Work Text:
Judith is genuinely surprised when Coronabeth invites her over. Surprised, nervous, even a bit excited, which is honestly unfair when Coronabeth herself looks so unaffected. She sits across the table from her and Marta, twirling a lock of hair around her finger and bouncing a leg as she says, “I’ll be home alone for the next few days—Ianthe’s going to some med school thing with Babs and our parents, well. You know,” Coronabeth rolls her eyes, and Judith does not know, but she nods like she does, and it is worth it for the easy smile Coronabeth tosses her way.
“So you’ll come, right? We just got a hot tub put in, and there’s the pool, too. You can come over tomorrow, or Friday night.”
Judith almost chokes on her own spit as she realizes what Coronabeth is really asking. Pool and hot tub and home alone? Coronabeth in a swimsuit—a bikini even? Coronabeth, who is very gay, inviting Judith, who is also very gay, to her home, at night, alone?
Marta must know too, because she shakes her head before saying, “I have judo,” which is partially a lie, because Judith knows she only has judo every other day, and only for a few hours at that, “but Judith, you should go and enjoy the pool for me.”
“It’s settled then!” Coronabeth does not seem to notice the look Judith throws Marta’s way, and takes both of Judith’s hands in hers. “You’ll come, won’t you?”
And how could Judith resist Coronabeth when she is asking so earnestly, when her hands are so soft, when the faint smell of her perfume or lotion or shampoo clouds Judith’s mind as she leans in and smiles— “I’ll come,” Judith gives in. Refusing Coronabeth like she is now hadn’t ever been an option.
Coronabeth gives her another bright smile, then picks up her phone. Judith watches her fingers (dainty, pretty) as she sends off a quick message, and ignores the buzzing of her own phone as Coronabeth puts hers down. “That’s the address, just let me know when you’re coming so I can order food, okay?”
“Fine, I’ll be there around eight.”
“Are you inviting anyone else?” Marta asks, and the question is innocent enough, but there is a gleam in her eyes that Judith knows means trouble.
Coronabeth hums in response and nods, but does not elaborate. When she looks down at her phone again, Marta turns to give Judith a look, and before Judith can give her a look back, Coronabeth stands with a sigh. “It’s just about time to go back in.”
“Just a few more hours,” Marta reassures her as she stands as well, “and besides, you’ll have Judith over tomorrow. That should be fun, right?”
“Oh, absolutely, I’m super excited for that—it’s really just a shame that you can’t come too.”
Marta lets out a startled bark of laughter, and Judith rolls her eyes as she holds the door open. When Marta passes, she reaches out and pinches her side hard to pay her back for the stunt she’d tried to pull earlier; Marta barely even flinches and instead says to Coronabeth, “You know, since you both work Friday, Judith could just sleep over.”
Oh, excellent. Marta is looking to get murdered. Of course, Coronabeth responds warmly to this suggestion, and Judith very nearly contemplates quitting her job as they all squeeze into the elevator together. Coronabeth and Marta are still talking, but all Judith can think about is that there are just a few more hours until the end of work, and then just one more day until she’ll be at Coronabeth’s house. The realization is more nerve wracking than it should be, and as they get back to the office, Judith contents herself at the thought that she could always cancel, make up some last minute excuse or appointment—though she knows deep in her heart that if it is Coronabeth Tridentarius that is calling, she will always, always come.
It is Thursday night, a bit after 8, and the sun is low in the sky when Judith pulls up to Coronabeth’s house. She sits in her car for a long few minutes, trying and failing to collect herself before she makes the plunge and lets Coronabeth know that she’s arrived. Her hands shake as she pulls out her phone to send the text, but before she can, the front door swings open and Coronabeth steps halfway out, waving excitedly. Judith’s traitorous heart skips a beat in her chest, and she sighs as she grabs her things and gets out of her car.
Coronabeth is still waiting, leaning against the door with her hair fully loose around her shoulders. It’s odd to see her out of uniform, but somehow, despite the simplicity of her clothes—a lavender crop top that shows off a belly button ring that Judith didn’t know she had. and dark shorts—she looks gorgeous. “You came!” she calls out, “I almost thought you wouldn’t.”
“I said I would,” Judith says as she meets her, “and I don’t go back on my word.”
Coronabeth just tosses her hair over her shoulder (and Judith smells the familiar peach of her shampoo) before inviting Judith in. There’s a tiny dog lazing on the couch, and it perks up a bit when it sees her. “Ida, baby,” Coronabeth coos behind her, “be nice, okay?”
Judith would be lying if she said that hearing Coronabeth say baby like that didn’t send shivers down her spine, but she very easily composes herself, only to stiffen when Coronabeth touches her waist to squeeze past her. “Sorry, Jody. Pizza’s here, did you want to eat now or later?”
“Now is good.” Judith trails behind her, feeling a bit lost and very confused as Coronabeth opens the fridge and pulls out two bottles. “Oh, I don’t drink.”
Coronabeth hums and puts back one of the bottles, and Judith picks up the two little boxes of pizza. One is blue and Judith nods approvingly when opens it to see it full of mini cinnabons.
“I know you said no dessert, but I figured. Oh, we’re eating outside. Ida, outside!” Coronabeth holds the door open and after a moment, Ida obediently comes padding into the kitchen and outside. Judith follows, and Coronabeth closes the door shut behind her as Judith makes her way to the pavilion that sits in front of the pool.
“There’s a TV, too,” Coronabeth calls, “you can put on whatever you want.”
Judith does as she’s told, and puts on the first show that comes up on Coronabeth’s netflix profile. It’s a baking competition show, and her stomach growls as she settles down. Coronabeth sits uncomfortably close to her, and Judith is acutely aware of the way that their thighs touch.
` But Coronabeth seems not to notice, or care. She is fully concerned with eating her pizza (which has sausage of all things on it) and watching the show, and Judith is forced to do the same, despite how nervous she is now.
The moment of truth finally comes when Coronabeth puts her pizza box down some thirty or so minutes later. She finishes the rest of her drink in one easy gulp and stands, wobbling a bit as she does so. Judith reaches out to catch her, but Coronabeth just gives her another one of those dazzling smiles as she straightens. “You ready to swim?”
Judith swallows around empty air and nods, averting her gaze as Coronabeth shuffles around her and out of the pavilion. She then turns off the TV and follows Coronabeth, still not looking as she undresses. For a moment, Judith gives into uncertainty as she stands in her bathing suit, but there is no room for embarrassment, not here, not with Coronabeth so close.
“Red looks good on you,” Coronabeth says, and Judith finally turns to face her. Coronabeth’s swimsuit is gold to match her hair, and though Judith knows that she is staring, she cannot bring herself to look away. Deep down, she knows that Coronabeth would never give an empty compliment, but she still cannot believe her, not when Coronabeth herself looks like this. She’s perfect, and Judith…
Spins around abruptly and heads to the deep end of the pool without a word. Even now, she can feel Coronabeth’s gaze, and she takes a breath before diving into the pool, hoping that the cool water will soothe the sudden warmth high in her cheeks and low in her stomach. When she comes up, Coronabeth is bouncing on her toes, very clearly pleased despite the distance between them. Judith is suddenly very glad that no one else is here, and simultaneously very jealous of everyone that will get to see this sight in the future.
Judith watches her step into the pool, descending the steps slowly as if shocked by the temperature. It is easier to stare like this, as she treads water; Coronabeth is focused on the water herself, and bites her lip as she takes one step and another into the water. By the time she’s waist deep, Judith has swam closer to her, and Coronabeth takes a very deep breath and sinks down in one motion to dunk herself completely beneath the water. When she comes up, she is shivering, but she laughs loud and pleased as she pushes her hair away from her face.
“It’s so cold— this would’ve been perfect a few hours ago!”
Judith nods in easy agreement, then remembers that Marta is not here to fill in her silence, and fumbles to say, “It’s still good.”
Coronabeth nods and laughs again, sinking down in the water again as she paddles closer, closer. Judith’s heart is hammering away, but Coronabeth passes her and swims to the wall, pushing herself out of the pool just enough to grab one of the floaties on the ground. It’s stupidly endearing, how cute she looks as she makes herself comfortable, and Judith can’t keep in the soft little simple as Coronabeth begins to paddle through the pool again.
“Jody, do you smoke?”
Judith shakes her head, then shrugs. “I’ve never tried.”
Coronabeth’s face lights up and she swims back to the stairs, getting out the pool to retrieve something that had been in the pocket of her shorts. A sleek pen, and Coronabeth is already taking one hit, two. She looks a bit more relaxed already as she takes the pen away from her lips, and Judith’s heart now skips a beat as she tips her head back and blows smoke up and away. “Do you want to try?”
And Judith does. It is more because it’s Coronabeth than because she actually wants to, and she knows that Coronabeth would never say anything if she refused, but— “Yes.”
Coronabeth beckons, and Judith comes as if pulled on a string, pulling herself out of the pool just to show off a bit. If Coronabeth notices her little display of strength, she doesn’t say anything, just steps in close to show Judith what to do. “Just breathe in a little,” she instructs, demonstrates, “since it’s your first time. A breath in, hold it and swallow, breathe out. If that makes sense. Oh, and hold the button down the whole time.”
It doesn’t, not really, but Judith does as she’s told, and already, Coronabeth’s eyes are pink around the irises, but she is so focused on Judith that she very nearly steps back. She feels the sting of smoke as it hits hard, coughs it all out as Coronabeth laughs, pleased and warm. “It’s okay, it’s okay, it happens—I still cough a lot too, Jody. I can call you Jody, right?”
Judith shakes her head as she fights back another cough. She honestly hadn’t noticed the nickname with how it slipped so naturally from Coronabeth’s lips. “You can.”
Coronabeth smiles again and takes the pen from Judith’s hand, takes another hit. “Do you want more?”
Yes, yes, endlessly yes. Judith takes the pen without another word and takes a hit—this time, she doesn’t choke. The stream of smoke she blows out is much less in comparison to Coronabeth’s, but she still looks so damn happy. “It’ll hit in a bit, Jody. Mine’s already…”
And yeah, Coronabeth is definitely high. There’s an idle little smile flirting with the edges of her lips, and again she’s swaying slightly. Judith reaches out to steady her, and Coronabeth notices this time. Her smile sharpens and stretches wider, and as she stares at Judith through her lashes, Coronabeth places her hand on top of Judith’s, guiding it to rest firmly on her waist. Her skin is damp and cool and covered in goosebumps, and Judith does lose her breath this time. Coronabeth just steps in closer.
There is no denying that Coronabeth is pretty, gorgeous, beautiful, every shade of attractive, and Judith has...definitely had many thoughts surrounding her since they came out to each other months ago. But Coronabeth is... Coronabeth, and Judith swallows as she tries to think of how to get away from this situation, to breathe.
But Marta’s always been the one to smooth things over. Judith has always been way too blunt, too plain with her words. “Coronabeth—”
And something in the way she says her name must be enough, or just too much, and all together the wrong thing, because Coronabeth steps back, face shuttering over as she takes one final hit before turning away. “I’m getting in the hot tub.”
Judith watches her go for a long few moments (keeps her gaze firmly fixed on the back of her head, not anywhere else) and then follows like a lamb. By the time she gets to the hot tub, Coronabeth has already eased herself inside, and keeps her gaze fixed firmly elsewhere as Judith enters as well.
It is awkward, in this warm and intimate silence, and Judith realizes too late that this would be the perfect place to do...anything, if only she would allow herself to give in to her wants .
“Coronabeth—”
“You know,” Coronabeth interrupts, “I’d thought...I don’t know. I was so glad when you said you’d come, Jody. But now you’re here and I…”
“I can go, if you’d like.”
Coronabeth looks suddenly very alarmed, and reaches out to grab Judith’s wrist as she stands. “No! No, that wasn’t what I meant.” She pulls, just once, and so gently, but Judith sits down, just across from her this time. The water goes up to her chin, but Coronabeth is only submerged up to her chest, and the water laps at her collarbones as she leans back and closes her eyes.
Judith watches her for a few endless moments, taking in her effortless beauty as Coronabeth relaxes. And then Coronabeth opens her eyes, and notices Judith watching her, and smiles. It is simultaneously predatory and gentle, and— “What are you thinking about?”
If it were Marta, she would be able to read the truth on Judith’s face in a mere heartbeat—she always says that Judith is an open book when it comes to her thoughts and feelings. But that must be true solely for Marta, because Coronabeth’s voice is light and curious when she says, “I never know what you’re thinking. It makes me want to know you more.”
Judith feels fuzzy around the edges and only now realizes that she must be just a bit high, and around a dopey smile, says, “I’m thinking about you.”
Coronabeth steals the truth from Judith’s lips as easy as breathing, and she must not be expecting that answer, because her eyes go wide and she laughs as she shakes her head. “You really are, aren’t you?”
Judith’s head bobs as she nods, and there is no way to say without saying that Coronabeth has begun to occupy a dangerous amount of space in her head and heart. Her action must speak for itself, because Coronabeth laughs again, then stands. Judith watches the water sluice down the curves and length of her body, watches as Coronabeth steps closer and closer, falls to total stillness as she stops just in front of her and folds herself easily into Judith’s lap. Her hand is warm and damp and Coronabeth cradles Judith’s cheeks like she is something to be worshipped, adored, praised. “Jody, would you give me what I want?”
Coronabeth’s teeth dig into her lower lip as she waits for an answer. An answer that Judith cannot give, because she does not know. She wants wants wants so desperately to kiss Coronabeth like she so obviously wants to be kissed, but she has heard many a thing about Coronabeth Tridentarius, and Judith knows herself enough to know that this would never truly work out between them. And there is a part of her that knows that this is not right, that if she gave in, she would regret it, not because it happened, but because it happened like this. Coronabeth Tridentarius plays with girls like they are toys, and Judith Deuteros feels too much too deep, and this would never work.
But Coronabeth is so close, and so warm, and so soft, and it is so hard to refuse her that Judith can’t help the way she reaches out to pull her even closer, so that their bodies flush together. She is hyper aware of where skin meets skin, and heat blossoms low in her stomach as her mind begins to race. Because it would be so easy, but she still wavers —
And Coronabeth must be able to tell, because her expression changes almost inevitably, and she nods as she moves away. “It’s getting a bit warm, isn’t it?”
And even though it is, Judith knows that this is just her way of saving face. Coronabeth Tridentarius is not a girl that is used to rejection, and Judith Deuteros was never one to disobey orders, no matter how implicit.
So she follows Coronabeth’s silent plea and lets herself be dragged to the edge of the pool. She’s uncertain, even now, and Coronabeth is shivering; even in the faint light, Judith can see the goosebumps covering her arms. “It’ll be too cold,” she murmurs as if to herself, “we have to jump in. On three?”
Judith nods, squeezes Coronabeth’s hand, ignores the way her head whips around to stare at her in genuine surprise. Cannot ignore her smile, endlessly warm, and tugs Coronabeth forward as she jumps as well. Coronabeth shrieks, and there is a moment of empty air and then it is cold as they hit the water, still holding hands. Judith only breaks free of Coronabeth’s grip when it’s time to swim up, and emerges to see Coronabeth gasping for air as well. “ Jody, ” Coronabeth accuses through a laugh, “what the hell!” They’re both treading water now, and Coronabeth is entirely too close, cheeks red and eyes bright. Judith longs to push her hair away from her face (she’d be so gentle) and is suddenly very glad that they’re in the deep end of the pool.
“You needed a push,” is all she manages to come up with. It is directed at Coronabeth, but the words are mostly for herself, and Coronabeth must know that, because that sharp little smile comes back. Judith is expecting something, anything, but Coronabeth just throws her a wink before swimming back towards the shallow end without another word.
The playlist she’d put on what feels like ages ago is still on, and for the first time, Judith bothers to really listen to the music. This song—and every song before it, really—is soft, and full of yearning, and it is so very like Coronabeth to choose songs that tell of buried feelings and a thousand almosts, when it is just the two of them, when anything could happen between them.
And maybe that is why Judith hesitates so. It would be so easy to meet Coronabeth (who has gone for her pen again) but she lets the water do the work for her, floating on her back as her mind turns every possibility over, again and again.
“Jody,” Coronabeth calls out after a while, “you’re going to hit the wall.”
Judith starts and straightens to find that yeah, her head had been just inches away from bumping the wall of the pool. She’s in the shallow end now, and Coronabeth is staring at her from across the shorter length of the pool, her expression unreadable. She seems to be waiting for something, and Judith knows deep down that this is her final chance for...whatever it is that Coronabeth is offering.
And maybe that is why Judith makes up her mind and wades closer just as Coronabeth is beginning to turn away. Her red-rimmed eyes are wide with shock and anticipation, and her gaze drops down, and there is an endless moment where Judith teeters on the edge of her decision, and then there is only the taste of smoke and sweet sugar as finally, finally, Judith kisses Coronabeth breathless.
Coronabeth is stock still for a long moment, and Judith is sure that this was a mistake, but then all at once she presses closer, her hands coming up to cradle Judith’s cheeks. She makes a startled noise into the kiss as Judith heaves her up, but her legs wrap around her waist like they belong there and when she breaks away, it is just to laugh before she leans in and kisses Judith again, again, again.
And as for Judith, she feels...so much; like she could spend forever like this, with Coronabeth Tridentarius held close in her arms, and the taste of chlorine and weed and chapstick on her tongue. But eventually, Coronabeth pulls away again (slow and Judith follows her, longing already for more ) to stare at Judith, her chest heaving as she breathes in deep. She traces the swell of Judith’s lower lip with her thumb, then unwinds herself and slides fully back into the water. Already, Judith finds herself missing her warm wet weight, but Coronabeth crushes Judith in a hug, nestling her face into her neck as she murmurs, “Jody...I’ve never been happier in my life.” And then, almost shyly, “I didn’t think you were that strong.”
“You can thank Marta for that. She’s obsessed, and after a few months of her dragging me along, I kind of started to like it.”
Coronabeth pulls away again, eyes narrowed, just a bit. “You and Marta…?”
“No! No, no. No. I don’t like her, I—”
And maybe she’s said too much, or just enough, because Coronabeth’s expression clears, and it is like the sun coming out, and all Judith wants now is to kiss her once more, so she does. She does, and Coronabeth is smiling against her lips, and Judith can’t resist sweeping her up, bridal style this time, just for the way Coronabeth shrieks and clings to her, tighter than ever.
“Jody—” she warns, stiffens as Judith tips her back just a bit. Her grip is tight and it hurts a bit, but Judith kind of loves it. Not the pain, just this, and having Coronabeth held against her.
“I’m not going to drop you,” she chides, and softer now, “I wouldn’t ever.”
Instead, she heads towards the stairs, and carries Coronabeth out of the water entirely, ignoring her half-hearted protests as she heads back to the pavilion where all of this started. Coronabet is quiet as Judith places her gently down on one of the couch cushions, and Judith feels a shred of anxiety come back as she sits next to her.
“I really like you, you know.”
Coronabeth turns to her, but Judith can’t face her, not now. Not until she nudges her, playful and gentle. Her hand comes down gentle on her thigh, resting there as Coronabeth quietly says, “I wouldn’t have done all of this if I didn’t like you too, Jody. You know that, right?”
There is something in her tone that makes Judith nod; she’s still struck dumb by the fact that Coronabeth Tridentarius of all people likes her , but she speaks so plainly that Judith knows that she means it. “So…”
“ So, you should come inside with me.”
“And do what?”
Coronabeth’s cheeks tinge pink again and she’s very clearly sulking as she says, “You know. Shoewr, change, and...you can spend the night. If you want.”
It’s Judith’s turn to nudge her now, and when Coronabeth looks at her, Judith can’t help laughing. “I would like that very much.”
Coronabeth rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling now too, looking just as giddy as Judith feels. “You’re so annoying, you know. I’ve changed my mind, I don’t like you anymore.”
“You do,” and the blush spreading up to her ears, she really does, “you want me to spend the night and—”
Coronabeth stands abruptly and ducks out of the pavilion, waving Judith away almost frantically as she begins to collect her things. Judith watches her, fond endearment blooming in her heart. Coronabeth is always so put together that seeing her truly flustered is more satisfying than it probably should be. At last, Coronabeth faces her, very clearly trying not to smile as she nods towards the door. “Well, are you coming?”
Judith grins and Coronabeth blushes again as she realizes what she’d just said. But it is too late, and Judith is on her feet, and following her like this is the most natural thing in the world. “Oh, absolutely. ”