Chase's POV

"Are you sure it'll come out?" I mumble, trying not to hide my face from embarrassment at the fact that I came on Diego's sheets.

My DiDi in the trawls of passion will forever be treasured in my mind. The euphoria of finally being able to hear his sweet sounds of pleasure still surround me but the embarrassment is trying to win.

He grins and blows me a kiss. "It will, little lamb, stop worrying! These things happen!"

Diego decided to throw the sheets and some other clothes in the washer, insisting that he needed to do laundry anyway. Now he's making up his bed while I stay seated at his desk, swaddled in a blanket.

"Your bed is made, my Prince!" He says, bowing and gesturing towards the bed. I burst into a fit of giggles and he grins. "That's more like it!" He makes his way towards me and strokes my hair, causing me to nestle into his hand. "You never told me what you wanted to do today, so how about we stay in? We can snuggle and watch television or play board games."

My head bobs up and down rapidly at his suggestion. I'm still drained from all the interaction I had yesterday at Shawn's party, so I'm really glad Diego suggested we stay in. "TV and popcorn!" I exclaim, jumping to my feet and almost immediately tumbling to the floor.

Diego releases a soft chuckle and steadies me. "Of course, sweet pea!" He pecks my lips before heading off to the kitchen.

I pick out another one of Diego's hoodies and a pair of my boxer briefs from the stash I keep at Diego's place, before sliding out of the blanket and into the shower. While in the shower, thoughts of the party return.

It was the first time I've been to a large social gathering since the incident and it went surprisingly well. I got irritable near the end and couldn't appreciate all the love and compliments people were giving me. So, next time, I'll just have to leave as soon as I start to feel drained, instead of staying and becoming so exhausted that I can barely function.

My mind drifts to the memory of the girl that brushed against me as she was rushing to the dance floor. Fortunately, that wasn't enough to bring on a panic attack, though I still disliked the feeling of being touched. There were also a few close calls but I mustered up the courage to explain that I don't like shaking hands or hugging strangers. It was a minefield of touchy people that I had to tactfully dodge, but I made it through.

A smile spreads across my face at that thought. I made it through the entire event without having a panic attack! That small accomplishment fills me with self love and pride, empowering me and making me feel like I really can do the things I used to, and try new things.

The rest of the shower, I hum random pop songs and grin from ear to ear. A very tiny part of me hoped that Diego would join me in the shower, but he didn't disturb my shower time.

When I return to the room, adorned in his oversized hoodie and sporting damp, messy hair, Diego instantly gives me his full attention. His eyes run up and down my body while I, his precious art, giggle and stand completely still, so that I can be admired. "How are you so perfect," he murmurs, walking towards me.

Smiling, I tilt my head upwards a little and he grins before connecting our lips in a deep kiss. "The snacks are on the bed, you can choose something to watch while I shower." He kisses me one more time before leaving to shower.

I giggle and skip to the bed, unplugging my phone before settling in the middle of the bed, behind a huge bowl of popcorn, two water bottles, a bowl of fruit and a large pack of M&Ms. I scoop up a handful of popcorn and unlock my phone to reply to the group messages from Shawn and Jesse, asking if I slept well and if I'm spending the day with Diego.

"Should we pick out something together?" Diego asks a few minutes later, once he's finished with his shower. His adorably towel dried hair falls over his eyes and his dimples salute me, bringing a smile of my own to my face.

I shake my head and move over so that he can join me in bed. Embracing this new, empowered me, I decide to try another new thing, or rather something that I wanted to watch but couldn't. I take a deep breath. "We're watching the Umbrella Academy." My voice comes out hesitant and barely above a whisper.

Diego's eyes widen. "Isn't that the show that...?" He trails off, searching my eyes and I nod.

It's the show I was supposed to watch with Mike the night of the incident. A few months ago, the mere mention of the show's title brought on a panic attack. This time, I'm ready for the onslaught of pain the memory of that night will bring back. I'm armed with the love and support of Diego, and my friends and family. With their help, I've had proof that I can do the things I once did and find the strength to try new things.

"You promised to watch it with me whenever I was ready," I whisper, trying to remember to breathe. Despite my best efforts, memories of Mike and that night start to resurface. The rapid thumps of my heart fill my ears and my hands start to get clammy.

Deep breaths Chase. You can do this. I hear the voice in my head cheering me on, finally sounding just as strong as the voice of self doubt and loathing I felt on the night of the incident and many days since. Deep breaths. You can do this.

My eyes flutter close and I inhale, holding it for a few seconds before I exhale slowly. I repeat this a few times before opening my eyes. "Will you watch it with me, DiDi?" My voice is still quiet, though it's a bit stronger.

"Of course I will!" Diego exclaims, holding out his arms to me, and I readily move towards him. He engulfs me in a hug and plants a kiss in my hair. "I'd be honoured!"

We stay like this for a few minutes, listening to each other's heartbeats. "I'm ready now," I whisper, repositioning myself so that the snacks are on my lap. Diego kisses my temple and reaches for the remote with the hand that isn't wrapped around me.

Three hours later and I'm all out of snacks and starting to get hungry. I pause the video before the next episode of the show starts to play and turn to Diego. Upon taking one look at my face, he chuckles. "You're hungry, aren't you?" I giggle and nod. "And what does my little bumblebee want to eat?"

"Hmm, Pad Thai?"

"Pad Thai it is!" He agrees, pecking my lips.

We check our phones while we wait for the food to arrive, well Diego checks his phone, while I try to figure out if I should actually do an internship.

I know I need the additional experience, reading and studying about all the details of producing my own film isn't the same as getting hands on experience with a reputable producer or production company. Not to mention the more experience I have, the easier it will be to attract actors, investors and a crew. I just don't know if I'm ready yet.

Sure the party went well and I'll probably go to Diego's fancy benefit but those are one off events. Am I ready to go to work everyday and interact with people?

"What are you thinking so hard about, little lamb?" Diego inquires, pulling me from my thoughts.

I pout and shift a little in his arms so that I'm facing him. "I was thinking about maybe doing a paid internship," I mumble.

Diego's face lights up. "Really! That's great! Why are you thinking so hard about it then?"

"I don't know if I'm ready to start one." I sigh, still pouting. "What if I realize on the first day of work that I can't do it? What if it's too much too fast?"

He smiles and tenderly strokes my cheek. "The fact that you're even thinking about it seriously means that you're ready, you're ready to try at the very least. If you give it your best shot and it doesn't work, you'll try again. Chase, don't doubt how brave or strong you are, if this is something you really want to do, go for it."

I smile and nod in response. "Even if it means I don't have as much time for you?" I tease, poking his dimples. My time will be limited if I do the internship since I'll be managing that and working on my script. But I know that no matter what, I'll always make time for Diego, just like he always makes time for me.

"Hmm, yeah, never mind. Forget what I said. I want my little lamb's time all for myself." It's clear in his voice and expression that he's joking and I giggle. "I'm joking, of course." I roll my eyes. As if I don't know him well enough to tell when he's teasing me. "Even if you have less time for me, I'll be happy for you and support you because it's something you want to do."

I smile and shift so that I can press a kiss to his lips before searching through my phone for Mr. Reyes, the producer I met at the film festival. Mr. Reyes is revered in the industry as one of the most talented directors and producers. It would be such an honour to work with him.

My finger hovers over the call button and I bite the inside of my cheek. Would he even remember me? Is it okay to call him? I shake my head and suck in a shaky breath before hitting the call button. It rings twice before I hear a deep, slightly hoarse voice on the other end.

"Hello, Mr. Reyes, my name is Chase Lambert, I met you at a film festival a while ago. I'm an aspiring film producer and screenwriter, and I was wondering if you had any paid internship positions that I could apply for?" My voice comes out rushed and I honestly don't know if my words were even decipherable.

The silence on the other end of the phone rings on for what seems like hours before Mr. Reyes releases a barely audible chuckle. "Ah yes, the young man with the unique questions, I remember you, you were quite passionate." He pauses briefly before he continues. "As a matter of fact, I'm starting a new project soon and it'll be a medium size production. I haven't started yet but I'll need to start hiring my crew. So, how about you come in for an interview and if I think you'd be a good fit, I'll hire you."

"Oh my gosh! Really! Of course I'll come for an interview," I exclaim, hardly able to believe my luck. We set up a time to meet and he asks me a bit more about what I want to get out of working with him.

"DiDi! I have an interview!" I'm grinning from ear to ear and when my eyes meet Diego's, he's smiling just as brightly.

He cups my face and presses a light kiss to my lips. "That's great! I can help you prepare for the interview if you'd like?"

I giggle and nod. Interviews always make me nervous initially, but when I start talking about things I'm passionate about, words just flow out of me, like an endless stream.

Our food arrives shortly after and we spend the rest of the evening preparing for my interview and watching a few more episodes of the Umbrella Academy.

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