Chase's POV

I'm exhausted, both mentally and physically. I've had too much human interaction and too much attention in the last few hours. On top of that, I also didn't get to eat my chocolate covered strawberries.

"Yes, I made the animation from scratch, basing the characters and the places off photos," I say for what must be the millionth time, glancing towards the food tables where the vultures have surrounded them. There's no way I can get my strawberries now, I'd be picked apart by those people with their greetings and well wishes. I suppress a sigh and refocus on the person in front of me.

"Wow! It was such a beautiful video! Do you think you can make a video for me? How much do you charge?" This question comes from what seems to be the hundredth faceless person asking the same thing.

"Thank you, but I'm sorry, I won't be able to make a video for you. It took me a really long time to complete it and it isn't profitable to do on a small scale," I reply, giving the same generic answer that I have been giving for the past, I glance down at my phone, five minutes?

I've only been talking to these people for five minutes!

After the video finished, some of Shawn's friends came up to me to tell me how talented they think I am and how great the animation was. A few of them asked if I'd be willing to make similar videos for them or if I can make different style films for weddings or upcoming special events and how much I would charge.

However, animation takes a really long time to make, it took a few months to make Shawn's video and it was only about fifteen minutes long. I had a lot of fun making it, but it was also very time consuming. If I want to start an internship and continue working on my script, I just won't have time for it.

"Oh alright, great short film anyways!" Shawn's faceless friend says, and I give them a tiny smile and thank them again.

I almost groan when someone else walks up to me with a huge smile. "Dude, that video was really cool!"

Someone save me. Why isn't Diego back yet? "Thank you, I wanted to make something special for Shawn," I reply, trying not to sound like I would rather be napping than having this conversation.

Before the faceless goon can reply, I feel strong, secure arms wrap around me and I shift in my seat to see Diego, my Knight in shining armor. He pecks my lips and brushes his nose against mine and I release a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry that took so long, little lamb!" Diego whispers before addressing the guy I was talking to. "Hey, Brody right?"

"It's okay," I mumble, ignoring Brody's response to Diego, opting instead to straddle Diego and snuggle into his arms.

Diego needed to use the bathroom and Jesse, Shawn and their boyfriends moved to talk to a group of Shawn's friends nearby. I just wanted to sit and relax, alone, in the corner, but then people started coming up to me and telling me how great the film I made for Shawn was.

Of course I'm grateful and happy that they loved the short film but I'm exhausted. I've always needed alone time after being in large group settings and I really pushed myself to interact with others today, so right now, I feel like an engine that's about to run out of fuel.

Brody and Diego are still chatting about who knows what. "DiDi, can we leave?" I whisper in Diego's ear before returning my head to rest in the crook of his neck.

There is a gentle kiss in my hair before Diego's voice sounds. "Of course, honey bee."

He wraps up his conversation, and a tiny shriek escapes me when, a few moments later, I feel myself being lifted upwards. Once Diego is standing, I wrap my feet around his waist and his hand tenderly rubs my back.

The music fades as Diego takes me away from the party and I relax in his arms, placing a chaste kiss on his neck. I frown when the music starts to get louder, instead of continuing to fade.

"I'm going to let the others know we're leaving," Diego says in a quiet voice, before kissing my hair. We stop walking and I hear Diego's voice again. "The party was great! We had a lot of fun but we're going to leave now. Happy birthday again, Shawn."

"Bye Baby bro," Jesse shouts and at the same time I hear several voices say, "bye Chase."

I murmur, "bye," against Diego's neck, which of course no one except Diego hears. But I don't have the energy to raise my head or speak louder. I'm completely drained.

Diego passes along my goodbyes and chats for another minute before he moves away from the music once again, hopefully for good this time. There is a beeping of the car door, followed by Diego putting me down in the car. I fumble with the seat belt and Diego kisses my temple before taking the seat belt from me and fastening it.

My head settles on the headrest of the seat and my eyes flutter close. The quiet whir of the engine fills the air as Diego starts the car. "Chase?" Diego's voice is quiet, almost apologetic as if he's sorry for breaking the silence. I hum a response, not opening my eyes and he continues. "Where should I take you? Do you want to go home or come to my place?"

Usually I like to be alone when I'm feeling this tired and fed up with interacting with others, but some tiny part of me craves to be near Diego, even in this state. "Your house," I mumble, deciding that if it doesn't go well this time, I'll revert to spending my alone time on my own.

Diego clears his throat and I suppress a sigh before opening my eyes and turning to him. "I also got you these," he says, flashing me a sheepish smile as he holds up two tupperware bowls.

He opens them and the bigger one is filled with chocolate covered strawberries and the other is filled with carrots and dip. A smile spreads across my face and despite my fatigue, I lean over and press a soft kiss to his lips.

After the containers are settled on my lap, I dig in and start devouring the food, alternating between eating the vegetables and fruits. "Do you want any?" I ask after I'm about a quarter of the way through the snacks, realizing that I'm being rude.

"No, you enjoy," Diego replies, momentarily taking his eyes off the road to make a kissy face at me. I smile in return before biting into a white chocolate covered strawberry.

When we reach his house, I've eaten about half of the carrots and strawberries and now I'm ready for a relaxing shower and sleep. I enter Diego's room while he heads into the shower. After I find my boxer briefs and one of Diego's hoodies to sleep in, I perch on the edge of the bed, looking at his plant while I wait for him to be finished with his shower.

"Chase?" Diego calls out, as he sticks his head around the door. I give him a quizzical look and he beckons me to him. Frowning, I walk towards him and he has a goofy grin on his face as he intertwines our hands and tugs me towards the bathroom.

Upon entering, the lights are dimmed and a few candles light up the room. The tub is almost overflowing with bubbles. Soft music that you would find at a massage parlour is playing and the smell of lavender fills the air.

"I thought you could take a bubble bath," Diego says, rubbing the back of his neck, like he does when he's nervous.

"This is perfect!" I exclaim, pressing a kiss to his lips. Taking a deep breath, I blurt out, "are you joining me?"

Diego's eyes widen. "I wasn't going to," he says, raising his voice a little at the end. "Should I?"

I bite the inside of my cheek before releasing a little squeak. "Yes, but you have to turn around while I get into the tub!" I reply in a rushed voice. He's already seen me naked but I feel too flustered to undress in front of him.

A musical chuckle rings through the air. "Deal!"

Diego turns around and I quickly undress and step into the warm, inviting bubble bath. A huge smile spreads across my face as I sink into the tub, already feeling my body relaxing. "I'm in the water," I say, once I'm settled.

I admire Diego's body as he rids himself of all of his clothes, before sliding into the tub behind me. He pulls me back against him and my eyes close, as I settle into his arms, letting the soft, calming music erase the loud music that I've been listening to all evening.

A soft moan escapes me when I feel Diego, messaging shampoo into my hair. His fingers gently work my scalp and even my temples, all while I remain leaning against him.

I release a tiny shriek when I feel a soft sponge sliding across my chest, causing Diego to laugh and kiss my cheek. He scrubs my chest, back and limbs, admiring each feature once he's finished and pressing light kisses to my cheeks, ever so often.

My modesty seems to fly out the door because when he instructs me to stand so that he can wash off the soap suds, I get up without hesitation. He drains the tub while he washes out my hair and rinses my body.

However, I clean my private areas myself, while trying not to openly stare at Diego's very naked body that I'm too exhausted to fully admire. But in the morning, when I have more energy, I'll definitely explore his beautiful body and hear his lyrical moans. That thought has a lazy smile spreading across my face.

By the time we're finished with the bath and shower, I can barely keep my eyes open. A fluffy towel wraps around me and Diego leads me to the sink so that I can brush my teeth. He then scoops me up bridal style and takes me to his room.

I'm yawning repeatedly as Diego dries my skin and helps me put on my underwear and his hoodie, before he tucks me in and kisses my forehead. Even though I'm exhausted and on the verge of sleep, I don't actually fall asleep until Diego climbs into bed and pulls me into his arms.

Just before I drift off to sleep, I whisper, "I love you, DiDi, always and forever." An echo of his earlier words.

"Always and forever," he whispers, pressing a kiss to my forehead.  

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