It wasn't soft by any means, but it was indeed warm. The warmth spread quickly and burned slowly. The pleasant feeling lingered and neither of them dared to moves a muscle.
The peck stayed longer than it was planned. It was never even planned in the first place but hell, no regret could pull him back to where he should be right now. She had to be the one who pulled away from him and brought him back to the present. By the time both of their lips parted from one another, he saw her eyes stay closed. Brows furrowed in something that he couldn't quite put a finger on.
It was a silence plea, stay.
When she finally opened her eyes, he put his forehead on top of hers. This time, he's the one who closed his eyes. Calloused thumbs gently stroke her cheeks. He can feel the strokes on her smooth warm skin underneath his thumb soften, her tears aiding it. She put a hand on his, squeezed the firm tensed muscles there and slowly looked up to him.
Maybe It was easier if he had already left. It was going to be a heck lot easier if she never found out in the first place. She used to feel like a big girl, a woman even, with nothing that can get in her way in this horrible horrible world.
She never even realized how much he matters. And only when he's about to leave, every ounce of courage leaves her as well.
Knowing this could be their last timeㅡtheir only time, and mostly, it would be. She drags him by his jaw, her thumb caresses the spot where his facial hair refused to grow, and put her soft lips on top of his warm flushed cheek. His eyes fluttered close and even more when he heard her shaky voice tells him:
nearly every character pedro pascal plays is like a charismatic intimidating figure with some sort of skill in combat meanwhile every photo i see of that man irl has this energy
First new to us pic of Pedro in 2026! I added the Danny pic because I think these are from the same day since he’s wearing the same shirt and Danny is behind him in the new pic. So maybe something for De Noche.
Pairing: Pero Tovar x GN!Reader, no use of Y/N, ambiguous Spanish speaker don't worry translations are provided, reader runs an innn
Word Count: 3k+
Warnings: Yearning! Softness!! Kinda enemies to lovers??? Stalkerish tendencies, mentions of people drinking, Pero being annoying and weird
Summary: Since his first day at your inn, Pero Tovar has dutifully followed you without either of you knowing why.
A/N: Happy Valentine's Day!!! Enjoy Pero and reader both not knowing how to deal with their feelings. Can y'all tell I like making songs into fics lol? I am not super great at Spanish so if any of this is wrong please don't be afraid to correct me I am well aware that Pero is a Spaniard idc he loves Vicente Fernández. Ranchero music sLAPS
Everyday.
Everyday.
Everyday since Pero had arrived at your inn, he'd been following your every move.
Stalking you in the kitchen.
Watching as you swept the main hall.
Peering over your shoulder from the front desk.
Even doing his morning sparring routine off the side of your cabin, waiting to see you first thing in the morning.
All of this and yet, Pero had barely spoken to you. Most of his communication came in grunts and nods. His silence drowned out by his companion, William's, sweet talk and polite conversation.
It hadn't always been like this. It started slowly. The first few days upon their arrival you'd discovered the mercenary lurking outside the kitchen before meal time. Glaring up at you through the service window, barely out of view. You'd only noticed him as you moved to set out dishes. He catches you off guard, almost making you drop the bowls you held.
"Oh Pero! You know food will not be served for another hour, right?"
"Yes, I know." He said in his usual monotone tone. His glance shifts to the dishes you've set on the counter. He takes a bowl in hand. "I will wait."
You shrugged it off trying to rationalize his odd behavior. Pero was usually first in line anyways…and always came back for seconds when available. Maybe life as a mercenary had made him weary of eating food he had not seen be prepared. Maybe he really was just that eager to eat your cooking. It could be plenty of things you suppose. As long as he kept out of your way, you could live with it.
And then- you'd noticed him taking a peak at you at the front desk. You were sitting at the desk, doing some bookkeeping when a creaky floorboard alerted you to someone approaching the desk. When you looked up, Pero, wide eyed and silent, stood a couple feet off the desk.
"Pero, can I help you with something?"
His right hand fidgets at his side. "No." He says solemnly.
"A-are you sure?" You ask curiously, unsure of why he'd be here if he didn't need anything. He still had another month paid for so he needn't worry about that.
He responds with a grunt and a nod, "Mmm."
"Okay…well I'm here if you need me."
He nods again before turning on his heels and settling over on a chair in the far corner of the lobby. Pero simply sat, busying himself with cleaning his weapons. Every couple minutes you'd caught him staring up at you. He remained there until the end of the day, waiting to see you off. You wished him a goodnight as you stepped out to return to your cabin for the night. Even as you turned back to look at the inn, you swore you saw Pero's silhouette watching you through the window.
After that night, you decided to ask William a bit more about Pero. Eager to get some answers about this strange man. You tried not to make much of a habit of bothering guests, but this was a more than reasonable exception. You managed to catch him alone when Pero went off to the bathhouse.
"William? I'm sorry to bother you, but may I ask you a question or two?"
He offers you a bright smile in turn. "Of course! How may I be of assistance?"
"It's about Pero."
The blonde man chuckles when you mention Pero's name. "Is he causing you trouble?"
"Not exactly, he's just been…around alot. Around me alot to be exact. I was just wondering if I've offended him or anything? If you know?"
William flashes you a slightly mischievous grin. "Offended? Oh no not at all. In fact, I'd say he's rather fond of you!"
"Fond?" You repeat.
He nods "Very fond."
It continued on through the weeks. You'd slowly grown accustomed to Pero's silent presence. Making use of him once or twice a week to help around the inn. Putting his body to work to help clear the snow, or set the dining hall for more formal dinners. If he was going to be in your way, the least he could do was help out a bit. You'd learned more about him. Learned the most whenever you watched him work.
Pero was a quiet man, this was certain. His strengths are not so much in his tongue. Nor charm. Nor sensibility. No- that was where his partner shone. Pero's qualities were not so surface level. It took a bit of pressure to reveal his best qualities. The first you noticed, grace.
Though he trudged through the house with all the elegance of a drunken fool, when given a task he moved so beautifully. Reorganizing furniture as if it were the sole key to your heart. With total care and efficiency. You saw it in his sparring too. Pero had absolute control of his body, and welded his weapon with an unimaginable ease. You'd learned he was once a bull fighter. Though it was obvious by his tone, he did not care much to discuss it.
Secondly, you saw more of his character. How noble he was. "A sellsword with morals!" William had laughed at you when you said as much. But it was true. Pero would steal, yes. Fight, often. Even kill, for the right price. Yet through it, he'd maintained his empathy. His honor. You'd seen him stand up to brutish figures who'd picked on those weaker than themselves. Witnessed him aid a child who was lost late at night wandering the halls. Pero Tovar was not a good man…but certainly not a bad one either.
The last quality you grew to admire had appeared rather abruptly on a cold winter morning. You and Pero had grown into quite the routine. Every morning long before the other guests had awoken, Pero would be waiting patiently at the door for your arrival. Greeting you with a silent nod as you entered. You did your usual opening tasks at the Inn, before settling in and making your cup of coffee. Which had since grown to two cups of coffee. You rounded the kitchen, two mugs in hand, to sit with Pero by the fire when the strangest thing happened.
In the soft light of the fire, Pero's eyes looked so bright…so warm, so inviting. Suddenly, you wondered how his nose would feel nuzzling against yours, how his arms would feel wrapped around you. An urge awoke to sit in his lap, and play with the loose ties of his undershirt. Even the menacing scar he wore on his eye transformed into the perfect line to run your kisses across.
"Coffee." He grumbles, turning his face to you.
"Hmm?" You respond, snapping out of your day dream.
Pero sniffs the air, "You have our coffee, no?"
"I-I yes! Yes, I do." Your words stumble over the butterflies in your stomach. You jolted over to his side handing him his cup before taking your place next to him.
He silently takes a sip. "It's good."
"Thank you…" you murmur.
You realize, Pero Tovar is so handsome.
So yes, you'd grown well accustomed to his presence…maybe even enjoyed having Pero around on occasion. Perhaps you even missed him on the days he and William would go to town to do some work. Maybe you missed him even more when he would be away for a day or two, no doubt working to earn more coin in preparation to leave come Spring. Only in the quiet moments without him by your side did you think it was not so bad to have him around. Maybe you even silently wished Pero would stay by your side.
But what were you to say to the ill-tempered Spaniard…Tales of affection and romance? Admit your feelings and make a mockery of yourself; of your business? So, you remained silent. Willing the loneliness away that came without Pero. Remembering that come Spring, he will leave and you'd likely never meet again.
The last couple days had been excruciating. Several things in the inn had broken and needed repair. Some drunken guests had made a mess of the dining hall. The incessant snowfall meant continual clearing of both walkways and entrances. Not to mention the need for extra firewood. The last snowfall of the year was typically heavy and this year was certain not to disappoint. Though you knew it best to keep your mind on your tasks, your mind betrayed you with thoughts of Pero instead.
William had taken Pero off to town to be bodyguards for some state officials who'd come to visit. Right now you envision Pero in his armor, glaring menacingly at an empty hallway guarding the statesmen while they slept. Huffing his annoyance out at William for making them take this job. The vision makes you smile. You can't imagine he was in a good mood for the trip, considering how he left that morning.
"You will be okay?" He asked quietly as he saddled his horse.
"Yes, Pero I'll be fine." You roll your eyes at his sudden protective streak.
His dark brown eyes find yours "You do not need more wood or-"
"Pero!" Called William, already mounted on his horse. "Come on! You're gonna make us late!"
Pero shoots the blonde man a glare before turning back to you. "Take care, Girasol…" he sends you off with a nod before mounting his horse. "I will be back!"
That was four days ago…this was the longest you'd gone without him. It was beginning to feel like a lifetime. Silently you wondered, how you would ever survive Spring without him.
But for now, the snow fell. And the world was still cold. So you rest. Perched on a chair outside, overlooking the snowy forest surrounding your home. Letting your body sink into the padded chair. A February breeze sends chills up your spine with each low whisper. The rustling of the pine trees play their dashing melody. The air is seasoned with the first of Spring's pollen. You think maybe the first of the animals has awoken from their slumber, as the soft crunch of snow is heard. You smile for the first time in days. Finally free of the heavy burden these past days had presented you with.
He watches in admiration…catching glimpses of you from around the bend of your home, not wanting to frighten you. As soon as Pero had returned from his job, he came to find you. Wanting to asure to himself that you had been just fine without him, as you'd need to be soon when he was gone. Pero finds himself smiling at your cheerfulness. He feels at home.
The dark of night quickly catches up to you. A yawn escaping from your throat. As you turn your head to stretch you see him.
"Pero!" You screamed at the unexpected intrusion, causing you to jump out from your chair.
The mercenary steps out from the shadows into your view, hands held high. "Mira, it's okay mi coraz-"
You snap. The stress finally breaks you down, "Why do you always do that?"
Pero stood up straight when you yelled at him, a dumbstruck look on his face. "Do what?"
"Follow me everywhere. You're always watching me! You don't think maybe I would like a second with you not breathing down my neck, huh?"
Pero is quiet for a moment, eyes flicker between your eyes and the floor. "I- ¿Te molesta?" He asks, his voice sounding much softer than usual. "It bothers you?"
For just a moment, you feel a bit guilty. Seeing the big scary mercenary be humbled so quickly. "I well, only sometimes."
"I am sorry. I will go." Pero goes to turn on his heels back to the inn, head hanging down.
"W-why?" You manage to squeak out.
"¿Qué?" Pero turns his head back to you, slowly shifting his body back around.
"Why do you always follow me? I asked William and he said well…I haven't done something wrong have I?"
Pero's usual scowls scrunches up more into a look of annoyance. "No."
"Then why?"
Why? Why? Why? Pero thinks to himself. It's the same question he's asked himself everyday since arriving. Why do you make his brain go all blurry? Why does he have such an incessant urge to be near you every moment of the day? Why does he pray that Spring never comes?
And no answer came. At first he felt suspicious of you. His instincts telling him you were something nefarious. So he watched. Watched and watched. His permanent scowl matched with squinted eyes as he observed you. And nothing. You were not the evil innkeep his mind had made you out to be. No. You far exceeded his suspicions of you.
As he watched you work he learned just how incredible you were. Strong. Kind. Reasonable. Respectable. Pero watched in awe at the way you handled the inn and kept everything running smoothly. You were serious like him, but equipped with more than enough pleasantries about you to not frighten off every patron that came through your door. Far from the evil he once believed you to be.
It wasn't until that first cup of coffee he really understood. Pero lingered out by the front desk, keeping an eye out for you as you did your morning tasks. Dark eyes quickly fixate on you as you remerge from the backroom. Two cups of coffee in hand instead of your usual one.
"Pero, if you're gonna get up with me you might as well have some coffee." You say, sliding one mug towards him. You'd noted the grimace on his face at the offering. "Are you alright?"
Pero froze. No, he was not alright. The warm bright smell of coffee hitting him like a train. And his stomach flips again, as it did the first time he laid eyes on you. And finally he understands. His body did not react to you with distrust, but with desire. All at once, Pero Tovar's world fell apart.
The question swirls again in his mind, "Why do you follow me?" It was simple. Because you were far more than he'd ever seen before. More great than the royals of the Spanish court. More beautiful than the ocean shores. Stronger than any bull he'd slain. Kinder than any nurse who'd tended to him. Worth more than any coin. Rarer than black power. He followed you, because there was no greater honor than serving at your side.
He huffs, averting your gaze, eyes shifting around the blank snow. Mind racking with how to explain himself. Searching for those perfect fairytale romance words that always won the prince the heart of their beloved. But all Pero can muster is, "Solo falta un millón de Primaveras…" muttered under his breath.
Only a million Springs
"What was that?"
"Only a million Springs." He repeats in English. Dark brown eyes matching your gaze, a look of wonder captivating him. As he looks upon you, his words and his world falls back into place. Pero marches through the snow, standing before you. His chest threatens to push against you. "Please wait, mi amor. Sí te molesta que I follow you." His eyes look into yours, a large hand cupping your cheek.
Please wait, my love. If it bothers you that I follow you.
"Pero I don't-"
Another hand greets your waist, pulling you in against him. "Solo falta un millón de Primaveras. A few centuries he de adorarte. Give me that at least, Hermose." He pleads.
Only a million Springs. A few centuries I have left to adore you. Give me that at least, gorgeous.
A warmth spreads through you. The look of annoyance on your face washed away with his touch. "Only a million Springs, huh?" Your arms move to encase Pero in your grasp.
He nods, the most subtle of a smile on his face. "Sí."
You smile back to him. "And after that?"
Pero smirks, his wide hand rubbing up your spine, "Después de eso…I'll never bother you again."
After that…I'll never bother you again.
"And if I want you to stay?"
"My time here…" Pero falters, wishing his words were not true, "William and I will need to go back to work, but after. Next winter, I will return for you."
"And begin our Springs?" You ask, eyes full of hope.
Pero's eyes relax as he looks down at you, joy radiating through his body. "Sí, mí amor…let there be a million of them."
Spring.
Summer.
Fall.
Winter.
You waited patiently. Looking over the hill each day in hopes of seeing your mercenary bounding over the fallen leaves. The shortened days grew long and weary, but you remained eager. Knowing once he returned, he would never again depart.
You'd seen lakes thaw and freeze again. Seen ducklings be born and since leave. The leaves turn green, then red, then yellow, then fall off the trees. You'd seen the wonders of each season, yet you only dreamt of Spring.
Just dreams…until one early morning, after making your cup of coffee.
"No coffee for me?" A voice comes from behind where you sat in front of the fireplace.
A faint tear pricks at your eye at the voice. It's one you'd know anywhere. "Pero!" You jump out of your chair in excitement, tossing your mug haphazardly on the side table.
"Aye, mi alma!" He greets you, enrapturing you in his arms. "Knew you'd wait for me…" he whispers into your neck.
"Of course, Pero." You snuggle as close as possible into his body.
He smirks teasing lightly "I thought maybe…te olvidaste de mí. Maybe you forgot about me."
"I could never forget about you…not in a million years."
"No?" He chuckles.
"Never."
And though the snow had just begun to fall, the whole world felt like Spring. With Pero back in your arms, you only wished for a million more.
