Jolting awake, I find the water is now barely a lukewarm, and my muscles, albeit tingly and hot, are now starting to tense back up as the temperature drops. Slowly pulling my sore body to stand I wash and get out as quickly as possible before there truly is no heat left. Moving over to the mirror after the towel is tucked easily across my chest, I lift a trembling hand to swipe along the fogged item, cringing at the reflection I behold. Even with my impromptu nap in the shower, my eyes are sunken in, cheekbones prominent, muscles shaky and weak,
"Picture perfect." I tease my reflection with a smile that could hardly be seen as real, making finger guns just for kicks. Drying the rest of my body I'm pleasantly surprised to find my room empty when I decide to push the door open, but there is a note planted in the center of my made bed, and as I open it I smell what can only be described as the best combinations of perfume I've ever smelled. Looking to the immaculately scripted handwriting I know it's from Aubrey, not a 't' uncrossed, not an 'i' without a dot, and finally, I let my eyes settle enough to read the thing:
Beca,
As we ride on this bus with these awful Trebles, I can't help but think I messed this up, for everyone involved. I saw the score sheets and we were way off of our game. What I said aside if we could just come together and do the routine properly-...
Lifting my eyes to the doorway anger rushes through me, my veins freezing up as I toss the letter to the bed, the item splitting up into three. That's what she feels is needed to rectify the situation? I can't even believe... you know what... whatever. Storming to my closet I snatch my duffel bag up, turning it to dump the dirty clothes into my hamper before I start shoving fresh clothes and items I will need inside of it. Pulling clothes on my naked body while I mull over leaving, I feel the sting of fresh tears coming to my eyes. She didn't think to help me, not even once? I wonder if she even knows the pain that goes through your body... I need a fucking break. Looking at my alarm clock I'm thrilled to find it's practically the middle of the night, which means everyone should be sleeping. As I throw the bag onto the bed the last thing I do is shove the letters inside of my laptop, then settle that on top of all my clothes zipping it shut. Hoisting it over my shoulder I press through the door, the dark house barely standing in my way as I move through the night silently.
Tossing my duffel to the floor my hand moves to fumble with the deadbolt, locking the door shut before I finally let the tears cascade down my cheeks. Pressing my back to the wood I slide down to sit, exhaustion the first thing to set in. I feel like I could sleep all of our spring break away, and it still wouldn't be enough. Rolling forward to get a good footing I stand, staggering to the bed, pulling the sheets back, and crashing into the hard mattress. The last thing on my mind is how empty my ring finger feels, the little item sitting on the nightstand at home, probably pissed off. The way it felt to take it off was awful like something is still missing from me. I push those thoughts from my mind as my eyes slip closed, breathing deeply, willing myself to relax in this new environment. Forcing my mind blank, I take this opportunity to catch some well-deserved rest.
The nightmare that takes hold of my dreams has me crying out and jolting awake in the wee hours of the morning, sweat dripping down my body, soaking my clothes into sticking to me. Groaning loudly I jerk the sheets off, changing into some sweats, a hoodie, and my running shoes. The sound of my feet on the pavement serves to dull my senses a while, and the cool morning air brings a nice crisp breath to my lungs. Stopping for a bite to eat I spend an hour or so hunched over some bacon, pancakes, and a few cups of coffee. Breakfast isn't the same without the girls to talk to, or Stacie's food instead of this mess... but it suffices. Jogging back to the hotel I know I need the hottest shower if I'm ever going to feel clean again. Just as the sun rises I head up the stairs, thinking about the large tub waiting for me, happy I splurged a little on myself to get one of the nicer rooms with the huge bed. When I get to my hallway I feel an odd calm take over the room, but I don't think anything of it at first. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle when I'm about halfway to my room, the elevator dinging loudly to open and reveal a livid looking Amy,
"You're dead if I catch you, half-pint! Leaving in the middle of the night!" She charges down the hallway, and I yelp, turning to run off only to see Lilly at the other end of the hall, looking just as angry. I see her mouth move and mercy I hope I can get to my room fast enough because I don't want to know what either of them will do to me if I'm not quick enough. Hearing Amy's heavy tromping get closer I slam the keycard into my door and shove it open just as she sails past, too quick to stop herself in time. Flipping the locks on the door I feel the power behind her fist as she knocks on the door, but then I hear a giggle... and a clank...
"Worked like a charm." The words slip past the door and they make my stomach sink. Trying to budge the locks I find one of them refuses to unlock, the doorknob not turning in the least either. Freezing up I slowly turn around, faced with three gorgeous women, each of them seething with anger, trepidation seizes my chest as I press backward into the door. We stand there, like time stopped, staring at one another my bag clearly missing, but I see a piece of paper in each beautiful woman's hand. My eyes dare to lift up to their faces, tear stains, red and puffy eyes, bruised lips probably from thorough chewings. Just as I think it Aubrey steps forward, her bottom lip sucked between her teeth as she stares at me, lifting her letter up,
"As we ride on this bus with these awful Trebles, I can't help but think I messed this up, for everyone involved. I saw the score sheets and we were way off of our game. What I said aside, if we could just come together and do the routine properly I'm positive we could have made it to finals." Her eyes flicker up to me, but her gaze is surprisingly unaccusatory, holding a deep-seeded sadness as she continues,
"Though making it to finals would never have mattered if it wasn't with you. You are everything to us, to me... we were getting so close before I blew up at you, and now I've ruined it. I have destroyed all the progress we made together, and I don't know how to fix it. I say with a heavy heart, I love you Beca Mitchell, more than I love anything, and equal to my love for Stacie and Chloe. I was afraid of that, but no longer will I let my hesitations stand in the way... you always made sure to alleviate my fears, and now all I do is instill them within you. I loathe to admit I did that to us, and I'm so sorry it's I who holds the weapon that severed the bond between us. If you will have me, if you will allow me this final chance...-" Her free hand lifts to her mouth, a soft sob breaking from her lips. Chloe and Stacie look to her with sympathy, but they do not move, probably at Aubrey's bidding. If they are not to move and are to read their own letters, does that mean the next part is up to me? With this revelation my body moves of it's own accord, sliding forward to pull the blonde in a warm embrace, her head dropping to my shoulder as she cries a little while longer, arms holding me tightly. Turning her face into my neck I feel a sudden rush as lips brush along skin, she whispers,
"I will not make you regret taking me back... I love you Beca..." Shivering gently I nod, turning to capture her lips in a careful, comforting kiss. Her arms wrap a little tighter just before she releases me and scoots back to sit on the bed, head bowed as she wipes away her tears. Chloe gulps softly, the telltale sign of unshed tears already threatening to spill at seeing Aubrey this way. However, when I scoot back to my original position, she steps forward, clearing her throat and blinking back what she can,
"Becs, Aubrey told us to write these letters, and I don't know where to even begin, you know I'm always better in the moment, throwing my quips out or giving advice when it's warranted... so if we are going to talk about this I need to make sure it's genuine and from my heart, that's just the way I am..." She lowers the letter, and I look to it in confusion, only to realize that really is where the words stop, the normally glowing and confident redhead looking like she may shatter if the wrong answer is given,
"I shouldn't have let Aubrey treat you like that yesterday, it wasn't fair, and even if she regrets it, I had the power to stop it and didn't. Then you were gone... Beca you were gone... and I couldn't find you, I couldn't feel you, and it felt just like when I watched the life leave your eyes before. A slow cold took over me and I felt more numb than I've ever felt, because you weren't dying, we caused you to leave, we accused you instead of adoring you, we branded you a cheater because we all were jealous of the attention you gave Jesse. It was wrong, we were wrong to ever doubt you, it's just terrifying you know? We've had this conversation so many times between us, and I find only now that we can't keep living in fear of losing you, it brings us to this place..." She gestures around us, her strength in words slowly growing as she rests her hand over her heart,
"We have to cherish every day we have with you, instead of fearing it could be the last, and I'm so disappointed in us for not realizing that so much sooner. It's consuming... when I think of losing you I can't breathe, when I bring it up to the girls our hearts break a little more, and in this time you've been so patient, and you've held us through our misery, kept us together even when it was hard for you. Your actions only prove us wrong over and over again, and you've stuck by our sides in these past months even when we get crazy. I love you for that, and I will always love you no matter what our next step is, no matter where we go from here. My hope though is that we can move forward as a team, I know I don't want to do this without you." Her hand extends from where it rested on her chest, an offering to me. Taking it gently, I roll it over and she looks confused for a moment as I lower my head, pressing an easy kiss to the back. The purr that leaves her lips is quickly pressed to my own, her hands now holding my face still as she kisses me deeply. A soft chuckle leaves my chest, and she pulls back, just enough to rest her forehead against mine,
"What's so funny?" She whispers, red curls falling forward to cover our faces just a bit,
"You, I should have expected you to make the first move, you keep surprising me, Beale." We trade a few more fond relief kisses before straightening, my eyes darting to see Aubrey lean into Chloe when she sits. Taking a step back again I tilt my head, attention fully on Stacie who seems to be trembling as she looks over her letter to me. When her eyes lift to meet mine those soft lips part and she looks almost shocked that it's already her turn. Gulping softly she shakes enough that it doesn't seem like she can read her own words, eyes filling up with tears before she can so much as utter a single word. I can't watch her like this, so I take my step towards her, arms sliding around her waist knowing the Succubus side of her will at least ease with the physical attention. It seems I found the key to unlock this beautiful woman, her body curling into mine almost the same as Aubrey's had, her trembling slowly subsiding as she breathes deeply, speaking into my shoulder instead of to the room,
"You already know I can't live without you, but like Chloe, I should have stuck up for you more, I knew Jesse was nothing more than a friend, you would never lie to us and I shouldn't have ever doubted it. When we couldn't find you in the forest, and couldn't find you this morning I've never felt such pain in my heart. I've lost a master before, a friend before, and I thought that was the worst moment of my life, but it doesn't hold a candle to the way my heart broke when we couldn't find you. You are my hero, my savior, my whole entire world, and while these two occupy my world and are matched with you, I never questioned them when they were with each other instead of all of us, I never questioned either of them when they were going out or had to do other things by themselves. So why did I ever question you..." She chews her lip adorably, and I only now realize she has lifted her head from my shoulder. The two girls on the bed lift their heads with watery eyes and gentle sighs,
"It was mostly our jealousy reflecting off of you, you can't take the blame for that..." Chloe speaks quietly, the blonde nodding in agreement. Stacie lets her eyes roam to them, a fond smile pulling to her lips,
"You guys are always getting me into trouble..." A soft chuckle leaves her lips, not a trace of annoyance in her words as she pulls me into them, all four of us falling back onto the bed. Their bodies curl around mine until I find Chloe and Stacie on either side, while Aubrey has lifted over Chloe to rest her head on my stomach. We rest easily for a long while, my eyes slipping shut as I draw from their warmth and affectionate touches, sitting in a state of relaxation I believe I've never achieved before. My eyes fly open as a hand brushes from where the blonde rests and up over my breast, a gentle gasp leaving me before my mouth quickly releases,
"Oh no, I'm sweaty and gross, I know everything is alright now, but don't start any of that." Three giggles surround me, and I feel the weight shifting before I see the girls standing to the side of the bed,
"You going to let us wash you?" Stacie says with a suggestive wink, Chloe nodding so hard it makes her curls bounce,
"Come on Becs, just washing, no funny business. You used to-..." I wave my hand up, chuckling at their hopeful stares,
"I remember letting you wash me, it was one of the most relaxing things I could do with you three. I also remember washing you in return, that part wasn't so relaxing..." The smirk pulls to my lips before I can stop it, surprisingly enough Aubrey is the one to jolt forward and kiss it right off. When she pulls back her breathing comes in short gasps, lip tucked between her teeth before she gives me the biggest doe eyes I've ever seen,
"Don't tease by looking at us like that, come, we have already showered, just let us have this moment with you, then we can go home and plan for our next move in getting rid of the corruption once and for all." With the reality check back and the girls all looking at me pleadingly I cave instantly, lifting my hands to let them help me up.
The next hour... maybe longer, is spent with quiet words, spoken with such loving tones, wrapping around me as they touch every single inch of skin I can expose. Their adoring gazes matched with the gentle whisps of their fingers is enough to make me wish I had taken their offer. As they wrap me in a towel and slowly work their hands over me one more time, my heart swells, feeling so complete and full of adoration for these girls it strikes a chord. Small tears slide down my cheeks before I even realize I'm crying, Chloe the first to notice,
"Baby what's wrong?" With her soft words and careful hands cupping my face I let loose the insecurity I have most at this moment,
"How did I get so lucky to find the affections of three amazing women?" I ask softly, my body being wrapped tightly in a group hug, "I will do anything for you guys, I love you more than words could even express. I want to have a home with you three, I want to be safe again, and we will be..." Lifting my hand to wipe my face, I set my jaw and nod firmly, "I will keep us safe, I will defeat the corruption, and I will give you the life you deserve." As we come together as one giant hug, I feel my body heating... over-heating to the point that the girls lean back and stare at me for a while,
"What's go-..." Before Stacie can finish her statement she gasps, my own rushed breath slipping past lips as my feet lift from the floor, floating in the middle of the bathroom. A golden light shines at the base of my body, nearly blinding as it glides upwards, making my skin tingle. With every inch it covers I panic a little more, looking to the girls with a terrified sinking in my gut, but the light doesn't stop, even when my fingers try to brush it away once it's reached my hips,
"Make it stop... what is this? Beca what..." Aubrey's gaze seems just as scared as my own, chest heaving as she watches the light swallow my abdomen next. Stacie's hand comes up but she hisses and snaps it back before even being able to touch. Chloe cries out as it continues up my neck, and I shake my head, holding back more spillage from my eyes,
"It's okay... it's going to be okay..." I try to reassure them, body still lifting higher, the glare of such a bright light making them cover their eyes finally as my world fades to black.
The next breath to pull into my lungs is one of familiarity, my hands move around the bed and I smile, while disappointing that it's empty I'm happy I'm not in that stiff hotel bed. Opening my eyes I jolt upwards, rubbing the sleep from them before kicking off the blankets and moving into my closet with such ease, such peace. It hits me as I pull pants on, I remember... everything... oh my god there's so much to do! Snapping back over to the bedside table I pull out my old notebook, reading over some of the most recent entries where I had scrawled some leads as to the head of the corruption. Grabbing up my soul sword I let it slip back on my finger,
"I can't believe you left me behind! How rude! I can't be-... oh my god I remember! Beca we remember!" Chuckling softly I nod happily, the smile unable to pull from my lips even if I tried to suppress it. Refreshing myself on the notes I snap my fingers and find I'm sitting in the kitchen, giggling as I happily take control over my powers again. Hearing a pot clang to the floor I look up from my notebook, Amy trembling as she holds her heart,
"You... you did that on purpose! Why do you always scare me like that!?" But there is no anger in her voice, only joyful noise as she jumps at me, tackling me from the stool to the floor, "Beca's back, pitches!" She hollers into the house, earning quite the stampede of shoes coming down the stairs. When everyone shoves themselves within the doorframe I look up from my place on the floor, snapping my fingers to zip to the living room with my notebook. Relaxing in my chair I hear a collective gasp as they search, of course not having to look long. When I meet their eyes a second time, I can't help the chuckle that leaves my chest, arms opening as they all surround me,
"I missed this." I make sure to say loud enough, excited words erupting as some dry their eyes. Reaching my hand out I snatch Chloe's pinky, much to her surprise, then find Aubrey's middle finger, her giggle watery and thick, then Stacie's thumb is tucked so each of us has a hold of each other at this moment. I know with our hands held like this they will know what Amy said to be true, and in between the chatter, I feel like I'm finally home.