Chloe catches a flight home for Spring Break right after the finals and Beca doesn't really know what to do with herself for the two weeks that follow. Everyone is back home for the break and Beca'd rather stay in her dorm making mixes than be home with her dad and the step mons- Sheila.
So, faithful to her hermit habits pre-Bellas, she stays in her dorm the whole two weeks, only coming out to eat, shower and work a couple hours every two days at the radio station. On the tenth day, though, after nearly ripping her hair out because she can't figure out how to blend two songs together, she reaches for her phone to text her girlfriend.
Her girlfriend.
Beca still pinches herself whenever she thinks about it, and then makes a face at how mushy she has become. She still doesn't know how she, queen of the brooding and anti-social kingdom managed to land a chick like Chloe who basically sprinkles rainbows and glitter in her wake.
When are you back?
As if she doesn't know when Chloe is bound to come back. She's just asking with a layer of hope that Chloe has pushed the date forward.
In two days, I told you that, silly. Miss me already? ;)
Beca rolls her eyes. She can very well imagine Chloe's sly smile as she texted, and doesn't want to give the redhead that satisfaction.
No.
When she doesn't get a reply within the next five minutes, Beca starts to panic, thinking that her poorly-timed sarcasm might lead them to their first fight. Before she can get into a fit of paranoia, her phone chimes with a text message from Chloe.
I miss you, too. xx
Leave it to Chloe to see right through her.
Beca's finally managed to make the two songs work out, though it's not one of her best works and still needs a fair amount of polishing. A knock to the door interrupts her train of thought and she rolls her chair back, standing to take the few strides that separate her from the door.
When she opens it, she registers a flash of red locks and familiar lips fuse with hers hungrily. Beca manages to shut the door in time to be spun around and pressed against it. The brunette moans and kisses Chloe back, before the latter pulls away, slightly breathless.
"Hi," Chloe greets with a chirp smile, eyes big and sparkly.
"Hello," Beca greets back with a frown. "I thought you were only coming back on the twenty-fifth?"
"We are the twenty-fifth, Bec," Chloe tells her and stifles a laugh when Beca's eyes widen. So engrossed in her mix, she hasn't seen those two days fly by. Chloe narrows her eyes and lets them glide around the room. "What? You got your other girlfriend hiding in here or something?"
Beca rolls her eyes, then winks, "Nah, she left a few minutes ago. Close call, though."
Chloe pinches her waist and it pulls a yelp from Beca's throat, before her lips are back where they belong, capturing Chloe's in a long kiss.
"I've missed you," Chloe murmurs in between kisses, and even though they've shared some of those already, Beca feels lightheaded. Two weeks without kissing Chloe Beale should not be allowed.
"Me, too." Beca replies, and pushes against the door, walking Chloe back until the back of her knees hit the bed. The redhead sits, and moans in appreciation when Beca moves to straddle her hips without having to disconnect their mouths.
Beca feels Chloe's hands wander around her back, and they slip into the back pockets of Beca's jeans, squeezing the flesh. Beca suddenly feels like a horny teenager, her own hands burning to touch Chloe everywhere, anywhere, and they end up shaking with need but flailing because there's so much to touch that she doesn't know where to begin. Chloe laughs against her lips and her hands grab Beca's, guiding them to her own waist.
"Sorry," Beca whispers as she pulls away for a breath, the tip of her ears tinted red in embarrassment.
When Chloe's tongue slips into her mouth, Beca comes to the sudden realization that she and Chloe are alone in a bedroom, that has a bed, as any bedroom should, but a bed where Beca has had many dreams about Chloe. Plus, there will be no roommate to barge in any minute since Kimmy Jin isn't coming back until the day after tomorrow. These facts have Beca's chest bubbling in a mix of panic and good apprehension, because she's making out with Chloe Beale, and there's nothing to interrupt them from going further than that.
She tenses, the muscles in her back turning rigid, and Chloe must have sensed it because she's pulling away a second later, eyebrows knit together in concern.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just um, nervous," Beca replies, preferring to stare at the bed spread rather than Chloe.
"Why are you so nervous all the sudden?" Chloe asks curiously, her eyebrow arching. "You seemed fine the last time we did this."
The last time they did this, Beca was still on a high from their win and three beers in.
"I think we should talk," Beca announces, plopping down next to Chloe on her bed and instantly missing the closeness. She sees a flicker of worry in Chloe's eyes and shakes her head hurriedly, giving herself a mental face-palm for her wording. The "we should talk" is basically the universal sentence when you want to end things with someone and this is the farthest from what's on Beca's mind. "It's not what you're thinking, I'm, I'm not breaking up with you or anything. I mean who would ever want to break up with you."
Now Chloe is just looking at her in plain confusion and Beca sighs in frustration, flexing her fingers several times before curling them into firsts.
Good God, get a grip.
"I, uh, I haven't done this before," She can't find it in herself to look at Chloe when the words finally leave her mouth, preferring to stare at her hands.
There's a beat of silence, where Beca's heart rhythm drops so low that she is positive she's dying. From mortification. "As in…?"
Chloe's eyes flit between Beca and the bed and Beca can feel her face turn into a very unflattering shade of magenta. "Iveneverhadsex."
The words tumble out of her lips in such a mushy mess that she's not even sure if Chloe managed to understand them.
"Oh."
Yep, it's official, now all Beca wants to do is find a shovel and dig herself a hole into the floor.
"Well that's okay," Chloe's tone is soft as she shuffles closer to Beca. She moves to sits Indan style, perpendicular to the brunette and rests her chin on Beca's shoulder, arms looping around Beca's midsection, "There's really nothing to be embarrassed about, Bec."
"I know, I just…" Beca chews on the inside of her cheek, her gaze fastened on her lap. "That's why I'm nervous, because God," she stops to take a deep breath, "I want you so bad but I'm afraid to mess things up." She sighs, rubbing her forehead with the heel of her hand. "I-I was kind of a loner in high school and didn't get many opportunities to… y'know."
She's nineteen years old and she can't even say the word sex out loud. Beca is seriously considering buying a shovel from the hardware store down the street off campus.
"You don't need to be justifying anything," Chloe cups her face and tilts it towards her, before she presses her lips to Beca's in a slow kiss that chases Beca's fears until they vanish into the heavy air. The older woman pulls back, resting her forehead against Beca's, who whimpers upon the loss of contact. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. If anything, it's even more attractive."
Beca furrows her brows, her nose scrunching up, "What? How?"
There's a mischievous smile tugging at Chloe's lips and a glint in her eyes when she speaks the next words, "That means that I'll be your first, and I'm very flattered."
Only Chloe Beale can turn a mortifying situation into a compliment (sort of?). If Beca had managed to regain a normal color in her face, it doesn't last very long as she flushes a deep red under Chloe's gaze.
"And also very turned on right now," Chloe continues in a whisper, and Beca feels her core throbbing, Chloe's words vibrating to the very tip of her spine. "But I think we should wait."
"Huh?" Beca lets out in dismay, eyes snapping to Chloe's. "Why?"
She doesn't want to wait. Sure, she's nervous, but she's been longing for Chloe for God knows how long, and now she's got her to herself, in an empty bedroom. Chloe not putting out was definitely not on her list of potential scenarios for the evening. She didn't expect that being honest with Chloe would lead her to cockblock…herself.
"Because," Chloe kisses her to punctuate the significance of what she's about to say, "I want this to be special, and I wanna take you on a real date, or several, before we go any further."
"Oh," Beca says after a beat, and maybe Chloe's right in taking things slow. "Can we at least make out?"
Chloe pounces on her before Beca even has time to register what's happening.
Exams are just around the corner and Beca can't find any free evening to go on a date with Chloe between studying and working at the radio station.
She hasn't properly seen Chloe (as in do more than just a quick hello kiss in the hallways between classes or texting throughout the day) in the last five days and she thinks she might combust. She realizes she has it bad when she finds herself wishing that daily practice with the Bellas were still happening.
Aubrey insists that, even if the acapella season is over, traditions must be respected and she invites all the Bellas for their weekly movie night at she and Chloe's apartment. Normally, Beca wouldn't bother to go. But then she remembers Chloe will be there and there might be prospect for more than a stolen kiss, and she's dashing (well, after she trips on her discarded shoes) to the door in her haste to get to movie night.
She arrives there a little bit breathless and flushed, and the Bellas already there -Cynthia Rose, Stacie and Jessica (or Ashley?)- glance at her oddly. Chloe on the other hand, looks at her with innocent eyes, bottom lip drawn in past her teeth, and Beca shudders.
Of course, Aubrey gets to pick the movie, and it ends up being Friends With Benefits. Beca is about 99 percent sure Chloe has something to do with it. She remembers telling Chloe about her girl crush on Mila Kunis - she was drunk, and her brain-to-mouth filter was nowhere to be found and really, have you seen her eyes? - and knows the redhead wants to mess with her.
So when the rest of the Bellas spill into the living room, they all get settled as best as they can on the available furniture. Beca sits at the end of the couch and Chloe bounces down next to her, before she covers their laps with a blanket tossed by Stacie, who ends up sitting next to Chloe.
The rest of the Bellas isn't aware of the new development in their relationship. Beca doesn't really care if they know or not, really. She's ready to shout on top of the rooftops that she's with Chloe. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration, because she's still Beca Mitchell, and she's too shy and awkward to shout anything on top of a rooftop. Chloe, however, likes to be Beca's little secret, and Beca can't say that sneaking around isn't exciting.
Aubrey presses play on the movie, and thus begins an hour-and-a-half long session of downright torture for Beca. It's not inflicted by the movie itself, but rather by the person sitting next to her.
It doesn't start until a good fifteen minutes into the movie. Beca feels Chloe's hand set on her leg -she's sat with her legs bent, feet propped up against the coffee table- and doesn't really give it that much of attention, until said hand starts to draw patterns on Beca's jean-clad thigh.
Beca casts her eyes sideways to investigate, but finds Chloe completely focused on the screen, though there's a hint of a smirk painted on her lips. Oh, she knows what she's doing alright.
Beca squirms as she feels her heartrate pick up and her hand shoots down to grab Chloe before it can venture too high.
The Bellas are all sucked into the movie, because apparently Justin Timberlake is irresistible, but that doesn't stop Beca from letting out a strangled squeak when Chloe leans in to graze her ear lobe with her teeth.
That vixen.
Stacie is the only one to turn to them, brows furrowed, and Beca stops breathing for a second, hoping the color of her face doesn't betray her. When the taller brunette looks back to the TV, Beca exhales and turns to glare at her girlfriend, mouthing a 'cut it out'.
Chloe only raises an eyebrow, and Beca's pretty sure the appropriate translation for that is 'challenge accepted'. But then, Chloe takes her hand away and Beca exhales, willing her body temperature to come down to normal.
With a sigh, the redhead sets her head against Beca's shoulder and draps an arm over her midsection.
That's fine. They've done that countless times even when they weren't together, so it's not like Chloe's behavior is suspicious to the other girls. A few minutes pass, and Beca has just been able to refocus on the movie, when she feels Chloe's fingers slip under her top, dancing along her side and hip bone.
She can't really see Chloe's face, but she's almost certain she feels Chloe's lips spread into a grin, the muscles of her jaw moving against Beca's side.
Beca can't say that she minds Chloe's touches; she craves it, to be honest. But she'd rather it be in a Bella-less place. Like say, a bedroom. With a door. That locks.
Chloe runs her hand over Beca's taunt stomach, muscles jumping beneath her fingers, before they find a certain ticklish spot by the dip of Beca's waist and the brunette yelps, shooting up from the couch. The sudden movement draws the attention of everyone else in the room, who look at her with a puzzled expression. Well, except Chloe. Chloe is grinning at her in a way that would put the Cheshire cat to shame.
"Stubbed my toe," she explains hastily to the group, before she spins around and pretends to limp toward the bathroom down the hall. She shoots Chloe a glare as she rounds the couch, before disappearing around the bend.
Beca closes the door behind her and leans against it for a few seconds, trying to reason with her body to stop it from overheating. There's a soft knock at the door and Beca knows it's Chloe without having to check.
"I told them I was gonna check on-" Beca cuts her off by crashing their lips together in a not-so-gentle kiss, pulling Chloe inside by the arm. She shuts the door and backs Chloe up against it, attacking her jaw and neck with hungry kisses.
"You can't," Beca starts breathlessly, taking a break from sucking on Chloe's pulse point. If she keeps going, she will leave a mark. "not put out and then tease me like that. It isn't fair, Chlo. This is downright torture."
"I'm sorry," Chloe says, but Beca doesn't believe she's sorry for even a second. "I do want to wait. But you're just so fucking hot that I couldn't resist."
Chloe cursing does things to Beca's body that feel foreign.
"I just can't help but touch you," Chloe punctuates her words by running a finger up Beca's side, from her hipbone to just under her breast, goosebumps rippling in its wake, "or kiss you," she leans in and lightly nips at Beca's jaw and earlobe. "Or feel your skin." Her hand slips beneath Beca's top and squeezes her hip.
"You know," Beca tries to concentrate enough to be able to align words to form a sentence, but finds it difficult to achieve when Chloe drags her mouth down her neck. "All those things are included in the sex-package, plus a major-bonus."
Chloe pulls away to lock eyes with Beca, and the brunette notices her blue orbs have turned a shade darker. "Major bonus?"
"An orgasm," Beca states matter-of-factly, and the sound that escape Chloe's throat doesn't sound human, but rather… animalistic. Beca runs her teeth over her own bottom lip in a way she knows is very sensual, judging from the hooded look on Chloe's face, and tilts her head to the side, "Or several."
There's a visible shudder that runs the whole length of Chloe's body and her eyes fall partially shut as she exhales, "Fuck. The things you do to me."
"And we haven't even had sex yet," Beca states smugly, and this renewed confidence feels a bit strange to her, but she rolls with it. The Chloe effect, she figures. "Imagine when you finally give in the things I'll do to you."
"You need to shut up," Chloe growls, slipping her fingers into Beca's jeans loopholes to bring her closer. Their hips press together and Beca bites down on her lip. "Or I might just lose control and have my way with you."
"Please do," Beca finds herself saying in a tone that's a bit too desperate for her liking. Her eagerness is definitely seeping through her words.
"You know I'm just looking out for you, right?" The atmosphere in the room shifts and Beca feels her chest constrict as soft eyes gaze back at her. Chloe's features have turned serious and she breaks their gaze to take Beca's hand in hers, entwining their fingers. She brings their joined hands to her lips and presses a soft kiss on the back of Beca's. "My first time wasn't… special. It was with a guy I barely knew, whom I thought I liked and we burned through a lot of steps, I guess."
"I'm sorry," Beca's voice is barely above a whisper as she squeezes Chloe's hand.
"Eh," Chloe shrugs, waving her other hand in front of her to show that it doesn't matter. "It's fine now. I just... I was disappointed when it was over, and I don't want you to feel disappointed when we do it. Feeling disappointed is one thing, but being the cause of that disappointment is another. And I don't want to be a disappointment when it comes to you."
Beca seriously ponders if it's too soon to tell Chloe she loves her. She knows the redhead is caring and empathetic, but this is another level. It makes her heart swell in her chest. She leans on her tip toes and kisses Chloe deeply, slowly. She takes her time, as if to be able to remember every detail about Chloe's lips. She tastes like popcorn and left-over strawberry Chapstick.
When Beca pulls away, Chloe inhales, and her eyes remain shut for a beat as she reaches up to run a fingertip over her swollen lips.
"I can't see how you could ever disappoint me," To this, Chloe's eyes flutter open and Beca gets lost in the ocean of crystal blue staring back at her. "You're so caring and kind and I know you would never hurt me on purpose. But you're right, maybe we should take things slow."
Chloe doesn't say anything in return, but the light blush now on her cheeks tells Beca she's appreciative of her words.
"Will you spend the night here?" Chloe asks, letting go of Beca's hand to snake her arms around her waist. She beckons her closer until Beca's flush against her. "I promise I'll keep my hands to myself. And my mouth."
"I didn't say I was opposed to making-out when we're alone." Beca says smugly. She has a problem with it when there is a flock of Bellas and a sex-addict like Stacie within a ten feet radius. "That might blow our cover, though."
"Just say you're holding back to help clean the place up or something," Chloe suggests, one of her hands resuming its roaming as it slips underneath Beca's top to run over the small of her back.
"Yeah, like that's plausible," Beca counters with a scoff. "Chlo, I'm like the laziest person in the world. I never stay to help clean up."
God, she is a terrible person.
"Well, figure out an excuse, then," Chloe says with a pointed look. She gives Beca a full kiss on the lips before opening the door wide enough for her to slip out of the room.
"Holy hell," Chloe's kiss leaves her dazzled for a bit. She shakes a head lightly, a dumb smile now on her face. She waits the appropriate amount of time not to look too suspicious, before she exits the bathroom as well.
When the film ends an hour later (Chloe managed to keep her hands to herself, simply snuggling against Beca's side for the remainder of the film), Beca asks Chloe if she can help her with a tough segment for her English paper. Beca really wonders why they even have to come up with an excuse, because really, it's like the Bellas are so used to them spending alone time together that they barely bat an eye upon Beca and Chloe fleeing up the stairs. Beca is pretty sure they could dry hump in front of the girls without giving themselves away.
The brunette has been in Chloe's room countless of times, but never as her girlfriend, and the thought alone sends a flurry of butterflies in her stomach. She sits on Chloe's bed while the latter fishes out something for her to wear in her closet, and mumbles a thanks before she slips into the adjoined bathroom to undress.
Chloe is already in bed reading a book when Beca steps back in and the brunette climbs in, slipping under the covers.
"So I was thinking," Beca begins, and Chloe reaches over the nightstand to tuck her bookmark inside the book and shuts it, before turning on her side to face Beca. "Tomorrow is Friday, so I thought I could take you out on that date?"
Chloe frowns, before she smiles, fingers grazing Beca's arm up and down. "Sure, but I thought I was the one to take you on a date?"
"Does it really matter who takes whom?" Beca asks cheekily, "And besides, there will be more dates."
Hopefully, if she doesn't mess up on that first date.
"Beca Mitchell," Chloe states, impressed. "I would have never pegged you as a romantic."
'The Chloe effect' theory rings into her ears, but she isn't about to reveal that to Chloe, so she rolls her eyes instead, shrugging, "I guess there are a lot of things you don't know about me, Chloe Beale."
Her hand reaches out to brush Chloe's red locks away from her shoulder and Beca leans forward to press an open-mouthed kiss on the curve of her neck. She smirks against Chloe's skin when she hears her sharp intake of breath. Before they can engage into something she's sure will end in her being awfully frustrated, Beca trails a series of kisses up until she reaches Chloe's mouth, pecking her lips.
"Goodnight, Chlo."
"Night babe."
The way Beca feels her heart quicken over the term of endearment tells her that she might be more head over heels for Chloe than she originally thought, and curiously, she's fine with it.
Thanks for the lovely comments and feedback! This is a lot of fun to write :)
