Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It’s a typical Tuesday night and Beatrice is predictably drinking a cup of tea whilst watching reruns of The Great British Bake Off.

“She didn’t let the cake cool long enough,” Beatrice mumbles to herself before taking a sip of her tea. “The buttercream is going to melt off.”

Her phone buzzes, taking her attention away from the television. She glances at the screen, and quickly does a double take at the new follower notification. A smile pulls at her lips instantly.

Beatrice sets down her mug on the side table and opens a new DM before immediately closing it. She then sits there repeating the cycle until finally she gets the nerve up to send a message.

Beatrice’s stomach drops. This woman is bold.

Before this unexpected conversation she was debating on whether or not turning in at 20:30 is too early. Why on earth does this gorgeous charismatic lady want to go out with her?

A new notification pops up for unread messages. She takes a deep breath and reads what Ava has to say.

Beatrice blushes, rereading the message over and over again. The anticipation of where their conversation will go has her stomach doing flips.

They continue messaging, some may say flirting, late into the night. Her show is long forgotten, and not a fiber of her being cares whether that ladies cake sweated off its buttercream.

Beatrice stares at the heart, wondering what their outing will lead to. It’s not long till she drifts off to sleep, the ghost of a smile still on her face.

Ava stands anxiously outside the pub, black umbrella in hand despite the lack of rain.

She’s not normally this nervous to meet up with someone. Talking to strangers is half her job, but then again Beatrice is no longer a stranger. They’ve been messaging everyday for nearly a week at this point. When she’s not talking to the woman she’s thinking about her, or just outright stalking her tweets. Hell she’s even viewed every painting currently up on her website.

So no, Beatrice is not a stranger, she’s the woman Ava has a massive crush on. So instead of leaving London to find her next travel destination, which she should have already done by now, she’s standing at a bar hoping that this meetup gives her some guidance on what to do next.

Stay and see where this goes or be on her way? That is the question.

“Ava!” She hears a familiar voice to her right.

She turns and finds Beatrice weaving through the crowd, eyes locked on her like getting to Ava is her only desire in the world. The look gives her butterflies.

Ava grins and greets back, “Beatrice!”

Beatrice squeezes between two people on the busy sidewalk, stumbling slightly right into Ava who catches her.

“Sorry,” Beatrice rushes out.

Ava grins, holding her steady as she says, “Falling for me already?”

Beatrice’s face turns red instantly. “I well-,” she clears her throat and steps back, vaguely motioning towards the door. “Shall we?”

Ava hums, and in a bad posh accent says, “After you m’lady.”

Beatrice shakes her head, but Ava catches her smile.

They head inside. The pub is dark and already filled with patrons, to the point that Ava has to squeeze her way through a group to get a round of shots for them.

She lines up the four shots on a small table they find near the back.

Beatrice picks one up, inspecting it like it’s the most unusual thing she’s ever seen. “So these are… lemon drops?”

“Yep!” Ava says, popping the ‘p’ at the end. She doesn’t miss the way Beatrice glances at her lips. “I owe you, remember?”

“I could never forget,” Beatrice says seriously.

Ava laughs. “Come on, cheers.” They clink their shots together before downing them.

“Oh, it’s sweet,” Beatrice says in surprise.

Ava grins, pushing another one towards her. “Yeah!”

Beatrice laughs, leaning in slightly. “That’s not entirely unpleasant.”

They down the last set, and Beatrice offers to get them more. While she’s at the bar Ava shamelessly checks her out. She’s modestly dressed, hair in a bun with a sweatshirt covering what looks like a collared shirt. It’s not something she would wear to a date, if that’s what this is she’s not entirely sure yet, but somehow Beatrice rocks it. Maybe she just likes the thought of being the one to take that sweater off.

Two more rounds in and Ava has the pleasure of helping Beatrice pull her sweater off over her head before dragging her out to the floor to dance.

They stay like that for hours, darting back and forth between the dance floor and table. One thing is always constant though: laughter.

Talking with Beatrice comes so naturally, it’s like breathing. When she’s with her she feels so relaxed and excited at the same time. Like she wants to savor every moment, but can’t wait to see what happens next.

Then it hits her. She’s never been on a trip where she wasn’t thinking about filming. Yet here she is enjoying her night with a pretty girl, without a single thought how this would be great vlog material.

Beatrice slows her dancing, running her fingers through her let down hair. She stares in awe, unable to breathe when the woman pulls Ava along to go back to their table.

Another round of shots and they’re back to talking the night away.

“I did not say that!” Beatrice says with a hiccup.

“Yes you did!” Ava insists.

“No I did not!” Beatrice says between laughs.

Ava throws her head back in laughter with her. “You did!”

“I am absolutely not royalty,” Beatrice says, faux serious face.

Ava shakes her head, a grin plastered across her face. “You said it.”

Beatrice waves her off, and Ava catches her hand. They’re silent for a moment, the pounding music and loud chatter surrounds them but they only have eyes for each other while they hold hands atop the table.

Beatrice’s eyes flicker down to her lips. “Should we leave?”

Ava practically knocks her chair down from standing up too quickly. “Let’s go,” she says, not letting go of her hand.

Beatrice nods, and collects her sweatshirt and the umbrella, allowing herself to be pulled out of the pub by Ava.

They’re met with a dark deserted street, a stark contrast from when they first entered the pub hours ago.

They walk quickly, in desperate need of a place alone.

A crack of thunder is the only warning they get before the torrential downpour of rain comes for them. By the time Beatrice gets the umbrella open and over them they’re both soaked. It should be a mood killer, yet when they lock eyes under the umbrella they immediately laugh.

After a moment they calm down, and start walking slowly with the umbrella together under the heavy rain.

Ava hooks her arm in Beatrice and leans in to say, “I like the sound of your laugh.”

Beatrice smiles, eyes glancing down for just a moment. “I like yours as well.”

Ava slows her steps, rain splatters down her back briefly until Beatrice is pulled back by her arm. Beatrice turns towards her, an unspoken question written on her face. If the entire night wasn’t enough of a sign this was.

She cups her cheeks and leans in, capturing the lips she’s been staring at all night.

The kiss is soft and warm at first. Beatrice wraps her arm around her to pull her in close, while the other keeps the umbrella steady. Someone deepens the kiss, to the point that when they pull apart slightly they’re both out of breath.

Beatrice leans back in, kissing her needily. She slightly bites Ava’s lip and it’s enough to make her moan a little.

That moment is when Beatrice drops the umbrella.

Rain drenches them once again while they scramble to get the umbrella back.

Once they’re settled they lock eyes and start giggling.

Ava hides in the crook of Beatrice’s neck while the woman pulls her closer. Steady fingers trace lightly along her spine.

It makes her shiver.

“So… your place or mine?” She dares to ask before kissing her neck lightly.

Beatrice groans before she pulls back. Ava spots an adorable blush as Beatrice starts pulling her along in a direction she doesn’t know.

Her place it is then.