Chloe's eyes slowly drifted open, groaning softly as the sun's rays floated through her window. She moved to sit up, but felt a weight on her shoulder that pressed her down again. A smile tugged her lips as she saw the head of brown hair resting on her shoulder and the arm that was draped over her stomach. Moving very carefully as not to wake her, she began running her fingers through the girl's brown locks. Her fingernails lightly scratched her scalp, resulting in a content sigh from Beca.
"Morning Chlo-" Aubrey's voice loudly called as the blonde walked into the room.
"Shh! Aubrey!" she whispered, glaring at her friend as Aubrey put a hand over her mouth. "Shut the curtains... and the door."
The red head listened to her friend's quiet apology and watched as she silently shut both the curtains and the door. As the blonde sat on the floor, Chloe couldn't help but feel bad there wasn't a space on the bed for Aubrey to sit. She tilted her head as the blonde's eyes landed on Beca, who merely slept without a care.
"She looks peaceful," Aubrey commented, keeping her voice in a soft whisper as not to wake the brunette. Chloe's eyes turned back to the brunette, still running her fingers through her hair. "She does."
"How long do you think she'll sleep for? I bet you ten bucks she won't wake up before noon," after a glare from Chloe, the blonde quickly attempted to hide the smirk on her face. "I"m just saying."
Before she could respond Beca groaned. As the girl nestled closer into the red head's side Chloe glared at the blonde. "If you wake her up I'll hurt you."
"You're a little tangled at the moment," Aubrey said with a smirk, "I think I'm safe." Chloe rolled her eyes and sighed, "Just get out before you wake her up."
"I am so never letting this go," the blonde winked before leaving the room, quietly shutting the door behind her.
She still ran her fingers through Beca's dark hair, waiting patiently until Chloe felt the girl stir and watched as she opened her hazel eyes. "Morning, sleepyhead." The brunette sat up, leaning her back against the headboard so they were sitting together. "Morning."
"You sleep okay?" Chloe raised her eyebrow as the girl chuckled, "You would know better than me. After all, I was sleeping on you." Without hesitation, the red head gently placed her hand on Beca's cheek, moving so the brunette looked at her. A sigh escaped her, and her blue eyes were full of sorrow as she looked at the bruising around her right eye.
"It's nothing," the girl pulled away, turning to look at the wall. It wasn't as if she didn't appreciate what Chloe was trying to do, but she'd already been through it multiple times. Beca didn't need sorrow, or pity. She needed it to be over.
"Well, it doesn't look like nothing, Beca," the brunette didn't turn back, because she knew what Chloe was about to say. "Do you want to go to th-"
"No," she stood, trying not to put weight on her pained, broken leg. "I'll be fine. I don't need to go to the hospital, okay?" Her reaction was harsher than she meant it to be. Yet, she didn't see Chloe flinch. "Okay," she managed to relax, but she was too confused to be completely calm. As the red head walked over to her, Beca tried to turn her head away, but found she couldn't. For whatever reason, her eyes were drawn to her.
"We won't go to the hospital," the girl gulped her relief, and was about to let out a sigh when Chloe's hand touched her shoulder. Without thinking, she immediately flinched, and regretted it. "You are going to use your crutch." She smiled, taking her crutch from the woman who was holding it out to her. Still, after everything she'd been through, and the nights she'd begged whatever higher power there was to make it stop, someone was still looking out for her. "Thanks."
With her crutch, Beca didn't have to put weight on her leg. The steel rod wasn't being removed until the next day, and she was certainly glad of it. The girl wouldn't need the crutch and her arm wouldn't be in a sling. Her life would go back to normal, or as normal as it could be. She was drawn from her thoughts by the slight shiver in her spine.
After turning her head over her shoulder Beca could see Chloe, and she could feel the red head's fingers traversing her spine. With a sigh the girl turned her head forward again, trying to ignore the feeling. Every muscle in her back tensed. Her mind told her to run, and it took all of her will to stay in place.
"Can I see them?" she heard Chloe almost talk again, but knew she didn't need to. The girl knew exactly what the red head was referring to: the cuts on her back. Beca thought for a minute, trying to consider the consequences of letting her see, of letting her in. She sighed, nodding her head. "I don't see why not."
It was painfully slow as Chloe pulled her shirt up her back, and all Beca could do was wish for it to be over. Though, it wasn't as bad as she first expected. As the chill of the air hit her back the girl shivered, but was glad when the red head didn't pull her shirt above her mid back. Chloe's fingers ghosted over the scars, brining a tiny amount of warmth to her skin, but when they came in touch with the more recent cuts Beca flinched. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," it was an immediate response, but she meant it. Chloe didn't mean to hurt her, unlike most people in her life. Only several seconds later her shirt was back to its original position and Chloe stood in front of her.
Beca's gaze turned to the ground, not wanting to look the red head in the eyes. She didn't want to feel those blue hues searching her soul, because it seemed like Chloe could see right through her. Somehow, someway, the red head managed to know how she was feeling, even when everyone else didn't. Even through the corner of her eyes, Beca could see her kind smile. "I will never hurt you, Beca." The girl smiled slightly, finally looking her in the eyes. Their bodies were inches apart, and their faces even closer. Her hazel eyes trailed to Chloe's lips before searching those beautiful orbs, only finding more compassion than she could ever imagine.
"Somehow I doubt that," Beca whispered, letting her lip curl in a half smile. Her fear was real, hidden, but real. Chloe had seen more than anyone else had and she didn't run away. Why didn't she leave? The real question was, could she have handled it if Chloe had? Although she didn't intend to, Beca shook her head, trying to push every thought of Chloe leaving out of her mind. "I'll just have to prove it to you."
She raised her eyebrow, tilting her head and trying to understand what Chloe meant. The girl felt Chloe's arms wrap around her waist, and before Beca had time to protest her lips were caught in a kiss. Her eyes widened, and her body became completely rigid, but after closing her eyes and allowing herself to be consumed by the sensation, the brunette relaxed. She moved her arm from holding her crutch to wrap around the red head's neck.
Distantly, she could hear her crutch falling to the ground, but Beca didn't need it. Chloe was her balance, her safety, her everything. She was pulled closer, and as their bodies flushed together the girl sighed into the kiss. Warmth traveled through her petite frame, and with Chloe's arms around her she felt so safe. It was a feeling she never wanted to let go of, and only when she needed oxygen did Beca pull away.
Of course, the red head wouldn't allow her to completely be away. Their foreheads rested together, and Beca's eyes closed. She welcomed the sensation of darkness, her only connection to the world were Chloe's arms around her waist. She felt Chloe's lips on her cheek, and as much as the girl wished she could stay that way forever, it had to end. With a sigh, Beca opened her eyes and pulled herself away, but left herself in Chloe's arms.
"Like I said, I won't hurt you, Beca. You just need to give me a chance to show you," the brunette smiled, nodding her head. "Okay, show me."
"Really? Just like that?" Seeing the red head smile only made Beca's smile wider. "It wasn't just like that. I thought for a while." The woman's arms wrapped around her, enveloping her in a tight embrace. She clung to the woman's shirt, holding her tightly until she winced. "Chloe, you're crushing my arm."
"Oh!" the red head immediately pulled away, a blush on her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Beca. I didn't hurt you did I?" The simple fact that Chloe cared if she was okay touched the girl's heart. "No," she replied with a shake of her head. "You didn't."
As Chloe released a sigh Beca laughed, shrugging her shoulders at the woman. How was it that she had managed to meet the most amazing person in the world? Did she deserve to be so close to Chloe? Probably not, but Beca was glad either way. When she was handed her crutch Beca said a quiet 'thank you' and stood in place, wondering what to do next, but as usual Chloe had the answer.
"Listen, I've been thinking about something, about us," Beca raised her eyebrow, allowing her lips to curve into a smirk. "You've been thinking about me have you?"
"Not just about you, Beca. No need to be so self centered."
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear a word you said seeing as I'm still very focused on the fact that you've been thinking about me. What goes on in that pretty red head of yours?"
"Wouldn't you love to know," Chloe winked, sighing and wrapping her arm around Beca's shoulders. "Look," her tone became serious, and the brunette knew not to joke. "Considering we just kissed, I was thinking after you get the rod out of your leg we could go out... like, on a date."
A date? Chloe Beale asking her out on a date? Was there something wrong with the world, or something right? What had happened for her to deserve such a joyous thing? She thought and thought, but couldn't come up with an answer. Chloe had just asked her out by her own choice, and how could she resist a beautiful red head.
"I'd like that," Beca finally replied, feeling the warm blush in her cheeks. "I'd like that a lot, actually." Chloe jumped up and down, pulling the girl in for another embrace. "Have I told you how amazing you are today?"
"Considering it's only," the brunette looked at the clock, "Eleven AM? Wow, I woke up early today." She felt Chloe laugh against her as she pulled away. Beca winked, doing everything she could to keep the smile on the red head's face. "You may have mentioned it already."
"Well, you're amazing," the red head moved forward, placing another peck on the girl's lips. Though, one small kiss turned into a deeper kiss as they held each other in place, not even registering the door opening.
"I'm guessing this is a bad time," the two immediately pulled away and the red head started blushing, making Beca smile. "Aubrey!" Chloe yelled, glaring at her friend. "Could you pick a worse time to barge in!"
"Are you sure you want her to answer that?" Beca asked, looking at the blonde and giving her a wink, earning an eye roll from Aubrey. "I'm not going to answer that anyway. So, are you two finally going out."
"Aubrey!" Chloe's blush turned an even deeper red, whereas the brunette merely nodded her head. "Not yet. Why? Jealous Aubrey?"
"Not at all, Beca," the blonde smirked, "I'm just glad you both have your toners under control."