Thank you so much for all the reviews and the continued support! It is definitely hard coming back to a story after being away for so long and it's inspiring to know that people are still excited to read it :) Side note, I think I'm jinxed because my laptop broke. I had to rewrite this chapter. Seriously, me and computers... *shakes head*
To answer a few of your reviews, this IS a bechloe endgame fic. I promise! There are just going to be some twists and turns on the way. Sorry to disappoint, but it will not be a triple treble/ABC fic. I have yet to get on that bandwagon. YET. Aubrey and Beca's dynamic is growing on me so maybe I will someday write one, but I started this story without that in mind so I'm not going to be adding it. Hope it doesn't dissuade anyone from reading this...
Shout out Mitchii2506 for helping me with my thought process on this next chapter. Would not have been able to get this one out with out ya ;)
Beca wiped her already sweating palms on her jeans as she stood in front of her current nemesis, also known as Chloe's front door. It had only taken an hour to get ready before heading over to the apartment. The brunette rolled her eyes at herself. Only the perky redhead could make Beca "badass" Mitchel turn into a typical girl freaking out about what to wear and how to do her hair. And now she was afraid to just knock on the front door! Get a grip of yourself Mitchel! You're just hanging out with your friend. You do this all the time!
Finally, skin met door with two quick taps before Beca shoved her hands back into her pockets and shifted her feet in anticipation. The moments ticked by as the door remained shut. A soft breeze coming from the hallway window blew a few strands of Beca's hair off of her shoulder and into her face. She had decided to wear it down after a long mental debate in front of the mirror. It rivaled the time it took her to choose what shirt to wear, something she would never admit out loud.
Before thoughts of doubt could pop into her mind, Beca brought her hand back to the door and knocked again with a little more force. This time the brunette crossed her hands over her chest as she became a tinge more nervous. The creaking of the door brought the young woman back to attention and she gazed up to her counterpart across the threshold.
"Beca!" Aubrey gasped. "What…what are you doing here?"
Confused at the blonde answering the door, the shorter girl just stared at the appearance of the older woman. Silence passed between the two for a few moments. Aubrey glared at the tiny girl, but Beca had a hard time focusing and continued to leave the question unanswered. A loud frustrated sigh, snapped Beca out of her thoughts and she quickly blushed and turned her focus to the ground.
"You…um…I…ermmm…I…"
The taller woman rolled her eyes. "What hobbit? Please speak up, I can't understand you when you mumble."
"Towel!" Beca squeaked as she snuck a glance up from the floorboards.
"What?" Aubrey looked down at her attire. "Oh shit!"
In the haste to answer the door, the blonde had forgotten that she was about to step in the shower and was therefore, in nothing but a towel. Gripping the towel tighter with her left hand, Aubrey blushed. She had no clue why she cared, it's not like she was normally self conscious. That was definitely one thing that had rubbed off when living with her perky roommate.
"Shut up Mitchel, it's not like you haven't seen a naked woman before." The former Bella mumbled as she opened the door further. "Get your ass in here so I can go back to what I was doing."
Beca jumped through the door and quickly shut it behind her. "Wait! Chloe told you about that?!"
It's not like Beca cared…okay if she was honest with herself she did. Beca thought it had been a private moment shared between herself and the redhead. She should have known better, the older woman was very open about everything. Chloe barging into someone's shower naked was probably something the two captains casually discussed over dinner that night in between 'can I have more potatoes' and 'pass the salt please.' She shouldn't have been surprised, but it still stung.
Maybe I'm investing too much into my relationship with her. I'm reading into these moments as if they mean something, when it's really just Chlo being Chlo.
Aubrey, who had stepped further into the apartment, turned and quirked her head at the younger woman who was clearly lost in thought at the comment she had made. She debated on further making fun of the girl or cluing Beca in that she actually had no clue what she was referring to. Chloe clearly had a very interesting story that she had not shared. The thought of this gnawed at the blonde's stomach. Ignoring the feeling, Aubrey decided to drop the topic and walked back towards the shared bathroom.
"I'm going to go finish my shower. You can either be here when I get out and tell me what you're doing here or you can disappear, you're choice."
And with that the blonde retreated into the bathroom. Before the door was fully shut, Beca noticed the blonde drop her towel onto the tile floor giving the tiny brunette an almost clear view of her backside.
Okay I totally appreciate all the cardio now… She traced the woman's curves with her eyes. Wait WHAT? Beca shook her head to rid her of those thoughts. A moment later she realized that Aubrey had shut the door and she was just standing there staring at the wooden barrier.
Beca mentally smacked herself for having anything but angry thoughts about the blonde. Sure, they had put their differences aside to win the competition... and yea, they kind of get along better now... and okay, Aubrey had been semi comforting the other night when they had hung out and when Beca thought she was going to run the Bellas into the ground…and man there had been that kiss…which grew into a full on make out session. At this thought Beca grabbed one of the pillows off of the couch and smashed her face into it repeatedly. What. Are with. These freakin. Thoughts?!
Taking a breath, she placed the pillow back onto the couch and made her way to Chloe's door, curious as to how the red head didn't hear the commotion a room away. Knocking lightly, Beca pushed open the door and peaked her head in.
A dark room met the brunette. Calling out, just in case the older woman was napping, Beca flipped on the lights. An empty unmade bed faced her. It was typical Chloe - why make your bed if you're just going to get back in it later. There were a few piles of clothes here and there in the room, but otherwise everything was in order.
Okay am I early? Beca glanced down at the watch on her wrist and sighed. Definitely a little early. But I was just excited to get over here. Obviously she's gone to get us food and now I'll just have to wait.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Beca took in the older woman's nightstand. Sure, Beca had crashed here before but she never really paid too much attention to what the redhead kept close at hand when she went to bed. What caught her eye though was the picture frame next to the pink hello kitty alarm clock.
"You're never too old to like cartoons and the color pink,"Chloe had told her last year when Beca had made fun of her for the clock. Focusing back on the frame, Beca picked it up and realized it was a picture from their time together over the summer. It was one of her favorite pictures.
It was only a day into Beca's stay with the Beales when Chloe finally managed to convince her to go down and enjoy the sand and sunlight waiting for them just off the back porch. The younger girl sighed. She honestly didn't like the concept of the beach but knew she would have to endure it when she came to visit her favorite redhead. Changing into her swimsuit, it occurred to Beca that she would probably do anything for the woman who was currently waiting for her outside. Rolling her eyes at the realization and its implications, she trudged down the steps to join the other woman.
They had been laying out on the beach for about ten minutes; Beca complaining the entire time that she was going to burn to a crisp when Chloe finally rolled onto her side and faced the shorter girl. Letting out a small giggle she gazed over her sunglasses and spoke up.
"You know you're right. I'm surprised you didn't burst into flames when we first walked out in the sunlight." Winking, the older girl laid back down onto her towel with a smug look on her face. She had managed to shut the brunette up.
After a few moments Beca did the only thing she could think of. Obviously the most mature response possible, she tossed some sand at the older woman. Mouth open in surprise at the offending sand, Chloe slowly turned her head to look at the younger woman. Beca smugly winked back at the former Bella and went back to the magazine on her towel.
What Beca hadn't expected was the redhead to tackle her a moment later and attempt to pour her water bottle on her. A mini battle over the control of the water ensued. Hands grabbed at wrists trying to steal the bottle, as Beca managed to wrap her legs around Chloe's waist and flip their position on the towel. They both slowed their movements, giggling and attempting to catch their breath. They were both completely wet, grinning like idiots at one another. They were both carefree with no thoughts or worries from the outside world. It was in that moment Beca had known for sure that she was one hundred percent, head over heels in love with the woman laying underneath her.
Chloe squirmed a bit under the brunette and pulled her arms out to wrap them around the girl on top of her. She gazed up at her younger counterpart, eyes sparkling. For a second, Beca thought the older woman was leaning in closer and that she was finally going to be able to know what the gorgeous redhead's lips tasted like. But a small frown flickered across Chloe's face. Biting her lower lip, the redhead let go with one hand.
"What are you doing?" Beca quirked her head to the side, disappointed she had lost some contact but mostly that she wasn't kissing the older woman.
"I need a picture of this exact moment." Chloe stated as she grabbed her phone and positioned it above their heads.
Beca rolled her eyes at the woman, but she definitely didn't mind as the redhead held her tighter to take the picture.
"When I look at this later," Chloe shrugged and let out a small sigh as she smiled, "maybe I'll be able to feel a fraction of what I'm feeling right now. And it will make any day perfect."
Yup, that was THE moment. Sure before that she had thought about how she was attracted to the woman and how she liked spending time with her. But that was the exact moment Beca Mitchel knew she was undoubtedly in love with her best friend. And she would never be the same.
Beca placed the frame back onto the nightstand where she found it, smiling at the memory. The fact that the picture was placed by itself next to the redhead's bed gave the tiny woman a warm feeling in her stomach. Chloe found happiness in their shared moment and she looked at it every morning and night. Making a mental note to ask for a copy of the picture, Beca stood from her spot on the bed and began to make her way back to the living room. Creepily sitting on Chloe's bed when the woman wasn't there probably wasn't the best way to her heart. Then again the redhead had a thing with invading personal space. Beca chuckled at the thought as she sat down on the couch.
"What's so funny short stack?"
Startled, the brunette jumped and brought her hand to her chest. "Jesus, Bree. Don't scare me like that!"
The freshly showered blonde made her way towards the girl as she toweled her hair. A curious look flashed across the taller woman's face as she leaned against the backside of the couch and looked down at the sophomore.
"Seriously, I yelled at you all of last year trying everything in my power to get you to quit the Bellas and all I had to do scare the shit out of you... was sneak up on you?" Aubrey raised her eyebrows and let out a laugh. "And you think you're badass?!"
The brunette crossed her arms across her chest in defense and grumbled. "I can't help it you're like a ninja."
The blonde smirked in response and switched topics. "Look, not like I care that you're here, but what are you doing here?"
Beca paused and looked up at the woman still poised on the back of the couch. Not getting an answer, Aubrey continued on.
"I mean, if you're here to talk about the other night that's so not cool. I tried to find you after your class this morning so we could talk but you never came out of the classroom. I shouldn't be shocked. I don't know why I'd have thought you would actually be in a class." The brunette let out a small protest, but the older woman kept going, clearly building up steam. "God forbid you actually be where you're supposed to be. I even took an early lunch to come and find you. But noooo, Beca Mitchel never thinks about how her actions impact anyone else! Did the thought even occur to you that what happened the other night may have affected someone else? No of course you wouldn't. You're always so wrapped up in your own world you never think about how things impact other people. I mean you cou—"
In attempt to stop the blonde from self-combustion, Beca did the only thing she could think of to shut the older woman up. Kneeling up from the couch to even the height difference, Beca placed both hands on Aubrey's shoulders and pulled her in for a searing kiss. It wasn't as wild and tumultuous as their previous kiss, but it had a fierceness to it that caused the older woman's mind to go completely blank.
"Oh…" The blonde squeaked as they pulled apart.
Beca smirked, "Are you done?"
Standing up from her seat, Aubrey cleared her throat. "For the moment."
"Ok good. I was concerned you were going to die from lack of oxygen or something." The former Bella quirked an eyebrow at the younger girl's statement. " I mean…not because we were kissing – lack of oxygen…I meant from your rant…talking! Not rant! I mean…"
Rolling her eyes at the now blushing girl as she fumbled with her words, Aubrey cut the girl off. "It's fine. Do you want to grab some food and maybe actually talk about what happened?"
"Sure…" Beca was nervous about how this conversation was going to go. "Oh wait, crap no I can't. I'm supposed to be having a 'date night' with Chloe."
Aubrey's smile faltered a bit before she looked back at the girl who was still kneeling on her couch. "Are you sure?
"Uh yea, why?" Actually not sure of herself now, Beca tucked some hair that had fallen in her face behind her ear.
"Chloe left probably half an hour ago with Ben, something about a dinner date…"
"Oh…" The brunette's face fell in disappointment. Chloe had stood her up. And for some guy. Not some guy Mithcel, her boyfriend. At that thought Beca's heart sunk. Of course she would have a date planned with her boyfriend, it was a Friday night and they were young and...in love? Closing her eyes to stop the small tear that had formed, Beca inhaled a breath. There's no reason you should be this hurt. She has every right to be out there, she's not yours to hold on to. You're stupid to even be upset!
Sighing, Beca opened her eyes and looked back up at the blonde. She attempted to put a smile on her face, even if it was fake. "Alright Posen, looks like you're gonna have to put up with me for the night then. Hope I'm not throwing a kink in your lively Friday night plans."
Fully aware of the struggle that just went across the younger girl's face, Aubrey gave her a small smile. "You're not that big a pain." Throwing her a wink, the taller woman quickly added. "Just a tiny one."
"Hey!"
"Shut it short stack. If you start a fight, I'll reconsider buying you dinner." Aubrey grabbed her purse off the table and started towards the door. "Now come on, I'm hungry. After all I missed my lunch today in order to meet up with someone."
"I didn't know!" Beca jumped off the couch and threw her hands in the air. "And stop making fun of my height! It's totally unoriginal…then again, you were never good at being—"
A swift smack on the girl's shoulder shut her up.
"Honestly, do you not understand that your dinner is in my hands tonight?"
"Right. Duh." She mumbled to herself. "I should know better than to risk food." The brunette closed her mouth and shoved her hands in her pocket as she waited for Aubrey to lock the door behind them.
"Well if I had known last year that I all I had to do was threaten taking away your food to get you to shut up…"
Beca just glared at the older woman, not wanting to risk opening her mouth again.
"Wow, it really does work! I need to store this knowledge away for use later."
The only response she received was an eye roll and a very impatient brunette grabbing her hand and pulling her down the hall and out of the apartment building.
Yes that is where I chose to stop the chapter. Why? Because otherwise I would have been up all night writing and I would get no sleep. I'd be grumpy at work and would be fired. Then I wouldn't be able to pay my internet bill and I wouldn't be able to post anymore! AND THEN CHLOE AND BECA WOULD NEVER GET TOGETHER!
So I'm a little over dramatic...sue me! Anyway, I hope you like the chapter. Feedback, thoughts, and random fun stories are always appreciated :)
Signing off!