#bechloe week 2018

[bechloeislegit]

BECHLOE WEEK 2023 - Day 7 AND 8

Day 7 (Mafia) and Day 8 ("Why didn't you say anything?" "You needed me to be ok.")

I've decided to combine these two prompts into one. I hope you like what I did with them.

Summary: The FBI has tried to take down Mafia Don Vincenzo "Vinny" Di Papa for several years. It is decided the best way to get close to him is to have someone get close to his daughter, Chloe.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FBI Field Agent Beca Mitchell sat in the briefing room with several colleagues. Their Team Leader, Supervisory Special Agent Jesse Swanson, has just outlined the plan to put an agent on Chloe resulting in them getting close enough to her father to get the evidence needed to bring him down.

"Think you can handle it, Walp?" SSA Swanson asked.

"I know I can," Agent Chicago Walp said, smirking.

Beca scoffed, and Chicago glared at her.

"You got something to say, Mitchell?" Chicago asked.

"Yes, I do," Beca said, looking at Jesse. "I don't think the plan is going to work."

"Oh," Jesse said. "And why do you think that?"

"I've been studying the daughter, and I don't think she's into men," Beca said. "I know she frequents a number of popular lesbian bars, and I've seen her leaving with women. I think we need a female agent to approach her."

Chicago laughed and said, "I've seen pictures of her, and there is no doubt in my mind that she will go for me. I mean, look at me. She won't be able to resist me."

Beca smirked and shook her head. "Wanna bet on that?"

"You think you're her type?" Chicago asked, laughing again.

"Yes, I do," Beca said. "Why don't we both try and see which one she goes for? Either way, we'll have someone on the inside."

"I got fifty bucks that says she goes for Beca," Agent Stacie Conrad shouted.

"I got fifty that says you're wrong," Agent Bumper Allen said. "And she'll belong to Chicago before the night ends."

Jesse stood shaking his head. "Alright, settle down. We'll do it Beca's way. And I got fifty that says she'll be our inside man."

Beca sat back, smirking as the rest of the team made bets on her and Chicago. It didn't surprise her that the bets were split, with the female agents betting on her and the males, except for Jesse, betting on Chicago.

Jesse stood in front of the team once more and got them quiet.

"The plan starts tonight," Jesse said. "DiPapa's daughter goes by her mother's maiden name, so she's known as Chloe Beale. Remember that because that's the only name she'll answer to."

Jesse picked up folders from the table and handed them to the team. "We have intel that Chloe will be at the Pink Flamingo Lounge tonight at eight with a small group of friends. This will be the best time to approach her and get her interested in one of you. Once one of you has formed a relationship with her, we can bring down her Mafia Don father. This will ultimately disband a drug ring that has taken over the Eastern seaboard. Not to mention getting thousands of guns off the street and closing about a dozen open murder cases."

"Are we going to have other agents in the Lounge?" Stacie asked.

"Yes," Jesse said. "Mitchell, you and Walp will go in on your own. Stacie, you and I will be one couple; Bumper, you and Amy will be another. Jessica and Ashley, you'll be in the surveillance van to keep tabs on everything. Everyone watch everything and keep it low profile. Any questions?"

"No," Beca said.

"None here," Chicago said.

"Okay, let's go so we can get ready," Jesse said.

"You got it, boss," Stacie said, winking. "Pick me up at seven, and don't keep me waiting."

Beca and the team laughed.

"Get out of here," Jesse said, chuckling.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 7 ~~

Beca arrived at the Pink Flamingo Lounge just before eight. She saw Chloe Beale standing at the door, waiting for her friends. She angled her rearview mirror down and adjusted her hair to ensure her earpiece couldn't be seen. Looking down, she unbuttoned another button on her blouse and plumped her breasts before leaving her car.

"I'm going in," Beca said as she started across the parking lot.

"Roger that," Ashley's voice said in her ear.

"Go get your girl, Beca," Jessica said. "We're rooting for you."

"Don't you girls start counting your money yet," Chicago's voice said.

Beca chuckled. When she looked up, Beca noticed Chloe checking her out. Chloe smiled when she caught Beca's eye; Beca returned the smile, then looked away and continued to the door. She nodded slightly as she walked past Chloe and entered.

Beca went to the bar, took a stool, and ordered a beer. She casually looked around and noticed Chicago sitting near the door, watching her. She raised her glass toward him and smirked. He did the same.

They both turned toward the door when it opened. Chloe came in with three other women and was immediately shown to a table. Beca checked them out as they sat. To Chloe's right was an attractive blonde who looked slightly uptight to Beca. To the left was a tall brunette who looked a couple of years younger than the other women. Across from Chloe was a darker-haired woman who looked like a mean girl. Beca chuckled when she realized that the four could be the cast from the movie "Mean Girls."

Just then, Chicago made his move and walked over to Chloe's table, where he stood for a moment. The girls stared at him.

"May we help you with something?" Beca heard the blonde say.

"I was just wondering if I could buy you ladies a drink," Chicago said.

"No thanks," Chloe said. "We're good."

"Oh, come on, beautiful," Chicago said, putting his hand on the back of Chloe's chair and leaning toward her. "It's just a drink."

"And I said, we're good," Chloe said, pushing Chicago's arm from her chair.

Beca could tell from Chloe's voice that she was already done with whatever Chicago was doing. She asked the bartender where the restrooms were. He pointed them out, and Beca asked for another beer.

"I'll be right back," Beca told him; he nodded, and Beca stood.

She could tell from the conversation that Chicago was getting nowhere with Chloe. Timing it just right, Beca walked behind Chloe as she pushed her chair back to stand. The chair hit Beca, and Chloe turned to apologize immediately.

"Oh, my gosh," Chloe said, taking Beca's arm. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Beca said. "Honestly, no harm done."

"Let me buy you a drink as an apology," Chloe said.

"That's not necessary," Beca said.

"I insist," Chloe said, taking Beca's hand and leading her toward the bar.

Beca looked over her shoulder to see Chicago standing with his mouth agape. She chuckled when she heard the blonde say to him, "You can go now, big fella. You never stood a chance."

"What would you like?" Chloe asked as they reached the bar.

"I actually just ordered a fresh drink," Beca said, holding it up to show Chloe.

"Do you mind if I sit with you for a bit?" Chloe asked, looking back at her table. "I want that guy to go away so my friends and I can enjoy our dinner in peace."

Beca saw Chicago look at them, knowing he heard what Chloe said.

"How can I deny a beautiful damsel in distress," Beca said, smiling as she pulled the stool out for Chloe.

They both sat, and Chloe ordered a beer for herself.

"I'm Beca," Beca said, holding her hand out to Chloe.

"Chloe," Chloe said, shaking Beca's hand. "Thank you for this."

"No problem," Beca said as Chicago approached them.

He put his hand on the bar between the two women. Beca looked down at Chicago's hand and then up to his face.

"Dude, what is your issue?" Beca asked.

Chicago ignored Beca and looked at Chloe.

"I thought you didn't need a drink," Chicago said.

"I didn't need a drink from you," Chloe said. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm trying to get to know my new friend, Beca."

Chicago looked at Beca; Beca smirked, saying, "I think she just told you to fuck off."

Chicago pushed away from the bar, growling, "Fine."

"Byee," Beca said, waving as he stomped off.

"Pay up, suckers," Amy said, causing a cacophony of cheers and "way to go, Beca" in Beca's ear.

"Quiet down, everyone," Jesse ordered.

"I know this is going to sound crazy, but would you like to go out with me sometime?" Chloe asked, biting her lip.

"I'd love to," Beca said, pulling out her phone. "Put your number in here, and I'll call you to set something up."

Chloe took the phone and added her contact info. As she handed Beca her phone, she noticed her friends watching them.

"I should get back to my table," Chloe said.

"Okay," Beca said. "It was nice to meet you. I'll call you."

"Be sure you do," Chloe said, kissing Beca on the cheek before returning to her friends.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 7 ~~

The next day, during the debrief of the night before, everyone was ragging on Chicago for "losing" Chloe to Beca. The team joked and exchanged money to settle their bets.

"Good work last night, Beca," Jesse said.

"Thanks, boss," Beca said. "Um, I plan to call Chloe tonight to set up our first date."

"That's good," Jesse said. "We won't have you wired this time, but we will have agents around if something goes south. Just keep it casual and make sure there's a second date."

"No problem," Beca said, smirking. "The way she looked down my shirt, I'm pretty sure we'll be fast friends."

"I know you'll do whatever you need to do to get evidence against DiPapa," Jesse said. "But be careful you don't fall for Chloe. She's your type, and from everything we've learned about her, she's really a good person despite who her father is. I don't want you or Chloe to get hurt when all this ends."

Beca nodded solemnly. "I hear you, boss."

"Okay," Jesse said. "Ashley, what has DiPapa been up to lately?"

"Things have been unusually quiet," Ashley said. "Although we did intercept a phone call from him to another man, talking about a big score coming up. We haven't identified the other guy yet. And there was insufficient information to determine whether the score is guns or drugs."

"We did put other agents on the wiretaps to listen in 24/7 to see if we can get anything more on it," Jessica said.

"Good," Jesse said. "Keep me updated."

"Yes, sir," Jessica and Ashley said.

"Is there anything else we need to talk about?" Jesse asked, looking around the room to see heads shaking. "Okay then, let's get out of here and get some real work done."

The agents all nodded and started leaving.

"Beca, let me know when and where your date is," Jesse said as Beca was leaving.

"You got it, Jesse," Beca said.

An hour later, Beca sat at her desk, looking at her phone. She had pulled it out to call Chloe when Stacie asked her what she was doing.

"I'm calling Chloe to set up our date."

"No," Bumper interrupted. "You should wait two or three days before you call her."

"I'm supposed to schedule the date as soon as possible."

"But, it's like an unwritten rule to wait," Bumper said.

"No, it's not," Stacie said. "That's something you guys say because you're afraid of rejection."

"No, it's not," Bumper scoffed.

"I don't care what you say," Beca said. "I'm calling her."

Beca pulled up Chloe's contact and placed the call.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 7 ~~

Four months later, after getting nothing from their investigation, Beca was shocked by what was happening.

"What exactly is this?" Beca asked, standing before Chloe and holding a jump drive.

"It's a record of all my father's illegal operations," Chloe said, shrugging. "Records of drug and gun smuggling. All the whens and wheres both past and present."

Beca's eyes widened in surprise.

"Why are you giving me this?" Beca asked.

"I'm not stupid, Agent Mitchell," Chloe said, causing Beca's eyes to widen more. "Don't look so surprised. I knew who you were two weeks after we met."

"I'm sorry," Beca said. "Your father is a bad guy, and we couldn't figure out another way to bring him down."

"Oh, spare me," Chloe said. "I know what he is and what he's done. That's why I legally changed my name to Beale. I didn't want to be associated with him and his business, but that didn't really help me, did it? You and the FBI are using me, just like my father uses me. For the longest time, I thought I was the family he cared about. But in reality, it was just a smokescreen to hide his Mafia family and the ones he really cared about."

Chloe wiped a tear from her cheek.

"I'll have to take this to my boss," Beca said.

"I figured as much," Chloe said.

"And I want you to come with me," Beca added.

Chloe's head shot up in surprise.

"Why?"

"I think if you testify about what's on here, we'll have a better shot at putting him away for a long time. And you can live your life as Chloe Beale. And not as Chloe DiPapa, daughter of a Mafia kingpin."

Chloe stood quietly for a moment as more tears escaped. She finally nodded.

"I'll testify," Chloe said.

"You will?" Beca asked. Chloe nodded, and Beca said, "Thank you. Would you come with me now?"

Chloe nodded, and Beca reached for her hand; Chloe snatched it away. Beca inhaled sharply and clenched her teeth. She turned and made her way to the door; Chloe followed.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 7 ~~

After securing visitor credentials for Chloe, Beca silently led her to the seventh floor, where her team was housed. Everyone did a double-take when Beca walked in with Chloe. Beca's face was emotionless as she passed by Stacie and approached Jessica; Chloe stopped a few feet behind her.

"Jessica," Beca said, handing her the jump drive. "I need you and Ashley to work with Chloe and go through this to verify its authenticity. I'll get Jesse and the rest of the team together and meet you in the conference room in a few minutes."

"Okay," Jessica said. "Ashley, Miss Beale, please come with me."

Chloe followed Jessica and Ashley. Beca watched her go.

"Beca?" Stacie said, reaching for Beca.

"Don't," Beca said, holding up her hand.

Beca knocked on Jesse's door and entered.

"Chloe Beale has agreed to testify against her father," Beca said, surprising Jesse. "Jessica and Ashley are going through a jump drive she gave me with records of all DiPapa's illegal dealings. I told them we'd meet them in the conference room."

Beca quickly wiped her eyes so Jesse wouldn't see the tears.

"Great work, Beca," Jesse said. "Let's go see the evidence."

Beca slowly stood and followed Jesse. Beca yelped when she was suddenly grabbed and pulled to the side.

"We'll be with you in a minute, boss," Stacie said when Jesse turned back.

Jesse nodded and called out for the rest of the team to follow him to the conference room. Stacie waited until they entered the conference room before turning to Beca. Beca was staring down at the floor.

"Hey," Stacie said, causing Beca to look up. "Are you okay?"

Beca shook her head and wiped her eyes. "Chloe hates me."

"Oh, Beca," Stacie said sadly. "You fell in love with her."

It was a statement, not a question. Beca could only nod.

"I'm sorry," Stacie said. "Why don't you go splash some water on your face, and I'll tell Jesse you'll join us shortly, okay?"

Beca swallowed and nodded. Stacie watched as Beca moved toward the restroom. She sighed and entered the conference room.

"...it looks legit," Jessica said as Stacie entered the conference room and sat. "We should be able to catch his people in the act at one of two locations marked here and here."

Jessica used a laser to point out the two locations on a map.

"He'll have extra men on hand at both those locations," Chloe said quietly. "You'll have to be extremely cautious because he'll start a gunfight to protect his interests."

"Stacie, where's Beca?" Jesse asked.

"She went to the restroom," Stacie said. "She'll be here in a few minutes."

"Okay," Jesse said, turning to Chloe. "I heard you are willing to testify against your father; is that true?"

"Yes," Chloe said.

"Okay, then we're going to put you in protective custody," Jesse said. "I'll have Beca and-"

"No," Chloe said quickly. "Not Beca."

Having heard what Jesse said, Beca walked in as Chloe was speaking.

"She's right," Beca said, sitting as far from Chloe as possible. "It shouldn't be me."

"Are you sure?"

Beca nodded. "Honestly, Jesse, it's best if you assign someone else."

Jesse nodded and turned to Stacie.

"Stacie, you and Chicago will take Chloe into protective custody," Jesse said. "I'll give you the info on the safe house once we're done here. I don't want any leaks from anyone in the department. The three of us will be the only ones to know her location. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Stacie said.

"Understood," Chicago said.

The team reviewed the remaining items on the jump drive for the next hour and developed a plan to take down Vicenzo DiPapa.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 7 ~~

After getting directions to the safe house, Chicago and Stacie escorted Chloe from Jesse's office. The two agents grabbed their "go" bags and headed to the elevator. Chicago used the security key to take them straight to the underground parking garage.

"We'll take you by your place to pack some of your things," Stacie told Chloe. "We'll be at the safe house for a few days, so pack accordingly."

Chloe nodded as they exited the elevator. Chicago led them to a black SUV with darkened windows and got behind the wheel. Stacie got in the back with Chloe. Chloe sat with her arms crossed, staring out the window.

"Whatever you're thinking about Beca, you're wrong," Stacie said.

"You don't know what I'm thinking about Beca," Chloe said as she continued to stare out the window.

"Then enlighten me," Stacie said. "Because the Beca we left upstairs is not the Beca I've known for the past five years. She's in love with you and thinks you hate her."

"I know," Chloe said sadly, finally looking at Stacie. "But it has to be this way so she'll be safe."

"Why wouldn't she be safe?" Chicago asked, looking at Chloe in the rearview mirror.

"Because I know my father better than anyone," Chloe said. "He knew Beca and I were dating and found out she was with the FBI. So he had one of his men tell me she was an agent and to be careful around her. But I already had strong feelings for her and didn't care about her job. And when I discovered she was looking for evidence to use against my father, I knew I had to give Beca what I had to keep her safe because I knew he'd go after everyone I cared about once he learned I intended to be a witness against him. So, I'd rather Beca think I hate her so she'd stay away from me than for him to hurt or kill her."

Chloe wiped a tear from her cheek and continued staring out the window.

"Beca can take care of herself," Stacie said.

"As I said," Chloe said, looking at Stacie. "I know my father and what he's capable of."

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 7 ~~

Four days later, Chicago and Stacie were on high alert. Today was the day the FBI would be raiding several of Vinny DiPapa's known properties looking for guns, drugs, and any other evidence that would put him away for good.

"Is Beca a part of the raids?" Chloe asked nervously.

"Yes," Stacie replied.

"Well, if you want to take my father into custody, you should tell your boss that he'll probably be at his home in Atlanta," Chloe said.

"Are you sure about that?" Stacie asked.

"Yes," Chloe said. "He can monitor everything that's going on from there. He'll be more vulnerable as he'll send his most trusted men to receive any goods being smuggled in."

"Thanks," Stacie said, pulling out her phone.

Stacie put together a text and sent it.

Beca's phone pinged with a text. She read it and showed it to Jesse.

"Okay," Jesse said. "You're with me. Bumper, you and Amy follow us. We're going in silent. The rest of you have your orders. Let's go."

"On it," Bumper said as he and Amy entered their SUV.

Beca got into another SUV with Jesse. They took off with Bumper following closely behind them. Jesse pulled to the curb about a quarter of a mile from DiPapa's house. Bumper parked behind him, and he and Amy met Jesse and Beca at the back of their vehicle.

"Here, you'll need these," Jesse said as he handed each a silencer for their weapons and earpieces to communicate once they separated.

They attached the silencers and placed their earpieces. They then looked to Jesse for further instructions.

"Based on Chloe's info, there won't be too many guards around," Jesse said. "Bumper, you and Amy take the back; Beca and I will take the front. Keep your eyes peeled and quietly take down as many guards as possible. We have the element of surprise on our side, and I'd like to keep it that way until we have DiPapa in custody. Understood?"

"Yes, boss," Amy said.

"Understood," Bumper said.

"Let's move," Jesse said, and they all approached the house.

When they reached the corner of the property, Bumper and Amy veered to the right to go to the back of the house. Beca and Jesse continued on to the front.

Beca suddenly fired two shots, sending a man over the side of the porch. Jesse nodded, and they continued forward, eliminating two more armed guards.

"We've eliminated a couple of guys and are at the back door," Bumper's voice came through the earpieces.

"Hold until I give the okay," Jesse responded. "Beca and I are just getting to the front door."

Beca and Jesse were now standing on either side of the door. At Jesse's nod, Beca reached for the doorknob and tried to turn it; it slowly turned, and she nodded at Jesse.

"On my count, we breach," Jesse said.

"Roger that," Bumper said.

"Three, two, one," Jesse said.

Beca held her gun up and pushed the door open, sweeping the gun from side to side as she entered.

"Clear," Beca said as Jesse turned left and walked down a short hallway.

Jesse stopped and looked into a room, calling out "clear" when he didn't see anyone.

"Bumper, you and Amy continue on and check every room on the first floor," Jesse instructed. "Beca and I are going up to the second level."

"Roger that," Amy and Bumper said.

Beca stood ready at the foot of the stairs and nodded at Jesse. Jesse raised his gun and went up, stopping to look through the railing to ensure it was clear.

"Clear," he said, and Beca made her way to him.

"Clear," they heard Bumper say.

Sporadic "clear" came through as the four agents made their way through the house.

When she and Jesse reached the last door, Beca placed an ear to the door and listened. She heard a voice and pointed to her ear and then the door.

"Bumper, you and Amy get up here now," Jesse said.

"On our way, boss," Amy said.

"What do we have?" Bumper asked.

"I heard someone talking," Beca responded. "I think it's DiPapa. It sounds like he may be talking on the phone."

Bumper and Amy cleared the staircase and went to Beca and Jesse.

"Based on the floor plans, this is the Master Bedroom," Jesse said quietly. "It covers the length of the house. Beca and Amy, you two go left, and Bumper and I will go right when we enter."

"Roger that," three voices said simultaneously.

At Jesse's count, Beca turned the knob and opened the door. She raised her gun as soon as there was space, and the four agents rushed into the room.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 7 ~~

One year later, Beca picked up her cane and met Stacie outside her apartment. They were headed to the Court House to watch Vincenzo DiPapa's sentencing hearing. DiPapa had made a deal to plead guilty to all charges so the death penalty would be removed from consideration, and he'd be sentenced to life in prison. They didn't know that he did it so Chloe wouldn't have to testify against him.

Stacie parked, and the two women exited the vehicle. They then went toward the Court Room where the final sentencing hearing would occur. Beca looked at the ground as she walked, still getting used to having a cane.

"Beca?" Chloe's voice caused Beca to stop and look up.

Beca couldn't say anything; she could only stare at the woman she hadn't seen in almost a year.

"You're looking much better than the last time I saw you," Chloe said with a small smile.

Beca's brows furrowed in confusion.

"You didn't know it," Stacie said. "But Chloe came to the hospital almost every day to see you."

"I thought you went into Witness Protection," Beca said, still staring at Chloe.

"I was going to," Chloe responded. "But then my father decided to work out a plea deal where if the death penalty were removed, he would plead guilty, so I opted out."

Stacie quietly slipped away and went into the courtroom.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You needed me to be okay," Chloe said. "And knowing that my father was the one who shot you, I wasn't. And then I needed you to be okay. So, I went to the hospital to see for myself."

"I thought you hated me," Beca said, looking down.

"I didn't hate you," Chloe said. "I fell in love with you and acted as if I hated you so you'd walk away, and my father wouldn't hurt you."

Beca scoffed.

"It's true," Chloe said. "In the short time we were together, I fell in love with you" She paused and took a step forward. "I'm still in love with you."

Beca stood silently, watching Chloe. Chloe smiled and took another step toward Beca. Beca didn't move, so Chloe took another. She kept moving forward until she could wrap her arms around Beca. Beca wrapped her arms around Chloe and held her tightly. She buried her face in Chloe's neck, mumbling, "I love you, too."

Chloe smiled and hugged Beca tighter

"Hey, you two," Stacie called out, causing them to pull apart. "They're ready to start."

"Can we pick this up later?" Chloe asked.

"Of course," Beca said, taking Chloe's hand and leading her into the courtroom.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 7 ~~

Eighteen months later, Beca stirred when she felt Chloe moving beside her. Beca smiled and turned so she was facing Chloe.

"Happy anniversary, my love," Chloe said, kissing Beca.

"We're not married, so what anniversary are we celebrating?" Beca asked.

"It was a year ago today that you finally saw things my way and moved in with me," Chloe said.

"Oh, right," Beca said, pulling Chloe to her. "Best decision I ever made."

"I agree," Chloe said, pushing Beca onto her back.

Beca smiled as Chloe straddled her thighs.

"Mmm," Beca said when Chloe leaned down and kissed her.

Chloe pulled back and said, "I've got something for you."

"I didn't know it was tradition to give a gift for a moving-in together anniversary," Beca said, chuckling.

"There isn't," Chloe said, rolling off Beca.

Beca sat up and watched as Chloe went into their closet. She then heard Chloe rummaging around as if searching for something.

"Is everything okay in there?" Beca called out. "Did you forget where you hid my moving-in anniversary gift?"

"Shut up and close your eyes," Chloe said.

Beca laughed but did as Chloe instructed. Chloe peeked out of the closet and ensured Beca's eyes were closed. She then tiptoed over to the bed and got down on one knee.

"You can open your eyes now," Chloe said.

Beca opened her eyes and sat up straighter when she saw the ring Chloe held in front of her.

"Oh, my god," Beca said as tears sprang to her eyes.

Chloe cleared her throat. "Beca, I know we had some ups and downs at the start of our relationship, but I knew early on that you would be someone very special to me. Everything that happened happened for a reason. And that reason brought us to this point. I love you with everything I am, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Beca, will you marry me?"

Beca wiped the tears from her eyes and pulled Chloe into a kiss. Chloe wrapped her arms around Beca's shoulders and kissed her back.

Beca broke the kiss and looked into Chloe's eyes.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you, too," Chloe said, giggling. "But, you haven't answered the question."

Beca laughed and said, "Yes! A million times yes, I'll marry you."

Chloe smiled and placed the ring on Beca's finger. Her smile widened as she captured Beca's lips in another kiss.

This time, Chloe broke the kiss and stared into Beca's eyes.

"I can't believe we actually engaged," Chloe said, smiling.

[143bc]

Favorite new Bechloe stories this week? Are you reading any new fics.

Oh yes!

There was a repost of a short oneshot from 2018 - @erikahenningsen - inspired by because I Had To - sweet Bechloe fluff.

@snowflake19-things - posted an update to How Legends Are Born - pokemon Bechloe

@freedomseeker91 - posted a fluff oneshot In The More Than Good Enough Universe (9/22)

@ridiculously-over-obsessed - posted chp1 of a vampire Staubrey and Bechloe fic- The Sky'd Be Falling And I'd Hold You Tight (9/19)

@godzillachloe - posted the first two chps of Remind Me Again I'm Alive (9/17) - good Bechloe, Staubrey, and others

@wordsofmyreality - posted chp7 of Bargain Vacation (9/20) - cute Bechloe au

@kendrickslmanburg - posted chp7 of Frozen in Time - sweet Bechloe fic au (Beca is found frozen in ice)

@acca-dork - posted chp2 of I'd Rather Hear Your Theories - Bechloe vampire (9/19)

@late2dparty - posted chp 10 of FOMO - good Staubrey fic (9/21)

I'm certain I probably missed some. I have read most of these. With a few more hours added to the day I'll get to them all. These are good fics that will keep anyone busy and entertained.😊❤️

Have a wonderful day

[pulledpurplecurtains]

what made you decide to start writing PP stories ?

i’ve been contemplating my answer for hours now bc honestly this could turn into such a long story

the pretty short answer is: i’d been reading fics on and off for many many years across so many fandoms, and back in 2018 i was thinking over many things abt myself while also going through quite a major depressive episode and basically contemplating my whole life sfghjkfgh

so then fast forward to the beginning of 2020. at that time i was also getting back into pp and diving into some fics, which literally helped me realise my sexuality fully. on one of the fics the author was like, come find me on tumblr! so i was like screw it, let’s make a tumblr

that’s how i got into the fandom, how i started interacting with some wonderful writers and amazing people. a couple of months later there was that bechloe event called “weekly bechloe”. four prompts across four weeks, one prompt per week. and bc i’ve loved and done writing my entire life i was like, i could write something for this

so i wrote the first chapter of my first ever fic (it was supposed to be an one shot at the time) and i talked myself into posting it. that was the first ever complete thing i wrote. this fandom gave me so much right out of the gate, so i was finally free enough and motivated enough to write and express myself and compete a story (ofc then that fic kept on going but that’s a different matter sdfghjk) and then it kept me motivated enough to turn my life around some, and also complete a book i was writing at the time

so what my answer actually is, i suppose, it’s that i never “decided” anything. this fandom, the characters and the real people i met through it, gave me the push and freedom to be me. the rest was just a blessing

[smileyjenn]

the trifecta of red hair

[heryellowcup]

Bechloe week day 1 - Accidental kiss

"Um, Becs, do you really think that's a good idea-"

"I'm fine!" It's intended to sound calm and collected, comes out as a nervous shriek instead. One that causes Chloe to raise her eyebrows even higher, a skeptical smirk grazing her features already. Almost as though she's maliciously waiting for her to fall.

Beca knows that what she is currently doing isn't necessarily safe, is aware of how wobbly she is balancing on a toolbox, on their kitchen counter. Blaming Chloe for being worried doesn't seem fair, but it's also not her fault that Amy somehow happens to be the only one tall enough to reach the top shelf.

She's usually not one to indulge in such carefree and foolish activities, her demeanor serious and guarded more than anything, but Chloe's gaze on her isn't judging. It's amused more than anything, the smile on her lips teasing, practically spurring Beca on to keep going. And if it makes her grin like this, Beca thinks, she gladly will.

Chloe is craving a certain kind of cereal and Beca pretends to want it too, deems it an appropriate excuse to literally climb up on the counter and possibly hurt herself in the process of doing so. It's barely fair, how influential those blue eyes are.

Though it's the smile that causes her to slip, all dimples and breathtaking and suddenly she loses her footing, desperately holds onto the shelf. The dull pain rushes over her as soon as her head hits the counter with a loud thump and the smile responsible for all of this fades immediately. Chloe is frowning now and, eyebrows furrowed, she's next to Beca in less than a second, her concern obvious even in the way she brushes some strands of hair behind the brunette's ear so she can inspect the spot of impact properly. It's all gentle and loving and the sheepishness that should have taken over by now instantly gets replaced with the sudden need to rush forward and capture the other woman's lips with her own. They're so close.

Beca fears that if it wasn't for the stinging headache coursing through her body, she might have done just that. Another foolish act to emphasize just how incredibly skittish Chloe makes her feel.

"It's okay," is what she mumbles instead, unconvincingly so, grimacing in pain, still. "Really."

The statement lacks a certain sense of reassurance and Chloe is all over her for the rest of the evening, worries too much. Both of them sure that it's not a concussion, Chloe still takes care of her all night. It's almost embarrassing, how much comfort Beca finds in it, a roll of her eyes every now and then suggesting that she is annoyed more than anything. And yet an undeniably goofy smile finds its way onto her lips when Chloe brings her another ice pack, gently places it on her head, still cradles Beca as though she's the most valuable thing in the redhead's life.

Though if someone were to ask Beca later, she'd most likely blame it on the fact that Chloe is no doctor, can't possibly tell if she perhaps has a concussion after all. She supposes they make one feel giddy, cause one to admire a certain dimpled smile even more than usual. It's the only explanation for the way her stomach churns whenever soft fingers brush against her warm cheeks. The only explanation for the sudden nausea that seems to be taking over.

"Are you sure you're alright?" The words sound so incredibly caring coming out of her friend's mouth that Beca considers shaking her head just so she'll get to hear some more of them.

She nods instead, like she feels she ought to, doesn't want to be that much of a burden despite the throbbing of her head.

There's a response forming on her lips already, but its impossible to voice out loud when Chloe suddenly presses hers to her temple, gently, and blue eyes flutter close involuntarily. It's over before Beca can properly process the soft touch, one that a certain redhead insists will make it all better.

It's cute and Beca doesn't even try to fight it when her lips curve upwards yet again.

//

The sweet gesture is something that Chloe repeats more than once after that. It becomes somewhat of a habit, even, one that Beca relishes despite all of her efforts not to act the part.

It's soft lips gently brushing against every little and insignificant scrape Beca earns herself in the most mundane ways and when the brunette finds herself to be even more clumsy than previously thought, she can't find it in herself to actually care. She knows that Chloe, without a doubt, will be there to 'kiss it better'.

Telling the redhead that it doesn't help, that it's illogical and childish is merely a miserably failed attempt of trying to keep up all of the walls that Chloe has learned to easily look through. She can read Beca like an open book, if the discrete and victorious smirk she cracks every single time is anything to go by.

And yet it takes a painfully long time for Beca to reciprocate said ritual, on a movie night nonetheless. They're silly, really, because they actually live together now, but Chloe successfully manages to ignore any objections regarding the topic. Chloe loves her traditions and who is Beca to deny her those? Who is Beca to resist Chloe in a pajama, cuddled up on the bed next to her? Who is she to resist those blue eyes and the giddy smile that broadens notably whenever they get ready to watch one of her beloved Disney movies. The ones Beca still pretends to dislike. She has an image to keep up, after all, and no, The Lion King did not make her cry, no matter how often Chloe tells the story with that stupid, fond smile grazing her lips.

They order food on some nights, decide to cook on others. Beca doesn't mind anymore, has accepted that Chloe will always be the one doing the cooking while she herself has seemingly perfected the art of burning food to a crisp. The redhead usually bans her from the kitchen about halfway through, but watching from the living room doesn't seem like all that bad of an option either.

She can see it from there, too, when Chloe's knife slips and cuts right into her finger, the action accompanied by a loud hiss. There's blood everywhere before either of them can do so much as blink. Beca usually isn't overprotective, isn't too fussy about blood either, but Chloe definitely looks like she is in pain and the brunette has to do something. The panic in all of her movement is apparent as she desperately tries to find the first aid kit that she knows they have lying around somewhere.

Listening to Chloe reassuring her that everything is fine, over and over again, that it's just a little scratch, seems to be practically impossible when there's still so much blood. It's only once the redhead has rinsed it thoroughly and there's a bandaid on her finger that Beca feels like she can breathe again. Feels the worry and concern vanish slowly, a little less of it controlling her with every new smile that Chloe regards her with.

"You're cute when you worry about me." Chloe is all mocking and teasing and she knows exactly what it does to Beca, the flush creeping up her neck immediate even when she shakes it off with an awkward motion of her hand.

"Maybe I just didn't want you to bleed into our food," Beca mumbles nonchalantly despite her still heated cheeks. All of her efforts trying to hide said blush fail when Chloe merely snorts in response, doesn't believe one word her friend is saying, adores her grumpy demeanor nonetheless.

The whole badass facade falls apart seconds later anyways, when Beca hesitantly reaches for Chloe's hand, brings the injured finger up to her lips and presses a featherlight kiss to it. Avoiding the redhead's gaze while doing so, feeling incredibly vulnerable.

It's not sweet, not loving, not a sign that Beca finally starts softening up even more so than she already had. It's simply what they do, now, just another part of their friendship.

//

It's something that they keep doing even weeks, months later. It's something that even Beca does until there's absolutely nothing weird about it anymore. Until it's something as normal and incredibly necessary as breathing, as having Chloe around in the first place.

Though it's on a Sunday morning that everything comes to a grinding halt, that the normality of it all fades into something more dangerous.

It's not Beca's intention, by any means, to stare. To stare at Chloe when she once again leaves their tiny bathroom in nothing but a towel, her hair still wet and strong shoulders on display. Beca hasn't previously thought it to be something that actually happens, but somehow her eyes keep snapping up to Chloe from where she is working on her music and in the midst of things, she just so happens to bite her lips.

Hard. Until she can distinguish the familiar, metallic taste on her tongue. It's ridiculous, really, but then Chloe is looking right at her with this electrifying look on her face, one that makes her look like a mischievous predator more than anything and Beca doesn't even have time to wipe the blood away before the redhead takes a few steps closer, is suddenly right in front of her.

"I guess I'll have to kiss it better, huh?"

And Beca might not be an expert when it comes to female friendships, but even she can tell that this is crossing a line that they won't be able to come back from. It's not that she necessarily minds, is kind of unable to breathe, to move, to do anything but wait for the arrival of Chloe's soothing lips. To kiss it all better.

Chloe's lips are on hers in an instant and it almost physically hurts when she doesn't get the chance to slip into it, to close her eyes, to enjoy the way it all makes her heart beat so fast it might jump right out of her chest and into Chloe's lap.

Beca doesn't think Amy has ever witnessed their soft tradition, believes it to be just like her to barge into the room at exactly this moment.

It's something that almost angers Beca and yet she can only feel it rise in her chest when she turns around and notes how unfazed Amy actually seems to be. By all of this. As though this isn't something huge, something surprising, something that Beca now realizes is something she's been waiting for all this time.

"What's up, guys?" It's nonchalant, without any intentions of wanting to tease them and for the first time Beca actually misses just that. What's up?, she wants to ask, Chloe Beale just kissed me. Chloe Beale just kissed me and I think I might die if it doesn't happen again and why is no one surprised?

"Chloe just kissed me." And there it is. Two can play that game. It's not a big deal, after all. Right?

"That wasn't a kiss." Chloe manages to sound dismissing in the most gentle and playful way and Beca immediately realizes that's not all there is to this. There's more and blue eyes are practically begging her to ask. She does, despite the fact that it seems to hurt just a little too much.

"Oh no?" she asks, eyebrows raised questioningly. It's exactly what the other woman had wanted her to ask and Beca sees it in yet another, dimpled smile. In the mischievous gleam in her eyes.

Beca doesn't expect her answer to come in the form of soft hands pulling her closer, until there's no space left between them and their lips are touching again. Softer, this time, yet firm and passionate and deeper. They don't pull back as quickly as before, but when they do, after losing themselves in each other for way too long, Chloe's grinning at her.

"That, Beca, was a kiss."

Almost thinking that the moment couldn't get any better, Beca turns around to see that Amy finally has the decency to look at least a little surprised. She mirrors Chloe's grin, then, and somehow it's impossibly brighter.

[chloepearl]

Bechloe Week Day Five: Road Trip

[backtobasicbellas]

Bechloe Week 2018 → Day 3: Drunk Texting

Beca goes out with her friends in Los Angeles, a break from her busy schedule as her album comes together, and gets pretty wasted. She finds herself missing her girlfriend immensely, knowing she’s in Davis on her way to succeeding her own dream of becoming a vet. So she texts her, except she accidentally texts Emily instead.

(It’s not the first time she’s done this.)

Emily just wants to sleep.

Chloe finds it endlessly adorable.

[vortexofentertainment]

Bechloe Week: Day 5 - Road Trip

A famous Beca and Chloe decide to go on a road trip. Beca gets a little excited and ends up renting an RV to Chloe’s delight and the two both go a little crazy on social media.

Pictures:

Beca and Chloe have a night out with friends before their big trip but since they’re already technically on vacation, Chloe insists Beca uses the hashtag.

Beca can’t stop herself from capturing this picture of Chloe in the hotel before they set off on their road trip.

Beca thinks she’s funny

Chloe dyes her hair on the first day because “Change is good, Becs!”

So far the trip has been a success and the two girls decide to celebrate at a shady bar of Beca’s choosing.

Chloe convinces Beca to go on a hike by promising her “a day she’ll never forget” but instead Beca just gets bug bites although her and Chloe did make out by the lake for a while.

Beca’s heart literally explodes

Chloe likes to be adventurous and goofy all at the same time, even though it makes Beca a nervous wreck because Chloe is LITERALLY hanging out the window of a strangers car when their RV breaks down.

Beca’s heart explodes.. again

On yet another hike, Beca decides that maybe it isn’t so bad if Chloe is going to keep making out with her in random places along the way.

part one/part two

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545}

[redlance]

Bechloe Week - Day 3

Drunk Texting

21:38

DJ-Bee: Why aren’t you at the party???

21:39

Legs: Because some of us need to study.

21:42

DJ-Bee: You’re seriously studying right now?! Dude! Get over here, you’re missing out on body shots.

21:43

Legs: I’ll survive.

22:26

Chlo: Beca says she misses you. I miss you too. :(

22:29

Stacie: I miss you guys too, but you literally see me every single day and if I don’t do stellar on this exam I’m going to punish myself with celibacy.

22:29

Stacie: And you know what happens when I go without.

22:30

Chlo: 0_0 nuff’ said.

22:48

DJ-Bee: Stacieeeeeeeeeeeeeee

22:48

DJ-Bee: Stacie.

22:48

DJ-Bee: Stacie.

22:49

DJ-Bee: Stacie.

22:49

DJ-Bee: STACIE!!!!!!!

22:50

Legs: OMG. What?!

22:50

DJ-Bee: Hi. :)

22:51

Legs: I’m turning my phone off.

22:51

DJ-Bee: :( why don’t u love us

23:40

DJ-Bee: where r u?

23:41

DJ-Bee: omg was the kiss taht bad??

23:41

DJ-Bee: I’m sorry :(

23:41

DJ-Bee: Did I mess thinhs up?

23:42

DJ-Bee: things*

23:42

DJ-Bee: u just looked rly super hot and cute

23:42

DJ-Bee: And so I wanted to kiss you.

23:42

DJ-Bee: I’ve wanted to kiss u for a rly long time

23:50

DJ-Bee: STACIE DON’T READ

23:50

DJ-Bee: I DIDNT NO I WAS TXTING U

23:50

DJ-Bee: AKNDFNAIDSFAHSUHASLF

23:50

DJ-Bee: NOTHING TO READ HERE

23:51

DJ-Bee: DONT READ ABOVE. PLS. ABORT TXT READING MISSION.

23:52

DJ-Bee: Fuck.

08:17

Legs: Looks like someone had fun last night. ;P

09:45

DJ-Bee: oh my god

09:46

DJ-Bee: Please don’t

09:46

Legs: GET. IT. MITCHELL. ;P ;P ;P <3 <3

09:47

DJ-Bee: I hate you

09:47

DJ-Bee: Please don’t tell Amy.

09:55

Legs: Sorry. Didn’t hear phone. Chloe was just down here telling us what an awesome kisser you are. Apparently even your sloppy drunk kisses are great.

09:55

Legs: Think she might be a bit biased tho

09:56

DJ-Bee: <dead.gif>

[aca-awesomenerd]

Bechloe week fics 2018

There were some technical difficulties with the original so here it is again.

Day 1 - Accidental Kiss

xxx : @green-eyed-weirdo

xxx : @katelides

xxx : @bechloeislegit

xxx : @isthemusictoblame

xxx : @acabellas

xxx : @justwritethatdown

xxx : @i-own-your-wifi

xxx : @imnotasuperhero

xxx : @thessbechloe

xxx : @x-bechloe-x

xxx : @lets-talk-appella

xxx : @willorwont5331

xxx : @heryellowcup

xxx : @vortexofentertainment

xxx : @bechloe-trash

xxx : @prettylittlesestras

xxx : @backtobasicbellas

xxx : @morningsound15

xxx : @pyxiscetus

xxx : @asweetmelodytrickling

xxx : @redlance

xxx : @aca-bhlo-me

xxx : @aliciameade

xxx : @whatisitcalledagain

xxx : Electronis Zappa

Day 2 - Jealousy

xxx : @green-eyed-weirdo

xxx : @katelides

xxx : @bechloeislegit

xxx : @isthemusictoblame

xxx : @i-own-your-wifi

xxx : @backtobasicbellas

xxx : @bechloe-trash

xxx : @prettylittlesestras

xxx : @pyxiscetus

xxx : @neverendingjess

xxx : @lets-talk-appella

xxx : @asweetmelodytrickling

xxx : @heryellowcup

xxx : @x-bechloe-x

xxx : @justwritethatdown

xxx : @willorwont5331

xxx : @acabellas

xxx : @imnotasuperhero

xxx : @suituuup

xxx : @aca-bhlo-me

xxx : @redlance

xxx : @morningsound15

xxx : @whatisitcalledagain

xxx : @aliciameade

xxx : Electronis Zappa

Day 3 - Drunk texting

xxx : @green-eyed-weirdo

xxx : @katelides

xxx : @bechloeislegit

xxx : @aca-bhlo-me

xxx : @i-own-your-wifi

xxx : @aliciameade

xxx : @thessbechloe

xxx : @imnotasuperhero

xxx : @lets-talk-appella

xxx : @vortexofentertainment

xxx : @asweetmelodytrickling

xxx : @isthemusictoblame

xxx : @x-bechloe-x

xxx : @morningsound15

xxx : @redlance

xxx : @acabellas

xxx : @suituuup

xxx : @karamelbechloe

xxx : @martinlydia

xxx : @bechloe-trash

xxx : @whatisitcalledagain

xxx : Electronis Zappa

xxx : @willorwont5331

Day 4 - Why?

xxx : @green-eyed-weirdo

xxx : @asweetmelodytrickling

xxx : @katelides

xxx : @bechloeislegit

xxx : @vortexofentertainment

xxx : @i-own-your-wifi

xxx + xxx : @lets-talk-appella

xxx : @backtobasicbellas

xxx : @martinlydia

xxx : @willorwont5331

xxx : @thessbechloe

xxx : @x-bechloe-x

xxx : @whatisitcalledagain

xxx : @redlance

xxx : @justwritethatdown

xxx : @isthemusictoblame

xxx : @aliciameade

xxx : Electronis Zappa

xxx : @acabellas

xxx : @pyxiscetus

Day 5 - Road Trip

xxx : @green-eyed-weirdo

xxx : @katelides

xxx : @bechloeislegit

xxx : @aliciameade

xxx : @justwritethatdown

xxx : @isthemusictoblame

xxx : @imnotasuperhero

xxx : @lets-talk-appella

xxx : @redlance

xxx : @whatisitcalledagain

xxx : Electronis Zappa

xxx : @pyxiscetus

Day 6 - Good Luck Charm

xxx : @green-eyed-weirdo

xxx : @aca-awesomenerd

xxx : @katelides

xxx : @bechloeislegit

xxx : @i-own-your-wifi

xxx : @lets-talk-appella

xxx : @vortexofentertainment

xxx : @acabellas

xxx : @whatisitcalledagain

xxx : @x-bechloe-x

xxx : @imnotasuperhero

xxx : @isthemusictoblame

xxx : @neverendingjess

xxx : @backtobasicbellas

xxx : @asweetmelodytrickling

xxx : @pyxiscetus

Day 7 - Disney

xxx : @green-eyed-weirdo

xxx : @bechloeislegit

xxx : @i-own-your-wifi

xxx : @neverendingjess

xxx : @asweetmelodytrickling

xxx : @isthemusictoblame

xxx : @imnotasuperhero

xxx : @whatisitcalledagain

xxx : @x-bechloe-x

xxx : @willorwont5331

xxx : @vortexofentertainment

xxx : @lets-talk-appella

xxx : @thessbechloe

[lets-talk-appella]

The Eight Times Aubrey Posen Had to Ask Why

Or... my second fic for Bechloe Week Day Four - Why

(’cause I don’t like writing angst and my first one was angsty)

Summary: Aubrey prides herself on knowing her best friend, so to suddenly not know what Chloe's thinking is alarming to say the least. Or, the times Aubrey was confused about Bechloe's relationship and had to ask about it.

Word Count: 7.5k

AO3 and FFN

1. After the Activities Fair

Aubrey Posen knew Chloe Beale better than she knew anyone. As her dad always said, “Get to know your friends so that you can cripple them emotionally if they try to leave.” He gave the best advice.

Aubrey knew her best friend. They met early their freshman year, both new members to the Barden Bellas. She knew Chloe’s favorite color (yellow), her favorite pop tart flavor (wild berry), and her favorite season (spring). More than that, she knew Chloe’s tells, her every change in emotion and how to respond to each one. She knew the sounds Chloe made as she moved through their shared apartment, the perfume Chloe wore on a first date as opposed to the third date, even the kind of toothpaste she used to prevent her supposed “egg breath” (which was nonexistent). She knew how old Chloe was when she realized she was pansexual and she knew how much her grandmother’s death still bothered her seven years later.

So, yeah. Aubrey Posen knew Chloe Beale.

As a result, she was understandably shaken when, following her senior year Activities Fair, she realized that for the first time in their friendship, she had no idea what was going through Chloe’s mind. She simply could not understand why Chloe was so adamant about contacting the rude, pierced, alternative-looking dwarf that had stopped at their recruitment booth. After all, the girl had even told them that she didn’t sing. She’d said that the Bellas were “lame.” Aubrey had despised the girl on sight, and, while Chloe tended to be more tolerant of others, she had expected Chloe to dismiss the girl just as quickly.

However, she was wrong.

Since leaving the Fair and arriving at their apartment, she was all Chloe had talked about.

“She’s got to be a freshman, I’ve never seen her before, have you?” Chloe asked as they walked through the front door.

Aubrey sighed impatiently, “No, but we don’t know everyone.”

Chloe scoffed, “I know almost everyone, it’s the same thing.”

Aubrey rolled her eyes, choosing to remain silent as she set her things neatly on the counter.

“And I definitely haven’t seen any photos of her on Facebook. I’d remember,” Chloe continued once she realized Aubrey wasn’t going to respond.

How? thought Aubrey, moving to sit on their futon. How would you remember a photo of a stranger?

“Okay, she’s a freshman,” Aubrey said, wanting to change the topic. “So what? We need to coordinate with those Treble-douches a time for auditions.”

Chloe plopped down on the futon next to her and, completely ignoring what she’d said, wondered out loud, “Do you think she joined any other clubs? Like, is her schedule too full to fit the Bellas?”

Aubrey barely held her annoyance at bay. They had more important things to talk about than the weird a capella-hating eyeliner girl.

“Chloe, can you please listen to me? We have a lot to do yet to make sure the Bellas win –”

Not listening at all, Chloe interrupted, “And did you think she meant she can’t sing, or that she doesn’t like to sing? Because if it’s just that she doesn’t like to, well, we can work with that.”

“Why does she even matter?” Aubrey finally snapped, twisting to look at Chloe. “We talked to enough other girls to have several solid auditions. It’s not like we need her.”

Chloe stared, stunned at her outburst. Aubrey’s irritation grew and before she could stop herself she said, “So would you stop going on about that rude bitch?”

She knew instantly that she’d gone too far; her anger turned to guilt at the hurt in Chloe’s eyes, the slump of her shoulders. Chloe hated being yelled at, and Aubrey knew that. Aubrey knew everything about Chloe.

“Don’t call her that,” Chloe whispered.

Aubrey pinched the bridge of her nose and took several deep breaths to keep herself from scoffing at Chloe’s defense of the girl. She despised arguing with Chloe and knew she had to fix it.

“Look, I didn’t mean to…” she started, then trailed off. “We need to focus on the girls we did recruit today and on their auditions. Not on some rando who didn’t even like us.”

“Sorry… I guess… I feel like she’s important. I can’t explain it,” Chloe said softly, looking down at her lap. “Let’s forget it.”

Aubrey stared hard at her for a moment. Chloe didn’t “forget” things like that. Normally, she’d have forced them to talk through their argument, to make up. She wasn’t acting herself.

Ignoring her unease, Aubrey pushed ahead, returning conversation to the upcoming auditions. Before long, Chloe recovered and everything seemed to go back to normal between them. It had just been a fluke, Aubrey told herself. A one-time thing. They were fine.

Looking back, Aubrey should have realized then where this was going. She and Chloe never argued, and Chloe had certainly never shut down on her like that before.

That was the first fight they had over Beca Mitchell and they hadn’t even known her name.

2. After the Semifinal

Aubrey despised Beca. Sure, the girl could sing. Her audition had been too good to not let her into the Bellas, even if she had a bad attitude and a clear toner for that Treble that followed her around like a puppy. Besides, Chloe had basically forced her to let Beca join.

But the fact remained that Beca was a giant pain in her ass. She questioned Aubrey at ever opportunity, clearly trying to usurp her authority over the group. Beca didn’t know anything about running a noble institution such as the Barden Bellas, so where she found the gumption to try to change things, Aubrey had no idea. As far as Aubrey was concerned, their set list was immaculate, their choreography timeless, and their uniforms classy. However, Beca “I-put-other-people’s-music-together-and-think-it’s-a-talent” Mitchell thought their songs were outdated, their choreography overused, and their uniforms hideous. Aubrey had never felt so personally offended in her life.

To make things worse, the other girls were slowly being brainwashed into believing that hobbit’s incorrect opinions. Aubrey fought for control of every rehearsal. It got to the point where they spent more time arguing than running their set, which was unacceptable. Beca was a toxic distraction that threatened the future of the Bellas.

And for some reason, Beca seemed to distract Chloe more than anyone else. Aubrey had noticed all of the little looks Chloe would send her way, all of the touches on the arm and back. She thought she was hallucinating when Chloe helped Beca with the choreography, standing close behind her and guiding her arms through the motion. Beca would flinch away from the other girls when they got too close, but not from Chloe. It was weird. Aubrey didn’t like it. She needed Chloe to be on her top game and that didn’t happen when Beca was in the room.

But then, at the Semifinals, Beca crossed a line. She went completely rogue, singing her own weird lyrics over Aubrey’s perfectly coordinated set. It had messed them up, and while she maybe could have tolerated it if they’d won, they hadn’t. They’d been kicked out of the competition, and Aubrey was sure it had to be Beca’s fault. If Beca hadn’t made her lose her concentration, they would have won. So, she’d called Beca out on it in a rage, hating that she’d looked to Chloe and the others for help. In the end, she’d run off like a child instead of facing up to her mistake.

Good riddance. She wouldn’t be missing Beca, that was for sure.

Only, she didn’t understand why Chloe was so upset about it. Sure, Beca’s exit had been an ugly one, but Aubrey didn’t think anyone should be surprised at Beca’s decision to run. Aubrey had taken one look at the alt girl at the Activities Fair and had pegged her as a flight risk. Under her angry exterior, it was plain to Aubrey that Beca was a coward, afraid of any serious commitment.

So it surprised her that Chloe was still so hung up over it. The night before their Spring Break, a week after the disaster at the Semis, Chloe brought it up all over again.

“I should have gone after her, Bree,” she said, walking into Aubrey’s room, where Aubrey was packing for the break.

Aubrey didn’t have to ask to know who she was talking about. Chloe had said variations of the same thing every day all week. “Let her go, Chloe, it’s no loss,” Aubrey said impatiently.

Chloe paced across Aubrey’s floor. “How can you say that?” she asked incredulously. “You saw the judges perk up when she sang.”

“I didn’t see anything,” Aubrey lied. She had noticed. But just because the judges had started paying attention didn’t mean it had been good attention. “She messed us up!”

“Only a little, we recovered right away,” Chloe said defensively.

“Chloe –”

“I’m going to call her,” said Chloe, pulling her phone from her pocket.

“We lost, Chloe!” Aubrey yelled, her temper flaring. “There’s no point in calling her! Why are you so obsessed with her?”

Chloe flinched away from her anger, lowering her phone. “I’m – I’m not obsessed with her!”

Aubrey snorted in disbelief and harshly replied, “Yes, you are, you’re always talking about her and touching her and defending her –”

“Because she’s my friend!” Chloe shouted back, catching Aubrey by surprise. “If you’d just talk to her without ripping her head off –”

Aubrey interrupted with a sneer, “I thought I was your friend!”

“You are! She’s just –” Chloe cut herself off sharply, making Aubrey raise an eyebrow.

“Just what?” she asked, her voice low and dangerous. “What is it about her?”

Chloe didn’t respond, instead looking at the floor. Aubrey’s heart pounded, adrenaline rushing through her. What could it be about Beca that had Chloe so involved?

Finally looking back up at Aubrey, Chloe said, “You know what, I’m gonna go.” She gestured to the door. “We both need to cool off. I’ll be back before too late.”

Before Aubrey could say another word, Chloe turned and strode out of her room, leaving the scent of her perfume hanging in the air. Aubrey stared at her recently vacated spot in shock. She couldn’t believe Chloe’s reaction. It seemed excessive. It seemed invested. Aubrey gasped quietly, something occurring to her. Could Chloe have feelings for Beca?

No. It was absurd. In no universe would her bubbly, happy, affectionate best friend fall for that grumpy, sarcastic, pushy midget. No way.

Aubrey shoved away the thought and resumed packing her suitcase.

She hoped she’d have time for her yoga workout over break.

 3. After Nationals

They won. They’d actually won.

Aubrey was ecstatic. All of the girls were. And she knew exactly why they’d won. Beca had made them better. She’d changed their sound until it was something that showcased their talents and brought out the best in them. It had been astounding, truly, and she hadn’t expected it.

She no longer despised Beca Mitchell. As much as she hated to admit it, they had a lot in common. It was a little annoying, how similar they were deep down. She wasn’t sure they’d ever be close friends, but she felt like she understood where Beca was coming from on most things. She wanted to be able to at least get along with her.

So she didn’t even care when Beca ran to kiss that Treble, the one Aubrey had known she’d been secretly pining after all year. It was kind of cute. She thought they looked good together. It was like a cliché movie ending.

Aubrey turned to hug Chloe, still buzzing from their victory, only to see empty space where her best friend had stood moments ago. Confused, she looked around, finally spotting a streak of red hair headed toward the bathrooms at top speed. Her eyebrows furrowed and she wondered if Chloe was perhaps feeling sick.

Concerned as ever for Chloe’s well-being, Aubrey gracefully moved out of the spotlight, sending smiles to her fellow Bellas as she made to follow Chloe. If she needed to hold her hair back she could do that; it wouldn’t be the first time.

“Chloe? Are you okay?” Aubrey called tentatively once she’d entered the bathroom.

To her mild terror, she wasn’t greeted by the sound of retching, but rather by a series of rapid sniffles coming from a closed stall. Oh, no. Tears were the worst. She was so bad at handling tears, especially Chloe’s because she cried so rarely.

Aubrey grimaced, wishing she was better at comforting others. Nevertheless, she made her way over to the locked stall and knocked on the door lightly.

“Oh… what happened? Are these… happy tears?” she added hopefully.

“Nothing happened, I need a minute,” came Chloe’s choked voice. Aubrey’s stomach dropped. These were definitely not happy tears.

“Who do I have to kill?” Aubrey tried, getting a watery sounding laugh in return. She heard the lock on the stall click and moved out of the way in time for Chloe to swing the door open and peer out at her with red eyes. Thank God for waterproof mascara, Aubrey thought.

“Why are you crying?” she asked in a gentler tone.

Chloe only winced at her own reflection in the bathroom mirror and walked to the sink to dab at her eyes with paper towel. Aubrey tried to ignore how unsanitary that probably was, instead focusing on her best friend’s distress. It was weird for Chloe to cry like this. Aubrey cast her mind back, trying to think of what had happened. They’d won and that had been good. Chloe had broken up with Tom a while ago, so there was no way it was boy trouble. No one had yelled anything crude or offensive at them from the audience, at least not that she’d heard. Aubrey frowned. So what had happened?

Then, she noticed Chloe playing with her thumb ring, spinning it around her finger absent-mindedly. The action reminded her of how she’d once seen Beca play with the ring in the same way, rotating it around Chloe’s thumb. Beca. Who had immediately ran off stage to kiss that guy. Jesse. After which Chloe had run to the bathroom.

Oh.

Oh, no.

“Is it… Beca?” Aubrey asked, already knowing the answer.

The flash of panic that crossed Chloe’s face confirmed it. Chloe whipped around to lock eyes with her and Aubrey was strongly reminded of a trapped animal.

“I…” Chloe started, then stopped. She bit her lip and her eyes flicked away guiltily. “How did you know?” she asked so softly that Aubrey had to strain to hear her.

Aubrey smiled sadly. “I think the real question should be how I didn’t know sooner,” she said, keeping her tone light. “I haven’t been very observant, have I?” Because yeah, she really should have guessed. Some best friend she was.

Chloe stared back at her with wide eyes. “You’re not mad?” she asked.

Aubrey shrugged and replied, “No, I’m not mad. You can’t control who you like, and I get it. She’s different around you.”

Maybe that had been the wrong thing to say. Chloe flinched and said, “I thought… I hoped she felt the same.”

Aubrey’s heart broke at the tears she saw welling in Chloe’s eyes. Not knowing what else to say or do, she opened her arms and said, “Oh, honey, come here.”

Chloe moved to her immediately, wrapping around her and burying her face into Aubrey’s neck. Aubrey held her as she finally let the tears fall.

Aubrey was back to being annoyed with Beca.

 4. After Chloe Failed Russian Lit the Second Time

“What do you mean you ‘failed again?’” Aubrey practically screamed at her laptop screen.

Over Skype, Chloe merely waved her hand at her own web cam as if repeating her senior year for the third time was no big deal. “It’s fine, Bree,” Chloe said. “I’ll just stick around and try again next year.”

Aubrey groaned in exasperation. “Chloe. You can’t keep doing this to yourself.”

Chloe wrinkled her nose and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Pausing to fix Chloe with a withering glare, Aubrey waited until Chloe shifted in her desk chair. “Aha!” she cried. She knew Chloe’s tells and that was one of them. “You do too know!”

Chloe rolled her eyes, a habit that Aubrey had been noticing more and more lately. It reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t think of who.

“Look, I just really love being a Bella,” Chloe whined, “and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Aubrey leaned forward, resting her temples on her fingertips and her elbows on her kitchen table. “I get it, Chloe, I do, being a Bella is great. But so is moving on! Graduating! Having a real life!”

“Oh yeah?” Chloe fired back. “How’s your ‘real life?’”

Gaping, Aubrey could only mouth silently at the smirking girl on her laptop. That had been a low blow. “Okay, fine,” she eventually conceded, “maybe I panicked slightly and moved to the middle of nowhere to start a camp. Whatever, it’s been great,” she snapped when Chloe’s grin widened.

She wasn’t totally lying. Bossing people around and yelling were two things she was very good at, having been taught well by her dad at a young age. The money was even pretty decent. It’s just that she was still getting used to her little cabin in the woods, having always lived in the city growing up, so sometimes the dark and the animal noises scared her, but whatever. Everything was fine.

“Uh huh, sure,” teased Chloe.

“Wait, we are not making this about me!” insisted Aubrey. “We are talking about why you refuse to leave the Bellas!”

“They’re my family, Bree,” shrugged Chloe. “I don’t want to leave her – them. Them,” she said firmly, her cheeks tinging with pink at her slip-up.

Aubrey could have laughed. She should have known. Everything always had to do with her.

“Ah… so how is the little goblin?”

Chloe frowned. “I’ve asked you not to call Beca things like that.”

With a shrug, Aubrey replied, “But you still know who I mean. Does she know you’re purposely failing to stay with her?”

The pink coloration on Chloe’s face deepened to a dark red. Aubrey smirked, victorious. Maybe she should have been a lawyer.

“That’s not – I don’t – you’re –” Chloe stuttered, much to Aubrey’s exasperation.

“Why don’t you move on, Chloe? She’s still with Jesse and until she pulls her head out of her ass, that’s not going to change.”

Chloe looked away from the screen and Aubrey almost felt bad. Almost. But she had to dole out the tough love because Chloe needed to see how insane it was to put the rest of her life on hold for a girl in a committed heterosexual relationship.

“I… I just can’t,” replied Chloe after a while. “She and Jesse fight a lot, and she always talks to me about it. I can get her to watch movies and go on walks and hang out when no one else can. And all the time we’ve spent running the Bellas together, it’s like, we – we get each other without having to even talk. You know? I love having her in my life.”

Aubrey nodded wordlessly, already having guessed it was something like this. She shook her head and said seriously, “Chloe. You have to know how unhealthy this is. You do see that, right?”

Chloe looked at her like she’d sprouted a second head. “Unhealthy?” she asked. “You’re overreacting.”

“Am I?” asked Aubrey skeptically. “Because it sounds like you’re leading yourself on.”

“What? That’s not a thing.”

“Yes, it is,” Aubrey said firmly. “I’m not telling you what to do with your life, but I really think you need to move on. I think you should date other people and ask to retake your exam.”

Chloe was shaking her head before Aubrey even finished her sentence. “I’m not doing that,” she said, though Aubrey wasn’t sure which of the things she’d listed she wasn’t going to do. Probably all of them. “I’m staying at least one more year.”

“At least?” Aubrey’s eyes bugged out. “What, are you going to wait until you can graduate with Beca?”

Chloe suddenly became very interested in her laptop keys and didn’t answer.

“Oh my God. You’re totally going to,” gasped Aubrey. “Chloe –”

“Let’s talk about something else,” interrupted Chloe, looking up. “Have you heard from your dad lately?”

Aubrey closed her eyes briefly. She knew their conversation about Beca was over. She’d never be able to change Chloe’s mind, not about something like this. She still thought it was unhealthy but knew that Beca would never intentionally hurt Chloe. That was something, at least.

So she sent Chloe a reluctant smile, conceding to the subject change, and began to talk about the latest letter she’d gotten from her dad while he was overseas.

 5. At the Retreat

Aubrey wasn’t going to lie; the sight of Beca up in that bear trap had absolutely made her day. Beca had deserved it; from the sound of her argument with Chloe, she’d been pretty bad about anything Bella-related for a while. Plus, she’d been trying to run again, because that’s what Beca did best. Sure, Aubrey and Beca had become sort-of-friends, even getting to the “fast hug” stage, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy seeing her squirm. Or dangle from a tree.

The shocked expression on her face still cracked Aubrey up when she thought about it.

But, despite that humor relief, Aubrey certainly hadn’t failed to miss the weird tension between Beca and Chloe. It was intense, so much so that the other Bellas were clearly noticing as well. Those two were riding a wave of “will they, won’t they” that made Aubrey feel faintly nauseated when thinking about it. Beca hadn’t once mentioned Jesse. In fact, if Aubrey hadn’t been getting regular updates from Chloe about Beca, she’d probably have assumed they’d broken up.

She’d closely watched every interaction between Beca and Chloe since they’d arrived at her retreat. Chloe touched Beca every chance she got, looked at Beca with the sappiest expression on her face, and constantly talked to her. That was nothing new. What was different, however, was how Beca responded. Aubrey barely recognized the rude girl from the Activities Fair. Beca leaned into Chloe’s touches, often reciprocating with her own to Chloe’s back or arms. Beca’s body was always somehow oriented to face Chloe’s. And Beca looked at Chloe with the most tender expression Aubrey had ever seen on her face. They were never more than a few feet apart. They gravitated toward one another as if held together by a string. It was like nothing Aubrey had ever seen.

It was dangerous.

And it was clear that the other Bellas knew all about it. Every touch, every word, every interaction those two exchanged made the Bellas look at one another pointedly, practically vibrating with excitement. Aubrey knew that everyone could tell what was happening between the two captains except for the captains themselves.

That’s when she knew she had to step in. Things had progressed much further than Aubrey had gathered from Chloe’s Skype calls. It was obvious that Chloe was completely smitten with Beca, which was a problem because Beca, while maybe more friendly toward Chloe than toward anyone else, was still very much in a relationship with that boy. It wasn’t going to happen. Beca was too thick-headed for anything to change. Even if it did kind of look like she had feelings for Chloe in return.

Aubrey was beyond worried about the whole thing. She knew Chloe Beale. Chloe felt more deeply than anyone else she had ever met and for her to be hung up on Beca like this for four years… well. Aubrey didn’t want her to get hurt. It was intervention time.

She waited until the little grump had been extracted from the bear trap to make her move.

“Okay, Bellas, that was some great teamwork!” she cheered loudly.

“Bite me,” muttered Beca.

Ignoring that, Aubrey suggested, “It’ll be nightfall soon, so I suggest you all start preparing for dinner. Tonight we’re eating over the campfire, so plan ahead!”

“Um. It’s like 2:30,” said Emily, confused.

“Shut up, Legacy!” Amy called at her. “You heard Commander Posen, it’s time to eat!”

The Bellas filed past slowly, Beca glaring at her and Stacie winking, making warmth rise to her face. Chloe was at the back of the group, doing her best to corral the Bellas.

“Wait, Chloe, I’d like to talk to you,” Aubrey said, reaching for Chloe’s arm.

Chloe smiled and nodded, clearly not suspecting a thing. Out of the corner of her eye, Aubrey noticed Beca glancing back, a confused look on her face, before continuing along with the other Bellas.

“What’s up, Bree?” Chloe asked brightly as Aubrey led them away from her cabin to stand on the other side of a tree where they wouldn’t be overheard.

Once they were safely away from the other Bellas, Aubrey said in a low voice, “I see nothing has changed with her.”

Chloe’s expression immediately shifted, becoming guarded. “What do you mean?” she asked cautiously.

“I mean,” whispered Aubrey intently, “you’re obviously still into Beca! We’ve talked about this, Chloe, it’s a bad idea.”

“Aubrey –”

“Seriously, Chloe, she is still with Jesse, she still runs away from her problems, and she’s still annoying! Look, I can tell she’s opened up to you, and, I don’t know, maybe she has some feelings for you, but I’m scared she isn’t going to figure it out. It’s damaging for you to keep waiting for her!” Aubrey finished her rant, breathing a little harder than normal. She needed Chloe to understand that this was going nowhere.

“I know all that!” exclaimed Chloe. “But I can’t help it,” she added softly, looking down at her feet.

Aubrey threw her hands up in the air, exasperated. “Why?” she asked. “Why do you even like her?”

“I don’t,” Chloe replied immediately.

Aubrey blinked, but before she could say anything Chloe continued. “I don’t like her. I… I love her.”

Aubrey’s stomach dropped along with her jaw. It was so much worse than she’d thought. When Chloe loved, well, there was no stopping her.

Defeated, she sighed and rubbed a hand over her eyes before again asking in a calmer tone, “Why?”

Chloe bit her lip and was quiet for so long that Aubrey didn’t think she was even going to answer. But, just when Aubrey was about to speak again, Chloe cut her off.

“You want to know why I’m in love with Beca?” she asked, her tone sharp.

Aubrey nodded, suddenly apprehensive.

Chloe took a deep breath, looked Aubrey right in the eye, and said, “Beca Mitchell is the most passionate person I have ever met. She pours herself into everything she does, into her music, into that internship, into the Bellas, into time with me. She gives it all, and it is the single most attractive thing I have ever seen. She is also incredibly kind and caring, and even though I know you don’t see it,” Chloe pointed at Aubrey, who hadn’t been able to keep the skepticism from her expression, “it’s there. She cares so much about other people that I don’t know how she isn’t torn apart by it. And that’s why she puts on that whole ‘don’t talk to me’ thing, because people have hurt her so badly in the past that she wants to hide that part of herself away. But I know it’s there. I see it every time I look at her.”

Aubrey stared in shock, stunned by the words pouring from Chloe. And they weren’t stopping.

She continued, “Beca is so loyal, too, so devoted to the Bellas, to me, and yes, to her boyfriend. Sure, she’s run before, but you know what? She always comes back once she’s had time to process. That’s who she is. She’s brave, she fights for what she wants, and she is incredibly protective of all of us. You saw her punch that guy her freshman year!”

Chloe was ranting, her arms gesturing wildly, and Aubrey knew she was speaking with her entire conviction. And she still wasn’t done.

“She is absolutely, stunningly beautiful, and I don’t even think she knows it! Do you have any idea how ridiculous that is? That she doesn’t notice that about herself? She’s funny, and smart, and awkward and all of those things wrapped up in a small body. She surprises me every day. And, more than anything, she knows what she wants from life. And guess what?”

Aubrey hesitated, not sure if it was a redundant question, but Chloe plowed on. “It’s not me. She doesn’t want me. And that sucks, it really does, because every time I see her, my stomach flutters and my chest gets all warm and light and I feel so incredibly, impossibly happy. She makes me so happy, and I like to think that I make her happy too, at least a little.”

Chloe glared at Aubrey, her chest heaving, blue eyes blazing. She drew herself up to her full height and Aubrey almost flinched as Chloe finished.

“And that,” she said grandly, “is why I am in love with Beca Mitchell. Good enough for you?”

Aubrey almost applauded. All she could do was stare at her best friend. She’d had no idea about, well, any of that really. For the first time, Aubrey wondered if she really knew Beca. Chloe turned, as if about to walk away, but Aubrey couldn’t let that happen. Chloe deserved an apology.

“Okay,” Aubrey said, making Chloe stop and look at her. “Okay. I get it, and I’m sorry that I didn’t understand before.”

After a moment, Chloe nodded and Aubrey knew they were okay.

“Now,” Aubrey said, “you know what we have to do?”

Chloe shrugged, confused, and Aubrey let a smile spread over her face. She said, “We have to get her to pull her head out of her ass. Because damn it, Chloe, I know what I saw today, and it sure looks like she loves you, too. I just don’t think she knows it.”

Chloe looked up at her with so much hope that Aubrey wanted to cry. She’d get Beca Mitchell to wake up and smell the roses if it was the last thing she did.

 6. After Graduation

“Why is Beca going to be living with you?” Aubrey asked.

“I told you,” Chloe replied on the other end of the phone, her voice fast and excited. “Beca and Jesse broke up, and instead of going to LA with him, she wants to come to New York with me.”

Aubrey paused her pacing (she always did like to walk while she talked on the phone) and stood, staring out her kitchen window. “Well, shit.”

“I know. And – get this – we’ll have to share a bed ‘cuz Amy already called the other.”

“Shit,” Aubrey said again. She was astounded. It had finally happened.

“I’m so excited!” Chloe squealed, making Aubrey jerk her head back from the speaker momentarily.

“Chloe, I think…” she took a deep breath, hardly daring to believe it. “I think everything is going to be okay.”

 7. Ten Months After Graduation

Aubrey fidgeted nervously in her armchair, waiting for the telltale sound of gravel crunching under tires. She was expecting her visitor within the next twenty minutes and had spent the morning cleaning and preparing her cabin religiously for her guest. If she played her cards right, perhaps this person would become a permanent resident of her home rather than visiting for a few days at a time as had been the norm over the last few months.

Her phone rang from the table next to her, startling her. She grabbed it immediately, wondering if her visitor had perhaps gotten a flat tire or something. However, the name on the screen was not the one she’d been expecting. Her eyebrows shot up; this was a surprise.

She answered after the third ring, asking tentatively, “Beca?”

“Hey, Aubrey,” came Beca’s voice, sounding as surprised as Aubrey felt. They’d become closer over the last several months, but a spontaneous phone call was certainly unusual.

“Why are you calling?” Aubrey inquired. “Is everything okay?”

“Um, yeah, everything is fine…” Beca’s voice trailed off and Aubrey frowned. She sounded weird, strained and higher pitched than normal. “Listen, Aubrey…do you have a couple of minutes?”

Aubrey glanced out her sitting room window, then at the clock on the wall. She still had a little bit before her guest was due to arrive. “Yeah, I should be good,” she answered. “I’m just waiting for someone to come over.”

“Right,” Beca said, sounding distracted. Aubrey wondered if Beca had even heard what she’d said. “So. Um. There’s something. Uh....”

Aubrey puffed. She didn’t need to hear the nervous rambling Beca was famous for. “Beca. Spit it out.”

She heard Beca sigh before she replied, “It’s Chloe.”

Aubrey’s heart jolted and she sat up straighter in her chair. Beca had said everything was fine, so it couldn’t be that Chloe was hurt or missing or anything. But Beca sounded so nervous… Aubrey swallowed. She thought she had an idea of where this could be going, but she didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“What about Chloe?” she asked cautiously.

“It’s just – uh, this is so dumb – you’re her best friend and, like, you know her the best and I – I was, uh, wondering –”

“Beca, today, please.”

Beca huffed again, the whoosh of air crackling in Aubrey’s ear through her phone’s speaker. Finally, after several seconds, Beca replied, “I’m kinda in love with her.”

Aubrey’s jaw dropped. She jumped from her chair to pace absent-mindedly, needing an outlet for the sudden rush of energy to her body. “’Kinda?’” she quoted back, needing the full truth.

“No, not kinda,” Beca rushed out as if sensing danger. “I’m completely, totally in love with her.”

Aubrey smiled, a wave of relief crashing over her. Finally. Finally. The little gremlin had gotten there. She didn’t immediately respond, too full of happiness, but Beca must have taken that as a bad sign because she started rambling again.

“God, is that okay?” she asked anxiously. “Shit, I already feel like I crossed some sort of line because she’s my friend and we share a bed and its weird, right? But I needed to tell someone and I thought I could ask you if it’s weird or if I need to move out or –”

Aubrey stopped pacing and her smile dropped. “I guarantee that if you move out and leave her, I will kill you,” she said sharply.

“But –”

“Stop talking,” Aubrey interrupted. Beca went silent immediately and Aubrey marveled; if only she’d been able to do that in Beca’s freshman year.

“Okay,” Aubrey said. “So, you love her. Why?”

“What?”

Aubrey rolled her eyes impatiently. Beca Mitchell could be so slow. “Why do you love her?” she asked clearly.

Beca laughed on the phone and said, “That’s a dumb question.”

“Maybe,” Aubrey agreed, “but tell me why you love her.” She needed to know it was for the right reasons.

There was a pause on Beca’s end and Aubrey waited, experiencing a strong sense of déjà vu.

After several moments of quiet, Beca’s voice returned, now full of determination rather than nerves. She began, “Chloe is… the kindest, most caring, most compassionate person I have ever met. Like, it’s a little freaky how much she cares about others. I mean, just the other day, we were walking in Central Park and she stopped to move a caterpillar off the sidewalk so that no one would step on it. Who does that?” Beca asked, her voice full of wonder.

Aubrey smiled fondly, not surprised that Chloe had done something like that.

��And, more than that,” Beca continued, “she is so bright. Like, yeah, intelligent too, but I mean bright in the happy, mushy, rainbows-out-the-ass way. As in, sunshine basically shoots from her face. And it’s hard to explain, but when we’re in the same room, I feel warm and happy and all that garbage and I know it’s all because of her. It’s like… I can’t believe how dark the world was before her.”

Aubrey’s eyebrows again raised in surprise. She had no idea Beca was capable of talking like that, as if some poet had taken over her body. But Beca didn’t stop there.

She continued, “Chloe is so patient, too, and loving with everything and everyone around her. She is just so genuinely good and beautiful inside and out. And she’s been… just the best with me, because I know what I’m like sometimes, but she has never made me feel bad about myself. She’s never left me behind and she always wants to spend time with me, which I can’t even imagine why. I know I don’t deserve her, so I have no idea why she’s stayed, but she has. And… well. That’s why I love her, I guess.”

Aubrey was beaming by the end of Beca’s speech, beyond happy for both Beca and Chloe. Beca was wrong about one thing, though; she and Chloe did deserve each other. Aubrey finally admitted to herself that Beca Mitchell was good enough for her best friend. However, it wasn’t her place to tell Beca that.

“Tell her,” Aubrey said, the smile still on her face.

“What?” asked Beca, sounding alarmed.

“Tell her,” Aubrey repeated firmly. “Trust me. If it doesn’t go well, at least you know. She won’t be mean, I promise,” she almost laughed at the thought of the how overjoyed Chloe was going to be. “But I think it will go well.”

“Oh?” Beca was back to sounding nervous, though hopeful.

Aubrey rolled her eyes affectionately and said, “God, you’re so dumb.”

“Hey!” came Beca’s indignant voice.

“I mean it, tell her, and sooner rather than later. Don’t mess this up. If you hurt her, I will kill you,” Aubrey added.

“So, that’s two death threats now,” Beca said. “But okay.”

At that moment, Aubrey heard the telltale crunching of gravel. Her attention was flung out the window and she saw a car pull up to her cabin. Smile back in place and heart fluttering, she waved at her visitor.

“Listen,” she said to Beca, “I have to go. Stacie just got here.”

“Right, okay, you guys have fun,” Beca replied, her tone amused. “Thanks for this, though. Seriously.”

Aubrey shrugged, though she knew Beca couldn’t see her. “This may surprise you, but I’m really rooting for you two,” she said as she watched Stacie step out of the car and grab her enormous suitcase from the backseat. Stacie always did overpack.

“Well, I’ll take it,” Beca replied. “Bye, dude.”

“Bye, Beca. And good luck.”

Aubrey ended the call, forcing herself not to squeal in excitement for her best friend. She’d have to keep the phone call with Beca a secret though, at least until Beca and Chloe had talked things through.

Still buzzing happily, Aubrey went to greet Stacie at the door.

 8. One Year Later

Beca had beaten her to the café. Aubrey had seen her as soon as she’d walked in. Beca was dressed in her nice work clothes and on her lunch break, sipping a steaming cup of something. She waved at Aubrey when she arrived, and Aubrey placed her order. A simple mocha would do it.

Aubrey settled at the table Beca had chosen, coffee in hand. Beca looked good. She looked happy. Chloe had looked much the same earlier in the week when Aubrey had taken time out of her visit to New York to see her while Beca had been at work.

“Thanks for meeting me,” Beca said with a smile.

Aubrey nodded back and said, “Of course! Stacie’s still sleeping at the hotel, but she sends her love.”

Beca shifted and said, “That’s okay, I did kind of want to talk to just you about something.”

“Oh?” asked Aubrey, sipping her drink and nearly burning her tongue.

“Yeah,” Beca said, then took a deep breath. Aubrey paused, waiting. “And I’m a little nervous, so is it okay if I skip the small talk?”

Aubrey almost snorted. “Since when have I ever liked small talk?”

“True,” agreed Beca. “So… I guess I’ll jump in?”

Aubrey nodded and took another tentative sip. Her drink had cooled to a slightly safer temperature.

“Right,” started Beca. “Well, you know Chloe and I have been together for a year.”

“Yes. I vaguely remember,” Aubrey said with a wry smile.

Beca grinned back, seemingly set at ease by the sarcasm. “Right,” she said, “and it’s been the best year of my life. And I like to think I make her just as happy.”

“I should think so,” Aubrey agreed. It was true; Chloe had been far happier with Beca over the past year than she ever had been. It was a little nauseating, actually, and Aubrey had fixed her vomiting issue years ago.

“Yeah. So. Um,” Beca paused, playing with the cup between her hands but not drinking from it, her nervousness reappearing. “I’ve been thinking. That, uh, it might be time… for me to….”

Aubrey interrupted, but gently. She knew that Beca would need a moment before saying what was surely coming. “Take your time,” she said kindly. “Do this right.”

Beca sent her a grateful little smile before taking another deep breath. Something shifted in her expression and Aubrey watched as she corrected her slumped posture. After a moment, she said confidently, “I want to ask Chloe to marry me.”

Grinning broadly, Aubrey replied, “Beca, I think that’s the smartest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Beca blinked at her. “You do?” she asked, her voice laced with surprise. Aubrey nodded and Beca continued slightly dumbfoundedly, “Oh, well, good, because I asked you to meet me so I could… ask for your permission.”

It was Aubrey’s turn to blink in shock. “Why would you need my permission?” she asked, confused.

“Because you’re her best friend,” Beca replied as if it were obvious.

“But…” trailed off Aubrey, not fully understanding why Beca was asking her. “Surely her parents should be the ones to give permission?”

“Oh, I’ve already asked them,” Beca said, waving a hand dismissively. “Your opinion matters to me more.”

An unfamiliar heat rose to Aubrey’s cheeks. She was flattered, and frankly astounded, that her opinion mattered to Beca. Huh. She supposed they had become rather close over the years.

“Beca, you have had my permission to marry Chloe since your phone call last year,” she said. “You could have asked her that night and I would have approved.”

“Really?” asked Beca, raising her eyebrows.

“Really,” Aubrey emphasized. “I’ve known how she feels about you for a long time. And when you told me how you felt, and why you felt that way, I knew this would happen eventually. You two are like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

Beca’s cheeks went a little pink and she looked away awkwardly. Aubrey smiled at the endearing sight as Beca glanced back at her. “I mean, you and Stacie –”

“Are different from you and Chloe,” Aubrey said firmly. “We’re very good, but different.”

“Huh,” Beca said, looking stumped. After a moment, she asked hesitantly, “So, are you saying…?”  

Aubrey laughed, hardly believing how hung up on this Beca was. “Yes, Beca,” she said firmly, “you have my permission to ask Chloe to marry you.”

Beca brightened immediately, shooting Aubrey a beaming smile. “No death threats this time,” she said happily.

“Mmm, those still stand and always will,” Aubrey was quick to qualify.

“That’s fair,” Beca winced and Aubrey took another swig of her drink.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Beca reached for something in her pocket. “So, do you want to see the ring?” she asked.

Aubrey almost spit out her drink in her excitement. “Yes!” she exclaimed. “Why would you even ask that?”

Beca looked at her, amused. “You sure ask a lot of questions,” she said.

Aubrey grinned back. “What can I say?” she said coyly. “I like to figure things out.”

“You’re something else, Posen,” Beca said, shaking her head, then pausing. “Or, I guess I should call you –”

“Oh, hurry up, let’s see the ring already,” said Aubrey impatiently.

She’d waited years for this moment and didn’t want to prolong it any further. Beca smirked and opened the ring box to show Aubrey what she already knew would be a perfect match for Chloe.

She didn’t even have to ask why Beca had picked out that ring.

Finally.

[bechloeislegit]

HAPPY TUMBLR ANNIVERSARY TO ME!

According to the notification I received earlier today, I've been a member of Tumblr for six years! I recall joining so I could participate in BeChloe Week 2018. And now I'm gearing up for BeChloe Week 2023. Wow, how time flies when you're having fun!!!

[aliciameade]

Bechloe Week 2018, Day 2: Jealousy

“Whats-His-Name” - Rated T

Also on AO3

Beca’s not quite sure how she got to this place.

She doesn’t like to define this place; defining it makes it real and if it’s real, it’s terrifying.

But this...area in which she’s found herself is a messy one.

“Are you ready to go, Bec?”

Chloe’s voice precedes the hands that grab her waist from behind to playfully twist Beca back and forth. It makes it difficult to reach the pair of flip-flops sitting on her bed waiting to be stuffed into the duffel bag she’s packing for their overnight trip to Augusta for an all-but-pointless state competition. The Bellas progressing through the qualifications to Nationals is only a formality at this point.

“Yep. Just gotta grab my bathroom stuff.”

She lets Chloe force her hips to wiggle because it makes Chloe happy and Chloe being happy makes Beca happy.

“Awes. See you on the bus in five!” She punctuates her exit with a kiss to Beca’s cheek and a spank to her own ass that Beca hears rather than sees, but Beca can see it clear as day in her head.

She’s thought at length what it might feel like for her hand to connect with that same flesh in that same way.

She shakes herself out of her reverie to sling her bag over her shoulder and head out of her room, down the stairs and into the bathroom to pack up and toss in her makeup bag and hair stuff and then she’s out the front door to wait on the porch while the stragglers rush out - always Fat Amy and Stacie - so she can lock up the house.

“Bec! I saved you a seat!” Chloe yells the second she steps onto the bus.

Beca rolls her eyes and smiles; after so many trips, they have unofficial assigned seats on the Bellas bus, at least for the first part of the trip. Eventually, they get up and move around and trade places but for more than two years, every Bellas road trip has begun with Beca and Chloe sitting together in the last row across from Cynthia-Rose and Flo who usually sleep most of the way.

Her mind has wandered more than once about what she and Chloe could get away with secretly in that last row while their friends slept or chatted unawares.

All they ever do, though, is talk, mess with their phones, sing, sleep, or play road trip games that someone prompts.

The Treblemakers’ bus - which dwarfs the Bellas’ in comparison - follows them the whole way.

State and regional competitions irritate Beca to no end. The Trebles have continued to hold their own in the collegiate a cappella world despite their loss at Nationals and qualify for the same competitions as the Bellas.

That didn’t really bother Beca the past couple years. It was kind of cool to have her boyfriend on these trips.

But after their amicable split at the start of last summer, Beca’s found it irritating to have to continue sharing aspects of her life with Jesse.

More accurately, she doesn’t like sharing her life with Chloe with Jesse.

Though the more she’s thought about it, she wonders if it’s less about Jesse and more about Jesse’s fellow Treble who’s quick to be at Chloe’s side whenever they’re on trips like this.

The only time he’s not around is when they’re separated to do their respective group stuff for the competitions.

They’re not dating - at least, Chloe’s never indicated to Beca that they are dating, and Chloe’s been pretty open with her about her life since Day One. Chloe doesn’t talk about him when she’s with Beca, and she’s never even overheard something about him when she was absent but within earshot without Chloe’s knowledge.

But he shows up the moment they park in the hotel lot waiting at the door of their bus to take Chloe’s hand and help her down its steps and offer to carry her bag.

She lets him do it and Beca, the last one off the bus, has to follow them and watch him try to navigate how to keep Chloe’s hand in his when the hold turns into what must be an uncomfortable angle now that they’re walking side by side.

If Beca was Supergirl, she’d laser-eye his hand off at the wrist. Or maybe the elbow to make sure she didn’t hurt Chloe by accident.

She wishes she was used to it by now but instead of the irritation developing the emotional callouses she has to protect her from most emotions, this particular situation has been rubbing at her like sandpaper and she’s starting to feel it burning.

Two years is a long time to endure such a thing.

She knows she’s not doing a good job of hiding her annoyance on this trip. With every laugh Chloe shares with him, or with each drink he fetches for her at the bar, or when he finds excuses to touch her and Chloe lets him, it rips her raw.

She snaps at Jessica and Ashley when all they do is ask if Beca wants another drink. It sends them scampering with tails between their legs and Beca shoves herself into the corner of a corner booth to pout about it all and physically drags Jesse with her knowing his incessant chatter will distract her from her thoughts.

She’d have gone back to her room but she can’t risk it. Chloe and he left a few minutes ago and while she doesn’t want to think about it, all she can do is fixate on how there’s a possibility Chloe took him back to their room and she’s certain if she were walk in on them doing literally anything other than breathing the same air, she’ll lose it and none of them can afford for Beca Mitchell to lose her mind at this stage of their season.

The inevitable comes and the “fun” times at the bar end and everyone starts to mozy back to their rooms. She waits as long as she can in the hallway. She talks to her friends and apologizes to Ashley and Jessica and it’s when she’s standing by herself in a hotel hall in front of her door she decides she needs to face what’s on the other side of it.

She waits a few seconds longer, ears straining for any sound that might inform her of what’s going on. She hears nothing, though that might not mean anything. It could already be over. They could be asleep. They could be making out before things get heated.

Again.

The possibility of that lights a fire of anger in her gut and she uses that as fuel to finally open the door.

She makes a production of it, intentionally whipping the key card out too quickly a few times and trying the handle to make sure they have a warning that she’s coming in. After four or five purposeful failures she finally unlocks it and opens the door.

The room is dark and she waits, ears straining for any sign that there’s something going on. She hears nothing, though, so she enters and lets the heavy door slam behind her and makes a beeline for the bathroom where she shuts herself in and has to sit with her head almost between her knees for a few seconds.

She wants to be able to deal with whatever she’s about to find. It’s part of being close friends with someone when you’re their age; she knows this. The number of times she’s happened upon her friends kissing or doing much, much more with other people can’t even be counted.

Not once has one of those friends been Chloe, though. Not since her first year at school and Chloe spent half of her initiation night making out with some basic tall guy.

Beca can’t remember seeing him again after that night.

But tonight she has to face it. Or something.

Once the dizziness passes she gets herself ready for bed, or what she assumes will be a night of staring at a wall with her headphones on tightly with music blasting so she can’t hear anything.

She makes a scene leaving the bathroom, too - whipping the door open so it pours light into the room and then flicking the light on and off a couple times for good measure before she power walks through the room and into her bed. She feels like a little kid hiding from the monster under her bed and thinks that’s not too far off from what she’s hiding from.

It’s definitely a monster.

And it has shining emerald eyes.

“Beca?”

She doesn’t have her music going yet and hears Chloe’s muffled voice as the lamp between their beds turns on.

She doesn’t want to look. She isn’t going to be able to survive seeing a naked, sex-haired Chloe with that man passed out next to her.

But she looks. She can never ignore Chloe.

Chloe’s not naked. Nor sex-haired. And as far as Beca can tell, there’s no man in her bed either. She’s wearing pajamas and her hair is tied up and the other side of the bed is still neat and tidy.

Beca’s ire evaporates into a cloud of relief. She pulls her headphones off. “Oh, hey.”

“I didn’t think you were coming back tonight.”

Beca stares at her for a second in confusion. “What?”

“It kind of looked like you and Jesse were getting cozy at the bar.” Chloe’s smile is teasing.

“I...what? No?” She knows she sounds as surprised as she feels at that assumption.

“Really? Because you literally grabbed him and pulled him into a dark corner.”

“Dude. Gross.” A shudder runs through her body and she hears Chloe chuckle at the reaction. “Why would you think that we’re...no. Never again.”

Chloe shrugs and lays back down on her side, still facing Beca. “I didn’t feel like sticking around to see what happened next.”

That statement sits heavily with Beca. It sounds a lot like why she dove into that dark corner in the first place.

“You and whats-his-name seemed to be having a good time,” she counters.

Chloe smiles. “He’s sweet. Clueless, but sweet.”

“Clueless?”

“I think I have a thing for the clueless ones. Not him, though.”

Beca chews on that for a second. “Clueless about what?”

She starts to answer Beca’s question and then stops mid-breath before doing so. Instead, she shakes her head. “Never mind.” She turns off the lamp. “Let’s get some sleep so we bring our A-Game tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Beca settles into bed, no longer driven to hide beneath the covers, and stares at the ceiling. “G’night.”

“Night.”

Beca’s almost asleep when she thinks she hears, “Would you ever get back together with Jesse?”

“Wh -” She has to clear her throat. “What?”

“Would you get back with Jesse? Do you think?” Chloe’s voice is quiet and sleepy but there’s a tone of pensiveness to it that registers with Beca.

“No. We’re better as friends.”

“Good. I mean, that’s good that you can still be friends.”

“Yeah.” The short conversation hangs heavy in the air between them until Beca can hardly stand it. “Have you slept with whats-his-name?”

It sounds like Chloe tries to laugh but what comes out is some painful sound instead. “Absolutely not.”

The answer quenches Beca like a cold drink in the desert. “Okay.”

“Is that...a good thing?”

She turns her head to look at Chloe, barely visible in the dark hotel room. She can’t see much, but she can see Chloe’s eyes shining at her, looking right back.

“Yeah. Yeah, that’s a good thing.”

Chloe smiles and closes her eyes. “Okay. Good night.”

“Night.”

Beca doesn’t know how she got to this place. But tonight, after the conversation with Chloe, she feels a little more able to define it without the same level of crippling fear she’s used to when she lets herself think about how much she loves her best friend.

[green-eyed-weirdo]

Bechloe week 2018

My first attempt at writing these two awesome nerds. I initially intended to only write the first two themes, as English isn’t my first language and it was taking a lot out of me to actually get the stories out. But with the help of- and colaboration with my friend @aca-awesomenerd I managed to write one for each day! I’m low key proud of myself here! :)

Here’s all of them in one post, if anyone’s interested...

AO3

1. Accidental Kiss

The one where Chloe’s been away for a few weeks and Beca missed her a lot.

2. Jealousy

The one where Chicago asks Beca for permission to ask Chloe out on a date.

3. Drunk Texting

The one where Jesse finds out about Beca’s crush... And then Chloe does too.

4. Why?

The one where Beca’s finally opens up.

5. Road Trip

The one where they all find out.

6. Good Luck Charm

The one where they run into Kommissar. Again.

7. Disney

The one with the Beauty and the... Princess.

I would like to give a big Chloe-hug to @asweetmelodytrickling , @redlance , @isthemusictoblame and @chloes-yellow-cup for not only continuously writing AMAZING stories for this fandom, but also always being so nice, encouraging and massively supportive of others who want to start writing. You guys inspired me and gave me the little push to actually do it, without even knowing it. ;) Thank you!!

[snowonebutyou]

moodboards: bechloe + drunk texting for the bechloe week 2018!

it’s a quarter after one, i’m a little drunk and i need you now

[heryellowcup]

Bechloe week day 2 - Jealousy

(aka Beca Mitchell reading thirst tweets)

"Could you be any less enthusiastic, sunshine?" Chloe muses, places a playful kiss on Beca's cheek. It's sloppy and sweet and the brunette is almost mad that even Chloe's teasing is painfully affectionate.

She exaggeratedly wipes it away, the image she has to keep up not allowing her to do anything but exactly that. There is glaring, too, but to Beca's absolute dismay Chloe simply chuckles as she watches her, almost adoringly so.

"Isn't that supposed to be your nickname?" Beca grumbles, raises her eyebrows in yet another annoyed gesture. She hopes it's enough to distract from the flush creeping up her neck, but Chloe's smirk widens and Beca is doomed. "Plus, I remember that some annoying redhead basically dragged me here. And now I'm supposed to act like I'm enjoying myself? Unbelievable."

It's their usual banter, all mocking and harsh, but somehow it causes their lips to curve upwards ever so slightly and Beca's 'I don't give a fuck - attitude' once again fades away when faced with red curls and adorable freckles. She supposes it could be worse, is still mad that she has to be here, that Chloe once again managed to convince her of how good of an idea this is. It's barely fair, that puppy look of hers. The one that screams 'jump' and Beca suddenly feels the need to ask 'how high?'.

The annoyance of this situatuon doesn't falter in the slightest, merely increases when some woman works on her make-up and all Beca can focus on is Chloe admiring her work in the mirror. Standing right behind her, that smug smile still plastered on her annoyingly cute face.

Beca wants to wipe it off of her face, perhaps with a hard and totally not romantic kiss, once she is sitting in front of the camera. 'It's going to be so much fun' she said, 'it's going to benefit your career', 'your fans are going to love it'. She trusts Chloe's words, still doesn't think it's something she necessarily needs to do when all she wants is to produce music in peace. Preferably in her dark room, without having to interact with people. This is a big deal nonetheless and so she's barely surprised when everyone except for her is already snickering excitedly.

Her stomach churns when some guy behind the camera yells 'action', after giving her instructions, and she nervously eyes the container with little pieces of paper in front of her before she manages to look up at the camera. "Uhh hi, I guess, I'll be reading your thirst tweets today."

She can hear Chloe laugh affectionately, rolls her eyes when everyone tells her to at least look like she actually wants to do this.

"Shut up, Beale," she mutters, before smiling at the camera. She'd never admit it, but one look at Chloe leaves her feeling somewhat more calm already. And so she tries again, even though she still deems this all incredibly stupid. And embarrassing. "Hi, I'm Beca Mitchell and today I'll be reading your thirst tweets."

She internally prepares herself for the worst as she takes one of the tweets out of the container, and yet the few words printed on the innocent looking piece of paper leave her staring with her mouth wide open, eyes bulging and cheeks red.

"I'm so not going to read this out loud," she mumbles, tries to avoid eye contact with literally everyone in the room. She's already cursing Chloe for this, deems her to a night on the couch and ignores how incredibly domestic that sounds, even in the privacy of her own head.

"Oh come on Becs, don't be such a prude," Chloe's words simply make it worse, don't spur her on in the slightest. They're humiliating more than anything and she feels her cheeks turning yet another few shades darker. "You're not usually like this."

And okay, maybe she should ban Chloe from this set altogether. She definitely deserves it for all of the chuckles she draws out of the producer as well as everyone else currently staring at her.

"Fine," Beca mumbles again, figures that she'll have to get going if she ever wants this nightmare to be over. Taking a deep breath, she looks back at the camera. And then she reads the tweet, desperately hopes that it's going to be the worst of the bunch, can't imagine the others to be more inappropriate than this. Doesn't want to. "Beca Mitchell looks like such a daddy tbh, I'd let her bang me into oblivion every day of the week."

Beca ignores, doesn't even dare to acknowledge, that it has obviously been written by a girl and the words come out as a nervous squeak even without regarding said thought and really, this is going to ruin her reputation as a badass. The one she had worked on for ages, the one Chloe melts away every time they're seen together. She clearly remembers Chloe telling her that this was going to be fun, but said redhead is the only one laughing now and Beca feels betrayed.

And, despite all of her hopes, the tweets somehow get even more inappropriate after that. Even more humiliating, harder to get out in front of a camera and definitely more thirsty. She knows now, why she never interacts with her fans, even though she has to admit that some of them are almost funny.

A rather stupid pun about DJs is what finally breaks the tension and that fact alone is more embarassing than every thoughtfully planned out fantasy she had to read out loud, had to think about and reply to.

It gets easier after that, as her previous nervousness slowly fades away and Beca almost feels comfortable in front of the camera, Chloe's encouraging looks more helpful than her amused chuckling and suggestive looks.

And Beca almost spares one of her rare, genuine laughs as she watches Chloe's face get paler with every second that she herself grows more confident. She's usually the oblivious friend, she knows, but she is very aware of what a jealous Chloe looks like, her furrowed eyebrows and the way her hands are balled into tight, angry fists giving her away easily. Pretending not to care about each other outside of the usual bounderies of female friendships really does dissolve that easily, Beca relishing how Chloe slowly falls apart and loses control the more inappropriate her answers get. Her replies to the thirsty tweets now playful innuendos opposed to previous, nervous stutters.

And just like that their dynamic changes, with Beca now being the one in charge. It's almost fun, she has to give that to Chloe.

"Whoever gets to tap that is one lucky guy," the next notes reads and Beca grins, although still nervous, her eyes locking with bright, blue ones. The smug words escaping her mouth so smoothly cause them to widen and Beca now almost feels proud. "Or girl."

She corrects nonchalantly, smirks when that only seems to rile Chloe up even more.

The tension hangs in the air, heavy and thick, despite all of this being almost too easy, in Beca's eyes. Her worry and disdain about the situation and whatever Chloe has gotten her into having dissolved way too quickly.

It's barely a surprise when it all comes crashing down on her, then, and the glare she shoots into Chloe's direction is destructive.

"You didn't," Beca mumbles in disbelief, eyes the little piece of paper in her hand more than once before she is completely sure. This tweet is definitely from Chloe and Beca wants to die. Wants to fight the blush grazing her cheeks, wants to simultaneously punch and kiss the redhead, anything to get rid of the fast thumping of her heart and the throbbing of it, that slowly wanders into entirely different regions of her body. Apparently Chloe likes to play dirty and Beca is in no position to do anything about it.

Chloe, not even doubting that she knows exactly whose tweet Beca is holding now, quickly seems to regain all of her usual playfulness, her stoic expression now getting replaced with one that is painfully smug. "I sure did. You should read it."

Beca doesn't want to, is aware that not regarding it at all will simply make it worse. And so she does as she ought to, reads it out loud and tries to act as though this isn't affecting her in the slightest. "All I want is for Beca Mitchell to sing my Lady Jam over and over again."

"Again, I mean. You already did." Chloe chimes in and Beca is too weak to fight the urge to groan, to finally hide behind her hands before she looks at the producer.

"You're going to cut that out, right?" she asks hopefully, pretends that their whole interaction isn't exactly what the fans want, what is going to give them even more views and and an equal amount of people talking about them. It's exactly what they had wanted to get out of this from the very beginning and Beca can already see it all over the internet.

"Never."

And so the video turns into something else entirely, turns into a dirty game of teasing instead. It's something the DJ can't believe is actually happening, and yet she can't let Chloe win that easily, decides to go all in.

"Please choke me, daddy Mitchell." Beca chokes out, composes herself in the very last moment when she spots Chloe sporting that beautiful look of jealousy again. It's ridiculous, really, but Beca still looks right at her as she replies. "Into choking, huh? Makes two of us."

There's a significant lack of response before most of the people in the room burst out laughing, feed into Beca's ego that grows and grows with every shocked and simultaneously hungry look that Chloe regards her with.

They wrap it up after a few more tweets and Beca barely has time to regret all of the terrible choices she has made that day when Chloe takes it upon herself to immediately act on whatever tension has been consuming the two of them. The redhead, apparently, deems a random bathroom to be a good enough place to do just that, pulls Beca in there and pushes her against the wall before either of them can properly think this through.

It's an action that would have surprised Beca throughly just a few hours ago, now suddenly seems like the appropriate thing to do.

And it's ridiculous, really, how some thirsty fans managed to initiate something as breathtaking as this.