The next morning I decide I'm going to dedicate one day to each of the Bellas that I've met so far, getting to know them better, bonding with those I've supposedly saved. I remember bits and pieces, and I'm honestly starting to feel more normal than ever. Besides, if I'm ever going to trust myself enough to summon them to help me, then I need to make sure that I know what I would be calling them for, more so than what they've told me.
*That's smart, figuring out how they can help you in that aspect, I'm glad I thought of it.* Rolling my eyes as I get ready for practice I shake my head, hopping down the steps as my leg feels about one hundred percent better, the ache in my shoulder nearly nonexistent now. Turning into the kitchen I find Stacie, flipping a few pancakes, and I don't flinch away when she comes forward to hug me good morning,
"Pancakes?" She asks softly, stacking me two on a plate even before I answer, setting them next to a cup of coffee. With a smile, I sit and work my way through breakfast,
"Stace, you want to hang out with me today? Like just you and me?" I ask her first only because she was conveniently there before Amy or Lilly, I figured it would be one of the three for the first day. The way she looks at me with such hope, and a stunning smile, her nod isn't a surprise at all. When I work my way through the food and my coffee sits happily in my stomach, giving my brain a jolt to wake up, she grabs my hand and we walk with twined fingers all the way to practice.
"SBT's is next Friday people! We need to get it together!" Aubrey calls into the auditorium when practice is over, thankfully having stuck with the two-hour shpeal she had claimed yesterday. Of course, both captains had treated me the same as they had yesterday, the blonde riding me into fighting with her, an odd satisfaction coming every time I leave her speechless. Then Chloe would show up out of nowhere and run her hands along my body or adjust me over and over, slowly appearing in the middle of Bree and I's yelling matches to calm (surprisingly) both of us down. When we... almost... do the hands in thing the captains look as tired as the rest of us, Stacie wraps her hand in mine and tugs me away towards the doors. The dynamic duo watch us go hand in hand, and I thought perhaps they would be as jealous as they were when the whole Jesse thing happened, they don't seem upset at the way our fingers lock together though,
"So where are we going?" She asks me with a giggle, a light sheen of sweat on her skin making it glisten beautifully when we get out into the sun. Her hair up in a sexy messy bun, and her clothes stuck to her every curve,
"Well I thought perhaps lunch and then we can walk to a park or something, maybe home?" Her body comes close to mine and she makes my chest quake softly as the physical contact heightens,
"That sounds great, but I'm all gross." She looks down at her workout clothes, and I am quick to shake my head,
"You look fantastic, I'm sure I look like a gargoyle." Giggling she lifts our hands, pressing a kiss to the back of mine. Normally I would have already pulled my hand away, but I clearly remember her needing such affections to stay sane, to not be bothered by the way others look at her. She enjoys being claimed, it's part of being a succubus, to have a master or mistress is the same as breathing to her. Taking her down the street to a cozy diner, I decide the smaller more secluded place would do well. We are very near a college campus however, so it isn't empty by the time we sit down, a few people looking like they only came in here because of Stacie. Sitting in a booth she decides to grace the same side as me, nuzzling into my neck as we look at the menu, her hand sliding up and down my thigh,
"What do you want to ea-... eat Stace?" Licking her lips slowly she lifts her head to look over the food, then turns the menu over to the dessert menu,
"I mean if you are on here I would love a slice of that..." She pretends to flick through the pages as if looking for a literal description of me until I snap it shut and bop her on the head,
"Oh come off it, you need to eat just as I do, now what do you want?" When the waitress returns she places her order, chicken strips, and fries, while I stick with a burger and fries. Sitting back a bit I make sure to keep our hands together, but have her look at me, "So I need help in figuring this stuff out, the corruption seem to be getting stronger, learning more when I encountered them a second time, so I need to learn more, I need to know about you." With a firm nod, she squeezes her hand around mine,
"I... will be honest I avoided telling you about my past and powers because I knew eventually I would have to tell you that I was hesitant to join... so much so that I tried to kill you... a few times." The shame that pours from her is palpable, and I give her a small tug closer to wrap my arm over her shoulder, reassuring her that it was something long forgiven,
"I remember... I thought it must have been a mistaken memory, but then the rest of the picture was clear... you were so angry I killed your master, but he had treated you..." I hesitate, she knew he was an awful person now, but as far as calling him out, out loud... I didn't know if that was alright with her,
"Yes... he did terrible things to me, and I boosted him to immense power regardless of that, he was my master and I was tied to him." Chewing her lip she nuzzles into me again, our drinks coming as the silence descends for a moment. She knows though, that I'm not going to judge her for this, so she continues, "I tried sapping your energy, but you had so much more than him that I couldn't handle it, and fell out before I could even get you halfway to your knees. I can't believe I treated you like that, even when you so openly invited me into your family, so easily accepted me as yours, now here I am fighting for that to be again, so I can show you the power I can give you." Pouting a little she sips her strawberry milkshake, and I, my coke, "I just want to belong to you again, so I'm going to tell you everything I can." With a tilt of her head, she goes over what she knew of the corruption, how it did indeed learn from its opponent, just as I thought. It would grow the longer it was allowed to sit in our world, and Lilly can see where the corrupted areas that I keep getting sucked into are. She went on to inform me that they can multiply when they get smart enough and that I always need to be on guard, though I do know exactly when they are all dead because I am transported right back to the proper time or realm. During the whole explanation we slowly eat, always in physical contact for reassurance, and I finally get up the courage to ask,
"So you all know who did this to me...? Or... what happened when I... died... I guess?" It comes out awkwardly, and I immediately wish I hadn't asked, her feature so beyond sad,
"We don't know, he was so corrupted that he was literally an enigma, and your powers matched, it was so terrifying to watch, but there was nothing we could do... he blocked everyone out, even his corrupted helpers... it was just you two... fighting so hard..." I think that's about all she can get out as a tear drips from her eye. My hand lifts to swipe away the offending liquid, kissing the woman's cheek gently,
"I'm here now, it's all going to be okay." I whisper, letting her hide her face in my neck as she holds onto me tightly,
"I can't lose you again Becs... that was the worst moment of my life. My heart... it hurt so bad..." When she lifts her head to look up into my eyes I offer a warm smile, and a small peck on the lips, her eyes turning from sadness to hope in an instant,
"We got this, everything is going to be okay." I don't know if my words are true, and I don't know what compelled me to kiss Stacie with even that small peck, but I know that's what she needed, and I refuse to allow her to be swallowed by her sorrow. Wrapping my arms around her I whisper, "Let's eat and we can head home, okay?" Nodding, she eats about as quickly as I do, the ever-watchful eyes of some still obvious. With a gentle grasp of her hand, we pay, and we head out, walking with lighter conversation between us.
Pushing through the door we move into the kitchen, Lilly and Amy both coming from upstairs with soft whines,
"Stacie you were gone so long!" Amy dramatically throws herself against the island, the brunette releasing my hand to let me sit on the other side, watching the three mess with each other, "I thought I was going to starve!" Lilly nods and points at Amy, agreeing with her I assume,
"You guys could have cooked." I state bluntly, both of them looking at me with surprise,
"Oh no, shorty, you banned us from making anything but sandwiches and cereal the fourth time we set the kitchen on fire." I blink, and she stays serious, my laughter bubbling from my chest,
"Four times! I let you set this kitchen on fire four times? And sandwiches or cereal would have been fine if you were 'starving' you know." The black-haired girl nods, but points an accusatory finger at Amy once the fire is spoken about, who of course feigns shock,
"Me? No... it was her." She points back to the girl who now shakes her head vigorously, "What was that Lilly? You totally set the kitchen on fire four times? Yeah, I thought so." Nodding at her own supposed victory, Lilly is quick to poke her sides, tickling the girl into running to the other room,
"They are goofballs, and you should head to bed, we have an early day tomorrow, I will be right up." Stacie hesitates at the offer, mostly at the part where I would separate from her, so I merely spin around on the stool,
"I'm good, watching you cook is quickly becoming one of my favorite past times." This gets a slight blush from her as she stirs the rice. We sit in comfortable... almost silence as Amy and Lilly slam their way through the house,
"Hey! That's not fair you can't use your stealth!" Is yelled into the house, silence... then an ear-piercing screech. Stacie and I both giggle, waiting as their stumbling and wrestling continues until finally, we hear,
"Uncle! Uncle! Your boney hands are too ticklish for me! I did it Beca! I SAID I DID IT!" Hollers through the house, her confession must be enough for Lilly, because soon after they both come back to puff in the seats next to me, their hair all mussed but playful smiles on their faces. Stacie sets bowls of rice and chicken with a delicious smelling sauce in front of them, before she grasps my hand and gives me a gentle tug,
"Night guys." I offer, and Stacie bids them goodnight as well, the duo unphased by the way the succubus is treating me, guiding me up to my room. I feel no awkwardness as we head for the bedroom which is weird, though it seems our relationship is more solidified as my fingers wrap into hers once again. When we push through the door she quietly hums, leading me to the bed as a soft rendition of 'Once upon a dream' begins rolling from her throat,
"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream..." She sings the words so quietly, helping me through my normal nightly routine, and this seems... it feels... normal, like this is the way she always treated me. Helping me get dressed down in my pj's, as she continues to sing, "I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam... and I know it's true that visions are seldom what they seem..." When I scoot into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth she sits at the end of the bed, her voice floating through the room like my own personal lullaby, "But if I know you, I know what you'll do... you'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream..." Crawling into the bed she slides up beside me, but on the outside of the covers. Her fingers lift to run through my hair, the song continuing on until she finally finishes, pressing a kiss to my cheek, "Thank you Beca... I needed today, I was so afraid we weren't going to be the same as before, but I know now that you will have me as yours, and I will be able to show you my power to give soon enough." I nod slowly, eyes half-lidded as they get heavier and heavier. Another kiss is pressed to my lips, and I can't stop the smile that comes forth as she moves from the bed and quietly shuts the door. Sleep comes easily that night, more relaxed than I've been in... I can't even remember how long.
"Cannonball!" My eyes fly open in just enough time to see Amy flying through the air towards my bed. I frantically try to move but it's far too late, the woman bouncing on my large bed hard. Even though she had given me enough space not to land on me, the force of the bounce sent me up and over the edge of the bed, thunking hard onto the floor. After my initial shock, I look up to find her laughing her ass off, "Oh you should have seen your face! Crushed it!" her laughter rings through the room and I can't help but let a few chuckles leave me as well. Getting up I snatch the blankets and throw them over her, moving to my closet to get ready for another practice. When Amy finally calms her victory laughter, she gets up and chucks a pillow at me, "Hurry up, half-pint, Stacie and Lilly already left! We're late!" My eyes widen and I take off down the steps, sure I was fine with being the brunt of Aubrey's wrath, but not first thing in the morning. I get all the way through the quad before I turn to find Amy huffing and puffing behind me,
"Come on Ames! Almost there! Then I'll tell Hitler you did voluntary cardio." Gasping for air dramatically, she lifts her hand to point at me,
"Glad you got my back, think I'm gonna order a pizza while you guys run." I laugh and push the doors open, looking to the group that sits patiently before I look up to the clock on the wall.
*Two minutes isn't so bad, I don't think she will even be mad* The look I'm receiving as the blonde captain calls out to us tells me my soul sword is... so very wrong...
"So you two think it's fine to be late while the rest of us sit here and wait for you?" I shake my head swiftly,
"Nope, definitely don't think that." Amy tries to hide behind my small frame, the look quite comical as she peeks around me to barely make eye contact with Aubrey,
"Cardio first today, twenty extra minutes for Amy and Beca." The groan that leaves us both resounds through the whole gym, my eyes rolling hard at the captain's punishment,
"Aubrey twenty minutes is a bit exce-..." A hand lifts into Chloe's face as she tries to defend us, the duo whispering between each other a while as the rest of us start running. Chloe joins us a few minutes later, and Aubrey jumps in front of the pack as if she had been leading the whole time. Biting my lip I run just a bit faster, getting up the steps and successfully passing the blonde who huffs with irritation. With every lap I do around the group, Chloe slaps my rear, and Aubrey grunts at me in annoyance, and by the time the cardio regime is over I've lapped the group at least six times,
"Beca you can stop with the group, you actually put effort behind your running..." She glares at Amy as she says this, the woman sitting in the seats with a piping hot pizza in her lap,
"What... I need it for my energy level!" She says with a cheeky smile, and I tilt my head, hand on my hip,
"What are we doing next...?" The captain gets back on track, Stacie coming up to sit behind me as we look over the board again. Her hands lift to gently caress my shoulder muscles, pressing easily through the tense knots. When Chloe turns to look me over, she bites her lower lip and slowly lets it pull from between her teeth, a quick wink shot my way. Stacie giggles softly, leaning forward,
"They really like when you work hard... get all sweaty... your clothes get stuck to yo-..." I cover her mouth swiftly while turning to look at the brunette, nodding my understanding and clearly not wanting her to finish that statement.
Practice goes by without any more hitches, just a lot of touching, even Aubrey seems to be more physical with me since our fight yesterday. Jogging to catch up with Amy I give her a gentle slap on the back,
"Feel like sparring with me?" Her surprise is open, and she lets her mouth hang for a second before nodding firmly,
"Course I do! We haven't sparred since before your accident!" I let forth a chuckle and tilt my head off towards the street that held the place we used to go. She bounces a few times, and her smile is wonderful, "Now? We gonna go now?" I nod again and we head off towards the public gym that held the boxing ring. As we walk I let myself ask a few questions about her, turns out she has a quiet thing for Bumper that she will never ever admit to anyone, "Matter of fact you had better just pretend I didn't say that." Quirking a brow high on my forehead I giggle,
"Said what?" She pushes her brows together in confusion,
"That I like Bu-... ohhhh, gotcha." Chuckles erupt between us as I hold the door open for her, and she is quick to head to the changing rooms. Both arriving at about the same time, I hear her call across the ring to me, "Don't think I'm gonna go easy on you Shawshank!" I'm surprised by the nickname, but that's a story to ask another time. When the mediator whistles we are swiftly upon each other, punches, blocks, kicks, and even attempted tackles are abundant. I try to talk to her throughout,
"I can tell you know how to fight, but is there a specific thing I summon you for in battle?" I ask as I jump over her rapid attempt at kicking my ankles out from under me. She tries for a few more jabs which I am able to dodge, then get a good hit to her jaw. Seeming unphased by such a hit, she stays defensive,
"Well I can take out a massive amount of enemies at once, my weapons all come with extra spells just like yours." Dodge, duck, jab, jab, cross... She gets me with a few hits, and my arms come up defensively as well now, "It's not all about hitting first Beca, sometimes you have to read your opponent first..." She tries to explain, her arms pulling back for another cross to which I jab into, cracking against the other side of her face, "L-like that!" She blinks a few times at the hit, jumping forward to try and tackle, which I of course roll to dodge,
"Okay... so since they are aggressors I should sometimes just see what they do?" I question, only to slam against the mat, having not seen her leg sweep out for me. I lay there, breath heavy and panting,
"Round one, m-..." I kick my leg hard to knock her flat on her back as well, a chuckle ringing out, "Okay okay... maybe I should have been paying more attention. And yes, sometimes they act oddly, usually when their master is close, he's the one you have to kill." We both sit up, and she looks around suspiciously as if she would need to be watching for something to happen. When it doesn't I tilt my head,
"So that's what this is all about... I have to kill the corruptions master?" Amy nods her head, standing before helping me up to my feet,
"Yep, it was pretty crazy, you both killed each other..." A hard swallow, and she's ready to keep going, "Then everything went white... a voice told us that one of you two needed to win, there was not to be one without the other, yet only one could come out victorious, there was no answer if you both would be dead, the future wouldn't allow it." She rubs her head with the thick glove on her hand, "I don't really get it..." I clear my throat as I get in another fighting stance, the mediator calling out for us to begin,
"Maybe the world needs an answer... good or evil, they need to know who wins. Yet it feels so much more grey than that black and white answer..." She charges forward and I run to her as well, jumping then sliding down between her legs, shooting up on the other side as she turns to try and catch me. Dodging just a hair back I avoid her grab and shoot my fist straight into her face, head bouncing back with the force. Hesitating a moment she easily snatches me up, crushing me while she tucks her face against my waist so she can't be bothered by my punches to get out. My air supply slowly lowers and she feels my punches get weak, looking up to me,
"You need to make sure you never hesitate, it could get you killed... again." Dropping me when I feel on the verge of fainting, she bumps my extended glove at the victory. We spar for a good hour or so, only stopping when our stomachs rumble loudly,
"Stacie probs made us something delicious to eat." She bounces to the showers, and I head over for them as well. When I'm dressed and ready to go I head out and find no one in the gym, darkness surrounding it and a familiar ooze dribbling from random places of the building. Looking around I call out,
"Amy?" To no avail, there is quite the thundering noise that makes me jump back, but there seems to be no actual source from it. Without much warning at all the lights go out, the dark gym lit barely by the light of the doorway, and the small windows high up. I summon my sword, stomach-dropping heavily in my abdomen, "I summon, Amy!" The light that erupts around me brightens the room... and I see him, the figure from my dreams, but he isn't the same... When I look upon his innocent eyes I see fear behind them, like I'm the one of his nightmares, black ooze shooting forth only to slam into Amy's shield as she calls out,
"I'll protect you!" The woman charges forward, a reckless thing to do really as I suddenly watch him disappear, teleporting right in front of me. He reaches up and grabs my face, squeezing my jaw hard, my very life... my soul being sucked from me,
*Don't give up Beca!* Hearing the cry wakes me from my frozen state, and I jerk my arm upwards to slice away his arms, black ooze dribbling from his stumps. He shrieks loudly, only to be slammed into the ground by Amy's shield. The lights come back immediately, and we both stand there dumbfounded,
"He is trying to take you while you're weaker..." She pants heavily, and I lift my head only for her eyes to widen, "Beca? Your lips are purple... Beca? Beca!" I feel her arms slip around me before I can hit the ground, the world fading to black.