a/n: This story floats somewhere in the scape of the season 4 future. I'm not really going into a lot of details on the mystery aspect of PLL, just doing my best to realistically handle the aftermath of all the SPOBY suffered through in season 3. Please let me know what you think & I'll keep updating!
I don't own a single character, nor do I own the song I chose for inspiration (Just Give Me A Reason, Pink ft. Nate Ruess).
Now you've been talking in your sleep…After a long drive home and an even longer day at work, Toby Cavanaugh wanted nothing more than a hot shower, a satisfying meal, and good night's sleep. Now if that came with a side of Spencer Hastings, he would be on cloud nine. Unfortunately for the tired carpenter, his ability to call his girlfriend and suggest this plan had been cut off when he had mistakenly left his cell on the kitchen island early that morning. Pulling into his spot in the alley behind The Brew, Toby smiled in anticipation of the quiet night he had dreamed up in his head.
Things were certainly back on track between him and Spencer, but it still felt like there was a lot left unsaid. Their motel reconciliation had been sweeter than he had ever imagined, especially considering the dark downward spiral they had both experienced. The undercurrent of lies and malice had dragged the pair beneath the murky surface, but somehow they survived, breaking through the surface and gasping for clean air.
But with this renewed lease on happily ever after, Toby had no intentions of muddling this chance. He knew that Spencer, being Spencer, would need a much more comprehensive explanation of the gritty details before they would have any real peace. Both were skeptical as to where and when this kind of conversation could be securely held—his loft and her house both seemed out of the question, neither location having a good track record of safe past encounters. So the strain of unspoken words that didn't make the cut in their night of passion still floated aimlessly in the stratosphere, waiting to be disclosed.
Exhaling his burdens into the crisp spring night, Toby clunked up the metal stairs to his loft in his work boots. Thoughts of Spencer had never been far from the forefront of his mind, but she was permanently stuck there since their relationship had been rekindled a few weeks ago.
And as if conjured up by those very thoughts, it seemed like Spencer had magically appeared in his loft. A pair of tall brown leather boots was carefully aligned next to his door, a soft light emanated from his bedroom, and her favorite mug was out next to the sink.
"Spence? Spencer?" his voice bounced around, echoing without reply. A few steps forward and he discovered the sleeping beauty curled up atop his comforter, her mahogany locks fanned out across his pillow. Clad in a pair of black leggings and one of his old flannel button-downs, Spencer was the perfect combination of relaxed and alluring. A loving smirk spread unknowingly across his lips as a familiar warmth gathered in his chest. Coming home to her, awake or asleep, brought him inexplicable joy.
Deciding to shower first and then work out the details of dinner, Toby stepped into his bathroom and washed away the grime of his most recent construction gig. After toweling off and stepping into a pair of basketball shorts, he decided to order enough Chinese for the both of them in case Spencer hadn't eaten yet. Padding back into the kitchen, Toby picked up his forgotten phone to dial the number. Surprised at the number of missed calls and texts, he began to weed through his unanswered messages. The warmth he had felt just minutes before soured at the sight of several frantic text messages from his girlfriend. While the first two were simple questions of when he'd be off and if they were meeting up, he could see her panic rise as he had remained silent.
Where are you? I know you said you might be there a little late, but you're usually are back by now.
Hey did we get our signals crossed? I thought you wanted to hang out at some point.
Please call me when you get the chance, ok? I hope everything is alright.
Toby are you ok? I'm just going to let myself in…
Judging by the times of the texts and the missed calls, she must have realized that his phone wasn't with him once she came to the loft. Feeling guilty for causing her unnecessary anxiety, Toby rushed back into his room in time to hear her murmuring in her sleep. As he sank into the mattress next to her slight body, she let out a low whine, followed by his name and something muffled.
"Spencer, wake up. I'm here, ok?" he gently shook her shoulder, hating himself for causing this whole scene. "Come on honey, wake up."
Groaning and blinking in response to the light invading her dark pupils, Spencer sat up slowly. Unable to properly take in those large coffee-colored eyes of hers, Toby softly pushed the hair away from her forehead and greeted her with a kiss to the temple.
Apparently she was more awake than he had anticipated.
Shoving him away, Spencer's temper flared as she snarled, "Where the heck have you been?"
more to come, click review!
