Beca collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion and agony as her jaw throbbed viciously with a relentless pounding.
"Are you sure you don't need a doctor?"
She shook her head and grunted as she slipped into bed with her eyes tightly shut.
An hour before they had stumbled through the front door, Bams and Chloe supported Beca between them, whose exhausted body had begun swaying back and forth with each step she took.
The journey back down the mountain had been long and precarious. Not only did Beca's jaw ache the entire way, but her body started protesting the intense amount of exercise she had put it through half way through their descent
Bams protectively clung to her arm every step of the way and even now she could still feel the warm weight of her hand on her bicep as she guided her through the trail. Even through her pain she felt a shiver of longing run down her spine at the thought.
Her stomach flipped as she thought about what had happened on the mountain, she couldn't stop replaying their conversation in her head. Bams had said it, she had said she really liked her, she had said she wanted to kiss her. And she had kept her as close as possible since then. It nearly made Beca forget the pain she was in.
Nearly.
Now, as she lay in bed, freshly showered and exhausted the pain washed over her in torrents. Tears appeared in the corners of her eyes as she felt the full extent of her injury. Her body ached, her legs were screaming, her heartbeat seemed to have taken up residence in her jaw.
Bams was looking down at her, concern etched on every inch of her face as she gently pulled the covers up around Beca. Her fingers played with the corner of the blanket as they itched to caress Beca's face in the most tender of ways. Not only was she scared she would hurt her, she couldn't shake the guilty feeling gripping her chest. After all, this had been her idea.
If she hadn't been so insistent they went, Beca would be fine. But a small voice in the back of her head reminded her that maybe then Beca wouldn't have made her confession. Was it really so bad then?
Beca tried to smile at the sweet gesture, but she groaned in pain and felt the tears break the edge of her lids. Embarrassment coursed through her brain, she hated when people had to take care of her, she hated being a burden, and here she was in Bams' bed a complete invalid for the night. She hoped seeing her so weak wouldn't change Bams' opinion of her.
"Oh god, Becs, I'm so sorry," Bams moaned and dropped to her knees so she was eye level with Beca, she looked close to tears as she took in her current state.
Beca reached out her hand and patted Bams' arm in a way of telling her it was alright. They had decided it was best if Beca didn't talk for the remainder of the evening, but Bams selfishly missed the sound of her voice and desperately wanted to finish their earlier conversation. She settled on squeezing Beca's hand affectionately, hoping it would convey enough.
"You should try to get some sleep," she murmured, her eyes were sad, heavy with guilt. she didn't want to leave Beca, but she knew the other girl needed her rest. Beca frowned and patted the bed beside her, she clearly didn't want Bams to leave her either.
"Just until you fall asleep."
Beca nodded minutely while she folded the comforter back for Bams who paused, looking down at her hiking clothes. Beca understood and remade Bams' side before patting it again with the smallest of close lipped smiles. Bams felt affection bubble in her stomach, Beca always seemed to understand just what she was thinking.
Even Advil couldn't match the comfort she found in Bams' arms. It was like nothing had even happened…except for the excruciating pain every inch of her body was in. The only relief she found was from laying flat on her back, without anything touching her jaw. Laying with her head on Bams' chest was entirely out of the question.
Bams laid on her side, cradling Beca with one arm under her neck and the other laid across her stomach. "I'm so sorry," she sniffled again before pressing a kiss to Beca's forehead. The younger groaned in response; Bams quickly pulled away, fear gripping her insides that she had somehow just hurt Beca even more. Beca shook her head and lifted her face up towards Bams.
Then Bams understood. With a small smile she pressed another, lingering kiss to Beca's forehead. Beca relaxed against her as she sank down into the mattress, it wasn't much, but it was enough to ease the aching girl into a restless sleep.
———————-
Twenty minutes later, once Beca was sound asleep, Bams slowly backed out of the room, quietly as she could. Just as the door snapped shut a throat cleared behind her, startling her.
She spun around, a hand massaging her chest, to see Chloe splayed out on the couch. Freshly showered, holding a margarita. "Here, sweetness," she picked another one up off the side table and extended it to Bams who looked at her suspiciously. "Just thought you might need it," she shrugged.
Bams wasn't a drinker, at least not often, she mostly stuck to weed, only dabbling in alcohol every once and awhile. Still she took the drink, eyes narrowed at Chloe while she sipped some of the strawberry concoction.
"Sit," Chloe pointed to the couch beside her, giving Bams no other option than to comply. "So," she said, her eyebrow raised ever so slightly. She had waited long enough, sitting on her burning questions the entire way home. Now she needed to know what had happened between Beca and Bams. They had clearly come down the boulder much closer than they had when they went up it.
"So," Bams responded coyly after another sip. She would not be submitting to Chloe's questioning that easily, but the alcohol was already warming her throat and she knew it wouldn't be too long before she started to feel it in her brain.
Chloe smiled, crossing her legs, margarita resting on her knee as she observed the girl who was nearly a sister to her. The excitement of what had happened between the two girls was coursing through her chest and she didn't know how much longer she could let Bams string her along.
"Are you really trying to act like nothing happened?" She was unsure how Bams would take her forward meddling and wished she'd used a bit more discretion.
Bams sighed, nursing her drink before she answered. "No," she answered, plainly. She had nothing to hide, but she wasn't sure how Beca would feel about getting outed. "We talked…actually I heard you'd done a bit of talking before…"
Chloe's face reddened to match her flaming hair, "Sorry," she mumbled nervously. She couldn't tell if this had bothered Bams or not; she glanced uncertainly at the bedroom door, willing Beca to remain asleep.
To her relief the door stayed closed and Bams, who seemed determined to get drunk, responded after another gulp of her drink. She was definitely feeling it now that she was of the way through it. "I'm not mad—"
"Maybe you should slow down," Chloe said gently, lowering the glass from Bams' mouth. This time Bams did glare at her. "Sorry," she said again with her hands raised.
"Don't apologize, I'm a lightweight anyway…" she sighed once more. Now that she had sat for a while the soreness in her muscles had started to grow.
Chloe took a sip, watching Bams over the top of her glass. "Bams, if you don't start telling me what happened I'll scream," she warned, only half joking. She narrowed her eyes at Bams who rolled her hers at the mock threat. "You're impossible," she groaned.
"You're so dramatic," Bams shot back. "Fine. She told me that you said I liked her," Chloe's face flushed again. She did feel a bit guilty about her bluntness. "Ah, and then we talked a good bit…" she trailed off, taking another sip of her margarita, uncertain of how much she should divulge.
Chloe was on the edge of her seat. Quite literally. She had leaned forward, her weight resting on her elbows, almost as if her closeness would force Bams into caving.
While Bams collected her thoughts, the sun started to dip below the skyline, flooding the room in soft golden light as shadows grew longer and the sky turned pink. "I really like her, Chlo," she said simply.
Chloe fidgeted in excitement, "I know you do," she breathed out, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to contain herself. This was what she'd been looking forward to, the big moment when everything would change.
"Did you guys kiss?" Chloe pressed, bouncing slightly in her seat.
Bams laughed, "Yeah, definitely," Chloe couldn't hide her ecstasy, "No, Chlo, Lilly was literally right there. Not really the mood for a first kiss—"
Chloe groaned and flopped back on the couch,"But you're gonna kiss?" Her eyes widened, she was nearly vibrating in suspense.
"Unless she decides she doesn't like me."
The front door opened and Aubrey strode in, eyes narrowed. "Who doesn't like you?"
"We have GOT to start locking that door," Bams lamented, clearly displeased at having been interrupted by her sister.
"Okay, hi to you too," Aubrey deadpanned. "Who doesn't like you?" She demanded again, as she grabbed the margarita Chloe had left for her on the counter. "Where's Beca?" She added, taking her spot on the chair beside the couch. She had come to expect the brunette whenever she came over.
"She's asleep," Bams said, ignoring her first question again. Chloe looked between the two of them, not certain if she should tell Aubrey what happened. "Nasty spill on the trail," Bams explained.
"Are we talking about Beca?" Aubrey questioned after a sip of her drink. She closed her eyes as it went down her throat and settled in her stomach.
"You literally just asked where—"
"We're talking about Beca," Chloe blurted out before she could stop herself. Aubrey's eyebrows shot up, she had an inkling, but it was nice to be included in the conversation.
"Real tight, Chlo," Bams shot a glare at her friend, drained her drink and rose to her feet to grab another. She took Chloe's empty glass before she headed to the kitchen.
"They almost kissed," Chloe spilled, Bams' throat went dry.
"Chloe, what the fuck," Bams was pouring the drinks, but stopped to disappointedly stare at Chloe who looked as if she had no regrets. In fact , she looked quite relieved to have said it. Almost like it had been her secret.
"Oh thank god," Aubrey sighed, "that took you guys long enough."
Bams' jaw dropped, as worried as she had been to tell her sister she was now overcome with a sense of disbelief and relief. She tried to respond, but all that came out was a croak from deep in her throat.
"Now Bams is worried Beca won't like her since they didn't kiss and Beca almost broke her jaw," Chloe quickly relayed the story to Aubrey, who couldn't hold back a small laugh.
"Sounds like no one is kissing for a while then," she jested, playfully looking at her sister and slapping her thigh. Bams shook her head in annoyance. "I'm sorry, babes, it'll happen—she REALLY likes you."
Despite her annoyance at their meddling she couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief from Aubrey's statement.
"How long have you guys been talking about this?" She whined.
"Oh," Chloe glanced at Aubrey, "yeah…for like weeks now. It was really obvious. You look at her like you're melting every time and she's always staring at you. We're not blind," she chuckled, "Neither one of you is remotely subtle."
Bams blushed then downed her fresh margarita in one gulp, her whole body was heating up now. Chloe always made a strong drink. "You're one to talk," she said dully. She tried to ignore Chloe and her sister's eyes, they were clearly enjoying her misery.
"You know," Aubrey drummed her fingers on her glass, "with the way you two act, there's no way you're not making out as soon as Beca can open her jaw wide enough."
Bams, nearly choking on her drink, flushed magenta while Chloe burst out laughing.
"I hate you both," she mumbled, fighting back the hopeful smile that was curling the corner of her lips. But she had had enough of their incessant hounding and rose, unsteadily to her feet. She was definitely drunk. "I'm gonna go smoke," she announced, wanting to get away from the other two to clear her head.
"Okay," Aubrey's face fell as her sister reached under the coffee table for a rolling tray, some weed and a wrap. She watched as she disappeared through the balcony door without another word. "Did we upset her?"
"I think she just needs some time to herself," Chloe shrugged. "They're a mess," she added, watching Bams roll a blunt through the living room window.
Aubrey agreed with a chuckle. She'd never seen her sister so into someone.
————————————
Beca's eyes creaked open and pain immediately flooded her body. The memory of the fall came first quickly followed by Bams' face mere inches from hers. She groaned softly. She had really wanted to kiss Bams.
Sitting up in bed all her muscles screamed in protest. Advil and a glass of water sat waiting for her on the bedside table. She fumbled with the pills as she shoved them in her mouth and splashed them down with a gulp of water. Hopefully that would make existing easier.
She had no clue how long she had been asleep or where Bams was. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood with another groan, every inch of her body was aching.
The room was dark as she made her way to the door, where light spilled from the crack beneath it. She was just reaching for the handle when a voice stopped her cold in her tracks.
"I'm just worried for her," Aubrey was saying. "Beca's great," there was a pause, "don't look at me like that, I really think that…I just don't want Bams rushing into something that might just be an…infatuation."
"She's definitely infatuated," she heard Chloe speaking.
On the other side of the door Beca was frozen, barely breathing as she listened with strained ears.
Infatuation. The word twisted her stomach into a knot. Was Bams just using her to get over Nef?
Luckily Chloe continued to speak, "But come on, Bree, she's in love with her. Think about how Bams is with her. I never saw her be like this with Nef and they were together for 7 years."
Beca's heart soared, but fear lingered in her chest. She wrestled with whether or not she should open the door. Part of her felt bad for eavesdropping but the other part desperately wanted to keep listening.
Aubrey sighed, "I know. They just…they barely know each other…"
On the other side of the door Beca's face fell; Aubrey was right. She and Bams barely knew each other. Was she rushing into things?
"That's not true," Chloe countered, "I'll bet my left ass cheek the two of them know each other inside out…well not inside…not yet." She laughed heartily at her joke and Aubrey groaned, Beca rolled her eyes in the dark, but was grateful for the support regardless.
Aubrey continued as if she hadn't been interrupted. "She's my baby sister…and I swear to god if something happens like what happened with Nef again I'm going to prison for murder."
Beca pressed her forehead against the cool door, grappling with whether or not she should step out into the living room to confront the two women, when she stepped back, taking a deep, shaky breath.
Was Bams really in love with her? Was that too soon? Her aching brain was overwhelmed with a thousand thoughts. What was she going to do? Was she going to take the leap? Was she going to screw it up? The thought burned and licked at her insides and she felt her stomach drop to some point around her knees.
What if she disappointed Bams? What if she lost her charm over time? What if Bams got bored with her? Her friendship with Bams was one of the most important things to her, was she ready to possibly lose that?
Outside Chloe's voice softened so Beca had to press her ear to the door. "She's obsessed with Beca…in the best way possible. And what did Halsey say?" "Infatuation is observation with a cause,' Bams has been doing way more than observing Beca."
She chewed her lip and continued to stare at the black stretch of wall before her. She could still hear Aubrey and Chloe through the door, chatting away about her relationship with Bams when she finally convinced herself to make a move. She sighed, steeling herself for her entrance, then pulled the door open.
Immediately Chloe and Aubrey stopped talking midconversation, rearranging their faces into innocent expressions, but struggling to hide their guilt as Beca walked into the living room.
"Hey, sunshine!" Chloe said happily, acting as if she hadn't just been discussing the intimate details of Beca's life. "I made margaritas if you want one!"
Beca had to hand it to Chloe, she had managed the subject change quite flawlessly.
"I would take one," Beca managed through her pain, a drink sounded like just the thing she needed. She plopped down next to Aubrey on the couch, debating if she should admit she overheard them or not. If they weren't willing to admit it, maybe she shouldn't either.
Chloe jumped up to get Beca's drink, "how's the jaw?" She asked casually, pouring the drink and acting like nothing had happened. Her eyes flashed to Aubrey's however and a small smile graced her lips.
"Oh you know, I feel like a million bucks, couldn't feel better," at least she could speak now and her mouth was opening wider than it had in the last few hours. Throwing caution to the wind she cleared her throat, "is Bams here?
"She is very drunk and on a walk," Aubrey said offhand as she scrolled through her phone. "You should go find her, I'm sure she would be very happy to see you," this time Aubrey looked up from her phone with a glint in her eye.
Beca quickly looked away with a cough while she considered whether or not she would go after Bams, then said to the wall, "yeah well she's infatuated with me right?" She couldn't believe she'd said it, but it was worth it to see Aubrey stutter at Beca's bold statement. "You guys should really lower your voices," she laughed.
Chloe fumbled as she handed Beca her drink, mumbling, "Sorry… we were just excited—" she took her place on the other end of the couch, hunkering down in slight embarrassment at having been caught.
Aubrey leaned closer, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "I meant what I said. You hurt her, I'll fuck you up. That's not a threat, Beca. It's a promise."
Beca gulped, her heart pounding as she forced herself to meet Aubrey's gaze. Aubrey stared with that wicked glare Beca knew so well, only this time it felt more personal. This wasn't just about the Bellas, it was about family. The unwavering glint in Aubrey's eye scared Beca more than she expected.
"Aubrey," she said slowly, "I would rather die than hurt her. She knows that."
Her words came out with such conviction that Chloe and Aubrey both paused, their expressions softening slightly.
"Thank you," Aubrey said gently as she found herself trusting the tiny brunette despite her previous reservations.
"So can you guys, like, kiss already?" An inebriated Chloe blurted. She no longer felt the need to sensor herself and plowed on recklessly. "Because I would be so turned on by this point—"
Beca's eyes widened, heat rushing to her face. "Chloe!" She was always uncomfortable when Chloe talked too much about sex.
Aubrey groaned, "You're talking about my sister—"
"Talking about me?"
Aubrey was interrupted when the front door banged open, bouncing against the wall as Bams appeared, teetering slightly in the doorway. She scanned the room with clouded eyes until her eyes fell on Beca. Her face split into a brilliant, lopsided smile,
Beca's eyes grew rounder—now roughly the size of ping pong balls. The last thing she wanted was Bams to overhear that conversation.
"God we've got to lock the door," Chloe groaned, echoing Bams earlier statement.
Bams stumbled forward, banging her shoulder into the door frame and almost losing her balance as she tried to enter the house. "Whoa," she chuckled once she'd righted herself and kicked the door shut behind her with another slam.
Beca pulled her lips in as she tried to avoid laughing, she'd never seen Bams drunk and it was quite funny. She watched as Bams took uneven steps across the living room. She dropped heavily onto the floor, near Beca's feet, and offered a tentative smile.
"Hey, pretty girl," she said, her wink far too exaggerated and less than smooth.
"Hi, Amber," Beca responded in barely more than a whisper, taking a sip of her drink, her eyes twinkling as she took in Bams" growing smile.
"Amber?" Aubrey repeated incredulously. She narrowed her tipsy eyes at the two girls. "Who the fuck is Amber?"
Bams didn't miss a beat. "you're an ass," she said, without taking her eyes off Beca, "I like when she calls me Amber."
"I'm sure you do," Chloe slurred, grinning.
Bams glowered at her in response, "you two are annoying." Her face softened as she turned back to Beca. "You okay?" She asked quietly, reaching her hand out to rest on Beca's knee.
"I'm okay," Beca responded, her lips curling into a slightly painful smile as she glanced down at Bams' hand. Seeing where her eyes went Bams quickly retracted her hand and placed it nervously in her lap. Beca immediately missed the warmth of it.
"Hey," she said quietly, leaning down so she was closer to Bams and didn't have to speak as loud. Bams watched her approach happily, her eyes flickering down to Beca's lips every other second or so. Intoxication had removed her discretion and she no longer cared how openly she gaped at Beca. "Would you maybe wanna smoke one?"
An instantaneous grin spread across Bams' face, "Talk dirty to me," she joked. A crimson tinge spread up her cheeks as she nervously ran her hand through her hair. She cleared her throat, "I-I mean, that sounds great." She offered a sheepish smile.
Beca bit her lip and smiled, drunk Bams was a little more loose with her words than sober Bams.
"Would you two get a room?" Aubrey asked, causing the other girls to jump, they had clearly forgotten the other two were there, but neither Aubrey or Chloe was going to allow them to forget it.
Bams scowled at her sister, "you're so annoying," she announced as she clambered to her feet. She made her unsteady way to Aubrey, bending down to look at her through narrowed eyes. "A isn't for Aubrey it's for annoying," she informed her, pressing an 'A' necklace into her sister's chest and standing up straight again.
Both Chloe and Beca burst out laughing, this was pure entertainment. Aubrey's scowl rivaled her sister's as she crossed her arms in front of herself. "You're a little shit—"
"She is NOT little," Chloe chimed in from behind her hand. She and Beca were overcome with another bout of giggles as Bams flipped Chloe off.
"Come on," Beca said, careful to not call Bams Amber again right away. She held her hand out for Bams who took it and led the way to her room. She followed her in then went to shut the door. Before it closed she stuck her head out to look at Chloe and Aubrey. "Not a word," she hissed before snapping the door shut.
They looked at each other knowingly and at the same moment got to their feet and headed to Chloe's room for a private conflab.
———————————
Inside Bams room she was flitting about conducting her usual nightly routine. Fairy lights, incense, rolling tray, record player. Beca watched her greedily, like she knew she didn't have enough time to look at the women before her. No matter how long she stared it would never be enough time.
"You're staring at me," Bams announced after she had placed the needle on the record player. She waited for the song to start, Flip by glass animals, before she turned around with a smile barely on her face.
"Oh…I…well…yeah. I was," she said, sounding way more bold than she felt. She grabbed her arm awkwardly and shuffled her feet while she anxiously awaited a response.
"May I ask you a question?" Bams asked. She looked genuinely nervous for once as she chewed on the skin around her middle finger. Beca wanted to reach out for her, but instead she just nodded.
"May I kiss you?" Her eyes widened almost like she was shocked she'd managed to say it.
Beca hadn't been expecting this question and she found her head reeling in the aftermath of it. She lifted her hand to her jaw and gently massaged it, it was a much more manageable pain.
She crossed the room until she was standing in front of Bams, her head tilted back slightly so she could look her in the eye. She nodded with the smallest of smiles. A shock of anticipation jolted through her.
"I really like you, Becs, I just want you to know that," Bams whispered as she placed her hand on the side of Beca's face and took the last step between them.
"I really like you, Amber," Beca breathed out. She was impatiently waiting for Bams to press their lips together. She was aching for it, craving it. She wanted Bams more than she'd ever wanted anyone.
Her eyes must have given her away because Bams chuckled before she snaked her left hand in Beca's hair, sending a shiver through her.
"Cold?" Bams asked, she tilted Beca's head back a bit more, cradling it between her hands as she guided her to a better position. Beca gasped,just feeling Bams' hands on her was so overwhelming she couldn't imagine the feeling of her lips.
But waiting was no longer possible.
"Kiss me," she breathed out, her breathing ragged with anticipation. She instinctively leaned in towards Bams desperately trying to get closer, nothing had ever felt so natural before. Her hands settled on Bams' chest—unsure of whether she should pull her in or let her take the lead.
Bams lowered her mouth to Beca's but stopped just short. 'God damn it, Bams, kiss me,' Beca groaned, pulling at her shirt eagerly.
Bams' lips curled into a smile, "you're an impatient one," she whispered, her thumb gently grazing Beca's cheek, brushing over the bruise left by her fall.
"I've had enough waiting," Beca growled in a low tone. The huskiness in Beca's voice was enough to break whatever restraint Bams had left. Her hands cradled Beca's face gently as she curled her fingers in her hair, the look on her face made Beca's knees go weak as she anxiously anticipated the kiss. She slowly leaned in, Beca felt the warmth from Bams' breath wash over her, another shiver ran through her.
The first touch was soft, almost nervous as their mouths explored each other. Beca's heart thudded in her throat, but she didn't let it stop her. Her hands made their way up Bams' back, tangling in her shirt as she pulled her impossibly closer, fitting their bodies together like two puzzle pieces.
The kiss deepened as hesitation melted away. Bams tilted Beca's head back a bit giving her more control over the situation as Beca let out a small involuntary sound. Bams smiled, the corners of her mouth turning up as she hummed with satisfaction that vibrated against Beca's lips.
Every inch of Beca burned with desire as her hands continued to explore Bams' body. She trailed them down her back bringing them to rest on her hips as she enjoyed the warmth from their closeness.
When they finally pulled apart, just to catch their breath, Bams kept her hands wrapped in Beca's hair and pressed their foreheads together. "Wow," she breathed out, "you…you are even better than I imagined."
Beca laughed quietly, her hands resting just above Bams' ass, "you've been imagining this?" She teased with a coy smile and red flushed cheeks.
"Just every second of every day since I met you," Bams responded nervously. "And now I'm never gonna stop."
She tilted Beca's head back one more time to hungrily kiss her again.
———————
"Can you hear anything?" Chloe whispered.
She and Aubrey were at Bams' bedroom door, faces pressed flat against the surface as they tried to make out what was going on on the other side. "Not since the last time you asked me," Aubrey responded dryly, taking a step back with her hands on her hips. "We shouldn't be doing this, we should leave them alone—"
"Where's the fun in that?" Chloe whined with a pout, as she quickly reached for the door handle despite Aubrey's protests. Before Aubrey could stop her she turned the handle and the door swung open.
A cloud of smoke poured out into the living room making both Aubrey and Chloe cough as they squinted through the haze into the dimly lit room.
Bams and Beca were sitting together on the bed smoking. Bams was propped against her pillows with her legs spread so Beca could settle herself between them. The smaller girl was comfortably leaning against Bams' chest, her arms resting on Bams' thighs as she relaxed, her sore body finally finding some relief in the weed.
They were lost in their own world, enveloped in warmth, soft light and their own happiness. Beca's hands traced light patterns on Bams' thighs while Bams had one arm around her chest, the other preoccupied with smoking.
At the sound of the intrusion both their heads whipped around to the door where Chloe was standing guiltily. Aubrey had disappeared.
"Chloe!" Beca exclaimed, sitting up quickly so she was no longer pressed against Bams. She heard Bams protest ever so slightly from behind her and fought back a smirk.
"Can we help you, Miss Beale?" Bams drawled, the annoyance lay thick on her words. She pulled on the blunt, narrowing her eyes at her friend who shifted nervously before her.
"Oh, I, I," Chloe stammered, "I was just…checking…on you two. Wanted to see if you were, if you're okay—" she tried to be nonchalant but her wide, drunken grin gave her nosiness away.
"We're great," Beca said forcefully, hoping that would be enough to expel Chloe from the room. The red head was not to be deterred.
"Mhm I bet you are," Chloe's eyes lingered for a moment too long on Bams' arm wrapped around Beca. Beca flushed scarlet. Bams gripped her closer.
"Okay…now leave—" Bams motioned for Chloe to exit, but she stood resolutely staring at the girls in bed.
"Have you guys kissed or—"
"That's enough!" Aubrey appeared behind Chloe, grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her out of the room muttering something about personal boundaries and crossing lines. She stuck her head back in a moment later.
"So sorry about her, Becs," she offered a pained smile and an awkward laugh, "coincidentally if you guys…maybe did kiss…we would maybe say sorry for listening at the door…maybe." She left Bams and Beca staring blankly after her then shut the door quickly.
The silence after Aubrey's disappearance pressed in on their ears heavily. "We have got to start locking that door," Beca breathed out with a chuckle, making Bams giggle from behind. She leaned back into Bams and felt the other girl relax back into holding her again.
"I…I don't even know how to start unpacking that," Bams said, dragging the hand that wasn't holding the blunt down her face.
Beca rolled her eyes with a smile, "they just love you, and they're," she turned her head towards the door, "NOSY AS HELL." A small thump and groan could be heard on the other side of the door, almost like someone had been startled and toppled over.
Bams looked affectionately at Beca, "you're so perfect," she whispered.
"That did it for you?" Beca's eyes sparkled as she teased Bams. Her heart was thudding in her stomach as she replayed "you're so perfect" in her head.
Bams nodded, handed Beca the blunt and moved from behind her. she crawled to the foot of the bed so she was now sitting in front of Beca, facing her, with a goofy grin. "Everything about you does it for me, Beca Mitchell," she told her solemnly, taking Beca's hand in her own.
She leaned in so she was mere centimeters from Beca's lips, "Everything," she breathed in barely more than a whisper, Beca drew in a sharp breath, reveling in Bams' closeness. She breathed in the scent of her skin, ached to reach out and touch her, but Bams had one hand and the other was holding the blunt.
Slowly and meticulously Bams started placing kisses from the corner of Beca's mouth down her tender jaw, careful to not hurt her as she went.
As Bams reached the base of her ear Beca felt a hiss of pleasure mixed with pain escape her; Bams pulled back, but Beca shook her head, "Don't stop," she whined despite the discomfort. But Bams had heard enough.
She shook her head with a sad smile, "Not if I'm hurting you," she said gently, squeezing Beca's hand and kissing her lightly on the cheek. She pulled the blunt from Beca's grasp and ground it out in the ashtray beside her bed. "How about bed? And then if you decide you still like me in the morning we'll see about the kissing?"
Beca groaned and flopped back on the pillows dramatically. "See if I still like you? That's ridiculous. Why did I have to fall on my fucking face? How often does the hottest girl I've ever seen actually decide she likes me enough to make out with me?"
Bams had gotten to her feet and was turning off lights and blowing out candles, chuckling to herself as she went. "Well, good news," she announced from Beca's side, "the hottest girl you've ever seen is gonna wanna make out with you every day." She smiled sweetly down on Beca as she tucked her in with a kiss.
"You're just saying that because you're drunk—"
"If I was just doing things because I'm drunk I would have done had your clothes off—" she stopped speaking as red crept up her cheeks. "I mean…" She climbed into her side of the bed and flipped the light off, "we should go to bed. Your face is broken."
Beca let out a loud noise of frustration, "fuck me," she muttered under her breath into the dark.
Bams didn't answer right away, the silence grew longer between them.
"Don't worry, that's on the menu."