Pedro Pascal - Imagines & One Shots

Under the Stars - Javier Peña

Javier had been waiting for date night all week. After returning from Colombia, it took him a while to settle back into civilian life in eastern Texas. But, much to his relief, the most beautiful, intelligent, warm, and understanding woman had essentially fallen into his lap and they'd started building their life together over the past several months. And that woman was you.

This week, it was Javier's turn to plan. He'd made reservations at Tris, your shared favorite spot for rich crab & truffle pasta and cocktails that made your cheeks flush. Javier wouldn't admit it to anyone but you, but he was a sucker for their Pretty in Pink. Reservations were for 7:30, and just shy of 7:00 you stood in front of the full-length mirror in your bedroom, smoothing a hand down the front of your wrap dress. Spritzing perfume on your wrists and neck, you smiled at the reflection in the mirror as Javier entered the room, adjusting the buttons on his shirt. He looked especially handsome in a short-sleeved maroon button-down and dark jeans, belt matched carefully to his freshly shined brogue boots.

"Mi amor, beautiful as always," Javier hummed as he wrapped his arms around your waist from behind, pressing a kiss to your neck. You couldn't help but giggle as his mustache sweetly tickled your skin. You placed your hands over his and gave them a squeeze, eyeing him in the mirror.

"You clean up nicely yourself, Mr. Peña," you turned in Javier's arms to give him a proper kiss. His hands came to your waist and he bumped his forehead gently against yours.

"Let's get going. If we don't leave now I'll end up having you for dinner instead," Javier chuckled lowly, giving your backside a playful squeeze. You slapped Javier's chest and shook your head as you gathered your purse and handed Javier the keys to his truck.

"Dessert, maybe, so don't ruin your appetite," you laughed with a wink, following Javier out the door and into his truck after he opened the passenger side door for you. He rolled the windows down and played the radio quietly as he drove. The warm summer air felt magnificent on your skin, and the setting sun was golden. Javier's right hand rested on your thigh as he used his left to steer. He couldn't help but steal a glance or two at you as you watched the countryside slowly turn into a cityscape as he drove deeper into town. The sight of the setting sun's colors bouncing off your skin made his heart thrum in his chest.

Parking on the street in front of Tris, Javier helped you out of the truck and held your hand firmly as he led you inside through the crowd of patrons and service staff on the front patio.

"Reservation for two, Peña," Javier said to the host at the front of the space, and the chipper young man led the two of you to Javier's favorite spot in the restaurant - a dimly lit corner table toward the rear, adorned with a crisp tablecloth, flittering candle, and a pair of sparkling wine glasses. Javier took his seat against the wall after pulling out your chair for you, giving him a full view of the space surrounding you. He still didn't feel comfortable having his back to a room - old habits die hard, after all.

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Dinner had left you both delightfully full and satisfied. As usual, Javier didn't let you see the check let alone pay it. You were three drinks deep, and you felt that familiar flush bloom across your cheeks and sparkle in your eyes. With a gentle guiding hand on your waist, Javier led you both back to the truck and he started the drive home. He began driving a route that wasn't familiar to you, but you welcomed the change of scenery. The cityscape began to steadily change back to the rolling countryside that owned your heart, and the light pollution gave way to a navy night sky speckled with shimmering stars and a beautiful full moon.

Rolling down your window, you leaned your cheek into your folded arms on the truck's window ledge, watching the sleepy cattle in the fields as their ranchers brought them in for the night. You watched the irregular flashes of the lightning bugs in the fields, and smiled as you remembered when you and Javier caught some in a mason jar together last month. The summer night air pushed your hair back as Javier drove through the fields on the wide dirt road.