TW! Same as last chapter, but more mentioned then detailed. <3

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Willow turned over to the side, eyes startling open, blinking slowly as she recalled the previous night's events.

"Good morning."

Willow turned back around, eyes falling over Pedro, who looked as though he'd just woken up as well.

She ignored how seductive his voice sounded without trying, at least an octave lower, filled with sleep.

"Morning," she replied quietly.

He watched her a long while, neither of them saying anything. She wanted to feel embarrassed about the night before, feel anxious that he'd seen it.

But his hand reached up slowly, resting on her cheek, running his fingers along it gently. And the anxiety dissipated; she couldn't find a reason to be embarrassed. Not when he gazed at her so adoringly.

Shivers tickled her spine, and relief overwhelmed her. She hadn't been alone last night.

Usually, it was Frankie to be the one there, but he'd normally brew up tea and give her a hug. This felt so different from that. So tender and, dare she say, loving.

Pedro made her feel warm inside, as though he'd grappled the sun and pulled it down, tying it up inside of her. She felt safe with him, his soft hands, his considerate words and calm demeanor.

"How do you feel?" He asked quietly.

She didn't respond, only watched him in utter fascination. He'd chosen to bring her to his trailer after she blacked out, to hold her all night, to be there when she awoke.

She didn't have a way in which to put her gratitude into words.

"You hungry?" He asked, his voice still soft, but he was more alert now.

She wanted to cry at the look in his eyes. They watched her affectionately, not a lick of judgement or pity to be seen.

She'd never had anyone look at her like that before. Willow had been judged her entire life for things she had and hadn't done, no matter her age, and after the accident everyone she knew looked at her in an odd sort of sad pity.

But not Pedro.

He watched her carefully, but not as though she'd break, or was delicate enough to fall apart — he looked at her as though she'd dart off any minute. And he wanted to keep her here, grounded, all for himself.

She found no part of her wanted to run from him, then. All of their reasonings seemed silly. Looking into his chocolate brown eyes, she couldn't come up with a single reason not to stay in his arms forever.

"I could eat," she said finally. He removed his hand, but she shook her head, reaching over and placing it back on her face, letting out a small whimper.

"Okay, Princesa," he chuckled lowly. "Whatever you need."

She nodded minutely, burying her face closer into the pillow and letting out a slow, content sigh. His hands traced along her sin, grounding her, keeping her from her thoughts.

Willow wasn't scared then, she didn't want to scream or cry or be anyone else: she just wanted to stay in this moment forever.

A rumbling sound echoed around the room and Pedro looked sheepish.

"Sorry, that's definitely me, I'm starving."

Willow burst into laughter, watching him as he removed his hand from her face and crawled to the edge of the bed — since it was squashed considerably in between the two walls — and stood up.

"We only have about an hour before we have to get to costume—"

Willow groaned in response, tucking her face into the pillow she'd claimed as her own the night before.

Pedro laughed. "I know, mi amor, but we have to. Come on," he leaned over the bed with an outstretched hand. She smiled deviously and took it, pulling him back into bed.

He laughed again, falling down by her stomach. Looking up at her with a dimpled grin, he shook his head.

"Is this how you are in the mornings?" He teased.

"No," She dragged out playfully. "Just with you, I think."

His grin widened and his eyebrows furrowed together, his face wearing an expression of utter adoration. "Demonios eres tan bella," he spoke under his breath, moving up towards her face again.

"What?" She asked, her eyebrows coming together in mild confusion and interest. "What's that mean?"

"It basically means," he breathed out, looking over her face, his gaze darkening. "Goddamn, you're so beautiful." A blush rose to her cheeks, and he let out a deep chuckle.

His gaze moved to her lips, and he sucked in a breath, leaning his head close to hers.

"I want to kiss you," he confessed. "I want to hold you right now; I want to never let you go."

"So do that," she breathed out, her heart thumping heavily in her chest. She wanted him to, needed him to.

He shook his head, leaning his forehead against hers. So close, she could practically taste him on her.

"No, Corazón," he replied, just as softly. "I need you to focus on you. No distractions. Work and you. I will be here every single step of the way. And when you're better, when you're ready, I'll still be here."

He moved his head from hers, pressing a gentle kiss to her head.

Her heart clenched at his words, not believing him. If he didn't kiss her now, he never would. He wouldn't stay with her. What was she to him? Damaged goods? A fake relationship? He'd be happy to leave her soon, she reminded herself.

She shook her head, looking down, avoiding his eyes. He reached his hand over and tilted her head back to him.

"You don't have to wait for that," she said sadly, fully resigning herself to the idea of a painful life without him. She'd done it before — she would somehow manage again. "I don't know if I'll ever get better."

"You will," he promised quietly. She couldn't help but believe him, then. He sounded so sure of it. "And I will be here."

—

9:17PM
MESSAGE FROM
"Pedro"

Pedro
Bed is cold without you:(

Willow
I'm sorry.
I can come back if you want

Pedro
I do want that.
Very much so.
But no!
You need to sleep.
Sleep right now!

Willow
How am I supposed
to sleep when you're texting me?

Pedro
Ah
Hm
I see your dilemma.

Willow
I could sleep better
if I were with you

Pedro
I did sleep so well
last night 😩
You're very cuddly at 3am

Willow
God I'm so tired
Today wore me out
Why was there so much
running 😭
I thought as actors we didn't
have to actually run

Pedro
Hahahaha
Unfortunately
We are starring
in a science fiction
action television show
We run on occasion

Willow
That's stupid
I don't wanna run 😭
Just wanna sleep

Pedro
Then sleep Princesa
I'll see you tomorrow

Willow
Goodnight pedro 💞

Pedro
Goodnight ángel

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