Stretch it Out

It was late; probably going up for three in the morning and for some reason Beca couldn't sleep. In fact, she knew the reason and pushing it out of her mind was no longer working. The way her eyes refused to remain closed for longer than thirty seconds and how she tossed and turned in her bed was all down to a certain redhead sleeping in the room below her.

Today, at the end of Bella practise, they both shared a moment that was way more thought provoicking then she would like to admit. Lately, their interactions were containing more and more of these little moments that made Beca lay awake at night unable to sleep.

Like the way Chloe would rub soft circles on the line of bare skin between her sock and pant leg when they led together on the couch with Beca's legs on her lap, or how she would hold her hand the entire time during Bella movie night under their shared blanket. These little things would make Beca question their friendship and what Chloe's actions actually meant.

At the beginning she didn't even notice it – just putting her behaviour down to Chloe's natural tactful personality, but a couple of months back she had an epiphany.

Chloe only ever holds her hand, or kisses her cheek. She doesn't wear any of the other Bella's clothes and she most definilty doesn't cuddle into their side when watching TV in the living room. Of course the redhead is a damn right flirt with everyone, but there's something about the way she whispers them into Beca's ear, or leaves lingering touches when she says them that makes the younger girl feel like they are indeed different.

Ever since Beca had realised this, the sleepless nights were happening more and more frequently. She let out a huff and turned onto her side for the millionth time, before closing her eyes tightly shut, willing sleep to come.

It wasn't long before her thoughts started up again and replaying their particular moment today.

All the other girls were filing out of the hall, the sound of Fat Amy's voice echoing off the walls "I never took that cardio tip seriously, why do I never take it seriously?!"

Eventually it was just the two of them left; Beca packing away her laptop and Chloe finishing off her "cool down and stretches" that none of the other girls really cared for. Now maybe if she was actually watching as she unplugged the charger and not staring at Chloe's certain assets, she might have seen her Mac sliding off the top of the piano whilst she tugged the wire. Perhaps she could have caught it in time before it crashed to the floor – well probably not – but if she had, then Chloe wouldn't have caught her eyes lingering on certain parts of her body that a best friend probably shouldn't look at.

There were a lot of probabilities in that instance and Beca failed to score very high on all of them.

"Like what you see?"

And of course it began, Chloe throwing out teasing comments as Beca stood there, a blush on her cheeks and her words a fumbling mess.

"A broken laptop? Nah, not really..." she deadpanned, scooping said object up in her hands. If Beca was being honest, she was more than proud of that response, giving it a close second in her list of smooth replies to Chloe's not so innocent questions.

"Maybe if you weren't so distracted, you wouldn't have dropped it" Chloe challenged with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

"I wasn't."

OK, so that reply wasn't so smooth...

"Becs, you do know that I could see you in the mirror, right?"

"I wanted to see what kind of stretches you were doing that was all" she shrugged, attempting to act indifferent.

Chloe let out a laugh, followed by a quiet "Mm-hm, sure."

The brunette shook her head and turned onto her back in bed with a bitter laugh. She totally should have clocked the mirror...

XXX

Chloe turned off her bedside lamp, readjusting herself on the mattress. It's strange how being awake late at night can fool someone into thinking they are the only person awake in the world...

She pulled the sheets up to her chin, attempting to drift to sleep, again. Beca was keeping her up, like most nights, but not in the sense that she wished she would. A sigh left her lips, as she thought back to earlier today in the hall after practise.

The cardio workout she planned was particularly draining today, so much so, she could still fell the dull ache in her calves from all the laps they had been running. Although she advised the girls join in her cool down, they always refused, waking up with more aches and pains than Chloe would, that for sure.

As for Beca, something makes Chloe think her back will feel fine in the morning. At first, Chloe wasn't going to say anything more, a flustered Beca Mitchell was adorable, and she had seen her fair share of it the moment the shorter woman dropped her laptop – but Chloe couldn't resist.

The redhead wasn't one hundred percent sure Beca was distracted, but the look on her face once Chloe mentioned the mirror and the DJ's reaction was enough to confirm her suspicions. The fact that Beca didn't catch onto it being physically impossible for Chloe to see her reflection was way more proof than she needed.

OK, so maybe knowing that Beca was watching her stretch made her feel bold and pulling at her arm and offering to stretch her back was probably a bit too much, but she can't undo it now. The feeling of knowing Beca was watching her in particular positions whilst she completed her cool down was actually really hot and that's what she's blaming her bout of overconfidence on...

Beca stood awkwardly, her back straight and stiff, whilst Chloe moved her hands over her shoulder blades. Her touch was light and almost hesitant, but she had a feeling Beca didn't notice. After a few minutes of Beca protesting and Chloe racking her brain for an actual exercise to stretch her back, they were standing face to face, Chloe giving the almost willing Beca instructions.

The redhead placed her hands around Beca's elbows, before telling Beca to do the same, then both of them were slowing leaning backwards, balancing each other's weight until they felt a slight pull in the centre of their back.

"See, Beca, exercise can be fun."

"In what way is this fun?" Beca asked slightly outraged by the idea.

Chloe felt a smile tugging on her lips and if wasn't for their position; she would probably be shaking her head.

"OK, enough, Beale, it's time to rest."

Chloe was slowly pulling herself up, as she felt Beca do the same, until they were both standing straight, looking at each other. Chloe's arms ran down Beca's and stopped to lace their fingers together. A flicker of a smile was quickly wiped away, but the redhead definitely knew it was there.

They stayed in silence like that for a few more seconds. Chloe knew she needed to let go of the hands in hers, but somehow she just couldn't bring herself to do it. That's when she sensed Beca's head leaning a little closer, and she couldn't help but bring her eyes down to her mouth, Beca's eyes following hers.

Their lips were millimetres apart and Chloe could swear the loud thudding was in fact Beca's heartbeat. An anticipation was building inside of her, the need to close the final distance becoming too much. A deep desire was forming around them and just as she was about to close the gap, a voice from the hallway was bringing them out of their moment, both woman jumping back from each other, immediately letting go of one another's hands.

"Hey, I forgot my-"

Stacie's voice died in her throat and suddenly there was this knowing smile plastered on her face; one that took over all of her features and glistened in her eyes. The tall brunette walked towards the piano, coyly picking up the half empty water bottle sitting next to Beca's now dying laptop. She waved the object in her hand, finishing off her sentence "...water bottle, but please, DO continue..."

And with that she skipped out of the hall leaving a rather embarrassed looking couple in her wake.

Chloe was brought out of her thoughts with the buzz of her phone on the bedside. The name Beca was lighting up her screen; in more ways than one; with the preview of a text message. Before she had the chance to read or open it, there was a soft knock on her bedroom door, and then it was being gently pushed open to reveal said texter donning her pyjamas and a wonky smile.

In a very uncharacteristic way, the DJ was bounding for the bed and jumping in next to a surprised Chloe in one swift motion. The dip in the mattress partnered with the jump caused Chloe to bounce on the other side of the bed and she let out a giggle.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" she questioned playfully, watching Beca make herself at home, turning to face her.

She shrugged in response, before smiling, "It was a little cold in my room, so I thought you could keep me warm" she joked, comically lifting and lowering her eyebrows.

"God, you're such a dork" she laughed.

"Yep, c'mon, it's late, go to sleep" she ordered, before gently bopping Chloe's nose.

"Says the one who woke me up" Chloe replied, feigning anger.

"Night, Chlo" she whispered quietly.

"Night."

Despite the moment earlier today, their friendship was still the same as it was before the Bella's practise, and Chloe was slowly running out of excuses to own up to her feelings and just tell Beca how she feels. But somehow, the redhead has a feeling Beca already knows and maybe right now that's enough.

XXX