"Soft Seasons of Devotion"

Prompt: Chapter 6 – The Soft Season Rating: M (intimacy, language, slow romance) POV: Pedro ⸻ The days that followed the phone call were gentle and quiet — a kind of unspoken honeymoon wrapped in secrecy. They moved carefully, never lingering too long in public spaces, always entering and exiting Pedro’s house through the back. Esme would arrive in sunglasses and an oversized hoodie, her curls tucked beneath a cap. He’d always have the door open for her, lights low, music playing softly in the background. She felt like home. They shared mornings tangled in linen sheets, afternoons reading in silence, evenings cooking together with laughter echoing through the kitchen. They had slipped into something tender and real — a rhythm Pedro had never known, but had always craved. ⸻ ✧ Telling Henry They had told Henry the day after the call. Pedro was nervous — irrationally so. He’d faced studio executives and paparazzi scandals and global press tours, but sitting across from the man who’d launched his career and raised Esme? His throat had gone dry. But Henry had simply smiled, eyes softening as he sipped his espresso. “I always hoped it would be you,” he’d said, voice rough with emotion. “She’s never looked at anyone like she looks at you. And you… you look at her like she’s your whole damn sky.” Pedro had blinked fast to hide the emotion swelling in his chest. “You’re already family,” Henry added. “Now it’s just official.” ⸻ ✧ Two Weeks Later – Pedro’s House, Sunday Afternoon Pedro stood in his kitchen, barefoot, watching Esme laugh with his sister Javiera across the room. The house smelled like baked garlic and rosemary, Spanish guitar played softly in the background, and the late afternoon light painted everything in gold. His siblings were there — Javiera, Nicolás, and Lux — along with his father, José. The energy was easy. Loving. Protective. It was the first time he’d introduced someone to all of them at once. And Esme… she just belonged. She moved through the house like she’d always been there. Helping Javiera plate empanadas, speaking Spanish with his father so fluently it stunned everyone into silence, tossing back wine with Lux as if they were already sisters. Pedro had been watching her all day, quietly stunned. ⸻ ✧ With Javiera He found a moment to stand beside Javiera at the sink as she rinsed glasses. “She’s something else,” Javiera murmured without looking at him. “Yeah,” he said, voice low. “She is.” Javiera glanced at him, a rare softness in her eyes. “You’re glowing, Pedrito. I’ve never seen you like this.” “It’s different with her,” he admitted. “You’re different,” she said. “In the best way.” ⸻ ✧ With Nicolás Later, while Esme was out on the patio with Lux, Pedro found Nicolás opening a second bottle of wine. “So,” Nicolás said, raising an eyebrow, “you’re in love with a 27-year-old multilingual goddess.” Pedro chuckled. “That’s the short version.” “She’s brilliant,” Nicolás said. “And scary smart. I asked her a casual question about post-war cinema and she casually referenced three obscure Dutch directors I’d never heard of.” “Yeah. She does that.” Nicolás gave him a pointed look. “You’re going to have to protect this.” Pedro nodded, serious now. “I know.” ⸻ ✧ With Lux Lux and Esme had bonded quickly — almost alarmingly so. They sat curled up on the couch, whispering and laughing, when Lux leaned over and whispered something that made Esme burst out laughing, cheeks flushed. Pedro sat beside them, sipping wine. “You’re in for it now,” Lux whispered to him later when Esme went to the kitchen. “I love her.” “Me too,” he said softly. “No, like I really love her. And if you screw it up, I will go full Latina wrath on you.” “Fair.” ⸻ ✧ With His Father But it was his father, José, who gave him the most sobering moment. They stood outside by the lemon tree, a soft breeze rustling the leaves, Esme’s voice drifting from the kitchen window in melodic Spanish. “She’s incredible,” José said simply. Pedro smiled. “I know.” “She loves you. But fame changes everything, hijo.” “I know,” Pedro repeated, quieter this time. His father put a hand on his shoulder. “Then protect her. Be sure. When you go public — it’s forever changed.” Pedro nodded, the words rooting deeply. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.” ⸻ ✧ Later That Night The house had emptied out. The wine was gone. The laughter had faded. And Esme stood barefoot in Pedro’s oversized sweater, cleaning up the last of the dishes in his kitchen. He came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pressed a kiss to the side of her neck. “They loved you,” he murmured into her skin. “I loved them,” she whispered back. “They feel like pieces of you.” He turned her around, cupped her face in both hands. “I want you to be my family too.” Esme blinked, lips parting slightly. “I already am,” she said. And he kissed her — soft, slow, unhurried — like the world was finally right. CONTINUE WITH NEXT CHAPTWR AS PEDRO AND ESME HAVE SEX. EXPLICIT. SMUT. LONG DETAILED. PASSIONATE. PEDRO DOMINANT BUT GENTLE