A very overdue second chapter of random glimpses into the lives of my favorite girls.
This was meant to be a short, fade to black ficlet while I tried to remember how to do this words thing. Close enough.
Thank you to everyone who has ever left me a comment on AO3 (I owe so many responses over the last 3 years) or sent me a message on Tumblr, encouraging me to continue after all this time. I’m really hoping to finish a few things next year as I still owe everyone a Staubrey origin and cliffhanger reveal.
For @tiny-maus-boots and @kimmania. I honestly don’t know if I’d be here without your unending support and encouragement in life as well as writing.
And for Rylee, who somehow convinced-slash-hoodwinked me into thinking about the Mitchsen chapter, which in turn reminded me I needed to get this one done first.
Words: 3600ish (aka the 2nd shortest thing I've ever written.)
Rating: Mature/Explicit
Chapter 1 (and the whole Nowish Universe) on AO3
Master Post for Tumblr
And just because, the Spotify playlist that helped me write pretty much every Pitch story.
A Pitch Perfect Lifetime
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~S~
Wednesday, October 11th, 2017
“Is it dumb that I’m nervous?”
Stacie turned to look at Aubrey who very clearly was avoiding looking at her. Which meant she missed the loving smile that Stacie aimed her way.
“Bree.” Aubrey didn’t turn, merely slid another hanger to the side and intently looked at the clothing behind it, which was exactly the same style and color. “There is a list of things you are not, and dumb is definitely on it.” Stacie resumed going through the rack in front of her, deciding this was one of those times that Aubrey needed to pretend they weren’t having a discussion about whatever was bothering her. She knew they’d eventually get to the heart of it. “Were you nervous with Chloe?”
A pause. “No.” Another few seconds filled with the sounds of hangers sliding along metal racks. “Chloe is home.”
“Are you saying Beca’s less?” Stacie grinned even though they still weren’t looking at each other.
“I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer.” Very snooty, very amused but then a longer pause. “But my history with Beca is more…”
“Spicy?” Stacie looked over her shoulder and saw Aubrey’s beautiful smile in profile.
“I suppose that’s one way to put it,” Aubrey agreed wryly. “But that’s not quite what I meant.”
Stacie looked around them and lowered her voice even though there was no one else near them in the shop. “You guys have been alone before.”
“Not like this, no. Not since…” Aubrey’s voice was even quieter and Stacie had to strain a little to hear it. “You and or Chloe have always been in the house or within minutes of getting home.”
“Really?” Stacie turned and rested one elbow on the rack. “I’d have sworn…” She thought for a minute, watching Aubrey’s hands as they ran down lacy fabric. Their movements were graceful but precise. Controlled.
Chloe had a convention she wanted to attend the following week and it was Stacie’s turn to go with her, leaving Aubrey and Beca at home to hold down the fort. It was something they had done many times before, but it was the first time since beginning their new shared life together.
The nerves were making a kind of sense now, Stacie mused, reaching out to run her hand down Aubrey’s back before moving past her to another rack of lingerie. She didn’t know yet what exactly was going on in her beautiful wife’s head, but since Aubrey was at least dancing around the subject, it hopefully wouldn’t be too long before she could help work through it.
Briefly she wondered if Beca was nervous before deciding that of course she was. The two women were far more alike than either of them usually admitted to. In fact, she’d almost be willing to place a large sum of money that whatever was setting off Aubrey’s nerves was at least partially in Beca’s mind as well.
“Bree?” Stacie waited until Aubrey turned and held up a random negligee. “What about this one?”
“Hmm?” She turned, eyed it narrowly from top to bottom and pursed her lips before giving a single dismissive shake of her head “No.”
As she turned away, Stacie sighed and hung it back up before moving to stand next to Aubrey and flip through the same rack, though she wasn’t paying any attention to the clothing in front of them. “Are you turning your nose up at everything in every store we’ve stopped at today because you can’t find anything you think will make a good impression on the woman who already loves you?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Another precise sliding of hangers from right to left.
“You’re using your high voice, Bree.” Stacie nudged her gently with her elbow. “The denial tone doesn’t work on me anymore.” She’d used to think it was just haughty and dismissive – and okay, sometimes it was – but now she knew that it usually hid uncertainty and a need to look in control when Aubrey felt anything but. “You could wear the Bella uniform and she’d still think you’re one of the three hottest women she’s ever seen. She’d be dying to rip it off you.”
Aubrey snorted. “That last is true – mostly because of the PTSD it would cause.”
“Ooh, yeah. That’s probably true.” She waited a moment, trying to figure out the best way to help. “It’s true though. She loves you and when I asked if you wanted to pick up matching lingerie, I didn’t mean to make you think you needed to dress up.”
“No, I know.” Aubrey glanced at her from the corner of her eye. “And I know I don’t, but…” She bit her lip in a very Chloe manner that made Stacie smile. “I want to make it special.”
“The fact that you exist makes every day special, love.” She leaned over and kissed Aubrey’s cheek. “For all of us. What’s really going on?”
With a sigh, Aubrey finally turned to face her, sheepishly meeting her eyes. “I have a lot to make up for.”
“What do you mean?” Stacie’s brow furrowed.
She wondered if there was something else she was missing, having obviously not realized that the two women had never been fully alone together before. Sure, she and Chloe hadn’t yet either – a circumstance they were happily changing next weekend as well – but that was more random luck than anything. She knew how they all felt, knew them better than herself some days, and it had never occurred to her that any of them would be hesitant. Not with how much they loved and trusted each other.
Then again, she reminded herself, they were only three months into their new phase of life. A fact that she found hard to accept since it felt like they had been together for years this way. Plus, Aubrey and Beca were built a little different. More prone to listen to their darker fears even knowing they shouldn’t. Not anymore. And now that Stacie was thinking about it that way, things started falling into place.
“I wasn’t nervous with Chloe because she’s been my home for years. But with Beca…” Aubrey continued, looking down and then back up through lowered brows. “I worry she… It’s just that, the first year I was so terrible.”
“Aubrey.” Stacie very much wanted to reach out and hold her but didn’t think it was the place even if it was the damn time. “You’re both so far past that –”
“Rationally I know that!” Aubrey raised her hands in frustration but kept her voice low. “Or tell myself I do.” She signed softly, shoulders slumping. “But does she know?”
It was said so plaintively that Stacie pulled her into a hug, potential audiences be damned. “Know what, love?”
“That she’s as necessary to my continued existence as you and Chloe.” Aubrey pressed her face into Stacie’s shoulder, the words muffled but the worry coming through loud and clear.
Stacie thought about the way Beca would sometimes watch Aubrey in their quiet moments – while one or the other was working quietly on a laptop on the couch; when Aubrey was taking pictures of her garden, trying out her artistic angles while sober – her eyes so filled with peace and love… Chloe had confided to Stacie that on at least one occasion she’d had to make up some excuse and leave the room because it had moved her to tears.
“Oh… I’m very certain she knows.” Stacie kissed the side of her head. “But I’m definitely behind Project Woo Her if that’s what you want. I will never say no to looking at all these sexy outfits and picturing you in them.” She leaned down and whispered in Aubrey’s ear. “And to imagine Beca slowly removing them from you.” There was nothing more beautiful in Stacie’s mind than the image of any of them being together.
With a laugh, Aubrey stepped back, her smile genuine and more than a touch wicked. “Don’t think you’re going wind me up and lure me into the dressing room, lover.”
Relieved at the teasing, Stacie lifted her chin at the challenge. “Don’t think I’m ever going to give up trying.” She turned Aubrey around and patted her on the ass. “Now, let’s find you something that’ll make Beca’s legs weak before you even lay one silken fingertip on her skin.” Aubrey flashed a wink over her shoulder and Stacie felt some of the tension drain from her. It was likely only temporary, but she’d just do her best to draw the rest of it out or, at the least, keep Aubrey distracted for the next week.
In part she supposed that’s why she had made the suggestion that they go shopping for the non-boring sleepwear that Beca said they should bring over. Both because she wanted to reaffirm, once again, that this was all okay and she was one million percent behind this amazing new life they were making as a foursome. But also, that she expected Aubrey and Beca to enjoy any and all of their moments alone just as Aubrey was encouraging Stacie to do with Chloe. Sure, it might be a little strange to just be two bodies instead of three or four, but they all knew each other inside and out – puns absolutely intended – and she couldn’t imagine it feeling awkward for any of them.
It certainly hadn’t phased Aubrey just a few weeks earlier when she and Chloe had finally realized what had been growing between them for years.
Then again, the rest of them didn’t have the contentious history that Beca and Aubrey did, and the last thing she wanted to do was dismiss Aubrey’s worries and make her feel worse about them. Maybe she’d just have to have a talk with Chloe to see if there was matching nerves and anxiety at the Beale-Mitchell household and see what they could do to help their partners relax. She smirked to herself as she continued that thought and realized that even if she and Chlo failed, once the other two were past the first few minutes they would help each other relax just fine. Repeatedly.
After a couple more minutes of perusing, holding up various outfits up to each other and dismissing them, Stacie pulled a white bustier and panty set and held them up. It was satin and lace, zipped down the center and it was solid with none of the peek-a-boo cutouts that she normally bought. Simple and yet it called to her to try it on.
“Hey Bree? I’m going to go try this one.”
“Oh?” Aubrey turned and Stacie held it behind her back. “Seriously?” She pouted and Stacie laughed.
“You’ll see soon enough.” The pout deepened and she relented. “I won’t make you wait until we’re home – you’ll get to decide if we buy it or not.”
“Oooh, I’m in charge today?” Aubrey’s eyebrows rose in delight.
“For now.” As Aubrey laughed behind her, Stacie made her way to the fitting rooms and found most of them unoccupied. Taking the one against the left wall, she locked the door behind her and quickly stripped, knowing that Aubrey would be drifting closer as she looked for the perfect outfit.
The straps over the shoulder were adjustable and fit comfortably and when she zipped the top closed, it wasn’t constrictive. The front of the bustier came down to points that would pair perfectly with nylons and garter straps if one were so inclined.
Each room had tri-fold mirror on one wall so shoppers could get a better idea of how everything looked from all angles and after a couple minutes of turning this way and that, Stacie decided she approved. She’d also decided that Aubrey would look utterly fucking delicious in this same outfit in black and definitely with nylons. Satisfied with how it fit her, she opened the door and found Aubrey only a little way away, holding up another bustier and panty set that was all silk, lace and almost matched the color of Chloe’s eyes.
“We’re definitely going to have to get that one for her,” Stacie said softly, leaning against the doorframe.
“Yeah?” Aubrey tilted her head as she eyed the outfit. “I think so too.” She finally turned her head and toward the dressing rooms. “I thi –” She stopped mid word, her eyes widening and her hands going slack, suddenly nerveless fingers losing their grip on the hanger and letting it fall to the ground, utterly forgotten.
It immediately brought to mind the night she’d proposed; Aubrey had reflexively dropped the rib that she’d been eating when Stacie had brought out the ring. It almost shamed her to admit it, but her ego purred under the immediate desire that lit Aubrey’s face, even as she marveled that this beautiful and complex woman was hers to love forever.
Then Aubrey was moving, a not-quite-casual swift power walk that bordered on a charge. Stacie was unprepared as her wife pushed her back into the fitting room, closing the door behind them. Stacie started laughing as Aubrey’s hands began to run over her hips and thighs; the amusement at the best reaction she had ever gotten in public from Aubrey filtering the slow building sizzle as the touches burned with serious intent.
“Bree?” The chuckles still bubbled up but they were followed quickly by the urge to moan as Aubrey’s fingertips dipped just under the edge of the panties and slid back and forth.
“Can you be quiet?” Aubrey’s lips were busy pressing kisses to her exposed upper chest and Stacie took an involuntary deep breath, lifting herself closer and it was Aubrey’s turn to chuckle against her skin.
“Me?” Stacie found herself in the unfamiliar position of having her mind short circuit and having to sprint to catch up with her normally restrained in public spouse. “You’re the loud one.”
Aubrey’s head snapped up, indignant. “I am not!” To her credit, it was whispered and not shouted like it usually was at home. The corner of her mouth twitched. “That’s Beca.” She slowly backed Stacie up until she was against the wall.
“Oh, right.” Stacie licked her lips as Aubrey’s hands resumed their wandering over her body. She flicked a look at the door and was grateful to see that even in her rush to get them in the room, Aubrey had locked it behind them. “You’re going to get us kicked out of here before we can buy these, aren’t you?”
“Not if we’re quiet.” She paused, just the slightest bit, giving Stacie the opportunity to stop things before they got too far.
As if.
“Well, I did say you’re in charge…”
With a familiar wicked glint in her eyes, Aubrey’s fingertips once again dipped under the edge of the panties but this time she pushed, her palms skimming down and taking the fabric with them until they fell to the floor. Her nails ran back up the outside of Stacie’s thighs and up her sides to trace the edge of the bustier, tickling as they barely grazed her skin. “God, you look amazing, Stacie.” She flattened her hands and ran them over Stacie’s breasts to her stomach, curving them around her ribs before retracing her steps. “You feel so good.”
It was unspoken that they would need to be quick as well as quiet. There had only been a handful of times that Stacie had been able to coax Aubrey into anything even half as risky and all of them had been at night and most with alcohol. She knew without being told that if she hadn’t come before Aubrey reached whatever timer she had going on in her head, Stacie would have to wait until they got home.
Aubrey’s fingers were on the zipper of the bustier and Stacie could tell she wanted to do it slow, teasingly, but they just didn’t have that sort of time. She pulled normally, as if this were any normal trying on of outfits, but the second Stacie’s breasts were free, her lips covered one nipple and sucked lightly.
Stacie’s head rebounded lightly off the wall as she jerked in pure reaction and she winced at the small thump, hoping it didn’t carry. She tried to say something, anything, to keep anyone from asking if she was okay, but even a simple “Oops” wouldn’t pass her lips when Aubrey’s hand slid down and cupped her center.
“I think that one looks great, Stace.” Aubrey’s voice was shockingly even for someone who’s lips brushed Stacie’s nipple as she spoke for the benefit of an audience that might not even exist. “Try the other one.” As if her middle finger wasn’t slightly stroking Stacie’s clit in all the right ways to make her whimper even though that was definitely not in today’s rules.
‘Let’s hear it for Posen control,’ she thought giddily, her legs parting to give Aubrey a little more room. But even as she really hoped Aubrey didn’t expect her to answer, she looked down and saw Aubrey’s eyebrow lift in challenge.
Goddamnit.
She licked lips suddenly gone dry and took a deep breath. “Sure, Bree.” She was rewarded by Aubrey’s mouth on her breast once more, tongue swirling to match the motions of her middle finger.
Stacie could already tell it wasn’t going to take long, the sheer fact of Aubrey – her unbelievably sexy but usually-proper-in-public wife – taking her in broad goddamned daylight, even if they were in a locked room, was enough to throw her halfway to orgasm; she could hear people talking in other rooms for fucks sake and Aubrey was still touching her and showing no signs of stopping.
With an ease brought about only by familiarity and deep trust, it didn’t take long for Aubrey to have Stacie wet and writhing against her. She swallowed the gasp as those long, skillful fingers filled her in a way guaranteed to reduce her to a trembling mess in their bed. Except she was plastered to a wall and had to lock her knees to keep herself upright as Aubrey took her in complete silence, their eyes locked together.
She would have thought it was the images of them in the mirrors that surrounded them that would have done it, but it was Aubrey’s gaze softening from wicked determination to sensual devotion – a distinction and emotion Stacie had never known before Aubrey – that pushed Stacie to the peak. She reached down with her hand and gripped Aubrey’s wrist, pulling up until Aubrey understood what she was after and thrust deep within, her palm tight to the curve of Stacie’s body; letting her set the pace and take what she needed. Her eyes closing involuntarily, Stacie rolled her hips, rising and falling, chasing her release until Aubrey leaned forward and raised ever so slightly on her tiptoes to whisper in Stacie’s ear.
“Come for me, mon Soleil.”
Her body surrendered instantaneously. She pulled harder on Aubrey’s wrist, her hips driving downward in rocking spasms as she rode Aubrey’s touch. Eventually her body slowed and she realized she had no idea how much time had gone by, though she was very aware she didn’t have enough time to sink into the blissful lassitude spreading through her muscles in the aftermath. They had to pull themselves together – or apart as the case may be – and clean up. There was also no way they were leaving without buying the garments that had been so gleefully stripped from her.
In several variations.
Leaning against the wall, she kept her eyes closed for another few moments, enjoying the languor before she had to hustle back into her clothes. Except she heard another zipper and looked around to find Aubrey digging into her purse one handed. She couldn’t help it; she started laughing as Aubrey pulled out a pack of wet wipes.
“Always prepared, aren’t you, love?” Just one of the legion of reasons she had fallen in love.
Despite the hint of rose in her cheeks, Aubrey handed over several. “Never know when they might come in handy.” In a lower aside, she half muttered, “Besides, it’s not like I’m going to go walking through the shop with you all over my hand.” A pause. “You’re definitely going to go pay and I’ll meet you in the car.”
Stacie merely smiled. “’Kay.”
It didn’t take long to clean themselves up and for Stacie to get dressed. When Aubrey left the room, power walking like a champ, Stacie took another moment to rearrange the outfit on the hanger and hopefully make it less obvious the room had been very occupied.
When she went back to the rack, she kept an unobtrusive eye on other shoppers but no one seemed to be paying any special attention to her. Deciding to stop worrying about it, she picked up the same outfit in black in Aubrey’s size, as well as a red outfit of similar design that caught her eye. It took only another moment to find the blue lingerie Aubrey had been holding and bring all four outfits up to the counter.
Finishing the transaction without the cashier giving her any sort of knowing look, she pushed her way through the door and out into the bright sun, wishing she’d brought her sunglasses with her. Lengthening her stride, she headed down the block to where they’d parked the car, anticipation singing through her veins like champagne. She couldn’t wait to get Aubrey home and in bed to return the gift she’d just been given…
And maybe later they’d invite Beca and Chloe over and see who was louder once and for all.
Loves Sacrifices update: "A Sight For Sore Eyes" three parter
Chapters 16 to 18 are up, and I've been waiting for over a year to post this.
This is a three part chapter, and I wanted to wait until all three were up before making this post. I had to split because all three parts put together is nearly five hours of reading. Almost as long as all three Pitch Perfect movies back to back.
I kept saying I wanted to finally get the baby shower done for over two years, and now it's finally finished. What else is that this chapter is meant to wrap up the Bailey Downs arc…which is why it took a while for me to get too.
This is also meant to be a siege chapter, much like I did with Unlife is Strange. Because of how long it took me to get these out, I'm also taking a little break from Love's Sacrifices, and going to be focusing on finishing Mission to Silas, and getting back to writing Unlife.
And since this is meant to wrap up the Bailey Downs storyline, think of it like a "Mid Season" finale.
Which also leads me to this content warning.
Like I said, this is meant to be a battle chapter, and it's probably where the story gets to its darkest points. You may even forget this is a Pitch Perfect crossover.
These chapters include: Blood, light gore and mutilation. Vampire related violence. Werewolf related violence. Demon related violence, curtesy of Lamashtu. Nudity and mild sexuality. Torture. Shooting and gun violence. Children being threatened.
And of course, character death; these three chapters will see two named characters, who were introduced in the first few chapters, being killed off.
...or you could read the TV Tropes page and see who bites it in advance. But what's the fun in that ?
I wanted to take a shot at drawing Bellas Squared because I absolutely adore Nowish by @chloes-yellow-cup. That story was my gateway into poly Bellas and I have no regrets.
One of my favourite writers ever Ladies and Gents!!!
I have never seen anyone wield words the way you do, my friend. I've told you time and time again that your depictions of theor relationships is so utterly beautiful that I feel so much when I read your fics. Switching Gears, your Nowish au.... just so damn amazing.
My favourite parts, aside from the doenright amazing smut of course, honestly I can't actually narrow it down. As a general note, every single interaction between the girls in Nowsh is full of so much love and appreciation for one another, and it just makes me smile and never stop.
There are so many moments that stand out to me, but I love the part where they all give gifts to one another, forgive me I can't remember which specific point that was, and the gifts were all so damn meaningful. I think it was Beca's gift to Aubrey that sent the waterworks afloat.
And as for Switching Gears, I love how even though its Staubrey and Bechloe, all four are already so damn flirtatious and eeeep, I can't wait to see that turn into Bella squared. The karaoke night was UNFORGETTABLE.
Anyway, since others were sharing their appreciation, I thought I'd offer mine too. You. Are. Awesome. ❤❤❤
You have been one of my cheerleaders from the start and I appreciate it SO much!
Thank you for your constant support, it’s definitely helped and continues to do so!
It is absolutely undeniable that Chloe Beale is one very lucky girl.
From the moment she was old enough to understand the purpose of the smudges, her parents were very open with her. Everyone in the world has a smudge somewhere on their body, and it symbolizes their soulmate. The smudge becomes a name once your mate realizes they have feelings for you, and they will ultimately become the person you are meant to be with for the rest of your life. Except… Chloe has three smudges. Right there over her heart. And that just wasn’t normal.
But they also told her that society’s understanding of normal didn’t mean shit. Chloe was unique. Extraordinary. Unparalleled. She was not to be limited by who she could love, no matter their gender, their race, or whatever else. And the fact that the smudges were over her heart? Well that just brought the point home.
But there was one thing they didn’t exactly prepare her for. The support and acceptance she received at home? It would never actually leave her doorstep.
For some reason, other people don’t like it when a girl isn’t shy about expressing her feelings. They are threatened by it, even. She was teased constantly for being “too sensitive”. She was disliked by many for being easily overwhelmed. She was taken advantage plenty of times for being so willing to put herself out there. She was knocked down time and time again just for being different from everyone else.
(Makes all the more sense why she fell for Aubrey the moment the other girl stepped in to protect her when no one else was willing to.)
But Chloe never let those things get in the way of the life she knew she was meant to live. To love and be loved. To feel for others, especially when they refused to feel for themselves. To be open to all the possibilities and opportunities that lied before her, waiting to be discovered. To search for her soulmates, ready to love them like her life depended on it.
And...okay. Maybe she was allowing herself to be too vulnerable. Lord knows she’s had her fair share of heartbreak. But isn’t the risk always worth the reward?
If anyone was looking out for this one, thanks for your patience.
Summary: Inspired by Soulmate(s) au, soulmate(s) au pt 2 , and Soulmate(s) au pt 3 hc by @fandom-heaux . An AU in which everyone is born with a smudged birthmark. As you find your mate in life the smudge forms their name when you’ve made an impression on them. In this world Beca doesn’t realize she has any, let alone three.
Author’s Note: I’m gonna try this thing where I post once a week. I say try because…well. Tis I. Queen of zero follow through. I blame @chloes-yellow-cup for dragging me into this fandom and then making fics that have ruined me. RUINED ME. Let me clarify. RUINED ME.
Author’s Note 2: Click here for Part 1 Part 2 Part 3, Part 4 Part 5 and Part 6
Author’s Note 3: So there is a link dropped into the fic to another fic. An amazing fic. One of my favorites actually. So…wink wink nod nod to @chloes-yellow-cup for Third Time’s the Charm.
Chloe
There was a moment of awkward silence as they watched Stacie weave her way through the crowd, Beca trying desperately to seem like she hadn’t just found herself in the most awkward situation of her life. Chloe was pretty sure she was currently formulating an escape plan and that was the only thing that kept her in her seat instead of following after Aubrey. She was certain Aubrey was going to be okay. That they were going to be okay. But it didn’t stop her heart from seizing painfully at the look in Aubrey’s eyes when Beca introduced herself.
It was only a split second, just a quick flicker of emotion, but it was enough for Chloe to see Aubrey’s world crumble beneath her feet. It tore at Chloe’s own heart to see that much despair in her mate’s eyes and she just wanted to run to her and hold her. She wanted to reassure Aubrey that she wasn’t going anywhere without her, to remind her that they were a package deal, but one look at Beca’s fidgeting was enough to tell her that if Chloe left to find Aubrey, Beca would disappear in the blink of an eye. Aubrey would be okay, she just needed time to adjust.
Chloe gave her head a little shake with a bite of her lip to try and focus herself on the woman in front of her. Her smile was a still a little sad at the edges and she could tell Beca saw right through her. “Did you wanna go….? To check up on her or whatever. You seem very uh attached.” It was sweet and Chloe’s smile softened a little as she reached across the table to lay a hand on Beca’s.
“That’s very sweet, thank you, but I think she’s okay. Sometimes she just needs a second to herself.” Chloe’s half smile wilted further when she caught sight of Aubrey leaning into the curl of Stacie’s arms around her. And it wasn’t that she was jealous of it exactly, but she longed to soothe Aubrey and for a moment didn’t know what to do with herself. “Sorry. I feel like I’m being rude, I think worrying about Aubrey has been all I’ve known for so long that even when I don’t have to, I still kinda do.”
It was still uncomfortable but Beca took a cleansing breath and seemed to resolve herself to actually interacting. Chloe was pleasantly surprised. She thought it would be harder to get Beca to engage given the less than stellar introductions. “So does she usually need worrying about?” Beca made a vague gesture with her chin toward the bar and Chloe’s gaze drifted there immediately. Her eyes found Aubrey at the bar already watching her. The hurt so raw and clear in her mate’s eyes wrecked her for a long second. They stayed locked in each other’s heartbreak before Aubrey finally broke and looked away.
“No actually. Well. Yes and no. Bree is the most confident, competent, driven person I’ve ever known. She is so good at taking care of the house, and work, and everything else that comes with our life together.” Chloe’s smile widened as her heart swelled with the love she had for Aubrey. “And all of the strays that seem to always find their way home with me…she’s always been that way. But she always forgets to take care of herself and so…” Her shoulder came up in a half shrug and Chloe fiddled with the cocktail straw in a glass that was mournfully empty save for the rapidly melting ice.
“So you worry. I get that. I mean…I don’t get it get it, I don’t have that kind of relationship with people. But I get that you would worry about someone that’s always worrying about others.” Chloe felt something tug at her heart as Beca reached awkwardly behind her back to scratch at it. “So how long have you been together?”
Chloe gave a soft chuckle and sighed dreamily. “Since we were eight. Well. That’s when I knew for a fact she was my forever girl. It took her a little longer to figure it out.”
Beca’s eyes widened comically and she gaped for a minute. “Jesus. Eight. I think only thing I knew for a fact at age eight was that I didn’t like pickles.” Chloe was used to those types of reactions. Granted it was pretty rare to know that early that you were meant to be with someone for the rest of your life but it was even more rare to have three marks at once so she figured it just wasn’t that weird in the grand scheme of things. “How uh, how does something like that even happen?”
“I used to get picked on a lot when I was younger. Because of my hair, or clothes, or they sky was blue…” She rolled her eyes dismissively but at the time every little tease and taunt scarred her fragile innocent heart. She had always liked people and until she been away from the comforting circle of home and family she hadn’t realized that anyone would ever dislike her. Especially for no reason at all. It had been a crushing learning curve and she hadn’t adjusted well, spending most of her recess and lunch time crying in a stall of the girl’s bathroom. “One particularly vicious bully threw a rock at me and said some pretty inventive things for a third grader. I just remember the shock of it, seeing blood drip down my head, knowing someone intentionally threw something to hurt me. I probably would have stood there and let him chuck another.”
“That little shit.” Chloe laughed at the quietly indignant look on Beca’s face and rolled her eyes at the memory of her childhood bully.
“Yeah well Aubrey fixed his wagon for sure. If she had been a cat she would have been spitting and yowling with her back all up. She came out of nowhere and just…whaled on him. This tiny blonde tornado came to my rescue and I just knew, even if she didn’t yet, I knew I was going to be with her forever. No one was really surprised when my name showed up on her wrist.”
There was a flicker of deep longing in Beca’s eyes then, so fast and so quickly hidden that she wasn’t entirely sure it had been there at all. “Well that all sounds like a fairy tale. You sure you’re not a Disney princess?”
Chloe let out a breathy chuckle and shrugged. “I don’t know. I think I’d make a pretty rocking Ariel. Our friend Amy taught me how to mermaid dance so…” In the back of her mind she knew that would make no sense and have no context for Beca but the other woman gave an amused grin and raised eyebrow as if picturing all that would imply. “It’s a long story, oh that’s her over there by the stage. I didn’t think she’d be here with her shooting schedule.” It was mostly an embarrassed ramble and she was glad when Aubrey seemed to appear from thin air with drinks in hand. Chloe felt a weight lift off her shoulders and she reached out to curl a hand around Aubrey’s wrist just needing that warm connection between them.
The dull hum of anxiety finally quieted when Aubrey settled in at her side and slid a hand over to rest warmly on Chloe’s thigh. Aubrey’s thumb stroking soothingly through her jeans was warmer than the fuzziest sweater and most comfy sweater she owned and she leaned into it.
“What’d we miss?”
“Chloe was just telling me all about your MMA days.” Aubrey blinked and then eased into a quiet laugh as she slid Chloe her lurid blue drink. “Thanks, what do I owe you the…” There was a pause as Beca read the label on her beer bottle once then twice. “Sexual Chocolate? Yikes. Okay then.”
“I promise you’ll like it.” The teasing lilt to Aubrey’s voice made Chloe crinkle her nose in a grin. Playful Aubrey was the best and she could tell she was trying her hardest to be social and okay. To be there for Chloe like she always was. Chloe nudged Aubrey’s shoulder with her own when Beca sputtered in flustered embarrassment just as she had raised the bottle to her lips for a sip. “Ohmygod Beca, I’m sorry.” Aubrey half reached over the table when one of Beca’s sputters caught in her throat and she choked on the beer, spraying it partially on the table.
“No. It’s good. M’good, fine. Just. Wrong pipe.” Stacie’s eyes narrowed in just barely contained amusement at Beca’s rasping croak and Chloe had the feeling she was dying to tease the smaller woman. Mortified and just a hint uncomfortable, Aubrey hurriedly wiped at the table, trying to set everything back just right on the table.
“So did’ja, B?”
All three of them turned to look at Stacie who was practically bouncing in her seat. Beca blinked a few times and raised her brow. “Did I what?”
“Did’ja like it?” Somehow the simple questions seemed so much more loaded when Stacie said it. Beca’s face turned bright red and she elbowed Stacie in the ribs. It broke the tension and even Aubrey settled back down at the laughter that bubbled up between them all. It was going to be fine, it would all be fine. Nothing had to be decided right this second, they could just maybe enjoy the night and see what came of things. Chloe brought the drink to her lips and sipped from the straw. Something told her there was no rush at all, that this would all unfold exactly as it was meant to. Chloe believed in that little something with her whole heart the same way she had so many years ago.
In some way, Beca was going to be hers. Hers and Aubrey’s. And they would be Beca’s. She was positive of it. Chloe leaned further into Aubrey, their shoulder’s touching as the four of them picked up the threads of conversation and teasing banter easily. A warm blanket of calm enveloped her when Aubrey leaned into her too. Something settled in her soul and she let her fingers trail over the mark she knew was on her chest trusting destiny to bring them together if not tonight, then one day. And one day was good enough for her.
Double Fanfic Post: “Unlife Is Strange” and “Love’s Sacrifices”
So I said I was gonna be posting these chapters on my birthday, but IRL shit happened and I had to get them out early. However I still decided to officially share this post on my birthday, so here we are.
Warning, both chapters are nearly two hours worth of reading.
Summaries for the uninitiated.
1. Unlife is Strange (A crossover between Vampyr + Life is Strange. And to a lesser extent Until Dawn and Control).
Summary: “Those who die in darkness, find new life in the darkness; this is the first thing Rachel Amber learned upon awakening, as something less human, or more depending on who you ask. She gained a new mother in something ancient and terrible and now must heed her call, but something from her old life is calling her back, and she finds herself in need of new friends to help her.
On the flip side, reports of supernatural happenings in Beaver Creek lead to an attack on the small community, leaving Daniel Diaz and Chris Eriksen stranded and hunted in the wilderness; and nothing is going to stop Sean Diaz from ensuring his brother's safety. Both Sean and Rachel find themselves part of the same centuries old conspiracy, that boils down to a game played by a malevolent goddess, the war with her son, and the many pawns within.”
Link to the new chapter here.
2. Love’s Sacrifices (mainly a crossover between Pitch Perfect and Carmilla: The Series. However there’s still a lot of Easter Eggs and cameos of other works; some of them are plot relevant, mainly TVDU and Ginger Snaps/Orphan Black).
Summary: “Carmilla Karnstein and Laura Hollis are trying for a baby, and find themselves in need of a surrogate. Through mutual friends of theirs, they are introduced to Chloe Beale, who has joined a polyamorous relationship with Beca Mitchell, Aubrey Posen and Stacie Conrad. Due to helping raise Stacie's daughter Bella, Chloe wants to know what it's like carrying a baby to term, and agrees to be a surrogate for Carm and Laura, to the great concern of Beca, who due to a past incident, is cautious when it comes to vampires.
For nine months, Carmilla and Laura must stay by Chloe's side, and help raise Bella as well to prepare for parenthood. As if a risky pregnancy for a damphir baby wasn't enough, yet another instance of Carmilla's past comes back to haunt her, and threatens all she knows and loves.”
Link to the new chapter here.
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I can not express to you how much I’m glad to get these two chapters out.
For over a year I’ve been writing flashback chapters/arcs for both stories that I’m finally wrapping up. Both stories are still far from done, but I finally wrapped those flashback arcs, and I can finally get back to writing the present day stuff (y’know the main fucking stories ?).
With Unlife is Strange, I had a flashback arc for Rachel that covered what she was up to post “vampire resurrection”, leading up to the present day. Meanwhile I’ve been sitting on half written “Present Day” chapters I wanted to get back too. I just had to wrap up Rachel’s time in LA (and later Seattle) before we get to that. As I said, that storyline got wrapped up here, and I can now move onto the present day arcs I had in mind.
With Love’s Sacrifices, I’ve been writing flashbacks of Carmilla’s mortal life as Mircalla Karnstein, leading up to her murder; as well as covering the backstory for the mysterious, present day “Count Karnstein”. There is only so much you can do write about an innocent, naïve young woman, near oblivious to the supernatural and monsters surrounding her, before it gets grating and tedious. Especially with the foregone conclusion of her murder. Same goes for writing Count Karnstein, and teasing his identity. I might do one more flashback down the line, but as it stands, Mircalla Karnstein’s arc is over.
This chapter also features a third party crossover with TVDU; I plan on writing a sequel that crosses over with Legacies, and wanted the Mikaelson’s involved in Carmilla/Mircalla’s past - especially her mortal death. Also the identity of the present day “Count Karnstein” is all but revealed here. Originally I was gonna include more info on Pazuzu, and the Agency Danny works for, but this chapter is long enough as is.
With Unlife is Strange, this chapter wraps up Rachel’s flashbacks as her early years as a vampire - and wraps up Steph’s relationship with Rachel. Originally Steph was gonna be Rachel’s love interest for the whole story, but when True Colors was announced and released I had to write a new plan for Steph for the present day. Hence why I’m writing a “Tulpa Arc” for Steph; it covers her being pulled back and forth between two different lives; one being Steph’s canon life, the other being what I wrote before True Colors was released.
Also, Unlife’s newest chapter gives us a reveal about Bill Caulfield Price’s - Max and/or Chloe’s son - and his parentage. In previous chapters, it’s mentioned Bill was born from Chloe’s donated ovum, and an unknown donor. He is raised either by a domestic Pricefield family (Route A/Bae Timeline) or to Max as a single mother, trying to keep a remnant of Chloe alive (Route B/Bay Timeline). Anyways, in the newest chapter we find out who Bill’s “donor” is. I know it wasn’t that big of a mystery, but I thought it’d be a question that would annoy me the longer it went unanswered.
My only hint is that Bill’s biological “father” is a canon character, and someone Chloe knows and cares about; but both Max (and/or Chloe) are in the dark about this donor's true identity.
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Content Warning: Both stories in general are full of violence, sex, nudity and other subject matter. Though in Unlife is Strange, the more extensive sexual content is moved to another series of prompts.
The newest chapter of Love’s Sacrifices may be the bloodiest I wrote so far; featuring my my take on Mircalla Karnstein’s murder, as well as sacrifices to the Great Old Ones such as Hastur and Ithaqua. The demoness Lamashtu is also featured in Love’s Sacrifices as one of the main antagonists; and with all the vile shit she does, Lamashtu should be a trigger warning in on itself.
Here’s a brief description of her from the TV Tropes for Mesopotamian Mythology.
Complete Monster: Lamashtu is the daughter of the benevolent god Anu. A savage monster who rejects all goodness, Lamashtu causes famines and droughts, spreading pestilence and disease in the process. Not content with this, Lamashtu induces miscarriages and will steal infants to murder them while also murdering pregnant women and innocent young mortals, rending them apart to eat them herself. So vile is Lamashtu that even another demon like Pazuzu may be invoked against her, being the most terrifying and remorseless monster in the entire pantheon.
As for Unlife is Strange, the newest chapter is also among the bloodiest so far, featuring pretty gory vampire violence; torture; another glimpse into Rachel’s questionable past and relationships; a Mark Jefferson flashback (though this is carried over from a previous chapter).
