Pink Pansies ✺ A Pedro Pascal A.U.

Chapter 15: Stress Relief

"Pedro", I couldn't help but beam when he answered my Facetime call. "How are you?"

Donned in those chunky glasses and a thick cardigan, he delivered a light laugh and a listless smile.

"I'm doing alright." A simple reply as he leaned his phone against something.

"What are you up to?" I noticed he was focused on something off camera. The sound of a keyboard clicking came through the speaker and I could see the reflective light of a computer screen on his lenses. "Is this a bad time?"

"No, I'm happy to hear from you. I was just finishing up a few work emails." His response momentarily alleviated the swell of insecurity that arose within me.

"My bad, you did say to let you know. Do you want to call me back when you're done?"

"No, no, no, no, no" The words were spoken quickly despite the unhurried shaking of his head, "sorry, just give me a moment."

My lack of response prompted him to divert his attention to me. A softness washed over his features. His expression emulated an innocent adoration, one typically reserved for puppies.

"You're so cute. I'm almost done."

In the smaller box on the screen, the one I inhabited, I could see the rouge on my cheeks even in the dim lamplight. But I was loaded and too enlivened by the chance to talk to him to critique myself for having that reaction.

Watching him return to his computer filled me with a sense of comfort. My attraction towards him in this moment didn't rely on tension, control, or teasing. It was separate from all of that. The work he did was significant, and I had no doubt that it required a deep well of emotional energy. All helping professions do. Yet, he desired my presence despite being preoccupied. Instead of becoming impatient, I accepted it. It made me feel noteworthy. I wanted to savor this novel intimacy.

Lane's advice echoed in my head. With lowered inhibitions and the sentimentality that came with it, I tested the waters and expressed only a fraction of what I was thinking.

"You're awfully endearing, you know. Especially in that sweater." I admitted.

"You're giving me compliments now? How much did you drink?" Unaccustomed to my flattery he spoke doubtfully, and had the expression to match, but I could tell he enjoyed it by the slight smirk that lingered.

"Just a few!" I shot back defensively before bursting into laughter.

"Well, I think this proves my point that you're a lightweight." The smirk grew and I wanted to jump through the screen and kiss him.

"Hurry up and finish your work." I instructed, reverting back to my unconventional but efficient method of flirtation. That savoring was short lived.

He didn't bite though, just mumbled a few things to himself as he stared at the screen, reviewing what he had written. I felt like a lovestruck teenager, and I'd be embarrassed if it weren't for the alcohol still flowing through my system.

There were a few beats of silence as he finished and then he picked up the phone with a charming grin, "Alright. I'm all yours."

My heart skipped several beats. I filed that moment away in my head to replay later when I was alone.

"Good." Was the only thing I could manage to say.

"You know, I kind of like it when you boss me around like that."

"So come over." I blurted. His words excited me and I couldn't help but imagine what we'd be doing if he were here instead of talking to me through a screen.