Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’m sorry, my dear, but I have no other solution. Times are hard for everybody.”

Beatrice’s education had shaped her to be the perfect daughter. She would never talk in a bad way to someone. She learnt to smile and nod and to keep a good composure. But this landlord was testing her education. Beatrice only wanted to push her back out of her apartment doorframe and close the door in front of her face. 

Nevertheless, she put on a tight smile, eyes squinting and her landlord, a woman in her fifties, smiled back at her.

“Of course.” It was the only thing that could come out of her without sounding angry.

“Thank you, Beatrice. I knew you would understand. I’ll expect the new rent in two weeks. Bye!”

The woman left, turning her back to Beatrice who dropped her smile and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Her shoulders dropped and she closed the door.

She wondered how she would be able to afford the rent now. She didn’t leave the Church and her sisters two years ago to find herself on the street.

And she would in no fucking way take her parent’s fund.

She wasn’t that desperate yet and she would prefer to go back as a nun to have a roof above her head instead. 

Her parents were not an option. 

Beatrice turned around from the door and looked at her apartment. It had enough space to have a roommate. It only had one bedroom but maybe someone would agree to sleep on a futon and mattress?

“Am I really considering this?” She asked herself.

She had cohabited with other people before and she considered herself an easy-to-get-along person. 

She took her cell phone from her back pocket and checked the time. 7:30 a.m. She had to go to work. The school wouldn’t wait for her.

--

Music was playing in Ava’s ears as she was walking outside, on her way to her job. She started working at La Vasseur, the town’s most popular pub, a week ago. She had moved to the Alps two weeks ago, leaving her ex-boyfriend and her life in Portugal to start something new. She had spent her life in an orphanage, only waiting for an eighteen birthday to be free and travel around Europe. 

But travelling meant no permanent home and Ava had to camp outside, having not found anywhere to live yet. But summer was gone with the end of September and Ava knew she couldn’t continue to camp outside for long now. 

She eventually entered La Vasseur, smiling at the clients and making her way behind the bar where Hans, the manager, was standing. 

“You’re late, Ava.”

She smiled at Hans and took an apron. “It’s my roommate’s fault.”

Hans laughed, knowing all too well Ava didn’t have a roommate. 

“Don’t forget to sell this month's promotion. I’ll be in my office for a while.”

“You got it, boss!”

Hans left, leaving Ava alone behind the bar. Her coworker was busy cleaning tables. The Tuesday evening shift wasn’t a busy one and not many people were stopping by to have a drink. She went to work, getting herself busy by cleaning the glasses and pouring drinks, but her mind was still busy searching for a solution for the coming winter.

 It wasn’t that cold yet, but Ava was still finding it hard to sleep alone every night. It only had been for two weeks only, but she was a social person and, if she was honest with herself, she was craving the presence of someone with her. 

She had spent twelve years of her life with people in the orphanage. They were like a family, except for the nuns taking care of her.

Care was a strong word to define it.

The sound of steps caught Ava’s attention. She raised her head and saw a girl walking toward the bar.

A really beautiful and sexy young woman.

And she was walking toward her.

But that was normal because Ava was working and she was behind the bar and she should stop thinking and act now.

“Hi,” Ava said, watching the other girl sit on the far-left stool. 

“Good evening.”

Ava continued to stare at the girl, not caring that it wasn’t okay to stare. To her defence, the other girl wasn’t looking, or at least, she wasn’t making a big deal out of it. 

The girl’s hair was in a low bun and she was wearing a white shirt, every button was fastened and she was really pulling off this style. This close, Ava could see the little freckles on the girl’s face and a light tan.

Yeah, she was really beautiful.

Another pair of eyes finally met Ava's, who felt herself get a tiny bit nervous.

“You’re new here,” The other girl stated. 

I can work with that thought, Ava. 

“I am! I started last week. It’s also the first time I see you here.”

“Yes, well, I’m not a regular. I’m not really what you call a drinker.”

Ava laughed and leaned with both hands on the counter, maybe a bit exposing her breast but she did want to catch the other girl looking. “But you’re here tonight. What makes you want to have a drink, then?”

The girl smiled and Ava thought it was the most beautiful smile in the world. 

Ugh, I need to get laid. And with a girl.

“My landlord raised the rent and I don’t know how I can afford it now.”

Ava made a face, eyebrows frowning and a pout, but the concerned expression didn’t last long as she caught the other girl’s eyes looking everywhere but below her chin.

“Well, first drink on me then. What can I serve you?”

“What? No, you don’t have to.”

“I don’t, but I want to. I’ll make you save some money for your rent.”

The other girl continued to stare at her like she was trying to determine what kind of intentions were behind Ava’s gesture. Ava offered her the most genuine smile in response, raising her hands, palms up. 

She just wanted to offer a drink to a pretty girl who really looked like she needed it.

“I’ll have the cheapest thing then.”

Ava raised an eyebrow and the other girl almost looked shy.

“A Cuba libre, it is. I’m really good at making it.”

She turned around to grab a glass, missing the laugh the girl was hiding behind her hand. 

“I’m Ava, by the way. What’s your name?”

“Beatrice.”

They smiled at each other and Ava make the cocktail in silence, stealing glances at Beatrice then and there, sometimes meeting the girl’s eyes, sometimes watching her looking at her own hands. She eventually put the drink down in front of Beatrice before leaning not too far from the other side of the bar.

“I arrived here two weeks ago. I’m from Portugal. You’re from London, right?”

She was maybe provoking the conversation too much now, but good talking equals good bartending and Beatrice was a gift Ava wanted to unwrap.

“My accent gave it away?” 

“Yes,” Ava laughed. “You’re not from here either, I suppose.”

“You’re right,” Beatrice agreed before taking her first sip of the drink. 

Ava smiled. “Is it good?”

Beatrice smirked. “Yes and I hoped so, otherwise you would make a really bad barmaid.”

They both laughed, the chemistry between them weirdly present and easy. 

“To answer your previous question, I moved here almost two years ago.”

“What kind of work do you do?”

Ava saw one of Beatrice’s eyebrows rise. “You’re asking a lot of questions. Aren’t you supposed to serve other people besides me?”

Ava continued to stare at her while approaching, still leaning on the bar. Her eyes were not leaving Beatrice’s face and Ava could see that Beatrice’s neck was a bit red.

“There are only three other people in the pub beside you and I like talking to beautiful girls.”

Well, Ava should have assumed her answer would draw a reaction from Beatrice or at least wait for her to drink because the Rhum and coke cocktail got stuck in her throat and she looked like she was fighting for her life.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry!”

Ava took some napkins and gave them to Beatrice. She couldn’t do anything more than wait for her to find her breathing again. Beatrice’s face was red and Ava couldn’t say if it was because of the lack of oxygen or because of her compliment. 

She did find it amusing to have drawn that reaction out of Beatrice. She never expected to make the other girl that shocked. 

Maybe she should have checked if she was into girls first.

Beatrice eventually found her breathing again, but Ava noted the redness of her cheeks and the big, round eyes.

“You took me by surprise, I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry,” Ava retorted. “I have never had that reaction before after I gave a girl a compliment.”

It made the shade of red on Beatrice’s cheeks go deeper and Ava thought it was really cute. 

“It’s not usual for me to receive compliments.”

That answer surprised Ava. Surely Beatrice was messing with her because Ava couldn’t believe a beautiful girl like Beatrice wasn’t getting hit on every day. 

“You must be kidding me, you’re-”

She stopped herself before saying too much. Surely, she couldn’t tell her she was the most beautiful girl she had laid eyes on. That was a bit too far for a first encounter.

“You’re a beautiful girl. Anyone with two fucking functioning eyes would see it.”

“Language and thank you.”

Ava smiled and snorted at the reprimand before she saw a person walk to the bar, getting her attention. She went to serve the other person and Beatrice took her personal document holder to retrieve a paper. Ava was still looking at her while pouring a shot for the other client. 

It surprised her how much she couldn’t take her eyes off Beatrice’s figure. The client got her shot and walked away and Ava didn’t waste any time before walking back to Beatrice. 

Beatrice put the paper down and looked at Ava again. Ava noticed she wasn’t looking confident, but her open mouth made her think she wanted to say something.

“You are also beautiful.”

Well, that was flattering. 

Ava smiled and couldn’t help but leaned back on the counter to get closer to Beatrice. She thought she saw a flustered expression on her face, despite being the one to make the compliment back. 

She was definitely cute.

“Thank you… from one beautiful girl to another.”

That made Beatrice laugh and Ava only wanted to hear her laugh again. That was her personal goal from now on. She looked at the paper near her. “What’s this?” She asked, pointing at it with one finger.

“Oh.” 

Beatrice took it to look at it before hanging it to Ava. “I mainly came here so I could ask Hans if I could put this paper somewhere. I’m looking for a roommate. It’s the only solution I came up with to afford rent now.”

If Ava’s attention wasn’t all on Beatrice by now, it would certainly be after this. She stood straighter and took the paper from Beatrice’s hand to read it. It drew a small laugh from Ava.

“Why a paper instead of social media?”

“I’m not really on social media and I don’t trust it. It’s too easy to lie.”

Ava hummed, still reading the paper.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you got the following qualities. 

• Easy-going
• Neat
• Great personal hygiene
• Have a steady source of income

Check, half-check, check and check.

“You won’t have to put your paper here.”

Ava looked at Beatrice and immediately noticed the furrowed eyebrows and the questioning look.

“I’m sorry. What do you mean?”

“I’m the one you’re looking for!” Ava answered with enthusiasm, both hands pointing at herself. “I check all those boxes and I think we’re getting along pretty well, no?”

She was leaning forward again and this time, she caught Beatrice’s eyes glancing at her breast.

Definitely a win now.

Beatrice was quiet for a second. She clearly wasn’t expecting that answer and she clearly wasn’t expecting the possibility to share her apartment with some really good-looking, beautiful, funny and attractive girl.

She maybe was internally panicking, but Ava only waited for an answer, not pushing her to say anything.

Beatrice eventually gathered her thoughts to form a reply. 

“I wasn’t expecting that, I’m sorry.”

She paused and took a sip from her drink. Ava poured herself a coke while waiting for Beatrice to answer.

“How long are you planning to stay here?”

“I’m not planning to go back to where I’m from.”

Beatrice nodded, eyes scanning Ava’s face in search of anything, something that would tell her no, that’s not a good idea to have a really attractive girl as your roommate, because you’ll eventually fall in love with her and complicate everything, but the look Ava gave her was not helping at all.

“Let’s meet tomorrow. I must say you caught me by surprise and we don’t really know each other, so let’s take the night to think about it more clearly and think about questions we think are important to ask.”

“Yeah, of course! That’s a good idea. You’re smart, Beatrice.”

That made Beatrice smile and Ava raised her glass before bringing it to her lips.

I’m so down for a home and a sexy roommate.

Chapter Text

“So, you’re telling me that you, Beatrice, agreed to have a perfect stranger as your roommate?”

A really beautiful and kind stranger were the two adjectives Beatrice wanted to add, but she only nodded to her best friend as they were walking outside, in the streets of their little town. They had planned to meet for a coffee way before Beatrice had met Ava, but she was glad to have Camila with her. The girl was always giving her great advice

“I did not agree … yet. We’re meeting later to discuss this arrangement in detail.”

“First, you can’t call this an arrangement.”

Beatrice kept herself from rolling her eyes. Camila did have a point.

“Second, it seems to me that you like this Ava.”

This time, Beatrice couldn’t keep her eyes from opening wide. She gripped her coffee tighter with both hands and gave Camila an incredulous look. 

“She’s charming, sure. She talks a bit too much, but I like her company so far. She seems great.”

She emphasized the last word, eyeing Camila before taking a sip of her hot beverage. Camila hummed and clicked her tongue. 

“Well, you’d better tell Lilith and me everything tonight.”

Beatrice raised an eyebrow and scoffed.

“Don’t drag Lilith’s name into this.”

It was Camila’s turn to laugh as they both came to a stop in front of a small martial art studio. Beatrice looked inside the fenestrated front, watching the present karate class.

“I’m still glad you’re considering this. I think it will do you good.”

“What will?”

“Living with someone … a girl to be precise.”

Beatrice opened her mouth, surprised by the statement. 

“I’ve lived with many girls before!” She defended herself.

“Nuns don’t count,” Camila said as a matter of fact.

Yeah, she did have a point. Again.

“Right…”

“You left the Church two years ago, Bea. It’s time for you to live a little and maybe this Ava is exactly what you need.”

Camila was right and Beatrice dropped her gaze to the sidewalk. She moved here two years ago, but hasn’t had a girlfriend nor did she have any one night with a girl.

Was she horny? Yes.

But she still couldn’t get herself to sleep with a stranger and she was still having trouble flirting decently. 

That’s what you get from years of being repressed.

“Don’t overthink.”

Camila’s words draw her out of her thoughts, making her look at her best friend again.

“My only advice is to go with your heart. If Ava seems like the right type of person, then say yes.”

Beatrice nodded and offered Camila a warm smile.

“Thank you. I’ll keep you updated.”

“You better!”

Camila hugged Beatrice before waving goodbye and walking away, leaving Beatrice to her aikido class. She was teaching both beginner and advanced groups. The extra money was welcome these days.

She went to open the door of the studio when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out and froze when she read Ava’s name on the notification.

They had exchanged numbers the night before, Beatrice still remembered, but reading the name of a girl that was not Camila or Lilith was making her feel things.

Did she already have a crush on some random girl?

Not so random, Beatrice corrected herself. They had talked and Ava had made her feel comfortable with her presence within only a few minutes, which was something new for Beatrice.

She eventually opened the notification to read Ava’s text.

Ava

[7:40] Hey! It’s Ava. 

[7:40] I prefer to present myself in case you forgot to put in my name with my phone number.

[7:41] So, still good for our talk later? Still at 2 p.m.?

Beatrice

[7:43] Hi, Ava. Yes, I put in your name last night, don’t worry.

 As for our meeting, it’s still at La Vasseur at 2 p.m.

She sent her answer and decided that waiting for a reply while standing outside was not a good option. She entered the studio and walked into the instructor’s locker room, greetings an older instructor on her way to her locker. 

Her phone buzzed again in her hand, drawing all of her attention to it.

Ava

[7:45] How is it possible to text with an accent?

[7:46] Do I have to worry that I’m making you go to a pub twice in two days? 😮

Both messages drew a smile from Beatrice, whose thumbs were hovering above the letters, waiting for her brain to form a reply. 

How was this girl so funny and so endearing at the same time?

Beatrice

[7:48] I am not texting with an accent, that’s absurd.

[7:50] And don’t worry, you’re not changing me into a drinker.

It’s normal to meet at La Vasseur as you’re working there at 3 p.m.

That was a great answer. Beatrice smiled and put her phone down to get changed. She was midway into her aikido clothes when she heard the familiar buzz again, and it took all of her restraint not to grab her phone right away. It still took her about fifteen seconds before grabbing her phone to read Ava’s text.

Ava

[7:54] You’re absolutely texting with an accent. You did it again.

[7:54] And, yes, it makes sense when you say it. 

Beatrice’s reply was rapidly written.

Beatrice

[7:55] I always make sense. I got to go, I’m teaching an aikido class in five minutes. See you later.

Two minutes later, Beatrice was putting her phone away in her locker and the temptation was too strong not to read the latest text.

Ava 

[7:56] YOU TEACH AIKIDO?! that’s hot!

Did Ava just say that she found her hot? And was Beatrice getting red by the second?

Maybe and yes.

She finally put her phone away, not trusting herself to write a reply, and walked to her waiting group. 

–

Beatrice was already seated when Ava walked inside La Vasseur. She was equally beautiful as the day before for Beatrice, short hair framing her delicate face. She was wearing an open shirt with a crop top underneath, which was doing no good to Beatrice’s sanity.

Ava was soon close and Beatrice hesitated between staying seated or getting up to maybe hug Ava, and the hesitation made her partially get up but with her hands still on her lap and head partially down. It was an awkward position to be in, even more with Ava about three inches from her.

“Hey!”

She soon felt two arms around her neck for a brief moment and she realized Ava had decided for her.

Hug it is.

“Hi, sorry, I wasn’t sure if it was proper to hug, since it’s the second time we meet,” Beatrice explained.

“Of course it’s appropriate! I’m your future roommate.”

Ava’s enthusiasm was something fresh for Beatrice, something she, herself, had not felt for a while. They sat down, Ava in front of Beatrice, but she froze staring at the coffee in front of her.

“What’s this? Ava asked, a finger pointing at the mug like it was some sort of bug.

“A cup of coffee, of course,” Beatrice answered, watching one eyebrow rise on Ava’s face.

“Duh.”

Ava dropped her finger to take the mug and brought it to her face. “Did you buy me a coffee?”

Beatrice didn’t know why she was suddenly feeling shy. Maybe it was Ava’s endearing face, touched by the gesture, with her cute smile and the little crease between her eyebrows, but Beatrice cleared her throat to try to push away all the weird feelings.

“I did. It’s for the drink you offered me last night when I needed one.”

She offered Ava a smile as she watched her take a sip of the warm liquid. She thought she heard the faintness of moan as Ava put back the mug and swallowed.

Who makes that sort of sound when drinking coffee?

“That’s a sweet gesture. How did you know how I like my coffee? Are you stalking me?”

Beatrice knew, with the raised eyebrow and the smirk on Ava’s face, that the girl was messing with her, but she couldn’t help but defend herself.

“I did not. I asked Hans what you like to drink in the afternoon.”

Ava smiled and leaned forward to Beatrice, one hand moving to place itself on Beatrice’s.

“Thank you, roommate.” 

It was followed by a wink and, again, Beatrice felt her cheeks turn warm.

How can I get so flustered so fast

“You’re welcome…”

Ava’s smile turned into a smirk before sitting properly on her chair, her hand leaving Beatrice’s, who missed the contact immediately.

“So, questions! Fire them!”

Ava crossed her arms over her chest, and Beatrice’s eyes had no choice but to follow the movement until they were locked with Ava’s breast again.

Ugh, why am I a boob girl

She met Ava’s eyes and tried to ignore the knowing look she was sending her.

“Okay! Questions, yes, hum…”

“I thought you were ready?” Ava said, and clearly, she was messing with her.

“I am. Sorry… Have you ever lived with someone else?”

She didn’t expect the silence that followed the question. Ava had only been enthusiastic and ready with a comeback for the … 20 hours Beatrice had known her.

“I have. I’ve lived in an orphanage for twelve years.”

Oh.

“Sorry, if I killed the mood.”

“No, don’t apologize. I’m sorry that it happened to you.”

Ava shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee and Beatrice mimicked her, letting the moment pass away.

“Have you lived with someone else before or it was always Beatrice-alone-time?”

Beatrice almost snorted and moved her head from side to side. “I lived with many people too… I once was a nun.”

She watched Ava carefully, noticing the way her eyebrows furrowed, her eyes squinting and her mouth changing into a straight line. She thought it was better to explain.

“I left the Church two years ago. I’m... I was sent there by my parents because they didn’t approve of my life choice and wanted me to fall back in line. But after a few years, I decided to be myself and live my life the way I wanted, so I left, moved here and never looked back.”

By the end of her explanation, Ava’s expression was far more neutral, if not gentle. There was a sad small at the corner of her mouth and it made Beatrice want to reach with her fingers.

“Well, first, fuck your parents. Second, what you are is beautiful, you deserve to live your life the way you want.”

Ava offered her the gentleness smile ever and Beatrice felt her heart grow two sizes. She breathed in, shoulders going up.

“Thank you.”

“Sorry, if I looked weird before, I just… I don’t have the best experience with nuns.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Ava. I get it.”

Ava finally looked more like herself, happy without a trace of worry on her face.

“I have a question!”

“Of course, ask me.”

Ava leaned forward again, but Beatrice managed to keep her eyes on her face.

“Do you only teach aikido class? Because let me tell you, that’s hot!”

Ava bit her lower lip and Beatrice did look at her mouth. Those were really beautiful lips.

“I don’t, I also teach English and French for the public school. That’s my main job.”

“Oh, some sort of linguist!”

Beatrice nodded and took her cup of tea to busy her mind and hands and to try to not let her eyes drop to Ava’s breast that was still on display in front of her.

“So, what are your other questions, sister.”

Beatrice laughed at the nickname. “Please, if you want to give me a nickname, find anything else other than sister.”

Ava challenged her with a look. “Boo-boo?”

That made Beatrice snort while her eyes opened wide. “Please, no! If my friends hear that, they won’t let me live that one down. 

Ava laughed and sat back properly again, letting Beatrice breathe more clearly. “I’ll go with Bea.”

“Perfect.”

They stared at each other for several seconds, the tension between them easy and funny. 

“I was thinking about bringing you to the apartment, so you could see it and tell me if it meets your expectations.”

“Yes! But is it close enough for me to be back here by 3?

“Yes, I live next street.”

“That’s so cool!”

Beatrice got up and walked out, Ava right behind her and, as promised, they arrived at Beatrice’s building three minutes later. The main door of the building didn’t have any lock, so Beatrice entered, followed by Ava, and they walked upstairs to the last floor. 

“Well, now you have no choice but to have me as your roommate. I know where you live, so I will stalk you.”

Beatrice looked at her with one raised eyebrow and Ava, who first had a smile on her face, put on a serious expression, crossing her hands behind her back.

“Troublemaker,” Beatrice whispered, turning her head to unlock the door.

“I am.”

That reply didn’t help ease Beatrice, but it still made her smile. They finally entered the apartment, Beatrice closing the door behind Ava who, in a matter of seconds, was already in the living room across the kitchen.

“It’s great, even though it lacks decorations, but I’ll make this space looks super cozy.”

Beatrice didn’t say anything back, instead of watching Ava walk around, checking the bathroom until she reached the bedroom.

“That’s my bedroom. Obviously, I only got one bedroom, but I was thinking of a couch that can turn into a bed, like a futon, but I understand if it’s not up to your standards.”

“What? I don’t mind! I was sleeping in a tent with a sleeping bag only for two weeks. A futon will be the best for my back.”

“You were what?” 

Beatrice was surprised, but her shock didn’t go away with Ava’s shrug. 

“I moved here with my clothes and a tent only. You understand why I was that desperate to find somewhere to live.”

“Yeah…”

“Well, your apartment’s great and I would love to live here too. So, what do you say? Are we roommates?”

Ava offered Beatrice her hand, staring at her and waiting for a positive answer. Beatrice was staring back and even though she made Ava wait for an answer, her heart already knew the answer.

“Yes.” Beatrice answered, taking Ava’s hand in hers and shaking it twice.

Ava offered her the biggest smile yet before pulling Beatrice’s hand to hug her.

“Thank you. It’s gonna be great.”

Maybe it was the fact that Ava’s breast was pressing against her own, but Beatrice didn’t manage to say it back. Her hands were resting on Ava’s lower back. The hug lasted a few seconds with Beatrice leaving Ava’s embrace first. 

“Just to be thorough, I’ll go make a second key for you and buy a futon while you work and I was thinking of walking you back here after your shift. I’ll help you bring your stuff.”

“That’s perfect! I’m so excited to have a real roommate.”

Ava went on, walking around the apartment, sharing ideas of what she would like to buy, with Beatrice walking behind her, listening and watching her move around. She took the opportunity of Ava being busy to take a good look at her, only finding her more beautiful with every second.

They eventually walked back to La Vasseur and Ava didn’t hesitate to drop a kiss on Beatrice’s cheek before she left her. Beatrice was left standing outside, frozen into place with her right cheek warm and slightly wet.

Stop gay panicking and walk away.

She managed to use her legs again, leaving the pub to go to the nearest hardware store to make a spare key for Ava.

–

“Thank you again for the help. I owe you one, girls.”

“You do.”

Lilith’s reply earned her a smack on the arm from Camila, who was sending her most gentle smile to Beatrice. Camila had immediately proposed her and Lilith’s help upon learning from Beatrice that Ava was moving in with her the same day. The futon was already purchased with a new comforter, sheets and pillows. Beatrice trusted Ava to buy her own toiletries herself if she needed some.

“It was our pleasure, Bea. I can’t wait to meet Ava. She really seems like an easy-going person.”

“She is,” Beatrice agreed, nodding and her mind drifting to Ava.

“We lost her, already. She won’t survive two days before telling us she can’t do this anymore.”

Beatrice rolled her eyes at Lilith’s comment.

“Have some faith in our friend, Lilith.”

Lilith smirked at Beatrice who knew that her friend was only messing with her as usual.

“It’s okay, Camila. Lilith is not entirely wrong… Ava is really beautiful and she managed to hug me twice and kiss me on the cheek in less than 24 hours.”

Lilith raised an eyebrow at Camila. Beatrice had proved her point herself. Camila sighed and approached Beatrice, putting one hand on her arm.

“You’ll learn from this. Maybe Ava will get you out of your shell.”

Maybe not that much.

“Thank you for the pizza, Beatrice, but we got to and you have a girl to meet.”

Beatrice knew that Camila tried to muffle her laugh, but she heard it anyway.

“You’re welcome… And I understand that you have to go for your daily bedtime story from Camila.”

Beatrice’s comeback earned her a deathly stare from Lilith and the two friends stared at each other until Camila intervened by pulling at Lilith’s hand.

“Stop, Bea. That happened once,” Camila said and it immediately made Beatrice snort and Lilith glare at her girlfriend.

They finally left and Beatrice was alone with herself and her thoughts. It was imminent before she had to leave to go to La Vasseur, meet with Ava and feel those weird feelings again.

Was she feeling apprehension? Yes.

Was she eager to be with Ava again? Yes.

The next hour went by too fast for Beatrice and she eventually left for La Vasseur. Walking inside the pub, she spotted Ava. She was behind the bar, pouring drinks and chatting with a customer. She was looking like she belonged there, surrounded by people.

But Beatrice couldn’t watch Ava discreetly for long as Ava looked around the room and locked eyes with her. Beatrice felt her heart leap inside her chest when Ava smiled and waved at her. It caused the customer she was chatting with to look at her too, but Beatrice couldn’t tear her eyes away from Ava. 

Yeah, she did have a crush on her.

Chapter Text

Beatrice was disappointed with herself.

She had tried to resist that deep pull toward Ava, her new friend, her roommate. They had been living together for almost three weeks. 19 days of growing desires for Beatrice.

Lilith was making fun of her, but she was impressed with her friend for resisting for three weeks instead of two days.

It wasn’t like Beatrice hadn’t tried to resist, but living with Ava, who was making it a habit to get out of the bathroom wrapped only in a towel, who was the corniest, yet funniest, person Beatrice had known, who could always manage to get a smirk from Beatrice, and who was the most attractive girl Beatrice had laid eyes on. 

Beatrice had control over herself, but she couldn’t deny her attraction to Ava. She wasn’t a nun anymore, she knew she could kiss her or ask her out, but after several years of being repressed and having only kissed two girls the last two years, Beatrice lacked experience. 

She knew she was awkward around Ava, not entirely herself, not letting go in fear of being rejected, of making this whole cohabitation thing weird with Ava. She knew how it felt after a nun in the coven had learnt that Beatrice was gay and had made a duty to make it weird with the other nuns. 

But Ava was a golden retriever, always cheerful, hungry, tired and affectionate. The affectionate part was the biggest side of Ava, always walking right past Beatrice, their bodies touching, her hands always on Beatrice’s arms or shoulders when she wanted to ask her something or when she was excited about anything. Her feet would always find a home against her thigh when she would sit down on the couch next to Beatrice.

To a young and horny lesbian like Beatrice, Ava was either hell or heaven on earth.

“I have to tell you something.”

Beatrice immediately looked at Ava, raising her eyes from the book she was reading while eating her bowl of fruits, a breakfast Ava thought was not pleasant to eat that early in the morning. Ava was sitting across from her, staring right back at Beatrice with a somewhat serious expression on her face but still looking thoughtful.

Beatrice was initially curious by the sudden statement but watching Ava bit into her toast almost drowned with chocolate spread drew a smile from her lips.

“I really want to meet your friends. Camila seems like the type of person with who I would get along immediately.”

Beatrice certainly didn’t expect that.

“You would,” Beatrice confirms her.

Ava nodded, proud of herself for having perceived the type of person Camila was. She had only heard—listen—to Beatrice’s conversation with her friend a few times, but it was enough to know that Camila had a good sense of humour and was outgoing like her.

“I don’t have any real friends except for you.”

That drew an unexpected look on Beatrice’s face. Ava ate the last bits of her toast before leaving her chair to put her plate in the sink.

“You don’t have friends?” 

Beatrice didn’t want it to sound like a question. She knew Ava had moved to the Alps five weeks ago and the idea that Ava hadn’t made friends yet was uncanny.

Ava turned around, leaning on the counter behind her.

“What about Hans? Or that blond boy I always see talking to you at the bar?”

Ava raised an eyebrow, a smile at the corner of her mouth.

“Bea… Are you stalking me?”

Beatrice rolled her eyes but stopped a scoff to get past her lips.

“I am not, I have better things to do.”

“That hurts,” Ava replied, putting her hand over her heart with a faux sad expression on her face. “Blond boy’s name is Michael and not my type. He’s giving big brother vibes.”

Beatrice managed to stop her smile to grow two times bigger, humming instead. 

“And Hans is my boss. He’s funny, but we don’t talk outside the bar.”

Beatrice watched Ava walk to the living room, pick up her phone from the table on her way to the couch and drop her whole body on it.

She was about to talk when her phone buzzed and her attention shift to it. She read the notification and when she saw it was a new text message in the group convo, she opened it, curious.

Camila

[7:25 am] Hi bea! Lilith and I are wondering if you’re down for game night 

[7:25 am] you’ve been MIA since Ava moved in with you

Beatrice felt Ava’s eyes on her following the notification sound. She had found out that Ava was naturally curious, always asking questions about the country, Beatrice’s job or even the weirdest subject ever.

Beatrice knew she wouldn’t find it that cute if it was anyone but Ava asking the same questions.

Beatrice 

[7:27] I haven’t been MIA. We talked literally yesterday.

Camila sent her a laughing emoji and Beatrice saw Lilith typing.

Lilith

[7:28] Game night is Camila’s excuse to meet Ava

Camila

[7:29] Snitches end up in ditches

That comment was funny enough to make Beatrice snort and the sound drew Ava’s attention again. Beatrice saw her sit on the couch, looking shamelessly at her.

“What’s funny?”

“My friends.”

Ava rose from the couch, walking faster than usual to sit on the chair across from Beatrice. 

“Are you asking them if I can meet them?”

Beatrice looked at Ava whose expression changed from excitement to almost disgust. 

“Uh, what’s my problem? I sound like your friends are superstars. Am I really that desperate…”

“You’re not desperate,” Beatrice corrected her. “You’re just eager to have friends, which is totally understandable since you moved to a new country. And you’re like … a social butterfly, the opposite of me.”

“I think you’re fairly social.”

Beatrice maintained Ava’s look before lowering her eyes and, as she should have expected, Ava put her hand on her forearm, the touch leaving tingling sensations on her skin. Beatrice looked at her phone again, reading all the missed text messages, desperately trying to forget about Ava’s hand.

Camila 

[7:30] We’ll host game night this Saturday if you’re down 

[7:31] And if you bring Ava

Lilith 

[7:31] I must admit that I want to see you gay panic every time Ava walks past you

Beatrice made sure Ava couldn’t read the text. She really didn’t want Ava to read that last message. Once her phone was face down on the table, she looked back at Ava.

“My friends want to host game night this Saturday and they want you to come.”

Ava was a golden retriever most of the time, but the look she gave her was something new for Beatrice. Excitement was written all across her face and she hit the table with both her palms. 

“Yes! We’re going!”

Her excitement was contagious. Beatrice couldn’t help but smile while typing an answer.

Beatrice

[7:33] Ava wants to meet you too. We’ll come around 7 pm.

Camila

[7:35] It could do you good to come before.

The water droplet emoji at the end of Camila’s text was enough to make Beatrice both internally annoyed and panicked. She wasn’t sure if game night with Ava was a good idea if Camila was going to play matchmaker. 

“What did they say?”

Ava leaned down, trying to look at Beatrice’s phone and Beatrice tried to react as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, Ava’s face was enough to tell her that she had read the last message. Her eyes were big, with a funny glint in them and the sound of her laugh, now too familiar for Beatrice, followed quickly.

“Please, don’t say anything,” Beatrice asked, putting away her phone and sending a pleading look to Ava.

Ava looked like it was the hardest thing Beatrice could have asked her, but she kept quiet long enough for Beatrice to think that she would let this go.

“I’m sure she could have added a few more emojis.”

Beatrice was left alone at the table with Ava leaving to go to the bathroom, obviously proud of her remark and for making Beatrice turn a deep shade of red. 

–

Ava was alone. Beatrice had left to teach her morning aikido class and Ava would be lying if she said she had never thought of joining Beatrice’s class just to see her be a badass like Ava knew she was.

Or just to get aikido into submission. 

That was an inappropriate thought to have about Beatrice after only living with her for 19 days, but Beatrice was hot, Ava was horny, and maybe, just maybe, she was developing a tiny crush on her.

Ava was blaming her abandonment issue. It was maybe childish of her, but she didn’t care for the moment, preferring to focus on her good relationship with a newfound roommate, her new job and probably the two new friends she would have Saturday night.

She was the type of person to easily bond with everyone. People thought she was easy to talk to, with almost no boundaries and an open mind. 

But Ava had learnt to live with Beatrice because Beatrice wasn’t one of those people who found Ava so great. Beatrice hadn’t said those words to Ava, but that’s what Ava felt. Beatrice was a closed book, with walls all around her, with just a tiny window on her real emotions and feelings.

Knocking her religious past explained many things about Beatrice to Ava. She knew the why but not the how I can get her to open up to me.

It was so unusual for Ava to be with someone so closed off as Beatrice that it was almost a challenge to her. 

Ava was also attracted to Beatrice and the fact that she loved being her friend and around her was also one of the reasons. She wanted to swing Beatrice off her feet and impress her friends. She knew what she had to do before her evening shift.

Shopping.

But she had a thing to do first.

Herself.

Living with a beautiful girl was harder than Ava ever thought. 

–

Saturday night couldn’t have come faster for Beatrice. They had been invented only the day before and she was already waiting for Ava to get out of the bathroom to leave for Camila and Lilith’s home. It was weird, foreign even, for Beatrice to live with someone else after being alone for two years. 

She wasn’t considering her years in her parent’s home. She had spent too much time trying to forget those years to even think about them again.

She had lived with her sisters in the convent, but no sister had made her wait nor share a small living space with Beatrice.

No sister had been attractive to Beatrice. 

Ava wasn’t a nun and she certainly wasn’t dressing as one. Beatrice thought Ava was sometimes dressing to provoke, but maybe that was just her who felt provoked by Ava’s cleavage, stomach shown by her crop tops or really tight jeans around her ass.

Beatrice tried to push that last thought away from her mind. It was already difficult to witness Ava’s outfit every day, she didn’t need to think about it on top of it.

“Ava, are you ready? I don’t want to be late.”

“Yep! Stop trying to be perfect all the time.”

Beatrice could almost see the smirk on Ava’s face accompanying her remark.

“And you should stop being late wherever you go.”

Strangely, Ava didn’t reply. Beatrice rose from the couch to put her shoes on, but the bathroom door opened, catching her attention and stopping her in her tracks.

Ava walked out, with perfect makeup on her face, and her short hair perfectly framing her face.

The second her eyes dropped lower than Ava’s face, Beatrice felt out of breath. 

Three years ago, Beatrice would have qualified Ava’s clothes as sinful, but at the moment, not being a nun and all that, she could only think of how turned on she was only watching Ava.

Her outfit wasn’t that sexy. The colour, a dark blue, reminded Beatrice of her past nun uniform. She couldn’t see Ava’s stomach or cleavage for once, and Beatrice thought it was because Ava was going to meet her friend and wanted to make a good first impression, but the shirt dress she was wearing was cut sinfully low, barely below the curve of her ass.

“Do you like my new outfit?”

“Yes.”

It came out barely as a whisper and with a nod, but it seemed enough for Ava, who walked closer to stop three feet away from Beatrice.

“Are you okay? You should maybe change. You look hot.”

Beatrice did feel hot above her torso, but she managed to move her head.

“No, I’m good. The walk to Camila and Lilith’s will do me good.”

She knew what else could do her good, but she kept the last part to herself.

–

“So, is there anything I need to know about your friends before I meet them?”

They were almost there, just a few more meters. Beatrice had managed to walk the entire distance between their apartment and her friends's home one foot in front of Ava. Walking in front had helped her keep her eyes everywhere but on Ava. She hadn’t talked, trying instead to calm her nerves. Ava wasn’t even her girlfriend, and yet, she was nervous all the same. 

She was nervous of Lilith’s remark, of Camila’s excitement that could give Ava a hint that she found her attractive. She was nervous about the possibility of losing it, of showing too much.

“Like do’s and don’t?”

“Yep!”

Beatrice finally glanced at Ava, turning her head and fixing her eyes on Ava’s face, her plum lips, her sharp jaw and her beautiful smile.

Can I be more desperate?

“Nothing really important,” Beatrice answered, turning her head straight ahead.

She felt more than saw Ava stepping beside her. They were walking at the same level now and Ava brushed her arm against Beatrice’s, nudging her.

“Come on! I guess I can be my humorous self with Camila after what I read yesterday morning.”

Beatrice didn’t know if Ava could be more annoying and funny at the same time.

“I told you to not mention it again.”

She couldn’t bear the thought of Ava thinking about her getting off.

Masturbating.

It’s something she does. Some weeks more frequently than others. Some weeks, not at all.

The first option for the last two weeks.

Ava laughed beside her. She clearly didn’t sound apologizing but she at least tried to give a guilty look to Beatrice.

“Camila is funny, yes … the funniest between Lilith and me, at least.”

“What about Lilith?”

“She can seem scary and hard to approach, but she is loyal to the one she loves and loves her back.”

“Like with you and Camila,” Ava simply stated.

“Yes… She’s my oldest friend. We both have a lot in common.”

“Hum… Since you aren’t scary nor hard to approach, well, you weren’t with me, I guess the common things have to do with family issues?”

Beatrice had only told Ava she wasn’t in touch with her family any more, preferring to keep it to herself so she wouldn’t relive the bad memory. But she guessed that Ava had understood the kind of family she had grown up into.

Being sent to a convent and all that.

“You guessed right. We have arrived.”

She cut it short, but they had arrived at Camila and Lilith’s apartment. A three-story building, a 15 minutes walk away from Beatrice’s, and now Ava’s, apartment.

Beatrice went to buzz on the intercom. Camila rapidly buzzed them in and Beatrice led Ava to her friends’ home. It was Camila who opened the door, not even letting Beatrice knock on it.

Beatrice knew her friend well. A look at Camila and she knew that the girl was vibrating with energy and excitement. Her body seemed relaxed, but her big smile and opened eyes were telling all Beatrice needed to know.

“Hi.”

“Beatrice. Ava, it’s so nice to meet you, and wow! Your outfit is incredible! Right, Bea?”

She sent Beatrice a knocking look, and Beatrice managed to give her a tight smile while nodding.

“Yes, I already told her.”

“But it’s nice to hear it again,” Ava added, nudging Beatrice with her elbow. 

She leaned on her for a few seconds, the skin-on-skin contact of their arm too warm for Beatrice. She cleared her throat and pointed inside the apartment.

“Care to let us in?”

“Of course!”

Camila let them walk inside, closing the door behind her and Beatrice took the opportunity to look at her friend, only seeing her with an even bigger smile. The front door gave in to the living room and the kitchen. It was a big open space with a more modern look than Beatrice and Ava’s apartment.

Lilith was sorting the board games on the coffee table but she sent them a look.

“Lilith,” Beatrice simply said.

“Beatrice.”

“Ava.”

Both Lilith and Beatrice looked at Ava, who was trying to contain her laugh. Beatrice couldn’t help but smile. Ava was the biggest dork ever.

“Lilith, please meet Ava.”

Beatrice watched Ava walk forward, stretching her hand to Lilith. Beatrice knew Ava was a hugger, but surely she was trying to act more like Beatrice.

Lilith rose from the couch and took Ava’s hand in hers, but Ava didn’t shake her hand, instead, she pulled her to briefly hug her. It really wasn’t long. Beatrice almost thought she had imagined the moment, but the look in Lilith’s eyes was enough to tell otherwise.

“I’m a hugger and I know you’re not, so it was the only way to do it.”

Beatrice heard Camila snort behind her.

“Don’t do it again.”

A threat was underlying Lilith’s statement, but Ava didn’t seem to care in the world.

“So,”  Beatrice started, “Snacks?”

“And drinks,” Ava and Lilith both said at the same time.

Lilith looked annoyed while Ava couldn’t help but grin.

Beatrice wasn’t a heavy drinker, but she maybe could have two more drinks than usual.

–

Beatrice hadn’t known peace since the moment Ava and she had arrived. Ava’s presence had something to do it with, but losing was the worst.

Camila had them play in teams since they were a pair number, forcing Ava and Beatrice to team up, stating that they would grow closer as roommates. Beatrice wasn’t having it but Ava was happy, so she had kept it to herself.

The problem was that Ava was bad at almost every game. They had started with a fairly easy game, Taboo, in which one teammate had to make the other guess a word by using words except for the ones on the card.

Ava was not a good guesser and she was even less good to make Beatrice guess as she would always use the forbidden words. Lilith had a blast using the small buzzer in Ava’s ears every time she would mess with the words.

They had tried Pictionary, but Beatrice and Ava ended up in the same situation as before.

“Lilith and I won.”

“Did not expect anything less,” Lilith added, a smirk on her lips.

Beatrice rolled her eyes, drinking her second gin and tonic of the night. She wasn’t feeling loose yet, having drunk at a slow pace, but it had been enough to calm her nerves a little bit.

“I bought a new game earlier this week. It’s called ‘Who in the room?’. Are you all down to play?”

“Oh, yes!” Ava exclaimed.

Beatrice looked at her. Ava had her third drink in her hand, a somewhat strong Rhum and coke if she went by Ava’s behaviour. Camila was pleased with Ava’s enthusiasm and Beatrice watched Lilith take the game from her girlfriend’s hands to take a look at it. She read the back of the cover and by her expression, Beatrice wasn’t sure if she should feel relaxed or not.

“But first, more snacks and drinks?” Ava asked, raising her now empty glass. 

“You should maybe slow down on the alcohol, no?” Beatrice said to her. 

Camila had already left her place beside Lilith to prepare more snacks in the kitchen and Lilith was leaving them for the bathroom. They were left alone in the living room, both sat on the rug on the other side of the coffee table. Ava was leaning with one arm on the coffee table, staring at Beatrice. From her seat, Beatrice could see Camila behind Ava, but she only had eyes for Ava.

“Why would I slow down? I don’t work tomorrow and we’re having fun! You should maybe have a third gin and tonic.”

Beatrice didn’t push away that idea, strongly considering a third drink.

“By the way, do you think your friends love me?”

“They certainly seem to like you,” Beatrice agreed. “I think you took my place in Camila’s heart as the person she likes the most besides Lilith.”

Ava looked more than happy with this and Beatrice suddenly wondered why Ava wanted to be loved by everyone. She was a naturally lovable person, Beatrice noted, always smiling and attracting others’ eyes. 

Ava was far more complex than Beatrice thought. 

Ava moved, stretching her legs in front of her and putting her feet on one side of Beatrice’s legs. Ava was barefoot and she dragged them against Beatrice’s hip for a few seconds.

Beatrice didn’t know if it was intentional or not and she didn’t care for the moment, too busy trying not to stare at Ava’s bare thigh.

Ava’s shirt-dress was barely hiding her body above her upper thighs, but she had the decency to cross her legs and Beatrice’s dreams and desires fell apart.

One movement and Beatrice could touch Ava’s legs, feel what she was sure was soft skin. A single throb made itself known between Beatrice’s legs and the sensation surprised her enough to make her rise from the floor. She kicked her elbow on her way up and almost made the bowl of chips fly off the coffee table.

“Bea, you okay?” Ava asked her with a worried look on her face.

Beatrice nodded, humming instead of talking and she stared at Ava for a few seconds before she remembered she had legs and walked toward the bathroom. Luckily, Lilith got out simultaneously and she almost pushed her friend out of the way. The door closed behind her, she made her way to the sink, gripping it with both hands and closing her eyes. 

But with her eyes closed, Beatrice could see Ava’s legs again. A second image appeared in her mind. One of Ava with her legs on each side of her body and her mouth on hers.

Beatrice felt her blood go to her clit, intensifying the present throb and a wave of warm liquid covered her underwear. She splashed some water on her neck and thought about the least attractive thing for a few seconds before hurrying out of the bathroom.

Her friends were back on the couch, Camila setting the game, Ava keeping her mouth busy with snacks and Lilith-

Is talking about me!?

“... and I proved her wrong. I beat her ass and I’m never letting her forget about it.”

Lilith always had to tell this story. At least, the memory of it was a change of thoughts. Beatrice walked back to her friends, sitting again on the rug and, once she became aware of a new gin and tonic on the coffee table, she took the glass to drink, chasing the remaining thoughts away. Ava was still wearing that low-cut dress, obviously, and it wasn’t helping Beatrice.

“Okay, now I really want to sign up for your aikido class! I want to beat someone’s ass.”

Camila immediately looked at Beatrice, who knew the kind of retort she wanted to say. 

Please, don’t.

“Bea loves to beat people’s asses.”

Is it legal to kill in Switzerland? 

Fortunately, Camila’s comment didn’t seem to make Ava feel confused. She was on her phone, searching for something. Lilith looked like she wanted to die while keeping down her laughter.

And Beatrice was trying to keep her cool.

“What’s the name of your aikido studio,” Ava asked with her eyes still locked on her phone.

Beatrice frowned but answered.

“It’s a martial arts studio, not just an aikido studio.”

She gave the name either way and Ava continued to type at a fast pace.

“Are you signing up now?” 

Beatrice looked like a deer caught in headlights.

“Of course! I’m serious about this. I never took a class on anything before. Growing her in an orphanage and all…”

Ava cut it short and Beatrice was certain it was because of her friends’ presence.

“How about we play at the last game?”

Camila’s change of subject was appreciated and within seconds, Ava was chubby again, smiling and happy eyes.

“Lilith, you read the rules. Tell them to us.”

“It’s simple. One at a time, we read a card from the main pile. It has three statements and everyone, including the person who read the card, has to point to the person that matches the statement the most. The person with the most vote gets the shame.”

“Does the book rule really say that last part?” Beatrice asked, knowing the answer but still giving Lilith a funny look.

Lilith didn’t answer and Ava picked one card first.

“I’ll start! Okay… Who in the room would survive the least amount of time on a desert island?”

They all looked at each other before making their choice. They all pointed at Ava.

Ava included.

They all laughed. It was a good game to have fun and change someone’s mind.

“Do I read the other two statements?”

“Please, yourself,” Beatrice answered.

“Who in the room would get a tattoo of the name of a person they met just three days ago?”

Ava pointed at Lilith, which required more explanation, Beatrice pointed at Ava and the two other girls pointed at Beatrice.

“Can I get an explanation for Lilith?” Beatrice asked Ava.

Ava shrugged, drinking again. 

“I didn’t have a real answer and I thought it would be fun to make fun of Lilith.”

Lilith rolled her eyes while Camila laughed at Ava’s answer. Beatrice smirked, staring at Ava for a few more seconds before asking for an explanation from her friends.

“You are desperate for love but don’t know how to receive it so I think that if someone would give you affection, you are the most likely in the room to do it.”

Lilith’s answer was depressing and steering feelings inside Beatrice that she didn’t want to manage again.

“And I just think you’re the dumbest of us all.”

That caught Beatrice’s attention again. She looked at Camila, a small smile on her lips as a thank you, before turning her head to look at Ava. She was bearing a somewhat sad expression on her face and it made Beatrice want to throw up.

The last thing she wanted was Ava’s pity.

“What’s the last question?” Camila asked.

Ava looked at the card again and read it.

“Who in the room could be the happiest if they could change their last name? What kind of question is that?”

Ava raised her head, looking at the other girls to see them all silent and avoiding Beatrice’s face. 

That was a stupid and depressing game.

“That’s a dumb question. Camila, your turn!”

Ava hurried to toss the card away and took the bowl of chips to offer some to Beatrice. She smiled at her, trying to lighten her mood just slightly, and Beatrice took a handful of chips.

“Thank you.”

It was barely audible, but still, enough for Ava, apparently, whose smile got bigger. She winked at Beatrice who vaguely heard Camila read the next card. The next statement was funny and Beatrice pointed at Camila, but she didn’t look at Lilith’s answer in front of her as she felt a hand on her knee. It was everything but sensual, but it still made her heart jump and her stomach turn. She looked at the hand, Ava’s hand, before looking at her face. Ava wasn’t even looking back at her and, instead, looking at Camila and Lilith while laughing. 

She hesitated to put her own hand on top of Ava’s, that deep desire to touch her too, but she leaned back on her hands instead and turned her head back to her oldest friends, desperately trying to keep her feelings under control.

–

“It was nice. We should do this again. Ava, you should come again, of course.”

Ava smiled at Camila before hugging her as a goodbye. She tried to hug Lilith, but stopped once she saw the death glare.

Better not test her twice on the same night.

Beatrice said her goodbyes and both girls walked down the stairs, ready to walk back home. Beatrice was walking in front again, always ahead of Ava, who stared at the back of Beatrice’s head like she was trying to solve a puzzle.

They had been walking for only a few seconds before Ava felt the urge to step closer to Beatrice, to make her presence known. She walked two to three more steps and laced her fingers with Beatrice’s.

Ava knew she had to expect a reaction, but the look Beatrice gave their hands and her face was precious. She looked bewildered, completely at loss for words, but Ava simply tightened her grip and once Beatrice looked at her, she smiled. She waited for Beatrice to retrieve her hand, to tell her it was too much, but Beatrice was quiet. A moment passed before Ava talked.

“I had fun. Your friends are really great. You’re lucky to have them.”

Ava watched Beatrice have a genuine smile while looking at the sidewalk and briefly looking at their intertwined hands again.

“I am. They are my family.”

A question formed at Ava’s lips and she hesitated before asking it.

“Were they nuns too?”

Beatrice looked into her eyes for the second time and Ava automatically tighten her grip.

“They weren’t. I met Camila on a Sunday at the church and Lilith is an old friend… Our parents are from the same circle of rich people.”

It reminded Ava of the last statement she read for the game. The long silence and uneasy mood.

“I’m sorry for what happened earlier.”

Ava looked back at Beatrice, a bit surprised by that sudden apology. She thought she knew what Beatrice was referring to, but she still wanted to be sure.

“About the way you ran for your life once my feet touched you?” She joked.

Ava saw the way Beatrice’s eyes got bigger, even so briefly, and the faint touch of red on her cheek. She wanted to laugh watching her trying to form a sentence, but she kept it inside for now, feeling Beatrice was truly feeling shy at the moment.

“I-don’t… That’s not what I was apologizing for.”

“I’m still wondering what happened to you.”

“I had a cramp.”

Ava wasn’t believing the poor excuse Beatrice gave her, but she let it slide.

“What were you apologizing for then?”

“For the way I reacted after you read the last statement.”

Ava shrugged and her thumb caressed Beatrice’s hand once.

“Don’t apologize for reacting the way you do. You’re human. You’re allowed not to be perfect.”

Beatrice sighed and Ava felt the need to add more.

“I think I know the kind of childhood you grew into and that’s fucked up. And I… I think, in my own way, I grew up with the same kind of expectations as you. I didn’t have any family, and the nuns at the orphanage were… Negligent and mean, always making me feel like a burden with my physical therapy. I couldn’t be myself, free-spirited or make jokes because they would be offended… Either way, I’m just trying to say that, I understand, Bea… You’re not alone.”

Ava ended her monologue and her shoulders dropped like she was relieved of a burden. She hoped Beatrice had understood what she was trying to say, or at least that she felt understood.

“Thank you, Ava … for sharing that part of you with me.” 

They were still walking hand in hand, and Ava wondered how they haven’t walked into anything yet with the way they were both staring at each other. Ava tentatively brushed her thumb against Beatrice’s hand again, feeling the soft skin and the way Beatrice just slightly squeezed her fingers.

Ava wanted to brush Beatrice’s face with her other hand, to push the free strands of hair away, even though they were framing her face perfectly.

Beatrice really was perfect.

“I understand what you mean and… You’re right. My parents are not great parents…”

That’s a simple way not to repeat fucked up.

“... They were ashamed of me for liking girls… It wasn’t up to their standards.”

“For what it’s worth, you’re up to my standards.”

It was cheesy, Ava knew it, but the smile Beatrice gave her was worth it. They walked in silence for the remainder of the walk home and Beatrice was the one who broke the silence once in front of their building.

“For what it’s worth, you’re not a burden.”

It was short and simple and Beatrice had detached her hand from Ava’s to open the door, but Ava couldn’t do anything but smile as she felt her eyes getting wet. Beatrice didn’t know it, but those were the words Ava had always wanted to her.

Her mother was dead so she couldn’t hear it from her. 

JC had never said it to her before.

And hearing it from Beatrice, a girl she now considered like her best friend—and her now crush—warmed her heart.

It scared Ava, feeling herself falling that easy for Beatrice, a former nun. It was ironic but despite it all, Ava liked it, the feeling of giddiness, the fluttering.

“Thank you, Bea. It’s worth a lot for me.”

That night, both girls found it hard to fall asleep, both of their minds thinking of each other.

Chapter Text

Beatrice really didn’t have to go hard. Ava met the floor mat with extreme force as Beatrice threw her on the floor.

Ava knew Beatrice would argue regarding the adjective extreme but Ava felt pain in her ass and back and that was all that mattered.

She distinctively heard the other students laugh.

They could at least try to muffle it.

Once the hard pain had disappeared, Ava could see the hand Beatrice was offering her. She was smirking too and Ava made her wait a couple of seconds before accepting the help.

“I’m good, thank you for asking.”

Ava knew she was a bit of a brat with Beatrice. It was already her third class, one every week, and she wasn’t getting any better. It wasn’t that Beatrice was a bad teacher.

Really not the point.

But Ava discovered she couldn’t effectively concentrate with Beatrice looking so hot doing all of those tricks and kicks and throwing people on the floor.

She was a badass.

She was wearing her keikogi, the exact word for the training uniform they were all wearing. It wasn’t sexy at all and Ava was disappointed not to be able to show more skin, but fortunately, Beatrice’s keikogi often opened up, letting Ava have a look at her collarbone and sports bra.

Beatrice gave her a look following her comment.

“I was about to ask you, but thank you for telling me.”

Ava challenged her with her eyes while her hand was still in Beatrice’s. It was resting comfortably there and she had no intention to-

Beatrice let her hand fall to her side and looked at the other students.

“Great efforts Ava, but you need to train your hold with your legs. Everyone, pair up.”

Ava recalled the last minute in her mind and it was understandable why she couldn’t have done what Beatrice had asked her. How could she make Beatrice fall using her legs when it would result in Beatrice’s stomach pressing right there for Ava to feel the pressure and be turned on.

Ava eventually paired up with another young girl and performed the exercise for the remainder of the class. She got better at it. It wasn’t the same attraction with the other student and Ava was proud of herself when she got to throw the other girl on the floor twice.

“Beatrice! You saw that?” Ava excitedly asked.

Beatrice was not too far and Ava find her already looking her way, a smile plastering her face.

“Yes. You did good.”

Ugh, she can’t tell me that

The praise sent a shiver down Ava’s clit. It wasn’t an unusual feeling these last few days, but it still caught Ava off guard for the first second and with Beatrice’s eyes looking at her, Ava couldn’t get a grip on her damn feelings.

“So, how long have you known Beatrice?”

Ava watched Beatrice walk away before setting her attention to the girl in front of her, Elena if she recalled. Elena put her hands on Ava’s shoulders to repeat the exercise. She performed the stunt, making Ava fall on the mat. 

Ava groaned and finally answered. 

“I’ve known her for almost two months now.”

The raised eyebrow on Elena’s face made Ava frown.

“What?” She asked while getting up.

“Uh, nothing. I thought it would have been longer, I guess. You seem to really get along well.”

That made Ava smile, the frown disappearing from her face.

“We do! We’re like best friends already.”

“Ava, Elena, stop chatting.”

Both girls turned their heads to Beatrice who was far in the room but still watching them.

“So, how long have you been together?”

Ava paused in her movements. “What do you mean ‘together’?”

“‘Together’ as a couple.”

Ava’s eyes immediately looked for Beatrice’s, her heart skipping a beat upon hearing the word couple. 

“We are not a couple, just two best friends living with each other.”

“Uh…”

UH??

Ava tried not to look too shaken but she knew her face was betraying her when she saw how Elena looked uncomfortable.

“Hum, sorry… I shouldn’t have presumed.”

“No, that’s … okay…”

Ava felt Elena put her hands on her again, but she was too caught up in her own head to at least resist the maneuver. She fell hard, again, and hoped Beatrice didn't witness her no-attempt at resisting.

But Beatrice had witnessed, and Ava found herself melting again.

—

“I have two bruises on my hips because of you.”

Beatrice immediately looked at Ava upon hearing the accusation. She was sitting on the couch, reading her favourite book of the moment while waiting to shower when Ava left the bathroom. 

Beatrice could feel the humidity of the bathroom leaving the space and coming to her, surrounding her body and making her feel sticky, but Ava’s floral shampoo odour left the bathroom too and Beatrice’s nose immediately pick it up.

“How come it’s my fault and not Elena’s? I saw you put up no resistance with her.”

“That was one time!” Ava was fast to defend herself, pointing her finger at Beatrice. 

Her demeanour made Beatrice smile. Three additional weeks and Beatrice still wasn’t less crushing on Ava.

If anything, it was only growing with the days.

And the clothes Ava was wearing just now, shorts and a tank top underneath a half-open shirt, were doing … things to Beatrice.

“You can’t convince me it’s not you. I felt the way my body met the floor after your little show.”

“You’re being ridiculous,” Beatrice replied, closing the book and rising from the couch. 

She had to shower.

Ava half-scoffed, half-laughed before approaching Beatrice who froze in front of the couch. Beatrice could only watch Ava stop in front of her and bring down her shorts past below her left hip joint.

There were indeed two bruises. They weren’t big and Beatrice would have rolled her eyes at anyone else, but it was Ava, sweet and beautiful Ava who was showing off too much skin for Beatrice’s sanity.

“Those are indeed bruises…”

Beatrice felt her hand twitch, the want to reach out and touch Ava’s skin just to know if it was as soft as her hands. But Beatrice was sure it wasn’t something friends do, touching each other’s body everywhere.

It surely was an Ava thing, but she felt her body get warm just thinking of brushing her fingers against Ava’s hips, that close to her-

Ava put her shorts back in place and the show was over. Beatrice looked at Ava and found her wetting her lips with her tongue.

“I’m… I’ll go shower.”

“You do that.”

“Yes.” 

“Great.”

Beatrice stepped beside Ava and brushed past her to walk inside the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

—

“I think I have a crush on Ava.”

Beatrice should have known the reaction those words would get from Camila and Lilith. But the hit she received on her arm and the sound Camila made, almost choking from her laughter, still made her cringe.

“You think ?” 

Beatrice was at her friends’ apartment, spending the evening with them before walking home by the bar to pick up Ava after her shift. It was becoming a habit to pick her up, sometimes leaving their home to do it, sometimes finding an excuse to do so.

“You’re far deep in the ocean, may I say,” Lilith added.

Beatrice crossed her arms.

“I am not,” Beatrice retorted. “I mean, how could you not have a crush on her?”

“She’s annoying. That’s all it takes.”

Beatrice rolled her eyes.

“Lilith, we both know you like Ava enough to hang out with her occasionally.”

“Thank you, Camila. I couldn’t have said it better.”

Lilith scoffed but smirked nevertheless and Beatrice bit her lips thinking about Ava again.

“Why this face? You look like it’s the worst thing that could have happened.”

“It’s not … well, not entirely. You need to be blind not to find Ava attractive and I was, the first time I saw her at the bar … and she’s easy to be around.”

“To me, she sounds like everything you needed,” Camila added.

She maybe is…

–

La Vasseur was thriving for a Thursday night. It wasn’t full, but a good number of people were dancing, bumping Beatrice while she tried to walk to the bar. 

She wasn’t a fan of those kinds of places, crowded places with loud music and drunk people not caring about others.

She was the type of person who preferred to watch a concert on YouTube than in front of the stage.

Ava wasn’t hard to spot. She was behind the bar, as usual, preparing a cocktail while talking with Hans. 

Beatrice was careful not to disturb Ava, deciding instead to sit by the end stool, the same one she sat on when she first met Ava.

Ava’s shift was supposed to be done in 20 minutes, Beatrice knew that, but she decided to come beforehand to enjoy a drink.

And Ava.

Beatrice had hoped to watch Ava in silence for a few minutes, discreet and invisible within the other people stealing Ava’s attention, but Ava was quick to turn with purpose toward Beatrice.

“Bea! I knew it was you!” Ava exclaimed.

 She seemed proud of herself and she poured the cocktail into a glass to slide it to the customer before walking to Beatrice and leaning on the bar.

“How did—”

Beatrice’s sentence stopped short when Ava leaned closer and dropped a kiss on her cheek. It wasn’t unusual in their apartment, but here in the open, it made Beatrice feel hot on the inside. 

“What were you saying?” Ava asked. “First, can I serve you anything?”

Beatrice hesitated a few seconds, watching Ava’s natural happiness and excitement.

“A Cuba libre, please.”

Ava had a shit-eating grin while clapping her hands. 

“Coming right up!”

Ava turned around to grab the booze and Beatrice took the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Ava’s ass and legs. But Ava was soon facing her again, and Beatrice leaned on her forearms.

“How did you know it was me?”

Ava smiled again and paused with the drink, leaning forward again. Her face stayed a few inches away from Beatrice’s neck for a few seconds before she moved back.

“It’s your scent. A mix of your detergent and shampoo.”

One of Beatrice’s eyebrows raised right up. She was a bit skeptical of Ava’s answer.

“There are many people here tonight. My scent can’t be strong enough.”

Ava laughed and Beatrice’s skeptical face changed for something more casual.

“You got me … even though I know your natural scent. You’re wearing your perfume tonight and I picked up the scent from an airflow.”

“Makes more sense, now.”

Ava laughed again while putting Beatrice’s drink in front of her.

“How come you’re here early? Did you hear about karaoke night?”

“Ah! That’s what’s bringing all those people here tonight.”

“Yes! I was so pumped all week!”

“Why? Did you have the intention of singing?”

“Hum, yes! Come on, Bea! You know me.”

That I do.

“Ava! Come help, please.”

“Shit! Sorry, Hans.” Ava said to him before turning back to Beatrice. “Don’t move and above all, don’t sing!”

“Reverse psychology doesn’t work with me, Ava,” Beatrice answered before laughing. “I’m not a child.”

Ava laughed. “Worth a try.”

She walked away and Beatrice turned sideways on the stool to keep an eye on Ava while watching the dance floor. No one was singing for now. People were instead dancing to a popular song.

She took her phone out and texted her friends.

Beatrice

[8:21] Camila, I know you’ll fuss about

what I’ll say but I can’t keep it to myself.

[8:22] Ava knows my scent. Like, she knew

 I was there before she saw me.

Camila

[8:23] WHAT?!! 

[8:23] I can’t believe it! ahsbdh

Beatrice

[8:23] What is this gibberish?

Lilith

[8:24] She can’t contain her excitement.

[8:24] She’s repeating “I told you so”.

Beatrice rolled her eyes at her friends’ behaviour but smiled nonetheless.

Camila

[8:25] She for sure has a crush on you!

[8:25] You have to act on it

Lilith 

[8:26] Ugh, please, Cam

[8:26] If you’re going to write something like that

         please write it in a private convo

Beatrice snorted, happy to be open enough with her friends to talk about Ava. She wasn’t that open one year ago, and instead, struggling to openly flirt back with girls and talk about it with Camila and Lilith.

Therapy can do someone good, it seems.

Two hands were somehow on her shoulders, and Beatrice went rigid before hearing Ava’s voice in her ear.

“I’m done for the night.”

She turned her head, and maybe it wasn’t a good decision because Ava’s face was inches from hers, deep brown eyes staring right back into hers and her lips picturing a gentle smile.

“Let’s get home.”

“Not right now!”

Beatrice frowned at Ava’s urgency and watched her move between her and the stool next to her. She was squeezed between Beatrice and another person and Beatrice would have turned 180 degrees to give Ava some space but she didn’t entirely mind the closeness.

“You want to stay here?”

“Yes! You haven’t touched your drink, and I want to sing a song. Let’s have a fun night out together.”

It was so tempting, to just be free for a night. To put all insecurities and doubts in the back of her mind, and drink and dance with the girl she was falling in love with. Ava was right there in front of her, her hands resting on Beatrice’s knees.

Beatrice knew that a simple ‘no’ would be enough for Ava to back away and drop the subject and it made Beatrice comfortable enough to nod once.

“Okay… I could use a night out.”

Ava squeezed her hands around Beatrice’s knees, thumb brushing inside her legs. Beatrice grabbed her drink and took a sip while Ava asked a colleague for shots.

“Shots? I’m not done with my drink, yet.” Beatrice stated, baffled.

“It’s lemon drops! You’ll like them. It’s the perfect thing to start a night!”

Four shots were aligned in front of them and Ava didn’t waste a second before grabbing two, giving one to Beatrice. They clinked shots and drank, and Beatrice was surprised by the sweet taste.

“It’s sweet. It’s not entirely unpleasant.”

“Yeah! That’s why it’s called a lemon drop!”

Ava drank her second shot without waiting for Beatrice and once the glass was back on the counter, she took a step back and sat on one of Beatrice’s thighs, with her profile to Beatrice and not her back. Ava was never shy of physical touch with her, Beatrice knew that, but the closeness of her face, and her breast, and her whole body, her ass, sitting on her was stirring some feelings inside her body.

“You good? Is it okay?”

The new song playing was loud and intense and Beatrice barely heard Ava’s question because of it. And because of boobs. Ava put one hand on Beatrice’s arm, and it was enough to make her answer.

“Yes, I’m good. Are you good? I mean, do you—”

“Yes, Bea,” Ava answered, laughing simultaneously. “And I think I’m good too.”

That ended with a knowing smile, Ava’s dirty jokes were not unknown to Beatrice but still making her body’s temperature rise.

“Did you work out in secret? I’m pretty sure your arms are getting bigger.”

Ava squeezed her hand to prove her statement. Beatrice was wearing a simple t-shirt with short sleeves, and Ava’s hand felt soft on her.

Is she flirting with me?

“Hum, Ava. I need to go to the bathroom. Keep an eye on my drink, please?”

Beatrice was surprised with how composed she sounded while internally panicking at the idea of Ava flirting with her. But her voice and facial expression must have been neutral because Ava nodded before leaving her seat on Beatrice’s leg. 

“Yes! I’m not leaving its side. Can’t promise I won’t drink it, though.”

Beatrice smiled and left her for the back exit, her phone in her hand. She dialed Camila’s phone number on her way, timing it perfectly with her way out. She couldn’t talk with Camila in the bathroom with the music and others’ conversation.

“ Yes?”

“Camila. I need your input on something.”

“ What’s the matter? Did Ava do something?”

“Yes. I think she’s flirting with me.”

Camila squealed for a good few seconds.

“ Okay, I’m not even there and I think she is definitely flirting with you .”

“That’s optimistic, but I know Ava. She’s touchy, she makes dirty jokes every other day. She’s not really behaving differently tonight but… I have a weird feeling.”

“Listen, Bea. Lilith and I watched you both for two months now. Ava is not that touchy with anyone but you. And we’ve seen the way she looks at you when you’re not looking. She definitely wants to kiss you.”

The simple thought of kissing Ava provoked butterflies in Beatrice’s stomach. She felt a low beat and wetness pooling between her legs.

“ Bea, you there?”

“Sorry, Cam. I will have to go. I told Ava I was going to the bathroom.”

“And you are…?”

“Outside. Thank you for your advice. Talk to you later.”

They said their goodbyes and Beatrice took a few more seconds to gather her emotions before entering the bar. Ava was sitting on the stool with a new drink in her hands, but Beatrice’s cocktail was untouched on the bar before Ava.

She walked up to her, stopping just behind and reaching out to grab her drink, her arm brushing Ava’s. It was a bit calculated, just to see the reaction it would draw from her and by the sharp intake of breath Ava took, Beatrice was happy.

“You’re back,” Ava stated, happiness filling her voice. 

She turned to face Beatrice, setting one leg between her to accommodate their body.

“Of course,” Beatrice answered. “Thank you for keeping an eye on my drink.”

“You know me. I won’t let any drink get away nor poisoned.”

They laughed and both took a sip of their drink while staring at each other. Beatrice couldn’t think of anything else than the thought of Ava maybe liking her, of Ava wanting to kiss her the same way she wanted. It was constant, distracting her from the buzz of the bar.

Ava leaned forward, making her legs do the same, and the tip of her knee touched enough of Beatrice to send her into space. The burning fire inside of her was unleashed, something Beatrice wasn’t familiar with. 

“Do you want to dance?”

“Yes.”

Beatrice wasn’t a dancer. She never danced, but it was a better option compared to staying there with Ava’s knee adding the right pressure to her core.

They both drank their drink in one shot, and Beatrice stepped away to give Ava enough space to get up. Ava took Beatrice’s hand and led them to the dance floor. It was a good song. Beatrice didn’t know it, but its rhythm was good enough to make Beatrice’s muscles want to move. 

“I love this song!”

Of course.

“Yeah, it’s good.”

“You’ll see, the beat is easy to follow.

“Yeah… I don’t really dance.”

“I know Bea. Follow me or let your body talk. No one is judging you, here.”

Judging, the thing Beatrice was afraid of, and still kind of is, for her entire life. 

They finally reached a spot on the dance floor. It was crowded and Beatrice looked around for a few seconds. Ava was right. Everyone was too focused on themselves, their date, their friends or even their drink to bat an eye at Beatrice.

Her attention was soon back on Ava, the only person that mattered to her at this instant, when she felt soft hands on her forearms. 

“Hey, focus on me.”

I can do that. 

“I wanted to dance with you the first night we met,” Ava confessed.

“Did you?”

“Yeah… I thought, ‘Wow, this new girl here is beautiful and I want to dance with her and make her smile.’”

Hum … what do I answer to that?!

“I was definitely feeling down that night.”

Shit, that’s not flirting.

Fortunately, Ava didn’t faze but simply slide her hands into Beatrice’s. 

“Would you have danced with me?”

They were physically close, they had been for a few moments now, and the fact that she knew Ava was flirting with her was doing things to her brain. Her perfectly capable brain.

“I would have. I can’t say no to you,” Beatrice admitted, her eyes searching the pub’s floor and avoiding Ava’s.

Ava seemed surprised by that statement, her eyebrows raising on her forehead and her hands loosening up from hers. 

“You can’t?”

Beatrice nodded before looking at Ava again, and with the new song with a faster rhythm to it playing, she changed the subject. 

“Should we dance?”

Ava smiled but still looked curious as they started to dance. It took Beatrice the first minute to let her body move and catch up with Ava who was throwing her hands in the air. She was jumping, not caring if she bumped into someone else, but Beatrice didn’t let her anyway. She made sure to give Ava space and as the songs went on, Beatrice started to catch up with Ava and laugh with her. 

Ava looked so at ease and Beatrice couldn’t look anywhere else but Ava’s face. After the third song, they returned to the bar to drink two shots each. Beatrice didn’t know if it was the shot or Ava’s closeness, but she started feeling slightly drunk. For the first time, she didn’t care if Ava caught her staring at her.

“Come on! Let’s go back!”

Ava retook her hand and Beatrice followed her to the dance floor, but the moment they were back at their spot, Ava turned around and threw her arms around Beatrice’s face, her hands resting on her neck, just under her hair.

“You’re beautiful,” Ava said.

She was staring right into Beatrice’s eyes, and this close, Beatrice could see every mark inside each pupil.

“I think you’re beautiful and that everyone here is looking at you,” Ava added.

Beatrice’s heart skipped a beat, or two. She heard her own intake of breath even with the music playing. 

“You can’t say that…”

Ava raised an eyebrow, challenging Beatrice with a look.

“You just have to say thank you.”

Beatrice gulped, but smiled nonetheless, as she put her hands on Ava’s hips. She knew they were low and that she should probably put them on her waist instead, but her hands didn’t seem to want to move and Ava took a step forward. 

Beatrice thought it was okay.

“You’re beautiful too, Ava,” Beatrice confessed. “I think you’re the most beautiful girl I ever laid my eyes on.”

Ava’s mouth opened on its own as no words came out. Beatrice saw her cheeks getting red, surprising her as Ava always received compliments about her physique.

“You’re not just beautiful on the outside,” Beatrice added. “You’re a really, really good person. I’m lucky to have found you.”

Beatrice had never felt prouder and more courageous in her entire life than in that moment, but she thought she was about to fall when she saw Ava leaning closer, close enough that she couldn’t see her properly. 

Ava was kissing her on the cheek. It was soft and hot against her face and Beatrice felt her stomach turn upside down and her legs turned into jelly. Ava’s face was back in front of her, but her eyes were staring at her cheek and lips. Beatrice could see them go back and forth between the two places. 

Ava’s lips were open, and Beatrice watched the tip of her tongue move inside her mouth. Her hands tightened on their own and as if it was still possible, Ava moved closer. Their legs were slotted together, their breasts were against each other and, after a shared look between them, during which everything was left unspoken, Ava sealed their mouth together.

Beatrice never considered herself someone romantic. She was thoughtful, yes, and she would remember small things about her friends and dates, but at this instant, she believed kissing Ava was the best thing, the best kiss, she had ever experienced.

It was relatively short contact before Ava’s mouth left hers, but she stayed close enough for Beatrice to feel her breath against her wet lips and chin. Her hands hadn’t moved on Ava’s hips and Ava’s hands were carefully feeling the skin under them, leaving goosebumps on Beatrice’s skin. 

It may have been one second, or ten, after Ava broke the kiss, but Beatrice didn’t care. She moved her head forward, reconnecting their lips with an uncontrolled sigh. It was better than what she had imagined because now she really knew what she and Ava would do with each other.

Ava couldn’t stay still, moving from left to right, trying to feel Beatrice’s lips under every angle possible. Beatrice even felt the tip of Ava’s tongue grazing her bottom lip right before Ava closed her lips on her. 

She felt drunker than ever with her head light, her heart beating fast in her chest and between her legs.

She felt her attraction getting bigger and her body getting turned on by the second. She wasn’t used to feeling those things in public and it made her stop the kiss.

She saw Ava chase after her, desperately trying to seal their mouth again, but she soon opened her eyes and settled down with staring at Beatrice’s lips while her thumbs were caressing her jaw.

“Are you okay…?” Ava whispered.

“Yes … more than okay.”

It made Ava giggle, and Beatrice felt in vibrate with how close they were. Beatrice felt, and saw, Ava’s hands leave her neck for her arms, her fingers leaving a trail from her shoulders all the way to her hands that were still resting on Ava’s hips.

She stayed still, waiting for Ava to pull them away, but all she saw was Ava pushing her hands toward her back. Beatrice kept her hands light on Ava’s body. She wasn’t touching direct skin, but it was still intimate and she wanted to be respectful. 

She watched as Ava finally let go of her hands once they were resting on her lower back. Beatrice could feel the bump where Ava’s back ended and her ass began, and the single thought of being able to reach down and touch Ava’s ass provoked a wave of wetness between her legs.

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the first day we met.”

Beatrice met Ava’s eyes, lips slightly apart and hands still. She wished Camila was there to tell her what to do, what to say. 

“You don’t have to say anything, I just—”

“Sorry,” Beatrice stopped her. “I’ve never … done anything like this before.”

“Kissing a girl?” Ava asked, her voice filled with amusement.

“No,” Beatrice answered, a smile at the corner of her mouth. “I’ve never kissed my best friend in a public place while she is my roommate.”

“Well, that’s fair. And I’m glad to be your first.”

That drew a laugh from Beatrice who felt herself relax from her anxious thoughts. 

“Can I kiss you again?”

Beatrice nodded almost immediately and they both met halfway. Ava’s hands returned to Beatrice’s face, one on each side, and Beatrice was a little more familiar with the feeling of kissing Ava. 

She didn’t feel as lost as before, and instead feeling more confident in her kissing abilities. 

She didn’t know how long after the start of the kiss, but she eventually felt Ava brush her tongue against her lower lip, the contact wet and warm. She didn’t make Ava wait, rapidly opening her lips and accepting Ava’s tongue against hers. It wasn’t something new to her, but it was the first time she wanted to rip someone’s clothes off their body.

She didn’t think she had ever felt that much turned on before and the way Ava was pressing against her was not helping her case.

A specific move of Ava’s tongue against her drew a moan from her and it surprised her enough to make her stop the kiss while she felt her clit grow twice its normal size.

Ava kissed her back right away, bringing Beatrice’s face forward using her hands, but all with delicacy.  It was both unknown to them how much time had passed since the second kiss, but someone bumped into Beatrice, breaking the kiss. 

“Shit!” Ava exclaimed.

“Sorry!”

The person apologized and left right away. 

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I think we should go home.”

Ava nodded. She was smiling but Beatrice saw the questioning look in her eyes. 

“Go outside, I’ll join you. I need to grab my jacket.”

“Okay.”

They stayed still for a few seconds, staring awkwardly into each other’s eyes before parting in separate ways. 

_

Shit, fuck, fuck, shit.

How do I go back home with Bea right after kissing the fuck out of her and almost asking her to grab me right on the dance floor?

She’s for sure feeling awkward right now because I know she’s not confident with girls. 

Fuck, I hope I didn’t force her into anything…

No, I didn’t. I asked her twice and asked for consent and Bea could aikido me if she felt uncomfortable.

Yes, and she moaned when I did the thing with my tongue.

“Ava?”

Ava jumped, turning toward the source of the voice to find Hans. 

“Are you okay? You were standing there for a good minute, now.”

“Did I? Sorry. I’m leaving. See ya!”

She left Hans before he could add anything. It was a short walk to Beatrice who she saw texting on her phone, waiting for her.

“You waited for me!”

Beatrice looked up and put her phone in her back pocket faster than Ava ever saw her before.

“Yes. You asked me to…”

Beatrice’s facial expression made Ava laugh and she put her arm under Beatrice’s before walking toward their apartment.