock your knees to keep yourself from pacing. This was the correct place, right? Correct time, for sure, you had memorized it days ago. Then where was she? She didn't seem to be the type to be late to something like this, but, then again, what did you know?

Nothing, that's what. Especially when it came to women.

Sighing, you thump down onto a bench outside the restaurant, holding out your hand to check your watch. Your reservation would expire in about ten minutes, which is why you'd wanted to start early, but you supposed there was still time for her to show up. And besides, you wouldn't totally blame her for not showing up, you hadn't exactly been smooth about asking her out. Or romantic, or...

Well.

"Sorry I'm a bit late."

You perk, then turn, a smile curling your lips. Carmen is leaning over the back rest of the bench, looking beautiful with loose strands of her auburn hair flying free and brushing gently over her cheeks. She gives you a smile in return, which of course sends your heart racing, then offers a hand to help you up. You take it, memorizing the feel of her warm fingers in yours. She says something, but you can't focus.

"Y/N? Are you alright? Y/N?"

You blink as Carmen waves a hand in front of your face, and you suddenly realize you still have not let go of her other one. Blushing furiously, you leap back, stammering out an apology as her face seems to burn as well.

"It's OK," she says, twining your fingers with hers yet again. "Whatever makes you comfortable."

Your eyes widen, and you give her your best smile before leading her to the restaurant. "Well, Carmen, shall we eat?

She gives a small almost-giggle and bumps your shoulder playfully. "We shall, Y/N."

You like the way she says your name.

Carmen POV

Lunch was over quickly, and Y/N suggests to rent bikes and ride around the city. I agree immediately-I've always wanted to do a bike tour in my birth place- and we decide to walk to where the bikes are parked. They're for public use, chained to poles with locks that you can take off by paying online or just with a card. I tell him that I'll use mine for both of us, but he protests.

"Come on Carm," he yelps, covering the card slot with his hand for the tenth time while I try to dodge around him. "You don't have to pay for me, really! I'm the one taking you out, not the other way around!"

I smirk, then back away as he sighs in relief and goes to look through his wallet. He's about to swipe his own card when I jump forward and insert mine, beating him to it at the last second. Y/N's eyebrows shoot up, and I laugh as he gapes at me.

"You don't have to pay," he repeats, reaching to pluck the card from the machine.

I snag his wrist, holding it in place as he struggles, and I laugh at his dumbfounded expression. 

"How are you so strong?" Y/N asks, finally succeeding in taking his hand back as I loosen my grip. "I mean, like, not that women can't be strong because that's totally awesome, but-"

I shush him with a smile, then grab my card and unhook two of the sturdy, blue and yellow bikes. "A lady never shares her secrets, Y/N. Even you should know that."

"What do you mean, even me- oh." He rolls his eyes, drawing my attention back to the depth of them. Thy twinkle, and I know that he knows I'm just teasing.

"So," I hand over his bike, slipping onto mine and tying my jacket around my waist. "Where to?"

Y/N smiles, mounting his seat himself, and waves his arms around randomly. "Wherever you want. It sounds like we both need to explore, right? So pick a direction, and I'll just follow along."

There's a softness in his voice that sends heat through me, and I swear he could hear how loud my heart was beating. I gulp and turn away, gripping my handlebars. Get a grip, Carmen. Hoping he can't see the obvious blush on my face, I scoot up my legs and start pedaling. "Off we go!" I yell to him.

"On an adventure, together!" he shouts back.

I smile.

Sorry I haven't been great at updating recently, life has been weird.

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYBODY FOR 4.4K READS AND 137 VOTES!! 

Also, I think requests are back open now! Yeah. I'm just gonna take it slow. Sorry if I suddenly close them again, but I'll try not to.