Impromptu Bella game nights never really end well; it's sort of just a fact of life that Chloe has long since learned to accept, and it really shouldn't mean that they should never have them, anyway, she decides. Aubrey still huffs, every time, but Chloe always tries to distract her – mostly because they're practically always arranged almost purely for the blonde's benefit, and they actually do help Aubrey.
Well, they at least help Aubrey after she grows too overwhelmed to even bother with trying to tame the Bellas and their wild antics, throwing a shot of something-or-other back until she feels better.
And Chloe thinks they need another one.
Soon.
Their first wave of exams for the semester are fast approaching, along with the Bellas' first pseudo-performance, and that, in combination with Aubrey's surging tension in regards to Beca and Vampires and 'invasions' (and basically everything else noteworthy in their lives, right now) has left the blonde an over-stressed mess.
Chloe tries her very best to take care of her, pressing soft, loving thumbs deep into Aubrey's shoulders and neck and all the way down her spine when the blonde finally crawls into bed with Chloe sometime around midnight; Chloe makes sure that Aubrey's eating, because it isn't entirely unusual for Aubrey to forget, sometimes – and when she does forget, Chloe cooks for her or brings home take-out, instead; Chloe is also sure to give Aubrey all the alone-time that the blonde never actually asks for, but that Chloe knows she desperately requires, anyway.
Aubrey doesn't like to admit to her overwhelming stress, preferring to 'manage' it on her own – but Chloe mostly thinks that Aubrey only even gets this stressed because she keeps it so private in the first place.
Still, that's an argument Chloe's started way too frequently, in their relationship, and she's learned that it really just isn't worth it to bring it up, anymore.
Chloe just makes sure that Aubrey is healthy, and she keeps her as relaxed as possible – and part of that, Chloe justifies to herself, is making sure that Aubrey spends an adequate amount of fun time with the Bellas, who might maybe be growing to resent her a little, with her strict schedules and even stricter behaviors during practice, of late.
Granted, most of the Bellas understand; all of them but Emily had been present last year at Nationals for Aubrey's public disgrace, and though they'd definitely been a little too amused by it, they'd mostly been sympathetic and accepting of Aubrey's reaction.
It had been her first year as captain, after all, and Aubrey had just pressured herself so much in effort to succeed where Alice had failed. Chloe and Aubrey have now performed at Nationals twice, and had lost both times – though, admittedly, under Alice's reign (a fact that even Chloe is still bitter about), they had achieved second place.
Chloe thinks recycling the routine a third time is a recipe for disaster, really, but she just can't bring herself to say anything; Aubrey's personal mantra of life goes something along the lines of, 'try, try again' and this is her last year to really win, at Nationals. Chloe wishes they could do that and work with a new arrangement, but Aubrey is determined, and Chloe's mostly just happy to spend time with the girls and sing as much as her acapella-geared heart desires.
The Bellas are another story.
With the exception of Emily, they already know this routine – and are already bored and fed up with it; whatever mistakes they make during rehearsals are bred mostly of exhaustion and a little bit of irritation, and they hardly understand why they even need such frequent, strenuous practice, anyway.
Really, they could all use a tiny break, and this is generally around the time when Chloe determines that, however minor her role may actually be, she is also a Bellas' captain, and she can also make executive decisions for the group.
Just, Chloe's maybe a little bit manipulative about it.
(Plausible deniability is extremely important, Aubrey tells her.)
So Chloe approaches Fat Amy after practice on Saturday morning and offhandedly mentions that she has a hefty bottle of tequila idling in the freezer.
… And it probably says something about this little ragtag group of acapella singers that Chloe already knows this is the only 'invitation' the redhead is required to extend.
Come six o'clock that evening, Amy shows up at Chloe and Aubrey's apartment with a bag full of limes and an entirely-too-large bottle of rum to make friends with Chloe's tequila in the freezer, half of the Bellas in tow. Unfortunately, Aubrey is the one to answer the door, and she groans before Amy even has the chance to say anything.
Chloe's girlfriend tries to close the door in Amy's face – which is really just a terrible idea to begin with, Chloe thinks with a giggle that she muffles into the sleeve of her green Barden hoody, because, if it really comes down to it, Chloe's pretty sure that Fat Amy will just break it down for unfettered access.
Somewhat predictably, Fat Amy releases a loud, offended cry and shoves her ample chest and belly into the door, preventing the less-superior slab of wood from shutting them out. She basically body checks Aubrey out of the way, and stomps to the kitchen with her bags in hand and an entourage of Bellas who carry playing cards and mixers and shot glasses in her wake.
"Skinny blonde bitch can't keep me out," Fat Amy grumbles under her breath. "That's just rude, Cap," she glowers over her shoulder until Aubrey grits her teeth and flushes a little in her cheeks. "And I even brought gifts," she huffs pointedly as she reaches the kitchen.
Aubrey turns swiftly to Chloe with her arms folded, irritation playing generously across pretty much every single one of the features of her face.
Chloe knows it's very poorly timed, but she just thinks that Aubrey is almost unfairly beautiful.
"Did you know about this?" The blonde demands instantly, flicking her eyes only briefly toward the pile of study materials that have been occupying their coffee table for at least a couple of weeks, now, before shifting those accusing green eyes back to Chloe with renewed vigor.
"Of course not," Chloe replies with a small smile and a celebratory, mental pat to her own back.
She isn't lying – not really. Chloe didn't technically invite the girls over, and she didn't technically know that they would come; in all actuality, Chloe's hands are technically totally clean.
Plausible deniability for the aca-fucking win.
Aubrey sighs in answer and pinches her fingers hard against the bridge of her nose.
It's exactly what Chloe expected, really, so she stands up from the couch and approaches the blonde, slipping her palm around Aubrey's flushed neck and tipping her own forward to warm her forehead against her girlfriend's, lowering a sweet kiss across her temple.
She feels Aubrey flinch at a loud bang emerging from the kitchen, and Chloe really tries – though maybe fails in her attempt just a little – not to bark out a laugh when Stacie immediately shouts out, "It's just a pot! Nothing's broken, Posen, chill!"
Aubrey growls a little, and that's never really a good sign (unless they're in bed, in which case– well, it's really just the best sign, actually, but Chloe's pretty sure that isn't the point).
Chloe folds another kiss just beneath Aubrey's ear, and softly murmurs, "Honey, they need this. You definitely need this," she insists quietly, and when Aubrey shifts her hips just slightly to back away – probably annoyed by Chloe's assertion – the redhead wraps her opposite arm around Aubrey's waist and tugs a little against her until she falls into Chloe's embrace all over again. "Aubrey, I need this," she swears honestly.
And Chloe does.
It's mostly for Aubrey, and it's mostly for the Bellas, but so many parts of Chloe need this, too.
She's worried about Aubrey, and she worried for the Bellas, and Chloe really misses Beca, and that last thing is truly bothering her. She wants to see the Vampire Queen – wants to spend time with her, and learn even more, and Chloe wants to call her, and it is so freaking hard not to when she knows that Beca's phone number lives on a bulletin board in Aubrey's room with a cute little heart-shaped thumbtack pinning it to the wall.
Chloe won't use it – at least, not without permission – but she doesn't feel very patient, anymore, and she doesn't have any other reliable method of getting in touch with Beca.
Aubrey isn't ready, and Chloe understands, but that doesn't mean Chloe isn't ready, and it feels just a little bit unfair that she has to wait out Aubrey's stubbornness, too.
The blonde casts skeptical eyes on Chloe, but sighs gently a moment later, and Chloe knows that it's only because Aubrey can detect the truth in her words; Chloe knows that Aubrey will allow game night to proceed, if for nothing else than Chloe's happiness, and it makes the redhead's heart ignore several of its necessary beats.
"Fine," Aubrey sighs out bitterly.
The word is still lingering on the edge of Aubrey's tongue when Chloe presses her mouth to Aubrey's, soft and grateful and wildly relieved.
Aubrey rolls her eyes when they separate, but Chloe still thinks she's adorable, even in her reluctant agreement, so she nuzzles her nose against the pounding pulse in Aubrey's neck until the blonde giggles against her will, taking Chloe's shoulders in her palms and firmly pushing her away.
"It tickles," Aubrey insists with a very slight pout – one that the blonde would never, ever claim to possess, but that Chloe thinks is just the sweetest thing since Baby Bottle Pops emerged on the market.
"I know," Chloe smiles lovingly and winks, taking Aubrey's fingers between her own and tugging softly until they meet with the Bellas in the kitchen.
By the time the other Bellas text to indicate that they're on their way over, the half-group that's already there has jointly imbibed so much of the alcohol that Stacie calls CR to request more of it; they're too drunk to collectively decide on a specific kind, however, so when CR shows up with Ashley and innocent little Emily, it feels like Aubrey and Chloe should probably invest in a liquor license and set up shop for themselves, with the amount of alcohol being carried into their home.
They'd probably be shut down pretty quickly, though, Chloe guesses tipsily, considering half the girls are underage.
Everything is going suspiciously smoothly, and Aubrey's already three shots in and decidedly less tense; Chloe isn't sure what she's been drinking, but she's hoping to every aca-god in this universe – plus all the rest, too – that someone's introduced her to the tequila.
Chloe prefers vodka, to be truthful, but she'll drink tequila all week if it means even a shot of it for Aubrey, because, oh, it makes her do the most wonderful things to Chloe's body.
Still, impromptu Bella game nights never really end well, and Chloe shouldn't be surprised when the girls start to grow interested in Emily's lack of obvious intoxication. Chloe wonders about it, too, but she's glad when the girls bring it up instead, because she'd been trying so hard not to ask, for Aubrey's sake.
"What gives?" Cynthia-Rose demands suspiciously. "We're half off our asses and you're barely even pink in the cheeks."
Aubrey snorts and lops her head drunkenly to the side. "Can you even blush?"
"Not really," Emily shrugs. "But even if I could, it takes a lot more for me to get drunk. At least, that's what Beca tells me," she smiles sheepishly.
"Wait, wait, wait," Fat Amy insists, both hands raised in the air – fisted bottle of rum held preciously in the right one and sloshing a little too precariously for Aubrey not to notice it and cringe at Chloe's side. "How much more?" She frowns. "I only ask, because these twig bitches 'round here can't ever get on my level, you know? Not enough fat in 'em, if you get what I'm saying."
Chloe furrows her brows bemusedly, because, really, how is any of Fat Amy's declaration in any way unclear? How would they not get what she's saying?
But Amy is Amy, so Chloe only shakes her head and returns her gaze to Emily for a reply.
"I'm not sure," Emily frowns uncertainly and shrugs. "Beca says the venom eats away at it; it's like when we eat food," Emily tells them. "Our venom pretty much just breaks it down for us, since we don't actually digest anything," she shrugs. "She says that alcohol can still work its way into the bloodstream, but it takes a lot to make it through."
Of course, Chloe realizes as CR voices the thought aloud, this obviously means that the Bellas have to teach the Vampire her limits; she is the baby of the group, after all.
"We're only looking out for you, Princess," Stacie smirks and tells a very wary Emily, who's now tentatively accepting a full bottle of- is that absinthe?
Aubrey groans, but Chloe turns to kiss her for a distraction and doesn't even really care when Jessica or Ashley (one of those, Chloe's sure) playfully throws a pillow in their direction; it flops uselessly against Chloe's ankle, and Chloe keeps kissing Aubrey, anyway, because her mouth is soft and Aubrey's warm all over, and Chloe just loves every part of this girl so much.
Chloe's had too much to drink, and she knows that Aubrey has, too, because the blonde doesn't even bother putting up a token protest when Emily gets a quarter-way through the bottle with only slight effects, and Fat Amy declares that they're now matching beverages for the rest of all time, basically.
Which is totally a bad idea, because as much as Amy can drink, Chloe's pretty positive that she can't drink as much as Emily obviously can; Fat Amy still tries, though, downing a shot for each one of Emily's, and they're all a huge mess before nine o'clock.
By the time Emily's bottle is finished, though, she's slurring words and giggling softly and stretching her arm out behind her to brace her weight against the living room table.
She's somehow even more adorable this way, and Chloe can't stop giggling back at her, and she thinks Emily might be the best person ever – next to Aubrey and probably the girl's own sire, of course – because even Chloe's girlfriend has started shrugging out of the redhead's too-tight hugs, and Emily never does.
Chloe thinks she's great.
And probably way drunker than any of them actually intended.
Fat Amy's practically dead – and Chloe only knows that she isn't because she holds her finger under Amy's nose and laughs until she feels her breath splash across her almost-numb hand; Amy occasionally mumbles under her breath, but Chloe only catches a few phrases, and they basically emerge as, 'Bumper,' 'douchebag,' and something about someone carrying her fat ass home, which– no.
She's totally sleeping on the couch.
All the Bellas should probably stay, actually, but Chloe thinks about that and subsequently frowns, because she doesn't actually know what to do about Emily; what's the protocol on unexpected sleepovers with Vampires?
Chloe isn't sure.
"Beca will be worried," she slurs with wildly intense, drunken concern into Emily's shoulder.
"Oh!" Emily sits up straighter, slightly jostling Chloe, who huffs only a little and stubbornly plants her cheek in exactly the same place as before.
Emily clumsily pats her head and murmurs an apology, so Chloe thinks she can probably be forgiven.
"I should call her," Emily nods seriously.
"Who?" Chloe frowns in confusion.
She's entirely too drunk for this.
"Beca," Emily giggles ridiculously, and Chloe grins, echoing the noise only because she just can't help it.
"You should totes call her!" Chloe rallies and excitably replies, digging her phone from her pocket and dropping it pretty unceremoniously into Emily's lap.
"She'll come and get me," Emily smiles dopily and nods with supreme confidence, winking one eye shut to better view the screen as her fingers press determinedly hard against the numbers on Chloe's offered phone.
Chloe knows she's right; Beca would do anything for Emily, and she'd told Chloe that herself, so Chloe knows it's true.
Plus, she thinks elatedly, that means Beca will have to come here, so Chloe will get to see her. And Chloe really thinks she needs that, because it's been, like, fifteen days since she last saw Beca and that is just entirely too long, for Chloe.
She'll use the drunk defense, if asked – and Chloe thinks it might even be mostly true – but Chloe doesn't think it's wholly necessary to inform Aubrey; she'll only worry, and the entire point of tonight is for that bothersome worrying thing not to happen, anyway.
Author's Note: I have a few ideas of what to do with the next chapter, but if there's something you'd maybe like to see happen with drunk Chloe, drunk Aubrey, or drunk Emily when Beca arrives, let me know, and I'll see what I can do. ; ) Also, don't forget to tell me your thoughts on the update! (Also, longest chapter yet, so no complaints allowed about the length! Let me be proud, this time, guys! :P)