Work Text:
come rain or come shine
happy together, unhappy together
wouldn’t it be fine
― come rain or come shine, ray charles
-
Outside, the rain is pouring. Drops pelt down mercilessly on roofs and all poor passerby rushing into waiting sheds, seeking shelter from the unexpected burst.
Inside, Beca is curled up on a couch by the fireplace. A mug of hot coffee sits on the table at her side, and Chloe lies on the rest of the couch with her head on Beca’s lap. The brunette stares at the rain outside, watching as it forms puddles on the pavement, and her gaze shifts down when Chloe stirs in her sleep. The redhead faces upwards, and a sudden loud clap of thunder makes her shudder. She nestles against Beca more, wrapping her blanket tightly around her body.
Beca runs a hand through Chloe’s hair with a soft smile on her face. Her hands massage Chloe’s scalp gently. It's a habit at this point; one formed in Beca’s sophomore year over many sleepovers and study dates, and now an action practically as involuntary to Beca as breathing.
Her girlfriend wakes up then, one eye opening after the other, blinking drowsily. Chloe grins sleepily at Beca and mumbles a small “Hi, baby”, her voice still thick with sleep.
Beca’s heart flutters.
Even after all this time — after years of singing together and going around Barden almost attached at the hip; after years of dancing around each other until they finally confessed their feelings; after years together as a couple at last, filled with happiness and arguments and love Beca has only ever dreamed of — Beca still finds herself breathless at the reminder that this woman is hers.
She looks at her now, and wonders how she had ever resisted the feeling that blooms in her chest. Chloe is the most beautiful person Beca has ever seen, and she swears she’ll never tire of gazing at her. Beca drinks in everything about this moment, and the way Chloe looks now; hair, red as ever, pooled in soft waves around her, eyes, blue as cobalt, disappearing behind as her eyelids flutter in an attempt to stay awake.
A feeling of love and pure contentment fills her. It’s been years since they started this relationship, years since a different kind of happiness Beca never guessed existed entered her life and stayed there — but Beca still can’t believe this is her life sometimes. That she’s blessed enough to spend every single one of her days with the woman who loves the most, and who returns that love with as much fervor.
Beca runs a finger down Chloe’s cheek. “Hi yourself, nerd.”
Another clap of thunder. Chloe frowns and wriggles in her blanket before taking Beca’s hand. She intertwines their fingers. “Rainstorm?”
Beca silently revels at the safety and warmth that envelopes her the moment their hands join. “Yeah.” she says, and she lifts Chloe’s hand to press a kiss to it before setting it back down. “You should sleep some more. Take advantage of your day off before work again tomorrow.”
Chloe closes her eyes again, and she hums in appreciation as Beca continues to run a hand through her hair. “Mmm. I will,” she says.
They both rest in silence for a few moments, and Beca thinks Chloe’s gone back to sleep when she speaks up again. “Oh, we have Bella’s birthday party tomorrow, don’t forget.”
Beca smirks. “Oh, please, you think I could? CR’s been asking me for gift ideas for at least two weeks now— as if I’d know anything about what to get for a 6 year old.”
Chloe giggles, but her eyes remain closed closed. “Excuse me, Little Miss As-If-I’d-Know-What-To-Get. May I remind you it was you who came up with the idea to get Bella that teddy bear with a custom printed Barden Bellas t-shirt for her 1st birthday,” she tells Beca. “She brings it everywhere.”
Beca laughs as the image that flashes through her head of baby Bella (tiny at the time, but with vocal cords that already rivaled Stacie’s) throwing a tantrum and stopping the moment Chloe handed her the teddy bear. “Well, I guess I am pretty awesome, then.”
“Mhmm," Chloe agrees. Her voice is subdued, as she starts to drift back off. “You totally are.”
Beca’s heart feels so full it might burst. “Goodnight, Chlo. I love you.”
“Love you too, Bec.” Chloe murmurs. Then she’s asleep once more.
Outside, the rain is pouring, but inside, there is nothing but warmth.