Chapter Text
— a v a —
Sunday
As Ava lays on the couch, once again bored out of her mind on a Sunday afternoon, she kind of wishes that she had taken Beatrice’s offer to just stay the whole weekend.
She’s on her side, tucked into the back cushions of the couch, with her phone less than 6 inches away from her face, scrolling mindlessly through all of her apps. She starts with Twitter, switches to TikTok, back to Twitter, then to Instagram briefly. Nothing takes up enough of her attention.
She groans as she rolls onto her back. Just as she settles deeper into the cushions, her phone pings with a notification.
Cammy <3 : wyd?
Me : arent you in your room?
Me : why are you texting me?
Me : come out here
Cammy <3 : I’m not home :P
What?
Ava abruptly stands up from the couch and walks down the hall, pushing open Camila’s door. A frown finds itself onto her face as she pulls up her phone again.
Me : wtf??? where are you?????
Cammy <3 : thats for me to know
Cammy <3 : and for you to NOT know
Cammy <3 : anyway, wanna go to that pizza place across from cats cradle?
Me : …
Me : hmmmmm
Me : youre being weird >:(
Me : but yes
Cammy <3 : cool
Cammy <3 : invite beatrice ;)
Me : okay? why??
That’s right, Ava. Play it cool. Act like you wouldn’t love to spend more time with Beatrice right now. Camila doesn’t need to know anything.
Cammy <3 : just figured youd want her there ;)
Fuck.
She knows.
Well maybe she doesn’t know about the dating part but she at least knows about the sex part. It’s plain as day in her stupid little winky face. Now that Ava thinks about it, it must’ve been pretty obvious when she didn’t come home after the party that night.
Me : fine >:(
It’s not that she necessarily wants to hide their new relationship from Camila. In fact, she wants nothing more than to tell her best friend about everything. She wants to brag about how beautiful her girlfriend is. How happy she is to be able to call Beatrice hers. How good Beatrice is in bed.
But, more than that, she wants to respect Beatrice’s wishes.
And if they have to wait a little while to be able to tell their friends, Ava will do that. For Beatrice’s peace of mind. She’ll just have to be a little more creative with her white lies.
As she sits back down onto the couch, Ava pulls up her text thread with Beatrice.
Me : hi
Me : bea
Me : pssssssst bea!
Me : BEAAAAAA
Me : Beatrice Young you better answer me right now OR ELSE
Bea <3 : Or else what, Darling?
Me : oh…
Me : or else ill
Me : I DONT KNOW
Me : that wasnt fair :(
Bea <3 : Haha, I’m sorry.
Bea <3 : Did you need something?
Me : I cant just text my girlfriend cause i want to??
Bea <3 : Oh…
Bea <3 : Of course you can. I love talking to you.
Me : <3 <3 <3
Me : me too!!!
Me : but i actually did have something to ask
Me : wyd rn
Bea <3 : Reading for class. I’m almost done with this one though.
Me : good!! so when youre done do you want to come with me and cam to get pizza?
Me : but fair warning, shes being weird today
Bea <3 : It might have to do with the fact that she just left our apartment while they thought I wasn’t paying attention.
Me : WHAT???
Me : THATS WHERE SHE WAS??
Me : and lilith looked at ME crazy when I stayed the night >:(
Bea <3 : Admittedly, I’m going to enjoy poking at Lilith about this.
Bea <3 : She’s been insufferable about you and I.
Bea <3 : Anyway, yes, I would love to join you for lunch.
Bea <3 : I’ll finish this up and then head that way.
Me : Wanna come pick me up? ;)
Bea <3 : Of course, Darling. Be there soon <3
Butterflies instantly fill Ava’s stomach. All she did was say darling and add a little heart but Ava feels a pang in her chest from the gesture.
This girl will be the death of her.
-
Soon enough, the three of them are seated together at the pizza shop, Cruciform Crust. Ava sits next to Beatrice and directly across from Camila in their booth, making it a little difficult to avoid Camila’s almost quizzical gaze.
They’ve all ordered their pizzas already from the front counter. Now it’s just a waiting game for them to finish cooking. Ava attempts to subliminally tell Camila to keep any suggestive comments out of her mouth, for all of their sakes honestly.
It doesn't seem to work, because not even a minute later, Camila speaks up, “So, did you guys have fun at the party? What’d you guys get up to after?”
Ava is expecting Beatrice to stiffen up or avoid conversation completely. Instead, she only blushes a bit before responding, “I had a good time. What about you, Ava?”
Beatrice turns to her then, a soft smile on her lips and a red tint to her cheeks. It's incredibly adorable and if Camila wasn’t right in front of them, she would kiss her.
“Uh,” Ava struggles to speak with the sudden need to make out with her girlfriend, “Yeah, fun times.”
Camila raises one of her eyebrows and looks between them briefly. Just as she opens her mouth to speak again, Ava’s name is called out from the counter.
“Looks like my pizza’s ready!” Ava says, scooching out of the booth, “Wanna come with me, Bea?”
Beatrice furrows her brow with a questioning look but then follows after her.
“Be right back, Cam. We’ll get yours too if it comes up,” Ava smiles sweetly at her roommate, who looks like she might object. Ava quickly turns though, pulling Beatrice forward by her elbow.
When they’re far enough from the table to be out of Camila’s range, Ava murmurs, “Sorry, I just knew that she would attack you with questions while I wasn't there.”
“Ahh, I see,” Beatrice responds, nodding her head as they walk, “and here I thought that you just wanted to stay near me.”
“Well, that’s true too, obviously,” Ava says with a roll of her eyes but a playful smile on her face, “I really wanted to kiss you a second ago, you know. You looked way too cute.”
Beatrice blushes again and ducks her head before she quietly admits, “I wanted to kiss you too.”
Ava’s smile widens and they finally reach the counter. Ava picks up her pizza and decides to wait around for the others as well. Partly to avoid having to get up again, and partly to have one-on-one time with Beatrice.
They stand there in silence. Ava’s empty hand aches to reach out to be able to touch Beatrice in any way. To hold hands, or grab onto her arm. To just be closer to her in general. Ava wasn’t expecting it to be this difficult to keep her hands to herself.
She doesn’t even realize Beatrice’s hand reaching for her own until she feels her fingers slot in between hers. Ava’s head turns quickly, first to Beatrice, then towards the table where Camila is sitting. She’s faced away from them, but it still doesn't make Ava feel any better.
Ava doesn’t let go of Beatrice’s hand but whispers, “Bea, Camila is right there.”
“I think I want you to tell her,” Beatrice says softly, squeezing on Ava’s hand lightly. Ava’s mouth gapes a little bit in shock.
This was much faster than she was expecting. It’s only been two days since they had officially become girlfriends. Two days since they had agreed to keep it a secret for a little while.
“Really?” Ava asks. Beatrice nods simply. “Are you sure? What changed? I don’t-”
“I was thinking about it last night,” Beatrice says before taking a deep breath, “I don’t want to have to hide from our roommates. They’re going to know either way. And I would rather them know that we’re dating rather than assume worse. Lilith already thinks that we’re just… hooking up.”
Beatrice cringes at the phrase and it’s incredibly endearing. Ava’s brain can’t even catch up to what the other girl is saying. As she’s attempting to process, Beatrice’s name is called and she grabs her pizza, not letting go of Ava’s hand as she does.
“Okay so, you do want to tell our friends?” Ava clarifies.
“Just Camila and Lilith for now,” Beatrice responds. Her thumb brushes soothing circles on Ava’s palm, though Ava is not sure who the gesture is truly for.
“And you’re sure about it? You know that we can wait as long as you want to,” Ava says gently.
“I’m sure. I want them to know. I trust Lilith with my life. And you trust Camila?” Beatrice asks with a raise of her eyebrows.
“With everything I have,” Ava answers with certainty. She has never been so sure about anything in her life.
“Then we start with them, and wait for the others,” Beatrice says with a nod, “I think that’s a good place to start for me, If that’s okay with you.”
“More than,” Ava says with a smile before leaning in to place a light kiss on Beatrice’s cheek, “I can’t wait to brag to my best friend about you.”
Camila’s name is finally called. Beatrice stacks her pizza on top of her own and then the pair makes their way back towards their table, not releasing each other’s hands.
When they return, Camila’s eyes immediately drop down to their intertwined fingers. A huge smile graces her face as they place down the pizzas and slide back into the booth.
“Soooo, Camila,” Ava starts, badly attempting to hide her own grin.
“Mhmmmm,” Camila feigns nonchalant, looking between the couple expectantly.
“This is my girlfriend, Beatrice,” Ava says. Beatrice smiles at her in return.
Camila squeals happily, bouncing in her seat a few times, “Thank god . You know she could not stop talking about you. It was really-”
“Okay! Alright! Cam, let’s not scare her off,” Ava interrupts, feeling her ears turn red.
But Beatrice only laughs lightly at Camila’s antics. She scoots closer to Ava and places her hand right above her knee, “No, I would like to hear about this, actually.”
“Oh God,” Ava grumbles, pulling her hands up to cover her face.
Monday
Band practice is going rather smoothly today. Contrary to usual rehearsals, there have been no mistakes in the songs and everyone is working super well together. It probably helps that Ava is in an outstanding mood, which she naturally spreads over the group.
After hours of playing, they finally get to their last song of the night.
~ Now Playing : Telephone by Waterparks
“I'd like to know your middle name
Let's talk about your parents and your future dreams
I'm interested but distant to a fault
And I never wanna complicate your heart”
Ava chances a look over at Camila, who raises her eyebrows suggestively before nodding for Ava to continue. They are both fully aware of the next lyrics.
“I've gotta let you know
That I think that I love you so
You could be my only one
'Cause I think that I love you so”
Ava can’t help but think of Beatrice when she sings. It’s not her fault that everything seems to link back to her. And, to be fair, Ava thinks about Beatrice most of the time, so it’s not very different from the norm.
But sometimes the lyrics are a little too real.
“I know we only just met
So why do I feel invested?
And do you feel it too?
Do you feel it too?
I could be your best yet
Future favorite regret
Do you feel it too?
Do you feel it too?”
Ava knows that she’s putting more into the words than she usually does during practices, letting her emotions seep into her voice as she sings. But she can’t help it.
Ava looks back at her other bandmates briefly. Michael and Mary are only half focused on their instruments, both halfway tuned into Ava’s mannerisms. Usually, it wouldn’t bother her.
But with her and Beatrice’s half-kept secret, she has something to lose now by their judgmental gaze.
“So I’ll just tell my telephone
All of the above when I’m alone.”
-
As the song finishes, Ava wipes beads of sweat off her forehead, punctuating the movement with a dramatic, “Phew!” She plops down onto the couch, stretching her arms above her head and kicking her feet out.
“Great practice guys!” Ava commends loudly as the others place down their own instruments to join her.
“You’re awfully chipper today, Ava,” Mary comments with a raise of one of her eyebrows, “Does it have anything to do with-”
“What? I can’t just be in a good mood?” Ava interrupts with a shrug that she hopes is casual enough to be convincing.
“You can,” Michael supplies, tilting his head with a small smile lingering on his lips, “but as the people nearest and dearest to you, I believe we should have the privilege to know why.”
Camila speaks up, “We should just be happy that she’s happy, right? It doesn’t matter why.”
“Hey, who’s side are you on?” Mary questions Camila with a furrow of her brow.
Camila’s hands come up in surrender, “I’m just saying, we played really well today so whatever put her in this good mood, we should be thankful for. She doesn’t have to tell us everything .”
Thank God for Camila.
The interrogation seems to cease with Camila’s reasoning, settling a thoughtful silence over the group.
Michael hums before reaching over and ruffling Ava’s hair, much to her annoyance. She swats at his hand with a huff.
“Well, whatever it is,” Michael starts, in a tone that makes it seem obvious that he already knows, “I’m very happy for you, little sister.”
“Me too,” Mary agrees, “even though I have no clue at all what this could be about.” Her voice is dripping with sarcasm and it pulls a laugh out of Ava.
For some reason she feels like she’s on the verge of tears, her heart swelling with emotion. These people love her. They’re happy for her even though she can’t really tell them the entire truth. And she doesn’t think she could love them more.
Camila pats her knee comfortingly with that radiant smile of hers.
And everything feels so perfect.
Tuesday
“I missed you yesterday,” Ava whispers as the professor drones on at the front of the class. She honestly wasn’t expecting a response from the ever so studious Beatrice. But perhaps she underestimates how much control Ava has over her.
“We were together on Sunday, Ava,” Beatrice whispers in return, not even looking in Ava’s direction as she squints at the chalkboard.
“That was so long ago,” Ava halfway whines, her bottom lip poking out even though Beatrice still stares forward.
“We video chatted last night,” Beatrice points out again before scribbling something in her notebook. With midterms around the corner, Ava should definitely be paying attention to the lecture. However, bothering Beatrice is a much more satisfying task.
“What? I can’t miss my girlfriend after not seeing her in person for a whole day?” Ava responds. She watches a smile pull up at the corner of Beatrice’s mouth.
“Well, I didn't say that, did I?” Beatrice says, finally turning to look at Ava, whose pout has also turned into a soft smile.
They’re definitely too close for anyone to think they’re just lab partners. It, once again, takes everything in her power not to kiss Beatrice. Ava’s eyes flash down to Beatrice’s lips as her tongue darts out to wet her own.
Beatrice swallows, apparently just as affected by this pull that exists between them. But, she blinks and shakes her head softly. “Pay attention, Silva,” Beatrice says with a wink, tapping the eraser of her pencil against Ava’s notebook before facing the front of the room again.
Ava can’t seem to focus for the rest of the class.
-
“So where are you off to now?” Ava asks as they exit the lab, her hands folded behind her back innocently.
“I have a class that starts at 4:00 and ends at 5,” Beatrice responds, glancing at her watch. 3:15.
“That’s perfect!” Ava says excitedly, bouncing on her feet a little bit.
Beatrice narrows her eyes at Ava skeptically but a smile is still settled on her lips, “What are you scheming over there?”
“Scheming?” Ava exclaims with an exaggerated gasp, placing one of her hands on her chest dramatically, “Beatrice Young, you wound me!”
Beatrice laughs, full on laughs, and it is climbing on the list of the most amazing things Ava has ever heard. Ava laughs as well and leans to the side to bump shoulders with Beatrice once.
“What I'm planning ,” Ava emphasizes with a roll of her eyes, “is that I’ll walk you to class now, go do some super secret stuff that you can’t know about, and then pick you up right after class.”
“Hmm, sounds intriguing,” Beatrice responds with a nod and a serious look on her face.
God, she’s so fucking cute.
Beatrice continues, “Do I get to know what happens after you pick me up?”
Ava shakes her head, “Nope, nuh-uh, that's the other super secret part.”
“It feels a little bit like I might be getting kidnapped,” Beatrice says.
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” Ava responds, pulling Beatrice by her arm to get her to walk faster, “It’s a surprise.”
-
Ava leans on the door of her car outside of the literature building, her arms crossed in front of her chest and her ankles linked loosely.
Everything is prepared as well as it can be.
She doesn’t think she’s ever been more excited for an impromptu date. It’s even better that she gets to surprise Beatrice.
Hopefully she likes it.
Ah, speaking of.
Beatrice walks out of the building along with a few other students. This crowd definitely looks more her style than the business majors Ava usually sees around campus.
Most of them share the same dark academia aesthetic that Beatrice has perfected. She seems to be in a serious conversation with two of her peers, nodding her head at something that one of them says.
Her face is stoic as she talks to them. Ava is suddenly reminded of the first few times she talked to Beatrice. She wonders when the change happened. When Beatrice started looking at her with so much fondness rather than the seriousness she gives to everyone else.
Beatrice’s eyes finally meet hers. Immediately a smile falls onto her lips. And Ava can actually feel her heart melt.
She watches as Beatrice says her polite goodbyes and makes her way towards her.
“Hi,” Ava says with a bright smile.
“Hello,” Beatrice responds as she reaches her, “You look very cute.”
Ava laughs as she pushes off of the car door to stand straight, “I didn’t even change.”
Beatrice tilts her head, “No, but you were just as cute earlier as well, I just didn’t get the chance to tell you then.”
“Hey Casanova, I’m supposed to be the one swooning you,” Ava pretends to scold as she opens the passenger side door. She bows exaggeratingly as she gestures for Beatrice to enter, “Your carriage, my lady.”
Beatrice laughs once more as she rounds the door, “Thank you, kind sir.”
-
“Why can’t you at least tell me where we’re going?” Beatrice asks as she looks out the car window, presumably trying to recognise anything about the area they’re driving through.
It’s gotten darker now, the sun having retreated behind the trees that now hug the road.
“Cause then it wouldn’t be a surprise, Bea,” Ava answers as they round a tight corner.
“We’ve been driving for 45 minutes,” Beatrice says as she settles back into her seat and looks forward, “I’m beginning to think you might be lost.”
“Have you ever heard of having a little faith ?” Ava teases.
Of course Ava knows where she is. She knows these roads like the back of her hand at this point. Even in the dark, with the roads barely lit.
As Ava makes another turn, the road beneath them turns from pavement to something closer to gravel. The tree line gets thicker.
“Ava…” Beatrice trails off worriedly, gripping onto her arm rest.
“Trust me, Beatrice,” Ava coos, moving her hand to squeeze Beatrice's thigh once before landing back on the wheel.
Beatrice barely loses any tension until they finally reach their destination.
An archway in the treeline opens up to reveal a clearing, and in it, a pond almost large enough to be considered a lake.
Ava hears Beatrice breath hitch as she slows to a full stop and parks the car. The headlights reflect off the water along with the rising moon.
Ava watches Beatrice take a few breaths, her chest rising and falling almost dramatically.
“What do you think?” Ava says quietly, not wanting to break whatever feeling is running through Beatrice.
The other girl turns her head and Ava watches her eyes dart across her face. Her own eyes do the same.
“It’s beautiful, Ava,” Beatrice whispers, leaning forward to give Ava a sweet kiss, “Beautiful.” Another kiss.
“Well, there’s more where that came from,” Ava whispers in return. She places one more small kiss on Beatrice’s lips, “Don’t move yet, okay?”
Ava opens her door and pops the trunk before rounding the car. She shuffles things around in the trunk for a moment, making sure everything is in place. She grabs the bundle of lilacs from their spot tucked in between a thick blanket and a cooler.
She leaves the trunk open and hides the bouquet behind her back before rushing to Beatrice's door and opening it. Beatrice steps out, covering her eyes while asking, “Am i supposed to keep my eyes closed?”
“No, open em,” Ava answers, holding the flowers out in front of her to show them off.
Beatrice cracks her fingers and blinks a few times to adjust to the darkness. Ava watches as her eyes land on the flowers and soften significantly. Her hands drop to her sides, as if she doesn't know what to do with them.
“You got me flowers?” Beatrice asks softly, her voice almost shaky.
“Well, yeah!” Ava says with a smile, “Do you like them? I never got a chance to ask you what your favorites were but I saw these and they reminded me of you and I thought they fit you the best so I just had to get them and I-”
Ava is cut off by Beatrice's lips pressing against her own. She hums into the kiss, lowering the flowers so that she can be closer to Beatrice.
“I love them, Ava” Beatrice whispers as she breaks the kiss and takes the bouquet gently, as if she’s scared to harm them, “No one has ever gotten me flowers before.”
Ava’s jaw drops open slightly, “What? Really?”
Beatrice nods, still staring at the lilacs in her hands.
“Well, get used to it,” Ava says firmly, “Cause you’ll be getting a lot more of them from now on. And you have to tell me your favorites so I can get you the right ones.”
Beatrice smiles sweetly and brings the flowers up to her nose, “I honestly believe these might be my favorite.”
Ava’s heart swells at the sight. Her smile matches Beatrice’s. They stand in silence for a little too long, until Ava suddenly remembers her plans, “Oh! Right! The fun doesn’t end there.”
Beatrice furrows her brow adorably and it takes everything in Ava’s power to pull herself away from her. She makes her way back to the trunk, picks up the blanket to tuck it under one arm and grabs the cooler with her other.
Beatrice’s eyes widen when Ava returns. She looks between the blanket and the cooler and the flowers.
“A picnic?” Beatrice asks, mostly to herself, “You arranged all of this… for me?”
Ava beams and nods happily, “For you.”
— b e a t r i c e —
Wednesday
“How are you feeling about midterms?” Lilith asks as she pushes open the door to their usual coffee shop.
Beatrice sighs, “I think I’ll be alright. I need to do a pretty good amount of studying for the rest of this week but there’s nothing I’m particularly struggling with.”
“Yeah, well,” Lilith starts as they take their places in line, “ someone has been taking up a lot of your time.” Beatrice watches as the corner of Lilith’s mouth pulls up to a small smirk.
Beatrice rolls her eyes and feels her cheeks heat up, “yes, I suppose I’ve been a little more occupied lately.”
“Oh, occupied. Is that what we’re calling it?” Lilith teases with a raise of her eyebrows.
“God, shut up,” Beatrice grumbles, pushing Lilith forward in the line. Lilith laughs in return before she takes her turn to order.
Beatrice follows after. And of course it would be her luck that Lucia is the one taking orders.
“Beatrice!” She greets excitedly with a smile plastered on her face, “It’s been a while since you stopped by. I was worried you’d forgotten about me.” She pouts out her bottom lip a little bit before smiling again.
Has she always been so blatantly flirty? Maybe something about being with Ava has made Beatrice more perceptive to it. Before, she might’ve blushed and ducked her head. But now, she almost wants to cringe.
“Oh, uh, yeah, It’s been a busy few days,” Beatrice responds awkwardly, stumbling over her words. Lilith watches the interaction curiously nearby, one of her eyebrows raises as she looks at them.
“Hey Beatrice, I was wondering,” Lucia starts, and Beatrice immediately has a sinking feeling in her stomach, “When midterms calm down, would you want to grab some dinner with me? My treat.”
Right. That was exactly what Beatrice was worried about.
“Umm well,” Beatrice glances over at Lilith, practically pleading for help. When it’s clear that Lilith won’t be doing anything, she continues, “That sounds nice but I- well-”
Lucia tilts her head as she waits for an answer and Beatrice is instantly reminded of Ava. When Ava does it, Beatrice feels butterflies. But now, she only feels an increasing anxiety.
Lucia must take her stuttering as nervousness rather than apprehension. Because she smiles again and says, “I’m asking you out on a date, if I wasn’t obvious enough.”
“Right, well, actually I-” Beatrice pauses to take a deep breath. You can do this Beatrice, just tell her, “I’m actually dating someone.”
Lucia’s smile drops into a disappointed frown, “Ah, that’s what I was scared of.” She sighs, “Is it that girl you came in with before?”
Beatrice swallows nervously and then nods once. Lucia nods in return, “I could see the chemistry. I was just hoping I would be the first to make a move.”
The smile returns to Lucia’s face, “She’s pretty cute. You two make a good couple.” Beatrice’s shoulders lose their sudden tension. She’s more than relieved that there seems to be no bad blood.
She would hate to have to find a new coffee shop, especially since she’s gotten so attached to this one.
“With that out of the way,” Lucia continues, running her hands down her apron a few times, “What can I get for you today?”
-
“You handled that well,” Lilith muses as they finally find their way to their usual seats.
“No thanks to you,” Beatrice snaps back with a glare before pulling out her laptop from her bag.
Lilith chuckles while she mimics the action, “You have to do things like that on your own. I won’t always be there to ward off the women that come flocking to you.”
“They- No - I mean- They don’t flock ” Beatrice stutters, her anger quickly turning into embarrassment. She blushes as she pulls out one of her textbooks to set it beside her laptop.
“You’re a hot commodity, Bea,” Lilith responds with a shrug, “Ava has her work cut out for her.”
Beatrice groans as she opens her book to the correct page and starts her study session.
Thursday
“Ava, the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get to other things,” Beatrice says with a huff as she swirls one of the test tubes around a few times.
Ava has taken her usual spot sitting on the lab table with her legs dangling off the side. She’s spent most of their time today asking to take a break. For what, Beatrice can only imagine.
“What kind of other things?” Ava asks suggestively, leaning forward so that her elbows rest on her knees.
“Ava,” Beatrice scolds, her face as serious as she can make it around Ava, “This is the last time we’re in the lab before our presentation. We need to focus.”
Ava pouts out her bottom lip, “Oh, come on, Bea! Can I just have one kiss, please ? I won’t ask again!”
“That seems untrue,” Beatrice says, raising one eyebrow.
“Well…” Ava trails off, kicking her feet a few times, “Fine, i won’t ask for at least 15 minutes.”
Beatrice sighs as she sets the test tube into its tray. “Only because we have to wait for this to react anyway,” she says, holding up a finger to emphasize her point.
Ava perks up immediately, her signature smile on full force. A smile that fades once Beatrice moves closer to her, situating herself in between Ava’s legs easily.
Ava lets out a small gasp as Beatrice’s hands wrap around her waist, pulling her farther towards the edge of the table so that their bodies are almost touching. Ava’s arms find their spot around Beatrice’s neck.
Beatrice leans forward and places a soft kiss to Ava’s cheek, then her jawline, then right under her ear.
“Bea,” Ava whines as her fingertips graze the hairs at the back of Beatrice’s neck, “Kiss me.”
And who is Beatrice to deny her?
She presses her lips against Ava’s, slotting together perfectly, as they always seem to. Ava is the first to deepen the kiss, running her tongue along Beatrice’s bottom lip. Beatrice’s hands tighten around the back of Ava’s shirt.
Ava lets her tongue dip into Beatrice’s mouth and Beatrice feels her knees weaken.
As much of a front as she puts up, Beatrice is just as affected by Ava. Ava makes her feel things she never has before. She craves Ava more than she’s ever wanted anything in her entire life. And here, right now, as she kisses Ava in their biology lab, she wonders why she took so long to allow herself this.
The hopeless romantic inside of her thinks that she was just waiting around for Ava Silva to show up and wreck every wall she had created. The universe waited until now to allow her to feel like this, because she had to feel it with Ava.
Beatrice breaks apart from Ava’s lips to kiss down the column of her neck. Ava lets out a pleased sigh, threading her fingers through Beatrice’s hair.
When Beatrice’s kisses turn from gentle presses of lips against skin, to scrapes of teeth and tongue, Ava lets out a moan. Beatrice immediately halts her movements, pulling away just as Ava’s hand moves up to slap across her own mouth.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” Ava whispers, looking towards the door of the lab nervously.
Beatrice holds an internal battle in her head, her eyes darting from the door to the newly formed hickey on Ava’s neck, to Ava’s lips, back to the door. Ava looks back at her, concern sweeping across her face, “Beatrice?”
Beatrice makes a sound somewhere between a groan and a whimper before she practically lunges forward to kiss Ava again. A significantly softer moan is let out of Ava’s mouth.
Ava breaks the kiss to take in a deep breath. Beatrice takes the opportunity to kiss along Ava’s throat once more, resuming her biting and sucking.
“ Fuck , okay,” Ava says, attempting to lean away from the attention she’s receiving, “Bea, Bea - fuck - Okay, Beatrice.”
Ava tugs on Beatrice’s hair, pulling her away from her neck to look her in the eyes. Both of them are breathing hard, staring at each other.
“What’s wrong?” Beatrice asks in between heavy breaths.
“Nothing! No, no, nothing! That was - really good,” Ava says, instantly easing the panic that was steadily rising in Beatrice’s throat, “It was too good actually.”
The confusion that Beatrice was feeling must show on her features because Ava giggles and places her hands on either side of Beatrice's face. “ Too good meaning, if we keep going I’m gonna want you to fuck me on this lab table, Bea.”
Beatrice’s eyes widen and she feels the tips of her ears get hot, “Don’t - say it like that.”
Ava laughs again as Beatrice’s head drops onto her chest, “Well, at least the samples should be ready now, right?”
“Mhmm,” Beatrice grumbles into Ava’s cleavage.
“Then come on, Genius,” Ava says, pushing Beatrice off of her lightly, “The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get to other things.”
She punctuates her sentence with a wink.
And Beatrice thinks she might combust.
Friday
Ava : hiiiii bea
Beatrice smiles as she picks up her phone from its usual spot on her desk, nestled next to her keyboard.
Me : Hello Ava.
Ava : wyd :)
Me : Studying at home. What about you?
Ava : same!!
Ava : can I go over??
Ava : we can work together <3
Me : hmmm I don’t know, Ava.
Me : I really do have to study.
Ava : me too! no funny business!!
Ava : i promise!!
Ava : PLEEEEASE Bea
Me : Okay Okay. Come over.
Ava : YES
Ava : okay!! see you soon <3
Me : See you <3
Beatrice shakes her head with a small smile before she turns back to her notebook and uncaps one of her highlighters.
-
As Beatrice opens the front door, she is immediately brought into a tight hug. Ava’s arms wrap around her waist. Beatrice's own hands attempt to land on Ava’s back, but are blocked by Ava’s backpack. Beatrice holds tightly anyway.
Ava pulls back and gives Beatrice her bright smile, “Hi.”
“Hi,” Beatrice responds before placing a chaste kiss against Ava’s lips, “Are you ready to study?”
“Mhm!” Ava nods and pulls away from Beatrice completely. She grabs onto the straps of her backpack, “Got everything I need.”
“Okay, good,” Beatrice says with a nod, “I figure we can sit on the couch out here if that’s alright with you.”
Ava nods right before Beatrice continues, “And remember, no funny business.”
“Aye aye captain,” Ava responds with a wink.
“I’m being serious, Ava,” Beatrice responds sternly, “Behave.”
Ava suddenly looks serious as well. She swallows and her eyes drop down to Beatrice’s lips before flicking back up to her eyes. “Um,” She blinks a few times, “Yeah, okay.”
Beatrice is a little taken aback by the sudden emotion in Ava’s eyes. Is that… desire? But wasn’t the whole point of this to suppress those feelings? How was the script flipped so easily? What did she - oh.
An idea suddenly pops into Beatrice’s head. And a smirk falls onto her face.
She leans forward close enough so that their noses are almost touching, “Darling, be good while we study and you’ll be rewarded later, okay?”
Ava opens her mouth as if she wants to say something but the words can’t escape. She closes her mouth and swallows again, before Beatrice leans away with a proud look on her face.
Ava frowns dramatically then and pushes Beatrice away lightly, “That was so mean. Don’t do that to me.”
Beatrice chuckles as she moves towards the couch, “Come on, just a few hours.”
Ava huffs and follows. “Stupid hot Beatrice, god damnit” she murmurs under her breath, as if Beatrice can’t hear.
Beatrice laughs again.
-
Through the next couple of hours, Beatrice puts finishing touches on their lab report and edits her midterm book report. Ava is surprisingly very focused during the entire thing, only making small talk every so often or stretching out to have the tiniest bit of physical contact with Beatrice.
Beatrice figures she’ll let that part slide, mostly because she craves her touch as well.
It’s nice. Calm. Relaxed.
It’s everything she could ever ask for.
Just as Beatrice finishes reviewing her calculus work, Lilith appears from her bedroom. Ava and Beatrice both turn their heads to look at her.
Lilith narrows her eyes, looking at the lack of space between them on the couch. She rubs her temples as she groans, “Listen, just keep it in your pants while you’re on the couch, okay? That’s holy ground.”
“We’re just studying, Lilith,” Beatrice retorts, raising up her notebook to prove her point.
Lilith rolls her eyes, “Yeah, sure.” She passes behind them and places her hand on the back cushion between them. “Holy ground,” Lilith repeats, glaring at Ava as she does.
Ava only smiles back sweetly and Lilith sighs in return.
Beatrice knows that Ava is growing on Lilith. She doesn’t have much to be upset about since Beatrice told her about them dating. She’s mostly only acting cold to her based on principle.
“I’m going out,” Lilith says simply as she makes her way towards the front door.
“Tell Camila I say hi,” Ava responds casually, looking back at her laptop on her lap. Beatrice can see the cheeky smile on her lips.
“You-” Lilith starts before letting out a tense breath, “Shut up.”
As soon as the door slams shut behind her, Ava laughs, “I got her good, huh?”
Beatrice chuckles as she closes her notebook, “That you did. I’m surprised she didn’t argue back.”
“Knowing Camila, she probably told her to be nice to me,” Ava replies with a shrug, “And Cammy has Lilith wrapped around her finger.”
“Hmm, yes well, I can relate to that,” Beatrice admits softly before leaning forward to press a kiss against Ava’s cheek.
Ava giggles and turns towards Beatrice, “Is that so?”
“Mhm,” Beatrice answers, pressing a kiss to her lips this time.
“Care to elaborate?” Ava questions, her head tilting to the side. Briefly, Beatrice thinks of Lucia the other day. How she tilted her head and Beatrice felt nothing. She thinks of how different she feels now, with the surge of unfiltered affection that swells in her chest.
“I think you know what I mean, Ava,” Beatrice answers lowly, eyes locked onto Ava’s lips.
“Maybe,” Ava responds with a casual shrug before closing her laptop and setting it on the coffee table, “but I wanna hear you say it.”
Beatrice lets out a slow breath before she leans her head to the side to rest on the top of the couch cushion. She sits there for a moment, looking up at Ava’s expectant face.
Finally, she speaks, her voice sounding lower than she had expected or intended, “I would do anything you asked of me, Ava Silva. Anything in the world.”
As soon as the words leave her mouth, Ava’s lips are on hers. It isn’t nearly as chaste as any of the other kisses they’ve shared today. It’s full of some sort of aching feeling, close to yearning.
Beatrice half whimpers into the kiss as she grabs onto Ava’s waist, pulling her closer to her on the couch. Ava’s hands land on either side of Beatrice’s face.
Beatrice bites down lightly on Ava’s lip, causing a soft sound to escape from her mouth.
Ava breaks the kiss to murmur, “You said no funny business.”
“I’m finished with my work,” Beatrice responds quickly, a little bit out of breath, “And you’ve been very good.” Her grip tightens on Ava’s side as she speaks. Ava gasps and her hands trail down to grab the collar of Beatrice’ shirt.
“ Bea ,” Ava whines as Beatrice tilts forward to lay hot kisses against her neck.
“Let’s get out of the holy ground,” Beatrice whispers into her skin, “Then I can reward you for behaving so well.”
“ Fuck ,” Ava breathes, her pupils blown as Beatrice pulls away, “Take me to bed, Bea. Please.”
And once again, who is Beatrice to deny her?