Work Text:
i.
The first time she holds Alicia’s hand in public, they run right into all three of her roommates. Bela, Whitney and Kimberly all know, Leighton had told them earlier that week, but it’s still a startling experience, seeing someone she knows while she’s taking such a big step.
All the joints in her body tighten, and she fights the urge to drop Alicia’s hand, even though she knows these girls already know, and already accept her. It’s just her natural reaction. Alicia must notice, because she looks at Leighton, a soft smile on her face, and a reassuring squeeze brings her right back to the moment at hand.
Leighton takes in a deep breath. She can do this.
As soon as they stop to chat, a wicked smile breaks out on Bela’s face. “Hello,” she says, way too excited, reaching for Alicia’s free hand to shake, “I’m Bela, you already know that, we’ve met, but this is the first time I’m meeting you as Leighton’s girlfriend and I felt the need to introduce myself.”
Alicia smiles, shaking Bela’s hand, and nodding at the other two girls. They smile right back. “Where are you guys headed?” Kimberly asks, eyeing their hands and their nice outfits.
“Dinner,” Leighton says, a mix of excited nerves coursing through her veins, “it’s our first time really going out, nearby anyways.”
Whitney looks at Leighton, an almost smug smile on her face. Whitney had been the first person Leighton told, she figured it was only fair after she had unwittingly learned about her secret relationship. Whitney had known all her fears, and Leighton can tell, just from the look on her face, that she’s proud of how far she’s come. “Fun,” Whitney says, “but you owe us big time, because Travis is forcing us to a murder mystery dinner party, and now we’re going to have to come up for an excuse to protect your intersectionality.”
“Fuck,” Leighton says, genuinely, getting on Travis’s bad side wasn’t something she was fond of.
She tries to think of any worthy excuse, something other than the truth, but as she was debating whether or not helping her mother recover from botox is a believable, worthy excuse, she says, “Y’know what? Fuck it. Just tell him I’m out with my girlfriend.”
“Really?” Kimberly says.
“Yeah, I mean, he has no friends, who’s he even going to tell?” Leighton says, “make sure he knows I mean girlfriend girlfriend, not straight girl girl who’s a friend okay? I am not getting accused of homophobia because I didn’t go to a murder mystery dinner party.”
Bela laughs. All three girls promise profusely that they will get the point across.
Leighton’s sure her intersectionality won’t be questioned, and the smile Alicia wears all night makes it worth it, even if it does.
ii.
Leighton knows it’s a bad idea, but really she can’t help herself. Alicia is just so fucking hot.
They’d just won a game of beer pong against two of Nico’s frat brothers, and the way Alicia had totally crushed them with confidence, had Leighton feeling crazy . The alcohol was definitely a little bit to blame, but Leighton knows more than anything, it’s just Alicia.
So, they’re making out in a bathroom in the Theta House.
Leighton knows they’re bound to get caught, but she just can’t stop herself.
Alicia’s hands have found their way up her shirt, clutching at alcohol warmed skin, desperate to pull them that much closer. Her lips taste like shitty beer and her chapstick, just the same as she had the first time they’d kissed, and Leighton somehow loves it. It feels perfect.
She thinks it’s silly how much she loves making out with her girlfriend in the bathroom at a frat party, but Leighton knows being in love doesn’t make a lot of sense. So she doesn’t try to make sense of it. She just runs her hands through Alicia’s perfectly soft, wavy hair, and allows Alicia to deepen the kiss that much further.
She’s so into it, she barely hears the door open. But Alicia does. Alicia pulls away, hands slipping out from under her shirt, their lips breaking their almost permanent touch. Leighton can’t help the whine she lets out when Alicia stops touching her, and she’s only embarrassed when she turns to look, and sees who interrupted them.
Cory.
The one Theta guy who knows her better than anyone, the one Theta guy with a huge crush on her and a longstanding friendship with her brother. It could’ve been anyone fucking else, and Cory walks in.
Leighton tries desperately to remember if she locked the door. She retraces her steps, and sure enough, she remembers being so in deep for Alicia, she hadn’t even thought to. But she supposes it doesn’t fucking matter now. Because here Cory is anyway.
“Hi,” Leighton says, slowly slipping her hands from Alicia’s hair.
“So this is why you weren’t into me?” he says, and his words don’t seem angry, just slightly amused.
“Uh, yeah,” Leighton says, knowing there’s no point in denying what Cory definitely just saw, “I’m kinda, gay.”
It’s the first time Leighton’s told someone outside of her immediate circle. Her heart races in her chest, as she watches Cory pour over her statement. “Cool,” he says, a bit awkwardly, “that makes a lot of sense. I’ll go find another bathroom.”
Suddenly though, Leighton’s brain clicks into place. This is her brother’s best friend. “Wait. Can you not tell Nico? I’m not quite ready for that yet.”
Cory smiles and nods. “Of course, I wouldn’t do that to you,” he says, “it’s your secret. See you around Leighton, and lock the door before your next heated makeout session.”
Leighton can feel the heat of the blush on her cheeks, but sure enough, as soon as he leaves, she locks the door behind her.
And then, she gets back to what she was doing. Alicia is incredibly good at making her forget there ever was an interruption.
iii.
Leighton thinks nothing of it. They’d been on a few dates in town now, all of their friends knew, and well, to be fair, Leighton didn’t expect to see people she knew at this restaurant. Not people she was scared to tell at least. It wasn’t the fanciest of restaurants, but Leighton has come to find she doesn’t care, so long as the food’s good, and Alicia by her side.
And of course, because she had no care in the world, Leighton’s hands never leave Alicia, even sitting across from each other at the table. Alicia’s one hand sits on the table, grasped in both of Leighton’s. Leighton fiddles with their fingers, intertwining and untwining, rubbing her thumb up and down Alicia’s hand, as she listens to her talk about some absolutely insane person who’d been through the women’s centre the night before.
Leighton barely hears her name called the first time. The second time, however, Francesca’s “Leighton,” is clear as day.
She turns her head, and sure enough, there’s Francesca and Esme, and a group of girls Leighton doesn’t recognize. “Oh, uh, hi,” she says.
During a moment of silence, Francesca and Esme’s eyes dart between Alicia and Leighton. Alicia must note the tenseness in Leighton’s whole body at the moment, because she moves to pull her hand away, but Leighton stops her. She couldn’t give a fuck what Francesca and Esme think, she’s not hiding herself for those assholes. “It’s good seeing you,” Esme says, “congrats on your math scores by the way.”
Her comment doesn’t seem entirely sincere, but Leighton doesn’t particularly care. Francesca doesn’t seem to have any of the politeness Esme feigns, her eyes immediately lingering on Alicia and staying there. “Who’s this?” she asks pointedly.
Leighton smiles unabashedly. “This is my girlfriend, Alicia.”
Both Francesca and Esme’s eyes widen, like it’s somehow surprising Leighton’s dating the girl she’s currently holding hands with.
“Wow,” Francesca says, and Leighton has no idea what the tone indicates.
“We’re happy for you Leighton,” Esme says, already starting to steer Francesca away, “we should catch up sometime.”
“Yeah sure,” Leighton throws away as they turn and head to their own table. She doesn’t think she’s ever said something so insincere.
As soon as they were out of hearing range, Alicia’s eyes meet Leighton’s. “Those are the girls who didn’t want to be your roommates right?” she asks.
Leighton nods. “Fucking assholes,” Alicia mutters, squeezing Leighton’s hand, “they missed out, but I can’t say I’m not glad, because your roommates are pretty cool.”
“They are, aren’t they?” Leighton says, reminiscing on all the cool things she’s done with the girls, “but if I have it my way, next year I’ll have an even cooler roommate.”
Alicia smirks. “Oh yeah? Who?”
“There’s this pretty girl, who I think I might like to live with next year, if she’s okay with it,” Leighton says, cautiously, not even quite sure where this is coming from, but she feels the need to say it, “her name’s Alicia.”
Alicia giggles a little, raising their conjoined hands to press a kiss to Leighton’s. “I’m sure she’d be very happy to have you as her roommate.”
“As anyone should be,” Leighton says confidently, “I am clean, polite, and entertaining, what more could you ask for?”
Alicia laughs out loud.
iv.
“Okay, you gotta get out of here,” Leighton says, laughing against Alicia’s lips.
The smile on Alicia’s face is utterly insatiable. Smug in all the ways that make Leighton nearly desperate to get out of her next commitment. Not quite though. “What?” Alicia says, no malice on her tongue, “you don’t want the sorority sisters to see you with the big bad women’s centre employee?”
Leighton rolls her eyes. “No,” she says, confidently, “you have to go, because if you keep kissing me like that, I might ditch the meeting and I actually wanna be a part of Kappa.”
Alicia rolls her eyes right back. “Alright,” she says, but she doesn’t step away, “I love you. Good luck.”
Leighton can’t help but smile. She gives Alicia one more quick kiss, returning the statement and promising to see her later before she heads right in.
She’s nervous. It’s why she’d had Alicia walk her to the sorority house in the first place, but really that hadn’t helped. As soon as her hand left Alicia’s, the nerves had returned, probably tenfold. It’s the last meeting before they confirm which pledges will become full members, and even though Leighton knows she’s done everything right, she’s terrified she won’t get in.
In the house, amongst the sisters, Leighton watches carefully, desperate to see any signs they might be accepting her, or not. Leighton wishes Whitney was still here, but she’d quickly decided sorority life wasn’t for her. Leighton can’t say she blames her right now.
The tap on her shoulder nearly causes her to jump out of her skin.
“Sorry Leighton, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Quinn says as she crosses into Leighton’s line of sight, “I was just wondering if we could talk… in private?”
Leighton’s heart feels like it might race right out of her chest. This could be good, Quinn could be pulling her aside to make all her dreams come true, but she supposes she could also be rejecting her in private, to spare her feelings. Just the idea makes Leighton want to break into tears.
However, she knows she can’t just say no to Quinn Cannon, Kappa president, so she nods, following her into another room.
“Leighton,” Quinn says, facing her and straightening out her skirt, “I just wanted to let you know that I saw you outside, with another girl.”
Leighton’s heart drops. Fuck. She should’ve known better than to bring her girlfriend to the sorority house, now Quinn knows she’s gay and all her dreams are going to be shattered, on top of whatever else Quinn feels necessary to ruin. Leighton tries to catch her breath, tries to stop the impending panic and say something rational but all she can choke out is, “It’s not what it looked like.”
Quinn laughs, but it doesn’t sound mean, malicious or even disgusted. Leighton’s not sure what the hell is happening here. “Leighton it’s okay,” she says, her voice, soft, reassuring, “is she your girlfriend?”
Not one to trust anyone, Leighton immediately wonders if this is a trap. But, none of Quinn’s words nor body language denote that she should be scared, that she should be on edge, so she takes a chance. “Yes,” she says, not making eye contact, “that’s my girlfriend, Alicia. I am… uh, gay. If you don’t want me in the sorority or whatever, just say the word, I’d understand.”
“Leighton, don’t be silly,” Quinn says, stepping closer and placing a hand on Leighton’s shoulder, “we’re an inclusive organization. We have a number of LGBTQ+ sisters. This changes nothing, we still want you to be a part of the sisterhood.”
“Oh,” Leighton says, as her fears dissolve in her chest.
Really, she was silly to think this would be a problem in 2021. The women’s centre themselves would shut the sorority down if they kicked Leighton out for her sexuality, but somehow, she’d still been terrified. Her fear that her sexuality would change everything once again goes unfounded, and she finally can take a deep breath again. And, realize what Quinn just said.
“Wait,” she says, her voice all too eager, “did you just say you want me to be a part of the sisterhood?”
Quinn smiles. “Of course Leighton,” she says, “you’re perfect for the sorority, you’re a shoe-in.”
“Oh my god,” Leighton says, attempting to hold in her squeals of joy.
“We’re really excited to have you,” Quinn says, pulling Leighton in for a hug.
They stand like that for a moment, and Leighton’s almost vibrating with excitement. Here she is, about to become a member of the sorority she’s been eyeing since childhood, and she doesn’t have to hide herself. She thinks she could cry tears of joy.
Eventually, Quinn pulls away. “Okay, we have to go join the other girls for the meeting now, but I want to hear all about your girlfriend sometime, okay?”
Leighton smiles, nodding as she follows Quinn back into the room with the other girls.
As the meeting progresses, all Leighton can think is that she and Alicia are going to have more than one reason to celebrate tonight.
v.
Leighton’s not sure why she’s at the women’s centre.
Well, that’s not entirely true. She knows exactly why. Bela had teased her incessantly for it before she left.
Tonight’s another shit poetry night, and as Alicia’s bound to lead every event, Leighton wasn’t going to get to see her if she didn’t come. That was reason enough to show up and listen to every shitty poem. Plus, making fun of them with Alicia while they lay in bed later, was one of her favourite pastimes.
When everything’s said and done, Leighton can’t say she’s not glad it’s over. Now, she just has to help clean up, and she can take her girlfriend home, and enjoy the rest of her night, without bad poetry.
Alicia sends Tova and Ginger on some mission that seems a bit useless, and Leighton knows exactly why.
Cleaning was always a bit better with an impromptu making out session.
Leighton doesn’t even bother to stand from her chair, smiling smugly as Alicia wanders over, an identical look on her face. “You know,” Alicia says, reaching Leighton and immediately grazing her hands up and down her arms, “you are so hot when you’re pretending to enjoy shitty poetry just to spend time with me.”
“And how do you know I just want to spend time with you?” Leighton teases, reaching for Alicia’s hands, “maybe I like the shitty poetry.”
Alicia laughs. “You’re not that good of an actress baby.”
Leighton rolls her eyes. “You have a point,” she says, “but I did my best, and I think I deserve my reward now.”
Alicia hums like she’s considering the prospects, “I suppose so, you did do a better job than you have in the past.”
Leighton loves their teasing banter, but she’s practically desperate for kisses now, so she tugs Alicia right into her lap. “Kiss me?” she says, “you know, as a reward, for my good behaviour.”
Alicia shakes her head, but she doesn’t disagree. She just leans right in, settling her legs over Leighton’s, and kisses her.
After a moment, Alicia pulls away. “You taste like wine,” she says, “you better quit the underage drinking, you wouldn’t want more community service at the women’s centre.”
Leighton rolls her eyes again, but she’s smiling so wide she doesn’t think she could kiss her right now anyways. “Shut up,” she says, leaning right back in.
Alicia doesn’t fight her, sighing happily as their lips meet, hands looped around Leighton’s back, gripping at her shirt.
Leighton deepens the kiss, tangling her hands in Alicia’s hair, relishing in the way her hands slide under her top. She really doesn’t think she’ll ever get sick of this, kissing Alicia is a new experience every time, sending butterflies in Leighton’s stomach and a rush of adrenaline everywhere else. She doesn’t think she could even be stopped, until the clear sound of a bell ringing interrupts their moment.
Leighton unhappily pulls away, tearing herself from Alicia to see Tova and Ginger standing in front of the safe space bell. Alicia looks at her, a cheeky, tiny bit embarrassed grin on her face. Leighton resists the urge to kiss it right off.
“This doesn’t look like cleaning,” Ginger says, clearly a little annoyed by the two of them.
“Whoops,” Leighton says, lifting Alicia right off her lap, “we’ll get to that right now.”
“Sorry,” Alicia says, but she doesn’t sound too sorry.
“You guys aren’t just making out right?” Tova says, “like this isn’t just Leighton’s experimental phase?”
Leighton laughs. “Not an experiment, I promise, fully lesbian,” she assures them.
“Good because I totally think you two are a match made in heaven,” Tova says, moving to help both of them clean, “and… both Rebecca’s owe me fifty bucks.”
Leighton just laughs and shakes her head. She doesn’t know how this became her life, but somehow, she’s glad it is.
+ i.
Leighton knows it’s time. Half the campus knows now, through pretty much accidental circumstances, but she knows Nico needs to hear it from her. She doesn’t want him to hear about it through the grapevine, or perhaps worse, catching her making out with her girlfriend, like many have.
Nico’s her brother, the only family member she can stand, and he deserves to know this about her. Plus, Leighton wants him to know. She’s tired of having to be careful when they go to Theta parties, she’s tired of having to tell people “Don’t tell Nico.” She knows Alicia doesn’t mind that he doesn’t know, it doesn’t really bother her now that they’re really out, she understands how family can be, but Leighton is done hiding. Through all of this, she’s realized it’s just not worth it.
If Nico doesn’t accept her, then that’s that. She’s probably going to be cut out of her family by her parents sooner rather than later, she won’t have to see any of them. That would be fine.
But she knows, if she really pushes away every scary thought, Nico is her big brother. He could be a shitty guy, there was no questioning that, but he had done everything he could to protect her. Ever since they were kids, Nico’s first priority had been her comfort, her safety, making sure she was okay. Nico was her first best friend, he was probably the only person she could really call family, and mean it. She tries to convince herself it’s not wishful thinking, all of this, and she heads to the Theta house.
She stands at the door for probably ten minutes before knocking, exchanging a few texts with Alicia, about her nerves, about how it was going to be okay, about cuddling afterwards, about how much Alicia loved her, and the return of Leighton’s feelings.
With that conversation coursing through her veins, Leighton finds the courage to knock.
Despite the dozens of boys living here, Nico is the one to open the door. Leighton hopes that he didn’t see her standing out on the porch, but if he did, he says nothing, just gesturing for her to come inside, and leading her up into his bedroom. She’d told him she’d had something to tell him, something important, something private, and it seems he’s taking it very seriously. Leighton appreciates it.
As soon as Leighton settles on the edge of the bed, and the door slams shut, Nico’s eyes are on her. “Are you okay, Leight?” he says, his voice soft, worried.
Leighton smiles. She appreciates the way her big brother never fails to make her feel like he cares. She knows a lot of siblings don’t have what they have, and in this moment, she’s never felt more grateful. “I’m good, I’m actually really good, and that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” she says, testing the waters.
“Okay?” he says, clearly confused.
“I’m seeing someone,” she says, and she can’t help the happy little smile from curling up.
“Oh,” he says, his brows still furrowed, “good for you Leighton, I’m happy for you, but what’s the big deal? Why’s this so private?”
“Because it’s definitely not someone you’d expect,” she says, taking a deep breath in.
“Leighton,” he says, cautious, slow, “are you like, dating someone you shouldn’t be?”
Leighton shakes her head. “No uh, I’m dating a girl.”
Nico’s eyes widen. “What?”
“I’m dating a girl,” she says, knowing he may need to hear it twice.
There’s silence between the two of them for a moment, while Nico processes the words, and then, he looks at her, and Leighton’s nervous, but he doesn’t seem upset, or mad, “... Does that mean…”
“Yeah,” she says, sucking in a deep breath, “I’m gay.”
“Oh,” Nico says, pausing, “I didn’t expect that.”
Leighton laughs, only a little awkwardly. “Yeah, well neither did I,” she says, lowering her eyes, “but… is it okay?”
Immediately, Nico strikes into action, acting like he hadn’t even considered Leighton would think he would think it wasn’t okay. “Of course, Leight, don’t be stupid,” he says, crossing the room to sit beside her on the bed, setting a hand on her back, “you’re my baby sister, nothing could change that, especially not this. I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” she says, and she really fucking means it, for maybe the first time in her life.
“Then I’m happy,” he says, pulling her into a hug.
The hug is comforting, it feels good, it feels like the completion of a huge part of her life. It feels like she’s finally herself, and everyone important is okay with that.
When he pulls away though, he’s got a wicked grin on his face. “Who’s the girl though? Is she hot?”
Leighton laughs, rolling her eyes. “Of course she’s hot,” she says, shoving him, “it’s Alicia.”
“That girl from the women’s centre?” he asks, “the one who held my feet for a keg stand?”
“That’s the one,” Leighton says, unable to help the smile forming on her face.
“Awesome dude,” Nico says, “she’s cool as fuck.”
Leighton laughs. “She really is.”
“I need to meet her again though,” he says, “like as the older brother this time. She needs a shovel talk. And honestly, can you bring her back for another Theta party? She kicks ass at drinking games.”
“Done,” Leighton says, “but you better be nice to her during your stupid shovel talk.”
“No promises, but I won’t offend her. I can’t lose a partner that good, I haven’t won that many games in years.”
Leighton just shakes her head, but really she doesn’t think she’s ever been more relieved in her life.