Thank you for all of your patients! I am sorry I couldn't post sooner. I saw the fall out with 'The 100' on tumblr. Although I don't watch the show I have read the fic and followed the tags. It was a really shitty ending to a great character. I wish I could have posted Thursday. Maybe it would have helped. Given that, I have in no way doctored this chapter due to the show. The words that follow are what was originally planned. The song for this chapter is as follows:
You Keep Coming Up by Stars
I hope you like it and the latest chapter! I hope the extra-long chapter makes up for my late post. I am going to try and respond to some guest reviews below. Hope you enjoy!
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Guest (Only good things to say): Thank you so much! I'm glad Chloe's perspective shone through so well. I contemplated a lot over that dialogue, which words were right. You are pretty spot on with you reasoning/ thoughts. I am so incredibly glad to hear that! :)
Awesome: All very true! It would have been a sour point if never brought up. No, you are on the right track. No worries! I actually really like the idea of Jesse and Bologna Barb. I feel like some of her bitchiness could be explained away by how the Bellas treated her when she tried to join. It seemed like she tried out for the Bellas and was probably made fun of. It really wouldn't be surprising given how the old Bellas captain treated Chloe. Thank you for your support and kind words!
Mia: Well that's fair… I tried to warn you all there would be a small hiccup.
Guest (screaming at your iPad): Lol! Your review makes my day. Thank you so much!
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Chapter 25
(Stars: You Keep Coming Up)
The days following Beca's decision on her relationship with Chloe could be described in one word, awkward. They still spent time together like before Beca had confessed her feelings, but it felt strained. Chloe would be visibly buzzing with excitement, her whole face lighting up, when Beca would appear only to have it droop soon after. Chloe's arms reaching out to hug Beca like she usually would, only to retract them and instead hug herself, probably reasoning that pulling the younger Bella to her maybe wasn't the best idea when trying to maintain platonic feelings for your friend you desperately wanted to kiss. Then the bubbly ginger was left cringing, a big plastic smile in place to hide it. The same thing happened when Chloe went to grab Beca's hand or cuddle into her side. It just brought more attention to the fact that they craved that contact, missed it even. With each incident Beca regretted more and more that she told Chloe no. That genuine smile nowhere to be found. With it came an immense amount of guilt and longing because she was hurting the one person she strived to protect and take care off. That hurt more than thinking Chloe had rejected her. After all she was punishing both of them for feelings they couldn't control.
It was the guilt that convinced Beca to go shopping with Chloe for a graduation dress the redhead could wear under her cap and gown. At least that was what Beca was going with. It definitely had nothing to do with a pout that had morphed into a lip bite, an action done in hopes of hiding a smile. All performed by the one and only Chloe Beale. No, that would be ridiculous. Really it wasn't that bad. If anything it was a combination of torture and a perfect day. Most of her time was spent pretending to be disaffected and put off as she made snarky comments about the impracticality of women's fashion as she flipped through the clothes racks. It was all worth it for the prods to her side and hidden giggles Chloe let out. The rest of the time Beca spent zipping up dresses for Chloe and then letting her know on what end of the scale of beautiful each one fell. There was a lot of blushing and awkward shifting as Beca was forced to trail her fingers up and down the bare skin of Chloe's back, ignoring the small gasps and shivers Chloe let out in response. It was a little off putting too that Chloe seemed to look amazing in everything.
Before long Chloe started making suggestions about items of clothing Beca should try on. Really she shouldn't have been all that surprised because Chloe had been tugging at her flannel all day, with increasing frequency. Beca found it to be extremely cute and it made her feel wanted. Which was basically translating to her turning into mush. With each store the space between them seemed to shrink as the flirty conversation increased. Really it had been increasing as each day passed. When physical contact was taken out of the equation it was all that they had left. The Bellas had been giving them plenty of grief about it. Especially because most of Beca's comebacks came out as jumbled stuttered messes. At the last store they planned on going into, Chloe finally convinced Beca to try something on.
Beca comes out in a cute floral summer dress huffing. She looks good, the perfect combination of modesty and skin on display. Synched at the right place to show off her tiny waist. Beca actually likes the way she looks, but would never admit it. Chloe seems to have a similar opinion, her mouth dropping for a moment before catching herself. She takes another moment to respond.
"Oh, wow… Beca you look simply beautiful! You should def get it."
Beca swatted the compliment away the best she could, surprisingly able to clamp down any blushing. She can't seem to hide the pleased smile that plays across her lips, not even when she briefly looks down at her feet. She half-heartedly scoffed.
"Chloe it's really not me. Besides, when would I wear it?"
Chloe bit her lip, a flirty smile in place, as she sauntered forward, letting her eyes run up and down Beca's body. "I wouldn't be opposed to little old you meeting me at the end of a stage with my diploma in hand in this dress." She pulled at the hem of the dress, her eyes wondering again before taking in Beca's eyes. "It would certainly make the journey worth it." Her voice dropped to a dangerous octave.
Beca flushed lightly at the admittance before subconsciously licking her lips as her eyes took in every inch of Chloe's face, stopping at her lips. "I don't think I could ever be persuaded."
The older Bella paused, seeming to calculate her next move. After all they both had a silent agreement. They would be there for each other, but never make it harder for the other to let go. The problem was they were both in to deep. They had been for a while and just being around each other every day made it harder. So Chloe just said, 'fuck it!' to herself. Wrapping her arms slowly around Beca's neck, being sure to graze as much skin as possible. Her voice trailed off as she challenged, "Really…" She quirked an eyebrow before taking in the lips of the girl before her, melding her own with them. Beca was quick to reciprocate, her hands going to the older girl's hips, gripping at them before pulling her close. Her hands slipping into the back pockets of Chloe's jeans. Chloe's hands dipping down to trace over the expanse of exposed skin at Beca's back, enjoying the flex and pull of the petite girl's shoulder blades. They quickly deepen it, weeks of want and need pouring through each working of their lips. Their own bodies were on slaughtered with little sparks followed by wave after wave of warmth that flowed into their cores.
When they finally had to break for air, both panting, Chloe went in for more, while Beca moved back.
"We can't. It's too much." There was a sad longing tone to Beca's voice. A desperation.
Chloe took a small step back. It was clear she knew she went too far, guilt etched into her face. "I'm sorry."
Beca looked away, sighing, before looking back at Chloe. "It's okay… It's just-it's…".
"I know. You don't have to say it…" Chloe cut in, clearly as upset about the whole thing as Beca.
Beca stepped away from Chloe's embrace, looking at herself in the mirror. She really contemplated her reflection, the gears in her mind spinning. An easy smirk came back. The older woman immediately felt at ease, knowing the day would go back to their normal easy banter.
"Sooooo, would this be more of a heels type dress? Or can I still get away with converse?"
Chloe laughed at the remark, her face briefly scrunched up in false contemplation. "Converse would totes work."
Beca caught the other girl's eyes in the mirror. "You really like it?"
Chloe slid her eyes up the back of the dress, biting her bottom lip, taking in all the deliciously exposed skin, before meeting the other Bella's eyes again. "Totes!" The usual beaming smile was in place.
Beca looked at herself once more before exhaling exasperatedly. Then she turned back towards Chloe. She walked straight towards the other girl, who was clearly confused about what was taking place, but at the same time amused. Beca paused in front of her friend, pushing herself up onto her toes to press a long chaste kiss to her lips. She broke it just as a surprised Chloe began to reciprocate, immediately finding her eyes so she could tell her, "Never say I didn't get you anything."
Then Beca was off to the changing rooms to put her usual jeans and plaid shirt back on. Chloe wasn't fully pulled from her dazed shock until sometime after they exited the store. With Beca's newly purchased dress swinging between them in a ribbon handled brown bag. Chloe was all smiles the rest of the day.
Really, after those two kisses, the flood gates seemed to open. Beca, the one to originally protest, slipped more times than her childhood friend did.
The next time it happens, Chloe was talking about something to do with her Russian literal class. If Beca really thought about it she would vaguely remember her bubbly counterpart going on and on about someone named 'Anna Karenina'. How it was the epinine of old timey loveless marriages. "Oh my god! Becs," she grabbed onto Beca's one arm squeezing it in her excitement. "Did you see the movie? It was totes aca-tastic! With the costumes and Kiera Knightly and-"
That was the last thing Beca remembered Chloe saying. Even that she wasn't sure was accurate because Chloe was wearing a dress. Not just any dress, but one of those light summer dresses that seemed to dance around the wearers legs in the wind. With each breeze it perfectly outlined the older Bella's curves. To say that years of cardio and Aubrey Posen designed workouts had not cut a magnificent figure, would be a crime against humanity. If all of that wasn't enough, the dress in question was blue. Not just any blue, but the perfect shade that made Chloe's eyes pop and sparkle. Beca was utterly transfixed with her friend. Chloe's skin and hair set a glow in the daylight streaming just so.
Before long, Chloe's words run into a jumbled mess. All Beca seems to understand is the curves hinted at under that blue dress and pink lips that could be put to a far better use. Chloe doesn't seem to notice the affect she was having on the pint sized brunette, excitedly chatting away about plot and scenery. All the while Beca had a growing need, want really, to push Chloe up against a wall and kiss her senseless. So that is exactly what she does.
One second Chloe was launching into a full assessment of Kiera Knigtley's acting prowess and the next Beca was stopping them dead in their tracks, looking around briefly. All Chloe had time to utter was a, "Becs, are you okay?" Before being grabbed by the hand and tugged off the main path towards a conveniently located bricked building. Really Beca was walking with such purpose even Aubrey wouldn't have questioned the younger girl's actions or request an explanation. Chloe didn't have to wait that long for one, almost instantly turned around and pushed up against one wall of the building. Beca followed, pinning Chloe's back to the wall as she connected her lips with Chloe's. Then her hands found purchase on Chloe's hips, gripping lightly, taking in the curves that had been teasing her all morning now under her fingertips.
It takes a moment for Chloe to react and another one after that of uncertainty over whether or not Beca was going to pull back early before she fully loses herself. Then tan hands were laced behind Beca's neck as the hips in Beca's hands canted forward ever so slightly until they brushed Beca's front. Their mouths easily found a rhythm, slipping between and nipping at the others lips before tongues dared to dip in. Then there was a massaging of tongues as Beca's hands slipped further down Chloe's waist. When her hands reached down to palm Chloe's ass, the taller girl tightened her grip on Beca, pulling their bodies closer as she moaned into the brunette's mouth. Beca felt the utterance vibrate through her whole being, settling in her core. Then her hands were moving even further down, pulling at the backs of Chloe's thighs. The other girl knew exactly what she wanted, hopping up and wrapping her legs around Beca's waist, grinding into her front as she settled against her. Then it was Beca's turn to moan, the motion shifting her pants just so that the seam of her pints brushed up against her clit. Beca found herself bucking into the other girl.
Their kisses became hungrier as Beca's hands settled back on Chloe's ass to support her. Chloe kept arching into her, fully pressing her breasts into Beca. Making the tiny brunette practically crazy with want. When they finally needed to come up for air, no longer able to survive on air from in between quick kisses, Beca realized what position they were in. Somewhere along the way, Beca's hands had slipped under Chloe's dress. She wasn't just palming Chloe's ass. No, she was palming Chloe's ass with only a pair of underwear between her hands and bare skin. With that she realized just how much of Chloe's lower half was on display, how heavy their breathing was, and just how public of a venue she had chosen to practically dry hump Chloe against a wall was.
Instantly her cheeks colored with embarrassment as she slowly slid Chloe down from the position around her waist. Then she helped Chloe smooth out her dress as she tried to stutter out an apology.
"I-I'm like-like really sorry. I just- I don't know, um, what happened. You are just-you know with those eyes and the uh sun and everything. I shouldn't have-you know- when you were, um, talking and stuff. And-"
As Beca rambled, she stared at her feet shifting hoping Chloe wasn't completely turned off. She must take pity on her because Chloe kisses her again. It shuts Beca up for a moment, but then she goes right back to rambling again. So Chloe's gently cups her jaw and kisses Beca more soundly. That seems to do the trick because Beca was able to finally stop herself from rambling. Then Chloe was catching her eyes as tan hands stroke her jawline and massage at the base of her head.
"Now breathe Becs." Once Beca was calm again Chloe continued speaking. "It's totes okay." Chloe had the slightest hint of mischief in her eyes as she tacked on, "Actually a lot better than okay."
Before Beca had time to process the words, Chloe was pressing a soft kiss to her lips, nothing but fondness shining through as she pulled back. Then Chloe was interlacing their hands and tugging Beca along after her towards their original destination. After the first few minutes of Beca walking around as a living breathing pile of mush, she couldn't help but think it felt so right. Her hand perfectly fitting in Chloe's.
Slowly Chloe started dishing out hugs again and cuddling into Beca's side. Not as much as she used to, but when her body literally looked like it couldn't contain its self, buzzing with want and anticipation. It was one of those days when they found themselves melding their lips together again.
Chloe had been pretty good all day, keeping at least a few inches between them the whole day, but somewhere around noon, she started slowly creeping closer and closer. Then she was pulling at Beca's shirt whenever she was trying to get her attention. Really she didn't have to because she was all Beca seemed to look at all day. Which was making learning the new choreography really hard. Somehow Chloe roped the tiny brunette into helping her study for a test in a beginner's chemistry class. They chose Beca's dorm room as the perfect place to study, still naively trying to convince themselves that they were just friends that occasional made out… and felt each other up. Really nothing strange there. At least that was what Beca would have said if asked. They were just being friendly towards each other. Really friendly!
So that was where they were, in Beca's dorm room, settled on her bed. Beca sat cross legged, her back against her headboard, as she read off questions from a set of notecards the redhead had made. The redhead in question was laid out on her side, head propped up in one hand, facing Beca with a light smile in place. Beca really had no idea why Chloe felt the need to be quizzed because she had answered all of the questions Beca read off correct. They were more than halfway through the stack, pass all of the more difficult questions about systems. She really thought they could stop and maybe go over some of the conversion questions that Chloe seemed to have a little more trouble with, but still got right. Normally she would have told the other girl as much, but Chloe had been slowly creeping closer and closer with each correct answer in her excitement. They were roughly five questions away from Chloe being close enough to shift into Beca's side. She knew she shouldn't have been thinking about it or looking forward to it, but their last make out session against that brick wall had been replying on a loop for days in her head. She really wanted to feel Chloe's firm yet soft curves pressed into her as her hands freely roamed. That confident little smile that kept flitting across Chloe's lips wasn't really helping because Beca had a serious thing for confident, authoritative, or, even, angry Chloe. She didn't know what it was, but it drove the smaller Bella absolutely crazy. She could already feel her body reacting with each fleeting smile.
Beca tried to ignore the growing heat in her southern regions, pushing her hair back and focusing on the next card. "What-what is the term for a negatively charged atom or ion?"
Beca doesn't really know what happened, but one moment she was holding a packet of notecards, looking at another card having to do with polarity and the next moment the cards were pushed out of her hands and she was looking at Chloe. Chloe who was looking at her with blown wide bright blue eyes searching Beca's, as she bit her lip self-consciously, straddling the brunette's lap. Something in Beca's expression must have indicated that she was okay with what was happening because then Chloe was shifting forward to connect their lips. Beca just went with it, letting her hands splay across Chloe's backside, a part of Chloe she was becoming very familiar with. Chloe's hands took up their place in Beca's hair, tugging ever so slightly, causing Beca to gasp. That was all Chloe needed to slip her tongue into Beca's mouth, exploring every inch. Beca gripped at Chloe's backside before moving her hands up and under Chloe's shirt taking in all the deliciously smooth tan skin there. With the contact, Chloe arched into Beca, grinding down into her lap. The action surprised the younger girl, causing her to pull back as she let out an appreciative sound. Chloe, Beca's lips too far to reconnect, moved to the other girl's neck, pulling the skin into her mouth in between kisses as she went from Beca's jaw to the base of her neck. Then Beca's eye were closing in pleasure as her head lawled back to help Chloe's attack on her neck. A string of incomprehensible words fell from her mouth as Chloe pushed her further into the bed, her hands in the short time somehow moved from her hair to her sides. Chloe trailed them up and down just short of touching Beca's chest. Beca actually really wished she'd just touch her there, the anticipation too much for her small body to contain, arching further into those hands.
Beca was trying to communicate as much around her ragged breathing, her eyes fluttering open, trying to focus. That's when her dorm room door flung open revealing Kimmy Jin. Beca immediately pushed Chloe back off of her and onto the bed, her face burning scarlet red. Chloe at first seemed to be utterly confused about her new position on her back, no Beca insight, but was quickly clued in as a frowning Kimmy Jin slammed their door shut. Beca tried to sell the whole studying thing, even with the notecards strewn across the room. Somehow she managed to even get out a chemistry related question, although a little jumbled.
"Why-why is, uh, uh, water considered a, um, charged particle?"
Somehow, miraculously, Chloe was able to answer as she sat up and straightened out her disheveled appearance, as if nothing happened. "Because the oxygen has a partial negative charge and the hydrogen has a partial positive charge due to their polar covalent bonds."
They continued in that fashion, Beca picking up random cards from the floor that had chemistry related questions on them for Chloe to answer. They spent the rest of the time sitting on opposite sides of the bed cross legged facing each other. For some reason Kimmy Jin stayed for an hour instead of the five minutes she usually did when she came back to the room to find Beca and one of the Bellas in their room. Maybe she was afraid they were going to defile her half of the room or something. Really Beca had no idea. She spent the whole time mumbling under her breath as she worked on a paper for one of her classes. Based on the few words Beca caught, she had no idea if her roommate was more upset at Chloe being in the room or the notecards that had been found strewn across the room upon her entry.
Finally she left. Beca let out a sigh of relief as her whole body dropped, all the tension leaving her muscles. Then she looked at Chloe with true concern. "Do you think she noticed anything?"
Chloe smiled cheekily at her as she plopped down on one side of Beca. "Oh! She totes did."
"Really?" Beca's face contorted more, feeling frazzled. She didn't know why. It was not like she was a prude or anything. She just didn't want her roommate walking in on such an intimate scene. Especially not when she wasn't even sure what to define Chloe and her relationship as.
"Well, if she missed how we were positioned before she walked in then the hickies on your neck would be a dead giveaway." Chloe reached out, stroking the marks on Beca's neck fondly, pride shining in her eyes.
Beca frantically searched for her phone, opening her camera, and putting it on selfie mode. There sure enough was a string of roughly ten hickies littered across one side of her neck, extending from her jaw to her collarbone. Chloe stroking over them wasn't making them disappear. Beca sighed dramatically. "Shit!"
Chloe's smile fell for a second before a less than sincere one took the place of the other one. Her hand stilled where it hand been examining each mark. "What's wrong?" Her voice was small.
Beca instantly felt guilty. She wasn't upset with Chloe or what they had done. She actually wouldn't mind continuing. No, something else was bothering her. "What are the Bellas going to say?"
Her response restored Chloe's previous genuine smile, and the hand moved down from her neck to clasped Beca's hand in her own. She rested her chin half on Beca's shoulder. "You could always just tell them you met someone?"
"They wouldn't believe me. They'd-they'd know it was you."
Chloe's voice turned vulnerable and went to barely a whisper. "Would that be so bad?"
"No." Beca answered instantly in the same volume. "It's just…" Beca sighed. "We planned not to, you know."
"Well," Chloe pushed the hair that fell in Beca's eyes back behind her ears. "We could always redefine what you know is. Just feel things out?"
That actually didn't sound so bad. She could deal with that, being something to Chloe, but not necessarily Chloe's, even if she knew that they basically would be dating without the label. "Okay," was her final answer.
Chloe just pressed a quick kiss to Beca's neck before curling into her side. She rested her head on Beca's shoulder, nuzzling into the material of Beca's shirt, and wrapped her arms around the smaller girl's closest arm. There was a moment or two taken for both of them to get comfortable and settled into their new roles.
Chloe was the first to break the silence with a genuine smile. "Ask me about isotopes."
Beca just smiled, picking up the note cards again, pressing a quick kiss to the top of Chloe's head. "What do you know about isotopes?"
She couldn't help the smile that continued to blossom on her lips as Chloe animatedly talked about the concept. After that everything went back to normal, only with a few added kisses. For the time being, Beca could forget about the inevitability of Chloe's graduation. She could just be happy with the girl she had first fallen in love with when she was twelve.
Beca wasn't wrong about the Bellas. They had a field day with Beca's new addition at the next Bellas's practice. The first to speak was of course Amy.
"Looks like you tongued a numbat."
Before Beca could so much as glare at the Aussie, Stacie was jumping in with a smirk. "More like one of those red coated bears."
Cynthia Rose was looking at her all dreamily, it was freaking Beca out. "So who's the lucky girl?"
Beca just stared at them each in turn rolling her eyes, as her cheeks slowly heated up, trying to shrug off the inquiry. She was so busy rolling her eyes at them, she didn't even notice Lily sneaking up behind her to get a better look at the bruise marks on her neck. That was until she felt someone lick her neck and the quiet utterance of, "Strawberries."
Then Beca was jumping away, exclaiming, "What the fuck, dude!"
Lily just walked towards the others, rolling her tongue around in her mouth, as if nothing happened. Then she whispered something in Stacie's ear that made the leggy brunette both cringe and her face light up with excitement. Beca tried once more to get an explanation from them all. "What the hell was that?"
Before anyone could answer, Chloe and Aubrey came into the gym. They both went straight to the group surrounding Beca. Chloe made a beeline for Beca specifically, hugging the younger girl from behind. Aubrey just rolled her eyes at the interaction, ignoring her friend's overly excited state and Beca's grumpy disposition. Instead she focused on the other four girls that were beaming as if they had just perfected the prank of the century or seen the cutest thing to ever exist. It was hard to tell.
"What's going on? Why aren't you all seated?"
"Well it looks like Beca's neck had an accident with a door." Amy blurted out first. Stacie nudged the Aussie. "What? That's what they always say right? Unexplained bruise, they always say they collided with a door. Personally I always say I got into a fight with a dingo, but where are you going to find one of those around here, right?" Everyone just stared at her. "What it's true!" Amy seemed seriously miffed that no one seemed to know what a dingo's natural habit was, none the less what one was.
When Aubrey was still staring at them looking for an explanation, Cynthia Rose practically cooed out a response as she took in the redhead wrapped around Beca, her head comfortably nestled on the shorter girl's shoulder. "She got bit by the looove buuug."
Finally what everyone was saying seemed to click in their captain's head and she finally fully took in her friend and the annoyed brunette she was wrapped around. The annoyed brunette that had a serious string of hickies on her neck. Chloe's current position, her mouth perfectly level with the string of bruises, clearly painted what most likely happened. Then Aubrey looked seriously horrified at the pair. It really wasn't so much the pair as it was the obvious display of their affections and the imagines of the two possibly consummating whatever it was they were.
"Oh. My. God! Have you never heard of a scarf or cover-up?" Beca just stared at her wide eyed and lost. Then Aubrey was stalking off, mumbling something about 'not knowing why I even try' and 'that's who she's attracted to, that' and 'has she never heard of professionalism or propriety'.
Beca was too busy being preened over by an only half truly concerned Chloe to really take note of the blonde's ramblings. Chloe was lifting up her chin to look at the bruises, asking if she was okay and how she got them. Beca lightly swatted her hand away saying she knew perfectly well how she got them. All the other Bellas just stood around watching the pair like it was feeding time at the zoo and all the animals in hiding were coming out. No one moved until Aubrey finally clapped her hands loudly, drawing their attention. Then they instantly filed into their seats as they had post Beca's love confession.
Unlike previous post confession practices Beca was actually meeting Chloe's eyes when she felt her looking at her. It was a lot easier to look at her too when she was sitting next to Aubrey at the front of the room. Which was really distracting because each look lead to a wink or flirtatious smile on Chloe's part. Beca tried to act disaffected, but it was really hard. More times than not she found herself loosing step or not hearing Aubrey when she was talking to her. Then Aubrey just wound up yelling at her and mumbling something about her incompetence. That was usually when Beca would tune her out again, which just started the insults up all over again.
When it finally came time to run up and down the bleachers, Beca found herself running next to Chloe instead of behind her. Given she didn't get to stare at Chloe's ass most of practice, but she did get to almost hold her hand as they ran. Chloe's hand almost constantly brushing hers, which was kind of nice. Besides that, Beca tried to keep it professional, but Chloe insisted that Beca be her volunteer for every new dance move for their new choreography. After all, Beca was an honorary co-captain and captains lead by example. At least that was what Chloe told her when she protested. Really Beca had only seen the dance routines once or twice, each time performed by a spandex clad Chloe. So although she knew and had seen them, she didn't actually know them. Naturally, Chloe saw it as a teaching moment, pressing herself into her back to guide her through it.
All the Bellas had little side comments to add to each new dance move and shifting of their bodies together because Beca's face really wasn't red enough. When they weren't making comments they were fluttering their eyelashes at her, drawing hearts in the air, or just looking at Beca with really big really disturbing smiles. She doesn't know if it is the Bellas or Chloe, but halfway through practice her chair goes missing. Then Chloe was volunteering her lap as a replacement chair. Even though Beca really doesn't mind, she protests profusely as the Bellas make catcalls and finally settles in Chloe's lap with a sever pout, arms crossed over her chest in indignation. Chloe either doesn't notice or pretends not to, wrapping her arms around Beca's waist to keep her in place. It becomes a tradition of sorts in practices that follow, her chair mysteriously disappearing only to reappear again later. Really Beca knows she has to be the biggest sap because all it takes is a kiss on the cheek from Chloe to make her pout go away. Something the Bellas take quick note of and then use against the tiny brunette, resulting in several cheek kisses divvied out each practice. She can't really complain.
Finally it was over. Aubrey didn't bother staying, put off by the open public displays of affection between the hobbit and her best friend, her words. All the other Bellas left with one more comment each on Chloe and Beca's sudden closeness. Beca just concentrated on getting all of her stuff together so she could retreat back into her room until her badass reputation would be restored. That or until Aubrey or Chloe dragged her out of her room, but she had a feeling she could probably convince Chloe to stay and cocoon herself in Beca's bedding with her. The more she thought about it the more she liked the idea. Well after a shower because she could really use one. Chloe had other plans though.
The older girl pulled her off to an open expanse of the gym floor, completely taking Beca by surprise. "Woah! What are you doing?"
"We're going to stretch."
Beca's brow scrunched up in confusion. "Whyyy? We never stretch."
Chloe slowly approached her smiling fondly at Beca. "Maybe you don't, but I do. Besides, you look tense." She bopped Beca on the nose.
Her nose twitched in response and then she was whining like a child. "Do I have to?"
"It will totes be good for you! Especially after all that dancing."
They had a mini stare off, but Beca quickly caved when met with the start of a small pout on the other girl's lips. She sighed, "Fine, what do I have to do?"
Chloe eagerly bounced over into Beca's space. Then her arms where gently pushing the younger girl's arms into some basic stretches before doing them herself. It was nice, intimate even. Beca found a small smile blossoming on her lips as each second passed. For once it was just her and Chloe with no distractions. Just enjoying each other's company. Beca actually was feeling pretty rested. Then Chloe decided to throw in some yoga poses and Beca really wasn't all that flexible. When she was told to go into downward dog, once she clarified it wasn't a sex thing, she was whining once again at the prospect of almost touching her toes.
"I don't bend that way."
Chloe was there to coax her along, tan hands placed on her hips to help support her. "But you're totes a natural Becs."
"You're lying!" Chloe's hands began to massage the muscles at the base of her back. Beca practically melted because the ginger's hands were pure magic, easily working out all the kinks.
Chloe didn't pay the comment much mind, easily combating it away. "I never lie."
"Yeah and I'm the one who spit on the kid down the street and said it was a raindrop."
"That was one time! And I can't believe you remember that." Chloe stated as she helped Beca back into a standing position.
"How could I not remember. He spit on me first. Dude and when he found out you looked so adorable."
Even though she wasn't looking at Chloe, Beca could tell that she was smiling. Then she was pulled from her thoughts with the next utterance. "Move back into me."
"What?" Her eyes went wide.
"I said move back into me."
Beca finally turned to look at the other girl. "What are you going to do?"
"Do you trust me?" Really Beca knew she should say no because there was that glint of mischief, but she just nodded in the affirmative instead. Then Chloe made her turn around and she pressed herself into Beca's back, her hands coming to rest on Beca's hips. At first Beca was wondering if it was just a ploy to feel her up, but then Chloe was leaning them both back, stretching out Beca's ab muscles. The tiny brunette let out an appreciative sigh with the stretch.
"Turn around."
"Why?"
"Just trust me."
No reason came to mind for why she shouldn't. So she did as she was told. At first she thought Chloe was going to kiss her, but no. Instead she pulled Beca into her body as if she was going to hug her and she did, but it was different. Once they were settled properly, Chloe placed her hands on either side of Beca's spine. She told her to take a deep breath and to let it go. On the exhale, Chloe tightened her grip, cracking the vertebrate of Beca's spine. Even with the loud noise that was emanated, it felt amazing. Then tan hands worked up and down her back, working out any knots she came across. Beca just sunk further into Chloe's body, taking in that oh so familiar sent as she nuzzled into her. Then it was over and warm air was ghosting over her ear as a soft voice told her to lay down on her back.
At that point Beca was so blissed out she just did as she was told. That was until Chloe took her leg in her hands and leaned into it, hovering over Beca as she stretched out the younger girl's hamstring and calf.
"Oooow! What are you trying to do, kill me?"
Chloe just smiled at her, easing up a bit. "That just means it's working."
Half of Beca believed her and the other half was wondering if it was an actual stretch because when they switched she had this intense urge to just kiss Chloe as she hovered over bright blue eyes. Chloe was flexible enough that it almost seemed doable. The older girl must have caught her staring in the, 'I really want to kiss you right now' way because Chloe cocked a knowing eyebrow at her, as if challenging her.
After that the stretches became more and more ridiculous until Beca was sure Chloe was just making them up. As they finished up, balancing on one leg as they pulled the heel of their one foot towards their behinds. Not long after they started the stretch, Beca was tipping over into Chloe before she could stop herself. They both landed on the floor, Chloe half catching her, Chloe beneath her. Once they moved around a bit they realized their positions.
Chloe adorably shy for once, let out a soft, "Hey."
Beca echoed the word back. Chloe bit her lip as she looked up at her and Beca had the intense urge to kiss her again so she did. It was like the night before only Beca was on top. She pinned Chloe's hands above her head. She took a second to fully take in the woman before her. Chloe looked breath taking, her hair splayed out around her head and face a glow with true happiness.
"You are so beautiful, Chloe."
Before Chloe could protest or turn it back on her, Beca connected their lips. It was slower, more drawn out than the previous day. Maybe it was because they knew they could do it again now without any consequences. Beca wasn't sure. Somehow their slow pace was more of a turn on than their faster one from the night before. When they separated for air Beca released Chloe's arms. Instead of her hands running up Beca's sides, they went to her jaw where they softly caressed her jawline before slipping into Beca's hair. Right before Chloe reconnected their lips, there was something in the way she looked at Beca. It was more than just fondness. It went beyond that. Chloe seemed to be trying to communicate something even though the words wouldn't come, but what that message was Beca wasn't sure of.
Then their lips were reconnected and it was somehow even softer and more sensual than before. It felt like their lips were just barely grazing. The slow pace forced them to take note of the person above or below them. The exact curve of their lips, softness of their bodies, their rate of breathing, and all the movements the other made was accounted for. It felt so intimate. Beca never wanted to stop, but they had to, needing air. This time they did not stray far from each other, giving eskimo kisses until Beca rested her forehead against Chloe's cheek. Chloe wrapped her arms around Beca's waist, pulling her closer. It felt like they did a lot more than just make out for the last five minutes, their bodies pleasantly a buzz. Laying there, Beca had a better idea of what Chloe was trying to communicate, but still wasn't sure because it felt an awful lot like love. That seemed impossible though.
Before Beca could ponder it further her stomach growled just as she was sinking in. She could feel the body below her shaking with laughter. Then there was some shifting as if Chloe was trying to get up.
Beca groaned. "Five more minutes."
She clung onto Choe to try and get her to lay back down again, but her stomach just growled louder in protest.
"Nope!" Chloe popped the 'p'. "Time to feed the beast."
Then she was shifting so Beca was sat more to the side of her instead of on top of her. Beca reluctantly extracted herself from the ginger so she could face her.
"It's not a beast." Beca stated dejectedly.
Chloe just smiled at her, amused. "You once ate a whole large pizza by yourself.
Beca just shrugged it off. "I hadn't eaten all day."
"So that's why you ate that bag of chips and then a box of cookies after, right?"
"What, I was growing." There was a glint in Chloe's eyes instantly so Beca quickly tacked on, "Don't say a word Beale."
Then Chloe was placing a quick peck on Beca's lips, stopping just short of the brunette's lips to say, "I wouldn't dream of it," before connecting them. Beca was left sitting there slightly dazed after as Chloe got up from the floor.
When Beca didn't follow, Chloe offered the younger girl her hand to pull her up. "Come on my little forager, food awaits."
Beca tutted out her distaste at the nickname as she glared at Chloe, but took the hand anyway. They quickly collected their things. Chloe playfully tapped Beca's but when she was ready.
"Let's go!"
In her surprise, Beca let out a squeak and jumped away. "What was that for?"
Chloe just looked at her with big blue innocent eyes. "Just making up for lost time."
Beca didn't buy it for a second, snorting. "Yeah and unicorns are real."
Chloe gasped. "But they totes are!"
Beca just rolled her eyes, not at all actually upset. If she was being honest, she actually thought the ginger's antics were cute. So she played along, letting Chloe interlace their hands so she could be tugged along after her and out of the gym. "Of course you still believe in unicorns."
"Well they are the mascot of the LGBTQ community. It's like a requirement."
"Someone quick revoke my gay card." Beca stated sarcastically, moving closer into Chloe's side.
"Well I can certainly help you find it later."
The way Chloe said it almost made it seem more like a promise than a statement. Beca gulped, her face going bright red at all the possibilities. "Um, okay," was all she could come up with. Chloe just hummed in agreement, obviously pleased with herself.
+/+/+
A/N: If you were a guest reviewer and I did not reply to you, it is because I thought this chapter would answer your questions. I hope this chapter wasn't too shabby. I was only able to read over it in its entirety once. If you want to know what Beca and Chloe's dresses look like, I am leaving reference pictures on my tumblr (pentopage33). It took a bit to find Chloe's, I only ever planned on posting a picture of Beca's and specified her's once I found the dress. It was harder to find one I thought Chloe would wear that fit the description I wrote. I think next week I will be able to post on time. We shall see. Thank you once again!