A/N: Yikes! I know I'm super late but I'm gonna work my butt of every afternoon after work to make it up to you guys! Honestly I just couldn't get focused today. Feel free to spam me in the future if you notice me slacking ;) Any Aussie readers out there? Go Ellie! So stocked. Although that has nothing to do with PP or Bechloe, I'm super stocked about it. I'm high-key about the Voice AU.
There is Staubrey if you squint. Just kidding. This chapter is choc-full of Staubrey goodness so I hope you like it :) :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Pitch Perfect.
If looks could kill then Emily would be dead. She had spent most of her morning leaning on the receptionist's counter, talking and laughing with her friend, and mostly ignoring the eyes she could feel burning into her back.
"Chloe?" she asked, after the glaring became too much.
"Hmm?" Chloe hummed in response, a wide smile on her face as she came down from the laughter.
Emily glanced over her shoulder, meeting stormy blue, before turning back to Chloe. The salesperson didn't even pretend to look away. "Have I done something?" Emily asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"No, why?" Chloe asked, her head tilting and a slight furrow in her brow.
"Umm," Emily chewed her lip and tried to point a subtle thumb over her shoulder.
Chloe's eyes ticked over to Beca quickly and her brow lowered even more as light blue met dark. Chloe was an expert in all things Beca. She could read every word, every quiver, and every movement. What she read right now was jealousy. "Oh." Chloe's voice was just as soft as Emily's had been, but her's had a layer of surprise. Chloe's head titled to the other side as she kept her eyes locked with those of her best friend. 'Are you OK?' she mouthed.
Beca didn't seem to react for a moment, causing Chloe to consider what her next action would be, until the shorter woman stood, heading towards Chloe with an unrecognisable purpose. Beca didn't break her eyes from Chloe's until she was directly in front of her. She turned her stormy eyes on Emily, wordlessly dismissing the temp and causing her to scurry away and into the break room.
"Beca?" Chloe questioned as soon as Beca returned her attention to the redhead.
"How was the date?" Beca's voice was cold, emotionless, as she gave nothing away on how she was feeling or why she was feeling it.
"Good?" Chloe answered, the word coming out as more of a question than anything else.
"Good," Beca mirrored. "Are you seeing her again?"
Chloe's eyes scanned Beca's face, trying to discern the reason for this questioning. It was Monday and the date had been two days ago. She'd spoken to Beca during the weekend but her date had seemed like a topic not open for discussion. "Beca what is this about?"
Beca shrugged, aiming for nonchalance but leaning closer to awkward. "Can't one best friend worry about another?"
"Sure. But this doesn't seem like worry. Do you not want me to date Marley?"
"You can do what you want. You're an adult, aren't you?" It was filled with more snark than Chloe deserved and Beca felt her heart clench as hurt crossed her friend's face.
"That's not what I asked."
"I just... I didn't know you dated women," Beca tried, searching for any reason to explain away what she was feeling without admitting the obvious answer that she'd spent the last year ignoring. It was true. Chloe hadn't really dated anyone in the past year and the people Beca had been her with, on occasion, were always male. It didn't change how she saw Chloe but she couldn't ignore the fact that this new information had changed something.
"Well I do. Men, women... I don't discriminate."
Beca scoffed, a harsh sound that was again undeserved. "So you're bi?"
"I don't like labels but if you need one then pansexual."
"What's that?" Beca dropped her attitude for the first time in the conversation, actually wanting to listen to her best friend.
"I don't limit love with sexuality. I fall for a person, not their gender or identity," Chloe explained, carefully selecting each word and watching closely for her friend's reaction.
"So you'd date someone that is transgender?" Beca asked.
"Yes. If I was attracted to them."
"And you're attracted to Marley?"
"Yes," Chloe's answer was sure, leaving no room to argue.
"Oh. OK."
"Are you OK?" Chloe questioned, taking in her friend's confusion.
"Yeah. Pansexual suits you." Beca frowned as soon as the words spilled from her mouth. "I didn't mean that. I meant-"
"Beca, it's fine," Chloe interrupted, easing her friend's worries. "But back to your question: yes. I will be seeing Marley again. We had a good time."
"Right," Beca nodded, forcing a hand through her hair and pulling some strands loose. "Cool. That's cool. Marley's cool. You're cool."
"That's a lot of cool," Chloe commented.
"Sorry. I don't... I'm not... I'm being weird. I'm sorry."
"It's fine Becs." Chloe reached out a hand and covered Beca's where it was picking at the counter.
Beca didn't fight the small smile that appeared when Chloe's had touched hers. "I'm gonna miss you Chlo. I got used to having you all to myself."
"Nothing, no one, will ever change us. We're Bhloe. Friday's will always be our night and we will still have all day, every weekday, at work, killing our boredom together," Chloe comforted, squeezing Beca's hand in her own.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Beca's small smile grew until she was almost beaming down at her best friend. "So. Do you have any plans for tonight?"
"No I-"
"Beca? Can I speak to you for a second?" Jesse interrupted, appearing out of nowhere.
"Jess I'm kinda in the middle of-"
"Now. It's important."
Beca rolled her eyes. "What is it Jesse?"
"In private."
Beca glanced around, noticing that they had quite the audience. "Where is private around here?"
Jesse clenched his jaw, looking around and surveying his options. "Conference room," he decided, turning and walking towards it without waiting for Beca.
Beca rolled her eyes once more, shrugging apologetically in Chloe's direction, before heading into the conference room. Jesse slammed the door closed behind them.
Amy popped out of her office, glancing around for the source of the noise. "What was that racket? It sounded like the time I trained my kangaroo to box."
"Domestic," Bumper answered, pointing at the closed conference room.
Amy winced as the couple raised their voices, not enough for words to be heard but more than enough to make it obvious they were fighting. "Yikes. Bumper, a minute?"
Bumper's eyes widened, overjoyed that Amy was paying him special attention, regardless of the reason. He quickly stood, almost overturning his chair, in his haste to scurry into Amy's office.
"Are you being serious right now?" Jesse snapped, sharp eyes searching Beca's face.
"Jesse I said sorry. I forgot that we had plans for tonight. I'll just do something with Chloe tomorrow night," Beca shrugged, not grasping why Jesse was having such a problem with her, once again, forgetting their plans in favour of Chloe time.
"Argh!" Jesse half-groaned, half-yelled, yanking his hands through his hair and trying to force his frustration down. "You just don't get this do you?"
"Get what?" Beca snapped back, growing defensive as Jesse's anger grew. "The fact that you are acting like a three year old because I have a life outside of you?"
"A life? Beca you don't have a 'life'. You have a Chloe."
"What does that even mean?"
"It means that you are in love with her." Jesse's shoulders slumped as soon as the words slipped from his lips. He was done fighting. Beca wasn't his anymore; no matter how much he wished she was. She had never been his. Somehow, she had always been Chloe's, even before they'd met.
"Yeah?" Bumper asked as soon as he entered the office. Amy was already sitting behind the desk.
"Close the door."
Bumper nodded and quickly closed it.
"I need your help with this Bumper," Amy said, pointing at a chair for Bumper to sit in.
"Anything!" Bumper cried, a little too eagerly.
"We need to fire someone."
"Beca," Bumper answered immediately.
"No-not," Amy sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Not Beca. Not a salesperson."
"Chloe."
"Bumper!"
Bumper groaned and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms across his chest. "She isn't as nice as you guys think she is."
"You are never going to win that fight. There has to be someone in this office I can fire."
"Lily? I don't even know what she does," Bumper suggested, frowning as he thought about what her job title could be. He had never even seen her do anything that could be considered work.
"She scares me. Once I heard her say she could show me a dead body. I could do the same but..." Amy shivered.
"Flo? She's the newest. Other than Emily," Bumper suggested.
"No Flo is entertaining. Emily... nuh..."
Bumper leaned back in his chair to observe his co-workers. "Oh! Aubrey!"
"Yes!" Amy agreed quickly, her eyes widening in excitement. "Go get me Posen," Amy ordered, gesturing as if she was a queen and Bumper was her liege. Which, to be honest, was often how they acted.
Bumper didn't say anything, quickly scrambling from the room and heading straight over to Aubrey's desk. "Hey Posen," he said, his voice every part the smug salesperson he was.
"What Allen?" Aubrey returned, rolling her eyes and sighing in annoyance at the interruption.
"Fat Amy wants to see you in her office," he explained, sniggering behind his hand.
"Very funny," Aubrey deadpanned. "We both know I'm not allowed in her office. How about you go try and do some work, hmm?"
Bumper glared down at the blonde. "This isn't some prank. She seriously wants to see you in her office."
"Bumper-"
"I'm being serious!" Bumper basically stopped his foot, acting like a toddler that wasn't getting his own way.
Aubrey's eyes scanned his face, looking for any hint of deception and not finding any. "Ohhhkayyy," she nodded, speaking slowly.
"Now."
"Got it."
Bumper glared once more and stomped over to his desk.
Aubrey quickly saved her work and stood to head into the lion's den - or maybe the koala den, they've been known to be vicious.
"Bree!" A voice called, stopping Aubrey before she got too far.
Aubrey turned, a warm smile already on her face after hearing the familiar voice. "Yeah?" she asked softly.
"What's up?" Stacie questioned, returning Aubrey's smile.
"Amy wants to see me apparently."
"Uh-oh, that can't be good." Stacie reached up a hand, hooking her lip around Aubrey's belt loop and tugging slightly.
Aubrey swallowed and blinked a few times to refocus. Stacie hadn't even touched her but her body was on fire. "Who knows? It's Fat Amy."
"Good point. Can we talk later?" Stacie looked up through hooded eyelids, adding a sultry smirk to complete her look of pure seduction.
"Of... co-course," Aubrey stuttered. She ran a hand over her hair, forcing herself to regain the composure Stacie was so good at yanking away from her.
"Good luck." A wink.
Aubrey smiled down at the brunette. "Thanks. I'll need it."
5 minutes. It didn't seem like a long period of time. It certainly didn't seem like long enough to change someone's life forever. But it was. 5 minutes of Beca standing, arms to her sides, mouth open, staring blankly at the space Jesse had been standing in. 5 minutes of Jesse sitting, watching Beca as her mind worked overtime to understand what he had just said to her. 5 minutes of the last year being replayed.
"It means you are in love with her."
"Umm... hi?" Beca questioned as she walked into the office. Someone new was sitting at the receptionist's desk. Beca didn't like change. She hated it. But this change was wearing a wide smile and had shining blue eyes that made Beca feel oddly at peace.
"Hey!" Even her voice was peaceful.
"Who are you?" Beca winced as soon as she spoke. "Sorry. That was rude. I meant-"
The redhead cut her off with a laugh, a musical sound that filled Beca's mind with mixes and beats. "I'm Chloe." The woman stood and quickly walked around the desk, sticking her hand out in front of herself.
Beca eyed it but made no motion to move.
The musical laughter sounded again. "Normal people shake hands."
"Normal people?"
"I'll introduce you to some one day."
Beca's eyebrows flew almost to her hairline. "Did you just...?"
Chloe giggled and shrugged, her eyes shining brightly and her hand still outstretched. "So?"
"Oh, right! Normal people shake hands." Beca threw her hand out with such a force that she slapped Chloe's hand instead of shaking. "Shit! Sorry."
"You seem like a real people person," Chloe teased, shaking her hand out and brushing off Beca's concern that she was hurt.
"Would you believe I'm a salesperson?" Beca smirked.
"Of course I do. You seem like the type of person who can do anything she wants." Chloe's face shone with sincerity and honesty. She truly believed what she was saying. "Except for shaking hands, that is."
And for the first time since her mother had left Beca laughed. Loudly. Her eyes met Chloe's. "I like you."
Chloe leaned in, not giving Beca the chance to pull away as she grabbed the brunette's hands in her own. "I think we're going to be fast friends."
And then a wink that solidified their friendship.
"I'm... in love with her?" Beca's eyes widened and she glanced at Jesse. "I-"
"Bec," Jesse cut her off, standing up with his hands raised, "Let me go first, OK?"
Beca nodded, still too shocked to speak and more than OK with Jesse taking the lead.
"Me and you... we were never more than friends. I might have lied to myself about it but we both knew it. You never liked me, I was just safe, and I was OK with that... until now. I can't keep ignoring you staring at her, wishing you were with her, ignoring me... I deserve better. So do you. And so does Chloe."
Beca could see the pain in Jesse's eyes, the anguish. His voice might be calm, his words might be focused, but he was in turmoil. "I'm so sorry. I don't want to hurt you. You've always been my best friend-"
"No," Jesse laughed, the sound cold and empty. "I'm not your friend Bec. Not anymore. I was your boyfriend, but you were just using me."
"I wasn't-"
"You were. You know that I'd never hurt you; I'd never do to you what your dad did to your mum. That's not the way to live Bec. You should go after love." Jesse sniffed and clenched his jaw. He was not going to cry. Not now. Not in front of her. He glanced through the blind-covered windows. Chloe was staring at the conference room, a concerned frown over her face. Jesse sighed. He wanted to be angry, he deserved to be angry, but his internal romantic was fighting against it. "Chloe is... Don't you dare hurt her."
Beca swallowed, feeling a lump grow suddenly in her throat at Jesse's words. "She's..." Beca trailed off. What was she supposed to say? Too good for me? Everything I want but will never deserve?
But Jesse seemed to understand the unspoken words. "That's true. But she wants you anyway."
Beca chewed her lip, watching as her oldest friend waged an internal war between his feelings. "Can we be friends again?"
Jesse took a deep breath. He knew it was coming. He'd watched enough movies to know that break-ups followed a script. He just hadn't realised how much it actually hurt in reality. "Not yet. I can't... I'm angry Beca."
Beca nodded, dropping her eyes and scuffing her foot. "I'm sorry."
"I know. You said that. Just... just don't be an idiot. Get the girl. Don't make me regret this." A tear forced its way out and trailed down a cheek. Jesse turned, his hand gripping the dor handle. "Tell her how you feel before it's too late. Nothing hurts more than the person you love, loving someone else." Jesse was gone before Beca could react.
The door was left open, Beca standing in front of it, and her eyes met Chloe's straight away. She read the worry, the concern, and the questions. Chloe had always had the ability to make her feel comfortable, relaxed, and right now was no different. Gripped with the lingering warning in Jesse's words Beca forced her legs to move forwards. Each step bringing her closer and closer to her red head, to her Chloe.
"Is everything OK?" Chloe asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Beca grinned. "Yeah Chlo. It's great. There's something I need to tell you."
"Anything."
"Chloe. I-"
A chime cut Beca off. Chloe winced and grabbed her phone, glancing at it before pressing a button to silence it. She opened a door and dropped it inside.
"Sorry," Chloe apologised. "It was just Marley. You have my undivided attention."
Marley. The name was a jolt to Beca's system and ice in her veins. She was too late. Chloe was already falling for someone else.
"I will be seeing Marley again. We had a good time."
"Becs?" Chloe pushed when Beca didn't say anything.
"No. Sorry. It's-nothing."
Chloe furrowed her brows. "It seemed important?"
"No. It's fine. We're fine. I'm fine."
"That's a lot of fine," Chloe joked, using her same line from earlier.
Beca didn't fight the small smile that appeared on her face. This was Chloe's way of saying she knew Beca was lying and it was OK.
"Did you still want to do something tonight?" Chloe asked hopefully. She loved spending time with her best friend.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that." Beca met Chloe's eyes, letting the moment stretch. It was strange. Somehow Beca simply allowing herself to admit that her feelings for Chloe went beyond friendship was like allowing herself to let Chloe all the way into her heart. And she wasn't scared... she was free... but she was late.
"Aubrey, take a seat," Amy greeted as Aubrey entered the office and closed the door.
Aubrey raised a brow at Amy's giddy enthusiasm but did as asked.
"Let me cut to the chase. God, I've been looking forward to this. Aubrey Posen. You are fired," Amy didn't both containing her glee.
"What?" Aubrey snapped incredulously.
"You're fired." Amy added a wink and a gun-slinging motion, just like she'd seen done in the Apprentice.
"You can't fire me."
"Wait-what?" Amy asked, deflating.
"Only corporate can fire me," Aubrey explained, glaring at the Australian.
Amy brightened again and pulled the corporate memo out from under the 12-pack of Krispy Kremes she'd been working through. "Ah! But see? This is from corporate."
Aubrey reached out a hand and plucked the paper from Amy's sticky fingers. She scanned it quickly and rolled her eyes. "Amy. This memo has nothing to do with you firing someone.'
Amy snatched the paper back, eyeing it for herself. "Sure it does. We are below our sales target for the quarter and are working at a loss. So if I fire someone, hey presto, more money."
Aubrey gasped and her eyes widened at Amy's declaration. "That's not how it... Amy, do you know anything about budgets, projections or accounting?"
"I was the best accountant in Australia. With just one head."
"So you know that firing someone won't actually change the amount of sales money you have made?" Aubrey questioned.
"Oh contraire! I plan to use your salary to buy paper and raise our sales. Problem solved."
Aubrey's mouth opened and closed a few times as she processed Amy's 'plan'. "But that's illegal."
"Hmm... hmm... hmmm," Amy hummed, rocking her head back and forth.
Aubrey sighed. "Listen Amy. I know we don't see eye to eye on... well on anything. You think I'm-"
"The devil incarnate."
"And I think you're-"
"The sexy one."
"But this is bad Amy. This means they might close the office, or at least downsize."
"And what do I do?" Amy asked, in a rare moment of serious sincerity.
"You let me help you."
Amy closed her eyes and sighed, thinking over her options. She really didn't have any. The people sitting, working, playing games, outside of her office were like family. She'd be responsible for them losing their jobs. "OK. What do we do?"
Beca smirked as she saw Emily glance their way once again. She knew she was being immature but she couldn't help it. It was hard enough for her to share Chloe with Marley; she wasn't prepared to lose work-Chloe time to some mini-Chloe.
"This is definitely one of my new favourites," Chloe gushed as she slid Beca's headphones off her ears. Chloe was always the first person to hear Beca's mixes, whether they were finished or not. She craved the redhead's opinion and adoration. Something that made much more sense in the wake of her realisation.
"Cool. I'll add the rest to your phone later. I've got a couple perfect for your workout playlist."
Chloe beamed at her friend, handing back the phone and headphones. "You take such good care of me. What would I do without you?" Chloe batted her eyelids as she giggled, looking up at Beca.
Beca felt a blush cover her cheeks. That was new. Chloe noticed. She reached out a hand and poked her friend's face.
"Look! I made you blush!"
"Stop it," Beca mumbled, batting Chloe's hand away from her face. "You're so weird."
"You're so weird," Chloe bubbled back.
"Whatever," Beca muttered, rolling her eyes.
A throat clearing caught their attention and they turned towards Bumper.
"When you two are done flirting maybe you could consider working?" He suggested.
Beca rolled her eyes again and turned back to Chloe. "He is being extra annoying today."
"You missed his 'I know something you don't know' dance," Chloe said, nodding in agreement.
"My eyes are grateful," Beca smirked.
"Ears too."
"He sung?"
"He sure did."
"I'm sorry I missed it," Beca deadpanned. "This reminds me; we haven't pranked Bumper in a while, have we?"
Chloe tilted her head and chewed her lip as she thought it over. "I think it's been a week."
Beca's eyes widened comically. "A week! How could we become so slack! This needs to be rectified."
"Well go get that prank list that I know you keep in your top drawer."
"Eye, eye."
"You!" Aubrey yelled as soon as she came out of Amy's office, receiving a few odd looks.
"Me?" Beca squeaked, shamefully scared of the fire in Aubrey's eyes.
"No. Him." Amy pointed at the cameraman standing behind Beca. The man who had been following her from Chloe's desk to her own. The man who had been documenting every moment between the two women for the last week and a half. The man who had been observing, and editing, a love story between two unsuspecting women. His eyes widened as Aubrey curled a finger, calling him into the unoccupied conference room. He glanced at another cameraman, indicating that he should stay on the women while he was occupied. He shed the camera, switching it off and placing it on Beca's desk chair. He knew she would be busy with Chloe for a while.
"Is everything OK Miss Posen?" He asked as he took a seat at the table in the centre of the room.
"I have a proposal for you Mr...?"
"Luke is fine," he answered, his English accent shining through.
"Luke. And you are basically in charge of," Aubrey gestured around them, "This?"
"In theory," Luke responded. "I answer to producers, the people bankrolling this project, but yes, essentially, I am in charge of what we film and what becomes of it."
Aubrey leaned back in her chair, a confident smile covering her face. "Good. Now. Chloe and Beca may be a little slow on the uptake but you must know that others have noticed what, or should I say who, is the true focus of this documentary. And it isn't 'The American Workplace', is it?"
Luke leaned back in his chair, copying Aubrey's posture. "Others have noticed?"
"I've noticed."
"Well then, by all means, tell me what my 'real' focus is."
"My best friend and the person she is in love with."
If Luke was shocked he didn't show it. "Is it?"
"We both know it is. How about you make things easier, admit this, so that we can move on to why we're really here."
Luke inclined his head slightly, giving in to Aubrey's request.
"Good," she said. "Now. How soon can we air it?"
Now Luke was shocked. "Why?"
"This office is failing. We need the publicity that this will bring," Aubrey explained, desperation leaking into her voice.
"You're willing to use your best friend's feelings, display them publically, possibly ruin her friendship, for the sake of this office?" Luke questioned.
Aubrey glanced out of the conference room, her eyes landing on Stacie. They had been close for over a year. Other than Chloe Stacie had become the most important person in her life. She was smart, she was sexy, and she was this mystery that Aubrey just wanted to learn. Stacie had an unmatched ability to break into Aubrey's shell, the shell her father and his unreasonable demands had created. Stacie could make her feel like she was a human, not a robot. So she would do this, for Stacie. Chloe would understand. Chloe would forgive her. Chloe would... lose Beca.
"Yes."
Luke scanned Aubrey's face, seeing a cold determination. "Give me a week."
Aubrey nodded, a sharp, jolting motion. It was done.
"Oh! This one!" Chloe cheered, pointing at one of the ideas on Beca's list.
"Which one?" Beca asked, leaning over Chloe's shoulder to see better. So what if she could see perfectly fine from where she had been. So what if she pressed up against Chloe's back in a way that was unnecessary and something friends wouldn't do. So what if she felt her entire body burn at the contact.
"This one," Chloe said, tapping the paper just below the line she was referring to.
"Oh yeah, I like that one," Beca agreed nodding but not pulling away. "But we'd need to get here pretty early in the morning to get it done."
"Sleepover?" Chloe suggested her eyes shining as she turned her head to look at Beca properly.
Beca swallowed when she realised how close that made their faces. Her eyes flicked down to soft, red lips. What would they taste like? Blink. Swallow. "On a school night Miss Beale? You rebel."
Chloe grinned. "What can I say Miss Mitchell? You are a fantastic influence."
"Can we try my place for a change? I don't really have the patience for Posen tonight."
Chloe sighed and turned her head back around, distracting herself with Beca's paper. "I really wish my two best friends would get along."
Beca stared at her hand, hesitating for a second, before placing it lightly on Chloe's shoulder. "I know I make it hard. I'm sorry Chlo."
"It's not just you. Bree is just as bad. But you guys both love me, what more do you need?" Chloe asked, peaking at Beca from the corner of her eyes.
"Something other than hatred maybe?" Beca joked.
Chloe giggled and leaned back, bumping her shoulder against Beca's stomach. "Rude."
"Honest," Beca returned. "Anyway, lets get planning."
"So you're trying to tell me that the one chick plays... ALL of the characters?" Beca questioned as she led Chloe into her house.
"Basically yes."
"Does she get paid shitloads?" Beca frowned, booting the door closed after Chloe passed through it.
"I haven't asked her. The point is: she is an amazing actress," Chloe gushed.
"That point aside it just sounds lame," Beca shrugged, following Chloe into the living room. Normally she head straight to her room but the redhead was always set on 'manners' and greeting her father 'properly'.
"Aca-scuse me?"
"Don't start that again," Beca groaned, hiding her smile. Chloe was just so adorable sometimes.
"Sorry. Emily does it."
"You and Legacy seem to get getting on well," Beca muttered.
"Her name is Emily. Emily. Stop being mean to her. She reminds me of a younger, shy me."
"A shy you? That's something."
Chloe rolled her eyes and plonked down on the couch, flashing her best smile to Beca's dad. "Hi! And Beca, the show is amazing! It is about clones!"
"That's a bit sci-fi for me."
Chloe groaned, dropping her head back dramatically. "Why is my best friend so difficult!"
"I dunno. I'll ask Posen when I see her next," Beca joked, dropping down next to Chloe, once again moving closer than necessary.
Chloe sighed and glanced at Warren. "Has she always been this difficult?"
Warren chuckled and raised his hands innocently. "I'm smart enough to stay out of this."
Chloe smiled at him, showing she didn't actually mind, before leaning into Beca's side and focusing her eyes on the television. "What are we watching?"
"Tivo."
Beca rolled her eyes. "I think she meant what show are you watching dad."
"Orange is the New Black."
"W-what?" Beca sputtered.
"Orange is the-"
"No I heard you. Seriously dad? You watch this?"
"Yes. Why?"
"You're... you know... old?"
"Beca!" Chloe gasped, throwing an elbow into Beca's side.
"What? He is! He shouldn't be watching this," Beca whined.
Warren leaned back into his chair and chuckled, letting the pair fight amongst themselves.
"How would you feel if someone told you that you were too young to do something? Or too short?" Chloe asked, her tone serious.
"People tell me that everyday!"
"And that makes it OK?" Chloe argued.
"It makes it fair."
"This is how bullying begins," Chloe frowned, shaking her head and making Beca feel like a scolded child.
"Yeah but..." Beca trailed off and pouted. "Sorry," she murmured.
"Don't apologise to me. I'm not the one you insulted," Chloe said firmly, arms crossed.
"Chloe! Come on!" Beca whined again.
"Beca."
Beca groaned. "Sorry dad."
Warren just chuckled.
"See!" Beca snapped. "He doesn't care!"
Chloe lightly slapped Beca's thigh before turning on the couch to face Warren. "Warren. Is it OK for me to join you for dinner?"
"You don't need to ask Chloe. What time do you need to head home?" Warren asked.
"Oh! I'm actually staying the night if that's OK."
Warren raised his brows. "Staying? That's new."
"We have some early morning plans," Chloe explained easily.
"Well of course you are welcome. I think the guest room is clean?"
"She's staying in my room dad," Beca grumbled, unconsciously hooking a finger around the hem of Chloe's shirt and pulling slightly.
"Less work for me," Warren shrugged easily, grinning to himself at the thought of Chloe and his daughter sharing Beca's small double bed.
"Speaking of less work," Chloe commented, standing from the couch, Beca automatically standing with her. "Dinner's on us tonight."
"It is?" Beca frowned.
"Yes! Now let's see what creations we can make. I'm assuming Warren is the housekeeper because I know you're fridge would be full of take-away or completely empty if you were in charge," Chloe spoke as she began walking towards the kitchen, her teasing voice trailing behind her.
"Rude," Beca mocked, following in Beca's wake.
Beca's eyes widened as she walked into the kitchen. Chloe had already begun to pool ingredients together on the bench, knowing her way around Beca's kitchen as if it was her own.
"What's this?"
"Spaghetti Carbonara."
"You put lettuce in spaghetti?" Beca questioned, poking at the head of lettuce on the bench before Chloe slapped her hand away.
"Don't touch until you wash your hands. And no. That's for the salad."
"Chlo. This is casa de Mitchell not Le Meurice."
Chloe paused, half in the fridge, and looked at Beca in surprise. "You know Le Meurice?"
Beca shrugged nonchalantly and poked at the carrots.
"You are just full of surprises. How do you keep them all in such a little body?" Chloe teased, closely the fridge and placing the last ingredients on the counter.
Beca raised a brow. "Short jokes? After the crap you just gave me about my age joke?"
Chloe tsked her tongue. "Don't be a baby!"
Beca gasped. "Seriously Beale?"
"Do what I say, not what I do."
Beca rolled her eyes and started rolling a carrot along the bench. "You're such a teacher."
A sad look ghosted over Chloe's face before she shrugged it off. Maybe one day she'd be a teacher. "You wash your hands and pick the music. I'll start on the garlic bread."
"Garlic bread? Isn't this a little over the top?"
"Shush you. Get moving." Chloe spun around the bench and tapped Beca on her butt, pushing her towards the sink.
"Yes malady," Beca joked, saluting as she moved. Teasing and joking aside, something just felt so domestic being in the kitchen, cooking with Chloe. They took turns chopping and preparing, stirring and draining. Both spinning around the kitchen in sync and dodging Luke as he weaved between them with his camera.
Dinner passed quickly with compliments galore and soon both women were sliding into Beca's teenage bed. Beca stared into her favourite eyes, wanting to stroke her favourite red hair or touch her favourite tanned body. Having Chloe as a friend was torture but having Chloe as a friend while aware of her feelings was the hellish level under torture.
Beca slowly reached a hand out over the space between them, just needing a touch, something small, and something real.
"Oh! I should text Marley!"
And she pulled her hand back. Chloe wasn't hers. She had been too late.
A/N: oooo. We have a ton of Bechloe progress! The next chapter will be a big one so make sure you spam (or gently prod) me to stay focused! I can get so exhausted when I get home but every review, follow, favourite, PM, ask gives me the oomph to get it done. Love you all, thanks for reading, as always. Peace! xoxo.