Chapter 15
Favorite Flavor
"Do you know how addicting you are to me? You drive me mad with want and longing. My love, I would lose myself for you,"
She's a dream.
Chloe Beale is a dream and the best part is, she's a dream come true and like all dream comes trues, being with her in a way that surpasses friendship is still something Beca couldn't believe.
It feels surreal. It feels easy. So easy.
First dates are ideally supposed to be all dressed up to the nines and fancy restaurants where there's wine and food that isn't messy—nobody wants to eat with sauce dripping down your chin or have onion breath or greens horrifyingly stuck to your teeth in front of your date. First dates are supposed to be in quiet settings where you share stuff about you that won't freak your pretty companion out and instead, impress them. Well, that's the point of first dates after all.
Not exactly like…
"Why are you like this? Why?" Beca asks in disbelief, eyes filled with amusement and mirth, snorting at an equally giggly Chloe eating her burrito, currently making a mess.
Her lovely date, now holding on to her arm while slightly hunched over as she tries not to get any of the sauce down her shirt and sneakers, is truly providing class A entertainment.
She should be grossed out. But when they were technically on that stage of friendship where they've seen each other when sick, drunk from one cup, ate from each other's plates and switched half eaten ice-creams—or that one time where they went to a Persian restaurant that left them with onion breath and fart—there is basically nothing else to be grossed out about.
"This is a disaster," Beca mutters, a smile playing on her lips.
"A beautiful disaster," Chloe says, swallowing the mouthful of her food before finally straightening back up.
"I mean, c'mon, we fortunately stumbled into a food festival with live bands and games!" Chloe excitedly says, squeezing on to her hand while those beautiful, impossibly blue eyes focus back at her and there must be a seriously powerful curse in them because she always falls for it.
"Because the restaurant we're supposed to be eating at is full due to our last minute decision and I hate long lines," Beca sighs before taking a bite of her own burrito.
"Plus it's an international event! That culinary show a while ago was amazing! It's like taking a trip around the world in one night but through food!"
"I smell like a barbecue grill and I have food stains on my pants from somewhere. Probably from Singapore," Beca mutters as she glances down her shirt, almost having an anxiety attack when she thought the sauce got on her shirt.
"This is the best! We should go to South Korea next! Or Germany!" Chloe tugs her along as she shakes her head, helplessly unable to deny anything from her.
"I'm going to have a stomach ache after this," she groans as they walk in between booths, underneath rows and rows of yellow led lights.
Beca honestly doesn't go to places like this and truly, anything with Chloe becomes special because despite all the hiccups, at this point she feels weightless, content and immensely happy for the first time this year.
Truth is, it's messy, unplanned and unexpected but it's perfect. Very much like Chloe Beale herself is in Beca's life.
A beautiful disaster indeed.
Fifty food stalls, a prize won from a game, two bubble teas from Taiwan and two flower crowns later with a potentially upcoming stomach ache, they finally decide to grab a blanket and sit on the ground to listen to the amazing live bands.
Currently, a singer called Khai is performing a song named 'Do you go up'.
Chloe sits next to her. Their shoulders bumping and legs almost touching. Beca's heart keeps drumming to the beat of the bass but she's not even sure if it's the music or because of how close they are.
Close enough to kiss those pretty pink lips.
She's also very much aware that they aren't just here as a friends. They're on a date. The most fun and comfortable date she's ever been in her life, to be honest.
Last night's confessions is still fresh on her mind and it never fails to make her lips curve up in a smile.
It feels like a dream.
This is where mesmerizing blue eyes find hers.
"What?" Chloe asks, hugging her knees to her chest with a smile and those tempting lips are doing things to her again.
"I don't want to wake up," she softly says before slowly leaning to give in to the very thing she's been dying to do since three hours ago when she went to pick her up.
Waking up from this dream is the last thing she wants.
She kisses Chloe under the stars and prays that she stays dreaming. When she pulls back, Chloe chases after her like magnet, hands underneath her jaw and soft lips locking on to hers again.
She finally admits wanting to do that since earlier and Chloe stands up, much to her surprise, a hand held in front of her.
"Dance with me."
It really is hard to say no.
Chloe's arms circle around her shoulders and Beca's hands instinctively wrap around her waist. It feels right and her stomach twists into something she recognizes from a long time ago, a feeling she almost thought she'd never be able to feel again.
It's scary to think of it. Of what it is speedily growing into. Chloe's arms tighten around hers and they get even closer, swaying to the slow beat as Beca's heart feels like it's about to burst.
The feeling scares her. Because it's their first date but here she's is, nose buried in that sweet scent and mind lost in brilliant blue.
Falling really fast and way too deep.
"Are you going to be at the shelter tomorrow?" Chloe asks and the hopeful look in her eyes is unmistakable.
"You know I never missed a Sunday," Beca replies as she walks Chloe to the door of Aubrey's house. "And I made a promise which I do intend to keep," she continues as they finally come to a stop.
Beca doesn't want the night to end. Even though, technically, the night has ended at the strike of midnight.
Still, she doesn't want it to end just like all those nights when they have to part. Beca hates it the most tonight.
"I had so much fun," Chloe starts, fingers intertwining with hers.
She really doesn't want to let go.
"The best date I ever had, actually," Chloe continues in a softer tone, a smile blossoming on her lips at the admittance.
"Was it now?" Beca says teasingly, letting out a smirk. "Then maybe we should do it again?" she asks before slowly adding, "Because I really… really want to go out with you again."
"So," Chloe begins, eyes unable to break away from hers. "Tomorrow then?" she asks eagerly.
Beca's smile widens at the words and really if this isn't a dream then it's probably some drug induced hallucination. One really strong drug induced hallucination.
Chloe kisses her and she forgets everything else. That is until, Chloe accidentally steps on her foot and they resolve into a laughing fit.
"I realized something," Chloe says after the laughter dies down.
Chloe remains in her arms as Beca holds her close, hands on Chloe's hip and elbow, yet they make no move to change that.
"That I was right warning you about eating too much seafood because now your stomach is entering the apocalypse and I got you home just in time?" Beca jokingly supplies.
It earns her a protest and an adorable whine.
"No! And, for your information, my stomach is doing just fine," Chloe clarifies. "What I was about to say is that I find it very convenient to kiss someone who is a bit shorter than I am. My neck is not aching and I don't have to tip toe all the time!"
"Wait a second, what do you mean, 'shorter'?"
"Cute-size!"
"What do you mean cute—?!" Beca sighs, seemingly unable to complete the word in disbelief.
"You are a cute-sized, adorable, sweetheart—"
"I am not a sweetheart. We've established that already," she reminds her and Chloe's gaze holds her own.
"Just like a kitten."
"Shut up."
"Make me," Chloe blurts out and it makes both of them pause for a moment.
Beca's hand instinctively travels up from Chloe's elbow to her shoulder before slowly making it's way to her cheek, thumb brushing soft skin near luscious lips.
She slowly closes the gap, tilting her head to the side and closing her eyes before tasting those very lips once more. Her chest sighs with satisfaction and relief.
"I'm not sweet and soft," Beca murmurs against Chloe's lips when they slightly part for air.
"With me you are," Chloe replies in the same serious tone, "And I'm honored that you trust me enough to show me that side of yours."
Beca finds that she couldn't possibly deny that fact any longer.
Parting from Chloe that night is physically painful but they are taking it slow. This is new to Chloe and things like this, they take time and lots of patience. The two things Beca had offered.
But for someone so special, Beca knows that it's worth it.
Chloe is worth it.
She's only had a few hours of sleep. She should be grumpy and moody, and complaining about the lack of coffee in her system for such an early morning but no, Beca doesn't feel any of that.
Instead, she's smiling to herself as she gets ready to head out, humming a tune that has formed in her head the minute she wakes up. It grows into a full blown song and the only thing left to do is to grab a guitar and add lyrics.
Bella looks at her like she's about to roll her eyes and Beca proceeds to kiss the top of her little head. If cat looks can kill, she'd be dead by now.
A month ago, she would have been sarcastically laughing at the thought of giddy feelings and pleasant mornings but life's full of surprises and here she was, a living proof that miracles do happen.
Stacie eyes her the same way Bella does. She also smirks and winks at her naughtily which clearly translates into something Beca does not want to humor. Thus, the death glare.
It doesn't dampen her mood though. Deep down she still feels light and giddy. It's almost disgusting, honestly.
But she forgets about all of that an hour later when Chloe hugs her the moment she walks in and really, a large group of zombies could break out on the streets right now and Beca would not care.
Meanwhile, Chloe could dress as plainly as she can and still look absolutely gorgeous or maybe Stacie is right and she really has fallen impossibly deep. The end game.
Also, kissing in between a sea of cats, soft little meows, flying cat hair and all, might probably go down as one of the best romantic scenarios she'd keep in her memory forever.
And maybe the thought makes her stop for a second or two because anything with the word 'forever' is very serious business and she's been there before. Gone as far as offering it in a shape of a diamond ring and well, it's a story that ended in tears and body numbing pain.
But then lovely bright blues look at her under the glow of neon lights near the bay walk and Beca quickly shakes the heavy feeling away. It's way too early to even go that far. Thinking of forever and heartache is too much too soon for a second date.
She must be going crazy… or paranoid when she should be relaxing and having fun.
So she gets lost in their quest to find indie vinyl music, impromptu dancing and inhaling frothy espresso drinks.
Chloe's hand never leaves hers as they walk, eating gelato ice-cream before stopping by a bench to rest and listen to the musicians playing on the street.
"What is it now?" Beca asks, shifting on her seat and slightly turning her body to face Chloe whose elbow perches on the back rest of the bench as she eyes her with amusement.
"You're smiling. A lot," Chloe points out, a small smile of her own breaking in her lips.
"Am I not allowed to?" Beca replies, a trace of a smirk forming on her face.
"It's just… you don't do it often."
Beca shrugs, eyes looking down on her ice-cream cone before glancing back up again, smirk becoming more prominent as she does so.
"Depends on who I'm with."
Chloe's smile widens and Beca longs to keep a photo of it.
"Smooth, Mitchell. Very smooth."
Beca shuts her up with a kiss.
It would've been perfect if not for the wolf-whistling and howling directed their way. A small group of men throwing them lewd looks that Beca is very familiar with.
Assholes are lurking everywhere and her beautiful night has made her forget about that unfortunate possibility. Showing affection in public areas has always been something to be careful about.
All this Beca already is aware of. For Chloe however…
"Alright. Okay, let's not—Chloe don't—leave it," Beca manages to say as she continues to block her body against the raging ice-cream throwing force Chloe is exploding with.
"I'm just going to punch those shitheads on the face and break their stupid noses," Chloe almost growls as Beca pushes her farther away with much difficulty towards her parked car.
"I mean what century are we in? How are there still barbaric mountain men still wandering around the city?" Chloe continues to rant as they finally make it inside the car, much to Beca's relief. Confrontation outside the office is certainly not her strongest point.
"What's their deal, really? Are they jealous? I mean they should be—but that's not the point!" Chloe shakes her head as if to get back on track. "The point is, how can idiots like that exist? Did they get dropped as infants? You should have just let me punch them!" she finally sighs just as Beca starts to drive.
"Nope, not gonna' happen," Beca quickly replies in a much calmer tone.
"Stacie gets bad bruises on her swollen knuckles punching people's faces and I pretty much like to keep your hands unharmed," she adds, awkwardly clearing her throat at the sudden realization of what her words could imply—she honestly didn't think of that when she spoke.
The very first rule in Beca's romantic teen life had been: Always protect thy hands. Hands are very, very important.
She hopes Chloe doesn't catch on quick because… that's… a… topic… they haven't breached yet.
Slow. They are going slow and steady until the moment is right. Until Chloe is ready.
She can wait.
Chloe is so worth it.
"Doesn't it make you mad at all?" Chloe asks and Beca sighs in relief as she continues on, not really giving her words too much thought.
The last thing she wants is Chloe feeling pressured to do anything.
"I am. It's just," she makes a left turn, shoulders shrugging as she thinks about it. "It's not going to change anything. You fight back and the hate just grows. It gets bigger and then you get exhausted about it and nothing happens. It's always going to be there, the endless cycle of hate," she says in all honesty, glancing back at Chloe.
"So, we just walk away?" Chloe softly asks, head leaning at the seat's back rest as she looks at her.
Even with the dim lights, in moments of anger or in moments as solemn as this, Chloe is absolutely beautiful in any situation.
"Unfortunately, yes," Beca breathes out, eyes focusing on the road.
"But," she glances over at Chloe. "That doesn't mean that you've admitted defeat or you're weak or that they're right," she inhales deeply before slowly exhaling.
"It just means that you know better. That having the last say in an argument doesn't always mean that you've won," she slows down at the stop light and takes the time to look at her lovely companion.
She reaches out and tenderly brushes auburn hair to the side with her fingertips. When Chloe softens to her touch and leans towards her palm, Beca's heart melts.
"There's something that I think about that helps whenever stuff like this happens," she softly says, shifting a bit to lean forward and rest her elbow on the console.
Chloe's inquisitive look eggs her on to answer.
"I always think that some people hate us so much because they have such sad, miserable lives. They are so jealous whenever they see us because," her tone lowers down to a whisper as their foreheads gently bump into each other, a smile about bloom in their lips.
"I think they secretly wish that they have what we have."
"And what is it that we have?" Chloe whispers in the same manner, holding back a laugh but slowly failing.
"Magic, Chlo. We have fucking magic skills!" she hisses dramatically just as Chloe bursts out in laughter.
"And Hayley Kiyoko?" Chloe asks in between laughter while Beca's eyes widen.
"And Hayley Kiyoko!" she repeats as she falls into a fit of laughter especially when Chloe goes on to say that, 'It's working, Becs. I'm not mad anymore!'
The blaring horns break their little bubble as Beca realizes that the light has turned green ages ago. She fumbles around to get the car back into motion, a huge smile on her lips while Chloe wipes away tears in the corner of her eyes from laughing too much.
It's an addicting sound and Beca's heart sings happily especially when Chloe's hand eventually finds hers, a lazy smile on her lips and Beca feels proud to have caused it.
It rivals the feeling she gets after successfully wrapping up the annual music festival.
Or maybe it just rivals everything.
Having Chloe over for the night has always been a regular thing especially during Sundays and Beca hadn't really thought anything into it until she's preparing tea in the kitchen, her eyes lingering over towards the living room where the redhead is casually sitting as she browses through movies. Like any of their perfectly normal Sunday night.
Until she sits down next to her, that is.
Two warm mugs filled with tea and some snacks are lined up on the coffee table yet Beca doesn't give a damn about all that or Chloe's usual choice of horror movies making blood-curdling screams and haunting noises as of the moment.
What incessantly tugs at her attention is the way Chloe clings and curls up next to her, an arm circled around her while fingers unknowingly making small lazy circles on her skin every now and then. Concentrating on the ridiculously stupid— spoiler alert, they all die anyway! – film in front of her becomes ten thousand times harder especially when she feels Chloe's breath hitting her neck every time she gets scared and squeezes the life out of Beca.
Chloe's body is soft and warm against hers, her sweet scent making her light headed and really, those little endearing kisses she presses on her shoulder and at the crook of her neck in between are making her sit as still as a statue.
It shouldn't really be something unusual given Chloe's very affectionate nature. The redhead shows what she feels all the time. All the hugs, kisses and warm lingering touches she's left on Beca's skin all these months have left imprints on her heart. Each one precious enough to make Beca have it burned in the back of her mind. Even before they crossed the line from friendship to something more, she had considered herself lucky to be the receiving end of it all. Especially when Chloe seems to pour a slightly bigger portion of it on her.
Another scream erupts on TV and Chloe hugs her tight, face buried on her neck.
Beca swallows hard, suddenly feeling hot. Which makes her kick herself because her mind suddenly wandered in places that is highly inappropriate.
But can she be blamed for it when Chloe is absolutely gorgeous no matter the occasion, the mesmerizing shades of exquisite blue in her eyes are enough to be made songs of, lips Beca has tasted several times so soft and sweet that it has gotten to be quite an addiction, her skin so smooth and enticing that it makes her want to explore and worship every inch of it so ardently that the gods would surely strike her with lightning out of jealousy.
Chloe is like a spell-binding art, a masterpiece, and the part that makes her worry is that her heart keeps wanting to leap over towards her in full force, ready to swear eternity.
Ridiculous. The movie is ridiculous and so are the intruding— explicit – thoughts in her head.
They are taking it slow. Waiting to see where this goes and hoping it remains sailing steadily. Everything is going smoothly so far and Beca doesn't want to ruin it with all the worries and fears assaulting her.
This careful and easy pace they are moving with is good and surely waiting for the right time —
Chloe's lips find hers.
The stupid movie is still rolling.
Beca finds it hard to think.
Not only because kissing Chloe is always amazing but because this specific kiss feels different. It's more… charged.
Chloe's straddling her now and really, how did they even end up in such a position— like literally.
Her mind goes on overdrive, her body unstoppable as she finds herself hovering on top of Chloe, peppering hungry open-mouthed kisses on her neck.
How long has wanted this again?
Since that first Friday
Chloe's fingers rake on her hair before grasping a fistful of it pulling her closer and capturing her lips again in a kiss that has Beca rolling her eyes shut in ecstasy.
A moan breaks from Chloe's throat and of all things that could've snapped her back to reality, Beca didn't expect it to be that.
Her eyes snap open as she looks down at the enticing image of Chloe, lips swollen, hair messily spilling all over sofa and hooded eyes looking at her with pure desire.
God, what an image it was. This must be a dream. She's still dreaming and she's sure of it.
Her hands gently brush the top of Chloe's head as she stares at her with tenderness. She's pretty sure she's only read something like it in novels.
A hand softly touches her face with the same tenderness and Beca's heart trips. She's falling again despite all the warnings and she's falling really fast.
"I want you."
The words Chloe whispers are said as an answer to the silent question Beca asks her. It's spoken softly yet the certainty of how it is said leaves no room for hesitation or doubt that Beca dips her head down to kiss her once more.
This time, it's not desperate or rushing. This time, she kisses Chloe in a way that her heart feels for the girl who brought the music she's almost forgotten back to her life. This time, she pours all her sincerity in it until they are both gasping for air. They come up for a lungful of it before drowning back down into an endless descent.
Chloe, Beca finds, tastes sweeter than she looks. Her voice melodious even in heated moments of pure pleasure. She does takes her time, and taking she does. Again and again…. And again.
She finds how obsessed she is with making Chloe say her name like a plea, a fervent prayer as her back arches, body trembling in waves of delirious bliss, fingers tightly gripping on the cushion before scratching on her own skin, leaving red marks that match the one she gives back.
It's a satisfaction like no other seeing her come apart over and over again. An immense satisfaction to witness such beauty. To claim it as much as she wants and immerse herself in it.
It's ethereal.
Chloe is a dream. A dream she doesn't want to ever end.
So she dives deeper, withdraws all control and loses herself in it.
I don't want to wake up
The sun is not up yet when Beca wakes up yet it is significantly brighter now. The city is still quiet, peaceful as its occupants are still in their final minutes of slumber.
The first thing she notices is red hair strewn all over her white sheets and it's enough to bring a smile to her face as last nights memories come back to her. There's a delicious ache in her body which she welcomes happily as she shifts to lay on her side to watch Chloe sleeping next to her.
She finds herself drawn to the serene picture of Chloe unguarded and beautifully unaware. It makes Beca's heart clench. A memory passes in her mind and her heart clenches harder.
It hadn't been that long when Chloe had came knocking late in the evening with a lazy smile plastered on her lips due to the effects of alcohol.
Beca remembers getting up sleepily and feeling a jolt of electricity course through her system when Chloe leans over to greet her with a hug the exact moment she opens the door. That definitely woke her up in seconds.
You are my favorite
She remembers sinking in her arms, warm and soft, before feeling worried over the unexpected visit. An inebriated Chloe could possibly mean a sad and distressed Chloe. Which is the last thing Beca wants to see.
Only you
Because she hates it when those lovely blue eyes look at her like rain clouds about to unleash a solemn downpour.
That was a week ago. A week since Chloe had been asleep exactly like she is right now. A week since Beca had held her hand as she begged for her to stay. Her voice had sounded so desperate and Beca, despite telling herself to run away and spare herself from the pain, couldn't say no.
It felt like a stab to her chest when Chloe had eagerly curled up next to her, looking so relieved when she obliges. Another stab when she held her tightly, fingers smoothening auburn hair as she looked at her longingly. It was pathetic and Stacie would have rolled her eyes if she had been there.
The tender kisses she placed on top of Chloe's head that night had made her feel guilty all week.
This morning however, the kiss she places on Chloe's cheek before leaving the bed doesn't make her feel guilty. It… makes her feel something else.
She rubs her face, sighing at the conflict building in her head.
It's Monday. It's just only Monday. Three days since they've given in to the feelings that had spilled in her very bedroom. The bedroom where Chloe now sleeps soundly, black duvet sheets covering her body.
Three days. Only three days and here she was, dread creeping up her system. She tries to brush it off as she prepares breakfast but it keeps crawling in.
She needs to distract herself.
But just as she does Chloe's shy smile brings her crashing down. The room suddenly feels brighter and Beca's eyes tries not to linger too long on how good she looks wearing one of her oversized shirts or how distracting those legs are— well, she did ask for a distraction and there it is.
"Morning," she whispers affectionately as she wraps her arms around Beca. She feels her smile on her neck and it's doing things to her. Beautiful things that is.
Beca leans in to her, heart beating in a way that reminds her that it took almost three months for her to reach this sort of intimacy with Rachelle. Almost three months before Beca's heart completely falls willingly. Strongly.
Just like… now.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asks and that jerks her out of her thoughts.
"It's just that… it's nothing. Stupid feelings stuff," she brushes off yet it only seems to make Chloe look at her with concern.
"Becs, you know you can tell me anything right?" Chloe says, hesitating for a moment before deciding on it.
"Is it… is this about last night?" the doubt and panic painting Chloe's features makes Beca's stomach drop as she hurries to mend it.
"No! Of course not. Last night was more than amazing," she says before she thinks and the sudden heat in her cheeks makes her look down with an embarrassed smile.
"That's good to know because… that's how I feel about it too," Chloe confesses softly and it finally makes her look up, relief flooding her chest.
Chloe gently cups her face, understanding eyes holding hers, "None of your feelings are stupid or considered as nothing," she says before Beca exhales loudly.
She make a quick decision, opting for honesty because you can't go wrong with that. She gently sits Chloe on one of the stools and collects her thoughts.
"It's," she begins, finding comfort in Chloe's steady and warm presence. "too good to be true," she finally lets out.
"Which isn't really a bad thing! But then it feels like I'm dreaming the perfect dream and any second now I'm going to wake up," she sighs heavily, running a hand through her hair.
"I mean, this thing between us," she says motioning at the space between them, "feels so perfect and I can't help but feel like something bad is about to happen!"
"I manage really huge events every year and I always expect the worse. I am trained to worry about all the possible negative scenarios and bumps along the way and having things run so smoothly and perfectly is… crazy impossible to me," she says, pouring out everything that she carries inside her.
"And what happened between me and…" she pauses at that because she's finally realizing why she feels like this. The fear that has lingered all this time.
"Rachelle—and it's not like I don't trust you. I do! It's just that if something that I thought was unbreakable ended that way I— God, we've just started dating. I told you this was stupid!" she recoils back where she began, shaking her head at how she's making a big deal out of nothing.
Chloe's firm hold stops her from running away. She keeps her in place and it's surreal to have those bright blue eyes still look up at her the same way. So full of concern, care and affection.
"It's not stupid. Your feelings. Your thoughts. What went you through. All the things that are holding you back. They matter."
It makes her melt right on the spot.
She looks at Chloe, memorizing every curve and line that her heart clenches again, "You're so beautiful in every way and… I don't want to wake up without you," she finally admits.
"Even if it only has been three days. There, I've said it," she adds quickly, avoiding Chloe's gaze.
The smile growing on Chloe's lips, however, brings her back. She finally stands, leveling her gaze and stepping closer.
"It's real. Everything. What I feel about you. Last night. Today. All of it," she says with finality that Beca finds it impossible protest—not that she would ever.
"And I get it. All of the things you've just said. I do. But if I hadn't made myself clear since three days ago then I guess I'll have to remind you about it again and again. Every single day if I have to," Chloe inhales and Beca's chest feels like it's about to burst.
"I'm here. I'm staying. I want this. I want you, Beca."
Beca's vision is blurred in exquisite blue. It fills her up. Consumes her with an overwhelming amount.
"I don't know about the future, Becs. I don't want to give promises that can be broken or false assurances. All I'm sure of is now," Chloe cradles her face again, resting her forehead against hers.
"And I really am very happy right now. So happy that I don't think I've ever felt this way before. Being with you. In this very moment. It's perfect," she smiles before it slowly fades.
She swallows hard as if preparing to do something that takes a lot of courage. It reminds Beca of that Friday night and how Chloe lets her now that she likes her more than just a friend.
"I'm serious about you. This. Us. So serious that maybe I really want to make it official and call you my… my girlfriend?"
A smile slowly forms on her lips as she looks into hopeful bright blue eyes and then and there she decides that staring right into them as much as she desires would be a very beautiful thought to have. To see them gaze back at her in the same adoration she shows and watch them shine.
She wants it. She wants to stay in the present. To fully live in every second and feel everything without having any doubts and fears.
She wants Chloe. Period. It doesn't matter how much time they spent or been together. She's in the deep end and today, with the gentle rays of the morning sunshine, she acknowledges her surrender.
She steps forward, sealing the deal with a kiss that mutes all the swirl of dark clouds in her mind.
An incessant ringing from Beca's phone tries to cut their moment yet she doesn't care, deaf to the sound as she presses her lips harder against Chloe's, her hand slowly making it's way to the back of her neck, brushing away soft red locks.
"Becs… your phone," Chloe distractedly notifies her yet her focus is lost on tracing and tasting flawless skin with her lips.
She concentrates on making her way down Chloe's neck.
"Beca, it might be from work," Chloe tries again despite her voice wavering with every word.
She replies with a hum and at this point she's just about ready to throw the noisy device out the window.
Stupid distractions
"It could be an emergency," Chloe adds in barely even a whisper just as Beca's lips part against sensitive flesh and her hands lovingly wander around soft curves, like a sculptor admiring art.
"Can't. Busy," she mumbles in between passionate kisses that only intend to worship the skin underneath her lips.
"We're going to… oh god… be uhm… be late."
She hushes her to silence, never stopping as she whispers,
"I don't care… Not when my girlfriend is this… delectable."
Chloe tries not to sink too low on her seat as she stares hard at the papers in front of her, she's sure they'd burn if she continues on.
They're on a meeting right now. An important one for the upcoming year-end acoustic live concert to be held in Amplify's own studio, decorated with a Christmas artsy theme. It's going to be a much intimate one, with only a few lucky fans, but to be recorded for broadcast on Christmas Eve.
However, putting her mind solely on the meeting is getting to be quite difficult. Especially when… her girlfriend—in this case, secret girlfriend because unfortunately there are work rules prohibiting relationships within the office—is standing in front of them to apologize for…
"I'm sorry I was late due to unexpected… circumstances—"
Chloe clumsily knocks her water bottle down the floor as she shifts and hurriedly fumbles to pick it up.
CR questionably looks at her.
"Sorry," she mutters quick apologies, eyes avoiding intense dark blue ones and Beca clears her throat, drawing back everyone's attention to her.
At this point, Chloe would like to applaud the professionalism Beca exudes because well, it's actually quite hard.
"Right, so lets start," Beca says in a firm tone, commanding the whole room even as she sits down and makes everyone gulp down in fear.
Jesse starts talking updates and logistics.
Chloe tries to avoid looking at Beca but it's just unavoidable and color rises on her cheeks when it happens.
Guess, starting the morning, the way they did wasn't exactly a good idea after all.
Or just generally, making your boss your girlfriend because she should've expected the overflowing red roses decorating her table.
"Damn, Chlo, what sort of sexy magic did you enchant this person with?" CR comments as she and Jesse stare in awe at the single blue card that came along with all twenty fancily arranged bouquets of lovely red roses.
"No name. Just one very sweet note and a heart," Jesse observes while CR asks.
"Do you have any idea who this is?"
"No. No idea—Must be my neighbor whom I gave cupcakes to. She's rich and gives extravagant gifts all the time," Chloe babbles away with the absurd lie.
She definitely knows who this is from.
"And who is also totally in to you!" CR hisses before bumping her elbow on Chloe's arm and leaning over to whisper, "It's a 'she', huh?"
"Well, I don't—"
"You're also my favorite," Jesse reads aloud. "Only you," he continues, sporting a sly smile at the end.
"I'm with CR in this. This girl is about to marry you."
"Wait a minute, she said 'also' which means," CR prolongs the last word as both her friends fix their gaze on her.
"Ohhh," Jesse coos as a light bulb seemingly shines in his head.
"Guys, it's not—"
"I knew it!" CR calls out, interrupting her. "Chlo Chlo finally got the girl! It's her isn't it? The one you are hopelessly in to! Singin' all those heartbreakin' love songs last Friday about!"
Both her friends are now excitedly jumping about and Chloe desperately tries to shush their noisy cheers.
"We need to meet this girl. What's her name, anyway?" CR asks and Chloe starts to sweat nervously. She's also about to stutter whatever comes to her mind when somebody clears their throat from behind.
"I believe lunch break was over two hours ago," Beca's icy tone sends both Jesse and CR into immediate silence.
"The event is happening this Friday. We have deadlines to catch! We can't afford to make mistakes! Back to work, all of you," she says, slapping a folder over to Jesse's chest while everyone in the office scampers to their places.
Chloe quickly pulls out her own file and hands it over to Beca.
"That's the official list of product sponsors you asked for and the reply from Royal Media's representatives," she says, fighting the huge urge to kiss her beautiful brunette then and there.
Dark blue eyes bore on her and it's so captivating that she just stares back into them for a moment before Beca herself manages to break it.
"Thank you," she replies curtly and Chloe can tell that she isn't the only one struggling.
Beca takes the file from her, fingers gently brushing against her own and she suddenly wishes that it's six o'clock and everybody is gone.
She might've also probably stared at the time obsessively after that.
"Five more minutes," Beca says as she continues typing away on her laptop, eyes glued to the screen.
It's almost seven in the evening and the office is finally empty. Chloe settles down on her usual spot by Beca's table and places her arms down the surface so she can rest her chin on them while she watches Beca's intense focus on her work.
A second later the typing abruptly stops just as Beca lets out an audible, "Shit. I'm doing it again, am I?"
Chloe lifts up her head a bit in surprise, a frown gracing her face as she wonders what Beca meant.
"Working too much that I then forget the world," she breathes out as she looks at her sheepishly.
Chloe's shoulders sag in relief as she laughs lightly at the adorable look and shakes her head.
"We have an important event coming this Friday which the whole world would be able to see. Everyone is looking at you, expecting you to deliver it perfectly. I can wait. Besides, I love watching you work," she says, resting her head on one hand as she eyes the brilliant producer.
"It's sexy," she smiles, wondering how she even survived without having Beca in her life before.
"Finish it. I know how important this is. I'm not going anywhere and Vamps closes at midnight. We can call delivery too," she simply says and Beca looks between her and the laptop uncertainly.
"Are you sure?" she asks, chewing on her lip and Chloe nods, deciding to play games on her phone for the meantime.
The typing resumes again for half a minute before it abruptly stops once more. The sound of a laptop being shut close follows. Just as she looks up, Beca stands up to lean over and crashes her lips against hers, a hand on the back of her head to keep her in place.
Chloe welcomes it so eagerly despite the initial shock and kisses her back with the same intensity.
"No, you're more important," Beca murmurs against her lips and Chloe's heart swells at her words.
"I have to tell you something," Chloe begins after they've stolen a dozen more kisses in between getting ready to go dine outside.
"What is it?"
"I've," she fidgets a bit with Beca's ladybug key chain.
"I've decided to try and go audition for the production in that letter you gave me," she admits softly.
Silence fills in after the admission and really, she shouldn't but somehow there's a part of her that expects the worst.
The worrying silence makes her look back at Beca and what greets her is a growing smile and genuinely excited eyes. Contrary to the reaction she's gotten say, a year ago.
"You're really doing it?" Beca asks her, smile never fading as she does so and Chloe nods earnestly, lips breaking into a smile as well.
"Well, we're going to go win that audition then because I'm so sure it's going to be yours!" Beca tells her enthusiastically and Chloe almost tears up due to the fact that Beca speaks like she's also won something.
It almost feels foreign to her but it also makes her stop and realize that this is how you should react to someone you truly care about. This is what the lucky ones have been talking about. There's a 'we' in between her words and it's not subtle. It's loud and proud.
It makes her feel breathless to think about it. So much that she pulls Beca in for a deep kiss, putting every single happiness and gratitude straight from her heart into it.
From now on, it's always going to be like this. To feel like this.
We
Author's Note:
A brief summary of the chapter: Beca spending hours researching on being romantic whilst trying not to think of inappropriate things. Chloe having the best night of her life (We're talking about Sunday night). Bella is glad she spent the whole sunday night with the pretty ladies on the 15th floor. So much sweetness and fluff that it makes you want to vomit.
I'm not changing the rating of this story guys! Sexy shit will remain limited! THERE ARE CHILDREN HERE! THINK OF THE CHILDREN! YOU DIRTY FUCKING LITTLE BIRDS! Also, I just love authors who write sex scenes beautifully. Like it still makes you feel excited but with class and a lot of aww. Like it makes you want what they have.
Because this week is my birthday week, this chapter is the fluffiest thing I've ever created. Wtf. I actually created fluffy shit?! My wife Carol Danvers inspired me do it.
See you next Friday!