Chapter Text
“Okay, Gingrich. You’ve got this,” Steph muttered under her breath as she approached the door to Alex’s digs.
Already, she felt nervous. She didn’t know how or when it happened, but Gabe’s sister had her completely smitten. A total mess. Like some school kid with their first crush. Alex Chen was far from Steph’s first crush or even girlfriend… but that didn’t lessen the warm fuzzy feelings. Not in the slightest.
“You’re… calm and confident. A charmer of hearts. Not a totally useless lesbian who’s freaking the fuck out over a really cool, cute and nerdy chick who just so happens to like you too and…”
The words were unconvincing. There was no way in hell anyone would believe them, least of all Steph herself.
“Shit. Chen, this is all your fault…” Steph couldn’t stop the oncoming smile that came all the way from her heart, “and I can’t even be mad about it.”
Her mind inevitably wandered back to the festival, as it often did these days.
It had been such a surprise when Alex gave her a rose. She’d hoped it would happen, and all the right signs had been given leading up to it - the playful banter during their foosball game; the sometimes casual, sometimes not, nature of their flirting; the genuine smiles and nervous undertones.
Normally, Steph would just go for it. Reckless abandon. It was different with Alex, though. Hesitance and doubt. Testing the waters. Even if that spark Steph had felt was true, the other girl had so much shit to deal with back then. Too much to even think about romance… or so Steph had thought.
When she had seen Alex approach the flower cart, she’d chuckled at the nonchalant attempt to pull out a rose before anyone could notice. It was cute. After that, it had been difficult to focus on anything but Alex as she walked around the festival grounds, probably picking up on everyone’s auras. An emotional super sleuth. Steph had found herself smiling, hoping that Alex would feel something positive from the festival-goers.
God, did the girl need it.
After perusing the various stalls, from Jelly Bean counting jar to snacks table, Alex had briefly stopped by the stage. More specifically, to inspect the waiting drum set. Maybe Steph could give her lessons one day. She pictured Alex, thrashing away without a care in the world. The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea.
Alex Chen was the only person she’d allow to touch her drum kit. Period.
Then, suddenly, Alex had turned to head for the battered mint green and white music trailer. Panicked, Steph had forced herself to focus on the festival once more… soon distracted by the golden rose clutched in Alex’s hand.
“This is for you.”
Hesitant yet hopeful words. Their eyes had met as the flower exchanged hands. Steph didn’t need mind-reading powers to tell what Alex had been feeling. The same as she’d felt. Nervous excitement.
And then, there was the amazing concert duo and their magical rooftop kiss…
Before she could get too lost in that particular memory - which would be so easy to do, she could already feel her own goofy grin and flushed cheeks - Steph shook her head and focused back on the door. She’d already been standing there for a good few minutes, reminiscing.
“Get it together, girl.”
After lightly slapping her own cheeks she knocked, surprised when the door creaked open slightly. Frowning, she headed inside. Nothing looked out of place, but there was no sign of Alex.
“Allie?” Steph called out, wandering around the place.
The room itself had changed since Alex first moved in. Now, it was truly hers. No longer a Gabe museum but a home. Not just for Alex though, for Steph too. She smiled at the sight of her own possessions dotted around. Some clothes, a few choice records that the two girls air jammed to on the regs, along with her LARPing notes and props. Steph had practically moved in already, a gradual and natural process that she hadn’t really considered until now. Waking up next to Alex was one of her favorite things in the world.
“Chen. Come on. I know you’re in here. And if you’re not, I’m offended that you didn’t invite me along on your adventure.”
Steph’s eyes flickered to the stairs leading up to the rooftop. It was worth a look. Most days, she and Alex sat out there drinking Bedazzled Kiwi Schnapps. A strange drink, that was for sure, but they’d grown accustomed to it.
As she took a step towards the stairs, hands cover her eyes and a body press into her back.
“Hey!” Steph exclaimed, hearing a chuckle fill the room.
“Hey to you too,” the familiar voice of Alex replied mischievously.
“Where were you hiding?”
“Bathroom.”
“Of course. Next time, I’ll come barging in there first.” Steph playfully tried to push Alex’s hands from her eyes, failing miserably. “What’re you up to, anyway?”
“It’s a surprise,” Alex whispered in her ear.
Steph felt her cheeks flush slightly, heart rate spiking. “Now I’m intrigued. Will I like it?”
“You’ll have to wait and see…” Alex replied coaxingly, “if you’re brave enough to find out.”
“You do realize who you’re talking to, right? There’s only one other gal out there braver than me.”
Alex played along, already knowing that she was the person in question. “I’d love to meet her. She sounds badass.”
“She is. A very talented guitarist, kind, caring… oh and hot, too.”
“I’m sure she’d be…” Alex hesitated, and Steph could vividly imagine the faint blush on her cheeks, “very happy to know you thought that about her.”
“Pfft, if she doesn’t know already, then I’m doing something wrong. Listen, I like being close to you and all but… I’d rather, you know, see you.”
“In a minute,” Alex replied mysteriously. “Once we’re up on the rooftop.”
Steph held up her hands in surrender. “Promise I’ll keep my eyes shut.”
“Ha, not risking it.” Alex gently led her forward to the stairs. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”
“I hope so, or we’re both tumbling back down.”
“Are you doubting me, Stephanie Gingrich?” Alex asked with mock annoyance.
"Oh full name, huh. I must be in trouble." Steph grinned, hoping that Alex would hear it in her voice. “Would I do that to you?”
“You’d better not. Or there may be trouble.”
“Mmm, tempting.”
Step by step, they made it up the stairs to the rooftop. Steph felt a pleasant breeze on her skin, but not as warm as Alex’s hands covering her eyes. After a rocky relationship history, Steph had begun to doubt she’d ever find someone for the long-term. Now, in the place she thought it was least likely, she had everything she could ever hope for and so much more.
“Aaaaaand we’re here,” Alex announced, taking a step back. “Ta-dah.”
It took Steph a moment to adjust to life without hands over her eyes. Mostly, the rooftop looked the same as it always did, bathed in early evening sunlight. The small golf putting course had been relegated to the furthest corner. Planter boxes filled with colorful flowers had been weeded and watered. There was a bottle of toxic green Schnapps waiting on the table and two matching glasses. Leaning against one of the chairs was Alex’s trusty guitar, a present from Gabe.
“Welcome to this very exclusive concert.”
“Oh, yeah?” Steph crossed her arms, a slight smirk and an impish flicker in her eyes. “Who for?”
“I’ll give you a reward…” Alex playfully strummed her guitar, waggling her eyebrows, “if you guess right.”
“Hmm,” Steph tapped her chin, feigning thought, “that’s a tough one.”
Alex laughed at her deliberation. “We’ll be here aaaaaall night at this rate.”
“I wouldn’t mind that,” Steph grinned, “so long as you stay here too.”
“That makes two of us.” Alex’s almost effortless ability to disarm her with but a few words was truly incredible.
“Good to know. Is it…” Steph tilted her head slightly, “for me?”
“Nope.” Alex could barely hide her laughter at the blatant lie. “It’s for Val.”
Steph gently nudged Alex’s shoulder. “I didn’t realize you’d gotten past the ‘I’m going to bite your hand off if you get too close’ stage.”
“We haven’t…” Alex sighed softly, “but I’m trying!”
“I know you are. I think it’s sweet.”
“Well, she’s your cat. So, it’s important.”
“Ha, she’s her own cat,” Steph corrected. “If anything, I’m her human.”
“Sounds about right. You two are cute together.”
“What can I say? I attract strays. Like the infamous Chen siblings.”
“Wow, rude.”
“Tell me I’m wrong.” Chuckling at Alex’s pout, Steph focused on the upcoming rooftop gig. “Anyway, I’m calling bullshit. This is totes for me.”
Alex held up her hands, letting her guitar swing slightly on its strap. “Okay, you got me.”
“See, I don’t even need powers to know when you’re lying, Chen.”
“Well, shit.” Alex clicked her fingers. “You know me too well.”
“I have to keep up. How else am I suppose to compete with the girl who can literally read my mind?”
Alex grinned at her. “I think you keep up just fine, Steph.”
The two shared a glance, neither able to tear their eyes away from the other for several moments. Steph felt her heart soar, a genuine smile tugging at her lips to mirror her girlfriend’s. Little by little, Alex’s own emotions had shone through, no longer completely dictated by how others felt.
Eventually, Alex broke eye contact to glance at the nearest chair. “Now, sit. Time for that reward.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Steph did a mock salute, taking her front-row seat.
Guitar in hand, Alex inhaled slowly. She suddenly seemed nervous. “This song goes out to a, um, very special girl. Someone who’s… changed my life. For the better.”
Her eyes focused on Steph, likely trying to read her aura. It was a common way they communicated now, more intimate than spoken words. Steph’s expression softened considerably, unable to hide the adoration. Not that she wanted to hide anything. She wanted Alex not just to know, but to feel it. The unadulterated joy.
‘You changed my life too, Alex. For the better.’
Judging by the look on her face, Alex had heard loud and clear. She relaxed considerably, reflecting both her own and Steph’s shared happiness. Barely looking at the guitar, she began to strum and sing.
“You can leave this place
You can leave this town and
Never look down
Fly on by on that fancy flying machine.”
Steph smiled back at her, feeling a warmth spread out from her heart and all the way through her body. Alex’s voice gradually grew in confidence, not caring who else heard. Right now, her only concern was the audience of one sat before her.
“Take me there, girl
Take me where I wanna go
To the place where we belong together.”
A perfectly timed wink was unleashed just before the chorus kicked in. Falling into her groove, Alex owned her rooftop stage just as she’d done at the festival. So much life. Vibrant. Her broad grin was unreserved, a true reflection of her own emotions as her body swayed in time with the music. Steph was captivated by it all.
“My baby got a love song
My baby got a love song for me
A-ha, ye-eah, my baby got the best of me
My baby got a love song
My baby got a love song for me
A-ha, ye-eah, my baby got all of me-”
Caught up in the moment, Steph stood up from her seat and started dancing too. It wasn’t good dancing exactly, mostly wild air drums, but it didn’t need to be. She circled around her guitarist, always keeping her guessing. Alex’s next line of singing was uneven, thanks to laughter.
“Hm, I see her across the room
She's dancing like the moon just
Tipped to the sky, she's shining bright
She takes my hand-”
Before Alex could even hope to continue the song, Steph moved forward and kissed her cheek. The next chord was garbled, muted notes.
“Concert crasher! I’ve barely started yet.”
Happy with the chaos she’d wrought, Steph grinned coyly. “Are you gonna call security?”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Should I?”
“Maaaaybe.” Steph carefully moved the guitar out of the way, then took Alex’s hands in hers. “I’m vicious.”
“Suuuure you are.”
Silence fell between them, lost in the moment. Such an easy thing to do these days. For old times sake, Steph conveyed the same message from before their first kiss here. However, this was permeated by joy. No uncertainty.
‘Kiss me. Oh, kiss me. Kiss me. Kiss me.’
“Are you going to do that every time?” Alex asked through a chuckle as she moved in ever closer.
“If it works, then yes…” Steph whispered as their lips brushed together, then parted in a tender kiss. Similar to their first, but with new meaning.
To them now, it was an integral part of their routine. The commonality of it, though, never took away from that persistent magical spark between them. Each time a special moment. Another good memory to overshadow the bad ones. A reminder of how their lives had changed and would continue to change.
Their lips finally parted, foreheads bumping together as they gently swaying on the spot to a silent tune.
“Best concert ever,” Steph whispered. “Thank you, Alex.”
“You’re welcome. Here’s to many more.”
“Good, because I’ve got a taste for it now,” Steph said as she kissed Alex’s nose. “As Alex Chen’s number one fan, I call dibs on private gigs.”
“I might allow it… with some convincing.”
“I think I’ve got that more than covered, Chen.”
As the sun began to set, brilliant shades of orange and purple, a girl who never belonged and a girl who was always so eager to get back on the road stood on a rooftop. The world passed them by, inconsequential. Nothing could ruin their moment.
In Haven Springs, and more importantly each other, they’d found somewhere to call home.