How to Steal Diego Brando's Heart [Diego Brando x Reader]

Chapter 8: Shape of You

You hopped onto your mare and got comfortable as you could, stroking Land Slide's mane to get her as relaxed as possible. Diego had done the same and began to leave the stables. You hurried after him, but you weren't sure if he even wanted to travel with you. He was hard to read and you were worried that he would think that you were only slowing him down. Soon enough, you two were almost side by side, your horses trotting along at a fast pace. The fact that Diego didn't try to speed up and leave you in the dust reassured you that he was fine with you being there. Success!

Diego was a man who preferred to work by himself, so you being there would have normally annoyed him. But you were still the most tolerable person he met in the race, and he secretly didn't want to see your sad and mopey face if he left. He was only doing this so his Silver Bullet wouldn't get tired too quickly, he convinced himself.

And so you two traveled together. You occasionally made small talk and cringey jokes while Diego just listened. He didn't mind. He liked your voice.

--

You weren't really how much land you two covered, but it seemed like Diego knew. It must come with being a professional jockey. But you were a bit confused when he decided to unmount his horse and begin setting up. It was nearing the end of the day, yes, but since the sun was still up, there was plenty of time to keep going. Your horses weren't exhausted either as you had been traveling at a reasonable pace. You wanted to say something but you didn't want to seem dumb. You guessed Diego saw your expression and much to your relief, began explaining himself.

"The terrain ahead is tricky, and will take a while to maneuver, which we do not have the time for today."

"Alright then, I trust you," you replied, hopping off your horse (and internally screaming that he used 'we.') There was nothing to sit on, so you retrieved your sleeping bag and set it up on the ground. Diego was busy tending to his horse, so you decided too as well. You had packed a special hairbrush for Land Slide. She did love it when you combed your fingers through her mane, but you wanted to get the knots out this time. Easing her to the ground, you rubbed her back while combing her mane and tail, unbeknownst to Diego's stare. After a bit, you finally finished and wiped your forehead.

"You're good with horses," Diego said out of the blue, making you jump and your heart palpitate. You quickly recollected yourself and responded.

"Thank you," you began, beaming with happiness.

"But you're no professional."

"Well, yeah, I know that!" you pouted. "My parents forced me to enroll in horse riding because of course, they think I have to be the best at everything," a scowl on your face for a split second, "but I actually enjoyed it. I rode daily, and enough though I've never been in any fancy competitions or anything, I think Land Slide and I work pretty well together."

"Hm." Diego didn't expect a woman to enter a race, much less one with no prior racing experience, but you had continued to surprise him in the ways he least expected it. And he, Dio, had to admit that you were fairly good at horse racing. Considerably better than he thought you would be. He reached for his water canteen, not bothering to use his eyes. Holding it, he began to turn the cap and open it when you giggled. He raised his eyebrows at you questionably.

"I didn't know someone as rough and tough as you liked that color!"

"What?"

"Your water bottle, Diego."

He glanced at the bottle and his heart pitter-pattered. In his hand was indeed a pink bottle, equipped with a flowery design. He didn't even realize the texture was different because he was wearing his gloves.