For fuck's sake, Elektra, just go in there. It's a tiny creature and it's more scared of you than you are of it. Or is it?? I'm sure that cruel animal could suck all my blood if it only had a chance. Oh jesus, I'm crazy.

I realized that I really, really have to pee now. I've just had a whole cup of tea, which is the worst thing that I could have done before the situation I am in right now happened.

There is a spider in the bathroom.

I don't know how it got there, probably it's looking for some warm place to stay. I'm sorry little spider, but you can't really live here rent-free while being the size of my thumb and making me incredibly anxious when I don't have you in my sight.

I know, I know, I'm making it so dramatic, but ever since I can remember I hated insects, any kind of. Just the thought of them tickling your skin and seeing you as their potential host makes me uncomfortable. I guess I am just scared of them. And disgusted. No offense, of course.

I bit the skin around my fingers in hesitation as if to take care of the situation myself, or bring someone up to help me.

Someone who's not afraid of spiders or anything in general..

Johnny.

Was my first thought. He always makes me feel safe. But, should I call him? It's been, like, a 15 hour day, and he's been working his butt off particularly hard today. It's only 10 something pm, and even though Johnny doesn't fancy going to sleep early, I'm sure he's exhausted and probably already asleep by now. Let's just not bother him.

Maybe someone else? I seriously don't wanna seem pathetic for being 27 and not able to kill a spider, but I'd rather seem like that than pee my goddamn pants.

Alright, fuck it. I'm going in. Okay, that sounded like I was walking into the area of radiation, but I think that's pretty much how I see it.

I spotted the culprit and tightened my grip on the slipper I had in my right hand. I was about to hit, when the spider kinda jumped and started making its way towards me.

"Yeah, alright, fuck it. I'm out." I quickly said to myself, storming out of the bathroom.

I don't think I have the facilities for that, especially not when the bold bastard attacks back.

I dialed Johnny's number and put the phone up to my ear. I waited a couple of signals before he picked up. Thank god his voice wasn't like I had just woken him up, but it was tired, for sure.

"What's up?" he started in a kinda raspy voice, just like he always sounds over the phone.

"Johnny? Yeah, so, there is an urgent emergency and.. I was wondering if you could come over?"

"Sure. But what happened?"

"I will tell you once you get here."

--

"A giant spider?" Johnny asked with raised brows, crossing his arms on his chest. I gulped, my eyes devouring the sight of him in a plain, white tank top.

"Yes." I confirmed, nodding and looking up at him with big eyes.

I sat on the couch watching TV when he arrived. My attention was drawn by how exhausted he looked, almost like he needed to sleep but couldn't. I instantly felt guilty for calling him in. I also got a bit worried that on set he acts like everything's fine, but behind closed doors things are going bad again.

"You want me to be your private assassinator?" he asked, kinda making fun of me.

"Exactly. Now, please, can you get rid of it? I never needed to pee more in my life." I stated and he actually went into the bathroom to do the job.

Once he returned, I nearly jumped onto him.

"Is it dead?"

"Yup, it can't be deader than it already is." he answered, smiling softly.

"Are you sure?"

"El, it's not Jesus, it won't come back to life."

I chuckled and cupped his face with both my hands, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He got taken aback, his mouth opening but then closing as he didn't say anything, eventually he just smiled shyly.

"Thank you, don't go yet." I threw over my shoulder, going towards the bathroom.

--

I washed my hands and went back to the kinda bedroom-living room area, spotting Johnny on the couch. One of his hands supported his head while his eyes were in 3/4 closed, though he seemed to wake up after I entered the room.

"Do you want some hot chocolate?" I asked and he nodded vigorously.

"Yes, please. It's kinda chilly outside."

I only now realized he actually walked to my trailer only in some pajamas and a tank top.

"Shit, you're right. I'm sorry, but this bastard had me in his grip."

We talked about today's work while I made the chocolate. Tomorrow will be exactly two weeks since we started shooting, and I came to a conclusion that even though working on a movie set is much, much more different from making art daily or writing, it's still the coolest thing ever. Unlike painting and writing, you work with people here, and I can't say anything other about them than that they're absolutely amazing. I never knew there can be so many nice people gathered in one place.

Also spring was slowly creeping into our surroundings, which allowed me to torture my favorite thing by doing it over and over again, means romanticizing everything. Waking up earlier suddenly doesn't seem so disturbing, and cigarette breaks with Johnny put us both in a better mood.

Well, the breaks are kinda a secret, since crew is technically not supposed to hang out with the cast at all. I don't know who made these rules, but we somehow learned to do it secretly anyway. We see each other pretty regularly though, me doing some preparation in the background while Johnny talks with the director or something.

Actually, the sudden smiles after eye-contact might be my favorite part.

I handed Johnny the cup and he thanked me quietly, taking it. I noticed his jewelry was all gone, except for the ring I gave him. I sat down on the couch beside him and we started watching some movie on TV. But I couldn't really focus.

"Johnny?"

He hummed while sipping on the drink.

"You seem a bit off. Is everything ok?"

He put the cup down on his lap and stared at the dark chocolate.

"I guess." he sighed.

I turned myself more to him. "Do you wanna talk maybe?"

"No, not really." he replied and I gave up. I trust that he knows I'd listen to whatever.

Johnny still stayed for a while after we drank the hot chocolate, but I started noticing that his head was nodding down, like he was about to fall asleep right here and right now.

I stood up and touched his arm, pulling him out of the almost-sleeping trance. He raised his brows, surprised.

"Come on, I see you're extremely tired. You can sleep here tonight." I said and he stood up as well, rubbing his left eye.

"No, no, it's fine. I'll go to my trailer."

"I don't trust you'll even make it there. You're half asleep, and what if you doze off halfway through?"

He chuckled softly, nodding. "I'll take the couch."

"Again, you're too tired to sleep on this devilishly uncomfortable piece of furniture. Maybe if we were back at my house, I'd agree, because that couch might be even softer than my own bed- Anyway, actually the bed here is pretty nice."

He opened his mouth, probably to disagree again, but I was quicker.

"I don't take a no."

His mouth fell close and he grinned. "You're unbelievable."

"Thank you."

I led him to bed while I decided to go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and also clean up a little. By the time I was back, I saw that he made himself comfortable by the wall, so there was still the other spot for me, next to the nightstand.

It was queen-sized and we've slept in the same bed before, so I didn't think twice and slipped myself hopefully quietly under the covers, because Johnny seemed like he has already fallen asleep, and of course I didn't wanna wake him up.

I checked if my alarm is on, also if it's loud enough to get Johnny awake, 'cause he particularly fancied sleeping through his alarms, and I think that's why he's always late everywhere.

I put my phone down and let there be one little light left on, just in case, and closed my eyes, creating the base of my fake scenarios so I could go to sleep.

"El?" Johnny's low voice unexpectedly made me snap out of my already half-asleep state. I shifted onto my back, since it was facing him before, and turned my head to see him staring at me with big eyes from under the covers.

The light allowed me to see his face a little more.

"What is it?"

"Could you.. I'm sorry, it's so stupid, but.. I can't sleep and- And I think I need some.. physical touch, but it's fine if-"

"You're asking me to hug you?" I asked calmly.

"It's stupid. You don't have to." he almost murmured, but I could see how much he needed it in the way he averted his eyes.

"C'mere."

He scooted closer and placed his head on my shoulder. I placed one of my hands on his back and caressed there softly, and the other in his black locks. He sighed pleasantly as we sat in silence.

"Why did you say it was stupid? It's a need like every other." I started.

"Well, a 50 something year old man asking someone to baby him is kinda stupid."

I frowned. It's not babying, it's just a hug. Everyone needs it, even if they're 100 years old. "Who told you that?"

He didn't say anything, and he didn't even have to because it suddenly hit me.

I hate what she did to him and how he now has to suffer. I hate her even more that she also decided to lie about it, ruining his life. It hurts that he's afraid to ask for a hug, thinking he's doing something bad and not-manly. It's pure hatred for her, and I did everything in my power not to tense under Johnny.

Instead I started playing with his hair. He made himself more comfortable, and wave of heat washed all over me when he threw his arm over my belly, lining the rest of it up my torso, firmly hugging it.

There was also the other thing that's been happening lately, of which that wave of hotness just reminded me about. There's been something in the air, like a tension building up between me and Johnny. I had a strange gut feeling, too, but couldn't fit it into anything.

The tension wasn't that bad even after we almost allegedly kissed back then in the pool, but now nothing happened and it's stronger than anything else ever.

I was scared it will explode anytime soon, and I just know it wouldn't be any good. Although I don't wanna turn into some messiah or something, but I guess it's commonly known not to ignore the powerful gut feeling. I was just curious what's gonna happen.

I got so lost in my thoughts I didn't notice Johnny falling asleep, I think for real this time. I wondered if to move him, but I truly, truly didn't wanna do that. It was comfortable with him.

Jesus, just let the goddamn man sleep.

And so I did, all up until the next morning, when my alarm went off.

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