Fortified -Pau Cubarsí-

22 - the morning after

The first thing I notice when I wake up is the headache. It feels like a freight train ran through my skull, and for a moment, I'm just lying there, eyes closed, trying to ignore the throbbing. But then, I realize something else: I'm not in my bed.

My eyes snap open, and I blink rapidly as my surroundings slowly come into focus. Oh god. I'm on the couch, and I feel... warm. Safe.

I look down to find my head resting on Pau's bare chest. My heart skips a beat. Pau's shirtless? What happened last night? I rack my brain, but the night's events are a blurry mess. We celebrated the team's win, but anything beyond that? Completely gone. I shift slightly, trying to get comfortable again, but my head feels like it's being hit with a hammer.

"Pau," I murmur, nudging him gently with my elbow. "Pau, wake up."

He groans softly, a low sound in the back of his throat, before blinking his eyes open. When his gaze lands on me, a lazy smile spreads across his face, and I swear it could cure any hangover. "Morning," he says, his voice thick with sleep. "How's your head?"

I groan and press my palm against my temple, trying to ease the pressure. "Like a truck hit me," I mumble. "What happened last night?"

He laughs softly, clearly amused, and I can feel his chest vibrating beneath my cheek. "I think you drank the whole bar, princesa. But don't worry, you were having fun."

I try to remember anything specific, but it's all a blur. My thoughts are still foggy, and then I remember something: Pau's shirtless.

I sit up abruptly, my head spinning as I glance around the room. "Wait... Pau?" I hesitate, trying to make sense of this. "Did we...?"

His grin deepens, clearly enjoying my confusion. "Did we what?" He asks, clearly knowing what I want to say.

My mind is racing now. Did we...? Oh my lord, did we—"Did we... have sex?"

The question leaves my lips before I can stop it, and I wince almost immediately, embarrassed by how forward I must sound. But Pau just laughs, his eyes twinkling as he reaches up to ruffle my hair gently. "No, Cesca," he says, his voice low and soothing, "we didn't have sex."

I stare at him, feeling an unexpected mix of relief and... embarrassment? My mind is still trying to catch up, and I can't shake the feeling that something happened that I can't quite remember. I press my hand to my face, trying to hide the heat rising in my cheeks.

"But we... made out?" I ask quietly, hesitant but curious.

His grin softens, and his eyes take on that teasing glint I know so well. "A little bit," he says, his tone playful. "You were very... affectionate."

I try to focus, but the fuzzy feeling in my head only grows stronger. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to ground myself. "I'm so sorry if I... embarrassed myself."

Pau's fingers gently touch my cheek, brushing away a stray strand of hair, and I feel the calm wash over me as he looks at me like nothing is wrong. "Cesca, you didn't embarrass yourself. I liked it. You were adorable. You had no filter, but honestly, I didn't mind. You were just being you."

His words settle in my chest like a warm blanket. I exhale slowly, feeling a little less embarrassed now, though my heart still flutters at the thought of what we must've done last night.

I press my forehead against his chest again, letting myself relax for a moment. He smells like comfort, like home. I've never felt more at ease, even in the middle of my confusion. "But... you're shirtless," I say, my voice still a little hoarse.