Summary:

Bruno and Gabriela make up and spend the night together.

-o-o-

Written in both Gabriela's and Bruno's POV.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

I slowly open my eyes, disoriented. My bedroom is dark. I must've fallen asleep.

I fumble in the darkness, looking for a match to light up the candle on my bedside table. I manage to find one in one of the drawers, and a few moments later my room is aglow in a warm light.

I find a note addressed to me on the table.

"Elitta, mija, we're going to be out late. Lucía's family wanted to run through some preparations for the wedding. We left some dinner for you downstairs. Julián and I decided not to wake you to join us, it's been a while since you've gotten good sleep. - Papá"

My stomach grumbles. I shuffle out of bed and make my way downstairs. Sure enough, the leftovers Papá mentioned on his note are on the table. I eat silently, watching the hands of the wall clock tick the minutes away. Tick. Tick. Tick.

I try to shake my thoughts away with each passing minute. Bruno's voice echoes in my ears, even if he's not here.

"Gabriela! Querida, wait!"

"Mi amor , are you okay? I didn't…"

"Gabriela, wait, talk to me–"

Bruno. Bruno. Bruno.

Mi amor, mi corazón, cariño… Bruno. I cover my face with my hands. We've only been together for a day, and I've managed to mess things up.

But it's not my fault. It's not my fault. It's…it's my fault. He doesn't know.

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*

I look up from my hands, wondering where the tapping noises are coming from. I try to listen intently. It's faint, but it sounds like it's coming from the right side of the house. The tapping stops before it changes to a soft thud. I stand up immediately like I've been electrocuted. Is someone breaking in? Great timing. Just when I'm all alone at home.

I try to calm myself down, grab a small paring knife from the kitchen to defend myself, and make my way upstairs. I hear movement and it's coming from my bedroom. I creep towards the door and open it slowly.

The light in my room isn't enough for me to fully make out the silhouette, but I can see that there's a hooded figure, pacing back and forth, muttering something. They don't seem to hear me, continuing their furtive pacing until they accidentally knock over my chair, which I had left haphazardly in the way. Whatever composure I have disappears and I yelp, throwing the knife towards the figure.

The hood falls off the intruder's head. I gasp. Bruno's eyes are wide in fear as he turns to look at the wall behind him. The knife is embedded into the wall inches from his face. I barely missed his head.

"That…I deserved that…" Bruno immediately knocks on my table. "Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood…"

I stand there, frozen. I force the words out of my mouth. "Bru…Bruno?" The room starts to spin. He turns to look at me, then panics. "Gabriela, ¡querida!"

And everything fades to black.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Mi amor, are you okay? Look at me. Look at me. I got you…"

Gabriela's eyes flutter open as I position her upright to lean against her bed. She fainted when she saw me, and I caught her just in time. Tears of relief start to fall, trickling down my face. Never mind that she almost killed me with that knife…

I feel her hand on my cheek. "Bruno? What are you doing here?" I look up to meet her eyes. Her lip quivers. "Tonto, Bruno, you scared me. I could've really hurt you…"

"Lo siento. I didn't mean to break into your house…or your room…" I brush a stray strand of hair away from her face. "But I…kept thinking about what happened earlier at my place. I should've gone after you sooner but…I just couldn't move. The guilt kept gnawing at me all day and I decided I have to see you, even if you didn't want to see me. I needed to know you were okay, whatever it takes…"

Gabriela suddenly slumps on my chest and begins to sob, cursing and hitting me with her fists. "¡Eres un maldito idiota, Bruno Madrigal!" I wrap my arms around her and let her cry, bearing the pain of each hit. The physical pain doesn't bother me, Julieta's food can make the bruises disappear. It's the emotional pain that breaks me. Each tear she cries is like a tiny stab to my heart.

We sit like that for a long while until she stops, shuddering from crying for so long. I rub her back to soothe her. "Lo siento, mi amor. I'm a terrible novio…"

"No, you're not," Gabriela hiccups. "You're nothing but good to me, Bruno. I'm the terrible one."

"What? No, mi vida, I've…I've messed up. We've only been together for a day, and I've already done something that you weren't comfortable with…and…and you were protesting the whole time, and yet…"

I feel her shake her head against my chest. "No. No. I…I'm also at fault too. I didn't stop you…"

"But you did, twice."

"If I was really trying to stop you, I would've pushed you off sooner."

"Why didn't you?"

Gabriela looks up at me, her nose red from crying. "Because a part of me wanted you, Bruno." I blink at her, a blush forming on my cheeks. "I dreamt about you last night," She admits.

"Me? What was it about?"

She suddenly becomes shy and burrows her face back on my chest. "It's too embarrassing!"

My face softens and I chuckle. "How embarrassing?"

"Promise me you won't laugh if I tell you?"

"I promise."

"¿Me juras que no te reirás de mí?"

"Lo prometo, querida. Dime por favor."

Gabriela steels herself and whispers into my ear. "I had a dirty dream about you last night, Bruno Madrigal. We were doing things we weren't supposed to do." My jaw drops. I feel my cheeks burning and am thankful she can't see my face. "Wha-what? What?"

She immediately backs away from me and looks down at her hands. "Please don't be mad. I've been trying to quell that dream down the entire day."

"Wh-why would I be mad?" I choke. That explains all of the sexual tension in my bedroom earlier when I showed her how I make my pets do tricks. "Di-did…did I…?" I cough to clear my throat. "Was it…explicit?"

Gabriela furiously shakes her head. "NO! I mean…it was getting there, thankfully I fell off the bed before it could get…steamier…"

Silence. Gabriela fidgets with a stray thread on her dress. "We were by the river, where we first met. I was just…staring at the water when you splashed me and called me to join you…" I watch her face redden as she recounts her dream. "...you were shirtless and dripping wet from swimming…and you kissed me and pulled me towards the water…"

I gulp. I imagine the scenario and can see why she would be flustered. I would be too if it was the other way around. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you had the same look as the Bruno in my dream when you told me you didn't mind what other people said about you." Gabriela rubs her arm, embarrassed. "And…I don't know, somehow it did something to me."

"...do you regret it?"

"Slapping you? Yes."

"No, I didn't mean that, but that's another thing I'd like to ask about," I reach out to hold her hand. "Gabriela. What I meant was…do you feel guilty that we almost…"

She rests her head on my shoulder. "No. No, I don't. Do you?"

"I don't either," I admit. "But I thought I was moving a little bit too fast for you."

"Hm. Maybe." Gabriela absentmindedly trails her fingers down my arm. "Or maybe not fast enough."

"You're not making any sense, mi amor."

She sighs. "I'm still confused by all of this, you know."

"Is it because of your former lover?" I ask cautiously. Gabriela stiffens for a moment, then relaxes. "Yes."

He must've hurt her pretty badly. "Is he the reason why you slapped me?" I continue. She hesitates but nods. "Yes, but it's complicated."

I breathe a sigh of relief and kiss the top of her head. "I'm sorry for asking these questions, querida. I know you and your family don't talk about it, but I won't force you to tell me the whole story. Just knowing that small detail is enough for me."

Gabriela turns her head to face me. "No. It's not enough, cariño ." She takes my face in her hands. "You deserve to know the truth. My actions earlier? They're not warranted. I feel so guilty for…hurting you. It's not your fault, it was mine...because I was projecting my past onto you."

I blink at her. "Mi vida, there is no need to rush. I know it will take some time for you to work out your past. All that matters to me is that you're okay. You're forgiven amor ." Gabriela sighs as I continue. "Remember what I said last night when you called me yours? As long as you ask me to, I will always stay by your side." I gently remove her hands from my face and place them on my chest. "You don't have to worry about me. My heart beats for you and only you."

She manages a chuckle, but there are tears in her eyes. "Again, sweet words from you, Bruno Madrigal."

"I promise you, Gabriela Álvarez, I will wait until you're ready. You can trust me."

Her gaze lowers. "I want to trust you, Bruno." I pull her close to me in an embrace. "In time, mi amor, and I will be with you every step of the way."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"I'd better get going. I don't think Señor Mauricio would be pleased to find me in your bedroom late at night…" Bruno says, pulling the hood of his ruana up and preparing to leave through my bedroom window.

"Wait!" I tug on his sleeve and he turns to look at me. "They're not home yet. I don't want to be alone here. Please, stay with me."

Bruno flusters. "I-I…I don't…" I give him my best pouting face. "Stay with me, Bruno, por favor. Until I fall asleep." He sighs when he sees my face and gets down from my windowsill. "Well, if you're really all alone here, then I can't just leave you be."

"Why do you think I had a knife earlier? Do you think I'd be carrying one if Papá or Julián were home?" I chide. "And also…how were you able to climb up to my window?" There are no ledges that Bruno could climb up from. Getting down from the window is easier since it isn't that high up from the ground. I recall the night I first snuck out to see the meteor shower with Bruno. I dangled my feet out and landed on the soft grass outside.

Bruno chuckles nervously, rubbing his arm. "I climbed the pipe outside and tapped on the window, just in case you were there so you could let me in…but the room was empty. I almost slipped down but thankfully the window was open and I let myself in. Lo siento, mi amor."

Oh, the drain pipe. I forgot it's right next to my window.

I shake my head at him, my hands on my hips. "Ay, Bruno. You didn't break the pipe, did you? Thank goodness for your newfound good luck, or that would have been very messy." He pulls me to him and lifts my chin to look into his eyes. "It's fine. And I guess I only had good luck because it was you. I think I would be a dead man if it was someone else."

I huff and push him off playfully. He laughs. "I'm kidding, mi amor, but yeah, it was a close one."

"Mmmhmm," I say. "Can you wait for a second? I need to change out of these clothes."

Bruno blushes. "Oh, um. Do you want me to leave the room, mi vida?" I shake my head as I rummage through my dresser for a nicer sleeping gown. "No, it's fine. I'll just be in the bathroom for a bit."

"Okay, I'll just be here," Bruno says as he picks up my fallen chair. "Sorry about that…"

I quickly rush to the bathroom to refresh myself and change out of my day clothes. I observe myself in the mirror. It's not too…revealing, is it? I shake my head. No, I don't think so. And, he's just going to be there until I fall asleep.

I sigh. My mind is so messed up but at the same time, I'm relieved. My heart skips a beat at the thought of Bruno just waiting for me in my room. He's indeed different in every single way, compared to…No. Don't think about that now. In time, Bruno said, I would learn to trust again.

I make my way back to my room and find him looking through the drawings that I left on the table. I lean against the doorframe with an amused look on my face. "Oh, so you've found my drawings. Heh." Bruno turns around to look at me, eyes going from the top of my head and down to my feet. He immediately blushes. I roll my eyes at him as I close the door. He scratches his head, trying to calm himself. "Uh…yeah. They're pretty good. I recall you told me you designed our birthday gifts, but I didn't know you could draw."

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me, amor," I say, placing my clothes in the basket at the foot of my bed. He coughs. "Well, I can't wait to discover more about you, then."

I laugh and flop down on my mattress. Bruno's just standing in the middle of the room, shifting his feet. "Bruno, cariño, are you just going to be standing there?" I pat at the space next to me. His eyes grow wide. "Uh…I'm…I'm not sure that's a good idea…"

"Bruno Madrigal. Are you going to keep your novia waiting?" I say, frowning. He holds his breath and crosses his fingers as he walks over to the bed. I notice he's been more superstitious lately, but I don't mind it if it eases his worries. "Okay, give me a moment."

He scoots himself next to me on my small bed but leaves a space between us both. Somehow, this is a whole lot more intimate than what happened to the both of us in his bedroom.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Bruno asks, propping his head up with his arm as I watch him.

"I'm just thinking how this is real and unreal at the same time."

"That's just the sleepiness talking. Go to sleep, mi vida."

I shake my head and scoot a little closer to him. "No, I'm not sleepy yet."

He blinks at me but doesn't attempt to move away. "Then why did you ask me to stay?"

"Do you really want to leave me alone here?"

Bruno ponders for a moment and shakes his head. "No." We stare at each other. I watch how his chest rises and falls with each breath.

"Bruno, mi amor?"

"Yes?"

"Is it okay if…I listen to your heartbeat?" I ask. He hesitates, but nods. "Wait." He sits up and takes his ruana off, gently folding it before placing it on the floor. I pull myself up and watch him. I rarely see Bruno without itand it's a treat. Today he's wearing a plain burgundy shirt and brown pants.

Bruno chuckles. "Heh. Can't let my birthday gift get creased." He lies back down and opens his arms, inviting me. I carefully lay my head on his chest. I close my eyes and listen to the beat of his heart. It's steady.

"Bruno?"

"Hm?" He hums. It vibrates and echoes throughout him.

"I love you." At that, his heart starts to beat faster. "Your heart is beating faster," I say, matter-of-factly.

He chuckles. "Well, why wouldn't it, when you tell me you love me?" I lift my head to look at him. Bruno's smiling at me. "You know, I never thought this would come true, you and I."

"Why not?"

"Do I have to say it?"

I shake my head and he sighs contentedly. "Querida." Bruno breathes. "I'd like to kiss you, please."

"Why are you asking?" I move closer, my lips inches from his. He purses his lips for a moment as if contemplating. "Just wanted to make sure you wouldn't throw me out if something happens."

I smack his arm and he laughs. "I'm kidding, Gabriela!" I turn my face away in mock annoyance. "Why do you like to tease me? I said I was sorry I ran out on you earlier, what more do you want?"

Bruno pulls me closer to him and burrows his face in my hair. "Do you want to know?" He nuzzles his face on the crook of my neck and it tickles. "I want you."

"Alright, alright! Your stubble is tickling me," I laugh. I turn back to face him. Bruno pulls the covers upon us both. "Are you cold?" He asks.

"No. I feel very warm."

Bruno brushes a strand of hair from my forehead. "That's good." He murmurs. My eyes are starting to feel a little heavy. I try to fight the urge to sleep, worried that if I close my eyes, he'll disappear. He takes notice. "Don't worry, mi vida. I'll still be here in the morning."

"¿Promesa?" I ask as I snuggle closer to him. For the first time in five years, I think I wouldn't have the same nightmare haunting me. I feel safe with Bruno here.

Is this what love feels like? I wonder if Mamá would agree.

"Te prometo." He kisses me softly as I drift off to sleep. "Duerme bien, mi amor."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

It's getting too warm. I open my eyes, blinking at the sunlight filtering through my open window. I managed to sleep soundly until morning without any incident. I feel my bed shift and hear someone snoring lightly. That's not me, is it? I'm confused for a moment before I remember.

Bruno!

I turn my head to take a peek at him. He's spooning me. So that's why it's warm. His mouth is slightly open and his hair is a mess. I shift myself out of his embrace, careful not to wake him so that I can look at him better.

If I thought Bruno looked handsome awake, it's a whole lot different when he's asleep. He's beautiful. I resist the urge to touch his face. Bruno usually looked tired, a bundle of nervous energy, but he just looks…so peaceful right now. Like he can finally be himself.

His eyelids flutter open. I close my eyes and pretend to be asleep but he chuckles. "I know you're already awake, amor."

I open my eyes and find him staring at me with a dreamy expression on his face. "Sorry. Did I wake you, Bruno?" I whisper. He suddenly rolls over to cuddle me and I squeak in surprise. "No, but let's not get out of bed today, mi corazón."

"But Bruno…eep!" I can feel his breath near my nape. He presses his nose and breathes in deeply. I blush. "Wha-what are you doing?"

"I love how you always smell so good…" Bruno mumbles. Too intimate.I feel the goosebumps rising from my arms.

"Are you sure you're awake?" I try to squirm free but he hugs me tighter, protesting. "Gabriela, querida, I don't want to get out of bed…"

I sigh. "Bruno, cariño, you're in my bed. I don't want to have to explain to my family so early in the morning if they catch us like this." Bruno grumbles but loosens his grip on me. I kiss his cheek. "Thank you, Bruno."

I cross over him to get off the bed. "It's okay, amor. I'll just check downstairs if anyone's awake. You can sleep some more if you'd like." He pouts at me and I shake my head. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was having such a lovely dream…"

"Lo siento, Bruno. I really didn't mean to wake you."

"That's not what I meant," He sighs and burrows himself in my pillows. "This is the most restful sleep I've ever had in a long while and opening my eyes, seeing you beside me…it's like a dream I didn't want to wake up from."

My face softens. I sit back down next to him on my bed and run my fingers through his unruly curls. "You know, it's the first time I ever slept this well too."

He hums, a sleepy grin on his face. "You look beautiful, Gabriela." I roll my eyes at him. I know I look like a mess in the morning when I just got out of bed, but I guess love is blind. "You might want to ask Agustín where he got his glasses, tesoro," I tease.

Bruno laughs. "He's the only one in town wearing glasses! And, either way, you're still beautiful to me." I smile and kiss the tip of his nose. "I'll be back as quickly as possible, okay?" He nods and wraps himself up with my blanket and sighs.

I grab a dress from my dresser and quietly leave the room. I'm lost in my thoughts with a stupid grin on my face that I don't notice Julián standing outside my door.

"Well, well. So Bruno stayed over, huh, hermana?"

I jump in surprise. "Julián!" I place a hand over my heart to calm myself. "You scared me!" Julián's trying hard not to laugh. "Ay, you scared yourself. I've been standing here for a while." My brother leans forward and observes me. "Is that a hickey I see?"

"What?" I panic. Did Bruno leave a mark on me? Julián's composure breaks and he starts laughing out loud. "I didn't expect that you'd fall for that!"

I fume. "What the hell, Julián?"

"Ah, ah. You wouldn't want to wake Papá up, do you?" Mierda. My eyes widen when I realize what Julián meant.

Bruno's in my room. Guaranteed, nothing happened, we just slept on the same bed, but either way, it looks bad. Papá would freak.

"Julián," I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Nothing happened between me and Bruno last night, I swear. We had a fight yesterday and he came over to apologize…and…"

"Let me guess, he climbed up to your window to explain himself?"

I rub my arm. "Sort of. I wasn't in the room when he came in…I was downstairs having dinner. By myself," I emphasize. Julián hums. "Wow. I didn't think he had it in him."

"Hey, that's my novio you're talking about."

He laughs. "I meant nothing wrong about that, Gabriela. It's just…" Julián shrugs. "I've known Bruno for as long as you have, too. He's also my good friend. I find it surprising when he would do things he's scared of doing…because it's for you." I blink at my brother as he walks past me to go downstairs. "Don't worry, I won't tell Papá your little secret, but you better get mi amigo Bruno up and ready. We can pretend he came here early or something."

I breathe a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Julián."

Julián waves his hand. "No hay problema. Bruno clearly loves you a lot, Gabriela. I can't get mad at that."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):

Eres un maldito idiota - You're a f*cking idiot. TBH I would yell this at my boyfriend too if I almost kill him by accident.
Me juras que no te reirás de mí - You swear you won't laugh at me
Lo prometo, querida. Dime por favor - I promise, dear. Tell me please
Por favor - please
Promesa - promise
Te prometo - I promise
Duerme bien - sleep well
Tesoro - treasure (in this context: darling)
No hay problema - no problem