Saving Her

Chapter 25

Third person

That night Camila slept in the guest room with Shawn. It had been such a long, hard night and she was still worried about him so when they got home and he pulled her with him into his room at the Cabello house, she knew that's what he needed. They had said a lot to each other that night and Camila was still puzzled as to why he blamed himself for what happened to her. She planned on doing whatever it took to make him believe that she was okay because of him. That none of this was his fault and that in fact, he truly was saving her everyday.

Cuddled up to each other, body parts tangled with each other, she opened her eyes after a particularly pleasant dream. Her first one in months. She felt a weight on her chest that wasn't there before and lowered her eyes to be met with a head full of curls and big strong arms wrapped around her waist like a vice. Shawn had managed to use her as his pillow and the soft breath and quiet snores she felt on her chest made her heart and her mind happy.

How could he not see that she was able to make it through the darkness with him by her side? She was still fighting with the notion that he was hurting because of her, that he ever blamed himself for what happened to her.

As sleep overcame her again, she wrapped herself around him a little tighter and kissed the top of his head before she was off in dream land again. This time, the pleasant dreams returned and included a particularly attractive Toronto detective that just so happened to be using her as a human pillow.

The next morning, Shawn was awoken by a loud whimper. Thinking Camila was having a bad dream, he went to shoot himself into an upright position, his hands tangled around her, he was met with resistance and as he turned his head to see if she was okay, he was met with two soft mounds. He knew they had fallen asleep with her as the big spoon, so obviously they had managed to rearrange themselves during sleep.

Deciding getting up was no use, he allowed his head to stay resting comfortably on her chest. He could hear her heart beat. Steady, normal, still there. He was grateful. Extremely grateful she was okay. Last night had taken a lot out of them both and he was slightly embarrassed to have broken down and have been so vulnerable with her, but he knew in order for them to both start healing, last nights ordeal was a necessary evil.

What he wasn't planning for was when Camila started to subconsciously run her fingers through his curls. He couldn't move. He knew that she'd been a little flirty with him before things went south and he started to avoid her, but he had never thought much of it because he didn't want to assume something and it actually just be part of her healing process. He knew from his time as detective so far that sometimes people look for comfort in doing things they wouldn't normally do. For his safety and sanity, knowing how much he's wanted to be with her since the first they met, he had chalked it up to that. She was healing and trying to find herself and if a little shameless flirting was her way, then he was fine being the recipient. As long as she was safe and he could look after her he wasn't going to question her recovery.

However, this was different. His reaction to her running her hands through his hair and pulling him closer to her chest was more visceral than he expected. He'd managed to always keep his feelings at bay.

Not today!

His heart sped up, his breathing uneven and part of him that he thought might be dormant, suddenly had a little more life. He honestly felt sick. He could not be having this reaction to her right now! He felt shame. He wanted to slap himself for wanting to enjoy what was happening.

"Shawn" her voice whispered.

Trying to compose himself, he turned his head slightly to respond "Yes Mila."

"Are you okay?" He froze, anxiety swirling in the pit of his stomach. Oh shit, she felt his reaction to her.

"I mean after last night, are you okay?" She asked as she untangled herself from him, looking him in the eyes.

Breathing a sigh of relieved he was finally able to sit up. They both had red cheeks from sleep and their hair was equally as messy. That had to be the first night in awhile they both slept somewhat peacefully.

"Yeah I'm fine Banana. Why do you ask?"

"Because I could feel your heart beating out of your chest. I was worried you might be having a panic attack or something." Concern evident on her face. Well shit.. turning away so she couldn't see the embarrassment on his face.

"Oh....no I'm fine. Really! I.....I just.." he stuttered, fumbling over his words.

"It's ok Shawn, I get it. We did kind of wake up in a compromising position. I understand if you were uncomfortable. To be honest, it just felt good to be near you again, I didn't think anything of it." She states plainly.

Letting out a small sigh he mumbles something under his breath and turns to look at her. "It's okay. I can't deny that it was nice to have you in my arms again. I missed you! I missed us! I just wasn't expecting you to be so comfortable around me again so soon."

"Shawn, I love you, ya big dummy! Besides my therapist says it's good to hold on to things that give you hope and make you happy. I just want....I want you to know that you are that person for me. Even with everything we hashed out last night, I've never been uncomfortable around you. I'm sorry if how we woke up seemed clingy or unexpected, but like I said, I didn't think anything of it because it felt good." She smiles back at him.

Shawn sits there speechless for a minute. He's still trying to process last night and now this morning. He knows he's got therapy this afternoon at the station, and he's planning on talking about everything. What he wasn't expecting to have to talk about was his reaction to his best friend. Everyone knows he loves her as more than a friend and despite the "bad timing" of it all.....

Could he finally be getting his chance to tell her how he really feels?!

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A/n: Please also check out my other book "So This is Love" when I get it all reposted!

Thanks! ❤️