🀧𝒍𝒊𝒛🀦

𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁

name: liz

age: 8teen

zodiac: taurus sun, scorpio moon, & aries rising

this acc is my escape from my everyday from life and if you couldn't tell i love to write and this acc is lowkey a boylife centered acc (rommulas biased DUH) but i dont mind writing for anything else (if ik about it ofc) if requested.

✖ dni if you're racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, or just a horrible person ✖

nah what they know about yo gabba gabba #dontevenjokelad

yes im writing dont you worry ♡

hit it from the back NOWWWW

don't worry ill start writing it soon im just taking a little break :3

a/n: i actually hate sm how having to FUCKING divide this into 3 parts ruined the flow of the writing i hate it so much like i had to end it on this short part bc thats where i stopped writing yk i dont even care wtv wtv...and yes a cliffhanger

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"You knew I was falling in love with you!" The words leave your mouth before you realize you've said them.

"Did you just say-"

"Roman, forget it!" Your arms wrap around yourself, "I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"Stop telling me how I feel!"

"Stop saying shit you don't mean!"

"You don't know what I mean!"

"Princesa I know you."

"No, you don't!"

"So you think you don't know me either?"

"No."

Roman looks hurt now actually hurt. Good some ugly little part of you is glad. You want him to hurt you want him to feel even a fraction of what you felt sitting beside Marisol yesterday realizing everybody knew something about him that you didn't.

So when Roman says, "I didn't do anything to you." You choose the cruelest thing you can think of, "Sleeping with you was a mistake." The satisfaction lasts less than a second because you can see tears in his eyes.

You're starting to feel bad but you've already started. You're heartbroken and far too proud to admit you want to take it back. So you keep going, "I wish I never did it I wish I never let you into my room. I wish I never kissed you." You can barely see him through your tears now and then you say it, "I wish I never met you."

When the words leave your mouth, you regret them. Roman doesn't yell he just looks at you all the anger drains out of his face. His eyes move over yours like he's waiting for you to take it back.

But you don't your pride has its hands around your throat. Roman nods once, "Fine." He e walks away and you stand there watching him cross the property. He doesn't look back at you not even once.

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"No."

You divide his hair down the middle and you hand him one section, "Do you always braid it when you work?"

"Cuando hace calor." (when its hot)

"Why don't you just put it in a ponytail?"

"Sometimes."

"The braids are prettier." The words leave your mouth before you think about them. Your hands stop and Roman turns his head slightly but you push it forward again, "Don't move." You start braiding again and Roman goes quiet along with you as your fingers move slowly through his hair. It's peaceful you can hear Miel moving nearby amd the crickets.

You finish the first braid and secure it, "There." You take the other section from him then Roman asks, "Te gusto Europa?" (did you like Europe) You glance at him, "Yeah." You continue braiding, "Spain was probably my favorite."

"Por que?"

"I don't know." You think, "I liked being somewhere nobody knew me. Here, everybody knows who my dad is or everybody knows me because of him."

"And there?"

"I was just me I could go anywhere do anything and nobody cared." You look down at his hair, "I missed home though. I missed my parents, Honey, and Marisol." After a moment, he asks, "Quieres irte otra vez?" (do you want to go again)

"Of course."

"Vivir afuera?" (live outside) You hesitate, "I don't know..what about you do you want to leave?" Roman thinks for a moment, "I don't know." You finish the braid, "There." He turns around and you look at him. Both braids are neat now, falling evenly over his shoulders. You smile, "Much better." He looks back at you, "Gracias."

"You're welcome."

You're sitting closer than you realized. Close enough that your knee is almost agains this. The teasing has disappeared from Roman's face for once, he's just looking at you. You suddenly feel shy, "What?"

"Me caes bien." (I like you) Your eyes lift, "What?" He smiles a little not that stupid smirk but a real one. Your heart gives one hard beat and you fiddle with your necklace, "Even though I'm a fresita?"

"Si." (yes) You look at him, "I like you too." His eyes stay on yours, "Yeah?"

"Mhmm." Your eyes drift toward one of the braids and you reach forward and fix a tiny piece near his face. Your fingers linger for half a second before you pull your hand away. You hop carefully down from the fence and Roman gets down beside you. You grab your water bottle, "I'm going inside."

"Ya?" (Already) You glance at him was that disappointment or are you imagining it?

"It's getting dark."

"Te acompano." (I'll accompany you)

"You don't have to."

"I know."

You walk toward the house together every so often, your shoulders almost brush. When you get to your front door you turn to Roman and give him a timid smile, "Good night Roman." He gives you a smile and wishes you a good night and heads back to the stables to finish off whatever he had left.

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You're walking toward the stablea when you see Roman in the distance, and the first thing your eyes land on is his hair. Two braids his own work, clearly. One is already starting to come loose. You smile to yourself you should tell him actually, you should probably fix them. You're halfway toward him when you notice he isn't alone there's a girl standing beside him.

She's pretty very pretty with dark hair falling down her back, and a little top and boots. She looks completely comfortable standing in the middle of the ranch, which immediately tells you she isn't some random visitor. Roman says something and you can't hear what but the girl laughs..Your steps slow a little more who is that you don't know her.

Then again, you've been gone for months maybe she's someone's sster or friend. The girl reaches out and ber hand lands on his arm. That's whatever people touch each other you've touched Roman that doesn't mean anything. Roman looks down at her hand before saying something else and she laughs again still touching him.

Your mouth tightens why is she touching him for so long? You feel stupid for thinking it you don't own Roman you aren't even together. You like each other that's all he said it himself and you said it back that's it. Nothing about that gives you the right to be annoyed because some girl is touching his arm but you're still annoyed. You start walking again and this time, Roman notices. His head turns and his eyes find you almost immediately.

His attention leaves the girl entirely, "Hey y/n." The girl turns and you suddenly wish you hadn't come over, "Hi." Roman looks you over, "Vas a ver Honey?" (you're going to see honey)

"Mhm."

You look toward the stable not the girl, "Who's this?" Of course when you look at her she's smiling at you not meanly. Which somehow makes your irritation more embarrassing. Roman gestures between you, "Valeria." Then he tells her your name and Valeria's eyebrows lift, "Ah La hija del patron?" (oh the bosses daughter)

You hate that you hate being introduced that way, "Yeah." She smiles, "Mucho gusto." (nice to see you)

"You too."

Roman looks at you you can feel it but you refuse to look back. Valeria turns toward him again and tells him goodbye. Before she leaves Roman says something that makes her laugh. Valeria reaches up and pushes lightly against his shoulder, "Idiota." (Idiot) Roman catches her wrist for half a second before letting go. Something hot and ugly twists in your stomach.

"Nos vemos Roman." (see you roma

"Cuidate." (stay stafe)

She walks away and yu wait until she's several feet away before turning toward Honey. Roman stays where he is and you can practically feel the question forming, "Que paso?" (what happened)

"Nothing." You start walking again, "I'm going to see Honey." A few seconds pass and Roman is still following you. You turn around, "Why are you following me?" Roman looks at you before asking, "Estas celosa?" (are you jealous) You furrow your brows, "I'm not jealous."

"Por que estas celosa?" (why are you jealous)

"I'm NOT." You shove his arm but barely moves, "You think everything is about you and it isn't."

"Entonces dime que paso." (so tell me what happened)

"Nothing happened."

"So don't be mad."

"You're annoying." You turn toward Honey's stall and reach for her. She nudges you at least somebody here isn't irritating. But still the curiosity is killing you, "Who is she?"

"Es amiga de Mateo." (she's friend with Mateo)

"Oh." That's it? You wait but Roman doesn't add anything. Friend of Mateo fine that makes sense. She probably comes around sometimes amd she knows Roman because Roman works with Mateo. Normal completely normal you feel slightly better. Then you remember her hand on his arm, "Does she come here a lot because I've never seen her."

"You barely came from your trip a few weeks ago."

"I know whatever forget it." You don't care you're not jealous and even if you were which you aren't there's no reason to be. Roman talks to people and he's going to have friends even if some of those friends are going to be girls. Roman reaches toward your face and you freeze. His fingers brush lightly near your hair and he pulls something out a tiny piece of hay.

Roman holds it up, "You had this in your hair."

"Oh." Your irritation starts disappearing despite your best efforts.

"Me vas a arreglar el pelo hoy?" (are you going to fix my hair today) You look at his braids, "I don't know."

"Why not"

"They look fine."

"Arreglalo." (fix it) You look at him, "Ask nicely." His mouth starts curling upward, "Please?" You smile, "Maybe." You reach for his braid your fingers touch his hair, you remember Valeria. But no he isn't like this with her. Roman didn't look at Valeria the way he's looking at you now and he didn't call her princesa (princess).

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That evening, you're lying across Marisol's bed while she looks through a magazine. You haven't told her about Valeria you're not going to. Because nothing happened Roman spoke to a girl that's it. You stare at the ceiling, "Do you think Roman likes me?"

"Why are you asking?"

"I was curious."

Marisol smiles, "Yes I think he likes you." Now you're certain Roman likes you. I mean he told you himself and today the way he looked at you. The way he immediately noticed you and he followed you. You smile slightly Valeria doesn't matter whoever she is. Because Roman isn't like that with her he's like that with you.

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After that evening, Roman becomes part of your routine. At first, nothing really changes. You still go down to see Miel every morning and Roman still happens to be there. Except now, when you don't immediately see him, you look and Roman starts doing the same, "Donde estabas?" (where were you

You look up from Honey to see Roman walking toward you, carrying something over one shoulder that looks entirely too heavy.

"What?"

"Ayer." (yesterday)

"What about yesterday?"

"No viniste." (you didn't come)

Your fingers stop against Honey's mane, "I went out with my mom." You look over at him, "Did you miss me?" Roman stops and slowly, he looks over, "What do you think." You look down nervously, "Yes?" Roman chuckles at you and agrees.

Some days, you ride amd some days, you don't. On the days you don't, you still somehow end up outside. One afternoon, you're sitting on the fence while he works. You've been talking for about twenty minutes. Roman has responded to maybe half of it.

"Would you rather have no eyebrows or no eyelashes?" Roman stops and he turns toward you, "What?"

"Would you rather have no eyebrows or no eyelashes?"

"Estoy trabajando." (im working)

"I can see that."

"So?"

"Answer." You swing your legs, "Eyebrows or eyelashes?" He sighs, "Eyebrows." Your mouth falls open, "WHAT? That's the wrong answer."

"Entonces, para que preguntas?" (so why do you ask)

"You'd look so weird without eyebrows!"

"Me crecerian." (they'd grow back)

"No, they wouldn't that's the point. You need eyelashes to protect your eyes!" He thinks about it, "Entonces pestanas." "okay eyelashes then"

"No, you can't change your answer."

"Why not?"

"Because you already chose."

"No tienes nada mas que hacer?" (you don't have anything else to do) You smile sweetly, "No." Roman stares at you, "Que vida." (what a life) You gasp, "What does THAT mean?"

"Nothing."

"No, say it." Roman starts walking away and yu hop down from the fence, "Roman!" He keeps going and yu follow him, "Roman!" You follow him all the way across the stable and Roman looks over his shoulder, "Me vas a seguir todo el dia?".(you're gonna follow me all day)

"If I want."

He stops and you almost walk straight into him. His hand catches your waist automatically and your breath catches. Roman steadies you and his hand stays there. Your eyes drop toward it and slowly, he lets go, "Ten cuidado." (be careful)

You look up, "Maybe don't stop in front of me."

Eventually things get worse or better you aren't sure. Roman starts finding reasons to touch you. His hand against your back when you walk in front of him, his fingers catching your wrist when you're about to touch something he insists is dirty, or taking your hand when you're climbing down from the fence even though you've done it yourself a hundred times.

You start doing it too. You grab his arm when he makes you laugh, push his shoulder when he's annoying, or fix his hair without asking. One afternoon, Roman's hat is sitting beside you so naturally, you put it on.

"Devuelvemelo." (give it back) You adjust it, "No it looks better on me." Roman looks at you and smiles, "Yeah it does." You also start learning arn things about him. Like how Roman doesn't like tomatoes. You discover this because you bring food outside one afternoon and he picks one out.

"Are you five?"

"No me gustan." (i dont like them)

"They taste like nothing you big baby."

"Entonces, para que me lo voy a comer?" (so then why am i going to eat it)

"Because they're good for you."

Roman tosses it onto your plate, "Pues cometelo tu" (so then you eat it) You make a fac, "Don't put your food on my plate you touched it!" Roman looks at you and he starts laughing, "Fresita." He learns things about you too like how you hate waking up early and can't sleep without doing your skincare. Roman discovers that one evening when you tell him you need to go inside, "Por que?" (why)

"It's late."

"It's nine I have to shower and do my skincare." Roman looks confused, "What?"

"My skincare."

"Que haces?" (what do you do)

You start listing it and Roman's expression progressively becomes more surprisedm When you finish, he stares, "All of that?"

"Yes."

"Every night?"

"Yes."

"Yo me bano y ya." (I shower and thats it) You look him up and down, "That explains a lot." Roman's eyebrows lift, "Que explica?" (what does it explain) You realize your mistake because unfortunately nothing about Roman's face supports the insult you were about to make. You start walking toward the house and Roman follows, "Que ibas a decir?" (what were you going to say)

"Nothing!"

Weeks pass like that and you stop wondering whether Roman likes you. You know he does you know by the way his eyes immediately find you and b the way he somehow always has time for you even when he's busy. But also how the he walks you toward the house every evening. Never all the way though that would be stupid your father isn't blind.

So Roman stops where the ranch begins to give way to the manicured property surrounding the house. Roman looks toward the house, "Vete." (go) You frown, "You go." It's late enough that the air has cooled and the lights from the house glow in the distance. You should go but you don't. You look back at him he's closer than you remember or maybe you're imagining it. Roman tilts his head slightly, "What?"

"Nada." (nothing) Roman's still watching you and suddenly, maybe because you're tired of wondering, or because you've spent weeks letting him make you nervous you ask, "Do you want to kiss me?" Roman doesn't say anything at first and uour courage immediately evaporates. Oh my God why did you say that? You look toward the house, "Never mind."

"Princesa."

You start walking but Roman catches your wrist, "Quieres que te bese?" (you want me to kiss you) Your face burns, "I asked you first." His thumb moves once against your wrist, "Si o no?" (yes or no) You stare at him then quietly you whisper, "Maybe." Roman smiles, "Maybe?"

"Don't make me regret asking." He steps closer and your heart is pounding now. Roman lifts his hand slowly and his fingers touch your cheek. He looks at you and gives you plenty of time to move. You don't so Roman leans down and kisses you The kiss is soft softer than you expected from him. His lips barely leave yours before your eyes open. Roman stays close, "You good?"

You nod, "Yeah." His thumb brushes your cheek and you stare into eyes and Roman's mouth start to curve.

"What?"

"Nothing."

You narrow your eyes and before you can lose your nerve you lean up and kiss him again. Roman clearly wasn't expecting that but his hand settle at your waist. This kiss lasts longer but it's still gentle and when you finally pull away, you're smiling.

After that, you're both hopeless. Kissing Roman becomes another part of your routine well a secret part your father absolutely cannot know. Which means you and roman becomes incredibly creative about finding places where you can makeout where your father isn't. Behind the stables or near a forest nearby. Once, embarrassingly, behind a stack of hay because had Roman catched your wrist as you were walking past.

"Roman!"

"Shh."

"My dad is over there!"

"Entonces callate." (so shut up)

"You can't just-" He kisses you and you forget the rest of the sentence. When he pulls away, you give me a dirty look. Roman smiles, "What were you going to say." You shove him, "I hate you." You fix your top, "Is my lip gloss messed up?"

Roman looks at your mouth, "Ya no tienes." (you dont have any anymore)

Your eyes widen, "WHAT?" He chuckles and you smack his arm, "Marisol is going to know!"

"How?"

"Because I ALWAYS have lip gloss!"

"So put more."

"I didn't bring it!"

Roman shrugs, "That sounds like a you problem."

As the weeks go one you and Roman start keeping more closer. Not just spending time in public but also in private which is around the time Roman first climbed up to your window. You're already in bed and you've showered. Your skincare is done and you're wearing pajamas you'd be perfectly comfortable being seen in by literally anyone except the boy you've recently started secretly kissing.

You're putting some perfume oil behind your ears and ankles because why not when you hear a tap. You stop and look toward the window it must bothing. Then you start hearing more taps and your eyebrows pull together. There's a tree outside your window sometimes branches hit the glass its pobably that.

But the tapping becomes annoying , "Jesus." You get out of bed walk toward the window pull the curtain aside and nearly scream. Roman's face is on the other side and your hand flies over your mouth. Roman's eyes widen and he quickly puts one finger against his lips, "Shh." You stare at him he's in a fucking TREE. You unlock the window and shove it open, "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?"

"Shh!"

"ROMAN!" WHY ARE YOU IN A TREE?" Roman adjusts his grip on the branch, "Let me in."

"No!"

"Why not."

"Because-"

You look down big mistake. He's high very high and your stomach drops, "Oh my God you're going to fall."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you ARE"

"Entonces dejame entrar." (so let me in)

"You look toward your bedroom door and sigh. Then you look toward Roman, "Stop moving!"

"You're gonna leave me here?" You glare at him and Roman smiles, "Hi."

"Don't HI me! Come in before you fall and die." You grab his arm when he gets close enough. Roman climbs through and one boot lands on your carpet.

"Take them off."

Roman looks at you like you've lost your mind.

"Off."

"Seriously?"

"Yes!"

He kicks one boot off then the other. You point toward the window, "Put them over there."

"Algo mas, senora?" (anything else ma'am)

"Don't be annoying." Suddenly you really realize there's a boy in your bedroom at night with your bedroom door is closed. Your parents are asleep and Roman is standing in front of you in his socks after climbing a tree to get here. Roman takes a step closer and you take one backward which Roman mistakes for something else.

"Me puedo ir." (i can leave) He turns toward the window and your hand catches his shirt. Roman stops and looks down at your hand. You let go, "I didn't say you had to leave." You laugh nervously, "But you are going to get me killed."

"You? Roman points toward himself, "I'd get killed actually." You slap a hand over your mouth to stop yourself from laughing, "My dad would fire you first."

"Then he would kill me"

"Probably."

"So dont make any noise." Your eyebrows shoot up, "ME?"

"Yes you."

You look up at him, "Why did you come?" The teasing in his expression softens, "I wanted to see you." Your heart gives one stupid little thump, "Really?" You look down and shyly play with the little heart hanging from your necklace, "That's sweet." Roman reaches out and his fingers catch the little heart gently. He turns it between his fingers, "You always have this who gave it to you?"

"My dad."

It's gets a little awkward, "Do you want to sit?"

"Sure"

You climb onto your bed and Roman sits on the edge. You stare at him, "Why are you sitting far away?" Roman moves farther onto the bed and you smile, "Better." He looks around again and his eyes land on the products sitting on your nightstand, "Que es eso?" (what's that)

"Skincare."

Roman groans, "Ya hiciste las veinte cosas?" (you already did the twenty things)

"It's not twenty."

"How many then?"

"...Like eight."

"That's stupid I just use soap." You make a face, "For your face?"

"Uh yeah."

"What kind?"

Roman shrugs and you look horrified, "Hand soap?"

"Sometimes."

You physically recoil, "Your poor skin." You grab his face before thinking. Your palms are against his cheeks and you're staring at his skin. Which is, infuriatingly, perfectly fine aside from the very minimal acne along chin (probably from the oil his face produces from how sweaty he gets working outside) You frown, "This is so unfair."

Roman's hands settle lightly around your wrists, "What is?"

"You use hand soap nd your skin isn't even that bad." Roman smiles, "Thanks." You don't let go and neither does he. His thumbs move lightly against the inside of your wrists and your eyes meet. Your stomach churns but you move closer anyway and Roman kisses you. Time just flies by when you're with Roman especially when he makes out with you. So much that eventually, Roman glances toward your clock and his expression changes, "Es tarde." (it's late)

Roman starts sitting up and you feel disappointed, "You have to go?"

"Si antes que salga tu papa con una escopeta." (yesh before your dad comes out with a shotgun) You laugh quietly, "He doesn't have a shotgun." You pause, "I don't think."

"Yeah I don't know want to find out."

Roman moves toward the edge of the bed and you catch his hand, "Be careful." Roman smiles, "Si, princesa." (yeah princess)

"I'm serious don't jump and if you fall-"

"Me vas a extranar?" (you'll miss me) You try not to smile, "You're so dumb goodnight, Roman." He laughs, "Buenas noches." (good night,l He leans down and kisses you once then again. You catch the front of his shirt when he tries to pull away. You kiss him one more time before pulling, "Go."

"Ya voy." (im going)

"Don't put them on until you're outside." Roman slowly turns, "How am I going to climb down a tree without boots." You think, "Carefully?"

Roman stares at you with a unamused expression and you start laughing, "I just got my carpet cleaned today." Roman mutters something under his breath as he grabs his boots.

He climbs through the window with his boots in one hand and you lean out, "Be careful!"

"Shh!"

You lower your voice, "Be careful." You watch until he reaches the ground and Roman puts his boots on then looks up. You're still there and he smiles so you wave. Roman shakes his head, but he waves back. You close the window lock it then turn around with the biggest smile on your face.

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The house has been full since the afternoon it isn't exactly a party that's what your mother keeps insisting. Just family, a few family friends, and apparently enough food to feed half the town. It's meant to celebrate you being home again. You'd been back long enough that the initial excitement should've worn off, but between traveling, settling back in, and everyone having their own schedules, your parents hadn't gotten the chance to have everyone over properly.

So tonight, they do. People you haven't seen since before you left pull you into hugs, tell you how much you've changed, ask the same questions about your travels you've answered a hundred times already. You don't mind but still, sometime after dinner, while conversation swells around you, your attention drifts toward the window. The ranch is dark beyond the glass and you can't see much from here.

You wonder if Roman is still out there probably not it's late and h probably already went home. Ten minutes later, you look through the window again. You don't even realize you're doing it until your cousin nudges you, "Que estas mirando?" (what are you looking at) Your head snaps toward her, "Nothing." She glances toward the window and gives you a suspicious look but you ignore it.

You couldn't exactly disappear in the middle of a family gathering to go find Roman. Everybody would notice so you stay and every now and then, when nobody's paying attention, you look outside.

Much later, the house finally quiets down. Cars disappear down the driveway one after another. Voices fade, doors close, snd ights turn off. Outside, Roman waits he stands beneath the tree beside your house and looks up. Your bedroom window is visible through the branches. A faint light glows behind the curtains you're awake good. He's done this enough times now that he knows the route.

Roman places his palm against the bark that's still damp. He could give it to you tomorrow and see you in the morning but he doesn't want to he wants to see you now. The first few feet aren't difficult. He pulls himself onto the lowest sturdy branch and reaches higher. The bark is rough beneath his palms and asmaller branch catches his shirt. Roman yanks himself free and the leaves shake. He freezes and looks toward the house but thankfully none of the other windows show anybody awake.

Roman keeps climbing the higher he gets, the more annoying the wet bark becomes. He tightens his grip and finds another foothold. He's done this before.m that's what he keeps reminding himself. Except before the fucking tree wasn't wet. Roman reaches the thick branch near the second floor and pulls himself onto it. He breathes then makes the mistake of looking down. The ground is far away not "you're definitely dead" far but more "multiple broken bones" far.

Roman looks back up your window isn't much farther. The last part is always the worst there's no clean path from the branch to your window. So he has to lean toward the house, catch the ledge, then shift his weight while keeping one foot braced behind him. His fingers barely brush the ledge, "Come on." He stretches farther and his boot slips this time, badly.

He should go back this is fucking stupid. But hushes himself up and keeps climbing because you're upstairs. Roman finally catches the ledge and pulls himself toward the window. His shoulder hits the side of the house and he adjusts himself. He taps but doesn't hear any movement from the other side. Roman sighs then taps again harder and your curtains move.

Seconds later, the window opens, "Roman why would you climb it when it's wet?!"

"Didn't think that far."

"You're actually stupid...get inside." You grab his forearm with both of your hands. Roman gets his free hand onto the window frame and hauls himself through. One knee hits the ledge then the other finally, he tumbles into your room. You grab him, "Jesus Christ." He's breathing harder than usual ans his hair is a mess. There's dirt along one arm and a fresh scrape near his elbow.

"You're bleeding."

"It's nothing."

"You grab his arm, "Sit." Roman sits on the edge of your bed. While you disappear into the bathroom. Roman looks around your bedroom while he catches his breath.

"I can't believe you did that!"

"Lo hago siempre." (i always do it)

"Not when the tree is WET!"

You return with your little first-aid kit and Roman looks at it, "Seriously?"

"Yes Roman."

"It's a scratch."

"Shut up."

You sit beside him and take his arm. Roman lets you clean it.m because he can see your eyebrows are pulled together you're genuinely upset. "You could've fallen." Slowly, you look up, "Did you almost fall?" Roman says nothing and your eyes narrow, "Roman."

"Uh kinda."

"You could've broken something!"

"But I didn't." You go back to cleaning his arm.

Roman watches you, "You can't do that again when it rains."

"Okay."

"I'm serious..promise." Roman's smile fades, "Te prometo." (i promise you) You finish cleaning the scrape and put a small bandage over it. You seem to remember something, "Why are you even here?" His hand moves toward his pocket and your eyes follow, "What's that?" He pulls out a little piece of wax paper, twisted at both ends it's slightly crushed. Roman holds it toward you, "Here"

The paper is warm from being in his pocket. You carefully unwrap it and inside is a little round mazapán (they're a mexican candy they're so yummay its kinda squishy like dough and it taste like peanuts but its sweet) Well it's supposed to be round one side is thicker than the other, there's a tiny crack across the top, and the edges aren't smooth at all. Roman watches your face, "Esta feo lo se." (its ugly i know) Your head snaps up, "No, it's not."

Roman points, "Esta chueco." (it's crooked) You look back down at it, "Where did you get it?"

"My house."

"Your mom made it?"

Roman pauses something about his expression makes your eyebrows lift, "Did you make this?" Roman scratches the back of his neck, "Yeah." Your mouth opens, "You MADE it?"

"Con mi mama." (with my mon) A smile sweeps across your face, "She makes them?"

"Mhmm." You look at the little misshape mazapan again, "So why does this one look...different."

"Porque los de ella salen bien." (because hers come out good)

"So she made all the pretty ones and you made this one?"

"Yeah."

You laugh harder and Roman gives you an offended look, "Okay, then give it back."

"No!" You immediately pull it against your chest and Roman reaches ove, "Give it you're laughing at it."

"I'm laughing because it's cute!" Roman tries taking it again qnd you turn away, "No! It's mine!" You hold it farther away and Roman catches your waist before you can escape across the bed. You're both trying not to laugh too loudly now but you manage to twist away. Roman finally gives up, "Quedate con tu mazapan feo." (stay with your ugly mazapan)

"It's NOT ugly." You look down at it it's a little ugly. You smile, "I love it." You look at the candy again, "You made this for me? Like...you were at home making candy with your mom and thought of me?"

"Yes, princesa para ti." (yes princess for you) You look at the mazapán again, "Why?" Roman shrugs, "Mi mama estaba haciendo y pense que te gustariam" (my mom was making them and id thought you'd like them) You gently grin and you carefully wrap it again.

"You're not gonna eat it?"

"Later."

"Why?"

"I don't want to ruin it."

Roman stares at you, "It's food you're supposed to eat it."

"I know but I want to keep it for a little!" You place the little wrapped mazapan carefully on your nightstand. Far enough from the edge that nothing can happen to it. Roman looks at where you've put it then at all the house warming gifts next to your nightstand, "You got all that tonight."

He gestures vaguely around your room and you follow his gaze. There's gifts from the gathering sitting nearby nice things like shopping bags and perfume boxes. Roman points toward the nightstandz "And you're saving that?" You look at the ugly little mazapán, "Yes because you made it." You smile and yyour eyes drop toward the scrape on his arm, "And apparently almost died delivering it."

You look up at his face then reach up. One of his braids is all messed up. You climb farther onto the bed, "Come here I'm fixing it." You sit behind him and start undoing the ruined braid. His hair falls loose between your fingers. Roman gets quiet he always does when you braid his hair. You smile to yourself, "Your mom makes candy."

"Yeah."

"What else does she make?"

"A bunch of stuff."

"Like?"

Roman starts listing them and you listen while you carefully separate his hair, "Does she like doing it?"

"Mhmm."

"Did she teach you?"

Roman laughs and shakes his hea,

"No."

"But you made this?"

"She only told me how to do it she didn't show me."

"And you still made it crooked."

He rolls his eyes, "Oh okay I won't make you another one." You beg, "No please make me another ugly mazapán." He turns his head and you burst out laughing, "Okay! Make me a pretty one."

"Fine I will."

You start braiding again and the conversation drifts. You tell him your aunt asked the same question about Europe four separate times.

"You had fun?"

"Yeah...mostly."

"Mostly?"

You shrug, "I kept looking outside "I wanted to be with you."

"Yo tambien queria verte." (i also wanted to see you)

"You could've waited until tomorrow why didn't you."

"Because tomorrow isn't today I wanted to see you today." You finish the second braid and Roman turns around. You're closer than you expected. His gaze drops to your lips for a fleeting second before meeting your eyes again, his voice dropping to a murmur, "I just couldn't wait to see you."

His breath was warm against your lips as he leaned in slowly, his calloused hand coming up to gently cup the back of your hea. His dark eyes flutter hut right before his lips presses against yours. The kiss was soft at firs but as your fingers curl into the fabric of his worn shirt, Roman let out a quiet breath against your lips. His hand slides from your head to your waist, his thumb dragging against your hip through the thin fabric of your lacey nightgown.

You lean into him instantly, your lips moving against his with a eagerness that made his chest tighten. One of your hands slides up to rest against his chest, feeling the steady, heavy thump of his heart beneath your palm. Roman pulls back just enough to look at you, "Can we...keep going?" he whispers leaving the decision solely on you. A heat creeps up in your bodyas you nod, "Yes." You bit your lip unconsciously, giving him a clear invitation "Slow?" he asks gently. You nod softly, "Mhm..."

Roman smiles softly at your response, he leans down to press a kiss to your lils, before slowly inching under the hem of your nightgown. His hands find your thighs, pushing the lacey fabric higher. When his fingers reached the edge of your panties, he paused, waiting for your okay. "Can I?" You nod shyly, your breath catching as his fingers hook under the thin fabric. "Yes, Roman," you whisper against his mouth, your hips lifting slightly to help him remove them.

Roman's fingers slide easily through your wetness, "Estas tan mojada (you're so wet)." His thumb finds your clit and rubs slow circles. Your breath hitches, your thighs instinctively parting wider for him as your fingers curled tighter into his shirt. Your hips unconsciously roll against his hand.

He groans softly at your reaction, thumb still circling steadily. "Already?" he teases gently, noting how slick you are from just touching. His fingers slip deeper, testing your tightness, "Pobrecita mi princesa tan hambrienta (my poor princess so hungry)." He adds another finger slowly, watching your face intently for any sign of discomfort.

His fingers curl slowly against your warmth, his breath hot against your ear as he murmurs, "Dime si te duele(tell me if it hurts)." He pumps his fingers slowly, watching your eyes flutter shut and your head fall back against his shoulder. The wet sounds of his fingers moving in and out of you made a soft squelching noise.

You gasp as he finds that sensitive spot inside you, your walls clenching around his fingers. "Ah," your stomach tenses and Roman smirks, adding more pressure there while his thumb keeps its lazy rhythm on your clit. Roman's own breath is heavy against your neck as he feels you pulse around his fingers. He slows down, enjoying the way your hips move desperately against his hand. "Tranquila, mi amor (calm down my love)," he murmurs against your ear before pulling his fingers out and gently spreading your legs wider.

You feel his weight shift as he lowers himself between your thighs. Roman's hands spread your folds gently before his tongue makes a slow, deliberate swipe through your soaked center. "Roman!" you gasp, your fingers instantly tangling in his hair. He hums against your skin, the vibration making you shudder. It feels so foreign to have someone down there and you almost feel embarrassed.

You bite your lip nervously, your fingers gently easing in his hair. "Roman do you...do you think it's gross?" you whisper shyly, "I don't want you to be grossed out by you know." Roman immediately shakes his head, a smilr playing on his glossy lips as he looked up at you, "Gross? Mami, I love it."

He dives in fully, tongue flicking out to lick through your folds before pushing down on your clit to massage it. He keeps a steady pace, tongue in and out of you, tongue flat against your clit, tongue circling your entrance. He uses his fingers to spread you wide open, exposing every part of you.

Your head drops back against the pillows with a soft whimper. Roman doesn't stop he eats you like you're his favorite dessert, alternating between deep, slow licks and rapid flicks over your clit. You reach down hesitantly, fingers brushing against his lower back, "Roman are you sure you don't just want to... you know instead?" You ask shyly, "I don't mind if that's what you want."

Roman pulls back from your pussy, a string of wetness connecting his lips to you. He leans up and kisses you deeply, letting you taste yourself on his tongue, "No, I want you to cum all over my face before I fuck you." He goes back down, his hands gripping your thighs and spreading them wider. He pushes your legs up, folding you in half as he buries his face deeper between your legs.

The new angle has a heat burning in your lower stomach, your toes curl against his shoulders as his tongue works against you with relentless precision. He alternated between sucking firmly on your clit and fucking you with his tongue. Your fingers tugged desperately at his braids,"R-Roman it's too much, " you whimper. Roman doesn't stop, just holds your thighs firmly open, "Just let go, mamita."

You softly moan as the heat in your belly finally snaps. Your thighs shake uncontrollably around his head as you cum, soaking his mouth and chin. Roman works you through it, lapping up everything you give him until you're trembling and whining, pushing weakly at his head.

He finally pulls back, lips glistening and chin wet with your release. He crawls up your body slowly, kissing a trail along your stomach back to your lips. "Sabes ran rica (you tast so good)," he murmurs against your mouth before pressing a deep kiss on you. You taste yourself mixed with him and it makes your cheeks burn.

Your thighs are still trembling as you feel his him pressing against your inner thigh, all hard through his pans. He shifts slightly, not even trying to hide it. His dick must be straining against his pants, the out line is so obvious. Roman grinds slowly against your thigh, the friction making him groan lowly.

He doesn't stop kissing you, tongue pushing past your lips again. One hand works to unbuckle his own belt, the other cupping your cheek gently. "Need to get this outta the way," he mutters against your mouth, pulling back just enough to shove his pants down his hips.

He rubs the head of his dick up and down your soaked slit, the precum smearing along your folds. Roman's breathing is heavy against your shoulder as he teases you, the tip brushing over your clit but not pushing in yet. "So wet for me," he groans. The head tip slides easily, catching on your entrance before sliding back up to your clit. "Roman... please," you whimper, your nails digging into his shoulders. He smiled down at you, torturously slow, nudging your opening but never actually sinking in.

Finally, he pushes in with a slow thrust, a soft whimper escapes him, like he couldn't help it. "Fuck..." he breathes out shakily, forehead dropping against your collarbone. You whimper just as loud as him, your body tightening around him painfully good. "Ooh,.." you cry out, your eyes watering from the sheer fullness of him.

Roman starts moving slowly at first, pulling almost all the way out before sinking back in deep. With every thrust a shaky moan escapes him, "You like that?" he breathes out, "Tell me you like it." You nod aimlessly, your fingers running up and down his chest, "Ay si papi."

Roman practically melts hearing that, "That's my girl..." he pants, losing rhythm slightly because your pussy feels incredible. He keeps moving, hips snapping against yours, moaning sweet, broken sounds into your mouth. "Si? You love it, baby?" He sounds absolutely desperate. "Tell papi."

You nod quickly, unable to form coherent words as your head's spins from the pleasure. "Si esta tan bueno yes it's so good)," you gasp out, your nails trailing down his back. "So good..." You don't even recognize yourself, talking to him.

A low, guttural moan rolls off his tongue at the sweet sounds you're making. He catches his breath, fighting to keep it slow and deep. "Dime como se siente, mi reina (tell me how it feels, my queen)." You mumble something embarrassingly, words getting lost in a moan. "Yess feels so good," you admit shyly, eyes squeezing shut. Roman chuckles, "Only for you, my love." He shifts his angle slightly, his next thrust hitting deeper, making you see stars.

You can barely breathe, your back arching off the bed as you clench around him. "Si si papi me encanta (yes yes I love it)," you whisper shakily. His rhythm falters, thrusts getting shallower and faster, his breathing turning into ragged pants. His voice cracks, "Dime que me amas (tell me you love me)." You look up, eyes meeting his dark ones. "Te amo (I love you)," you whisper softly, completely vulnerable and that seems to be what he needs.

Roman moans your name loudly, shuddering as he cums deep inside you. You cry into his neck, your whole body clenching around him in waves as you cum too. He collapses against you, still buried deep, both of you shaking and breathless. You wrap your arms around his back tightly, pulling him closer as you both ride out the waves. "Roman," you whisper shakily into his ear, your voice raw and broken. "Te amo tanto (I love you so much)."

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

A few weeks later, Marisol knows something happened to you. She notices it while you're sitting across from her on your bed, supposedly helping her decide between two dresses. Supposedly because for the past five minutes, you've barely looked at either one.

You're lying on your stomach with your chin in your hands, feet swinging behind you, staring toward absolutely nothing with a tiny smile on your face. Marisol's eyes narrow, "What are you smiling about?" Your head snaps up, "What?"

"You've been staring at the wall smiling for five minutes."

"No, I haven't I was thinking."

"About Roman?" Your eyes widen and you look away shyly. She scoots closer to you, "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Something happened...did he kiss you?" You don't say anything back snd Marisol screams. You launch yourself at her and slap a hand over her mouth, "SHUT UP!" She yanks your hand away, "He kissed you?!"

"Keep your voice down!"

"When?!"

"A long time ago."

"A LONG TIME AGO?

"Shh!"

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I was going to!"

"What in a billion years?"

You start laughing, "It just happened!"

"No tell me everything!"

You tell her how Roman walked you toward the house at night. How neither of you wanted to leave that evening and how you'd gotten tired of him staring at you, "I asked if he wanted to kiss me." Marisol's mouth falls open, "You asked HIM?"

"I know I don't know what came over me at that moment." Your smile returns before you can stop it, "But then he kissed me."

"Do you still kiss?"

"Uh yes..."

Marisol gasps, "How often?"

"I don't know...sometimes" You look toward the window and she follows your gaze. Marisol slowly turns toward you, "No fucking way he comes up HERE?" Marisol practically falls off the bed trying to get to the window. She pulls the curtain aside and looks down, "How the fuck does he get up here?"

"I don't even know!"

"He could break his neck!"

"THAT'S WHAT I TELL HIM."

Marisol looks toward the branches again, "Roman climbs this thing for you?" Your cheeks heat u, "Don't say it like that."

"How else am I supposed to say it?" She lets the curtain fall, "How many times has he done this?" You hesitate, "A couple times." She comes back to the bed, "What do you even do up here?"

"Talk."

Marisol gives you a look.

"We do swear!"

"Mhm."

"We talk and sometimes we watch things on the tv but sometimes he just stays."

"How late?"

You look away, "Like...two."

"Two in the morning and then this idiot climbs BACK DOWN?"

"Yes."

Marisol stares at you, "Oh, you're gone you're completely gone for this man." For a moment, neither of you says anything then Marisol smiles, "You really like him." This time you don't deny it, "Yeah...I really do." She nudges you, "So that's everything?"

"Well..."

"Did you two-"

"Shh!"

Her eyes become enormous, "You DID?" You bury your face in your hands, "Oh my God."

"Here?!"

You peek between your fingers, "Yeah." Marisol starts laughing, then quickly calms when she realizes how embarrassed you actually are, "You're happy?" Your expression softens, "Mhmm...you know it wasn't planned it just happened."

"Was he good to you?"

"Yeah, I just didn't think Roman would be...like this." Marisol's brows pull together, "Like what?"

"Sweet." You laugh softly, "I mean, he's still an idiot sometimes but when we're alone, he's different." You keep going, "He remembers everything stupid things too and sometimes when he comes up here, we don't even kiss much." You look toward your bed, "We just talk he'll lie there with me for and I know he's a certain way but that's just Roman." You think about something else, "There was this girl once."

Marisol looks at you, "What girl?"

"I don't know." You wrinkle your nose, "Valeria." Marisol looks really uncomfortable and your eyes look up at her, "What?" Your stomach twists, "You know her?"

"Yeah."

"Do you not like her?"

"Valeria's fine."

"Then why did you make that face?"

Marisol looks at you then away, "Did Roman ever tell you about Valeria?" Cold chills crawl slowly into your stomach, "Tell me what?" Marisol looks at you again, "Has Roman told you about his past?" You blink, "His past?"

"Yeah with girls."

Your smile slowly disappears, "What about girls?"

"I thought you knew."

"Knew what?"

She closes her eyes for a second. When she opens them, she's looking directly at you, "Roman gets around." You stare, "What..."

"Or he did."

"What does that mean?"

"It means he hooks up with women."

"A lot..?"

Marisol doesn't soften it, "Yeah."

Your stomach drops, "Like...he dated a lot?"

"No he didn’t really date he had casual things."

"How many?!"

"I don't know."

"Guess!!"

"I'm not going to make something up."

"Please Marisol!"

"I genuinely don't know his number...but enough that people know."

"People here?"

"Yeah here and in town."

"So he has a reputation."

"Yes..."

You look down trying to ignore the lump in your throat. Marisol reaches toward you, "I'm not telling you Roman is some horrible person. I've never heard that he lies to women and tells them they're together when they're not or that he cheats. But casual sex Roman has had a lot of that."

You immediately think of Valeria, "That girl what about her."

"Yeah...he slept with her."

Your chest tightens, "When?!"

"Before you came home a few months ago, maybe."

"And when I saw them together?"

Marisol hesitates, "I don't know hun." Your eyes lift, "What do you mean you don't know?"

"I don't know if anything was still happening between them then."

The room feels colder, "But it could've been."

"I don't know." She reaches for your hand and you let her take it, "Who else?" Marisol's face tightens, "Do you really want that?"

"Yes."

"Names aren't going to make you feel better."

"I don't care! I want everything."

She tells you not every rumor or every story someone whispered to someone else. Only what she actually knows. Girls she's personally seen Roman with. A girl who used to come around after he finished working, someone's cousin, valeria, nother girl whose name you recognize, and then another. Rventually you stop asking questions and Marisol notices, "Do you want me to stop?" You shake your head, "N-no tell me everything."

So she does she tells you how Roman didn't really do girlfriends amd that he never seemed particularly interested in anything serious. Women like him and Roman knows they like him. He's had women get jealous over him before and he's been casual far more often than he's ever been committed. Apparently none of this is a secret. It's simply something everybody knows everybody except you.

Your eyes burn and you shake your head, "He's twenty-two I didn't think I was gonna be his first but oh my god." Your voice cracks and you look away, "It's just...I thought he was different with me." You literally feel like the oxygen in your lungs was taken from yoh, "Do you think I'm just another girl?" For once, your best friend doesn't have an answer ready, "I don't know."

Your face crumples slightly and Marisol reaches for you, "I love you too much to lie."

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

You avoid Roman the entire morning. When you finally go outside, you don't go anywhere near the stables. You stay near the house and when you hear voices approaching from one side of the property, you go inside. Everytime that horrible question returns "how many times has he done this" you don't know and that's what hurts.

By late afternoon, you're sitting beneath the shade near the side of the house with a book open across your lap. You hear footsteps but you don't look up until a familiar voice says, "Ahi estas." (there you are) You know it's roman but you keep your eyes on the book. He walks toward you like nothing is wrong because to him, nothing is.

Today his hair is down instead of braided and here's dirt along one side of his jeans. He stops in front of you, "Donde estabas?" (where were you) You turn a page, "Here."

"Te busque." (i was looking for you)

"Okay."

"Okay?"

You don't answer and he glances toward the book, "Que lees?" (what are you reading)

"Nothing."

"You're reading...nothing?"

You close the book, "I'm busy."

Roman's eyebrows pull together, "Que tienes?" (what's wrong)

"Nothing I'm going inside." You step around him and Roman catches your waist. Your entire body recoils, "Don't touch me!" Roman's hand drop off your body, "What?"

"I said don't touch me!!"

"I heard you."

"Good."

You start walking away but Roman tries yet again to get your attention, "Princesa." You stop and your jaw tightens, "Don't call me that." When you turn around, Roman is staring at you confused, "What happened?" You look away you shouldn't do this here you should wait until you're calmer.

"What did I do y/n?"

Your eyes snap back to him something about the genuine confusion on his face makes you furious, "You really don't know?"

"No."

"Of course you don't."

Roman's jaw shifts, "Then tell me."

You stare at him, "Oh I don't know maybe Valeria." Something flickers across his face and that tiny reaction is enough to make you scoff. Roman exhales, "What about her?"

"You slept with her!!"

Roman is quiet for a second then he responds, "Yeah..." You can't believe how easy it was for him to say yes lke it's nothing. You laugh bitterly, "Wow you could've told me." Roman looks genuinely baffled, "Por que?" (why)

"WHY because you slept with her!"

"Before you."

"That's not the point!"

"Then what's the point?"

"The point is I saw you with her! That day when she was all over you!"

Roman rubs a hand over his face, "She wasn't all over me."

"You conveniently forgot to mention you'd fucked her you bastard!" Roman goes quiet you have never spoken to him like this. His eyes sharpen slightly, "Watch how you talk to me."

"Oh, fuck you!"

Roman looks toward the house, "Lower your voice your dad-"

"I don't care!"

"Well I do!"

"Of course you do god forbid he finds out what kind of person he hired." Roman's face changes, "What is that supposed to mean?

"You know exactly what it means."

"No tell me."

You stare at him then the words come out, "Why didn't you tell me you were a fucking whore?" Roman doesn't even look angry at first he just stares at you, "What?"

"You heard me a whore."

Roman's jaw tightens, "Don't call me that."

"Why because it's true?"

"Shut up."

"What you don't like hearing it?"

Roman acoffs once under his breath. He looks away and runs his tongue along the inside of his cheek. When he looks back, the confusion is gone now he's angry, "Who told you?"

"Does it matter?"

"Was it marisol?"

You don't answer and Roman nods to himself, "Of course."

"Don't blame her."

"I'm not blaming anybody."

"Good, because at least she told me the fucking truth."

Roman looks at you sharply, "I've never lied to you."

"You didn't tell me!"

"You never asked!"

Your mouth falls open, "Oh, FUCK you."

"What the hell did you want me to do?!"

"I don't know, Roman! Maybe mention that you've slept with half the women around here?"

"I have not slept with half the fucking women around here."

"Sorry was I supposed to count?"

"Enough."

"No apparently everybody else gets to talk about it, so why can't I?"

"You can talk but sop insulting me."

"Why you're embarrassed now?"

"I'm not embarrassed."

"You should be!"

Roman's expression hardens, "Why?"

"Because-"

"Because I had sex before you?"

"Because you've had sex with everybody!!"

"No, I haven't."

"Yes you have and with a lot of people!"

"Ok and?"

You stare at him, "That's disgusting who knows if you gave me something nasty I don't know where the fuck your dicks been!" The second you say it, something changes. You know you hurt him you can see it in his eyes. You want to take it back but then you remember Valeria and all those other girls.

Roman nods slowly, "Okay."

"Don't 'okay' me."

"What do you want me to say?!"

"I want you to explain yourself!"

"Explqin what that I had a life before you got here."

"Yeah obviously we can tell."

"I slept with women but I wasn't dating them. They knew that and I knew that. Nobody was cheating on anybody okay."

"You don't see anything wrong with that?"

"No."

His answer comes so quickly and it makes your eyes burn, "Of course you don't."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that's just who you are."

"And who am I?"

"A passed around man."

"I haven't done shit since you came home!" The force of his voice makes you flinch but you're already too angry, "Congratulations!"

"What do you want from me?!"

"I wanted you to tell me that this is what you do!"

"What the fuck does us have to do with anybody else?"

"Everything I thought I was different!"

His face falls a bit, "You are."

"No, I'm not how many girls have you said that to?"

"None..."

You laugh, "Right right."

"I had women before you. Literally before I knew you and before you came back. What does that have to do with what I do with you?" You feel tears burn behind your eyes, "You knew! You knew I'd never..." You stop you hate that you're about to cry and you cant help but look away. Roman's anger eases slightly, "Hey-"

"Don't."

"You knew I'd never done any of this and you didn't think maybe I deserved to know that you've done it a hundred fucking times?" Roman drags both hands over his face, "I don't know what you wanted me to say!"

"The truth!"

"I DIDN'T LIE!"

"Leaving shit out is lying!"

"No, it isn't!"

"YES, IT IS!"

"Then you lied too!"

Your mouth falls open "What?"

"You never told me every fucking thing you've ever done before me."

"Because there's NOTHING TO TELL!" You hate how humiliating that sounds and your voice gets smaller despite yourself, "There was nobody." Your eyes are wet now, "I thought that night meant the same thing to you." Roman's face falls for the first time since this started, he looks genuinely stunned "You think I climbed that fucking tree every night just because I wanted sex? I've never done this with anyone else." You laugh bitterly, "Right."

"Can you stop cting like everything I say is bullshit!"

"Maybe it is!"

"Then why are we even talking?"

"Because I want to know!"

"I'm telling you!"

"After Marisol had to tell me first!"

"Tell you WHAT? That I fucked people before I met you? Fine! I did! What else?" Roman's angry enough now that the words just keep coming "I've had sex and gone home with women I didn't want to marry. I flirted and I fucked around. What do you want me to do about it now?"

Your eyes spill over but you refuse to cry so you wipe your face angrily, "You probably think I'm so fucking stupid huh. Compared to all those girl they probably knew exactly what they were doing. You probably thought it was hilarious the stupid little boss's daughter who comes home and-"

"STOP"

Tears continue down your cheeks, "Why do you care?" Roman looks genuinely incredulous, "Why do I care?"

"Yes!"

"Are you fucking serious because I'm here!" Roman stares at you, "Every fucking night I come here every night I can. I climb that stupid fucking tree and I sit in your room for hours. Half the time we don't even do anything and kt doesn't bother me...at all." Roman continues "I know what time you come outside. I know when you don't. I know which horse you like. I know that stupid perfume you wear."

"Maybe you do that with everyone."

"What do you want from me?!"

"I DON'T KNOW!" Your voice cracks "I just wanted... to be special."

"You are I promise you are."

"I don't believe you!" Your stomach twists but you're too angry to stop, "You knew how much I liked you."

"I like you too."

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

perm. taglist 𓋹

R U READY

a/n: don't even joke lad👅...ALSO HERES THE THING this was supposed to be oneshot but i got carried away so i was just going to give it a second part and end it there... ummm WELL apparently there's a fucking word limit so im going to have to break this into a few parts so yeah mb

(part 2 here)

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

The afternoon heat had settled over the ranch hours ago it sat heavy over everything. Even the horses had gone lazy beneath it, tails flicking every so often at flies while Roman worked. He'd been up since before the sun. By now, his shirt was stuck uncomfortably between his shoulder blades, dust covered the bottoms of his jeans, and the two braids he'd put his hair into that morning had started coming loose around his face.

Roman wipes his forehead against his shoulder, "Pinche calor." (fucking heat)

"You're the one who wanted to finish today."

Roman glances over at Mate, “And I will.”

"Entonces deja de quejarte." (so quit complaining)

"Chinga tu madre." (fuck you)

Mateo laughs under his breath amd Roman goes back to what he was doing. It was an ordinary afternoon or at least, so far it was. The crunch of tires over gravel makes Roman glance toward the long drive leading up to the main house. A car he didn't recognize was making its way toward them a nice one, too.

Roman watches it for half a second before looking back down, "Quien es?" (who is it) Mateo barely bothers looking, "No se." (i don't know) That was enough information for Roman to stop caring. People came through every now and then. Friends of the family, people doing business with el patron (the boss), relatives Roman had never met. After a year working there, he'd learned that unless someone came looking specifically for him, it usually wasn't his problem.

The car stops near the house and a door opens. Roman happens to look again and stops. A girl steps out first comes out one boot, then the hem of a little white sundress as you climb out into the sun. Sunglasses covered half your face, a small heart hangs from a chain at your chest.

You push the car door shut before reaching up to smooth the skirt of your dress. Roman's gaze drags down you before he could even pretend it hadn't, "Verga." (fuck) Mateo looks over and Roman was still staring, "Quien es esa?" (who is she) You turn toward the back of the car now, reaching for something inside. Roman tilts his head slightly, “Esta bien buena." (she's real good)

Mateo's head snap toward him, "Callate." (shut up)

"What?"

"No mames, Roman." (no fucking way roman)

Roman finally looks at him, brows furrowed, "Que hice?" (what did i do) Mateo stares at him for a second like he was trying to decide whether Roman was genuinely stupid. Then he nods toward the house, "La hija del patrón." (the bosses daughter) Roman's eyes flicker back towards you and pause, "Esa?" (her)

"Si, esa." (yes her) Roman had heard about you before. It was hard not to el patron (the boss) talked about you enough that Roman knew you'd been away traveling for months. He'd seen a framed picture or two inside the house in passing, but he'd never paid that much attention.

"Pense que estaba en Europa." (i thought she was in europe)

"Estaba." (she was)

"Ah."

Mateo watches him, "Ni lo pienses." (don't even think about it Roman finally tears his eyes away, "Que?" (what)

"Ya te conozco." (I know how you are) Roman's mouth twitches, "No dije nada." (i didn't say anything)

"No necesitas decir nada." (you don't have to ask)

"I just asked who she was."

"Despues de decir que esta bien buena." (after you said she was good)

Roman shrugs

"Cabron es la hija del patron." ( motherfucker hes the daughter of the boss mother)

"Yeah I know."

"Entonces deja de mirarla asi." (so stop looking at her like that)

"Asi como?" (looking at her how)

Mateo gives him a flat look and Roman can't keep the little grin off his face anymore. Before Mateo could say anything else, a door opened at the house.

"Mi nina!" (my girl)

The change in you was immediate your entire face lit up, "Papa!" (dad)

"Dejame verte." (let me see you) Your father pulls back, holding you by the shoulders, "Estas mas flaquita." (you're more skinny now)

"Papa, no." (dad no)

"No comias alla?" (you didn't eat over there)

"Yes, I ate!"

"Pues no parece." (doesn't look like it)

You laugh as he kisses the top of your head. Roman watches your dad reach for yput and you immediately protest.

"No, no, I can get it."

"Dejalo."

"Papa-" (dad)

"Dejalo, mi nina." (leave it my girl)

Mateo makes a quiet noise beside Roman, "You see that?" Roman glances at him, "Que?" (what)

"Mi nina." (my girl)

Roman looks back toward you and your father. Your dad has an arm around your shoulders now, walking you toward the house while you told him something Roman couldn't hear. "That's his baby," Mateo continues. "His only daughter you like having a job, don't you?" Roman scoffs, "No estoy haciendo nada." (im not doing anything)

"Keep it that way."

Roman doesn't answer and Mateo stares at him, "Roman."

“Ya, guey." (Enough dude)

"I'm serious."

"And I said ya."

The two of you disappear inside and Roman looks toward the closed door for another second.Mateo slaps the back of his arm, "Trabaja." (work)

"Estoy trabajando." (im working)

"You were staring at her ass."

Roman looks at him, I can do two things at once."

"Pendejo." (Idiot)

Roman laughs and goes back to work.

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By late afternoon, you officially decided unpacking could wait. You'd done enough of it you'd opened three suitcases, taken out everything you'd wanted, and left the rest scattered between your bed and the floor. Someone would help you with it later you'd been gone for months your clothes could wait.

You'd barely made it past the back of the house before you started recognizing people. There were hugs, questions, and several comments about how long you'd been gone. The stables were what you'd really missed not because you did any work of course not but your favorite horse was there.

"Hola, preciosa." (hi precious) The mare's ears perk before you even reach her amd your smile widens, "Te acuerdas de mi?" (you remember mel. She comes to you and you reach out, rubbing along the front of her face, "So you do remember me." Her nose nudges against you and you laugh, "Me extranaste? Yo si te extrane." (you missed me? i missed you)

"Creo que si." (i think so)

You jump, "Oh my God-"

The laugh behind you only makes it worse and you spin around. There was a man standing several feet away. He looked young, though early twenties, maybe. Tall, dust clinging to his jeans and boots, and the sleeves of his shirt is pushed up enough to expose his forearms. His dark hair was long and separated into two braids that fell over either shoulder, though pieces had started escaping around his face.

He was looking at you very amused. Your heart does something stupid amd you quickly decided you didn't like him, "Sorry?"

"La yegua." (the mare) He nods towards the horse, "Creo que si te extrano." (i think she did miss you)

"Oh." You look back at her, "Yeah I've had her since I was little."

"Ya se." (i know)

Your hand stops amd you look at him again, "You know?" He stares toward you, "Tu papa habla mucho de ti." (your dad talks alot about you) That softens you, "He does?"

"Muchisimo." (lots)

You smile before you could help it. Then you noticed the way the stranger was looking at you. His eyes came back to yours, "Pense que eras mas grande." (i thought you were bigger) Your smile disappears, "I'm eighteen."

"Ya veo." (i see) He reaches past you for the rope he'd apparently come over for. You catch the faint smell of the earth and leather when he got close. You step aside, "Who are you?"

"Roman."

"Oh. I'm-"

"I know."

You stop, "You know?"

"Claro." (of course)

Obviously he knew because of your father still, something about the way he said it irritated you.

"Well, then why did you let me introduce myself?"

Roman shrugs, "I wanted to see if you would."

"You're weird."

A quiet laugh escapes him, "Si?"

"Yes."

"Esta bien." (that's fine)

He stars walking away and you should let him but instead you ask him another question, "So you're new?" Roman looks over his shoulder, "Nuevo?" (new)

"I don't remember you."

"Llevo un ano aqui." (i've been here a year)

"Oh." A year you'd been gone for most of it that explains it. Roman turns around properly now, walking backward for a few steps, "Algo mas, princesa?" (anything else princess) Heat crawls up your neck and you hate hat, "I have a name."

"Ya se." (i know)

"Then use it."

Roman gives a slow nod, "Como digas, princesa." (whatever you say princess)

Your mouth falls open and he turns away before you can respond. You stand there staring after him. The two braids fall down his back now, moving slightly with every step. You wait until he was far enough away before turning back toward the horse, "He's annoying."

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

The next morning, you woke up wanting to ride. It was one of the things you'd missed most while you were gone. Usually, when you were home, you rode with your father.He'd been taking you out since you were little, back when your legs had barely reached far enough down either side of a saddle.

Even now, you preferred going with him. The two of you would take the horses farther away from the main ranch, where the dirt eventually gave way to stretches of grass and the noise from everyone working disappeared behind you. Unfortunately, your father had disappeared somewhere before you'd even finished breakfast.

So you'd go without him it wasn't like you didn't know how to ride. You changed into a little white sundress and your expensive riding boots, clasped your heart necklace around your neck, and headed outside. You said hello to a few people along the way before making your way toward the stables, "Honey?"

Your mare lifts her head at the sound of your voice.Your face brightens, "Hola, mi amor." (hi my love) You step inside and stop, "Oh." There was shit on the floor alot of it you stare at it and wrinkle your nose, "Honey that's disgusting." You know horses poop you arent stupid. You just didn't normally have to stand around looking at it.

Usually by the time you came down to ride, someone had already cleaned her stall. Everything would be ready, your father would be there, and you could simply take Honey out apparently you came too early today. You carefully step around the first pile then another, "Ew." Honey comes toward you, "No, no, don't step in it." She does and you stare at her hoof, "Oh my God."

"Que paso?"

You nearly jumped out of your skin and you spin toward the entrance. Roman stands outside the stall and you frown, "Do you always sneak up on people?"

"No."

"Yes, you do."

"Maybe you're easy to scare." Roman leans against the opening, looking from you to Honey.

Unlike yesterday, his hair wasn't braided. It was loose, falling past his shoulders, slightly damp. His eyes drop toward the floor then back to you, "Que paso?" (what happened) You point, "She pooped."

"Es un caballo." (it's a horse)

"I KNOW she's a horse."

The corner of his mouth twitches and you know he was making fun of you, "Stop." Roman laughs and you cross your arms, "It's gross."

"Nunca has visto mierda de caballo?" (you've never seen horseshit)

"Obviously I have!"

"Entonces?" (then what)

"I just don't usually have to be around it like this." Roman's eyebrows rise and you realize how that sounded one second too late. His gaze slowly travels over you. The little dress, your clean boots, and the necklace at your chest, "Ya entendi." (i understand now)

"Understood what?"

Roman pushes himself away from the doorway, "Eres fresita." ( fresita means little strawberry but in mexico ppl use to mean a spoiled girl) Your mouth drops open, "I am NOT what does horse poop have to do with me being a fresita?"

"Everything."

"No, it doesn't!

Roman step into the stall without the slightest concern for what was on the floor. You watch him walk directly past a pile you've been carefully avoiding, "You stepped in it!"

"Y?" (so)

Your eyes widen, "Your BOOT." Roman looks down at it then up at you, "Es una bota." (it's just a boot)

"That doesn't mean you have to step in poop!"

"Se limpia." (you can clean it)

"That's disgusting."

Honey, the traitor that she was, stretches her neck toward Roman. He reaches up and scratches beneath her jaw.

"Oh, so she likes you?"

"Claro que si." (of course) Roman looks at Honey, "Verdad que si?" (right) She nudges his shoulder with her nose and you gasp. Roman's grin widens, "Ves?" (see)

"You've known her for like a year."

"And?"

"I've known her longer."

"Estas celosa?"

You roll your eyes and reached for Honey's face. Roman watches you for a moment, "What are you doing?" You look down at yourself, "What?" He looks pointedly at your dress. "I always ride like this." Roman laughs and walks away before you could argue with him anymore. You return your attention to Honey, "See what I mean?"

A few minutes later, Roman appeares again and you look over suspiciously. He was carrying what he needed to start cleaning the stall. Roman glances at you, "What?" You step aside and he starts working. You last approximately thirty seconds before curiosity got the better of you, "Do you do this every morning?"

"Si alguien tiene que hacerlo." (yeah someone has to do it) That was obvious, you suppose you just never really thought about who did it. Roman glanced at you, "Quieres ayudar?" (want to help) You know he was joking but you still make a face, "No I have to get Honey ready."

"Está bien, princesa."

You ignore him and you busy yourself with Honey while Roman finishes, occasionally glancing over despite yourself. It was hot already hot enough that after a while Roman stops what he's doing and walks toward the water trough nearby. You weren't paying much attention until you realize what he was doing. Roman leans forward into the water trough and takes a sip.

Your head snaps toward him, "Roman!" He lifts his head as water runs down his chin before he wiped it away with the back of his hand, "Que?" (what) You stare at him in horror, "Did you just drink that?"

"Yeah

"From THERE?" Your mouth falls open, "Animals drink from that that's disgusting!" Roman's eyebrows lift, "Es agua." (its water)

"There are animals and their MOUTHS have been in it!" Roman stares at you then he starts laughing. You look around before remembering the bottle you brought with you. You grab it, "Here drink this instead." His gaze drops to your waterbottle then his eyes returned to your face, "You're giving me your water?"

"Yes."

"Pense que era asqueroso." (i thought i was disgusting)

"I didn't say you were disgusting.I said drinking out of there is disgusting. You hold the bottle farther towards him, "Just take it." You turn back towards Honeu as he opens it. Then you hear him drinking and something makes you glance over. Roman has his mouth around the straw. Well obviously how else would he drink from it?You watched his throat move as he swallows then his eyes met yours.

You look away and he hands you thr water bottle, "Gracias." (thank you) You take it, "Yeah."

Roman doesn't move you look up and notice he was watching you. You nervously glares at him and Roman's smile only grows, "Gracias por la agua, princesa." (thanks for the water princess)

"Whatever."

He walks away amd you look down at your bottle specifically, at the straw. Oh my God you were being ridiculous. It was a straw people shared drinks all the time it didn't mean anything. You looke over again and see he'd already gone back to work like absolutely nothing had happened.

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

By the time you make it back to the house, you've decided Roman is disgusting. Not disgusting-looking unfortunately that would make everything significantly easier. No, Roman himself is just...gross. Who drinks water from something animals drink out of?

You push open the door to your bedroom, "Marisol?"

"En el closet!" (in the closet)

You follow her voice and see that she's standing inside your closet with her back to you, hanging up one of the dresses you'd abandoned across your bed yesterday. Your suitcase is open behind her mostly empty now. You brighten, "Oh my God, you unpacked for me." Marisol turns around, "Si, porque tu nunca lo ibas a hacer." (yeah because you were never going to do it)

"I was!"

"Cuando?" (when)

"Today."

She gives you a look and rolls her eyes and turns back toward your clothes. You walk over and wrap your arms around her from behind, "Te extrane." (i missed you)

"I got you something from Paris."

"What?"

"I'm not telling you."

She grabs your arms, "Tell me!"

"No!"

"What is it"

"It's a surprise!"

Marisol tries reaching around you as if whatever you've bought her is somehow hidden on your body. You squeal and shove her away, "Stop!" Marisol stares at you and you stare back then both of you start laughing. You leave her in the closet and flop backward onto your bed, "You would've loved Paris."

"Si?" (yeah)

"Mhm."

"Take me next time."

"Okay."

"En serio?" (you're serious)

"Yeah I'll put you in my suitcase."

She throws a shirt at you and you catch it against your chest with a giggle. Marisol shakes her head and you smile to yourself and hug the shirt against your stomach. You'd missed this and you'd missed her. She'd started working for your family a couple years ago. You were close enough in age that whatever professional distance was supposed to exist between you lasted three weeks.

Now she practically knows everything about you. Which reminds you, "Guess what."

"Qué?" (what)

"I met someone."

Marisol whips around so quickly you sit up, "Que?" (what) Your eyes widen, "No! Not like that!"

"Then why would you say it like that?"

"I meant I met someone HERE."

"Quien?" (who)

You hesitate, "Roman." Marisol turns back toward the closet, "I know Roman."

"You do?"

"Everyone knows Roman."

You don't know why that sentence bothers you slightly. You sit up straighter, "What does that mean?"

"Well he works here."

You relax and Marisol glances at you, "Why?"

"No reason." You slide off the bed and follow her into the closet, "When did my dad hire him?"

"Like a year ago."

"That's what he told me."

Marisol turns around, "He told you?"

"Yeah."

"When?"

"Yesterday."

"You talked to him yesterday too?"

You pause, "Yes...?"

"How much have you talked to this man?"

"Not that much just yesterday and today!"

"You talked to him today?"

"Yes with Miel and he came to annoy me. That's not even the worst thing."

"What did he do?"

"He drank animal water."

Marisol's eyebrows pull together "Animal water?"

"Yes!" Marisol stares at you, "He drank from the trough?!"

"YES."

"Like with his hands?"

"No! He just," You mimic Roman leaning down, "Like that!" Marisol makes a face, "Okay, si que asco." (yes gross)

"That's what I said ew." She laughs and you sit back down on the bed "And then I gave him my water. He was just going to keep drinking that disgusting water, so I gave him mine."

Marisol is staring at you, "What you have him water from your bottle?"

"Uhhh yeah."

Marisol's mouth starts curling upward, "Did he drink from the straw?" Your cheeks warm, "Well how else would he drink it?" Marisol bursts out laughing, "Oh my God."

"And he made it weird."

"How?"

You sigh, "He just looked at me." You open your mouth but you don't know what else to say, "He just looks...forget it."

"No, no explain how does Roman look?" She comes over and sits beside you, "Show me."

"I'm not showing you!"

"Does he go like this?" She gives you an exaggerated seductive stare and you shove her shoulder, "STOP!" You cover your face, "He's just weird, annoying, and he thinks he's so funny." Marisol laughs and falls backward beside you. You lower your hands then you turn your head toward her, "How old is he?"

Marisol slowly turns hers, "Why do you want to know?" You stare at her, "Do you know or not?" She smiles, "Veintidos." (twenty two) You look back toward the ceiling, "Oh." Twenty-two four years older than you. You lie there quietly for another moment, "Does he live here?" Marisol starts laughing again, "Oh my GOD."

"I'm just asking because he's always around!"

"He works here where do you expect him to be?"

"I mean like does he live on the property?"

"No he lives nearby."

"With his family?" Marisol turns toward you again, "Do you want his address too?" Your eyes widen, "No!"

"His social security number?" You smack her with the pillow, "Shut UP! I'm just asking."

"You're interrogating me about Roman!"

"I've asked like three things."

"You asked when he started working here, how old he is, where he lives-"

"Okay, damn!"

"What's next? His blood type?"

"You're so annoying."

"You two would be perfect together."

Your entire body stills and you sit up, "Excuse me?"

"I'M KIDDING."

"You better."

Marisol is laughing, "Why are you getting all warm?" You give her a embarrassed glare, "Don't say stuff like that."

"Why?"

"Because he's..." You trail off and Marisol waits, "He's what?"

"Annoying...and he works for my dad my father would literally kill me." Marisol snorts, "He wouldn't kill you."

"He'd kill Roman."

"Maybe." You pause, "Does my dad like him?"

"Roman?"

"Yes a lot." Your face scrunches, "Really?" Marisol laughs, "Why do you look disappointed?"

"Because Roman is...Roman."

"Well your dad likes him."

"Hmm." You pick at your comforter, "Why?"

"Because he works hard." You look at her, "Like what?"

"He feeds the horses and you know cleans stalls." Your nose wrinkles, "What else?"

"He moves hay."

"Those huge square things?"

"Yeah some of them are really heavy. Or he'll fix the fences amd help move cattle."

"How?"

"On horseback."

Your interest perks up, "Oh." Marisol notices, "What?" Why was that one interesting?"

"I dunno...keep going." She gives you a suspicious look but continues, "Sometimes cows need help when they're having babies." You stare at her, "Help how?" Marisol just stares back and your expression slowly changes, "That's disgusting!" You shake your head, "Roman does that?"

"It's his job!"

"I know, but...ew."

Marisol laughs yhen you laugh too eventually you both settle down again. You fiddle with the little heart hanging from your necklace, "Is he good with horses?" Marisol nods, "He's really good he grew up around horses."

"His family has them?"

"Mhm."

"So he's been riding for a long time?"

"Since he was little, I think."

You look down at the heart between your fingers,."Is he better than my dad?" Marisol gasps, "Don't let your dad hear you ask that." You laugh, "Have you seen Roman ride?"

"Yeah a couple times."

"And?"

She shrugs, "He's good."

"Hm."

Marisol looks at you, "Why have we been talking about Roman for twenty minutes?" Your fingers stop, "We have not." Marisol looks toward the clock and you look too and yeah you have been talking about Roman for a while. You turn back, "That's because you kept making jokes!"

"You asked all the questions!"

"Because I haven't been here I want to know what's happened!"

"Then ask me about literally anybody else."

You fall backward onto the bed and she laughs. After a moment, you mumble, "He's just interesting." You lift your head, "I don't like him."

"I didn't say you did."

"You throw the pillow at her anyway amd he catches it, laughing.

"You're horrible Marisol."

"And you're a fresita."

"Not evennnn.

"Fresitaaaa."

"Marisol!" She runs out of your room laughing and you scramble off the bed after her, "Come back!" You chase her halfway down

the hallway before giving up, "You're a bitch!" You stand there, trying not to laugh, "Whatever!" You turn back toward your room and you're still smiling when you walk inside. Then your eyes land on the water bottle sitting on your vanity and your smile falters.

The straw you stare at it Roman's mouth has been on that straw. You walk over and pick up the bottle this is stupid it's just a water bottle. You take a sip and become painfully aware that you're drinking from the exact same place he did. Your stomach flutters and uou yank the straw out of your mouth, "Oh my God." Roman is just your father's annoying employee. But his hair looked really pretty this morning. You stare at yourself in the mirror and shake yout head, "Ugh no."

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

The next afternoon, you decide you're going riding actually go riding not spending forty minutes talking to Roman. You make it all the way to Miel's stall without seeing him. Good perfect, actually you don't care where Roman is. You haven't thought about him once today well..me except this morning and when you get dressed but besides that nothing.

"Honey?" Your mare lifts her head and you smile, "Hi, baby." She comes toward you, and you reach up to stroke her face, "Guess what?" Miel nudges your shoulder, "We're actually riding today. I know yesterday was a disaster." You kiss the front of her face, "nobody is going to bother us." First, you need to get her ready.

Which is easy enough you've watched your father do this hundreds of times. Technically, you've even helped before...kind of. You walk over to where everything you need is kept.

Then stop the saddle suddenly looks much more complicated when nobody else is holding it. You stare at it, "Okay." You can do this you've spent months away from home you can put a saddle on a horse. You grab what you need and bring it over, you notice Honey watching you, "Don't look at me like that I know what I'm doing."

You start with what you remember. For approximately two minutes, things go well then they don't. You step back something isn't right you try to adjust it but it makes it worse.

"Que estas haciendo?" (what are you doing) Your eyes close of course he's here. You slowly turn your head and see Roman standing several feet away, arms crossed over his chest with his hair is in those two braids again. You turn back toward Honey, "Nothing."

"Ya veo." (i see)

"Go away."

"Okay." You hear his boots against the ground and your head snaps around he's actually leaving. "Wait can you help me?" Roman turns around fully, "Que?" (what)

"You heard me." He starts walking toward you, "No escuche." (i didn't hear)

"You're such an asshole." You glare at him, "Can you help me?"

"With what?" You gesture toward Miel, "With this!"

Roman looks at the saddle, "I thought you knew how to do it."

"I do I just...haven't done it in a while." He chuckles and you cross your arms "Are you going to help me or not?" Roman comes closer and you step aside. He looks over what you've done.You watch his face, "Well?" Roman glances at you, "You want the truth?"

"No."

"Then it's perfect." Your mouth falls open, "It's not THAT bad." He reaches over and starts undoing part of what you've done.

"You're undoing everything!"

"Because everything's wrong." Your jaw drops, "I've been riding since I was little."

"Montar y ensillar no son lo mismo." (riding and saddling aren't the same) You glare at him, "I know that." Roman smiles, "Come here." He makes space for you and you look at him suspiciously, "What?"

"I'm showing you."

You move closer and Roman hands something to you, "Put it like that." Romaneaches around you and your entire body goes still. One arm comes past your side as he adjusts your hand, "Like this." You stare at what he's doing at least, you try to. You're suddenly much more aware of Roman standing beside you than anything involving the saddle.

He takes a small step away, and you can breathe normally again, "Now you." You follow his instructions and this time he doesn't immediately correct you. You glance at him, "Is that right?"

"Mhm."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

A smile breaks across your face before you can stop it. Every few seconds, you glance at him to make sure you're doing it correctly. Eventually, you step back, "Okay I'm done." Roman checks everything and he takes his sweet time answering, "Bien." (good)

Your face lights up, "Really?" Roman looks at you and something about his expression softens for half a second, "Si, princesa." (yes princess) You smile but then he adds, "Pense que iba a tardar todo el dia." (i thought it was gonna take all da Your smile disappears, "Fuck you." You decide not to give him anymire satisfaction and instead, you turn toward Honey, "Come on, baby."

You lead her out and Roman follows. You notice, "Why are you following me?"

"I want to see if you know how to ride." Slowly, you turn around, "I told you I know how to ride."

"You also told me you knew how to saddle her."

"That's different." Roman looks unconvinced and you narrow your eyes, "I'm actually good." You position yourself beside Honey. You put your foot where it needs to go and reach up usually your father gives you a little boost. You've done it before nut Miel is tall. You try once and your boot slips back down.

You hear something suspiciously close to a laugh behind you, "Don't."

"I didn't say anything."

You try again and Roman speaks up, "Wait."

"I can do it."

"Yeah clearly." You look over your shoulder, "Shut up." Roman comes closer and your stomach does that stupid little thing again, "I don't need help...okay well maybe a little." Roman moves behind and slightly beside you, positioning himself to give you a normal boost, "Lista?" (ready) You suddenly aren't but you look over your shoulder and see that Roman's waiting, "Yeah."

His hand settles securely near the muscle under your ass to help guide the push upward, his other hand briefly steadying you at your side. It's completely normal he's just helping you there is absolutely no reason for your heart to slam against your ribs.

With Roman's boost you push upward and you swing onto Honey's back. Except now you're sitting there painfully aware that Roman just touched you. You refuse to look at him and you adjust the reins, "Move I'm going riding." Roman steps back, "Ten cuidado."(be careful) Your expression softens slightly, "I will."

You guide Honey forward once you're farther from the stable, everything else disappears. You relax almost immediately, guiding her toward the paths you remember. This is what you've missed the breeze against your face and the rhythmic movement beneath you. You ride a bit farther but you don't do anything reckless you know better.

By the time you circle back toward the ranch, you're feeling significantly more pleased with yourself. Roman is still there he's working with Mateo now as you approach, Roman looks up and he keeps looking. A little spark of confidence flickers through you. Normally, you'd look away instead, you slow Honey. Roman's eyes meet yours and you smile, "Te gusta lo que ves?" (you like what you see)

Roman goes still and oh my god you got him. For one beautiful second, Roman doesn't say anything. Your smile grows then that familiar smirk of his appears, "Of course I like what I see." Your confidence stumbles you weren't prepared for him to say something. You glance toward Honey, "I meant the horse."

"Well I didn't"

Your cheeks burn and you straighten up, "Whatever." You urge Honey forward and Roman steps aside to let you pass, "Montas bien, princesa." (you ride well princess)

"Thanks."

Roman nods once then his eyes flick down toward Honey, "Pero todavia ensillas de la chingada." (but you still saddle like shit)

Your mouth falls open and you furrow your brows, "You're so annoying!" His laughter follows you all the way back toward the stable.

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

Two days pass without you seeing Roman. The first day, you were gone almost the entire afternoon with your mother. She wanted to go into town and by the time you get home, the sun was already beginning to set. The second day, your father had people over. You spent most of the afternoon inside, then ended up sitting with your parents through dinner and long after it.

Roman obviously noticed of course. The first morning passed normally there was work to do. But by the afternoon, he passed the stables and glanced toward Honey's stall. No pretty face or voice complaining about something being dirty.

Nothing. The next morning, he doesn't think about it until around eleven. By the afternoon, Mateo is beside him when Roman finally asks, "No ha venido a montar nadie?" (has nobody come to ride) Mateo keeps working, "Quien?" (who)

Roman glances at him, "La hija del patron." (the bosses daughter) Mateo looks at him, "La hija del patrón?" Roman regrets speaking, "Uh si." (uh yes) Roman looks away and Mateo's mouth twitches, "Qu paso con quien?"

"Sabes donde esta?" (you know where she is)

"La extranas?" (you miss her)

"No just asking."

You, meanwhile, are sitting in front of your vanity. Your going shopping with yout mother and she wants to leave in an hour, which means you've technically got plenty of time. You've already done most of your base and you're reaching for your concealer when someone knocks against your open bedroom door. You glance at the mirror and freeze.

It's Roman and he's standing in your doorway in your house. For some reason, that's completely different than seeing him outside covered in dust. He looks almost wrong against the soft walls of your bedroom. Roman seems to have the same thought about you. His eyes move around the room once before settling on you, "Hi." You turn around, "What are you doing here?"

"Trabajo aqui." (I work here)

"Yeah well outside."

"Tu papa me mando." (your dad sent you) Roman holds up a folder, "Quiere esto aquí." (he wants this)

"His office is downstairs."

"Ya fui." (I already went)

"Then why are you up here?"

"Well he wasn't there and Marisol told me you were here." Your eyebrows lift, "Why did you ask Marisol where I am."

"I didn't she just talks alot." You can't argue with that, "True." You turn back toward your mirror expecting Roman to leave but he doesn't. You can see him through the reflection he's looking around your bedroom. His eyes stop at your vanity and Roman walks farther into the room, "Todo eso es maquillaje?" (all of this is makeup) You glance at the vanity, "Yeah."

Roman looks genuinely confused, "Nunca habia visto tanto." (ive never seen so much) You laugh, "It's not even that much." His eyes snap to yours, "No?" Roman picks up a compact, "What is this?"

"Blush."

He looks at it and opens it, "What does it do?"

"Adds color to your face."

"You can just stand outside and get a natural blush from the sun." Roman tosses it onto the vanity and you catch yourself smiling. Then something occurs to you. "You've seriously never seen this much makeup?"

"Maybe in a store." You laugh, "No, I mean at home like not even at your mom's vanity?" He looks at you, "Mi mama no tiene vanity." (my mom doesn't have a vanity) You pause, "She doesn't?"

"No."

"Where does she do her makeup?"

"In the bathroom."

"Oh."

You glance at your vanity i's large. A mirror stretches across the center, lights around it. Drawers on either side hold even more products than the ones currently sitting on top. You look back at Roman, "Like she keeps her makeup in the bathroom?"

"Yeah."

"All of it?" Roman laughs, "No tiene todo esto." (she doesn't have all of this) You continue doing your makeup and you look at him through the mirror. Roman isn't smiling anymore for once.

"What?"

He shrugs, "Ni lo necesitas." (you don't even need it) Something in your chest flutters but you push it away, "I know I don't need it I like it." Roman nods, "That's fine." You glance at him he isn't making fun of you he just looking at your face.

"Pero todavia eres bonita sin eso." (But you're still pretty without it) Your eyes meet his in the mirror and Roman looks completely unbothered by what he's just said. You don't know what to do with that, "Thanks."

"De nada." (your welcome)

Your cheeks feel warmer and Roman notices. His eyes move to your cheeks then his mouth starts curling upward. Your stomach drops, "Get out of my room!".

"Ya me voy!" (im leaving)

"Good!"

Roman backs toward the doorway, laughing. He steps into the hallway and you grab the door, "Go back to work." You start closing the door, "Bye." You nearly have it shut when his hand catches the edge. You peek through the opening, "What?" Roman looks at you and for half a second, you expect another joke but instead he tells you, "Te extrano Honey." (honey missed you)

Your expression softens, "She did?"

"Yeah."

You smile, "I'll go see her later." Roman nods then he lets go of the door and you close it.

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

In the evening the ranch feels much more calmer than in the excruciating morning. Most of the day's work is finished, the worst of the heat has finally started to disappear, and everything feels softer beneath the orange light stretching across the property. After dinner, you find yourself walking toward the stables again. You find Honey outside her stall, "Hola, mi amor." (hi my love)

Her ears perk at your voice and you smile and walk toward her, reaching up to rub between her eyes, "Did you miss me?" She nudges your shoulder, "I was here this morning you're so

needy."

"Como su duena." (like her owner)

Your eyes close of course its him. You turn around and see Roman sitting on the low wooden fence several feet behind you. One boot rests against the bottom rail, his elbows loose against his knees. His hair is in two braids again, although they look considerably worse than they had earlier. You frown, "How long have you been sitting there?"

"A while." You turn back toward Honey, "Ignore him."

"She likes me."

"No, she doesn't."

Roman clicks his tongue and Honey's head lifts. You immediately grab either side of her face, "No don't call her." For a few minutes, you ignore him. You talk quietly to Miel, smoothing your hand along her neck while Roman stays where he is. It's strange usually, if Roman is around you, he's talking. Teasing and asking questions specifically so he can make fun of your answers but tonight he's quiet.

For some reason that bothers you more. You look over your shoulder and Roman is still sitting there, "What are you doing?"

"Sitting."

"I can see that I mean why are you still here?"

"Trabajo aqui." (i work here)

You turn around fully "Are you done working?"

"Almost."

"What's left?"

"Nothing important."

"So you're done."

"Mas o menos." (more or less)

Roman shifts over slightly on the fence. You look at the space beside him, "Is that an invitation?" Roman pats the space beside him, "Si quieres." (if you want) You roll your eyes but you walk over anyway. The fence isn't particularly high, but you still have to grab the top rail to pull yourself up. You pull yourself up and your shoe slips slightly.

Roman's hand catches your arm and you manage to sit beside him. You smooth your dress beneath your legs. You look down then you remember the bottle in your hand. You hold it toward him, "Here." Roman looks at it then at you, "Que?" (what)

"I know you're probably dehydrated" You push the bottle toward him and he takes it.

"Mandona." (bossy)

"You're welcome."

Roman opens it and takes a few sips before handing it back, "Thanks." For a moment, neither of you says anything. The sun is lower now and everything beyond the fence stretches gold. You look at him and notice his braids really are terrible tonight. One is noticeably looser than the other, pieces of hair sticking out near the bottom. You stare for a moment, "What happened to your hair?"

Roman touches one braid, "Huh?"

"It's messed up."

"Can I fix it?" Roman rolls his eyes affectionately but he reaches up and pulls one braid forward. You look at it, "No, I need to redo it." You make a little motion with your finger, "Turn." He surprisingly listens and Roman shifts on the fence until his back is partially toward you. You start at the bottom of the first braid. His hair is softer than you expect you don't know why that surprises you.

You carefully undo it, separating each section until the dark strands fall loose against his back, "You have really nice hair."

"Yeah?"

"Mhm."

You start on the second braid, "It's healthier than mine it's nice." You continue undoing the braid. Once his hair is completely loose, you run your fingers through it carefully to separate the strands. Roman's head tips back slightly and you stop, "Did I pull?"

. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°☘︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. ݁˖°

see how i had to cut if off there bc i hit the fucking word limit 😡😡 but im uploading the continuation as we speak

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