INVISIBLE STRING ― pedro pascal

-NEWS, REAL LIFE

"We brought breakfast," Pedro grinned down to her and Robert. "And Rob, Frankie got you coffee too. Chai tea for you—"

"—Frankie, my love, you shouldn't have!"

"—and Willow, I got you an iced matcha green tea latte with three extra shots."

"Thank you," a blush spread on her cheeks at his nonchalant memorization of her coffee order. "That's sweet."

He winked at her and set the donuts down on the dining table, Frankie chatting happily with Robert.

"Willow," he looked to her, grabbing her attention. "I just wanna say, if you try and sneak out again and I don't find out about it until two days later, I'm gonna lock you in a shed."

Willow nodded, apologetic. "I know," she hesitated before pulling him into a tight hug. He caved immediately, wrapping his arms around her tightly and squeezing her once. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay kid," he pulled back, ruffling her hair. "You're safe and you won't do it again. That's all that matters."

Willow smiled at him again and moved to sit next to Pedro, Robert on her left, and Frankie on the other side of the table.

—
"Hell yeah," Robert stood quickly, smiling at his phone. "Suki's off now, I'm gonna phone her. Be upstairs. Don't bother me."

"Ew," Willow grimaced. "Don't ruin my sheets, Patz."

Pedro snorted and Robert flipped her off.

"You ruin my life daily, Lulu, I'll see you later."

He rushed upstairs quickly and the remaining occupants shared a laugh.

"I'm gonna..." Frankie looked between Pedro and Willow, shaking his head. "Not be here. For awhile." With a short laugh, he walked from the room and headed to the fourth bedroom, where Willow had collected numerous pinball machines and arcade games that he enjoyed playing.

"Subtle," Willow commented dryly after he'd closed the door behind him.

Pedro smiled. "Willow—"

"—I don't wanna—"

"—We have to," Pedro cut in gently. He reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing gently. "I adore you. You know that. I—you're very important to me. But we can't do this right now."

Willow nodded. "I know."

"Let's break this down, okay? I think you need...structure. I'll help you get that, okay?"

Willow nodded. "I'm sorry."

Pedro's head tilted a fraction and a frown dusted his lips. "For what? Why do you think you have to apologize?"

"Because," Willow shrugged. "This is—it's stupid that I don't know how to take care of myself. That you have to — you don't have to, you can, you can leave. If you want. I don't know what's wrong with me and I think—"

He squeezed her hand again. "Hey, hey, stop that. Let's not — I'm not going anyway, princesa. How many times do I have to tell you?"