Chapter 3
The Los Angeles Pride Festival was one of the biggest Pride events in the country, so it was no surprise that people from all over the world were in attendance. After their late night, most of the Bellas were exhausted and even Aubrey managed to fall back asleep for a nap with her wife that morning. They got a late start to their day, but were lounging in the VIP area of the festival a couple of hours after the festivities began for the day. Beca and Chloe reserved a lounge area for the group and the Bellas were more than happy to eat, drink, and mingle. Emily watched in awe as Beca and Chloe took another picture with a couple of fans before sitting back down on a couch together.
"How do you two do it? It has only been an hour and I am tired of people interrupting us to ask for a picture," said Emily and Beca sighed.
"It can be a lot….a whole lot…but I just remind myself of how I would want to be treated if I saw one of my favorite artists. I wouldn't care in that moment that tons of people have probably already asked them or if they are tired of flashing lights. I would be too excited and that's what I remind myself. For me, that is one of a lot of people that have come up to me, interrupted my time with all of you and Chlo, but for that person, it is probably one of the only times they will ever get to see me. Besides, it isn't always like this. Chlo and I have figured out how to hide, which is why we stay at home or are at Stacie and Aubrey's so much."
"We keep a pretty low profile most of the time, but it is still nice. Of course I don't get approached as much as Becs, so my perspective is a bit different. I understand why they want her picture or an autograph. How could you not love her," said Chloe before tenderly kissing Beca.
"Whipped peanut butter," said Aubrey and Cynthia Rose laughed as they high fived.
"That's a good one," complimented Cynthia Rose.
"Hey! No, you don't get to team up against me. I am invoking my bestie clause," argued Chloe and Aubrey smirked.
"And what exactly is that," asked Aubrey. Chloe shrugged.
"Whatever I want it to be because you're my bestie," assured Chloe and they all laughed. Amy clapped her hands together as she stood up.
"Alright, flat butts, while I am enjoying the life of luxury you ladies set up for us, it is time to go explore out in the crowd. Who's with me," exclaimed Amy and Stacie glanced over at Beca.
"Bec, is it safe for you to go? Won't you be swarmed by people," questioned Stacie and Beca shrugged.
"I don't really know, but it was fine at Coachella." Chloe shook her head.
"Becs, I don't want you risking it. Back then, people were just starting to recognize you when we went out. What if you do get noticed," asked Chloe.
"What about a disguise," asked Amy and Chloe sighed.
"Amy, be serious. This is Beca's safety we are talking about," said Chloe.
"I am serious. This is Pride. People are all dressed up, wearing masks, hats, paint on their faces. All we have to do is get you and Beca all dolled up in some wigs or something and sunglasses and you will blend right in," explained Amy.
"I never thought I would say it, but Amy might be right," said Ashley and Jessica nodded in agreement.
"And if she isn't, we will protect you, Beca. In my country, I survived military raids and riots. This will be nothing," assured Flo and Beca smiled.
"Thanks, guys. Alright, let's get out of here and find some stuff to wear. It will be fun and I know you wanted to get some merch and souvenirs anyways," said Beca as she kissed the top of Chloe's hands. Chloe slowly nodded.
"Fine, but we are leaving at the first sign of trouble," warned Chloe and Beca nodded before tenderly kissing her. It didn't take them long to find a vendor outside of the VIP area and Beca laughed as Chloe handed her a purple wig, rainbow sunglasses, and pink shirt.
"If this is some sort of fantasy of yours, we may need to talk," teased Beca and Chloe winked at her.
"I think we both know my fantasies of you involve leather," whispered Chloe and Beca's cheeks flushed when her wife placed a kiss on the spot on her neck that made her knees go weak.
"Get a room, you two," teased Amy as she grabbed a "Straight Ally" shirt and tossed one to Emily, Flo, and Lilly. Jessica, Ashley, and Chloe found shirts with the bisexual flag on them and Aubrey watched as all of her friends laughed and took pictures of each other as they put on their new merchandise. They were having a blast, but she was suddenly nervous. The pit in her stomach that had been there since they arrived seemed to grow in size within seconds and she sighed in relief when Stacie wrapped her arms around her from behind to whisper in her ear.
"You don't have to wear anything if you don't want to," assured Stacie and Aubrey turned in her arms to face her. She smiled when she saw the pink, yellow, and blue shirt she was wearing along with her rainbow sunglasses. She looked adorable and Aubrey passionately kissed her. Stacie moaned and leaned her forehead against hers when they pulled apart.
"What was that for," asked Stacie.
"For always making me feel comfortable just being myself and never shaming me when I get scared." Stacie hugged her and sighed happily.
"I love you, Bree, no matter what."
"I love you too. Now, how about you dress me," suggested Aubrey and Stacie smiled mischievously at her.
"I am used to undressing you," teased Stacie and she let out a moan when Aubrey whispered in her ear.
"Which is why it will be an exercise in restraint and control," Aubrey teased back. Stacie began to look around and let her finger trail over a wig before shaking her head.
"Definitely no wigs, I like being able to play with your hair," said Stacie. Aubrey giggled and watched her peruse another display table. Suddenly, Stacie beamed with happiness and Aubrey nodded with a smile when Stacie held up a shirt for her to read.
"It's true. I do love my wife," agreed Aubrey and Stacie handed her the shirt in her size before paying the vendor. She grabbed another pair of rainbow glasses and a black cap as well for Aubrey and beamed with pride as she watched her wife put them on. Cynthia Rose smiled and gave an impressed nod to Stacie. Aubrey was wearing a black shirt with the words "I Love My Wife" written in rainbow colors. Her rainbow glasses matched, along with her black cap with a small rainbow flag and the word "HUMAN" written in bolded black text.
"Definitely lucky," said Cynthia Rose with a wink before grabbing a rainbow wig. Stacie pulled Aubrey in for a passionate kiss and sighed happily.
"You're the best, Bree, but there is one thing that is wrong."
"What," asked Aubrey with a frown, but it soon became a smile when Stacie turned the hat backwards and placed it back on her head.
"Better, now it is easy to kiss you and we both know I need easy access to these sexy lips."
"Oh of course," giggled Aubrey.
"Hey, enough with the making out. Keep it in your pants, Hunter," called Beca and Stacie playfully rolled her eyes at her friend as she slipped her hand into Aubrey's and made their way through the crowd with rest of the Bellas.
They spent the day enjoying the festival, taking pictures together, and trying foods from different vendors before making their way toward the front of the stage to watch Troye Sivan and Hayley Kiyoko perform. Aubrey pulled Stacie close and giggled as she watched her wife sing along at the top of her lungs during Hayley's set. All the Bellas were dancing and singing together and Aubrey laughed when Chloe started singing "He'll Never Love You" to Beca as the DJ blushed the entire time, knowing Chloe was referring to a certain ex-boyfriend. Once Hayley's set was finished, she introduced Troye and the crowd erupted with cheers all over again. Stacie and Emily began jumping up and down and Aubrey smiled at her wife's happiness as they all danced together. She wrapped her arms around Stacie's waist from behind and swayed with her as she let the music take over. In that moment, nothing else mattered but them and she tenderly kissed Stacie's shoulder. Stacie turned in her arms and tenderly kissed her with a serene smile.
"I love you too," Stacie whispered in her ear before giving her a wink and turning her attention back to the stage. Aubrey giggled and shook her head. It never ceased to amaze her how in tune her wife was with her.
After the concert, Beca led the group backstage and Stacie was buzzing with excitement. While Beca had been working with Troye for the past few months, it never worked out in their schedules where Stacie could drop by the studio and meet him. She bit her lip nervously and Aubrey gave her a teasing smile.
"Should I be worried right now? You do know he is only into men, right," teased Aubrey and Stacie playfully nudged her. Troye saw Beca and immediately jogged over to hug her.
"You made it," he said and she smiled.
"I told you I was bringing my friends. Some of them are huge fans. Troye, these are the Bellas," she introduced and he chuckled.
"So these are the infamous Bellas. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Beca talks about you all the time. You should come to the after party at Brendon's. It is going to be a lot of fun," said Troye and Jessica gasped as she grabbed onto Ashley's hand.
"Brendon…Brendon who," she asked and Troye chuckled at her response.
"Brendon Urie, the leader singer for…."
"Panic! at the Disco, that Brendon Urie," Jessica practically squealed and Amy covered her ears.
"Jeez, I guess we don't have to wonder if she is a screamer or not," said Amy as she winked at Ashley. Ashley rolled her eyes and Beca shook her head in amusement.
"Forgive them, they have no home training," said Beca.
"Then they will fit right in. I'll text you directions. See you in a bit, Bec. See you later, Bellas, hope to hang out again soon," called Troye as his manager pulled him in the opposite direction for an interview. Stacie clapped happily.
"I can't believe we are going to hang with Troye Sivan," she practically squealed and Amy smirked.
"I think we already knew the Hunter was a screamer," she mumbled and Stacie flipped her off as the others laughed. Ashley eyed Jessica curiously.
"Don't get any ideas," warned Ashley and Jessica sighed dreamily.
"Brendon is on my Freebie List, one of the only guys on it too," reminded Jessica and Ashley gave her a look.
"No way that is happening….unless it is a threesome," she conceded and Jessica smiled at the possibilities.
"Alright, you weirdos, no embarrassing me when we get to this party. I don't want to hear that any of you accosted Brendon or Troye or anyone else you meet that may or may not be on a Freebie or Bucket List, understand," instructed Beca and they all nodded.
"Don't worry, Bec, we will all be on our best behavior," assured Stacie and Amy smirked.
"Is that actually reassuring," she teased and Beca groaned, knowing Amy had a point. When it came to the Bellas, anything was possible.
